Stampfest Orlando

Hello
     I spent the day yesterday traveling in the rain to Orlando to attend Stampfest 2013! To be truthful, most of the vendors are the same as before, and the location was not new. BUT....there was a surprise that I did not know about! TIM HOLTZ was there! THE Tim Holtz!

I watched and listened to him for quite a while, but I was getting cramped by the crowd, and he wasn't switching to giving autographs anytime soon. I regretfully backed away and continued shopping. BUT I did get this photo!  I enjoy using his products and he is really talented, but I don't embrace his grunge multi-media style. He is a very patient presenter. (and very handsome too  :)

I have to run to my in-laws for the afternoon, but I will be back soon!

New Stamp Tip: This is going to make you CRINGE!! (but it works!)

     Have you ever bought a clear stamp, only to find that the image is grainy and not as you expected? I have seen so many ideas on how to fix this.....but not mine! It works everytime, I know, the thought of doing it this way is going to make you cringe, but trust me, no harm will come to your stamps!

     STEP ONE:  For example, I have a penny black set, allegro with a few unused stamps in it. I am using memento ink black, it is my must have basic black ink. I took the flower stamp from the set.

This is the grainy type image you get on that very first stamp with a clear stamp. If you are a avid stamper, you know what I am talking about. It bugs me everytime I buy a clear set of new stamps.

STEP TWO: Be prepared to cringe: Take a piece of sandpaper, or I have found a VERY fine nail file sponge to work as well. Rub it vigorously across the surface of your stamp until a light white film is visible. Yes, that is a light layer of your stamp coming off. But it removes the slippery layer on the surface of the stamp too. IT DOES NOT EFFECT the image.
                      
STEP THREE: Very important, clean off the surface of your stamp. Remove the "sand" you have removed from the stamp. Clean it well. Then stamp again. Take a look:

Here is another example: Again it is an unused stamp from Penny Black's Allegro set. I have not used it once. I stamped it with tuxedo black as is. The image is grainy and light.

 I sanded it with my yellow nail file, cleaned the stamp, and stamped it again with the same ink. See the difference? AMAZING! It still makes me cringe to know I am sanding my poor stamp, but I assure the image is not affected. This works on red rubber stamps as well.

Add caption

I wanted to share my two cents. I have no idea where I got the idea of sanding my new stamps, but it is better than some of the other crazy tips I have read on the internet to work with new stamps. Try this and leave a comment on what you think! It would make my day!  See you soon.

Featured: With Gratitude

Happy Thursday!
     I had the itching to play with my embossing powders. I honestly was just playing around when I looked up again, the card was complete!

      I love the fiber I used. It is the perfect embellishment for this simple card. I bought a whole box of fibers when I was a scrapbooker. I didn't know at the time that I would be an avid card maker down the road. I think EVERY card maker needs fibers. I hardly ever see other blogs with cards using fibers. So, I am spreading the word....use FIBERS EVERYONE! or not....mine will stand out that way! :) Enjoy!

Featured: Set of Matching Water color Cards

What a beautiful day!
     It is gorgeous outside, summer is here. I am keeping busy this summer with all my current passions. Card making, teaching, playing Skyrim, going to the gym and losing at Texas Hold 'em. Yeah, I am a strange bird. God didn't know what to do when he made me other than scratch his head and ponder.

     I have been looking forward to this weekend. Stampfest is having a conference in Orlando this Saturday and Sunday. I have not spent a penny on any craft supplies in 4 weeks to save up for the day! (big grin)

     I got inspired by Darlene to play with a watercolor set on watercolor paper. I know my creations have no similarity to hers, but the premise of water coloring technique is my inspiration. Take a look.

     I know, I know, I have no sentiment on them. I just couldn't decide on one...or many or ...where to put them. So I left them without one. I just simply couldn't decide. I tied twine around the base of each to give more detail. These pictures don't do them justice. I followed the same technique as Darlene in her video, if you want to watch it, click here.

     I will let you know how the conference goes! I am sure I will have tons of new toys to play with! Enjoy, and see you soon.

Challenge: STB19

This challenge was a chance to play with items I haven't used in a while. It also gave me the chance to use a half butterfly die and make the wings POP up! It is not as hard as it first seemed. Take a look. 


Supplies: SU! Designer papers, Sizzix embossing folder, Distress ink, and D113a die cut (butterfly) on crumb cake card base.



I have to go sit in a teacher training for 3 hours tonight. (not much fun). I'd rather be making cards!  :)
Enjoy, and see you soon!

Challenge: Fusion #11!

Hello,
     I had some time today to participate in a challenge. I am still new at these sketches, so I take them pretty literally. I am pretty happy with my outcome. I seem to bounce to a different beat than many other card makers, but that is what it is all about, right? I think I am going to take all my pictures outside in the sunshine, I love the pavers in the background.

Supplies: SU! Designer papers, basic black paper, Cheery Lynn Designs 

butterfly DL113 and DL113a die cuts, Stampabilities sentiment.

Enjoy!

Let the heat come!

Hello all,

     It is a toasty 85 degrees outside, but it feels like 90. I was sweating just grabbing the mail at the end of the driveway!

     I created two totally different cards today. I had intended to participate in a few challenges, but I couldn't get the creative juices flowing with the sketches that were offered this week, so I made my own.

You can't see the embossed lines that jut out from each corner of the the background. They sort of interrupt the butterfly, but I like the overall look.

Supplies: Stamps: (Background stamp) Happiness: Local King Rubber Stamps, (Butterfly) simple friendship SU!, (Dream) Dreams comes true CTMH. Inks: Distress inks, Wild Honey, Crushed Olive, Tuxedo Black Paper:  Neenah Cardstock. Others: Low Tack masking tape.

     This card was fun. I like the black base, and the pop of the purples. I used left over watercolor paper I had from a different project. I colored the background with perfect plum yesterday and gave it a day to dry. The Think paper never warps. (LOVE that!) 

      I learned how to get the reflection on the bottom of the card. I used a pack of paper wrapped in a clear bag. The bag provides the refection. (cool,huh?) So easy, but it looks great in the photo. I still need to learn how to watermark my photos. Enjoy!

Supplies: Stamps:(flowers) Wildflower Garden - Hero Arts, Believe - Inkadinkado, Ink/Paper - Perfect Plum - SU! Tuxedo Black. Paper:  Neenah Cardstock.

Welcome to Summer Break!

     I am so excited to be done with teaching for the 2012-2013 school year. I honestly thought that I would dive right into my cardmaking obsession the minute my break started. (Tuesday).....Well, it is Thursday, and I'm having trouble getting inspired. (happen to you?) I have been cleaning my craft room, re-arranging, and even using my Cricut....but not card making.

     I sat down in front of my computer and said "What ever card pops up first, I am going to use as inspiration and create SOMETHING, and get out of this funk!" So I clicked on one of my favorite blogs and this card popped up: BITS AND PIECES.

     So, here is my take on it:

     I am not sure if I am officially out of my funk. The desire to be creative is strong, I just can't produce anything I am pleased with. I seem to "try too hard" or "make it more sophisticated than it needs to be" I am sure if you are a crafty person, you understand what I am saying.

     I kept going, and tried a few more attempts, I cannot say they are my best, but I am happy enough with them to place them on my blog!  :)

     I have to mention though, to my defense, I spent a hunk of time creating a die cut on my SCAL for this butterfly. This Butterfly is one of my first purchases over 10 years ago. I stamped its image, scanned it into my desktop, traced it with SCAL and resized it to cut on my cricut. Then I use my stamp-a-majig to line up my wooden stamp and PRESTO! It is a die-cut! I am very pleased with my efforts. Like I said, it IS my favorite go-to butterfly.

I forgot how much fun vellum is! I have to play with it more often. I have a whole pack of it!:) Enjoy!

Featured: Craft Room Highlights from Cindy II

Welcome to Part 2,
 As I mentioned in part one, (you can click here to take a look) I am showing highlights of my craft space. Much of my craft space is not that exciting, but I believe I have a few highlights that may get you thinking.

I had a terrible time trying to store all my punches. I am a very frugal crafter, but I bought out another crafter and gained all of her punches at a great price. But how to store them?

I found my solution at Ross. Take a look.

These are actually hanging shoe storage, (left) and jewelery (right). I placed the stampin' up punches in the left one (front and back) Man, is it heavy! and the smaller other company punches in the right one. The back is empty.  Room for more punches to come, right? :)

Card Swap: Splitcoaststamper's Flower Swap!

Good Evening!
     I am so excited to try a new aspect of the cardmaking community of SCS (Splitcoaststampers). I just became an approved member of the swap forum. I joined my first swap yesterday, and I have finished my first set to mail out tomorrow. I don't know if this is a bad idea, but I am giving you a glimpse of my cards. If you are also a member of the same swap, you maybe blessed with receiving one of my cards!  :) Take a look:

      Ironically, I have just watched Connie Stewart's flash cards videos. I LOVED the concept of her pieces. However, the size of her 2.0 literally comes off the ends of the card. So I cut them down a bit, and came up with my own sizes. This greatly sped up my process for repeating this card six times. Yes, you heard me, SIX times. You must create the same card 5 plus 1 for the hostess.

     Regardless, I will be mailing them out tomorrow. It will be interested to see how much it costs to mail out these cards. I have to include the same amount of postage to my SASE inside the envelope. Wish me luck. Anyone else really enjoy these swaps? I would love to hear your thoughts on swaps. This particular one has close to 100 members signed up. (some dropped out), but still! It must be worthwhile for so many members to participate. I cannot wait to see what comes back!

Featured: Craft Room Highlights from Cindy I

     I was thinking of creating a full post displaying my entire craft room. (Everyone does it right?) But my craft room is really not spectacular, with the exception of a few highlights. So I thought I could just include a picture or two of the highlights of my craft room that I think are very handy and may be useful to you!

Here is my first one:

With the use of nails (four total) I can hang up my most used tools. Now they are off my desk and easily accessible.

      My ink pads I wanted on the wall also. With the help of my husband, he mounted an old cassette storage system and I slid all my ink pads into the slots. If you notice carefully, the bottom row had the horizontal grid piece is missing. I did that purposely so I could fit odd sized pads also.

I sanded down and painted a wooden cassette holder to create an ink pad storage unit.
The only pads that don't fit are distress inks and minis which I store on top of the unit.

     I have one or two more highlights coming. I wish I could afford to have one of the more beautiful craft room, but alas I don't. To be honest, I appreciate all the space I have, and would rather invest my money in stamps and tools rather than expensive cupboards and elaborate storage systems. I guess I am more frugal than others. Enjoy, leave a comment if you felt this was helpful to you! It would make my day!

Featured Duo: ...Moments...by Penny Black

Hello!
I am really enjoying all the new storage creations I have made. If you haven't taken a look, click here. They are keeping me organized, and I look forward to using my blending pads more often.

I sat down earlier in the week, and played with Stampin' up Perfect Plum. (I love that color) and designed a handful of beautiful pieces without a card or end goal in mind.(like the butterfly panel on the left card)

This butterfly is so versitile, I use it all the time. Check it out in this card.

This weekend, I assembled them into cards. I am pleased with the results. Take a look!