March Stamp of the Month has POTENTIAL!

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  This month we are featuring "Potential", a set of 8 stamps.  Six of these stamps coordinate with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.  If you have come here from Krista Ritskes blog you are on the right path!  The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way around.   If you get lost along the way, you'll find the complete list of participating consultant's HERE

Red Lines indicate stamps that coordinate with AP Cartridge

This month we have over 50 consultants sharing what they created with this month's beautiful stamp.  Following the hop is easy, just click on the link for the next blog at the end of each post! Have fun hopping!

I created three cards with this stamp using Florentine paper pack (X7153B).   I love this paper so much I had to get two packs!  I thought Florentine was just perfect for this stamp!  Here are my three cards. Keep scrolling down, I will also show each one separately.

First my favorite of the three....

This is a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 square card.  I used Olive cardstock to mat my papers.  I LOVE the stripe paper from this pack.  I used the smaller flourish (pictured above) to create my center flower.  Each time I stamped the flourish, I stamped on top of the left tip angling the stamp to form 'petals'.  I used ribbon from the Cocoa Designer Ribbon Collection (Z1316) and a button from the Bohemian Assortment (Z1687).

This card is a 5x7 card.  I used my Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to cut the circle and then stamped with Cocoa ink.  I cut another circle just 1/4" larger from Twilight cardstock.  I added Mocha Opaque Adhesive Gems (Z1333).  The wide cocoa ribbon is also from the Cocoa Designer Ribbon Collection.

The idea for this 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card came to me one night as I was getting ready for bed.  (That happens to me all the time - and then I worry about remembering it the next day!)  Again, I used the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to cut the circle for the stamp image in the center.  I centered it on top of 2 flourishes that I stamped directly on the paper.  My "Together" banner is adhered across the larger flourish.  And here, I used more of the Cocoa Designer Ribbon Collection! 

REMEMBER! This stamp is available only from March 1 - March 31 for just $5 when you purchase $50 or more in Close To My Heart products!  

Thank you for stopping by!  Now hop on along to Leanne Dudley's blog to see what she has created!

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A Garden for H2H

I wanted to make a little Thank You card for my good friend Leslie that spent her Saturday helping me at my Open House a few weeks ago.   I always have lots of cash and carry items at my open house and it is hard to talk to customers if I'm writing up sales receipts the entire time.  So this was a huge help to me!  I let her choose some 'happys' for helping but still wanted to make her a card.

I used this week's H2H (Heart to Heart) sketch for this 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 square card.  I started it on Friday but didn't get it finished.  I spent ALL DAY - no ALL FREEZING DAY in the cold wind at three softball games yesterday.   Softball in February is not the best of times.  I added a few last touches this morning so hopefully I'll get this posted before the H2H linky deadline is up!

I used the Lucy Paper pack (X7149B) for this card along with the new A Garden (A1119) stamp.   This is a great little stamp for quick cards or tags!  I stamped the butterfly and flowers in the vase on Lucy paper and cut them out.  Yes, they are tiny, but when you use Close To My Heart's Micro Tip Scissors (Z534) it is easy! They are the best scissors for intricate cutting!  I stamped the vase on Sweet Leaf card stock and cut it out.  Before attaching the vase and flowers I stamped the flowers onto the cardstock and then I added the vase and flowers on top.  I also stamped the butterfly onto the cardstock before adding my cut out butterfly.

I used the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge (Z11686) to cut out the layerd flower.  The first layer is cut from Creme Brulee cardstock at 2 1/4" and the flower on the Lucy paper was cut at 1 3/4".  I used the <Flower5> setting.  The center of my layered flower is a cotton candy button from the Buttons Pink Assortment (Z1370).  I added Opaque Pearl Adhesive Gems (Z1336) to the center.

Here is the sketch over at H2H that I used:


BTW - if you don't have the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge yet, check out my post FREE ART PHILOSOPHY COLLECTION and see how you can get yours for FREE!

Hope you have a great SUNDAY!

FREE ART PHILOSOPHY CRICUT COLLECTION

WOW!  Yes you read the title correctly!  When you sign up as a Close To My Heart Consultant in MARCH you will receive a FREE Art Philosophy Cricut Collection!  

There is no better time to join!   Watch this quick video that highlights the Art Philosophy Cricut Collection and this wonderful offer!



SIGN UP MARCH 1!   Come back here on MARCH 1 and start HERE to sign up and begin your journey.

For my own story, visit my JOIN MY TEAM page.  Have questions? Contact me today!  I'll help you along this new and exciting journey!

A Freshly Made Color Throwdown

Today I put two Challenges that I love together.   Color Throwdown had some wonderful colors this week.  These fresh colors made it perfect for my other favorite challenge - Freshly Made Sketches!

I used Close To My Heart's colors of Lilac Mist, Buttercup, Sunset and Grey Wool.   WOW - it's been a LONG time since I've even opened my Lilac Mist pad!  But I love these colors together.... who would have thought Sunset with Lilac Mist and Buttercup?

I used one of my favorite new stamps for this 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card - Just For You (B1398).  The Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge makes a perfect cut for the large flower.  I alternated the colors as I stamped the petals for the flower.   I added a Sunset Button from the Sunset Mini Medley Collection (Z1338) and also some grey baker's twine from the Baker's Twine Neutral Assortment (Z1701).  I tied little French Knots in the center of each of the three medallions.



Here are my inspirations for today's card.

           



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Mojo Mondays and Smash!

On Mondays, my hubby and I love to watch The Voice together.  We try to guess who the singers will pick as their coach.  Sometimes it is easy but at times I've been very surprised!  I feel so bad when none of the coaches turn around.... even if I agree with them!  But, I sure wouldn't want to be in their seats!  When they began promoting Smash before its season premiere, my hubby told me right away that he was NOT going to be watching that one!  I told him that was fine, I'd would go to my scrap room to watch it.  I had to at least watch the premiere to see if I would like it.   Now I'm hooked!  So now, every Monday I spend 2 hours watching the Voice with Jeff and then the next hour it is me, Smash and my scrap room.  What a Beautiful combination!

What else happens on Monday?? Why, it's Mojo Monday!   I love to check out the Mojo Monday sketch each Monday before I leave for work.   Tonight while I was enjoying Smash I created this card for Mojo Monday.   This one came together rather easily for me.   I used our new Pemberley papers along with the stampset that comes in the Pemberley Workshop On The Go Kit (G1033).  (this stamp is available with the purchase of the WOTG kit only).

I stamped the flower 3 times and cut each one just a bit smaller than the previous flower.  Then I layered them.  I added our new Round Durable Studs (Z1706).   I love these!  They are adhesive backed and come in Pewter and Antiqued Gold.  I used Antiqued Gold here.

My ribbon is from the Designer Ribbon Blue Collection (Z1385).






Here is the Mojo Monday sketch that gave me inspiration for this card.


I think Mojo Mondays and Smash will be a regular from here on out!

Baker's Twine and Lollipops!

I just love the little lollipops made with Baker's Twine!  I wanted to give it a try so I combined CAS-ual Friday Challenge (use ribbons) and Inspired By Challenges for this card.  

I used the Baker's Twine Paradise Assortment (Z1702) for my lollipops.  The colors of twine are Lagoon, Honey, Sunset and Smoothie.  I LOVE these colors!  I used Brads and Ribbons from our Mini Medley Assortment collection.  "Birthday Greetings" is from the new set - Just a Number (D1514).   

To make my lollipops, I inserted a brad so holding the twine under the brad as I flatted then prongs. This holds the twine in place.  I then added a swirl of liquid glass around the brad in a circle as big as I wanted the lollipop to be.  This helps adhere the twine in place as I wrapped it around.  

A simple card but fun to make!

Here is the inspiration pictured from Inspired By Challenge.  I'm so glad to get to play along this time.  I've been wanting to but haven't had a chance until now!

Be sure to check out both Challenges!   Thanks for stopping by!

A Freshly Made Birthday Card

I loved the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches and it worked out perfectly with the colors this week at the Color Throwdown Challenge.  

I used Close To My Heart's colors of Smoothie, Blush and Bamboo cardstock for my Color Throwdown Colors.  

The flowers from the Card Word Puzzle (C1494) stamp along with Bamboo ink added a nice subtle random stamping effect.  I felt the cardstock alone was just too stark.  But maybe that is me..... I couldn't resist the urge to stamp something!    My "Happy Birthday" sentiment is stamped with the new 4 My Friend (D1510) set. 

I used a combination of Art Philosophy Cricut flowers and a paper flower from the new Paradise Paper Flowers (Z1710).   The flower is topped off with a wooden button  (Z1387) and that ever popular Baker's Twine Paradise Assortment (Z172)!  

Here is the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches and the color inspiration from Color Throwdown:

                 

A Ribbon of Many Colors - Seam Binding Ribbon

One of my MOST Favorite new products in Close To My Heart's new Spring Summer Idea Book is the Color Ready Seam Binding Ribbon (Z1732).  Have you ever been working on a layout or card and you don't have just the right color of  ribbon you need for that added pizzazz?  Now all you need is this one roll and you can have every color you ever wanted!

Once I got this new ribbon, I have been planning my projects around the ribbon just so I can color the ribbon! I love it!  You can color the ribbon with a spray mister (a cool effect) or dye it in re-inker. But the easiest and fastest drying method for coloring the ribbon is just sponging the color on with a sponge and ink pad.  I'm a quick project gal so I choose the sponge and ink pad method.  Watch this quick video below to see how I inked my ribbon and made a twisted flower with it!    Then scroll on down for a closer view of the card I made!




After I made this video, I discovered a much better method for attaching the twisted ribbon. I used a spot of  Liquid Glass (Z679) on my base and held down the ribbon as I twisted.  The Liquid Glass dried quickly and the ribbon adhered very well.  It works great with the twisted ribbon but you would not want to use liquid glass for apply a flat ribbon because it would soak through the ribbon and show.

Here is closer view the finished card in the video

This is a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 card.  The base is cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.  I used Florentine paper and  Opaque Mocha Adhesive Gems. 

Here is another card with the Color Ready Seam Binding Ribbon

Recipe: Card Pattern  - Wishes (9033) Wrap Around
            Florentine Paper Pack (X7153B)
            Opaque Mocha Adhesive Gems (Z1333)
            Lovely Lily My Acrylix Stamp (B1401)
            Blending Pen (3174)
            Goldrush Excluse Ink (Z2123)
            Olive Exclusive Ink (Z2137)
            Goldrush Shape is cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge <Circle4> (Z1686)

Be sure to look for more projects coming with this fabulous ribbon!!!  I've got my ribbon in hand and off to create more!

A Little H2H for Lucy

This week at H2H (Heart 2 Heart) their challenge was 1-2-3.  Use 1 stamp, 2 pattern papers and 3 embellishments.  Instead of making a card this time, I made a layout!  I'm working on a project and needed to make a layout. My problem now i,s I don't have many pictures to scrapbook!  My girls are grown and we just don't take many pictures so I didn't have the kind of pictures I was looking for to complete my project.  It is hard to go back and use old photos because I have found that photography and the quality of our photos has changed so much in the last 20 years.  Many times I shake my head at the types of shots I took way back when.  So, I reached out to my friend who has the most adorable little girls and asked if I could use them as my subject.   I think this turned out 2 CUTE!

My layout design is from the How To Book - Imagine.  The sketch is "Up The Tempo".   One of my 'go to" stamps for flourishes lately as been the Love Life (D1482) stamp.  I used this set to stamp the flourishes in the upper right corner of the Left Page and also on the journal piece of the Right Page. The sentiments are from the same set.  Notice the extra journaling piece hidden behind the middle photo on the right page.  I used the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to cut a decorative shape for the top.

My TWO pieces of pattern paper are from the Lucy paper pack (X7149B).   I used Blush Carstock and Grey Wool ink to tie all the colors together.

My THREE embellishments are Paper Flowers, Ribbon and Rhinestone Brads.  The paper flowers are from the new Just Blooms Paradise Collection (Z1710).  There are actually 2 different ribbons - one is the Sweet Leaf Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (Z1383) and the other ribbon which are my 'leaves' for my flowers is from the Designer Ribbon Green Collection (Z1616).  I just LOVE these Rhinestone Designer Brads (Z1360).  They make perfect centers for my paper flowers!






To finish the layout I had to add a title!  What better title than "2 Cuties" because that is exactly what these little girls are!   I used the Art Philosophy cricut cartridge to cut the "2" and used the Layer Option.  I added a little bling to the "2".   "Cuties" is stamped with the Bohemian Alphabet (E1019) stamp and each letter was cut out and applied with 3D Foam tape so that they would stand out.


All Products are Close To My Heart.  Thanks for stopping by!

Cruisin' to Mojo Monday

Yippee!  I FINALLY got to create something for Mojo Monday.  I've been so busy the past two weeks, I missed a couple of great challenges.   With my Open House Celebration behind me, I was excited to see the Mojo Monday sketch and know that I would get to do something with it.

For this week's Mojo Monday I decided to do something a little different!  No florals or 'pretty' paper this time.  I pulled out my new Cruisin' paper from Close To My Heart.  This paper is so fun and has lots of potential for great pages and other projects.   This 5 x 7 card would be great for a race fan or even a car fanatic.  It reminds me of my dad because he loves cars.   He has ALWAYS been a fan of cars - old and new!

I used the Art Philosophy to cut the square shape also the shape for my "Good Times" sentiment.  I added bling sparkles to the arrow on the sentiment because it reminded me of a flashing sign.  The car, gas pump and sentiment are all from the stamp that is included with the Cruisin' Workshop On the Go Kit (G1039).   This is an exclusive stamp and comes only with the workshop kit.

One of the cool new products that coordinates with this paper are the Bottle Caps (Z1691).  I just had to use one on this card. Check out the checkered flag!  I made this using the zip strip from one of the papers.  I strung the flags on Black Hemp and knotted each end.

This card was so much fun to make.  I hope you enjoyed it!




Here is the Mojo Monday sketch I used for my inspiration:
                                                          

CAS-ual Friday Meets Fashionista!

So sorry I've been away!  I had my Open House Celebration for Close To My Heart's new Spring Summer Idea Book on Saturday so I have been very busy getting ready for that.   I'll be sharing some of my creations over the next couple of weeks.

Also, last week, my oldest daughter celebrated her birthday and I wanted to make something special for her.  Kirsti moved out last fall into an apartment she shares with a friend.   We got her a new comforter set for her bedroom when she moved and she didn't really have much for her walls.   When I saw the Fashionista (D1504) stamp set in the new Idea Book, it reminded me so much of Kirsti!  She loves clothes and she has more shoes than I probably have had my entire life!  I thought this stamp would make the perfect wall art for her room - right along side the specially made shoe shelf her dad made her!    I think this picture was a hit!

I stamped the images on to White Daisy Cardstock.  I stamped the girls again on another sheet using Olive ink.   I then cut out the dresses, top, skirt and belt and adhered them to the top of the silhouettes.  I added 1/4" strips of Olive and Black cardstock to give add a 'matted' look.   I then put it in this nice black frame.   I picture opening measures 8x11. 

I'm entering this into CAS-ual Friday's challenge.  This week's challenge is to create a Clean and Simple project using paper piecing.   I think this framed art is pretty Clean and Simple!  It was really fun to create!

Be sure to visit CAS-ual Friday's site to see all the other entries.   If you like challenges, this is a fun site to check out every Friday.  

Door Prize Riddles!!

Well I got a little behind here on my blog posting the Door Prize Riddles.   I have been posting them to my StampinHeaven FB page though.   Thought I'd catch you up in case you've been watching my blog and not my FB page so you won't have to search!  If you know the answer just leave the Riddle # and the answer in my Comments!   Each correct answer will earn you a Door Prize ticket!

Giveaway #1 - What's CHOCOLATE and hold beautiful memories but you can't eat it!
Giveaway #2 -  What has 54 sides. You can stackem' or you can rackem'!
Giveaway #3 -  It's not sold in our Idea Books and you can only get one from me! You can take it with you to all your crops. It holds bits and pieces. (Hint: I gave away one last year!)
Giveaway #4 -  This prize has the same name as a Comedy TV series that ran from 1992 - 1999 about a young New York couple.  Like the series, it is no longer available!  It's all about LOVE!

Sound like fun?   Come to my Open House and find out more ways to earn tickets to these and more prizes! 

You can even make this card to take with you!

A Little Sunshine for Freshly Made Sketches

WHEW!  What a crazy busy week this has been.   I've got my Open House coming up next Saturday and planned to do alot of creating to get ready for it.   I planned to do a little bit every night.  Well, it didn't take long for that to get shot down!   Our dog, Remi, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever has been sick since January 2.  He is not even 2 years old and he could barely get up and walk!  We've been going back and forth to the vet.  Finally we were referred to a specialist about 50 miles away.   Remi spent all day at that vet having about every test imaginable done.   After work I went to sit with my hubby to wait.  It was 6:30 before we able to bring him home.  Needless to say, no creating that night.  The following two nights I worked late.   Friday night, I planned to come home and spend the evening in my craft room but instead, I spent the evening at the clinic and then the pharmacy getting a prescription for my husband who had a scratched eye and some infection.   Boy oh Boy......  

Today - FINALLY I got some ME TIME!!  YEAH!! This morning I printed off a bunch of challenges hoping I'd get to at least one!  I missed so many!  I was excited to see a great sketch over at one of my favorite challenge blogs - Freshly Made Sketches.   I decided I would use this sketch with my new Pemberley (X7148B) paper pack.   This paper pack was just released in Close To My Heart's Spring Summer Idea Book.

The phrase "A little Bit of Sunshine...." is the zip strip from one of the papers.  I love how I was able to incorporate it into my card.   I used the new stamp Card Word Puzzle (C1494) for the flower and the butterflies.   I stamped the image in Outdoor Denim Ink and then again in Versa Mark ink.  I used Clear Detail Embossing Powder to give it a raised outline look.  I added Bitty Pearls (Z1707) to the center of the flower and also used them as butterfly trails. 

Here is the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches:

Hopefully I won't be so long away next time!  I've got a lot of challenges to catch up on!

Oh, and BTW, all the tests came back negative for some of the more serious diseases and it was determined that Remi has some kind of joint disease (I can't pronounce it and I won't even try to spell it!) He is being treated with steroids which has worked like a miracle!  We've finally got our spunky Remi back!