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Paper Organization Made Simple! Tips and Tricks Thursday with Stepanie!

Heather Engebretson — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:41 +0000

Good morning, everyone!

Welcome to Skipping Stones Design’s Tips & Tricks Thursday!

Today I’m sharing some cardstock and patterned paper organization tips.

We all have it!

We all hoard it!

We all need it organized, so we can USE it!

I started organizing my patterned paper, cardstock and cardstock scraps about a year ago when I found myself digging through a plastic bin trying to find a piece of cardstock that I KNEW I had in a certain color. I probably spent more time looking for that darned piece of cardstock than I did making my card. I really had to get organized, but I wanted to do it with things I already had in my home and not buy something (so I could spend my $$$ on the fun stuff like…….more patterned paper!!!).

In talking to a lot of other stampers, I came to realize that we usually stick with one company for our cardstock (ie, Papertrey Ink, Stampin’ Up, Bazzill, Hero Arts, etc.). That being said, if you use many different companies, this will still work for you as long as you keep your cardstock organized by color groups.

Cardstock Storage

This is what I found to organize my cardstock. It’s simply a metal file folder that sits right under my cutting table. As you can see, I do have each color in a tabbed folder so that I can find the color I’m looking for easily. This is ONLY for my whole 8.5″x11″ cardstock pieces.

Paper Scraps Storage

Right above that file folder on my cutting table sits this DVD storage box that I had from Target. It looks like a mess, but I assure you that I can find many shapes of scraps for dies or borders in an instant.

I simply folded a piece of generic Walmart white cardstock in half and stapled it up the sides to create a pocket for all of the odd sized scraps in that color. On the front I printed the name of the cardstock with a Sharpie. It’s not the neatest, but when I kept looking that huge box of scraps that I had to organize, I didn’t want this project to take forever. I wanted to stamp, not organize……LOL

When I reach for my full piece of cardstock, it’s usually to create a card base. Once I cut it in half for my 4.25″x5.5″ card base, I put the other half BEHIND the pocket I created for the scraps of that color. This way, when I need a card base, I just go to my paper scrap box to see if I already have a base or if I have to cut a new one.

Patterned Paper Storage

I use the same DVD case storage for my 6″x6″ patterned paper packs. You may notice that I store the paper pads upside down. I do this so that all the scraps that I cut from the paper can stay in the pad with the whole sheets. I can still flip through them easily to see the front cover and look at the patterns in the pad.

Another DVD case is used for my cut down 12″x12″ paper pads. I am strictly a card maker and not a scrapbooker, so don’t freak out when you hear that I don’t have any 12″x12″ paper packs. I find the patterns are too large of a scale and hardly use them. When I first started making cards, I didn’t realize this…….so, one Saturday afternoon, I cut all my 12″x12″ pads down into 6″x6″ squares and put it in here.

I created the same kind of pocket as I did for my scrap cardstock box to put the name of the paper pad and house all my little pieces of matching scrap papers.

I hope this gave you some inexpensive tips and ideas on how to store your papers, so that you can find and use them a little better. I’m betting you have some kind of boxes or plastic bins laying around that you can start organizing your stash. I’d love to see pictures once you get organized…..just leave your post link in the comments box so I can take a peek!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s Tips & Trick’s Thursday!!!

Happy Stampin’!!!

SSD Sketch Challenge #128 AND the Great PMS Sale!!!

Heather Engebretson — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:45:38 +0000

Yup! It’s time for a new sketch AND one of your favorite sales! The Skipping Stones Design PMS (Purchase More Stamps!) Sale is a go! The more you buy, the MORE you SAVE!!! It’s nice and easy, too! Simply place an order and enter the following codes to receive your discount based on how many sets you choose!

Buy ONE set: Enter PMS1 for 5% off!
Buy TWO sets: Enter PMS2 for 10 % off!
Buy THREE sets: Enter PMS3 for 15% off!
Buy FOUR sets: Enter PMS4 for 20% off!
Buy FIVE sets: Enter PMS5 for 25% off!
Buy SIX or MORE sets: Enter PMS6 for 30% off!

It’s time to stock up on those favorites you’ve been adding to your wish list! If you have any trouble with entering the codes at check out, simply email Heather at madebyme33 at hotmail dot com with your order and she will be sure to get your proper discount adjustment made!

And now for this week’s fabulous sketch from the one and only Heidi Van Laar!

And here is what our Guest Designers have done with it:

Heidi

Jennifer Rzasa

Taylor Usry

And here is what the Skipping Stones Design Team has created with this fabulous sketch!

Stephanie (Check out her blog to see the ADORABLE inside of this card!)

And now it’s your turn! Our rules are simple:
1. You do not have to use SSD stamps, but we love when you do!
2. Please link up a direct link to your post with the picture of your card using the sketch and link back to Skipping Stones in your post.
3. Please combine no more than five total challenges including this one.
The randomly selected winner will win a choice of one Skipping Stones Design Stamp Set!

Feature Friday with Katie!

Heather Engebretson — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:10 +0000

Lots of Spots and Polka Dots

Happy Friday, Crafty Peeps! Katie Gehring here to share a fun birthday card inspired by a simple summer sundress. Stop by my blog for a peek of how little girl fashion, a little Grunge, a bit of washi tape, and Garden Stamp Kiss all worked together to inspire a simple and graphic card.

Tips & Tricks Thursday with Wendy Jordan…Stamping on Acetate

Heather Engebretson — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:32 +0000

Good morning!

Wendy Jordan here to share a not so secret, secret to stamping on acetate!! It is really all in the ink!!!

Here are my supplies:

Acetate, Skipping Stones Designs Beautiful Botanicals stamp set, Color Solutions Alcohol Inks by Dreamweaever Stencils, Felt Applicator and protection for my stamped surface.

I cut a 2 by 3 rectangle of acetate.

I applied a few drops of Color Solutions Iceberg Ink to my felt applicator and started adding color to one side of the acetate.

I added a few drops Color Solutions Aspen Leaf Alcohol Ink to the felt applicator and daubed under the first color.

For years I stamped on Acetate, to reveal a black smeared image that I was disappointed in. I was told Memories Ink by Stewart Superior would not smear on Acetate and of course, I had to see it to believe it.

Before stamping on the acetate, you will want to stamp on the side of the acetate that doesn’t have alcohol ink on it.

I added Memories Ink to my clear stamp and placed it on my Acetate surface. Low and behold….NO SMEARING!!

♥happiest girl in the world♥

PERFECTO!!!

Using a rectangle nestabilities die, I cut a rectangle out of the front panel of my card and then another rectangle out of a piece of a bit smaller cardstock. I adhered my stamped acetate in the open rectangle of the front panel. To give the inside a finished look, I adhered the second window panel of cardstock over the edges of acetate.

The finished product….

Thanks for stopping by today!!!

See you next time!!

Winner Wednesday- SSD Sketch 126

Heather Engebretson — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:37:24 +0000

Good morning!

Just popping in today to announce the winner of sketch challenge #126.. Kailash!

Congratulations Kailash! Please email Heather at madebyme33 (at) hotmail (dot) com and let her know which Skipping Stones you would like as your prize! Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s sketch challenge! We were so excited to visit your blogs and check out your fabulous creations. Remember, we revealed a new sketch challenge, #127 yesterday and we can’t wait to stop by your blogs and galleries to see your fabulous creations!

Have a winning day!

Katie

Feature Friday with Lindsay!

Heather Engebretson — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:00:46 +0000

Hey there! I have a fun card to share with you on my blog today using Dandelion Dreams, masking and a bit of misting! I hope you will stop by to see more!

I hope you’re day is a crafty one!

Using Bright Colors When Least Expected with Jingle – Tips and Tricks Thursday

Heather Engebretson — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:00:24 +0000

Is it just me or does it seem like some stamp sets come with ‘color guidelines’. No, I don’t mean literally, but it does seem like we tend to gravitate toward certain color families with certain styles of stamps. So…today, my tip is simple…break free of those color boxes! Use something unexpected! I played with one of my favorite sets, Rustic Tiles, for this card. Maybe it’s just the name of the set, but it seems to want deep tones, fall or holiday type colors, natural hues…you know, that sort of thing. Well, not today, my friends! Not today! I pulled out some fabulous brights!!!

Happy pink, sunny yellow, and a wonderful teal color! They are perfect for a spring, summer, or just plain HAPPY birthday greeting! I even brought in a bit of twine from The Twinery for this one! (We have something special coming up later in the month on THAT line…*wink* *wink*

So…I challenge you to break out of the ‘standard’ color ideas for a stamp set and try something totally new and unexpected! Play with your colors!!!! If you do, we would love to see it! Upload your project to our Facebook Page so we can check it out!

-Jingle Out!

May Designers and a New Sketch Challenge #126!

Heather Engebretson — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:41:04 +0000

Wow! Can you believe it is May 1st? We have an exciting month planned here at Skipping Stones Design! Let’s kick it off by introducing our Guest Designers for the month of May!

Our Visiting Sketch Artist is none other than the fabulous Heidi Van Laar!

Heidi is a stay at home mom of three boys. Married eleven wonderful years. In her former life (before kids) She was a graphic designer, now she just loves to play with paper! She grew up in Coos Bay, Oregon, now she lives in a teeny tiny town in Southern Washington.

And our two guest designers for the month are…
Jennifer Rzasa

(You may recognize this fabulous box with Skipping Stones Grunge Stamps from a recent cover of Paper Crafts Magazine!)

A bit about Jennifer:

My name is Jennifer Rzasa, and I am a 28 yr old music teacher (1st-5th grade). I live with my husband in MA, about 25 min outside of Boston. I’m so happy to be a Guest Designer this month at Skipping Stones Designs! My crafting style is most definitely CAS, although you can occasionally catch me trying something new as well When I’m not making cards, I’m teaching private instrument lessons, playing video games, skateboarding, or eating. I also love to paint, sew, and make jewelry.

And, a familiar face, Taylor Usry!

A bit about Taylor:

Hello! My name is Taylor Usry, and I live with my husband, two kids, and one cat in southern Virginia. I’ve been an avid crafter my whole life, but I’ve only been obsessed with paper crafting for the last 7 years or so. I cannot remember a time when I didn’t have a crayon, marker, glue stick, ribbon, or something crafty in my hands!

I’m often asked if I have a particular style – I’d say it’s eclectic. There really isn’t much I don’t like, or anything I won’t try – just give me goodies and let me play! I love every aspect of the creative world.

I’m honored to currently be part of several talented design teams, and am so thrilled to have the opportunity to be a guest designer with Skipping Stones Design this month!

And now for our sketch!

To play along this week, simply create a card based on this sketch and link it up below for a chance to win free stamps! We ask that your card obviously use the sketch and that you do not combine more than five total challenges for the project. The winner is chosen randomly and you don’t even have to use SSD stamps, but we LOVE it when you do!!!!

Here is what our guests and our team have done with this wonderful sketch!

And for our team…

(You HAVE to check out Stephanie’s blog to see the inside of her super cute card, too!)

Katie

Wendy Price

(Check out Wendy’s blog to see how she used her stamps for this neat technique!)

Jingle

Lindsay

WOW! Don’t you love how the sketch has been flipped, flopped, and turned in so many fun ways? This is a great sketch and we REALLY want you to play along! Link up your design below! Remember..you don’t have to use SSD stamps, but we love it when you do! AND…please combine no more than five total challenges. Thank you!

-Jingle

We Are Sponsoring the CPS Challenge!

Heather Engebretson — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:41:41 +0000

That’s right! Skipping Stones Design is proud to be sponsoring the CPS Card Sketch Challenge this week! You can play along with the sketch for your chance to win GREAT prizes!!!!

Here is the sketch that the CPS team will be showing off for the week and you can play along, too!

Stephanie Mino created this fabulously adorable card based on the sketch using the ever fun Sassy Shoes stamp set! LOVE your card, Stephanie!

Head on over to the CPS blog to check out more fabulous samples and link up your own card, too!

Feature Friday with Pamela!

Heather Engebretson — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:00:39 +0000

Hi everyone! I hope you are having a fantastic week! I’ve posted a fun layout over on my blog that uses the equally fabulous Heartsong and Heartsong 2 sets. Yep, I said layout…not card. :)

Hope you can stop by! Here’s a peek:

Come check out the whole thing here. :)

Have a wonderful day!!
Pamela