I am still doing a happy dance after spending an entire afternoon crafting. I didn't realize how much I had missed it - or how badly I'm addicted, lol. I have been doing some kind crafting for just about as long as I can remember but cross stitch was one of my first loves, so I was so excited to see the January 2014 Stamp of the Month "Cross Stitch Wishes" and thought it would be perfect to use for this week's sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. 
details: I broke out some discontinued papers from the "Clementine" and "Florentine" papers because I love the Twilight blue background paper on the "Florentine" paper and the warm neutrals and random faux stitching wandering through the designs on the "Clementine" papers. I used the Artiste cartridge for the spool and sponged some Saddle ink onto the Champagne CS to add a little dimension, and then I wrapped it up with Crème Brulee baker's twine and popped it up with foam tape. I used the Saddle, Twilight, and Sorbet colors from the "Florentine" kit for stamping the sentiment and sponged the edges of the center piece with Saddle. Happy crafting, Annette
As you can imagine, there are so many things I could be (and probably should be) doing on this last Sunday before Christmas but I gave myself a little gift today: I have spent the afternoon crafting not one but two cards for challenges. I had several weeks when I wasn't able to craft at all after hurting my hand and then I had to get caught up at work so this much crafting time was such a treat! At any rate, the first card is for the Mojo Monday #324 sketch challenge. There has been quite a baby boom in my area lately so I thought I'd better get caught up on welcoming everyone's new additions.
details: I used the retired "Dotty For You" kit because I *love* the sky/clouds/hearts background. I used the onesies image from the "Wrap It Up" cartridge, switching out the blade with a pen in my Cricut and adjusting it to the lightest pressure setting. I cut out the yellow, green, and yellow lightly big circles from one of the Dotty patterned papers, carefully planning the placement using my Gypsy. Once the Cricut had drawn the onesies I fussy cut them, stamped the clothesline from the January 2014 Stamp of the Month, "Cross Stitch Wishes," in Grey Wool as well as the sentiment from a retired SOTM set "Little Reminder."
My holiday season got off to a somewhat unfortunate start as I fell at the beginning of November, injuring my right hand and I was unable to use it much for several weeks so I have had to forego a lot of the crafting projects I had in mind. So now that I'm back in action I'm having a few issues with my hand and having to do a lot of range of motion type exercises so for the moment I really can say crafting is my therapy! :-) Anyway, I have always loved the Glory to God stamp set but haven't used it much so I was determined to use it this season and I have found not just one but two challenges I can enter this card for. One is based on this week's sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and the other is for Color My Heart where this week's challenge called for using Barn Red. I paired it with Champagne and Chocolate, my two favorite neutrals in the CTMH palette. I also added some gold embossing for the Christ child's halo as well as the stars.
I have been following a fun & fabulous new blog, Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, for some time but things haven't worked out for me to enter any of their challenges yet. However, having lost my mother to breast cancer at a very young age, I have a personal goal to post at least one project to support awareness each October and as soon as I saw this sketch I began thinking of ways to use it for my pink ribbon card. So here's the sketch followed by my take and PLEASE, if you haven't scheduled your mammogram this year, challenge yourself to do so! :-)
