Arrr Matey!

Since September 19 is "International Talk Like A Pirate" day, the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog decided to host a pirate challenge.  At first, I was stumped on what stamps to use, and decided to just search the Cricut cartridges that Close To My Heart offers to see if there were any appropriate "pirate" goodies.  So I was pleased to find this fishing ship on the new Your Are Here cartridge, which certainly reminds me of a pirate ship.  The "Arrr Matey!" was cut using the font included with the You Are Here cartridge, and the wave frame is on the Artbooking cartridge.  Even though it is difficult to see in the photo, the darker portion of the ship is actually a patterned paper from the Basics Fundamentals packet, and the flags have a bit of sparkle added to them using silver the Shimmer Brush.  

  

So, brush up on your "pirate talk" and share your creation on the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog!  

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

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

Falling For You

To begin the month of September, the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog has a color challenge incorporating six vibrant colors for Fall.  For this card, I used five of the colors to stamp leaves from the Falling For You-Cardmaking stamp set with coordinating Thin Cuts dies.  The ink colors used are Toffee, Pomegranate, Sorbet, Canary, and Peacock.  The Pebble for the color challenge is both the cardstock card base and the linen look patterned paper from the Basics Fundamentals packet.  The card sketch (FMS303) is from the Freshly Made Sketches blog. 

  

  

To play along with our color challenge this month, create your own artwork using the colors Toffee, Pomegranate, Sorbet, Canary, Peacock, and Pebble.  Then post it, and share the link with us 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

SaveSave

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

Oh the Places You'll Go!

"Oh the Places You'll Go" is the theme this week on the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog.  And I can envision lots of adventures and "places" in the future for any newly married couple.  

Make Dr. Seuss proud and stretch your imagination to visualize the stark contrast between black + white + gold + sparkle on this card, as it is difficult to capture with a photograph. This card is one that is definitely more impressive "in real life."  Black cardstock is used for the card base, with some White Daisy and then a piece of gorgeous Black Glitter Paper which is covered with the beautiful gold dots from Fundamentals-All About the Gold.  Embossing the sentiment and rings from the Wedding Wishes stamp set and layering them on a piece of Gold Glitter Paper along with a piece of black & gold ribbon adds to the dimension of the card.   

Be sure to visit the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog each week as a new challenge is posted.  We would love to see your creativity!  

  

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).
#ctmh #cardmaking #H2Hchallenge #Heart2Heart #weddingcard #happilyeverafter 

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

SaveSave

Silver and Gold

Was inspired by the Silver and Gold Heart 2 Heart Challenge this week.  Used the Dreamin' Big-Cardmaking Thin Cuts bundle to create the butterflies and dragonfly which are embossed with gold and silver embossing powder.  The background of the card is a piece of gold stripe from the All About the Gold Fundamentals packet.  There is a bit of a glare on it because it is actually a clear vinyl with the stripes, it adds such a nice texture and dimension.  The design of the card is based off Pattern #20 in Make It From Your Heart, Volume 1.  And the shaped label for the sentiment was cut using the Artistry Cricut cartridge.  To add even more sparkle and shine, some Metallic Foil tape was used and also some Glitter Paper.  

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).
#ctmh #cardmaking #H2Hchallenges 

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