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I'm pleased to announce that there is extra time to register for the Sweet Treat Card Class on March 13th. The deadline is now March 11th!
There's still time to register for the Wheeling Around one-hour class on March 4th, too. Deadline is March 3rd.
Click here to see more details and register. Each of these classes promises to be a fun time!
I just got my Stampin' Up! Flower Folds Bigz XL Die (#115970) this week and had to try it out! This card is, naturally, quick & easy. I wanted a monochrome effect to do something different, so I chose a Soft Suede and Kraft combination with Whisper White accents.
Supplies Used:
Stamps & Wheels:
Card Stock & Paper:
Ink & Color:
Accessories & Tools:
Note that the Flower Folds Die-Cut area is longer than 12", so you will have to cut one of the flowers from an extra piece.
The large flower is 4-3/4" wide, as I've attached it, so you will need an oversized envelope for mailing. You can make a custom envelope by folding a matching piece of Designer Series Paper around the card and adhering it together. You'll need extra postage for mailing, too, because the button makes the envelope bumpy.
If you'd like to make this or a similar project and earn some or all of the products used, let's plan a workshop together. Give me a call at (707) 695-3571 or e-mail me at mary@3amstamper.com and let's chat. I look forward to tailoring the project to you!
There's still time to get the I {Heart} Hearts Stamp Set (#117010-wood mount or #118571-clear mount, uses Clear-Mount Block C #118486 and optional Clear-Mount Block A #118487) and help out with Haitian Disaster Relief! Over 11,000 of you have ordered these sets, which means over $20,000 to the fund! But hurry, the last day to help Stampin' Up! help out Haiti is Sunday, Feb. 28th. You can read more about it here.
If you think heart images are only useful for Valentine's Day, think again! This quick & easy St. Patrick's Day card went together in a jiffy!
Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets & Wheels:
Card Stock & Paper:
Ink & Color:
Accessories & Tools:
To order your own I {Heart} Hearts Stamp Set and help out Haiti (as well as get 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) 695-3571. And you may always leave comments below.
Note: the I {Heart} Hearts Stamp Set will continue to be available through April 30th. The $2 donation from Stampin' Up! for each set purchase ends Sunday.
Hybrid scrapbooking refers to albums or pages created in digital papercrafting software such as Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio (#118108) and embellished with traditional items such as die-cuts, brads or buttons and ribbon, etc. Creating albums from individual pages works best for hybrid scrapbooking because the complete printed photo albums don't leave you much room.
With My Digital Studio, you can design your page, including the embellishments you're going to add after it's printed and use it as a template for your hybrid work. You get to place your photographs where you want and not have to print them out separately. That saves you a lot of time and printing!
You can also print a page of stamped images or frames made from resizing punches that you can cut out and attach to your hybrid page. And think of doing a journaling block or a title on a separate page that you can layer. The added titling benefit is that you can lay it out to line up exactly as you want and know that it will print out perfectly!
To order your own copy of My Digital Studio (#118108) and see what hybrid scrapbooking can do for you, 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) 695-3571. And you may always leave comments below.
I thought you'd enjoy seeing a quick & easy All-Occasion card idea using the Punches Plus Classy Brass Template (#109539), which was featured in this week's Tool Time.
I dry-embossed the center circle using the Light Table (#102888) and Stylus (#100663) after I stamped the frame image. The Light Table made it much easier to line up the circles. I turned the layer over to pierce the holes around the frame with the Paper Piercing Tool (#116631), then used the Piercing Template and Piercing Pad from the Mat Pack (#105826) to make the border. Tip: Do the raised piercing last, otherwise you can crush your holes and have to re-pierce.
Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets & Wheels:
Card Stock & Paper:
Ink & Color:
Accessories & Tools:
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) 695-3571. And you may always leave comments below.
I love brass templates for dry embossing, but Stampin' Up!'s Classy Brass Templates are so much more versatile.
I've posted the Punches Plus Classy Brass Template (#109539) because it's typical of the newer brass templates. This one also coordinates with most of the Stampin' Up! Punches and gives you a piercing template besides.
For Dry Embossing:
Line up the image on the front of your card layer and secure with masking or painter's tape. I've used Dotto (#103305), but it stains the brass and is hard to remove (it works great on paper and plastic, though!). Turn the card layer over and rub gently with a scrap of waxed paper. Gently rub your Stylus (#100663) or Empressor Stylus (#100716) over the layer to locate the image, then trace around the edges, creating a raised image. This will work for either light or dark colored card stock and you don't need a Light Table (#102888). The Light Table works great to add a dry embossed image to a stamped layer, but the layer needs to be of lighter colored card stock so the light will show through. The table allows for easy image placement.
For Stenciling:
Place the imge on your card layer and secure with masking or painter's tape. Cover the nearby openings with tape or paper. Use Stamping Sponges (#101610) or Sponge Daubers (#102892) to apply ink around the image.
For Paper Piercing:
Place your card layer on top of the Piercing Mat (the spongy one) from the Mat Pack (#105826). I always place the included Cutting Mat underneath to protect my table. Line up your image and poke holes with the Paper Piercing Tool (#116631). Use the design from either side, depending upon the effect you want.
To order your own Classy Brass Templates and the tools to use with them, 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) 695-3571. And you may always leave comments below.
I'm evaluating my 3am Stamping Pad site and looking to make it easier to get around. This process will take me several weeks with my crazy schedule.
I am very open to suggestions that you would like to see. Feel free to leave them in comments below or email me at mary@3amstamper.com.
This is an example of what you will learn to make when you attend my Sweet Treat Cards Class. I made these for my special people for Valentine's Day. The cards you'll be making will be of different styles, but they will all be refillable with your favorite treats. The class will be on March 13th from 1 to 5 pm and costs $30. You can see more details here.
The class will use both the round Sweet Treat Cup (#116802) as seen in the Holiday Mini Catalog and the Heart Treat Cup (#120435) I talked about here. We will also be using the Stampin' Up! Magnetic Movers & Shapers Curly Label Bigz XL Die (#114506), along with Stampin' Up! Holiday Windows (#116821) and Stampin' Up! Punch Windows (#115953) to place the cups easily.
Keep checking back for more samples of what you'll be making in this class. The deadline to register is March 5th, so don't miss out. You can see the details and register here, or click on the button below and guarantee your spot.
Did you know the BigShot Die-Cut Machine (#113439) cuts fabric? It does - beautifully! This appliqued quilt square was made from die-cut fabric pieces stitched to a cloth square. You can frame it for a fabric art piece, or use it in quilting, to decorate a purse or tote, photo album cover, or a scrapbook page!
Best of all, it uses those odd scraps that you'd usually throw away! The directions and pattern, designed by Stampin' Up!, are ready for download here. A list of supplies used is included.
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) 695-3571. And you may always leave comments below.
My next catalog purchase is the Stampin' Up! Flower Folds Bigz XL Die (#115970) for the BigShot Die-Cut Machine (#113439). This die is on page 201 of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog. (If you don't have your own copy, feel free to look in the Online Store). I've seen so many cute ideas made with it that finally decided to get one for myself.
With all the different materials the BigShot uses, Flower Folds die cuts can be used for so many things. It's designed to make 4 flowers suitable for layering, but you could use each flower by itself. At Convention, I saw an adorable brooch made with the die and fabric! I've got a ton of other ideas to do with it, so keep checking back to see (www.3amstamper.com)!
by Monna Ellithorpe
(continued from 2/10)
Below are some suggestions to help make better use of your time with your hobby:
1. Gather all of your pictures together from a single event.
2. If you have the room, lay out many sheets of cardstock and lay the pictures on the cardstock at random.
3. Have sketches available to use as a guide.
4. Gather your embellishments that you plan to use; maybe you have a theme or just plan to use whatever appeals to you at the time.
5. Decide if you are going to cut your mats and photos with a straight edge or with a decorative edge.
6. Do not forget to make a journal box for each of your pages.
7. Don't worry if you are not able to finish your pages at one time. At least you have a start and the next time you have a few minutes a good portion of the decision making has already been done.
8. Last and most important, have fun and remember the event as you work on your pages.
Always remember enjoy your hobby and don't feel as if it is another job.
For more ideas, inspiration, learning to use your limited scrapbooking time more wisely and making great looking scrapbook pages, I would like to invite you to visit http://www.squidoo.com/Scrapbook-Sketches-500 which also includes free bonuses for cardmaking ideas and Christmas quotes.
"Copyright (c) Monna Ellithorpe. All Rights Reserved."
I love Stampin' Up!'s scissor collection. These are my favorites and I use them every day!
Craft & Rubber Scissors (#103179):
These scissors have a short, thick blade; comfortable, right- or left-handed grip handles; and can cut through a variety of thicknesses and textures. I used to use them to cut through the rubber when I mounted my stamps (I'm so glad they're now die cut!). You can also cut through aluminum, twine, ribbon, Texture Cuts Wood Sheets (#116309), Sticky Pages (#114300) and many other materials.
The 1-3/4" blades may be sharpened when they get dull. These scissors are easiest to use and most comfortable on your hand when cutting out shapes such as stamped images, circles, etc.
Paper Snips (#103579):
Ideal for snipping, these scissors are small and have very thin, sharp blades. They come in a protective sheath. Use these to cut into tiny areas or to snip the ends of thin ribbon such as Taffeta or Organdy.
The tips of the 2-1/2" blades are sharp and pointed, so they will let you cut all the way to the end. When these scissors get dull, they need to be replaced. The blades are too thin for sharpening. Be aware that your hand may get tired if you cut too many small shapes at one time, so be sure to rest in between.
Craft & Paper Scissors (#108360):
These are deluxe, high-quality crafting scissors with 3-3/4" thick, sharp blades and ergonomic grip (right-handed only, sorry). The long, heavy blade is perfect for cutting ribbon or card stock as well as other materials.
Use these when you need to make a crisp, straight cut, such as trimming an image mat to size. The Craft & Paper Scissors work best with straight lines or with fabric and ribbon. The thick blades may be sharpened when they get dull. You may want to keep a pair just for fabric (top quality sewing scissors) as well as one for everything else.
Cleaning Tips:
All these scissors work best when they're cleaned of adhesive. They can easily be cleaned with a spray of Stampin' Mist (#102394) on both sides of the blades. Open up the scissors on a paper towel, spreading the blades as far as they'll go. Spritz both sides and let them sit for a minute. Gently wipe off the adhesive with a dry paper towel. Repeat if the adhesive is particularly stubborn, or use a commercial gummed label remover.
Ribbon Cutting Tip:
When you're cutting ribbon, make sure you are holding the end taut. If the end is loose, you'll get a distorted cut that you may not want.
How to Get Your Own:
To order your own scissors, 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) 695-3571. And you may always leave comments below.
Take advantage of the Sale-A-Bration Business Opportunity and start your new business with a smaller investment. This lets you build your business and make it more profitable even faster. Stampin' Up! is offering a 15% savings for new Demonstrators who sign up during Sale-A-Bration. In addition, these new Demonstrators get to pick a free stamp set (valued up to $47.95) to add to their Starter Kit.
Like rubber stamping but love your computer? The same savings and free stamp set are offered for the Digital+ Starter Kit. This kit contains fewer stamp sets and adds the My Digital Studio papercrafting solution software. This software has allowed me to get more scrapbooking done in 6 months than I have the previous 10 years!
If you would like to find out more about becoming a Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator, give me a call at (707) 542-3696 or (707) 695-3571, or e-mail me at mary@3amstamper.com. I'd love to chat with you about my business and talk about what the possibilities can do for you.
I've got a few tips for working with the On Board Books in die-cut shapes, so I thought I'd post the directions for you with the tips worked in. These can be adapted for whatever shape you like. The large picture and list of supplies is in yesterday's article.
Try out your own version of this project and share your artistry! 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.
Not that my family's for the birds (or at least not most days), but I got this idea to frame their pictures with the bird shape the minute I saw the Occasions Mini Catalog. The On Board Books in die-cut shapes (Bird #117238, Heart #117236, Scallop Circle #118306) really sparked my imagination!
These books are meant to be a flip book. With the ball key chain, you can easily add extra pages. There are 8 chipboard shapes all punched and ready. But you can use them for so much more!
The holes for the chain will let you make a banner to show off photos, celebrate an occasion, or highlight your rubber stamp art. Or, like I'm doing here, you can use the shapes as individual frames. and hang them up. When I'm finished, I'm going to have a flock zipping across my wall.
Supplies Used:
Card Stock & Paper:
Ink & Color:
Accessories & Tools:
I chose colors that go with my decorating scheme and will be alternating Creamy Caramel (#102514) with the Sage Shadow Scalloped Circle. When you make your own flock (or set of hearts or scalloped circles), you'll probably want different colors. Don't know where to start? Try picking a Designer Series Paper pattern that you like (pages 160 to 163 of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog or various pages in the Occasions Mini Catalog), then card stock colors to coordinate with it. The coordinating colors are listed below the design title.
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) 695-3571. And you may always leave comments below.
I've been practicing a new technique I learned - faux reptile. You can call it faux snakeskin, but it also works for turtles, lizards and small dinosaurs. I am planning a 1-hour class in April with this technique, so keep an eye out for it.
by Monna Ellithorpe
Your scrapbooking layouts can make all the difference in how your pages look. The key is to have many scrapbook sketches available already there for you to choose from and to help you get over those times when your own creative ideas are at a standstill.
Your pages do not have to be perfect by any means and sometimes you will produce a page that no matter what you do, you are just not happy with it. Don't stress over it, just put it in your scrapbook and move on.
Remember scrapbooking is supposed to be fun, so don't make it into a chore just to get it done.
When you do find a sketch or layout that you like, experiment with it. Make your page about just one picture; add more pictures or less pictures; move them around; put the pictures on an angle; line them up and down or across. Walk away from it for a while and come back later with a fresh outlook and then just make the page and start another one.
I have discovered in my own scrapbooking sessions that if I have a sketch to go by, the hard part is already done. All you need to do is embellish with ribbons, buttons, lettering, stickers, glitter or what ever kind of embellishments you like the most. Cutting your mats and pictures with decorative scissors or if you have cutters with different cutting edges always adds a nice touch to your pages; experiment with different cutting edges.
A very important part of scrapbooking is "do not forget the journal box on your pages." In the future when family and friends look at your creative scrapbooking efforts they will want to know what was happening at the time, who is in the picture and where they were. This will keep the interest of any one viewing your scrapbook pages. It is such a disappointment when looking at a scrapbook full of pictures and you have no idea of who the people are in the pictures; no dates; no notes; nothing. Journal on every page even if you cannot remember the details, put as much information in your journal block as you can.
If you have quite a few pictures of one outing, a birthday party or some other event, it is always a plus and if you have the room to lay out many sheets of cardstock and just start laying your pictures out on each piece of cardstock as you go along. I have used this technique quite a few times and have been able to produce up to 10 pages in one session in my scrapbooking room. Believe me it is a great feeling to get so much accomplished at one time.
(continued to 2/18)
"Copyright (c) Monna Ellithorpe. All Rights Reserved."
I've got my new schedules for the rest of February and March posted, so you can check out the pages under events. The monthly Product Clinic is coming up on the 24th and the 27th features a glitter-fest! You can sign up for each right on on the Classes & Events Page!
Now that my friend (one of the original Road Pirates) is past his birthday and he should have received his card by now (yes, I sent it a teeny bit late), I can show it to you. You can use this design for a multitude of greeting purposes for your pirate-loving friends and family.
Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets & Wheels:
Card Stock & Paper:
Ink & Color:
Accessories & Tools:
The inside is stamped with "Arrgh" and has a hand-written note with birthday wishes. You can use this 'sentiment' for congratulations, retirement, get well soon, and a whole lot of others as well.
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) 695-3571. And you may always leave comments below.
