Stars and Sparklers

The Stars and Sparklers paper pack and coordinating product is only available until the end of June. This product suite is so versatile from 4th of July, to Americana, as well as Birthday and Summer celebrations too.  It also has a beautiful red, blue and white floral sheet, for a more feminine card, you might want to create.

Check out the link hi-lighted in blue, above for the Stars and Sparklers products.  Since it is included in the May/June catalog, you only have until the 30th to make your purchase.

To see what I created, watch my video below, which includes images of some of the product, card workshop kit and stamp set.  There is more to view on my shopping site, a scrapbook workshop kit, and additional stamps sets that would work with these papers.

Enjoy the short video of my creations, and I hope it inspires you to create something awesome today.

I hope you saw something that inspired you.  Let me know if you have a favorite card, and leave me a comment.  I am hanging in the basement, my crafty space, as it has been extremely hot in the PNW, today in my city of Tukwila, 108 was the high.  Triple digits just doesn't happen here, and this is the 3rd day in a row.  Stay cool, drink your water and have a great evening.

Karen

Craft Roulette # 67

Man is it hot in the Pacific NW, triple digits the past two days and more of the same on Monday.  I am thankful for my basement crafty space, as it is cooler down there, but today is just too hot. The house is 96 degree right now, so I am writing this post on my deck, with ice cold water and a chilled glass of Rose' at my side.

On Friday I was unable to watch the CraftRoulette.live spin on You Tube, but caught up this afternoon.  This week the parameters were as follows

Project: Slim line card

Colors:  Any color but Green

Element: Afternoon

Random:  Foil or Metallic

Here's my card...

My Slim line card was made using a white card base, measures 3.5" x 8" folded.  I added Raspberry cardstock and the 2 patterned papers are from my stash, old paper pack called Craft On, I love the bright colors in the set.  I cut out the flowers and buttons from the sheet that came with the paper packet, we now have a sticker sheet, so No more fussy cutting! 

So I checked off the boxes...Slim line card, No Green, and Afternoon, because I craft most every day, after I get home from my day job.  And the Metallic is the dies cuts, scissors, ruler and needle cut from silver metallic paper.

I almost didn't do a card, as it is really hot and I was feeling sweaty and low energy, but I stuck with it, and I think the card came out great.

I just realized I forgot to post #66, so I will get that posted soon.  Ugh, never enough time in the day for all my projects.

Stay Cool, and have a great start to the week on Monday.  

Thank you for coming by,

Karen

Inspired using Outdoor Borders S2106

A few more days remaining to purchase this awesome Stamp of the Month for June.  Place a qualifying order before June 30th, and purchase for $5.00.  Better yet, Sign up to become a V.I.P and you will receive the Stamp of the Month "Free", with a qualifying order, plus you are eligible to receive other great benefits too!

Here's a little video I created, using this SOTM for June, a recap of the cards I posted earlier this week.  I hope you are inspired and consider making a purchase on my shopping site.

Thanks for stopping by and stay cool.  PNW is going to be in triple digits this weekend, breaking record highs here.  My crafty space is in my nice, cool basement, so I plan to create this weekend.  What do you do to stay cool?

Glad you stopped by, enjoy your weekend.

Karen

Take 2 - June 2021 Stamp of the Month (SOTM)

Here's my 2nd set of cards I created using the June SOTM S2106 Outdoor Borders.  This set is so much fun to play with.  This time I used some leftover papers, stickers, stamps and PML cards from the retired set Summer Vibes.  Search for Summer Vibes on my Shopping site, and there maybe some items still available in limited quantities.

Below are my 3 cards I made using the Outdoor Borders, with more cheery, bright colors.  I have to make this post short, as I need to get to an appointment, but please let me know if you have any questions about the products used, I am here to help.

Used a PML card, trimmed to size, paper and a watermelon sticker

PML card used with a Popsicle sticker popped up

Zip strip, sentiment and watermelon stamps, colored with my Tri Blend markers

Hope you enjoyed my cards.  Do you have a favorite one?  Let me know in the comments.

Have a great day and as always, thanks for coming by,

Karen

June 2021 Stamp of the Month (SOTM)

 There is still is 2 more weeks that you can place a qualifying order and get the June SOTM for $5.00, don't miss out!  The set is called Outdoor Borders S2106, and there are 9 outdoor, summer borders you can use on cards, or your scrapbook pages.  You can view the details HERE

How fun is this set?  Need some inspiration?  Check out my cards below that I created using the June SOTM, along with the stamp and thin cut set D2019 Take a Hike I made these 3 cards using cardstock and inks in the following colors:  Blue Belle, Mink, Black, Toffee.  The patterned paper is from our current May-June Mix-In paper pack item # X9028 You can also see that these stamps can be used to make great card backgrounds. To finish the cards I colored the images using my Tri Blend Markers, wooden shades, which I rubbed them in toffee ink to color them, and some gold sequins, sparkles and mink twine.

All 3 cards together, and you can take a closer look below of each one

create a diagonal background by alternating paper, cardstock and patterned with stamping

create a background using the image in 3 colors, and offset the words

a simple border

You can view the products on my shopping site, and please let me know if I can answer any questions.

Did you like the cards that I shared?  Which is your favorite? Leave me a comment and let me know.

I am glad you stopped by today - I will be back later this week to share 3 more cards using some more of these borders.

Karen

Craft Roulette #65

Another good spin of the wheel over at CraftRoulette.live this past Friday. Having a blast playing along every Friday, you never know what will come up on the spin, but boy is it challenging.  I love digging through my stamps, papers and supplies, trying to figure out an idea, one that will meet all the parameters for the week.

Here's the spin from Friday - June 11, 2021

Project: card with patterned paper

Colors: Any 4 colors

Element: A Smile or Smiles

Random: Tone on Tone

For my patterned paper I used a floral pattern and black/white strip found in Perfect Match paper packet, limited quantity still available HERE 

Colors were Pink, Blue, Light green and Red for my 4 colors, the Close to My Heart cardstock colors are as follows: Ballerina, Carolina, Mint and Candy Apple, find all paper HERE

For my Smile, I chose to use a sentiment from a retired stamp set S2002 Cherishing Her, an older Stamp of the Month (STOM) from February 2020

And for my Tone on Tone, I used my Flamingo Shimmer brush to splatter the background on the Ballerina cardstock. Check out all the Shimmer Brush colors we carry HERE

To finish my card, I added 2 Candy Apple red Stitched Hearts (thin cut die) added a mint ink splatter image behind the sentiment, cut this out with Stitched Brackets (thin cuts die), then last of all, some black dots. 

Check out our Thin Cuts selection, these dies match perfectly with many of Close to My Heart stamp images.

I think I nailed it, meeting all the parameters for the challenge, and making a pretty fun card too! Easy card pattern, and I was able to use up some scraps from my stash as well.  

What do you think of my card? Please leave a comment.

Thank you for stopping by today

Karen

Craft Roulette challemge #64

This past Friday was a new challenge over at the Craft Roulette and boy was it fun!  With a new spin of the wheel, the parameters came up as...

Project: Easel Card

Colors: Green plus 3

Element: Plaids or Checks

Random: Markers  

This was a pretty good spin, and I am really happy with my card.

I haven't made an easel card in a while, but it is one of my favorite folds, and easy to make.  My green was Sweet leaf cardstock, my plus 3 additional colors were Pink, Yellow and Blue.  I used scrap pieces of paper from my stash for this card, the colors are Ballerina, Canary and Sweet leaf cardstock.  The plaid piece of paper from Jingle Joy paper pack (retired).  The sweet little bird is from Z3954 So Tweet stamp set with thin cuts, only available through the end of June.  The coloring was done with my Tri-Blend makers in the following colors Ice Blue, Citrus, Light Green and Bright Pink.  I finished my card with sparkles.  

Please let me know what think of my card and if I can answer any questions about products used.

Thanks for coming by,

Karen

Craft Roulette challenge #63

I haven't participated in card challenges for some time now, but been noticing a few other Close to my Heart Makers were playing along with the Craft Roulette Show, so I decided to give it a go this weekend. 

The concept is an improvised paper-craft challenge show, where the spin of the Roulette wheel reveals  the parameters, in 4 categories, for the weekly challenge.  The show is hosted by Mary Gunn FUNN, every Friday evening at 6:30 pm CT on You Tube CraftRoulette.live  You have 48 hours to create a project, following the spin parameters and submit your entry. 

Challenge 63

Project: 6 x 6 sketch - Color: cool - Element: car/truck - Random: envelope

We were given 2 sketches, so I decided to make one card, for each sketch.  My goal is to use any current and retired Close to My Heart stamps, papers and products, I have on hand, as much as possible, shopping.  Below are my two cards I created following the parameters.

Card 1

Colors are Bluebird, Grape and Lilac for the papers, and Bluebird and Grape ink.  I splattered the background with Bluebird shimmer brush, the striped paper is from I Heart Us paper pack retired).  Stamps used M1286 Sending Love Postage (retired) and CC61914 Bunches of Joy (retired).  I used a thin cut die for the Mini Envelope and added a few sparkles

Card 2

Colors used are Sapphire and Glacier, ink Sapphire and Ice turquoise Tri Blend marker for the truck.  Papers from a retired Mix-in paper packet. Thin cut die Mini envelope and stitched heart, then added sparkles to finish the card.

I really love a challenge, and this one really made me think outside the box.  I had fun thinking it through, shopping my stash and creating.  I hope you enjoyed my share today.  

Which one is your favorite? 

Thanks from coming by,

Karen

Make it from your Heart pattern book vol. 5 (MIFYH)

Last week I shared some cards I created with the May - Stamp of the Month (SOTM), using inspiration from our newest pattern book, Make it from your Heart, volume 5.  This pattern book has 66 pages filled with card making patterns, as well as scrapbooking layout patterns.  I have found that the scrapbooking layout patterns can easily be adapted to create cards too!  This is a must have book for your craft room, so many possibilities, and you will love it!

You can find the pattern book using this link MIFYH vol. 5 on my shopping page, grab your copy, and also check out the other How-to- Books available for purchase.

But, before you head to my shopping site, check out the below new cards I created, with 4 additional patterns from this book.  I used our paper collection from our current May-June 2021 catalog, Hillside Cottage.  You can also find  artwork inspiration on Close to My Heart social media by using hashtag #ctmhhillsidecottage.  Now check out my cards...

MIFYH vol. 5, page 46 - pattern 21

MIFYH vol. 5, page 52 - pattern 24

MIFYH vol. 5, page 62 - pattern 29

MIFYH vol.5, page 64 - pattern 30

Let me know what you think about my cards and leave a comment.  Thanks for stopping by today, I will be sharing some more inspiration form Hillside Cottage collection this weekend, the layouts and cards from our May-June 2021 catalog launch event.

Karen

May 2021 Stamp of the Month

Close to my Heart - May 2021 SOTM (stamp of the month) can be yours for $5, with a qualifying order.  Click on the SHOP NOW button, top left on toolbar, or left side bar, under Promotions, then Stamp of the month. Item S2105 Flowers for You, perfect for both card making and scrapbook pages.  Check out all the details on how you can qualify to purchase this set for just $5, or better yet, click the VIP button on the right side bar, join and get the SOTM "Free" with qualifying order. Below are some cards I created this week, using the "Flowers for You" along with our newest pattern book, Make it from the Heart, volume 5

Make it from your Heart, volume 5 - pattern 23

Make it from your Heart, volume 5 - pattern 26

Make it from your Heart, volume 5 - pattern 27

Make it from your Heart, volume 5 - pattern 25

I hope you feel inspired to purchase and create using this set, which is available until May 31st, 2021

Karen

 

CTMH February Stamp of the Month

Good morning from snowy Tukwila, WA, just a few blocks from Sea Tac airport, which has been reported, February 2019 is now the snowiest February on record, with 14.1" of snow, and another snow coming through now.

I work for our local area school district, in the Facilities department as an accountant, so I only have snow days when the district office is closed.  I have taken full advantage of the 3 Bonus Days off, to create and had a chance to make some cards using the Close to My Heart February stamp of the Month, Heartfelt Sentiment S1902 valued at $18.95 however, with a $50.00 qualifying order, it can be yours for $5.00.  Click the link below the image for more details.

Only available from February 1 - 28, 2019 

Details can be found  Here

This stamp is a large image, so it can be used for scrapbooking layouts and home décor as well.  I have 3 cards 6" x 6" to share with you, all are embossed with our White Embossing power Z891, over VersaMark ink Z2068.  I also used 3 different thin cut border dies, on each card.  Check out the set on page 118 of the catalog, Decorative Borders Z4241, I personally love the torn notebook paper one.

Black, Pixie and Mint cardstock, dotted paper from I Heart Us paper packet X7242B, Notebook paper from So Much Happy paper packet Z7241B.  Finished with White ribbon Z4196 and Loose Sequins - Silver Z4304.

Sapphire, Lagoon, Linen and Almond cardstock, plaid paper from Mix-in paper packet X9003. Finished with Stitched Heart thin cuts Z4182, Silver embellishing thread Z4213 and dots.

White Daisy, Pixie and Mint cardstock, striped paper from Something Fierce paper packet X7240B

Pixie and Mint ink sponged background and watercolor pencils used to color in the flowers and letters. Finished with White ribbon Z4196, Stitched Heart thin cuts Z4182 and Clear Sparkles Z3274.

Thank you for stopping by and please, check out the SHOP NOW button and head over to my Close to My Heart site to place your order today.  Enjoy your Monday, I know I am with extra day to create.

Karen

Close to My Heart - Frame It Up!

Did you know there was a National Paper Crafting Day in January?  Yep, there is, on the 26th!  Close to My Heart has been celebrating during January, National Paper Crafting Month with a prefect project kit to get you crafting in the New Year, with Frame It Up! This beautiful, home décor kit can be customized many different ways.  If comes with everything you need to create one frame, with additional supplies:  Adhesive Tape runner and Liquid Glass to complete your project.  There is a step-by-step instruction booklet, that also has 8 different samples, sure to inspire you to create something wonderful.

Click here to view the details

 A quick tutorial follow the link HERE

Kit arrived and I got all die's punched out of the sheets

Flowers done, now on to the assembly

My finished frame, with a picture of my parents from the year 2000

They are no longer living, but this is my favorite picture of them, perfect for my frame

more inspiration use #cthmframeitup

You have until 11:59 pm MST to order your Frame it Up kits  

To place an order - use my SHOP button on the left side bar on my blog Home page

Thanks for coming by today... Karen

You Warm My Heart...

Quick post today, just for fun!

I made this little card using an image From the Heart Stamps

Love Faith's images and creating with them

The image is called Love You Mouse and I just wanted an excuse to color

I have been sick most of the week and haven't had any energy to create until today

After printing the image, I colored it with the following Copic markers: BV00, BV02, BV04, C0, C1, C3, R00, R11, V12, V15, V17, YR00, YR02, YR04

I cut the image out using one a 2.5" Spellbinders circle die.  I layered the circle on top of some patterned paper, orange with dots and purple gingham with a white card base.

To finish my card, purple glossy dots and twine.

Thanks for coming by today, enjoy your Sunday - Karen

Just Because...

Today's post I am sharing a card I made using...
Dreamin' Big Cardmaking Thin Cuts Bundle

Close to my Heart is having a 25% off all Thin Cuts for the month of March

See the badge on my right side bar, with the link  to Cut it Out! for details

Make sure to Join my March Orders Event

You can place an order and have it shipped directly to your home

This card is made using our Juniper cardstock cut 11" x 41/4", folded along the 51/2" inch mark.  I then layered with a piece of White Daisy cardstock, cut at 4" x 5.25"

I love white space on cards, so this is a card that you can make really quick, using those thin strips of paper scraps we all have in our stash. 

I trimmed the Dreamin' Big papers into 5" x 1/2" strips.  Next, tear the edges to look like Washi tape, making sure each one is slightly shorter than the last strip. Attach the strips with adhesive.

Using your favorite Die Cutting machine, select your image from the Dreamin' Big stamp set, which has several bugs with wings...Dragonfly, 2 Butterflies and a Ladybug. I chose the Dragonfly for this card, stamping the image on White Daisy cardstock using Poppy ink,  position the coordinating die over the stamped image.  I usually anchor the die down with a small piece of Washi tape to hold it in place. Run through your die cutting machine for a perfect cut, ready to embellish your card.

The stamp also has several sentiments to use on your cards.  I inked the Just Because sentiment in Slate ink, then finished the card with Poppy twine and a Gold Glitter Gem attached to the Dragonfly.

Thanks for coming by today - Karen

You Brighten my Day...

Good Morning...

Today is my sharing day as a monthly Guest Designer over at...

Create and Share Facebook Group for Missy Daisy Stamps

Make sure to join the group...

You will find inspiration, sharing and challenges

I design exclusively for Jennifer Nilsson Art and today I am using Drops of Love

This winter, in Washington state, we have had strangely cold weather
Snow again on Monday and the mid 30's
I am so ready for some SUNSHINE!

This card was made in bright, primary colors and she too is wishing for some SUN!
This image was so fun to color and I had the perfect sentiment to use

I started with an A2 white card base, layered with primary color combo, red, with yellow and blue patterned paper from Doodlebug Designs, 6 x 6 paper pad called Sunkissed.

I colored the Drops of Love image in the following Copic markers: C-0, C-2, C-3, B00, B02, B05, E00, E02, E11, E21, E33, R22, R27, R29, Y02, Y06, Y15, Y17.

To finish the card, I added iridescent gems, tied a red ribbon around the lower portion of the card, then circle punched my sentiment and attached with a safety pin.

Thanks for coming by today and make sure to check out all the Jennifer Nilsson Art images sold exclusively at Miss Daisy Stamps, where you will also find images, sentiments, card kits and digital papers from both Miss Daisy Stamps and We are 3 as well.

Have a Warm and Snowless day - Karen

Hogs and Kisses...

Happy Valentine's Day - sending you Hogs and Kisses as well!

Here's a quick share using the February Stamp of the Month image at...

From the Heart Stamps

I love playing along, as it is a progressive challenge

Entry = next month SOTM for FREE

Check out the details HERE - There is still time to play along

Here's my card

Let me know what you think, as I love reading your comments

Hamlet Hogs & Kisses is so cute...check out the store for all Pigwits images. 

I started with a white A2 base, layered with lavender cardstock, patterned paper, and some red with pink heart patterned paper too.

I colored the image with my Copic markers in the following colors:  BV00, BV02, BV04, C0, C1, C3,E000, E00, E02, R22, R27, R29.  I then cut the image out and mounted to the card.

To finish, I added a sentiment from the set, a lavender ribbon with bow and some pink enamel hearts.

I hope to enter this card in the following Challenges:

Thanks for coming by tonight,

Karen

Bunny Love...

A quick card share for the  Weekly Sketch Challenge at From the Heart Stamps

I was so busy this week, and hadn't had time to create until this afternoon

I am really cutting it close to the deadline, but I gone it done...WHEW!

I am using this cute little image called Bunny Love  - it is a FREEBIE

Make sure to check the SHOP for all the quirky and cute images

I used a white base, layered patterned paper over the top, following the sketch, which I rotated.

I colored the bunny in the following Copic makers:  E00, E11, E21, E31, R11, R22, R27, R29.

I finished the card with a sentiment from this set, cut out the bunny image and mounted onto the card. I then added some red jewels for a little sparkle.

Here's the sketch

I will be back to share a few more Valentine/Love cards this week.

Thanks for stopping by tonight,

Karen

I Wuv You Bunny...

Good Morning...

I am so happy to be back as a monthly Guest Designer over at Missy Daisy Stamps.  I design exclusively for Jennifer Nilsson Art and today I am using I Wuv You Bunny

This little bunny just warms my heart.  I hope you enjoy my card and can the warmth too!

I wanted to use the classic Valentine color combo of Red, Black and White for this card. I started with an A2 white base, stamped a heart sprinkle background image in black ink, randomly on the card. I then layered with a patterned paper 3.5" circle, cut from a die and a 1.25" x 5.5" solid black strip.

I added a white Love sentiment (a Memory Box die), to the strip.  I really like the contrast against the black.

The I Wuv you Bunny was colored in the following Copic markers: C-0, C-1, R11, R22, R27, R29.  I fussy cut the bunny and mounted onto the card.

To finish the card, red sequins for a pop of color!

Thanks for coming by today and make sure to check out all the Jennifer Nilsson Art images sold exclusively at Miss Daisy Stamps, where you will also find images, sentiments, card kits and digital papers from both Miss Daisy Stamps and We are 3 as well.

This card is entered over at

Cupcake Inspirations - challenge #CIC394 - color challenge

Come and Get it Challenge - Love is in the air

Have a really wonderful day - Karen

From my Heart...

After a long break of holiday fun and being ill, I am now creating and posting cards as a Guest Designer, monthly for Jennifer Nilsson Art over at Miss Daisy Stamps 

I am excited to be back in my crafty space and start making cards to share with you all

Here's what I created for you today...

I am using Winter Cocoa Teddy-Jennifer Nilsson Art this month.  This adorable, little bear all bundled up, melts my heart

I colored the bear using my Copic markers in the following colors:  BG000, BG01, E00, E21, E35, E37, R22, R27, Y35, Y38

Using a Kraft card base, layered with light blue and kraft patterned paper from Authentique, I added a sentiment, red stitched heart cut from a die and snowflakes, also from a die.  To finish the card a fiber bow and some crystal blue rhinestones

I invite you to check out the fun and inspiration over at Miss Daisy Stamps Create & Share Facebook Group and hope you will consider joining us!

Thanks for coming by today and make sure to check out all the Jennifer Nilsson images sold exclusively at Miss Daisy Stamps, where you will also find images, sentiments, card kits and digital papers from both Miss Daisy Stamps and We are 3 as well.

Hugs - Karen

Happy Halloween...

I have a fun little Halloween card to share today for Kitty Bee Designs

I am using Halloween Mr. Bitty, make sure to checkout the Etsy Shop for all the images

My card starts with a white cardstock A2 base, layered with lavender and orange patterned paper.  I cut a circle and tree from my Cricut to give it a scary Halloween look.

I colored the image in the following Copic markers:  BV00, BV02, BV04, Y00, Y02, Y06, Y08, YR000, YR02, YR04, YR07 and then fussy cut around the image.  This was layered on top of all the papers.

To finish the card, a Happy Halloween sentiment and some Black, Green and Orange adhesive candies.

Thanks for coming by today, I hope you enjoyed my sharing. 

Have a great day! - Karen