Accents of White - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

 You may have arrived from visiting Katy Taylor, be starting here, or have just stumbled in! Welcome!! Follow the links to hop from blog to blog for techniques, tips, and artwork!

This month we are featuring Accents of White in our monthly Technique Blog Hop. The White Gel Pens are fabulous!! I did not use any kind of white pen before we started carrying these, but I know many others have been clamoring for them for years. Close To My Heart is so awesome about listening to our requests, but they also wanted to make sure to find a quality product and reasonable price point.

Z1513 White Gel Pens

Like I said, this is all new to me.  One place I found coloring tips was in THIS video from CTMH's Facebook Live workshops. All their videos (and my few) are now listed on a separate blog PAGE. Please let me know if you find any broken links. It REALLY helps to see coloring technique in a video.

I also checked for other videos but did not find too much. One person said there was not a general consensus about storage of white pens. I am storing mine horizontally because they fit in my old Marker Cubby. The only other thing I do is wipe the tip off before and/or after use. I have not had any issues.

WHAT I KNEW BEFORE this blog hop was that you can use them to lighten the part of an image that receives the most light (from the imaginary light source). First I tried this on the Bear's scarf, but it just looks like icicles to me (great technique, wrong application). On the Reindeer, I tried this on the hat. I don't think it looks "right" either but you get the idea. 

WHAT I LEARNED was that you can go over parts of an image...on the Reindeer, I went over the *s that were stamped in black to change them into white *s!  I also added white to the ties on the neckerchief, so they look more like loops. 

The best part about this technique is that you can use it to fix mistakes! I went outside of the lines a bit on the Panda's scarf but going over it with one of the white pens made it disappear!! (I stamped on White Daisy Cardstock.)

It's so nice that the pens come with all three sizes! It doesn't take long to realize that SIZE MATTERS.  On the Fox, I did faux stitching on the scarf. The smaller size on the middle stripe looked too small. I like the other, thicker lines. (I also tried accenting the eyes - apparently this is not a thing. 😄 Neither above nor below improved the look.)

You can also see the difference on the Penguin's scarf. Left:  The first pen was too big. Right:  This time the smaller pen worked much better. I also like the one \ added vs the V marks.

When I added dots to the pom poms, I thought if the large hat ball looked good using the 1.0 size, then the smaller side balls would work well with 0.5. Nope. The small dots are too hard to see IMO. Which is another tip:  START SMALL. You can always go over accent marks with a larger pen.

I thought adding extra lines to the Panda's collar made it look furrier.  I also filled in the holes for the strings so that they looked like...holes. 

I embellished my card using the Snowflake Loose Sequins. It was really nice to have the Quickie Glue and Pick-Up Tool!  You do need to be quick with the Quickie Glue! It was perfect for sequins but if you need more than a dot, it will dry before you get anything attached. The Pick-Up Tool is out of stock right now but coming back soon! You can find it on page 91 in the Core Catalog.

My card pattern is from the Hip Hip Hooray Workshop, a VIP exclusive! I colored the adorable critters from If Snowflakes Were Kisses images using the TriBlend Markers. 

Here are colors I used:

for Wisteria - Hydrangea Blend

for Glacier - Vintage Blue + Aqua Blue

for Mulberry - Antique Pink + Dusty Purple*

Muted Brown

Ice Grey Blend

*There is no official matching formula, yet, so I used the Swatch Chart to figure out the mix. Also, here's the Marker Color Chart link.

For more White Gel Pen ideas, check out the Wonderland Cardmaking Kit , (but check it out soon, they're almost gone!) Then join us for the Facebook Live event where I'm sure we'll hear even more about these.

Head over to see what Melissa Robinson has created. She also has the list of all this month's participants in case you get lost or find a broken link.

How do or will you use White Gel Pens? Please leave a comment below!!

PRODUCTS USED

  

Z4390 If Snowflakes Were Kisses

D2059 Stamp Set only, no dies

X7274B Wonderland Paper Pack

Z4319 Snowflake Loose Sequins

 

Z1512 Quickie Glue Pen 

TriBlend Markers

Silver & Gold Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to The Scrap Buzz and this month's edition of the Technique Blog Hop. You have arrived from visiting Judy. Keep following the links to visit all of the participants. If you get lost, a Colette list can be found on Melissa’s page. This month we are featuring Silver & Gold.

This month, I put a little TECH in the technique hop. My project is not paper, it's fabric and vinyl! DID YOU KNOW Close To My Heart offers heat transfer vinyl (HTV)? It can be found under Specialty Paper (although it's not paper). You can do things with vinyl that can also be done with paper, including cutting it with a Cricut, Silhouette, etc. HTV can be used for things where paper wouldn't work or be permanent such as, to decorate the front of scrapbook albums, personalize items, and MAKE SHIRTS! 

In addition to our Cricut Collections and other Cricut images, you can also upload other types of images to Design Space. DID YOU KNOW, Close To My Heart offers digital art in the form of SVGs? 

What is an SVG file? An SVG file, short for scalable vector graphic file, is a standard graphics file type used for rendering two-dimensional images on the internet.

To me, that translates as, “works with electronic cutting machines!”  You can find the images offered on your makers website by going to SHOP, then to the Digital Art category. Individual images are only $1, plus there’s no shipping! I used the Craft Queen image for my shirt and cut it from our Silver Glitter HTV. (Note:  I pre-washed my shirt.) In case you missed it, the coordinating die cut for the paper suites are now SVG (instead of specifically Cricut images), so they're now more usable to more people!

Sometimes a special promotion will include an SVG, such as the new Merry Making ornaments. Once you purchase an ornament product, the SVG files are added to your digital library automatically. You can have your glitter paper cut and ready to adhere to the ornaments as soon as they arrive!! I've heard a lot of questions about where to find Digital Art after purchase.  Access your digital library from your Maker's website by clicking on your name to open the drop down menu. From there, click on account. On the left side, (or new drop down menu), select Digital Library. All of your purchased images will be here. Click on the blue download icon to add them to your device.

The next question is always "How to do I upload Digital Art to Cricut Design Space?" Here's a step-by-step:

1. Open the Cricut App on your PC [or Apple device]. Start a NEW PROJECT.
2. Click on UPLOAD.
3. UPLOAD IMAGE with Drag & Drop or [BROWSE FILES] and select your downloaded image.
4. You may with to give your image a name (and tag with keywords). Click UPLOAD [SAVE].
5. Your new image will now show under Recent Uploads [Images]. Click on it and ADD TO CANVAS [INSERT].
6. Next time you want to use this image, click on UPLOAD, then look for it under Recent Uploads, or View All [Open Uploaded Images]. You can also search for it with one of your keywords. 
7. Resize your image as desired.
8. MAKE IT.
9. If the preview looks like all of the parts of your images are being cut separately, and not spaced correctly, CANCEL to go back to the [CANVAS], then select the entire image, and [ACTION] ATTACH. Continue with MAKE IT. (Note:  this is for single color images. For layered images, each color needs to be attached separately.)
10. For HTV, be sure to MIRROR [on CANVAS, EDIT, HORIZONTAL] the image so that it's backwards.
11. Put vinyl shiny side down on your mat. 
12. Use Vinyl setting on your machine. CONTINUE and cut image.
13. Weed the vinyl.
14. Follow Easy Press/iron instructions. Here is an online Heat Guide and a printable version.  For CTMH's vinyl FAQ sheet, click here.
15. Pre-heat Easy Press/iron.
16. Make sure there are no wrinkles in fabric, or other item is flat and stable.
17. Pre-heat the base item to which you are adding the vinyl.
18. Lay Vinyl on your base, shiny side up this time (so you can read it), check placement.
19. Heat the vinyl as directed. 
20. Heat the image from the backside of a shirt too.  This isn't necessary on an album.
21. Check adhesion. Reheat for a few seconds if needed.
22. Remove plastic backing when directed (hot or cold).

Think of all the fun crafts you can make for the holidays using HTV:  matching family shirts, monogrammed napkins, personalized gifts, and of course, albums! 

A few years ago, I made this video to show how to put vinyl on an album. The vinyl image shown in the video is from  These Are My People kit.

I have been asked to do a live video showing how to size images in Cricut for items like the Merry Making ornaments, so watch my Facebook page for that!  I think it will be a Zoom video because I think I can do the screen share thing! (We'll find out.)

 Before you go on to see what Katy is sharing, please leave a comment. If you do not have a Maker, let me know how I can help, and check out my website.

20 Years as a Maker

If you missed the email, here's the info on my anniversary give-aways:

November marks my 20th year as a Close To My Heart Maker/Consultant and I sending YOU the presents! After all, if it wasn't for all of you: shopping, cropping, booking, and sharing, I wouldn't be in business. I will be entering people into drawings for random prizes. How are you entered? Let me count the ways!

1. Do something...comment, like, follow, share on social media. For my vanity? No. Because that's how Social Media works. Algorithms and other techie stuff. You can find links to the right (on web page). I'm also uploading and sharing my videos. I made a new page on my blog where your can find my previous classes and links for the CTMH workshops.  If you're on a new platform such as:  Locals, Mewe, Gab, Rumble or Parler, let me know.
1. bonus "tickets" for finding "errors" on my blog
2. Shop. That's always appreciated! Look for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and announcements later this month. The new November/December catalog just started and the new Core Catalog is only a few months old. FYI there were a LOT of items that sold out from September/October. In a few days we'll know if there is anything left (paper, thin cuts, embellishments). You should be able to find September/October stamps in the Online Only section; they are around for about a year. I'm giving out prize drawing "tickets" for almost anything that involves "20" or "anniversary."
1. every $20 spent
2. items from page 20
3. item numbers that include "20"
4.  stamp sets that include the word "anniversary"
5. November/calendar products
6. Stamp of the Month

3. Join. Sign-up, renew, and/or refer a VIP. There are also TWO special products exclusively for VIP members! Don't forget my Stamp and Scrap Club and Create with Heart subscriptions!
4. Donate $20 to Operation Smile. You can go through my website, no shipping, etc. It's only $240/child for surgery that will change, if not save, their life.  Can we raise enough for one smile??

This "special" runs through November 30, 2021.

Stamping on Cardstock - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

 

Welcome to The Scrap Buzz! For this month’s Technique Blog Hop we are Stamping on Cardstock! You may have arrived from visiting. Darlys’ page; or, if you just stumbled in, hop from blog to blog using the links to see all of the ideas and art work. If you get lost or find any broken links, a full list of participants is on Melissa Robinson’s blog.

The layout I’m sharing this month is from May’s Album Retreat. It is full of Stamping on Cardstock!  

>>Texture was added to the vertical strips with tone on tone stamping. The cross hatch design is something you can do with a stamp you probably already have…it’s a lined journaling stamp! Stamp the lines once horizontally then turn and stamp vertically, DUH! You could do a cross-hatch/plaid too.

>>Stamping on colored cardstock is a great way to “color” your images without coloring! 

>>Another twist is to use…not black, not tone on tone, but a different color! What?!?!  The dark Peach is stamp with…Flamingo!  And the Toffee and Sundance flowers are done with Paprika!

>>Finally, are the hearts stamped on the base page. This can be hard for people to do, because it’s generally one of the last things done in the construction process. But don’t worry, there is always a way to fix mistakes. Just take your time, use the “squishy thing,” and go for it!

If you’ve never participated in an Album Retreat, add it to your bucket list! The October retreat bundle is still available if you can’t wait until the next one in January.

Please leave a comment below to satisfy the blog algorithms before hopping over to see what Maz has to share this month.

If you’re ready to shop, and don’t have a Maker, I’d be happy to assist you.

Colors:  Peach, Paprika, Toffee, Sundance, New England Ivy, and White Daisy

Mix Ins: X9032, X9030

Stamps:  Doodled Florals, Taking It All In

Thin Cuts:  Tags and Tabs, Circles, Doodled Florals

Embellishment:  Black and White Dots

Cricut Collection:  Flower Market

Christmas Card Workshop - So Many Options

 The class for Sunday, October 3, makes 27 cards, 9 each of three patterns.

The supply fee is $30 and customized to your needs. The basic supplies needed are: 

• card bases and envelopes
• 2 coordinating pieces of coordinating patterned paper
• 1 piece of white/neutral cardstock
• adhesive
• stamps (in person can use mine)
• ink (in person can use mine)
• adhesive (could be part of your supply fee)

You will also need the following to participate online:

• a Thin Cut die for shaker cards (circle, star, heart, or the Stitched Square Frame Thin Cuts)
• a die cut machine
• paper trimmer

Optional items to dress up your cards are:

RIBBON

use glue dots to attach

STICKLES AND/OR LIQUID PEARLS

Did you notice they are now available in bundles?

Cards are easily make into SHAKERS!

• foam and acetate shapes to match your Thin Cuts
• loose sequins
• additional cardstock or glitter paper for the top edge

SHIMMER BRUSH

EMBOSSING

• anti-static pouch
• VersaMark ink pad
• embossing powder
• heat tool

BLING!

I'd love to see what ideas you have! 

Make it Shine! - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to The Scrap Buzz! For this month’s Technique Blog Hop we will Make It Shine! You may have arrived from visiting Lauren Moore's page; or, if you just stumbled in, hop from blog to blog using the links to see all of the ideas and art work. If you get lost or find any broken links, a full list of participants is on Melissa Robinson's blog.

Let Me Show You How to add shine to any artwork. I took this card from the September/October catalog and made a few adjustments. Did you know...that you can find the recipes for all the catalog artwork? Here is the link for the September/October catalog.

This stamp set is called Peace and Love. I think it will be good for not only Christmas, but babies, get well, sympathy and even Valentine's with that cute heart! 

The first thing I did was to replace the Evergreen Cardstock with Evergreen Glitter Paper. Easy Peasy, right? We have 15 colors of glitter paper and I love that it doesn't shed glitter everywhere! It also works great with die cutting and Cricut. TIP:  Don't use a brand new Cricut mat with glitter paper.

I think the catalog card used Watercolor Paints for the background. I'm still working on my skill set for that technique so I used a sponge with Glacier Ink.  Next, instead of using a Waterbrush to blend the Watercolor Pencils, I used Shimmer Brushes! Did you know you could do that? I used Lemonade on the stars and Clear everywhere else. Exciting News:  shimmer brushes will start to come labeled with the name of the color; YIPPEE!!

It's a little tricky to photograph shimmer. I hope you can see on some of these pictures how much it sparkles.

There were a couple of other changes I made. Instead of a sewing machine, I used my Piercing Tool and the technique shown in the White Pines Scrapbooking kit. I made a video class for that workshop and you can find it in my Virtual Craft Room on Facebook.

I played with the Autumn Loose Sequins and discovered a few things about the new Loose Gems (clear gems are in this collection).

 I used the Micro Glue Dots to attach the Clear Loose Gems. Depending on which way you place them, they do offer different looks.

With the point down, they look clear.

With the point up (easier to attach), they are opalescent. I put mine point up. Watch for more Autumn Sequin info on my Facebook page.

I used Thin 3-D foam tape to raise the Evergreen layer, the cloud and the angel. The sentiment is flat but the gems are the same height as the cloud and angel.

If you need a consultant, you can contact me for help and/or shop from my website.

Please leave a comment below before hopping over to see more Shiny art from Maz Wood.

Anything Goes - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

 

Welcome to The Scrap Buzz! For this month’s Technique Blog Hop…Anything Goes! If you’ve arrived from visiting Lauren Moore, you’re on the right track! If you get lost or find any broken links, a full list of participants is on Melissa Robinson blog.

I was having trouble coming up with a card, or smaller project, so I decided to make a Scrapbooking layout using Wander Paper Pack and Sticker Sheet. Our youngest son and his fiancé are off on another hiking/back packing adventure this weekend so there are always outdoor pictures to scrap.

The layout is Design #11 from our newest How To book, Make It From Your Heart, Volume 5. Similar to Volumes 1 and 2, this book contains designs for both layouts AND cards. The construction on Volume 5 is identical to that of Volume 3 and 4: heavy-weight, coated pages with holes so you can place it in one of our 6x8 Everyday Life albums. (Note: Volume 2 is almost sold out. I don’t know if it will be re-printed or re-published.)

The Sundance pieces at the bottom are zip strips. I used up some of my remaining stickers and also had some left-over Wander Die-Cuts to use. Did You Know…these are printed, perforated chip board pieces and the designers really did a great job filling in all the spaces with frame and shapes.

.

Some of my embellishments are images that I stamped with the Take A Hike stamp set. It is also available with Thin Cuts. This is a fun outdoor themed set that I’m sure I’ll be using over and over with several paper suites! I used multiple techniques on these pieces. The paprika backpack is my attempt at copying the haphazard way the pattern paper is colored. I used a water brush and ink from the lid of my Paprika stamp pad to make a colored, oval blob on White Daisy Cardstock. Then, I stamped the backpack image on top using Black EI ink.

The blue back pack and water bottle were stamped with Sapphire EI Ink on Glacier cardstock. The green water bottle was stamped in Sage using the BACK of the stamp. This makes a solid image. Then I stamped it normally using Evergreen EI ink. This is a great way to “color” outline stamps that are left and right symmetrical, or very close. Flower stamps are fun even if they aren’t perfectly matched because you get that haphazard coloring look that this paper suite features.

I also brought in the current Mix In papers. These are truly one of my favorite products because of their versatility. Not only do they stand alone, but also coordinate with the two paper suites in the bi-monthly catalog they share. Don’t over look these from other catalogs if they are still available! And, if you see them on a flash sale, snap them up!! There are six double sided sheets per pack (12 patterns), which is a nice sample size, or grab two acts so you have two matching sheets for layouts, or one full sheet to use of each pattern.

For my title, I used a 4x6 Wander PML Card but it was too tall for the layout design…I could have adapted the page, but I adapted the card instead. I cut a piece of Peacock Cardstock the size specified in the design. Then, I trimmed the card a bit so the cardstock would show as a thin border. I love the two lines of stitching and didn’t want to just trim the PML shorter. By cutting the card where the colors change, I could layer the two pieces to make it look like one card. The white space is a good place to add the date and location for the adventure pictures that will be added.

I also did some paper piecing, by stamping the same image in several colors, then fussy cutting the images and reassembling some of the shape together for one embellishment.

Thanks for stopping by; please leave a comment below. Next, hop over to see what Katy Taylor is sharing this month.