Thursday, May 31, 2012

Last Day Samples

I know this the last day to purchase May 2012's Stamp of the Month "Friendship Bouquet", but I like these samples and I'd hate to think I let another opportunity to share go by.  The flowers in these samples can be changed out with any flower and leaf (although I think these look especially good).
May Stamp of the Month Samples
The top card measures 3" x 4.75" and can be found in Originals on page 29.  I've rotated the Right Spotlight pattern 90 degrees clockwise.  The strip of paper is from the Stella paper packet.  The base color is Olive green and the focal mat is Brown Bag under Colonial White.  The background of the Olive paper is from directly rubbing the Olive stamp pad against the paper.  I looks even better in person!

I've colored both flowers with colored pencil and then went back in with a wet paintbrush to blend the colors.  The hat's flower was stamped using the Brown Stazon Ink Pad.  I was afraid our Chocolate water based ink would bleed with the water.  The top flower is stamped with Chocolate -- the leaves are stamped in Garden Green.  I must have waited long enough for the Chocolate and Garden Green ink to thoroughly dry (and not used a lot of water) because neither bled.  I didn't have to throw away a flower! :)

The hat is 3" x 8" and come from an old pattern I have.  The band is the other side of the Stella paper used in the top card.  The grid for the hat was accomplished by using my Martha Stewart Scoring board with the envelope maker piece fitted in.  The envelope maker allows for 45 degree angles to be scored.  The first direction was easy because the paper fit up against the envelope maker piece.  The second direction was a little more challenging because I couldn't figure out a way to fit my paper against the maker without repeating the same lines or flipping the paper over (and I couldn't do that or the score lines would be opposite the first set -- going down instead of up).

In the end, I  flipped the card over with the writing part dangling above. The fold of the card rested against the envelope maker.  Then I scored every 1/2" just like I did in the first direction.

The last things done to the card was sanding the lines and then direct to paper the edges of the card with Brown Bag ink (on the Brown Bag cardstock).  :)

Thursday, May 24, 2012

A Generous Award

My good girlfriend, Heather Plotzke, has been gracious enough to nominate me for the Liebster Blog Award, an award for inspirational blogging.

The origins of the Liebster Blog Award are somewhat unclear to us but the general consensus is that it originated in Germany, Liebster, meaning "favorite" or "dearest", to showcase bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. Upon receiving this award, the recipient must then pass it on to five more blogs of note.

My concern is that I don't feel comfortable receiving this award, nor passing it along.  I do have blogs bookmarked, but they aren't small blogs.  I will turn you around to Heather's blog: Heatherplotzke.blogspot.com and you will find some inspiration as well as good information there. The reason why I shouldn't receive the award is that I don't spend enough time here.  My intentions are great, but I haven't been able to update it as often as I'd like -- darn life!  I am working on it though.

So, thank you, Heather, for the vote and nomination.  Love you!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

A Better Picture

Sorry about the poor picture quality for my next workshop.  I wouldn't want to come if the colors were that orangy-yellow!

Here is a much better picture.
You'll make what you see -- 4 cards (with 4 envelopes, not just one), and a card holder.  The cards are 4"x4" and are cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

Workshop nights are Monday May 21st and Tuesday May 29, both from 7 to 9pm at my house.  The cost is $12 and includes what you see and a pack of bitty pearl opaques.  If you'd like to make more than one set, each additional set will be $10 and not include the bitty pearl opaques (because you'll have plenty left over).  Please email me at dskdots@san.rr.com with which night and how many kits you'd like by SUNDAY May 13th.  If you can't come either night, I'm happy to put together a kit for you.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

May 2012 Workshop

I have to change the Tuesday night workshop date.  Since  the newsletter came out, I learned that I will be unavailable on the 22nd to host a workshop.  I have moved my Tuesday workshop back a week to May 29th.  I'm sorry for any inconvenience.  We are still on for Monday May 21st.

Also, there should have been a picture of the workshop in the newsletter.  I'm not really sure what happened, but since you came here you not only get the update, but you get the pictures.  :)
May's workshop featuring Florentine Paper

The workshop sign-up deadline is Friday May 11th.  If you'd like more than one kit, please let me know when you sign up.  The workshop will include the four 4"x4" cards with the paper box, 4 envelopes, and a packet of bitty opaques.  The cost is $12 for the workshop.  If you'd like additional kits, they will be $10 each and will not include the opaques. Please email me at dskdots@san.rr.com to tell me which day you'll be coming and how many additional kits you'd like.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

May Stamp of the Month

Another wonderful stamp set!  This month's stamp of the month celebrates the Sunflower.  The samples pictured show all of the images within this 8 stamp set, so you can see how wonderful it is.
This set certainly brightens my day.  And it can be yours during the month of May 2012.  You can buy it for $17.95 if that's the only thing you want from the Idea Book.  But I'm sure if you look a little closer, you'll find more awesome items to buy to bring down the cost of the stamp of the month to $5.  Go ahead and shop online at dsdoodles.ctmh.com or you can email me at dskdots@san.rr.com.

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