Irresistible Texture (Technique Blog Hop)

For the Technique Blog Hop this month, we are featuring the "Irresistible Texture" technique shown on page 11 of the Seasonal Expressions supplement from Close To My Heart.  

If you arrived from My Scrap Happy Life blog, then follow along with the link at the bottom of this post to continue the Technique Blog Hop. 

This card came together quickly using Freshly Made Sketches (FMS166). For an "Irresistible Texture" on this card, I used the new Scallop Embossing Folder.  The background of the card is a piece of Pacifica cardstock which has been embossed with the Scallop folder.  A 'thanks' sentiment from the You Mean The World To Me stamp set was stamped on a piece of White Daisy cardstock.  In order to repeat the scallop, a piece of Black Shimmer Trim was edged using the Scallop punch, and then some Metallic Baker's Twine adds a final touch to the card.  Since the Take Heart Ideas blog December Challenge is "anything goes," this qualifies since it uses all CTMH products. 
   

Please visit Wendy's My Scrapbooking Blog blog for another entry in this month's Technique Blog Hop featuring "Irresistible Texture."     

Technique Blog Hop participants:

• Sheila's Stamping Stuff (here)
• My Scrapbooking Blog 
• Show and Tell, with Michelle
• Heartfelt Sentiments
• CatScrapbooking
• Heart & Soul Scrappers
• My Scrap Happy Life

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

A Little Thanks (November SOTM Blog Hop)

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop which features A Little Thanks stamp set from Close To My Heart.  This is definitely my favorite "thank you" stamp set, as the sentiments are more unique than just a simple 'thanks.'  


If you have come here from 'Jen's Jewel Box' blog, you are on the right path! With over 60 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs, you should be able to find lots of great creative ideas to use for your own projects.  Blog Hopping is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! 

 

Using paper from the Passages My Reflections kit, this 5"x7" card features the Pinwheel technique from the August/September 2010 issue of the Technique Junkies newsletter.  Since I have used them on the last three SOTM Blog Hop cards, it is obvious that one of my favorite new embellishments are the Shimmer Designer Brads.  These large brads are beautiful and appear to have a coating of very fine glitter.  They really sparkle and shine, and you can buy 27 brads in bronze, gold, and silver (9 of each color) for only $4.95. 

If you would to view a tutorial on creating the pinwheel design, I taught the technique during Creative University - Online in August.  You can still watch the class, it was recorded and can be viewed on the Fabulously Artsy Ustream channel.  When you go to the channel, there are two videos for the Pinwheel Technique, a Part 1 and a Part 2.  Evidently, there was a bit of a malfunction that caused the recording to be split into two parts. 

Now "Hop" on over to Misty's 'Creative Minds Are Rarely Tidy' blog to see her work!  Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas!  Remember, A Little Thanks stamp set is only available until the end of November.  Let me know if you would like to find out how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free.

If you get lost on the Blog Hop or find links that aren't working, there is a complete list of all participating blogs on Helen's 'Hooked on Stamping' blog.

During the month of November, Close To My Heart is expressing their gratitude to you by helping you earn two fabulous My Acrylix® stamp sets for FREE!  When you place a minimum order of $100, you will not only receive the November Stamp-of-the-Month set, A Little Thanks, for FREE, you will also receive one stamp set of your choosing from the 2010 Autumn/Winter Idea Book for FREE*!  This means you can increase the value of your purchase by up to $45.90—that’s almost 50 percent more in value! It’s just their way of imparting "A Little MORE Thanks" to you for being a great customer.

*Free stamp sets include A-D size sets. Stamps that are not available as the free set include Workshops
on the Go,™ Stamp of the Month retail, E-size, and customizable K-size. Tax and shipping/handling may apply. Offer good November 1–30, 2010.

Stamping in the Corner ...

At the Close To My Heart Convention this summer, we had some "Create & Take" sessions and were able to create some nice cards following instructions from CTMH staff and using new stamp sets, papers, and embellishments.   It is always nice to learn new tips and techniques.  Be sure to look at your stamps and try to imagine how they can be used in non-conventional ways.

One of my favorite tips that I learned this year during "Create & Take" was the stamping in the corners of this card.  If you look closely at the green frame with the words "Precious Moments" and then at the corners of the card, you will see that the same stamp was used.  For the corners, only a portion of the stamp was used, and I really like the effect of framing the card.  Even though this card uses papers from the new Christmas themed Mistletoe kit, it is not a Christmas card.  The small frames (one solid and one outline) and the sentiments are from the new Unity stamp set, and the flourish and small circle is from The Present.  Also included on the card are some of the wonderful new Mocha Opaques which are self-adhesive gems, with a pearlized finish.  They are so easy to use, add a great finishing touch, and are a bargain at only $2.95 for 108 gems in a variety of sizes and colors.    

Pinwheel Cards from Creative University Online

These cards were created yesterday during my class for Creative University Online. If you joined us on ustream - THANK YOU!  It was fun to see so many people watching the live stream and participating in the chat room. And you can still watch the class, it was recorded and can be viewed on the Fabulously Artsy ustream channel.  When you go to the channel, there are two videos for the Pinwheel Technique, a Part 1 and a Part 2.  Evidently, when I tapped the back of a brad with a hammer, that caused the recording to malfunction a bit.  Sorry about that!  

Using beautiful papers from the new Magnifique kit, along with new colors Pacifica and Lagoon, this card took only 20 minutes to create.  The matching envelope is stamped using cute little peacock feathers from the Circle of Love stamp set.  There is a matching 'liner' inside the card of white cardstock stamped with the peacock feathers just like the envelope.  Stamping the inside of cards and coordinating the envelope are a nice 'finishing touch' for hand-stamped cards.

Since we had plenty of time remaining for the scheduled class, I was able to use papers from the new Olivia kit and quickly create another card.  As you can see, this is the same card design just using different papers.  During the class, I could not decide on a sentiment to include on the front.  After looking at the card, I have decided that the paper is pretty enough as it is and there is no reason to cover it up. Actually there is not any stamping on the card at all, but I will probably include a sentiment on the inside. 

This pinwheel technique was included in the August/September 2010 issue of Technique Junkies newsletter. It is a great resource for different techniques, and I have been a subscriber for several years. As a subscriber, you have online access to step-by-step picture tutorials for all of the techniques. Most of the techniques are much more complicated than this easy pinwheel.

As requested by the chat room participants, the cutting dimensions for the pinwheel are:

• 2 pieces of cardstock, each 2 - 5/8" square
• 4 pieces of 1st patterned paper, each 1 - 1/4" square
• 4 pieces of 2nd patterned paper, each 1 - 1/4"square

Improve Your Technique card workshop

Using different stamping techniques adds nice variety to your creations, and most are surprisingly easy to do once you have been shown how to do it.   At this month's Improve Your Technique card making workshop, you will learn four techniques and go home with some fun projects.   Classes will be offered on Friday evening, August 27 at 7:00 and also Saturday afternoon, August 28 at 1:00.  

Technique #1 - Paper Piecing:  Using the Be Yourself stamp set and fun You Rock papers, this card is simple to create by stamping the skirt in a bright color, cutting it out, and adhering it to the top of the image stamped in black. The layers of the skirt have been enhanced using the new Glitz Glitter Gel.  It is very easy to apply, and adds a nice shimmer to a project.

Technique #2 - Painting With Bleach:  The August stamp-of-the-month, Something Splendid, is the perfect image to use with this technique.  The basics are that you apply ink to cardstock, emboss an image, and then use regular household bleach to remove the ink inside the embossed image.  It is a surprisingly easy technique and is very fun to watch as the Barn Red ink first changes to a bright, vivid green before the bleach dries.  Thanks to fellow CTMH consultant Tresa Black for sharing her "fabulously artsy" technique and to Michelle Loncar for helping to design the card during a creative 13-hour marathon stamping day.  Paper from the Passages My Reflections kit is used for the subdued color scheme.  

 

Technique #3 - Window Card:  The papers for this card are from the Zippidee kit and the stamps are the Love This stamp set that is included with the Triple Play mini-album special, and is only available August 15 through September 30.  The flower is actually on the inside of the card and a window is cut through the front of the card so the flower is seen 'through the window' when the card is closed.  

Technique #4 - Gift Card Holder & Masking:  This clever gift card holder also uses Zippidee papers and the Love This stamp set.  A Masking technique is used to create the illusion that the large flower is in front of the smaller flowers.  

The "Improve Your Technique" workshop will be offered on Friday evening, August 27 (starting at 7 pm), and also on  Saturday, August 28 at 1:00 pm.  Allow two or three hours to complete your projects.  Since these technique cards are a bit more involved than normal, you will create 2 cards using each of the 4 different techniques - a total of 8 cards and matching envelopes for a workshop fee of $10.  Please be sure to bring your favorite adhesive.  All other supplies are provided with the workshop fee.

As an added bonus, place a $50+ order from the Close To My Heart  Spring or Summer Idea Book - and your workshop fee is waived.  Depending on total orders received, there will be a drawing for Hostess Rewards - so you could earn $25 or more in FREE product from CTMH.

Please let me know if you would like to attend one of the "Improve Your Technique" card workshops.  Feel free to leave me a comment on this blog, send an email to sheilabennett@comcast.net, or call 913-485-4355.

Holiday Trinkets - Create Your Own Snow

An inexpensive and easy way to add the look of 'snow' to your cards and scrapbook pages is to use some glittery styrofoam balls.  Simply take two styrofoam balls and rub them together over a craft tray.  The craft tray will catch all the 'dust' that is scraped off the balls. 

This material is very soft and can be adhered onto your greeting card using any type of adhesive.  The consistency of the styrofoam 'dust' snow is the same as the colored Flower Soft products that are available at some scrapbook stores.

For this card using the Holiday Trinkets stamp set, glue was simply put on the edges of the stamped image and then the styrofoam 'snow dust' was added. The 'snow dust' gives some nice dimension to the card - and would be great for use as Santa's beard, or the cuffs of his suit and hat. 

I was lucky enough to find a slightly damaged package of glittery styrofoam balls at a local store.  The balls were not very uniform and had chucks out of them - but that was just fine for my purpose, since I was going to rub them together to create 'snow dust.'  The marked-down, damaged package was only $1.26, compared to $3.95 or higher for a package of styrofoam balls in "perfect" condition.

Fossil Stone Technique

The 'Fossil Stone' technique was featured in one the Technique Junkies newsletters a couple of years ago.  This is a surprisingly easy and fun technique that creates great backgrounds.

Start with a plastic file folder or page protector.  Using an ink pad, 'smear' some ink on the right side of the plastic.  Using a second color, 'smear' ink on the left side.  Optionally, you may dab a third color of ink randomly on both sides of the plastic.  Do not completely color the plastic with ink - just rub the edge of your ink pad in several places.  Be sure to leave open 'non inked' areas on each side so that when the folder is closed, there is open space for the different inks to be visible both on their own and mixed with the other inks.

Don't be fooled by the "apparent" lack of ink on the plastic.  Close the plastic (put both sides together) and then rub with your hands so that the ink mixes together and moves around a bit inside the plastic.

Open the plastic and place two pieces of Glossy White paper back-to-back (so that the Glossy is facing the inks) on top of the plastic on the right.  Then "close" the plastic by placing the left side on top of the right.  Using a Rubber Brayer, roll on top of the plastic to ensure that the ink is transferred to the Glossy paper.

Open the plastic and remove the Glossy cardstock.  You now have two 'unique' background to use for cards!  Okay, so a total of four pieces are shown here - results from doing the technique two times with two pieces of cardstock each time.

Experiment with different colors.  This sample uses Olive, Grey Wool, and Desert Sand.  Since the ink is not absorbed into the plastic and just sits on top, little air bubbles are created as the ink is 'floating' on the plastic.  This creates a 'fossilized' look when you transfer the ink to your Glossy paper.  This is a really great technique because you can use any dye ink pads you already own.  You do not need reinkers for this technique!

One thing that I’ve noticed.  Initially, the color is very bright and vivid on the Glossy cardstock – but after a day or so, the color does fade a bit.