Monday, February 18, 2008

Workshops

Card workshops are a fun night out to eat, chat, and of course make cards. During each card making session, 3 cards will be demonstrated. New techniques, stamps, punches, tools, paper, and rub-ons will be available to try.

Workshop times are from 7-10 pm

Workshop Dates:

Wed. Feb. 27th
Wed. Mar. 19th
Wed. Apr. 9th

If there is a specific type of card that you would like to create or a technique you would like to try please let me know.

I would like to try to accommodate schedules for people interested in attending the card workshops. If Wednesday nights do not work for you let me what nights are good for you. I'll see if a switch in the schedule is possible. If enough people commit to attending a workshop on a specific evening, a second card workshop night may be offered.

Techniques

Stamp Technique

Watercolour pencils, aqua painter, pastels, and markers
Once your stamped image has dried on the paper, use water colours, aqua painter, pastels and/or markers to add colour and passe. Stamp with waterproof ink if you are going to colour the image in later with watercolour pencils or the aqua painter.

Embossing
Embossing is a technique used to raise an image above the printing surface. While there are many embossing effects, the most commonly used technique for stamp work is called thermal (heat) embossing. Thermal embossing requires an embossing agent, usually a powder, which is heated with an embossing gun that blows very hot air out of a pointed nozzle.
To emboss:
1) Stamp your image onto the surface using embossing or pigment ink. (Watercolors or colour markers won't work.)
2) Sprinkle embossing powder over the inked image, covering it completely while the ink is still damp.
3) Shake off the excess embossing powder and save it for later.
4) Turn on your embossing gun, let it heat up for a few seconds, and hold it a few inches above the powdered image until you see it melt. To avoid burning your fingers hold the cardstock you are embossing with a clothes pin.

When finished, your stamped image will have a raised, dimensional surface.

Masking Basic

Masking allows you to stamp several images over each other without marring the previously stamped images. The process is simple, but the resulting illustration can be amazingly detailed.

1) Stamp the image you want to appear in the foreground of your illustration. Stamp that same image on another piece of paper.
2) Cut out this stamped image just inside the outer lines.
3) Place this "mask" over the original stamped image on your project.
4) Select your background stamp image, then ink and stamp over this masked image.
5) Use a "stampamagig" to position your stamped images.

You need't worry about ruining the foreground image because it is covered with your mask.

Colour Spritzer Tool
This is a tool that produces a type of airbrush effect. Lock the colour marker of your choice into the spritzer holder. Be sure to use a new, well-inked colour marker for the best results. With a quick squeeze, pump the bulb of the spritzer. Air is forced through the tip of the marker, blowing out a mist of color.

Wheels (Standard and Jumbo)
A wheel is like a small paint roller. Depending on how you ink the wheel, you can achieve varying results including a wash of colour, borders, edges, repetitive patterns, and more. Simply roll the wheel over your ink pad, using a roll-and-lift motion. (A back-and-forth motion will ink the same spot on the wheel). Roll the wheel onto your project as desired. Ink specific areas, lines, or patterns on the wheel with colour markers, too.

Layering
Stampers can achieve dimension in their projects by stamping an image, cutting it out and then layering it on top of their work using a "dimensional" of foam tape or accordion-folded paper strips to raise the image from the background.

Sales and Promotions

Check Out this Season's Specials!

If there are any promotions that you are interested in please give me a call, or contact me by email. March and April would be a great time to host a party. If your party sells $450 before taxes you'll receive an additional $35 in free merchandise! So invite your friends, family, and co-workers for an evening!

Get Ready for Sale-A-Bration!

February 1-March 17, 2008

The Sale-A-Bration promotion gives everyone a reason to celebrate!

Promotion Details:

Customers:

For every $70 purchase you make, you will receive a free Sale-A-Bration product.

Hostesses:
In addition to our regular hostess benefits, hostesses will receive a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set for workshops that reach $400 or more.

Recruits:
Anyone who joins as a demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration can choose any stamp set--a value of up to $60.95--from the current catalogue.

Sale-A-Bration Recruiting Promotion

February 1 - March 17, 2008

Promotion Details:
New demonstrators who join Stampin' Up! during the promotional period will pay only $208 for the demonstrator Starter Kit in addition to the regular Sale-A-Bration recruiting incentive to choose any one free stamp set from the catalogue during the promotional period.

Hostess Promotion
Dates: March 18 - April 30, 2008

Promotion Details:
Host a $450 workshop between March 18 and April 30, and earn an EXTRA $35 in hostess awards!

Wild Wasabi Card Stock Special Product Offer

Dates: March 1-April 30, 2008

Special Offer Details: Purchase a special-offer Wild Wasabi card stock pack for only $4.60 ($4.95 special offer price less a 7% price adjustment).
The pack includes 16 sheets of 4-1/2" x 11-1/2" Wild Wasabi textured card stock that has been scored at 1-1/8" and 5-5/8". The item number for the Wild Wasabi card stock pack is 110294.

Welcome

Hi everyone!
I have decided to start a blog that will provide useful stamping techniques, tips, and eventually step by step card making. I am just starting to get the hang of blogging so please be patient as I learn how to import pictures. Feedback is welcome so please post comments to various topics as they are posted.