RB Hop: "You Are Here"

That's right ... It's time for another amazing Rose Blossom Blog Hop. We're so happy that YOU ARE HERE! ❤  In fact, that's what the excitement is all about this month. Close To My Heart's newly released Cricut cartridge "YOU ARE HERE" is a hit and we're sharing a few a our favorite cuts and stamps along with a fun new font!

Available in both Cartridge and Digital formats. Bundle includes 3 {fabulous} stamp sets

 and a 20-pack of {gorgeous} cardstock! 

You can see it all right HERE

❤Our hops travel in a nice, easy circle. You may have just paid Lynn a visit at her Bungalow and I'm certain she had something delightful to share as always. The hop list is located at the bottom of this post in case you need it.

I used Pattern 28 from the all new "Make It From Your Heart" Vol 3 How-To Book to create this layout:

My title refers to a stern lecture I received from my retreat weekend scrap-buddies after I returned from an early morning hike. I hadn't left a note telling them where I went. 

That sure won't happen again ... promise!

I'm over-the-moon happy with the outdoor themed cuts on this new cartridge. The #optoutside cut is going to be used over and over again in my world. The font is clean-cut and playful. And I can't say enough about how versatile the three stamp sets are going to be when used as accents and prompts for storytelling! Here's a closer look:

You're also seeing the new Basics Cardstock and Enchantment Fundamentals papers at work along with a few Black Dots for good measure!

margvp.closetomyheart.com

We sure appreciate you hopping with us. We'll return on September 15th with more creative fun! Until then, I'm sending you off to Tweet Scraps aka the paper-inky-lovin' MORGAN!

This hop has been brought to you by these creative ladies:

 Brenda 

Lynn 

Marg YOU ARE HERE

Morgan 

Ginger 

RB Hop: We're Showing Off!

Welcome to another Rose Blossom Blog Hop!

Yep! This month we're showing off! 

STAMPAGANZA is going on right now at Close To My Heart 

and we're here to show off some of our favorite stamp sets.

There are seven fabulous and inspiring stops this time.

 {maybe leave a little love in the comment section} 💖

↠Warning: You're sure to be wanting a new stamp set or two after this hop.

In fact, when you buy two stamps sets in July, you'll get a third one FREE!

Get all the details HERE

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Here's a layout I made using just cardstock, stamps, and ink. It's good to go back to the basics from time to time .... kind of like going home to where we started as scrapbookers don't you think?

Anyway, here it is:

It's so easy to create "Americana" style pages, cards, and home decor. I chose the rich tones of Sapphire and Ruby, used White Daisy to add some "light", and then dropped in good 'ol fashion Kraft to top off the look.  A little inking and/or distressing along the edges gives some added dimension. This has been my go-to "formula" for most of my 4th of July photos for several years now. I love the look and how easy it is to achieve with Close To My Heart cardstock and inks.

I used Pattern 13 from Make It From Your Heart Vol 2 as a guide.

You're seeing the Typography and Pen Pal Alphabet Sets along with the 

exclusive {this month only} July Word Puzzle set at work here. 

I simply l.o.v.e. creating titles with our Alphabet Sets. 

The Word Puzzle Sets make for easy embellishments and background stamping.

Card Stock used: White Daisy, Sapphire, Ruby, and Kraft

Ink: Sapphire and Ruby

Tools: Confetti Stars Emboss Folder, Foam Tape, Mini Stapler, and Sanding Kit

Here's a look at the My Acrylix Stamp Sets that I used:

A little FYI ... 

I purchased my Word Puzzle Stamps Sets back when they were first introduced (2007..?)

Stamps sets have come and gone through my collection over the years but my Word Puzzle and Alphabet Sets remain the most used stamps I own. I encourage you to take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to purchase the Word Puzzle Bundle. You can't go wrong with stamp sets that offer the kind of versatility these do for layouts, cards, tags, gifts, and more.

Take a closer look:

margvp.closetomyheart.com

Thanks so much for hopping with the Rose Blossoms!

We appreciate your visit and any comments you care to leave.

I spied an adorable border and some VERY inky fingers this past week. 

They belong to Just One Pretty Piece SHELLY  

She's your next stop .... enjoy!

If you get lost, here's the Hop Route:

Brenda

Lynn

Marg  You are Here!

Shelly 

Morgan

Kristine Porter

Ginger 

RB Hop: Some Kinda Wonderful!

Welcome to another Rose Blossom Blog Hop!

This month we're featuring the "Some Kinda Wonderful" Paper Collection 

by Close To My Heart.

You likely hopped over from Lynn's Bungalow. I saw a sneak peek earlier this week and know she worked her magic again! {how does she do that?}

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I created this 12x12 page using photos of my youngest g-kid:

Isn't this fun? I found the trick when using all the colorful, trendy patterns in this collection, was to break them down into smaller pieces. That way, the paper coordinates beautifully even though the patterns are very different. Love that "Some Kinda Wonderful" inspired me to create something a little outside my box ... and I had fun doing it!

*I also used a sketch from Pinterest ... I believe it was a PageMap but am not absolutely certain.

The Complements (stickers and black glitter embellishments) are super fun and a must-have! Honestly ... I didn't fall in love with this collection until I started using it. Now, I'm hooked! 

Now ... hop on over to see what our very own Pretty Piece SHELLY has in store for you!

This Hop has been brought to you by these ladies:

{and they truly are Some Kinda Wonderful!}

Simply click on a name if you get lost!

Brenda 

Lynn 

Marg - You are Here!

Shelly 

Kim Hill

Mary Newman 

Kristine Porter 

Ginger 

Thanks for HoPPinG with us!

RB Blog Hop: Thin Cut Creativity

Welcome to another Rose Blossom Blog Hop!

This time around we're featuring Close to My Heart's Thin Cuts. You likely came here by way of Lynn's Bungalow ... she's a crafty one isn't she? 

I used three of our stand alone thin cuts to create embellishments for this page:

I nabbed this pic from my daughter's Facebook page the minute I saw it. I love when my kiddos find the time to get together. They all live a good distance from each other and it's nice to know they make the effort to spend time with each other when they can. Love these all-grown-up kids to pieces!

Here's a tip for using thin cuts on your scrapbook pages:

Layer several cuts to create a sturdier, chipboard-like embellishment. I usually use 4-6 cuts and adhere them with the Bonding Memories Glue Pen. The layered thin cut can be attached with Foam Tape for added dimension.

My photo is attached with Thin Foam Tape on the sides and bottom. That allowed me to tuck a journal card in behind the photo.

I used a few fun embellishments from the You & Me Complements and some

  Black & White Dots to finish things off.

These are three Thin Cuts I used.

You'll find these and more right HERE and even better ...

They're all on sale for 25% off this month!

You'll also love the Uptown Fundamentals and All About the Gold Overlays!

Shop these and more awesome products at

margvp.closetomyheart.com

Thanks for hopping with the Rose Blossoms. 

We appreciate your support and hope we've inspired you! 

You'll be visiting our very own, very creative, very awesome SHELLY next!

This hop has been brought to you by:

Brenda
Lynn
Marg -You are here!
Shelly
Morgan
Kristine Porter
Kelly Massman
Ginger 

Papercrafting Meets the NFL

Question: What's a little friendly football smack-talk among fellow papercrafters ?

Answer: A whole lotta fun!

I've never met Tracey Pierce in person but this is what I know about her:

1. She has a really cool craft space

2. She's very creative {love her cards}

3. She loves her family and is a true country girl at heart

4. She's a die hard Seattle Seahawks fan!

I on the other hand  am an enthusiastic Minnesota Vikings fan. So, back in the 2015-2016 NFL season Tracey and I started some friendly online banter. That turned into a bit of a wager. When the Vikings and Seahawks play against each other, the losing team's fan had to create something using the winning team colors. That first year the Vikings let me down {go figure} and I made something for Tracey using a blue-green combo. 

This year however, the Seahawks lost to the Vikings and lookie-lookie what I scored:

Not only did she create with Vikings colors, but she included some wonderful treats

from her home state! How cool is that?

Super cute 6x6 card featuring Fundamentals paper and the exclusive 

Operation Smile Stamp Set

How about this 12x12 page!

I have the perfect photos in mind for this one.

And about the confetti sprinkles in the pics ... 

Tracey's green packaging didn't escape my notice!

Die-hard Hawks fan to the core I'm tellin' ya!

Thank you Tracey from the bottom of my Purple and Gold heart!

You can find Tracey and her creations here:

  Instagram

papercrafting_princess

Blog

papercraftingprincess.wordpress.com

RB Hop: It's a Guy Thing!

Welcome to our first Blog Hop of 2017

We Rose Blossoms are ready to bring you another year of Close To My Heart Inspiration and fun!

We're celebrating a new year AND new product from the 2017 Seasonal Expressions 1 Book. We each had to pick a favorite and it wasn't easy. If you arrived here by way of the lovely and wildly talented Brenda Rose you're on track to see more goooood stuff!

I really love how Close To My Heart expanded the Fundamentals product line by adding new complements packs. Our fabulous line of Fundamental Papers just got even more versatile and exciting. I am especially excited about this Fundamentals Complements pack:

My Boy Complements

 I made this page using the Enchantment Fundamentals papers and some favorite photos of my youngest grandson:

This page is a little out of my box and I had fun creating it!

I used thin strips of Peacock card stock to underline words in the word-puzzle print. 

Then, I added the (retired) Black Enamel Stars to accent the paper strips.

Next, I made this layout using lifted-from-facebook photos posted by our very own "Grizzly Adams"!

I used Rustic Home Fundamentals papers as a base. 

See how nicely the same complements pack transitioned from Enchantment to Rustic Home 

and "little boy" to "big boy" themed pages? It's a guy-thing all right. 

Who doesn't just love that kind of versatility?

Here's a look at the other new Complements packs available right now!

These packs are designed to coordinate perfectly with the Whimsy, Basics, and Adventure Fundamentals papers. I can't wait to play with all of them as I scrapbook all my favorite photos in the coming months!

Thanks for hopping with the Rose Blossoms. 

We'll be back on February 15th with another round of inspiration!

I'm sending you off to see SHELLY next ... 

Rumor has it she's been a paper crafting machine!

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Here's your Hop List ... just in case you get side tracked:

Brenda 

Marg You are Here!

Shelly 

Kim Hill 

Morgan 

Mary Newman

Kristine Porter 

Kelly Massman 

Ginger 

RB Hop: Playing with Yuletide Joy

Welcome!

There's a new Stamp of the Month today and the Rose Blossoms are here to share a few ideas. You likely hopped over from Brenda ..... hows that for some serious inspiration!

Our hops travel in a circle so you can "hop-on" anywhere and land back where you started to complete the tour! There's a list at the bottom of this post in case you need it.

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Here's the lovely October Stamp of the Month:

"YULETIDE JOY"

Available HERE until October 31st

When I first saw this set I thought of cards and gift tags right away. Not really sure of where I might go with this, I simply dug in and started playing with the images. Then the Embossing Powder and Craft Heater came out. Next, the "Oh Deer" Papers and Complements, some Gold Twine, and a Thin Cut.

One thing led to another and the finished project wasn't a card or a tag after all!

This sampler style page is destine to be the title page for this year's Christmas Album. It includes many of my holiday favorites ... the color red, bells, silver and gold (because I can never pick which one I like most), the quiet beauty of nature, peace, love, hope, and joy.

 Our new Color of the Year "Sea Glass" is a wonderful addition to my holiday color palette. I was so surprised at how well it does with the more traditional reds and greens. I used the "Noel" sentiment to create a tone-on-tone background with Sea Glass cardstock and dye ink.

As long as I had the embossing powder out, I decided to "dress up" that deer. His antlers, tail, and feet are all polished and ready to prance in the holidays!

You can find these and many, many other beautifully coordinated products HERE!

Thanks for hopping with the Rose Blossoms! 

We simply adore doing these twice-monthly hops and hope you come away inspired and motivated!

Your next stop is SHELLY who never lets us down when it comes to "pretty"!

Here's your Hop Route:

Brenda
Marg -Your are Here!
Shelly
Kristine Porter
Sue Chapman 

RB Hop: #Explore Rustic Fundamentals

Welcome to another Rose Blossom Blog Hop!

This time around, we were asked to create with either the new Uptown or Rustic Home Fundamental Collections by Close To My Heart

You may have just visited "Uptown Girl" Lynn at her Bungalow which means you are on the right track! We RB's hop in a circle so you can begin at any stop and complete the hop by ending off where you started. Easy-peasy is how we roll ....  or should I say "Hop'!
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While I love the entire Fundamentals product line, I am especially pleased with the

  Rustic Home Collection. The woodsy grains and kraft papers with a hint of rose gold goodness and a trendy chevron will be a mainstay in my paper creations for the coming year.

{available now at margvp.closetomyheart.com}

I used the Rustic Home Collection to create the first of three layouts telling the story of a visit to the Northwest Fur Trade Company:

Just love that my g-kids are getting old enough to go on adventures that lead to history lessons!

Here's the link to NW Fur Trade Co in case you'd like to check it out sometime:

http://sites.mnhs.org/historic-sites/north-west-company-fur-post

I would have never thought to embellish an outdoor-style layout with rose-gold accents or hearts ... but it worked so well using the All-Together Complements.  Nothing like picking up a new trick  simply by opening a zip-pouch full of CTMH embellishments!

Here are the stamps sets I used:

Marker Alphabet E1034 (love. love. love.)

Capture This D1702 (any set with journal lines and months is a keeper!)

D1707 Let's Go (a must have for explorers!)

Hope you're enjoying this creative hop with the Rose Blossoms ... we'll be back on September 1st with new Stamp of the Month creations!

Your next stop is SHELLY .... she's been a creatin' machine these days! L.O.V.E. I.T.

Here are all the blog stops for August 15th:

Brenda

Lynn 

Marg -You are here!

Shelly 

Kim Hill

Morgan

Cathy A 

RB Hop: "L" is for ...

Welcome to another Stamp of the Month Blog Hop with the Rose Blossoms!

I usually follow Lynn on the hop route but she's busy with a kitchen remodel project this week!
 So ... I bet you came here via the ever talented and inspiring Brenda Rose!
I just spent six super-fun-inspiring days with Brenda at the Annual Close To My Heart Convention and let me tell you ... we came home with a whole lotta ideas and creative tips to share in the coming months!

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Here's the July Stamp of the Month

"From the Notebook"

Available until July 31st

margvp.ctmh.com

I'm kind of a sucker for any stamp set that allows me to add lines for journaling on pages and layouts. The little icon images lend themselves easily to planners or calendars, and how about that adorable name tag! Did you know? .... the  images outlined in red indicate cuts that can be found on our Artistry Cricut cartridge.

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Here's how I used July's Stamp of the Month:

I made this simple page using my youngest g-kid's pre-school photo, scraps from the Calypso paper collection, and watercolor paint:

The idea for this page came from that big "L" Lily is holding in the photo. How clever of the school picture photogs to use letter props for the pre-schoolers!

The big "L" was cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge and custom-colored using watercolor paints. The file tab at the top of the photo and the mini notebook pages are also colored with watercolor paint. I'm taking a shine to using watercolor techniques on more and more of my projects. I little dab here, a brushstroke there, spatter-spatter ... It's fun and new and customizable too!

"List Journaling" is an easy way to add a fun message or story to any page or layout. In this case, I simply chose "L" words that are familiar to Lily or were recently found in books I read to her. The third little notebook sheet is a simple sentence to remind Lily that she's pretty special.

Your next stop on the hop will take you to see SHELLY who was very happy to find time to play with paper and ink this week. I'm very sure the results are fantastic, as always!

Thanks for hopping with the Rose Blossoms! 

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Florence Had Me at Hello

I am head over heels in love with the Florence Collection!

The Peacock-Poppy-Saffron-Ruby-Flaxen-Whisper

 color palette "had me at hello" and inspired this layout:

I used a single photo-focus approach on the left page and included my journaling.

I used a pocket page approach on the right side. The Florence paper pack includes pocket page cut-apart cards. While I'm not using actual pocket page protectors, the effect is much the same. Pretty sure I'll be doing more layouts using this method. I like the flexibility of this combination.

I didn't add a "big" title to this layout because I really want the photo and the story to take center stage. Instead, I added the "best wishes" floral embellishment to the corner of the main photo. It still captures the theme of the story in a subtle, sub-title sort of way.

Shop my website for Florence today!

margvp.ctmh.com

Thanks for stopping by the Tator Patch!

RB Blog Hop: That 70's Guy

Welcome!

It's the 1st of June and that means there's a new Stamp of the Month to see!

You likely hopped over from Lynn's Bungalow ... don't you just love her artwork? 

Here's June's Stamp of the Month

"Long Way Home"

Available right HERE for $17.95 or $5.00 with a $50 purchase until June 30th

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I happen to live under the same roof with a motor-head. Back in the day {for me, that would be the 70's} there was a hot spot called Northstar Speedway. Racing of every noisy-fast-fuel charged automotive kind took place in the summer months. It was great fun and oh-so-cool! Well, as it turned out, my guy was a drag racer at the speedway. I discovered that little fact when I saw his trophy collection during our early days of dating.

When we moved 6 years ago, my 70's guy decided it was time to do away with the trophies. Because there are no known photos of his racing days I talked him into having his picture taken with them before they were donated to the recycle. What he didn't know, was that I peeled off the plates so I could use them on a layout someday.

Well, thanks to this adorable Stamp of the Month, "someday" just happened!

I used some of our new FLORENCE papers. Seriously LOVE that sheet with the small type!
The bottom of the pages are sanded to add a little road surface effect.
The cars are numbered with Fundamental alpha/numeral stickers.
The title was created using four different alphabet stamp sets. The cars and signs were stamped and "fussy cut" ....  a process that I really enjoy. Learning to use stamping techniques on layouts forever changed how I scrapbook in a very positive and creative way. {thank you Brenda Rose!} 

The trophy plates are concealed in a Flip Flap to separate them from the paper and photos.
The flap lifts to reveal a journal card from the new Picture My Life Journal Card Set.

Thanks for hopping with the Rose Blossoms

We'll see you again on June 15th for some Cricut inspiration!

Your next stop on this very fun hop is SHELLY and you're in for something pretty special!

RB Hop: Teamwork

Welcome!

This edition of the Rose Blossom Blog Hop features our favorite Close To My Heart Cricut Cartridges. Why you ask? .... Because you can earn a FREE Cricut Cartridge of your choice when you begin a creative adventure with Close To My Heart!

Please visit my website HERE for all the inviting details, or contact me via email at

theparge@gmail.com   

I'm happy to answer your questions and would love welcome you to my team!

I used the Artbooking cartridge to make a layout featuring photos of my grandson when he attended football camp in Florida last month. He loves playing quarterback and even threw the winning touchdown pass in one game ... so proud of him! 

Baseball season is up next and my Artbooking cartridge is at the ready for those photos too. 

He loves seeing colorful "busy" layouts like this one in his album:

Artbooking allows me to create fun, themed, pre-measured layouts and mini albums.

More often than not, I use solid color card stock to make my Artbooking projects.

Accent the project with, stamping, glitter paper, ribbon, sequins or whatever suits your fancy to finish off the creation and BAM! ... it doesn't get any easier than this!

There's just so much to love about Artbooking!

There's even a video series for Artbooking. Check it out ;   

Artbooking Made Easy

Here are a few more Artbooking creations I shared in previous posts:

This one features TEN things I LOVE about being a 

Close To My Heart Consultant!

Thank you for hopping with the Rose Blossoms ... 

We're back on May 1st with some Stamp of the Month inspiration!

Your next stop is to the land of Violets & Sunshine to see my friend and fellow team mate

KIM HILL