Near the Sea

It has been a little bit since I was here. Sometimes life gets in the way. I really love this weeks sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge . The moment I saw it, I knew what paper I wanted to use. The challenge for me,was to see if I could find any bits and pieces left over to be able to pull it off.

Well, I did, but I want you to know it was tough. I love the Tommy paper pack from Close To My Heart  (now retired) so much I purchased several pkgs at the time. I am glad I did as I have used it many, many times for all kinds of occasions .

I don't think I can squeeze another card out of this paper. I did however get this one put together. I hope you like it, and I hope you make good use of all your little bits and pieces. Have a great crafting week !

Blossom

Well, it is April and spring is officially here. There is still a lot of snow on the ground, and it sure looks like it is still winter, but today I smelled the change in the air, and I think we are finally on the right track for some blossoms in the not too distant future. There are sure to be lots of birds chirping and flowers blooming over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge this week.
I love being on the design team for AHSC. There are always such interesting sketches to work from, and the ladies come up with so many ideas!!

Here is this weeks sketch # 103

I changed it up a usual. Never could follow the crowd..............LOL

Oh my gosh, I just have to say, that the new Blossom paper pack from the spring and summer Seasonal Expressions just released at the first of this month, is one of my favorites!! Close To My Heart has out done themselves this time. This paper pack is so springy and colorful. I have used most of it up already, and need to order more. I actually had to use up "bits and pieces" to pull this card together.
The stamp set is April's Stamp Of The Month ,also from Close to My Heart. This darling stamp set has so many little sayings to use with the antique typewriter, there is sure to be something to fit everyone you need to make a card for!
I made this card for someone special, and I am sure it will bring back fond memories of our high school days, when we actually used on of these old relics. 
I had so much fun doing this card. I hope you have a wonderful crafty week, enjoy the spring sunshine, and don't forget to use up all your little bits and pieces.

Sketch# 101

This weeks sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge is a lovely sketch .My first thoughts were of all the different flowers I could make and use. I then decided that I wanted to do something really different so that crafters who play along with us can see that the sketch does not have to be taken literally.

Even though I did not use flowers, the elements of the design are there. My main feature is in the bottom right hand side of my card. I have used a sentiment,though mine is slightly higher and off center. There is bling in the upper left corner , though I used 3 instead of two. The main body of the card is a little to the left. I also did this, but choose to use a strip of coordinating color to off set the print paper I used.

As you can see, the overall card does not look like the sketch , but all the elements are there. I do hope that this gives those of you who struggle with some of the sketches some ideas on how to pull a card together that showcases your work, while following a design. 
As usual, I have tried to use up left over paper . This is an older paper pack from Close To My Heart called Tommy. I am sad to think it will soon be all gone. Was for sure, one of my favorites. Here is hoping you all have an awesome week, and don't forget to make good use of all your little bits and pieces !!

Lets Celebrate !!

It is time to celebrate ! Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge has reached it's 100th sketch. How awesome it that. I have made this weeks challenge in honour of the occasion. As always ,the sketches done by the ladies on the design team are fantastic, and this week is no exception.

I choose to make my card in a portrait orientation, as opposed to the landscape one that was done here. I just like to change things up a bit.

I really like to go through all my bits and pieces and find something I can use, before I cut new paper. I try to keep my new paper packs for workshops and classes, and use the scraps for cards. This paper is an older paper from Close To My Heart . It is called Lollydoodle , and I  used it a lot. It was very versatile as are all of the papers from CTMH. I used Pair card stock to mount it on, and to make the flower. The flowers were cut from the Art Philosophy Cartridge also from CTMH. I inked the scalloped oval with Pear, and finished it off with some bling. The sentiment is an older wooden stamp I own. I have long forgotten from whence it came. I sure hope you join us for the celebration. Have a wonderful week and remember to use up all your little bits and pieces.


To celebrate Sketch 100 we will be giving our some blog candy and all you have to do is visit our fabulous design team members blogs and leave a comment on their design for Sketch 100 and you are entered. We will be drawing XX names at random from the comments. To increase your chances of winning, leave comments for all of the design team members! And to be fair, you can only win 1 time! Please invite your friends and family to join the fun!
Thanks again for being part of our challenge community and we are all looking forward to the next 100 fabulous sketches and your awesome creations!
Happy Crafting!
The Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Design Team

Lauren Moore
http://laurenctmhcraftings.blogspot.com/…/atlantic-hearts-s…
Marie Flayer
http://njstampingqueen.blogspot.com/…/celebrating-atlantic-…
Lisa Mensing
http://thecraftingcave.blogspot.com/…/sketch-100-with-atlan…
Linda Norman
http://www.scrappytherapy.com/…/atlantic-hearts-sketch-chal…
Brandi Robinson
http://crzy4scrapbooking.blogspot.com/…/sketch-100-from-ahs…
Stephanie Keats
http://stephsshoebox.blogspot.com/…/happy-100th-atlantic-he…
Wendy Coffman
http://www.stampingrules.com/…/day-30-atlantic-hearts-sketc…
Jasmina Bursic
http://jazzy-crafts.blogspot.com/2015/03/ahsc-100.html
Michelle Stewart
http://mycreationswithmichelle.blogspot.com/…/ahsc-100-time…
Kelly Janes
http://papercraftingwithkellyjanes.com/2015/03/23/ahsc-100/
Candra Holmes
http://www.paperdragonfleur.ca/…/atlantic-hearts-sketch-cha…
Lisa Bzibziak
http://www.facebook.com/l.php…
Barbara-Ann Himelman
http://barbarahimelman.blogspot.com/…/03/lets-celebrate.html
Laura Davidson
http://www.lauraleesdream.blogspot.ca/…/ahs100-birthday-ca

Little Doggy

Wow, sketch# 99 for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. It is hard to believe that we are soon coming up on sketch #100. Seems like just yesterday that we were just getting started. 
Well, for anyone who has followed my blog, you know that my first love is flowers and lace and frilly things, so this weeks card is way out there me.
Here is this weeks sketch

I had so much fun with this sketch. A good friend asked me to make a card for her grand daughter who was turning 3. Her birthday theme is going to be dogs. What goes together better than little girls and puppies, unless it is little girls , puppies, and pink.

This was so quick and simple. I went on Design Space,poked in puppies and found the dog, the dog house and the bones. How could I go wrong. !! I will say I am getting lazy though, I did not even take the time to see what cart the images came from. I just choose 'em and cut 'em !!. I love my Explore and I love the Design Space. Along with all the images I have linked , and the subscription, there are no end to the images that are available.
I did the same thing with the number 3!! 
 The papers I used are from the paper pack Brushed from Close To My Heart  . This is such a lovely paper pack, so colorful and spring like. I had already used most of this paper, and so this card was made with bits and pieces of left overs. I hope inspires you to join the fun ,and to use up all your little bits and pieces. Have a great week and be kind to everyone you meet.

Sunshine

The time is flying by. Although this winter seems like it will never end, spring is just around the corner. We will soon be growling about black flies and spring rain. Speaking of the time flying, I cannot believe my first grandchild is turning 17 today. It seems like only yesterday we held her in our arms for the first time, and were amazed at how beautiful and perfect she was. Seventeen yrs later and she is still beautiful and perfect. I am so proud of the amazing young woman she has become. The sketch this week from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge     was an easy one , and I used it to make the card for my grand daughter.

I used the paper pack "Brushed" from Close To My Heart for this card. I love the color combination of the pinks, and lagoon and cranberry red in it. It is bright and cheery . The floral paper that is included is so springy and fresh, but was a little too busy with what I wanted, so I just flipped it over and used the other side. The lagoon card stock set everything off nicely. The design for the sentiment was cut using Spellbinders Resplendent Rectangles and my Big Kick . The sentiment I used is from the stamp set "Give A Lift" also from Close To My Heart, stamped with Cranberry Ink. The darling little flower is the metal embellishments from the Brushed collection. I  had some bling that matched the center of the flower, so placed 3 of them in the bottom right hand corner  to pull it all together. I never  worry about weather or not she will like what I make her. She loves everything I make her, and looks forward more to the cards then  her present.......LOL. I do however, hope you all like it, and wish you a wonderful week. Make sure to take time for yourself, and use up all your little bits and pieces !!

Sketch 95

The weather today is ferocious. It is quite a blizzard. A perfect day to hunker down and play in the craft room. I decided to work on my card and blog for this weeks Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge .

I recently acquired a large lot of scrap booking/ card making supplies from my sister. My plan was to sell most of it off for her, but what a blast I have had going through everything. I am afraid that there is more possibility  of my keeping most of it then selling it........lol . Oh, this is going to cost me, I am sure. I digress, but who would not with all this fun stuff in front of them. 

Here is this weeks sketch (always awesome from the girls at AHSC).

Here is my take on it.

 This is not my usual style, but I so wanted to use some of the awesome retired CTMH paper packs that were included in my recently  acquired stash. I made this card for a very good friend. 

Many of my friends and family were here for me during the saddest and most difficult time of my adult life. The friend I made this for however was there for me day and night, and many long hours, after every one else had returned to their every day lives. She calls me daily, and checks on me often. Makes sure I am coping not only with my loss, but with the day to day chores and all the things that need to be done. Makes sure that I am eating properly and that I am getting back at doing the things I love.
As soon as I saw the verse that was tucked away in the pkg with the lovely paper, I knew I had to use it to make a birthday card for her.  She is truly an angel and this simple card can never tell her how much her friendship means to me. I only hope that she knows how much I treasure it.
I do hope that you all have a friend like this that you can count on. Have a great week and don't forget to use up all your little bits and pieces. (especially the ones that you get from someone else. They are they most fun!)