Stars and Sparklers 70th Birthday Card for Atlantic Hearts Sketch #533

Welcome back to another Atlantic HeartsSketch Challenge blog post!  This week our sketch features a vertical layout with rectangular panel with 2 small sentiments and a banner behind it,  a half circle with embellishment and small dot embellishments.  My card features Stars and Sparklers paper (retired Close to my Heart), Cricut cut numbers from Holographic paper, punched stars from Holographic paper, Candy Apple Card Stock and small sentiments. 

Here is our fabulous sketch that inspired my card layout and for you to try.  Our challenge is open until Sunday evening, July 15 and you can link up your project here.  We look forward to visiting your blogs and leaving some bloggy comment love. Please stop by our blog on Wednesday to see what the rest of the talented Design Team has to inspire you.

I’m also entering this card into the following challenges:

     Happy Little Stampers July Birthday Challenge

     Colourful Options--Red, White and Blue

     Lost Coast Portal to Creativity #170--Red, White and Blue

     Make My Monday #204--Birthday

     Gem of a Challenge--Anything Goes   

     Creatilicious #262--Anything Goes with option of stars & stripes

     Shopping Our Stash #500--Celebrating by the Numbers

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

 

p.s. If you like what you see on my blog please consider "following" me by email or in your blog roll so you don't miss out on any of my fabulous card making ideas. You can sign up on the right sidebar.

Christmas Card with Fusion Card Challenge Sketch

 Here is a quick card I was able to put together with an "extra" poinsettia that was hiding under some things on my craft desk.  This week's Fusion Sketch was perfect for this element.  

The background panel is Sage Card Stock and the 'Tis the Season stamp set greeting was stamped in Evergreen Ink.  The vertical stripes are Laser Tape from the Dollar Tree which I've had in my stash for years. The poinsettia is from Traditional Holiday stamp set (retired 3 years ago from Close to my Heart) and was stamped in Black Ink onto Ruby and Evergreen card stocks and laminated before attaching to the card front.

Here is the wonderful Fusion Sketch Graphic which inspired my card layout:

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

      Use Your Stuff #414--Out With the Old                                                Crafty Hazelnut Christmas #525--Add a Sentiment

     Addicted to Stamps and More #397--Christmas

     The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #86--Anything                               Christmas Goes                                                                             

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

p.s. If you like what you see on my blog please consider "following" me by email or in your blog roll so you don't miss out on any of my fabulous card making ideas. You can sign up on the right sidebar.

                                                                                           

                                            

   

Freshly Made Sketch #463 with Sunday Stamps Color Palette #225

Now that our holiday company has left I've had some extra time to create cards.  I combined Freshly Made Sketch #463 with 3 of the colors from Sunday Stamps Color Challenge #245.

Close to my Heart Products used:

• Ruby Card Stock
• Cedar and Pine Paper
• Julep Card Stock
• Frosted Christmas stamp (retired)
• Ruby Ink (retired)
• Stitched Rectangle Frame Thin Cut Die
• Clear Shimmer Brush

Other--Glitter Adhesive Foam by Creatology

Here is the wonderful Freshly Made Sketch that inspired my card layout:

Here is the Sunday Stamps Challenge graphic that influenced my color selection:

I'm also entering this card into the Heart 2 Heart challenge theme "Eat, Drink and Be Merry".  This entry also qualifies me for "Perfect Attendance" this month.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!  If you can please leave a comment and tell me which was your favorite card.

:) Marie

p.s. If you like what you see on my blog please consider "following" me by email or in your blog roll so you don't miss out on any of my fabulous card making ideas. You can sign up on the right sidebar.

Christmas Card with Paper Players Sketch #514

 Sketch challenges are my favorites! Today I'm playing along with the Paper Players #514 sketch with another Christmas card.

Products used:

     Cedar and Pine paper

     Evergreen Cardstock

     White Embossing powder

     Ruby Cardstock

     Reindeer Crossing (CTMH Stamp of the Month 12/19) sentiment

     Reindeer sticker from the Paper Studio

     Ribbons--unknown source

Here is the fabulous Paper Players sketch that inspired my card layout:

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

    The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge--Anything Christmas 

    Try it on Tuesday--Embossing

    Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge--Anything Christmas

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

p.s. If you like what you see on my blog please consider "following" me by email or in your blog roll so you don't miss out on any of my fabulous card making ideas. You can sign up on the right sidebar.

     

     

   

Color Dare #258--Black, White, Ruby, Juniper, Sweet Leaf, Slate and Whisper

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are inviting you to create something with all and only the following Close to My Heart colors which can be found in the Jack paper pack:  Black, White, Ruby, Juniper, Sweet Leaf, Slate and Whisper.  Of course, if you don't have these fabulous Close to My Heart colors yet you can substitute similar colors so you can still play along.

Close to My Heart has introduced a new Ribbon Border Die which I used to create this card using all the challenge colors:

Close to My Heart products used:

     Black CS

     White Daisy CS

     Slate CS

     Sweet Leaf CS

     Ruby CS

     Juniper CS

     Whisper CS

     Ribbon Border Thin Cut Die

     Sincere Expressions stamp (retired)

     Memento Black Ink

     Black and White Dots

Here is the Color My Heart Color Dare graphic.  Just click on it to get to see what the rest of the fabulous Design Team members have to inspire you:

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

     Crafty Gals Corner #137--Dies

     Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog--Thinking of You

     Moving Along with the Times--Beginning with B-            -Bows

     Addicted to Stamps and More #256--Anything                   Goes

       House That Stamps Built--Anything Goes

     

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

p.s. If you like what you see on my blog please consider "following" me by email or in your blog roll so you don't miss out on any of my fabulous card making ideas. You can sign up on the right sidebar.

Color Dare #255 Meets Freshly Made Sketch #299

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This month we are featuring colors from the "Jack" paper packet along with some others.  We are challenging you to create something with all and only these exclusive Close to My Heart colors:  White Daisy, Black, Willow, Ruby, Sapphire Slate with Silver as an option.  Of course, if you don't have these exact CTMH colors yet you may substitute similar colors so you can still join in on the fun!

Here is the Color Dare challenge graphic.  Just click on it to get to see what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.  We look forward to seeing what you can create with these challenge colors.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Willow CS

     White Daisy CS

     Black CS

     Slate CS

     Sapphire CS

     Ruby CS

     Scallop Border Thin Cut

     Memento Black Ink

     Card Chatter--Birthday (retired)   

     

My card layout was inspired by this fun Freshly Made Sketch:

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

     Seize the Birthday--Option--Tie One On

     Day Dreamer Challenges--Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

p.s. If you like what you see on my blog please consider "following" me by email or in your blog roll so you don't miss out on any of my fabulous card making ideas. You can sign up on the right sidebar.

October Joyful Stars Blog Hop

Welcome back to the October Joyful Stars Blog Hop!  We are a group of Close to My Heart consultants who share something each month on the 9th and at 9PM EST.  If you are coming from Andrea Sherman's blog you are on the right track. (The complete lineup is also on Joyce's blog in case you get lost.)  Have fun being inspired!

My card this month features a new stamp set from Holiday Expressions called "Season of Magic".  The colors are Sea Glass, Ruby and Oh Deer paper.  The ribbon is Black Shimmer Ribbon from the Holiday Expressions catalog.  Inks are Fern and Ruby.

Here is the Mojo Monday #468 Sketch that inspired my card layout.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

     Crafting When We Can #129--Christmas Comes Early theme

     Ribbon Girls--Anything Goes

     Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas--Turquoise or Aqua Christmas

Now head on over to Debi Brile's blog to see the awesome project she has to share this month.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

     

Color Dare #206 Meets Sketch Saturday #424

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are challenging you to use  all and only the colors from the Close to My Heart Florence paper pack.  These colors are:  Flaxen, Peacock, Poppy, Ruby, Saffron and Whisper.  Of course, if you don't have these exact colors yet you can substitute similar colors so you can still join in the fun.

My card features a hippo ballerina from Safari Ballet stamp set.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Florence paper

     Safari Ballet stamp set

     White Daisy paper

     Ruby CS

     Ruby Ink

     Whisper CS

     Black Ink

     Charlotte paper (Whisper stripe)

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

My card layout was inspired by Sketch Saturday # 424:

I am also entering this card into this week's Between the Folds Florence challenge, Heart 2 Heart Florence challenge and the Stampin' Royalty's Anything Goes challenge.

Here is the color graphic for Color Dare #206.  Just click on it to check out what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.  We would love to have you join us in our gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Color Dare #200 Meets Try Stampin' on Tuesdays #276

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post.  This is challenge #200 and we are very excited to share the opportunity for you to win a paper packet of Close to My Heart paper of your choice.  Details later in this blog post.  This week we are challenging you to use all and only the following Close to My Heart colors:  Ruby, Sapphire and Colonial White.  (If you don't have these CTMH colors yet you can substitute similar colors so you can still join in on the fun!)

Close to My Heart products used:

     Sapphire CS

     Ruby CS

     Colonial White CS

     Ruby Ink

     Sapphire Ink

     Fairytale Birthday

     Ruby Chevron Washi tape

     Vellum (retired)

Here is the Color Dare challenge graphic.  Just click on it to get to our challenge blog to be inspired by the rest of the fabulous Design Team.  

Here is the Try Stampin' on Tuesdays sketch that inspired me:

I'm also entering this into the Simon Says Wednesday Anything Goes challenge.

Now on to the Color My Heart Color Dare celebration!  If you enter a project with the challenge colors and you are selected as the Diamond Award winner you will get to create a future Color Dare challenge! That could be lots of fun especially since Close to My Heart will be introducing eight new colors on August 1.

The Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog has been challenging our followers for the past 4 years and we very much appreciate all the ways our Design Team and participants have inspired us to create with these awesome Close to My Heart exclusive colors.

  

Would you like to win a new paper pack (Fundamentals, solid cardstock, or themed paper from the current Annual Inspirations catalog, Seasonal Expressions catalog or upcoming Annual Inspirations and Holiday Expressions catalog)?  

All you have to do is comment on ALL the Design Team's entries this week and your name will be put into a random draw to win.  You don't need to create a project to be eligible--just comment on all of our entries. For each 10 people who comment on all DT entries there will be one prize given. If we have 20 people comment on all entries then we will have 2 prizes., etc.

The Design Team entries can be found here.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!
:) Marie

P.S. If you really like what you see on my blog please consider becoming a "follower". There is a "join this site" button on the right side of the page down quite a bit.  Thanks!

Color Dare #190 Joins Retrosketch #211

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post!  This week we are challenging you to create something using the following Close to My Heart colors:  Ruby, Gypsy, Honey, Pear and Colonial White.

(If you don't have any of these CTMH colors yet you may substitute with a similar color so you can still join us in our gallery).

Close to My Heart products used:

     Colonial White CS

     Ruby CS

     Kaleidacolor paper

     Your Beautiful Self stamps

     Say it All stamps

     Gypsy Ink

     Ruby Ink

     Honey Ink

     Sponge Daubers

     Hemp Twine (retired)

Before I sponged the background panel I applied a piece of washi tape to mask off the Colonial White background so I could stamp my greeting.

My card was inspired by Retrosketch #211:

Now it's your turn to get creative--how will you use all and only these challenge colors?  Come check out what the rest of the fabulous Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team has to inspire you.

Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity! Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Fantabulous Cricut #269 Meets What if Wednesday Sketch J2716

Welcome back to another Fantabulous Cricut Challenge post.  The theme for our challenge this week (#269) is to make a project with a Valentine's Theme.  My card uses a decorative label cut from the Art Philosophy cartridge and a banner cut from the Artiste cartridge.  I used Design Space for cutting these elements.

Here is a side view so you can see the beautiful foil heart on the top layer.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Hollyhock CS

     La Vie En Rose paper

     Black CS

     White Daisy CS

     Ruby CS

     Art Philosophy cartridge

     Artiste Cartridge

     Artfully Sent Cartridge Collection stamp

     Black Ink

     3D Foam Tape

     Opaque Adhesive Gems

Other products:

     Toner paper by Heidi Swapp

     Light Pink Reactive foil by Heidi Swapp

     Minc machine

Here is a link to my Design Space file so you can recreate this card if you wish.

My card was inspired by this fabulous sketch by the House That Stamps Built:

I'm also entering my card into the My Time to Craft #314 "Love is All Around" challenge and Cards in Envy "From the Heart" challenge.

Now head on over to the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge blog to check out what the fabulous Design Team has to share with you.  We would love for you to join in this challenge.  There is a prize being sponsored by D.L. Art you could win.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fun week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

La Vie En Rose Numbered Birthday Card

One of the currently available paper packs from Close to My Heart is a beautiful floral pattern.  I used this elegant paper to create a birthday card for my son.

Close to My Heart products used:

     La Vie En Rose paper

     Art Philosophy cartridge for numbers and circle

     Ruby CS

     Vellum (retired)

     

Other products:

     Recollections Black CS

     Clear photo corners to attach vellum piece to cardfront

     Paper Lace 2 cricut cartridge (I used Design Space to stretch the music staff into a rectangular   

         shape).   

This card is being entered into the following challenges:

     Seize the Birthday--Vellum or Acetate topping

     Just Add Ink--#289--Just Add Music

Believe it or not I put this card together with the musical note birthday wish and acetate panel BEFORE I saw what the above challenges required!

Please stop by tomorrow morning to see the latest Color My Heart Color Dare challenge.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

     

Color Dare #168 Meets Global Design Project Sketch #10

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are featuring the Close to My Heart colors from the La Vie En Rose color scheme:

The other Design Team members have used the beautiful La Vie En Rose papers to create their projects but I dare to be different and used just the cardstock colors.  

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Ruby CS

     Poppy CS

     Pomegranate CS

     Hollyhock CS

     Black CS

     Pixie CS

     Dizzy Circles stamp set

     Black Ink

     Liquid Glass (on Ruby top layer of circle sandwich)

     Itty Bitty Pearl

     3D Foam Tape

Here is the Global Design Project sketch that I followed:

Now it's your turn to create something with these challenge colors.  If you don't have the exact colors listed you may substitute similar colors so you can still join in on the fun.  Please go here to find the challenge blog linky and check out what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has created.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Favorite Cricut Character Blog Hop for Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog with Blog Candy Alert

The Design Team of the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog has put together a blog hop to introduce some new Design Team members and I'm one of them!  I'm so happy to be a part of this awesome Design Team!  Let's start hopping:   If you are coming from Kristina's blog you are on the right track.

Our goal is to create a project with a favorite "character".  A character can be -- a number, a letter, a persons personality, etc., so we are showcasing what our interpretations of a what a character is.

 Who doesn't love Santa?  I found him in the Winter Frolic cartridge (also in the Ultimate Creative Sampler cartridge) and paired him with a sentiment from Close to My Heart Artiste cartridge.

Since I'm also a Close to My Heart consultant most of my projects will feature CTMH products.

Close to My Heart products used:
     Artiste Cricut cartridge (Ho Ho Ho)
     White Daisy CS
     Black CS
     Jingle paper (retired)
     Red Shimmer Trim
     Ruby CS
     3D Foam Tape
   
Other products:
    Fresh Snow Glitter paper by Colorbok
 
I used this Sunday Stamps Sketch #102 for my card layout:
   

   
My title did mention Blog Candy so here it is:

I will be giving away the above CTMH April 2015 Stamp of the Month called "Typed Note". It features numerous sentiments that can fit onto the typewriter paper.

To be eligible for the prize
1. You must leave a comment on all the blogs in the hop
2. You must be or become a follower of all the blogs in the hop

We will have prizes (blog candy) on some of the blogs along the way.  You will have until June 2nd to leave a comment by 12 midnight EST. We will announce the winners on each of our blogs on June 7th. You will need to check back to see if you have won.

The next stop on this hop is Lilian's blog.

Here is a complete list of all the Design Team members in the Favorite Character Blog Hop.  Be sure to visit them all and leave comments (otherwise known as "bloggy love")

FCCB --------     http://fantabulouscricut.blogspot.com/

Sara   ----------- http://Pypercreations.blogspot.ca
Christina   -----http://craftychickscreating.blogspot.com
Kristina   -------http://lllscrap.blogspot.com/
Marie   --------- http://www.njstampingqueen.blogspot.com/
Lilian------------- http://theleafstudio.blogspot.com
Carol ------------ http://4evercarolscreations.blogspot.com/
Michelle-------  http://justanutterpapercrafter.blogspot.com/
Karla ----------- http://creative-love-affair.blogspot.ca/
Lynn ------------ http://mycardsnstuff.blogspot.com
Liz --------------  http://unikbyyes.blogspot.com
Cindy------------http:cindyvernon.blogspot.com
DIANA L.--------http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

FCC --------     http://fantabulouscricut.blogspot.com/

The current challenge taking place at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog is to follow a sketch.  Just click on the link to be inspired by the fabulous Design Team.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creatvity!
:) Marie

Paper Bird Meets Color Dare #144

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post.  We invite you to create using Close to My Heart colors. (Of course, if you don't have these specific colors yet you may substitute similar colors so you can still play along.)  This week our challenge features the following colors:
Juniper, Ruby, Canary and white Daisy.

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Ruby CS

     Juniper CS

     Canary CS

     Paper Bird stamps 

     Ruby Ink

     Juniper Washi Tape (retired)

     Ruby ChevronWashi Tape

Here is the color graphic that we would like you to post in your blog if you decide to take the Color Dare challenge:

The challenge at the Male Room this week is to use Washi Tape so I am entering this card into that challenge also.

Now, head on over to the Color My Heart Color Dare blog and see what the other Design Team members have to inspire you.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

P.S.  Stop by again on Monday for a special post featuring "Blog Candy" to be won!

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #252--With a Sketch

I'm so excited to share with you that I've been selected to join the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog Design Team!  I've been following this blog for years and playing along on occasion and am delighted that I will be getting to share more Cricut inspired challenges with you.  This week's challenge is sponsored by Bugaboo stamps and features the use of an old Retrosketch Challenge from July 2012.

Close to My Heart products used:
     Artbooking cartridge pg. 53--Photo Mat 2
     Brushed Paper
     Ruby CS
     Pixie CS
     Black CS
     For Every Occasion stamp-Hi--retired
     Finding the Words--tiny heart stamp
     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel--retired

Other products:
     Baby Flower Pot image by Bugaboo stamps
     Prismacolor pencils

Here is the Retrosketch graphic that we are asking you to use for this challenge:

So head on over to the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog to see what the other fabulous Design Team members have to inspire your creativity.  We hope you can play along with us.  The challenge ends Sunday evening, June 7.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Happy Mother's Day Card for Joyful Stars Blog Hop and Other Challenges

Welcome back to our monthly blog hop called "Joyful Stars".  We  are a group of Close To My Heart consultants sharing our love of Close to My Heart products with you. If you are coming from Krista Hershberger's blog you are on the right track.  If you get lost along the way you can find your way back on track by visiting Joyce's blog for a complete lineup.

I followed the Try Stampin' on Tuesday sketch to make my card:

Close to My Heart products used:

     Art Philosophy cricut cartridge for doily

     White Daisy CS

     Black CS

     Brushed paper

     Topiary CS

     Ruby CS

     A Budding Friendship stamp

     Happy to Be Friends greeting

     Black Ink

     Pixie Ink

     Canary Ink

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

     3D Foam Tape

Challenges entered:

     Try Stampin' on Tuesday sketch

     Friday Mashup--Mother's Day

     Bitten by the Bug--Mother's Day

     Shopping Our Stash--Big, Bold and Beautiful

Now it's time to head on over to see what the very talented Nancy Brown has to share with you!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie