"Family Fun!" - Blog with Friends

This month I am joining my "Blog with Friends" Group and aligning with a themed post called "Family Fun". 

Chateau Elan

My husband and I have really been enjoying our time together, despite the Covid crazy, by going for drives and seeing things we have not seen before, or that are located in a new area. It has been a blessing. I was not sure what I would share today since I have some options but I decided to elect for a twist. 

The greeting card shown at the top is a Shaker Card I made from scratch using the "Happiest Place" product collection. It makes me think of "Family Fun" as I love going to Disney - Land and World. The fun colors, patterns, and stamp set images in this collection sure make me think of the Disney happy I have enjoyed in the past. (It also reminds me that I can't wait to return.)

To preserve the Family Fun we have experienced, I am using the Happiest Place 8 1/2" x 11" Album to do so. It is absolutely perfect and I have just started with adding photos and journaling. You can see I have a few more 2" x 2" photos to add here but wait until you see what's next... (I will continue. My photo printer was not cooperating with me yesterday.)

When you lift the panel that has the top photo on it, you'll see it unveils a position for a journaling card, journaling and/or photos. I can get two additional items on this page by using "Flip Flaps"! 

These awesome see-through windows, available in a variety of sizes, can be used to create interactive elements on your scrapbook layouts and your cards! You can also use them on other handmade items as long as you have an imagination. If you would like to learn more about Flip Flaps, let me know! They are super fun and quite addicting - in a super fun way, of course! 

If you would like to see more details about these or any other products I offer, please visit my website. I am happy to answer your questions!

Now...to see what my friends have to share with you, click on their respective links below. Thanks tons for stopping by today!

Karen at Baking in a Tornado

Lydia at Cluttered Genius

"Photo Inspiration" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

We are having fun this week/month, at Heart 2 Heart, with various themed challenges incorporating Close To My Heart product. You can link up to us by creating and sharing your artwork. We would love to have you! 

This week's theme is "Photo Inspiration" based upon this card shown above. You can use it to inspire creation, however that means. I can't wait to see how everyone uses it!

For this card, I chose to follow the majority design of the original card, including the layout and ink splatter. The splatter was created with a Waterbrush and our Watercolor Paints. I love the fun texture it adds. 

The stamp images are from the August Stamp of the Month, "Floral Celebration". 

I stamped the flowers in Black Ink and colored them with Watercolor Pencils. (Note: no water was added). Then I fussy-cut them to add them to the card front.  

Paper-tearing was done with patterned paper from the Summer Vibes Collection and Smoothie cardstock. 

I love the happy that resulted from this inspiration and hope you do too! Consider participating in this and other challenges on the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog. Have a great day!

"Floral Celebration" August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are highlighting, "Floral Celebration", the August Stamp of the Month. 

With these 20 images, in this "happy" stamp set, you will be able to create beautiful artwork of any kind. It can be yours, for $5, with a $50 purchase. (It is valued at $18.95.) Visit this link to view the details of our Stamp of the Month Special.  

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.

I love the "classy" look of this resulting card. It was made possible by my use of the silver-foil (holographic) striped cardstock that is part of the Happiest Place Special.

These are the beautiful silver-foil papers that are included in the pack I mention above. You see the striped and star patterns?! You need this! LOL 

White embossing is so pretty to use on dark shades, like Black. I also did so on the Thistle cardstock, for the flower, which I think came out great. I stamped the stem and leave images in Sweet Leaf ink and then used Watercolor Paints to shade the leaf. 

Of course, I had to add a few White Dots. 

Thank you very much for stopping by. It's now time to head over to Cat's Blog to see what she has to share with you today. Have an awesome month!

"Happiest Place" Blog Hop

Welcome to this Blog Hop featuring "Happiest Place", the July special for Close To My Heart! 

You can preserve your happiest memories with the Happiest Place paper collection! This adorable collection includes foil-accented cardstock, an adorable paper packet and stickers, a special stamp set and Thin Cuts, acrylic shapes, the Happiest Place Cut Above® Layout Kit (without Memory Protectors™), and a variety of digital art! We are excited to show you what we have created with these awesome products!

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

While you can make any artwork you want with these exclusive products, Close To My Heart will be teaching Virtual Classes August 26-28. We will be creating 12" x 12" layouts, cards and a mini, 8 1/2" x 11", album! For all the details contact me or visit the CTMH Facebook Page. 

You can even save 20% on the Happiest Place Product Bundle! The Happiest Place collection is only available for a limited time, so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity and get it while you can. 

I had a difficult time deciding which papers I was going to use for this card. I could not resist incorporating the holographic striped white cardstock and this fun and whimsical patterned paper. Since I have been playing with paste a bit lately, I decided to try making a "dole whip" cone. It just seemed perfectly fitting with the color scheme.

To create the colored paste, I added one drop of Lemonade Reinker to the Opaque Matte Paste. I like this one because it dries white, when uncolored. It is great for Santa's beard, the beard on a gnome, etc. The other pastes are great for different finishes. 

I also created this fun shaker card using the exclusive stamp set and coordinating Thin Cuts. The best value for your money is that BIG Bundle! It is offered at such a great buy. Be sure to consider it!

Thank you very much for stopping by. Head to Wendy's Blog to see what she has to share with you. 

Happy hoppin'!

My Favorite Craft Tool - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

This month, with the "Heart 2 Heart Challenge", we are showcasing artwork surrounding the theme, "Highlight Your Favorite (Craft) Tool". Close To My Heart product must be incorporated and then you can simply link up to us on the Blog. This themed challenge continues through the end of July and we would love to see what you have to share. 

I totally agree with this image as my favorite craft tool these days is our awesome Shimmer Brushes! We offer then in a variety of beautiful colors and truly, you need them all! LOL I used to think, I'll just get a couple and boy was my mind changed and quick! LOL With their ease of using them, while adding color and sparkle to any project, I just couldn't resist. They are a definite must-have. 

The focal point of this panel card was created using the Peach Shimmer Brush. I used a "pouncing" technique taught to me by my friend and team member, Katy. It's super easy to achieve, with little mess, and you can find details about it by visiting this related link on another blog post of mine. I also added the shimmer brush to the straw.  

The elements of this card are from the Summer Vibes product suite. Our tri-blend markers were used to color in the coconut and related images. 

This card is a bit of varied simplicity. I love when a card is just a bit different with little work. How about you? 

Consider joining us, at Heart 2 Heart, for this and other weekly challenges. We would love to have you participate! 

The Pretty of Paper-Piecing (CTMH Technique Blog Hop)

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop where Close To My Heart Consultants are featuring our products aligned with the theme of "The Pretty of Paper-Piecing". It will be fun to see what each has created by incorporating this fun technique! 

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

For my artwork I decided to get a little cra'y cra'y with paper-piecing and elected to do so on all of the petals from this gorgeous floral image. 

It comes from the "Brushed" Special, an exclusive collection only available through the end of this month, while supplies last. 

If you are wondering, "What is paper-piecing?" Keep reading and I will show you. 

Paper-piecing is where you take a stamp image and stamp it on patterned paper (or solid), cut out the desired images and then glue them to the "base" image. This technique allows you to get various patterns on your image that you couldn't get by using a coloring medium. 

When I paper-piece, I cut in the "middle" of the outlined image because you'll get that black outline, in this case, by both the piece and the base. 

Because I wanted to fully focus on incorporating this technique, these are the papers I stamped on. The patterned paper comes from our Mix-In (a definite fave of mine). Then Smoothie is to the left of it - both the front and back sides for two different hues. Last, I used Peach cardstock, on the light side. 

By cutting out the respective images, and gluing them as you see on the finished flower, I achieved  some fun texture. And...check out the cute polka dot leaves! Aren't they awesome? I incorporated them by stamping on the patterned paper that is contained in the "Brushed" Collection and then paper-pieced them in the same was as explained above. 

Of course I had to add some sparkle to the center of the flower. To do so I stamped the flower on Lemonade cardstock (light side) and then paper-pieced it, although 3-Ding it to the center. Then, some Diamond Stickles was added which allows the yellow cardstock to show through. (The center of the flower did bleed a little bit because I forgot I was going to add the Stickles and didn't use the Archival Black Ink Pad. However, rather than redoing it, I left it alone because I felt it provides for a bit of imperfection, just like any flower.) 

Here is one more card to share with you. I paper-pieced the girl's dress in the image contained in the July Stamp of the Month, "For My Beautiful Friend". 

You can see that more closely in this image. Doesn't she have such a cute dress?! And...I didn't even have to color it! LOL

I appreciate you stopping by and hope you'll leave a comment to let me know what you think about paper-piecing and/or my creations! Now, head to Brandi's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. We appreciate you supporting our Blog Hop!

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Brandi Robinson

3. Katy Taylor

4. Cat Nowak

5. Miss Carrie's Creations

6. Lauren Moore

7. Haley Dyer

8. Darlys Recker

9. Maz Wood

10. Brenda Lapp

"Embrace Your Geekness Day" - Blog with Friends

Welcome to this month's "Blog with Friends" post where we are showcasing topics that relate to "Embrace Your Geekness Day". I have joined three other blogger friends to do just that and hope you'll follow their links provided at the end of the post. They have shared some fun content you will want to check out! 

I'm kind of a geek in several ways. I love technology and use it for my profession and my business. I am a Math Teacher and well...that may go without saying for some of you. LOL And last, but definitely not least, I LOVE making handmade greeting cards, like these. 

These fun and summer-related cards are absolutely perfect for this time of the year. The patterned paper is adorable as is the yummy goodness shown on each of them. Which is your favorite? 

The sentiments and summer icons were stamped on White Daisy Cardstock and then colored in with Watercolor Paints. So that a water-based medium doesn't cause the stamp images to bleed, I used the Archival Black ink pad which is a solvent-based permanent ink. 

I used the Summer Vibes Cardmaking Kit to create these cards. As shown above, it comes with the adorable and exclusive stamp set - not available otherwise. The kit contents includes the supplies needed to create 4 each of these 4 card designs, for a total of 16 cards! Isn't that awesome?! You do need some additional supplies in order to create them as designed. 

Follow this link to the details regarding this kit. You will also see there is a full-color guide, and directions for assembly, for making these cards. Consider saving it as you can use them with other products and for other themes. 😘

I have altered some of the yummy goodness on these cards by adding Liquid Glass, Texture Paste, Shimmer Brush and more! To join me on all those details, click here to become a Member of my VIP Facebook Group (if you don't already have a Close To My Heart Consultant to support). We have a lot of fun there! 

Thank you so much for joining me today! Please leave a comment, if you are inclined to do so, and then head over to check out my friends' blogs. You will be glad you did!

Karen of Baking in a Tornado

Lydia of Cluttered Genius

Tamara of Part-Time Working Hockey Mom

July/August NEW PRODUCT Blog Hop!

Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are showcasing FABULOUS NEW PRODUCTS that were released on July 1st in our Idea Book! If this catalog cover doesn't scream FUN at you, I don't know what will! 

You can view a digital version of the Idea Book by clicking here OR get it FREE with  your order! 

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

A little random-stamping was a great addition to this themed card. I absolutely LOVE the images and sentiments included in this awesome stamp set! 

Fern ink was used to stamp the leaves on Fern cardstock (the light side) and colored pencils were the medium of choice. The patterned paper is from the Mix-Ins paper pack. 

When I first saw this A Koal-aty Day stamp set (and Thin Cuts), I knew they were a must-have. I can't wait to create more with these awesome images. (You can also purchase the stamp set without the Thin Cuts.)

Head on over to Alyson's Blog to see what she has to share with you! I appreciate you stopping by and always enjoy when people leave comments. 

Have an awesome weekend!