SW Ohio Gathering

Sorry I haven't posted in a while! I just got back from Rita Holmes' S.W. Ohio TAC (The Angel Company) Gathering and it was a blast! I met so many wonderful ladies and learned so many awesome things! Rita invited me to do a "demo" for this rubber stamping/scrapping group so I decided Iwanted to share on "not wasting" any of our beautiful TAC paper collections. I designed 3 displayboards detailing how to maximize the use of our decorative papers as follows: how to "enhance" our papers giving them your own unique style, how to make "one sheet" ideas for 8x8", 8-1/2x11", 9x9" and 12x12" sheets of paper, and the last one was "don't throw away those scraps". I will post the displayboards I made for that presentation later on and I'll have some tutorials to share with you all as well. I had lotsa fun doing this! In the meantime, here are some of the card "swaps" I received this weekend. (For newbies, a card swap is where you share card ideas by making & swapping one card front for each participant in the swap.) Take a look at the slideshow below. Are these ladies talented or what? So now you have all these free IDEAS for inspiration. Just remember it's common courtesy to give "credit" where it's due....please mention the artists' name/names if you decide to use their card ideas elsewhere. Another great treat that weekend was the fellowship and the "sharing" of God's Word with many of you ladies ...thank you for blessing my life!! I'll be back soon to share TAC's Feb/March specials...you're gonna love 'em and my March "giveaway" needs to be posted also. See ya!

Tutorial - making your paper usage stretch

For newbies asking how to make the use of your patterned paper stretch, this is for you!

We all know once we cut into a sheet of designer patterned paper, we now have "scrap paper" we don't want to waste. If you're like me, I like to use every inch of patterned paper to get my money's worth. Here's how I made this 8x8" sheet stretch in usage and therefore in value:



I was able to get 6 cards (A2 size) out of one 8"x8" sheet of "Rustic Chic" patterned paper by cutting paper into 8 different sizes. I cut the paper at 5-1/2" horizontally first. Then vertically, I cut at 3/4", 2-1/4", 2", and 3".



I could have gotten more cards out of one 8x8" sheet by cutting smaller pieces but I wanted more of the design of the paper to show.

Another way I was able to stretch my paper was to use the tags/embellishments from another paper collection and combine it with the Rustic Chic paper.

The "Hemingway" paper collection is one of our new TAC paper collections. You're gonna love it! Especially the price, $6.95 for 5 12x12" patterned paper and one full sheet of tags and embellishments! This is not the best picture since the papers are much richer in color.



Here is a slideshow of card samples where I combined "Hemingway" paper tags/embellishments with the "Rustic Chic":

I know I have a diagram of how to cut an 8x8" sheet into 10 or more different shapes so you could essentially make 10 cards! Now that's certainly a good way to make your paper stretch!! But for now, you get the idea. Cutting your paper into different angles, sizes can help you stretch out the usage of even one sheet of paper!! Try it and let me know how you did. Have a terrific day!

Make Your Own Marbelized Paper

I went to a rubber stamp convention this weekend (Oh, Hello Sue, Awna, Beth, Michelle! Did we have fun or what?) and I was reminded how much I use to enjoy making my own "marbelized" background paper. Since I hadn't made any in awhile, I wanted to share with you what I made today. (Click on picture for detailed look):





I used this background paper to make this greeting card:





Here's how I made them:

-First, make your own applicator by velcro-ing (is there such a word?)a piece of white felt material to a rubber stamp wood mount (the ones we have left over AFTER we convert our mounted stamps to the quick & easy unmounted Creative Cling system)

-Using alcohol inks: dot 2-3 colors of alcohol ink on your applicator. Pat this on your White Glossy Cardstock, using up & down motions. Then dot 2-4 dots of gold from your
Krylon Leafing Pens on top of that. The gold leafing will begin to separate and you'll begin to see that "marbelized," veining look. Again, pat gently, up and down, sideways til you get the desired look.


-Using TAC Palette reinkers with regular alcohol.

Take your applicator and dab alcohol on it first, then dot 2-3 reinkers on top ofthis. Pat this on your glossy cardstock. Then add your dots of gold leafing and do same as above. It's that easy!! You can look at these pictures to help you out:

Make Your Own Button Embellishments

Last week I said I'd post on how I make my own buttons/embellishments. Above is a card with one of the buttons I made - click on it to see details. The picture below is where I got my "inspiration" ideas:



These are the buttons I made:


These are the two together to compare:



Here's how I made them:

- Cut a circle, square, flower or whatever button shape you want, using a paper punch or die cut machine, from chipboard or heavy cardstock. I used the Marvy circle punch and the Cuttlebug die cut machine for the square.

-If you want to cover them with patterned paper, glue the paper to the chipboard first & then cut. If you're doing just ONE at a time, cut the patterned paper along with the chipboard so everything matches up. I used "Sands of Time" & "Genevieve" patterned papers.

-I Adhered the patterned paper with Yes! Glue. This stik flat glue is specially designed for journals, bookbinding so it sticks really well but you could use your favorite adhesive.

-Or, you can stamp directly on the shaped chipboard, color in with Prismacolor pencils or Gelly Glaze pens.

-Punch two 1/8" hole at the center for the ribbon. Optional: crimp two eyelets to holes.

-Ink the edges with Palette dye inkpad using a cosmetic sponge.

-Thread ribbon, scrapper's floss, raffia etc. thru the holes.

-Optional: For a quick 3-d shiny look, cover the button surface using the CLEAR pen from "Gelly Glaze" Pen set. Or, stamp some embossing ink on the surface, sprinkle CLEAR embossing powder over it and then emboss. Crystal Lacquer works even better when you have time to let it dry!

Let me know if you have any questions on anything I covered here. More examples here:

March Incentive 10 Stamp-Set for You!

Our Incentive Set this month is a mini seasonal set entitled "TINY SPRING". It retails for $5.95 but can be yours for $3.95 with a $30 purchase or it can be yours FREE with $150 Funshop! Let me know if you want me to add it to your order as this is not offered thru online-shopping at Angelnet, only thru me. Thanks - you'll enjoy this cute set!

"The Good Life" Samples

How do you like my new TV showcasing samples of how you can use February's rubber stamp Incentive Set - "The Good Life"? It's a fun thing. Just click on the TV screen to see a close up of a card image. I used Kaleidoscope Girlz, Catelynne and Sands of Time patterned papers. These papers ARE examples of "Paper Blessings!"

The Incentive Set is shown on top of the TV set. How did it get up there?

"Picture Scriptures" Slide Show

Check out my Slide Show!

Trying out something new! Might be too busy for me. Let's see how it works!