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'!

"Say it with Flowers" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge, "Say it with Flowers". I always enjoy seeing how everyone interprets the theme and I'm excited for the same this week. Anyone can participate in this challenge. All you have to do is incorporate at least one Close To My Heart product in your creation and then link up to us on our Heart 2 Heart Blog.

I was excited to practice some newly gained skills using alcohol-based markers. I can tell I am getting better and will continue to learn. This simple yet striking card was fun to create.  

This stamp set is included in the Celebrate Today Cardmaking Kit. I've used these images quite a bit, as you might recall from previous artwork I have shared. 

Here is a closeup of the flowers. I couldn't resist adding a little bit of bling to the center of the flowers with the use of the "Glisten Stickles". I love how they turned out. 

Be sure to link up to us with "Say it with Flowers" or any of our other February Challenges on Heart 2 Heart. We would love to see what you create! 

Make it a great week, or not; the choice is yours!

"Color Your World" CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop where we feature Close To My Heart products in our creations. This month our theme is "Color Your World" so it will be fun to see what the participants design to align with that topic. 

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. Now...let's go see what I have to share with you, shall we?

I've been wanting to create some cards using this exclusive (Hostess-only) stamp set, "Punny Thanks" and decided that I would incorporate this month's theme while coloring in these cute images (and some bling). (If you want to know more about hosting a party, visit this link or contact your Consultant.)

I incorporated the Mix-in paper packet, Zip Strips, and coordinating cardstock, in the making of these three cards. I absolutely LOVE the punny sayings, especially the "Moo-chas grass-ias". It reminds me of a co-worker, many years ago in Irving, TX, who would always say it that way. Wouldn't this be a happy piece of mail to receive?! 

To color in the images, I used our Spectrum Noir Alcohol-based markers. Each marker features three separate fine bullet nibs in a perfect gradation of colors, from light to dark. I watched a short video to get an idea of how to use them effectively and think I am getting better in blending. I totally love them! 

💜 TIP 💜: 

I have found that I color most of the image in the lightest color first, highlight accents in the darkest color, and then blend the two with the medium color. Then, I add the light and dark colors as desired, to get the finished look. (I'll be sharing a video on my VIP group. If you don't have a Consultant, contact me and I'd be happy to add you in.)

The markers were also used to color in the gems in the "Thanks a Bunch" card. They were Silver Glitter Gems that I colored to coordinate with the color scheme. I love that I can do this with any light gem or dot we carry. It's super fun and is another purpose for the alcohol markers.

This is the last card I have to share with you today. I kept it simple and soft, wanting to use the Ballerina patterned paper. 

I hope you have enjoyed what I have share with you. Now it's time to head on over to Alyson's Blog to see what fun she has to share with you! Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

List of Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*
2. Alyson Mayo
3. Michelle Loncar
4. Haley Dyer
5. Cat Nowak
6. Darlys Recker
7. Tamara Sandwisch
8. Lauren Moore
9. Kim Loewen
10. Jayma Malme
11. Valerie Kapsha
12. Miss Carrie's Creations
13. Maz Wood
14. Katy Taylor

"Jazz It Up!" with Blog with Friends

Welcome to "Blog with Friends" where I join five other bloggers as we focus our content on the theme of "Mardi Gras". You'll find images, and their links, at the bottom of this post so be sure to go check out what they have to share with you! 

Unsure how I wanted to tie in Mardi Gras with my love of papercrafting, I decided to incorporate the color scheme is this celebratory card. By using the balloon stamp image and coordinating Thin Cut from the Celebrate Today Cardmaking Workshop Kit I kept it pretty simple but sparkly. 

The gold accents were incorporated through the use of a few products. Balloons were cut out of Gold Glitter Paper, accents on the balloons were created through the use of Golden Rod Stickles Glitter Gel, and I had to include a bow on the strings. They were tired using Gold & White Ribbon. And last, but not least, the beautiful "celebrate" sentiment is from the "Sentiments by Melissa Esplin" stamp set. (If you aren't aware, we are celebrate Stamptacular this month where you can get stamp sets for up to 50% off. HUGE SAVINGS! Click on this link to find out more.)

While you're here, be sure to make your way around to my friends' blogs. They will appreciate it and you'll find some great content. 

Make it a great week!

Karen of Baking in a Tornado

Lydia from Cluttered Genius

Jules of the Bergham Chronicles

P.J. at A ‘lil HooHaa

Kia from The Ground Beneath My Feet

Celebrate Good Times - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where we are creating and sharing artwork around the theme of "Celebrate Good Times". You, too, can participate by linking up your creation on our Blog. Head there now and let me know if you have any questions.

To me, this card screams celebration! Our beautiful and new Holographic Paper - we have two kinds (you MUST check them out!) - works wonderfully with the new "Celebrate Embossing Folder".

Just slide it through your diecut machine and you'll get this beautifully textured paper. Don't you just love it?! 

I added a balloon Thin Cut and some White & Gold Ribbon. I didn't want to detract from the background and so am please with how this turned out.

To learn more about our Holographic Paper, watch this brief video. BEWARE: You will be inspired and want to get it in your hands soon! :) 

Thanks so much for stopping by and don't forget to link up with us at Heart 2 Heart. 

Enjoy your week!

"Cherishing Her" February CTMH Stamp of the Month

Welcome to February and our Blog Hop Featuring the Stamp of the Month called "Cherishing Her"!

This exclusive stamp set, only available this month for $5 (with a qualifying order), has TWENTY-THREE images that allow you to customize your greeting. And of course, you see that BEAUTIFUL flower bouquet image. I can't wait to see what the participants in this Hop have created to share with you so be sure to make your way around. You can find complete details about our Stamp of the Month program by clicking on this link. 

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. 

I knew I wanted to use this floral image on my creation and decided on this simple card design. I enjoyed coloring with our Spectrum Noir Markers as they make me look like an artist with the 3-in-1 hues you can see in the image below.

(Found on page 49 in the CORE Idea Book.)

Did you know these markers are Hostess-eligible items so you can get them FREE by Hosting a Party (in-person or virtual)? They are and that is how I am getting them; YOU CAN TOO! Contact me (or your Consultant) with questions! 

Here is a close-up image so you can see my shading. Does it look GREAT?! LOL (Okay...I need a bit more practice but I'm loving how this does have an artistic appeal, with no artistic ability. LOL)

Oh! I also used the Purple Marker to color the Silver Sparkles so that they coordinated with the colored image. Isn't that awesome?! You can make sparkles and gems any color you want by coloring them with an alcohol marker! SUPER FUN! If you've never tried this technique it's a MUST!

I appreciate you stopping by my blog and sharing in my excitement for this wonderful stamp set. Please consider leaving a comment and then head over to Melinda's Blog, and continue to make your way around the Blog Hop, to see all the artwork created using this stamp set. There's no doubt you'll want to add it to your cart this month!

Happy hoppin'! 

All Spruced Up

I'm excited to showcase this card as a member of the Design Team for Heart 2 Heart Challenges as we create artwork aligned with the theme of "Spruced Up". 

"Spruced Up" happens to be the name of one of our new product lines, but participants could create anything to align with the theme. This is what I have to share with you.

Not wanting to draw attention away from the beautiful patterned paper, I decided to keep my card simple. By using the front and back of this patterned paper, I then added the Scalloped Circle using Sangria cardstock. I couldn't help but finish it off with the beautiful Sangria Ribbon and then colored some Silver Dots with a black alcohol marker for an added accent. 

Look at the beautiful patterned papers I had to choose from in the "Spruced Up" collection. Aren't they beautiful. 

Here is a closeup of the detail of the focal point.

I appreciate you stopping by and hope you have enjoyed what I had to share with you. Have a wonderful week!

New Product Blog Hop (Products for January-February)

Welcome to our NEW PRODUCT Blog Hop! We are showcasing some of our favorite and NEW CLose To My Heart products so you'll want to be sure you make your way around this hop.

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

I've been having fun make cards with fun folds, SIMPLE ones, and I enjoyed making this one. 

I used the "Celebrate Today - Cardmaking Stamp Set" for the stamped images on the front side of the card. The sentiments and images are super fun that I had a challenging time deciding what I wanted to use. I guess that means I need to make some more cards with this set, don't you think?

The bow Lagoon patterned paper came from this wonderful paper pack called, "Mix-in". You'll have to enlarge the photo or follow the link to better see the fun patterns. It's called Mix-in because it can be combine with the other two paper packs or truly, works great with all of the new products. 

This is what the inside of the card looks like. Directions are provided below:

• Black card base - 4 1/4" x 8", scored at 2 1/2"
• Patterned paper on the card front (left) - 2 1/4" x 4"
• Raspberry cardstock - 3 1/4" x 4 1/4"
• White Daisy cardstock (inside and outside) - 3 1/2" x 4"

The inside sentiment comes from this stamp set called "Sentiments" by Melissa Esplin. Isn't that script beautiful?!

Now it's time to head over to Brandi's Blog where she will share her creation with you. I appreciate you stopping by and do enjoy when you leave comments.

I hope you're having a GREAT week!

"Terrific Treats" CTMT Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's "Terrific Treats" Technique Blog Hop featuring Close To My Heart products. Participants were able to create anything treat-like. I'm confident you'll find some fun artwork as you make your way around the hop.

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

With Valentine's Day a month away, I decided to make a cute, simple and quick treat for that occasion, using one of our Thin Cuts (shown below). 

The Thin Cuts - Favor Box is a one-sheet cut and folds nicely to form this 2" box, perfect for a few treats.  

While it's simple, there is a "trick" way to create the nice ribbon closure for this box. Here is a video to show you the easy assembly and that process. With this Thin Cut, it's easy to assemble quite a few of these for classroom treats, your co-workers, or neighbors.

Here is a sideview of the box. I used the "Oh My Heart" paper cover the sides. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. Head on over to Alyson's Blog to see what she has to share with you. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Alyson Mayo

3. Michelle Loncar

4. Darlys Recker

5. Haley Dyer

6. Cat Nowak

7. Miss Carrie's Creations

8. Tamara Sandswich

9. Maz Wood
10. Lauren Moore