Embellish It! Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Good morning and happy Monday! I wish you a great start to your morning and week!

Thank you for joining me/us for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge, "Embellish It!" It's the first one for December and we hope that you'll join the creative fun and share your artwork with us. Please be sure to use at least one Close To My Heart product in your creation. 

I decided to glitz up this handmade giftcard by adding some simple but fun embellishments, mostly hand-created. I stamped on patterned paper (pink ornament and present), did tone-on-tone stamping (green present), used the White Gel Pen, Gold Glitter Paper and included some Liquid Pearls. I love how it all came together for this finished result. It's super festive!

Believe it, or not, all stamp images used on this front of this card are from this "Deck the Palms" stamp set, a special that continues through the end of this month. It doesn't have to be used for a tropical theme at all, if you choose not to use the flamingo. 

This is how the inside of the gift card holder looks. Isn't it fun (and simple)?! I love that giving a gift card doesn't have to be considered "without thought", if there is intention and love for the recipient. In fact, I enjoy being able to redeem gift cards and having packaging like this would make it extra special, don't you think?!

(NOTE: I did host a Santa's Workshop this weekend, virtually, where I showcased a variety of artwork projects, dimensions to recreate them, techniques and so much more! If you don't currently have a CTMH Maker, contact me via email - mlisrobinson@gmail.com - and I'm happy to invite you to join the fun!)

Thank you for joining us this week at Heart 2 Heart. Be sure to link up to this challenge, and future challenges, as we celebrate and share our love for papercrafting!

Make it a great day!

"Silver and Gold" Technique Blog Hop

 

Welcome to this Technique Blog Hop where we are creating artwork with Silver and/or Gold. Participants can choose to incorporate either, or both, into their designs and I can't wait to see what everyone has to share today. 

If you are coming from Katy's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants provided at the bottom of this post.

I experimented with a few Silver and Gold ideas and finally settled on these simple, but striking, ornaments by way of "shakers". These Star Shaker Window Thin Cuts were great for making these elements that could be hung on a tree or used as gift tags. They could also serve two-fold as an element on a Christmas card that could then be used as an ornament. 

They were super simple to put together. I used the respective Silver and Gold Embossing Powders, as well as Glitter Paper. The cardstock colors used are Sapphire and Scarlet. The Star Confetti, in both shades, were obviously perfect. I did use Thread in order to create the hanging ribbon. 

I know you'll be inspired with the artwork that lies ahead. Now, head on over to Haley's Blog to see what she has created to share with us today. Thank you for stopping by!

List of Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*
2. Haley Dyer
3. Cat Nowak
4. Michelle Loncar
5. Wendy Kessler
6. Darlys Recker
7. Brandi Robinson
8. Michelle Johns
9. Judy Dahlgren
10. Tamara Sandwisch
11. Katy Taylor

Holiday Cards Blog Hop

Welcome to our "Holiday Cards" Blog Hop where participants are using Close To My Heart product for anything "holiday", at this time of the year. It will be fun to see what everyone has to share!

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. 

Using this month's Stamp of the Month, "Created to Shine", I created this window scene. Silver Foil Paper was used as was the Multi Square Windows Thin Cut to create this look. I love how the shaker elements on the above photo resembles snowflakes falling. Do you see it too? 

For the Shaker portion, I used the Rectangle Shaker Foam + Acetate largest piece along with the Silver Loose Sequins. The sentiment, stamped on Candy Apple cardstock, is from the For All Occasions (D2052) stamp set. I couldn't resist adding some White Gel Pen for the stitching on the banner. 

I super duper love how quick and easy this came together. The longest amount of time was spent on deciding the color of the lights and coloring them in! LOL And actually, that didn't take very long. 

Head on over to Melinda's Blog to see what she has created to share with you! Thanks so much for stopping by. 

"Oh Deer" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

For the first November 2021 Heart 2 Heart Challenge, we've got the theme of "Oh Deer!" However you interpret it, we hope you'll link up to us on the Heart 2 Heart Blog and show us your design. Be sure to use at least one product from Close To My Heart in your design. 

The Holly & Ivy Collection was used to create this card. With the beautiful designs incorporating traditional Christmas colors, I couldn't resist doing so. 

I used a couple of Picture My Life cards (no longer available) for the focal points in the center of the card. The Gold accents, in the way of Glitter Paper, Glitter Gems, and Thread, create some beautiful "glitz". 

The Carnation Red Liquid Pearls were used on the holly berries, for a little extra dimension. I did 3-D the deer which came from the sticker sheet. 

Consider joining this papercrafting challenge on the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog. We love to see what you create. Happy creating!

From My Home...To Yours...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I know it's easy to get caught up in all the worldly things surrounding Christmas - I do enjoy the lights and festivities - and am thankful I do pretty well not getting drawn into the crazy and negativity that's possible. I hope you are able to take a deep breath today and celebrate the joy of the holidays, consuming yourself in the moment.

We have really enjoyed our Christmas tree, lights and holiday decorations this year. I don't know that I'll be ready to take them down when it's time to do so.

One of the blessings in my life is as a Director for Close To My Heart. Thankful for everything in my life that encompasses CTMH - fellow Consultants, team members, customers, friends and family - we are well taken care of by the owner, Jeanette Lynton, and all of the home office staff. We enjoy various perks as a Director and one of them is receiving a Christmas gift each year.

This is how the package arrived this year and included a beautiful handmade card, with a heartfelt message from Jeanette. It was a definite feel-good and before opening the gift...I drooled a bit over the wrapping paper (LOL); the look AND feel. :) (I'll share the gift soon but am being respectful of those Consultants who may have not already received theirs.

This is a close-up of the card that was included. Isn't it beautiful?! I love everything about it and if I had received it sooner, I would have so copied it! LOL It may just serve as a Christmas card for next year, but regardless, it sure gives me some ideas for other greeting cards.

I wish you a blessed and enjoyable day - whether surrounded by tons of people or a quiet day by yourself or with a few others. Whatever you do today, be sure to remember the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas!