"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!

Owl Love You Forever - December Stamp of the Month

 The December Stamp of the Month is called "Owl Love You Forever" and we are showcasing artwork created with it. 

This stamp set, valued at $18.95, includes these stamp images and you can get it FREE, if you're a VIP, or for $5, with a qualifying $50 order. To read more about our Stamp of the Month Special, click here. 

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

I had fun creating this fun, simple, and happy card featuring two of the images contained in the exclusive stamp set. 

By using the Hearts Slimline Thin Cuts, and creating a stencil, I sponged Picked Raspberry Oxide Ink to create the background. Because I wanted a little more control, I did use a dauber to apply the ink and kept it in place using washi tape. 

This fun and whimsical background, with a few hearts accented with a White Gel Pen, made for a happy card. Tri-Blend Markers were used to color in the images and I decided not to add any additional embellishments. I'm looking forward to creating some additional artwork using these fun images, with fabulous sentiments. 

Head on over to Melinda's Blog as you make your way around the Hop and see other creations made with this stamp set. I appreciate you stopping by! Happy hoppin'!

Just Distress Oxide It! Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring Distress Oxide Inks. I am sure you will find a lot of great artwork that incorporates these fun products. 

If you are coming from Judy's Blog, you are on the right track. You can continue to make your way around the Blog Hop by clicking on the links provided. A list, of participants, is provided at the bottom of this post. 

Truth be told, I haven't created much with Oxide Inks and need to take time to do so. I have realized to just go with it as they end up blending nicely together with little effort on my part. 

To create this card:

• I started with the pink ink and created the long streak as shown.
• When I added the next color (yellow), I went back over with the previous color to overlap them a bit more. 
• I continued doing the same with the green and blue inks. 
• I then spritzed the entire sheet with a little bit of water. I like the effects it provides, removing the need for the background to look perfect. I have not figured out how to make the water spots show up more so I will have to look into that.
• After the cardstock dried, I ran the butterfly Thin Cut through my diecut machine.
• I bent up the wings a bit and added 3-D Thin Foam Tape on its body, so it provided additional dimension. 
• The sentiment was stamped with the Black Archival Ink and a few Silver Glitter Gems were added for the finishing touch. 

Are you wondering about the BIG Butterfly Thin Cut? It is available for a limited time only, while supplies last, as part of the "You are Enough" Special that was released this month, in honor of National Scrapbooking Month. You can find the details by following the links. 

These are the Distress Oxide Ink colors I used: 

I love how well they blended together. 

I truly appreciate you stopping by and hope you enjoy what everyone has created. Consider leaving a comment and then head on over to Cat's Blog to see what she has to share with you. 

Enjoy the second half of May! Happy hoppin'!

List of Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Cat Nowak

3. Wendy Kessler

4. Michelle Loncar

5. Haley Dyer

6. Darlys Recker

7. Brandi Robinson

8. Tamara Sandwisch

9. Lauren Moore

10. Judy Dahlgren

"Winged Masterpiece" Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where we are featuring, "Winged Masterpiece".

This gorgeous stamp set, which contains 15 beautiful images, can be yours this month for $5, or FREE (as a VIP), with a qualifying $50 order. The designs of the stamp set are perfect for various occasions and the butterfly and dragonfly are perfect to welcome in Spring!

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 enjoyed making this card while incorporating various products and some fun techniques. First of all, don't you LOVE that Black Ore Paper? It has a shimmery, metallic finish that I absolutely love. It's the first time I used it!

To create that distressed area behind the butterfly, I used the Peacock Feathers Oxide Ink and applied it to the White Daisy Cardstock using a Foam Tool. For the "splotches", that was created using the Lagoon Ink Pad and Small Waterbrush Pen. 

The butterfly was heat embossed (Staz-On with Clear Embossing Powder) on Vellum Paper and then colored it, with Tri-Blend Markers, on the backside (so it doesn't smear). I chose to glue down just the abdomen so that it had dimension. For finishing touches, I added the banners, putting Clear Shimmer Brush on top of the piece of Pixie cardstock, which also gave the "ore-like" look. A few Black Dots, including one on the face/thorax finished it off. (How do you like the use of scientific terms? LOL)

I was really excited to see how it turned out and can't wait to make more with this stamp set!

Now, head on over to Lauren's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. Then, be sure to make your way around the entire Blog Hop to see all of the fantastic inspiration. We enjoy having you and appreciate you leaving comments, to share your thoughts.

Here's wishing you a GREAT March!

"Stencil It" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where we are creating artwork using stencils, hence the title of "Stencil It"! 

Consider linking up to the challenge on the H2H Blog, being sure to incorporate Close To My Heart products in your creation. We would love to see how you use stencils; there are so many fun ways to do so.

Below you will see the process used to create this beautiful background. It was made using Oxide Inks and Mini Foam Tools (currently unavailable). By layering it onto the cardstock and adding a stamped sentiment and Silver Glitter Gems, it resulted in this simple card.

This is the stencil pack I purchase which contains the heart pattern.  Stencil Pack 1 comes with these three fabulous designs in 12" x 12" reusable plastic stencils. You can use a variety of techniques that result in great artwork.

Using Picked Raspberry, Candied Apple and Mustard Seed (currently unavailable) Oxide Inks, I applied ink onto the stencil which colored in the exposed hearts. This messy look then resulted in this... 

It created this fun background that I then trimmed down and added a few elements to make this simple greeting card. I love how quick and easy this came together for a fun and soft look. I think I may be falling in love with Oxide inks. :) 

Because they have been so popular since arriving in the warehouse, we are limited on colors at this present time. I will be sure to let my customers know, in our exclusive Customer Group, when the others come back in stock. They are definitely something you will want to try! They are so fun and provide for such awesome results! 

Join the Heart 2 Heart Challenge that lasts through the end of the month! We'd love to see what you have to share!