January/February Catalog New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are featuring NEW products from the January/February Idea Book that went live on January 1st! It contains 49 pages of papercrafting goodness! You can get a FREE copy of the Idea Book when you place an order of any size! If you don't already have a hard copy, you can view a digital version here.

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

One of the new products I had to try was the Slimline Cards. They measure 3 1/2" x 8 1/2". It is definitely a different amount of space to cover and I had gotten away from this style for several years. In one of our previous How-To Books, "Originals", we had a pattern that measured 3 1/2" x 8" that I adjusted for this card size. (It's on page 118, in case you happen to have it. There are other designs included for that size.)

The panels were the perfect spots to include the items shown above. 

One of my favorite new stamp sets is this one, "Whole Latte Love", which can be purchased with or without the Thin Cuts. It's adorable images AND punny sentiments are what totally drew me in. I did use a marker to color in the images above and incorporated Peach and Espresso Cardstock. 

The fun polka dot paper that you see was pulled from the NEW Mix-Ins Paper Packet (Jan/Feb). I couldn't resist incorporating it here. I LOVE the other patterns included with this collection and have already used a lot of it for other items I will be sharing soon!

Consider leaving me a comment and then head on over to Cat's Blog, to see what she has created to share with you. Make it a great week!

Here is a list of the supplies I used:

• C1881 Whole Latte Love
• X9023 Mix-in Paper Packet (Jan–Feb)
• Z4182 Stitched Hearts Thin Cuts (ALMOST GONE!)
• Z3515 Black Journaling Pen (.01)
• Z2496 Pale Pink TriBlend™ Marker
• Cardstock: Espresso, Peach 
• Inks: Black, Espresso, Flamingo (small heart), Toffee (coffee inside cup)

Slimline Cards - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

I'm thrilled to share a Slimline Card with you which is aligned with the Heart 2 Heart Challenge this week which is a Product Challenge. You are tasked with making a Slimline Card - ours measure 3 1/2" x 8 1/2" - and come with envelopes!

I had fun creating this love card using the Perfect Match paper pack and two different stamp sets for the sentiment. The "love" and "so much" comes from the Happines Lives Here - Cardmaking stamp set. "YOU" is from the January Stamp of the Month.

Making the Heart Shaker Card out of Ballerina Glitter Paper was a fun element to include. The confetti was cut from the shaker card pieces - and contains both the negative and positives of the cut. I added Iridescent Flower Confetti for added sparkle, as well as the Gold Glitter Gems. (The gold bow is a leftover from a retired collection.)

Here is a list of the supplies I used to create this card:

• Z257 Slimline Cards & Envelopes
• CC12202 Perfect Match Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet
• Z3906 Iridescent Flower Confetti
• Z3870 Heart Shaker Window Thin Cuts
• Z4312 Heart Shaker Window Foam + Acetate
• C1884 Happiness Lives Here—Cardmaking ('YOU')
• Z3843 Ballerina Glitter Paper
• January Stamp of the Month ('love' and 'so much')
• X6038 Candy Apple Cardstock
• Z4194 White & Gold Skinny Ribbon
• Z3312 Gold Glitter Gems

Be sure to join this challenge and the other, for January, on Heart 2 Heart! We love seeing what you create! 

Make it a great week!

"Striped Borders" Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we are featuring artwork where "Striped Borders" are incorporated into the creation, while using Close To My Heart products! 

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

I decided to use the "Happiness Lives Here - Cardmaking" stamp set and Thin Cuts to create a layered cake.

By using the different "border" stamp sets, I simply created a stamped strip of paper that was half an inch smaller than the previous. I do love the resulting look and how simple it was to put this birthday card together. 

The candles are from the Sticker Sheet, from "Party Time". They are what guided the color scheme of the resulting card. I hope you like it!

Thank you very much for stopping by. Head on over to Brandi's Blog, to see what she has created to share with you. We always appreciate hearing from those of you who are willing to leave a comment. 

Happy hoppin'!

Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Brandi Robinson

3. Cat Nowak

4. Wendy Kessler

5. Michelle Loncar

6. Katy Taylor

7. Darlys Recker

8. Lauren Moore

9. Alyson Mayo

10. Michelle Johns

11. Haley Dyer

"Out with the Old, In with the New" - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to the first Heart 2 Heart Challenge of 2021! I hope these first few days of the year have been great and indicate how this new year will continue for you and your family.  

This year, at Heart 2 Heart, the Challenges will be posted on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, allowing you to focus on two theme. You have until the end of the month to participate. We invite you to join in the creative fun as often as you can. 

REMEMBER: Because this is a challenge focused on incorporating Close To My Heart product, be sure to use at least one CTMH product item in your creation. (If you don't already have a Consultant from whom to purchase the products, I would love to support you! You can shop on my website.)

To get things started in the new year, I'm excited to share two greeting cards I made for this theme of "Out with the Old, In with the New". Here they are! 

I decided to use the same card pattern, from Make It From Your Heart - Volume 4, with two different sets of pattern paper, one old and one new! This pattern is great, especially for leftover papers, since it only requires strips. 

This birthday card was made using the Serenity paper pack. While the Serenity Collection has officially retired, you might be thrilled to know it still remains on my website! The blues and florals of this collection make it one of my favorites and I want it to stay! 

To create the accent on this card, I fussy cut one of the flowers from the patterned paper. Of course, you can tell, I couldn't resist using Glitter Paper for my creations. This card incorporates both Blue Belle and Sapphire Glitter Paper. I think they are currently my two favorite colors. 

The sentiment I used is from this "Sentiments by Melissa Esplin" stamp set. It's one of my favorite go-tos since it has a beautiful script font for various occasions. (How many times have I used the word 'favorite' in this post? LOL Can you tell I'm kind of in love with quite a few CTMH products?!) 

As for the "new", I created this card with the "Happiness Lives Here" paper packet and the January Stamp of the Month (you can view a post about it here). Outside of using the Blue Belle Glitter Paper again, I couldn't resist tossing in an accent of Gold.

I wish you all the best this year, with Heart 2 Heart, and look forward to you participating in our Challenges in 2021! Be sure to link up to the respective Blog posts and show us your creations! 

Have a great first full week of the new year! 

January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - "Every Thank You"

It's time to ring in 2021 with a NEW Stamp of the Month set AND a NEW Idea Book full of NEW products and NEW artwork! I'd say those are several great reasons to celebrate, wouldn't you?!

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

This exclusive stamp set, with 25 images, provides us the opportunity to say thanks a variety of ways. Valued at $18.95, it can be yours for just $5 - or FREE if you're a VIP.  You can find all the details, about the Stamp of the Month, by clicking here. 

I worked on this card a bit at a time, not sure how my idea would come together. I do love the result! 

The Star Shaker Window Thin Cuts was used to create the focal point which incorporates one of the 'thank you' sentiments from the stamp set, as well as a cute heart. I did build the shaker on top of a White Daisy star and DID cut it out of the top banner cut, for a different look. 

Layered on top of Raspberry cardstock and Sapphire Glitter Paper, I filled the star with Blue Belle Sequins and the NEW Flower Confetti. By stamping 'so much' and adding the Raspberry Twine Bow and stamped hearts, I was pleased with the finished card. I actually love it and hope you do too! 

If you are wondering how I got the stitched portion on the bottom part of the "banner", I used the Stitched Hexagons Thin Cuts - the largest one - and only ran that portion through my diecut machine. I like the added touch that was a result of an experiment.

Thank you so much (get it? LOL) for stopping by my blog. Please continue making your rounds, for this Blog Hop, by heading to Wendy's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. Consider leaving a comment before you do so. 

Happy 2021!

Boxing Week Sale with Close To My Heart!

Close To My Heart is having a HUGE Boxing Week Sale with new deals available every day! 

From Saturday, December 26th, to Friday, December 31st, new savings will be introduced on select products! The details are only available for a limited time, while supplies last, so be sure to check my website every day at 12:00 am (MST) to see the newest deals!

There are five stamp sets (four are shown above) you can count each day which contain Covid-related images, some which create a little laughter and bring joy to the crazy times we are experiencing.

SHOP MY WEBSITE during Boxing Week to save on top-quality papercrafting products! You can contact me directly at MlisRobinson@gmail.com if you have any questions! 

As a reminder, current VIPs earn a 15% credit on their purchases - even those made while saving money during the Boxing Week Sale! REMEMBER: Sign up before the end of this month to earn an immediate $25 credit on your membership which equates to just $10 for the entire year! (It does change to a $15 credit on January 1st.) 

"Blissful Brackets" CTMH Technique Challenge

 

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop where we show you some fun ways to use brackets, while incorporating Close To My Heart products. Our Hop is called, "Blissful Brackets".

If you are coming from Michelle's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants at the bottom of this post, if you were to get lost along the way. 

I enjoyed creating this celebratory card while incorporating various products and simple techniques that kept the focus on the occasion. 

The "Par-tay" stamp set I used has these fun images that I've enjoyed using on a variety of birthday cards. They are great for using your favorite coloring medium. I chose our Tri-blend Markers.

The beautiful script sentiment is from this "Sentiments by Melissa Esplin" stamp set. I used Silver Embossing Powder on it, which is striking on the Sapphire cardstock.

So as to where the bracket theme ties in, CTMH has some top-quality Stitched Thin Cuts (aka dies) in this Brackets Bundle. The one I selected provides a great background for the greeting. 

And last, but not least, that striped Silver Foil paper - that cannot be truly appreciated from the photos - is from the Silver Foil Patterns Paper Packet. It is absolutely beautiful and comes in a variety of patterns, as shown above.

Here is a close-up of the details. 

I appreciate you stopping by. Consider leaving a comment before you head to Danielle's Blog to see what she has to share with you. Be sure you make your away around the entire Hop. You're sure to be inspired. Happy hoppin'!

List of Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Danielle Wagner

3. Wendy Kessler

4. Haley Dyer

5. Alyson Mayo

6. Darlys Recker

7. Brandi Robinson

8. Tamara Sandwisch

9. Lauren Moore

10. Cat Nowak

11. Michelle Loncar

"Gifts From the Heart" - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to our final challenge of 2020! Today we release the theme, "Gifts From the Heart". Use at least one Close To My Heart product and then connect with us at Heart 2 Heart. Link up and share your artwork, as we love to see what everyone creates while interpreting the theme. 

I love the Craft Jars from Close To My Heart and decided to make this fun gift item, perfect for the holidays. (I didn't have green and red M&Ms so just pretend they are in there. LOL)

With a fun little tag, and the Small Bow Thin Cuts, it's the perfect little treat for anyone this holiday season.

You can get a set of 3 Craft Jars for just $4.95; what a deal! Fill them with chocolate OR any other loose embellishment or craft item that it will hold. They measure 2 3/4" in diameter and are approximately 1 1/4" tall.

Thanks for joining us in the Heart 2 Heart Challenges each month! We look forward to you doing so in 2021! 

"Party Time" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

It's "Party Time" at Heart 2 Heart where you can create artwork aligned with the theme and then link up to us on the Heart 2 Heart Blog. We love to see what you create! Be sure to incorporate at least one product from Close To My Heart, as that's a requirement.

I totally love the simplicity of this card design, as shared by a friend. Only a few supplies were needed and it's perfect for the occasion, don't you think?! 

I used the Party Time Paper Packet, and this fabulous patterned paper, for the background. I had it measure just slightly smaller than the card base. 

Then, using the Small Bow Thin Cuts (aka Dies), I created the beautiful bow. The bow pieces come in two parts and assemble quickly and easilyy to form what you see above. I added a 3/8" strip of coordinating cardstock to form the "ribbon" parts. It came together in a matter of a few minutes! 

Participate in our artwork challenges at Heart 2 Heart! We'd love to have you!

"Every Bit of Wonderful" Blog Hop

Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are featuring this specific stamp set, "Every Bit of Wonderful". Are you wondering why? 

Did you know Close To My Heart supports the non-profit organization, Operation Smile, which provides facial surgeries to children with cleft palate? We have raised millions of dollars and provided life-changing miracles for many across the world! All it takes is $240 per surgery.

With every purchase of this stamp set, $7 are donated to the live-saving mission of Operation Smile. Consider adding it to your next order, if you don't already have it and if you do, enjoy being inspired by the artwork you see on this Hop. You can also round up your orders or contribute a specific, and additional amount, when checking out on my website. 

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

I incorporated more fall-ish/wintery colors on this card I created...and I love it! I did use the tri-blend markers to color in the floral and leaf images. And don't you just love the sentiments that are part of this set?! I so do! 

Here is another piece of artwork, a 6" x 8" page, I made as some recognition items for several team members. 

If you want to read more about Operation Smile, and how we support them, you can click on this link. Grab some tissues before you watch the video. You'll also see other opportunities to purchase related items on my website. 

Now, head on over to Cat's Blog to see what she has to share with you. I can't wait to see the rest of the inspiration provided by the other participants. Happy hoppin'!