16 Digital Photography Tips for the Holidays

Pin It There is a really interesting article on the Digital Photography School blog.  Check it out here.

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Cocoa Packet Gift Idea

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These were some of the gifts at my Customer Appreciation Day event and they were a big hit.  You can modify them for any occasion and even use a circular Happy Holidays stamp for the center instead of the Thank You.  The directions are below:

Supplies: (click on the item link to see what it looks like on my website)
Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack
New Fallen Snow Stamp Set
Thank You Stamp Set
Twill Ribbon
Foam Tape
Chocolate Ink Pad
Indian Corn Blue Ink Pad
Outdoor Denim 12x12 Cardstock
1 1/4" Circle Punch

Directions:

• Take a 4" x 11" Base cardstock and score at 4", 4 1/2", 9 1/2".  
• Fold as shown in photos.  (All folds go the same direction and the small end folds up for the bottom pocket.)
• Adhere your choice of papers and stamped images to the front.
• Add a little bit of adhesive to the back of a cocoa packet or on the inside of the cardstock.  Stick the packet to the cardstock as shown. 
• Fold the bottom/small end flap of the cardstock over the bottom of the cocoa packet and tie ribbon around it to help hold it up and create the pocket for the cocoa packet.
• Slide the front of the cardstock down over the packet and under the front flap. 

That's all!  I made 12 of these in about an hour.  They make great gifts for co-workers, neighbors, and friends! Pin It

90% off Clearance Sale on My Website!

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You can get up to 90% off on my website right now!  There are a variety of retired products that are available at great discounted prices. Items will occasionally be added to this collection of products so keep checking back too.  These items are available while supplies last so once you see something you love, don't hesistate to buy it.  Just head over to my website - http://www.angelat.myctmh.com/ - and go to "Shop Online" and select "Discounted Products" at the bottom.  As an added bonus, they count the Plenty for $20 special in December.  Just purchase over $20 in products on my website and CTMH will send you a free D size stamp set! Pin It

Customer Appreciation #4: Gift Card Holder

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These are so fun and don't take very long either.

Recipe

Item #  Description  Page  Price

 

X7130B Mistletoe Level 2 Paper 22 12.95
Z1311 1¼ Circle Punch 97 12.95
A1110 A Timber 48 7.95
Z2135 New England Ivy Ink Pad 101 5.25
Z2116 Cranberry Ink Pad 101 5.25
Z1086 Cranberry Waxy Flax 96 3.95
Z1103 Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon 89 4.95
Z1151 Foam Tape 97 5.95
Z341 Mini Glue Dots 97 7.50
New England Ivy Ribbon retired

 

Directions from Customer Appreciation Day

1. Stamp present on New England Ivy cardstock using the same color ink
2. Stamp present on Colonial White circle cardstock
3. Add adhesive on the inside of the folded background paper just on the sides to create a pocket. Make sure the large cardstock will be able to slide in and out of the pocket
4. Glue skinny strip of cardstock to the center of the folded background paper with the fold at the bottom
5. Cut a piece of 2” foam tape in half lengthwise to create two skinny pieces
6. Open pre-folded cardstock
7. Add the two strips of foam tape on either side of the fold inside the folded cardstock
8. Glue small piece of background paper to the center of the rectangular piece of cardstock
9. Peel backing off of foam tape
10. Place rectangular cardstock in the crease of the folded piece of cardstock.
11. Slide the present topper/rectangular piece into the pocket
12. Punch a small hole in the circle tag
13. Tie a bow with grosgrain ribbon
14. Use waxy flax to tie the tag onto the bow
15. Use 2 Mini Glue Dots to adhere the bow to the top of the present

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Customer Appreciation Day #3: Washer Necklaces

Pin It I got this idea from Haley Dryer and I thought they were so much fun!  Can you believe it is made out of a metal washer?

Recipe
Item # - Description - Page - Price
X7127B Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack 10 12.95
Z1311 1¼ Circle Punch 97 12.95
Z1091 Finishing Files 5.95
Z679 Liquid Glass 99 6.95
Leather Cording
Large Hole Bead
1¼ Washer with 5/16 Center Hole

Directions

1. Choose a piece of background paper that you would like to for your necklace
2. Punch a circle using the 1 1/4" circle punch
3. Place a washer on the backside of circle paper and trace the center hole with a pencil
4. Use the regular hole punch to punch out the center
5. Use Tombow adhesive to adhere the paper on the front of the washer (Cover the entire back of paper with adhesive, especially the edges or else it will pull up with dry.)
6. Use the rounded finishing file to remove the excess paper from the inside of the hole
7. Add Liquid Glass over the top of the paper making sure you don't add too much so it spills into the center, but that it has nice even coverage.
8. Set aside washer to dry about 24 hours
9. Use the following instructions to turn your beautiful washer into a necklace. I added a silver bead with a large hole on top of my washer to really make it classy.

Learn How to tie a slip, slide and lark's head knot for jewelry. For more Jewelry How-To Videos & Articles, visit WonderHowTo.

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Customer Appreciation Day 2: Circle of Love Card

Pin It Here is my favorite project from the day.  The peacock is beautiful in person with the glitter and sparkle!

Recipe
Item#  Description  Page  Price

D1438 Circle of Love Stamp Set 11 22.95

D1361 Thank You Stamp Set 75 22.95

X7127B Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack 10 12.95

X1410 Colonial White Cards & Envelopes 88 14.95

Z891 Versamark Ink Pad 96 9.95

Z673 White Daisy Embossing Powder 96 3.95

Z2140 Outdoor Denim Ink Pad 101 5.25

Z134 Prisma Glitter 98 4.25

Z553 Glue Pen 97 4.50

Z555 Craft Heater 96 29.95

Z1327 Blue & Green Sparkles 90 2.95

  Directions 

1. Using Versamark Ink, stamp the peacock on the long piece of background paper
2. Pour White embossing powder over the paper catching the excess with a scratch piece of paper
3. Funnel the embossing powder back into jar
4. Place that piece onto the small clipboard and use the heat tool to melt the embossing powder
5. Set aside for a minute while you finish the rest of the card
6. Use Chocolate ink to scrape the edges of all papers
7. Stamp Thank You So Much in Outdoor Denim ink onto the small Colonial White piece
8. Adhere blue cardstock to the bottom of the card
9. Adhere background paper to the top of the card
10. Adhere peacock piece to the rectangular Colonial White cardstock and add to card
11. Adhere Thank You So Much piece to Chocolate cardstock and add to card
12. Rub an anti-static bag over front of card
13. Use glue pen to add glue to areas of interest on peacock
14. Spoon Prisma Glitter over glued areas
15. Tap off extra glitter back into container
16. Add one sparkle to the peacock’s eye

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Customer Appreciation Day 1: Quick & Easy Valentine's Day Card

Pin It I always like to add a quick and easy card at my workshops and this one fit the bill.  One tip to make a CUTE quick card is to always add a little "glam" to it.  It will do the trick, every time!  Please forgive the photography-challenged picture.  My camera died recently, so I had to take this with my phone.  I promise the rest of the pictures turned out better.  Remember, be a "Follower" and leave a comment for the next 4 days and you could win a bag of handmade cards!

Recipe
D1445 Dec SOTM: Amore 109 0-22.95
1320 8½ x 11 White CS 96 6.75
Z2166 Tulip Ink Pad 101 5.25
Z2105 Black Ink Pad 100 5.25
Z1263 Bitty Sparkles 90 2.95
 
Directions

1. Fold card in half
2. Stamp heart in Tulip ink
3. Add 3 Tiny Sparkles below heart—Use Piercing Tool to pick up sparkles and place them on card
4. Stamp “I Love You” in Black Ink below the sparkles

Simple - Done! Pin It

Customer Appreciation Projects

Pin It As you know, I held a Customer Appreciation Day on Sunday and it was a huge hit!  People came and made 4 free projects and the also received a packet of free cards as a thank you for being my customer.  There was also some lunch, apple cider, cash and carry items, and a special gift for ordering.  Even if you weren't able to attend, I still want to honor you!  For the next several days I will post the items we made with the recipes and directions.  Please let me know if you have any questions and feel free to make a comment.  Thanks! Pin It

Jeanette's Blog

Pin It If you haven't had a chance to check out the blog for our wonderful founder and CEO, Jeanette Lynton, then you should definitely put it on your list to follow.  She has so many wonderful ideas!  Yesterday she included a terrific color combination as well as great card and Studio J ideas.  Did you know you can change the color of the Studio J background papers?  So cool!  The patterns are endless and you can truly match the colors to your photos that way!  Check out her blog here:  Jeanette Lynton Pin It

Photography - Fibonaccis Ratio Rule of Thirds

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If you like photography, then this article is a must-read!  Here is the link:
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/divine-composition-with-fibonaccis-ratio-the-rule-of-thirds-on-steroids Pin It