LAST CALL for Buy Two Stamp Sets, GET ONE FREE! (Ends in 2 days!)

Here is a copy of my newsletter that went out earlier, reminding YOU of the specials that end in just a couple of days which includes Stampaganza and the July Stamp of the Month! The August newsletter will go out on the 1st with some EXCITING INFORMATION so be sure you have subscribed to it and better yet, are in my VIP Group where you will know of the NEWS first! You can subscribe by clicking on this link. Subscribe button is in the top left corner.

Greetings from My Creative Space!  You only have TWO MORE DAYS to take advantage of Stampaganza where you can buy any two My Acrylix® stamp sets at the full retail price and get a third stamp set of equal or lesser value FREE! Choose from stamp sets in the current Annual Inspirations or Seasonal Expressions 2, OR the popular Solos number and letter stamp sets that have been brought back just for July! Solos stamp sets can also be purchased in two different bundles, one for letters and one for numbers, for even more savings! (You can also choose to buy them individually.) CLICK HERE for more details!  I had a great time celebrating my 20th year Anniversary, with Close To My Heart, at our Convention in Las Vegas late last month. I was able to enjoy it with 13 of my team members and many other great women who I have been blessed to know because of CTMH. Next  year we will gather in Provo, Utah! You should think about joining us! This is the cover of our Holiday Expressions Idea Book that will be released on September 1st! Until then, be sure you get all products on your wish list, from our current Idea Books - Annual Inspirations and Seasonal Expressions 2 - before they are gone! These will run through the end of August, an extension for the Annual Inspiration Book, so be sure to document that. There is still plenty of awesome product to share with you before Sept. 1! In fact, I'll send out a newsletter on August 1 with a FABULOUS ANNOUNCEMENT!  Wishing you a great end to July! [c] (214) 984-0280 [e] MlisRobinson@gmail.com [w] MlisRobinson.CTMH.com [b] MlisRobinson.blogspot.com

Here's To You! Available through August 31st or while supplies last.   The Here's to You special features a workshop kit inspired by life's special occasions!    The products in this workshop include four stamp sets and other items to create this 12" x 12" page and seven cards that can be used for weddings and many other occasions!    To celebrate these moments, the workshop kit features four exclusive stamp sets designed for making elegant cards and layouts. You can save $17.55 when you purchase the bundle shown above which includes: 1- To You Stamp Set (B1597) 1 - Wishing You Joy Stamp Set (B1596) 1 - Flourishing Friendship Stamp Set (B1599) 1 - Sending Sunshine Stamp Set (B1600) 11 - cardstock sheets (1 Bashful, 1 Glacier, 2 Juniper, 1 Lagoon, 2 Linen, 1 Pacifica, 2 White Daisy, 1 Silver Glitter) 1 - Vellum sheet 1 - White Pearls (Z3370) 1 - Rose Embossing Folder (Z3343) 7 - white cards & envelopes If you love certain products available in this kit, you can order some items separately. CLICK HERE to see all that is available to you.   I wanted to show you a close-up of one card so you can appreciate how gorgeous the Rose Embossing Folder texturizes the cardstock by simply running it through your choice of machine. It provides a simple way to make an attractive background, don't you think? NOTE: This workshop does use shapes from the Cricut Artistry Collection. You can download the instructions, with complete details, by clicking on THIS LINKor contact me directly. (The Cricut Collection is not included.) "Highlight Reel" - Stamp of the Month This stamp set offers a variety of images for many occasions, whether for scrapbook layouts or cards. I made this 6 x 8 scrapbook page, perfect for inserting into an Everyday Life Album.  Using the same stamp set, you can see how using other images and colors gave this card such a different look. It's such a happy card! You can get this stamp set for $5-  through July - with a qualifying purchase of just $50. Read about the Stamp of the Month details here. Meet Me at the Crop!    On Saturday, August 18th, join me as we gather in downtown Irving for a 12-hour crop, 10 am to 10 pm! The cost is just $10 (max) and we always have a great time.    Full details are provided in my VIP group or you can contact me for additional information. Registration is due by August 15th! I would love to see you there!  Earn FREE Products!   I am booking parties for August and would love to help YOU earn FREEproducts from Close To My Heart - whether through an in-home event or a virtual one, through Facebook! LET ME KNOW SOME DATES THAT WORK FOR YOU! In fact, check out this preview (above) of what is to come in August and it can be YOURS - FREE - when your Party reaches at least $350 in sales! It's not difficult to achieve that level and I will help make the experience for you, and your friends, a positive one! By the sales accumulating to $350, you will not only get the More Magical Paper Packet FREE (more to come on August 1st), you'll also get $60 in FREEproducts (Hostess Rewards items) AND half off any item of your choice! (Refer to the chart below.)     You can choose to redeem the FREE rewards on a variety of products with a comprehensive list provided through this link. (Scroll down and click below "Earn Free Product" on "See the List".) Exclusive Hostess Item? Curious? Did you know there are exclusive stamp sets only available to Hostesses? They are located in the front area of the current Idea Book and there are several new ones to enjoy! Here is a link to a file that shows the current and exclusive stamp sets. Contact me with your questions or for more details! I always treat my hostesses GREAT and would love to pamper you a bit! Get a Discount on ALL of Your Purchases! Oh how I love my team members and enjoy treating them right! I LOVE encouraging them, celebrating their successes and spending FUN and quality time with them at CTMH-related events. We always have a GREAT time and if you would like to join us, or want some additional information, let me know! IMPORTANT! That top image is actually incorrect as it's not updated, just yet, with the NEW kit items that will be released on August 1st! Remember when I shared above that new product will be released on September 1st?! Well, if you JOIN MY TEAM in August, you'll get a preview of all the goodness that is to come, a month before the general public! That makes next month a GREAT time to sign up, not to mention it's my birthday month so why not help me celebrate?! LOL No pressure, or anything. Ha!  You can't go wrong with joining the Close To My Heart family, and my team called the "Heartfelt Sentiments". That's pretty obvious since I have 20 years and am counting! Let me know if I can tell you more whether you want to save on your purchases OR earn a little (or a lot) extra income! I am conducting a team training in Tyler, TX on Saturday, August 25th. If you have considered becoming a Consultant, that would be a perfect time to join me and learn more about CTMH and my awesome team! If you were to attend, there is no obligation to join. It simply provides you with an opportunity to see what we do and enjoy the fun! Contact me if you would like more information! (If you live long distance, I could do something virtually for you.) Join My VIP Group The best way to stay informed of special offers, new products, artwork creations and upcoming events is to be a member of my VIP group on Facebook. It's the first place I post exciting information and artwork I have created. If you would like to join the fun there, click on the link and I will accept your request for Membership. To see what you are missing, I will be sharing how to make this "Slider Card" in a LIVE feed in that group onSaturday, August 4, 2018! It's a super fun card that is easy to reproduce - I'll even show you a few others I have made! Specific directions - whether you hand prepare or cut with your Cricut (design space file) - will be provided in the VIP Group. You'll want to be there so head over there now so you don't forget! That is the best place to be for all the important NEWS and there is a lot to come August 1st! WOOHOO! P.S. If you currently have a Close To My Heart Consultant, please fully support them and their business.   Melissa Robinson, Director Contact Information: [c] (214) 984-0280 [e] MlisRobinson@gmail.com [w] MlisRobinson.CTMH.com

Close To My Heart My Acrylix® Stamps - Tips For Use & Care

If you've never stamped with Close To My Heart stamps, or haven't experienced a quality image, check out this video that shares some great tips you may find useful.

Let me know if you have any questions or require further information!

In Any CASE...with Melinda & Melissa

Join us twice a month as we CASE, “Copy And Selectively Edit”, artwork created by the Art Department of Close To My Heart as showcased in the current Idea Books and our Make It From Your Heart How-To Books.

On the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of each month, at 7 pm CST, we will direct you towards a piece of art and recreate it using the exact products or others that compliment its initial design. Tips, techniques and assembly directions will be shared in detail to help you recreate them on your own.

As you reproduce the items we have shared, post them on social media using the hashtag #ctmhinanycase. We will randomly search that hashtag and reward those who CASE our items. Winners will be announced on our blogs so be sure to follow us!

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I am thrilled to share this card with you for today's episode of...

I have loved this card since I first saw it photographed in the Idea Book but it's taken me this long to try it out. I truly wasn't that challenging to put together and I do love my result, despite it not being "perfect". LOL

It was created with this stamp set, Beautiful You, and has been a BIG hit with my customers because of the fun layers built into the stamp images.

At first I wasn't sure how it was done but I think I figured it out, with a bit of masking. With the colors of inks chosen, thankfully I was only required to use one "mask" - the big rose - and that was it!

To create the mask, I stamped the most solid layer of the rose on a sticky note. Then, I cut out the image, along the border.

I DID stamp that BIG flower, all layers, FIRST - using Bashful, Blossom and Raspberry inks. THEN, I placed the mask on top of it and stamped all other images around it. That was it!

This is the result when I was finished, and before stamping the sentiment and adding the Bashful Pearls (retired).

Colors used on the smaller flower were Blossom, Raspberry and Ruby.

I did realize, after I stamped some leaves, that the main part of the leaves were stamped in Fern - first and second generation - and NOT New England Ivy. That made them a bit darker than what was shown on the sample. However, I think it still turned out great! What do you say?!

Melinda has this beautiful card to share with you. Head on over to Melinda's Blog and see what she did to CASE this piece of artwork!

Be sure to CASE artwork and tag it on social media with #ctmhinanycase. We search the web often, ready to award some goodies!

We'll be back with you on August 9th for the next episode of... In Any CASE...

Fresh Air Fun - H2H Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge titled, "Fresh Air Fun"!

Interpret that theme however you would like, incorporate Close To My Heart products in your creation, and then link up to us on our Blog. We love seeing what you create so consider joining the fun!

This card was simple to put together; just a few pieces of patterned paper, cardstock and a stamped image! Oh yeah...and a few sequins and burlap ribbon finished it off.

The stamped image/sentiment is from one of the stamp sets included in the You are Here Cricut Collection.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Be sure to head over to the Heart 2 Heart Blog and link up to us! I hope to see you there!

Magically Masked - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we are using Close To My Heart products in our featured artwork. The theme for the month is "Magically Masked" and participants are able to interpret that as they see fit. I can't wait to see what everyone has created; how about you?!

If you are coming from Maz Wood's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants at the bottom of this blog, if you were to get lost along the way. Otherwise, keep following the links in each post and check out what we have to share with you!

To showcase the masking technique, I decided to share the card I made - CASEing the original artwork created by Close To My Heart (used in the first photo). It's a great example of masking and I have worked to share the process with you below. 

If you look closely at the flower bunch, you'll see that all of the stems are placed BEHIND the not. That's all done with stamping and the process called "masking". Masking allows you to make stamped images appear dimensional. Let me show you how I achieved this look!\

Because the knot was going to be the forefront of the bouquet, I stamped it first.

Then, I stamped it again, on a sticky note - so it was close to the top where I could benefit from the sticky part. I cut the image right on the lines, and placed the sticky note image directly on top of the stamped image. 

Because I wanted this flower and stem to be in front of those to the left and right of them, I stamped it next. With the rope being covered, the stem appears to be inside of or behind it. Cool, huh?

Next, I stamped the next stem of flowers to the right, without overlapping the other floral image. 

I had to create another "mask" for the first flower I stamped - just the upper part, as shown - so that the leaves and flowers from the stem to the left looked 3-D. You can see how I had both masks in place when I stamped both of the last two images to create the desired effect. 

And then...my bouquet was complete!

After I had stamped the floral images, I stamped the sentiment and colored the flowers in with ShinHan Markers.

"Many Congratulations" is the stamp set I used. 

This technique is fun for flowers, balloons, etc. - any time you want this look. Have you ever tried it? I would love to see what you create using this technique! It's totally fun and pretty simple!

Thank you so much for stopping by. Before heading to the next blog, consider leaving me a comment to let me know what you think of the technique or the card. I always love hearing from you! 

Now...go see what Michelle Loncar has to share with you! Wishing you a great upcoming week!

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE
2. Michelle Loncar
3. Debi McBain
4. Catherine Nowak
5. Haley Dyer
6. Darlys Recker
7. Wendy Kessler
8. Marciava Warrell
9. Sarah Devendorf
10. Maz Wood