Terrific Tips Tuesday

I had Stamp at my house over the weekend. Assembling this card with the Builder Owl Punch requires a delicate touch when putting together the eyes. Those tiny piece like to be the problem child of the card. The tape runner is a little clunky to work well on such small pieces. The best option was using the 2-Way Glue pen. I've mentioned it recently for it's other uses, but here it works great to put adhesive right where you need it - no matter how small the piece of paper you are working with is.

 

2-Way Glue Pen

$4.50 #100425

We also found it best to use Glue Dots to adhere the bow you see on the above card and the buttons we used on the card below. 

Glue Dots

$4.95 #103683

Try out some different adhesives - they each have a special job - and that is to make your work a lot easier!

Flashback Friday

As I was looking back through my old blog posts (from my previous blog) I was so excited when I found the card I'm going to share with you today. While most of the items in it are retired, I hope you find some new inspiration. We used some of my favorite items to make this card and it really is one of my all-time favorite cards. Maybe you have this stamp set and will also be excited to see it again. Maybe you don't. That's OK, too. Stampin' Up! has similar sets and you can take what you see here and make it your very own!

Sneak Peak #3 is another favorite of mine. Friends 24-7 retired last year and I nearly cried. I think it was one of the most beautiful and versatile stamp sets I had. I try to avoid using retired sets too often for Stamp Camp, but I just couldn't resist this time. Plus, it has been a while since we have done a card that was good for sympathy or thinking of you.

Stamp Set:
Friends 24-7

Paper:
Crumb Cake CS
Chocolate Chip CS
Pool Party CS

Inks:
Crumb Cake
Pool Party
Chocolate Chip

Accessories
Ticket Corner Punch
Curly Label Punch
Sponge
Dimensionals

Terrific Tips Tuesday

Last week at Stamp Club we learned a new masking technique. In order to keep the mask from sliding around as we were inking over it, I put a few dabs of 2-Way Glue Pen on the back. I then let it dry which creates a temporary adhesive similar to the stickiness of a Post-It note. This is perfect when you want to hold something in place for a little bit but don't want to tear your project apart. Give it a try today!

2-Way Glue Pen

$4.50 #100425

Here is the back side of the mask we used. You can see the spots where I put the adhesive and let it dry. It held perfectly!

September Stamp Camp Sneak Peak #4

Here is the 4th and final card we'll be making for Stamp Camp. I just fell for this new stamp set, For All Things in the Holiday Catalog.

While it technically is a Fall-themed card, this one will get used year-round. As you can see, I only inked the word, "hello" on the Hello Fall! stamp. I love the unexpected color combination, including the new In-Color, Blackberry Bliss. Subtle, beautiful and simple. My favorite combination.

Stamp Sets:

For All Things

Paper:

Very Vanilla

Sahara Sand

Ink:

Blackberry Bliss

Crushed Curry

Sahara Sand

Accessories:

Color Me Autumn Washi Tape

Linen Thread

Gold Basic Metal Buttons

Glue Dots

September Stamp Camp Sneak Peak #3

This card came about because of this card that I pinned on Pinterest a year ago. It still gets repinned at least once a week and often more. That tells me something. People like punch art. Punch art is when you use punches to create something new, usually animals, shapes and characters. Just search punch art on Pinterest and you will be amazed at the creativity you'll see. Since by it's name punch art uses many punches and when you come to my Stamp Camp you'll be making 5 of each card, I knew I had to find a way to keep it simple so your hands don't cramp up. I found this adorable little lamb and just couldn't resist. The added fun is one of Stampin' Up!'s newer products, Fringe Scissors (133325 $9.95). They are perfect for making the grass!

Stamp Sets:

Whimsical Words (retired)

Paper:

Melon Mambo

Wild Wasabi

Soft Sky

Whisper White

Basic Black

Ink:

Pacific Point

Accessories:

Dimensionals

Melon Mambo Taffeta Ribbon

Fringe Scissors

Punches:

Boho Blossoms

Word Window

Owl

Cupcake

2 3/8" Scallop Circle

September Stamp Camp Sneak Peak #2

Are you ready for another sneak peak? I have just loved how the cards this month turned out and I almost want to share them with you all at once! We haven't made a baby card for a long time, so I felt it was time. But I wanted to change things up a bit, so this card is definitely for a baby but it has a sophistication to it that will stand out against the other cards. And best of all? It's so simple to put together!

Stamp Sets:

Something for Baby

Short & Sweet

Paper:

Crumb Cake

Very Vanilla

Champagne Glimmer Paper

Ink:

Crumb Cake

Accessories:

Big Shot

Tulip Border Embossing Folder

Baby's First Framelits

Apothecary Accents Framelits

Modern Label Punch

Triple Hearts Punch

Dimensionals

Sponge

Jewels Basic Pearl

September Stamp Club Projects

We had our September Stamp Club meeting last night. I wanted to quickly share our projects with you. We tried a new masking technique on the front of a Kraft Grid Journal and we learned how to make flowers out of tissue paper using the 1-1/4" Scallop Circle Punch.

 Tissue Paper Flower Card

1.       Punch the flower using the 1 ¼” Scallop Circle Punch on the folded tissue paper. Poke a brad through the flower to hold the layers together. *Note, this project would be beautiful using Rhinestone Brads or other decorative brads! Fluff up the flower to give it shape.

2.       Using the Melon Mambo and Wild Wasabi Stampin’ Write Markers, color the flower image on the stamp. Huff on it to re-wet the ink and stamp in on Whisper White card stock.

3.       Run the flower image through the Big Shot using the appropriate size circle from the Circles Collection Framelits Die.

4.       Round bottom corners of card base.

5.       Add Lace Paper Doily.

6.       Add strip of Designer Series Paper.

7.       Add the center circle with the flower stamp, popping it up using Dimensionals.

8.       Adhere tissue paper flower using Glue Dots.

Kraft Grid Journal (masking technique)

1.       Create a frame using the Apothecary Framelits Die (already done for you). Place it on the front of your journal. I dabbed a 2-Way Glue Pen on the back of the mask and let it dry. This allows it to become a repositionable adhesive. It will hold the mask in place but not ruin your project.  *Note: Sticky notes are a great tool to use with the masking technique!  Once the mask is in place, dab the sponge in the Crumb Cake ink and tap it on your journal to create the desired effect. Start light; you can always add more ink.

2.       Remove the mask and rub off any excess adhesive.

3.       Stamp the Flowers image and the, “Life is” sentiment on the front of your journal.

4.       Run the Calypso Coral card stock through the Big Shot using Tab 1 and the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die. Using Glue Dots, add the butterflies to the front of your journal wherever you like.

5.       Add Washi Tape.

6.       Tie Baker’s Twine through the button and adhere using Glue Dots.

September Stamp Club Sneak Peak #1

I'm so happy to be writing this post! It feels good to be back into my routine with Stamp Camps and Stamp Clubs coming at regular intervals. I am also considering trying some new things at Stamp Camp to change things up a bit. 

At this month's Stamp Camp, I invited a friend to come share about her ministry to women working in a night club who are often caught up in human trafficking. She visits these women and gives them a little care package filled with things that make women feel pretty - lotions, candles, etc., to let them know that they are valuable and cared about - worth much more than the world is telling them they are worth. I invited my customers to bring items to help fill these care packages and in exchange they will get a discount on Stamp Camp this month. They will also have the option to make an extra card for my friend to put in the kits. My prayer is that every woman, no matter where she is in life, would know that she was made in the image of the One who created the universe and she is loved and valuable. I am so excited I can use this platform to help with this.

So, are you ready for a sneak peak now? I know I am!

I just adore the Life's Adventure Hostess stamp set. The images are so great you don't have to add much to your card to make it something special. And the outlined images give you the option to color them in using Blender Pens, Stampin' Write Markers, Aqua Painters or Blendabilities. How fun! It's like being a kid again, but with a little class!

Stamp Set:

Life's Adventure

Paper:

Lost Lagoon CS

Garden Green CS

Blushing Bride CS

Whisper White CS

Flower Pot Designer Series Paper

Ink:

StazOn

Blushing Bride

Tangerine Tango

Lost Lagoon

Garden Green

Accessories:

Blender Pens

Rhinestones

Terrific Tips Tuesday

Stampin' Up! is releasing new photopolymer stamps all the time. You can check them out HERE. Cleaning photopolymer stamps can be a frustrating task. First of all, don't worry! They won't fade or discolor, but they probably will stain and that's OK! It won't affect their stamping ability.

Some people have even inked their photopolymer stamps with Staz On (permanent) ink so they can see the image of the stamp better.

But don't use Staz On cleaner with your photopolymer stamps - it could degrade them. Use Stampin' Up!'s Stampin' Mist and Stampin' Scrub:

Stampin's Mist

$4.50 #102394

Stampin' Scrub

$16.95 #126200

You may also find that if you ink your photopolymer in VersaMark Ink before the ink you are using in your project that it will help prevent staining. It will put a barrier between the stamp and the ink. Clean like normal when you're done. You don't have to do this every time, either. Just occasionally to keep it from wearing away.

VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad

$7.50 #102283

Flashback Friday

I wanted to share a card that we made at Stamp Camp 2 years ago. I loved it then and I still love it now. I hope you do, too, and you find some inspiration!

I think this might be my favorite card from this set. It's hard to decide but this one is just so beautiful. My new favorite "toy" is the new butterfly punch. And the Papillon Potpourri stamp set is a wonderful companion to the punch. We are also trying a new technique - stamping on ribbon. It's a nice, subtle effect - perfect for a card with butterflies!

I also wanted to point out one of the new 2012-2014 In Colors, Summer Starfruit. When I first saw it I honestly thought it was the ugliest color I had ever seen. I couldn't figure out why Stampin' Up! thought this might be a good color to come out with. I have since found myself using it in several projects. Besides this card here, you might remember that we used it in July's Stamp Club card project. I have also seen this color in nearly every clothing store I have visited in the last two weeks. It seems this odd, greenish yellow is Fall's 'In Color'. It's everywhere! And, it's growing on me! By itself it does, indeed, remind me a bit of changing a newborn's diaper. However pair it with almost any color and it seems to bring out the best in the other color and seem to fit right in. Give it a try! While you're at it, check out Gumball Green (used in the card with the Road to Happiness set). I saw deep shades of Hunter and Kelly Greens, which are similar to Gumball Green, everywhere I went as well. Have fun with color!

Stamp Sets:

Papillon Potpourri, Delightful Dozen, Border Banter

Paper:

Sahara Sand, Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit, Natural Composition Specialty Paper

Ink:

Primorse Petals, Summer Starfruit, Staz On

Accessories:

Basic Rhinestones, Natural 7/8" Cotton Ribbon, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch

Terrific Tips Tuesday

The core of Stampin' Up! is stamps and ink. Today's tip is going back to the basics. Stampin' Up!'s ink pads are specially designed to keep the ink at the top of the pad - right where you need it. To do this, the ink pad actually sits in the "lid" and is flipped over when you close it up. This can make opening and closing the ink pads a little tricky at times. My tip that I say quite frequently to guests at my Stamp Camps is to, "push on the dots." See the ink pad below? At the bottom of the image (or towards the front of the top of the pad when it's laying flat) are 3 little impressions. If you push from the front of the pad here, the lid will pop open, slide back a bit and you can flip it around. So, next time you are struggling with that pad, just, "push the dots!"

Flashback Friday

The Holiday Catalog went live last week. Every year I am even more in love with what I find in those pages. If you haven't had a chance yet, check it out HERE. With the Holiday Catalog in mind and looking forward to planning Christmas cards, I was in the mood to share a Christmas card we made at Stamp Camp a few years ago:

 The stamp set I used for this card, Christmas Lodge, is from the Holiday Mini Catalog. I wish I had room to use each of the stamps in this set on a card - they are all beautiful! 

Stamp Set:
Christmas Lodge

Paper:
Sahara Sand
Bravo Burgundy
Early Espresso

Ink:
Early Espresso
Bravo Burgundy
Whisper White Craft

Accessories:
Blender Pen
Simply Scorin' Tool
Early Espresso Quilted Satin Ribon

Terrific Tips Tuesday

Hello fellow paper crafters! You know what is fun to use on cards and scrapbook pages? Vellum! Don't you think? You know what gives me hives trying to figure out the best way to adhere it to my projects? Vellum! Don't you agree? But today's tip will help with that! One of my favorite specialty adhesives is Crystal Effects. It has so many uses, some of which I've shared here on the blog (like these coasters) and some of which I'm still discovering myself. Well, I think you can see where I'm going with this... Crystal Effects works well to invisibly adhere vellum to card stock. Aren't you excited now? I know you want to run right to your creative space and give it a try! Remember to keep it really thin when you apply it, possibly using a sponge, your fingers or a Q-tip, not squeezing it right out of the bottle onto your paper. 

Crystal Effects

#101055 $6.25