Heart Embosslit

I learned some things about the new Heart Embosslit from LeAnne, and I wanted to share. They are more delicate than you think, and you can use the heart punch to make layers with it. If you have this Embosslit, or are going to purchase it head on over to LeAnne site. Click here, she explains everything and she has pictures too -- I know I am not making sense -- I need sleep!!

You should visit even if you don't want the embosslit, LeAnne is a wonderful artist her cards are amazing!!

Thanks for stopping by,
Corie

New Items on My Sidebar

It is time to DROOL!!!

You will see several new links added to my sidebar. I added a link to download each of the current catalogs from Stampin' UP! The download for the 2009 Spring and Summer Ideas & Catalog is over 200 pages, so it is VERY LARGE. It might take up to a WHILE to download, please be patient. Once you have downloaded the document and saved it to your computer it will open much faster.

I have also added a link to the sampler catalog. This download is MUCH faster, so you can drool much quicker. ;)

In order for SU! to make room for all the BIG Shot accessories in this catalog they did not include the supply list for the projects. Don't worry we still have it, it's just not in the catalog. You will find a link to this list that you can download and print off. The best part about this list is that it includes a small picture of each item with the supplies. Too cool, huh? I am going to print 2 copies; one to keep for a reference, and one to put in my catalog when I have it spiral bound.

The last new link I added is for the Catalog Dormant List. I will also be printing this list and adding it in my catalog before I have it spiral bound.

Drop me a comment and let me know if you like these links, or if there are others that you would like. Also let me know if adding these link increases the load time on my page.

Thanks

~Corie

Re-Inking Your Ink Pads.

Yesterday I was had a day off of work. My plan was to stamp all day, but DH was home too so you know my plans went flying out the window. I did have a chance to re-ink my Stampin' pads. I thought that some of you out there might like to know the steps I take when cleaning and re-inking my pads.

Here are easy steps to make your Stampin' pads look BRAND new.

• First I wipe the container down inside and out with a rag that I have sprayed with my Stampin’ Mist.
• Next I trim the frayed threads around the edges of my ink pad. Quality pads are made of fabric not felt. Of course Stampin’ UP! ink pads are made of fabric not felt. Those little threads seem to soak up the ink, so make sure you trim them.
• Now the fun part. I run my re-inker over the pad squeezing the ink out in a zig-zagged pattern both length wise and width wise. I check to see how fast the ink soaks into a pad. If it vanishes quickly, I do it again. If the ink sits on top for a bit before soaking in I stop.
• The last thing I do is wipe everything down with my rag again.

See easy peazy. I wish I had taken before and after pictures, but I forgot. I do have to say that I must use Old Olive and Chocolate Chip A LOT!! Both of those pads were in sorry shape, but now they look brand new. If you take care of your Stampin' pads they will last forever.

Some More Tips

A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts.

1) The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.

2) The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women who's clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around, specifically to cut clothing.

3) They also look for women on their cell phone, searching through their purse, or doing other activities while walking because they are off-guard and can be easily overpowered.

4) Men are most likely to attack & rape in the early morning, between 5: 00a.m. and 8:30a.m.

5) The number one place women are abducted from/attacked is grocery store parking lots. Number two: is office parking lots/garages. Number three: is public restrooms.

6) The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to another location where they don't have to worry about getting caught.

7) Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year sentence but rape with a weapon is 15-20 years.

8) If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't worth it because it will be time-consuming.

9) These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used in their hands from a distance. Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you're not worth it.

10) Several defense mechanisms taught are: If someone is following behind you on a street, in a garage, or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question , like what time is it, or make general small talk: 'I can't believe it is so cold out here,' 'we're in for a bad winter.' Now you've seen their face and could identify them in a line-up; you lose appeal as a target.

11) If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell STOP or STAY BACK! Most rapists said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.

12) If you carry pepper spray, yell "I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY" while holding it out.

13) If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you can by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the Arm (between the elbow and armpit) or in the upperinner thigh VERY VERY HARD. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it - it hurts.

14) After the initial hit, always GO for the GROIN. You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble and he's out of there.

15) When the guy puts his hands up to you , grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them.

16) Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts!!! You may feel a little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.

Tips from Tae Kwon Do:

1. The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans . If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM . Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5 A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot or parking garage:

A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, preferably in a zigzag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP! It may get you raped or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9. Another Safety Point: A Lady said that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.

Things you should know

I have been posting many tips lately, but this one is probably the most important one.

Good description of a heart attack in women: This is from a nurse and formerly head of a nursing school, so she knows of what she speaks.

Subject: Myocardial Infarction (MI); symptoms to remember:
Women and heart attacks (Myocardial infarction). Did you know that women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing a heart attack...you know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in the movies?

Here is the story of one woman's experience with a heart attack.

I had a completely unexpected heart attack at about 10:30 PM with NO prior exertion; NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might've brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking,

~~Ah, this is the life, all cozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my feet propped up~~.

A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you've been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you've swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn't have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly, and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation---the only trouble was that I hadn't taken a bite of anything since about 5:00 PM.

After that had seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasming), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR). This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws.

"AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening--we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven't we? I said aloud to myself and the cat,

"Dear God, I think I'm having a heart attack!"

I lowered the foot rest, dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself

"If this is a heart attack, I shouldn't be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else.......but, on the other hand, if I don't, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in a moment."

I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room and dialed the Paramedics... I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn't feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to unbolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in. I then laid down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don't remember the medics coming in, their examination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the Cardiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like "Have you taken any medications?") but I couldn't make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stents to hold open my right coronary artery.

I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the Paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire station and St. Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was already to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stents.

"Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail?

Because I want all of you to know what I learned first hand.

1. Be aware that something very different is happening in your body, not the usual men's symptoms, but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act). It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn't know they were having one, and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation, and go to bed, hoping they'll feel better in the morning when they wake up....which doesn't happen.

My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is unpleasantly happening that you've not felt before. It is better to have a "false alarm" visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be!

2. Note that I said "Call the Paramedics". Ladies, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER--you're a hazard to others on the road, and so is your panicked husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what's happening with you instead of the road. Do NOT call your doctor--he doesn't know where you live and if it's at night you won't reach him anyway, and if it's daytime, his assistants (or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics. He doesn't carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! The Paramedics do, principally OXYGEN that you need ASAP. Your Dr. will be notified later.

3. Don't assume it couldn't be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count. Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it's unbelievably high, and/or accompanied by high blood pressure.) MI's are usually caused by long-term stress and inflammation in the body, which dumps all sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep.

Let's be careful and be aware.
The more we know, the better chance we could live...

Craft Pads

There are several differences between Craft (pigment) and Classic (Dye) inks. Classic ink absorbs into the paper; Craft ink sits on top of the paper and does not absorb. Craft ink tends to be thicker than Classic dye ink and is often preferred for scrapbooking because Craft inks are more resistant to fading than most Classic inks.

Craft ink pads and scrapbooks:
Craft ink is pigment ink, and is more fade resistant than dye inks. The Craft pad contains binding agents that help seal it.

Drying time and Craft pads:
Craft inks dry more slowly than Classic inks. You may heat-set the Craft inks to speed drying time or set them aside to dry. After heat-setting, Craft inks will resist all but the most deliberate efforts to smear them. Heat-setting and air-drying produce the same color results. When heat-setting, be careful of heating too long, which may cause a scorched look.

Embossing:
Because of the longer drying time, you have time to apply your embossing powder without rushing; therefore, the Craft pads are an excellent choice for embossing.

Watercoloring:
To watercolor stamped images, your best choice is Classic ink or Stampin’ Write® markers.

Craft Ink and slick surfaces like tile, porcelain, and terra cotta:
The Craft ink will not dry on slick surfaces, even when heat-set. However, if you seal the ink with clear embossing powder, you get a glossy finish.

Re-inking Craft pads:
When re-inking, squeeze several drops of Craft ink on top of the pad and work in with the tip of the re-inker (or use a stamp), and stamp repeatedly until the refill ink is absorbed into the pad. Do not leave a layer of ink on top of the pad, as this may cake over time. As with any Stampin' Up! product, exposure to extreme temperatures may affect the quality of the ink. Keep out of heat and sunlight, and avoid extreme temperature changes (such as might occur if stored in an unheated garage in the winter or in a car trunk in the summer). Pads subjected to extreme temperature changes may harden.

HANDY HINTS!

I received an email from my dad this morning with all these tips. These are not Stamping Tips, but I thought I would pass them along.

Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the little 'stringy things' off of it. That's how the primates do it. Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster

Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simple chop them up with the food chopper Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream.

Reheat Pizza. Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

Easy Deviled Eggs. Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

Expanding Frosting. When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving .

Reheating refrigerated bread. To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

Newspaper : weeds away. Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers , put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

Broken Glass. Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

No More Mosquitoes. Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Squirrel Away! To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

Flexible vacuum. To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Reducing Static Cling . Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. ! Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and -- ta da! -- statics gone.

Measuring Cups: Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Foggy Windshield? Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

Reopening envelope: If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.

Conditioner. Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...

Goodbye Fruit Flies. To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 dro ps of dish washing liquid, mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

Get rid of Ants. Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so,especially if it rains, but it works & you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.)He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink, ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material - I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like.well,..the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free -- that nice fragrance too, you know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box, well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to catch fire & potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (& to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out & wash it with hot soapy water & an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long!

Markers A-Z

A -- Accent image with marker
B -- Blender Pens - Brayer Designs
C -- Color Coach Combinations
D -- Designer Lettering
E -- Envelope Template – trace J
F -- Flexible Tip – Faux Stitching
G -- Grosgrain Ribbon – color it
H -- Horizontal (Store=longer life)
I -- Ink up your stamps!
J -- Journal inside your cards
K -- Kissing – not smooching!
L -- Layer Ease
M -- Match color to card stock
N -- Narrow Organdy – color it!
O -- Omit part of stamp
P -- Plaid Maker –accent w/fine lines
Q -- Quick and Easy to use!
R -- Retiform– accent with fine lines
S -- Shadows -- Stamp-a-ma-jig
T -- Thumping - Templates
U -- Underline Letters
V -- Vellum Tags – color them!
W -- Write - Watercolor
X -- xxx ooo . just for friends J
Y -- Years and Years of Use!
Z -- Zebra Stripes – any colors

Heat Gun Tips

Besides the obvious of embossing or heat and stick powders, try these other ideas:

• To dry glue on almost anything
• To set the Craft ink
• Blowing glitter across a stamped area to get a fine sprinkle.
• Blowing glitter or other small debris off of the your work space
• Dry your nail polish
• To heat up those price stickers on glass--just heat and then peel them right off.
• You can use your gun to remove hardened candle wax. Aim the heat at the wax. When it starts to melt, use a white paper towel to blot it up. Do this a little at a time to prevent scorching your surface.
• Use the heat gun to melt some candle wax onto your paper creating an abstract design, then do a direct to paper technique over it. The wax will resist the ink and also give your paper texture.
• Melt bits of broken crayons for a background resist.
• Speed up effectiveness of bleach stamping by heating the bleach stamped image from underneath after stamping.
• Make gift baskets and use it to shrink the shrink plastic over the basket.
• Melt stamped tissue paper to a candle.
  

AQUA PAINTER TIP

General Tips
After filling the barrel with your liquid, gently squeeze to saturate the tip. If the tip is too wet, just wipe on a paper towel to remove excess liquid. When you want to switch colors, simply squeeze the barrel and wipe the tip on a paper towel until the liquid comes out clear.

Aqua Painter with Water
When water coloring with the Aqua Painter, first stamp your image in Basic Black or Basic Brown. You can use the Classic Stampin’ Pads, Classic Ink Refills, Stampin’ Write Markers or Water Color Pencils with the Aqua Painter filled with water. Use the Aqua Painter filled with water to color wash a background or create beautiful sunsets. Stamp an image with any of the classic pads, and then use the Aqua Painter to shade in and soften the look of the image. Use the Aqua Painter filled with water to “paint” a line on Mulberry paper. This makes it easier to get an accurate tear. Use the Aqua Painter filled with water to seal your envelopes. When you’re done using the Aqua Painter, empty the barrel and wipe the moisture form the brush tip for storage.

Aqua Painter with Bleach
Emboss your stamped image before bleaching it. Use the Aqua Painter filled with bleach to remove color from areas of your image. This looks fantastic on the darker colors of cardstock. When you’re done, make sure you thoroughly rinse the barrel and tip with water. And also, squeeze plenty of water through the “check valve” to remove any bleach. Wipe the tip dry before storage.

Aqua Painter with Future Floor Wax & Pearl Ex
You can use the Aqua Painter filled with Future Floor Wax to apply Pearl Ex to a stamped image. The floor wax works as a fixative holding the Pearl Ex to the cardstock, so you don’t have to spray with hairspray. Don’t stick the Aqua Painter in to the Pearl Ex. You don’t want the floor wax in your PE container. Instead, put some PE on a different surface. Once you put floor wax into an Aqua Painter, that painter should only be used with floor wax. When you are finished, it’s best to thoroughly clean the tip of the Aqua Painter and then wipe dry to remove moisture

Matching Colors for the Ribbon Originals

Beachfront:
White - rickrack
Sahara Sand - picot edged
River Rock - pleated
Very Vanilla - gathered grosgrain
Basic Gray – velvet

District:
Pumpkin Pie - stripe grosgrain
White w/ Celery - diagonal stripe woven weave
Basic Gray w/white - stripe grosgrain
Blue Bayou/Sage Shadow - checkered weave
Sage Shadow – grosgrain

Fairy Tale:
So Saffron - jacquard flower
Rose Red - grosgrain w/ white stitch
Certainly Celery - woven loop
Regal Rose - gathered grosgrain
Almost Amethyst – grosgrain

Jersey:
Basic Black w/ white -stripe grosgrain
Real Red - twill w/ zigzag
More Mustard/Wild Wasabi - grosgrain
Brocade Blue - wide grosgrain w/stripe
Wild Wasabi – twill

Sherbet:
So Saffron - wide grosgrain w/ stripe
Groovy Guava - woven loop
Purely Pomegranate - w/ white polka dot
Mellow Moss - velvet
Soft Sky/Very Vanilla - elastic w/ gather

Theater:
Always Artichoke - grosgrain w/ loop
Close to Cocoa - velvet
Old Olive/River Rock - reversible satin
Old Olive/ Vanilla - elastic w/ gather
Chocolate Chip - satin w/ border


Remember: it's easy to tint any white or vanilla SU ribbon, fiber or twill tape by dipping it in a mixture of water and a few drops of classic dye inkpad re-inker.

Ways to Use Brads

connectors on paper
pieces for moveable parts
attaching vellum
to "hang" things from center of flowers
letters -- spell out words (outline letters)
corners of picture mat
eyes of “live” images
stone in a ring
buttons on a snowman
stepping stones on a garden layout
attach a fiber to a brad to make a yo-yo
form "bullets" for a list of things
in the hole of a tag
white - as stars on a black or navy blue sky
white - as dropping snowflakes
light blue - as falling raindrops
orange - as pumpkins
white - as moonbeams
brown - as chocolate chips on a cookie
M & Ms
buttons on a shirt
decorations on an Easter egg
decorations on a Christmas tree
purple - grapes in a cornucopia
lights on top of a police car or fire truck
center of a pinwheel
center of tires
end of antenna on a bug
center of spider web
the "dot" on an i or j
to attach fibers
lacing something together
attach a sign to a post
rocks
center of propeller on an airplane
sesame seeds on a bun
a spider and paint a face on it with the legs behind it, use wire for it's legs
dots on a ladybug
nails on wood
embellish the corner of tags or borders
on butterfly wings
shoe buckle
sprinkles on an ice cream cone
sprinkles on a cupcake

Stamp Sets that Coordinate with Punches

Here is a list that I am working on for the stamp sets that coordinate with the punches. I do not have the Large Star Punch yet, so I will add it to the list when I purchase that one. For the time being here is what I have so far (as of 02/02/08):

1” Circle Punch: The Snowflake Spot, Perennial Favorites, Polka Dots & Petals, Create a Coupon, Calendar Cues, On Board Blossoms and Basics, Holiday Blitz, Genuine Articles

1 ¼” and/or 1 3/8” Circle Punch: Cause for Celebration, Pinch Proof, Independence Day, Forever in My Heart, Sealed With A Kiss, A Good Egg, From the Kitchen, It’s all Good, Loads of Love Accessories, Perennial Favorites, Ahoy Matey, Bugs & Kisses, Life is a Breeze, Dad’s Day, Bursting with Joy, Art by Design, Taking Care of Business, Be Happy, Tagger’s Dozen, Sweet Thing, Office Accoutrement, Carte Postale, Glad Tidings, Sporting, It’s a Date, Punch Pals, Holiday Blitz, Be Happy, Polka Dots & Petals, Big Flowers, Carte Postale, Think Happy Thoughts, Big Pieces, Big Flowers, Seeing Spots, Brocade Basics, Labelicious, Circle of Friendship, Sporting, Snow Flake Spot, Simply Said, Graduate, Always, Wild About You, Seriously Sassy, A Beautiful Thing, Best Kind of Friend, Too Cute, Just Like You, Wild Life Reserve, True Friend, Boho Backgrounds, Priceless, Frames with a Flourish, Stamp of Authenticity, Sweet Celebration, Perfect Timing, Hi & Hello, Lovely Labels, Dots are Hot

½” and/or ¾” Circle Punch: Snow Flurries, Punch Pals, Holiday Blitz, Wanted, Star Struck, Little Flowers, Little Pieces, Please Come, Dot Spot Background

1 ¼” and/or 1 3/8” Square Punch: Cause for Celebration, Forever in My Heart, Sealed With A Kiss, A Good Egg, Holiday Blitz, Text & Texture, From the Kitchen, It’s all Good, Loads of Love Accessories, A Tree for all Seasons, Perennial Favorites, Ahoy Matey, Bugs & Kisses, Life is a Breeze, Dad’s Day, Bursting with Joy, Art by Design, Taking Care of Business, Be Happy, Tagger’s Dozen, Sweet Thing, Office Accoutrement, Carte Postale, Glad Tidings, Sporting, It’s a Date

¾” Square Punch: Calendar Cues5-Petal Flower Punch: Be Happy, Priceless, Simply Said, Heartfelt Thanks, Ginormous Flowers, Office Accoutrement, Big Pieces, Cutie Pie Double Sided Paper, On Board Blossoms and Basics

Boho Blossom Punch: One of a Kind

Designer Label Punch: Labelicious, Sweet Sampler, Dad’s Day

Key Tag Punch: Labeliscious

Oval Punch (Large and Small): many of the word sets

Round Tab Punch: Office Accoutrement, Totally Tabs, From the Kitchen, Dad’s Day

Scallop Circle Punch: Bursting with Joy, Enjoy Every Moment, Together & Forever, Snowflake Spot, Punch Pals, Wanted, Priceless, Big Flowers, Fabulous Flowers, Ginormous Flowers, Sweet Shapes, Illuminations, It’s Your Birthday, Warm Words, Short and Sweet, Sincere Salutations, All Holidays, Brocade Basics, Baroque Motifs, Fun & Fast Notes, On Board Blossoms and Basics

Snow Blossom Punch: Snowflake Spot, Snow Flurries, Punch Pals, Be Happy

Star Punch: Wanted, Starstruck, Sporting, Wild West Alphabet, On Board Blossoms and Basics

Tag Punches: Punch Pals, Festive Favorites, Be Happy, Tagger’s Dozen, Happy Heart Day, Bundled in Love, Best Kind of Friends Words and shapes the fit too: Forever in my Hear, Sealed with a kiss, Holiday Blitz, Snowflake spot, Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories, Boat Loads of Love, Voila to Go, Bitty Birthday, Blooming with Love, Dilly-Dally, Dare to be Darling, Perennial favorites, All Through the Year, God is Love, A Little Birdie Told Me, Here Kitty Kitty, Sweet Thing, Bugs & Kisses, All in the Family, Family Accessories, Ahoy Matey, Sporting, Life is a Breeze, Polka Dots & Petals, Too Cute, Just Like You, Wild Life Reserve, Dad’s Day, Carte Postal, Office Accoutrement, From the Kitchen, Taking Care of Business

Three for You Punch: Take Three, Three for You punch box

Word Window Punch: Bursting with Joy, Boatloads of Love, Boho Backgrounds, A Good Egg, Boatloads of Love, Fun & Fast Notes, Take Three, Short & Sweet, Happy Everything, Wonderful Favorites, Warm Words, All Holidays, Everyday Flexible Phrases, Amazing to Zany, Fundamental Phrases – Remember that you can make the word window punch at long as you want, to fit any greeting

Re-Inkers Uses

Tips: You may want to use rubber gloves.

Objects for Creating Backgrounds Using Re-inkers:
* Kooshball — dab in re-inker and paint
* Marbles — put in a shallow dish with drops of re-inker, roll side to side
* Rubber Ball — bounce it in re-inker and then on paper
* Piece of Mesh — dye it or use a sponge to create a cool grid on your paper
* Bubble Wrap — dab in re-inker and then press onto paper
* Sandwich Baggie — bunch it up, dab into ink and then on card stock
* Sponges — any of the variety, dab and paint; try any household object

TECHNIQUES:

Shaving Cream Technique:
Use re-inkers to make your own specialty papers with this technique. Spread the bottom of a shallow 9 X 12 pan with a layer of shaving cream. Spread out the shaving cream with a spatula to about 3/4” thick. Put a few drops of coordinating colors of re-inkers in a random pattern all over the shaving cream. Take a toothpick and swirl the shaving cream around until you achieve the look you want. Press a piece of white card stock (1/4 sheet is easier to work with) face down into the shaving cream. Gently peel the card stock up and scrape off the extra shaving cream with a spatula or paper towel. Dry off the extra bits with a clean paper towel. The shaving cream will come off the card stock, but the ink pattern will remain. Don’t be afraid of smearing the ink. It will stay where it originally touched the paper.

Paintbrush Technique:
Select a paintbrush and palette . You will actually paint with the re-inkers. It works best to first emboss your image. Embossing gives a nice edge for the ink to blend to. You can also mix the re-inkers and come up with your own designer color.

Christmas Ornaments:
Take clear glass ball ornaments and remove the top. Place approximately 10 drops of one color of re-inker in clear glass bulb ornament. Swish the ink around to coat the bulb. Turn the bulb upside down and let the excess ink drain off into a paper/plastic cup. Pour approximately 1/2 teaspoon glitter into the glass bulb, QUICKLY put a small piece of paper or plastic over opening, to protect your finger, and now shake. Pour out excess dyed glitter. Put the top back on the ornament.

Crystal Effects and Re-Inkers:
Besides adding Crystal Effects straight from the bottle, to give it color, add a drop or 2 of a re-inker. This will give a raised, 3-D effect to your stamp project. Add a bit of dazzling diamond glitter to the mixture and now you have a colored glitter gloss perfect for adding that extra special touch to any card or project.

Easter Egg Background:
Try making your own designer paper using the re-inkers doing the following technique. Use a paper towel that you have "wadded" up, dip in re-inker color and then pounce it all over the white card stock. Doing this with 2 or 3 colors ends up looking like dyed Easter Eggs.

Resist Techniques:
To do this technique you can use several things: wax paper, white crayons, rubber cement, or Versamark with clear embossing powder. After you get your stamped pattern on the paper use an eye dropper to put some drops on the page. Hold the paper slanted down and let the ink run across the page. The ink is resisted in the areas where you have placed your wax, crayons, glue, or Versamark.

Tissue Paper and Re-Inker Batik Method:
Stamp a pattern using VersaMark ink and a bold type of stamp onto tissue paper. Sprinkle on clear embossing powder and use heat tool to emboss. Then use the re-inkers and "drop" ink onto the tissue paper. The ink absorbed into the paper where there was no embossing. Be sure to protect the area in which you are doing this.

Watercolor Brayer:
Drop spots of several re-inkers onto a piece of plastic wrap. Fold wrap in half to spread ink around. Then unfold and ink your brayer by rolling it across this newly created palette of color. Then spritz with a water bottle and roll out onto your card stock for a watercolor look.

Liquid Applique:
Using the white Liquid Applique, squeeze a bit out and mix it with your choice of re-inker. Allow it to air dry for a smooth, shiny look or “puff” it up with a heat gun. It picks up the color of the ink. Take several colors of your special mixed liquid Applique and squirt on card and then brayer all over the place. Then heat with heat tool and stamp various stamps on top using black ink.

Dye Mulberry:
Use the re-inkers to change white Mulberry into any color.

Dye Ribbon:
Use the re-inkers to dye white ribbon. This is a great way to get a coordinating ribbon for your projects.

Paper Casting with Re-inkers:
Place stamp with image side up on table. Select up to eight squares of toilet paper, and stack them. Dampen them with water and lay them over the stamp. Place a hand towel on top and gently press down expelling some of the water from the toilet paper and molding it to the stamp image. Now paint on the color you want using your re-inkers and a paintbrush. Carefully remove all the toilet paper at one time from the stamp and lay aside to dry. The image will appear similar to paper casting!

Tissue Paper/Window Sheets (Acetate)/Re-inkers:
On a sheet of window sheets (acetate), squeeze out a blob of clear gel glue. Spread with your finger and leave it fairly thick. Drop a few different colors of re-inkers on glue and spread around. Add more drops to achieve a marbled look as desired. Cut a piece of white tissue slightly larger than the glue/ink area and wad it up. Unroll and leave wrinkly. Place on top of glue/ink and set aside to dry (peel back a corner to check that ink is dry). When dry, peel tissue away from acetate and use whole or in pieces for a cool background. Finished paper has the look of stained glass.

Aluminum Foil/Re-inkers:
Pull a piece or foil off the roll. Fold it in half , then open. Squirt some of your re-inkers on the foil. Fold the foil in half again pressing together, with your hand or brayer. This allows the inks to mix into each other. Open up and lay a blank card in the inked foil. Fold the foil over the card. Smooth your hand over the foil allowing the ink to get on the card. Open the foil and look to see if you need to add any more paint- if so…repeat the process again.

Tie Dye:
Cut open the bottom and one side of a page protector so it opens like a book. Dribble three or four colors of re inkers on one side. Close and mush colors around. Open page protector again and place two half sheets of GLOSSY card stock back to back and lay on ink. Close page protector and lightly brayer to press ink into paper. Open page protector and set papers aside to dry. Can be repeated twice more to make six papers per inking.

USES FOR GLITTER

GLITTER/Candle Stamping
Pour Dazzling Diamonds glitter onto a sheet of paper. Ink up a bold outline image with versamark. Stamp the image into the glitter. Check to make sure stamp is evenly coated, tap if there is too much. Turn your stamp rubber side up. Heat a candle with heat tool until just warm & the wax has softened. Stamp directly onto the candle using an even firm pressure, or roll the candle onto the image making sure you get the entire image. Lift the candle off the stamp.

GLITTER & LACE BACKGROUND
For a basic card: Cardstock, Sticker Paper, Lace, Dark Shade of Glitter, Light Shade of Glitter.
Cut your sticker paper into 1/4 sheets. Pull the protective backing off the sticker paper. Stick a piece of lace to the sticker paper & smooth it down firmly. Pour a dark shade of glitter all over the card, making sure the whole thing is covered, and shake off extra. Remove lace from card. Pour light shade of glitter all over card. It will stick to the areas that do not have the dark glitter. Shake off excess glitter. Spray hairspray on the glitter to seal.

GLITTER WINDOW – STAINED GLASS
Clear Window Sheet (static free) , Black Ink, Open Image, Glue with small nozzle on end. Stamp image onto the window sheet with black ink, heat set the ink. Fill in an area in the image with glue (do one area at a time). When area is filled with glue, put glitter on & tap off the excess glitter. Continue to fill in each area. When dry put the card together. The card should have an opening to create a window frame. Glitter side should be facing down.

LOOSE GLITTER
On a previously stamped image, use the Two-Way Glue pen to apply glue where you want the glitter. Sprinkle loose glitter on an image; pour off excess glitter, putting it back into the jar. This technique adds glitz to any card.

Stamp your image using a Versamark ink pad. Pour Heat & Stick powder all over this image. Remove excess powder. Heat with heat gun. Do not overheat. The Heat & Stick powder will become “sticky.” Quickly pour on glitter onto your “sticky” image. Heat the image again, just to set the glitter.

Many Uses of Wire

How do you curl the wire? Suggestions include twisting it on a lollipop stick, a small diameter pencil or a small piece of dowel rod.

Uses for the wire:

• Basket handles
• Wrapped around packages
• For stringing PolyShrink and other charms on pencils, etc.
• Jewelry making
• Hair – make curly-haired images “have” curly hair
• Use them as hangers for Christmas tree ornaments
• Country styled items with raffia, Kraft brown paper, or with a corrugated layer are especially cute
• For small, layered ornaments
• A really cute dragonfly shaped out of wire – or maybe a little butterfly.
• Wrapping around a pouch for the Christmas card
• Give a 3-D effect to swirls
• Stems for some really whimsical flowers
• Arms for snowmen
• Stamp a floral set then curl your wire around a narrow dowel rod and add it to the card. It will add a springy accent to an otherwise dull floral scene.
• Halos for angels
• Long & short curly-cues used to embellish any sets that have grapes, grapevines or other vines
• Different colors of short curly-cues “exploding” from a gift box like confetti in a birthday set
• Balloon strings on any set with a balloon. You can curl and bend them rather than drawing in the string.
• Stamp and cut out a bee, small butterfly, or other bug (cute sets would work best).
• Attach a piece of the wire, which has been curled around into a “flight pattern” to the back of the bug and attach the other end to the card.
• It could hold on a small tag or a small flat section of the wire could have a small, layered cardstock saying glued over top of it.
• The kid sets would be great to use for curly wired hair.
• Add beads and use as embellishment
• Green wire twisted and used with Grapes or vine sets with cut out leaves, to look like the tendrils
• Antennae for every bee, butterfly and bug out there
• Spider legs

VERSAMARK IDEAS

A TRULY CLEAR EMBOSSING PAD
Just stamp and emboss with colored powder or clear powder for a see through shine.

A WATERMARK.
This is great for backgrounds; it will deepen the shade of colored paper wherever stamped.

POPPIN’ PASTELS
There are a couple of ways to accomplish this effect on light colored card stocks. Apply chalks to the area to be stamped, stamp with VersaMark and allow to dry or use heat gun. Then rub gently with a clean cotton ball. Get a dramatic effect by adding more chalk to a cotton ball or dauber after stamping with the VersaMark. Emboss while stamped image is still wet with clear embossing powder. Stamp first then chalk gently over the stamped area and watch the image magically appear.

REVERSE PASTELS
This time use brightly colored chalk to cover dark colored card stock, stamp over the chalked area. The ink will pull out the color of the paper from beneath the chalk. Be sure to clean the stamp before re-inking it as the chalk you removed is now on the stamp and the VersaMark pad will get dirty.

SHADOWING
This is a technique to use with Kaleidacolor pads and word stamps but you can use it for anything really. Just stamp directly over the first image, or a little off.

BRAYER RESIST
This technique can be done with Gold Encore or VersaMark. Stamp image onto Glossy White card stock using one of the above inks. Gently wipe away the ink using a lotion-free tissue and small circular motion. Ink up your brayer and roll it over the paper. Wherever the VersaMark ink was stamped, the paper will resist the colored ink from the brayer. This works on matte card stock but looks better on glossy.

VERSAMARK & 2-STEP STAMPIN’
Stamp the same image first w/VersaMark & then with metallic ink. Just shift the image a little bit when stamping the metallic ink. It gives it a shadowed look.

EMBOSSING ON GLASS
Using the embossing buddy first, then using the VersaMark to stamp the image on a glass container, then emboss with gold or silver. Fill it with candy and tie a ribbon on it.

EMBOSSING WITH STAMPIN’ UP! PADS
Ink the stamp with VersaMark then stamp on ink pad (you can use a dauber to apply the color ink). Stamp image and use clear embossing powder. Heat. Now emboss and be perfectly coordinated with the SU! markers, cardstock and inkpads. Be certain to clean stamp before re-inking on VersaMark pad.

BATIK TECHNIQUE
Stamp image using Versamark on ultra-smooth white or confetti or some other light CS and then emboss with clear embossing powder. Let cool. Then gently wad paper into a ball. Unfold cardstock and smooth it out. Place it on a towel and wet with water so the paper is very damp. Next ink your brayer with a Kaleidacolor pad and brayer across the paper. The image will stay white while the ink will seep into cracks and the rest of the paper will have a batik look.

Uses for Glossy Card Stock

Here are some tips for Glossy Card Stock:

Use it just like any other card stock for creating a card. Just be careful when stamping so it doesn't smear. Bold, bright colors look best when stamped on this card stock. The colors come out even brighter on glossy and it makes a card look a little more professionally done.

Try layering a piece of glossy card stock onto a piece of colored card stock and then onto whisper white. It really sets off the glossy card stock and adds a look of elegance.

Want a professional looking card? Use markers to color in an image stamped on the glossy card stock.

Glossy card stock is great for backgrounds and perfect paper for using a brayer. Use a brayer with a Spectrum pad and run it repeatedly over the glossy paper – this makes a multicolored background. Repeated rolling really blends the colors, unlike with the standard card stock where there are definite color stripes.

Use this paper for the Versamark resist technique. Stamp image onto glossy card stock using the Versamark pad, then brayer over the image. The Versamark areas will resist the ink and show through. Wipe with a tissue soon after or the brayer ink will bleed into the VersaMark images. Use a heat gun to dry the Versamark area. When dry, then brayer over it. The Versamark image will stand out.

Use the VersaMark resist technique as listed above but this time instead of using a brayer to add color use the Color Pencils and color right over the top of the image.

Another great background is Smudging or the "Twist and Drag" technique. Choose a "solid" style stamp that is simplistic in design such as one that is a squiggle, or confetti, or thick dots. Ink a stamp of choice with a light color of ink. Then twist it, or drag it onto glossy card stock. Repeat a few times to create a one-of-a-kind background. Clean the stamp and re-ink with a coordinating color and repeat the "twist and drag" or smudging method to create a two-tone pattern. Create a stamp tool for this technique using scraps of rubber from any cut stamps.

For Joseph's coat technique: Brayer with a spectrum pad, covering the entire area of a card. Let set for a couple minutes to be sure it is dry. Emboss the stamped image using the VersaMark pad and clear embossing powder. Then ink the brayer with Black or Navy, and cover the entire card again with this new color. Let the overcoat of ink dry, then buff the card with a paper towel to remove excess ink.

Try the Batik Technique. Simply stamp the image using Versamark and emboss with clear embossing powder. Let cool. Then gently wad paper into a ball or fold it into a small square for a different look. Unfold it and smooth it out. It will have crease marks where the embossing powder has cracked. Place card stock on a towel and mist with water so the paper is very damp. Next ink the brayer with a Spectrum pad, roll across the paper. The image will stay white while the ink will seep into cracks and the rest of the paper will have a batik look.

Polished stone background with assorted re-inker inks, alcohol, and Gold/Silver Krylon or Zig Leafing Pens. Spray alcohol on cotton ball. Moisten the cotton ball with at least 6 sprays, but don't soak it. Then dot a cotton ball with 3 to 4 drops re-inker on one side of the damp felt. Then dot 3 to 4 drops of another color on the other side. Keep the different colors separate, but not too far apart. Shake the leafing pen and press the tip down on the glossy card stock letting the ink puddle out. Make 3 to 4 little globs per quarter sheet. QUICKLY "slam" the cotton ball on top of the blobs of pen. Strike the paper over and over, making the leafing ink "float" in the alcohol dye. If the leafing ink doesn't "float" but dries as spots, use more alcohol. Try again. The colors to should overlap and blend. If the ink is "worked" too much, it can start to look muddy, but cover the surface of the paper. After "whacking" gently twist the cotton ball for a more blended look. Let the piece dry before touching. Move it by gripping the edge of the paper. Wait at least 24 hours before stamping on it.

The Heated Pearls technique also uses glossy card stock and is fun and easy to do. Turn the glossy card stock to black glossy card stock by using the black pad and a brayer. Materials needed: Pearl Ex, white glue, a stipple brush, and a heat gun. Cut the card stock into quarters. Put a blob of glue in the middle of a piece. Spread it all over the piece with the stipple brush. Be sure to cover it completely. Sprinkle some Pearl Ex (use two complimentary colors of PE) on top of the stippled glue, working the PE into the glue with the stipple brush. When done, put the brush into water, so the glue won't dry up on the brush. Next take the heat gun and start running it over the glue/PE mixture. Watch it bubble up! Try Red Glossy (made with White Glossy and a red Staz On pad). This produces very elegant backgrounds.

Crayon resist is a great way to use Glossy paper to add white highlights to whimsical stamps or those with detailed images. Stamp the design onto glossy card stock. Allow image to dry. Then use a crayon or a Metallic Pencils to mark highlighted areas. Then just use the selected inks to apply ink with sponge or brayer. Allow ink to dry. Using a piece of tissue, gently rub in small circles over the areas where the crayon was applied. This will remove the ink and create the resist look.

Glossy card stock is perfect for Dry Embossing. Cut card stock into a small square and then dry emboss an image. Then use the brayer and a LIGHT TOUCH to apply color to the image. When the image is colored this way there is still an edge of white card stock that will show through.

Try doing the Alcohol Spray Technique on Glossy Paper. Place regular rubbing alcohol in a little spray bottle. Select a bolder image stamp and ink it up, and spray the stamp with the alcohol mister and stamp it on the glossy card stock! Spray the alcohol with a very fine mist and hold the stamp further away from the sprayer. With this technique each time the stamp is reinked—spritzed--stamped it will turn out a little different than the time before which provides a very unique look. To create fun backgrounds (or foregrounds) for summer projects try using the Glossy paper for the Bubble Background Technique. Place 3-4 Tablespoons of dish washing soap and a cup of tap water in a large bowl. Add 10-15 drops of desired color of re-inker ink. Use a whisk to create froth and pour this mixture onto a tray. Use a drinking straw, blow lightly while stirring the mixture so that you form slightly larger bubbles. You do NOT want huge bubbles as you won't be able to fit them on a standard size card front. After bubbles are formed, spritz the top of them with re-inker that has been diluted with water and put into a travel-sized pump spray bottle. Then lightly place a sheet of Glossy Card stock onto the bubbles without actually dropping it into the solution. Remove paper and place right side up on paper towels and allow to dry. To speed the process you can use another paper towel to blot dry but DO NOT rub or you will disturb the bubble pattern. For more versatility select other colors besides blue or send the card stock back through a second time but this time select a different color from the first.

Salt Backgrounds are perfect for Glossy card stock. Brayer color onto the glossy card stock, and then mist with water spritzer. Sprinkle on salt. You can use any kind: sea salt, table, kosher, Epsom. Each type of salt will provide a different look to your finished project. You must allow this to dry. When dry, brush the salt off. The salt will "remove" or lighten the dye ink and you'll have a beautiful one-of-a-kind background for your stamped artwork.

Marble Technique. Try using marbles to make wonderful backgrounds on glossy card stock. The marble technique is so easy that most children do it as toddlers. Put your card stock in a small box and ink up the marbles, and put them in the box too. Then tip the box from side to side, causing the marbles to roll randomly on the card stock.

Wax Paper resist Backgrounds. You need glossy card stock, wax paper, and an iron. Crumble up the wax paper and then set between the glossy sides of the glossy paper. Take an iron at medium heat and iron over the paper for between 10 and 30 seconds. When you're done, take one of the glossy sheets and cover with ink. Then use a brayer on a rainbow pad. You can also use a sponge or the ink pad itself, or any other way you can think to put the ink on the paper. The ink brings out some wonderful designs. The different ways that you fold the wax paper bring out wonderful designs. You don't always have to crumble the paper either. Just play with the wax paper and see what beautiful images arise.

Emboss resist on Glossy. This is a great way to combine those bolder stamps and glossy paper to yield awesome results. With the VersaMark pad stamp your image on glossy card stock. Sprinkle clear embossing powder over the clear inked stamped image and heat it. You now have a subtle stamped image. Next use your sponges to apply as much (or as little) color as you would like. This will make the stamped image seem to pop right off the card.

Make your own postcards. Place the card stock in a printer and type your note to a friend. Print it off on the NON-GLOSSY side, lined up in columns so that you can cut the card stock in fourths and have four postcards. Then stamp on the glossy side.

Glossy card stock is also great for making all our cut little baskets, boxes and pouches.

Designer Paper Colors

Here is a list of the colors that coordinate with the Designer Paper from the Spring Summer Collection.

Azure: Brilliant Blue, Very Vanilla
Bali Breeze: Old Olive, Taken with Teal, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie
Berry Bliss: Purely Pomegranate, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa
Cutie Pie: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, So Saffron
East Coast Prep: Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise, More Mustard
Flowers for You: Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise
Fall Flowers: Old Olive, Really Rust, Soft Sky, Sahara Sand
Ginger Blossom: Ruby Red, River Rock, Cameo Coral, Groovy Guava
Jersey Shore: Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue
Le Jardin: River Rock, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Bashful Blue
Notebook: Soft Sky, Kraft, Vanilla
Olive Press: Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Porcelain Prints: Blue Bayou, River Rock, Wild Wasabi
Spring Break: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky
Spring Fling: Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron
Spring Silhouettes: Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla
Western Sky: Ruby Red, River Rock, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky

Tips on Crystal Effects

Crystal Effects is water based, easy to clean up and is an easy way to enhance any rubber stamped art project. Best of all you can apply Crystal Effects to areas you would like to looked raised whether it be on paper or plastic!

Tips for using this product: Prior to use, place the bottle upside down in a cup, letting all of the air bubbles rise to the top, which now is really the bottom of the bottle. Start slowly applying the Crystal Effects, try to NOT pick the tip up off of project until it is completely covered. It may take a little longer to get all of the area covered, but the outcome, is well worth it!

Cautions: Do not use heat tool to speed dry time. It becomes extremely “bubbly” and unattractive.

Other Ideas for Use: Besides using Crystal Effects straight from the bottle to give a raised effect, there are other ways to use it.

1. Layer it on with a paintbrush to give a smooth glass-like finish.
2. Spot Gloss: Apply a thick layer of Crystal Effects directly to the stamped image with the applicator tip. Let dry completely (about 30 - 60 minutes) before handling.
3. All-Over Gloss: Use a paintbrush to apply a thin, even coat of Crystal Effects to the entire image. Let dry (about 3-5 minutes).
4. To give it color, add a drop or 2 of a re-inker.
5. Use it as glue for embellishments, beads, feathers, and bows. It is very strong, great for adding hard to hold magnets, pin backs, and wire to your stamped projects. Be sure to let it dry completely before handling.
6. Use it to glue vellum to card stock. It won’t show through. The best way to keep vellum from wrinkling after application, apply Crystal Effects with a fingertip or Q-tip applicator in a very thin coat, not just straight from the bottle.
7. Simulate dew on a petal by adding little droplets to flowers. You can also add it to the petals of actual dried flowers or fake ones.
8. Use the applicator tip to apply a thicker layer of Crystal Effects to elements of your design to add emphasis. (Try it on leaves, flower petals, insects, teacup, umbrella, window, eyeglasses, Christmas ornaments.
9. Use it to create a stained glass window effect. Stamp image on window sheet and emboss. Let dry thoroughly over night. Then use the tip of the bottle to move the Crystal Effects around to cover each individual area with a thin layer. While it is still wet, dump on glitter. Do one color of glitter at a time. Let each area dry at least an hour before going to the next color.
10. Use it for "fray check" on the ends of your ribbon after you have cut them to the desired length.
11. Fill in things after you've embossed and colored for a real "pop"!
12. Use it to re-glue any stamps that have either come unmounted from the foam or that you took off the wood block because you wanted to trim and re-mount.