Stampin' Up! - New Paper Punch Design

If you are like me, I can't get enough of paper punches and the Big Shot dies. Whoever first invented these items, they are my hero ... LOL

I have pictured 7 of the new 8 paper punches for you to see. The missing one is called Extra Large Fancy Flower (item #118073). It was not available for pre-order, but will be available as of Jan 5th. Remember none of these paper punches are NOT available until Jan 5th, 2010. They are part of the Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration catalog. The Scallop Trim Border Punch is free if you choose it as a Sale-A-Bration item (if you purchase $50 in Stampin' Up! merchandise, you can choose 1 item free from the Sale-A-Bration catalog).

The paper punches have a brand new look and are much more compact. Being more compact is a major plus as it will take far less storage space. The current paper punch designs will remain the same (black) and new paper punch designs will be in this new style of paper punch.


This photo shows how the paper punches are stackable on their sides. Each one has a lock (see last photo of this post) so that the punch will remain closed while stored.

This punch is called Scallop Trim Border (item #118402). I really like the delicate scallops it makes. Our regular scallop punch had scallops further apart (just an FYI as I had a customer ask if they were the same sizes). This punch is only available as a choice for Sale-A-Bration. It also will be available for sale in the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog that will be out in July 2010. The best part of this, is that it has a matching corner punch (see next photo).

Scallop Trim Corner punch (item #118870) whether used alone on the corners or matched up with the border punch, adds a great look to accent your cards or scrapbooks.

Pinking Hearts Border Punch (item #117649) adds a beautiful look to your work. Can you see the tiny hearts it punches out above the pinking shear look to the border. It also has a matching corner punch (see photo below).
Pinking Hearts Corner Punch (item # 118072). It is so delicate and is wonderful paired with its matching border punch.

Extra Large Two Step Bird (item #117191) is a great way to add dimension to your paper crafts. It actually punches out 3 pieces (the bird, the wing, and the branch with leaves). I used two sided paper.
Medium Jewelry Tag (item #117190) punches out 1 jewelry tag and works well with the stamp set called Tiny Tags (item #118091 Wood mount OR item #118592 Clear mount - unmounted rubber). Tiny Tags is found on Pg 28 of the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Small Heart (item #117193) is a great compliment to the Stampin' Up! Embosslits Die called Stampin' Up! Scalloped Heart of Hearts (item #117332) on Pg 15 of the Occasions Mini and also to punch out the small heart image from the I (Heart) Hearts stamp set (item 117010 - Wood mount OR item #118571 Clear mount) on Pg 14 of the Occasions Mini.

I wanted to be sure to show you the locking feature on the back of the paper punches. It is shown on the bottom of this punch.

When using the new punches upside down (like shown in the photo) rather than on a flat surface, PLEASE be extremely careful of the placement of your hand. You can pitch your hand if your hand is not held away from the handle area. Just an FYI ... voice of experience speaking ... LOL.

Here are the links again for the two new catalogs:

http://204.228.150.61/catalogs/20091231/OccasionsMini10_US.pdf
Occasions Mini

http://204.228.150.61/catalogs/20091231/SAB_10_US.pdf
Sale-A-Bration

Also Gretchen Barron (another demonstrator) has posted a wonderful guide on how to do an all around design using the border punches with matching corner punches. I felt it was worth sharing, so here is her link:

http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/12/a-guide-for-cutting-squares-and-rectangles-with-the-scallop-trim-border-and-corner-punches.html


Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Stampin' Up! Unmounted Stamps - How to Assemble - Tutorial

As of January 5th, Stampin' Up! will be offering both traditional wood mounted stamp sets AND also unmounted rubber stamps sets that are used with acrylic blocks !!!!!! Since they both sets use rubber (not see thru acrylic) for the stamp itself, the images are crisp and clean ... great quality that we expect from Stampin' Up!.

Stamps sets will be offered in wood mount OR unmounted rubber with the exception of the single stamps and Build-A-Bear stamp sets which will only be offered in wood mount.

NOTE: Products from Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration are NOT available until January 5th. Items show below are pre-view only at this time.

Like many craft enthusiasts, I have many, many wood mounted stamp sets. I thought it would be interesting to show a space comparison between unmounted and wood mounted. On the left are 14 DVD size cases of the new Stampin' Up! Unmounted stamps sets. Each case of the unmounted is the same size. On the right are 14 wood mounted stamp sets. The unmounted take up about 1/2 the space that the wood mounted does.

I found DVD stands that hold 28 DVDs. They are perfect for our new unmounted stamp sets. A bookcase/book shelf would be perfect too. The cases have photos on the front with name of the stamp set, on the side too. Then on the back you can see the design showing thru the case too (photos below).

How to Assemble the Unmounted Rubber Stamp Sets

Photo of the front of the case for "Messages for Mom"
Wood Mount (W): #117016 $25.95
Unmounted (C): #118580 $18.95
Set of 8

Inside the case will be a set of labels and a set of rubber with the stamps die cut ready to be punched out. Stamps have a layer of foam just like the wood mounted stamps.


The rubber sheet of stamps and the sheet of labels are in the exact same order. I find it is easiest to lay them by each other making sure that they are both laying in the same direction/order.

Push out one of the stamps ... again they are die cut and easy to remove.

Remove the protective white coating on the label. There is a slight slit in the coating to aid in the removal. Remove slowly so that the label does not dislodge from the sheet. If you accidentally remove the complete label, it still can be put on the rubber stamp just a bit more effort as the label is sticky.


There is also a protective white coating on the stamp. Remove it also.

Working from left to right, set the rubber stamp over the label then once in place press firmly. Then remove the rubber stamp with the label attached.


Photo above shows the label attached to the back of the rubber stamp. It has a cling surface and will adhere to your acrylic blocks easily as well as to the inside of the stamp case.


Photo above is of the rubber stamp side of the stamp.


Stamp can now be placed on an acrylic block (YES, Stampin' Up! has these blocks for sale too ... more information on them below).

This is really neat to be able to see the image thru the acrylic block to help with alignment of the stamped image. Of course, for the best image alignment we still recommend using the Stamp-a-ma-jig (item #101049)

When you are finished stamping, you clean the unmounted stamps with Stampin' Mist, pat dry, then place inside their storage case.

Press gently but firmly to adhere to the storage case.


Here's how they look from the back of the storage case. You can easily see each image thru the case.


We have 9 different sizes of Acrylic Blocks. Each block is labeled (A thru I), has a gripping indention all the way around, and Stampin' Up! on it. Blocks can be purchased individually or in a Block Bundle which includes 1 of each size. I purchased the Block Bundle (Item #118491) and it is pictured above. It is so nice to pick the perfect size for the image you are using.

Well, I'm off to set up more of my stamp sets. Then I can begin creating even more things to put on my blog to share with you.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Valentine Mailbox Mini Tutorial

As promised, here is the mini tutorial for the Valentine Mailbox. Cindy Gilbraith gave me the inspiration to make one of these.


This is the photo of my completed mail box. I have only found these metal mailboxes at Target in the $ section. They come in white, red, and pink and can be a bit difficult to find at times. If you come across them, buy them right then because when you go back they may be gone.

Tips for this project:
4" x 12" piece of paper to cover the body of your mailbox
4" x 12" piece of paper to cover the ends of your mailbox
two 12" pieces of ribbon to wrap around the doors
three pieces of 6" ribbon for the bows
Misc scraps for hearts etc on the mailbox
White Unigel pen to highlight hearts
Lots of Sticky Strip
Tom Boy Multi-purpose glue

Already to get started.
I outlined two lids on the paper and then cut out inside of the lines. Otherwise the paper will be larger than the lid.

Lids cut out and ready to go.

I placed (not glued) the paper over the mailbox and marked with pencil where the flag joint is.


Punch out the pencil mark area using your 1/2" paper punch.

Cut with your paper snipes so it will fit around the flag.
I used sticky strip to attach the paper to the body of the mail box. It will overlap a little bit on the bottom of the mailbox.

Using Tom Boy multi-purpose glue, I attached the covers for the two lids on the ends. Then used sticky strip to attach the 12" pieces of ribbon around the edges.


I tied 3 ribbon bows on the flag bar. Each ribbon piece was 6" long. These were done with knots. If you are going to make true bows, then you will need longer pieces of ribbon.

I punched out 2 hearts with our lg heart paper punch, highlighted them with the white gel pen, then attached to the flag.


Here's the mail box finished and filled with Hershey Nuggets. The new HUGS Love Notes (#118778) along with the Rectangle Glassine Envelopes (#117227) in the Occasions Mini catalog are a perfect fit for a note inside of the mailbox. The notes and envelopes can be ordered as of January 5th.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Mini Mailbox For Valentine's Day - Links to Mini Catalogs too

Thank you so much Cindy Galbraith for your inspiration (and enablement) of this mailbox. I had so much fun making it this evening.

Hmmmm, this was so much fun and I was able to buy just a few extra mailboxes tonight from the local big box store that we "might" just do this as one of our class projects on the 9th. Of course, if we do we would need to use some of the awesome new papers that will be in the Occasions Mini Catalog or the Sale-A-Bration mini. I filled this with Hershey Nuggets (they are Hal's favorite), but it could easily be filled with small gifts, Valentines, or whatever you would like.

I promise more photos and a link to a tutorial on line tomorrow.

Great News!!!! Because of the delay in mailing for the new Occasions Mini Catalog and the Sale-A-Bration catalog, Stampin' Up! has released the on-line links to the pdf files. This way you can immediately see what is going to be available in just a few days. REMEMBER, none of this merchandise will be available until January 5th. For every $50 in Stampin' Up! merchandise purchased (before tax & shipping) from 1/5/10 thru 3/31/10, you will be able to chose one free item from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. What a great way to earn free merchandise!!! Here's the links:

http://204.228.150.61/catalogs/20091231/OccasionsMini10_US.pdf
Occasions Mini

http://204.228.150.61/catalogs/20091231/SAB_10_US.pdf
Sale-A-Bration

Stampin' Up! is working fast and furious to get the catalogs out to our customers and your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Mailing of Mini Catalogs Delayed

Mailing Selector Delay
December 30, 2009

There has been a delay mailing out the Sale-A-Bration brochures and Occasions Mini Catalogs through the mailing selector. We will replace Sale-A-Bration brochures beginning January 8, and Occasions Mini Catalogs beginning January 15. We apologize for any inconvenience.

This was posted this evening on the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website. My customers will still get their catalogs, but there will be a delay. The catalogs are soooo worth the wait. I know everyone is disappointed, but they will be in your mail box soon. Wait till you see the great new products Stampin' Up! is offering.

I received my pre-0rder tonight AND have the next 5 days off from work. My plan is to post as much as possible of the great new products for you all to see. Also as of the 5th we will have links to pdf files for the catalogs that you can view on-line.

Sale-A-Bration catalog is valid 1/5/10 thru 3/31/10.
Occasions Mini catalog is valide 1/5/10 thru 4/30/10.

Thank you for your patience and understanding of this delay. If you have any questions, please contact me. I check e-mails daily even on the days that I work and promise a quick reply.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)