Look what I did...

I've always talked about this ever since My Acrylix were introduced but I almost never do it...I [gasp] CUT my stamps!

You may be surprised that I did this. Even if you think it's a great idea, it's totally out of character for me. But (1) this stamp set, From The Heart, just screams (it's October after all) to be cut. Those of you who attended September's $5 Friday probably wish I would have taken this step on Thursday. We made this card...

...and I made the ladies mask the flower to include just the sentiment. But in all fairness, this isn't particularly difficult masking. When making just a few cards, masking is a useful technique, but if you're making several of the same card, cutting the stamp may be more practical. Even if I made 50 totally different cards with this stamp set, for 50 envelopes I would still find benefit in cutting the stamp for flap embellishment.

Here's a few tips for cutting your stamps:

1. Be careful! CTMH doesn't cover scissor misplacement. 
2. I like using my Micro-Tip Scissors. A large shears may have "fat" blades that don't fit between the images.
3. Don't cut "neatly."

Cutting a stamp doesn't mean you can never use it "whole" again. But to make it easier to reassemble on your block, don't cut "neatly." Try to cut in a puzzle like shape so the pieces only fit together in one way. The slight curve to the cut I made on the From The Heart image make it easier to get the flower centered under the sentiment. If I'd cut a straight line, the flower could move left or right. For the sentiment above, there weren't a lot of choices. But cutting at a slight angle instead of perpendicular to the phrase, will make it easier to see the top and bottom edges when put together. The angle also helped to avoid the letter images and keep the cut in the margin.

This is rather addictive...I'm fighting the urge to go through my collection and do a little "plastic" surgery! Have you ever cut your stamps??

Seasonal Expressions is HERE!!

I'm still excited about the new Annual Inspirations and now it's time for a new issue of Expressions! This one is our Seasonal Expressions as we head into the holidays.

Here are a few of the new products:

ADORABLE Cat and Bats for Halloween and more. Love the origami style images!! There's also matching images in the Cardmaking and Scrapbooking stamp sets (thin cuts available for both). I think the paper also coordinates nicely with the Constellations stamp set from Annual Inspirations. Are you doing an Eclipse layout??

The autumn paper is Falling for You and I can't wait to play with the Cardmaking stamp set...lined leaves designs...Should I emboss, color or maybe BOTH! The Scrapbooking set is similar but with flowers and stems. This paper is also great with the new  Gone Hunting stamp set as well as the September Stamp of the Month Feel So Blessed.

Remember, the next four months of SOTM are always in the back of the Expressions catalog. They are D size sets available for regular price $17.95 or only $5 with a qualifying $50 purchase. Stamp of the Month sets are only available for one month!

The traditional holiday collection is Beary Christmas. The cards below are from the Workshops Your Way Merriest Wishes Cardmaking Kit. Each of the Creative Collections has a card kit. Sometimes they go along with the theme of the paper, sometimes they do not. Remember, each of the cardstock weight Background and Texture Duos are double sided so you have two choices of patterns/colors. Even our single color cardstock now gives you choices: regular shade on one side, a lighter shade on the other.

Here's my favorite new stamp set, The Thought That Counts. So glad we need more tags this year. And I think I know some people on my gift list that may be getting some! 

Have you noticed that the metals are back in the color and design world? Silver and Gold is a great collection to use on its own or as neutrals to mix with colors. Note that the paper pack has 14 sheets as the gold foil designs are single sided.

 Be sure to check out the Events and Specials page for info on Classes and other new products.