Quick Christmas Candlescape

Looking for fast and simple holiday decor ideas?  This candlescape takes less than half an hour to create! 

1. Measure your candleholders and cut vellum to desired width.  You may need to piece two pieces together in order to get the length you need.  Use an adhesive like Tombow MonoAdhesive to create a tidy seam.
2. Stamp your desired image using Versamark Ink.  For this project, I used D1483 Glory to God.
3. Place art over the Craft Tray and sprinkle with Gold Embossing Powder.  Tap off any excess powder by either firmly flicking the back of the art with your finger or tapping on the Craft Tray.  Use small paint brush to remove any stray powder.
4. Use Craft Heater to heat emossing powder until it melts to surface of the vellum.
5. Finally, wrap vellum tightly around the outside of the candleholder and adhere.
6. Place battery operated LED tea lights or regular tea lights in holder and enjoy!

Do you believe in Magic?

If you aren't familiar with Close To My Heart's How To books, they are a must have!  My favourite (and also the newest) is Magic, which features tips and tricks to make your layouts endlessly interactive!  I took the technique of cutting up our horizontal or vertical photo storage pages to create photo flaps so my layout now houses 13 photos instead of 5!  Now that's what I call MAGIC!

This layout features our new paper packet, Elemental as well as the stamp set, "Love Life"

Love Your Layout- October 2011

Whether you're new to Studio J or you've been using it for awhile, this Love Your Layout video will teach you new and easy ways to customize your My Stickease and create the perfect digital layout!  I've posted the links to the other five Love Your Layout Videos in a list on the top right side of my blog!

Revamped Art Philosophy Pumpkins

What a great addition to your fall decor!  My latest version of these Art Philosophy pumpkins inspired by Andrea at girlpluspaper uses our new Dreamin' paper packet as well as some different sizes and shapes for the pumpkins.  If you'd like to purchase a set for your windowsill or mantel they will be $15.00 per set of three and, of course, include the three LED votives.  If you'd like to make a set, I'll set aside Tuesday, October 25 from 8:00-9:30 p.m. for you!  Just let me know by Sunday, October 23rd.  Workshop cost will be $11.00.

Build-A-Stash Workshops: Childrens' Birthdays

It's almost time for the second of my Build-A-Stash Workshop series and the theme of this month's is Childrens' Birthdays!  You will use techniques like paper piercing and watercolours as well as tools like Liquid Applique and our Glitz Glitter to really make your artwork pop!  There is still time to sign up so let me know if you want a spot at the table!  You will be making two of each design, for a total of six cards. 

When:  Saturday, October 15th

Where:  At my table ;)

What to bring:  Your favourite adhesive

Cost:  $10.00

RSVP by Friday, October 14th

Art Philosophy Pumpkins

These pumpkin lanterns are made entirely with the new Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge!

I have to thank Andrea Sherman, a fellow Close To My Heart consultant, for this fabulous project!  Please check out her blog, girlpluspaper.blogspot.com, where she has posted a step-by-step tutorial for the shorter, round pumpkin.  For the taller pumpkin, I simply adapted her instructions as follows:

On page 33 of your Art Philosophy image booklet you'll find the "Oval 2" image. Press "decorative layer" and "shift" and then set your Cricut to cut the oval at 3".  You will need to cut 5.  I cut the six pointed flower ("Flower 7 p.39) at just 3" for this pumpkin and used a scrap of B&T from the Oliva paper packet.  I picked up some flickering led votive candles from the Halloween section at Wal-Mart to complete the project!  Here's a complete list of the materials I used:

• Z1686 Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection
• 2 sheets (12"x12") of Sunset cardstock from Summer Cardstock Collection (1 sheet per pumpkin)
• 6"x6" scrap of olive background & texture paper from Mayberry for short pumpkin top and stalk
• 6"x6" scrap of olive background & texture paper from Oliva for the tall pumpkin top and stalk
• Z679 Liquid Glass to glue it all together!

September Newsletter

Click here for a PDF copy of my September Scraps and Stamps Newsletter!  Read up on upcoming workshops, specials and events including my Idea Book Release Party on September 10th!

Teacher Survival Kit

This Teacher Survival Kit is made using the Close To My Heart Art Philosophy cartridge along with the My Acrylix Art Philosophy Tags stamp set.  To cut the fry box, set your dimensions at 9".  I used our new cardstock weight Background and Texture (B&T) duos along with the Milepost Shapes and bitty brads to embellish it.  Below is a list of the contents as well as the prayer that is included.  The prayer is mounted as an easel card for the teacher's desk. 
Contents:

Teacher Survival Kit

A toothpick to help you pick out

 the good qualities in everyone

A Crayon to colour your days bright

A rubber band to remind you to be flexible

Tissues to dry tears—whether they’re theirs or yours

A Band-Aid to mend hurt feelings

A shiny penny to remind you every student shines

in their own unique way

A pack of Starburst for those days when

you need an extra burst of energy

Some Smarties for helping make

each student smarter

Wiggly Eyes for those days you need

eyes in the back of your head

A prayer for you to say at the start of every day

Prayer:

Lord, enable me to teach with
wisdom
for I help to shape the mind.

Equip me to teach with
truth
for I help to shape the conscience.

Encourage me to teach with
vision
for I help to shape the future.

Empower me to teach with
love
for I help to shape the world.

Close To My Heart's Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

Close To My Heart has partnered with Cricut to create the Art Philosophy Cartridge!  It offers a huge selection of images for you to create your own customized artwork!  Check out this video for a small glimpse at what it can do!