Beautiful Butterflies

I love the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge sketches, but do you know what I like even more?  Using them as inspiration in my attempts to think outside the box. My brain likes to focus on what it actually sees, and trying to look beyond is my personal challenge to find my own creativity. 

This sketch #412 at AHSC. My brain sees the ribbon and thinks that is what I must use. Not this time, brain. 

Instead I did decide to use the general shape, but my interpretation used a butterfly. Here are my two takes on this sketch. 

I hope you'll try your hand at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. It's lots of fun and really sparks the creative juices. 

To see what I've used making these cards just follow this link. 

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!!  

Ho-Ho-Ho! Christmas Card & Tag Kits are Here!

Just in time to satisfy your crafting desires, Christmas Card & Tag Organizers are here!

Everything you need is included!  All the cutting, scoring and stamping has been done for you.  Just grab your adhesive and follow the instructions to create this fun set of cards & tags with it's own box to keep everything organized.

Along with the emailed instructions you will receive a cutting guide for your own use should you desire to make more.

Two styles are available.

What you will make with the
'Tis the Season kit:

Card & Tag Organizer Box

Your cards, tags, stamps, notes & a pen all in one place!

Six cards & envelopes (two each of three designs)

Six enclosure cards (two each of three designs)

Six gift tags (three each of two designs)

Naughty or Nice note pad, a pocket for stamps & a matching pen

The second choice of kit:

This is what you will make with the
Oh What Fun! kit

Card & Tag Organizer 

Your cards and gift tags in one convenient place!

Six cards & envelopes (two each of three designs)

Six enclosure cards (two each of three designs)

Six gift tags (three each of two designs)

A Naughty or Nice note pad, a pocket for stamps and a matching pen.

Each kit, completely cut, scored, stamped & prepped for you including all embellishments, die cuts, Cricut cuts and a pen is just $25.00 plus shipping. 

I'm shipping to US addresses only.

Kits will be mailed within 48 hours of purchase.

Don't wait to buy!  The number of kits I have is limited. 

Choose Kit

'Tis the Season $25.00 USD Oh What Fun! $25.00 USD

Holiday Lanterns

It's never too early for Holiday Crafts, after all, we need a head start, right?

I had a lot of fun designing these lanterns. They look so elegant on my mantel. Yes, I'll take them back down until after Thanksgiving, but I had to show you!

I'm offering my cutting file and instructions for these three lanterns to you, either for yourself or to use for a class. You will receive my Design Space file and my written instructions for assembly.  You must have the "Season of Joy" digital Cricut collection by Close to my Heart to use the Design Space file.

Here are two ways to get your copy of the workshop:

1. Place a minimum order of $25 on my Close to my Heart website:

betsy.closetomyheart.com

You may not have all the supplies* on hand so this is the perfect way to get your supplies and the workshop as a bonus! When you place that order, email me at betsygully@gmail.com and request the workshop instructions. This step is very important!

2. For CTMH consultants, only.  My workshop instructions are available for just $10.  Use this button to pay/order your workshop.

*Supplies needed to create these lanterns:

• Z3296 Season of Joy Digital Cricut Collection *REQUIRED*
• Z3366 Silver Foil Paper
• Z3365 Gold Foil Paper
• Z3237 White Glitter Paper
• Z3367 Vellum Paper
• X6027 White Daisy Cardstock
• Z3326 Tape Runner
• Z679  Liquid Glass
• Z4241 Decorative Borders Thin Cuts *optional*

Sneak Peeks & Teases!

Well it's summertime and I haven't blogged for a while.  

Shame!

Shame on me!

But being summer it also means that I've attended another Close To My Heart convention and I'm full of news about the upcoming catalog & great new ideas!  

But I can't tell you. 

Why?  

Because the catalog doesn't go live until September 1, 2018. 

If that seems like a long way off, I agree, but that time will fly by -trust me!  In the mean time I'm going to show you a little peek of a project we made at convention.  This is a brand new product that teams up Close To My Heart with Stacy Julian! 

{{{SQUEAL!}}}

I was so lucky to be asked to help with her presentation at convention so was able, with a handful of other consultants, to be coached by her in a Facebook Live session.  How do I express how exciting that was?  

Okay - here is your sneak peek

View #1

View #2

What do you think the amazing team of Close To My Heart and Stacy Julian has brought us now?

Stay tuned because I will tease show you more in the "between" time.  In the meantime, my website is still open for business and we have some awesome specials!  This month is Stampaganza! Buy two stamp sets at the retail value and get a third set of equal or lesser value for free ...and we brought back our fun "solos" stamp sets just for this event!  Check it all out on my web site. 

Follow me on Facebook:
Betsy's Paper Boutique or join my VIP Group Betsy's Paper Craft Room

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Happy New Year and welcome to 2018. Did 2017 just fly by or what? 

Here in Kentucky the mercury dropped to -3 degrees last night.  That's Fahrenheit! Brrrr!! I haven't dared venture outside but the temp and the little bits of snow we have left have inspired my contribution for the Design Team in this week's sketch challenge. 

I had a lot of fun with this card.  I went back to the old days of random stamping for the background. Sometimes I forget how much fun those "old" techniques are!  

I tilted the grid that is the focal point because - well, snowflake!

I love my thin cuts and particularly this snowflake done with glitter paper.  You may remember it from my last post.  

I also used my tiny 1/16th inch hole punch and made use of my glitter paper scraps. I just hate not using every bit of my glitter paper!  You can see I scattered them around on the stamped snowflakes to add a glint of sparkle to the back ground. 

Here is the Atlantic Hearts Sketch for this week.  I'd love to see how it inspires you.  Go to the AHSC blog for full details. 

I feel I need to apologize for the quality of my photos. It's much harder to get good lighting in the winter and unfortunately Santa did not bring me the light box I pinned for him to see.  I guess I have to work harder at being good!