CTMH Product SPOTLIGHT Hop

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Product SPOTLIGHT Hop --- and Day 2 of my Christmas Cards week.

This month the featured item is not just one item but a category...
Christmas related stamps!

So sit on back and enjoy some fun Christmas Card or
gifty ideas as we rapidly approach the Christmas Holiday.

If you have arrived from Haley's Blog then you are on the right path.

Here is my Card I came up with for this Hop.

TUTORIAL: For the Cranberry Strip used under the ribbons, I simply cut a 1x12 inch strip of Cranberry Cardstock. I scored it at 3/4 inch then 1/4 inch then 3/4 inch then 1/4 inch and so on until I reached the end. Then I simply folded it back and forth. I lightly sanded the paper strip to bring out the "ruffles" just a little bit more.

SUPPLIES USED:
Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Packet
Magical Season (D1226) Stamp Set
Chocolate Ink (for Santa and Distressing)
Liquid Applique
Twill Ribbon
Chocolate Ribbon
Hemp
Cranberry My Accents (Retired)


Here is a close up of the Santa (on the left).

I did a little paper piecing on his hat also using the Mistletoe Papers.

The Liquid Applique is just applied on the image lines, heat with the heat gun and let it work it's magic. I wanted to keep the whimsical swirly lines of the image so I didn't fill in his entire beard with Liquid Applique.

His face is colored in with colored pencils. The image is pop dotted up over the ribbon.

If you are just beginning the hop here or jumped in mid loop, then your next stop on the hop is Wendy's Blog.

Rolling Technique Tutorial

If you are looking for the November's Stamp Of The Month Blog Hop...click here to see my post.
This is a tutorial page that goes along with my Blog Hop contribution.

Stamp Rolling is a fun and easy technique to use to add a little extra flair to your stamped images. I especially love using this on fall LEAVES!

First step is to stamp your image in the LIGHTEST color first -- best results are with SOLID images but you could use an outline type stamp too.

I chose to use Creme Brulee as my base color.
Just twist twist twist, tap tap tap for even ink coverage.

Now flip your stamp over and set it down on your work space inky side up.
I wanted to add just a kiss of color randomly on my image so it was so contrasting.

I used my sponge tool and dabbed it in the Sunset ink color. This is my next lightest color.



I don't think I quite captured the Creme Brulee ink on the stamp too well in this picture. Your stamp should be all inky and just randomly dab the sponge on the image...more to the center. The edges will be covered up with our darkest color.

Now pull our your darkest color, I chose Barn Red for my fall leaves. Hold the stamp in your hand and we are going to gently touch the edges of the image onto your stamp pad.



And roll it around. So you have your stamp in your hand, you are touching one edge of the image to the ink and your are going to kind of rotate your wrist around rolling just the edges of your images in the ink. As you gain confidence, gently touch a little more towards the center to the ink as well.




You might be looking at something like this now.

The Barn Red is quite drastic against the yellow/orangey colors. You can stamp your image as it is now....OR I like to take my spone and dab at the darker "lines" some to soften and blend them in just a little more. Any sponge will do, I had a cut portion of a round sponge handy...



This stamp set came with a 2 step process, the leaf then it's veins are separate. I chose to ink mine up in the Barn Red and stamp over the leaf.

When you are ready...stamp your image onto your project or paper.

We still need to add in the veins....

This image shows a leaf inked in Creme Brulee, sponged on some Pear and rolled in Barn Red with veins inked in Barn Red.

Here is our ROLLED leaf ready to cut out.


After I cut out the leaves, I like to kind of pinch them down on the ends and kind of crinkle them in the middle to add dimension to the project.

CTMH Product Spotlight HOP

I am so excited about this month's product spotlight!

It comes just in time for pre-planning some of your hand made holiday gifts...whether it be a hostess gift to thank that special person that invited you on over or a gift for your family or friends. You are sure to find some inspiration in this hop to help you along this season.

If you have come from Traci's site then you are on the right path.

It seems as the latest craze are to use washer's to create jewelry,
you know - the ones found in your husband's tool stash?

I was first inspired by a jewelry giveaway on a blog I follow (UCreate) for Bead Creations International. When I was perusing the jewelry for this giveaway I thought, as any crafter does, I COULD MAKE THAT! Well of course not THAT but I could do something similar so I sketched out my idea. Then I did some googling and found that it was not an original idea but others were making that very thing already!

My loving husband let me try out this project idea using some of his washers out of his stash. When I found the size I preferred I headed on up to the hardware store to buy myself a bunch!! I bought a whole box of 100 washer's...I had a BIG project in mind. I created this pendant to use as a key chain dangle as a room gift for those attending our Ladies Retreat last month.


KEY CHAIN PENDANT

Then I wanted to make Thank You gifts for each of the gals that helped me to plan out a fabulous weekend. I had so much fun with the key chains that I went to work on these necklaces with matching washer earrings. I had a sketch so I knew what look I wanted to achieve. Let me just say I have NEVER done beading and this was easy to figure out on my own without any instructions.


Front

Back

SUPPLIES USED:

• CTMH Liquid Glass
• CTMH Black Hemp
• CTMH Sparkles
• CTMH Finishing Files
• Washer Fronts - CTMH retired but Passages map would be beautiful
• Washer Backs - CTMH Majestic Blue retired
• Mod Podge
• Washers and beading supplies
• Cricut - Circles and "X"

Basic Instructions:

1. Cut/Punch out circle to size out of B&T paper. I used my Cricut.
2. Using Mod Podge, adhere paper circle to the washer front.
3. Once dry, use CTMH Finishing Files to "pop" out the circles center and file down any paper overhangs in center or around the edges.
4. Making sure there isn't any dust left on, adhere on any embellishments.
5. Squirt a liberal amount of CTMH Liquid Glass over the entire front being careful not to get any air bubbles.
6. Finish it off with a key chain or necklace piece.
   

For the necklace I used Cotton 1mm cording. For the Key chains I used the CTMH Hemp.

Here are some other random gift ideas:

Mini Paper Coaster Photo Album
Alter Paper Coasters with B&T paper



Tumbled Tile Coasters
Stamp image with Staz-On Ink
Color in with Colored Pencils
Spray with Acrylic Sealer or Leave as is
Add felt dots to bottom



Candle
Stamp Image onto Tissue Paper
Cut around the image
Lay over Candle
Place Wax Paper over image, pull taught and hold in the back.
Using Embossing Gun, heat up image until you see it "melt" into the candle.
Remove Wax Paper




Next stop on the hop is Tracey's site.
Hop on over to see what she has in store for you!

Are you falling behind on your scrapbooking because you have fallen into a creative rut? Maybe you’d just like a little extra encouragement to get going on those precious pages again? Come create 2- 12x12 scrapbook layouts with embellishments. There are a few fun techniques to be taught as well!

Or maybe you would prefer to stock up on your card stash so you have a variety on hand to give to that special someone when the need arises. Come create 6 fun cards with embellishments. We will be making 2 of each of the 3 designs.

I’m inviting you to join me for a...

Take your pick workshop!

I will be conducting 2 workshops with 2 different buying options on

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

This month’s workshop will feature CTMH’s TWITTERPATTED Level 2 Paper Packet and coordinating accessories.

Pricing depends on which “kit” you choose:

September Blog Hop....

Don't you just love these blog hops?
September 1st is here and that means ANOTHER hop has begun!

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!
If you have arrived from Jen's site you are on the right path!

***
We will be featuring September's Stamp Of The Month

TREASURES

D1375

***
It is only available September 1-3oth so get it before it's gone. Contact your CTMH consultant right away to get your set at a discount or even for FREE during the month of September.
***
This is a fun set of 13 images and sentiments.
The images are of "wishy's" ...
you know the fun things that blow in the wind
that you try to catch and when you do you make a wish.
AKA: Dandelion Seeds
***

I chose to alter a composition notebook for my SOTM creation this month!
I made it into a prayer journal for a friend that was on my mind....


***

SUPPLIES USED:
Perfect Day papers
Bamboo Cardstock
Black Textured Cardstock
Black Stamp Pad
Playful Flourishes Stamp Set
Treasures SOTM Stamp Set
Sparkles
3D Foam Squares (on the circle)
Sponge Tools for edge ink distressing

Non-CTMH ~~ Composition Note Book and Pen

***
GHOSTING TECHNIQUE SUPPLIES USED:
Versamark Stamp Pad
Clear Embossing Powder
Bamboo Stamp Pad
Iron

***
Layout design adapted from Wishes Card Confidence Program
Windswept, page 103

***
Ghosting Technique instructions used on the "wishy" is from page 92 of Wishes CCP.
1- Stamp Image with Clear Embossing Ink
2- Emboss with Clear Embossing Powder
3- Sponge ink over image
4- Lay scrap paper over image
5- Iron over papers to remove the embossing

***


Now "HOP" on over to Jill's Site to continue on from here....

***
This month's hop has over 60 consultants again!
In case you get lost, here is a link to Jena's site which contains the list of all hoppers participating. I have also posted a list to the left of my blog.
The list is so long that not every consultant will have it posted on their site.
However, at the end of each consultant's post you will find a link to the NEXT site on the loop.

May 2009 Club Layouts

I have finished them....for now anyways......

Before adding photos...


With photos, distressing, hemp, journaling....


WHAT TO BRING TO CLUB:

12" Paper Trimmer (I have extras you may borrow if you do not have one)
Scissors -- you never know when you may need them
Pencil - to label your cut pieces

DYNAMIC DUO on page 48 of Imagine is our next layout in the book

2 - 12x12 Base Pages
(I used Desert Sand)
(if you are using Creative Memories pages, then those are your base pages)
2 - 12x12 Cardstocks, each a different color
(I used Ind. Corn Blue and Black)
2 - 12x12 Patterned Papers, each a different pattern
(I used surf boards and blue pattern)


I used the Moon Doggie papers.
I added Sunflower Cardstock for the sunset photos.
The Moon Doggie comes with the Indian Corn Blue and Desert Sand Cardstocks.

I did a little PHOTO Sanding on this one.....yes I sanded my photo's edges!
You can distress just about anything!
I also used Desert Sand ink for my ink distressing.

I used Dimensional Elements for my photo labels.
I used Hemp to attach the labels.
I also journaled right onto one of my duplicate sunset photo's.
It is also sanded to lighten it up some and remove the gloss.

I used the Window Charms on top of the 3 smaller surfin pictures
to draw your eye to the surfer -- ME!

Let me know if you have questions!

Happy Scrappin, Stampin or Scrampin!
Kristie

HaPpY BiRThDaY TANYA!

My sister in law's birthday was the other day. I made her a card that I thought came out super cute so I snapped some pictures before she received it so I could share it here with her permission!

Here is the front of the card:

and a side view:

All products are from Close To My Heart.

Instructions:

I used a sheet of polka dot B&T from the Silhouette Paper Pack.
The pink is Hollyhock.

I used my fancy edge Scallop Scissors on the Hollyhock Carckstock and the Silhouette Polka Dot B&T. I glued both of those down onto a Colonial White Cardstock Base.

The Cupcake image is a stamp from Cupcake Sprinkles Stamp Set.
I stamped out the cupcake wrapper and top onto cardstock.
I applied Liquid Applique to the cupcake top and heated with an embossing gun.
I stamped another cupcake wrapper onto white cardstock and cut it out.
I adhered it with pop dots to the base cupcake.
I used a Paper Piercer to punch holes into the cupcake icing and used Tiny Black Brads for sprinkles.
I squirted out a little Liquid Glass on the brads and put on some prisma glitter for a shimmer affect.
I added Clear Sparkles for a little "bling" to the cupcake wrapper.
The entire cupcake is pop dotted off the card.

I used Paper Flowers with a Clear Sparkle to each of their centers.

The Happy Birthday Tag is chipboard with the words stamped on. Liquid Glass was applied with a little Prisma Glitter added to it.

Happy Stampin, Scrappin or SCRAMPIN! Kristie

Cupcake Card Workshop

The workshop and scrap day up at Inde-Scrap-Able! in Sandy was a HUGE hit!
There were 17 spaces sold for the workshop. Two were unable to attend but took card kits home. I think everyone had a good time and walked away with 4 fun birthday cards for only $7.

The first card took some time to complete. That was because we had to wait for the stamps and inks to pass around the room. Fortunately, that was the only card I had not prestamped in advance. I figured everyone would want to play with CTMH's fabulous stamps -- the My Acrylix make it SO EASY to stamp.

Here are the cards we made:

Products used are all CTMH except white ribbon on the first card.

I designed each of the cards using the basic layout from CTMH's ORIGINAL's Card Sketch book.

Card 1 -- stamped with Hollyhock wrapper and Creme Brulee frosting with Hollyhock sprinkles onto cardstock. Stamped extra Hollyhock wrapper onto regular printer paper and accordian folded on the white lines.

Using either Liquid Glass or the CTMH 2 way glue pens -- apply glue. If using Liquid Glass sprinkle Prisma Glitter while adhesive is still wet. If you are using a 2 way glue pen allow the glue to dry. Stick your finger into the Prisma Glitter and rub it around the glue. This method uses less glitter.

Edges of the card were inked with black to make it POP some what. Cardstock pieces were all sanded. Used a white brad to hold on the little HAPPY BIRTHDAY tag.

Paper is Daydream paper packet and Lilac Mist cardstock.

Card 2 -- stamped Chocolate ink for wrapper, masked it off and stamped Tulip frosting with chocolate sprinkles. The image is cut out and pop dotted onto white cardstock which is edged in chocolate ink.

The top corner of the card is just dog eared over so you see the pattern on the back of the paper (B&T Duos means there are patterns on both sides of the paper). Colonial White brad on the dog ear.

Paper is Perfect Day paper packet and Chocolate Cardstock.

Card 3 -- stamped Barn Red ink for wrapper, masked it off and stamped Twilight ink in 2nd generation for frosting and Barn Red sprinkles. Image is cut out and glued flat onto the Black cardstock.

Cardstocks are sanded. Three Antique Copper Brads used.

Papers are Sarsparilla paper packet with Barn Red, Twilight and Black cardstocks.

Card 4 -- stamped Chocolate ink for wrapper, masked it off and used Twilight in second generation with Vineyard Berry sprinkles. Image is cut out and pop dotted off the card.

White strip in the center of the card is a 12"x1/2" strip of White Daisy cardstock. Spritz with water and scrunch it up. Applied a bead of Liquid Glass across the card. Stick down each end of the cardstock strip first then scrunch the center to fit. It gives the appearance of a gathered ribbon.

Papers are Emporium paper packet with Vineyard Berry, Chocolate and White Daisy cardstocks.

CTMH March Product Highlight

LIQUID GLASS

I love this stuff!

Do you? Have you had the chance to use it?

Liquid Glass adds a dimension to your artwork that makes it shine or stay put.

It is a must have in my scrampin stash of supplies/tools.

Liquid Glass can be used as an embellishment or a liquid adhesive, how cool is that?

Just add a dab of it to your lumpy and bumpy embellishments for a super strong stick. I've even used it on my kids toys when a small piece has broke off. It comes in handy when you need just a little tiny area glued down and your Tombow is just too wide. I have also used it to attach fabric pieces together.

Here is a list of ways that I have used Liquid Glass on my artwork:

* On a Water Splash for a pool or beach page

* To give Shine to an Easter Egg as seen on this layout here

* On swirls on artwork for a subtle WOW factor

* As flower centers or dew drops on a flower

How will you use Liquid Glass next?

Here is my ARTWORK SAMPLE using this fabulous little tool....

Now HOP on over to _______ site to see how she used LIQUID GLASS.

March Scrapbooking Class

My March Scrapbooking Class is coming up on March 13. We will be meeting up at Inde-scrap-able in Sandy again. Guests are welcome to join us -- I just need a RSVP as seating is limited.

This month's layout format is coming from IMAGINE a CTMH publication by Jeanette Lynton.
We are on page 47, MINUET.

SUPPLIES LIST:
2 - 12x12 base pages (where you see the Moonstruck - dark blue on my samples is the BASE page)
1 - 12x12 patterned paper (2 strips near the sides of the layouts)
1 - 12x12 cardstock (this is where I used Topiary - green)
2 - 12x12 cardstocks same color (I used Dutch Blue - light blue - 2nd cardstock sheet ONLY uses a 5x5 square).

As is always the case -- be sure to also bring the following:

12" Paper Trimmer
ADHESIVE
Pencil for labeling pieces

Here is my layout before adding photos following the instructions exactly.

Here is my layout after adding my photos and title. I actually did not add embellishments to this aside from the Chipboard Letters for my title.

HOW TO CREATE THIS LOOK:

I used STARDUST Paper Pack. I added Dutch Blue Textured Cardstock and Topiary Textured Cardstock. The pack comes with the topiary but not the dutch blue. I also added touches of Cranberry Cardstock.

I used the CTMH Sanding Block and Edge Distresser and the My Legacy Writers for my "journaling" notes.

For the title,
I first used chipboard letters by CTMH -- Dimensional Classic Alphabet. I held the white chipboard letters in my hand and gently brushed my Dutch Blue ink pad across the letters. I cut Cranberry Cardstock slightly smaller then the chipboard and adhered it to the backs. The M is one of CTMH's chipboard Monogram letters.

I cut small rectangles from scrap photo pieces I had and stamped C A P E and H O U S E on those pieces and matted them on Cranberry as well.

I chose to add red accents to the Stardust Paper Pack because this lighthouse has a Fresnal Lens. A little lighthouse history for you... It is an eight-sided lens with 4 primary lenses and 4 bull's-eye lenses with red panels covering the bull's-eye lenses. The lens made one revolution every 4 minutes. It produced about 30 seconds of fixed white light from the primary lens followed by a red flash of 5 seconds from the bull's-eye lens once every minute. This was the signature of the Cape Meares Lighthouse.

Using Acrylic Paint On Your Paper Crafting Projects

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I can not believe we are into January already!! Where did my time go? I instruct a scrapbooking class the 2nd Friday of every other month in my home. This month we will be meeting at the NEW Scrapbooking store inde-scrap-able! in Sandy on Friday. Michelle has a nice sized workroom so I'm hoping we'll fit a little better then we do in my home.

I will be showing how to use Acrylic Paint on your layouts. I find it to be a great alternative to sanding or tearing for a distressed or aged look. I like to use WHITE and add a few drops of Close To My Heart stamp pad reinker for custom colors to match my layouts perfectly. Since everyone selects different color schemes for their pages, we'll just be using white this week.

Layouts are from IMAGINE page 44 THREE-PART HARMONY
Required WHAT TO BRING LIST:

2 - 12x12 base pages (These are the pages we do the layering on top of. The bases are very visible so you may choose a color to use rather then just white).
2 - different patterns of 12x12 papers (2 sheets total each a different coordinating pattern)
3 - 12x12 cardstock papers (2 are the SAME color and 1 different color)
Paper Trimmer
ADHESIVE (if you forget yours or run out I will have extra available for sale at catalog prices)
Pencil
Scissors

OPTIONAL Supply Items
Ribbon
Photo Hangers
Accessories
Distressing items (coordinating ink, sand paper, edge distressor)
*PHOTOS -- layout uses 3 - 6x4 photos vertical; 2 - 3x2.5 photos vertical; 1 -2x2
*Title block is 2.5x5.5
*Journal block is 1x9

*I have altered the orientation of my layout to better accomodate my pictures. I used 2 photos trimmed to 3.75x5.75 to sit horizontal, 1 photo 4x6 horizontal, 1 photo 6x4 vertical, 1 photo 2.75x2.75.
My title and journal blocks are not placed how the layout photos are.



Acrylic Paint can be applied by dapping, swiping, painting, brushing, sponging or stamping your images. You can add the paint to your papers or even your embellishments (brads, ribbons, chipboard elements, buttons, etc) -- really, the possibilities are endless!

You might choose to use Acrylic Paint in lieu of chalks, inks, sanding/distressing.

• Squirt a little paint on to your paint palette found in the Close To My Heart Distressing Kit.

• Mix in reinker if you'd like color, or leave it white.

The Distressing Kit comes with several different tools you can use as applicators. For our class I'm just using the flat paint brush.

• Dab the paint brush into the paint, then dab it off to the side to get the bulk of it back off the brush. I am going for subtle accents, you can always add more paint back on but I suggest you start light.

• Gently brush the edges of your pages with the paint. Don't worry about perfection -- this technique does not have a correct way. Press a little more on areas you wish to be whiter. Use a gently touch for areas you just want that slight sanded look.

Acrylic Paint dries REALLY fast so you can add your page elements right away.

• Another option is to brush a little paint onto your stamps themselves and stamp them directly onto the paper or title block. I would use a foam brush for this and dab it onto the stamp.
  

• Painting makes a great photo mat -- you can brush some directly onto the edges of your photo, to the edges of the paper mat, or directly onto the page background.

• To paint your embellishments, add paint and leave it or cover it with a gloss overcoat. Custom colored page accents.

• Perhaps you are out of your favorite shade of cardstock. Add a little paint to alter the color of something else you have. Or paint over it with white as a primer and then paint again in a coordinating color to complete your project.

• Maybe your pattern is a little too bold for the project you have in mind -- go over it with a light coat of white paint to soften it up.

• Don't have reinker? Paint your paper with white paint then sponge your stamp pad color over it. Chalk also adheres to the paint quite nicely.

So many possibilites to be found with Acrylic Paint and your paper projects! I hadn't tried it out until I did these layouts but I'm LOVING the ease of this technique. Acrylic Paint is inexpensive -- just a $1.95 through Close To My Heart. The distressing kit comes with paint and brushes....

Distressing Kit (page 102 of the Spring 2009 Idea Book) Z1299 $35.95
Comes with the following:
6 texture tools (2 foam, 2 stipple, 1 sea sponge, 1 black stubble)
6 pieces of sand paper
3 paint brushes (1" flat, 1" foam, 1" fan)
2 distressing ink pads (black and chocolate)
1 Delta Ceramcoat acrylic paint (2 oz)
1 edge distresser
1 sanding block
1 emery board
1 paint tray with mixing sticks
1 frosted plastic carrying box