In Any CASE...with Melinda & Melissa

Thank you for joining us this week for...

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 decided to recreate this adorable shaker card that features the CA-UTE stamp set, Hedge-Hugs.

I mean, serious?! Isn't this stamp set adorable?! Now that I have it, I am totally looking forward to creating some other items with it. Do you love it too? You can find it on my website by clicking on this link.

To create any Shaker Card, the Thin Cuts - Shaker Window & Confetti are an ABSOLUTE MUST! You can create shaker cards using your choice of colors, themes, etc. and these make that super easy to achieve! 

These are the pieces and parts (above) I cut to create the card. You'll see how they are incorporated below and...YES! I totally did make my own confetti out of Sugarplum Glitter Paper! FUN stuff, huh?! 

For the main base of the card, I used this polka dot patterned paper from the Seasons Mix-in paper packet. I put the big circle, cut out of White Daisy, as the bottom piece for the shaker card elements. Then, I built the rest on top of it. 

I combined the Loose Silver Sequins with the Thin Cut punched confetti. The stitched circle, that finishes off the shaker piece was cut in Sage cardstock. 

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I am starting to have an attraction to the Silver Embellishing Thread. LOL When I first tried it, I wasn't quite sure how to work with it but have been given some tips to assist me:

• Wind it around two of your fingers, approximately 5 times.
• Use glue dots to adhere it to and to secure it to your artwork. 

If you haven't tried it yet, give it a try. I think you will like it just as much as I do. As you can see, I have been adding it to my projects when they need "just a bit more". 

My partner in CASEing, Melinda Everitt, is showcasing THIS creation on her blog so be sure to head that direction by following this link. I guess we are both lovin' the Shaker Cards based on what cards we selected this week!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy creating!

Glitter & Glam - Heart 2 Heart Challenge

I'm thrilled to be participating in this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge entitled "Glitter & Glam". You, too, can participate by simply creating something papercrafting related, while incorporating CTMH products.

I cut a piece of the Red Glitter Paper, 4" x 5 1/4", for the background of the card. Then, using the Circle Thin Cuts, I cut out the two outter circles, exposing the Glitter Paper. The Clover (green) ornament is from the Mistletoe Wishes Cardmaking Workshop Your Way. It contains an exclusive stamp set. 

The silver glitter part, for hanging the ornaments. is a stamped image as well. I stamped it on the BACK of the Silver Glitter Paper and then cut it out. 

The "believe in magic" sentiment is from the exclusive Holiday Sparkle card kit that is only available through the end of this month. 

I hope you believe in magic! Have a blessed day!

Holiday Sparkle/Season of Joy BLOG HOP

Welcome to this Blog Hop where participants have the option to highlight the Holiday Sparkle Card Kit contents OR our Fabulous NEW Season of Joy Cricut Collection! I'm sure you're in for a BIG treat!

If you are coming from Chris Robertson's Blog, you are on the right track. Continue making your way around the circle to see some awesome creations! You can find a complete list of participants through this link.

I debated about which product line to work with tonight but settled on Holiday Sparkle. I totally love these shaker cards and the possibilities they offer for Christmas!

The card base, "Happy Holidays" sentiment, and striped Raspberry strip (behind the main sentiment) are all part of the original design of this card. By adding a few touches of my own, I was able to personalize it a bit. 

With the background of the circle being simple, I decided to stamp the image in Raspberry ink for some added color. I also random-stamped the small heart images in the bottom area using Ballerina ink. 

To create some additional color in the Silver Sequins, I cut out some of the hearts, using the Thin Cuts Shaker Window & Confetti. They were cut from Raspberry cardstock. The larger, stitched circle was used to create the covering of the shaker window. I used Lagoon cardstock. 

In order to make the card a bit more festive I decided to add Santa, of course, as well as Silver Embellishing Thread. A few additional confetti hearts were a perfect finish, I think. 

Here is a close-up of the details. I used some paste to give Santa some texture. You can see details about that process on this blog post.

You can find complete details about the Holiday Sparkle SPECIAL, which is only available this month and while supplies last, through the respective link. These cards are super easy to put together; I'm talking minutes!

While I haven't yet created anything with the Season of Joy Cricut Collection, it totally has some fabulous designs! I will be playing with it very soon!

Now, head on over to Cat's Blog. She's always got something awesome to share! Be sure to make your way around the Blog Hop to enjoy some festive creations! Let me know what you think about my card, by leaving a comment, before you do! I love hearing from you!

Always be sure to...Make it from your heart!

Paste-fully Creative - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Technique Blog Hop where we are creating with the theme, "Paste-fully Creative"! Close To My Heart recently began carrying different pastes, and their related supplies, and we are excited to showcase our use of them!

If you are coming from Jayma's Blog, you are on the right track. To find a list of participants, if you were to get lost along the way, you will find them at the bottom of this post.

I decided to use the September Stamp of the Month, Thanks & Giving, to create another card.

To highlight our paste, I decided to use it to create a handmade embellishment. Before I tell you how I did so, I wanted to mention that I used the floral stamp image to create my own background paper by stamping it repeatedly in Charcoal Ink. Then, I used color pencils to color them in. By stamping the hearts in Ruby ink, I feel it created a nice background (and I hope you agree). 

I decided to add some Liquid Glass to the heart made with paste. It gives it a nice shimmer that I thought was a fun addition, along with the Silver Embellishing Thread and Silver Glitter Gems.

I created a heart stencil by stamping the "full heart" image on the Stencil Sheet and then cut it out. 

By placing it on a white sheet of paper, I added the paste and then fussy-cut around it to adhere it to my card. To create the pink color on the heart, I actually started out with a different idea that failed. LOL So...I had Ruby ink on my paste and decided to just mix it in and this pink color resulted. LOL Hey! I couldn't let paste go to waste!

I enjoyed using it to make an embellishment. You can use it for so many different things and I look forward to seeing what everyone else did with it. You can find the kinds we have to offer, and their related products, by clicking on this link.

Now, keep moving through this hop by heading over to Haley's Blog. We always love hearing from you so consider leaving a comment!

Happy hoppin'!








Participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*
2. Haley Dyer
3. Michelle Johns
4. Michelle Loncar
5. Wanda Rogers
6. Darlys Recker
7. Kimberly Bower
8. Catherine Nowak
9. Valerie Kapsha
10. Katy Taylor
11. Shirley Ross
12. Maz Wood
13. Tamara Sandwisch
14. Vandra Stenton
15. Jayma Malme

In Any CASE...with Melinda & Melissa

Welcome to this episode of...

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!

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

Today I am showcasing beautiful Christmas cards made with the  Workshop Your Way Mistletoe Wishes Cardmaking Kit. This is how they are showcased in the Idea Book on page 52. Don't they look festive and beautiful?

Did you know you get an exclusive stamp set in the kit, as well as full-color directions for assembling 12 cards, 6 each of 2 designs? You do!

The Gold Tinsel Embossing Powder makes all the difference on these greeting cards. It adds the perfect touch to these Christmas cards that are guaranteed to bring some sparkle to the holidays. 

It is not included in the main kit, so be sure to review the Additional Supplies Needed list provided through the link. 

This card was simple to create, yet draws great attention. The holly was embossed and some simple stamped images, plus Gold Glitter Gems, provided a finishing touch. 

I love the ornament on this card, stamped in Candy Apple Ink. Both the "Merry Moments" and upper portion of the ornament were embossed.

TIP: To determine where the string and bow were to be stamped, so it connected perfectly with the ornament, I used the ornament image to see how far I was going to place it from the left edge of the banner. Then, I stamped it accordingly and the rest followed.

I love the design of this card, with the "wishing you" banner going through the ornament.

Here is a close-up of the embossed image. The "tinsel" provides that glittery effect that is perfect. 

You can see the contents of this kit, including the images contained in the exclusive stamp set. 

Do you have anyone on your Christmas card list who would enjoy receiving one in their mailbox? I would!

Melinda is teaching you how to make this beautiful card using a wonderful and popular new product. You'll want to head over to Melinda's Blog to see her awesome creation!

Wishing you a great end to your week!

Have FUN with the Holiday Sparkle Shaker Cards!

Shake things up this holiday season with the Holiday Sparkle Cut Above® card kit! 

This kit contains materials for creating 12 festive shaker cards, including printed card bases, die-cut pieces, stickers, sparkly sequins, and simple assembly instructions. 

Get a 20% discount when you get the Holiday Sparkle Bundle, which pairs the card kit with the My Acrylix® Love with All the Trimmings stamp set, specially designed to further customize the insides of your cards.

These are the first two Shaker Cards I have made with the kit and new CTMH product offerings. They were super fun and super easy - a great combination, I think! 

After finishing the first card, I wish I would have stamped a sentiment in the middle of the circle. It needs a little something more, in my opinion. The one on the right is fine as is, since there are sentiments printed on the circle. I love that!

I did stamp the insides - with two separate sentiments - a bigger and a smaller one. I'll showcase that on the how-to video I do in my VIP Group in a few days! I'll demonstrate the process for assembling them and a few tips for doing so with ease. 

Wanna join me there? You can do so by clicking on this link or contact me directly. 

Hostess Bonus: Hostess Bonus: When an October party order total reaches at least the third level of Hostess Rewards, the hostess of that party qualifies for a FREE Holiday Sparkle Cut Above® Card Kit! The party must have an October Gathering date and be submitted no later than November 5, 2018. You can find those details by clicking here or I'm happy to tell you more! 

New Consultants: Anyone who signs up as a new Consultant in October will receive a Holiday Sparkle Cut Above® Card Kit ($29.95 value) in their New Consultant Kit FREE! Find details about the KIT by clicking here! I would love to have you on my team and have an extra special offer if you sign up with me this month! 

There's something special about making someone's mailbox sparkle with a handmade shaker card...from YOU! Find details about the Holiday Sparkle Card Kit/Bundle by following this link which also provides you the opportunity to place it on your order this month! 

Thanks & Giving - October SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where we are highlighting this fun and seasonal stamp set, "Thanks & Giving".

This set comes with 17 images, perfect for this time of the year. While it is a D-size stamp set, valued at $18.95, you can get it for $5, in October only, when you place an order of $50 or more. You can find those details here.

If you are coming from Amy's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants through this link, if you were to get lost along the way.

This card. I love it and hope you do as well. To me it's simple and soothing; perfect for the Fall. Thankfully we have experienced a touch of cooler weather, and rain, over the last week or so.

I did fussy-cut the heart and leaf images. The leaves were stamped with Fern Ink and then I used the waterbrush pen to obtain ink from the ink pad to color them in.

The heart pattern is the Zip Strip from one of the sheets of patterned paper contained within the Grateful Heart paper pack. I love the accent that it provides for finishing off this card, along with the White & Gold Skinny Ribbon and Gold Glitter Gems. The Fern polka dot paper is from the pack.

Circle Stitched Thin Cuts were used, on Ballerina cardstock, underneath the focal point. Thin 3-D foam tape was added for dimension.  

Cardstock colors used are Pomegranate and Ballerina, one of our new colors.

I know I have many things to be thankful for, even when life may throw a curve ball my way. I pray the same is true for you and that when life gets tough, you can take a moment to reflect on the positives.

Head on over to Cat's Blog. She is sure to inspire you. She always does so for me.

Wishing you a season of blessings and papercrafting!