Thursday, December 28, 2023

Favorite Tools Series - Part 4 - Adhesives - Part B

 Greetings!

It's time to talk about more adhesives.  This time the focus is on the selection of foam adhesives available to give your projects a little more dimension by popping up an item, a word, a message or a whole layer.


Just as with anything else, having the right adhesive makes the project much easier.  

Foam adhesives are all double sided adhesive with a thin foam layer in between.  They come so you simply peel off what you need, apply it to the backside of the piece you are elevating, peel off the protective covering and attach to the base layer.

  • Stampin' Dimensionals: 
    • Hexagon shaped.  3/8" wide by 1/16" thick.  
    • Come in a package of 300 - 100/sheet.  
    • Great for adding dimension to die cut pieces, labels and cardstock and Designer Series Paper layers.  
  • Mini Stampin' Dimensionals:
    • Hexagon shaped.  1/4" wide by 1/16" thick.
    • Come in a package of 720 - 240/sheet
    • Great for adding dimension to small die cut pieces such as small flowers, leaves, etc.  
  • Black Stampin' Dimensionals:
    • Come in both mini and regular size in one package 
    • Package total of 680 - 2 sheets of regular sized, 2 sheets of minis
    • Great for adding dimension to dark layers of cardstock and paper layers.  Much less visible than if you were using white.
  • Foam Adhesive Strips:
    • Sheets of 9" long x 1/8" wide by 1/8" thick strips - 20 strips per sheet/2 sheets per pkg.
    • Great for adding a little more thickness than what a Stampin' Dimensional has.
    • Great for thin frames you want to pop up.
    • Perfect for creating shaker cards or any type of project with a window sheet on top and space between it and the base layer for small items to move.
    • Easily bendable to go around curves while maintaining adhesive layer upright.
  • Foam Adhesive Sheets:
    • Come in a package of six 4-1/4" x 4-1/2" sheets. Approximately 3/16" thick, so a little thicker than Stampin' Dimensionals and thinner than Foam Adhesive Strips.
    • Cut a piece to the size and shape needed for entire piece to be evenly thick.
    • Great for alphabet dies and small detailed die pieces. Adhere to cardstock or paper prior to die cutting to have precise foam layer on your die cut piece.
    • Can use Stampin' Write Marker marker along edge of foam to color to match cardstock color.
If you haven't used the foam adhesives yet, I encourage you to give them a try.  You'll be amazed how a little added dimension can elevate (no pun intended) the look of your project. 😀


Essential Tools:

These are the tools I recommend  for a positive experience with all of your paper crafting projects.  Having the right tools makes every project go more smoothly from start to finish.

Product List

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The time has come to say goodbye to select items from the September-December 2023 mini catalog.  Check out the LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS to make sure you get those items you have on your wish list but haven't ordered yet.  Once they're gone, they're gone.  Many are discounted so your procrastination was worth the wait ;)


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I LOVE being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator for a variety of reasons!  If you love stamping and sending cards, getting together with friends and being creative, want a way to reach out to your community, earn some money doing something you love, or any combination of these things, and more, now is a great time to join! 


I am a member of Dawn Olchefske's DOStampers STARS community, so when you join my team, you are also part of this fabulous community where we share inspiration, creativity, support and education, as well as a whole new group of crafting friends!
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December Host Code:  FH2HBUV6

  • Place an online order of $65 or more (before tax/shipping) and earn a FREE Gift                        (FREE Gift sent by January 15th)
  • For orders of $150 or more in my store (before tax/shipping), do not apply the Host Code.  Use the Stampin' Rewards you will earn.  You will receive the Host code gift from me.
  • One Host code gift per customer, per month.

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Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you're inspired to gather your supplies and get creative!  

Have a beautiful day!  😊  
Beverly J

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Favorite Tools Series - Part 3 - Adhesives - Part A

 Greetings!

As I was thinking about what tools to focus on next it took me a moment to realize how important having the right adhesive is.  As with any tool having the right ones make our projects a success.  

When I placed all the adhesives out for pictures, I was a little surprised at how many there actually are.  Let's start with the basic options for putting our layers together.  Please bear in mind I can only speak to how I use these adhesives and why.


  • Stampin' Seal
    • Ideal for adhering cardstock layers and Designer Series Paper layers.  Firm adhesion, with some possibility of removing and repositioning if done carefully within minutes of applying.
    • Easy to apply with dispenser.  Refills sold separately.
  • Stampin' Seal +
    • Heavier weight than Stampin' Seal.  Extra strong adhesion.  
    • Great for adhering embossed layers.
    • Easy to apply with dispenser.  Refills sold separately.
  • Tear & Tape Adhesive
    • Super strong adhesive.  
    • Great for boxes, bags, and any layers or add-ons that may be handled.  
    • Great for adhering embossed layers.
    • Apply sticky side to layer, then peel off protective paper and adhere to other piece.  Repositioning after adhesion difficult at best.
    • Great for attaching strips of cloth ribbon to projects.
  • Multipurpose Liquid Glue
    • Great for almost all applications.  
    • Allows for immediate movement of layers to position where you want it.
    • Dries tacky.  Does not stiffen or crack.
    • Small tip allows for very thin lines or small dabs.
    • Large end with tapered tip works well for applying lines of adhesive.
  • Mini Glue Dots
    • My go to for applying to back of bows for adhering to card.
    • Great for adhering small die cuts such as little leaves or flowers.
    • Perfect for adhering loose sequins and gems.
  • Adhesive Sheets
    • Ideal for applying to cardstock or Designer Series Paper prior to die cutting when using detailed dies or alphabet dies.
    • Ideal for applying to cardstock or Designer Series Paper prior to die cutting small pieces, or pieces with thin lined areas.
    • Sheets come in 6 x 12 pieces, scored every 2" lengthwise, making it easy to cut small pieces, and easy to peel backing off large piece one strip at a time.
    • Very thin adhesive so dies still easily cut through all layers.
    • Peel backing off die cut pieces to adhere.
I hope these tips give you a good reference of what works well for specific applications.  

We all have our favorites, and this is simply meant to be an overview of how they can be used.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, there are quite a few adhesive options, so I decided to split it into two posts.  The next post will be on the foam adhesives.


Product List

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=============================================================

The time has come to say goodbye to select items from the September-December 2023 mini catalog.  Check out the LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS to make sure you get those items you have on your wish list but haven't ordered yet.  Once they're gone, they're gone.  Many are discounted so your procrastination was worth the wait ;)


=============================================================
I LOVE being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator for a variety of reasons!  If you love stamping and sending cards, getting together with friends and being creative, want a way to reach out to your community, earn some money doing something you love, or any combination of these things, and more, now is a great time to join! 


I am a member of Dawn Olchefske's DOStampers STARS community, so when you join my team, you are also part of this fabulous community where we share inspiration, creativity, support and education, as well as a whole new group of crafting friends!
=============================================================





=============================================================



December Host Code:  FH2HBUV6

  • Place an online order of $65 or more (before tax/shipping) and earn a FREE Gift                        (FREE Gift sent by January 15th)
  • For orders of $150 or more in my store (before tax/shipping), do not apply the Host Code.  Use the Stampin' Rewards you will earn.  You will receive the Host code gift from me.
  • One Host code gift per customer, per month.

=============================================================

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you're inspired to gather your supplies and get creative!  

Have a beautiful day!  😊  
Beverly J

Monday, December 18, 2023

Favorite Tools Series - Part 2 - Bone Folder, Clear Blocks and Simply Shammy

Greetings!

It's time to share a few more of my favorite tools and why.

These tools are not glamorous but they sure make the life of a stamper and paper crafter much easier.  

Let's begin with the Clear Block.  I have seen many clear blocks and I have to say this is one item I would never use anything but a Stampin' Up! clear block.  They are designed for comfort as well as function.  The block is nice and thick so you can hold onto it and press your stamp onto your ink pad while keeping your fingertips far enough up on the block so you don't end up with inked fingertips.  


It also has a wonderful groove in the block on all four sides for you to easily grip and hold it without fear of it slipping out of your fingers.  The top and bottom edges are also rounded so there is no sharp edge for you to be gripping every time you want to stamp.  This truly is a very thought out design!  

The blocks come in an assortment of sizes so you can use whichever size works best for the stamp you are working with.  The stamps easily adhere to and easily remove from the block, so one set of blocks works for all of your stamps.  A great value!

Next, let's talk about the Bone Folder.  This tool is a must in my opinion.  You may notice when you work with paper that it pulls the moisture right out of your fingers - especially if you are using your fingers to press your cardstock flat for folding.  I always score my cardstock, then use the bone folder to run along the edge of the fold to give it a nice crisp fold.  The bone folder glides along the edge so easily, and with a slightly rounded edge to the bone folder, risk of tearing is extremely minimal.  It also does not leave a shine on the cardstock.  




Another thing I've found the Bone Folder to be very helpful with is pressing envelope flaps closed.  I use a little sponge with water to wet the glue strip on the envelope, then use the bone folder to folder over and press down the wet edge to the back of the envelope.  This another way to keep your fingers from getting so dried out when doing bulk mailings.

Lastly, the Simply Shammy.  This product is such a time saver!  I store mine in an empty Standard Stamp Case (sold in sets of 4 #119105).  These cases are the perfect size to hold the Simply Shammy, and this way it doesn't dry out between uses.  I can have it on my craft table while I'm stamping so it's readily available for cleaning my stamps.  By having it in the Standard Stamp Case I'm not risking leaving a damp area on my table, or sitting on paper or cardstock and getting it wet and wavey.  I also use the Simply Shammy to wipe off my clear blocks or my fingertips if I get ink on them while stamping.


The Simply Shammy absorbs the ink from your stamps so run it under the faucet every now and then to rinse out the excess ink.  The ink doesn't transfer onto the stamps, so no worries.

As you can see, my tools are well used.  

I know that without these tools, stamping and crafting would not be nearly as enjoyable.  

I hope you are finding value in the information I am sharing.  😊


Essential Tools:

These are the tools I recommend  for a positive experience with all of your paper crafting projects.  Having the right tools makes every project go more smoothly from start to finish.

Product List

=============================================================





=============================================================

The time has come to say goodbye to select items from the September-December 2023 mini catalog.  Check out the LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS to make sure you get those items you have on your wish list but haven't ordered yet.  Once they're gone, they're gone.  Many are discounted so your procrastination was worth the wait ;)


=============================================================
I LOVE being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator for a variety of reasons!  If you love stamping and sending cards, getting together with friends and being creative, want a way to reach out to your community, earn some money doing something you love, or any combination of these things, and more, now is a great time to join! 


I am a member of Dawn Olchefske's DOStampers STARS community, so when you join my team, you are also part of this fabulous community where we share inspiration, creativity, support and education, as well as a whole new group of crafting friends!
=============================================================





=============================================================



December Host Code:  FH2HBUV6

  • Place an online order of $65 or more (before tax/shipping) and earn a FREE Gift                        (FREE Gift sent by January 15th)
  • For orders of $150 or more in my store (before tax/shipping), do not apply the Host Code.  Use the Stampin' Rewards you will earn.  You will receive the Host code gift from me.
  • One Host code gift per customer, per month.

=============================================================

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you're inspired to gather your supplies and get creative!  

Have a beautiful day!  😊  

Beverly J