"Something to Smile About" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Happy Monday, the start of what I hope is a great and blessed week for you! Today at "Heart 2 Heart" you are challenged to create artwork alongside the theme, "Something to Smile About". Close To My Heart product must be incorporated into your artwork in order to participate and it can be current or retired. So take out that awesome product and show us what you've got. We love seeing your creations and it's always fun to see how everyone interprets the titles. 

This month's Stamp of the Month, "Floral Celebration", keeps calling my name. With the beautiful floral images and sweet sentiments, it continues to be a go-to for me. 

I love this striped pattern paper that comes from the "Summer Vibes" paper suite. It is cheerful and fun to incorporate in any artwork. I used our beautiful Spectrum Noir markers to color in the images and added some bling in various ways. 

Black Shimmer Trim was incorporated and I added some Christmas Red Stickles to a White Acrylic Heart. I also added a bit of Peach Shimmer Brush to the edges of each petal, Liquid Glass to the flower center, and used the markers to color some Clear Sparkles I have on-hand. 

This card is super cheerful and makes me smile each time I look at it. I hope that's the same for you. 

This stamp set is only available during this month and can be yours, for $5, with a $50 purchase. Valued at $18.95, it's a great way to get this beautiful and exclusive stamp set! View details here. 

Be sure to join this Challenge, and others, by visiting our Heart 2 Heart Blog. 

Make it a great week!

"Walk on the Wild Side" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

This week at Heart 2 Heart we are being issued a challenge to create artwork aligned with the theme, "Walk on the Wild Side". You can interpret that as you choose just be sure to incorporate Close To My Heart products in your creation and then link up to the Challenge on the Blog. 

For the greeting card I created, I knew "Timber" was screaming my name in consideration of this theme. It's perfect for all things outdoor, with a great variety of patterned papers, stamp sets and embellishments. 

However, I could not help but incorporate this fish stamp image that actually comes from our summer/beach-themed stamp set associated with our "Summer Vibes" collection. I love that our products work so well with others to create a piece of artwork with your preferred theme and colors.

I had fun incorporating a few techniques:

• Paper tearing - Our cardstock has a white core which lends itself perfectly to this technique. I love using it for rustic/outdoorsy types of themes as well as for sand and beach waves. 
• Sponging - Feeling the White Daisy cardstock needed to sit off a bit from the Ruby piece of cardstock, I decided to add a little bit of distressing using Sapphire ink and a Sponge Dauber. 
• Liquid Glass - While not easy to see in this photo, without enlarging it, I added Liquid Glass to the bubbles and fish scales. It provides a clear, epoxy-like coat that makes it shiny...and better. 

I enjoyed making this more masculine-themed card and I hope you like it!

Be sure to link up to us on the Heart 2 Heart Challenge. We would love to see what you make!

"Photo Inspiration" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

We are having fun this week/month, at Heart 2 Heart, with various themed challenges incorporating Close To My Heart product. You can link up to us by creating and sharing your artwork. We would love to have you! 

This week's theme is "Photo Inspiration" based upon this card shown above. You can use it to inspire creation, however that means. I can't wait to see how everyone uses it!

For this card, I chose to follow the majority design of the original card, including the layout and ink splatter. The splatter was created with a Waterbrush and our Watercolor Paints. I love the fun texture it adds. 

The stamp images are from the August Stamp of the Month, "Floral Celebration". 

I stamped the flowers in Black Ink and colored them with Watercolor Pencils. (Note: no water was added). Then I fussy-cut them to add them to the card front.  

Paper-tearing was done with patterned paper from the Summer Vibes Collection and Smoothie cardstock. 

I love the happy that resulted from this inspiration and hope you do too! Consider participating in this and other challenges on the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog. Have a great day!

My Favorite Craft Tool - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

This month, with the "Heart 2 Heart Challenge", we are showcasing artwork surrounding the theme, "Highlight Your Favorite (Craft) Tool". Close To My Heart product must be incorporated and then you can simply link up to us on the Blog. This themed challenge continues through the end of July and we would love to see what you have to share. 

I totally agree with this image as my favorite craft tool these days is our awesome Shimmer Brushes! We offer then in a variety of beautiful colors and truly, you need them all! LOL I used to think, I'll just get a couple and boy was my mind changed and quick! LOL With their ease of using them, while adding color and sparkle to any project, I just couldn't resist. They are a definite must-have. 

The focal point of this panel card was created using the Peach Shimmer Brush. I used a "pouncing" technique taught to me by my friend and team member, Katy. It's super easy to achieve, with little mess, and you can find details about it by visiting this related link on another blog post of mine. I also added the shimmer brush to the straw.  

The elements of this card are from the Summer Vibes product suite. Our tri-blend markers were used to color in the coconut and related images. 

This card is a bit of varied simplicity. I love when a card is just a bit different with little work. How about you? 

Consider joining us, at Heart 2 Heart, for this and other weekly challenges. We would love to have you participate! 

"Sunny Days" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where the title is "Sunny Days". You are invited to create artwork, coinciding with the theme, and then link up to us on the Blog. Be sure to incorporate a Close To My Heart product in your design. 

The fun and vibrant colors of the Summer Vibes product suite makes it super fun to create with; both cards and layouts. 

The cute and refreshing images used on this card are part of the Summer Vibes Cardmaking Workshop Kit. They are images found in the exclusive stamp set, and not available any other way. Watercolor Paints were used to color the ice cream cone images. 

You can find details about the kit by clicking here. 

Head on over to Heart 2 Heart and share some artwork associated with "Sunny Days". I look forward to you doing so!