CTMH Spotlight Blog Hop--Reinkers

Hi all and Welcome!

This month's Blog Hop focus is Reinkers--another useful and inexpensive tool for you. If you have arrived from Corina's Creative Ink Site you are on the right track. The Blog Hop is designed so that you "hop" from one participant's site to another, in a full circle seeing 9 different samples for using your reinkers. I hope you enjoy yourself.

I have two samples for you that I made. The Butterfly on the first card and the background on the second card were both created with reinkers. (You can click on each card to get a closer view.) I have a list of common products used on both cards at the end of this posting. After each cards, I have listed the products used that were specific to that card. Then after the second card, you will find one more list, a numbered list you can follow to create your own reinker backgrounds. I hope you enjoy this little tutorial.

When finished here, hop on over to Carol's Scrappin in Paradise. She made a really pretty layout with reinkers.

Card design inspired by one I received from a fellow consultant at convention.

It was signed by L. Youngblood on the back.

Products Used

(See Common Products below)

Stamps: B1379 Sophia   D1452 Find Your Style

Paper: 1320 White Daisy   X7141B Elemental Paper Pack   X7142B Dreamin Paper Pack

Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads: Z2164 Sorbet   Z2167 Creme Brulee

Z1104 Clear Sparkles

Products Used

(See Common Products below)

X7144B Mischief Paper Pack

Stamps: D1490 Backdrop--Charmed

             (I loved the play on words with the dangle "charm" in the opposite corner.)

Exclusive Inks: Z2105 Black Stamp Pad     Z2101 Autumn Terracotta Marker

Z269 White Daisy Grosgrain--colored with the Autumn Terracotta Marker

Z1410 Antiqued Copper Embossed Brads (In top Left Corner)

Z1484 Red Glitz Glitter Gel (I put this for the Bats Eyes)

Z1612 Pin Clips

Z1635 Heirloom Assortment (Contains 6 dangle jewels w/brads & 6 adhesive-backed resin flowers. I used a smokey dangle jewel that's hanging from Antiqued Copper Embossed Brad in top left corner.)

What I Did

1. Take a sheet protector and cut all sides but one open.
2. Select Reinker of choice. I used 5 colors. When you put completementary colors beside one another, they will make each other pop. (When you mix them together, however, you get muddy browns. I talk about this later.)
3. I have only tried this with glossy cardstock so cut a piece of 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock down into (4) 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" pieces. The ink moves on the plastic and will still move on the glossy cardstock, but doesn't move on regular cardstock.
4. You may want to have some damp paper towels around.
5. Once all materials are gathered, open your sheet protector and drop drips of reinker around in an apx. 5 x 6" oval area.
6. Close the sheet protector and move the ink around. I twisted the top part of the sheet protector a bit.
7. Open the protector back up and place your glossy cardstock face down on the ink, smooshing it around a bit more.
8. Pick the cardstock up. If there is any white, lay it back down on the ink or swipe it across the ink.
9. Set each piece of completely colored cardstock aside to dry.
10. I added more ink as needed to my sheet protector to finish inking my remaining cardstock. As the colors started getting muddy looking, I knew I would be using those for fall cards, but also manipulated the colors by adding a little Sunny Yellow and Cotton Candy to brighten them up. You will see when your cardstock starts looking like one solid color--you're finished.

Common Products Used

Glossy Cardstock

Reinkers: Z2200 Amethyst   Z2231 Key Lime   Z2252 Sunny Yellow   Z2293 Cotton Candy  Z2294 Sky 

Z534 Microtip Scissors

Z697 Sponge

Z1151 3-D Foam Tape

Z1297 Edge Distresser

Calendar Pages

For the next few posts, I thought I better share some more of the calendar pages we have made. I use assorted materials for these projects.

Products Used

Discontinued Wings Paper Pack

Z1294 Sanding Kit

Z1615 Designer Ribbon Red Collection

Sizzix Sizzlets Broadway Letters

Stampin Up Butterfly Die

Stampin Up label Punch

Because our stamps are totally clear, you can stamp on them after you cut them out with your Cricut. Plus we have stamp images that totally match Cricut images!

Products Used

X7139B Elemental Paper Pack

Z1686 Art Philosophy Cricut Collection, Cartridge and Stamps

Z1298 Texture Tools

Z196 Distressing Inks--Chocolate

Z2157 Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad--Vineyard Berry 

Bazzil Cardstock

Satin Ribbon

Imaginisce i-rock Jewel Setter

Chalk Ink

I Am a "Kept" Woman

My friend Charlotte sent this great poem too me. It was so good, I printed it and saved it. I just found it on my night stand it's still a keeper so I thought it would be good to share it with y'all. I hope you enjoy it!

You see there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,

     But God KEPT me sane. 

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds

are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isa 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could go on no longer,

     But the Lord KEPT me moving. 

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, 

and I will bring you back to this land. 

I will not leave you until 

I have done what I have promised you. (Gen 28:15)

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,

     But the Lord KEPT my mouth shut. 

 ¹ How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?

   How long will you hide your face from me?

² How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

and day after day have sorrow in my heart?

   How long will my enemy triumph over me?

 ³ Look on me and answer, LORD my God.

   Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,

⁴ and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”  

and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

 ⁵ But I trust in your unfailing love;

   my heart rejoices in your salvation.

⁶ I will sing the LORD’s praise,

   for he has been good to me. (Psa 13)

Sometimes, I think money just isn't enough,

     But GOD has helped me to KEEP the lights on, the water on, 
     a roof over our heads, and food on the table, etc...

 ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, 

what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.

Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; 

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, 

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not much more valuable than they? 

²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

   ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes?

See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 

²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor

was dressed like one of these. 

³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, 

which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, 

will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 

³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ 

or ‘What shall we drink?’ 

or ‘What shall we wear?’

³² For the pagans run after all these things, 

and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 

³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well.

³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, 

for tomorrow will worry about itself. 

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

(Matt 6:25-34)

When I thought I would fall, HE KEPT me up

     When I thought I was weak, HE KEPT me strong! 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 
(1 Peter 5:7)

 ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest. 

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 
and you will find rest for your souls. 

³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

(Matt 11:28-30)

I could go on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!

     I'm blessed to be "KEPT."

I hope you are "KEPT" too.

Scriptures are taken from the New International Version (NIV). For a GREAT online Bible, in different languages and several versions, go to http://www.youversion.com/

Product Review: Martha Stewart Paper Trimmer

I am a paper trimmer fanatic. At home, I have a GENESIS TRIMMER, they're handmade and I waited 8 months to get it. They're also an investment. I have never regretted that purchase. But haven't been so lucky finding a portable paper trimmer. I have bought a bunch of them, some have been so bad they just go straight to the trash, not even on to anyone else. My friend Karine is right up there with me. The two of us could probably go on a nice little trip somewhere with all the paper trimmers that we've bought and haven't liked.

We want a trimmer that works well, cuts straight--on cardstock and vellum, doesn't fall apart all the time, doesn't break when you drop it, and doesn't take an engineering degree to operate. Not too much to ask. I've been so pleased with my Martha Stewart Punches, that I decided to look at the MARTHA STEWART PAPER TRIMMER. I went to Michaels and actually took it out of the package right in the store to investigate further. I immediately told Karine I may have found one and had to wait til I got a coupon to get it. She had a coupon, bought it and liked it so I got one too. I even had a 50% off coupon on Martha Stewart products and some money left on a gift card from my Sister-in-law Sherry--Thanks Sherry!

     

The verdict: I do like it! In addition to the above requirements, it has a storage compartment underneath where you can store your embossing and cutting blades--no more searching for lost blades! Most trimmers have a swing arm that pulls out so you can cut your 12x12" papers, this has a slide out tray of sorts; you get measurements from both the top and bottom, not just one side. From what I have read this is good for both left- and right-handed individuals.

There is a magnifying glass on the sliding part that covers the measurements; a help for my aging eyes! Another feature I like is with the blades. I worry about throwing sharp things, like old blades, away. No worries here. In the photo below, see those little round things, those are actually covers.

Once you set your blade in the trimmer, the cover SLIDES off--don't pull it off, slide it off.  Put it in the back storage compartment and save the cover until you are ready to throw the blade away. When the time comes, slide the cover back on your used blade and when you throw it out, nobody gets hurt by it poking through a bag.

While it is still new, after YEARS and YEARS of searching, I think I have finally found my favorite portable paper trimmer!

NOTE: If you read this when I post it, the Paper Trimmer and the MARTHA STEWART SCORING BOARD & ENVELOPE TOOL, (another great product) are both on special at Michaels as their Deal of the Day for 50% off on 9/13/2011. You cannot beat that price!

SweetHeart

For my August Playday we used the Sweetheart Workshop on the Go kit and Made a 2 page layout and our calendar page.  I pretty much made the layout just like it was in the pattern except that I used more photos. When a pattern says to use say a 9 x 9 photo, I just fill photos in to fit a 9 x 9 inch space. You also see that while Sweetheart is more love/valentines oriented, I love scrapbooking my granddaughter and what better way to celebrate her and her friends. I also added a journaling block from the now discontinued Sophia Jounaling blocks. It isn't an exact match, but good enough. 

I stamped my letters with Black ink, but the I used Grey Wool for the swirls on my paper. I thought the Black would be just a bit too overpowering. The directions also called to stamp the pennants in alternating fist and second generation Cotton Candy ink. Instead of second generation, we used Baby Pink. It too is close enough and saves time, getting just the right inking that you can't always get with second generation stamping. 

One thing that you cannot see is how I identified the people in my photos. Our Red, Pink Purple Sparkle Assortment just happens to come with 3 different colors of gemstones and I needed to identify people in 3 different photos. So on each of the photos on the left page, I put a gemstone. Then on the right page, I put the same colored gemstone on the bottom of my journaling square and identified the people in that photo. It is subtle, but works. There are two photos of my granddaughter and one of her girlfriends. Those photos each got the same colored gemstone because it is the same girl. I was thrilled that it worked out so well! Of course I had to add more bling to the butterfly and put 3 on on his body and one for his head.

The little white dots are liquid applique. They're a different effect, but I don't know that I like using them on scrapbook pages. They tend to burn quite easily. If you saw this up close and i pointed it out to you, you could see burn marks on my paper. I'm so glad I didn't have it near my photos! I had Liquid Applique out for the ladies to try, but suggested that they may like adding sparkles, pearls, or brads better.

Materials Used

G1017 Sweetheart WOTG

E1018 Pennant Alphabet My Acrylix Stamp Set

Z1386 Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment

Z1326 Sparkles, Red, Pink, Purple Assortment

Z108 Liquid Applique

Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads

   Z2102 Baby Pink   Z2105  Black   Z2125 Grey Wool    Z2190 Gypsy   Z2193 Cotton Candy

Z697 Sponge

Z1151 3-D Foam Tape

Z534 MicroTip Scissors

Our next project was our calendar page. I used the left page of the "Silver Screen" pattern on pages 20 and 21 of Cherish. Honestly, we have the best pattern books. They are designed so you can turn the pattern around any way and have 4 layouts out of one pattern. Flip the pages and turn them differently and you have even more. Each pattern not only gives you dimensions, but also then has you label you the pieces as you cut and you build you layouts with your "a-b-c" pieces; so simple! I always leave the book open because once completed, the final product looks different from the book.

Here I used the back sides of the paper from the Sweetheart Kit. This kit is discontinued, but as of today, I checked and it is available online. If you want it--go order it now! I added Gypsy paper to go with the Background and Texture Paper. People could choose between Pink or white grosgrain ribbon and like the layout above, they can choose they're own title. We added Waxy Flax to the buttons; I think I had some old Amethyst left over that went perfect. I used some metal-rimmed tags for the lower butterfly which was inked first in Cotton Candy and then the body rolled in Gypsy before stamping. You can't tell here, but I put Liquid Glass on this butterfly's "heart" and sprinkled it with Prisma Glitter. The stitching is an old stamp set C1234 Simple Stitches; this is one set I will never part with--no stitching for me when I can stamp! There is a Bitty Sparkle in the lightly sponged little butterfly on the right.

The calendar is so easy. You can make your pages, put them on the calendar, and then after the year is over, use some Undu to take them off and put your pages in a book. You add your own months, days, and decorations to the calendar too. It is spiral bound and a deal at $7.95. I already stuck my page in the calendar before taking the picture so you can see the spiral at the bottom of this photos.

Materials Used
G1017 Sweetheart Workshop on the Go
X5916 Purple Cardstock Shades Pack
Z1030 12 x 12 Monthly Calendar
My Acrylix Stamp Sets:
   E1013 Field Trip Alphabet
   C1234 Simple Stitches
Z1370 Pink Buttons
Z1263 Clear Bitty Sparkles
Z679 Liquid Glass
Z134 Prisma Glitter
Z1463 Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes
Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads:  Z2190 Gypsy   Z2193 Cotton Candy

Z697 Sponge

Z1151 3-D Foam Tape

Z534 MicroTip Scissors

Pink Grograin Ribbon

Amethyst Waxy Flax

CTMH Spotlight Blog Hop: Circle Cards

If you have arrived from Wendy's Scrapbooking Blog, you are in the right place. If not, I'll get you there. Each person's site follows another like a circle of us sitting around a table, sharing what we have made with you and if you keep clicking on the following name (my page will take you to Elizabeth's), you will wind up back to Wendy, and then back to me.

Because I have listed several new products, I have highlighted some and linked each one to my website. You can click on the bolded/underlinded phrase and see more information on the products and pick some up if you'd like. If you do, however, be sure to check out the "while supplies last" section for some great bargains.

This month's Close To My Heart Spotlight product is Circle Cards. I chose to use the Colonial White circle cards to make my card. There come in packs of 12 cards with matching envelopes and are also available in White Daisy. We also have Z1309 4 1/2" Clear Cards that are packets containing 8 flexible, clear cards, 4 square and 4 scalloped circles along with 8 cello envelopes. Each card has a removable protective coating. These are so pretty when embossed and work beautifully with our double-sided papers.

Since I just got my Cricut Art Philosophy collection in my convention bundles, and the great Roxie papers that I already played with I knew I wanted to use these products. Oh and I had to use the NEW cute little Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes--Love them. Lots of elements and this is what I came up with, a special card for someone special!

The big black center of the left flower is a velvet button I had laying out my craft table. It was huge and I told some friends I would find something to use it for. It made a great coneflower! Everything else is Close To My Heart Products and most are new.

I cut the Rose at 5 1/2" and the Coneflower at 6" on the Cricut. There is a Tulip-colored belly band underneath the flowers, with belt loops on each end to hold the ribbon. that I believe I cut at 3 1/2". The ticket was easy as the carrier sheet that holds the stamps tells you what size to cut it--1 inch.

We have a stamp that matches the leaves, but to stamp them, I would have had to cut them approximately 3/4." I learned why you cannot cut the leaves that small; their stem turns out less than threadlike and it pretty much disintegrates when you take the leaves off the cutting mat. I think my leaves were cut at 2." Then I just took a swirly stamp and stamped a design randomly all over them. Since our stamps are 100% clear, you they are super easy to stamp after you have cut them out on the Cricut. If your cut image it too small to hold with your finger and stamp, hold it with a piercing tool.

Oh and the shimmer on the rose--that's my favorite--our own glimmer spray/mist. Mix it to match your projects, using our Spray pens, Create-A-Shade Pearl Paint, and Re-inkers. Even mix re-inkers to get different colors--the possibilities are endless and very inexpensive since you only use a few drops of reinker, pearl paint and water. You receive a recipe card in with the Spray Pens showing quantities you use, and measuring marks are right on the pen. If you want more, or less shimmer don't want any at all and just want a spray mist, omit the pearl paint.

SUPPLIES USED
Z1352 4 1/2" Colonial White Circle Cards
X7140B Roxie Level 2 Paper Pack
X5754 Creme Brulee Cardstock
Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection
D1491 Hooray Bouquet (click on title to see all stamps in set)
Z1615 Designer Ribbon Red Collection
Z1463 Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes
Z1333 Mocha Opaques (pearl for center of Rose)
Z1263 Bitty Sparkles (for Butterfly Body and dotting the "i" on ticket greeting)
Z553 Bonding Memories Chisel Tip Glue Pen
Z341 Memory Book Mini Glue Dots
Z1151 3-D Foam Tape
Z1114 Piercing Tool (great for an "extra" hand or finger)
Z534 Micro-Tip Scissors
Z1380 Spray pens
Z1039 Create-A-Shade Pearl Paint
Z697 Round Sponge (for shading ink on my flowers)
Exclusive Inks Z2262 Honey Reinker
Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads
   Z2114 Cocoa   Z2153 Sweet Leaf    Z2166 Tulip    Z2167 Creme Brulee

Believe it or not, this was a quick and pretty easy card to make. It took longer convincing myself that I couldn't play with all of my new toys and cleaning up my table afterwards. I had papers, tools, and embellishments everywhere! I tell you, it is just as hard for me when the new goodies arrive as it is for you when you get a new bag, to get back to everyday responsibilities than it is to sit right down and play!

Now it's time to leave my site and go see what the other creative ladies in the month's CTMH Spotlight Blog have created with Cricle Cards.

Next on the list . . . hop on over to see what  Elizabeth at Broken Treasures made.

Crop and Create Project: Memory Game Box

We created this great little box at the recent Close To My Heart Convention. I had so much fun making mine that I thought I'd share it so it's the project at my house on 8/12. Email me for more details.

Supply List
Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection
Z1614 My Creations Memory Game Box, complete with 24 3x3 Chipboard cards

C1464 Blue Ribbon My Acrylix stamps

X7141B Elemental Level 2 Paper Pack

X7141C Elemental Complements Dimensional Elements

X5920 Winter Cardstock Combo Pack

1273 Desert Sand Cardstock

Z1375 Kraft Cardstock

Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads

    Z2114 Cocoa

    Z2118 Desert Sand

    Z2318 Exclusive Inks Desert Sand Marker

Z697 Sponge

Z1612 Pin Clips

Z1366 Metal Brad Assortment

Z1466 Bling Assortment

Z1151 3-D Foam tape

Z534 Micro-Tip Scissors

1772 Glue Dots

Z1114 Piercing Tool