December 3, 2012 at 7:14 pm (Christmas Crafts, Stamped Craft Ideas)
Tags: cd crafts, cd holder, clear art stamps, clear rubber stamping ideas, clear rubber stamps, clear stamps, rubber stamping ideas
CD’s and DVD’s are such an easy and relatively inexpensive Christmas gift to make and give that we thought we’d share some fun ideas for making your own, custom designed CD holders that can be personalized specifically to suit the recipients favorite colors and themes.
A favorite Christmas music CD holder can easily be decorated using an assortment of winter and snowflake clear rubber stamps. The above CD holder is easy to make just follow the instructions below for a quick and delightful project.
MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED:
- 1 colored cardstock – letter size
- clear rubber stamps of your choice (we used stars from the Stars ‘n Stripes clear rubber stamps
- 3″ of string or narrow ribbon
- sewing machine
- ruler
- button
- embossing ink and powder
- heat embossing gun
- eyelet and eyelet setter
TO MAKE A CD HOLDER (Instructional pictures below)
- Tear a 6 1/8″ x 11″ piece of paper from the card stock. Fold up the bottom edge 3 1/4″. Next make the fold for the top flap by inserting a CD into the fold you just made and measuring down from the top. The top flap will be approximately 2 3/4″.
- Using your clear rubber stamps decorate a border along the bottom edge of your top flap using embossing ink and powders. It is fun to use a variety of colors in your embossing to give a little more interest to the project. (You can find the technique for mixing colors in heat embossing at the following link – Embossed Metal Pieces. The technique is the same for metal as it is for paper.)
- Decorate the bottom portion of your CD holder using similar clear stamps with larger designs and pictures. Stamp with embossing ink and emboss with the color combinations you used in step 2.
- Next fold the bottom flap up into place and lay the top flap open. Sew up the sides of the holder using your sewing machine. Be sure to set the stitches fairly far apart to preserve the integrity of your seam.
- Set an eyelet in the center of the top flap about 3/4 of an inch from the edge. Secure a string or narrow ribbon through the eyelet tying a knot or small jump ring on the back side of the flap to prevent the string from being pulled all the way through the eyelet.
- Using a secure foam tape, secure your button to the bottom portion of the holder so that the ribbon can wrap around it to the closed position.
- Add a printout of the song titles you have included on the CD. Put the name of the CD on the outside of the holder and embellish with handmade paper, stickers, eyelets etc. to complete your project with a personal touch.
PICTURE INSTRUCTIONS:
Steps 1-2 above.
Step 3 above
Step 4 above
Step 5-6 above
That is it! Happy stamping!!!
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December 5, 2011 at 9:33 pm (Christmas, Christmas Cards, Christmas Crafts, New & Promotional)
Tags: christmas card crafts, Christmas card making, christmas card making ideas, clear acrylic stamps, clear rubber stamps, clear stamping ideas, clear stamps
Of course you already know that the clear plastic packaging that we see so much of today with our purchases is a gold mine for creative card making and scrapbooking ideas. Today, we will share a little Christmas card.
This is the finished card. Now I’ll back up and tell you how it was made. First a rectangular piece of packaging was cut and folded in half. The fun part of this card making craft is putting the design into the plastic. For this card, this was done using a cuttlebug and a Christmas embossing folder. Once it is run through the cuttlebug, you have a fabulous clear card already started!
But I like to be able to sign my name to a card before I give it away, so next we will add something we can sign. This is done using a round cardstock disc. It has been embossed on one side with snowflakes, then highlighted with a small gold ink pad.. A hole is punched into the top, and a metallic string is threaded through the hold. Make a small hole at the top center portion of the plastic card and then tie the disc inside the card so that it hangs directly behind the embossed circle. Add a Merry Christmas greeting using clear rubber stamps and you have a finished card.
Above is a view of the card from the back. You can see that there is room to sign your name below the Merry Christmas greeting.
Happy Stamping!!!
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December 5, 2011 at 9:08 pm (Christmas Crafts, Clear Stamping Techniques)
Tags: christmas card crafts, christmas card making ideas, christmas decorations, clear acrylic stamps, clear rubber stamps, clear stamps, rubber stamping crafts, rubber stamps
This is one of my favorite completed projects yet! Embossing a combination of colors onto metal shapes makes fabulous card embellishments, tree decorations or even home decor.
This star is about 2 1/2″ tall. I used a large cling rubber stamp to add the design to the metal piece. Then added 3 colored embossing powders, and completing it with a dusting of clear embossing powder. I love to emboss any time, but I found particular delight as I watched the colors blend and shine on this finished star.
To learn more about this technique, visit the Metal Rubber Stamping Crafts link here.
Happy Stamping!!!
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December 5, 2011 at 8:53 pm (Christmas Crafts)
Tags: christmas crafts, christmas ornaments, Christmas stamping ideas, clear acrylic stamps, clear rubber stamps, clear stamping crafts, clear stamping tips, clear stamps, rubber stamping ideas
When I went into the craft store the other day I discovered some rusty metal mitten pieces that were on sale and had definite application for my holiday rubber stamping projects. They took next to no time at all to finish up and they will make great Christmas gifts for special friends this year.
To learn more about making and decorating these quick Christmas crafts visit the Metal Crafts Made with Clear Rubber Stamps Link.
Above is an up close picture of the sentiment stamped onto the metal mitt with permanent ink and the texture dots created with the blunt nail and hammer from the back side of the mitt.
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November 7, 2011 at 11:05 pm (Christmas Cards, Christmas Crafts, Clear Stamping Techniques)
Tags: christmas card crafts, christmas card making ideas, clear rubber stamps, clear stamps, rubber stamping ideas, rubber stamping on metal, rubber stamping techniques
I recently came across some light metal sheets and metal shaping tools that looked like they would be fun to use with clear hobby rubber stamps. It worked well. Here is one of the finished results…
This design is made with the Mittens clear hobby rubber stamps but can be done with any outline clear hobby rubber stamp.
To begin place the piece of light metal over the hobby stamp on an acrylic handle.
Lightly rub a wooden dowel across the surface of the metal until a faint impression of the stamp design shows through.
Using a plastic stylus, lightly press into the spaces of the design pronouncing the lines more clearly. Continue until you are satisfied with the results. Create a border by lightly pressing the stylus into the metal as it sits upon a foam mat. Use a ruler or other straight edge to ensure your border is straight.
Secure to a card using double sided sticky tape.
Here is another sample of this same technique.
I tried this technique with tin foil as well. To have success you have to use the heaviest tin foil you can find, and be very gentle when using the plastic stylus or the aluminum foil will tear.
Happy Stamping!!
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November 7, 2011 at 10:33 pm (Christmas Crafts)
Tags: christmas craft ideas, christmas tree decorations, clear rubber stamps, clear stamps, rubber stamping crafts, rubber stamping ideas, rubber stamps
I am always watching for new Christmas tree ornament ideas. I love making new decorations and decorating my Christmas tree with them. This month I found an adorable Christmas ornament idea made entirely from paper. Here is the finished project…
Materials you will need to make this project:
- coordinating patterned scrapbook papers 1-3 styles
- coordinating pigment inks
- clear rubber stamps
- white and colored cardstock scraps
- clear acrylic handle for clear rubber stamps
- 24 gauge wire
- circle cutter or template
Cut 12 circles in total cutting the same number of circles from each color. Decorate the backs of any single sided paper using your
clear hobby rubber stamps and inks to create a design that will add to your color theme.
Fold each circle in half and stack together, alternating patterns. Wrap the wire over the fold and secure to hold the circles together.
Using double sided tape or small glue dots, place a dot of glue on the top 1/3 of the folded circle. Fold the next flap over it. On the next piece place the double sided tape or small glue dot on the bottom third. Alternating until all the circles have been secured together.
Fold over two flaps to create a relatively flat area on the bauble. Stamp a Christmas design onto white cardstock, color it if desired, and mat in a coordinating piece of solid colored cardstock. Secure onto the two flaps to complete the bauble. Tie a ribbon to the top and if you want to be really creative you might add a little white glitter along the top of the paper edges to look like a skiff of snow sitting below the ribbon.
Happy Stamping!
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October 3, 2011 at 3:35 pm (Christmas Crafts, Stamped Craft Ideas)
Tags: christmas countdown, christmas craft ideas, clear rubber stamps, clear stamps, family advent calendar, rubber stamping art, rubber stamping crafts, rubber stamping ideas
With time marching swiftly forward and Christmas looming ever closer, we decided to highlight a Christmas Advent Calendar with a Family focus.
Each square on this board is mounted on a small nail so that the card can be turned over as each day before Christmas passes to reveal a family photo.
To make this advent Calendar your will need:
- Clear Number Rubber Stamps
- Sayings Clear Rubber Stamps
- Ink for distressing
- 3-4 coordinating patterned scrapbook paper
- Solid Heavy Card stock
- Access to a laminating machine
- die cut letters for the heading
- 16″ x 26″ board – 1/2″ – 3/4″ thick
- 1″ finishing nails
- hammer
- Modge Podge
- Acrylic paint (we used a dark brown)
- Paint brush or foam brush
- Family photos measuring 2 3/4″x 2 3/4″
- Small circle punch or eyelet setter
To make this project:
- Prepare your board by sanding the edges (and the surface if needed). Paint the edges of your board in a solid color using the craft paint. Be sure to extend the painting area to cover a 2″ border on the front of your board.
- Using modge podge and scrapbook paper begin covering the surface of the board. When using large pieces of paper with modge podge first cover the board with modge podge and then add the paper. Distress or tear the edges if you desire. Allow the first coat of modge podge to dry, then cover the entire surface again. This eliminates bubbles and undesired creases. Set your board aside to dry.
- Cut 24 squares from your heavy card stock measuring 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″. Cut 6-8 squares from the patterned scrapbook paper measuring 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″. Distress the edges with Ink if desired. Glue these pieces onto the heavy card stock allowing the card stock to mat the patterned scrapbooking paper. Lay out your cards in a 3 x 8 grouping to decide on the placement of each patterned piece.
- Using your Clear Number Rubber Stamps begin stamping the numbers from 1 to 24into the corner of each square. Enhance each square with family words or designs stamped on with your Sayings Clear Rubber Stamps and other favorite clear stamps you wish to use.
- Cut your family photos to measure exactly 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″. Glue them onto the backs of your numbered cards. Laminate all the cards and trim. Using a small hole punch or eyelet setter, punch a hole in the top center portion of each card and lay out onto the board. The three rows of eight should fill the bottom portion of the board leaving room for the title at the top. As you put the nails in ensure that the spacing is correct, the cards are centered and will hang straight.
- Using your die cut letters (if you have a cricut you may wish to use vinyl) secure your title to the top of the board using modge podge. We further enhanced our board by adding a bead of glitter around the edges of the letters in the word FAMILY. Add bling, ribbons or anything else you desire to further enhance your board.
Happy Crafting!!!
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October 4, 2010 at 11:23 pm (Christmas Crafts, Scrapbooking, Stamped Craft Ideas, Tips and Tricks)
Tags: Christmas nativity crafts, Christmas scrapbooking, Christmas stamping ideas, clear stamps, mini albums, rubber stamping ideas, rubber stamps, scrapbooking ideas
I absolutely love the result of this craft. Using 3 different sizes of paper for each page you create a sort of ‘pop-up’ book type of an effect. Of course star books can be used to create mini albums along any sort of theme or idea. This book has been kept simple to go with the Christmas story theme it carries.
Basic Star Book Assembly
1. Choose three colors of cardstock. Cut 7 pieces of each color in the following measurements:
- 8″x4″
- 6 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
- 5 1/2″ x 3″
2. Next fold each piece of cardstock in half which will make a 4″ x 4″ book. To assemble the inner color (the largest papers) use double sided tape and secure together at the front of each page as illustrated in the followin photos.
3. You may wish to decorate the front and back covers. I recommend that you use a ribbon that is wrapped securely around your book that can be tied to hold the book shut. If will function to also hold the book open when you want the star qualities displayed.
4. Now you can begin to customize your star book to your themes, photos, embellishments and images which you wish to use. In this book we will be working on a nativity Christmas theme.
Additional Materials You Will Need:
5. Cut a 3/4″ border into your medium sized cardstock pieces on the top side and part way down both sides. Next, using your exacto knife, freely cut wavy hills into the paper as shown in the photo below. You can stamp on this layer if you wish.
6. Next design the smaller layer. In this book, this is where most of the detail is. Using the Nativity Clear Rubber stamps, design 7 nativity pictures that you can display in your star book. As you place your designs on the paper keep in mind that you want no less than a 1/2″ border around the images.
7. Cut the 1/2″ border into the top and two sides of the paper. Cut around the stamped design and allow it to blend into the border paper.
8. Assemble the remaining pages carefully. Keep in mind that you can only secure it to the book at the front edge of the page. This will give you the ‘pop-up’ quality, as well as a beautiful star design when the book is opened. Assemble the middle layer by centering the paper vertically against the front edge of the page. Secure in place with a strip of double sided tape. Do the same for the stamped papers, again, lining them up vertically against the middle layer and securing with double sided tape.
You may wish to embellish the pages of your star book more or leave them simple and plain.
Happy Stamping!
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December 7, 2009 at 4:56 pm (Christmas Crafts, Stamped Craft Ideas)
Tags: christmas crafts, clear stamps, craft ideas, gift boxes, hobby rubber stamps, rubber stamping, rubber stamps, stamping ideas
Gift boxes are a fun craft that makes wrapping small items for any occasion fun and personal. These boxes can be decorated with your choice of clear hobby rubber stamping techniques, glitter, scrapbooking embellishments or ribbon.
For instructions on making this craft visit Making Mini Gift Boxes. The template for this craft is found below.
Have fun and happy stamping!!!
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November 18, 2008 at 4:48 am (Christmas Crafts, Scrapbook Theme Ideas, Tips and Tricks)
Tags: christmas crafts, christmas stamps, clear stamp, rubber stamping, rubber stamps, stamping crafts, stamping ideas
As the weather turns colder and Thanksgiving comes and goes, our thoughts begin to turn to Christmas. We begin to consider the projects we will do to make the perfect gift or invite the Spirit of Christmas into our festivities. Scrapbooking and rubber stamping are great ways to create the ideal gift or communicate tender feelings. Stamped Christmas crafts offer a wide variety of projects and encompass a wide range of uses.
- Hand Stamped Gift Wrap – Using clear rubber stamps on postal paper or freezer wrap is an easy and economical way of wrapping Christmas Gifts. Choose your rubber stamps, and stamp randomly over the paper. Add glitter or colorful swirls. The more you add the more interesting the paper becomes.
- Stamped Christmas Gift Bags - This is most easily done using paper bags, however, you can buy gift bags in solid colors that also offer great results. Don’t be afraid to create matted labels, pictures, stamped titles, tags and so forth to decorate your bag. All these additional elements add interest and make the project fun.
- Gift Tags – Christmas is the one time of year that a lot of gift tags are used. Use your rubber stamps to add elements on home made gift tags that will easily communicate festive Christmas Wishes.
- Accordion Christmas Ornaments – This is an easy way to use up scraps of Christmas wrap – whether you stamped it or bought it, the technique is the same. Cut a strip of rectangular Christmas wrap – the width will be the radius of the completed ornament. Accordion fold it, then fan it out into a circle, gluing the ends together. Decorate the center by gluing a stamped, matted element. Add a ribbon as well as glitter if desired and it is ready for the tree.
- Christmas Recipe Cards – With all the Christmas baking that is done, sharing recipes is almost always inevitable. Make your recipe sharing fun, by first stamping and embellishing your recipe card then pass it on to a friend who will always remember who gave it to her.
- Christmas Advent Calendars – This is a great way to create an advent calendar with magnets. Using the back of a cookie sheet or other metallic surface, decorate it with scrapbook paper, or paint. Stamp your images on each square, then make corresponding images and attach a magnet. I found it fun to use a rectangular burner cover.
- Holiday Banners – Make an accordion card that when it is all opened up it spell a a Christmas wish or a word. These cards are great to use as a mantle decoration each year.
- Stamped Background Papers – This is similar to doing gift wrap, but it is done on your 12×12 scrapbook papers to add a Christmas touch that will help draw your Christmas scrapbook theme together in a unifying way.
- Christmas Boxes – Using either a paper mache or a wooden box with a lid, paint and stamp your box as desired. Add additional elements such as stamped people, ribbons, buttons etc to add interest to your project.
- Mini Christmas Fridge Magnets – This works great for very small stamped images. Simply stamp the image and emboss it, then secure it to the bottom of a clear pebble with mac-tac. Once it has dried glue a strong magnet on the bottom and you have the finished project.
- Wooden Shapes - There are a variety of wooden shapes available at craft stores that can be painted and stamped or embossed to accent Christmas decorations and party themes.
- Christmas Candles – With a Christmas rubber stamp, decorate a pillar candle. Votive can also be stamped. Be sure to experiment before you do the actual project. To learn more about candle stamping on votives click here.
- Christmas Crackers - To make Christmas crackers you will need an empty toilet paper roll and gold tissue paper. Stamp on the tissue paper in horizontal lines. Fill toilet paper tube with treats and wrap with the stamped tissue paper. Twist the ends to secure.
- Stamped CD Ornaments – Cut and embellish two circles to cover the center of the CD using rubber stamps, glitter, embossing powders, ribbons etc. If the back of the CD has writing on it make the second circle big enough to cover that. Decorate the shiny area of the CD with glitter glue or string. Hang by threading a ribbon through the center of the CD before assembling.
- Stamped Stocking Stuffers - Consider embellishing the cover of a notebook or journal with rubber stamp designs, glitter, ribbon, lace, buttons etc. Use this as a special stocking stuffer. Other stocking stuffers may include Christmas boxes, decorated post it notes that have been stamped on the sides, stamped stationery or stamped wooden picture frames.
- Christmas Paper Garlands – use a Christmas shape such as a star or snowflake and decorate several with your clear rubber stamps. Once you are finished decorating, position a slit in each side and thread onto a ribbon or string to hang as a decoration in your home. A variation to this idea is to use clothes pins to attach the shapes to a string.
- Christmas Cards – As always, rubber stamps are the means to creating your own beautiful and unique Christmas cards.
- Christmas Party Invitations - To introduce a theme early, use your rubber stamps to make fascinating Christmas party invitations. Carry the theme throughout the party on napkins, place mats, place cards etc.
- Christmas Photo Albums - Whether Christmas is over and you want to preserve the memories, or whether you want to design a memory book as a Christmas gift, using your rubber stamps will highlight your themes and add interest and creativity to your project.
- Christmas Family Photo Frames – Design a frame from card stock, then embellish it with your rubber stamps and scrapbooking embellishments for a cute gift.
With so many things to stamp, it is hard to know where to start. No matter which project you choose, be sure to take the time you need, relax, and enjoy it from start to finish. Looking forward to the special holidays….celebrate stamping. Celebrate Christmas.
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