Unmounting Rubber Stamps - Tutorial

When I received my very first shipment of rubber stamps from Stampin' Up! I was so excited and thought how nice they would look in my little basket. That was a few months ago and now I own more than half of the stamp sets being sold in the SU catalog -- not to mention all the accessories! I'm sure most of you can identify with me and my problem of not having enough storage space. So, this month I finally took my first step in reorganization: I decided to unmount my favorite stamp sets -- just the ones I consider "keepers."

Supplies:

Stamp Set
Craft and Rubber Scissors
Empty CD Case (not thin)
EZ Mount™
Hot Knife
Glass Work Surface

There are probably numerous techniques in doing this, but this
is the way I find works for me.

When working with new stamp sets, pull apart the rubber pieces first, then peel the red rubber off the sticky foam. When working with sets that have the rubber already mounted on the wood, the red rubber can still be easily peeled off the foam. Do not discard the wood yet, you will need the image label of the stamp for later use. You should start preheating the hot knife right about now.






After trimming all the rubber stamps with the craft and rubber scissors, lift the protective sheet off the EZ Mount to expose the sticky side (be very careful not to get other things stuck on this -- it's very sticky!) and position the rubber stamps on this so it lays facing up. I find it works better if I cut that portion away from the main sheet.

When I first started transferring my sets onto EZ Mount, I used my craft and rubber scissors to trim the rubber and the EZ Mount, but it left a really sticky mess on my hands and on the scissors, too. Then I remembered that I had bought a hot knife with one of my 50% off coupons at Michaels one day. Great time to finally make use of it! Okay, I found two ways to use the hot knife for trimming this foam. One way is by holding the rubber and gliding the hot knife along the edge of the red rubber. The blade of the hot knife cuts the foam like it was soft butter, and the edge comes out so smooth! The other way is by placing the rubber stamp and the foam on top of the glass work surface and tracing around it with the hot knife. This also works, but my favorite way is the first one I described. But be very careful not to touch the hot blade.

Note: It's very important to have the glass underneath when working with a heat tool.

Option: If you do not have a hot knife, you can use your craft and rubber scissors to cut the EZ Mount foam.

Tip: After you place the rubber stamps onto the EZ Mount foam, sprinkle baby powder on top of the exposed sticky part of the EZ Mount before proceeding to cut with the scissors. This will help prevent a sticky mess.

Here is what it will look like on the bottom. This side will stick to the acrylic block, but is not really "sticky" just "clingy."



Here is a picture of the stamp on an acrylic block, ready to be inked and stamped.




Repeat the steps with all the stamps in the set and then take all the clear labels that you saved earlier and arrange them on the outside cover of the CD. Place the rubber stamps inside the CD case over the image label of the stamps.



Here is a picture with all the stamps in the case.


Last step, stick the stamp name label on the side panel of the CD case. I hope this helps you. It has really helped me become more organized. I can't wait until I have more space. I just hope I don't get to the point where I start to feel like it's getting too empty around here and start filling the place up again!

Thanks for visiting!

Girly Graduation Card - How To

I love a lot of things about this card. Not only do I love using lace, dew drops, huge flowers and Berry Bliss paper -- but, nontraditional cards are one of my favorites to make. Although I made this card to be a graduation card, it can be adapted to fit pretty much any occasion.

Stamp: Fundamental Phrases, Serif Type Phrase (Martha Stewart)
Ink: Rose Red
Paper: Whisper White, Rose Red, Berry Bliss DSP
Acc: Small and Regular Oval Punches, Slit Punch, 1/2" Round Punch, 3 For You Punch, Build-a-Brad, 5/8" Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Dew Drops, 2" Flower, 1" wide Lace Ribbon, Cuttlebug with Swiss Dot Folder, Sewing Machine with White Thread.

Cut 4-1/4" x 8-1/5" of WW c/s and score at 5-1/2". Cuttlebug the short end up to the scored line. Cut a short "v" approximately 1" deep into the bottom edge.

Cut 2 pieces of 4-1/4" x 4" of Berry Bliss DSP. Take one and score at 1/2" along the 4-1/4" edge. Cut a "v" on the opposite end. Glue the 1/2" scored edge behind the WW c/s. This will be the flap of the card.

Take the other piece and glue to the inside top edge of the WW c/s with the design on the paper matching the design of the flap.

Fold up the scored line on the WW c/s and begin sewing from the bottom side edge and continue sewing all the way around the card to the other side.

Stamp "Congrats" with Rose Red ink on coordinating lighter pink Berry Bliss DSP and punch out with regular size oval punch. Trim off about 1/8" all around. Punch out two small oval rose red c/s and attach them behind the "Congrats" as shown in picture with dimensionals. Attach the whole layer to the lower right bottom of card front with mini glue dots. Add Dew Drops on each side with mini glue dots.

Glue lace ribbon above edge of flap. Punch out 4 small flowers from 3 For You punch with Berry Bliss DSP, set aside. Punch 1" flower or circle with WW c/s, set aside.

Stamp "08" with Rose Red on coordinating lighter pink Berry Bliss DSP and punch out with 1/2" round punch, attach to Build-a-Brad with mini glue dots and cover with the clear round acrylic cover. Slip brad through center of flower and continue to slip through center of card flap just above the lace. To cover the brad clasps on the inside flap of card, use mini glue dots to attach the 1" flower (or circle) and one of the mini flowers previously punched out (see photo above).

For Tag: Cut a piece of Rose Red 3"x 4-1/2" and WW c/s 2-3/4" x 4-1/4". Trim tops of each color to look like a tag. Put a small dab of glue on the center just enough to hold the two pieces together. Using the slit punch, slide all the way in the center of top end and punch through both layers; repeat on the bottom end. Cut a piece of Regal Rose ribbon about 11" long and fold in half. Slip the folded edge through the punched slit from front to back, then through the bottom slit from back to front (see picture). This loop will hold folded up money. Now, take the remaining 3 mini flowers and glue to the top of tag and attach Dew Drops to the center of each with mini glue dots. That's about it, I think.

Thank you again for stopping by!

Graduation Cards 2008

Last night I finally started on graduation cards and these two are what I came up with.

The card on the left is for a high school friend who is graduating next month with honors. This can be for either a boy or girl. No stamping involved with this one.
Paper: Summer Sun 5"x10" folded, Really Rust 4-3/4"x4-3/4", Whisper White, Basic Black
Acc: Black Hemp Cord, Dimensionals, Tombow Mono Adhesive, Mini Glue Dots, (optional) Cuttlebug with Script Texture, Nestie 3-5/8" Square (or use another tool), Cricut with Alphalicious Cartridge (or use stamps and cut out), White Galaxy Marker (American Crafts)How To: Cuttlebug on Whisper White (optional). Cut out 3-5/8" square from center of Really Rust c/s. Attach white c/s behind center of Really Rust. Attach the layer to Summer Sun card base. Cut out the letters and numbers on the Cricket machine, or use stamps and cut them out with paper snips. I used Tombow to adhere the year and school initials to the card front. Since I didn't have a stamp of a cap that I liked, I hand drew one on black card stock and outlined it with the white marker. Now, pierce a hole in the center of the cap. For the tassel, I used 1" of the hemp cord, frayed one end, dabbed some Tombow on the other end and inserted it into the center hole. To keep the tassel hanging in the right place, I dabbed a little bit more of the glue on the side of the cap. Attach cap with dimensionals on the upper left corner of the card. For the diploma, roll up a piece of paper tightly, tie a ribbon around it and attach it to the center of the card with mini glue dots.

Tip: I wanted to give money to my friend as a graduation gift, so I rolled up the cash and used that as the "diploma" on the front of the card.

I have to go for now, so I'll post the "How To" for the second card tomorrow.

MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE
Before I go, and in honor of Memorial Day, I wanted to share with you the Reader's Digest version of my father's story during WWII. My father, who turned 90 in February, was born in the Philippines and as a teenager, he joined and trained with the US Army. At the time the Japanese invaded the Islands, my father was already a sergeant and had been fighting along with his men. General MacArthur had left for Australia and had given his promise to the soldiers: "I shall return." But during the time that MacArthur was gone and with no support, over 60,000 Filipino and 12,000 American soldiers had no choice but to surrender to the Japanese on April 10 of 1942. On this day, the prisoners "marched" for about 60 miles to their "camps" for several days with little or no food and water. This was known as the very infamous Bataan Death March. My father was one of the very few who survived. It was only five years ago when he finally started to talk of this torturous experience 66 years ago. My husband had video-taped his interview and when my whole family finally saw it, they were shocked! I watched it again yesterday and cried. To see his metals and scars after hearing from his own words what he went through gives a whole new meaning to Memorial Day for me. There are several links online about this Death March, here's one if you'd like to read a little about it.

Thank you for visiting and have a wonderful Memorial Day!

Partial Embossing with Cuttlebug Tutorial

I received an email the other day asking how I embossed only part of the card front with the Cuttlebug. Instead of emailing her the instructions, I thought I would share the instructions with all of you. It really is quite "simple."
Start with a 4-1/4" x 11" card stock, score it in half -- this will be a tall standing card. The red line in the photo above shows where I scored in the middle. Use a Cuttlebug folder that doesn't have a restriction on the direction of design. For example, you wouldn't want "Happy Birthday" to be sideways when the card is tall standing (unless you're planning on making the card to be on it's side). Sandwich the card stock in the folder aligning the scored line with the edge of the folder (see picture above).

Layer the Cuttlebug plates as usual: A, B, folder with card stock (place folder sideways), top it with the other B.




Run layers through Cuttlebug.






After running the card stock through, remove from the folder and turn it over so that the wrong side is facing up. The next step is optional, especially if you don't have a ScorPal, but it adds a nice touch to the bottom edge.
I scored on the back side right below the embossed design, then scored again 1/4" below that. Repeat again about 3/8" from the bottom edge up and again 1/4" above that. Flip the card stock over and the front of the card should look like the picture below. At this point you can decorate the card as you wish.
With the help of the Cuttlebug the card practically designs itself. A little bit of ribbon, a small sentiment and the card is done! After the embossing was done, I took a piece of Soft Sky ribbon, knotted and attached it between the scored lines. Then I attached a left-over label from a stationery I made a couple weeks ago. And, ta-da...an easy card. The Cuttlebug is well-used around here and I highly recommend it if you don't already have one. It also gets a lot of use after I bought my Nestabilities.

Thanks again for stopping by and have a fabulous weekend!

"Ultimate" Box Tutorial

After posting the "Ultimate" Card Gift Set, I received many requests for the template and/or tutorial of the mini boxes that I made in that set. I wrote to some of you that I would eventually post a tutorial -- well I finally had a little bit of time this morning, so here it is. It's very easy, really, it is!

If you are not able to see the dimensions in this picture, here they are:

Cut a piece of card stock 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" for the bottom box and score every 1-1/2" across, horizontally and vertically as shown in the diagram. Cut where indicated on solid lines.

For the top of the box, cut a piece of card stock 2-5/8" x 2-5/8" and score every 1/2" in from all four sides as shown in the diagram. Cut where indicated on the solid lines. Note: no matter what your box measurement is, the top cover should always be about 1/8th" larger than the bottom to accommodate a better fit.

After gluing the side flaps together, you're done! See how easy that was? Here is a picture of one of the boxes I made for the "Ultimate" Card Gift Set. You can choose any color you want for the box and decorate it simply or elaborately.

If any of you decide to make this project, I would love to see what you come up with, so please email me a picture and maybe if I get enough pictures, I can post them right here!

Thanks for stopping by!

Two Gifts in a Hurry!

Today is my daughter's Art teacher's birthday. I wanted to make her a personalized stationery set, monogrammed and nothing that would take too long because I needed to make two others in a hurry. She's in her 50's or 60's, so I thought something in the neutral color would be best. Well, when my daughter saw the River Rock set that I had just about finished, she reminded me that her teacher was very "colorful"... I think she used the word "bam!" to describe her personality. So back to the drawing board with brighter colors. That was alright by me because I wanted to make another set in River Rock for one of my carpool moms who sent me flowers the other day.
I used Papertrey Ink's Clear Boxes, which I love, to hold the 10 cards and 10 envelopes.

Four of the cards were simply cuttlebugged using the Swiss Dot folder and scored at the bottom with ScorPal. Monogram and border stamps are from PTI and the sentiments from Hanna Stamps. Ribbons and punches are from SU.

The other side of the clear box shows a flat note card also monogrammed with the same stamps from PTI, using SU papers (Whisper White, So Saffron, Bali Breeze DSP), and Purely Pomegranate Ink.
Using mini glue dots, I attached double-stitched ribbon in Purely Pomegranate around the clear box to resemble a shopping bag (long-ways). No need to decorate the box because the cards that show through are pretty enough. I added a coordinating pen, tied it to the strap handle and -- in my daughter's words -- "Bam!" I have a great personalized gift!

Pen: To make a pen coordinate with any stationery or journal, you must start with a pen that has a clear cover and is refillable so that it can be opened. Cut a piece of coordinating designer paper the same length as the visible part of the pen's barrel and just wide enough to go around once inside the pen. Use the stem of a small paint brush or knitting needle to start the "rolling" process. This will make it easier to push the paper through the inside of the pen. After rolling the paper neatly, glide it carefully into the inside of the pen until the clear part is covered by the paper, seal the pen and you're done.

GIFT NO. 2

This stationery set is about the same as the one above, only the colors are more subdued. I made this as a thank you for one of the moms whose daughter carpools with mine to high school. I didn't make the shopping bag handles on this one. I didn't think it needed it.Well, that's it for now. One more for a church youth counselor who's having a surprise party tonight.

Thanks for visiting!

I've Been MIA

It's been almost a week since I've last posted. Wow! I'm going through stamping withdrawals, I can almost hear my stamps say, "why won't you play with us anymore?" For several days I have been depending on my friends to drive my daughters to and from school. My dizziness and headaches have taken over my life big time and I feel so helpless and useless. Here's hoping that this coming week will be better.

Thanks to all of my faithful readers and to my new ones. I've received so many emails the last few days especially regarding the stationery set (from my last post) and I've tried to answer them all, but if I've missed any one's email, please forgive me. I'll try to get to them all.

I would like to say a very big thank you to Susanna (the Barefoot Stamper) of Card of the Week.com for featuring my stationery as the Project of the Week. If you haven't already checked out her blog, it's awesome! It's a place I like to call Grand Central Station. She gathers the best of the blogs in categories: cards, projects and scrapbooking, and provides her readers with that week's best ideas along with links. She's also a very talented paper crafter herself and a very sweet gal who has become my "cyber bff." You'll love her site, so please check it out.

Well, that's it for now -- hopefully I'll have something made by tomorrow after my friend, Vivian's wedding (remember her Bridal Shower Faux Cook Book?). Thanks for visiting!

"Ultimate" Card Gift Set

I've been wanting to make this gift set for months now, and since I wanted to get my BFF a gift for Mother's Day and wasn't able to go to the mall because of my migraines (and now vertigo), I thought this was the best time to finally make this set. I wasn't sure what to call this kind of stationery, so for now I'm calling it "Ultimate." Here's the reason for that name -- and I'm not sure if this idea already exists; if it does, can someone please let me know because I'd love to see how the others look.

The idea for this card set is simply this: to always have the appropriate card available for the right occasion. Here's how it works: The set comes with decorated card fronts, but without sentiments. All you do is choose from a variety of pre-stamped self-adhesive labels which are included in the set, attach it to the card front and you've got yourself an original handcrafted card!
The set includes 8 blank note cards, 8 envelopes and 3 mini boxes. Inside the boxes are postage stamps and several self-adhesive sentiments in two different border colors.

I purchased the box purse at Michael's last month for about $2 or $3. It's a wooden box with a bamboo handle and brass hinges and latch. I simply covered the outside with Soft Sky and Close to Cocoa DS paper and 5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon using Tombow Mono Adhesive. After taking these pictures, I decided to add more embellishments to the front of the box because I thought this one looked too plain. I had added corner elements and my favorite Dew Drops near the round "Always" label. For the inside lining, I used the same coordinating colors. I made the three mini boxes (1-1/2" x 1-1/2") using Chocolate Chip and Soft Sky card stock.

As an afterthought, I decided to rig the box so that when my friend opened the box, it would play a rock song (if you look closely, you can see the opening in the middle where I rigged it on the inside top lid). Okay, the story behind that -- two weeks ago she gave me my birthday present in a gift bag, but not just an ordinary gift bag! It had a flap and when I lifted the flap, a loud rock song played which of course scared me! So, in the spirit of recycling, I took out the mechanism from that gift bag and somehow rigged her stationery box so that when she opened it, the same thing would happen to her. It worked! She called me after opening it and had a great laugh with her son. The only problem, I must not have taped that thing well enough because even when she closed the box, the annoying song kept playing! We had such a good laugh... what are friends for anyway, right?
Thank you for visiting! I hope your weekend was fabulous!

For My Friend

This 5" x 5" card is one of the FASTEST cards I've ever made... well, not counting the time it took to design it. But once I had the design and color in mind, it took only about 10 minutes to make it. This card is for my best friend, hence the initial, and inside it simply says: Happy Mother's Day.

Stamp: Full of Life, Carte Postale, Ambassador Monogram (PTI)
Ink: River Rock, Brown StazOn
Paper: Soft Sky, River Rock C/S and Textured, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Acc: 5/8" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Cord, 1" Circle Punch, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Espresso Dew Drops, Circle Nestie, ScorePal, Swiss Dot Cuttlebug Folder, Hat Pin

Thanks for dropping by!

Mother's Day Rose Pocket Card & Tutorial

As Mother's Day approaches, memories of my mother come flooding back to me. Many of them are funny, touching, sad, happy... but mostly inspiring. She has taught me to be a Christian and without that, I wouldn't be who I am today. I lost her two years ago so Mother's Day is a very tough time for me, but I managed to make this card in honor of that special day.

Supplies (some are optional, adjust to your preference)
Stamp: All Holidays (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery DSP, Berry BlissDSP (SU), Vellum
Ink: Regal Rose, Old Olive (SU), Aloe Vera and Pixie Dust (Versa Magic, Tsukineko), StazOn Black
Acc: Crop-a-Dile, Eyelet, Ribbon, Linen Thread, Corner Rounder Punch, Mini Glue Dots, Hobby Blade, Sewing Machine, Spellbinder's Edgibilities Rose Die

Start with 4-1/4" x 11" WW card stock and trim one end with the Rose Die. Run thru machine again (I used my Cuttlebug) to emboss. Without taking the card stock out of the die, color in the floral images. I used the Versa Magic chalks because it's easy to use with its pointed corners (and it easily washes off).
*You can substitute by using SU's dry emboss templates or cut a semi circle with scalloped edges.

When you take the die off, this is what it will look like.






Score a line right below the embossed image. Then score another line 5" below that. You should have approximate 3-5/8" left. Fold a "Z" along those scored lines.


Attach a piece of 4-1/4" x 3-5/8" Certainly Celery DSP to the front of the card, under the embossed flap. Attach a piece of 4-1/4" x 1-3/4" pink patterned paper from Berry Bliss DSP to the exposed upper inner pocket.

Trim the top corners with the corner rounder punch. Using the Crop-a-Dile, attach eyelets to both corners. Run a thin coordinating ribbon thru the eyelet, front to back. I used the Old Olive twill ribbon, about 8" long.

Using the Linen Thread, I secured the ribbon ends by tying the thread around them. (I dabbed a little bit of snail adhesive to hold it in place first.) You can leave it as is, finish it another way, or do as I did, which was to attach pearl white Dew Drops on top of the Linen Threads.

To seal the sides, I used my sewing machine. I ran a straight stitch on both sides -- very easy to do. Again, you can substitute and use glue or sticky strip. And if you want the look of stitching, use the piercing tool to punch holes and draw stitch marks connecting the holes.
To hold the flap down, use mini glue dots under the flap.

With StazOn, I stamped Happy Mother's Day on vellum paper and heat set it so it wouldn't smear. You can substitute by using regular card stock. I ran white taffeta ribbon around the bottom of the card and inserted it thru two slits that I made on the vellum and then tied a knot.

To make a slit, I used a hobby blade, straight edge and mat. Make a slit wide enough to pass the ribbon thru. The slot punch was just too big and didn't look right, but this slim slit worked perfectly. *You can always skip this step and just adhere a stamped label. I tend to go the difficult route sometimes... oh well.

Here's the finished card. I stamped the sentiment on a separate card and attached it to a crochet thread attached to the "handle." You can put a letter, picture or gift card in this pocket card.

Thanks for visiting!