Here is a quick and easy card to make for Easter. I love shades of purple and lavender, so I really think this card is stunning both because of it's monocromatic color scheme, and also due to it's simplicity.
First, I used the fabulous "Eggcoutrements" Clear Mount stamp set (found on page 22 of the Occasions Mini Catalog, Item 118556 at $16.95). You can order that on-line or contact me directly.
Next, I cut a piece of Orchid Opulence card stock at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored it at 4 1/4" and folded in half. The first layer is a piece of the Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper (also found in the Occasions MIni Catalog on page 25, Item 117160 at $9.95) cut at 4" x 4 1/4". Adhere this to the card base. This particular package of Designer Series Paper is so beautiful, I plan to make more Easter projects to share with you. You will find them here on each Tuesday during the month of March.
Next step is to stamp the Bunny face (circle) on a scrap of Whisper White card stockusing an Orchid Opulence Stamp Pad (either Craft or Classic -- whichever you have). I used my Craft pad since my classic pad was too dry. I did re-ink it but did not want to wait for it.
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We are now ready to punch and assemble the embellishment. Punch a scrap of Orchid Opulence with the Circle Scallop Punch, punch a scrap of Whisper White with the 1 1/4" punch and the Bunny with the 1" circle punch. Adhere these three pieces.
Cut a piece of Orchid Opulence card stock at 1 1/2" x 5 1/2". Adhere a "Faux Bow" to this pieceby cutting a strip of White Taffeta Ribbon at 6 1/2". Wrap it around to the back and adhere with tape. Cut a second piece of the ribbon at 4 1/2" and tie on the front in a single knot. Trim your ends to fit. Use a mat and paper piercing tool to put a hole in each end of this piece of Orchid Opulence card stock. Insert a silver brad at each end going through the ribbon layer also. Use a Signo White Gel Pen to add a dot on each scallop.
Next you adhere the Orchid Opulence strip to the front of the card, add a couple Dimensionals behind the scallop circle and adhere to the strip. Use mini glue dots to place the ends of the ribbon where you want them, add the greeting and you are done! Didn't I tell you this was an easy one. Leave a comment and tell me what you think. I am always open to comments and suggestions. Here is the finished card, can you see that I stamped the greeting directly on the ribbon. How cool is that!
Shown below are pictures with text to help you with clear mount stamp assembly. The text is small, so if you have any trouble with it please let me know. I am happy to answer any questions you might have. email at kubotajudy@yahoo.com or 310-891-0542.
The clear-mount stamps are the same high-quality, die-cut rubber mounted on foam backing.
The clear-mount stamps adhere temporarily to the clear acrylic blocks using static. No sprays or adhesives needed. If you choose to add the labels, the image on the back of the stamp shows through the clear-mount block so you can place your stamp where you want it.
Not all stamps are created equal! If you've tried clear stamps before and been disappointed, it may have been because the polymer used for so many clear stamps doesn't offer the same quality stamped image as the quality of the rubber and foam combination insisted on by Stampin'Up!.
The Stampin'Up! clear-mount acrylic blooks are like jewels! HIgh quality, 3/4" thick acrylic, with finger grooves on all sides for comfort and control.
Clear-mount blocks are purchased separately from the stamps are are available in nine sizes to fit any of Stampin'Up!'s stamps. Blocks can be purchased individually or as a full set of nine at a bundle discount. Each clear-mount block is etched with the block size for your convenience.
Clean up is easy. Just scrub lightly on a Stampin' Scrub lightly sprayed with Stampin' Mist. You can also use tap water for less difficult stamp images. Don't make the scrub too juicy or the liquid can seep under the static image layer, and possibly run out which may mess up a nearby project.
If blocks become dirty from ink or the oils on your fingers, the residues will not allow the static to hold the stamp onto the block. Not to worry, just wash the block with dish washing liquid. If the static label on the stamp has residue, use a damp cloth or a paper towel with a bit of liquid dish soap diluted in water to wipe it off. Don't submerge the rubber stamp in water. Dry the block and the stamp and you are ready to stamp again!
Large clear-mount blocks are great for those who like to do collage stamping. Multiple images can be placed on one block. Stampers can design their look right on the block so they have to stamp only one time. This also works well with numbers and letters. You can spell out the words you want. Position them precisely on the blocks and only stamp once. No more trying to line letters up as you stamp one letter at a time.
I hope this information has been informative and helpful. Return tomorrow for Part 3, Storage.
Stampin'Up! has long been recognized for being the leader in quality products and stamp artwork. "Creating Keepsakes, a leading scrapbooking magazine in the country, has recognized Stampin'Up! superior products and service for nine consecutive years, since 1999, through its Readers' Choice awards".
Not wanting to sacrifice quality in order to join the craze, Stampin'Up! has worked hard to resolve issues that have plagued unmounted stamps and frustrated stampers that use them.
Starting with the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and the 2010 Sale-A-Bration Brochure, Stampin'Up! is offering a clear-mount option as well as their traditional wood-mount stamps! The new clear-mount option uses the same great rubber that customers have come to rely on from Stampin'Up!. No quality was sacrificed. You will still get the same crisp images and excellence in quality that you have come to expect from Stampin'Up! and their stamps.
Come back tomorrow to see if our new clear-mount stamp sets and clear-mount blocks are just what you need to get your inky hands on! (This is Part 1 of 4). Tomorrow we will examine the Functionality. Part 3 will examine storage issues and Part 4 will examine proper assembly.
Today's sample is a quick Valentine's Day card with a very simple window. This is one of the projects we made at the Southeast Library last Saturday. It was really fun and all our new friends really liked both projects.
The first picture is the completed project.
Step One: Punch the window in the card front with the Jumbo Heart Punch. Center the punch from the bottom edge and push the punch in as far as it will go. Save the heart that is punched out.
Step Two: Punch the decorative edges on the Whisper White Card Stock with the new Pinking Heart Border punch. Stamp the greeting "Love You Much" on the inside Whisper White Card stock positioning it to show in the window.
Step Three: Apply the Melon Mambo ribbon by wrapping one piece around to the back of the Whisper White decorative edged card stock. Tape the ribbon down and turn it over to the front. Next, tie the second piece of ribbon onto the first piece into a single knot and then trim your ends. We call this a "Faux Bow". If the ends do not lay where you want them to, use a mini glue dot to position them. This type of bow is less bulky than wrapping a ribbon all the way around and tieing a bow and much better for mailing.
So there you have it, a quick and easy Valentine's Day Card that is also beautiful.
Materials: Card Stock: Melon Mambo (115320) 4 1/4" x 11" scored at 5 1/2", Whisper White 9100730) 1 3/4" X 4 1/4" and 4" x 3" (inside piece).
Stamp Set: Well Scripted (117072 Wood) or (118601 Clear), Pg. 19 Occasions Mini Catalog. Misc. stamp for the small heart on the front of the card. Use any typical Valentine's Day wish, i.e., Hugs, Love, Be Mine, etc.
Punches: Pinking Hearts Border (117649, Full Heart (113693), Heart to Heart (113694)
Ribbon: Melon Mambo 3/4" Grosgrain (115611) 6 " and 5"
Other: Adhesives, Paper Snips, Mini Glue Dots
I hope you enjoyed today's tutorial and thank you for visiting. Please contact me with any questions and/or help in acquiring the tools to make this beautiful project.
Hi Fellow Crafters! I finally finished learning how to use the fabulous new punches. These punches are so beautiful. We can all punch a straight edge or a corner edge, but I wanted to learn the two step process of using both punches to make full use of them as they were designed -- It took a couple quiet afternoons before I mastered this technique. Pictured below are the pieces I punched.
As you can see, I used the new Scallop Trim Corner Punch and the Scallop Trim Border Punch. You will find the corner punch in the Occasions Mini Catalog -- the border punch is FREE in the Sale-A-Bration catalog! All you need to do to earn the punch (and/or five other items) free is to place a $50 order (product amount - does not include tax and shipping). Okay, enough of that, let's get back to learning how to use the punches.
Starting with a 1 15/16" square, you use only the Scallop Trim Corner Punch. This was one of the easiest for me to do.
2 3/8" makes a square with 5 scallops on each side.
2 7/8" makes a square with 6 scallops on each side.
3 1/4" makes a square with 7 scallops on each side.
3 13/16" (just a hair bigger than 3 3/4") makes a square that has 8 scallops on each side. This is the size that fits perfectly into the guide that is printed on the Scallop Trim Border Punch. This was the easiest one for me to figure out, and I suggest that you practice with this size. Once you have mastered this one you can move on to the other sizes.
4 1/4" makes a square that has 9 scallops on each side.
4 3/4" makes a square that has 10 scallops on each side.
I used a lot of scraps trying to master this. I strongly recommend that is what you do also. And, you are going to want to print this post to save the sizes. The basic rule is to punch the corner first, holding your punch upside down so that you can see what you are doing. Make sure you stop your cardstock right at the edge of the cutting blade. This will ensure that your card stock will end up square and not lopsided. You will also get a better result when you hold the border punch upside down. Okay, now that we have this down pat I will begin figuring out the sizes for rectangles. Once again, it takes a little practice, but it will be worth it as you create beautiful projects. Don't you feel these new punches are exciting! I know you are going to want to add these to your collection. Contact me for information on how to acquire them.
I have another fun technique for you today using the Lattice Die for the Big Shot. The Lattice Die is very popular and can be used for many projects as designed. But you know me, I wanted to "kick it up a notch". So, I am going to show you how to double the size of it. By doubling the size you can use it for scrapbook pages and any other larger than card sized projects. To begin, this is a picture of the original size. (Nothing wrong with that -- I love it!
To double the size, cut a piece of cardstock at 4 1/2" x 8", scored at 4 1/2" and folded in half. Lay this on the Lattice Die being careful to line it up on the very edge of the pattern. You have to take your time with this so that it cuts perfectly. If you plan to do this frequently, I suggest you put a mark where the edge of the paper needs to be. A White Gel pen would work for that.
Next, sandwich the die between two acrylic pads and run through the BIG SHOT.
Hi Friends: Here is a sample of the newly designed punches. The pattern I am showing you today is found on Page 17 of the new 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog. You should have received that mini as well as the Sale-A-Bration Mini by the time you see this post. If you have not received these two catalogs you will soon. Watch your mailbox.
Wait until you see what can be done with these two punches. First, let me tell you about the new design. The first picture shows two punches, the Pinking Heart Border and the Pinking Heart Corner. Yes, they are the same design! They are fabulous.
The Corner Punch is open (picture on the left side) and the Border Punch is closed (picture on the right side). "With a larger cutting surfaceand a sleeker body, our new punches give you greater cutting precision, better punching leverage and space saving storage".
This view shows the Locking Button which allows the punches to store flat.
We will begin by showing the corner punch. This is fairly standard. Don't you love this new image. Wait until you see the next picture -- it is called Two-Step Punching!!!
So, you see how the border punch lines up with the corner!!! That is why we call it Two-Step Punching. Check out the next picture.
Don't you love it! Check back soon for more samples.
I simply love our ribbon, and the fact that we can alter the color to coordinate with specific projects. Look at the result you get with the 1 1/4" Black/White Striped Grosgrain ribbon. I used four of our Bold Brights markers to show the result you get.
As you can see, I used Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Pink Passion and YoYo Yellow. The next picture is a close up of the ribbon which really shows off the colors.
The next picture is a shot of the ribbon roll. It is the Basic Black 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain found on page 183 of the Idea Book and Catalog.
You have a choice of four colors. Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive in addition to the Basic Black. Can't you picture the possibilities! There is approximately 10 yards on each roll for only $8.95.
This is the first of four Technique Tuesdays (One Day Early) during the month of November -- which is Blog Posting Month. I plan to post daily for 31 days -- can't promise every day, but I will do my best. This is a really cute party favor that can be used for all occasions and it is very economical and easy peasy!
Here we go! Supplies:
Paper Trimmer, 6"x 6" designer series paper, two 8" pieces of ribbon, 1/4" square punch (discontinued - try a 1/4" circle or shaped punch), Sticky Strip and Paper Snips.
Step by Step
Step 1:Score and fold. The second picture shows the score lines and where to punch. (I have drawn in dark lines on the score lines to make it easier to see -- you do not need to do this.)
Align the paper with the top of the paper cutter and score at
1 1/4", 2 1/2", 3 3/4" and 5". Rotate paper 90 degrees, then score at
1 1/4" and 4 3/4".
Step 2:Use a bone folder to fold along all the score lines.
Step3: Fold up the "bottom" on the score line and punch a triangle at all four score lines and the two edges. To achieve the triangle, line up the paper half way into the punch. Repeat for the "top". You will create "diamonds" on the four edges. To avoid punch malfunction, do not punch more than two layers at a time.
Step 4: Flip paper over to the back side and place a piece of Sticky Strip (or any brand of double sided 1/4" tape) on one edge between the "top" and "bottom" score lines.
Step 4:Remove red cover and adhere sticky strip. You can fold the box flat to adhere the tape. It will then adhere in exactly the right place without "tweeking" the box. (Is that a word?)
The final step is to pinch the ends together and tie with a coordinating ribbon. To add a little pizzaz, use your Paper Snips to cut slits in the ends (fairly close together) and then carefully curl the paper. One sample is curled and one is not. I really like it better curled. Don't forget to put a treat inside before you tie the second end!
The samples are from our Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper and are appropriate for the current season. Can't you see these used for birthdays, etc.!!! You only need one 6" square of paper, so either our Designer Series Paper, our Simply Scrappin' Kits or solid color card stock will make dozens of these for very little expense. Let me know if you liked this tutorial. I love hearing from you.
