Lollipop Tutorial

While I was in TX I picked up a couple of hard candy molds from Hobby Lobby. Robert and I had a grand time making candies and lollipops, so I figured I'd give you a smidge of a tutorial, complete with pictures! =D Use your favorite candy recipe... Here is a decent recipe if you don't already have a favorite of your own.

Brayer Masking Tutorial

For those of you who own a brayer and don't know what to do with it, here's a little tutorial for you. I use a Speedball brayer, and it comes with a tan roller. The roller will get stained with use, so don't worry if it gets discolored with time. Treat it like you treat a stamp - ink it up, use it, and clean it off after use. You can clean it the same way you do your stamps, too. To make sure it's clean, just roll it on a sheet of scrap paper and make sure there is no ink left on it.

For this card I used my brayer, a piece of cardstock, three colors of ink (all shades of blue), heidi swapp butterfly masks, and some homemade die cut masks.

The first step to using your brayer is to ink it up really well. You want to roll it towards you on the ink pad, starting at the back and moving forward. When you get to the front of the pad, lift the brayer straight up and start at the back again, rolling forward. Do not roll the brayer back and forth on the pad as this will only ink part of the roller. To get continuous inking, you will need to roll in one direction only. Ink it over and over until the entire roller is covered with an ample amount of ink. For this card we will be working with the lightest color first, and will graduate from lightest to darkest as we go.

Once your brayer is thoroughly inked, start brayering your paper. I put down the butterfly masks before I started inking for this card. Roll your brayer back and forth both directions on the paper and work the ink thoroughly into the paper. When you start rolling, you may get harsh lines from the edge of the brayer, but keep moving it around and working the ink into the paper and those lines should disappear. Roll the brayer until no more ink comes off it. If the paper is not evenly covered, re-ink the brayer and work on the places that need more coverage.

After I inked the paper with the light blue, I used die cut butterflies to create a secondary mask. These butterflies will be the color we just inked. To make your own mask, just apply some low-tack or removable adhesive to the back of the die cut and apply it to the paper where you don't want the darker ink. I used ZipDry liquid adhesive, but there are others out there. If you have a small die, you could just cut the shape from a post it note and use that as your mask.

Once you have the lightest color applied, ink your brayer with the next darkest color. If you are working within the same color family (all blues, etc.) and going from light to dark, you do not need to clean the brayer off between inkings. If you are changing color families or applying a lighter color over a darker one, you will want to clean the brayer before changing colors. After you have thoroughly inked your brayer, apply the ink to the card front, getting it as close to the edges and corners of the masks as possible. You will be left with a small halo around the masks.

To get rid of the halo and get the finest detail from your masks, use the same color ink or darker (I used a slightly darker ink to create a subtle shadow) and sponge around the edges of the masks.

Once you are finished, pull the masks off the cardstock and it is easy to see the color gradations on the card.

I finished off my card by highlighting the edges of the masked shapes with a white pen, making dotted trails, then stamping glittered swirls around the edges, and adding a sentiment.


There are lots of things you can do with a brayer. This is just one idea showcasing the masking technique. Don't forget to leave me a link in the comments if you participate in the MIM card challenge this week - there will be a giveaway coming up for those who participate and you won't want to miss it!

Make your own "Primas"

THIS is so very cool. I will definitely try that next time I need paper flowers! And what a great way to use up the handmade paper scraps I have been collecting from so long ago...

Crackle Paint Wall Hanging - A Tutorial

I've been playing a little more with crackle paint to make some wall hangings for my craft room. I'm really liking how the series is turning out, so I thought I'd share how to make one of your own!

1. For this one I used a 1/4 sheet Hambly overlay as the base, with some red Chatterbox (I think) rubons I got in a RAK.

2. Crackle paint two large playing cards, one with soot black and the other with frayed burlap. Once dried and crackled, distress to remove some of the crackling and reveal bits of the image underneath.

3. Tie red twill ribbon around the black card and layer painted cards on the overlay base.

4. Trace a butterfly onto Asian script paper. Cut out and adhere to black card.

5. Stamp swirls, flowers, hinges, and 'specimen' on burlap card. (Purple Onion Stamps)

6. Punch two holes in the top of the Hambly overlay and set with eyelets. Feed red twill ribbon through eyelets and tie off at the ends to create hanger.

And there you have it! Your own crackle painted wall hanging... If you do this yourself, send me a link so I can see it!

More Hambly Cards... and a tutorial of sorts

I told you I've had a lot of crafting time lately... well, here's some of what I've been doing. I'm ALL ABOUT the Hambly cards lately, though so far they've managed to steer clear of my Valentine's obsession. Anyway- here are 3 more Hambly transparency cards and a tutorial:




To make these Hambly cards, you'll need...

one silver Bohemian overlay

one sheet white/kraft Journaling Bits


white Vintage Rub-ons
and a Dymo labeler.

Here's what you do:

Trim the information edge off the overlay. Cut the overlay into thirds so you have three 4x12 strips. Fold the strips in half so you have three 4x6 cards. (hint: It doesn't matter which way you cut the overlay, since the design doesn't have a right or wrong way to go.)

Trim chosen journaling bits out of the kraft paper, following the curves of the design. For these three cards I used the 3 small circles with swirlies, the 3 small squares with flourishes, and 3 of the larger journaling bits, including the "Q" circle, the tall rectangle, and the large square.

Put the large journaling bits on the inside of the cards, and the small squares on the card fronts. Place the small circles on the inside or fronts as they fit best.

Add rub-ons and rhinestones to finish off the card front designs and type greetings out on the dymo labeler.



Here are three more cards I made using the same idea, but with the hot pink overlay and an "Out on a Limb" screenprint.


I love what these cards look like and think I'll have to put in an order for some of the orange overlays and screenprints next. Ooooh... or maybe the lime green Bohemia with the lime on white dandelions.... I can see fun things in my future with these ideas!

(Hambly Overlay Card Tutorial linked to http://stampinwhenican.blogspot.com)

Tissue Flower Tutorial

Here's a fun embellishment!


The other day I got the idea that you could probably die cut a bunch of shapes at the same time if you used tissue paper. Well, when I pulled them from the machine they were layered wonderfully and that gave me a whole new idea... you could layer and emboss them for a really cool embellishment! I tried it over the weekend and used it on a layout this morning... and I love it!

So here's what you do...

1. Fold a piece of tissue paper several times so that you have a few layers to cut through.

2. Using the die cut machine of your choice (though I don't think the Cricut would work for this) cut through the tissue paper with one pass. Any shape would work so long as you have a way to fasten them together.

3. Fasten the layers together near the center so the edges can separate and ruffle out a bit.

4. Press the tissue paper into a Versamark (or other clear embossing ink) pad. make sure to get some of the lower layers, too. It's okay if the layers fold over one another during this process. Once you have it inked, pull the layers apart a little so they are not stuck together.

5. Sprinkle the inked embellishment with UTEE and shake off. Before heating, sprinkle again with clear glitter embossing powder.

6. Carefully heat the embossing crystals on all of the tissue paper layers. Try to aim the heat gun so that it lifts the upper layers when you are heating the lower layers. That keeps all of the layers from getting stuck together. It's okay if some layers stick.

7. Separate the layers that you can and "fluff" them a little so they stand apart from each other.

8. Add a button, ink, or other embellishment to finish as desired.

And there you have it! Your very own custom tissue embellishment. One of the things I think is really cool about using tissue paper with UTEE is that it gives a measure of transparency to the layers. You can see that in the upper petals here:


Here's how I used mine this morning:


(Tissue Flower Tutorial linked to stampinwhenican.blogspot.com)

CD Label Tutorial

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I burned a DVD of photos and videos to give my grandparents for Christmas. One of my favorite things about it, though, was that I figured out an easy way to make labels for CDs and DVDs! I know you can buy the ones you run through your printer, but I want to be able to tailor them to a specific project. So here's how I did it...

1. Choose a piece of patterned paper (not the cardstock weight). Using your circle cutter, cut a 4.5 inch diameter circle. Then cut a 1.75 inch circle from the very center so you have a ring. (One of the things I like about my Curvy Cutter is that I can adjust the cutter without moving my paper or the track - it makes cutting rings super easy!)


2. Stamp your design on the patterned paper. I have been using a lot of this Autumn Leaves flourish - it fits perfectly three times around! Add any hand doodling or labeling at this point. **Make sure you don't use any dimensional products (such as embossing or heavy paint) in your stamping or writing. They will throw the balance off the CD/DVD and can potentially ruin your disc and/or machine!**


3. Run your finished design through a Xyron so that it is sticky on one side. If you choose an alternate adhesive for your label, make sure that it provides thin, even coverage so the disc is not thrown off balance and the label doesn't get stuck in the player.


4. Peel off the backing and adhere the label to your disc. Congratulations!! You're done! How easy was that??


As mentioned before, DVDs/CDs fit perfectly in the back of a paper bag album. If you don't know how to make them, or don't want to take the time, you can always get one (or have a custom one made) at Wickland PaperCrafts. (yes, that was a shameless plug)


They make great gifts (last minute Christmas gifts, anyone??) and are easy to mail. Especially since I found these cool bubble mailers at Walmart that are the PERFECT size:

Christmas Card Tutorial

These are our Christmas cards this year, and as an added bit of Christmas cheer, I thought I'd share instructions on how to make them! The instructions and supplies below will make 12 cards. Merry Christmas!!


What you need:

• 2 sheets Hambly Frosty Snowflakes overlay
• 3 sheets snowflake patterned paper (I used a spotted plaid) 12x12 (any)
• 6 black and white 4x6 photographs
• 2 yards medium width ribbon
• 12 of each small letter needed to spell "snow" (any letter types - brads, stickers, die cut will do)
• 3 sheets (or more as needed) printer paper

What you do:

• Cut each overlay into 6 panels measuring 4x6 inches.
• Cut each sheet of patterned paper into 4 panels measuring 4x8 inches. (hint: cut a 4 inch swath across the bottom of the paper and trim it to 8 inches, then cut the remaining paper into thirds.)
• Print your letter or greeting in a text box measuring 4x5.5 inches. (You should be able to fit four on a sheet of printer paper and cut them apart.)
• Glue your letter to the patterned paper panel approximately 1/2 inch from the top.
  

• Layer your photo and overlay panel on top of the letter, also 1/2 inch from the top of the card.
  

• Punch two holes in the top of the layers, approximately 1 inch apart.
• Thread 6 inches of ribbon through the holes as desired. Trim ends on the diagonal.
  
• Adhere letters "SNOW" to the bottom of the card

These instructions make 12 cards and can easily be doubled or tripled for more! Cards fit into a business size (No. 10) envelope for mailing and do not require extra postage unless you used dimensional letters. As with all handmade cards, if you are unsure of the need for extra postage, ask your post office. I had mine hand canceled (which costs a little extra) to ensure they wouldn't get torn up in the mail and they arrived beautifully!

When the cards are all said and done, you will be left with 3 4x4 squares of snowflake paper. Use them to make a few gift tags or enclosures to spruce up your gifts this year!

Card Tutorial - 6 cards: 1 paper

Supplies:

• Heidi Grace 12x12 Paper – Frost Blvd / Patch (1 sheet)
• 8.5x11 Cardstock – White (2 sheets - halved and folded)
• 8.5x11 Cardstock – Powder Blue (1 sheet – halved and folded)
• 4x4 Cardstock – White (1 sheet)
• 6 rhinestones
• Snowflake Brad
• 3 feet sheer white organdy ribbon
• Snowflake (Christine Adolph) and sentiment stamps
• Embossing Powder – silver
• Diamond / Icicle Stickles
• Fiskars decorate edge punch

Here is a reference guide to give you an idea of where the parts for each card will come from. The exact dimensions and cutting instructions are found below for the individual cards.



Card 1:

1. Holding the paper with the title strip at the top, cut a 5¼ x 4 rectangle out of the bottom right corner, careful not to cut into the larger flocked snowflake on the striped panel.

2. Stamp and emboss sentiment and snowflakes onto the rectangle.

3. Tie ends of organdy ribbon together and cut to approximately 6 inches, with the knot off center. Adhere to rectangle, folding ends under.

4. Adhere rectangle to white card front.

5. Apply Stickles around the edge of the card.

Card 2:

1. Holding the paper the same orientation as for Card 1, cut a 2¼ x 4 rectangle immediately left of the larger flocked snowflake on the striped panel. Be careful not to cut into the snowflake or the flocked swirl above.

2. Tie ends of organdy ribbon together and cut to approximately 5 inches, with the knot off center. Adhere to long side of the rectangle, folding ends under.

3. Adhere rectangle to the top of a blue card front.

4. Edge punch the 4x4 white cardstock panel.

5. Stamp snowflake and emboss sentiment on bottom left corner.

6. Adhere to the bottom card front.

7. From patterned paper, cut a small snowflake from near the upper swirl.

8. Use a pop dot to adhere the snowflake along the punched cardstock edge.

9. Adhere a rhinestone to the center of the snowflake.

10. Apply Stickles around the edge of the card and to the snowflake.

Card 3:

1. Closely trim lower swirl from patterned paper, careful not to cut through excess paper as it will be used for other cards.

2. Adhere swirl to front of white card.

3. Stamp and emboss snowflakes and sentiment.

4. Apply Stickles along the top edge of the swirl, as if it is snow on a branch.

Card 4:

1. Cut out the largest felted snowflake from the patterned paper. Be careful not to cut into the other felted snowflakes.

2. Fasten snowflake brad to the center of the snowflake.

3. Adhere a rhinestone to the center of the brad.

4. Emboss sentiment in the bottom right corner of a white card.

5. Adhere snowflake to the card.

6. Apply Stickles to the edge of the card.

Card 5:

1. Closely trim upper swirl from the patterned paper. Cut the end of the swirl apart from the rest where it joins the middle swirl.

2. Adhere swirls to the front of a blue card, one from each side.

3. Emboss sentiment in the bottom left corner.

4. Trim three partial snowflakes from the patterned paper and use pop dots to adhere them to the front of the card.

5. Apply Stickles to the edge of the card.

Card 6:

1. Adhere a length of organdy ribbon along the bottom inside edge of a white card.

2. Cut a ½ x 5½ strip from the bottom left corner of the patterned paper.

3. Tie a length of the remaining organdy ribbon around the end of the paper strip and adhere the strip to the top edge of the card face, about 1/8 inch from the fold.

4. Cut a wave along the bottom edge of the card front, so that the organdy ribbon shows through to the front.

5. Emboss snowflake and sentiment.

6. Add a rhinestone to the center of the snowflake.

7. Trim several whole snowflakes from the remaining patterned paper and adhere them along the bottom front edge of the card, following the wave.

8. Adhere 3 rhinestones to the bottom ribbon so they are seen from the front of the card.

9. Apply Stickles along the paper strip at the top of the card and in the centers of the paper snowflakes.

Tutorial: Unmounting Stamps

I love the beautiful designs of my wood mounted stamps. And I love the cute seasonal designs in the Michael's $1 stamp bin. But I DO NOT like the wooden blocks. They get in the way, are bulky to store, and make it difficult for me to stamp precise images. I have quite a few unmounted sets (mostly from Purple Onion Designs) and lots of acrylic sets, and I love how compactly they store and how easy they are to transport. I've kept them in a binder and it has been great. BUT I still have 400+ wood mounted stamps that take up an entire 6 foot bookshelf in my craft room. And you know, I love those stamps. But I don't reach for them nearly as often, so they sit and collect dust. And I forget they are there, hiding in plain view. So I am making a change. A big change. I am unmounting all of my wooden stamps and creating one storage solution for ALL of my rubber and acrylic stamps. It's gonna be good....

So while I'm in the midst of this ginormous project, I though I would give you guys a little tutorial on how to do the same, in case you want to be like me. =D I'm just now realizing how long this project is going to take me, so if you've only just begun to stamp then now is the time you should begin! I have 17 years of accumulated stamping paraphernalia that I need to deal with. But I'm doing it and it will be great. So here goes.... This is how it's done:

Step 1:

Separate the rubber image from the wood and foam portion of the stamp. Some stamps will separate cleanly. Others will leave a little foam on the rubber. Still others (as seems to be the case with the Stampin' Up! stamps I am working on) will leave the rubber sticky. Try to get as much of the foam and adhesive off the back of the stamp as possible, but don't kill yourself over it. The main goal is to get the back of the stamp as flat as possible so you get a clean image when you stamp. Be sure to trim the extra rubber off as closely to the image as possible so that you can see exactly where the image is when you stamp.

Wood blocks and foam mounts
(This is the pile I am going to get rid of. This is what I have been wasting my precious storage space on!! Ah... the freedom...)

Rubber Images
(This is what I am keeping. Seriously - I can't believe how many images are here taking up such a little bit of space!)

Step 2:

Apply a thin, even coat of Aleene's Tack It Over & Over (or other pressure sensitive temporary adhesive) to the back of each unmounted stamp. This is the same process you would use if you were preparing purchased unmounted stamps for use with an acrylic block. The adhesive doesn't have to cover every bit of the stamp, but it should be applied with even pressure so that you don't end up with one end higher than the other, or a center that won't stamp evenly.

(Tack It can be purchased at Joanns or Michaels, or anywhere else that Aleene's products are sold.)

Tack It applied
(Stamps here are set out to dry and you can see that the adhesive has already started to set on the first couple of stamps. Tack It sets clear.)

Step 3:

Let the Tack It dry/set over night. When it is ready to use, it will be clear. If you try to use the stamps before the Tack It has set, you will end up with a gross, sticky mess and will probably ruin your acrylic block and have to start the Tack It process over again for that stamp. Trust me. It's not fun.

Dried / Set Tack It
(You can see that the Tack It is clear now, instead of white. It dries kind of shiny and should stick to your finger if you push your finger onto it. If it doesn't, you may not have applied enough. Try it on the block to see if it sticks.)

Step 4:

Apply the stamp to an acrylic block and stamp away! Because the block is clear you should be able to see exactly where you're stamping. It makes for straight letters/words and easier placement.

Stamp mounted on acrylic block

Have fun!! I'll post another little tutorial on how to store these babies once I get the second phase of the project under way. First, though, I've got to get some more Tack It... I seem to have used all of mine up!