Showing posts with label Close To My Heart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Close To My Heart. Show all posts

Monday, March 28, 2022

Project Ideas for National Scrapbooking Day Event

Join me on Saturday, May 7 to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day! If you select the All-Day crop option and are ISO a project (or two or three), I have suggestions!!


Here are links to the products/projects in the video:

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Stunning Stencils - CTMH Technique Blog Hop


 Whether you arrived from CatScrapbooking or just stumbled upon us, WELCOME to TheScrapBuzz blog and this month's Technique Hop. We are using stencils for February; there are several new ones in the Core Catalog.  Follow the links to hop from blog to blog for techniques, tips, and artwork!
 
If you get lost, find broken links or have other issues, you can find a list of all this month's participants on Melissa's page. We have over a dozen CTMH Makers participating this time!  Be sure you are commenting so they know you appreciate their efforts and continue to share their projects!

I spend several days of quality time with one of three new Card Front Stencils, Pack #3.


Did you see this post on the Make It From Your Heart blog? I was having trouble with the diagonal stencil until I watched this video from that post. One thing I'll suggest is when you are sponging with our Exclusive Inks, is to use the corners of the stamp pad.  We usually ink stamps in the middle of the pad. Whenever I use small stamps, or sponges, I try to use the corners. As you'll see in Karen's video, press the sponge into the pad to absorb in, then pounce the sponge when the stencil wants to "wiggle."

I made my own background paper with the diagonal lines then featured it with Pattern #18, from Volume #4 of Make It From Your Heart.


In between the lines, I stamped the little bee from the Sweet As Honey - Cardmaking stamp set.  


If, after completing this hop, you can decide which stencils to add to your crafting arsenal, ask your maker about bundles and how you can get them half-price. If you don't have a Maker, I would be happy to assist you!

After you leave a comment, hop over to see what Wendy has created this time. Thank you for stopping by!

Products Used:
Cardstock:  Black, Shortbread, Sundance, Mink
Exclusive Inks: Black, Sundance
Sweet as Honey paper pack





Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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 









Tuesday, November 2, 2021

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
  1. 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!
  2. 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.

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Baby’s First Scrapbook

This idea for the Hello World Baby Milestones circles came from fellow consultant Cynthia Pantel.

This was a shower gift for a family member. 
The nursery is astronaut themed so I used Stargazer paper (retired).


.

This Pictue My Life card had lines, but the wrong saying, so I used a stamped sentiment to fix that!


Page 1:  left side is with the flip flap closed, right side is open.


Closed flaps on top, open on the bottom. I had to throw in some of the Happiest Place cardstock!


No baby stamps, no problem!


The wood circles lead to other circles but I also added star shapes.


Most of the layouts came from Volume 3 of the old Reflections scrapbooking How To Program.  
It’s designed to make ten 6x6 pages. 

.. ''

Ssoooo many Flip Flaps!



Several circle were cut from PML cards using Thin Cuts. It’s like bonus paper!



What do you think? Leave a comment!


 

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Just Distress Oxide it! - CTMH Technique Blog Hop


 Welcome to the May 2021 Technique Blog Hop!  If you get lost, or find a broken link, you can get the list of participants on Melissa's page.  You may have arrived from Brandi's page. Complete the hop by following the links from blog to blog so you don't miss any of the artwork.


FYI I am storing my Distress Oxide inks in a My Acrylix Mini Stamp Organizer. There is room for my blending tools too! The foam circles are on a piece of velcro inside a cabinet. Some people put them on the underside of the organizer lid.


I selected three bright colors and blended them to get five colors. After my first test sample I wasn't sure how many more attempts I would need, so I used a 5.5" x 12" piece of White Daisy Cardstock. That gave me at least two card fronts plus extra for mistakes or testing.


After applying and blending the ink on the cardstock, I sprayed it with a little water to get some oxide areas. I made sure my piece was dry, then ran it through my CTMH machine with the Celebrate Embossing Folder


Finally, I sanded the raised areas to pop the white cardstock words.

I feel like I need to embellish my card, but there isn’t really room. Shimmer brush maybe?? I tried some black splatters on one sample, but I didn’t like it. Bitty sparkles?? Leave me your suggestions in the comments!

Your next stop is to visit is Lauren.

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Dazzling Dimension - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

 

Welcome to The Scrap Buzz and this month's edition of the Technique Blog Hop. You have arrived from Miss Carrie's page. Keep following the links to visit all of the participants as we Show You How to add Dazzling Dimension to your projects.

When I think of dimension, I think of layers. I chose to use the Layered Flower Background Thin Cuts. These have been in my stash for a while but I hadn't gotten around to playing with them. All three dies come together.

These dies are so well designed it makes "fancy" cards Faster, Simpler, and Easier to make! The hardest thing is deciding which paper(s) to use. To select my colors, I turned to our fabulous Love of Color books. In Volume 2 I found the combination of Sangria, Peacock and Linen. In Volume 1 I found Sundance, Desert Rose, Peacock and Peach. Then I consulted the color wheel and found Sangria, Peacock and Sundance formed a triangle; they are a triadic color combination.

Do you save ridiculously small scraps??  I saved the dots and the largest leaves and made a little flower on the inside of my card. I know I tossed quite a few tiny pieces and Cricut negatives when we moved last summer, so I figured I could start a new collection! The dots might be nice in shaker cards. I used a sentiment from the Operation Smile set called Every Bit of Wonderful.


To give my card extra dimension, I cut the three layers again out of some retired paper. When assembling, I attached the two identical layers first, then attached them to the card base, bottom to top. Does it look like there is much difference? FYI I weighed my card and it is still until the 1 ounce for first class letter postage in the US.


I had to try another color combination. This time I pulled three colors from the Lovely collection: Blue Belle, Sage, and Ballerina. I cut two 4.5x12 pieces from each 12x12 sheet so I could make four cards. When cutting the bottom two layers I didn't have any trouble and was able to get both dies on the CTMH cutting mat at the same time. I did not try to cut multiple layers, just because I was mixing colors. When doing the top layer I found it worked best if I cut it alone and it needed more pressure than I usually use. I set my CTMH die cutting machine to +1 and ran it through two times. The next time I make one of these, I’ll check it after one pass. TIP:  I learned with my old Cuttlebug to place large straight dies at an angle so the transition isn’t as severe. 


Another way to use this die is to cut all the layers out of the same color. Since I cut each color with all three dies, here’s what that might look like (the layers aren’t attached). I flipped every other layer so it showcases our two-tone cardstock. For these I also added a solid layer but the other cards are built on the white card base. This might be a great way to use up old colored card bases or 8.5 x 11 cardstock!


The first card I assembled I tried one of the liquid tombow glues. I thought I would need "wiggle" room. But the CTMH Adhesive Runner worked better. Don’t forget to work on top of the All-Purpose Mat. I put the top two layers side by side and ran the adhesive along both edges at once. If you have any way-ward dots, use the Rub and Remove Eraser to remove them.


Your next stop is Melissa Robinson. She also has a list of all participants in case you get lost.