Fabulously Artsy

Busy Backstage

2013-05-15T08:52:00.001-07:00

Have you missed my blog posts? It’s been a busy few weeks ‘round here. My daughter Allison (above, top right), is performing in “Once Upon a Mattress” at her high school. The cast has been rehearsing for months, and I am so impressed with the level of commitment that these kids put into their play.

A week before opening night, Allison told me that they were still in need of costumes for their knights. I stepped up to the challenge and volunteered my services. This was my view for several days….

It was a lot of work, but I managed to create seven costumes, which consisted of tunics, hoods, belts and armbands. All for under $100. Whew! To add to the challenge, all of the actors are girls, so I had to design a costume that wouldn’t give away their feminine figures.

After finishing the costumes, I offered to do the makeup for several of the characters in the play as well. The show is running for 6 nights, plus dress rehearsals, so I’ve been spending several hours each performance turning girls into men, and teenagers into fairytale characters.

I finally got to see the entire production last weekend, with the rest of my family and I was absolutely blown away with the talent of these actors. The “Spanish Panic” dance number alone is worth the price of admission.

If you live in the Spokane area, you can see this play for the final two performances, Thursday and Friday, May 16-17 at 7 pm, at West Valley High School. The cost is just $5 per person.

Yummy Dream Pop for just $10

2013-05-08T11:58:00.001-07:00

Have you been shopping for clothes lately? The stores are full of bright, happy colors!

You may have embraced these colors in your wardrobe, or you may have decided that the last thing you want is a pair of electric hued jeans, but you can’t deny that these bright colors are definitely youthful and fun. The key is to mix the colors with some basic neutrals like grey, white or black.

If you’d like to add some spot-on trendy colors to your scrapbooking, cardmaking or papercrafting, Close to My Heart has a very special paper packet in honor of National Scrapbooking Month, available only in May.

This is a huge paper packet, twice the amount of paper & cardstock as our standard patterned paper/cardstock packs. I love the glossy patterns printed on the solid cardstock sheets, which makes the plain cardstock into a double duty powerhouse. Use the plain side or pick the glossy pattern, your choice! As always, the patterned papers are double sided too, so this versatile kit will give you countless options.

Get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet on my website for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing!

*Shipping/handling and tax apply. Not available for purchase at full retail. Offer valid May 1–31, 2013, while supplies last. Qualifying purchases must be current, retail-priced product.

Dates: Offer valid May 1–31, 2013.

Purchase the Dream Pop Paper Packet on my website while supplies last. Click here to shop!

Are you Curious?

2013-05-03T14:14:00.001-07:00

I am so excited to share the big news about Curious.com! I am officially one of the Curious 100 teachers on this exciting new website, and I can’t wait to share my classes and tutorials.

Here’s the cool welcome package I just received a few days ago from curious.com.

I even have my own business cards!

Right now my page has just two videos up, with a couple more waiting in line for publishing. You may recognize the videos from my youtube channel, but soon I’ll be having more content, exclusive to curious.com.

Don’t worry, I won’t be abandoning youtube, there’s room for both venues. What I love about the idea of curious.com is that the site is only for learning, not for all the “other” stuff that sometimes gets in the way when you’re looking for instruction. Sure, I love a good cat video, or song parody, but when I want to learn how to salsa dance or how to grow asparagus, I’ll be turning to curious.com.

But don’t just my word for it, read what the New York Times has to say.

I’d love to have you stop in and check out my page on curious.com.

Winner!

2013-04-28T10:35:00.001-07:00

Thank you to everyone who entered the Freebie Friday giveaway. I appreciate every one of your comments, and it looks like the overwhelming response is more videos and tutorials. I figured that would be the answer, since I get lots of requests for more videos all the time, and I am going to try really hard to do just that!

By random drawing of all entries submitted to the linky tool, entry #26 was chosen as the winner. Congratulations to Mariya, who left this comment:

“I would like to see more videos! Thank you for sharing your talent.”

You’re welcome Mariya, and thanks to you and all my readers for visiting and commenting on my blog!

I have notified the winner by email and she has 7 days to respond with her mailing address. If the prize is unclaimed by May 5th, I will hold a new drawing.

Where do you want to go today?

2013-04-24T21:10:00.001-07:00

I’m absolutely fascinated with Google Maps street view. My son is a big google maps user, and he’ll spend hours exploring the world, “discovering” tropical islands and exotic locations.

The following pictures are all screen shots of our recent trip to Monaco. No, not a real trip, but it’s pretty cool getting to experience the freedom of exploring anywhere you want to go, as long as there are roads you can get there! Best part, it’s all free!

We were able to drive around town using Google street view, checking out the sights by panning the camera in a full 360 degree circle, which lets us see views like the one above.

My son likes yachts, so we had to go check out the marina.

I thought a nice drive in the mountains would be fun. Look at the clouds rolling in over the hilltops.

Down to the swanky shopping district for a little window shopping.

We even had fun navigating through the narrow side streets. (Which would make me more than a little nervous if I were driving a real car.)

One more stop at the waterfront for the cruise ships….

and then it’s time to come back to reality. There’s laundry to fold and dinner to cook, not to mention homework.

Maybe tomorrow we’ll visit Rome.

Did you know that Google Street view can take you beyond roads? Travel by snowmobile, bike or even on foot! To learn more about Google street view, click here.

Freebie Friday!

2013-04-19T16:58:00.004-07:00

How about some freebie Friday goodness? It’s been awhile since I held a giveaway, and I’m feeling very blessed to have reached 800 likes on my Fabulously Artsy facebook page, so I’m giving away this fabulous stamp set, Frame Flair, by Close to My Heart!

I’ll be having another giveaway when I reach 1,000 likes, so please help me grow by liking my page if you haven’t already!

How to Enter Tell me what you want most from Fabulously Artsy…
1. Video Tutorials
2. Step by Step Tutorials (in photo/text format, not video)
3. Workshop kits (Exclusive Fab Artsy designs for purchase)
4. Live Classes
5. Challenges (sketch, color, or products)
6. Product specials
7. Other (tell me!)

Type your response in the linky comment gadget below. Just click on the blue “Click Here to Enter” link, at the bottom of this post.

You will need to leave name and email (see below). First name only if you like. You do not need to provide a link to your blog or website.

The Details This contest is hosted by Tresa Black, independent Close to My Heart consultant. Winner will be chosen at random from all entries correctly submitted by midnight 4/24/2013. Email address and name required to enter, this information is only to contact winner and will not be displayed or used for any marketing purposes. Retail value of prize, $17.95 plus tax, s&h. Winner will receive notification by email and must reply to provide mailing address within 7 days or a new winner will be chosen. This contest is not affiliated with Close to My Heart corporate or Facebook.

Four Free Stamp Sets!

2013-04-17T09:22:00.001-07:00

Join Close to My Heart in April and receive the April, May, June and July Stamp of the Month sets!
Build your own business, or just purchase for yourself and get a great discount, it’s so easy to become part of the Close to My Heart consultant team. Join for just $49!
Click here to sign up.

Group Photo

2013-04-14T11:23:00.001-07:00

Family group picture. Nailed it!

Well, at least they’re all smiling.

Quick Tip: Backless Brads

2013-04-11T07:30:00.001-07:00

I love brads. They’re inexpensive, they add dimension and color, and they are so simple to add to just about any papercrafting project.

Except when you decide to add them after you’ve assembled your project. Not fun. Not simple. Layers of paper and stamping, already attached… how do you poke a hole in your masterpiece and risk ruining it all?

You can always use self-adhesive brads, which are becoming more and more popular. But if you don’t have any one hand, let me show you how to create Backless Brads using any regular brad (any size, shape or color will do).

This portion of my card (below) is feeling a little blah, it needs a little extra texture and I’d like to add some pink brads under the “Hello.”

Problem is, the card is already assembled and that’s a lot of adhesive, foam tape and liquid glass holding everything together. Tearing it apart is out of the question, and poking through all the layers is too.

First, cut off the prongs from the back of the brad. The metal prongs are very soft and can be cut with a variety of tools. Wire cutters or snips, or even a pair of old scissors (ones you won’t use for paper or fabric) will work. You may need to bend the prongs back and forth to break off the metal if the snips don’t cut through all the way.

After removing the back of the brad, you may need to flatten any protruding prong left behind. Again, any variety of tools will work, I like to use the flat side of my scissors. Just press down firmly on the back of the brad until the prongs no longer stick up outside the brad.

Finished backless brad.

Use glue dots or liquid glass to attach to your project.

Finished and fabulous!

Close to My Heart products used:
Hello Blooms stamp set
Chantilly Paper Pack
Kraft Cardstock

Wishi Washi? I think not!

2013-04-03T14:04:00.001-07:00

Washi Tape is growing ever more popular. It’s a quick, easy pop of color and pattern. It gives a casual vibe to your project, perfect for a modern look.

I’m just starting to jump on the washi tape bandwagon and sometimes I find myself wishing I had a particular color or pattern on hand.

Wishing for washi. Hee hee!

Recently I attended Close to My Heart’s album retreat and learned a new technique to create a faux washi tape look. As a stamper, I have every ink color in the rainbow, and tons of patterned stamps. Here’s a quick and easy way to add the trendy look of washi tape using your own stamps and inks, without spending a cent!

The quickest method is to stamp off the edge of the paper.

By stamping off-kilter, you’ll create a more playful and haphazard design.

If you want to create a smaller piece of tape, without running off the sides of your paper, use a mask to block the unwanted portion of your stamp (below).

Here I have placed a piece of copy paper over my cardstock, leaving the right side exposed (above). This will “mask” the base cardstock from the unwanted portion of my stamp.

Ink and stamp. Remove the copy paper mask.

Ta da! Custom created washi tape, just the right pattern, just the right color!

Here are some excellent background stamps for faux washi tape technique (click to view stamp sets):

In the Background
Patterned Pennants
Universal Backgrounds
Bird and You’re Tweet stamps from the CTMH April Stamp of the Month, My Sunshine. Get if for $17.95, or add it to your cart for just $5 when you spend $50 or more on my website.

Super special offer! This month, sign up as a Close to My Heart consultant and receive the April, May, June and July stamp of the months, for free! That’s a savings of $72, plus you’ll receive the new consultant essentials kit with business and creative supplies, retail value $130.
That’s over $200 in products and essentials starting as low as $49!

Click to join my Close to My Heart team!

Sponsor Spotlight: Origami Owl

2013-03-29T16:43:00.001-07:00

This year one of the sponsors at Creative University was Sheila Bennett, Origami Owl designer. This was my first time seeing the beautiful lockets, charms and tags by this up and coming jewelry company. I loved the story behind the company, which was started by a 14 year old teen who wanted to start saving for a car.

Origami Owl’s living lockets are made to show off what’s important to you. You start with an empty locket and choose tiny little charms, plates or tags with words, and dangles to make your own one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.

Each item is available individually, and you can customize to your heart’s content. I chose two of the tags for an affirmation statement. I love wearing this necklace so much, I have had it on most every day since Creative U. I feel like it gives me little boost of power every time I slip on my little “magic charm.” Who doesn’t need a little magic now and then?

Whatever Wednesday

2013-03-27T17:16:00.001-07:00

I have a fondness for stop motion. Perhaps it’s because I grew up watching Rudolph and Gumby. I’m fascinated by the level of detail and commitment it takes to create even a few short minutes of film.

Gulp is the world’s largest stop motion animation, filmed from a sky-high viewpoint on a beach with a real actor. The largest scene stretches over 11,000 square feet. Another amazing fact is that the entire episode is filmed on a Nokia N8 smartphone.

Gulp. The world's largest stop-motion animation shot on a Nokia N8. from Nokia HD on Vimeo.

Watch the making of Gulp.

Wise Words

2013-03-24T15:28:00.001-07:00

I just heard this quote on CBS Sunday morning and it really hit home. I am often guilty of thinking of something that I should do, could do, want to do… but fail to take action.

So… first order of the day: make an typography graphic to remind myself to quit hallucinating, and get busy making things happen!

Jump for Joy in March!

2013-03-13T22:08:00.003-07:00

Hostesses earn more rewards in March because when a Gathering reaches $250 or more in sales, the hostess jumps up to the next Hostess Rewards and Hostess Rewards Plus! levels. Now that’s a reason to jump for joy!*

Did you know you can earn hostess rewards, without even having a party?
That's right, no invites to send, no orders to collect, no house to clean. If you're going to put in a large order for yourself, YOU can get hostess rewards, simple as that!

Here's how it works:
Browse your copy of the Close to My Heart catalog, or view it online. Make a list and if you plan to purchase $150 (before shipping and tax), you can email me your list and I'll take it from there. You must email me, you can't place the order on my shopping website if you want to take advantage of the free hostess rewards.

Here are some of the hostess amounts you can earn and spend on select Close to My Heart products:
Orders of $150-$249 = $25 in product
Orders of $250-$349 = normally $40, this month $60 in product and select a 1/2 price item!
Orders of $350-$449 = normally 460, this month $80 in product and select two 1/2 price items!
The more you spend, the more you get!

Of course, if you'd like to invite your friends and family to add to your order, helping you reach even higher hostess rewards, I can set up an online "party" for you on my website, making it simple and easy to invite your guests to order directly. And you still don't have to clean your house!

*Shipping/handling and tax applies. Only Gatherings with a total of $250 or more will qualify for the jump in Hostess Rewards or Hostess Rewards Plus!. Qualifying hostesses will receive Hostess Rewards from one level only—the level that is one higher than their sales total.

Dates: Jump for Joy offer valid March 1–31, 2013.

The Ribbon Carousel

2013-03-08T20:16:00.001-08:00

Ribbon hoarders rejoice! You can store your ribbons in style, and actually spend more time crafting instead of digging through piles of knotted ribbons and twine.

Corinna is the inventor and owner of The Ribbon Carousel. I love that her product is 100% made in the USA, and that Corinna is a wife and mother who runs her successful business along with her busy life. Her Ribbon Carousels are made to last, sturdy and gorgeous. There’s even a spinning turntable on the bottom so you can access all sides with the flick of your wrist!

Want to win a Ribbon Carousel for yourself? Enter the “Spring is in the Air” challenge on the Ribbon Carousel blog. Find details and rules here.

Shop for the Ribbon Carousel here.

One of my lucky Creative University attendees won a ribbon carousel, thanks to her amazing lung power during the Minute-to-Win it gameshow at CU.

That’s Amy, on the right, competing against Jeanine on the left. Amy knocked over the most cups and took home a Ribbon Carousel.

Amy at home with her prize!

Whatever Wednesday

2013-03-06T14:11:00.001-08:00

Hey, it’s time for another Whatever Wednesday! Today I’m sharing my recent discovery of Screaming Goats. Or Yelling Goats. Or Goats who sound like humans. Whatever you call them, they are freaky and funny, and just so… whatever. Gather the kids and enjoy!

Jewelry Class at Create U

2013-03-04T10:47:00.001-08:00

One of the classes that I love offering at Create U is jewelry, because many of the attendees get their first exposure to this art form at my event. I feel that it’s important to sometimes step out of your comfort level and try new things, but I don’t want anyone to feel overwhelmed. The projects are designed to satisfy those with more jewelry experience but also allow beginners to create their project while learning a new craft.

This year students created soldered glass pendants with wire wrapped bead charms. I used this year’s CU logo so that students would have a keepsake to remind them of all the fun and inspiration they received at Creative University.

Below you can see the gorgeous silver-plated beads, blue freshwater pearl and blackstone charms.

My instructor, Melody did a wonderful job of helping everyone. It’s not easy supervising multiple work stations, especially when there are burning hot soldering irons involved. Here she is wearing her special teacher’s-only Creative U apron.

If you’re interested in learning soldering, I highly recommend the Simply Swank kit from Rings ‘n Things. It is the same brand we used at CU and for one affordable price you get everything you need to start creating right away.

photos credits: Amy Kupperman, Nichole Lewno

Mini Mania at Creative U

2013-02-26T16:16:00.001-08:00

Mini albums are always a favorite of mine, because you can complete an entire book in a short amount of time, and they can be used for so many purposes.

I designed this 14 page 6”x6” album for Creative University, using the Buzz & Bumble paper pack by Close to My Heart. Lots of pockets, pull-outs and flap make this album interactive and fun for the reader.

The mini album class teachers, Kari & Kandi, did an amazing job at presenting their class. They were organized, informative and patient, leading two 2-hour classes of 20 women each.

Love the album and want to make your own? I’ll be releasing a Fabulously Artsy Workshop this spring for both customers and consultants, so you can create the album yourself! You’ll be able to purchase the full kit with all materials, or a mini-kit for consultants, or those who would rather use their own consultants to purchase from. Stay tuned for the release date!

Card Café at Creative U

2013-02-22T15:34:00.001-08:00

One of the things I enjoyed most about this year’s Creative University was designing all of the projects myself. In the early years I offered a couple make-and-take projects, but nothing like the amount of artwork I created for this year’s event.

At the Card Café, students created two each of four designs, leaving with a total of eight cards. Each of the cards had a fun technique to make them a little more challenging and maybe learn something new.

The Heartfelt Wishes card (above) uses the embossed resist technique. The bird is stamped and heat embossed in white onto white cardstock, then sponged with twilight ink for a soft graduated colored background.

The Feel Better Soon card (above) uses pen detailing on the medallion portion of the card. I added this little detail in order to repeat the same element found in the background paper. By repeating these black dots it really pulls the whole design together.

The Thank You card (above) uses spot glitter to highlight the leaves and flower petals. Prisma glitter by CTMH is a translucent glitter, so it allows the undercolor of any paper or ink to show through. Used here, it appears green on the leaves and white on the petals. Pretty slick trick!

The Happy Birthday card (above) wasn’t so much about technique, but it did show off a cute way to make a handmade embellishment. The little pennants are nothing more than flat toothpicks topped with cardstock strips, hand-trimmed to size. You can even stamp a little word or design on yours, further customizing your own personal embellishment for next to nothing! Hooray!

One last mention about this card class you might not have noticed. All of the cards used the paper pack Chantilly, which is very “girly” with the pinks and yellows. I purposely designed two of the cards to be unisex colors so that they could be used for either men or women. All of the Close to My Heart paper packs have two-sided patterned paper (we call it B&T paper, for “background & texture”). So there are always plenty of choices for alternate color schemes in every pack!

I go through a lot of thank you cards, since I send one to every online customer when they place an order. I’ll be adapting some of these designs into thank you cards to use up my leftovers from Creative U.
How about you? What type of card do you use most? Leave a comment and let me know!

CTMH products used in these cards (click on the names to shop my website):
PAPER Chantilly Paper pack
STAMP SETS Happy Thoughts
Frame Flair
4 My Friend
Card Chatter – Sympathy
Say it in Style (retired)
Perfect Fit – Birthday
Stitched Together
ACCESSORIES
Prisma Glitter
Baker’s Twine, Grey Wool & Cranberry

Back from Creative University!

2013-02-20T20:45:00.001-08:00

Whew, I am going to sleep for a week now that Create U 2013 is all wrapped up! It was an amazing retreat, with the 40 fabulous women coming together for all kinds of art, fun and friendship.

I took so many pictures.

Not.

I was so busy having a great time and helping things run smoothly, that I actually took zero pictures. Unless you count a few instagram and facebook shots I managed to snap here and there. So I have to rely on others for our candid shots of the events, like these:

Amy and Jeanine competing in first round of “Minute to Win It.” Look at those tissues fly! Amy won a beautiful totebag from 31 gifts, filled with Cuttlebug goodies. Other contestants won a Ribbon Carousel and an Origami Owl necklace, courtesy of our fabulous sponsors!

Plenty of crafting, with gorgeous views from every window!

Lots of friendships, new and old!

I always save room for a cinnamon roll.

photo credits: Rachel Robins and Amy Kupperman.

$5 Layouts!

2013-02-07T07:10:00.001-08:00

February only, Studio J layouts are just $5 each!

Create two page layouts for just $5 each online, using Close to My Heart’s Studio J. Nothing to download, simple to use, you’ll be scrappin’ those piles of photos in record time.

Nothing to purchase in advance, you only pay when you complete your layouts and decide which ones you’ll buy. Projects are stored for 90 days before purchase to allow you plenty of time to work on them.

If you’ve never tried Studio J, this is your opportunity! Or if you’re a long time customer, make sure you take advantage and stock up on your layouts.

Make sure you check out the Express collections in Studio J. Ten ready-made layouts with a front and back cover, you’ll complete a 20 page scrapbook in record time! Purchase some or all of the layouts in the Express collections, you can even mix and match the different collection for the custom look that’s just your style.

Try it now!

Need another reason to try out Studio J? Watch my video:

Offer good Feb. 1-28, 2013. Shipping and handling apply. A minimum of 4 layouts required for shipping Studio J layouts. Free JPEG files included with the purchase of you layouts. You may also purchase the JPEGS alone without purchase of the physical layouts for just $2.95 each.

Old ‘n New

2013-01-29T15:52:00.001-08:00

I’m so excited with all the new papers and stamps coming in the new Spring/Summer Close to My Heart catalog, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still use some of my favorites from the previous books.

A few of our beautiful paper packs will be retiring for good on February 1st, and some have already been sold out, like the Stella paper I used on this card. You have just a few days to claim the remaining gorgeous papers, before they disappear forever!

Retiring Paper Packs Stella (sold out)
Flirty
Moonlight
Pear & Partridge (sold out)
Pemberly (sold out)
Victory
Florentine (sold out)

Lindy’s Secret Sale

2013-01-25T11:40:00.001-08:00

Lindy’s Stamp Gang
SECRET SALE

20% off everything
Today only
January 25
Coupon Code: secretsale

I’m a blabbermouth, and I can’t keep this deal to myself!

Shop Now! wwww.lindystampgang.com

Order your New Catalog Now!

2013-01-21T20:33:00.001-08:00

The Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book & Catalog from Close to My Heart is now available for purchase! Jam packed with ideas and new products, you can get your hands on one for just $6. Included with your purchase you will receive a $5 rebate good for your first purchase of $25 or more on my website.

Bonus! While supplies last, get the Autumn/Winter idea book for no extra charge with the purchase of your Spring/Summer book. Just choose the Bonus option on the shopping page link below.

Click to purchase your Idea Book & Catalog now!

A few of my faves from the new book:
For Always Paper Packet – Bold Black & White with a variety of patterns for mixing with any color of the rainbow.
Buzz & Bumble Paper Packet – For the vintage lover, with a warm neutral autumn color palette.
Later Sk8r Paper packet – You’ve got boys… you need this paper.
Canvas Art Kit (Workshops on the Go) – Everything you need in one kit, I love the patterned canvas, all ready for photos and embellishments!
Fabulous You Stamp Set – Well, I have to have this one because it has the word Fabulous in it. And the birds… gotta love new birds.
Bigger Background Stamps – there are a couple new sets that have longer stamps, great for background images.
Fabrics – Two of the new paper packs have coordinating textiles. I see lots of handmade flowers and ruffles on my cards and pages!
Zipper Lace – It’s lace, it’s got zipper teeth. It’s perfectly awesome.

Spring Catalog sneak peek

2013-01-17T16:02:00.001-08:00

Are you excited about the new products coming out in the new Close to My Heart catalog? I am!
I’ve been creating projects for Creative University, so I have lots of artwork I can’t show you… yet. But today I needed a quick little card and there were all these leftover pieces on my desk, just begging for a new home. Snip-snip, stamp and distress, ta-da!

Close to My Heart products used:
February Stamp of the Month, Home Sweet Home
Buzz and Bumble paper pack
Both of these items will be available on my shopping website beginning February 1st.

Fabulously Artsy

Busy Backstage

Yummy Dream Pop for just $10

Are you Curious?

Winner!

Where do you want to go today?

Freebie Friday!

Four Free Stamp Sets!

Group Photo

Quick Tip: Backless Brads

Wishi Washi? I think not!

Sponsor Spotlight: Origami Owl

Whatever Wednesday

Wise Words

Jump for Joy in March!

The Ribbon Carousel

Whatever Wednesday

Jewelry Class at Create U

Mini Mania at Creative U

Card Café at Creative U

Back from Creative University!

$5 Layouts!

Old ‘n New

Lindy’s Secret Sale

Lindy’s Stamp Gang SECRET SALE

20% off everything Today only January 25 Coupon Code: secretsale

Order your New Catalog Now!

Spring Catalog sneak peek

Lindy’s Stamp Gang
SECRET SALE

20% off everything
Today only
January 25
Coupon Code: secretsale