Just A Quick Reminder!

Happy Halloween! I just wanted to remind everyone that the 44 My Acrylix stamp sets I have up for Ebay auction will all be sold TOMORROW! So get your bids in now, before it's too late! Happy trick-or-treating!

"Ask The Masters" - Part 1

I am constantly asking myself, "What is it that people will want to gain/learn from reading my blog?" For a lot of people, the art of scrapbooking eludes them - to the point where their photos never get shown and their memories never get recorded. This is most certainly a shame, if not a crime, so I am going to start a series of questions & answers taken directly from the book, "Ask The Masters! Scrapbook Solutions from the Memory Makers Masters", edited by Darlene D'Agostino, copyright 2006. This will hopefully educate, inspire, and give you the confidence you need to start creating your own scrapbooks.

My first installment is a simple one - not related to design, composition, or technique - but by far, my favorite tip! "Master" Torrey Scott was asked, "Do you have a ritual, habit, or routine that you must practice before you begin scrapbooking?" And her reply, "I take off my bra. Seriously, I truly believe my bra cuts off the creative flow of energy at my solar plexus, thus preventing it from reaching my hands. So, OFF IT COMES! I also put on the most comfy clothes I can - either sweats and a T-shirt or jammies. I figure if I'm comfortable, my mind can focus on the art and not be otherwise preoccupied with my fidgeting body."

What great advice! I love it! It is hard to be inspired and uncomfortable at the same time! So before we get to all the nitty-gritty, let's all take off our bras and get into our jammies (and grab a bowl of M n' M's while we're at it)! Next time, I'll be sharing tips on how to make your focal photo really "pop"!

"I Vant To Bite Your Neck...Art!"

Halloween being a mere 3 days away, I thought it was only fitting to show you how to create your own Neck Art. Now, Neck Art is the creative genius of Scarlet Lime (they also have Watch Art & Trinket Art, but the Neck Art is the most fun & easiest!), found for sale at www.embellishonline.com under "Bead Art". I saw the kits they had for sale for $9.00 a piece, then watched the video tutorial on how to put them together, then thought, "I could do that so easily - for much cheaper!"

So, I am passing this information on to you! If you followed my last jewelry-making post, you know how to open a jump ring (easy enough). The only other thing you really have to know is how to create a loop at the end of your headpin - which is shown in the video tutorial as well, though I don't even wrap my wire around the pin, I just make a loop & snip it. You can do either. There are also links to more videos on how to wrap the headpin wire into a loop. That's all you need to create these gorgeous pieces of art that you can then clip onto any necklace you choose! (Note: Make sure when you buy the lobster clasps for the tops that you buy a fairly large size - that way it'll clip onto most any necklace.)

The beauty of this design is that you can use your favorite beads - and all your favorite colors! I kept mine monochromatic (all one color family), but you can mix colors any way you like. I couldn't stop making them! Here is what I've done so far:

I've done some with goldtone metals and some with silvertone - they're just so much fun! If you'd like to try them out, click on the following link to view the tutorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbyYVJfiMgg&feature=player_embedded

Then head out to Michael's, grab your favorite beads, some spacer beads, some headpins, some lobster claw clasps, and some jump rings and get started! Have fun!

It's a My Acrylix (TM) Stamp Set BLOWOUT!

Well, it had to happen sometime! I have accrued so many Close To My Heart "My Acrylix" stamp sets, that I HAD to go through them and decide what to unload. As a reader of this post, you are the first to find out about my huge selection of acrylic stamp sets for sale on Ebay - RIGHT NOW! The auctions began today, so you have the next 6 days to bid on your favorites. I compared my prices to other CTMH stamp sets being offered on Ebay, and I think I should go back and re-price everything! My prices are SO LOW, I'm practically GIVING them away! And the condition of mine is SO MUCH BETTER than most others I saw posted! So don't miss out! Just about every stamp set I am offering has been RETIRED, so you can no longer get it from Close To My Heart! Just follow this link to see all 44 (yes, forty-four!) stamp sets I am offering: http://shop.ebay.com/aafaa/m.html.

Good luck & happy bidding!

Let's Make a Necklace!

Some of you may know (most of you may not) that I have tried my hand at MANY different crafts - from painting and drawing to cross-stitch and clay. As it stands now, I have settled on stamping/card-making, scrapbooking, and jewelry-making. So since I've already shared card and scrapbooking techniques, I think it's high time we tried some jewelry!

Today I will be showing you how to make a hematite necklace (and show an alternate at the end). All of the following supplies were purchased at Michael's, but I'm sure could be found at other locations. Here's what you'll need:

Beadalon Supplemax Soft Illusion Cord/Clear .012 in/.30mm/12 lb. (or equvalent)
62 hematite 4x4mm cubes
4 hematite 13mm diamonds
4 multi pearls 6mm round real fresh water pearls
3 silver metal spacer beads
8 silver jump rings
2 silver closed jump rings
1 lobster-claw clasp
2 round crimp beads - size 3
2 cylindrical crimp beads - size 1
(Tools: 2 pair needle-nose pliers, crimping tool, scissors)

Step 1: Thread 31 hematite cubes onto the cord.

Step 2: Thread cord through one side of a hematite diamond, then through a pearl, then through the other side of the diamond, so the pearl ends up in the center of the diamond. Thread on one silver spacer bead. Repeat this step 3 more times until four diamonds and pearls have been added. Leave the spacer bead off the end of the fourth diamond.

Step 3: Thread 31 remaining cubes onto the cord. Leave about 2.5" of cord free at the end. Cut the other end of the cord off the roll with 2.5" of cord free at that end as well.

Step 4: Open a jump ring by holding it between two pair of pliers, with the opening facing up and in the center, and twisting one hand toward you and one hand away from you. You don't want to pull the ends apart to the left and right because that will weaken the metal.

Step 5: Loop 2 jump rings onto the one you opened. Close the jump ring the same way you opened it. Repeat steps 4 & 5, attaching four more jump rings and then a CLOSED jump ring to the three you already have, until you have a chain of eight rings - making sure the close ring is at the end.

Step 6: As in step 4, open and attach a chain of two jump rings to the lobster claw clasp, making sure the ring farthest from the clasp is a CLOSED jump ring. Onto one end of the free cord, thread a round crimp bead, a cylindrical crimp bead, and the closed jump ring (the one with the clasp at the other end).

Steps 7 & 8: Take the end of the cord and thread it through the crimp beads and through one of the hematite cubes. The second image shows the cord thread through the first crimp bead. Making sure the other end of the necklace cord is secured, pull the end of the cord snugly through the crimp beads and cube until the closed jump ring comes up against the first crimp bead.

Step 9: Using a crimping tool, crimp the first (cylindrical) crimp bead to secure the cord (refer to crimping tool directions for details on how to use). Trim excess cord from under the cube bead.

Step 10: Repeat steps 6-9 with the other end of the cord and the chain of jump rings, making sure the cord is thread through the CLOSED jump ring on the end.

Now you've created a gorgeous hematite necklace (hematite is my favorite)!

You could easily adjust the length (this creates a 15" - 16.25" necklace) or the type of beads, or the number of focal beads (use 3 diamonds instead of four). I made this second necklace by using 5mm hematite rondelles, 12mm hematite loops, and 6mm round turquoise stone beads:

One thing to note - always hold the unfinished/uncrimped necklace up to your neck BEFORE crimping it to make sure it is the length you want and it lays the way you want it to. You may want to add more beads or take some out - and that is MUCH harder to do once you've finished it!

I hope you have enjoyed this post, and I hope you decide to try your hand at jewelry-making! You may find that it's your new favorite hobby! Have fun!

How'd They Do That? Part 4

I just viewed this technique recently on Close To My Heart's CTMH TV episode of Art & Soul entitled "Eclectic Elegance". During this episode, we learn how to make a twisted ribbon flower, and it is so pretty, I just had to share with you how to do it.

First, start with a 1.25" punched circle (this will yield a 1.25" flower - if you want a larger flower, use a larger circle). Secure one end of your ribbon to the center of the circle using a brad (hot glue or a Glue Dot will work as well):

Next, take your ribbon and start twisting it around and around - like you would twist paper streamers to hang for a party. Twist the ribbon until you have it pretty tight:

This next part takes a little bit of patience, but the result will be worth it. To make this step easier, I secured my circle to my workspace with a piece of removable, double-sided tape. Using Glue Dots or a hot glue gun, apply a small amount of glue around the center of the circle. Start wrapping the twisted ribbon in a tight spiral, around itself, starting from the center:

Continue applying glue and wrapping until you've covered the entire circle:

When you've reached the edge, wrap the end of the ribbon underneath the circle and secure with hot glue or a Glue Dot. Trim with scissors:

And that's how you make a twisted ribbon flower! You can dress it up any way you'd like - I put a decorative brad in the center of mine:

This flower is sure to dress up any project you're working on! Try experimenting with different widths and types of ribbon - CTMH says, the heavier the ribbon, the better. And remember, on the road of Life, don't forget to stop and smell the flowers! Happy wrapping!

How'd They Do That? Part 3

I've had some really fun and popular card-making workshops where we do cards with "fancy folds". There are so many beautiful and fun ways to fold paper to create one-of-a-kind greetings for your friends and family. And in this segment of "How'd They Do That?", I'm going to show you how to make a folded frame to showcase your favorite stamped images or embellishments (designs from "Susan's Journal of Paper Engineering Secrets", by Susan Cobb).

Close To My Heart's 2-sided Background & Texture paper is perfect for this project, however, if you don't have 2-sided paper, you can take two different pieces of patterned paper and glue them back-to-back.

Start with a 3" x 3" piece of patterned paper. Lightly mark the center of the square.

Fold in each corner to meet in the center:

Fold out the point of each corner, even with the outer edge:

Next, fold the point of each corner inward, even with the inner edge (at this point, try rolling the corners up with your finger - it's getting very hard to fold up because the corner is so small!):

Now, fold each outer corner point inward to meet the inner fold:

Take this folded frame and adhere it to a piece of the same patterned paper (the size of the new square is 2 1/8"):

Now that your frame is complete, you can adhere it to a square of coordinating cardstock, embellish, and adhere to your card for a fun & unique focal point! Have fun with it!

How'd They Do That? Part 2

There have been so many times when I have opened an Idea Book or magazine and had to study the artwork for a long time to try and figure out "How'd they do that?". Today, I am going to show you how to make Punched Circle Flowers, as shown on page 12 & 13 of the Close To My Heart Summer 2010 Idea Book. Here are the two ways this flower is shown/used in the Idea Book:

Really pretty, right? Well, let's see just how these flowers are made - it's really simple!

Step 1: Punch nine 1.25" circles out of patterned paper (CTMH B&T Duos are best for this because they're double-sided). You can also stamp on the circles to give them more depth.

Step 2: Fold 8 of the circles into thirds, only folding two edges up and overlapping.

Step 3: Adhere the 8 folded circles to the ninth circle with all of the points meeting in the center.

Add a large brad or button to the center and you've got yourself a beautiful flower! The partial flower used on the card above only uses three folded circles and a brad. They're just so pretty. Experiment with different patterns and colors - and what a great way to use up some of those paper scraps!

Have fun!

How'd They Do That? Part 1

Many times, I have had people call me up and ask about artwork they've seen in our Idea Books. "How'd they do that?" is the most commonly asked question. So, let's start a series on tips & techniques, and hopefully answer some of those burning questions.

Today, I'll be taking a page from Close To My Heart's newest Idea Book - literally! This image can be found on page 8 of the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book. It's the peacock image from the "Circle of Love" stamp set - only it's stamped in several different colors (Pear, Lagoon & Pacifica).

This technique is referred to as "variegated stamping", the steps of which are as follows (you can follow along on page 9 of the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book):

First, start with your lightest color ink and apply the ink to your stamp in select areas with a sponge dauber.

With the next lightest ink color, apply ink on adjacent areas of the stamp, blending with the first color. Repeat with your darkest ink color.

Then, stamp your image. Note: when working on an image with multiple colors, it helps to "huff" on the stamp to "refresh" the ink before stamping.

You may need to practice this technique a few times before getting the results you want. Start small & simple and work your way up to large and elaborate - like the image above! Try this technique to put some flair in your flowers, trick out your trees, and spice up your sentiments!

Jump For Joy!

Have you heard about Close To My Heart's newest promotion? It has hostesses Jumping for Joy! That's because during the month of October, Hostesses who hold a Gathering with $450 in sales or more, will Jump to the next level of Hostess Rewards! To see exactly what that would mean for you as a hostess, check out the Jump For Joy flyer HERE!

October is already filling up FAST, so contact me as soon as possible to schedule your Home Gathering! Then get ready to receive even MORE Hostess Rewards than ever before!

A Cool Link to a Fun Program

Hello there!

I just came across a FREE Trial of a screen-capture software called "SnapIt". I downloaded it and tried it out, and it's pretty cool! Unlike the "Print Screen" (PrtScn) button on your computer's keyboard, which will take a screen shot of your entire monitor screen, "SnapIt" allows you to drag a box around just what you want to capture. As soon as you do, the image you captured goes straight to your clipboard, so you can open Word or a photo imaging software and just paste it into a new document. Save it in whatever format you need for blogs, web pages, presentations - whatever!

I am thinking of all the fabulous projects and inspiration that I come across online that I would just love to have a copy of. Just "SnapIt", save it, and start your own personal catalog of creativity! You can download a FREE TRIAL of "SnapIt" by following this link: http://www.digeus.com/products/snapit/snapit_screen_capture_3_5.html and scrolling all the way to the bottom. Here, you will also find a full description of the product, and a link to download the full-version of the software (if you really like it).

Just thought I'd pass that along! Have fun!