"It's in the Script" - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we use Close To My Heart product to highlight a fun technique. We've got "It's in the Script" for you, for September, where participants can incorporate various stamp sets OR a fabulous NEW Penmenship Book, and pens, from Melissa Esplin. I'm excited to see what everyone has to showcase and I hope you are too!

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

In wanting to make a birthday card, and incorporate a new stamp set, this is what I chose to create. I love the sentiment and script used for "birthday", plus it was a great image for paper-piecing the cupcake image.

Cardstock and patterned paper from the Mix-Ins Paper Pack and Every Little Thing were used. Of course, a little ribbon and Julep Glitter Gems can't help but bring the perfect finishing touch. 

This is the fun stamp set I chose to use, "Sweet Birthday Wishes" that is perfect for celebrating such an occasion.

Here is a close-up of the paper piecing and use of Liquid Glass on the cherry. 

The image was stamped multiple times, first, on the base patterned paper and then again on Smoothie and Mint cardstock. The frosting and cupcake holder were cut out of the respective cardstock pieces and glued on top of the base image. A marker was used to color in the cherry and then Liquid Glass was added to it. 

I'm please with how this turned out and had a great time making it! Considering leaving a comment before you head over to Michelle Loncar's Blog to check out what she has to share with you. And then, don't forget to continue making your way around all of the artwork. There's no doubt you will be inspired. 

Make it from your heart!

Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Michelle Loncar

3. Haley Dyer

4. Miss Carrie's Creations

5. Darlys Recker

6. Cat Nowak

7. Lauren Moore

8. Wendy Kessler

9. Terry Metzger

In Any CASE...with Melinda & Melissa

Join us twice a month as we CASE, “Copy And Selectively Edit”, artwork created by the Art Department of Close To My Heart as showcased in the current Idea Books and our Make It From Your Heart How-To Books.

On the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of each month, at 7 pm CST, we will direct you towards a piece of art and recreate it using the exact products or others that compliment its initial design. Tips, techniques and assembly directions will be shared in detail to help you recreate them on your own.

As you reproduce the items we have shared, post them on social media using the hashtag #ctmhinanycase. We will randomly search that hashtag and reward those who CASE our items. Winners will be announced on our blogs so be sure to follow us!

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We are CASEing some super cute Close To My Heart artwork today, if I do say so myself.

This is the card I will be highlighting and my partner in CASEing, Melinda Everitt, is doing so for the card shown towards the bottom of this post. You'll want to be sure you follow the link to her blog to find out more! 

I was super excited to do a process video as I created this card until... I stamped the "celebrate" and it didn't stamp correctly. "No problem," I said to myself. "I can see through the stamp image and I'll restamp it." That was a great plan until I realized I had stopped videoing, never restarted it and continued creating the card. LOL Oh well! It was a good thought and at least the card turned out great! LOL

What I noticed about this card, after I created it, is that it was super easy to assemble and is CUTE! I love the design on the card with it being layered onto another piece of white cardstock, just setting it off slightly from the card base. 

The main Clover patterned paper, where "celebrate" is stamped, is from the "Something Fierce" paper packet as is the striped piece. The other polka dot paper comes from "So Much Happy". 

The "Years of Sweetness" stamp set is what was used for the cupcake and candle. While this set coordinates with the Cricut, I did choose to fussy cut the images since I didn't have my Cricut for use. Ink colors used were: Carolina, Peach, Smoothie, Clover, Saffron, Canary and Black.

Melinda will be creating the card in the middle of this image, with a little twist. You definitely want to head on over to Melinda's Blog to see what she created. 

Be sure to CASE CTMH artwork with us to join the FUN and to be eligible for prizes! That's right, we search social media for the hashtag #ctmhinanycase to see what you are creating and sharing. Contact either of us with your questions.

We look forward to seeing you again, in two weeks, for the next episode of "In Any CASE..." Make it a great weekend! 

Something Fierce yet, Cute!

"Something Fierce" is the name one of the new paper suite released from Close To My Heart and it is being highlighted this month. Its fun patterns and bright colors are great for different types of papercrafting products. 

To view the different products that coordinate with the paper packet, visit this area of my website. 

This would make a cheerful card for a child's birthday or for wishing them a great day. While there are dinosaur images throughout this product line, there is the opportunity to draw attention otherwise. For example...

This birthday card was made with the same product line. You can see how it does provide for versatility. In fact, I have made and shared a few cards this month where I have incorporated the Something Fierce paper packet.

This is the stamp set, "Years of Sweetness", I have used on the card above. The different images, are great for celebrating someone's birthday. (Don't know what that bottom image is? It's a layered cake! Can you tell there are two cake layers and then the frosting on the top and side of the cake?! I need to make a card with that image so you know what I am referring to.)

If you are wondering what the pink outlined shapes are. That indicates there are coordinating Cricut images, cut from one of our Cricut Collections, that are perfect for stamping on. These images are pulled from Artbooking. 

Here is one last artwork sample I am sharing with you today. I love this layout that can be used for birthday or other celebratory occasions.

Those half circles...don't they add the perfect pop of color?! I think this layout is adorable! (Click on the image for an enlarged view.)

To view additional details about the Something Fierce products, view the digital Idea Book (aka catalog) or this area of my website. I'm always willing to answer your questions!

Have a blessed day!

CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Sunny Thoughts

HAPPY FEBRUARY and welcome to this month's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where we are featuring the exclusive stamp set, "Sunny Thoughts".

This stamp set, which contains 13 wonderful images, are great for any piece of artwork where you want to add a little sunshine! Only available this month, you can get it for $5 with a qualifying purchase. Details on the Stamp of the Month offer can be found here.

If you are coming from Marie's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants on Melinda's Blog, if you were to get lost along the way.

Placed on a White Daisy card base, I allowed a 1/2" border around each side before adding on some patterned paper and cardstock. The grey background is from the Basic Fundamentals paper pack where as the light pink argyle pattern is from the Gimme Some Sugar paper pack. A couple of 1/2" strips of Peacock cardstock was added as well as some White Twine.

I did stamp the swags directly onto the White Daisy cardstock and then stamped the flowers on a separate sheet of cardstock. By fussy-cutting them, and then gluing them on top, I was able to generate the two colors and provided some dimension.

Inks used: Sweet Leaf, Raspberry, Pewter

This simple and sweet card was fun to create and I can't wait to see how the others have used it in their artwork. Please consider leaving a comment below - I always enjoy hearing from you - and then head over to Cat's Blog.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a FABULOUS FEBRUARY!

Blog with Friends - "Outdoor Life"

Click on image to enlarge view

Welcome to this month's "Blog with Friends" post where we are highlighting the theme, "Outdoor Life". My blogger friends' links have been provided below. I encourage you to check our their sites, and the fabulous topics associated with the theme, when you are done reading mine. :)

To tie into this month's theme, I created a set of 10 handmade greeting cards, using our NEW Prickly Pear product line to create them. The cards can be used for a variety of occasions and are super fun and fiesta-y! Here are my two favorites:

Both of these happen to have a cactus on them; not all of them do. I do love the "party like there's no manana" sentiment and the cheerful colors of the used products. I hope you do too!

Most of the focal points are from the Complements pack that includes stickers and dimensional elements. A little bit of stamping was included. 

CHECK MY BLOG POST ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2017,where details about the products used will be included as well as a way to GET YOUR HANDS ON THESE CARDS!

Wishing you a great start to your week!

"Apple Cider Chive Potato Salad" by Baking in a Tornado

"Let's Take It Outside" at Think in English

"Picnic Food" at Spatulas on Parade

"Stretching My Green Thumb" at Cluttered Genius

Seasonal Expressions 1, Blog Hop

Good morning! Thank you for joining our hop where we are featuring artwork using our newest products contained in Seasonal Expressions 1.

Products inside this beautiful supplement were released on January 1st and you get a copy when you place an order on my website.

If you are coming from Haley's Blog, you are on the right track.

I am addicted to the Sugar Rush product line including the ADORABLE stamp sets that coordinate. If you haven't checked them out you must do so now! :) All of it is great for birthday celebrations or just sprinkling goodness on anyone who needs it!

This is a fun birthday card I created, totally CASEd from the Seasonal Expressions that serves as a phenomenal Idea Book and point of inspiration (or copy - LOL).

I incorporated washi tape as well as three glitter Sugar Rush Dots. A little 3-D Foam Tape is always great for adding dimension to artwork.

I would love to know your thoughts on this card before you head over to Brenda's Blog to see what she and the other Consultants have created to share with you.

Thank you for stopping by today. Have a wonderful weekend and happy hoppin'!

Participant List:

1. Carol Ellis Loftus

2. Julie Howe Scott

3. Erica Haskin

4. Haley Bell Dyer

5. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE

6. Brenda Lapp

CTMH Technique Blog Hop - Thrilled About Thin Cuts

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we are focusing on one of our newest product lines called "Thin Cuts". If you don't know what Thin Cuts are, let me explain...

But first...if you are coming from Terrie's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants at the bottom of this blog post.

Thin Cuts are Close To My Heart's thin metal dies that can be used with your favorite die-cutting machine (I use the Cuttlebug) to quickly and easily cut shapes that coordinate with designated stamp sets. The images shown here, in blue, are the Sweet Birthday Thin Cuts that coordinate with the stamp set of the same name. They are packed on their own magnetic sheet and work well with most die-cutting machines.

What is the purpose of Thin Cuts? Well, if you look at this CA-UTE card below (I am totally proud of it because it makes me happy LOL) I used the Thin Cuts to cut out TWO of the cupcake images out of the Lagoon (turquoise) and Chocolate (brown) cardstock. I then used the stamp set to stamp the images, in their respective colors, and cut out the chocolate frosting and then layered it on top. I did the same thing with the candle image, on White Daisy cardstock. This is so I do not have to fussy-cut the image each time. Isn't that cool?! We have other Die Cuts currently available (with more to be released soon - WOOHOO)!

To create the texture on the Sorbet piece of patterned paper (that has a sponged look), I repeatedly stamped the sentiment in Chocolate ink. A few Dots, to serve as sprinkles, and some Whimsy Ribbon finished it off in a sweet way (pun intended LOL). I also colored in the polka dots on the cupcake wrapper with a marker. 

I would LOVE to hear what you think about this card, and the Thin Cuts, before you head on over to Darlys's Blog to see what she has to share with you. I am so excited to see the other artwork and hope you are too!

Happy hoppin'!

Melissa

Blog Hop Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Darlys Recker

3. Jenifer Benner

4. Janna Brown Gray

5. Michelle Loncar

6. Catherine Farnsworth Nowak

7. Tammy Lubick

8. Kirsten Desorcy

9. Terrie Shortsleeve