Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Boo!

Yeah...you know...I am pretty predictable when it comes to interpreting a theme.  I tend to go with the obvious.  LOL  

This week at Heart 2 Heart Challenges the theme is "Boo" and what else comes to my mind other than Halloween?!  DUH!  LOL  However, I am excited to see the creative interpretations others come up with.  Someday I promise to step outside of the box, even just a bit.

I, of course, used the Nevermore paper packet.  What else would I have chosen? LOL  Stamping the moon and star collage, which comes in the Halloween Greetings stamp set (pictured below), in Eggplant ink on Eggplant cardstock created a patterned background.  Strips of various patterns of B&T, and the zip strip, were cut to create the dovetail banners.  

The "Happy Halloween" strip is a zip strip and I sandwiched it between two pieces of Silver Foil Tape and finished the card off with three Silver Sequins, of course.  Always have to add a bit of bling!  The girl image, which is too cute, was colored in with ShinHan markers.

Isn't this stamp set completely fun and cute?! 

Why not consider linking up with us this week at Heart 2 Heart?  I would love to see what you come up with.  

Have a blessed week and make it from your heart!

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Cricut Capers

I love the Cricut and the ease of creating artwork with it but I especially LOVE Close To My Heart's exclusive cartridges that are such a great value!  We have FIVE cartridges - one that comes with a digital option - that are designed to coordinate perfectly with our stamp sets and other products.  You really must check them out if you haven't already done so and if you have most of them, go ahead...check out the one(s) you are missing and add them to your wish list!  They also make great Christmas gifts for that papercrafter on your list.

This week's challenge topic at Heart 2 Heart is "Cricut Capers".  You can use any Close To My Heart Cricut cartridge and incorporate it into your artwork.  Then, link to our challenge.  We love to see your creativity!

I struggled a bit with what I wanted to create because there is so much to choose from but this is what I decided on.  The stamp set that goes perfectly with this cut is the "Diamonds are Forever" stamp set (shown below).

I used Gold, Green and Purple Shimmer Trim, taping it on the backside of the Cricut cut image to get this effect.  I used scotch tape on the back to keep them in place.  (I should have taken a photo of the backside so you could see the mess but doesn't it look pretty on the front side?!)

Our new Gold Foil Tape is one of those must-haves, just like Shimmer Trim.  It is perfect for adding a little bit more without taking away from the focus of your artwork.  The three dots are some of our gems from the Gold Bling Gems Assortment.  Aren't they fun?!  And I absolutely LOVE the sentiment, "Don't let anyone dull your sparkle."  LOVE IT!

I cannot wait to create more with this adorable and fun stamp set.  Can you think of someone who would love to receive a card with some of these messages?  I can!  

Thanks for stopping by and now head on over to Heart 2 Heart and join our creative challenges.  I know I find inspiration from all the wonderful artwork I see.

Enjoy the rest of your week and don't forget to...Make It From Your Heart!

 

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - "This is My Hometown"

The theme of this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is "This is My Hometown".  I am a Texas transplant - love living here in the Dallas Metroplex - but am a New Mexico girl at heart.  I decided to use the new, M-size, New Mexico stamp set (there is one for each state and all Canadian providences) for this week's artwork.  I felt the Sangria paper pack screamed New Mexico so used it for some fun color!  

This is a 3x3 card where the Sangria patterned paper, coordinating cardstock, Gold Foil Tape and Fern Twine were perfect for representing my heritage. I hope you love it too!  The New England Ivy and Goldrush paper pieces came from the Enchantment Fundamentals paper pack.  The colors of this card remind me of green and red chili (called and spelled "chile" where I'm from)...  Sheesh!  What I wouldn't give for some southwest New Mexico food right now!

If you care to know, I was born and raised in Silver City, NM.  It is a quaint little town nestled at the base of the Gila National Forest, north of I-20, just north of Deming that is located on the Mexico border.  While we grew up having to drive at least two hours to get to a mall, there were some fun ways we discovered to spend our time while living "out in the middle of nowhere".  If you are ever looking for a place to visit, you might want to give it a try.  There are a lot of outdoor activities - hiking, fishing, etc. - and a lot of yummy places to eat that serve the best Mexican food around!

Now, consider joining us for this challenge and link up to us at Heart 2 Heart!  We love to see your creativity at work!

Have a blessed week!

Heart 2 Heart - Doodling

I am excited about this week's challenge at Heart 2 Heart, "Doodling".  I took the easy way out and headed straight for the "Doodled Designs" stamp set from Close To My Heart.  Then I needed to decide what I was going to do with it and came up with this.

The La Vie En Rose paper pack was used for the B&T and the adorable polka dot strip...yeah...it's one of the zip strips included with this paper pack.  Isn't it too fun?!  How much would you pay to have a full sheet of that beauty?!  Black and the beautiful and new cardstock, Pomegranate, were added as were some floral images stamped with Pomegranate, Pixie and Sweet Leaf.  I doodled around the floral images and "happy" using our Journaling Pen.

Images stamped are from the Hello, Life stamp sets that are part of this month's National Stamping Month promotion.  There's only 9 more days left in the month to celebrate it and get these exclusive stamp sets.

Be sure to link up to this challenge and showcase your fun creation!  It's always fun to see everyone's spin on the topic.  Thank you for joining us at Heart 2 Heart!

Have one awesome week!

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Workin' 9 to 5

Good morning!  I hope you enjoyed a wonderful weekend!  Thanks for joining us this week for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge, "Working 9 to 5".  When I hear that short phrase, I cannot help but think of Dolly Parton and start singing, "Working 9 to 5..."  You're welcome for now getting that song stuck in your head.  LOL  I loved that movie!  Did you?

The "Everything is Better with a Friend" stamp set, exclusive to hostesses, really jumped at me when I thought of this theme.  The stylish ladies convey a hard-working woman who enjoys treating herself every once in awhile...  (You can get this stamp set FREE with a qualifying order through the end of this month.  Contact me for more details, if you are interested.)

Zoe B&T was used as was Sorbet and Kraft cardstock and Coral Shimmer Trim.  The sentiments for this card came from the Zoe Assortment (they are stickers).  It was fun to incorporate them.  The two words were backed on slate cardstock and then 3-D using foam tape.

If you are wondering how I "colored in" the images...  I did paper -piece everything except for the purse and her hair, at which point I used ShinHan markers to color them in.  I love paper-piecing and even though it can be a little tedious, it is well worth it - and I hope you agree!

Thanks for stopping by Heart 2 Heart Challenges and I look forward to your participation in this week's challenge!  Make it a GREAT day!

Heart 2 Heart Challenges - Good Day Sunshine

Welcome to another fabulous week of challenges at Heart 2 Heart!  I am looking forward to some great participation this week as I am always looking to be inspired and enjoy seeing what everyone designs.

This week I decided to try out the fun and cute coffee cup cut from the NEW Artistry Cricut Collection.  I absolutely love how this turned out and hope you do too!  Isn't it too fun?!  I cut the Coffee cup out twice, once on the Canary Fundamentals cardstock and then again on White Daisy cardstock.  I cut off just the lid portion of the White Daisy and glued it to the Canary cup.  The "wrap" was cut out of Kraft cardstock and a piece of Cranberry cardstock was placed behind the heart to make it pop.  I did realize the "wrap" is not to appear as it is snug on the coffee cup, to give that dimension, so be sure to lower it a bit so it does not sit too close to the top.  (I cut the coffee cup at its coordinating pieces at 4".)

The backside of the Canary Fundamentals paper was used for one of the stripes as was Cranberry cardstock and this fun pattern from the Cocoa Fundamentals.  Do you love it?!  I do!  The reverse side of the Cocoa Fundamentals was used to back the coffee cup.  The coffee cup was 3-D on the front of the card as was the sentiment, "I'm going to my happy place."  That image came from the Seaside Workshop on the Go stamp set that is only available through the end of this month!  It was stamped in Cranberry ink and some twine was wrapped around the cup to finish off what I think turned out to be a cute and simple card.

The Artistry Cricut Collection was newly released on August 1st and has 700+ fabulous new cuts, three coordinating stamp sets (I think these stamp sets are my favorite from those that are included with the collections), and comes with our beautiful cardstock!  There is a digital version now offered, at a reduced price then when purchasing the cartridge.  Click HERE for more details.

Thanks for stopping by and hop on over and see us at Heart 2 Heart Challenges, being sure to share your artwork with us!

Make it a great week and make it from your heart!

Heart 2 Heart Design Team

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Ticket To Ride

Thank you for playing a long with us this month at Heart 2 Heart Challenges.  This week's challenge is entitled, "Ticket to Ride".  It will be fun to see everyone's interpretation of it.

I chose to incorporate the hot air balloon image from Close To My Heart's newest Cricut cartridge, "Artistry".  I have seen some fabulous creations using it and decided to start playing with it a little bit more this weekend.  It has so much potential!

The balloon was cut at 4" from the Fundamentals paper pack (I used Gypsy) - I could not resist using the side with the hearts.  The overlay was cut the same size from Kraft cardstock.  Mini pearls, purple glitter gems and a small piece of White Shimmer Trim were used to cutesy up the hot air balloon.

I stamped the clouds from an exclusive stamp set that was given to Convention 2015 attendees. (I just couldn't resist using the image.) Glacier ink was applied, for some texture, using a sponge dauber.  The banner was stamped from one of the three coordinating stamp sets included with the cartridge as shown below.

I am looking forward to viewing artwork from this week's participants.  Make it a great day and have a blessed week!

Heart 2 Heart Design Team

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Life Is Good!

Studio J assisted me in creating artwork for this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge, "Life is Good".  I have enjoyed using Studio J to preserve my 2015 Convention memories and love the bright and fun colors used here.  It was created using "Chantilly", a retired but fun paper pack!

With more use of Studio J, I have learned how to create banners like what you see on the title.  The white portion was a rectangle but I created a 1" x 1" square, made with Outdoor Denim (a retiring color), and rotated it so it would blend in with the background and make the dove-tailed look.  Fun right?!  There are so many fun things to do with Studio J or you can keep it quick and simple. 

The sticker, "Blessed Beyond Measure", totally reflected how I feel because Close To My Heart has brought me together with so many wonderful women across the country.  I love being a member of this wonderful company and am thankful for the joy and fun it brings to my life.

Be sure to participant in the challenges at Heart 2 Heart.  We would love to have you and I look forward to seeing your creations!  Thank you for stopping by.

Life IS Good...