Lovely Layers - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop, "Lovely Layers", where we are using Close To My Heart products to align with the theme! 

Participants can incorporate layers in their artwork whether it's through the use of various papers, clusters of embellishments, stamp images that allow for layering, or however else they may interpret the title. You'll definitely want to be sure you make your way around the Hop to see what they designed!

If you are coming from Tamara's Blog, you are on the right track. Should you get lost along the way, simply return here. You'll find a list of participants at the bottom of this post.

I decided to use this stamp set, "Know That I Care", for this hop. Sadly, I need a sympathy card for the family of one of my team members who passed away suddenly last week. These images are perfect for that, as they are for other occasions. 

The layers comes in the way of the stamp images used, and the coloring of them, as well as the papers used. This card design is from Volume 1 of our Make It From Your Heart How-to Book. 

The striped pattern paper is from the "Feels Like Home" paper packet. Cardstock colors used are Sugarplum, our Color of the Year, and Thistle. 

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Sweet Leaf ink was used to color in the leaves, with the help of the Clear Shimmer Brush (which is sometimes challenging to reflect in photographs). For the flowers, I did use the base stamps, including in the set, and stamped them in Thistle ink. They are designed to not accurately fill in those images so I decided to then pull some Thistle ink, from the lid of the ink pad (squeezing it together with the base so some ink ended up on the lid) and colored the blank areas in, also using the Shimmer Brush. I do love how the shaded flowers were created with no need for artistic talent. LOL

This card came together so quickly and I'm pleased with it. I hope you like it too! 

Now head on over to Cat's Blog to see what she is sharing with you today. Happy hoppin'!

List of Participants:
1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*
2. Catherine Nowak
3. Carrie Simonds
4. Michelle Loncar
5. Marciava Warrell
6. Michelle Johns
7. Haley Dyer
8. Debi McBain
9. Darlys Recker
10. Lauren Moore
11. Maz Wood
12. Valerie Kapsha
13. Danielle Wagner
14. Katy Taylor
15. Terry Metzger
16. Tamara Sandwsich

Heart 2 Heart Challenge: April Showers

This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge theme is "April Showers". Not having a current Close To My Heart stamp set that I felt aligned with this theme, I decided to go with the good ol' Cricut. Plus, this card was quick and easy to whip together.

The cardstock colors pink and blue are Blossom and Crystal Blue, respectively. The patterned paper used for the umbrella is the sprinkles sheet from Sugar Rush and the grey, diamond paper is from Hello Lovely. (The clouds were cut on White Daisy cardstock.) I did ink distress the rain drop and clouds using Crystal Blue ink. 

These are the pieces cut from the Cricut Collection, Artistry, to create the focal point as referenced above. I have provided a link to the Design Space file for you, at the end of this post, making it easy for you to duplicate.

To create this card, I set the Cricut cut, for the raindrop, at 4" in height (allowing the width to adjust itself accordingly). I cut the whole rain drop image, with the umbrella cuts behind it. 

I used the "Here from You" stamp set, included with this cardmaking kit (and only available while supplies last or through the end of April 2017). It's totally precious. I love the card designs that came with the kit as well as the opportunity to use this stamp set for other purposes. The flowers, which I have used on other creations, are too fun!

With just a portion of the sentiment fitting on the cloud on the card front, I was sure to include the rest of the message on the inside of the card. 

I look forward to you joining the Heart 2 Heart Challenge this week. Be sure to incorporate Close To My Heart products in your design! 

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. Here is the link to the Design Space File. If you take it to use, please let me know. I would love to know if this is something you would enjoy me providing in the future. 

Have a blessed week!

CTMH Technique Blog Hop - Marker Madness

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop titled, "Marker Mardness", where we are featuring the fun uses of Close To My Heart's ShinHan Markers.

If you are arriving here from Debi's Blog, you are on the right track. Should you get lost along the way, you can find a list of participants at the bottom of this post.

One thing I have worked to improve upon is the shading that is possible with color mediums. I love that the ShinHan Markers make this process easier for me with the use of the Colorless Blender. If you have these markers, this is a must-have. In my observation, it "removes color" providing for that effortless blending that I am definitely in need of.

For coloring in these floral images from the stamp set called, "Tea-rrific", I used various marker shades to obtain the coordinating ink colors of Raspberry and Tangerine. Did you know you can actually layer on different (or the same) shades of ShinHan Markers and get a desired hue?! You can! In fact, Close To My Heart has provided a Marker Color Chart that tells you how to achieve CTMH-associated colors. You can find this FREEBIE through this link. You can also add ink on top of ink to make the shade brighter. 

Blending-challenged like I am? Try the ShinHan Markers that can make you look like a pro (or semi-pro). Contact me if you would like to know how you can get some free!

The repeated floral image was stamped from the March Stamp of the Month. I have highlighted the Tea-rrific stamp set in previous posts. You can view details about it here.

The sentiment came from this exclusive stamp set included in a Caradking Kit called, "Here for You". It comes with supplies to make 12 greeting cards. While I haven't created them yet, I will be doing so very soon! I love the beautiful floral images that can be used for various occasion. I especially appreciate the sentiments as they possess messages that are sometimes difficult for me to convey.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Consider leaving a comment and then head over to Haley's Blog to see what she has to share with you. 

Happy hoppin'!

Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Haley Dyer

3. Darlys Recker

4. Danielle Wagner

5. Michelle Loncar

6. Janna Gray

7. Debi McBain