Stamp Things

Blue Prints #20: Weekly Card & Scrapbook Layout

Need a Creativity Boost?  Visit www.Stampthings.com weekly for BluePrints, a weekly scrapbook & Card Layout to get your creativity going!  These layouts provide ideas for using Stampin' Up! products.

Welcome to Week# 20  Please use these layouts as a serving suggestions, manipulate them as you wish.  They are here to simply get your mojo going!!! 

From time to time, we loose a loved one or a friend of ours does.  These are always tough times, when we don't feel very creative.  Recently I lost a loved one and will be making a small scrapbook in remembrance of my loved one.  These are some ideas for these tough times.  I will share the scrapbook when it is completed.

 

Week # 20 Card Front layout

Saturday with Sizzix - Bag with Scallop - Tutorial, Examples & Tips you MUST See!

Today's Saturdays with Sizzix focuses on how to use the new Bigz XL Bag w/scallop PN 114519.  As usually, I can't just use it for its intended purpose.  The resultant die cuts made from this die can be used to create a party favor bag, a card and a scrapbook page.  The pictures below show the projects that were made with this die.  Intertwined in the tutorials for these projects are a few important tips for using this die.

 

 

Are you feeling the versatility of this die???  I know I am after a few minutes of playing with it, these examples were created!

Before beginning the tutorial, lets discuss the die stack.  It can be difficult to ensure the proper alignment when using paper that just fits over the die cutting surfaces.  Often times, more paper is wasted when trying to use paper that just fits.  When using paper that just fits, you need to be extra careful that the paper does not shifts.  Unwanted shifting can create an incomplete die cut.  To eliminate this problem, I used remnants of some rubber and cushion from a Stampin' Up! stamp set that I recently assembled. 

A long section along of stamping cushion and die was cut and adhered to the die as shown below.  You can see the nice straight surface this created for aligning card stock against.

As I used this guide, I found that the cover plate should not go over it, but rather line up ~1/4" in front of it.  This set-up made for perfect cuts each time using strips cut from a 8-1/2" x 11" pieces of card stock. 

A die cut from the Bag w/scallop Bigz XL die are shown below.

 

To assemble the bag follow the steps in the picture below.

 

Step 1: Fold the side panel cut out along its creases.

Step 2: Fold the front panel of the bag along its creases.

Step 3: Add adhesive (Sticky Strip is shown in the pictures above) to the left side of the front panel.

Step 4: Remove the sticky strip protective cover, Align the side panel as shown in the Step 4 picture and rub the card stock to adhere.

Step 5: Using the same sequence as Step 4 adhere the bottom of the side panel.

Step 6: Using the same sequence as Step 4 adhere the remaining side of the panel.

Repeat Steps 3-6 for the right side panel.

 

Add embellishments as desired to create your finished bag.

 

The front panels of this bag were also used to create sleeves for cards and title backgrounds as well as tags for scrapbook pages.  The pictures below provide ideas for using the front panel for more than just cute little bags!

 

 

 

For the Scrapbook page shown below, the front panel was laid across the top of the page as a background for the scrapbook page title.  Another panel was trimmed and used at the bottom of the page as a tag for the date.

I hope these ideas have inspired you to create something special with your Scallop w/bag bigz die PN 114519 or perhaps buy it! .  Click here to purchase on-line.

As always Happy Creatin'

Blueprints your Weekly Card & Scrapbook Page Layouts! Week #19

Need a Creativity Boost?  Visit www.Stampthings.com weekly for BluePrints, a weekly scrapbook & Card Layout to get your creativity going!  These layouts provide ideas for using Stampin' Up! products.

Welcome to Week# 19  Please use these layouts as a serving suggestions, manipulate them as you wish.  They are here to simply get your mojo going!!! 

This weeks scrapbook layout is inspired by this very cold wintery day, at least here in New England! 

Week # 19 Card Front layout

   

Don't forget to share your creations!

Frayed Ribbon Tutorial

Before discussing the ease and difficulties of fraying ribbon, here are two examples of frayed ribbon.  I first learned about frayed ribbon at a Stamp Club.  I have to say that Gretchen Barronis the queen of frayed ribbon.  She has done some absolutely beautiful samples with frayed ribbon.  These examples are definitely inspired by some of her work.

 

 

Fraying Ribbon can be extremely easy or a huge PAIN in the BUM!  It doesn't have to be the later.  Once you know how easy it can be, you will enjoy it.  The big trick is finding that one little thread that unwinds the entire ribbon.

Step 1: Cut the Ribbon with a blunt cut across (i.e at a 90°Angle to the sides).

Step 2: Tease out the first thread. 

 

If this is "THE THREAD", it will unravel the entire ribbon until you stop pulling on it.  It is unbelievable how easy it.  The picture below shows what it will look like if you were able to catch the right thread.

 

 

Sometimes you run into knots.  Like when you are getting a snarl (AKA rats nest, knots, etc.) out of your hair. 

 

When these knots occur, you want to tease the thread out again.  The pictures below give you an idea on how to do this.

 

Once you untangle the knot you can continue to pull.  Sometimes you just can't catch the right thread.  I have found it easier to start the entire process over again, by cutting the ribbon a little further down. 

I hope this little tutorial was enlightening and that you are off to fray some ribbon!

Happy Creatin' !

Sizzix - Textured Plates

Sizzix Texture Plates are very similar to dry embossing.  These plates create embossed images on paper and card stock.  This tutorial is a step by step picture tutorial showing how to use these plates.  The plate below is part of the Texture Plates Kit #4 (SU PN 114531).

   

Before going through how to set-up the texture plate for embossing, the difference between the crease pad and the silicone rubber needs to be explained.  The Crease Pad is used with dies which create die cuts that require folding to create the final project. 

It is easy to confuse the Crease Pad with the Silicone Rubber Pad when you haven't use them before.  The Crease Pad is larger than the Silicone Rubber Pad and not as stiff as the Impression Pad.  The Silicone Rubber pad which you will be using with the texture plates is extremely floppy.  If the Crease Pad is used instead of the Silicone Rubber Pad, it will be almost impossible to put the sandwich assembly through the Big Shot (or BigKick). I suggest labeling the various pads to help you avoid making this mistake.   The picture below shows the difference between these pads.

 

Let's now build the sandwich assembly for the texture plates.

Step 1: Flip the Multipurpose Platform tab to Tab 1.  

Step 2: The texture plate has a different pattern on each side.  Place the texture plate on top of Tab 1 with the pattern that you want to use facing up.

Step 3: Place the paper on top of the texture plate in the orientation you want it embossed.

 

Step 4: Place the Silicone Rubber pad over the paper.

   

Step 5: Place the Impressions Pad over the Silicone Rubber.

Step 6: Roll the sandwich through the BigKick or Big Shot.

You're done!  Here is a comparison showing the before and after.

Below is a sample using paper which has been texturized (if that is a word) using the texture plates.

I hope this tutorial has helped those of you who wish to use the textured plates!  The more I play with them the more in love I am!!!

After I initially created this post, I recieved several emails and read various post with additional tips and tricks to using these textured plates.  These tips & tricks are listed below.

1. Use an extra piece of card stock as a shim to create a deeper impression - Glenda Trexler
2. Run the Sandwich through the Big Shot twice to create a deeper impression - Patty Bennett
3. Lighty mist the card stock with water or paper glide before embossing it, this can help create a better image - Regina Andari

"Love You Much" Valentine's Class Marlborough, MA 01752 - Feb 7th

What better time of year is there to express your love and appreciation to your family and friends than Valentine’s Day?  In this class you’ll create four love & friendship cards, four 3” x 3” friendship notes and 9 tags that can be used when packaging up Valentine’s treats for your kids, teachers, friends &/or co-workers. The whole collection is packaged in this one-of-a-kind Stationery Purse.

Date: Saturday Feb 7th
Time: 4:30 pm
Cost: $20 for class or $10 with the purchase of Love You Much Bundle.
Location: My House

Please email me to sign up for this class!

I must receive orders for the Love You Much Bundle by Jan 23rd to guarantee delivery on Feb 7th.


Supplies we will be working with are listed below.  This is an excellent way to try these products if you have never used them before!

• Stamps: Love You Much, En Français 
• Ink: VersaMark ink, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, So Saffron classic inks/refills
• Paper:  Candy Lane DP, Close to Cocoa 12” x 12” CS, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red 8 ½” x 11” CS
• Adhesive: Sticky Strip, Snail adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 2-way glue pen
• Ribbon & Brads: Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Elastic Cord, Silver brads
• Punches: Scallop Circle punch, Scallop Edge punch, 1/8” circle punch, corner punch, Tab punch, Heart to Heart punch.
• Other tools & accessories: Personal paper trimmer with scoring blade, bone folder, paper snips, blender pen, Stampin’ Sponge, self-adhesive Velcro, medium Whisper White envelopes, mini square envelopes, medium cello bags

Blueprints your Weekly Card & Scrapbook Page Layouts! Week #18

Need a Creativity Boost?  Visit www.Stampthings.com weekly for BluePrints, a weekly scrapbook & Card Layout to get your creativity going!  These layouts provide ideas for using Stampin' Up! products.

Welcome to Week# 18  Please use these layouts as a serving suggestions, manipulate them as you wish.  They are here to simply get your mojo going!!! 

This weeks scrapbook layout is inspired by Valentines Day 

Week # 18 Card Front layout

Don't forget to share your creations!

Sizzix Baby Bib - Baby Shower Invites

I've seen these Baby Bib cards all over the place, so I can't honestly say who created the original idea.  If you know, please let me know so I can give credit.  This is just a tutorial on how to make baby bib - baby shower invites.  I cannot take credit for the idea.  I can say that I love them.  They are so stinkin' CUTE!

 

To make these cards you will need the following:

• 1/4" Ribbon
• PN 113468, Sizzix - Scallop Circle die
• 4-1/4" x 11" Piece of Card Stock folded in half &
• 1/8" hole punch.

I'll leave the embellishments up to you.  The card shown above used Pink Pirouette card stock, Chocolate Chip Ink, "All in the Family" Stamp Set, "Family Phrases" Stamp Set and the "Sock Monkey Accessories" Stamp set.  The inner circle is 3-3/4" in diameter. 

To begin the scalloped base card was created using a 4-1/4" x 11" card stock that was folded in half to create a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card.  The card was aligned over the Scallop die as shown below.

  

Notice that the picture above shows the fold of the card stock slightly below the top of the Scallop die.  You want ~5 of the scallops showing.  The resultant die cut will look like the picture below.

 

I am going to leave the embellishing to you, but I wanted to leave you with a simple trick to expand the versatility of your stamp sets.  I'd like to use the new baby portion of the "happy new baby" stamp from the "Family Phrases" stamp set.

 

To do this, use the fat end of the Stampin' Up! marker to color or paint the portion of the stamp you want.  In this case, "new baby" was colored.

 

The resultant stamped image is shown below.

 

This technique was also used on the front of the card to create the let's celebrate. 

Valentine's Day - Heart Flower Tutorial

This is a very simple tutorial for making a flower using hearts.  The card front below shows the end result.

The following supplies were used to create this card.

SU Part Number	Description
111351	Pink Pirouette Card Stock
111836	Riding Hood Red Stampin' Ink Pad
102128	Chocolate Chip Card Stock
109114	Pretties Kit
106957	Bold Brights Brads
111692	Something New to Love Stamp Set
109260	Priceless Stamp Set

To create the Chocolate Chip Flower, 8 - 2" flowers were cut and assembled as shown below.

 

 

 

Continue overlapping and adhering each heart together until all 8 hearts are used.

 

 

The additional hearts were stamped using the "Something New to Love" stamp set, Pink Pirouette Card Stock and Riding Hood Red Stampin' Ink Pad.  The hearts were then cut out and pasted on top of the Chocolate Chip Heart Flower. 

The heart flower was further embellished using the "Pretties Kit" and Bold Bright Brads.  The "Priceless" stamp set was used to create the whimsical stems.

I can't wait to see what you create with this quick and easy heart flower tutorial.

FYI: There is a new Heart Punch debuting in the 2009 SU catalog.  I wonder if this little tutorial could be used with it!!!!

Stampin' Up! Inventory Blowout Sale Order Now while supplies last!

Through January 18, 2009 For a list of items on sale, click here. 

You can order through me or on-line

Enjoy!! The great savings.  I know I am going to take advantage of this amazing sale!