3amStamping Pad

Dad Cards at Last

My goodness, I'm way behind this week.

I made these for Father's Day, but didn't get to post them until today. The Happy Father's Day greeting from the All Holidays stamp set is on the inside.  This design could be used for birthdays or other celebrations with Dad, too... just change the greeting!

The Serif Essentials Bigz Alphabet Die Set is featured.  It makes a great base for a personalized design.  The letters are about 2-1/4" x 2" so 3 is a good limit for a 5-1/2" x 4" card. I made "faux layers" for the letters by running the brush tip of the marker along the edges.  You can also sponge the edges as I did in the "Dad-Golf" card.

Dad-Football Card

Stamp Sets:

#115006 Just Football

#115072 Sporting

#114916 All Holidays

Card Stock & Paper:

#100946 More Mustard 

#102128 Chocolate Chip

#100730 Whisper White

#112155 Riding Hood Red Patterns Designer Series Paper (can substitute #102030 Ruby Red Card Stock)

Ink & Color:

#111836 Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin' Pad (or #102259 Ruby Red)

#100908 Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad

#100071 Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker

Accessories:

#113464 Serif Essentials Bigz Alphabet Dies

#113439 BigShot Die Cutting Machine

#104430 Stampin' Dimensionals

#103683 Mini Glue Dots

To get the tiered effect, I adhered the first letter with Mini Glue Dots, then put the second letter on with Stampin' Dimensionals in a single layer, and the third letter with Stampin' Dimensionals stacked in a double layer.  I matched the sport cut-outs to the letter layer they were near.

Dad-Golf Card

Stamp Sets:

Just Golf (retired - try the ball and bat from Just Baseball instead)

#115002 Just Baseball

#115072 Sporting

#114916 All Holidays

Card Stock & Paper:

#105122 Handsome Hunter

#100730 Whisper White

#112157 Baja Breeze Patterns Designer Series Paper (can substitute #101563 Sage Shadow Card Stock)

Ink & Color:

#111833 Baja Breeze Classic Stampin' Pad (or #102532 Sage Shadow)

#101039 Silver Encore Pad

#100908 Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad

#100071 Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker

Accessories:

#113464 Serif Essentials Bigz Alphabet Dies

#113439 BigShot Die Cutting Machine

#104430 Stampin' Dimensionals

#103683 Mini Glue Dots

As you may have guessed, I made these for my favorite fathers in some of their favorite colors.  The third one I made was also side-fold with the "Just Baseball" set.  I arranged the letters diagonally from top to bottom, which gave a still different look. You can also do a top-fold card with the letters arranged straight across.

Try a word or monogram design in a variety of arrangements.  I'd love to see your results.  Email me at mary@3amstamper.com and attach a picture/photo/scan.  Plus, if you use all Stampin' UP! products (current or retired-include list of products used), and are a newsletter subscriber, you'll be eligible for my monthly contest and I'll automatically enter you.  To sign up for my newsletter, click on the button at left.

Scrapbook Theater Delayed

My design isn't working out like I'd thought it would, so I have to refigure.  In the meantime, I made this discovery:

A two-part card/cover really works well to lay flat when opened with the 3-Tier Cake Pop-Up Bigz XL Die (#116760).  I used a longer piece folded over about 1" or 2" and adhered a piece the same size without the fold-over at the crease.

If you want to try this and need to order the die or card stock, click on "Online Ordering" at the right, then "Shop Now" and you can browse the catalogs. Online Ordering is available 24/7 for your convenience.

Plus, if you order the 3-Tier Cake Pop-Up Die between now and June 30th, I'll send you a sampler packet of ultrafine Stampin' Glitter in a color that coordinates with your order.

Scrapbook Theater...

... is delayed this week.  I got a brainstorm at the last minute and am working on it now.  I hope to have the project posted by tomorrow morning - it's for Father's Day!

Check back later or subscribe to my feed in a reader by clicking on the "Subscribe to this blog's feed" link at left.

In the meantime, you can check out the newest kit designed for Country Living Magazine by clicking on the Cookout Kit button at right under "Specials."

3-Tier Cake Pop-Up Cards Class Postponed

I am rescheduling this class in a few months.  I am having problems getting the technique to work correctly, so I have to re-design.  If you've already registered, I will be contacting you shortly.  My plan for the re-designed class includes some very adorable projects, so stay tuned.  My new class will also be available for long-distance folks.

Crafters' Tool Kit - Long Needles

I am a little late with my Tool Time on Tuesday post.  Sorry about that, I was working on a special project for a non-profit organization I belong to.

I just realized that I haven't talked about the pair of long needles also contained in the Crafters' Tool Kit (#104310).  They are of slightly different lengths (2-5/8" and 3-1/2") and are great for faux sewing, tying on buttons or just poking holes!

Both have large eyes, which make them great to use as threaders for drawing ribbon through a hole.  You only need a short end through the needle eye.  If the ribbon is too long, it will be hearder to draw it through.  You can use it like a needle threader: put the eye through the hole, thread the ribbon, then draw the needle back through and pull the ribbon out.  You can also thread the ribbon through the needle like it's thread and "sew" the ribbon through.  Either way, you're not using as much ribbon as you would if you trimmed the ribbon on a long, diagonal to get it thin enough to thread through a hole.

The Crafters' Tool Kit (#104310) is on the Last Chance List, so if you don't have one, be sure to order right away.  You can click on the "Online Ordering" button at the right and shop 24/7 to make sure you get your favorites before they're gone.

Beach Ball Fun

I'm still having fun with the 3-D Ball Pop-Up Die (#116759).  I couldn't resist making a beach ball.  Actually, I have a whole bunch ready to make, including some to send to my grandchildren as a surprise (ssh, please don't tell).  They squash down great to fit into a large envelope:

I left off other embelllishments to make it more mailable.  I couldn't resist stamping, however:

Ocean Commotion Stamp Set (#114423)

Bold Brights 12 x 12 Card Stock Assortment (#106528): Yoyo Yellow, Tempting Turquoise & Real Red

Glorious Green Classic Stampin' Pad (#103040)

Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad (#100908)

Tangerine Tango Classic Stampin' Pad (#111834)

What fun things have you done with the 3-D Ball Pop-Up Die?  Show me, I'd love to share.

Email me at mary@3amstamper.com and attach a picture/photo/scan.  If you use all Stampin' UP! products (current or retired), and are a newsletter subscriber, you'll be eligible for my monthly contest and I'll automatically enter you.  To sign up for my newsletter, click on the button at left.

Ribbon Effect - Fast and Easy

I had some large photos of my grandson Ryan in his karate ghi and I wanted to make a simple layout in keeping with the clean lines of martial arts.

I used Ryan's two favorite colors: green and red.  To the Garden Green 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock (#102584), I attached a 3" strip of Candy Lane Designer Series Paper (#113980) overlaid with a 1" strip of the reverse pattern.  For the title, I stamped the Big Deal Alphabet Stamp Set (#114928) with a Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin' Pad (#111836) on Very Vanilla Card Stock (#101650 for 8-1/2" x 11" or #106530 for 12" x 12").  I cut out the letters, leaving a margin around the outside edges.  This makes a nice flat layout that slides into the page protectors easily.

I used the Big Deal Numbers Stamp Set for the date and finished off by journaling with the uni-ball (r) Signo White Gel Pen #105021).

The card stock and the gel pen are the only items not retiring at the end of June.  If you need to order the Stampin' Pad, Stamp Sets or Designer Series Paper, you can click on "Online Ordering" at the right and get them while they are still available.  Some of the accessories that are being discontinued are also at a special price - don't miss out!

Cutter Kit - Rotary Perforation Tool

The last blade in the Cutter Kit (#106958) is the rotary perforation tool.  Its icon is a toothed wheel arc with a dashed line above it.

The perforating blade opens out of the protective cover like the others.  You will need to press firmly to get a perforation line that tears as it's supposed to.  Only run the line once.  It will make a tear-away whether you used firm pressure or not.  The pressure will determine how clean the segment tears away.

I love this tool for making a gift card with a tear-off coupon or bookmark.  Slow and steady is also the best way to perforate with this tool, especially for coupons or bookmarks.  Use a thin metal ruler as your guide.

You can also use the perforation tool free-form to guide your tearing plans for vintage, shabby chic or distressed effects.  Go wild on your paper or card stock and see what you come up with!

To order, click on the Online Ordering button at right to get to the online store.  If you have questions, feel free to email me at mary@3amstamper.com or call (707) 542-3696.  And you may always leave comments below.

BigShot Cutting Pad Tip

Q:  My Cutting Pads are all scratched up on one side.  Am I doing something wrong?

A:  No, the Cutting Pads will get scratched as the die cuts against them.  This is normal, as are the popping and cracking sounds they make when you roll them through the BigShot.

I would suggest you turn the pads over to the unscratched sides to get more life out of them.  You can get the most use out of the cutting pads if you flip them over and switch off top and bottom when you cut.

Eventually, the Cutting Pads won't be as effective and you'll need to replace them.  The easiest way to tell when to get new ones is when paper slivers can't be brushed out of the scratches -- on all sides.  If you order your replacement pads when this starts to happen, you should have them before the Cutting Pads are totally worn out.

Cutting Pads come in three sizes: Standard (#113475), which work with all dies except the XL and Decorative Strip sizes; Extended (#113478), for the Bigz XL series of dies, and Decorative Strip (#113479), which work with the Sizzlits Decorative Strip dies.

If you need to get replacement Cutting Pads, order them online by clicking on the link at right.

If you have any other questions about the BigShot, please feel free to e-mail me at mary@3amstamper.com or call me at (707) 542-3696.  I will answer your question personally as well as posting the question and answer on this site.

Journaling Journal - Make It Fun

My journal contains meeting notes and project ideas, sketches and thoughts.  A lot of the material in it becomes posts right here on this site.  Of course, I couldn't look at all that lovely blank chipboard without stamping and embellishing it!  Somehow, that makes it easier for me to write in.

I try to remember to date my notes, too, so I can turn them into journaling blocks on a scrapbook page.  I've done layouts of some of my classes and workshops, which I'll post when I can photograph them well.

The OnBoard Art Journal (#10706, 5-3/4" x 8-3/4" size) I used has pages almost the weight of watercolor sketch pages - nice and sturdy.  They take the ink well and hold up under a lot of handling.  You could cut out your entries and mat them on a scrapbook layout, or tuck a page behind a picture, attaching a tab to pull it out for reading.

I've sliced through a page at each of the binding slots and lifted the page out without damage.  To do this, open the book to the page you want to cut out.  Turn the book so the bound edge is closest to you.  Then take a craft knife such as the Hobby Blade (#102449) and cut through the near edge just to the right side cut out.  Repeat for each ring and you'll be able to lift out the page.  You will also be able to put it back in the journal if you need to.

What does a journal bring to mind for you?  Please post in comments below.

It's A Tough Job...

...but somebody has to play with all the stamps and accessories to figure out how they work and how they can work best when you use them.  Such hard work - delving into rainbows and rainbows of colorful paper, inks and embellishments.  Not to mention deciding which to use with which!  And the tools!  Such a chore to learn to operate a die-cutting machine or an eyelet setter, or art paper punches!

I've always enjoyed using colors and images to make different things and show people how to do it, and now I get paid for it!  I also get to show people who say they're not creative just how to bring out their creativity.

I have the most fun job: creating rubber stamp art, designing scrapbook layouts, and figuring out how to show people how to do it easily.  Besides, it's my own business: I set my own hours and make as much money as I want.  If you'd like to own YOUR own business, click on one of the the Business Opportunity links in the left column or contact me at mary@3amstamper.com or by phone (707) 542-3696.

Cutter Kit - Rotary Scoring Tool

The next blade in the Cutter Kit (#106958) is the rotary scoring tool.  It has a folded card icon on the case.

Like the rotary cutter, the scoring blade opens out of the protective cover.  It's a handy size for scoring.  You will need to press firmly to get a scoring line.  You may have to repeat it a time or two.

I like this tool for scoring very small things.  I keep the item to be scored in place with Dotto Transfer Adhesive (#103305) and use a thin metal ruler as my guide.  The scoring blade is a blade, so it will cut through if you press too hard, and it will shave plastic rulers if you don't hold the blade perfectly upright.  Slow and steady is the best way to score with this tool.

To order, click on the Online Ordering button at right to get to the online store.  If you have questions, feel free to email me at mary@3amstamper.com or call (707) 542-3696.  And you may always leave comments below.