A Certain Sentiment

So today's challenge at 365 Cards is a little more challenging! You are supposed to use the sentiment "You can do it" on your card.

This card uses a white base stamped all over with the Close to My Heart Damask Tiles stamp set in Lilac Mist ink. I then stamped smaller tiles in Hollyhock and the running girl from the May Stamp of the Month Be Yourself. I trimmed these images and inked the edges in Hollyhock also. I sponged Hollyhock behind the sentiment "You Can Do It".

I had a hard time with this challenge, but immediately thought of the Nike slogan "Just Do It" and related to sports. The next thing that came to mind was a friend who ran the Susan B. Koman Marathon for the Cure last February in Florida, which is why I did the running girl in pink. I made a 2nd card because my mom said, "Don't you think everyone is going to get tired of looking at the girl stamp set on every card?" Well, I like the stamp set...but here is another WAY different one!
My boyfriend is a dirt-track car racer and enjoys it so much during the summer. This is a picture of him on the track a few weeks ago. For the front of the card, I used silver metallic paper from The DCWV Metallic Stack and ran it through the brand new Diamond Plate Cuttlebug folder. I sponged a white circle with black ink (wish I had a tire image), and added racing flags. I cut the flags from the Jubilee Cricut cartridge and colored them to look like racing flags. I told him that I would like a picture of him next to the "Feature Winner" sign- meaning that he won 1st place in his racing class, hence the phrase "Good Luck- You Can Do It".

Happy Birthday Layout

I decided to use up some of my scraps from the Silhouette Level 2 Paper Packet which is one of my absolute favorites. I came up with this crazy quilt concept and cut pieces into squares/rectangles of all sizes and pieced them together on some white cardstock. To make the flowers I cut circles and then distressed the edges using the Edge Distresser (great little tool) and curled the edges inwards. I added some clear buttons to the flowers. The stem and leaves are from the "I Am" stamp set, a part of the Tickled Pink promotion. The Happy Birthday and journaling spots on the bottom are a sneak peek of the August Stamp of the Month "It's Your Day".

An "Eye" for an "I"

The challenge at 365 Cards this Tuesday is called an "Eye" for an "I" and you are supposed to use homophones for your sentiment. A homophone is a word that sounds the same as another, but has a different meaning. There are loads to choose from that would work perfectly on a card. Some of my favorites are:
dear/deer
rough/ruff
so/sew
be/bee
pair/pear

I chose to use would/wood because I thought it would be unique from anyone else and I just love the Close to My Heart Treetops Acrylix stamp set and wanted to use it today.


I used a white card base and sponged Creme Brulee ink all over the front. I cut out the sentiment background shape from the Cricut Storybook cartridge in white cardstock and sponged with Sorbet ink. The wood patterned paper is from the Moon Doggie Level 2 Paper Packet. I stamped the tree in Desert Sand and Juniper and layered them. I also stamped little hearts from the June Stamp of the Month set in Sorbet ink and cut them out. I added liquid glass to the swirls and applied the little hearts to the center of each swirl. I ran the card base through the Cuttlebug using the new Herringbone embossing folder. I printed the sentiment on vellum and added a nice sheer bow.

Try a Technique: Sponging

Today at 365 Cards the challenge is to try sponging on your card. This is one of my absolute favorite techniques and I use it all the time! I think the main reason I like this technique is because I can make cards using all white paper and just color them myself saving money and always having the perfect color. I use the Close to My Heart foam tool the most which is one of 4 tools available in the Texture Tools. The foam tool was also included in the Tickled Pink Kit during the May promotion. (I still have 2 kits left in my inventory- contact me quick if you are interested...I am about to snatch one out for myself because I liked it so much!)

For this card, I used a white card base, masking to leave only 1 inch on the left side. I randomly stamped flowers from the Tickled Pink I Am stamp set in Blush and then sponged blush lightly across the entire exposed area. The girl is from the May 2009 Stamp of the Month: Be Yourself, stamped in Blush and outlined with a thin black marker. I inked around the girl square, stamped "Thinking of You" from My Acrylix Fringed Phrases stamp set in Blush, and added a Breast Cancer Awareness pink ribbon.

Super Sketchy Sunday- July 26, 2009

Yay! It's reader appreciation week at 365 Cards. I have come to really like this website and turn to it for inspiration and a creative jolt. I received my Shortcuts Sampler Pack prize today in the mail and can't wait to begin creating with the fabulous clear and frosted sheets and card bases!

Every Sunday is a sketch and these are probably my favorite challenges because they are so directed.

I did 2 cards for this challenge.

This is made using the Close to My Heart Back Country Level 2 Paper Packet, My Acrylix You're A Hoot stamp set, and Desert Sand ink. I embossed the card front using the brand new Cuttlebug Library Card folder.

This is made using Close to My Heart My Acrylix Connections stamp set and the May 2009 Stamp of the Month Set: Be Yourself. I added prisma glitter to the connections circles, added a vellum overlay (embossed with the Cuttlebug Library Card folder), and stamped the giant swirl in Smokey Plum ink and the dancing girl in Staz On Jet Black ink. I wrote "Dance, Love, Sing, Live" which is from one of my favorite quotes of:

"Dance like no one is watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like no one is listening, and Live like it's heave on earth."

Monday July 20, 2009

So I woke up this morning and looked at 365 Cards. To my surprise, my name was at the top! I won the ShortCuts Sampler Pack by entering two cards last week! Thank you to 365 Cards and the Design Team! I am excited to receive this and begin creating with it!

On to the challenge...

Today is Movie Monday and the movie is Twilight. I have not seen this movie or read any of the books so I was inspired purely by the specific rules of the challenge and the book cover. The rules were to use a black card base or background, patterned paper where the dominant color is red, and embellish with either glitter or rhinestones. Anything else goes.

I liked how the apple was a focus on the book cover and chose to run with that. I have no idea what the apple means in Twilight, but I chose to make the card "You are the apple in my eye". I used the Close to My Heart Key To My Heart stamp set again for the silver swirls and the round accents. I cut the apples from the Home Accents Cricut Cartridge using the regular cut and the shadow and used patterned paper from one of the DCWV Christmas Stacks. I added Liquid Glass to the regular apple cut to make it pop. I tied a bow with the accent around the bottom and added rhinestones randomly to the swirls. I also put an accent under the bow.

Sunday July 19, 2009

Today's 365 Cards Super Sketchy Sunday was one that I really like! I was able to incorporate this sketch with my three favorite blogs:
365 Cards
Jeanette Lynton's Blog
Bitten by the Bug

Here is the sketch:
Every Monday Jeanette Lynton updates her blog with "Color Me Monday". She selects 4 Close to My Heart exclusive colors and pairs them together to make unique color combinations to suit the season or what she is feeling that week! I enjoy it, because it really creates for unique artwork. I feel like I go to the same colors all the time when I am creating and this challenges me to use different colors.
This week's theme is "Inspired by Nature, Perfected in Scrapbooking" and the colors are:
Cranberry, Sorbet, Creme Brulee, Desert Sand

http://www.jeanettelynton.com/2009/07/inspired-by-nature-perfected-in.html

My other favorite blog is Bitten by the Bug. It is hosted by a lady named Regina who is super creative and all of her work is an inspiration. If she doesn't already, she should be creating for a magazine! Anyway, her blog is focused on using the Cricut to it's fullest potential. She chooses a specific cut from a cartridge each Monday and then her design team creates amazing projects. Everyone is encouraged to play along and I like to sometimes. This week's cut was the ice cream cone from Indie Art and to use a crocheted flower. I don't have Indie Art, but wanted to play along so much that I chose to cut the ice cream cone from Doodlecharms.

So here's my card. I used the sketch, the colors, and the Cricut cut:

The base of the card is white and I dabbed Desert Sand with the Sponge Texture Tool. I ran it through the Cuttlebug with the brand new Victorian embossing folder and then ran the Creme Brulee ink pad over the raised design. The patterned paper is from the DCWV Whimsy Stack and is cut in half an oval. I added ribbon by Offray and Martha Stewart. The ice cream cone is cut with the charm feature from Doodlecharms using the Cricut. I smeared the cone in Creme Brulee, dabbed the ice cream with Sorbet and the Sponge Texture Tool, and smeared the cherry in Cranberry. I then put a brad in the middle of the crocheted flower (both from Close to My Heart Mini Medley White Daisy Collection) and stitched it onto the bow.

365 Card Challenge- June 13, 2009

The 365 Card Challenge today is called "On the Outside Looking In" and the challenge is to create a window on your card using some see-through material.

I instantly thought of the great creative features on the Cricut that make window cards! I used the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge and cut both the palm tree and bicycle at 5 1/2 inches. I cut the cards and the card frame out of all white paper and used Close to My Heart products to make the designs and embellishments.

The palm tree card is decorated using the beautiful Footprints stamp set. It is one of my absolute favorites and has the prettiest seashells and matching phrase. I random stamped both the inside and outside of the card and then used the Sponge Tool to lightly cover the white paper. The outside uses Bamboo ink and the inside has Indian Corn Blue ink. I dabbed the card frame with the Sponge Tool in Indian Corn Blue and then ran it through the Cuttlebug using the Traffic Jam folder. I then rubbed the stamp pad over the raised design leaving it darker. I stamped a separate small seashell in Bamboo and attached it to the bottom right corner of the card frame. The last steps were to add vellum behind the window and apply Liquid Glass to accent.

The bicycle card uses more of my Bella paper scraps on both the inside and outside. I stamped the scallops using the Picture Perfect stamp set and Hollyhock ink. I also added the phrase "Life is Good" from the Treetops stamp set in Olive. Vellum is added behind the bicycle.

365 Card Challenge- June 12, 2009

One of my mom's favorite websites to look at for card ideas and challenges is 365 Cards. The idea of the website is to make 1 card a day for a year. To help you achieve this, they post a challenge or idea each day and encourage people to participate and link their creations to the website. I decided to play along today and this is what I came up with!

This is the sketch that 365 Cards presented to base your card off of.

I created mine using a white invitation sized card base and the Close to My Heart stamp set Key to My Heart. Unfortunately, it was a promotion earlier this year and is not available for order at this time. The good news is that you can use my stamp set if you attend any of my events! I also used the Fringed Phrases stamp set for the brackets. The colors used were Juniper and Sorbet and I also added some Liquid Glass. The horizontal strip is white paper sponge dabbed with Sorbet ink.

Happy Birthday!

Help me celebrate my birthday on July 16th and receive free product!

Place a $100 minimum order July 12th to 18th and receive the following free:

1. Your choice of Birthday Stamp Set:
--"Surprise": pg. 72 of Summer Idea Book
--"Life is a Party": pg. 72 of Summer Idea Book
--"Make a Wish": pg. 73 of Summer Idea Book
--"Celebration Blocks": pg. 17 of Product Review

2. Stamp of the Month

3. Card Make & Take Kit

4. Hand Stamped Stickers

Bella Workshop on the Go

Hello!
We had a great time today working on the July projects! I still have plenty of kits available for the remainder of the month and if you are interested, I encourage you to attend one of my Create Workshops.

A few of my customers signed up for the Workshop on the Go scheduled for July 25th, so one of them became the hostess and can be eligible for free product. This is where I am asking you for help! I would like to have at least 3 other people participate in the Workshop on the Go and help her receive free product! Remember that if you cannot attend the actual workshop on the 25th, you can still make the projects! I have included a photo of the featured 2 page layout. There are also instructions for another 2 page layout and several cards. You will still have product left over to make even more projects. The best part? The basic kit is only $23.21! This makes each finished project less than $3.31. Below the picture is a list of everything that you receive in each level of the kit.

Please let me know ASAP if you are interested in the Workshop on the Go and helping our hostess out! I would like to place the order on Wednesday, July 15th to insure plenty of time for the supplies to arrive before July 25th.
Also remember that July 12-18 is a sale! If you place a $100 order you will receive a birthday stamp set, stamp of the month, a card make & take kit, and a hand-stamped sticker sheet.

Thanks, Kira


Basic Kit- $23.21
*Bella Level 2 Paper Packet
*Bella Level 2 My Stickease Assortment
*Foundry Tabs
*25" Hollyhock Stitched Ribbon
*Bella Workshop Guide

Better Kit- $42.16
*Bella Level 2 Paper Packet
*Bella Level 2 My Stickease Assortment
*Foundry Tabs
*25" Hollyhock Stitched Ribbon
*Bella Workshop Guide
*My Acrylix Buttoned Together

Best Kit- $50.11
*Bella Level 2 Paper Packet
*Bella Level 2 My Stickease Assortment
*Foundry Tabs
*25" Hollyhock Stitched Ribbon
*Bella Workshop Guide
*My Acrylix Buttoned Together
*Mini Medley Accents- Autumn Garden Collection

This Week's Events

Hi! Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

I wanted to remind everyone about the events planned for this week. If you would like a copy of my July newsletter, please let me know!

Sunday July 5- Today is the last day for the 4th of July sale. You can earn free product! See the post below regarding this sale, and if you would like to place an order today- call, email, or leave a comment.

Tuesday July 7- Create Workshop-- Stop by my house around 6 pm. You can make the Bella photo cube, a 6x6 mini album, both, just work on your own projects, or just see some of my Close to my Heart products. Anyone who attends will also receive a card make & take kit for free!

Saturday July 11- Scrapbook & Share--Come and spend the day scrapbooking and sharing with others. Bring your own projects and get stuff done away from the chores at home! Everyone will get a large workspace and access to my stamps, ink pads, how to books, and advice. This will be at The Plains Church of the Nazarene from 11am to 5:30 and is absolutely free! Everyone that attends will receive a card make & take kit for free!

Sunday July 12- Create Workshop-- Stop by my house around 1pm. You can make the Bella photo cube, a 6x6 mini album, both, just work on your own projects, or just see some of my Close to my Heart products. Anyone who attends will also receive a card make & take kit for free!

Sunday July 12- Last day to RSVP for the Bella Workshop on the Go! The Workshop on the Go is a great concept put together by Close to my Heart. You will receive supplies and instructions to make a 2 page 12x12 layout, bonus layouts, and bonus cards. I will show you how to utilize the kit to its absolute fullest. The best part is that the basic kit is always below $25. Look at the Bella post below to see how much I got out of 1 paper pack- this price is definitely worth it! Even better, the first person to RSVP will be deemed the hostess and will earn a free gift and the possibility of free products based on the sales from the workshop. If you cannot attend the workshop on July 25, no worries- you can do it all at home because step by step instructions are provided.

July Create Projects

July Stamp of the Month- You've Got Flair

The July Stamp of the Month is called You've Got Flair. It includes 7 paisley like shapes and the phrase "You've Got Flair".

The pricing is as follows
Purchase for $22.95
Spend $25, purchase for $17.21
Spend $50, purchase for $11.48
Spend $75, purchase for $5.74
Spend $100, receive for free!

I created 20 cards using this stamp set and the Wishes Just Because Card Workshop, and 6 sheets of paper. I created the patterned paper by random stamping white sheets of cardstock.

The color scheme used is from Jeanette Lynton's Color Me Monday on 6/8/09 of Sweet Leaf, Twilight, Tulip, and White Daisy. Her blog is listed in my favorites on the left side of the screen.


If you already own this stamp set, I encourage you to share what you have created with it!

Instructions for Random Stamping:
1. Starting with the largest stamp, randomly stamp on the page. Keep the white space larger and think in 3s or triangles.

2. Using the next largest stamp, randomly stamp on the page.

3. Continue until the page is covered to your liking.

I used 6 stamps and took 6 steps to cover each sheet of paper.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

July 4th Sale!!!

To celebrate July 4th, I have patriotic freebies!


Place an order July 1st to 5th, 2009 and receive the following free:

$50 Minimum Order:
--Blue Ribbon Level 2 My Stickease Assortment
(four 6x12" sheets of red, white, and blue whimsical stickers)


$150 Minimum Order:
--My Acrylix Whimsical Wings Stamp Set
--Blue Ribbon Level 2 My Stickease Assortment
--Stamp of the Month


These products can be viewed on page 49 of the Summer 2009 Idea Book
http://www.closetomyheart.com/Ideabooks/Summer09US.aspx


If you mention that you saw this on my blog, I will throw in a little something extra free.

Bella

Bella is the product set I am featuring for the month of July. The paper and coordinating stickers, stamps, and embellishments have a sweet Bohemia that can be used for just about anything! These are new products featured in the Summer 2009 Idea Book.

When I received the Summer Idea Book, I picked this out as one of my favorite product sets! I have to say that I have run wild with creating projects with it! Look at everything I have made so far using one Level 2 Paper Packet:

6 Photo Cube Kits

1- 6x6 Mini Album

42 Cards- Originals Lucky Three, Wishes Greeting Card Workshop, Originals Message Secured, Originals Vertical Three, Originals Pieced Panels

3 Layouts- Reflections Sidebar Quartet, Reflections Bottom Border Triple Combination, Reflections Bottom Border Footnotes

I had to add white cardstock, 1 Sheet Hollyhock Cardstock, 1 Sheet Petal Cardstock, and White Cards and Envelopes from the Value Pack. Even with all that above, I still have some scraps left over. By paring the scraps with additional cardstock I will be able to make numerous more cards and layouts!

I will be featuring the photo cube, Originals Lucky Three cards, and a Reflections 6x6 mini album at my July Create Workshops. Please let me know if you need a July Newsletter featuring these projects and workshop times.

June Stamp of the Month- Tender Tags

The June Stamp of the Month is called Tender Tags. I really like this one, and I apologize for not having more samples posted at this time! There are so many endless possibilities of creativity with this stamp set. It includes 6 scalloped shaped tags, 2 flourishes, 1 small fluer-de-lis, 1 small heart, and 5 phrases in a script of "To:", "From:", "Thinking of You", "Thanks", and "Congratulations"

Even though June is over, I have 2 sets in stock and available for purchase, discount, or to earn for free.

The pricing is as follows

Purchase for $22.95

Spend $25, purchase for $17.21

Spend $50, purchase for $11.48

Spend $75, purchase for $5.74

Spend $100, receive for free!

I created a layout (not yet complete), and 7- 6x6 cards. I also stamped out one of the other tags. The color scheme used is from Jeanette Lynton's Color Me Monday on 6/15/09 of Hollyhock, Blush, Juniper, and Creme Brulee.
If you already own this stamp set, I encourage you to share what you have created with it!