3amStamping Pad

Stampin' UP! is Going Digital

I can't wait for the official release of Stampin' UP!s new My Digital Studio.  It is planned for a Fall release, but so far it doesn't look like it'll be available September 1st.  Soon, though, and I am chomping at the bit.

I am one of those who takes tons of photos with my digital camera, then leaves them in the computer where they're nice and safe.  I have no real excuse, my printer is very nice and does photo printing well... I just don't get to it!  Digital scrapbooking with My Digital Studio is going to be perfect for me - I will have no real or artificial excuses allowed!

The program includes the complete Stampin' UP! color palette, including a selection of retired InColor choices (yes, Baja Breeze is one!).  The design elements include images from a large number of stamp sets, Designer Series Paper patterns, and tons of templates.

You are not limited to scrapbooks, although you can make them in a large number of sizes.  You can design greeting cards in a variety of sizes and other items, too.  I am looking forward to trying this out for designing projects for my workshops and classes as well as doing photo greeting cards in a snap!

You'll get to see the program in the Holiday Mini Catalog, which will be coming to you shortly if you are on my mailing list.  If you're not, you can sign up by clicking on the link at left.  You can also e-mail me a request to mary@3amstamper.com.

Artist's Message regarding Wood Sheet Wonder

Artist Iner Jorgensen confirmed that he stamped the grasses with a Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad (#115657).  He also pointed out that he hammered the brads to give them more of a nailhead look.

Give this technique a try and post your results here in Comments.

Owner's Clinic Starting this Month

I am going to be holding a Product Owner's Clinic on the 4th Wednesday of each month, from 7:30 to 9:00pm.  This will give you the opportunity to learn how to use your Stampin' UP! products in more detail.

This month, we'll be looking particularly at the Stamp-A-Majig, the Crop-A-Dile and 2-Step Stamping sets.

The clinic will be held August 26th at 7:30pm, 2305 Jose Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA.

There is no charge and no RSVP needed, but you will need to bring your own purchases.  You are also welcome to try out the items you don't have.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my by phone at (707) 542-3696 or (707) 695-3571, or email me at mary@3amstamper.com.

Making a Deep Impression

I promise from now on I will not wait to post until I have a picture for you.  I intended to put this up on Saturday, but haven't had a chance to do a project for you that illustrates the idea.  I will post one soon.

You may have seen how defined the Textured Impressions Embossing Folder images are.  (Click here for an example.)  The Texturz Plates don't seem to want to be impressed quite as deep.  I learned a tip at Stampin' UP!s Convention that really makes a difference:

Before you get your Texturz Plate "sandwich" ready to run through your BigShot, spritz the card stock or paper with a very light mist of plain water.  You don't need to get it too wet, just damp enough to soften the fibers and allow them to mold to the design on the plate.

If your pattern is still too light, try shimming with the plastic pieces from the Premium Crease Pad or with a layer or two of paper, card stock or cardboard.  If the "sandwich" is too thick to go through the BigShot with light but firm pressure, you need to take a shim piece out.  If it's too thick, it could break your BigShot.

Give this a try and let me know what you think.  You can post in the comments section below.

To see the exclusive designs in the catalog, click on "Online Ordering," then "Shop Now."

Wood Sheet Wonder

I saw a terrific card idea this morning using our new Wood Sheets (#116309).  Fellow demonstrator Iner Jorgensen poses with his simply super art work.

I forgot to ask for the "recipe," but he did stamp the Wood Sheet with either Soft Suede (#115657) or Close to Cocoa (#103139) Classic Stampin' Pad inking the (#117100) Wood Grain Background Stamp.  The hammer and greeting are found in the Totally Tool Stamp Set (#113256).  The grasses look sort of like the Inspired by Nature (#111656) enhanced with the Autumn Days Stamp Set (#115452).  The effect is very neat.

If you'd like to give Wood Sheets a try, you may order them by clicking on "Online Ordering," then "Shop Now."  I'd love to see your creations in "wood."  Please send me a scan or photo to mary@3amstamper.com.

By the way, I did see a really cool idea using the Sizzix BigShot Originals Leaves #2 Die (#113459) with the Wood Sheets, but I didn't get a picture of it.  I will be working up a similar example to post and show you.

Easy Treat Box

Lunch and dinner buddy Jennifer Daubert, a former professional model who has converted to rubber stamp art, displays her treat box for the camera.

She used the Baroque Border wheel with a Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Pad and Flight of the Bumblebee Stamp Set with Melon Mambo.  The butterfly in the 1-1/4" Whisper White circle embellishment also top the lid.

We had a great time today and I really enjoyed meeting Jennifer and stamping with her.  This is one of the terrific benefits to being a Stampin' UP! Independent Demonstrator.  To find out more, click on the "Business Opportunity" link.  You can also call me at (707) 542-3696 or send me a note at mary@3amstamper.com.

By the way, now is a great time to invest in your own rubber stamping and scrapbooking business: from now until August 31, you can get the Mini Starter Kit for $85.00.  This is great if you have a lot of current catalog stamps in your personal collection and don't want to add a whole lot to it.  If you need to augment (or start) your collection while you start a business, you can get the regular Starter Kit ($199) and will receive all 6 In Color Stampin' Pads and a package of In Color Assorted 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock as a bonus. Click here to see the details.

Swiveling Scallop Circle Card

Fellow demonstrator Karen Collins shows off both views of her Scallop Circle card:

She used Basic Black, Whisper White and Crushed Curry Card Stock with a brad pushed through all layers to achieve the swivel.  The inside view shows where you can put your message.

 

I forgot to get the recipe from Karen, so check back here for further information.

Hand Stamp Your Own Jewelry

It's check-in day at Convention and I oohed and aahed over the myriad swaps and hand-crafted items made by my fellow demonstrators.  One gorgeous necklace really caught my eye.

 

Here fellow demonstrator Margaret Short is modeling the pendant made by her daughter, demonstrator Kathy Thorn.

The beaded chain and jump rings were acquired from a craft store.  You can make your pendant hanger from braided cord such as the metallic Elastic Cord (from last year's Holiday Mini Catalog that will be available in this year's Holiday Mini - ssh, don't tell & act surprised on Sept.1st!) or use Gingham Ribbon on 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog (IBC) page 183, or 1/4" Grosgrain (also page 183), which you can change to suit your ensemble or mood.

The monogrammed pendant is made from two Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware Designer Labels (#111325), a Filigree Brad jacket (#112577), a piece of card stock stamped with the "M" from the Lovely Letters Alphabet Set (#115030), embellishments from the Pretties Kit (#109114) and Crystal Effects (#101055) to hold it all together.

1. To make the pendant, stamp your monogram on a piece of card stock and punch out with the Designer Label Punch (#107590).  You can stamp another image for the back and punch it out also.  (The reverse side didn't show up well on camera, so I'll only be describing it.)
2. Adhere the two labels together. Attach one side of the card stock image to one of the Designer Labels with Crystal Effects.  Glue the 2nd Designer Label to the reverse side with Crystal Effects, lining up edges so they'll stick together.
3. Place one side up on a flat, non-porolus surface and coat the image inside the label opening with Crystal Effects.  Be generous and prepare to let it dry overnight.  Attach the rhinestone from a Clear Rhinestone Brad (from Pretties KIt) while the Crystal Effects is still wet.
4. Once dry, coat the reverse side generously and attach a Half-Round Pearl (from Pretties KIt) then let dry overnight.
5. Attach filigree jacket to bottom end of label pendant with silver jump ring.
6. Attach larger jump ring to top of label pendant and slip chain, cord or ribbon through the loop.  Your pendant is ready to wear!

Try other labels from the Hodgepodge Hardware set and see what you can do.  To order, click on the Online Ordering button at right, then "Shop Now."  Send me a picture or scan, I'd love to see and share your work!

Swiveling Eyelet Shanks

Consider this a further revelation about the Crop-A-Dile.  Click here to see the original post.

You can get almost 1/8" of materials to swivel on a Jumbo Eyelet shank by using Top A with Base 2 on the Crop-A-Dile.  I discovered this by accident today as I was making something to take to Convention tomorrow.  This little tip doesn't appear on the package!

Browse the online catalog for the Crop-A-Dile and your choice of Jumbo Eyelets by clicking on Online Ordering at the right, then "Shop Now."