Flower Power with AHSC

As soon as I saw Michelle's sketch for this week at http://atlanticheartschallenge.blogspot.ca my eye was drawn to the flower.

I think this element caught my attention since CTMH has just released an exclusive Cricut cartridge collection, Flower Market.  If you haven't played with this cartridge yet, you don't know what you're missing!!!!

I'm still using paper from my favourite collection, Rustic Home, this time the kraft polka dots and embossed designs.

I love the big tub and thought it would be perfect to hold a big bunch of Sunflowers!!!  The flowers are cut with honey and saffron cardstock with the centres from cocoa.  I also inked the edges to add some dimension.  The leaves are cut with New England Ivy cardstock.

The sentiment "It's your Day" is from a new stamp set - Hooked on You, stamped in chocolate ink.   Inside the card it says "Happy Birthday" also from that set.

I used some retired bling in antique metal to add some heavy weight to the base of the card.

So, let's see your project.  Click on the link above to play along with us.
Enjoy,

Jennifer

Rustic Home with AHSC

Michelle has a great sketch for us this week at http://atlanticheartschallenge.blogspot.ca with lots of elements and shapes.

I am in love with the Rustic Home fundamental paper, one of the basic collections from CTMH.  The paper is double sided with browns on one side and grays on the other.  When it is paired with the colour of the year, Seaglass, it is a winning combination.

I also reversed the copper vellum piece to match up with the grey barn board.  The card is matted on slate background and paper distressed with slate ink.  All Together Complements were so pretty to add to the card for the circle, and flowers to which I added the grey enamel gems.  The sentiment is from an exclusive stamp set provided to all convention attendees.  I think the message is very important.

I hope you'll join us at AHSC and link up your project this week, simply by clicking on the link above.

Enjoy,

Jennifer

For the Boys with H2H

I am thrilled and excited for the challenge this week at Heart 2 Heart Challenges.  The theme is "For the Boys", and as mom of two boys, this is just perfect!!!

Matthew, my eldest, just graduated from University of Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) and this challenge fits perfectly for my proud mommy moments.

I chose to use Florence papers and complements, which may not be a logical first choice for a boy layout, but worked perfectly with our pictures.

The bright bold paisley print paper works great with the more subtle blue & reds.

 Nope, Matt doesn't smile often!!!!  I warned him that I was going to hoot and holler when his name was called to receive his degree.  He said he may pretend he didn't know me - but alas he did give me a pause and wave from the stage.



This mommy may have shed a tear or two of pride watching her boy cross that stage!!!

It was a wonderful warm summer day, and we took advantage for great outdoor pictures.

Matt isn't always co-operative getting his picture taken but on this day he behaved....mostly!!!




The Florence complements clustered together make a great focal point on both layouts.  Rose gold foil tape is layered on the red paper strips for a bit of bling.


I had to include a few goofy pictures of Matt. Flip flaps are perfect to add those pictures without the focal point of your layout.

On each of the layouts there are great journalling spots using the Picture My Life cards.



Grab your favourite paper, embellishments and stamps and join us For the Boys.  I'd love to see your layout linked up at  http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.ca

Enjoy,

Jennifer

Northern Lights Cards

I love trying new techniques for my paper crafting projects.  Now when I try something it may not be new to the industry, but new to me.  This was the case with the Northern Lights technique.  I stumbled across a few different videos and pinterest projects so I thought it was time to give it a try.

For my "lights" colours I used, canary, pixie, thistle, eggplant, lagoon, pacifica and black.

I decided to sponge the colour on, starting with the lightest colour.  When inking start off the page and swipe the colour onto the cardstock.

It's OK to overlap the colours to get the dimension you like.

The one thing I learned is that no two cards are going to be the same!!  Each one will take on it's own colours.

Once I was happy with the inking of my lights, I inked the bottom with black to create land shadows.

Nature's Wish stamp set was used for both cards for the sentiments and images,  After stamping I went over again with black to blend in.


Final touch, is adding the stars which I did with a gel pen and the new clear Shimmer brush.

So, grab your inks and sponge and get inky!!!

Enjoy,

Jennifer

Rustic Home

One of the newest paper packages that I was drawn to immediately was Rustic Home.  This paper package is in the Basics grouping, but it is far from basic.

The patterns in the fundamental paper package include chevron stripes, barn board, polka dots, vellum and subtle stripes.  Pair the paper package with All Together Complements and Rustic Home ribbon pack and it's an immediate WOW!!!

I've used the colour of the year "Seaglass" cardstock and glitter paper to highlight the subtle colours of the Rustic Home fundamentals.


 The copper foil title and vellum die-cuts and stickers from the All Together Complements finish off the layouts.

The rustic burlap ribbon from the ribbon pack is perfect with the barn board print.

To finish off, add some glitter, and a few hearts from the vellum die cuts and the layout is finished.

Even better with the purchase of the Whimsy, Adventure & Enchantment paper packages, you can choose the Rustic Home Fundament paper package for FREE!!!!



Enjoy,

Jennifer

Flower Market with AHSC

Ooooooh it's finally here, August 1st!!!!  Why is that important???  I can finally show you some projects I've been working on with new projects now available in the 2016-2017 Annual Inspirations from Close to My Heart.

One of the most exciting new products is the cricut cartridge collection - Flower Market!!!  You're going to love it - over 700 images and flowers, flowers, flowers!!!!

This was my very first project with the cartridge.  It's hard to tell in the picture but the daffodils are only adhered in the centre so they are very fluid.  I inked the edges of the petals and the leaves to ad even more dimension.

The sentiment is also cut from the cartridge and popped up with foam tape!!!

I used some retired fern twine for the bow, and retired paper from Happy Tines paper package, all matted with cocoa cardstock.



Here is Michelle's sketch.  I admit I did take some liberty with this sketch, but I kept the general idea - sentiment, bow and oval centre piece.

I hope you'll join us at http://atlanticheartschallenge.blogspot.ca/ and link up your project.




Stay tuned for more projects with Flower Market!!!

Enjoy,

Jennifer