Adding Texture To Your Layouts

Thanks to the many snow days that have been granted by our county, I have finally gotten the opportunity to scrap some of my "fall" photos. Yes, I am a little behind....lol. I wanted to take this time to show you one way to add texture to your pages.

Pictured above is a page I did using "Sweetheart" which is one of the paper packs offered on page 20 of the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book (available to customers Feb. 1st). This paper is has such beautiful colors and so many options for versatility.


To add some texture to any page, try adding some ribbon. Ribbon can add the perfect touch to any page. Close To My Heart just added some NEW designer ribbon. The rosette ribbon I used below is found on page 115 and listed as Designer Ribbon Pink Collection. As you can see it added a little dimension to the page as well.

If would like to see what other NEW product CTMH has to offer, contact me valentino.danielle@yahoo.com

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/You-re-Invited-To-Host-A-Workshop.html?soid=1102554993546&aid=mCSJXt_sYdc

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/You-re-Invited-To-Host-A-Workshop.html?soid=1102554993546&aid=mCSJXt_sYdc

Ribbons, Stamps, & Gems Oh My!

I am still enjoying my January stamp of the month by Close To My Heart and now added some of their new, fabulous ribbon.  Include a Clear Card and some embossing and voila…you have yourself a beautiful creation.

Take a look here at this “thank you” card I made in minutes…

		“Sweetheart” VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

  

I took a CTMH Clear Card and embossed it with my Texture Boutique by Sizzix.  I used cardstock and B&T Duos from the CTMH Sweetheart paper pack (available to customers February 1st) as well as the January stamp of the month (butterfly image), NEW designer ribbon Pink collection,  and adhesive sparkles (red). 

Simple & Elegant Design Using “Wings”

I am having so much fun using one of CTMH’s newer papers, “Wings”.  It can be used for something as simple as everyday scrap pages or for an elegant card to give to someone special.  To boot, the January stamp of the month, “Find Your Style”, adds beauty to any project. 

		Wings VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Pictured here is a card I created from a piece of cardstock (color=sweet leaf) that I cut and scored to make a 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” card.  Using the Texture Boutique by Sizzix, I embossed the cover and then added a 4 1/4” x 1” strip of B&T Duo (butterfly pattern) 1 1/2” from the bottom.  From the January stamp of the month, “Find Your Style”, I stamped the butterfly image twice and cut both images out using a micro tip scissor.  I added some opaque adhesives to the butterfly’s body and adhered the 2 images together.  After fixing the image onto the card cover, I carefully folded the top image a bit to make it look as if the butterfly was popping off the card.This card was so much fun to make and real simple to do.  

Scrapping With Sweetheart

In lieu of my daughter celebrating her 11th birthday soon, I decided to start playing with Close To My Heart’s “Sweetheart” paper.  With it’s beautiful colors and B&T Duos you are bound to create awesome pages with this paper.  Here are some pages I started along with a simple gift idea:

 

		Sweetheart Fun VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Fun With Embossing

Many of my craft buddies know the feeling when you just have to try something new with your paper crafts. We also know the feeling of instant gratification. If I see something neat that I can use with my scrapbooking, cardmaking, and stamping, I needed it yesterday...:).

So I decided that today was the day I'd take a little time to browse my local craft store and find something for embossing my cards and smaller papers that would be added to my scrap pages. We all know the many things on the market to accomplish this and I have been flip flopping between a few. Already owning a Cricut, which I use for my cutting, I decided to go with a small machine that sticks with the embossing. What did I get? A Sizzix Texture Boutique was my choice and I cannot stop embossing stuff. I am hooked!!! Here is a picture of the little bugger:


Cute, huh? Anyway..it it so super simple to emboss with the Texture Boutique. Here is a simple card (5 1/2 x 4 1/4) that I embossed :







As you can see, the embossing comes out great! I started with a plain white piece of cardstock as my base. After embossing it with the Texture Boutique, I dipped a sponge dauber in some Close To My Heart Exclusive Ink (cotton candy) and gently daubed over the embossing. The raised portions came out slightly darker than the other but the shade differences added a great look.

The best part is that this machine is relatively inexpensive and with a 50% off coupon, I got it close to nothing. In comparison to some of the other more expensive gadgets, it works great for the price. Wait a minute...hold the phone....50% off coupon? Yes, unlike other name brands (which shall remain nameless) you can use your local craft store coupons for this guy! Huge for me! I am going to get back to playing some more and I am sure to share with you other fun projects.

Details Please?

 

So, I love my new “Notes” box.  I also love that I decided to add a piece of Sweet Leaf ribbon and made a loop attached to a button. This makes opening and closing the box easy peasy (although it already was).    On top of the box, I just cut out some letters using my Cricut. 

Box O'Notes Using Wings

I absolutely adore Close To My Heart's My Creations Recipe/Photo Box. Talk about versatility! You can use these sweet boxes for absolutely anything. As some of you may know, aside from crafting, I am a teacher as well. Teachers are life long learners and always reasearching new things. I have so many little papers with notes on them that it can get rather overwhelming. So I decided to make this little treat for me. It not only holds 4 x 6 photos/recipe cards, but it is great for index cards as well (or whatever else you may use to jot notes on). I used "Wings" for this project and talk about easy!!! It took me all of 15 minutes.

Valentine's Day Card Workshop

A Valentine's Day card workshop has now been scheduled! It will be held on Monday, February 7th at 6:30pm. We will do six (6) cards -2 each of 3 designs- and make a special little handmade gift as well. To make it a little extra special for my crafting peeps, we may have a pampering treat as well. More info on that to come. So here is the info:

What: Valentine's Day Card Workshop

When: Monday, February 7th @ 6:30pm

Where: CWD Studios-My house

Cost: $10 per person (all fees due by February 1st in order to reserve your seat....cash, checks, and credit cards welcome). Please RSVP by 2/1

More Inspiration

I am having a blast creating with the new "Wings" paper pack which was featured in CTMH's "Inspirations" brochure. Here is a layout I just completed. I have not inserted photos just yet so I kept the embellishing to a minimum. The rest will be added when I choose my photos. The layout design is from CTMH Reflections. It is a Title Topper paired with a Bottom Border design.

Sneak Preview! Perfect For Tweens...."Sweetheart"

Introducing a sneak preview of one of the many beautiful paper packs from the Spring/Summer CTMH Idea Book, Sweetheart. This paper is absolutely perfect for tweens.....this shows you can make anything age appropriate with this paper.

New Class Added...Come Join Us!

This class is for those who have been asking me to hold a mom and me class to help encourage time together. (What better way then creating together?)

So here is the info:



What: Mother/Daughter Handmade Journal Class: Come and enjoy creating something really special with your daughter. We will be making our own handmade journals!

When: Saturday, January 22nd RSVP by January 12th

Time: 3:00pm

Location: CWD Studios-My House

Cost: $15 per person


Space is limited so hurry and sign up now!!! Seats are not reserved until payment has been received. (Checks, cash, and credit cards welcome!!!!)

contact me for more info: 571-420-4565 or valentino.danielle@yahoo.com

Handmade Journals..Fun & Easy To Make

What a way to start the new year. I set a goal for my self to start journaling more each day or at least every other day. Even if it is just one sentence, phrase, or quote that made me think and smile. With that, I thought of how many of you out there would like to start doing the same thing. What better way to log your thoughts than with your own, handmade journal? Close To My Heart makes it easy (one of the gazillion things I love about CTMH) with their 'My Creations Journal". The journal has a 7" x 5" clear pocket on the front cover so you can keep your creation protected and 75 pages that you can write/draw in. Draw?! Yes, draw. I say that because I have come across many scrappers you like to "sketch" their layout before they actually cut and glue. This journal is PERFECT!.....Pictured below You will see that I added the stamped "butterfly" image using "Staz On" ink directly on the 7" x 5" protector. The opaque adhesive gems were added on the protector as well which added some texture and dimension to the cover.

Paying It Forward

This was posted by a fellow Close To My Heart consultant. Sounded like fun so thought I would post it here too.

Pay it forward 2011.......I promise to make something handmade for the first five people who comment to this post. They must, in turn, post this on their blog and make something for the first five people that comment on their post. The rules are it has to be handmade by you and they must receive it before 2011 ends! Sounds like fun, doesn't it? I can't wait to see how many people participate!

Adding Tags to Your Scrapbook Pages

I am one of those people that loves to include journaling on her scrapbook pages but HATES her handwriting. So, of course, I am always trying to come up with alternate methods to journaling. The are so many creative ideas when it comes to adding tags and journal spots. Here I will show you how I did just that using "Wings" from Close To My Heart.



When I attached the Vineyard Berry photo mat, I did not glue one side that way I could insert the tag. I attached a corduroy brad and ribbon to the tag so I can easily slide the tag out from behind the photo mat. This technique is super easy to do and adds a little something different to your page.

Happy New Year!!!!

Happy New Year! Oh my goodness! Close To My Heart is going to bring us amazing things this year and I am very excited to help you all get going on your scrap projects. This year, I will be offering more classes and workshops so I can teach you more wonderful techniques. I would love to help you all earn FREE product from CTMH, so let me know if you would like to host your very own workshop valentino.danielle@yahoo.com

"Find Your Style" is January's stamp of the month. What elegance you can add to any page, layout, or card.........


Our Workshop on the go this month features "Wings" and I am very excited to help you complete the layout.





Here is a schedule of events and workshops scheduled SO FAR this month. Please check back daily for any updates or new classes added.

Do You Believe In Magic Club Night
Time: 6:30-7:30p
Date: January 6th
RSVP: by January 4th



Wings Workshop On The Go

Cost: $29.95 + tax & shipping per person (all fees due by January 3rd- cash, checks, or credit cards welcome!)

What's included: Wings level 2 paper pack, Wings My Acrylix stamp set exclusive to OTG, black mini medley accents, spray pen, workshop guide.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 12th

Time: 6:30p.m.-8:00p.m.

contact me for more info valentino.danielle@yahoo.com

Wings Cardmaking Workshop

Cost: $10 per person (all fees due by January 8th - cash, checks, and credit cards welcome!)

Includes: All materials to makes 6 cards (2 each of 3 designs)

When: Monday, January 17th

Time: 6:30p.m.-8:00p.m.

Scrapbooking 101

This is a class I will be offering once a month for all of those who have either scrapbooked before and haven't in awhile and need to be reenergized or for those who have always wanted to and never knew where to start. We will use a level 1 CTMH scrapbook kit and create two layouts (a total of 4 pages). Here is this month's class info:

Date: January 19, 2010

Time: 6:30-8:00p

Cost: $20 per person (all fees due by January 10 - cash, checks, and credit cards are welcome!). Cost covers:

• a level 1 paper pack (4 12 x 12 preprinted pages, 2 12 x 12 B&T Duos, 2 12 x 12 cardstock sheets, and 2 My Stickease adhesive sheets/stickers)
• Mini Medley Accent Collection (grosgrain ribbon, metal tags, photo clips, corduroy brads, button brads, brads, and buttons).

We will be doing "Wings"Level 1

Don't forget to save-the-date. Saturday, February 12th. Kenneth Culbert Elementary School in Hamilton, VA will be hosting their first annual crop from 8a-10p. Cost is $25 per person. Space is limited to sign up fast! More info to follow.......