As a consultant, I wanted to show my great appreciation and gratitude to a hostess who just recently had a home gathering. Close To My Heart rewards consultants greatly (click here to view the incentives!!), but I also wanted to send a personal thank you to her.

Starting with a White Cardstock base, I added a layer of  Black Cardstock, a layer of B&T paper from the Laughing Lola Paper Packet, next I added another layer Black Cardstock, and then a final layer of B&T paper from the Laughing Lola Paper Packet.  Using the In The Background Stamp Set, Versamark®, and Gold Embossing Powder I created the shiny, textured look on the Black Cardstock.

The sentiment, from the Banner Wishes Stamp Set, is stamped using Black Pigment Ink {that is available in the Basics Exclusive Inks® Mini Pigment Pad Sets } on Laughing Lola Purple Cardstock. Once again using the heat embossing technique with Clear Detail Embossing Powder to get that added texture and shine. The cardstock gets it shape from the Art Philosophy Cricut® Cartridge, and the added dimension from 3D Foam Tape. Adding a final touch with a Black Hemp bow.

 Did you know that coordinating cardstock is included in every Close To My Heart paper packet?!? So all the cardstock used for this card is included in the Laughing Lola Paper Packet!!

This card is based off the Sunday Stamps sketch and is linked to their blog for their current challenge. And it just so happens that Gratitude is the current theme at the Heart 2 Heart Challenge so my card is also linked there!

-Kelly

A couple weeks ago I entered into my first Color Dare Challenge and I was fortunate enough to be chosen as the winner! Imagine my excitement for being chosen, but not only that….I was asked to be a guest designer for a future challenge!! I could barely contain my excitement!

Well…this is the week and the challenge is to use the colors Buttercup and Sunset.

Here is what I came up with using those two colors, and the neutral colors of Slate and Chocolate.

Starting with a Colonial White Cardstock base I added a layer of Slate Cardstock, then another layer of Colonial White Cardstock, and finally a layer of Chocolate Cardstock. The focal point of my card are the two feathers cut using the Artiste Cricut® Cartridge in BUTTERCUP CARDSTOCK and SUNSET CARDSTOCK. Using a Bone Folder I created a seam down the center of the feathers to give the feathers dimension.

The sentiment is from the Perfect Fit-Thanksgiving Stamp Set and is stamped using SUNSET EXCLUSIVE INK®. The banner is also cut using the Artiste Cricut® Cartridge, and scored with a bone folder to give the added dimension. I also added a four Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems to the card.  The border on the Slate Cardstock is also stamped using the Perfect Fit-Thanksgiving Stamp Set in Slate Exclusive Ink®.

I love the colors that were chosen for this week’s challenge! With the fall colors that this card displays I can’t help but think of Thanksgiving and being grateful for the many, many blessings that I am so undeservingly given each and every day!! I have greatly enjoyed the honor of being chosen to be this week’s guest designer for the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge, and I hope you all enjoy the card I’ve made!!

-Kelly