A Thoughtful Bird Study

One afternoon, I decided to do a "bird study" with the adorable Thoughtful Bird stamp set.  Since it includes a coordinating die cut, it was really fun to play with and to come up with different color combinations for the bird.  It is actually a 3-step stamp with three separate layers of images to create great detail on the bird.  

This first card uses a linen look paper from the Basics Fundamentals paper packet, along with a sentiment and the bird from Thoughtful Bird.  Ink colors used for the bird were Almond, Sweet Leaf, and Toffee.  

Next I wanted to create more of a peach colored bird, so used ink colors Sorbet, Toffee, and Espresso.  Also used the same linen paper and a sentiment from the Birthday Sparkles stamp set.  

Everyone loves a blue bird, so this one uses Crystal Blue, Almond and Toffee inks for the bird.  To create a bit of background, an image from the versatile Splash of Color stamp set was used.  The striped paper is also from the Basics Fundamentals paper packet. 

One of my favorites is the red bird.  It is not truly a cardinal since there is not a crown on his head, but the colors worked out wonderfully.  For this bird, I actually only used the first and third layers of stamp images, so only the colors Cranberry and Black.  And I felt that the bird still looks great without that extra layer of detail.  To complete the card, a dotted paper from the Basics Fundamentals packet with used along with some black Glitter Paper which really adds a nice background for the bird.  

Finally, I decided to use only the "negative space" left by using the die cut.  Layered behind the bird is a piece of our new Silver Foil Paper which has been embossed using the new Rose Embossing Folder and a Cuttlebug.  The Foil Paper is available in both Silver and Gold, and embosses beautifully with no tears or blemishes.  This sentiment is also included in the Thoughtful Bird stamp set.  The ribbon is part of the new Basics Ribbon pack.  

  

Hope you have enjoyed this little bird "study" and I thought it was perfect to share for the current Anything Goes--CTMH Style challenge on the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog.  

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).
#ctmh #cardmaking #Heart2HeartChallenges 

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

Stylish and Classy

When I saw the theme of "Stylish and Classy" for this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenges, my first thought was the new Foil Paper from CTMH.  This is available in either Silver or Gold, and looks fabulous when embossed because it does not crack like a regular foil.  Of course, the Rose embossing folder also means classic style to me, as does the wonderful sentiment from the Inspire stamp set.  The card base and Glitter Paper are both Bashful, which is the color-of-the-year and is a beautiful pink.   

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH). 
#ctmh #cardmaking #Heart2Heartchallenges 

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

We Are Makers

Welcome to our Annual Inspirations New Product Blog Hop, brought to you by the same ladies who participate in the monthly Stamp-of-the-Month Blog Hop.  The month of August means a brand-new catalog full of fun new products for your creative projects.        

If you arrived here from JenRubio, you are hopping through our circle of Close To My Heart consultants sharing their projects spotlighting new products just introduced for 2017-2018.   

One of my favorite new stamp sets is We Are Makers, which includes four really nice "creative" sentiments.  These are perfect for documenting your stamping and scrapping days on scrapbook pages, or for sending a card to a fellow artist who enjoys paper crafts, knitting, or any other creative pursuit.  Watercolors were used to add a splash of color behind the sentiment, and a gorgeous flower pattern from the new Adventures Fundamentals paper packet was used for the background of the card.  .  

We Are Makers (D1732) stamp set

Please visit the NJ Stamping Queen blog to continue along our Blog Hop. 

  

If you get lost along the way, the complete list of participants is available on Melinda's 'If You Bling It' blog.   

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).
#ctmh #cardmaking #watercolor 

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

It's A Sketch!

It's a sketch challenge week on the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog.  For my card, I used a small "happy birthday" from the Short & Sweet stamp set along with new papers from the Basics Fundamentals kit, a perfectly coordinated ribbon, and new Basics cardstock colors.  

To play along with our sketch this month, create your own artwork following our sketch, post it, and share the link with us on the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog!  It's always fun to see different interpretations of the sketch.   

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).
#ctmh #cardmaking #Heart2Heartchallenges

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

Just PIGcause!

First challenge of August on the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog is "Friends."  This is a great reason for you to create something to send to a special friend in your life.  And I'm sure they would love to find something fun in their mailbox! 

For this card, I chose an adorable pig and sentiment from the Punny Pals stamp set and paired it with this week's CAS(E) this Sketch (CTS 233).  A piece of patterned paper from the new Basics Fundamentals has the perfect words for a "friends" theme.  A stamp from the versatile Splash of Color set was used as the 'ground' under the little piglet.  

  

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH). 
#ctmh #cardmaking #Heart2Heartchallenge 

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

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