Upcoming Classes

I am so glad today is Friday!! :) I will be going over to the Lone Star Retreat Center in Georgetown for their grand opening crop this weekend. I will be teaching two different make and takes while I'm there along with getting some more layouts of mine done!


Here's some pictures of the finished make and takes. They will be offered for $1 each. We will be using lots of fun scrappy supplies and techniques and they are each highlighting one of the classes I will be teaching up at the Lone Star Retreat Center starting in October.

This first make and take highlights a few of the fun techniques I will be teaching in my Totally Techniques class. There is lots of glitter on here too, which doesn't show up well in the photo... For this class, we will be making cards, but the concepts cross over to scrapbooking very easily. I can't wait to share some of these fun techniques with you! This class is jam-packed with information and tips.



Here are the details for my Totally Techniques class:
The Totally Techniques Class will be offered these dates:
Monday Oct 6th 9:30-11am
Monday Nov 3rd 9:30-11am
Monday Dec 1st 9:30-11am

Each month, we will focus on several different techniques as we create four cards. A handout will be included with a sample image and complete directions for each technique. I'm looking forward to sharing these fun ideas with you. Be sure to try these same techniques on your scrapbook pages or home décor projects too! Class fee is $10 and will include a different variety of supplies and papers each month. Please bring glue dots, your choice of adhesive, scissors and brown/black inkpad with you to class.


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This next make and take highlights my Mix It Up: Pattern Paper class. In this class, I will teach how to combine different patterns together and we will also talk about some design concepts you can use when you create your own pages. The class will include a double page 12x12 layout and a card each month. Such a fun class and I look forward to teaching this one again!

Mix It Up: Pattern Paper Class series

Mixing pattern papers on your layouts is not as complicated as it may seem.
Come learn some tips and tricks to use when combining paper patterns and colors as we create a new 12x12 double page layout each month. We will also create a card using the same papers.
Class fee is $15 and will include a different variety of supplies and papers each month. Please bring glue dots, your choice of adhesive, scissors and brown/black inkpad with you to class.


This class will be offered as a three part series:
Month One: Using papers from one manufacturer.
Month Two: Mixing patterns from various manufacturers.
Month Three: Ways to create unique custom paper with various supplies.

These are the dates I will be teaching this class:
Friday Oct 17th 9:30-11am (Month 1)
Friday Nov 21st 9:30-11am (Month 2)
Friday Dec 12th 9:30-11am (Month 3)
If you are interested in attending any of these classes, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment below.
I will post the previews for each class soon...
Have a GREAT Friday!!

Wordle

I just came across the COOLEST website http://www.wordle.net/ that you can use to create custom word clouds.

Here's an example of one I just created:

http://wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/159803/stamp_scrapbook

Unmounted stamps--Adhesive

ACK!!! Where has the summer gone? The kids are finally back in school and I'm trying to catch up on everything I've had to push back during the summer.

I have had several emails about how I use my unmounted rubber stamps with my clear blocks, so I wanted to share this tutorial with you. The big *secret* is that I use Aleene's Tack it Over & Over to make my unmounted stamps sticky.

Here's a little more info and details...

The supplies you'll need are:

Aleene's Tack it Over & Over

Wax Paper

Masking Tape

Disposable foam paintbrush

Disposable gloves

Toothpicks

Unmounted rubber stamps (already trimmed)

First, I start off by taping down some wax paper to my surface using masking tape. This prevents any accidental glue from getting on your surface and also allows your stamps to be easily removed once the adhesive has dried. Then lay your stamps face down onto the wax paper surface. **If you have unmounted the stamps from wooden blocks, be sure all the foam has been removed first (you can usually easily rub it off with your finger, or use goo-be-gone or an adhesive remover to get any remaining foam off the rubber). I also make sure my stamps have been trimmed closely to the images and I cut apart any sayings before I add the glue. I can always line the words up just as they were originally intended, or stamp them in a different variation on my project when they are cut separately.

The next step is to be sure to wear the disposable gloves. I have found I like to only wear one...on my left hand so that I can use that hand with a toothpick to hold down the stamps while I paint on the glue. I am right-handed. Trust me, you don't want to get this glue on your hands...it's hard to get off!! :)

Then I squirt some glue on the backside of each stamp and spread it out with the foam brush. On smaller stamps, I have found you can use the paintbrush to "pounce" the glue on. If your fingers get in the way when you are holding the stamp still, you can use your toothpicks to hold it down. I usually paint on a medium heavy coat of glue. Don't want to drown your stamp in glue, but as long as it's fully covered, it will work.

As the glue dries, you will see white spots where it is still wet and they will turn clear when the glue is completely dry. I usually leave the stamps out for a few hours just to make sure the glue is completely set and had time to get fully tacky.

Here is a picture of my stamps after they have dried (and had time to get tacky) Again, I usually wait several hours to let the glue fully set. You can see how it's dried clear and kind of "shiny" where the adhesive was painted on. Before I put the stamps on my storage sheets, I usually stick them to the back of my hand to tone down the stickiness a bit...they are quite sticky when they have fresh adhesive on them. **If the stamps ever lose their stickiness down the road, I simply repeat the same process and add another thin layer of painted on glue. So far, I haven't had to do this to many of my stamps. The dried adhesive will last for a good while. Also note that sometimes you will get excess glue on the front or sides of your stamp by accident...I know I'm a messy painter at times. :) Don't worry about it...just rub it off with your fingers once it is dry. Remember to try not to touch the wet glue with your hands...it's a pain to get off. For some reason, the dried glue is easier to remove. It's kind of like rubber cement.

Hope this helps answer some of your questions about my adhesive solution. The Tack it over & Over is relatively inexpensive (around $5 or under a bottle) and that lasts a LONG LONG time. I have found mine at Michael's craft store in with the other adhesive/glue bottles.

If you have any questions, just let me know. :)