As I mentioned earlier I made the mistake of ordering doubles of a couple of my new Bella stamps.I considered giving them away as door prizes at one of my stamping classes but I don't think that my customers would really appreciate an unmounted stamp and a BELLA really deserves to be appreciated regardless of how she's mounted!
Ok that didn't come out the way I meant but you know what I mean...
So lucky for you out in BLOG LAND I'd decided to do another round of BLOG CANDY!!!
This will just be a small giveaway - a Flowerbella and a Balloonabella stamp - 2 winners drawn at random.
But you're going to have to work for it!
Here's what you have to do - leave me a comment on this post telling me the most awesome stamping tip that you know.
FINE PRINT - These are the only 2 extra Bellas that I have. There will NOT be any substitutions. First name drawn will have first choice.
Let the tipping begin!
Hi Marie...
ReplyDeleteCute Bellas! If you have extra-special stamps that you want to preserve & not stain, you can give them a coat of clear nail polish. (on the wood itself, NOT on the rubber). This way, ink does not penetrate as easily into the wood & it keeps your stamp looking new & clean. Linda SS
Very Cool Bellas! And sweet of you to give them away :)
ReplyDeleteDid you know that you can ink a stamp first in VersaMark, then in your classic ink color? Stamp the image on paper, and you're able to emboss it!
Wow! That's hard. I don't know if it is my most awesome but someone told me the other day that if your punches were sticking to use them on waxed paper and if they need sharpening, use them on aluminum foil. I am probably the only person who hadn't heard that before, but there it is anyway.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like me, buying duplicates....My tip is getting a good image from a solid stamp. Instead of just tapping it on the ink pad give it a little twist and you'll get a better stamped image.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your Bellas!
~~Rita~~
Hi, wonderful bellas, I keep a decorated note book with tabed sides and stamp an image of each stamp when i first get them, that way i know what i have and dont double up by mistage, i have them in catagories for eg. flowers and words. have a great day. Andrea
ReplyDeleteI love the Bella's! I don't know if my tip is a real "awesome" one but it's one that I have tried and get amazing results. If you have a stamp that you have a hard time getting a clear image with, put an old mousepad underneath your cardstock before stamping. I find this works for me and I always end up with a clear impression.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Oh thanks Marie, for giving these away as blog candy!! WE will appreciate them, for sure!! I don't know how awesome my tip is but you don't need all the different colours of craft ink or embossing powders. You can stamp your image in classic ink, then again in Versamark and embossing with clear embossing powder and the colour pops through!!
ReplyDeleteStamping Tip? I guess some people may not know that you can keep your left over scraps of rubber from cutting our your stamps. When you need to pop up an image you can just use these instead of pop-dots by cutting it to the size you want, taking off the rubber fron the one side and the paper from the other and voila....you have a cheap pop dot!
ReplyDeleteHello! I love bellas, but I haven't gotten any yet. I will enjoy reading the tips from everyone on this post. My tip is that if you mount a stamp on the wooden block and it is crooked, you can pop it in the microwave for a few seconds and peel it off to reposition it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCheryl KVD
I love the Bella stamps, though I don't have any yet....maybe soon???
ReplyDeleteHere's my stamping tip, though it's not really awesome, but it does give awesome results! For cleaning stamps, there is nothing better than Kiss Off to remove old stubborn stains. For everyday stamp cleaning, I use Avon Bubble Bath (9 parts soap to 1 part water) and old towels. Spritz the soap mixture onto an old facecloth and then just rub. Have another cloth that is just spritzed with water to "rinse". Works great!
oops...previous message should have read 9 PARTS WATER TO 1 PART SOAP. Sorry about that!
ReplyDeleteOOooooh Bella stamps!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazingly I'm still stuck on the old fashion masking technique.
I don't have any Bellas yet, so I'm crossing my fingers here! ;) Thanks so much for sharing them with us; we certainly do appreciate them!
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm, a tip. . . . . To get great coverage with your background stamps, after you ink them up, lay them on their "back" (rubber side up) place your cardstock down on the rubber, cover with a scrap piece of paper, then use your brayer (or your fingers) to roll over the entire background stamp. You won't get any "holes" in your pattern this way!
Cool Bellas!
ReplyDeletemy tips would be
If you store your single stamps in drawers, make sure that you do not stack them more than 2 stamp blocks high. If you stack them in big piles it squishes the rubber on them and is not good for the stamp.
Also when cleaning stamps don't let them soak in the water. This is not good for the rubber and can reck your stamps. I would say to use a scrub pad and some rubber stamp cleaning solutions would probably be best way to sustain the life time of your stamps.
I'll play...I have bellas but neither of these! Hmm...I guess I like my tip on using double-sided tape with your acrylic stamps to shape them into curves or circles. I also have seen (in my own experience) that olive oil works well to remove excess pigment ink when cleaning (not stains though). Cheers!
ReplyDeleteLove those bella's to cute!Since I'm fairly new to stamping it was hard to think of a tip that everyone doesn't know.Lately I've tryed to make my own background from my glossy paper,I take different colour ink and make-up sponges to add colour to the paper.Then I emboss a image on the top of my designed paper.I love the look of this.
ReplyDeleteOne look I like, is a technique using a background stamp. Example, using pink paper and red ink, tear a piece of scrap paper with the torn edge look. Lay the torn paper where you do not want the image to show. Ink the stamp and place on card stock and part of the torn paper. When you pick up the stamp and remove the torn paper, the stamped image actually looks like it is paper with the torn edge. I think it is a cool look.
ReplyDeleteMy of my favourites is on re-colouring brads. Grab the brad "tail" by some tweezers, heat the brad "head" with the heat gun, dip the heated end into the coloured embossing powder and re heat until it melts smoothly! Then viola, matching brads! I haven't tried these on eyelets yet...
ReplyDeleteYM
My favourite stamping tip, hmmm ... It has to be making permanent stamp-a-ma-jig images using stazon and clear packaging. It has saved so much time!! I just keep them in the same stamp box as well as any masks I make!
ReplyDeleteHi! My first bell and blog candy at the same time?!?! Wow! Well, my fav. technique is using baby wipes and reinkers to create your own stamp pads. You can create one color ink pad, or drop several reinker color together to create a rainbow effect with your stamps! Makes for great stamping!
ReplyDeleteJust a little something: Sometimes I need to see how my card looks "so far" before moving to the next step. Or I want to try something that I'm not too sure about. So I'll use Scotch REMOVABLE double sided tape until I'm ready to commit.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that you can apply Pearl Ex with any product that dries clear to any of your crafts?
ReplyDeleteI've used PE with Crystal Effects, Clear, Nail Polish, Elmers Glue, Arabic Gum...
Try it out!
The best tip/moneysaver I have heard so far is for those big unmounted stamps/acrylic stamps -- is to use the back of your big SU background stamps as a mount!! I'm going to buy some CHF backgrounds and try this out. Apparently, it will stick to the label!
ReplyDeletewho doesn't love bellas??
ReplyDeletei'm really new at stamping... but one tip i found really helpful is that when mounting certain stamps that have an image and a sentiment on the bottom, u can separate them. you can mount the image on one side, and the sentiment on the other. that makes for a more versatile stamp. :)
Hi Marie! How wonderful ... Bellas. I have only just learned about Bellas and feel immediately in love with them.
ReplyDeleteMy stamping technique is something I just learned, as well. PearlEx comes in little square containers that are just like water color paints. and it even includes a brush. But I did get a recipe to make the very same item if you empty out water color palettes that perhaps your kids have used or won't miss:
If you don't know how and would like to, please feel free to contact me. Susan in Ohio
My best tip ever is here: http://inkblots.webseitler.com/blog/2007/03/the-secret-to-stamping-great-images.html
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
I love Bella's! They are gorgeous. As for my tip--it's clean up tip. To keep things in order and to minimize the mess, always return all scrapbook/stamping supplies in the proper place right after you use them. If you wait, even a minute, you'll find that the pile just grows and grows until you realize what a jumble you have.
ReplyDeleteJanet B
Oh, I just love the Bellas. And these two are soooo cute! My tip: Be sure to shake your embossing powder jars before using. Why? If they contain glitter, it will settle and you won't get an even coat on your embossed image.
ReplyDeleteooooh, that gardenbella is calling my name...
ReplyDeleteMy fab stamping tip...
I have one of those "rubber" pot holders. The kind that don't melt until they get to 475 degrees...well, when I emboss, I put that pot holder UNDER my paper. It protects my table and clean up is a cinche!
Very nice candy! I have a tip that I use for clear, acrylic stamps. If the image isn't quite as crisp as you like, you can VERY GENTLY rub a clean, white eraser over the image. Sometimes the factory uses a coating to help the molds release the images easier and it's not always completely gone when you purchase them. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI don't own any Bellas yet so here's my favorite stamping tip that I tried from another blogger.... take some of your extra mounting foam that comes with your mounted stamps and place it in the top of the inside cover of stazon ink and sandwich it shut between the lid. Now when you go to use the stazon you don't have to take both lids off! It totally works and I love it!
ReplyDeleteI know one! When using "Sticky Tape" rub the red part to allow for the static to be removed and the backing will easily come off for you to use the tape! Wonderful blog candy...how can anyone resist?
ReplyDeleteI don't have a Bella yet, so I'm crossing my fingers! OK for a tip... I put the Embossing Powder in a plastic containers (big enough to insert my stamped card stock) this saves me the step of putting the EP back in it's original jar. Sandra
ReplyDeleteHmmm...A stamping tip? Well, I don't have any acrylic stamps, but I do have a couple of stamps that are unmounted and since I haven't figured out how I want to mount them yet, I have put them on the cling mount and attached them to the flat side (where the picture of the stamp is) on my regular SU stamps. The remove easily and I don't have to figure out what else will work for now.
ReplyDeleteVery cool Bellas too - thanks for being willing to share them.
My tip -- I like the look you can create by applying ink to your paper using a small piece of plastic wrap from the kitchen. Just crumble it into a ball and apply your ink. Looks like faux painting. It works especially well with the distress inks.
ReplyDeleteWhat great blog candy! Bellas!!! Hmmmm... favorite stamping tip.... there are so many great ones, but I guess my favorite is - as I convert my stamps to cling foam I stamp the image with Stazon onto the back of the cling foam. Let it dry, then mount the stamp on the sticky side. This way you see exactily where the stamp image is & how it will look where you place it. Also it is easy to see the stamp images inside the CD cases where I store them.
ReplyDeleteBellas! Oh how we all would love to win one! Don't know if this is really a tip...but...my best investment is a good paper cutter. No more crooked lines. Yee-ha! (I have the Tonic Studios cutter that SU also sells.) So much fun reading everyone's ideas. LorieR
ReplyDeleteOoohhh, love the Bellas!
ReplyDeleteI just hate it when layers are misaligned, i.e., crooked. You know, 1/3 inch on the sides and 1/16 on the top and 3/16 on the bottom. My tip is to use the perfect layers system available through S.U. or QVC. Since I have been using this, my layers are perfectly alligned every time!
My tip is this, when using unmounted stamps and acrylic blocks if you put some good ole glue stick on the back of your rubber then press the rubber onto your acrylic you can stamp away and when you have finished with that particular stamp just peel it off and wash them both in warm soapy water - hey presto - fabulous candy
ReplyDeleteI just realized a couple days ago that I love the bella's, i don't own one but if I won one I know I would end up buying most of them. hmmm my tip is rock stamp on the inkpad then dont pick the stamp up so wuick from the paper and you get a bette image
ReplyDeleteLove the Bellas! I guess my favorite tip is just to make a copy of the SU sticker sheet before putting them on the wood and then taping that sheet to the lid of the stamp box. That way I always know where they go!
ReplyDeleteHi Marie...
ReplyDeleteGotta love Bellas...so nice of you to give them away.
Got a dirty Stampin' Scrub? My favorite tip is the easiest way to clean my dirty scrubs - use Baby Wipes! It gets them super clean and the best part is there is no waiting for them to drip dry in the sink - they are ready to use right away. I was amazed at how well this works and I've still got one babe in diapers, so no shortage of these around my house!
Great prize, THANKS.
ReplyDeleteI use my leftover wall paper or shelf liner as paper for my cards. It's sturdy and inexpensive. Melissa R.
I'm somewhat new to stamping, so this is probably nowhere near awesome. I just recently learned to save my SU rubber scraps in order to cut ovals or other "shadow shapes" for stamps such as Bellas. I don't own any Bellas yet, but I do have some oval-like shapes saved for when I do own some. Hope this made sense!
ReplyDeleteHey Marie,My fav. tip would be to get tips from all you experts,I am learning so much...it's unbelievable.Especially through this candy,what wonderful tips!!
ReplyDeleteGreat candy by the way...bellas are so cute! TFS everyone!!!
Bellas! I don't own one yet so I hope I win. My tip is about watercoloring on cardstock. Stamp your image and then lightly spray with a matte sealer spray. It dries quickly. The spray lightly coats the paper so the ink colors blend easily. The paper won't soak up the water as fast so it doesn't curl and pill. Thanks for sharing your Bella stamps.
ReplyDeleteLove the bellas! I find the best tip for bellas that is... The Angel Company has this great cling! it works so well with the clear blocks!
ReplyDeleteWhen I stamp with a background stamp or use craft ink I use an unscented baby wipe to wipe down the excess ink and then clean with a good stamp cleaner.
ReplyDeleteLynda
you know those little pop dots or squares we all use? well after I used all the dots up, I would throw the rest away. Until one time at a stamp camp, we ran out, so I dug out the thrown away part and cut into small peices and it was just as good and just as sticky as the dots were-so now I had oblong thingies to use to pop with and lots of them!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I think the best stamping tip I ever received is the reminder that handmade art is meant to be imperfect - that the imperfections are part of what makes it what it is. So I try not to a let a little smudge or a slightly off-center image keep me from mailing a card!
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog candy! Since I haven't ordered the tab punch from SU yet, I have been making my own with a reular tag punch. I just punch out half the tag and it kinda looks like a tab!
ReplyDeleteI think my best stamping tip is to find time to do it if it is something you love. I have to allow myself the time sometimes and I am always glad when I do.
ReplyDeleteI'm relatively new to stamping but the most important thing that I have learned is to stay as organized as possible...otherwise, you won't be able to find what you know you have... even if you know that you just put it down :)
ReplyDeleteLove the Bellas! To sharpen your punches, just punch through aluminum foil a few times. Thanks for a chance to win some great blog candy!
ReplyDeletePat
Awwww, cute bellas!
ReplyDeleteMy stamp hint/tip - When using a solid image stamp for the first time I always clean it really good in the Stampin' Scrub first so it inks up better on the first try instead of the 10th.
I won't count myself in this but I just wanted to ask those of you who are sharpening their punches with tin foil.
ReplyDeleteDoes that work for you?
I've tried it and it's a mess. Wax paper is even worse. When my punches are dull they won't cut through either of them and I end up ripping the tin foil and the wax paper into pieces which I have to use my tweezers to get out of the punch!
So this is MY TIP for sharpening dull punches. PUNCH through FINE GRIT sandpaper. It's easy to punch and it sharpens your edges as it punches.
It works for me!
I'm sure everyone has their own way to organize. What I have found to keep my stamping going is as soon as I mount a stamp set, I print the name of it off of the computer and then stamp the images on that piece of paper. I then put it in my stamp binder in alphabetical order which are labeled by sections. Flowers, alphabets, kids etc. For the stamps that are retired I have a post-it note on it with NLA. No longer available. That way when I hve my scrap group over, they can just llok through the book a pick what they want to use and I can run downstairs and get it for them. Also lets them know if it's retired or not. They know which ones are still availble to order. Same as I have 2 file boxes each with two color families. Each hanging file folder holds its own paper color and is labeled apropriately. This way, when I reach for paper, I know when I need to order. Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteThanks for offering the bella's!
Tara
My tip is to EXPERIMENT with various combinations of ink and paper and to try new things -- because staying safe doesn't make new cards or art... and experimenting helps you to learn new things and to look at old things in new ways! Oh, and a second tip is to try new punches and tools, because they last a long time, are often worth the money and help you to make more unique cards and art.
ReplyDeleteHope the bella can come home with me!
My tip .. when using embossing powders, have a sheet of parchment paper (baking paper) under your project card to catch the powder remains. It will easily slide from your anti-static paper and back into the container.
ReplyDeleteSweet! I love the Bellas! I haven't gotten any yet because I know once I start, I won't be able to stop, but how cool would it be to win them!
ReplyDeleteMy tip is to trust your demonstrator's recommendations (Dawn Griffith), who told me year after year to get those SU scissors, but I kept putting it off and buying more stamp sets instead. Well, let me tell you, I just got the SU scissors with my hostess credits in January and I can't believe how they cut the rubber just like butter! Really!
Cute Bellas. The best tip I have is that I have a bunch of card stock ready for card making in all the colors. This way all I have to do is decorate it!
ReplyDeleteJenny Wrona
Hmmmm...my tip is...never leave a blank spot!! If I have an area of my card that is just plain cardstock I use the color spritzer or a background stamp to jazz it up! It gives your project more dimension and adds that little "something" that everyone is always looking for!
ReplyDeleteCute! I don't have any bellas yet, so maybe the random number generator will be good to me!
ReplyDeleteStamping tip: When I'm watercolouring in an image, I always add some shading at the bottom, in grey or blue or brown (close to cocoa and bordering blue are my two faves) to create some "ground" so the image isn't floating.
I love Bellas but don't have any yet. What a great offer! One hint I have is to ink your background stamps with a brayer. This gives really even and fast coverage. Also stamp with rubber side turned up, place cardstock then cover with a scrap sheet of paper and brayer this. Not only do you get a perfect impression but this helps clean your brayer as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is cute, I havent seen Bella stamps, I think they are so cute :)
ReplyDeleteMy Tip?
When brayering ink onto paper, glossy paper gives you a smoother colour without lines and marks.
What great comments! I scanned through most of them and didn't see this one so here goes...when you receive Stampin'UP Stamps PHOTOCOPY the clear film with the stamp images BEFORE you adhere to the stamp blocks. Put the photocopy of the stamp image in the plastic case and you will always have a reminder as to what stamps are enclosed, how many blocks should be in there, etc. I just started doing this and I LOVE how it is working. I wish I had done this from the get go with my very first Stampin'UP stamp set.
ReplyDeleteLove the Bellas, Marie! If I don't win I think I am going to take the plunge and order a Bella for myself! They are becoming very "hip" in the stampin' world! Cynthia
Can't miss a chance to win a Bella, THANKS.
ReplyDeleteI use baby wipes to quickly clean my stamps as I'm working. Then later when I'm done with my projects I will give them all a more thorough scrubbing.
Great idea for blog candy the tips are great! My tip is to make sure you index or label any unmounted stamps that you buy. I stamp mine in permanent ink, write the name of the stamp company and store them in envelopes. That way I can credit the proper stamp company!
ReplyDelete