Don't Forget.....

This is another patterned paper from Dream Pop. Today is the last day you can get this wonderful paper pack.

I love pink with any neutral colour......grey is no exception. I have used Whisper and retired Orchid Bouquet cardstock to go with this sweet elephant pattern. I also snuck in a wee bit of retired Black textured cardstock. I finished the card off with a Slate brad, button, and Baker's Twine.

All supplies are Close To My Heart.
Paper: Dream Pop
Stamp: retired Fringed Phrases
Ink: Black
Cardstock: Whisper; retired Orchid Bouquet & textured Black
Embellishments: Slate brad; button; and Grey Wool Baker's Twine.

Washi Tape with Dream Pop Birthday!

Okay, so who is ga ga for this stuff called, Washi tape? I am on the fence. This reminds me of holiday tape you used to see for wrapping gifts. It was a little more special or fancy than plain old scotch tape. Someone decided to print every imaginable pattern on it and started a trend.....genius! While I am not so quick to embrace this trend, I did decide to use some of our sweet polka dot tape.

I started with a background of retired Orchid Bouquet cardstock. I added patterned paper from May's Constant Campaign, Dream Pop. Then I added the Slate polka dot washi tape in a pleated fashion. The shape is stamped with an image from a past stamp of the month. The sentiment is from the best birthday stamp set ever, Joyful Birthday.

All supplies are Close To My Heart.
Paper: Dream Pop
Stamp: Joyful Birthday
Cardstock: Colonial White; Black; retired Orchid Bouquet
Embellishments: Slate Polka Dot Washi tape; Sparkles
Tools: Artiste & Art Philosophy Cricut cartridges

Spring is back!

Well, most Victorians thought we had moved on to Summer here......but alas, Spring rain is back!

These cards were made for a recent gathering and the one below is sure suitable for our lovely rain!
I used Claire patterned paper for both. The top one uses the word balloon stamp set that comes with Artiste, our exclusive Cricut cartridge. I added Black Tulle; Glitter button and Natural Hemp. I did some stamp kissing with, In The Background, on the word balloon.

Below, I have used an all time favourite (retired) stamp set, Springtime. When you live on the "Wet Coast" it is appropriate to have a rain gear stamp set. I added an epoxy flower to complete this card.

All supplies are Close To My Heart.
Stamps: Springtime; Artiste stamp set; In The Background
Paper: Claire
Ink: Sunset; Cotton Candy; Outdoor Denim
Cardstock: White Daisy; Outdoor Denim; Sunset
Embellishments: Black Tulle & Glitter Buttons; Natural Hemp; Epoxy flower
Tools: Artiste Cricut cartridge

Home Sweet Home

This stamp set is retired, since it was February's stamp of the month. It is perfect, however, to go with a house warming gift all year round.

I used some pattern paper from Surf's Up, along with Crystal Blue; Twilight; and Goldrush cardstock for the border. The sentiments were stamped with Lagoon ink on Colonial White cardstock. I added Sparkles; Burlap Ribbon; a Crystal Blue button and some Natural hemp.

All supplies are Close to My Heart.
Stamps: Home Sweet Home
Paper: Surf's Up
Ink: Lagoon
Cardstock: Colonial White; Crystal Blue; Twilight; Goldrush
Embellishments: Sparkles; Burlap Ribbon; Buttons; Natural Hemp
Tools: Art Philosophy & Artiste Cricut cartridges

I "felt" rosy all over!

Ha, sometimes my crazy headings make me chuckle......this one is no exception!

I had some leftover inked up paper from, For Always, so I added some other elements I had on my work table. The pink is Cotton Candy, with Black; White Daisy; Sweet Leaf and Glitter cardstock. The rose is fashioned from pink felt and the sentiment is from Pemberley WOTG.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Paper: For Always
Stamp: Pemberley WOTG
Ink: Black
Cardstock: Black; White Daisy; Cotton Candy; Sweet Leaf; Glitter
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Other: Eco-felt

Just a word bubble card

I had some extra word bubbles cut and stamped from CTMH's Artiste cartridge.

This word bubble is stamped with Cotton Candy and paired with a border of For Always paper. The embossed layer is Blush cardstock embossed, then inked with Cotton Candy. To finish it off, I tied up the For Always border with some Grey Wool Baker's Twine.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Paper: For Always
Stamp: Artiste set
Cardstock: Blush; Cotton Candy; Colonial White
Ink: Cotton Candy
Embellishments: Grey Wool Baker's Twine
Tools: Artiste Cricut cartridge
Other: Embossing folder

Fly like a BIRD!

This bird and flourish embossing folder is one of my favourties. I paired it with my Fiskars Fuse bird die.

I started with a Sweet Leaf mat on a White Daisy base. I embossed White Daisy with this birdie embossing folder, then added a Twilight border. Underneath the bird is White Daisy grosgrain ribbon with a Sweet Leaf ribbon slide.

The bird was cut with an inking and embossing die from Fiskars Fuse. I inked the bird with Twilight ink on Sweet Leaf cardstock. I added a White Daisy brad for the eye. The sentiment is from April's stamp of the month, My Sunshine and stamped in Twilight ink.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Stamp: My Sunshine
Cardstock: White Daisy; Twilight; Sweet Leaf
Ink: Twilight
Embellishments: White Daisy grosgrain ribbon and brad; Sweet Leaf ribbon slide
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Other: Fiskars Fuse bird die; Embossing folder

Drama with Dream Pop

Love these bright and dramatic colours.....get yours with a Dream Pop pack in May!

I paired this dramatic patterned paper from our May special, Dream Pop, with some retired Orchid Bouquet cardstock. I edged everything with  Slate ink first, in addition to stamping with it. The embossed ribbon is cardstock from the pack and I added some Honey and retired Dutch Blue cardstock, also.

I stamped the sentiment from, Casual Expressions, in Slate ink and added the coordinating shape cut with Artiste/Art Philosophy. Then I added Sparkles to complete this card.

All supplies are Close to My Heart.
Paper: Dream Pop
Stamp: Casual Expressions
Cardstock: White Daisy; Whisper; Honey; retired Dutch Blue & Orchid Bouquet
Embellishments: Sparkles
Tools: Artiste/Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

Die cut burlap flowers

This card was created for my Die cutting & Embossing class. It really started with this wonderful pink burlap I picked up while in the U.S., in March.

I cut strips of this pink burlap, the same size as the Sizzix die I planned to use for cutting the flower layers. I painted one side of the burlap with Modge Podge, then hung it to dry. The Modge Podge adds stiffness so once you have cut shapes you can mold them and the fabric does not fray.

We inked an embossing folder with Slate ink, then embossed Whisper cardstock in it. The patterned paper is from, For Always. I cut the sentiment shape with Art Philosophy, then stamped with an image from, Thank   You. The flower brad is retired.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Paper: For Always
Cardstock: White Daisy; Whisper
Ink: Slate
Embellishments: White Daisy flower brad
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Other: Pink burlap; Modge Podge; Sizzix die

Happy VICTORIA Day!

May long weekend is a wonderful, green time of year. While most in Victoria, BC who plant gardens have had many plants in for between 2-4 weeks, this is my weekend for tomatoes. Every year I pick between 8-12 different varieties to pack in my tomato plot with marigolds flanking all sides. This is also the weekend my fig tree really starts to go crazy with growth, too. In light of all of this growing and planting, here is a clean card using a new die plate from Taylored Expressions.

I cut this spectacular tree in Lagoon cardstock. This amazing die cuts the tree with the frame attached....it really is my favourite die! I added the die cut to Pear cardstock, then stamped a sentiment in Black ink from, Words of Comfort.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Stamp: Words of Comfort
Cardstock: Pear; Lagoon; Colonial White
Ink: Black
Other: TE Shade tree cutting plate

Dream Pop is dreamy.........

This "Dream Pop" paper pack is something special. The patterned paper is outrageously gorgeous and then you get cardstock that has a clear embossed patterned finish! You just can't go wrong with this special paper pack. Click on the "Dream Pop" link to get yours, while supplies last or before it is gone on May 31st!

I edged this striped cardstock with Slate ink, then added some retired Orchid Bouquet cardstock. I stamped with the beautiful flower from, Card Word Puzzle, in Slate ink. I added a strip of Slate cardstock, then stamped the sentiment in Slate ink on some Colonial White cardstock. I added a Sparkle to the centre of the cut out flower.

All supplies are Close To My Heart
Stamp: Card Word Puzzle; Say It In Style
Paper: Dream Pop
Cardstock: Slate; Colonial White; retired Orchid Bouquet
Ink: Slate
Embellishments: Sparkle

Dream Pop and Mother's Day, together.

Our Dream Pop paper promotion is in full swing. See how to get yours by clicking on the Dream Pop picture.

I lifted this card from Lisa Stenz and changed the sentiment. These Dream Pop papers really have a "POW" of colour. I loved Lisa's card and thought her design would look great with a Mother's Day sentiment. So, I lifted it and here is my version.

I added buttons to the centres of the flowers and stamped the sentiment in Ruby ink, from Say It In Style.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Paper: Dream Pop
Stamp: Say It In Style
Ink: Ruby
Cardstock: Sunset; Creme Brulee; Sweet Leaf; White Daisy
Embellishments: Red Buttons
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Other: Spellbinders flower dies

Roses are red.........

Oh how I LOVE this stamp set, Love Blooms!

I totally lifted this card and put my own spin on it. I used retired Lucy patterned paper, including the border. I stamped the outline and shading of the rose, from Love Blooms, in Ruby ink. The leaves are stamped with Sweet Leaf in and I cut the edges of the flower with an exacto style knife and slid the leaves underneath. The sentiment is from, Say It In Style and I added Stardust Glitz in between each diamond of the border.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted
Paper: Lucy
Stamps: Love Blooms; Say It In Style
Ink: Ruby; Sweet Leaf
Cardstock: Blush; Colonial White
Embellishments: Stardust Glitz
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Other: Judikins exacto knife

Lucy papers still fabulous!

Here is another on of the many Mother's Days cards I made for sale.

I used retired Lucy patterned paper, along with the Workshop On The Go stamp set. The sentiment is from, Say It In Style. I added Colonial White grosgrain ribbon to finish off.

All supplies are Close To My Heart.
Stamps: Say It In Style; retired Lucy WOTG
Paper: Lucy
Cardstock: Hollyhock; Creme Brulee; Colonial White
Ink: Hollyhock; Black
Embellishments: Colonial White grosgrain ribbon
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Humble Artist's Swap

Here is my Humble Artist's Swap card, for our April 10th submission.

I started with a Colonial White card base. I added Lagoon cardstock, then patterned paper from, For Always. I inked the patterned paper with Lagoon ink.

Next I stamped some Pear cardstock with the birdcage image from, Hello Tweety, in Black ink. I added a Black mat. Underneath this piece is some Colonial White cardstock with some Sweet Leaf stitched grosgrain ribbon. 

I cut about a 1 1/2 inch strip of the polka dot, For Always Textiles, with my pinking shears. I dragged both my Lagoon and Pear stamp pads along the front and back of the fabric to add colour. I did a loose baste stitch along one long edge, then pulled it so the fabric pulled itself into this round. I stitched up the raw edges together, then stuck it down to the birdcage piece.

I stamped the bird, from My Sunshine, April's stamp of the month in both Lagoon and Pear ink. I added a Bitty Black brad for an eye, then added the sentiment, stamped in Black ink. I also added some Sparkles in the right bottom corner, but they are not showing up so well.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Stamps: My Sunshine; Hello Tweety
Paper: For Always
Cardstock: Colonial White; Pear; Lagoon
Ink: Black; Lagoon; Pear
Embellishments: Bitty Black Brad; Sweet Leaf stitched grosgrain ribbon; For Always textiles; Sparkles
Tools: Art Philosophy & Artiste Cricut cartridges
Other: thread; pinking shears

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

This is one of more than 25 Mother's Day cards I created for sale at the cafes I sell my cards. This one used a lot of retired goodies.....Lucy patterned paper; Scroll Album stamp set; Say It In Style stamp set; and a few others.

I hope each of you have a wonderful Mother's Day, doing whatever you choose to do! Mine will be spent sleeping in; watching a taped Nascar race with salty snacks; nibbling on a Dr. Pepper cake I made last night; crafting; maybe taking some photos at a local garden; and most important....enjoying my 3 children who I am blessed to have call me "Mom"!

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Paper: Lucy
Stamps: Say It In Style; Scroll Album
Ink: Lagoon; Whisper; Black
Cardstock: Colonial White; Pear; Lagoon
Embellishments: Green Glitz Glitter Gel
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Other: Embossing folder

A little slow on the uptake.......

I think I have found a new limit to add to my EQ...a.k.a. "Enough Quotient"...working away from  home for 5 days is too much along with my CTMH business; Nanny business; and 3 children! I will stick to my 4 days and not offer to cover for 5 days again!

That said, here are the final 2 cards created for my April Hostess Card club.

 Once again, we added ink to patterned paper from, For Always. I used Lagoon for the above card and both Pear and Lagoon for the bottom chevron one. The birdcages and sentiment are from, Hello Tweety. They are stamped in Black ink on the Pear cardstock and in second generation Lagoon for the sentiment shape.We added Sweet Leaf stitched grosgrain ribbon; Black button and Black hemp.

All supplies are Close To My Heart.
Stamp: Hello Tweety
Paper: For Always
Ink: Black; Lagoon; Pear
Cardstock: Colonial White
Embellishments: Sweet Leaf stitched grosgrain; Black Buttons; Black Hemp
Tools: Artiste Cricut Cartridge

Up, Up and Away!

I don't know that I would ever take a hot air balloon ride, but I sure like stamping an image of one. These are another set of cards made with my May Hostess Card Club.

We used April stamp of the month, My Sunshine along with patterned paper from, For Always. The patterned paper was inked in both Sunset and Pear. The borders behind the sun, were stamped with an image from Distressed Backgrounds, in ink to coordinate with the cardstock. Those colours were Ruby and Lagoon, respectively.

The sun was stamped with Goldrush ink and the sentiment coordinated ink colour with the border. The balloons were done two different ways. The above one was inked in Goldrush ink, then the stamp edge was pounced with Ruby ink. The bottom balloon was inked and stamped with Pear ink. The stamp was cleaned, then the edge rolled in Lagoon ink and stamped over top of the balloon again.

The cards were tied up with Cranberry and Lagoon Baker's Twine.

All supplies are Close To My Heart.
Stamps: Distressed Backgrounds; My Sunshine Apr SOTM
Paper: For Always
Cardstock: Colonial White; Ruby; Lagoon
Ink: Sunset; Pear; Lagoon; Ruby; Goldrush; 
Embellishments: Cranberry and Lagoon Baker's Twine
Tools: Artiste Cricut cartridge

Add a little Colour!

I read something not too long ago about adding colour to CTMH's, For Always, paper. It sounded like a good idea to me, so I based my Card Hostess club around it. I also thought this was a good way to show the versatility of a black & white patterned paper.

We inked with Cotton Candy ink and stamped with Black. WE added Black stitched grosgrain and Black shimmer trim ribbon. All stamped images are from Hello Tweety.

All supplies are Close To My Heart.
Stamp: Hello Tweety
Paper: For Always
Ink: Cotton Candy; Black
Embellishments: Black stitched & Black Shimmer Trim ribbon

Oh, SNAP!

This was my children's catch phrase a while back and it just didn't really make sense to me. Well, in the context of picture taking.....it makes complete sense!

I just love CTMH's Sightseer stamp set. I am a sucker for any stamps relating to cameras or picture taking. I combined the camera image with some scraps from Later Sk8r and retired Cruisin'. All are on a Cashmere base that I punched/embossed with a die from Lil' Inker Designs.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Paper: Later Sk8r; Cruisin
Stamp: Sightseer
Cardstock: Cashmere; Sky; White Daisy
Ink: Twilight; Black
Embellishments: Epoxy Bubbles
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge
Other: Lil'Inker Designs die

Felt & Embossing....two of my favourite things.

This is a card I created for my Embossing & Diecutting class. I was inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest.

We started by embossing some Cotton Candy cardstock. We added a zip strip from, For Always, then some shapes from Art Philosophy. The felt roses were cut with a die from My Favorite Things Stamps. We rolled them and placed them on leaves also cut with Art Philosophy. We stamped a sentiment and called it done.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Paper: For Always
Cardstock: White Daisy; Black; Cotton Candy; Sweet Leaf
Ink: Black
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Other: MFT Die-namics; Embossing folder; felt

Cruisin' with some embossing.

I am still using up some scraps. I loved this argyle patterned paper from Cruisin' and paired it with some leftover embossed cardstock.

A card doesn't get much simpler than this. Twilight top; Sweet Leaf embossed bottom; a Cruisin' patterned border with an Art Philosophy shape on top. I added some Epoxy bubbles to complete the card.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Paper: Cruisin'
Cardstock: Twilight; Sweet Leaf; White Daisy
Ink: Black
Embellishment: Epoxy Bubbles
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Other: Spellbinders M-Bossabilities

What......more scraps!

If you can't beat 'em......use 'em!

That is how I am feeling about all of the paper scraps I have!

I had this embossed Lagoon cardstock leftover, so I inked it, then added some Sweet Leaf cardstock and a strip of Pear. I stamped this leftover piece of Outdoor Denim cardstock with an image from Patterned Pennants. I stamped the sentiment in Lagoon and added some Blue Sparkles.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Stamps: Patterned Pennants; Thank You
Cardstock: Lagoon; Pear; Sweet Leaf; Outdoor Denim; White Daisy
Ink: Lagoon; Outdoor Denim
Embellishments: Blue Sparkles
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Other: Spellbinders M-Bossabilities

Poppies from My Favorite Things

I LOVE poppies and when I saw this coordinating stamp and die set from My Favorite Things, well..... I had to have it.

I die cut then stamped the poppies, from LJD Pretty Poppies, with Ruby ink on White Daisy cardstock. I stamped the sentiment and script background in Black ink on White Daisy and Whisper cardstock, respectively. I used Close To My Heart's Distressed Backgrounds set to stamp the chicken wire in Ruby ink on coordinating cardstock. I added Black cardstock and brad to complete this card.

All supplies are Close To My Heart, unless noted.
Stamp: Distressed Backgrounds
Cardstock: Black; Ruby; Whisper; White Daisy
Ink: Black, Ruby
Embellishments: Black Brad
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Other: My Favorite Things LJD Pretty Poppies stamp and Die-namics

April showers bring May flowers and some "Dream Pop"

Wow, I can hardly believe May is already here. With May comes a wonderful promotion called "Dream Pop". This paper package is STUNNING!

With you purchase of at least $35 of current product, you can choose a "Dream Pop" package for only $10. This is a $19.95 value with some amazing design touches.

The pattern paper is amazing and the solids hold a shiny secret. Each of them is embossed with a clear pattern on one side, for even more design possibilities.

Call me to order or shop online, by visiting my website.  You will not be disappointed with this amazing paper pack!
We also have a wonderful stamp of the month for May, called Pinwheel. Check out the side bar to see how it spins!