Filled with Joy AHSC #62

It's been a pretty busy weekend for me, and I was really in a creative block even though I had a FREE Crop day here for my customers.

While they all did alot of crafting and I starting working on my organizational efforts for all my scraps.  I will show you on a later post this week what I managed to get sorted.

Here is the sketch for this week:

Here is my card:

I used Balloon Ride for my mat, and added a layer of White Daisy CS and then added a piece of Sorbet CS before adhering my image.  This stamp is coloured with the exclusive Alcohol Markers, I used Pear, Sorbet, Juniper and Honey.  After I finished colouring, I added some bling to finish off the look.  Since the stamp was a sentiment, it didn't need anything else.  

Thanks for popping by, and I hope you can head over to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge to see what our amazing Design Team has created to inspire you.

AHSC #59 Laughter, smiles and Lilacs

I've been having so much fun creating new projects the past 3 days that I almost forgot I hadn't finished my card for this weeks sketch.  I had all the elements ready, just needed to put it together.  Have you ever done that?  Started something, put it away, then came across something you just had to try to forget that the previous project was completed and you had a deadline.

Leave me a comment telling me about your unfinished projects, and I'll enter you in a draw for this stamp set; Owls (B1450).

Isn't this just the cutest stamp set. Remember to check back next week to see who has won.

So here is this weeks sketch:

Here is what I've created:

I started with a white cardbase and then I layered a piece of patterned paper from the Balloon Ride collection.  The sentiment is from You are my Happy a campaign stamp set from last year, and it is stamped in Lagoon Ink on White Daisy Cardstock which is matted on Lagoon Cardstock.  I used the retired Colour Ready Ribbon and inked it with Lagoon Ink.  The flowers and leaves are from the hostess stamp set  A Mother's Love (B1447).  This stamp set can only be purchased by a hostess, so if it is a must have, contact me to book your home gathering.

So, dont' forget to leave some blog love, then hop on over to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and check out the fabulous creations from our amazingly talented Design Team.

Bee Happy with AHSC #57

I had so much fun creating my card for this week's sketch challenge. I used the Free To Be Me paper package which is May's Promotion for National Scrapbooking Month.  This paper is just so versatile, with textured/embossed cardstock, double sided patterned paper and 2 sheets of velum.

Here is this week's sketch:

I altered the sketch just a little bit to fit my card based on the stamp set that I chose to use.  I used Happy Hive a stamp from Jeanette's Archived Collection.

Now, I hope while you are sitting back enjoying your coffee, you will also head over to our Sketch Challenge Blog, and check out the rest of the Design Team's creations.

Cricut Explore meets AHSC #54

This past weekend I really got the chance to play around with my newest crafting machine, Cricut Explore.  Wow, I am having so much fun creating new projects.  I have't tried anything really hard yet, as I'm preparing for an event this weekend, and where Mother's Day is this weekend I've been mass producing some Mother's Day Cards.  (Will have another post later to showcase some of those creations.)

In the process of making those cards I came across the image that I used to create my card for this week's sketch, which is nothing like I originally planned to do.

Here is this weeks sketch:

For my card, I decided to remove the bow, as the sentiment really takes the place of it.

Just realizing it has a bit of a haze to the top corner, opps!  Anyway, all that this card took was 2 sheets of cardstock, Black and Colonial White.  The picture doesn't show it properly, but the space above the Bride and Groom is open.  It is really cool, I will try to take better photos when the lighting is better.

For now, I hope you will pop over to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and check out the creations from our Design Team.  They really have some amazing work.

Mother's Day Cards for Sketch #50 @ AHSC

I've been asked to design some Mother's Day cards by some of my friends, so I really need to get rolling. What better way than to use my own sketches to create these cards. Here is this weeks sketch:

It's a pretty basic card, but there is so much you can do with this sketch.  I chose to keep it pretty simple.

Here is my card:

Supplies:

Embossed Ruby Cardstock

Black Cardstock

Silver Shimmer Trim

Scallop Border Punch

Square Bling

Ruby and Black Ink

Cuts from Artiste

1 1/4" Circle Punch

Holiday Tags(D1560)

Perfect Fit - Frames 2(D1536)

I hope you will now head over to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and check out the amazing creations from our very talented Design Team.

My daughter's creation for Sketch #49

Over the weekend my oldest daughter and I had a chance to craft together.  I was working on my card for this week's sketch and she wanted to try her hand at making the sketch too.

I wasn't happy with how my card turned out, so I'm showcasing my daughter's card today. She actually did a great job putting this together.

Jaymee started with a Hollyhock base and added a layer of Blush Cardstock for a two-tone pink.  She carried that on with the flowers. After cutting out the flowers to place on the stem, she used the cut out as a stencil and drew flowers right on the card.  Then she stamped the sentiment in Black Ink.

I hope this shows you that even a 10 year old can create amazing cards, we hope that this card inspires you to try your hand at this week's sketch.

Now head on over to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and see what our Design Team has created to inspire you.

AHSC creation for Sketch #46

I have been a little down and out and have struggled to find my way to my craft room.  So lucky for me when my order arrived.  I dug through my box to grab inspiration. Here is this week's sketch:

What I used from my box was a sheet from Ivy Lane for my pattern, Pear Cardstock for the top, and I used the Ivy Lane compliments, and cut it in half to get the half moon shape.  I used the zipstrip to add a seperation, and I noticed that the Ariana Assortment which consists of bows in various colors has a bow that works well with Ivy Lane too.  I decided not to place a sentiment, so that I can use this for any occassion.  

Here is my card:

So, now that you have seen my creation, I hope that my sketch and my creation from this sketch has inspired you to get crafty.  Now I ask that you pop on over to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and visit our Design Team, as they have some fantastic creations to share with you.

Silver's and Blues make a pretty card

My sketch for this weeks Challenge was suppose to be followed exactly as sketched, and using the Love Doily, however, my idea changed as our first entrant this week had made my card as I had envisioned it.  LOL!

So, I'm back to square one, I still want to stick with the rectangle shape, and cut my card base so that it measures 3 1/2" by 8".  The base is cut from White Daisy CS.  Next I took the large snowflake from the Stamp set Snowflakes(D1480) and stamped it with Versamark Ink and heat embossed it with Silver Embossing powder.  Next using a mixture of different snowflakes I stamped around the embossed snowflakes in Crystal Blue Ink and Twilight Ink, both were stamped in first and second generation.

To finish the card off, I added a strip of Silver Shimmer Trim, and the Sentiment comes from Yuletide Greetings (D1553), which is stamped in Twilight Ink.


This size card is perfect for a cash card.....and who doesn't like receiving cash at Christmas!!!

Please remember to go check out the design team's creations now over on the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.

Holly Jolly Christmas Card for Sketch #29

I am so in the Christmas spirit.  I can't help it, I've been designing so many fabulous creations to sell at the markets and craft fairs.  I really love the Believe paper from s few years ago now, it was before my time but I was able to snag a few bulk paper packets.

Here is my sketch:

Here is my card:

So for this card, I made my own background for the bottom half of the card, using the colour Sky which is found in the Believe paper.  So I did tone on tone, stamping the snowflakes and dots all in Sky ink on the Sky CS.  The sentiment is stamped in Black ink, and all the stamps are from the Frosted Card Workshop.  The ribbon is retired, as well as the Believe Paper.  The buttons are clear actually, and I coated them in Sky pigment ink, and clear embossed them.

You can find more information about my upcoming classes here, and which local markets/craft fairs I will be at here.

So now that you have seen my creation, won't you pop on over to the Sketch Challenge and see what the Design Team has in store for you.

Flowers and songbirds for Sketch #28

This week I really enjoyed making my card for my sketch featured on Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  Incase you are new to following my blog, my bestie Darla Haverstock, and myself have a Sketch Challenge where every Monday morning we provide a new sketch to be played with.  On Wednesday's we post the Top 3 entrants from the previous week, and we post the Design Teams creations.  I create the sketches, along with some sketches provided by the members of the design team, and Darla does the digital work, she is my techie guru!

So this is the sketch for this week:

Here is my card for this sketch:

I started with the For Always paper, and used the technique direct ink to the paper, by taking my ink pad and swiping it over the paper I was able to die it Cotton Candy.  The sentiment is stamped with Black Ink on White Daisy CS, which is matted on a piece of Black CS.  The images are stamped with Cotton Candy in 2nd generation.  These images and the sentiment are from Hello Tweety(B1410).  The flower and leaves are from the retired stamp set Friendship Blessings (D1191).  This stamp set has outline stamps, and solid stamps, which create these beautiful flowers.  The outline is stamped in Hollyhock, and the solid is stamped in Cotton Candy.  The leaves are done the same way.  I've done them in 2 different tones.  Outlined in Topiary and solid stamped with Pear, and outlined with Pear, and solid stamped with Sweet Leaf.  I've added some Pink bling which is now retired  to dress it up some.

Here are some close-ups of the stamping and of the flowers.

So, don't forget to go and visit Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge to see what our Design Team has created to inspire you!

Color My Heart - Color Dare Guest Designer

I am so honoured to be asked to be a guest designer over at Color My Heart.  These ladies create amazing artwork each and every week, and schedule permitting, I try to enter as often as I can.

I was given the challenge to create a piece of artwork using Black, White and CTMH Green.  Well, CTMH has many greens, Sweet Leaf, Olive, New England Ivy, Pear, Ponderosa Pine and Topiary.  Which green would I choose?

Well, I decided to keep this a pretty Clean and Simple card.  I started with a Black cardbase measuring 5*7.  Next I ran some White Daisy through my cuttlebug.  I used some more Black to create a mat for my ribbon, and used the Scallop Border Punch to create the scallops on both top and bottom.  I coloured the Color-Ready Seam-Binding Ribbon using the Topiary Alcohol Markers.  Finally I used the Get Well sentiment from Sincere Expressions and stamped it in Topiary Ink.  It is matted on Black cardstock continuing the scalloped border on the mat.

Don't forget to visit Color My Heart to see the Design Team's work, and don't forget to get inky and link up to this challenge.

Peace & Joy Sketch #27

So Tuesday evenings are when I normally finish up my card and get all the posts done.  I'm actually writing this post minutes before it goes live as I was in so much pain and so sleepy after linking up, that I couldn't type.
I ended up rolling my ankle last night when picking my oldest up from girl guides.  After we got home and got the kids in bed,I iced it,(it's not broken, and thank goodness).  Enough of my woes,  here is the sketch for this week, #27:

Here is my card, and I deviated away from the placement of the sentiment once again.....but it really works with this layout.

I used the retired Mistletoe paper and  the stamp set from the Frosted Card WOTG.  I stamped the image in Olive in 1st and 2nd generation.  The sentiment is stamped in Cocoa.  I used the Cranberry Alcohol Marker to colour the ribbon....and this is my finished card.  

Don't forget to visit our Sketch Challenge Blog, Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, so you can see all the wonderful creations created by our Design Team.  They really do great work.

Sketch #26 and a Birthday card for my Nan

Killing 2 birds with one stone this week.  My nan's birthday is coming up next week, actually it falls on Halloween....and if that isn't cool enough, she has s twin sister....

Anyway, I have chosen to make a birthday card using the Frosted paper and I really like how it turned out.

Here is the sketch:

I actually didn't follow my own sketch right to a tee this time......I didn't like the sentiment below the ribbon, so I placed it above and liked how it looked much better.  Here is my finished project.

 I really like the look of Twilight and Crystal Blue with the frosted paper, and blue just happens to be my favourite colour.

Here are a few close-ups of the flowers and ribbons....just so you can see the dimension of the flowers.  

Supplies:

Card Chatter- Birthday (D1475)

You Only Live Once (B1434)

Love This (B1432)

Swirls Around (D1551)

Twilight Ink and Alcohol Marker

Crystal Blue Ink and Alcohol Marker

Buttercup Alcohol Marker
Frosted Paper Packet

Colour Ready Seam Binding Ribbon(Died Twilight using Alcohol Marker)

If you like my creation, why not pop on over to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and grab some inspiration from our Design Team.

If you want to purchase any of the supplies you seen in this creation, listed above, you can shop on my website here.

I've also entered this card into the Color My Heart Color Dare for this week.

Love & Joy Cardinal

I'm entering the Color My Heart Color Dare challenge for this week.  The challenge is to use Cranberry and 1 other colour.  I choose Olive, and used the To You and Yours stamp set (B1403) as well as some patterned paper from the retired Pear & Partridge paper line from last season.

I hope you like my card, and will pop on over to check out the other creations on their site.

Sparkles, Shimmer and Snowflakes equals Happy

So, I've been in a Christmas card mode this past week.  Making cards for the markets I'll be working over the upcoming months....I've been using up my Wonderland paper, and since it was sitting out, I decided to make a card using that paper line.

The sketch this week is by one of our design team members, Anna-Carin.  I think it is a fabulous sketch, and was definitely a challenge for me.  Here is Anna's sketch.

Here is what I came up with, I really hope you like it.

Supplies used:

Wonderland paper (retired)

Festive Thoughts Stamp set (retired)

New Fallen Snow Stamp set (retired)

Snowflakes (D1480)

Silver Shimmer Trim(Z1799)

Sparkles Flourishes (Z1708)

Black Ink (Z2105)

Crystal Blue Ink (Z2117)

Twilight Ink (Z2160)

Twilight CS (X5666)

White Dasiy CS (1385)

Don't forget to pop over to the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge to check out the design team's creations, as well as the entries we have so far.  The challenge is open until 11:59 pm Sunday evening AST.

With Sympathy

I've made a sympathy card, and I'm not exactly as happy with it as I was my first card....but my cat got sick on it before I got a photo taken, so back down to the craft room I went last night to create another card. The photo is not the greatest, but I've taken it without natural light.

Here is the sketch:

Here is my card:

I used Black Cardstock for the mats and the main piece.  The main piece was run through my cuttlebug, then then I sanded down the embossed pattern so that the white core would show.  I used For Always as my patterned paper, and used the sentiment from Sincere Expressions(A1146), which I stamped all over in 2nd generation stamping, and then once more in 1st generation.  The flower is For Always textile rolled into a rosette, and I added a wisp of Black Tulle under.

I hope you will take the time to hop on over to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge to see the design teams creations, as they have worked really hard on this sketch

You are my Happy meets Sarita AHSC #21

Today's card comes from one of my own sketches.  I have a whole binder full of them.  Darla says I have enough to get us to our fifth year.  I hope you will take the time to go check out the Design Team creations after reading my post, because we have a really talented Design Team, and they work really hard to create amazing artwork to inspire you.  So once you hit the end of my post click on the link to take you to the design team and their artwork.

Here is my sketch:

Here is what I created:

 I used the Sarita(X7171B) paper for my card and added some Silver Shimmer Trim.  Then using September's Constant Campaign, "You are My Happy", a set of 3 D-sized stamps, I stamped the butterfly twice on White Daisy Cardstock using Black Archive Ink, and then pulling the colours from the Sarita paper coloured both butterflies the same.  I then layered them ontop of each other to add dimension.  I also used the sentiment You are my Happy, and stamped it in Black Pigment Ink, and heat embossed it using clear embossing powder.

Close up of the butterfly.

You can purchase your own Trio Stamp set, "You Are My Happy" for only $10 with a qualifying purchase of $50.  You can purchase this by contacting your local CTMH consultant or by shopping with me here:

Don't forget to visit our Design Team over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  We'd love for you to play along, so grab this weeks sketch and get inky!

Resist Embossing with AHSC Sketch #16 - For You

This week over on Atlantich Hearts Sketch Challenge we are on our sixteenth week.  We've had entries from Australia, Sweden and the UK.  The entrants have been creating some pretty amazing artwork, and sharing it with us on our blog.

Here is the Sketch for this week:

Here is my card:

So for my card I started with a white card base and I added a piece of Crystal Blue Cardstock to the first side.  Then I added a piece of Pacifica cardstock to the other half.  On a piece of White Daisy Cardstock I stamped in Colonial White Pigment Ink using the floral stamp from In the Background, and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Then comes the fun part, it is called Resist Enbossing.  Using 4 sponge daubers, and starting from the top and working down I inked up over the embossed image.  The colors I used are Sky, Crystal Blue, Twilight and Pacifica.  
The sentiment is from Say It In Style, and I used Black pigment Ink.  The Flower and Butterfly were then coloured with Sky and Pacifica Alcohol Markers.  I placed a Crystal Button in the center of the flower for the butterfly to perch on.  You can watch Kristine and Monica use the technique here. (Thanks for the tip Lalia)

So don't forget to check out our entrants as well as our amazing Design Team.

Happy Birthday with Laughing Lola

I made this card especially for the challenge over at Color My Heart.  We are on Color Dare #55, use Laughing Lola Gold, Blue and Purple. 

I decided to use CTMH New Spin Cards(Z1866) and some of the Laughing Lola Assortment(Z1854) to finish it off.

The Plaid paper is cut at 4 3/4" x 6 3/4", and then the Paisley paper is cut at 3 1/2" x 5".  The square cut out is 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" and I used that piece to give the sentiment a background.  I then used a 3/4" strip of the Snake Print and used our new scallop punch to create the boarder.  The happy birthday sentiment is stamped directly on the spinner piece, and then I stamped it a second time on the snake print paper, and trimmed it out.  Then paper pieced it onto the spinner.

As you can see, when you open the card, the Happy Birthday sentiment spins, so it is on the inside of the card. 

To purchase any of the items I have used here, you can shop here, or with your local consultant.

Celebrate Card with Color My Heart

Today I decided I would play along with Color My Heart.  This weeks colors are Sorbet, Blush and Gypsy.  Recently I've been playing with my Embossing folders, which I love, and I really like being able to make my own patterned paper.  So I dug out my cuttlebug and the Beautiful all-in-one folder, ink pads, sponges and my alcohol markers and got ready to make my card.

I colored the flowers in with the Alcohol Markers using the Blush, Sorbet and Gypsy.  Then I grabbed my Olive ink and a sponge and colored the vines.  Then using Blush, Sorbet and Gyspy ink and sponges went over the flowers to color in the areas that were left white. I took a piece of Ribbon from the Red Designer Ribbon in Sorbet(retired) and wrapped it around the flower paper, then adhered it to a piece of Sorbet cardstock.  To finish the card off, I stamped Celebrate from the stamp set From Me to You (retired) in Blush pigment and heat set it using clear embossing powder.