Cling Mounting your unmounted stamps

I took a creative break this week and decided to play with a new product I got in the mail from Sunday International.  They're cling sheets that are clear, and I thought I'd try out an idea I've been playing with for a while now.  I prefer to stamp without the foam on the back of the stamp.  I use a foam pad under my paper to get a nice crisp stamped image, and it hasn't failed me yet!  I also am able to keep two layers of unmounted stamps in my CD cases, whereas I'd only be able to keep one layer if I kept the foam.

Here is what I started with:

A piece of this stuff, cut wide enough to fit in my Xyron Machine

StazOn Ink in Black

Acrylic Block

Stamps to work with

FIRST (and very IMPORTANT!) peel the clear film off the backing sheet and flip it over.  Through some experimentation I found one side of this clings to a block better than the other side.  Don't make the mistake I did and stamp on the wrong side!  Stamp your images with StazOn on the clear film, leaving enough room around the images to accomodate the rubber of the stamp.  I use a pad under my paper (or in this case, film) to get a nice clear image.

Peel off the clear film and feed it through your Xyron machine, like so, with the stamped side up:

It will look like this after you run it through the Xyron machine:

I started at one edge of the strip and peeled back the backing a bit at a time, placing each stamp on the strip.  I did it this way because prior attempts got scrunched up and de-stickified when I tried to untangle them!

When you're done, cut them apart and then trim them down so the edges are nice and tidy, (this is before the final trimming):

The cling film sticks perfectly to the CD cases and acrylic blocks!

Thanks for looking!

Cheers!

Valentine Photo Tutorial

As promised, here is a 'lil tutorial for the Valentines I made last week!  For each one you will need the following:

Two 2" x 2 1/2" matching scraps of paper for the pockets

One 4" x 2 7/8" neutral colored base for the "book"

Two 2 1/2" x 3 1/4" matching scraps for the covers

One 12" piece of coordinating ribbon

Scor-Tape or Red Line Tape

ScorPal

regular adhesive, scissors, and of course

CHOCOLATE!!

For each pocket, place it length-wise on your ScorPal and score 1/4" in from the edge, and 3/8" from that score mark.  Rotate your piece and do the same on the other edge.  Then score 1 1/2" from the top edge, then 3/8" from that score mark.  It should look like this when you're done:

Next cut each scored piece as shown, this will prevent too much extra bulk in the bottom of your pocket.

Add pieces of score tape as shown to the bottom and side flaps.  This will hold it securely to the "book" base.

Take your book base (neutral cardstock) and score it at 1 5/8" from each edge.

Attach the two pockets to each side of your book base, keeping them very close to the bottom edge of the sides.  If they're up too high, your chocolate will stick out of the top of the book.

Run a line of adhesive on the front and back covers of your book, NOT on the spine.  Close the book and wrap your ribbon around it, pressing it to the adhesive so it stays in place.  If you stick the ribbon to the book base while it is open, the ribbon will be too tight and the book will not fold nicely. 

I used the Labels Eight Nesties set to cut out the covers for my book, but you can use whatever you have on hand.  Adhere the covers, embellish, and Voila!  You have a super cute way to say "You're Sweet" to someone!

Thanks for looking!

Cheers!

DIY Walmart Hack

In a quest to make a light box that will handle a two-page 12x12 scrapbook layout, I came across this tutorial. Since I had to go to Walmart anyway, I figured I'd look at lamps and pick up a flat sheet while I was there. When I was looking for the sheets section, I happened to walk through the laundry aisle and spotted this handy little contraption! Looky there, pre cut PVC pipe, no hubby needed! This helps with my tendancy to "have it now" as my husband is so fond of reminding me.

Here are the items I started out with:

Instead of putting it together per the directions, I started out with the two longest sets of tubes and the corner brackets.

I put the longest set of tubes together to make the top of the light tent.

I took the hacksaw to the other four tubes and cut them to about 18 inches. The cut ends aren't pretty, but they'll be in the corner brackets so it doesn't matter.

I placed the new lamps on either side of the tent, taped a piece of posterboard to the back edge for a nice seamless look, and started snapping away!

Here's my result using the light tent:

To be fair, I went back and tried the box again but with the new lamps, and this is what I got:

Not much difference if you ask me, so it comes down to which is more practical. Since I can use all of the PVC tubes to make different sized boxes, and the whole thing collapses down to store it, I think I'll stick with the light tent. It seems like the cardboard box will be harder to store without risking a "crushing incident" with my oafish dogs. I really like the results I got with the box, and if cards and other small things were all I would be photographing, the box would do quite nicely. However, I really like the flexability of the tent, and since I got the same results it only makes sense to keep one of them.

Thanks for looking!

Cheers!

DIY Light Box

As you may know, I have been looking for ways to improve my lighting situation for photographing cards. I came across this site that had instructions on how to make a light box for free! I scrounged one of my CTMH boxes and some tissue paper to come up with the supplies and set to work. The good news is, I managed to only poke myself twice with the razor blade I was using to cut the cardboard! Woohoo!!

First, locate a box of sufficient size and make sure it passes the "cat scan."

Then cut out three sides of the box, leaving a border at each corner for stability. Also remove two of the flaps on the top of the box. Leave the other two since they can work as a shield for any external light you don't want affecting your photo.

Tape a layer of tissue inside each of the three sides you cut out. This serves to diffuse and reflect the light.

Place your lamp so it shines in one of the papered sides, turn off your flash, and snap away! This is how my photo turned out:

Not too bad! I'll have to keep my eye out for a box that will be big enough to hold a two-page 12x12 layout, but for now this definately improves things!

Thanks for looking!

Cheers!