Stacy's Stamping Blog

My Digital Studio new use :)

Well, new to me. And I crowed to myself, GENIUS! What do you think about this idea?

In case you can't guess, I took a blank 8.5x11 scrapbook template and filled it up with greetings and words from stamp sets I don't have. Now it's just a simple matter of cutting or punching out to get my greeting. Another word for this type of use in card making or even scrapbooking is "Hybrid". The Easter card I made for my mom used the word Celebrate along with my new stamp set, Awash With Flowers. I plan on uploading a picture of the card once I find my camera. Honestly, my house is so disorganized and cluttered, it makes me crazy.

Happy Easter everyone!

  

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.

A Christmas Tree Star

Well, my son is in school for the very first time this year- Kindergarten- and he's learning all about Christmas traditions from the past as well as the present. I think they're probably reading stories and talking about different elements of Christmas, because he has come home with definite ideas about what you are "supposed" to have for Christmas.

I took out our angel the other day to put atop the tree and he informed me it's supposed to be a star. I'm fine with stars, we just happen to own an angel, but I told him I'd give it some thought.

 

I ended up creating a star using the 5-point star die that I bought for my Big Shot machine. I cut it out of cardstock vellum, and punched snowflakes (punch from EK Success) on both sides of each point. Each piece was adhered to the others using Sticky Strip. To make the part that fits on the tree, I rolled a piece of vellum and attached that with sticky strip as well. The tree just slides right through. I love how it looks when all the lights are out except the tree- the light shines through the vellum really nicely.

For my first attempt, I'm happy with the result. I'm not going to re-do it this year unless I miraculously end up with more time before Christmas, but if I do it again I'd use a transparency or window sheet for the tube instead. The way it is now, the point gets lost with the tube right behind it.

My son? Well, he loves it. And I'm happy I could create it with what I have on hand. It didn't take too long, and now that I know what I'm doing, the next ones will be quicker. I hope you enjoy this idea!

Have a great week,

Stacy Westman

Chipboard Favorites

My stamp club this week focused on projects using Chipboard. Ever since my friend Chantel showed me there's nothing to be afraid of, I've been loving chipboard.

The first is a card with a simple Chipboard scalloped frame highlighting one flower. This frame was covered in Craft Ink first, heat dried, and glued down. We used the stamp set Inspired by Nasture. Easy peasy.

 

The next 2 examples are the second project we worked on, a magnet. We used the stamp set Dreams du Jour. This chipboard frame is covered with Bella Rose Designer Series Paper, and sanded down. Hint...use an emery board for sanding in between scallops :)

 

 

I hope this has helped jump start you into stamping alternatives to cards! Have a great weekend,

Stacy

Christmas Garland Tutorial

Tis the Season!
This is my first attempt at creating a holiday garland, and I'm very happy with the result! I didn't have a vision for how it should look when I started- all I knew was I wanted to use chipboard letters, satin ribbon, and designer series paper.

Here's what I did.

Start with chipboard letters. If you use duplicates (I used 2 s's) trace the letter onto a chipboard coaster and cut it out. Next, using Anywhere Gluestick from Stampin' Up!, apply adhesive to the front of the letter and glue it down to Designer Series Paper. Smooth the paper down to remove any air bubbles and to ensure that the paper is stuck across the entire surface. Do this with each letter, and allow to sit for an hour or so to make sure the glue has "set".

Next, cut out the letters using sharp scissors or an exacto knife as close to the chipboard as possible. At this point you can sand the edges to make them smooth and to give them a white edge, but you don't have to. In this instance I chose not to.

I attached the chipboard to the ribbon using gold brads. Unfortunately my letters placed in the middle of the ribbon didn't allow the garland to lay flat on my wall, and I had to use a bit of double sided tape to keep them in place...oops. I tied a piece of pretty in pink ribbon on the end of the pomegranite satin ribbon and threaded some gold cord on the back side of it to allow a loop to stick a tack through. I intend on applying some chipboard to my tacks too; that will really decorate them nicely.

So there you have it, I hope you find this a project you can do too! Please contact me if you have any questions and feel free to send me a link to your creations.

Peace this season!

Stacy Westman

Folding Wallet Scrapbook Class

Here's some "top secret" photographs to give you an idea of what my folding wallet scrapbook class entails...and it's a secret because I'm working on this scrapbook for my husband for Christmas this year.

So if you know him...shhhh!

As if he'd go searching online to look at my blog.

More class details are found on my Stampin' Up! website.

Your envelopes won't be a pretty bright turquoise but a nice plain white- neutral enough to stamp however you want. You'll get your choice of my available Designer Series Papers, and I'll provide you with a list of things you need to bring to the class once you register.

My RSVP date is really important- October 13- please confirm your attendance by then!

I hope to see you there! Contact me today to register!

Birthday Packages

So I spent the morning childless, my son had a playdate with my in-laws, and I spent the time getting the treat bags ready for his party.

Now, he's turning 4, and really into bugs, so that made it an easy pick for this stamp set that I borrowed from my neighbor. It's called Bugs and Kisses, and is on page 66 of the new 2007 Fall/Winter Collection.

I used bold brights, as that's such a kid friendly colour family.

The treat bags are brown paper lunch sacks, with 1/2 sheet cardstock adhered to each side, and punched out handles with the square punch.

I had a great time making the candy treat. I actually found not only gummy worms, but also gummy tarantulas, so 1/2 the treat is the bugs, and the other half is chocolate kisses (a stamp says "bugs and kisses", so I couldn't resist)

When my son came home he said, "want a treat bag please?!" So what do you all do? I didn't make one for him, figuring he's going to get enough presents and treats from the family that spoils him. Should I have one for him too?

Enjoy!
Stacy

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