Thursday, February 26, 2009

Technique Thursday - Covering Chipboard

Well, I'm starting this post a few hours before midnight, but I figure as long as I get it done before then it'll still count! I've been sick with a cold the last couple of days and I don't have much energy, but I couldn't let another week go by without posting a new technique. This week I'll be showing you how to cover chipboard in a couple of different ways. Here are the supplies you'll need:


Tweezers
Heat Gun
Craft Ink - I have the Stampin' Spots rather than the full size ink pads. I bought them a couple of years ago when they were on sale. The benefit to using the spots is that you can get all the colors in a color family for a lot less. The downside is that you'll have to re-ink your pads more often.

Chipboard Pieces - the chipboard I'm using is retired, but Stampin' Up! still has great chipboard accents available starting on page 182 of the catalog.

Step 1

Start by pressing the ink pad directly onto your piece of chipboard. If you're using the larger craft ink pads, you might want to use a sponge dauber to pick up the ink and then apply it to the chipboard - it's not so messy that way!

*It takes a little bit to cover the chipboard completely, so just keep applying the ink until you're happy with the result.




*To keep my fingers from getting inky, I simply use my tweezers to hold the chipboard steady.











Step 2


Craft ink is a thicker, more pigmented ink than the regular craft ink, so it takes awhile to dry. You can speed up the drying process just by heat setting the ink with your heat gun. Careful not to heat it too much though - it can still scorch; I've actually seen smoke come off of my chipboard before! I only admit this now to keep you from making the same mistake :)

That's it! Once the ink is dry, you're ready to mount your chipboard. Pretty simple, huh?


Covering Chipboard with Paper
Step 1


Start by placing your chipboard upside-down on your paper. I'm using textured cardstock for these leaves, so I traced them on the wrong side of the paper.
























Step 2

Now that you've traced around the chipboard, cut out the image. I usually cut just inside of the line that I've traced, and that matches pretty well with the chipboard piece. If you have some edges that hang over a bit you can always sand them down with a Sanding Block.







Step 3

Now we're ready to glue the cardstock onto the chipboard. I like to use Tombow adhesive - it has two applicator tips which makes it easy to put on just the right amount of glue no matter what size your project is. Plus, it holds really well - I've never had a problem with my projects coming apart after using it.






Make sure you don't put too much adhesive on - remember that the pressure from putting the cardstock on will squeeze some of the glue to the edges and you don't want a gloppy mess oozing onto your cardstock. A little really does go a long way in this instance!







Place the cardstock on the chipboard, smooth it out and Voila! You're ready to put your card together.

*On my finished card I sponged some classic ink around the edges of the leave to give it some shading and dimension.







Finishing Up

You'll notice that the chipboard flower on this card is different than the one that was pictured in the tutorial - that's because I made my sample first (to make sure the idea turned out the way I wanted). When I went back to start taking pictures for the tutorial, I realized that I didn't have anymore of the pieces I needed - how annoying! So I planned to create another card with the other chipboard flower, but I'm going to play the "Sick" card - I'm tired and I just want to go veg on the couch! Besides - this card turned out pretty well, so there's no sense in making another one right this second :)

*For my color scheme, I used Kiwi Kiss, Elegant Eggplant and So Saffron. You might see more samples with the same colors - because I'm really liking the result!




Sunday, February 22, 2009

Another Fantastic Girls' Night Out!

Wow - we had a fantastic turnout at GNO on Friday! Thanks so much to all of you who came; GNO is something I really look forward to - it's so much fun to get together and stamp with friends.

*I'm sorry the picture of the bucket is missing - I deleted it so that I could enter it into a contest at Stampin' Up.



Our next project was a Scratch 'n' Sniff card. For those of you who weren't able to make it, I'll feature this technique in a couple of weeks on Technique Thursday.

I'll be honest - this isn't my favorite card; I think I can redesign it to be better, but it's still cute. The apple was heat embossed with Kool-aid powder to make it smell yummy! I was having a hard time smelling anything after I made it, but then it occurred to me: scratch it a little. I tried it and what do you know? There was a yummy little scent, coming from my card! So, apparently with these types of cards you have to Scratch, then Sniff for it to work. Same principle as Rinse, then Repeat, I guess. :)

Supplies:

Stamps: Tart 'n' Tangy, Just B
Paper: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, To the Nines Specialty DS paper
Ink: Certainly Celery craft, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Bashful Blue 1" Double-Stitched grosgrain ribbon, Circle Scallop punch, 1/16" Fiskars punch, Clear embossing powder, Green Kool-aid


We all had a really fun time - especially Isabel's daughter, Lauralynn who accidentally stamped her nose! Lynnie doesn't look very happy in the picture, but she was thrilled once I showed her how cute she looked!

Thanks again to everyone who was able to make it - I can't wait until next month!!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Yes, I've been MIA - but Girls' Night is still on!

So...I've always been told that if you write down your goals you're much more likely to achieve them. That was the idea when I posted my goals a few weeks ago. But then...Life Happens! In my defense, I did try to put up a post for Technique Thursday two weeks ago, but everything I made was ugly. :( Do you ever have those times? You've got ideas, but somehow they look so much better in your head! I was so frustrated that I decided to scrap the post for that week.

The week after that...I just wasn't feeling well. I did make some cute bags for Valentine's Day, but that's all I had energy to do. Ugh. I thought for sure I'd be able to pick it up this week and I did get some great stuff made - mostly in preparation for GNO this Friday. However, now that I actually have something to show you - I CAN'T FIND MY CAMERA!! Can you believe that? I just had it on Monday, and now it seems to have disappeared.

So, I wanted to post to let you know that I'm still here, I'm still stamping and I am planning a fantastic GNO for tomorrow - I just can't show you pictures!

I hope you'll be able to come; I'll be showing you how to make a scratch 'n' sniff card and how to make over a tin bucket into an adorable gift for a friend or as decoration for your own stampin' space! Plus, I'll be starting up with my On-Time drawing again. You won't want to miss out :)

GNO is at my house, tomorrow night at 7:00 pm. I'd love it if you could RSVP so that I can have supplies ready for you ahead of time, but if you forget, I'd love to have you there anyway.

See you tomorrow night!

Monday, February 2, 2009

Sale-a-Bration is Here!

Next to a new catalog release, Sale-a-Bration is the most exciting time of the year with Stampin' Up! Just in case you're unfamiliar with what Sale-a-Bration is or how it works, here's a little explanation:

From February 1st until March 31st, you have the chance to earn free stamps and accessories with every $50 you order. You can also earn free stuff for every $350 workshop you hostess. Click on this brochure to see all the fun things available:


If you're interested in booking a workshop, please contact me to schedule a date!

Here's some more great news - during Sale-a-Bration, you can purchase the Starter Kit for $169 rather than $199! If you were to buy everything separately, it would cost you $355. And get this, in addition to the discount on the Starter Kit, you'll also receive a FREE STAMP SET (up to a $47.95 value) of your choice! So whether you want a fun and flexible career with Stampin' Up! or simply some great products at a fantastic discount,
this is the best time to sign up as a Demonstrator! Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.

Also, don't forget that from now until April 30th, if you purchase products online from me you will receive a FREE Idea Book and Catalog! Click here to get started on your shopping :)