Friday, February 10, 2012

Saturday Sketch Challenge 242

Good Evening Friends!

Last Friday I got an email from someone who plays along.  Her post was deleted and she couldn't figure out why.  Many times when we delete a link, we follow it up with an email (very uncomfortable for us because we're not the blog police).  {smiles}  Many times, we simply remove the link. 

We do list the rules of play at the bottom and keep it a sales free zone so no matter who you are (a demo or someone who already has a demo), you or your customers are not going to be marketed to here by us or anyone else.  

Okay now!  It's sketch challenge time!  I love a good sketch challenge, because it provides a great jumping off point for a card or scrapbook page.  It takes one of the decisions out of the design process by giving you a "map" of sorts.  As always, you can feel free to change up the sketch to do what inspires you!

First, some potential measurements:
Base Layer:
  11 x 4 1/4" scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 3 stamped, punched popped up images on the right
Layer 3: some sort of element in the top left. 

You can keep it clean and simple, or to bump up and make something stunning! 

Here are your operator samples for sketch 242.




 






  



Are you ready to play along? We sure hope so! Never played with us before?? Well, it's easy! Sky's the limit!
  1. Make a card using your Stampin' Up Supplies!
  2. Post it online somewhere to your blog or other online forum
  3. Post a link to the free linky tool below (please point the link to your post and NOT just your blog).
  4. Have some fun and leave comments for each other (and for the operators if you like their work). ~ Everyone loves comments!
  5. Please note, we reserve the right to remove links with non-Stampin' Up! product, "sales pitches", links to online stores, or requests to join your team. We're here to have fun, learn from one another and share.
We hope you join us this week and play along with this sketch! But don't delay our links will close at 8AM on Thursday morning Eastern Standard Time.

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Stampers Showcase #241

    

 It's been another great week of stamping on Staming 411! The Operators have enjoyed the inspiration that you all give to us. Keep up the great work. Now it's time to reveal your Operator Picks for Sketch Challenge #241!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

How To ~ Store and Use the Edgelet Dies

Hello everyone and welcome to Stamping 411's Weekly "Whatever" post!  For our "Whatever" posts, each Operator takes a turn at offering our readers a little something extra, whatever we want!

This week, I want to offer one idea or suggestion for how you can store and use the new Stampin' Up! Adorning Accents Edgelet dies. . Inspired by a tip that I saw on Deb Valdar's blog, I took her idea a few steps further and created another way to store and use these fabulous new dies that works great for me.

01_26_12_ (1)I took a brand new, out of the package, Extended Cutting Pad (this is the large one that is usually used with Bigz XL dies) and adhered both of the edgelet dies to the pad. Before doing that, however, I transferred 1/4" cutting lines to the pad and also marked it with a center line, 4" card lines and 5 1/4" card lines (the most often used card widths). Click on the photo to view it larger.


02_01_12_ (1)Before attaching the dies, center your new cutting plate over some Stampin' Up! Grid Paper. I used a couple of swipes of Dotto temporary adhesive to be sure the plate wouldn't move while I was putting my lines on it. Using a SHARP permanent marker and a metal straight edge ruler, trace your lines carefully and slowly onto the cutting plate. Take your time and go slow -- remember the time that you spend doing this will save you TONS of time as you use your new dies. Once you have the 1/4" lines applied, carefully mark the center point going the entire length of the cutting plate. Then you add lines that are 2" and 2 5/8" either side of center. Once your lines are applied, it's a simple and easy step to apply Sticky Strip at the point where you want to position your dies (I left 1" on the outside of each die to add to the versatility of each die). One die goes on each end of the Cutting Pad. Remove the red backing from the Sticky Strip and carefully attach your dies (cutting side up), making sure they are straight and plumb. Next, take your Embossing Buddy and pounce it over the exposed Sticky Strip adhesive to that your cardstock won't stick to it (actually they will still be a little sticky which is a good thing, it helps to keep the cardstock from moving as you are cutting your shapes). Now, give your new invention a try! You can line up two layers of cardstock or DSP and cut them all at once so that they perfectly match up when you create your project. To make it easier to read the grid lines that you've placed on the Cutting Pad, I turned over my Multi-purpose platform to the side that doesn't have the instructions printed on it. The Big Shot sandwich used in the photo above, from bottom to top, includes: The Multi-purpose platform, your adapted Cutting Plate with the Edgelets attached, two sheets of cardstock and the top Cutting plate.

02_01_12_ (2)02_01_12_ (4)This is the card that I made with the two layers of cardstock positioned on the Cutting Pad above. Once I cut them with the Edgelet die, I trimmed the sides of the Very Vanilla layer 1/8" on each side. I embossed the edge of the Poppy Parade layer using the coordinating Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and adhered the two layers together -- PERFECTION!

Other supplies used for this card include: Everyday Expressions Designer Series Paper, Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder, Fashionable Hearts Embosslet, Full Heart Punch, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslet, Sale-a-Bration Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals! and the Word Play Stamp Set.

02_01_12_ (6)Here's another card that I made using the Ruffled Scalloped Edgelet. The process was exactly the same, cutting both the Baja Breeze Cardstock and the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper at the same time then embossing the Scalloped edge with the Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

02_01_12_ (7)Supplies for this card include: Twitterpated Designer Series Paper, Victoria Crochet Trim, Labels Collection Framelets Die, Little Leaves Sizzlet Die, Basic Pearls, Tiny Flower Punch (from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack), Stampin' Dimensionals and the Word Play Stamp Set.

I hope this gives you an idea of an easier way for you to use your new Stampin' Up! Adorning Accents Edglet Dies! I know it's working well for me and cutting down on the frustration of dies and paper slipping and moving as they pass through the amazing Big Shot.

Have fun and Happy Stamping!
Blessings, Gretchen