CTMH - Using watercolor pencils

I love our watercolor pencils.  They match the colors in our papers, and with a little shading and a blender pen, you can lighten or darken the color.  For some reason, when I mention them, friends think that they need to be artists to use them.  (I believe that anyone can be an artist - but that's a topic for another day).  So, I want to show you how easy and fool proof they can be!

Step 1:  Stamp your image.  I used My Acrylix stamp set B1330 -  Surprise.  

Normally, I would stamp and emboss, but in the interest of time, I used a quick-drying pigment ink.  

Step 2: I knew that I wanted lighter shading in my finished piece, so I colored just within the inside of the lines (but did not entirely color any one section):

 

 
Step 3: Using the blending pen, I pulled the color from the outside by the lines to the interior of the design.  I did this with each color.  I used the same blender pen, using scratch paper between colors to ensure that I didn't bleed my colors together.  (You could also use a water brush here, but my preference is the blender pen.)

Finally, I cut the image down to size and used it on a card.  Today, I sent it to one of my best friends! 

For the card, I also used Sweet Pea Level 2 papers and Blush ribbon rounds.

CTMH - 5x7 Box Template for you!

Box Bottom:

• Cut a piece of paper 8.25"x10.25"
• Score on all 4 sides 0.5" inch from edge.  
• Score on all 4 sides 1.5" from edge
• Cut lines noted on template in red.   
• Fold along remaining score lines - 0.5" fold over and adhere
• Fold along 1.5" score line. Fold in flap and adhere
• Voila - you have a box bottom!
  

 

Box Top: 

• Score along all 4 sides at 0.5"
• Cut lines noted on template in red.   
• Fold along score line. Fold in flap and adhere
• Voila - you have a box top!
  

 

You can find the template pdf files here: top and bottom.

The beauty of this, is you can adjust sizing to whatever size cards you're making.  Just make sure that the bottom of the box is a little larger than your envelope size.  And when calculating the size of your box top, make sure that you add 1/8" to the interior length and width so that your lid fits on your box.  You can adjust to make a deeper box, or you can make a larger lid. 



If you use these templates, I'd love to hear your feedback and see your results!  

CTMH - Make your own card box/holder

I love to make cards for gifts, but finding a way to present them can be a challenge!  I came up with this template to create a little gift box/holder to make when I'm giving cards as a gift.

Step 1: Cut a piece of cardstock - 7.75"x12".  I used Chocolate cardstock.  Lengthwise, score at 1".  Then flip it over and score 1" lengthwise on the other side.

Then, turn the paper on it's side.  Score at 1.5", 2.5", 7" and 8".  Cut the areas indicated on the template.

Another view - to see the score lines better:

Step 2: I sewed crystal blue buttons on the top and bottom using Chocolate embroidery floss.

Step 3: I then cut a piece of patterned paper to 5.625"x12".  I used Caprice Level 2 papers. I scored it at 1.5", 2.5", 7" and 8".  I cut 1/4" off the top and bottom so the final piece measures 4 5/8"x12".

Ste

Step 4:  I used the piece above to create a liner for the box:

Step 5: I tied Crystal Blue waxy flax on the top button, and can use that as a closure for the box by wrapping it around the top button, then the bottom button in a figure 8.

Step 6:  Decorate the box. I will post photos of that tomorrow. 
You can download the template for the cardholder here. 

If you have a large format printer, you can select 13x19 paper and no scaling.  It will print to actual size, if you wish. 

If you just want the measurements, choose to print on regular paper and scale to paper size.

CTMH - Another money saving tip

When I was younger, wrapping paper always came on tubes.  Now it is rolled onto heavy kraft paper in some cases.  When I get to the end of the roll of wrapping paper, I save that kraft paper and use it for one of the following:

• I tape it to my table and use it as a placement when I'm heat embossing.  Then, when I'm done, I just roll it up and toss it, along with any mess.
• You can use it as wrapping paper.  Just random stamp on it - and voila - custom wrapping paper.  It's peek proof  too!
• Use it to create envelopes for your cards.  It's heavy weight, and perfect for envelopes!  It won't tear easily like a patterned paper will.

There are so many things you can do with that heavy kraft paper!  So next time you finish a roll of wrapping paper, save the kraft paper at the end!

CTMH - A tip for today!

Today - no art.  Just an idea!

When you order products, such as our brads, that come in the plastic "clamshell" type case, save the packaging.  When you need a palette for your paints, or to mix reinkers with the ceramcoat paint, use one of these. I even use them for applying mod-podge as I can pour some in, then dip my brush in that.  Though I still eventually throw them away, I have used them for an additional purpose.

CTMH - Rediscovering my love for heat embossing - and you can too! A tip and tutorial.

I had all but given up on heat embossing.  The stray embossing powder was threatening to make me absolutely crazy!

Then, one day on the Close to My Heart consultant bulletin board, I read a tip, attributed to Tresa Black on how to create your own little anti-static piece of perfection! (Just a quick note.  When I asked Tresa permission to post, she let me know that she didn't come up with the idea, that it was just one of her favorite techniques).

So, I tried it.  After all, what did I have to lose?  And you know what?  It works; it really really works! 

Step 1: Gather your supplies:  An old pair of pantyhose or knee highs (I prefer all over control for this technique), Corn Starch, a measuring scoop, a stiff wider paint brush, and a fine point paint brush.

Step 2: If you are using full pantyhose, cut off one of the legs, closer to the ankle (the length of a knee high).  Using the measuring scoop, place a tablespoon or two of corn starch in the toe of the stocking.  Tie a knot.  Then, fold the pantyhose back over itself and tie another knot.  Trim the excess. It will look something like this:

Step 3: Gather your other embossing supplies: embossing powder, ink and a craft heat gun.  

Step 4: Swipe the cornstarch anti-static bag over the piece of cardstock.  At this point, I use the stiff brush to wipe off the excess cornstarch.  I then stamp my image, and add embossing powder.  Using the fine detail brush, I remove the stray pieces of embossing powder.  I then heat emboss, and voila - no stray pieces!

Step 5: Complete and finish the card. 

 

Try it today.  See if it makes a difference for you!

CTMH - Today's Tip -- maximize your 12"x12" paper when cutting photo mats

Did you know that you can get (4) 5"x7" photo mats or card fronts from one piece of  paper?  It just takes a little planning!

This diagram shows how to do it:

Place your paper on the trimmer.  Measure 7", then cut down to 7" mark.  Turn your paper ninety degrees, and follow the same process.  Continue with the other two sides, and your finished!

Now, you have four pieces of paper - each 5"x7" from one sheet of paper!

CTMH Happy Halloween Card- Beware stamp set and a Tutorial

As soon as I saw Beware (D1381), I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to do with the Happy Halloween sentiment!  To me, the "circle" around the words and bat looks like a full moon.  So I used the shadow stamping technique to achieve the look I wanted!

Step 1: I flipped the stamp onto the "wrong side" and inked it using Autumn Terracotta ink.  I didn't want it quite so dark, so I used 2nd generation stamping (stamping on scratch paper first, then stamping the image) to remove some of the ink.

Step 2: Then I flipped the stamp back over, and used Black Ink for the image.

This is how the image looked - exactly as I'd imagined it! You can see the difference that second generation stamping made when you compare it to the first image on scratch paper.

Then, I assembled the card using Boom-Di-Ada papers, Barn Red Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, Black bitty brads (Basic Assortment), and  Black Ribbon to finish it off.