Balloon Talk - April Stamp of the Month

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! This month we are featuring Balloon Talk, a set of 24 stamps. If you have come here from Michelle Johns' 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.

We have over 50 consultants participating in the blog! I know that I can't wait to see what fabulous projects everyone has to share! Following the hop is easy- just click on the link at the bottom of each post and it will take you to the next blog!

This month's card is showcasing my Technique Tuesday class.  I created feathers using Smoothie Striped and Gold Polka Dot Washi Tape along with Slate Stripe Twist Ties for the stems.  I also used Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape for to create a flower.   Two fun and easy techniques that I will teaching in my class.

I created a background on the white daisy cardstock with the Flight of the Arrows (D1578) stamp and Desert Sand Ink.   I stamped the "Thanks" with Smoothie Ink.

For more information on my Technique Tuesday Class check out my Upcoming Events tab.

Now it is time to hop over to Melissa Laverty's blog to see what she has created!

Flowery Easter Wishes

I'm sooooo ready for spring!!  Tonight they are calling for temps around 25 here in Middle Tennessee.   All the Bradford Pears are in bloom and now everything will just turn an ugly brown.  I'm so over it!  I guess that I why I pulled out this cute little flower stamp to create a card tonight.    I want some color back in my day!

This was simple card to create.   I debated adding some bling but then decided that sometimes simple is just enough.   Let the flowers be the focus.

For this card I used the colors of Sorbet, Pacifica, Sweet Leaf and Slate.  The flowers are from the stamp set - Enjoy the Litte Things.  This is a set for that is exclusive to Hostess.  A Hostess can choose this stamp as part of their rewards at a reduced price.

           

Greatest Love - B1444

Enjoy the Little Things - Hostess Only Set

Thank you for stopping by!!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

SKETCH: - Clean & Simple

Color Throwdown

Cupcake Inspirations

4 Crafty Chicks - No Pattern Paper

Emboss It! Blog Hop!

Welcome to our Emboss It! Blog Hop!  You are in for a treat today!  26 Close To My Heart Consultants will be sharing different ways to use  our new embossing folders!

If you came from Katy Taylor's blog you are on the right track.  The blog hop is a great big circle so you if came here first, just hop along and when you get back to me you will have completed the hop.

If you get lost along the way you can find the complete list of hoppers HERE.

Now, lets get hopping!





I was so excited to see that Close To My Heart added embossing folders to our product line.  Sometimes a card just needs a little texture to make it complete!  One of my favorite techniques to use with embossing folders is called Embedded Embossing.   This is a really cool technique that I wanted to share for this blog hop.

Embedded Embossing is a technique used to embed cut images into your cardstock creating the illusion that it is one piece of cardstock.

EMBEDDED EMBOSSING CLOSE UP

For this card I used the Dreamer stamp set (B1439).    I stamped the images in Sweet Leaf and Sorbet and cut.   Next, I adhered the girl and two of the hearts onto the piece of White Daisy Cardstock.  I placed the White Daisy cardstock with the images into my Stripe Embossing Folder (Z1960) and ran it through my Cuttlebug.

I then layered an additional heart and butterfly with the 'dream' sentiment on top to give the card a more dimensional look.

Clear Sparkles were added for a finishing touch.


Products Used: (All Close To My Heart)
Cardstock:  Sweet Leaf, Slate and White Daisy
Inks:  Sweet Leaf, Slate and Sorbet
Clear Sparkels (Z1752)

Dreamer (B1439)

Stripe Embossing Folder (Z1960)

I hope you enjoyed my card and maybe even learned a new technique!   Now it's time to hop over to Terry Ann Diack's blog and see what she is sharing!
       

Just Because

Quick post here..... I'm about to head out for a quick weekend trip to Atlanta.  My Hubby and I are going to the SEC Basketball tournament.   We planned this trip back when our favorite team - KY Wildcats were looking pretty good but after we purchased our tickets they sort of took a turn for mediocre to say the least.   Maybe they'll find their mojo and get something going for the tournament. Anyway, I plan to enjoy the weekend!

I packed this morning and had a little time to create something while waiting for Jeff to get home.  For this card I used the sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch.  The colors were inspired by Pals Paper Arts.   I used paper from Jubilee (X7181B) paper pack and Topiary Cardstock which I thought were perfect for the colors.

I used a stamp from Distressed Background (D1544) and Topiary ink to stamp of the cardstock to give it a pattern. The sentiment is from Big Hug (D1584). I used Topiary Chevron Ribbon (Z1929) for my bow.

CAS(E) This Sketch

Pals Paper Arts

Thanks for stopping by!

Congrats to My Nephew!

Wow.... my blogging has been a little lagging lately.  I haven't spent much time in my craft room lately - mainly due to 2 reasons..  1) Lack of mojo... 2) I've been spending more time at the gym!  Maybe reason #2 is the REASON for #1.   I set a weight goal to reach by June (actually by our next Close To My Heart Convention) and so that it isn't overwhelming, I set a MONTHLY goal. I'm happy to say, I'm on track to reach my goal for March.  When I get home I have all good intentions for getting some craft on but by the time I've showered and grabbed a bite of HEALTHY dinner, I seem to have trouble finding my mojo!

Well, this weekend I was inspired by some exciting new from my sister. My nephew, a senior at Louisville Ballard HS won several rewards for a Science Fair project he's been working on for quite some time.  He told us all about his project when they were here at Thanksgiving.   His project involves the use of Virtual Reality to train the mind with an actual motion simulator.  Details are really over my head but all I could think of when he was describing it was WOW.... and "WOW" is what he did at the Science Fair.  In May, he will be on his way to Los Angeles, California to enter the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.   So.... I really wanted to send Nick a card to let him know how proud I am!

I used the sketch from Freshly Mades Sketches (even though I missed the deadline to enter this challenge, I really liked this sketch!).   The colors were inspired by The Paper Players challenge. I used Slate, Twilight and Honey.

I thought the colors were great for a congrats to a guy.  I used the Striped Embossing Folder Z1960 on the Honey cardstock.   Most of the stamped Images are from All The Details (D1555) which coordinates with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartrige.  The little trophy stamp is from one of the sets that is included with the Artiste Cricut Cartridge Collection.    I thought the Slate Polka Dot Washi Z1817 was a good choice for the "ribbon" for this card.   The metal button accents are from the ProPlayer Assortment Z1879.

Thanks for stopping by!  I'll try not to be away so long next time!

The Paper Players

Freshly Made Sketches:

Lollydoodle Feathers

I had my monthly Girl's Night Out event last Friday and we had so much fun!  We put together some really cute necklaces from Close To My Heart's new Base & Bling collection.   Everyone chose either Antiqued Gold or Silver chain and pendent and a sticker from the Dreamer Style (Z1976) sheet to put in their pendent.  Then they got to choose 2 charms!   I created this card using the sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch to show that these charms are also adorable as embellishments on cards and even layouts! I've been itching to use my new Feathers (C1584) stamp and here I finally got to!

I stamped the feathers in Sunset, Cotton Candy and Juniper to go with the Lollydoodle (X7183B) paper I used.  I tied up two feather charms with the new Metallic Bakers Twine.  The stamped sentiment is from a an old retired stamp set I had on hand.

Here is the sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch:



Here are a few pictures from my Dream A Little Bling Girl's Night Out Event sharing some of the creations the ladies put together.

The necklaces were a snap to put together and ready to wear in 5 minutes!  The designs are unlimited with choices from 4 different style sheets (that have 32 different stickers each!) and 4 sets of charms (each package contain 3 each gold and silver charms).  Choose from Square or Circle Pendents in Antiqued Silver or Antiqued Gold!

To find out more about Close To My Heart's Wearable Crafts go to my website HERE.