Hugs, Kisses & Springtime Wishes

I hope you are enjoying this Easter eve in a wonderful way - with friends, family, relaxing...whatever it is that you are blessed to do today. I've been enjoying the weekend papercrafting with friends and am looking forward to Resurrection Day tomorrow.

This card was kept simple with the patterned paper to come from the Gimme Some Sugar paper pack. A bit of Bashful Glitter Paper, Juniper Cardstock, White Twine, and Cork Shapes. 

The adorable stamp set is called "Easter Animals" and has some fun Easter/springtime images and sentiments.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

With God All Things Are Possible

 As we approach Easter on this Good Friday, I'm thankful for the attention given Him during this holiday season. It's important to me that I keep God in the forefront of my mind on a daily basis as I live life on this earth. We all experience challenges in our lives, sometimes more often than we would like, or to a degree that is hard to understand and endure, but God...

Creating artwork is therapy but when I can also meditate on His Word and be reminded of his promises...what an added joy! On the tough days, that can oftentimes make all the difference. I'm grateful for His grace and my ability to find peace knowing I can trust in God.

To pretty up this card, I added a little bit of sparkle from the Gold Shimmer Brush, Gold Foil Paper, and Gold Ribbon. These three items were perfect for the sentiment on this card and I love how it turned out! I hope you do too!

This stamp set, "He Is the Way", is perfect for the Easter season but also for any time of the year. These scripture-based sentiments are several I rely on daily. 

If you have a specific prayer request and would allow me to pray for and/or with you, please post in the comments below or you can contact me directly. I know how powerful prayer is. 

Wishing you a blessed day today and always!

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 so thrilled to have you with us today. Melinda and I have some fun things to show you, so let's go!

We start off with me showCASEing some beautiful artwork from the back cover of our Seasonal Expressions I Idea Book. These adorable 3" x 3" cards are made using many of our fun products but specifically highlight the exclusive, "Punny Pals" stamp set and coordinating Thin Cuts!

Did you know that when you purchase this stamp set, Close To My Heart donates $7 of the proceeds to Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates for children around the world? It's true! We do! I love that some of our money is used to support such a worthy cause that is life-changing. We can continue to impact more children with your purchase!

And...did you also know that these coordinating Thin Cuts are ON SALE this month for 25% off? You can get them for just $21.71, reducing the need to fussy-cut your pals! You can find all the details through the link.

Here is my rendition of three of the cards photographed. What do you think? I happen to think I did a great job and more importantly, LOVED being able to CASE them so quickly and easily. Let's check them out in greater detail and then I'll show you what goodness you can expect from Melinda when you follow the link to her blog!

Need I say much? This little guy is adorable and so much fun! I used both Watercolor Pencils (currently unavailable - but soon to return...NEW!) and Watercolor Paints to create the hues I wanted.

TIP: Using the Waterbrush Pen - Small Round, I filled the base with water, applied a little bit of pressure, and then pulled the watercolor paint desired. I especially love this style of Waterbrush Pen because the tip is fine and easy for me to control. We have some other styles of Waterbrush Pens you may want to check out.

And those yellow dots?! FUN, huh?! They are our Stargazer Dots and come in this color, red and blue and are adhesive-backed.


Notice anything about the nose? I noticed, on the Recipe Book (that is provided for all artwork showcased in any of our Idea Books), that it stated the use of Liquid Glass. With a closer look at the artwork, I think they used it for the pals' noses so that's what I did!

If you aren't familiar with Liquid Glass, it creates a glossy, glaze-like effect when you apply it to accents or images. You can use it to highlight anything, like the nose. :) It also serves great as a strong and permanent adhesive. With its fine tip, you apply it to the desired area and allow to dry.

The paper used on this card is from Stargazer. These are some patterns provided on the back of the "stargazer-like" papers which make them versatile. I also used both Watercolor Pencils and Watercolor Paints on the bear.

You can see I also used Liquid Glass on his nose and cut a heart out of Silver Glitter Paper. I did start out cutting a heart with our Thin Cuts but none were small enough. Instead, I trimmed off some of it, all the way around, to reduce the size. I love the little sparkle it adds and hope you do too!

And last but not least...for all you dog lovers out there... How adorable is this?! "Yappy Birthday"! LOL All paper, but the horizontal hash marked pattern, came from Stargazer. The other piece is from Gimme Some Sugar. You'll notice I changed out the word bubble (in the original artwork) for a small tag from the Thin Cuts - Tags (ON SALE for up to 30% off). (The word bubble is from our exclusive Cricut Cartridge, Art Philosophy. I chose to not put my machine to work as I had a big creative mess already taking place. And I have been VERY productive, in case you were wondering!)

The red dots are from the same package as those mentioned above and this time, not only did I make his nose shiny, I did the same to his collar and tag. It's super fun how the Liquid Glass just adds a bit more with very little effort. Do you agree?

If you don't have a copy of this Idea Book, get one now! Most of the items inside are only available through the end of April, while supplies last. You can get a hard copy by placing an order, contacting me directly, or requesting one from your Consultant. In the meantime, you can always peruse the digital version HERE. 

My partner in CASEing, Melinda Everitt, has something fun to share with you on her blog. She is recreating this GORGEOUS card and sharing how she did so. Head over to If You Bling It.

We'll be back again on April 5, for the next episode of "In Any CASE". We look forward to seeing you then and don't forget to follow our lead and tag us with #ctmhinanycase. We are in our social media CASE-mobiles ready to award a prize!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Heart 2 Heart Challenge: Rainbows

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where our theme is "RAINBOWS"! I love me a good rain and thunderstorm and the beautiful colors that sometimes appear afterwards. For me, it's a sign of peace and happy. 

What do you feel when you see one? Express that, or simply provide some colorful artwork aligned with this theme, and link up to us at Heart 2 Heart. (You can participate in this challenge, and others for March, through the end of this month.)Your artwork needs to include at least one product from Close To My Heart so show us what you've got!

Today I bring to you this card of color. Simply using our Thin Cuts - Tags and Block Alphabet - BOTH ON SALE THIS MONTH for up to 30% off - I cut the letters out of some bright, colored cardstock. A stamped "birthday" sentiment, some retired twine and colored Glitter Gems, finished off this simple but colorful card. 

I appreciate and enjoy how quick and simple it can be to create artwork, especially when I can incorporate our dies, called "Thin Cuts".

Don't know how to use Dies/Thin Cuts? This video shows you that as well as how I store mine.

As mentioned above, we have a DIE-NAMITE SALE going on through the end of this month, while supplies last. You can find all of the great options, and discounted prices by clicking the link.

Wishing you the best week possible, full of bright and happy!

Step Right Up - Blog Hop

Thank you for joining us for the "Step Right Up" Blog Hop where are featuring none other than the Step Right Up stamp set/bundle where you can obtain an exclusive stamp set, only available through the end of this month!

If you are coming from Melinda's Blog, you are on the right track. In fact, that is also where you can find a complete list of participants if you were to get lost along the way.

The Bundle comes with the cardstock, Gold Foil Paper, Red Shimmer Trim Gold Pearls, and stamp set as shown above.

 Here is a close-up of those fabulous products so you can truly appreciate the value of this package!

And the stamp set! Look how FUN! Such happy images and sayings to highlight a party for any occasion. I have no doubt you are about to view some great artwork highlighting these products sooooo...buckle your seatbelts and enjoy the ride! (no pun intended)

This card ended up super festive and I hope you'll agree! The polka dot pattern is from a Picture My Life card from the Stargazer paper pack. I couldn't resist adding it for some additional fun. (How many times have I used 'fun' in this post? LOL It's a rhetorical question.) The Yellow Dots are also from the Stargazer line and one of my favorite embellishments right now.

The banner was cut from a 3 x 2 piece of Gold Foil Paper with a small strip of Red Shimmer Trim added at the top.

I love how this all came together using Pattern #20 from our Make It From Your Heart - Volume 2, How-To Book. I made some slight edits to it to work with the images I wanted to include and I'm pretty pleased! :)

Head on over to Wendy Kessler's Blog to see what she's created, after leaving a comment for me (if you would consider doing so). I love to read what you have to say!

Happy hoppin'!

CTMH Technique Blog Hop - Purposeful Patterns

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we are focusing on the theme, "Purposeful Patterns", highlighting some wonderful sketch books from Close To My Heart. One thing I enjoy seeing is the different interpretation of the same sketch, by different people, with a different theme, products, colors, etc. 

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

Want in on a little secret of mine? But you can't tell anyone... I don't create anything from scratch. Yup, that's right! Think I'm creative? I totally wouldn't describe me as so, although people beg to differ (and I appreciate that compliment). Do you want to know what makes me look so artsy? It's our How-To Pattern Books that are a scrapbook or card recipe waiting to happen and if you don't know anything about them, CHECK THIS OUT!

Here you can see a page from Make It From Your Heart Volume 4. This book includes 24 card patterns, 18 vertical card designs and 6 horizontal, in the standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" size. It fits inside our Everyday Life albums (separate purchase) for easy and convenient transportation. The pages, measuring 8 3/8" x 6 7/8" come loose with 3-ring holes. 

If you look close enough (or click on the image for an enlarged view), on the left side of the spread is where you are provided a blueprint of the card design. Paper dimensions are included as well as information on the placement of the card pieces. On the right side are two delightful cards created from this sketch. PLUS, there are plenty of Artwork Tips included throughout, giving you fun techniques to incorporate in your own creations! 

Volume 3 is dedicated to scrapbook layouts and includes 36 two-page layout patterns for standard photo sizes (4" x 6" and 3" x 4"), as well as artwork inspiration demonstrating how to incorporate additional photos using our Pocket Plus and pocket scrapbooking Memory Protectors. Layouts are organized by the number of photos in the design. It, too, fits inside the Everyday Life albums and measures the same as Volume 4 (above).

We also carry Volumes 1 and 2. Each features 16 two-page layout patterns, two single-page patterns, and 12 different card patterns. They include cutting diagrams, full-color artwork, and helpful hints for creating the projects.

While I have eyed this card pattern, it's not until now that I have used it and thought it a perfect greeting card for this occasion. It's Pattern 1 from Volume 3. 

The sentiment, from the March Stamp of the Month, Birthday Time (pictured below), is embossed using White Embossing Powder. (If you're not familiar with this technique, please take a few minutes to view this VIDEO. It's a super fun technique that can add a lot to your creative projects.) 

The banners are made with scraps from the Make Waves paper pack. And everything is always better with a little bit of ribbon (White & Gold) and White Dots. 

I appreciate you stopping by and hope you'll continue on the Blog Hop. Before you do so, I would love for you to leave a comment and let me know what you think of this card. Then, head to Haley's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. 

Happy Hoppin'!

List of Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Haley Dyer

3. Debi McBain

4. Darlys Recker 

5. Michelle Loncar

6. Danielle Wagner

7. Michelle Johns

8. Tammy Lubick

9. Catherine Nowak

10. Sarah Devendorf

11. Kirsten Desorcy

You are Top KOALA-ty! (Having fun with puns!)

Punny cards are all the rage these days and these are super easy to make! Would any of these cards bring happy to your mailbox if you received them, aside from all that not-so-fun and junk mail? I'm assuming the answer is 'YES'! 

I created 12 cards using the adorable Punny Pals stamp set, and coordinating Thin Cuts (ON SALE THIS MONTH). All cards are of the same design but with a different critter and sentiment. Watercolor Paints were used to color in the images, using a Small Round Waterbrush. I love the results and they feel pretty cool, too! LOL (It's the dried watercolor paints on the cardstock. You just have to feel it for yourself. ha!)

When you purchase this stamp set, Close To My Heart will donate $7 of the proceeds to Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates for children around the world. 

Use these 13 thin metal dies to quickly and easily cut the paper shapes shown that coordinate with the Punny Pals stamp set (above). The Thin Cuts are packaged on their own magnetic sheet and work well with most die-cutting machines. (I use the Cuttlebug.) 

This and other Thin Cuts are ON SALE. Click here for all the details, available while supplies last! 

I love the simplicity of these cards, highlighting the Punny Pal and the cute sentiment that coordinates. The Gimme Some Sugar paper pack is where I pulled the floral and polka dot pattern. I used two colors of cardstock - Fern (green) and Bashful (pink), and added a strip of Bashful Glitter Paper. This says, "You are top KOALA-ty!"

The circle was cut using one of our other Thin Cuts on sale this month, Basic Circles. The circle sizes are 2 1/2", 2", 1 1/2" and 1".

You'll see the pattern repeated here, with a different Pal. It reads, "I'm BANANAS about you."

And the last one I'm highlighting in greater detail, "Some BUNNY loves you."

I hope these super fun cards bring some joy into you life as you read the punny sayings. They are definitely something I can rely on to make me smile.

If you need some "pals" in your life, head over to my website and get them before they're gone! Remember, the Thin Cuts are only on sale this month and both are available while supplies last.

Enjoy this Friday eve!