Don't Forget Your Retired Stamps!

I don't know if you've noticed, but I have been sharing cards that I have created with stamps.  I want you to utilize the stamps you buy.  They aren't just great accent pieces, but they can make a whole card!  One of my favorite sets is It's Your Day.  It was a double set and the September special last year.  I know many of you have it!  It's one of the trendiest sets and works great for any type of paper crafting.  Today I combined it with the April stamp of the month My Sunshine (which I also know many of you have!) to make this accordion card.

You can find the pattern for this card fold HERE.  Really, it's so simple, but so genius!  I love the way the fold creates a scene for the card.  Here's another view:

It fold flat, but I've used some wooden embellishments and foam tape so it's going to take an extra 20 cents to mail.  I love when I find a pattern that makes the card a gift in itself!  The sun, cloud (Surf's Up paper), and banner were cut with the Artiste cartridge, and I've added a little washi tape.  The colors I've used for stamping are Slate, Creme Brulee, and Ruby.

I am going to enter this card into the Colour Q color challenge, Card Mania spots and/or stripes challenge, and the Inkspirational anything goes challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today - and dig out those favorite retired stamps!!

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Let Freedom Ring

I did not have a chance to make a card yesterday in honor of Memorial Day, so I am bringing it to you this morning.  Any day is a good day for red, white, and blue, and to remember the freedoms we are afforded thanks to our service men and women.

I love using the stamp set American Celebration.  It is just that - a celebratory set that speaks volumes all by itself.  I used the Darice stars folder for embossing, a little cranberry ribbon from stash, and some bitty sparkles for highlights.  

I'm entering this into the Cupcake Inspirations challenge along with Fantabulous Cricut Memorial Day challenge (I used the Art Philosophy cartridge to cut the star).

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Dream Pop Notions

There are only a few more days to get your Dream Pop paper!  There is a limited supply left, so be sure to hop over right away if you'd like a packet.  I thought I'd show you a little clear pail that I decorated.

I utilized the Artiste cartridge to cut the dress, dress form, spool, scissors, and letters.  I brought the letters into the Cricut Craft Room to weld them together for this.  I found some matching ribbon in my stash to wrap around the handle, and it was done.  Super easy and really fun!

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World's Greatest Mom

I didn't get to see my mother on Mother's Day, but we will be seeing her tomorrow.  I made her card yesterday to go along with her gift.  I was inspired by the sketch at Sketch File to create this card.

This stamp set (Perfect Fit - Mom) along with stark white daisy cardstock reminds me of the sunshine.  This was so easy to create using our punches.  I used the 1-1/4" punch to create the circles and the 2" scalloped punch for the sentiment.  Easy peasy!  

I hope you have plans for a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

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Relief for Oklahoma

One of the reasons I am very proud to be a Close To My Heart consultant is the constant generosity and compassion that this company shows.  As many of you know, when you buy a stamp set from Close To My Heart, a portion of the proceeds goes to Operation Smile.

Yesterday, Close To My Heart released a stamp set that is going to be in the 2013 Autumn/Winter Idea Book.  When you purchase this stamp set from now through June 30th, 100% of the profits will go to the American Red Cross for relief efforts in Oklahoma.  Isn't that awesome?!

This stamp is just $2.95, and you can order it here.  I love that price point because it allows you to order one for yourself and extra for your friends.  All the while knowing that you are helping the people in this storm-torn area.  

Thank you, in advance, for your support!  Watch my blog in June for another opportunity through stamp sets to support our military.

Thanks a Bunch

I am back again today with another card.  I found a great sketch at Freshly Made Sketches, and I wanted to give it a go.

I so loved putsing over this card and decided to make one for each of my team members that completes my May challenge.  Let me tell you how I made it.  This is the June Stamp of the Month (so you are getting a peek!), and I stamped the flower garden image with olive pigment ink.  From there, I colored the flowers and leaves with alcohol markers.  I used pear, ruby, sorbet, lagoon, blush, and gypsy.  I grabbed my texture tools and used the sea foam with pear ink to make the grass and the stipple brush with sky ink to create the sky.  The strip of green paper is from Chantilly, and I've added washi tape and silver shimmer trim.

I hope you've been having a great week!
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Congrats

I saw a sketch at Inkspirational this morning, and I immediately thought of my background stamps.

The floral background is from the In the Background stamp set, and the argyle/harlequin is from Fabulous You.  The sentiment is from the For Always Card Making Workshop on the Go set, and I stamped it twice in order to pop up the "congrats" portion of the sentiment.  I've used champagne and cashmere ink for this card, so I added some interest by adding black organdy ribbon and hat pins from my stash.  I enjoy using my stamps to make my own background paper.  With forty colors in the CTMH palette, it's easy to create a look that's all your own!

Other challenges I will be entering this card into are:

• ABC Challenges - stamp your own background
• Anything Goes Challenges - handmade backgrounds
• Craft Room Challenge - stamp your own background

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God's Artwork

I am not sharing any artwork today, but rather some of the bird-watching pictures I have taken recently.  These will eventually go on a layout.  We are so blessed to have so much nature in our backyard.  I've been leaving my camera on the cupboard and taking these photos through the window so as not to scare any of these precious creatures.  Truly, it's a gift to have them come so close to the house and sing each day.  I find a lot of inspiration in nature...which is maybe why I lean toward warm, earthy colors.  Enjoy!!

Pileated Woodpecker

This isn't a bird...but wasn't the last full moon pretty?

Baltimore Oriole

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Female Oriole

 Blue Jay

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Rose Blossom Garden Challenge

Challenge #4 is up at the Rose Blossom Garden!  We'd love to have you join us in using the Birthday Girl key!

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Sincere Thanks

One of my friends was talking last night about how nice it is that we can sponge the For Always paper to suit out needs.  She loves smokey plum, so I wanted to make a card today that would show her how nicely that color works with this paper packet.

Smokey plum looks almost grey in this photo, so I hope you can tell how elegant that color is with this paper.  I added a little tulle, a little bling, and some black shimmer trim to finish up this card.  I hope you're looking forward to a good weekend!!

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He is My Home

I've had a picture sitting on my desk for almost a week that I wanted to put to paper.  One thing or another has kept me from getting it done, but this morning, before I did anything else, I sat and worked with it.  I have to get the grocery shopping done today, but I thought I'd have a much better attitude toward the whole errand process if I exercised my creative muscles a little bit first!  (I know I can't be the only only one that doesn't like grocery shopping!)

I went right to Sketchabilities to find a sketch, and their new one was perfect for what I wanted to do!

This is a photo of Shane and me from 22 years ago.  I remember the day as clear as it was yesterday.  I have said this before, but I am really grateful that over the years I have not been a chronological scrapbooker.  I love that I still have photos of Shane's little boy years to scrap because it allows me to go back and remember those blond-hair-little-boy days.  I love the "subway art" look that is gaining popularity in the scrapbook world, and that's what I've worked into this page.  The paper is Later Sk8r, and I've used a variety of stamps - Sightseer, Canvas Art stamp set, and It's Your Day (retired).  These are stamp sets that have great versatility and allow for cluster such as I've done.  I did a little hand stitching with black embroidery thread on the bottom left and top right.  Other embellishments I've used are Epoxy Bubbles, Outdoor Denim Baker's Twine, Outdoor Denim Buttons, and Tiny Epoxy Alphabet.  Here's a close up for you of the embellishments.

Now that I've had my fun, I suppose I'd better head to the grocery store or I may not be able to make dinner for my husband tonight!

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A Card to Share

We went away for a long weekend, and it was just lovely to spend that time away with my husband.  Shane was working, so it was nice of Jerry to pamper me.  I came home and wanted to go right to my craft room.  I really do miss crafting when I am away for a few days!

I saw the Sketchbook Saturday sketch, and I sat down with my For Always paper to make a card.

I have been wanting to sponge this paper for some time, and I just love the result!  You might not think that Lagoon ink could be elegant, but it sure was with this paper.  If you have some of this pretty paper, give it a try to see what you can come up with.  Gosh, the possibilities are endless!

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Love and Hugs

I wanted to show you some more ways to use the Dream Pop paper today.  It's such a versatile paper packet, and I am really enjoying it!  Let me show what I've done with the embossed cardstock before I show you my card.

The pieces on the left are before I sponged them.  I wanted to show you bare and with ink so that you could get an idea of what it all turns out like.  For this card, I wanted to use White Daisy pigment ink for sponging. This is really easy to do.  Just sponge or rub ink over the paper.  It might look a little muted, but after you are done applying ink, simply wipe with a paper towel.  How easy-peasy is that technique!!  I've chosen to use a lot of different patterns, but look at the way it all comes together using this week's Deconstructed Sketch.

I punched the circles and used notebook lined paper from the packet as well.  The back side of the embossed cardstock is flat, so if you just want color rather than embossing, you can use  that as well.  Truly, they've thought of everything!  There is just something for everyone and every occasion in Dream Pop.  It's really a great paper packet!

Dream Pop is only available through the end of May.  The packet of 24 sheets is just $10 with a $35 purchase!  Please let me know if you have any questions!

Muslin Bag

I am teaching a class tonight and tomorrow night on misting with the Close To My Heart spray pens.  I wanted to show other examples of what can be done with this fabulous tool, and this is just one of my other ideas.

I misted one of our muslin bags using a mixture of alcohol, desert sand re-inker, and water.  I have found that the alcohol helps the mist "set" and dry just a little faster.  The base color is vintage-y because I wanted to use these great stamps from the Fabulous You stamp set.  If you look closely, you see I've stamped a harlequin pattern in the background using creme brulee pigment ink.  I used cocoa pigment ink to stamp the bird stamp and sentiment.  Pigment is pretty important, I think, when stamping on these bags.  You get just a little more definition and richer color.  Pigment is not an instant dry like dye ink, but by the time I got the harlequin stamp cleaned, I was ready to stamp the bird.

Now, to color the bird and flowers, I used alcohol markers.  Before coloring, I slide two pieces of white scrap paper inside the bag.  Alcohol markers will seep through, so you want to make sure that you are protecting your piece.  I used blush, sorbet, and indian corn blue markers.  That looks just like the little bluebird from my backyard.  

What a fun little gift bag to give to a friend!!

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Mother

I truly had a wonderful day of scrapping yesterday!  I had so much fun seeing what the challenges were and participating in many of them.  I showed you a couple, but you would have been on overload had I shared them all!  On thing that Stacy Julian said in her opening video for the Big Picture Classes Creative Crop was that scrapbooking is "fantabulous memory-making coolness."  Don't you agree?  Gosh, I love all that I have learned from her!

The last project I made yesterday was actually a Mother's Day gift for my mother.  I had the pieces out all day, and I just kept thinking about how I wanted to put it together.  This is what I came up with...

I purchased this shadow box frame at Michael's a couple of years ago.  It has a brown tone to it, so I knew I wanted to use Buzz & Bumble paper.  I cut two sheets of flowers from the Artiste cartridge, and sponged them with yummy creme brulee ink before I rolled them.  Once I had them on the frame, I really had fun adding this and that - butterflies (from the Artiste and Art Philosophy), cocoa buttons, trinket pins, bling gems, dark chocolate striped grosgrain, and some little wooden bees.  I like the way it turned out, so I hope my mother likes it!

This is going into a few challenges:

• Cut it Up - Mother's Day
• StuckOnUSketches Die-cut Challenge -  The word Mother
• Pile it On - April Showers Bring May Flowers

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you have a most blessed Sunday!

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Birthday Girl

As promised, I came back quickly so that you wouldn't have to look at the fish hook layout too long!  This is one-page layout that I created for both Scrapbook Generation Challenge #6 and BPC Creative Crop Challenge #2.

I have really enjoyed working with the NSD challenges yesterday and today.  I am trying to get my 2012 album completed, and this is helping.  Now lest you think I am caught up on my scrapping, I am no where new caught up.  I have many of Shane's toddler photos, camping photos, Shane's school album, and the years 1993 - 2000.  That doesn't even include vintage photos!  There is always something to scrap.

Ok, for Scrapbook Generation, I had to use 5 things out of the several items they named.  I used baker's twine, brads, chipboard (letters), metal charm, washi tape, and glitter.  Well, I was an over-achiever and used 6!  The challenge at Big Picture was to put photo pockets, and I used flip flaps to store photos and journaling.  Such a fun product!

Now, I have a lot more scrapping to do, and it's already going on 7:30 pm! There's just not enough time in a day!!


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Hooked

I've been scrapping away today celebrating National Scrapbooking Day!  I'll be sharing quite a bit in the next few days, but today I want to show this layout I made for Scrapbook Generation's Challenge #3 (use a one-page sketch from SG).  I am going to start out by saying that if you have a queasy stomach, don't look further!!

Oh, did this ever freak me out!  Jerry went fishing and came home soon after hooking himself in the finger with a titanium hook.  Here's the journaling:

Ok, now I am going to make another layout so that this gruesome finger is not the first thing that you see when you visit!  But I am a story teller, so this has to go in the book, too!

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Tickled Pink

Are you excited that tomorrow is National Scrapbooking Day?  I am!  Last week I decided that I would schedule myself off for a couple of days in order to play along with all the challenges out there.  We are paper crafters and should celebrate the day that was set aside for us!!  Today I am working on some challenge blog challenges, and tomorrow I am going to play over at Big Picture Classes for the Creative Crop!

So after all of explanation for why I am playing instead of working, I thought I'd share my first project today. There is a fabulous sketch over at Cardabilities, and I knew I wanted to combine it with the colors challenge over at Play Date Cafe.  Of course, I needed to add sparkle, bling, and ribbon so it fits into the Really Reasonable Ribbon challenge, too!

The raspberry paper in the background and the circles is from the Dream Pop paper packet.  Let me tell you, this paper packet has a lot of colors and a lot of potential.  Do you see the diagonal lines in the background?  Those lines are embossed on the cardstock in the packet, so it makes perfect emboss resist designs.  I just sponged black ink on my circles, and I've got a brand new color!  I've also used black shimmer trim, tulle, and a final touch of pink sparkles.  Super duper easy!

Off to play some more!!

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Stamp of the Month - Pinwheel

When I was a little girl, we always had pinwheels at birthday parties.  I'll tell you, it was hours of fun, wasn't it?  Simple fun  - and that's why I like this month's stamp of the month simply called Pinwheel.  I'll be showing you many examples of ways to use this set this month, but I wanted to show you a good use for a boy card first.

This is also the card that I sent to my downline for completing the April challenge I sent their way.  I had such fun creating these cards for them!

This is a tent topper card using Later Sk8r paper packet with a few embellishments.  I cut the circles and scalloped borders with the Art Philosophy cartridge, and I cut the pinwheels with the Artiste.

T
he Stamp of the Month is always just $5 with a $50 purchase.  I think you are going to love having this one in your collection!

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New Month, New Special, and a New Challenge at Rose Blossom Garden!

Happy May Day!  Have you ever left a basket on a doorstep?  I remember all the way back to 1st Grade when we made May Day baskets.  Trust me, that was a long time ago!

Let's start with the new Rose Blossom Garden challenge.  For the 3rd challenge, we are working with the "P" key on the Artiste cartridge.  It is such a fun key with all the pinwheels, yo-yos, and circus images! I am so proud of my team for the way they "bring it" for each challenge!  They love to share artwork with you, so after you are done visiting here, be sure to hop over to see what each one created.  This is what I created using the ferris wheel and yo-yo images:

What do you think of the colors?  I've used Tangerine, Raspberry, and Banana from the Dream Pop collection to create this cascading card (directions from Card Maker magazine).

We are celebrating National Scrapbooking Month here at Close To My Heart by bring you a fantabulous special!!  With your $35 purchase in the month May, you can buy the Dream Pop paper packet for just $10!  It is 24 sheets of pure yumminess!!  The colors are right on trend and perfect for your spring and summer scrapbooking!

Throughout the month, I will be showing you projects using these wonderful colors and the unique glossy embossed cardstock.  I guarantee it won't take long for you to fall in love with it!  I've even designed a mini workshop using these papers that I will tell you more about in another post.

Come back and visit tomorrow to learn about the May Stamp of the Month!

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