New Challenge

Today, I am entering a project in another challenge. I have been interested in the Close to My Heart Color Dare Challenge for awhile, but as serendipity would have it, I actually just finished a layout that qualifies for this week's challenge.  Each week, a color palette is given and we are inspired to create a card, layout or other paper project with it.  The goal is to use all and only the colors listed.  Again, participation will help me to think out of the box and jump start my creativity.

So here is my offering:

I have used the assigned colors of White Daisy, Black, Pansy and Raspberry.  My sequins fill the silver requirement.  I admit to a dab of Whisper used as a shadow on the title...I think that will be forgiven. I originally chose these papers to bring out the colors of Emily's dress. The credit for the layout design goes to Lisa Midy.

To view more projects created with this color palette, please visit:

http://colormyheartcolordare.blogspot.com/2017/02/color-dare-229-silver-black-white-daisy.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ColorMyHeart+%28Color+My+Heart%29

Springtime Card Class

Good morning!

I have finally been able to nail down a date for a card class.  I will be featuring some of the papers and stamps from the 2017 Seasonal Expressions 1 catalog.  I think you will love the patterns that range from fun donuts to cute bugs to really lovely flowers.

Here are the details:

Class will be held on Wednesday, February 22 at 6:30 p.m.  If that time is too early for anyone, come when you can...I will make sure you have your cards completed before you leave for home.  Once again, it will be at my home.

• The class fee is $15.00.  I will supply all supplies except tape runners.  I do ask that you bring one or two to the class. If you desire, you can also bring favorite basic tools such as scissors or a stamping mat.
•  I prefer prepayment by check or Pay Pal.  If using Paypal, my email address is suebruch47@gmail.com.  If paying by check, my address is 13301 N. 950th Ave., Granville, 61326.
• There is no purchase required.  However if you choose to order  Close to My Heart products that night, I will deduct $5.00 from your class fee for all orders over $25.00.  If you have prepaid, I will deduct that amount from your order total.
• No need to bring drinks or a snack... I will provide those.
• So I can have the class kits prepared, I ask that you RSVP by February 15th.. If I have forgotten anything or you have questions, please feel free to contact me.

Please feel free to invite your friends.  I am looking forward to seeing you!

Sue

Fall in Love with...

This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is called "Fall in Love with..."  Ok, I thought of all the obvious...I can document falling in love with my husband, my children or (for sure), my grandchildren...all of which would be wonderful projects.  However, I have spent a lot of time this week thinking about how I show my love.  Helping others on the mission trips we have taken with Ron's brother's church is one way I have been able to do so.  This layout documents our 2016 trip to Biloxi.

I based my title on the Bible verse outlined by the heart.  My journaling is lengthy, but writing it helped me work through some things.  Don't be afraid to let your pages express your feelings for where you are in your life. Thank you for allowing me to share some of mine.

All the products used in this project are Close to My Heart.  The design is called Nice and Simple and it is from Imagine, one of the design books available from CTMH. The patterned paper and embellishments are from the Dream Big packet.  I added White Daisy, Poppy and Glacier cardstock. The title was cut on my Cricut with the Don Juan font, found on my computer.  The hearts were cut with the Hearts Thin Cuts dies.

To see more ways to "fall in love" with CTMH, visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges.
http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/2017/01/falling-in-love.html

Cold Hands, Warm Heart!

Ah, yes...we are in the middle of winter.  Yesterday morning we left our Illinois home where the temperature was a frigid 3 degrees.  We traveled to Phoenix where we briefly enjoyed some warmth and sunshine before heading north to Flagstaff.  Here there is definitely snow left on the ground but at least the temps are much nicer.  You won't be reading this until next week, so I hope we are all seeing nicer weather by then.

In any case, when I created this Cold Hands, Warn Heart layout for the Heart 2 Heart blog, I thought of my granddaughter's joy playing in the snow.  As for inspiration, I give credit to Jana Eubank and the Scrapbook and Cards Today Winter 2016 magazine.  I loved her layout shown on the magazine cover.  I especially loved how she used the bright colors for the snowflakes and imitated her idea using cuts from the Art Philosophy cartridge. I chose to use B&T papers from the Adventure collection as well as Sunset, Raspberry, Cranberry and Emerald cardstock.

For more Cold Hands, Warm Hearts inspiration, please visit the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog.

http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/2017/01/cold-hands-warm-heart.html

While you are there, how about linking up to your blog or picture of your project?  If you have questions, I am here to help.

Season of White

The second Heart 2 Heart Challenge for 2017 is "Season of White".  While my first thought was to do a project with a snowy landscape, I decided to think a little bit out of the box and create a Valentine. I kept everything white, but couldn't resist adding the sentiment in red.  Featured on this card is the January Stamp of the Month Adore You S1701.  The image was heat embossed and the flowers accented with the Clear Shimmer Brush.

Additional Close to My Heart products used:
White Daisy Cardstock 1385
Silver Pearl Embossing Powder (retired)
Shimmer Brush--Clear Z3293
Cranberry Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad Z2816
Heart Embossing Folder (retired)
Thin 3-D Foam Tape Z2060

Be sure to visit the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog for more "Season of White" inspiration!

http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/2017/01/season-of-white.html

Silver and Gold!

I am honored to be chosen to be on the 2017 Heart 2 Heart Challenges Design Team!  About two times a month I will be contributing to the blog post announcing the current challenge.  I am looking forward to coming up with designs using Close to My Heart Products.

The first challenge for 2017 is Silver and Gold.  I have chosen to create a card appropriate for a wedding or anniversary.  If you have a friend that loves bling, it can even used for a birthday.

The wreath on this card was cut with the Thin Cuts Wreath die (CC1157) and stamped with the Wreath stamp (A1193).  The wreath was embossed with Silver Embossing Powder (Z2067) and

 the sentiment (retired) was embossed with Princess Gold embossing powder (Z2066).  While I used retired paper for the background, there is a similar pattern included in the Uptown Fundamentals paper pack.

Wreath A1193 

Please visit the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog to see what the other design team members have created.  While you are there, be sure to submit your email to follow the blog.

http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/2017/01/silver-and-gold.html

Are you ready for Christmas?

Doesn't someone ask you that every year?   My answer is a resounding "No!".  It is no different this year, but I am starting to get a handle on it.  I completed my last cards a few nights ago and have them all mailed--one thing off my mind!

A few words about how I do Christmas cards.  I first check out the CTMH Idea Books and online resources.  Next, I stalk Pinterest.  Ah yes, Pinterest!  I have saved so many posts with awesome designs.  While I would love to make one of each, it is just so much more efficient to choose 6-8 and make several of each.

This card design was the last one I did and was created with the Woodland Wishes stamp set and coordinating Thin Cuts dies. I cannot locate the original and therefore am unable to give design credit...my apologies to the designer. I added white glitter paper for the snow and a few Bitty Sparkles for a little bling.  The stamps and Thin Cuts are perfect for masculine and winter cards.  They are from the Holiday Expressions catalog and will be retiring on December 31st.

Woodland Wishes D1696

Woodland Wishes Stamp  and Thin Cuts Bundle Z1405

I am hoping to get to my craft room a few times in between gift wrapping and food preparation.  The creative process of making cards and scrapbook layouts calms me.  

As this may be my last post before Christmas, let me take this opportunity to thank you for reading my blog and all your kind comments.  I am wishing all of you and your families a blessed Christmas and wonderful New year.

Merry Christmas,

Sue