Kraft-y Hearts Blog Share Day 2:

Hi All! Welcome to Day 2 of the Kraft-y Heart's June Blog Share. Today features another creation for "him" that was inspired in part by this lovely card that Lynn created last Friday. And wasn't that a FABULOUS Father's Day Card yesterday?! Lynn's an amazing artist!

So on to today's project. Over the weekend, we had several parties to attend (lots of people born in June). As always, I wanted to make the cards (or in this case, the gift card holders) a little extra special. Using this tutorial, here's what I came up with:

For this fun card, I used the last scraps of my Later Sk8r paper and assortment pack. (The paper pack is retired, but you can still get the awesome patterns in the Later Sk8r Picture My Life kit, which has some fantastic journaling cards in it that are perfect for using on greeting cards and scrapbook pages if you're not into the segmented scrapbooking scene.) Anyway, I created the patterned paper for the base of the card using Slate cardstock and stamps from the Later Sk8r Workshop On The Go stamp set (which is retired). I randomly stamped the images in Outdoor Denim Exclusive ink using 1st and 2nd generation impressions. You can see it a little better in this image:

For the belly-band, I used a 1 1/4 x 11-inch strip of patterned paper and added layers of White Daisy, Slate, and Pear cardstocks along with patterned paper as the focal piece. I stamped "Let's Celebrate!" from the June Stamp Of The Month (Kaboom) in Outdoor Denim and Lagoon Exclusive inks. I then fussy-cut the banner from the Lagoon image and adhered it to the card over the Outdoor Denim image. I stamped "YOU" using the July Stamp Of The Month in Outdoor Denim ink on White Daisy cardstock. I then layered it onto Pear and Lagoon cardstocks, popping each layer up with dimensional adhesive. The gears and star is from the Later Sk8r assortment pack.

Here are a few close-ups:

Now, let's take a look at the inside:

The inside is covered in Later Sk8r patterned paper and White Daisy cardstock. The "You're the Bomb" sentiment is from the June Stamp Of The Month and is stamped in Lagoon Exclusive ink on White Daisy cardstock. "Happy Birthday" is from one of the stamp sets in the Artiste Cricut Collection (the banner coordinates with the cartridge), and is stamped in Outdoor Denim. 

Here's a close up of the sentiment:

And here is the card and it's belly-band once again:

We also had a Bat Mitzvah this weekend, so I made a girl version of this card using Gypsy cardstock and (retired) Sarita paper and stamps from a retired Workshop On The Go card kit.  I also changed the orientation of the card to vertical.  Here's a little collage of that one:

I hope you enjoyed the gift card project for today, and the Kraft-y Hearts Blog Share for June. Don't forget to stop by From My Bungalow and see what the lovely Lynn Darda has for your inspiration today.

Kraft-y Hearts Blog Share Day 3: Uniquely You!

Hi All! Welcome to Day 3 of the Kraft-y Hearts Blog Share featuring Close To My Heart's June Stamp Of The Month: A Flowering Bunch. I can't believe how quickly this share has gone by!

Today's project features so much about paper-crafting that I love. It's a home decor piece, it has an inspiring message, and it show-cases some of my favorite girls (my daughter and the daughter of a good friend)! So without further ado....

I used double-sided paper from the Claire paper pack to cover a little wooden frame I bought at Michael's for a dollar. Instead of cutting out the opening entirely, I cut an "x" in the paper and pulled it back to make a peek-a-boo frame. I used mini glue dots to tack down the edges of the opening and toped it with a little Outdoor Denim sparkle. I didn't wrap the frame, but rather painted the edges with a gold paint dauber from Ranger Ink. I cut both sentiment boxes from Claire paper. Both can be cut with the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.

For the scalloped oval, I inked around the edges in Outdoor Denim Exclusive Ink and stamped the sentiment (from Verve Stamps) in White Daisy Exlusive Ink. I doubled up on the dimensional adhesive so it would be slightly taller than the "Uniquely You" sentiment. I stamped "Uniquely You" in Outdoor Denim Exclusive Ink and edged it with Pink Glitz. I then popped it up with a single layer of dimensional adhesive. Here's a closer look:

For the flower at the bottom, I layered Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon with cream-colored grosgrain ribbon from my stash. I used a White Daisy flower cut with the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge, which coordinates with the Flowering Bunch stamp set as the centerpiece. I stamped the flower using VersaMark ink and heat embossed it with Outdoor Denim Embossing Powder. I then used Sunset, Blush, Hollyhock, and Cashmere Exclusive Inks, along with my watercolor brush to paint the flower. Finally, I topped it all off with a giant pearl badge button, some Pink Glitz, and some bitty Outdoor Denim sparkles. Here are a couple of close-ups of the flower:

Finally, because you really can't have too much bling, I added some sparkle flourishes for fun, which you can see:

And there we have it! A fun little frame that my daughter loves. What more could you ask for?

I hope you've been inspired by our blog share this month. You can purchase the June Stamp Of The Month: A Flowering Bunch stamp set for $5 with any qualifying order of $50 or more, or on its own for $17.95. It's only available through 30 June so time's running out. If you would like to purchase this stamp set or any of the Close To My Heart products you see featured, feel free to visit me here. Now don't forget to head on over to From My Bungalow and SpiegelMomScraps to see what inspiring ideas Lynn and Jody have come up with for today! 

And don't forget that today is your last day to qualify to win this oh-so-fabulous bit of blog candy:

To be eligible to win, you need to leave a little comment on each of the blogs. We'd love for you to follow us, but that's not necessary for the blog candy giveaway!

Kraft-y Hearts Blog Share Day 2: A Funky Bit o' Gratitude

Hi and welcome back for Day 2 of the Kraft-y Hearts Blog Share featuring Close To My Heart's June Stamp Of The Month: A Flowering Bunch.

Today's color palette was inspired by a Rose Blossom Team Challenge from the ever-inspiring Brenda Rose. The challenge: use Lagoon, Topiary, Honey and Black, with White Daisy as an accent. Here's my response:

The card base is a standard A2 size (5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches) made from White Daisy cardstock. For the flowering centerpiece, I layered Black cardstock on to White Daisy cardstock and popped it up with some dimensional adhesive. I did a bit of random stamping on another piece of White Daisy using a small flower from A Flowering Bunch and Lagoon, Honey, and Topiary Exclusive Inks. I stamped the Tulip on a separate piece of White Daisy in Black Stāz-On Ink and let it dry. After it was dry, I used my water color brush and the Lagoon, Honey, and Topiary inks to water color the tulip. I left a few parts white and covered them with Stardust Glitz. (You can see why yesterday's bling-less card was such a novel for me....) Then I let it dry. Once again, if you don't let the ink and glitter dry, you will not be lovin' life so much later. (Ask me how I know....)

After the tulip was completely dry, I fussy cut it and popped it up with dimensional adhesive. Now one of the great things about the A Flowering Bunch stamp set is that it coordinates with the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge, which you'll see I took advantage of in tomorrow's project. However, for this particular card, I didn't want the 1/8-inch white border that is left behind with the Cricut cut, so I decided to opt for the fussy cut. If I'd been making a bunch of cards, I would have turned to the Cricut and blinged up the edge with some Glitz.

For the sentiment, I used the second generation stamping technique with the Honey and Lagoon Inks, off-setting the layers by about a quarter of an inch. I also used scotch tape to mask off "A Bunch" with those first two colors. I then finished off with a Topiary layer at full strength and left "A Bunch" on the end.

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I have to say, I was a little skeptical about putting these colors together, but I really like how it all turned out. (Brenda definitely has an eye for color.)

I hope you are inspired to get a little funky in your color choices as well. Remember, A Flowering Bunch can be yours for $5 with any qualifying order of $50 or more, or you can purchase it on its own for $17.95. However, It's only available through 30 June, so click here to get your set now. Don't forget to stop by Lynn's and Jody's and see what inspiring bits of creativity they have cooked up for you today! And don't forget to leave us a little love in the comment box for your chance to win this fabulous double stamp set and card kit by Lynn:

See you tomorrow for Day 3 of the Kraft-y Hearts Blog Share!

Kraft-y Hearts Blog Share Day 1: A Simple Little Thanks....

Hi All! It's time for the Kraft-y Hearts Blog Share featuring Close To My Heart's June Stamp Of The Month: "A Flowering Bunch."

We are also welcoming a new Kraft-y Heart, Jody Spiegelhoff. You want to make sure to visit her at SpiegelMomScraps, and don't miss the über-kraft-y Lynn over at From My Bungalow. These ladies now how to inspire a little kraft-y goodness in us all!

To celebrate the addition of Jody to our Krafty Hearts Blog Share we are offering a giveaway.  For a chance to win the double-stamp set  "It's Your Day" and card kit just visit each of the three blogs listed and leave a comment on each one.  We would love new followers but that is not necessary to win.  Winner will be announced at From My Bungalow on Sunday. 

Now on with today's project...

I decided to start the share out with a simple thanks. This goes out to all of you, my dear blog readers and faithful followers. I'm so glad you've joined me on this crafting journey.

So here's the "Thanks:"

The card base is 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches and is cut from Kraft cardstock. (We aren't called the Kraft-y Hearts for nothin'!). I rounded the corners to soften the look a bit. Then I stamped the sentiment and field of flowers in Close To My Heart's White Daisy Exclusive Ink, and let it dry. Did you catch that last bit? I LET IT DRY! Our white ink is a pigment type ink that requires a longer drying time. If you don't let it dry, it will smear. So...let's say it together...LET. IT. DRY. (I actually set the card aside for a couple of days. I meant it to be an hour or so, but I got caught up on another project. At least it was definitely dry when I got back to it....)

After it was completely dry, I used my CTMH alcohol ink markers to color in the flowers. I wanted to keep the "doodle" look so I wasn't particularly careful about coloring in the lines. I used the lightest shade markers in Blush, Indian Corn Blue, Ruby, Honey, and Topiary. I also used a white gel pen to color in the daisy petals. And that's it!

Here is a close-up of the flowers:

How simple and easy was that??? And yet I really like the effect.

The Flowering Bunch set is one of my favorites. It's perfect when you want a casual, doodled look, but it can also be dressed up for home decor (as you'll see on Day 3 of our blog share). I love the font on the sentiments as well. The Flowering Bunch stamp set can be yours for $5 with any qualifying order of $50 or more, or you can purchase it on its own for $17.95. It is only available through 30 June, so if you haven't got it yet, you should definitely click here. Now hop on over and see what bit of flowering goodness Lynn has for you in her Bungalow and Jody has crafted at SpiegelMomScraps.