Constantly Stamping

Lattice Die Shrink Plastic Embellishments Tutorial

Today I am sharing with you a video tutorial on how to make the shrink plastic embellishments that I featured on the Catty Cruise. If you plan on making the jewelry, you will need to watch this video because the first several steps are the same.

I know that one of the first questions you will ask is whether you can use a heat gun to shrink your plastic. The answer is "no, you can't use your heat gun". I tried both ways and the only way that gave me consistent results was the toaster oven method. I think it must have something to do with the intricate cuts and the larger size of the die. Apparently it needs to be a more even temperature. When I used my heat gun it almost always resulted in a distorted embellishment. I have had my toaster oven for well over 20 years, but if you don't have one stored away on a shelf in a closet, you might be able to purchase a used one at a garage sale or maybe at Goodwill.

Have fun making your embellishments and in a few days I will have a tutorial ready on making the bracelet and earrings.

Some quick advice about Lattice Shrink Plastic Embellishments

I received many wonderful comments about my  Catty Cruise projects and in particular about the shrink plastic embellishments and jewelry. I also know that some of you will run out over the next few days to purchase it. Here's some advice. I tested two different brands of shrink plastic and I received much better results with the Shrinky Dink brand. I also tested the New Colors Shrink Film by Graphix and for this particular project I could not get the desired results no matter what I tried...so if you are planning on making this project, I would stay away from that brand.

There are some other tips for doing this project, but I will share all of that in my video tutorial later in the week.

Napkin Ring Tutorial

I sure hope everyone enjoyed the Catty Cruise blog hop this weekend. I know I sure did. I am still amazed at the fantastic projects that our crew presented. I just want to tell you that I am so honored to be associated with such talented SU demonstrators. I had so much fun and can't wait to do it again...yes, be watching for the next blog hop from this talented group of demonstrators.

I promised you tutorials for my Catty Cruise projects...so today I am going to share with you how to make the elegant and easy napkin rings. You will be amazed at how easy they are. Be sure to check back later in the week to learn how to make the shrink plastic embellishments and jewelry.

Ahoy Maties! Welcome to the Catty Cruise 2009!

Our Cruise is a blast of creativity by some of the brightest stars of the Stampin’ Up! blogsphere. We are a diverse group of SU demonstrators who love to stamp & paper craft AND we love sharing our ideas with you. Our crew of crafters (Stewards) will give you a treasure map of the great bounty to be found in the new catalog. Our blogs (or ports of call) will feature cards, 3D items, scrapbook pages, etc., using products unveiled in the newest catalog. After you disembark onto one port of call, that blog will help you navigate to the next port of call where you can rejoin the cruise. If you lose your way, you can also visit our home port, Catty Cruise Line.

If you are in the right port of call, you should have just sailed here from the amazing blog by Brooke Stockman, Designs by Brooke. Isn't she amazing? I just love her fresh and up-to-date projects using the new stamp set, "Circle Circus".

Now it's my turn to share some really fun projects with you...so WELCOME ABOARD and when you are finished I will help you steer to the next port of call.

Treasure #1 -
Easy, Elegant & Inexpensive Napkin Rings

Have you ever wanted to add a special touch to your dinner table for some reason...you know...Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthday, or Anniversary? You get the idea. Well, here is a fantastic & easy project to help you do just that.

I made these gorgeous napkin rings in just a matter of a few minutes and you can too. For now, I am only going to share the basic materials you need, but if you check back later this week, I will be sharing a video tutorial on how to make these beauties. They are so simple that you won't believe it. I used my SU Lattice Die, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, & Gable Green CS, a few Sizzlets, half-back pearls, and some mini glue dots...that's all...really.

Treasure #2 - Elegant Package/
Card Embellishments
& the New SU Bitty Box Die

You won't believe how easy it is to make the perfect gift favor box until you have tried the new SU Bitty Box and Envelope Die. Oh my! "What's that on top?"  Well, it's the perfect embellishment for these adorable boxes. I used shrink plastic and the Lattice Die to make beautiful toppers. Don't worry, I will be doing a video tutorial on this project as well. Just check back here in a few days for a complete set of instructions. The boxes you create with this fantastic die are just the perfect size for a couple of those yummy Ghirardelli chocolates or maybe some hand-crafted jewelry...hmmmm...that gives me an idea.

Treasure #3 - Elegant Shrink Plastic Jewelry

You guessed it! I basically used the same technique to craft jewelry that you would be proud to give or wear. It is so light weight that you practically forget you have it on. All you need is your Big Shot Machine, Lattice Die, Shrink Plastic, some jump rings, and a few other tools and you can create fantastic gifts. What's that you say? Of course I will post a tutorial for this one too. Come on...don't you know me better than that!

I hope you have enjoyed you visit. Don't forget to check back this week for tutorials on all of these projects. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

Now it's time to move on to your next port of call. Head on over to Vicki Burdick's blog "It's a Stamp Thing", for some amazing ideas featuring the new two-step stamp set "Greenhouse Garden". Vicki is an "ink"credible stamper and I am sure she has something fabulous to share with all of us. Just click on the port hole below and it will take you to the next port.

Wings of Friendship Lattice Die Card

Have you been wondering what I have been up to? Well, I've been a busy little beaver working extra hard to give you some great ideas on ways to use the new SU Lattice Die. But I can't share anything with you yet. You will just have to wait like everyone else to see some of the really different (and I think incredible) things that you can do with it. Our Catty Cruise begins on Saturday, July 25th, and you will be amazed at all the wonderful projects that our crew have crafted just for you.

If you know anything about me at all, then you probably realize that I love creating things that are totally unexpected. (HINT: none of my projects for the Catty Cruise are cards...nope, not a single one.) Here's a look at one of the projects that didn't make the Catty Cruise cut.

I used my SU Lattice die to create a lovely backdrop for the sweet little birdie sitting on her perch. It reminds me a lattice screen on a beautiful spring day. (Thanks to my BFF, Nancy Brown, for inspiring me with her lattice idea.) I created a card base with Bashful Blue CS and layered on some Bashful Blue DSP. This particular DSP is retired, but you can purchase similar paper in the new catty. The stamped sentiment is from the level 2 hostess set Wings of Friendship.

A big thanks goes out to my cyber buddy, Cindy Major, for sharing her tip on layering the oval from SU Lots of Tags Sizzlets. Here's how...

1. Cut one each of the big fancy oval in Chocolate Chip and Whisper White.

 

2. Stamp greeting on the Whisper White oval and trim away the outer frame using the small cuts as a guideline.

3. Sand the edges of the Whisper White oval until smooth.

 

4. Use the Wide Oval to punch a piece of Bashful Blue CS and layer behind the smaller white oval.

5. Layer both pieces onto the Chocolate Chip frame and mount on card using dimensionals.

6. Use Birds & Blooms and the Little Leaves Sizzlets to embellish the card using So Saffron and Certainly Celery CS.

 

That's it for now...so mark your calandar 'cause you don't want to miss the Catty Cruise this Saturday, July 25th.

Preparing for the Catty Cruise

You probably won't be hearing from me much this week because I am busy getting ready for the Catty Cruise that sails this Saturday, July 25, 2009. So, what is a Catty Cruise you ask? Well, Catty is our affectionate name for the Stampin’ Up! Idea Book and Catalog. And our Cruise is a blast of creativity by some of the brightest stars of the Stampin’ Up! blogsphere.

Our crew of 12 crafters (Stewards) will give you a treasure map of the great bounty to be found in the new catalog. Our blogs (or ports of call) will feature cards, 3D items, scrapbook pages, etc., using products unveiled in the newest catalog. After you disembark onto one port of call, that blog will help you navigate to the next port of call where you can rejoin the cruise.

We’re anchored ashore for now, but bookmark or subscribe to this site to make sure you don’t miss the boat. You can also visit our home port, Catty Cruise Line to stay in touch with the latest cruise information and visit all of our Cruise Stewards and Boatswain (on-deck backup crew). Our ship will leave her port on July 25, 2009. Don’t be stuck in steerage – embark with us on July 25.

What is a Razzleberry?

I know that most of you probably don't care, but I just had to know if there is such a thing as a razzleberry...so I googled it and this is what I found:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Razzleberry is a pie made with raspberries and blackberries. It is very popular and is the most common (and sometimes the only) flavor of pie made without added sugar.^{[citation needed]}

Reference is made to razzleberry (dressing) in the 1962 Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol.

Funky Felt Build-a-Flower Die Cut Birthday Card

It drives me crazy to see some of the most incredibly fabulous products on the market but not be able to incorporate them into my Stampin' Up! business. Felt embellishments are hot, hot, hot right now and although we do carry the fabulous Felt Fusion kit, sometimes I just get an idea into my head and I need to find a way to express myself and still remain true to my Stampin' Up product line. That is exactly what happened with this project.

In the past I have tried to use my Big Shot to cut felt flowers, but I just couldn't find a felt that was stiff enough to hold up to what I wanted to do. So this morning I was kicking the idea around again and I wondered what would happen if I were to use my Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive to glue a piece of black felt to a sheet of Basic Black CS. I allowed the glue to dry for about 30 minutes and then I pulled out my Build-a-Flower die and started cutting. OMG...I could feel my heart just about pop out of my chest with excitement...it worked!

Adhering the cut flowers to the card stock was easy. I used my Dotto adhesive and starting arranging the flowers to a piece of pre-cut Whisper White CS. By using repositionable adhesive, I was able to work with my design until I found just the right look. When I was finished, I just used my scissors to trim away the excess. I wanted just a little more bling, so I added some self-adhesive gems by Darice to give the card even more pop! By adding some Melon Mombo Dotted Ribbon and mounting everything on some Melon Mombo CS I was able to achieve the exact look that I was going for. The card needed just a little finishing touch, so I added some white rub-ons from the Chit Chat rub-on collection in the lower left corner to balance everything out.

I don't know if you can tell from the pictures, but this card is just loaded with texture and dimension. You just can't help want to touch the felt flowers. Sure do hope you like this one 'cause I sure do!

Have a great day!