Saturday 31 August 2019

HACK OF THE DAY 31st AUGUST, 2019

CLEANING YOUR STAMPS-PART 1

There are many product in the market for cleaning stamps, my favourite has to be Stampin' Up! Stampin Scrub, used in conjunction with Stampin Mist it works brilliantly everytime.

The Stampin Scrub opens up to two trays with plush black fiber scrub pads, on the left-hand side in the far corner has a little raindrops symbol, this is the side where you spritz the Stampin Mist and scrub the stamp, on the other tray in the left-hand side is a sun symbol, this is for drying your stamp.

Obviously, depending on how often you use the Scrub is how often you should clean it. I test mine every couple of months, I do this by stamping the cleaned stamp on some scrap paper, if there is the slightest mark on the paper I know its time to clean the pad.

I do that simply by popping it in the sink and running water on it until it runs clear. I let it drain for a while then lay it face down on paper towel for a few hours then let it air dry overnight.

It's then as good as new.


 

Talk soon


Sue x
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PS: A few reminders


For August, the Hostess Code is WPRKR3QB, please use this code if you place an order under $250.

Here's a sneak peak at this months Tutorial Bundle



This Tutorial Bundle has been put together by 12 demonstrators (including myself) from various parts of the world. It comes in PDF form and you can get yours free with any order of A$78 or a copy can be purchased by contacting me sueallensimplycraft@bigpond.com for A$20.

You can receive one free tutorial just for signing up for my Newsletter. Let your friends know.






Friday 30 August 2019

INKSOMNIACS TEAM BLOG HOP


Silly me set my permalink without putting the stamp set in the title, so I'll pop it here, Floral Essence.

This is the first time I have been part of a blog hop with  the Inksomniac Team, thank you to Linda Dalke and Courtenay Heuston for organising it. 

 The theme is the SU August #simplestamping Challenge 
  • Theme: Birthday card.
  • Supplies: Stamps, ink and paper.

I really haven't had much success with #simplestamping, other people's project look amazing, mine usually look unfinished but I have to say I am very happy the way this card has turned out, so happy that I made another 6 to have on hand for some upcoming birthdays. 



Unfortunately, my sentiment is from a retired stamp set, hopefully I will be forgiven for that. 

Thank you for stopping by, please click the NEXT button to head over to the lovely and talented Melinda Whittington.


.

Talk soon

Suex

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A HANDMADE CARD


This popped up on my Facebook today


So very true, so get stamping and give someone very treasured memories.

Talk soon

Sue x

PS: A few reminders before the month ends

For August, the Hostess Code is WPRKR3QB, please use this code if you place an order under $250.

Here's a sneak peak at this months Tutorial Bundle




This Tutorial Bundle has been put together by 12 demonstrators (including myself) from various parts of the world. It comes in PDF form and you can get yours free with any order of A$78 or a copy can be purchased by contacting me sueallensimplycraft@bigpond.com for A$20.

You can receive one free tutorial just for signing up for my Newsletter. Let your friends know.


HACK OF THE DAY 30th AUGUST, 2019

STAMPING BLOCKS

Usually made from acrylic, these transparent blocks come in various sizes to suit different sized stamps.

I prefer blocks that have decent weight and some sort of groove around he side for a good grip.

Though you don't need to buy blocks in every size,  for me, I prefer my block to be similar in size to the stamp, that way I don't mess the block up while inking and possibly mess up my project.


Talk soon

Sue x

PS: A few reminders

For August, the Hostess Code is WPRKR3QB, please use this code if you place an order under $250.

Here's a sneak peak at this months Tutorial Bundle



This Tutorial Bundle has been put together by 12 demonstrators (including myself) from various parts of the world. It comes in PDF form and you can get yours free with any order of A$78 or a copy can be purchased by contacting me sueallensimplycraft@bigpond.com for A$20.

You can receive one free tutorial just for signing up for my Newsletter. Let your friends know.







Thursday 29 August 2019

HACK OF THE DAY 29th AUGUST, 2019

PHOTOPOLYMER -STAMPS

Photopolymer stamps are a clear stamp, totally transparent, the back of the stamp is slightly sticky, as with the Cling stamps, the are made to adhere to  an acrylic block or stamping tool.

They are heavier an less stretchy that normal clear stamps which are usually made from acrylic.Ink stick very well to photopolymer stamp so they will give a crisper image

The stamps come on a backing sheet and should be returned to that after use, to protect form dirt and dust.

As these stamps are clear and not attached to a foam back it is recommend for a better result to stamp on a spongy surface. I use a mouse pad.

Photopolymer stamps stain quite badly, however this doesn't have any affect on future use.


Talk soon

Sue x

PS: A few reminders

For August, the Hostess Code is WPRKR3QB, please use this code if you place an order under $250.

Here's a sneak peak at this months Tutorial Bundle



This Tutorial Bundle has been put together by 12 demonstrators (including myself) from various parts of the world. It comes in PDF form and you can get yours free with any order of A$78 or a copy can be purchased by contacting me sueallensimplycraft@bigpond.com for A$20.

You can receive one free tutorial just for signing up for my Newsletter. Let your friends know.





Wednesday 28 August 2019

DO YOU NEED A GIFT?


Lots of Happy Card Kit

Some people would like to try card making but don't want to go to the expense of buying all the bits and pieces in case it's not for them.

So for them, what not try one of Stampin' Up!' s All inclusive card Kits.

For example: The Lots of Happy Card Kit, everything is included all for $61 plus P & H.

So do you get?

There’s lots to love in this all-inclusive card kit. Create all-occasion cards, then add your own colour using the included Watercolour Pencils. 

* Makes 20 cards, 4 each of 5 designs, using the included Lots of Happy Stamp 
   Set 
* Folded card sizes: 2" x 3-1/2", 2-1/2" x 4-1/2", 4" x 3-1/2", 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" 
   (5.1 x 8.9 cm, 6.4 x 11.4 cm, 10.2 x 8.9 cm, 10.8 x 14 cm) 
* Includes set of 7 photopolymer stamps 
* Clear stamp block 
* 20 printed card bases and coordinating envelopes 
* Giftable kraft box 
* Printed, gold foil, white, and vellum die-cut accents 
* White/gold foil labels
* Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Spot 
* Full-size Watercolour Pencils in Flirty Flamingo, green, Old Olive, and Rich  
   Razzleberry 
* Stampin’ Dimensionals

Check out this video



Wouldn't this make a great gift for someone?. 

If you would like to purchase a kit, please click on my shop now button above.

Talk soon

Sue x 

Product List




For August, the Hostess Code is WPRKR3QB, please use this code if you place an order under $250.

Here's a sneak peak at this months Tutorial Bundle




This Tutorial Bundle has been put together by 12 demonstrators (including myself) from various parts of the world. It comes in PDF form and you can get yours free with any order of A$78 or a copy can be purchased by contacting me sueallensimplycraft@bigpond.com for A$20.

You can receive one free tutorial just for signing up for my Newsletter. Let your friends know.



HACK OF THE DAY 28th AUGUST, 2019

CLING-STAMPS


Cling stamps are made of rubber and are made to cling to either an acrylic block or stamping tool.

You are able to see through and view the position of the image prior to stamping it on your project.




Here is a great little video from Stampin' Up! about their cling stamps.


Talk soon

Sue x

PS: A few reminders

For August, the Hostess Code is WPRKR3QB, please use this code if you place an order under $250.


Here's a sneak peak at this months Tutorial Bundle




This Tutorial Bundle has been put together by 12 demonstrators (including myself) from various parts of the world. It comes in PDF form and you can get yours free with any order of A$78 or a copy can be purchased by contacting me sueallensimplycraft@bigpond.com for A$20.

You can receive one free tutorial just for signing up for my Newsletter. Let your friends know.




Tuesday 27 August 2019

HACK OF THE DAY 27th AUGUST, 2019

Craft stamps usually come in three styles:

  • Wood-mount
  • Cling Stamps
  • Photopolymer
WOOD-MOUNT STAMPS

Is a rubber stamp where the stamp is mounted on foam and then on to a wooden block.
eg: 

This is an older styles stamp, many people prefer this style but with the various new techniques of today, they are no longer a versatile product and many companies like Stampin' Up! have stopped making them.

Talk soon


Sue x 

PS: A few reminders
For August, the Hostess Code is WPRKR3QB, please use this code if you place an order under $250.

Here's a sneak peak at this months Tutorial Bundle





This Tutorial Bundle has been put together by 12 demonstrators (including myself) from various parts of the world. It comes in PDF form and you can get yours free with any order of A$78 or a copy can be purchased by contacting me sueallensimplycraft@bigpond.com for A$20.

You can receive one free tutorial just for signing up for my Newsletter. Let your friends know.

Monday 26 August 2019

GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS

I have had my knuckles wrapped about this blog, apparently I'm not consistent enough, I totally agree.

I did write a while ago in a blog that I would be more consistent but that fell away, didn't it?

I have to say, I do enjoy doing the blog and I have learnt so much because of it, this time last year I had no idea what a blog hop was or how to link my blog to other things and other people, I'm quite proud of myself for that but not that dreadful word CONSISTENCY.

Part of my problem is how I blog a card, do I just show a photo? do I give measurements? do I do a tutorial with it, all the while nothing is getting done, so I have made a couple of decisions:

Not making the blog 100% about card making, I may need to change the name of the blog but I'll think of that at some time in the future, so from today, I will definitely blog Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, about what? I don't know yet,  I will continue with my Hacks of the Day until I run out of things to suggest and I certainly will continue being part of various blog hops which I love.

Maybe this will give me CONSISTENCY.

Talk soon

Sue x

HACK OF THE DAY 26th AUGUST, 2019

For my Hacks of the Day this week, I am going to continue with the Back to Basics, these are the things I wish I had known when I started paper crafting. So far, I have covered paper and inks, next is stamps.

As most of you know the market is huge in stamps, many companies produce some amazing images, sadly there are several companies who fraudulently copy these and sell fakes, they are sold online and are cheaper but you need to beware when purchasing these:


  • fraudulent stamp sets are a blatant copyright infringement, the designs have been stolen from reputable companies who have worked hard to create the product, investment money in the product, they OWN the product.
  • from sites I have looked at the stamps are inferior and made with silicone, silicone does not make a great stamped image, if you consider what silicone products we use in our households, silicone is not made to reproduce clear images
  • the size is usually different - smaller
  • stamps are not the only thing they knock off, dies, embossing folders every possible craft item.These are made in countries that don't protect their workers
These fraudulent products  are something that any crafter should stay away from, apart from being illegal and inferior, they are often produced in illegal sweatshops that uses slave and or child labour.

If you love your crafting, please do not purchase knock offs.

Talk soon

Sue x


Sunday 25 August 2019

HACK OF THE DAY 25th AUGUST, 2019

Are you a messy stamper like me?,  I seem to get more ink on me than on my project and sadly sometimes smudges from my hands get onto my card.

Did you know that if you gently and lightly sand the mark with a very fine grade sandpaper, using a circular motion, you should be able to remove the smudge. I then lightly go over the spot with my embossing buddy.

Talk soon

Sue x

Product List



PS: A few little reminders

For August, the Hostess Code is WPRKR3QB, please use this code if you place an order under $250.

Here's a sneak peak at this months Tutorial Bundle




This Tutorial Bundle has been put together by 12 demonstrators (including myself) from various parts of the world. It comes in PDF form and you can get yours free with any order of A$78 or a copy can be purchased by contacting me sueallensimplycraft@bigpond.com for A$20.


You can receive one free tutorial just for signing up for my Newsletter. Let your friends know.

Saturday 24 August 2019

HACK OF THE DAY 24th AUGUST, 2019

Another little tip for when you have gone outside the lines colouring, use a White Gel Pen to go around the outside of the stamp to cover these marks.

Talk soon


Sue x

PS: A few reminders


For August, the Hostess Code is WPRKR3QB, please use this code if you place an order under $250.


Here's a sneak peak at this months Tutorial Bundle





This Tutorial Bundle has been put together by 12 demonstrators (including myself) from various parts of the world. It comes in PDF form and you can get yours free with any order of A$78 or a copy can be purchased by contacting me sueallensimplycraft@bigpond.com for A$20.

You can receive one free tutorial just for signing up for my Newsletter. Let your friends know.

Friday 23 August 2019

HACK OF THE DAY 23rd AUGUST, 2019

Having boggie eyesight, means I have a lot of trouble staying within the lines when colouring an image.

My favourite colouring tools at the moment are the Stampin' Blends and I certainly couldn't be without a Stampin' Blends Colour Lifter, it not only helps fix those little mistakes by pulling colour from images you coloured with Stampin' Blends markers, they can also be used to add highlights and dimension to your projects.



Talks soon

Sue x

Product List

 A few reminders:


For August, the Hostess Code is WPRKR3QB, please use this code if you place an order under $250.

Here's a sneak peak at this months Tutorial Bundle





This Tutorial Bundle has been put together by 12 demonstrators (including myself) from various parts of the world. It comes in PDF form and you can get yours free with any order of A$78 or a copy can be purchased by contacting me sueallensimplycraft@bigpond.com for A$20.


You can receive one free tutorial just for signing up for my Newsletter. Please let your friends know.




STAND ALONE DIES BLOG HOP SEPTEMBER, 2022

Welcome to my small part in the Stand Alone Dies Blog Hop, this was certainly a challenge most die sets I own have a matching stamp set. The...