Papercrafting with Polly

Free Valentine Make and Take

Free Valentine Make and Take

Valentine's Day is next week and I have created both funny and elegant Valentine Make and Takes just for you!  Join me Thursday through Saturday, February 8-10, 10am to 4pm and Wednesday, February 14, 10am to 4pm.  You may choose to make any one of the Valentine's Day cards shown below plus a customized envelope!  And it's free!  These cards are perfect for your honey, your friends or your co-workers. I hope to see you soon!

 My funny Valentines are created with Taylored Expressions Foodie Friends stamps and matching dies.  I stamped the image, colored it with Copic markers then cut it out with the matching die.  Each stamp has a funny greeting for the insde of the card.

Cheesy and Corny (outside) 3" x 3" bracket notecard

Cheesy and Corny (inside) 3" x 3" bracket notecard Pizza and Fries (outside) 3" x 3" bracket notecard 

Pizza and Fries (inside) 3" x 3" bracket notecard 

For each of the cards above I diecut the bracket notecard, stamped a background (TE Brushed Hearts or Luv-a-Doodle) then stamped, colored and cut out the focal image.

For my elegant Valentine, I stamped the large heart from the Memory Box Wirework Heart set in Versafine Black ink on white shimmer cardstock then embossed it in clear.  I die cut the center of the heart with one of the hearts from the Memory Box Have a Heart die set.  Next I colored the die using the Clarity Stencil Brushes and dye inks.  Love these brushes!!!  See more samples using the Clarity Brushes below.  

I matted the colored heart on one of the hearts from the Memory Box Wrapped Stitch Hearts set. To finish the card I stamped one of the sentiments included in the Wirework Heart set on cardstock cut with the one of the Taylored Expressions Double Ended Flags.  This greeting was also embossed in clear.  Simple yet elegant. 

Please join me for our Free Make and Take all this week and next week on Wednesday.

More Samples with Wirework Heart Set from Memory Box

Here's a photo of the Wireworks Heart stamp set.  It includes several hearts, flowers and sentiments. For a video tutorial on coloring and shrinking the heart, you can see Dave Brethauer, owner of Memory Box, here.

For my first sample I stamped the largest heart and colored it with Copic markers.

For this sample I stamped the large heart in black permanent ink on sanded shrink plastic then colored it with Prismacolor colored pencils.  Then I cut it out (with scissors, not a die) and shrank the heart.  I mounted it on a mat cut with one of the Memory Box Wrapped Stitched Hearts.  The border is cut with Poppystamps die Petit Four Border and the "loved" sentiment is die cut with Taylored Expressions Loved Script die.
These next two cards are done exactly the same way.  The first card with Copics on white cardstock and the second card with colored pencils on shrink plastic. The Happy Valentines sentiment is from Poppystamps and the dot border die is from Paper Smooches.


More Samples with Clarity Brushes and Mandala Die from Taylored Expressions

Mandalas are very trendy and this full card size Mandala die is beautiful and versatile.  The die cuts the Mandala and the frame. For this first card I die cut the Mandala from turquoise cardstock and left most of the pieces in the die cut.  I think it makes a dramatic focal image.  I embellished the image with clear Nuvo enamel drops and a sentiment (TE Spring Florals). Design inspired by Regina Mangum.

Next I cut the Mandala from white cardstock and colored it with dye inks and an ink blending tool.  The Hello (TE Script Hello) is cut twice and glued together for extra dimension, and the "friend" word is from TE's Friendly Phrases.  It is cut with TE's Double Ended Flags die. Design inspired by Melody Rupple.
Now to show you how I colored with the Clarity Stencil brushes. For this card I die cut both the Mandala and a background from white shimmer cardstock.  Then I used the brushes to apply the ink in a rainbow effect, overlapping the colors. The brushes give the background a soft and shimmery look that is really beautiful. (Design inspired by Jen Schults) The sentiment is from TE's In & out Get Well stamp set.

For my last card, I cut the Mandala from black cardstock and the background from white cardstock.  I applied the colors (dye inks) with the Clarity Brushes. The Thanks script die (TE) is cut twice from gold mirror cardstock. (Design inspired by Jean Manis) Come to the free make and take this week and learn more about these wonderful Clarity Stencil brushes!  They are a fun and easy way to apply color.  See you soon!

Just a Reminder ...

Just a friendly reminder ... The Stamp Act is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm.  We are closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.  Stop in soon!

Pretty Valentines

Happy Valentines Day!  I hope your week has started off well.  I thought I would celebrate Valentines Day with you by sharing a few more cards that are full of hearts and sweet sentiments.

Love this first card for its bold colors and combination of a graphic elements. The flourishes are part of the same die so it's a quick card to put together.Love Flourish – Impression Obsession dies Ornate Flourish, Love Word, Rectangle Frames 6 in 1 and All-in-One Rectangle Frames; IO background stamp I Love You; design inspired by Jenny Gropp

For this next card I combined a number of stamps, dies and pretty papers in a shabby chic style.  I die cut the Paper Smooches pocket then added stitching with a Paper Smooches Stitched die.

Sending Hugs – Paper Smooches dies Pocket and Flowers, Stitched and Hugs & Kisses; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Notepaper; Hero Arts clear stamp set Everyday Greetings

The next two cards are quick and easy but cute for sending greetings any time of the year.  The black and white diagonal border is decorative paper.

Smooches – Paper Smooches dies Smooches and Hearts

Smooches Friend – Paper Smooches dies Smooches, Hugs & Kisses and Hearts; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Chit Chat; design inspired by Teri Anderson

The IO Heart Flourish die is always a popular one because it is so pretty and delicate.  Better yet, it fills the whole card front so I just had to add a little sentiment and the card is done!  I die cut the flourish from red glitter cardstock then inlaid it on ivory metallic paper.  Very pretty!

Heart Flourish – Impression Obsession die Heart Flourish; Taylored Expressions die Pocket and Pages February

Have a wonderful week and don't forget to shop the big sale at The Stamp Act.

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Happy Valentine Or Valentine Day

Happy New Year and Fun Valentine's Day Cards

Hello dear friends and happy new year.  I hope your new year is starting off well.  Here at the Stamp Act I have ordered lots of new merchandise for Valentines and spring and have been consolidating the fall holiday merchandise to accomodate the new arrivals.  Please check out all the new merchandise on the What's New page on our website.  More merchandise is coming so check back in a few day.

Taylored Expressions was the first to arrive so I have many Valentine samples using their new products to share with you today.  Enjoy!

For this first card I used a new set from TE called Filled with Love.  You won't see it on the What's New page because it's sold out, but you can use the Impression Obsession Conversation Hearts stamp and matching die to make these cards.  The star of the new TE collection are the Loved and Sweet Script dies.  You will see I used them a lot!

Sweet Hearts – Taylored Expressions stamp/die combo set Filled With Love; TE die Sweet Script; design inspired by Jean Manis

The Paper Smooches Grocery Cart die is one I use quite often and here it is perfect for holding a cart full of hearts!
Grocery Cart – Paper Smooches die Grocery Cart; Paper Smooches stamp set Chit Chat; Memory Box die Mini Heart Collection; Paper Smooches die Hearts; Taylored Expressions embossing folder Braided

Here's a card that's perfect for Valentines, but also for thank you's, birthdays and thinking of you occassions.
Sweet Things – Taylored Expressions Little Bits dies Donut, Cupcake and Ice Cream Cone; TE die Sweet Script; TE stamp set How Sweet It Is; design inspired by Jean Manis

The TE Brushed Hearts Background stamp is another favorite that can be used throughout the year.  I stamped it easily using the new Stamp Perfect stamp positioning tool.
You’re So Sweet – Taylored Expressions stamp Brushed Hearts Background; TE dies Stitched Banner Stacklets and Sweet Script; TE stamp set How Sweet It Is; design inspired by Jean Manis

This next card is so colorful and happy!  To make it I used the new Floating Hearts die from Taylored Expressions which is exclusive to paper crafting stores like The Stamp Act.

I took a piece of white cardstock and sponged it with all the colors of ink you see here.  Then I cut it with the new Floating Hearts die.  Next I cut the die from white cardstock in order to have a template (stencil) to fit on the front of my white folded card front.  I adhered the corners of the template with a little tape and started inserting the colorful hearts.  The larger hearts I popped up with foam tape and the smaller hearts I glued in place.  I finished the card with a vellum circle stamping and embossing "You're So" in white and die cutting Sweet from black cardstock.
Floating Hearts Ombre Background – Taylored Expressions dies Floating Hearts and Sweet Script; TE stamp set How Sweet It Is; Memory Box die Stitched Circles; design inspired by Jen Shults

For this next card I inked the inside of the new Conversation Hearts embossing folder with pink ink then embossed a piece of white cardstock.You’re So Loved– Taylored Expressions embossing folder Conversation Hearts; TE stamp set How Sweet It Is; TE dies Stitched Banner Stacklets and Loved Script; design inspired by Jean Manis

The Mason Jar is awesome!  Stamp it first then die cut it with the matching die.  I actually layered the jar with an acetate die cut layer to hold the hearts in place.  Fun!
Filled With Love – Taylored Expressions stamp/die combo set Filled With Love; TE stamp sets Mason Jar; TE dies Mason Jar and Frame in Frame 2; Spellbinders die Hearts; design inspired by Jen Shults
Happy Valentine’s Day – Taylored Expressions stamp/die combo set Filled With Love; design inspired by Jean Manis
Candy Jar – Taylored Expressions stamp sets How Sweet It Is and Mason Jar; TE stamp/die combo set Filled With Love; TE dies Mason Jar and Tag Stacklets 3; Spellbinders die Hearts; design inspired by Kerri Michaud
Sweet Heart – Taylored Expressions stamp Brushed Hearts Background; TE die Sweet Script; TE stamp set How Sweet It Is; design inspired by Keia Shipp-Smith

The Impression Obsession order just arrived so here are a few Valentines using their products.

IO-Mason Jar Hearts – Impression Obsession die Mason Jar; Spellbinders die Mega Circles; Taylored Expressions dies Designer Mini Tags and Little Bits Love Confetti; TE stamp set Many Minis All Occasions; Paper Smooches die Tiny Hearts; Memory Box die Mini Heart Collection; TE paper pad Formula for Love

Impression Obsession die Heart Flourish

IO-Heart Flourish – Impression Obsession dies Heart Flourish and Mini flowers; sentiment by Penny Black

News You Can Use!

Perhaps you already know this, but Copic has changed the names of some of their markers.  I was searching for a refill for E00 Skin White and kept finding Cotton Pearl.  It appears that Copic decided to use names with less racial overtones.  Good job Copic!

E00 - From Skin White to Cotton Pearl
E21 - From Baby Skin Pink to Soft Sun
E27 - From Africano to Milk Chocolate
E34 - From Orientale to Toast
E95 - From Flesh Pink to Tea Orange
R02 - From Flesh to Rose Salmon
V05 - From Marigold to Azalea
YR61 - From Yellowish Skin Pink to Spring Orange

Stamp Perfect Tool Just Got Better!

The Stamp Perfect tool is now even better with our new and exclusive Grid Paper Pad ($3.99).

The Grid paper pad fits right inside the Stamp Perfect tool for storage and can be used to protect the inside of the tool when stamping as well as many other uses.  Be sure to watch for our upcoming class/workshop on this valuable tool.

Highlighting a Few New Products!

A few of our new products are particularly useful with the new Stamp Perfect tool.  First layering stamps are quick and easy with this stamp positioning tool.  We just got in three new sets from Taylored Expressions: Roses, Tulips and Cupcakes.  All have several multi-layer images per set and matching dies should you choose to cut them out. You can see all the sets and their matching dies here.
Another stamp set that works wonders with the Stamp Perfect is the Mirror Block set from Paper Smooches.  Using these blocks you can stamp a mirror image of any stamp.  I will be demonstraitng this in the upcoming workshop.And finally, Impression Obsession just released a new stamp set that will particularly useful in the El Paso Southwest.

The Spanish greetings translate to: Happy New Year; Thank You; For my Friend (make and female); Hello; Get Better Soon; Happy Mother's Day; Happy Father's Day; Thinking of You; Congratulations; Just for You; and Merry Christmas.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

As 2017 starts, I am reminded that The Stamp Act starts its 17th year in business.  Thank you for making The Stamp Act a part of your creative journey.  I am very grateful when you choose to shop at The Stamp Act, and thank you for being part of my journey and for enriching my life with your creativity and friendship.  I look forward to serving you throughout the coming year as there is much more creativity, inspiration, and joy to be shared in 2017!  Happy New Year!