Butterfly Wood-mount Bundle -- by Stampin’ Up!

 

 

Bundle & Save Butterfly Stamps and Punch 

 

September Special

 

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Clear or Woodmount Stamps?

 

Clear or Woodmount Stamps?

 

Which do you prefer?

 

Stampin' Up! offers both....

 

 

Pros and Cons of each type:

 



Clear mount stamps cost less than the wood mount, but you have to buy the acrylic blocks to use

 

Clear mount stamps take less storage space than wood mount

 

You never have to worry about having the correct size acrylic block if you buy wood mount

 

This is not a huge problem, but occasionally the clear mount

don't adhere real well to the acrylic blocks

 

After listing some of the pros and cons, I'll say that I have the clear mount stamps and really like them.  I like that they cost less and take less room to store.

 

What do you use?

 

What is your preference?

 

Leave me a comment:)

 

Shop the 2013 - 2014 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog by clicking the image at the right!

Secret Stampin' Diva's

                                                 Woohoo, woohoo!

                        I've received my first card from my secret stamper:)

                                         Look at this great baby card!

                                   

       This awesome baby card would be suitable for either a baby boy or a baby girl.  

                                                        

                                                                 I just love it!

        

The Open Sea

                                                     

                         

                                                              The Open Sea

  

                                                              Nautical Theme

                                                                Stampin' Up

Here is another card card using the same basic design as the "Wetlands" card I described previously.  Different colors, shapes and stamps, but very much the same card. 

Using the different stamps from the Open Sea stamp set, I decorated the 4" x 5.25" piece of Whisper White card stock.   Just use you creativity!  

 I did us a few different Stampin' Up! Tools on this card.  

For the sentiment I used the Modern Label Punch .  I punched one label out of the Whisper White card stock and another out of the Early Espresso card stock.  After stamping my sentiment onto the Whisper White I used my adhesive to attach one label to the other.  Notice that I off-set the labels to give the sentiment another layer of interest!  

I also stamped the ship on Whisper White before running the stamped image through my Big Shot along with a circle Framelit to cut the circle for the ship.  It is often a better idea to stamp your image first then cut, rather than cutting the card stock and stamping after it is cut.  When you stamp first, you can center the image more easily.  To give the ship stamp a layer of dimension I ran some Early Espresso card stock through my Big Shot along with a scalloped circle.  Once again I used my adhesive to attach the two circles.  

Keep in mind that a small image stamped inside the card adds a lot of interest!

Tools used:  Big Shot Die Cutting Machine Item Number 113439, Circles Collection Framelits Item Number 130911, Modern Label Punch Item Number 119849

Stamps: The Open Sea Item Number Clear 123032, Wood 128454, Teeny Tiny Wishes Item Number Clear 127802, Wood 128748

Card Stock:  Whisper White Item Number 100730, Early Espresso Item Number 119686, Marina Mist Item Number 119682

Ink:  Marina Mist Item Number 119682, Early Espresso Item Number 119686

Adhesive:  Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue Item Number 110755

Paper Pumpkin...A Great Beginners Program!

                  

                                                 Reasonable Prices
                                                   
                                   Build your stamp and ink inventory
                                                 
                                      Exposure to more than just cards

I've been thinking again about how a new stamper could get a nice start trying new projects and creating an inventory of supplies.  Stampin' Up's Paper Pumpkin is the answer!!  In each monthly kit there is sure to be at least one stamp (usually more) and at least one Stampin' Spot (ink pad...I have a whole set of these and love them).  Plus you get all the paper you need to complete the monthly project!  The stamps and the ink can be used for anything when done with the project.  So start building your inventory by signing up for Paper Pumpkin!  Those who sign up before August 31st, receive the first two months for only $10 per month.  (you always have the right to cancel if that's what you decide)  Click on the Paper Pumpkin image at the right to order!

Stampin' Newbies

Hello Everyone!

I've just been contacted by a self-proclaimed Stampin' newbie!  It makes me stop and think....where does a newbie begin?  The following are some handy beginners facts to hang on to:

1.  The most typical size card made by the hand crafter is referred to as the A2.  The finished size of this card is 4 1/4" wide by 5 1/2" tall.  The card is one half of an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of Early Espresso card stock folded in half.  You can either cut the piece of card stock lengthwise at the 4 1/4" mark or from side to side at the 5 1/2" mark.  Simply for the cut piece in half

Cut at 4 1/4" down the 11" length

                                                                 

4 1/4" x 11" folded in half.  Can  be used upright or sideways

                                                                     

2.  Layering of color coordinated card stock on the front of your card adds interest.  This is one of a number of very common layouts for cards that use the layering technique.  I cut  a piece of Marina Mist card stock to cover the front of the card leaving a 1/4" margin of the Early Espresso showing.  That means the Marina Mist card stock is cut 5 1/4" x 4".  Following that same pattern, I cut a piece of Whisper White card stock 5" x 3 3/4" to place on top of the Marina Mist. Now I have my layers!

3.  Beginners often try to build their supply inventory (card stock, ink, stamps) by shopping at your local craft store.  I did that for years.  I struggled every time I sat down to begin a project.  There is no color coordination between the inks  and the card stock you find at the local craft store.  Using Stampin' Up! products eliminates that problem.  If you find a color you love, you can order card stock and ink and embellishments in the same color!  Having card stock and ink that match eliminates so many issues when you want to complete a project!  The other thing that I have noticed is that I was often disappointed with the stamped image I got when using non-Stampin' Up! stamps.  Stampin' Up! stamps leave a very clear, crisp image.

4.  The step I completed was to use the drywall mesh stamp I made with 3 layers of mesh on an acrylic block.  I inked up the drywall mesh with the Marina Mist ink and randomly stamped the Whisper White card stock with the homemade stamp.

5.  Just to add a little interest I took my 1" Stampin' Up! punch and used it to notch out the corners of both the Marina Mist and the Whisper White card stock.  I put the two pieces of stock together and lined up the corners then punched.  When you have notched out all four corners and centered the two pieces you see the layered effect of the two colors!

6.  Next, using the "Wetlands" stamp set from Stampin' Up! I inked up the goose stamp and also the cattail stamp with the Early Espresso ink. Stamp the goose somewhere around center and then stamp one set of cattails on the left of edge, then without inking up again, stamp the cattails one more time between the goose and the cattails you have already stamped.  Repeat this process to the right side of the goose as well.  Stamping twice without re-inking is called shadow stamping.

7.  To add a little "pop" of color to this monochromatic scene I pulled out a stamp with tall skinny flowers on it.  Because I didn't want to use the whole stamp, I used markers to color the portion of the stamp that I wanted.  You can use any color you choose...this is just something to add a little interest to the scene.  I repeated this process on both side of the goose.

8.  I also used three gold brads on the upper left corner of the card....again to just to add a little something extra.  Using a piercing tool, poke three evenly spaced holes in a vertical line in your Whisper White card stock.  Cutting these holes in the card stock makes inserting the brads so much easier!

9. When using dark colored card stock for the base of your card, you need to cut a piece of lighter colored (I use white) card stock for the inside of the card.  Stamping on the dark colored stock makes for difficulty reading the card.  So, again with a stamp from the "Wetlands" stamp set I decorate the bottom left corner of the piece of Whisper White stock you will use on the inside of the card.

10.  Lastly you need to use your adhesive to adhere all the layers together and voila!  You have a VERY PRETTY multi-purpose card.  I purposely wait to stamp a sentiment on either the front or the inside, because you are never sure what kind of card you will need. 

This card can be used as a birthday card for either a male or female and could also be used as a sympathy card.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! 

Pat

Simplicity

My idea of a great handcrafted card is that of simplicity.  

• Find a stamp you like along with a few colors of coordinating card stock and let your creative juices flow!  Coordinating card stock and ink is made simple by Stampin' Up!

• The stamp set I chose is "Wetlands" by Stampin' Up!

•  Try experimenting with a new technique.  A quick and easy technique is to use drywall mesh, an acrylic block and ink to stamp a background for your card!  I cut three 5" strips of the drywall mesh and layer them together to give the mesh some dimension.  Ink it up and randomly stamp the mesh "stamp" on your card stock to give the background some interest. 

Here is what I put together.  Let me know what you think:)

Wetlands stamp from Stampin' Up!