Stamping It is !!

Good Morning Everyone

How are you all doing??
I am back again with another post, I hope you are enjoying the super awesome posts by my fellow DT's.
Today, I am going to share some cool ways you can jazz up your projects by stamping.
Let's get started.

I am going to use these stamps for today's post 

STAMPING BASICS: 

Stamps - There are two types of stamps available one is acrylic and other is wood mounted rubber stamps.

Acrylic Blocks sold separately then stamps and comes in different sizes.

Ink Pads - You will need some ink to stamp. Variety of inks are available archival ink ,  momento dye based ink, staz on are to name some.

Paper and colors (distress inks, chalk inks, water colors etc)

You can use any of the two to stamp until and and unless purpose is just plain stamping 

 In the above two pictures you can see the difference how crisp the image is when its is stamped with archival ink, I have used memento and archival ink.

Once you go ahead further beyond stamping like water coloring the stamped images, here you can spot the difference between two of them, Memento Ink reacts with water where as archival inks does not react with water. So a big thumbs up to archival ink if you are fan of water coloring or playing around with some fun techniques with distress inks.

Now coming over to projects that I have made from these stamps - 

For this cheerful bright card I have first done some heat embossing using clear embossing powder, then have used distress inks to water color the background as you can see. 

Voila simple easy peasy card is ready!! 

You can use any sentiment of your choice. 

Here I have used die cut saying HELLO!!

I have gone so carried away with heat embossing, have made some more projects with the same technique of heat embossing 

Take a look 

You will be needing stamp, embossing powder , paper, heat gun and Versa mark ink for stamping.

I have randomly stamped image on white paper and poured some different color embossing powder over the stamped image and heat set it with heat gun. And results are just splendid 

I have made these tags and small card.

They look absolutely gorgeous in person. 

Now moving over to second stamp set "Carte Postale"

When I opened by DT Pack and saw this stamp set, my reaction was nothing but ???? what I am going to do with stamp... 

Well I am a distress ink fan and there was no going away then playing with some basic distress ink techniques.

To begin with I have randomly stamped over piece of paper, doing some generation stamping technique 

Moving from top left corner image I have distressed the paper using vintage photo and rusty hinge distress ink, followed by heat embossing with golden tinsel and black embossing powder.

And lastly covered the entire piece of paper with clear embossing powder and heat set it.

I am so much in love with the vintage effect!!

To finish the card I have decorated it by these gorgeous handmade flowers with heartfelt creation sun kissed stamp and dies.

Last but not the least I have made key chain or embellishment you can say using the stamp set,

You can also use the same as charm in your mini albums ...

I have stamped the image ( 2 pieces), distressed the same with vintage photo

Adhered them with tacky glue

punched hole with crop a dile set eye let and voila your are ready to go..

I hope you find the post interesting and was able to inspire you all...

Do keep watching the space for more awesome  

Supplies used :

Ranger Heat tool

Embossing powders: black, clear , butter cup , golden tinsel

Ranger Craft sheet

Crop-a-dile

Distress Inks- Vintage Photo, mustard seed, picked fence, salty ocean, worn lipstick

Heartfelt creations: sun kissed fleur stamp, sun kissed fleur die 

Charms

Archival inks black, memento black ink, versamark ink

Acrylic blocks

Tacky glue

 

 

Going 3 D with Die Cutting!

         Hi friends, Dr Sonia here with Technique Tutorials on something I loooove - Dies!!!
 I am often asked about what are the basic "to buy" dies! Apart from what most crafters are attracted to like flowers,leaves, butterflies,  alphas set etc ....a Nesting die set is absolutely essential!!

         One of the most popular type of nesting dies are the  Spellbinders Labels series....Spellbinders have a huge number of nesting dies in basic shapes in the Labels series and if you buy die sets with the same number...they will match perfectly! eg the Spellbinders Labels 8 works perfectly with the Spellbinders Decorative Labels 8

Here are some of the fun things you can create with  any Nesting type of die set

• create layers on card
• create frames
• easily make shaker cards
• create simple window cards
• create simple tags

In this post I will show you the technique of partial diecutting and how you can use it to create a 3 D item such as a Purse.
Also will show you how you can create 3 D diorama Cards using dies.
I have purposely limited myself to using just the Spellbinders Labels 8 set just to show you how you can get the maximum from your supplies!

Many of you know I make gifts for my daughter's teachers every year for Teachers Day and this year we are making these cute Purses as Teacher's Day gifts.

The purses are made of sturdy card stock using just the Spellbinders Labels 8 Die!I made a handle using strings of silver pearls for this one!The rose is handmade using the Spellbinders Rose creations die.

The purse flap is held closed by strong Neodymium magnets and can hold gifts like a mini album , sweets, notebooks , cards , jewelry etc.

3 D Paper Purse  Tutorial 
This is an extremely detailed Tutorial but necessary to explain all the techniques and designing process!! So if you dont have time to read it all just pin it/ bookmark it and come back later!!
To Make the Back and Flap of the Purse

One technique anybody with a die cutting machine should explore is partial die cutting...you can really get value for money if you use this technique....for example you can extend a square die to cut a rectangle and vice versa.

Partial die cutting can be tricky and frustrating in the first go so I will share some important tips which help me!

For this project I let the top part of the cutting plate reach only upto the center of my Spellbinders Labels die.
You can use any die you think will work for a purse shape .

• Partial die cutting Tip 1: Always keep a spare  pair of  cutting plates with you. Not only will it come in handy when your cutting plate breaks out of the blue but for techniques such as partial die cutting...it is so much easier if you have a nice flat cutting plate instead of your "super used" bent ones

• Partial Die Cutting Tip 2 : Apply firm pressure on the end of the cutting plate- die sandwich with your fingers as you are rolling your sandwich into the machine so as to avoid shifting of the die/ cutting plate and paper.

The picture above shows the partial die cut obtained thence. Snip off the excess paper shown lifted up in the picture above.

Score your card ....here I have placed the die cut snugly against the score board and scored at 2 inches and 2 and 3/4 inches. I wanted my purse to be 3/4 inch wide so only I used the 3/4inch measurement.

Now place the die with its end reaching slightly beyond the 2 and 3/4inch score line as shown below.Your top cutting plate should reach up to the scoreline

• Partial die cutting Tip 3 : In partial die cutting , keep the part you dont want to cut  away from the  roller of your die cutting machine...this way there is less chance of the die / cutting plates to shift as you roll the machine.What I mean is dont put the part you want to partial die cut first into the machine as you roll....if you do it that way the sandwich  is more likely shift!

Snip off the excess and don't obsess about the slightly off alignment...believe me it will hardly be noticeable in your final outcome. 

Your  back , top and front flap of your purse is now ready....! And all from just one piece of card!!Isn't it cool

Make the front of your purse

Use the same die you used earlier and snip off 1/4 inch or so so as to create a straight edge.

Punch or die cut a small opening  on this straight edge. This opening makes it easy to insert and take things from your purse.

You can use partial die cutting techniques here too. In the picture above I have used the Tim Holtz ruler to find the exact center of my die cut...you dont have to really take out a ruler and find the exact center but just eyeball it but sometimes I like to indulge my obsessive compulsive perfectionism nature!!LOL!!

Design the inside of your Purse

You need to make a box open at the top.

When constructing purses/boxes form diecuts/ hand cut shapes you can design the size by measuring the width and length of your die-cut and subtracting a margin of 1/4 inches .
Based on the shape of the Spellbinders Labels 8 I designed a box measuring 5 x 2.5inches with a width of 3/4 inches[already decided earlier and reflected in the top flap I cut for the purse earlier too]

So that translated into a piece of card measuring 6 .5 x 5 and 3/4 inch scored 3/4 inch from either end on the 6.5inch side and scored at 2.5 and 3 and 1/4 at the  5 and 3/4 side.

Box making tips : 

1. It is easier to decorate  the box sides before you assemble it.
2. Snipping off wedges to create gluing tabs always gives a neater finish.
3. And fold your score lines in opposite directions to loose them up a bit!

For this construction I would advise you to use a liquid glue than tacky tape as you need to be able to wiggle the pieces around a bit to get the perfect alignment!

Now all 3 pieces are ready....just glue the box onto the back of  the purse and stick on your front piece

You can design fun closures using velcro or magnets.

If using strong magnets like the ones shown below ,stick one magnet inside your box and the other one on your flap so that there is a piece of card separating the 2 magnets.... as otherwise these magnets are super strong and difficult to pry apart!

I punched holes on the top of the purse, inserted eyelets  and threaded pearl strings to create the handle of my Paper purse!

For the  animal print purse I made a handle using ribbon I folded in half and stitched for additional strength.

Creating 3 D Diorama Cards

Who doesnt love cute 3 D cards? Here I will show you how easy it is to make cute mini shadowbox cards using the same Spellbinders die I used to make the purse.

You need 2 die cuts....shown here the Spellbinders Labels 8 again. Score 2 lines 1/2 inch apart on either end of your diecuts.

Die cut a window on one of your diecuts-- this will form the front of your diorama card

Optionally dress up your card front with inks and  stencils

I am still obsessed with stencils so used texture paste and the TCW Microbial Stencil to create faux snowfall!!

Fold up the scored lines on your die cuts [If you are confused how to do it , you can read more details on my blog:  Mini Diorama Card Tutorial ]
Stamp/doodle /use pattern paper to decorate the back of your car.

Stick die cut borders or a simple piece of card [to which you can add stamped elements or stickers ]on the 2 shelves formed on the sides of your folded die cut.

Stick the front and back die cuts together sandwiching your diorama elements in between and your 3 D Diorama Card is done!

This Christmas scene card features glittery snowflakes and a stamped rudolph peeking out!

These Mini Dioramas are perfect to use up  stickers or showcase  small stamped images

I hope you enjoyed both the ideas using the same Die set.

List of Supplies : Available at Crafters Corner
Dies : Spellbinders Labels 8 ,Spellbinders Rose creations die ,  Cheery Lynn Rose Leaf Strip, Memory Box Frostyville border
Inks and Media : Distress Inks  , Ranger Texture Paste
The Crafters Workshop  Microbial Stencil
Martha Stewart Scoreboard
Magnets
Big Shot Cutting Pads
Misti