All Spruced Up

I'm excited to showcase this card as a member of the Design Team for Heart 2 Heart Challenges as we create artwork aligned with the theme of "Spruced Up". 

"Spruced Up" happens to be the name of one of our new product lines, but participants could create anything to align with the theme. This is what I have to share with you.

Not wanting to draw attention away from the beautiful patterned paper, I decided to keep my card simple. By using the front and back of this patterned paper, I then added the Scalloped Circle using Sangria cardstock. I couldn't help but finish it off with the beautiful Sangria Ribbon and then colored some Silver Dots with a black alcohol marker for an added accent. 

Look at the beautiful patterned papers I had to choose from in the "Spruced Up" collection. Aren't they beautiful. 

Here is a closeup of the detail of the focal point.

I appreciate you stopping by and hope you have enjoyed what I had to share with you. Have a wonderful week!

New Product Blog Hop (Products for January-February)

Welcome to our NEW PRODUCT Blog Hop! We are showcasing some of our favorite and NEW CLose To My Heart products so you'll want to be sure you make your way around this hop.

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

I've been having fun make cards with fun folds, SIMPLE ones, and I enjoyed making this one. 

I used the "Celebrate Today - Cardmaking Stamp Set" for the stamped images on the front side of the card. The sentiments and images are super fun that I had a challenging time deciding what I wanted to use. I guess that means I need to make some more cards with this set, don't you think?

The bow Lagoon patterned paper came from this wonderful paper pack called, "Mix-in". You'll have to enlarge the photo or follow the link to better see the fun patterns. It's called Mix-in because it can be combine with the other two paper packs or truly, works great with all of the new products. 

This is what the inside of the card looks like. Directions are provided below:

• Black card base - 4 1/4" x 8", scored at 2 1/2"
• Patterned paper on the card front (left) - 2 1/4" x 4"
• Raspberry cardstock - 3 1/4" x 4 1/4"
• White Daisy cardstock (inside and outside) - 3 1/2" x 4"

The inside sentiment comes from this stamp set called "Sentiments" by Melissa Esplin. Isn't that script beautiful?!

Now it's time to head over to Brandi's Blog where she will share her creation with you. I appreciate you stopping by and do enjoy when you leave comments.

I hope you're having a GREAT week!

"Terrific Treats" CTMT Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's "Terrific Treats" Technique Blog Hop featuring Close To My Heart products. Participants were able to create anything treat-like. I'm confident you'll find some fun artwork as you make your way around the hop.

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

With Valentine's Day a month away, I decided to make a cute, simple and quick treat for that occasion, using one of our Thin Cuts (shown below). 

The Thin Cuts - Favor Box is a one-sheet cut and folds nicely to form this 2" box, perfect for a few treats.  

While it's simple, there is a "trick" way to create the nice ribbon closure for this box. Here is a video to show you the easy assembly and that process. With this Thin Cut, it's easy to assemble quite a few of these for classroom treats, your co-workers, or neighbors.

Here is a sideview of the box. I used the "Oh My Heart" paper cover the sides. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. Head on over to Alyson's Blog to see what she has to share with you. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Alyson Mayo

3. Michelle Loncar

4. Darlys Recker

5. Haley Dyer

6. Cat Nowak

7. Miss Carrie's Creations

8. Tamara Sandswich

9. Maz Wood
10. Lauren Moore

Value Relationships in 2020!

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope these first 13 days of the new year, and new decade, have been GREAT for you! Thanks for joining me and my "Blog with Friends". Below you will find visuals and links to their posts around the title of "New Year" so be sure to go see what they have to share with you!

One thing I work to be mindful of is valuing relationships and do so by sending handmade greeting cards. However, I want to be more intentional of this in 2020. 

I've always valued quality relationships, which are few and far between. I always assumed that relationships would be better as you aged and have found that to be the opposite. I think, with this time of social media, that it's easy to be a bit more passive in fostering relationships and the days of mailing a greeting card is few. 

I have created these handmade greeting cards and will be mailing them out soon. When is the last time you sent some happy mail to someone you care about? Wouldn't it be more fun to receive something like this than a bill or advertisements in the mail? 

I challenge you to make it a priority to do so and I'm offering to do the same for you. If you are interested in receiving a handmade card from me in the mail, email me at mlisrobinson@gmail.com. Please provide your name and your email address. (At this time, I'm going to start with U.S. residents. If you live out of the country, please still contact me with your information.)

If you are interested in making cards of your own, here are the contents that come in the Celebrate Today Cardmaking Kit. Please contact me with questions or for additional information

I appreciate you stopping by today and invite you to make your way around the blogs provided below. There is some fun content I know you will enjoy. Make it a great day and week!

Karen of Baking in a Tornado

Lydia of Cluttered Genius

Dawn of Spatulas on Parade

 Tamara of Part-Time Working Hockey Mom

Jules of the Bergham Chronicles

Oh My Heart Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Blog Hop where we are featuring special products called "Oh My Heart". These exclusive items are only available through the end of February, while supplies last.

You can get a brand-new paper packet, coordinating sticker sheet, complementary cardstock, and exclusive stamp set to capture your heart this Valentine's Day. Save 25% when you purchase the kit as shown. View other purchasing options through this link. 

If you are coming from Miss Carrie's Creations, you are on the right track. You can find a list of participants here.

I had fun making this simple but heartfelt greeting card. The patterned paper in this collection is totally adorable and I was pleased with the results of this combo. By adding a little bit of White Ribbon, stickers from the Complements, and some Silver Stickles (Glisten Stickles Glitter Gel), I thought it ended up pretty cute! 

Rather than using the stamp set that is part of this special, I chose to use the "Life is a Journey" stamp set. I LOVE these sentiments that are perfect for any time of the year. It was one of the first stamps I purchased from this new Idea Book. 

With this close-up, you can see how the Stickles were a little bit of added bling to the finished card. My friend, Sundi, suggested I put it on the patterned paper and I love the results. I hope you do too!

Now it's time to head over to Melinda's Blog where she will share her creation with you. I appreciate you stopping by and do enjoy when you leave comments.

I hope today is a fantastic start to an enjoyable weekend!

"Try Something New" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Happy New Year from me and all of us at "Heart 2 Heart"! If you are new or unfamiliar with Heart 2 Heart, we host weekly papercrafting challenges, encouraging the use of Close To My Heart products. We love to see what you have been creating and would enjoy having you join in the FUN! To do so, visit the Heart 2 Heart Challenges Blog and then link up your image, through your Blog (or other platform). That will give other papercrafters, like you, an opportunity to enjoy your artwork.

Our first Challenge of the year is titled, "Try Something New". With such a broad theme, it's a great opportunity to use products you have never used before, some newly purchased, or what about a technique you've been wanting to attempt? There truly are no limitations so interpret the title as you choose. Be sure to use at least one Close To My Heart product and if it's unclear what you used, please be sure to state so in your post.

One of my first purchases, from the NEW CTMH Idea Book (released January 1st), was the "You're Not Old" stamp set (pictured below). I couldn't resist the fun lady image and the sentiments...totally crackedup! I had a challenging time deciding which image I was going to use on this card but decided on the one shown. ha It does make me laugh. I just hope the recipient doesn't take it personal. LOL 

I used markers to color in the images and pulled the heart Zip Strip from one of our new paper packs, "Celebrate Today". If you know me well, you'd know it would be one of my faves. Using it as the basis for the card, I pulled in those colors throughout the images. 

Glitter Gems were used and I added pink marker (alcohol-based) on them to have them coordinate. I also couldn't resist adding a little bit of White Twine and Diamond Stickles, on the cake, for some added dimension.

This is the "You're Not Old" stamp set I used. Check out the other fun sentiments. Don't they make you chuckle a bit? I can't wait to make additional birthday cards with it. 

This Heart 2 Heart Challenge lasts throughout the month so consider joining this one and/or others! It's so fun to see what everyone designs; I'd love to see yours! (If you have any questions about the Challenges, feel free to contact me directly. I'd be happy to answer them for you.)

Wishing you a SUPER first full week of January, 2020! Make this a GREAT YEAR!

"Everyday Magic" January 2020 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Happy 2020, papercrafters! I hope you are enjoying the first day of this new year and decade. It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming in the year 2000, don't you think?!

The first Blog Hop of the year can't get any better than welcoming in NEW products and a magical Stamp of the Month! If you are coming from Wendy's Blog, you on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants by clicking here. 

This is the front cover of the NEW Idea Book (just released today!). As expected, it is full of brand new products and artwork that will make for a long wish list. I know, as I speak from experience. LOL

You can view the digital version by clicking on this link but more importantly, you'll receive your own hard copy when you place an order of any amount. Our Idea Books serve as great inspiration, the reason for their title, so you'll want to be sure you get one in your hands. 

In focusing on the purpose of this post, check out this awesome Stamp of the Month called "Everyday Magic". With six inspirational quotes, perfect for a new year, and additional images that create for happy, you'll find it a great value at just $5. That's right! That's the price you pay when you place an order of $50. (It's valued at $18.95.) You can click here to read all about our Stamp of the Month Special. Be sure to add it to your order this month. 

I love, love, love how this card turned out. The pattern is copied from an awesome and handmade Christmas card I received from one of my customers, Pam T. I loved her card when I received it and thought it would be perfect to recreate so decided to give it a try for today's artwork. I hope you love it as much as I do. 

For the technique used on the focal point, I white embossed the sentiment. Then, using Sponge Daubers and the ink colors of Raspberry, Lemon, Nectarine, and Mint, I applied the color. This technique is called "Resist Embossing" and is one I haven't done in a while. (I just remembered, I should have taken a tissue and wiped the access color off the embossed image so the white was a little more bright. I'll do that later.)  

I included this image so you could see how the card opens up. The base measures 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" so the finished card can fit inside a standard-size envelope. (I will be sharing more specifics, about the card design, in my VIP Group.)

Here is what it looks like open. I chose to include a couple of stamped images inside, where the greeting will go. I have fallen in love with this card design and will be making more of these.

Thank you for stopping by on what I hope is a relaxing day for you. Now, head to Melinda's Blog to see what creative artwork she has to share with you. We enjoy you viewing our blog hops and always appreciate any blog love left in the way of comments.

Enjoy the rest of your week and make 2020 the best year ever!