Tim Holtz Stamping Platform Grid - OMG!!

If you are a stamper and don't have a stamping tool I highly recommend the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform! We had to anxiously await for the release because of the whole copyright lawsuit thing but it was worth the wait! 

One of the things I wish it did have was a grid at the bottom so it would be easier to place my papers when I am stamping. Since I make 6 of each card I have to constantly try and line up my little stamping papers but I fixed that chit! First I thought about printing a grid on some cardstock but then remembered I had some laser printer transparency sheets *okie figures you can use something in an inkjet printer but is too lazy to do the research on that since she has hers made* and thought I would try and print a grid on that. 

I did a quick search for printable grid paper and there were a number of sites that came up and I just chose one, not sure which one now though. I downloaded the 1/4" grid and printed two sheets. I cut one down to 8.5" x 8.5", using the grid lines as a guide and then the other I cut to 8.5" wide and 7 rows down to finish out the grid for the platform. 

I used my double sided ATG tape and applied it to the edges, which I think you can see in the picture if you click on it and make it bigger, and then lined up the lines with the 1/4" marks as best I could. They are not exact but close enough. Once I had the large piece in place I put my magnets on and then started at the top by taking the paper backing off the tape and pressing down and worked my way around. 

For the bottom piece I cut right below one of the printed lines so it would line up with where I cut right above a printed line and I did this so I wouldn't have a double printed line on the grid. I then did the tape the same way as I did on the big piece and POOF - OMG! I now have a nice gridded stamp platform! Oh and one last note, I put the printed side down so I could wipe off any ink that might get on the transparency when I am stamping. 

I'll be trying this out a little later today when I make some cards but right now I am about to go meet my friend Linda for lunch at a Mexican restaurant here in town. Hopefully it works as good as I am hoping!

Stamp Catalog - COMPLETED!

Okay almost completed. My friend Wendi is going to bring me a few sheets of cling foam so I can finish my background stamps but other than that...it's all done! I have been posting about  my progress on Facebook since this has been quite an under taking and I thought I better post the complete process, along with pictures on my blog.

First off, I use the Stamp Storage cases from Stampin Up. I have scoured the internet for a cheaper source and while I did come across some there were none that were as easy and convenient to obtain. Manufactures in China want you to order thousands, and preferably each month. I have quite a few stamps but not that many. I did find a source in the UK but they never got back to me on shipping costs, etc so I am giving up and just sticking with Stampin Up.

I cut sheets of paper at 5" x 7" for the front and back of the cases. I would cut stacks at a time so I didn't have to stop and cut frequently. I had already had my stamps pretty well organized before I decided to catalog them all so it was fairly easy to just take them out and do them again. I was able to rearrange and use the space more efficiently by using this method and it did require slight adjustments in organization but works out much better.

I arranged the stamps  on the sheet of paper and it was much like putting jigsaw puzzles together to get maximum efficiency. While I did get frustrated a few times it was worth the extra effort and work.

Once I had the stamps in place I put my large stamp block on the stamps to keep them positioned. This sheet wasn't full. On the fuller sheets my stamp block wasn't quite big enough so I would also use my long rectangle block to pick up the stamps that didn't fit on the large square block. I loved being able to stamp multiple images at once and it saved a TON of time.

Here you can see the images stamped on the sheet of paper. I still have room to add more stamps at a later date if I need to do so. Since this sheet is Christmas I am sure the space will be used in the future at some time.

For the catalog I stamped on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper showing the stamps that are on either side of the stamp storage case. I would do the 5" x 7" first and then stamp on the catalog page immediately afterward. My friend Linda copied her sheets but I decided that Memento ink was a lot cheaper than printer ink and since I could stamp multiple images at once it wasn't that much of a bother and I didn't have to get up and walk over to the printer every time I made a new catalog sheet.



Here is the catalog page with both sides stamped off. It is easy to see where the stamp is in the case just from looking at the catalog sheet. Notice the area down the middle that is open, I will show you later what I did there.

As I got each catalog page done I placed them in sheet protectors and put them in a 3 ring binder. I just got a cheap one at Staples for $2. Once all that was done I knew I needed to figure out a way for easy indexing. I already had my spines on my stamp storage cases so I just printed them off again and placed them in the middle of the sheets.

For even more clear identification purposes I added a small round sticker to the bottom of each page. I used a method of "A1, A2, B1, B2" etc. The reason I went with this method was because my stamps were already arranged in alphabetically order according to category. It will be easy to add cases this way as well if my collection grows *okie wonders if anyone noticed her saying if instead of when*. So instead of having to change everything I can just add "B17, B18" to the B catergory or "A3, A4" etc.

 
 

Here is a close up shot of one of the pages. I took it so you can get  better idea of the letter number system and also point out how one side is blank. Since I use a thin mounting foam I can get stamps on both sides of most of my cases. If the stamps are already on mounting foam I arranged them so all the thick foam ones were on one side and thin foam or acrylic were on the opposite side. In some instances I was only able to use one side of the case, but that was rare.



 

Here is a picture of the case from the outside. I opened it so you can see both sides of the case. You might wonder why I chose to use brown ink instead of black and it was just a matter of preference, and I like the color brown *okie cracks up laughing*. One thing I do like about making my own covers is that all the stamps are equal to the eye now. Before I acrylic, rubber, mounted, etc being seen through the case and it was difficult to see the image clearly due to all the other images. This way the images are seen easily.
 

This is a picture of the stamps on the inside of the case. The stamps are aligned with the images on the front. This makes it easy to find the stamp and return it to the case when it is used.

And the final picture is off all my stamp cases indexed and put in order. You can see the small stickers at the bottom identifying them according to the small round stickers on the catalog page. 

I can fit 11 cases in each little cube but I find it hard to pull them out with 11 so instead I just put 10 in each one and it is a lot easier to slide them in and out this way.

The wood blocks in the bottom right hand corner are the background stamps that I need to unmount. I already have their cases and catalog sheets ready so once I get the foam from Wendi it won't take but a minute to get them in their cases and correct spots in the system. I will say this about unmounting background stamps...it is more difficult and not for the faint of heart. If you are concerned about messing up a big stamp then you might want to leave them on the blocks. I however am a crafting daredevil and decided to go for the gusto. I just used the same method as I do for my other stamps but did find placing them on the cling foam was a little more tricky due to the large area.

Now that this time consuming task is done I think I will treat myself to a vacation and go on a cruise! HA HA HA It's only 9 more days until I will be getting my butt on that big boat! Can't wait to spend a week on the high seas with some awesome people!

***UPDATE***
My friend Sharon from Australia commented on my Facebook page "Hey I discovered that the cuttlebug c plate makes an awesome stamping block when you need a larger surface =)". I never thought of that and it would have saved tons of time from using the two blocks since the C plate is larger than the 5 x 7 area I was stamping. Oh well at least I know for future reference! Thanks for the info Sharon!!

Captured in Time - card

This is the last of the clock stamp, Tim Holtz papers cards that I did. I think I like this one the best because of the elements and colors.

Supplies Used:
~ Cricut Expression
~ Cricut Cartridges - George, Art Philosophy
~ Tim Holtz Lost and Found paper stack
~ Coredinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgia Collection 

~ Cuttlebug
~ Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder
~ Kelly Pannaci stamps
~ Memento Ink
~ 3/8" Grosgrain ribbon
~ Brads
~ Scrapper Floss
~ Cat Eye Ink

The inside sentiment was done with MS word and it was just something that popped in my head. I hope you can read it because as I am sitting here typing this post I really can't remember what it says *okie wonders if that cough syrup with codeine might be part of the problem as well*.






I think the larger pattern of this embossing folder really shows off the kraft core! I am so loving this cardstock and think I might have to order some soon since I will be afraid of running out *okie so hates to run out of things she likes*.

As much as I would like to write more I think I am about to pass out from my cough syrup and no telling what I might type if I keep on typing so guess I should end this post. When it finally posts I will probably not even remember typing this dang thang up as it is!

A Moment in Time - Manly card

I think this card would be great to give to some of the male species. I still think it is hard to make cards for men because it is so much easier to make beautiful cards for the female species. Let's face it, flowers, bling, lacy and gorgeous colors are a lot more fun to work with and have a lot more that can be done with them. Men are just difficult to make cards for, at least for me *okie thinks...and their socks stink too*.

Supplies Used:
~ Cricut Expression
~ Cricut Cartridges - George, Art Philosophy, Home Decor
~ Tim Holtz Lost and Found paper stack
~ Coredinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgia Collection 
~ Mica Cardstock
~ Cuttlebug
~ Tim Holtz Brick embossing folder
~ Kelly Pannaci stamps
~ Memento Ink
~ Brads
~ Cat Eye Ink

Since I wanted this to be a card for the male species I tried to think of a decent sentiment for the inside of the card. I used MS word to print off the sentiment and it is just something I came up with on my own. It's not great but it gets the point across.

Look at the brick pattern on the red cardstock, you can see the kraft core a lot better in this picture and I love the way it turned out. For those who don't know I will state how I do this. I put my paper in the embossing folder, run it through the Cuttlebug and then leave the paper on the folder while I sand it. This keeps me from pushing down the embossed area while sanding.

Where has the time gone? Card

This is the second card I chose to do featuring the Core'dinations Tim Holtz Kraft Core Paper Pack that Consumer Crafts sent me. I really am loving the use of the Tim Holtz Lost and Found paper stack with this stamp set. They just seem to go so well together.

Supplies Used:
~Cricut Expression
~Cricut Cartridges - George, Art Philosophy
~Tim Holtz Lost and Found paper stack
~Tim Holtz Coredinations Kraft-Core Nostalgia Collection
~Kelly Pannaci stamps
~Memento Ink
~Cat Eye Chalk Ink
~Brad
~Janome Sew MiniBrads
~Cat Eye Ink

I think I should have left off the "but" on the inside sentiment and I know I can go back and edit and reprint if I want later on but for now it will just have to do. 

I used my Janome Sew Mini to add the stitching around the edge of the card. Before sewing I stamped the sentiment on the strip and then used removable adhesive to place the sentiment strip on the front of the card before sewing.

In the close up you can see a little bit of how the Coredinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core distresses so well. I like the kraft color and think it adds a little more distressed look than the regular Coredinations cardstock.

I have to point out what I thought was pretty ingenious of me with this card...the large mat of the card is done with calendar patterned paper and then the inset mat is done with map printed paper. I thought these went well with the sentiment *okie waits for the applause and then bows graciously*. Yes I know, I do have a good idea every now and then!! *okie starts laughing and starts having a coughing fit* Guess that will teach me to toot my own horn!

Time Flies card

I was able to get around enough to get pictures taken of the cards I made over the weekend and figured I might as well try to get them scheduled to post. I have a doctor appointment this afternoon. I just want to make sure I am not contagious since I work in close proximity with my clients and don't want to make anyone else sick.

Consumer Crafts was nice enough to send me the new pack of Coredinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgia Collection to try out. When I saw the cardstock I knew I wanted to try out the clock themed stamps I got at CKC in Houston. My friend Linda, aka LGuild, and I have looked at clock stamps and we were too cheap to buy any that we had seen. When I saw these and they were only $3 for the set I had to get them, and of course get a set for Linda as well! The stamps are Kelly Panacci clear stamps and I am not sure where you might be able to find them now as they are copyrighted in 2008.

This is the first card I made from the set.

Supplies Used:
~Cricut Expression
~Cricut Cartridges - George, Art Philosophy
~Tim Holtz Lost and Found paper stack
~Coredinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgia Collection
~Kelly Pannaci stamps
~Memento Ink
~Stampin Up background stamp
~Stampin Up border Punch
~Brads
~Cat Eye Ink

While the colors are more feminine I thought it could be used as a card for a man as well. While making this card I actually was thinking of how fast time passed while I was in Houston visiting with my friend Carmen and was thinking this would be a great little card to send someone after staying at their house. I did the sentiment on MS word.






I took the close up shot so you could see the clock a little better. I used a background stamp before stamping on the clock and hands. I think it added a little more interest to the clock. On the sentiment tag I taped down one end and then used a pop dot on the other to give it a little dimension.