Multi purpose card

Hi!

I think the best thing to do to close out this year is to make the perfect card. And just what makes it the perfect card?

Well, it would have to cover several different occasions.

and a close up of the sentiment

Of course, the problem with the perfect card is that the sentiment stamp is a pain to stamp with. Not only because of it's size, but also because of how well it takes the ink.

So, I guess there's not really a perfect card. But, if there was it would be this one.

For the sketch on today's card I used Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #36.

If you have a chance to play along with us over at AHSC. We'd love to see what you create.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Love at Christmas

Hi!

I hope y'all are having a wonderful December.

Today's card is a reminder of what truly matters at this time of the year.

For today's card I used the AHSC Sketch 34.

Also, they are doing a design team call at this time. Some of the lovely ladies on the team will be leaving in January. So if you've ever wanted to be on a design team this is your chance to try out.

Stamps: Unity Love in the Room at Christmas
Ink: Tombow ABT
Accessories: QuicKutz Deck the Halls Tree

If you have a chance to play along with us at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. We'd love to see what you create. And don't forget that if you do play along with us, please mention that Mary Ellen sent you.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Berry Snowflake

Hi!

Can you believe it's December already?!? Neither can I.

I'm so not ready for Christmas, finals, or my birthday. The year has gone by so quickly.

I guess that's what happens when you get older. The years pass by quicker and quicker.

This week begins a new Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, sketch #32 to be exact.

Today's sketch has so many possibilities.

This is where inspiration took me.

Paper: CTMH White Daisy, SEI Berry Melody
Paper Size: A2
Accessories: Spellbinders Shapeabilities Create-a-Flake Four, Buttons Galore and More Grab Bag

As you can see I omitted the sentiment and turned the straight cut into a ribbon banner cut. But, I definitely stayed true to the sketch.

What do you think?

If you have a chance this week to play along with us over at AHSC, we'd love to see what this sketch inspires you to create. And if you do have a chance to play along this week be sure to let them know that Mary Ellen sent you.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Spirit of Christmas

Hi!

Today starts a new week of challenges over at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.

This is sketch 30:

I was inspired to create this winter-y Christmas card.

Stamps: CTMH Merry & Bright
Paper: CTMH White Daisy, Heidi Grace Designs Tweet Memories
Paper Size: A2
Ink: VersaMark
Accessories: Memory Depot Silver embossing powder, Spellbinders Shapeabilities Create-A-Flake Four, Waste Not Paper Satin Ribbon Silver

What do you think of it?

This card could have also used a general winter sentiment.

It seems that this year as I've been making Christmas and winter cards I like glitter. It's not something I use very often because I usually do cards for Operation Write Home.

I think that the holidays just need something that sparkles and to me that means glitter.

Do you notice that you use different products when you make holiday cards?

I hope you have a chance to play along with this week's sketch over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. We'd love to see what you create. Be sure to let them know that Mary sent you.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Beauty all Around

Hi!

Today my team gets to share with y'all what we have made with AHSC Sketch #28.

Here is the sketch:

And this is what I've done with it.

Stamps: CTMH Home Sweet Home
Paper: CTMH White Daisy cardstock, Love, Elsie Roxie Bands
Paper Size: A2
Ink: CTMH Archival Black
Accessories: Spellbinders Shapeabilities Foliage Two, SU! Boho Blossoms

I'm also entering this card into the HYCCT1331C Challenge. Which was to create a black and white card, with just a pop of one of the colors listed below - indicating your "team" for Breaking Bad. Which happens to be one of me and my husband's favorite TV shows.

The team I picked was Team Holly, because she really is the only innocent one in that whole crazy series. And the one that all the other characters, well except for Pinkman say they want to protect. But if you've seen the show you know even Pinkman would want to save her too, because he totally loves kids.

We would love it if you would participate with us on AHSC. If you do let them know that Mary sent you. As we're having a contest to see how many people we can refer to the challenge blog.

Also, if you'd like to participate in the HYCCT challenges on SCS. There's still time, the deadline is November 7th. As someone who has had several family members battle with cancer, I know any card you could make would greatly help to brighten up the patients day.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Color me blue

Hi!

It's Monday and that means it's time for a new sketch over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.

This week's sketch is

Which I thought was a rather lovely sketch. And unlike my normal of totally switching the sketch up. I think for me I went pretty much as close to the sketch as I could.

Here is my creation:

Stamps: My Mind's Eye - The Sweetest Thing - Tangerine CollectionInk: CTMH ChocolateAccessories: CTMH Tan Twill Ribbon, Sizzix/SU! Sizzlits Large Delicate Doilies, Cuttlebug Honeycomb

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

My friend

Hi!

Welcome to a new week and a challenge over at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.

Can you believe it's already October?

If you are on SplitCoastStampers I hope you are playing along with their HYCCT (Hope You Can Cling To) challenges. I certainly am trying to.

You see for me the C word (Cancer) is something really personal in both my life and my hubby's life. As both my mom and his dad are survivors. We know we are blessed to have them in our lives and that they were able to beat cancer.

And for me that 's why I play along in the HYCCT challenges.

So this week I encourage you to play along on SCS and maybe if you have a chance you could use our sketch for one of your cards.

Plus, there will be prize drawings on SCS for the HYCCT participants. Last year, when I played along I won some fun stamp sets from Taylored Expressions.

Stamps: CTMH For a Friend
Paper: CTMH White Daisy
Ink: CTMH Archival Black
Accessories: Spellbinders Shapeabilities Foliage Two, Cuttlebug Birds and Swirls

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

AHSC Sketch 22

Hi!

Today is the start of a new week and that means a new sketch over on the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog.

This is today's wonderful sketch over at AHSC.

And here is my interpretation of it

Stamps: CTMH Perfect Fit - Holidays Holiday
Paper: SU! Festival of Prints
Ink: CTMH Archival Black
Accessories: CM Circle Shapemaker, QuicKutz Ginger Boy, Deck the Halls Tree, Regency Baker's Twine, Buttons Galore and More Grab Bag

As you can see I went a little overboard with the circles. But that's the fun of doing a sketch challenge. As long as you can tell that the sketch was used you can go a little crazy with it.

Also I've been trying to come up with Christmas card ideas and ways to use more of that designer paper I have. Trust me, it's definitely more than some people have. And rather then being afraid of using it or having it so long that it's out of style. I figure I may as well try to use it.

So what do you think. Do you like my take on today's sketch?

Do you have a stack of designer paper that you need to go through?

What do you do with the designer paper that you're tired of or that is too old?

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

1 Corinthians 13:8

Hi!

What with school starting in ten days for me. And juggling three design teams I'm trying to get caught up before I get bogged down with exams and holidays. Plus, for me it's been almost eleven years since I've been a student so I want to be sure to fulfill all my commitments.

I will try my best to continue to bring the same great content y'all have come to expect from my blog.

Today, I'm so happy to be able to share with y'all this weeks wonderful sketch from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.

Here is the sketch, which was created by Anna-Carin.

The minute I saw this sketch the idea of quilts came to mind. As you can tell by my version of this design.

Paper: My Mind's Eye Quilting Bee
Ink: CTMH Archival Black
Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Inverted Scalloped Square SM, Square Swatches

As I was working on this card I had a couple of errors happen. And with all that's going on in my life I just felt as though this was not just the best sentiment for this card but for this portion of my life at this time.

I'm not saying that my life is any more or less need of God's love. Compared to last year things are looking really bright and cheerful. Just a bit busier then normal. But that's a good thing I think.

I hope y'all are doing well and that God is shining his love down upon you.

Happy crafting,
M.E.

Pop of birthday wishes

Hi!

It's Monday and that means it's time for a new sketch challenge over at A.H.S.C.

You can always incorporate these sketches in several different ways:

• you could do a canvas piece with it
• a page layout 
• a card
• or a 3D project

Here is where I was inspired to take this sketch.

Stamps: TAC Trendy GreetingsPaper: CTMH White DaisyInk: CTMH Archival BlackAccessories: MS Monarch Butterfly, SU! Bird Builder, The Paper Studio Intricate Swirl

If you have a chance to play along with this sketch this week. We'd love to see your creation.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Home with you

Hi!

Yay! My dear hubby is FINALLY home. He's been in China for a month.

So this card truly does express how I feel about him.

This was the longest business trip he's taken in the eleven years we've been married. And I certainly hope that he doesn't have to go on any for a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG time.

I created this card using Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #15 as inspiration.

Of course, being that it's my card I couldn't just limit myself to the sketch. To me it just felt like it needed something more.

Stamps: CTMH Home Sweet Home
Paper: My Mind's Eye On The Bright Side Two
Ink: CTMH White Daisy
Accessories: Spellbinders Media Mixage Houses One, White Detail embossing powder, CM Corner rounder

What do you think of my card?

Do you or your significant other spend a lot of time apart?

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

P.S. The embossing on this card was done using white detail embossing powder I got from my MIL. I've got so many of my cardstock, embellishments, and embossing powders from her store.

Thank goodness I've got my CTMH shop. Otherwise I don't know what I'd do.

Enjoy the ride

Hi!

It's Monday and that means it's time for a new sketch challenge over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.

This is Challenge #14's sketch.

And as always I put my own spin on it.

Stamps: CTMH It's Your Day, My Sunshine
Paper: CTMH Dream Pop paper pack, White Daisy cardstock
Ink: Dylusions ink spray Vibrant Turquoise, CTMH Cotton Candy, Archival Black
Accessories: MFT Stamps Die-namics Flat Bottom Clouds
Techniques: masking

I've been really enjoying doing paint techniques on my cards lately. Are there any new techniques you've been doing lately? Or ones that are you're favorite stand by techniques?

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

E.T.A. I'm adding an additional challenge for this post as I'm going to enter this card into the Moxie Fab World: The Trendy Triangles challenge.

I think that the triangles on the patterned paper create more of a dramatic emphasis to the sentiment and stamped image on this card.

Thinking of You

Hi!

It's Monday and you know what that means another card based off today's sketch over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.

By now you can tell that I do my own spin on the sketches and today is no different.

This is today's sketch

I wanted to play around with negative space and still have fun with this sketch.

Stamps: Hero Arts Everyday Messages
Paper: CTMH Clementine Paper Pack
Ink: CTMH Archival Black
Accessories: SU! Scallop Edge Border Punch, Spring Flower Bouquet punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, MS 3-in-1 butterfly

So what do you think?

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

For love of butterflies

Hi!

Today's card is for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #12.

This is the original sketch:

And this is my spin on it.

Paper: CTMH For Always paper packet
Accessories: MS Monarch Butterfly, Sizzix/SU! Sizzlits Large Delicate Doilies

What do you think? I know I didn't leave a sentiment on the card but I was trying to go for a good general card.

This ribbon is from my stash. I saved it from last Christmas I believe it came as wrapping to my winter pajama set. And the butterfly is punched out of book paper.

For a while I've been on a kick to start saving recyclable materials that can I can be utilizing in my craft stash. Do you keep recyclable supplies in your craft stash?

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Live the sweet life

Hi!

Today is starts off with the wonderful Sketch #11 from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog.

Isn't this a lovely sketch.

Of course, I had to put my own spin on it.

Stamps: CTMH Sweet Life
Paper: CTMH Clementine paper pack
Ink: CTMH Chocolate
Accessories: SU! Bird Builder punch

What do you think?

I know the stitching isn't spaced just right. But this is actually the first time I've used my sewing machine on a card. And it's also the second project I've ever done on my machine. So given that I don't think it's too shabby. Although, I was going for the shabby chic look. ;)

The sentiment stamp I used is from the CTMH Stamp of the Month set for July called Sweet Life. It retails for $17.95, but with a qualifying order of $50 you can get it for the low price of $5.

There are some great deals going on right now that will help you get to a $50.

Such as a couple of stamp sets that are fundraiser stamps. Like the Thank You stamp from the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book is available for early purchase. One hundred percent of profits from sales of this stamp set from May 23 to June 30 will be donated to the American Red Cross to aid tornado victims in Oklahoma.

And the stamp patriotic stamp sets that are available only from June 1 to July 31, 2013! As a show of our support, Close To My Heart will donate $3 from each B-size My Acrylix® Courage stamp set and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix® Home of the Brave stamp set to the USO, the leading, most recognized military-support and services organization in the United States, or $3 from each B-size My Acrylix® Courage stamp set and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix® Strong and Free stamp set to the Canadian Hero Fund, which supports spouses and children of fallen Canadian military troops by providing post-secondary education in Canada. Show your support today—stamp style!

Also, right now, there is an awesome deal on the Workshop on the Go - Canvas Art Kit. It is 50% off with no minimum purchase required to receive that deal. This kit normally retails for $39.95 but right now you can get it for $19.95.

Oh, as an advance notice to y'all I will be participating in a blog hop this weekend featuring the Sweet Life stamp set that I used on my card today.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Patriotic Thank you

Hi!

Can you believe the Fourth of July is next week?!?

Neither can I.

So in honor of the Fourth of July and our troops I decided to create this card. I will probably send it off as an Any Hero card with my next shipment of cards to OWH. 

This card was inspired by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge for this week. Oh BTW I wanted to apologize for the last two posts I wrote using sketches from them. They were cards I created from their sketches but I just realized that the cards and sketches posted on the wrong dates. Which means that my #7 & 8 cards were to be posted in reverse order. That'll teach me to write my posts early. Live and learn.

Today's card does match up with this week's sketch though. It's Sketch #9.

This one was a tough one for me. I'm not very good at being straight on my cards and there are a lot of straight lines required for this sketch. 

So please forgive my non-linear lines. I do hope you like it though. ;)

Stamps: CTMH Courage

Ink: CTMH Archival Black

Stamps: CTMH Courage

Ink: CTMH Archival Black

Oh, if you're interested in the sentiment stamp it's from the CTMH Courage stamp set. And when you order this set $3 will be donated to the USO Fund!

Happy crafting, 

M.E.

Live a happy life

Hi!

So today marks the end of my vacation. It was a wonderful trip.

My DH scheduled a couples massage for us the first day of our trip. We got to spend time with his niece and nephew and his middle sister. (SHH! She happens to be my favorite, but don't tell anyone. I'm fortunate to have five wonderful SILs in DH's family.)

DH's and I also had a lot of adventures on our trip. Hopefully, I've been able to share them with y'all. If not I promise to do so ASAP.

Can you tell I wrote this post before my trip too.

Today also happens to be the day that the 8th sketch is revealed over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.

And that wonderful sketch has inspired this card:

Stamps: CTMH Chantilly Scrapbooking Workshop stamp set, Merry & Bright Holiday stamp set
Paper: CTMH Chantilly Paper Packet, Colonial White
Ink: CTMH Cotton Candy, Archival Black
Accessories: CM Circle Shapemaker, Cuttlebug Honeycomb embossing folder, QuicKutz Daisy

If you have a chance this week stop by and pay the DT a visit over at  the Atlantic Hearts blog.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Merci For Always

Hi!

I hope y'all had a great weekend.

Right now I'm somewhere in either New Mexico or Arizona. You see I'm not really the trip planner. Nope, that's my DH's job. And even if my sense of direction weren't terrible. I actually wrote and scheduled this post before my trip.

Did you know that today is the 7th challenge over at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge?

If you haven't already you should definitely check out this fun sketch blog.

Today is the day that the sketch is revealed, and Wednesday is the day that the DT's projects are revealed on the blog. That way you have a couple of days to come up with your own inspiration based on the sketch.

I'm sure you're not just here to read about my vacation. So I will share today's card with you.

Stamps: SU! Merci stamp set
Paper: CTMH For Always Paper Packet, The Paper Company Black Cardstock
Ink: CTMH Archival Black
Accessories: Regency Bakers Twine, SU! Modern Label punch, Bird Builder punch, Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Circles

Don't forget to stop by the Atlantic Hearts blog. We'd love to see what you create.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Happy cloudy day

Hi!

Today is the sixth challenge over at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog.

This is a super fun blog with some wonderful sketches. And I'm not just saying that.

You see I love sketch blogs but so many of the ones that I used to visit have stopped blogging.

Which is why I'm so happy that the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge was started.

My card today reflects some of my classic standby loves and some new loves to.

Stamps: CTMH It's Your Day set
Paper: CTMH White Daisy, scraps
Ink: CTMH Cotton Candy
Accessories: SU! Cloudy Day embossing folder, Martha Stewart Monarch butterfly punch, 3-in-1 butterfly punch

You should definitely stop by and check out this fun sketch and the DT creations.

We'd love to see what you create with this sketch whether it be a card, page layout, or 3D project.

So stop on by and pay us a visit at the Atlantic Hearts blog.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Hello Mr. Robot-o

Hi!

I had a lot of fun with this week's sketch over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. 

The sketch was really cute. But as you can tell sometimes I have a problem going 100% off the sketch.

I just have to make each card my own.

However, I do try to keep within the concept of the original sketch.

What do you think?

This card may be given to my DH as his loves after me are electronics and design.

Stamps: TAC Robots
Paper: CTMH White Daisy, Later Sk8r Paper Packet
Ink: CTMH Archival Black, Sharpies, Tombow ABT
Accessories: Spellbinders Shapeabilities Sprightly Sprockets

If you have a chance to play with us over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. We'd love to see what you create based off the sketch.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.