Stamp Things

Brayer Sunset Revisited

I was looking for some new inspiration and came across a card that inspired me, so much that I had to case it.  Okay, so I didn't recreate it exactly but it is too similar to call the idea my own! Of coarse, I can't find the original now to give the designer credit.  If you know her, please leave a comment with her info, so I can add a link.

To recreate this affect first review my very simple  baby wipe technique to create a the background.  It is VERY simple, click here for a tutorial. 

The tools and supplies that you will need include

Stampin' Up! Part Number	Product Description
102599	Glossy White 8-1/2" x 11" (25 pc)
111656	Inspired by Nature Stamp Set
105225	So Saffron Ink Refill
102931	Only Orange Ink Refill
103287	Real Red Ink Refill
102395	Brayer Handle with Rubber Attachment
-	2-3 Baby Wipes
101179	Basic Black Stampin' pad
102851	Basic Black Paper
*	Bird die cut or punch, Some Suggestions are listed below

Some Suggestions for the Bird

• Holiday Windows Magnetic Stampin' Up! Movers & Shapers Die (PN 116821)
• 2 Step Bird Punch (PN 117191)

• Birds & Branches Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die (PN 114529)

Come back on Friday to see the card and scrapbook page that were made with these eye catching creations!

Until then, Happy Creating!

Pennant Die - Making Pennants

In the past I have used the Pennant die to create anything BUT a pennant including:

• Pennant Card Tutorial
• Trees & Table Settings

This post contains actual pennants that were made with the Stampin' Up! Exclusive Pennant die for use with the Sizzix Big Shot, BigKick & the new Big Shot Pro machines.

To create these pennants you will need the following tools.

1. PN 113483 - Stampin' Up! Pennant Die
2. PN 113439 Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (Or the BigKick or Big Shot Pro)
3. PN 113478 - Extended Cutting Pads
4. Alphabet Dies of your Choosing to create letters.  These letters were created using the Plantin SchoolBook cartridge and the Cricut Expressions.

For each Pennant you will need:

• Two piece of 8 - 1/2 " x  9" for the creation of the Pennant in the color or pattern of your choosing.
• Additional piece of paper for creating the letters.

TIP: The tip regarding the pennant die is to use old remnants from stamp dies to create alignment edges along the side and bottom of the pennant die edges as shown below.

These alignment edges allow for consistent and accurate die cuts.  Be careful placing the remnant die pieces.  Don't worry they are easy to remove if you need to remove them or move them.

 Instructions

1. To create the pennant, fold the 8 - 1/2 " x  9" (or larger) piece of paper or card stock in half to yield a 4-1/4" x 9" (or larger) folded paper.
2. Place 1 to 2 pieces of folded paper on top of one another, make sure that the folded edge is aligned against the long edge of the pennant using the alignment edges described in the above tip.  I've found it best to cut 2 at a time.  You may be able to do more. 
3. To create the top layer of the pennant, trim the pennant along the perforated lines.  If you don't want the perforated edges on your finished pennant, trim the edges just a smidge on the inside of the perforations.
4. Unfold the die cuts and glue them together as desired.
5. Place large eyelets in the upper corners of the pennant.
6. Create and attach letters to each pennant as desired.
7. String pennants together with ribbon or desired string to complete pennant. 
    

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial and that you will come back on Wednesday for a little fun with stamps.  Yes, Stamps, I do use them occasionally!

Until then Happy Creating!

Christmas Bears - Classroom activity

These past few months have been very hard on me.  I've done very little of the things that I love.   Including sharing some of my projects with you.  As I'm determined to get the things I love back.  I'm going to begin by sharing this little project.

When my oldest childs teacher mentioned that she would like to do a holiday craft with the class, I was delighted and knew just what I wanted to do.  Something with those cute "Build a Bear" dies!  I love the idea of Mrs. Claus being a part of the project!  This is the project that I brought to class.  The kids instantly turned them into Ornaments for their Christmas Trees. 

To make these little gems you will need a Big Shot machine, along with the following dies from Stampin' Up!

    117977    Stampin' Up! Bear

    117978    Stampin' Up! Beary Essentials

    117980    Stampin' Up! Beary Merry

The card stock used to create these precious little bears included:

    102514    Creamy Caramel,

    102482    Real Red,

    102851    Basic Black &

    101650    Very Vanilla.

Kits were create for each bear.  

Mr. Clauses' (Santa Bear) kit included

1. Bear
2. A Very Vanilla Cap
3. A Real Red Cap (trimmed along the perforation marks)
4. A Very Vanilla Coat
5. A Real Red Coat  (trimmed along the perforation marks)
6. A Pair of Real Red Pants
7. 2 - Basic Black Shoes
8. A small Rectangle of Basic Black (~1/4 " x ~3/4" )

Mrs. Clauses' Bear kit included

1. Bear
2. A Very Vanilla Cap
3. A Real Red Cap (trimmed along the perforation marks)
4. A Very Vanilla Coat
5. A Real Red Coat  (trimmed along the perforation marks)
6. A Real Red Skirt
7. 2 - Basic Black Shoes
8. A small Rectangle of Basic Black (~1/4 " x ~3/4" )

As these kits were for Kindergarteners, the die cuts (excluding the bears) were turned into a sticker using the Xyron 500 Create a sticker Machine using the 18' re-positionable adhesive refill.  This allowed the children some flexibility in creating their bears.  Here is the bear that my 5 year made.  It's not perfect, but it means a lot to me.  

I had an amazing time with the kids that day.  I am smiling as I think about it now.  I can't wait to create more bears with them this coming school year!

 As always, Happy Creating!

Box Top - Stampin' Up! Elegant Bouquet - Sizzix Exclussive

This is a Simple Project with the Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (PN 115964) for the Big Shot.  This folder is only available through Stampin' Up!  In this post you will learn how to properly use the Sizzix Embossing Folders.

To use this folder, place the paper you would like embossed inside the embossing folder as shown below.

 

The arrow on the folder indicates how to load the folder into the machine.  The picture belows illustrates this more clearly. 

 

Tips & Tricks

• Load the folder as shown above so that the folder is rolled through the machine as shown.
• Do NOT roll the folder backwards through the machine.  This will cause the folder to misalign and distort the image.

This Textured Impressions Embossing Folder is absolutely lovely!  It produces a deeper embossed image than the Texturz plates which I love as well.

Stampin' Up!  offers many exclusive Sizzix products for use in the Big Shot, BigKick and SideKick. For more information, feel free to contact me or check out Stampin' Up! Ordering on-line.

As Always, Happy Creatin'

Getting my Mojo going with the new Lattice die

My first shipment arrived with items from the new catalog and I am so totally stoked to start sharing.  There are several stamp sets that I want to start playing with but (of coarse), I had to rip open the new Bigz Lattice die (PN 115958).  This is my first creation.

This project used the following materials

• Bigz Stampin' Up! Lattice (SU Exclusive) - PN 115958
• Sizzlit - Stampin' Up! Little Leaves (SU Exclusive) - PN 114511
• 1/2" Circle Punch - PN 104390
• 1" Circle Punch - PN 109046
• Flowers & Brads from the Pretties Kit - PN 109114
• Soft Suede Card Stock 8-1/2" x 11" - PN 115318
• Crusher Curry Card Stock 8-1/2" x 11" - PN 115319
• Old Olive Card Stock 8-1/2" x 11" - PN 100702
• Razzleberry Lemonade - PN 115675

Instead of a step by step tutorial of this projects, this post will discuss tips for using the lattice die.

The Lattice Die produces a finished die cut which is 3-1/4" x 3-1/4".  

The lattice piece that is used in this project is 6-1/2" x 6 - 1/2" square.   To recreate this larger lattice section on your own, fold a piece of 6-1/2" x 6-1/2" card stock in half and then in half again as shown below.

Place the folded card stock slightly to the right & above the edge of the die cutting surface.  This will allow you to unfold the lattice like a strand of paper dolls.  The picture below illustrates the alignment.

The folded die cut is shown below.

The unfolded die cut is shown below.

Hope you enjoy using the lattice die as much as I have.   This one is so unique that I'm sure it will quickly become a favorite among Big Shot users!

As Always, Happy Creatin'

P.S. More post featuring new products from the Stampin' Up! are coming, be sure to come back soon!

Pop-Up Soccer Ball Die

I don't often do this, but I have to share this creation by Karen Burniston, the creator of the incredible pop-up dies for the BigShot that Stampin' Up! is offering.  This is SO my kind of project!

This picture was taken directly from Karen's Blog - I'm not left handed. 

Please click on the picture or HERE for the instructions (on Karen's Blog) including all the supplies you will need to create this awesome little project!

To order the supplies for this project, click here. 

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As Always, Happy Creatin'

Basket Weave a Paper Pop-up Cake? Why NOT? Don't Worry it is a simple tutorial!

Stampin' Up! has the privilege of offering some awesome pop-up dies from Sizzix.  These dies include the XL 3 tier Cake die and the Pop-Up Ball.  These offerings are great for card making and scrapbooking projects a like.

Part Number	Description	Price
116760	Three Tier Cake Pop-Up Bigz XL Die	$39.95
116759	3-D Ball Pop-Up Bigz Xl Die	$39.95
113478	Extended Cutting Pads	$19.95
117630	Extended Premium Crease Pad	$19.95

The picture below shows my first creation with the 3 tier cake Pop-Up die.  It is a traditional basket weave cake inspired by my very own wedding cake made some 10+ years ago!

Since Sizzix did an amazing job with the pop-up cake instructions, there is little benefit in re-inventing the wheel here.  Click here for the instructions which accompany the die.

The most important aspect of the pop-up die is to use, strong card stock for the die cut components.  Using designer series paper is not a good idea for the die cut components.  However, the thinner designer series paper IS an excellent idea for the sides of the cake.

Supplies Needed to create the Basket Weave

• 2 Pieces of 9-1/2" x 11" Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Sticky Strip Adhesive
• Paper Cutter

Paper Dimensions - Cut the Card Stock in to the following strips

• 3 Pieces of 7/8" x 10" Card stock.
• 9 Pieces of 1/4" x 10" Card Stock or DSP
• 27 Pieces of 1/4" x 11-1/2" Card Stock or DSP

Step 1: You will need the following to make one strip.

• 1 Pieces of 7/8" x 10" Card stock.
• 3 Pieces of 1/4" x 10" Card Stock or DSP
• 9 Pieces of 1/4" x 11-1/2" Card Stock or DSP

Take the pieces shown below.

Step 2: Glue the ends of two -1/4" x 10" to the 7/8" x 10"  leaving enough room between the strips for the 3rd 7/8" x 10" strip.

 

Step 3: Glue a 1/4" x 10" strip over the glued end of the strips previously glues as shown below.

Step 4: Glue a 1/4" x 10" strip over in the middle of the strips from Step 1.

This creates base for the weave.  Now you will simply, fish the remainder of the 1/4" x 10" which was used in Step 3 alternating over and under the base strips as shown below.

Step 5: Secure the strips in place.

Flip the completed strip over & apply sticky strip as shown

Remove stricky strip protective plastic cover and fold over the free strips.

The completed weaved strip will look like this.

These strips were then attached per the Sizzix instruction sheet. Click here for the instructions which accompany the die.

The resultant Pop-up Cake is shown again below and is even more amazing in person!  I can't want to show you the other amazing non cake items that I've made with this die!  You really going to want this die when you see my other creations!

As Always, Happy Creatin'

Couple of Fringed Flower Ideas

Some Simple Fringed Flower Ideas (PN 114524).  The Fringed Flower Tutorial can be found by clicking here.

Simple Scrapbook Page:

 

A barrettemade with Fringed Flower Die (PN 114524), Crystal Effects (PN 101055), Flower Designer Brads (PN 112579), an old barrette and some fabric remnants.

 

The Fringed Fabric flower shown above was made exactly the same as the paper flower shown in the fringed flower tutorial except that fabric was used instead of paper.

To secure the fabric flower to the barrette, a dab of Crystal Effects was placed on the back of the brad and the barrette placed over the dab of Crystal Effects.  For more information on Crystal Effects, click here.

 

Hope you enjoyed this little tutorial!

Fringed Flower Fun! Fun! Fun!

The site of the crocus blooming in my garden excited me this morning.  I rushed inside to grab my camera so that I could share these little beauties with you.

 

I hope the picture inspires you to think happy spring thoughts as I share with you how to make a flower using the Bigz Fringed Flower Die (PN 114524). 

Use the diagram below to assemble the "Die Sandwich" using the Bigz Fringed Flower Die and 6 sheets of 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper.

 

The resultant die cuts will look like this.

 

You will notice a small hole in the center.

 

This hole is perfect for a brad.

After you have slipped the brad through the hole, fan the die cuts out and secure the brad in place to create this lovely flower embellishment.

Tomorrows post will share ideas of things you can do with your fringed flower.  Come back tomorrow and every day in April as www.Stampthings.com participates in the Blog a day Challenge!

Happy Creating!

Saturdays with Sizzix - Letters featuring the Naturally Serif Decorative Strip Die

 

The greatest feature of having letter dies is that you are ready to create a saying for any occasion.  You don't have to search through your hundreds of stamps or place a rush order.  You can simply turn to your trusty Big Shot & whip out your favorite letter set whether it be 

• The Naturally Serif Sizzlit Decorative Strip Die (PN 113453) or

• The Stampin' Up! Billboard Sizzlit Decorative Strip Die (PN 114510) or
• The Go-Go Boots Alphabet Set - Sizzlits Dies (PN 113450) and/or
• The Serif Essentials Alphabet Set - Bigz Dies (PN 113464)

Each one of these sets offers the versatility of creating your own words to adorn a card, scrapbook page or any paper craft project you choose.  However, for thick materials and multiple page cutting you will want to stick to The Serif Essentials Alphabet (PN 113464).  The other sets work best cutting thin paper one sheet at a time.

For this card, The Naturally Serif Decorative Strip Die (PN 113453) was selected and will be discussed for the remainder of this post.  The principals apply to all the sets.

To create the letters "Lucky Me", Designer series paper was used.  Designer Series Paper is double sided, so you need to first decide which side you what to use for the letters.

 

For this card, the patterned side of the paper was selected.  The opposite side of the designer series paper is a solid Old Olive.

TIP: Place the side of the paper that you want facing the cutting surface, so that you do NOT see it when you create the sandwich.

In the picture above, the paper is placed on the Naturally Serif Decorative Strip Die so that the pattern side is down.  In the picture, the paper is folded back so that you can see that the pattern side is facing the die and the side that we do NOT want to use is facing upwards so that we see it.

The sandwich for the decorative strip is shown below.

 

Once the sandwich has been created, run it through the big shot machine as shown below.

   

The letters can then be glued to card, scrapbook page or project.  With these small letters, I like to use the Xyron Create a Sticker.  Click here for a tutorial.

TIP: It is important to outline the stickers as discussed in the tutorial link above to prevent extra adhesive from sticking to the sides of the die cuts.  If this happens, rub the Adhesive Remover (PN 103684) over the edge of the letters where you see the extra adhesive to remove the unwanted adhesive.

 

Now that you know how easy it is to use these decorative strip letter dies, lets see what you do with them!

Happy Creating!