I'm Making Some Changes

               It's time to say farewell to "I Didn't Have Potatoes" and The Tator Patch.

In an effort to reorganize and coordinate my social media presence, I'm in the process of making some changes that will help me communicate more effectively, grow my business, and serve my current customers better. 

I remain committed to all things paper-crafty, all things Close To My Heart, and most of all, the lovely and inspirational community of paper lovers I get to call my friends.

It's been wonderful in so many ways and I thank each and every one of my followers for sticking with me on this journey. I am grateful and ever hopeful that you'll take a liking to my new look as I present

  "Paper With a View"

You'll find the new "me" here:

https://paperwithaview.com/blog

Blessing to you all and thanks

 (one last time) 

for visiting 

The Tator Patch!

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 

One Little Stamp Set

I was thrilled to see the re-release of Close To My Heart's Word Puzzle stamp sets.
Let me tell 'ya a quick story .... {I'm not good at quick storytelling but I'll try!}

The December Word Puzzle was one of the first stamps sets I ever purchased.

At the time I hadn't even so much as inked anything ... ever! My purchase was prompted by:

• A desire to expand and improve my papercrafting skills.
• An online episode of Art & Soul with none other than Jeanette Lynton herself demonstrating how to make lovely Christmas cards using the December Word Puzzle.
• A wonderful CTMH consultant and teacher by the name of Brenda Rose whom I had met earlier in the year at a craft vendor event in St Paul, MN 

All I had to do was call Brenda, order the supplies I needed to recreate the cards I saw Jeanette make. Before I knew it, there I was in my basement {cellar dweller that I was} inking, stamping, and making my first ever cards! 

Over the course of the next year, I purchased Word Puzzles until I had all twelve. I have them to this day and they are used often for both cards and scrapbook pages. 

Just a little side note ... these Word Puzzle sets sold for $26.00 each back in the day! That was a lot of $$ for me to spend at the time but I was right in thinking they were worth it!

So that's my story about how one little stamp set, one acrylic block (it was 2x2), three ink pads (Cranberry was one of them), one paper pack (Everlasting), and some Colonial White cardstock opened up a whole new paper-love adventure for me!

Here's a simple card I made using the very same little trees that Jeanette showed me how to stamp all those years ago:

Heat Emboss those little trees, stars, and sentiment so they pop right off the paper!

{just one of the many tricks I've learned since that first Christmas card!}

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Brenda and I became quick friends after meeting up all those years ago. I joined her Rose Blossom Team six years ago and we've enjoyed crafting, planning, traveling, chatting over a Starbucks, and solving world problems into the wee hours of the night! It's the little things that make all the difference.

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

FYI ...

The Word Puzzle Stamps are only available until July 31st

margvp.closetomyheart.com

Sold individually for $17.95 each ... buy two, get one FREE!

Buy the entire set of 12 for $143.60!

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

**********************

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: Live Beautifully

Welcome to our Live Beautifully Blog Hop!

This month's hop is all of five stops .... 

Short, sweet and oh so inspiring!

******************

We're featuring the exclusive "Live Beautifully" product line this time around. The exclusive papers, stamp set, layout kit, and album bundles are only available during the month of May in celebration of National Scrapbooking Month! 

See the full line-up right here:

margvp.closetomyheart.com

While the gorgeous rose-floral prints are eye-catching headliners, I found myself drawn to the smaller graphic prints. What I really love about these prints is that they stand well on their own. I made these simple cards using my favorite Live Beautifully patterned papers:

This art deco-ish print is my favorite! 

I used Sea Glass card stock to coordinate with the zip strip.

The sentiment was cut using a Thin Cut and Black Glitter Paper.

I paired this dotty print with Emerald card stock, white Shimmer Trim, our new Star Thin Cuts, coordinating A-Stamp, and Emerald Ink.

This card was made using the gold dotty print, Desert Sand card stock, the Live Beautifully Stamp Set, gold embossing powder, Gold Glitter Gems, and Uptown Ribbon. 

This black and white floral was a perfect pairing for Raspberry card stock, a sentiment from the Live Beautifully Stamp Set, a glittery scallop border and a couple of staples!

Here's an easel card using using four patterned papers, a zip strip, the new Ovals Thin Cut, coordinating A-Stamp, Black Dots, White Twine, and various Shin Han markers.

Here's a few close-ups. 

Loving the Live Beautifully sentiments!

***************************

This Blog Hop has been brought to you by these talented 

Close To My Heart Consultants:

Brenda
Lynn
Marg -You are Here!
Kim Hill
Morgan

Thanks for hopping with the Rose Blossoms!

You off to see KIM next and judging from the wee peek I spied this morning, 

you're about to witness "WOW"!

See you next month!

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?}

****************************

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!

Cute, Practical, and Oh So Easy!

Just wanted to share the two card designs from the Sugar Rush Card Workshop Your Way.

This workshop kit comes with the supplies to make 10 each of the two designs you see here. You can mix it up anyway you'd like. The exclusive stamp set included in the kit can be used again and again to make more cards, scrapbook page embellishments, and more!

The Sugar Rush Card Workshop Your Way is available until April 30th right here:

margvp.closetomyheart.com

Introducing Some Kinda Wonderful!

HaPPy ApRiL everyone!

Time to feature another fAbULouS Paper Collection from Close To My Heart.

Some Kinda Wonderful is just that .... Wonderful! 

Bold color and trendy patterns make this collection fun and versatile. 

Some Kinda Wonderful 

available until April 30th

Shop Here!

 Paper Pack and perfectly coordinated Complements:

Stamps Sets and Thing Cuts designed for both Scrapbookers and Card Makers!

 Coordination Cardstock, Gems, Shimmer Trims, Ribbons and more ...

How about some inspiration direct from the Close To My Heart Art Studio?

Shop these and other really WONDERFUL crafting products here;

margvp.closetomyheart.com

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: Hello Lovely

Welcome to the Rose Blossom February Blog Hop!

This month we're creating with the Hello Lovely Collection. And lovely it is!

My daughter asked me for some note cards recently and that gave me a very good reason to create with the Hello Baby Cardmaking Kit. 

I used a cut from the {now retired} Artiste Cricut Cartridge to create this box with Sea Glass cardstock, and the signature Hello Lovely floral print paper. 

I wrapped the file box with our new Blush Shimmer Ribbon {fantastic ribbon!}

I used some leftover Hello Lovely Complements to complete the box. 

Here are the cards:

 Aside from the gorgeous papers, I was really digging the "Hello" sentiment 

in the stamp set that comes with the kit. 

 Then of course, there's that adorable and versatile banner complete with little end ties!

Always nice to have a "baby" card handy in the stash!

This card is one of two pre-designed beauties from the kit.

Full color, easy-to-follow instructions can be downloaded from my website here:

Hello Baby Instructions

Here's a look at the kit:

Create 12 cards using the downloadable instructions or use your own ideas and techniques.

You can find this and many other creative kits here:

margvp.closetomyheart.com 

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I had the pleasure of spending a retreat weekend with the {hello} lovely Shelly and got a first-hand look at her creations using this collection ... Awesome stuff!

She's your next stop!

Thank you for hopping with the Rose Blossoms!

Brenda
Lynn
Marg: You are Here!
Shelly
Kim Hill
Morgan
Mary Newman
Kristine Porter
Kelly Massman
Ginger