Sponge It Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Good morning and welcome to my version of "Sponge It" for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge. You are invited to join in on the creative fun by creating artwork aligned with the theme and then link up to us at Heart 2 Heart. We enjoy seeing your creativity! 

One of the simple techniques I learned many years ago, when I began papercrafting, was edge distressing with a sponge and ink. It's one that I have continued to use over the years. Sometimes just a little added texture is all a piece of artwork needs to liven it up. 

For the results you see on the edge of the pieces on the background, as well as the white piece of the focal point, I used a Sponge Dauber and Grape ink. I love the effect it provides on the same colored cardstock. I did add some Clear Shimmer Brush on the butterfly, although difficult to see in the photo. 

Next time you need just a little something more on your creation, consider ink distressing. It might provide the subtle and perfect touch needed. 

Link up to us at Heart 2 Heart. I look forward to seeing what you have to share. 

Love Story Blog Hop

Today I come to you with a Love Story; a papercrafting kind. Have you checked out the gorgeous "Love Story" Special that is only available through the end of this month? While the products highlighted in this beautiful Collection are part of our Core Idea Book, this opportunity allows us to draw some attention to this wonderful product line, whether you purchase the bundle now and save 20% off OR put it on your Wish List for a future order. You'll see some different ways to use the papers, coordinating stamp sets and embellishments. 

I loved pairing the black & white color theme with Flamingo accents as seen in the cardstock strips, Shimmer Trim, and Shimmer Brush. Wish some Black Dots and Gold Foil accents, plus accents of Green Apple and Lemonade, this card was kept elegant and simple. 

You can see some of the details of the shimmer trim and gold foil accents in this image. 

On this card, I followed one of the patterns included in the downloadable Workshop Guide associated with the Love Story Special, found on my website. I combined Clover and Mint for the color combo and used the February Stamp of the Month for the sentiment and focal point. 

The "for you" is from the For All Occasions stamp set which offers a variety of sayings. It was perfect to fit inside of this beautiful frame. A little bit of sponging, with Clover ink, and the use of the Clear Shimmer Brush, was an added touch to the greeting. 

I also followed the workshop guide for the design of this card and, again, used the February Stamp of the Month for the focal point. The heart accents are from the Black Acrylic Hearts embellishments and make a great addition to your artwork. 

The Love Story Collection comes in several neutral colors and, as you can see above, are great to pair with any color combination of your choice. I hope you've been inspired and see great potential with these products. 

To further inspired you, I have some CTMH Maker friends who are sharing their additional artwork inspiration using Love Story. To read how they created them, follow the respective link to their Blogs as indicated by their name under the artwork.

Michelle

Haley

Darlys

Thank you so much for stopping by. Consider leaving a comment - we love to hear what you have to share - and make it a great week!

Stunning Stencils CTMH Technique Blog Hop

 

Welcome to this Technique Blog Hop where we are featuring the use of "Stunning Stencils". Close To My Heart Makers incorporated stencils into their artwork and you will love what you see as you make your away around the circle! 

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

I absolutely enjoyed making this card using one of the stencils from the Card Front Stencil Pack. By sponging the Peacock Feathers Oxide Ink, through the "thank you" stencil, it resulted in this background. Then, some Thin Cut flowers from "Layered Flowers" were the perfect accents to add to the sentiment. 

Here are the other sentiments included in the referenced Stencil Pack; a great variety.

To create some dimension to the flower and leaf images, I inked the edges with respective ink colors - Flamingo, Clover, Raspberry and Lemon. To finish it up, I could not resist adding some glitz with the Glisten Stickles Glitter Glue. 

Thank you for stopping by. Be sure to continue to make your way around the Blog Hop by heading to Krista's Blog next. I'm confident you'll love what you see there, and beyond! Wishing you all the best for the second half of this month!  

Happy hoppin'!

PARTICIPANTS:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*
2. Krista Hershberger
3. Danielle Edwards
4. Terry Metzger
5. Michelle Loncar
6. Cat Nowak
7. Tamara Sandwisch
8. Wendy Kessler
9. Danielle Wagner
10. Michelle Johns
11. Lauren Moore
12. Maz Wood
13. Haley Dyer
14. Katy Taylor

S.W.A.K. Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to the first creative Challenge from Heart to Heart this month. It's titled "S.W.A.K", whether you interpret it for "Sealed with a Kiss" or "Stamped with a Kiss". You can put your twist on the acronym and I look forward to seeing what you create as you link up to us on the Heart to Heart Blog. 

I had the heart "stencil" already created and decided to use it to decorate a card front. 

The Hearts Background Thin Cuts was sprayed with the Fuschia Gloss Spray. It was the first time I had worked with the sprays and loved the result. However, I hadn't done anything with it so decided to put it to use now. Of course, it's perfect for this time of the year and great for this Challenge. 

I'm a little addicted to the White Gel Pens and use them, to accent things, whenever possible. By adding white stitching and dots to some of the larger hearts, as well as coloring in a few of the smaller ones, it adds some fun dimension. Plus, you can also see that I added it to the penguins scarf. (I did add a little bit of Clear Shimmer Brush to a few hearts - seen in the heart in top right corner, although not easy to see in the photo.)

She comes from the "If Snowflakes Were Kisses" stamp set + Thin Cuts. I love this stamp set, and its fun images, that I have used quite a bit since they were first made available. 

Consider joining the creative fun and sharing your artwork with us at Heart 2 Heart. We host two challenges a month; perfect to spur your creativity during the month. I look forward to seeing what you share. 

February 2022 SOTM: Here's The Story

Welcome to the February 2022 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where we are showcasing the exclusive stamp set, "Here's the Story".

With a total of 26 images in this stamp set, you can mix and match the frames, sentiments and words, for many occasions, whether used on greeting cards, scrapbook pages or other works of art. With the Stamp of the Month Special, this stamp set, valued at $18.95, can be yours FREE, or you can get it for $5. Read more about this special offer by clicking on the link. 

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

I chose to create a 6" x 8" scrapbook page, for our Everyday Life Album. By incorporating some patterned paper from Sawyer, Kraft cardstock was used for the base. 

Mulberry and Sage added the colorful flower accents, cut from the "Layered Flowers" Thin Cuts. Gold Embellishing Thread and Gold Glitter Gems were added for a touch of bling. 

I still need to decide what photo I'm going to add to it and will do so this coming weekend. 

Now head over to Wendy's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. Be sure to continue making your way around the Blog Hop to view inspiring artwork. We love having you and invite you to leave a comment on our blogs. Happy hoppin'!