Purple Sympathy

I have used the Budding Peony stamp set for just about every occasion possible.  I think the only exception would be a baby card...which I truly think I could pull off with no problem!  Which probably means you will see one coming soon! In attempt to lean down the craftroom, I came across a pack of Plum Pudding cardstock, yes cardstock, not pudding....by Papertrey Ink.  It has a really nice feel to it.  Turns out this is some strange paper! The cutting and stamping went totally as expected...then came the heat embossing.  The paper turned pink!  As in the paper turned pink before the powder even set, so it was totally not a case of scorching the paper.  In the end, I decided to run with it, and heated the whole top panel, so at least I would have a uniform pink panel to work with.  As the paper cooled....guess what happened???  It turned back to purple!  It is like the paper is made with heat sensitive ink?  After my embossing fiasco, I stamped the outer panel with Pansy Ink by Close To My Heart with no issues. Any Papertrey Ink cardstock fans out there that can shed some light?

I finished off the inside with a large sentiment from Unity.  I really like large sympathy sentiments.  I often struggle with what to say in a sympathy card, especially if I was not close to the deceased. The large sentiments make filling out the cards so much easier.

Supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
D1831 Budding Peony Stamp Set
Beautiful Life, Blessed Memories Stamp Set by Unity
Plum Pudding Cardstock by Papertrey Ink
X6027 White Daisy Cardstock
Z2804 Pansy Exclusive Inks
Z891 Versamark Ink Pad
Z2067 Silver Embossing Powder
Stitched Die by MFT

I have entered my card in the following challenges:
Allsorts-Blossoms, Butterflies or Bugs
Catch the Bug-Bingo (Sentiment, Players Choice and Stitching)
Creative Craft Cottage-No Pattern Papers
Creative Fingers Challenge-Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday-Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by!

A Birthday in Watercolor

This card took a couple of turns before it came to the finished project.  I hate it when the card you design in your head, just does not look the same when you actually make it.  My card is based on the sketch challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch.  I honestly think that the simpler the sketch is, the more I struggle.  Give me twenty layers, and I am good to go! I am not one to toss a project though, I just keep adding to it, until it works for me.  My first take did look exactly like the sketch design, but the elements just were not working for me.  In the end, those layers are just buried under the top layer!  Here is a look at the original sketch....which I have strayed from slightly...

Hopefully I can be forgiven for my sentiment placement!  The banner sentiment was just not meant to be tonight!  My twine is doing a stand in!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
C1771 A Birthday in Watercolor
X7240B Something Fierce Paper Pack
X5987 Bluebird Cardstock
X6027 White Daisy Cardstock
Z6508 Bluebird Exclusive Ink
Twine-Target $1 Spot

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Aud Sentiments Challenge-Happy Birthday
Crafty Sentiments-Just for the Boys
Seize the Birthday-Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter-Happy Birthday

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Shine Bright

I am back with another quick and simple card created with the Zoe paper pack.  Fairly certain that this is one paper pack that I will completely use up within a month of receiving it.  The included fun elements are a perfect addition for your cards or scrapbook pages.  Speaking of scrapbook pages, I actually managed to get some photos printed...so scrapbook layouts will be coming soon!  I created my card based on the sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches-

 All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
CC4195 Zoe Paper Pack
CC4196 Zoe Coordinating Cardstock Pack
Chelsea Garden Gems-Retired
Rectangle Stitched Die-MFT
Fishtail Dies-MFT

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Little Red Wagon-Things in the Sky
Simply Create Too-Anything Goes
Time Out Challenges-Two or More Embellishments

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Budding Peony Sympathy Card

A totally different take on the Budding Peony stamp set.  To date, my cards with this set have been bright and cheerful.  The Budding Peony set works as simply elegance as well.  I seem to never have Sympathy cards in my stash when needed.  Sadly, this one is going in the mail as soon as the ink dries!  My card follows the same design as yesterday.  A stitched die cut panel popped up with foam tape.  I stamped my Budding Peony images in Versamark ink and embossed in silver embossing powder.  A few sequins and the card is ready to go.

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
D1831 Budding Peony Stamp Set (retiring on 4/30/19)
Beautiful Life, Blessed Memories Stamp Set by Unity
X6021 Sapphire Cardstock
Z891 Versamark Ink Pad
Z2067 Silver Embossing Powder
Z2304 Silver Sequins
Stitched Die by MFT

I have entered my card in the following challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft-Anything Goes
Creative Craft Cottage-No Pattern Paper
Daring Cardmakers-Bingo (Sequins, Stamping, CAS)
Sparkle N Sprinkle Challenge-Anything Goes with EP
Sparkles Forum Challenges-Flowers or Religion

Thanks so much for stopping by!

PP437 Color Challenge

The moment I saw the Color Challenge at The Paper Players, I  knew Zoe ( a limited release paper pack from Close To My Heart) would be a perfect fit! Little did I know, just  how perfect!  The colorful rainbow was a near perfect match! My day has been a bit of a drama....so keeping it simple was the plan! I created my card with ONE paper pack and ONE die!  Wow, you will never see a supply list so short for me.  I love the end result, simply and sweet!  Here is a look at the Challenge, if you would like to play along.

My card is pretty self explanatory.  I popped up my white die cut panel with foam tape and popped up the rainbow image with pop dots to add some dimension. I am a huge fan of layers and dimension...but like to keep my cards mailing friendly as well!  I am actually mailing cards this year vs. hoarding them!  Everyone needs a little bit of sunshine in their mailbox!

All supplies by Close To My Heart,except where noted:
CC4195 Zoe Paper Pack
CC4196 Zoe Coordinating Cardstock Pack
Stitched Die by MFT

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Heart 2 Heart Challenges-Weather or Not
Path of Positivity-Happiness
(PIN)spirational Challenge-Create Your Own Sunshine (After the rain, comes the sun and rainbows...along with your own kind of beautiful)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Seasonal Expressions Retiring

The Seasonal Expressions catalog is retiring on 4/30/19.  The vast majority of items in the current catalog with the exception of inks, cardstock and tools will retire to make way for new items!  If there are paper packs or stamps on your wish list, the time is now!  Many of my favorites will no longer be available after April 30, 2019.  All retiring items are available on a while supplies last availability.  Here is just a sampling of the stamp sets that will no longer be available after April:

My absolute fav-D1831 Budding Peony

For the cat lovers-C1769 Purrrrific

For the dog lovers-C1770 Paw Prints on My Heart

A Must Have-B1653 Dandelion Wishes

 And don't forget the awesome April Stamp of the Month-Love So Sweet

I have listed just a few of my favs.  Seriously, if there is a stamp set or paper pack that you wish to add to your collection from the current catalog, I would order it now.  You can view all of the currently available items in my online store! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!