Joyful Stars August Blog Hop...

Welcome to the Joyful Stars August Blog Hop!

I'm so glad you could hop on by and view the Creative Inspirations of some of our talented Close To My Heart Independent Consultants.  If you  arrived here from the blog of  Helen Gullett then you're right on track.

If you still have school age children in your life, August always stirs up Back To School excitement :)  So I decided to feature Close To My Heart's My Acrylic Stamp Set "School Kids" and what better way to do that than with school supplies!

For this project I created  3X3 Post It Note Covers.  They make a perfect gift and are sure to bring a smile.  I used CTMH Adventure Cardstock Combo along with our Watercolor Pencils a perfect pairing for these Sweet Back To School designs.  The dimensions for the cover are 7 X 3 1/2, score at 3 1/4 and 3 3/4.  Then cut two accent pieces for layering at 3 1/4 X 3 1/4 and 3 X 3. Stamp, color and embellish as desired.

Here's a little closer look...

School Kids Stamp Set

Adventure Cardstock Combo

Thanks for stopping by our Blog Hop!  If you are interested in learning more about Close To My Heart Products please visit my website WWW.DONNALONG.CTMH.COM

Next on the HOP is Lori Meadows be sure to visit and if you get lost along the way you can begin the JOYFUL STARS BLOG HOP at Joyce Houck's Blog where you will find a complete list of participants.

Happy Crafting!

Donna

Joyful Stars May Blog Hop...

Welcome to the Joyful Stars May Blog Hop!

I'm so glad you could hop on by and view the Creative Inspirations of some of our talented Close To My Heart Independent Consultants.  If you  arrived here from the blog of Lori Meadows then you're right on track.

Celebrate With Cake is this May's Stamp of the Month.  This is one of my favorite promotions being a stamper at heart :)  Each month CTMH offers a special stamp set for only $5 with a qualifying purchase.  This month, this sweet set will get you through an abundance of special occasions!

I've been experimenting with different types of Watercolors these days given its popularity...not to mention I love to get messy :)  This technique is adding ink directly to your acrylic block and spritzing with water.  Let me know what you think...a little messy but FUN!

If you are interested in Water Coloring or Close To My Heart's Stamp of the Month, please visit my website.  You will find a full line of quality Papercrafting products.  While you're there check out all this months promotions for National Scrapbooking Month!

Thanks for stopping by.  Next on the Joyful Stars Blog Hop is Crystal Davis.  Be sure to HOP on over and check out all this month's creations!  If you get lost along the way you can begin at the beginning at Joyce Houck's Blog.

Happy Creating!
Donna

Spring & Summer Workshop Schedule Posted...

Love that the weather is getting warmer and the trees are starting to bud here in Ohio.  Okay not so much today but yesterday was Fantastic :)

This prompted me to get my Spring & Summer Workshops scheduled so be sure to checkout my upcoming classes and join me as you let your creative juices flow.  Enjoy some time away and fellowship with the ladies.

Here are a few of the Stamp Sets & Papers I'll be featuring.

Your Own Kind Of Wonderful

Penelope

Celebrate With Cake

Beach Days

Regatta

If you'd like to see more Close To My Heart products, please visit my website.

Happy Creating,

Donna

Joyful Stars March Blog Hop...

Welcome to the Joyful Stars March Blog Hop!

I'm so glad you could hop on by and view the Creative Inspirations of some of our talented Close To My Heart Independent Consultants.  If you  arrived here from the blog of Andrea Sherman then you're right on track.

For this Blog Hop I'm featuring "Spring Critters"  This sweet stamp set coordinates perfectly with one of Close To My Heart's newest products the Thin Cuts metal dies, however, I fussy cut mine for this project.  I paired these critters up with our Adventure Cardstock Combo Pack and My Reflections Kaleidoscope.

Since I stamped each image in the My Exclusive Inks matching their color to the cardstock I opted to use the Watercolor Pencils to add details and fill in each sweet little critter.  Shown are Gypsy, Saffron, Pixie and Pear.  I love how everything came together and the pops of patterned paper from the Kaleidoscope zip strips worked perfectly to complete each card.  My only problem now is to decide who gets a special spring treat in the mail next week ;)

For this project I used these CTMH Products...

My Acrylix Spring Critters C1638

Watercolor Pencils 3505

Adventure Cardstock Combo Pack X5935

My Reflections Kaleidoscope X7202B

My Exclusive Inks Gypsy Z2190
My Exclusive Inks Saffron Z2651
My Exclusive Inks Pixie Z2644
My Exclusive Inks Pear Z2197

If you are interested in any of these products, please visit my website where you can shop and browse our current Idea Books.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Next on the Joyful Stars Blog Hop is Helen Gullett, don't forget to leave everyone a comment...we LOVE getting feedback on our designs :)

For a complete list of the Joyful Stars February Hop head on over to Joyce Houck's Blog.

Happy Creating!

Donna

Stampaganza...

Happy March!  Can you believe how quickly 2016 is clipping right along and Spring is beckoning :)  I cannot wait to share Close To My Heart's March Specials...so without further ado here we go!

First STAMPAGANZA is here which is our Buy 2 Get 1 Offer on all the My Acrylix Stamp Sets.

Second is CTMH's Stamp of the month, "Sunshine Birdies"  How Stinkin' Cute is this stamp set...seriously?  LOVE IT!  Remember you can get this set for $5 when you purchase $50 dollars in CTMH product.  Love when we can bundle deals and save more :)

Okay there you have it, MARCH is the perfect time to stock up on Stamp Sets!  Check out the Seasonal Expressions or Annual Inspirations Idea Books for Creative Inspiration and visit me online to place an order.  Have questions, please email or call.  I'd love to help you choose the perfect CTMH products for your next project :)

Happy Creating!

Donna

Share The Love...

I cannot express how Proud I am to work for a company with a Heart for others!  Each year Close To My Heart Partners with Operation Smile to change the lives of Children Around the World and I couldn't be happier to share this month's promotion with you.

With CTMH's "Share The Love" promotion, $7 of each stamp set will go directly to Operation Smile!  You can find complete details on this this promotion on my website, here.  Who wouldn't want to add this D-Sized Stamp Set to their personal collection?  It's a win win for everyone!

Happy Creating!
Donna

Everything ABC's Blog Hop Letter D...

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop!

For this Hop we will be featuring the letter "D"  This may be the name of a paper, stamp set or an embellishment.  Whatever the crafter has chosen as their "D" element will be featured in their post.

If you came here from  Wendy Kessler at My Scrapbooking Blog then you're right on track!

The first thing that came to my mind when I thought of the Letter D was "Delightful" and what is more "Delightful" than this month's Stamp Of The Month "Balloon Animals" :)

Playful, Fun and Versatile...making a sweet addition to an Invitation, Birthday or Baby Shower card.  I created this set of four cards using a variety of coordinating colors along with our My Reflections Kaleidoscope Paper Pack.  Hope this designs give you a little Inspiration to CRAFT Something FUN!

For this project I used the following Close To My Heart Products...

My Reflections Kaleidoscope Paper Pack X7202B
My Acrylics Stamp Set Balloon Animals S1602 (Stamp Of The Month February 2016)
My Exclusive Inks
  Pacifica Z2192
  Pear Z2197
  Canary Z2643
  Sunset Z2191
  Glacier Z2641
Adventure Cardstock Combo X5935

If you are interested in any of these products or learning more about Close To My Heart, please visit my website.  I'd love to share our wonderful products with you.

Thank you for visiting and please leave a comment, I love seeing your feedback.!  Next up on the Everything ABC's Blog Hop is Tonya Whitehurst at Heart and Soul Scrappers.


If you got lost along the way please head over to Catherine Nowak's Blog at Cat Scrapbooking for a complete list of Hoppers :)

Happy Creating!
Donna

Joyful Stars January Blog Hop...

Happy New Year and Welcome to the Joyful Stars January Blog Hop!

I'm so glad you could hop on by and view the Creative Inspirations of some of our talented Close To My Heart Independent Consultants.  If you  arrived here from the blog of Crystal Davis then you're right on track.

This month I wanted to share Close To My Hearts January Stamp Of The Month "Beloved Bouquet."  I just love this Beautiful details of the flowers and abundance of sentiments.

As soon as I saw this stamp I knew I wanted to create a Vintage and Serene design.  I decided to use Colonial White as the base of my card but I also wanted to incorporate our My Reflections White Pines paper pack.  If you're like me, I usually have scraps left over after my winter creative sessions and I try to think of ways to add accents of a traditional Christmas paper into everyday creations.

The Diamond Print on the Glacier base proved perfect for the "Beloved Bouquet" card I created.  I also wanted to pull out the hint of coral in the design and decided to use our My Exclusive Inks Poppy to accomplish that feat and if I do say so my self...it turned out Beautifully :)  I finished my project with some distressing techniques and stamping off for the muted tones of the flowers.

For this project I used these Close To My Heart products...

My Acrylics Beloved Bouquet S1601 (January SOTM, only $5 with qualifying order)

My Exclusive Cardstock Colonial White 1388

My Exclusive Cardstock Chocolate X5928

My Reflections White Pines (discontinued)

My Exclusive Inks Desert Sand Z2118

My Exclusive Inks Poppy Z2652

3D Foam Tape Z1151

If you are interested in any of  these products, please visit my website where you can shop and view our current Idea Books.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Next on the Joyful Stars Blog Hop is Lori Meadows, don't forget to leave a comment...I'd love to hear from you!  For a complete list of the Joyful Stars January Hop head on over to Joyce Houck's Blog Joyce-Joyful Creations.

Happy Creating,

Donna

Everything ABC's Bog Hop Letter Y...

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop!

For this Hop we will be featuring the letter "Y"  This may be the name of a paper, stamp set or an embellishment.  Whatever the crafter has chosen as their "Y" element will be featured in their post.

If you came here from  Daryls Recker at Crafty Happy then you're right on track!


My Inspiration for the Letter "Y" is Yuletide.  Originating in the 15th Century it is a German word for Christmas, Christmastide, Christmastime...very fitting for this season!  CTMH's Reason For The Season reminds us exactly why we celebrate this Joyous Season of Advent & Christmas,

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

For this project I used the following Close To My Heart products...

My Acrylic Stamp Set Reason For The Season D1614
Exclusive Cardstock Colonial White 1388
Exclusive Cardstock Black 1386
My Exclusive Inks Black Z2105
My Exclusive Inks Cranberry Z2116
My Exclusive Inks Honey Z2162
Red Shimmer Trim Z1848

If you would like to purchase these products or view the Close To My Heart Annual Inspirations Idea Book, visit my website.

Thank you for visiting!  Your next stop on our Everything ABC's Blog Hog is Linda Norman at Scrappy Therapy!

May Peace and Love be with you throughout the season my friends.

Happy Creating!
Donna

Fundamentals...

As a Papercrafter you can never have enough paper...or so we think, LOL!  If one would ask my better half he might tell you I have enough paper to supply a school for a year or two :)

In reality having quality papers not only provides for great backdrops but exciting accents as well.  Close To My Heart's Paper Lines include our fabulous White Core Exclusive Cardstock, My Reflections products and Glitter paper but we also offer a full line of Paper Fundamentals featuring four color groups; Basics, Enchantment, Whimsy and Adventure.  These color groups tie into our My Exclusive Inks easily taking your basic scrapbooking to a new level by adding coordinating embellishments, assortments, compliments and stamping.

November is the perfect time to try one of our Simply Fundamental Bundles, for only $71.80 you will receive the following items...

• Album of your choice (D-ring or Post-bound)
• Fundamental Stickers Enchantment Pack (1 pack)
• Fundamental Assortment Peacock (1 pack)
• White Daisy Cardstock (3 sheets)
• Memory Protectors™ Value Pack (1 pack Side Load or 1 pack Top Load)

Just follow this link to view all ten Close To My Heart's Album Bundles.  And don't forget to download your Simply Fundamental Workshop directions featuring five 2-page layouts using your Fundamental Bundle.

Happy Creating!

Donna

A To Z...

It's that time of year when we start thinking about "Back To School!"

Whether or not you have kiddos or not I'm sure you've seen advertising and rows and rows of Back To School Supplies, Clothes, Organizers and the like it's really just about everywhere you look.  And as Papercrafters I don't want you to feel left out in this season of Stocking Up & Organizing so here's a few things just for you from A To Z!

ARTISTRY

ARTISTRY & FRAMED

FRAMED - AUGUST STAMP OF THE MONTH

ACCESSORY & MARKER ROLL UPS

ZOE - NEWEST MY REFLECTIONS PAPER PACK