NEW Product (Sept./Oct.) Blog Hop

Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are featuring new product showcased in this Supplemental Idea Book you can purchase this month and next, while supplies last. 

You can get a FREE copy of this Idea Book, as well as our Core Idea Book, when you place an order of any size. Click here to view a digital version in the meantime and be sure to let me know what you love! 

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

I don't know about you but this card makes me super happy! Between the "just chicken in" sentiment and adorable image and the awesome patterned paper, what else can you do but smile, right? 

This stamp set, called "From the Funny Farm", was the first one to draw my attention and I could not wait to use it. If you've been following me for long, you know I love all things "punny" and totally giggle when I read or say some of the sayings. LOL

This image shows the pocket card tucked inside of the pouch. The greeting is included in a 3" x 4" Flip Flap. On the back there is a handwritten greeting. It is also great for including a gift card. 

The pattern paper is from one of our newest paper collections called "Bloom & Grace". There are a variety of coordinating products so be sure to check out all that is offered. 

I love sharing my artwork with you and know you'll be inspired as you move through the Blog HOp and view other awesome creations. Please head on over to Wendy's Blog to see what artwork she has to share with you. Thanks for stopping by!

"Here for the Memories" Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

It's another GREAT month at Close To My Heart as we welcome in a NEW Stamp of the Month AND...(drum roll) TWO NEW IDEA BOOKS! WOOHOO! Yes, you heard me right! Today is the day!

Here is an image of the gorgeous front covers! Click on this link to view the digital versions. You can get FREE hard copies of both, when you place an order of any size. 

But let's get back to the purpose of this Blog Hop, shall we?! LOL (It's so easy to get distracted with the above.)

Today we are showcasing artwork using the "Here for the Memories" September Stamp of the Month. With 13 awesome images, perfect for scrapbooking, they are sure to help you preserve those awesome moments you have experienced. 

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

I love the colors and elements incorporated on this 6" x 8" scrapbook page. By keeping it simple, and allowing the sentiment and paper to stand out, I didn't feel the need to do a whole lot. 

The paper comes from the "Bloom with Grace" Collection. While I'm not a sunflower girl, this paper is quickly growing on me. LOL

Ruby cardstock was used on the hearts, one on each side of the paper to create the two tones, and on the title strip. The title was embossed with white powder and some gold elements were added in the way of Gold Sequins and Gold Embellishing Thread. I couldn't resist adding one white Acrylic Heart to support the theme. 

This layout is cheerful and ready for preserving some memories. I hope you like it as much as I do!

Head over to Cat's Blog to see her artwork. I appreciate you stopping by!

"Anything Goes" Heart 2 Heart

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge called "Anything Goes". Incorporate some Close To My Heart product in your creation and then link up to us on the blog. I can't wait to see what you have to share!

Today you are getting a little sneak peek at some new Close To My Heart products that will debut tomorrow morning. That's right, at 12:01 am MST, the NEW Core and Supplemental Idea Books will be released for public view and you will want to be sure to check them out!

I chose to incorporate this "Par-tay" stamp set (D1974) on this 6" x 8" page to preserve some birthday memories. (I also included some paper from the new "Party Time" paper suite.)

Paper-tearing and paper-piecing are two techniques I used on this page, as well as adding a little bit of shimmer with the Clear Shimmer Brush. 

This is just a small sampling of all the fun I have been creating with Close To My Heart products! I look forward to sharing more with you! 

Please join us at Heart 2 Heart! We want to see your creativity! 

"Something to Smile About" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Happy Monday, the start of what I hope is a great and blessed week for you! Today at "Heart 2 Heart" you are challenged to create artwork alongside the theme, "Something to Smile About". Close To My Heart product must be incorporated into your artwork in order to participate and it can be current or retired. So take out that awesome product and show us what you've got. We love seeing your creations and it's always fun to see how everyone interprets the titles. 

This month's Stamp of the Month, "Floral Celebration", keeps calling my name. With the beautiful floral images and sweet sentiments, it continues to be a go-to for me. 

I love this striped pattern paper that comes from the "Summer Vibes" paper suite. It is cheerful and fun to incorporate in any artwork. I used our beautiful Spectrum Noir markers to color in the images and added some bling in various ways. 

Black Shimmer Trim was incorporated and I added some Christmas Red Stickles to a White Acrylic Heart. I also added a bit of Peach Shimmer Brush to the edges of each petal, Liquid Glass to the flower center, and used the markers to color some Clear Sparkles I have on-hand. 

This card is super cheerful and makes me smile each time I look at it. I hope that's the same for you. 

This stamp set is only available during this month and can be yours, for $5, with a $50 purchase. Valued at $18.95, it's a great way to get this beautiful and exclusive stamp set! View details here. 

Be sure to join this Challenge, and others, by visiting our Heart 2 Heart Blog. 

Make it a great week!

"Walk on the Wild Side" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

This week at Heart 2 Heart we are being issued a challenge to create artwork aligned with the theme, "Walk on the Wild Side". You can interpret that as you choose just be sure to incorporate Close To My Heart products in your creation and then link up to the Challenge on the Blog. 

For the greeting card I created, I knew "Timber" was screaming my name in consideration of this theme. It's perfect for all things outdoor, with a great variety of patterned papers, stamp sets and embellishments. 

However, I could not help but incorporate this fish stamp image that actually comes from our summer/beach-themed stamp set associated with our "Summer Vibes" collection. I love that our products work so well with others to create a piece of artwork with your preferred theme and colors.

I had fun incorporating a few techniques:

• Paper tearing - Our cardstock has a white core which lends itself perfectly to this technique. I love using it for rustic/outdoorsy types of themes as well as for sand and beach waves. 
• Sponging - Feeling the White Daisy cardstock needed to sit off a bit from the Ruby piece of cardstock, I decided to add a little bit of distressing using Sapphire ink and a Sponge Dauber. 
• Liquid Glass - While not easy to see in this photo, without enlarging it, I added Liquid Glass to the bubbles and fish scales. It provides a clear, epoxy-like coat that makes it shiny...and better. 

I enjoyed making this more masculine-themed card and I hope you like it!

Be sure to link up to us on the Heart 2 Heart Challenge. We would love to see what you make!

"Use Your Scraps" Technique Blog Hop

We are using our scraps for this month's Technique Blog Hop as we showcase fun artwork with you as you make your way around this circle. If you are coming from Maz'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. 

As we get ready to say goodbye to some of my favorite products, I felt the need to use some leftovers from the Mix-Ins Paper Packet. 

I absolutely LOVE the combination of papers in this packet and wanted to create another something with it before I have no more. Paired with the August Stamp of the Month, "Floral Celebration", I think it's a cheerful happy birthday card for someone special. 

Of course, I could not resist adding the Lemonade and Peach Shimmer Brush, respectively, to accentuate the flower petals. 

BONUS: I got this pattern from the Close To My Heart Blog. Head over there to get it as well, while checking out some awesome cards they made with it! 

Head over to Brandi's Blog to see how she is using her scraps! We appreciate you visiting our blogs and leaving comments. Enjoy your weekend!

List of Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE
2. Brandi Robinson
3. Katy Taylor
4. Cat Nowak
5. Miss Carrie's Creations
6. Lauren Moore
7. Haley Dyer
8. Darlys Recker
9. Wendy Kessler
10. Maz Wood

"Family Fun!" - Blog with Friends

This month I am joining my "Blog with Friends" Group and aligning with a themed post called "Family Fun". 

Chateau Elan

My husband and I have really been enjoying our time together, despite the Covid crazy, by going for drives and seeing things we have not seen before, or that are located in a new area. It has been a blessing. I was not sure what I would share today since I have some options but I decided to elect for a twist. 

The greeting card shown at the top is a Shaker Card I made from scratch using the "Happiest Place" product collection. It makes me think of "Family Fun" as I love going to Disney - Land and World. The fun colors, patterns, and stamp set images in this collection sure make me think of the Disney happy I have enjoyed in the past. (It also reminds me that I can't wait to return.)

To preserve the Family Fun we have experienced, I am using the Happiest Place 8 1/2" x 11" Album to do so. It is absolutely perfect and I have just started with adding photos and journaling. You can see I have a few more 2" x 2" photos to add here but wait until you see what's next... (I will continue. My photo printer was not cooperating with me yesterday.)

When you lift the panel that has the top photo on it, you'll see it unveils a position for a journaling card, journaling and/or photos. I can get two additional items on this page by using "Flip Flaps"! 

These awesome see-through windows, available in a variety of sizes, can be used to create interactive elements on your scrapbook layouts and your cards! You can also use them on other handmade items as long as you have an imagination. If you would like to learn more about Flip Flaps, let me know! They are super fun and quite addicting - in a super fun way, of course! 

If you would like to see more details about these or any other products I offer, please visit my website. I am happy to answer your questions!

Now...to see what my friends have to share with you, click on their respective links below. Thanks tons for stopping by today!

Karen at Baking in a Tornado

Lydia at Cluttered Genius

"Photo Inspiration" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

We are having fun this week/month, at Heart 2 Heart, with various themed challenges incorporating Close To My Heart product. You can link up to us by creating and sharing your artwork. We would love to have you! 

This week's theme is "Photo Inspiration" based upon this card shown above. You can use it to inspire creation, however that means. I can't wait to see how everyone uses it!

For this card, I chose to follow the majority design of the original card, including the layout and ink splatter. The splatter was created with a Waterbrush and our Watercolor Paints. I love the fun texture it adds. 

The stamp images are from the August Stamp of the Month, "Floral Celebration". 

I stamped the flowers in Black Ink and colored them with Watercolor Pencils. (Note: no water was added). Then I fussy-cut them to add them to the card front.  

Paper-tearing was done with patterned paper from the Summer Vibes Collection and Smoothie cardstock. 

I love the happy that resulted from this inspiration and hope you do too! Consider participating in this and other challenges on the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog. Have a great day!

"Floral Celebration" August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to this Blog Hop where we are highlighting, "Floral Celebration", the August Stamp of the Month. 

With these 20 images, in this "happy" stamp set, you will be able to create beautiful artwork of any kind. It can be yours, for $5, with a $50 purchase. (It is valued at $18.95.) Visit this link to view the details of our Stamp of the Month Special.  

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 love the "classy" look of this resulting card. It was made possible by my use of the silver-foil (holographic) striped cardstock that is part of the Happiest Place Special.

These are the beautiful silver-foil papers that are included in the pack I mention above. You see the striped and star patterns?! You need this! LOL 

White embossing is so pretty to use on dark shades, like Black. I also did so on the Thistle cardstock, for the flower, which I think came out great. I stamped the stem and leave images in Sweet Leaf ink and then used Watercolor Paints to shade the leaf. 

Of course, I had to add a few White Dots. 

Thank you very much for stopping by. It's now time to head over to Cat's Blog to see what she has to share with you today. Have an awesome month!