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 excited to highlight this gorgeous card found on page 45 in the current Annual Inspirations Idea Book. (You can view it online, receive one FREE when you place an order, or contact me to mail you a copy.) Melinda is highlighting a beautiful card that you'll want to check out. I"ll showcase it at the end of this post. 

Since CASEing includes "Editing Slightly", I changed out the sentiment using a brand new stamp set designed for recipe cards. How cool is that?! 

This stamp set, "Kitchen Traditions", has some fun images that can be used on a variety of projects. (It's part of the Kitchen Traditions Bundle that is perfect for an adorable recipe book. You'll have to check it out.)

Supplies used:

• Z3353 Basic Fundamentals Paper Pack
• Z3357 Better Together Complements
• X5951 Espresso Cardstock
• Z3238 Gold Glitter Paper
• Z3364 Basics (Gold) Ribbon Pack
• Z2066 Gold Embossing Powder
• Z891 Versamark Ink Pad
• Z2829 Espresso Exclusive Stamp Pad
• X254 White Daisy Card Base & Envelope
• Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape

This card came together quickly. Here are the steps for assembly:

1. Adhere Espresso cardstock to the White Daisy card base, leaving a 1/4" border.
2. Glue patterned paper on top of it, leaving a 1/4" border. 
3. Add Glue Glitter Paper directly to patterned paper. 
4. Emboss "Love" sentiment using Gold Embossing Powder on the White Daisy cardstock. (Process for this is detailed in the video below.)
5. Stamp "Made with" in Espresso ink. 
6. Place adhesive on the back of the heart Complement, placing approximately 1/4" from the top edge and centered from left to right, on the piece of White Daisy cardstock. 
7. Take a 10" piece of Gold Ribbon and wrap around, tying a knot. Angle the ends of the ribbon.
8. 3-D the white piece of cardstock on the Gold Glitter Paper. 

If you have never wet embossed an image before, this short video shows you how to do so. Let me know if you have any questions! 

Here is a better view of the before and after of embossing. It's totally worth it, isn't it?! It's fun to emboss with Gold or Silver powder on a dark background; BEAUTIFUL! (There are a lot of other fun things you can do with embossing. Let me know if you want me to showcase some of them.)

 Here is what the embossed image looks like. 

This sketch is very generic so use your imagination for the focal point. It offers so much potential!

Melinda is showcasing this beautiful thanks card on her blog, "If You Bling It", so head over there now. Don't forget to CASE these cards and tag them on social media with the hashtag #ctmhinanycase. You just may win a prize when you do so. Consider leaving a comment on both our blogs; we love to hear from you!

See you on February 8th for the next episode of "In Any CASE..."

"Just For Fun" Blog Hop

Thank you for stopping by my blog where I am participating today in a Blog Hop featuring Close To My Heart's Fundamentals product line. These items are up to 40% off this month, while supplies last. You can find details about the special here.

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

I decided to make some simple cards that are possible because of the pattern papers included in the Fundamentals paper packs. I switched out the cardstock and patterns used to create two cards. (Blossom is the color of this card.)

The "Stronger Together" stamp set has some wonderful sentiments and the proceeds from sales of this stamp set will be donated to the Red Cross to benefit disaster relief efforts experienced by victims of recent hurricanes, wildfires, etc.

Lagoon was used on this card.

This card was created with Lemon.

The "thank you" sentiment is from the "All the Thanks" stamp set. The script font is really fun as are the various ways to say "thanks". Black & White Dots, as well as Silver Shimmer Trim, were added to the cards.

I hope you like the simplicity of these cards that serve a great purpose and were easy to put together. The Fundamentals product line - paper packs, Complements, and ribbon - are beautiful and can be used for various papercrafting projects.

Consider leaving a comment before you head over to Wendy's Blog to see what she has created to share with you. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy hoppin'!

Just for Fun(damentals)!

The Just for FUN campaign is all about Fundamentals! You can take part in the “fun” with discounts on Fundamentals paper packets, Complements, and ribbon packs! There are two ways to save during the month of November. First, you can purchase Fundamentals products individually at 30% off the retail price. Second, purchase a Fundamentals bundle containing the Fundamental paper packet, Complements, AND ribbon, at 40% off the retail price! FIND ALL DETAILS HERE.

November is the perfect time to stock up on Fundamentals paper packets, Complements, and ribbon. With a bundle of coordinating products, you can craft with confidence, knowing that the parts and pieces of your projects match!

Here are photos of the bundles where you can get the greatest savings:

Whimsy Fundamentals Bundle - $22.11 (original price $36.85)
Includes: paper pack, Complements, and coordinating ribbon

Adventure Fundamentals Bundle - $22.11 (original price $36.85)
Includes: paper pack, Complements, and coordinating ribbon

Enchantment Fundamentals Bundle - $22.11 (original price $36.85)
Includes: paper pack, Complements, and coordinating ribbon

Basics Fundamentals Bundle - $22.71 (original price $37.85)
Includes: paper pack, Complements, and coordinating ribbon

Should you choose, you can purchase Fundamentals items separately, saving 30%. All discounted items can be viewed and/or purchased by clicking HERE.

For Hostesses: When you host a party that reaches at least $350 in sales or higher (submitting your party order no later than December 5, 2017), you’ll receive a FREE Fundamentals bundle of your choice—that’s a $36.85 value, totally free!

For New Consultants: Anyone who becomes a Close To My Heart Consultant in November will receive a FREE Fundamentals bundle of their choice in their New Consultant Kit— that’s a $36.85 value, totally free!

Be sure to take advantage of this discount while products are available!

November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Through the Year

Thank you for joining us for the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.

We are are featuring this stamp set, "Through the Year", that can be yours this month for $5. You can read about those details by clicking here.

If you are coming from Miss Carrie's Creations, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants through this link.

I had fun making this card, focused on incorporating the cute images contained in the stamp set. With the variety of small icons provided, you can create different greeting cards using this design from our How-To Books. With a focus on the Fundamentals product line this month - which you can get at up to 40% off - I decided to incorporate it. I hope you like the result!

Thanks for stopping by. Now, head on over to Wendy's Blog to see what she has created with this wonderful stamp set.

Happy hoppin'!

Fundamentals Creative Collections Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring the fabulous...the phenomenal...Fundamentals Creative Collections that includes a great paper line and fabulous embellishments! In fact, there is so much goodness in this Collection that you will definitely want to check out this link to see what I am talking about.

A variety of those products were incorporated into the layout I am showcasing below. Here are a few of my favorite:

Adventure Fundamentals

My Girl Complements

Good Life Complements

If you are coming from Priscilla's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants on this blog, should you get lost along the way.

This "be happy" layout was designed by the Art Department Staff of Close To My Heart. It is one of the several layouts we made at our Teambuilders' Conference last month. The creative incorporation of the paper and Complements came together in a nice way, drawing quality attention to the title. (Photos? I have been traveling so much for work that I have not had the opportunity to get some printed but I will do so and showcase them completed in the next few days.) Let's look at each page in greater detail...

Various embellishments are either glittered with white or gold or contain gold foil accents. The Combinations of papers used really make for a chic and trendy look.

The same is true on the right page of the layout. I love that different tones and colors were used on these layouts that I may have not considered on my own. They really blend together well and make for an awesome look.

Please head over to Melinda's Blog, after leaving a comment, if you would like. I appreciate you stopping by and hope you have been inspired! Enjoy the end to your week!

Annual Inspirations New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to an exciting time of the year with Close To My Heart where new products were released just a few days ago! (August 1) This is the cover of our new Annual Inspirations Idea Book and while the cover is beautiful, wait until you see all the goodness inside! You can view a virtual copy by clicking here.

Our task for this Blog Hop is to showcase some of the wonderful new products. I hope you are excited to see what lies ahead. I am! We don't get to see the other participants artwork until you do so I cannot wait to see what beauties they created!

If you are coming from Cat Nowak's Blog, you are on the right track. If you happen to get lost along the way, you can find a list of participants here. Let's get started, shall we?

I am very pleased with how this card turned out and hope you love it as much as I do. Here are the supplies I used:

• Seaglass Cardstock
• Kraft Cardstock
• Uptown Fundamentals (the polka dot vellum pattern)
• Smoothie Cardstock
• Gold Sequins
• Gold Ribbon (from Uptown Fundamentals line)
• Heart Thin Cuts
• Happy Heart Stamp Set

There is not a whole lot to describe in assembly. Gotta love "simple and cute" - my running theme. LOL 

Please consider leaving a comment before heading on over to Melinda's Blog. She always does such a great job in creating.

Enjoy the new products and happy hoppin'!

Melissa

Basically the Best - NEW Scrapbooking Papers FREE!

During the month of August, when you order our Whimsy, Adventure, AND Enchantment Fundamental papers you can choose to get either the Rustic Home or Uptown Fundamentals for FREE! Both of these Basics packs feature foil designs and specialty materials for making your artwork unique. Yep, this deal is basically the best!

Here are images of the Whimsy, Adventure and Enchantment paper packets:

Whimsy Fundamentals 

Adventure Fundamentals

Enchantment Fundamentals

Aren't they fun?! They will incorporate nicely into the seasonal paper packs that will be released throughout this catalog year. 

Here are images of the Rustic Home and Uptown Fundamentals, either which you can choose for FREE once you purchase the above paper packs:

Rustic Home Fundamentals

Uptown Fundamentals

You are always welcome to contact me if you have any questions. More details about this campaign can be found here. Orders can be placed on my website.

I hope you are enjoying the first week of August!

Melissa