Saturday YouTube Video: Ombre Technique

Oooh, can't wait to try this technique for myself! 

HaPpY SaTuRdAy!!!

Dress up titles and sentiments in vibrant colors to make your lettering fresh. With the ombré technique, you can watch colors of your choice melt together for a fun new style.

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!

Thanks a BUNCH card with A Flowering Bunch

It's JUNE...time to share my June Stamp of the Month artwork.  

My card uses the card pattern from Wishes, Simply Said, and the Tommy paper packet.  The finished size is 8"x3.5".  I also used our White Chalk marker to "stitch" the top and left side of the card 

(much easier than actual needle and thread!).  

I've already had several requests asking how I created the flower...looks complicated, but it's not!  

I was inspired by this pin on Pinterest.  

Here's how I did it:

I cut several hearts (pg.26, <Heart1>, cut at 3/4") from the Art Philosophy cartridge, 

and a flower image (pg.32, Accent 3, <2>, cut at 2") from Artiste that coordinates 

with the Flowering Bunch stamp set. 

Fold or score each heart down the center.

 Join 3 of the hearts together, making clusters, then continue to make 6 clusters of 3 hearts.

Attach each of the clusters to the flower Cricut image.  I used the separation of the "petals" on the Cricut image as my guide to line all 6 clusters up evenly.

 Add an embellishment of your choice to the center of the flower, to hide the middle where the points might not line up perfectly...all imperfections are an opportunity for embellishment! :-) 

That's it!  

YouTube Saturday Video: Creating with Canvas

It's Creative Time...

allow yourself some creative time this weekend, and I've got just the ticket!

Use CTMH 6x6 Canvas Displays to create home decor artwork. I can't wait to try this technique!

Learn how to add photos to canvas by using Close To My Heart's My Creations™ canvas display, your favorite photos, tissue paper, and finishing glue.

YouTube Saturday Video - Creatively Cricut

It's Creative Time...

allow yourself some creative time this weekend, and I've got just the ticket!

Power up your Cricut and try these tips and tricks for yourself!

This video is jammed packed with awesome tips...but make sure you stay tuned at 7:08 into this video for the BEST tip of all!

Learn the tips and tricks for using die-cut pieces from Close To My Heart's Cricut® Artiste and Art Philosophy collections. Stamp on Cricut®-cut pieces, change the size using special features, and more!

Fabric Medallion Tutorial

Want to learn how to create this fabric medallion using CTMH For Always Textiles?  

Let Me Show You How...

Start with 2 strips of fabric, each a different size (if you want to stack the finished medallions), so one medallion is smaller than the other.  The white piece here is approximately 1"x7", and the black piece measures 1.5"x10.5".  The strips of fabric can be any size, work with the size that works best for your specific project.  A good rule of thumb is, your finished medallion will be approximately twice the width of your widest strip...this medallion is about 3" wide.

Next, cut each strip into a fringe along the long edge of the fabric.  Be sure to leave about 1/2" at the top intact.  Each fringe is about 1/4" wide...just cut, don't measure anything. 

 Cut each fringed piece at an angle as shown above.  This doesn't need to be perfect, it just gives added texture to the finished product.

 Next, take a needle (from the piercing tool kit) and thread (or embroidery floss), and sew a running stitch (in & out - indicated by white stitching above) across the top of your fringed strip of fabric.  Leaving a tail of thread when you begin and end your stitching.  Again, perfection not necessary...if one stitch is larger than another, it's not going to matter.

Cinch each end of the thread together until the fabric strip gathers into a circle.  Pull tight and tie thread ends into a knot to secure.  Repeat this step with each strip of fabric.

Two medallions, two different sizes.

Stack the smaller medallion onto the larger one.  I just used Liquid Glass to secure the pieces together, but you could sew them together if you choose.  Then embellish the center as desired.  Here I used one of my custom-made buttons from the For Always Textiles (you can read how to do this on my previous post).  The medallion featured on the card, I embellished with a glitter button (Liquid Glass to adhere) and put a sparkle in the center covering up the button holes.  You can never have too much *bling*!

Fast, Simple and Easy!

Be sure to leave a comment if you enjoyed this tutorial.  I hope you try making a fabric medallion for your artwork.  Fabric gives fun texture, and is an element of surprise in papercrafting and it is easy to work with!

YouTube Saturday - Project Inspiration: Mini Album

Sit back and enjoy!

Learn how to create an 8" × 5" mini album from start to finish using an eclectic array of papers, stamped images, and Cricut® shapes from Close To My Heart.

Mini Album is shown on page 89 of the Spring/Summer Idea Book.

(Video is approximately 9 minutes)

I can't wait to try this one!  

It just might be an upcoming workshop...what do you think?

Welcome Back to YouTube Saturday's - a DOUBLE DOSE!

Enjoy the DOUBLE DOSE of YouTube videos today...then take some time to try out these techniques for yourself.  I'd love to see what you create!

BEHIND THE SCENES:  

Generational Stamping - different ways to get the most from your stamp pads.

EMBOSSED RESIST STAMPING: 

Featuring a stamping technique to inking the areas around an embossed image. WOW!

Studio J = Tricks and Treats

Time is running out, if you haven't taken advantage of the Studio J special in October!  

Check out the "Monthly Specials" tab in the menu bar above to get all the details on how you can get a free Studio J layout with your Studio J purchase.

Watch this "Love Your Layout" video, and learn some new tricks in Studio J as you treat yourself to the ultimate online creative experience.  

You'll learn how to apply photo filters, create ruffled ribbons and more!

Now, log onto Studio J, and create your own layout! 

Warning: Studio J is highly addictive, SO much fun, and without all the mess or supplies needed to create beautiful layouts.  It's all online!  Try it...I think you'll love it as much as I do!

And don't miss out on your opportunity to save $$$ in October (special ends October 31, 2012) with your Studio J purchase!

Monogram & Perfect Fit = Tutorial

I've seen so many ideas floating around on social media using the Perfect Fit - Frames stamp set...it's one of my VERY used stamp sets of late.  I love this stamp set...it's just so versatile!

One day, I found this 3x3 card & tote idea on Pinterest (anyone else addicted?), and unfortunately I didn't pin it (what was I thinking???, obviously I studied it enough to re-create it)...and now I can't find the original pin to give credit.  I thought this project would be a good one to do a picture tutorial for...here's the finished project:

 STEP 1: Take a piece of cardstock, 8" x 7-1/4", on the 8"side, score at 2" and 4".  On the 7-1/4" side, score at 2", then flip the cardstock over and score at 2" again.  It should look like this:

STEP 2: Next, measure down 2"and mark the left and right edge of the cardstock.  Make a diagonal cut from your mark to the score line as shown below:

 STEP 3: Cut the middle section to the first score line on both sides as shown:

STEP 4: Adhere piece of patterned paper measuring 1-3/4" by 3"to the lower middle section, centered between the score lines, leaving a border, as shown:

STEP 5:  Cut 2 pieces of patterned pieces measuring 1-3/4" x 3-3/4".  Next, measure down 1-3/4" and mark the left side of one piece, and the right side of the second piece.  Again, make a diagonal cut from your pencil mark to the opposite corner, as shown on each piece.  These will be the sides of your box.

STEP 6: Adhere the two side pieces, centered between the score lines, leaving a border as shown:

STEP 7:  Next, flip your project over, and add a strong adhesive (I used a sticky strip) to the areas shown:

STEP 8:  Carefully, bring up the center pieces on each side, and wrap the bottom pieces around to create a portion of the box as shown:

  

STEP 9:  Next, bring the sides of the box to meet the bottom portion of the box, adhering the sticky strip as shown:

 STEP 10:  The box is almost finished!  Make sure all your adhesive is stuck well...I usually take my bone folder and press firmly where I have placed my adhesive.

 STEP 11:  Next, I measured about 3/8"-1/2" from top of box, and centered from left to right, using an oval punch, I created a "handle" for the box:

STEP 12:  Create 3x3 cards to fit inside your box.  Any design will work!  My cards use the Clementine papers, and I used the Perfect Fit - Frames and the personalized Monogram stamps, each letter of the alphabet is sold separately...just $2.95 per letter.  Did I mention that all 4 images on the Perfect Fit - Frames stamp set coordinates with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge?  They do!  How's that for fast, simple and easy!  Just cut the shape on the Cricut, and stamp!

Shhh...I'm giving these to some good friends this weekend as little goodies at our scrapbook retreat!  I sure hope they like them.

I hope I have inspired you to create a project like this...and if you do, please leave a link so I can see what you made.  If you have any questions, please post a comment below, and I will do my best to clarify.  If you enjoyed this picture tutorial, and would like to see more of these, please leave a comment.  I would love any feedback.  Thanks!

A Fun Diaper-Fold Card TUTORIAL

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today, I am sharing my first ever tutorial, showing you how I made this card...using the 

February Stamp of the Month, Thoughtful Tidings. 

Many of the images in the stamp set coordinate with shapes on the Art Philosophy cartridge!

The card is actually a 3x3 card, great for using up those smaller scraps! The pouch is a Diaper-Fold...so let me show you how you can create it too! (Click on pictures to enlarge for more detail)

First, start with a square piece of patterned paper, preferably printed on BOTH sides...so you can take advantage of 2 different prints! For this project, I used a 8x8 piece of Roxie B&T.

Next, take 2 opposite corners and fold them together, making a triangle...the more precise you do this step, the better the end product comes out.

Then, take one of the tips from the long end of the triangle, bringing it across to the middle of the opposite side, keeping the open ended edge straight across from side to side.

Repeat the last step again for the opposite side, again, keeping your open edge straight across from side to side.

Finally, fold down one side of the upper triangle, and place adhesive on the underside of the tip to secure. You just created the pouch!

Now, it's time to embellish!

I used Bling Assortment (Z1466, $4.95), Red Sparkles (Z1326, $2.95) and shapes from the CTMH Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686, $99)...just cut your shapes, and stamp! No cutting by hand...gotta love it!

Here's another idea: Make the pouch from a 12x12 piece, which creates a much larger pouch. Fill a cellophane bag with a special treat, tie it up with a ribbon bow, put the cello bag in the pouch and give to a friend...imagine the smiles you'll receive with such a fun presentation!