"Stripes" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge titled "Stripes". Your interpretation of that theme is up to your discretion, just be sure to incorporate Close To My Heart products in your creation.

I enjoyed making this card and adding this striped paper from our Mix-Ins. It was the perfect addition, in my opinion, and stayed with the color scheme. 

Consider linking up to us at Heart 2 Heart. We'd love to have you participate in our weekly challenges! 

Make it a great week!

"Life's a Beach" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge. We are featuring artwork aligned with the theme of "Life's a Beach". Boy, does this theme make me super envious as I would give anything to be at a beach right now. What about you?

You can create artwork of your own, using at least one Close To My Heart product, and link up to us on the Blog. We love seeing what everyone designs. It is so fun!

I decided to create this 6" x 8" scrapbook page which fits the Everyday Life Albums. I love preserving memories in this small format and enjoyed doing so with the "Seas the Day" product line. The sea theme is very bright and cheerful, something I totally appreciate these days. 

I couldn't resist using the "message in a bottle" stamps from this set, "Seas the Day - Cardmaking Stamp - Thin Cuts".

Here is a close-up view for you to see the dimension. I totally love how this turned out! 

Don't forget to consider connecting with us at Heart 2 Heart. We'd love to see what you create!

Make it a great week!

"Brushed" Blog Hop

Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are featuring the beautiful "Brushed" collection. It might look familiar to you because it is a "Bring Back My Pack", returning with vibrant colors and coordinating products.

You save the most when you purchase all related products in this Bundle. 

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

One of the coordinating products is a beautiful stamp set which I chose to use on this card. That gorgeous flower - with a base and shade option - was the perfect accent. 

To achieve the colors as seen, I inked up the base image in Pixie ink and then applied Candy Apple Ink, to the center area, using a sponge dauber. 

On the leaves, I used Sweet Leaf ink - first and second generation - to get the different shades.

To make the center shiny and fun, I used the Glisten Stickles. The bright pink dots were achieved by coloring White Dots with the Red alcohol marker.

Head on over to Michelle's Blog to see what she has in store to share with you. Be sure to purchase this awesome collection while it is available! 

Make it a great day! 

Melissa Robinson

"Heat it Up" CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we are featuring heat embossing through the title, "Heat it Up". As you make your way around the Hop, you'll find awesome artwork! 

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

I did some resist embossing on this card by first random-stamping and embossing the floral images on the background, using White Embossing Powder. Then I used Sponge Daubers and ink to apply the "rainbow-like" colors, exposing the embossed images. 

I enjoyed adding the other various elements - stamped images, Black Velvet Ribbon, and Black Dots to finish off the card. I was truly pleased with the result.

The floral images come from this stamp set, "These Are My People", only available through the end of this month. I did use our Alcohol Markers to color in the 3-D flowers. 

Please head over to Brandi Robinson's Blog to see what awesomeness (that is a word, right) she has to share with you! Leave us comments! We love to hear from you!

List of Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*
2. Brandi Robinson
3. Alyson Mayo
4. Michelle Loncar
5. Cat Nowak
6. Darlys Recker
7. Kim Loewen
8. Haley Dyer
9. Lauren Moore
10. Michelle Johns
11. Miss Carrie's Creations
12. Tamara Sandwisch
13. Katy Taylor
14. Krista Hershberger

"Pet-Pourri" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is titled "Pet-Pourri". You can interpret the theme however you like, create artwork using Close To My Heart products, and link up to the Heart 2 Heart Blog. We would love to see what you create!

You might already know how much I love this stamp set, "You Make Me Happy". Because all we have are fish right now, I knew I would be inspired and enjoy making artwork with these cuties. 

I enjoyed coloring in the images with Watercolor Pencils. The patterned paper used comes from the Mix-Ins. I loved the butterfly background. I couldn't resist adding the heart image and Black Velvet Ribbon.

Link up to us at Heart 2 Heart so we can see your artwork creations! We enjoy it! 

"These are My People" Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop featuring an exclusive special, "These Are My People", designed to help you celebrate all the special people in your life, whether through the preserving of memories or creating greeting cards. There is something for everyone! 

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

This special has a variety of options. While you can make anything you want with the products, there are kits available to make 12" x 12" and 6" x 8" pages and layouts, as well as cards.

Plus, you can get this awesome and exclusive stamp set! Who knew it would be perfect for these unfortunate times we are currently experiencing? 

For all the details regarding this special, click here for "These Are My People".

Now, let's check out what I have to share with you.

While I created the artwork, as designed, from the kits I purchased, I was able to put a twist on this card (shown below) by incorporating one of my FAVORITE stamp sets, "You Make Me Happy". It has adorable animal images and sentiments you will love.

For this card, I simply changed out the focal point by stamping the image and sentiment shown. I used Watercolor Pencils to color them in and used the Watercolor Brush for blending. Of course, I couldn't help but to add a little doodling. (Now I'm thinking I need to add some to the main patterned paper. What do you think?)

This card was kept cute and simple, using some of the patterned paper from the kit. I loved the simplicity of this design from a fellow Consultant, Trina. And the Scalloped Thin Cut is perfect for the background. I did use alcohol markers to color the Clear Sparkles. I love the ability to do that!

Following another design of Trina's, I enjoyed using two of the stamp images, from the "These Are My People" stamp set to create this card. Our Alcohol Markers were used to color them in. 

Here are the various versions I made. I enjoyed changing out the colors. 

"Sentiment Stitches" has these awesome sentiments; perfect for various occasions.

I appreciate you for stopping by and invite you to head on over to Cat's Blog to see what awesome artwork she has to share with you.

The "These Are My People" Special only lasts through this month, while supplies last. Be sure to get yours today!

Happy hoppin'!

Blog with Friends: Spreading Easter Joy

Welcome to this month's Blog with Friends blog post where I, and five other Bloggers, showcase a topic associated with "Carrots". You will find their respective images and links below so please be sure to "hop" (pun intended) to their blogs when you are finished here.

Easter time stands out quite significally this year as people across the world are not able to come together to celebrate this upcoming and glorious holiday. Our world has changed so much in just a few weeks with no indication of what impact it could have long-term. Each day can be concerning with so much uncertainty that we are experiencing. While I think about the Easter egg hunts that won't be, I cannot help but to recognize the beauty in this season.

This time of the year brings warm weather, blooming flowers and greenery. If we had to experience stay-at-home orders anytime of the year, I am thankful it is when I can step outside and soak in the beauty that surrounds me. While I would rather share it with friends and loved ones I strive daily to focus on my blessings. 

Thankful for my love of papercrafting, which I can enjoy while being inside, I created the card using the "Happy Easter Bunny" stamp set. Coloring in images is also therapeutic and something I can consume myself in right now. I used our Tri-Blend Markers and love the final result. 

I used X9013, the Mix-In Paper Packet, for the patterns you see on the card front. I absolutely love this paper packed and await another one to arrive! 

Take time to consider how you can celebrate Easter in a creative and positive way this year. Is it video-chatting with family elsewhere? A virtual Easter Egg Hunt? We are bound to come up with something that is enjoyable. Let's do it!

Be sure to check out the links below and make it a great month!

Karen with Baking in a Tornado

Tamara of Part-Time Working Hockey Mom

Lydia of Cluttered Genius

Dawn of Spatulas on Parade

P.J. of A 'lil HooHaa

"O-fish-ally Awesome" Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Happy April! This month we've got a fabulous Blog Hop to highlight an awesome stamp set called "O-fish-ally Awesome"! If you are coming from Cat's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants by clicking here. 

This awesome Stamp of the Month set, comprised of 37 images, can be yours for just $5. Valued at $18.95, you can get it at this phenomenal price when you place a minimum order of $50 (before shipping and tax). Click here for details on that special as well as to view additional artwork created from Close To My Heart. 

I had fun making this card which somewhat came together by accident. I decided to try a technique a team member of mine had shared with me. 

For the lighter blue color, on the background, I took one of our Clear Acrylic Blocks and applied some Lagoon Reinker. I then added some water, generously, to it. Then, taking some plastic packaging from a Shimmer Brush, I stuck it in the wet substance and then patted it onto the White Daisy Cardstock. (Pssst...cardstock is on sale this month!)

For the darker blue, I used the Sapphire Shimmer Brush. I made it pretty wet and then tapped it over my index finger to create the splotches. It was super fun. (I will be sharing a video in my VIP Group soon, and maybe on my YouTube Channel. Contact me if you want to be able to see it.) 

Here is a close-up view of the card front. For the "sand", I used Kraft Paper and tore it into strips. Then using the "sand" stamp images, and Toffee ink, I added it to create additional texture. All images were colored with our Watercolor Pencils and blended with a Watercolor Brush. 

A few irridescent Sequins were added to create some "bubbles". I hope you like what I have to share with you!

Head on over to Wendy's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. Consider leaving a comment on our blogs as you make your way around the hop. We love hearing from you! 

Make it a great month and happy hoppin'!