Tip of the Week

Tip for week of October 17, 2005

I have been experimenting with different metals in my studio. I have been using the StazOn ink pads for my colorant. All of the metals take on a little different coloring but one of my favorites are aluminum soda or beer cans. With a pair of tin snips cut the top off, then cut the can down one side (you might want to wear gloves, those edges are sharp). Flatten the piece out and then start applying color. Let it dry for at least 3hrs. Then cut into desired shapes, leaves are great to start with, then just sand the edges a little to get rid of the sharpness. You now have a great embellishment to use on cards, journals or pages

Tip for the week of October 10, 2005

Working with foam alpha stamps is fun and can create some wonderful looks. Next time you are playing with them, instead of stamping each letter to your page, take the stamps and arrange them side by side. Then on the back side, take two strips of masking tape and secure them together. This way you can stamp the whole word at one time. It will give you a more unified look and you can get some wonder color plays with it also. Experiment.

Tip for the week of October 3, 2005

Staz-on has released its Opaque white ink pad. It works and just in time for those Christmas projects. It is a little pricy but you get the reinker bottle with it, enough for 3,000 stamped images. Got for it, you deserve it.

Tip for week of September 26, 2005

Printing onto a small piece of paper or cardstock is a breeze if you will use "Dry Bond". Print the word or letters out first on copy paper, then set the small piece of paper on the Dry Bond and lift, it is then easy to position it over the printed area on the copy paper, run it through your printer again and you are set to go.

Tip for the week of September 19, 2005

Next time you go to Baskin Robbins be sure to pick up a couple extra sampling spoons, they are great for measuring out beads, embossing powder, glitter or any other tiny things.

Tip for week of September 12, 2005

As colder and rainy days approach one of my favorite tips comes to mind. I use a paper box, one that holds copy paper box any size will do. Cut the sides with a kraft knife on an angle from the top to bottom, it makes a great spray box when spraying adhesive or paint.

Tip for the week of August 21, 2005

So that Brush Pen is dry as a bone? Don't throw it away -- they make wonderful adhesive applicators.

Tip for the week of August 15, 2005

When tearing mulberry paper for a project, remember to keep a small misting bottle close at hand, very lightly mist the area you are going to tear and quick as a whistle it is done.

Tip for the week of August 8, 2005

I found an old spool of fishing line while cleaning the garage. I put it on my studio table knowing that I would find some use for it. One of the first things that became apparent is that a 4" length is perfect for threading those fibers through my eyelets but it is also great for beading on your pages.

Tip for week of August 1, 2005

Okay, so you had a wonderful time with your stamps, except they are still there on your table and they are dirty, you have tried to get that permanent ink off but the black rubber sits there stubbornly telling your secret. It will come off and that stamp will look like new. The secret, Greased Lightning, spray it directly to the stamp, use the rough side of a sponge to rub it off, re-do if necessary and then rinse well with cold water. I don't recommend the Greased Lightning as an every day cleaner, at some point it will corrode your rubber, but every now and then it is a life saver. Keep those Stamps clean.

Tip for week of July 25, 2005

Here is one I found this weekend and it is great for those of you who use the Trio adhesive system by JudiKins, I love the adhesive but found that it globbed in the system. This weekend while attending a stamp convention, I spoke to one of the owners, if you will lay the strip down, do not cut it, but, then peel back the strip which will lay the adhesive onto your project, then cut the backing leaving about 1 to 1 1/2" of no sticky backing. I tried it and it works like a charm. I have to get over this adhesive addiction.

Tip for week of July 18, 2005

Okay, it's summer, hot and I am stretched every way but loose. Go to Starbucks and get a Vente Latte over Ice. Sit down, and look through old magizines for inspiration, color and just pure contentment. Hugs.

Tip for Week of July 11, 2005

Want a watercolor look but don't have time or the skills to play with it. Get a set of watercolor pencils and one of the water well pens. Play first with a sheet of paper, color in a spot and then go over it with the water pen. Wonderful effects with half the time. Happy Coloring.

Tip for the week of July 4, 2005

I use my Xyron many times a day and occasionaly get little stickies on my page. Here is a remedy, first rub any noticeable glue globs with a white eraser, then dust your page with baby powder, shake it off into the garbage can and then rub the page with a magic eraser, you should be almost totally sticky free.

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