Rubber Room Stampin'

TUESDAY'S TOOL (on Wednesday): NEW CORNER & STRAIGHT EDGE PUNCHES--HOW TO ALIGN THEM! Second, the PINKING HEARTS BORDER & CORNER PUNCHES

Did you notice those cute little hearts along the border of the Pinking Hearts Border and Corner punches?  Well, I didn't.  But I DID when I received this card at Leadership:

Sometimes is does take a brick to get my attention!

(Created by Susan Campfield)

I've been watching, since Leadership, which really pretty much coincided with the launch of the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog, for a clue on how to fully utilize these clever newly styled (for Stampin' Up!) punches, like how to punch a perfect square or rectangle every time.

So now, here are my tips on how to make background squares and rectangles out of the Pinking Hearts Border and Corner punches.

My primary source for how to have some fun with these punches is Gretchen Barron, a Stampin' Up! demonstrator from Illinois.  We met online via 2 Stampin' Up! demonstrator email lists and then in person last year at Stampin' Up!'s annual Convention in Salt Lake City.  I wouldn't mind having part of her talent when I grow up.

For starters:

• Decide for yourself whether you want to use these punches right side up or upside down.  It's a personal preference.
• Line up the points of the Pinking edge, not the hearts.
• Accurate measuring is very important. The little pinking points are so small and there is so much detail in this punch that you need to be very accurate and consistent with your measurements.

Everyone will use a different cutting method for this punch--do what's comfortable for you.  Start with specifically sized squares.  These sizes were worked out by Gretchen.  Each measurement is for a SQUARE.

• 2 7/8"
• 3 1/4"
• 3 5/8"
• 4"
• 4 3/8"
• 4 3/4"

Each size square increases or decreases by 3/8" so you can easily make your squares and rectangles as small or large as you wish but the sizes above will fit a standard 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card.

Let's get punching now.  Holding the Pinking Hearts Border and Corner punch upside down or right side up, punch the corners first and then line up the pinking points to cut the sides,this time using the punch upside down so you can see from the bottom how the paper and metal line up.

Cut the corners first and then line up the pinking points to cut the sides, using the punch upside down so you can see from the bottom how the paper and metal line up.

Now, if you'd like to make rectangles simply combine two of the measurements. E.g., combine 3 1/4" with 4 3/8".  Then follow the same procedure.

TIP:  Make a set of templates for the Pinking Hearts Border and Corner punches., according to the sizes given above.  Store them in a cello sleeve, an empty stamp set box, or a 6" x 6" scrapbook page protector.  Then you can pull them out when you're ready to made a card.

Here are Gretchen's templates sizes for the Scallop Trim Border and Corner punches:

• 4 3/4" makes a square that has 10 scallops along each side
• 4 1/4" makes a square that has 9 scallops on each side
• 3 13/16" (just a hair bigger than 3 3/4") makes a square that has 8 scallops along each side. This is the size that fits perfectly into the guide that is printed on the Scallop Trim Border Punch and therefore makes this a great size to practice on. Once you get this size down, it will be easier to branch-off and make your squares smaller or larger.
• 3 1/4" makes a square than has 7 scallops along each side.
• 2 7/8" makes a square that has 6 scallops on each side
• 2 3/8" makes a square that has 5 scallops on each side
• smallest square begins with a square that is 1 15/16" and uses only the corner punch.

Now go have some creative fun!

Tomorrow: a look a my templates.  I'm making them this morning:  doing as I suggested that you do!!!!  And then I'll get off of these fun, creative, fascinating punches for a while.  :)

TUESDAY'S TOOL: NEW CORNER & STRAIGHT EDGE PUNCHES--HOW TO ALIGN THEM! First, the SCALLOP TRIM BORDER & CORNER PUNCHES

I've seen lots of cards made with the new Pinking Hearts Border and Corner and Scallop Trim Border and Corner punches where there is a stamped layer set upon a tidily punched square or rectangle.  In a voice that's accompanied by a scratching of my head I kept saying "HOW DO THEY DO THAT?"  Well, now I know and so will you in just a few moments. 

First though:  where do you get them???  They're not in Stampin' Up!'s regular 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog.  The Pinking Hearts Border and Corner and Scallop Trim Corner punches are in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog. The Scallop Trim Border punch is in the Sale-a-Bration catalog and, as are all things Sale-a-Bration, is FREE!  Love having a punch to choose from for Sale-a-Bration!

Today I'll share with you the Scallop Trim Border and Corner punches.  It is so cool to watch your square or rectangle develop.  Go get a large scrap of cardstock, at least 5" x 5", any color.  But please make it cardstock.  And DO work along with this tutorial to see just how logical and easy this is!

Notice on the front of the Scallop Trim Corner punch (where you slip the cardstock in) that there is a guard/guide on the left and the right.  Unlike other punches, you can also slide your cardstock over these guards.  There's a reason but please wait to find it out.

You'll need a personal paper cutter, the Scallop Trim Border and Corner punches and your cardstock.

* STEP 1: Start with the Scallop Trim Corner punch and insert the cardstock using the corner guides.  Punch the corner.

* STEP 2: Align the corner with the wing template on the straight edge punch. (below)

* STEP 3: Continue cutting the straight edge to the desired length still allowing space for the corner cut. (below)

* STEP 4: This is the cool part, for me at least:  Insert Scallop Trim Corner punch and align it with existing cuts to make the second corner cut.  This is where you just slide the cardstock right up and over the corner guides/guards.  (below)

 

* STEP 5: Take your paper cutter and cut a straight edge making sure your card stock is square in the cutter.

 

* STEP 6:  Again align the corner with the wing template on the Scallop Trim Border punch and continue cutting the card stock to the desired width. (below)

* STEP 7: Punch the third corner and then cut the last straight edge.

 

* STEP 8: Cut the fourth corner and then finish the last straight edge:  Hold the Scallop Trim Border punch upside down (my photo shows it right side up) to align the design properly.   (You may need to overlap some of the previous cuts to finish it off.)

You'll need to finish this cutting process before you cut your other layers in order to get the proper layering dimensions.

To be honest, you're going to have to try this several times until you get it just right----at least I did.  You can always save those pieces that aren't perfect and place embellishments over the 'messed up' areas.  It took me 5 attempts to get a 'perfect rectangle!

Here's a swap card sample I received at Leadership Training earlier in January.  It was created by Charity Wright.

Tomorrow I'll give you tips on the new Pinking Hearts Border and Corner punches.

Hopefully now you're ready to either pull out the punches you've already purchased OR you'll be anxious to purchase them for your own creations.  Such fun!!!

And yes, I still have the laryngitis.  It's so quiet at our home these days!  :)

NEW MONTH and NEW CLASS: BIRD PUNCH & MORE CARD SET

Update: February 1, 2010, 8.30 p.m. (CA time)

OH MY!   OH MY!   OH MY!

My new favorite punch, the Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch is on backorder until March 8th. 

So.......I am going to reduce the cost of the class from $33 to $20 and I will pre-punch all the pieces.  Hopefully, when you see how versatile this punch is, you'll consider purchasing your own after March 8th. 

The PayPal button below has been changed to reflect the new $20 fee.

FEBRUARY!  It always does take me a month to recover from the holidays.  Actually I'm not quite there yet but I'm moving forward with my stampin' for sure.  (We still have Christmas décor to return to the attic!) 

Here's a larger than normal preview of February's stampin' class.

Believe it or not, these card all use the new Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch.  This punch is just so darned cool!  You'll be amazed at the things you can do with this little bird.  :)  You learn a new trick with each card.  There is no box for the card.......just a darned cute 'belly-band' that you'll see at the class. 

The class also uses the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack, a new concept in a Stampin' Up! catalog.  The Sweet Pea Stack, 2 each of 24 double-sided 12" x 12" Designer Series Papers, can be found on page 33 of the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog. 

This class will be offered to my Mi Wuk and Dublin area stampers.  I'm also working on a To-Go Kit but I need to assure myself that I'm in compliance of Stampin' Up!'s rules before doing so and making an announcement.

MI WUK VILLAGE

February 17th

1-4 p.m.

Fee:  $33

Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch included

RSVP by February 10th so I can have supplies in the class room on time

You can pay via check or prepay right here:

Dublin Area:  Before I get to Step 2, I need to take care of Step 1:  Finding a location:  I need a hostess! 

If you offer to be hostess, you will receive your class for FREE.  I have the 25th (Thursday) or 26th  (Friday) of February available.  You can choose the time: morning, afternoon, evening. 

Once I have a hostess, I will create another post, for Dublin stampers with a PayPal button for pre-payment.

EVERYONE WHO PREPAYS WILL HAVE THEIR NAME PLACED IN A DRAWING FOR A FREE PRODUCT GIFT RELATIVE TO OUR CLASS.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

In case you're wondering what else you can do with the amazing Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch, check out these cards I received as swaps at Leadership Training in early January.

Created by Debra Ripley from Boise Idaho.  For her background Debra used a Décor Elements stencil.

 
Created by Lisa Kim from Corona, CA

 

Created by Jackie Groves, from Morrisville, NY

Created by "unknown"!

Created by Kay Smith from St. John's, NL, Canada

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

These samples were from displays or cards in possession of demonstrators I sat next to in a class or at lunch while at Leadership.  Since I don't have the cards in my possession, I have no clue who created them, except as noted for the birdhouses.

Patty Bennett showed these adorable birdhouses as a part of her demonstration of the many uses of the Eggcellent Eggs Kit, p. 23, 2010 Occasions Mini.  Aren't they something!?

Wow!  There's a candy car hiding behind this stamped beauty.

I hope to see local stampers at one of these classes.  It's been a long time since December and November classes and I've missed you and the comeraderie.

After the classes, I will be posting each card with ingredients and how-to instructions so those of you who aren't in northern California won't be missing out completely.  :) 

BRAYERED SPECIALTY PAPER: COOL VALENTINE CARD

I feel so much better today and finally made it out to my stamp room and I have stamped!  I've been building up a collection of projects I'm wanting to do.  I decided to start out with a simple and yet a WOW card.  And I just couldn't wait until "Technique Tuesday" to share it.

Have you noticed the Bride, Groom and Bridesmaid 12" x 12" Specialty Papers on page 158 of the Idea Book & Catalog?  These are all 'foiled' papers.  The foil gives the paper shine, texture and pattern.  What I've used in this card is the Bridal Specialty Paper, 115669.

 

Then I used my Brayer, p. 192, #102395, $12.50, and Pixie Pick Classic Stamp Pad, p. 156, #105212, to totally change the tone of the paper.

Roll the brayer on the stamp pad over and over, picking the brayer off of the stamp pad after each roll across it.  Otherwise you will only be inking one part of the brayer over and over and you don't really want to do that.  Once you get your color evenly onto the Bride paper, rub the brayer over and over the paper and the color will intensify and even out--you're burnishing it into the paper.  Once you have the color on, then rub over the paper with a clean tissue or soft cloth, removing some of the color from the foil or embossed parts.

Trim this brayered Specialty Paper to 4-1/4" x 2-1/2"  I left it longer (like 4-1/4" x 5") before brayering on the Pixie Pink color so I'd have a scrap for punching out the 2 embellishment hearts.

Here are the other ingredients used on this card:

Stamp Set:  Well Scripted* (clear mount)

Cardstock:  Pixie Pink, Basic Black, Bride Specialty Paper

Ink: Pixie Pink Classic

Accessories:  Clear Mount block* (C), Pinking Hearts Border punch*, SU! Embosslits Die: Scalloped Heart of Hearts*, Full Heart punch, 1/4" Black Grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive

* These items are in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog (Jan. 5 - April 30)

FYI:  The Full Heart Punch is about 1/8" smaller than the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit which leaves a nice border. You can't see the cute polka dots from the Embosslit, but you' can show them off on another card.

Below:  I used the Pinking Hearts Border Punch to create the pattern in Basic Black cardstock.    Start punching your cardstock in the middle.  Then line up the punched part over the pattern shown on the extended sides of the punch, left or right, and continue punching.

What I love about this punch is being able to see the little punched hearts pop with color when you place colored cardstock beneath it. 

TIP:  Save those little punched out bits and use them as confetti after you accumulate a bunch.

Here are 2 card samples, also using the Pinking Hearts Border punch, that I received at Leadership Training earlier in January.

 

Above:  Created by Terri Mongeon.  Terri used the Sending Love Specialty Paper (from the 2010 Occasions Mini).  One side of each sheet of this Specialty Paper boasts glittery designs.

        

Above:  This card uses the Groom Specialty Paper.  It's just so stunning.  Created by Susan Campfield

I have one more card to show you but..........if you're prudish, you might not want to look.  But if you're curious, you'll look.  And if you need a gag card for a guy, you'll also want to look.  :)

********

              ********

                            ********

If you have a good sense of humor and know a guy who'll be turning 30 or 40 or 50 or 60 soon, this might be a perfect card.  It also uses the Bride Specialty Paper which was brayered with Basic Black ink.  You can find the pattern here.  I used a half pearl from the Pretties Kit in the center of the card, but you could also use one of the little Sending Love Epoxy Brads from the 2010 Occasions Mini.

 

What do you think of the tattoo?

OK, I'm done for today.  I've had fun finally getting back to my stamping and I hope you've enjoyed the cards.  Just click on my SHOP NOW button at the top right of my blog which will take you to  my Demonstrator Website if you'd like to order any of the ingredients for these cards.  Or email me and I'll place your order myself.

See you tomorrow.  :)

WHAT I ACCOMPLISHED TODAY!

I'm still feeling a little 'under-the-weather', coughing my insides out (sorry) and having little or no voice.  My energy level has been up but my inspiration level hasn't been.  I'm really hoping to do some stamping tomorrow. 

But today I did something I've wanted to do for a long time:  I gave my Mac laptop a little makeover. 

I used the Flower Garden Décor Element which can be found on p. 16 of the Definitely Decorative Fall-Winter 2009 catalog.  #116056, $12.95

I cut the element sheet that held the stems into individual stems, but kept them in the order shown in the catalog.   If I were to do it over, I would have only made a cut between stems 4 and 5.  I had to divide it because of the Apple Logo right in the middle of my lid.  Regardless, I think it looks pretty darned spiffy and my laptop won't be confused with anyone else's.  I've wanted to do this for a long time but just "never got around to it".  Today was the perfect day.

Here a look at it just after I finished:

I'm going to be smiling whenever I pull my Mac out of my bag from this time forward.  What do you think TSA will say besides "nothing"?

If you'd like to find your own 'out-of-the-box' use for some Décor Elements, let me know.  Email me at blythe@stampinwithblythe.com .   I have a few other ideas on my mental shelf.  I'm sure you all have some wonderful ideas too.  Share them with me and other stampers.  I can help you with your order---maybe after midnight for your FREE SHIPPING?  Choose another element for decorating your laptop.  What unusual places have you put a Décor Element?

Hopefully I'll see you a little earlier in the day tomorrow.  :)

A BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR YOU

Amendment:  Since I have been out of commission with lack of electrical power (translate no computer/internet) for 7 days and then trying to catch up with myself while coughing and not being able to talk, I am postponing the following offer to Thursday, January 28th, from 12.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. -- or very close to those times.

Isn't it fun to receive birthday presents?  I know I'll never grow up enough to not enjoy the fun and excitement of a birthday gift.  Or card for that matter.  Anyway, I've decided to give YOU a gift on MY  birthday this year: 

FREE SHIPPING on any order over $50!

You'll actually be getting 2 FREE gifts:  a Sale-A-Bration product in addition to free shipping.  What a great deal huh?

HOW AND WHEN?  When you place an on-line order (upper right corner of my blog) OR send me an email (upper left side of my blog)  with your order, anytime from 12 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26th---AMENDED TO THURSDAY, JANUARY 28th---I will reimburse your shipping fee to you.  And don't forget "my" other gift of the FREE Sale-A-Bration product.  Actually the S-A-B product is a gift from Stampin' Up!.

And now I'll go in silence to out to My Country Loft and start playing for the rest of today. It's really the only thing I can do without interacting and using my voice.  Yes, I could clean, but why???  It's my birthday and I don't want to and I don't have to.  :)

Have a great day. 

 

I'M ALIVE.....sorry for the lack of posting but......WE HAD NO POWER FOR 7 DAYS

It was so quiet and peaceful when I left Dublin (CA) on Thursday.  And then I arrived home.  With my sweet 3 year old granddaughter, Nora.  I knew we had no power and actually we are all troopers in that regard.  But when it went on and on and on.....AND I HAD NO INTERNET CONNECTION, it became an issue that I just had to ignore until the power outage was over.  That was finally at 1 p.m. today.  It took some time to rearrange our past week's living style.  We were cooking tonight's dinner, corned beef/cabbage on the Franklin Stove downstairs and I was working on a coffee table with my computer plugged into a power strip behind the tv which was being run by our life-saving generator.  It powered the frig, tv and one lamp.  We heated with the 2 fireplaces.  We cooked on our Coleman camping stove and the outside bar-b-que/grill.  Even cooked a casserole there one night.

Tomorrow I will get back to stamping and posting new ideas.  In the meantime, I'm posting the creators of the I {Heart} Hearts cards from my last post next.  Give me half an hour.  :)

One more thing:  I have total laryngitis.  Not a squeak comes out.  My voice has been on a downhill slide since Saturday.  Feel fine.  Just can't talk at all now.  Bonus: I have practiced with filming (kids in the snow) with my Flip and creating movies with titles so it shouldn't be too long before I'll have a video tutorial. 

Thanks for hanging in there.

I {HEART} HEARTS

As promised earlier this morning, here are some of my swap cards created by other Stampin' Up! demonstrators, using the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.  I received them at Leadership.

Top: Chari Brooks, Lincoln CA     Below:  Dianne Logeais, Hopkins, MN

 

Left:  Cara Brandes          Right:  Jolene Harms, Young America MN

Left:  Susan Peters, Easton PA          Right:  Teri Hinckley, Strongsville, OH

Left:  Deb Valder, NY            Right:  Kim Assaly

Left:  unknown          Right:  Catherine Harwood, FL

Kathy Chono-Herring, Fresno, CA

My car is packed up and I'm waiting for a 'relief mommy' to arrive to take care of the two children I'm not taking home with me to the mountains.  They'll be coming 'up' on Friday or Saturday.  Anyway, I'll be attaching the names of the card artists once I get home and settled.  We have no power (!!!) at home so I won't be able to plug in my computer (lousy battery) until power is restored.  This is teaching me patience.  :)

HAITI DISASTER RELIEF - STAMPIN' UP!'S PLAN

Stampin′ Up! demonstrators have a long history of making a difference in the lives of others--especially when disaster strikes and the need is greatest. As demonstrators, we've been contacting Stampin' Up! in the past week asking if they have a plan yet for helping to provide relief for victims of the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12.

So now, here is the plan:

From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp purchased will be donated to the American Red Cross’s Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Product Name	Item #	Price
I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount  (block D recommended)	118571	$18.95
I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount	117010	$26.95

   

I'll be posting some samples made with the I {Heart} Hearts set within the next few hours.  They're from swaps I received at Leadership Training a few weeks ago.  My stamp set is at home, waiting for me.  I'll also have a pdf file you can view or download/print for your personal reference. 

I'm ending a six-day "Oma" visit to my daughter's home this afternoon.  Then I'll be venturing back to my home in the Sierra Nevada, 2 hours east.  My home has had no power since yesterday a.m. and snow level is down to about 1500'.  We live at 4500' ft.  We're accustomed to snow but not quite like the huge storms we've had the past few days (when I haven't been there), accompanied by very high winds.  We're surrounded by very tall pines and cedars and a few oaks so the fear of a tree falling on the property (or on the house) is justified.  These "guys" have a sway at the tops of about 20-30 FEET in each direction from center!

I'll be back as soon as possible with the samples and pdf.  First comes packing up and showering while everyone is gone and this house is quiet.  :)

TUESDAY'S TOOL: MY FAVORITE DAILY TOOLS

When you are positioning yourself to start a stampin' project, what tools do you have 'at the ready'.....tools you can't really happily function without?  Your 'go to' assistants at your table?

Mine are

• Stampin' Scrub
• Stampin' Mist
• Grid Paper
• Personal Paper Cutter
• Snail Adhesive
• Paper Snips
• Stamp-a-ma-jig
• Adhesive Remover

Then comes the fun stuff, tools that make the project:

• Rubber Stamps: wood or clear mount, regular or jumbo roller wheels
• Stampin' Pads: SU! Classic or Craft, ColorBox, VersaMark
• Stampin' Markers
• Cardstock
• Designer Series Paper
• Big Shot Die Cut Machine
• Big Shot dies of all sizes and types: Bigz XL dies, Bigz dies, Embosslits, Impressions Embossing Folders
• Embossing Powders
• Embossing Buddy
• Heat Tool
• Embellishments: Hodgepodge Hardware, Pretties Kit, all sorts of brads, all sort of eyelets, clips, glitter (bling), buttons, ribbons, chipboard
• Adhesives: 2-Way Glue Pen, Sticky Strip, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Crystal Effects, Tombow Multi Purpose, Anywhere Glue Stick
• Aqua Painter
• Blender Pen
• Stamping Sponges and/or Sponge Daubers

And there are so many more but I'll leave those up to you.  Yes, I use them, but these that I've listed I use ALL the time!  Not EVERY time, but I do use them frequently.

Below is a glimpse of my frequent reality.  Sometimes I can keep my stampin' area neat and tidy but sometimes.............it just gets away from me.  This was the final rush in getting my Christmas cards completed in time for mailing.  I still managed to miss a few.

What are your favorite tools?  What do you find yourself using the most---something that really gives you that satisfying 'bang for the buck' so to speak?

It's kind of frustrating, being away from home and not being able to spread myself out at my work table and create at least a mess, and hopefully a finished card or two.

Tomorrow I've have some pictures again.  I'm determined to do some stampin' with the few supplies I brought along with me!  See you then.