Farewell 2015!

Whoa 2015 was one of the fastest and longest years of my life at the same time!  That's what I think about it anyway, how was it for you?  Here is the last post of the year and hopefully the first of my WEEKLY posts (starting again) for 2016.  There's not quite anything like a challenge to get creative juices flowing so I created this to play along with Mojo Monday #428, Tuesday Morning Sketches #332 and Cupcake Inspirations #340.  If you would like to know anything about it just leave me a message.  

Could it be? Why yes it's actually a post by me! TMS #328

Not that that's really any big deal to anyone else but to me it's kind of huge right now.  More on that later but tonight I made some headway in my new craft room so I thought, I wonder....if I could..... actually clear enough horizontal space to make a card and do a challenge.  I visited my sweet friends over at Tuesday Morning Sketches, I just knew they would inspire me and well here I am- boy does it feel good!!

I have been pretty awful at making decisions lately so I thought how in the world will I decide what colors, paper etc.  One thing I have kept up with the past few months (just barely) is the projects for one of my monthly hostess clubs and this month we'll be using CTMH Kaleidoscope paper so that's what I decided to break out.  

I know I know that's not Thanksgivingy AT ALL when you first think about it but when you think again about how grateful we are for the friends in our lives I think it's a great idea to make than a card to send to a dear friend? 

So here it is :o)

And the Tuesday Morning Sketches (sponsor-challenge) winners are. . . .

Hope your Tuesday was Terrific!!  Wow last week really flew by.  I really want to thank everyone for the sweet birthday wishes.  Sponsoring TMS # 304 was definitely a highlight of my birthday week!  Now I have 3 winners to announce!!

I so appreciate the TMS Design Team and I am pleased to announce the winner who received the most votes.  ALL the cards were WONDERFUL and received many compliments however the one who received the most was drumroll....Kris!! Click here to check out her stunning graduation card on her blog. So Kris gets to pick out a stamp set or paper pack from my CTMH Site.

The second winner was drawn from the names of all the dear card-makers/admirers - it's Sara :) she also gets to pick out a stamp set or paper pack from my CTMH Site.  

You two can visit my site and email me your choices from there!

The final winner Steffi was chosen randomly over at TMH and will receive a "You Mean the World to Me" set  and a pack of 50 6 x 6 sheets of CTMH paper/cardstock combo!  

Keep playing everyone - there's lots to be won out there in the blogosphere!!

And- I couldn't just write and not add a card to share, I made this for a TMS sketch a while back but I didn't quite finish it up in time to upload so here it is now.

WONDERFUL layout by Bonnie!!

If you are in my friend Bonnie's Hostess Club you're in for a treat this month because this is what you get to make!  Isn't this layout the bomb???!!  I just LOVE it!  I'm so glad she let me post this to show her off.  If you would like to purchase the Jackson Paper Pack or the CTMH Cricut cartridge she used you can do so on her CTMH site.  

Happy Birthday to me!! Tuesday Morning Sketches #304

I really don't usually make a big deal out of my birthday but this year I say what the hey - just blurt it out there!  Several months ago I was given this date to sponsor over at Tuesday Morning Sketches so I figure it was meant to be :o)

Be sure and enter their June 9 challenge before the deadline and you could win a free stamp set!

Also, I think it's about time their awesome design team won something don't you? So during this week of June 9-16 leave me a comment on this post with your favorite artist of the week Jenee, Kris, Melissa, Jesse, Debbie or Nina and one of them will win a free paper pack or stamp set worth up to $20. 

I know it will be hard to pick a winner so that's why I'm asking you to do it!! 

Oh by the way, if at least 25 people vote everyone who votes will be in a random drawing to win a free stamp set or paper packet worth up to $20 too! All you need to do is check out Tuesday Morning Sketches' post between June 9-16 and then leave a me comment here with the name of which design team member's card you choose below this post by June 16th.

One more thing,  I will personally send a free "Hello Friend" Friendship Wreath stamp set to everyone who places an order on my CTMH site during 6/9 - 6/16. 

Without further ado here's my card for the sketch:

Heart 2 Heart - How Cute!

Here's my project for the Heart 2 Heart challenge http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com this week. It's been a blast being on their team this month but I tell you I've had to scramble to get things posted.  In the past 32 days I.....

Closed on our home of 10 years

Moved everything out of state

Flew back to stay with friends and family for a month

Bought a car

Gave notice at my job that I've had over 27 years

Held a CTMH open house at my friend Betty's

Had a CTMH team meeting

2 CTMH workshops for my Hostess Clubs

Had get togethers with several friends and family

All while still working my busy full time job and trying to take care of life in general. 

Whew! Next Thursday is my last day at my AMAZING job (sniff) in my BEAUTIFUL little town of Prescott with friends that I've known my entire life (sniff, sniff) to head up to our new place in a Utah where my husband has already been for most of the past year. As much as I will miss my life here - boy am I ready to be living with that guy again!!!!

Thanks for "listening", now about my pics-

The first moment I laid eyes on the current CTMH Annual Inspirations I felt like CTMH had entered my dreams (and my photo stash) to come up with just the right papers for so many of my photos. I was saving this layout which is just the beautiful Brushed WOTG paired with my absolute favorite photos of my granddaughter.  The photos on the second page are just a collage that I had printed from Costco. 

My wedding anniversary is in March and the year I bought her this cute Easter outfit I told my husband that all I wanted was to go to Gymboree and buy the cutest outfit in there and not even consider the price. When I showed him the top, pants, shoes and socks he said "what no hat?" so needless to say I went back and got the hat!! 

Fav CTMH Green Challenge @ Heart 2 Heart

Since this is the week for the "wearing of the green" the Heart 2 Heart challenge is to create something with your favorite CTMH green.  Pear and Sweet Leaf are tied as my favs. I used Pear because it's one of the colors in the new paper kit "Blossom".  Shhhhhhhh....I might have jumped the gun a little but I just couldn't wait to share this BEAUTIFUL new paper!!!

For some reason I'm having a hard time adding the link but you can check out Heart 2 Heart @ www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com

One more!

Here's just one more card that I made from that adorable set I was using a couple of weeks ago....

Heart 2 Heart Favorite CTMHSketch Challenge

Here are my projects for the Heart-2-Heart challenge (love that challenge - you will too) this week the challenge was CTMH sketches so I used the Make it From Your Heart volume one book.  Every volume is packed full of great sketches and you really get a lot of bang for the buck.

Most of my crafting goodies are packed away for a few weeks so I kept it really simple, only using the Confetti Wishes paper pack along with the coordinating Assortment and Compliments. I hope that making two projects kind of makes up for not stamping or getting very elaborate. 

Heart 2 Heart Opposites Attract Challenge

I'm honored to be Guest Designer over at Heart 2 Heart!!! I hope you check them out and play along. 

I chose opposites on the color wheel to go along with the theme. If you would like to know about anything I used please leave a comment and I'll respond as soon as I can. 

Retro Sketches # 153

Still playing with the same stamp set - I'm in love with these little guys.  My next card will be the cute bunny.  I got the paper a little too wet using water color pencils but decided that this little pooch just has some terrier in him to account for the texture!  The CTMH stamp set is discontinued but the fabulous UV coated paper is the Close to My Heart Fundamentals and still available. 

I played along over at Retro Sketches #153

Friday Mashup - Tuesday Morning Sketches - Color Q

Goodness the combo of these three challenges was extra fun!  Everything I used I have had for quite some time.  The stamp set is an adorable discontinued set from Close to My Heart.  I have to laugh at the Friday Mashup, farm animals and bling? Who would have known that would actually work well and be so fun??  The DT and card entries are GREAT in all these challenges!!  

Friday Mashup!:197
Tuesday Morning Sketches 287
Color Q 279

MOJO 384 & colourQ #278 + CTMH Brushed, Have a Happy Day

I REALLY needed a break from the dusty dirty work I've been doing the past few days, you know the whole attic & garage cleaning yuckiness - bleh.

At first I was completely stumped and uninspired - the challenges I checked out tonight were great I just think it was my toothache affecting me - got a crown this afternoon.  Well....I got started, had some fun and my tooth feels better.  Pretty neat how a little creative time (and Tylenol) can make a difference.

The color burst pattern from the Studio Calico Brighten Pier collection was the perfect start for the colourQ#278 challenge.  It paired quite nice with Close to My Heart Brushed paper kit, Sunset cardstock & Chevron embossing folder along with thick twine + "Have a Happy Day" and "Just Sayin'" stamp sets which are available on my CTMH site.  I followed the MOJO 384 sketch - it's always fun to play over there.  

Oh BTW,  I'm pretty proud of the fact that I pulled a good "quit hoarding" move by using almost an entire sheet of sparkles :) are you still hoarding?  Join me in 2015 & hoard no more - use your stash and make room for new fun goodies!

Mojo Monday 383 - CTMH Heartstrings & You Mean the World to Me + Amy Tangerine POW!

I am one tired girl tonight, it's contest week over at Mojo Monday 383 I'm just playing to play, but you may want to head over there and enter too! Challenges are such a great way to get going.  I used CTMH Heartstrings paper kit, assortment & "You Mean the World to Me" stamp set, a We R Memory Keepers Die + Amy Tangerine POW glitter paper. You can find the CTMH goodies on my site pattir.ctmh.com.

Heart 2 Heart: Your Birthday, Color Throwdown #327 & retro sketches #151

Ok well I have two posts today  because I almost forgot about the Heart 2 Heart: Your Birthday challenge and I really wanted to enter something over there for all their challenges this month.  They're so kind as to give you all month to complete them I figured one of these months I could pull it off.   My birthday is in June so my color is Lagoon.  I combined it with Color Throwdown #327 & retro sketches #151.  The lighting cast the color a little plus I got a little rushed and messy because I have SO much to do today that I really should NOT be playing at all but I just couldn't resist.  

Yay - I was a Friday Mashup Glamette pick :)

What a nice surprise this morning to learn that I was a Glamette pick when I visited Friday Mashup!  This happy little bear is to thank.  

So....that's why I decided to play along and do the Friday Mashup! #195 challenge.

I used so many random things.  I goofed off last weekend with Tim Holtz distress inks and water color paper so decided to make the little banner using that. For my two embellishments I used Heidi Grace rhinestones and a Heidi Swapp wood veneer.  From Close to My Heart I used cardstock, velum, embossing folder and the "Have a Happy Day" stamp set.  

Cricut® Artfully Sent: Pop-Up Cards with Icons

How does Close to My Heart do it??  The Cricut Artfully Sent cartridge is another WONDERFUL addition to their line up.  Its primary focus is cards but there's just as many ways you can use it for scrapbooking.  I'll share some of both during the month of February.  

It comes in a bundle with White Daisy cardstock and 3 exclusive D size stamp sets which makes it an incredible bargain but host a gathering (you can even do it online) with sales of $250 or more and you can purchase it at 1/2 price - THAT'S JUST $49.50!!!  Contact me if you would like to know more :)

Heart 2 Heart Challenges - Close to My Heart Artfully Sent & Heartstrings Paper Kit

Here's just a quick little card I made using the Close to My Heart Cricut Artfully Sent cartridge along with the new Heartstrings paper kit and this month's stamp of the month.  I'm entering it in the Heart 2 Heart challenge for clean and simple.  Everything is available to purchase on my site pattir.ctmh.com - however for the stamp set . . . it's only available until the end of this month.

MOJO #382 & Color My Heart Color Dare #126

Both MOJO #382 & Color My Heart Color Dare were quite a challenge for me for some reason, but I am happy with the results!  

Here's what I used (available on my CTMH website):

"Have a Happy Day" stamp set

White Daisy, Black and Indian Corn Blue Cardstock

Archival Black Ink

Spray Pen

Clear Sparkles

Discontinued: Ribbon & Black Sequins

Other: 

Silver Chevron Paper by Amy Tangerine

retrosketches #150, Close to My Heart, Studio Calico & Teresa Collins

Oh my, I have to say this was an extra fun card to make!  I have kind of been hoarding my gold polka dot velum that is from a CTMH campaign kit last year but decided that this would be a great time to break it out.  The reason is because I picked up some fun gold accents by Teresa Collins and I think the gold doily is just the perfect background for this retrosketches challenge # 150!  It all paired so nicely with Close to My Heart Whimsey Paper Fundamentals Cardstock and Sudio Calico Brighten Pier Paper Collection.  Talk about hoarding? I bet I've had the gold puffy heart and heart button, which are from Close to My Heart also, for over 10 years!!   That's what prompted me to also play along over at Heart to Heart Challenges. It would have been a good Valentine's Day card but I'm in need of a birthday card right now. The sentiment is from "Just to Say" and comes in the Close to My Heart Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge bundle. 

CTMH Hopping By and Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge

I've really been looking forward to playing with more of the images from the CTMH "Hopping By" stamp set and the Addicted to Stamps and More #128 was a perfect way to combine the Heart 2 Heart Tic Tac Toe and Freshly Made Sketches #170 challenges all together.

Supplies available on my CTMH website:

"Hopping By" stamp set
Cricut "Art Philosophy" cartridge
ShinHan markers
Clear Sparkles (colored markers)
White Daisy cardstock
Special cardstock from "Year >>Noted" National Papercrafting Month special

Other:
Ribbon - Hobby Lobby
DCWV Patterned Paper

Tuesday Morning Sketches 284 & Close to My Heart Hopping By

Here's my submission for the fun Tuesday Morning Sketches #284. I stamped and colored these little bunnies over a year (may be two) ago!  I knew I would use them because my grandson wanted me to make him an Easter card so now here it is finally!  The sentiment is from the current CTMH Seasonal Expressions but the bunnies have long since retired.  Everything else is pretty much just all older also from my stash.  

Friday Mashup!194, retroskteches #149, CTMH Nursery Charms

I just love making baby cards and this was SO fun to make!   It's for Friday Mashup!194 and retroskteches #149.  

I used:
Close to My Heart:
Artist Cricut Cartridge
White Daisy & Chocolate Cardstock
Chocolate, Sunset & Glacier Ink
Pathfinding Paper Kit
Scaredy Cat Paper Kit
Scaredy Cat Assortment
Lagoon Washi Tape
Sunset Washi Tape
ShinHan Markers
Hemp
Liquid Glass

Other: 

Paper Tape (had awhile and can't remember who it's by)
My Minds Eye Enamel Dots
Orange & Black Sakura Gel Pen

Muse #101, Friday Mashup! 193 & Color Throwdown #326. CTMH Happy Birds

Here's what I made quite last night (so it's not perfect!) to play along with Muse #101, Color Throwdown #326 & Friday Mashup! 193 even though it was too late to link up at FM193 I just thought it was a great challenge. Boy it's been a while since I have combined so many challenges. 
The flower & feather stamps are from the CTMH Happy Birds set they're stamped in black CTMH ink. The cardstock is all CTMH - White Daisy, Topiary and Lagoon.  I embossed with the chevron embossing folder & colored with ShinHan Twin Touch markers from CTMH and available on my site also. 

CTMH Heartstrings & Cricut Artfully Sent

We made layouts for January & February in my hostess club this month.  You can see the other one here.  The stamp set is this months Stamp of the Month check out more about CTMH Stamp of the Month here on my site.