Lovely Layers - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we are using Close To My Heart products to create, "Lovely Layers". Participating Consultants are able to interpret that theme however they seem fit. I look forward to seeing what they have to share with us and hope you are too!

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

To create layers on my creation, I decided to do so with Cricut Cut Flowers. I love that our cardstock has the two tones - one side lighter than the other. You can see I used that effect on the yellow flower, adding some dimension. A little flower cluster and I think this makes for a simple but cheerful card.

I used the Flower Market and Artistry Cricut Collections, exclusive to Close To My Heart.

Here is a link to the DS file for the flowers and leaves, if you would like it for easy recreation: https://design.cricut.com/#/design/91246793

If you're wondering where the sentiment is from, I pulled the sayings from this Kitchen Traditions stamp set.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please let me know what you think of this creation, if you're willing to leave a comment and then head on over to Michelle's Blog to see what fun she has to share with you.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Michelle Loncar

3. Debi McBain

4. Catherine Nowak

5. Rebecca Coombs

6. Haley Dyer

7. Annemarie Julian

8. Katy Taylor

9. Darlys Recker

10. Marciava Warrell

Flower Market Frenzy - Blog With Friends: School's Out!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today as my Blog with Friends group highlights the theme, "School's Out", on our blogs. You will find direct links to their associated posts at the bottom of this feed.

So you might ask, what does this information have to do with "School's Out"? Well, having been an educator, I realize the school year hustles and bustles for various reasons, oftentimes without us (educators and parents) taking the time to smell the roses (or in this case, flowers). Sometimes it is in the summer months, when life may slow down a bit, that we can take the opportunity to appreciate the little things like sunshine, flowers and maybe even a bike ride. 

YOU CAN BUY THESE CARDS, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. DETAILS ARE PROVIDED BELOW.

These five cards were created using various colors of cardstock and the Flower Market Cricut Collection from Close To My Heart. I designed them on my computer using Cricut Design Space and then just told the machine to cut away. 

This beautiful poppy design was shared with me by my friend, Pamela Thorn. Isn't it simply perfect for a thank you card? Each colored piece of cardstock was cut and then layered accordingly to provide this gorgeous 3-D card front. I absolutely love it!

And this one... I'm always needing a "thinking of you" card that doesn't say much and  yet conveys a lot to a person who is on my mind. This can be used for anything general but can also be given for those storms that sometimes weather our lives, as a sympathy card and so much more. 

We don't need reasons to send cards. How 'bout sending this card to say "hello" to a friend or family member who would enjoy a little happy in their mailbox? These days, that seems to be like a lost art and you can help revive it. (Pamela Thorn also designed this card. I slightly edited it based on my available supplies.)

Isn't this card perfect for a summer day? It is so peaceful to me and does cause me to reflect on some childhood memories as well as bike riding adventures with my husband just a few years ago. Don't you just love that blinged-out bike? It was cut on Sea Glass Glitter Paper and was a perfect touch on this card. Too fun!

Last but not least, this "thinking of you" card has 3-D flowers that are fun and cheerful, perfect for any occasion. (Pamela Thorn also designed this card. I slightly edited it based on my available supplies.)

There are several ways you can obtain these cards - whether you want to assemble them yourself or are want to receive them ready for you to give/send. Here are the details:

KITS-TO-GO
Live too far from me? You can get a Kit-To-Go. These kits will include pre-cut and stamped pieces, full-color photos and detailed instructions for assembly so you can create at your convenience. If you are local and can obtain the kit from me in person, the cost is $10. $12, which includes shipping, will have it shipped to your door. (Please allow a maximum of two weeks to receive the kit which provides for ordering the needed products and preparation.)

COMPLETED CARDS
Want the completed cards without experiencing the fun? :) I can do that too! Each card is just $2, plus $2 shipping. ($12 total).

Choose one:

Completed Cards (with shipping) $12.00 USD Card Kit (for local pick-up) $10.00 USD Card Kit (with shipping) $12.00 USD

Now check out these GREAT blog posts regarding "School's Out". There is some stuff below!

Frozen Berries and Cream Cocktail

Making the Most of Summer: For Working Moms

5 Books ESL Teachers Must Take to the Beach and Read

Non-Screen Activities While Mom & Dad Work From Home

Frozen Mocha Coffee

Summer Bucket List

Blog with Friends: "Starting Fresh"

Welcome to this month's Blog With Friends theme, "Starting Fresh", where there are 11 of us who have generated blog posts of various themes which are sure to inspire a fresh start of some kind.

You will find their titles and links below so be sure to check out all those that generate your interest.

As I was considering the theme and how it applies to my love for papercrafting, I decided that, at this time of the year, flowers experience a fresh start as they bloom and generate beautiful scents (and pollen LOL). I guess there always has to be that little sacrifice that comes with something so beautiful.

I was at a papercrafting retreat last month and was given the box of seeds and gardening gloves that I think would make a perfect gift for anyone - friend, co-worker, neighbor, family member, etc. While a gift is great, the packaging can sure add a little something special and that's exactly what I have done. (The design of this bag is the original creation of a great and creative friend, Pamela Thorn. I simply duplicated her design.) 

This bag front is the result of a design from our exclusive Cricut Collection, "Flower Market". It is truly amazing how quick and easy it is to design and reproduce this artwork, making it look like one spent hours doing so.

Here is a close-up of the poppies that are made with the following cardstock colors: Poppy, Cranberry, Fern and Black. The layering of the various colors sure provides for some quality dimension, don't you think? 

This is my favorite adhesive for layering the pieces of the flowers, the Bonding Memories Glue Pen. It has a small-tip that is great for putting glue on these images.

We have three Cricut Collections available at this time. They are exclusive to Close To My Heart and cannot be purchased through anywhere else. If you have any questions about them, please contact me. They are a great value and offer some fabulous options for your papercrafting creations!

Check out the "Blog with Friends" projects that are associated with the theme, "Starting Fresh". They are blogs with various topics and have been provided for you below.

Baking in a Tornado - "Springtime Waffles"

Eileen's Perpetually Busy - "A Fresh Start for Kitchen for Less than $100"

The Three Gerbers - "My Journey from (Former) Couch Potato to (Wannabe) Fitness Buff"

Think in English - "7 Fresh Ideas Straight from the 2017 TESOL Convention in Seattle"

The Lieber Family - "Tips and Thoughts on Moving"

Little Mama Jama - "How to Start Fresh Each Day with Your Austistic Child"

Cluttered Genuis - "Daily Devotions to Start Your Day (There's an App for That)"

Spatulas on Parade - "Garlic Honey-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin"

Southern Bell Charm - "Dollar Tree Wreath for Spring"

Cricut Flower Market Blog Hop

Thank you for joining us for our Blog Hop where we are featuring the Flower Market Cricut Collection from Close To My Heart. 

If you haven't already heard, we have a fabulous sale taking place tomorrow (Cyber Monday 2016) where you can save 30% off of our exclusive cartridges. You can click here for further details.

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. 

I decide to keep my artwork pretty simple, using only cardstock and a little bit of Washi Tape, in an effort to really focus on the pointsettias and layout title created with cuts from the Flower Market Cricut Collection. 

This was super simple to put together and I am looking forward to creating some fun Christmas photos on them this year. (I do notice my Clear Sparkle fell off the 'i' from Christmas. Imagine it is there.) 

Here is a close-up of the largest pointsettia. I did not do any texturing, other than crinkling the leaves up a bit, and lifted up the edge of the flower petals because with it going in a scrapbook album I knew it would not be retained.

Thank you for stopping by my blog and viewing my artwork. Now head on over to Wendy's Blog to see what she has created and to continue the hop. We appreciate you joining us.

Have a wonderful week!

Melissa 

CTMH Technique Blog Hop - Flower Power

This month we are showcasing the new "Flower Market" Cricut Collection that Close To My Heart released August 1st through our "Flower Power" Technique Blog Hop! The cartridge has over 700 fabulous new images. You will definitely want to add it to your Cricut library. 

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

The flower petals were cut out of Glacier and Crystal Blue cardstock while the leaves were cut out of Canary and Fern. They were simply glued together and a little Liquid Glass was applied to the flower center. "Beauty is all around" is just one of the many sentiments that is included in one of the  stamp sets included as part of the collection. You can find complete details about this Cricut Collection by clicking here. Did you know there is a digital option that is available at a lower price?

Have fun checking out all the fun artwork using this cartridge. Head on over to Darlys' Blog to see what she has created.

Happy hoppin'!

Melissa

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*
2. Darlys Recker
3. Michelle Johns
4. Janna Brown Gray
5. Michelle Loncar
6. Haley Dyler
7. Tonya Whitehurst