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If you {heart} Close To My Heart, then this challenge blog is for you! Please read our revised rules, above.

Monday, December 30, 2013

In with the "New"

It's time to welcome our NEW Heart 2 Heart Challenges Design Team Members for 2014!  We're really excited to be bringing some fresh new faces on board, to share their talent and creativity to inspire you each week.  Join me in extending a warm welcome to...

LaJeania Hicks says, "I started scrapbooking over 17 years ago. My love for papercrafting first began at a home gathering shortly after our youngest son was born. I scrapbooked on and off for about 10 years, then a friend invited me to a Close To My Heart home gathering about 7 years ago. I remember sitting there saying, I like the papers, but stamping just isn't for me. Well, the consultant gently pushed me into giving it a try and I must say, I was hooked immediately! I left that night with a renewed passion for papercrafting. I joined a club and began scrapbooking as often as possible. About six months later, our consultant told us she was moving out of state. After another gentle push, I was convinced to sign up to be a consultant. In January I will have been a consultant for 6 years and it has truly changed my life. I have met the most talented group of ladies and had opportunities that I could have never imagined. I host a monthly scrapbooking class and teach cardmaking classes. I am inspired every week by the challenges at Heart 2 Heart, and I am thrilled to be a part of the design team."


"Hi there, I'm Jen Patrick from Fresno CA.  I have been married to my best friend, a high school baseball coach for 12 years.   We have an 8--year-old sporty boy and sweet & sassy 5-year-old girl. We also have two crazy labradors- Roxy & Bonds.  In my spare time I'm a full time physical education teacher.  
I was introduced to Close To My Heart 7 years ago and I had to have it all.  It didn't take me long to join and it's been a FUN journey so far! I'm the proud Director of the Roxybonds Scrappers Team.  CTMH has brought me new friends both in customers, sister consultants and my amazing team.  CTMH has also allowed me to travel to places I may have never been able to go to otherwise- like Washington DC, Dallas, Disneyworld all for conventions, Utah for events, a cruise to the South Caribbean and upcoming trip to Costa Rica.  CTMH has blessed my life in so many ways!  

"Scrapbooking is my passion; but I partake in all kinds of paper crafting, including card making and home decor items. I craft whenever I can! I just love to share it with others, whether teaching classes, holding workshops or doing home gatherings!  

"I'm thrilled to be a part of the H2H team in 2014 and cannot wait to share artwork and connect with you all!"

Brandi Robinson says, "I have been scrapbooking for 10 years and that obsession led to my card making and general paper crafting passions. I have plenty of inspiration with 3 adorable little girls and a husband who totally supports my obsession and does not make to much fun of me! I live in Ontario, Canada and have been a Close to my Heart consultant for 5 years. Heart 2 Heart is my second design team, I am currently also on the Design Team for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge."

"Hi...I'm Debbie Reed.  I live in the state of Minnesota. I've been married for 27 years and we have two adult children ages 25 and 21.  I love to sew and I have always loved doing crafts...I have all of my life, from first learning how to knit as a young girl, to my mom teaching me how to crochet.  From there it just bloomed :-)   I really like trying new, different craft projects.  I became a CTMH consultant last May.  I absolutely love it!
In my opinion, no other products compare to the quality, variety and beauty of CTMH.  I enjoy helping others explore their creativity and discover just what they can do.  I am so excited to be a part of the H2H design team for the first part of the new year!"

and our "Scrapbook Captain," S'andra VanWoerden:
"Hello everyone, So excited to be here with H2H Scrapbooking and hope you have fun creating and crafting as we preserve those precious moments we have frozen in time. Yep, It's time to have some fun scrapbooking and enjoying life in 2014. Hope you'll join me and share your creative juices with us.

"My journey as a crafter started many many years ago. I have delved into many aspects of art, from drawing to crocheting to painting. Love them all. Not as much as Scrapbooking.  Scrapbooking became a part of my life 20+ years ago as I was invited to a picture party. (had not a clue as to what I was getting into) LOL!!! 
Scrapbooking stayed and has been a source of enjoyment as well as therapy for me when my SLE takes over. Scrapbooking with paper and pics was a huge part of my early years. Then, 7 years ago I was introduced to stamping/inking with CTMH...May I just say, my creative juices really started flowing and Scrapbooking reached a much higher level than I could have ever imagined. Naturally one thing led to another and I became a consultant three years ago. Have loved every minute of it and my family knows, when I'm in a major creating mood....they are on their own...LOL!!! 
Over the years I have learned not to get so caught up on how I am creating my Layouts or Scrapbooks but more importantly, that I enjoy and have fun doing it. I seem to be a mood scrapbooker... meaning...my layouts take on what I feel like at that particular moment. No chronological order or special event based project. Though, sometimes I may try to start with a plan, sketch, or idea, I find my creations take on a life of their own. What's that saying? "It's not what you choose to do when PLAN A bombs, but how you choose to go on to PLAN B and let life happen." I apply this to my scrapbooking and it has worked well for me.
  
"I have a very loving and craft minded understanding husband of 25 years. He's even crafted with me a few times and seemed to grasp the understanding of why it's so important to me. I have two grown daughters and a grandson who is the light of my life these days. You'll get to meet them as we create over the next 6 months together. 
Once again, I can't wait to get to play and visit your blogs each month. So come join us and lets have some creative fun. *;) winking
Happy Creating~S`andra V.

Please join me in giving our new Design Team members a very warm welcome!

Friday, December 27, 2013

Out with the "Old"

As 2013 draws to a close, it is time to say farewell to some of our favorite 2013 designers.  I would personally like to thank them publicly, from the bottom of my heart, for all that they've contributed here at Heart 2 Heart Challenges.  Thank you so very, very much for everything!  We're going to miss you,




and Paige

Feel free to visit their blogs to wish them a little H2H farewell love.  Of course, their parting is such sweet sorrow, but they leave room for some fresh new faces here at H2H.  We'll be unveiling our new DT soon!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

November's Addicts, Top 10, and Top Chick

We really love all of our players, and it is time to recognize our November H2H "celebrities!  (Better late than never, right?  Thanks for your patience this busy holiday season!)  Our November addicts participated in all four of November challenges:

The H2H November Top 10 selections are...
11/4 Grateful:
Amy Moore
Lillian Yeh
Katrina
11/11 Seeing Double:
Debbie Bonczek
Lillian Yeh
11/18 Game On:
Tamara
Mary Gunn FUNN
Jody G.
11/25 Sponging Technique:
Mary Gunn FUNN
Debbie Bonczek
Winners, please be sure to grab your bade from our sidebar!  Now, the moment you've all been waiting for...  It's time to crown our overall November Top Chick...

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Before I wish you happy holidays, remember that you have until midnight on the 31st to enter any of our December challenges.  There is still time to play!  

You may see us before the new year as we start unveiling our 2014 plans to you, so be sure to stop by when you have a few minutes.  No matter how you spend this holiday season, keep calm and craft on!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Time to Sparkle and Shine!

What an amazing year it has been here at Heart 2 Heart!  We hope you will join us for one more challenge before some of us bid you a fond farewell. I am taking some time off from DT duties, but will be checking back in as often as I can to see what you are all up to!

This challenge requires you to SHINE!  We have a special color challenge for you, this month!  Use the new Sparkle and Shine Paper Packet colors AND add some sparkle to your project this week to play along with us.

Guest Designer Amy Moore has created a cool "Cookies & Cards" Cricut Artbooking album.  (Try saying that fast three times!)  Be sure to visit her blog to see her complete project.

Our DT has lots of SPARKLY inspiration for you, so take a peek!
Pam Korte
Amie Kiger
Melinda Everitt

Shirley Ross

Paige Dolecki

Katy Taylor


Be sure to visit the DT's blogs and leave them some love this month!  I know I speak for all of us when I say how awesome it is to hear how you are inspired by our creations each week.  In fact, why not visit ALL the entries this month and spread the blog love!  I am sure there are plenty of buckets that could be filled with some sparkle out there.  :)

Ready to show us YOUR sparkle and shine?  Link up with us using the linky below by December 31st to join in on the fun!  Remember, you can also play ANY of our December challenges until then!  If you are new to this challenge, then you can read the rules right HERE first.  We wish you all an amazing Holiday season!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Moving On

This week at Heart 2 Heart Challenges, we're asking everyone to create a design that revolves around movement.  There are so many possibilities for this challenge!  You may consider creating designed decor or using a stamp set that shows an image "moving".  Interpret this challenge however you wish!  Now, let's see what our guest designers and Twilight design team have created to inspire you:

This week's we are privileged to have several guest designers with us.  First up is the crafty Kim Richardson.  She created a Christmas countdown calendar.  Each kraft stick has a different activity, and you move them into the recycled Crystal Light container each day.  How fun (and cute) is that?


To see how Rachel Loesch's precious card fits the "moving on" challenge, be sure to visit her blog.  You are going to love this adorable wintry treat!

The lovely LaJeania Hicks has this fun card to inspire you this week.

Becca Whitman is getting into the holiday spirit!

Here's a little more inspiration from our Team Twilight:

What are you waiting for?  It's your turn, so get a move on!



Monday, December 2, 2013

All Framed Up

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what’s a frame worth? This week’s challenge is all framed up. Whether it is a card, picture, project, scrapbook page, how we frame our paper crafting can make its own statement. So the Heart2Heart design team had several beautiful and unique ways to interpret the challenge of 'all framed up.' The design team wants to see both national and international CTMH individuals’ interpretation of framed up. Here are some ideas to get your mojo juices flowing this week.

Our first December guest designer is the wonderful Wendy Coffman.  She made an adorable framed piece with Sparkle & Shine.  Check out those Rudolph noses!

Amie Kiger

Katy Taylor
Pam Korte
Shirley Ross
Melinda Everitt

 
Paige Dolecki

Now it's your turn to inspire us with your 'all framed up' projects.  You can enter this and upcoming December 2013 challenges to be eligible to be selected as Top Chick or weekly winners.  Our Design Team and Guest Designer love it when you can make the time to leave them comments.  You must use some Close To My Heart products and mention us (H2H Challenges) to be eligible.  Thanks!

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Welcome Our December Designers!

It was so much fun having Hansi playing along with us again last month that we decided to invite all of our 2013 guest designers back to celebrate all month long!  They are graciously giving a little something extra of themselves this holiday season to inspire us all.  Enjoy seeing them again!

Monday, November 25, 2013

Technique Time for Team Twilight!

It's Technique Time for H2H Team Twilight this week and “Sponging” is the technique.  There are many ways that sponging can be used in papercrafting,  as you can see by checking out our fabulous Design Team and Guest Designer examples.   We are excited to have you join us in sharing how you do it.   We do ask that you use mostly Close To My Heart products (stamps, inks, papers, Cricut cartridges, etc.) on your entry--if you don't we'll have to banish your entry to the neverlands of cyberspace.  (You won't be "banished" if you use other products as accents but we do require that you use some CTMH products!).  Unfortunately last week we did have to delete 2 entries.  We would like you to have FUN with this challenge and post your entry by 11 PM November 30.  Please remember to leave a link back to H2H so others can find us too!

Here's the beautiful card our guest designer Hansi made:






Now it's your turn to inspire us with your sponging techniques.  You can also enter the other November 2013 challenges by the end of the month to be eligible to be selected as Top Chick or weekly winners.  Our Design Team and Guest Designer love it when you can make the time to leave them comments.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

2014 DT CALL!

Don't forget that we're scouting for designers here at Heart 2 Heart for January-June 2014!  You can read all about it HERE.   Applications are due by November 20.  With Close To My Heart going strong in the U.S., Canada, and Australasia, we would like to have an international design team with a passion for CTMH.  Send in your application!  {This post will remain at the top until 11/20.  Scroll down for our November challenges and InLinkz link up tool.}

Monday, November 18, 2013

Game On...

This week at H2H, we're challenging you to show us a project inspired by one of your favorite games!

We've got our Team Sunset and our Guest Design Team Member, Hansi, to help you out. 

Here's what Hansi created...can you guess what game inspired her fabulous card!

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Don't forget to visit each Design Team member's blog to see additional pictures and to leave a comment.  You have until the end of the  month to link up your own game-inspired project.
You can also play along with any of our other November Challenges by linking up before November 30th.
Thanks for stopping by this week!