Heart to Heart - Snow Much Fun!

   This card was originally entered in last week's Color My Heart Challenge & got top honors.
   The colors are Gypsy & Sky. The snowflake layers were cut from Art Philosophy from .5" to 4" at .5" intervals.

EnJoy!

An Owl Christmas - Mojo Monday 272

     I thought I was done with my Christmas crafting for the year & had even put away all my Christmas papers. Then I checked out the Mojo Monday sketch for this week.  It doesn't specify it has to be a Christmas theme.  However, an immediate idea came to mind.

     I fell in love with the adorable owls from the Whooo's Your Valentine stamp set which is part of Close To My Heart's Constant Campaign through Jan. 31.  A $35 purchase qualifies you to get the Whooo's Your Valentine kit for just $10...all the supplies & stamp set to make 12 treat tubes.

     I combined those owls with Pear & Partridge for this charming little take on Santa's laugh.

EnJoy!

Our Thoughts Are With You

     I love doing the Color My Heart Dare, but it was hard to concentrate with the horrific news out of Connecticut.  Then an idea and an address to send cards to Sandy Hook Elementary School was posted in the CTMH Facebook group Sister Chat. I can picture the students returning to school after Christmas break sad & weary, only to be greeted by card & letters from all over the USA and perhaps the world!  What a wonderful way this would be to bring some cheer back to their precious building.
     CMH Dare #22 uses Twilight and Sweetleaf.  I cut the card from page 36 of Artiste at 5" in Twilight card stock. I used a small piece of Sweetleaf to back the heart cut-out. I folded a length of Black Tule in thirds to wrap around the top of the card. The heart is stamped in Twilight on Sweetleaf CS from the Adore stamp set (A1123). The angels are from Angel Sent (A1099), and the sentiment is from A Blossom (A1121), all stamped in Black.  The flower is cut from page 39 in Art Philosophy (again using Twilight & Sweetleaf CS) and sponged in Twilight ink. After alternating colors and curling the ends of the petals, I finished it with a large black Licorice Opaque (Z1335).

EnJoy!

It's a Buttercup Christmas!

Color Dare #21 - Buttercup

   This week's Color My Heart dare is simply Buttercup with black & white accents.  I decided to use 3 techniques. One is Cluster stamping as featured in this week's CTMH Clearly the Best technique video.  The 2nd is one of my favorites...triple stamping.   Third is heat embossing with CTMH pigment inks.

   For my 1st card I created a cluster using the large ornament from Ornamental Cheer (D1520) and a variety of snowflakes from Snow Flurries (D1384). I stamped on Buttercup card stock with White Daisy pigment, sprinkled with clear embossing powder, & used my heating tool.  I separated the layers with black cs.  As you can see, the white just didn't pop enough.

   So, I decided to try again. This time I used Buttercup pigment on Black cs. I chose to twist my layers & separate with White Daisy cs.  I'm still not happy with how the embossing turned out. The Buttercup color seemed to have been a bit lost. 

   Interesting try, however I just might have to enter a different card as well if time permits.  For now I must get ready for my 1st ever craft fair tomorrow morning.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Tis the season...actually I have been making Christmas crafts for almost 2 months in preparation for my 1st craft fair on Dec. 8th.  This is a personal stretch for me, so wish me luck!  I did pause today to check out the new dare on Color My Heart.  Dare #20 uses the complementary colors Smoothie, Olive. New England Ivy, & Cranberry.  These just happen to be the colors of Close To My Heart's Pear & Partridge paper.  I love this paper & have used a lot of it.  Here are 2 items that will be decorating my house this year...a NOEL banner (which uses another paper along with Pear & Partridge) and a large 3D star that can be used a s a tree topper or (in my house) hanging in a corner nook.

EnJoy!

Peaceful Christmas!

  Color My Heart Dare #19

   I'm honored to be chosen as this week's guest designer for Color My Heart Dare #19.  This week's colors are Cranberry, Hollyhock, and Sweetleaf.
   I chose to use the card on page 36 of the Cricut Artiste cartridge in Sweetleaf cardstock as my base. I then cut a slightly smaller version of the same card in Cranberry.  I attached a 1" strip of Hollyhock inside the card to fill the heart.

   The dove & sentiment are from the Blessings of Peace stamp set (B1406). The dove is stamped with Hollyhock pigment ink on Sweetleaf cardstock & heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I used the back of the stamp to make a coordinating shape in White Daisy cardstock to help the dove pop out a bit more. (Thanks for the idea, Sarah.)

EnJoy!

Supplies Used:  Cranberry, Hollyhock, Sweetleaf, & White Daisy cardstock

                          Hollyhock ink & pigment, Cranberry ink

                          Clear embossing powder/ heat tool

                           1/8th inch wide white ribbon

Color My Heart Dare #18

I can't help but to brag a little...I won last week's Color My Heart Dare.  Now I get to be the guest designer for next week's dare.  Here is Sarah's write-up:

Hey everybody! Welcome to the color dare for Close To My Heart's exclusive color pallette! You're in for a surprise today. But first, congratulations to Joanne Barnes. She won the color challenge from last week with her card using Smokey Plum, Sweet Leaf and Sunset! Technically, she broke the rules by adding an extra color (Honey, maybe?), but I'm just smitten with this card. I think it's the ribbon, or maybe the cute little coffee beans. Anyway, I made an exception for you, Josie, just this once. ;)

This week's challenge is to use three kit-exclusive colors for our dare this week:

Flirty Raspberry, La Belle Vie Pink, & Avonlea Teal

I went for "keep it simple" with this fun present card inspired by Brittany Fitch at http://craftypapercreations.blogspot.com/.  There are so many different ways this card could be used.

EnJoy!

P.S.  I just love the bow from the Cricut Artiste Collection!

Latte Love - Color My Heart Dare #17

This week's colors are triadic, secondary colors:

Smokey Plum
Sunset
Sweet Leaf

     For today's challenge I'm using my newest stamp set, Cup of Cheer, B1404.

And my new favorite embellishment, Colonial White Rosette Ribbon, Z1800.

EnJoy!

H2H Halloween Challenge!

Happy Halloween

     This spooky wreath was created with the Artiste Cricut Cartridge with the assistance of Cricut Craft Room.  All the cuts with the exception of the circles can be found on pages 76 and 77 in the Artiste booklet. The trickiest part of this project was arranging the small spider webs around the wreath shape.  When I started, I thought just the tops of the webs would peek over the top of the circle, but you can see that is not what happened.  However, I loved the result.  the words and spiders were cut out of Moonlight paper, with red & clear bitty sparkles added for eyes.

EnJoy!

Moonlight Blog Hop

 Thank you for joining us on our “Take a Walk in the Moonlight” Blog Hop.  We have a fabulous path for you to follow as you take your walk in the moonlight with us as we feature Close to My Heart’s Moonlight paper pack.

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should begin your walk at the  beginning at Lucy's blog.

My project is a 6 x 6 card. Along with the Moonlight paper, I used a fun faux stitching technique you can find on Melinda Everitt's blog. I think it looks so real! The wreath is stamped in Cocoa, Autumn Terracotta, Honey, and Holiday Red then hand cut & popped with foam tape. I used a fairly straight stem stamp & then bent it on a wide block to get the hanging effect. The sentiment is from the same set as the wreath.

EnJoy!

Here's a better look at the faux stitching...

The colors swirl together to form the wreath...

Materials: Autumn Terracotta CS & Moonlight paper,

                   Inks - Autumn Terracotta, Honey, Cocoa, Holiday Red, & Smokey Plum

                   Stamp sets - Remarkable Wreath(C1473) & Sweetheart(B1370-retired)

                    Bling - Brown & Tan Sparkles(Z1753) & Licorice Opaque Gems(Z1335)

The next stop on your moonlight walk is Julia.

Here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this months blog hop:

Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com 

Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com/

Deanne http://deannestamps.blogspot.com

Bethany ~ http://stampingathome.blogspot.com

Wendy ~ http://MyScrapbookingBlog.com

Stephanie ~ http://www.quiltedscrapper.blogspot.com

Erin ~ http://www.imcreaterin.blogspot.ca

Maria ~ http://mariawoodworth.blogspot.com

Carolyn ~ http://nuts4scrappin.blogspot.com 

Joanne ~ http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com .....................YOU ARE HERE

Julia ~ http://youcancreatectmh.blogspot.com/

Theodora  ~ http://www.celebratecrafts.com

H2H Christmas Challenge!

     I love making Christmas cards, especially with the Pear & Partridge paper.  The colors are so warm.  This week's challenge at Heart 2 Heart is to create anything Christmas using your Close to My Heart products. 

Enjoy!

August Artiste Blog Hop

Welcome to our August ARTISTE Blog Hop! Each month we will showcase a feature of the amazing ARTISTE Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.

We're so excited to be doing this hop and we have a fabulous lineup with some very talented ladies. There will be lots of fun projects AND some blog candy!!!

This month we will be showcasing a different page from the Artiste cartridge! Did you know there were 700 images on this cartridge?? That's right -- 700!!!

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - http://www.love2createitall.com.

My project is from page 41 of the Artiste manual...A mini gift purse. I used Pacifica card stock with the front pouch cut from the Dakota Paisley paper. A Pearl Badge Button from the Wrangler Assortment embellishes the latch which is held closed with a Hook & Loop Dot. I sponged some Color Ready Ribbon in Pacifica to grace the pocket, and topped the bow & handle with Bitty Sparkles.

EnJoy!

The next stop on your blog hop fun is Laura W.

Here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this months blog hop:

1. Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com
2. Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com
3. Julia http://youcancreatectmh.blogspot.com/
4. Theo www.celebratecrafts.com
5. Tina Gale http://tiggersscrapplace.blogspot.com
6. Stephanie http://www.quiltedscrapper.blogspot.com
7. Mandy http://www.mandydesigns.blogspot.com
8. Joanne http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com
9. Laura W http://scrappinsweetiesescape.blogspot.com/
10. Rebecca ~ http://blog.scrapprincess.com/
11. Maria Woodworth - http://mariawoodworth.blogspot.com
12. Judith Ashmore- www.grammiejudys.blogspot.com
13. Lisa Woodward~http://mycraftyspaces.blogspot.com
14. Laura Charko - http://koladesigns.wordpress.com/
15. Jennifer Kramer- http://4heartsscrapbooking.blogspot.com/
16. Eva Friesen~ http://loveofcreating.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for stopping by and hopping with us - we hope you LOVE all the projects we created!

If you're looking for the Workshop on th Go blog hop, click HERE.

Color Dare #12 - Blush, Hollyhock, & Olive

I've missed this dare for about a month, so I'm glad to hop back in!
This week's colors are Blush, Hollyhock, and Olive.
I chose to stick with cardstock & stamping.  My border stamps are from the current Constant Campaign offer, a double set called It's Your Day, available for only $5 with a $35 purchase until Sept. 30th, coupled with A Bravo. The brads are from a retired Mini-Medley called Autumn Garden. And, of course the circle accent (do they have a name?) was cut from the marvelous new Artiste cartridge.

EnJoy!

CTMH WOTG Blog Hop

Welcome to our first Workshop on the Go blog hop!  Each month on the 20th a group of talented Close to my Heart consultants will be featuring projects made showcasing any of the 13 current WOTG kits! 

If you are visiting from Shirley's page, then you are on the right track, if not please start at the beginning with our hostess Pam! 

This is my creation! My inspiration came from the CTMH book, Cherish page 26, Column Composition. I chose the new sassy Dakota Workshop on the Go & the too cute Rugged Dude stamp set for the pockets. There is a great tutorial on page 31 in the new Idea Book on how to stamp them. The large paisley cut is from the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge, and the star and tags are from Art Philosophy. The stamps for the star and large ticket are from the Dakota WOTG stamp set.

EnJoy!

Materials – Dakaota WOTG (G1047), Rugged Dude Stamp Set (B1405),

1 sheet of Daisy White Card Stock,

Pacifica Ink (Z2192), Barn Red Ink (Z2104),

Wrangler Assortment (Z1780), Bitty Opaque Pearls (Z1707)

Cricut Artiste Collection (Z1790), Cricut AP (Z1686)

Now if the goblins of cyberspace have gotten you lost along away here is the list of all thetalented consultants who are participating in this month’s blog hop!

1. Pam Stewart - http://i-candy-scraps.blogspot.com
2. Shirley Ross - http://www.momnmescrap.blogspot.com
3. Joanne Barnes - http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com 
4. Shalana Glass - http://scrappinwithshalana.blogspot.com
5. Melissa Kosena - www.scrappingplace.blogspot.com 
6. Becky McClain - www.beckysstudio-cards.blogspot.com 

Christmas is Coming...

I'm starting to get into the Christmas spirit with these great new Close To My Heart papers called Pear & Partridge:

Today I paired it with several shapes cut from the CTMH Artiste & Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridges to make this festive wreath.

EnJoy!

AUGUST SOTM -BAROQUE BORDERS

Welcome to our August CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! Each month we will showcase the Stamp of the Month which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.

We're so excited to be doing this hop and we have a fabulous lineup with some very talented ladies. There will be lots of fun projects.

This month we will be showcasing the August Stamp of the Month "Baroque Borders" . This stamp can be used in so many different ways and we hope to inspire you with our creations!

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - http://www.love2createitall.com.

For my project I chose just 1 stamp for my pattern alternately stamped in Sunset Exclusive Ink and Honey. The center shape is from the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge cut at 1.5" and stamped in Olive. The center stamp is from the current Constant Campaign offer, a double set called It's Your Day, available for only $5 with a $35 purchase until Sept. 30th. I finished the corners with scraps of Florentine paper and Licorice Opaque Gems. It wouldn't be complete without the bling of 8 Clear Sparkles to help it shine.

EnJoy!

The next stop on your blog hop fun is Pam.

Here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this months blog hop:

1. Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com ---
2. Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com/ 
3. Judith ~ www.grammiejudys.blogspot.com  
4. Carolyn Heniges http://www.nuts4scrappin.blogspot.com/
5. Amie Kiger ~  http://www.mimimyselfandibykigz.blogspot.com  
6. Ryan  www.pieceandpaper.blogspot.com 
7. Joanne http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com ----- YOU ARE HERE
8. Pam Stewart - http://i-candy-scraps.blogspot.com 
9. Kindred Hearts - http://itmakestotalcents.blogspot.com 
10. Julia Hammond  http://youcancreatectmh.blogspot.com/ 

SOTM Blog Hop - August

Welcome to our monthly Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! On the 15th of each month we will be showcasing the current SOTM set with various projects created by talented Close to my Heart consultants. If you are visiting from Pam's blog, then you are on the right track. She is the beginning of our hop.

The possibilities are endless with this August set!  Create borders, backgrounds and so much more! I really like flourishy (is that a word?) things, so it's a perfect set for me.

This is my creation!

Materials used - Colonial White card stock, 1388
La Belle Vie paper pack, X7158B
Awards Dimentional Elements, Z1792
Artiste Stamp Set from Cricut Artiste Collection, Z1790
Twilight Exclusive Ink, Z2160
Black Striped Grograin Ribbon, Z1781
Clear Sparkles, Z1752
The next stop on your hop is Kindred Heart.

Now if the goblins of cyber space have gotten you lost along away here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this month’s blog hop:

1. Pamela Stewart - http://i-candy-scraps.blogspot.com/2012/08/sotm-blog-hop-august.html

2. Joanne Barnes -http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com/2012/08/sotm-blog-hop-august_15.html

3. Kindred Hearts - http://itmakestotalcents.blogspot.com

4. Alicia Olson - Love Stamping - www.lovestamping.com

August Art Philosophy Blog Hop

Welcome to our August Art Philosophy Blog Hop! Each month we will showcase a feature of the amazing Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.

We're so excited to be doing this hop and we have a fabulous lineup with some very talented ladies. There will be lots of fun projects.

This month we will be showcasing the "Decorative Layer" (shift or no shift) feature of the cartridge.

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog

My project is created with the dragonfly decorative layer on page 24. Choose the decorative layer button, hit shift, and it's the 4th button on the top of the keypad.

I've used this layer on a card before, so I was curious how far I could take it. I cut the layer at 11.5 inches...YES, you read that correctly...11.5 inches using our beautiful new La Belle Vie paper. I placed it over the La Belle Vie Mauve 12 by 12 card stock. Next I cut 4 absolutely incredibly wonderful pictures of my granddaughter, Karlie, to fit in the spaces, backed by another paper pattern from the La Belle Vie Paper pack. The title was formed in Cricut Craft Room with the Art Philosophy Font (I love how you can meld things together in the online craft room.) cut in New England Ivy card stock. I also used the Art Philosophy cartridge to cut 3 roses from page 70 in New England Ivy and Bamboo. Stamp sets used were Love Life (D1482) and The Present (D1436). I embellished with Bitty Sparkles (Z1263) and Licorice Opaque Gems (Z1335). The ribbon & button were extras I found in my scrap drawer.

I'm really happy with how it turned out, so I'm now looking for just the right frame to hang it on my wall. Did I say yet that my granddaughter is absolutely incredibly wonderful? ;-)

EnJoy!

The next stop on your blog hop fun is Laura.

Here's the entire blog hop lineup in case you get lost along the way:

1. Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com
2. Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com/
3. Diana ~ http://dianasfreemoments.blogspot.com/ )
4. Wendy Kessler ~ http://myscrapbookingblog.com
5. Eva~ http://loveofcreating.blogspot.com
6. Carolyn ~ http://www.nuts4scrappin.blogspot.com
7. Stephanie- http://www.quiltedscrapper.blogspot.com
8. Joanne - http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com ........................You are here
9. Laura W.  http://scrappinsweetiesescape.blogspot.com 
10. Kindred Hearts - http://itmakestotalcents.blogspot.com
11. Pam Stewart - http://i-candy-scraps.blogspot.com
12. Carolyn Mendoza ~ http://www.craftingwithcarolyn.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for stopping by! We hope you have enjoyed all of our projects!

Color My...Heart 2 Heart...Mojo!

This card was designed to fit 3 challenges this week...Color My Heart & the use of the new CTMH color Ruby, Heart 2 Heart& the challenge of a sympathy card, and MojoMonday with their usual cute designs.  You can find button links to all 3 of these great challenges on my right side bar.

I used several new Close To My Heart products including Whisper card stock, Ruby exclusive ink mini pigment pad, and Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.  The patterned circle was cut with the new CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge available through my shopping link.

EnJoy!

New Catalog, New Possibilities!

Today starts our brand NEW Idea Book! CTMH has once again out-done themselves with beautiful papers and embellishments and now, HOME DECOR items!! Awesome stuff! If you need a copy, message me and I'll make sure you get one.

July Art Philosophy Blog Hop

Welcome to our July Art Philosophy Blog Hop! Each month we will showcase a feature of the amazing Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.

We're so excited to be doing this hop and we have a fabulous lineup with some very talented ladies. There will be lots of fun projects.
Lucy Kelleher, our hostess and fellow CTMH Consultant, will be giving away a stamp set! She is giving away a prior Stamp of the Month set that can no longer be purchased called "You Are ...". (This stamp set has a $17.95 retail value). You will find a picture of the stamp set on her blog. To enter to win, you will need to leave a comment on her blog and every stop of the blog hop. If you also become a follower of Lucy's blog, she will give you another entry .

This month we will be showcasing the "Card" feature of the cartridge. Did you know there are 100 different card shapes you can make with this cartridge? You heard me correctly -- 100!!! Now we won't be able to show you ALL 100 card options, but we will show you as many as we can.

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog .

My project is from page 35 of the Art Philosophy manual. You must choose the card button and hit shift to cut this card. To highlight the delicate branch cut-out, I lined the inside of the card with a piece of Florentine paper cut to fit. I used the same paper to cover the left outside edge of the card. The leaves are stamped in Goldrush My Exclusive ink from the Wonderful You My Acylix stamp set . The sentiment is in Cocoa from the Florentine WOTG stamp set.

EnJOY!

The next stop on your blog hop fun is Laura.

Here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this months blog hop:

Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com/2012/07/art-philosophy-blog-hop-cards.html

Darla ~ http://stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-art-philosophy-blog-hop.html

Gloria Shirr - http://purpleglocreations.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-art-philosophy-blog-hop.html

Laura Wolff- http://scrappinsweetiesescape.blogspot.com

Eva-http://loveofcreating.blogspot.com/2012/07/art-philosophy-blog-hop.html

Danielle ~ http://littlebitofscrap.blogspot.com

Connie ~ http://conniescraftycloset.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-art-philosophy-blog-hop.html

Wendy ~ http://myscrapbookingblog.com

Joanne - http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-art-philosophy-blog-hop.html

Laura Charko - http://koladesigns.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/july-art-philosophy-blog-hop/

Carolyn Heniges - http://nuts4scrappin.blogspot.com/2012/07/welcome-to-our-july-art-philosophy-blog.html

Kindred Hearts (Penny) - http://itmakestotalcents.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-art-philosophy-blog-hop.html

Stephanie Feist- http://quiltedscrapper.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-art-philosophy-blog-hop-t.html

Julia Hammond http://youcancreatectmh.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-art-philosophy-blog-hop.html