I'll Miss You Blue Belle!

This week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge is a shout-out to the Close To My Heart Color of the Year, Blue Belle.  This color was announced last September and is about to retire as of August 31st.  It's such a gorgeous color - it makes me sad to see it go! 

The pattern in the squares and rectangles was created with an embossing folder. I inked the inside of the folder with Blue Belle ink, placed my White Daisy paper inside and ran it through my embossing machine. It's a fun technique and you get completely different results on both sides of your paper. 

Here is sketch #432 that inspired my card. 

I found this sketch to be a little more challenging that some. But that could just be me having a creative block.  How about giving it a go yourself?  I'd love to see what you come up with. 

Below are the products I used for this card. As I said, Blue Belle is retiring at the end of August so if you love this color be sure to grab some before it's gone! 

All linked products are available at the time of this post while supplies last.

Z3681 - Stitched Lattice Background Thin Cuts 

Z3697 - Floral Lace Embossing Folder 

X6048 - Blue Belle Cardstock

Z7000 - Blue Belle Pearls 

Z4213 - Silver embellishing Thread

Z6519 - Blue Belle Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

X254 - White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack

Z3372 - Adhesive Runner

Z3440 - Dual Tip Permanent Glue Pen

Z2060 - 3-D Thin Foam Tape

Patriotic Chick

 I'm having so much fun being on the design team for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  This is my card for design 426.  I really love this design. I'm sure I am not the only one who immediately saw a double flap card.  And since we are nearing the end of June I thought a little patriotic flare for July was the way to go. Here's what I did. 

Our Blue Belle Shimmer Trim is perfect for grounding my little blue bird. Both left & right flaps are lined with it. 

Tiny little silver heart confetti is glued to her balloon to make it extra special patriotic. And a couple in her flowers, as well.

Here is the Sketch for this weeks challenge.  Add your own card, or at least go see what others have come up with based on the sketch. There's always some awesome art to see. 

Here is what I used for this card. All are available at the time of this post while supplies last. Click on the links for individual product information. 

Z3954 - So Tweet Stamps & Thin Cuts (B1745 without Thin Cuts)

D2018 - Floral Borders & Sentiments

X7269B - Stars & Sparklers Paper Pack

Z2491 - True Blue TriBlend Marker

Z2483 - Light Yellow TriBlend Marker

Z2848 - Sapphire Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2805 - Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

X5957 - Sapphire Cardstock

Z3800 - Blue Belle Shimmer Trim

Z2900 - Silver Star Confetti

Z3372 - Adhesive Runner 

Z3440 - Dual Tip Permanent Glue Pen 

Z1151 - 3-D Foam Tape

Desserts a la Whirl

It's time for another Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge!  I decided to use a set of stamps that I have been wanting to use for a long time but just haven't found the right project for. It seems like this sketch might be just the thing! Here is what I created for the challenge: 

Who can resist a shaker card?

I love our Sapphire Glitter Paper!

Along with my choice of stamps I also wanted to use some more of our Stars & Sparklers paper pack. Looking outside of the obvious, Red White & Blue Hulabaloo of 4th of July theme, I thought this paper on the base of the card was also very happy & fun for a birthday or other occasion of celebration. 

Here is the original sketch for this week, #424: 

Why don't you hop on over to the AHSC blog and see the other beautiful cards inspired by this sketch.  And while you are at it, create and add one of your own - it's fun! 

Here is everything I used to create this adorable card. Click the links for purchase information: 

Z3957 - Desserts a la Whirl with Thin Cuts (D2025 without Thin Cuts)

X7269B - Stars & Stripes Paper Packet 

Z3840 - Sapphire Glitter Paper

Z2497 - Dark Red TriBlend Marker

Z2496 - Pale Pink TriBlend Marker

Z2476 - Fair Skin TriBlend Marker

Z2478 - Earth Brown TriBlend Marker

Z2475 - Brown Grey TriBlend Marker

Z2805 - Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z4309 - Circle Shaker Window Thin Cuts (dies)

Z4310 - Circle Shaker Window Foam & Acetate

Z4304 - Silver Loose Sequins

Z2900 - Silver Star Confetti

1385 - White Daisy Cardstock 

X254 - White Cards & Envelopes Valu Pack

Z3440 - Dual-Tip Permanent Glue Pen

Z3372 - Adhesive Runner

Z1151 - 3-D Foam Tape

Peace Within - AHSC #422

Welcome to another episode of Betsy crafting for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. I hope you've been keeping an eye on the beautiful cards coming from our Design Team and especially the cards shared by the challengees each week. 

I recently got a new stamp set that I adore and I was determined to use it for this challenge.  Let's take a look at my cards (I did two). 

I thought this first photo was pretty much a straight take of the sketch. Later I realized that (in my opinion) I switched the white space and the pattern paper space. No harm, no foul since it's still my take on the sketch.  

Now the second photo.  I reversed the white & patterned spaces, turned the sketch a quarter turn and placed my sentiment in the center.  This one is my favorite. 

Here is the sketch:

Okay, your turn now.  Share how you were inspired by this sketch by posting on the AHSC blog. 

The following products were used for my cards. You can follow each link to a specific product or wander my shopping site on your own:  https://betsy.closetomyheart.com/

D2019 - Take A Hike My Acrylix Stamp Set (Z3953 - with thin cuts)

X7269B - Stars & Sparklers Paper Pack (X7269S - with stickers)

X5957 - Sapphire Cardstock 

Z2474 - Ice Grey TriBlend Marker

Z2476 - Fair Skin TriBlend Marker

Z2479 - Gold Brown TriBlend Marker

Z2481 - Coral TriBlend Marker

Z2491 - True Blue TriBlend Marker

Z2848 - Sapphire Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z6508 - Blue Bird Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z6512 - Evergreen Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z3372 - Adhesive Runner 

Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape

X254 - White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack

Whisking You A Happy Day

I had so much fun making my card for this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. Let's take a look. 

I love this little Gnome Chef. Okay, you've got me, I am very partial to Gnomes, period. (Help from the grammar police, please - do you use a period after you say period?)  I thought the sentiment would be cute if I made it look like a chalk board. I'm going for that café feel where they write the daily menu on a chalk board. Then instead of just adding the chef to the card, I wanted to make a cluster of him with his utensils.  So cute, right?  I added a bit of shimmer brush to the whisk and red liquid pearls to the heart.

Here is the sketch that inspired me. 

What does this sketch suggest to you? "Whisk" something up and add it to the challenge!  We love it when you play along! 

Here is a list of the Close To My Heart products I used making this card. Check out those Gnome stamps - they are on sale through the rest of April!  I appreciate you shopping with me! 

Z3931 - Kitchen Gnomes with Thin Cuts (D2010 without Thin Cuts)

Z3686 - Stitched Fancy Brackets Thin Cuts

X9026 - Mix-ins (Mar-Apr)

1385 - White Daisy Cardstock

X5958 - Peacock Cardstock 

Z2805 - Black Exclusive Inks Stamp pad

Z891 - VersaMark Ink Pad

Z2068 - White Super Fine Embossing Powder

Z3293 - Clear Shimmer Brush 

Z3799 - Carnation Red Liquid Pearls

Z2474 - Ice Grey TriBlend Marker

Z2476 - Fair Skin TriBlend Marker

Z2477 - Tan TriBlend Marker

Z2478 - Earth Brown TriBlend Marker

Z2488 - Green Turquoise TriBlend Marker

Z2489 - Blue Turquoise TriBlend Marker

Z3372 - Adhesive Runner

Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape

X254 - White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack 

Spring is for Cherry Blossoms

 Welcome to my version of Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge number 416. I hope you have been following us and playing along. Nothing inspires me more than a good sketch and viewing all the possibilities that it inspires!  

This time I am following the sketch pretty closely.  I chose one of our current stamps, Cherry Blossoms because I love everything about this stamp and the sentiments. I also chose to do a monochromatic card.  Let's take a look. 

Why don't you play along today?  Tell them Betsy sent you.  Here is the sketch:

I really like the simplicity of this sketch and the nice clean style.  However, when I made my card I kept thinking it needed something. Just a little something more, you know?  

So I thought about how when cherry blossom time rolls around it always seems to be snowing as the little flower petals break free and float away on the breeze.  

In my infinite wisdom I thought, "I know! I'll add some liquid pearls!"  And just so you know, this is how my new section called Betsy's Bloopers got it start.

So here is the same card with liquid pearls.  I dare say I went a little overboard, got carried away, used just a tad too much.  😂

Remember this old rule, kiddos?  "When you think you are done remove one thing." Okay crafters, someone tell me the correct way to remove liquid pearls, please.  Lucky for me, this was an easy card to create.  Let me show you what I used, links included to my shopping site. All linked products are available at the time of this post. 

C1889 Cherry Blossoms Stamp Set (stamps are on sale through April 30, 2021!)

Z2896 Smoothie Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

X6044 Peach Cardstock

The Peach plaid paper was from a retired Mix-ins paper pack.

Z3791 White Opal Liquid Pearls 
Z726 Sponge Daubers (Z1938 for a value pack of 12)

Z4187 Stitched Oval Thin Cuts 

I used a dauber to apply ink to my stamps. The Smoothie ink is a nice dark color but I wanted something just a little lighter, that would work with the Peach papers. Peach ink was too light. By daubering (I'm making up words now, forgive me?) on the Smoothie ink it was a lighter coverage than inking directly from the pad. Give it a try sometime when you find something just a bit too dark. 

Z3372 Adhesive Runner

Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape

X254 White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack 

One Sketch, Two Takes

Welcome to another edition of Altantic Hearts Sketch Challenge by Betsy.  I took a look at this weeks sketch and my first thought was its designed for a slimline card. However, I didn't feel like doing a slimline card so read on for my adaptation.  First of all, here is sketch #410 that we are working from this week:

This sketch inspires so many ideas - a slimline card, a three part shaker card, a three season card, a divided scene card... and so on.  What does it say to you?  

For me, I immediately thought of an older stamp set I have and a brand stinkin' new one.  Let's visit the older one first. 

Birthdays are always being celebrated and we always need cards for them. Per the sketch I created a Cricut cut background for the three images that are the focal point of this card.

This was a fun card to create and has all you need to celebrate a birthday - balloons, presents and cake!  Of course your favorite people, too, but those are a given. I love this combination of script for the sentiment. It's two stamps so can be used many ways. 

A brand new stamp set just coming available on March first is the basis for this next sketch rendition. I love this set so much and just had to create with it! 

Lets see what you can do with the Altantic Hearts Sketch #410. I'm sure you have some great ideas! 

For more information on the Close to my Heart products I used, follow this link to the details.  Betsy's Sketch #410 details.

Until next time...

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #408

 Wow!  It's been a long long time since I have blogged, but I think I want to get back at it.  I hope you'll like what I have to share and follow me! 

The first thing I've done is connect back up with the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. This team of ladies is so so talented and I am very excited to be part of them again.  And you will love them too!  Why? Because their art is so inspiring and you can also share your take on the sketches.  Sketches are my go-to resource when I am feeling creatively blocked. 

So with no further ado, let me share the current sketch: 

Since I am creating for my next virtual card workshop I thought I would use this sketch for inspiration and came up with this:

Although I love snow and we just had a bunch fall on us, the springtime feel of this card makes me feel happy!!