CTMH Smitten Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we have created, and are thrilled to share, artwork made with the Smitten Exclusive Collection from Close To My Heart. This fabulous product line is perfect for Valentine's Day and any occasions and/or people you love. 

Smitten includes an exclusive paper packet, sticker sheet, and stamp set + Thin Cuts that are not available outside of this special. You can buy the respective items separately, or save some money when you purchase them as a bundle. 

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

I love the happy of this paper packet, the colors, and designs of the punny stamp set. It was challenging to designed what I wanted to create with and look forward to making more items with these exclusive products. 

While this card design appears to be a created to have a "frame", it's an interactive card that causes it to look that way. (I've included a video below so you can see how it opens and closes.) This card design is from Connie Stewart.  

Because there was enough "fun" taking place with the patterned paper and focal point, I decided there was no need to include additional embellishments. However, because I felt it needed just a little bit more, I decided to add some Liquid Glass to the balloon and koala's nose. By doing so, it made them shiny and added some dimension. I was just enough. 

This short video shows you how the card opens and closes for this unique design and space for a sentiment and handwritten message.

Thank you very much for stopping by. I hope you were inspired to create with Smitten. 

Now, go see what Melinda has to share with you on her Blog, and continue to make your way around the circle and be inspired by what you see. 

Have an enjoyable weekend!

 

Zoe Blog Hop

Do you remember this paper pack from a few years ago? No, you're not dreaming... Zoe is BACK and better than ever, with some refreshed colors and a NEW 12" sheet of stickers you are sure to love!

Today, we are highlighting artwork created with these exclusive products, good through the end of May, while supplies last. There are several ways you can purchase the items, receiving a discount when you purchase the entire kit bundle, which includes a stamp set. Click HERE for all the details.

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

I created four scrapbook layouts created with the Zoe products and then used the remaining items to make this fun card.

The sentiment and popsicle images are stickers from the sheet I mentioned above. I simply cut a square out of the polka dot paper, trimmed it diagonally to create two triangles and then added the Sweet Leaf Zip Strip flush against it. 

A bit of Thin 3-D Foam Dots, a Journaling Pen, some Black Dots, and Liquid Glass (on the popsicle to make it shiny) were all I added to make this simple & sweet. (I may or may not know that something great is coming for the Liquid Glass on May 1st). 😉

I truly appreciate you stopping by to check out the card I have to share with you. Please head over to Michelle's Blog to see what she has created.

Enjoy the end to your week!

In Any CASE...with Melinda & Melissa

Join us twice a month as we CASE, “Copy And Selectively Edit”, artwork created by the Art Department of Close To My Heart as showcased in the current Idea Books and our Make It From Your Heart How-To Books.

On the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of each month, at 7 pm CST, we will direct you towards a piece of art and recreate it using the exact products or others that compliment its initial design. Tips, techniques and assembly directions will be shared in detail to help you recreate them on your own.

As you reproduce the items we have shared, post them on social media using the hashtag #ctmhinanycase. We will randomly search that hashtag and reward those who CASE our items. Winners will be announced on our blogs so be sure to follow us!

*************************************************

We are so thrilled to have you with us today. Melinda and I have some fun things to show you, so let's go!

We start off with me showCASEing some beautiful artwork from the back cover of our Seasonal Expressions I Idea Book. These adorable 3" x 3" cards are made using many of our fun products but specifically highlight the exclusive, "Punny Pals" stamp set and coordinating Thin Cuts!

Did you know that when you purchase this stamp set, Close To My Heart donates $7 of the proceeds to Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates for children around the world? It's true! We do! I love that some of our money is used to support such a worthy cause that is life-changing. We can continue to impact more children with your purchase!

And...did you also know that these coordinating Thin Cuts are ON SALE this month for 25% off? You can get them for just $21.71, reducing the need to fussy-cut your pals! You can find all the details through the link.

Here is my rendition of three of the cards photographed. What do you think? I happen to think I did a great job and more importantly, LOVED being able to CASE them so quickly and easily. Let's check them out in greater detail and then I'll show you what goodness you can expect from Melinda when you follow the link to her blog!

Need I say much? This little guy is adorable and so much fun! I used both Watercolor Pencils (currently unavailable - but soon to return...NEW!) and Watercolor Paints to create the hues I wanted.

TIP: Using the Waterbrush Pen - Small Round, I filled the base with water, applied a little bit of pressure, and then pulled the watercolor paint desired. I especially love this style of Waterbrush Pen because the tip is fine and easy for me to control. We have some other styles of Waterbrush Pens you may want to check out.

And those yellow dots?! FUN, huh?! They are our Stargazer Dots and come in this color, red and blue and are adhesive-backed.


Notice anything about the nose? I noticed, on the Recipe Book (that is provided for all artwork showcased in any of our Idea Books), that it stated the use of Liquid Glass. With a closer look at the artwork, I think they used it for the pals' noses so that's what I did!

If you aren't familiar with Liquid Glass, it creates a glossy, glaze-like effect when you apply it to accents or images. You can use it to highlight anything, like the nose. :) It also serves great as a strong and permanent adhesive. With its fine tip, you apply it to the desired area and allow to dry.

The paper used on this card is from Stargazer. These are some patterns provided on the back of the "stargazer-like" papers which make them versatile. I also used both Watercolor Pencils and Watercolor Paints on the bear.

You can see I also used Liquid Glass on his nose and cut a heart out of Silver Glitter Paper. I did start out cutting a heart with our Thin Cuts but none were small enough. Instead, I trimmed off some of it, all the way around, to reduce the size. I love the little sparkle it adds and hope you do too!

And last but not least...for all you dog lovers out there... How adorable is this?! "Yappy Birthday"! LOL All paper, but the horizontal hash marked pattern, came from Stargazer. The other piece is from Gimme Some Sugar. You'll notice I changed out the word bubble (in the original artwork) for a small tag from the Thin Cuts - Tags (ON SALE for up to 30% off). (The word bubble is from our exclusive Cricut Cartridge, Art Philosophy. I chose to not put my machine to work as I had a big creative mess already taking place. And I have been VERY productive, in case you were wondering!)

The red dots are from the same package as those mentioned above and this time, not only did I make his nose shiny, I did the same to his collar and tag. It's super fun how the Liquid Glass just adds a bit more with very little effort. Do you agree?

If you don't have a copy of this Idea Book, get one now! Most of the items inside are only available through the end of April, while supplies last. You can get a hard copy by placing an order, contacting me directly, or requesting one from your Consultant. In the meantime, you can always peruse the digital version HERE. 

My partner in CASEing, Melinda Everitt, has something fun to share with you on her blog. She is recreating this GORGEOUS card and sharing how she did so. Head over to If You Bling It.

We'll be back again on April 5, for the next episode of "In Any CASE". We look forward to seeing you then and don't forget to follow our lead and tag us with #ctmhinanycase. We are in our social media CASE-mobiles ready to award a prize!

Enjoy the rest of your week!