Artbooking Made Easy: Top Secret

A Little Bit of Ariana St Patty's Day Love

Here is our last project from February....since March's workshop will be after St Patty's Day, I couldn't help myself but give my girls a St Patty's Day project featuring Ariana paper, Slate cardstock, and slate ink. This fun little basket is a super quick and easy project that can be made in different sizes.  

Today I used a 12 x 12 full sheet of cardstock. 

• You simply score all 4 sides at 4"
•  fold up 
• Tuck/pinch fold the four corner pieces back inwards towards the center.
• Hole punch inner points and string with ribbon style of your choice.
• The paper squares on the sides are 3.25" x 3.25" ( be careful with words to glue so words are glued so they will read correctly when box is formed -- trust me learned that the hard way LOL)
• On this one the shamrock hearts I only put adhesive on the very center of the heart and pulled upward on the edge to make them come to life.
• Edges were all distressed with Slate ink.

I have these stuffed with cute little shamrock socks!!!! 

Ariana Antique-looking Photo/layout holder

I was at the Vintage Market Place in Fallbrook, CA a few months ago and saw someone decorating all sorts of antique hangers of different shapes and sizes and turning them into photo hangers.  This is my take on the idea featuring Ariana Complements and CTMH buttons and embellishments.  This a large pants hanger, I made sure the inside was smooth (some have teeth or rubber grips -- beware so they don't damage your photos/layouts).

I carefully laid out my pieces and puzzled them together before adhering anything to the hanger.  I used Liquid Glass, knowing it would be super strong, and permanent after being allowed to setup overnight.

FYI, so you aren't just throwing your hubby's pants all over the floor of the closet.  I found these hangers in five packets in a couple different wood color choices at Marshalls (TJ Maxx, Ross' would have them too) for about $11.

Ariana Chit Chat Card

A perfect girlfriend card themed card right!?!?!?!
So I'm not always a card maker, but this quick, easy card sketch with simple lines is my kind of card to make.

The papers are Ariana...I just love this paper packet more and more each time I see it used. I used Ruby cardstock for the card base which is a standard size of 4 1/2" x 5 1/2 card.

The B&T (pretty papers) papers are 4 1/4" x 1 3/4" each.  I didn't even distress the edges (I tried and it looked messy -- like I said I like the simple lines).

I popped up the Complement dimensional element with foam tape AND then quickly wrapped a long piece of CTMH's green/white baker's twine from the Autumn bundle collection.

Ready for the CHATTING lol!

Ariana Layout Love

 

At my February workshop this month, Ariana papers from CTMH were our focal point along with the Dimensional chipboard element Ariana Complements set.  My friends, Joanne Walton, helped inspire my layout as I watched her craft at a recent weekend scrapbook retreat.

A few tricks for you to look for at the close up pictures below would be how I used Liquid Glass to not only adhere the Complement elements to the page with, but also to highlight certain elements with for some added POP and FLARE.  Take a look at the triangle by "smile" and the dots on the glasses, the lens around the Camera, and the quote at the frame atop the right page.  I love the effect Liquid Glass provides with this easy technique.  I also used foam adhesive to give some depth and dimension to the layout.  Last quick tip.  Remember that you can CUT chipboard pieces; see the blue piece at the top of the right page, its cut in two!   

Think outside the box, there's more room ;)

The cutting guide for the page on the left:

•  3 pcs B & T (pretty papers) at 1" x 7"
•  1 pc B & T at 1/2" x 7" (I used a zip-strip)
•  1 pcs slate CS (photo area) at 5" x 7"

The cutting guide for the right side:

• 2 pcs B & T (pretty papers) at 2" x 9"
• 2 pcs B & T at 1/2" x 9" (I used a zip-strip)
• 3 pcs slate CS (photo areas) at 3 1/2" x 5 1/5"

PS:  all distressing on the pages was done using Slate

Artbooking Made Easy: Nursery Rhymes

Ariana Papers Love - February Workshop Teaser

Really excited for you all to see what I've come up with for tomorrow's workshop! Sorry everyone, you'll have to wait!!!!  The first peak goes to those attending...but here are the papers and accessories that we will be using this month.  I am in love with CTMH Ariana paper line.  It both trendy and old school/80's all at the same time. 

 I absolutely am in love with these dimensional elements (chip board) Complements for only $4.95 this is such a rocking value.  This month we make four projects with these that are slam packet covered with these elements and we are still going to have quite a few left for follow up projects.  The glasses and camera are my favorite!

These elements take ink great as well as are perfect for adding depth and texture with Liquid glass (watch later this week for examples), but imagine the circle around the camera lens highlighted with a steady line of liquid glass OR the dots on the glasses, etc.

The Ariana papers, are warm and rich and for me, take me right back to the 80's.  I see myself in puffy sleeves floral prints with pearls, lace trims and ballooned-bottomed skirts.  I want to make cards for my girlfriends and Mom, layouts of Jr high school dance, or lunch with my Grandmother. 

Craftaholic? No problem!

Why waste time driving??? Let CTMH  deliver all your crafting needs right to your doorstep.  Order now at heatherplotzke.ctmh.com

Base & Bling at Its Finest

These new Base & Blings are SO CUTE and super affordable!   Check out the Video and then pop over to my Site heatherplotzke.ctmh.com to pick up a few today for yourself and to give as a gift!

Happy Valentine's day

Hope you have a happy, homemade hearts day!!!!!!

Artbooking Made Easy: Sweet Smiles

2014 Studio J CTMH Calendar - Video Slide Show

I created a short slide show video to show how easy it is to turn your Studio J layouts into a quick and awesome calendar!  Perfect and easy to duplicate for gifts.  Remember it only takes 6 layouts to make a calendar, so for the holidays I just design 6 layouts and order as many copies as I need!  My relatives, including my Mother-n-law, has never been happier with her gift!  Be sure to leave a comment on the video and let me know what you think...I would love to help show you how! heatherplotzke.ctmh.com

Workshop Registration - February 2014

Hi everyone - just wanted to remind everyone that my February workshop is coming up February 20th at 6:30.  We will be creating several card and craft projects featuring products from the New CTMH idea book and I'm really looking forward to teaching you some fun new techniques this month.  The class cost is $20.

Last day to sign up is this Wednesday the 12th, so I can get your class kit supplies ordered in enough time!

DIY: Easy 3-D Effects

On-hand Inventory Reduction Sale

Okay, I'm having an "On-hand Inventory Reduction Sale" we all know this is a fancy term for the garage sale I'm having to make way for all the new goodies I want from the NEW IDEA BOOK that just came out February 1st LOL!  I have posted images of all my personal stamps that I am selling on my facebook page Close To My Heart - CTMH and Studio J Scrapbooking with Heather Plotzke   in an album for you to check out...first one that ask for it gets it, so don't wait they are already going! 

For those of you ready to rock right into all the new goodies of the brand new Idea Book CLICK HERE to see your copy online NOW and you start shopping from it right away!!!!

CTMH Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book Art

Get all the products to make these great samples and much, much more at heatherplotzke.ctmh.com