Labels

Oh how I love my Dymo Label Buddy! This has to be in my Top 5 for favorite techniques- making my own labels!

What you will need:

1) handheld label maker, I say the handheld/ "turn the dial kind" because they're the only ones I know of that emboss the paper or label tape as opposed to just printing on it

2) strips of paper cut to fit through the label maker

3) sanding tool or ink

The cardstock that I use is from Die Cuts with a View, it has as a white core or cardstock from Coordinations that has so many paper & colored core combinations- wonderful. The reason for these specific papers is that after I run the paper through the label maker the letters are embossed. When I lightly sand over the embossed letters the core color shows through creating a contrast to the background color. Getting started: I cut down my paper to fit, this one is 3/8", I then feed the paper through until it catches then I am ready to start my word. You turn the dial for each letter to spell the desired word, use the built in scissors to snip it off once finished. I then lightly sand over the embossed letters to reveal the core color- allowing me to read my word. If the paper is too light, like a soft yellow, I rub ink over the embossed letters with my ink applicator from Tim Holtz. The embossed portions pick up the ink first, not the background- allowing me to see the letters. Another great option is to purchase colored label tape, my favorite is black tape with white letters! This tape however is only available online to purchase. If someone knows where to buy the black label tape in store drop me an email- pretty please. I love this technique because it is so versatile! Any word you can think of, you can make. You will always have the perfect something for that layout or project! This particular label maker was only $5 and can be found at most office supply stores. I found mine awhile back at Staples but I saw it online yesterday at all the stores- Office Depot, Grand & Toy and Staples! You will not be sorry you picked one of these babys up! Below are a few examples of the labels I made for recent projects. Enjoy!

White Core

Too light to sand so this label is inked.

Black cardstock with an orange core.

Have a great weekend friends!
{xo} Nadine

Stamping on Acrylic

This week's technique is one I love to use often. Stamping on acrylic! It's pretty much that straight forward but the type of ink you use will make all the difference. In order to stamp onto acrylic (or any other glossy surface) you will have to use Stazon Inks. They come in a variety of colors and can be found at most scrapbooking stores and at Michael's. You will need to allow a bit of time for the ink to dry but it does dry, which separates it from other inks that simply smear off.

Supplies Needed:

Stazon Ink

Acrylic (can be purchased at most scrap stores)

Various Stamps

For the above hanging ornament I stamped my images into the acrylic, let dry and then I cut them out of the acrylic. I punched holes, added crystals (from Heidi Swapp), attached each piece with jump rings then added tulle to hang the ornament with.
For this card I stamped the image, cut it out, mounted it onto burgundy paper and added it to the card.

I added the same image to the cover of my book using the same method as the above card, using the background paper as the backing instead of mounting it onto a separate piece of paper.

With Stazon Inks you can also stamp onto glass. I added ink to this reindeer stamp and stamped the image around my glass ornament. I did not mount this stamp to an acrylic block as I needed it to be flexible as I moved around the ornament.

I like this technique because it can be done with anything glossy, if you have the stamps then those images can be used. So many possibilities.

Enjoy & have fun!

{xo}

Stamping or Blending

I often get asked what I did on a project to get a specific look so I thought I'd start a "Technique Thursday" post. Every second Thursday I'll post a new technique on the Inspiration blog. I'll also be starting an "Inspiration Monday" this coming Monday. Enjoy.

I am in love with anything Tim Holtz! His Blending Tool and Distress Inks are on my must have list. The above image shows the two completely different looks you can get. One from simply inking the edges of your papers and the other from using the same inks but adding in his Blending Tool. I'm no expert but I think that the image looks more authentically "vintage". It creates a much softer edge & color to your papers. To see the above mentioned cards go here.

The above two images were taken from Googles Images under "Tim Holtz Blending Tool"