"Favorite Tool" - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

This week at Heart 2 Heart we are highlighting our "Favorite Tool". I have a lot of favorite tools so it was hard to decide what I wanted to use. Thankfully, this artwork tied into another task I needed to complete so I headed this direction.

A tool that is on the top of my list these days are our Thin Cuts. They, paired with a diecut machine, like the Cuttlebug I use, are great for adding various elements on artwork.

Our diecuts are of top quality and come packaged on a magnetic sheet, for easy storage. This is the set I used called "Cruisin' to Adventure". While the images screamed "little boy" to me, I couldn't help but also see great use for the images and sentiments for many other occasions.

And the Stitched Circle Thin Cuts, also used here, are great for accents and other fun elements on your artwork. You can see all of the Thin Cuts we have available by clicking on this link.

I created this 6" x 8" mini scrapbook page as a fun way to preserve a treasured memory and love that it fits easily into our Everyday Life Album.

Hop on over to Heart 2 Heart and connect with us on this or our other March challenges. We would love to have you!

Emboss It! - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we are creating around the theme, "Emboss It!" Participants can incorporate any kind of technique in their artwork and I am excited to see what they have chosen. 

If you are coming from Carrie's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants at the bottom of this post. 

For my artwork I created a 6" x 8" scrapbook page, perfect for fitting in our Everyday Life Album. 

I chose to use the Playful Scallops Embossing Folder for some added texture on this page. Run through my Cuttlebug on Lemon cardstock, I like the dimension it provides.

The stamped elements are from the March Stamp of the Month, "This Happened". It has great images for scrapbooking or other papercrafting projects. The journal tag is interactive. 

It's time to head on over to Valerie's Blog to see what she has to share with you. Please make your way there and consider leaving a comment before you do so. 

Happy hoppin'!

List of Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Valerie Kapsha

3. Catherine Nowak

4. Darlys Recker

5. Maz Wood

6. Katy Taylor

7. Lauren Moore

8. Terry Metzger

9. Carrie Simmonds

In Any CASE...

Join us twice a month as we CASE, “Copy And Selectively Edit”, artwork created by the Art Department of Close To My Heart as showcased in the current Idea Books and our Make It From Your Heart How-To Books.

On the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of each month, at 7 pm CST, we will direct you towards a piece of art and recreate it using the exact products or others that compliment its initial design. Tips, techniques and assembly directions will be shared in detail to help you recreate them on your own.

As you reproduce the items we have shared, post them on social media using the hashtag #ctmhinanycase. We will randomly search that hashtag and reward those who CASE our items. Winners will be announced on our blogs so be sure to follow us!

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We did take a couple of weeks off, from CASEing, as both of us have been super obligated to other CTMH events and "life stuff". But...we are thrilled to be back with you today.

I couldn't resist using the "Bible Verses" stamp set featured on page 7 of the Idea Book. THIS stamp set can only be obtained if you're a Hostess. Contact either of us for more details. 

While I love the pocket cards that were showcased, I decided I wanted to make a greeting card that followed that of the one in the bottom left pocket. With changing up the size, I decided to add some color and sparkle. Shall we?

You can see how I used the design for the basis of my card, with a little "twist". That's what CASEing is all about, right? Have a point of inspiration and then run with it! 

I'm a bit limited in supplies since I am creating in a hotel room in California so I decided on this. I like the simplicity of it, really wanting to draw attention to the sentiment/scripture. 

The Playful Scallops Embossing Folder added some texture, as did the Silver Glitter Paper. To get the two-toned sentiment, I first stamped the image in Glacier and then the bottom portion on Lagoon. This is a fun and easy technique to incorporate into any artwork. 

Head on over to Melinda's Blog to see how she CASEd the identified card above. 

When you CASE a card from CTMH, or one of us, tag your photo of it on social media with #ctmhinanycase. We're always perusing the web to see what we find so we can award winners with some goodies!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Love Blossoms Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring the products contained within the beautiful, "Love Blossoms" kit, that is only available through the end of this month.

This kit contains items to create 12 beautiful greeting cards, with various sentiments. In fact, when you buy all the products together, you get them at a 20% discount.

Should you only choose to get the stamp set, these beautiful floral images and greetings, are great for various occasions. 

These are the beautiful pre-designed cards, although you can do with the supplies as you choose. For this Hop we were challenged to use the kit contents on our artwork so it will be fun to see what everyone has designed.

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

In trying to decide what I wanted to do, after falling in love with the cards we created with the kit, I settled on using the spotlight technique. I have done it before, and seen it used, with floral images and thought this would be perfect for it.

I stamped the image multiple times on a piece of White Daisey cardstock and then used Raspberry ink to color the flowers, using the shaded image in the set. Because of the intricate details of the design of the solid images, there is natural shading provided, making it seem like I am a talented artist. I so love when that happens for me!

The leaves and purple flowers (of which I have no idea what they are LOL) were colored in, using the ink pads, with a Waterbrush Pen! (I love them!)

To create the spotlighted image, I first finished the floral piece of stamped paper. Then, I used the Thin Cut Circle to cut out an image. Using the stitched circle from the Shaker Card Thin Cuts, I cut the border out of Thistle cardstock. Both of those pieces were 3-D onto another circle.

While the card is a little busy from what I am used to, I truly love how it turned out; and I hope you do too!

(I CASEd this card design from Stampin' Savy.)

Thanks so much for stopping by and now, please head over to Cat's Blog. I'm totally excited to see what the other Consultants have created to share with us!

Happy hoppin'!

This Happened - March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Happy March! Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where we are featuring the "This Happened" stamp set.

This wonderful set has fabulous images, especially perfect for scrapbooking. However, I wanted to work it into a card and have shared that creation with you below.

If you aren't familiar with this monthly special, in quick summary, you can get this stamp set for $5 with a $50 purchase. For additional information, contact me directly or you can visit this area of my website. Be sure to add it to this month's order!

If you are coming from Megan's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants through this link.

I decided to incorporate the banner images and this sentiment into my card, keeping it relatively simple. A piece of patterned paper and cardstock, and some banners, and that's about it. 

That cute heart is also from the stamp set. I love using it, and the ribbon, as a little accent. 

Keep making your way around the hop by heading to Cat's Blog. I know you'll love what she has to share with you!

Have an awesome month!

SAVE 35% When You Organize Your Creative Space!

How functional is your workspace in the way of organizing your crafting supplies? 

Close To My Heart's 35-year anniversary Workspace Wonder SPECIAL has started and you can benefit from a week of savings on the incredible Workspace Wonder line!

From now until the end of February, save 35% on bundles and individual components of this awesome line of organizational items. (This is just a snapshot of some of the available items and their discounted prices.)

This customizable system allows you to stack individual components into a configuration that is just right for your craft space. This is a photo of my current setup which happens to be in my craft closet. Because I do not have a designated studio nor creative space where we currently live, it especially serves a great purpose. I love how easy it is to store and see what items I have to incorporate into my artwork.

Here are a few more sample configurations, but the possibilities are truly endless:

You can buy as much or as little as needed to suit your space and supplies. In fact, many of the pieces work for general desk/office organization. 

This sale gives you a great opportunity to expand or get started on your own ideal Workspace Wonder configuration! 

SHOP THE SALE THROUGH THIS AREA OF MY WEBSITE! 

Enjoy your weekend!

Thin Cuts Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Blog Hop where are featuring Close To My Heart's Thin Cuts. This is their line of "dies" which are of super quality. Participants can choose any current set in which to work so it will be fun to see what they create to share!

They are metal dies cut to shapes which coordinate with their respective stamp set and are packaged on their own magnetic sheet. They work well with most die-cutting machines. I use the Cuttlebug.

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

This super cute stamp set and coordinating Thin Cuts, "Cruisin' to Adventure", totally caught my attention at my first glance of the Seasonal Expressions I Idea Book. But then I thought, "What do I need it for? I don't have any boys..."

And then...I saw some super cute artwork created with it, realized it could be used for a variety of occasions and here we are today! LOL It's obviously the one I have chosen to use but we've got plenty more so be sure to make your way around the Blog Hop and see what other fun stuff we have to share with you!

The simplicity of this card design, from our How-To Books, was spiced up with just a few added elements. I pulled paper in from the "I Heart Us" packet. I LOVE the bright and bold colors and the scallop border was totally cut from one of the pieces of patterned paper.

Then, I decided to incorporate some of the images from the cut-apart sheet in the "Something Fierce" paper packet. (Remember...you think it can only be used for dinosaur-themed item... Nope! You are wrong!) The sun was cut from our Circle Thin Cuts.

I couldn't resist adding a few red dots that I had from a previous project. The car was stamped in Carolina ink and then I used a Journaling Pen to color in the black areas on the car. Isn't it cute?! I can totally see my Dad loving this card (but don't tell him, Mom, because he's not getting it very soon). LOL

Now, head on over to Melinda's Blog to see what fun artwork she has created to share with you and be sure to continue to make your way around the hop.

Thanks so much for stopping by and happy hoppin'!

Invitation Only - Choose Joy! (Heart 2 Heart Challenge)

Welcome to this week's Heart to Heart Challenge themed, "Invitation Only". You can interpret that however you want, create a piece of artwork using at least some Close To My Heart product, and then link up to us on the H2H Blog. I truly enjoy seeing everyone's twist on the theme as well as what they design and share. Why don't you consider joining us?!

I debated a bit on what I wanted to do for this challenge as nothing in the way of an event invitation came to mind. Instead, I decided to create a card with a positive message as an invitation for those to find a reason to smile or feel encouraged, especially if they are experiencing a challenging time in their life.

This card pattern came from our How-To Books and was super fun and simple to assemble. I appreciated keeping the focus on the sentiment which actually comes from a stamp set exclusively available to Close To My Heart Consultants. (Gotta love the perks!) A few paper pieces from "Something Fierce", the dinosaur-ish line, were used as well as some Carolina, Bluebird and Ballerina cardstock.

To glitz things up a bit, I cut a Thin Cut Heart out of Gold Glitter Paper, added a few Gold Glitter Gems and a bit of White & Gold Skinny Ribbon.

I do hope this card puts some joy in the heart of those who need it right now.

Create artwork with your interpretation of "Invitation Only" and connect with us at Heart 2 Heart! I hope to see your artwork there!

Lovely Layers - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop, "Lovely Layers", where we are using Close To My Heart products to align with the theme! 

Participants can incorporate layers in their artwork whether it's through the use of various papers, clusters of embellishments, stamp images that allow for layering, or however else they may interpret the title. You'll definitely want to be sure you make your way around the Hop to see what they designed!

If you are coming from Tamara's Blog, you are on the right track. Should you get lost along the way, simply return here. You'll find a list of participants at the bottom of this post.

I decided to use this stamp set, "Know That I Care", for this hop. Sadly, I need a sympathy card for the family of one of my team members who passed away suddenly last week. These images are perfect for that, as they are for other occasions. 

The layers comes in the way of the stamp images used, and the coloring of them, as well as the papers used. This card design is from Volume 1 of our Make It From Your Heart How-to Book. 

The striped pattern paper is from the "Feels Like Home" paper packet. Cardstock colors used are Sugarplum, our Color of the Year, and Thistle. 

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Sweet Leaf ink was used to color in the leaves, with the help of the Clear Shimmer Brush (which is sometimes challenging to reflect in photographs). For the flowers, I did use the base stamps, including in the set, and stamped them in Thistle ink. They are designed to not accurately fill in those images so I decided to then pull some Thistle ink, from the lid of the ink pad (squeezing it together with the base so some ink ended up on the lid) and colored the blank areas in, also using the Shimmer Brush. I do love how the shaded flowers were created with no need for artistic talent. LOL

This card came together so quickly and I'm pleased with it. I hope you like it too! 

Now head on over to Cat's Blog to see what she is sharing with you today. Happy hoppin'!

List of Participants:
1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*
2. Catherine Nowak
3. Carrie Simonds
4. Michelle Loncar
5. Marciava Warrell
6. Michelle Johns
7. Haley Dyer
8. Debi McBain
9. Darlys Recker
10. Lauren Moore
11. Maz Wood
12. Valerie Kapsha
13. Danielle Wagner
14. Katy Taylor
15. Terry Metzger
16. Tamara Sandwsich

In Any CASE...with Melinda & Melissa

Join us twice a month as we CASE, “Copy And Selectively Edit”, artwork created by the Art Department of Close To My Heart as showcased in the current Idea Books and our Make It From Your Heart How-To Books.

On the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of each month, at 7 pm CST, we will direct you towards a piece of art and recreate it using the exact products or others that compliment its initial design. Tips, techniques and assembly directions will be shared in detail to help you recreate them on your own.

As you reproduce the items we have shared, post them on social media using the hashtag #ctmhinanycase. We will randomly search that hashtag and reward those who CASE our items. Winners will be announced on our blogs so be sure to follow us!

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We are CASEing some super cute Close To My Heart artwork today, if I do say so myself.

This is the card I will be highlighting and my partner in CASEing, Melinda Everitt, is doing so for the card shown towards the bottom of this post. You'll want to be sure you follow the link to her blog to find out more! 

I was super excited to do a process video as I created this card until... I stamped the "celebrate" and it didn't stamp correctly. "No problem," I said to myself. "I can see through the stamp image and I'll restamp it." That was a great plan until I realized I had stopped videoing, never restarted it and continued creating the card. LOL Oh well! It was a good thought and at least the card turned out great! LOL

What I noticed about this card, after I created it, is that it was super easy to assemble and is CUTE! I love the design on the card with it being layered onto another piece of white cardstock, just setting it off slightly from the card base. 

The main Clover patterned paper, where "celebrate" is stamped, is from the "Something Fierce" paper packet as is the striped piece. The other polka dot paper comes from "So Much Happy". 

The "Years of Sweetness" stamp set is what was used for the cupcake and candle. While this set coordinates with the Cricut, I did choose to fussy cut the images since I didn't have my Cricut for use. Ink colors used were: Carolina, Peach, Smoothie, Clover, Saffron, Canary and Black.

Melinda will be creating the card in the middle of this image, with a little twist. You definitely want to head on over to Melinda's Blog to see what she created. 

Be sure to CASE CTMH artwork with us to join the FUN and to be eligible for prizes! That's right, we search social media for the hashtag #ctmhinanycase to see what you are creating and sharing. Contact either of us with your questions.

We look forward to seeing you again, in two weeks, for the next episode of "In Any CASE..." Make it a great weekend!