Monday, May 28, 2012

Studio J Tip: Create your custom title

Creating customer titles in studio J is easier than you think. Take a look at this title I did for my Hawaii Layout below. In order for me to get the three different sizes I had to first delete the title well that was there. I then added THREE new text boxes. The first I blew up really big and changed the background to transparent. I selected the font and increased the size of it and changed the color.

Next I did the same thing for the cursive writing but left the font small and chocolate. Using the same settings I did one for the work "life" at the end. I added the umbrella to the left og my image and sent it to the back. Last I added some stitching just before the word "life". You can really make your titles unique using this tip. I would love to see the custom designs you come up with!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Cruisin Monthly Scrapbooking Club

Cruisin'
As a club member you get a scrapbooking layout kit sent to you monthly. It is such an amazing deal all for only $29.95 plus shipping and tax. But you get other great incentives too.

A new level 2 pack of paper monthly
An exclusive C-sized stamp monthly
2 packs of various embellishments monthly
Instructional guide to complete 2 layouts (total of 4 pages) monthly
$25 in free product every 5 months
Free idea book every 6 months
Petite perks stamp set for re-signing every 5 months
Holiday gifts throughout the year

So if you are serious about getting caught up on your scrapbooking in 2012 then what are you waiting for? Start today by contacting me or purchase online then click on the "join" button in your cart for the scrapbooking club to start earning rewards!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Cricut Tips: How to Re-Set Manually Expression 1

A Tip from Barbara Osbourn

1) First, turn your machine ON with no cartridge loaded. Then roll the SPEED and PRESSURE dials (on the left) and the SIZE dial (on the right) to their lowest settings.
2) Then grasp the blade assembly and use it to pull the entire carriage car unit along its track to the left side of the machine. Back in the cave where the carriage car usually sits there is a red button. Press that button and hold it down for about three seconds. Let go and then move the carriage car back into place.
3) This next step will sound a bit odd, but many times it can fix your Cricut. Roll all your dials all the way up and all the way down three times—three times for each dial.
4) Then press the CUT button and turn the machine OFF. Next, load a cartridge, turn it on, and try a practice cut.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Use Your Stash Blog Hop - May Brads & Metal Embellishments

If you are joining us for the "Use Your Stash Blog Hop" you are right on track. WELCOME! You should be coming from Tabbi's Blog.

There are 7 participants this month. If you get lost along the way you can see the entire list of hoppers here:

Rachel Ventura http://thehappyscrappinsquad.blogspot.com/
Michelle West http://inksandinspirations.blogspot.com
Theresa Morrow http://tmorrowstreasures.blogspot.com/
Shirley Ross http://www.momnmescrap.blogspot.com
Joy McHargue http://www.studiowow-joy.com/
Judy Faye Garner http://judyfaye.blogspot.com
Debi Barber http://debiistheothersister.blogspot.com
Tabbi Fritz http://stuckonscrappin.blogspot.com

Let's get started. Today I am showcasing the old Notebook paper (Retired), pewter frames, brads, and pewter badge buttons.

Here I've stamped a sentiment but it needed to pop a little more so I added a pewter frame around it with bards. I then added a touch of black ribbon collection (On Sale this month for $4!) to draw the eye.

I added the same frame on the right page and then added some pewter badges around it.

I put the pewter badges on the left page too. I fed the same ribbon along the bottom and using the scallop punch I made a faux-metal frame behind the words "These" that I stamped out with the A-Typeface stamp set.

Now hop on over to Michelle's Blog for more ideas of using up your stash.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Product Highlights

Here are some featured products this month

My Creations Bookmark Album

Buy Now

Bottle Caps

Buy Now

Cruisin' Silver Foil

Buy Now

Evergreen Cork Shapes

Buy Now

Pemberley Stickease

Buy Now

While Supplies Last

Check out the while supplies lasts from the clearance section on my website! There are 34 items there now and ONLY available for purchase on my website with up to 80% off! Like this charm & flower set for only $3 so get it before it is gone. These items go fast! Start Shopping

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Tip: Assembling Your Albums to Lay Flat

I love our faux-leather albums! I have several and almost all the colors. I recently made the switch from decorated albums that K&Company made to these for several reasons. One is the durability: In a fire they wouldn't burn on the outside. I have heard too many horror stories of people losing everything to fires. Two, my children tend to pick things off of albums ruining the custom look. Three, they don't age. I was reminded a few post ago that just cause I think something is the bee's knees now doesn't mean I'll feel that way in a few years (See White Tiger Fur Album Post). These books are timeless.

That all being said I want to share with you a few tips on how to put it together and how to in sure your pages lay flat instead of fanning out.

To start you'll want to make sure you order the following:

Choice of Album

Additional Protector Sheets

Extender Posts

Spine Expanders

Label Holders (optional)

Now to start you'll want to unscrew your album.

Add the extender posts. I like to use the 1" ones thus creating an album about 2" wide.

You'll then add a protector sheet on top of the cardboard strip provided. Then add a spine expander on top the protector. I listed some photos below so you can see the importance of this step.

When you have continued adding a protector then a spine expander alternating all the way to the top of the screws you'll want to add the cardboard strip last.

Then place the open front flap over and screw your album together.

Lastly you'll need to add the spine protector by sliding it into the grooves.

Here is the completed album before adding artwork.

Importance of adding spine expanders

I do not have an image of an album without spine expanders but you can see below that even a few make a huge difference in how the pages lay flat.

This album uses a spine expander every 3 pages. It still creates a bigger end on the left causing the album to fan out.

For this album I split the spine expanders in half instead of folding on the perforations. Then I placed them every other page. This creates a slight bending of the page on the right hand side.

Finally here is the proper way to get your album to lay flat. I've used a full folded spine expander between each protector.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Technique Blog Hop Yo-Yo Flowers

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop! This month there are 12 of us highlighting the “Yo-Yo Flower" Technique as shown on page 27 in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book!

If you are coming from Erin's Blog, you are on the right track! This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique. If you get lost you can see the full list of blogs on Debi's Blog. Let’s get started!

I first stamped some tickets from D1495 in Outdoor Denim Ink and Desert Sand Ink. I then trimmed the images and crinkle as desired, then added distressing ink. I stamped the flourdelee in Olive Ink and trimed. Then stamped the flourish in Outdoor Denim in lower left corner. Distress with Desert Sand Ink. Fold two long strips back and forth accordion style in even increments.

For smaller green fan flower I folded the accordion in half. Repeat for other part of the accordion. I glue dotted the middle folded area together on both. Then glue dotted each end. Using glue dots I adhered my accents.

For larger dark blue fan flower I glued one end then loop around and glue the other end together to create a ring. I pinched the middle of the ring together and using glue dots adhered to a circle base. Last I added the tickets

Thanks for stopping by! Please continue onto Michelle W's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique! Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my project and happy hopping!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day!

Words cannot express the love I have for my girls. So blessed to be a mother!

We wish you all a VERY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Technique Swap - Tinted Liquid Glass

This card was made using the May Stamp of the Month and the Dotty For You paper pack both specials this month you can obtain for only $5 each with qualifying purchase. I want to show you how I created this card and the liquid glass technique.

First you need to ink the edges. I used the twilight color and a sponge dauber.

Next I sprayed a pearl paint and water mixture on the mat area to create a little shine.

Using a waterbrush and ink pads I colored in my stamp being sure to not put out too much water and smear my image.

I used only the two colors to color my image.

Next add some liquid glass to a craft jar.

Then add 1 drop of re-inker color.

Mix it up with a craft stick or piercing tool.

Using the piercing tool transfer the colored liquid glass to the image. And you are finished.

I used some 3D foam tape behind the upper edges or my flowers to make them pop.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Technique Swap: Watercolor

Every month my team does a technique swap. April was coloring. I choose to use the waterbrush. Check out these tips below on waterburshing plus view the entire team's artwork here: Slideshow

Tips from Brenda Rose & The CTMH Cruiser's Loop

Supplies Needed:
Outline Stamp Set

Black Ink Pad (archival or pigment)

Watercolor pencils or reinker

Waterbrush or blending pen

Spray Pen

Directions:

Ink outline stamp with archival black and stamp on cardstock. (archival ink smears less when using water). You'll want to use archival ink. Staz-On is solvent ink, so it will smear when using this technique.
Using the Watercolor Pencils: Color in an area of a stamped image. Start with lighter color and then darken shaded area. For a more watercolor look color outside lines.
Use the waterbrush or damp blender pen to draw the color out.

A little Q&A

How do you clean your stamps after you use a permanent ink?

When I use archival ink, I dab the stamp on a baby wipe and then clean it in the double scrubber. If ink gets on your block, it comes off nicely with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

Do you have specific ideas, tips using the blending pen, waterbrush or spray pen?

Watercoloring can be done very nicely with markers or watercolor pencils. You can directly color your image with watercolor pencil and the blending pen will even out the color. When I color with the waterbrush, I just brush the tip of the marker (or you could tap the ink pad) with the water brush. For a really rich hue, use less water on your brush. I always have paper towels handy and desk pads so that they can practice first. As for using the spray pen, that is a BEAUTIFUL technique. But rather than explain it, I'm going to direct you to a StampTV video - http://stamptv.ning.com/video/watercolor-spritz-1

Monday, May 7, 2012

Fairy Festival

We went to the Joliet Fairy Festival. The girls had a really good time. They got to wear wings, make wands, attend fairy school, and fairy story time. They also got to practice their flying in the bounce houses. We end the day riding in the horse drawn Cinderella carriage. Although I felt it was wildly over priced the girls did enjoy it. However I won't be going back in future years. Instead we will probably plan our own princess & fairy day and invite friends over to make these crafty items ourselves and maybe even chip in on a bounce house. Until then, please enjoy these photos we took. I am thinking the Lucy WOTG would be perfect!