Prairie Paper & Ink

Paper Piecing Tutorial

I know I used Papertrey's Bitty Baby Blessings set for my last newsletter tutorial (and Debbie also used it for her tutorial last week and made THE most adorable bib card), but I HAD to make up more baby cards (is it just me or does anyone else notice that there seems to be a major demand for all things baby-related this summer??? I am constantly in need of baby cards and gifts!) - and this set is beyond perfect for creating quick, simple CUTE baby cards in a snap! And when you combine the Bitty Baby Blessings set with Papertrey's 6x6 collection of patterned papers, Perfect Match cardstocks and ribbon you have a plethora of options to make even the simplest of cards look like it came straight from a boutique!

I started with a few sheets from PT's 6x6 patterned paper collection.

Pictured from left to right are papers from: Bitty Baby Blessings, Father Knows Best, Pink Patterns and Everyday Blessings.

I prefer to use the 6x6 papers for paper piecing as the scaled-down patterns (50% of the 12x12 paper patterns) are PERFECT for smaller images such as the ones in the Bitty Baby Blessings stamp set.

I decided to make 6 cards - each one using a different image from the set.

As you can see I stamped some of the images more than once onto different patterns - you will see why when you scroll down.

A good black ink like Palette Noir works great when paper piecing.

For the onesie and duck image all that needed to be done was to cut them out (I use small detail scissors when cutting out stamped images - they are great for getting into corners and whatnot - Stampin' Up! has a great pair and the Cutterbee brand ones are similar if not the same thing).

For images like this I cut out certain pieces from the second stamped image and adhered it over the first - it gives them that extra pattern to define them.

Notice with the elephant I cut the tail right off - that was on purpose. It would be too difficult (and time consuming) to cut around the tail - scroll down to see how I fixed that tho.

I stamped the elephant image onto a square of white cardstock (that was cut and embossed with a square Nestabilities die) then adhered the paper-pieced elephant over top - so he got his tail back!

I did the same thing with the boat and carriage - I stamped the images onto the white CS then adhered the paper pieced images over top.

I use Tombow Mono Multi glue when paper piecing - a tiny dot here and there adheres them down perfectly and I am able to glue down even the tiniest of pieces with this glue.

And here are the finished cards!

I used the same layout for all of them, using my Scalloped Square Nestabilities die to cut a mat out of coordinating Papertrey cardstock.

I used the same patterned paper on each card to match the main image, and tied coordinating PT twill ribbon around it before adhering it to the card base and attaching the scalloped mat with dimensionals. On the inside of each card I stamped a sentiment from the Bitty Baby Blessings set.

I used Copic markers to color in the duck's beak, the wheels and parts of the carriage and the openings of the baby onesie to give them all a more "finished" look, and that was it!

{SUPPLIES}

STAMPS: Papertrey Bitty Baby Blessings Stamp Set.

CS: Papertrey White, Lavender Moon, Sweet Blush, Summer Sunrise, Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet, Spring Moss, 6x6 Patterned Papers: Bitty Baby Blessings, Father Knows Best, Pink Patterns and Everyday Blessings.

INK: Palette Noir.

ACCESSORIES: Spellbinders Square and Scalloped Square Dies, Papertrey Twill Ribbons (Lavender Moon, Sweet Blush, Summer Sunrise, Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet, Spring Moss), Dimensionals.

Lining Up 4 Punched Circles On a Square Tutorial

Quite a mouthful for a title but I didn't know what else to call it!

I got numerous e-mails and comments on this card asking me how I lined up all 4 circles so perfectly. I will show you what i used but also show you how you can do it yourself:

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To get the 4 circles lined up perfectly I use this chipboard piece from one of Stampin' Up!'s On Board chipboard sets (the name of the specific set escapes me at the moment!).

However if you don't have this no worries - just keep reading and you can learn how to make your own template:

You need either a piece of cardstock or some cardboard backing (like on the back of a pad of paper) - I just used CS for this - cut to 3 3/4" square.

You also need some scrap CS, a 1 1/4" Circle punch (you can use whatever size you want for the circles - doesn't HAVE to be this specific size), some adhesive and a pencil and ruler will help too.

Begin by punching out 4 circles from the scrap CS.

Then you need to adhere them to the 3 3/4" square CS.

It helps to use a ruler and mark the center of the CS (which FYI on a 3 3/4" square is 1 7/8") to be able to line up the circles better. Then I just eyeball them and adjust if I need to.

Then you take your circle punch and punch through the square of CS by placing it directly over the circle you adhered to it.

Now you've got your template!

So to use it you place it over the CS you want on your card, then trace the circles with a pencil.

And there you have it! Once you have your template it takes seconds to trace it out and punch the holes - SUPER quick and easy!

I hope y'all enjoyed this and post a link to your creation on this post if you make your own template and cards!!

Coaster Picture Frame Tutorials

As I was making my samples a couple of months ago for Papertrey's February release and creating with their patterned papers and some lightweight chipboard coasters - I discovered something neat (and new to me!) - my Spellbinders Nestabilities dies cut through the coasters!

The wheels began to turn and after some experimenting I ended up making picture frames out of the coasters - and of course what better way to decorate them than to use Papertrey's patterned papers?

I will show you step-by-step with pictures just how I made this frame and just how easy they are to make!

I started with 2 lightweight chipboard coasters and 3 pieces of patterned paper (from the 12x12 Everyday Blessings Paper Pack) that are cut to 4x4".

**Note - make sure you are using LIGHTWEIGHT coasters for this project - anything heavier will not cut with the Nestabilities dies**

Using a corner rounder punch I rounded the corners on 2 of the pieces of patterned paper.

I then adhered the paper to each side of one of the coasters.

**I use Mono Multi Liquid Glue to adhere pretty much everything I make. The paper doesn't need to be fully covered with adhesive either - I do a thin line around the edge and a little scribble of glue down the middle and it's good to go.

Another reason why I love using this glue is because it gives me a little "wiggle room" - after I apply the paper to the coaster I can  slide it around a bit to get it in place before the adhesive dries.**

After adhering the papers to the coaster set it aside to be used later.

I took the second coaster and 2 different Nestabilities dies - the largest Scalloped Square in the Classic Square Small set and a plain square die.

the "compatibility chart" (how to use different die cutting machines with the Nestabilities Dies) can be seen here.

I used small pieces of tape to hold the dies in place - you can use both dies at once on the coaster.

**Make sure to use SMALL pieces of tape - being that they're made of paper the coaster will tear if you use too much tape because the pressure of the die-cutting machine "super adheres" the tape to the coaster!**

**The little pen squiggle was made by me - I had marked the center of the coaster to better aid me in lining up the dies.**

After running the coaster through your machine and removing the dies you have this!

**NOTE - do NOT throw away the center piece when you remove the dies - set it aside as it comes in handy later on!**

I ran the 3rd piece of patterned paper through the machine with the same scalloped square die.

**I DID make an attempt at adhering the paper to the coaster BEFORE cutting it - but it made it too thick for the Nestabilities dies to cut through - so the coaster and the paper MUST be cut separately.**

Notice I didn't use the square die in the center of the paper - it is too difficult to line it up to the coaster - so I did something else that's quick and easy:

First I applied adhesive to the coaster around the scalloped edge and around the opening, then adhered the patterned paper to the coaster.

I flipped the covered coaster over and used a craft knife (make sure you have a cutting mat underneath!) to cut out the opening.

I don't use my craft knife very often (it's been MONTHS) but this was really quick and easy to do as it's 4 straight lines and you following the opening in the coaster.

**Again do NOT throw away the square of paper that is left from cutting out the "window" - you will need it soon!**

You can see in the inset picture the end result from cutting out the window - and keeping the coaster flipped over apply a line of adhesive to **3** sides of the coaster. Leave one side clean!

I adhered the scalloped coaster to the coaster I covered earlier.

You now have a picture frame! I slipped in a piece of white card stock to see better ----- that's why adhesive is only applied to 3 sides - the 4th is left clean to be able to USE the frame and slide in and out the pictures/stamped images etc!

My dilemma though was how could I make it more like a real picture frame - as in give it the ability to stand on it's own? Well that's where the "extra" piece of coaster and "extra" piece of patterned paper come in :o)

Adhere the square of patterned paper to the chipboard.

I used my paper cutter for this step - you could also use a ruler and a craft knife or scissors.

Lining up the square like this I cut both sides of the coaster **NOTE - the cutter will NOT cut all the way through**.

I then used my scissors to fully cut through the coaster so that I was left with a piece that looked like the one in the inset picture.

Flipping over the coaster piece I again placed it onto my paper cutter and made a cut on one end.

**Again it will NOT cut all the way through - and this is what you want. You do NOT want to cut the end off - just to make a slight cut into the coaster so that it will bend easier**

I applied adhesive to the "cut" end of the coaster piece - then adhered it to the back of the picture frame.

See?? Now the frame can stand up on it's own and I didn't use any extra supplies to make it - just pieces that normally would have been thrown away!!

And here is the finished frame again.

I decorated it with a few buttons from my stash (I used really thin strips of paper to "finish" the buttons), and added a stamped image and sentiment from Papertrey's new Father Knows Best set.

What I LOVE about these little frames is not only are they simple to make - they are cheap too! The coasters can be found at several different online stores (I got mine from ATS - 20 coasters for $2), and it only uses 1/3 of a sheet of 12x12 patterned paper - you can get 3 picture frames from one 12x12 sheet! So with one pack of Papertrey's 12x12 patterned paper you could make 36 coaster picture frames!!

And just to mix things up a bit I also did one a little different - instead of making it a stand-up frame - I punched 2 holes in the top (the Crop-a-Dile works like a charm for this - cuts through the layers of coaster and paper like butter) and strung the frame onto a length of Papertrey Spring Moss Twill Ribbon.

A few more buttons and another stamped sentiment from the Father Knows Best set and it's done!

I made a third frame with more papers from the Everyday Blessings 12x12 paper pack and decorated it with an bow made from Aqua Mist Twill (adhered to the frame with a mini glue dot).

Not only will these make great little gifts, but think of the possibilities!

-done in the wedding colors these could be great with the centerpieces at the wedding reception with pictures of the happy couple. And the guests could take them home with them after.

-teachers gifts - they're affordable and easy to mass produce if you have to make several.

-baby showers - make several frames with the baby's picture in them and on the back you can adhere a paper with all the important info (birth date, weight etc etc) typed on it.

-and I'm sure there are tons more you could do!

EDITED TO ADD: Lynda left a comment with a GREAT idea: I've made frames from coasters but never this adorable-  try putting magnet strips in the back for refrigerator magnets and sometime I adhere these to front of inexpensive canvas albums to make them more personal.

LOL I NEVER thought of magnets *smacks forehead* - how cute would that be? And these frames are so lightweight that a couple strips of magnet (you can get it at Michaels) on the back would hold them up no problem - and just think - that would be a GREAT way to give the wallet-size school pictures to other family members!!

I had a lot of fun creating these and I hope y'all enjoyed my instructions so that you can make them too!

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SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Father Knows Best Stamp Set.

CS: Everyday Blessings 12x12 Patterned Paper.

INK: Spring Moss (PT), Versafine Onyx Black.

ACCESSORIES: 4x4" Lightweight Chipboard Coasters, Nestabilities Dies, Mono Multi Adhesive, Buttons, Ribbon. 

Janome Sew Mini Sewing Machine Tutorial

GinaK just finished posting a step-by-step tutorial (with pictures of each step!) on how to use the Janome Sew Mini Sewing Machine.

I am going to post liks to both parts of the tutorial (she split it into 2 parts) as I think it is the BEST and easiest way to figure out how to use it (it IS really easy to use - when I got mine it didn't take me long to figure it out and I have little to no sewing experience!).

I LOVE my Janome Sew Mini and I highly recommend it! (FYI I got mine online through Hancockfabrics.com - I got it on sale with free shipping and had it shipped to a friend in the US who then mailed it on to me since they don't ship to Canada. You can also check out e-bay b/c I guess no retailers carry that machine in Canada? That's what I was told and I couldn't find it anywhere I looked)

Here's the tutorials:

Janome Sewing Tutorial 1- The Bobbin

Janome Sewing Tutorial 2- Threading the machine

EDITED TO ADD:

Actually there is 4 parts to the tutorial so here is parts 3 and 4!!:

Janome Sewing Tutorial 3- Inserting the bobbin

Janome Sewing Tutorial 4- Now we're sewing!

Papertrey February Release Countdown - 2

I gotta say that when it came time for me to choose which of the Papertrey set(s) I wanted to feature for my countdown post I had the HARDEST time choosing!! All the sets are fabulous (as usual!) and I can't wait until y'all get to see them in full!

I ended up choosing the Just Hatched set (Nichole created it to go with the Egg Boxes you can see here) because it's also great for cards too! So here we go!

I started off by cutting out an oval using my CuttleBug and Oval Nestabilities die (from the Classic Oval Large set)

I prefer to cut the image first THEN stamp on it (one of the great benefits of clear stamps - since you can see through them and line them up perfectly!).

I then chose one of the stamps from the Just Hatched set.

The stamp is clean - but I had already used it a few times before taking these pictures. You can see how stained it is in this picture.

I actually LOVE that it's stained - I find it MUCH easier to find which stamps I want when I'm going through my clear sets since the staining makes them easier to see (and read when I'm looking for particular sentiments!).

I wanted to stamp the image using two different colors.

To make that possible I pulled out my tape and covered the areas of the stamp I DIDN'T want to get ink on.

I then used my Burnt Umber Palette cube and inked up the "Little One".

**FYI I used my label maker to label all the cubes when I first got them since they don't have the names on them like the full-size pads do.**

Once the wording was inked I pulled off the tape and inked up just the border with the WaterLily Green ink.

I purposely left the rest of the wording on the stamp un-inked - I only wanted the "Little One" sentiment for my card.

<-------and this is one of the reasons why I LOVE clear stamps!

I was easily able to line up and stamp the image onto the oval I cut at the beginning.

When planning this card I decided to use Prism Frosted Teal card stock (which is a PERFECT match to the Palette WaterLily Green ink).

The CS has a bit of texture to it but I wanted to liven up the card a bit - so I pulled out one of the stamps from the soon-to-be-released Polka Dot Basics set.

It only took a minute or two to stamp the entire piece. Nichole designed the stamps to line up PERFECTLY - you don't need to move them from side to side to line up the dots when stamping them - making it SO quick and easy to stamp an entire card base!

I will be reaching for this set over and over again - it's a definite MUST have stamp set!

After stamping the CS I wanted to add just a *little* something more - so I pulled out one of my rectangle Nestabilities dies and embossed it onto the CS.

Do you know I've NEVER done this before? And yet it's so easy!

I placed the die where I wanted it to be embossed, and to hold it in place I used two little pieces of tape before putting it in the sandwich stack and running it through my CuttleBug.

After embossing the Teal card stock I used a corner rounder punch on each corner and sponged the edges of it and the white oval with Burnt Umber ink.

I cut a scalloped oval frame for the main image with another Nestability die and Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!) card stock.

To finish the card I added some wide Polka Dot ribbon (Michaels) and brown brads then adhered the Teal Card stock to a base made of Papertrey White card stock.

This card measures 4.25 x 5.5".

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SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Just Hatched and Polka Dot Basics stamp sets by Papertrey Ink.

CS: Papertrey Stamper's Select White, Prism Frosted Teal, Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip.

INK: Palette Inks in Burnt Umber and WaterLily Green.

ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities Dies, Sponge Daubers, Ribbon, Brads, Dimensionals, Tape.

EDITED TO ADD:

There were several questions asked in the comments on this post - here they are:

I am trying to decide if I need a cuttlebug or a cricut or both - which do you recommend??

Honestly - I don't own a cricut. The only die-cut machine I own (and have ever tried!) is the CuttleBug. I someday hope to be able to purchase a cricut b/c I think it would be a really fun machine to own (especially as I get into scrapbooking more and as my girls get older and start school I think it will be a useful tool to have for projects and whatnot).

Can you tell me what the difference is between the Cuttlebug and the Sizzix Side kick? Is it a size thing? Also will the Nestibilities work in the Sidekick, since I already own that?

I can't say anything about the differences as I've never used a SideKick - however I do know the Nestabilities will work in the SK - but you can't emboss with them. You can find out more about the compatabilities of the Nestabilities dies and the different die-cut machines HERE.

Where did you get the small block with the grid lines? I'd like to get one so that it is easier to line up the polka dots.

The block is from this set by ProvoCraft. And it's actually quite a large block - 2 x 6.5".

Where did you get Palette ink cubes?

Papertrey sells them individually and All That Scraps sells them in sets.

how were you able to emboss without cutting up the paper?

I use the compatability chart here - when you follow the instructions for embossing you won't cut the paper :o)

Are you using your new photography lights yet?

Yes I am - all the pictures taken for this post (and almost all of my recent posts) were taken with my new set-up!

On your Papertrey February Release Countdown - 2 you had a picture of the Cuttlebug with plates A, C, and B.  Are those the only ones you used to cut out the oval nestabilities die??  If that's true, I'm going to order them, I thought that it took a lot of messing around to get them cut out.

Yes those were the only plates I used - you can see the chart for the CuttleBug here (you have to scroll down a bit) for what you need. For just cutting with the Nestability dies you just use the plates you will have with your CuttleBug, and then to emboss you just need the tan polymer mat that both Papertrey and All That Scraps sells (and again the chart with the sandwich for embossing is here).

Using The Corner Rounder Punch to Make a Scalloped Edge VIDEO Tutorial

I have been asked a LOT how exactly I use my Stampin' Up! Corner Rounder Punch to make a scalloped edge on my card stock.

So I just did a short little video to show you what I do (it took me forever to get it all set up b/c I had to use my web cam and it's not wireless so I had to re-arrange some things in order to shoot a video! It worked tho so YAY!).

Things to keep in mind:

1. You have to take the paper guide off the punch - in the video you will see how easy it is - just make sure not to pull too hard on it when removing the guide b/c it can break!
2. I don't punch all the way through each time - just enough to make each scallop.
3. When you're punching you can see the marks on the edge of each scallop - I line up the next punch at the corner of the previously punched scallop.

And here's the video:

Glitter & Re-Inker Ornaments Revisited

Remember these?? If not - or if you need a refresher on how I made them - check out my step-by-step tutorial HERE <-------click!!

And as always you can check out any past tutorials I've done HERE <----click!

Masking With Bella Stamps Tutorial

I've been promising a tutorial like this for a looonnnggg time I know - and I finally have it!!

WHAT YOU NEED:

Bella Stamp (huggybellas was used for this tutorial)

A Muse Oval Stamp (I used the Mini Oval bl sm for this tutorial - there are 4 different sizes available through A Muse. You can use other "shadow" stamps (oval-shaped or otherwise) as well - I just personally prefer the A Muse ovals and it's what I use all the time!) being in Canada A Muse stamps are pretty hard to come by - so I just order directly from them - I can either call or e-mail them (their contact info is on their website) and they ship out ASAP. They're really great to deal with - just tell them AmyR sent you!! :o)

Preferred Ink

Sharp Scissors (ones with fine tips made for detail cutting are best - I use Stampin' Up! Paper Snips for this - Cutterbee one's are similar I'm told but I've never tried them)

Either a Post-It note (the yellow one's pictured) or a piece of Eclipse Masking Tape (I just got this and it is FABULOUS - I always used Sticky notes before but after trying the Eclipse tape I won't be using Post-It's anymore - the one side of the tape is completely covered in adhesive similar to a sticky note and it stays in place better. And a roll like this will last FOREVER....) - which is the little white piece pictured.

STEP 1:

Stamp Bella image onto Eclipse Tape/Sticky Note (I used JUST the Eclipse tape for this tutorial). I only stamp the bottom portion of the stamp b/c that's all that's needed for this type of thing.

STEP 2:

Using detail scissors cut out the image. I cut slightly INSIDE the lines - this is what helps prevent any "white space" and is what usually has most people confused LOL b/c I make it look good! Keep reading tho to find out more tricks *wink*.

STEP 3:

Stamp bella image onto cardstock.

STEP 4:

Place mask overtop of stamped image and press it down - making sure it's lined up properly and directly on top of the stamped image.

STEP 5:

Ink up oval stamp and stamp it at the Bella's feet. I press the oval firmly onto the CS - not TOO hard mind you -  just good even pressure.

STEP 6:

Peel off mask.

STEP 7:

Now I get asked ALL the time how I get the image stamped so well with no white space around the feet - MOST of the time I have no issues b/c the mask was cut properly. However when there IS white space (and you can see a teeny bit along the bottom of the foot on the left bella - however something like that I'd usually just leave b/c it really is hardly noticeable) - I use the fine tip of a marker in the same color as I stamped (I generally use Stampin' Up! classic ins to stamp the ovals and then I have all the matching markers too) to fill in any of the white space. THAT's my "big secret"!! LOL

And here's the finished card. I used Copic markers to color in the Bellas, and you can't see it but I added glitter here and there with my Sakura Stardust pen. I stitched twice around the image - it didn't look right just going around once - the tension was off - especially when I was going through 3 layers of CS and the ribbon - not good!

The ribbon is May Arts  - I LOVE their new striped ribbon!

The sentiment is also from Stamping Bella - it's so cute!

STAMPS: Huggybella and sentiment by Stamping Bella. CS: Papertrey Stamper's Select White, Almost Amethyst, Bashful Blue and Rose Red (all Stampin' Up!). INK: Brilliance Graphite Black, Bashful Blue. ACCESSORIES: May Arts Ribbon, Prima Flower, WeR Black Snap, Sewing Machine, Bazzill Brads, Sakura Stardust Pen, A Muse Twinkle Stickers.

So there's my Bella masking tutorial!! If there's any questions just leave a comment on this post and I'll edit it to answer them. Have a great weekend everyone!

So Many Sayings How To ------- and BLOG CANDY!!

So I've noticed lately that a LOT of people are posting about Stampin' Up!'s Level One set So Many Sayings - I had mentioned here and there that I cut mine apart to use, and I'm not alone!! EVERYONE is doing it and for a good reason - cutting the stamps apart makes them easier to use!

I also had a few people contact me asking me exactly HOW I had cut them apart and how I was using them. Instead of replying to each individual e-mail (and phone call ---- Hi Julie!! *grin*) I'll post pics here - then stay tuned to the end of this post for some Blog Candy!! YAY!

So here's the set as it comes from SU! (being a Level 1 hostess set it isn't available to buy and won't be in a future catty to buy either - the ONLY way to get it is through hosting a SU workshop or placing a big enough order to earn it for free.) It's a set of 3 stamps and each stamp has a BUNCH of individual sentiments on it - the idea being that you ink up the sentiment you want with a marker and use a stamp-a-ma-jig or something to line up the stamp to get it where you want. Well that's just too much work for me!! So this is what I did:

I pulled the rubber right off the foam backing - you just peel up from one of the corners and pull. a bit of the foam will stay behind as it's adhered pretty good - but what's left on the rubber is thin enough that I don't worry about it and just leave it on there.

After pulling off all the rubber (and discarding the foam and paper backing - FYI I NEVER keep rubber scraps - I used to - and had a HUGE container full of them. And they just sat there - like what am I going to do with a pile of foam and rubber scraps??? If it's the idea that you use the foam for dimensionals no thanks - it's too much work peeling everything apart and then having to adhere it and then it doesn't stick that well anyway ------ I am MUCH happier just buying a pack of dimensionals and using them thanks!! LOL) - ANYWAY sorry for the sidetrack!! - I use EZ Mount at this step. EZ Mount is foam backing for stamps with one side being sticky for the rubber to adhere to - and the other side being "clingy" as it clings to acrylic blocks.

I peeled off the paper backing to the EZ Mount, stick on the stamps then cut them out (you can see the tutorial I did on using unmounted rubber stamps HERE <----click!!).

Now THIS I was proud of LOL! I know a lot of people haven't ever used unmounted stamps before, and don't have acrylic blocks on hand (whereas I have a BUNCH of them!!). THIS block I got in the dollar bin at Michaels - (or $1.50 section in Canada) - and it's PERFECT for these stamps! So you CAN get a block JUST for these stamps since it's so cheap.

The stamp just clings right to it - so you can ink it up, stamp it, clean it, then peel it off and put it away - and that was another issue. After cutting the set apart I didn't want to put it back in the case as they were so small and the case was so big they would get all jumbled up and make it harder to find the one I wanted (and the whole point of this was to make them EASIER to use!!). So I went and grabbed a clear plastic CD case and put them in THAT:

The entire set AND the block (it's in the bottom right of the case) fit perfectly in the case - and I put the stickers on the top and the coordinating stamps directly under to make it a snap to find the one I need!

So now instead of having a set of 3 stamps mounted on wood that I'd never use - I now have a set of *34* unmounted stamps WITH a block in a CD case that I use all the time!! *grin*

So I hope this helps out everyone that was wondering how I chopped up my stamps!

Now where does the blog candy come in you ask? (admit it you were thinking about it!! *wink*) Well here's where:

Leave a comment on THIS post and I'll choose a random winner (gotta love random.org) and send them a set exactly like this - I got an extra one recently and it's all on EZ Mount, cut apart and in it's case with the acrylic block (just like this last picture) waiting to be sent out!

I'll choose a winner Thursday night (August 30)! Good Luck!!   

CONGRATS TO DANIELLE PASS!!! She'll be getting this set as soon as I get her mailing address!!

EDITED TO ADD: (need to answer a few questions!!)

CD Cases - the ones I get have the black formed insert in them that holds the CD - I just take the lid off, pop out the insert, then put the lid back on and they're good to go!! When buying the cases make sure you get the regular ones as the slim ones will NOT work - they're too thin! I actually ordered a TON of them (like 100 I think??) from a supplier months and months ago (sorry I don't remember who it was as I got a new computer and no longer have the info!) so I'm set for life!

EZ Mount - you can get it at several different places. I've gotten it from All That Scraps (they now carry it in 3 sheet sizes - here, here, and here - it's black instead of grey but it's the same thing), and Stamping Bella - both ship to Canada (Stamping Bella is IN Canada and ships internationally, ATS is in the US but ships things up here as well as internationally). There are tons more places that carry it but these are the 2 I shop from most often and highly recommend them - just tell them AmyR sent you!!

Someone asked why I didn't just use cling vinyl instead of the EZmount (the idea being you just pull off the paper backing on the sticky side of the foam and slap on the vinyl and then trim). I didn't do that b/c #1 - I don't have any vinyl on hand whereas I always try to have at least a full sheet of EZmount, and #2 - I've only used stamps that have that type of backing once before and I don't really like it. I prefer the EZmount b/c it seems to cling better to the blocks. However if I were contemplating going completely unmounted with all my stamps and had a bunch of ones sitting with the sticky foam then I'd prolly consider using cling vinyl to save time!!

Do I unmount all my stamps like this?? ---- no I don't. I LOVE my wood and rubber stamps and prolly always will - but at times (like this!) having them unmounted is better OR that's the way they come. I'm a hybrid stamper really - I like them all - unmounted, wood & rubber, clear - whatever! If it's a stamp I'm gonna love and use it!! *grin*

What do I do with the blocks? Right now they're sitting in a drawer as I'm saving them. They are the perfect size for some of my Bella stamps as I've been toying with the idea of mounting them - but as I have quite a few of them I'm going to need a LOT more blocks! So that idea is still on the back burner and the blocks are in a drawer...........

Alcohol Marker Tutorial

People have been asking me a LOT of questions about the Copic and Prismacolor markers, and have also requested a tutorial on them. I've been holding off as I had heard through the grapevine that there would possibly be one on Splitcoast - and guess what popped in my in-box today??

Alcohol Marker Tutorial

This tutorial is WAY better than what I could have shown y'all - Colorin' Kate (that's her SCS username - click on it and it will take you to her fabulous gallery! Her coloring is divine!) does all the coloring for Whipper Snapper (I've seen a lot of her cards in the WS ads in magazines and whatnot) as well as teaching classes on the Copic markers (her preferred brand - however all us little people can substitute our CIAO's or Prismacolor markers to get similar results!).

So definitely check out the tutorial - I learned a lot from it! And I can't stress enough that it takes practice practice PRACTICE!! You might not be an expert colorer overnight but if you keep plugging away at it............