Artwork

Pockets & Tags – so many uses

Two more great techniques today! They aren’t ones that I use all the time,  but when I do I love the results. (See the information at the end of this blog to learn how you could win all 35 of these technique tags in this series.)

Pockets & Tags (to put in those pockets.) That’s what we will talk about today.

Sometimes it’s fun to have an “inside joke”tag_pockets_samp as part of a card or scrapbook page. By using pockets, you can easily accomplish this. There are also times when journaling is very personal, and you don’t want to leave it out, but you don’t want it displayed either. (Some photos are better in pockets so the squeamish can be protected.)
In this Seaside sample, I created pockets with a simple rectangle glued on three sides, a mini envelope and a shaped cut out in which I cut a slit.

Here’s another look with the contents of the pockets pulled out of their hiding places. tag_pockets_samp2tag_pockets_ins tagclub_pocketsYou can also cut a slit in your project itself and line the back with paper to create your hidden pocket. So many fun things to do to create pockets. You can see on my club night tag that I used a circle element to create the base of my pocket. Did you notice the circle punch out in the circle pocket to make it easier to pull out the journaling?

Now that we know how to make pockets, let’s move onto tags to put in those pockets.

tag_tags_sampI used tags to make my tag title “Hello” and created a removable bookmark tag as well.tag_tags_bkmark

tag_tags_insHere are the stamp sets I’ve used in this example, and many of the other tags that we will be looking at in the upcoming posts:

C1605 Happy to Be Friends

D1632 Amour

I also used Seaside papers (X7192B)

Our awesome markers were also put to use throughout this process of creating the technique tags.

I’ll leave you with the tag samples from our club night book, and the information how you could win all 35 tags that will be shown in this series of technique tips blog.

tagclub_tags2 tagclub_tags1Contest Information:

Now you might want to know how you can earn chances to win these tags.   There are several ways.  Write a comment on this post.  (1 entry)   Share this post link on your Facebook post and let me know on my FB page Crafting with Amanda that’s you’ve done it.  (1 entry per share).  Like my FB page.  (3 entries)  If you’re a pinterest person, for every technique tag you pin, you receive an entry.  (up to 35!)    At the end of the contest I will assign each entry a number and using a random number generator will pick a winner.  I will announce the winner on this blog, and then contact them to get the address where the tag book should be sent.

If you would like a copy of my technique instructions file,  leave a comment with your email and I will send it to you.

Happy Crafting and Good Luck!

Tissue Inking & Using sponges

Two more great techniques today! These will help you get some truly individual looks from the same stamp. Tissue Inking and using Sponges. (See the information at the end of this blog to learn how you could win all 35 of these technique tags in this series.)

Tissue Inking:

tag_tissue_ins You can do tissue inking in a couple different ways. One way is to dab a tissue in the ink, then dab it on the stamp. You can do this with multiple colors. Keep in mind before you stamp on your project you will want to “huff” on your stamp to re-moisten the ink.

Another way to do this is to ink the whole stamp in one lighter color, then add the darker shades with tissues in the same manner as the first method. You will also need to “huff” your stamp if you choose this method.

tag_tissue_samp tag_tissue_samp2In this sample I inked the whole tree in desert sand ink, then added honey, cranberry and pear ink with a tissue. After I stamped the image, I used crinkled clear wrap to add the blue and green in the background.

Here is the tissue sample from my club night tag book.tagclub_tissueSponges Technique:

tag_sponges_sampSponges are a great way to add color to your backgrounds, stamps, or create a polka dot effect on your projects. For this Seaside tag book sample I used sponges to color the image of the farm stamp and used them to add multiple colors to the shells & star fish stamps.

tag_sponges_insHere is the sample from our club night project. In this one I used sponges to create colors around the floral stems and also some masking (another technique in a future post) to create a sand dune look. (Hard to see in the photo, sorry)tagclub_sponges

 

Now you might want to know how you can earn chances to win this great prize. There are several ways. Write a comment on this post. (1 entry) Share this post link on your Facebook post and let me know on my FB page that’s you’ve done it. (1 entry per share) Crafting with Amanda Like my FB page. (3 entries) If your a pinterest person, for every technique tag you pin, you receive an entry. (up to 35!) At the end of the contest I will assign each entry a number and using a random number generator will pick a winner. I will announce the winner on this blog, and then contact them to get the address where the tag book should be sent.

Here are the stamp sets I’ve used in this example, and many of the other tags that we will be looking at in the upcoming posts:

C1605 Happy to Be Friends

D1632 Amour

I also used Seaside papers (X7192B)

Our awesome markers were also put to use throughout this process of creating the technique tags.

If you would like a copy of my technique instructions file, leave a comment with your email and I will send it to you.

Now you might want to know how you can earn chances to win these tags.   There are several ways.  Write a comment on this post.  (1 entry)   Share this post link on your Facebook post and let me know on my FB page Crafting with Amanda that’s you’ve done it.  (1 entry per share).  Like my FB page.  (3 entries)  If you’re a pinterest person, for every technique tag you pin, you receive an entry.  (up to 35!)    At the end of the contest I will assign each entry a number and using a random number generator will pick a winner.  I will announce the winner on this blog, and then contact them to get the address where the tag book should be sent.

If you would like a copy of my technique instructions file,  leave a comment with your email and I will send it to you.

Happy Crafting and Good Luck!
 

Techniques to add depth to your project(s)

Here they are, numbers two and three in our technique tag series. (See the information at the end of this blog to learn how you could win all 35 of these technique tags in this series.)tag_bkgstamp_samp

Background Stamping:

In this sample I rolled some clear plastic wrap to form “rosettes,” (top left) in the middle sample I crinkled up some clear plastic wrap and pounced it on the paper. The last example I wrapped a piece of paper towel around a block, inked it then stamped on the paper. Other items around your house that make for great backgrounds include onion bags, bubble wrap, orange sacks and many other everyday items. I would love to see or hear about your creative background stampings.tagclub_bckgrdstamptag_bckstamp_ins

Sanding Cardstock:

Sanding cardstock is a great way to add texture or interest to your work. With CTMH’s white core cardstock, you have great opportunities to customize your work in several ways. You can crinkle it then sand. You can sand just the edges, sand over objects like a key, paperclips or coins, and you can play with directional sanding to bring interest to your work.

tag_sandingcs_samp tag_sandingcs_instagclub_sandcs

Here is the sample from club night.

Here are the stamp sets I’ve used in this example, and many of the other tags that we will be looking at in the upcoming posts:

C1605 Happy to Be Friends

D1632 Amour

I also used Seaside papers (X7192B)

Our awesome markers were also put to use throughout this process of creating the technique tags.

Contest Information:

Now you might want to know how you can earn chances to win these tags.   There are several ways.  Write a comment on this post.  (1 entry)   Share this post link on your Facebook post and let me know on my FB page Crafting with Amanda that’s you’ve done it.  (1 entry per share).  Like my FB page.  (3 entries)  If you’re a pinterest person, for every technique tag you pin, you receive an entry.  (up to 35!)    At the end of the contest I will assign each entry a number and using a random number generator will pick a winner.  I will announce the winner on this blog, and then contact them to get the address where the tag book should be sent.

If you would like a copy of my technique instructions file,  leave a comment with your email and I will send it to you.

Happy Crafting and Good Luck!
 

It’s Here, the new Holiday Inspirations Book!

Get your own copy of the new Holiday Expressions book delivered to your door when you place any order on my website.   www.craftingwithamanda.closetomyheart.com

16-he-cover

I am loving all the new paper.  I typically do,  but there are some papers that take longer for me to find my mojo than others.  This book also had a couple of those,  but I am now hooked.  Looking forward to getting back in to the school routine and perhaps some crafting time for me!  I have so many ideas of projects that I want to create with these great papers.

Close to my Heart has started highlighting a paper pack of the month,  it is available after that time,  but the bulk of their marketing will be about this paper.  In September Jeepers Creepers is their choice.   Here are some of the artwork their artists created.

16-he-jeepers-creepers-birthday-card 16-he-jeepers-creepers-pocket-pages 16-he-jeepers-creepers-be-scary-card 16-he-jeepers-creepers-wyw-card-set  16-he-jeepers-creepers-monstrous-card-set 16-he-jeepers-creepers-happy-halloween-card 16-he-party-time-wyw-cardmaking-kit I’ve selected all the cards to start with,  I will do another post with the scrapbook pages!   Some of these cards are from the Jeepers Creepers workshops your Way.  I am truly loving the new workshops your way that CTMH has put together.  Everything I need in one kit,  little waste,  and both layouts & cards.  SIX layouts come together quickly!

Happy Crafting!

Who doesn’t love to win something?

tag_liquidglass_samp Not me.  **I am starting a series of blog posts around a technique tag book that my club night gals and I made over the last year.   We did four techniques each month over nine months. 4 x 9 = 36 techniques right? Wrong.  I duplicated one of the techniques, so one month we only did three new ones.   What does all of this have to do with winning?   You can win all 35 of the new technique tags that I am making just for this contest!  Over the next several weeks, I will be posting a couple of techniques each day.

Now you might want to know how you can earn chances to win this great prize.   There are several ways.  Write a comment on this post.  (1 entry)   Share this post link on your Facebook post and let me know on my FB page that’s you’ve done it.  (1 entry per share)(https://www.facebook.com/CraftingWithAmanda).  Like my FB page.  (3 entries)  If your a pinterest person, for every technique tag you pin, you receive an entry.  (up to 35!)    At the end of the contest I will assign each entry a number and using a random number generator will pick a winner.  I will announce the winner on this blog, and then contact them to get the address where the tag book should be sent.

I will be showing photos of the technique samples tags that I made for the club night gals, AND the brand new tags using Seaside papers & Skylark.  With no further ado. . .

Technique #1

tag_tearroll_insCardstock paper Tearing & Rolling:

This is a great technique to add interest to your project without adding bulk.   If your cardstock is white core, (like CTMH)  you  can also add contrast or help direct your focus to your photos or other focal point.

In my example I rolled the edges on one of my samples to help bring the focus to the flowers.  On the beach image I used the torn edge to help balance the white of the image and help draw your eye to it.

tag_tearroll_sampHere are the stamp sets I’ve used in this example, and many of the other tags that we will be looking at in the upcoming posts:

C1605 Happy to Be Friends

D1632 Amour

I also used Seaside papers (X7192B)

Our awesome markers were also put to use throughout this process of creating the technique tags.

tagclub_tearroll  This is the sample from our club night.  Notice on this one I rolled all the edges of the framed image.  I also showcased the tearing techniques for showing the white core (top)  and not showing (bottom) of the cardstock running diagonal.  It can be varied depending upon which way you tear the paper.  (towards you or away from you.)

So.  Remember to comment on this post, share on FB, and pin the tag to Pinterest to earn entries into this contest.  You can share your pinterest shares with me on the FB page.

If you would like a copy of my technique instructions file,  leave a comment with your email and I will send it to you.

** – This series was started over a year ago,  but never finished.  I am reposting all of them over the next few weeks with the last ones that were never completed and will go back and collect the entries from the beginning and now.

Happy Crafting and Good Luck!