Christmas Decoration from Regional Meeting

This is a sample featured at a regional meeting a few years ago.  I love the way this demonstrator did the J O Y  I especially like the little snowman peaking out here and there...very clever and cute.  I wish I knew her name to give her the credit.

Converting Wood Mounted Stamps - Continued

Last week I posted step-by-step instructions on how to convert your wood mounted stamps to clear mounted stamps.  Today I am sharing how I made the sleeves for the newly converted stamp sets.  You will find the link to download your own form at the bottom of the post.  I really love the way they turned out.

Completed conversions from wood mounted to clear mounted

Sample of forms/sleeves printed.  Add stamp name, # of stamps and stamp image (copied from google)

Trim sleeve to fit in the clear case - cut lines are indicated on form

Trimmed sleeve

Side view

Back view

Below is the link to download your own "Blank Clear Mount Insert" sleeve.  The file includes fillable fields.  In other words, the form is black and you will need to add:  NAME of the stamp set, NUMBER of stamps in the set and a copy of the STAMP IMAGE.  I googled the name of the stamp set and got multiple images... copy and paste to the front.

Click to download Blank Clear Mount Insert Sleeve

Technique Tuesday: Paper Piecing

Paper Piecing is such a great technique that makes any card or project look so special and elegant.  Love the way it comes out on this flower.

Triangle Tree Card

Saw this on Pinterest and SplitcoastStampers and had to try it.  I changed it a little bit to work with my measurements and design.  This card fits in a standard sized envelope.  I used Stampin' Up! Festival of Trees stamp set (Item # 135059) and All Is Calm Specialty Designer Series Paper (Item #135823).  Both items are from the Holiday Catalog.

side view

Started with a standard sized folded card (folder 4 1/4 x 5 1/2).

Find the middle of the card and cut towards the fold (see the pencil lines).

Once the card is cut, decorate to your liking.

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Converting Wood Mounted Stamp Sets to Clear Mount

Today I am very excited to share a new project I've been working on.  Ever since Stampin' Up! launched their line of clear mount stamp sets, I've been a "clear mount stamp girl."  I prefer clear mount stamp sets because they are easy to store and I find it's easier to stamp when I can see the image.

Recently I thought about about converting some of my old wood mounted stamp sets and so I did a little research on YouTube.  I started converting just my "greeting" stamp sets and now I am hooked and I want to convert all my wood mounts.

This is a long post, but hopefully these instruction will help you in case you want to take on the task.

Step #1:  First you will need to separate the rubber from the wood and separate the rubber image from the foam.  I was surprised how easily the stamp came apart.  If you have a hard time separating, run the stamp over a space heater or run your heat gun over the stamp for a few seconds... that should loosen up the glue.

Step #2:  Now you need to mount the rubber image onto Clear-Mount Cling Foam (Item #124236 - Page 235 in the U.S. Stampin' Up! Catalog - $10.95 for 2 sheets).  The cling foam has a very sticky side and tacky side.  You need to mount the rubber onto the very sticky side and trim.

Step #3:  You need to stamp the image onto your foam so you can see what you are stamping.  In the videos I've seen, the demonstrators suggest stamping the image directly onto the foam using black Stazon ink before you glue to your rubber.  I tried this and I didn't like the way it turned out...  the stamped image is not crisp and clear.  So I did my own thing and peeled off the clear label from the wood and used mono to adhere to the cling foam and trimmed.

Step #4:  This looks great, but the only problem is then the stamp is not tacky and it will not stick to the clear block when inking and stamping.  But I have a solution for that too... I used Stampin' Up! Two Way Glue (Item #100425) and rubbed it all over the label image (set aside for at least 1 hour to dry before using).  The Two Way Glue makes it tacky and it sticks so nice to the clear blocks.  I actually do this to all my clear stamps so they don't fall off when I'm inking them and stamping.

Step #5:  Lastly I purchased Stampin' Up! Clear-Mount Stamp Cases (Item #119105) and put my newly converted stamps in the case and done.  Eventually I will make a cover for the cases with the image of the stamp set, the name of the set, # of stamps, item #, etc.  But for now, I'm very happy with the way they turned out.  

Throwback Thursday: Circle Wreath Card

I can't remember how long ago it was when I made this card, but it was a few years ago.  It's so simple, yet cute.  It's amazing what you can do with a cirlce punch and Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper.  And as we all know, everything that is old is new again.  Below is a more modern sample shared by my friend Lilly Ruiz from her monthly stamping class.