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indexing very important, I did not think I needed to because I have just a few stamps, but in the past 4 months I have Accumulated several stamps and I too bought a duplicate, so guess what I will be doing this weekend???
Hi RiRed2...i was just looking at your siggy line, are you a princess???? must be nice.....I'm only a princess on my Koozy.....LOL
Hi Ellen, great thread. I've been stamping for years, but just learned at a Christmas Stamp-a-stack to stamp your image first then flip over your punch to center/place your image in the window and then punch the image out. I don't know how many times times I tried to center images in a square, circle, etc.
Hi Ellen, great thread. I've been stamping for years, but just learned at a Christmas Stamp-a-stack to stamp your image first then flip over your punch to center/place your image in the window and then punch the image out. I don't know how many times times I tried to center images in a square, circle, etc.
Glad to know I was not the only one who did it the hard way at first!
Quote by Madame_Butterfly: What is indexing? What does i mean when someone puts "bump" on their thread and nohing else????
Welcome Tamara! Just a wee bit confusin', huh? LOL, we've all had to learn. Bump, BTT = bump to to the top --- Each time someone posts on a thread, it brings that thread to the top of the list in its forum. This forum being *General Stamping Talk*. So these people that put Bump doesn't have anything in particular to say but wants the thread back at the top so others will read/comment/share. Kewl, huh?! Indexing.. some of us either stamp our images or scan them for a binder. It is a great way to keep track of the stamps we have plus it saves sooo much time to thumb thru a binder instead of going thru a kazillion stamps hunting just the right one for our current proj.
I think I've seen *Indexing* used here in reference to the printed image on the back of the wooden block that a rubber stamp is glued to. HTH!! ( hope this helps )
May God bless, Sandi
__________________ StormyElf'd '07Humble Ink Smears If at first you don't succeed, talk to God! Then, go put on your big girl panties!
Last edited by SouthernStorm; 05-22-2008 at 07:40 PM..
I keep one of those photo storage boxes full with quarter-sheets of SU cardstock, ready to use to make cards. I have "Whites", "Vanillas", "Specialty", "Bold Brights", etc. Within those color families, it's easy for me to tell which blue is which, etc. I have a Carl Cutter and I try to keep at least 6-8 quarter sheets of each color in the box all the time. I keep half sheets of cardstock in file folders in my file cabinet - I group them the same way by color family. When I find I'm out of one color in either my photo box or file folder, I'll cut about 4 sheets - some into half sheets and some into quarter sheets. That way it's easy for me to pull out a half sheet of any SU color and then I have the quarter sheets right on my stamping table ready to use for layers, etc. I figured this out for myself and it's worked well for me for almost 4 years now!
And buy QUALITY cardstock - I think SU is the best, but then of course I'm a demo!!
Welcome, newbies, to the best stamping website on the internet!! And don't be afraid to ask questions!
__________________ ~ Susan - Celebrating 19 years as an SU demo! Grammy to Anna 15, Elizabeth 14, Nora 12, Abigail 12, Kendall 10 , Isaac 10, Evan 7, and Hudson 3 with me in my avatar Proud to be SCS Fan Club Member since the beginning!
I placed an eyelet of every color I have on a little index card. It is in the depths of my purse. Now I never guess what colors I need at the store. I check!
__________________ ~Vee
It's not who you know-it's whom you know.
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I did not realize until I went to apply the name of my stamp set to my card in the gallery, that the box it came in does not name the set anywhere! Will it affect value of SU stamps down the road if I Sharpie the name or add a stick on label naming the stamps? I have the same problem with the roller. Does anyone know why they do not put the name on the set (or did I miss it on there somewhere)?
I did not realize until I went to apply the name of my stamp set to my card in the gallery, that the box it came in does not name the set anywhere! Will it affect value of SU stamps down the road if I Sharpie the name or add a stick on label naming the stamps? I have the same problem with the roller. Does anyone know why they do not put the name on the set (or did I miss it on there somewhere)?
I unfortunately didn't notice this for a long time, too. But, on the sheet with the stickers of the designs (for the tops of the mounting blocks) there is the name of the set, also on a clear sticker, for the end, side or top of the box.
I also went and wrote my set names in with sharpie. I don't know if it affects resale. I bought some used sets once and didn't mind that some were written on IMO.
I placed an eyelet of every color I have on a little index card. It is in the depths of my purse. Now I never guess what colors I need at the store. I check!
I did not realize until I went to apply the name of my stamp set to my card in the gallery, that the box it came in does not name the set anywhere! Will it affect value of SU stamps down the road if I Sharpie the name or add a stick on label naming the stamps? I have the same problem with the roller. Does anyone know why they do not put the name on the set (or did I miss it on there somewhere)?
This would only be a problem, I think, for a stamp set "collector" -- I've made lots and lots of trades here and you get the stickers placed in all different places, sometimes names written in permanent marker, and I think the bottom line is the condition of the stamps. Its worth is determined by how much the stamper really wants the set!! Yes... it's nice to receive something in pristine condition - box and all - but certainly has never been a big deal to me.
My biggest tip. Check the gallery for samples before purchasing a stamp set.
I found I purchased a lot of stamp sets that weren't necessarily my style just because they looked great in the catalog.
Very good advice and here's something else I do when visiting that gallery of the potential new stamp set:
I sort the gallery by # of comments and look at the ones that have the most comments. Then I decide if those that came out on top are 'my style' and if so, I buy it.
I'm new to getting serious about stamping...have had stuff for a while, but never did much with it. This website completely changed that for me and has inspired me to take advantage of my daughter's nap time My advice (which I just learned this morning while looking at this awesome thread):
Never cook pancakes and look at SCS at the same time. Inevitably, they will burn.
A quick question - is there somewhere on here that has an abbreviation dictionary for things that are put on here? What is DD and DH?
I don't know if it's because I'm "cheap" or this is a good idea, but if I have several layers on a card and some are pretty large, I'll cut the insides out of the lower layers. (Am I making sense?) Not only does this save in weight and bulkiness for postage purposes but also leaves me with scraps I can use later.
Okay, this really is a great thread! And while I've been stamping for a few years, I too continue to learn everyday so thanks for starting it!! (also wish there was one like this when I was starting out!!) I haven't read all the posts so these might be repeats but here are a few ideas:
- run your scissors or your sanding block along your cut cardstock, it will take off those little "bits" of rough paper and your project will look more proffessional
- If you want to use your ink pad colors for watercoloring, then squeeze your Stampin' Up ink pad (classic ink) together first before opening it up. when you then open it, you will notice some of the ink has been pressed onto the cover. you can use this like a paint well, just dip your paintbrush or aquabrush in there and pick up the ink!!
- I don't like the height I get form typical dimensionals (foam with 2 sides of stickyness so you can pop parts of your card) so instead, I glue 3 layers of cardstock together using little pieces of scrap and glue them to each corner of the image I am "popping" up. I find this is a better height for my liking and it is a great way to use up little scraps. I realize many people like more height, in fact my SU demo likes to use 2 layers of dimensionals as she likes lots of height!!
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LOL (laugh out loud). I had the same problem the other night with some zuccini I was sauteeing! Some one sent me to an abbr list once, but to date I have not found any of the ones I needed on there. We are using text message and IM abbrevs, DD darling daughter, DH darling (or dumb) husband depending on your personal preference etc. But since this is a newbie advise thread, my advise is to just ask anytime you are confused. KWIM? (know what I mean). We all started out newbies and that is how we learned. If you think you might look stupid with your question, just PM the author and ask privately. To PM see above in this thread.
I use one of those large colorful emery boards (often found at the checkout line) to take the rough edges off my cardstock/paper after I've trimmed it. Works great!!
You can also use it to 'bevel' the edge of your paper for a distressed look.
I consider myself a newbie as I have only been doing this for about a year, I ditto the Michaels comment. My advice would be to look at the For Sale forum and buy "retired" stamp sets to build your collection. You can get some very good deals and they will be new to you. I have purchased many this way and have never not received what I was promised. Also, put your money in the basics first even if you have to wait awhile. I really highly recommend SU papers etc as they coordinate and you don't have to worry-especially important when new. I think of it as Granimals for stampers!
So I went to Walmart last night and picked up some Garanimals for my daughter and what do I think of?? SU paper!!
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Thanks Lana. I uploaded my example of the card I made today using that technique to my gallery album titled When cutting your overlay pieces, cut them just a smidge wider than needed (is that still a word ? LOL, then when you go to mount each one, hand trim from behind the card holding the piece exactly where it will fit nicely to both edges. I hate when I have cut my last piece of the paper and it comes up short on the sides. Make sure you trim B4 you add the lace or ribbon!
When I buy a new SU set, I photocopy the sticker sheet before applying them to my wood blocks. If it is a used or non SU set, I stamp the images onto a piece of copy paper. All of my sheets are in a 3-ringed binder...and I call it my very own stamp index. I have also accumulated sheets of my mom's collection and my best girl friend's sets. Just so I know what I can borrow!
I wanted to start this thread. I have been a newbie for awhile and continue to get those "lightbulb" moments when I read a thread with some little well known bit of advice or info that people have known for years about stamping and I had no clue. For instance: I just read in a thread that you should place brads on the upper layers of the card so it does not show on the other side! Well, if you get any of my swaps, sorry I had no idea! LOL. You would think that would be obvious and I did wonder about it, but.....So now I know better and will improve that issue.
Does anyone else have anything they think we "newbies" ought to know so we can produce beautiful and professional looking cards like the "ole pros"?
Let's hear it. I have my note pad out and ready
I remembered a thread from a while back with a HUGE discussion of brad butts and whether or not they should show. It is here. At a recent gathering I was the proud recipient of over a dozen Dirty Dozen cards made by the best stampers on this site. Several had brad butts showing and let me tell you. those cards are still gorgeous!
I think the best advice is to ask questions, nothing is considered a dumb question, we were all where you are once upon a time.
Learn the basic steps. Let me say that again, learn the basic steps!
If you have a good handle on the basics you can tackle almost any project because when you think about it - its all about cutting, attaching, coloring, neatness, and design.
Find the best way to stamp for "you". You want to have nice clean crisp images. No smudges, smears, or partially inked imaged.
Practice cutting - learn how to use your trimmer/cutter, craft knife, and scissors. Buy quality cutting tools and maintain them and they will serve you well and last forever.
Learn about the glues and tapes - what works on what surface, what's easiest to use, what holds the longest.
Learn how to color with watercolors, basic markers, and colored pencils. Once you learn how to shade and blend, you can get the same great results with a $2 marker or a $6 marker. It's all about understanding shading. If you can, take a watercolor class or read a book on watercoloring. I highly recommend Dave Brethauer's "Card Design - rubber stamping with colored pencils and watercolors". If you need help and can only buy one book this is the one.
Learn about inks - you don't need every color but you will need a variety of types of ink. Find a good black ink - it should be true black - not purple/black.
Keep your work area, hands, and tools clean. Even though your card is handmade, it should look pristine - even the back cover.
Learn some design basics. I don't know the technical terms but, you want to understand about the viewers focus - what do you want them to see, how do you lead their eyes to the focus of the card; odd numbers are more pleasing (ex. use 3 or 5 flowers instead of 2). When you look at other cards, don't just try to copy it, try to understand what is so pleasing to you - the colors, the layout, just right amount of bling, simple or complex. This will help you find your style.
But more important that anything, have fun. Play with your supplies and then make a card. Be prepared to waste some supplies while you learn, but in the long run, it will save you money because you'll know that you need to use a dye ink instead of pigment ink.
play in the challenges. I have learned new techniques, used color combinations that are outside my comfort zone and, gotten great layouts from the sketch challenges. You don't even have to do the current one. Each has a master list of all the previous challenges and they are a great reference.
Another thing I enjoy is VSN Virtual Stamp Night when everyone is given a challenge every hour with 45 minutes to complete. For me, many new techniques have come from there. I may not have done my best work in the short time frame, but I found some fun techniques like batik, that I have gone back to and perfected.
How to Print in a Circle, Spiral, or ANY Shape you want!
