Sunday, February 28, 2010

Stamped and Embossed Pendants

Supplies:
Dominoes - available at Target or many other stores
Sanding blocks ($3.50 for 2; item #103301)
Various stamps - some suggested sets:
"Charming" ($19.95; item #116519),
"Very Thankful" ($14.95; item #115338),
"Jayne's Type Alphabet" ($43.95; item #114401)
Classic Stampin' Pads in various colors ($5.95 each) OR Stampin' Write markers ($31.95 for 12 colors)
Clear Stampin' Emboss powder ($4.75; item #109130)
Heat Tool ($29.95; item #100005)
Simply Adorned chain ($10.95; item #116800)
Extra large glue on bails (necklace holders) - available at The Bead Cache in Fort Collins
E-6000 Glue - available at hardware stores
Optional supplies:
Versamark ink ($7.50; item #102283)
Brayer ($12.50; item #102395)

Step 1 - To prepare your dominoes, sand the shiny coating off the back with a sanding block. Remember to sand the edges and corners as well. Discard any dominoes with flaws or discolorations.

Step 2 - Stamp your favorite image with Classic ink directly on the domino. Or, color directly on the rubber stamp with Stampin' Write markers, "huff" on the stamp to moisten it, and then stamp the domino.

If your image is crooked or smudged, you can wipe it off with a baby wipe and start over. You can also wipe off unwanted parts of an image, like the "thank you" from the peacock. Always wipe off the moisture from the baby wipe, or embossing powder will stick to it.

Step 3 - Before the ink dries (you have 1-2 minutes), spoon a generous amount of clear Stampin' Emboss powder on the stamped image, then tap off the excess. Make sure there is embossing powder over all the stamped image, but none on the background.

Step 4 - Using the heat tool, heat the stamped image until the Stampin' Emboss powder becomes clear and shiny. The embossed layer will not lie perfectly smooth on the domino, but may appear dimpled or wavy. This is normal. Allow the domino to cool.

Step 5 - Repeat steps 2 - 4 to achieve a layered design. When the last layer has cooled, put on a latex glove and stamp your finger on a Stampin' Pad. Rub the ink into the unstamped areas of the domino, working it in around all the embossed areas, to give the domino a background color. You can use your fingers to blend colors or create textures. In one of my domino examples you can see how I created water, trees, and sky just by rubbing in ink.

Step 6 - If your background color dries before you can apply Stampin' Emboss powder, roll on a clear "sticky" ink called Versamark. First roll a brayer on the Versamark pad, then roll the brayer over your domino. Clean the brayer roll with a baby wipe after every use. Adding Versamark ink will allow you to cover the entire domino front with Stampin' Emboss powder.

Step 7 - Once your domino is finished, allow it to cool. Apply a small skim of E-6000 glue to the unstamped side of the domino, and also to the back of the glue-on bail. Allow the glue to sit and get tacky for 2-5 minutes. Then press the bail on to the domino, and allow the glue to harden for 24 hours.

Add a Simply Adorned necklace chain to your stamped pendant, and you're done!

Charly Bratt
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
http://charlysinklink.blogspot.com
http://www.charlysinklink.stampinup.net/

Monday, February 15, 2010

February '10 - Nouveau Chic PPSAS2

Paper Pack Stamp-A-Stack 2
February '10 - Nouveau Chic
 
 Supplies:
 Nouveau Chic paper pack (contact me)
 Basic Black 5/8" satin ribbon (117285)
 Corner Rounder punch (109047)
 Scallop Trim border  punch (118402 - optional)
 Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
 Snail adhesive (104332)
 Basic Black ink (101179)
 Well Scripted stamp set (117072) 
 Asian Artistry stamp set (ask me how to get this FREE).  
                   
 Steps:
 1) Cut all 8-1/2 x 11" sheets in half, so you have 12 sheets measuring 5-1/2 x 8-1/2".  
 2) Set aside 6 sheets to be used as card bases - usually one of each color and two white.  Score all card bases at 4-1/4" using your scoring blade, and fold using your bone folder. 
 3) Cut a 4 x 5-1/4" mat out of each of the remaining colored long sheets, and two mats out of the 6x6" pieces of textured card stock.  Save the white card stock for stamping.  
 4) Cut six 3x4" mats out of designer series paper (DSP).  Also cut six 1x4" strips out of DSP.  Note: you can get two 3x4" mats plus two 1x4" strips plus one 2x2" square out of each piece of DSP, if you plan it before you cut it.  
 5) Cut down the 3x4" mats to 3 x 3-7/8" to give a 1/16" border around the DSP mat.  Leave the 1x4" strips 4" wide (to match the ribbon).  
 6) Punch the 1x4" strips with a border punch such as the Scalllop Trim border punch.  Optional: leave the strips straight for a more masculine look (as in this example).  
 7) Assemble the card background: Adhere the 3 x 3-7/8" DSP mat to the 4 x 5-1/4" mat with Snail, leaving a 1/16" border around the top and sides.  Then adhere the 1x4" strip with the punched edge down.  Cut a ribbon 5-1/2" long, and wrap it around the larger mat covering the seam between the DSP mat and the 1x4" strip.  Tape the ends of the ribbon to the back of the larger mat using regular office tape.  If desired, cut another length of ribbon and tie a bow or knot to the front of the card, around the fastened ribbon.  
 8) After the ribbon is attached, fasten the 4 x 5-1/4 mat to the card base.  
 9) Stamp your image and greeting on white card stock.  Cut out your image and adhere it using Stampin' Dimensionals.  If your image is small, consider placing it on a 2x2" square of DSP, as shown in this example.  Consider rounding 2, 3, or all 4 corners of any square pieces, as in this example.  

To make 8 cards using this layout, make these changes:

  • Set aside eight 5-1/2 x 8-1/2" sheets as card bases: 2 white and 6 colored. Think ahead to layout possibilities and color combinations.
  • Cut two 4 x 5-1/4" mats each out of the two remaining colored long sheets, two mats out of the textured card stock, and two mats out of DSP, for a total of eight mats. 
  • Cut only 4 sheets of DSP to make the eight 3 x 3-7/8" mats and 1x4" strips. See step 4 above.  The designer series paper is two-sided, so each card can have a different pattern.

Tips:
  • Don't follow all my directions! Make this layout your own. Get creative. Adjust for your own style and your supplies. 
  • Make 6 cards if you like to experiment or have room to make mistakes; make 8 cards if a challenge sparks creativity. 
  • Especially if making only 6 cards, add on more layers.
  • When choosing designer series paper for 4 x 5-1/4" mats, look at the large patterns and the small busy patterns.  Those often make the best background mats.
  • If you are dealing with a piece of absolutely beautiful DSP as a mat, you may want to ignore the rest of the layout and just add a sentiment.  Sometimes the designer series paper is enough with no other layers.  
  • Post a picture of your creations, and leave a link here in the comments section!  If you upload to a public site, such as SplitCoastStampers.com, please use the keyword PPSAS2.  

NEXT MONTH: Shades of Spring designer series paper!

Charly Bratt
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com

Thursday, February 4, 2010

All you need to start stamping is....

1) Stamps!
Most stamp sets in our catalog run between $12.95 and $38.95, with many sets under $20.00. Look for sets which include both images and sentiments, which will allow you to make multiple card designs with only one stamp set.
 
2) Something to stamp on.
Card stock is perfect for making greeting cards and scrapbook pages. Stampin' Up's card stock is extremely high quality: 80 lb weight, and dyed all the way through. I recommend buying one package of assorted colors (Soft Subtles shown here: $7.95 for 36 sheets in 12 colors - item #105568), and one package of Whisper White ($7.50 for 24 sheets - item #100730). Those two packages together would cost only $15.45, and you would have enough card stock to make 60 greeting cards, each with several layers. Make cards for Easter, Mother's Day, and all your friends' Spring birthdays!
 
3) Ink.
One stampin' pad of basic black ink is all you really need to get started, but you might like to add a little color. Some people like to buy ink pads in all the colors and a set of blender pens (#102845); some people like to buy watercolor pencils (#101879) and an Aqua Painter brush(#103954); some people like their Watercolor Wonder crayons (#106697).

Personally, I like the markers. (Soft Subtles shown here - $31.95 for a set of 12 - item #105537) Stampin' Up's markers are dual tipped with a fine point for writing or detail work, and a brush-like tip for coloring. Our inks, papers, ribbons, and other products are all color coordinated, so the Soft Subtles markers will perfectly match the colors in the Soft Subtles card stock.
 
4) Something to Sale-a-brate!
Sale-A-Bration, our biggest event of the year, is still going on. For every $50 you spend you can choose a free gift. Ask me for a catalog! Try this combination: a Basic Black Stampin' Pad, a package of assorted card stock colors, a package of Whisper White card stock, and your favorite one or two stamp sets. You can order everything you need for only $50, and then receive a free stamp set!
 
 


Charly Bratt
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
charlysinklink.blogspot.com
www.charlysinklink.stampinup.net

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Paper Pack Stamp-A-Stack layout for February

Have you seen my paper packs? For only $5.00 you can buy a package with designer series paper in 6"x6" squares, textured card stock in 6"x6" squares, and 6 pieces of 8-1/2"x11" card stock in coordinating colors. With these paper packs you can make 6-8 greeting cards, or 4 scrapbook pages (double sided), or any other paper crafting project you can dream up.

This month I have put together directions for how to efficiently use the majority of the paper pack to create 8 greeting cards. The February featured card uses this layout. With these directions in one afternoon you can sit down and stamp a stack of 8 cards. Even with the same layout, each card will turn out differently. Wouldn't it be nice to have a set of birthday cards or thank-you cards on hand so you'll always have one when you need one? Buy packs with different designer series paper to make cards with different themes.

Charly Bratt
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
charlysinklink.blogspot.com
www.charlysinklink.stampinup.net

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

February Featured Card

I love the pink and red glittery Valentine's Day projects I've been working on, but for the second half of February I thought I'd focus on something more subdued. The featured card for February is made with the Nouveau Chic designer series paper, which is so beautiful it's hard to choose which patterns to use.

This "happy birthday" card uses the Happy Moments stamp set, available for free as a Sale-A-Bration reward. The scalloped trim border punch is also a Sale-A-Bration reward, although it will be available in June with the new catalog.

If you would like to make this card call me and book a workshop. Get together with your friends, have a fun afternoon, and take home a handmade card!

 
Charly Bratt
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
http://charlysinklink.blogspot.com/
http://www.charlysinklink.stampinup.net/

Monday, February 1, 2010