The Crafty Stamper

12 Weeks of Christmas

We're half way through the 12 Weeks of Christmas emails.  If you want the second half, be sure to sign up for my newsletter in the upper left corner of my blog.  Here's a sneak peek at an upcoming project!

Get those Holiday Cards started!  Let me know if you need any supplies to get the job done.

Become a Fan!

Did you know you can become a FAN of The Crafty Stamper on Facebook?  YES YOU CAN!  And please do!  I have specials and features that only my FB fans will see so please join now!  Click on my Facebook icon to get to my page.  Then click "become a fan".  I'd love to get to 100 fans by the end of December so tell all your friends too!

Happy Stamping!

Jenn

120 Uses for your Big Shot - part 3

I found a list of 120 things you can use your Big Shot machine for and will be posting them 10 at a time on Sundays until it's complete!  I'm sure there are more so if you can think of one that doesn't get posted, please be sure to leave it as a comment.  Here are the next 10!

 21. Make personalized cards and gift bags for your gifts. People really notice the difference.

 

22. Die cut your cardstock on the fold to make cute shaped cards and tags.

 

23. Die cut thin metals and foils. They look embossed.

 

24. Fold paper several times and place between the cutting blades to create accordion style cards.

 

25. Cut rubber and mount on wooden blocks to create your own rubber stamps. You can easily make a stamp with your family's name, or a phrase you often use for mass-producing your own custom greeting cards.

 

26. Make themed goodie bags for birthday parties.

 

27. Make nametags for your next baby or bridal shower or mixer.

 

28. Create monogrammed stationary for yourself or your friends.

They'll think of you each time they write a note.

 

29. Cut double sided tape, and dip into beads or glitter for a 3-D

shimmery shape.

 

30. Make a chore chart, personalized for your child with his or her specific chores.

 

Craft Fair Today!

Join me at Spackenkill High School for the Hudson Valley Artisans Guild Fall Show.  I'll be there from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  My display will include:

Holiday Cards

Gift Card Holders

Greeting Cards for All Occasions

The Man Pack

Note Portfolio

Memo Cubes

Ornaments

Pet Treats

Monogram Note Cards

Frilly Flats

Magic Reindeer Dust

Snowman Soup

and more!

Please stop by!

Happy Birthday Sesame Street!

It's Sesame Street's 40th Birthday!  (Just like me!)  Have you seen the characters made with Stampin' Up!'s punches and Big Shot dies?  Here are a couple of samples I saw on Splitcoast Stampers (munhaven and jodan).  There have been MANY versions of cards and cute items made with these guys so I don't know who originated the idea.  But, our scallop circles make for great Muppet heads!

Happy Birthday to Elmo, Cookie, Oscar, Big Bird and all your furry friends!

Wandering Words Stamp Set

Here is a sample of how to use the Wandering Words stamp set (116507, $25.95 Holiday Mini), along with Lovely as a Tree (which I know you all have already!)  I used the 1 3/8" circle punch to make a moon out of a post-it note.  I then stuck it on white glossy cardstock and then brayered Brocade Blue ink over the entire piece.  Be sure to brayer in all directions to smooth out the color.  After it dried for a moment, I removed the moon mask and then used Basic Black ink to stamp the tree tops and Santa flying over them.  The card base is Brocade Blue and the layer is Basic Black.  There's a little bit of sparkle on the dots around Santa because he is magical after all...

If you like this card and need any supplies to duplicate it, please email me and I'll set you up!

Scrapbooking Sketches - 8 Ways to Be More Productive

by Monna Ellithorpe

Your scrapbooking layouts can make all the difference in how your pages look. The key is to have many scrapbook sketches available already there for you to choose from and to help you get over those times when your own creative ideas are at a standstill.

Your pages do not have to be perfect by any means and sometimes you will produce a page that no matter what you do, you are just not happy with it. Don't stress over it, just put it in your scrapbook and move on.
Remember scrapbooking is supposed to be fun, so don't make it into a chore just to get it done.

When you do find a sketch or layout that you like, experiment with it. Make your page about just one picture; add more pictures or less pictures; move them around; put the pictures on an angle; line them up and down or across. Walk away from it for a while and come back later with a fresh outlook and then just make the page and start another one.

I have discovered in my own scrapbooking sessions that if I have a sketch to go by, the hard part is already done. All you need to do is embellish with ribbons, buttons, lettering, stickers, glitter or what ever kind of embellishments you like the most. Cutting your mats and pictures with decorative scissors or if you have cutters with different cutting edges always adds a nice touch to your pages; experiment with different cutting edges.

A very important part of scrapbooking is "do not forget the journal box on your pages." In the future when family and friends look at your creative scrapbooking efforts they will want to know what was happening at the time, who is in the picture and where they were. This will keep the interest of any one viewing your scrapbook pages. It is such a disappointment when looking at a scrapbook full of pictures and you have no idea of who the people are in the pictures; no dates; no notes; nothing. Journal on every page even if you cannot remember the details, put as much information in your journal block as you can.

If you have quite a few pictures of one outing, a birthday party or some other event, it is always a plus and if you have the room to lay out many sheets of cardstock and just start laying your pictures out on each piece of cardstock as you go along. I have used this technique quite a few times and have been able to produce up to 10 pages in one session in my scrapbooking room. Believe me it is a great feeling to get so much accomplished at one time.

Below are some suggestions to help make better use of your time with your hobby:

1. Gather all of your pictures together from a single event.

2. If you have the room, lay out many sheets of cardstock and lay the
pictures on the cardstock at random.

3. Have sketches available to use as a guide.

4. Gather your embellishments that you plan to use; maybe you have a theme or just plan to use whatever appeals to you at the time.

5. Decide if you are going to cut your mats and photos with a straight edge or with a decorative edge.

6. Do not forget to make a journal box for each of your pages.

7. Don't worry if you are not able to finish your pages at one time. At least you have a start and the next time you have a few minutes a good portion of the decision making has already been done.

8. Last and most important, have fun and remember the event as you work on your pages.

Always remember enjoy your hobby and don't feel as if it is another job.


For more ideas, inspiration, learning to use your limited scrapbooking time more wisely and making great looking scrapbook pages, I would like to invite you to visit http://www.squidoo.com/Scrapbook-Sketches-500 which also includes free bonuses for cardmaking ideas and Christmas quotes.

"Copyright (c) Monna Ellithorpe. All Rights Reserved."

Clearance Rack

Did you know that Stampin' Up! has a Clearance Section in their online ordering catalog?  They're offering big discounts on certain items while supplies last.  You can only order these through the online ordering system so please go to my website and check it out!

Holiday Extravaganza!

Click here to check out the new Holiday Extravaganza promotion from Stampin' Up!

Make Stampin' Up! your one-stop shop for all your holiday gift-giving needs. With our Gift-Giving Guide you can quickly and easily find gifts for kids, teens, neighbors, and more! Plus, get a FREE Décor Elements (up to a $16.95 value) when you spend $50 on products in the guide.

Visit my Online Store today to place your order!

120 Uses for your Big Shot - part 2

I found a list of 120 things you can use your Big Shot machine for and will be posting them 10 at a time on Sundays until it's complete!  I'm sure there are more so if you can think of one that doesn't get posted, please be sure to leave it as a comment.  Here are the next 10!

  

    11. Use the alphabets to make posters for your for sale or yard

sale signs.

 

   12. Sew two doll shapes together to make finger puppets.

 

   13. Die cut Shrink Plastic and color to make earrings, necklaces,

bracelets and charms. Tie these around the gift of a bottle of wine,

or your cocktail glasses to differentiate whose glass is whose.

 

   14. Die cut fabric to make personalized Christmas stockings

(complete with names.), tree skirts, and ornaments to decorate your

home with for the holidays.

 

   15. Personalize your child's lunchbox or bags.

 

   16. Make seasonal wall hangings, pillows or table runners to

decorate your home or give as handmade gifts of the heart.

 

   17. Die cut magnets from all your favorite Big Shot shapes. Fill the

center holes with photos.

 

   18. Make magnet birthday frames from any Big Shot frame, and fill it

with the birthday boy or girl's photo during the month of their birthday.

 

   19. Iron fusible bonding onto the back side of your fabric, then

die cut. Iron these shapes onto your kids' pants, shorts, skirts and

tops or T-shirts to make darling, custom clothing. This idea works

well to personalize canvas bags and backpacks too.

 

   20. Give the gift of Big Shot. Your friends will LOVE you.

To order your Big Shot, please give me a call at (845) 797-8791 or send me an email!  

Happy Stamping!