Wednesday, August 22, 2012

problem solver

Today's post is more like a 'helpful hint' from Heloise.  For those of you who have never heard of Heloise, she is the lady in the newspaper who can tell you what to do with leftover lint from your dryer (answer: great way to get a fire started). 

Today I solved a problem.

When working on a project, I usually need to choose from a menagerie of stamps.  And you know how it is...5 of them will work, but which is best?

To solve the problem, I took some plastic packaging from a Sizzix die, stamped the images I wanted to try on the project with Archival Ink.  You have to wait about 20 minutes for the Archival to dry but that wasn't a problem since I had three other things going on my desk at the same time. 

 Once the ink is dry, just lay it on any project, stand back and you will be able to see what the stamped image will look like.  I am quite sure that this is not a new idea, but I figured if it could help me make better/quicker decisions, then it might just help 1 or 2 of you.

Of course I chose the butterflies...
Also, a follow up to last weeks post...my niece starts High School today (I still remember how terrifying that was).  We spent Monday doing some school shopping and also made this composition book using the same method as described in my last post.  She did all the inking, flicking and stamping.  What a great job...she was happy with the result.  Not too shabby for a 50 cent composition book...and a good reminder for her when she sees it in her backpack.

Distress Ink: Crushed Olive, Scattered Straw and Broken China. 
Happy crafting!
paula

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20 comments:

  1. Jennifer Pearson VanierAugust 22, 2012 at 5:28 AM

    I love this idea and think I ought to do it with all my rubber stamps and then you have a catalogue of your images and they are all ready to place in any project you are working on. I think it will certainly speed up the decision making process. Thanks for sharing!!

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  2. Elaine AAugust 22, 2012 at 5:52 AM

    Paula -

    Your niece's composition book is adorable. Bet you she makes friends the first time she takes it out to use. Thank you for such a great idea regarding the stamps. Its a great way to recycle and makes designing something so much easier!

    Elaine Allen

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  3. heidigAugust 22, 2012 at 6:02 AM

    I'm sure you've helped more than 1 or 2 of us! I love the butterflies but I might have chosen the other one just to be different. Thanks for the great idea!

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  4. Words and PicturesAugust 22, 2012 at 6:06 AM

    A wonderful post - such a great tip with the stamps, and your niece's book is delicious. I wish her great joy in learning!
    Alison x

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  5. jmizelleAugust 22, 2012 at 6:39 AM

    Super idea....thanks again. Love your niece's book.

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  6. Carol McCreadyAugust 22, 2012 at 6:52 AM

    Thanks for the tip. I know I'll
    be using it.

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  7. UnknownAugust 22, 2012 at 7:28 AM

    Our baby started high school this past Monday and she was terrified! even though her two older sisters are there. Love the Comp book and I would have chosen the butterflies too.

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  8. connieAugust 22, 2012 at 7:50 AM

    Great idea! You're so clever. My daughter starts high school today too - she's very excited to finally be in the same school as her older brother.

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  9. RitaAugust 22, 2012 at 12:28 PM

    Thankyou so much for sharing your super idea. I bet it will help lots of us who are unsure about where to put things. Hugs Rita xx

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  10. StampnmsAugust 22, 2012 at 12:42 PM

    I think your idea will help more than 1 or 2 of us. Thanks ~_~

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  11. Kathy/NorthCarolinaAugust 22, 2012 at 4:18 PM

    This is so much better than the way I've been doing it. I stamp on the cellophane packaging, but it wouldn't hold up the way this acetate packaging would. This, you could stamp once, file away and pull out to use again. You are a genius!

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  12. TraceyAugust 22, 2012 at 9:48 PM

    Scathingly brilliant idea! Have been trying my hand at collage stamping and this is perfect! TFS.

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  13. KimAugust 23, 2012 at 3:42 AM

    Awesome idea! Will definitely use it. Thank you for sharing.

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  14. SueAugust 23, 2012 at 4:19 AM

    Yet another reason to keep that plastic packaging around and upcycle it!

    So did you hear, Dyan Reavely is coming to St Pete to teach in Sept? Even SHE will come, Paula!! She must like warm chocolate chip cookies! ;) And hells to the yeah I will be there!

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  15. DorothyAugust 23, 2012 at 4:24 AM

    Great tip! I have done things like that before and it does help.
    Thanks!!

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  16. KarenMCAugust 23, 2012 at 4:54 AM

    That is a great idea. Never would have thought of it myself. I think I'll make an organized file folder with them and won't have to rifle through drawer of stamps. Thanks!

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  17. Kathy MartinAugust 23, 2012 at 5:56 AM

    Awesome!!! LOVE when something that would go in the landfill is used! :)

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  18. Cheryl CAugust 23, 2012 at 8:35 AM

    This is one of those "Duh, why didn't I think of that!" moments. I love it! Love your niece's notebook, wish I were near my granddaughter so we could do that.

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  19. mel m. m. mccarthyAugust 23, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    You're a genius! I made a template like this for my dies, but never would have thought of it for stamps. I love that it can double as an image index for them too. Now that I've seen this, I will actually organize my stamps! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  20. DaneeAugust 24, 2012 at 10:33 AM

    Paula,
    I'm always afraid of mixing colors and I love the freedom you have with your combos. I am hoping to emulate your choices and see if I can gain that freedom myself.

    I love this little stamping helpful hint. I took often vacillate between which stamp to use so I will be using this technique.

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