stampin' tips

Tuesday Tips

January 10, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Over the years, I have amassed LOTS of craft products. Scissors, no doubt, one of them. Well, several of them – because I have several different pair.

But, the BEST scissors I have purchased have been from Stampin’ Up. They include the Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, and the Craft & Rubber Scissors.

You do pay a bit more for them. What you are paying for is quality. The blades are stainless and come very, very sharp. Over the cuts and throughout the years, they do become dull.

Have no fear, because Stampin’ Up scissors can be professionally sharpened! And, you should periodically do this depending on how much use they get. They will be just like new. Fraction of the cost. And, way better than buying a cheap pair at the local store.

Happy Stampin’

Libby

Tuesday Tips

December 6, 2011 · Leave a Comment

I talked about this a few weeks ago. Not having the right color brad. And, the Sharpie just did not quite match up the way you wanted it to. Here are two other ideas you can try. So, 2 tips for today!

Have an embossing powder the color you need? Dip or touch your brad in VersaMark first, then into the color embossing powder you want to change the color of your brad to. Carefully hold the brad with a pair of pliers and heat set it. Done. New colored brad!

You can do the same with Stampin’ Glitter. Poke your brad through a scrap of styrofoam. Use Tombow glue and ‘paint’ the brad and either dip or sprinkle with the glitter a few times to completely coat. Let dry. Wow, your very own glittered brads!

Happy Stampin’

Libby

Tuesday Tips

November 29, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Ever been working on a project and need a certain color brad or adornment and the only ones you have are the wrong color? Ugh, I hate that. Happened just recently……

Try coloring the brad or adornment with a Sharpie! Yes, a Sharpie. It’s permanent. Comes in a whole range of colors. And, can be found at almost any store!

Happy Stampin’

Libby

Tuesday Tips

October 11, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Fan of the Big Shot? Me too! I just love all the nifty things you can do with it.

And, you’ve been following my 12 Weeks of Gift Card Ideas ’til Christmas, haven’t you? So, in that case, I must have inspired you to start creating gift cards and those handmade Christmas cards, right? I thought so.

Will yours have a photo of your family? Or maybe your pet (they make adorable Christmas cards)?

We have a wide variety of dies for our Big Shot I’m sure you’ve noticed. But, did you know that you can use them to cut out your photos too?

Make yourself a template by choosing the finished *shape* of the photo, let’s say the Top Note. Start by cutting a piece of cardboard or use the left over white back piece from an old DSP paper pack (that is really nice light weight card board). Cut it to the outer dimensions of the die. Use masking tape (for easy removal) to tape the card board to 2 sides of the die, perpendicular sides, not across from one another. That helps to create a *stop* when you put your photo in. Now, run it through the Big Shot.

Remove the cutout inside, in this case, the Top Note, being careful not to disturb the taped *frame*.

Now, slide a photo underneath the taped frame. Align the photo as you want to see it after it is cut. (You may have to trim it a bit to make it fit under your frame.)

Run it through the Big Shot. Look, you have just created a photo shaped like the Top Note! This frame will work for several passes. You just might have to reinforce your tape.

With this, you can mount it on top of your card stock or DSP. Your possibilities are endless!

When you are through, simply remove your taped frame. It should not harm the die in any way.

Happy Stampin’

Libby