Joyful Stars Close to My Heart March 2020 Blog Hop

Welcome to the March 2020

Close to My Heart Joyful Stars Blog Hop.

Have some fun hopping between the blogs of this group of talented Close to My Heart consultants, and me, where we share creative projects.

For my card this month, I've used the zip strips from the edges of 2 sheets of patterned paper in the new Seas the Day Paper Packet X7255B and the new Happy Easter Bunny Stamp Set A1246.  Many thanks to CTMH consultant Bobbi Forsythe for supplying me with these items from the new Close to Mt Heart Catalog.

Now, since this is a blog hop,

you might have arrived here from  Nancy Brown's blog.

Your next stop is Joyce Houck's blog.

The hop is circular.

If you are just starting here,

simply continue hopping until you find your way back,

making the full circle.

Challenges:
Inkspirational Challenge #208 - Animals
Crafty Friends Challenge #130 - Animals/Birds
Crafters Castle March Challenge #27 - AG 
Crafty Animals Challenge #36 - AG
Crafts Galore Encore March Challenge #73 - AG 
A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge March #3 2020 - AG
A Bit More Time to Craft Challenge #111 - AG 
2 Sisters on the Blog Challenge #37 - Dots and/or stripes
2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge #36 - AG with animals

Send a Smile 4 Kids March 2020 Challenge

There is a new challenge starting today at Send a Smile 4 Kids!

The March theme, and one of my favorites, is  

Cards 4 Boys or Anything Goes 4 Kids .

I have two very similar cards to share with you.  These cards use stamps and die cuts from My Favorite Things.

The first one went to my grandson.

 

If you are interested in making and donating cards to SAS4K, you can find all the information you need right here.

Challenges: 
Do AL (1) Kreative Challenge #39 -  Male Birthday
Die Cut Divas Challenge - AG with die cuts or embossing folder
Cardz 4 Guys Challenge #239 - Ink and/or paint (I used ink to stamp the sentiment.)
Arty Divas Challenge #16 - AG
Crafty Creations March Challenge #407 - AG
Southern Girls Challenge - AG
QKR Stampede Challenge #388 - AG
Joy of Sets March Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Birthday, Masculine, Paper Piecing
 
Crafter's Castle Challenge #27 - AG
Gem of a Challenge wk 5 - AG

Double Trouble Challenge #51

Today I made a relatively simple card for the new 

Double Trouble Go Green Challenge.

(LET'S GO GREEN | Optional Twist include GOLD | OPT. 3 JOIN HEART2HEART with PUT YOUR GREEN ON)

First I die cut the square out of the center of the plaid paper using a die from MFT.  I cut a piece for behind the square and embossed it.  Using CTMH thin cuts stitched hearts, I cut 8 hearts, folding 4 of them in half, and arranged them on the squared, adding the stem which is actually a die cut tree trunk, but it works.   To finish that section of the card I punched a circle from a tiny scrap of CTMH holographic paper.  Finally, I heat embossed the Lawn Fawn sentiment in gold. 

I am also entering these fun challenges: 

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Put Your Green On

Cuttlebug Tuesday Challenge - Tic Tac Toe (Embossing folder, Die Cut, Circle)

 

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #204 - Add a Heart 

Aud Sentiments Challenge #245 - AG with a Sentiment

Creative Craft Challenge #126 - Add a Heart

Crafting Happiness Challenge #38 - AG option Green

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #251 - Embossing

 

Double Trouble Challenge #50

Yowza!  The Double Trouble Challenge Theme is to make a tall and skinny card with an option to use the sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday and a Twist to "Stack It Up".  

Here's my card:

 The stamps and scalloped border die are from CTMH.

I also made an easy card using Mojo Monday Sketch #531 and some Penny Black stamps.

 

I am entering the following challenges:

Card #1 - 

Double Trouble Challenge #50 - Tall & Skinny card; TSOT Sketch; Stacking

Try Stamping on Tuesdays Challenge #442 - see sketch above

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - 2 or more patterned papers

Crafty Catz Challenge #493 - AG

Alphabet Challenge - "W" Anything You Wish

Allsorts Challenge Week 449 - Dies and/or Punches

Gem of a Challenge Week 4 - AG

Card #2 - 

Mojo Monday Challenge #531 - see sketch above

Penny Black February Challenge - Animals, Birds and Butterflies

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge Feb 17-29 - AG

Make My Monday Challenge #116 - Critters 

Use Your Stuff Challenge #392 - Circles

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Frame

 

Birthday card for a guy

My grandson happens to be the guy who will be receiving this card.  He has reached his twenties, so no more kiddie or teen cards for him.  I've been wanting to use this new owl stamp.  Thought it  might work okay for this young man. 

 The image (Stampendous stamp CRW209) is heat embossed in copper.  Corners are copper colored stickers.  Happy Birthday stamp is CTMH.  Stitched rectangle die is by Our Daily Bread Designs.

Challenges:

Penny Black and More February Challenge -  Animals, Birds and Butterflies

A Place to Start February Challenge - Masculine 

Addicted to Stamps Challenge #376 - AG 

Seize the Birthday Challenge #183 - White Space

 

Turning 6

It is hard to believe that my sweet great granddaughter is turning 6 next week.  But she is.  There's no stopping it.  

Little ones grow up way too fast!

Every year I have been using digital images from Beccy's Quilted Numbers Digital Set for Laila's birthday card.

Here's her card for 2020.

Challenges:

Beccy's Place February Challenge - AG with a Beccy's Place image 

The Paper Girls Challenge #193 - Birthdays 

Digi Choosday Challenge Wk 6 - AG

Arty Divas Challenge #15 - AG 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Use 2 or more patterned papers 

Little Red Wagon Challenge #536 - Wild One 

 Happy Birthday, Laila!

 

Joyful Stars Close to My Heart February 2020 Blog Hop

Welcome to the February 2020

Close to My Heart Joyful Stars Blog Hop.

Have some fun hopping between the blogs of this group of talented Close to My Heart consultants, and me, where we share creative projects. 

I recently came across a You Tube card tutorial.  It said it was a "gorgeous fun fold that will change your life".   Of course I had to try it.  It's a nice fancy fold, although I doubt it will change my life.

But who knows?

 

The CTMH paper I used is called Spruced Up.

The stamps are from the February Stamp of the Month. 

Now, since this is a blog hop,

you might have arrived here from  Nancy Brown's blog.

Your next stop is Joyce Houck's blog.

The hop is circular.

If you are just starting here,

simply continue hopping until you find your way back,

making the full circle.

Here's the link to "the gorgeous fun fold card that will change your life".

Playing with new stash

Both of these cards will go to gals in my Red Hat chapter.  

The red and purple color scheme might give it away.

First, I used a new stamp from Honey Doo to make a card for a friend who is doing some hospital time.

 And here's the second card using a favorite Card Creator Die set from Spellbinders and some new SU paper.

 I'll be walking these two cards to the mailbox as soon as the dryer buzzes.  Until then, I'm going to enter a few...

Challenges:

Simon Says Monday Challenge - Floral Frenzy 

Artsy Stampers Digital Challenge #9 - Hearts/Flowers 

Through the Craft Room Door Feb. 4th Challenge - AG

The Sisterhood of Stampers Challenge - Newly Acquired Stash (paper)

Through the Purple Haze Challenge #164 - AG 

Moving Along with the Times February Challenge #115 - No Image, Sentiment or Quote as Main Focus 

Brown Sugar Challenge #298 - AG 

More Sketch Challenges

The other day I stamped and colored several flower bouquets from the February Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month set.   Realizing I needed to make several cards yesterday, I pulled out those bouquets and scoured the current sketch challenges to help get the job done.  

Here are the results.

For the Poetic Artistry Mojo Monday Sketch #530: 

 

For Freshly Made Sketches #420:

I missed the deadline on this challenge, but I like the layout anyway.

For Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge:

For the Stick It Down February Sketch:

And, just because I needed one more birthday card, one of my own design: 

Challenges:

Arty Divas Challenge #13 - ATG

Stamping Sensations February Challenge - Feminine 

Simon Says Stamps Monday Challenge - Floral Frenzy 

Through the Craft Room Door Feb 4th Challenge - AG 

Crafty Sentiments Design Challenge - AG 

Artsy Stamps Digital Challenge #9 - Hearts/Flowers

I have one more fancy fold card using the same bouquet stamp, but I'm saving it for the Joyful Stars Close To My Heart Blog Hop on February 9th. 

Sketch Challenge

Today I thought I'd share a birthday card I made for the current sketch at Stella Says Sketch Challenge #803 and features a Bugaboo Stamp called Pig Birthday Present.

 

Additional Challenges:

AAA Birthday Card Challenge Game #10 - Cute 

Double Trouble Challenge #49 - Again and Again (3 blue dots) + Critter (pig)

Catch the Bug February Challenge - AG

The Paper Girls Challenge #193 - Birthdays

QKR Stampede Challenge #383 - AG

Polkadoodles Challenge Wk 5 - AG

 

Double Trouble Challenge # 49

There's a new box next to my craft desk.  This one is for Easter/Spring cards, which I will mail off to Send a Smile 4 Kids*.

It's also a new week and a new challenge at 

Double Trouble Challenge Blog. 

This month the theme is Again and Again (using something multiple times) with options of including a critter and also entering the Use Your Stuff  Challenge.  

I found the little bunnies dies at a used craft sale a few years ago. 

The frames are dies from My Favorite Things.

And for this cute Easter Bunny digi, which I colored with markers, hop over to Mo's Digital Pencil.

Challenges:

Double Trouble Challenge #49 - Again and Again (frames & bunnies), Old product and Critters (bunnies) 

Use Your Stuff Challenge #391 -  Critters

QKR Stampede Challenge #383- AG 

2 Crafty Critter Crazies February Challenge - AG with critters

Gem of a Challenge Wk 3 - AG 

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Die Cuts/Punches 

Cardz 4 Gals Challenge #114 - Use Kraft Paper (The frames and bunnies are kraft paper.  The bunnies are from the same sheet but I colored them with marker so they would be a bit darker than the frames.)

 

*The February challenge at Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge is Easter/Spring cards.   I'd love to see your ideas there.

Send a Smile 4 Kids February 2020 Challenge

The theme for the February Challenge at 

Send a Smile 4 Kids 

is Easter or Spring cards 4 Kids.

This month I've used a digi image from 

Scribbles Designs called Egg Truck. 

If you are interested in making and donating cards to SAS4K, you can find all the information you need right here.

 I hope you'll enter this month's SAS4K Challenge.  

And, if you aren't ready for Easter or Spring, that's okay.

Anything Goes cards are always welcome. 

We love to see your wonderful creations and visit your blogs.

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - AG 

Through the Craft Room Door Jan. 29th Challenge - AG 

Digi Choosday Challenge wk 4 - AG 

The Paper Shelter Challenge #412 - Digital Image

Little Red Wagon Challenge #534 - Masculine 

Krafty Chicks Challenge #492 wk 5 - AG 

Aud Sentiments Challenge Wk 243 - AG + a sentiment 

Crafter's Castle February Challenge #26 - AG 

A Gem of a Challenge Wk 3 - AG 

 

Catch the Bug Photo Challenge

Bugaboo Stamps has some really cute penguin stamps,  which made it easy to create a card for their current photo inspiration challenge using one of their images.

The penguin image is printed directly on glitter paper.

I'm sorry I couldn't capture the great sparkle in the photo.

Challenges:

Catch the Bug January Photo Inspiration Challenge -

 

As You Like It Challenge - AG 

Krafty Chicks Challenge #491 - All Occasions

Double "D" Challenge - Fun with Balloons

I Love Promarkers Challenge #402 - AG

Ike's World Challenge #128 - "M" is for Male

Digi Chooseday Challenge wk 3 - AG

 

Double Trouble Challenge #48

My loyal followers know the Double Trouble is one of my favorite challenges.  The theme for Challenge #48 is "Say Cheese".  

I hope cream cheese frosting counts.

 The layout of the card is from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge # 352.

 

New Stamp from Honey Doo Crafts

Last week a few friends and I went to The Petticoat Parlor in 

Mt. Dora, Florida.  

I couldn't resist buying this Honey Doo Crafts stamp.

I stamped the image on glitter paper and then colored it with markers. 

Challenges:

My Time to Craft Challenge #413 - New Stash (stamp and die)

Allsorts Challenge Week 555 - More than a one word sentiment 

Get Creative Challenge #87 - Something New (stamp and die)

Incy Wincy Challenge Jan 20-Feb 1 - AG 

Through the Craft Room Door Jan 21st Challenge - AG 

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - New Stash (stamp and die)

The House That Stamps Built J2220 Challenge - AG

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #248 - AG 

 

Happy 7th Birthday to Scribbles Designs

Today I am sharing a Penguin themed birthday card made especially for 

the Scribbles Designs 7th Birthday Celebration.

I've used 4 digital images from Scribbles Designs:

 #262 Brrryce Party Hat

#260 Brrrnard Party Hat

# 156 Party Favor 

# 61 Happy Birthday 

I double printed the party hats, fussy cut them and popped them over the hats in the printed image.

The party favors were resized, colored, fussy cut and then inserted into a tiny slit in the penguins' beaks.  The sentiment was also fussy cut and glued to the cardstock on which the penguins were printed.  The cake, candles, and cake plate were all die cut.

Hope you like it!  

 

Hip "Hippo"ray

Here's a versatile card using a Bugaboo Image.

I made it to enter in the January Bugaboo Bingo Challenge. 

I've followed the diagonal row, Monochromatic, Bugaboo Image, and 3 Layers. 

Additional challenges entered:

As You Like It Challenge - AG 

Simply Create Too Challenge #156 - AG 

QKR Stampede Challenge #381- AG 

Brown Sugar Challenge #297 - AG

Crafty Friends Challenge #127 - AG

Crafter's Castle January Challenge - AG

 

Birthday Bash at Bugaboo Day 7

This is the last day of the 10th Annual Bugaboo Birthday Bash and they're having a Freebie Friday Photo Challenge.
 Hop over to their blog to pick up this fun freebie.

  Here's the inspiration photo Bugaboo supplied.

(It's not required that you use the freebie to join the challenge, but I just couldn't resist.)

 

Many thanks to Bugaboo for a fun week of challenges.

 

Double Trouble Challenge #47

The sisters at Double Trouble Challenge are probably wondering I am.  It's one of my favorite challenges and I rarely miss entering.

For Challenge #47, I've used a Gerda Steiner stamp set.  The cute penguin image was stamped on glitter paper, colored with markers and then fussy cut.

Check out the holographic paper, new from CTMH.  One way it looks almost orange.  Another angle and it looks green. 

To satisfy the challenge requirements, I decided to use a dry embossing folder with a quilted pattern.  There's nothing like a snuggley quilt on a cold winter day.  

Double Trouble's partner for this challenge is Stinkin' Inkers Challenge where the theme is Warm Up.  

My mother still scolds me if I'm out in the cold without a hat.  It was definitely a bone of contention when I was a teen and didn't want to flatten my hair.  But, I will admit that a hat does help keep you warm. 

Additional challenges I am entering:

Scribble Designs Challenge - 7th Anniversary Celebration - Penguin Power 

 

As You Like It Challenge - Anything Goes

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #540 - Anything Goes

2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge - Anything with a critter goes

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Cutting It Close (I fussy cut the penguin and die cut the circles)
Gerda Steiner Share Your Designs Challenge - Jan 2020 - AG with a GSD image