For the Love of Crafting - August Stamp of the Month

Welcome to this month's Stamp of the Month, "For the Love of Crafting" Blog Hop; a super fun stamp set for any crafter!

This stamp set comes with nine images you will see highlighted in the artwork as you make your way around the Hop. More importantly, you can get it for $5 with a purchase of at least $50. Details about this offer can be found through this LINK. 

If you are coming from Wendy's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants by clicking here. 

I had fun using the images from the stamp set to make this Slider Card. It is really easy to make and not nearly as complicated as you might imagine. In fact, I have an Design Space file to share with you, through my VIP Group on Facebook, if you don't already have a Close To My Heart Consultant. It will make it easy for you to assemble one as well.

I will be highlighting it in the group this coming weekend. Follow the link to join me there, if you would like!

This is what the card looks like when it is open. You have to be strategic on the placement of the sentiment so you it is not exposed through the thumb pull and still allows a spot for you to sign the card. 

Here is a video on how it looks in action. (It did get stuck a bit as I was filming, of course - LOL, but it does work as intended.) You can made it in a way that you can include a gift card inside. What a fun way to receive a great card and goodie - all in one! 

Thank you so much for stopping by. Head on over to Gina's Blog where I would bet she has something GREAT to show you, as do the other participants in the Hop. We always love to hear what you think, so consider leaving me a comment before moving on.

Wishing you all the best this month!

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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Today I am showcasing this perfect card that was pretty quick and simple to create! I did have to make some adjustments, based on what papers I had available, but that's what CASEing is all about, right?! Copying and Selectively Editing?! That's exactly what I did!

I really found this card super simple to make that I think I will consider making a few more! They are totally fun AND that sentiment... Can you think of some people to whom it applies? I can!

A few things I switched out:

* I used a piece of striped (discontinued) Vellum Paper since it appears I am out of our regular vellum. Sounds like it's time to reorder! When you stamp on Vellum use our Archival Black Ink Pad. It's' the one that will dry completely and your images will never smear.

* I was unable to use the exact Zip Strips used in the original artwork. Just two strips of ANY paper, measuring 1/2" x 4 1/4", are perfect for this card!

This is the stamp set I used which comes with the Thin Cuts - Documented. No fussy-cutting for me! That definitely saved some time!

Details:

• The vellum measures 2 1/2" x 4 1/4".
• The bottom Zip Strip is placed 1 1/4" from the bottom of the card. 
• BEFORE placing the other "strip" (of cardstock), glue down the vellum paper flush to the grey piece so it helps hold it in place. Doing so allows a 1 1/4" margin at the top. 

These are what the images looked like just after using the Thin Cuts and Cuttlebug:

This was after I "roughly" applied some color with Watercolor Pencils (we have new ones coming out September 1st!):

And the finished flowers...after applying some color with the Waterbrush Pen:

Aren't they fun?! And I didn't have to be "artsy" to generate this look! Gotta love that!

It's time for you to head over to Melinda's Blog where she is showcasing the bookmarks shown in this image!

We appreciate you tuning in each week and look forward to seeing you again on the 26th! We love to read your comments AND better yet, we give away prizes when you follow our CASEing and tag us on your social media sites - #ctmhinanycase! Let us know when you create something fun!

Have an awesome day!

In Any CASE...with Melinda & Melissa

Welcome to...

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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Today I am CASEing the fun card pictured in the middle of this image, found on page 48 of the current Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Book. 

The artwork on this image, and the one I recreated, are made using this Documented - Cardmaking stamp set. It can be purchased with or without the coordinating Thin Cuts. I love the floral images and especially the sentiments. They totally make me LOL. 

Here is my version of the card. While I don't own a sewing machine, so don't sew on my artwork (although I would love to), it is missing that element.

🎨DESIGN TIPS:

I left 1/2" uncovered on the bottom of the card and did use the Pansy patterned paper, from Documented, rather than what was shown in the CTMH artwork. The top, grey patterned paper measures 3" x 4 1/4". The striped paper is 1 1/2" tall on the left side and 2" tall on the right side. I marked those measurements with a pencil and then trimmed it diagonally using my paper trimmer. 

The floral images were colored with Watercolor Pencils and some cute Documented Dots were added for some fun accents. To create the texture on the circle containing the focal point, it was stamped, in Charcoal ink, on the largest Stitched Circle - Thin Cuts. 

This is a simple, yet attractive card, that was fun to assemble. 

Now head on over to Melinda's Blog. She's my partner in CASEing and has reproduced this fun greeting card using one of our newest Thin Cuts.

We both appreciate you stopping by and look forward to seeing  you again on the 2nd Thursday of June for the next episode of "In Any CASE".

Enjoy the rest of the week!

NEW Product Blog Hop - Seasonal Expressions 2

I'm thrilled you have joined me for our Seasonal Expressions Blog Hop where we are featuring BRAND NEW PRODUCT released on May 1st! We've already experienced 16 fabulous days of May with plenty more to come our way. These products are available until the end of July, while supplies last. I love so many of the products and know you will too!

You can view the online version of this Idea Book by clicking on the link or contact me directly (or your Consultant) if you would like to obtain a hard copy. 

If you are coming from Wendy's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants on this site. 

To create this card, I used this adorable stamp set that is part of the Documented product line. (The coordinating dies can also be purchased to eliminate the need for fussy-cutting.) I LOVE LOVE LOVE the floral images and more importantly, the sentiment; especially the one I chose to use. 

This card was kept relatively simple with some product additions that I feel make it "spring-like" and beautiful. A piece of Bashful cardstock was placed as the second layer, on the side with the lightest color, and the polka dot paper is from the Beautiful Friendship paper packet. Some Lemon and Smoothie cardstock were used, as well as some Silver Glitter Paper. 

One of the products I am most excited about, and requested it of CTMH a couple of years ago, are the Stitched Thin Cuts. We have circles, hearts and ovals. I love the look of the stitched look without the need of a sewing machine. 

To create a little texture behind the sentiment, I used this Splash of Color stamp set, with Lemon ink (2nd generation to create a lighter hue). I love how it added a little bit to the focal point. 

Here is a close-up view of those details.

This sentiment totally makes me laugh. How 'bout you? Can you think of one (or a few) friends you could send this to? Wouldn't that be a fun and special treat?

I appreciate blog love, in the way of comments, so please consider leaving one before heading over  to Melinda's Blog where you are sure to be inspired, and then continue around the Hop.

I hope your week is going GREAT!

Gifts From the Garden - Blog with Friends

Welcome to "Blog with Friends" where I and a few other bloggers share some fun posts associated with this month's theme, "Gifts from the Garden". Be sure to visit their links posted below. There is some fun stuff they are sharing and we always appreciate blog love in the way of comments. :)

I am excited to share this scrapbook layout with you (minus photos and journaling as of today) made from one of our newest product lines, Documented. It made its debut on May 1st along with many other products. The floral patterns and embellishments were perfect to align with the theme, don't you think? 

What I love most about this layout is that the title is "memories" which is very general and allows you to use for a variety of photos and occasions. I'm excited to get some photos on them and will do so this weekend. I'll be sure to share the completed layouts when I do.

The layout has place for five photos and then a cute Picture My Life card that will be used for journaling.

Here is a view of the Documented Complements that contains a variety of items to use as embellishments on your projects. They are so fun and beautiful!

Documented Titles are the adhesive-backed wooden words that are used on the layout. They are dimensional and super fun. (Be sure you place them where you want them because they don't come up! LOL)

Be sure to check out my friends' posts below and enjoy a great start to the week!

Bountiful Stuffed Tomatoes

Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed Angle Food Cake

Children's Garden: DIY Upcycled Door

Gifts from the Garden