"Hip Hip Hooray" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this Heart 2 Heart Challenge where you are invited to create artwork aligned with the theme of "Hip Hip Hooray". When you do so, be sure to link up at the bottom of the respective Heart 2 Heart post AND incorporate at least one Close To My Heart product in your creation. If not easy to identify, include it in your details, please. 

With the Cake Day polka dot pattern being perfect for a celebratory occasion, I decided to incorporate the #1 Fan Stamp + Thin Cuts. I random-stamped the confetti, tone-on-tone, with Capri ink. The Lemonade gingham pattern paper is from the March-April Mix-In. I love the texture it adds to the banner. The other was cut out of Green Apple cardstock. 

This card is somewhat of a fun fold as I attempted to show in this photo. I took the front panel of the card front, scored it in half, and folded it to create this look. I love the variation it provides, with little effort. 

These are the images included in the FUN #1 Fan Stamp + Thin Cuts set. 

Here is a close-up of the front panel. I do love how this turned out and hope you do as well.

Now, go create something and share it with us on the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog. I can't wait to see your artwork! 

March/April 2022 NEW Product Idea Book Blog Hop

 

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring NEW product released in Close To My Heart's March/April 2022 Idea Book. Released on March 1st, you will find beautiful new artwork made with exclusive new products. If you don't already have an Idea Book in your hands - which you can get FREE with any size order - you can find a digital copy through this link. 

If you are coming from CatScrapbooking, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants by clicking here. Otherwise, keep making your way around the digital circle to see what other creations we are sharing with you today. 

To create this card, I incorporated the March-April Mix-In paper packet and the stamp set that comes in the "In Full Bloom" Cardmaking Workshop. The "confetti", for a bit of a textured background, comes from the "Cake Day" Scrapbooking Workshop. I did mask the bow so it didn't show. The striped multi-color piece, across the banner is a Zip Strip from the Mix-In packet. 

I couldn't resist adding a few Black Dots for the finishing touch. 

With a focus on the Lagoon and Lemonade color combination, it sure screams "spring", don't you think. I'm so ready! Are you?! 

I truly appreciate you stopping by and invite you to head on over to Wendy's Blog to see what she, and the other CTMH Makers, have created to share with you. Thank you for leaving a comment before you move on. 

CTMH Thin Cuts (aka Dies) Blog Hop

 

We are excited to share artwork made with some of our stand-alone Thin Cuts; that is, they are not associated with a stamp set. We have quite a few of them included in the NEW Core Idea Book that released September 1st. If you don't already have a copy,  you can view a digital version here.  

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

Believe it, or not, I did have a difficult time deciding which Thin Cut I was going to use. Being that I hadn't yet created with the Purse Card Thin Cut, I decided to go with it. 

If you are wondering where that patterned paper came from, it's part of the September/October Mix-In paper packet. I love the patterns and feel this one was perfect for making a fall/winter purse. 

Of course, I couldn't resisting adding some Gold Glitter Paper and added a bow made with the new color of Shortbread. (This photo is showing just the upper portion of the purse.) Who would have thought I would really like that color? (I did cut the handles twice, and glued them together, since there is a plain back on the glitter paper. I felt it made it look a bit more finished.)

Using the Purse Card Thin Cut, this card was super easy to assemble. I decided to add some white stitching using our White Gel Pen. 

Here is a look at the inside of the card. I loved stamping a simple sentiment, with a place to add a personalized message and signature. 

It's time to head over to Melinda's Blog to see what awesomeness she has created. Be sure to continue making your way around the hop. You're sure to find some awesome inspiration. Happy hopping!

"It's Faux" Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are using Close To My Heart items to create artwork that creats a "faux" look with the products. It will be fun to see what the participants have to share with all of us! 

If you are coming from Tamara'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. 

For my faux technique, I decided to use a couple of CTMH Thin Cuts (aka dies) that have a stitched look. I love how they totally appear to have been used with a sewing machine. 

The Stiched Brackets Thin Cuts is one of my favorite and newer sets. The sentiment is from a fun stamp set called, "Hey Hi Hello".  (I did create the four leaf clover using a retired Hearts Thin Cuts and just glued four of them together.)

I love the simplicity of this card, and the great sentiment! I hope you do too! 

Consider leaving a comment before you head over to Brandi's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. ENJOY the blog hop!

Participant's List:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Brandi Robinson

3. Cat Nowak

4. Wendy Kessler

5. Michelle Loncar

6. Katy Taylor

7. Darlys Recker

8. Lauren Moore

9. Alyson Mayo

10. Michelle Johns

11. Haley Dyer

12. Tamara Sandwisch

"Use Your Scraps" Technique Blog Hop

We are using our scraps for this month's Technique Blog Hop as we showcase fun artwork with you as you make your way around this circle. If you are coming from Maz's Blog, you are on the right track. Should you get lost along the way, you can find a list of participants at the bottom of this post. 

As we get ready to say goodbye to some of my favorite products, I felt the need to use some leftovers from the Mix-Ins Paper Packet. 

I absolutely LOVE the combination of papers in this packet and wanted to create another something with it before I have no more. Paired with the August Stamp of the Month, "Floral Celebration", I think it's a cheerful happy birthday card for someone special. 

Of course, I could not resist adding the Lemonade and Peach Shimmer Brush, respectively, to accentuate the flower petals. 

BONUS: I got this pattern from the Close To My Heart Blog. Head over there to get it as well, while checking out some awesome cards they made with it! 

Head over to Brandi's Blog to see how she is using her scraps! We appreciate you visiting our blogs and leaving comments. Enjoy your weekend!

List of Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE
2. Brandi Robinson
3. Katy Taylor
4. Cat Nowak
5. Miss Carrie's Creations
6. Lauren Moore
7. Haley Dyer
8. Darlys Recker
9. Wendy Kessler
10. Maz Wood

The Pretty of Paper-Piecing (CTMH Technique Blog Hop)

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop where Close To My Heart Consultants are featuring our products aligned with the theme of "The Pretty of Paper-Piecing". It will be fun to see what each has created by incorporating this fun technique! 

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

For my artwork I decided to get a little cra'y cra'y with paper-piecing and elected to do so on all of the petals from this gorgeous floral image. 

It comes from the "Brushed" Special, an exclusive collection only available through the end of this month, while supplies last. 

If you are wondering, "What is paper-piecing?" Keep reading and I will show you. 

Paper-piecing is where you take a stamp image and stamp it on patterned paper (or solid), cut out the desired images and then glue them to the "base" image. This technique allows you to get various patterns on your image that you couldn't get by using a coloring medium. 

When I paper-piece, I cut in the "middle" of the outlined image because you'll get that black outline, in this case, by both the piece and the base. 

Because I wanted to fully focus on incorporating this technique, these are the papers I stamped on. The patterned paper comes from our Mix-In (a definite fave of mine). Then Smoothie is to the left of it - both the front and back sides for two different hues. Last, I used Peach cardstock, on the light side. 

By cutting out the respective images, and gluing them as you see on the finished flower, I achieved  some fun texture. And...check out the cute polka dot leaves! Aren't they awesome? I incorporated them by stamping on the patterned paper that is contained in the "Brushed" Collection and then paper-pieced them in the same was as explained above. 

Of course I had to add some sparkle to the center of the flower. To do so I stamped the flower on Lemonade cardstock (light side) and then paper-pieced it, although 3-Ding it to the center. Then, some Diamond Stickles was added which allows the yellow cardstock to show through. (The center of the flower did bleed a little bit because I forgot I was going to add the Stickles and didn't use the Archival Black Ink Pad. However, rather than redoing it, I left it alone because I felt it provides for a bit of imperfection, just like any flower.) 

Here is one more card to share with you. I paper-pieced the girl's dress in the image contained in the July Stamp of the Month, "For My Beautiful Friend". 

You can see that more closely in this image. Doesn't she have such a cute dress?! And...I didn't even have to color it! LOL

I appreciate you stopping by and hope you'll leave a comment to let me know what you think about paper-piecing and/or my creations! Now, head to Brandi's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. We appreciate you supporting our Blog Hop!

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Brandi Robinson

3. Katy Taylor

4. Cat Nowak

5. Miss Carrie's Creations

6. Lauren Moore

7. Haley Dyer

8. Darlys Recker

9. Maz Wood

10. Brenda Lapp

"Pet-Pourri" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is titled "Pet-Pourri". You can interpret the theme however you like, create artwork using Close To My Heart products, and link up to the Heart 2 Heart Blog. We would love to see what you create!

You might already know how much I love this stamp set, "You Make Me Happy". Because all we have are fish right now, I knew I would be inspired and enjoy making artwork with these cuties. 

I enjoyed coloring in the images with Watercolor Pencils. The patterned paper used comes from the Mix-Ins. I loved the butterfly background. I couldn't resist adding the heart image and Black Velvet Ribbon.

Link up to us at Heart 2 Heart so we can see your artwork creations! We enjoy it! 

Heart 2 Heart Color Challenge!

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where we are featuring a Color Combo of Pixie, Canary, Julep and Lagoon! You, too, can participate in this challenge and then link up to the Challenge on our blog. You do have to incorporate at least one Close To My Heart product in your creation.

Here are the colors/shades:

I enjoyed creating this fun, but simple card, with a positive sentiment.

Watercolor Paints, and a Waterbrush, were used to add some color to the stamped images. The Archival Black ink pad was used so it didn't bleed. 

The floral paper was used from the Mix-Ins paper pack which I absolutely love! The patterns are so beautiful. It's time for a new pack! (The other colors shown on the card are cardstock.)

This is the stamp set I used for the sentiment. It's called "Life's a Journey" and was a must-have for me. I love the fonts and messages.

Here is a close-up of the sentiment. Shimmer Trim and Clear Sparkles were added for a bit of bling. 

Be sure to join in this and all of our weekly Heart 2 Heart Challenges. We'd love to have you! 

Thanks so much for stopping by. Make this a GREAT day!

"Family Legacy" - March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Happy March! We are already into the third month of 2020; can you believe it? We've got the "Family Legacy" Stamp of the Month to share with you this month as well as some BRAND NEW PRODUCTS (released TODAY!) in this beautiful Idea Book!

You'll want to be sure to check it out. (It went live at 12 midnight MST!)

This stamp set,  of 17 images, has some beautiful fleurs that can provide for a great background on a card or layout. The images are beautiful for heritage photos as well. I'm sure you'll see some fun uses for it as you make your way around our Blog Hop and it can be yours for $5, with a $50 purchase this month (only). 

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

I decided to use the fleur images to random-stamp a background for this 6 x 8 Everyday Life page. Combined with some paper from the NEW Mix-In paper pack, and with some distressed cardstock, I included the title and sentiment. The twine and Gold Glitter Gems were added for finishing touches. 

Now head over to Lauren's Blog to see what piece of artwork she has created to share with you. 

Wishing you the greatest March ever! Happy hoppin'!