I've been furiously working on my Christmas cards over the past couple days, and even though I've ingested way too much glitter and can feel tendonitis creeping into my hands…I love it!
I was creating my favorite holiday card from 2010—Season of Joy Circle Scallop Snow Scene. And, this is what my kitchen table looked like after the glittering of my snow-scene circles and hand-cut trees!
Actually, the Dazzling Diamonds application wasn't that bad…the Powder Pals tray worked very well at keeping the sparklies contained.
The little pour spout on the side is the best—remove the rubber stopper and pour the remaining glitter back into the jar when your done.
Glitter TIP #1: I heard from a fellow stamper that if you wash the tray with Dawn dishwashing liquid before using it, the glitter is supposed to come off more easily. Don't know if this really works—I forgot to try it, so I had lots of glitter stuck to the tray. I brush out what I can with a small paint brush (that comes with the Powder Pals), then wash the rest down the drain.
Glitter Myth: I've heard that rubbing an Embossing Buddy or fabric softner sheet over your card stock will help to eliminate the static that keeps those glitteries stuck to your card. I've tried both and I don't think it helps. In fact, I think the "rubbing" of anything over your card stock will increase the static.
(The Embossing Buddy IS very good with embossing powder, though! In fact, I think it's a necessity for keeping those residual specks from showing up. But this powder isn't as "sticky" as Dazzling Diamonds!)
I found out later that it is the writing in the cards that cause the glitter to go everywhere! And, the ingesting comes from licking the envelopes to seal them!
Glitter TIP #2: Not long ago, I purchased some Glitter Cloth and found that it works wonders for easy glitter cleanup!
It's cheesecloth with a tacky substance that I later discovered is actually "tack cloth" that you can find in the hardware store. Woodworkers use it to clean up their pieces and work areas after sanding.
If you love glitter, but not the cleanup (who does?), get yourself one! It lasts a long time, too!
When I create lots of cards at one time, I have discovered that there are some simple tips that make the process go much faster and easier! Even though this might have been more timely about a month ago, when YOU were probably working on your cards, I thought I'd share while they were fresh in my mind…
Mass-Producing Tip #1—Organize Your Supplies
Once you decide on your project, do an inventory of ALL the supplies you'll need to make the quantity you want, and give yourself plenty of time to order them. (Gosh, I should've taken my own advice!)
- Card Stock & Ribbon—You can figure out how many sheets of card stock and how much ribbon you'll need with this handy Cutter Calculator. It's at Splitcoast Stampers, and you must be a member to see the link (but it's easy to become a member and all the stamping resources are SO worth it!)
- Adhesive—Do not underestimate how much SNAIL, Sticky Strip, and Dimensionals you will need! Overbuy! Nothing sucks more than being in the middle of your project and running out! I went through at least 5 SNAIL refills to do 60 cards, and I have no idea how much foam, but it was A WHOLE LOT.
- Refills—Make sure you have refills of all the inks you'll be using. Better safe than sorry—one of mine was getting pretty dry by the end!
- Supply Roundup—I highly recommend cutting all your pieces of card stock and ribbon, and counting out all the parts, pieces, and embellishments you'll be using. If you are short, you want to know ahead of time , so you can find substitutes. This will save you time and possible frustration later on.
Mass-Producing Tip #2—Creating Space
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Make Room & Get Comfortable—You'll need lots of space to do your creating! And, you'll want to be comfortable, too! Depending on what part of the project you're working on, you may want different spaces. When I was glittering, I needed space to spread out my pieces to dry, so I used my big kitchen table. (Or, it could have been because my craft table was a complete disaster—see photo at the right). When I was hand-cutting trees, I wanted comfort, and a distraction, so I set up a station on my couch and watched a movie!
- Totes Are Good—I used four small plastic bins on rotation to hold the parts I was creating, or catch the scraps I was cutting.
Mass-Producing Tip #3—Crank It Out With Plan!
- Do The Hardest Parts First—Do the parts you dislike most while you're fresh and enthusiastic! I can't emphasize that enough! If at all possible, save the easiest and most fun parts for the end and it will give you the boost you need to finish, and you'll need it! For example, cranking out Big Shot die-cuts and embossing takes a lot of time, so I did that first. Or, if you have heat embossing, get that out of the way early.
- Rotate Processes—Plan to do the hard parts in small batches to save your hands and change it up. Hand-cutting pieces is the worst for me, so I like to split that up into several smaller batches to save my fingers.
- Do Like Things Together—Save time by doing all similar techniques together. While your inks are out, do all the stamping. While your glitter is everywhere, do all the glittering. While your Big Shot is out, do all the die-cutting and embossing. While you're applying Dimensionals, do it for all pieces that will be popped up.
Have Fun—Give yourself time to create at a fun pace…this shouldn't be stressful! Gather some friends for a mass-producing craft day, so you'll have company! Listen to music, watch movies, talk to your friend on your BlueTooth! Enjoy it!
I really do love mass-producing stamping projects! There is something about seeing ALL those cards finished and sparkly and stacked up that is Too Cool! What an accomplishment!
And, each one of those cards is like a little paper hug that you're sending to someone you care about! It makes me all goosebumpy just thinking about it!
That said…I'm SO glad I'm finished with that project! Whew! I could have used some of my own tips…like giving myself enough time…LOL!
Angie
PS: Have you entered my Christmas Card Contest yet?
Show Me Your Christmas Card Contest!
I want to see YOUR holiday cards, so in order to encourage (bribe) you to send them to me, I'm offering up a little contest! The randomly selected winner will receive a FREE Favorite Thoughts clear-mount, stamp set (retired)! (click to enlarge)
All you have to do to participate is create a hand-made Christmas Card, primarily using Stampin' Up! stamps and accessories, and send it to me via:
1) Mail—Mail it the old-fashion way! If you don't have my address, please email me to receive it. You will get 3 contest entries for every unique card you mail!
2) Email—Send a photo attachment or link to your Christmas Card to me via email! One entry!
3) Comments Section—Leave a link address to your card in the Comments section of THIS POST ONLY! One entry!
Deadline December 31, 2010—Cards must be received by mail, email, or in the comments section by 11:59 pm, December 31 (so, procrastinators like me are welcome!).
Fine Print: Open to US residents only. You may send up to five unique holiday cards per person. Cards must feature Stampin' Up! stamps and accessories, but may also include other stamps and accessories. By entering, you are giving me permission to post your entry and name on the Too Cool Stamping Blog. Mailed entries will not be returned. Entries will be assigned a number, and the winner will be randomly selected by Random.org. I reserve the right to add something to this disclaimer paragraph if I forget something important. Winner may be forced to dance around in a tutu singing Auld Lang Syne—are you really reading this! Haha! 🙂
Can't wait to see what holiday cards you have to share!
Cards look great online, but are beautiful in person!