Skipping Stones Design

Feature Friday with Karen

Heather Engebretson — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:00:02 +0000

What drew you into Skipping Stones Design Stamps?

For me it was the many awesome texture and background stamps available!

Please stop on over to my blog, The Bald Dragonfly,
for a card featuring one of my most favorite Skipping Stones Design sets, Grunge.

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’!!!

Winner Wednesday- sketch #127

Heather Engebretson — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:56 +0000

Good morning!

I know you can’t see me right now as I am writing this post, but I am barefoot. Why am I barefoot you ask? Well it would be because you all knocked my socks off with your amazing projects you made from last week’s sketch!!!! The winner of sketch challenge #127 is Pat with this fabulous graduation card:

Congratulations Pat!!! Please email Heather at madebyme33 (at) hotmail (dot) com and let her know which Skipping Stones set you would like for your prize. Thank you to all the amazingly talented crafters who played along with us at Skipping Stones Design! We love you and hope to see you back for this week’s challenge- just scroll down for all the deets!

Have a winning day!

Katie

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

Skipping Stones Sketch 127

Heather Engebretson — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:00:41 +0000

Happy Tuesday!

Today we are unveiling Heidi Van Laar’s 2nd sketch for the month and a whole parade of inspiration to go right along with it!

Let’s see what our guests created with this sketch.

Heidi Van Larr

Jennifer Rzasa

Taylor Ursy

Now, check out the Design Team:

This sketch really works well for so many styles! I bet you can’t wait to give it a try! As always, we are having a little contest to see what you can do with this week’s sketch. Just upload a card/project you made with this sketch using the inlinkz below by next Monday at midnight EDT. One lucky winner will be randomly selected from all participants to win a fabulous prize, a Skipping Stones stamp set of choice! 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.

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!