Heart-to-Heart from Scrapbooks from the Heart

T!m-Time Thursday

Hi Bloggers!

I'm back home from Alaska and ready to plunge into T!m -mania with his wonderful Ranger products! I keep this product on my scrapbook surface at all times. I just slide it under the black Making Memories craft pad when not in use.The craft Sheets are stocked and ready for you to pick up at SBFTH!

Georgia

Non-Stick Craft Sheet The 15" x 18" reusable, protective sheet is the answer to all of your craft surface needs. Nothing sticks to it! The slick, non-porous material withstands high temperatures, making it the perfect compliment to Melt Art™ and the Melting Pot®. Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel™ (UTEE), candle wax, soap chips and even hot glue won’t penetrate or distort its smooth-as-glass finish. Any excess melted product, once cooled, can be easily removed and placed back into the Melting Pot or stored for future projects. Clean-up is quick and easy, ready to use again and again. •Protect your work surface The paper-thin Craft Sheet is never in the way, it’s barely noticeable, yet you’ll love the results. •Easy Clean-up, Just Peel-off Once cooled and/or solidified, peel or wipe UTEE, paint, glue, wax, clay, soap and more right off the Craft Sheet.

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The Non-Stick Craft Sheet™ is great for:

Products We *Heart*

The Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz!

You may look at this newly released product and think, "OK, it's just a stapler." It's so much better though! The staples are a teensy, weensy 1/4 inch. It's the perfect size for attaching ribbon and embellishments to cards and layouts. You can hide your staples under other elements if you don't want them to show. It's strong enough to cut through several layers and the handle is long enough that you don't have to bend, rearrange, and warp your project to get to the area needing stapled. The handle itself is rubber coated and comfortable to use. The refill box comes with 1550 staples for only a few bucks - that ought to last a long time!

For reviews by our favorite artists in the industry look here for Ali Edwards, here for Heidi Swapp, and here for a fun post on using staples in your projects.

Guest blogger: Joyce McCall

CHA Buzz

I am here in hot, hot, hot Orlando seeing vendor presentations before the summer CHA show.  I have seen new releases from Making Memories, Fancy Pants, My Mind's Eye, Tim Holtz, Little Yellow Bicycle, 7 Gypsies and more!  Lots of wonderful new products are coming our way!  The show starts tomorrow!

I do know that the new Teresa Collins collections--Friendship and Athlete--have already arrived at the store!  You will see it in person before I will!

I will post again tomorrow with more updates!

Trends We *Heart*

Working with masks!

We are going to share a bit about masking today. Masking is basically where you cover up part of your project so you can apply a technique to every area except the covered up area. It comes in handy for hiding parts of your project or highlighting a certain area. You can also use the negative space from your mask as a stencil. You don't keep the mask on your layout, you just secure it temporarily until you are done applying the other treatments. Some masks are one-time use (especially ones we make ourselves out of paper) and some can be used repeatedly (like the Tim Holtz, Heidi Swapp, and Tattered Angels brands that we often carry in the store). Here's a video demo below and a link to the video page here.

So drop by the store if you need any help working with masks, or if you want to play with masking at the Art Bar! We can special order most masks if there's a certain one you've been eyeing!

Products We *Heart*

Border Punches by EK Success!

EK's slim profile punches are powered by the Paper Shapers® patented thumb punch lever. Creative engineering gives this medium punch a longer reach and makes the squeeze action of punching even easier. These lightweight punches lock shut for flatter, stackable storage and are labeled for easy identification.

Easily line up your borders - use the template plate on the base of the punch to line up punched images for a punched edge of any length. There's over 35 different borders to choose from, too, so you're likely going to find something that will work on your projects!

 

Here's a great page example by Kelly Purkey (original post for the page is here):

Attention Silhouette Users!

Just wanted to post some links to really great Silhouette news and tutorials!

print and cut news here

Nichol Magouirk - the master of the Silhouette - here

Jennifer McGuire's video post of lots of techniques - many include QuicKutz shapes

The official Silhouette tutorials offered by QuicKutz

So, click away and enjoy!

Trends We *Heart* Painting!

A few years ago scrapbook artists shocked everyone by using acrylic paint on their projects.  Today it is still a hot trend used by papercrafters everywhere!  There are so many fun ways to use paint and just as many fun products to choose from!

First let's cover the different kinds of paint available.  The most basic is simple everyday acrylic paint.  I still have a great stash of this from back-in-the-day when I did t-shirt painting!  Making Memories makes a line of acrylic paint especially for scrapbooking.  There are literally 100's of great colors to choose from and it contains less water than most so that it dries quickly and is less likely to warp your paper.  At only $1.99/bottle you can collect lots of bottles!  Plus, they are just pretty to look at in your scrap space!

Another newer option that we absolutely love, is Ranger Dabbers!  These are acrylic paint bottles with a sponge on top so that you don't even have to get out a brush, plate or water!  Simply apply pressure to the top to control how much paint comes out.  Again, lots of really beautiful hues! We also stock replacement sponges you can put on top of any acrylic paint bottle.

Our newest favorite is also from Ranger--Distress Crackle Paint.  This ingenious concoction is a one-step crackle paint with its own brush in the lid.  It comes in the same colors as the Distress Ink and Distress Stickles. The heavier you apply Crackle Paint the more it cracks.  It usually takes about an hour to begin crackling, but you can speed the process by using a heat gun.  When dry, hit the top of the paint with a Distress Ink pad to emphasize the vintage look.

Okay, so what can you do with all this paint?!!  There are many ideas, but I will give you the top 10:

1.  Use it in the place of distress ink--dry brush the edges of paper or chipboard to give your project a finished, vintage look.

2.  Use paint to cover chipboard--a fast easy way to customize your pieces!

3.  Use Crackle Paint on a wooden frame to get a high-end home decor piece ready to display your favorite pic!

4.  Use paint to create a faux map for your photos on your scrapbook layout--mark where your photos will go, remove the photos, use a dry-brush technique for a messy "frame" for your pics.

5.  Use acrylic paint just like ink for stamping!  This gives you a little bit messier look and can be used with sponge, red rubber or acrylic stamps.

6.  Dry brush the back of a transparency to give color to the places you really want to emphasize.

7.  Lightly paint over an entire background paper to tone down the color or give it a "whitewashed" look.

8.  Use bubble wrap as a "stamp" in paint to create a one-of-a-kind background.

9. Dry brush paint the edges of your photos for a messy, vintage feel.

10.  Use Ranger Dabbers straight from the bottle to paint polka dots around the edge of your pages.

And...and....and...I know you can come up with just as many fun ideas!  Paint is an inexpensive, fast, easy way to incorporate color and technique into your projects!  Try some paint today!

T!m-time Thursday

Hey Bloggers!

My last posting before heading off to Alaska for 10 days is to talk about Tim Holtz's Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool and Foam. We received this product and sold out as soon as we demnstrated how well it works during a recent Saturday Make-n-Take at SBFTH. Well, its back in, so I had to share some of the benefits of using this amazing tool!

  

Inkssentials™ Ink Blending Tool & Foam Use the Inkssentials™ Ink Blending Tool™ and Foam for mess-free ink application on paper projects! The Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool is an ergonomic, solid wood tool which is ideal for precise application of inks and other craft mediums when an Ink Blending Foam is attached to the base. Create a smooth transition of ink when applied directly to papers, tags, chipboard, die cuts, canvas and more. No more inky fingers when stamping and scrapbooking!   • Easily applies inks, paints and more • Allows mess-free application • Easy foam replacement for use with dye and pigment inks • EZ-change hook and loop fasteners • Ink Blending Tool can be used with Adirondack Replacement Felts for Alcohol Ink application Take a look at this video demonstating the looks you can achieve by using the blending tool with Distress Ink: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOqABHFvaQY I like to use the tool to distress my paper or canvas. It gives a beautiful even coverage to the surface and seems to really spread the ink. I especially like the way it works with the Splat Mat! See you soon! Georgia

Products We *Heart*

Today's Product We *Heart* is a new tool called the Corner Chomper!  The Corner Chomper is made by We R Memory Keepers--the same company that brings us another Product We *Heart*--the Crop-a-Dile!

The CC is a 2-in-1 corner rounder!  It easily cuts a 1/4" OR 1/2" corner on paper, cardstock, chipboard, leather, plastic, acyrlic and more! I seriously love this new innovation!  You can easily see where you are cutting AND it saves your corners for easy cleanup! 

 

Other corner rounders do a good job with paper, but are a challenge when you want to corner chipboard or acrylic for mini projects.  Not a problem for the Corner Chomper!  Other corner rounders do a good job for heavy  materials but are not designed for paper.  Not a problem for the Corner Chomper!  Other corner rounders only cut one size--not a problem for the Corner Chomper!  Can you tell I like this handy thing??!! And what's more, it even has a cute little case that goes with it! The Corner Chomper retails for $24.99 and $9.99 for the case.

Come by the shop and so we can show you how to CHOMP something!

Technique Tuesday-Silhouette

Hi Bloggers!

Sunday afternoon we had a great discussion at the Silhouette 102 class about Print and Cuts. I showed the class how to make them and then went home to find a great article on Print and Cut by the wonderful Quickutz girls on their blog. So, here is a portion of that article to help further your knowledge and increase your fun on this terrific machine! 

print & cut: silhouette's best kept secret

Let me just give you a brief explanation in very basic terms . . . along with a little sneak peek, of course. ;) Take a look at Nichol Magouirk’s use of this monogram letter and word tab on her absolutely amazing page. LOVE it!

Here I’ve brought that same “Happy” monogram into a new document. You'll notice how there's a red line around the image. That's the cut line.

 

When you add the Print & Cut image into your document in the Robo Master software, it will display—in color—with a red cutting line around it. You’ll simply add registration marks to your document, print the document, place it onto the cutting mat, and Silhouette will read the registration marks and know where it needs to be cut.

 

To add registration marks, select Edit/Registration Mark Settings (or you can choose File/Document Settings and check Use Registration Marks).

Next, you’ll get this screen. Just click on the Use Registration Marks and you’ll see the little sample document on that screen change to include registration mark placement markers. Just leave the rest of the settings as is and click OK.

Once you click on OK, your document will now look like this:

Select File/Print and send your document to the printer. Here’s how it looks all printed and fancy (I sized it down first).

Note: For my printer I needed to change my document size to 8.26 x 11 because if it was set to the default of 8.26 x 12.5, my printer treated it like a legal size document and printed too close and off the end of the page. I should have gone into my printer controls and created/selected a page size that would accommodate that, but I was too lazy. ;)

You’ll notice on the end that it says “Feed this side first.” That’s the end you put into the Silhouette and then press Enter to load it. Or, if you’re using the original machine, roll your paper. At this point you can go ahead and cut your image like you normally would—making sure Search Registration Marks is checked on this screen:

A couple things to note at this step here. First, if you are using the SD machine, make sure your LCD display says Load w/Carrier and not Load Media. I was unaware of this the first time I used it (I'd accidentally changed it) and of course I had a hard time getting it to work right. If you need to change that setting, just press the right arrow key on the machine until you see that option.

Second, if, by chance, the optic eye is having a hard time finding the registration marks, try positioning the blade so that it is over a registration mark (the corner lines). If that doesn’t work, there may be other factors why it might not be reading it and you can find more information about that here.

Sometimes it may take a few tries and a little patience to make sure it’s all working right for you. But I guarantee, you will LOVE it when you use it!

Once it’s cut, it’ll look just like this:

* You can find another couple great links for using Print & Cut here and here.

Georgia

Let me just give you a brief explanation in very basic terms . . . along with a little sneak peek, of course. ;) Take a look at Nichol Magouirk’s use of this monogram letter and word tab on her absolutely amazing page. LOVE it!

Here I’ve brought that same “Happy” monogram into a new document. You'll notice how there's a red line around the image. That's the cut line.

 

When you add the Print & Cut image into your document in the Robo Master software, it will display—in color—with a red cutting line around it. You’ll simply add registration marks to your document, print the document, place it onto the cutting mat, and Silhouette will read the registration marks and know where it needs to be cut.

 

To add registration marks, select Edit/Registration Mark Settings (or you can choose File/Document Settings and check Use Registration Marks).

Next, you’ll get this screen. Just click on the Use Registration Marks and you’ll see the little sample document on that screen change to include registration mark placement markers. Just leave the rest of the settings as is and click OK.

Once you click on OK, your document will now look like this:

Select File/Print and send your document to the printer. Here’s how it looks all printed and fancy (I sized it down first).

Note: For my printer I needed to change my document size to 8.26 x 11 because if it was set to the default of 8.26 x 12.5, my printer treated it like a legal size document and printed too close and off the end of the page. I should have gone into my printer controls and created/selected a page size that would accommodate that, but I was too lazy. ;)

You’ll notice on the end that it says “Feed this side first.” That’s the end you put into the Silhouette and then press Enter to load it. Or, if you’re using the original machine, roll your paper. At this point you can go ahead and cut your image like you normally would—making sure Search Registration Marks is checked on this screen:

A couple things to note at this step here. First, if you are using the SD machine, make sure your LCD display says Load w/Carrier and not Load Media. I was unaware of this the first time I used it (I'd accidentally changed it) and of course I had a hard time getting it to work right. If you need to change that setting, just press the right arrow key on the machine until you see that option.

Second, if, by chance, the optic eye is having a hard time finding the registration marks, try positioning the blade so that it is over a registration mark (the corner lines). If that doesn’t work, there may be other factors why it might not be reading it and you can find more information about that here.

Sometimes it may take a few tries and a little patience to make sure it’s all working right for you. But I guarantee, you will LOVE it when you use it!

Once it’s cut, it’ll look just like this:

* You can find another couple great links for using Print & Cut here and here.

Georgia

When you add the Print & Cut image into your document in the Robo Master software, it will display—in color—with a red cutting line around it. You’ll simply add registration marks to your document, print the document, place it onto the cutting mat, and Silhouette will read the registration marks and know where it needs to be cut.

 

To add registration marks, select Edit/Registration Mark Settings (or you can choose File/Document Settings and check Use Registration Marks).

Next, you’ll get this screen. Just click on the Use Registration Marks and you’ll see the little sample document on that screen change to include registration mark placement markers. Just leave the rest of the settings as is and click OK.

Once you click on OK, your document will now look like this:

Select File/Print and send your document to the printer. Here’s how it looks all printed and fancy (I sized it down first).

Note: For my printer I needed to change my document size to 8.26 x 11 because if it was set to the default of 8.26 x 12.5, my printer treated it like a legal size document and printed too close and off the end of the page. I should have gone into my printer controls and created/selected a page size that would accommodate that, but I was too lazy. ;)

You’ll notice on the end that it says “Feed this side first.” That’s the end you put into the Silhouette and then press Enter to load it. Or, if you’re using the original machine, roll your paper. At this point you can go ahead and cut your image like you normally would—making sure Search Registration Marks is checked on this screen:

A couple things to note at this step here. First, if you are using the SD machine, make sure your LCD display says Load w/Carrier and not Load Media. I was unaware of this the first time I used it (I'd accidentally changed it) and of course I had a hard time getting it to work right. If you need to change that setting, just press the right arrow key on the machine until you see that option.

Second, if, by chance, the optic eye is having a hard time finding the registration marks, try positioning the blade so that it is over a registration mark (the corner lines). If that doesn’t work, there may be other factors why it might not be reading it and you can find more information about that here.

Sometimes it may take a few tries and a little patience to make sure it’s all working right for you. But I guarantee, you will LOVE it when you use it!

Once it’s cut, it’ll look just like this:

* You can find another couple great links for using Print & Cut here and here.

Georgia

When you add the Print & Cut image into your document in the Robo Master software, it will display—in color—with a red cutting line around it. You’ll simply add registration marks to your document, print the document, place it onto the cutting mat, and Silhouette will read the registration marks and know where it needs to be cut.

 

To add registration marks, select Edit/Registration Mark Settings (or you can choose File/Document Settings and check Use Registration Marks).

Next, you’ll get this screen. Just click on the Use Registration Marks and you’ll see the little sample document on that screen change to include registration mark placement markers. Just leave the rest of the settings as is and click OK.

Once you click on OK, your document will now look like this:

Select File/Print and send your document to the printer. Here’s how it looks all printed and fancy (I sized it down first).

Note: For my printer I needed to change my document size to 8.26 x 11 because if it was set to the default of 8.26 x 12.5, my printer treated it like a legal size document and printed too close and off the end of the page. I should have gone into my printer controls and created/selected a page size that would accommodate that, but I was too lazy. ;)

You’ll notice on the end that it says “Feed this side first.” That’s the end you put into the Silhouette and then press Enter to load it. Or, if you’re using the original machine, roll your paper. At this point you can go ahead and cut your image like you normally would—making sure Search Registration Marks is checked on this screen:

A couple things to note at this step here. First, if you are using the SD machine, make sure your LCD display says Load w/Carrier and not Load Media. I was unaware of this the first time I used it (I'd accidentally changed it) and of course I had a hard time getting it to work right. If you need to change that setting, just press the right arrow key on the machine until you see that option.

Second, if, by chance, the optic eye is having a hard time finding the registration marks, try positioning the blade so that it is over a registration mark (the corner lines). If that doesn’t work, there may be other factors why it might not be reading it and you can find more information about that here.

Sometimes it may take a few tries and a little patience to make sure it’s all working right for you. But I guarantee, you will LOVE it when you use it!

Once it’s cut, it’ll look just like this:

* You can find another couple great links for using Print & Cut here and here.

Georgia