Sponge It Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Good morning and welcome to my version of "Sponge It" for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge. You are invited to join in on the creative fun by creating artwork aligned with the theme and then link up to us at Heart 2 Heart. We enjoy seeing your creativity! 

One of the simple techniques I learned many years ago, when I began papercrafting, was edge distressing with a sponge and ink. It's one that I have continued to use over the years. Sometimes just a little added texture is all a piece of artwork needs to liven it up. 

For the results you see on the edge of the pieces on the background, as well as the white piece of the focal point, I used a Sponge Dauber and Grape ink. I love the effect it provides on the same colored cardstock. I did add some Clear Shimmer Brush on the butterfly, although difficult to see in the photo. 

Next time you need just a little something more on your creation, consider ink distressing. It might provide the subtle and perfect touch needed. 

Link up to us at Heart 2 Heart. I look forward to seeing what you have to share. 

"The Midas Touch" Gold Color Challenge - Heart 2 Heart

Welcome to this week's creative Challenge from Heart 2 Heart! It is titled, "The Midas Touch", where you are asked to incorporate gold into your artwork. Be sure to incorporate at least one product from Close To My Heart and then link up to us on the Heart 2 Heart Blog! We enjoy seeing what you have to share with us!

I went a bit crazy with gold, on this card, but I love the results. I incorporated Gold Foil Paper as the main background and then tossed in the heart patterned paper, forming a banner, from the Gold Foil Patterns Paper Packet. 

Gold embossing was done for the sentiment which is from the "Just a Note" stamp set.

The floral image was also Gold Embossed, on White Daisy Cardstock, and then colored in with some Tri-Blend Markers. The image is from the "Every Bit of Wonderful" stamp set, which I absolutely love!

Join us for this and other challenges posted at Heart 2 Heart. It is always fun to see how others interpret a theme and create fabulous artwork surrounding it. I hope to see something you share! 

Shake It Up - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge, "Shake It Up!". You can interpret the theme as a shaker card or feel free to step outside the box and do otherwise. I love it when people do so.

To participate in this challenge, visit the Heart 2 Heart Blog and connect your artwork with the link at the bottom of the related post. Be sure to incorporate some Close To My Heart products in your creation.

With the artwork I am sharing today, I am showcasing a card I totally CASEd (aka Copied and Stole Everything) from the Close To My Heart Idea Book.

This adorable Hedgehug stamp set totally got my attention, as did the card, when I first saw it. I couldn't help but recreate it. THIS STAMP SET RETIRES ON DECEMBER 31ST! GET IT WHILE YOU STILL CAN! 

I especially enjoyed making my own confetti that was easy to create using the Thin Cuts - Shaker Window & Confetti die cuts.

Shaker cards are totally fun and I'm looking forward to creating more! It helps that it's made super easy with the products we have available to support them!

Let's see how you "Shake It Up" this week, and through the end of this month. Head on over to Heart 2 Heart and join the challenge! I look forward to seeing you there!

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Oh Deer!

For our last Heart 2 Heart Challenge of 2016, we are showcasing the Oh Deer! product line from Close To My Heart! I have fallen in love with it and am sad to see it retire at the end of this month (or while supplies last, whichever comes first on December 31, 2016 at midnight MST).

To keep the focus on Oh Deer!, I incorporated some of the paper, Complements, Gold Shimmer Trim and Gold Sequins. It was totally simple to put together but is beautiful with the gold accents. (The photo does not do it justice.)

Check out this beautiful artwork that showcases Oh Deer! and the Stamp of the Month, "Thoughtful Flowers". I love the pink that was added to it, making it more versatile than I would have ever guessed!

Click for enlarged view.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. It has been a pleasure serving on the Heart 2 Heart Design Team this year and I am looking forward to 2017. I hope you are too!

Consider linking up to us at Heart 2 Heart. I can't wait to see your artwork there! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Melissa

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - One/First

Happy 2016!  We are geared up here at Heart 2 Heart and ready for a new year of creative challenges.  We love you visiting our blogs and more importantly, enjoy you linking up to the creativity at Heart 2 Heart.

This week's challenge is ONE/First.  Since the FIRST month is beginning, we are asked to use the number 1, the idea of "first" or some other interpretation to kick off the first month of the year.  You have to incorporate Close To My Heart products into your artwork so grab your products and join the fun!

Using the Kaleidoscope paper pack and stamp set that comes in the Workshop on the Go Cardmaking Kit, I made this fun birthday card, with ONE candle.  LOL  I worked to make it a little more masculine - no pinks - and it would be perfect for celebrating a baby's birthday.  Or...it could be given to a person celebrating their 40th birthday. Who needs 40 candles?!  LOL

The colors of ink used were:  Pear (green), Crystal Blue, Gypsy (purple), Canary (yellow) and Thistle (light purple).  A small piece of Green Shimmer Trim was used as an accent, cut in a dovetail.  Gotta love the look without it taking away from the design.  

Thank you for stopping by and consider linking to the challenge for Heart 2 Heart.  We would love to see what you create!  

Enjoy the first week of 2016 and don't forget to...Make It From Your Heart!