Watercolor Blog Hop

Welcome to our Watercolor Blog Hop!  This month, 30 consultants will be showcasing some of the many ways to use watercolors in your projects. 

If you have come here from Gina's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.  The hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

This hop really pushed me out of my comfort zone.  I love seeing projects using watercolors, but I have only used them myself a few times.  I created two cards using a technique were you paint directly on the acrylic block, then push the block onto your paper. 

The first card was inspired by a layout on page 20 of the CTMH Seasonal Expressions mini catalog.  Three different watercolors were applied to a piece of watercolor paper using the technique above.  Once they were dry, I used the fun Dizzy Circles stamp set to create the various shapes.  This stamp set reminds me of my childhood at my grandmother's house.  She had a Spirograph set and I created countless designs using those different circles! 

The enamel dots added a fun little element to the card!  Those purple looking glitter ones are actually from the Blue Enamel & Glitter Duo set!

The second card started with a rainbow of 1" x 1" squares applied using the same technique as above.  The 1" x 1" acrylic block was covered entirely with watercolor paint!

The card overlay was cut from the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge. 

The little birdie and the sentiment are both from March's Stamp of the Month, Sunshine Birdies.  Shinhan markers were used make the images bright and vibrant.  The card was finished off with a little bit of white and gold ribbon, as well as clear sparkles.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my watercolor cards!  They were a little messy, but lots of fun!

 

Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create these cards:

C1610 - Dizzy Circles Stamp Set

S1603 - Sunshine Birdies Stamp Set

Z3132 - Watercolor Paints

Z2188 - Paintbrush Set

Z3122 - Blue Dots Enamel & Glitter Duos

Z1934 - Flamingo Dots

Z1853 - Aqua Dots

Z1752 - Clear Sparkles

Z3189 - White & Gold Ribbon

Z3168 - Cricut Artfully Sent Collection

Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape

Shinhan Touch Twin Markers - R140, Y49, G46, GY235, BG61, R11, & P83

CTMH Cardstock in White Daisy and Black

All items can be purchased through my CTMH website.


Now "Hop" on over to Alyson's Blog to see her creation! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas!

Simply Fundamental Blog Hop

Welcome to our Simply Fundamentals Blog Hop!  This month, 27 consultants will be showcasing various uses of the Simply Fundamentals line offered by Close to My Heart.  They could be using the Paper packets, sticker packs, and/or assortment packs from the Simply Fundamentals line. 

During the month of November, CTMH is offering a special bundle featuring the Simply Fundamentals line.  The bundle includes an album of your choice, the Paper Fundamentals Enchantment Pack, Fundamental Stickers Enchantment pack, Peacock Fundamentals Assortment, 3 sheets of White Dasiy cardstock and a Value pack of page protectors. Visit here for more information on how to obtain this package deal!

If you have come here from Traci's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.  The hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

I paired the Adventure Paper Fundamentals pack and the Adventure Stickers Pack, with the November Stamp of the Month to create this New Year's Layout.  The sticker embellishments were so much fun to work with and place throughout the layout!

The "Cheers, 2016" stamp set was used to create the Happy New Year title, as well as the Honey stars in the background.  The mini alphabet stickers added the 2015!  Those strips of paper show just one side of the Paper Fundamentals.  The reverse side has the same pattern, but in a glossy, tone-on-tone print. 

More alphabet stickers, pennant stickers and little bars combine with the clock and star stamps to fill in the white space above the pictures!

The blue squiggled sticker in this section actually had rounded edges, but I dovetailed one end, and straight cut the other to fit the needs of my layout. 

The "Cheers" stamp embellished with stars stickers!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my layout.  Remember that this special bundle, including the Paper Fundamentals line, is only available during the month of November!!!

Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create this layout:
S1511 - Cheers, 2016 Stamp Set
Z3125 - Paper Fundamentals Adventure Pack
Z3163 - Fundamental Stickers Adventure Pack
Z2060  - Thin 3-D Foam Tape
CTMH Cardstock in Kraft, Black and White Daisy
CTMH Exclusive Inks in Black and Honey
All items can be purchased through my CTMH website.

Now "Hop" on over to Angela's Blog to see her creation! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to see many beautiful projects and get some great crafting ideas!

Cheers, 2016! - November SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to our November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  This month, 37 consultants will be showcasing the Cheers, 2016 Stamp Set.  This set is only available during the month of November.  It can be purchased for $17.95, or only $5 with a $50 purchase

If you have come here from Katie's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.  The hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

This is a very fun New Year's themed stamp set, but can be used in other ways as well.  The "Dream Big" stamp really grabbed my attention and made me think of my son and his sports aspirations.  He has always been so intrigued by all sports and the challenges presented by them.  I found these pictures from when he was 15 months old, and thought they'd be perfect for this stamp set.  My son heard our 13 year old neighbor playing basketball, so he took off to their house and wanted to play with him.  He picked up the full-sized basketball and stood under the net and tried his hardest to make a basket.  He came nowhere close, but just didn't want to give up!  Even now, at 5 years old, he continues to enjoy the challenge of raising the basketball net all the way up!

The Urban Paper Packet and Complements fit perfectly with the pictures, and I just love the deep saturated tone of this Peacock cardstock!  The title was made using the "Dream Big" and star stamp from the Cheers, 2016 set, an arrow cut from the Artbooking Cricut cartridge, and letter stickers from the Enchantment Paper Fundamentals set. 

The "Yes" and "I Can" stamps, along with the Urban complements were used to embellish the focal picture of the layout.

One of the zip strips from the Urban Paper was cut up into several phrases and attached to the layout, then embellished further with the Urban complements.

One of my favorite things about this stamp set is that it comes with two different journaling stamps.  The one used here provides dashed lines, but there is also a solid line option.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my layout. Remember, this stamp can be purchased for only $5 with any $50 purchase!  Check out all the awesome stamps that come in the set!!!

Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create this layout:
S1511 - Cheers, 2016 Stamp Set
X7204B - Urban Paper Packet
X7204C - Urban Complements
Z3122 - Enamel & Glitter Duos, Blue Dots
Z3164 - Fundamental Sticker Packs, Enchantment
Z3169 - Cricut Artbooking Collection
Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape

CTMH Exclusive Inks in Sapphire, Whisper, Slate and Saffron
CTMH Cardstock in Sapphire, Peacock, Saffron, and Colonial White

 

All items can be purchased through my CTMH website.

Now "Hop" on over to Michelle's Blog to see her creation! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to view beautiful artwork and get some great crafting ideas!

Spotlight on Holiday Expressions Catalog

Welcome to our Holiday Expressions Blog Hop!  This month, 30 consultants will be showcasing some of the many new items available in the Holiday Expressions catalog.  Items in this catalog focus on the several holidays falling into October, November and December. 

 

If you have come here from Terrie's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.  The hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!
Our Annual Inspirations Books are a fabulous source of ideas!  I always keep my old ones to reference and get ideas.  Last year, there was a decorated witches hat showcasing the Scaredy Cat line.  I loved that hat, but never got around to making one for myself.  Close to My Heart has a new line in the Holiday Expressions book called Nevermore.  My local craft store had a plain cardboard witches hat, it was on sale, AND I had a coupon that worked on sale items.  Here is my newest Halloween decoration, hanging out on the mantle next to Mr. Bones!

 Here is a close-up of the decorations - complete with clear sparkles, black glitter paper and the spider web faceted gem!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed the witch hat. The original hat, along with instructions, and a few other versions can be found on Jeanette Lynton's blog. 
Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create these cards:
X7198B - Nevermore Paper Packet
Z3083 - Nevermore Assortment
Z1752 - Clear Sparkles Z3170 - Cricut Artiste Collection Z1829 - Black & Grey Glitter Paper Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape
CTMH Cardstock in Slate and Black
All items can be purchased through my CTMH website.

Now "Hop" on over to Michelle's Blog to see her creation! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas!

Twinkle - October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  This month, over 40 consultants will be showcasing the Twinkle Stamp Set.  This set is only available during the month of October.  It can be purchased for $17.95, or only $5 with a $50 purchase

If you have come here from Donna's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.  The hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

The first card uses the string of lights stamps.  One thing that is fabulous about Close to My Heart acrylic stamps is the ability to bend them to fit your needs.  The "string" portion of the lights was a somewhat straight line.  Before attaching to the stamping block, I bent the stamp in a 90 degree angle to hug the top and right side edges of the card.  

While primarily designed as a holiday stamp set, I wanted to showcase one way to use the stamp for another purpose.  Each time I looked at the "Twinkle" stamp, I would sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" in my head!  This card uses the beautiful Georgie paper and it's color combination to create a baby themed card. The star background was created using the new Charming Cascades stamp set!  That little multi-colored star at the top is from the Zoe complements pack!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my cards. Remember, this stamp can be purchased for only $5 with any $50 purchase!

Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create these cards:

S1510 - Twinkle Stamp Set
D1668 - Charming Cascades Stamp Set  
X254 - White Value Pack, Cards and Envelopes
X7203B - Georgie Paper packet
Z3125 - Adventure Paper Fundamentals
Z2013 - Sequins, Silver Assortment
Z3089 - Enamel Gems, Grey
Z3039 - Extra Thick Twine, Glacier
X7197C - Zoe Complements

Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape

CTMH Exclusive Inks in Black, Honey, Cranberry, Topiary, Slate, Canary and Juniper
CTMH Cardstock in White Daisy, Honey, Cranberry, Slate and Canary

All items can be purchased through my CTMH website.

Now "Hop" on over to Maria's Blog to see her creation! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas!

 

National Stamping Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our National Stamping Month Blog Hop!  This month, 40 consultants will be showcasing the Hello Life Stamp Sets.  These sets are only available during the month of September to celebrate National Stamping Month.  They can be purchased for $13.95 each, or buy all 3 as a set for only $34.95.

If you have come here from Jessica's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.  The hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!
Each of the 3 sets has a different "focus," traditional scrapbooking, pocket scrapbooking and cardmaking, but they are very versatile and can be used interchangeably.  All three sets were used to create the two cards shown below!  Many of the stamps also coordinate with shapes from the brand new CTMH Cricut Artistry cartridge!

The first card was made for my Father-in-Law's Birthday.  He is an avid golfer, so my husband asked if I could create a golf themed card.  The "grass" is made from the new Fern extra-thick twine, but unraveled!  This technique was used before on this Easter card.  The golf ball was "dimpled" by using the dots embossing folder.  And check out that cocoa patterned paper - part of the all new line of Paper Fundamentals!!!!

The second card is just a fun and cheerful notecard!  The "paint swipe" stamp is from the pocket scrapbooking set.  The 5 colors of ink gradually transition from light pink to orange, Pixie, Cotton Candy, Smoothie, Sorbet and Sunset, creating such a fun background!  That black and white patterned paper is also from the new Paper Fundamentals!  And the new coral shimmer trim is the perfect accent to finish off the card!

Here are the full selections offered in each stamp set.

Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create these cards:

CC1040, CC1041 and CC1042 - Hello Life National Stamping Month Stamp Sets

Z3128 - Paper Fundamentals, Basics

Z3093 - Fern Thick Twine

Z3088 - Coral Shimmer Trim

X254 - White Value Pack, Cards and Envelopes

Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape
Z1924 - Dots Embossing Folder

CTMH Exclusive Inks in Pixie, Cotton Candy, Smoothie, Sorbet, Sunset, Black, Cocoa and Honey
CTMH Cardstock in Whisper White, Honey, Cocoa, Glacier and Black

  

All items can be purchased through my CTMH website.

Now "Hop" on over to Donna's Blog to see her creation! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas for using these stamp sets! 

Framed Blog Hop

Welcome to our August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  This month, over 50 consultants will be showcasing the Framed Stamp Set.  This set is only available during the month of August.  It can be purchased for $17.95, or only $5 with a $50 purchase.

If you have come here from Michelle's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.  The hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

 My Dad's Birthday is July 30th, so I wanted to make him a masculine Birthday card.  Masculine cards are something that I always struggle with.  Luckily, the Jackson Paper line makes it easy to create a masculine project!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my card. The "Framed" stamp set is extremely versatile.  There are 3 different frames, with 9 different sentiments.  You can mix and match to find the right combination for your occasion!  Remember, this stamp can be purchased for only $5 with any $50 purchase!

 

Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create these cards:

Framed Stamp Set

C1561 - One Way Borders Stamp Set

X7195B - Jackson Paper Packet

Z1928 - Durables Triangle Studs

X1410 - Colonial White Value Pack, Cards and Envelopes

Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape

CTMH Exclusive Inks in Barn Red and Juniper
CTMH Cardstock in Juniper and Colonial White

All items can be purchased through my CTMH website.

Now "Hop" on over to Kathy's Blog to see her creation! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! 

  

 

Jump On It July Blog Hop

Welcome to our Jump On It July Blog Hop!  During the month of July, Close to My Heart is offering a fantastic deal on their Stamp of the Month and Hostess stamp sets.  When you purchase $25 in current, retail priced stamps, you qualify to receive either the July Stamp of the Month FREE or any one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets featured in Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 or Seasonal Expressions 2 for only $5!  The Hostess Rewards stamp sets have previously only been available as part of the Hostess Rewards program, which means now is the perfect opportunity to get those special stamp sets you’ve had your eye on!

If you have come here from Jennifer's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.

  

This month we have 35 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using any of the Hostess stamp sets. The hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

There are 13 hostess stamp sets to choose from for this deal!  They can be found on pages 5-10 of the Annual Inspirations book and pages 4-5 of the Seasonal Expressions 2 book.

I chose to use the Exotic Flower set from the Seasonal Expressions 2 catalog.  This is a single stamp that is approximately 4" x 4".  Using the Exotic Flower Stamp, I created 3 different cards using the same layout.  For each card, the image was stamped 3 times, cut and layered using thin 3-D foam tape.  Each card has the original square image, the flower shaped image and the circular center.  Here is a side view to see the layering.

For the first card, I tried a technique I have seen posted around the internet.  The image was stamped onto black paper and embossed using white embossing powder. The white lines were colored using several shades of ShinHan Touch Twin markers. A small strip of green glitter paper and a pair of silver sequins topped off the card.

The second card is my contribution to "Christmas in July!" The image was embossed using gold powder on white, cranberry and ivy cardstock. The "Merry Christmas" sentiment stamp is from another hostess set, Sing Glory. This card used a small scrap of Yuletide Carol paper and two gold sequins to finish it off.

The last card uses the zip strip from my favorite Blossom paper line. The colors in this paper are beautiful together!  The image was stamped and embossed with white powder again, but no coloring was added to the image.

 

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my creations.  I'd love to hear which card is your favorite!  

Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create these cards:

B1477 - Exotic Flower stamp set
C1587 - Sing Glory stamp set
B1438 - Banner Wishes stamp set

Z3042 - Coral Reef Sequins

Z2013 - Sequins, Silver Assortment

Z2012 - Sequins, Gold Assortment

Z891 - VersaMark Ink Pad

Z2066 - Ranger Princess Gold Embossing Powder

Z2068 - Ranger White Super Fine Embossing Powder

Z1847 - Green Glitter Paper

X7187B - Yuletide Carol Paper Pack

X7196B - Blossom Paper Pack

X254 - Cards and Envelopes, White Value Pack
Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape

ShinHan Touch Twin Markers in Vivid Green, Pastel Green, Tender Pink and Cerulean Blue Light
CTMH Cardstock in Glacier, Sorbet, Pear, Cranberry, New England Ivy, White Daisy, and Black

Remember, only during the month of July can you take advantage of this great special! To get your FREE SOTM stamp set or your $5 Hostess Rewards stamp set, simply place an order for $25 of any current, retail priced stamps. Spring into action and jump on this deal before it’s gone! 

Now "Hop" on over to Cat's Blog to see her creation! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! 

  

Happy Everything - Operation Smile Blog Hop

Welcome to our Operation Smile Blog Hop! This month, 34 consultants are featuring Close To My Heart's "Happy Everything" stamp set. Not only is this a great stamp set, it helps out a great cause!  For every purchase of this stamp set, CTMH will donate $3 to Operation Smile. Since its founding in 1982, Operation Smile has performed over 220,000 surgical procedures to correct facial deformities in children.

If you have come here from Darlys Recker's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around. If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.

The papers used on this card were leftover scraps from scrapbooking layouts that I have recently completed. They were already this size, and fit perfectly on the card front!  The sentiment and arrow were stamped on white daisy cardstock, then double matted and popped up on thin 3D foam tape.  The balloon used another scrap leftover from the Blossom paper packet and was topped off with an orange star from the Scaredy Cat Assortment.  The coral reef sequins and black shimmer trim added a little pizazz to the card!

 I recently saw a rainbow card similar to this one, but using different stamp sets. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to try it with this Operation Smile stamp set. I cannot remember where I saw the original design, but if anyone knows of it, please share as I'd love to give the designer credit. Rainbows are always a favorite of mine since they are so cheerful! The little star stamp is from the Doodled Designs stamp set

These cards only showcase a few of the stamps in the set.  There are several more sentiments as well as an adorable bee!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my Happy Everything cards.  Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create this card:
D1653 - Happy Everything Stamp Set
A1170 - Doodled Designs Stamp Set 
X7196B - Blossom Paper Packet
Z2032 - Paper Fundamentals, Adventure Assortment
Z3042 - Sequins, Coral Reef
Z3011 - Scaredy Cat Assortment
Z1809 - Black Shimmer Trim
Z1151 - 3-D Foam Tape
X254 - White Cards and Envelopes Value Pack
CTMH Exclusive Inks stamp pads in Black, Bamboo, Cranberry, Sunset, Honey, Pear, Pacifica and Gypsy
CTMH Cardstock in Black, Sunset, Bamboo and White Daisy
All items can be purchased through my CTMH website.

Now "Hop" on over to Cat's Blog to see her amazing creation! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas!

 

My Crush Blog Hop

Welcome to our My Crush Blog Hop!  During the month of June, Close to My Heart is offering a fantastic deal on their My Crush line.  When you purchase a My Crush book and it's coordinating assortment (these are the journal spots and stickers), you will get the coordinating stamp set for free!!! These books are great for on the go scrapbooking or themed scrapbooking, and are the perfect introduction to scrapbooking for kids and teenagers!

If you have come here from Lela's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.

 

This month we have over 35 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using the My Crush product line. The hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

I decided to completely step out of my comfort zone for this hop!  My scrapbooks typically focus on a trip we took or my children, but I have never focused on ME.  Since I am usually the one behind the camera, there aren't even a lot of pictures of me in my albums.  I am using a My Crush album to create a glimpse of Lisa Plummer in 2015 - a time capsule of sorts.  This album will be a representation of my life at age 35.  In 10, 25 or even 50 years, I imagine it will be a book treasured by myself, my kids, and maybe even my grandchildren!

The Bluebird My Crush Album is perfect for this type of book.  Not only is the cover a gorgeous Glacier blue damask pattern, but many of the pages have sentiments or titles perfect for a "selfie" album.  However, any of the albums can be used for any purpose - just mask any pre-printed sections that don't fit your theme by covering them with other titles, pictures or embellishments!

This first picture shows page one of my book before I put anything on it.  Those images are all pre-printed on the pages.

Using the coordinating Love This stamp set and Memories Assortment, as well as a few extra embellishments and scrap paper, I created this title page to my book. 

Over the next few months, I hope to complete this album by creating pages focusing on:

My typical day

What I love about my kids

Favorite things in my house

About my town

Favorite meals

Favorite activities

What makes me smile

Favorite flowers

What I like to wear

What I like to listen to

Places I've been

Things I don't like!

My friends

Bucket list for the future 

.....and many more!  Look for these pages to be posted in the near future!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my "My Crush" creation.  Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create these page:

Z1856 - My Crush Bluebird Book

Z1888 - My Crush Memories Assortment

B1432 - Love This stamp set

Z1990 - Thistle Diagonal Striped Ribbon

Z2032 - Paper Fundamentals, Adventure Assortment

Z1752 - Clear Sparkles
Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape
CTMH Exclusive Inks stamp pads in Black
CTMH Cardstock in Glacier and Kraft

Now "Hop" on over to Angela's Blog to see her creation! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, only during the month of June can you take advantage of this great special! You can order your My Crush products here!

 

A Bit of Blot Technique Hop

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Technique Blog Hop.  If you are coming from Michelle Loncar's page, you are on the right track.  There are 11 participants in the hop today and we are all showcasing the "A Bit of Blot" technique found on page 55 of the CTMH Annual Inspirations Idea Book.

As shown in the picture above, this technique uses a sponge dauber to apply ink directly to a stamp block.  After lightly spritzing the block with water, you "stamp" the block directly onto paper.  I chose to create a rainbow effect for my project.  After lightly dabbing 6 colors in rainbow order across the large (4" x 5") block, I spritzed it with water and stamped on White Daisy cardstock. 

 

The background was so beautiful that I kept the rest of the card fairly plain so nothing distracted from the rainbow effect - just a couple stamps and a few silver sequins!!

The Happy birthday sentiment and arrow design are from the Happy Everything stamp set.  It's a fun set that is one of CTMH's Operation Smile stamps.  That means that $3 from every purchase of the stamp set goes to help Operation Smile correct facial deformities in children throughout the world.  Here is the entire stamp set complete with cute sentiments and a few graphics as well!

Close To My Heart Supplies used for this card:
Z2013 Sequins - Silver Assortment
D1653 - Happy Everything Stamp Set
Y1012 - My Acrylix 4"x5" Block
Z1912 - Corner Rounder
Z1380 - Spray Pen
Z726 - Sponge Dauber
X254 - Cards & Envelopes - White Value Pack
CTMH Exclusive Inks in Black, Whisper, Gypsy, Pacifica, Pear,  Honey, Sunset, and Cranberry
CTMH Cardstock - White Daisy and Slate
Above items can be purchased through my CTMH website.


Thank you for checking out my "Bit of Blot" creation.  Head on over to Belinda's blog to continue with the hop!