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! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

So I am thankful for this guy right here... 24 years of Valentine's Days celebrated together! I actually remember one of our earliest dates took place on this day in 1994. Super crazy to think that much time has passed. 

Marriage is definitely not easy, bringing together two people from different walks of life who have to give their heart and soul to one another on a daily basis. It's making God the center of it all. He has truly brought us to this place in 2019. 

I am thankful for God's promises and the fact that He is a miracle-worker. We have experienced that together and I am grateful. I have grown in experiences and opportunities I could have never imagined and while the journey has not always been easy, it has truly been worth it!  Thank you, Lord, for another year! 

While we aren't together today, and we promised years ago not to focus heavily on Valentine's Day as an isolated occasion in a year, I can't wait to give this card to him. I'm pretty sure he'll agree with my heart diagram. LOL Actually, he could negotiate the need to move naps up on the list. I don't take them often these days but when I do, I definitely enjoy them!

The focal point was stamped with this set from our "Heart Happy" special that is available through the end of this month. Aren't the images super cute?! (I actually made some other cards with it.) You can find more details about the special here. 

Whether your single, dating, married, or widowed, I pray today isn't looked at as any more important than other days. Convey your love and admiration for people in your life on a regular basis and more importantly, feel loved today. You are! 

Have a blessed day! 

Snuggly and Warm - Blog with Friends

Thank you for joining me and a few blogging friends as we link up our blogs to share some fun content aligned with this month's theme, "Snuggly and Warm". Please read through the bottom of this post where you will find links to their blogs.

I interpret snuggly and warm as winter and Valentine's Day; a perfect combination, in my opinion. Can you believe we are just 10 days from Valentine's Day in 2019? That is super crazy to me! But, it does give me a great opportunity to create some fun happy, a few items which I am sharing with you today. 

So I must have been living under a rock, but has Galentine's Day been a saying prior to this year? LOL I have never heard it until now but think I may just wear it out as it is super adorable and provides an opportunity for us to celebrate those gal-entine relationships we have in our lives. 

This scrapbook page will be perfect for preserving some gal memories. The challenge will be deciding which photos I want to include on this one. 

Do you have special moments you have shared with a girlfriend, or two, of yours? Those memories are worthy of documenting either for yourself, for them, or how about for both of you? Adding a little bit of the story will bring to life what you experienced at the time the photo was taken. You deserve that. You both do. 

Or what about sprinkling someone's mailbox with a bit of happy? This is totally my favorite handmade card where you can specific the loves in your life. Isn't it hilarious?! You'll see where tacos ranks for me and my husband won't be surprised when he gets this card. Ha! It's totally fun and is bound to provide a chuckle to any recipient. 

 Here is a simple Valentine's Day card, throwing it a little blue. Don't you love this color combination? I do! I think it's perfect and this card can be sent to any person you choose.

The products used on these artwork pieces are part of Close To My Heart's Heart Happy Special that are only available through this month, while supplies last. You can purchase them, including the stamp set shown above, through me by using the link provided .

If you are a papercrafter, and would like to be added to my customer newsletter and/or VIP Group on Facebook, email me. I'd be happy to add you as I share the FUN of papercrafting!

Continue reading, and click on the links, to view posts associated with "Blog with Friends".  

Karen of Baking in a Tornado

Dawn of Spatulas on Parade

Lydia of Cluttered Genius

Jules of the Bergham Chronicles

Thank you so much for stopping by today! Have a great day!

Favorite Recipe - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

This week, with Heart 2 Heart, you are challenged to design artwork aligned with the theme of "Favorite Recipe". You can participate in this and other challenges all month long. Be sure to incorporate Close To My Heart products in your creation. That's all that's required!

For this week's challenge, I started the first page in my "Stories I Love" album. This new product line, in coordination between Close To My Heart and Stacy Julian, is great for highlighting those photos that pull on your heartstrings. It is more than the photo... Photos that elicit emotions are what this mini album is designed for, although you can definitely use it as you choose. 

So you might be wondering where the "recipe" part of this post comes in...

Stacy Julian includes a "workbook" to walk us through 8 steps of memory-keeping, specifically designed for the purpose of this album. Using her "recipe", I was able to connect with some emotions that make me part of who I am and tell the story of my journey. 

And pull on my heartstrings...is exactly what the above photo did! While I have drafted the story behind it, I have not put it down on paper, yet, but I will...and soon! To me it highlights a great milestone in our relationship and marriage for which I am truly grateful; a testimony of God's work in our lives.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Stacy Julian several times over my years with Close To My Heart. In fact, did you know she used to be a CTMH Consultant? She sure did! The last opportunity, a few weeks ago, I was able to chat with her for a bit about one of her other product lines, "Short Story". I really admire her for her perspective on scrapbooking and appreciate her sharing it with me and otheres. 

Here is a snapshot of the wonderful contents of the "Stories I Love" line, as well as albums related to the other options she is providing us. 

Click on this link to read a bit more or contact me with questions. If you would love to scrapbook and feel non-artsy, don't know where to start, etc. this may just be perfect for you!

I would love to tell you more! Your photos really do deserve a story and I can help! ;) 

Link up to this and other artwork challenges at Heart 2 Heart! I look forward to seeing your artwork there and wish you a fabulous week!

Heartfelt Sentiments - February Stamp of the Month

Happy February! Thank you for joining us for this month's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. We have a beautiful stamp set to share with you and it happens to be the name of my team name, "Heartfelt Sentiments". How cool is that?! 

These beautiful images will create great artwork and you can get them for $5, when you place a qualifying order. Details about the Stamp of the Month special can be found on this area of my website. 

If you are coming from Wendy's Blog, you are on the right track. To find a complete list of Consultant participants, click here. 

For my card, I chose to incorporate some random-stamping of the small and separate floral and leaf images from the stamp set. 

You can see how I placed them on the block and rotated the images to create the design above. By using the Archival Black ink pad, I was able to color with our Watercolor Pencils and then used the Clear Shimmer Brush to add some sparkle (although difficult to see in the photo).

I am excited to see what creative ways the participants in our Blog Hop incorporated this stamp set and I hope you are too!

Head on over to Cat's Blog to see what she has created.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you all the best this month!