December SOTM Blog Hop featuring Thoughtful Flowers!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our

December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

featuring this month's SOTM:

Thoughtful Flowers S1612

If you've just arrived here from

NANCY's BLOG

then you are on the correct path.
If you get lost along the way, you can find
a complete list of all of the participating
consultant blogs here on MELINDA's BLOG.

My first standard-size card features the Oh Deer! papers 
with Cocoa and Fern cardstocks. Flowers were stamped
with a Memento Black Ink Pad and colored with
Carmine and Sap Green markers.

I love the variety of so many different kinds of flowers

included in this stamp set! I'm not sure if the specific flower

stamp I used on my first card (above) was intended to be 

a poinsettia (as it could easily be colored to look

otherwise), but I wanted it to be a poinsettia, so I hope

that my attempt to make it look like one worked, lol.

Update: On Friday 12/2, I just couldn't stop creating

and ended up making a few more cards 

using just a little bit more of the Oh Deer!

papers with (retired) Blossom papers (X7196B).

The ShinHan Touch Twin Marker colors I used here

(below) include: Golden Yellow, Lavender, Leaf Green, 

Light Orange, Marigold, Peacock Blue, Peony 

Purple, and Turquoise Blue.

Now you can continue on with the hop,
and be inspired by more creativity
using this stamp set by visiting
DONNA's BLOG next!
Enjoy the hop!!

November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our

November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

featuring this month's SOTM:

New Year's Cheer S1611

If you've just arrived here from

DONNA's BLOG

then you are on the correct path.
If you get lost along the way, you can find
a complete list of all of the participating
consultant blogs here on MELINDA's BLOG.

This month I created a standard-size card using the
Cut Above Fiesta Card Kit (Z3222) for my card base.
*(This retired item is still available for purchase
here online for a limited time, while supplies last).
I also used Black, Lagoon, Peacock, and Whisper ink pads
to do the stamping. Embellished with clear sparkles, silver
shimmer trim, and mini staples (all from CTMH!).

Now you can continue on with the hop,
and be inspired by more creativity
using this stamp set by visiting
MICHELLE's BLOG next!
Enjoy the hop!!

October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our

October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

featuring this month's SOTM:

Yuletide Joy S1610

If you've just arrived here from 

KRISTA's BLOG

then you are on the correct path.

This month I created a variety of three different cards with the City Sidewalks paper pack (X7213B) that features the following colors: Black, Cranberry, Lagoon, Peacock, White Daisy, and Willow. All images are stamped with a Black Memento ink pad (Z899) and colored in with Shin Han Touch Twin Markers (Leaf Green, Peacock Green, and Carmine). Cards are embellished with Black Shimmer Ribbon (Z4012), Black Shimmer Trim (Z1809), and green and blue Epoxy Bubbles (Z1806 retired).

  

 

Now you can continue on with the hop...
and be inspired by more creativity
using this stamp set by visiting
MELISSA's BLOG next! Enjoy the hop!!

September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our
September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop
featuring this month's SOTM:
Blessed Beyond Measure S1609

If you've just arrived here from 
KATHY's BLOG
then you are on the correct path.


Today I'm sharing this simple standard-size card I created
featuring the Rustic Home and Jeepers Creepers papers.
You can see the Rustic Home paper collection on page 28 of
the Annual Inspirations Idea Book and Jeepers Creepers can be found 
in our NEW Holiday Expressions Idea Book shown on pages 6-7
...click HERE to see them in the new Idea Books online now!

Here's my trick for making the bow: First, cut 7" of twine ribbon from the spool (Rustic Home Ribbon Pack). Then cut the ribbon in half down the center, so there are just three strands on each side. This will allow you to create TWO bows from one piece of ribbon and stretch your ribbon even farther. Tie the pieces into bows and attach with a mini glue dot.

Now you can continue on with hop...

and be inspired by more creativity

using this stamp set by visiting

MARIE's BLOG

next! Enjoy the hop!!

August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy 

our August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop 

featuring this month's SOTM:

Purr-fect Halloween S1608

I am the 23rd of 24 fellow consultant artists
participating in this month's hop!
If you have just joined us, you can start here and continue on
to the next blog participant (as this is a circular hop), and so on.
  If you've just arrived here from JEAN's BLOG 
then you are on the correct path.

First, I've created this standard-size this card (above) using all-NEW products,
including the NEW Rustic Home Fundamentals papers (Z3262) with Pansy and Tangerine
cardstocks (NEW colors X5782 and X5786). The hat and mask were colored with Lavender
and Marigold ShinHan Touch Twin markers. As you can see, the heart was cut from
Tangerine cardstock using the smallest of the NEW Hearts Thin Cuts (Z3260).

 This card (above) is a tad different than the first version of it
that I shared above. I later decided to give this cat a "batty" bow-tie! lol.

 I also want to show you that this stamp can be used for more than just Halloween! 
The products I used above include the NEW Rustic Home Fundamentals papers (Z3262)
with NEW Sea Glass cardstock (X5789) and a little bit of Retired "Cloud Nine" B&T paper
(to make the crazy-looking cat). Notice also that the grey cat on the left card was colored
with watercolor paints, while the one on the right was colored
with a Warm Grey (WG4) marker.

Finally, here's a view of all of the images included in this fun stamp set:

  
Now you can continue on with the hop...
and be inspired by more creativity
using this stamp set by visiting
TRACIE's BLOG next! Enjoy the hop!!

Last chance for May Specials!

So...the month of May has just flown by

and I regret that I was unable to participate in

the Stamp of the Month blog hop as I usually do

(or even just update my blog

to keep in touch recently).

As some of you know, I had surgery on May 16th

(a hysterectomy) and so I've spent most of my month

preparing for and recovering from that event.

Fifteen days later, I am feeling much better now

(and very well-rested) and I am so looking forward

to another month of creativity with Close to my Heart!

I did do some creating recently using the product

specials/promotions available during this month of

May only, so I wanted to be sure to share this

artwork with you and let you know that there are

just a few days left to get the Stamp of the Month,

the Happy Times paper packet (CC1063),

and the Happy Times stamp set (CC1064).

I hope you will enjoy my artwork

using these beautiful products (below)!

 Standard-size card featuring the May SOTM (S1605) - Celebrate with Cake,

the Penelope paper packet (X7207B), and watercolor paints (Z3132).

To view the SOTM blog hop featuring this stamp set you can start here: http://catscrapbooking.com/2016/05/01/may-stamp-of-the-month-celebrate-with-cake/

...and while supplies last:

Plus, get the Happy Times paper packet FREE with a $60 or more order

(or purchase a pack for $14.95, coordinating stamp set sells for $17.95):

Lastly, here is the standard-size card I created recently

using the Happy Times paper packet and stamp set

along with M1123 Feel Better stamp for the sentiment.

Contact me NOW! or place an order with me online

BEFORE 11pm (pacific time) on Tuesday, May 31st

to purchase any of these specials before they are gone:

www.StampwithJen.ctmh.com

April SOTM Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy 

our April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop 

featuring this month's SOTM:

Life in Pictures S1604

I am the 28th of 28 fellow consultant artists
participating in this month's hop!
If you have just joined us, you can start here and continue on
to the first blog participant (as this is a circular hop), and so on.

If you've just arrived here from KRISTA's BLOG then you are on the correct path.
 

This month I created two standard-size cards featuring the Penelope paper packet (X7207B). All of my stamping is done with a Black Memento ink pad (Z899) and the coloring is done using my watercolor paints on watercolor paper (and adding some splashes and splatters), as well as, a Golden Yellow marker to shade in the smaller details on the cameras.
 

Lastly, here's a view of all of the images included in this stamp set:

Now you can end the hop here,
OR continue on with the hop...
(starting from the very beginning!)
and be inspired by more creativity
using this stamp set by visiting
CATHERINE's BLOG next!
Enjoy the hop!!

March SOTM (Sunshine Birdies) Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our
March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop
featuring this month's SOTM: 
Sunshine Birdies S1603

If you have just joined us you can start here and continue on (as this is a circular hop)
or you can start at the beginning with Melinda's Blog if you get lost at any point along the way. 
If you've just arrived here from JEANIE's BLOG then you are on the correct path.

 Today I'm sharing two standard-size cards featuring 
some of my favorite bright colors of Spring (above).

 This card features the La Vie En Rose paper packet (X7201B) stamped with a Black Memento ink pad (Z889) and watercolor paints on a 1x1 block (keep reading below to see how I did this)! The sentiment was stamped in Black and then traced with a ShinHan Touch Twin Marker (Marigold). After stamping the sun, I then traced/doodled around and alongside it with my black journaling pen (adding additional curved/scribbled lines).

 This card features the Kaleidoscope paper packet (X7202B) and Black Memento ink pad (Z889), colored with our ShinHan Touch Twin Markers (Clay, Golden Yellow, Lavender, and Leaf Green). The hearts that are stamped with Honey ink (and traced/doodled with my black journaling pen) is an image from the Stuck on You stamp set (C1643). Who can resist those fun googley eyes?! 
(adhered with mini glue dots).

Here is my inspiration for the 
watercoloring technique I used on my first card (above).
THANK YOU to my fellow consultant friend 
Tresa Black of www.FabulouslyArtsy.com
for sharing this incredible idea on Facebook recently:

  Lastly, here's a view of all of the images included in this fun and whimsical stamp set: 

Now you can continue on with the hop
and be inspired by more creative ideas
using this stamp set by visiting 
KIRSTEN's BLOG next!
Enjoy the hop!!

February SOTM (Balloon Animals) Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our
February Stamp of the Month Blog Hop
featuring this month's SOTM: 
Balloon Animals S1602
 
If you've just arrived here from

KATHY's BLOG then you are on the correct path.

Today I'm sharing this fun Easter Card I created using the Balloon Animals stamp set and the NEW Penelope paper packet (X7207B). I stamped the bunny/rabbit balloon using Saddle (brown) ink and the background dots were stamped with 1st and 2nd generation Crystal Blue ink). The grass was cut from Pear cardstock using the Artiste Cricut Cartridge (p. 73, accent 3 + shift) at 3/4" tall. The "Happy Easter" sentiment that is stamped with Black ink comes from another stamp set that is shown on p. 19 of Seasonal Expressions 1 (C1638 Spring Critters).

Lastly, here's an image (below) that shows all of the stamps included in this stamp set that is available for purchase this month only (February 2016):

Now you can continue on with the hop
and be inspired by more creative ideas
using this stamp set by visiting
MARIE's BLOG next.
Enjoy the hop!!
  

January SOTM (Beloved Bouquet) Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our
January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop
featuring this month's SOTM: 
Beloved Bouquet S1601

You should have just arrived here from 

LORI's BLOG.
 

Today I'm sharing two standard-size cards I created using this stamp set. The card on the Left features paper from the "La Vie En Rose" packet (X7201B) and the card on the Right features paper from our brand-new "Charlotte" paper packet (X7205B). The fun of a "Base and Shade" stamp set like this one, is how easy it is to stamp (in two steps) with two different ink colors to add depth, detail, and create a more realistic look with each stamped image. To achieve the look of my flowers, I stamped the "shade" or "outline" stamp first with Black memento ink (Z899). Then I stamped the "base" or "solid" stamp image on top of the first with Sorbet ink using the second generation "stamp-rolling" technique. To do this I inked the stamp with Sorbet ink and stamped it once on scratch paper. Then, by rolling the stamp so that only the outside edges of the image touch the Sorbet ink pad a second time, I get the extra dark Sorbet color on the outside edges of the solid image. I also used the same technique to stamp the leaves (with Slate ink) on the card on the Left (and below).
 

Here's a closer look (below) at what all of the images included in this stamp set look like:

I hope you've enjoyed seeing the cards I made!

Now you can continue on with the hop

and be inspired by more creative ideas

using this stamp set by visiting 

LELA's BLOG next.

Enjoy the hop!!