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Tip for today:
I got my son's anniversary card returned for postage two days before his anniversary! WhY? it was in a clear envelope, which is fine because I had a sheet of paper in front of the card with the address etc, it did not weight too much..............it had ONE brad that stuck up slightly in the card, barely noticeable, so they said it needed an extra 20 cents for 'special handling'.
So tip, either throw extra postage on just in case (if you dont want to bother with the PO) or check at the PO before you send it to be sure it can fly on its regular postage. They did use a removable sticker so I was able to just add another stamp and send it out the same day.
Also, on the topic of postage since Christmas is just around the corner, did you know that any package over 13oz must be presented to the clerk at the PO? You cant just prepurchase the postage and drop it off. They need to SEE that you are not some kind of terroist I guess. The exception is, when I mail them from work, and only if I use the company postage meter and then pay them back. If it is metered you can send it from a business.
Good morning, Ellen and thanks for the heads up - had a similar thing happen to me with a card that had a few embellishments. It was in a regular white envelope but because of it was thick in places, they charged it as a 'package'. Gotta love the USPO. :mrgreen:
I sent a package to a friend in Australia who is having a birthday. She's a stamper. I sent her some 12x12 papers (about ; 1 Hero Arts stamp that she wanted, a few cuts of ribbon, 2 instructions and it cost me over $30!!!! I had to fill up custom forms up the yahoo and I kept telling them ..... ITS PAPER!!!!! My goodness, the products inside cost way less than the S&H. YIKES. Needless to say, no more birthday exchanges to Austrailia!!!!
Oh, I also had to pay an extra 42 cents for a card that had a twig on it. Seems its "bulk mail". Get real!!!!
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Tip from another thread on chalk use:
from MsbetsyZ:
You can use your blender pen to pick up chalk (from a corner of the chalk) and color in an image. The blending fluid will seal the chalk.
You can stamp with versamark or white pigment ink and use a cotton ball to pat chalk color on. Try not to rub too hard or the image might smear.
Take an embossing template and dry emboss an image. Flip the paper over to the front and put the template back on over the embossed image. Now you've got a nice mask so you can chalk in the raised areas. You will want to seal with fixative or hairspray when you're done.
Use a cotton ball and brush entire areas of your cardstock with chalk. One color, many colors, whatever you want. Then stamp in black on top of it...your image is pre-colored! Or you can skip inking your stamp with regular ink and use Versamark instead...this will actually pull the chalk away, leaving an outline image where the versamark pulled away the chalk.
Have you ever tried shrink plastic? This is sooo cool...This is basically like the one above, only you're using shrink plastic instead of cardstock. I usually chalk in graduating colors from the bottom up (depending on the look I want). Stamp in permanent ink. The chalk actually helps prevent the stamp from slipping, an added bonus! Carefully cut out your image and heat to shrink. The pastel chalk colors intensify magnificently and become perfectly blended...it's gorgeous!
from Transprntbutterfly:
Here's a couple things you might want to look at before you give up on your chalks.
personally, I love my chalks. I use them with a bender pen, q-tip, or however else I can. I always seal my card or project after I use chalks, just to be safe. I recent used them on tiles and they worked really well.
Get ready for a hobby that is going to take over your life and your home! You will soon run out of "extra space." You will be thinking "stamps, stamps, stamps" in everything you see and do. It becomes obcessive but it is very enjoyable. You will be "broke" (lol!) but you will make a lot of new friends here. This site will be the first one you log in to when you are going to use the computer ( your e-mail drops to second or third place!) and the last one you visit before turning in for the night. Your "Favorites " will become a mile long with all those stamp sites that we will all be so happy to "enable " you with! You will spend hours drooling over the beautiful cards in the GALLERY and lots of time searching for new techniques in the RESOURCE section. You will find yourself subscribing to BLOGS, (Gee, I never even knew what a blog was before I got here!) and reading them eagerly and intensly like a child reads a favorite book. You will learn a new language , the "SCS Acronym" and learn to speak it well so that you can PM when you are ISO, KWIM? LOL!! Dinner will be late:oops: because Mommy is in "HER room CREATING!" It's OK, the kids will learn a lot about microwaves-it's educational!:rolleyes:
So my dear "NEWBIE FRIENDS," resign yourselves. It's useless to try to resist! LOL! You have entered the "STAMPING WORLD." It's big, colorful, creative and very friendly. There are a lot of us here, all willing to help and encourage your creativity, guide you with suggestions and answers to your questions.
Get ready for a hobby that is going to take over your life and your home! You will soon run out of "extra space." You will be thinking "stamps, stamps, stamps" in everything you see and do. It becomes obcessive but it is very enjoyable. You will be "broke" (lol!) but you will make a lot of new friends here. This site will be the first one you log in to when you are going to use the computer ( your e-mail drops to second or third place!) and the last one you visit before turning in for the night. Your "Favorites " will become a mile long with all those stamp sites that we will all be so happy to "enable " you with! You will spend hours drooling over the beautiful cards in the GALLERY and lots of time searching for new techniques in the RESOURCE section. You will find yourself subscribing to BLOGS, (Gee, I never even knew what a blog was before I got here!) and reading them eagerly and intensly like a child reads a favorite book. You will learn a new language , the "SCS Acronym" and learn to speak it well so that you can PM when you are ISO, KWIM? LOL!! Dinner will be late:oops: because Mommy is in "HER room CREATING!" It's OK, the kids will learn a lot about microwaves-it's educational!:rolleyes:
So my dear "NEWBIE FRIENDS," resign yourselves. It's useless to try to resist! LOL! You have entered the "STAMPING WORLD." It's big, colorful, creative and very friendly. There are a lot of us here, all willing to help and encourage your creativity, guide you with suggestions and answers to your questions.
Welcome Aboard!:-D
OMG! That's exactly what happened to me 1 year ago! Believe me, when I say EXACTLY .... I MEAN EXACTLY! Not to mention that you become a Stamping Up demo too! It's a good thing I'm retired. I'd NEVER have the time to check around here at SCS or keep up my blog! And be prepared because from time to time you forget all about your hubby, your kids, your pets, eating, your housecleaning! But always remember, than when anything bothers you, this is the first place you come to! Because we are all one big happy, world-wide family! So like Kitty14 said.... WELCOME ABOARD!
My tip: ask other people what they are glad they spent money on...of course, if they have a radically different style from yours, take their advice with a grain of salt!
The things I use a LOT are:
Stampamajig
new blades (it's not worth the ugly result to keep using a blade after it's dull)
cropadile
I find that if I store things where I can see them I use them a lot...and if they're in boxes etc. I totally forget about them!
You should be able to check this out at the post office. I know my post office even has a template you can buy...basically a piece of plastic with a hole in it...so you can test your card/envelope to see if it goes through. If it doesn't, it needs extra postage. If you mail a lot of bulky cards, this might be a good idea?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dawndreger
My tip: ask other people what they are glad they spent money on...of course, if they have a radically different style from yours, take their advice with a grain of salt!
The things I use a LOT are:
Stampamajig
new blades (it's not worth the ugly result to keep using a blade after it's dull)
cropadile
I find that if I store things where I can see them I use them a lot...and if they're in boxes etc. I totally forget about them!
I have all three items and use them constantly! I also am so glad I bought a Cuddlebug. I use it on almost every card and I use it to make shapes (nesties) to send to my DD who does not have one.
Many ladies in my church rave about the Cricuit, but I have used theirs at crops and to tell you the truth, I am not lusting after one.
So that is my advice: If you think you might want a particular tool or something (especially if it is costly), try to use one at your craft store or with a friend first to see if it really is something you will enjoy having or using. Many of the Scrapbook stores that have workrooms set up will let you use the tool there if you purchase your paper etc from them. So Try before you Buy!
Subscribe to WISH RAK forums to wish for all of those images that you do not have money for to actually buy the stamps! It is fantastic to get those envies ib the mail and try to create with images that you cannot find as they are retired and before you decide if you actually need to buy it.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by meluvstampin
Subscribe to WISH RAK forums to wish for all of those images that you do not have money for to actually buy the stamps! It is fantastic to get those envies ib the mail and try to create with images that you cannot find as they are retired and before you decide if you actually need to buy it.
Good idea, but just a note to newbies. First you have to be a RAK member. This is free sign up: Go to the top and click HOME, then on the left find JOIN A GROUP and follow the instructions to join RAK. Application is just a formality to get your information. You dont have to 'qualify' in anyway that I am aware of. RAK is a fun group that send cards to people who need encouragement, birthdays, etc. Also there are the side RAK's, such as the wish RAK group.
May I suggest that you purchase ULTRACLEAN stamp cleaner? I have tried others and then I read about UTRACLEAN here on SCS. Trust me, do NOT waste time and money on other brands! This stuff is amazing! My stamps look like they have never been inked. This is one purchase you will never regret!:-D
There is also a wish group under the image swap forums if you're wishing for images. It's fun and you don't have to register. Here is a link: Fulfill Your Wish List
Quote:
Originally Posted by onelightningchic
Good idea, but just a note to newbies. First you have to be a RAK member. This is free sign up: Go to the top and click HOME, then on the left find JOIN A GROUP and follow the instructions to join RAK. Application is just a formality to get your information. You dont have to 'qualify' in anyway that I am aware of. RAK is a fun group that send cards to people who need encouragement, birthdays, etc. Also there are the side RAK's, such as the wish RAK group.
There is also a wish group under the image swap forums if you're wishing for images. It's fun and you don't have to register. Here is a link: Fulfill Your Wish List
I love the Fulfill Your Wish List! Awesome! I'm trying to get in on it now! Thanks for all of the suggestions! :-D
__________________ Jennifer
To the world you may just be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
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Today, as we wing into the last week before Christmas, my tip is:
Take time for yourself too. Step away from the hustle and bustle of the busy-ness and enjoy the season for the reason! Hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
Get ready for a hobby that is going to take over your life and your home! You will soon run out of "extra space." You will be thinking "stamps, stamps, stamps" in everything you see and do. It becomes obcessive but it is very enjoyable. You will be "broke" (lol!) but you will make a lot of new friends here. This site will be the first one you log in to when you are going to use the computer ( your e-mail drops to second or third place!) and the last one you visit before turning in for the night. Your "Favorites " will become a mile long with all those stamp sites that we will all be so happy to "enable " you with! You will spend hours drooling over the beautiful cards in the GALLERY and lots of time searching for new techniques in the RESOURCE section. You will find yourself subscribing to BLOGS, (Gee, I never even knew what a blog was before I got here!) and reading them eagerly and intensly like a child reads a favorite book. You will learn a new language , the "SCS Acronym" and learn to speak it well so that you can PM when you are ISO, KWIM? LOL!! Dinner will be late:oops: because Mommy is in "HER room CREATING!" It's OK, the kids will learn a lot about microwaves-it's educational!:rolleyes:
LOL that's pretty much exactly what's happened. I even have categories in my favorites for projects I like, blogs, online stores & challenges.
I think this thread should be stickied btw!
__________________ Paper & Pixels - brand new blog for brand new stamper
I use Clinique make up and I always make my purchases when they have free gifts. I use the applicators for eyeshadow for my chalks ( these can be washed and they stand up a lot better then the ones you purchase at a craft store. I use the makeup brushes to remove the embossing powder from the embossing buddy, I also use the small brushes for removing excess powder on my cards before using the heat gun. Rose bowls are great to store my small pieces of ribbon that are not on spools, they are easy to see when you need a small piece in a hurry. Make your own sparkle brads by applying glue putting them in diamond dust or other sparkles.
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I used some of the orange with pumpkins cut out on some scrap pages and was very happy with it. I did find I needed to use a doublesided fabric tape to keep it adhered though.
This is a great thread!!!
I just started getting into stamping and there is alot of things i didn't know, this thread is going to help big time. I think the first thing i did was get into wish-rak, i don't have that many stamps (and right now is not a good time to buy anything) but with the wish-rak you wish for a stamped image and if someone else has it they will send it to you and then you send out what you have that someone had wished for. It really works out great and you don't have to go buy all the stamps.
Anyone have tips for inking up clear stamps? I just purchased a gorgeous Amy Butler set and my SU! classic ink "bubbles" on the stamp and looks crackled on my paper. boo. I know there are ideas out there . . . what works? I'd like to be able to use any inks with my clear stamps.
TIA!
Anyone have tips for inking up clear stamps? I just purchased a gorgeous Amy Butler set and my SU! classic ink "bubbles" on the stamp and looks crackled on my paper. boo. I know there are ideas out there . . . what works? I'd like to be able to use any inks with my clear stamps.
TIA!
Try rubbing the stamps with a pink eraser. If that doesn't work, use pigment inks like SU! craft or Stazon.
I've found that Memento Dye Ink works really well on clear stamps. I've also heard that if you use chalk ink the first time you ink clear stamps you'll get better coverage.
__________________ Keep what is worth keeping
and with the breath of kindness
blow the rest away.
May I suggest that you purchase ULTRACLEAN stamp cleaner? I have tried others and then I read about UTRACLEAN here on SCS. Trust me, do NOT waste time and money on other brands! This stuff is amazing! My stamps look like they have never been inked. This is one purchase you will never regret!:-D
hey, does this take of staz-on? i made the mistake of trying that and now i can't get it off my stamp...
Anyone have tips for inking up clear stamps? I just purchased a gorgeous Amy Butler set and my SU! classic ink "bubbles" on the stamp and looks crackled on my paper. boo. I know there are ideas out there . . . what works? I'd like to be able to use any inks with my clear stamps.
TIA!
You can also use VersaFine ink or Chalk inks on clear stamps. These do not bead up.:-D
hey, does this take of staz-on? i made the mistake of trying that and now i can't get it off my stamp...
It will take the actual INK off but the stamp will be stained. I think all clear stamps eventually stain, either from the ink used or just from using tha stamp a lot.
Ithought I read that StazOn is NOT recommended for clear stamps. Not sure.:confused:
I haven't read everything on here so I apologize if I am repeating something that has already been posted. Here are a few tips I have learned over the years. If you mess up stamping, most of the time you can flip the paper over and try again (be careful of thinner cardstock and the lighter colors, your errors may show thru!). Having said that do NOT do this on embossed items! When you heat them again you melt the messed up image on the other side and can end up with your paper stuck to the table (yes, I am speaking from experience on this one! ) Quality paper DOES make a difference at least for the actual stamped image. It took me a while to realize that it was not my stamping technique that was making a stamped image look blurry but the paper. I highly recommend the SU paper - at least the white and vanilla. Cheaper paper is usually thinner & is great for layering, keeps the bulk down.
, the "SCS Acronym" and learn to speak it well so that you can PM when you are ISO, KWIM? LOL!! Dinner will be late:oops: because Mommy is in "HER room CREATING!" It's OK, the kids will learn a lot about microwaves-it's educational!:rolleyes: 
felt ribbon
