Showing posts with label Tutorials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tutorials. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Project Inspiration: Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon

See how to make this pretty, soft white ribbon a stunning color to match your projects. It’s as easy as pie!

(Click over to my blog if you are unable to see this video)

For more information about this technique or other products used in this video, contact me or visit my website. Below are links to the featured products mentioned…

Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon

Sponge Daubers

You may also like these products to color your ribbon…

Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads

Exclusive Inks Re-inkers

Spray Pen

The possibilities are endless when you can color your ribbon to your heart’s desire!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Dotty for You–While Supplies Last!

Supplies are very limited on the amazing Dotty for You paper packet! NOW is the time to get your order in to get your hands on this exclusive 24 packet of gorgeous papers only available through Close To My Heart!

Click here to place your minimum order of $35 and get the Dotty for You paper packet for ONLY $5!

I’m crazy about the fabulous artwork you can create with the Dotty for You paper packet during National Scrapbooking Month! Each promotional paper packet includes an insert with a picture of the artwork, a recipe, and a unique technique, to inspire you.

Dotty-for-You

Check out these extra technique ideas, not included on paper packet insert but using the same artwork

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this article for two new projects and tips not included on the artwork insert.

Sisterly Love Page

Polaroid Snapshot Technique

Create a Polaroid snapshot look by first cutting out a rounded-corner rectangle the size of your focal point. Then, cut a larger rectangle around the negative space, creating the look of a Polaroid. For example, if your subject is 3" × 2", cut a rounded 3" rectangle using the Cricut® machine then discard the rectangle and keep the negative space, cutting that piece at 4" × 2½". Add journaling to the empty white space at the bottom and attach it to the layout at an angle using 3-D foam tape. You’ll now be able to create the Polaroid look for any kind of picture without needing a Polaroid camera!


Kiss Page

Pin Flags Technique

Make a darling accent from your paper scraps by trimming a complementary banner and wrapping it around a pin from the Bling assortment (Z1466) to form a small pin flag.


Surf Page

Stitch a Frame

Use dark thread and stitch around your layout’s focal elements to ground your page.


Sweet Life Page

Making Embellishments Stand Out

Add a bit of white, solid space behind decorative elements, such as this baker’s twine bow, to help them stand out on busy B&T Duos® papers, like this chevron pattern.


R Card

Helping Adjacent Patterns Pop

To help two adjacent patterns stand out individually, separate them with a solid color in between.


Simple Pleasures Card

Creating a Bohemian Look

Combine several paper patterns and colors to create a trendy bohemian chic look.


Jen Box

Creating Visual Transitions

Carry the neutral foundation color, in this case Grey Wool, onto the other elements of your art piece to help the eye easily transition between elements, like the colorful chevron box top and the sides of the box.


BONUS ART:

Good Luck Card

Neutral Inks for a Clean Look

To create a card with a clean, crisp look, use the dominant neutral color to stamp your sentiment.

Yo-yo Accent

Create a trendy yo-yo element by accordion-folding a long strip of cardstock every 1/4", adhering the two ends together to make a circle, stitching the center with thread all the way around, and pulling the ends of the thread taut to create a yo-yo. Secure the center with a button to keep your yo-yo flat.


Kylie Banner

Paper Ribbons

Create your own ribbon from your favorite B&T paper. Cut a strip of paper a little less than three times the length you want your ribbon to be. Mark or score your strip in segments as follows: 1/2", 1", 1/2", 1", 1/2", etc. Starting at a 1/2" scored end, make two folds going away from you, then two folds coming toward you, then repeat until your ribbon is complete.

Ribbon Accents

Thread a long ribbon through the banner holes and then add some flair by tying small bows or knots to the ribbon in between each pennant using baker’s twine or Waxy Flax.

With all of the techniques featured in these beautiful art pieces, I know you will enjoy participating in a Dotty for You crafting session in celebration of one of our favorite months of the year—National Scrapbooking Month in May!

SHOP NOW

Wishing you a Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

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Monday, April 16, 2012

CTMH Cruisin’ with Chevron Tutorial

I learned a fun new technique this last week…how to make chevrons!

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Here is a scrapbook layout I created of my son, who got his driver’s license not long ago, in his ‘new’ red Chevy pickup truck.

I wonder how CTMH knew I would be needing some fabulous new papers to scrapbook my son’s driving adventures!?! The Cruisin’ Level 2 Paper Packet and accessories are P-E-R-F-E-C-T!

So, I bet you are wondering how I made those really cool bold chevron patterns. Here is a short tutorial to show exactly how it’s done…

I started off with a 2” x 12” strip of paper.

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Draw a line with a pen or pencil down the center lengthwise at 1”. Then draw lines at 1” increments widthwise all the way down the length of the paper. Next, I scored lines as shown below to create my chevron pattern.

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You will then cut on the pen/pencil line down one side…every other line (begin with the bottom left line) and only cut up to the center line. Then rotate your paper and do the same on the other side (begin with the 2nd line)…every other line.

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Now, fold in the triangles and use a bone folder to get clean & crisp folds. Once complete, you will want to use a strong adhesive of your choice to secure folds down.

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Above is what it should look like. Below is a finished strip. If you need more of a visual, check out the great video tutorial over at Julia Stainton’s blog.

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You can certainly create thinner strips by cutting 1-1/2” & 1” strips…drawing your lines at 3/4” & 1/2”, respectively.

I am hoping to share some samples using thinner strips in a few days using the National Scrapbooking Month promotion paper packet called Dotty for You, which becomes available to customers April 17th for only $5 with a $35 qualifying purchase.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and I’d love to see what you create!

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Saturday, April 14, 2012

Design Your Scrapbooks Online with CTMH Studio J–Video Tutorial

Seeing is believing!

Scrapbook the Close To My Heart Way
Do you enjoy the simplicity, beauty, and ease of crafting scrapbook layouts using Close To My Heart’s classic patterns, paper, and embellishments? We’ve filled Studio J® with the same elements to make scrapbooking even faster, simpler, and easier! You’ll find many of the classic kits you know and love, plus new exclusive products available only in Studio J.

Unleash your inner artist
Indulge your desire to create gorgeous layouts in minutes—it’s easy, fast, and fun with Studio J! Your artsy side will be inspired by the variety of timeless patterns, your creative side will love the themed kits, and the over-achiever in you will be thrilled at how much scrapbooking you get done!
 

Click here to learn more about becoming a Studio J® Member

Click here to view the Studio J Art Gallery

Alright, I’m off to play in Studio J so I can try some of the fun new techniques shared in the video above!

Have a blessed weekend creating memories to cherish for a lifetime!

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Sweet Treats using CTMH’s Lucy Collection

This past weekend, we hosted our first women’s retreat for our church’s women’s ministry. I was honored to be able to create these goodies for all the ladies in attendance. What a blessing it was to combine my love for God, my sisters in Christ & my love of paper crafting!

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Inside each goodie bag was a decorated notebook & pen, french fry box & water bottle. I included a bookmark tag to hang on the outside to identify each guest.

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I created the french fry box, tag & initials using the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. Using the Cricut Craft Room, I was able to fit two french fry boxes onto one sheet of cardstock, which saved a ton of paper!

To create the accordion flowers, I cut strips of cardstock and B&T Duos paper into 1” strips and then scored each strip at 1/4” increments. I adhered one strips ends together to form a circle and then pressed one edge into itself to form the flower. I adhered the flower to a 2” scallop punched flower with Liquid Glass on one side and then decorated the other side as desired.

For the decorated notebook, I came across a project using a file folder and with a little creative ingenuity, I figured out how to create a similar project using an 11” x 12” piece of cardstock. Here’s how…

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Score a 11” x 12” piece of cardstock according to the diagram above. Cut out the piece shown. Round all the corners with a corner rounder.

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Fold all the score lines and turn up the bottom flap to create a pocket on the inside. Adhere the left edge & right edge…no need to glue the center score line. Adhere a 5-1/2” x 8” lined notepad to the inside right panel with the flap closure on the right.

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Decorate the cover as desired. I used the upcoming Dotty for You paper packet here…available 4/17 for only $5 with a $35 purchase of products from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book. Place a velcro dot on the flap closure to secure shut…and Viola!

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If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

I hope you have enjoyed this project! To keep up-to-date on my latest projects, classes & promotions, click here to visit my Facebook Page and ‘Like’ me!

Have a blessed day & make it from your heART!

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Saturday, February 04, 2012

CTMH Art Philosophy Purse with Card Gift Set - Tutorial w/Cricut Craft Room File!

Here is the tutorial I promised to share with you for the purse with card gift set that I shared in my February Stamp of the Month Blog Hop post a few days ago.

CTMH Art Philosophy Purse with Card Gift Set

Here is the purse I made…

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…using the new CTMH Stella Level 2 Paper Packet…

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…along with the February 2012 Stamp of the Month…

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…and some CTMH Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain…love this ribbon!

CTMH Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads I used were Cocoa & Lagoon…

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Here is the purse open with some cards peeking out. This purse will hold five standard cards & envelopes…assuming your cards are not bulky with lots of embellishments.

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Alright…let’s begin the tutorial!

I am using the Cricut Craft Room with CTMH’s exclusive Art Philosophy cartridge and an Expressions 2. You can find the images for the Close To My Heart Art Philosophy cartridge in the Cricut Craft Room under ‘Cricut Famous Friends’ filter.

To purchase CTMH’s exclusive Art Philosophy Collection, click here. 

Cricut-Beauty_text.ashx

Did you know there are 700 different shapes on this one cartridge!?!

{Ask me how you can get this collection for 50% off!}

Ok, I modified the Close To My Heart Art Philosophy cartridge shape <Shape8> featured on pg 47 of cartridge booklet slightly using the Cricut Craft Room to accommodate the box I made. So, to create this project, you will need to use the Cricut Craft Room to get the exact measurements I have used.

Download the CCR file I created for this project…

Art Philosophy Purse for Card Gift Set.CCR

I’ve had several ask for a Gypsy file, so here it is…

Art Philosophy Purse for Card Gift Set.Gypsy

or follow the below step-by-step tutorial…

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Using <Shape8>, insert one shape at 5.25” wide x 6.5” high to cut the outside layer of the purse. I cut a 6” x 7” piece of Cocoa cardstock featured in the Stella Level 2 Paper Packet.

Using <Shape8>, insert one shape at 4.722” wide x 5.847” high to cut the inside layer of the purse. I used a 5” x 6.5” piece of CTMH’s B&T Duos paper  featured in the new Stella Level 2 Paper Packet.

This is what you get when you layer the two pieces…

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Now to create the purse insert to hold the set of cards & envelopes…

Cut a piece of Cocoa cardstock at 7.25” x 9.75”. Score according to the below photo…

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Score at 4.5” & 5.25” on the 9.75” side. Score at .75” & 6.5” on the 7.25” side. Cut notches out to help the box close nicely. Use sticky tape to secure box sides together. You will have an open top to insert your cards & envelopes.

Now, take the <Shape8> layered piece and score according to photo…

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Now for the final few steps…on the backside of the above piece, put sticky tape on one side of  the score line and a velcro dot on the other side.

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Now adhere this piece to the card box…centered of course.

For the handle you will need a .5” x 8.5” piece of cardstock. I scored at .5” on both ends of the long piece. I attached my handle with brads.

Alright, that should do it! If you have any problems with the measurements, please let me know so I can double check them. I hope you enjoy creating this project as much I did!

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