In the Works...

Tripping vs. Tipping

I know yesterday was Tuesday, but I got a little confused thinking it was 'Trip' Time instead of Tip Time (~wink, wink), so spent the day 'away'.  It was our last family day trip of the summer before school begins next week.

Had confusion not taken over, and sent me off to explore the remarkable fortress known as Fort Knox, located on the scenic Penobscot River in Prospect, Maine, I would have presented -- Packing A Punch - Part 1 -- It would have gone like this...

One way to make the most of your punches is to incorporate them into the background of your card... To do this, simply arrange, then adhere them to the chosen background panel, making sure:

The punches are positioned around and/or under the stamped images.  This places the punches into the design instead of making them the focus or treating them as an accent, and
Portions of the punches are first extended past the edges of the background panel, then cut "flush."  Again, this aids in the illusion that the punches are part of the design, and generally gives the background a more balanced feel.

Here's an example:

Cardworks:
Rock Fern Punch originally by Emagination (now available through Punch Bunch at Scrappily Ever After)
smART Rubber WD-99 Dragonfly (catalog pg. 47) and WD-50 Masterpiece (pg. 28)

Saying, and legs only of dragonfly image, stamped on panel in black and clear embossed.  Dragonfly stamped twice on white stock and colored. One image cut out in its entirety, and the other one, body only.  Wings stamped on vellum, heat embossed with a silvery sparkle powder, cut out, and sandwiched between cardstock cut-outs. Assembled image adhered to card with foam tape.  Punches added as per above tip.  Panel mounted to card.

Garden Delight

Sometimes the simplest things do bring the greatest joys.  Take having a vegetable garden for instance...  Throw a few seeds in the dirt, add a little water, and wait -- Okay, for gardening perfectionists, there is a little more to it than that, but in essence it's pretty simple... After a few short weeks, voila!  Great joy disguised as lots of yummy! 

Now, for those of you living where fresh produce is accessible year-round, a vegetable garden may seem a bit ho-hum, but for those of us living in Maine, where the growing season is short, the chance to experience those delicacies of 'fresh-grown' is a highly anticipated, sumptuous thrill!  Every cuke, every tomato, every squash, every potato, etc. brings great rejoicing! Upon harvesting, each is held up like a trophy.  We 'ooh and ahh', then savor every bite!

Indeed, this edible bounty, simple as it is, packs an incredible amount of pleasure for my household, and to me, always represents God's goodness to man at its finest!  Hence this card, stamped after a meal made entirely from "garden delight."   

Yes, I know it's a floral, but nonetheless, all those yummy veggies were behind the choice of verse... Besides, there's a rather large hydrangea bush planted right beside the vegetable garden, so maybe there really is a subliminal 'connection' after all...

Cardworks:
smART Rubber - FL-13 La Farfalla (catalog pg. 5) , and WD-186 Praise & Joy (pg. 101)
A-2 glossy stock base
Print Paper Strip
Direct-to-Rubber misted markers with verse overstamped in black
Embellished with Layered Punches
Glitter Glue (center of punch flower)

Presto Change-o!

I previously submitted this tip with a parcel of cards to Stamper's Sampler several years ago, and it was published in their Take Ten publication (Volume V)...

It has to do with customizing B/W Swiss dot ribbon (both grosgrain and sheer varieties):

All you need is a desired color of PERMANENT marker and scrap paper.  Markers which I know will definitely work include Sharpie, Galaxy, Adirondack and Prismacolor...Basically, ones with other than a water base.

To prevent bleed-through damage, place a desired length of ribbon over scrap paper, color each individual 'dot', and allow to air dry. (Drying time varies with brand of marker.)

The black with white dots ribbon, is always a sure thing, but depending on the marker, and the steadiness of your hand, you may also be able to custom colorize other Swiss dot ribbon colors. To find out, just experiment on a short length of scrap.

Should 'bling' be your thing, you can also apply glitter glue to each dot -- This works for ALL colors of the ribbon. Drying time varies, but plan on at least an hour.

For each method of customization, color or bling, DO NOT SPEED DRY WITH A HEAT TOOL!!! Believe me, if you try this, it won't be pretty... 

Going Places

smARTworks is going places!  Other places than here, that is...

Destination #1 -- Visit the AMRSC (A Monthly Rubber Stamp Club) website, and you'll find smARTworks listed on their home page as the August sponsor for their monthly stamping contest.

This contest allows online submission via a photo/scan of ANY stamped project using ANY images by ANY stamp company.  You do have to be a stamp club member to submit, but attaining a membership is as easy as joining any Yahoo group.

Deadline for the August contest is September 9.  The prize: $50.00 gift certificate from smARTworks.

Even if you don't want to join the membership, or enter a submission, make sure to visit AMRSC, and peruse past entries... You'll see rubber stamping at its BEST!  Loads of inspiration!

Note:  smARTworks is a regular vendor at AMRSC, which means each and every month, 1-4 smART products are featured at 25% off their regular retail prices.

Destination #2 -- Attend the Dove of the East demo spot at the CKU (Creating Keepsakes University)- Nashville, Aug. 23-25, and/or Orlando, Oct. 11-13, and you'll be using The Clear Thing acrylic blocks while completing their project... Yup, those premium, 3/4" thick, smART mounting blocks, 100% handcrafted by DH and moi, will be helping over 500 scrapbooking enthusiasts create a keepsake...

While there, you'll also be able to pick up a smART coupon good for FREE shipping on any single order placed between August 23 and December 31.

Note:  Sorry, the coupon is for CKU attendees only, and requires a valid coupon code to use. Might be worth turning scrapbook enthusiast for a day or two. ~hee hee

My Turn!

Recently, smART Cookies, Chipper (Trish), and Figgy (Dina), each posted to their blogs, cards featuring smART rubber set WD-127 One Smile (catalog pg.61).

Since I, too, have featured this set on a card, I'm going to follow suit... Created in black and white with gold accents, my creation offers another completely different look...

Cardworks:

Memories Black Ink (from a well inked pad)

Black, White, and Brassy Gold Cardstocks

Mini Punches - (3) flowers - Holographic Gold Stickers applied to the centers

Ribbon -B/W narrows

"friends" - from the smART Bonus Rubber collection (used for samples, thank yous, etc.)

Stamp, size, layer, glue, tie... All done!

I found it interesting that each of us (Chipper, Figgy, and myself), independently paired the same main image with some version of the the word "friend."  I guess, sometimes, a picture is worth a single word. ~smile

Lessons Learned

Last week was what I'd call snackin' perfection!  We got to meet each of the smART Cookies -- Lots and lots of 'tasty' with zero the calories.  Mmmm...Mmmm...Mmmm!

Today I'd like to cap off those introductions with a few musings on how God used organizing the smART Cookie Design Team as a teaching tool in my life.  Even as a veteran stamper, I learned a lot about stamping... I also learned a lot about life. Lessons learned include:

How important developing one's own unique stamping style is... IMHO, inspirational resources are now so readily available, that it's much easier to "challenge chase," and CASE (to me it means "Copy And Steal, Etc." -- a term I totally dislike) than to spend one's stamping time actually developing a style... A unique stamping style stands out, and like a fingerprint, identifies the stamper!

How important the basics are.  Meticulous execution of stamping mechanics is paramount! All the talent in the world won't cover up crooked layers, misstamped images, excess glue, uneven corners, damaged paper, etc. Conversely, meticulous execution can give fairly ordinary work, extraordinary appeal.

How "un-personal" and "un-qualifying" (my own words) rejection is.  At least in the stamping world, a rejected submission means very little.  If the basic execution of work is well done, all the underlying reasons for hearing "No thank you," simply boil down to "It's just not right for this particular situation... layout... grouping... color scheme, etc."  It is in no way synonymous with lack of talent.

How to 'lose' like a winner.  For this, I have 'Chipper' Cookie, Trish D'Antonio , to thank... By not allowing human pride to stand in the way, Trish, amid the personal disappointment of initially not being chosen for the team, accepted a resident Guest Designer spot, and in doing so, was in the right place at the right time to fill an unexpected 'hole'. 

Like a bullet between the eyes, God used this little scenario to wake me up! How many wonderful opportunities have passed me by because of a pride-filled heart??? Indeed, as the rubber says, "Attitude is everything!" (WD-14 Glory, catalog pg.5).

How, when you trust Him, God really will work all things out for the best... For me, praying about something, and really letting it go into God's hands is very difficult.  I tend to pray, then pick the burden back up, and tote it along everywhere I go.  This time the 'pack' was just too weighty, and I was too busy not to drop it... I chose to trust Him, and with that, chose to trust the wise counsel of my design team leader, Dina Kowal, whom I know God sent my way... How amazing! How easy! And the bonus? Peace! Can it be, then, that "trust" is a matter of conscious choice?!?

How much I truly LOVE having other people use my smART rubber!  Even now, every time I sit and look through the pile of Stage #2 submission cards, I am absolutely thrilled! The same is true when I see a card using smART rubber displayed on a blog or in a gallery... My heart is filled with joy! Dear me, when something using smART rubber finds its way into publication, I don't know what I'll do?!?  Probably have to buy lead shoes to keep me on the ground!

Punch Perfect

Tuesday's tip is late because I've been sort of naughty... For the first time ever, I had QVC's Craft Fair 'on' all day long...

Now, before you gasp, and utter 'Uh-va!' you really need to know it isn't as if I just sat there with the phone in one hand, and a bag of bon bons in the other... In fact, I was busy the entire time mass-producing twenty-two cards, writing notes, and addressing envelopes -- In essence, catching up on my hideously late August correspondence...

So, what does all this have to do with a tip for the week?

Well, one of the steps in my card making process, was to assemble a punch accent, of which one layer had been punched from vellum. ~GRRrrrrr!  That beautiful, but frustrating vellum!!!  Took me four or five botched, torn, and ragged-edged punch-outs, then I remembered this:

Before punching through vellum, always sandwich the vellum between two pieces of heavier paper (i.e. regular copy paper)...

Believe me, it makes a HUGE difference, and improves the outcome one hundred per cent!

Note: Yes, of course, you can use lightweight cardstock, but unless you actually want the cardstock punch-out, copy paper is a whole lot cheaper.

Almost Empty...

Almost empty, but not quite... there's still one more Cookie in the smART Cookie jar...

This Cookie's name is Trish D'Antonio, and her stamping style can best be described as "technique-y" (a label given, courtesy of Figgy Cookie, Dina Kowal, during the application process).  In general, this means Trish loves to have fun and experiment with a variety of techniques, then use them in highly creative ways...  See for yourself, by visiting Trish's blogspot, Tah Dah!

Hello!  My name is Trish D'Antonio (Tah Dah! on SCS), and I'm deeee-lighted to be a smART cookie!!  I am a city girl from Montana who married a farm boy from New Jersey.  We met while attending college in Texas, and now live in Philly suburbia.  We celebrated our 11th anniversary earlier this summer, and have two adorable kidlets: a 4 YO boy and a 2 1/2 YO girl.  I am now a full-time Mom, but in my pre-children days I worked in various capacities in Human Resources.

I have been crafty all my life, and have made everything from soap and candles to dolls from mops.  I also used to sew a lot, and even made my own wedding dress.  But all those pursuits seemed to fall to the wayside when I discovered stamping.  I bought my first rubber stamp in '96, but it wasn't until I attended a convention in '99 that my eyes were opened to the amazing possibilities.  I was hooked, and have been getting inky ever since.  I signed on as a demo with Stampin' Up! in 01 and really enjoyed introducing others to this great art form.  I am no longer a demonstrator, but will never stop stamping.  Time is precious with two young children in the house, and I love that I can sit down and create a card in 20 minutes.  Definitely a creative outlet for this mommy!  Besides stamping, I love to read, sing, cook, snap pictures and chat with friends.

When Trish examined her stamping style and personality to see what kind of cookie she'd be, this was the conclusion:

I'd have to say that I'm a chocolate chip cookie.  Simple and classic.  But then I like to mix it up and get fancy - so maybe one day it's white chocolate with macadamia nuts.  Still sweet, and a little nutty!  But after all, when you've started with a good base, there's room to experiment!

Pour the milk, and let's get dunking!

Get Your 'Sweet' Tooth Ready

Our next smART Cookie, Heidi Kingery, is especially 'sweet'. In fact, this was the one-word description I used to label her Stage 2 challenge submissions...

All her work, it seems, has a very sweet, simple, quality...  You can take a peek, and see for yourself by visting Heidi's blog ~ get ready for the title ~ Sweet Somethings...

Hey all!  I'm Heidi!  Also known as SweetHeidiJo (from SplitCoastStampers), author of Sweet Somethings (my blog), and Joey (by my family, Hi Mom!), but you can call me Heidi or Heidi Jo.

I am 24, in Ohio, a SAHM to 3 wonderful kiddos, and wife to my great hubby! Not to mention sister to 6 siblings, daughter to a wonderful mom, and hopefully, friend to many!

I wanted my job to be a mother ever since I can remember... Now and again when I was young, I had aspirations of being a zoo keeper or a ballerina but decided that cleaning up elephant poo and having broken toes wasn't for me in the end! Inside I always knew the title of 'mom' was meant for me! Luckily, I have been able to live that dream to it's fullest extent and have never had to work outside the home since I married my hubby! I also homeschool although my oldest won't officially be registered that way through the state until next year. I think I would have a mental breakdown on that first day of school sending her off on the bus, so I'm being a little selfish and keeping her to myself! {wink}

I have also been crafting ever since I can remember. From the time I brought home my first paper turkey made from my hand print in kindergarten, my mother and sisters always encouraged me to be creative and craft. 

However, I never got into stamping until about 5 years ago when I promised my hubby the Stampin' Up party I was attending was purely to socialize (and in my defense, that's honestly what I thought!), but I ended up buying my first two stamp sets that night. Since then, my curiosity has turned to obsession, a love affair perhaps! But it makes me happy, and I, in turn, make others happy, so it's not so bad!  Right?

My absolute favorite card to make would be a no layer card. I love water coloring with my re-inkers and aqua painter as well as using my Prismacolors and Gamsol and doing a no layer card really let's you focus on that. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE multiple layer cards and between you and me, I am a paper-a-holic! I love BasicGrey, Cosmo Cricket, MME, and sooooo many more!

When I'm not making cards I am probably taking pictures! I would love to consider myself an amateur photographer and when I am taking pictures I am in my happy place!

And what kind of cookie is Heidi?

After much deliberation I decided that I am a surprise cookie.  It looks like a yummy crisp cookie on the outside, but once you bite into it, you get a mouth full of Snickers or Milky Way (depending on how 'nutty' I am that day!). 

Just like my stamping style, I can be clean and crisp, but some days I'm as nutty as can be!

Suh-weeet!!!

Cookie Jar Upset!

Even before we had the chance to pull her from the jar and take a little nibble, our Canadian Cookie, sort of, well... crumbled out of our grasp!

Actually, Deborah March, whose stamping creations are touched with elegance, and incorporate a wide range of papercrafting techniques, has been faced with some unexpected changes in her family's living situation.  Changes which will require a great deal of Deborah's time...

Not wishing to placate us with mere crumbs, Deborah has made her apologies, and relinquished her Cookie status.

At smARTworks, family commitments always come first, so although disappointed, we wish Deborah only the best.

That said, I'm going to interrupt this week's introductions, and announce the name of our newest smART Cookie --

Trish D'Antonio from Pennsylvania

Trish had originally accepted a spot as our resident Guest Designer, but has been sweet enough ~hee hee to hop into the cookie jar, and fill the vacancy.

Thank you, Trish!  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.