Paper Trufflez

Some answers to some questions . . .

Link: Paper Trufflez: MOO HOOOOOO!!!.

I've been in a slump lately.  Does that ever happen to you?  Probably not.  =)  May I ask. HOW did you do the pink heart for the owls?  It looks like a stamp!  TFS. --Tracy C.

Everybody faces creative stumbling blocks at one time or another--hang in there!  I hope it encourages you to know that while I upload my more successful creations, there were plenty of unsuccessful ones that hit the "circular file" during the process. *wink*

The heart was done by punching a very large heart (an old button-style Mega Marvy Uchida punch) through a piece of vellum card stock, and using the reverse as a "mortise" mask or "stencil".  Rouge Chalk Ink was gently sponged to fill in the heart, taking care to keep the center very faint, where I planned to stamp the owls . The owls themselves were not masked--that would have been way too much work around the branch/leaves area. *wink*

Where did the "i love you to the moon and back" stamp come from?  That is my dh's favorite saying and I would love to get it  Thanks--Pat N

That sentiment, and all the images used in those particular card designs, is from A Muse Artstamp's recent Valentine Release.  I'd be surprised if your local stamp store doesn't carry it, but, if not try this:  A Muse 08 Valentine Release

Just scroll down, and you'll find it in the section called "Page 2". *grin*

HTH!

 

And, a few more! (questions)

I have two questions;
1) Does the inability to upload and share disqualify one from either of the classes?  I know its a disadvantage.

2) What is your definition of "intermediate+"?

TIA--Twinks

Hi, Twinks!  Here are the answers:

1)  No, it would not disqualify you at all.  I simply wanted to provide the option to anyone who wanted to be able to upload and share within the classroom.  There will probably be a number of folks who prefer not to upload to the classroom at all, and that's A-OK!

2)  Intermediate:  Understands the basic terminology and construction of a card, has experienced making cards through at least one medium, i.e. use of pre-fab scrapbook type materials/embellishments, or rubber stamping, digital, etc.

More FAQs (online-classes)

Hi Julie!

I can't wait to take your two classes!  My question is this:  Since I am fortunate to live in Seattle and visit Amuse frequently, might I be able to go directly to the store to purchase my kit?  Thanks!--Kathy M

Thanks for your question, Kathy!  You know, I hadn't actually thought about that, but, I'll touch base with A Muse on this-- before I give you a concrete answer, I should find out from them if this would be a possibility.  Okie dokie?

FAQs: Well, I did it!

Link: Paper Trufflez: Well, I did it!.

OH MYLAAAANTA!!!! (Somebody on SCS coined that phrase, and it just CRACKS me--I can't resist using it now!)     Thank you for all the encouragement and enthusiasm! 

Ya'all ROCK the rubbah world!

Thank you, too, for all the questions you have posted/emailed  about these online classes!  I've compiled the most frequent I've received, and put together a FAQ page.  If I receive any other FAQs, I'll include them there!

For a direct link to the FAQ page, click HERE.

I am so excited about these classes, and so jazzed to have a chance to work with you!  (bouncin'! supaaah hard) 

Follow The Yellow Brick Road . . .

All images, Notecard, Twinkle Stickers, Creative Candy Clear Circle Sticker, and Patterned Papers all by A Muse Art Stamps; Palette Hybrid Ink in Noir; Alcohol-based Sketch Markers by Copic; Black Gingham by May Arts; Metal Charm (source unknown); 1" Circle Punch by EK Success

I made this card quite a while back, when working with the new A Muse images, before they were released.  It occurred to me that the "robot kid" image might possibly serve as a tin man, with a little tweaking, in this little idea I had for re-creating a Wizard of Oz scene  . . . I just need a little scottie dog to complete the scenario . . . "Oh, Liiiiiiiinda . . . " *chuckle*  Anyhoo, when I inked robot kid up, I simply omitted the top portion of his head, so I could hand-draw a more tin man-like "hat" for him.

Remember the Wicked Witch's gazing ball?  That's where the crystal sticker came in.  By sheer dumb luck, I happened to have a little charm in my stash that looked like slippers.  It was an antique gold color, which of course, would have to be altered!   So, I actually colored it with a Copic marker, CUZ THEY WORK ON METAL!!!  (slap m'self on the forehead--DO'H!!!)

See what I mean below:

I just had to put Mini Red Twinkle Stickers on 'em, too!

I've seen the question, "What makes Copic markers so special?" a few times over on Splitcoast, so, I figured I'd post the very answers I've given over there, right here, too.

Copic markers are:

• Alcohol, not water-based; they dry fast and are non-bleeding--because of this, depending on the coloring technique, you can also avoid brush stroke lines and achieve a smoother, seamless coloration. They also do not pill the paper, like water-based markers will, if you color over a section repeatedly.  They also won't "lift" onto your finger tips, if they happen to be damp and you touch a colored area.  Don't know how many times I have accidentally transfered water-based to some other undesirable area on a project and ruined it . . . (insert rolling eyeballs, and teeth-gnashing)
• Available in a wide array of formats (dual-ended nib styles)
• Refillable, making them a "lifetime" marker
• Various nibs styles can be optionally purchased and swapped out on the barrels, allowing greater artistic capabilities
• Available in a tremendous array of colors
• Capable of being used on metal and plastic, not just paper
• More light-fast/fade resistant than water-based
• Blendable, again, depending on the coloring technique used

They can't be used for watercoloring, of course, nor for inking up stamps like you can with water-based markers (the ink dries too fast).

Alcohol-based markers aren't "better" than water-based; they're just different! *wink*

You can do certain things with alcohol-based, that you cannot with water-based, just as vice-versa.  Depending on your desired effect, one will perform the job where the other cannot.

Now, I could blabber on and on, but, seriously?  Copic already features some fantastic FAQs, which I highly recommend reading, right HERE.

Linda's a huge fan of Copic, as is my buddy Ellen.  You can order Copics (bullet/chisel tip Regular Markers) through A Muse (Linda has listed her favorite and most-oft used colors), or via Ellen Hutson, LLC. (brush/chisel tip Sketch Markers).  Ellen has devoted quite a bit of time to selecting colors that closely match Stampin' Up!'s 48 colors, so if that's important to you, be sure to stop in at Ellen's.  The Sketch Copics can also be used with the Airbrush system, whereas others cannot.  I haven't delved into air-brushing yet, but, must admit that I am intrigued . . .

Marker Storage:  Guess what?  I don't have a great answer for this! *chuckle*  Right now, I have my markers separated by colors, i.e. blues, greens, yellows, reds, etc. in little marker/pencil pouches.  I may get a few empty Copic Marker Wallets; because I teach classes, these might make it easier to travel with my markers, and it serves as an easel, too, due to the construction of it and the velcro.  But, then, I've also seen some other very cute possibilities, too--Linda has this darling caddy--like a silverware caddy that she uses in her home studio.  It has a handle, and, well, it's pretty darn cute, and who doesn't like cute?  LOL!

"That's all I have to say 'bout that."--Forrest Gump

At least, for the moment . . . got another deadline hangin' over me, and must get back to the salt mines . . . *wink*

 

How To Control Spending

There's been a bit of discussion on Splitcoast, regarding the costs of stamping, and various ways to save money.  Keep in mind that the following is just my humble opinion, and comes from what I've personally learned over my 13 years of stamping . . . *grin*

Hobbies, generally speaking, are not "cheap".  Hunting, fishing, model building, oil painting, gardening, etc., all have expenses that come with them for tools, supplies & materials, and in some cases, education/training to learn more about the hobby you enjoy.

Some things to think about, regarding spending:

• Start with good basics (stamps, ink, paper).  Also, a $13.95 circle punch may seem spendy at the time, however, simple geometric shapes are my most frequently needed, so I get much more mileage for my $13.95 investment in that, than I do in a specialized shape
• Invest in quality tools; cheap substitutions usually do not perform well, or break down, subsequently causing you to spend even more to replace them.  My Milwaukee Heat Gun performs as well today, as it did when I purchased it for $32.95 11 years ago, and has *never* failed me.  If I ever have to buy another, you can bet that Milwaukee has earned my loyalty, and I won't hesitate to pay full price!
• Assess how likely you are to use something in a variety of ways; the more versatile it is, the more value you are getting for your investment
• Don't purchase something just because it's a great deal--if you don't love it, you won't use it = wasted money
• Don't purchase in bulk, unless you have at least one specific idea, hopefully more than one, in mind for the product, or again, wasted money
• Don't buy it "all" at once!  You may find your taste changes as you learn/explore more, and you can't use it all at once anyway! *wink*
• If you haven't used it in a year, chances are, you are not gonna again, so get rid of it (sell it, trade it, give it to someone, etc.) and free up some storage space for something you will use!
• What do you enjoy making most?  Invest in products that are geared toward that.  For example, I enjoy card-making more than anything else; investing in tools for making my own books (such as a Bind-It-All, which I think is *uber* cool, and I want one only because it is cool), would not be a wise investment for me and I *know* it; I don't actually like making books. (insert shocked expression)  So, it would be wiser for me to buy the occasional pre-fab book when I do want to make one as opposed to investing in a tool I'd use so rarely.  I also think about for whom, and for what occasions I am most likely to stamp:  I *love* flowers, and they work well for all girls in my life, and are suitable for get well, birthday, thinking of you, sympathy, friendship, etc.  For the men in my life, well, they all fish and are into sports, so I focus on products that enable me to create a variety of projects that suit.  I also love things such as coffee, chocolate, girlie stuff (shopping, dresses, shoes, purses), snowmen/snowflakes, and last, but not least:  appletinis *wink*
• There are certain embellishments that pack a wollop, but are relatively inexpensive and worth having on hand, as staple items, from the get-go.  I would be lost without: Prisma Glitter and a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen, Mini brads, ribbon, and a bottle of Prima "Got Flowers" (dang, have you seen how many little blossoms there are in each bottle???).  These are things I always keep available and re-stock when the supply gets low because, more often than not, when I need that extra little touch to set off a design, these rescue me perfectly and I love them!
• If you need to, create a monthly spending allowance and stick to it.  If there's a big ticket item you want, what are you willing NOT to buy or how much are you willing NOT to spend, for a few months to enable you to save to buy that item?
• Invest in organization and storage; if you can't find it, you won't use it, OR, you just might buy a duplicate 'cuz you forgot you already have it!  ACK!  ROTFL!

Now, if you got into stamping because you thought you'd "save some money by making your own cards", over purchasing them ready-made at the card shoppe, I'm sorry to inform you that this is a myth, and you need to quit deluding yourself!   ROTFLMAO!

But, if you consider the stress-relief that stamping provides, well, no offense to all the psychotherapists out there, but, any hobby, including this one, is well worth the investment for that reason alone. *chuckle*  That, and the joy of creating, simply for the sake of creating, give me immense personal satisfaction.

One thing, above all, holds true:  the friendships that grace my life, as a result of this obsession shared by so many, are absolutely priceless! *grin*

FAQ time

Okay, Julie, I have a question. In what situations would an alcohol-based marker be preferable to a water-based marker? Do you have a preferred brand of water-based marker?--Carole

Alcohol based markers, such as Prismacolor and Copic, can be used, and will dry, on non-porous surfaces, such as transparency and polyshrink (shrink plastic).  The "moisture" in the ink evaporates so quickly, that I don't have to worry about "transfer" if I inadvertently put my finger onto the ink, and then touch another area of my project--no unintended red thumbprints or smudges, etc.  They also don't produce the same type of "brush-stroke marks" as typically happens when using water-based markers.  They have a very deep and even saturation of color, even when working with pale colors.

Water-based markers need a bit of drying time--can take a while to dry on glossy card stock surfaces, although you can speed up that process with your heat tool.  Water-based markers can bead up or never dry on non-porous surfaces like transparency, unless used on the textured side of "ink-jet" transparency and if there is any lotion or moisture at all on your finger tips, you can "re-activate" or smear the ink accidentally. (argh!)  Water-based markers can sometimes. also "pill" your paper surface, if you over-color the paper surface, whereas alcohol-based markers evaporate so quickly, this is not an issue.

My preferred brand of water-based markers?  Because my experience is limited to two brands when it comes to water-based brush tip markers, I dunno that I can say I have a "favorite" . . . I enjoy using  Stampin' Up! Stampin' Write Dual Tip Markers, which are juicy, with quality tips, and designed to coordinate with SU!'s line of exclusive ink pad colors and card stock colors.  I also like Marvy Uchida Brush Markers--the ones with the big/wide brush tips (not Marvy's Le Plume line) --for direct to rubber on larger/bolder/solid style images.

Both have been very good quality in my experience, and I haven't felt compelled to search beyond them for another brand to try.

I own the regular Sizzix die cut machine and have been very happy with it's sturdiness. Over the weekend I bought a Big Kick and I've been playing with it and am just not sure if this is for me. I find the whole "sandwhich" thing awkward. So many layers to keep together. What I would like is your opinion and those of others who have experienced both machnes to explain to me just what this Big Kick will do that my old sizzix can not--Mary

Mary, I don't own a Sizzix regular machine, so I'm afraid I can't really compare thoroughly what I do own/have had experience with vs. something I have little to none. I have read/heard that the Sizzix regular machine is heavier, and "cumbersome" to transport, over the more recently released personal die cutting systems.  It features lever-based pressure, as opposed to roller-based, and the width of the feed on that machine is smaller than that of the newer machines.

I bought a Big Shot with the intention of making window cards, however, I've only successfully achieved this using Cuttlebug dies, so far, and there are size limitations, due to the size of those particular dies.  I have had no success using Sizzix Sizzlit dies for cutting windows into cards.  I don't own any Zip-e-Mates or QuicKutz dies to compare to.

All Sizzix dies can fit through a Big Kick (which is basically the same as the Big Shot, just a different color, and by the same manufacturer), but not all Big Shot/Big Kick dies will fit through the Sizzix.

For further of my own findings on the Big Shot, which may relate to the Big Kick, due to the fact that they are designed and function the same, please visit:

Die Cutting Machine Comparisons
Big Shot FAQs

In the end, it comes down to your own personal preference.

FAQs about "What I do . . ."

Link: Paper Trufflez: What I do . . ..

In answer . . . 

. . . Some other questions I had about your duties - 1) Do you pick the themes one month ahead of time or do you do an editorial calendar so current members can work on future themes? 2) When does the surprise DD members upload their profile - at the beginning or end of the month (meaning closer to the 15th)? 3) Are the DD members required to upload X amount of cards or X amount of projects each month? Or just whatever they feel like?--Karen S

1.  We try to map out the themes about 6+ months in advance, and allow flexibility for tweaking a theme, modifying the timing/order of appearance, if necessary.

2.  We request that all current Dirty Girls, including the noobies, maintain updated profiles, however I couldn't say when they actually update them.  If you're referring to their biographical information in their debut gallery, some upload early in the month, and others later, depending on when they have it prepared, but, in any case, always with enough lead time for me to prep it for publication to the bios page.

3.  We have a team "goal" of 100 projects each month, which is actually a considerable amount, if you were to compare it with print publications, which typically come out every other month.  We request that the Designers upload between 6-8 original designs/projects per month, so that this goal is evenly distributed among the entire team, and to avoid burn-out.  If a particular designer is unable to one month, for whatever reason, the rest of the team rallies to "cover".  Many Alumni Designers have also volunteered to "pinch hit", should we need help. *wink*  6-8 projects may not sound like very many, but a number of the designers work full-time jobs, and also have families.

What I do . . .

Link: So, April 15th is just around the corner . . . - Splitcoaststampers.

Chuckle!  The above is just one small aspect of what I do over on Splitcoast . . .

For some reason, mebbe a year or so ago, I thought it would be fun to write a teaser poem within a day or few of the gallery unveiling . . . Little did I know what I was getting myself into . . . (wink!)  It can take me up to two hours to write those ditties because I'm definitely UN-skilled in the realm of poetry . . . LOL!

The best laid plans . . .

I have been out of my office and away from the computer all day.  I came home to find some very interesting things had gone on over at Splitcoast while I was away.   It caught me quite off guard, needless to say! (chuckle!)

The day I was given the green light to mention something publicly about having accepted an editorial position with a new coming on-line magazine, called The Paper Lounge, I was literally overwhelmed by the flood of responses and enthusiasm!

Ground work had already been long underway and that excitement and positive reaction fueled and inspired me in ways I cannot begin to describe, as we forged ahead in anticipation of a December or January 07 launch.

And, then BAM!  We were met with some completely unforeseen obstacles--largely technical ones.  And, of course, when you're working within an on-line medium, technical is *everything*.

Due to this, we have had to postpone the launch of The Paper Lounge, and currently a lot of behind the scenes work is being done to resolve those technical aspects, in hopes that we can better project a future launch date.  What you see at the current web place holder, is having to be completely restructured and rebuilt.  (head banging down onto the desk in frustration)  I know that anyone with experience in the field of technology will, I'm sure, sympathize in how things generally always take much longer to implement than we believe they will, and most especially when there's a major roadblock in the way. (shaking my head, and still chuckling)

I want to thank those of you that have inquired via email, here at Paper Trufflez, and elsewhere about the status of this endeavor.  Your support, good wishes and hopes for success mean the world to me and have encouraged me to persevere, especially during the struggles and roadblocks.

Geeze.  I know I'm a ginormous sap, but ya'all sure know how to get a girl verklempt and whatnot . . .

Thank you.