Fabulously Artsy

Spring/Summer Idea Book, Get Yours!

2012-02-01T09:38:00.001-08:00

The new idea book is here, and it’s fabulous! 144 jam-packed pages of products, ideas, tips and techniques.

Just $6 for priority mail shipping, and you’ll receive a $5 rebate on your first order of $25 or more.

While supplies last offer: I have extra copies of the Autumnn/Winter idea book, available at no charge when you order a new Spring/Summer idea book. Free book will be sent with your Spring/Summer book.

While many of the papers and accessories in the Autumn/Winter book are retired and no longer available, ALL of the stamps in the Autumn/Winter book are still available until July 2012, and many are not shown in the Spring/Summer book.

To receive your FREE Autumn/Winter 2011 book, please use the pull-down menu option on the Buy Now button. Offer good while supplies last, with purchase of Spring/Summer idea book.

Two books for six bucks. Good stuff.

Whatever Wednesday

2012-02-01T05:19:00.001-08:00

Don’t buy it… just don’t buy that. I can make it for you.

Spritz and Spring

2012-01-22T11:00:00.001-08:00

We’re just digging out from a big snowstorm here in Washington state, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dream of spring.

I created this layout for Lindy’s Stamp Gang’s CHA booth. They’ll be there, showing off their fabulous shimmery two-tone products.

I used lots of Glitz Spritz, mixed with Close to My Heart reinkers for custom-colored sprays. I also used several of LSG’s Starburst sprays to add even more shine. Click the photo above for a larger view.

It may be snowing outside my window, but it’s all flowers and butterflies in my studio!

Hip to Be Square

2012-01-17T14:31:00.001-08:00

I’ll have a pear and cocoa smoothie please. Okay, maybe not the most delicious food combo, but put together Pear, Cocoa and Smoothie cardstock and you’ve got a yummy treat! Faux stitching and the Rock the Block stamp set complete this little bit of eye candy.

You can still purchase the Rock the Block promotion until January 31. A huge stamp set, 9 white chipboard collage cubes in a matching tray, just $15 with a qualifying $25 purchase from my website.

As a special bonus, anyone placing an order on my website this month, for any amount, will also receive my 7 page instructional to create the Magic Cube using the Rock the Block collage cubes. SWEET!

Whatever Wednesday–Phone Stacking

2012-01-11T17:37:00.001-08:00

Can’t put down your phone? They’re addictive, and we’re used to checking them all day long. Facebook updates, tweets and texts, we’re connecting to people all day long through our phones. But what about when you’re out with friends?

I’m sheepishly raising my hand, color me guilty. Time out with friends should be about face-to-face time, and real people are more important than cyber-people.

That’s way I love the idea of this new “game” suggested by the Brian Perez, from his tumblr blog. He has a rather colorful name for the game, but the idea has gone viral and a much more family friendly name has emerged, phone stacking.

The rule: stack your phones, or place them on the table when you’re out with friends. First person to pick up their phone, picks up the check. That should be a pretty strong incentive to keep your attention on the real people in front of you, not the ones that aren’t there with you.

Love it. Stack me up.

Wise Words

2012-01-08T16:53:00.001-08:00

Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
- Thomas Edison

photo: my husband, hardest working man I know.

Faux Stitching with the Paper Piercing Tool

2012-01-07T17:20:00.001-08:00

The paper piercing tool is so versatile, it’s not just for poking holes for brads!

I love the look of stitching on my paper projects, but it’s not always practical to drag out the sewing machine, and hand-stitching can take forever. With a couple of tools from Close to My Heart, including the paper piercing tool shown above, I can create faux stitching in half the time!

In order to create this look, you’ll need to use Close to My Heart’s exclusive colors cardstock, or any other cardstock with a white core.

Check your cardstock for a white core by tearing a bit at the corner. As you can see below, the color is on the surface of the cardstock, but the center is white.

I’m going to create a square of faux stitching, so first I like to mark my cardstock, so my corners will meet nicely. Use a straight edge and a pencil to lightly mark your lines.

Dry emboss the lines with an embossing stylus and the groove of your paper trimmer.

Tresa Tip: Tracing over the cardstock several times lightly, rather than one heavy pass, keeps the cardstock from tearing through.

You can also use a scoring board for this step.

Flip the cardstock over so that the embossing is “mountain,” not “valley.”

Use a sanding block, or a piece of sandpaper to expose the white core of the cardstock. Keep your sandpaper flat to sand only the raised areas on the cardstock, so it won’t scratch the rest of piece.

Place the paper piercing foam mat under your cardstock. To create perfectly spaced stitch marks, use Close to My Heart’s ruler. Line up the desired stitching holes over your white scored line.

Hold your paper piercing tool vertically, poke through the stitching holes. You want to pierce deep into the foam mat in order to make larger sized stitching holes.

Continue until done!

Rock the Block Special

2011-12-27T10:48:00.001-08:00

I’ve been waiting for YEARS to make a magic cube. Really. And now Close to My Heart has come out with the perfect product to let me do just that – the My Creations Collage Cubes! They are the perfect size and weight to make this interactive photo-art display.

See it in action! Click the video.

Join me on January 4 at 7 pm PST for a free class on ustream to create the magic cube. Place an order on my website for detailed instructions emailed to you, with tips, cutting information, and step-by-step assembly.

The magic cube class will be recorded, so if you miss it or can’t follow along, you can watch it later.

You will be able to order these versatile cubes with matching tray in the spring/summer idea book, beginning February 1. They’ll be $14.95 – but guess what? You can get them NOW, plus an exclusive $29.95 stamp set together for just $15 with a qualifying order on my website!

Just place a minimum $25 order on my website on items available in the Autumn/Winter idea book and you can add the Rock the Block special for just $15!

Items must be from the Autumn/Winter idea book (clearance items don’t count, but hey, there are some fabulous deals!). Tax, shipping & handling apply. Magic cube instructions will be emailed to all customers placing orders for any items through Jan. 31, 2012. Please include your email address when placing online order.

Shop my website now!

Flat ‘n Fabulous

2011-12-19T20:57:00.001-08:00

Couldn’t wait to show off these pretty and simple cards using Lindy’s Stamp Gang Glitz Spritz and the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge from Close to My Heart.

More on these two cards coming soon, including how I matched Close to My Heart’s Heavenly Blue perfectly with the delicious shimmer of LSG’s products.

Flat cards don’t have to be boring! Adding shimmer and shine really perks things up. Use embossing powders, Glitz glitter gel and dots of Liquid Glass with Prisma Glitter. Ooooh! Shiny!

Secret Santa Sale

2011-12-15T07:38:00.001-08:00

Lindy’s Stamp Gang is having a one day sale!

Don’t forget that Lindy’s Stamp Gang ships internationally, so you can get your LSG products anywhere!

Video Tutorial, Snowflake Card

2011-12-12T20:18:00.001-08:00

Remember this card?

Would you like to watch me make it start-to-finish? With lots of tips?

Here ya go!

Check out 50 other projects using Close to My Heart’s Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge on Lisa’s Creative Corner.

Christmas Mini Board Book

2011-12-10T15:29:00.001-08:00

Oh how I love a mini!

I’m just getting started on this one, and I’ll be posting more of the finished insides right here on my blog. The cover was created on my monthly ustream class and I am promising a pop-up tutorial for the inside of this book, so I’d better get busy creating!

If you missed the live show, you can watch the recorded episode below. Don’t miss next month’s live class on my ustream channel, Jan. 4th.

Close to My Heart supply list:
Z1310 My Creations Board Book, $6.95
D1482 Love Life Stamp Set, $17.95
D1494 Christmas Cheer Stamp Set, $17.95
X7145B Believe Level 2 Paper Packet, $9.95
Z1464 Milepost Shapes, $3.95
Z1466 Bling Assortment, $4.95
Z1482 Glitz Glitter Gel, silver, $2.75
Silver & White Daisy embossing powders

Shop my website for Close to My Heart products

Nine Fabulous Free Grunge Fonts

2011-12-02T20:55:00.001-08:00

Free fonts are like potato chips, you can’t stop at just one. How about nine grungy, messy, destroyed fonts? If you can’t get enough of the distressed look, these are for you!

3rd Man available at DaFont.com. Bold and masculine, try it on an outdoorsy camping page.

For the 100th Time available at Kevin & Amanda. Ransom note with a bit of whimsy. In bright multi-colors this would be adorable on a kid’s birthday party layout.

Jamaistevie available at dafont.com. Youthful and fun, perfect for a teen page.

Laundromat 1967 available at fontshark. Artsy, individual. Like a one-of-a-kind friend.

Pookie available at dafont.com. If you love the “fortune cookie” strips for journaling on layouts, this font is readable even when small, but adds a touch of style with the slightly eroded look.

Project Y available at Font River. This font screams teen boy and extreme sports. Think snowboarding, shooting hoops and skateboarding.

Webster available at dafont.com. Another journaling favorite, easy enough to read, but still plenty of character.

New Ustream Schedule

2011-11-30T17:10:00.001-08:00

For fans of my live Ustream shows, mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 7 at 7 pm pacific. You won’t want to miss this show if you’re an out-of-the-box thinker!

I’m going to try out a new monthly schedule, so you can look forward to seeing me live on ustream every month on the first Wednesday. If you are a fan, help keep my show on the air by attending the live shows whenever possible! I’ll keep broadcasting regularly if you show up. Deal?

Close to My Heart Cyber Monday Specials!

2011-11-27T16:20:00.001-08:00

Cyber Monday is like Black Friday’s civilized cousin. All the deals, none of the injuries (well, maybe a cramp in your index finger from clicking on all those great offers).

Sunday and Monday, take advantage of my exclusive Close to My Heart product offers and save BIG for Cyber Monday!

Purchase 2 stamp sets, inkpads and/or level 2 paper or shade pack, and get the third one free!

Mix and match, your choice! No limit!

Offer applies to all stamp sets, inkpads and level 2 paper packs or shade packs. Free item will be of equal or lesser value than the least expensive item.

Buy 2 stamp sets, get the third one free!
Buy one paper pack, one stamp set and get an inkpad free!
Buy 6 inkpads and get 3 inkpads free!
Mix it up, match it up, enjoy the savings of free products!

This offer is only available for emailed order, it is not available through my Close to My Heart shopping website. Email me with your list of items to order, and include your MAILING ADDRESS. I will contact you with your total due and instructions to pay by Credit/debit card.

This sale will only be available until midnight pacific time, November 28th.

Remember – this offer is for emailed orders only, not available on my shopping website. Clicking the product links above will take you to my shopping website and are only for your information, do not proceed through check out on the site.

BONUS #1! When you order a minimum of $25 in stamp sets, you can add the exclusive Holiday Wishes stamp set (above) for just $5 additional ($17.95 value). This set coordinates perfectly with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.

BONUS #2! When order a minimum of $50 in ANY products, you can add the November Stamp of the Month, Cherish the Day (above) for just $5 additional ($17.95).

Bonus stamp sets are in addition to the B1G1 offers above. Tax and S&H apply.

B2G1 offer good in US only.

Lindy’s Stamp Gang Black Friday Sale

2011-11-23T08:43:00.001-08:00

Looking to add some shimmer and shine to your holiday projects? Stock up on Lindy’s Stamp Gang products with big discounts for Black Friday!

FOR 3 DAYS ONLYROCK BOTTOM PRICESFriday-Sunday

Over 30% OFF SETS!
starbursts, moon shadows, magicals, embossing powder
and little Lindy kits

25% OFF INDIVIDUALS!
starbursts, moon shadows and embossing powders

No coupon necessary!

Prices are only available at these prices from Nov. 25, 26 and 27, (no exceptions).

Starbursts Sprays reg. $18.95.....now $13.25
Starbursts Stains reg. $18.95.....now $13.25
Starbursts Color Shots reg. $18.95.....now $13.25
Moon Shadow Mists reg. $18.95.....now $13.25
Moon Shadow Ink Pots reg. $18.95.....now $13.25
Magical sets reg. $14.95.....now $10.50
Embossing Powder sets reg. $20.50.....now $14.25
Little Lindy kits reg. $14.50.....now $10.15
Individual Starbursts & Moon Shadows
(sprays, stains, color shots, mists and ink pots)
reg. $4.25......now $3.20
Individual Embossing Powders
reg $3.75.....now $2.80

Visit Lindy’s Stamp Gang website

What’s the difference between Magicals , Starbursts, Embossing powders and Micas? Learn about all the LSG two-toned products here.

Big Whoops: Bleach to the Rescue

2011-11-21T14:06:00.001-08:00

Something about Mondays, it’s a good day to begin fresh and start over. I feel ready to face the week, and make big plans to get lots accomplished.

By Friday, most of the plans have gone out the window, but a girl can dream, can’t she?

In honor of Monday’s start fresh feeling, today I’ll show you how to repair a boo-boo. If you use Close to My Heart inkpads, most of them are dye-based. They offer almost instant drying time, and easily blend for watercolor effects.

Being a dye-based pad, they will also react to bleach. I’ve got tons of techniques you can use for your artwork with bleach and inkpads, but today I’ll show you how to easily change your mind and remove the ink, when you made a big whoops.

Here’s a sweet butterfly, from the retired Miracle chipboard set.

You can purchase this set on my website for just $1.00! That’s 75% off the original price, and while supplies last.

Irresistibles™ have a resist pattern that shows through when covered with ink, chalk, markers, or watercolors. The Miracle shapes include flowers, leaves, brackets, frames and more, all with various resist patterns.

I’ve added Cotton Candy ink with a sponge to the butterfly shape.

The problem: I don’t want it to be pink. Whoops.

Use a paper towel, or a paintbrush, or pretty much anything you have on hand…. dab bleach straight from the bottle onto your chipboard shape.

Use a little at first, you want to avoid saturating the chipboard to prevent warping.

Bleach takes a moment to begin working. The photo above was taken seconds after touching the bleach to the chipboard. The color will begin fading, so watch and decide if you need to add more bleach.

After a few seconds, there is still color on the chipboard, so it’s time for a second application of bleach. I repeat the process of patting the paper towel dipped in bleach onto the shape.

After the color has completely disappeared, allow the shape to dry thoroughly. This may take a few minutes, or it may take overnight, depending on the amount of bleach that soaked into the chipboard. You can test it by dabbing with ink – if it changes color or begins to lighten, there is still wet bleach in the chipboard.

After bleach has evaporated, it is neutralized and you can proceed with your project, your chipboard will be good as new!

Snowflakes and Cricut

2011-11-15T13:24:00.001-08:00

Call me old fashioned, call me old school. Or maybe it’s just my mad cutting skills.

I use an x-acto knife and scissors more than I use a Cricut.

It’s quicker and easier for me to reach for a hand tool than to fire up an electronic cutting device. I like simple, and I like to use my hands.

BUT there are times I have to eat my words. The Art Philosophy Cricut collection from Close to My Heart has it all. I can cut these perfect snowflakes, then stamp directly onto the shapes using the coordinating stamp sets. And I can cut enough snowflakes to make 6 cards at the touch of a button.

So guess what? I used my Cricut. And hello handsome, I think I’m in love.

Maybe I’m not as old school as I thought.

You can get this exclusive collection for just $99. Includes the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, three stamp sets and three chipboard die cut sheets.

Like the card in this post? I’ll send it to you! All orders placed on my website in November will receive the snowflake card above. No minimum required. Shop now!

Live Broadcast Tonight

2011-11-09T14:31:00.001-08:00

I’m being erratic, I know.

Sometimes I’m on, sometimes I’m off. Story of my life. Tee hee!

Join me tonight at 7 pm pacific for a live ustream class on resist techniques, part two.

If you’re not in the pacific time zone, that’s 8 pm mountain, 9 pm eastern, 10 pm eastern.

Three ways to watch! See the show here, or join me on my ustream channel. And the new way… visit my Fabulously Artsy Facebook page where you can watch and chat with your facebook account.

Can’t make the show? All shows are recorded and archived, view them on my channel page. Since it’s live TV, the recordings aren’t always guaranteed. Things happen, buttons get pushed, connections fail, so your best bet is to show up for the live show! Plus I like having people in the live audience, so there will be more shows if there are more people. Now I’m just bargaining with you.

Join the chat! Use the tab in the window above to chat on ustream (sign up for a free account if you don’t have one already), or you can chat on the social stream tab. I monitor the ustream chat during live shows, and may not be able to view the social stream chats.

Decorate YOU!

2011-11-03T09:15:00.001-07:00

My last ustream class was a bit different. Adding a bit of body bling with glitter and paint is a fun way to show off your artistic side, and it’s much less permanent than a real tattoo. Not to mention pain-free.

If you caught the live show, you were treated to a tiger facepainting as well, but the recording had some issues so the video below is shorter, with just the glitter tattoo and henna-style bracelet.

Watch the video:

High quality paints and supplies make all the difference. I buy my facepainting products from Silly Farm and Jest Paints.

Supplies:
Prosaide glitter glue
Martha Stewart Glitter (Not for faces or small children, I use Mama Clown glitter for cosmetic face application)
Diamond FX Facepaints
Wolfe Facepaints

Devilishly Good Ad

2011-10-31T14:57:00.001-07:00

Halloween Contest Winner!

2011-10-31T13:26:00.001-07:00

I’ve had such fun reading all the comments left on the Friday Freebie giveaway. Thanks to everyone who shared their fave Halloween costumes!

The winner of the Halloween collection of Close to My Heart products is Heather at Creative Coconut. I used random.org to select the winning entry. Congratulations Heather, comment #26! Please contact me with your mailing address to receive your goodies!

Freebie Friday, Halloween Goodies!

2011-10-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, because everyone can be creative, and there’s no pressure if your craft skills aren’t perfect. Hot glue and paper mache are a standard fixture in my house at this time of year, it’s a creative chaos.

I heard on the news that 50% of American adults plan to dress up for halloween. So in honor of halloween, and because I feel like giving something away, tell me about your Halloween costume, and enter to win these spooky Close to My Heart products!

Prize includes

Backdrop – Charmed $17.95
Midnight Felt Shapes, $5.95
Mischief Complements Rub-ons, $4.95

To enter, leave a comment and tell me…

1. what costume you plan to wear this year.
2. OR If you’re not going to wear a costume, tell me what your favorite costume has been in the past,
3. OR what you’d like to wear if you could choose any costume.

I’ll only count entries who answer at least one of the questions, if you don’t wear costumes, well…. you’re out of luck.

If you do not have a profile with email contact info, you must include your email address, so I can contact the winner. Winner will be chosen October 31 by random drawing of all qualifying entries.

Haunted House in Spokane

2011-10-27T09:27:00.001-07:00

I’m up to my neck in blood and guts, and having a ball.

If you’re in the Spokane area this weekend, you are cordially invited to attend the City School Haunted House. My son is a student at this alternative middle school and they pull out all the stops for this annual fundraiser. Two floors of terror, it takes over the entire school! Tickets are $7 per person. This year I am serving as the Creative Director, so I’ve been a bit busy. And bloody. But it’s all for a good cause.

Tomorrow…. a Friday Freebie giveaway!

Resist Technique

2011-10-22T15:01:00.001-07:00

I missed my ustream show last Wednesday, it’s been a crazy month and I am sorry I couldn’t broadcast as promised. I will be back for the Wednesday, Oct. 26 show, so if you didn’t get your Fabulously Artsy fix last week, you’ll want to tune in then.

If you watched the last episode of my show, I covered several resist techniques. You can watch the shows on my channel. True to the nature of live shows, there was a blip in the program and my recording cut into two parts. Whoops! Part one and part two are both from the same night, not two different episodes.

Let’s make a card using one of the resist techniques, shall we?

All of the papers shown above are from the Mischief paper pack, with the addition of a square of Garden Green and Colonial White. This pack is not just for Halloween, it’s perfect for fall too!

I stamped the large medallion using Happy Moments stamp set. (Just $13.95!) I used Versamark ink and then heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.

Using a sponge and Chocolate ink, I buffed color onto the cardstock. For a soft sponged look, buffing in small circles is very effective. Pouncing your sponge results in a different, textured appearance. I also edge-inked the cardstock with more chocolate ink, using my sponge.

Putting the finishing touches on the card by stamping the border stamp in Barn Red ink onto the Barn Red cardstock for a tone-on-tone effect. Sand the solid cardstock pieces to give them a weathered effect, then ink the edges of your pieces. Add a hemp bow and antique copper brads. Stamp a sentiment from Say it In Style stamp set. Finally, add Bronze Glitz Gel to highlight the center medallion.

Don’t miss the next Ustream technique class on Wednesday, Oct. 26th at 7 pm. (Pacific Time). More irresistible techniques, this time we’ll take a look at what’s underneath. And I promise I’ll actually be there this time.