3amStamping Pad

Repairing Stamps

Crystal Effects does more than add dimension to your projects - it's also useful as an adhesive!  You can use it to glue beads to the surface of a project such as a pen or a frame and you can use it to re-adhere your rubber stamp image to its mounting block.  It also works to glue the foam cushion and the rubber image back together.

What other uses have you found for Crystal Effects?

Stampin' Scrub Pad

I had a mis-hap while putting together a stamp the other day and had to reattach it with an adhesive.  I had inked up the stamp before the mis-hap, so it needed cleaning.  While the adhesive was still wet, I very gently rubbed it on the wet side, then the dry side of the Stampin' Scrub Pad.  This is in contrast to my usual vigorous cleaning actions.  I learned that gentle is just fine to get the stamps clean!

Have you had any adventures with your stamp cleaner?  Please post or e-mail me and I'll report.

Choosing Colors

Color combinations play a big part in setting the mood or emphasizing the theme of a layout or an album.  I like to use a main color, a contrast or complementary color and an accent color for each layout as a starting point.  I usually use the same combination throughout an album, unless I change my mind, of course.

That's the cool thing about scrapbooking - you don't have to follow any rules except:  make sure the focus is on the pictures you're displaying.

Everything else is a guideline or suggestion.  I have been enjoying the color combinations suggested in the Stampin' UP! Collections each time - the Fall/Winter Boho West Style Watch (Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla) ended up as part of my kitchen remodel and will be used for my remodel memory book.

What are some of the colors you like to use for your pages?  Please feel free to comment and to send in a photo of your page or layout.  I want to start a "Parade of Pages" photo album and I'd love your contribution!

Colorful Confetti Background

Confetti always says "Party Time" to me.  I like the texture effect of the Confetti and Naturals Card Stock.  One way to bump up the party-hearty effect of these or any other card stocks is to use the Color Spritzer Tool and two or three Stampin' Write Markers.

One of my St. Patrick's Day projects includes a Naturals Ivory background layer freckled with Green Galore, Glorious Green and Only Orange.  Remember to make sure the brush tip of the marker is always set in the notch or you won't get any ink sprayed out.  I clean the notched tip of the Color Spritzer on a Stampin' Scrub Pad before I put a different color marker on it.  I hold the tool well above the paper to get the widest coverage and spray pattern.

What are some color combinations you like to use for Confetti backgrounds?

Punch Templates

Are you wondering what stamps you should use with your punches?  It's easy to find out!  Make a template of your punch on scrap card stock (or paper) and try it out on your stamp.  The images on the wood blocks of stamps you have are the same size as the rubber image.

The images in the Stampin' UP! Collections are also the same size as the rubber images they represent, so you would have an easy time deciding which stamp sets to get to go with your punches!

If you're in the Santa Rosa/Sonoma County, California area (or in the surrounding counties such as Napa, Marin, Mendocino & Lake), check out my Punch Pizzazz class in March!  See your class schedule for further information or give me a call if you don't have one. 

Hidden Journaling-Pockets

What do you do when you have a lot you want to say about a page or photo or layout, but don't have room?

You could write up your journaling in a word processor and print it  on vellum or coordinating colored paper in a tiny font that you can't read without a 10x or greater magnifier.  Then where would you put the magnifier?

Or you can write or print out on a piece of card stock that matches your background and put it in an envelope pocket adhered to the back of the page.  Make the pocket by sealing the envelope and slicing off one end before adhering. Punch a notch in the background and attached envelope with a circle punch so that you have a half-moon shape. Attach a ribbon loop with a brad to the journaling card and slide into the pocket.  There you have it.

What other ways do you use to put journaling on your scrapbook pages?  Let me know.  Send me a sample picture of your page or layout and I'll post it in a "Parade of Pages" album. 

Velvet Stamping

Stamping on velvet lets you exercise your creativity in everything from cards to clothes.  The key things you need for successful velvet work are:

1- Rayon velvet fabric.

2- An iron without steamholes on the soleplate, heated to Cotton/Linen temperature.

3-An image stamp that's molded (or burned) deep into the rubber and can be completely covered by the soleplate of the iron.

Once you've decided what you want to stamp, place your rubber stamp rubber-side up on a flat, heat-resistant surface.  Place your velvet piece on top of it and lightly spray with water.  Cover the whole image with your iron and press down.  Hold in place for about 30 seconds, then lift up without moving it.  Your fabric should be stamped beautifully.

The images that work best to stamp on velvet are solid silhouettes or thick line art.  The detail of fine line art, stippling or shading can get lost in the nap of the fabric.

Try this technique and let me know how it goes.

Better yet, send me a sample (you can e-mail a picture) and I'll post it here!