Geneva's Stamping Designs

Catch-up Sundays

Here it is, Sunday again.  This is Halloween.  While I'm not really big on "celebrating" this day, for a number of reasons, I do enjoy seeing the children dress up and having fun.  One of my concerns with this day has been the enormous amount of candy that is bought and consumed.  I've tried to give different kinds of gifts, some homemade, others bought at reasonable (go ahead -read cheap!) prices.  This year I was excited to see one store sell PRETZELS in individual, orange, Jack-o-Lantern packages!  Guess what Trick or Treaters will get at MY house?

I hope everyone enjoys your day!  Be healthy and STAY SAFE!

Happy Stamping!

My Digital Studio Design Contest - Reminder

Just a quick reminder that the time for the My Digital Studio Design Contest is passing quickly.  November 15 is the deadline to have these projects completed.  Recall that there will be 5 customer winners and each will receive $400.00 in FREE My Digital Studio downloads!  That seems worth your time to create these projects.  Click Here to see the original article and get all the information.  As always, if you need more information, contact me.

If you don't have the My Digital Studio (MDS) program yet, you can purchase it at any time by clicking on the Shop Stampin' Up! button to the left.  A couple of things you should remember:  1)  MDS makes a GREAT Christmas present.  If YOU are the one wanting it, just email me the contact information on the one you'd like to give it to you.  I'll be sure and let him/her know what you want and how easy it is to get!  and 2) if you (or for you) purchase the My Digital Studio program from me, you'll have the opportunity to receive an additional FREE newsletter from me created JUST for MDS users with tips and ideas for getting even more out of the program.

Remember:  November 15 is the deadline for the contest

                  If you purchase MDS from me, you get extra FREE information!

It's a beautiful day here in Katy!  It was fall when I woke up, (40⁰)supposed to be summer again by the end of the day  - high of 80⁰ - yep, it's really fall in Katy! - Enjoy your Saturday!

Happy Stamping!

Wood to Clear Mount Stamps - Part 2

Yesterday I told you how to prepare your unused wood block stamp to clear block stamps.  Today, I'm going to say OOPS!  The instructions were good, right up to the part where I said I didn't like the sticky feeling after letting the Tombow Multi-purpose Liquid Glue dry.  It did adhere to the clear block, but so did the stamp after I put the plastic clingy piece on.  Tonight, it didn't stay attached to the block like I would have liked it to.  I cleaned the block and the back of the plastic, thinking it could be fingerprints.  It worked better, but still not as well as I'd like. 

I was able, after several tries, to get this piece.  I used Versa-Mark ink and White Embossing Powder.  I did use the Embossing Buddy on the piece of Basic Black card stock to keep any excess powder from clinging to the card stock.  However, I believe the stamps shifted a little is why there is still some excess on the sheet.  THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!  That's why I'm disappointed.

I've chosen not to finish this piece, but to do some more research and see what else I can do to get the effect I want with these stamps.  I KNOW I could put another layer of Tombow on them, but then I'd be back to that sticky feeling I didn't like........

If you have an answer or suggestion for me, leave a comment.  If not, I'll let you know in a few days what I come up with for an answer.  Meantime, .......

Happy Stamping!

 

Wood to Clear Mount Stamps

Stampin' Up! began to sell clear mount stamps almost a year ago.  Ever since then there has been discussion among stampers as to the best way to change their wood mounted stamps into clear mount stamps.  (Stampin' Up! even sells the "DVD" type cases to store them in!)  My thought has been "that's an awful lot of work, when would I have TIME!?!"  So I've pretty much ignored those discussions and just bought my new stamps in the clear mount.  Clear mount takes up less storage room, are easier to use and are cheaper!  Win-Win-Win for me!

Well, then Stampin' Up! came out with the new catalog and one of the stamps sets that I had really loved and was in LAST year's Holiday Mini Catalog is in the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog!  Only this particular set, Serene Snowflakes, is ONLY available in wood mount!  I ask you, "What's a girl to do?"

I bought the set, I really like these snowflakes!  Then I got on the internet and researched several "how to change wood mount stamps into clear mount stamps" sites.  I picked and choose information and this is what I came up with:  1.  Make a copy of the "sticker sheet" that comes with the stamp set!  2. punch out the stamp  3. remove the paper backing, set aside, sticky side up.    4.  peel off the matching image from the "sticker sheet" that comes with the stamp set.  5.  Lay this down on the table, with the sticky side UP.  6.  Take the matching stamp and match the image to the stamp, then gently lower the stamp, sticky side DOWN, to the "sticker".  Due to the "stickiness" of the objects, you only get one chance at this to get it right, so take your time and be gentle.  7.  Smooth any bubbles out  8.  Using scissors and an exacto knife, trim away excess sticker from the stamp.  Go slow and take your time.  DON'T cut the foam or rubber!

When you have done the above steps to each of the stamps in the set, take your Tombow Multi-purpose Liquid Glue - the stuff in the green and white bottle and put a drop or two on your finger. (Really, a little bit goes a long way and you can always add if needed!)   Rub this over the surface of the sticker in a thin coat.  It will dry clear.  Let it dry overnight. 

Now the surface of the stamp is very sticky.  It is repositionable, but also very sticky.  Some sites suggested you leave it this way and adhere it to your clear block.  While this would work, it also leaves you with sticky stamps and I didn't like that.  So, I got some thin clear plastic at the fabric store.  Some sites called it cling wrap.  My fabric store didn't recognize that name, but it is "clingy."  You want the CLEAR, some of it is Opague and cloudy looking.  Do not use that!

Cut a piece of the clear plastic material slightly bigger than the stamp.  Press this down on the sticky side of the stamp.  I used a brayer to smooth it out, but some sites said to just use your hand.  Trim away any excess as you did above.  EXCEPTION:  On small, hard to control stamps, leave about a 1/4 inch border around the stamp.  This gives it a larger surface to cling to the clear block and less likely to come off or "move."   You'll notice that these have the same "feel" as the clear mount stamp sets that are intended for that purpose!

Now I'm ready to USE this stamp set, but it's late and this is long.  Stay tuned for part 2 this weekend, when I show you a card using this set!  Meantime, what do you think?  Is this clear enough?  Let me know if it's not, so I can adjust the directions!

Happy Stamping!

Merry Christmas and snowflakes

 

I've often said that one of the things that drew me to Stampin' Up! was the fact that stamps came in "sets."  However, there are times when one stamp says it all.  This is one of those stamps and so Stampin' Up! sells it all by itself!  (Can you guess the name?)  The stamped image itself is stamped here in Basic Black Classic Ink on Whisper White card stock.  I then used the following Stampin' Write Markers to shade it in:

Leaves - Old Olive (the thin end!)  for the pine and Old Olive and Wild Wasabi for the poinsettia leaves.  Don't worry if you don't get each pine needle covered, you just need to get the idea.

Poinsettias:  Poppy Parade for the flower and Daffodil Delight for the centers.

Bells:  Bashful Blue and Daffodil Delight.  I used Red Riding Hood for the berries and Rich Razzelberry for the ribbon.

Merry Christmas:  Rose Red 

To be honest, I kept looking at this, thinking it needed "something."  Then it hit me, I spritzed the whole thing with Smooch Spritz Gold Glow and backed it with Night of Navy card stock. Then I spritzed the Rose Red card base with the Smooch Spritz Vanilla.  It's hard to see in the picture, but it really makes the card shine!

The snowflakes were on my table for another project.  I cut them out with the Big Shot and the Northern Frost Decorative Strip.  I then spritzed them with the Smooch Spritz Vanilla also.  I decided they would look good on this card (I can always cut more, right?).  What do you think?  Too much?  Not enough?  Just right?  Let me know by leaving a comment below!  By the way, the stamp IS called Merry Christmas!

Hope you enjoy this holiday card.  It's time to get those supplies ordered so YOU can make YOUR OWN holiday cards.  Contact me for supplies and help designing or just click on the catalog buttons on the sides to order now.

Happy Stamping!

Harvest pickup - part 2

Yesterday I showed you a card that looks very similar to this.  It has bothered me all day that I put a card on this site without coloring in the outlined stamp image, or creating enough of a "ground" for the truck to reside on!  After-all, trucks don't float in the air, even if it IS almost Halloween!

You'll notice I still used the Pumpkin Pie card base.  I changed the next layer to Not Quite Navy and ran it through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions folder.

For the ribbon, I used the Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon with a strip of 1/4 Grosgrain Pumpkin Pie Ribbon down the middle.

I switched the two greens on the other card and inserted Old Olive for the "weeds" and the backing piece.

I used the Water Color Pencils and a Blender Pen to color in the picture and add a little ground (using green and brown pencils) and sky (using blue pencil).

I still used the Cajun Craze for the saying, just cut it out a little differently, and yes, there are still pumpkins on the inside!

All products used are sold by Stampin' Up!

Yesterday's card was "OK" and anyone would be delighted to receive it.  They both took about the same amount of time to create.  So, now that you've seen the "improved" version, what do you think?  Should cards be sent with just the outline, or should we ALWAYS take the time to "add color!"  Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Meantime - Happy Harvest Season and

Happy Stamping!

Harvest pickup

Sometimes you just need a card in a hurry.  This is one of those cards.   Usually I like to color in outlined stamps with watercolor or chalks.  This time, I decided to just let it go "au naturale."

The stamp sets used are Loads of Love (the truck) and Loads of Love Accessories (the pumpkins and saying).  I also used the Pocket Silhouettes for the "weeds."

Ink colors used are Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze, and Pear Pizazz.

Card stock colors are: Base - Pumpkin Pie (I DID use the pumpkins.....), Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze and Whisper White. 

The Designer Series Paper is the Pear Pizazz from the In-Color Patterned Designer Series Paper Stack.

The ribbon is the Concord Crush 1/2" Stitched Poly-Ribbon.

When you open this card up, you'll find a few more pumpkins for a nice surprise!

All products used are Stampin' Up!  If you need more detailed instructions, let me know!

Now it's YOUR turn.  Do you like outline stamps just as outlines, like I did here, or do you prefer them to be "colored in" with some technique?  Leave a comment and let me know.

Happy Stamping!

Catch-up Sundays

This has been the most amazing week!  I've had some successes and some "could have used my time better" days.  Yesterday I was prepared to stamp most of the day.  Then my daughter called and needed to take the oldest one somewhere and asked if I could watch the younger two during their nap time.  Since they really can't disturb my stamping during their nap time, I said I would.

I packed up the projects I knew I needed to finish the most and took everything to her house.  I felt so prepared and ready to tackle this!  HOWEVER -- when I started unpacking, I realized that I had everything I needed EXCEPT paper!  Oh well, I guess you'll have to wait a little longer to see those projects!  Stampin' Up! has wonderful tools, but it's hard to do paper-crafting without the paper!

So this afternoon and evening I WILL be trying to catch-up!  Hope everyone's day goes well!

Happy Stamping!

Hispanic Opportunity

For a long time now, I've been telling you what a great company Stampin' Up! is and how much fun it is to represent them as a demonstrator.  Behind the scenes, some things I might not have told you here include the fact that Stampin' Up! has several stamp sets in French and Spanish also.  They even have a catalog that is dedicated to the Hispanic market, the 2010-2011 Celebrando Creatividad!  If you scroll down the right sidebar, you'll see this catalog right above my picture!  Click on it to see what's inside!

Well, I just thought that they had changed the language of the words on some sets.  They have done that on many sets, but the Celebrando Creatividad has some sets that are not available at all in the English language catalog!

NOW, they are working to help Hispanic stampers in the United States become  successful demonstrators! On November 3rd and 4th, they will hold recruit calls designed to give information to these potentials recruits.  If you or someone you know is interested, please contact me for the information. 

I love working with a company that is so creative in so many ways.  Whatever language you speak, Stampin' Up! is a great company.  I'm proud to be an independent consultant representing their products!  If you'd like to join me as your own independent consultant, let me know.  I'd love to share the opportunity with you and show you how you can make money doing something you love and meeting wonderful people!

Happy Stamping!

 

Edison related musings

Yesterday's post was about Thomas Edison and his ability to believe in himself enough to not let others discourage him from inventing things they couldn't even imagine, such as the light bulb.  I asked what YOU believe in strongly enough to forge ahead, despite the naysayers in your life.

After I wrote that piece, I wrote a 3 page list of things that I need to get done - as soon as possible.  All of them are important, but all didn't get done today.  I found myself reflecting on that which I asked you to think about.  I'm afraid that the biggest naysayer in my life right now may be me.  In the Bible, the Apostle Paul says in effect, "that which I don't want to do, I do; and that which I do want to do, I don't."  Sometimes I feel his pain, so to speak. 

However, tonight as I looked for the exact quote, I found some other things Paul said, "Persevere"  "Think on pure things"  and  "forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize."  Now, I know Paul was talking about pressing on to tell the world about Jesus Christ, but I think it applies here also. I may be the biggest naysayer in my life, but I'm also the biggest cheerleader!  I choose to think on pure things and press on!  I hope you'll continue to join me as I do!

It's almost the weekend - take some time for yourself and STAMP!  This is a good weekend to get those Christmas cards worked on!  Post a link somewhere so we can see your creations!

Happy Stamping!