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.  :)

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)

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.  :)

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!  :)

BOW TYING TIP

Do you have problems when trying to tie a bow?  As I was tying the bow on the ornament yesterday I thought, hmmmmmm, I wonder if crafters will have problems with their bows.  So I'm here to help you.

Take a length of your ribbon, hold it with both hands, and create 'bunny ears' over your index fingers.

 

 

Tie them in a 'knot', left side over the right side.

 

Notice that your tails are on the upper portion, sort of up in the air once you pull the knot tight.   My thumbs and finger are holding the 'bunny ear' bows.

 

So, pull the bow apart, turn your ornament (or box) upside down and start over again.  It will feel strange but just go with it.  See the ornament below?  The bow is "upside down".

So this time, place the hanger of the ornament toward your belly (or hands) and follow the same steps as above.

 

The tails of your bow will now be hanging down where you want them rather than flying up in the air above.  Remember, you're looking at the photo below upside down, with the top of the ornament nearest my thumb.   

 

Is this better?  I rotated the photo. 

 

All you need to do now is trim the ends of the bow and you're ready to go.  We'll be using this ornament, and a few others, in my Stamp Club meeting on Monday.  I'll share photos on Tuesday.

Tomorrow I'll be showing you a Fancy Favor open ended box made the with Exclusive Stampin' Up! die of the same name.  It's a result of my free play and create time I earned today.  See you then.

CLASS CARD #5, SHAKER CARD: Instructions are up.

Today's shaker card is the fifth and final card of the Mi Wuk Village stamp class a week and a half ago.  Click here to view the instructions.  Shaker cards are so much fun to make and you can do so with so many sets.  Kids love them.  So do adult kids.  So, go enjoy and have fun.