Monday, May 25, 2020

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Good morning and Happy Memorial Day! I hope you and your family are safe and well. 

Today at Heart 2 Heart we are showcasing artwork associated with the theme, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". You, too, can create artwork and then link up to this and other challenges on our Heart 2 Heart Blog. To participate, you just have to be sure to include at least one product from Close To My Heart

For this card, I decided to incorporate the colors of the rainbow, if you will, to some extend. And I chose to keep this card design simple, pulling it from a Consultant resource from Close To My Heart. 

Here is the sketch and the respective paper dimensions:

  • 2A: 2 3/4" x 5 1/2"
  • 2B: 2" x 3 1/2"
  • 2C: 1 1/2" x 3"
  • 2D: 1" x 1"
  • 2E: 3/4" x 3/4"

As noted at the bottom of the image, you can see it is a card sketch from our "Make It From Your Heart" Volume 2.


To create this card I used the awesome and ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH THE END OF THIS MONTH, Blue Skies Cardstock. It has a glossy UV-coated pattern on one side and comes in Canary, Candy Apple, Flamingo, Green Apple, Lagoon, and Sapphire. It measures 12" x 12". Did I mention it is vibrant and beautiful?


Consider joining in on this challenge at Heart 2 Heart. We would love to have you!

Have a blessed day!

Friday, May 15, 2020

"Stencil It" Technique Blog Hop


Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we are featuring artwork inspired by the theme, "Stencil It". Participants can choose how they interpret the them, using Close To My Heart Products. 

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

I decided to use our Circle Thin Cuts (almost sold out) to create a stencil and some fun polka dots.


In this first photo you will see the happy mess I made in creating the background. I cut different sizes of circles on a piece of White Daisy cardstock. Then, I sponged inside of the circles with three colors: Lemonade, Pixie and Green Apple. (Initially, I put the patterned piece of paper on the paper, as a mask, so I could stamp the sentiment in there, but I ended up adding some additional cardstock - as shown in the finished card below.) 


After removing the circle stencil, I trimmed it, layered it on Black Cardstock and it resulted in this card. 


I did use Black Glitter Paper to back the sentiment which comes from this month's Stamp of the Month, "Time to Celebrate". It is available this month for $5 with a $50 purchase. 

Head on over to Cat's Blog, after you leave a comment (if you are willing to do so), to see what she has created to share with you today. 

PARTICIPANTS:
1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

Monday, May 11, 2020

"Eat What You Want Day" - Blog with Friends

Thank you for joining me and some blogging friends as we share blog post content associated with "Eat What You Want Day". I am sure you'll see a spin on that theme, like you will find below. 


I decided to do a "menu" which helps you prepare a handmade card (per the suggestion of some blog friends). Of course, you can take it more literal and wish you were eating some of these delicious items shown above, accented with some cute and handmade packaging. However, let's stretch this a bit, shall we?

In light fun with what we are currently experiencing, I am going to share the ingredients needed to make these punny cards. We've got a special Product Bundle available to recreate them for yourself. 

Aren't they perfectly fitting for these times? Which is your favorite?

To create these cards, you first need this kit which includes:
  • 1 - My Acrylix Though Thick & Thin Stamp Set (exclusive)
  • 6 - glossy UV-coated patterned cardstock sheets (1 Canary, 1 Candy Apple, 1 Flamingo, 1 Green Apple, 1 Lagoon, 1 Sapphire)
  • 2 - White Daisy cardstock sheets
  • 1 - Gold Glitter Gems (Z3312)
  • 20 - white card bases & envelopes


This is the "Through Thick & Thin" stamp set. The sentiments make me crack up. 

You will also need these items to make the cards as designed:
  • Candy Apple Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad (Z6509)
  • Intense Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad (Z4189)
  • Lagoon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad (Z28955)
  • Pixie Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad (Z2844)
Just like with a quality recipe, we provide full-color instructions for preparing these cards, as designed, OR add a dash of your own touch and make something completely unique. 

For more information on these cards, or some made for the essential workers many of us are relying upon at this time, follow the links to Nat'l Scrapbooking Day. You will see the fun options there. 

Would you like me to make a card or several for you? Contact me with your interest or questions. I think these cards could make for some happy mail, don't you? Do you have someone in mind? 

Now, to see what my Blog with Friends have to share with you, please click on the respective links below. We love when you leave comments so please do so. 

Wishing you a positive start to your week! 










"Angel Mother" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

I am happy to share artwork with you as part of the weekly Heart 2 Heart Challenge. The theme is "Angel Mother" and you, too, can participate in this challenge by creating something using Close To My Heart products. You have until the end of the month to do so and link up to us on the Blog. 


With yesterday being Mother's Day,  and these exclusive stamp images only available through the end of this month, I had a great excuse to make this card. It is part of the "Love for Mother" special offer. 


You know I had to go with one of the funny sentiments and absolutely love this one! LOL It makes me crack up and makes for a great card, don't you think? 
I kept the card design pretty simple, not wanting to take away from the message. The Sapphire polka dotted paper comes from the Mix-Ins paper pack which I absolutely love. Some Sapphire and Smoothie cardstock were used and some gold accents were added. 



Be sure to link up to us at Heart 2 Heart and join this and other fun challenges. Ever considered joining our Design Team? If so, let us know you are interested! 

Make it a great day! 



Sunday, May 10, 2020

May/June 2020 New Product Blog Hop!



Thank you for joining me and other Close To My Heart Consulants as we highlight new products contained in this beautiful Idea Book released May 1st. You are going to love all that it has to offer and can view a digital copy by clicking here. To get a hard copy, simply place an order, of any size, on your Consultant's website and it will be included FREE!

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

The card I created ended up so fun and festive! I'm excited to share it with you! 


I stamped this stack of gifts using Arhival Black ink and used various methods to color in the packages. Our alcohol markers were used as well as some paper piecing (shown in the last image below). I love being able to add the different colors in various ways. 

The background patterned paper is from the newest Mix-Ins pack. (Click on the link to better see the patterns on this paper.)

The awesome gift image is from "Party Time" which can be purchased with or without the coordinating Thin Cut image. 


This is the other stamp set I used for "best wishes on your special day". It is called, "Celebrating You". You will notice I combined two of the sentiments. Fun, right?! 


Here is a close-up view of the details of the focal point. The small tag on the purple gift, the bow on the black package, and the Lagoon (turquoise) gift on top are all paper pieced. What does that mean? That means I stamped and cut out those images and glued them on top of the original stamped image. While it's not very distinct in the photo, you can better tell that little touch of dimension on actual card. I LOVE how this turned out and hope you do too! 

I appreciate you stopping by and would love for you to consider leaving a comment. Then, head on over to Cat's Blog to see what awesome creation she has to share with you. 

Wishing you all the best! 


Tuesday, May 5, 2020

"Blue Skies" Nat'l Scrapbooking Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring the AMAZING "Blue Skies" National Scrapbooking Month exclusive products. There is so much fun in this product line and you'll want to be sure to check it all out! 


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


There are so many options included in the Blue Skies Bundle, including a Pinwheel Thin Cut AND exclusive stamp sets, where you save almost $35! You can also elect to buy certain product so be sure to check out the link to consider your purchase.


I have a deep appreciation for quick and cute cards and this was the perfect way to create one as I used this awesome and NEW Pinwheel Thin Cuts


With Candy Apple as the background, some "sun" patterned paper from the pack, the Pinwheel and a banner sentiment, this card is perfect to shed a little encouragement or sympathy, as fitting for a related occasion.

The Pinwheel was super easy to cut out using a diecutting machined. (I used a Cricut.) On the ends, that meet in the center, there was a hole where I could insert a brad. Then I adhered it to the card front. That simple. Card. Done. I love when that happens!


The sentiment came from this stamp set (although there is another one with coordinating Thin Cuts). Make sure you go see all that you can purchase including some AWESOME UV-coated paper that is absolutely beautiful! Of course you can't get the full effect until you see it in person. 

It's time to head on over to Wendy's Blog to see what she has created. Be sure to make your way around the Blog Hop because I am sure you will be inspired by what you see. 

Happy hoppin'! 

Friday, May 1, 2020

"Time to Celebrate" - May Stamp of the Month Blog Hop


Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are featuring the May Stamp of the Month, "Time to Celebrate"


This awesome stamp set, which contains 28 sentiments and images is perfect for MANY occasions! Pair it with your favorite paper and you create a handmade greeting card in no time.

While this stamp set is valued at $18.95, you can get it for $5 with a $50 purchase! Click here for more details on our Stamp of the Month program!

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.


I had fun creating this simple card, highlighting our Stamp of the Month. So that I didn't draw attention from what it offered, I decided to use some Thin Cuts from our new Blue Skies bundle and cut out the five floral images. This was done on White Daisy cardstock.

For the background, I used Raspberry cardstock that formed the border and color for the flowers. Sequins were added to the center, as were Clear Sparkles, plus some Raspberry Twine. I love the simplicity of this card and hope you do too!


I appreciate you stopping by! Now head over to Alyson's Blog to see what she has created to share with you.

Happy May!