Create your Vision

Spotlight blog hop - alphabets

2012-02-14T17:40:00.001-08:00

Welcome to this months blog hop.
This month is all about alphabet stamps. Alphabet stamps are so versatile.
You should be comings from Carol'sNext is Haley's

My mojo was gone. But I got inspiration from my tshirt. I used trinity alphabet which has 3 different sizes and fonts . I used the two largest fonts on my card. then went thru and found different stamps that had love and used those.

Use it or Lose it Challenge - Use your first stamp

2012-02-09T18:41:00.000-08:00

Im so excited that the Use it or Lose it Challenge blog is up and roaring. I hope we are gonna have some great times and find creative ways to use up our scraps. Come on, we all have them. Its the crafting worlds dirty little secret. Its hard to throw even the smallest piece away. I am reorganizing my scraps do to this blog challenge and I have no idea why I even kept some of the pieces. What was I thinking?

My first ctmh stamp was actually when I signed up to be a consultant. Before then, I had never use CTMH. Shocking, I know. But the first time I used that clear acrylix stamp, I was hooked. So much better than the stamps I owned.

My kit came with a couple stamps, but I only kept 2. The other stamps just weren't me, plus they make great giveaways for my customers. The two i kept were A Flitter and Tasty Treats. And with A Flitter began my love/hate relationship with hand cutting. Who am I kidding, I hate hand cutting. That is why I have a Cricut.

These scraps are so old we don't even have that color cardstock anymore. It is watermelon. I also used another old stamp, circle together.

Not sure where this grey/pink combos came from. But it works. Plus the valentine themes was purely accidental.

So go check out the rest of the design team.

Hope you play along.

Sneak peek for blog challenge

2012-02-07T13:04:00.000-08:00

Check out the cool badge button my downline and design team member Mandi made. Here is a sneak peek of the project I made for the first challenge. Hope to see you there

Use it or Lose it challenges starting this Friday

2012-02-06T14:48:00.000-08:00

I'm excited. My challenge blog, Use it or Lose it will have its first challenge this Friday. We have some great design team members to help with your inspiration. If i'm not too sick (I have a viral lung infection), I should joining this friday's challenge. So pop over and have some fun using up your scraps.

sotm blog hop - Feb 2012

2012-01-31T20:39:00.001-08:00

welcome. you some be coming from Wanda's blog next is mary's blog
sorry i am down with a sickness so i am just gonna post the pics

New Items Blog hop

2012-01-28T16:54:00.000-08:00

Welcome to this new Idea Book blog hop. We will be showing you projects uing new items that will be coming out Feb 1st.

you should be coming from Amy McVey. Next in the line up is
Elizabeth Mindemann

My goal was to use every product that i got. I am just 3 items shy of this goal. Mainly because one of the items was stolen by the gnomes and I just got it back. I mean i searched everywhere, including in the garbage just in case. Three days later, there it was. Just like the paper that disappeared and my rings. ugh... gnomes and their gnomey magic and kleptomania.

the only things i am not posting are the sotm items. you will just have to wait til those months to see . hehe.

(note - all new items are listed below the photo)

(mini banners, Bohemian Assortments, Color Ready garden shapes, Seam binding ribbon, Bakers Twine, Bouquet Assortments, Stella)

(tapestry rub-ons, Just a Number)

(Stella, Life is tweet, Stella stamp, Bakers twine, You are..., pemberley stamp, adhesive springs)

(close up of the spring)

(superhero, bakers twine)

(bouquet assortment, pemberley, bakers twine, wooden badge buttons, thanks)

(super powers, superhero, bakers twine)

(victory, victory stamp, pure adventure, durables)

(diverse backgrounds, pemberley stamp, a tree, durables, victory)

(pemberley, super powers, live out loud)

This card does feature a sotm, but i wanted to show this because it shows how you can use super powers without making it a superhero or boys theme

(superhero, Diverse Backgrounds, Urban felt alphabet, Just for you, Keepsake alphabet)

This is attached with velcro so you can swap for whatever season or holiday. I only made two for now.

this is urban felt alphabets. i used a marker to color it red and added glitz to it

(just for you, pemberley, victory, bouquet assortment, seam binding ribbon)

This is based off a card from Vicki Wizniuk

(superhero,comic badge buttons, super powers)

I used the stamp from enjoy life to stamp on the stars. it matches great with the paper

(milk cartons, stella, new arrival)

That is all the new artwork i will show for now. but i will leave you with a tip.

For my baker's twine, i nailed 4 holes in a top of a jar and i just pull out what i need. i still need to decorate it.

Next in the line up is
Elizabeth Mindemann Enjoy the hop and the new Idea Book

Use it or lose it challenge blog

2012-01-19T12:43:00.000-08:00

I am starting a new challenge blog called Use it or Lose it. We are going to have weekly challenges and the only rule is, you need to use your stash. This is going to be a great way to use what you already have. The blog will start Feb 1st. I am looking for design team member. All the info is at the Use it or Lose it blog. Hope to see you all there.

I shouldn't say rejects....

2012-01-18T10:52:00.001-08:00

But the two beautiful cards were not chosen by Papercrafts magazine. (insert sad face here)
The first one was for their vacation call. I came up with this idea before i even had the products.

The second card was for the sketch call. I really love how this one turned out. And i even played doctor on my stamps and cut the butterflies from the sentiment.

Even tho they were not accepted, you still get to see them. Actually you get to see them before you would if they were chosen. I am also adding the hit the road card for moxie fab Map to your heart challenge

I am gonna try again. The have a call for their new stamp it special.

Ctmh spotlight blog hop - scraps

2012-01-14T17:36:00.001-08:00

Welcome to this month spotlight hop. We will be using something we all have, scraps. I think i have more scraps then full paper. You should be coming from Tracy O.. Next in the hop is Laurie Flannery
I challenged myself to not only use scraps, but to also use nothing new. I did pretty well, tho i did use new bakers twine on one of them. I couldn't help it. It just fit.

this card uses sweetheart paper and pair-a-phrase stamp. The heart rhinestone is just a random thing I had. See, I'm even using up my random things. lol

Remember when we had the Level 1 paper packs, if you don't, the picture below is one.

Cherry-O is the paper I got when I signed up, and i still have some of the level 1 papers. So i used it to make the base for my card. I even used the my stickese that came with it. Here is the bakers twine tho. But look, its perfect. Also used some red glitz that I'm not sure if I ever used. OOPs (looks guilty)

A baby card using a bunch of pink scraps. Some is sophia, some is Cherry-O, i think thats it. The stamp that i used is new, Jan sotm, but i didn't have any other baby stamps, cept for the brand new new one from the new idea book.

Very old paper, I got this one last year. Again i mixed and matched papers from my scrap pile, so i can't name them all. That is something i love about our paper, you can mix and match any paper packet, the colors will always match. The circles are from Elemental compliments, its old to me. I'm working on new items from the brand new idea book. WOOOHOOO. I will show you sneak peeks soone, but that is all you get until i have my party. I don't want my customers getting too ahead of themselves.

A couple days ago I posted a card that also uses scraps and the mojo monday sketch. Check it outHereNext in the hop is Laurie Flannery

MOJO MONDAY 223

2012-01-11T14:57:00.001-08:00

This is a sneak peek for the bloghop that is going on Jan 15th. The bloghop is to use scraps. And boy do I have scraps.

This one uses scraps and the mojo Monday sketch. I did move the ribbon down from the sketch, but other then that it is true to the sketch

I forgot to put this part in... I also did the card for H2H challenge. You are supposevto use a stamp you never inked. Tech. I have inked every stamp i own. I have a stamp index so i know what images i have. But i have not used this image on a project.

Sotm blog hop 2012

2011-12-31T18:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to a new month and new year and a new sotm blog hop.

You should be coming from Heather's blog. Next on the list is Judy's blog

I made this card during christmas, so that it why its christmas themed. But, hey, since you still have all the christmas stuff, why don't work ahead and get cards done now. This is what I am going to try to do, but doubt it will happen. I am a procrastinator. What I could get today, I will probably do in two weeks. Cause lets face it, tomarrow is just too soon. Except when it comes to putting in my new order to CTMH. Then tomarrow is not soon enough.

Next on the list is Judy's blog Enjoy.

new year review

2011-12-31T12:40:00.000-08:00

it almost the new year and everyone is look back on what 2011 has brought us. I am posting my favorite projects from last year. thank you all for visiting my blog and hope to see you all in the next year.

Mini thank you cards

2011-12-29T22:37:00.001-08:00

thanks to Vicki Wiznuik, she made some cute 3 x 3 cards, check them out out here I was reminded that i needed to work on some mini thanks cards for my customers. THese first set were inspired by the pic below. THis is a great way to use the left over strips of paper.

these cards were inspired by the card below. The coors used are featured i one of the new paper packs coming out in Feb

still working on the whole posting from ipad thing. i promise it will get better

Rock the Block part 2

2011-12-21T15:29:00.001-08:00

I am back with more ideas from the Rock the Block special.
The first picture is a shaker box ornament. I cut the block in half so you can get two ornaments from one block. Stamped the image and placed it in the back.
Merry Christmas is stamped on the acetate with Staz-on. I added microbeads and added a frame with skinny piece of cardstock.

The second picture is a card. I stamped the large corner piece (my favorite stamp from this set) and cut it into random rectangles.

To check out my other Rock the Block projects click here and here

Rock the block bloghop

2011-12-18T18:56:00.001-08:00

Welcome to this months special blog hop. Starting now till the end of Jan you get get this special Rock the Block. You should be arriving from Heather Schmuckal Next on this hop is Kristine Ponte

The first one shown was an idea since I had since I first heard about this special. These blocks are hollow so you can cut a side off and make a shadow box. A very tiny shadow box. I hope you can see in the first photo, I have Presents in the background. The tree is on the first level.

The second idea was a little photo holder. Yes, that picture in the holder is me when I was younger. I used the foundry pin clips for the photo holder. It is behind the holly leaves. I actually cut those holly leaves by hand because I was without my cricut. It's back now. Woohoo. I used the love stamp from the stamp set. This stamp set is only available during this special. The blocks will be in the new idea book coming out Feb.
I love this stamp set. I used it p. The current sotm card, so pop back one post to check it out. More artwork will being coming. I have some great ideas.

Check out Rock the Block 2

SOTM blog hop - December

2011-11-29T20:32:00.000-08:00

Welcome to december's sotm blog hop. You should be arriving from Heather's blog. Next in the line up is Vicki's blog.

This month sotm is a valentines stamp set, but I'm just not ready for that holiday yet. So I took this stamp and made a Christmas card. It's very easy to change to any occasion tho. This card has a sneak peek for "Rock the Block" which will be starting mid dec. I just love that this stamp set is E sized, which means most of the stamps are over two inches. The background is a four inch corner stamp I stamped twice in cranberry. I just love that stamp so much. I masked the ticket stamp from the sotm so I just had the outline and cut in half. I also used the largest heart stamp from sotm as well.

I just got a gypsy so I was having fun using it with my cricut for this. Sadly, I am without my cricut for a while. I had to send it back because it was not cutting correctly. Provocraft is replacing my machine, which I am very happy about. Just don't get me started about the company I got my gypsy from. That is a rant you just don't want to hear.

I hope you enjoyed the card and rant free post. Next in the line up is Vicki's blog.

Simple Christmas cards

2011-11-26T21:19:00.001-08:00

I had a customer ask for some. Christmas cards. This was my first idea. Then I had no more ideas so this is the one I went with. It very simple and a great way to use some leftovers. I think I got the main idea from make it Monday videos.

I used ap cart from ctmh so I didn't have to cut almost anything. There a many card designs in this cart that will work for the appliqué idea. The paper is believe. I had to cover up the back of the bits of paper I used and a happy accident came along. If I only covered it half way, you can place a gift card, money or photos there. I love when that happens

Spotlight blog hop - embossing

2011-11-14T20:46:00.000-08:00

Welcome to this months blog hop. We will be showing you embossing. You should have arrived here fromJena's blog.. Next is Carol's blog .

Above is my embossing project. Still learning how to use blogger from my iPad so I don't know how to move photos yet. I used versamark to stamp my words. I embossed them in silver pearl embossing powder. Then I used olive ink and sponged the color over the embossing. I love how this looks. I will use this in a project in a later post but don't want to give away the project. So some special people will be getting gifts soon. View this a sneak peak.

Again,Next is Carol's blog . Please come back soon for the full project

Stamp of the month nov

2011-10-31T19:33:00.001-07:00

Well first of all it's my birthday. My hubby is army and is working so I don't have anything planned

Now welcome to the blog hop. You should be coming from Karen. Next in the hop is Krista

I forgot to take the picture of my card before I gave it to my customer, so I will get it tomorrow and post it.

Yay. Someone nominated me

2011-10-25T12:26:00.001-07:00

I was nominated for the Leibster Blog award by Twyla atwww.twylasheart.blogspot.com. Thanks so much for this award. I see these awards a lot while reading my google reader, but never really pay that much attention. I usually already have them on my reader. But Twyla's post I read. Then I saw my name. I would have done a little dance if my back wasn't hurting me. So again thank you. It only takes something little to make me happy.

The rules for this award.
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog. These picks must have fewer than 200 followers on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have fun!

Now it's my turn to nominate. All these creative ladies surprisingly have under 200 followers, tho some are very close

Aaron at aaronsbooth32.blogspot.com
She is a sweet girl.You can also find here artwork in the last 3 issues of Papercraft Mag. Go Aaron
Jen at www.jenrubio.blogspot.com
She is my aunt in the close to my heart world. And she has accepted me with open arms. I have followed her blog before I even knew this.

Luisa at www.creativedesignsbyluisa.com
I meet her at convention and she always has great artwork in the blog hop I do.

Corina at www.mycreativeink.org. I also meet her at convention. She was one of the teachers and had some of the most beautiful art. Plus her hat was amazing.

And last but not least is Adeline at www.Adeline-brill.blogspot.com. She usually follows me on the blog hop and we tend to have the same idea, but completely different artwork.

Thank you ladies for having some great blogs for me to follow. And I encourage you to follow their blogs

Glitter = evil

2011-10-22T19:01:00.001-07:00

I hate glitter. I completely agree that it is the herpes of the crafting world. I just a small bit mixed with embossing powder on a project I didn't even use and I'm still finding glitter. It's still on my iPad. But close to my heart has solved this glitter chaos problem with our glitter glitz. It a bottle of glitter in a clear liquid and you just squeeze it on. And it barely comes off. Glitter herpes, you have been beaten. And the best part is that it's only $2.95. What a great deal.

Spotlight blog hop

2011-10-14T22:00:00.001-07:00

Sorry I don't have my post up. Been sick al week. You should be coming from .ElizabethNext in line is
Luisa

Yay. My post is now up. Sorry it took so long. This months spotlight is reinkers. What I did was used reinkers to make a strong tiedye look with my stamps. I just added reinker to my stamp and misted with water to have the ink spread out. You could do this with ink pads, but this version is a more vibrant color. Plus the water will mix your colors for you. You can also do this on fabric. I hope you enjoyed the tut. Again next on the hop is Luisa

Sotm blog hop.- oct

2011-09-30T16:45:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Oct sotm blog hop. You should be coming from Deanne's blog.
Next in the hop is Casandra's blog

. This card, believe it or not, uses Oct sotm. I used the tree as a pennant and trimmed it so it was just the notes. The polka dot strip is also from the sotm. It's the top of the stocking. I just stamped a few in a row to make the strip.

I hope you enjoyed this. Sorry it's short and simple. Just not feeling this best today and I have been just procrastinating all day.

Again, next in the hop is Casandra's blog

Spotlight Blog Hop - Cricut Art Philosophy

2011-09-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Sept's Spotlight Blog Hop. This Month we are showcasing the best new item Close to my Heart has come out with, Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge. Ohh, I love this so much. And it truly makes it simpler, faster and easier.

This is a circle hop, so you can start anywhere. But if you've been hopping since the start, you should be coming from Luisa's Blog. Next in the hop is Carol's Blog.

This little guy didn't turn out quite the way I wanted. I saw a stamp of holly leaves and they looked like a bat to me, and I knew we had this in the cart. But its a cute way to dress up some suckers for halloween.
This card doesnt use any cricut cuts, but this was where the bat was suppose to end up. The card just took a life of its own. I love this card, its so pretty. Just wanted to show you since I made it.

I did this for last months team meeting but haven't posted the instructions yet. Its very simple to make and they are just like the journaling tags that match elemental in the idea book.
You start with the pillow box. The Cricut perforates where you normally fold over to make the box. I highlighted these in black.Trim off both ends with paper trim like shown.Your box should now look like this.You will follow the perforations on one side, the one closest to the lip you glue. Make sure you cut the same side. The back will be flat, and the front will be curved.Your envelope should look like this when done and glued.

Just add a tag to the inside and you now have your own tag in whatever paper you want.

Thanks for staying thru the tut. Again next on this blog hop is Carol's Blog.

SOTM bloghop - Sept

2011-08-31T16:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to sept's sotm blog hop. You should be coming from Michelle Loncar's blog. Next in the hop is Elizabeth Mindemann's blog. But scroll down below to check out my artwork.This is the images from this months sotm. I know I'm gonna use this alot for my moms wedding, and maybe even mine. But for now, I was stumped. But I do love the tag.

I made bags for my customers as thank you cards and place a petite perk in it.
I used typeset for the bag, with our awesome cricut cart. Then i cut out the tag again with the cricut. I love this cartridge. The tag was cut using sunset, that i sanded to mute the color slightly. Thanks is from A Little Thanks. My customer loved it.

Sorry to make this short, but I'm getting ready to go on my 2nd anniversary. We're going to Vegas. WOOOO. We didn't get to celebrate our 1st anniversary since i was back home in Michigan and Matt was still here at Fort Irwin. Luckly our anniversary falls on a holiday weekend so we should get every one free until he deploys.

Thanks for checking out my artwork, again next in the hop is Elizabeth Mindemann's blog.

Sotm blog hop - pair-a-phrase

2011-08-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

Two post in one day, if blogger will work.If you're looking for the Spotlight Blog Hop, click here This is the sotm blog hop. We are doing a special hop in celebration of pair-a-phrase stamp set coming out today. it comes with 2 D-size stamps set, for free.

You should be coming from Michelle Loncar blog. Next in line is Wendy Coffman
I used the butterflies to do a random stamping. I used the words to stamp on the ribbon. this is so easy to do. The flowers and word 'love' were cut from the cricut. man i love that thing. The card uses Sonoman paper and the zip strip.

Now go check out what
Wendy Coffmandid.

spotlight blog hop - circle cards

2011-08-14T16:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to August spotlight blog hop. This month we are featuring circle cards. You should be coming from Tamytha's blog. Next is Jena's Blog.

Now I made all my cards with the new cricut cart so making the bases were super easy.
The card below was made with all scraps. Even the base was in my scrap bin. The ribbon was an accident. It somehow ended on the table and jest went well with the card.

This card i made for my aunt and grampa. they bought me some cricut carts. Even this card was scraps from the pair-a-phrase card. Its hard to see, but the sentiment say thanks a bunch from a little thanks.

On this card, i only used stickers from typeset complements. this was so quick and easy.

Ill come back with the deet later. I am going to a bday party.

Next in your hop is Jena's Blog.

No B&T birthday card

2011-08-02T11:13:00.000-07:00

I went to a team meeting last sat of july. I was adopted to jen rubio's team because my upline is her sideline. so jen is my aunt in the crafting world. lol. Jen is now hosting a swap for her team members. This months rule was no B&T, use current Alpha stamps and have at least 3 shades of cardstock. We couldn't use B&T, but we could make our own, and that is what i did.

I used a lot of new products on this card. :) I took our new kraft 6x6 card and trimmed the scalloped edge off of it so i could use it further down on the card. And I stamped, Alot. I used 5 different Alpha stamps for my homemade B&T. I used headline alphabet twice, one with a kissing tech with the script stamp for universal backgrounds. The small circle alpha is new from the stamp set Vintage Type. the banners are from that too. I just cut them down so they were smaller. Also used our new cork alphabets, ribbon from the red collection and diecuts from the cricut collection. My three plus colors were kraft, Chocolate, Cranberry and Colonial White. I also used cocoa and Vanilla cream ink. I forgot to mention, I punched a cirlce and backed it on my button the give it some color.

While at the team meeting we made this card with the new Roxie collection, Love Life stamp set, Aug sotm Wicked, Bling buttons and Butterfly just blooms.

Please check out her blog at Jens Jewels Box

Even with all this new product sneak peek, i haven't even covered 1/8th of the new idea book. Come back on the 1st for the sotm blog hop featuring Wicked. Plus i know im gonna have alot of post with the new cricut cartridge. i am so excited to get mine. i get it today, sometime. hopefully soon. lately they have been coming before 2. hope they follow that pattern today.

All items Close to my Heart unless stated:

Cardstock - Kraft Diecut Card, Colonial White, Cranberry, Chocolate

Ink - Colonial White, Vanilla Cream, Cranberry, Chocolate, Cocoa

Stamps - Vintage Type, Polka Dot Alphabet, Headline Alphabet, Friendship Alphabet small, Field Trip Alphabet, Universal Backgrounds

Accessories - Cork Alphabet, Red Ribbon Collection, Clear Buttons, Art Philosophy Collection, 3D foam tape, Liquid Glass

Non - CTMH - circle punch

August SOTM blog hop - Wicked

2011-07-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome the the SOTM blog hop for Aug. You should have come from Lisa Schaefer's blog . Next in the hop is Diana Soling's blog. There are over 60 consultants in this months blog hop. The stamp set is name Wicked and a cute Halloween stamp set.
My first project i kept with the Halloween theme. I used colors from our new Mischief paper packet. I used remarkable wreath(new), and stamped it twice, slightly twisting so it would be a fuller wreath. I embossed the cat in black. I used our milepost shapes (new). I inked it black and used it behind the main image. I stamp the sentiment and cut it out with spellbinder die. i didn't have my cricut cartridge yet.
On this project, I wanted to show you that you can use this stamp set with the Halloween theme. I made this for my hostess, she does passion parties and her group name is buzzing bee-uties. So i went with the bee theme. the honeycomb makes a great background stamp for any theme. I used the cork letters (new) to spell out her name and used sunflower ink to change their color.

(sorry about the blurry image. not sure why it is)

Here is the closeup of the girl. yes, this is the same image as the girl on the wicked stamp. I did some masking and cutting and paper piecing to make her look less witchy. Masked the bird and part of the dress, changed the hat and the boots, and now you just have a sexy gi

I hope you enjoyed this look into our new sotm. You can get this stamp set or $5 when you have a purchase of $50 or more. Plus CTMH has an extra, extra going on. To celebrate the new price for the SOTM, when you purchase Wicked, you get a free a size alphabet, typeface. How awsome is that?

Again, next is Diana Soling's blog. If you get lost along the way, you can get the whole list here .

Recipe: Close to my Heart unless stated

Wicked Halloween Card

Cardstock - Kraft, Barn Red, Black

B&T - Olivia

Stamps - Wicked(sotm) remarkable wreath

Ink- Black, Desert Sand

Accessories - Milepost shapes, Black embossing powder

Spellbinders die

Nameplate

Cardstock - Sunny Yellow, White Daisy, Black

Stamps - Wicked (sotm)

Ink - Black, Desert Sand, Sunflower

Accessories - Cork Alphabet

Spellbinders

A Blogging Challenge. Come Join Me

2011-07-27T10:06:00.001-07:00

I am giving myself a challenge and would love for all my crafty friends to join me. I know I have a buttload of scraps. My ctmh scraps fill a 3 in binder, not including my nonctmh papers. MY challenge is to make a card and a layout using ONLY scraps (except for the bases of course). Lets use up this paper thats just laying around. thats what we meant to do when we saved it. so lets do it. im probably gonna do one challenge with ctmh papers and one with the rest of my paper. I have bearly touched those since becoming a ctmh consultant. feel free to post you projects on here, i would love to see what you do. i am giving myself a two weeks(forgot im moving into my new craft room. so in two weds i will post them here on my blog. create my friends, don't let anything hold you back.

July Blog hop - Kraft borders

2011-07-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to this months blog hop. You should be coming from Haley's Blog. Like always, I am the last in the hop. But you can go to the begining at Wendy's Blog

This month we are showcasing our Kraft Borders. I used two different ones on my card. The first one if the very glittery one in the center. These borders are adhesive, so it made adding glitter a breeze. Yes, this is meant to be the back, but why not take advantage of the glue. Doing this tho reminds me why i don't use glitter. It gets everywhere. and it multiplies. i dont know how it does it. you have one spec of glitter on you, you dont touch any more. and when you leave the craft room, you are covered. I read once that glitter is the herpes of the crafting world and its true.

I just thought i lost all my typing. For some reason it deleted all i typed. Thankfully it autosaved and i caught it before it autosaved again. My computer has been pissing me off today.

Ok, back to the card. The second border are on both sides. It comes in the kraft color but can easily be colored. Now it is a different color then when you color on white. I used the the same purple on this card, but the borders are darker.

These colors are inspired by an ad i found in my interior design mag.

Next on the hop isWendy's blog

Thank you for visiting my blog.

recipe : all Close to my heart unless stated

Cardstock - White Daisy

Ink - gypsy, cotton candy

Stamps - Two Step Background, Card Chatter Birthdays, Aspiration

Kraft borders

3d foam tape

glitter (micheals)

im a winner from moxie fab

2011-07-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

omg. was reading my blogger today and came across this:

And last but certainly not least, the winners of the 5 stamp sets from Layers of Color in last week's Moxie Fab "Stamp" of Approval are:

Nikka Geers who said...
i cant believe these are stamps. i so want them

AHHHHH. this is so awsome. I can't wait to get these goodies. here are the stamps i get to play with soon

Aren't these so pretty. My biggest dilemma, im gonna be getting all my goodie for convention so i have to spend quality time with all. ehh, i don't need sleep. lol

you will be see these on my blog very soon

Mojo 198 and a sneak peak

2011-07-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

I actaully did a mojo monday again. its been awhile. i've wanted to do them, i looked at the sketches. But nothing. I finally did it tho. This is also a sneak peak to one of my swap cards for convention this week. WOOOO. Wed i leave, after i get an mri done.

I used , what did i use? don't you hate when that happens. Fanfare i think. total brain fart. I used my punch to make the 3d balloon. the basket, its the bottom of the cupcake from the wotg stamp from fanfare. I really need to make sure this is right. Yes, fanfare. I am way to young to have these sort of memories farts. The stamp in the bottom, its kinda hard to see, but it says 'chase the clouds'. Normally i would have used post it and masked it off, but since this was for a swap and i made 25, i cut the stamp. Its from card chatter - sympathy. The whole stamp say 'and chase the clouds away'. It was easy to cut the stamp apart and i can use it whole if i want to.

i'll be postingthe deets once i go back into my craft room. my memory isn't good enough to fill it out now.

sorry fornot being here.....

2011-06-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

but im working on cards for operation write home. i have a crop at the end of july. I will start posting pics of some of the cards soon, if you would like to join, chech out the deet at www.operationwritehome.org and contact me if you would like me to send them out for you

this is a great cause. i am an army wife and i know i would love to receive a homemade card frommy hubby while he is overseas.

thank you to anyone who deciceds to help the cause

nikka

Gallery Idol -Card 2

2011-06-17T19:31:00.001-07:00

My second entry for gallery idol. This would be for a baby or wedding congrats.

recipe to come

Gallery Idol - card 1

2011-06-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

Im excited for papercrafts gallery idol. I doubt i will even place but its nice to have people see my work. Also excited that i have 51 followers. wooooh.

The rule is it must be a congrats card. I chose to do a grad card. I love the sentiment.

i will post the recipe later. right now im too lazyto go into craft room.

June product spotlight - Relay Race

2011-06-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone. This months spotlight is a little different this month. I hosted a relay race. What? A relay race you say? What does running have to do with paper crafting? Luckily, for me and my bad knee, no running was involved. I started with an inspiration piece, that i found from our idea book, and 'ran' with it. I used it to inspire a project and then passed it to the next in line. Then She took my project to inspire her own and passed it on. And so on, and so on..... But note, we only had one project to work with.We only saw the project that was right before us. Fun, huh? All the projects have remained a mystery to everyone else, except me because I'm mean. MUhahaha. (evil laugh. it sound more evil in person)

So....... ready to start the race? *shotgun in air* And their off. (OK, this had been in the works for two months now, its my pace of race)

The Original Inspiration piece (found from the Winter idea book 2010 pg 52)And the baton is passed, to myself. That was quick for me, lol.
I don't have the photo in yet. i need to find a place to print photos. Its of my cousin putting her hands on her mom's tummy while my aunt was pregnant with her second kid. The colors are inspired by the photo actually, not the card. I loved the three blocks in the card so i adapted it to a LO. And the long flower was inspired by the card, but i didn't have a long flower( i have this stamp set now tho) so i used the vine from Blessed SOTM.

And now I pass this baton to Adeline http://www.adeline-brill.blogspot.com/ , so go to her blog to see what she was inspired to do.

Now run, run as fast as you can(in the blog world, that can be very very slow, yay)

i got 50 followers

2011-06-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

i got 50 follower. *does a little dance*. so excited about this. thank you everyone for following my blog.

relay race - the end

2011-06-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

You should now have seen all of the relay race from start to finish. If you started at this post, please go to the begining at Relay Race.

below is all the projects, from begining to end.

Ok, now for some observations. Everyone followed the same sketch pretty much,which isvery interesting. Only three projects does not have butterflies. Two went with birds instead.Three projects use Sophia, and only Two used mainly Cardstock. Border punches, stickers and ribbon were very popular. The goofy scrapper used goofy in her project (i thought this was funny)Mainly layouts were inspired, only three made cards, and the original inspiration was a card.

First Row:
Inspiration from Idea book - Close to my Heart

Second row:

Third row:

I hope you had fun during the relay race. I know we did. Now go find some friends and do a relay race of your own.

H2H Challenge - Random stamping for dads

2011-06-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is gonna be crazy because i am gonna do a bunch of posts around the next 2 days. I have the spotlight post going up tomarrow and I created two cards for card idol that i need to post. plus this one. wooo. my blog hasnt seen this much action for a while.

Well, on to this post. H2H is asking use to random stamping to use on our fathers day cards. What is random stamping? its exactly like it sounds like. you use your stamps randomly (as random as you can be being a artist) on to cardstock to make your own background paper.

the pattern paper on the bottom was made by random stamping.I used stamps from Enjoy Life and Backgrounds and Borders. The top pattern paper was also stamped. The only pattern paper I actually used was for the 'ribbon' strip. Even the sentiment was made with 3 different stamps. And the journal spot was stamped. I was a stampoholic on this card

I was inspired by this card on the Hero Arts Blog
Recipe: Close to my Heart unless stated

Cardstock - Kraft, Twilight, White Daisy

B&T - Lucky

Ink - Twilight, Brown Bag, Olive, Desert Sand, Cocoa, Versamark

Stamps - Enjoy Life, Backgrounds and Borders, Noted Background, A Little Everything, Friendship Alphabet, Party Pennents

Accessories - Hemp, Wooden Buttons, Clear Embossing Powder, Silver Brad (stash), Brown Marker (Bic), 1 1/2 in circle punch (marvy)

H2H challenge - techniques. homemade filters

2011-05-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

So i got the new sunglasses that are red. and they so change everything red. except for red cars, for some reason those become pink. shrug. Walking around base with these glasses changes my view of my normal walk. And I had a thought, what if i was to take pics with a red filter. Now with someone who has a SLR (which i will be getting soon since i will be taking photography for my major) this is easy. Buy a red filter and screw on to lens. Now what about us who have the point and click cameras. I can't just get a filter. So what to do?

This is where I got creative. I used acetate and my bic marker. thats right. OK, some of my ideas don't work to well. So I had to try it out.

First things first. I went outside to try this out on the bushes we have outside of our house. Fort Irwin is in the high desert which means it gets really windy at night. This is what came out.

Very hard to take photos when wind is blowing the flowers. I guess i could have done it. would have made for 'artistic' photos.

Here is the photo without the filter.

My homemade red filter. just colored the acetate with red marker. Did it twice so the marks didn't show. I love how the white flower seems to glow. That is all from the lens. I didn't alter these photos after taking them (except to add my watermark)

So since this worked, I tried doing a frame. This again turned out cool.

Tips on this tho. I have a camera the lens comes out. At first my thought was just to tape the filter to the lens. then I watched the lens come out. This will not work. So I just taped my filter to a larger piece of acetate and just held it in front of the lens. Next time I will just cut the acetate longer.

Just imagine what you can do with this idea. Filters in whatever color you want, frames in shapes. You can even write on stuff, just remember to write backwards. You can also use stamps. Oh the ideas.

I know the H2H challege is on scrapbooking techniques, but this is great for photos on your scrapbook.

EDIT:this morning i triedthe stamping filter. it can work but is difficult. it has to be a small image. this is a 1 in circle, i think, and ihad to hold it out from the lens to get it to show up. that is why there is some glare in the photo. i also changed the direction i had to take the photo since the sun was ruining the photo.

Spotlight Blog Hop - Buttons

2011-05-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

Welcome to this months blog hop. you should have come from the Scrap Wench. I am the last one in the hop, but you haven't seen everyone you can go to Wendy's blog.
*note - sorry if some of my typing is off. hard to type with dog cuddled up against you, pinning down your left arm*

Yay, I actaully had this card down before it was due and writing this post early today. Nevermind that is card is for my gramma for mothers day and i still haven't sent it out. I can't be on time for everything. LOL.

I so CASED the card from the newest Papercrafts Mag. I mean, I did change the color, the size of the card and of course used CTMH items. But thats why they make those mag, right? My mojo was MIA for the longest time, and I have to ease myself back into it. Mojo still isn't 100%. But I was able to make my own buttons. Yep, thats right, and didn't even use a i-top to do it. Wanna learn how?

I made two buttons for my card. The first one was the large cork button. I mean, if you want to call it a button. in my opinion, the term button is being used 'loosely' in the crafting world. Its just a holeless button. I took adhesive cork ( I have had this my stash forever. not sure why it never got used before. maybe its because I hate to handcut.) and stamped the corner design on it four times to make a circle. Using our clear stamps made this so much easier, but i was still unable to line up the last stamp. I used my second try and hid the small gap i had. i need to pratice more. then I used my nesties to cut into a circle. I did end up removing part of the stamp that made it square.

My second button was a little more detailed. If you have our new canvas buttons, you wouldn't have to do this, but i didn't. I used cross stitch fabric from my stash. This stuff lasts forever since i only bought one sheet. it think it was around the same time i bought the cork. I stamped the heart twice to make sure it stamped well on the fabric. Make sure you do not have ink on your hands while glueing this, or it will end up ruining you button. again, i had to do this twice because i ruined the first one that way. Cut the fabric larger then the button you are covering. (this is a great way to use buttons that you would never normally use.) You need to make sure it will wrap around the edge of the button to adhere on the back. Apply liquid glass to the front and back of button. Center your design on the front and start wrapping the fabric nicely around to the back. Trick for the back, let the glue get a little tacky, then wrap. It will help the fabric hold better. I put a cardstock circle on the back to make sure the fabric was secure. You can do this with any type of thinner fabric. Don't think thick fabric would work too well. You could probably use paper too, but I haven't tried yet.

I dyed the doiley with Hollyhock ink, both with a sponge and with direct to paper. The sentiment was hand written, sorta. I printed it out, scribbled on the back with pencil and traced the font. Then I went over it with a black marker. It looked alot better then my handwritting. For some reason I cannot do cursive r's. they just look silly. But I can trace like a pro.

That is all for my post. Again, this is the last blog of the button hop. If you need to start at the begining, go to Wendy's blog.

I also happen to be entering this into H2H. So nice of them to do a challenge the same as our blog hop.

Recipe: Close to my Heart unless noted

Cardstock - White Daisy
Ink - Hollyhock, Black marker
Stamps - Lucky WOTG, Circle Together
Buttons - Pink Assortment Buttons, cream and covered button from stash
Liquid Glass
Waxy Flax
Cork - Karen Fosters Design
Fabric - Cross stitch fabric from whoever makes it
Nesties - Circles
White Sheer Ribbon
Text from Wordpad

Doiley from whoever makes the cake stuff walton i think
Idea from Papercrafts - Card Creations vol 9
(sorry about the vague brand names.)

H2H bunny hop

2011-04-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Heart to Heart Bunny Hop. Anyone is able to join (as long as you use CTMH) but you can only your project today, April 18th. I wanted to do this but i didn't think i was gonna have the time. Well..... i came home sick today so i was able to do a quick card. I pulled off a CAS. i don't know how it happened. I must be sick. But it is a CASE too. that probably helped alot. I used an old sotm for the argyle that is stamped in key lime. the green circle and butterfly are inside the card, so i created a window with my spellbinders. On the butterfly is stamped happy spring (its kinda hard to see here, sorry) from an upcoming sotm. I just masked the bunny that was on top of the phrase. I used our new clear buttons, they worked awesome for this. The original design didn't have the ribbon on top, but i thought it was a little to plain up there. It was suppose to be an A2 card but i cut wrong so its 4 1/2 x 4 1/4. Here is my great inspiration. Its from Damask Love (yay for watermarks on photos. i would have never known it unless it was there. I just save photos in a folder, whatever it was called is what it says. ) Now don't forget to H2H to check out the rest of the bunny hop.

Spotlight Blog Hop - My Creations

2011-04-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to April's blog hop. This month we are featuring My Creations. This includes albums and cubes and our newest item, pennants. I hope you enjoyed Adeline's creation. Next in the hop is Haley with her crafty item. I chose to spotlight our newest item, My Creations Pennants. These are made out of sturdy chipboard and can be used together or seperate. I decided to make just some art for my craft room useing only one pennant. I might make this into a series and make more. I love that I have that option. Here is my creation. Its a little bit of mixed media. There is alot going on but its not too busy. Great thing about this being chipboard is you can emboss this with a plate and your cuttlebug. I wet it down with water before embossing to get a better image. I used PTI Giga Guidelines Impression plate. It has that damask feel to it. Plus its metal so it embosses better on thicker items like this.

(my attempt of detail shot of embossing. didn't really work)

In crafting, you don't make mistakes. There is aways an opportunity to cover them up. I started this project with Vineyard Berry. Then I looked up. I swear my craft room was decorated with a wine color, not red. But to my surprise, there is red staring back at me. Darn. Its ok. I can fix it. Out comes my cranberry ink pad. Just ink over the vineyard berry (which made the color more a blood red, YES. Love it even more) and now you would never know. MUHAHA (thats my evil laugh, not sure why I even try). Yes, the rose ribbon (or just one part of it) is from CTMH. But we don't carry black roses. Again, ink comes to the rescue. I just took out my handy dandy spray pen in black ( this is made by mixing create a shade, black reinker and rubbing alcohol) and sprayed. I also did that on the scrap paper I used to make the bottom part of the rose. It is a spiderweb border punch. Just scrunch into a cirlce and its makes a cool looking flower. (if you haven't quite guessed, my style is a little gothic. a skull might end up on the project somehow). The stickers i used to spell create, those started off kraft with swirls. I inked them (yes, ink was my friend on this project. my hands are still a little inky) and kept the swirl idea by stamping damask tiles and embossing in white. ( i wished i had white CTMH embossing powder. what i have didn't melt as smooth and can't really see the detail of the stamp. guess what is going in my next order) I told you this had a lot of details....I'm not even done. UGH. I will make the rest of this simple. Colored rhinestones black and added the to my stickers. Ribbon was mesh so i was able to push it up and down and make a different look to it. I punched out the ticket, stamped and embossed in black. Only one part of it is adhered, and that is with foam tape. I gathered ribbon at the bottom to hide the seam where im impression plate ended. The buckle I had from my jewlery making stash, and so is the chain I used on top to hang. Did I forget anything? SOrry if i did, but Im gonna end this because my dog decided to lay on my lap and this is hard to type. I will the deets later if you would like. Again, next on the hop is Haley

Hope for Japan - Use it Tuesday

2011-03-31T20:20:00.000-07:00

Use it Tuesday is doing a great challenge this week. Not only do that want you to use red and a forgotten item on your card, but they will donate money to Red Cross for Japan. I used Hope for Japan which is a stamp set from CTMH that only cost $5 and all procedes go to Red Cross for Japan. So I'm so doing my part to help as a crafter.

Here is my card for the challenge. I chose to use red as a small part of my card. I didn't want it to be too much. I was digging thru my craft drawers when I came across the metal mesh. It was just subtle enough to work and pull the card together. The background was embossed with dots and then stamped with a script stamp.

All Items Close to my Heart unless stated:

Cardstock - White Daisy, Kraft

Stamp - Hope for Japan, Universal Background

Ink - Versamark, Cranberry,

Embossing Powder - Black

Cuttlebug Dots Embossing Folder, Machine

Metal Mesh from Stash

Join us to help

2011-03-25T11:02:00.000-07:00

OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THE VICTIMS OF THE EARTHQUAKE AND tsunami in Japan, and like so many of you, we’re eager to help. And helping has never been easier!
During April, purchase the exclusive “Hope for Japan” A-size stamp set for the special price of only $5 (retail value $7.95) and Close To My Heart will donate 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross efforts in Japan. This beautifully designed stamp set reminds us of how our hearts are hopeful for those who are in need.
Contact me today to get involved in this heart-worthy cause.

Plus as a thank you, I will entry you into a drawing to win a free D stamp and a free 3x3 block

i might not be posting for a bit

2011-03-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

i am home for a while but i have a bad ear infection that is causing me vertigo so i don't think i will be able to sit and craft. which i am sad about cuz i got new goodies from ctmh i want to play with. they also from a nodule on my thyroid when they did the ct of my ear. they said its probably nothing but i have to get an ultrasound done and maybe a biopsy. im hoping they just found what was causing me tobe sick all the time. until i can craft again, have a great day

Welcome to this month's spotlight blog hop

2011-03-14T20:32:00.000-07:00

....And this month we are bring you techniques. You should have come fromLuisa"s blog. Next in the hop is Wendy's blog. Don't worry, if you just started here you can still go full circle and see everyone's blog.

My technique is how to alter paper. This is great if you have old paper you don't like to much or if you love the pattern but don't love the paper. Check out the before and after pictures. Isn't that cool? I love doing this because I never waste paper this way.

OK, no the deets of how to do this. first, I stamped the damask stamp and embossed it. You can emboss in any color, I chose clear because I wanted a little bit of the blue coming thru. I also made sure when I heated the powder, that it soaked into the paper. The back side of this paper is brown and that shows thru a little with the clear absorbing into it. Now its slightly multi colored embossing. I then stamped the flourishes with a light grey so it would blend into the background a little. Then I took a darker blue on the sponge and inked the background. I didn't ink it completely to get the shading. Another technique I used was to use a stamp block to stamp with. I used white pigment ink so the sentiment would show up better. If you use a dye ink you can spray the block for more of a watercolor effect. Third technique I used was masking my sentiment stamp. the original had the word all in one line, but that didn't fit my block of white. So I used tape to tape off the second part, stamped the 'thinking' . Then I used tape to cover the first part and then stamped the 'of you'. Remember to remove the tape before you stamp tho.

Ok this is all I have for you. I am doing this last minute (I'm working on that) and I made this in like 5 minutes before I posted this. It's taking me more time to write this post then I did on this card. I still don't know how I did it that quick. It's a crafting miracle for me.

Have a great day

its not rejection because everyone gets to see them still

2011-03-05T07:56:00.000-08:00

It just in a different venue. I submitted two cards to Papercrafts go to sketches call and i didn't receive anything back. so i guess that mean i join the reject hop created by Dr amber.

This card i submitted for sketch 38. On both of the cards I used Close to My heart, cept for the diecuts were Spellbinders. I got a really good deal on a 4 pack of flower spellbinders. i now have more then one. lol. I like this one, its cute but not cutisie. I cheated and didn't finish the inside ( i wonder if they knew that)

This card i submitted for sketch 23. I don't know why the camara was all fussy on this one. I just want to say one thing, I HATE HANDCUTTING. lol. I bought a cricut so I wouldn't have to, but sometimes you just do. I found these yellow baubles for free and thought the teardrop one would look cute on the card. so I colored it with my bic markers ( yes i went the cheap route for alcohol markers, but it works) mainly lookin at these pics, i think thats why they didn't get chosen. I need to work on the photography when submitting. But I'm glad I finally got to submit. I normally see the call the day its due. Altho I did submit the night of. (blush)

So go to Dr Amber's blog where you can see the rest of the "rejects"

Spotlight Blog Hop - Colors

2011-02-14T22:03:00.000-08:00

Sorry this is late, but we had a medical emergency last night.

You should have come from Laurie Flannery

This months hop is all about colors. Close to My Heart has an exclusive palette of 60 colors that you can mix and match. Plus they even help give you ideas. Jeanette Lynton Has an archive of colors under "color me monday", which she no longer does this year, but you can still check them out. Plus in every Idea book, they print the colors they use on the page in the top corner. WHen they use examples for the stamps, sometimes they come up with combonations that are not from the paper packets.

I used a color combo found on pg 118 in our new idea book. I just loved the combo of chocolate, grey flannel and petal. It was so elegant.

I used this combo to make a sympathy / thinking of you card. I used petal as an accent color so it didn't come off as too cheery. Its better to go with lighter colors for these type of cards. I "kissed' the bird to give him the texture. He started off Grey Flannel and I used the script from universal backgrounds with petal and pressed that against the bird stamp.

The next blog in the hop is Adeline Brill

Thank you for joining the hop.

From Your Heart to Ours ..... My Craftroom

2011-01-22T12:09:00.000-08:00

Ok. I do apologize. my craft room is not the neatest. I have been organizing since my niece came to live with us and it has been slow going. Plus I am always adjusting things it seems. But I am still able to craft so thats a good thing.

Heart 2 Heart wants to see where you create this week. I have some pics, but some things were just too messy so I will describe them. My desk is actaully a door from my house back in MI. I love it because its has so much work space. It has two inset sections that I quite haven't finished with my idea. I was gonna put plexiglass in those sections so its completely flat. I wanted to make one into a giant light box. But until I do, I have my drafting board in one so I can stamp and just threw a plastic tablecloth so its easier to clean. (trying to get embossing powder out of the crevices suck). My first purchase on my own was a bakers rack. Its wood and 'iron' and i love it. I use it for storaging my mags and papers and its still changing what its stores right now. I use it as a very sturdy bookcase. Ok now for pics. I have been playing around with my paper storage. For non-ctmh I have accordian binders. CtmH I keep in the plastic for B&T and have the cardstock seperate. I got this cute basket on clearance for like $3 after xmas.

This is actually a holder for tea we had at B&N when I was working in the cafe. I took home alot of stuff that was garbage bound. The rolls of ribbon fit in perfectly. I still have to figure out what I'm gonna do with my loose ribbon. Right now they are in chinese take out boxes but those don't quite fit on the top shelf of this holder.

My ink storage. This is an old cassette storage cubby. I used it for my paint bottles before, but those are in a plastic tote. I made dividers out of cardboard so I can pull out just one stamp pad. And much cheaper then the storage cubbies i have seen online. I don't have all the colors yet, so when i do it will be filled at lot more. The other side is in transition right now. I have a couple of punches i want to put on the wall.

This is my great crafty idea section. I love when I get those. I got this on sale, but was never clear on how I was gonna use it (don't let my hubby know this). It is a wine glass holder that attaches under a shelf. I have my sponges on binder clips and just slid them in. Now the can air dry and I can read the lable easily. No more digging thru a pile to find the brown sponge. I have a couple of daubbers just hangin in the back. I bent a paper clip to hold the up. For my reinkers, I just put an o-ring on the cap and the just slide right in. If I don't want to remove them all, I just remove the cap and it comes right down.

Here's the wine rack again. Below it I made my own clip it up. The metal is actually from a lamp I found on the side of the road. I have 3 more pieces of it. I like being able to see my items at a glance. Now if I could only find my black mini medley that I lost before being able to use. :(

I know its not the most glamourous room, I mean it is in my laundry room. But it works. And it keeps my hubby happy that I'm not all over the place (sorta). But I also know with army life, I might not be here long.

Color Inspiration Challange.

2011-01-19T16:31:00.000-08:00

Yeah. Another post this month. I'm doing better. I got the Color Inspiration mag from Papercrafts. This mag is AWSOME. I got it as soon as I saw it on the shelves. These color are amazing. Some are a challenge and some are just beautiful.

Moxi Fab blog is doing a a challenge for each of the color catagories. My card uses the Bold & Bright catagory and the colors below. I also used this mag for the sketch I used on the card. the original card is Just Because Collage maid by Vanessa Menhorn found on pg 101.

I love how this card turned out. The colors are just great . *thank you Papercrafts* I used the butterfly stamp from Jan sotm. I used two colors on the butterfly. It looks beautiful. I stamped the diecut with our new Universal Background then stamped a damask found on Feb sotm (this is great. its all damask and the one is huge) on top. Embossed in white . Did this all while the die was still on. I love Spellbinders dies, if only I had more then just this one.

Recipe : All Close to my Heart, unless stated

Cardstock - White Daisy, Black

B&T - Olivia

Ink - White Daisy, Hollyhock, Sunset

Stamps - Friendship (sotm), Find Your Style (sotm), Universal Backgrounds

White Daisy Embossing Powder

Color Ready Alphabet (retired)

Label 4 Die (spellbinders)

Score Board (martha stewart)

button (stash)

CTMH Spotlight Blog Hop - Valentine Ideas

2011-01-14T14:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Jan. Blog Hop. This month we are featuring Valentine Ideas. With Valentine's Day just a month away, you should get started on being crafty and making your gifts. Just because this is a Hallmark holiday, doesn't mean you have to spend your money on Hallmark gifts. Follow this blog hop and get some great ideas.

This is a circle blog hop, so you can start at any blog in this hop and keep hopping til you see the first blog again. The blog before me is from Jenifer . The next blog in the hop is Melinda .

I have three quick and thrifty ideas for you. All of them are using scraps I had from past projects, mainly Christmas ones. And I tried so hard not to use anything from the new Idea Book coming out Feb 1st. I didn't use any of the papers, but I failed with the stamps. I found out I don't have many heart stamps. I used Sweetheart stamps, which is from the Sweetheart WOTG, and Card Chatter - Love. This stamp set is great for valentine's day and anniversaries or any occasion you just want to say I love you. I also used our new spray pens (tech. didn't cheat on this one because it is available in the Wings WOTG which is available now with some special discounts for this month only). So lets get started

My first card. This is a very simple design. And I love the mist on the base. It would be too plain otherwise. I made two mists for this card, one with Black reinker and one with Tulip reinker. To make the mist, I used alcohol ( you can use water but this dries faster), reinker and some create-a-shade paint. IRL it is so shimmery. Plus I love the fact you can make it the exact way you want it. You don't even have to have shimmer at all, just omit the create-a-shade. *warning. when using spray pen, make sure where the nozzle is or you will get the mist everywhere. Ooops*

Another pretty simple card, using no pattern paper. I random stamped on Chocolate cardstock with the hearts. I love it. To make the scalloped bottom, I just used our circle punch , cut them in half and did two layers. To get the three layers of heart, I stamped the heart normally, then flipped it over on the block and used the back of the stamp for the second layer. Then I just glued that to cardstock and bubble cut the third layer. The letters are actaully from our new Bohemian Alphabet, I just direct to paper inked them to hide the design.

Super simple way to make kid's valentine's for school or whatever. I used Caramel Apple Pop ( I LOVE these. I got two boxes for xmas WOOOO). I just cut down a coin envelope that fit the pop perfectly and added the decoration. And of course finished with a bow. I think this one was the easiest of all.

I hope you enjoyed my post. I am actaully the last one on the blog hop. If you started at Melinda's blog, you are good. If not, the next blog to go to is Melinda .

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Recipe: All Close to my Heart unless stated

Love Ya Card

Cardstock - White Daisy, Bamboo, Black, Tulip

B&T - Perfect Day (retired), Stardust (retired)

Ink - White Daisy, Tulip

Mist - Black, Tulip

Stamps - Sweetheart(WOTG), Card Chatter - Love, Atomic Lowercase (retired)

Punch - 1 1/4 circle, 1 1/2 circle (marvy)

3D Foam Tape

Doily (from stash)

------

I (heart) U card

Cardstock - Watermelon (retired), Colonial White, Chocolate, Brown Bag

Ink - Colonial White, Brown Bag

Stamps - Card Chatter - Love, Bohemian Alphabet

Punch - 1 1/4 circle

Colonial White Ribbon Rounds

3D Foam Tape

Score Board (Martha Stewart)

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Sucker Cover

Cardstock - Blush, Colonial White

Ink - Cotton Candy

Stamps - Tasty Treats, Sweetheart (WOTG)

Ribbon (ribbon boutique)

Coin Envelope (from Stash)

Storage Ideas.

2011-01-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

I have to clean up my room so my niece can join me with crafting. I would have pics to sho but my camara has no batteries and cannot find any in the house. UGH. hate when that happens.

I got unt the shelve wine rack when it was on sale awhile back wanting to use it for my crafts. I finnaly found a way to use it. With my sponges, i use a binder clip. if you have on clip up and one clip down, u can slid it in. this has the bonus of drying them and still are able to read the names. on the other two shelves i have my reinkers holding. this will probably make more since once i get photos up, but that wont be till i find battieres that work. i added an o ring on the cap of the reinker, and used a rubber one just smaller to keep the large o ring in place and it just slides in.

A while back i got an old wooden cassette tape holder for like $2. at first i placed paints in the to corral them. the i started putting wood stamps. now with clear mount, it was available again. so i was placeing in ink pads in them. worked, but not the best. they were still stacked on top of eachother. so i made a divider out of cardboard to make shelves. i can now fit 18 pad in one cubbi without having to pull them all out (by far my most favorite idea)

I also made my own version of clip it up. while wlaking my dog i came across a lap that was madew out of metal tubing. it was perfect. i hung it up and added hook from the drapping section (its an o ring with a clip so u dont have to sew to make your own curtains) now i have all my mini medleys and sparkles and other small accessories right in hand and visible

i will be adding pics when the carama works, plus adding more clever things i have done to organize my craft room

Waiting by the door...

2011-01-08T07:59:00.000-08:00

for my presents I got from Close to my Heart. Ok, I'm not sitting right next to the door, but its an apartment so its pretty close to the door no matter where I am. I won't get to play immediately tho. :( When we came home, we brought some extra baggage, and my hubby's niece to go with them. So I am now a guardian of a 15 yr old girl, very unexpected. That means totally revamping the house so she can have her own room, and revamping the craft room so she can craft with me.

I will still be doing the blog hop on the 15th, so look foward to that. But that might be my first post for the year ( yes, I know this is a post, but there is no art so it doesn't count). I hope I can also do some sneak peeks of the new goodies I got before the new catty goes live in Feb, but we will just have to see about that one. Maybe if I can clean (groan) fast enough, I can start crafting earlier.

my christmas presents

2010-12-29T09:26:00.000-08:00

OK, I had to buy them myself, but the money was a gift. I got an ATG gun, ms score board and bic markers. Plus i got the preview month for close to my heart. once i get home, i will have a lot to post. so look foward to some fun stuff. i know i am

have a good holiday

2010-12-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

We will be leavin soon to drive up to penn and the mich. so i will be gone until jan 10th. But when I come back, i should have much goodies to show you since the idea book goes live in Feb and Jan is our preview month.

plus wanted to let you know, today only , thur 16th, michaels has the pink atg guns for 19.99 no coupon needed. i let everyone i need to let know so i could get this great gun. hope you get yours too.

Holiday Bazaar

2010-12-06T16:12:00.000-08:00

Okay, I promised to show pics of what I made at the Bazaar, so here are some.

These are made for coffee sleeves. I always said I was going to make something with these and now I have. ( I was a barista for 6 years. i always was looking at these.)

If you would like, I can show you how I made these.Gift TagsMore gift card holders. These are made from Toilet paper rolls.(Sorry about these photos. This is the 3rd time I have uploaded them and the keep turnning sideways. )

These are Mirror ornaments that I stamped on with Staz-on. I painted over the stamp image on the bird. I didn't want him brown.

I got the idea for these from Heidi Swapp's blog. So simple.8x8 scrapbook pages for the wall. I made one more, can't seem to find the pic of that oneCount Down Calanders. I thought these turned out really cute.

I made more, but I will blog those later. Don't want the post to be too long. Again, If you want me to show you how I made the coffee sleeve gift card holders, just let me know

Most of the products are from Close to my Heart, including all of the stamps I used.

Ugh. I'm so sorry

2010-12-04T22:07:00.000-08:00

Life has been crazy for me. For those who don't know, I am an army wife and where my hubby is stationed, he leaves for training alot. So while he is gone, I have to do EVERYTHING. I have a 3 yr old dog which acts like a 3 yr old kid and she demands alot of attention, and many walks. Plus I had a Holiday Bazaar I did at the last minute. Talk about stressful, try crafting for days straight all day. Brain becomes mush. And with my crafting ways, as in if I have crafters block I cannot move on til I get over that one part. (is anyone else like this, because I find it very annoying.) It was one heck of a week. But that does mean I made alot of goodies I get to show off. And maybe even a tut for yous, if you want one. I promise I will try to blog more often then just for the blog hops, which I forgot to sign up for this month. :( But this blogging more often prob won't happen til after the holidays. We are going home to Mich for xmas, gone for 3 weeks. I prob won't get much crafting done while I am gone, even tho majority of the gifts I asked for where craft related. Oh man, I just bummed myself out. Just realized I won't be able to play with most of my goodies til I get back to Cali. :(. Crafters, shed a tear for me. okay, done with being sad about the future. I can be sad in the future. I think i am done with my rant. Hope to see you soon (on my behalf, im the lazy, busy, forgetful one. maybe you are too, but i don't know that)

November Spotlight Blog Hop

2010-11-14T21:17:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the blog hop

you should have just come from Melinda Everitt Next Blog hop is Luisa

This month's hop is all about Christmas stamps. Right now all I have is the A timber stamp. But this a great stamp, and its only $7.95. How can you beat that?

Tags I made, very simple to do and makes any gift more personal.

Recipe : Close to my Heart

Cardstock - white daisy, tulip

B&T - Perfect day, Olivia

Stamps - A Timber, Chocolate Alphabet Small

Ink - Pear, Tulip, Creme Brulee

Creme Brulee Grosgrain Ribbon

Corner Rounder
Sassy Strands

I used A Timber to make tags. Tags are great cause you use them for so much. Below I used a tag on a card. Makes a great focal area.

Recipe: All Close to my Heart

Cardstock - White Daisy, Tulip

B&T - Perfect Day, Olivia, Veranda

Stamps - A Timber

Ink - Pear, Creme Brulee, Tulip, White Daisy

Booksmart Dimensional

Colonial White Mini Medley

Pearl Opaques

Sassy Strands

Ok enjoy the hop, next is Luisa

Broadcast Today

2010-11-06T14:47:00.000-07:00

Shortly I will be doing my video watch live at Ustream Or watch the recording at any time. After the broadcast I will post what I used and pics. Email me at nikkageers@yahoo.com with your email address if you would like to order. And for the month of Nov, when you spend $100 not only will you get the stamp of the month for free, Close to my Heart will buy you another stamp set for free.

I'm Changing the date

2010-10-30T13:21:00.001-07:00

to next sat, Nov 6th. Too many people have other things to do. see you then

Today is the day

2010-10-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

My online video will be posting today at 3pm (pacific time). It will air live but also be recorded to watch at any time. Nikka on Ustream After the video, I will post the items I used and start the online gathering. If you would like to order, send my your email and I will send you an order form. Just a reminder, If you wait til Nov, Close to my Heart will buy you a stamp of your choice (A, B, C or D stamp only) when you spend $100. Plus you also get the Stamp of the month, A Little Thanks, for free as well.

Online Gathering and Ustream Video

2010-10-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

On Oct 30th I will be doing a live video on 3 interactive christmas cards. If you cannot make the live show, it will be recorded.

I will also have an online gathering were you can order your products to make your own christmas cards. It will be open from the Oct 30th to Nov 5th. If you wait till Nov to place your order,Close to my Heart will buy you a stamp set when you spend $100, plus you also get the Stamp of the Month for free.

If you would like to order, just leave your email and I will send you an order form

My Ustream channel
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/create-your-vision

We are still doing the candy.

2010-10-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

Since i haven't come to fifty friends yet, I decided to give this out during this months blog hop. Two rule, join me as a friend and leave a comment. If you link you blog to mine, let me know and you we get to enter twice. And I have a lot more coming on the way. I will be doing an online Workshop thru Ustream and other items i willteaching on Ustream. Look forward, you will be seeing alot more of me soon

~nikka

October Blog Hop - Christmas Gifts

2010-10-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

WELCOME

Here is October's Blog Hop for Close to my Heart. 11 consultants will show you how to make beautiful gifts with our products. You should have come here fromWendy K

This is a christmas card with a twist. The picture is framed and removable from the card. So after christmas they have a picture to keep on their mantel or wall

For the frame, I used Desert Sand cardstock to make a frame, stamped with flourishes with Tim Holtz Distress Inks ( I know, not CTMH but I really wanted that color). Then I cracked the frame by embossing it 3 times with UTEE and placed it in the freezer. Once it was cooled, I cracked it and went over it with Brown Staz-On.

Recipe : all Close to my Heart unless Stated

Cardstock - Desert Sand, Bamboo

B&T - Olivia

Ink - Pear, Brown Staz-On, Tim Holtz Distress Ink Fire Brick (Ranger)

Stamps - Circle of Love, A Little Everything

Booksmarts Dimensional Elements

UTEE (Ranger)

Pleated Ribbon (PinkPaisley)

This tent card does double duty as well since the center is removable and can be hung on the tree. Plus it is a shaker box.

Recipe : Close to my Heart unless stated

Cardstock - Colonial White, Tulip

B&T - Veranda, Perfect Day

Ink - Creme Brulee, Tulip, White Staz-On

Stamps - A Timber, Cherished Flourishes

Die Cuts - Labels 4 (spellbinders)

Glitter Ribbon (Big Lots)

Micro Beads (unknown)

Acetate (from stash)

Ornament hangings (from stash)

I made this artwork for my open house to show what you can do with tags. These tags were very simple to make and would make a great gift.
Here is the close up of the tages. The hardest part was doing the rosettes. First because I didn't have any Pear cardstock so I dyed copy paper. The circles have Glitter Glitz rubbed all over them. I also stamped a border stamp on the letters.

Recipe : Close to my Heart unless stated

Cardstock - White Daisy, Tulip

B&T - Zippidee

Copy paper

Ink - Creme Brulee, Pear, White Staz-On

Stamp - A Timber

Cindy Loo Cricut (provocraft)

Glitter Glitz

Corner Rounder

Black Hemp

Frame (dollar store)

mini clothespins (unknown)

Thanks so much for enjoy my blog post. The next on the hop is Jill

I'm Back, just without net temp.

2010-10-02T19:21:00.000-07:00

Finally made it home from my two month trip to Michigan. I was so busy, when I wasn't sick. I hosted a Operation Write Home party last month, I will be posting the cards soon. I am temp. without net so I won't be posting unless I take my dog for a walk and go down where there is Wifi. Darn net, I want you to work at home. I will have stuff to post when I am able to.

My art for sale

2010-09-09T14:50:00.001-07:00

I've been bad about post while in Mich. But I have been working on art. I am doing a garage sale for my mom and decided to sell some of my artwork there as well. More money to spend on new items from the catty. :)

My major items have been altered tiles and canvases.

This is the first tile I made. I was so glad how this turned out. The stamping on the tile turned out great. I am so happy.

I am having problems with this one. I dyed the satin ribbon with our new Lagoon ink pad, and this been done for a week now, but it is still absorbing thruthe top layer and staining it. I love how this looks, but don't know what to do about the staining. I already added an extra feather under the peacock to cover one stain. If anyone has a tip, I would be greatfull. I have not had this problem before. This is the same ribbon I have dyed before.

August Spotlight Blog Hop

2010-08-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry that this post is late. I have been sick and out of town. Here its is. Better late then never.

August blog is featuring background stamping. For my post, I took pattern paper and altered it with stamps to make my own paper. This is great for when you have paper that really doesn't work, you can make it work.

You should have came from Tracy's Blog Next on the Hop is Jen.

I took B&T paper from Zippidee and used a background stamp, then a flower stamp in circles of the paper. Then I added small stamped dots on the edge of the circle. Then I added a swirl the same color as the background.

For this card, I did a technique called Ghosting on the B&T paper. I stamped the damask pattern on a script paper with Versamark and embossed it with clear embossing powder. Then I inked the paper with Sunset and added some depth with Chocolate. Then I removied the embossing powder by ironing it off onto a scrap piece of paper.

I back....TESC123

2010-08-08T17:42:00.000-07:00

I've been in Mich for a while now, but haven't really posted. Been to busy to. Here is some art. It a sketch challenge from Taylered Expressions .

Recipe : Close to My Heart unless stated

Cardstock - Colonial White, Juniper, Tulip

B&T - Jingle, Perfect Day

Ink - Tulip

Stamp - Serendipity

Organdy Ribbon

Stardust Glitter Glitz

Clear Inspirations Believe

Buttons (unknown)

Pearls (unknown)

Hole Punch

Scallop Scissors

Help me reach 50 Followers

2010-08-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

Once I reach 50 Followers, I will give away some blog candy. I will list you twice in the drawing if you happen to help me out with this by posting a link on your blog. Please let me know you are doing this by posting a comment. And don't forget to join this weeks weekend challenge. Enjoy.

Just some good luck

2010-07-26T09:38:00.000-07:00

I ave been winning some blog candy, whic is awsome. and i just won some more for papercrafts blog. WOOOHOOO. makes me happy even tho i am pain from the surgery.

I am heading out tonight to the airport and will be in michigan tomarrow. once I get settled in i will start posting pics again. and even show off my goodies. :)

Birthday blog candy

2010-07-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

Inkedispirations is celebrating her birthday by giving away 5 (you heard it, 5) bundles of candy. check it out

color guide blog

2010-07-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

This can combine all colors from CTMH. Check it out

Cricut Cake Blog Candy @ Creating From The Heart

2010-07-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

Over at Creating From The Heart Melissa is giving away a cricut cake. Can you believe that!!! That is so cool. Go check it out.

Check out this great blog candy

2010-07-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

Head over to Kellie's Blog to enter to win this blog candy. But if you win, you have to share cause I told about it. (just kidding)

New Challenge blog starting aug 2

2010-07-20T19:23:00.000-07:00

This is a photo inspired challenge. Check it out. The first challenge starts Aug 2

Surgery is done and i won blog candy

2010-07-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

HAd my surgery today. man do i hurt, that is what happens when they cut your stomach open and burn the outside of your uterius. plus i had a tube down my throat. not the best of days. But to make thing better, I have won 2 things of blog candy. I won last week at Runs With Paper and I won today at Tuesday Morning Sketches. Free stuff to play with will cheer me up. WOOHOO

I'm Gonna be gone for a while....

2010-07-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

I am having surgery Monday and will be on bed rest. Then shortly after my bedrest, I am leaving to go to Mich. I will post again when I am all set up at my moms.

Tuesday Morning and Moxie Fab

2010-07-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

It is week 2 of Tuesday Morning Sketch's birthday. Again you could use any one of there sketches (which I used sketch #48), but they also have a special prize if you use a Inktegrity image. I used their free digi image for this week.

I am also entering this card into Moxie Fab Card Style week. My card is in the style of Shabby Chic and Vintage Challenge.

I aged this card alot. I added rubons (you can bearly see them on the B&T) and the sanded the paper. I also inked with Desert Sand. I added faux stitching by inking my tracing wheel and adding it to cardstock. This is such a quick and easy way do it. I made the flower myself from lace and an applique I have had forever. The applique is almost as old as I am. I even added a little bit of Desert Sand to the lace so it wasn't so white.

Recipe : Close to my Heart

Cardstock - Colonial White, Vineyard Berry

B&T - Silhouette

Ink - Desert Sand, Black

Primavera Rub Ons

Vellum

Digi Image - Inktegrity

Embossing Powder

Pearl Strand ( RibbonFX)

Lace, Buttons, Ribbon Applique (unknown)

Tracing Wheel

Color Throwdown 100 and Tuesday Morning Sketches

2010-07-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

Two blogs are celebrating big events this week. Color Throwdown is celebrating its 100th throwdown. Tuesday Morning Sketches is celebrating its 1st birthday. I made this special card just for this.

Colors are part of the Color Throwdown, Sketch is TMS40.

Recipe: Close to my Heart

Cardstock - Tulip, Parchment, Garden Green

B&T - Simple Pleasures

Ink - Blush, Tulip, Garden Green

Stamp - Felicity, Treasures of the Heart

White Daisy Just Blooms

Ribbon, Lace (other)

Rhinestones (other)

Weekend Challenge # 6

2010-07-10T07:05:00.000-07:00

Ok. I am posting the sketch for you. But I have not made any samples yet...those will come soon.Here is the sketch....the challenge is to alter B&T paper. Take it any way you would like. Try to think outside of the box with this one tho.

I altered B&T with Emerging Color Resist. Check out Tresa Black Video on this technique at Ustream

I do these challenges for me, but I post them so other people can play along. I love to see what you can do with my ideas. Sometimes you come up with ideas I never would have thought of. So if you do play along, please add your link to the comments so I can check them out and admire your work. And don't forget to add you name to the list above for the blog candy if you link your site to mine. I am up to 19 followers now and very excited.

h2h challenge - city scape

2010-07-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

this is my take of the city scape sketch from Wishes. Had lots of fun distressing the card. Even used a French Dictionary for the paper.

Recipe : Close to my Heart unless stated

Cardstock - Tulip, Colonial White

B&T - Notebook

Dictionary Papers (Oxford)

Ink- Tulip, Chocolate

Stamps - Adorable, Crackle (unknown)

Dimesionals - Booksmarts, Perennials ( as template)

White Daisy Just Blooms

Filigree Charms

Colonial White Ribbon Rounds

Colonial White Emboroidery Floss

3D Foam Tape

Walnut Ink Spray (Tsukinek)

Tracing Wheel (unknown)

Mojo Monday 146

2010-07-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

This weeks sketch for Mojo Monday inspired this card.

Recipe :

Cardstock (Paper Studio)

Pattern Paper (Paper Studio)

Vellum (Paper Studio)

Ink - Chocolate, Creme Brulee (Close to my Heart), Gold (Paintbox)

Stamp - Chocolate Alphabet Small (Close to my Heart)

Just Blooms (Close to my Heart)

Colonial White Ribbon Rounds

Brads (Close to my Heart)

Gold Embossing Powder (Stamp Crafts)

Cross Stitch Canvas (DMC)

Another Paper Craft take

2010-07-05T20:01:00.000-07:00

This is a Close to my Heart version of Paper Craft mag.

Recipe : Close to my Heart unless stated

Cardstock - Desert Sand Textured

B&T - Cherry-O, Notebook

Ink - Tulip

Stamp - Thank You

Irressitables

Colonial White Ribbon Rounds

Tulip Buttons

Colonial White Embroidery Floss

Blue Rhinestones (unknown)

Red Lace (walmart)

My take on a Just Cards card

2010-07-03T15:55:00.001-07:00

Another take of the magazine card. Recipe : Close to my Heart
Cardstock - Cocoa
B&T - Veranda
Stamp - Follow Your Heart
Ink - Chocolate
Creme Brulee Ribbon Rounds
Antiqued Copper Mini Medleys
Cross Stitch Canvas

My take on the Paper Craft Card

2010-07-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do more of girly vintage of the card in Paper Craft Mag. The flower is actually from a playing card. I got a bunch of old cards from my grandma-inlaw. There are some pretty backing of playing cards, and a great use for when you lose some cards.

Recipe : Close to my Heart unless stated
Cardstock - Desert Sand Texture, Outdoor Denim
B&T - Notebook
Stamp- Thank You
Ink - Chocolate
3D Foam Tape
Playing Card (unknown)
Cross stitch Canvas (DMC)
Sheer Ribbon (Jo-Anns)

Weekend Challege # 5

2010-07-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

Welcome to this weeks challenge. Below is the sketch. The challenge is to do a one layer card with one ribbon. For those who don't know, a one layer card is just one piece of cardstock, no more paper added. So here is where you stamps shine. I had a hard time with one layer. One of the cards I made for this did not turn out. But now that I made some, they are so hard. I like the simplitic look that comes from one layer cards. Here are the two cards that did make it. Embossing is an easy way to decorate one layer cards because you can do it with just the cardstock. As you can see, I embossed on both cards.

Recipe : Close to my Heart unless stated

{Love} card

Cardstock - Parchment

Stamp - Treasures of the Heart, Chocolate Alphabet Small, A Little Everything, Serendipity

Ink - Chocolate, Garden Green

Colonial White Ribbon Rounds

D'vine Swirl Embossing Plate (Cuttlebug)

Congrats Card

Cardstock - White Daisy

Stamp - Doodle Alphabet

Ink - Black

Embossing Stylus

Black Dotted Organdy Ribbon (Michaels)

I have been having problems with linky, so just add you blog in the comments.

Can't wait to see yours.

CPS 173 - Birthday card

2010-07-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

I have a birthday party to go to today and I made the card with the sketch from Card Postioning Systems.

The inside of the card. It holds money. I even decorated the envelope. This not part of the sketch. I made this cake box for some m&ms to give with the gift. I made candles by rolling up B&T paper and the flame is just paper folded in half.

Recipe : Close to my Heart unless stated
Cardstock - White Daisy, Cranberry, Black, Cocoa
B&T - Zippidee
Stamps - A Little Everything, Atomic Lowercase
Ink - Black
Dimensional Elements Stars
Edge Distresser
3D Foam Tape
Embossing Ink (Craft Smart)
UTEE (Melt Art)
Studs (unknown)
White Marker (Galaxy)
Envelope

I made my own embossing plate

2010-06-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

I made my own embossing plates. I made them with cardstock. I just glued them down on a chipboard backer.This one I made with my hole punch.This one i made with my Sizzix die cut.This one I used my stamp and cut them out. Here is what they look like used. This one is the leaf on cardstock with garden green inking.This is the argyle on our B&T duo paper. This is the dot plate. I used it multiple times. Then I sanded it down with our cardstock that has a white core. Below these are these used in cards.

Recipe : Close to my Heart unless stated

Thank You card
Cardstock - Colonial White, Cocoa
B&T - Veranda
Stamps - Thank You, A Little Everything
Ink - Garden Green, Chocolate
Colonial White Ribbon Rounds
Basic Embroidery Floss
Sanding Kit
Corner Rounder
A-door-able (as template)
3D Foam Tape
Chipboard (unknown)
Leaf Stem Die cut (Sizzix)
Buttons (Making Memories)

So Blessed card
Cardstock - Colonial White
B&T - Caboodle, Perfect Day
Stamps- Treasures of the Heart, Felicity
Ink - Sorbet
Big Pink Just Blooms
White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon
3D Foam Tape
Buttons (Making Memories)

Party card
Cardstock - White Daisy, Watermelon
Stamp - Do Nothing
Ink - Juniper, Black
Liquid Glass
Sanding Kit

Weekend Challenge # 4

2010-06-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

I got a head start on this Weekend Challenge. Below is the sketch. The challenge is use the sketch on something that is not a card. Enjoy. My first example is a 6x6 Scrapbook page. If you don't know, my husband is in the Army. I still need to print out my pic to add to the page.

Recipe : Close to my Heart

Cardstock - Brown Bag, Parchment, New England Ivy, Desert Sand, Bamboo

B&T - Passages

Stamp- Atomic Lower Case, Sans Alphabet, Wonderful Friend

Ink - Chocolate, Garden Green, Black Staz-On

Edge Distresser

3D Foam Tape

Star Studs (unknown)

Dog Tag and Ball Chain (unknown)

Fabric (Field Fabric's)

I took the sketch and placed it on a pillow box for a wedding gift.

Recipe : Close to my Heart

Cardstock - Colonial White, Chocolate

B&T - Perfect Day, Veranda

Stamp - Adorable

Ink- Creme Brulee, Tulip, Sorbet, Chocolate

Just Blooms - Big Pinks, Autumn Daisy

Clear Sparkles

Chocolate Ribbon Rounds

Stardust Glitz

A-door-ables ( used as template )

3D Foam Tape

Pillow Box Template (Oriental Trading)

Now lets see yours

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Fussy and Fancy Challange and DT Entry part 2

2010-06-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

This is forFussy and Fancy Challenge 13, Monochromatic with Wings. When I thought of wings, I thought of feathers and this saying, "Just because you lose a feather, doesn't mean you still can't fly. I hope you like it. Recipe : Close to my Heart
Cardstock - Parchment, Juniper
B&T - Perfect Day
Ink - Juniper
Paper Piecer
Cononial White Embroidery Floss
Colonial White Ribbon Round
Hole Punch
Liquid Glass
3D Foam Tape
Wishes - Gallery
Clipart from Web

I am a Winner

2010-06-24T13:58:00.001-07:00

I won Creative Clear Stamps Sketch for this Card. How awsome is that. Check out their site to play along. The more people that play along, the more the pay.

JAI23 Pattern paper challenge entry

2010-06-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for Just Add Ink Pattern Paper Challenge. Everything is pattern paper cept the cardstock and the stamp "Dream". I love Close to my Heart B&T Duos cause they made this so easy. All the paper is from one line and matches. I could have easily added from other paper lines, but I like how this turned out.

recipe: Close to My Heart
Cardstock - Crystal Blue, Colonial White
B&T - Emporium
Stamp - Treasures of the Heart
Ink - Sweet Leaf
Corner Rounder
3D foam tape

Card full of challenges

2010-06-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

The card qualifies for a list of Challenges.
Challenge 117 Sketch - Cute Card Thursday
C4C42 Flowers - Crazy 4 Challenges
ASC20 Flowers - Aly's Sunday Challenge
Challenge 109 Good Luck/Best wishes - A Spoon Full of Sugar
Corrosive Challenge 69 - Corrosive Challenge Blog
Flowers - Practical Scrappers
H2H12 Color Challenge - Heart 2 Heart

Recipe: Close to my Heart unless stated

Cardstock - White Daisy, Black, Tulip

Ink - White Daisy, Black, Tulip

Just Bloom - Big Pinks and White Daisy

Creme Brulee Ribbon Rounds

Pattern Paper (Pressed Petals)

Mulberry Paper (unknown)

White Marker (Galaxy Marker)

Nail Head (Making Memories)

Rhinestones (Westrim Crafts)

Weekend Challege # 3

2010-06-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

This is the 3rd weekend challenge. Below is the sketch. The challenge is to add punctuation to the sketch. Here are my two examples.

This is a mirror image of the sketch. My punctuation is the ampersand. I made the sketch into a 6x6 layout. There is hidden journaling behind the photo. The ampersand has double duty. It is part of the subtitle and is the pull tag for the journaling.

Recipe: Close to my Heart

Cardstock - White Daisy, Twilight

B&T - Tinkerin', You Rock

Stamp - Atomic Lower Case, Doodle Alphabet, Serendipity

Ink - Black, Twilight, Black Staz-On

Liquid Glass

3D Foam Tape

Chipboard (unknown)

This card is an easel card. Only the top part follows the sketch. The punctuation is the bracket.

Recipe : Close to my Heart

Cardstock - White Daisy, Colonial White, Tulip

B&T - Perfect Day

Stamp - Atomic Lower Case, Serendipity, Treasures of the Heart

Ink - Chocolate, Tulip, Juniper

Colonial White Ribbon Blooms

Colonial White Bitty Brads

Big Pink Just Blooms

Sanding Kit

Edge Distresser

3D Foam Tape

Now lets see yours

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Card for Bah! Humbug! and Practical Scrappers

2010-06-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

This card is being entered for two challenges. Bah! Humbug! Anything Goes challenge and Practical Scrappers Loose Glitter and Flocking challenge. The center of the card is actually an ornament you can remove. Its a shaker box with silver glitter inside. This is my first shaker box. I think it turned out great.

Recipe : Close to my Heart

Cardstock - Vanilla Cream, Juniper

B&T - Perfect Day

Stamp - Doodle Alphabet

Ink - Tulip, Black Staz-on

Silver Eyelets

Foam Adhesive

Plastic Sheet (Grafix)

White Ribbon (Offray)

Ashlyn Alphabet, George (Cricut)

Silver Glitter (unknown)

Embroidery Floss (unknown)

tuesday morning sketch #50

2010-06-15T22:05:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for Tuesday Morning Sketches. This weeks challenge was to make a step card. The colors for this card was from our silhouette papers. I also did making on the to make the white flower on the left. I used the part I masked and stamped on it on the right.

Recipe: Close to my Heart
Cardstock - White Daisy, Bamboo, Black
Stamp - Cherished Flourishes, Adorable, Serendipity
Ink - Black, White Daisy
Vellum
Dimension Elements Booksmart
White Daisy Just Blooms
Colonial White Ribbon Rounds
Colonial White Brads
Foam Adhesive
Joys of the Season (cricut)

Mojo Monday & Simon Says

2010-06-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

This card is fits in three blog challenges. Mojo Monday was a sketch, Simon Says was a recipe of 1 image, 2 pattern paper and 3 accessories and Heart 2 Heart was a dad card with scraps. Recipe : Close to my Heart
Cardstock - White Daisy, Cocoa, Bamboo
B&T - Passages
Stamp - Hero's Pride
Ink - Black, Grey Wool
Metal Brad Assortment
Black Hemp
Foam Tape
Ball Chain (other)

June Blog Hop - Just Blooms

2010-06-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

~Follow along on the flower hop.~

Next stop is Wendy K. Site. Keep hopping til you come to the first one you saw.

This months Close To My Heart Blog Hop is featuring are Just Blooms Paper Flowers. I never use to use flowers on my cards and layouts, but these have changed my mind. You can easily alter them to fit your needs.

This card I used the Just Blooms as snowflakes. I even stamped snowflakes on them. It is so easy to stamp on these flowers to make them fit.

This is an art piece I did. You can easily dye your flowers with an inkpad and sponge, or use a reinker for a darker color as I did below. You can also layer them on top of other paper flowers.

Grouping flowers makes accessory. You can also decorate the center of the flower with brads or bling. I made the larger flower with a border punch. and then placed a dyed Just Bloom on top.

Recipes : Close to my Heart unless stated.

Happy Christmas Card:

Cardstock - White Daisy, Tulip, Juniper

B&T - Veranda

Ink - White Daisy, Black, Tulip

Stamp - A Little Everything, Snowflake (stampabilities)

Black Hemp

White Daisy Just Blooms

Irresistable Miracle

Sand Paper

Liquid Glass

Things are beautiful art :

Cardstock - Colonial White, Juniper, Garden Green

B&T - Veranda

Stamp - Cherished Flourishes, Follow Your Heart

Ink- Creme Brulee, Garden Green, Brown Staz-on

White Daisy Just Blooms

Irresistables Pizzazz

Dimensional Elements Perennial

Creme Brulee Ribbon

Colonial White Brad

Vellum

Liquid Glass

Foam Adhesive

Corner Rounder

Font (computer)

Goth Flowers :

Cardstock - Black, Tulip

Ink - Juniper, Black

White Daisy Just Blooms

Sand Paper

Rhinestones ( westrim crafts)

Border Punch (martha stewart)

Enjoy the blog hop.