Direct to paper inking is applying ink directly from the inkpad onto your paper.

Tips and Ideas:
Edging: Hold the paper in one hand and the ink pad in the other. Run the ink along the edge of the paper.
Peaks & valleys: Crumple your paper, then smooth it out (sanding is optional). Skim the paper with an [...]

I have been following a blog lately of a very creative lady (http://marielovestostamp.blogspot.com/2007/08/maries-card-sketch-challenge-2.html) and she has started posting challenges. Being in sort of a creative rut lately, I decided to start jumping in on them! Here is the first 1 I tried my hand at:

Library Pockets and other office supply type items are the hottest thing in scrapbooking right now. They can be used for many different things, such as to hold journaling or memorabilia, or add them to hold handmade tags.
Materials:
Paper or Cardstock
Bone Folder
Corner Rounder
Paper Cutter
Directions:
Cut a piece of paper or cardstock to 4.25 x 7.5 inches.
Using [...]

How to Host a Swap
Swaps are a great way to express your creativity and receive great new ideas.
Here’s how to host one of your own!
· Decide what kind of swap it will be.
· Decide how many people can participate. The average size of a swap is 10-15 participants.
· Solicit participants. Make a list and add [...]

Filled Bead Pens
Looking for a quick and easy gift? These pens are perfect!
Materials:

Pentel RSVP pen
Microbeads
Scrap paper
Small spoon
 Tape

Directions:

Unscrew the cap from the pen (The cap that holds the ink in).
If the ink came out, put it back into the pen before filling.
Measure ¼ to 3/8 tsp of microbeads.
Tape the writing end in place because the ink will move [...]

It seems that when it rains it pours around here, and summer is no different for me.  My girls want to spend the days in their pool, I want to work on cards and layouts for the upcoming fall craft shows, and hubby has his own agenda of what needs to happen.  None of these [...]

This week’s technique hits close to home for me, as my Mother In Law passed away suddenly last week and my Father In-Law is battling Terminal Cancer.
Gathering Your Family History
Scrapbooking is not just a hobby. It’s about preserving our family history and trying to collect as much past history as we can to preserve it. [...]

· Store your markers flat, so the ink stays in contact with the tip better.
This is especially helpful when are getting a little lower on ink in the
marker. Also this allows you to see what colors of markers you have
easily. Wrap the almost-dry markers with a piece of masking tape to let
you know they’re just [...]

If you have been stamping or scrapbooking for any time at all, you are bound to have a box, folder or drawer full of paper scraps that you just couldn’t make yourself throw away. Well, get out your stash and try some of these great ideas.
Weaving
This is a great way to use all those long, [...]

There are so many great products that Close To My Heart© offers, that many of us have a wish list that is longer than our budgets will allow us to purchase at one time. So I offer several ways to earn free product!
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CONNECTIONS CLUB (There is no need to register for Connections Club, I automatically [...]