Heart-to-Heart from Scrapbooks from the Heart

T!m-Time Thursday

Hi Bloggers!

Last Friday night at the crop, we were playing with this wonderful medium and I thought it might be a good idea to talk about the tips for best use of Crackle Paint.

Tim Holtz™ Distress Crackle Paint™

Tips & Techniques

 

Distress Crackle Paint is just that…paint that dries with a crackled effect. This is not the “2-part” crackle finishes that you see in hardware or craft stores, but an acrylic paint that has more of the look of “dried or cracked earth”.  What is so special about it is that the paint cracks on its own as it dries and comes in the beautiful 24 color Distress™ color palette. A multitude of looks can be created, from grungy to vintage distressed to shabby chic!

 

Here are some tips on how to get the best results with Distress Crackle Paint!

·        Shake the jar to mix the paint. If it is a little thicker, add some mists of water with a Mini Mister™. Stir and add more mists of water as needed until you have a smoother consistency. Note: only add water to Crackle Paint IF NEEDED.

·        Apply Distress Crackle Paint to a surface that has some “tooth” (something that the paint can grab onto) such as paper, Grungeboard™, chipboard or primed canvas. If using unfinished wood or natural canvas, it is suggested to prime the surface first with gesso or acrylic paint, such as the Adirondack® Acrylic Paint Dabbers.

·        It is ideal to paint medium to thick applications; a medium application will result in smaller cracks. A thicker coat will create larger cracks. A thin application doesn’t work as well because the paint has nothing to crack. Don’t treat the paint like a “regular” acrylic paint-Distress Crackle Paint is self-leveling. If a thicker application is applied, the paint will still level out before it dries and cracks.

·        The optimal way for the paint to crack is to just let it dry and crack on its own. Yes-watching paint dry! If you’re in a rush for the “magic”, once the paint has started to crackle on its own first (this is an IMPORTANT step!) apply cool air, such as from a mini-fan or dry with a Craft Tool from underneath the painted surface.

·        Be sure to completely close the lids on the jars.

·        Once the paint crackles, an option is to highlight the cracks using one of the Distress Ink™ Dye Stamp Pads and the Inkssentials™ Ink Blending Tool. The matching color of the Distress Ink will accent the cracks; a darker color of Distress Ink will tone down the paint color as well as accenting the crackle.

·        Images can be stamped on the crackled surface with Adirondack® Acrylic Paint Dabbers as well as Archival™ Ink Stamp Pads. Many rub-ons can also be applied to the crackles surfaces. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

·        Remember, it’s paint…that cracks.

 

 

We love the Look of Crackle Paint!

By the way, Jen received several sets of T!m's new stamps. They are sooooo cute! Included is Charlie Chaplin and the coolest coffee-rings.  Joyce had to help me narrow my purchases so we would have some left for you! Georgia

Products We *Heart*

Maya Road Chipboard

We love all things Maya Road, actually, but today we'll just focus on the wonderful chipboard goodies that they keep producing! First, aren't the little lunch pails and tiny tins that the shapes come in just the best little storage boxes??!! You can repurpose them into great gifts and storage for your mini albums. But, onto the actual product! There are so many shapes and shape groups, alphabets, number sets, girly, boyish, everyday shapes, fancy shapes...so many choices!

No one really likes the look of plain ole chipboard on their layouts though. So what do we do to make our chipboard goodies match the papers and pictures? Answer: just about anything you can think up! You can paint them with crackle paint, emboss them with UTEE, add sparkle with Stickles or Pearl Powders, rub them on your ink pads, paint them with flat paint, cover them with patterned paper and then sand the edges, spritz them with Glimmer Mist, mix a few drops of alcohol ink in water and spritz them with a Mini Mister from Ranger, and you can mix any of the above techniques, too! Once you get your color or paper on the chipboard, you can add a layer of Glossy Accents to give it a shiny, epoxy appearance!

 

When Caroline Lau, one of the Maya Road founders, was here at our store in 2008, she showed us lots of great techniques for covering the chipboard shapes. Everyone's favorite was probably spritzing them with Glimmer Mist. Plus, it's a fast and easy way! And we carry lots of colors of Glimmer Mist in our store! Another quick method is to ink them with Distress Ink and a sponge, then put a few dots of Stickles over the top and spread it with a sponge or foam.

 

A more involved method of covering the shapes is to emboss them with UTEE (ulta thick embossing enamel). It takes a heat gun, embossing ink, UTEE, and a little patience! Usually 4-5 coats is required and you can add a last coat of pearl powders, too, for more glimmer effect. There's a really good tutorial video here.

 

All images above are from the Maya Road website. Go to their Creative Corner for more ideas and then pop by the SBFTH Store to pick up the products you need to make your own!

Guest Blogger: Joyce McCall

 

Technique Tuesday-Silhouette

Hi Bloggers!

I found a wonderful resource for ideas for cutting vinyl on my Silhouette! There are tons of companies popping up on the internet selling vinyl cut-outs for your wall. I thought, why not make my own? Recently, I made this piece for Father's Day-Dad really loved it!

I got the phrase idea from an online vinyl company, changed the font, downloaded the notes from Quikutz, and used a $1.79 charger from Hobby Lobby (thanks, Joyce!) to place it on.  Here's a couple of other ideas you could create using Quickutz downloads!                             If you have any trouble cutting out your vinyl, call us at SBFTH, or consider joining us at Silhouette 101 and 102 classes. Its ok to take the classes over since there is sooo much information to take in! We have a terrific selection of vinyl, too!

Here's some links to help you get started on vinyl ideas!

 

http://www.wallies.com/
http://www.customwallphrases.com/
http://www.vinylinspirations.com/
http://www.wordtothewall.com/
http://www.vinylinnovation.com/
http://www.wallsneedlove.com/
http://www.wallphrases.com/
http://www.bloomingwords.com/
http://www.expressivewalls.com/
http://www.art-a-peel.com/
http://www.signsandwondersdecor.com/
http://www.uppercaseliving.com/http://www.wallies.com/
http://www.customwallphrases.com/
http://www.vinylinspirations.com/
http://www.wordtothewall.com/
http://www.vinylinnovation.com/
http://www.wallsneedlove.com/
http://www.wallphrases.com/
http://www.bloomingwords.com/
http://www.expressivewalls.com/
http://www.art-a-peel.com/
http://www.signsandwondersdecor.com/
http://www.uppercaseliving.com/

Happy cutting!

Georgia

Trends We *Heart*

Today's Trend We "Heart" is dry embossing with the fabulous Black Magic Core'dinations Core Color Cardstock!  If you aren't familiar with Core'dinations, let me give you the scoop!  Core'dinations is the new cardstock we are carrying in the shop--the variety we have is called Black Magic.  The front is black, but the back is a wonderful array of bright colors.  The idea is to emboss, sand or tear the

paper so that the core color pops through!

 

The new QuicKutz Embossing Folders work great with this paper!  Simply emboss the image, then sand the top a little and viola!  You have a bright burst of color for your card or layout!  Did I mention all the sizes of QK Embossing Folders are only $4.99 and come in great designs?! They can even be used with other brands of diecutting machines.

 

Black Magic Core'dinations is only 79cents a sheet and is especially fun for cardmaking because when you fold the paper, you get a brightly colored interior, and a blank black canvas on the front. It is also really fun to tear!

Come in and let us show you how to work magic of your own!

Happy 4th of July!

WE AT SCRAPBOOKS FROM THE HEART WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A SAFE AND HAPPY 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND! 

Don't forget to come by and pick out a FLAG and receive 10-40% OFF your entire regular-priced purchases! We have LOTS of red, white and blue goodies to choose from to scrapbook all your holliday fun!

Tim-Time Thursday

  Hi Bloggers!

I wanted to share another one of my favorite Tim Holtz products today. Its his rubber stamps designs by Stampers Anonymous.  They come in:

Components

Cling Mount Sets

Wood Mounted Stamps

I've had the pleaure of using several of his different styles and can tell you they make great collage backgrounds, tags, cards, and the sayings are inspirational.

This is one of my favorites of the cling mount sets! We used this set in my recent Wild About You class. They look really good stamped using Distress Ink! The crow was distressed looking so we higlighted him with the Distressed Stickles-cool. (Jen can order this in for you if you are interested.)

Here's another favorite:

This little guy is just screaming to be used on a card-he reminds me of Charlie Chaplin! And, I found this photo of Tim's helper, Mario with "Charlie" on his hoodie. I would LOVE to have this for my own! Isn't the saying great? Lets all try to Live the Life We've Imagined-TODAY! Have a Happy 4th of July weekend!!

Georgia

Products We *Heart*

Distress Inks by Tim Holtz

There is just so much you can  do with Distress Ink!

• You can use it like a regular ink pad and stamp on paper.
• You can add an aged or tattered look to your projects by inking the edges of each element.
• It stays wet for at least 30 seconds so you can sprinkle embossing powder on it and heat it with an embossing gun.
• After it dries you can sprinkle dots of water on it and watch the ink spread as it mixes with the water.
• You can ink your craft mat, spritz water over the ink, and dab your paper pieces in the ink puddle to create a watercolor effect.
• There are other Distress products that perfectly match the Distress Inks: Crackle Paint, Stickles glitter glue, and Distress Embossing Powders for starters!
• When your pad dries out, you can refresh it with ink refills.
• The color you stamp is the color it stays when it is dry! It has "true color."
• You can paint chipboard pieces by pressing them into the Distress Ink pad.

Watch this demo showing how to use your Distress Ink pads to create watercoloring on diecut pieces:

If you are having trouble viewing the clip above, click here to go right to the main source!

A useful tool for blending Distress Inks is the Ink Blending Tool with sponge applicators. It's like a stamp handle with velcro on the botton and the sponge applicators just stick right on! You can swap out the sponge pieces with each different ink color you use! In the picture below you can see how soft and smooth the ink blends into your project when you use the Ink Blending Tool.



Another good source for How-to videos using Distress products is Jennifer McGuire's blog. If you really like stamping, take a look at the Hero Arts blog, too! There are lots of great ink pad brands out there, but we really enjoy working with Distress Inks because they are true color inks, they do fun things when mixed with water, they are multi-purpose, and they coordinate so well with other products that we *heart*!!

Guest blogger: Joyce McCall

Techniqhe Tuesday-Silhouette

To SD or not to SD, that is the question......

Hi Bloggers!

Since the new Silhouette was delivered, many customers have asked whether they should upgrade to the new SD or look for the older original Silhouette. Let me share some of the differences today.

Both machines are Quikutz, so they are quailty products with absolutely the best customer service-ever!

Both machines have the ability to cut .gsd and .gst files, plus weld, and shadow titles and images. You can also sketch, do print and cuts, design your own files, and use any true type font or dinglebat already installed on your computer.

SD offers an SD card reader built in. Just use the included software to save your favorite Designs onto a standard SD card, plug the card into your Silhouette and use the built-in LCD screen to find and cut designs without your computer. Great for crops!

SD is also quieter. Orignial Silhouette sometimes sounds like a Moose looking for a mate!

SD has an auto-loading feature whereby materials can be loaded with the push of a button rather than with a manual feed-knob (as the original Silhouette has).

SD has blade cap holders (located under the machine's lid) to safely store your additional blade caps when not in use.

SD comes with a $25 gift card to the online shop, a special 1/2 off download offer for a year, a scraper, glass etching creme, and a piece of vinyl and transfer paper.

So, if you are considering a move to Silhouette, come by the store and try out our SD! We also offer Silhouette 101 and 102 classes to teach you the tips and tricks of your fabulous new machine.

Georgia

Oreo Bon Bons

 

We had such a great time at the First-Ever QuicKutz Elite Club Party! We had over 50 members in attendance!  Thanks to everyone who came!  For all you who are still thinking about joining, we do two parties a year! QuicKutz sent presents for everyone and there were incredible deals!  We will do the next party in January, but there are special privileges all year long!

One of my favorite parts of the party was the FOOD!  My sister, Andrea did the catering and it was fabulous--Apricot Almond Spread, Chipolte Chicken Bites, Peppered Roast Beef Canapes, Veggie Crudite, Cappucino Trifle and Oreo Bon Bons!  OOh, makes me hungry just thinking about it!   Most of her recipes are trade secrets but she did give me permission to share the Bon Bon recipe.  And by the way, by the time I got back to the food they were all gone!  I didn't get a one! All I got was this picture!  Maybe I can get the chef to make me a special stash!

Oreo Bon Bons

1package Oreos, finally crushed

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

Blend together with mixer until combined. Make into small balls. Dip in white almond bark. Drizzle with chocolate almond bark. Eat!

I'm More of a Sunday Driver...

We just got back from Pole Position Go-Cart Racing.  Ryan and Greg had gone last year, and for 365 days Greg has been chompin'-at-the-bit for a re-match.  Well this time Ryan's girlfriend, Amanda and I went too.  Now let me just say up front that I have never really understood why guys are always concerned with how fast a car can go, when the highest speed limit is only 75 mph. That kinda gives you an idea of my whole outlook on speed.  I'm definitely more of a Sunday kind of driver.

Anyway, when you first get there you have to sign a waiver AND wear a helmet, over a most attractive black I'm-r obbing-a-bank-type head sock.  You get 10 times around the yellow and black track racing other drivers and the clock.  I thought I had chosen a pretty good race name--Scrapook Outlaw. 

We start one by one and these carts go fast--like 40ish mph!  Everyone passes me once--some drivers even lap me twice!  Each lap I feel like I'm doing better and better, going faster and faster, even starting to like this thing called speed--until... some total stranger suddenly rams me from behind!  Hello!  This IS NOT bumper cars! He waves as he goes by but somehow totally escapes the black you're-kicked-out-of-the-race flag!! I, on the other hand, get the blue you're-going-too-slow-you-better-speed-it-up flag!  The nerve!

I have to admit, I was somewhat relieved when they waived the flag that signaled our last lap!  When we got our race cards, Scrapbook Outlaw shockingly came in last place!  What's more, my driving performance was rated at a negative 26, and my speed chart was so slow compared to other drivers that it went off the chart.

I'm not sure I really liked this field trip.  I walked away with a most annoying case of go-cart whiplash.  That weird headsock thing ruined what started out as a perfect hair day.  And, I realized I am even a worse driver than I originally thought.  But let's look on the bright side! I got to an "exhilarating" day with my family.  And, I got some fun pics that will make an award-winning scrapbook page!