Stamp Maven

Glimmer Paper Heart

Here is the tip on Glimmer Paper that I promised yesterday.I was preparing for a class and ran out of Red Glimmer Paper...BUT, I did have silver. I punched out my hearts, took a sponge dauber and sponged Real Red Craft Ink all over the heart (I know in the picture from yesterday it looks sort of pink, but blame that on my bad photgraphy).

Now, here's the important part. Use your Heat Tool briefly to make sure the ink is set. You can also set aside to try, but I never want to wait that long! You can keep sponging on more ink until you reach your desired shade. You can also use Classic Ink as well for this technique and it turns out just fine.

Be sure to ass this to your file of scrapbooking techniques and it works well for creatidd your handmade cards, too!

 

The Stamp Maven  Anne Brown  Stampin' Up! Demo  anne@stampmaven.com  972-234-9118

Tuesday Tip - Creating Rickrack

I learned the best little tip at Leadership Conference and I want to share with you! We have a large Die that creates a fabric or cardstock rickrack strip. But, what if you want a smaller one that you can use on your handmade cards or even as one of your scrapbooking techniques. Here's how to do it:

1. Punch one edge of a piece of card stock using the Scallop Edge Border punch (119882).

2. Flip the strip of card stock over and insert back into punch making sure to offset the scallops (the point of one scallop goes in between another scallop). Punch to create your rickrack strip.

You can use a stamped image on your card stock strip before punching out. This technique also works well with Designer Series Paper.

Speaking of Designer Series Paper, take a look at this gorgeous paper, Everyday Enchantment,  that you can get free with any $50 order at my online store.  (you can also call or email me and I'll be happy to place your order for you). Any of these patterns would make awesome rickrack!

Anne Brown  The Stamp Maven  anne@stampmaven.com  972-234-9118 Stampin' Up! Demo

Tuesday Tip - Using Edgelits

If you haven't discovered the Edgelit Dies (125595, $9.95) and coordinating Adorning Accents Textured Embossing Folders (125601, $8.95), you should check them out. They really add a beautiful touch to your handmade cards and other projects.

If you keep a couple things in mind when you get started, you will be happier with the results.

1. The Edgelit Dies are the exact width of our Standard Cutting Pads and can move when you run through the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine. Solution? Use a pair of our Craft & Rubber Scissors and snip off about a bit of one edge so it won't get caught when you run it through. If you just can't bear to cut it, read tip #2.

2. These Edgelits are fragile, especially if you use them a lot and take them on and off your cutting pads. Solution? Invest in an a second set of Standard Cutting Pads that will permanently hold your Edgelits. You can adhere the "flat" side to your Cutting Pad using a piece of Sticky Strip Tape.

3. When using the Adorning Accents Textured Embossing Folders with the Edgelits, cut your card stock with the Edgelit first, then emboss. If you do it the other way, your embossed piece will get flattened when you run it through to cut with the Edgelit.

Happy Stamping!

Anne Brown  The Stamp Maven  anne@stampmaven.com  972-234-9118  Stampin' Up! Demo

Tuesday Share And Tip

I saved my favorite Create & Keep Simply Sent Kit "leftover" for last!  Our daughter started a new sales job in January and she has been doing better than she ever imagined (of course her dad and I knew she would be great...lol). I wanted to send her a special card and here it is!

Click for full image

Tip: If you have leftover diecut pieces from a Simply Sent Kit or from another project, put these pieces in a small envelope , label it and file in the coordinating color "scrap" folder. You will be amazed how often one of these pieces will be just the right one for another card or scrapbook page.

Stampin' Up! Demo  Anne Brown  The Stamp Maven  anne@stampmaven.com  972-234-9118

Tuesday Tip and Technique

I love stamping with White Craft Ink but it can easily smudge.  The eraser that comes in the Stampin' Pastels works great to take off any of those pesky mistakes. Give it a try!

I spent a lot of time with my grandkids over the holidays and one of their favorite things to do is stamp with me. Here is a fun technique that works well with kids.

To make a fun card background you need a bottle of bubbles (yes, the stuff your kids use to blow bubbles!), a Re-inker, a straw, and a bowl, cup or a plastic container with a lid. Pour some of the bubbles solution into your bowl or cup. Add 10 – 15 drops of any Re-inker. Mix well with the straw so that the color is evenly dispersed throughout the bubbles. Then, blow through the straw to form bubbles that will rise above your cup. Take your piece of Whisper White cardstock and lightly touch the cardstock to the bubbles. Move the card around and repeat so that there are bubbles on different areas of the card. Using a paper towel, gently pop any bubbles that are on the card. Lay aside to dry or use your Heat Tool to dry more quickly.

Pour some bubbles mix into another bowl or cup. Add 10 – 15 drops of another Re-inker. Mix well. Blow through another clean straw to form bubbles. Take the piece of Whisper White cardstock that you used earlier and touch the remaining white areas to the bubbles in this 2nd container, and repeat until there is no white space left on the card. Set aside to dry.

Try using Glossy White Card Stock for a different look.

Anne Brown The Stamp Maven  anne@stampmaven.com 972-234-9118 Stampin' Up! Demo

Picture Lighting

Here's an article I found on how to get the light that you want in your pictures. Most of it seems "common-sensical", but maybe there are some things that we don't normally think of... 

Proper lighting is one of the most crucial elements of a good picture, yet is one of the most commonly overlooked. Follow these simple steps to make sure your pics impress.

Step 1 - Determine the "dominant light source." An easy way to do this is to look at the shadows in the area - they will point away from the dominant light source. If there are multiple light sources, the dominant one will create the darkest shadows.

Step 2 - Decide what type of shot you're after. Usually you'll be wanting a fully-lit shot of your subject with as little shadow as possible.

Step 3 - If you're going for a normal, well-lit photo, shoot away from the light source. This will eliminate harsh shadows and make sure your subject is lit up in your pic.

Other Tips -

• Don't rely on the flash! Most digital cameras have an automatic flash that's there to "fill" in bad lighting situations. Problem is, it's usually a pretty harsh light, and can wind up reflecting off your subject and making it look washed out. If there's enough light in the area and you're following these steps, turn the flash off!
• If you're outside during the day, the dominant light source is easy to find - not much is going to outshine that big light in the sky. Shoot away from the sun whenever possible.
• Don't stifle your creativity. Odds are you've got over a hundred shots to waste on that camera of yours - use them. This is simply how to properly light a photo - sometimes improper shots can accidentally wow everyone with your artistic ability!

Give these tips a try.  They work! 

Any questions or anything I can do to help you?  Please contact me!
Anne Brown - Stamp Maven - anne@stampmaven.com

(Thanks to eHow.com for the article.)

Pinwheel Party!

Hey, they say when two or more friends are gathered it's a party, so why not a pinwheel party! These "faux" pinwheels are so easy to make! This is one of the techniques I am featuring this month at my technique class. If you're interested in learning this and other fun techniques, it's not too late to sign up!

In my monthly classes, I teach rubber stamping and scrapbooking techniques. I usually hold them on the last Thursday night of the month. My son's birthday is on that day this month so I had to move up a week. Hope to see you at a class soon!

Anne Brown  The Stamp Maven  anne@stampmaven.com  972-234-9118  Stampin' Up! Demo

Project Recipes-Tuesday Tip

Have you ever fallen in love with a project shown in our Idea Book/Catalog but haven't been able to figure out all the supplies used?  We have a supplies file that will give you all the ink and card stock colors and also tell you the embellishments used. You can download a copy and save it for reference. When you are ready to make your handmade cards and scrapbook pages, you'll have so many ideas from which to choose! Supplies used in the Holiday Mini Catalog are available, too. Of course, should you want to order any of the supplies, my online store is open 24/7 for your convenience!

Lovin' being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!

Anne Brown  The Stamp Maven  anne@stampmaven.com  972-234-9118

Button, Button, Who's Got The Button?

I do, I do....I truly think I have all the Stampin' Up! buttons we sell! If you are not quite as much of a button hoarder but need a particular color to complete a project, try this easy technique. You can have a matching button for any color of card stock you might be using!

Punch out 6 to 8 pieces of the same shape (any size circle will work and you can also experiment with other shapes) from cardstock and glue on top of each other with a glue stick, SNAIL or Tombow Multi-purpose Adhesive. Line the edges up as exactly as possible. The top layer could also be Designer Series Paper of your choice instead of plain card stock. Use the smallest hole of the Crop-A-Dile to punch the button holes, thread the ribbon, embroidery thread, or hemp through and tie in a knot. Attach to your project with mini glue dots.

You can try heat embossing your buttons to get a shiny or metallic look.

Have fun!

Anne Brown  The Stamp Maven  anne@stampmaven.com  972-234-9118  Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Tuesday Tip - Beautiful Bows!

At stamp club last night, both projects involved a pesky little bow that drove a few of the ladies nuts; maybe you can relate? Are you tired of having your bows look lop-sided or you don't want to bother with punching and threading to get the "perfect" bow? Try this tip: it is based on the square knot (if you were a girl scout or have sons who were in boy scouts, you'll remember this) where the knot and bow are tied in opposite directions (as opposed to the usual granny knot where they are tied in the same direction). This makes the bow straight and securely tied; you don’t have to worry about your bow coming apart.

Start by tying a simple knot crossing the left side over the right. Using the ribbon in your right hand, form a loop; hold the base between your thumb and middle finger. Now take the length on the left and bring it around the back of the loop in your right hand and around to the front. Push that piece of ribbon against the end of your middle finger with the thumb of your left hand, feeding a loop through the hole where your middle finger was showing. Grab the “new” loop with your thumb and middle finger of your right hand and grab the first loop with the thumb and index finger of your left hand and pull in opposite directions. Then, you can adjust the size of your bow by pulling on the loops and tails until it gets to the desired size.

You can also practice this technique on a small travel size spray bottle or a bottle of Stampin' Mist until you get the hang of it! Have fun!

If you are interested in learning more stamping and scrapbooking techniques, my monthly technique classes are for you!

Anne Brown  The Stamp Maven  anne@stampmaven.com  Stampin' Up! Demonstrator  972-234-9118