3amStamping Pad

Scrapbook Surprise Page

Here is the finished page with the Look Here Bigz XL Die (#115966) as a pop-up page embellishment that includes an extra picture and journaling.

To see the ingredients list for the page addition, click here.  I also used some of them for the page.

I used the retired Basic Brown Stampin' Write Journaler, but the Basic Black one (#105394) will work just as well on the Ruby Red page.

These pages are going into a Flip Book that I'll be showing for my Fantastic Flip Books Stamp Camp.  To see more details and register, click here.

Versatile Bone Folder

The Bone Folder (#102300) is a pretty amazing little gadget.  It has so many uses, it's the #1 tool in my box - I reach for it before I reach for any card stock or paper.  These are my top five tips.

 

Creasing:

The Bone Folder is thickest in the middle and tapers to every edge in a gentle curve.  This allows you to fold and crease your card stock with a soft crease when you use the curved middle or make a sharp crease with the tapered edge.

Scoring:

The pointed end is ideal for making score lines.  Use any kind of straight edge and draw the Bone Folder point along it wherever you want the score line placed.

Dry Embossing:

You can use the Bone Folder to make patterns in paper, either raised for the embossed look or indented for the debossed look.  Use the pointed end for more precise marks.  The curved end will give you different effects.  For embossing, place your paper or card stock right side down on the Piercing Pad from the Mat Pack (#105826) and draw your design.  For the debossed look, place it right side up.  Be careful not to press too hard or you'll tear your design.

Texturizing:

The Bone Folder also makes a handy tool for texturizing with heat embossing.  Coat your surface to be embossed with pigment ink such as a VersaMark Pad (#102283), Craft Stampin' Pad or Encore Pad, depending upon the project.  Cover it with your desired embossing powder and tap off the excess.  Draw your texture design on the surface with the point of the Bone Folder, tapping off any flaking.  Melt the embossing powder with the Embossing Heat Tool (#100005) and let cool.

Crafter's Helper:

• I use my Bone Folder to hold down my card stock when I'm heat embossing an image.  Bone doesn't conduct heat as much as metal.
• The Bone Folder also saves wear and tear on my fingers and hands when I'm creasing card stock.

 

What other uses do you have for your Bone Folder?  I'd love to hear about them.  Post them in the comments section below.

 

If you're missing a Bone Folder, you can order it by clicking on "Online Ordering" at right, then on "Shop Now."  You will wonder what you ever did without it!

Gift Card Holder Turned Scrapbook Surprise

I made a birthday card/gift card holder for my grandson's birthday using the Look Here Stampin' UP! Bigz XL Die and the Pirate Time stamp set.  (Turned out very cute!!) While I was working on it, I thought the project would make a neat addition to a scrapbook page.  Notice how I incorporated one of my tips from Thursday's (the 23rd) journaling post.

This is the card holder as a page addition:

Inside view:

I will post the finished page when it's done. The photos are still in the camera!

Here is the list of what I used:

Stamp Sets & Images

• #116718 Pirate Time
• #111256 Dotted Lines Jumbo Wheel

Card Stock & Paper

• #106527 Earth Elements 12x12 Card Stock Assortment
• #100730 Whisper White 8-1/2x11 Card Stock (or #108588 Neutrals 8-1/2x11 Card Stock Assortment)
• #112164 Chocolate Chip Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink & Color

• #100908 Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad
• #102277 Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
• #102259 Ruby Red  Classic Stampin' Pad
• #100537 Summer Sun  Classic Stampin' Pad

Accessories

• #115966 Look Here Stampin' UP! Bigz XL Die
• #103661 Jumbo Stampin' Around Handle

The Look Here Die makes a really nice pop-up element for both cards and pages.  To order your own and add "pop (-up)" to your projects, click on Online Ordering at right, then click "Shop Now."

Rub-On Round-Up Card - My Challenge Continued

For this last card, I didn't want to cut up more Cameo Coral, and I had a piece of So Saffron the right size, so I used it.  I also used a scrap of the Designer Series Paper as the "ribbon" because it showed up better than the other ribbon.

Rub-On Round-Up Card - Dream Gardens Crane

Stamp Sets & Images:

114395 Dream Gardens

Card Stock & Paper:

105118 So Saffron

102584 Garden Green

101650 Very Vanilla

112152 So Saffron Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink & Color:

100908 Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad

Accessories:

113886 Planter Box Rub-Ons substitute for A Perfect Day Rub-Ons shown

106958 Cutter Kit

104430 Stampin' Dimensionals

You've seen some of my ideas using Rub-Ons, so why not try some yourself.  I'd love to see what you come up with.  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.

Journaling in a Line

Do you like the journaling on your pages to look like you've written it in straight lines, but you don't want any lines to show?  Try one of these tips for some "barely there" guiding lines that let you journal in straight lines, but there's no need to erase pencil marks! (I hate having to erase pencil mark guide lines because I never wait long enough for any ink to dry, so I end up smearing!)

Both my tips use the Dotted Lines Jumbo Stamping Around Wheel (#111256) and Stampin' Around Jumbo Handle (#103661).  This wheel makes terrific straight lines, even if you don't use the Stampin' Around Wheel Guide (#104834).  I use the guide when I need precision placement, but if I don't - I'm just free wheelin'!

• Ink up the wheel with a VersaMark Pad (#102283) and wheel the dotted lines in watermark as part of your background pattern.  The dots will show as a gorgeous tone-on-tone design that won't be obvious as your writing guide.  The pattern is easy to see in many of the colors.  Very Vanilla and Whisper White tend to be low contrast for the watermarking.

• Ink up the wheel with the same color ink pad as your background card stock.  Wheel the dotted lines where you want to write.  Journal with a high-contrast marker or pen.  As the ink dries, it will fade into the background, eventually becoming almost invisible.

For the palest or darkest colors, use bright light on your writing surface when you journal.

Give one of these tips a try and let me know what you discovered.  You can post your results in the comments section below.

Rub-On Round-Up Card - My Personal Challenge

When I planned my Rub-On Round-Up Class, I challenged myself to use one stamp set, one color combination and the same rub-ons and accessories for all the items I made.

I didn't quite have the rub-ons I wanted, so I had to use a different set for one of the cards.  I used retired Rub-Ons sets, but you won't have the same problem because the substitute set I'm listing has everything you'll need.

Rub-On Round-Up Card - Dream Gardens Lady

Stamp Sets & Images:

114395 Dream Gardens

Card Stock & Paper:

100475 Cameo Coral

102584 Garden Green

101650 Very Vanilla

112152 So Saffron Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink & Color:

100908 Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad

102272 Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad

Accessories:

109065 Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon

109069 Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon

113886 Planter Box Rub-Ons substitute for Hidden Garden Rub-Ons shown

102892 Sponge Daubers

104430 Stampin' Dimensionals

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.

Crop-A-Dile Revealed

The Crop-A-Dile is a hole punch and eyelet or snap setter in one tool.  What I love about it is that it sets eyelets silently - a silent setter that is truly quiet!  You may not get the hammering satisfaction you would with a tap & die style, but you can set eyelets and embellishments without waking up kids/grandkids/spouses!

The hole punches are in the "wings" on either side.  One is 1/8" and the other is 3/16" in diameter.  You can punch holes in as thick a piece or stack as will fit in the gap between the hole and the punch mechanism. I've done two pieces of covered chipboard or eight thicknesses of card stock with one punch.

You can use the markings along the edge of the hole punch to determine placement.  It's a full inch marked in 1/16" increments.  You can align the edge of your material with the adjustable guide so that all your holes are the same distance from the edge.

 

The "nose" of the Crop-A-Dile is the setting tool.  In the picture shown, the "Top" is on the left side and the "Base" is on the right.  To change the setting faces, pull the cube out and rotate it to the one you want, then push it back in place.  The Top cube is marked with letters A through D on each face.  The Base cube is marked with 1 through 4.  You can mix and match the tops and bases, depending upon the eyelet, snap or embellishment you want to set.  The package instructions tell you which face is for what type of embellishment.

As a bonus, the Crop-A-Dile is nice and heavy and makes a pretty good hammer! 

To order, click on the Online Ordering button at right to get to the online store, then click on "Shop Now."  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.

Deal of the Week 7/20 - 7/27

This week's deal from Stampin' UP! continues through 9:50am Mountain Time on Monday, July 27th:

# 112454 Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware $18.99 (reg $29.95)

You can see them on page 178 of the 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalog.

This is one of my favorite projects using the Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge:

I used #102125 Kraft Card Stock for the label and #109068 Kraft Taffeta Ribbon around the card front.

Tip for the Styled Vanilla label holders:  If you're using punch-outs for the labels, you will want to attach them to the label holder with #110755 Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive or #101055 Crystal Effects.

To order or browse & order, click on Online Ordering at right, then "shop now."

Embossing Elegance in a Flash

I was playing with my new Embosslits and Textured Impressions Embossing Folders on my BigShot this morning and came up with this instant Thank-You card. It took less than 5 minutes, including setting up the BigShot, and is great when you need something at the last second.  I used some of my scraps and came up with a soft Spring/Summer look.

Card Stock & Paper:

• 105124 Apricot Appeal
• 102795 Gable Green
• 100730 Whisper White

Accessories:

• 115957 Stampin' UP! Thanks Embosslit
• 115964 Stampin' UP! Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
• 114319 Whisper White Organza Ribbon
• 107301 Whisper White Medium Envelopes

How To:

1. Emboss 5-1/4" x 4" Gable Green in the Elegant Bouquet Folder.
2. Emboss & cut 2-3/4" x 2-1/2" Apricot Appeal in Thanks Embosslit.
3. Wrap 6" of Organza Ribbon around 4" width of embossed Gable Green.  Adhere ends to back with #104332 SNAIL.
4. Adhere Gable Green embossed layer to folded 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Whisper White Card Stock with #103683 Mini Glue Dots.  These will allow you to place the adhesive and adhere the layer without crushing the embossed design.
5. Adhere Thanks embossed cut-out across ribbon with #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals.
6. Grab an envelope and you're ready to go!

Tip: You can make 4 Embosslit cut-outs at one time from a piece of 5-1/2" x 4-3/4" card stock. Place 2 folders on each side of the card stock.  They will all fit comfortably on the Standard Cutting Pads (#113475) and you'll have 4 embellishments from one trip through the BigShot (#113439)!

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.

Deal of the Week 7/13 - 7/20

This week's deal from Stampin' UP! continues through 9:50am Mountain Time on Monday, July 20th:

#109112 Square Fire Rhinestone Brads $6.99 (reg $10.95)

You can see them on page 179 of the 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalog.

One of my Rub-On Round-Up Samples didn't turn out the way I thought it would, so I grabbed the Round Fire Rhinestone Brads for camoflage:

The square brads would work as well.  The brads come in pink, yellow, red and orange rhinestones and are great colors for adding Summer sparkle!

To order or browse & order, click on Online Ordering at right, then "shop now."  

Deal of the Week 7/6 - 7/13

Stampin' UP! is offering a great deal this week, from today through 9:50am Mountain Time on Monday, July 13th:

BigShot Doctor's Bag (#113474), regularly $69.99, is on sale for $49.99!

Take a look at it on page 194 of the online catalog (click on Online Ordering at right, then "shop now" to get to the catalog).  The bag fits your BigShot, cutting pads, platform, several dies and accessories, all in an easy-to-carry tote bag. It's perfect to take to crops or card-making parties.

3-Tier Cake Pop-Up How-To Video

I'm working on adding YouTube and other videos to my site and it's taking me a while.  In the meantime, I'll be posting links to some of my favorite video locations for you.  I plan to replace them with more direct links when I figure it out.

Today, I have a link to a how-to-do-it video from Stampin' UP! that features the 3-Tier Cake Pop-Up Bigz XL Die.  Click here and enjoy!

Happy July!

And Happy New Stampin' UP! Year!

Introducing the 2009-2010 In Color collection with this project:

I always do an In Color Sampler card at my New Catalog Open House and this one is this year's.  If you're in the neighborhood, come on by and make your own!  Click here (July Events & Classes link) for more details.