Love Story Blog Hop

Today I come to you with a Love Story; a papercrafting kind. Have you checked out the gorgeous "Love Story" Special that is only available through the end of this month? While the products highlighted in this beautiful Collection are part of our Core Idea Book, this opportunity allows us to draw some attention to this wonderful product line, whether you purchase the bundle now and save 20% off OR put it on your Wish List for a future order. You'll see some different ways to use the papers, coordinating stamp sets and embellishments. 

I loved pairing the black & white color theme with Flamingo accents as seen in the cardstock strips, Shimmer Trim, and Shimmer Brush. Wish some Black Dots and Gold Foil accents, plus accents of Green Apple and Lemonade, this card was kept elegant and simple. 

You can see some of the details of the shimmer trim and gold foil accents in this image. 

On this card, I followed one of the patterns included in the downloadable Workshop Guide associated with the Love Story Special, found on my website. I combined Clover and Mint for the color combo and used the February Stamp of the Month for the sentiment and focal point. 

The "for you" is from the For All Occasions stamp set which offers a variety of sayings. It was perfect to fit inside of this beautiful frame. A little bit of sponging, with Clover ink, and the use of the Clear Shimmer Brush, was an added touch to the greeting. 

I also followed the workshop guide for the design of this card and, again, used the February Stamp of the Month for the focal point. The heart accents are from the Black Acrylic Hearts embellishments and make a great addition to your artwork. 

The Love Story Collection comes in several neutral colors and, as you can see above, are great to pair with any color combination of your choice. I hope you've been inspired and see great potential with these products. 

To further inspired you, I have some CTMH Maker friends who are sharing their additional artwork inspiration using Love Story. To read how they created them, follow the respective link to their Blogs as indicated by their name under the artwork.

Michelle

Haley

Darlys

Thank you so much for stopping by. Consider leaving a comment - we love to hear what you have to share - and make it a great week!

Stunning Stencils CTMH Technique Blog Hop

 

Welcome to this Technique Blog Hop where we are featuring the use of "Stunning Stencils". Close To My Heart Makers incorporated stencils into their artwork and you will love what you see as you make your away around the circle! 

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

I absolutely enjoyed making this card using one of the stencils from the Card Front Stencil Pack. By sponging the Peacock Feathers Oxide Ink, through the "thank you" stencil, it resulted in this background. Then, some Thin Cut flowers from "Layered Flowers" were the perfect accents to add to the sentiment. 

Here are the other sentiments included in the referenced Stencil Pack; a great variety.

To create some dimension to the flower and leaf images, I inked the edges with respective ink colors - Flamingo, Clover, Raspberry and Lemon. To finish it up, I could not resist adding some glitz with the Glisten Stickles Glitter Glue. 

Thank you for stopping by. Be sure to continue to make your way around the Blog Hop by heading to Krista's Blog next. I'm confident you'll love what you see there, and beyond! Wishing you all the best for the second half of this month!  

Happy hoppin'!

PARTICIPANTS:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*
2. Krista Hershberger
3. Danielle Edwards
4. Terry Metzger
5. Michelle Loncar
6. Cat Nowak
7. Tamara Sandwisch
8. Wendy Kessler
9. Danielle Wagner
10. Michelle Johns
11. Lauren Moore
12. Maz Wood
13. Haley Dyer
14. Katy Taylor

S.W.A.K. Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome to the first creative Challenge from Heart to Heart this month. It's titled "S.W.A.K", whether you interpret it for "Sealed with a Kiss" or "Stamped with a Kiss". You can put your twist on the acronym and I look forward to seeing what you create as you link up to us on the Heart to Heart Blog. 

I had the heart "stencil" already created and decided to use it to decorate a card front. 

The Hearts Background Thin Cuts was sprayed with the Fuschia Gloss Spray. It was the first time I had worked with the sprays and loved the result. However, I hadn't done anything with it so decided to put it to use now. Of course, it's perfect for this time of the year and great for this Challenge. 

I'm a little addicted to the White Gel Pens and use them, to accent things, whenever possible. By adding white stitching and dots to some of the larger hearts, as well as coloring in a few of the smaller ones, it adds some fun dimension. Plus, you can also see that I added it to the penguins scarf. (I did add a little bit of Clear Shimmer Brush to a few hearts - seen in the heart in top right corner, although not easy to see in the photo.)

She comes from the "If Snowflakes Were Kisses" stamp set + Thin Cuts. I love this stamp set, and its fun images, that I have used quite a bit since they were first made available. 

Consider joining the creative fun and sharing your artwork with us at Heart 2 Heart. We host two challenges a month; perfect to spur your creativity during the month. I look forward to seeing what you share. 

February 2022 SOTM: Here's The Story

Welcome to the February 2022 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where we are showcasing the exclusive stamp set, "Here's the Story".

With a total of 26 images in this stamp set, you can mix and match the frames, sentiments and words, for many occasions, whether used on greeting cards, scrapbook pages or other works of art. With the Stamp of the Month Special, this stamp set, valued at $18.95, can be yours FREE, or you can get it for $5. Read more about this special offer by clicking on the link. 

If you are coming from CatScrapbooking, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants here. 

I chose to create a 6" x 8" scrapbook page, for our Everyday Life Album. By incorporating some patterned paper from Sawyer, Kraft cardstock was used for the base. 

Mulberry and Sage added the colorful flower accents, cut from the "Layered Flowers" Thin Cuts. Gold Embellishing Thread and Gold Glitter Gems were added for a touch of bling. 

I still need to decide what photo I'm going to add to it and will do so this coming weekend. 

Now head over to Wendy's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. Be sure to continue making your way around the Blog Hop to view inspiring artwork. We love having you and invite you to leave a comment on our blogs. Happy hoppin'!

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!