Good morning Stampers!
I wanted to let you know that the semester has begun and that means once again my postings will become erratic. I wish I could say when I would be posting but I cannot.
This would be a great time to sign up to receive e-mail notices when I have posted. You will find that midway down on the left hand side.
Thanks for stopping by!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Repurposing
Good morning Stampers!
In my last post - Heartfelt Thanks - I used the word "repurpose". This word is not one I came up on my own, but from a fellow stamper and papercrafter. "Repurposing" is when you use an item other than what it was originally made for. So the fabric glitter writer was made to be used on fabric. I then used it as an adhesive on my cardstock. I thought of it as this..it is made to go on fabric (durable and it has to adhere) and it is made to go through the wash (so the H2O)content was going to be low (couldn't be water soluble since fabric can be washed).
Okay, now for all that scrapbook paper I have. Let's face it..scrapbook paper can become outdated. And if you are like me, you have some that you have had so long that you know it is outdated! Here are some ideas that I have heard over time.
1. Trade with a friend - she may think of the "perfect project" to use it for.
2. Donate it - church, daycare, school, etc.
3. Wrap a small gift in it.
4. Make an envelope out of it to send your handmade card in.
5. Make an origami box out of it to put a small gift in.
6. Use it on your stamp table as a surface to work on. Keeps your area clean and
you feel less guilty tossing it out afterwards.
7. On the flip side of the patterned paper there is one of three things:
a. White - your basic
b. A coordinating color to the patterned sheet on the flip side
c. Another pattern that coordinates to the flip side
You can use the white or the coordinating color as a layer. The layers don't
always have to be cardstock weight.
In my Heartfelt Thanks posting, I mentioned the brown layer was from a flip side
of patterned paper I did not like. It did coordinate with the pattern paper I
was using.
8. Starter paper for a fire :)
I am sure there are other "repurpose" items out there that I have yet to think of.
I would enjoy hearing about any times you have "repurposed".
Thanks for stopping by.
In my last post - Heartfelt Thanks - I used the word "repurpose". This word is not one I came up on my own, but from a fellow stamper and papercrafter. "Repurposing" is when you use an item other than what it was originally made for. So the fabric glitter writer was made to be used on fabric. I then used it as an adhesive on my cardstock. I thought of it as this..it is made to go on fabric (durable and it has to adhere) and it is made to go through the wash (so the H2O)content was going to be low (couldn't be water soluble since fabric can be washed).
Okay, now for all that scrapbook paper I have. Let's face it..scrapbook paper can become outdated. And if you are like me, you have some that you have had so long that you know it is outdated! Here are some ideas that I have heard over time.
1. Trade with a friend - she may think of the "perfect project" to use it for.
2. Donate it - church, daycare, school, etc.
3. Wrap a small gift in it.
4. Make an envelope out of it to send your handmade card in.
5. Make an origami box out of it to put a small gift in.
6. Use it on your stamp table as a surface to work on. Keeps your area clean and
you feel less guilty tossing it out afterwards.
7. On the flip side of the patterned paper there is one of three things:
a. White - your basic
b. A coordinating color to the patterned sheet on the flip side
c. Another pattern that coordinates to the flip side
You can use the white or the coordinating color as a layer. The layers don't
always have to be cardstock weight.
In my Heartfelt Thanks posting, I mentioned the brown layer was from a flip side
of patterned paper I did not like. It did coordinate with the pattern paper I
was using.
8. Starter paper for a fire :)
I am sure there are other "repurpose" items out there that I have yet to think of.
I would enjoy hearing about any times you have "repurposed".
Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Heartfelt Thanks and using supplies
Good morning Stampers!
The Heartfelt Thanks was already stamped. In fact several of them were stamped on a piece of white cardstock. There they sat. I would pick the sheet up, look at it and then push it aside not sure what to do with it. Because of the Lion Valentine I made, it reminded me that I had plenty of scrapbook paper that I had to have, but alas forgot what "perfect project" that I was to use it for.
I began going through my sheets and found this one. I liked the colors (it had bordering blue in it) and the design. I think this may be from a K & Co. scrapbook pad. The brown color is a flip side of another design (which luckily for me, I didn't really care for).
The ribbon is from Michael's. The button, from my button basket. I was going to tie a square not and then use a glue dot to put over the knot, but I decided that would be too bulky. So..I sewed the button on to the ribbon. It really did not take long. I took a short piece of ribbon and sewed the button on the two layers of ribbon. If I had knotted the ribbon, the tails would place the same way. So I am pleased how it turned out.
In this photo you see the accessories I used. I had some of this "Glitter Writer" from the "fabric painting" days. It does have a white or clear glitter in it, but I used is as an adhesive - 'repurposing' an item. I held onto it after all these years. Yep, reinforcing once again, not to throw anything away - UGGH. I thought I would try my hand at some glitter, as I don't use it much or think to use it. I had some fine glitter, again from many years ago!, and I wanted to try my hand at it. I used nutmeg for the center of the flower. A little darker than I like, but I think it is okay.
>
After all was said and done, I had some scraps left over. I was able to make a 4.25 x 4.25 card. This time I added the garden green behind the brown. It ties in with the leaves of the flower.
The Heartfelt Thanks was already stamped. In fact several of them were stamped on a piece of white cardstock. There they sat. I would pick the sheet up, look at it and then push it aside not sure what to do with it. Because of the Lion Valentine I made, it reminded me that I had plenty of scrapbook paper that I had to have, but alas forgot what "perfect project" that I was to use it for.
I began going through my sheets and found this one. I liked the colors (it had bordering blue in it) and the design. I think this may be from a K & Co. scrapbook pad. The brown color is a flip side of another design (which luckily for me, I didn't really care for).
The ribbon is from Michael's. The button, from my button basket. I was going to tie a square not and then use a glue dot to put over the knot, but I decided that would be too bulky. So..I sewed the button on to the ribbon. It really did not take long. I took a short piece of ribbon and sewed the button on the two layers of ribbon. If I had knotted the ribbon, the tails would place the same way. So I am pleased how it turned out.
In this photo you see the accessories I used. I had some of this "Glitter Writer" from the "fabric painting" days. It does have a white or clear glitter in it, but I used is as an adhesive - 'repurposing' an item. I held onto it after all these years. Yep, reinforcing once again, not to throw anything away - UGGH. I thought I would try my hand at some glitter, as I don't use it much or think to use it. I had some fine glitter, again from many years ago!, and I wanted to try my hand at it. I used nutmeg for the center of the flower. A little darker than I like, but I think it is okay.
>
After all was said and done, I had some scraps left over. I was able to make a 4.25 x 4.25 card. This time I added the garden green behind the brown. It ties in with the leaves of the flower.
I used the "fabric glitter" again as my adhesive and this time used a light blue glitter - yes, that I have had a while. I won't tell you how many years, or decade.
I thought this would make a nice Anniversary card so I used stamps from SU! Fundamental Phrases and my Stamp-a-majig. The Heartfelt Thanks is popped up using SU! pop dots.
Thanks for looking!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Happy Holidays and a dislike
Good morning stampers!
This is a card that I began before the holidays! After one distraction after another, here it is! I was inspired by a card that used the SU! Ski Slope DSP, but unfortunately, I cannot remember where the original source of inspiration is.
With the snow we are predicted to have in our neck of the woods, 8 to 10 inches by Saturday afternoon, I thought it was appropriate to share.
On another note..
I really dislike cheap adhesive tape! This was also sitting on my table and I decided to use it up. Notice how the paper backing has torn. I have to hold the edge of the paper down, apply pressure to the tape gun and then lift the paper edge up so the adhesive sticks to where I want it to. For those of you who have had cheap tape..you know the above steps already. I cannot wait to go back to the Tombow adhesive.
This is a card that I began before the holidays! After one distraction after another, here it is! I was inspired by a card that used the SU! Ski Slope DSP, but unfortunately, I cannot remember where the original source of inspiration is.
With the snow we are predicted to have in our neck of the woods, 8 to 10 inches by Saturday afternoon, I thought it was appropriate to share.
On another note..
I really dislike cheap adhesive tape! This was also sitting on my table and I decided to use it up. Notice how the paper backing has torn. I have to hold the edge of the paper down, apply pressure to the tape gun and then lift the paper edge up so the adhesive sticks to where I want it to. For those of you who have had cheap tape..you know the above steps already. I cannot wait to go back to the Tombow adhesive.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thinking of Spring
Good morning stampers!
I had been "blurfing" and came across a post at Kristina Werner's blog. She had a card I really liked and wanted to replicate. You can see her card here: http://kwernerdesign.com/blog/2009/01/finally-friday---dry-embossed-frame.html She also has a video on how she did the dry embossing for her card. (Someday I would like to be able to do videos like she offers).
Here is my version:
I used a retired SU! stamp set. I still had the Black Staz-on ink out and the watercolor paper - from the Valentine Day card. So, off I went again.
I began with Pretty in Pink as the base color. Then I layered Pale Plum and then Perfect Plum. I added some glitter to the "pistols" of the flower. Okay, I am drawing a blank on what those things are called. Stymens? maybe. Uggh.
I pulled out my square Wizrd die and used it to dry emboss on my cardstock using the SU! empressor. All I did was feel around for the "edge" and traced the empressor around the four sides. That created a "frame" for the crocus.
I attempted a bow at the bottom - like Kristina did on her card. I found out, I am not a big fan of tying bows on cards, because I am out of practice. Give me the square knot anytime!
The card is a 4 1/4 x 4/14 so I can still mail it in an A-2 size envelope. I have been working on thinking that it is okay if the card does not fit perfectly in the envelope.
I had been "blurfing" and came across a post at Kristina Werner's blog. She had a card I really liked and wanted to replicate. You can see her card here: http://kwernerdesign.com/blog/2009/01/finally-friday---dry-embossed-frame.html She also has a video on how she did the dry embossing for her card. (Someday I would like to be able to do videos like she offers).
Here is my version:
I used a retired SU! stamp set. I still had the Black Staz-on ink out and the watercolor paper - from the Valentine Day card. So, off I went again.
I began with Pretty in Pink as the base color. Then I layered Pale Plum and then Perfect Plum. I added some glitter to the "pistols" of the flower. Okay, I am drawing a blank on what those things are called. Stymens? maybe. Uggh.
I pulled out my square Wizrd die and used it to dry emboss on my cardstock using the SU! empressor. All I did was feel around for the "edge" and traced the empressor around the four sides. That created a "frame" for the crocus.
I attempted a bow at the bottom - like Kristina did on her card. I found out, I am not a big fan of tying bows on cards, because I am out of practice. Give me the square knot anytime!
The card is a 4 1/4 x 4/14 so I can still mail it in an A-2 size envelope. I have been working on thinking that it is okay if the card does not fit perfectly in the envelope.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Thinking of Valentines
Good morning stampers!
Well, as it turns out, the stamping mojo comes back to me the week before I return to school. I thought this semester I would not hold myself to saying when I would post, but post as I could. I really don't expect you to check everyday, but if you signed up through the RSS feeder, you will receive an e-mail notifying when I have posted something. Just something to think about. I utilize the RSS feeder for blogs I like, but don't have the time to check daily. I receive an e-mail when the person has posted something. Another nice feature is that e-mail you receive is actually the post with a picture - if there is one. I also know that some bloggers have only a partial post e-mailed to their RSS subscribers. That is so you will go to their website. The person may have their blog supported by advertisers and that person receives compensation one of two ways - when the "public" clicks on the advertisers icon or if the "public" actually purchases something off the advertisers website. So it is a way for the blogger to be compensated for their efforts - especially if they put a lot of effort into their blog. Some of these blogs appear to be a full time job - and I have read where some have quite their job to blog full time! That is how many "hits" they receive daily -to replace their income.
Anyway, I got to thinking of Valentine's day and actually wanted to work ahead. I began working on my son's Valentine's for preschool.
I am using supplies that I had on hand. I had this cute lion stamp that says "hi there" over his head. I picked him up at a local craft store, awhile ago, when they were advertising 2 for $1.00. So for 0.50 I got a cute stamp to use on my son's behalf. He can pay me back when he begins to earn "chore money" LOL.
I blocked the "hi there" and stamped just the lion in Black Staz-On ink. That image went onto watercolor paper. I added color by starting with Apricot Appeal as a base. then I used Really Rust to highlight areas, and then used Creamy Caramel all over. Because I stamped the lion on watercolor paper, I was able to blend the Really Rust color with the Creamy Caramel color. It softened the highlight color.
I then pulled out my Wizard Dies in the Oval and Scallop oval shape. I used my cuttlebug to cut the ovals and oval scallops out.
To make this more "Valentinesy" I used a retired SU candy heart set in Rose ink and punched the image out using a heart punch I have had forever! (Just when I think to let things go...I end up using it. Unfortunately, it just reinforces me not to get rid of things!) I used a SU! pop dot and attached him to the lion. Since my son likes hugs, I thought the "hug me" would be appropriate.
I also had this scrapbook paper - yes, I have had it for a while - and wanted to use it up. I thought it was perfect for the "boys" in his class. (I don't have the girls done yet, but it is similar template).
To get the verse on the front, I used the SU font CD (which is retiring) and printed that. When I ran the scrapbook paper through the printer, the pieces did not always stay in place. So, determined to use what I have I cut the piece in half and re-printed on the smaller square. Thus you get the two looks of the Valentine Day card.
Also - I used a 3 1/2 x 5 size card in Kraft. So it is more a note card size this year. I have yet to figure out what candy I am going to put with it or how I am going to attach it, but the card concept is done.
Well, as it turns out, the stamping mojo comes back to me the week before I return to school. I thought this semester I would not hold myself to saying when I would post, but post as I could. I really don't expect you to check everyday, but if you signed up through the RSS feeder, you will receive an e-mail notifying when I have posted something. Just something to think about. I utilize the RSS feeder for blogs I like, but don't have the time to check daily. I receive an e-mail when the person has posted something. Another nice feature is that e-mail you receive is actually the post with a picture - if there is one. I also know that some bloggers have only a partial post e-mailed to their RSS subscribers. That is so you will go to their website. The person may have their blog supported by advertisers and that person receives compensation one of two ways - when the "public" clicks on the advertisers icon or if the "public" actually purchases something off the advertisers website. So it is a way for the blogger to be compensated for their efforts - especially if they put a lot of effort into their blog. Some of these blogs appear to be a full time job - and I have read where some have quite their job to blog full time! That is how many "hits" they receive daily -to replace their income.
Anyway, I got to thinking of Valentine's day and actually wanted to work ahead. I began working on my son's Valentine's for preschool.
I am using supplies that I had on hand. I had this cute lion stamp that says "hi there" over his head. I picked him up at a local craft store, awhile ago, when they were advertising 2 for $1.00. So for 0.50 I got a cute stamp to use on my son's behalf. He can pay me back when he begins to earn "chore money" LOL.
I blocked the "hi there" and stamped just the lion in Black Staz-On ink. That image went onto watercolor paper. I added color by starting with Apricot Appeal as a base. then I used Really Rust to highlight areas, and then used Creamy Caramel all over. Because I stamped the lion on watercolor paper, I was able to blend the Really Rust color with the Creamy Caramel color. It softened the highlight color.
I then pulled out my Wizard Dies in the Oval and Scallop oval shape. I used my cuttlebug to cut the ovals and oval scallops out.
To make this more "Valentinesy" I used a retired SU candy heart set in Rose ink and punched the image out using a heart punch I have had forever! (Just when I think to let things go...I end up using it. Unfortunately, it just reinforces me not to get rid of things!) I used a SU! pop dot and attached him to the lion. Since my son likes hugs, I thought the "hug me" would be appropriate.
I also had this scrapbook paper - yes, I have had it for a while - and wanted to use it up. I thought it was perfect for the "boys" in his class. (I don't have the girls done yet, but it is similar template).
To get the verse on the front, I used the SU font CD (which is retiring) and printed that. When I ran the scrapbook paper through the printer, the pieces did not always stay in place. So, determined to use what I have I cut the piece in half and re-printed on the smaller square. Thus you get the two looks of the Valentine Day card.
Also - I used a 3 1/2 x 5 size card in Kraft. So it is more a note card size this year. I have yet to figure out what candy I am going to put with it or how I am going to attach it, but the card concept is done.
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