DIY Stamping Tool- K. A. S. T. I.

Hi Krafters!

Everyone in the crafting/stamping world has heard of that new stamping tool. It costs about $50. It is magnetic and I think it is a great tool. It allows stamps to stamp in the same exact location. It is especially great if you need to mass produce cards with the same design. However, as a stay at home mom of five, sometimes, I can’t bite the bullet. So I try to think of ways to have a similar product I can make myself. I went back and forth on whether or not I was going to share the KASTI (Kenya’s Awesome Stamping Tool Imitated). I decided to go ahead. Hopefully the post will inspire you!

My first KASTI was made using a CD case. I printed grid lines from the internet and I even added a magnet to the cover. Here it is here: 

It worked perfectly, but the size was limited and I could not use my largest background stamp with it. 

I went online to see if I could find a product that I could use for the stamps.  I found a product and I will place an order soon. In the meantime, I had to think about what I had immediate access too. The lightbulb went off. As of now, I am not using the Cuttlebug, I thought, why not use the plates? The base are the two “B” plates. One I used for cutting and the other one was in good condition. For the positioners, I did a few accordion folds out of card stock and placed them on the edge of the plates. This ensured they were straight. I also used a T-square. I then cut a piece of magnet for the bottom. Then I printed two grids off the internet; one out of paper for the base and one out of transparency for the lid. The hinges were made from a sturdy card stock similar to what would be used for a mini album. That is it. As you can see, it works great! All I have to do is line the stamps with the grid on the lid! Best of all, it is not permanent! I can detach the edges wipe them off when I decide to use or sell the Cuttlebug. 

I hope you enjoyed today’s project! Thanks for stopping by, Krafthead~

Faux Stamp Elephant Card

Hello Krafters!

So I have been on a stamping/die kick as of late!  Lawn Fawn is my new favorite! There are so many stamps sets I want, but alas, my bank account says, “Girl, get a grip; you have to wait for that!” There is a cute little elephant stamp set by Avery Elle that I want but it was sold out everywhere! I decided to make a “faux” stamped elephant card….I used what I had. My checking account thanks me and I am sure my husband would do the same LOL.

I used the Cricut Explore to make today’s project. In design space, I made the elephant from Birthday Bash into a draw and cut image. The Momento Marker did not fit, so I used a black Crayola Marker and heat set it. I used Copic Markers (cool grays) to color the image. I made my own pattern paper using a stamp (gray from Stampin’ Up) from a set I had from a long time ago. I also pulled out the Stitched Rectangle die from Lawn Fawn (my new favorite die) and the Rounded Rectangle Stitch die by MFT. The pinks from the image and the cardstock matched nicely together. To finish off the card, I added Stickles to the heart. It bled a little, but not too badly. I stamped my sentiment, added pink Trendy Twine and added Sequins. 

That’s it! I hope you enjoyed my “faux” stamp card. I am learning to use what I have when I can’t  buy. Honestly, I believe we all have what we need in our stash, but “products” just make projects easier to make. I will make an attempt to work a little harder to stop going for the latest greatest and go with what is already in my possession! Krafthead~

Mother's Day Cards...Butterflies

Hello Krafters!

Let me start off by saying I hope each of you had a good Mother’s Day! Secondly, let me apologize in advance for the horrible photos. My camera battery was charging and I was in a rush….yep so I used my cell and it looks a bit grainy for some reason…and the lighting wasn’t the best. The cards were inspired by Dawn and Nichole. 

I used the Stitched Rectangle from Lawn Fawn and a butterfly die by Spellbinders for the base of the card. The paper is the Secret Garden 6x6 paper pad. I like it because one side is solid and the other side is a print. I ran the dies in the machine together. I used turned the butterfly to the opposite side and mounted it in the negative space. It worked perfectly because the die is symmetrical. The purple card is a flat shaker card and the other is not. I added bling to the bodies and a few in the corners. I heat embossed the sentiment with Lindy’s Stamp Gang embossing powder (Sheba’s Silver) and WOW (White). Done!

This was truly a 10 minute or less card!! I like how simple it is but it has a little something extra. Again, I am sorry for the pictures…hope you enjoyed the cards. Thanks for stopping by, Krafthead~

Teacher Appreciation-Canvases

Hello Krafters!

Today I am sharing more Teacher Appreciation gifts! I decided to make them something they can keep forever or pass on to someone else if they choose to. One of the teachers is having dental problems so she could not thoroughly enjoy her sweet treat. So I decided to do a few altered canvases. They were fun to put together and I used products I haven’t touched in a long time (textured paste, Smooch, mixatives, and Lindy’s Stamp Gang sprays).

I used two different Bo Bunny paper pads for the background and butterflies. I used two different Martha Stewart butterfly punches. The flowers are Prima, I Am Roses and from stampingscrapping.com. I colored them with different colors of LSG. I used a few book charms from my stash. Those were colored with mixatives. The saying came from stickers from Authentic and Bo Bunny. 

The projects were simple and came out better than I expected! I really need to use my camera and stop using my phone because they look so much better in real life! I am on the late show, but I think I found a new addictions in doing canvases!!! I hope you enjoyed today’s project(s)! Thanks for stopping by, Krafthead~

Teacher Appreciation Treats

Hi Krafters!

I am continuing Teacher’s Appreciation projects. Today’s project is a sweet treat for the teachers. I ordered test tube treat bags which measures 1x8”. I filled each bag with one color and cut out rosettes in a coordinating color. Those are from the Silhouette Store. I added ribbon and stamping to the rosettes. To finish them off, I added Stickles in the same color to add a little sparkle to the treats. Easy to put together and affordable!

I hope you enjoyed today’s project! Thanks for stopping by, Krafthead~

Teacher Appreciations Cards

Hi Krafters,

Yesterday marked the first day of Teacher’s Appreciation Week! Teachers play a major role in our children’s lives and in ours as well. They interact with our children and we trust them their lives. They should be appreciated each day, but at this time especially! I am blessed to have awesome teachers in my children’s lives. They go above and beyond what are required of them! 

They deserve so much, but they are appreciative of handcrafted goods….

Today I am sharing the cards I made for this year. I hope you enjoy them. Again, please don’t forget the teachers in your life….THEY MATTER! Krafthead~

You've Taken Me To New Heights- SASL DT Project

Happy May Krafters!

It's my day over at She's A Sassy Lady!! Did you know Teacher’s Appreciation week is May 4th thru May 8th? With four little ones in school, you know I am busy! I haven’t decided if I am making cards and gifts for the immediate teachers or all of them…only time will tell!

Anywho, today I am sharing a non-traditional teacher appreciation card. I used some cuts from the Silhouette Store (hot air balloon, clouds & banner). I brought the images on the virtual mat and ungrouped them. I duplicated the ballon to stamp a weaving pattern on the Kraft card stock. I cut the balloon and clouds out. On a separate virtual mat, I typed out my sentiment and placed it on my banner to print and cut. I also changed the color of the banner. I did this by ungrouping the banner and changing the color for the fill and stroke. I changed the cut lines of the sentiment to no cut. I was ready for the pnc. 

Once everything was cut, I used a piece of blue Bazzil textured card stock for the “sky”. I was going to emboss it, but because it was textured, I decided not to. I assembled card and placed the oversized banner on the card. I love the way it turned out! I will put it in a 5x7 envelope so the banner is not crinkled.

I hope you enjoyed today’s project! If you have little ones or grand little ones, please don’t forget their teachers! The play a vital role in their lives. Please drop by She's A Sassy Lady's blog and see what's crafty!  Until next time….stay Krafty! Krafthead~