Addicted to Stamping

Big Shot Garden Stakes

All of the presentations were great at the San Antonio Regionals but this was the project I couldn't wait to come home and try. These garden stakes were popular last spring but I didn't realize how quick and easy they were until I saw them demoed.  Linda Barnes was the demonstrator and she did a great job presenting and had lots of nice samples.

My hubby is away for the weekend so I might make a trip to the hardware store and give these a try (it frightens him when I shop there).

The supplies Linda used were Aluminum Flashing and 12 gauge hanging wire if you want to make your own stakes. You might also want to purchase some metal spray paint.

Some additionals supplies you'll need: Big Shot, Embossing folders, crop-o-dile, dies and brads. For tools you'll need some large pliers to form the curl on your plant stakes or you can purchase premade stakes. You'll also need something to cut the flashing into workable pieces. She used a utility knife and metal ruler, scored the metal and bent it back and forth until it broke on the score line. I've also heard that the Stampin' Up craft and rubber scissors work. I'm going to use hubby's tin snips. As long as I don't leave any glitter behind he'll never know I was in his tool box.  

To get started cut out a shape from the flashing with one of your Big Shot dies then emboss it with one of the empressions folders. Punch a hole with the crop-o-dile to hang it on the stake.

On some of the samples she used the chalk board elements to make a label. The letters were cut from white vinyl decor elements sheets.

The colored magnets were spray painted with metal paint

The stakes that have more than one layer like the butterfly on the scallop circle, she attached the element with a brad.  

Science Experiment

I had planned to post this card today. The tree is made using the Petite Pennants Builder Punch. I also used the modern label for the tree trunk and the jewelry tag punch for the fence. The sentiment is from Word Play. Then came the science experiment. I was reading a thread on SCS about applying glitter to 3D objects and wondered if spray sealer would work. I don't really like using the spray adhesive because it's so sticky.

I sprayed my card with acrylic sealer (available in most craft or hardware stores) It’s gives you the look of versamark with iridescent ice but no warping, way quicker and you can use it for 3D projects. 

I should’ve taken an in between shot. The first time I sprayed, it dried quickly so only a tiny bit of glitter stuck which suited this card more. The second coat gave me complete coverage.  I’m guessing once the card stock was sealed it didn’t soak in and dry as fast. I shook off the excess glitter then sprayed it with two more coats to seal it. On this sample the glitter makes it look like a snow storm but this would be a pretty technique on a more suitable card.

Snow Page Day 5

 This is one of the scrapbook pages I entered in the 2011 Artisan Award contest. I forgot to take a photo of it until it was boxed up and on it's way out the door.

A lot of the features don't show very well in the photo. The letters have icecycle drips using crystal effects then sprinkles with dazzling diamonds. I covered the chipboard with Pink Pirrouette cs before cutting them out with the Big Shot. The ribbon is embossed with the tulip folder by sticking the ribbon to a scrap of card stock before embossing it. You can't see this in the photo at all but I covered the whole page with a big shot adhesive sheet, peeled the backing then cut a swirly decorative strip from the backing sheet. I placed the swirly die cut down the left side of the page then covered the remaining page with faux snow. After dusting off the excess snow I peeled off the swirl and sprinkled that area with dd. It looks very pretty in real life. I also added some snow flakes, pearls and clear bitty buttons. This way my favorite page but then I'm a sucker for pink.

You can find the tutorial to make faux snow using SU products here 

Stamps: none

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Accessories:, Dazzling Diamonds, Big Shot Adhesive Sheet, Stamping Sponges, Crystal Effects, Serif Alphabet Dies, Organza Ribbon, Bitty Buttons, Pearls, Northern Frost, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, White Taffeta Ribbon,  Cheese Grater

Techniques: Faux Snow-grate Whisper White card stock with a cheese grater

Embossed Ribbon

I've been getting a lot of emails asking how to do the embossed ribbon and the flower so here are a few more details (scroll down to the next post to see the whole card) The zig zag card stock behind the ribbon is done by punching both sides of a 1" card stock strip with the Pinking Hearts Border Punch.  

To emboss the ribbon cut a scrap of cardstock the same width as the ribbon you want to emboss. I like matching the card stock to the ribbon in case I'm off a little. Cover the card stock with some big shot adhesive, stick the ribbon to the card stock then emboss it with an embossing folder.

 

 

I didn't include this flower in my Build a Blossom class. There are just soooo many things you can do with that punch and I couldn't include them all. This flower is super easy to make. Punch 9 of the short wide petals in Marina Mist card stock and 2 from Old Olive. I sponged the edges and curled them with my bone folder. It's easier to work on a circle so punch a 1" circle and glue 6 petals onto it (tips almost touching) to form the bottom layer. Glue on the 3 remaining petals to make the top row. Put a drop of Crystal Effects onto each petal and spread it out with a q-tip to make them shine. Put a drop of Crystal Effects in the centre and glue your plastic flower in place.  Draw some lines on your leaves with a marker and tuck them in behind your flower. Now you're ready to attach it to your card.

Wet Sponging

I used a wet sponging technique to make this seaside card. It’s for the Creative Crew Challenge on SCS.  The shells and fish are made with the Build a Blossom punch and stamp set. The sentiment is from You’re a Gem.The clam shell embellishment opens to reveal a pearl inside.   For more details scroll down to the bottom of the post to see the video tutorial.

 

  

Getting More From Your Punches

I was cleaning out some old files and came across this document about getting more from your punches. It was the document I submitted when I applied to be a Workshop Wow presenter at Regionals. Of course I got completely off topic and ran waaaay over the time limit so they'll probably never let me on stage again. Oh well. It was fun. You can see most of my presentation for Hamiltion Regionals here.

Oops! Got off topic again. Here's the punch ideas I didn't use in my presentation.

Download Getting More from your Punches

Key to My Heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used the new Trinket Keys to make a faux metal tag from a piece of black fun foam. I covered the surface with versamark then embossed it with gold ep. While the tag was still hot I pressed one of the trinket keys into the foam. The tag curled a bit so I covered the back with big shot adhesive so it would adhere flat to the card. Heating the keys seem to make the metal a little darker. You can see the sample in the last photo. The key on the right was heated.

The sentiment is from Your a Gem. Other accessories: Heart embosslit, Real Red Satin Ribbon and Newsprint DSP

Stamp-a-Stack Planners

If you’re too busy to plan a Stamp-a-Stack class or don’t know where to start, these Stamp-a-Stack planners will make it easy.

Each card has a two page document. The first page contains a photo of the card and step by step instructions to make the card so you can print it out and post it for your customers to follow.

The second page is the Supplies and Prep List. Print this page to use as a checklist to prepare for your Stamp-a-stack.

 

Here’s one sample. Click on the link below to see the instruction format

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download Warmest Greetings

 I’ve included 20 original designs plus one remake of a swap card form Mary L. Hamill that was too cute not to case. There’s some punch art, one layer cards, techniques, a gift card holder and a shaped card. Each card took less than 5 minutes to make.

You can get all 21 of these Stamp-a-Stack planners for $20 CAD. Just click on the link below to place your order. You’ll receive an email, usually within 48 hours with the link and login information.

 

Debossing With Punches

I finally had a few minutes to make a video. I squeezed in a few techniques: debossing, making self adhesive ribbon and using your punches where they weren't intended to go. This technique works well for one layer punched cards or sweet treat cards like the ones below. The sample card in the video shows how to cover the slit with ribbon and on the samples below I used card stock strips and DSP.

   

Birthday Debossing

I think many of us have been doing the debossing technique for I while, only I didn't know it had a name or that it was a technique. I've just been using it to hide the stretch marks and other imperfections. So here's a birthday card using the debossing technique which is basically gluing card stock to your background and running it through your big shot with an embossing folder.

To punch the centre flower in the card I made a slice in the card front large enough to insert my punch then hid the slice with ribbon. I backed the punched shapes with celery then glued white flowers to the front. After all the pieces were glued on I embossed the card with the lattice embossing folder. The flower centers are the gold smooch accent ink. To get the lovely water stain in the top right corner, leave your card laying on a wet diaper wipe overnight.