"BINGO" Art Philosophy Blog Hop

Welcome to our March Art Philosophy/Artiste Blog Hop!   As you know, both the Artiste and the Art Philosophy cartridges are available exclusively through a Close to My Heart consultant.  If you don't already have a Consultant that you are currently working with, please contact one the Consultants in our hop with any questions you have!

If you have just hopped onto my blog, please start at the beginning at Lucy's blog – Love 2 Create .   If you came from Theodora of Celebrate Crafts then you are in the right place!

Our challenge this month features not only one of these amazing cartridges but also a "BINGO" card!
Here is the BINGO card that our Consultants were given:

The Consultants were told they could  make anything they wanted using the Artiste OR Art Philosophy cartridge AND you work off the BINGO card posted above. Basically, you make a "BINGO" by going across, down, or diagonally and you have to use everything in that bingo line.
I chose the top horizontal row but may have "bent" the rules a little.  I made two cuts using the Art Philosophy cartridge and came up with two cards.  Between the two cards, I have included the ribbon, metal (ish), and bling elements from above.

There are a few versions of Fleur-de-Lis in both cartridges (they are classic after all).  I cut the inside and then used the negative with another rounded rectangle to make the second card.

The first card contains CTMH gold embossing powder on the black cut out (popped up) and white embossing on craft paper with buffed ink accents for the background.

 

The second card uses the negative, a few pearls for bling, some non-CTMH "Wedding Ribbon" in black with wired edges, and finally - MY FAVORITE - for always paper.  A little black ink finishes the edge of the paper while everything is rounded to match the cut as well.

 

I used these cards for a gathering last weekend and they were a big hit!  They can be used for any occasion and for either women or men. 

Your next stop on our "BINGO" hop is Michelle of My Flights of Fancy.
Here is the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way:

1. Lucy ~ Love 2 Create
2.  Theodora ~ Celebrate Crafts <<<< You came from here...
3. Penny ~ It Makes Total Cents <<< YOU ARE HERE!
4. Michelle ~ My Flights of Fancy <<<GO HERE NEXT!
5. Melissa L- My Watermelon Moon
6. Jennifer ~ 4 Hearts Scrapbooking 
7. Michelle ~ My Creations with Michelle 
8. Traci ~ Paper Crafting 101 
9. Stephanie ~  The Quilted Scrapper  
   
   
    Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you.

Soooo Exciting! A chance to be part of Jeanette Lynton's Blog? blog?

Jeanette Lynton, CEO of Close To My Heart, is giving all CTMH consultants AND FANS a chance to be featured on HER BLOG!  Here is an excerpt:

My Favorite Stamp Set Submissions 

This year on my blog, I am sharing artwork featuring one of my favorite product lines—My Acrylix stamps. I will be sharing artwork created by the talented artists in the Close To My Heart Art Studio, but I want to extend the opportunity to my fabulous blog readers as well—that’s right, I’m talking to YOU! Whether you are a Close To My Heart Consultant, a long-time blog follower, or a first time visitor, I invite you to share your best work with me for your chance to be featured here. Here's what to do:

This is so fun.  All you have to do is follow the directions from her blog post.  I'm so excited that I'd also like to show your project here on my blog and through my Facebook page (if you'd like).  If you submit a project, let me know or include me on the email and I'll get it on here too. 

I'm already thinking of items to send. 

Thanks for stopping by!

It's the MIDDLE OF MAY ALREADY?

Where did the month go?  It's the 16th already and I haven't even posted my special.  I've been a little under the weather and crazy busy but that's no excuse - so the following special (also on my specials page) will be good until April 15th.

Colors of the Rainbow SPECIAL

From now until April 15th

All items, including cardstock, ink pads, reinkers, pigment inks, and even our new marker sets on page 9 of the Idea Book are 10% off.  There is virtually a rainbow of colors to choose from.

Speaking of rainbow - here is a quick card that I am including in my Saturday card class if anyone is interested.  I have a few more cards to share this week as well.

NOTE:  This special is exclusive to ItMakesTotalCents and will not be honored by CTMH Corporate.  Orders must be place with me and NOT through my website to receive the discount.

I am also submitting the above card for the 

 Fabulous Friday Challenge - Up, Up & Away! at Frosted Designs. 

JUMP FOR JOY

Runs through March 31, 2013

Close To My Heart is giving a great reason to have a Home Gathering as well... the Jump for Joy promotion allows hostesses (online or in person) to jump up a level for rewards after the $250 mark. 

 

Contact me for further details.  I still have a few weekends open this month.  

Next month will be a special month with a few chances to win, get great deals, and celebrate a special occasion with me.  I hope you will join me.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

"Black & White Only" Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month there are eight of us highlighting the “Black and White Only" technique.  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique. 

If you are coming from Judy'sBlog, you are on the right track!  

Here's my project.  First, let me explain that beyond being a procrastinator (working on the project at 11pm the night before), this card is not what I had planned.  NOTE:  A hairdryer does NOT work in a pinch for a heat gun that was inadvertently left at my card class on Tuesday.  Here is what SHOULD be a silver embossed rose.  :(

So plan B was to use my almost dead White Daisy ink pad.  The idea shows through even if the white looks a little blue on the black cardstock.  The paper I chose is my new favorite, "For Always".  This one will be a mainstay in my paper stock pile as it is so versitile.  

I think the pearls and ribbon add some sophistication to the simple design.  Even with the color palette limited to two basic colors, I was able to provide visual interest with the different textures (visual texture of the paper, the ribbon, and pearls - as well as what was suppose to be an embossed rose).  It did make me think, however, because a bright pink, red, or teal would look gorgeous with this paper as well.

 

Supply List:  

Card Word Puzzle (C1494)

Art Philosophy Stamp Set  (C1686)

Black Cardstock

For Always paper (X7165B)

White Daisy Ink (Z2163)

Pearls (from stash)

White ribbon (from stash) 

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Melinda's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation and happy hopping!

Debi-http://debiistheothersister.blogspot.com/
Cherri-http://craftwithfeeling.blogspot.com/
Joy-http://studiowowjoy.com/ Judy-http://judyfaye.blogspot.com/  <<<You've come from here
Kindred Hearts-http://itmakesotalcents.blogspot.com/   <<<You are here
Melinda-http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/   <<<Go here next
Melissa-http://mlisrobinson.blogspot.com/
Stephani-http://cardsbystephanie.com/

"Alcohol Markers" Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop! This month there are six of us highlighting the Alcohol Marker technique.  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.

If you are coming from Shirley's Blog, "Mom N Me Scrap", you are on the right track!  

Here are two projects that I recently completed using Close To My Heart's AMAZING alcohol markers.  I have a few copics but have resisted getting many due to price.  Our markers work great, come in wonderful colors that match our papers, and are only $4.95 for TWO!  They come in pairs (see pic below) including the true CTMH color and a lighter or darker complimentary (blending) color.  

***#1 TIP!!!! - Use a permanent pigment based ink to stamp images you color with alcohol markers.  Our standard inks may bleed a little an my ruin lighter marker colors.  This is true of ANY alcohol markers.  I used Momento's Tuxedo Black for these.  You can also choose to emboss any image before coloring as the embossing powder will "dam" the color and reduce bleeding. ***

This butterfly card was inspired by the wonderful blue colors in real butterflies.  The stamp set is a retired oldy but goody, Butterfly Wings.  My go to many time for graphic butterflies.  The rose on the back is stamped with Twilight Ink (retired) and is from the January "Happy Valentine's" Stamp of the Month.

I used a "flicking" technique from the outside of the wings and the inside wind near the body towards the middle with the standard dark blue Pacifica marker and then overlapped the edge using the same technique towards the middle, leaving a little of the blue paper showing. Here's a closeup. I also used a splica (sp?) pen to add a little glitter.

The other card features another rose from the January Stamp of the Month.  I stamped the rose twice on pink cardstock with my Memento black ink.  The base is colored with the Topiary and Ruby markers (except the rose center that isn't seen).

Here is another close up.  I started with the darker Ruby and colored where the black lines are and near the creases.  Then I went over the whole rose with the lighter Ruby marker to blend.  For the green leaves, I did the same with the regular and lighter Topiary green.  On the second stamped image, I colored just the center and cut it out.  Using a pop-dot, I created a 3D effect that I think gives the card some real dimension.

I hope you liked my cards.  I'm slowly building my stock of these amazing markers. A full list of the markers is available here.  Happy coloring! :)

Your next stop on the hop is back to the beginning with Debi...

Here is the full hopping list in case you get lost!  Thanks for stopping by! :)

1. Debi
2. Cherri
3. Joy 4. Judy
5. Shirley
6. Kindred Hearts<<< You are here

And we have another winner!

Congrats,

Wendy Bergeron Coffman

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Wendy was given the choice of:

• FREE Stamp of the Month (Spring/Summer Catalog)
• $10 in product credit
• a "Surprise" gift by mail

An email has been sent and I we will see what she chooses!

I haven't decided if I should do another giveaway this month or not.  Maybe one of my followers can convince me? 

Thanks for stopping by.  Congrats again, Wendy! :)

Lorby's World - Valentine's Mailbox/Treat Box Blog Hop

Valentine's Day is just two weeks away and we wanted to see what kinds of mailboxes, boxes, and bags you make to give those special people in your lives. Join us for some amazing Valentine's inspiration in plenty of time for that special day and those special treats.

This hop has two hostesses today: Jearise from Lorby's World and Tee. Make sure you visit their blogs because they have some special treats of their own to give away. They'll tell you more on their blogs.

Now on with the inspiration...

Although my brand new "Tags, Bags, Boxes & More 2" Cricut Cartridge contains many boxes and even a mailbox to choose from, I love this little treat box.  There was a little learning curve when cutting and putting this box together but I love how it turned out.  (PS - the pictures don't do the matching base and almost perfectly coordinating paper justice.)

The cardstock is white core and took the Chocolate distress well.  The patterned paper is some retired B&T paper from Close To My Heart that I love.  The two sides work so well together that I cut a butterfly out and turned it to the "back" side to compliment the lighter distressing in the paper.

My favorite part of the box is still the "lock and heart" sides.  The keyhole is where the tabs from the top insert to close the box.

I think I may make a few more of these for the special Valentine's in my life!  Hope you like it.

 Thanks for stopping by and please continue on to Robin S.

1. Jearise 
2. Tee <<<YOU CAME FROM HERE
3. Penny (Kindred hearts) <<<YOU ARE HERE
4. Robin S. <<<GO HERE NEXT
5. Amanda 
6. Sandra
7. Jessi
8. Priscilla
9. Katie 
10. Michele 
11. Ashley 
12. Lynne 
13. Jackie