I am sneaking in under the wire to get my card entered into The Paper Players sketch challenge this week! I have had high hopes of crafting this week, but it seems something has happened every day...which has led to no crafting time for me.  Here is a look at the versatile sketch-

Can you believe September is almost over???  Your days are numbered to pick up the September Stamp of the Month.  I just love this set, it has endless possibilities!

Design Tip: I stamped my feathers in pewter ink on vellum and heat embossed in clear.  I then layered the feathers on pewter cardstock.  My thanks sentiment is stamped in pewter ink and clear embossed, then layered onto white cardstock.  You can easily use your dye inks to heat emboss when stamping on vellum.

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
S1709 Feel So Blessed
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
X5954 Pewter Cardstock
Z3365 Vellum Paper
X7223B Falling For You Paper Packet
Z2832 Pewter Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z891 Versamark Ink Pad
Z2088 Clear Embossing Powder
Z2068 White Embossing Powder
Glitter Washi Tape-Unknown

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Creative Knockouts-Lots of Layers
Pile It On-Feathers/Scales
Simon Says Stamp-Anything Goes

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Great deals have been added to the Clearance Section!  Run, don't walk, all items are while supplies last! You can view all of the items here.

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The leaves are changing and Fall is in the air.  My fall is really short lived, so my fall crafting is brief!  I love the new Thin Cuts leaf die set.  The set includes two dies, one for the background and then the top detailed layer.  Super simple, with just the right amount of detail.  The size is perfect for using up some of your scraps that you have been saving. My card is based on the CAS Harvest theme at The Paper Players-


All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
CC1228 From the Heart Card Kit Stamp Set (Thank You)
X7223B Falling For You Paper Packet
X7223D Falling For You Cardstock
Brown Cardstock-Recollections
Cream Cardstock-Recollections
Z2829 Espresso Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z4035 Leaf Die Cuts
Stitched Rectangle Die-Gina Marie Designs
Burlap Twine-Unknown

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
AAA Cards-CAS Autumn Colors
Addicted to Stamps-Clean and Simple
Cards in Envy-Easy as 1,2,3

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Stronger Together...what an awesome stamp set!  I love the fonts, the sentiments and the cause!  All proceeds from Stronger Together sales will be donated to the Red Cross to help with disaster relief.  I can see this stamp set having a permanent home on my stamping table for some time to come! In case you have missed it, here is a look at the full set-


My card is created with all new products from the Holiday Expressions Idea Book & Catalog!  I based my card on the sketch challenge at Cheerful Sketches.

I love adding layers on my cards, so this was the perfect sketch for me!  I finished out the inside of my card with another sentiment from the set.


Design Tip-My sentiments are inked in Cocoa pigment ink and then clear embossed.  I prefer to ink my stamps in color and then clear emboss.  I have a ton of colors to choose from and it is much easier to get a clean image and not have to worry about stray embossing powders.

I die cut my leaves from pattern paper and cardstock.  The colors coordinate perfectly, the beauty of Close To My Heart products!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
C1716 Stronger Together Stamp Set
X7223B Falling For You Paper Packet
X7223D Falling For You Cardstock
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Cocoa Pigment Ink-Retired
Z2088 Clear Embossing Powder
Z4035 Leaf Die Cuts
Burlap-Unknown
Enamel Dots-Echo Park

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Aud Sentiments Challenge-Anything Goes w/sentiment
Cards4Guys-Nature
Creative with Stamps-Leaves
Creatalicious Challenge-Anything Goes w/option of Leaves
Hand Stamped Sentiments-Photo Challenge
Moving Along with the Times-Sentiment as Focal Point
Star Stampz Challenge-Colors of Fall
The Paper Shelter-Embossing of any Kind

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I love the fall colors in the Falling for You Paper Packet.  For today's card I decided to let the paper do all of the work for me!  My background is one of the designs from the Falling For You packet.  I simply cut with a stitched die to add some details.  I heat embossed my sentiment in gold, added a few sequins and called it done.  The card came together quickly and will mail easily.  My card is based on the sketch challenge this week at Sketch Saturday.


 All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
S1709 Feel So Blessed
Brown Cardstock-Recollections
X5962 Goldrush Cardstock
Z891 Versamark Ink
Z2066 Gold Embossing Powder
Frame Dies-Gina Marie
Banner Dies-Unknown
Z2012 Gold Sequins

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Dream Valley Challenges-Autumn Colors
Hand Stamped Sentiments-Inspiration Photo
The Paper Shelter-Embossing of Any Kind
Use Your Stuff- Fall is in the Air

My thanks sentiment is from the September Stamp of the Month, Feel So Blessed.  This set is only available in September.  The set is only $5 with a qualifying purchase!


 Thanks so much for stopping by!

I love the fun images and great fonts in the September Stamp of the Month, Feel So Blessed.  My thank you card stash has been depleted....so this stamp set will be seeing a lot of ink in the coming weeks!  My card is based on the sketch challenge this week at the Atlantic Hearts Challenge.


Design Tip: My feathers are created with the watercolor block stamping method.  I inked up a clear block with Goldrush. Saffron and Almond inks.  After applying the ink direct to the block with my stamp pad, I spritzed the block with water.  I then stamped the blank block directly onto White Daisy Cardstock.  This will become the background for your stamped image. The stamped block will take a few minutes to dry or you can dry with your heat gun.  I just let mine air dry while I assembled the layers of my card.  Once dry, I stamped my feather image with Espresso Ink and cut out the feathers to apply to my card.  I tied the stems together with a little burlap twine for a finishing touch.

Just Us Girls is having a watercolor block stamping challenge this week...there are many fun techniques you can do with this stamping method.  I am sure you can find many other examples in their gallery.


All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
S1709 Feel So Blessed
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Brown Cardstock-Recollections
X5949 Almond Cardstock
X7223B Falling For You Paper Packet
Z2829 Espresso Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2823 Goldrush Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2851 Saffron Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2827 Almond Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Burlap Ribbon-Unknown
Banner Dies-Unknown
Z2012 Gold Sequins

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Pile It On-Feathers or Scales
Pink & Main-Autumn

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Close To My Heart has prepared a stamp set designed specifically to benefit those affected by disasters, such as the recent hurricanes in the United States and the wildfires throughout the US and Canada. The stamp set is titled Stronger Together and features a variety of sentiments that can be used for comfort, encouragement, and more.

This C-size set is available here. In order to be able to support multiple needs, Close To My Heart has determined that proceeds from the sale of this set will be donated to the Red Cross, which provides relief efforts to multiple disasters, and which will allocate the funds to where they are needed most. In order to maximize the donation amount, this set will be non-commissionable. This way all proceeds—including the amount that would normally go toward paying commissions—will be donated to the Red Cross.

We believe in the good that comes when we work together as a community. As the stamp set name states, we truly are stronger together.

Thanks for stopping by!

A quick, cheerful birthday card today!  My favorite thing about Close To My Heart has always been the coordinating inks and papers.  The gorgeous colors are what drew me in...21 years ago!  I still love how I can grab a paper pack and ink and know that everything is going to come together beautifully! My card is based on the sketch this week at Paper Play Sketches-


I loved this sketch when I first saw it...but it has taken me all week to finally have time to sit down and create with it!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
B1535 Hooked on You (Birthday Sentiment)
Little Dreamer Paper Packet-retired
X7219D Little Dreamer Cardstock
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Z2840 Thistle Ink
Z3321 Little Dreamer Gems
Z3040 Thistle Twine
Balloon Die-MFT
Banner Dies-Unknown

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Kitty Bee Designs-Birthday
Seize the Birthday-Birthday











Sparkles Forum Challenges-Birthday

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It seems such a rarity for someone to celebrate their 50th Anniversary...though this is the second card I have sent in the last month!  Congrats to those that reach such a milestone.  This card turned out to have just a little more bling than I anticipated when I designed it in my mind.  I ended up adding some vellum to tone down the bling just a little.  I should probably put a warning on the envelope to wear shades when opening!  My card is entered in the Tic Tac Toe Challenge this week, based on the vellum, flower and sequin.


Design Tip: I love using glitter cardstock in my design....I get all the glitz without the never ending glitter mess.  My go to product for adhering layers to glitter cardstock is Liquid Glass.  This mighty adhesive serves many purposes, from glossy accents to a strong adhesive.  I use it for all of my 3-D projects as well. A little goes a long ways, so the bottle lasts for a long time!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
CC1212C Live Beautifully Stamp Set
Happy Happy Happy Stamp/Die Set-Lawn Fawn
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Z3238 Gold Glitter Paper
Vellum-Coredinations
Z891 VersaMark Ink
Z2066 Gold Embossing Powder
Banner Die-MFT
Circle Die-MFT
Background Die-Unknown
Number Die-Unknown
Sequins-Unknown

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Crafty Cardmakers-Monochrome
Die Cuttin Divas-Sequins, Gems or Pearls
Moving Along with the Times-Add a Number
Simon Says Stamp-Stamp It
Star Stampz-2 or More Die Cuts
Sweet Stampin-Heat Embossing

Thanks so much for stopping by!

School is back in session, the nights are getting cooler....it must mean Fall is here!  Though in my neck of the woods....that means snow will be here soon. I love the changing colors of Fall and the fact that I can add burlap to any project!  Some of you might be all about pumpkin spice....for me, it is all about the burlap. (Okay, I confess...there is normally pumpkin something in the Scentsy!)  My card today is based on the sketch challenge this week at Freshly Made Sketches-

Before you say my card is nothing like the sketch....I beg to differ.....I just flipped it!  Flipping the sketch was perfect for my leaf trio.  My card was created with some of the fun fall papers in the new Holiday Expressions Idea Book and the gorgeous September Stamp of the Month.  I am in love with all of the great fonts in the Feel So Blessed stamp set.  You will be able to use this set well after fall is over!  And did I mention, you can purchase this set for only $5 with a qualifying purchase????  Here is a look at the complete set-


Design Tip-I loved the leaves featured on the pattern paper....so I hand cut them out and used them as embellishments on my card.

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
S1709 Feel So Blessed
X7223B Falling for You Paper Packet
X7223D Falling for You Cardstock
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Burlap Cardstock-DCWV
Z2829 Espresso Ink
Z2823 Goldrush Ink
Z3371 Gold Pearls
Decorative Die-Unknown

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Die Cuttin Divas-Sequins, Gems or Pearls
Pink & Main-Autumn
Try It On Tuesdays-Stitching

Thanks so much for stopping by!

September is National Stamping Month...celebrate all month long with Close To My Heart. This year’s National Stamping Month promotion features the exclusive From the Heart card kit, which contains an E-size stamp set as well as materials and instructions for creating 12 interactive cards with detailed stamping. Individual components of the card kit are available at retail price, but you save 20% when you purchase them as part of the kit! You can view the full details here.
For Hostesses: Hostesses that host a Gathering in September that reaches the third level of hostess Rewards or higher can get the From the Heart card kit (CC1229) as a FREE item! That’s a $43.90 retail value!
For New Consultants: New Consultants who sign up during September will receive the From the Heart card kit (CC1229) FREE in their New Consultant Kit—an added value of $43.90!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

The beauty of making your own cards by hand....you can tailor them exactly to your needs.  I would much rather spend hours in my craft room creating the perfect card....vs standing in front of a card display hopeless searching for the perfect card.  My card is heavily inspired by Jennifer McGuire.  I created my rainbow background by blending Distress Oxide Inks and then water stamping a large background stamp over the panel for added interest.  I die cut my sentiment from the same panel.  My sentiment is cut from three layers of cardstock for added dimension.


I created another rainbow panel for the inside for added color.  My sentiment is printed with the Olivia Script font.

Supplies:
Congrats Stamp & Die Set-Pink & Main
Butterfly Wings Background Stamp-Close To My Heart
1385 White Daisy Cardstock-Close To My Heart
Distress Oxide Ink-Wilted Violet
Distress Oxide Ink-Salty Ocean
Distress Oxide Ink-Wild Honey
Distress Oxide Ink-Candied Apple
Distress Oxide Ink-Picked Raspberry
Z899 Tuxedo Black Ink by Memento
Border Dies-MFT
Bling-Close To My Heart

I have entered my card in the following challenges:
Allsorts-New Beginnings
Inkspirational-Oldie but Goodie (My background stamp is easily 20 years old)
Southern Girls-Smash Your Stash (Background stamp)
Time Out Challenges-CASE

Thanks so much for stopping by!

The new Holiday Expressions is live today!  You can view all of the great new products in my online store.  Tons of new products for all of your holiday crafting needs! I have new stamps just waiting to be inked....new projects coming soon!

Thanks so much for stopping by!