"Anything Goes" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart to Heart Challenge that allows you to create anything you want as long as you incorporate Close To My Heart products in your creation. This week's theme is called "Anything Goes"!

I am thankful I had an opportunity to create some fun greeting cards this weekend and decided on showcasing this one today. There is a card in the November/December Idea Book that uses strips (for a birthday card) and I decided to alter it slightly for a Christmas card. 

By cutting 1/2" x 4 1/4" strips, I generated the background as shown. Feeling that the card needed a bit more, I decided to stamp some of the small stars, in Glacier ink, and believe it was the perfect addition. 

The stamps came from this adorable and exclusive stamp set, only available through the end of November (while supplies last) as part of the "Holiday Cheer" Special. I couldn't resist adding a few Candle Apply Holly Jolly Dots for some ornaments on the tree. And last, but not least, the gold star was generated through the use of the Golden Rod Stickles.

I'm really please with how this card turned out and do plan on making more, especially since it takes little paper. Gotta love when that's the case! 

Join us for this (and other) Heart 2 Heart Challenges. You can find the details through the link and then be sure to connect with us for the respective challenge. I hope to see your artwork there! 

Have a blessed week!

"Pumpkin Spice" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge which is titled "Pumpkin Spice". You are invited to participate in our challenge by interpreting the theme in your creation of paper-crafted artwork, while incorporating Close To My Heart products.

I have been wanting to make a card using this sentiment and am pleased with how it turned out. Using the Hawthorn paper pack, I love the colors and feel of this card which is sure to put a smile on a pumpkin spice lovin' friend. The adorable stamp images are from the Perk Up set, available only while supplies last!

Have a wonderful week and be sure to join the Heart 2 Heart Challenges. 

"Back to the Basics" - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we are featuring Close To My Heart products and going "Back to the Basics" with techniques (or whatever the participants have up their sleeves). I can't wait to see what they created and hope you feel the same!

If you are coming from Michelle's Blog, you are on the right track. Should you get lost along the way, you'll find a complete list of participants at the end of this post. 

I enjoyed making this 6" x 8" scrapbook page (perfect for our Everyday Life Albums) while incorporating some basic stamping with the use of the images from our October Stamp of the Month, "Autumn Air". 

Espresso is one of my favorite colors of ink and I used it to stamp directly onto the White Daisy cardstock as well as on Kraft, Julep and Paprika. The use of basic stamping is perfect for all types of artwork. For this page, I didn't feel a need to get fancy. 

The striped paper is from the Mix-Ins paper pack and I couldn't resist incorporating some Julep Glitter Paper and sequins. Bling makes all things better.

Thank you very much for stopping by. Now head over to Haley's Blog to see what she has to share with you. Consider leaving a comment before you do. 

Happy hoppin'!

List of Participants:
1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*
2. Haley Dyer
3. Miss Carrie's Creations
4. Darlys Recker
5. Cat Nowak
6. Maz Wood
7. Lauren Moore
8. Wendy Kessler
9. Michelle Loncar
10. Tamara Sandwisch
11. Amy Ulen
12. Katy Taylor
13. Krista Herschberger
14. Michelle Johns

"Sparkle" - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where we are sharing artwork aligned with the theme, "Sparkle". We would love for you to join the fun, and you can! Simply create a piece of artwork, making sure to incorporate Close To My Heart products in your creation, and then link up to us on the Heart 2 Heart Blog.

"Sparkle" screams Glitter Paper and Close To My Heart's is of the BEST quality! It's thick, durable AND you don't have to worry about the glitter ending up all over your creative space or hands. I used it as a background for this card and then added Candy Apple for another pop of color. 

The stamped heart is one of the AWESOME images from the Heart Patterns stamp set which I absolutely love! (The blue outline around the images indicates there are some coordinating Thin Cuts that save you from fussy-cutting them.) 

I have enjoyed using the Stitched Circles Embossing Folder as a background and did so here. (The "happy holidays" sentiment is a sneak peek from one of our Christmas stamp sets that will be released on the 15th.)

Consider joining this Heart 2 Heart Challenge (and the others for the month). I look forward to seeing your creations!

Spooktacular Blog Hop

Welcome to our "Spooktacular" Blog Hop where we are featuring some awesome products perfect for celebrating Halloween (and beyond).

Our Spooktacular products, which include exclusive patterned papers and stamp sets, are available through the rest of this month (while supplies last).

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

To me, Halloween goes hand-in-hand with "treats" so I couldn't resist making one for the use of this stamp set. 

This adorable Tic-Tac Holder was made out of a 2" x 9" piece of cardstock and was simple to assemble. I used one of our retired tag Thin Cuts for the tag portion. You could be creative and use something you have on-hand or just angle-cut the corners. 

Watercolor pencils were used to shade in the image and some our beautiful new Sangria ribbon was added for the finishing touch. 

Here is a sideview so you can see how the Tic-Tacs are secured inside (with no adhesive). I'm excited to give this treat a try for another occasion. 

Head on over to Cat's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. I appreciate you stopping by!

Happy hoppin'!

"Boo!" - Blog with Friends

BOO! and welcome to this month's "Blog with Friends" where I join five other bloggers who posted some fun content aligned with the theme. You'll find their related images and links at the bottom of this post. Take a few minutes to go see what fun they have to share with you!

I have been waiting to share this Ca-UTE papercrafting project with you that is super easy to assemble!

As noted in the image, you can see it is made from a 6" x 6" piece of patterned paper; NO GLUE required! Of course, I had to incorporate one of our adorable stamp images that is suitable for this month's theme. 

The stamp set is part of an exclusive special, "Spooktacular", that is perfect for Halloween (and beyond). You can see a peek of those related items in the above image. For more details, click on the LINK. You save money when you buy them as a bundle. However, products are available for purchase individually. 

So you can see how super easy this treat is to assemble, I have provided a short how-to video. This is a great goodie for any occasion, like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas... You get the idea.

If you make one, let me know what you think!

Thank you so much for stopping by. Be sure to follow my friends' links below. Enjoy the rest of the month!

Karen of Baking in a Tornado

 Kia of the Ground Beneath My Feet

Lydia of Cluttered Genius

Dawn of Spatulas on Parade

Tamara of Part-Time Working Hockey Mom

Autumn Air - Oct. Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to Fall (yay!) and to this month's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where we are featuring the set called "Autumn Air".

Check out these awesome sayings and images that are incorporated in all artwork shared in this hop. 

Did you know you can get it for $5 with a qualifying $50 purchase?! Valued at $18.95, that's a steal! You'll want to be sure to take advantage of the special (available this month only). 

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

Curious what that gorgeous pattern is, on the Sangria cardstock, on the upper portion of the card? I used the Stitched Circles Embossing Folder, and my Cuttlebug, to create that design. And, because our cardstock has a white core, it lends itself to distressing (with a sand paper block) to create this beautiful design. Do you love it like I do?

The sentiment was embossed, on Sapphire cardstock, with Gold Embossing Powder. I love the way it looks in coordination with the theme and other colors on the card.

For the leaves and acorn, I used Espresso ink and stamped on the respective cardstock colors (Julep, Paprika, Sangria and Kraft) while then adding a bit of shading with Watercolor Pencils (but did not add water).

And last, but not least... This is the first time I used the Sangria Ribbon. It is a truly beautiful color. I see the need to add another roll to my next order. You'll want to be sure you get it in your hands, too. Trust me!

Thank you very much for stopping by. Head over to Catherine's Blog to view her fabulous artwork and then continue around the Hop for additional inspiration.

Here's wishing you the best of Octobers!