Christmas Clearance Items

Stampin’ Up! update their clearance rack every now and again. The items are only whilst stocks last and are discounted below the original catalogue price. (It is worth a note that the items may not be the lowest price that they have been on offer in the clearance rack, sometimes last chance lists are lower.) Clearance rack items are items which have been retired by Stampin’ Up! and are no longer available to buy from the catalogue. You can still find alot of inspiration for these items on YouTube, the internet and also Pinterest.

I have been playing with the Joy to the World Paper Pumpkin and the Christmas Traditions Punch Box. I think that they are gorgeous. As with most Paper Pumpkins the box contains stamps, ink, embellishments and items to make 8 cards. The only thing you will need is a block and scissors. I also recommend a bone folder and also liquid glue (they do contain glue dots and dimensionals in the box, but I prefer liquid glue.)

Tips and tricks -

Prime your stamps before stamping, ink up and stamp off checking the image. I normally do this a few times. Also practice stamping on scrap parper before stamping on the pop outs.

I leave any items which are stamped on in the original cut outs before I pop them out, it makes it easier to stamp straight (also you can use the reverse of the card

I recommend adding the twine and then adding a bow rather than tying the bow, as you can then move the bow if you need to when adding the wreath

Don’t be stingy with the dimensionals, it can create a saggy shape, add some to the inner and outer edges

.The video below shows the items and my tips.

I think that the cards created are gorgeous and also you have a fab stamp set to use on other cards (the inside card sentiment is amazing.)

Blended Birthday Backgrounds

I am regularly asked for birthday cards, which means that I need to come up with some different designs, so that nobody gets the same card twice (I try to avoid duplicates). One way to create easy quick different cards which I love, is playing with my blender brushes. Each background is different and can be finished in different ways. Also the colour combinations which can be used are endless as well (well nearly endless.)

I loved the colour combination when I saw it in a colour challenge. I wanted to play with it even though I am not normally a Bermuda Bay fan (I am normally a subtles girl.)

The video below shows how I made the different backgrounds, using these colours adding embossing powders and mirror card.

Measurements:

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)

Inside White Panel - 10cm x 14cm

Blended Panel – quarter of A4

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)

Inside White Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm

Blended Panel – quarter of A4

Imperial

4." x 5.5" (4” by full length scored at 5.5”)

Inside White Panel - 3.75” x 5.25”

Blended Panel – quarter of A4

I love that each one is different and that the card base and the way the sentiment is stamped can change the card. Which is your favourite?

How I Prepare my Cling Stamps

Last week I shared how I prepare my photopolymer stamps. Today I am sharing how I prepare my cling stamp sets.

For the longest time I avoided cling stamps as I struggled with placement and also stickiness. However, Stampin’ Up! have developed a cling adhesive backing which is super super sticky and with more practice and stamping I have gotten better with stamping. Of course I still make errors but I am getting better.

Before stamping my cling stamps, I check all the stamps are there, that the stamps are the correct stamp set in the correct language. If it is a two part cling set I check that I have each part. After I have checked that the stamp sets are correct, I check the stamps outline. Stampin’ Up! stamps are cut on machines ( i think) and if they are lined up incorrectly there can be insufficent space around the stamp and therefore can affect how the image is stamped (this has only happened to me once with the Panda’s from Sale-a-bration a few years ago.

After my checks I add the cling stickers to the back of my stamps, it is easiest to add the cling if yoiu remove the backing one by one. You need to line up the stickers, as they can not be removed once they are stuck on the back. If you try to remove them they can remove the foam from the stamp which can affect the way it stamps.

I then stamp out the stamps on scrap paper to check how they stamp and to ensure that all the residue from the production process is removed. The video below shows the process that I use. It depends on the stamp set whether I use the Stamparatus or just using blocks.

I also create masks when I stamped the stamps, I use some gorgeous masking paper by Inkadinkado, which I cut out with scissors. Do you create masks for your stamps?

Christmas Eve Box Treats - Snowman Seasons

A few years ago I found a gorgeous Christmas Eve box in a local charity shop which I gave to my sister for my nieces. Every year I give little treats to be added to the box. Todays project is one of my favourite items to provide for the Christmas Eve box which is some Snowman Mallow Poles.

I used the Snowman Seasons Stamp set and the Snowman Builder Punch. It is a simple project which uses stamps, inks and card with a bit of bling. I love that you can choose how to decorate the buttons, today I went for simple Matte Black Dots.

I coloured the nose by using the Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Marker but you could use a Stampin’ blends as no-one will ever see the back as they are stapled together.

Measurements:

Card Strips - CM - 4cm

Card Strips - Inches - 1.5” or 1.75” (both fit the snowman)

The video below shows how simple it is to make.

What I love about this project and the mallow poles is that you can use lots of different stamp sets and punches. I love the cookie cutter punch reindeer. I also think that the bunny looks good for a super cute Easter present (i still need to stamp his face though).

I also used the ice cream punch to create a version which you could use for a birthday item, may be in a party bag,

Which is your favourite?

Blended Trees with Perfectly Plaid

Over the last few videos I have been sharing cards with my favourite sketch. It is a gorgeous simple sketch which creates a super pretty card, without too much faff. I like that it is super super simple and that you can add extra bling if you like. I also like that it works with DSP and also plain card.

For todays card I have gone back to using blending brushes to add ink to the Perfectly Plaid stamps. I think that this can make the stamp image pop more and especially with the Tartan tree, make the colour differentiation more obvious. I also love that there are a number of trees and sentiments to choose from.

The sketch is above. The Measurements are:

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)

Panel – 14.5cm x 9.5cm

Inside White Panel - 10cm x 14cm

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)

Panel – 14.8cm x 9.5cm

Inside White Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm

Imperial

4." x 5.5" (4” by full length scored at 5.5”)

Panel – 5.5” x  3.75”

Inside White Panel - 3.75” x 5.25”

The video of me making the card in Shaded Spruce is above. But I think that it would work in any Christmas colours. You can also change the bling to suit your tastes. I love the holiday rhinestones, as they work perfectly on the trees. I do think I need to dig out some star embellishments or may be my retired star punch or dies.

I think I love the card in Night of Navy. Which is your favourite?