Something New comes this way!

With the sad news of Close To My Heart closing its doors in June 2024 it's been a slow transition into the world of Stampin' Up!

Change is good! Exciting times ahead as I dive into hundreds of high quality products and get busy once again with lots of fun new goodies.

Make sure to create a NEW customer profile on my Stampin' Up! website... https://kristineroberts.stampinup.net so you can stay up to date on what's happening in the world of Stampin' Up!

Are We There Yet?

Hello Friends! 

Are We There Yet? is our NEW Close To My Heart Collection! Perfect to highlight your travels near and afar as the designs in this paper suite will work universally for your adventures!

I've created a 6-page Workshop with this collection which has been fabulous to get more events documented and into my albums! Each kit is exclusively from me as it includes EXTRAS that are no longer available through my website! You can CONTACT ME HERE with any questions or if you'd like to grab this kit!

I am trying to create more in 2023, hopefully you've found some time to get documenting your stories too? 

These layouts have a little of several techniques including stamping, die-cutting with our Thin Cuts, stencilling and hand-stitching too!

I haven't added hand-stitching on my layouts for many years as I always see it and think, 'that's WAY too much work!' but this time I decided to add a little and it really wasn't that much more work...I traced a circle in pencil lightly, used my paper piercer and poked holes, erased pencil line and then went back and stitched it... I love the look AND added dimension adding this little technique adds to the page.

The Postage Frames thin cuts are retired now but you could recreate this look with frames from your stash or even cutting frames from your cardstock using a ruler and exacto knife.

If you haven't discovered our SVG cuts that have been created specifically to co-ordinate with our paper suites...CLICK HERE! They help you elevate your artwork and often become frequently used favourites at the same time! This title and compass are in our Are We There Yet? SVG digital files.

I seldom finish a scrapbook layout without a FLIP FLAP! I am soooooo behind technically (depends on your state of mind) that I'm usually only interested in making one layout about something LOL. By adding a flip flap to your photo location, you've just been able to add two more photos on that same real estate. I do not want to over-crowd my pages with photos and this allows me to create an interactive page at the same time as more photos! or journalling!?!! 

Did you know we also have stencils in our product line up?!! YUP, we do...12x12, Standard Card Fronts AND now Slimline Card Fronts! I've pulled out our Stencil Pack 1 to add some tone on tone stencilling to the background cardstock using TOFFEE INK. 

The best part of playing with stencils is that it almost always adds some dimension and interest to an otherwise plain backdrop and you can really create some subtle and fun elements.

Thanks for stopping in and I hope you've felt some inspiration yourself to play with some of those tools you have! Get those Border Punches, Metal Dies, Stencils, Stamps and Threads out on your next projects!

See you next time!

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Canadian Blog Hop and Pumpkin Spice!

Hello and welcome to our Canadian Blog Hop featuring product and artwork from our NEW September/October Catalog! 

We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see!

If you came from Michelle's blog with then you are in the right place!

It's all about Fall here and boy was I feeling the Fall vibes with our Pumpkin Spice Collection! Loving all the colours and especially our NEW Harbour colour!

I've added Kraft cardstock embossed with our new Botanical embossing folder which I used throughout my Workshop, specifically the Kraft half circles and Nectarine and Paprika cardstock leaves.

The leaves were cut from our *new Pumpkin Spice Digital Art Collection (X7272F) available directly from the Close To My Heart website!

Check out that detail in our Pumpkin Spice Wood Stickers (X7272E)...super thin and adhesive backed too.

Your next stop on the Canadian Blog Hop is Brandi's blog

If you get lost along the way, you can head to Michelle S Blog, http://mycreationswithmichelle.blogspot.ca, as she has the complete blog list.

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to get creative using some of the designs, products and techniques seen along the way. We hope you will join us again for our next hop on November 20th

Products Used:

Pumpkin Spice Paper Packet & Sticker Sheet (X7272S)

Pumpkin Spice Wood Stickers (X7272E)
Nectarine, Papaya, Harbour, Paprika  CS

Harbour, Toffee, Paprika ink
Wood Hearts (Z6012)
misc. Twine

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Creativity in Motion

Hello and Welcome to our Creativity in Motion Blog Hop! We have about 14 Consultants showcasing this fantastic Exclusive September National Stamping Month promotion so I hope you find lots of inspiration and enjoy playing with this super fun product as much as I did!

If you've arrived from Maureen's Blog, you are on the right track!

We have three different stamp sets to play with so you have some choice if you want to get items individually and you can also purchase this as a Creativity in Motion Event Bundle for a greater savings! 

I played with this stamp set...

These are so fun to create with the striped acetate and our stitched square and rectangle thin cuts...

I think the dragonfly is my favourite...I also enjoyed working with our new 6x6 patterned paper stack with the images from past collections shrunk down.

I was eager to play with our new Oxide inks and the Simple Florals (Z3724) stamp set to add some flowers to this card.

Oxide inks have some pretty cool features...giving these stamped images a little spritz with water created a pretty neat effect, don't you think?!!!

Keeping this butterfly kisses and birthday wishes simple with just a cluster of silver string, LOVE this sentiment.

So glad you could Hop along with us today! Head on over to Heather's Blog to see what she's created next!

Products Used:

Creativity in Motion Event Bundle - CC9208

Stitched Square Frames (3 dies) - Z4259

Stitched Rectangle Frames (3 dies) - Z4260  

Silver Embellishing Thread - Z4213

Oxide Inks, Candied Apple, Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed

Simple Florals Stamp and Thin Cuts - Z3724

Creativity in Motion Event Bundle Includes:

1 – My Acrylix® Animated Sentiments Stamp Set (CC9201)

1 – My Acrylix® Animated Butterfly Kisses Stamp Set (CC9202)

1 – My Acrylix® Animated Safari Animals Stamp Set (CC9203)

1 – My Acrylix® Border Tab Stamp Set (CC9204)

1 – Animation Sheets pack (CC9205)

1 – 6" × 6" Bright Stack (CC9207)

1 – Border Tab Thin Cuts (CC9206)

1 – Clear Sparkles (Z3274)

12 – white card bases & envelopes

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February Cross Canada Blog Hop - Celebrate Today!

Hello and welcome to our Cross Canada Hop! We may be few but we are mighty! 

This month we are featuring the Celebrate Today collection, which I hope you can see is perfect for many events not just birthdays!

To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today, contact your local consultant to place an order or CLICK HERE.

We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see.

Thank you… now on to our hop!

You should have arrived from Kim's Blog

I played with the Celebrate Today Cardmaking kit and my watercolours! It was fun and easy to create these cards using the guide in this card kit and as usual, they always look far more fabulous in person!

I die cut these balloon dies with the exclusive card kit first and then I used my watercolour inks and my water brush to create the background on the stamped image.

This layout was the featured one in our Celebrate Today Scrapbooking kit...you may think this collection is centred around birthdays but I've used this to highlight my daughter's recent Graduation from her nursing program!

I've added our Story By Stacy stickers to add the LPN. I absolutely love those tiny alphabet stickers!

Can you see these sequins behind the vellum? How cool an idea is that!

Our newest Workshop kits are FABULOUS! If you haven't checked them out yet, you need to!

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to get creative using some of the designs, products and techniques seen along the way.

Join us again next month when we will be featuring more artwork from our NEWEST Seasonal Expression Idea Book! 

So mark Marc 10th on your calendars and hop along with us when we feature our Yesterday & Today collection!

Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is Michelle's Blog...

Products Used:

Celebrate Today Workshop kit

Celebrate Today Cardmaking kit

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June Cross Canada Hop

Welcome to our June Cross Canada Blog Hop where we are featuring our new paper collection True Love!!!! 

To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today, contact your local consultant to place an order or CLICK HERE.

We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see.

Thank you… now on to our hop!

You should have arrived from Valerie's Blog

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to get creative using some of the designs, products and techniques seen along the way.

So this is another card I created while up at the Lake on our scrapbooking retreat...I've continued with paper piecing using the Ballerina and Mint cardstock and stamping the flowers on the patterned paper.

Join us again next month when we will be featuring 'Into The Wild' from our NEW Seasonal Expression Idea Book! 

So mark July 10th on your calendars and hop along with us!

Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is Michelle's Blog...

Products Used:

June SOTM - It's Your Day To Sparkle - S1906

True Love Paper Packet
Black Ink
Sparkles
Foam Tape

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June SOTM Blog Hop - It's Your Day to Sparkle

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  

We will be featuring June's SOTM, which is called 'It's Your Day to Sparkle', a set of over 30 stamps !!! 

If you have come here from Valerie'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 19 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. 

This card was created using the 'paper piecing' technique. 

You simply stamp various different patterned papers and cardstock with the same image, in this case the cake, and fussy cut out the different layered images. Add foam tape for extra dimension when layering and adhering your image together.

As you can see, I'm at the Lake! 

Papercrafting with this as our view...best of both worlds this weekend!

It's a great way to incorporate the same papers in a collection for easy layered stamped images, especially if you're like me and not quite an expert in colouring and blending those images in with your markers or pencils!

Products Used: 

June SOTM - It's Your Day To Sparkle - S1906

True Love Paper Packet
Lace Border Thin Cuts - Z4060
Black Ink
Sparkles
Foam Tape

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

Remember, the June SOTM is only available until the 30th of June!  

Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount!

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May Cross Canada Hop

Welcome to our May Cross Canada Blog Hop where we are featuring our newest paper collection Sweet Girl!!!! 

To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today, contact your local consultant to place an order or CLICK HERE.

We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see.

Thank you… now on to our hop!

You should have arrived from Valerie's Blog

I had so much fun playing with layers and our new thin cuts! The Doily thin cut is fantastic, cuts like butter...and of course the Stitched Rectangle Frames are becoming a favourite of mine!

I decided to add vellum over the floral patterned paper to mute it a bit as the peach patterned paper needed less busy behind it...'celebrate' is stamped in New England Ivy and 'it's your day' was stamped in Sapphire with the May Stamp of the Month - To My Bestie. 

I've stamped the leaves in New England Ivy ink using the Exclusive stamp set from The World Is Yours National Scrapbooking Month Special.

Colouring Tip: Using my multi-purpose mat, I smudged the ink pad directly to it, then with my water brush I dipped it into the ink on the mat to pick up a diluted amount to colour.  

The trick is to not add too much water or you end up with slight bleeding to the original stamped outline of the leaves. This technique is fantastic for duplicating the shade of the ink colour you're using...fast, easy and great colour match too!

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to get creative using some of the designs, products and techniques seen along the way.

Join us again next month when we will be featuring more artwork from our NEW Seasonal Expression Idea Book! 

So mark June 10th on your calendars and hop along with us!

Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is Michelle's Blog...

Products Used:

Sweet Girl paper pack
May SOTM
The World Is Yours stamp set
Doily Thin Cut
Stitched Rectangle Thin Cut
Rose Gold Sequins
mini stapler
New England Ivy ink
Sapphire ink



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May SOTM Blog Hop - To My Bestie

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  

We will be featuring May's SOTM, which is called 'To My Bestie', a set of 19 stamps.  

If you have come here from Valerie'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 20 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. 

I really am loving all our newest thin cuts and I had fun making this card with all the layers PLUS the added embossed vellum with our new Flower Garden embossing folder!

I'm still playing and learning with the watercolour pencils, but adding the waterbrush to blend the colour helps!

I used our Carolina and Intense Black inks plus the Carolina cardstock for a fun pop of colour.

Products Used: 

May SOTM - To My Bestie

Thin Cuts - Stitched Rectangle Frames

Thin Cuts - Stitched Square Frames

Thin Cuts - Doily

Thin Cuts - Fancy Tags

Party Balloons Stamp & Thin Cuts

Vellum

Sweet Girl paper pack

Fern Cardstock

white ribbon

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

Remember, the May SOTM is only available until the 31st of May!  

Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount!

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Love So Sweet

Welcome Makers!

I wanted to share some artwork with you using the April Stamp of the Month...I really do love this set and have been creating several items this  month for my Crops and Retreats to showcase it!

This card will be the make & take at my day-crop...I hope they have fun creating it!

Here's all the images included in this stamp set...

...add some sequins, watercolour pencils and water...helped to have some of the Twinery twine on hand too!

 I've also used our Rectangle Stitched Thin Cuts (which are so popular, they're on backorder!) I'm a huge fan of this I Heart Us paper collection and the bright cheerful colours as well !

Our watercolour pencils are fantastic to use on their own or add water using our waterbrush to give you a true watercolour effect.
Products Used: 

I Heart Us paper pack
Watercolour Pencils
Intense Black Ink
waterbrush-medium tip
Silver Sequins
Stitched Rectangular Frames Thin Cuts
Tiny Attacher stapler
misc Twine






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