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

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

 

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".

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. 

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

 

Joyful Stars Close to My Heart January 2020 Blog Hop

Welcome to the January 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.

There's a new catalog out and  I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of new CTMH products if you hop along.

I've used a new stamp set, Spruced Up Cardmaking, new paper, Spruced Up, and new Stitched Bracket Thin-cuts

on this double diamond point Birthday Card. 

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 where I am sharing this card:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #540 - AG

Southern Girls Challenge - AG

Crafty Creations January Challenge #405 - AG

Arty Divas Challenge #12 - AG

Crafty Sentiments Challenge - AG 

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #110 - AG 

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge - AG 

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #448 - Something New (CTMH design paper, die cut, bird stamp) 

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Something New  (CTMH design paper, die cut, bird stamp)

Use Your Stuff Challenge #389 - AG

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Try Something New 

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge - AG

Dragonfly Dreams Challenge - AG

Double Trouble Challenge #45

Thought I'd quickly squeeze in a card for Double Trouble Challenge #45, before I finished my cookie baking.  

Here is a birthday card using a black & white striped border and 3 additional colors.

I no sooner get the last Christmas card made and in the mail when I need to make a pile of birthday cards for the next two weeks!

One down, a bunch to go! 

Challenges: 

Double Trouble Challenge #45 - stripes, black & white + 3 colors, enter  CDC #373/374

Color Dare Challenge #373/374 - black & white & 3 colors 

Allsorts Challenge Week 551/2 - AG

Time to preheat the oven.

 

Joyful Stars Close to My Heart December Blog Hop

Welcome to the December

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 using CTMH products.

Here are my contributions:

 I've used papers from all three of the new paper packs in the Close to My Heart  November, December 2019 catalog.  The stamps are all retired CTMH stamps.

Now, since this is a blog hop,

you might have arrived here from  Marie Flayer's blog.

Your next stop is Stephanie Huber's FB page

(click on the "Post" link )
 Stephanie is currently experiencing some technical difficulties.
Please hop to Andrea Sherman's blog to see her wonderful No Peekin' Gift tags.

The hop is circular.

If you are just starting here,

simply continue hopping until you find your way back,

making the full circle.

Send a Smile 4 Kids December Challenge

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

The December theme is Winter Cards 4 Kids

or Anything Goes 4 Kids .

This card will go to a SAS4K volunteer who will send it on to a children's hospital for patient use.  

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.  

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

Challenges:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies December Challenge - AG with a critter 

Animal Friends Challenge #81 - Birds 

Crafty Hazelnut's December Patterned Paper Challenge - AG

 

Blog Hop Leftovers

If you check my previous post for the CTMH Joyful Stars Blog Hop, you may notice that the gift cards are held in place by tiny circles, folded in four, one section removed and then glued together.  Consequently, I had a perfectly good piece of patterned paper with four holes in it. 

 I used a few other scraps and CTMH stamps to make a card for one of the December birthdays in my book.  Even the little cups are tiny scraps of paper paper pieced together.

Challenges:

Craft Rocket Challenge #65 - Happy Birthday 

Papercraft Challenges #50 - Birthday

Make My Monday Challenge #109 - Red, Green and White

613 Avenue Create Challenge #227 - Anything Goes w/ option of Scraps 

Joyful Stars Close to My Heart November Blog Hop

Welcome to the November

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 using CTMH products.

Have you ever made a twist card?

Today I'd like to share a few twist gift card holders using several of the new CTMH papers.  These are just like a normal twist card, only the dimensions are smaller.

Here are the dimensions I used to make these three cards:

Now, since this is a blog hop,

you might have arrived here from  Marie Flayer's blog.

Your next stop is Stephanie Huber's FB page.

The hop is circular.

If you are just starting here,

simply continue hopping until you find your way back,

making the full circle.

Challenges:

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge Week of Nov. 5th - AG

The Holly and the Ivy Challenge #59 - Anything Christmas 

Arty Divas Challenge #8 - AG 

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #607 - AG

Crafty Catz Challenge #482 - AG with a Christmas twist 

A Gem of a Challenge Week 22 - AG 

Fall Sunflowers

While my DH is busy playing in the fall leaves, 

I thought I'd share a fall card.

 

  

When I picked up this sunflower paper, I wish I had picked up more than one sheet because I just love it. 

I had just enough left for the top and bottom panels of this horizontal gate fold card. 

Using CTMH stamps, I stamped, colored and fussy cut a sunflower and three leaves*.  I popped them on the lower panel positioned so that the sentiment (also a CTMH stamp) can be tucked under it to keep the card closed. 

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Fall/Autumn Colors

Moving Along with the Times Challenge #109 - Rich Autumn Colors

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #108 - Something beginning with "s"  (Sunflowers, sequins, stamps)

Use Your Stuff Challenge #380 - Fall Project with 3 leaves*

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Anything Goes

Artsy Stamper Challenge #2 - Patterned Paper

 

Joyful Stars Close to My Heart October Blog Hop

Welcome to the October

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 using CTMH products.

I've made two cards using my favorite paper pack from the new catalog, Every Little Thing.

Now, since this is a blog hop,

you might have arrived here from  Marie Flayer's blog.

Your next stop is Krista Hershberger'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.

Meanwhile, I'm going to enter the following challenges:
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday October Challenge -  Stamp It
Little Red Wagon Challenge #518 - Cut It Out (flower is fussy cut; frame is a cricut cut)
Arty Divas Challenge #6 - ATG
Challenge Up Your Life # 116 - Frames
Crafty Catz Challenge #477 - Anything Goes with Option of ribbon, bow or flower
Through the Craft Room Door Challenge Week of October 8th - AG

Close to My Heart Card Classes

Normally, on Tuesday afternoons I am at Joyce Houck's with my crafting buddies making CTMH cards.  We didn't have class today.

But I thought I'd share the cards we made at our last two classes, since I haven't had time to get them posted until now.