April's Stamp of the Month set: Flock Together

I feel like we are being teased with the occasional warm weather here and there. I am so ready for it to get warm and just stay warm! We had a wonderful family Spring Break vacation; the weather down in Florida was phenomenal when we were there. It felt so wrong to leave such lovely weather. April's Stamp of the Month set, Flock Together, is a cute little set of 11. With an adorable little bird family, delightful sentiments, hearts and more... this set is perfect for celebrating family and friendships.

For this first card, I started out with some Kraft cardstock for the background. Then I stamped a row of the baby birds on the bottom in Chocolate ink. Also in Chocolate, I stamped the sentiment "You are the best" from Finding the Words. Then I stamped another baby bird on White Daisy, colored with markers, trimmed it out and attached it to the top center. I added just a touch of shimmer with the Shimmer brush on the bird's breast. Finishing it off, I added some White Dots to highlight the sentiment.



For this next card, I used a print from the Sugar Rush paper packet. Using colors from that set, I stamped the scallop border in Pomegranate, Canary, Sea Glass, Tangerine, Whisper and Raspberry inks creating a striped pattern of scallops. I stamped the sentiment on Tangerine with Pomegranate ink, then I stamped and colored the birds, trimmed and attached to the bottom -- and topped it all off with a few Sequins.



I went back to the Kraft Cardstock for the background again, using a few prints from the Dreamin' Big paper packet. Then I stamped the hearts and two large birds, then colored and added some shimmer with the Shimmer brush. I stamped the circle sentiment "love this" in multiple colors and attached along with some gold glitter gems. 



For this last card, I used some different prints from the Dreamin' Big paper packet. Then I stamped the large bird and colored him with a variety of colors. I wanted him to be extremely colorful, then I added some shimmer over the entire bird with both brushes: Clear and Gold. I wanted that bird to shine! Then I stamped some hearts and the sentiment "You are Fabulous" from the So Many Smiles set. 



The shimmer looks so good IRL, but it is so hard to take a good picture and be able to see it well. I tried to take a close-up so you could see it better:



This set is too cute! Don't miss out and make sure that you get your order in before April is over.

Dani
 

March's Stamp of the Month set: Tea-rrific

Finally! Coming later this month is the first day of Spring, March 20th. It makes me feel better to know that the start of some warmer weather is hopefully coming sometime soon. :-) March's Stamp of the Month set, Tea-rrific, is looking ahead as well with a variety of sentiments -- including one for Happy Mother's Day. The set of 11 is also filled with tea cups, a tea bag and a flower.

This first card is using a polka-dot print from the Whimsy Fundamentals collection paper pieced for the teacup. The remainder of the card was colored in with markers. All the stamping was done in Cocoa ink, except for the "steam" lines stamped in Cashmere.



This next card has Kraft cardstock in the background, with the flower random stamped in Chocolate with all the flowers colored with markers. The glitter paper is Sea Glass, the new color of the year, with the tea cup paper pieced with a pattern from the Adventure Fundamentals collection. The teacup and sentiment is stamped in Chocolate, with a ribbon used from the Rustic Home pack.



This card is using a lovely floral print from the Hello Lovely packet along with a striped print from the Whimsy Fundamentals collection. The cardstock for the teacup is Flaxen, stamped with Fern. The tea bag is also colored with markers and attached with embroidery floss. The ribbon is Blush Shimmer ribbon.



This last card is using a colorful polka-dot print from the Dreamin' Big packet, which set the color scheme. The background has Kraft and Slate cardstock. All the stamping is done in Slate, with the teacups and flower colored with marker. The flower has a sequin embellishment from the Dreamin' Big sequins.



Don't you love the little teacups?  So darn cute!  Make sure to get your order in during March!

Dani

 

February's Stamp of the Month set: Easter Bunny

Let's think ahead to lovely warmer weather and Easter! February's Stamp of the Month set, Easter Bunny, is perfect for this. This set of 12 has flowers, eggs, bunnies, and coordinating sentiments; it is hard to go wrong with that.

This first card is using a prints from the Enchantment and Adventure Fundamentals sets along with Kraft and White Daisy. All the stamping was done in Chocolate ink, with the banner from the Cricut Artistry Collection. The love and XOXO sentiment is from the Friendly Wishes stamp set. Everything else was colored in with markers.



This next card is using a couple of prints from the new Sugar Rush paper packet with some of the new Sugar Rush dots for accents. All the stamping was done in Saddle ink, with the thought bubble cut out from the Cricut Artistry Collection again. Everything else was colored with markers.



This card is using prints from the Hello Lovely paper packet (love this pack!). All the stamping was done in Desert Sand, and the dress was paper pieced with yet another print from the same pack; everything else was colored with markers.



This last card is using a few prints from the Sugar Rush paper packet and some Sugar Rush dots again. The stamping was done in Cocoa and Emerald, with the ribbon from the Adventure Ribbon Pack and everything else was colored with markers. Too cute!



It's such a charming stamp set, make sure to get your order in during February!

Enjoy! Dani

 

January's Stamp of the Month set: Adore You

The last few weeks have been rough! Sickness, more sickness, holiday stuff, school catch-up work, birthdays, high school dance, finals... ugh. We are definitely due for a break; and I am completely exhausted. Now that everyone is finally well and pretty much caught up at school, I am hoping that this extended weekend gives us all a chance to recover.

I was, however, able to squeeze out a few minutes to make some cards with the current stamp of the month set, Adore You. This set of 12 has beautifully illustrated hearts and flowers with romantic script sentiments. It was so nice to be able to sit down, be creative and do something that I enjoyed. I was also able to use some of the new paper packs available in the new Seasonal Expressions, Jan.-Apr. 2017. You can check it out online or get in touch with me to pick up your copy.

This first card has a paper pieced heart; I used a diagonal striped print from the Whimsy Fundamentals set with the rest colored in markers. I stamped all the images with Slate, except for the sentiment which was in Pomegranate.



This next card is a print from the new Some Kinda Wonderful pack. I took advantage of the large circle print as the base of the design. I stamped the small flower in black on all of the colored circles, in various directions -- leaving one open. On the open one, I stamped the 'thank you' sentiment. Then I stamped the small heart in black multiple times, cut them out and attached them over all the black and white circles. Then I just dressed it up, messily coloring the inside of the small flowers and adding a touch of the Shimmer Brush and finishing it up with a border on the bottom.



This card is using prints from what I think is my favorite new paper pack right now: Hello Lovely. I did all the stamping in Fern, then the rest was colored in with markers. These prints and colors are so pretty together -- just love them!



This last card has the flower designs stamped in Desert Sand, then colored in with markers. I used the new Shimmer Brush in Gold to add some accents to the center of the flowers. The sentiments are stamped in Eggplant and Tangerine.



So much fun! I love being able to color the stamps in with fun and different color combinations. It is a lovely stamp set, make sure to get your order in before January is over.

Enjoy! Dani
 

December's Stamp of the Month set: Thoughtful Flowers

It's December! Can you believe it? The last month of 2016, where does the time go? I found a few moments to finish up some art for December's stamp of the month set, Thoughtful Flowers, in between all the holiday preparations. This set of 14 is filled with artistic, hand-drawn flowers and several coordinating sentiments - so pretty! It was a nice break from everything, hopefully I can find more time for crafty projects. :-) 

I started out pretty simple, random stamping the background with one color Cashmere. Then I stamped the sentiment on a mini banner in Cocoa, and added two Cocoa strips on top.



This next card is playing around with some bright colors for the background, finished off with a strip of Green Shimmer Trim.



Using Swan Lake papers, this card has a few paper pieced flowers with the polka dot ribbon from the Rustic Home Ribbon pack as accents along with Silver Sequins.



Then I decided it was time to play around with coloring in the flowers! I made some quick masks out of paper, so I could stamp a few flowers together in one cluster on Kraft cardstock. Then I carefully colored in the flowers and used papers from the Enchanted Fundamentals paper pack.



And, last but not least, keeping in the holiday spirit, I made a Christmas card. Using masks again, I created a cluster of poinsettas and carefully colored them in. Using another ribbon from the Rustic Home Ribbon pack with another paper from the Enchanted Fundamentals paper pack. For a pop of color, I put a small strip of Cranberry cardstock behind the ribbon and made a quick tag for the sentiment.



I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and may we all find time for some craftiness amidst all the holiday craziness.

Enjoy!
Dani
 

November's Stamp of the Month set: New Year's Cheer

As quickly as it seems October went by, it's easier to think that the New Year will be here before we know it. November's Stamp of the Month set, New Year's Cheer, is all ready to help you celebrate. The set has 13 stamps with delightful images and sentiments perfect for your end of the year festivities. Here are a few cards to share:

This first card is using a pattern from Rustic Home Fundamentals as the background.  The color scheme is using a few of the new colors: Blossom, Emerald, and Lemon with a little bit of Cocoa ink as well. The new colors pop off the page, so pretty against the background. I also used markers to color the Clear Sparkles to match (alcohol-based markers).



The new ink pads are so easy to use and open; I can't wait until you try them out. If you missed checking them out at the Open House or didn't notice them in the new Idea Book -- the new stamp pads come with improved magnetic closures. So easy to open and use! I know you will love them.



This next card is using a pattern from the Oh Deer! collection. The stamping was done with Slate and Sea Glass (our new Color of the Year). I love how those colors look together, so pretty. I even "rimmed" the glass with some salt or sugar by cutting a thin strip of our White Shimmer trim and added to the top of the glass. Too cute!



I love the new Color of the Year feature in our Idea Book. Sea Glass is our first new trendy color, available for this Idea Book only. It is a fabulous color, make sure to check it out and get it while you can.  It is available in stamp pads, re-inkers, cardstock, mini pigment pads, and glitter paper.



For the last card, I used yet another print from the Oh Deer collection going with a Raspberry, Whisper and Black color scheme. If you paid close attention, I even added some "beverages" inside the glasses with markers on all the cards. For this one, I had to be careful to adjust the liquid inside on the tilted glass.



I think I am always ready for the New Year. It means all the holiday hoopla and craziness associated with Christmas is done and over, and it is just time to play some games and have fun with family.

Enjoy!
Dani

 

October's Stamp of the Month set: Yuletide Joy

I know that it can be hard to think of it now, but let's try to get in a festive mood and think of the upcoming holidays. October's Stamp of the Month set, Yuletide Joy, is perfect for helping us with our holiday projects. This set has 7 stamps, with adorable doodle-like designs of a stocking, gift, star and bell with coordinating sentiments. I have a few cards to share!

The first card is using a patterns from the Oh Deer! collection. The star was stamped in Slate ink, with the sentiments stamped in Saffron and Desert Sand. The flower in the star and stars on the border strip were colored in with markers and a few sequins added to finish off the card.



This next card is using a pattern from the City Sidewalks collection. The bell was stamped in Archival Black ink and colored with the smallest paintbrush and our Watercolor paints. When it was dry, I added some shimmer with the Shimmer brush. I love that thing, can you tell? I attached some of the Black & Gold ribbon as accents, with the sentiment "happy holidays" from the Short & Sweet set.



Here is a close-up of the shimmer accents.



This next card is using a pattern from the City Sidewalks collection again as well as a pattern from the Oh Deer collection. The stocking was stamped in Ruby ink on Ruby cardstock, with parts colored in with marker and the paper pieced top stamped on White Daisy.  The sentiment "Merry Christmas" was also stamped in Ruby ink under the banner with several sequins added along with some stitching for accents.



For this last card, I decided that while the gift could obviously be used with holiday designs, it can also easily be used for other present giving occasions. A diagonal-striped design in Saffron was used from the Enchantment collection with Cranberry and Cocoa cardstock. I stamped the gift and the sentiment "happy" in Cocoa ink with "birthday" in Cranberry ink from the Happy to Be Friends set. The stars and confetti were from the Happy for You set, stamped in Saffron.  Then I colored in parts of the gift and confetti with markers.



Enjoy!
Dani

 

Happy World Cardmaking Day!

Happy World Cardmaking Day, everyone! Here is some artwork to share in honor of the day. These were cards that I had out for the Open House.

This first card is using the new Swan Lake collection, featured in the Holiday Expressions. The flower and jar cut-out are from the new Cricut Flower Market Collection. I love the layered flowers that are available shown here, one push of the button and it cuts out all your layers. The leaf pattern on the bottom, is from one of the sets in the Flower Market Collection as well. The sentiment is from the Finding the Words set.  I added a sequin as the center of the flower.



This next is a pattern from the new Rustic Home Fundamentals, with the fish and sentiment from the Hooked on You set. The fish and water was colored with markers, and then I added some strategic sparkles with the new Shimmer Brush. It's hard to take a good photograph of it, so I took a close-up to hopefully see it better. Then I sponged the edges of the top to give it a distressed look.





This is a sweet little card using another flower from the new Cricut Flower Market Collection using the colors Flaxen, Fern and Saffron with White Daisy for the flower petals. The background was stamped with the mini set Dandy with the sentiment from one of the sets included with the Flower Market Collection. The ribbon is from the new Rustic Home Ribbon Pack.  



Think festive holidays with this next card. This is another layered flower from the new Cricut Flower Market Collection with prints from the new City Sidewalks collection. The sentiment on the tag was stamped from the Short & Sweet set.  



Gold and Black, two colors that always look good together.  The polka dot vellum on the bottom is from Uptown Fundamentals. The gold vellum die-cut message bubble is from the Good Life Complements.  



Yet another cute flower from the new Cricut Flower Market Collection using a print from the new Adventure Fundamentals. The smiley face was from the Emojis set with a sentiment from the So Many Smiles set.  Cute and simple!



I stamped the Wreath first, with a sentiment inside from one of the sets included in the Cricut Artistry collection, then carefully cut out the left side as shown. The stamping was done with Flaxen, and all the leaves where colored by marker. The wood print is another from the Rustic Home Fundamentals.



More festive holidays! A variety of prints from City Sidewalks were used with the Framework Alphabet set for the "joy" sentiment.  Finishing it off with shimmer trim in Red, Green and Black.  



How about cute, adorable monsters? This card is using patterns from Jeepers Creepers, with a smiley face and small sentiments from the Emojis set as well as a sentiment from a set included with the Cricut Flower Market collection.



Yet another layered flower from the new Cricut Flower Market Collection using a print from the new Memo Fundamentals. The sentiment is from a set included with the Cricut Flower Market collection with a ribbon from the Rustic Home Ribbon pack.



Here's a graduation card to share! Using a print from the new Adventure Fundamentals with stamps from Diploma Day and Woodland Critters.  I colored the owl in a bit with markers and added some sequins as a final touch.



And last, but not least, here's a little "just because" card. I stamped the leaves from the Lovely Leaves set in Chocolate ink on Kraft cardstock for the background. The leaves were then colored in with markers. The sentiment is from the Happy to Be Friends set.  



Enjoy World Card Making Day!
 Dani
 

What To Make After You've Put Your Create Kindness Cards Together!

Just for a few more days, you can take advantage of Close To My Heart's fantastic special: Create Kindness.





It is a phenomenal special with everything you need to create 24 beautiful, handmade cards: 24 pre-printed card bases with envelopes, die-cut circles for sentiments, 8 exclusive M-size stamp sets, a 2"x2" acrylic block, an Archival Black mini pigment ink pad -- all packed in a My Acrylix Mini Stamp Organizer.

Some of you already ordered it at the Open House, but I wanted to give one more reminder for everyone else to have a chance to get the kit before it is gone. And... I wanted to share some ideas for what to do AFTER you've made all your cards from the kit. The stamp sets included are delightful and easily adaptable to standard size cards.

For the cards, I also used prints from some of our new fundamentals creative papers: Whimsy, Adventure, and Enchantment on most of the cards. So gorgeous and easy to use!

For this card, I lightly sketched a line to help me stamp the floral bouquet stamp across evenly and easily. Then I simply colored in the flowers, attached the paper overlaying the love sentiment, and adhered the White Shimmer trim. Next I stamped the "love you" sentiment from the Happy To Be Friends set.



With this card, I cut out a message bubble from the Artistry collection. I stamped the "you are special to me" sentiment inside. I colored the word special and added a few heart punches as accents.



I attached the diagonal striped pattern on the bottom of the card, and added a few black "stripes" with cardstock. Then I stamped the "kindness changes everything" sentiment in the top left, colored in the word changes and adhered a few sequins as accents.



With this card, I used the Wreath stamp as a frame. Then I stamped the floral hello stamp inside the wreath, and notched the end like a banner. I carefully colored everything in, then added a lovely shimmer with our new Shimmer Brush. Love it!!! Finally finishing off the card with some White & Gold ribbon.



It's really hard to see the shimmer in the full shot, so here is a close-up. Hopefully it can be seen better here.



This card is using a few of our new colors: Tangerine, Pansy and Willow. I stamped "thank you" from the Short & Sweet set inside the circles on the patterned paper. Then I stamped a leaves background, using one of the stamp sets included with the new Flower Market collection on the Willow cardstock strip. I masked the "smile" sentiment and stamped only the flowers on the circle, colored everything in, then attached the colored circle to a scalloped circle. The colors turned out so bright and pretty -- much better IRL. I had a hard time trying to get the colors right in the photo.



Using the top of the card as a guide, I stamped the daisy-like flower sentiment across the top, colored in a few areas in the flowers, and attached a strip of the polka dot paper just covering the "friend" sentiment. Next I stamped "enjoy the little things" in the bottom right corner, colored the word things, and attached a few Sparkles to finish everything off. I used two of the sets from the kit on this card!



Last but not least, I overlapped two matching circle papers, aligning the circles exactly for the background. Then I stamped "be your kind of beautiful" over a circle and colored in the word kind. Using the So Many Smiles set, I randomly stamped a variety of circle designs in the remaining circles and attached some sequins throughout as accents.



You definitely don't want to miss out on the lovely sets included in this month's special. Make sure to get your order in today!

Enjoy!
~Dani