Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Stamping Techniques Video
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Keep the comments coming ladies! It is inspiring! Only a few days left before I give away the awesome Christmas Punch Stamps!!
PS earn even more chances by ordering from my SU website or purchasing one of my class-kits-to-go. I promise, you wont be disappointed. Place an order here or on my SU website and you will get 5 extra entries for the Blog Candy.....
PS what do you all think of the new blog design?
Selecting The Right Scrapbooking & Rubber Stamping Cutters
Your scrapbooking, rubber stamping, and cardmaking projects will look perfect when you use the proper cutting, trimming, and scoring tools. Understanding the differences between these tools helps to insure that you are using the right tool for the right job.
The most popular trimming and cutting tools are the guillotine table top trimmer, mini personal paper cutter, and the rotary trimmer. Paper punches, scoring blades, T-squares, and shape cutters are important to have on hand as well before starting your project.
The guillotine trimmer is the traditional paper trimmer you can find any office supply store. A long sharp blade (often curved) is hinged at the base and is lifted above the paper and down directly on top to make a straight cut. Please keep in mind that not all guillotine trimmers are made well. You’re going to need a solid, sturdy guillotine trimmer with tight fittings. Make sure the handle doesn’t flex at all or you will be consistently frustrated by crooked cuts. Another great feature is a detachable blade which can be sharpened or replaced.
Rubber stamping projects often require simple cuts to mattes and small pieces of stamped card stock. The personal trimmer is the perfect tool for the routine trimming and can fit inside your desk drawer. Small paper trimmers usually have safety features that make them especially suitable for trimming small items held by hand close to the blade. This allows you to crop small pieces of hand stamped card stock, trim tiny wallet photos, and matte stocks. Personal paper trimmers are not suitable for long straight cuts because they are usually made of lightweight plastic.
Rotary trimmers are the newest of the bunch and have become favorites for many different reasons. For rubber stamping and scrapbooking projects, the rotary trimmer excels because you can purchase many different styles of artistic cutting blades. Need to make a straight, curvy edge? Want to perforate a homemade envelope? With the rotary trimmer, this is no problem. You’ll want to find a model that has easily interchangeable blades. In addition to table top trimmers, many rotary trimmer systems also come with handheld trimmers that use interchangeable blades and allow you to cut shapes like circles and flowers. Handheld rotary trimmers use a self-healing cutting mat. You’ll find many different sizes in the craft section of your local department store or fabric store. The unique cutting surface is specifically designed to allow you to cut any shape with your rotary cutter and can be used many times without showing wear.
Shape cutting tools have come a long way and are quickly become a favorite tool for scrapbooking enthusiasts. Because they allow you to cut many different shape styles with one inexpensive tool, they are much more inexpensive than individual paper punches. One thing to look for when purchasing a shape cutter is the quality of the pivoting head. You should be able to cut in one smooth motion without the blade catching on any part of the template.
Paper punches are the easiest way to make sure your shape is perfectly cut every time. Your paper punches should be easy to use and have no trouble cutting through card stocks. If your paper punch becomes difficult to use, it could be a result of glues or adhesives getting into the die mechanism. Usually a spray of a silicone lubricant will solve this problem.
T-squares and the scoring blades are tools that can be very helpful while stamping and scrapbooking. Durable T-squares that will last many years can be purchased at your local hardware store. Cheaper styles can be purchased at a craft store. Buy a quality T-square that has a tooled edge for making perfectly straight lines and cuts. You will be able to line up corners and make perfect mattes. Scoring blades are used to make straight tears and folds along the corner edges of handmade greeting cards. Designer scoring blades allow you make decorative tears on scrapbooking paper and card stock.
You should get at least one version of each of these cutting tools to enjoy all of the benefits. Having the right trimming and cutting tools saves time and makes your finished paper craft project look much better. Buying high quality tools that will last for many years will insure inexpensive overall costs and usually a much better look. Give them a try today and see how they improve your work!
Kathy Williams loves working in Rubber Stamping Fun, her online stamping store, and enjoys writing informative articles about rubber stamps and scrapbooking.
Author: Kathy WilliamsArticle Source: EzineArticles.com
Cricut Flower Bouquet
Today's Featured Project
Twick or Tweet Favor Box
Twick or Tweet? "Tweet" is our answer, without a doubt! Our cute little bird (incognito, of course) is ready to delight your friends and neighbors with his bucket of treats this Halloween. For recipe or purchase information, just click on the project!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Poker Challenge: Daily Inspiration
I came across this blog today and am totally inspired!!!! Daily Inspiration provides different daily challenges to help you find your scrapbooking mojo!!! LOVE IT!!!! Take a look at today's challenge....
Draw five cards from a deck and use the corresponding items from this list to make your LO or project!
more red than black - more patterns than cardstock
more black than red - more cardstock than patterns
2 - buttons
3 - ribbon
4 - ric rac
5 - fiber
6 - glitter
7 - chipboard
8 - brads
9 - eyelets
10 - a punch of some sort
J - gems
Q - hearts
K - flourishes
A - stamps
Today's Featured Project
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Rubber Stamping with chalk
Free SVG: Black Cat
Sunday, September 13, 2009
My new Blog design is almost done!!
Scrapbook Embellishments made easy
Home design trend focuses on what women want: Scrapbook rooms
Home builders have long realized women were their target customers. Even so, they rarely asked women what they really wanted.
By: Tammy Swift, INFORUM
And so, for decades, homes were built with tiny closets, cramped foyers and small, isolated kitchens.
But all that’s changing. One local builder, Heritage Homes, has adopted a patented design concept known as “Woman-Centric Design,” which offers floor plans and marketing techniques based on five years of women-oriented market research and focus groups.
“It taught us a whole new perspective in building and selling homes,” says Tyrone Leslie, president and CEO of Heritage Homes. “It’s our duty as a builder to understand our customers. And shame on us for not doing that sooner.”
Woman-Centric Design is the brainchild of a Nebraska-based company, Design Basics Inc., which is – fittingly enough – headed by a woman.
Design Basics’ female-centered marketing is based on one key statistic: that women directly purchase or control influence in the purchase of 91 percent of all homes, Leslie says.
An example of Heritage’s Woman-Centric design can be seen at this fall’s Parade of Homes. It’s located at 1924 7th St. E., Charleswood, West Fargo.
This home stands in sharp contrast to many older homes and old-school design approaches. Not so long ago, builders expected women and their families to adapt themselves to a limited choice of floor plans, rather than letting women determine how the house could fit their needs, Leslie says.
But Terry Becker says women have always been a vital part of the home-building process. As president-elect of the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead and a custom builder, Becker says women influenced home design throughout his 30-plus years in the business; they just have many more design options today than they did a few decades ago.
Becker says certain building trends – increased storage, more luxurious master bedrooms and expanded foyers/mudrooms – have all been influenced by the female customer. While male customers may have strong input on specific aspects of the house, such as the theater room or the shower, the majority of design decisions are made by women, he says.
Design considers storage, flexibility
Heritage Home’s Woman-Centric design is a 4,296-square-foot rambler with gourmet kitchen, maple cabinetry, granite countertops, five bedrooms and three baths. It’s listed in the $524,900 price range.
But it’s also built to follow four key concepts of Woman-Centric design:
These perks sound tempting, but they also beg the question: During tougher economic times, will people pay a little more for extras?
Leslie believes they will. “They’re willing to pay if they understand it and know they’re going to use it.”
And how do men think about all this female-centered marketing? Do they feel marginalized?
“At the end of the day, what they really care is that their wife is happy,” Leslie says.
Rubber Stamping Techniques
Ever wonder where some of these stamping techniques come from? Ever wonder how someone did that great technique? Here are a few resources to help you find new techniques.... I hope you find atleast one source or technique that is new to you!
Art Glitter: outlines techniques and information on AIG Glitter and Transparencies
Stamp Mall: instructions for Aluminum Foil Stamping
The Stampin Place: using a rubber brayer to attain creative background results
The Stamping Studio: tutorial and instructions to make stamped and beaded pens
Stampin Addicts: how to create textured and dimensional stamped backgrounds
Rubber Road Adventures: over-stamped bleached background technique
Stampin Buds: tips for using blending pens
Michael Shannon: offers a tutorial on simple and creative book making
Brass-Stencils: embossing tips and information on using brass stencils
Scrapbookie: how to make a scrapbook using brown paper bags
Clearly Rubber Stamping: using rubber stamps and colored ink on candles
After Midnight Stamps: CD Pin instructions and tutorial
Craftbits: simple tutorial on making CD Sun Catchers
Altered Book: how to make a mini coin envelope tag book
Deb’s Stampin Spot: tips and techniques for using Crystal Lacquer
Swirlydoos: using Alcohol Inks to customize your stamped projects
DIY Network: Tutorial for making your own button and cork stamps
Scrapbook Advice: discusses types, uses, and applications of decorative pens
The Enchanted Gallery: creative Domino Art ideas and techniques
Stampin Up: illustration of Dry Embossing technique
Moments of Your Heart: using embossing powder to achieve color
Tale of Hare: embossing powder tips, tricks and recipes
Instructables: complete instructions for making Envelope Books
By Donovan: instructions and templates to make your own envelopes
Expression Art: how to artfully stamp on faux tiles
Joggles: easy tutorial outlining fabric stamping technique
Blockhead Stamps: instructions for glass marbling with Micro Marbles
US Artquest: instructions for making glass ornaments with stamps and pigments
Cloud 9 Tips & Techniques: tips and techniques for using Glaze Pens
Eureka Stamps: using stamps to embellish with gold leaf flakes
Scottish Border Stamping: explains the use of the Grid Technique to create stamping patterns
Art Without Anxiety: explains the different types of ink and inkpads used for various stamping techniques
Iris Folding: lesson plan and project tutorial on the art of Iris Folding
D.Harm Trading: general information and application ideas for Lumiere Paints
Learn 2 Stamp: the basics of the Medallion stamping technique used to create dimension
Atlas Quest: provides direction on mounting your own stamps
Michaels: instructions for making an acrylic stamped notepad holder
Fun Science: illustrates how to make your own paper at home using recycled paper products
Ecstasy Crafts: explains the general technique of Paper Trapunto design
Fabric and Art: tips and techniques for using Pearl Ex Powdered Pigments
Sara Jane Studio: illustration of the use of the Polished Stone Technique for making textured backgrounds
Makers Gallery: simple illustrated instructions on how to make Pop Up Cards
Craft Town Hobby Land: details the use of Rainbow Sponges and provides project ideas
Scratchboard: tutorial on Scratch Board basics
Scrapbook.com: Provides thousands of themed and inspirational scrapbook layouts
Split Coast Stampers: using the Shaving Cream Technique to create dimensional backgrounds
Creative Mode: illustration of the Slide Stamping technique
Close to My Heart: how to use a candle to create the Soot Stamping effect
Sparkle N Sprinkle: general techniques for spotlight stamping for highlighting effects
House of Stir Fry: provides templates to create your own stamped playing cards
Soap Impressions: instructions for stamping on soap
Coxes Art & Stamping: provides a comprehensive glossary of stamping terms, including abbreviations and techniques
Trystan Craft: instructions for stamping on velvet
Nut N Honey: provides solutions for stamp storage and display
Trish Bee: mixing and stamping techniques for Walnut Ink
Stampington & Company: watercolor techniques for stamped images
Digital Scrapbooking Video Tutorial
MDS- My digital studio will be available to customers on 1 October... If you have $400 workshop during the month, you can get MDS at half price! That is an awesome deal!!! October dates are filling up fast, so hurry and get your workshop booked today!
