52 Weeks of Wonder

Jeanette Lynton has posted an awesome new 52 Weeks of Wonder segment titled, "A Softer Touch with Watercolor Pencils".  Just click on the title link to view her fabulous artwork and instructions.  There are some cute cards and an adorable showcase album project highlighted in her blog post. Enjoy!

FREE Miss Art's Papercrafting School class

I found this FREE class posted over at 2Peas and wanted to share with you.


"The kids are heading back to school and you should to!

The headmistress at Miss Art's knows that new backpacks, school supplies and first day apparel can reduce a crafters budget to milk money, so for this weekend only she is offering you a tuition free class. Beginning on Friday, August 26th, you will have 3 days to check out one of our most popular classes for free, no subscription needed.

When you visit us on Friday, head to the "Classes" page to view this free class. For more info about the "Secret Garden," please check out the video above. Enjoy the class!"

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Not sure exactly what jogged my memory and desire for this Tupperware recipe, but I decided to try it out again on our last camping trip.  I made this years ago when I was friendly with a local Tupperware distributor and thought my girls would be thrilled to know you can make a cake in the microwave.  I still use my Tupperware Microsteamer (shown below) for other purposes, so I packed it along for our trip to the Poconos.

If you happen to own a Tupperware Microsteamer, or are so intrigued by the recipe that you decide to purchase one, I've shared the recipe below.  As written, the recipe worked great on our camping trip.  Our hybrid travel trailer has a typical microwave.  I just made the cake at home and for future reference, I need to decrease the cooking time by a minute or so for my more-powerful home microwave.    

Microsteamer Pineapple Upside-Down Cake (for microwave cooking)

1 box - yellow cake mix

all ingredients required for cake mix

½ stick butter

½ cup - brown sugar

1 can pineapple rings

1 jar - maraschino cherries

1.  Melt butter in bottom section of Microsteamer in microwave (about 30 seconds).

2.  Crumble brown sugar over the melted butter.

3.  Drain pineapples, reserving juice for the cake mixture. Spread pineapple rings, in a single layer, over the brown sugar and butter. Add a maraschino cherry to the center of each pineapple ring.

4.  Prepare cake mix according to directions. Add water to the reserved pineapple juice to make the required amount of water for the cake mix.

5.  Pour cake mixture into the Microsteamer over the pineapples, cherries, brown sugar and butter mixture.

6.  Cover the Microsteamer and cook on high power in the microwave for 12 minutes.  If your microwave does not have a turntable, be sure to turn the Microsteamer a ½ turn after 6 minutes.  After cooking, let the cake stand, covered, in the microwave for an additional 5 minutes before removing.  Turn cake onto to a plate or cake tray and enjoy.

My family loves the cake slightly warm with a dollop of Cool Whip on top.  ENJOY!

52 Weeks of Wonder

Return of the Mask!

"In an earlier Weeks of Wonder post, I showed you some of the fun layering possibilities that you can achieve with the masking technique. See it here. This week I’ll revisit masking as a way to bring added pattern and dimension to your stamping.

Look at the pattern that has been stamped on the schoolhouse of this card. You’ll notice that the cross-hatch pattern doesn’t go onto the “School” sign, or the door, or even outside the schoolhouse walls. You can stamp patterns on selected portions of any image by using a mask! Here’s how:

Start by stamping your selected image on a piece of cardstock or B&T paper, as well as on a post-it note. Post-it notes make great masks because the adhesive keeps your mask in place without leaving residue on your project.  Use your micro-tip scissors to trim around the inside of your stamped image – not the outside as you would with an ordinary mask. Trim out whatever parts you’d like to fill in with a pattern, but leave the outside of the image and any interior features (like the door or the "School” sign) attached to the mask.

Line your mask up with your original image, and then stamp your texture directly over the mask. The cross-hatch pattern on this schoolhouse card comes from the Tasty Treats stamp set (D1427). Keep the mask in place and sponge in added color for a solid look.

 

You can see that once you’ve made a mask for an image, you can use it over and over again. Store the mask you’ve created in the same envelope with your stamps and use it on as many projects as you like.

There are hundreds of stamp images you can add patterns to by using this technique – the fun part is getting creative with your image and pattern pairings to bring an extra dash of “you” to your artwork!"

Jeanette Lynton



I love the effect using masks gives my projects.  Although the micro scissors work is time-consuming, the end result is worth the extra effort.

Let God Define You

Let God Define You by Rick Warren

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12 NLT)

Jesus faced constant demands, dangerous opposition and little privacy. Yet he never allowed others to define him.

What does that teach us?

Know who you are (John 8:12) — There was no doubt in Jesus’ mind as to who he was. He knew he came from God, and he knew he had a unique mission to fulfill. As believers, we can know we belong to God and that God defines who we are and what we are meant to do on this Earth. Trying to be someone God never intended you to be causes stress!

Know whom you want to please (John 5:30) — Jesus never let the fear of rejection manipulate him. No one can pressure you without your permission. You can’t please everyone; even God can’t!

Know what goals you need to reach (John 8:14) — Jesus said, “I know where I came from and where I am going.” Preparation prevents pressure, but procrastination produces it. You work by either priorities or pressures.

Know how to maintain your priorities (Luke 4:42–44) — Jesus knew how to handle interruptions without being distracted from his primary goal.

52 Weeks of Wonder

Alphas are Awesome!

"The first day of school is right around the corner. This time of year always brings lots of excitement and I’m eager to share some fun techniques using alphabets in your artwork. You learned all about using your alphabet for writing in school, but we’re going to look at some ideas that give you a new way of thinking about these 26 little letters.

For a subtle use of the alphabet, adorn your school-themed layouts with your own alphabet-patterned paper. On this layout, the alphabet pattern is made using the Classmate Alphabet (D1303).  Start by lining up your alphabet stamps in a single row from A to Z. You’ll need more than one block to fit them all. You can use both sides of the same block; just make sure you don’t overlap the images so you can still see clearly.

Stamp your alphabet rows onto cardstock using VersaMark ink.  After you’ve stamped all your rows, dust the image with clear detail embossing powder, then heat using your craft heater. It’s easier if you focus on embossing in sections, two lines at a time. The resulting gloss will give your layout a subtle, but very 'classy' look."

Jeanette Lynton



Jeanette suggests to try stamping and embossing on Dimensional Elements to create your own Irresistibles.  How cool is that!

DEAL of the CENTURY for Paper Crafters!

No one likes a deal better than me.  And this is a huge deal!  CTMH has two promotions that are overlapping for two weeks where you can double dip and take advantage of both of them from August 15-31!

The first promotion is to celebrate CTMH's new Stamp Of The Month program. When you spend $50, you can get the SOTM for only $5.  When you purchase the SOTM in August, you will also get the adorable mini alphabet stamp set called "A Typeset"  for FREE.  DEAL #1.

  

And in case you didn't catch my August SOTM post, here's another picture of the stamp set and some gorgeous artwork created using "Wicked".

Next, to celebrate National Stamping Month in September, you will get this adorable DOUBLE stamp set called "Pair-A-Phrase" for FREE, when you spend $75! You’ll love this double set—two D-size sets come in one envelope—which includes lots of clever phrases and coordinating images you’ll use in your paper crafts all year. And with a retail value of $35.90, this set drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase. CTMH is starting this promotion today, August 15th and it will run through September 30th.  DEAL #2.

Since the promotions overlap from August 15-31, if you spend $70, and purchase the August SOTM for $5, you will automatically qualify to get both the "A Typeset" stamp and the "Pair-A-Phrase" double stamp set for FREE! Now that can be considered the Deal of the Century!

For those crafters who own a Cricut machine, this is the perfect time to order the new Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge bundle (cartridge with over 700 images, 3 exclusive, coordinating stamp sets and 3 sheets of coordinating Dimensional Elements chipboard shapes).  Order the cartridge and the August SOTM for $5.00, and you will qualify for all of these great promotions!

 

Since I don't own a Cricut machine, here's how the Deal of the Century worked for me, stacking both promotions to give me the biggest bang for my bucks:

1. Purchase $50 in product (before shipping & tax) and get the August SOTM for only $5 ($17.95 value).  This immediately qualified me for the "A Typeface" stamp set FREE ($6.95 value). Here's what I purchased:

~ Sonoma Workshop On The Go Kit $29.95
~ Kraft Die-Cut Cards & Envelopes $6.95 (to create bonus project from kit above)
~ Colonial White Mini-Medley Accents $4.95
~ Colonial White Waxy Flax $3.95
~ Irresistibles Make-It-Count Numbers $4.95

2. Purchase an additional $20 in product, bringing total order to $75 (before shipping & tax) and get CTMH's first ever DOUBLE stamp set, "Pair-a-Phrase" for FREE (2 "D" size stamp sheets, worth $17.95 each, for a total of $35.90 in value). Here's what I added to my order:

~ 10-Things pocket $3.95
~ Milepost Shapes $3.95
~ Just Blooms Paper Shapes - Flutter $5.95
~ Color-Ready Alpha Corks $5.95

When my ordered arrived, I received 4 stamp sets, a Workshop On The Go kit (which includes an additional exclusive stamp set), 10 card bases & envelopes to make the bonus project from the WOTG kit, plus tons of gorgeous new embellishments and accessories to use on future projects.  All for only $75.55 (plus shipping & tax).  What did I tell you ... Deal of the Century!

Orders can be placed on-line and shipped directly to your doorstep or local customers can contact me directly to place an order.  Any questions, please feel free to contact me.  Happy shopping!

Integrity

Your Integrity Shows Your Faithfulness - Rick Warren

“Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones; whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones.” (Luke 16:10 GNT)

No matter what they say, anyone who is not faithful in small matters will not be faithful in large matters.

A common saying today is that “what you do in your private life is nobody’s business.” Well, it actually is. What you do in your private life — what you do behind closed doors or out of view of other people — builds and reveals your true character. And God sees it just as clearly as the things you do in public.

In fact, the small things you do that are unseen are the seeds to God’s public blessing on your life. You cannot compartmentalize your life and say, “I have integrity in my public life, just not in my private life.” I bet you could make a list right now of public figures who have tried to live their lives this way only to have their private indiscretions become this week’s public scandal and their personal downfall. No matter what they say, any leader who is not faithful in small matters will not be faithful in large matters.

Jesus says, “If you have not been faithful with that which belongs to someone else, who will give you what belongs to you?” (Luke 16:12 GNT).

For centuries, everybody who learned a skill, trade or vocation learned it through an apprenticeship. If you were going to be a mechanic, you apprenticed to another mechanic and served in his (or her) business before you started your own.

This principle of apprenticeship applies to every area of your life. It applies to how you handle other people’s money, how you handle other people’s possessions, and even how you handle other people’s ministry before God gives you your own.

Before God gave me my own ministry, I served as a youth pastor under another man’s ministry. God was watching how I handled it; he was testing my integrity. I needed to prove my faithfulness in that ministry before God would allow me to lead the ministry of Saddleback Church.

If someone loans you his car, how well do you take care of it? If a family lets you stay in their house for vacation, do you treat it as well as you treat your own home? God is watching and testing your integrity. And he will reward you accordingly.

52 Weeks of Wonder

Terrific Textures

"Ready to do some kissing? Stamp kissing that is, the visual kind that adds texture to stamp images to give them creative interest. Today, we’ll focus on texture kissing—check out some of these great ideas using August’s fabulous Stamp of the Month, Wicked (S1008A).

Another fun way to add texture to your stamps is looking to fabrics and ribbons. The bear in the Nature’s Gift stamp set (C1424) has a great textile look thanks to the help of the Juniper ribbon (shown on left of photo above) found in the Designer Ribbon Green Collection."

Jeanette Lynton

Jeanette shares a few other "texture" techniques throughout her blog post.  Click through to find additional artwork created with her amazing ideas.

CTMH's Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

CTMH is delighted to introduce the exclusive CTMH Cricut® Art Philosophy collection! CTMH worked with Provo Craft* to bring you a Cricut® cartridge filled with 700 shapes hand-selected by company founder and CEO Jeanette Lynton. Simply insert the cartridge into your Cricut® machine and you’re ready to cut any of the shapes with the touch of a button! Choose from stunning rosettes, unique gift boxes, elegant doilies, crafty banners, and more. The exclusive images are incredibly versatile, and many are designed to be used with specific My Acrylix® stamps for real eye-popping power!

Bring your artwork to life with stamps and chipboard Dimensional Elements! When you purchase the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge,^** you’ll also receive three exclusive D-size stamp sets and three sets of Dimensional Elements designed to perfectly coordinate with images on the cartridge. That’s a retail value of over $120 for just for $99! Stamp on your Cricut shapes; cover your Dimensional Elements with a Cricut shape; or cut, stamp, and then cover!

Numerous My Acrylix® stamp images in our Idea Book pair wonderfully with images on our Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. When you see the Cricut icon or a stamp image outlined in red in the Idea Book, you will know there’s a matching shape on your Art Philosophy cartridge. Cut out the coordinating shape with your Cricut machine using the setting indicated on the stamp’s carrier sheet, then stamp your image on the base shape—quick and easy!

Contact me to find out how to add the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to your collection at 50% off the retail price!  And if you don't have your own copy of CTMH's new Autumn/Winter Idea Book, let me know and I'll rush one right out to you. 

*Cricut® is a registered trademark of Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc. All rights reserved.

**The Cricut® Art Philosophy cartridge is sold as part of the Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection and is not available separately.

"Enjoy" Scrapbook Page Pops with Flowers

Quickly cut, stamp, and curl pretty 3-D flowers using CTMH's new Cricut® Art Philosophy cartridge, My Acrylix® Hooray Bouquet stamp set, and your own creativity. Pick up more ideas for embellishing your layouts, cards, and gifts with fun florals in this how-to video.

52 Weeks of Wonder

Thrilled for the Cricut cartridge

"We introduced so many exciting new products at Convention a couple of weeks ago, but our exclusive Cricut cartridge collection, Art Philosophy, has to be among my very favorites. This versatile cartridge, with 700 shapes ranging from the basic to the complex, really is a scrapbooker and stamper’s dream. Today, I’d love to feature a few fun ideas to inspire your creativity using this great new product. Enjoy!

The Art Philosophy Cricut Collection includes three exclusive D-size stamp sets designed to perfectly coordinate with images from the cartridge. The “congratulations” card shows one of the Cricut square bracket shapes with a coordinating stamp. It makes putting a card together extremely easy (and the great scallop border is also a nice finishing touch, courtesy of the cartridge.)

In addition to the three sets included with the collection, our new Idea book has numerous stamp sets specifically designed to complement images on the Art Philosophy cartridge. Take for instance the Hooray Bouquet set (D1491). The set has a whopping six flower shapes that coordinate with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  It’s one of my favorites! Layer them together or create your own little garden.  CTMH has taken stamping to a whole new level when it comes to coordinated die-cut shapes. We’re thrilled to add this new product to our idea book and can’t wait to see all the ideas that bloom!"

Jeanette Lynton

CTMH's August SOTM

Beautiful Stamps, Amazing Discounts - "Wicked"

Each month you can enjoy a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5—that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in CTMH products, you qualify for this special Stamp Of The Month pricing.

Supply list and directions for all the "Wicked" projects shown above can be found here.
 

Extra! Extra! with CTMH

Not only is the CTMH Autumn/Winter Idea Book live today, our Extra! Extra! promotion is in full swing too!  Check out the amazing deal below.

Free bonus stamp set in August!

In celebration of our newly updated Stamp Of The Month program, we’re throwing in a little something extra: a FREE* bonus stamp set! In August, when you place an order of $50 or more in products and purchase the August Stamp Of The Month set, "Wicked", for just $5.00, you’ll receive the My Acrylix® A Typeface bonus A-size set FREE (retail value $6.95)! Think of it as two promotions in one—qualify for and purchase the discounted August Stamp of the Month set, and we’ll throw in a second stamp set FREE! It’s Extra! Extra!

*Offer valid August 1–31, 2011. Tax and shipping/handling apply. Studio J® purchases are not eligible for this offer.