Stacy's Stamping Blog

Colleague Gift Idea

My December newsletter has a few ideas for colleagues. The supplies are listed in the newsletter. I've got instructions for a small 2-4-6-8 box here.

 

-Pull your paper cutter arm open so that it's pulled out straight from your cutter and on the table to your right.
-Put your paper down horizontally on the bottom of it, to the left of the cutting guide.
-Make sure your black scoring blade is on, not your orange cutting blade.
-Move your paper to the right to the 2" mark on the ruler and pull down your scoring blade. Continue moving your paper to the right and when the edge is at the 4" mark score again.
-Move your paper to the right and when the edge is at the 6" mark score again. Then score one last time when your paper edge is at the 8" mark.
-Now, turn your paper vertically so that it again is to the left of your cutting guide. Move your paper to the right until it is on the 2" mark on the ruler and score down your cardstock.
-Take your scissors and cut along the 2,4,6,8 scored lines until you reach the scored line you just finished. This will be the bottom of your box.
-Fold your box together along the score lines so you can see where everything should be stuck down.
-Apply sticky strip to the thin edge (alongside the 8" scored line). This will be the edge of your box and should be tucked under, not on top.
-Fold the bottom of your box in and sticky strip the outermost panels so they are stuck to the innermost ones.
-Fill your box with candy, tealights, tea bags, small samplers of coffee, or whatever you think of. Pinch the top closed (it sort of resembles a milk carton before they are opened)- punch your hole and attach the brad.
I have an old tutorial using a bigger piece of designer series paper here:

http://stacywestman.typepad.com/stacys_stamping_blog/2006/12/2468_box_tutori.html

It looks complicated but it's really not. If I get better this week I'll make one according to these directions in this eamil and post it on this website by Saturday.

4x4 Little Scrapbooks

My December newsletter will contain supplies needed to create cute little scrapbooks for the special people in your life. Here are the instructions.

-If using coasters, use adhesive to layer on 4x4 cardstock or Designer Series Paper.
-Layout your pictures, deciding how you want the pages to look. Work on your pages 2 at a time, except for the front and back covers, to help your book keep the "flow" going.
-Apply your stamps, punches, or simply scrappin' bits first.
-Mat your photographs, if desired. Adhere them to the pages. Keep in mind where your book will be bound; keep away from the very edges of your pages.
-Journal, if desired (I highly recommend it- it helps keep memories down the road)
-Punch holes in your pages, and add your binder rings or coil rings.
-Don't forget to date it! And then step back and admire your work.

If you keep your scrapbook pages simple, it's a lot more likely that you can finish before the sun rises:) Have fun with it! Something like this will mean a lot more to your kids when they are adults and have children of their own, so part of the reason for doing this is to pass on their story to their own children.

If you're interested in scrapbooking, but are a little hesitant to get started, here's an article I wrote a few years ago that might help answer some questions. And remember, I'm always here to help you get started!

http://stacywestman.typepad.com/stacys_stamping_blog/2007/04/scrapbooking_do.html
http://stacywestman.typepad.com/stacys_stamping_blog/2007/04/donts_of_scrapb.html
 

Christmas Card Ideas

This is the time of year to start your stamping! Here are a couple of ideas for you. These are the ones we stamped at my Christmas Stamp a Stack this year.

Scrapbooking with My Digital Studio

I have been having fun playing around with My Digital Studio, and created a scrapbook of our summer holidays. I'm going to get this professionally printed :) But for now here's a picture of one of my favorite pages.

What do you think? Have a wonderful week! 

Embossed Ornaments

Red and gold really do look like Christmas!

Here I've taken real red and embossed it with the Petals -a- Plenty embossing folder (from the Holiday Mini) using my Big Shot, and embossed gold ornaments from the Delightful Decorations stamp set, also from the Holiday Mini. This punch from the mini is the greatest thing, it made cutting these out a breeze, and I love that you can use the punch to make ornaments out of anything, from Designer Series Paper to hand-stamped cardstock- it's a most versatile punch.

Some of the other accessories include the old Zig Painty, Stampin' Dimensionals, and Gold Cardstock.

The greeting is from a level 1 hostess set called " Holiday Best"

Enjoy!

Pam, contact me!

I've got your IP address but not sure of how to contact you. You're my only commenter and I'd like to send you some big shot die cuts! Please email me!

Holiday Mini 09 Christmas Card

It's a funny thing to be making Christmas cards when it's well about 25*C. Still, some friends came out and we stamped an afternoon away in late August.

I got my Holiday Mini preorder and LOVE the punch and flocked paper that I ordered. I felt the embossing folder for my Big Shot is well worth the cost. This card looks awesome in real life- silver cord, flocked paper, silver pen embellishment...but my computer is acting up and so the image isn't as great as it could be.

Still, I hope you like it. Happy stamping!

 

Celebrating Baby Give-away

To celebrate the birth of my newest angel I'd like to ask for comments on this post about what you find wonderful about babies. Don't give me the tried and true "they're just so cute" comments...I'm looking for depth :)

Winners will receive some die-cut goodies in the mail, courtesy of my big shot machine.

Baby News

I'm a bit guilty of not blogging in a few months...ok, more than a bit guilty. My husband and I welcomed a little baby boy into our family in early April. He's perfect, and everything is ok, I'm just tired and adjusting to a newborn baby's schedule. And let's be honest, the heat we get in summer isn't really my cup of tea. It's hard to do much when it's too hot to move.

Retired Rubber Stamps and Wheels for sale- summer 2009

This is the time of year again, when I go through my rubber stamp collection and try to tidy it up a bit. I'd love to get these stamps to a good home! Please comment on this post with what you are interested in ordering, and email me to dialogue.

Thanks!

All About Occasions $15

Best Blooms $15

Big Blossoms $15

Birthday Whimsy $15

Botanical Blooms $10

Bud Basics $15

Classic Stripes $10

Dear Friend $10

Delight in Life $15

Echoes of Kindness $15

Ephemera $15

Flaky Friends $20

Friendly Notes $15

Happy Heart Day $15

Heartfelt Thanks $25

Hugs and Wishes/Holidays and Wishes $25

Long Time Friend $15

Lots of Thoughts $10

Love ya Bunches $15

Monogram S $15

Mostly Flowers $15

Office Accoutrement $25

Painted Posies $15

Polka Dots and Paisley $15

Polka Dot Punches $10

Roses in Winter $25

Rough Edges Alphabet $15

Smorgasborders $15

Snow Burst $15

So Very $15

Springtime Stems $15

Sweet Dreams $15

Sweet Little Sentiments $5

Sweet Shapes $20

Terrific Tulips $20

What Could be Better Than $25

Wishing You Cheer $10

　

Wheels:

(all $5 each)

Jumbo:

Speckled

Poinsettia

All About Birthdays

All About Gratitude

Leaves and Swirls

Swirling Stars

Woodcut Holly

Petals

Basics Outline

Square Pegs

Regular:

Leaf Prints

Fishy

Snowman Fun

Hot to Dot