The Bluebird of Happiness and Zoe Papers

Ahhh yes the bluebird of happiness. May it fly over all of our homes! This card was created with the help of the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.

The new CTMH Zoe papers were used in this creation along with the Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge.

My new favorite shimmer tape is this wonderfully bright coral shimmer tape that is available in the Zoe Workshop On The Go.

There are wonderful things are coming in two weeks. I can't wait to share!!

Thanks always to AHS challenge. 

If you need an idea for a card or layout, this is a great place to go for inspiration.

Here is the recent challenge:

It is so easy to take off and run with this.

  XOXO Dots

A Smokey Plum Card "Thinking of You"

Color My Heart Color Dare had a simple color combo this week. Smokey Plum and White Daisy.  I pulled out a sheet of the Smokey Plum Paper fundamentals to make a card with the Art Philosophy cartridge, White Shimmer Tape (I loves me some shimmer tape!) purple sparkles (who doesn't like bling?) The stamp set is the August Stamp of the Month. 

Here is the outcome:

August Stamp of the Month "Framed"

The red designates cricut cuts to make life easy.

This is a pretty simple card. The card is 4 1/4 X 5 1/2. The plum rectangle is 

3 3/4 x 5. I trimmed the edges in the White Shimmer tape, cut a 3/4 x 4 1/2 banner strip in the Smokey Plum Fundamental paper Adventure Assortment z2032 and showed the white heart side then added a strip of shimmer tape and banner the one edge. I used the circle2 on page 31 of Art Philosophy and cut it at 2 1/4 " and the little flower is flower6 on page 29. The purple sparkles are from my stash only because I couldn't find my purple Glitter Gems z1936. The Thinking of You is stamped in Smokey Plum and cut out by hand. The leaves are just a hand cut leaf from Sweet Leaf Paper Fundamentals Adventure Assortment z2032. Framed is the August Stamp of the Month S1508.

I do love shiny and this little card is very shiny which makes me happy ;-)

Hope you like the card. Our new Annual Inspirations catalog goes live on September 1st. Be sure to check out all the retiring items that will go away August 31st.

Thanks for stopping by!

 XOXO Dots

Paper Fundamentals Meets Color My Heart Dare

It's been a while since I've done a color challenge from Color My Heart Color Dare. I decided to use the Paper Fundamentals from the Adventure collection Z2032.

I don't use these papers near enough and they deserve attention. 

So here is my card for Color Dare #153:

• Hollyhock Ink Stamp Pad Z2128
• Sunset Ink Stamp Pad Z2164
• Olive Ink Stamp Pad Z2137
• White Daisy

The stamp I used was the versatile "Framed" Stamp of the Month for August.

Notice the red line around the 3 frames. This indicates there is a Cricut cut to make life easier for you, because that is how we roll!!

You can get this D-size Stamp of the Month set for a deal with a minimum qualifying purchase! Add the stamp set to your cart on this page at full retail price or, with your qualifying order, add it at checkout for the promotional price. Buy $50 of product and receive this stamp for $5. That is a savings of $12.95!!

Set of 12
Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:
1" × 3½" (Y1002), 2" × 3½" (Y1009)

Stamp images outlined in red coordinate with the Cricut® Artistry Cartridge (Z3167). This is a new cartridge from Close To My Heart!

The little embellishments I used at the top and bottom will be retiring August 31. Many items are retiring before the new catalog makes it's debut on September 1, 2015. You can shop for these items in a special spot of the shopping cart. To view these items click here:  Retiring Items

Green & Blue Epoxy Bubbles Z1806

Here are the details for the starburst card: 

• White Daisy 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 from a value pack X254
• Hollyhock herringbone pattern 5 1/4 X 4
• 3 colors (Olive, Hollyhock, Sorbet) cut 1 3/4 X 4 cut each piece diagonally forming triangles
• white Daisy cardstock cut to 5 X 2 3/4 to adhere the diagonal pieces onto. Find the center and place the points at the edge. After all pieces are in place flip it over and trim away the excess. Mount on pink herringbone.
• cut a 1/2 X 4 piece to cover the points.
• Add a strip of White Shimmer tape Z3024 next to green 1/2 strip 
• I stamped the frame in Hollyhock and the sentiment in Olive
• An additional piece of Olive fundamental paper to add to the frame was added.

I love these challenges. I need inspiration and bit of a kick in the ....

Thank you Color My Heart Color Dare for the challenges!

   XOXO Dots

Why I Like Being a Memory Keeper

I am sharing this video with you from Close To My Heart 

because it says it all without saying a word.

I hope this video resonates with many of you who share my passion for preserving memories. If it does, I invite you to join me in promoting this wonderful method of memory keeping by becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant. Now is a great time to take that leap! As of August 1, all new Consultants will receive a beautiful, redesigned New Consultant Kit*, which you can see below. This kit will give you all the necessities to get your Close To My Heart business up and running. You already have the passion and the skill for making and preserving memories—now it’s time to put it to work in a new way by becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant! Becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant is more than choosing a career path. When you join our wonderful company, you join a family.

XOXO Dots

Getting Ready for Mojo Monday Challenge

I'm running out of time! I have less than 2 hours to get my blog up for the Mojo Monday Challenge deadline. It feels like I'm working again-we were always under deadlines. WooHoo!!

So here is my Mojo Monday creation:

Once again-and you will probably see these papers all through August-I'm using the Zoe papers. They are fun and summery and work well for girls or boys. They have a lightness about them that I really like. The stamp is the August Stamp of the Month "Framed" S1508 which is so useful!

Here is the Mojo Monday sketch that I started off with:

They always have such pleasing layouts. Attractive, well balanced and they allow creativity. Love That!!

The triangle paper is cut to 5 x 3 3/4, the glacier blue is 2 x 3, sorbet is 3 x 1 3/4. The stamp is glacier blue ink Z2641, the flower was cut from Art Philosophy cricut cartridge Z1686, the leaves were cut from white cardstock that was inked by sponging olive ink Z2137 on it (it is getting ready to retire Aug. 31). The dark green triangles Z3123 are a new embellishment and there is a coral sequin Z3042 with a sparkle in it on the flower, there is a 3" piece of white shimmer tape Z3024 under the blue cardstock.

  Gotta Run!!  XOXO Dots

At The Seaside

For fun and inspiration I go to Mojo Monday Card Sketch Challenge. The Mojo Monday Challenge 405 inspired this card:

Here is the sketch that was provided by Mojo Monday. 

Thanks Mojo Monday Card Sketch Challenge!!

                                           
The papers used for this card are from the Seaside collection from Close To My Heart. They are perfect for the summer vacations and beach going. 

The Seaside Workshop On The Go consists of all these parts:

Here are the pages that are described in the instructions included in the workshop:

And here are alternate pages that you can put together from the papers included in the workshop:

I hope you got a little inspiration today! If you did you can shop anytime, online:

     XOXO Dots

It's July 1st!

July Specials

Jump on It July

Spring into Action for a Super Sweet Steal!

• During the month of July, when you purchase $25 USD in current, retail priced stamps, you qualify to receive either the 
• July Stamp of the Month, My Acrylix^® Life Is Wonderful, FREE 
• or any one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets featured in Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 or Seasonal Expressions 2 for only $5 USD! 
• That is a savings of up to $17.95 USD! The July Stamp of the Month is a lovely, versatile stamp set that is a great match for your cards and layouts that celebrate all the wonderful things—big and small—that life has to offer. 
• Additionally, the Hostess Rewards stamp sets have previously only been available as part of the Hostess Rewards program, which means now is the perfect opportunity to get those special stamp sets you’ve had your eye on! 
• To get your FREE stamp set or your $5 USD Hostess Rewards stamp set, simply place an order for $25 USD of any current, retail priced stamps. 
• This offer is available only during the month of July and applies only to the July Stamp of the Month and current Hostess rewards stamp sets, so spring into action and jump on this deal before it’s gone!

Dates: Offer valid July 1, 2015(9:00 am MDT)–July 31, 2015(11:59 pm MDT).

Here are some pictures from Close To My Heart to show the July Specials.

This is the Stamp of the Month for July:

  

How can I use this stamp? Here are some ideas...

Here are some of the Hostess Rewards stamps that are now available to anyone with a $25 purchase:

    XOXO Dots