Friday, May 31, 2013

Celebrate Dream Pop

So I didn't make a single card yesterday and I think I started having withdrawals...my husband is wondering if I am addicted to making cards and has mentioned the word intervention several time!  So I am back at it today.  This card was inspired by the color dare at Color My Heart.  The color dare was to use the colors from the Close To My Heart Dream Pop Paper Pack.

The colors are:
Banana
Raspberry
Strawberry
Tangerine
Mint
Grey

Here is what I came up with:

 
I chose to use the banana, grey, tangerine, mint, and raspberry cardstock.  And I made sure that the textured side of the paper was showing to add more dimension to the card.  All the paper for this card came from the Dream Pop pack...pretty amazing!

Supplies:
Dream Pop Cardstock
Slate Exclusive Ink®
My Acrylix® Perfect Fit - Birthday
2" Scallop Circle Punch
1 1/4" Circle Punch
 
Today is the last day to get this special paper pack.  All products may be purchased here.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Treasured Friend

Here is my latest card.  It was inspired by the sketch from The Paper Players.  Here is the inspiration:

 
And here is my creation:
 
 
And a glimpse at the inside:
 
 
I stamped the design on the Outdoor Denim Cardstock using Outdoor Denim ink for a subtle pattern.  I added the Bitty Sparkles to the Flair Design for an extra pop.
 
Supplies:
Cotton Candy Cardstock
Outdoor Denim Cardstock
White Daisy Cardstock
Chantilly Cardstock
Outdoor Denim Exclusive Ink®
Sunset Exclusive Ink®
Pear Exclusive Ink®
Buttercup Exclusive Ink®
Twilight Exclusive Ink®
My Acrylix® Friendship Bouquet (RETIRED)
My Acrylix® You've Got Flair (RETIRED)
Bitty Sparkles
 
*All Items are Close To My Heart*


Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Groovy

This cute little card was inspired by the sketch over at retrosketches.  Here is the inspiration:

 
And here is what I came up with:
 
 
I am excited about this card because I didn't use any stamps and I was able to use the design on the Surf's Up Cardstock to cut out the elements and sentiment.  I distressed all the edges of the elements and added little pearls to the center of the flowers.
 
Supplies:
Sky Cardstock
Chocolate Cardstock
Surf's Up Cardstock
Chocolate Exclusive Ink®
Natural Hemp
Mocha Opaques
 
All supplies for this card may be purchased here.
 

Oh Happy Day!

This simple card was inspired by the sketch over at Sweet Stop Sketches.  Here is the inspiration:

 
And here is what I came up with:
 
 
I cut the balloon on the Cricut.  And I rearranged the sentiment (it is actually stacked in three lines) to fit this card and because I oopsed with the Topiary ink, I distressed the entire sentiment banner!  I gave the basket of the balloon some texture with...you guessed it...my Patterned Pennants Stamp Set (I told you I am loving this set!).
 
Supplies:
Chantilly Cardstock
White Daisy Cardstock
Dotty For You Cardstock (RETIRED)
Moonstruck Cardstock (RETIRED)
Cricut® Artiste Collection
My Acrylix® Avonlea Cardmaking Stamp Set (RETIRED)
My Acrylix® Patterned Pennants
 Gypsy Exclusive Ink®
Cocoa Exclusive Ink®
Topiary Exclusive Ink®
 
*All Products are Close To My Heart*
 

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Graduation Card

Wow!  My card stash is growing quickly.  This card was inspired by the Sketchbook Saturday Challenge at Random Acts of Creativity.  Here is the sketch:

 
And here is my creation:
 
 
I distressed the edges of the elements with the Black ink.  I also sponged Black ink over Colonial White and Desert Sand elements to create a more vintage look.
 
Supplies:
Desert Sand Cardstock
Juniper Cardstock
Colonial White Cardstock
Ruby Cardstock
Black Cardstock
Typeset Cardstock (RETIRED)
Ruby Exclusive Ink®
Black Exclusive Ink®
Cricut® Artiste Collection
My Acrylix® For Always Cardmaking Stamp Set
 
*All products are Close To My Heart*
 

Cheesecake Bites


Yesterday we were invited to a BBQ at the last minute...I can't show up empty handed and I don't want to bring some store bought cookies...WHAT TO DO?!  I decided to make a cheesecake with some fresh fruit on top...and then I took it a step further.  In the midst of my chaos I thought that I should share this creative moment of insanity, so I apologize for the quality of pictures.

 
Take some refrigerated cookie dough and place a small amount in the bottom of your lined muffin tin, I used about 1 tbsp. per cup.  Bake these according to the package directions until golden brown, then remove and let cool.
 
 
Next I cut up the fresh fruit, I added a splash of lemon juice and a sprinkle of sugar to help create a little sauce.  I used fresh blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.  Let this sit while you make the filling. 
 
 
I used a no-bake cheesecake mix (I was in a hurry...remember!) and layered it into the cups with the sugar cookie crust. 
 

Finally, I topped it with the fruit mixture.  Refrigerate until time to serve.  So cute, so simple, and so delicious.  Everyone thought I spent a ton of time working on these...nobody needs to know that it took about 30 minutes!
 

Monday, May 27, 2013

Buzzing

This next challenge comes from Sketch Saturday.  Here is the inspiration:

 
And here is my creation:
 
 
I used one of my favorite techniques on this card.  I stamped the image in the lighter ink color first, then I offset the stamp just barely and stamped again in the darker ink color.  I love the hint of yellow that pops out by stamping this way.  I also colored in the bodies of the bees with a watercolor pencil, just for emphasis!
 
Supplies:
Cocoa Cardstock
Surf's Up Cardstock
Colonial White Cardstock
Cocoa Exclusive Ink®
Crème Brulee Exclusive Ink®
Sunflower Watercolor Pencil
My Acrylix® Quick Cards - Bumble Bee Stamp Set
My Acrylix® Buzz & Bumble Workshop Stamp Set
Corner Rounder
Natural Hemp
Mosaic Sticker *
 
*Not a Close To My Heart Product*
 

Smile...

This card idea was inspired by the challenge over at "Less is More".  This challenge is a clean and simple challenge inspired by "Humor"...I don't know about you but I find this quote funny and inspiring:

 
Supplies:
White Daisy Cardstock
Juniper Cardstock
Recollections Tattered & Worn Cardstock *
Crystal Blue Exclusive Ink®
Sky Exclusive Ink®
My Acrylix® Alphabets - Tiny Typewriter (RETIRED)
My Acrylix® Take a Pic (RETIRED)
 
*Not a Close To My Heart Product*

Weather The Storm

Day 3 and I am still loving these challenges!  I think this card would be perfect for my husband on our anniversary...it sums up our marriage simply.  This sketch came from Deconstructing Jen.  Here is her sketch:
 
Deconstructed Sketch 102
 
And here is what I came up with:
 

 
I took the sketch and flipped it.  I stamped the design on the background (one of my favorite techniques!)  and I stamped the design on the ribbon cut out.  I also distressed all the edges with Cocoa Exclusive Ink® and I took the sponge and weathered different areas of each element to the card to give it a more rustic look.  I personally love this card!
 
Supplies:
Outdoor Denim Cardstock
Ruby Cardstock
Colonial White Cardstock
Honey Exclusive Ink®
Outdoor Denim Exclusive Ink®
Ruby Exclusive Ink®
Coca Exclusive Ink®
My Acrylix® In The Background Stamp Set
My Acrylix® Tommy Workshop Stamp Set
Pewter Badge Buttons
Durables - Round - Pewter
 
All products for this card may be purchased here.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Happy Daisies

This challenge comes from Unscripted Sketches #212.  Here is their sketch:

SK 181 US 212
 
And here is what I came up with:
 
 
I really love clean and simple designs (maybe because my life is so chaotic!)  so this one is probably one of my favorites!  I stamped the larger daisy and then cut it out so that it would "pop" against the contrasting background.
 
Supplies:
White Daisy Cardstock
Recollections Tattered & Worn Cardstock *
My Acrylix® Happiness Stamp Set (RETIRED)
My Acrylix® Chantilly Cardmaking Workshop on the Go Stamp Set
Sunset Exclusive Ink®
Pear Exclusive Ink®
Gypsy Exclusive Ink®
Honey Exclusive Ink®
Pacifica Exclusive Ink®
Hollyhock Exclusive Ink®
Corner Rounder
 
* Not Close To My Heart Product*
 
 

Thanks

I'm on Day 2 of my challenge extravaganza (that's what I'm calling it!)  I didn't get as many done because I did take time to enjoy the great weather with the dogs and then relaxed by the backyard fire with my husband!  This card was inspired by the Mojo Monday Sketch #294.  Here's the sketch:

 
And here's what I came up with:
 
 
I distressed the edges of the Whisper Cardstock using the Gypsy Ink.  The decorative border was made using some decorative scissors to cut a pattern that works well with the design.  The best thing about this card...all scraps!!
 
Supplies:
Whisper Cardstock
La Belle Vie Paper (RETIRED)
Gypsy Exclusive Ink®
My Acrylix® Thanks Stamp
Corner Rounder
Clear Sparkles
Scrap Ribbon (I couldn't even begin to tell you where it came from!)


Saturday, May 25, 2013

Cruisin' By

The next challenge is from Color My Heart.  Their challenges are inspired by different combinations of Close To My Heart Exclusive Ink®  colors.  Here is the inspiration:

 
And here is my creation:
 
 
At first I wasn't sure that I liked the Juniper color...but it gives it a nice summery, beachy feel.
 
Supplies:
Cocoa Cardstock
Juniper Cardstock
Colonial White Cardstock
Surf's Up My Reflections®
Crème Brulee Exclusive Ink®
Juniper Exclusive Ink®
My Acrylix® Bright Sunshiny Day Stamp Set
Natural Hemp
Durables Square Stud in Antiqued Gold
 
All supplies for this card may be purchased here.


Hello Dream Pop!

I used some of the Close To My Heart Dream Pop (released for National Scrapbooking Month) to create this little card.  The inspiration came from http://www.practicalscrappers.com/.  Here's the sketch:
And here is my creation:
 
This sketch pushed me to embellish more than I usually do...but I think I did pretty good.  Again I added texture to the 3-D elements with the My Acrylix® Patterned Pennants Set (told you I was loving it!)
 
Supplies:
Dream Pop
Whisper Cardstock
Honey Cardstock
Grey Wool Exclusive Ink®
Petal Exclusive Ink®
Sunset Exclusive Ink®
Juniper Exclusive Ink®
Sunflower Exclusive Ink®
My Acrylix® It's Your Day (RETIRED)
My Acrylix® Patterned Pennants
Dimensional Elements - Stars
 
*All products used are Close To My Heart*
 



You're A Star

Here is the next challenge.  I combined the challenge from CAS(E) this Sketch with the challenge from CAS-ual Fridays.  Here's the inspiration:

cfc102



And here is my creation:
 

I gave the dimensional elements some texture using the My Acrylix® Patterned Pennants Stamp Set.  I have to say that at first I wasn't sure how much I would use this set...but I love it and use it like crazy!  I popped the stars out a bit more with 3-D tape.
 
Supplies:
White Daisy Cardstock
Moonstruck Cardstock (RETIRED)
Ruby Exclusive Ink®
Moonstruck Exclusive Ink® (RETIRED)
My Acrylix® Thoughtful Tidings (RETIRED)
My Acrylix® Patterned Pennants
Dimensional Elements- Stars
 
*All products used are Close To My Heart*


Simple Butterflies

Now that school is out for the semester and I am taking the summer off, I have a ton of free time.  I have cleaned my house thoroughly and am waiting for my husband to do his "honey-do's" so I can get back to painting.  In the meantime I figured I would try some more sketch challenges...so there will be a ton of posts to share!

The first challenge is Freshly Made Sketches #87.  Here is the sketch:

                                          

And here is my card:

 
I created the design on the New England Ivy cardstock by using a stamp from Hello Tweety (I love doing this because you can create patterned paper that fits your project perfectly!).  The butterflies were stamped in Goldrush and then Chocolate to give them a beautiful look.
 
Supplies:
White Daisy Cardstock
New England Ivy Cardstock
New England Ivy Exclusive Ink®
Goldrush Exclusive Ink®
Chocolate Exclusive Ink®
Hello Tweety My Acrylix® Stamp Set
Butterfly Kiss My Acrylix® Stamp Set (RETIRED)
 
*Supplies are from Close To My Heart*



Saturday, May 11, 2013

Mother's Day Terranium


 
I have been loving all the terrariums that have been all over Pinterest lately and thought they would make perfect Mother's Day gifts.  I found the moss, potting soil, and pebbles at Home Depot.  I found these cute little buttons and glued them together to add a little whimsy to the terrarium.  I hope the Moms love them as much as I do!

Happy Mother's Day

Hey everyone!  Just wanted to share a quick card that I whipped up using Mojo Mondays Sketch for Mother's Day. 

Supplies:
Colonial White Cardstock
Chocolate Cardstock
Slate Cardstock
Topiary Cardstock
Avonlea My Reflections® Paper
My Acrylix® Perfect Fit-Frame 2
My Acrylix® Year Round Charm (Retired)
Juniper Exclusive Ink®
Desert Sand Exclusive Ink®
Corner Rounder
3-D Foam Tape
Cricut® Artiste
Opaques Mocha Adhesive Gems

All supplies may be purchased here.