design each moment

Easter is on it's way. TypeStacks are here!

    

Ok, I know we haven't even celebrated Valentine's Day but, I just couldn't help myself. When I received the newest stamps called TypeStacks and these in the mail, I had Easter on the brain. I recycled a metal pail and dug up some plastic eggs for this project.

First, I stamped the Happy Easter border multiple times with different inks on a sheet of white 14x17 printer paper, then went back with the new TypeStacks and used the two dot borders. Then cut them into strips and adhere to the plastic eggs with glue dots.

 

I stamped the oval frame with various inks, and filled the frame with the 100% chocolate stamp. Next, I cut them out with the Petite Straight Oval Nestabilities from Spellbinders and adhered them to the remaining plastic eggs with glue dots.

 I embellished the pail with pastel paper, ric rac and a few more stamps from the Easter Seals Clear Stamp set. First I stamped the Hunting Gear image in brown and lavender ink and used a 1 3/4 circle punch to punch the brown circle, the using a 1 1/8  circle punch to punch out the center of the brown circle and the lavender basket. I used the Petite Scallop Circle Nestabilities from Spellbinders to cut a green scallop circle to mount the brown cirlce on and pop dot the lavender basket in the center. Lastly embellish the handle with lots of fun ribbon. Make sure you fill your eggs prior to adhereing the bands around the eggs.

 

Here's an 8x8 layout using the same TypeStacks and Easter stamps. I used a scallop border punch on the 8x8 Mosaic Grid paper and then mounted it onto a green background. I will make a tutorial and post it on my blog with step by step directions. It took me a few tries to get them to line up but it was worth the effort.

I just couldn't stop there, I had to keep stamping so I made a baby card.

I used one of the 4x4 RTC white grid paper squares, trimmed opposite corners with a corner rounder, inked the edges with brown ink then embossed it with the Swiss Dot embossing folder from Provo Craft. I then stamped the TypeStacks with pink ink on to Lt. Pink Paper Tiles. I used a lt grey ink for the foot prints stamp. I trimmed the pink paisley pattern paper to 4 1/2  x 4 1/2, trimmed the opposite corners with a corner rounder. I cut a small slit in the side of the card at the fold to feed my ribbon through, tied a knot then mounted the paisley paper to the card front. I used pop dots to mount the RTC to the front of the card to give it more dimension.

TypeStacks Clear Stamps by Tami Potter are available at SNAPNCROP.com

This family

 

New Product! Tami has just announced the release of new TypeStack stamps in the Mosaic Moments line. She sent me a set to play with and my favorite was quickly established.  If you have not read Tami's announcement or seen her samples, click here.

My favorite is the Family set.  The people who are my support, my cheerleaders and my partners in laughter - easy choice.  Love this family.

Here is what you will need:

• 1 sheet of grid paper - I chose Toffee
• 5 photos cropped to 3 2/8" x 3 2/8"
• 1 photo 4" x 4" matted on cardstock or a Paper Tile 4 3/8" x 4 3/8"
• 3 squares of patterned paper 3 2/8" x 3 2/8"
• 3 squares of patterned paper cut approx. 2" square.  I used a punch for my inner square.
• 4 strips of patterned paper cut 1" x 3 2/8"
• Family TypeStack clear stamps (note: I used the word "memories" off the Vacation TypeStack as well)
• Flowers and button.

 

Here are a couple of tips for working with the stamps.  To keep your stamps straight, line them up with the stamping surface DOWN on your cutting mat. 

 

Now set your acrylic block down on top of it.

 

This keeps the images straight.  You can also see what is going to fit on your paper.

Don't stamp with your paper on the cutting mat.  Stamp on a hard surface like your table.  I can't tell you how many times I have broken this rule and had to do it over. I am used to using my mat for everything and this is just counter-intuitive for me.  Aarrghh!

New stamps are best "seasoned".  First, clean the stamping surface well - I like alcohol-free baby wipes.  Then stamp it on scrap paper, clean and repeat.  Now, your stamp is ready to give you a crisp image.

Now you have everything you need (including some unsolicited advice) to make your own tribute to your wonderful family!

See you next week - Sandi Keene

RTC Mini: You and Me

 

The New RTC grid paper is so much fun. I have been waiting to get my hands on some and finally the mail carrier brought me a package postmarked Virginia.  YES!

 

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to try out the Limited Edition Brick RTC.  I used the 4x6 grid to create this tribute to my husband.  I think that he is going to appreciate this much more than a store bought card.  I will add his favorite chocolates for the perfect Valentine's day gifts.

I used a 3 2/8" x 3 2/8" photo and a Striplet from the Friends collection for my title. The seal is a combination of two stamps from the Clearly Love Clear Stamps.  I also used the smallest heart from the collection to stamp inside the ampersand.

 

Page 1: A Teresa Collins' Crush journaling square ( with my journaling around it) and a mosaic with a 2 1/8" x 2 1/8" photo of Joe.

 

I flanked the 2 1/8" x 2 1/8" photo with squares of Heidi Swapp and Basic Grey patterned paper.  I went for a menswear look in the patterns I chose.  I used The Clearly Love Clear Stamps for the "I heart you" - stamping it once on the white strip (2 1/8" x 1") and then again on red cardstock - cut out the heart -turning to over so the black ink did not show and used a dimensional foam dot to give it height.

 

Page 2- Another Teresa Collins' Crush journaling block matted on Heidi Swapp paper and a photo and paper mosaic.

 

This photo of Joe and Jarrett is 3 2/8" x 3 2/8".  Three 1" squares finish off the grid. I added a heart embellishment on dimensional foam dot.  I wrote "you 2" on the heart.

 

Page 3 - T Collins' Crush journaling block and a strip of patterned paper (from my scrap bin) and photo and patterned paper mosaic.

 

I really love the look of black & white photos on the brick RTC. 

 

And finally - the back cover - all stamps from the Clearly Love set - some in Versamark and "true love block" in black ink.

Punch holes with Crop-a-dile, add book rings and black ribbon to finish.

See you next week!  Stay warm!

Sandi Keene

2009 Monthly Challenge

 

New year - new beginning.  I love a fresh start - a blank page. I started a new gratitude journal, a new creative journal and Ali Edwards' "One Word" challenge.  I wanted a way to document my goals for the month, my progress and my process. 

I started with double sided Grid Paper/Calendar paper. This way I can document monthly goals, my daily successes as well as keep a visual mosaic of what I have accomplished.  It feels really good to see those squares fill up with evidence of my commitment to my goals, my "One Word" and myself.

 

I embellished the calendar using a Tim Holtz's mask.  I used this technique.  I then stamped the month and dates using Clearly Calendar clear stamps. 

 

Then I started filling the squares daily.  Meanwhile...

 

I started my visual documentation on the grid side.  I used a 2009 Cornerstone and an Art Deco Cornerstone, both of which I added more of the Broken China Distress Ink to coordinate with the calendar.  In the cornerstone, I stamped my 2009 "One Word".  There are pictures from my walks, my art projects, and things that mean something special to me.  A visual diary of my month.

As the month continues, I will finish up each side and then place it in an album which will house my 12 months of challenges.  Wanna join me??

Love Seals

Happy New year everyone! It's hard to believe 2009 is already here. We will be inaugurating a new president in a few weeks and before you know it Valentine's Day will be here.

This month I'm using the new Mosaic Moments RTC (Ready to Cut) Grid Paper, along with Clearly Love Seals stamp set for my projects.

 I used photos that came from a Christmas photo-card of my neighbors grand-daughters. I thought this would be a great way to use their photos and make her a gift at the same time.

   

Here is what the Christmas photo-card looked like before I cut it.

 

 

I used the 4x6 RTC Brick Grid Paper (limited edition) and cut out one 4x6 panel then embellished it with Be Loved papers by Heidi Grace, K&Co. alphabet stamps and a Happy Valentine's Day stamp.

I used scraps of pattern paper from this project on a 4x4 RTC Brick Grid paper for a fun piece of grid-art to sit on a bookshelf or on my desk in my craftroom. The frame is 3 1/2 x 3 1/2, I had to trim 1/4 from all four sides in order for it to fit the frame, then used a one inch square punch to punch out specific shapes from the left over scraps. I just love how simple it was to make.

 

I then made two cards with Black RTC Grid paper using the 4x6 grids. I embossed one with my Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder, trimmed it down slightly to 4 x 5,  stamped images from the Clearly Love Seals stamp set onto Red and Lt. Pink Mosaic Grid Tiles then added the Red Love Cornerstone and a heart rhinestone embellishment to finish off the card. Then mount it onto a standard A2 card (5 1/2 x 8 1/2).

   

For the second card I used one 4x6 RTC Black Grid, trimmed it to 4 x 5 , stamped a Swiss Dot background with Versamark Ink on the Lt. Pink Mosaic Tiles followed up with hearts and sentiments from Clearly Love Seals stamps, some ribbon and a heart paper clip to keep it simple and sweet. Then mount it on a standard A2 card (5 1/2 x 8 1/2).

 

I just love how the new grid paper is designed to make quick and easy projects. If you love the limited edition Brick color you will want to order plenty to have on hand.

Enjoy!

Janine

Year In Review

 

It was a very interesting year. We saw so much happen - gas prices skyrocket and then plummet, the economy weakened, a historic election, our personal budgets were redefined nearly every month.  It was anything but boring. 

Everyone has their own set of memories of 2008 - the highs, the lows, the events and the everyday - all important in what makes a year worth documenting. 

This project is a favorite of mine.  I like taking a good look at what I did and accomplished over the past year as it helps me see what direction I want to take for 2009.  A summary of the moments that were important to me is a treasure.

This is when my blog comes in very handy. Whatever you use for your journaling, diary, gratitude journal or your scrapbooks will help you remember the moments that you want to include. 

You will need a list of 20 things from the past year.  I made a little chart on a piece of paper with the event, what picture I would use and a 2-3 word journaling phrase.  I decided to go digital on this one. I put a copy of each picture in a folder on my desktop.  I then cropped each picture to 2 1/8" x 2 1/8" (2.125" x 2.125") and then placed two different photos on a 4 x 6 file.

     

I also added my journaling digitally.  You could do this just as easily with a small strip of paper adhered to your photo. I sent mine out for printing - one hour printing is such a treat!  This would also be a great way to use up those leftover photos from throughout the year and skip the printing out step.

Then it is just a matter of cutting them out and placing them on the grid.  I chose Toffee Mosaic Grid paper for a neutral Kraft paper like background.  I created a title by starting with a 2008 Year Cornerstone. Then I added a Year in Review (measured in love) title strip created in Photoshop and matted on black cardstock to coordinate with the design of the cornerstone. 

 

I added two black 1" x 1" squares to finish off the space.

Adhere photos to the grid. I kept my photos in chronological order using the chart I created.

 

When finished, I decided I wanted a black mat for the project so I trimmed 1/8" off each side of the 12 x12 grid paper and then adhered the project to black cardstock. Just the right touch for me.

Now to decide - does it go in an album or into a frame for display?

Happy New Year!! Let's make 2009 a creative year!

Sandi Keene