Archive for the 'techniques' Category

Quick Tip: How to Prevent Curling of Clear Mount Stamps

Published by under techniques

clear mount stamps

New to stamping? Here are some tips to keep your rubber clear mount stamps performing beautifully.

Clear mount stamps are a popular option for many crafters.

  •  Their storage is compact,
  •  they are cost effective,
  •  they are easy to use and
  •  they are versatile!

When your new clear mount Stampin' Up! stamps arrive you'll be keen to get started. Read the instructions on the inside cover of the stamp case. Peel the backing paper off the stamps and apply labels, if desired. One method is outlined in the instructions, so just follow those. 

 

Tip 1: Adhering Labels

Make sure your rubber stamps are perfectly flat when applying the adhesive labels, especially if you apply the label to the rubber (instead of the rubber-to-label method).

Flat on the table is perfect.

A label pulled too tight across the stamp, or a curved stamp in the hand when the label is applied, will result in curling stamps (where the rubber has a curve in it) that won't stick so well to your block.

Flat stamp + Clean block = Better 'stickability'!

 

clear mount stamps and case

Tip 2: Storage

Now that your newly mounted stamps are flat, keep them that way!

In my experience, there are a couple of things you can do to make sure they stay uncurled and in great nick.

The first is to keep them away from excessive heat (such as a hot car or near a window on a summer's day).

The second is to store them in the outer rubber (see above) that they came in. With my first few sets of clear mount stamps I threw this outer part away, thinking it was waste. Wish I hadn't done that! I now keep it inside the case for two reasons:

1. It helps to keep my stamps flat, and 

2. It lets me know at a glance if any stamps are missing!


Want more info? Click on the video below for hints and tips about Stampin' Up!'s clear mount stamps.

 

Wishing you many years of happiness with your new stamps.

 

To enquire about Stampin' Up! products in Australia or to place an order contact Simone.


Happy stamping,

Simone Bartrum, Stampin' Up! demonstrator Australia, Victoria


4 responses so far

Ribbon & Envelope Trick

Published by under techniques

Welcome and thanks for visiting.

Today I have a nifty ribbon and envelope trick to share with you. We've used it here on a gift voucher envelope.

 

[Did you know that one of the popular services I offer is personalised Gift Vouchers? For more info on these, see the bottom of this post.]

 

Gift Vouch and Slider Envelope

Voucher envelope is made from another lovely print in the Timeless Portrait DSP pack.

 

Yummy tied ribbons and lovely bows look great but can be a pain to untie and redo.

Especially if you're taking the contents in and out every few minutes to admire!

 

Today's trick is more like a creative workaround. It gives the illusion that the ribbon is wrapped all around the envelope, but in fact one end is open  for easy access! 

To do this, simply cut the ribbon a few centimetres longer than needed. Neatly tuck the ribbon ends inside the opening on the front and back, and adhere inside. Attach a 'faux bow' to the front.  As a result, the voucher (or card) can be removed without the need to untie ribbon!

Click to enlarge

 

 

 

Here is a similar way of adding ribbon to the front of a pillow box:

 

 

 

 

 

Have fun with this, and let me know what you think. Any questions or comments? Just click on the comments link below.

 


 

Gift Vouchers are great to get…

Do you have a birthday coming up? Anniversary?

A Stampin' Up! shopping spree in the form of a Gift Voucher might be just the thing to make you smile on your special day.

Choose what you want.

Take your time (vouchers valid for a full 12 months, so you can wait for the next new catalogue… or shop right now!)

 

…And also great to give.

Do you have a special friend who loves to craft?

One-of-a-kind decorated envelopes and gift vouchers are all part of my service. 

Save time. No need to go to the shops, fight traffic or battle the queues. Just fill out this form and I'll do all the work.

Save money.  Includes free postage of the voucher to anywhere in Australia.

 

Perfect for Christmas too (let your KK know)!

 


 

Just contact Simone, or order vouchers online by completing THIS FORM.

 

 

Happy stamping,

One response so far

Christmas In July: Reflection Technique

Published by under Christmas,techniques

Welcome back for our second July stamp club project.

Another based on the reflection technique, this one is a CASE from the fabulous Amy Celona.

Thanks for the inspiration Amy.

Of course we don't get snow here at Christmastime but it IS winter at the moment and MIGHTY cold where we live! Brrrrrr.

This card uses Lovely as a Tree, Welcome Christmas and Heard from the Heart stamp sets.

Unlike the Reflection Technique card I posted the other day, this one uses Glossy Cardstock so looks oh so shiny. We couldn't use the shimmer paint spritz on this one but instead BLINGed it up with Dazzling Diamonds glitter in the trees.

Will be back soon with some of the highlights from our big biannual team day. So exciting.

Stay warm, and happy stamping.

p.s. And safe journey to all those from the EurekaStampers travelling to my hometown for our team day this weekend. See you soon.

9 responses so far

Reflection Technique with Nature Walk

Published by under stamp club,techniques

Today's share was one of our July Stamp Club projects. By request: the Reflection Technique.

The Nature Walk set from the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue was perfect for this technique.

Isn't it fun what a little bit of masking, some torn paper and sponging can do?

Try This:

Use Whisper White cardstock as your base.
Spritz the 'water' with Champagne Shimmer Paint mixed with Isocol (alcohol). 
Make sure the rest of the card is protected with a mask so only the water gets spritzed.
End Result: Shimmery light reflections on the water.

Very cool.

 

Don't forget there's only 10 days left before we say goodbye to the Mini. 

Download Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue

Contact me to place your last orders from the mini. Delivered straight to your door.

 

 

At Stamp Club we also got into the Christmas In July spirit but I'll share that card next time.

Happy stamping,

5 responses so far

40+ Surfaces To Stamp On

Rubber stamps are not just for cardstock!

Try stamping on some of these surfaces, and you'll quickly see just how versatile rubber stamping is!

Clockwise from top left: molten embossing powder, chipboard, royal icing,
Designer Series Paper, paper gift bags, balsawood, candles

 

40+ surfaces to stamp on:

  1. canvas
  2. tissue paper
  3. cello bags
  4. fabric/calico
  5. ribbon
  6. envelopes (front and/or flap)
  7. serviettes/napkins
  8. Royal icing (cake decorating)
  9. shrink plastic
  10. acetate
  11. vellum
  12. candles (tissue paper method)
  13. skin (kids' 'tattoos')
  14. DSP (patterned paper)
  15. tiles (trivets)
  16. twill tape
  17. metal
  18. wood/balsa
  19. printed invitations
  20. stationery/writing paper
  21. printable CDs and DVDs
  22. slip (for stamping on pottery)
  23. polymer clay
  24. stampbord clay finish
  25. molten art wax
  26. chipboard
  27. soap
  28. molten embossing powder (faux metal)
  29. paper flowers
  30. foam
  31. paper gift bags
  32. Address labels
  33. Aluminium foil
  34. calendar entries
  35. walls
  36. chocolate (seriously! It's been done…)
  37. vinyl tiles
  38. clothing (think.. silk scarves, etc)
  39. furniture
  40. fingernails
  41. paper mache

 

Any others? Add them in the comments section below.

Not all of these surfaces can be stamped on with our fast-drying, dye-based Classic Stampin' Pads. Some may require a solvent ink (like StazOn), pigment ink (like our Whisper White craft ink), chalks (like Stampin' Pastels), embossing inks (like Versamark), paint or even a special treatment technique. Some surfaces even need to be heated slightly first (yep, the chocolate again!). You'll need to choose the correct medium for your choice of stamping surface, which of course is half the fun.

Check back soon for exciting info about our next team stamping day. Or be extra clever and subscribe so you'll always know when I update this blog!

Click here to subscribe

 

Happy stamping,

One response so far

  • This is me! Simone Bartrum, Australian Stampin' Up! demonstrator since 2007.
  • Simone Bartrum
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