Soft and Pastel!

Just a quick post showing the project I am submitting to the Color Dare Soft and Pastel Challenge and the Double Trouble Challenge. I used foiling supplies from Gina K.  The cardstock, Glitter Paper and Shimmer Trim are all from Close to My Heart.  Becuase the foil likes to reflect whatever is around it, it was difficult to show the pinks that I used.  Trust me...it is pastel and very pretty.

I hope you are enjoying the holidays...Happy New Year!

Sue

Season's Greetings

This is the last challenge from Heart 2 Heart before Christmas.  It is also most likely my last blog post before then.  So here is my Christmas card for you

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Other than the twine, I used  CTMH product.  I was inspired by a card from the Boutique Workshop Your Way found on page 35 of the 2018 Holiday Expressions.

For more Holiday inspiration, please visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges.

Merry Christmas to all of you.  May you have a joyous Holiday season with family and friends.

As ever,
Sue

Photo Inspiration!

This week at Heart 2 Heart, we are challenging you to use this photo as inspiration for a card or other paper project. Maybe you will be inspired by the subject, maybe it is the colors (suggested: Charcoal, Heather, Glacier, New England Ivy) or maybe it is something else.

And here is my card which utilizes the colors and the pine boughs from the inspiraton picture:

This actually is two cards in one...here are a couple pictures that I hope shows this:

This is a not a difficult card to make, but it is a little of a mind trick to make the top card essentially backwards.  To help you, here is a link from the designer, Dawn Griffith:  Double Flap Fun Fold Card.  This YouTube gives all the measurements and directions.  If you love cards with folds, Dawn is the girl!

For more inspirational projects, please visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges Photo Inspiration  You will love what you see!

While we are all busy getting ready for Christmas, I hope you are finding time to craft once in awhile. It can be relaxing, but most of all, it can bring you joy...and we all need more of that!

Talk with you soon,

Sue

Grateful Heart

I love this time of year when we become mindful of our gratitude for the blessings we have received.  I think it is therefore appropriate that we celebrate this gratitude with our Heart 2 Heart Challenge.  Here is the card I created using the Grateful Heart paper set and the Grateful Heart--Cardmaking stamp set.

Design credit to Mojo Monday

The stamp set included the words Thankful, Grateful and Blessed. Having no where else to include them, I used Saffron ink to stamp tone on tone on the Saffron patterned paper. This is a technique I sometimes use to add interest and texture to my project. The butterfly was colored with Shinhan alcohol based markers.

Please visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges Thankful Heart for more inspiration.  I have also entered this card in the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge.

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving,

Sue

Inspired by Nature

The theme this week at Heart 2 Heart is Inspired by Nature. Other than a few years, we have always had a "real" Christmas tree.  We had a favorite tree farm nearby, where sometimes we cut our own and sometimes were lucky enough to find a suitable tree on the lot.

This year, the family that owns the farm decided to close down the tree business.  We have made the decision to purchase an artificial tree, but there are things we will miss...or maybe not!   I will miss the family trips with the grandkids and hauling our trees home in the pick-up.  I definitely will miss the scent of the tree, but I will not miss getting stuck by needles while placing the ornaments. I will not miss trimming the trunk to get the tree to fit in the stand or my husband's colorful language while doing so.  I will not miss the daily watering of the tree or the needles stuck in my carpet.  So OK...I am thinking the artificial tree is going to be alright!

But back to being inspired by nature in our papercrafting.  For my project, I decided to celebrate our Christmas tree memories.  I turned to the PML cards from the 'Tis the Season paper pack.  I love the evergreen bough and the background paper spread with tiny evergreen branches...a reminder of my love of the "real" tree.  I used Candy Apple and New England Ivy cardstock. The background paper was accented by a "stitched" dye from the Decorative Borders die set (Z4241). The sentiment was stamped with a retired CTMH stamp. I accented the ribbon and berries with the clear Shimmer Pen and added bling with clear Sparkles and Bitty Sparkles.

Be sure to visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges for more inspiration from nature.  We will love to have you visit and hope you will link your project too!

Talk with you soon,
Sue

Glitter Glam!

It is always fun to add bling to a craft project, and this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is encouraging you to do just that.  For my project, I chose to use non traditional papers to create this festive Christmas card.

Design inspiration from CTMH 2018 Holiday Espressions page 62

I used patterned paper from the 'Tis the Season and Seasons Mix-in packs as well as White Daisy and Peach cardstock.  The gems are acutally more peachy than the photo shows and are are retired, but Clear Sparkles would also be beautiful.  The snowflake was cut on the Cricut from Silver Glitter Paper from CTMH. Stamping was done with the 'Tis the Seaseon--Cardmaking set C1737.  The sentiment was heat embossed with silver embossing powder.

Be sure to check out Heart 2 Heart Challenges Glittler and Glam to see projects from the design team.  We will love it if you also link your creation...just remember to use one CTMH product.

Glad you stopped by today...talk with you soon.

Hello Pumpkin!

This will be a quick post. I discovered I needed one more Halloween card, so I made one that will meet the requirements for the Color my Heart Color Dare Challenge.  And since I based it on the sketch used this week at Heart 2 Heart, I will link it there also.

Design credit to Close to My Heart

I used Lagoon, Nectarine, Clover, White Daisy and Black cardstock and the Hello Pumpkin paper packet and stamp set.

This card is actually based on a scrapbook sketch and you can see it here on the Make it from Your Heart blog.  For for more inspiring artwork, visit Heart to Heart Challenges and Color my Heart Color Dare Challenges.

Enjoy,

Sue

Holiday Expressions Inspiration!

This week Heart 2 Heart is creating projects that use products from the 2018 Holiday Expression book. This catalog and idea book features paper and stamps for fall and the winter holidays, plus a really pretty all purpose paper set called Boutique. Below is the cover of this book.  Click on the link below to see all the wonderfulness inside!

2018 Holiday Expressions

Now, with all that being said, I want to share the project that I have done.  I chose to use the Boutique paper packet to create a layout about my granddaughter's 16th birthday.

Design credit to Serendipity Sketch July 2015 - Scrapbook.com

In addition, I used Linen cardstock for the background, Charcoal for the mats and the lovely new Peach cardstock for the strip behind the pictures on the bottom.  I hand stitched the banner and accented it with embellishments that coordinate with the Boutique set.  That was a little bit of challenge and if you look close you may see a couple extra holes (oops), but overall, I am pleased with the layout.

To see more great projects, please visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges Holiday Expressions.   And remember, any order on my website Sue Bruch--Close to My Heart Independent Consultant will get you a free catalog full of wonderful products and ideas for your paper crafting.

Thanks for visting my blog...I am glad you stopped by.

Sue

Fall Color Challenge!

This week, we at Heart 2 Heart were given the challenge of creating a project using these gorgeous fall colors;

At first, I thought I might try to emulate the picture by sponging my cardstock with the last four inks and then stamping with black.  It might have worked and maybe I'll give it a go sometime, but for today, I took a safer route and used the colors in creating a somewhat adult Halloween card for my teenage granddaughter.

The card was created with Close to My Heart products.  The only exception are the red sequins.  While I do love the self adhesive sequins CTMH offers, I chose these red ones from my stash becuase they really bring out the Ruby I used as mats and the dots on the pumpkin.  They were attached with Liquid Glass.  I should also mention that the die used to cut the stitched rectangle is from my stash.

The background paper is from the Hello Pumpkin paper packet.  Take a look at my most recent post for a picture.  The Mink banner is a paper from the Seasons Mix-In set. The pumpkin and the sentiment are from the Hello Pumpkin Cardmaking and Thin Cuts set. (Z4239)  Isn't this set just the cutest? While I didn't use it, I think the little cat face will be just darling on a pumpkin! This stamp set is also available without the dies.

I really love color challenges and I hope you too will be inspired to create a project using at least one Close to My Heart product and then link it to the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog  You don't need a blog.  You can also link by copying and pasting the URL from a Facebook post or Pinterest post.  Questions?  Contact me...I can help.

Happy Fall,

Sue

Sweet Treats

Everyone likes some sweets once in awhile, right?  Right!  At Heart 2 Heart Challenges we are creating projects showcasing a variety of sweet treats.

For my project, I decided to make this very cute treat holder.

This card has lots of surprises.  Not only is there a pocket for a treat, there is a pocket in the back for the sentiment card.

And for the biggest surprise...a brown paper lunch bag is the base for all this cuteness!

At the end of this post, I will give you a link to a tutorial for making this treat holder/card.

I used Close to My Heart products including:

• Just Treats--the September Stamp of the Month available through the end of the month (only $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase or $18.95 on its own)
• Hello Pumpkin--one of the paper suites in the Holiday Expressions Catalog
• White Daisy and Lagoon cardstock
• Memento Black, Lagoon and the new Nectarine ink pads
• Circle and Stitched Circle thin cut dies.
• The Happy Halloween is a retired stamp
  
  
  
  

Design credit goes to Anita Madden and here is the promised link to her tutorial:
http://atsblog.typepad.com/ats/2013/04/design-team-make-it-monday-lunch-bag-card.html

I hope you enjoy this project and will visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges Sweet Treats for more "Sweet" inspiration!

Talk with you soon,
Sue

Banner Day (revisited)!

Banners are so versatile and can add so much to your project.  So it is a good thing that Heart 2 Heart is revisiting this theme and offering you even more ways to use this popular design feature.  My card uses three banners in various coordinating patterned papers as part of the background. This card also features the new Shaker Window Kit from CTMH.

Design credit to KGiron, Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge

Other than the sequins, all the products used are from Close to My Heart.  

Papers:  Boutique paper packet, Seasonal Mix-Ins, White Daisy and Charcoal cardstocks

Stamps:  My Type of Note B1631

Dies:  Thin Cuts--Shaker Window and Confetti Z4309

Shaker Window Foam and Acetate. Z4310

There are also sequins available, but I forgot to order them!

This card is much busier than I usually create--kind of makes me uncomfortable (Lol!).  What I do really like is the beautiful Boutique paper packet.  So soft and feminine!  I am also excited about the Shaker kits...be looking for more projects using this new product!

Make sure to visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges for more banner inspiration.

Talk with you soon!

Sue

Cuteness Overload!

I can hardly wait to see the projects that are submitted for this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge, Cuteness Overload.  For my project, I decided on making this slider card. The cuteness of this card is the design itself and the sliding mechanism that exposes more of the sentiment.

The technique for this slider card was taught to me by my friend and upline, Pam.  She, in turn, was inspired by this YouTube tutorial from Dawn Griffith:  Slider Birthday Card

All the supplies for my card are from Close to My Heart.  This patterned paper is from the retired Stargazer packet.  The last I looked, there was still some bulk paper (12 sheets of the same double-sided paper) left in the Clearance section on my website.

Do any of you use a Cricut and its Design Space?  Well, after I studied the card that I completed at Pam's, I decided that it was all done with basic shapes and that I could probably design a cutting file. Yay...it worked!  I do want to share the file with you, but keep in mind that I have never done that before, so here's hoping it works!  Here goes...Slider Card cutting file.  Remember, you do need to be logged in to Design Space for this file to work.

The assembly instructions will be the same as on the tutorial, except, of course, you will skip punching and cutting the opening on the front.  For questions, feel free to contact me.

I hope you enjoy this fun project and that you will visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges Cuteness Overboard for more "cute" ideas.

Happy Crafting,
Sue

Heavy Metal!

Being the literal person that I am, I decided to interpret this week's theme for just what it is...metal.  I used gold and silver foil papers from CTMH as the foundation of this masculine card.

Sketch inspiration from Mojo Monday (how I miss that challenge)

Also used were Peacock, Black and White Daisy cardstock and patterned paper from my stash.  I cut the gears from files on the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge. The embossing was done with a folder borrowed from a friend.  The sentiment was from the Holiday Tags stamp set--long retired.

Planning this card took the most time.  Because it is hard to come up with masculine ideas and because I tend to be last minute, I went ahead and cut extra gears and embossed extra backgrounds.  Now it will be fast and easy to duplicate this card when I am faced with a "I need a card right now" moment!

I hope you are inspired to create your "metal" card.  Maybe you will do as I did or maybe you are a child of the 80's-90's and will be inspired to create with guitars and music notes. For even more inspiration, be sure to visit Heart 2 heart Challenges Heavy Metal. The beauty of all this is there is no wrong or right...just create and enjoy what you have done.

Talk with you soon--
Sue

Duly Noted!

What so you think of when you see the phrase "Duly Noted"?  The design team at Heart 2 Heart was a little stumped over this week's theme also, but then came up with some great suggestions.  One was to use the Documented paper line in the Seasonal Expressions 2 catalog while other ideas were to use Cricut cuts of notebook paper, create mini books or maybe journal covers.  Perhaps the most original idea was to use musical notes in a creation.

Along about that time Close to My Heart published an article titled "Telling Your Story in Lists".  You can read this article here.  It was suggested by a team member that this journaling idea may be appropriate for our theme, so that is what I went with.

Design credit to CTMH--Make it from Your Heart, Vol 3

I carried out my Noted theme in a couple ways.  First, I did my journaling by creating a list of some of my granddaughter's activites during her second year in FFA.  Secondly, I used several of the words from the Documented--Scrapbooking stamp set to create the gold patterned paper in the middle of the page.  This was done by positioning all the selected stamps on a block and stamping repeatedly on a retired patterned paper from CTMH.

Documented--Scrapbooking D1772

Other supplies used were:

• Toffee cardstock (note both the light and dark sides were used)
• Sapphire cardstock
• Retired Honey Fundamental papers
• FFA specialty paper from my stash
• Retired Stargazer enamel dots

I hope you are inspired to create a "Noteworthy" project and then share it with us at Heart 2 Heart!

Till later,

Sue

Color Dare #302

It has been awhile since I submitted a project to Color Dare.  I recently purchased some new dies and being anxious to try them, decided to give it another go. The colors for this challenge are Mink, Bashful and Glacier.

I used both sides of the Mink and Bashful to create some contrast.  The dies I used are from Papertrey Ink and My Favorite Things.  I considered adding a banner for a sentiment, but decided I liked the card just like this.  I did add a Happy Birthday sentiment in the middle. There are also a few Bitty Sparkles scattered around the flower.

Just for fun, here is another card showing a few of the other die cuts in the kit.  I also added a Sorbet flower.

Hope you are inspired by these color combinations.  For more inspiration, be sure to visit Color Dare #302.

Christmas in July!

This week Heart 2 Heart is celebrating Christmas in July.  To add to the festivities, we are joining the  group, Double Trouble in a joint challenge. So here are the details...

For the Heart 2 Heart challenge, the instructions are simple...create a project with a Christmas theme.  For this challenge, you may use any products available to you.  There is no need to use Close to my Heart products.

For the Double Trouble challenge, the instructions are a little more detailed, but also more fun:

WELCOME to Challenge #5 - And Let Our Trouble Begin THING 1 Trouble Maker is making her list, checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty and nice. Won't you play along as Christmas comes early and join us for our challenge "Christmas Only" with a sentiment or journaling.

THING 3 Twisted Sister
says don't get your tinsel in a tangle, add the twist of a fun and fancy fold. Look to Pinterest, You Tube and even Google for lots of ideas. This is optional. 
If you link up to Heart2Heart you get an additional chance for the Double Trouble Random draw

THING 2 Double Dare 
dares you to link up your creation to Heart2Heart for "Christmas in July" theme. This theme is open from Monday, July 16th through Sunday, July 31st. 
Heart2Heart (for this theme only) has allowed you to enter this challenge and if you don't have a CTMH product don't worry about it... You are welcome to use any products.

So here is what I created for you:

I was able to meet Twisted Sister's challenge of creating a card with folds..I hope these pictures show this well enough.

Here is another example:

I want to give credit where credit is due, so here is the link to the tutorial for making this card:  Dawn's Stamping Thoughts.  I did use Close to My Heart Products for my cards, but remember...for this challenge, it is not necessary.  Of interest, is the sentiment on the first card.  A couple friends and I traveled to a shop in Iowa last week and took a class in foiling.  This is an example of that process...so much fun!

So with all this being said, I  invite you to create a Christmas project using folds and link it to one or both of these challenges:Heart 2 Heart Christmas in July and Double Trouble Christmas Only  You have until July 31st to do so.  By entering both, you will be eligible for Double Trouble's random drawing!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas...in July!
Sue

Super Heros!

So who is your Super Hero?  This week at Heart 2 Heart Challenges, we are giving you a chance to celebrate that person with a card, layout, or other project.  I have a grandson with a birthday coming up, so I created a card for him.

Design credit to Close to My Heart

The supplies for this card are from Close to My Heart. The patterned papers are from the Stargazer packet.  I also used Cranberry and retired Honey cardstock.  The very cute "Super Hero" is a print and cut from Cricut Design Space and the title was a cut from the Artiste cartridge. The stars are retired CTMH.

It is time for a little self criticism. Now that the card is all done, I wish I had used one of our abstract paint splatter type stamps with some Mink or second generations Heather to add some interest to the background...it just looks too white!  However, the card is cute and will show our grandson just how special he is.

I hope you be inspired by this and the other projects at Heart 2 Heart to create a salute to your own Super Hero!

Happy Crafting,
Sue

Copycat!

Remember a couple weeks ago I confessed to almost copying a card project from CTMH and then saying it was OK?  Well, this week at Heart 2 Heart, we are doing just that!  The challenge is to copy something from the Seasonal Expressions 2 book, only doing so with a personal twist.  After studying the book for a special project, I decided on a layout kind of hidden on page 5.

I followed the basic layout even using the Sapphire polka dot from the Beautiful Friendship packet.  From there, it was all twist!  The FFA paper and the background paper (retired Basics Fundamentals) are from my stash.  The scalloped border was cut with the Scalloped Border die (CTMH) and retired Honey cardstock.  The "notebook" paper was punched with a tool from my arsenal.  The title was cut on the Cricut from a Flower Market file (CTMH) and Cranberry cardstock.  As I have done in the past, I used a screenshot of a Facebook post for my photo/journaling block.  These screenshots often tell the entire story of the layout and eliminate the need for journaling. Embellishments are from the Stargazer Enamel Dots set.

This was a fun layout and it actually went together in about a half hour. 

When your creativity has gone south or you just need some fresh ideas, I invite you to find a project that pleases you, take a look at your supplies and tools, and copy away...giving it your own twist!

Thank you for visiting my blog today! For more "copycat" fun, please visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges.

Sue 

Fresh Air!

This month at CTMH the featured paper packet is Fresh Air and I just love it.  Not only is it perfect for cards as shown in this post, but I can hardly wait to use it on layouts that document the New England trip we have planned for later this summer.  So here are cards for your inspiration:

Design credit to Michelle Loncar

 The following two cards are from the Fresh Air Make It Your Way Cardmaking Kit:

Design credit to CTMH

The papers I used for the cards are just a few of the beautiful papers in the packet.  I think you will love both them and the coordinating stamp sets shown with them.  They can be found in the 2018 Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Book and catalog which can be viewed on my website.

 Please contact me for more information or to request a copy of the Idea Book.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Sue

Banner Day!

Our Heart 2 Heart theme this week is Banner Day.  I chose to document our grandson's graduation which was certainly a banner day.  I then chose to use banners to embellish my layout.  I used Sapphire cardstock and Gold Foil Paper.  The polka dot background paper is from the Basics Fundamental pack and the striped paper is retired.

So if you are documenting a banner day or just want to decorate a card or layout with banners, please visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges Banner Day for more great ideas.

I am on sort of a creative roll (yes, it happens now and then!) so I hope to be sharing with you soon.

Until then,
Sue

A New Challenge!

One of my fellow Design Team members at Heart 2 Heart has started a new blog.  The first challenge, actually due tonight (I am just under the wire!) is to use two or more patterned papers.  I made this card using four different papers from the Fresh Air paper packet from Close to My Heart. This paper suite is from the 2018 Seasonal Expressions 2 catalog.

The stamps are from Papertrey Ink.  I recently discovered them and really like some of the sentiments they offer.  The hemp, twine and pearls are all from my stash.

Please take the time to check out Suzanne's challenge, Double Trouble Challenge.  She will tell you all about Thing 1 and Thing 2 and how you can actually link the same project to more than one challenge.

I will be talking to you again in a few days when I share my Heart 2 Heart Design Team project.

Until then,

Sue

Triadic Color!

 A couple weeks ago, on my Facebook group,  I posted a link to a CTMH Blog post that taught principles of selecting color according to the triadic color scheme.   For quick reference here is the color wheel with the CTMH colors.  For a more complete understanding, I suggest you take a look at the blog post: Triadic Color Combinations

This week, instead of a standard color challenge, Heart 2 Heart Challenges has chosen to use this method.


The CTMH colors I chose for my card and their place on the color wheel are Eggplant (Violet), Juniper (Green) and Goldrush (Orange). Notice how these colors are equidistant on the wheel.  It took me awhile to decide on colors as the possibilities seemed endless.  I would suggest to you to maybe choose a main color and then refer to the wheel to pick the other two.

My inspiration for this card came from a card I made with the Documented Cardmaking Kit, page 50 in the Seasonal Expressions 2.

Well, maybe I almost copied it!  That is OK.  The catalog/idea books are there to provide us with design ideas and to help us create projects we love and are proud of.

So with all this being said, I hope you are inspired to experiment with color.  Amaze yourself with the combinations you create.

Please check out Heart 2 Heart Challenges for more color inspiration.

Have fun--
Sue

Birthday Boy!

I am in total love with the May layout for the the Scrapbook and Cards Today SCT 365 Online Class.
And all the better that it works wonderfully for the layouts I am doing for my grandson's birthdays.  You see, he is already 20 years old and I am struggling to finish up his scrapbook.  So to make things go a little more quickly, I am combining 2 or 3 birthdays on each layout. This one celebrates years 7, 8 and 9!  I am anxious to see how I can make this layout work for at least one more project.

All the papers are from the Central Park paper packet plus White Daisy, Pacifica and Poppy cardstocks.  Isn't the Central Park fun? The suite also features fun city buildings and catchy geometric designs. It is one of the beautiful collections in the new Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea catalog. The title was cut on the Cricut and the embellishments are CTMH except for the green dots...had to search my stash for those.

I will be posting this at Heart 2 Heart Challenges National Scrapbooking Month.  I invite you to visit this site and then maybe link your own layout.  I, along with the entire Design Team, love being inspired by your creativity!

I will back early next week showing you a card or layout (haven't made up my mind) that uses a triadic color scheme.  I love color so I am excited about this!

Until then,
Sue

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day is quickly coming up and this week at Heart 2 Heart Challenges, we are inspiring you with paper projects to celebrate your mother or special lady in your life.  I chose to once again use the Beautiful Friendship paper packet and coordinating stamps to create my card.  (For more inspiration, click on "Older Post")  Design credit goes to Julee Tilman of Mojo Monday.

This card is for my mother-in-law.  Even though she is a resident in a health care facility, suffers from dementia and does not always respond to us in a positive way, she is still beautiful to me.  I hope the card makes her smile.

Products used are all Close to My Heart except for the paper doily. The baker's twine is retired. 

• Beautiful Friendship paper packet
• Beautiful Friendship--Cardmaking Stamp and Thin Cuts Bundle.  The stamp set is also available without the dies.

Z4180--$22.95

Be sure to visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges to see the beautiful projects the design team has created for you!

Till later,

Sue