No one I know has enough time or money so today, I want to share with you some techniques that I have learned to work efficiently AND get the most out of my supplies. I’m trying to actually get my Christmas cards out before Easter this year so I’m working on them early. First, I came up with a basic design that is simple yet elegant:
Check out the following tips for efficiency and frugality (is that a word?) when designing a big batch of cards.
1. Make them different?
My first big revelation about creating multiples is that they don’t have to be exactly the same. In general, no one will ever know. And, I decided, if they do find out…I’m ok with that. This practice keeps my supplies in check and I find it a little more interesting to change up my design as I progress.
3. Use an assembly line approach:“component passes from station to station…and something is done or added to it. By the last station, the product is fully assembled and is identical to each one before and after it. This system ensures that a large quantity of uniform-quality goods are produced at a relatively low cost.”~ (science.jrank.org) So, actually, I cut and folded my card bases. Then I cut all my labels and stamped them.
4. Use your scraps: I decided on a couple of papers that I really liked. The tan one had an interesting pattern that I wanted to keep intact. I cut strips in two sizes. Then I cut the red striped paper 1″ larger. You can also see two different label dies and two different stamps from the same set.
When I ran out of the tan patterned paper, I decided to try something a little different and add Magic Mesh in place of it. I added a ribbon for just a little something extra.
Finally, I had small pieces of the red striped paper left over so I created an almost totally different card as seen here:
So, my last card looked a lot different than my first card but I was able to use my supplies in the most efficient manner. I love that!
I hope you found some tips you can take into your craft room for the approaching holidays.
I attached it to a clear block with a bit of adhesive. Then I inked the leaf with Clearsnap Colorbox Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Ink.
 Actually I used the same ink, but from 2 different ink pads, and I think it looks pretty cool!
I also added the S4-226 Harvest Border Petite , with a green ribbon under it to add some color.  It’s wrapped around the My Minds Eye Penny Lane Chasse cardstock. I inked through the Borderabilitiesâ„¢ die template like a stencil, to color the embossed areas.  That piece is mounted on brown cardstock.
For Savvy Saturday, I thought I would cut apart my Impressability. It’s OK - LOL!! It’s one of the reasons why I purchased two of the same kind. The results are stunning.
I picked the I2-1009 Impressabilitiesâ„¢ Flourish because of the swirl designs, it went well with the fall theme. While cutting the Flourish to use as a border, I discovered that it really wasn’t connected to each other, just an individual flowery swirl. But that was fine, I placed each flourish next to each other to look like a border. Using the Core’dination cardstock, I misted the area where I would emboss.
The embossing sandwich I used was (from the bottom):
White Master Mat
Tan Embossing Pad
Cardstock I2-1009 Impressabilitiesâ„¢ Flourish
White Master Mat
After feeding the sandwich through the Wizard, I left the Impressability pieces embedded in the cardstock. I flipped the cardstock over and proceeded to sand over the embossed area. I do this so that my embossing stands out even more. Then I took out the pieces of the Impressability and set the card base aside.Â
S7-017 On The Vine Border Grand, I only cut and emboss a small part as I only needed one of its leaf to add onto the pumpkin…don’t forget to ink the leaf before adding (hint: I inked the edges first and then gently pressed the entire leaf face down onto the ink pad)! I cut and embossed three (3) S4-228 Nested Maple Leaf die #1. With the rest of the die templates, I cut and embossed one of each using My Mind’s Eye pattern papers. Inked the edges of all including the card base and Crafty Secret Cotton Scraps image. Adhere all as shown below…note that the S4-227 Pumpkins Nestabilities® and the orange S4-228 Nested Maple Leaf are raised using foam tape by Scrapbook Adhesive By 3L. Also, if you look closely, you will see I added touches of Flower Soft onto the image where the leaves are…wonderful accent!
For most, we are in full swing of “Back to School” mode - the early mornings, the bag lunches and the routine. Here in an empty (and quiet!) house, I was cleaning my closet and found a box of pictures of my boys in their younger years…they were so cute! What happened? They grew up…a little! LOL!
As the theme is ”back to school” today, I am learning something new. I thought I’d try my hand at Karen Taylor’s technique of using the Impressabilities to make a “Back to School” layout of my oldest when he hit first grade. Then add into the mix, my favorite technique of letterpressing.
I had some foam shapes and letters in my sticker binder for awhile so it was a great excuse to use them! After reading how Eli and Beth heated the Impressabilities to emboss, I thought what about heating the foam instead?
Before I started my experiment, I had everything for my Wizard all set up so I can make that mad dash to the sandwich of (from bottom):
White Master Mat
Favorite Impressability
Foam Shape or Letters
Tan Embossing Mat
White Master Mat
Using my tweezer, I heated the black foam arrow with its white backing intact (I cut the shape from its sticker sheet) and the surface turned into a shiny coat. Quickly I put the heated foam face down, placed the Tan Embossing Mat and White Master Mat on top. Passed the sandwich through the Wizardâ„¢. Repeat the proccess for the foam letters that spelled out “Back To School.”
After heating all that foam, I used the letterpress technique that I had posted last month by using Clearsnap Queue ink (notice the frame behind the journaling box?). The journaling was written on S4-230 Labels Six die #5 and the letterpressed frame, I used S4-230 Labels Six die #6. For more details on how to letterpress, please refer HERE.
With Cosmo Cricket “Boyfriend” collection (papers, ribbon and rub-ons) and chalking the edges with Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink - Chestnut Roan, I was able to complete a real fun layout for my first grader of long ago! LOL!
Are you planning on attending the ScrapFest 2009 at the Mall of America in Minnesota?!
We will be there too, so come by and join in on the fun. Our two lovely Designers (Pictured top: Kim Hupke - Education Director and pictured second: Heidi Blankenship - ‘08 & ‘09 Design Team Member) will be there to show off our Spellbindersâ„¢ products with some wonderful make and take projects…you don’t want to miss it!
The dates and times that Kim and Heidi will be there to help you create the following:
Friday (9/18) 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Make a quick and easy Holiday Photo Card with Spellbindersâ„¢ and 3M. Using the newly released S5-017 Snowflake Frameabilities® set, it looks like it took hours to make! Learn the technique on how to make a window card and display your favorite photo! (FREE make’n take)
Saturday (9/19) 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Make a darling holiday triangle ornament or a gift embellishment with Spellbindersâ„¢ and Making Memories. They will show you how to use the newly released S4-220 Nested Pine Trees die template to bring your tree to 3-Dimensional “life”. (FREE make’n take)
Sunday (9/20) 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Make a “Spooktacular” goodie bag for your trick or treaters with Spellbindersâ„¢ and Teresa Collins. Using the newly released S4-227 Pumpkins Nestabilities®, learn how to make this peek-a-”boo” treat bag in minutes! What a cute and easy way to present goodies to your favorite goul! (FREE make’n take)
The first 50 crafters participating each day in the make’n take will receive a FREE Spellbindersâ„¢ shopping bag.
Making it a long weekend?
Spellbindersâ„¢ will be at Scrapbooks Too in Bloomington, MN on Thursday, Sept 17th!! It’s all about Spellbindersâ„¢ all night long (well, until midnight!). Come join Kim and Heidi - they will offer make and takes during this special crop. Make a “spooky” treat bag and a cutting edge layout! They will have all the new release dies for you to see up close and personal!
It is so much fun to have new and innovative products like Spellbinders’â„¢ Impressabilitiesâ„¢. It’s even more fun to see what our talented Design Team Members do with them! Today’s Savvy Saturday is a new technique from our own Kimberly Crawford. She posted it earlier this week on her personal blog. We want to make sure everyone sees it, so we’re running an encore here. Take it away, Kimberly!
I am SO thrilled to be sharing with you a brand new Spellbindersâ„¢ Impressabilitiesâ„¢ technique!!! I came up with this idea while playing around with my tools several months ago. I love using my Clearsnap Colorbox Stylus tool to ink the edges of my paper. But as I was staring at it, I thought, what can I do with the foam end? Then I remembered that Colorbox used to sell molding plates for the foam tips. Not having those, I looked at the I2-1004Â Impressabilitiesâ„¢ Flowers laying on my desk and thought, a-ha!
Start by heating the black foam tip of your stylus tool. I use my crafting light. It does not take much heat to make it pliable.
Push the heated foam tip onto the Impressabilitiesâ„¢. I chose the flower that would fit my tip before I did this.
Here is what the tip looks like. The image will not go away until you re-heat the tip.
And here is the completed project. Isn’t that fun?
Thank you Kimberly!
I just had to try it myself. You know how you get started with one idea, you start working on it, and it becomes something entirely different? Welcome to my world! LOL.
I decided to use the small accent piece from the S4-205 Eyelets Pendant to press into the large, square, black, moldable stylus tip from Clearsnap.
Â
Using Clearsnap’s Orchid Pigment ink, I stamped that image across a strip of My Minds Eye’s Tiny Dancer Collection paper. I cut/embossed the S4-205 Eyelets Pendant,  Accent, and Center, inked throught the die templates like a stencil, then used the foam tip of the Stylus with Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink to edge all the papers. I assembled as shown. I think I’ve just made my Mom’s birthday card! Â
WOW! I just took a peek at the Inspiration Alley Gallery where all the Pendant entries are posted from our Pendant Project Contest. Crafters, you all have outdone yourselves! Congratulations and thank you for all the inspiration!
Setting aside all those images of beauty, I would like to take these Pendants to a different level. Rather than accenting with our Pendants, how about making them a functional piece in our projects?
On a 9″x5″ piece of Fancy Pants pattern paper, I scored 2 1/4″ on each side to form a gatefold card and edged with Clearsnap Queue ink. Using wet adhesive, IÂ adhered the left half of the S4-210 Lattice Pendant onto the left card flap. Let dry. With its center piece, I closed the card and adhered the right half of the piece on the right flap -Â place it in the middle of the Pendant so that it is in the correct position.
After adding Hero Arts Gems onto the S4-210 Lattice Pendant, I adhered the stamped image with Scrapbook Adhesives’ foam tape on top of the pendant center piece. Inside the card, I edged with Clearsnap Queue ink and adhered the S4-161 Labels One #5. I finished off the inside by adding a small flower with a gem on the corner and done!
Now what function is the S4-210 Lattice Pendant serving? It is a latch for the gatefold card! There are a lot of other functions that a Pendant can be…a journal spot, a frame, a basket, an ornament and I’m sure there’s more! But the most clever idea comes from our Design Team Member Jennifer Davis. If you were here for the Pendant Blog Frenzy then you know what I’m talking about. This is Jennifer’s clever creation…
The function? A pop-up card! For more information on this project, please visit her blog. There is a video for us visual types. I hope you try it and let us know how it turned out! Many thanks to Jennifer for letting me share this clever idea!
Can you believe this is the last reveal of our CHA Blog Frenzy?! I want to thank all of you for commenting and entering our Frenzy contest! Also, a big thank you to all our talented designers who participated in the Frenzy to give us some wonderful inspiration!
Keri Lee has always been a crafty person. Even in her childhood, she was always making this or remaking that. For inspiration, Keri Lee finds it in everyday life by paying attention to details - there is something to be learned from each day. As for a workspace, she has a 16 x 10 studio that is attached to her kids’ play room so that she can keep an eye on them and work at the same time. Although she can’t choose a favorite Spellbinderâ„¢ die template (who can blame her!), Keri Lee’s favorite technique is to leave her die on the cut cardstock or paper and use it as a mask/stencil with her Copic Air Brushing System. Keri Lee is married to a U.S.A.F. Pilot and has four children…the youngest (daughter, Lily Kate) was just born in June. Congratulations to the Sereika Family!!
Here’s a sampling of Keri Lee’s creation to share!
We thank Becca Feeken for all her inspiring projects using the S5-018 Poinsettia Frame! WOW! Remember to enter our Frenzy contest by sending an email by July 21st (11:59PM EST). The email link is in Becca’s blog!
Your favorite color combination to work with?
I love creating with the color RED. I have to work hard not to use it on every project I do. I gravitate towards bright bold colors in general.
Your first paper craft piece you made with Spellbindersâ„¢?
I purchased my first Wizardâ„¢ in early 2004 and immediately started to use it to make many layouts of my son. I recently posted about this on my blog. Please check this post to see my first page made with Spellbindersâ„¢!
Do you shop for supplies mostly online or locally?
A little bit of both. The nearest scrapbook and craft stores are at least 40 minutes away, so I don’t shop as much as I’d like. I find it diffcult to shop online unless I know exactly what I need. I’m a tactile person. I like to feel and touch paper before buying. Lack of nearby shopping (and budget) is partly what makes me a hybrid scrapper. If I don’t have something, I create an alternative and print it rather than driving all that way to the store to get it.
Your favorite Spellbindersâ„¢ storage tip? I’m not sure if I could cope without magnet sheets. I punch holes in them and have them in 3-ring binders. I’ve seen people put them into page protectors, hang them on walls or just keep the sheets loose. Magnets Rock!
Are you a messy crafter or an organized crafter?
I have to start a project with my area clean but by the time I’m done, it’s a disaster. If I’m working on a large project, sometimes I have to stop in the middle and clean up. But usually only if I lose an important tool amidst the chaos!
If you haven’t take a peek at Design Team Member Lesa Rapp’s blog, go NOW and see her wonderful creation that she made with the S4-230 Labels Six! Remember to enter our Frenzy contest by sending in an email by July 20th (11:59 PM EST). The email link is in Lesa’s blog!
On Day Twelve, Becca Feeken will introduce our next reveal, S5-018 Poinsettia Frame, as we continue with a holiday theme. Wait until you see what Becca has in store for us as inspiration!
Becca has been crafting all her life. It started with her mother being the leader of Becca’s brownie troop so crafting was the entertainment in their household. Then she taught Becca to knit and crochet. By the age of 13, Becca began to sew her own clothes. Guess you can say she was never bored as a child! Fast forward to today, she still loves her childhood crafts but added quilting, cross stitch, beading, machine embroidery, machine knitting and stamping. As for sources of inspiration, she has always been drawn to color and texture. Over the years it led her to collect yarn, fabric, thread, paper, ribbons and coloring tools. “When you hold these things in your hands, it’s easy to dream of the possibilities…”
