H2H Challenges: Full Circle

Sadly, Heart2Heart Challenges is closing at the end of the month, but to celebrate the end, our challenge is "Full Circle."

I made this fun celebratory card with the You Deserve It All stamp set (without the coordinating Thin Cuts) and the Celebrating You collection.  After stamping the present and lid in black, I used grey and turquoise markers to color the image.  A little Charcoal card stock and silver shimmer trim finished this off nicely.

It has been a fun run at Heart2Heart challenges, and I hope that you will continue to visit me here!  Best wish and happy crafting!

Heart2Heart Challenges: A Few of My Favorite Things

Our first December Heart2Heart challenge is "A Few of My Favorite Things," so of course I had to include scrapbooking, Close To My Heart, travel, and my family!  (I can't believe that I didn't stamp anything on this project- yet.  I'm not sure I'm finished with it.)

These photos are some of my final ones that need to be scrapbooked from our Awesome American Adventure last year.  I decided that the Flower Shoppe collection was a great fit with my photos (with less of a focus on the floral elements).  My scrapbook layout sketch came from the recent Flower Shoppe Workshop Wow Scrapbooking kit (these instructions are no longer available, but all of the Flower Shoppe collection is HERE).

On the left page, I had three photos that I wanted to use, so I am incorporating a flip flap to include three photos on the space of one.

I had fun using my black journaling pen to doodle and journal.  So far, I've used the paper pack +  stickers, cardstock pack, and acrylic shapes from this collection.  I may go back and stamp something also if that ends up helping my layout flow in the bigger pictures of my trip album.

Be sure to see all of our H2H designers' favorite things and add yours before the month ends right HERE!

H2H Challenges: Use a Stencil (Product Challenge)

The latest Heart2Heart Challenges challenge is to use a stencil.  Close To My Heart has a lot of great ready-made stencils, but you can also make your own.  I decided to use my new butterfly stencil from the Slimline Card Front Stencil Pack 2.

I sponged many of my distress oxide inks through the stencil to create the card front (Abandoned Coral, Tattered Rose, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint, and Vintage Photo).

After sponging the distress oxide inks through the stencil (in kind of a rainbow pattern), I spritzed water to activate the distress pigments.  Next, I blotted the water droplets off of the card front, and then I "flicked" Paprika, Espresso, and Gold shimmer brushes across the panel.  Finally, I carefully removed the stencil to let the panel dry.

I used Mocha ink to stamp the sentiment from the Thankful Autumn stamp set.  I cut a slender piece of Gold glitter cardstock to cross the panel, and then embellished with a wood grain heart that I inked in Mocha ink to match.

After trimming the sponged panel to 3.25"x7.75", I then mounted it on a piece of Mocha cardstock (3.5"x8") for the card front to finish off this fall slimline card featuring our stencils. 

Be sure to check out all of our H2H designers projects HERE and be sure to join us before the month ends!

H2H Challenges: Color of the Year, Melon

This year's Close To My Heart Color of the Year is Melon, so Heart2Heart Challenges is celebrating this new hue.

I knew that I wanted to use Melon with my new Floral Sentiments stamp set, so I did a quick color Melon color palette search to find this:

I think that Lagoon, Seabrooke (NEW), Melon (NEW), Papaya, and Raspberry were great matches and what I used to stamp the front of this slimline (3.5"x8.5") card.

I used first and second generation stamping with Lagoon and Melon inks; all other stamping was first generation.  I embellished my card with NEW Melon and NEW Teal Dots.  (I am loving all the new dot colors!)  I also cut the frame out of Melon cardstock with the Slimline card front Thin Cut.

Be sure to share your Color of the Year creations with us at Heart2Heart Challenges before the end of the month!  Please leave a comment before you go see what our Design Team created to share with you!

Heart2HeartChallenges: I Like to Move It, Move It!

This week's Heart2Heart Challenge is I Like to Move It, Move It!  How do you make your projects move?

I had a lot of fun using the August stamp of the month, Enjoy These Moments, and the Crisp Air collection to create an interactive Dutch Door card.  (I used Peach, Sundance, Paprika, Mocha, and Toffee inks to ink up my focal image.)

The focal image panel (base of Pine cardstock) opens up to reveal the "door" that then swings open to reveal the main card panel where I stamped "thankful for you" in Pine and the leaf cluster in Paprika.

I stamped that beautiful heart stamp in Mocha on the inside of the "door" panel.

Here are the pieces that I used to create my card (but sub the bottom left piece for Pine cardstock).

Top row: 8.5"x5.5" cardstock, sidefold card base (Paprika cardstock), 4"x5.25" Crisp Air leaf patterned paper, 4"x2.75" Crisp Air Paprika patterned paper

Bottom row: 3.5"x9.5" cardstock, topfold card base (sub Pine for Paprika cardstock), 3.25"x4.5" leaf patterned paper, 3.25"x4.5" White Daisy cardstock panel

Cut off the front of the card 2.5" from the top to keep a 3" card front panel.

Have fun creating projects that move!  Be sure to check out all of our Design Team's creations and join us at H2H Challenge's I Like to Move It, Move It!

H2H Challenges: In the Backyard

Summer is the perfect time for Heart2Heart Challenge's latest, In the Backyard!  I decided to use the Backyard Bliss collection to scrapbook photos from a recent wedding we attended.  I think the colors work well with my photos!

I have been wanting to try to recreate the heart layout features on p. 25 of the retiring idea book (available through the end of this month only).  Instead of using 2" squares, I used ten 2.5" squares which were then cut in half on the diagonal.  (It actually took more than 10 to get the patterns, etc., to work nicely.)  I used all of the patterned paper in the Backyard Bliss collection.

I used my new Floral Sentiments stamp set, Papaya glitter paper, and Crisp Air embellishments to accent my pages.  I used Papaya, Sapphire, Rosemary, and Pine inks with my stamping (and Papaya for the distressing).

On the far right, the photo hides my journaling and another photo, which I am not sharing here to respect our friends' privacy.  The journaling definitely includes the "who, what, when, where, and why" details.  I would like to think that I will always remember the moment, but future generations won't necessarily without the added journaling.

Please leave a comment before visiting the Heart2Heart Challenge blog for our designers' inspiration and to join us for either (or both!) of our August challenges!  Thank you!

H2H Challenges: Product Challenge- Stamps

 This month's first Heart2Heart challenge is an easy product challenge- use stamps on your project!

I used the brand new, beautiful Floral Sentiments stamp set to create this card.  After stamping my floral border in Peach, Shortbread, Sapphire, Papaya, Rosemary, and Pine (first and second generation stamping techniques), I mounted my panel onto a piece of Sapphire cardstock then onto a piece of patterned paper from the Backyard Bliss collection.  The pretty little heart embellishments are actually from the Crisp Air collection.

Be sure to visit the Heart2Heart Challenges to join in the stamping fun!

Heart2Heart Challenges: Summer Fun

Happy summer from all of us at Heart2Heart Challenges!  We hope that you're having lots of summer fun!

That's exactly the phrase that I used from the Beach Party Scrapbooking stamp set to create this card (inspired by a card on p. 48 of the current July-September Idea Book) with stamped Thin Cut accents.  I had fun scissor distressing the different rectangles and adding a little Capri shimmer trim.

Tell me about your summer fun in the comments!  Be sure to visit Heart2Heart Challenges to see our design team inspiration and to add your Summer Fun project to our challenge.

I also can't resist linking up my card to the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #505 Tic Tac Toe.

Another Shaker Birthday Card

 Recently we celebrated both our nephew's and our daughter's June birthdays.  I made this fun little shaker card for him.

I used the fun shoe paper from the Smarty Pants collection, Candy Apple cardstock and ink, and Sapphire cardstock.  I used the medium stitched rectangle Thin Cuts and foam/acetate window plus retired sequins and acrylic shapes from the Fresh Paint collection inside the window.  I think that he liked it!

I'm adding this to the Heart2Heart Thin Cuts Challenge currently available until the end of June. 

H2H Challenges: Thin Cuts

Thin Cuts are Close To My Heart's exclusive die cuts and this week's Heart2Heart Challenge.  I've had a lot of fun recently making shaker cards with our Thin Cut dies and foam/acetate windows.

I used my largest stitched rectangle Thin Cuts and (retired) numbers to make this shaker card to celebrate our daughter's 24th birthday.  I stamped some circles from the Embroidered Circles stamp set in Wild Berry, Black, Lemonade, and Candy Apple in opposite corners of the card base and the sentiment in Wild Berry with the For All Occasions stamp set.  Can you see how I colored and fussy cut drink images from the June stamp of the month, I Heart Summer?

I added Wild Berry sequins to the shaker window.  It's a really fun card that she has enjoyed!

Be sure to visit Heart2Heart Challenges to see our design team inspiration and to add your own Thin Cuts submissions!

H2H Challenges: International Scrapbooking Month

It's May, which means it's time for (Inter)national Scrapbooking Day and Month and our first Heart2Heart Challenge!

I have to show off the Good Vibes National Scrapbooking Day kit!  I made the first page pretty much exactly like the guide but then added my own title block on the flipflap middle element.

The right page is also pretty much identical to the guide, but on the back of the flipflap element I made my own ocean waves.

You can see how I played with both shades of Glacier cardstock.  At first, it was too "flat" (even with the paper tearing "foam" edges) but clear shimmer trim made the cardstock sparkle similar to the water.

Be sure to visit the H2H blog, check out our designers' inspiration, and join us!

H2H Challenges: Anything Goes

Heart 2 Heart Challenges is kicking off the month of April with an "anything goes" challenge!  I decided to share a layout that I made with our Craft with Heart scrapbooking subscription program.  (We offer both cardmaking and scrapbooking subscriptions; learn more HERE.)

In addition to the beautiful layout that you can make with the subscription, I added in a pocket page and additional coordinating cardstock to be able to showcase all of our photos of our visit to Bryce Canyon National Park last summer.  I love how well our products work together!

You can see how I added my stamps and cardstock to stretch this kit a little further!

Be sure to visit the Heart2Heart Challenge blog and join us with "anything goes" in April!

H2H Challenges: Sponging

The second February Heart2Heart Challenge is a technique challenge to use sponging, which was the perfect way to add a little interest and dimension to this layout. (Who knew that Sweet As Honey would work well with travel pictures?  I chose this collection because the colors matched my photos well.)

I cut this honeycomb stencil from my CTMH/Cricut Artbooking cartridge and then cut off a few of the honeycombs to give it an irregular edge.  I sponged Shortbread and a little black through the cardstock stencil on the top left and bottom right of my layout.

I used the same stencil on this card.  If you'd like to know more about it, click HERE.

Be sure to check out H2H Design Team's sponging creations and join us for either of our February challenges!

Heart2Heart Challenges: Wild Berry (Color of the Year)

Heart2Heart Challenges is kicking off the new year with our Close To My Heart color of the year, Wild Berry!

I knew that I would use Wild Berry for my first day of school layout (which is pretty timely since today is the first day of the second semester- but fortunately a teacher work day).  My color scheme of Wild Berry, Toffee, Nectarine, Black, and White Daisy was totally inspired by my shirt.  

I used a sketch from Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 2 to mimic the stripes of my top.  Can you tell how many paper packs I used?

The "composition book" print and ruler is from Smarty Pants, the newsprint is from Sweet As Honey, and the Wild Berry and Nectarine patterned papers came from the recent (now retired) VIP Hip Hip Hooray collection.  I made my journaling tag from the Date Stamp stamp set & Thin Cuts.

I used a few black acrylic stars and Wild Berry dots to embellish my layout (plus a stripe of black shimmer trim that doesn't show well in the photo).

Be sure to visit the Heart2Heart Challenge blog to see our designers' inspirations and join us this month to feature the CTMH color of the year, Wild Berry!

H2H Challenges: Terrific Tags

 Heart2Heart Challenges is kicking off October with a "Terrific Tags" challenge.  You can interpret this challenge however you like as long as you use a tag (or two or three or four or more) on your project!

My tag is made with the Date Stamp "library pocket" stamps and Thin Cuts.  After choosing the beautiful fern foliage print from As You Grow as my card background, I used Sage cardstock to cut the Thin Cuts pocket and Shortbreak cardstock for the actual tag.  (I did stamp the library card stamp in Shortbread on the tag.)  I stamped the floral parts of the hedgehog and the owl from the October stamp of the month, Wildflower Friendship, in New England Ivy on the pocket.  I also used New England Ivy to stamp my sentiment from the stamp of the month.  I stamped the pretty fox from the stamp of the month on White Daisy, fussy cut, and the colored with a few of my Tri-Blend Spectrum Noir markers, my Bronze metallic marker, and Dusty Rose shimmer brush.  A few Autumn loose sequins and Rose Gold shimmer trim finished off my card.  I hope you like it!

Be sure to visit the H2H blog to check out our designers' inspiration and join us with your Terrific Tags this month!

H2H Challenges: Vacation/Staycation

Summer is definitely time for vacations, and whether you traveled near for a staycation or far for a vacation, Heart2Heart Challenges would love for your to share your trip!

My family had the incredible opportunity to RV out West this summer, so I decided to use this family picture of us at the Grand Canyon as the opening photo on the title page for our album.  I knew that the Wander collection was going to be the perfect suite for our trip!  I decided to use Pattern 2 from the new Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 5 as my inspiration.  Because my photo is horizontal rather than vertical, I made some of the paper strips wider to accommodate my change.  My embellishments are from the Wander sticker sheet and die cuts, plus wooden hearts and gold glitter gems.  (If you look closely, you'll see a sneak peek at a new product coming to you September 1!)

Be sure to join the H2H team and share your vacation/staycation projects with us before the end of the month!

H2H Challenges: Christmas in July

The weather may be sweltering, but it's not too early to begin planning for the holiday season!  Heart2Heart Challenges is partnering with Double Trouble Challenges to bring you Christmas in July.

I paired my Winter Penguins stamp set with the Wander Cardmaking Stamp Set/Thin Cuts and paper collection to create this fun winter-y card.

Hopefully these different angles will show all of the shimmer brush coloring that I did.  First, the snow and pond were brushed with clear shimmer brush.  I added Evergreen and Scarlet shimmer on the penguin's scarf.  I also added Evergreen shimmer brush to the Evergreen strip.

Enjoy a little chill during the heat of July, and join us at H2H & Double Trouble for Christmas in July!

H2H Challenges: Let's Hear It for the Boys!

 Heart2Heart Challenge's second June challenge is a timely one for Father's Day, but you can celebrate any of the boys or men in your life with this theme, Let's Hear It for the Boys!

I used the All-Star Birthday stamp set and the Stars and Sparklers collection to create this shaker card for my Dad for Father's Day.  (He hasn't seen it yet since he was gone for the weekend.  We are getting together tonight to celebrate him, which also allows my hubby to get his own day of celebration, although he doesn't mind sharing.)  My dad is such a blessing to our entire family.

Here's a close up of the shaker window.  I used our star shaker Thin cuts and acetate/foam kit, plus added Blue Belle sequins and mini gold star confetti.  (If I were to make this card again, I would add in some Scarlett stars in the shaker window.)  I stamped the central star/sentiment with Carolina ink.  I stamped the star border with Sapphire and added some gold shimmer trim to make this card a little extra festive.

Be sure to celebrate your boys and men at H2H Challenges!  You can link up until the end of June for this one!  Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads out there!

H2H Challenges: Add a Border

 This week's Heart2Heart Challenge is to add a border, and my card is a subtle nod to that challenge (accepted).

This card developed because I have been playing with my new distress oxide inks, specifically Tattered Rose, Abandoned Coral, and Seedless Preserves for this background (spritzed with water of course).  I framed it with a piece of black cardstock cut with my Stitched Rectangles Thin Cuts.  The sentiment is from Melissa Esplin Sentiments with the addition of the February stamp of the month, Doodled Borders, in Grape, and the present in Black and Grape from the Winter Penguins stamp set.  A piece of Grape shimmer trims adds to my borders.

Be sure to check out all of the H2H Designers' projects and join us before the month is out!

H2H Challenges Partnered with Double Trouble: All You Need Is Love

 Heart2Heart Challenges has partnered with the Double Trouble challenge blog for this first February challenge.  The H2H challenge is "All You Need Is Love."  Double Trouble challenge #1 is a 3-2-1 challenge: 3 embellishments, 2 patterned papers, and 1 stamped image.  Their challenge #2 is to include a little love in the form of hearts.  I think my card meets the requirements nicely.

First off, I have to tell you how crazy I am about the adorable Winter Penguins stamp set.  I couldn't resist!  I am super excited to announce that our older daughter just got notification that she has been accepted into her first choice graduate school, the University of Georgia, so I made this card for her.  In case you couldn't tell, their colors are red and black.  

I used the Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 4 pattern 20 and the Perfect Match collection for the striped piece (patterned paper #1) and the plaid (patterned paper #2).  I used the lighter side of my Candy Apple panel to better match the collection and my little penguin.  In case you're wondering, her little hat is pink because that's my daughter's favorite color.  I used several of my Spectrum Noir markers to color that adorable little critter.  I'm counting my penguin as my one stamped image, even though I also stamped the sentiment (from the Jan.-Apr. Craft with Heart cardmaking subscription box).  My three embellishments are black shimmer trim (trimmed down to less than 1/4"), black enamel dots, and Thin Cut Heart Shaker Window cardstock pieces.

Be sure to check out all of the design team inspiration at both Heart2Heart Challenges and the Double Trouble Challenge Blog.  Won't you join us this month?