Heart 2 Heart Challenge: Wildberry (Color of the Year)

Welcome to Heart 2 Heart's first Challenge of 2022! I hope you will consider joining us in all the fun this year! Each month we host an artwork challenge, based upon a theme, on the 1st and 3rd Monday. By posting your artwork on social media, and then linking up to the challenge on the Heart 2 Heart Blog, we can be inspired by your creativity. 

Let's get started with the first challenge of the year entitled "Wild Berry". If you are unaware, Wildberry is Close To My Heart's Color of the Year. The image above contains the coordinating products offered in this beautiful and vibrant color. If you have it, consider incorporating it into your artwork OR feel free to interpret the theme as you choose. It's always fun to see a "spin" on the topic. 

On this card, I used Wild Berry Cardstock, Loose Sequins, and Glitter Paper. The "gray", aka Mink, accents are from the November-December Mix-Ins Paper Packet.  

I have really enjoyed making Shaker Cards recently and love how this card turned out with the stamp images coming from the Peace and Love Stamp Set + Thin Cuts.

I appreciate you stopping by my Blog and hope you like this card. Consider leaving a comment and then join the creative challenge at Heart 2 Heart. I look forward to viewing your creation! 

"All You Need is Love" Heart 2 Heart Blog Hop

Welcome to the first Heart to Heart Challenge of February 2021 called, "All You Need is Love". Did you know you can create artwork of your own, aligned with the theme - interpreted however you see fit - and link up to the Challenge? We love seeing everyone's perspective on the theme. Be sure to use at least one Close To My Heart product on your design.

I am excited to share this card I made, with you! I actually created it quite a few weeks ago, proud that I came up with a creative idea and it worked! Don't you love when that happens? LOL

One of the first stamp sets I bought, from the January/February Idea Book, is this one called "Howdy Neighbor". And, of course, I had to have the Thin Cuts. Who wants to fussy-cut when they don't have to?! LOL

I random stamped the stitched heart image on the Kraft cardstock, with Toffee ink. I love the subtle background it created. The "sending you" sentiment was stamped directly on the card front with Black ink. 

The patterned paper, which I absolutely love, is from the Perfect Match Special. I couldn't resist adding a Small Bow, cut out of Candy Apple cardstock, and used a piece of Flamingo Shimmer Trim.

To create the fun "hugs" image...

I wanted to use the Flamingo Shimmer Trim but felt it clashed a bit. All of a suddent it dawned on me to try this technique and so I gave it a try.

I first stamped the Hugs image, with Flamingo Ink, on cardstock. I took a red marker and made the thick line you can see, using a ruler. I then made a couple of the black lines using a marker, and the thinnest one using a Journaling Pen. 

Then, I used the Thin Cuts to cut it out and adhered it, with Thin 3-D Foam Tape, to the front of the card. I feel that, by doing so, it gave it a nice look for the front of this card. 

I hope my idea serves as some inspiration for you! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Consider leaving a comment and then be sure to link up to us at Heart 2 Heart! 

Make it a GREAT week!

Favorite Recipe - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

This week, with Heart 2 Heart, you are challenged to design artwork aligned with the theme of "Favorite Recipe". You can participate in this and other challenges all month long. Be sure to incorporate Close To My Heart products in your creation. That's all that's required!

For this week's challenge, I started the first page in my "Stories I Love" album. This new product line, in coordination between Close To My Heart and Stacy Julian, is great for highlighting those photos that pull on your heartstrings. It is more than the photo... Photos that elicit emotions are what this mini album is designed for, although you can definitely use it as you choose. 

So you might be wondering where the "recipe" part of this post comes in...

Stacy Julian includes a "workbook" to walk us through 8 steps of memory-keeping, specifically designed for the purpose of this album. Using her "recipe", I was able to connect with some emotions that make me part of who I am and tell the story of my journey. 

And pull on my heartstrings...is exactly what the above photo did! While I have drafted the story behind it, I have not put it down on paper, yet, but I will...and soon! To me it highlights a great milestone in our relationship and marriage for which I am truly grateful; a testimony of God's work in our lives.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Stacy Julian several times over my years with Close To My Heart. In fact, did you know she used to be a CTMH Consultant? She sure did! The last opportunity, a few weeks ago, I was able to chat with her for a bit about one of her other product lines, "Short Story". I really admire her for her perspective on scrapbooking and appreciate her sharing it with me and otheres. 

Here is a snapshot of the wonderful contents of the "Stories I Love" line, as well as albums related to the other options she is providing us. 

Click on this link to read a bit more or contact me with questions. If you would love to scrapbook and feel non-artsy, don't know where to start, etc. this may just be perfect for you!

I would love to tell you more! Your photos really do deserve a story and I can help! ;) 

Link up to this and other artwork challenges at Heart 2 Heart! I look forward to seeing your artwork there and wish you a fabulous week!

Sunny Days: Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart to Heart Challenge where we are using Close To My Heart products to create artwork aligned with the theme, "Sunny Days". To participate, simply head over to the blog and provide your link at the bottom of the associated post; that's it! In fact, you can participate in other February challenges while you're there. We love seeing what you create!

We are experiencing some cloudy and rainy days in the Dallas area, something I don't mind because it gives me a reason to stay inside and papercraft. Today I decided to share this layout that I associate with these theme because it is giving tribute to a friend, one who is sure to bring a sunny day to a not-so-fun one. I am sure to experience a smile whenever we chat. Sometimes that is done via text or messenger but on occasions like this one, it was done in person!

I had the opportunity to visit my friend, Kim, in her new home in Kansas City in early December. It was such a great visit with her and her family. We were never without coffee, delicious food, entertaining chats and other fun experiences.

I used the Gimme Some Sugar product line to create the layout. While it was cold and chilly in KC, I loved the patterns in this paper pack and the embellishments that made for a layout worthy of memories that make me smile.

Some of the Complements (aka stickers and chipboard elements) were used to create visual clusters in a couple of areas on the layout. That bitty flower on the bottom right, is a Cork Shape (there are flowers and hearts). Cute, huh?!

These chipboard elements are part of the Complements as well. (The Bashful Gems that served as the centers are now sold out.)

Look at all the fun images included in the Gimme Some Sugar Complements.

Thanks so much for stopping by and considering joining the fun!

Check out Heart 2 Heart and participate in our weekly artwork challenges. We would love to see your creativity!

Heart 2 Heart Challenge: Fabulous Fonts

Thank you so much for joining us for this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge, "Fabulous Fonts". Please consider joining us and be sure to use Close To My Heart products in your artwork. Then, link up to us at H2H! We love seeing what you have to share.

I chose to use this month's fabulous font Stamp of the Month stamp set, "Storybook Alphabet", and kept my card pretty simple. (This D-size stamp set can be your for just $5 this month, with a qualifying order!)

Using some of our soon-to-retire Fundamentals paper patterns, this card came together quickly. I added some White Shimmer Trim, White Gems, and then stamped "hi" and colored in the letters with our ShinHan markers.

With my busy life these days, a cute and quick card is right up my alley! What do you think about it?

I hope you have a blessed and enjoyable and don't forget to...Make It From Your Heart!

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - "Hello Lovely"

Thank you for joining this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where we are focusing on one of the newest product lines, "Hello Lovely". Be sure to link up to this week's challenge to showcase your Hello Lovely artwork.

This floral paper pack lends itself to all types of themes including Mother's Day, Easter, sympathy cards, and so much more. 

I kept this card simple, not wanting to take away from the floral pattern nor sentiment. 

I added a small piece of the beautiful and new Blush Shimmer Ribbon as well as added a floral sticker from the Complements.

The Complements include coordinating puffies and stickers, including some with gold foil accents.  

"Happy to Be Friends" is a versatile stamp set that I used and offers a variety of sentiments for many occasions.

To create this card, I used Pattern 29, page 47, from our How-To Book, "Make It From Your Heart - Volume 1". 

If you don't own it, or any/all of our How-To Programs, you would benefit from adding one to your next order. You can find them on this link by scrolling all the way to the bottom. If you have any questions on how to use them, let me know. I don't create anything from scratch because of these awesome scrapbook and card design tools.

Create and share your artwork creations, using Hello Lovely, by linking up to this week's challenge. We enjoy seeing your wonderful creations.