Category: Tips and Tricks

Shimmer Mist

Storage, Techniques, Tips and Tricks, Tutorials
5 Comments

How do you store your Shimmer Mist and Smooch Spritz?  I keep mine in a Bell Jar without the lid insert – with a pretty ribbon tied around it   These are the mists that I make by filling a spritzer bottle about 3/4 of the way with 70% alcohol, about a 1/4 teaspoon of Shimmer Paint and reinker (if needed)  

For the Spritzer bottles, I punch a 1/2″ circle of whatever color reinker I’ve added and adhere to the lid of the bottle.  You can rinse these bottles out and use them for other colors if you want – but they are only $2.95 for 2 bottles (126185) so I just designate a bottler for a color. 

And here’s a fun idea!  The Shimmer Paints have a little ball inside the jar to help you stir them up.  When I’ve gone through the bottle of paint, I drop the ball into a Spritzer bottle and it helps stir my Shimmer Mist! 

Can you see it in there?  It works!  Once you start spritzing things – it’s hard to stop!  Hugs, Fran

Looking Spec-tacular

My Digital Studio, Punch, Spec tacular, Special Projects, Stamp Sets, Tips and Tricks, Tutorials
4 Comments

I love this single stamp – Spec-tacular (
132673 ) and had fun making this gift bag.  First I removed the handles from the bag with a hobby blade and then stamped the image all over the front.  I did use a Stamp a Ma Jig even though it’s a clear mount stamp – I’m just type A that way!  For the glasses, I drew them on Basic Black card stock and then spritz the daylights out of them using a mixture of shimmer paint and 70% rubbing alcohol.  I did put acetate in the lens – and, of course, rhinestones!

To make the tag, I printed out the sentiment (!) in My Digital Studio on Crumb Cake card stock and then made a tag shape and spritzed it with the spritzer tool and an Early Espresso Stampin Write Marker.  To keep the tag in place (so it doesn’t cover up my glasses) I added a jewelry tag punch to the back.  Let me show you –

Now the little tag holds the big tag in place!  I used a glue gun and a strip of Crumb Cake to add the handle back onto the bag. 

Supplies
Stamp Set – Spec-tacular (Single)
card stock – Crumb Cake, Basic Black, acetate
Ink – Jet Black Stazon
Stampin Write Marker – Early Espresso
Etc -shimmer spray, MDS2, rhinestones, jewelry tag punch, spritzer tool and spritzer bottle

It would be cute with the glasses on the tag instead of the bag too.  Hhhhhmmm….might have to try that!  Hugs, Fran

Bird House Roofs

Big Shot, Big Shot Milk Carton Die, Punch, Special Projects, Tips and Tricks, Tutorials
6 Comments

I’ve had several comments and emails wanting the directions for the roof on the Bird Houses from yesterday.  Here’s how I made it –



Scallop the 11″ side of a piece of Riding Hood Red using the Scallop Edge punch.  Cut the scallops off so it measures 3/8.” 



Cut a piece of Riding Hood Red 1 3/4 x 3 1/2.  Score at 1 3/8, 1 3/4 and 2 1/8.  (This is the base of the roof.)



Sponge the scalloped edge and the score lines on the roof base. Apply snail all the way down the back of the scalloped strip.



Adhere the scalloped edge to thebottom of the roof base and cut off the remaining. 



Keep going – all the way up to the first score line.  Now repeat the process on the other side of the roof (you’ll need to make another scalloped edge strip.)  Leave the scored area “unscalloped!” 

Attach one side of the roof to the milk carton – leave one side unglued so it will open.  The mini clothespin will keep it shut.



Hope this helps.  If you need more info let me know.  Hugs, Fran

Sneak Peek – Holiday Stocking die

Big Shot, Big Shot Holiday Stocking, Christmas, Halloween, Holiday Mini, Sneak Peek, Special Projects, Tips and Tricks, Tutorials
10 Comments

It’s just around the corner – the Holiday mini! At the moment, my favorite tool in the mini is the Holiday Stocking die.  One of the projects shown at convention looked something like this –


This is two stockings with a Big Shot box #2 (closed with on side cut off) in the middle.  It will hold treats or a small gift!



Supplies
Stamp Set – Tiny Tags
Ink – Basic Black
Big Shot – Holiday Stocking, Box #2
card stock – Real Red, Very Vanilla, retired DSP
Etc – 5 Petal Flower punch, jingle bells (Holiday Mini!), Square Lattice embossing folder, Tiny Tag punch, floss

Love it – but I want to use the die for more than Christmas!  So I turned it into a witch’s shoe –





This was done the same way – two stockings and a box #2 in the middle – with a Big Shot 3 1/2 circle used to make the toe of her boot.  Die cut the circle and take a “bite” out of it with the 1 3/4 circle punch.



Then attach it to the front of the boot –



I free hand cut the heel so it looks like a shoe and added Word Window punched pieces to the front for laces or straps.  Then I added lots of bling – because this is a stylish witch!



The Box #2 is angled inside for treats!



Supplies
Big Shot – Holiday Stocking, 3 1/2 circle, Box #2
card stock – Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
Etc – Word Window punch, 1 3/4 circle punch, Black satin ribbon, jewels, 1/2 circle punch

I hope you enjoy this sneak peek!  Hugs, Fran

Pretty Card Box

Big Shot, Special Projects, Summer Mini, Tips and Tricks
2 Comments

I needed a box for some cards so I used the Strength & Hope sample in the Summer Mini for inspiration.  The box itself is fairly basic but I did something different on the band to hold it shut – that’s what I want to show you today! 


The Cherry Cobbler piece on the top of the box is adhered straight to the box.  The band in the ribbon and the Top Note die. Because I used Hodgepodge Hardware and an antique brad, I wanted the back to be covered.  Here’s what I did – 



Then I used Tombow Multipurpose glue to put the stamped Top Note over the ribbon/Top Note band.  Now it just slides off and is still pretty on the back – and doesn’t tear up the box either.  


 
Just an idea for you to try!  Enjoy – Hugs, Fran

Circle Cutter Tip

Tips and Tricks
11 Comments

I love the new Circle Cutter in the Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog.  The size options make it perfect for all types of projects.  But I was having a very hard time seeing the measurement in inches.  (I could read the centimeters – but that just doesn’t translate for me!)  So here’s my solution –



I cut a piece of Whisper White card stock 1/2″ x 3 1/4″ and adhered it with Snail to the underside of the measurements.



This doesn’t obstruct the view of the paper and I can now cut in inches instead of having to call one of my sweet Canadian friends to translate the measurements!  (I also do the same thing with the labels on my stamp boxes – cut 7/8″ x the width of the box!)  Hope this helps someone out there!  Enjoy!  Hugs, Fran