Stamping on Tiles Tutorial, Feel Better Winner and 2012 Agenda

Hello Everyone,

I have an inspiring tutorial for stamping on tiles with a cool set of coasters by Darlene Pavlick and an art studio stamped tile by Vicki Chrisman who just did  a canvas!  We also have a random.org winner for our Feel Better Giveaway. Congratulations to # 8 Jennifer Abbott-Scott and to all of you wonderful ladies for all your great cold remedies! It sounds like everyone had this rotten cold so the tips were perfect! If anyone knows Jennifer the winner, please pass on the news as there was no contact info.

 

Darlene used our SL15 Sweet Kids Stamp Set on these lovely coasters and you have to click on the photo to see the details. Dar actually stamped this set back in 2009 but I thought of them when DT Leader Vicki Chrisman sent me a tile she stamped and wanted to show you how versatile & creative this technique can be.

 

 

We want these Tutorials to be Fun & Do-able, so they are set up as a handy printable jpg file.  You just need to click on the page until it gets full size and save it to a file location you view and print from.

 Here is the Art Tile that Vicki stamped with our Art Studio Set  by simply using Brown StazOn Ink if you click on the above link you can see her other 3 background samples &  OVER 500 SAMPLES Added  to Our Online Store this week!

 

Many items, such as our Clear Art Stamp Sets now have between 4 to 6 samples. Our website needs to undergo some renovations so our Online Store and our  Blog will fill in

The variety of creative possibilities today is amazing and we've found we have a wide gap of readers from new crafter's & stampers to seasoned veteran's and  I have SO MANY GREAT IMAGES -

Please tell us what you want to discover, learn, buy, do, see in themes & styles the most! A $30.00 Gift Certificate will be awarded next week in the name of research!

As many of you know we live in Canada and it’s becoming more difficult to operate the business when most of our sales are shipped from the USA.  I thought we might have had a deal with a great company to take over so Cindy & I can focus on designing but sadly I found out today it didn’t happen – so I’m going to hire extra help and also continue to scout out the right company to take on our products. So that means we will continue with the NEW Clear Art Stamps we’ve been working on – which I'm really excited about!  Many designs will also be part of our new Digital Art Stamp Collection and there are currently some licensed products in the works as well.

In a nutshell - this means the SALE and FUN will continue and we thank you for your support & patience!

 

Wishing you joy & creativity

Sandy Redburn

Crafty Secrets

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This Blog: http://heartwarmingvintage.blogspot.com
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Toll Free Phone or Fax 1-888 597-8898
Local Phone 604 597-8817

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Surrey, BC V3S 8R4

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Blaine,WA 98230

Look What I Found! Feel Better Giveaway, Calendar Idea & Gift

Hi Everyone,  

Sorry for the long absence!  We have been organizing and doing inventory and WOW - I found some great stuff!   Plus, everyone here has been off sick and now I have the worst cold and most runny nose I can ever remember - so I thought we should do a Feel Better Giveaway!  Just leave a comment and tell me what your favorite medicine, feel better food, or cure is for a rotten cold?  Sudafed is not helping at all!   I will draw a random.org winner this Thurs, Jan 12 for a free set of Feeling Yucky Stamps,   Feel Better Stickers, plus one of our CD's (the winner can switch to any items worth $30.00 if they like).

As many of you know we live in Canada and have a tiny warehouse we rent in the USA. We  store extra stock at another warehouse as our place is so small and I found some great stuff like a case of 244 Mini Vintage Hangers and more Mini Embossed Frames from Tattered Angels discontinued ivory chipboard!  Everyone loves these cute hangers as the clips are adjustable and you  can hang anything from photos, mini wall art, give as a gift with a card attached, or use with our Chipboard Outfits for extra cuteness!

Here's a photo of the Embossed Chipboard frames below that DT Leader Vicki Chrisman created for a make-n-take at the Great American Scrapbook Convention last year using a mix of our Birds & Blossoms and Vintage Photo Creative Scraps.  The ivory chipboard is sprayed with Glimmer Mist and the 3D embossing really pops when you use a sponge to add a little brown ink to antique with.  We split up the big packages and sell the frames in 12 packs for $2.95.  and the Alphabet set with 36 letters & inner frames for $1.95 (because most people don't care about the alpha part).

 

When Tattered Angels discontinued a bunch of great products that worked well with our images I bought a full skid load mainly of their albums because I love the ivory color.  We still have some left but they have been super popular.  I bought over 500 of the Garden Albums as it's my fav and you can see a sample album Vicki created here and how the pages pull open. The embossed frame she used isn't included but they will work for any theme and Garden Albums are only $5.75.  You can see other limited chipboard stock here.

I also found some packages of Tattered Angels Mistable Printed Crepe Ribbons. You can custom color this printed crepe paper with their Glimmer Mist and then form it  into ruffles, bows, flowers and garlands to add to your creations. Each package includes two 2" wide x 20" long pieces in 4 unique designs. Regularly $6.49, on sale for $3.25

We also found some Earthy Pads! These were the most popular seller and have been sold out for over a year but we found 2 cases that had been labeled wrong. Regular $9.95, sale $7.95

  We also found some some Divine Alphabet Booklets and for $1.95 they are a great deal!

  Look at this sweet card DT Member Pam Hooten created using a journal notes paper from CD #2  and the Thanks a bunch sentiment from Sweet Kids Stamp set  

 Last of all our Calendar Scraps have been marked down to $1.50 from $3.50 as you can't make an new calendar year with them - but you can still use all the wonderful seasonal color images and the Free Printable 2012 Calendar on our website.  



You can see each page in detail of this great calendar Vicki created when she used all the large images from our Calendar Scraps and then couldn't use the small text calendar on the opposite side - so she used our free one.  You can see other great DT Calendar projects Here!

 We are still including a free gift with orders, which gets better the bigger the order but always a gift!
I will be back this Thurs with a cool stamping tutorial I think you will love - plus our agenda for 2012!

Don't forget to leave a comment and tell me what makes you feel better when you are sick? Di you have a favorite food, medicine, flu shots, something you do when you feel sick or get a cold?  I will announce a Feel Better winner this Thurs, Jan 9/12 along with our agenda for 2012 . 

Wishing you joy & creativity

Sandy Redburn

Crafty Secrets

Check Our Store Locator
Visit Our Online Store
Join Us on Facebook!

This Blog: http://heartwarmingvintage.blogspot.com
Our Website: http://www.craftysecrets.com
Toll Free Phone or Fax 1-888 597-8898
Local Phone 604 597-8817

Crafty Secrets Head Office
15430 78 A Ave.,
Surrey, BC V3S 8R4

USA Warehouse
250 H. Street, #436
Blaine,WA 98230

No S&H for 2 More Days, More Giveaways, Stitched Paper LO, Canvas Bag, Altered Suitcase & More!

Hi Everyone,  Wow, the year flew by - can you believe it's almost 2012? I have some very cool samples to share and links two more giveaways

Our ShopHop Sale with Splitcoast will end Dec 31 at 12 midnight so there are still 2 days left with free S&H and extra gifts with orders as described HERE.  Some of you asked to see the free pendant and necklace colors (with orders over $20.00). You can see a green, brown and black in the photo below with the 1” round & square glass blanks and silver plated bails. I don't have these for sale, they are just a bonus thank you gift.

Okay, now on to some inspiring projects!  Check out this wonderful Spring layout DT Leader Vicki Chrisman stitched up with a photo of her niece and using papers from CD # 2, Creating with Vintage Illustrations. You can see the details on Vicki's Blog on how she stitched on her paper and added the whimsical banner across the top using our Artsy Banner Stamp Set and swirly butterfly lines. The vintage flower bouquet is such a favorite of mine it's included on the green paper and this sample is a good example showing how you can print the 12 x 12" papers smaller and add to plain cardstock.

 DT Member Julie Campbell just finished this pretty canvas bag to hold her knitting supplies using a paper and the artist palette illustration on CD # 2. You can get the details and enter Julie's Blog Giveaway to win this CD!  Just leave a comment and she will announce a winner Jan 1/12.

 DT Member Jan Hennings also has a Blog Giveaway for CD # 2. you can enter.  Look at this cute bird Jan created using paper and images from CD 2 with paper clips for legs.

 You are going to love all the fabulous tips and creative ideas that artisan Carol Turner provides on her inspiring Blog The Polkadot Closet

 Carol re-vamped this vintage suitcase by decoupaging papers from CD #1, Creating With Vintage Patterns and I like her trick to cover paper seams with ribbon she glued on, the way she used ink to distress and the rose she added.  She also turned a plain little shelf into a charming home decor piece.

 I spotted this beautiful card on Linda Langes Blog that she designed using our Love Mail Scraps and you can see a couple of her other cards.  Linda also entered the Shabby Tea Room Color Challenge that we are sponsoring.  You can enter samples using any supplies, you just need to use the suggested color palette and add a link to your blog or gallery. You have until Jan 1/12 and the winner will get a $25.00 gift certificate and a CD!

 Wishing you joy & creativity

 Sandy Redburn
Crafty Secrets

Check Our Store Locator
Visit Our Online Store
Join Us on Facebook!

This Blog: http://heartwarmingvintage.blogspot.com
Our Website: http://www.craftysecrets.com
Toll Free Phone or Fax 1-888 597-8898
Local Phone 604 597-8817

Crafty Secrets Head Office
15430 78 A Ave.,
Surrey, BC V3S 8R4

USA Warehouse
250 H. Street, #436
Blaine,WA 98230

Our ShopHop Sale Specials Dec 26 - 31 and Shabby Tea Room Samples!

Hi Everyone,  Happy Holidays & Welcome to our Splitcoast ShopHop Sale! 

Here's our Specials, plus we are sponsors for the Shabby Tea Room today.  Their DT ladies have created fabulous samples and they 2 ways to win CD # 2 and a $25.00 Gift Certificate with a great Giveaway and you can enter their challenge!

Here's a link to our Store Sale!

One free pendant & necklace will be included in orders over $20.00. They are round or square clear glass blanks and come with a silver plated bail you can glue on the back after you add an image.  DT Member Heidi Blankenship created this sample using an image and words 'Vintage Girl' from our Mini Creative Scraps.  The free necklaces are coffee brown, sagr green, white or black. Please specify in the message box when ordering if you have a preference on round or square and necklace color and we will do our best to match but necklace colors are limited to more white than others.

The bail on this sample Heidi made is slightly different but you can see how the glass has a bit of a dome shape so it seems to magnify the image.  You can use any clear glue to add images or photos. We've used Diamond Glaze, glue sticks, Zip Dry, even a glue pen around the edges works great to stick an image to the glass.  I will show more samples in my next post.

 

Look at the fabulous samples DT Member  Debbie Marcinkiewicz created below and you see all the details on her blog.  Debbie just happens to also be the Shabby Tea Room Host. 

Everyone used something from our CD # 2 Creating With Vintage Illustrations and and you have to see the great samples the other 'Shabby' ladies have created!  

Fran designed a New Years Hat   using paper and images from CD #2

Charlene made a Tussie Mussie using the French Candy Container Template 

Melissa made a Resolution Wish Box,  she also has a Giveaway for our CD's

Sheri designed a pretty Card using pretty papers and images off CD 2

Cindy made a beautiful floral clutch purse using the purse template on CD 2 

Plus - another way to WIN is to enter their color challenge and post a sample HERE to be entered to WIN our CD #2 and a $25.00 Gift Certificate. You have until Jan 1, 2012 to enter and add a link to your blog and you don't even need to use our stuff.

I will be back this week with more inspiring samples and ShopHop Sale News!

Sandy Redburn
Crafty Secrets

Check Our Store Locator
Visit Our Online Store
Join Us on Facebook!

This Blog: http://heartwarmingvintage.blogspot.com
Our Website: http://www.craftysecrets.com
Toll Free Phone or Fax 1-888 597-8898
Local Phone 604 597-8817

Crafty Secrets Head Office
15430 78 A Ave.,
Surrey, BC V3S 8R4

USA Warehouse
250 H. Street, #436
Blaine,WA 98230

Tips for Using Our Vintage CD's, More Bird Cards & Crafts by DT & Link to Giveaway!

Hi Everyone,

I have more fabulous Birdie samples to show you this time by our DT Ladies , plus - some tips & links for using our Vintage CD's, a link to Vicki's Giveaway, a great Christmas bird theme tutorial and a peek at a NEW Bird Stamp Set! Our vintage birds are so popular we have birdies on several products and everyone always asks for more. I love this little fairy nest with the bird & fairy boy DT Leader Vicki Chrisman made using our Altered Fairy Scraps.

Vicki is having a great Giveaway on her Blog for a My Book Calendar and she decorated this one using papers and images off our CD's.

Here is the 'My Book Calendar' you can win and customize. Leave a comment on Vicki's Blog   by next Wed, Dec 21/11 to be entered to win on.

I always love the altered wall art projects Vicki designs and this one using our Birds & Blossoms Booklet looks so great with the broken clay pot nest she made using a glue gun, moss and mini eggs.

I may have gotten a little carried away with birds on CD 2 as I had Cindy, our graphic designer turn them into about a dozen 12 x 12 papers, 6 B&W files, png files you can layer, plus a couple of fun templates.  Here are the birdy papers included on the CD.

This pillow below was created using one of the image files from CD #2 reduced to an 8 x 8" size and printed on fabric. You can purchase fabric printable sheets at several craft & scrapbook stores but you can also print images on fabric by ironing it to freezer paper!  Freezer paper is like wax paper but it only has wax on 1 side you iron onto cotton fabric. Here is a link to a great tutorial by Monique at pocketfulwhimsy for a photo pillow she created of her kids using freezer paper. You could use the same method with images from our CD.

Look at this great card DT Member Gini Cagle made when she reduced this image but you could also use both roosters & chicken images to create wall art or a pair of pillows for your kitchen. You may have image editing program on your computer but a few people have called or emailed who own older computers wanting to know what program to use to resize the large images on our CD's and our free Printables.  Adobe Photoshop Elements is super popular and is included on more computers and even some printers now. Costco just had it for $49.00 but there are also several free programs! 

Paint is a free program on many PC's but you can also download Paint.net a free image editing  program (just click on green their button)  It has over 1000  4* reviews with way more features to allow you to resize, crop and even layer images, plus I love that it has unlimited 'un-do', if you don't like your changes.   If you have a Mac you can use iphoto which is similar. Gimp is another free program you can download, plus there is Picasa from Google and other free image editing programs you can read reviews about Cnet.

I showed this beautiful card DT Member Linda Duke created recently but I wanted you to see the before and after B&W Birdie Darling and other B&W images included below. Oh my - I also adore this one!

Ooops, it looks like I squished the image as it's really 12 x 12" but can be reduced to 8 x 8", 4 x 4" etc. These are the other B&W bird files on CD #2

Here are the different color png bird files which include a couple of journal cards and birds you can layer over paper as they are png which means they have a transparent (not white) background. You can also go hybrid - print them and cut out for projects.

There are also a couple of templates shown above with a 3D standing robin and 2 birdy seed packages which are fun to fill with candies or money.  I showed this apron Vicki's friend Gabby made last time but now you can see the egg image she used above with a bit of ribbon.

Now onto some projects using our Bird Stamp Sets.  DT Member Michele Kovack created this striking card below using our Bird Notes Set and I love how she colored the birdies on the branch, a popular stamp on this set.

I've always wished for a stamp with a branch of birds with flowers you could color. So you can see part of a draft of a new bird set below we recently finished.  Yes, we are still working on NEW Clear Art Stamp designs - they will just be distributed by another company. I'm currently working on licensing arrangements and will give you NEWS ASAP. This is just a corner of the new set that will be called Sing For Joy. I just adore their faces and had Cindy add the blossoms and leaves. Do you like it?

 I've always adored this artsy layout Michele made with her daughter Courtney years ago using the birds and squirrel on our Fairyland set. She simply cut text print leave shapes and inked around the edges.

DT Member Pam Hooten made this sweet card using a stamp from our Love You Mother Set and look how she stamped extra apple blossoms to cut out and add.

DT Member Heidi Blankenship used one of the bird and flower images from our Best Buds Postcard Kit on this postcard made from a cream coasterboard so it inks and stamps beautifully as you can see here how gorgeous it looks stamped with the set included in the kit.
This tag is also beautiful.

DT Member Julie Campbell decorated this wonderful birdy 3D Shadow Box using our Altered Fairy Scraps except the nest in the middle is from the Birds & Botanical Booklet. You can also see a postcard Julie decorated here on her blog.

I can't remember if I ever showed this cool altered piece that DT Member Jan Hennings created using the Birds & Blossoms Scraps but I like all the colors and nest. Jan also stamped on fabric with our Bird Nites stamps and had her muslin bags featured in Sommerset Life.

Look at this beautiful card DT Member Debbie Marcinkiewicz created with the Little Blessings Scraps. Debbie also hosts the Shabby Tea Room Challenges and we are the Sponsor Company for Dec 26th, the same day we start our Shopatron SALE with our companies at Splitcoast!  Most of our items are already on sale but there will be some new items, specials and free shipping Dec 26 to Dec 31/11.

Here's another birdy on sheet music paper from CD # 1 which DT Member Victoria Warren-Mears used to decorate an journal composition book. This would make a great inexpensive gift. I also like this layout with the birdy page from CD # 1.

This isn't birds but I wanted to tell you about the fabulous Christmas cards DT member Tammy Roberts just posted like this one for her mom using our Christmas Image Booklet. You can see the other cute card here on Tammy's Blog. 

Lastly, I want to show you a great tutorial by past DT Member Lisa Zappa on how she created a background paper with our Birdie Clear Art Stamps using Spellbinders Nestabilities round & scallop circles dies to make Christmas ornaments, name placecards and a candle wrap. She stamped the sheet music with a border from Artsy Banners and names stamped with ABC Top Hat. You could easily change the colors and even stamps to create any theme table setting. They look like they would also make fab coasters if you sealed the tops.

PS -  We still have some Single Sided Scraps left which are marked down to $1.99 each in Easter, Girlfriends, Travel and Wacky Animals

Wishing you joy, creativity and a very Merry Christmas! 

If you missed our new free Santa Printable Gift here is a link.

Sandy Redburn
Crafty Secrets

Check Our Store Locator
Visit Our Online Store
Join Us on Facebook!

This Blog: http://heartwarmingvintage.blogspot.com
Our Website: http://www.craftysecrets.com
Toll Free Phone or Fax 1-888 597-8898
Local Phone 604 597-8817

Crafty Secrets Head Office
15430 78 A Ave.,
Surrey, BC V3S 8R4

USA Warehouse
250 H. Street, #436
Blaine,WA 98230