Papercrafting with Polly

Baby Cards

Babies are a great way to start human beings!  Yes, you've heard that before and may even have a stamp with that sentiment on it.  My first two cards feature new dies from Cottage Cutz and while they take some patience, they yield beautiful results.  How cute are these little animals!  And there's even a little teddy bear on the clothesline!  Be sure to click the photos to see more detail. Cottage Cutz Clothesline – Cottage Cutz die Baby Clothesline; Taylored Expressions die Stitched Frames; TE Little Bits die Sun and Clouds; Impression Obsession die Congrats Word Set

The Baby Animal Mobile fits perfectly in the IO Oval Frame die. Cottage Cutz Baby Animal Mobile – Cottage Cutz die Baby Animal Mobile; Taylored Expressions die Treat Toppers (word "Baby"); Impression Obsession die All-in-One Frame Ovals

New Baby Onesie – Impression Obsession dies Baby set and Congrats Word set; Taylored Expressions die Stitched Tags

Elephants are very popular on baby cards.  You will see lots of different elephants on my cards starting with the Elephant Parade from Taylored Expressions.

Elephant Parade Welcome – Taylored Expressions dies Elephant Parade, Block Party Baby, Grass Border and Welcome Baby Banner

Same elephants cut apart and mounted using the Cottage Cutz mobile die.Elephant Mobile – Taylored Expressions die Elephant Parade; Impression Obsession dies All-in-One Frame Squares and Congrats Word set; Cottage Cutz die Baby Animal Mobile

Welcome Baby – Impression Obsession dies All-in-One Frame Squares and Baby set; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Salutations; design inspired by Kitty Caracciolo

Boy oh Boy – Impression Obsession die Baby set; Amuse sentiment set

Another elephant -- this one from IO.  I stamped the paper with the mini dot pattern then die cut the elephant.  For the background I die cut the Tayored Expressions Shining Stars die from some pastel colored paper and mounted it on a blue card. Elephant Stars – Taylored Expressions die Shining Stars; Impression Obsession dies Patchwork Elephant and Congrats Word set; Impression Obsession stamp set Mini Patterns 2; Memory Box die Stitched Circles

Same elephant and mini dots stamp. Baby Stars – Impression Obsession dies Patchwork Elephant, Congrats Word set and Patchwork Elements; Impression Obsession stamp set Mini Patterns 2; Lil Inkers die Stitched Stars; design inspired by Karen Amidon

From the Archives Welcome Little One Girl – Taylored Expressions die Welcome Little One; TE stamp set Onesie Twosie with Onesie die; design inspired by Jen Shults 

Welcome Little One Boy – Taylored Expressions die Welcome Little One; TE stamp set Onesie Twosie with Onesie die; design inspired by Jen Shults
Block Party Baby Feet – Taylored Expressions dies Block Party Baby, Treat Toppers Baby and Stitched Banner Stacklets; design inspired by Kerri Michaud 

Block Party Baby Safety Pin – Taylored Expressions dies Block Party Baby, Treat Toppers Baby and Stitched Banner Stacklets; TE embossing folder Cable Knit; TE stamp set Little Bits of Baby; design inspired by Kim Singdahlsen
Nursery – TE dies Build-A-Scene Nursery and Build-A-Scene window; TE stamp set Little Bits of Baby; design inspired by Sankari Wegman
Welcome Teddy Bear – TE dies Little Bits Teddy Bear, Welcome Baby and Build-A-Scene Nursery; Memory Box die Pinpoint Squares; TE stamp set Little Bits of Baby; design inspired by Courtney Kelley

If you need to make a baby card, stop by The Stamp Act for loads of products, inspiration and papers!  We would love to see you.

What's New at The Stamp Act

We've been receiving lots of fun new products including ....

Nuvo Crystal Drops --If you love adding enamel drops to your artwork then make your own with Nuvo Crystal Drops.  With this easy-to-use product you simply squeeze a drop on your page and let it harden into a faux enamel drop with a smooth domed top.  Here's a short video that shows you lots of techniques with these colorful drops.  We are also carrying the Morning Dew drops that dry crystal clear.  Quick, easy and colorful!  Nuvo Crystal Drops are $3.39 each.

Jewel Picker -- Pick up sequins, beads, die cuts and more with this double-ended tool.  What I especially like about it is that it has a large and small end and each is covered with a cap which helps maintain the stickiness of the tip.  Jewel Picker is $5.79.

Distress Oxide Inks -- These are the hottest inks and everyone wants them.  This video by Jennifer McGuire's is a very comprehensive introduction to Oxide Inks.  We have the original 12 colors in stock and the newest 12 colors on order (they are being released this week).  Buy any 12 inks and receive 10% discount.  Distress Oxide inks are $6.25 each.

Concord & 9th Turnabout Stamps -- You really have to see these to understand them because they are so unique.  Make the coolest multi-colored background papers in minutes with these stamps as you turn them and stamp them in different colored inks.  The Distress Oxides would be perfect!  Watch these videos to understand how easy they are: Jennifer McGuire, Concord & 9th, and Justine Hovey.  Turnabout stamps are $20.99 each.

Tim Holtz Stamping Platform -- The brand new Tim Holtz Stamping Platform will be released this week so reserve yours now!  It retails for $39.99 and we should have it in stock in about 10 days.  We still have two  Stamp Perfects in stock; after they are sold that's it.  And remember, the Stamp Perfect is $24.99 (small) and $29.99 (large).  Honestly, this is a tool you should not be without!  Stop in for a demo anytime.

Amodex Ink & Stain Remover -- You gotta have this!  I have used it to remove Copic marker, ink stains and ketchup stains and it works easily and completely.  The stain is gone -- not lightened where you can still see a little of it -- gone, disappeared, removed!  Amodex is $8.49 a bottle or $1.49 for a small trial size.

Stamps and Dies -- We have lots of new stamps and dies from Stampendous (more Laurel Burch!), Impression Obsession, Taylored Expressions, Newton's Nook, Waffle Flower, Concord & 9th, Memory Box and Poppystamps, and many more.  Some of my favorite new ones are from Art Impressions.  Here's a sneak peek!

Live Laugh Love set is $15.49 each

Better Soon is $15.49 each

This is an oldie but a goodie and makes a great girlfirend card -- especially with the sentiment below.

Out to Lunch is $9.99 each

Weight Watcher Points is $5.29 each

Hot Java Mama is $15.49 each

Beauty in Progress is $19.99 each

Irresistible is $15.49 each

A Few Samples ...

 

 

There's so much more in store at The Stamp Act so please stop in soon.  Thanks.

Mother's Day Cards

Hello Friends. Today I want to share with you some cards that while perfect for Mother's Day, will work just as well for new baby or friendship cards.  I am using a set of stamps with matching dies from Taylored Expressions called Mama & Me.  When you are thinking of Mother's Day, please consider all the mothers in your life.  While my own Mom is gone, I like to remember my sisters, my friends and even my neices who are Moms to fur babies.  Being a Mom comes in many forms so be sure to think outside the family tree!

Here are the set of stamps and dies I am using today.

Taylored Expressions cling-mount stamp set Mama & Me, $18.79

Taylored Expressions cling-mount stamp set Mama & Me, $23.99

My first card stars two cute fish swimming in an ocean created by die cutting the Poppystamps die Waverly Collage twice.  The blues and greens are much more vibrant IRL so be sure to click on the photo to enlarge it and see more detail and color.  To give the fish a wet look, I added Glossy Accents on top of the coloring.  A few clear round gems add bubbles to the scene!

Fish – Taylored Expressions stamp set with matching dies set Mama & Me; TE die Frame in Frame; Poppystamps die Waverly Collage; Impression Obsession die Hearts

For this card I die cut white cardstock with the TE Falling Hearts die to create a stencil.  I laid the stencil over white cardstock and pressed my Versamark ink pad over the heart cut outs.  I then embossed the hearts with clear embossing powder and sponged pink and yellow dye inks on top of the hearts.  The embossed hearts resist the inks and show up as white (the color of the underlying cardstock).  Once the background was completed, I stamped, cut and colored the elephants, mounted them with foam tape and added the Sweet (die cut) and Sweet Little One (stamp) sentiments.

Sweet Elephants – Taylored Expressions stamp set with matching dies set Mama & Me; TE dies Frame in Frame 2, Sweet Script and Falling Hearts; design inspired by Keia Shipp-Smith

I gave the elephants a whole new look when I stamped them on plaid paper and positioned them behind some grass.  Isn't this sentiment the bomb?!!

Mini Me Elephants – Taylored Expressions stamp set with matching dies set Mama & Me; TE die Grass Border; design inspired by Kendra Weistock

These colorful birds are perched on the shore near the sea.  The friendship sentiment is one that any friend would like to receive.Birds – Taylored Expressions stamp set with matching dies set Mama & Me; TE die Skinny Mini Borders 1 and Little Bit Unbrella; design inspired by Charmaine Ikach

And finally the kitties on the doorstep -- how cute are they?  I created the scene using several of the Taylored Expressions Door to Door series dies.  I embossed the background with the TE embossing folder Bead Board then built the scene with the door and decor.  The kitties were stamped, colored and die cut.  The tiny opening in the middle of their tails is a heart so I inlaid a pink heart into the space.  The sentiment can be used so many ways, but it's perfect on the front door.

Kitties – Taylored Expressions stamp set with matching dies set Mama & Me; TE dies Door to Door, Door to Door Décor, Door to Door Spring and Wispy Grass; TE embossing folder Bead Board; Impression Obsession die hearts; design inspired by Pam Sparks

Be sure to remember all the Moms in your life with personalized cards you create yourself with papercrafting supplies from The Stamp Act.  I hope to see you soon.

Cute, Funny and Punny

Hello Friends.  I hope you had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.  Chloe and I had a good time binge watching Downtown Abbey -- it's so good!

Today's samples are all cute, funny and sometimes punny!  I really enjoy these cards because everyone needs a good laugh from time to time.  As you look through the samples remember that to order anything you see on the blog, just contact Polly at 915-833-9500 or [email protected].  I am happy to help you with anything you need!

Our first card features a cute frog die with a punny sentiment!  IRL the colors are much more vibrant and the background is a cloudy blue sky.  I drew the lilly pad then cut it our of white cardstock and edged it in light green ink.  One die that is a must have is a frame die -- this one is Taylored Expressions Frame in Frame die which includes four different frames.

Wart’s New – Art Impressions stamp Wart’s New; Cottage Cutz die Mini Frog; Taylored Expressions dies Frame in Frame, Cloud Border and Little Bits Sun and Clouds

Patchwork Animals

New from Impression Obsession are the Patchwork Animal dies.  These are very detailed dies (meaning lots of individual pieces to cut the ears, eyes, arms, etc.) and are meant to work with the new Mini Pattern stamps.  You can see the dies and the stamps on our What's New page here.  For these cards I stamped the Mini Pattern stamps (there are 4 sets of 3 stamps each at 2.75" square each) in colored ink on colored cardstock.  I chose a rainbow of colors and stamped away so I had a wide selection of colors and patterns to choose from when I started die cutting.  Even though I used 3 of the new Patchwork Animal dies for baby cards, they can be used for lots of other occasions too.

Hippo – Impression Obsession die Patchwork Hippo; Taylored Expressions dies Welcome Spring, Build-A-Scene Nursery, Love Confetti and Treat Toppers Baby; IO stamps Painted Stripes and Mini Patterns

Elephant – Impression Obsession die Patchwork Elephant; Paper Smooches die Cardbooking; Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo Love You More; IO stamps Mini Patterns

Sheep – Impression Obsession die Patchwork Sheep; Taylored Expressions die Block Party Love; IO stamps Mini Patterns; IO die Typewriter Alphabet Lower Case

This die is actually a gator but to me it looks like a dinosaur.  The sentiment is perfect for a "T-Rex" and adding the "brother" die cut word really personalizes your card.

Dinosaur – Impression Obsession die Patchwork Gator; Taylored Expressions stamp Punny Man; Spellbinders die Labels One; IO stamps Mini Patterns; IO die Plain Alphabet Lower Case; Cottage Cutz die Brother; Taylored Expressions die Stitched Frame Stacklets 1

TE Pocketful of Sunshine

 

This is a very versatile stamp and die combo set from Taylored Expression.  The image stamps all fit in the pocket which is stitched to look just like a jeans pocket.  The possibilities are endless with this cute little pocket and clever sayings.

Tip:  See the stitching on the circle?  How did I make the stitching continuous even though part of the circle is cut off?   Here's the tip:  First die cut a rectangle with a stitched die then die cut the stitched circle from this rectangle.  Easy yet very impressive!

Orange Sending Love – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine; Lifestyle Crafts embossing folder; Memory Box die Stitched Circles and Stitched Rectangles; design inspired by Jean Manis

Denim Pocket – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine; TE die Build-A-Bookmark; TE die Little Bits Love Confetti; design inspired by Shannon White

 

Braided Hoppy Day – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine; TE embossing folder Braided; Memory Box die Stitched Scallop Circles; TE die Tag Stacklets 1; TE border die Zig Zag; design inspired by Kendra Wiestock

 

Frog Sending Love – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine; design inspired by Joan Ervin

 
Don't forget to use your labels or stacklet die sets for backgrounds.  Here I used the Postal Stacklets set from Taylored Expressions.

Hot Pink Hello – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine; TE dies Hi Hey Hello and Postal Stacklets; design inspired by Joan Ervin

 

Add a little polka dot paper to the top of the pocket for an interesting detail.

Flowers Hoppy Day – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine; design inspired by Shelly Mercado

 
Pink Sending Love – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine; design inspired by Joan Ervin

Purple Hoppy Day – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine;  design inspired by Joan Ervin

 

You Make Me Smile – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine; Impression Obsession dies Instant Photo Frame and banners and Tails; Penny Black clear stamp set Snippets; design inspired by Taylor VanBruggen

Tips on Storing Dies

As we consumers demand more and more detailed dies, our wonderful vendors are more than happy to oblige.  Pictured here is the new Patchwork Hippo die set with its 15 separate tiny dies!  Safely storing a set like this is critical which is why I just ordered a huge roll of magnetic "paper" so I could keep all those tiny little dies secure inside the CD Keepers that I use for storing dies.  The magnet is strong enough that once the dies were on it I could shake it vigorously and they didn't go flying.  I am selling some of the magnetic paper in packages of 10 (cut to 4" x 4.5") for $4.99 each.  Quantities are very limited so stop in soon for a free sample.

Big Summer Sale

I am out of room for new dies and the new Christmas and Fall releases will be coming out next month so I am having a huge sale starting June 1 through June 18 on selected merchandise including all Christmas, Halloween, Fall, Valentine and Easter products.  Every product in these categories is marked down 40% and when you spend $100 (excluding sales tax), you will get an additional 10% off your total expenditure.  There is too much sales merchandise to picture on the website so if you're looking for something specific, come in the store as soon as you can for best selection.  First come, first served!  Questions?  Please contact Polly at 915-833-9500 or [email protected].  I am happy to help you with anything you need!

I hope to see you soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome Little One

Hello Friends!  I hope you are planning an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.  Today I want to share with you a variety of welcome baby cards plus a few other samples for get well and other occasions.  

Welcome Baby Cards

This card and the one below it are pretty straightforward.  I did sponge the background behind the Welcome die with blue or purple to give the die a little more presence.  You could easily turn this into a shaker card too.

Welcome Little One Boy – Taylored Expressions die Welcome Little One; TE stamp set Onesie Twosie with onesie die; design inspired by Jen Shults

Welcome Little One Girl – Taylored Expressions die Welcome Little One; TE stamp set Onesie Twosie with onesie die; design inspired by Jen Shults

Block Party Baby Feet – Taylored Expressions dies Block Party Baby, Treat Toppers Baby and Stitched Banner Stacklets; design inspired by Kerri Michaud

 

The star of this car is the Cable Knit embossing folder -- it looks just like a baby blanket.

Block Party Baby Safety Pin – Taylored Expressions dies Block Party Baby, Treat Toppers Baby and Stitched Banner Stacklets; TE embossing folder Cable Knit; TE stamp set Little Bits of Baby; design inspired by Kim Singdahlsen

 

Welcome Teddy Bear – TE dies Little Bits Teddy Bear, Welcome Baby and Build-A-Scene Nursery; Memory Box die Pinpoint Squares; TE stamp set Little Bits of Baby; design inspired by Courtney Kelley

 

Don't you love this little nursery?  Taylored Expressions has such clever Build-A-Scene dies!  See how the rug, curtain, lampshade and baby mattress match?  So cute! 

Nursery – TE dies Build-A-Scene Nursery and Build-A-Scene window; TE stamp set Little Bits of Baby; design inspired by Sankari Wegman

 

Get Well Soon

It's always a good idea to have a stash of get well cards so if you're going to pull out dies and stamps and papers to make one, go ahead and make several with the same design.  For these cards I used the Memory Box die Curved Get Well; Paper Smooches die Bandaids; and Taylored Expressions dies Mini Bloomers and Bloomers Greenery.  The papers are from Penny Black's paper pad Beau Jardins.  I chose the papers and matching cardstocks then cut flowers and greenery in every shade I needed.  I cut the bandaids from kraft cardstock then cut them again from coordinating cardstocks for the hearts.  Assembly was quick and I embellished with butterflies and sequins.   

 

Flower Portrait Frame

Penny Black's Flower Portrait Frame die is a very versatile frame with tiny openings all around.  The middle of the frame is filled with flowers.  I recently used this frame in a variety of different ways.

For this card, I cut the frame from white cardstock three times and glued them together to give the frame more heft and dimension.  Then  I removed the inner piece, sponged a background of greens and blues, sponged the flowers with red and green and arranged them around the dog.

 

Bring Me Joy – Penny Black clear stamp sets Man’s Best Friend and Happy Snippets; Penny Black die Flower Portrait; Impression Obsession die Banners and Tails; Taylored Expressions embossing folder Corrugate

Here the frame is sponged with orange and yellow inks.  OMG Mom – Penny Black clear stamp sets Man’s Best Friend and Happy Snippets; Penny Black die Flower Portrait; Taylored Expressions die Conversation Bubbles; Penny Black stamps Skyline and Dots in Space; design inspired by Therese Schaffer

For this card I die cute frame and removed the flowers while I sponged the grass and sky background.  I colored the flowers with Copic markers and reinserted them into the frame securing them on the back with tape.  I also inlaid the flowers centers in white.    Black-White – Penny Black die Flower Portrait; Penny Black clear stamp set Snippets

 

Remember in the cards above I cut the frame multiple times?  Well that meant I had a lot of "middles" left over.  I decided to sponge the middle (background) using Distress Inks Picked Raspberry, Wild Honey and Ripe Persimmon.  I mounted the background on textured white cardstock then mounted this piece on a white card with foam tape.  The flowers and stems are open except for the centers which I also sponged and inserted in the center of each flower.

Sponged Flowers – Penny Black die Flower Portrait; Penny Black clear stamp set Sprinkles and Smiles; design inspired by Therese Schaffer

One more sample:  I embossed the background with the Zig Zag embossing folder then added color to the embossing by holding my ink pad (Memento dye ink New Sprout) perfectly level and sliding it across the top of the embossing.  I die cut the frame several times then glued them together over the stamped flower image. 

Zig Zag Background – Penny Black die Flower Portrait; Penny Black clear stamp sets Enamor and Snippets; Taylored Expressions embossing folder Zig Zag; design inspired by Elizabeth Allan

 

Bookmarks

I know these days many people don't need bookmarks as much because they read books on their tablet or e-reader, but bookmarks are still fun to make and give.  Taylored Expressions has a new die set called Build-A Bookmark and a new stamp set called Plot Twist that coordinate with their previously released Mark Your Spot Bookmark die and stamp set to create delightful bookmarks.

 

Tip:  Add a ribbon accent that's not bulky by threading ribbon through the die cut opening then tying twine or thinner ribbon around it into a bow.

Bookmarks -- Taylored Expressions dies Mark Your Spot Bookmark and Build-A-Bookmark; TE stamp set Plot Twist

 

A Few More Fun Samples

Memory Box has several Triptych dies.  Perhaps you remember I just posed this sample using the Dogwood Blooms and Stem Triptych dies. 

Today I have two samples using the tree Triptych die.

I die cut the tree triptych and the fence from decorative paper that is embossed with a woodgrain design (American Crafts).  To bring out the woodgrain, I colored the embossed woodgrain with a Prismacolor pencil (Dark Brown).  I glued the tree frames to green decorative paper and added pink flowers accented with tiny crystals.

Tree Triptych 1 – Memory Box die Tree Triptych; Memory Box stamp Seeds of Happiness; Poppy die Johnny Jump Ups; Taylored Expressions die Picket Fence; design inspired by Pam Going Postal

For this card I die cut the Tree Triptych from the front of a top folding card then adhered blue cardstock behind the openings.  I inlaid the tree frames and added little flowers, sequins and a sweet sentiment.

Tree Triptych 2 – Memory Box die Tree Triptych; Penny Black clear stamp set Happy Snippets; Poppy die Hydrangea Blooms small; design inspired by Michele Henderson

 

Switching gears a little, here's a very happy birthday card!  I cut the balloons from glitter paper (blue and white which I colored with a yelow Copic marker); cut the candle border from white cardstock then colored it with Copics; and cut the Best Day Ever from blue cardstock.  Cute card!

Best Day Ever – Impressions Obsession dies Rectangle Frame 6 in 1, Best Day Ever, Heart Balloon and Candle Border; Penny Black die Balloons; design inspired by Kittie Caracciolo

  

One more ... my friend Jane Smith made this funny gal -- isn't she hilarious!  I love the way Jane made her standing in the corner -- very cleverly drawn lines and coloring.  Thanks Jane!

Sylvia – Art Impressions stamp Sylvia; sentiment stamp unknown; card designed by Jane Smith

Have a great weekend and please stop by the Stamp Act soon!

 

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