Anything Goes Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month there are 11 of us highlighting any technique we would like to share- anything goes!

This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.

If you are coming from Maz' Blog you are on the right track! 

I love making my own marbled backgrounds using ink. For this project I started by putting Carolina, Bluebird and Sapphire ink on my 5x6 Acrylic Block, and then spritzing with water. Of course, you can use any size block to correspond with your project. 

I then place it over the area I want inked- for this project I cut a tag from the Tags and Tabs Thin Cuts  using Watercolour Cardstock, and I had stamped the image of a shark from the Jawsome Birthday stamp set.

I did a few of these tags- I love how every one is different as I redo the ink every time. 

I then cut a fun envelope for my tags using Bluebird Cardstock, my Cricut and the Artfully Sent cartridge.

Another one of my favorite techniques is a shimmer brush splatter! I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set in Sapphire ink, and then flicked the Sapphire Shimmer Brush over it.

Here's the finished tag and envelope sleeve- these are being used as little notes for cast members as I have written little notes on the back for our opening night of West Side Story- we are the Sharks!

Ready to go- such a fun and easy way to make a marbled background for any project and the shimmer brush splatter is fun as well!

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Tamara's Blog where you will find her sharing her favourite technique.  Be sure to leave a comment and happy hopping!

Featured Products Blog Hop- Vacation Theme

Hello and welcome to our CTMH Featured Products Blog Hop. This week our featured product is anything to do with a Vacation!

If you have just joined us you can start here and continue on, as this is a circular hop or if you get lost along the way you can find the complete list at the end of this post.   If you came here from Corrina you are in the right place. Now on to my project!

I am miraculously up to date on my vacation photos, and have featured them on the blog over the last month, so I had to think of something else to show you today.

One of the places on my dream vacation list is Paris, and so I decided to create a Paris themed card using the Artfully Sent cricut cartridge and the Florence Paper Packet.

The card base is made from one of the papers in the Florence Paper Packet, and I cut the Paris card in Ruby cardstock. I added some Green Epoxy Triangles and Poppy Thick Twine on the front for extra embellishment.



When you open the card, an Eiffel Tower pops out! Super cute for a travel lover, someone going overseas or anyone who loves shopping :)



Thank you for checking out my project. If you would like to purchase our featured product of the week or any additional supplies you can buy them here.

If you enjoyed my project please comment below as we love feedback! Next on our blog hop is Annette from Little Crop Shop. Make sure to check out her amazing work featuring this same product.

See you in two weeks as we will be featuring the new Fundamentals range! Have a great day!

Complete list of blogs participating:

1. Lauren Moore

2. Annette Clark

3. Donna Digby

4. Jennifer Bennett
5. Corrina Murphy

Calypso Birthday Cards

Today I would like to share with you a set of cards featuring Close To My Heart’s Calypso Paper Packet.

I adapted these cards from Lisa's workshop, using the Calypso paper for an updated look.

Here is the full set of stamped cards, with a close up of each image below.



The envelopes were stamped in Calypso colours with a cake from the Belated Birthday stamp set.



I made a little gift card holder for those hard-to-buy-for people!



This card is the one I am entering in the Color Dare, with a bold sentiment on the front and Calypso banner pieces.



On the inside is a fun cupcake pop up with the Calypso confetti paper.



This swing card is another favourite!



The inside has another stamped sentiment and a Cricut Cut party hat.



This card used scraps of Calypso behind the cupcake cut out.



The last card is a bold Cricut cut sentiment framed by the Calypso paper and Sapphire cardstock.



Inside is also a Cricut cut sentiment.



I'd love you to leave a comment letting me know your favourite card!

I am also linking up the Birthday Girl pop up card with this week's Color My Heart Color Dare to use Calypso Colours, and the Between The Folds challenge of using the Calypso Paper Packet.

June Worldwide Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring June's SOTM, which is The Long Way Home, a set of 15 stamps.

If you have come here from Tamytha's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.

This month we have over 25 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

My husband is mad on bikes, and he makes me smile everyday, so I wanted to create a note for him to say how thankful I was for the things he has done recently while I have been sick.

I started off by stamping the front of the card with the bicycle stamp in Black ink, and adding a sentiment among the bikes.



When you open the card up, there are some Cricut cut clouds, a stamped sun from the June SOTM, and a Cricut cut bike as well.


I added the sun as I thought it looked cute but not too feminine!



I really love how this card has turned out, and the Artfully Sent cartridge made it super easy! This cartridge is retiring at the end of July, so if you don't have it yet I highly recommend you contact your consultant.



Now "Hop" on over to Krista's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the June SOTM is only available until 30th June!  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount!

CTMH supplies used:
Cardstock: Black, Glacier, Lagoon, Slate
Cricut Cartridges: Artfully Sent, Artistry
Ink: Black, Honey
Stamp set: The Long Way Home

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #146

Today's sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge reminded me of a Cricut Scene Card I have on the Artfully Sent cartridge, and the idea blossomed from there!

I rotated the sketch to work with the card, and took a few liberties, but that is what the sketch is all about- providing inspiration!

I wanted to do a Valentine themed card for a couple who recently got engaged, and so I used Hollyhock cardstock and the retired Heartstrings paper packet.


I added some sparkles to the centre of each flower to give it a bit of bling, and finally added a zip strip piece down the side.

We would love to see your interpretations of this week's sketch!

CTMH supplies used:
Cardstock: Hollyhock
Cricut: Artfully Sent Cartridge
Embellishments: Bitty Sparkles
Paper Packet: Heartstrings

La Vie En Rose Featured Paper Blog Hop

Hello and welcome aboard our Australasian Close to My Heart Blog Hop, featuring the La Vie En Rose Paper Packet.

This is the start of today's blog hop, or you may have arrived here from Doris.

If you landed here by accident, no problem, please join in by following the link at the end of this post.

Today I would like to share with you a layout I have created for Valentines Day featuring the La Vie En Rose Paper Packet. Scroll down for close ups and then the completed layout.

I mixed the La Vie En Rose Complements with the Mr. & Mrs. stamp set to create this title.



This PML card was cut on the Cricut using the Artfully Sent cartridge. I then stamped the sentiments from the January SOTM, Beloved Bouquet.



I paired a cut out heart with both the Kraft and clear embellishments to create a cluster. here you can also see the fun Zip Strip from the paper packet.



Lastly, I added this funny sticker from the Complements.



Here is the completed layout, ready for photos to be added on Valentines Day!



I'd love you to leave a comment before heading off to the next stop,  Maz Wood's blog, Inky Fingers.

CTMH supplies used:
Cardstock: Pixie, Pomegranate, White Daisy
Cricut Cartridge: Artfully Sent
Embellishments: La Vie En Rose Complements
Ink: Black
Paper Packet: La Vie En Rose
Stamp sets: Beloved Bouquet, Documenting Moments, Mr. & Mrs.

S1601 Beloved Bouquet Australasian Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Hello and welcome aboard our Stamp of the Month Australasian Close to My Heart Blog Hop. You may have arrived here at the beginning of this hop or if you have arrived here from Meryl's Blog then you are in the right place. If you landed here by accident, no problem, please join in by following the link at the end of this post.

Today I would like to share with you this card that features the January Stamp of the Month Beloved Bouquet available exclusively throughout January for $33 or for just $10 when you spend $75.

I knew there would be lots of gorgeous floral cards and layouts created with this set, so I wanted to do something a bit different. I found the adorable Scottie Dog card in the Artfully Sent carrtdige, which paired perfectly with the Thinking of You sentiment in the stamp set.

I stuck with a simple black, pink and white colour scheme, stamping the sentiment with White Daisy Pigment Ink to stand out.



The card then folds out to reveal a panel perfect for sending a special message to a loved one.



You could add a few other touches to this card, but I love to let the Scottie dog take centre stage!

Beloved Bouquet is only available until the 31st January from your CTMH consultant.

I'd love you to leave a comment before heading off to the next stop, Kara's Blog.

CTMH supplies used:
Cardstock: Black, Pixie
Cricut: Artfully Sent Cartridge
Ink: White Daisy
Stamp set: Beloved Bouquet

Life is a Highway

Continuing with this month's theme of Life Is..., we are celebrating Life Is A Highway this week at Heart 2 Heart challenges.

I have always wanted a yellow car, and so I created this card that appeals to my wishes!



The car was cut from the Cricut and then I stamped the lady behind the wheel using a hostess stamp set, which you can get at a cheaper price this month with the CTMH July special.

I then stamped a tree in the background to give some depth and movement to the card, and added some glitter to the headlights for that extra sparkle. I can definitely see myself behind the wheel!

We would love to see your interpretation of this week's challenge, join in with us at H2H!

CTMH supplies used:
Cardstock: Black, Canary, Desert Sand, White Daisy
Cricut Cartridge: Artfully Sent
Ink: Black
Stamp sets: Always Grateful, Better With A Friend (Hostess), Fast and Furious

Midwinter Christmas Crafting- Gift Bags

It is always fun to have gift bags on hand, and with the help of the Cricut I have created three gift bags for my last Midwinter Christmas crafting feature.



The first bag uses the Snowhaven paper with a cranberry cut sentiment from the Artiste cartridge.



The second bag uses a leftover card from the Holiday Happenings Assortment, which I then paired with a Love & Joy banner from the Artfully Sent cartridge cut on Crystal Blue cardstock. Remember that this month if you purchase the Holiday Happenings Assortment with the My Crush Holiday Happenings Book, you receive a free stamp set!



Lastly, I cut an overlay from the Artbooking cartridge using Ruby cardstock and placed this over some of the retired Sparkle and Shine paper.



Three easy and cute gift bags, perfect for Christmas presents!

Pop-Up Card fun with Artfully Sent

My son recently wanted to make a birthday card for his cousins, who both have birthdays on the same day but are from two different families. A boy card and a girl card were requested, and my 5 year old set to work looking through the Artfully Sent designs to create two cards.

The first one we created for my niece using the pop-up cupcake card. This is the front- the cupcakes were cut from Artfully Sent and the sentiment was stamped from an old Stamp of the Month.



The inside features three more cupcakes that pop up, plus a fun sentiment!



For the second one we got a bit more technical. We liked the alien, rocket and astronaut but not the sentiment featured on the pop up card, so we decided to use the pop ups but add something different to the front.



We cut the rocket sentiment at the same size as the pop up card and cut it down to fit the front of the card.



Here are the pop ups inside!



These are so cute- we cut them in three different colours but you could easily use the same colour.



These cards were so quick and easy to make, even my 5 year old could do them! I love that Artfully Sent provides you with all of the tools you need to make cards with the wow factor.