Song of My Heart Stampers

Happy Birthday, Baby!

I can hardly credit it, but my little baby girl turned six years old today. I enjoyed snuggling with her in the warm bed this morning at 6:47 a.m. and reminiscing about how happy we were at that very moment six years ago. I am so blessed.

In Natalie's honor today, I have a "blast from the past" for you--girly themed scrapbook projects from my past six years of stamping! The page above celebrates cupcakes and being three. Glitter and sparkles were a MUST! The cupcake wrapper is also made of vertical strips of Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon.

Nest is one of my favorite scrapbook pages of all time. I made it soon after Natalie got her diagnosis of SPD. I created this red, black and white layout for a contest (didn't win), so unfortunately I no longer have it in my possession to take a better photo of it.

BONUS TIP: The technique on the letters is negative emboss--something I invented as far as I know--where you heat emboss with embossing powders just like normal, only right before heating, you use a pencils or stylus to scrape off some of the powder in a pattern such as the flowers I drew here. Stripes, swirls, whatever--then heat set the powder. It adds marvelously unique texture to any embossed project.

I spent a likewise very long time on this page, also for a contest, but it did "win" in that it was put on display at the Stampin' Up National Convention in 2008. It's hard to tell in the photo, but there is a lot of texture here with the stitched photo frame, chipboard flowers, brad, paper crimping and more... I stamped, used rub-ons, chalks and even the gel pen on this page!

And finally, here's a quick little mini photo book made from a single piece of 12x4 DSP. Watch for a photo tutorial on this, coming soon!

Scrapper's Sketch of the Week: 10/22/09

This week's sketch is designed for those occasions when you only have one good picture of an event, and a couple of poor ones. It's hard to make a scrapbook page when you are limited by unfortunate photos!

Use your best picture in the place of honor right above the headline, then use the smaller photos, cropped to 2.75 inches, on the remaining mats. The five satellite pieces measure 3x3 and the large central photo mat measures 6x6. The circles can be any sort of punch or embellishment.

TIP: you can use your larger punches to punch photos out, too!  

Turning white DSP flocking into vanilla!

I am really getting into the flocked specialty DSP from the Holiday Mini catalog, but for this card, I wished it had a vanilla flock instead of a white one, since I wanted it to go with the "country red" feel of the Ruby Red cardstock. I also already had the poinsettia leftover from another project. This card still needs some Handsome Hunter leaves, BTW... still a work in progress.

So, I pulled out my craft ink Very Vanilla pad and proceeded to change the flocking color! After I rubbed the whole DSP with the vanilla, I took a tissue and wiped it off, which left vanilla only on the previously white flocking. It turned out awesome, and now it matched my other vanilla pieces and ribbon. I think the trick here is to be generous with the craft ink, and to wipe it down while it is still wet and you can get it off the colored parts.

That was so much fun, I am ready to try and see if this technique will work with other colors! Wish me luck!

Shimmer spray takes the stamping world by storm

I have been fooling around trying to get that shimmer paint/alcohol spray caught on "film" and at last had a little luck. It looks so gorgeously amazing in real life! You just take a little spritzer bottle from the travel section and fill it half full with 70% rubbing alcohol. I don't know why it needs to be 70%, but people say it matters and the 90% doesn't work as well. Then add a half teaspoon or so (I just poured some in) of the shimmer paint of your choice (available in the Holiday Mini on page 27) and shake it well.

On this fall card, you can see it just above my watermark. Below, I sprayed it on my poinsettias, punched out of the 5-Petal Flower punch and layered on these cute little pillow boxes I made the the new flocked Christmas Cocoa DSP. The shimmer paint spray makes any color cardstock look like our Shimmery White cardstock, which has such a great subtle gleam. Totally cool!

Kim Vale's been at it again! Punch Art Creations

You can see more of Kim's art at my previous posts:
Christmas Punch Art

Fall Punch Art
Summer Punch Art
Aww, there's just too many posts to link them all here. Go to the category Scrapbook Pages and there's about ten of them in a row there, or check out the November 2008 archives. You won't find these particular pages anywhere else on the web because Kim does not have her own blog. I have full permission from her to post these. I will pass on any comments to her that you leave here. And by the way, if you come up with something cute you haven't seen here, she'd love to hear about it!  Enjoy!

New--Color Combo Machine!

I have added the coolest new widget to my blog thanks to Michelle Laycock of Laycock Designs (my new blog makeover is set for next week--can't wait!) You have got to check out the new Color Combo machine below, which will be permanently located on my blog sidebar. Click on it to go to a fun site where you can click on all the SU colors (even past In Colors) and either come up with your own unique color combinations, or have suggestions made. There are some gorgeous ones I never would have thought of! Can't wait to get home and try them out.

Photo Tutorial: Faux Pinwheel Card

Here's a real close up of the pinwheel from the Stampin' Addicts' Parade of Papers Blog Hop from last weekend. I have had MANY requests for this, so here you go!This is a quick and easy “faux” pinwheel that will WOW your card recipients. This is the perfect way to use up little leftover pieces of DSP--you only need four squares of any one pattern.

1. Punch out nine squares, four each of two different papers, plus one extra.

2. Arrange four of the same colored squares into a square grid (fig. 1).

3. Glue the extra square down right in the middle of the grid, using a glue stick (fig. 2).

4. Turn the piece over so that extra square is on the back side.

5. Stick the other squares in between the grid squares, with their points sticking outward from the middle, as shown (fig. 3)

6. When all four squares have been inserted, use the SNAIL to glue them in place (fig. 4). Attach a brad or a button in the center of the points.

7. Adhere to a card! This looks especially cute when done with our Designer Series “prints” papers all in the same shade. It looks like it’s made of fabric—add a little faux stitching for an extra adorable touch.

 

Top Ten Reasons to send a handmade card

 

1.  They’re guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of the recipient. If you use a clear envelope, it will bring a smile to the face of every person who sees it along it’s merry way!

2.  In this e-mail and information age, we’ve lost sight of how fun it is to receive “snail” mail instead of just bills. Let’s make it FUN to go to the mailbox again!

3.  Everybody likes to receive something personalized instead of mass-made. It makes them feel special! Think about the last note YOU received.

4.  A stamped card or gift wrap adds an extra pizzazz to a gift card or small token. Turn a small gift into something special.

5.  It takes a little time to create something handmade, and the recipient can feel that extra unique touch. No one else creates quite like you!

6.  Handmade cards are often kept long after the store-bought ones are tossed!

7.  You’ll never be at a loss for an occasion—there’s always somebody getting married, having a baby, graduating, retiring, moving, or having a birthday.

8.  Handmade cards can be recycled. Just cut off the fronts and adhere to a new card. You’ll never see anyone do that with a store card.

9.  Handmade cards can cost up to four dollars LESS than store-bought ones. WOW!

10.  If you think hard enough, you’ll come up with a least one person you really ought to send a thank-you. Your mother would be proud!

 

100 Things to do with the Stampin' Up Matchbox Big Shot Die

100 Fun Things to do with the Stampin’ Up! Matchbox Big Shot Die compiled by Lyssa Zwolanek (If you would like to be considered for a link, please email me at zwolaneks@att.net)

• Wedding, banquet or shower favors in any color or pattern imaginable
• Chocolate, Hershey’s Kisses, mint patties, Nuggets, fun-size candy bars
• 2 squares of Ghiradelli’s http://ruthsstampingcorner.blogspot....-thee-let.html
• Place cards
• valentines
• Mini Post-It notes
• Gift Card holder (must be altered in order to fit) http://stampsandwhiskers.typepad.com/weblog_su/
• Emergency Sewing Kit:

http://craftdoc.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/04/24/big-shot-matchbox-die/

• Matchbox crazy tower (stack many together at crazy angles)
• Advent calendar for kids http://www.bubblyfunk.co.uk/article_...articles_id=39
• Book to Look cards
• Mini dresser—stack three on top of each other http://weekendstamper.blogspot.com/2...x-dresser.html
• Acetate (see through) lid stamped with Stazon http://stampingoddess.typepad.com/st...atchboxes.html
• Newborn baby socks/burp cloth
• Keepsake box for baby’s hair
• Tooth Fairy box
• Incentive stamps and spots
• Hair bands/barrettes
• Punched-out window in the lid
• money
• Gum balls, jawbreakers, M&M’s, gummies http://www.starlightstamper.com/2009...e-cut-box.html
• Stick gum, tablet gum, breath mints
• Doll dresser—stack four side by side, top with Top Note, brad handles and big brad feet http://fortheloveofstamping.blogspot...x-dresser.html
• http://stampinbj.com/matchbox-big-shot-die
• Fridge magnets, clips
• Hand-stamped gift tags
• Earrings, necklace, bracelet, pin (homemade jewelry artists!) http://www.barbstamps.com/my_weblog/...hday-gift.html
• Accordion fold mini card
• Deck of cards (small), dice
• Golf tees
• Cuff links, money clip, tie tack, key ring
• Pop-up flower or surprise http://jackietopa.typepad.com/addict...ox-pop-up.html
• Lip balms—three will fit http://lindastamps.wordpress.com/200...talog-samples/
• Perfume wipes, makeup samples (Mary Kay consultants!)
• Tea bags, instant coffee packets
• Ribbon sampler, punches, card candy, embellishments
• Candy ”sushi”—Rice Krispy treats with Swedish Fish in the middle and Yogos or fruit rollups wrapped around them
• Mini soaps or soap flakes, bath salts
• Tealight candle (Partylite consultants!)
• Bible Study cards http://ink-paper-scissors-rock.typep...-shot-die.html
• Purses http://songofmyheartstampers.typepad...ssers-etc.html
• Christmas Tree http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1323008

Bargain Hunters-- go "green" by making the most of your resources!

*Adapted from a class I did when I first started, four years ago this next week! Watch for a special anniversary sale to be posted soon--I'm celebrating, and so will you after you find out what I have in store for you!

Everybody’s tightening their belts nowadays, it seems! There’s not nearly the amount we’d like to have in our craft budget. Well, my momma (the Garage Sale Queen) raised me to be a thrifty steward of our family resources, and I’ve followed that training in every aspect of my life—even stamping and scrapbooking! Stamping doesn’t HAVE to break the bank! While the start-up costs can seem to be insurmountable, there are lots of ways to get into stamping without draining the kids’ college fund.

Why make your own cards?

 Time, Money, and Sanity—average household uses 30-50 cards per year. More if they give out invitations to events or send thank you’s after an event such as a wedding or graduation in the family. You spend gas and time to run to the store every time a card is in need. Then you take time to look for just the right card up and down the aisles, trying to find one that isn’t crass or profane and has just the right sentiment. Usually the bigger and more beautiful they are, the more they cost—up to ten bucks! Even the plainest cheapest ones are at minimum a dollar each. Did you know the average card made with basic SU materials costs just 50 cents to make?

Getting the most out of your supplies

1. Looking for the way to get the most use out of a single stamp set? Buy an “all-occasion” set—you’ll find multiple uses for most holidays and events. Especially a wise purchase if it’s your first set or if the sets you already own are very limited-occasion sets.
   
2. Christmas sets are a good investment because you can use them in very different ways for different years.
3. Trade with and borrow from friends sets you think you’d like before you buy them—that way you’ll know if you’d really get a lot of use out of them or not. Besides, it’s more fun to get together to stamp and scrap!
4. Schedule a One-On-One Workshop with Lyssa to learn some specific card designs and scrapbook layouts that make the most out of the stamp sets you don’t get much good from.
   
5. Also, check out the samples made from that stamp set in past issues of the IB&C. I have some past issues for free--just ask!

Cardstock 101

1. Even the smallest scraps can be used on a mosaic card or layout, as photo corners or accents—don’t throw anything out. Hold several scraps up to your cards—you never know what color might make a surprising accent and perfect finishing touch!
2. Use the suede technique to get twice the cardstock out of one piece. This can only be done with thick SU cardstock, not the cheap stuff.
3. When matting larger pieces, use the paper cutter to cut out the center of the back, or punch out things from the middle. Once you’ve mounted it, no one will ever know.
4. Make tags out of the smaller pieces left over from a full sheet. They don’t have to be big scraps. Just cut the corners off one edge of a rectangle and punch a hole!
5. When using SU cardstock, everything coordinates. You’re never left with paper that doesn’t match your ink or embellishments. You never have to go out and search for the right shade. You’ll have the exact shade and it will coordinate with every other SU product in that color family. In the long run, that saves you money.

Saving $$$ on Stamps

1. When you break it down, most SU stamps only cost about $3.00-4.00 each—lots less than a single small stamp at JoAnn’s or a scrapbooking store.
2. Other advantages of buying SU stamps is that all the stamps in a set are coordinated to go with each other, are exclusive designs that can’t be purchased in stores, and they come in a sturdy plastic storage case for ease of organization and use. Most “coordinated” sets in stores today are cheap and not that attractive. You won’t find the quality and quantity of stamps for SU’s prices in any store.
3. Cleaning your stamps keeps them clean and ready to go for the next use. When you use Stampin’ Mist to clean your stamps, they’re also conditioned by special moisturizers in the formula that help prevent cracks in the rubber and sun and heat damage.
   
4. Keeping them clean also has a bonus in that you won’t waste paper by stamping your image only to find that there was a different ink color still on the stamp from the last time you used it.
5. SU has you mount your own stamps. That way you never spend big bucks on a stamp only to try it out and find that it is mounted backwards or crooked (ask me how I know this!). You won’t use stamps that give you poor images, and they end up sitting on the shelf.

Bargain Hunting

1. The Idea Book & Catalog—a 250-page book with more ideas than you could ever  create in a year! Over 500 different layouts and cards in full color, retailing for only $9.95 (or free with a workshop!). Great for color-scheme and layout inspiration and jump-starting a creative slump. All for the price of just two of the slim card-makers magazines on the shelves at your local store.
2. The Starter Kit: where else can you get almost $400.00 worth of products for less than half that price? There’s no obligation to EVER host a show, and you get the 20% off discount on everything for as long as you are active.
3. All-occasion sets are excellent deals so that you don’t have to purchase a different set for each specific event, which takes up money and space. You can also just substitute the stamp on any card layout you’ve designed and have  a brand new card because they’ll all be a similar style and size.
4. Most store-bought pastel chalks come in sets of 24 colors for around $15-20. SU’s pastels are just $24.95 for 48 coordinating colors.
5. Simply Scrappin’ scrapbooking kits make up to 20 pages for only $19.95. That’s about a dollar per page! Best of all, they are based on the stamp sets, so if you purchase that set, you’ll have an unlimited possibility for creating coordinated pages for a completely unique scrapbook theme.
6. You can stamp on anything that doesn’t move! Try covering cans, small boxes and tins for unique gift boxes and containers. Stamp on picture frame mats, candles, even roses! Plain paper bags or lunch sacks, post-it notes, memo cubes, shopping lists, cork boards, checkbook covers—you name it! Even walls, ceramic tiles, glass, and fabric can be stamped on using Staz-On pads.

Buyer Beware

1. What looks like a good deal may not be! Always look not just at the price, but at the quantity and the quality of the products to be compared. Stampin’ Up will win almost every time on both counts.
2. Spools of ribbon at the craft store may be only two dollars… but did you notice they have just 3 yards instead of SU’s 15? Cord has 15 yards compared to SU-- 75!
3. Versamark Pads: same exact pads are two dollars more at Jo Ann’s; plus, SU carries Versamark refills, which no one else does. Can also make Versamark cartridges to be used with the Stampin’ Around wheel handle.
4. At first glance, Walmart cardstock may seem like a much better deal. However, it is extremely flimsy and lightweight—barely heavier than regular paper. Cards often won’t stand up by themselves, the colors don’t coordinate with your other products, and if you mess up you can’t flip it over and stamp on the back because it bleeds through. Hold them side by side and you will be floored at the difference!
5. You may be able to find cheaper mono adhesives, but you will pay for it in terms of clogged dispensers, broken paper strips, and flimsy dispensers that break under pressure. Watch carefully—many of them have HALF the number of inches that Stampin’ Up dispensers come with.
6. Dollar Store glue sticks may seem like a good, cheap alternative to more expensive adhesives, but there are several drawbacks. Glue takes time to dry and gets pretty messy. It also becomes very brittle when it is dry and cards often come apart and must be re-glued. It also doesn’t work for heavier cards or for attaching embellishments.

Crazy for color

1. It’d be nice to have an ink pad in every color! While SU does give a price break on the color families, there are a couple of ways to get all 48 colors without buying all 48 ink pads. But remember, having all the paper and ink coordinate does save you money in the long run by eliminating late-night runs to the store because nothing matches.
2. Versamark and Pastels: Simply stamp the image with the clear Versamark pad, then apply the pastels. They come in all 48 SU colors for only $24.95.
3. Color directly on the stamp with different SU markers: they can be purchased in color families or separately and are also safe for scrapbook journaling and coloring in images. Simply color the whole stamp, “huff” on the stamp to remoisten the inks, and stamp! Results in a multi-colored image with out multiple ink pads.
4. Stampin’ Spots: one inch square ink pads sold in the color families for only $21.50. Excellent way to try out a lot of colors without investing in a ton of ink pads. Can also be refilled using the same refills as the Classic pads. Bonus: takes up less space!
5. Our ink pads really are a good deal, though! No other company has such large ones, or has the patented flip-top design that keeps the pad completely juicy and ready to go. They’re also refillable!
6. Most companies don’t have refills, so you have to purchase a brand new pad when they dry out. One SU refill re-inks MANY times—and re-inks everything (pads, cartridges, spots, even markers) because of color-coordination. The refills are only $2.75 each! Can also be used for many different fun techniques.

Starting Up

 

1. Think about buying one of the Simply Sent Stampin’ Kits. They’re designed to give you everything you need to get started and to make all the projects pictured and many more. Comes with the set, ink, paper and envelopes.
2. If you bought just one Stampin’ Kit and one extra pack of envelopes, you would have enough for 80 CARDS. Even the cheapest store-bought cards are .99 each, so compare the price of a kit at fifty or sixty dollars, which has many items that can be reused over and over plus used to decorate all kinds of projects.
3. Attend Lyssa’s classes to learn new designs, make projects, and get ideas. Most classes have only a small fee and many include product to take home so you can make copies. Club is also a great way to build your design repertoire!