Archive for February 2012

March 2012 Release Week Last Post

February 29, 2012 Cards, Sneak Peeks No comments

Welcome to the last day Release Week at Stamp School! The last 3 days of each month, you will be treated to some beautiful creations by our Faculty here at Stamp School! Each month, we release 2 stamps per month. The first part of 2012 we will be releasing 4 colors of Poptone cardstock and matching inks until we stock all of their 24 colors. We also will be releasing 100% wool felt along with the cardstock each month.

Our Faculty will post their projects on their personal blogs (which we will link you to at the end of each post) and then during the month, they will post tips, tutorials, inspiration, ideas here on the Stamp School blog. If you want to be kept up to date on what is going on here at Stamp School, you can keep track of us a number of ways:

1) Our website and blog. You can subscribe to our blog feed, simply by clicking over on the Subscribe button to the left. You will then get a daily email of what is posted here on the site.
2) Our Facebook Page. Like our Facebook Page for exclusive content, contests, and chatting about our favorite hobby!
3) Email Newsletter. You can sign up for our Newsletter by clicking on the Join our Newsletter button to the left.

OK, so now that you know how to keep up to date, let me show you what’s going on this month!

 

Welcome to the final post of March’s release! This last card today uses the Graduates stamp set. I used the Hannah stamp, and two of the background builder stamps for today’s card.

I started with a Poptone Cardstock in Limeade base and stamped the square medallion in Limeade ink (it’s kinda faint on this picture) and then went over the medallions with the circle stamp in Jellybean Green.

Next, I used some Graduation pattern paper, a little piece of Maya Road Satin Pleat ribbon, and 3 Candidots.

I colored in my little girl using Copic Markers and cut her out with a new My Favorite Things Dienamics die.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing some of the new stamps, cardstock colors and ink colors we have coming out tomorrow. Remember all products will be available from A Walk Down Memory Lane.

 

 

This last card I used the same body stamp, but changed out the head & feet stamps to make a card for a male graduate.

Check out what the Design Team has done today!

Rochelle made a beautiful card today, coloring in a cute little Hannah graduate.

Vicki made a fantastic little boy graduate using the SAME stamp set as Rochelle…with a little twist!

Judy used some of our fantastic green cardstock, ink and supplies to make a cute card for any graduate!

Stamp School Graduates & To the Future Stamp Sets – Coming March 1, 2012
Stamp School Poptone Cardstock Limeade & Sweet Tooth – Coming March 1, 2012
Stamp School Poptone Inks Limeade, Jellybean Green & Black Licorice – Coming March 1, 2012

 

 

 

March 2012 Release Week Post #2

February 28, 2012 Cards, Sneak Peeks No comments

Welcome to Release Week at Stamp School! The last 3 days of each month, you will be treated to some beautiful creations by our Faculty here at Stamp School! Each month, we release 2 stamps per month. The first part of 2012 we will be releasing 4 colors of Poptone cardstock and matching inks until we stock all of their 24 colors. We also will be releasing 100% wool felt along with the cardstock each month.

Our Faculty will post their projects on their personal blogs (which we will link you to at the end of each post) and then during the month, they will post tips, tutorials, inspiration, ideas here on the Stamp School blog. If you want to be kept up to date on what is going on here at Stamp School, you can keep track of us a number of ways:

1) Our website and blog. You can subscribe to our blog feed, simply by clicking over on the Subscribe button to the left. You will then get a daily email of what is posted here on the site.
2) Our Facebook Page. Like our Facebook Page for exclusive content, contests, and chatting about our favorite hobby!
3) Email Newsletter. You can sign up for our Newsletter by clicking on the Join our Newsletter button to the left.

We are on Day 2 of our release week! Did you see all the crazy cool cards the Design Team has been posting on their blogs?

Today, I am posting a pretty simple card that is easy to make, however, your friends are going to ask “How did you DO that?”

 

This one is just easier if I show you a video instead, so here you go!!

 

Check out what the Design Team has done today!

Rochelle made a beautiful card for today.

Vicki had some samples on her blog!

Judy did not disappoint today either!

Stamp School To the Future Stamp Set – Coming March 1, 2012
Stamp School Poptone Cardstock Jellybean Green – Coming March 1, 2012
Stamp School Poptone Inks Limeade & Black Licorice – Coming March 1, 2012
Sizzix Tim Holtz Embossing Diffuser – Coming March 15, 2012

 

March 2012 Release Week Post 1

February 27, 2012 Cards, Sneak Peeks No comments

Welcome to Release Week at Stamp School! The last 3 days of each month, you will be treated to some beautiful creations by our Faculty here at Stamp School! Each month, we release 2 stamps per month. The first part of 2012 we will be releasing 4 colors of Poptone cardstock and matching inks until we stock all of their 24 colors. We also will be releasing 100% wool felt along with the cardstock each month.

Our Faculty will post their projects on their personal blogs (which we will link you to at the end of each post) and then during the month, they will post tips, tutorials, inspiration, ideas here on the Stamp School blog. If you want to be kept up to date on what is going on here at Stamp School, you can keep track of us a number of ways:

1) Our website and blog. You can subscribe to our blog feed, simply by clicking over on the Subscribe button to the left. You will then get a daily email of what is posted here on the site.
2) Our Facebook Page. Like our Facebook Page for exclusive content, contests, and chatting about our favorite hobby!
3) Email Newsletter. You can sign up for our Newsletter by clicking on the Join our Newsletter button to the left.

OK, so now that you know how to keep up to date, let me show you what’s going on this month!

 

I started with a card base of Poptone Limeade cut to an A2 card (5 1/2 x 8 1/2 and then scored to 5 1/2 x 4 1/4). On the left third and right third of the card, I used the diploma stamp in Limeade ink. On the left side, I used the graduation hat in Black Licorice. Down the middle, I used some Hambly Washi tape for a border. I used some Scor-Tape in 1/8″ and applied some black grossgrain ribbon down either side of the Washi Tape.  I made my own little graduation certificate using 5 stamps from the March set where you can mix & match your wording. You can now make graduation cards for Preschool, Kindergarten, Highschool and College graduates all from one stamp set!

Check out what the Design Team has done today!

Rochelle made a beautiful card today, coloring in a cute little Hannah graduate.

Vicki made a fantastic little boy graduate using the SAME stamp set as Rochelle…with a little twist!

Judy used some of our fantastic green cardstock, ink and supplies to make a cute card for any graduate!

Stamp School Graduates Stamp Set – Coming March 1, 2012
Stamp School Poptone Cardstock Limeade & Sweet Tooth – Coming March 1, 2012
Stamp School Poptone Inks Limeade & Black Licorice – Coming March 1, 2012

 

Teacher’s Lounge 02-24-12

February 24, 2012 Cards, Teacher's Lounge No comments

 

Hello!  Rochelle here.  I would like to share a fun technique with you that I think is a “go to” tool that every card maker should use.  First of all, raise your hand if you try and maximize the use out of all your supplies.  I’m raising both hands and feet! LOL!  I save a lot of scraps because I try to stretch my supplies as far as they’ll go.  Today, I’m going to show use how to do a masking technique with the negative part of your die cut.

 

First you want to use some repositionable adhesive on your negative die cut to secure it in place while stamping on your project.

Next you want to stamp around the edges to make sure your shape is well established.  If you do it this way, you’ll be sure to get the full benefit of the negative portion of your die cut.

Next you want to stamp in the negative space of your die cut shape.  Make sure you fill the shape in it’s entirety so that your shape really fleshes out.

Here is what your shape “could” end up looking like.

Please show us your creation after you’ve tried this technique!

Other:  Cabochon, Brown Jute Twine

 

 

Geometry Class 02/22/12

February 22, 2012 Cards, Geometry Class No comments

Hi guys! Who’s ready for Geometry Class??? This week I’ve drawn a sketch to share with you:

The sketch is for your inspiration, but don’t forget to make it your own. Here’s my take:

Meet Hannah!  She loves flying her kite and balloon.  For my card I simply stamped Hannah in black ink onto white cardsdtock.  I then colored her using my Copics and added a rub on sentiment.  I cut out my stamp with scalloped square nestabilties.  I then cut a piece of light pink felt with my square nesties.  I adhered all of this onto light pink cardstock, added a brad, and Stickles to my balloon.

We would love to see your take on this week’s Geometry Class sketch.  Create a card and post it to your blog (with a link to our blog of course).  Submit your card by adding your link below. Make sure to post it to the actual blog post and not just your general blog address. You have until 11:58 on the last day of the month to upload any challenge entries.

We will randomly choose a winner from each month’s submissions to win a prize package from Stamp School.

Copic Markers: Copic – G21, Copic – R02 , Copic – E51, Copic – E02, Copic – RV42, Copic – E33, Copic – BG15

 

 



Study Hall 2-21-12

February 21, 2012 Cards, Study Hall One comment

Today I wanted to share one of the beautiful sentiments from the Easter Blessings set. I wanted it to be the focus of the card, so made the rest of the design to complement and not overwhelm the message.

 

I stamped my image on Whip Cream cardstock, using Blue Raspberry Ink, and then cut out with the Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangle die. I then sponged the edges with Sno Cone ink before removing the cardstock from the die cut.

The card base is Berrylicious cardstock and the embossed panel is Sno Cone cardstock. I love the colors that Stamp School offers! All Stamp School supplies are linked below so you can find what I used. Thanks for stopping by today!

Other: embossing folder, ribbon and embellishment of your choice

Art Room – 2-20-12

February 20, 2012 Art Room, Cards, Color 3 comments

Hi, Vicki here, with my first Art Room challenge.  The Art Room is fun with the gorgeous ink colors that Stamp School has available!

The colors  I chose for this color challenge is AQUA (blue raspberry), BROWN (hot fudge) and WHITE (sweet tooth).  [I love that the names of our products are the same with ink, papers and felt!  Makes it so easy to order!]  No worries if you don’t have “our” colors, simply use what you have!

Here is my finished card.

 

I made a template to cover the front of my card, stamped the white image and embossed it, and then I sponged on my colors. Once I liked the depth of color, I stamped my other images.  Taking a paper towel, I wiped off the ink from my embossed image to make it pop.

I hope you play in my color challenge.  Just upload your completed project with the inlinkz system below.

We’re adding a submission form below this post. Make up your card and post it on your blog (with a link to our blog of course *wink*). Submit your card by adding it below. Make sure to post it to the actual blog post and not just your general blog address. You have until 11:58 on the last day of the month to upload any challenge entries.

 

Thanks so much for stopping in, and especially for playing!

 

 

Other: Big Sponge Daubers


Teacher Lounge 02/17/12

February 17, 2012 Cards, Teacher's Lounge No comments

Hi all! Amber here with this week’s Teacher’s Lounge.  Today I want to discuss photographing your projects.  In the era of blogging, design teams, and posting creations online it is vital that you take good pictures of your projects.  It took me years of trial and error to get my techniques down pat and I want to share them with you.

First up – it is impossible for me to get a good picture inside.  I’ve tried it all, more lights, natural lights, light boxes.  I’ve played with different backgrounds, from white to patterns.  I have learned that nothing beats the natural light of the sun.  Take a look at my card photographed indoors:

This picture was taken indoors with a flash.  It’s decent, but doesn’t compare to the real colors in the card.   I also don’t like all the shadows and glares I get when taking pictures of my cards indoors.  So now to share my “Top Secret” picture prop:

OK now you’re in on my little secret.  I use my white wicker chair at the edge of my porch to take all pictures.  By shooting pictures out towards open space I get better natural light.  I never photograph in direct sunlight – it will distort your card and cause glares.

Here’s my card photographed outside:

Much clearer picture than the one indoors, but still too dark.  At this point if you are great with your camera settings, you can lighten your pictures that way.  I am NOT an expert, so I fix my photograph in Adobe Photoshop.  I always INCREASE SATURATION and INCREASE BRIGHTNESS.  By increasing saturation, you get to see the actual rich colors of your card and brightness just lightens things up.  Pixlr is a great photo editing tool on the web that is FREE and has most of the same gadgets as Photoshop.

First up I want to show you the edited version of my photo that I took indoors:

It is an improvement, but the lighting could still be improved.  Now take a look at my photo I took outdoors after editing:

Now scroll back and take a look at the other pictures of my card.  No comparison!  I also never leave my card flat to photograh, it looks so much better propped up and photographed slightly from the side, this gives your card dimensions and makes it 3D instead of 2D.

If you have any tips for photographing cards, please leave a comment below…I’d love to read your ideas!

 

Study Hall 2/16/12

February 16, 2012 Art Room, Cards One comment

 

 

Hello!  Rochelle here!  Nothing says “I love you” like a card with a sweet little girl on it…right?  Well, the Hannah Flying a Kite stamp set makes saying I love you very easy!  I used Grape Jelly Pop Tone cardstock paired with a strip of Wild Cherry Pop Tone cardstock, some sweet floral designer paper and a bit of Berrylicious felt to make this card work.  Oh, let’s not forget my trusted white gel pen!  Here is my creation:

I told you that the Hannah Flying a Kite stamp set is chocked full of love!  Who can resist that little face?

 

 

 

Other:

Red and White Striped Ribbon

Stickers

 

 

Geometry Class 2-15-12

February 15, 2012 Cards, Geometry Class No comments

It’s time for Geometry Class! Here is an easy sketch that you can change up to really make it your own! I hope you will play along!

Here is what I made:

 

 

We’re adding a submission form below this post. Make up your card and post it on your blog (with a link to our blog of course *wink*). Submit your card by adding it below. Make sure to post it to the actual blog post and not just your general blog address. You have until 11:58 on the last day of the month to upload any challenge entries.

We will randomly choose a winner from each month’s submissions to win a prize package from Stamp School.

How awesome is that?!

 

 

 



Study Hall – 2-14-12

February 14, 2012 Cards, Study Hall 2 comments

Hi it’s Vicki today with your Study Hall. Today I am featuring a tool that I really am enjoying; the i-top brad maker. This tool helps you to make your own brads!! How cool is that?

This is the close up to show you. I used the same paper as my card’s background to match! I just adore this tool. It is so fun to make your own matching brads. They have small, medium and large for sizes.

This is my finished card. I used the Easter Blessings stamp set for my sentiment.
Want this fun tool? Well, look below, we have linked it for your easy shopping, along with the accessories you need to make these custom brads.
Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Art Room 2-13-12

February 13, 2012 Art Room, Cards, Videos 2 comments

Welcome to another week at Stamp School. The design team has so much fun in store for you.  I get the fun of starting the week of in the art room with this bit of inspiration:

I found the above inspiration on this blog, and used it to create this card:

I used the balloon stamp from Hannah Flying a Kite to stamp the balloons above. Then, I filled them in with baker’s twine (scroll down to the bottom of this post to find a video tutorial on using bakers twine to fill the balloon stamp). I cut the image out with a Spellbinder’s die and cut a matching piece of Cotton Candy felt for layering. The finished card size is 4″ x 4″.

We’re adding a submission form below this post. Make up your card and post it on your blog (with a link to our blog of course *wink*). Submit your card by adding it below. Make sure to post it to the actual blog post and not just your general blog address. You have until 11:58 on the last day of the month to upload any challenge entries.

We will randomly choose a winner from each month’s submissions to win a prize package from Stamp School.

I can’t wait to see what you do with this pretty color combo!



Teacher Lounge 2-10-12

February 10, 2012 Cards, Teacher's Lounge 2 comments

I love my stamps and love using them for as many different occasions and ideas as I can. So I like to look at them in different ways, and maybe use them in a way or for an occasion that wasn’t specifically intended.

Today I am using one of the sentiments from Easter Blessings. But — since Valentine’s Day is next week, I needed a Valentine’s Day card and wanted a sentiment to go along with it.

I took a look at the Easter Blessings set and found the perfect sentiment: “You’re in my heart” — except that it was with other words that wouldn’t work for my valentine.

I use this idea  lot when I want to use an ink pad instead of art markers. I used my Scotch tape and taped over the three lines I didn’t need.

Then I stamped as I normally would using my Poptone Wild Cherry ink.

I peeled off the tape,  and I had the sentiment I needed! It’s easy and makes your stamps go a lot farther!

For my image, I used the branch from Hannah Flying A Kite, and turned it so it was a tree, stamping it in Poptone Hot Fudge ink. I added my flowers in Wild Cherry, and then punched some grass to ground them.

Take a look at the supplies you have, and see how you can use them in a new way!

 

Study Hall 2-9-12

February 9, 2012 Cards, Study Hall 2 comments

Hello! Samantha here with a card I created for today’s Study Hall. It’s no secret that I am in love with Stamp School’s Felt. From simple to intricate patterns, this felt cuts like a dream! For today’s post I decided to let the felt (in Razzleberry, Wild Cherry, and Cotton Candy) shine and the stamps take a supporting role. Here’s my simple take on felt:

I used a stamp from Easter Blessings to create the sentiment. If you don’t remember, this “You’re in my heart”, is part of a much larger sentiment:

Here’s a little trick for inking up just a portion of a stamp without having to tape it off.  Since the Pop Tone ink pads have a raised edge, I’m going to only ink the stamp from the sentiment I want (You’re in my heart) down to the bottom of the stamp:

Then, I stamped just the part of the sentiment I wanted on to my card stock and the rest stamped off on to a scratch piece of paper underneath the card stock (the yellow, lined paper is my scrap paper).

…and there you have it: a fast way to stamp only part of your sentiment on to your card.

Thanks for hanging out with me in Study Hall today!

 

 

Geometry Class Sketch – 02-0-8-12

February 8, 2012 Cards, Geometry Class No comments

Hi, Vicki here.  Today, I went with an easy sketch for you all today. Sometimes, easy is a good thing! I hope you play with this sketch! Be sure and post it to Facebook too! We love our Likes!

 



 



Study Hall 2-7-12

February 7, 2012 Altered Art, Study Hall No comments

Hi everyone!  Rochelle here!  I want to share a fun little project with you that you could do for the kids in your child’s classroom or even your co-workers.  It’s what I like to call a “Dum-Dum Tube”.  You see, I purchased these clear little tubes that are very easy to alter.  I used Wild Cherry Cardstock, Cotton Candy cardstock, Hannah Flying a kite stamp set and the Easter Blessings stamp set to embellish the tube.  I also used some cotton tape that is very easy to stamp on.  I stamped the little flowers from the Hannah Flying a Kite stamp set in Wild Cherry, Cotton Candy, Grape Jelly and Red Hot Pop Tone Ink to create a fun little pattern on the cotton tape.

After I embellished the tube, I dropped in a little Dum-Dum and there you have it…instant Valentine!

 

Other:

Cotton Tape

 

 

Art Room 02/06/12

February 6, 2012 Art Room, Cards One comment

Hello! Amber here, welcome to this week’s Art Room!  I hope you enjoy the colors I’ve put together to inspire you.

Picture Via Pinterest

I can never get enough pink!  Hopefully you can’t either.  This week’s colors are inspired by Stamp School’s colors Cotton Candy, Sweet Tooth, and Razzleberry.  Now to show you my creation using them:

I started with light pink cardstock.  I wanted to make the Blessed Easter stamps my background so I stamped the bigger Blessed Easter sayings in light pink ink (to match my cardstock).  I then stamped “Happy Easter” in darker pink ink to use as my sentiment.  By changing the colors of pink ink, it draws the eye to the appropriate focal point.   It’s really a fun technique to use with sentiments.  I then adhered the light pink cardstock to hot pink cardstock.  I added some crystal Stickles for shine, ribbon, and a Maya Road Vintage Button Pin.

We would love for you to join  us in this week’s Art Room. Make a card and post it to your blog (with a link to our blog of course ). Submit your card by adding the link below. Make sure to post it to the actual blog post and not just your general blog address. You have until 11:58 on the last day of the month to upload any challenge entries.

We will randomly choose a winner from each month’s submissions to win a prize package from Stamp School.  Can’t wait to see your creations and good luck!

 



Teacher’s Lounge – 2-3-12

February 3, 2012 Teacher's Lounge 3 comments

Today for my tutorial, I was inspired by this pinterest photo

I instantly thought of the beautiful felt that Stamp School carries.  Here is what I made from the inspiration

I cut out a 5 circles of each size,using the Sweet Tooth   and Black Licorice, and Red Hot felt with Spellbinders Circles

Holding the 3 layers together, I sewed the ends together. (Ignore this is Cotton Candy)

 

I hot glued the sides together, cut a small felt circle, popped a brad in and adhered it to the flower to “hold” it together.

 I adhered the flower to a white bag and made a quick little card using Hannah Flying a Kite.  I now have a bag and card ready to go for the “future” gift I will either make or buy!

Have you tried the Stamp School felt?  It is fabulous and it cuts like butter with dies!

Thanks for stopping by~  I hope I have inspired you to using felt.

 

Copics:  R08, RV21, R0000, B05, Y17, YR14, E35

 

Study Hall 02/02/12

February 2, 2012 Cards, Study Hall One comment

Hi all!  Amber here to share what I’ve been working on during Study Hall.  I love to see crafters take a stamp set and make something unexpected from it.  I decided to use the Hannah Flying a Kite Stamp Set to create a laundry line of clothes.

For this card I first stamped my tree branches and leaves on a piece of blue cardstock.  I then stamped Hannah’s shirts on a separate piece of white cardstock, colored them with Copics, then cut them out.  I added a glue dot to my tree limb to adhere my twine for the laundry line, then added another glue dot and bows on top of that.  By using  pop-up glue dots on the shirts, it gives my laundry a 3D look.  I added Liquid Pearl dots to the tree branches for shine.  My sentiment is from the Blessed Easter Stamp Set.

It’s just amazing what you can make when thinking “outside the box”.  Play with your stamps and think of alternate ways to create with them, the possibilities are endless.

 

   

January’s Challenge Winner

February 1, 2012 Winners No comments

Every month Stamp School host multiple Art Room (color) Challenges and Geometry Class (sketch) Challenges. At the end of the month we count up all the entries (1 entry for every card you submit) and randomly choose a winner. January’s challenge winner is:

Anita A. who played along with January 10th’s Geometry Class Challenge

You can click here to see Anita’s lovely card.

Anita, please emial Lisa@stampschool.com and let her know you’re the January Challenge Winner to claim your prize (Lisa is returning from CHA later today, so you may have to give her a day or 2 to respond to your e-mail).

Thank you to everyone who took the time to create cards and share them with us. We love to ooh and ahh over your creativity. February’s first challenge is already up, and we hope you’ll play along with us.

Happy Stamping!

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