Color It! - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge, "Color It!" You can participate in this challenge by creating artwork that aligns with the theme, however you choose to interpret it. Just be sure to incorporate some Close To My Heart products in your creation!

I love using markers to color in stamped images and that's what I did here.

The Escape to Paradise stamp set, shown here, has some fabulous images, two of which I used for this card.

I also incorporated this stamp set, associated with our Craft On product line. It was designed for cards but can totally be used otherwise. Aren't the sentiments adorable?!

Both of these stamp sets will retire at the end of August so be sure to get them if you want them!

I look forward to seeing your artwork on the Heart 2 Heart Blog! Have a blessed week!

Craft On!

Jumpstart your creativity with the Craft On Everyday Life album workshop! This adorable album comes together impressively fast by using the featured 3-2-1 scrapbooking technique. This technique uses 3", 2" and 1" paper pieces, only, to decorate each of the album's base pages. Isn't that amazing?!

Whether you're a beginner or veteran scrapper, it's never been easier to create beautiful layouts for your photos!

I just got these products and can't wait to make this album. I was around my friend, Cathy, yesterday and she made it and it's ADORABLE and comes together super quick!

The Craft On Everyday Life Workshop Kit includes all the patterned paper, cardstock, complements, and page protectors you need to complete this project in one convenient bundle. You'll also love how easy it is to create the layouts in this album, and the whimsical patterns of the Craft On suite will bring smiles to your face for years to come!

Offer available through August 31. Shipping & handling based on full retail price of all items. 

For complete details about the kit options, OR to see photos of all the album pages, click HERE. While you're there, be sure to download the kit directions. They can also be used with other papers and for other memory-keeping themes!

"Making Waves" - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where we are creating artwork along the theme of "Making Waves". You, too, can link up to our challenge by visiting our blog. Be sure to use Close To My Heart products in your creation (current or retired) as that's the premise for the challenge. :)

My hubby took me away on a surprise vacation for our 21st wedding anniversary and I thought these layouts were perfect for preserving some of those memories. It was such an awesome time and I'm looking forward to scrapbooking the others.

Be sure link up to us at Heart 2 Heart. We'd love to see what you create for this topic, and the others for July.

Have a blessed week!

"Pocket Power!" Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we use Close To My Heart products to create artwork centered around the theme of "Pocket Power"! Participants can choose to interpret that theme however they see fit and I'm sure we'll see a variety of interpretations! 

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

Using the "Craft On" Scrapbooking Workshop Your Way, I created this third layout as designed in the workshop. But...

I did make a slight adjustment on the right side of the page. I moved the items slightly to the right and sliced down the middle, at 6" - after I assembled the layout. That allows me to do so where it didn't impact the page design. THEN, I placed each 6" x 12" piece inside one of our Flip Flaps and made it interactive by sticking them up to of a standard 12" x 12" page protector. Keep reading...

When I open each flip flap - like doors - this is what is exposed; two 6" x 12" panels and a 12" x 12" page. Isn't that awesome?! I can include more photos, journaling and whatever else I desire. 

Flip Flaps help extend the space in your scrapbooks without feeling you have to do extra "work" to add additional memories or to save memoriabilia items. We have a variety of Flip Flaps to choose from with each offering a different element to your pages. 

This shows you how the Flip Flap works to showcase all that has been shared above. Do you love it?! 

I will be offering this as a virtual class in July. It will be shared on my VIP group. If you don't currently have a Consultant, contact me for additional information. 

These are the fabulous products that come in the Workshop Your Way kit!

Head on over to Katy's Blog to see what she has created to share with us! Consider leaving a comment before you head towards more fun artwork! 

Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Katy Taylor

3. Catherine Nowak

4. Haley Dyer

5. Danielle Wagner

6. Miss Carrie's Creations

7. Lauren Moore

8. Tamara Sandwisch

"Fireflies" - Blog with Friends

Welcome to "Blog with Friends" where I join fellow Bloggers as we share topics/ideas around a theme. This month our theme is "Fireflies".

So...you might be wondering where the fireflies are on this layout. There aren't any! ha BUT...I will tell you that fireflies totally scream summer and I think this layout totally aligns with that. What do you think? Well...that's what we're going to go with.

Outside of the tropical theme, I love the sentiments on both layouts. "Escape the ordinary." Yes, please! I want each day of my life to be something "different" and "new", not the same ol' same ol' many people experience. While I appreciate structure, sometimes being unpredictable provides a jumpstart. 

"To travel is to live". Yes it is! God created such beauty on this earth and while I've been able to enjoy a lot of it, there is tons more left for me to see. I plan on living until I die. What about you? Don't cut your life short by missing out on the extraordinary. 

Do you have some fun memories you would like to preserve? There is a fun and inexpensive way to do so with a special from Close To My Heart, during the month of June. It's called "The Best Moments are FREE" and you have four different options. The price is a steal because essentially, you pay for the stamp set and get the rest of the kit items FREE! It truly sounds too good to be true, but it is true!

If you would like to preserve your memories, while I create the layouts for you to do so on, contact me and that is completely possible. In fact, I'd be honored to do that for you. I'm sure you have memories worth documenting. 

Now, check out these other fabulous blog posts from some of my bloggin' friends. We all love when you leave a comment and show us some blog love so please consider doing so. 

Dawn of Spatulas on Parade

Karen of Baking in a Tornado

Lydia of the Cluttered Genius

Enjoy your week!

It's Your Day to Sparkle - June Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Happy June! Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are featuring the Stamp of the Month, "It's Your Day to Sparkle".

This beautiful stamp set, that contains 29 images of various types, can be yours this month for $5! It retails at $18.95 but with a $50 order, you can get it at the $5 price! Read all those details here. 

If you are coming from Cat's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants through this link. 

I love how this card came out and enjoyed being able to focus attention on coloring this beautiful cake image. With the size and beauty of the cake, there was little need to add much more. 

While not reflected the best in the photo, Watercolor Pencils were used to color in the image and the Clear Shimmer Brush was used to blend the pencil coloring and add some shine. 

Curious on where I got this card design from? I actually used the Craft On Cardmaking Workshop pieces to create it, providing a variation to the original cards. I love being able to use the resources Close To My Heart provides, for FREE, which we can use with other products or for other themes. 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Consider leaving a comment before you head on over to Brenda's Blog to see what she has to share with you. 

I hope you have a fantastic month and a very enjoyable weekend!

NEW Product from Seasonal Expressions 2! Blog Hop

Welcome to this FUN Blog Hop where we are featuring NEW Close To My Heart product that was released on May 1st! There's no doubt you're going to love all you see so grab your favorite drink, and something to write on, because there are things you'll want to add to your wish list!

This (above) is the beautiful color of the new Idea Book, celebrating our 35th year anniversary. Isn't it a fun way to depict this milestone? Various new products and artwork are contained to make the number. But...wait until you open it up and look inside. There are TONS of new stamp sets, products and artwork that are sure to inspire you!

Don't have an Idea Book? You can view it online or place an order of any size on my website (or on the website of your Consultant.) When you place an order, you'll receive one FREE! (Be sure not to check out as a guest or it won't automatically be added to your cart.)

If you're coming from Becca's Blog, you're on the right track. To see a complete list of participants, click here.

I had a great time creating this card using the Escape to Paradise Stamp Set and coordinating Thin Cuts! (You can even buy the stamp set on its own.)

The Shaker Window & Confetti Thin Cuts was used for the Candy Apple circle around the ship. 

Watercolor pencils and a waterbrush were used to color in the images. The "escape the ordinary" sentiment was white embossed. 

I totally love this card, especially after we took a cruise in early April. I know I will get great use out of it. 

Head on over to Catherine's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. I'd love for you to leave a comment, if you would like. It's always fun to see what people think of what I share.

Enjoy the rest your week and happy hoppin'!

May Day - A Blog with Friends

Celebrated in many counties, on May 1st, May Day is a traditional springtime festival or day honoring workers. Today, I join my "Blog with Friends" group to celebrate it in a variety of ways as you will find, by reading their related blog posts (links below). 

I chose to celebrate it by making these fun creations, where flowers are the focal point. 

One of Close To My Hearts newest die cuts are these Thin Cuts - Stitched Flowers. You can see them used as focal points on three of the above items. By simply running them through a diecut machine (i.e. Cuttlebug, etc.), they make for a great element on any papercrafted item. While I didn't think I needed them, initially, I think they are my favorite product at this time! 

We've got some fabulous paper suites, with coordinating products, I incorporated. This one is called "Zoe" (and only available through this month).

"Craft On" is another fabulous line I am currently in love with. It's available through the end of August, while supplies last. 

I am teaching these items on my VIP Group, where I would love to have you! You can attend both physical (DFW area) and virtual events. 

...Now it's time to check out these fun topics highlighted through my "Blog with Friends" by clicking on their links below. Comments (aka "blog love") are always appreciated. 

Karen of Baking in a Tornado

Dawn from Spatulas on Parade

Lydia from The Cluttered Genius

Thanks so much for stopping by! Make it a great day!

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all the Mothers out there, especially my own Mom, and my Sister, a very Happy Mother's Day. 

May you be blessed today and always. Enjoy your day!