"Christmas In July" Blog Hop

Welcome to our "Christmas in July" Blog Hop where participants are showcasing artwork using currently available products, from Close To My Heart, to celebrate the Christmas holiday during these hot summer months. 

It is perfect for aligning with the return of "White Pines", a previously retired collection that can help you get a headstart on your Christmas papercrafting projects. 

PLUS, a new special called "Holiday Stories", is the perfect mini album for new or past Christmas memories. 

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

  

I used the Holly Jolly Paper Packet to create my card and kept the design relatively simple with the festive colors and paper. 

The Thin Cut and stamped images, to include the sentiment, are all from the Comfort & Joy - Scrapbooking Stamp + Thin Cuts Set (Z3772). I love the beautiful poinsettia that can be created and I decided to toss in a little bit of Scarlet Glitter Paper (Z3839). 

Here is a close-up of the focal point. To add a bit of glitz, I added a Gold Glitter Gem (Z3312) and Gold Embellishing Thread (retired). 

Ink colors used: Almond, Candy Apple, Clover, Black

I hope you like what I have shared with you! It is time for you to go see what Brenda has created on her blog. Have fun on our Blog Hop! I hope you are inspired! 

"Christmas in July" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where we are featuring artwork focused on "Christmas in July". We invite you to participate, creating artwork of your own, and then link up to us on the Heart 2 Heart Blog. We ask that you incorporate at least one Close To My Heart product in your design.

While the Jingle Joy Collection, has technically retired, quite a few items remain available on my website. This fun and whimsical paper adds some fun color to your Christmas creations. 

I used the Picture My Life cards (aka Pocket Cards) to create some Christmas cards. I love the bright colors of Raspberry and Clover. 

This package of Picture My Life cards includes 24 double-sided pocket cards featuring unique designs, sentiments, and icons. (Not all designs are shown.)

If you will look at the piece of Clover (aka green) cardstock, at the top and bottom, you will see some tone-on-tone stamping with Clover Ink. The star, burst, and tree images are from the Jingle Joy - Scrapbooking stamp set. In creating this card, I felt the card needed a bit more but didn't want to do too much and feel that added texture was just enough. 

I also enjoyed incorporating the Jingle Joy Die-Cuts as additional elements on the cards I created. The black and white designs are great for various types of artwork, including gift tags.

Head over the Heart 2 Heart Blog and show us your artwork! We love it when you do! 

Make it a GREAT week!

July/August New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are highlighting NEW products released on July 1st in the July/August Idea Book! 

If you are coming from Brandi R - crzy4scrapbooking, you are on the right track.  You can find a complete list of participants by clicking here. 

This card design is a simple one from Volume 4 of Make it From You Heart How-To Book. Thankfully, it allows for a nice big space needed for "Scrappy Lady", a must-have stamp set for every papercrafter. 

This lady can be used for a girl boss, teacher, or stay-at-home Moms, a master of all things. And look at the additional images, and sentiments, in this stamp set. I can't wait to create more with it. 

I enjoyed using the Wood Grain paper packet in recent projects. For this card, I felt it added a bit of an "office" feel. As we near the end of August, this unique paper packet will be retiring so be sure to get it while you can!

Here is a close-up of the coloring done with Watercolor Pencils and a Waterbrush Pen (small round). I love how easy it is to create shading, with the pencils, while not feeling the need to perfectly color in the image. 

Have fun seeing what other creations the Blog Hop participants have to share with you. Now head on over to Cat's Blog to see what she has created. 

Make It From Your Heart!

"Interactive Elements" Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we are featuring "Interactive Elements" while incorporating Close To My Heart products. Participants can interpret the theme however they choose so it will be fun to see what they have to share with all of us. 

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

For my card creation, I decided to create a Spinner Card (and maybe for the first time - oops). I have possessed this Spinner Thin Cut for quite some time but had not used it, yet. Honestly, I was a little intimidated by it and I should not have been. Directions were included (and are also provided as a download on my website) and that is what I used. Be sure you have a brad to use as it is what allows the spinner to be functional.  

I enjoyed incorporating these coffee cup images - and had to include the facial stamps this time - from one of my favorite stamp sets. I used Distress Oxide Inks to discolor the background as well as to color the holder on the left. Some paper-piecing was done on the holder on the right. 

I could not resist using this adorable stamp set, again, "Desserts a la Whirl". As you can see, it includes fabulous sentiments that could be used in the window. 

If you want to see a Spinner Card in action, and how to create one, watch this brief video. 

I hope my card inspires you to give the Spinner Card I try! Enjoy seeing what else the participants have to share with you. I don't doubt you will enjoy all of it! 

Now, head on over to Michelle's Blog to see what she has to share with you and enjoy the rest of July!

Participants: 

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Michelle Loncar

3. Cat Nowak

4. Brandi Robinson

5. Darlys Recker

6. Tamara Sandwisch

7. Wendy Kessler
8. Haley Dyer 

"It's a Banner Day" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

It's the first full week of July and I hope it is off to a great start for you. I pray you enjoyed a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend (in the USA)! 

The first challenge for Heart 2 Heart is called, "It's a Banner Day". 4th of July/Independence Day jumped at me immediately, as an obvious connection, but I decided to head a different direction with my creation. 

I recalled a card sketch, in from the How-To Book, "Make It From Your Heart, Volume 4", Pattern 1, that has banners. (I pretty much duplicated the sketch.) Of course, it was perfect for the theme. 😉

I recently purchased the "On Your Birthday" 🎂 stamp set (D1960) and appreciate the sentiments included on it. I couldn't resist adding a little Flamingo Shimmer Brush to it, for some added color and sparkle. The stitched image is from the "Scrappy Lady" (D2027) stamp set. I love the look it provided, without having to draw my own stitches. 

While "Hillside Cottage" products items were highlighted in the May/June Supplement, which has now retired, there are still product items available (while supplies last). Get them while you can!

Blue Belle Glitter Gems were added for some sparkle. (Don't forget, Blue Belle will retire at the end of August, when we welcome in a new Color of the Year on September 1st.)

I ❤️ when a card design can come together so easily, especially using scraps, and still serve a great purpose. 

Consider linking up to us for this Heart 2 Heart Challenge. We love seeing what you have to share with us. Be sure to incorporate at least one Close To My Heart product in your creation, when you do.

Make it a GREAT month!

Strong Roots July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring artwork incorporating the July Stamp of the Month, Strong Roots. 

This stamp set includes the 11 images shown above and can be yours for $5 or FREE, if you're a VIP.  Whether used for scrapbooking or cardmaking, they have a unique sketch look to them which will result in fabulous artwork, with great messages. Our fabulous Stamp of the Month Special is a great way to make the most of your purchase.

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

I enjoyed using Watercolor Pencils to color in this cottage image. It actually makes me think of the home we lived in in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. (Yes, that's the name of the town.) So there might have not been those kinds of trees/bushes (lol), but the house makes me think of there. I did use the Watercolor Brush for the water effect. I love that it's so easy to control the water output. If you don't have a Watercolor Brush, you really need one. Trust me. 

The patterned paper that I used is from the NEW July/August Mix-Ins. You have heard me say, many times over, that it is often my favorite paper packet in each new Idea Book. 

The woodgrain and striped Zip Strip (with fun colors, don't you think?) are from the same sheet. I can't wait to make other artwork using the other patterns. 

For some accents, I chose to color, with a Sponge Dauber, a Wood Heart with the Peach and Flamingo ink pads, added some Gold Glitter Gems and Gold Embellshing Thread. 

For what occasion would you use this card? I can think of several. Post your thoughts below before you head over to Melinda's Blog to view what the other participants have created using this stamp set. Be sure to get yours before the month is over!

P.S. If you haven't heard, our July/August Idea Book was released today! You can view it digitally by following this link. 

Make it a GREAT month!