Tips And Other Helpful Tips

Tips And Other Helpful information a beginners guide ...

As a beginner or someone experienced in creating and stamping, you may find the following tips and information helpful. One of the most important aspects to consider is the work area and how to take preventive measures to protect your creations.

Work Area 

To keep your stamping workspace organized, you can use a tray, an old biscuit baking tray with paper lining or an old disposable meat tray. You can place all freshly stamped items on the tray and use a separate tray for glue and tape. Using different trays for materials such as cards, DSP cutouts, and decorations is a good idea to stay organized.

After using ink and stamps, move them to a separate container and clean them later in a designated area. Doing this can prevent any accidental smudging or staining of your work surface.

When working at my table, I always cover it with paper. I prefer white paper from scrapbooks, but you can also buy a roll from a warehouse stationery. There are two reasons for this: first, cleaning is more manageable in case of any mess. Second, it protects my work from smudges. While newspapers can also be used, they tend to create smudges due to the black ink, which is undesirable for projects or cards. Therefore, I would strongly recommend against using newspapers for this reason! Recently, I discovered transparent tablecloths, which are fantastic as they can be wiped clean. These tablecloths make wiping away spills and ink easier with a damp cloth and soapy water.

Care For Stamps

Taking care of your stamps is essential, and following a few simple steps can help them last longer. After stamping, use a lint-free, fragrance-free, acid-free baby wipe, handy towel wipe, or a lint-free cloth like Chux to wipe off any excess ink. Once done, Use the Stampin’ Up shammy and then place them in the dirty tray, and move to the clean area and clean with the Stampin’ Up! Scrub,  The Scrub should be used with a spray mist. This helps condition the stamps and remove any unwanted marks. To wash the blocks, use hot, soapy water and leave them to air dry. Avoid using a tea towel or any other material to dry them, as air drying is best. If the blocks have unwanted marks, isopropyl alcohol wipes are useful in removing them. 

If you want your stamps to last longer, consider washing the scrub mat once a week or once a month, depending on how much use it gets. Wash it in the sink using hot, soapy water and rinse it under running water until the water runs clear. Place the mat on a flat surface to air dry, then return it to the holder with the angle showing the wet and dry symbols once it’s dry. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your stamps are always in perfect condition. Don’t forget to use the following links to purchase items: 

 Buy a shammy here 

 

Buy Stampin’ Up! Scrub here 

Buy Stampin’ Up! Spray Mist here

When it comes to stamping and crafting

I recommend having two stamping pierce mats. It’s better to use one mat exclusively for inking or stamping and the other for assembling cards and piecing. The piercing mat helps stamp clear images, especially when using clear stamps that don’t have the sponge part between the image and the stamping block. It cushions the card and provides even coverage for a clear and clean image. 

I use grid paper to guide me on where to stamp and place sentiments or ribbons for better stamping accuracy. In my early days of crafting, I used lunch or freezer paper and a cutting mat from Warehouse Stationery to keep the surface clean and protect the work area. If you’re on a tight budget, scrapbook paper or a desktop pad can be a good alternative to protect your work area. Using grid paper as a guide helps me place sentiments and ribbons accurately, so I always use it now for better stamping accuracy.

Recently, I purchased a silicone craft sheet, making it easy to assemble embellishments. You just need to put an adhesive dot on the sheet and use both hands to form the embellishment; it’s fantastic for making bows. I use it to glue or use sticky adhesive because it is easier to clean when gluing, taping, or stamping. Sample peeling of dry glue or washing in warm soaping water and let air dry. 

If  I’m only making one card or using a stampin’ up! Kit or going away, I still grab my desktop pad and a piece of grid paper to avoid unwanted marks on my cards. 

click here for Stampin’ pierce mats

Click here for Grid Paper  

Click here for Silicone Mat

Types of cards

There are various card folds, ranging from fancy to simple and beyond. I usually layer the card base for simple cards, but you can experiment with different techniques and designs. As I continue to learn about different types of card folds, this is the list compiled so far. 

Names of different cards and styles 

– Gatefold Cards

– Tri-Fold Cards

– Z-Fold Cards

– Pop-Up Cards

– Twist-Fold Cards

– Easel Cards

– Shaker Cards

– Slider Cards

– Pocket Cards

– Step Cards

– Joy Fold Cards

– Box Cards

– Waterfall Cards

– Tunnel Cards

– Double-Z Cards

– Peek-A-Boo Cards

– Shadow Box Cards

– Bridge Cards

– Swing Cards

– Spinner Cards

– Pinwheel Cards

– Flip Cards

– Wiper Cards

– Tunnel Book Cards

– Center-Step Cards

– Tunnel Cards with Pull-Out Tabs

– Diorama Cards

– Explosion Cards

– Diamond Fold Cards

– Cascading Cards

– W Fold Cards

– Star Fold Cards

– Sunburst Cards

– Orbital Cards

– Concertina Cards

 

Types of techniques

Creating unique and beautiful cards requires various techniques. You can find most of these options in the Glossary. Here are ten of the most popular card-making techniques that you can try:

 

1. Stamping

2. Die-cutting

3. Embossing

4. Paper quilling

5. Watercoloring

6. Heat embossing

7. Stenciling

8. Collage

9. Punching

10. Masking

Stamping Of Images

When I create cards, I usually stamp the images on a white card. However, it’s not necessary to limit yourself to just one color. Experimenting with different colors can help you find the best match for your design. Before constructing the card, I always recommend testing the image on a scrap piece of colored card or DSP to see how it looks.

 

To save time, I suggest stamping all of your images at once and putting them aside to dry. Although the stamped images dry quickly, it’s important to allow time for them to set before handling, placing, or using adhesive. This way, you can avoid smudging the image. While the images are drying, you can prepare the card, DSP, and other items you plan to use in your construction, or tidy up and put away the ink and stamps. This will give you more space to construct your card or project.

 

If you accidentally get unwanted ink on your block, use a baby wipe or a similar product to clean the block just before stamping your image. This will remove any unwanted ink that could transfer to the card. It’s also important to wipe the stamps before cleaning them with a scrub or shammy. I prefer to use a lint-free, fragrance-free, acid-free baby/wet wipe, but you can use hand wipes if you prefer.

I frequently use the Stampin’ Up! Stamparatus while stamping, but unfortunately, they are no longer being produced. However, you might be able to find one through second-hand sources or resale websites. I highly recommend getting your hands on one if you have the chance. It’s an excellent tool that can make your stamping experience more comfortable and enjoyable.

Handy Items:

Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, is something that I always make sure to have in the room. Not only do some stamping techniques require it, but it is also great if you are having trouble with the stamps not sticking to the block. I use isopropyl alcohol wipes to remove unwanted marks from blocks, and I also use it to clean tools such as scissors and tweezers to remove sticky adhesive.

I find it helpful to have multiple pairs of scissors for different types of materials. When I use the same pair of scissors for cutting paper and fabric, I notice that the blades become dull more quickly, and it’s harder to get a clean cut. That’s why I always make sure to have different pairs of scissors for specific materials. I label each pair based on the material it’s intended to cut, which helps me avoid confusion and ensures that I always use the right pair for the job. This practice not only helps me achieve better results but also extends the lifespan of my scissors. Currently, I mark my scissors by tying a piece of ribbon around the pair that I only use for cutting my ribbon. I have another pair that I use solely for cutting paper. However, I plan to buy two more pairs soon – one for twine and another for tape or sticky work. I am aware of several demonstrators who own more than two sets of scissors. If you would like to purchase your own scissors, you can click here.

I always keep hand sanitizer and a packet of wet wipes near me to maintain cleanliness and avoid smudging my images. In addition, I prefer to use well-fitting gloves when using ink for stamping. This helps me remove them quickly, preventing any ink marks on my fingers or images. It also prevents strain on my fingers and any telltale signs of stamping. Moreover, gloves help prevent ink from damaging surfaces around the home.

Highlight  Dimensionals

This tip has been a lifesaver for me and it was shared by my team leader, Angela Palmer. It’s a simple trick to ensure that you have removed all the backing from each of the dimensionals you have used. This way, you can avoid any pieces falling off due to forgetting to remove the backing. I am grateful to Angela for sharing this with me.

Moreover, this trick also helps you to keep track of how much dimensional adhesive you have left. A quick glance at the remaining adhesive will let you know when it is time to order more.

Reminder

I would like to remind you that the following thoughts and ideas are solely mine and are intended to help you make informed choices when crafting. There are multiple approaches to crafting, and this guide is just a tool to enhance your experience and enjoyment. Remember, prevention and protection are better than regrets. There are no rights or wrongs when it comes to crafting, so experiment and find what works best for your situation. I am happy to share my experience and thoughts, so feel free to ask me. You can easily contact me through the contact page.

 

In summary, this guide is meant to provide you with some helpful insights when crafting. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to crafting, and you should experiment to find what works best for your situation. Remember that prevention and protection are always better than regrets. If you have any questions or want to share your own experience, please feel free to contact me.