Sunday Special- Bottlecaps!

Here is a fun card that features the stamp set Spring Sampler found in the Occasions Mini catalog. 

I flattened bottlecaps in my big shot and adhered the images to the bottlecaps for a fun card.  

The happy birthday greeting is from the Wacky Wishes stamp set. 

Showcase Saturday- Copic Fun

I haven't shared a copic card for a while.  Here is a cute one just in time for Easter: 

Scrappin Friday MARCH GRAPHIC 45

This was the first of three pages we made in March scrapbooking classes.  It features great products by Graphic 45 and Stampin' Up! 

I am just waiting for a birthday photo of my beautiful daughter in law, Lianne so I can complete this page. 

Tool Talk Thursday- Heat & Stick Powder

 Heat and Stick Powder

Heat & Stick Powder   Item #100625  $5.50  page 158

Most people try to use glue to add glitter to a project, but it’s difficult to get a nice, even look. The Heat & Stick Powder fixes that problem perfectly. Heats to a sticky surface to hold glitter evenly.

Features & Benefits Heats to a sticky surface to hold glitter 

Use with  VersaMark Pad 

1/2 oz. 

Quick Trick After stamping with VersaMark ink, pour Heat & Stick Powder liberally over your design. Shake off excess powder, and pour it back into the bottle. Heat the stamped image with a Heat Tool just until the powder changes to a shiny liquid. Quickly sprinkle glitter over the sticky powder. Shake off excess. Briefly heat again to set the glitter. 

FYI Place Heat & Stick Powder in an airtight sandwich container and shake it if it clumps. 

Wacky Wednesday- Graphic 45 leftovers

I made this card using up a leftover piece of Graphic 45 scrapbook paper.  It has that old world days gone by feel. The greeting is from the Stampin Up Fabulous Phrases stamp set.  What do you think? 

Tip Tuesday- Stampin Around Wheels

Tips for Using  Stampin’ Around Wheel:

1. If you have purchased an ink cartridge take ink cartridge and place into handle, with tab sticking out towards the front.  The lid will want to pop off before you get the cartridge in all the way.  Go ahead and slide the lid off, and then push down on ink cartridge to snap it into place.
2.  2.  Now, you pop in your wheel. Push up on the tab on front side of ink cartridge to   release it so that it goes up against the wheel.

    3.  Roll the wheel few times on some scrap paper to ink up the wheel.  It is best if you stand up and push away from yourself. 

   4.  I suggest  you put your wheel down on your grid paper,just off your intended cardstock,  stand up, leave the handle on the paper, grasp both sided of the wheel housing and push away from you with even pressure. 

 5.  Remember, wheeling, as with other techniques is going to take some practice.....get some scrap paper and practice! Also, cartridges are nice, but not an absolute necessity unless you are planning on doing long large areas....ink it up on an inkpad being sure to ink all sides of the wheel well. 

 6.  When you have finished wheeling, push down on the tab on the front side of the ink cartridge to push it away from the wheel.  Now slide the lid back into place over the ink cartridge.

7.  To clean your wheel, push down on the tab on the front side of the ink cartridge to push it away from the wheel.  Now slide the lid back into place over the

ink cartridge. Now you can clean the wheel by rolling it on your moistened
Stampin' Scrub, however, I personally prefer to take mine right to the sink for a good scrubbing with an old toothbrush and shampoo.  Remember to make sure it is completely dry before putting it away. 

8.  Store your wheels as your do your stamps- keep them away from heat and light. Store your cartridges tightly wrapped in saran wrap with the lid secure in  an airtight ziplock. 

9.  If you have trouble keeping your work straight, use a raised straight edge to guide you, a piece of wood , a telephone book- anything! 

Masculine Monday- More Feeling Sentimental

Here are two more awesome swap cards I received featuring the Sale-a-Bration freebie stamp set entitled Feeling Sentimental.

The blue card was stamped by Ontario demo Josee Smuck and features the cloudy day embossing folder spritzing and burlap ribbon.  The crumb cake card was stamped by Ontario demo Ann Grainger and features scoring texture with the simply scored board, burlap and burlap ribbon.

I am soooo glad I got this set....it is great set for making cards for the guys!

Sunday Special- A Dress

Special thanks go to my Mother In Law for the wooden thread spool she supplied for today's 3D project.

This little beauty was made with the dress up framelit dies page 32 of the spring catalog.  Item#130101 $30.95 or you can get it as part of a bundle which includes the Dress Up Framelit Dies and the matching All Dressed Up Stamp set and save 15% iten #131095 $43.95

Saturday Showcase

Today I am going to share with you a challenge layout.  Each month my scrapbooking class take home a challenge card.  It has a layout on one side and a sample page on the other. This was Dorothy's challenge card last month:

And here is page one of her interpretation of the layout:

And here is her second page:  

Things I love about these pages: 

1.  Color balance- the pages coordinate beautifully
2.  Mix of pattern and solids
3.  Floral theme from photos is carried through in her choice of designer series paper
4.  Flower embellishments stay with the theme
5.  Multilingual titles
6.  Recyling- use of pop tabs as ribbon slides. 

Great job Dorothy!  Thanks for sharing your layout and inspiring others with your work. 

Scrapping Friday

Here is the final page from February's class....an easy fun page great for kids! 

I tried to change things up a bit and used feathers to add some color to this page that features my two boys when they were young......ahhhh memories! 

Tool Talk Thursday- Aquapainter

On page 178 of the annual catalog you will find the aqua painters.  They come in a package of two- 1 medium and 1 large brush tip.  item #103954 $20.95

These are great for water coloring images using ink pads, markers, watercolor pencils, watercolor crayons or pastels.

Aqua Painter Tips

1.  Choose card stock that is thicker such as the watercolor, glossy, Very Vanilla or Whisper White.

2.  Stamp images that you are going to watercolor with Stazon ink only.

3.  Fill the barrel of the aqua painter with the liquid of your choice.

 

4.  Squeeze the barrel slightly so that the liquid fills the reservoir and dampens the brush. Dab excess water on paper towels.  Remember you want the brush damp- not wet.

5.  Now pick your coloring tool of choice- a watercolor crayon, watercolor pencils, markers, or ink pads. For pencils and crayons apply to image and then blend with the aqua painter.  For markers, scribble ink on acrylic block and pick up color with aqua painter.  For ink pads squish some ink onto the inside cover and pick up ink with aqua painter.

6.  Remember it is going to take practice, but in no time you will be shading and controlling the amount of color you apply to your images.

7.  Between colors remember to clean the aqua painter brush on paper towels until it is clear of the last color you used.

8.  When you are done with your aqua painter remove the liquid from the barrel and allow to dry.

Suggested Liquids to Use in Aqua Painter

1.  water

2.  bleach- on dark card stocks- make sure you thoroughly clean after each use.

3.  70% alcohol with a drop or two of re-inker for an allover watercolor wash for backgrounds.

Quickie Wednesday- Is Spring Ever Coming?

I am soooooo wanting spring to come....and here in Manitoba it is frigid, albeit sunny today. 

Here is a quick and easy spring feel card I made for you today: 

Products Used: 

Stamps:  Papillon Potpourri and Wishes Your Way

Punches: 
Fancy Flower Punch
1" Circle  Punch
Bitty Butterfly Punch
Word Window Punch
Modern Label Punch

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Melon Mambo, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie

Ink:  Pacific Point, Basic Black

Pearls

Tombow Adhesive

Happy First Day of Spring and Tool Maintenance

Since today is the first day of spring, I thought it might be time again to talk about a little "spring cleaning" for your Stampin' Up tools.  

Your tools are expensive, but will last your for many many years if you take proper care of them.  Here is some info that may help: 

 How to Re-ink your Old Style Felt  Pad 

Remove any  loose threads with sharp scissors prior to reinking. 

1.     To make sure you ink the entire surface without over-loading any area, start in the upper left corner and make a 2"-wide zig-zag line to the lower right corner, giving SLIGHT pressure to the bottle as you do so. 

2.     Turn pad and repeat this process

3.     Then close the lid and put your pad aside to allow the ink to absorb and distribute all over the pad ... about 20 minutes should do it!

4.     Now, make a list of any Refills that need to be replaced.  You can order individual refills for every color ... or order an Assortment of 10 bottles by Color Family. 

How to Reink your New Firm Foam Pad

1.     To make sure you ink the entire surface without over-loading any area, start in the upper left corner and make a 2"-wide zig-zag line to the lower right corner, giving SLIGHT pressure to the bottle as you do so. 

2.     Turn pad and repeat this process

3.  Take a spoon and gently push the ink in a sweeping motion into the foam pad to help it absorb, and not lay on top of the pad. 

Refill Markers:

As you do your maintenance it is a good time to examine the brush tips on the markers and make sure they aren't "smooshed," having lost their nice clean tip- if they are, these markers will need to be replaced.

Now, to refill, use a pair of tweezers and on the brush end of the marker and gently grasp the nib of the tip, as close to the marker as you can, and gently pull the ink nub out.

 Now you can use the re-inker to refill your marker. It will only take a couple of drops so watch carefully.

Make sure to have an old rag under where you are working with this and a paper towel handy too so that I can deal with any spills or overfills.

Once your marker is full, you can return the nib back into the end. Make sure it gets in all the way.

Wipe away any ink that may have spilled out when you put the brush back in.

You only have to do one end - the ink reservoir works for both ends of the marker.

Once you've filled the marker. Return it to the flat storage for several hours to let the ink distribute in the center tube.

There. You're all done. It takes a little time but it's worth the effort to take care of your investment. Remember to store these horizontally.

Now, make a list of the re-inkers you will need to reorder next class. 

Scissors

If you scissors are getting dull, grab a piece of tinfoil and cut the tinfoil with your scissors until they work like new again!

Punches

When your punches are a bit sluggish and not performing as they once did, grab tinfoil and punch punch punch to sharpen and then grab wax paper and punch punch punch to oil

Paper Trimmer

Wipe down with a damp cloth and clean the blade with goo gone and finish with an alchol wipe until all residue is gone. 

Clear Blocks

If your blocks are anything like mine they get dirty!  I remove any goo with goo gone....then into a sink full of hot soapy water they go for a bath.  Then rinse well and dry with a soft cloth.....see them sparkle like new! 

Big Shot

Wipe down with a damp cloth and dry with a soft cloth.  Inspect your cutting plates to see if you need to order new ones....you dont want one to crack and snap and then you will be without....oh no!  

Simply Scored

Wipe down with a damp cloth and dry with a soft cloth. 

Inventory

Now is a great time to take inventory of your supplies.  Check which ink pads and markers you need.  Check which reinkers your need. Check your cardstock and see what needs to be reordered. Are there any tools that you need to replace? 

I hope some of this info was useful to you.  I know I have published this before, but a couple of times a year I like to repost to remind us all about tool maintenance. 

Inky huggs,

Shel

Saturday Specialty Class Announcement

I missed sending this out last Sunday and found it in my draft folder- geesh! Anyhow, no harm done, here it is now:)

I just wanted to let you know about an upcoming Saturday Specialty Class I have just scheduled. 

Details:  

Saturday April 20
10 am
Its All About the Boys Card Class
Cost $25.00

We will be making six cards all geared towards the boys and men in our life.  A Father's Day card will be included. 

Bring scissors and adhesives.

Register early as space is limited! 

Here are a few cards we have made in the past...just wait to you see the ones we are going to make in this class!  

Tip Tuesday- Dying Organza Ribbon

Have you ever needed a piece of ribbon for a card....and not a piece of the right color in sight?  Well I have a fix for you! 

Grab your Stampin Spritzer....page 179 item#126185 $3.95 2 per pkg

Then grab a bottle of reinker add a few drops.....

Then grab a bottle of 70% alcohol and fill up the spritzer.....

Now simply spritz your ribbon and allow to dry ( or use heat tool) and you have custom dyed ribbon to match any of our card stocks. 

Masculine Monday

The third mystery stamper swap card I received is our featured card today: 

This is a great guy card using up all those scraps!  Love the color choices! 

The stamp set is Loved Ones - retired
The cardstock colors are Cajun Craze, Soft Sued, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Crump Cake and More Mustard.

Saturday Showcase

This Saturday showcase features guest stamper Carole Anderson and her scrapbook challenge layout.

Here is her challenge sketch:

And here is her layout: 

What I love about her layout: 

1.  Natural colors that coordinate and are subtle and calm
2.  Different shaped and different case letters in her title 
3.  Natural embellishments follow the theme- leaves floral and butterfly
4.  The title and the embellishment are all on the slant and all in the same direction

Great job Carole!  
Thanks for sharing and inspiring others with your work.

Scrappin Friday

This is the second page from February's scrapbooking class. 

The pretty in pink cardstock base was stamped with the floral image from Fresh Vintage stamp set ( last years sale-a-bration).  Then two different sized strips of cardstock were added across the center, and the floral images were stamped, cut out, layered and attached with a brad.  The window framelit die was used for the greeting and the mat, and pierced using the matching template.  The journal card was made using scraps and a chocolate chip mat for the photo.  

Here is a page one of my class girls did using Tempting Turquoise base- isn't it pretty too! 

Tool Talk Thursday

Have you missed it?  I almost did.

Check out page 5 of the spring mini occasions catalog.  Right at the very top you will find 5/8" flower trim. 

Now at first glance this is nice, but not very versatile. 

Until of course you change the color of it. 

Simply soak in reinker and hot water, and hang to dry. 

Then for color variation, apply assorted hues of marker to the tops of the flowers!

The colors are endless! 

Now this catalog  expires on May 31- so hurry and order yours!

Tip Tuesday

For today's edition of Tip Tuesday, I wanted to share a cool trick with you. 

I LOVE the word window punch,and often I will layer it on top of the modern label punch. 

 Just stamp your greetiing on a piece of scrap paper, grab your word window punch....

 and voila- perfect for so many applications.....unless of course the greeting you choose longer than the punch

Have no fear.... I have a fix for you. 

Stamp your greeting and fold it in half through the center of your greeting

Slide into the punch, but stop before you hit the curve

And then you have an elongated greeting! 

Masculine Monday

Here is the second swap card without a label, that I received. 

It features the stamp set Clockworks #127292 $21.95 

The cardstock is Calypso Coral , Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla

The embossing folder is Stripse #123128 $9.95

The brad is calypso coral and the cog shaped embellishment is from a retired punch

Saturday Showcase

Today I wanted to share with you a monthly challenge I have ongoing with the girls in my scrapbook class. 

Each month they blindly choose a card that has a scrapbook layout on it- it could be a single 12x12, a double 12x12 , and 8.5x11 layout.  

They take the card home and when they come back next month they bring the card and their interpretation of the sketch.  

Here is Dorothy's sketch and her interpretation. 

This is a page she is working on to complete her mini album that we made in the last Mini Album class.  This was a first ever kit project and there were a ton of papers, cardstocks and embellishments....when done it is a coil bound 8x8 mini album! Great job Dorothy- love the turquoises with chocoloate brown! 

Scrappin Friday

Here is the first of three pages we made during February's scrapbook classes: 

This is the February page in our Graphic 45 series.  This is my beautiful grandaughter Brielle enjoying yummy cupcakes her Mom made.  

She wears her food well- and my little Diva twirling in her pouffy pink skirt! 

Tool Talk Thursday - Dazzling Details

 

This iridescent glitter glue will add dazzling sparkle to any project with less mess! The narrow tip allows for precise application. It is non-toxic and acid free. 

Features & Benefits Glitter glue:

Available in three colors:
Dazzling Details (iridescent)
Cherry Cobbler 

Silver Sparkle

Adds subtle sparkle 

Narrow tip for precision application 

Apply Dazzling Details to lines and small areas, or use it to fill in large areas 

0.6 oz. per bottle 

Nontoxic and acid free 

FYI The amount of glitter that is visible will depend on how thickly you apply Dazzling Details. A thick coat will appear to have more glitter than a thin coat.

Drying time will depend on how thickly you apply Dazzling Details. 

Quickie Wednesday

Today I am going to share something a bit different with you......this is a card I made with a leftover piece of scrapbooking paper.  

It has an old world feel that I love. What do you think? 

I basically made a standard card base with real red cardstock, a mat with basic black cardstock, a quick border was punched with real red cardstock  and the image from the scrapbook paper was mounted on top.  

Tuesday Tips

Well if you haven't heard about today's tip before...believe me you are going love it! 

And because there are two related products, you are going to get a "twofer"

So now you are wondering if I have gone crazy....thinking is this girl nuts?  Well dental floss is not only great for our oral health....it is a super tool for papercrafters! 

You know when you stick something down to your card or scrapbook page and it is not quite straight.....well this stuff is the fix!  

Tear off about a foot strip and tuck under a corner of the piece you wish to remove.  Carefully slide the floss parallel back and forth and the piece will be removed!  How cool is that!  

Ok....so hold onto your seats....I have one more for you- 

Masculine Monday

For the next three weeks I am going to be featuring swap cards I received in the mail.  Unfortunately, there were no labels on these cards so I do not know what demonstrator made them.  Still, they are all gorgeous cards and I want to share them with you, so that you can use them for inspiration in your own cards.  

Here is this weeks masculine card: 

This card features the stamp sets The Open Sea #123032 $22.95 and Word Play #120651 $35.95
The cardstock colors are Whisper White, Midnight Muse and Lucky Limeade
The embossing folder is Houndstooth #123134 $9.95