Jan/Feb 2022 CTMH New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring NEW PRODUCT that was released on January 1st, via the January/February Supplemental Idea Book. You can view a digital copy online OR you can receive a hard copy FREE when you place an order of any size. This new Idea Book is full of fabulous new products and great artwork which is sure to leave you creatively inspired. 

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

The very first stamp set I purchased from this Idea Book is the adorable "Take It Easy" stamp set. 

I love the adorable sloth images and punny sayings. Which is your favorite? I did use our Tri-Blend Markers to color in the image and then added some white accents with the White Gel Pens. 

For the papers, I random-stamped Avocado cardstock, used Kraft cardstock, and brought in the two patterned papers from the Mix-In paper packet. 

If you've been following me for long, you know the Mix-In Paper Packet is a must-have for me from each Idea Book. With the neutral colors in this pack, it's perfect to mix-in with any other papers or colors, hence the name! 

I appreciate you stopping by and now send you to Melinda's Blog to see what awesome artwork she has created to share with you. We always appreciate your comments, letting us know how you enjoyed our creations. Enjoy the rest of your week!

"Watercolors" Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to the "Watercolors" Heart 2 Heart Challenge, the second one for January. And...with this theme, you can interpret how you want, even if you choose not to use actual watercolors. The opportunities are unlimited! 

To participate in the Heart 2 Heart Challenge, simply follow this link to the Blog and then scroll down to the bottom of the related post. Insert your link from where ever you are sharing it on social media. We love to see what you create and then recognize the top three for each challenge. Be sure to use Close To My Heart products in your creation; at least one. 

For my card, I totally did use Watercolor Paints, the adorable January Stamp of the Month, "Sweet Little Things", and the Candid Moments Picture My Life Cards (for the patterned paper shown). 

I used the Stitched Fancy Bracket Thin Cuts for the focal point and couldn't resist adding White Opal Liquid Pearls to the bunny tails for a little added texture.

I hope you'll consider joining our creative Challenge at Heart 2 Heart. It's always wonderful to see the varied artwork results. 

Let's Get Geometrical! CTMH Technique Blog Hop

 

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we are getting geometrical with our artwork! With the theme of "Let's Get Geometrical", participants can incorporate that however they want, with what they create to share with us. 

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

I didn't think too hard for the design of this card, as hexagons totally lend themselves to this bee theme. 

I enjoyed incorporating the hexagons, through the use of Thin Cuts, made out of cardstock and pulled from the "Sweet as Honey" sticker sheet. 

The bee image and sentiment are from the "Smitten" exclusive stamp set. I kept it very simple, adding some Black Dots and a little shimmer to the flower.

I appreciate you stopping by and hope you are warm and enjoying this weekend. Consider leaving a comments before you head on over to Katy's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. 

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Katy Taylor

3. Brandi Robinson

4. Michelle Loncar

5. Cat Nowak

6. Kim Loewen

7. Haley Dyer

8. Darlys Recker

9. Danielle Wagner

10. Tamara Sandwisch

11. Maz Wood

12. Michelle Johns

13. Danielle Edwards

CTMH Smitten Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we have created, and are thrilled to share, artwork made with the Smitten Exclusive Collection from Close To My Heart. This fabulous product line is perfect for Valentine's Day and any occasions and/or people you love. 

Smitten includes an exclusive paper packet, sticker sheet, and stamp set + Thin Cuts that are not available outside of this special. You can buy the respective items separately, or save some money when you purchase them as a bundle. 

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

I love the happy of this paper packet, the colors, and designs of the punny stamp set. It was challenging to designed what I wanted to create with and look forward to making more items with these exclusive products. 

While this card design appears to be a created to have a "frame", it's an interactive card that causes it to look that way. (I've included a video below so you can see how it opens and closes.) This card design is from Connie Stewart.  

Because there was enough "fun" taking place with the patterned paper and focal point, I decided there was no need to include additional embellishments. However, because I felt it needed just a little bit more, I decided to add some Liquid Glass to the balloon and koala's nose. By doing so, it made them shiny and added some dimension. I was just enough. 

This short video shows you how the card opens and closes for this unique design and space for a sentiment and handwritten message.

Thank you very much for stopping by. I hope you were inspired to create with Smitten. 

Now, go see what Melinda has to share with you on her Blog, and continue to make your way around the circle and be inspired by what you see. 

Have an enjoyable weekend!

 

Heart 2 Heart Challenge: Wildberry (Color of the Year)

Welcome to Heart 2 Heart's first Challenge of 2022! I hope you will consider joining us in all the fun this year! Each month we host an artwork challenge, based upon a theme, on the 1st and 3rd Monday. By posting your artwork on social media, and then linking up to the challenge on the Heart 2 Heart Blog, we can be inspired by your creativity. 

Let's get started with the first challenge of the year entitled "Wild Berry". If you are unaware, Wildberry is Close To My Heart's Color of the Year. The image above contains the coordinating products offered in this beautiful and vibrant color. If you have it, consider incorporating it into your artwork OR feel free to interpret the theme as you choose. It's always fun to see a "spin" on the topic. 

On this card, I used Wild Berry Cardstock, Loose Sequins, and Glitter Paper. The "gray", aka Mink, accents are from the November-December Mix-Ins Paper Packet.  

I have really enjoyed making Shaker Cards recently and love how this card turned out with the stamp images coming from the Peace and Love Stamp Set + Thin Cuts.

I appreciate you stopping by my Blog and hope you like this card. Consider leaving a comment and then join the creative challenge at Heart 2 Heart. I look forward to viewing your creation! 

"Sweet Little Things" January 2022 CTMH Stamp of the Month

 

Happy New Year and welcome to the first Stamp of the Month Blog Hop of 2022! Each month we feature an exclusive acrylic stamp set, made by Close To My Heart, that can be received for FREE! Details about this Special can be found by click on this link. 

The "Sweet Little Things" stamp set contains 10 sweet images as shown above. The images are perfect for many occasions so be sure to get yours FREE, or for $5. With the stamp set valued at $18.95 it's a fabulous deal you do not want to pass up!

Through this hop, you'll find artwork inspiration created using these images. If you are coming from CatScrapbooking, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants by clicking here.  

Paired with the NEW Sawyer Paper Pack, I enjoyed creating this soft-colored greeting card. By using a couple of pieces of patterned paper, and coordinating cardstock, this design was kept rather simple. 

The stamp images were colored in with Watercolor Pencils. I applied a little bit of water to create the resulting effect, using a Waterbrush Pen, and decided to add a Black Acrylic Flower and Black Dots.

I'm looking to creating more artwork with these stamp images. Be sure to get your exclusive stamp set while it's available! 

Now, head over to Kim's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. Be sure to leave comments as you make your way around the Blog Hop. We appreciate and enjoy when you do so.

Wishing you a wonderful start to the new year, and lots of papercrafting in 2022! 

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!

"Accents of White" CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring techniques aligned with "Accents of White", while incorporating Close To My Heart products. 

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

I have been having tons of fun incorporating the White Gel Pens into my artwork, which is what I did for this Technique Blog Hop. I used them on to create the snow in the background, and also accented the accents on the tree image. The little touch adds so much, in my opinion. 

To create the tag, I used the Buildable Tags Thin Cuts and make it look like a window. The addition of the acetate, made it possible. The trees on the outside of the window were created from the Jingle Joy stamp set. Both were stamped in Clover ink, with the furthest one done 2nd generation. 

I created a curved stencil and used the Peacock Feathers and Chipped Sapphire Oxide Ink to create the blue/night sky. Then, by adding the White Gel Pen, I was able to create some falling snow.  

For this tree, on the foreground, I used the Comfort & Joy stamp set. By adding the Liquid Pearls and White Gel accents, it added a bit more to this gift tag, providing a finishing touch. I was excited with the results. 

I appreciate you stopping by and send you to Darlys Recker's Blog. Be sure to keep making your way around the Blog Hop to see what everyone has created to share with you today. Happy hoppin'!

List of Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Darlys Recker

3. Michelle Loncar

4. Kim Loewen

5. Cat Nowak

6. Haley Dyer

7. Katy Taylor

8. Tamara Sandwisch

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!

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'!