{Tech Tip Tuesday}: #7 - Using wax paper with Hexagon Hive Thinlit

Hello and happy Tuesday, blog friends!  This week's tech tip is using wax paper with the Hexagon Hive framelit, but it's definitely a tip that will make die cutting intricate thinlits much easier!  It's amazing what a little wax paper can do.  It does make using detailed thinlits much more enjoyable where you don't have to work so hard to peel off the DSP or card stock from the metal frame.  If you're like me, then you probably didn't read the packaging that recommends you use wax paper with the thinlits {heehee, packaging smackaging!}.  But, not to worry - once you make the discovery, you will definitely keep wax paper at your disposal! I had fun finally using the Hexagon Hive thinlit and taking it for a spin!  How do you like the 3 cards I created above?  What's cool is, you get all the cut hexagons from the thinlit as a byproduct, too, so you can definitely create more projects!  Now, here's the super simple process of using the wax paper:

1.  To create this cute and simple 'Gee, thanks' card, you'll need Real Red card stock cut at 4 1/4" x 11" and folded in half, a piece of wax paper, one sheet of Fresh Prints DSP, and the Hexagon Hive Thinlit.
2. Assemble your sandwich for the Big Shot starting with the acrylic plate at the bottom, then Fresh Prints DSP, wax paper, Hexagon Hive Thinlit, and acrylic plate on top.  Now you're ready to take it through the Big Shot!
3.  Your finished Hexagon Hive die cut!  The hexagons pop out and you'll be able to easily remove the die cut from the thinlit die.  Gently peel away the wax paper and you'll have your fun Hexagon Hive piece of DSP!
4.  Assemble your card.  Tip - I use SNAIL adhesive and apply it onto the Hexagon Hive die cut on the silicon craft sheet.  Why?  This way, I'm able to to put adhesive along the edges easily without making a sticky mess on my work surface!  For the sentiment, I used the Just Sayin' Clear Mount Bundle, which comes with the Just Sayin' stamp set and Word Bubble Framelits!  Just stamp it using the Coastal  Cabana stamp set, adhere it with dimensionals and you're done!

Easy peasy, right?  Here are the 3 cards I made for my first batch of Hexagon Hive projects:

Here's a bigger view of the card we just created.  Simple, quick and fun!

This card is my favorite of the bunch! I created the flower using the Pansy and Blossom punches.  For the center of the flower, I used the Linen Thread and Regals Designer Buttons and embellished a little with the Natural Chevron ribbon.  

Here's a bit of a closer look at the flower. The Pansy and Blossom punch make such a fun bloom!

For this card, I used the Crumb Cake card stock as the base and stamped the flower from the Nature's Hello hostess stamp set as my sentiment.  The ribbon is the Natural Chevron ribbon on the reverse side and the pretty button is from the Very Vintage Buttons.

Hope you liked the projects today and hope this week's tip helps make your crafting with framelits and thinlits much more enjoyable!  Thanks for stopping by today!

ETA: So excited to play along in the Happy for Hexagons Challenge in the Moxie Fab World!

{Tech Tip Tuesday}: #5 - Stamped Banner Window Card!

Hi blog friends!  Welcome to {Tech Tip Tuesday}!  This week, I'm sharing the technique of stamping on a window sheet using StazOn ink. I started off with a trifold card base, which I created from a 12x12 sheet of Core'dinations paper.  I also got to use my Perfect Pennants Clear Mount Bundle (which includes the Banner Framelits and the Perfect Pennants clear mount stamp set - an excellent combo!). Are you ready to check it out?  Let's get started, shall we?

1. Cut out a 5 1/2" x12" piece of card stock and score the 12" side at 3 1/2" and 7 3/4".

2. Use the Big Shot to die cut the 2nd largest banner framelit on the 4 1/4"x5 1/2" panel of your trifold card.

3.  Cut a 3" x 5" piece of window sheet and adhere on the inside of the card using glue dots along the edges.

4. Stamp the "Make a wish" sentiment {from the Perfect Pennants stamp set} to the front of the card using white StazOn ink.

5.  Die cut the largest banner framelit using a sheet from the Sweet Sorbet DSP.  Next, die cut the 3rd largest banner framelit using a scrap of Pool Party Core'dinations paper.  Then lastly, die cut the 2nd smallest Labels framelit in Basic Black card stock.  Assemble these layers on the 3 1/2"x 5 1/2" panel of your trifold.  Tip: line up the Sweet Sorbet DSP banner piece along the inner edge of the card panel. This will make all the banners align with your front banner window.

6.  Embellish the front of the card. I used the Banner punch from the Sale-a-bration catalog and the Itty Bitty Shapes flower. I added the Pearl Basics to the flower centers to give my flowers that fun dimension.  Viola - you're done!

Here's a couple more views of the card for you.

Here's the card recipe:

{Make a Wish Banner Window Card}
Stamp Set: Perfect Pennants
Cardstock: Crisp Cantaloupe and Pool Party Core'dinations card stock, Sweet Sorbet DSP, Basic Black
Inks: White StazOn ink
Accessories: Banner and Labels Collection Framelits, Banner Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punches, Window Sheets, Glue Dots

Product Recommendations for this project - click on the images to check them out on my online store!:

Now, it's your turn to give this technique a whirl! I'd love to see your creations. Thanks for stopping in today.  Have a great one!

{Tech Tip Tuesday}: #3 - Stamping on Muslin bags

Hi there blog friends!  Welcome to another week of {Tech Tip Tuesday}!  This week, I'm gonna share how easy it is to stamp on Muslin using Stampin'Up!'s Photopolymer stamps.  Aren't the bags above so cute?  I have to admit that I had to get over my own fears of stamping on Muslin - i.e. "Will the image come out ok?" or "Are the inks going to look dark enough?"  among other musings of mine that were preventing me from experimenting on these fun little bags sooner.  I'm pleased to share that it's really super easy to stamp on the bags and get a nice image.  Are you ready to get started?  I've got 4 easy steps for you.

1. To get started, here are the items I used: Muslin bag, Stampin'Up! Classic Ink pads in Smokey Slate and Daffodil Delight, Eye-catching Ikat Photopolymer Stamp Set, Acrylic Block.

2. For this Ikat pattern, I used 2 stamps from the Eye-Catching Ikat stamp set - the 2 diamond shaped stamps.  Place the 2 stamps on your acrylic block to create your repeating pattern.  Stamp the first row in Smokey Slate.  The beauty of the photopolymer stamp sets are that you can see the exact placement on the acrylic block and the actual stamped image on your Muslin bag.  Tip - be sure you evenly ink the stamps to ensure your full image stamps onto the Muslin.  Press the acrylic block firmly onto the bag and be sure not to rock the block back and forth for a clear and crisp image. 

3. Continue making your pattern and clean your stamps between colors. For the second row, I used Daffodil Delight.  You can stamp as many rows as you'd like to continue and repeat your pattern on the bag. For this sample, I create 3 rows.

4.  The finished bag!  As you can see, creating a pattern is a snap with the photopolymer stamps!

Here's a closer look at the trio of bags I stamped {notice the use of my rosette embellishments? - SOO fun!}:

For the rosette embellishment, I doubled up and used 2 flower dies rolled together to create a bigger bloom.

I just love this Ikat pattern and color palette! This pretty polka dot rosette was created using the Polka Dot Parade DSP.

For this stamped patter, I did a two-step stamp technique to create the yellow sunflowers.  Then, I topped it off with a happy orange felt rosette.  These Muslin bags are perfectly sized for cute little goodies or trinkets.  Hope you're inspired to create your own little gift bags. :)

Here are the supplies I used:

{Muslin Bag Trio}
Stamps: Eye-catching Ikat Photopolymer stamps
Inks: Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Pumplin Pie, Smokey Slate Classic Stampin'Up! Ink Pads
Accessories: Spiral Flower Originals Die, Mini Metallic Clothespins, Smokey Slate Chevron Ribbon, Secret Garden Framelits, Muslin Bags, Polka Dot Parade DSP 

Product recommendations for this project:

You can check these products out on my online store here.  And, don't forget - Sale-a-bration starts today!  So, what that means is, for every $50 you spend, you can choose Free product from the Sale-a-bration catalog.  Woot woot :)

Happy stamping and thanks for visiting!

{Tech Tip Tuesday}: Week 2 - Fabulous watercolor background

Hi all!  Happy Tuesday.  Hope your week is off to a great start.  We're having some nice warm weather here in Southern California, so I stamped this week's Tech Tip outside on MLK day {it was SOO nice to have the day off from my day job!}. It got to the high 70s in the afternoon, which is a pretty warm January for us.

For this week's Tech Tip Tuesday, I'm sharing a watercoloring technique that we got a peek at during leadership.  For my card, I used the Making a Point hostess set, which I just LOVE.  It's quite a clever and sassy little set - the sentiments crack me up. Take a look for yourself:

Doesn't the lipstick one make you chuckle? Anyway, I digress.  Back to the technique.  Watercoloring elements are so trendy right now that it's a great style to work into your every day stamping and paper crafting.  This technique in particular is such an easy and fun way of using the Stampin'Write markers and an acrylic block.  So, let's get started, shall we?

1.  You'll need an acrylic block, markers, and a water spritzer.  For my project, I used Primrose Petals and Summer Starfruit Stampin'Write markers and Stampin'Up!'s size C acrylic block.

2.  On a clean acrylic block, use your markers to color directly onto the block.  I colored the Primrose Petal on about two-thirds of the block and Summer Starfruit on the bottom third.

3.  I used the Stampin'Up! Spritzer filled with water and squirted 2 sprays onto the block until the water on the block was evenly "beaded."

4.  Next, take the block and stamp it directly onto your card stock.  I used Whisper White card stock for my project.  As you press the block down onto the card stock, you'll see that the moisture from the inks and water will mix and swirl with the colors and as you pull the block off, it will create some fun variations of color and depth.

5.  Set the card stock aside to dry for a few minutes.

6.  Once the watercolor block is dry, stamp your image onto the card stock using StazOn ink.  This ensures that the image will not bleed.  Viola!  You have your stamped image on a pretty watercolor background!

I finished off my card by mounting my stamped Whisper White card stock onto Crumb Cake.  To give my card a little texture, I added a few sequins onto the card. Just a teenie amount of bling.  I've been on a simple and clean kick lately. Adhesive tip: the Two-way Glue pen is great for sticking sequins or baker's twine on cards! 

Here's another look at my finished card.  Super quick and easy! Hope you like it. :)

And last but not least, here's the recipe for you:

{you're fabulous, watercolor}
Cardstock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Inks: Primrose Petal and Summer Starfruit Stampin'Write markers, Black StazOn permanent ink
Stamps: Making a Point {Stampin'Up! Occasions catalog - hostess set}
Accessories: Acrylic Block {size C}, Gold sequins {Stampin'Up! Occasions catalog}

Thank's for the visit. I would love to hear what you think about the card or technique…let me know!  Bye for now. Hope your day is fabulous.

Introducing {Tech Tip Tuesday}: Week 1 - Simply Pressed Clay

Hi there, blog friends! I'm excited to announce that I'll be doing a weekly {Tech Tip Tuesday} post starting today.  So now, you're probably wondering "What the heck is Tech Tip Tuesday?"  Well, what that means is, I'll be posting either a paper crafting technique tip or a digital/online technology tip for you WEEKLY.  Yes.  Weekly!  I've neglected my blog for far too long and I'm gonna revamp it with some fresh new posts and ideas to share with you all.  I promised at the beginning of 2014 that I'd commit to posting 3 times a week, so now you know at least one post will be on {Tech Tip Tuesday}. :)

So, let's start with today, shall we?  I'm thrilled to finally share that I got to play with the Simply Pressed Clay today for the very first time.  I've been intimidated by the packaging and just even trying to make the flowers or buttons in the Simply Pressed Mold.  I finally decided to take the time to search for instructions or videos and mustered up the courage (and of course, carved out the time) to try.  In the picture above, I'm pleased to say…Success!

Here are the steps for you, broken down to make it easy-peasy.

1.  What you'll need are the following: Buttons and Blossoms Simply Pressed Mold, Re-inker (I chose Pink Pirouette), and Simply Pressed Clay.  The re-inker is really just an option, but this is what I chose for this example.  There are a number of ways you can add color to your clay - with Stampin'Write markers, ink pads, etc.  With the re-inker, I added 6 drops of the Pink Pirouette and kneaded it into the clay.

2.  Pinch off a tiny piece of clay and roll it into a ball.  

3.  Press the clay into the mold and be sure to fill the mold completely.  If you have too much, pinch off the excess and form the clay into the mold till you're satisfied that you've filled the area. If you have too little, add a bit of clay until you can fill the mold.

4.  Now, here's the tricky part.  Depending on the humidity in your area and the moisture of the clay, the mold may stick.  After trial and error, I saw that it's best to rub the silicon molds with an embossing buddy first, since this will help "pop out" your mold.  Think of it like baking a cake.  You add flour to the pan to help it not stick.  Same principle. :)  Since I was sans embossing buddy today, I also learned that a few minutes in the freezer does the trick equally well.  I'd say 5-10 minutes is sufficient.

5.  When you take your mold out of the freezer, just gently bend back the mold and pop out your flower.  Viola!

Here's a look at the flowers again - I love the delicate look they have.  What's fun is that the clay doesn't  get hard even when it's dry. It's semi soft and bendable!  Pretty cool.  Here's another look at my first batch of flowers.

And lastly, here's a look at the full card I made, using the Language of Love stamp set from the Occasions catalog, Polka Dot Parade DSP, heart punch, and linen thread on Crumb Cake card stock.  It also happens to be my first Valentine card of the year, too.

Hope you like it!  Thanks for visiting me on my first {Tech Tip Tuesday}.  I'd love to hear your feedback.  Especially if you have any specific techniques or technologies you'd like me to cover.  Have a great day!