"Swipe Hype!"

I hope you are watching Close To My Heart's new online webisodes at www.mycraftchannel.com. If not, here is the link to the newest video, "Swipe Hype" (There used to be a link where I could embed the video in this post for you, but I couldn't find one this time - sorry!): SWIPE HYPE!

I just love this technique, and have used it before with gorgeous results. Let me share a card I did using the swipe technique:

 

This card goes back to January 2011, and uses the "You Are Beautiful" stamp set. Let's see if I can get in closer so you can see the "swipe" better:

It looks like I colored the flowers with a colored pencil, doesn't it? But I didn't. The stamp set is a base/shade set, where there is an outline stamp of the image, and then a solid stamp of the image to "fill it in". All I did was stamp my outline images, ink up my solid stamps, swipe light & quick across the surface of the ink pad, then stamp inside the outlines. I just love the results! I must admit, though, I have not tried the zig-zag or circular swipes that Monica talked about in the video - now I'm going to have to experiment! I just love using my stamps in new ways! Have fun doing the same!

See What You Can Do - Try Something New!

OK, truth time. How many of you acrylic stamp users have accidentally put your stamp on your acrylic block with the wrong side facing out? Then when you stamped it, you were shocked to see a large area of ink where you expected to see your image? Yeah, we've all done it. But today, I'm going to show you a technique where you're going to do just that - on purpose! I saw this technique/design by Julie Campbell in “Stamp It! Cards – Volume 9”. Here's how we'll make a cool "shadow-stamped" card:
 
Step 1: Place your stamp onto your acrylic block backwards, so that the flat side of the image faces out. Stamp the image onto your background in second-generation* ink (I used Close To My Heart's "Love Blooms" stamp set with Honey ink). (*To stamp in second-generation, ink up your stamp, stamp once onto scrap paper, then stamp the image onto your project.) Repeat this step in the bottom-right corner of the cardstock.

Step 2: Create a mask for your image by stamping it on a piece of scrap paper or a sticky-note, then cutting it out. (Originally I had this as Step 3, which is why you see that the next step is already done in the photo. But if you do this now, it saves you having to switch your stamp around again to create the mask.)

Step 3: Turn your stamp image around so that the correct side faces out, and stamp your image on top of the "shadow" you created. Use first-generation ink in the same color for this step.

Step 4: Cover your image(s) with the mask(s) you created, then repeat steps 1-3 with the smaller flower image, overlapping the larger flower several times. (I used Sunset ink). Remember to stamp your "shadow" in second-generation.

Step 5: Using the masks you created for the flowers, repeat the stamping technique with the leaf image (I used Olive ink). Here is the completed background:

Step 6: Now all that's left to do is build your card! To finish mine, I pierced holes around the edges of my background, then mounted it to my Sunset card front. I then tied some Olive Baker's Twine around the front of the card, stamped a sentiment in Olive ink from the "Casual Expressions" stamp set, mounted it to an oval piece of Sunset cardstock, then mounted that with 3D Foam Tape to the front of the card. I think it came out really nice, and I didn't have to hand-color a thing!

So the next time you accidentally stamp the wrong side of your image, remember that you can turn it into a beautiful work of art! Who knew?!

"Clearly The Best"!

Hello everyone!

Whew! I spent so much time preparing for my Open House last Friday night, that now all I want to do is ...nothing! So, until I get myself back together (which should be very soon!), please enjoy this episode of "Clearly The Best" - a new series from Close To My Heart on www.mycraftchannel.com. Christine and Monica are the BEST! Talk to you soon!

Don't Wait! Act NOW!

I know I just posted about National Stamping Month, but this news required another post to update you. I mentioned in my August 1st post that this gorgeous Damask Tote Bag was being offered for FREE to new Consultants who signed up in the month of August...WHILE SUPPLIES LAST:

Well, that hasn't changed, and neither has the fact that you can now sign up as a member of my team for as little as $49! However, as of yesterday, the supply of these bags was down to 38% - and that was yesterday. Again, what have you got to lose?! Get over $100 of incredible product, plus this gorgeous bag for $49? Why would you wait?! Go to my website at funforyou.ctmh.com and sign up TODAY...before your chance to grab one of these bags is GONE!

Celebrate National Stamping Month!

Wow - the summer is flying by! It's the middle of August already, which means it's time to start celebrating! No, not the start of school in a couple of weeks, I mean National Stamping Month! Close To My Heart is starting the party early (NSM is actually September) with an incredible promotion! It's the double-D-sized stamp set, "It's Your Day". You will get almost 50 stamps between the two sets - and the best part...it's ONLY $5.00 with the purchase of $35 in full-retail product from Close To My Heart! That's incredible! I have this set, and it's adorable. Here are the images:

Was I wrong?! How cute! And if just seeing the images wasn't enough, here's Monica from CTMH's Corporate Office to show you some artwork:


Hopefully you will get a change to see this set in person (and order your own for just $5!) at my Open House on Friday evening, August 31st, from 7-9pm. Contact me for more details! Enjoy!

August is Awesome!

My head is about ready to explode from all of the incredible new things being offered this month from Close To My Heart. The NEW Autumn-Winter 2012 Idea Book is HERE!

And if all of the INCREDIBLE NEW PRODUCTS within it's pages weren't enough, there's also a brand new option for those of you who have been dying to sign up as a Consultant - the Essentials Kit.

With this new kit, you can join the CTMH family for just $49! Forty-nine dollars! It includes approx. $130 in retail value products! You will have what you need to get started, but if you feel like you need more, there's also the Master Kit, which includes approx. $280 in product, for $99. Feel like you need more? Well, you're in luck, because when you sign up to be on my team in August, you will receive this gorgeous Damask Tote Bag that every Consultant received at Convention this year - FOR FREE!

Isn't it beautiful? And very roomy, too. I was able to carry around multiple 12" x 12" projects, as well as all of the tools, blocks & ink pads that I needed in its spacious interior. And there is a water bottle pocket on each side of the exterior, as well as a shoulder strap and backpack straps! It's fantastic, but also WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!! This is not an offer you want to wait on - these bags are going to go FAST! You can sign up for ONLY $49 right from my website at http://funforyou.ctmh.com. What have you got to loose! $130 in product PLUS the gorgeous bag for $49 - it's a win-win!


Beyond this amazing new option for new Consultants, there are SO many incredible new products in the new Idea Book (wow - how many "new"s is that?!) - but the most phenomenal is the (here it is again) NEW "Artiste" Cricut Collection!

Oh my goodness, "Art Philosophy" is incredible, but the "Artiste" Collection puts it to shame! The three D-size stamp sets you get with the Collection are super cute, and one of the three Dimensional Elements sheets you get with it is a mini album - the pages for which are cuts on the cartridge! Oh, I just can't tell you how cool this new Collection is! There are 20 different cupcake wrappers alone! With Bags, Boxes, Shaped Cards & Envelopes, plus tons of themed sets (Halloween, Birthday Boy & Girl, Mother's & Father's Day, Christmas, and more!), you will find something for every occasion in this new Collection! You get the Cricut cartridge, three D-sized stamp sets (see pictures below), and three Dimensional Elements sheets for $99 - and trust me - once you've seen what you can do with this Collection, you'll know what a bargain that is! Come to my Open House on August 31st from 7-9pm and see just what the Collection can do!

I am SO excited about this new Idea Book and Cricut Collection - I have to get creating! You can see the new Idea Book in its entirety right here: http://funforyou.ctmh.com. Enjoy!

BIG Changes to Studio J!

OK, last time I posted (admittedly, quite some time ago), I mentioned my Studio J homework for Convention. Well, I attended Convention in Dallas earlier this month and received my printed layouts - they are gorgeous!! I love Studio J so much. And now, you can, too! Close To My Heart has announced that they are doing away with Studio J memberships, so now EVERYONE can enjoy ALL of the kits and patterns available (no more "members only" tags!), AND get member PRICING on all printed layouts! That's right! You can use Studio J at NO COST at all, but if you choose to have your layouts printed, they're only $6.95 each - that's only $3.48 per page! Fantastic!

Here are some other fantastic changes:

- The price of a Studio J 5-Pack (includes 5 two-page layouts plus shipping & handling) has been reduced from $55 to $39.95! That's a huge reduction!

- You can now choose to purchase your layouts as JPEG files (instead of the printed layouts) for just $2.95 each.

- Express Collections! As if Studio J wasn't already fast & easy enough, Express Collections include 10 unique 2-page layouts - plus a front and back page - all designed with embellishments, My Stickease clusters, and custom color combinations. Just drop your photos in, add your journaling, and you've completed a custom album in minutes. There are six different themed collections: "All About Me", "Little Man", "Little Miss", "School Days", "Travels", and "Year in Review". Head over to Studio J and check them out! Here's one of the layouts from the "Little Miss" Collection:

- You can now add your Studio J order to any open gathering listed on your Consultant's website! Your order will count toward that gathering's sales and help the Hostess with her Hostess Rewards! In addition, Studio J layouts can now be a part of your Hostess Rewards!

- If you are ordering printed layouts from Studio J, there is a minimum order of 4 layouts required - BUT the maximum number of layouts that you can order for the low, low shipping price of just $5.95 has increased from 20 to 50 layouts! Unbelievable!

As you can see, there have been a lot of great changes and improvements to Studio J. I encourage you to create a FREE account and start playing. Once you do, you'll find that even if you are a "traditional" paper scrapbooker, you'll find a place for Studio J - you might even get a little caught up! Have fun!