Anything Goes: Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where our theme is "Anything Goes". That's right! You can create anything you want and link up to our Challenge as long as you incorporate at least some Close To My Heart products in your creation! Let us see what you have to share!

For a retreat a couple of months ago, I created this handmade sanitizer holder for my guests. If you know me well you know I'm seldom caught without it! ;) 

I found the directions on this blog and found they were super easy to assemble once I made the first one. It uses little paper and NO scissors nor adhesive. Isn't that great?! Plus, it becomes a cost-effective treat when you can buy 5 bottles for just $6 (at Bath & Body Works). I think everyone enjoyed receiving one!

I hope you'll join us for this week's challenge or for any others for July. We love when you share your creativity with us and look forward to seeing what you have designed.

Make it a great week!

Postcard Perfect Blog Hop - Nat'l Scrapbooking Month

I love celebrating National Scrapbooking Month all May and am thrilled to come to you today with artwork showcasing our fabulous special, "Postcard Perfect". There are 16 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing some fun stuff with you so be sure to make your way around the entire Blog Hop.

If you are coming from Wendy's Blog, you are on the right track. Should you get lost along the way, all participant's links can be found here. 

Before I show you what I created, I wanted to give a quick glimpse of the products associated with this special. There is a lot of goodness including a Cut Above Scrapbook Kit, paper packet (that includes patterned vellum paper), diecuts, and a coordinating stamp set. You can get a bundle, with all of the items, for $53.95 (retail value $67.80). 

Deciding to make a greeting card with the stamp images available on the stamp set (and another one I used for the sentiment), this is what resulted. It makes me want to be at the beach right now; what about you?

To generate the look of "sand", I used Toffee cardstock and "tore" an edge. Because our cardstock has a white center - that allows for a lot of fun techniques - this was the result. Using the light blue cardstock for the background, from the paper packet, it created for a great blue sky and backdrop.

 Here are a few things I did to finish this card:

🌴 The banner was cut from both a piece of the polka dot vellum paper and Raspberry cardstock. So the adhesive didn't show through in undesired areas, I placed it behind the dots. Not wanting the sentiment, from "Sweet Friends - Cardmaking", to rub off, I stamped it with Archival Black Ink and used the craft heater to heat set it.

🌴 To get the two-toned effect on the flowers, I used the "Rock 'n Roll" technique. I inked the image in the lighter color and then "rolled the edges" in the brighter color.

🌴 For the coconuts, I used the Mahogany ShinHan Marker and colored three medium White Dots. Aren't they fun?!

Inks used: Pixie, Rapberry, Lemon, Tangerine, and Sorbet.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Before heading over to Michelle's Blog, considering leaving a comment, and enjoy the rest of the artwork you see!

Wishing you a productive week!

Classic Summer Bash: May Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

It's May 1st and that means A LOT OF GREAT THINGS when it comes to Close To My Heart! Today is the day we release a NEW Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Book, filled with wonderful new products and beautiful artwork, kicking off National Scrapbooking Month in a BIG WAY!

You can view a digital copy of it online and better yet, when you place an order, you will get a hard copy when your products arrive! You will definitely want one in your hands so you can make your wish list. There's no doubt you'll want plenty of new items! If you don't have a Consultant and would like one shipped to you, contact me directly and I am happy to mail you one.  

In fact, we also have an exclusive campaign called "Postcard Perfect" which includes a bundle full of fabulous product. 

I am thrilled you have stopped by my blog today where I and several other Consultants are highlighting this adorable stamp set, the May Stamp of the Month, "Classic Summer Bash". These 25 images are perfect for creating an invitation for a summer event or for other fun projects! You are bound to be inspired as you make away around this Blog Hop.

If you are coming from Michelle Stewart's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants here.

Let's get started, shall we?!

I had fun creating this greeting card. As Close To My Heart Consultants we have access to some private groups where artwork is shared. Viewing what others create helped inspire me and I love what resulted.

It was fun making the papercrafted lemonade and I couldn't resist adding a Raspberry-colored straw. The jar was stamped in Pewter ink, onto a piece of patterned paper from the Adventure Fundamentals paper packet. It has an ombre' pattern in Lemon, perfect for my card.

To make the ice cubes look dimensional, I used the masking technique bystamping an ice cube on a sticky note. Then, I cut it out. By placing the image on top of a stamped image, I was able to stamp a cube again, without disrupting the previous image.

You might be wondering where I obtained the floral paper. It comes from our special kit for this month called "Postcard Perfect", perfect for celebrating National Scrapbooking Month! You can buy the paper packet by itself OR there is a bundle being offered that includes a coordinating stamp set AND a Cut Above Scrapbook Kit. Click here to view all of the related products.

This stamp set and paper are just one of the few items to be excited about this month. Be sure to peruse the contents of the online Idea Book and contact me, or your Consultant, if you have any questions.

To continue on the Blog Hop, please visit Melinda's Blog to view the artwork she has to share with you. We always appreciate you leaving a comment, so please consider doing so before you head her direction.

Wishing you a FABULOUS month full of Postcard Perfect Memories!