Scrappin out loud

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Adding colored pencils to a stamped image

Today's video technique is by one of scrappin's biggest names, Jennifer McGuire created this video using colored pencils to add dimension and interest to a stamped image. The supplies aren't SU (cuz JG is workin for Hero arts in this video) but, of course, you can get a similar image and all of these supply equivalents from me, if you are interested in trying out this technique.

Happy Stampin!!!

"Magic Card" tutorial

Any little guy, would be thrilled to get a card like this!!! Isn't it fantastic? To see a video tutorial on this card, click here.

Unclogging gel pens tutorial

I found this step-by-step tutorial on Captain Craft, I haven't tried it myself yet, but, when you are desperate, you are desperate and I am sure I will give it a try next time I need to use one of my white gel pens and it doesn't cooperate. I do know that you should store the little buggers upside down, to help prevent clogs in the first place (No, of course I don't follow my own advice, lol) So, without further ado, the fabulous: Captain Craft

Here's the long anticipated gel pen repair tutorial. I know I'm not the only one that loves and hates the white gel pens, and I know I'm not the only one out there with a stack of white gel pens that don't work. So I have developed a crude way to fix these pens and get what we paid for; WHITE GOLD!!!!!!

There's a few things you need to gather to do the repair. You need a white eraser, a craft knife, and the white gel pen (of course). In the first picture you can see that I cut a piece of eraser just bigger than the hole of the ink insert.

In the second picture shows the piece of eraser that will be a plug. I have just inserted the eraser plug into the ink insert. I know what you are all thinking square peg round hole, trust me it will work and save you money. Also in this picture you can see other plug that I have inserted, I just put another one in to show you it looks like upon insertion. You'll only need one maybe two plugs.

In picture three, I'm showing what I use to push the plug down deeper into the ink insert. So each time you push the plug, and ONLY A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME, your pen will work once again. If you push too much the ink will flow out quickly and destroy you work so test on a scrap piece of card stock.

In this last picture you can see a before and after. Now remember push the plug just a wee bit.

One last bit of info, I use the ink insert as the pen (I don't reassemble the pen) and I toss the rest of the pen bits.

Well there you have it, I hope this fix (not a pretty fix, but, a fix just the same)works for you.

Thanks for looking.

Good Luck! I will come back and let you know when I have tried this myself

Stamping with Bleach tutorial

I stumbled across this fantastic video on the memorial day blog hop, I have been a fan of using bleach with my stamps for some time now. Dapple Designs created this video, enjoy!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Support the Ronald McDonald House

As part of the Making a Difference program, Stampin' Up! is a national sponsor of the Ronald McDonald House Charities. In addition to an annual contribution of $100,000, Stampin' Up! designs a stamp set to promote the partnership.

To find out more about this worthy cause, visit the Ronald McDonald House here

This year's stamp set, Say It With Scallops (#111678, $17.95) is about to retire! Buy it before June 30 and Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from the sale of that set to the RMHC. These multi-purpose images are perfectly sized for use with the Scallop Square punch (#112081, $15.95)! you can get both, through June 30th, right here for only $30.00, that's almost a $4.00 savings!
Purchase yours now, to donate to a great cause!

Simply Scrappin Album-in-a-day

12" x 12" Scrapbook Album in a Day Class

That's right! An ENTIRE beautiful scrapbook, 20 pages (10 two-page spreads), completed in just a few hours! Let me show you how it's done! When you get this kit, you will be ready to complete a 12x12 album, ready for photos, AND a "scrap map" so that you can duplicate this great book over and over again with different designs and themes! Just select the Simply Scrappin' kit (2) of your choice from pages 162–165 of the Stampin' Up!^® Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog.

2 Sweet Simply Scrappin'

Best Ever Simply Scrappin'

Hoppy Memories Simply Scrappin'

Lo Mejor De Todo Simply Scrappin'

Love Sparkles Simply Scrappin'

Love Stories Simply Scrappin'

Petal Party Simply Scrappin'

Rock-A-Bye Boy Simply Scrappin'

Rock-A-Bye Girl Simply Scrappin'

Sunshine Garden Simply Scrappin'

Sweet Nothings Simply Scrappin'

Tailor-Made Simply Scrappin'

Class Fee: $60

Which includes: 2 Simply Scrappin' kits of your choice*, additional 12" x 12" card stock, scrap map handout, and adhesive.

Optional add-on: Don't have an album? Get one with your class supplies for an additional fee. Select from the following colors of linen albums: Natural, Mellow Moss, Real Red, or Navy. Normally $35.17 for post-bound or $31.64 for ring-bound, but $30 with this class.

* Simply Scrappin Kits include 3 sheets each of two different 12x12 papers, 2 sheets each of 4 different coordinating color cardstock; 2 sheets each of 6"x12" adhesive die cuts

What's the big deal about copics?

If you are a paper crafter, I am certain you have heard about copic markers, they are a to-die-for addition to any crafter's stash! I found this on one of the copic websites:

Copic Glossary

ABS/Airbrush System- Copic Airbrush System. Works with either a compressor or Copic aircans. Uses either Sketch or Copic Markers. 1 2 3 4 Troubleshooting

Alcohol Markers- Copic markers are alcohol (ethanol) based dye markers, that are known for being low-odor and giving smooth, vibrant colors. Since they are a dye, they will fade in bright lights, but they are acid free on most surfaces. Anything with alcohol in it will react with these inks. Any Copic marker type is refillable with replaceable tips. They will not cause paper to pill when going over it many times, nor will they dissolve photocopies.

Blender- The Copic Colorless Blender pen/ink. This is ethanol based and is not the same as blender pens from other companies. Used for fixing mistakes, making colors lighter and for special effects.

Booster- A needle that attaches to an ink bottle that makes it easier to refill dry or empty markers.

Ciao Marker- Round body Copic Marker. Super Brush nib/Medium Broad nib standard, Medium Round nib optional. Refillable. 144 colors. Cannot airbrush.

Color Family- The letter at the beginning of your color name (B, BV, V, RV, R, YR, Y, YG, G, E (earth), F (Florescent), Grays & Blacks: C (Cool Gray), N (Neutral Gray), T (Toner Gray), W (Warm Gray) 100 Black, 110 Special Black

Color Saturation- This is the first digit on a color name. Colors that are 00's, 10's, or 20's will be more vibrant (B05, G16, R29), while colors that are in the 70's, 80's or 90's have more gray added (B95, BG78, G94) and are closer to the neutral/earthy end of the color spectrum. Note: E (Earth) markers don't necessarily follow this rule.

Color Group- A sequential group of colors within one color family with the same first digit (i.e. E30, E31, E33, E34, E35, E37, E39) where numbers ending in 0 are the lightest and 9 is the darkest, also called Natural Blending Group

Copic Certification- These are classes for teachers, store owners, or designers who want to learn techniques and advanced tips on using Copic markers, Airbrushing, etc. for papercrafting. Each class is about 7 hrs, and will be held regionally. Check here for listings of upcoming classes.

Copic Marker- This is the original, square body-style marker. Standard Broad/standard fine nibs, 7 optional nibs. Refillable, holds the most ink to start with. 216 colors, empty markers available. Airbrush Compatible

Multiliner- Fine Line inking pens by Copic in 9 different sizes, 5 colors, plastic disposable body design. Pigment based, archival, acid free. Will not bleed with Copic markers (on non-glossy paper)

Multiliner SP- Fine line inking pens by Copic in 10 different sizes, 12 colors in two sizes. Aluminum body, refillable with replaceable tips. Pigment based, archival, acid free. Will not bleed with Copic markers (on non-glossy paper)

Opaque White- Thick white, waterbased paint applied with a brush after you are done coloring with markers. Used for adding highlights and accents into a completed picture.

Sketch Marker- The most popular marker type. Super Brush/Medium Broad nibs standard, Medium Round nib optional. 322 colors, empty markers available. Airbrush compatible- 2 spray patterns

Spica Glitter Pens - also called atyou Spica pens. These fun, pigment based pens are filled with micro glass flakes, giving a very subtle, elegant sparkle. Keep stored flat, though if they are giving you troubles, try storing them point down overnite.

Wide Marker- Large, background marker. Extra Broad nib standard, Broad calligraphy nib optional, 36 colors, empty markers available

Various Ink- Also called Refill Ink or Re-inkers. Each bottle holds 25 cc's of ink. 322 colors available, empty bottle for mixing custom colors also available. Great for making alcohol ink effects, such as Faux Stone or covering large areas. When you see streaking in your work it's time to refill. You can refill directly from your bottle of ink, or you can use a booster needle. Try not to overfill.
For refilling dry markers: Ciao- add 1 to 1.5 cc's ink Sketch- 2 cc's Copic 2-3 cc's Wide 3-4 cc

Friday, May 22, 2009

Sizzix Big Shot Video

I found this video on you tube, demonstrating the big shot cutting the Bigz dies. Stampin Up has several exclusive dies that you can't find anywhere else. With the new catalog coming out this summer, one can only guess that some of these babies might be retiring. Hurry and order yours now, before they are gone. If you place a $50.00 order between now and the end of May, I will throw in an a

anced copy of

the

new catal

g ($10.00 value) To purchase any of these exclusive dies and get a free catalog, click here

A Fun Flower made of scraps

Fellow Blogger Andrea W, created these fabulous flowers using her paper scraps, aren't they great, What a great way to use up all of our SU paper scraps before the new Catty comes out!

Cut nine squares of different sizes.

Spray each with a little water and crinkle up. Allow to dry.

Layers each one on top of one another, making sure to stagger.
Stick a push pin though your button centre and...

tie on button.

More Sneak Peaks!!

The June issue of Creating Keepsakes features a die-cut favor box made with the new Stampin' Up! Fancy Favor Bigz XL die from the upcoming 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog.

NOTE: This product is not yet available. However, I thought you might enjoy an advance sneak peek. This amazing product along with many more new Stampin' Up! products will be available for purchase on July 1, 2009, when the new Idea Book & Catalog is released.

In Color Rumors: Out of control!!!!

As most of you know, the new Stampin' Up Catalog is due to be released next week (june 1) and we are all chomping at the bit to get our inky fingers on them!

Lots of speculation out there, But some of the rumors I have pieced together for you: see photo to the left for a possible sneak peak at some of the new in colors and Designer series paper. These are the names of some of the fabulous new colors (No guarantee, just what I am hearing on the message boards, these could be DSP or In Colors)

Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo and Razzleberry Lemonade

With all the buzz and speculation over the new catalog, least we not forget, this means the new "Last Chance" List will be out on the same day, the current In Colors, many of your favorite Designer papers and current stamps will be retiring. Hurry and get the ones you want before they are gone! You can order them now, before they are gone, place a $50.00 order and I will throw in the new catalog for free! Visit my SU website now

Happy Stamping!!

Tutorial: Envelope Die - resized to fit a Gift Card

Fellow SU demo and one of tremendous inspirations, Patty Bennett created this fantastic tutorial to alter the sizzix envelope die into a gift card holder, amazing work Patty!!!!