Archive for June, 2009

Recently on the Cricut MB, a contributor by the name of Nilda showed us how to use chipboard elements as embossing elements for the CuddleBug (CB).  Check out her sight and videos at http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo141/sherribenson1/IMG_2587.jpg.  She is one talented lady!

Here is what the embossing looks like after it has been run through the CB.

I cut the owl and the flourishes out of chipboard using the Storybook cartridge (SB) and I cut the word “Dad” out of card stock using the Plantain cartridge (PLN).

I use recycle cereal boxes, frozen dinner boxes, and cracker boxes for chipboard.

 

I made sure I used my stickiest mat, and then I also taped down the top and side to ensure that the chipboard does not move around.  I also used a deep cut blade and placed it on #6.

Tip:  Some chipboard (i.e., boxes from file folders, some frozen dinner boxes) have a plastic coating on them so you may want to make an extra pass with the cutting.

The mutliple cuts, pressue and speeds will very according to your machine.  My machine used this combination:  Multiple Cuts = 5 times (4 +1); Speed = low; Pressure= High

When choosing your element to cut out of chipboard, be sure and choose an element that does not have fine detail.  The element will cut cleaner and emboss clearer if the detail is large.  It also makes it easy to clean up the chipboard after it is cut if the details are not fine.

This is the owl and the flourishes that was cut with the recycled staple box.

 

I used a small blade craft knife, the pick instrument from the Cricut accessory tools, and a small file to clean and remove the cut areas that didn’t easily come out when I removed the elements from the mat.

 

 

 

Here it is with all of it’s detailed elements punched out, sanded and trimmed.

The cleaner the chipboard element the cleaner it will emboss.  So take a little extra time to get it just the way you want it.

 

 

 

I’m making a 6″ x 4″ card so I cut a mat @ 5-1/2″ x 3-1/2″.

The sandwich for the embossing is as follows:

A plate; B-plate; Embossing Pad (tan pad); card stock mat; chipboard element using for embossing; 2 shims (made from cereal boxes); second B plate.

 

Tip:  The Embossing pad is from Spellbinders; however, you can go to your local home center and get a similar item in the plumbing department.  I believe they come in a red color and have to be cut down but the price is a lot cheaper.

Be sure and pay attention to how and where you are placing your chipboard elements that you are using to emboss. When you emboss, the results will produce an embossed side and a debossed side.  If you are wanting to use the emboss side, be sure and place the chipboard element as though you are looking at the card or mat from the reverse side.  If you want the embossed element on the left side you would place it on the right side at this point.

I couldn’t leave well enough alone.  If you haven’t figured it out yet I’m in to all the details and insist that my cards are full of detail.

I chalked the Owl and flourishes and added some eyes.  I inked and doodled on “Dad” and the photo corners.  Added a little ribbon and a tag that says “Happy Father’s day” and of course buttons.

 

 

Carried the theme on the inside of the card.  The Owl is the $1 stamp I found at JoAnn’s and I used the MCPT to get it a little umph!

I did discover that I could use the photo punch and punch the corners on the folded card to get the photo corners at the top.  So I folded the card, stuck the corner into the punch and it cut through both layers…..that rocks!

 

Nilda is going to put a “How To Video” on how to do this technique so be sure and check her blog out over the next week or so. 

Tip:  If you don’t have a Cricut, you can still use this technique by just using purchase chipboard and using that as an embossing element.  I’m also sure this will work with other dye cutting machines other than the CB.  Just play around with the different plates until you find the sandwich mix that works.  My CB is still new so it would not take the “C” plate like Nilda’s, but I just kept switching things out and around until I got the mix that worked.

Thanks for looking and don’t forget to get a closer look just click on the picture.  Thanks for stopping by and be sure and leave me a comment, I love hearing from you.

I’ve been looking at this thread holder at JoAnn’s and decided now was the time to get it.  I had a 50% off coupon that would make it more affordable.  Oh not that it was expensive, but it was one of those items that would be nice to have but not always what I wanted to spend my money on.  It cost $6.99 and with that 50% off coupon I thought it was a still at $3.49.

One of the nice things about this thread holder is that it will hold 30 spools of thread or a mixture of thread and bobbins.  It also stands up rather than needing to be attached to the wall.  That makes it easy to move it to my sewing machine.

 

Of course it needed a little sprucing up to match the rest of my craft studio, so out comes the can of black spray paint.

 

 

 

Here it is in all of it’s organzational glory.  It’s perfect for the Sulky threads my #1 Daughter gave me (love the vibrant colors) and it also is a great place for the bobbins.  Now all I have to do is figure out how to keep the ends of the threads wrapped around the bobbins.

You know I’m going to have to fill every peg up on this thread holder.  It looks too lonely with those little spool holders not holding a great color.  Hmm, maybe the Sulky threads will be on sale soon.

 

Thanks for looking and as always just click on the picture to see a closer view.  Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you.  By the way Irishlady, thank you for the words of encouragement and may the God we serve fill you with hope today!

I participate in a card challenge on the Cricut Message Board each month.  This month’s image is two little hedge hogs in a boat.

Here is a picture of the coloring and of course there is some stickles added.

The entire card is made out of acetate and folded at the center.  I used Staz-on ink in Azure Blue to ink the edges.  Don’t forget to allow the ink to dry in between coats. 

You can see, I also inked it heavier on the left side of the bowl.  This helps give the illusion that the bowl is glass and has water in it.

Slide the image under the front of the acetate card.  This helps shows the inking on the acetate and helps me determine where to put the rest of the elements.

When adhereing to acetate, I do my best to hide the adhesive under an embellishment.

Acetate shows just about every kind of adhesive.

 

This is the inside of the card.  I freehanded the splat and it’s mat, then popped it up with dimenstional tape to give it some interest.  I used Cloud 9 splats and hearts to drive home the message.  I also used a Sakura Star Dust Gel pen to do some extra doodling.

 

 

 

 

So here is the final product….two hedge hogs fishing in a fish bowl and catching the only gold fish in the bowl.

On the outside of the acetate I used Cloud 9 bubbles on the left side of the bowl.  The togetherness is a rub-on and I took clear stickles and colored it using the Azure Blue Staz-On ink.  I used a liner brush to make the commas on the right side.  I used Staz-On white ink for the white flourish.

 

I loved how this card turned out.  If you want a closer look just click on the picture.  Thanks for looking and be sure and leave me a comment.

I have seen this product called “Flower Soft” over the last few months and of course it peaked my interest.

I’ve heard some conversations that said it was difficult to work with; however, I had a chance to sit down and do a make-in-go when I attended the American Scrapbook Convention and it was pretty easy.

The first thing we did, is stamp the bluebonnet on white card stock.  They then had us use a small stiff bristle brush and dip it into some glue (like Elemers or Tacky glue).  Next stipple the glue across the area where we wanted the flower soft to stick.  We took the flower soft and sprinkled it over the area, then pat the flower soft down on the glued area. Just tap the cs on the side of the container holding the flower soft and sit aside and let dry.  Very much the same way you would do glitter.

Love the dimension and texture it gives to the stamp image.  I also love the fact that you don’t have to use those thin long strands that come with the kit to get the look of flowers.  It comes in various colors so it is not a one jar of Flower Soft fits all.  It could get a little expensive to get all the various colors.  I could see where this would be very lovely used with Victorian style cards or layouts and I’ve seen some “Country” style stamps that this would work with nicely.

I didn’t purchase any, but it is probably something I’ll add to my arsenal eventually.

Hmm, some would say, “You must live a blessed life!”  My answer to that is…..yes!

Recently, Paper Wishes (PW) asked participants of the Message Board (MB) to send in their tips to be used on an upcoming week of webisodes and tips.

One of my tips, out of the 10-30 I sent in, was chosen and I received this booklet of 24 sheets of 80# paper and 30 tags called Dots & Stripes.  I also received a package of the Dazzles Dragonfly Stickers along with a package of  Fresh Berry Great Big Brads.

This is my second time to when a prize from PW.  You know with them giving me free stuff, it can’t help but be one of my favorite places to visit.  They are a great source of supplies and a great place for inspiration.  Be sure and check out their ”Free Classes”.  In this economic climate, we can all use something free!

Thank you again Paper Wishes! 

Hi Everyone!  I know it has been several days since I posted.  I have been busy and took a few days off from posting.

When I was at the American Scrapbook Convention I stumbled upon the booth of Best Craft Organizer.  They had this organizer for stamp pads for $39.99.

A couple of years ago my #1 Daughter and I went in together and bought 50+ Stampin Up stamp pads off the internet at a good price.  Since that time we have had them stored in clear shoe boxes.  Then when I created the craft studio they ended up in three drawers of JetMax cubes.

The stamp caddy has a place on top for the re-inkers and it also came with a strap and side pieces that you can attached to keep the stamp pads from coming out if you decide to carry to a crop night or need to move it.

Tip:  Just in case you are not aware of this tip I thought I would add it here since we were talking about stamp pads.  You should store you stamp pads upside down and flat.  Stampin Up pads are designed to automatically store the pad upside down when you close the pad.  I turn my other pads over so they will be stored upside down.  This keeps the ink at the top surface of the ink pad.  So you know what that means…..I have to get out my label maker and label it.

I have found the stamp caddy on the internet but they are always so expensive and then you have to pay the shipping cost.  So, when I saw this price, I knew it was the prize of “my” day.  Little did I know that the lady at Best Craft Organizer was going to add to my delight.

I left the stamp caddy at the booth so I could finish the convention without having to carry it around.  When I went back to booth to pick up the caddy the lady said, “Here you go and I’m giving you the piece that holds the pens.”  Wow! I felt so blessed and was so grateful.  I think that additional piece was somewhere around $10.00.  I feel I certainly got my monies worth and what a great organizational tool for the stamps.

By the way the Butterfly was a give-a-way from the PKGlitz booth.  It was too pretty to throw it away so I used it to bedazzle the stamp caddy………….sweet!

On Thursday, my best friend and I made a trip to the Great American Scrapbook convention and we enjoyed ourselves not only in what we saw but just being with each other.

In one of the booths (I don’t remember the name of the vendor), they had taken acetate and glittered it.  The results were outstanding and so I decided I would try my hand at their technique.

Of course you can’t really see the beauty of the glitter, but I love this technique on acetate.  I made this card for Phyllis.  I know she will see it here before she receives it but the card is a lot prettier in the original form so it will still be a surprise.

So here is what I used:

Stampin Up – Cherish and Thanks

CS – 2 shades of pink, 1 shade of brown and white.

1 piece of acetate cut at 3″ x 4″.

Card – 4 x 6 card made out of the darkest shade of pink.

Mats:  Cut two 3.75″ x 5.75″ out of the brown; two mats 3.5″ x 5.5″ out fo the white; two mats out of the light shade of pink at  3″ x 5″.

CuddleBug – Textile A2 Embossing Folder

Ink – Staz-On Timber Brown, Color Box – Chestnut Brown.

Punch – Ticket Punch by Stampin Up; Glue – Quickie Glue pinpoint roller, vellum runner, Pro-Glide ermanent glue; Goat hair brush – Making Memories; Quick Giltz glitter – Wild Rose, Slickwriter Pen – Black; Embossing Powder – Copper.

 

All the cs was inked with the Color Box - chestnut brown.  I used the Staz-On Timber Brown to stamp the Cherish and Thanks image and to ink the edges of the acetate.

TIP:  When inking acetate; ink it and then let it dry and then re-ink the edges.  Since acetate is a non-porous substance it does not absorb the ink.  If you try to re-ink the edges while it is wet, you just lift off the original ink.  I like the look inking the edges gives the acetate.  It gives it a sepia look.

 

Stamp the image and let it dry.  Once dry turn it over so you are looking at the image in reverse. 

Tip: I taped the acetate block to a light sheet of paper for a couple of reasons; 1) you can see the stamped image better and 2) it holds the acetate block in place and keeps it from sliding around when you are gluing.

Using the Quikie pin point glue start applying the glue where you want to glitter on the image.  Depending on how detail you want it and how much glitter you want to wade through, sometimes more is less.

Tip: This is a slow process so be patient.  I worked in a block.  I glue a few lines and swirls then apply the glitter and let it dry.  Once dry I would use the goat hair brush to brush off the excess.  I also used my small blade utility knife to clean up any blotches or over gluing that might occurred.

I embossed both of the white mats.  Using the ticket punch on the brown mat and acetate block on the front of the card and the brown and pink mats on the inside of the card.  I adhered the pink mat on the front of the card using brads.  The other mats I used the Pro Glide permanent ink.  I used a vellum tape runner on the acetate block, hiding the tape under the thick part of the “C”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I stamped “Thanks” inside on the pink mat and heat embossed it in copper.

I kept the inside of the card more subdued than the outside, since the sentiment I was wanting to emphasize was Cherish.

A little personal note and we are done with the inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A glittered butterfly, houndstooth print ribbon in pink and brown and this picture doesn’t show it but I added three beads in gold after her name to finish the card off.

The antennes and on the butterfly are drawn on the acetate using a black Slickwriter and a little free-hand doodling finished it off.

The ribbon is tied through two holes punched in the white and pink mat.

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this beautiful technique.  Although, it is a little more time consuming than usual glittering the results are outstanding.  Since the glitter is on the back side of the acetate it keeps it protected.  Also, the wild rose glitter behind that Staz-on Brown ink looks like copper.

The next thing on my agenda is to get Rylan’s little outfit done.  Then there are Father’s Day cards to be made.  Gareth’s birthday is around the corner and I have costumes to make for all his hats and of course a B-day card for him.  I also have a couple of card challenges from the MB.  Whew! I need to get busy.

Thanks for looking and to get a closer look, just click on the picture.

I realize there is a lot of ways to store your acrylic stamps and you have probably gone through several of them.  There is the clip-it-up method, there is keeping them in binders using protective sheets, Jim Holtz has a system and I’ve seen several others.

My problem is I forget what I have if I don’t see them and the clip-it-up method was a little more expensive than what I wanted to get into.  So I saw this storage used with some Bo-Bunny acrylic stamps and I’ve also seen DVD cases used.  This is fairly inexpensive, depending on how much recycled items you have.

Items Used: 

Standard Jewel Cases (pk of 10 for $3.99 – Office Depot)

Cardstock – Your choice of color

Acetate – You can get this at your craft store or Office Center – I used recycled acetate from packaging and sheets that covered the acrylic stamps.

Staz-On Ink – Black

Large acrylic stamp block

Scor-Pal

 Let’s begin….

This system uses a “standard” jewel case.  This is important because the slim jewel cases do not have a removable center that holds the disk and it does not have enough depth to allow the case to close when you put the stamps inside.  It usually takes two standard jewel cases to hold a sleeve of stamps. 

Tip:  If you buy Music CD’s they can be recycled to use in this system.

Pop the center out and you are left with the front and back of the standard jewel case.

Since my craft studio is in black/white/yellow, I chose a light yellow card stock to use as my cover for the cases.  The cover does a couple of things.  The top of the cover is where I write the information about the mfg and the stamps and there is a 1/4″ lip on the cover that labels what is in the case.  I used categories  (i.e. flourishes, floral, words, medallions, etc) so I put like things together.  This helps narrow down the packages and it puts the various styles and types together.  To me this is a time saver.  I don’t have to dig through everything trying to find that one stamp I know I purchased but can’t seem to remember what set of stamps it came with.

I used a Cricut E. and the George cart. to cut the top cover sheet and the bottom acetate.  The top measurements are 4.625″ H x 5.6888″W and the bottom is set at 4.935″H and 4.75″W.  I cut the top cover out of cardstock and the bottom sheet out of acetate.

Cut several bottoms (see measurements above) out of acetate.  Mark one to use as a template and place it in the bottom of the jewel case and arrange the stamps to fill the template.  Be sure and keep the stamps off the small lips in the jewel case that holds the template in place.  This enables you to slide the bottom acetate out and in easily.

Tip:  I marked the template so I knew which one I was using for a template so I would not get it mixed up with the acetate bottoms I was stamping. That way only one acetate bottom was getting ink smudges on it.

Once the stamps are arranged (cut side up), ink the stamps with Staz-on Ink then place another acetate bottom on top of the inked stamps.  Make sure you have the bottom turned correctly to match the widths and the heights correctly. 

Using the acrylic block press down to transfer the image to the acetate bottom. 

Remove the stamped acetate and let it dry.  Once it is dry turn the stamp side over and slide it into the bottom of the standard jewel case.  This will mean the stamped image is against the jewel case.  This will turn the images correctly and you can place your stamps in the designated places.

The acetate bottom being stamped with the predetermined places will help you keep your stamps in the right jewel cases and give you a road map as to how they go back in the case.

From here cut the top cover to go in the lid of the standard jewel case.

I ran the covers through my printer giving them  the general categories (i.e., floral, floruishes, words medallions). 

You can get as detailed as you want but I just hand wrote the information on the top just in case I needed it later.

 

  

Using the Scor-Pal I ran a fold at the 4-1/4″ mark, placing the edge of my cardstock on 4″ and the next line over is the 1/4″. 

Using a ruler to make the crease sharp creates the label for the standard jewel case.  Yes, you are correct the label is upside down at this point; however, when you slide it into the top of the jewel case and turn it over it is right side up.

 

 

 

 

Here the acrylic stamps are lined up on the stamped acetate bottom inside the jewel case in their designated area.

Slide the top cover in the top of the standard jewel case, making sure the folded label is in the middle of the jewel case.  This enables the label to show when the standard jewel case is closed.

Here it is!  Now I got a little carried away and inked the edges of the labels so they would have a little dimension to them.

 

 

What I love about this system:

1. They are neatly stored, like items are together (words, Christmas, florals, etc).

2. I can pull out a category and just turn it over and look at what is stored in that jewel case.  If that is not what I’m looking for slide it right back in it’s slot. 

3. If it is what I’m looking for; open it, use it, easily put it back in the jewel case exactly replacing it where the stamped image is marked.

4.  It sits on top of my jetmax cubes at arms reach and a reminder that they are available.

5.  It’s compact and all the same size.

6.  It can be added to, changed or reduced easily.

7.  The various mfg’s information is written on the cover and easily accessed.

Thanks for taking the time to read through and be sure and let me know if you discover a step you would like to know more about or information on.  The clear CD case is from the Container Store and cost about $6.99.  I like using the clear items because it keeps the room feeling light and airy.

I apologize for the placement of some of the pictures and text.  I tried repeatedly to get them straightened out but at last the system was being rebellious.

Be sure and leave me a note, let me know what you think,  I love hearing from you. 

I’m posting a little late, but thought I would let everyone know I’m off to the Arlington, TX Great American Scrapbook Convention (with my bestest friend ever Phyllis).

It takes about an hour to get there from here and of course we have to make a Starbucks stop.  There is such sweet pleasure when you get to spend a day with your best friend and you both enjoy the same thing. Phyllis is starting her Nursing School next week so she needs some relaxation over the next few days before her schedule changes to head down and $@%% up for studying.

So here is a peek of the finish product of my Acrylic Storage System.  It is using CD Standard Jewel Cases.

I’ll walk through the tutorial later, and by the way those two cuties in the picture are Gareth (4) and Rylan (1).  They are so cute! 

Thanks for stopping by and I’ll try to get an update on the Scrapbook Convention tomorrow.

This is a Black-eyed Susan vine that is growing on a trellis outside my front kitchen window.  I planted this about 6 weeks ago and it was very small.  With all the rain and sunshine this vine has gone crazy.

When I look out of my window every morning, the vine has shoots that look like they have grown six inches over night.

I’m currently working on a different type of storage for my acrylic stamps.  I’m one of those people that needs to see things or I forget that I have them. 

I’ve been storing my acrylic stamps in sheet protectors and then storing them in an accordion file.  That is not working for me, so I saw a new way and decided I would try it.

I’ll post more tomorrow as I finish up changing all my acrylic stamps to this new system.  I can tell you I have about 7 of them completed and I can already tell this system is going to work a lot better than my old one.

Be sure and stay tuned……