3amStamping Pad

Tips for Using Rub-Ons on Paper

Rub-ons are so much fun!  I've been playing with them on different surfaces: glass (see post of 3/19/08), ribbon, paper, card stock & chipboard.  I've made a few discoveries I'll be sharing with you.

If you cut out the image or phrase you want from the translucent sheet only, you will have fewer sticking problems from the rest of the images.

Use the Empressor Stylus with it's larger ball tips for all but the thinnest, smallest images.

Run the stylus over the image in circles unless it's a very thin line. This gives you more coverage with less effort.

Rub firmly until you can see the translucent sheet lifting away from the image - this means the image has been applied.

To counter act any unsightly depression in the paper, use the stylus to rub on the back.  Keep the translucent piece against the image so it won't stick to something else.

Want to try Rub-Ons?  Contact me to place an order, or schedule a workshop and earn them for free!

Stamp or Scrap Flip Books: Beautiful and Useful

Flip books are easy: take 2 pieces of equal-size chip board, punch holes in them (the Stampin' UP!®  Crop-A-Dile goes through chipboard like butter!) and join them with loose leaf binder rings or ribbon or hemp or wire or elastic bands, or... whatever you can think of!  Just make sure you leave enough "give" so the book will lie flat when it's open.

You can add pages, too.  I like my pages to be a little smaller than the book covers, so I leave about a 1/8" to 1/4" margin on 3 sides.  When I punch holes to match the covers, I line the page up with the cover and mark the holes from it.  I punch 4 layered pages at a time with my Crop-A-Dile – that's how many (4 thick, 4 thin) pages fit in the opening.

Note – if you're using binder rings, you'll need to make sure the holes are big enough for the pages to move freely.  I used 1" rings and punched the holes with the 3/16" side.

Flip books are great for albums of any size, especially theme albums.  I used the 5" x 7-1/2" OnBoard Book Basics leaves to create the one illustrated here.  Inside are photos of my grandchildren doing their favorite things.

Flip books are also terrific to use for:

• A hand-stamped monthly calendar with the Calendar stamp.
• A recipe book that will actually fit the whole recipe on one page and will stand up while you're working with it.
• A desk-top photo page of the day collection.
• A desk-top quote of the day collection.
• A desk-top affirmations collection.
• A collection of children's artwork, artfully displayed.

 And you can wall-mount them, too.  What other things could you use flip books for?  Feel free to add to this list with your comments.

Have you tried your hand at flip books yet?  Make sure to take advantage of the 25% off all Stampin' UP! chipboard products to get you started.  Call me at (707) 542-3696 or e-mail me at mary@3amstamper.com and place your order today!

Images (c) Stampin' UP!

There's Still Time for Occasions 2008 Mini

Stampin' UP! is changing the timing of the new catalogs to coincide with the two major conventions for demonstrators: Convention at the end of July and Leadership in the middle of January. This means items from both the Spring/Summer 2008 Collection and the Occasions 2008 Mini Collection will be available longer.

These are the new ending dates:
Spring/Summer 2008 Collection through August 10th.
Occasions 2008 Mini Collection through June 30th.

You can look at both by clicking on the on-line catalog link in the left-hand column.

If you want your own printed copy, contact me by phone (707) 542-3696 or by e-mail mary@3amstamper.com.

Reducing Static for Beads & Glitter

Here's a tip from subscriber Liz Stamp to go along with my "Easy Ways with Beads" newsletter:

Rub the Embossing Buddy over the Powder Pal tray before using it with beads and glitter. This will cut down the static and make the beads or glitter slide back into their containers more easily.

Thanks, Liz!

If you have a comment or tip to share, you may note it in comments on the companion post or e-mail me at mary@3amstamper.com and I'll put it in a post.