Products that I love…part #3!!!

by Susan Itell | Jan 8, 2014 | Things you just have to buy!, Tips and Tricks!!! | 80 comments

Happy New Year…part #3

On January 1st I posted this post….a unique post as I do not have a card to share with you…rather I am sharing with you some of the Stampin' Up! products that I love and "works for me"…

Today is the 3rd of  the 3 posts of sharing with you some of my all time "keepers"! I could go on and on about all sorts of things and today I wanted to randomly pick some of my favorite products that we have at Stampin' Up! and give you the "why's" I love them so much as well as some "tips and tricks" that I have found with them!

Here you go…these are not in any particular order of my preference! Read to the end as you will see you will have the opportunity to win some blog candy!

I am purposely not putting in specific stamp sets…the solid papers…our marker collection…and the Big Shot…as to me – these are the staples…(bread & butter) to our fabulous collection of products!

• Tombow Multi-Purpose Glue – To me this is "white gold" BUT…there is a learning curve to it! I would not be without it for several reasons….and this is why I love it!

• It is a SUPER strong hold…it is a very small bottle (easy to tuck in a bag) and it is SUPER affordable = just $3.95!!!

• Remember…A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY…so this is the learning curve I am talking about…you need to use it sparingly as if not…you will have one sticky and yucky mess on your hands!

• I love to use it in place of a tape runner many times when making cards…to me – it is a stronger hold…it is easy for me to use…and my cards stay together perfectly. (I am a "stickler" to having the paper lay nice and flat all the way to the edges – to me it is a much more professional look)

• It has 2 ends….one for a fine line of glue (I use this side 90% of the time) and then a broad base one that works great it you are needing a larger area to be covered!

• I also love this on placing pieces that I might want to "wiggle" around a bit before it "sets up"

• Ink Refills –   This might seem like a silly "Things that I love" BUT it is one thing that I think many of us forget about! Here are some of my thoughts about why I think these are so vital to paper crafting!

• Most of use purchase the Ink Pads as naturally that's what we need to stamp with…makes perfect sense right? Well we do….then we fall in love with a specific color of stamp pad and use it over and over again and to start to get stamped images not so clear and crisp….then you get frustrated and push harder and harder on your poor innocent ink pad when all you need was a refill that is just $2.95!

• You can purchase a color collection "like a Bright or Regal Collection" and when you purchase it like this, as a group – they are even less!

• I like clean and crisp stamped images when I make projects – this product in my opinion is over looked as most of us feel that if we have the ink pad – that should be good for a L O N G time – many times this is true especially when you do not use a color a bunch but it is a different story on your "go-to" colors!

• Look at this image below, it was from a post several days ago….I made this card for a PALS swap and I made 30 of them…now do you think my image would be this clean and crisp if I did not have a re-inker!?!? I realize that this specific stamp has a large area to cover ink…but there would be no way that my 30th would have looked as good as the 1st one without me re-inking the pad!

• I often get asked – "How often to you need to re-ink?" That's a hard one to answer but you will know when it is time…when you do – simply take the refills and put drops all over the surface – Less is best as if you go too crazy – you'll have the opposite problem!!! I then take an old kitchen spoon and use the back side of it and go back and forth like I would ice a cake…wipe off with a paper towel and DONE!

• BIGGEST TIP I CAN GIVE YOU: When you do use a re-inker – make sure that you let the pad sit for in my opinion at least 20-30 minutes to allow the ink to evenly distribute in the pad. If I know I am going to do a specific project like the above picture…I re-ink it before I go to bed….this way I know it will be perfect for me! Sometimes planning ahead is key!

• Basic Pearl Jewels – This is one of those secret weapons that can make a "Plain Jane" card…go to a WOW card with a simple Pearl (or also a rhinestone)  – I am more of a "pearl girl" as after all – they are a girls best friend!

• I love the fact that you can get this great assortment of pearls in different sizes…you get a total of 150 pearls for just $4.95!

• To make sure that you "lift" the adhesive off with the pearl…use the paper piercing tool  or the paper snips – (both of these were in my previous favorites…you can get right underneath the adhesive and get perfect placement every time.)

• If I make a card…and look at it and feel like something is missing but I do not want it to be too fussy, I find a couple of pearls or candy dots will do the trick (remember I had them before on my favorites!)

• Sticky Strip  – I am sure that many of you knew that this would be on my list…to me – this is a MUST have in your work area especially when making 3-D projects and this is why!

• It is a SUPER STRONG hold but you need to make sure that you have it lined up to where you want it as it is very unforgiving…once you peel off the red tape and stick it….it is STUCK!!!

• It is convenient that it is on a roll but you do need scissors to cut it….but it's worth it – when I say it is a must have for 3-D projects – I am saying this because these take stress opening and closing etc..

• TIP ALERT: – If you are like me and using this a bunch for a project…you can get very annoyed that the red tape sticks to your hand…I have found if I have a damp paper towel…it clings right to that!

• I will admit that it is a bit pricy – but it is worth every penny as I loke the "instant" hold that it gives and not having to wait for the Tombow Glue to dry!

• Aqua Painters – This might be another product you might be say…."Really ….Susan?" One thing I am not and never will be is an artist but I LOVE watercoloring and these gems are perfect and fun!

• In our Stamp Collection we have many wonderful stamps that lend themselves to water-coloring…now I am here to tell you if I can do this YOU can do this! It is kind of like using the stamp-a-ma-jig….practice, practice and practice!!!

• I do "preach the sermon" to use watercolor paper as this is what it is meant to have happen to it….water!!!! It will absorb and take in the color but it will remain flat. If you were to use regular paper, your end result would not be as polished looking!

• My Dad uses them to seal his envelopes – another great way to use them!

• I know that you think that you can just use your markers to color in areas…but once you use these gems and also see the beautiful effect it gives….you will say – why didn't I use this technique before? It gives a BIG wow to a very simple card!

• TIP ALERT: – True there is a learning curve as to how to use them….but have a paper towel handy to blot your brush and just play around with the amount of ink and water mixture you have in the brush….you'll get it…..I know you will!!!!

• Envelope Punch Board– This is one BRILLIANT Tool and one that is a MUST HAVE FOR SOOOOO MANY REASONS!

• 1st – this mega must have is just $19.95 – now I ask you ….where can you get a products that does soooooo much for this price!

• Say goodbye to not having the right size envelope for your projects – no more excuses!!! It is so easy to use as the guide is right on the base!

• I think that the corner rounder is much better than the same in the punch – to me….there are no ridges and it is one less thing that you need to remember to have or bring to a workshop!

• You can line your envelopes with this too! Also if you goggle 3-D project made from the Envelope Punch Board – you are going to me WOWED by the responses!

• Punches – I know that this borders the items that I said are "given" in our Stampin' Up! Collections that I was not going to touch on….BUT……

•  I am still amazed at how many people will go to the "Big Box Stores" and purchase Punches there because they have a super coupon only to have them do a couple of things – NOT HOLD UP AND NOT GIVE A CLEAN PUNCH and also NOT MATCHING MANY OF OUR STAMPS!!!

• For over 10 years, I used to be affiliated with a scrap-booking company that also had a CA-ZILLION punches, and I kept them all (now they are gone as I saw the light) and I used to think – why should I but a Stampin' Up! Punch when I have one….well as many of you know – once you get used to the quality of our punches and products for that matter – you'll never buy another one else where!

• TIP: – I realize that they can add up quickly – I have 3 suggestions for you…(1) – become a hobbiest demonstrator and be able to get them at cost…(2) – have a class or stamp -a-stack event and earn some from your hostess dollars (remember we can do this via internet) and (3) – buy the basic shapes 1st….make a list and add to a collection….they truly are the best and such a life saver!

WHEW…..this was LO N G….I have been typing away as I am flying to Houston! (Love Southwest Airline and their internet connection)….I hope that you have enjoyed these series of posts and I am excited for the lucky winner!

Since today is Wednesday and you all are receiving this later than usual…I am going to leave this open until Friday night 9 p.m.! It is going to take me some time to calculate how many responses and emails I have received and on Sunday as I fly home…I am going to let you know who won plus respond to many of your comments and ideas you have shared with me over these 3 posts!

Now here is a way for you to WIN some fun! Please leave me a comment or send me an email and I will put your name in a "pot of gold"...and after all 3 posts…I will pick one person from random.org to make it fair for everyone and you will have the chance to win in honor of the NEW YEAR….

$20.00 worth of Stampin' Up! products of your choice

PLUS 14 handmade cards and envelopes from me = did you get it???

2014

This way you will have 3 chances to win if you follow my blog everyday

…WOOT-WOOT!!!!

I thank you for popping by today and I truly wish you a Happy New Year…again!

Remember to leave me a comment and you could win the 2014 blog candy for the start of the NEW YEAR! If you are a SUD that follows my blog….please leave me a comment – we all work together and I to go to your blogs for inspiration!

If you left me a comment on the 1st post….please feel free to leave a comment again….better chance to win the "candy"! Here are the links to Post 1 and to Post 2 if you missed them before!

I will be BACK ON TRACK tomorrow with the 3rd Valentines Day Card….I think it is super sweet….I have about 30 minutes before I land in Houston – SOOOO darn tootin' excited!!!

Until tomorrow!