Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - Halloween Houses on a Hill


Not sure if someone has done this before with Stampin' Up!'s Ornament punch, but when I was cutting pieces for a Christmas Card Camp, I looked at the piece I had left over and thought this looks like funky houses on a hill.  So I decided to make a Halloween card with a Basic Black strip.  I love the way it turned out.  It was mailed to my NC Demo Monday Mailer.  Hope she likes it.  I really don't do Halloween, but just loved the look of this!  Used my brayer also!  Fun card to make!  I have pdf instructions to make the card and punched shapes on Scribd here.  http://www.scribd.com/doc/38404863

Supplies used:


 Teeny Tiny Wishes – Item# 118732 (wm $36.95)

 1 3/8” Circle punch - Item# 119860 - $15.95

 Heart to Heart punch - Item# 119881 - $16.95

 Word Window Punch – Item# 119857 - $15.95

 Ornament punch – Item# 119847 - $16.95

 More Mustard, Basic Black, and Glossy Card stock

 Basic Black, Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue Classic Inks and Basic Black      Craft Ink.

 Black embossing powder


Have a wonderful day,
Tammy aka Tarheel Stamper

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - Tuesday Tips

Here is a unique way to use Stampin' Up!'s Heart to Heart punch.  I slid Basic Black into the punch at the smallest heart.  Punch and then move the punch up a teeny tiny bit and punch again.  You get a bird shape.  I used them on this card.  I will have more directions on this card tomorrow! 

Have a great day,
Tammy aka Tarheel Stamper


Monday, September 27, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - Another Pheasant Autumn Days Card

When I made the card for this post, I messed up the cardstock pulling the mask off.  so I stamped the wheat stalks and cut them out and bundled them together to cover the mistakes.  The knot is tied with a strip of Soft Suede.  I stamped the wheat stalks with Soft Suede and More Mustard and cut them out.  I did not stamp off for this wheat bundle. I curled the stalks with my bone folder and used a piece of dimensional to pop them up. 



Supplies used:

Cardstock - Very Vanilla 5 1/4" x 4"
                    Soft Suede - 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"
                    More Mustard - 4 1/4" x 11" (scored at 5 1/2")
Ink - More Mustard and Soft Suede Classic Ink Pads
Stamp set - Autumn Days

Have a warm autumn day!

Tammy aka Tarheel Stamper

To order supplies for this project or others shop now at
http://www.tammyhowell.stampinup.net/

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - Elegant Soiree Birthday Cards

I had a very good friend and my mother-in-law's birthday this week so I made two similar cards using Techno Stamper's sketch challenge here
Both are made with the Elegant Bouquet and Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper.  Next I want to buy the Elegant Lines Textured Impression Folder.  Well off to enjoy some time with my family. 

Have a wonderful weekend,
Tammy aka Tarheel Stamper





Thursday, September 23, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - Autumn Days

Update - I added another version of this card on a post here!

Quick post for today. I used a technique from an older Technique Junkies Newsletter called Masked Frames.  I like how it turned out.  This is for a one on one swap on TJ's yahoo group.  Great ideas in the newsletters!

I used Autumn Days and Teeny Tiny Wishes on this one. Colors are More Mustard, Soft Suede, and Very Vanilla.  I used a sponge around the masked area with Soft Suede.  I stamped off with the Soft Suede with the wheat stamp.  Used Linen thread knotted on the corners and taped the ends to the back.

Have a wonderful Fall day!
Tammy aka Tarheel Stamper


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Tarheel Stamper Tuesday Tips - Clear Block Storage Caddy

Clear Block Storage Caddy Item# 120279



Price: $16.95


This compact storage caddy holds one of each size of our clear-mount blocks. The foam insert securely holds the blocks in place; an additional foam insert sits between the blocks to protect them when the caddy is closed.
■ Opens flat for easy access


■ Locks shut


■ Built-in handle makes it easy to carry


■ 8-1/16" x 10-5/8" x 1-13/16"


The Clear Block Storage Caddy is a nice place to hold and protect all my clear blocks.  I decorated the outside with some old Decor Elements.  It reminded me of winter so I used a snowflake set.  I love birds also so the Decor Elements I had already worked perfectly. 

The caddy makes it easy to find my blocks, protects from scratching, and is a nice and sturdy case. It can be hard for people with arthritis or weak hands to get the blocks out of the compartments.  As I use them it seems to get a little easier. I have arthritis in my thumbs and a few other fingers, but don't have a huge problem getting them out. I would still recommend buying it as it is a great value and a wonderful way to quickly find and protect your clear blocks. Before I had mine in a basket and they rubbed against each other and were scratched a little. I did leave my caddy opened overnight as the foam had a smell to it.  It quickly dissipated and I no longer smell it.  Not sure what to do with the foam inserts that were in the caddy's hole spaces.  If you don't have all the blocks I would recommend keeping those foam pieces in the empty spots. 




Filled with blocks. Notice the foam insert to protect the two sides from rubbing.
Snowflakes and bird to decorate outside.

Please don't notice my messy desk, lol.  You can see the foam inserts above the case.
The above photo was before I put any blocks in it.  After I loaded my blocks, I open with the large background block on the bottom. 

Have a wonderful day!
Tammy aka Tarheel Stamper

Friday, September 17, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - Sock Monkey Pumpkins Scrapbook Page

Here is what I did with the other pumpkins from yesterday's post.  I made a 12 x 12 scrapbook page with the rest.  Colors used: Cajun Craze, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, More Mustard, Soft Suede.  I used the Swirly Sizzlits Decorative Strip die in Old Olive.  The photo mats will fit 4 x 6 inch photos.  The 2nd page uses Tasteful Trim and Square Lattice Embossing folder.  The pumpkins are popped up on dimensionals. I have included two versions.  Which do you like better...The one with more "white space" or the one with journaling and decorative boxes?




Have a great day!
Tammy Q Howell aka Tarheel Stamper

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - Sock Monkey Halloween


This card is for my NC Demo Monday Mailer partner. I don't use Sock Monkey or Sock Monkey Accessories much, but I should.  It is such a versatile set.  I watercolored this on SU watercolor paper.  I use reinker drops on a plastic lid and pick up the "paint" with a brush or aqua painter.  I made lots of the pumpkins and will share a scrapbook page tomorrow!  Colors are Cajun Craze, Tangerine Tango,  Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Soft Suede, Old Olive and a Whisper White watercolor crayon.  I also used a little Uniball White Signo pen to put a little highlight on the pumpkins.  I used the watercolor brush to soften it a little. The Old Olive Swirls are made with the Swirly Sizzlits Decorative Strip die.  I need to practice watercoloring.  I love to do it just not well. Other talented stampers say to practice practice practice.  So I need to do more of that.  It is so fast just to pick up a stamp set and stamp, but watercoloring is so much fun. Try it sometime.  One tip I have is to dampen the watercolor paper first and then paint.  The ink spreads nicely after that.  You don't want the paper to be too wet, but it does blend well like that.  Just experiment and get a feel for it.

Close up of one of the pumpkins.


Decorated the inside with swirls and pumpkins.




Have a great day!
Tammy Q Howell aka Tarheel Stamper

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - Happy Birthday Son

Today my share is a card for our oldest son.  We love him so much and are so thankful he lives nearby so we can see him when we are in town.  Wish I could hug his neck today and say Happy Birthday in person.  He was such a sweet baby, so happy and so well behaved.  He is so funny.  We love his sense of humor and his impressions!  He loves our dogs and misses them.  He doesn't own one now. 

Supplies:

Stamps - D is for Dog
Card stock - Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
Ink - Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede
Accessories - Word Window, Texture plates Kit#4

Happy Birthday!

 


This card has stitches drawn in with a black marker. Below is a photo without stitches.  I just wanted to
show you how much a little detail adds. 



Have a wonderful day!
Tammy Q Howell aka Tarheel Stamper


Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Tarheel Stamper Tuesday Tips - Organization

Quick tip on labeling Big Shot Dies.  Getting older means my eyes don't work as well, but also my dies are stored in a dark cabinet.  With low light the labels on the ends of the dies were hard to read.  So I used a label maker and a larger font to label the other end.  Also I keep the cardboard piece included with the packaging and layer those in between my dies.  I figure that might help them not get scratched on top of the die or the metal edges which cut from getting nicked.  I have my Bigz Dies stacked with similar dies, such as nature.  My senior moment struck when I didn't put he Maple leaf die with the other Nature themed ones.  LOL

Here are a few photos of how I store them.  Now I need to work on my sizzlits and find a way to store them.  I guess I should break down and buy a storage unit. 





Have a great day and if you have some tips on die storage please leave me a comment. I am always looking for neat ways to store and dreaming for the day I will have my own room for stampin'!

Have a wonderful day,
Tammy Q. Howell aka Tarheel Stamper

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - Simple Wedding Card


A friend of my husband's at work is getting married tonight.  We are going to the wedding.  I wanted a fast pretty card to make for them and think this is it.  The invitation we received was black and white so I used those colors.  The embossing folder is Manhattan Flower.  I used Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set to decorate the inside.  Also I used our clear envelopes to give it to the bride and groom.  I thought it would be neat for others to see the card.  The inside is punched with the Pinking Hearts border punch.  It adds a nice touch I think.  The "congratulations" stamp is from the Perfect Punches set and is heat embossed with Detail White powder and Basic Black.  The ribbon is white Organza.  I love the elegant look of this ribbon.  Pefect for wedding cards I think!  I had written inside the card before I took the photo so I tried to clean up my writing so the inside looks a little funny, but I wanted you to see the stamping and border. 

Have a wonderful weekend,
Tammy Q Howell aka Tarheel Stamper

PS.  Back from the wedding.  It was so sweet and touching.  This is a 2nd marriage for them and they were high school sweethearts.  The bride's son walked her down the aisle and sang to her.  It was held with a lake in the background and a beautiful cabin backdrop.


Thursday, September 09, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - Christmas Red Bird Card


Christmas is my favorite holiday season!  I am starting early working on my cards.  I might use this one for a class next month.  If you don't add the six Old Olive dots it will come together faster. I make many different cards and then pick one I like the best to make a lot of for my own mailing lists.  Sometimes it is a variation of one I make for a class. I also send family the individual ones I make for classes so they all get something different. 


 
This is for the Techno Stamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge # 138.  Here is the sketch!


I used the sketch turned clockwise 90 degrees.  Sketches are such great jumping off points to create! 

Supplies used:


 Heard from the Heart Stamp Set – CM Item# 120006 - $16.95, WM Item# 111644 - $ 22.95

 1 3/4” Circle punch - Item# 119850 - $16.95

 1 3/8” Circle punch - Item# 119860 - $15.95

 2 Step XL Bird Punch – Item# 117191 - $16.95

 1/8” handheld circle punch

 Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper – Item# 117159 - $9.95

 Very Vanilla card stock – Item# 101650 - $8.50 –5 1/2”x 11” scored at 4 1/4”; Old Olive card stock – Item# 100702 - $6.95; Certainly Celery card stock – Item# 105125 - $6.95; Cherry Cobbler card stock – Item# 119685 - $6.95; White Card Stock Vellum – Item# 101856 - $6.50; So Saffron card stock – Item# 105118 $6.95

 Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink – Item# 119669 - $5.95; Certainly Celery Classic Ink – Item# 105217 - $5.95; Old Olive Classic Ink – Item# 102277 - $5.95

 Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder – Item# 120175 - $7.95

 Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker – Item# 100071 - $3.95

Have a wonderful day,
Tammy Q Howell aka Tarheel Stamper

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - Scallop Oval Christmas Tree Card

Here is another card we will be making at my Christmas Card Camp on September 25, 2010 from 1 to 4 pm.  Email me for details if you will be in the Kings Mountain NC area on that date. 
I will provide a link to a pdf after the class.

Love the Holly Jolly Paper!  I found the layout for this card in last year's catalog.  Look through those old catties and you can get some terrific ideas for projects, cards, and scrapbook pages. I used a tiny Pearl in place of the "i" in the word Christmas.  Just love those rhinestones and pearls we have in the catalog this year!


Have a wonderful day of stampin',
Tammy Q. Howell aka Tarheel Stamper

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Tarheel Stamper Tuesday Tips



Clear Mount Stamp Tips

I love my Clear Mount Stamps.  I also love the wood mount stamp sets Stampin' Up! sells.  Try them both and see the advantages of both of them. 

The following tips are from Stampin' Up!


Q: How do I clean clear-mount rubber stamps?


A: You simply use your Stampin' Scrub and a few sprays of Stampin' Mist. Take caution to use a small amount of Stampin' Mist (one or two sprays) as an excess of liquid could make the stamp come off the block and could cause cosmetic damage. The physical motions to clean your clear-mount stamps are slightly different than cleaning wood-mount stamps. After you spray Stampin' Mist on the wet side of your Stampin' Scrub, gently twist your stamp a few times to remove the ink. Next, gently twist your stamp on the dry side of your Scrub. If you attempt to clean your stamps with the same rough side-to-side/up-down movements that you may use with your wood-mount stamps, the cling of the stamp may detach from the clear block.

Q: How do I clean the acrylic blocks?


A: Acrylic blocks need to stay clean in order to work well. Stampin' Mist and Stampin' Scrub will clean StazOn, Classic Ink, Craft Ink, VersaMark, and metallic ink stains from your blocks. Avoid using StazOn cleaner, as it leaves a slightly oily residue that inhibits the functionality of the cling.


Q: Why isn't my clear-mount rubber stamp sticking to the acrylic block?


A: Our clear-mount stamps are designed to cling to our clear blocks but not so firmly that it would be difficult to remove them from the clear blocks. These stamps are repositionable, so they need to be able to be removed easily. However, your stamp should cling strongly enough to the acrylic block to allow you to stamp properly.

If you are experiencing difficulty with the cling properties of your clear-mount stamp, try these solutions.

1.Check to make sure you mounted your clear-mount stamps as the directions instructed. If your stamps are mounted incorrectly then it could decrease the performance of the cling material.

2.Make sure that both the clear block and the cling surface of the clear-mount stamp are clean and free from dirt, ink, liquid, oil, or other residue. The cling properties of these stamps require clean surface area for the cling label to grip the clear block. We suggest that your hands also be clean when using clear-mount stamps and it is best to avoid using lotions or any other oily substance on your hands prior to using clear-mount stamps.

3.Press the clear-mount stamp firmly onto the clear block, applying even pressure to the entire surface of the stamp. After you adhere the stamp to the block, turn your block over (rubber side down) and press down firmly to ensure the cling hold to the entire stamp. You will be able to see if the stamp is sufficiently adhered to the block if you see flat air bubbles.

4.Keep your clear-mount stamps and clear blocks at room temperature prior to use. Extreme temperatures (hot or cold) may affect the cling properties in this product. Condensation caused by extreme temperatures may also affect cling properties of the stamps.

Q: Will I still need to use my Stamp-a-ma-jig?



A: While the labels on the clear-mount stamps are closely aligned with the rubber, it is not exact. We recommend using the Stamp-a-ma-jig if your project requires exact alignment.

I love both kinds and will continue buying them in both styles.  Right now I am purchasing more clear mount sets to save on storage space.  I have limited storage and this way I can have more stamp sets to choose from.  Stampin' Up! doesn't recommend converting their wood mounting sets as the rubber may be damaged.  You can decide for yourself on that one. 
Next Tuesday Tips will about that Acrylic block storage container.  I bought one to store my blocks in and have decorated the outside!

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - Christmas Critters


The Holiday Mini Catalog has such great stamp sets and products!  I love everything about it.  Can you believe that Stampin' Up! has Designer Fabric for sale in this mini? 

On to the card share for the day.  I based the layout on Techno Stampers Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 137.

I used a new stamp set from the Holiday Mini called Merry Crittermas.  Isn't that the cutest bunny?  I normally don't purchase this style of stamps, but need to step out of my comfort zone!  I used Holly Jolly Designer Series Paper, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla card stock, Jet Black Stazon, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, and Pink Pirouette markers.  The DSP was cut using a new Sizzix XL Big Shot die Tasteful Trim.



Have a great stampin' day!
Tammy aka Tarheel Stamper

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Tarheel Stamper - IT'S HERE HOLIDAY MINI CATALOG

IT'S HERE!



Wow I can't believe it is already September!  Summer is almost over so we say good bye to the Summer Mini and hello to the Holiday Mini Catalog! It is packed with great stamp sets and new products.  I have an upcoming CCC (Christmas Card Camp) in September using some of these products and sets.




To view the supplies used in the projects in the Mini Catalog click on the following link.



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NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO JOIN STAMPIN' UP!


Dates: September 1-October 18, 2010, or while supplies last




Details

New recruits who join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator during the promotion period will receive a FREE craft tote (valued at $39.95) with the purchase of their Starter Kit.



Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote Description



•100% twill nylon exterior; 100% nylon interior

•Dimensions: 15-3/4" x 7-5/8" x 8-7/8"

•Includes attachable shoulder strap for easy transport

•Center section fits 12" x 12" card stock, Craft Keepers, and Paper Cutter

•Outside pockets fit extra-large punches perfectly

•Outside flap pockets offer secure spot for accessories

•Back zipper pocket holds up to seven Stampin' Pads



CLICK HERE TO VIEW A FLYER!