3amStamping Pad

Capture Your Child's Imagination

One of my grandsons drew me aside the other day and told me a story he'd made up.  He's 4 and the story was about some of his favorite fictional characters.  It was so cute how he told me about it, that I got the idea to scrapbook it and any of his other stories.  Here's what we'll be doing:

• I will be making a book with a page (or a layout) for each story.
• He will be dictating to me and I'll print the story out to put on the page.
• He will stamp some images to go with it and we'll lay out the page together.
• Each page will go into a page protector, then into an album.

I think the OnBoard Album (#112456) will be perfect for this project, since we'll be able to decorate it easily.  Plus, you can fit extra pages inside, so it will hold a lot of stories!  I'll post pictures as we go.

What are some of the things you do to scrapbook your child's life?  Share your ideas in the comments section.  Click on "comments" below the post to bring up the comment block.  If you don't see comments, click on the post title and they'll show up.

Help for Haitian Disaster

From now until February 28, 2010, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set you buy to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. This money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Product Name                                    Item # 

• I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount    118571

• Clear-Mount Block D         118485 (you will need this to use the clear-mount stamps)
  

• I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount    117010

To order, click on the Order Online button at right, then click "Shop Now" 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.

Simply Easy Surprise Box

Do you need a super-fast gift or treat?  Try this quick & easy Mini Milk Carton!  You can fill it with tiny treats that you can pour in (M & M's, Skittles, Jelly Bellies, or Cinnamon Hearts, etc.) and your gift recipient can easily pour out!

The finished size is 1-5/8" x 1-5/8" x 3-1/4."  The photo makes it seem larger than it really is.  Here's all you need to make it as shown:

Stamps & Wheels:

• 112476 Bella's Border
• 118590 Tiny Tags (Clear-Mount)
• 118487 Clear Mount Block A
• [or use 118091 Tiny Tags Wood-Mount]

Card Stock & Paper:

• 100475 Cameo Coral Card Stock
• 102316 Naturals White Card Stock

Ink & Color:

• 103035 Cameo Coral Classic Stampin' Pad
• 100814 Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pad
• 101199 Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Around Cartridge

Accessories & Tools:

• 109038 Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
• 109857 Mini Library Clip
• 113439 BigShot Die-Cut Machine
• 113476 Premium Crease Pad
• 117310 Stampin' Up! Mini Milk Carton Bigz L Die
• 102971 Stampin' Around Handle
• 117190 Medium Jewelry Tag Punch
• 108362 Crop-A-Dile
• 101227 1/16" Circle Handheld Punch
• 104294 Sticky Strip
• White embroidery floss or thread (available at sewing, craft or dry goods stores)

How To:

1. Cut out a Mini Milk Carton from 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" card stock.
2. Wheel design along carton base.
3. Fold carton according to directions that come with the die.  Adhere sides, base and half of top (the side opposite the spout) with Sticky Strip.
4. Punch 1/8" hole in top close to spout.  Tie ribbon through hole and knot.  (For those of you not bow-challenged, you can tie a bow.)
5. Stamp tag images and punch out with matching punch.  Punch hole in top with 1/16" circle punch.  Thread floss through tag and ribbon knot and tie off.
6. Attach library clip as shown.

The new Bigz L Die fits almost exactly on the Standard Cutting Pads (#113475).  I recommend using the Premium Crease Pad (#113476) to get the best fold lines.  Without the Crease Pad, you run the risk of cutting through your folds.

The Mini Milk Carton is so much fun!  I can think of a dozen ways to decorate it.  What about you?  How would you dress up your milk carton?  Put your thoughts in the comments section below so we can all share.  If you don't see the comments link, click on the title and it should show up.

To order what you need to complete this project, click on the Order Online button at right, then click "Shop Now" 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 don't forget to leave your comments below.

Easy to Make Jewelry in a Snap!

I had a dinner party to go to last night and wanted to accessorize with the jewelry in Stampin' Up!'s new Simply Adorned line.  It took me about 15 minutes to make the inserts (including getting out all the supplies and unpacking the chains and charms) and about 15 to put together the necklace and bracelet.  I took so long because I have large fingers and thick nails, so it was harder for me to attach those itty bitty clasps.

Here I am in all my finery:

 

And here are closer looks at the collection.

 

One thing I realized as I wore my creations was that I needed to have higher contrast on the inserts.  Next set, for Valentine's Day, will be much brighter so people can see the images better.

Each Simply Adorned Charm comes with templates so you can cut your inserts to the right size.  The templates and a padding layer in each charm let you know how thick your insert can be.  My rule of thumb is the 5/8" charms can hold 2 "pages" of card stock and the larger charms can hold 3 (or 2 pages and a thin embellishment).  I can't wait to play with them some more!

If you have played with the Simply Adorned line, share your projects!  Email me at mary@3amstamper.com and attach a picture/photo/scan.  Plus, if you are a newsletter subscriber, include the list of supplies used and you'll be eligible for my monthly contest.  To sign up for my newsletter, click on the button at left.

Card Contest Entry-Honorable Mention

This Christmas card was so cute that I had to share it with you.  It came in second behind the winner and it was a very close race.

Designed by Jennifer Varley.

My papercrafting contest monthly and is for mailing list subscribers only.  To get on my mailing list and sign up for my newsletter, click on the button at left.

Sweet Treat Cups for Your Valentine

Here is another new product-just in time for Valentine's Day!  I think Stampin' Up! is giving us a Summer Mini Sneak Peek, but we certainly need it for our Valentines!

 

The Heart Treat Cups (#120435) match perfectly with the Full Heart Punch (#113093) and the Sweetheart Stamp Set.  The stamps come in both wood-mount (#120415) and clear-mount (#120780) versions.

The first batch of the cups will be in limited supply, so be sure to order yours right away.  Just click on the Order Online button at right, then click "Shop Now" 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.
 

New Products Now Online

It's the season for Sale-A-Bration AND the new Occasions Mini Catalog.  Check out the exciting new product lines:

Occasions 2010 Mini Catalog:

New Clear-Mount stamp sets!  You get the advantages of a clear block with the quality of a deep-burn rubber stamp image, plus the stamp storage case saves space!!

The Simply Adorned line is now available, except for the 1-1/2" x 2" Rectangle Charm (I'll keep you posted).  See pages 32 & 33 of the Holiday 2009 Mini Catalog for the images.   Also, the Charming stamp set on page 32 is still available-its images are perfect for the charms.

Additions to the Build-A-Bear Workshop Collection!  Both stamp sets and dies!  The complete line is available, but not all images are shown.  You can see them on pages 34 through 37 of the Holiday Mini.

New Punches in an easier-to-use, space-saving style!  My 4-year-old grandson has tested these, so I know it's true!

And much more!

Also available from the Holiday 2009 Mini Catalog are all 3 Shimmer Paints shown on page 27.

Sale-A-Bration:

Everything listed in this brochure is FREE with an order of $50 in product.  There is no limit!  If you order $100, you get to pick 2 free items, $150 = 3 free items, and so on!

For the first time, catalog merchandise is ALSO available for free with a $50 order.  You must use the special numbers in the Sale-A-Bration brochure to order your free items.  If you order online and a dollar amount other than zero shows up on your SAB item, delete it and refer to the brochure for the correct number.

Definitely Decorative Additions:

The Definitely Decorative Catalog Insert adds a Chalkboard vinyl to the Decor Elements line.  You may have gotten a sneak peek of this with the 12 Days of Holidays sale that included Chalkboard and colored Decor Elements Vinyl Sheets.  The sheets are available in the On-line Store under Die-Cutting > Raw Materials.

Click on the buttons at the right under "Catalogs" and see what's new!  If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me by phone at (707) 695-3571 or email to mary@3amstamper.com.