Clearly iStamp

Clearly iStamp is moving!

Hello Everyone!

We have lots of new and exciting changes going on for you at Clear Dollar Stamps!

The first one is that we are moving from this Typepad blog to a Blogger blog.....TODAY!  We have an adorable new blog that Laurie Wilson created, full of bright colors and bright new ideas for the future!

You will find wonderful tutorials, just like before, only at our new home!

Go to Clearly iStamp on blogger at this address:

http://www.clearlyistamp.blogspot.com/

This blog will remain up as an archive of all of our past inspirations....and some we plan on moving over to the new blog!  Either way, you are sure to be inspired to your full creativity!

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The future of Clear Stamps at Clear Dollar Stamps

Clear Dollar Stamps has been a real blessing to my family and me for many years now.  I fell in love with stamping about 8 years ago and have loved this craft and created stamps alongside many talented illustrators and artists ever since.  I have loved each step of this path, and have prayed about each step I have taken.

This past year, God called me to homeschool my girls.  They were doing wonderful in public school, they were at the top of their classes, and each had their own set of friends with which they had bonded.  However, God told me that it was time to pull them in to a learning environment where we could make God a daily...no hourly.....part of their learning and growing.  It isn't very often that you have a complete peace wash over you and hear God saying, "I want you to do ________".  This is what happened to me standing in the isles of an homeschool convention in May of 2011....what a glorious experience!  This last fall we began homeschooling and have enjoyed every minute of it....no it hasn't be complete perfection and bliss, but being in God's will has.

I have tried to juggle Clear Dollar Stamps and homeschooling for a year now, and I know that it can't be done.....well, can't be done well :-)  I have always felt like Clear Dollar Stamps was my ministry by creating scripture stamps and art stamps that glorify God.  I still feel this is my ministry, but it is going to have to take on a new face, at least for a while.  As you have noticed, we have been producing more and more Digi Stamps and have not released any Clear Stamps since January of this year.  Keeping up with the inventory, employees, shipping of physical stamps is just too much for a homeshooling mom....at this point.  God has given me a peace about creating Clearly Digi Stamps (changing from Clear Dollar Stamps) and teaching each of you along the way how to use them and help you fall in love with Digis, just like I have!  I am hoping in the future, I will be able to add some stamps back in the mix, but for now, I am going to enjoy my digi stamps!

I hope you will continue to follow us on our creative journey and be a part of our Digi stamp family! 

Lori McCroskey

Clearly Inspired Challenge #55 (CIC55)

Happy Friday!  I hope all of our American customers had a blessed and safe 4th of July!  It's time for another new Clearly Inspired Challenge, but before we get to that we have some winners from June to announce!  We had a total of 36 paricipants, giving us a total of 2 random winners!

$10 gift code winner:

Jen Leeflang

 

June Featured Digi winner:

Lorraine A

 

Thank you to everyone who participated!  If you are a winner please contact Cassie ([email protected]) by the end of the month to claim your prize.  Now onto our next challenge!

-- Some Like It Hot --

You can use images for hot weather, colors on the warm side of the color wheel: yellow, orange, red, or maybe even spicy foods, etc.  Just be creative!  Before you submit, here are a few challenge guidelines:

************************************************

-Challenges are on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month, and you'll have 2 weeks to finish each challenge.

-Challenges can use any stamps or digis from any company

-ONLY ONE ENTRY PER PERSON and please no back posting

-Prizes will be given away after both challenges for the month.  The number of prizes is determined by the number of participants for the month.  For every 20 entries there will be a $10 gift certificate for digis up for grabs with a maximum of 3.  (For example if over the entire month there were a total of 60 participants in both challenges, there will be 3 $10 gift certificates and 3 of the featured digital images to give away. . .that's a total of 6 winners in that example.)

-We will also be giving away this featured digi image....one for every 20 entries with no limit!  Here is what our July Featured Digi looks like:

Scoops

Now here's some 'hot' inspiration from our DT:

Lisa Lara -- designer of our featured digi Scoops 

 

Kris Chirhart -- featured digital image Scoops

 

Vickie O'Dell -- Light of His Love digital image

 

Barb Gmitro-Best -- featured digital image Scoops

 

Deonna Bemish -- featured digital image Scoops

 

Jen Young -- Splash digital image

 

Diane Noble -- Sunny Day and Totally Tags digital images

 

Kathy Dunnegan -- Fashionably French digital image

 

Cassie Trask (me) -- featured digital image Scoops

Please use Mister Linky below to link your project directly.  We also ask that you link back here to Clearly Inspired Challenges sponsored by Clear Dollar Stamps.  You have until Thursday, July 19th at midnight to enter this challenge to be eligible for the prizes at the end of the month.  Be as creative as you can, while sticking with the theme.  Remember, only one entry per person, please.  We can't wait to see what you come up with!

Digis 101

Hello, crafty friends! It's Deedee here with today's Tuesday Tutorial!

We share a lot of fun projects here made with our digital stamps ("digis"), but if you've never used a digi before, these projects can seem a bit daunting. In fact, some of the most frequently asked questions we get from our customers (you!) are about how to use them. So instead of sharing a project with you today, I'm going to take you through the basics of digis. There is a lot of information here, but by the end of this tutorial, you should have a strong grasp on what digis are and be able to get started using them. Welcome to Digis 101! :-)

A. What Are Digital Stamps (aka "Digis")?
Digital Stamps, also known as "digis," are computerized image files. You might think of them as stamped images that have been scanned into your computer. You store them on your computer as you would any other computer file, and can print them out to use in your papercrafting projects in place of stamped images. Because digis are computer files, you can also use them in your digital projects, such as digital scrapbooking.

At Clear Dollar Stamps, our digis come in two varieties -- "outline" and "color." Outline digis are black-and-white images that you can print and color as you would any stamped image. Color digis have been pre-colored for you, so all you need to do is print them to add fun to your crafty creations.

   

All of our digi sets include images in both JPG and PNG formats, at a resolution of 300 dots-per-inch. JPG images have a solid white background. PNG images have a transparent background. "300 dots-per-inch" means that, assuming your printer is working correctly, the images will print clearly every time.

B. How Do Digis Compare to Stamps?
Digis can be used in most of the same ways that you would use stamps. You can print them out and color them up, as well as paper-piece, and even heat-emboss them. However, digis offer some benefits that stamps do not that are worth noting:

• Low Price -- Digis cost less than stamps, so you can get more of them for your crafting dollar.
• Instant Access -- Our digis are available as instant downloads, so once your payment clears, you have immediate access to your new goodies!
• Easy Storage -- Digis are stored directly on your computer, so you need never find a place to store them in your home.
• Versatility -- Digis can be resized, rotated, and flipped to meet your crafting needs.
• A Clear Image Every Time -- No need to stamp and restamp until you get it right!

C. Is Special Computer Software Needed to Use Digis?
As with all computer files, some basic software is needed to use digis. However, you most likely already have what is needed on your computer, and if you don't, there are many downloadable versions available for free on the Internet.

• A Zip Utility -- When you purchase our digis, you download them to your computer as "zip files." Zip files can be thought of as electronic "suitcases" into which we've packed the digis for easy transport, and you need to "unzip" each suitcase before you can use the digis inside. This process is also known as "extracting." A "zip utility" program is required to do this. Most computers, whether Mac or PC, come equipped with one of these. If you do not have a zip utility on your computer, you can download a free copy of Zipeg, which works on both Mac and PC computers, HERE.

• A Program That Allows You to Resize and Print Pictures -- Once you've unzipped your digis, you will want to be able to resize and print them. There are many programs that allow you to do this, but I find that Microsoft Word is one of the easiest to use. So for the purposes of this tutorial, all directions for resizing and printing the digis will apply to Word 2010. However, you could also use Works, Publisher, Photoshop, or any photo editing program. If you'd like to follow along with my directions for manipulating your digis using Word 2010, but don't currently have this program installed on your computer, you can download a free 60-day-use trial of Microsoft Office 2010 HERE  (Microsoft Word is included in the Office suite of programs).

D. What Kind of Printer is Required to Use Digis?
You will need to have a printer if you plan to use digis in your papercrafting (versus digital crafting). For outline digis, you need only have a black-and-white printer. To print color digis and/or digital papers, you will need a color printer.

Both laser and inkjet printers work for printing digis, but the differences in how they print can affect how the digis will work with various coloring mediums, so it is good to know which type you have. Laser printers work great with watercolor and other non-chemical coloring techniques. However, I recommend heat-setting the digis before using them. This is because laser printers use powdered toner (like embossing powder) to print instead of ink, and particularly when printing on cardstock, the toner may rub off as you handle the digis for crafting. Also, be careful in using Copic markers or other chemical-based mediums with laser-printed digis, as the chemicals may eat right through the toner. If you have an inkjet printer, watercolors and markers may cause the ink to smear. I recommend testing an image with your coloring medium before you start an important project, and if you find that the ink smears, try heat-setting the ink -- that will usually solve the problem.

E. Downloading Digis to Your Computer After Placing an Order
Once you've completed the purchase of a digi through the Clear Dollar Stamps online store, you will be redirected to the "Thank you for your purchase!" screen. On this screen, below your personal contact information, you will find a list of the digis available for you to download. Next to the name of each digi you purchased, you will see a red "Download Product" link.

Click on this link to download your digi. If you purchased more than one, you will need to repeat this process for each digi.  The digi files will download to your computer in the form of zip files. Be sure to keep track of the location on your computer to which you download them so you can find them later to use.

F. Creating a Special Folder in Which to Store Your Digis
After you've downloaded your digis, you may want to create a special folder on your computer in which to store them so that you can find them easily at a later time. To do this:

1. With your mouse, right-click on the desktop and select New Folder from the pop-up menu.
2. Rename the folder to something you'll recognize later, such as "Clear Dollar Digis."

G. Unzipping/Extracting the Digi Zip Files
Now you are ready to "unzip" or "extract" the digi files so that you can use them. The steps for doing this will vary depending on the particular zip utility you have on your computer. However, these basic steps will work with most:

1. Locate the digi zip file on your computer.
2. With your mouse, right-click on the zip file, and select either Unzip or Extract All from the pop-up menu.
3. If/when you are prompted to choose a location in which to place the digis, select the special folder you created for your digis in the previous section. If you are not prompted to choose a location, then you will want to note the location where your digis get placed.
4. If you like, move the digis into the "Clear Dollar Digis" folder you previously created.

To unzip/extract your digis using Zipeg, the free, downloadable zip utility that I linked above:

1. Locate the digi zip file on your computer.
   With your mouse, right-click on the zip file, and select Open With… from the pop-up menu.

    2. A second menu will appear at the side. From this menu select Zipeg.
    3. The Zipeg window will open, showing the contents of the zip file. At the top center of this
    window, you will see a path for where the digi files will be placed after extraction ("Destination
    Folder"). If you want to change this location, click the Choose button, and navigate to the new
    location.

    4. Once you've selected a place to save the digis to, locate and click on the Extract button in
    the Zipeg window.

Zipeg will extract the contents of the zip file to the location you selected, and place a new folder containing the various elements of the digi set there. Double-click on this folder to access these files. If you like, move this folder into the "Clear Dollar Digis" folder you previously created.

H. Opening a Digi for Viewing
Opening a digi for viewing is easy to do. Locate and select the digi you want to view on your computer, and then double-click on it with your mouse. The digi should automatically open with whatever "image preview" utility is installed on your computer.

I. Resizing and Printing a Digi using Microsoft Word
As previously mentioned, there are many programs that you can use to resize and print your digis. Remember, digis are just image files, so pretty much any program that allows you to manipulate and print images (pictures/photos) will work. However, some programs are easier to use than others, and I find Microsoft Word to be the easiest to use for these basic functions. Here are directions for resizing and printing your digis using Word 2010.

Placing the Digi in a Word Document

1. Open a new, blank document in Word.
2. With your mouse, click on Insert on the menu bar at the top of the Word window, and select Photo from the pull-down menu.
   
   
3. A second menu will appear to the side. From this menu, select Picture from File.
4. The "Choose a Picture" window will appear on-screen. In this window, navigate to the digi you wish to open, and then click on the Insert button at the bottom right corner of the window.
   
   
   
5. The digi you selected will be placed on your blank Word document, and will have a blue rectangle around it. This indicates that the digi is selected and able to be edited.

Making the Digi Moveable within the Word Document
By default, because Word is a "word processing" program, the digi will be set to appear behind    any text you might also type into this document. In order to be able to move the digi around on the document and place it where you want it, you will need to adjust this setting.

1. If the image is not already selected in the document window (blue rectangle appearing around it), click on it with your mouse to select it.
2. With the digi selected, locate the Wrap Text button on the toolbar above the document window. Click on this button.
   
   
3. A pull-down menu will appear on the screen. From this menu, select Tight.
4. The image can now be moved to wherever you wish to place it on the document. To move the image, left-click the image with your mouse and, while holding down the left mouse button, drag the image to where you want it in the document.

Resizing the Digi
Once you have made your digi moveable within the document window, you may want to then   resize the image to fit your crafting needs. Please note that resizing a digi in Word only affects    how the image appears in and prints from the current Word document -- it will not change the    actual digi files that are stored on your computer. To resize the digi in the Word document:

1. If the image is not already selected in the document window (blue rectangle appearing around it), click on it with your mouse to select it.
2. With the image selected, locate the "Size" setting boxes at the top right on the toolbar above the document window. You will see two text boxes, indicating the "Height" and "Width" of the image.
   
   
3. IMPORTANT:  To the center right of the Height and Width boxes is a small checkbox -- the "Lock Aspect Ratio" box. Before making any changes to the Height or Width of the image, be sure that a check-mark appears in this box. This will keep the image proportional as you resize it.
4. To change the size of the image, click inside either the Height or Width text box and, holding down the left mouse button, drag the mouse to highlight the current number.
5. Type in the number you wish to change this measurement to, and then press the Return/Enter key on your keyboard. You need only change one number -- either Height or Width -- and the other will change proportionally. The image will instantly resize according to the new setting.

Selecting the Paper on which to Print the Digi(s) & Testing the Paper with your Printer
I recommend that you do two more things before printing your digis. First, consider how you will be using your digis when selecting the paper on which to print them. Thinking ahead of what you want to do with the digis will help avoid wasting your paper. Second, test the paper you select with your printer to make sure it will feed properly. Most papers and cardstocks will feed through most printers just fine, but occasionally they don't. Better to know ahead of time than to encounter a problem when you're in crunch mode to meet a project deadline!

Printing the Digi(s)
Once you have your Word document set up to your liking, you are ready to print:

1. Load the paper on to which you wish to print your digis into your printer's paper tray.
2. In the Word window, click on File on the toolbar at the top left of the screen.
3. A pull-down menu will appear on the screen. From this menu, select Print.
4. Follow the prompts specific to your printer to complete the printing process.

J. Post-Printing Tips for Using Digis
Once you've printed your digis, you're all set to color them up and add them to your crafty projects. (Or, if you're using color digis, just cut and go!) Please be sure to consider the information given in section D above about the differences between the types of printers in order to ensure best results when coloring. Also, I strongly recommend that once you finish coloring your digis, you seal them before applying them to your craft projects. Sealing them helps prevent smudging from handling. To seal the images, you can use a clear acrylic sealer. You can find this in spray can form in most art and craft stores. Be sure that you are completely finished coloring your digis before applying the sealant, as you won't be able to make any changes afterwards. Follow the specific directions on the can to use the sealant, and be sure to spray in a well-ventilated area away from children, pets, and open heat sources. After sealing, you'll want to let the images dry for a bit before applying them to your projects.

K. A Free Digi for You to Try

If you'd like to give digis a try before deciding to purchase some, Clear Dollar Stamps has one that you may download for free HERE. Because of how the store works, you will need to add the item to your shopping cart and check out as if making a paid purchase, but you will not be charged for this item.

AND…that's a wrap! I could probably write 100 or more pages yet on digis and how to use them, but this should get you off to a solid start. Thanks for sitting through Digis 101 with me today, and enjoy playing with your digis! :-)

Clearly Inspired Challenge #54 (CIC54)

Summer is eeking away from me as I sit here typing up our post for the second Clearly Inspired Challenge for the month of June.  It's Cassie here. . .are you ready for another challenge?!

There you have it. . .easy, peasy!  Let's see some projects using the colors red, green, & white!  Before you submit, here are a few challenge guidelines:

************************************************

-Challenges are on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month, and you'll have 2 weeks to finish each challenge.

-Challenges can use any stamps or digis from any company

-ONLY ONE ENTRY PER PERSON and please no back posting

-Prizes will be given away after both challenges for the month.  The number of prizes is determined by the number of participants for the month.  For every 20 entries there will be a $10 gift certificate for digis up for grabs with a maximum of 3.  (For example if over the entire month there were a total of 60 participants in both challenges, there will be 3 $10 gift certificates and 3 of the featured digital images to give away. . .that's a total of 6 winners in that example.)

-We will also be giving away this featured digi image....one for every 20 entries with no limit!  Here is what our May Featured Digi looks like:

Berry Fun

Now here's a little inspiration from our talented DT:

Deonna Bemish -- Little Strawberry digital image

 

Kris Chirhart -- What a Melon digital image

 

Barb Gmitro-Best -- featured digital image Berry Fun

 

Diane Noble -- Helium Hellos, Hanging Out, & Cheeps digital images

 

Kathy Dunnegan - December Flower of the Month Digital Image

 

Linda Anderson -- What a Melon digital image

 

Cassie Trask (me) -- featured digital image Berry Fun

Please use Mister Linky below to link your project directly.  We also ask that you link back here to Clearly Inspired Challenges sponsored by Clear Dollar Stamps.  You have until Thursday, July 5th at midnight to enter this challenge to be eligible for the prizes at the end of the month.  Be as creative as you can, while sticking with the theme.  Remember, only one entry per person, please.  We can't wait to see what you come up with!

We have a Winner for the Sunday Blog Hop!

I have a winner to announce from our "Celebrate" blog hop. The lucky winner is Vicki from Pink Posh Cards. She was chosen from Jen's blog, Pieces of Me.

Please contact Cassie ([email protected]) to claim your $25 gift card to use toward digital images!

Have a wonderful day of stamping!

 

Sunday Blog Hop -- Celebrate

Hello friends!

Welcome to our monthly Sunday Blog Hop! 

These blog hops will be the third Sunday of every month....a must see for a lazy Sunday afternoon!

Each month we will have a theme which each Design Team member is challenged to interpret any way they like. 

The theme for June is:

Celebrate

We ask that you browse through each Design Team member's post and leave them an encouraging comment....short or long, they all are appreciated!

There will be a prize each month!

June's prize is:

$25 gift certificate to Clear Dollar Stamps for Digital Images

WINNER:  The winner will be randomly chosen from comments received on DT member blogs. The winner will be announced on the CDS blog Thursday, June 21st.

...........................................................

Let's go look and see what my other DT members did!

Remember, leave an encouraging comment and be entered to win our contest....the more comments, the more times you are entered!

Jen Young

Sarah Taylor

Diane Noble

Cassie Trask

Jerusha Borden

Lisa Lara

Linda Anderson

Kathy Dunnegan

 

Have fun hopping, my friends, and be sure to leave comments along the way!  You could be the winner of the gift code!

Thanks for hopping with us!  

Hope your day is filled with blessings and stamping galore! 

 

Digi Day at Clear Dollar Stamps!

Hello Everyone!

Time for another digi release! 

Let's get started, but first............................................................

Are you new to digis?  Well if you are, here is a quick explanation.  You will buy and download a "zipped up" file.  You will unzip this file and receive all the images in jpg and png formats.  You will then pull those into a Word doc or picture editor and print, print, print.

Here is a little tutorial and FREE digi that will help you along!

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This sweet little set by Lisa Lara is where we are beginning today!  Lisa has created sentiments to cover a variety of card giving needs from birthday to "welcome to the neighborhood."  Take a look at the samples and you will see that this is a "must have" set!

Tweet Houses Digital Image

Designed by Lisa Lara. Copyright Lisa's Doodley Doos.

Licensed by Clear Dollar Stamps.

 

 

Go to Tweet Houses Digital Image

 

The DT members who created previews with this digi:

Kris Chirhart

Jen Young

Cassie Trask

Diane Noble

Lisa Lara

..........................................

Another set by Lisa Lara, just in time to get my birthday card stash built back up!  Print and color, or print on patterned paper to create some adorable cards!

Helium Hellos Digital Image

Designed by Lisa Lara. Copyright Lisa's Doodley Doos.

Licensed by Clear Dollar Stamps.

 

Go to Helium Hellos Digital Image

 

The DT members who created previews with this digi:

Deanne Kay

Kris Chirhart

Diane Noble

Lisa Lara

..........................................

This set is so simple and sweet!  Fund for some summer cards to brighten anyone's day!

What a Melon Digital Image

Designed by Lisa Lara. Copyright Lisa's Doodley Doos.

Licensed by Clear Dollar Stamps.

 

Go to What a Melon Digital Image

 

The DT members who created previews with this digi:

Angela Puisman

Barb Gmitro Best

Diane Noble

Kris Chirhart

Lisa Lara

..........................................

Fourth of July is right around the corner and this set is perfect to get your decoration going!  Make sure and check out Kathy's tutorial using these images here!

Stitchy Stars Digital Image

Copyright and designed by Deedee Anderson. Licensed by Clear Dollar Stamps.

 

Go to Stitchy Stars Digital Image

 

The DT members who created previews with this digi:

Linda Anderson

Diane Noble

Kathy Dunnegan

Deedee Anderson

..........................................

This sweet little colored digi by Deedee is adorable for crafts, scrapbook pages, and cards!  It is so hard to find good sets for boy cards.....and this one is perfect for girls and boys!  Enjoy!

Oceans of Joy Digital Image

Copyright and designed by Deedee Anderson. Licensed by Clear Dollar Stamps.

 

Go to Oceans of Joy Digital Image

 

The DT members who created previews with this digi:

Jerusha Borden

Barb Gmitro Best

Deedee Anderson

..........................................

I love this set!  I can't wait to get some cards made for my church card ministry with this set!  I love how our design team used the dove as a large focal image AND as a little accent image on a "charm".  Take a look below!

Endless Beginnings Digital Image

Copyright and designed by Deedee Anderson. Licensed by Clear Dollar Stamps.

 

Go to Endless Beginnings Digital Image

 

The DT members who created previews with this digi:

Kathy Dunnegan

Jerusha Borden

Diane Noble

Deedee Anderson

..........................................

This Christian set by Laurie Wilson is sure to be a pleaser!  I love the artwork that one of our Design Team members made out of it....I am always looking for little gifts!

Jesus is Knocking Digital Image

Designed by Laurie Wilson. Copyright Clear Dollar Stamps.

 

Go to Jesus is Knocking Digital Image

 

The DT members who created previews with this digi:

Linda Anderson

Jen Young

 

Go to Jesus is Knocking Clear Acrylic Stamp Set

..........................................

This fun little set is so bright and cheery!  I love all the colors and possibilities this set has....very versatile!  Papers are included....yummy!

Everyday Jargon Digital Image

Designed by Laurie Wilson. Copyright Clear Dollar Stamps.

 

Designed by Laurie Wilson. Copyright Clear Dollar Stamps.

 

Go to Everyday Jargon Digital Image

 

The DT members who created previews with this digi:

Vickie O'Dell

Jerusha Borden

Diane Noble

..........................................

Don't you just love all of Laurie's colored images and matching papers?  I know I do!  This set is so much fun....I know you are going to come up with some fantabulous cards with this one!

Hanging Out Digital Image

Designed by Laurie Wilson. Copyright Clear Dollar Stamps.

 

Designed by Laurie Wilson. Copyright Clear Dollar Stamps.

 

Go to Hanging Out Digital Image

 

The DT members who created previews with this digi:

Deonna Bemish

Angela Puisman

Deanne Kay

Diane Noble

 

Go to Hanging Out Clear Acrylic Stamp Set

..........................................

Here are some past stamp sets that we have converted to digis....enjoy!

Picnic Time Digital Image

Copyright Clear Dollar Stamps

 

Go to Picnic Time Digital Image

 

The DT members who created previews with this digi:

Deonna Bemish

Diane Noble

 

Go to Picnic Time Clear Acrylic Stamp Set

..........................................

Sassy and Fabulous Digital Image

Copyright Clear Dollar Stamps

 

Go to Sassy and Fabulous Digital Image

 

The DT members who created previews with this digi:

Kathy Dunnegan

Vickie O'Dell

Diane Noble

 

Go to Sassy and Fabulous Clear Acrylic Stamp Set

..........................................

Welcome to Parenthood Digital Image

Copyright Clear Dollar Stamps

 

Go to Welcome to Parenthood Digital Image

 

The DT members who created previews with this digi:

Cassie Trask

Jen Young

 

Go to Welcome to Parenthood Clear Acrylic Stamp Set

 

Please take the time to leave some comments and let our illustrators and designer know how much you appreciate their creativity!

Hope your day is filled with blessings and stamping galore!

 

Rocket into the Fourth of July

Hello! Since most kids are on summer break and are probably driving you crazy I thought I could show you a fun and easy Fourth of July craft that you can make with your kids. The main ingredients are a soup/vegetable can, Mod podge, digital stamps and paper. Yep, we are going to turn a can into something CUTE!!

I'm also giving you a sneak peak into one of the Digital Stamps, Stitchy Stars, that will be released on Friday, June 15th.

 Let's get started!

Step 1: Gather the supplies:

Mod Podge (matte or glossy your choice)

foam brush

soup/vegetable can (cleaned off)

Cardstock

Stitchy Stars Digital Stamp

Patriotic Charlie Digital Image

Sequins Ribbon Trim

Xyron X

Xyron 5 inch Create a Sticker

1/2in Scor-Tape

1/4 in Scor-Tape

1/8 in Scor-Tape

Ribbon (I used white)

Plastic Streamers (I bought a pom pom from a party store and cut off the streamers from the handle! Perfect length and width!)

Step 2: Drill a hole in the center of your can. Cut out cardstock that will fit around your can. I used a 5 in circle for top of the rocket.

Step 3: Using your foam brush put a layer of modge podge on can and 5" circle

Step 4: Place paper around the can. To help it secure to the mod podge/can I put tap on the edge.

Step 5: ONCE THE BOTTOM LAYER OF MODGE PODGE IS DRY then you can apply a layer to the top of the paper. (take the tape off first)

Step 6: Once the modge podge is dry on the circle find the middle of the circle and cut out a pie shape (triangle). Then I took a hole punch and punched a hole at the point of the triangle.

Step 7: Put 1/4 inch scor-tape on the edge that will be folded on top of the other to make the cone. See photo above.

Step 8: Open up Microsoft Word. In upper left corner click the tab that says "Insert". Then hit the tab that says "Picture". Then a screen will pop up and you pick the file you want to open. I used the NEW digital stamp Stitchy Stars that comes out on Friday!

To resize the photo put your curser on a corner and a diaganol arrow will appear. Left click on your mouse and drag to the size you want it. Using the corner allows the image to stay in porportion.

When you get it the size you want right click on the mouse. A screen pops up hit "Copy". The put your cursor to an empty place and right click and hit "Paste". Do that for as many stars you want in that design.

Once they are printed cut them out.

Step 9: The smaller stars put in the Xyron X to turn them into a sticker. For the larger pieces I used the Xyron 5" creat a sticker. When they come out of the machine I use a stylus and go around the edges to separate any sticky from the edges of the paper.

Step 10: Decorate the can. Leave space at bottom of the can and bottom of the cone because that is where the decorative trim will go.Cover with Modge-Podge to protect it and to help the stickers stay on since it is a round object.

Step 11: Once the top layer of Modge Podge is dry take the ribbon and put it through the hole in the cone and the top of the can. Tie a know at the bottom of the ribbon to keep it from being pulled out of the can.

Step 12: If you are going to place this against a wall or window I suggect putting scor-tape on the inside of the cone so it sticks the cone to the top of the can.

Step 13: Put 1/8 inch scor-tape around the bottom edge of the can and bottom edge of the cone. Add the sequins trim.

Step 14: Put 1/2 inch scor-tape on the inside of the can along the edge. Then take your streamers and stick them on the scor-tape.

Step 15: Hang up and enjoy!

Here is another version of it:

I used Patriotic Charlie Digital Image

and Stitchy Stars Digital Image

The stars on the can I punched out. The stars on the bottom that are hanging are Paper Pieced Stars from the Stitchy Stars Digital Image. I modge podge them and once they were dry I put them in a Xyron sticker maker to make them sticky on the back. I placed the ribbon between the two stars so they are a double sided image.

I hope you have fun creating with your kid(s). If you make these please let me know as I would love to see what you come up with!

P.S. - I want to thank my husband for brainstorming with me and helping me come up with this awesome idea. I'm also making these as a craft at a local retirement home so they can hang them on their doors!  So even if you don't decorate donate them and brighten someone else's day.

- Kathy D.

 

Tuesday Tutorials are now on a Summer Schedule!

Hello Everyone!

 

Starting this week we are going to a summer schdule for our Tuesday Tutorials....which means that we are going to have our fabulous tutorials EVERY OTHER Tuesday instead of every Tuesday.  Our wonderful designers and artists need a time to refresh and spend time with their families and we hope you will be too!

Here are a list of the dates we will have Tuesday Tutorials for the summer and who will be getting your creative juices flowing!

June 12 - Kathy

June 26 - Deedee

July 10 - Lisa

July 24 - Kathy

August 7 - Deedee

August 21 - Lisa

.................................................................

Summer Sale valid 6/5 to 6/18

 

In the mean time, let's talk about our sale that will be valid for the next two weeks!

$3.00 shipping in the United States!  No matter how much your order is!  Yay!

30% off ANYTHING THAT SHIPS!

(EXCLUDING DIGI STAMPS)

That's right....EVERYTHING THAT SHIPS!

Markers

Embellishments

Charms

Dies

If it ships, then it is on sale!

Now is the time to pull in some really good deals for gifts and card clubs!

Use this code at checkout:  JUNE5SALE

 

Clearly Inspired Challenge #53 (CIC53)

Welcome to June, everyone!  Let's start the month off with a little challenge, shall we?  Before we get to the challenge, let's name some winners from last months challenges.  We had a total of 39 players over the course of the month, so that means we have 1 gift code winner and 1 featured digi winner!  Here they are at random:

$10 Gift Code for digital images:

 Ardyth

 

May Featured Digi winners:

 Dawn Lancaster

Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks to all of the participants!  Please contact me ([email protected]) within the month to claim your prize!

Onto Challenge #53

Fruity

Put some fruit on your project, or come up with something silly!  Before you submit, here are a few challenge guidelines:

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-Challenges are on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month, and you'll have 2 weeks to finish each challenge.

-Challenges can use any stamps or digis from any company

-ONLY ONE ENTRY PER PERSON and please no back posting

-Prizes will be given away after both challenges for the month.  The number of prizes is determined by the number of participants for the month.  For every 20 entries there will be a $10 gift certificate for digis up for grabs with a maximum of 3.  (For example if over the entire month there were a total of 60 participants in both challenges, there will be 3 $10 gift certificates and 3 of the featured digital images to give away. . .that's a total of 6 winners in that example.)

-We will also be giving away this featured digi image....one for every 20 entries with no limit!  Here is what our May Featured Digi looks like:

Berry Fun

Now for some inspiration from our talented DT:

Deonna Bemish -- featured digital image Berry Fun

 

Barb Gmitro-Best -- featured digital image Berry Fun

 

Kris Chirhart -- featured digital image Berry Fun, Pencil Talk digi, & ConGrads digi

 

Lisa Lara -- (creator of our featured digi) featured digital image Berry Fun

 

Jen Young -- featured digital image Berry Fun

 

Cassie Trask (me) -- featured digital image Berry Fun

Please use Mister Linky below to link your project directly.  We also ask that you link back here to Clearly Inspired Challenges sponsored by Clear Dollar Stamps.  Due to our next release falling on the 3rd Friday, you have until Thursday, June 21st at midnight to enter this challenge to be eligible for the prizes at the end of the month.  That's 3 whole weeks!  Be as creative as you can, while sticking with the theme.  Remember, only one entry per person, please.  We can't wait to see what you come up with!