Rubber Room Stampin'

EXTRA LARGE TWO-STEP BIRD PUNCH - FLOWER

This is the final card in a series of five cards made with the Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch and the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack. They're so different, one from the other.  And they're all so much fun!

Here's the flower card (which is so much more vibrant in person):

Here's what you'll need:

STAMP SET:  Well Scripted

CARDSTOCK: 

• Old Olive:  8-1/2" x 5-1/2", 1-1/2" x 3" scrap
• Sweet Pea Designer Series Stack (2010 Occasions Mini): 
• • Taken with Teal Sheet: 4" x 5-1/4"  (Old Olive delicate floral print with Taken with Teal/White Herringbone on the reverse)
  • Rose Red patterned: 2" x 12" -- Birds  (swirly color-on-color circles with Pretty in Pink/White herringbone on reverse. 
  • Old Olive with So Saffron Polka Dots:  2" x 6" -- Wings (perhaps pattern #3 in the stack) (So Saffron/white soft pattern on reverse)

INK:  Chocolate Chip Classic Ink

ACCESSORIES:  Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Stamping Sponge, SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Two-Way Glue Pen, Paper Snips, Grid paper

And if you just click here, it'll take you to the tutorial page for complete 'how-to' instructions.

Tomorrow I'll finally change subjects:  a Big Shot fun project.

By the way, here's a look at My Country Loft yesterday afternoon---I love it when the clouds lay right in the trees and the snow is falling:

And the front of My Country Loft:

And here it is this morning:

This is just another reason I love living in Mi Wuk Village, on the fringe of the Stanislaus National Forest.  With no traffic lights.  And sometimes with no power.  Oh well, you take the beautiful with the frustrating.  :)

TUESDAY'S TOOL: CRYSTAL EFFECTS

I LOVE CRYSTAL EFFECTS!  It's always on my work table along with my Stampin' Mist and Stampin' Scrub.  But the first time I used it I had no clue "what" or why".  Have you used it before?

If not, you really need to!  Important information:  #101055, p. 192, 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog

Some functions and features:

• It gives a high gloss finish to any image
• Creates fun 3-D effects
• It has its own applicator tip
• It is water based for quick and easy cleanup
• It dries completely within 1 hour depending upon how thickly it is applied.
• Container size: 2 oz

Quick Tricks:

• Add a drop or two of a Classic Ink Refill to a little puddle of Crystal Effects, and you'll have a high-gloss colored finish.
• Works great as an adhesive to attach buttons and other heavier embellishments such as bows.
• You can add a three-dimensional effect to your projects with Crystal Effects.  Apply a thick line of CE (Crystal Effects) to the outline of your stamped image.  After the line has dried, add a thinner coat of CE to the inside area of what was outlined.

FYI:

• Crystal Effects can be used with any stamped image that has been colored with any medium:  watercolors, markers, Stampin' Pastels, stamp pads.
• Do not shake Crystal Effects.  That will cause bubbles that will show up in your work.
• Recap after using to prevent the tip from drying out and clogging.  HOWEVER, the tip probably will clog, so have a hat pin or straightened out paper clip handy for pushing down through the tip to unclog it. 
• For best results, use Crystal Effects within one year of purchase.  I always put the date on my bottle when I open it.  Yes, I've had one container turn to thick yellow goo which had to be thrown away.

So, here are some samples:

Below:  I outlined the middle package, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and then filled the center with a thinner layer of CE.

With the little applicator tip, I applied CE to the candle flames as well as the flowers.

Above:  CE was applied to the left door, the heart on the right door, and the clouds.

The fruits in the next 4 cards are embellished with CE (1 above, 3 below)

Below:  Beer steins are each covered with CE. 

Below:  the cupcake frosting is covered with a thin layer of Crystal Effects.

 

Below: I received this card in our Inkertoys swap last Thursday.  Made by Sherry.  The tulips are coated with CE.

And as I was cleaning in my Country Loft today, I came upon the cards from a class I led last year, using the Tart & Tangy Stamp Set.  Each piece of fruit is covered with Crystal Effects.

As you can see, you can use Crystal Effects in so many places.   I didn't do this in any of the samples, but you can also sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to freshly applied Crystal Effects for long lasting glitter.  It will dry right into the CE.

If you're ready to order some Crystal Effects and don't have your own Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'm here to help you.  Either place your own order via my OnLine Store on my SU! website.  Click the button on the top right of this blog.  OR, send me an email and I'll gladly place your order for you.

See you tomorrow I hope.

EXTRA LARGE TWO-STEP BIRD PUNCH - LOVE BIRDS

My few days of being away are over and I'm back to share the 4th Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch card and tutorial.  It's amazing how I just can't seem to keep up with my blog when I'm gone.

This card also features the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack (117161, p. 33, $24.95) This stack is a great deal: 48 pieces of double-sided Designer Series Paper, 2 each of 24 patterns.  My initial purchase is just about wiped out.  Send me an email (left sidebar) or go to my OnLine Store on my Demonstrator Website (top right sidebar) if you'd like to purchase a stack for your creative pleasure.

I'm going to send you here to view the step-by-step tutorial to recreate this card.  The "Congratulations" sentiment from the Well Scripted stamp set (117072 [wood], $19.95) or 118601 [clear mount], $14.95, both from the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog) is a perfect addition to this card.

See you tomorrow with Tuesday's Tool. 

EXTRA LARGE TWO-STEP BIRD PUNCH - FLYING BIRD

After a long day, I finally have the 'flying bird' ready to share.

How easy can a card be?  And you can use any number of sentiments with the card.

Ingredients:

STAMP SET:  Whimsical Words

CARDSTOCK: 

• So Saffron:  5-1/2" x 8-1/2"
• Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack: 
• • 2-1/2" x 6" scrap for punching wings and bird  (see photo)
  • 1-1/2" x 5-1/2" for 'grass' layer  (see photo)
  • scrap that has all three trees for cutting out

INK:  Chocolate Chip Classic Pad

ACCESSORIES:  Extra large Two-Step Bird Punch, Paper Snips, Dimensionals

Click here for the complete directions. 

See you here again tomorrow......with a totally different idea to share with you!    Can you guess 'who' it involves?  See you soon......

EXTRA LARGE TWO-STEP BIRD PUNCH - REFLECTION

This is another of the cards from class focusing on the Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch from the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog (p. 10-11, 117191, $15.95)

I love it when stampers see my sample cards and exclaim "How do you create THAT"?  Of course that's why I have that particular card in my samples.  It gives me an opportunity to explain another technique for stampers to learn and then take and recreate as they will. 

Here's the card I'm talking about today:

Here are the ingredients you need to duplicate this card:

STAMP SET:  Well Scripted (2010 Occasions Mini, 117072 [wood], 118601 [clear-mount])

CARDSTOCK:  So Saffron, Taken with Teal, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack (2010 Occasions Mini, p. 33, 117161)

INK;  Chocolate Chip Classic Pad and Marker, Taken with Teal pad

ACCESSORIES:  Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch, Stamping Sponge, SNAIL Adhesive, Blender Pen

This card is a wonderful all-purpose card--when you're in need of a card, simply pull it out, and stamp the appropriate greeting, using Taken with Teal Classic Ink, in the upper right hand corner.  Click here for the creation tutorial.  And have fun!

(yip, we're back to snow today)

MOVERS & SHAPERS CURLY LABEL DIE HELPS MAKE A GREAT THANK YOU CARD

COMMENT BEFORE YOU GET INTO THIS POST!  If you were fortunate, or unfortunate enough to have seen the post for a 32" Toshiba t-v...........I have no idea how it got onto my blog!!!!!  Yes, we're selling/giving one away but that information was supposed to be placed on Craigslist!  Either I was triple-multi-tasking, hallucinating, or having a pitifully VERY senior moment.  Hopefully it is now removed from the blog and now you can just enjoy reading the intended post for the day.  I don't know whether to be embarrassed or frightened.  Oh my oh my oh my.  (Hi cousin Christy C!)

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

We participated in a surprise birthday party for my sister (and Stampin' Up! downline) a few weeks ago.  I just have to share the thank you card she sent us. 

I'm honestly not sure what stamp set she used on the card front.  It's very much like Priceless (p. 130 of the current 2009-10 Idea Book & Catalog) but I don't think that's it.

Janet used two of the Punch Windows (set of 4, p. 201, 115953) Magnetic Dies for the Movers & Shapers Curly Label Bigz XL die.  And of course, the Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (p. 194, IB&C).  Then for the inside she used the Scallop Oval punch (p. 186, 114889, $15.95) and the Modern Label punch, (p. 186, 116630, $15.95).    Have you used the Movers & Shapers die?  I feel a tutorial coming.

I am going to assume she stamped and embossed her sentiments before punching them.  Have you ever done that?  It's a much easier way to get your punched words right where you want them.  It's best to use a 2" x 4-5" scrap of card stock.  Rub it with your embossing buddy, stamp your greeting with either VersaMark*, Craft*, or Encore pigment ink*, sprinkle with Embossing Powder*, shake off the excess, and heat with the Heat Tool*.  Let it cool for a minute and then punch the sentiment out with the desired punch by turning the punch upside down so you can see the placement of the words in the punch window.   *Each of these items can be found in the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog.

To position these punched out pieces where you want them, close the card and then lay the punched pieces right in the center of the punched holes.  Remove and put some snail adhesive, or dimensionals, on the back of the punched stamped pieces, place them through the holes again and secure to the inside of the card.  

Write the rest of whatever you want around these punched pieces and you have a lovely card.

If you have any questions, please ask.  And if you'd like to know more about embossing with powder, let me know.  I think I feel another tutorial (maybe finally that first video tutorial) coming up.

I wish you a great day!  I'm sitting in my stamp room, glancing through my windows and watching a lovely light snow fall .  Next I'm going to play with my new friend, Tote-ally Tess (p. 41 of the 2010 Occasions Mini).  She just came to live at my house yesterday.  I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

HOW DO YOU MAKE A SILLY CLOWN OUT OF AN EXTRA LARGE TWO-STEP BIRD PUNCH?

Well,  follow me and you'll soon see!  We'll be making this card, and four others, at my Extra Large Two Step Bird Punch class this afternoon in My County Loft studio here in Mi Wuk Village CA.

I've made my first one the other day and sent it to my son-in-law for his Valentine's Day birthday.  I wanted to steer way clear of a Valentine theme.  Think I succeeded???

Here's the card:

Is this what you expected???

And here's what you'll need to make it:

STAMP SET: Well Scripted

CARDSTOCK:  Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack (2010 Occasions Mini), Chocolate Chip scrap, Pretty in Pink scrap

INK:  Chocolate Chip Classic pad and Marker

ACCESSORIES:  Stampin' Up! Extra Large Two-Step Bird, Crop-a-Dile, Paper Snips, Stamping Sponge, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, SNAIL adhesive.

After you get all of your pieces punched and then most edges sponged with Chocolate Chip ink, you're almost done.  It's only assembly from there.  Hop on over here for all of the instructions.

I'll be back with 4 more cards made with this delightful Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch over the next few days.  Be sure to check back.

Have you made anything 'out-of-the-box' with this punch yet.  Be sure to share it with me it you do so we can share it with other readers!  Just email me, with a photo of your creation, via the box in the upper left corner of my blog.

Do you own this punch yet?  I can't guarantee you that it will be in the next Stampin' Up! annual Idea Book & Catalog so be sure to order it before the 2010 Mini Catalog expires on April 30, 2010.  Remember how quickly Christmas comes upon us later in the year?  Don't let April 30th sneak up on you.  Just click here to order your punch soon via my Stampin' Up! website.

TUTORIAL: TUESDAY'S TOOL: MAKING A RECTANGLE WITH THE SCALLOP TRIM BORDER PUNCH

So, you want to successfully make a rectangle background layer using the Scallop Trim Border Punch!  OK, let's get going.......

I'm going to be referring to my blog post on February 3, 2010 for some measurements--they're also copy/pasted below:

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.

For practice, it's not a bad idea to cut out each of those squares above.  Then, punch the corners of your square first.  (Rectangle will come as soon as I'm sure I have the square down pat.)  The first corner is easy.  For subsequent corners just be sure you are sitting in the guide rather than laying above it.  I will assure you right now---this isn't easy!  I have blown the smallest three in a row, and then the next three larger ones, 3-13/16", 4-1/4" and 4-3/4" worked just fine.  The important thing is to be sure you are lined up with the scallop diagrams on the punch itself.  Then persevere!  Practice on scraps for starters! 

After doing the corners with the punch right side up, I recommend doing the sides with the punch upside down.

Now to the rectangle:  I've made a 4-3/4" x 3-13/16" rectangle (real red) and a 3-13/16" x 2-7/8" rectangle (pixie pink) an a 2-7/8" x 4-1/4" rectangle (orchid opulence).

 

Finally, here are 3 completed rectangles.  If you look closely, you won't see perfection.  :)  Practice is what it's going to take.  But it's worth it when you use the technique on a card.

Here are a few samples using either the punched square or punched rectangle.  These are swap cards I received at Leadership Training in Phoenix in January.

<--Created by Catherine Harwood, FL

Below: created by Carol Mathews of Truto, Nova Scotia, Canada

Above:  created by 'unknown' unfortunately.

Are YOU ready to go punch some Scallop Trimmed squares or rectangles now?  Go for it.  Share your results with all of us.  Email (blythe@stampinwithblythe.com) me a photo of your finished card and I'll gladly post it here on my blog.

Wednesday I'll be having a class here in my home so you can look for our fun cards a few days later.  Hint: our main tool will be the Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch.  Wait till you see how versatile this punch can be.  Have you made anything, traditional or out-of-the-box using this punch?  Why not share it with us.  Send me an email with a photo of your project and I'll gladly post it for all to see.

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you tomorrow.

SCALLOP CIRCLE PUNCH FLOWER CARD

My friend and stampin' buddy, Nancy, invited 3 local stampers to her home a few weeks ago to learn how to make a card she'd created based on a technique she'd seen "on a website".  We were instructed to bring some (Stampin' Up!) Designer Series Paper, a piece of 12" x 12" cardstock and a piece of coordinating cardstock. 

Nancy admitted right off the bat that her card was not made with SU! products.  :)  The layer behind the flower on all of the cards made at her house is made with a Nestability die.  First time I'd ever seen or used one!  Here's her card: 

The card also measures 4-1/2" x 5-1/2".

And here are the cards Gloria and I made:

Do you recognize the Spring Flowers Designer Series Paper (from the 2006-07 Idea Book & Catalog)?  We used a 50 cent sized piece of netting at the top of the flowers.  If you click on the card for a larger view you'll be able to see it better.  Gloria's card:

I took the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack (2010 Occasions Mini Catalog) since I didn't have a clue what we were going to be making.  But I knew I'd be able to select paper patterns that I'd want to use from this stack.  My (Blythe) card:

Nancy also had teeny tiny baby buttons that she'd purchased at a local store. Those were layered on the hearts on the lower right front of the card.   For the bottom of the inside of the card we cut small pieces of the same DSP we'd used on the front, adhered them to each other and then punched along one long edge.  Then trim the other edge so it's nice and straight and attach to the card.

As soon as I got home, I jumped right into making a card, using this technique, for my sister's surprise 60th birthday party a few days later.  I made one card the same size we'd made at Nancy's and then another the 'regular' size I usually make, 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".  It worked just fine.  I used the retired Parisian Breeze Specialty Paper for her card.

My sister is also a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and I wanted her card to be entirely Stampin' Up! products.

For complete instructions, please click here.

I do hope you've enjoyed this card.  It can take on many personalities.  If you make one, send me a photo and I'd love to post it here on my blog for others to see.

Tomorrow:  making a rectangle punch with the Scallop Trim Border punch.  Some people (maybe me too) are having problems with this.  See you Tuesday.........

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.  :)