Merry Christmas to Everyone!!

I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Fiskars Friday 12/12/2008 Gift Tag

Fiskars Friday Dec 12th 2008

Holiday Gift Tag

Well this week really flew by for me I don't know about you. I did a Fiskars Demo at my LSS this week and we did a Make N Take project of a Gift Tag. I thought I would share this because I demonstrated a new Fiskars tool and also showed an interesting way of using the circle squeeze punches.

SUPPLIES:
Heidi Grace "Winter" paper line
Heidi Grace Glitter Icon Stickers
Heidi Grace clear stamp set "Winter
Fiskars Trimmer
Fiskars Squeeze Punches- Round n Round (Circle) in X-LG, LG and Med. size
Fiskars Stamp Press
Fiskars 1/8" Hand Circle Punch
Fiskars Tape runner
Fiskars Foam Dots
Fiskars scallop edge decorative scissors
Fiskars Twist N Flip Corner Rounder (this is the new tool
Misc pink and blue ink, and ribbon , and adhesive remover

Making the Gift Tag:

The interesting trick with the squeeze punches is that by using the 3 sizes and punching into a strip of paper 2 1/2 x 5" we ended up with a snowman and a leaning snowman at that. How was this done you ask? You take the strip of paper and using the X-LG punch first punch by putting the paper into the punch from the right side. Then take the LG punch and come in again from the right side and punch partially into the space of the previous punch. Now you take the last punch and come in again from the right side and partially down into the previous punch and punch this last one. WOW did you get that?! Here are pictures to hopefully explain this better.

Now lightly trace the outline of the snowman onto the pink base which is 2 1/2 x 6 1/2 " with the bottom edges of these 2 papers flush.

Using 3 of the snowflakes from Heidi Grace's Winter stamp set you remove the blue snowman punched paper and stamp using pink ink. Stamp small, medium and large snowflakes in all 3 spaces of the snowman. The largest snowflake was stamped twice by rotating the design to better fill in the space.

Glue the blue paper onto the the base. The stripe paper 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 on the top portion of the tag.

Using the new twist n Flip Corner rounder on the smaller of the 2 sizes which is 1/4" round the upper corners of the tag. This tool has both the 1/4" and 1/2" sizes of corner rounds in one tool. You just turn the blue piece on top of the tool and voila you have the other size.

As shown here it is in the larger of the 2 sizes.

There is a trick to using this tool I have found. The paper goes in from the top and side and goes quite a ways down in order to reach the area that actually punches. See next picture. This was the problem that occurred with each person I demonstrated this to. If you put the paper in from the top it seems to stop or catch and you think you are at the right point. But it actually goes in much deeper. I found if you came in from the side instead it seemed to go all the way in without catching. This is the only one that I have so I am not sure if this is a concern with all of them or just mine for some reason. It is easy to punch and has a nice design for holding it in your hand. Plus you don't have to carry 2 around with you.

Take the 3/4" x 2 1/2 " dark pink paper and using the scallop scissors along 1 long edge. Adhere this to the bottom edge of the tag.

Stamp "Frosty" with blue ink above the scalloped strip on the left side of the tag.

Cut out the white paper with "feelin" on it into strips and glue above "Frosty"

Adhere Holly stickers where stripe paper and blue snowflake paper meet.

Adhere strip of ribbon across this paper seam.

Tie a bow and put a foam dot on back of it. Adhere to ribbon strip.

Using the 1/8" hand circle punch and make a hole at the top. Place a piece of string through this hole.

Your tag is Done!! Here is the tag from the steps shown.

This design was by Janna Wilson provided by Fiskars Thank You. (I tweaked it a little.)

Here are some pictures of some crafters who came to my demo busy making there tags. I teach 4 ata time and that seems to work out well for everyone.

Check out these sites for more Fiskars Friday posts:

http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/2008/12/calling-all-fiskateers-for-fiska-link.html

http://debbysdares.blogspot.com/2008/12/well-its-about-time.html

Keepsakes by Melissa

I have added a new site to my blog list. It is Creating From the Heart by keepsakes by Melissa. Check it out !!! She has an offer for some blog candy right now. But hurry not much time left. She is a very talented papercrafter. She has beautiful work on her blog. You don't want to miss it.

Check it out here:
http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/

Stamp Press Tutorial

I was asked about the stamp press. This is a wonderful tool by Fiskars for stamping with any acrylic stamps and even unmounted rubber stamps. It works the best with acrylic stamps because you can see exactly where you are stamping. The stamp press is clear and the stamps are clear. The Stamp Press comes in 2 sizes.

There are quite a few markings on the large one. You have lines , inch marks, bold lines and grid all to assist you in lining up where you want to stamp. The smaller one has markings too but just the grid. No inch marks. The smaller one was designed for card making. It is more portable and sized for cards.

The larger size has a removable plate in the center. You can use the stamp press with and without that plate. The plate is useful for when you are doing a lot of one design. Such as invitations, cards wedding etc. You can set up all the stamps you will be using on that plate for an invitation for example. You can put the Who , what, where plus a birthday cake for instance. Get all those stamps lined up on the press where you want them and then you can stamp over and over without having to re do the placement of the stamps. If you don't finish in one setting and need to stamp something else then you just remove that plate set it aside and use the press without the plate for your other projects. When you are ready to work on the invites again put the plate back in place and continue stamping. You can purchase extra of these plates also. It just snaps into place.

Here is a brief 1 2 3 on how to use either of the Stamp Presses.

Step1: Place your stamp on your project where you want it. I have placed this stamp in the bottom right corner of a 3x3 card. I am leaving my card open so my paper is flat when stamping.

Step 2: Using the grid and any of the lines on the stamp press and line up your press over your stamp on your card. In this view I ma using the top and right side bold lines and lining them up against my card top and right sides. Press down as if you were stamping. This will pick the stamp up onto the press. Now we will go ink it up.

Step 3: Ink up your stamp. This is my stamp inked and notice the ink on the plate along side the stamp. You will see that you can have ink on the plate itself and only the ink on the stamp will end up on your project.

Step 4: Turn your press over and re line up on your card base with the lines you used in Step 2. So I am moving the press to line up my bold lines with my top and right sides of the card

Now with your hands on both sides of the press push down evenly. The press has sponge feet and it will automatically go down evenly if you are pressing on both sides at once. Give it a firm press. Sometimes I will walk my fingers over top of the stamp while it is firmly pressed down to give it a little extra pressure. I do this especially for a large stamp and a solid style stamp. This is a little habit of mine. You might find you don't need to do this. Once you have pressed firmly now let go and let the stamp press rise back up. Your project may still be stuck to the stamp. That is OK. Just peel off the card carefully from the stamp.

Step 5: The finished stamped image. Notice all that extra ink that was on the plate is not on my project. Only the stamped image is here. You get a nice crisp stamped image each and every time. This tool has been a life saver to me and my stamping. I now can get perfect stamping all the time. I would not stamp without this tool. Also you don't need a number of different size blocks. The large one will accomodate quite a few stamps and large ones. This tool can be used if onky stamping 1 little stamp or mutiples.

Tip: one more tip and a very important tip. The stamp press is made with sponge feet. If you were to store this resting on it's feet that will crush and could even get distorted of not pressed evenly. You need to store your press either upside down so the feet are up or hang it. I have found I like to hang mine. Then I never have to worry about the feet getting ruined. I use my Fiskars Craft Drill with the largest bit and drill a hole in one side and hang it from that. One other way of storing would be to keep the package it came in and store it in that tray upside down with the feet sticking up. Here are pictures of my drilled holes. Actually there is a little bit of a funny story with that. I don't know if you will be able to see it but I have both sizes of the Stamp Press. I was going to drill the larger one first. My husband asked me what I was doing and he said that drill won't work. Give it to me and I will use my drill. I was worried it would splinter using his power drill. He said not to worry. Well guess what?! It splintered!!! So I let it go and didn't say anything about having a second one to do. I used my Fiskars craft drill on it and it worked just fine. If you haven't used the drill yet don't underestimate what it can do. It is a very easy to use and good drill.

This was my husbands drill. Notice the rough edges.This is the one done with my Fiskars Drill. I think it is a much cleaner hole. LOL
If you have any other questions post here and I will try and answer them. I hope you enjoy your Stamp Press as much as I do.

Fiskars Friday 12/5/08 Rotary Cutter

My Fiska Friday post is a little different today. I am showing the sewing side of Fiskar Tools. This is just one of many Fiskars Rotary Cutter. It has a interchangeable blades for different edges. It is designed for fabric mainly but can be used for paper also. My suggestion if using it for paper to label those blades for paper use and have another set of blades for sewing use. That way you will get a nice clean cut in your fabric every time.

You use a acrylic ruler with the rotary cutter and it can be used free hand to make your cuts in the fabric. The examples I will be showing that I made after cutting with my rotary cutter are outfits for my Granddaughter's 1st Birthday.

I don't have it yet but Fiskars came out with a new very sleek and ergonamically designed Rotary Cutter. We got a chance to see it and try it out while in San Antonio last year for the Nifty Fifty. That is a cadillac of rotary cutters!! Give that one a look while you are in the stores shopping this month. For all you sewers and quilters that would be a great gift to receive.

Be sure to check out these Fiskar friday posts also

http://debbysdares.blogspot.com/2008/12/fiskars-friday-on-thursday.html

Cuttlebug Challenge

Attention all Cuttlebug owners!!!

The site http://www.cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/ is a great site for Cuttlebug fun. They have challenges and you submit your project and WOW do you ever see some beautiful work submitted. Right now they are offering a challenge to spread the word about there site. So I wanted to help out being I am a huge fan of the Cuttlebug and give you the opportunity to check them out and see what they are all about. I have posted them in my blog list on the left side of the page. Check it out!! Let me know what you think.

Thanksgiving Treat Bag/Favor Make n Take

For this weeks Fiskars Link Friday I am going to share with you my Nov Demo that I did at my LSS yesterday. I put it in 2 parts. Be sure to check the post below this one for Part 2.

It was a Make n Take style Demo with a project given to me by Stephanie Hamen at Fiskars. I changed a few things in it however because of the tools I wanted to have them use. Would you like me to add pictures of the steps if I post a project like this?



I used the following tools:


Fiskars 12" portable trimmer cutting and scoring blade

That's Amore squeeze punch medium

Round n Round Squeeze Punch medium

Leaf Border Punch

Stamp Factory,

Fingertip tweezers

Texture plates using the Cuddlebug.

Directions:
1. Cut a piece of cardstock 5" x 5 1/2". Replace cutting blade with scoring blade and score the 5" side in half at 2 1/2".

2.Use Leaf border punch on each edge of cardstock piece you just scored in half.

3. Using the Stamp Factory stamp the word Gratitude on front Rt or Lt bottom above the leaf punched area.

4. Using the Cuddlebug choose Texture Plate of your choice and emboss this same piece we have been working on. HINT: to get a deeper crisper embossed design use a fine Mister and spray lightly the paper on the side you are embossing. Then using the following sandwich run it through the machine. A plate, Texture plate, cardstock right side down, 2 silicone pads, B plate. Another HINT: You can use a piece of Plumbers Gasket in place of the silicone pads. This can be bought at Lowe's in the Plumbing Dept. It is red in color and 6x6 in size. It is very inexpensive costing approx. $1.34 for one.

5. Using the circle squeeze punch punch out 5 circles total using 3 different colors of CS.

6. Using the heart squeeze punch and the eggplant paper punch out 1 heart.

7. Arrange circles across the front of the topper and adhere with Fiskars tape runner.

8. Place a foam dot on the heart punch and adhere that to center circle.

9. Fill treat bag with your choice of candy etc.

10. Adhere topper to the treat bag by folding it over the bag and adhere using the tape runner.


I hope you enjoyed the project!!

Part Two of Demo

Part 2 Of Fiskars Link Friday


I set it up with having 4 people at a time. This is a picture of a group of 4 when they were finished showing there accomplishments of a completed treat Bag.



It works out well being able to keep everyone on track and getting through in a short period of time. I have set up my Demos here a few different ways. This is one of the ways that is working out the best. It still leaves time for questions and trying new or different tools. I hold them for a 2 hour block of time and have people take a number when they come to the store. That way they don't lose their spot and they can either watch the group before them or shop in the store.



The New Tools that I had shown here were the Stamp Factory, Fingertip Tweezers and The Texture Plates using the Cuddlebug.


Stamp factory: There were mixed feelings about it. I have previously shown the stamp press both the large and small one. The stamp press still is getting the most positive response.


Pros: They liked the self inking aspect of the Stamp Factory and the ability to do many of the same invitation for example in a very short period of time


Cons: Difficult to determine right amount of pressure to use. Difficult to determine where the stamp is actually going to stamp. Not easy to see where you are going to land. Limited space to put your stamps on. I did tell everyone this was designed for the card maker.





Personally I would much rather use the stamp press. I can see that if you were always doing many of the same thing this would be the quickest way to go. But overall I vote for the Stamp Press hands down.





The Fingertip Tweezers : This also had mixed reviews. They liked the design being like the Fingertip knife. But some struggled with the tips coming out from the side of the tool. Also the tweezers action seemed very weak. It didn't hold onto the paper easily. Some loved it while others hated it.


I think it is a good tool except for the loose tweezers function. Maybe I had a faulty one but the tips had a space between them. They were not tight together as I would think they should be.


I am hoping to get my hands onto a Fingertip Swivel Knife. That one I think will be a big hit like the Fingertip Knife is.





Texture Plates using the Cuddlebug machine: This was a BIG Hit!!! I explained about the original tool that is used with these plates. Then I made the sandwich of A plate , texture plate with paper right side down next. Silicone pads (2) and he B plate. I had them put their bag topper through the machine with the texture plate design of there choice. Everyone loved this without a doubt. I also had them give the paper a fine mist of water before embossing. It gives a much deeper embossed image.





It was a FUN Demo!! They learned a lot and had fun at the same time. Hopefully the one in Dec will go just as well. Thanks for stopping by.





Stop by at these Fiska Link Friday posts too!!!



Fiska-Link Friday Goes Grey... Michelle's got a GA ATC swap going on! http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/fiska-link-friday-goes-grey.html




Thank You Card Let's make a quick thank you card with squeeze punches http://mayadahan.blogspot.com/2008/11/fisk

Fiskars Friday and Easy Stamp Press Demo http://debbysdares.blogspot.com/2008/11/fiskars-friday-again.html

Fiska Link Friday Another Tip on Acrylic Stamps

Fiska Link Friday Another Tip on Acrylic Stamps


Hi Everyone on another Fiska Link Friday.Well I have had a very busy week celebrating the " Birthday " Celebration of the 1st year in business for our LSS. They have been having events daily all week and it will end on Sat with a Supermarket Sweep Contest.We've had so much fun. One lucky person will get 1 minute to run the store and fill a basket with as much product as they possibly can. Doesn't that sound like the prize to win?!! Wish me luck. I would love to win that. Of course I can't do the running so I have a stand in runner.

Well on to to my Fiskars Friday offering. I have another tip on using the acrylic stamps. You know how certain ink colors stain the stamps more so than others? Especially the reds, blues, purples or example. Well although having stained stamps means they are a well used loved stamp if you don't want them to stain or to keep the staining to a minimum here is a tip.

Before stamping with your color of choice. Take your stamp and ink it in a Versamark pad first. Then go right away to the ink color pad and ink it with the color. Now stamp the image. When you clean the stamp you will have a clean non stained stamp as a result. I tried this with a very red color. My stamp was as clear as brand new when I was done.

So if it really bothers you to have stained stamps and you don't mind inking it in the Versmark first then this could work for you.Give it a try. See what you think. I haven't tried all colors but I think it should be fairly successful.

Have a good Fiska-Link Friday!!! See you next week.

Check out these links too

Debby's Dare Make a Giving Box with this tutorial! http://debbysdares.blogspot.com/2008/11/fiskars-friday-on-thursday.html



Michelle's got some Fiskar sneaks! Check out some sneak peeks of Michelle's Christmas House ATCs! http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/fiska-links-friday-again.html

Fiska Friday Link for 11/7/08

This is my first Fiskateer Fiska-Friday Link .
I am posting a tip on how to get good ink coverage on your new acrylic Fiskars, Cloud 9 and actually any acrylic stamps. I will try and post something for you each week.

Tip for Acrylic Stamps

Have you ever had trouble with ink beading up on new Fiskars or any acrylic stamps? I have had this happen when I have a new stamp set and use a stamp for the first time. When I go to ink the stamp the ink is like it is repeling it. It only stays on in dots resulting in a bad stamped image. I have found that if you do one of these options you will have a much improved image.

1. Take a good pencil eraser and rub it over your new stamps first before inking. Wipe off any excess eraser dust. Now ink your stamp up and stamp a practice one first. It should be a nice clean and fully inked image.

2. Another option is you can take a piece of brown paper bag and rub that over your new stamps. Then ink and stamp as usual. Again your image will be a nice solid inked image.

The reason this happens is because in production often times a film is left on the stamps. By removing that with one of these options the ink is able to grab and give a crisp and clean solid image.

I hope you find this useful. It has sure helped me with my stamps.
Check out the rest of my blog while you're here. I would love to have you leave a comment on any of my projects. Thanks for stopping by. See you next week.

Here are some other Fiska Link Friday posts
http://debbysdares.blogspot.com/2008/11/hershey-continues-and-rock-paper.html
http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/its-fiska-link-friday.html

Front cover for the Baby Album

This is the cover of the album I have been working on for my Granddaughter. The flower was made using the Just Blooms from CTMH. In one of the idea books for CTMH there was this technique featured.This is how it is done
1. You take one flower and with a paper piercer and poke holes around the edge of each petal.
2. Then using floss stitch around each petal.
3. Now cut the area in the middle of each petal out making sure you don't cut any of the stitching.
4. Take another flower and adhere behind the stitched flower. I used pink to show through my white flowers openings.
5. I put an embellishment in the center of the flower with a clear page pebble on top of it. Then I stitched 2 buttons to one side.

It is a fun technique and way to do. Give it a try.

I'm In

How about you? This looks great and you can do it at your own time. Each day you will get info and you go on when you can. I think this is a great opportunity.

Stories in Hand Class

Come and join in for this FREE class from Jessica Sprague. But hurry registration ends on Nov 8th!! Just go to www.jessicasprague.com to sign up.

Introducing the Paper Craft Planet. Check it out!!!

Hey everyone check out this post on one of my favorite blogs Here

It is a cool post informing us about the Paper Craft Planet. The Paper Craft Planet is a new online community that will have inspiration, videos, tutorials etc. Kim explains it well in her post. Plus Kim is offering some "candy" for joining in on the fun. You don't want to miss out. Winner of the candy will be announced 11/10 so don't miss out.

Baby Shower Invitation and Baby Shoes Party favors

When my daughter was pregnant she had to be on bedrest for most of the pregnancy. So myself and her mother-in-law put together a Baby shower for her at her home. It was a totally handmade shower. Here are a couple of the items we made.

These are the Baby shoes we made as place favors. I even stitched them by machine to have them really look authentic. We made an equal number of blue ones and pink ones. My daughter didn't want to know if she was having a boy or a girl so everyone when they came to the shower were told to choose either blue or pink baby shoes. They chose according to what they thought the baby was going to be. The invitation was made using the cuddlebug, chalk, Fiskar paper edgers, ribbon and pen stitching. The ribbon I found was perfect. It was a combo pink/blue ribbon and tiny and delicate too.

Even with my daughters condition we were able to give her a wonderful day with her friends and family.

2 weeks old

I had these pictures and just couldn't leave them out so I made these and put them in place in the album. She is 2 weeks old here. On the left is mommy and daughter with their hands. On the right hand side is a picture of her looking directly at Daddy. So I made a Mommy & Me page and a Daddy & Me page. They are very simply done but I thought this simple design was perfect for these photos.

10 Months

Here she is looking out at her doggy. They are great pals. On the other page she is sitting in her favorite chair. Doesn;t she look so happy?! With the completion of these pages I am now caught up. Yeah I did it!! Now I am working on the cover of the album and preparing the 11 month pages and the ending page of her first birthday.

9 Months

She isn't walking yet but she is pulling herself up all the time to stand. I am in a wheelchair and have a walker and so does her Grandpa on her Daddy's side. So she has become familiar with wheelchairs and walkers already.

8 Months

I am moving right along. Here is 8 months. This has been such a fun project to be working on.

7 Months

Another month done. I am really on a roll now. I am feeling more like I am going to make it opn time.

6 Months

I love this picture of her when she discovered her feet. She also is shown here discovering animal crackers. I couldn't resisit using these photos.

5 Months

When I amde my daughters and her husbands books they both had a picture in the Johnny Jump up at age 5 months. So my daughter took this same picture for this album. Also she had music surrounding her before she was born and it continues since. She is really relaxed laying there while Daddy practices his guitar.

4 Months

I am moving right along. I have a few to post tonight. I am continuing with the Sharon Ann Baby line and adding misc embellishments and using different paper techniques.

Halloween Votive Holders

I made these little votive holders to set up on the mantle for Halloween. I used some very old wood CTMH stamps sets. The pumpkins was called the Pumpkin Patch and it was a single stamp. The other two were made from then set called Trick or Treaters. I used a heavy vellum and stamped in black on the front. Then I took CTMH markers and colored in on the back side. I used some DMC floss to sew the 2 pieces together and slip them over a glass candle holder. Then put in a tea light or candle and light. The glow from the flames shines through the image and they are really cute!. Fun, Easy and Quick to make using any stamps you would want. My vellum pieces were cut 2 1/2 x 6. Cut the vellum according to the size candle holders you are using. Two for each one you would make. You could put the ends together in a number of different ways also.

3 Months

Here is another 2 page layout. This is 3 months of age. I used my Cuddlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder on the green paper. Then I took CTMH Hollyhock ink and rubbed over the dots. It left a really interesting effect. I have a combination of embellishments along with the Sharon Ann paper that I am using throughout this album.