Friday, April 27, 2012

Dotty for You Paper Pack Fabulous

Close to my Heart is 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.

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

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, and the extras you can try from the three Techniques Training Academy courses, we know you and your customers 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!

The Dotty for You paper is available now through May 31, 2012 while supplies last.  The easiest way to purchase the 12 exclusive patterns (2 of each page) is with a $35 order -- it's yours for only $5.  And you can purchase one with every $35 you spend!  You can also earn it as a hostess with a $400 gathering or become a consultant this month and it's included in your kit. Head over to dsdoodles.ctmh.com to shop now!

Monday, April 16, 2012

A Little Note

This month's card exchange for my upline's meeting was to use the Lucy Paper Packet.  A fellow consultant thought Lucy goes well with Easter, maybe she's right.  To me, Lucy is spring.  I created this card for the exchange and am rather pleased with the way it turned out.

Wishes Noteworthy

The Noteworthy pattern from Wishes is a 3" x 4.75" card.  Here I've stamped two of the 4 flower images of the Card Word Puzzle stamp set in Grey Wool ink.  The larger flower I colored with the blending pen using Blush ink.  The smaller flower I used Blush and Baby Pink markers.  The centers are Creme Brulee (with the center center of the small in Goldrush).

I hadn't used the Pin Clips yet, though I've had them for awhile.  I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to "get rid of them."  Again, I'm rather pleased with what the clip adds to the card.

All of the cut papers have been direct to paper edge distressed with Grey Wool Ink.  And the saying held by the pin clip?  That can be anything you'd like.  Mine says "A LITTLE NOTE", three words within the stamp set.




All Materials CTMH:
X7149B Lucy Paper Packet
C1494    Card Word Puzzle
Z2367     Creme Brulee Marker
Z2323     Goldrush Marker
Z2302     Baby Pink Marker
Z2306     Blush Marker
3174       Blending Pen
Z2125     Grey Wool Ink
Z2106     Blush Ink
Z2167     Creme Brulee Ink
Z1701     Neutral Assortment Baker's Twine -- Grey Wool
Z1612     Foundry Metal Accessories -- Pin Clips
Z1151     3-D Foam Tape

Sunday, April 15, 2012

National Scrapbooking Month

The month of May is National Scrapbooking month, but Close to my Heart can't wait!  Watch this video to get a peek of the paper and some projects.



As is mentioned in the video, this paper packet is only available April 17 through May 31, 2012. Go to dsdoodles.ctmh.com to get yours today!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Pemberley Notecard Box Workshop

April's workshop features the beautiful Pemberley paper packet, the Card Word Puzzle stamp set, and the Crafted with Love stamp set.  Thanks to Lisa Stenz for creating such a beautiful box and giving me the dimensions of the papers thus saving me an hour of measuring time.  I put that time to good use by creating 3 cards to go with the note box (Lisa had designed simple cards but I wanted something different).


Workshop dates are Tuesday April 24th and Monday April 30th, both from 7 to 9pm at my house.  Sign up deadline is Monday April 16th.  The cost of the workshop will be $15 and includes the box, 6 cards and envelopes, and a pen.  If you'd like to pre-order the Card Word Puzzle, I'll pay your tax and shipping.  You'll pay $14 for the stamp set for a total of $29.  Want to make more than one set (you know you want to)?  No problem.  Just let me know by the 16th and you're $15 kit will be ready for you.

 
You'll make 2 each of these 3 cards.  This will make a great Mother's Day, Teacher Appreciation, Birthday, Anniversary gift -- any type of gift really.   Think about it.  :)

I'll also be showing you how to color and blend using colored pencils.  With multiple shades, you can create some really pretty flowers (and anything else you're coloring).  The pencils allow for a more subtle look than markers.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

April Stamp of the Month

Fun!  Cool!  AMAZING!  These are just three of the 15 stamps you'll get this month when you purchase "You are..." stamp of the month.  Believe it or not, I love the straight line stamp.  It's great to make patterned paper with a stamp because then you'll always have the right color.
Samples from the Corporate Office
This great stamp set can be yours, but only in the month of April.  That's the 1st through the 30th, 2012.  Come and shop online at dsdoodles.myctmh.com or email me at dskdots@san.rr.com.