Studio J: September Love Your Layout - Using Photos For a Background

Studio J is CTMH's digital scrapbooking solution.  There are so many fun techniques that can be used with it.  Every month the corporate office is sharing ideas for using Studio J to it's fullest potential.  By incorporating some of these tips into your own layouts, they become even more uniquely yours!

If you would like more information about using Studio J please visit here.
Thank you for stopping by today.
Beverly

Art Journal - Forgive Yourself

I bought this book a few years ago to begin my art journaling venture and finally made my first entry yesterday!  Apparently, I am a slow starter!  Up until yesterday, the journal that I have been working in - off and on - is a cloth one that I made out of denim.  The bigger bulkier stuff that I seem to be drawn to fits in the cloth book a bit better.  But this paper based one is easier for me to work in.

I wonder if it is easier to add stuff to a book that has so many pages because I don't feel the same pressure to get it 'right' as I am working.  If I hate it, I guess I could rip it out, right?  A fabric book seems more permanent.

Fastenator Staple on Right-Hand Side

There are a lot of things on this page that were recently found as I was reorganizing my craft area.  I completely forgot about the Fastenator that I "had to have" a few years ago... and woohoo, it finally got to staple something!

Modeling Paste Dragon Fly With Crafter's Workshop Stencil

If you are working on projects that open you up to a new vulnerability, please be kind to yourself.  This can be a difficult thing to do.  And maybe I said that because I am struggling with this a bit myself. ;-)

Thank you for visiting!
Beverly
Supplies:
Manila shipping tag, CTMH Dotty paper, Bo Bunny packaging, Rub-ons from CTMH and SU!, Chipboard letters from K & Company, transparency, Golden Acrylics paints, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Studio Calico Mister Huey's, JoAnn's acrylic craft paint, CTMH metallic markers, CTMH stamps and inks, PITT pens, ribbon

Pirouette Clean and Simple Card

CAS Black and White Standard Sized Card

 I love this stamp! In July I used this image on a shabby chic card and another somewhat rustic card.  Those posts are here and here.  The card posted today is almost on the opposite end of the card making spectrum! It is clean, simple and elegant.  It was also very, very easy to make.

CTMH Archival Ink on White Daisy Cardstock

Thank you for stopping by today!  I love visitors. :-)
Beverly

CTMH Supplies:
Pirouette Stamp
White Daisy and Black Cardstock
Archival Black Ink
Sparkles Black & Grey Assortment

Embossed Two- Step Stamping

Happy Monday!  Thank you for visiting.  Today I have a short video about two-step stamping. In it I explain what two step stamping is and how to do it using the So Grateful (B1395) stamp set from CTMH.  This technique can be used with many different stamps.  Take a look at your collection and see what you can create from your stash.

The other supplies used in the video and on the card are all from CTMH.
Exclusive Inks: Sunset, Autumn Terracotta, Olive, Desert Sand
Exclusive Ink Mini-Pigment: Black
Versamark Ink
Clear Embossing Powder
Cardstock: Colonial White, Olive, Autumn Terracotta
Sunset Baker's Twine
Foam Tape

Have a super day!
Beverly

Art Journal Entry - Working Through "Stuff"

White Denim Base With Gesso

 Last weekend, my family went to California to pay our last respects to my 56 year old cousin and share in her family's grief. Eight years ago she found out that she had cancer. During that time she celebrated many wonderful things.  She re-married, became a grandmother, witnessed one of her children graduating college and one graduating high school. She laughed and told jokes as she always had.

Tulle Wings and Ribbon Scarf

 I am not sure that her faith deepened so much as it was cemented even more firmly in her soul.  Her church family continued to grow.  The lives that she touched continued to feel her generosity.

Faber Castell Pitt Pen and HP Printed Text

 When I came home, I knew that I needed to process some of what I was feeling about this remarkable woman.  The part that kept coming back to me, more strongly than any other, was her indomitable faith.  Debbi was a very happy person who brought good humor and positive energy to any occasion. It was odd to be at a memorial service for someone who was so Full of Life.  It seemed surreal.

The Last Line From the Lord's Prayer

 This page is of a woman facing away from us.  Maybe looking into the light of what is to come.  She is wearing a scarf, with no hair underneath.  She sort of has wings.   Her denim skirt is simple and worn. The crocheted "belt" was made by my 7-year old daughter.  As was her paper shirt under the tulle wings.

Homemade Fabric Art Journal - Work In Progress

I was unable to work on anything else this week until I completed this page.  At least completed to this point.  Possibly more things will be added later, but it feels finished to me now.  The book is a work in progress and  I do not really know what direction it will take.

Thank you for visiting today.  Wishing you all the best!
Beverly

CTMH Alcohol-Based Markers

Ribbon and Background Mat Colored With CTMH Ruby Set of  Markers

Recently, Close to My Heart changed their marker formula from dye-based to alcohol-based inks.  The new markers are sold in sets of twos, with one lighter and one darker. For this card, I used the new Ruby color. 

Self-Adhesive Pearls Colored With Markers

With the new markers, I colored the glossy cardstock background mat, the Opaque pearl adhesive gems, and the seam binding ribbon.  It was a very fast coloring/drying time and I love how well coordinated everything looks.

Thank you for visiting!
Beverly