A Bright and Cheerful Card

Tonight's card is going to a good friend of mine, to help her start off the new year. 

Like myself she is a direct sales consultant, who has great goals for 2019. 

I wanted to send her a little something to let her know I believe in her.

The polka dot and striped paper are both from the Close to my Heart "Oh What Fun" paper packet that just ended with the Holiday Expressions 2018 catalog. 

However, I know many of you purchased it for not only Christmas cards and layouts but for everyday use as well. 

The sentiment "Dream Big" is from the Holiday Expressions 2018 Hostess Rewards Stamp Set "Dream Catcher". 

I stamped the sentiment in Archival Black Exclusive Ink by Close to my Heart.

I used the "Blacked Out" technique, and layered each piece with black cardstock to make the colors really pop! 

For just a little flare, I added three silver glitter gems from Close to my Heart.

I was inspired by sketch #297 from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog for the layout for the card.

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Stargazer Birthday Card

As a child, one of my favorite hobbies was looking at the stars at night through the telescope I received one Christmas. 

While I did not turn out to become an astronomer, I did become a scientist, and often do have conversations about space, stars, and the like. 

I'm not sure whatever happened to that telescope, maybe one of my younger brothers has it. 

As an adult I have visited the local planetariums quite a few times. 

I might just purchase a telescope as an early birthday present to myself. 

Therefore tonight's card was inspired by my Stargazer hobby. 

I used one of my favorite techniques "Blacked Out", utilizing layers of black cardstock under most of the patterned paper layers. 

The card base is Pewter Cardstock by Close to my Heart. 

The yellow, grey, and blue patterned papers are all from the "Stargazer" Patterned Paper Packet by Close to my Heart. If you love this paper, do not wait to purchase it, it is while supplies last, since the Seasonal Expressions Catalog 1 is finished.

The distressing on the grey strip and blue mat was completed with "Charcoal" ink by Close to my Heart. 

The sentiment and the telescope are both from the Cardmaking "Stargazer" Stamp Set. It does also have a matching thin cuts die set, but for today's card, I did not use the dies. 

I colored the telescope with Copic Markers, then used a Gold Shimmer Brush to give it some shine and sparkle. 

I finished off the look with a few red "Stargazer" Dots also by Close to my Heart.

Were you aware that I have a VIP Group on Facebook so that we can share our artwork with each other? 
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I entered this card into the following challenges:

Pile It On! Challenge Blog - #142 Sports/Hobbies

Creates and Makes Challenge Blog - #21 Anything Goes 

Not Just Cards Challenge Blog- April Challenge Anything Goes 

Crafting From The Heart - #204 Anything Goes 

Simply Papercraft - #57 Anything Goes 

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge Blog- #415 Anything Goes 

Jo's Scrap Shack - Fun-Day Friday Challenge #232 Anything Goes 

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge Blog- May 2018 Patterned Paper

Cardz TV- #46 Anything Goes 

Welcome New Baby Card...

So recently I have had several friends either give birth or announce that they are expecting. So I decided to go ahead and get a head start on my baby shower gift cards. 

Who says they always have to be pastel colors, pink or blue...

The main focal point stamp "Bitsy Bug Rosa" is from A Day For Daisies.

A Day For Daisies (ADFD) provides themed categories of over 1000 digital illustrations, including fairy tales and magical mermaids, cutie kids, vintage illustrations, sentiments and lovely designs for all occasions! 

ADFD WEBSITE: www.adayfordaisies.com

I colored in the design using mostly copic markers. 

I then also applied some clear shimmer to her wings and face, using the shimmer brush by Close to my Heart. 

The shimmer brushes are also available in gold and bashful.

For the base of the card I used a pre-cut and pre-scored card from the White Cards and Envelopes set from Close to my Heart. 

I used the "Blacked Out" technique that I love so much. 

The red cardstock is Ruby from the Close to my Heart Enchanted Cardstock Pack collection. The green is Sweet Leaf from the Whimsy Cardstock Pack Collection.

The smaller sentiment "Welcome Baby" is from the "Short & Sweet Sentiments" stamp set by Close to my Heart. 

I love this little set, it has so many great sentiments in one complete set, and it's an amazing value at only $6.95.

These are all of the sentiments that are included:

As a small bit of embellishment, I added two Sparkles, to the lower part of the card. Did you know that you can color them using your Shin Markers? That's right, since they are clear, you can color them any color you want. 

I entered the card into a few challenges:

Pile It On! Challenge Blog - #141 Think Small
Cardz TV- Anything Goes 
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Inside the Box
Crafting From The Heart - #200 Anything Goes 
The House That Stamps Built - #M2818 Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 
Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - #1812 Anything Goes 
Simon Says Stamp Challenge  - Work It Wednesday 
Crafty Catz - #409 Anything Goes

A Card of Encouragement...

Sometimes we all need a word of encouragement. I made this card recently for a dear friend, as he was going through a period of doubt. I hope that it lifts his spirits, as he treks along. 

This particular card is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 in size, a size I am quite fond of. 

The card has several layers, with a layer of black cardstock under each layer of patterned paper, for the technique I call "Blacked Out". 

I used Canary cardstock, and two of the patterned prints from the Stargazer Patterned Paper Packet by Close to my Heart. I love the colors of this paper, and it really does have such a versatile style. The darker blue paper, has several planets to include Saturn on it. The lighter colored paper has telescopes of various colors on it, along with mini Saturns.

The sentiment "The World Is Yours To Explore" is from the "A New Adventure" stamp set also by Close to my Heart. The sentiment is stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, with Pacifica Ink used to distress the edges. The layered circle also contains two Bitty Sparkles.  

I also entered this card into a few challenges:

Pile It On! Challenge Blog - #140 Circles with optional bonus of Squares

World Wide Open Design Team Monthly Challenge-#3 Anything Goes 

Simon Says Monday Challenge Blog - Road Trip 

Classic Design Team Blog- #23 Anything Goes 

Lemon Shortbread Challenge Blog- #63 Anything Goes 

Through The Craftroom Door- Anything Goes

Pause Dream Enjoy Challenges - #11 Anything Goes