Sanding Blocks

Do You Need Sanding Blocks?   YES YOU DO- here is why! 

When I first saw Sanding Blocks in the Stampin' Up! Catalog, I wondered why anyone would need a sanding block to make cards?

I was at a class one night, a few years back, and we used them, and I was hooked.  I ordered some immediately and they have been in my tool drawer ever since.  Any tool that can make my crafting easier is a must have!

Sanding blocks  are an inexpensive, amazing paper crafting tool that I use all the time!

Here are some uses:

• If you have ever cut cardstock, and the edge is a bit ragged (from a dull cutter blade) the sanding block is a quick fix.  Because it's a block, you get a solid, consistent connection between sandpaper and card stock, and you can smooth the edges quickly and efficiently.
•  The sanding block is also effective for embellishing projects--use it as a distressing tool on either the edges or the flat surface of card stock.  Use with a forward and backward motion.

• Another technique is to emboss some DSP with an Embossing Folder, then lightly sand the design.  The colored layer of the paper will rub off and expose the white core below. 
• You can use them to scuff up new rubber stamps so that ink adheres better to them.
• If you ever get rough spot on a punched shape (the punch is getting dull), just a few swipes with the sanding block will correct the problem.

The sanding blocks can be found in our new Idea Book and Catalog on page 207.  Each side of the block has a different grit, for either fine sanding or coarser sanding.  The item number is $124304 and they come in a 2 pack for just $4.50. If your sanding block ever gets dirty, simply wash them under running water and allow to dry.

Now, if you're ready to add this great item to your paper crafting toolbox, click here to go to my online store: http:www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/shelanderson to order yours today, or contact me directly: andersonshel@gmail.com

Letter Press Plates- How to Video!

Hi Stampers! 

Today I have for you a super video by Shannon West from Stampin' Up!  

She is going to demonstrate for you how to use the Letterpress Plates on your Big Shot! 

You will see how quick, easy and inexpensive it is to create beautiful debossed images  for your cards and scrapbook pages.  

All letterpress plates are located on page 217 of the Idea Book and Catalogue.  They range in price from $6.95 to $9.95- great deal!  

Let me know what you think.  

Overwhelmed?

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with what life is dealing you?  

Do you ever get the urge to just run really, really fast ?   

Do you ever wish you could just fly away? 

I think this poor kitty is having one of those days too!
The look on his face is sheer determination that he is going to reach his destination!
 Fat cats can fly- ha ha!

New Designer Frames Mini Embossing Folders

We have a NEW  mini embossing folder set in the new Stampin’ Up Idea Book & Catalog called Designer frames, each measuring 4 ½” x 2 7/8”.

I have tried using the smaller folders before, and was discouraged by the additional lines the folder left on the 

paper, leaving me wary about trying these.

However, while web surfing, I came across a solution that Adriana found to this problem.  I tried her solution with folders I have and guess what- it works! 

Now I am going to order the new Designer frames folders asap!

Here is what she does:

Create a chipboard shim sized just smaller than the folder itself. When run through the machine, pressure will only be applied to the center of the folder where the design is created. I used 2 pieces of chipboard from the back of an art pad.

 Use the following sandwich to run it through the Big Shot. From the bottom up:
- Tab 1
- your card stock inserted into the embossing folder
- shim centered over the embossing folder,
- clear acrylic plate on top 

 Note: there is only one acrylic plate on top instead of creating the usual  sandwich with 2.

Your finished product will show only the embossed image - without the folder's edges! 

Tool Maintenance

It is essential for us to provide regular care and maintenance to our papercrafting tools.

Once a month I do the following:

1.  Papercutter- remove any residue ( adhesive) and clean with mild dish soap and water and dry with a soft cloth.  Make sure the blade is completely dry ( I sit mine in front of a fan for ten minutes)

2.  Scoring Board- remove any residue or marks with a mild dish soap and warm water.  Dry well ( again, I put mine in front of fan for 10 min to get all the grooves completely dried)

3.  Scissors- use goo gone to make sure they are clean and then wash in mild dish soap and warm water.  Dry well with soft cloth ( fan 10 minutes)

4.  Acryllic Blocks- wash in warm water with mild dish soap to remove all residues ( including Stampin Mist)  Dry with a soft cloth.

4.  Paper piercer, tweezers etc- clean with goo gone, wash in warm soapy water and dry well ( fan 10 minutes)

5.  Big Shot plates- wash in warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth.

Doing regular maintenance on your tools will ensure adequate cling for your blocks, and clean longlasting tools for many years to come.

Punched Envelope Flap

Have you seen those fancy envelope flaps on the Martha Stewart ads?

It is very simple to make them.   Simply grab a border punch for square flap envelopes and get punching!

If you want to use the triangle flapped envelopes, you will require the matching border and corner punch. 

I think this adds a bit of flair and uniqueness for those very special cards.

Sunshine Sunday Update

It has been a great day today!  The sun is shining, the neighborhood is quiet and peaceful, hubby is out in the garage tinkering with his car, the dog is sleeping, and I get to spend a relaxing and creative day in my craft room!

I have been VERY productive.  Somedays no creative mojo- but today I had LOTS! 

I wanted to share this card that I created for a very special person. It was all paper pieced and "quilted".  It was time consuming but I think it turned out awesome- well worth the effort. 

I made this card using the Stampin Up Square punch, paper trimmer and embossing folder.  The greeting is from the swirls and curls verses. 

So overall I have had a very relaxing and productive day. 

I took a short break to go to the store to pick up a few groceries and ran in to my son Jesse, daughter in law Lianne and my new grandaughter Brielle.  What a great surprise!  Of course Brielle was as sweet as could be sleepin in her stroller with her little yellow hair bow!  I am blessed!

July Club Cards

We tried some Fun Fold cards this month.  Here is what we did:

This fun little card is called a Side Step card.  It lies flat for mailing (bonus) We used Garden Green cardstock, In color Designer Series Paper, Forest Friends  Stamp Set, Four Frames Stamp Set and assorted ink and markers.  Easy and so fun to make!

This is called a Telescoping card.  Here it is closed.....and open below.  We used the Big Shot and dies to cut the circles, as well as the pieces for the flower.  We used the Hello Blossom stamp set and assorted markers.

And this little gem is a Side Slash card, embellished with awesome flowers.  We used Poppy parade cardstock, pool party, calypso coral and island indigo inks, and fingertip sponges - messy and FUN!

And my personal favorite- the diamond fold....here it is closed and below opened.

We used doily dies, spellbinder dies, Rich Razzleberry cardstock, On The Grow stamp set and Assorted markers.

Sorry that some of the pictures are sideways- I edited them twice, but when inserted into Blogger, they only go landscape today.....neck exercises- ha ha....

Til next time....Shel

Scrapbook Pages

This is my second post for today- be sure to scoll down to see the first post about new hostess benefits!

Here are some scrapbook pages....

My grandson Noah got a "kiss" from dog Lexie, so he wanted to "kiss" her back- HILARIOUS!

My husbands fraternal grandparents on their wedding day.

Fun page for a girls birthday.....when my 2 month old granddaughter gets older I will be able to fill in pictures

Classy page for a special moment.

My two grandsons, Richard and Noah sure love their ride on toys.

Two pages with classy embellishments.

A birthday page for a little boy.

Imagine....what would you fill in here?

Photo of an old truck in a field....lonely beauty.

My maternal grandmother, missed greatly but never forgotten.

Amazing NEW Hostess Benefit Program!

What a deal!

If you haven't noticed, Stampin' Up! has a WONDERFUL new hostess benefit program.

How would you like to buy a Big Shot for $61.50 and get $90.00 in free dies for it? 

Or use the $90.00 toward the Big Shot and get half price on a die, or something else!

You can if you have a $525.00 workshop. The hostess benefits are so much more useable now!

No more are the days with Level, one, two or three sets, now you can pick out of the whole catalog!  

With a $525.00 party you get $90.00 in free hostess dollars that you can spend in the whole catalog or in the special priced hostess section, or split it up between both areas PLUS you get one item half price!

With a $200.00 workshop/party you get $35.00 in free hostess dollars which you can spend in the hostess only section where there are a ton of stamp sets, MDS downloads, and paper packs at wonderfully reduced prices, or you can spend that $35.00 on anything in the catalog.

After the $525.00 mark the benefits just keep going up and up. 

If you'd like to have your own book party anywhere in the Canada, just email me and I'll get you started. If you are in the Winnipeg area we can have a workshop at my home or yours, if you are anywhere else in Canada,  I'll send you a book, card samples with instructions and supplies for you and your guests to make. You just collect the orders and get free products!!!

Sunny Saturday - more pics from Stampin Up Convention 2011

Hope everyone is out enjoying this GORGEOUS Manitoba weather. 

Here are some more pics from Stampin Up Convention 2011.