Thursday, September 30, 2010


I recently got my CTMH Fall/Winter new-stamp set swap cards.  I love this card by Linda Caler.  It's so peaceful!  She used the Archival Black stamp pad with a waterbrush to color the bird.  (It's subtle, but beautiful.)

She also used the Magnifique paper pack.  She used the back side of the blue paper with the big peacock feathers.  I don't usually look at the backs of my papers much -- you should try it!  You might even like the back better than the front!

As always, if you have questions about how a technique you see here, or a CTMH product, feel free to contact me!

We will be making a variation of this card at the October card class.  You'll just have to wait and see ... and be surprised.

Blessings!

Lisa

Supplies Used:
Harmony (B1363, $13.95)
Magnifique Paper Pack (X7127B, $12.95)
Archival Black Stamp Pad (44751, $5.95)
Waterbrush (1771, $9.25)  - you could also use a Blending Pen (3174, $3.95)
Bamboo Stamp Pad (Z2103, $5.25)
Cranberry (Z2116, $5.25)
Pacifica (Z2192, $5.25)
Metal Brad Assortment (Copper) (Z1217, $4.95)
Chocolate Collection Ribbon Rounds (Z1127, $5.95 (reduced from $7.95!)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Christmas Card - What? Already?


I know, I know, it's a little early to be thinking about Christmas already...but when you're doing a swap card you just have to roll with it.  Here's another swap card I made.  (I must really like coloring, because I made 27 of these cards.)

I really liked the way it turned out.  I used a pattern straight out of the Originals card book, the brand new stamp set St. Nick and papers from the Mistletoe Level 2 paper pack and Mistletoe Creative Basics (LOVE the Creative Basics - 6 sheets each of 2 different styles, PLUS 4 yards of coordinating gold ribbon).

It's hard to see, but I also used the Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel on Santa's pom-pom.  I also used a glitter gel pen on the berries and present, and "puffy tape" (foam mounting tape) on the holly.  Have fun with it!



Supplies Used:
  9032       Originals Card Confidence Program, $21.95
B1356       St. Nick, $13.95
X5811       Creative Basics-Mistletoe,7.95
X7130B    Mistletoe Paper Pack, $12.95
Z2135       New England Ivy Stamp Pad, $5.25
Z2116       Cranberry Stamp Pad, $5.25
Z2394       Sky Marker (for eyes), $2.95
Z2353       Sweet Leaf Marker, $2.95
Z2324       Grey Flannel Marker, $2.95
Z2316       Cranberry Marker, $2.95
Z2302       Baby Pink Marker (for lip), $2.95
Z2342       Parchment Marker, $2.95
Z1313       Stardust Glitz, 2.95
Z1290       Foam Tools, $9.95
                Foam Mounting Tape
                Clear Sparkly Gel Pen

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Big Birthday Card Workshop - This Saturday, October 2!

Give your loved ones a gift from the heart with handmade cards!  Let me show you how fast, simple and easy it is to make adorable gifts from your heart.   






At this card workshop you will leave with 18 birthday cards!  (Six cards each of three different designs, including envelopes!)  That's less than $1.40 per card.  You can buy an ugly card at the store for $4...but these will be much cuter AND made from your heart!

You will also gain the knowledge and skills to make as many more as you need. We’ll be using Close To My Heart’s wonderful papers, stamps and embellishments (love ‘em!).  The workshop costs only $25, or it’s free with your $25 minimum Close To My Heart order.  Don’t miss out - reserve a space for you and a friend today!   

Call me at 425.255.3731              425.255.3731       or email me at lisasargent@myctmh.com  
for more information or to RSVP.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Another THRILLER card - but "cuter"


So after all that anxiety making the "other" Thriller card, I was cleaning my stamps, and decided to play with this image.  It's a much cuter style than the skull and bats.  I just took a single piece of Colonial White card stock and stamped the vampire in black.  Then I started sponging around him - with Spring Iris and Grey Wool, leaving the window un-sponged.  I also edge distressed in Spring Iris.

I colored in the pumpkin, his skin, his lapel and the grass.  I think it would look cool with some Liquid Glass on the raven.  (I think it might be too difficult to apply the Liquid Glass to the bats...they're pretty small.)

I think it would also look really cool if you used Extra Fine black embossing powder to stamp the image.  OR black embossing powder with glitter.  (I'll add that glitter in here somewhere!)

This card was so much easier for me to finish, because of the style of the stamp.  (It took me about 5 minutes.)  I guess you should just stick with the things you like, instead of trying to force something that you don't.

Friday, September 17, 2010

September Stamp of the Month - THRILLER


This is the September Stamp of the Month.  It's different than my usual flower stamps, but I think it'll be fun to work with it.  I think it's kind of Tim Burton-ish...especially that Dracula n the upper right hand corner.  Most people think it looks like Ed Hardy's tatoo style.  (But not me, I'm a rebel.)

My friend, Jean, who loves the ghoulish stuff has a strange attraction to this stamp set.  I knew she would as soon as I saw it!  I was really excited that I got to see her briefly during my trip to China (with a stop over in Hawaii where she lives).  Here we are at the beach.  You'd never know she likes the evil-looking stamp sets!  (She looks like such a nice person!)


I wanted to do a variation of Jean's Thriller card, but I was having a mental block with it.  Here's my rejects -- lest you think that my cards "come easy."  Usually I don't have this hard of a time, but the creepy stamp sets just aren't my style!  Give me flowers any day of the week!

First I tried brayering black ink on white paper and stamping with bleach to fade the black ink.  As you can see, it looks kind of cool and spidery, but you can barely see the bleached out part.


THEN I tried white embossing powder on white paper.  Then I brayered black ink on it:


THEN I tried white embossing powder on white paper...with orangy and reddish ink swished on the background (instead of the black ink.)  I really didn't like that!

THEN I decided to stamp with black ink on the white paper with the orangy and reddish ink on top of that.  (I also sponged some black on top so that it was a little darker.  It looked OK, so the I could (FINALLY) focus on the skull.  I wanted the skull white, so I stamped the skull in black on white paper.  Then I stamped the skull on a piece of post-it paper and cut out the skull (to make a mask).  I then put the post-it skull over the stamped black skull and smeared ink on it (with a wadded up Kleenex tissue).  I used Sorbet, Autumn Terracotta and Tulip.  It doesn't look too bad...my daughter thinks this card is too scary and I should make it pink with glitter.  Clearly, she doesn't understand the concept of spooky.


Still, I'm not loving it...but it's a big improvement from the black cards...So now I'm getting tired of playing with this stamp set!  As much as I like the Kleenex-ink-smearing-technique, I'm thinking maybe a different technique would be better.  How about sandpapering?

So I stamped the skull in black and took the finest grit on the Close To My Heart sandpaper and ground off some of the face on the skull.  I've NEVER liked (or used) the finest grit, because I always thought the result was too wimpy looking...BUT it's great for rubbing off just a little color in an even fashion.  I used the roughest grit to distress the edges of the card.

I put a antiqued copper brad through his eye socket, for maximum creepiness.  I cut the "trick or treat" stamp set so the words were separated.  The tag is from the office supply store.  (It already looks like a tombstone!)

I think he kind of looks like the Wizard of Oz.  Maybe if I tilted the head a little bit next time, it would be better...

Supplies Used:
THRILLER - September Stamp of the Month (D1442, $22.95 - or you can get a discount on it or get it for free.  Email me for details)
Smokey Plum Card Stock (1291, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Goldrush Card Stock (1243, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Autumn Terracotta Ink (Z2101, $5.25)
Black Ink (Z2105, $5.25)
Grey Wool Ink (Z2125, $5.25)
Sponge (Z697, $1.25)
Sanding Kit (Z1294, $3.50)
Metal Brad Assortment (Z1217, $4.95 for 160 brads)
Clear Jelly-Roll Gel Pen

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Newcastle Days Door Prize Winner!

It was a nice sunny day at Newcastle Days this Saturday.  If you stopped by the celebration, I hope you and your family had fun.

I held a door prize drawing for a cute desk photo cube, a bunch of scrapboking goodies and handmade cards. 


The lucky winner was Jennifer M. of Renton! 

If you want to get your own photo box, let me know.  Currently, I'm bringing a box to all my hostesses!  (Paper and decorations may vary from the one shown here.)  So book your own party today, get free goodies and get a wonderful desk photo cube for your self!

I'd love to help you and your friends create.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Swap card with the new stamp set Circle of Love

I participate in a new stamp set swap, every Idea Book.  This time I was assigned the stamp set Circle of Love (the peacock one).  I love it using the blues and greens (see my earlier post below).

 


I saw this painting in a book at my aunt and uncle's house. 
As as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to make my peacock white.


I still wanted to use the beautiful new Pacifica paper that comes in the Magnifique paper pack.

I used white embossing powder to make the peacock. 


I couldn't decide which background paper to use for the matting...or whether to stamp on it.  I decided on Bamboo for the background.  That still looked kind of plain to me, so I used a second, smaller mat in Chocolate, to pull it all together.  (Chocolate and Bamboo are colors used in the Magnifique paper pack, so I'm not really reinventing the wheel here.)


On the Bamboo border I stamped the feather that comes in the stamp set in Pacifica.  Then I sponged in Chocolate around the edges and diagonally across the peacock.  The ink sticks to the paper, but not so much to the embossed image.  After sponging I took a Kleenex and wiped off the peacock, in case some ink was on there.  The sponging makes it look less flat...more 3-dimensional.

Down below I used a stamp from the set Unity.  I like this set because it has 10 small sentiments and 3 frames.  I sponged around that, too.

For a finishing touch, I applied some small embellishments to the peacock.  I tried the Mini (2mm) Blue & Green Assortment Sparkles, the Mocha Opaques (pearls) and Bitty Sparkles.  My favorite combination was the Mocha Opaques and the Bitty Sparkles.  Try it yourself and see what you like best!


Supplies Used:
Magnifique Paper Pack (X7127B, $28.95)
Circle of Love (D1438, $22.95)
Unity (C1422, $18.95)
Bamboo Card Stock (1301, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Pacifica Stamp Pad (Z2192, $5.25)
Chocolate Stamp Pad (Z2111, $5.25)
Versamark Ink Pad (Z891, 9.95)
White Daisy Embossing Powder (Z673, $3.95)
Sponge (Z697, $1.25)
Mocha Opaques (Z1333, $2.95 for 108 gems)
Blue & Green Assortment Sparkles (Z1327, $2.95 for 108 Sparkles)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263, $2.95 for 100 sparkles)

Friday, September 10, 2010

What are you doing tomorrow? Stop by Newcastle Days at Lake Boren Park!

I'm so excited.  Tomorrow (Saturday, September 11) is the Newcastle Days celebration at Lake Boren Park in Newcastle.  I love meeting my neighbors and "sharing the love" of scrapbooking and stamping with them.  Plus, I have a free make-n-take, a door prize drawing and bonuses for hostesses who schedule their own party!  I also have sign ups for my upcoming workshops:

Big Birthday Card Workshop - Saturday, October 2 at 2:00pm

Annual Holiday/Christmas Card Workshops - Saturday OR Sunday, October 23 - 24 at 2:00pm

At the workshops you will make 18 cards (6 each of 3 different designs). I design the cards, cut the paper and  provide all the supplies.  You do the fun part - stamping and creating!  Plus, you'll gain the knowledge on how to make more cards at home!

A workshop costs $25 each or it's free with your $25 minimum Close To My Heart purchase.  It's a really fun way to spend a couple of hours, plus you'll have a supply of cards on hand just when you need them!  Reserve a spot for you and a friend today!  Don't wait - space is limited.

Even if you can't come to a workshop, stop by and say HI.  They have lots of things to see and do - jumpy things for the kids, pony rides, music and other entertainment, a beer and wine garden, food...and ME!  Stop by, I'd love to see you again.

Lisa

PS - If you can't come tomorrow, but want to save a spot at the workshop or host your own party, just let me know.  You'll still get the hostess bonus if you book a party!  :)  lisasargent@myctmh.com  or 425.255.3731

Circle of Love


I love this card.  One of my fabulous team members, Roberta Miner, showed us how to make it at our most recent team meeting.  She used the new stamp set, Circle of Love with the new colors Pear and Lagoon.  I also love the little jeweled accents (new Blue and Green Assortment Sparkles - just $2.95 for 108 self-adhesive blue and green rhinestones) that she added.

One way to get the 2-tone stamped image shown above is to ink up the stamp with the lighter color (first) then ink the rest of the stamp with the darker color.  Before you stamp, use a sponge dauber to blend the two colors together.  

Another way to get the 2-tone stamped image is to make a "puddle pad" (I hate that name, makes me think of puppy training).  Put a paper towel or cotton pad on a plate and put the reinker on the pad.  Then just stamp like you would normally.  They also sell "empty" stamp pads (at your local craft store) that you can put the reinker on...but I like the easy way - a paper towel.  (Don't use a towel with too much texture, like the ones with honeycombs in them - the honeycombs show up in your stamped image.  That is, unless you WANT the honeycombs in your stamped image.)

Thanks for sharing, Roberta!

Supplies Used:
Circle of Love stamp set (D1438, $22.95)
Unity stamp set (C1422, $18.95)
Lagoon card stock (X5762, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Pear card stock (X5764, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Blue & Green Assortment Sparkles (Z1327, $2.95 for 108 sparkles in 6 shades and 4 sizes)
Colonial White Mini-Medley Accents (Z1276, $4.95)
Sponge Dauber (Z726, $3.95 for set of 3)
Edge Distresser (Z1297, $2.50)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Party Pennants



I love this stamp set, Party Pennants.  It's got a great set of sentiments - Happy Birthday, Baby Shower, Birthday Party, Retirement Party, Happy Anniversary, Bridal Shower, Surprise Party, Celebrate You and Make A Wish and more...

I wanted to make a card using the basic design I used for the Newcastle Days make-n-take card, but dressed up.  So I matted the card with the new Pear card stock.


Instead of using the Friendship Alphabet that I used on the mini-card, I used the frame and sentiment that comes in this set.  I just picked up some of the colors on the pennants - Lagoon for the frame and Cotton Candy for the sentiment.

Its nice, and GREAT if you have to make a bunch of cards.  Still, it looks kind of plain to me.  I dressed it up with some of the new Mini-Medley Accent Collections.  (Lagoon, Pear, and Sunset are now available.)


I LOVE how I can see where I'm going with the pennants and sentiment.  Did I mention that before??  :)  I plan on having LOTS of fun with this stamp set!

We'll be making this card at my September card classes - come on over!
Friday, September 17 at 6:30pm
Thursday, September 23 at 10am
Friday, September 24 at 6:30pm

Supplies Used:
Party Pennants (C1429, $18.95)
White Daisy Card Stock (1385, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Pear Card Stock (X5764, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Pear Stamp Pad  (Z2197, $5.25)
Lagoon Stamp Pad (Z2195, $5.25)
Cotton Candy Stamp Pad (Z2193, $5.25)
Sunset Stamp Pad (Z2191, $5.25)
Lagoon Mini-Medley Accents Collection (Z1340, $4.95)
Pear Mini-Medley Accents Collection (Z1339, $4.95)
Piercing Tool Kit (Z1114, $5.95)

Monday, September 6, 2010

Close To My Heart Introduces 8 New Colors!

I'm so excited that Close To My Heart's new Fall/Winter Idea Book is here!  Click here if you would like to see a virtual copy.  Email me if you'd like to come to a class and see them in person/use them.

They introduced 8 new colors this Idea Book.  I'm so excited to use them with the new stamp sets and papers. 

The new colors are all summer colors:  
Sky, Pacifica, Gypsy, Sunset, Pear, Lagoon, Cotton Candy and Smoothie.  

 

Retiring summer colors are Clover Meadow, Hydrangea, Orange, Star Spangled Blue, Bubblegum, Citrus Leaf, Ocean and Watermelon.  Let me know if you need something that's retiring -- supplies are limited.

Summer colors they are keeping are Holiday Red, Sunny Yellow, Topiary and Dutch Blue.

The new colors are updated and softer than the old colors.  I like them (although I will really miss Citrus Leaf.  Pear is a nice color though -- a little bluer, and not as bright.)

I wanted to use the new colors using the new stamp set, Party Pennants, for a simple make-n-take at by booth at Newcastle Days, next Saturday (September 11) at Lake Boren Park from 11am to 7pm  in Newcastle.  Stop by my booth to say HI or sign up for an upcoming fall workshop!

For the make-n-take, I curved the dotted line in the stamp set (it comes straight).  Love those flexible stamps!!!!




I also will be making a dressed up version for my class this month.  I LOVE this stamp set -- it's so happy!  Check back for the fancy version!

Supplies Used:
Party Pennants (C1429, $18.95)
Friendship Alphabet Small (C1401, $18.95) - My FAVORITE alphabet set
Pear stamp pad (Z2197, $5.25)
Lagoon stamp pad (Z2195, $5.25)
Cotton Candy stamp pad (Z2193, $5.25)
Sunset stamp pad (Z2191, $5.25)