Bear with me for another day or two and then my website should be done with it's hosting transition and ready to update. I feel awful I haven't been able to post on in in the last 2-3 weeks. I have been posting regularly on Facebook and have even posted a few pictures on Instagram, so be sure to
visit those pages for current updates. Links at the end.
What Every Stamper Should Have (my opinion)
I often get asked by beginner stampers what they need to start making their own cards. Stamp sets and color recommendations can vary depending on your personality, but there are some items that are necessary for everyone. Below are my 10 things I think every stamper needs to
have to create cards (not including stamp sets, ink and paper):
1. Clear Blocks or Stamparatus. Stamps will not work without a "handle". The most common sized blocks I use are D, C & H. Most stamps will fit onto these
sizes. I really like the grip of the Stampin' Up! blocks because they are nice & thick and easy to hold. Or, you could use a Stamparatus in lieu of any blocks (and there are many more benefits for using a Stamparatus too).
2. Package of Notecards & Envelopes. This set contains 20 scored notecards & envelopes that do not need any cutting for a very little price. Comes in Whisper White or Vanilla. I recommend White for
beginners.
3. Paper Trimmer. You will need to cut paper to make cards/projects and this trimmer works great and can score card stock too.
4. Stampin' Pierce Mat. I think they need to change the name of this mat because it is mostly used as a stamping surface instead of absorbing the marks of a Paper Piercer. This is a must have when using Photopolymer stamps because it helps with even stamping and
gives a little cushion for these thin photopolymer stamps.
5. Adhesive. I use Snail Adhesive the most, but I think you really should have an assortment: Snail (plus refills), Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals and Multipurpose Glue. After you have a few projects under your belt, I would also recommend getting the Tear & Tape
Adhesive too for your 3D projects. For those who attend my local classes, I have a boxed adhesive kit I put together for $25 as well as individual adhesives for sale if you ever are in need.
6. Watercolor Pencils. They are sold in two color assortments and give you many color choices for little cost. This will help when you don't have too many inks to work with. You can use them as regular colored pencils, or use them with a Blender Pen or Aqua Painter to get more of a watercolor look. If I had to choose, I would pick the Aqua Painter over the Blender Pen because you can also use it to create a background color wash. The pencils and Aqua painters works best with Shimmery White card stock and StazOn Black Ink (if you use the Classic water-based ink, your outline stamped image will run).
7. White Baker's Twine. You can use this embellishment on almost any project. Color the twine to match your card with a marker, ink pad, sponge, re-inker. Although, I tend to leave the twine white.
8. Cleaning method. See below the several ways to clean your stamps.
9. All-inclusive Card Kit. Kits include everything you need which is great while you are just starting out. And, you can reuse the stamps and inks that are included in all future projects. Or, if you need a quick card, you can put one together from the kit
without having to think up your own design. Stampin' Up! sells all-inclusive card kits in the catalog as well as monthly delivered kits called Paper Pumpkin (more on Paper Pumpkin towards the end of this email).
10. Designated space to craft & a storage system. This could be a dining room table, portable card table, desk, section of the kitchen table, etc. The key is to have a flat surface where you can spread out a bit. You will also want to have a storage system where you know where everything is. Who wants to craft when it takes 30 minutes to find what you need?
Plastic totes, designated drawers, shelves, ziplock bags, pencil cases, magazine holders, labeled shoe boxes, you get the idea. Save your Paper Pumpkin boxes and label what's inside (inks, adhesive, envelopes, etc). They stack really nicely. Figure out a system that works for you and keep it organized. You don't have to spend a lot of money on the pretty organizers. What matters is what you create with your stuff and that you are having fun, not how it is
stored.
Q - How Can I Clean My Stamps?
A - There are several ways to clean your stamps. All of the Classic Stampin' Up! ink pads (all of the colors & black Memento ink) are water-based which gives you a few options.
With all of the below options, you can stamp on scrap paper a few times to reduce the amount of ink you are washing off.
1. Simple Shammy. This reusable mat makes stamp cleaning so easy. The purple shammy is durable, thick, chemical and lint free. It fits perfectly into a standard stamp case too. You can use an old case or purchase a new set of 4
(there are lots of things you can store in these cases). All you need to do is stamp and/or rub your stamp onto the shammy. The ink will come off your stamp and onto the shammy, even in-between the little groves. It works great when using the Stamparatus too. Pick your shammy up and rub the stamp while still attached to the plate (you can clean your plates with it too). The shammy will get inked and stained, but don't worry about that. To clean the
shammy, run it under water and squeeze until the ink runs clear. Optional to use dish soap. Some people even pop theres into the washing machine, just don't use any softener. If it dries, all you need to do is rewet it.
2. Stampin' Scrub & Stampin' Mist Cleaner. You need to use these two together. Spray one side of the Scrub with the Mist Cleaner and rub your inked stamp onto it. Then rub that same stamp onto the dry side. Presto, all clean. This
method also conditions your stamps to help with their longevity. To clean my Scrub, I run it under hot water until all the draining water runs clear. Some stampers put their Scrubs in the dishwasher.
3. StazOn Cleaner. This rub on cleaner cleans and conditions stamps as well as minimizes staining from the permanent StazOn ink. After I rub this on my stamps (sometimes let it set for a few minutes) I then run the stamp under water. This
cleaner is good for stained blocks, stained Stamparatus plates as well as ink stains on your table. It's something I have in my craft room at all times because I am a messy stamper.
4. Stamp Cleaning Pad. I have not used this cleaning pad, but have heard good things. The product description says that it removes classic & craft ink. There is a disclaimer to rinse the Cling Stamps with water immediately after using the
pad to protect the Cling label.
5. Many times I bring a whole selection of inked stamps to my kitchen sink and run them under water and let them sit in the drainer to dry. This works especially well for the large background stamps.
6. Baby wipes or damp paper towel. Since the inks are water-based (all except the StazOn or Craft inks), you can blot or rub the ink off with baby wipes or a damp paper towel. I don't use this option too often because it creates waste, but sometimes it becomes necessary if you are stamping while traveling and you forget your Shammy or Scrub.
More Options for FREE Sale-a-Bration Products
Beginning today, there are 5 new Sale-a-Bration products to choose from. You are going to love the additional choices! I have flyers for anyone who is local. Swing by my house and pick one up anytime. They are in the black box on my front porch.
You can view the flyer online HERE.
Here is a listing of the new choices:
~ Flowering Foils Specialty Designer Series Paper. Beautiful as is, with Rose Gold & Silver foiling, or color the paper with your ink & sponges and Blends Markers.
~ Rise & Shine coffee & tea stamp set (coordinate with the Cup of Cheer dies)
~ Well Dressed masculine stamp set
~ So Very Vellum Specialty Designer Series Paper. Textured & colored vellum paper!
~ Tags in Bloom stamp set (coordinates with the Label Me Fancy and Label Me Lovely punches)
Sold Out Sale-a-Bration Choices:
~Metallic Baker's Twine & Sequins Combo Pack
~Kerchief Card Kit
** Remember, with every $50 in products ordered, you receive a free Sale-a-Bration product until March 31.
Happy 7th Birthday Paper Pumpkin!!!
I remember when Paper Pumpkin was announced. I was at a Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference in Orlando FL, my first big Stampin' Up! event. It was so exciting and the announcement of this relatively new concept, monthly crafting kits, was enthusiastically cheered on. I can tell you
that Paper Pumpkin has made improvements by leaps & bounds since that first year. The kits from 7 years ago and now are almost incomparable. They're AWESOME.
To celebrate their 7th birthday, Paper Pumpkin is including an additional FREE stamp set in every March kit!!! If you are not a subscriber or decided to take a break for a bit, I encourage you to sign or re-sign up for this month so you can get the extra stamp set. Each new subscriber also receives a free Paper Pumpkin clear blog to use on all of the stamps.
You need to sign up by March 10 to receive March's kit.
You can sign up and pay monthly by clicking this link. $22/month includes shipping and each kit contains a stamp set, ink and all materials and adhesives to complete the project/s. There is no time contract, so give it a try and see what you think. Monthly Paper Pumpkin kits
Or, you can pre-purchase a 3, 6 or 12 month pre-paid subscription by clicking this link. (You will earn free Sale-a-Bration products with these options too). Paper Pumpkin Pre-Paid
Subscriptions
If you have ANY questions about Paper Pumpkin, please reply to this email and I will answer them for you.
Getting Ready to Say Goodbye to 5 Colors
I am a bit sad writing this to you because I really love these colors that will be saying goodbye at the end of May. Every year, Stampin' Up! introduces 5 new In Colors (that are available for two years) and every year we have to say goodbye to 5 that have been with us for two
years.
Prepare to say goodbye to: Lovely Lipstick, Call Me Clover, Blueberry Bushel, Grapefruit Grove and Pineapple Punch.
If you love using these colors, you may want to consider buying extra papers, re-inkers and any embellishments so you don't run out. They are technically available in the catalog until June 2, but history shows that the retiring In Colors will run out before then. Now is the time to stock up before this happens. And, you can put these stock up colored items towards
your Sale-a-bration order if you order them before March 31.
Do you want a "Side Hustle"?
I heard this term while watching Good Morning America last week. They have been doing segments on money saving ideas, paying down credit cards, and saving for the future. One of the ways of doing this was to have a "side hustle". I'm not sure if I love this
phrase, but I do like the concept because it's exactly what I do. I am a stamping business owner, which means I make an income by selling Stampin' Up! products. Some people do this "side hustle" by selling jewelry, cleaning products, wine or skin care. I choose to do it through Stampin' Up! because I love stamping and creating. It's something I whole heartedly believe in.
You are all on my email list so I know that you love stamping too. Consider being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and creating your own "side hustle". Income varies depending on a variety of factors, but every one of you can make an income and I can help you navigate effective ways of doing so.
I have a page on my blog that goes into a little more detail, but I encourage you to reach out to me and ask questions. We can set up a phone or video chat, go out for coffee and I can tell you more about running your crafting as a business, big or small.
No matter what time of year you sign up as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, the $99 Starter Kit is a great value. But, if you sign up before the end of Sale-a-bration, there are a few more free incentive products that will help you along.
Recruits who join Stampin’ Up! as an independent Stampin’ Up!
Demonstrator between January 3–March 31, 2020, will receive the Mini Paper Cutter, 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper sampler, and their choice of stamp set for free.
Coordinating Products not in the Catalogs
The Pleased as Punch 12" x 12" paper is so happy with Spring colors and images.
Thanks for reading my March newsletter. Feel free to forward to anyone who you think may enjoy it. To see a schedule of my upcoming local classes, you can visit my website and click the Local Classes Tab. Hint, the Spring & Easter class is next week!
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