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. 

Jan/Feb 2022 CTMH New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring NEW PRODUCT that was released on January 1st, via the January/February Supplemental Idea Book. You can view a digital copy online OR you can receive a hard copy FREE when you place an order of any size. This new Idea Book is full of fabulous new products and great artwork which is sure to leave you creatively inspired. 

If you are coming from Brenda's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants by clicking on this link. 

The very first stamp set I purchased from this Idea Book is the adorable "Take It Easy" stamp set. 

I love the adorable sloth images and punny sayings. Which is your favorite? I did use our Tri-Blend Markers to color in the image and then added some white accents with the White Gel Pens. 

For the papers, I random-stamped Avocado cardstock, used Kraft cardstock, and brought in the two patterned papers from the Mix-In paper packet. 

If you've been following me for long, you know the Mix-In Paper Packet is a must-have for me from each Idea Book. With the neutral colors in this pack, it's perfect to mix-in with any other papers or colors, hence the name! 

I appreciate you stopping by and now send you to Melinda's Blog to see what awesome artwork she has created to share with you. We always appreciate your comments, letting us know how you enjoyed our creations. Enjoy the rest of your week!

"Created to Shine" November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

 

Welcome to our November Blog Hop where we are featuring the awesome and inspiring "Created to Shine" stamp set. It can be yours FREE (for VIPs) or for $5, with a qualifying purchase. Valued at $18.95, that's a great bargain! Read more about our Stamp of the Month Program here. 

We're excited to share fun creations with you. If you are coming from Stefani's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants by clicking here. 

I am excited to share this card I designed, that I made into a shaker card! Yes, I did and I'm thoroughly pleased with the result! 

To create the shaker lightbulbs I did use an exacto knife. I carefully placed 3-D Foam Tape around the edges of those bulbs so the shaker parts didn't fall out. 

Here is a photo of the beautiful back side of that piece. LOL I glued the small cardstock pieces on the back, that coordinate with the color of the sequins I placed inside. For the acetate window, I just took one of our Rectangular Shaker Window Foam & Acetate pieces to cut the size needed.

I had a fun time creating this and love the happy result of this card. It makes me smile and I hope it does the same for you! It can totally be used for the holidays, or for anytime of the year! YOU ARE CREATED TO SHINE!

Thank you very much for stopping by. Now head over to CatScrapbooking to see what she has created to share with you. I'm sure you'll love what you see as you make your way around this Blog Hop. 

Happy hoppin'! 

"Terrific Tags" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Happy October! With the new month we welcome in the first creative challenge with Heart to Heart. It's called "Terrific Tags". How will you interpret that into your creation, while using at least one Close To My Heart product when you do? We would love to see! 

I enjoyed incorporating the "Pumpkin Spice" paper to create this simple card. I love "simple", allowing me to enjoy the overall creation of greeting cards. A tag, a banner to include the sentiment, a few sequins, Gold Thread and the tasty treat, is all I used. While I felt the patterned paper was a bit busy, I feel like the other elements help to soften it a bit, while still keeping it happy and festive. 

One of the first stamp sets that caught my attention from the September/October Idea Book is this one called, "Pumpkin Treats". It did cause me to think about my friends who love all things pumpkin. For me, I'll just take a couple of slices of pumpkin pie during Thanksgiving. And don't forget a lot of whip cream. LOL Beyond that, I do love my venti black and white mochas, with almond, no milk, no foam, from Starbucks. So here's a shout out to my pumpkin spice-loving friends. 

Link up to us, on Heart 2 Heart, for the first challenge of the month. We love seeing everyone's wonderful creations and how you interpret the theme.

Make it a great week! Happy creating!

Strong Roots July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring artwork incorporating the July Stamp of the Month, Strong Roots. 

This stamp set includes the 11 images shown above and can be yours for $5 or FREE, if you're a VIP.  Whether used for scrapbooking or cardmaking, they have a unique sketch look to them which will result in fabulous artwork, with great messages. Our fabulous Stamp of the Month Special is a great way to make the most of your purchase.

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

I enjoyed using Watercolor Pencils to color in this cottage image. It actually makes me think of the home we lived in in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. (Yes, that's the name of the town.) So there might have not been those kinds of trees/bushes (lol), but the house makes me think of there. I did use the Watercolor Brush for the water effect. I love that it's so easy to control the water output. If you don't have a Watercolor Brush, you really need one. Trust me. 

The patterned paper that I used is from the NEW July/August Mix-Ins. You have heard me say, many times over, that it is often my favorite paper packet in each new Idea Book. 

The woodgrain and striped Zip Strip (with fun colors, don't you think?) are from the same sheet. I can't wait to make other artwork using the other patterns. 

For some accents, I chose to color, with a Sponge Dauber, a Wood Heart with the Peach and Flamingo ink pads, added some Gold Glitter Gems and Gold Embellshing Thread. 

For what occasion would you use this card? I can think of several. Post your thoughts below before you head over to Melinda's Blog to view what the other participants have created using this stamp set. Be sure to get yours before the month is over!

P.S. If you haven't heard, our July/August Idea Book was released today! You can view it digitally by following this link. 

Make it a GREAT month!

Heart 2 Heart Challenge: Get Inky!

We're kicking off the June Heart 2 Heart Challenges with the theme of "Get Inky". There are so many ways to consider this theme, especially as you incorporate stamping. Be sure to incorporate at least one Close To My Heart product as you participate in this challenge and link up to it on the Heart 2 Heart Blog. 

With Father's Day around the corner, and wanting to use a new stamp set, as part of the "No Ordinary Dad" Special, this is the card I designed. 

I did select three colors in which to ink up the sentiment: Bluebird, Clover and Sapphire. I did first ink up the image in Clover and then added Bluebird towards the top and Sapphire towards the bottom. I wanted to create an ombre' effect. While the colors blended quite a bit, I was pleased with the results and then designed other elements around the focal point. 

I did stamp the image, again, in Candy Apple, and cut out the respective hearts, then gluing them on top. Using Sapphire ink, I random-stamped the background, on Bluebird cardstock, for added texture. I couldn't resist adding a little bit of Silver, feeling it was necessary to separate the papers. 

I hope you will consider joining this Challenge, and others, on Heart 2 Heart. If you have questions, feel free to post them below, on the Blog, or you can email me directly. 

Make it a great week and don't forget to create as much as you can!

National Scrapbooking Month Blog Hop

 

Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are showcasing the exclusive and GORGEOUS products that are part of the National Scrapbooking Month Special, "You Are Special". 

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

The collection includes a unique paper collection, coordinating stickers and cardstock - all which contain rose gold accents. There is also an exclusive stamp set, with coordinating Thin Cuts, AND the awesome (and large) butterfly Thin Cuts! You can buy the products individually or SAVE 30% when you buy them all as a Bundle. 

I couldn't resist incorporating some of the rose gold accented cardstock, from this collection. Not wanting to detract away from it, I did keep the design of this card simple. 

The Blush Shimmer Ribbon, included in the Bundle, is a perfect accent for coordinating with the rose gold patterns on the paper.

I did use Sapphire cardstock, and Sapphire Glitter Paper, for the small butterfly Thin Cuts. It made for a great accent on the card which I had to incorporate.

Consider leaving a comment, to let me know what you think, before you head over to Wendy's Blog. Then, continue making your way around the Blog Hop to see all of the artwork creations. 

Happy hoppin'!

"Flowers for You" Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Happy National Scrapbooking Month and welcome to the May 2021 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where we are featuring the "Flowers for You" stamp set. 

This stamp set contains these beautiful floral and sentiments. I love the different fonts used.

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

Unsure what I wanted to create, I decided to keep my card relatively simple while drawing attention to the beautiful floral images. 

By simply stamping a portion of the longer "garden" image in Intense Black ink, I enjoyed coloring them in with the Tri-Blend Markers. The patterned paper comes from the NEW May/June Mix-Ins paper packet, with a splash of Smoothie. 

While not very obvious, I couldn't resist adding the Clear Shimmer Brush to the flowers. I used the Coral Shades Tri-Blend Marker to color some Glitter Gems so they coordinated with the largest flower. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I know you'll enjoy seeing what the other participants created. Consider leaving a comment and then head over to Wendy's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. 

Here's wishing you a enjoyable month of papercrafting!

"Garden Tags" June Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop featuring "Garden Tags". If you are coming from Stefani's Blog, you are on the right track. Should you get lost along the way, you can find the complete list of participants by clicking here. 

This beautiful stamp set comes with 8 gorgeous designs, several of which are perfect for a tag, and you can get it for $5 with a $50 purchase. (It is valued at $18.95.) To find out more details about our Stamp of the Month Special, follow this link and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. 

I had an enjoyable time making this handmade card using this stamp set and kept it relatively simple. The patterned paper is from our Mix-Ins, providing a beautiful backdrop. I added some Peach cardstock and Gold Foil Paper for a quality accent. 

For the tag, I decided to use a little bit of paper-piecing at the top, on Julep paper. To create this look, I first stamped the tag in Archival Black Ink and then stamped it again, with Julep ink, on Julep cardstock. I cut around the polka dotted topper and then glued it on top of the tag base. 

Watercolor Pencils and a Watercolor Brush were used to color in the floral and leaf images. 

To see some more artwork created with this exclusive stamp set, please head on over to Cat's Blog to see what she has to share with you. No doubt it's something work checking out! 

Wishing you a Marvelous May! 

"Time to Celebrate" - May Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are featuring the May Stamp of the Month, "Time to Celebrate". 

This awesome stamp set, which contains 28 sentiments and images is perfect for MANY occasions! Pair it with your favorite paper and you create a handmade greeting card in no time.

While this stamp set is valued at $18.95, you can get it for $5 with a $50 purchase! Click here for more details on our Stamp of the Month program!

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

I had fun creating this simple card, highlighting our Stamp of the Month. So that I didn't draw attention from what it offered, I decided to use some Thin Cuts from our new Blue Skies bundle and cut out the five floral images. This was done on White Daisy cardstock.

For the background, I used Raspberry cardstock that formed the border and color for the flowers. Sequins were added to the center, as were Clear Sparkles, plus some Raspberry Twine. I love the simplicity of this card and hope you do too!

I appreciate you stopping by! Now head over to Alyson's Blog to see what she has created to share with you.

Happy May!