"O-fish-ally Awesome" Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Happy April! This month we've got a fabulous Blog Hop to highlight an awesome stamp set called "O-fish-ally Awesome"! If you are coming from Cat's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants by clicking here. 

This awesome Stamp of the Month set, comprised of 37 images, can be yours for just $5. Valued at $18.95, you can get it at this phenomenal price when you place a minimum order of $50 (before shipping and tax). Click here for details on that special as well as to view additional artwork created from Close To My Heart. 

I had fun making this card which somewhat came together by accident. I decided to try a technique a team member of mine had shared with me. 

For the lighter blue color, on the background, I took one of our Clear Acrylic Blocks and applied some Lagoon Reinker. I then added some water, generously, to it. Then, taking some plastic packaging from a Shimmer Brush, I stuck it in the wet substance and then patted it onto the White Daisy Cardstock. (Pssst...cardstock is on sale this month!)

For the darker blue, I used the Sapphire Shimmer Brush. I made it pretty wet and then tapped it over my index finger to create the splotches. It was super fun. (I will be sharing a video in my VIP Group soon, and maybe on my YouTube Channel. Contact me if you want to be able to see it.) 

Here is a close-up view of the card front. For the "sand", I used Kraft Paper and tore it into strips. Then using the "sand" stamp images, and Toffee ink, I added it to create additional texture. All images were colored with our Watercolor Pencils and blended with a Watercolor Brush. 

A few irridescent Sequins were added to create some "bubbles". I hope you like what I have to share with you!

Head on over to Wendy's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. Consider leaving a comment on our blogs as you make your way around the hop. We love hearing from you! 

Make it a great month and happy hoppin'!

Heart 2 Heart Color Challenge!

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where we are featuring a Color Combo of Pixie, Canary, Julep and Lagoon! You, too, can participate in this challenge and then link up to the Challenge on our blog. You do have to incorporate at least one Close To My Heart product in your creation.

Here are the colors/shades:

I enjoyed creating this fun, but simple card, with a positive sentiment.

Watercolor Paints, and a Waterbrush, were used to add some color to the stamped images. The Archival Black ink pad was used so it didn't bleed. 

The floral paper was used from the Mix-Ins paper pack which I absolutely love! The patterns are so beautiful. It's time for a new pack! (The other colors shown on the card are cardstock.)

This is the stamp set I used for the sentiment. It's called "Life's a Journey" and was a must-have for me. I love the fonts and messages.

Here is a close-up of the sentiment. Shimmer Trim and Clear Sparkles were added for a bit of bling. 

Be sure to join in this and all of our weekly Heart 2 Heart Challenges. We'd love to have you! 

Thanks so much for stopping by. Make this a GREAT day!

"Distressed Much" - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we highlight a papercrafting technique using Close To My Heart products. This month participants can interpret the theme of "Distressed Much?" If you are coming from Katy's Blog, you are on the right track. You will find a complete list of participants at the bottom of this post. 

With the release of this NEW Idea Book, I was excited to try the stamp set in the new Seas the Day - Cardmaking Workshop Kit. 

This CUTE stamp set contains some FUN sea-related images and punny sentiments. (It is only available by purchasing this kit.) Click on this link to see other card ideas the stamp set in greater detail.

For my "distressed" look I decided to incorporate paper-tearing and the Under-the-Sea Embossing Folder. After running the folder through the Cuttlebug, I used a sanding block to remove some of the paper color. Because our cardstock has a white core (which allows for some fun techniques), it gave a nice distressed look. 

"Reverse kissing", another stamping technique, was done on the whale. The whale was inked up in Sapphire ink and then the small heart image was stamped onto it, without inking it up first. By doing so, the heart removed some of the ink on the whale to reveal the image. Fun, right?! 

Oh! And did you see that I stamped on the White Ribbon? I did so using Smoothie Ink. I'm looking forward to creating additional cards using this stamp set. 

Make your way around to Brandi's Blog to see what artwork creation she has to share with you. Consider leaving a comment before you do. Happy hoppin'!

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Brandi Robinson

3. Alyson Mayo

4. Michelle Loncar

5. Darlys Recker

6. Cat Nowak

7. Valerie Kapsha

8. Kim Loewen

9. Haley Dyer

10. Ronda La Duke

11. Lauren Moore

12. Tamara Sandwisch

13. Miss Carrie's Creations

14. Katy Taylor

New Product Blog Hop (2020 March/April Idea Book)

Close To My Heart has NEW products that just released, in this brand NEW Idea Book, on March 1st! You'll love all that is contained from the front cover to the back. To view the digital copy, click here. You get a FREE hard copy with the first order, of any size, you place this month.

If you are coming from Wendy's Blog, you are on the right path. You can find a complete list of participants by clicking here.

We've got two new paper suites: "Yesterday and Today" and "Seas the Day". I chose to use Seas the Day to make this 6" x 8" mini album page.

This adorable product line has a variety of coordinating products for that sea-lover or preserving those fun, seaside memories. You can view all of the options here. 

This coordinating Seas the Day - Cardmaking stamp set (which can be used for anything you choose) can be purchased with or without the Thin Cuts. (I love the Thin Cuts because they make cutting so simple.)

Head on over to Melinda's Blog and keep making your way around the Blog Hop. Happy hoppin'!

Tell Your Story - "Read Across America" Blog with Friends

Welcome to this month's Blog Post done in collaboration with my "Blog with Friends" group. We are here to share content associated with the theme of "Read Across America". You'll find links to their posts below. Please go check out what they have to share with you; it's some FUN stuff!

I am excited to share what I designed that was perfect for this theme. I sooooo could have titled my project "Read Across the World" as well (like Kia did below) as I had fun making this 4" x 4" mini album (aka scrapbook) of our trip to New York City, for Christmas 2019. It is a preservation of the memories we created with our new friends from the UK, Richard and Maxine. 

We totally bonded the moment we met and spent a lot of time and several days together, before our flights would send us separate directions. (There are some additional photos under that Flip Flap. There were a couple more photos that I couldn't resist including so enjoyed adding this additional element.) 

This mini book contains photos of our shared moments as well as a couple, like these, that are some iconic images from the area which require no words. 

While I have just shared some of the story book with you, we totally indulged in the sites and scenes of NYC, eating dinner and socializing at Rockefeller plaza, and here... We capped off our time together by taking a horse-drawn carriage, through Central Park, where we enjoyed dinner at the famous "Tavern on the Green". (I do see I spelled Tavern incorrectly again, even though I knew not to include the last 'e'. LOL I'm glad I caught that now and will have to fix this page; no biggie.) 

If you would like to create a book similar to this, this is part of Close To My Heart's "Story by Stacy" product line. This specific book is called "Story Starter" and is 4" x 4". The built-in Memory Protectors are sewn inside and also includes a workbook to inspire you.

You can keep the book very simple, like I did, and get your photos printed (many places) in 4" squares, making it easy to slip into the pages. You can include a little or a lot of the story, and photos, and do not have to be an experienced scrapbooker to do so.

Do you have some fun memories that would be great preserved in this small format, for you or as a gift? Of course, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I'd be happy to help you.

Thank you very much for stopping by my blog. I always love the read the comments you feel inclined to leave, so please consider doing so. Then, check out my friends' post titles below and go see what they have to share with you! 

Make it a GREAT week!

Karen of Baking in a Tornado

Tamara of Part-Time Working Hockey Mom

Lydia of Cluttered Genius

Jules of the Bergham Chronicles

P.J. at A 'Lil HooHaa

Kia at the Ground Beneath My Feet

Green with Optional Gold (Heart 2 Heart Challenge)

For our first Heart 2 Heart Challenge in March, you are asked to incorporate Green, with optional Gold, in your creation! The possibilities are endless! Be sure to include at least one Close To My Heart product in your artwork.

I had fun creating this sloth card, with an appropriate sentiment. The browns and greens were perfect for the theme and a little pop of gold was a great addition of sparkle. You know...sparkle is always necessary. 

I incorporated some paper distressing by slightly misting the cardstock, crumbling it with my hands and then laying it flat to attach to the card base. It made it look a bit more outdoorsy. Do you agree? 

Here is a close-up so you can see the details.

Head to your creative studio and make something aligned with this theme. Then, link up to us at Heart 2 Heart. We love to see what you create!

Here's to the first week in March! 🍹 Make it a GREAT one!

"Family Legacy" - March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Happy March! We are already into the third month of 2020; can you believe it? We've got the "Family Legacy" Stamp of the Month to share with you this month as well as some BRAND NEW PRODUCTS (released TODAY!) in this beautiful Idea Book!

You'll want to be sure to check it out. (It went live at 12 midnight MST!)

This stamp set,  of 17 images, has some beautiful fleurs that can provide for a great background on a card or layout. The images are beautiful for heritage photos as well. I'm sure you'll see some fun uses for it as you make your way around our Blog Hop and it can be yours for $5, with a $50 purchase this month (only). 

If you are coming from Cat's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a list of participants by clicking here.

I decided to use the fleur images to random-stamp a background for this 6 x 8 Everyday Life page. Combined with some paper from the NEW Mix-In paper pack, and with some distressed cardstock, I included the title and sentiment. The twine and Gold Glitter Gems were added for finishing touches. 

Now head over to Lauren's Blog to see what piece of artwork she has created to share with you. 

Wishing you the greatest March ever! Happy hoppin'!

Stamptacular Stamp + Thin Cuts Blog Hop

Welcome to this special Blog Hop where we are featuring products included in Stamptacular!

Have you heard?! Close To My Heart is having a BIG sale this month on our Stamp Sets, as well as those with coordinating Thin Cuts (aka dies). You can save up to 50% and some exclusive favorites have returned! To see what is available, click HERE.

If you are coming from Melinda's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participating Consultants here.

I could not resist using this retired (but currently available) and favorite stamp set of mine called "Perk Up". It's on sale for $15 this month (regularly priced $22.95); what a savings! I especially love the punny and fun sentiments, especially on this rainy day in Georgia!

It was fun to create this shaker card, using real coffee grinds and the Mix-in paper packet.

If you are a papercrafter, you have probably used stickers on your artwork creations. Have you ever run out of a vowel or other letter because you didn't have as many as you needed? I have! Did you know that our alphabet stamp sets solve that challenge because you can have as many of any letter as you choose! I love being able to vary my fonts, using different alphabet stamp sets, AND use them over and over and over again. They are especially wonderful when you want to personalize something for someone who has a unique name like my niece, Alyzae. This is called "Simply Said" and is on sale for $9.50. We have plenty of other fonts, of various sizes, on sale as well so be sure to check out Stamptacular! 

For the shaker portion, I used the Shaker Window & Confetti Thin Cuts and the Shaker Window Foam & Acetate. I love how simple they are to use and that I can use product I have on-hand to create these fun and interactive cards. If you haven't tried them, you need to put the on your next order. Trust me, you'll love them too!

Here is a close-up of the focal points so you can see a bit more of the detail. I couldn't resist adding some sparkle with the Clear Shimmer Brush and a little bit of Raspberry Twine (shown in the main image). 

Head over to Michelle's Blog and then keep making your way around the circle to see the other artwork we have to share with you today. If you have any questions about anything you see, please ask.

Happy hoppin'!