Monday, January 14, 2008

Blog Candy!!!

This week I have a lot on my "stamping" plate and won't have time to do a weekly tutorial, so I've decided to give away some blog candy instead!

This blog candy includes a card kit and a stamp set. The kit includes supplies for making 5 note cards with envelopes and a matching tote bag. The stamp set is the retired hostess set, Party Punch!

To enter to win this blog candy, please post a comment with a stamping or scrapping tip that has been useful to you. The winner will be drawn at random by my four year old on Friday this week! I'll assign numbers based on the order of the post comments and he'll pull the number from a hat. I'll post the winner at noon on Friday!

Thanks for playing!

49 comments:

Denise ~ Paper Ponderings said...

My all time favorite tip is to recycle phone books by using them as your workspace. I over glue and over stamp constantly, then I just throw the page into the recycle bin!

Allison Rankin said...

I wrote up a blurb on how I store my unmounted stamps here: http://stampinwhenican.blogspot.com/2008/01/since-you-asked.html

I don't have any brain cells to think of anything else!

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Wow, this should be so easy right? My mind is a complete fog. The only thing I can think of that has been useful to me lately is the see thru plastic containers I bought for $1.00 that I now keep my ribbon in. I can see all my ribbon at a glance and it keeps the dusties off.

Kelly said...

Favorite tip I learned and actually got me started in stamping was from my friend Nancy... she showed me that my paper cutter came with a scoring tool. I know it is a simple tip, but it got me started and I am thankful for it.
ksun_1999@yahoo.com
Kelly

April Hall said...

What wonderful candy! Thanks! I think my alltime favorite tip is to use anything and everything you can without spending a lot of money. I love recycling ribbon from packages, ceral boxes for chipboard and general office supplies for embellishments. :) Always looking for a bargain!

mikesgal said...

I've learned that I can use my punches in so many other ways than what they are made for.
Thanks for the chance at your blog candy.

Angel said...

Whenever I cut a mask for a stamp I always save it in the box with that stamp. I use them over and over again and don't have to cut it out each time. That's my tip. Hope I win this lovely set!

Scott Franson Photography said...

My favorite tip is to use a disposable paint pad edger to scrub your stamps clean instead of an expensive stamp scrubber. When it gets dirty you can just throw it
away and replace with a new one. Very inexpensive.
Claudia
scfranson@charter.net

Anonymous said...

Organization tip--My Pampered Chef carousel is great for all my tools that I use every time I stamp. I also try to store other items in clear containers so that I can see what I have. Thanks for the blog candy opp. Darlene L

Annelies said...

As a beginning stamper it's not easy to give technical tips. So I would say: if you're out of inspiration or motivation, try to do a challenge. You can find many different ones (sketch, color or technique) on blogs or message boards. It also helps you try things you haven't done before.

Cathy M said...

Wow you can resist this sweet candy? Not me! Count me in on this sweet SU candy!! One of my favorite tips is when embossing always use the EMBOSSING BUDDY. It really works. Thanks for a chance.
cmeyers@hughes.net

Anonymous said...

One of my fave tips is to keep my glitter in a little pastic tupperware container so it's easier to dump the extra glitter back into it instead of into a little bottle.

Kathy W said...

Wonderful blog candy! My organizational tip is for loose ribbon: I put the ribbon in a snack sized baggie and put a label on it of where the ribbon came from. I then punch a hole in the baggie and put this on a metal ring (color coded by ring). The rings of different colored ribbon slip onto hangers that can hang on a rod...creates little ribbon carousels. Really easy then to find what color you are looking for. Also I can tell where to go to get more of a ribbon that I really like. Thanks for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

Wow, great candy!! My tip is to use the round coffee filters when you sprinkle embossing powder or glitter - the sides come up just enough to keep everything contained and it's super easy to dump everything back into the container (and you can always find a coffee filter laying around!!)

Erin... said...

OOOOOH I love blog candy!! I just read everyone else's tips and they are great!! One tip I have that I learned at my first workshop is to cut stampin sponges into smaller pieces to make them last longer. I share that at workshops and everyone seems to think it's a great idea!

Katie Skiff said...

My newest idea is to store my unmounted stamps in CD cases...and to use old CD cases from our CD collection that doesn't have any CD's in them

Cheryl KVD said...

I LOVE the candy you are giving away. My tip is an organizational one. Buy some pegboard and cheap dowls to hang your scissors, templates, and stamp pads on. Here's a look at mine:

http://cakvd2.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-i-stay-organized.html

Thanks!
Cheryl KVD

Lilian said...

this is such a great questions because i am learning so much by reading the comments! a little tip is when you are sponging edges, run your cardstock directly on to the ink pad, and then you don't need a sponge. :)

Christine said...

One of my favorite tips is: to color brads, you can holding a brad with needle nose pliers, heat the tip with an embossing tool, and dip it in embossing powder. Heat the brad again just enough to "set" the powder and there you go, a new color for your brad!! :-)

Amy said...

I don't know if this really counts as a tip or not, but the most helpful thing to me is to make sure that my supplies are always easily accessible and visible. I remember to use things more when I can see them and be inspired by them! In that same vein, I keep an accordion receipt file right next to me for all my paper scraps. That way, when I am looking for something I can check before cutting into a new sheet.

Thanks for sharing some super fun blog candy!

Anonymous said...

I love using the stam-a-gic. It helps me line up the image where I want to place it. Thanks for sharing.

ctcao@earthlink.net

Anonymous said...

I always stamp a few extra images when making a card. Then I can color them at my leisure and when I need a quick card I have something ready to start it.

Momsnack said...

I bought a magnetic spice thing at the kitchen store clearance - it's a flat metal piece about 2' x 2 1/2', with metal hooks at the top for hanging, and it included a couple dozen round containers with clear tops for spices that I use to contain my brads, eyelets,& misc. small items. I hang it on the wall above my desk.
NancyS (momsnack)

Anonymous said...

Oooohhh I've always wanted that tabs set. I like using clear acrylic 8 x 10 picture frames to hold a layer of stamps in each stamp drawer. It lifts right out and you have double the storage in one drawer.
Mary Puskar

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog candy! I don't have that set. My favorite stamping tool is my stamp-a-ma-jig. I can't live without it. My favorite tip is instead of using the plastic sheet that comes with the stamp-a-ma-jig. I use vellum. You can also save the piece of vellum for the next time you use that stamp so you won't have to re-stamp the image again. -Samantha

Anonymous said...

What cool blog candy!
Here's my tip - you know how when you're using the red line/terrifically tacky tape and you peel off the red backing? It's always very staticky and clings to everything (me, my project, the table, etc.) I lay a small strip of double stick tape to the side of my work area and put all the red liners on there. They stay put and I no longer walk around with them stuck all over myself.

Kerry Morgan

Linda SS said...

Thanks for offering a chance to win that fun set:) My tip is to use photo boxes in the design of whatever season/holiday is being stored in it. For instance, my Valentine embellishments, stamps, etc. are in a Heart Photo box. It's so easy to find things this way.

Ellie said...

For me the stamping world is new to me so with all tips I've been getting have been awesome for me so far my fav. tip has on how to color w/Gamsol WOW.. although I just started with it I am loving it. This stamping world is addicting (see another thing I learned!lol)

-Ellie
e@scrapbookmama.com

Maren said...

What fun! Tips? I make a template with my favorite card sizes (I use 6 different sizes) on black card stock with the measurements on the back (in a white gel pen) so I can easily see what size card works for what set I want to use.

Peggy Maier said...

I just bought the tab punch, so this stamp set would be great! My tip is to store SU! colored cardstock in a file cabinet. I put a small square of each color on the index tap beside the name of the color. Then I have a manila folder at the front of each color for scraps. Sure saves paper because I now check the scrap folder before cutting into a new sheet.

Cassie said...

I {heart} this set!! I didn't get it before it retired and I so want to win!!!
Here's a tip that I use like crazy --- I use a zippo lighter and run the ends of my ribbons through it quickly to slightly "melt/seal" them. This way, I have a nice edge and they don't fray. This doesn't work on all ribbons and they all react kinda different so you have to play with it a bit...but it's a goodie!

Monika said...

Nice blog and thank you for a chance of winning some great candy. I can't even think of anything right now, but just to be organized and it is soo nice to be able to see all your embellishments etc right in front of you.

Anonymous said...

My favourite tip is to straighten crinkled/creased ribbon with a curling wand. Just run the ribbon quickly through the curling iron for perfect smooth ribbon.

Thanks for the chance to win
Sarah
loobylou@stamp-shack.com

Anonymous said...

You have a wonderful blog! I store my 1/4-1/2" ribbon in a box intended for embroidery floss. Works great, you can see your ribbon in a glance and you can tell just what you have.

Teresa said...

What a great give away! I see someone else posted about the floss boxes. I have been sitting here tonight wrapping ribbon around the floss bobbins The big rolls ribbon come on takes up to much room and I am trying to make it easier to find what I want fast and not have to go thru all the shoe box bins It takes some time to do this but once done will save me time

Val said...

A stamping tip that has really worked for me is to store your scraps of cardstock in ziplock bags...one for each colour family. I store the zippies in a clear plastic container. It's great...all your scraps in one place.

Dawn♥ said...

Oh what a bunch of awesome tips from everyone. When I stamp I always keep a damp old wash cloth near at hand. When I'm done I can right away clean my stamp after use!

Alison said...

When I get a new alphabet, I cut a transparency sheet into quarters, and using StazOn and my Stampamajig, I create a positioning sheet for each of the letters and store them in the box with the stamps. That way, if I'm working on a project with finicky letter placement, the work is already done!

Denise said...

my favorite tip is not really a tip but my ribbon storage. I tie all my ribbon in color families on hangers. Since my craft space is a walk in closet, I just hang them up! TFS!

Amie said...

I keep a small disposable set of baby wipes in my stamping/scrapping tool kit to quickly clean off used stamps.
Thanks for the opportunity!

Amiedanny@msn.com - Amie

Unknown said...

Fabby blog candy (especially for us UK peeps who are only just getting SU!) I have 2 tips. 1) always use either an anti-static pad or talc when using embossing powder so none sticks to the card and 2) use a cat litter tray when spraying colour wash/playing with alcohol inks and you don't get any splashes! Thanks for the chance! LOL x

Teresa said...

I gave you you made my day award
Hugs

Dawn Wheeler said...

When i have a new stamp i always go over the rubber with cello tape ,this takes any resadue or grease off and gives a better base for the first time you use ink on it ,
thanks so much for giving us the chance to win such lovely candy ,Dawnxxx

Anonymous said...

We all like to matt layers with black cs, but with a card with alot of layers, it can quite heavy and bulky... I use a pad of black gel paper (for gel pens) quite often for my black matt behind images or layers. It's also cheaper, comes in pads so you never loose it, sheets are larger, and it works great! Happy Stamping! bluemoonbynite@yahoo.com

Andrea, said...

My tip is this. If you are stamping with photo stamps put either a foam mat or the soft side of a mouse mat under your card and then stamp onto the card, it gives a much clearer image.

Annie said...

wow! so many tips - I was about to say the one with the flannel for cleaning stamps but see it's already been said! So, thinking of another, I'd say to keep your eyes open everywhere for things that could be used on your cards - markets and old fashioned shops often have little bits and pieces hiding away! Thanks for the chance at the blog candy.

Fiona said...

My favourite tip is to save the bits of spare rubber from cutting out my stamps and use them as stampin dimensionals! Come and have a look at my new SU challenge blog - I'd love to see you enter!

Anonymous said...

My tip would be to stamp each set you have on plain copy paper, label them and keep a binder on all of your sets. This way when you want a certain image or word, all you have to do is look thru your book. It's easier than pulling out all those sets to find just the right one.

Thanks for the chance.

Linda Webb

L said...

I am not sure if it is an actual tip, but just seeing other people's creations is as inspiring as as a tip. I see another way of doing something or I see a solution to a dilema I have and it works. Thanks for being here!