May-June New Product Showcase: Coffee Helps! ☕

On May 1st, we unveiled the May-June Idea Book which contains fabulous new products and inspiring artwork for you to use on your papercrafting projects. You can get a hard copy of it FREE with an order of any size placed on my website, or you can view it digitally by following this link. You will love all that is contained inside so what are you waiting for? 

 

Today's good mood...brought to you by coffee! Can anyone relate? 🙋‍♀️

I had a great time making this fun, simple, and happy card with the "Coffee Helps" stamp set, the flowered Zip Strip and patterned paper from the May-June Mix-Ins, and a splash of Capri cardstock. I am pleased with how it came together and hope you like it as well!

These are the paper designs from the Mix-Ins. You can click on the image to enlarge, or view them in greater detail on my website.

I did include some paper-piecing on the coffee and mugs. To create the coffee, I stamped the image on Kraft Paper, fussy-cut it, and outlined the foam images using the White Gel Pen. I had to make it look somewhat real. I stamped both cups on White Daisy cardstock and also paper-pieced the fun Flamingo paper design.

It was kept very simple with some Black Dots added as accents.

Thanks for stopping by and consider leaving a comment below, or your questions. I love hearing from my readers! Now...where's my coffee?! ☕

"Splatter It" Heart to Heart Challenge

This week's Heart to Heart Challenge is called "Splatter It". Incorporating at least one Close To My Heart product, I invite you to join this Challenge and connect with us on the Heart to Heart Blog. You can interpret the theme as you choose and I can't wait to see what you have to share. 

For my splatters, I used some plastic/acetate and simply dabbed it into the respective Distress Oxide ink colors: Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, and Peacock Feathers. It is a very organic technique that will not look the same every time. 

The sentiment is from the May Stamp of the Month, "You Can Do Anything".  

A butterfly and some Clear Sparkles were perfect additions to this simple card. I did add some accents, to the butterfly, using a White Gel Pen.

Create something and then link up to the Challenge on the Heart 2 Heart Blog.

Make it a great week!

Wild Berry Blast Blog Hop

 

Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are showcasing the GORGEOUS and bright Wild Berry Blast related products that are only available through the end of this month! 

With Wild Berry being Close To My Heart's Color of the Year, we have been able to enjoy some beautiful and coordinating products. 

However, through the end of this month, you can purchase additional exclusive products, including a stamp set that you won't want to miss. As you hop through the artwork, you will get to see them highlighted in different ways. 

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

I used the scrapbook layout sketch that was provided on the Close To My Hear Make It From Your Heart Blog. While I used many of the same products, I incorporated Sapphire and changed out the paper patterns so it has a different look. In fact, you can get the free pattern by visiting the related post. I love pairing Wild Berry with Black and now, with Sapphire. It will go with other CTMH colors as well. 

I even added a few touches of Glitter Paper. 

Now, head on over to Melinda's Blog to see what she has created to share with you and enjoy making your way around the Blog Hop. We enjoy when you leave us comments so consider doing so. Happy hoppin'!

"Flora or Fauna" - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge with the theme of "Flora or Fauna". You are invited to create papercrafted artwork based around the theme. Make sure to incorporate at least one Close To My Heart product in your creation!

I enjoyed creating this slimline card created with an exclusive stamp set that you may have not otherwise seen. By simply adding in some patterned paper from the March-April Mix-in and In Full Bloom paper packets, I felt there was not a need to do much more. 

Black Dots, Silver Shimmer Trim, and Black cardstock were the finishing touches to this card. I hope you like it! 

Create something aligned with the theme and link up to us at Heart 2 Heart! We look forward to seeing your creation!

"Message in a Bottle" April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

 

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring the April stamp set, "Message in a Bottle". 

This set comes with 21 images, of various sizes, to include different bottle shapes, items to put inside and sentiments. I am excited to see the variety of ways these images were used by our participants. 

If you are coming from Brandi R - crzy4scrapbooking, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants by clicking here. 

To create this card I used a minimum number of supplies. I took Kraft Paper , tore it and inked the edges with Toffee. To create the ocean scene, I used Capri cardstock and then applied Bluebird ink to it, by splotching it on with a plastic wrapper. It was totally organic and I like how it turned out. 

For the bottle, I stamped it twice - on White Daisy cardstock and Vellum. I stamped the scroll on White Daisy and glued it on top of the white bottle base and then added the vellum on top of them to give this look. A few embellishments and it makes me want to be on the beach. What about you? 

Now, head on over to Melinda's Blog to see what she has created to share with you.

Make it a great month! 

Winter Wonderland - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to the last Challenge, for Heart 2 Heart, in 2021! If you have participated in any of our challenges this year, we say "thank you". We hope you will join us as we share our love for papercraftingin 2022. 

This week's theme is "Winter Wonderland". I can think of many ways to showcase that theme, but deciding on using a Polar Bear focal point for my creation. 

Who knew this "If Snowflake Were Kisses" Stamp Set + Thin Cuts would become one of my recent favorites?

The Snowflake Loose Sequins are perfect for the theme, of course, and I couldn't resist incorporating them into the Shaker element. The pattern papers are from the Mix-Ins paper packet, as I chose to keep this greeting card very simple.

Consider linking up to this Challenge on the Heart 2 Heart Blog. We would love to have you! 

Wishing you all the best this holiday season!

Deck the Palms Blog Hop

 

I'm excited you are joining us for this Blog Hop featuring the exclusive "Deck the Palms" product collection that can be used for anything tropical, including a tropical Christmas! With its unique design, you can flip over the paper to change the themes. Isn't that wonderful? 

The Bundle includes exclusive stamp sets, paper packet, sticker sheets, coordinating cardstock, acrylic shapes of two designs AND palm leaf Thin Cuts! You can view all of the purchasing options by clicking here, and you save 20% when you get all of it!

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

I am sharing several pieces of artwork as it's easy to fall in love with all things in this Collection. 

I decided to go with a tropical Christmas for this card as we have family members in Florida and it would be perfect for them. Truth be told, I wouldn't mind celebrating Christmas in Florida (LOL) for an excuse to scrapbook some photos with this beautiful paper. 

I used the smaller flamingo from the card workshop but then fussy cut the Santa's hat from the larger flamingo and then just glued it on top. For my card design, I found the larger flamingo was a bit too big when I wanted to use the patterned paper and show enough of it.

I enjoyed adding a few of the Acrylic Shapes to use as embellishments on this card. Did you know they are now thinner than they used to be? I love that CTMH changed that, allowing us to use them on cards and other mailed items.

For this card, I decided to follow a design from Katy Taylor (who is a great friend and on my team 💜) from last year. I though the gorgeous Wild Berry Loose Sequins would be gorgeous with the color combination and that star patterned paper is one of my favorites because of the fun and bright color! To create this kind of a Shaker Card, I used the 3" x 4" Flip Flaps. I did secure it to the card base so it's not interactive, but instead provides a fun and transparent background, for the sequins to shine through.

And...I couldn't end this blog post without including these cards I made from the workshop directions that are FREE and downloadable. Just visit a respective workshop kit - Cards or Scrapbook Layouts (Tropical or Christmas) - and you will find the link to download it.

For these two cards, I loved the use of the striped or polka dot pattern towards the top and the different ways the ornaments were decorated - stamped and cut from paper. 

Besides the color combination being awesome and bright on these cards, I also love how we used the White Gel Pen to create accents on the ornaments. These cards are just super happy and I'm totally fine with working outside of the traditional Christmas colors. 

If you haven't checked out these workshop options, be sure to click on the respective product offerings. This "Deck the Palms" Special is a must-have and only available through the end of December 2021, while supplies last. 

Now it's time to have fun by seeing what the others have created to share with you! Head on over to Cat Scrapbooking to view her creation! We appreciate you stopping by and letting us know what you think by leaving comments! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Heart 2 Heart "Glitz and Glitter" Challenge

Welcome to the second September challenge for Heart 2 Heart. The title is "Glitz and Glitter" and papercrafters everywhere are invited to join us by sharing your interpretation of the theme. Create something fun, using at least one Close To My Heart product, and link up to us on the Blog. We love seeing what you create!

If you have never purchased, nor used, Close To My Heart Glitter Paper, you are missing out on a top quality paper! It's cardstock weight AND doesn't fall off on you, nor your creating surface; a definite plus! We offer it in a variety of beautiful colors and I loved incorporating both Sapphire and Silver on this card. 

A little splash of Carolina Cardstock, and a background of Sapphire cardstock (on the light side), and some Silver Loose Sequins were a perfect addition to this pattern from Volume 5 of Make It From Your Heart. 

Don't have Glitter Paper from CTMH? What are you waiting for?! Add it to your next order!

Now, go get something blingy and connect with us on the Heart 2 Heart Blog. We love when you share with us! Happy creating! 

Core Catalog New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are featuring NEW Close To My Heart Products that were released in our Core Idea Book that lasts through August 2022! Besides containing fabulous products, it is also full of beautiful and inspiring artwork. You can view the digital version by clicking on the links OR get one FREE with an order of any size. 

If you are coming from Maureen's Blog, you are on the right track. 

I decided to highlight some of our products that feature Rose Gold. With the Rose Gold Foil Patterns Paper Pack you can use as a simple background and color it in, using various mediums, as I did here. I chose to use some of our Tri-Blend Markers. Because of the slightly raised rose gold accents, coloring the images was easy. 

A piece of the Mocha cardstock (one of seven new colors) was added and accented with the beautiful Rose Gold Shimmer Trim. For the floral focal point, I incorporated a sticker from the "As You Grow" product collection.

In keeping this card simple, to not distract from the rose gold accents, here is a close-up so you can appreciate the beauty of these coordinating products. Be sure to add them to your next order. 

Now head over to Catscrapbooking to view the next piece of artwork in this Blog Hop. We appreciate you stopping by and look forward to reading your comments. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Grateful for This Life Blog Hop

 

Welcome to this month's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where we are featuring the exclusive stamp set, "Grateful for This Life". 

These wonderful words and phrases are great, in many combinations, for any piece of artwork. The 16 images are valued at $18.95 and can be yours FREE (if you're a VIP), or for $5, with a $50 purchase.

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

I enjoyed making this Slimline Card, incorporating the Pumpkin Spice patterned paper, Rose Gold Foil Paper, and Gold Embossing Powder. While I wasn't sure of the natural sunlight on the photo, I decided to leave it as is because you can see how the elements look in different lighting.

When combining Gold and Rose Gold, I was pleased with how they looked together. I researched if that was acceptable, fashion-wise, and they are. Whew! 

For some added fun, I made this an easel card. By stamping the repeated sentiment on a strip of paper, and 3-D on the card base, it provides a place for the front of the card to rest. A personal message can be written above the stamped strip, with your signature below it. Wouldn't this look nice on a desk, shelf, etc.? It could definitely serve as a reminder of how much you appreciate that person's friendship. I was pleased with how it turned out. 

If you aren't aware, Close To My Heart released TWO NEW IDEA BOOKS today; the Core (year-long) and the September/October Supplemental. Both contain phenomenal new products, and artwork! You'll want to get your hands on a hard copy, and soon! You can do so by placing an order of any size. 

Thank you very much for stopping by. Head on over to Cat Scrapbooking, and continue to make your way around the Hop, to see some fun ideas using these stamp images. 

Make it a great month!