Image

Author Archive for Cathy Parlitsis

Vintage Card & More Storage Ideas

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis 
· January 18, 2018 

I belong to an International Card Group.  The Members are from all parts of the world.  It’s really fun to chat and swap with them.  Their styles are so different.  This month, we did a Vintage Card Swap.  I had one partner to send to and will receive from a different partner.  This is the card I sent out.

It doesn’t have any stamping on it – which I think is funny but, honestly, it didn’t need it!

All of the elements are from my “stash” of Tim Holtz goodies.

The card base is Early Espresso Cardstock cut 8-1/2″ x 5 1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″.  The next layer is a piece of background paper from TH Idea-Ology Collage “Paper Stash“.  No work…it’s already collaged! Ya Gotta Love It!  That was trimmed to 4″ x 5-1/4”.

The elements on the page are from TH’s Cardstock Ephemera Layers Botanicals.

Before the clock was attached, I ran a lace ribbon up the side of the DSP and secured it behind with Mini Glue Dots.  All of the elements were attached with Stampin’ Dimensionals and Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.

The card front was attached to the card base using Tear & Tape Adhesive.  I finished off the inside of the card with a piece of Very Vanilla Cardstock cut at 4″ x 5-1/4″ and attached one of the ephemera flowers.

While pulling out all of the ephemera packs from my stash, I realized I had a lot of really awesome pieces but I rarely take them out because they tend to go all over the place.  Being in the organization mode lately, I knew I could find something that worked better than the cello bags that were already torn open!  And I did!

For each of the ephemera packs, I took an empty large Full Wide Wood Stamp Case and slipped the descriptive packaging into the cover sleeve and then just put all of the pieces inside!  For the smaller items, I used a small Half Wide Wood Stamp Case.  For the thinner packets, I just used empty Clear Mount Stamp Cases.  I was pretty happy with the way they came out.  And….Even Better…the stamp cases fit in the deeper drawers of the Ikea Alex Drawers.  What!  I’m out of control here! haha – Stay tuned for more organizing tips!  Yup…that’s me…the mad organizer! 😉

Categories : Cards, Die Cuts, Mixed Media, Paper Crafting, Vintage

Studio Sneak Peek

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis 
· January 16, 2018 

I’m in the process of reorganizing my Studio.  After 20  years of Paper Crafting, it is a HUGE undertaking!  I’ve tried so many different types of organizational products over the years but I think I’ve found some really good ones this time and I wanted to share them with you.

I am still cleaning and purging, organizing and reorganizing so it’s going to take a while to complete it.  I’ll post a video tour when I’m done but I wanted to start sharing some things with you now that I love, love, LOVE!

When my Craft Space was originally designed (a looooooong time ago), it had traditional drawers and cabinets from Home Depot.  Paper Crafting has so many small items that it was time for drawers better suited to house those items.  I went to Ikea and bought a few Alex Storage Units.  They come in two sizes.  I bought three large and 1 small.  The larger units have drawers that are wide but not deep.  The Smaller Unit has deeper drawers.

Once they were put together and rolled into my Craft Studio, (Yup!  they large ones are on wheels! #IkeaIsAwesome!) I made a quick trip to Walmart for little organizing bins and baskets for the items I use most – Adhesive, Markers, Embellishments and Washi Tape.  I wasn’t quite sure what I’d need so I just bought a bunch of different sizes.  They were pretty inexpensive.  Here’s a photo of the two types I used:

I was thrilled with the storage!  But…there always seems to be a “but” – But…I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t fit more into the drawers so I decided to continue my search – and, boy, am I glad I did!  It just so happens that OrganizeMore creates Craft Organizers specifically for Ikea Alex Drawers!  As Yakov Smirnoff (comedian) used to say – “What a country!”  They’re called Cubby Drawer Caddies and these things are incredible!  And…they condensed everything so I actually can fit more in each drawer!  Here’s the side-by-side of the same stuff in the same drawers with the organizers being the only difference:

This is the Embellishment drawer.  The before is on top with the Organize More Drawer Cubbies on the bottom.  Two “drawers” fit in the large Alex.

 

The Marker Drawer is AWESOME!  You can see that my Distress Markers were all piled on top of each other with some of the markers in the back of the drawer which were harder to reach.

TIP – The Alex Drawers have a little set of screws that you install to stop the drawer from coming all the way out.  I removed the screws from some of the drawers so I could pull the drawer out farther.

One of the best features of these organizers is that you can pull it out and put it on your desk while using it and then just return it back to the Alex drawer.  Here’s a pic of one of the organizer out of the unit.  This unit is right next to my desk so I don’t even have to remove it – but it’s nice to know that I can if I want!  Also, they have little felt pads under them so they don’t scratch your drawers.

This is the drawer that holds all of the things I use most – Acrylic Blocks, Adhesives and misc. items like an Adhesive Remover, Mono Eraser, Pencil Sharpener, etc.  It’s pretty amazing that all of this stuff fits in here!

There’s a tiny space in between the organizers and a little bit in the front (or back) so I just dropped a couple of other items in there as well.

The drawers come in lots of different configurations.  The Adhesives are in two 4-Cubby Drawer Caddies.  The Markers are in two 8-Cubby Drawer Caddies.  I think the most fun drawer is the 14-Cubby Drawer Caddy for Washi Tape.  I was shocked at how much Washi Tape fit in the Cubbies!  Check out this before and after:

I know I have a ridiculous amount of Washi Tape!  haha – But, I promise, there are crafters who have LOADS more than I do!  I don’t actually use tons of it but I absolutely love having it when I want it.  The rolls last a loooooong time!  I’ve actually made cards that are all Washi Tape. (You can see one HERE.)

The 14-drawer Washi Tape Caddy has little wood removable inserts to help lift the Washi Tape out.  The Tim Holtz Washi (LOVE IT!!!) stays in the containers so I don’t need the inserts.  They easily lift out and I store them in the back.

I hope these pictures do the organizers justice.  I hope you find this information useful.  They sure do make me happy!  I have some other cool surprises coming up and I promise to  share with you as I find the best products to organize my craft supplies.

The above post contains affiliate links.  I purchased all of the above before becoming an affiliate which I did as a result of loving the items, the service and the quality of the products.

If you have any other ideas, drop me an email at Cathy@StampsAndScrapbooks.com.

Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

 

Categories : Craft Studio, Organization

Snowflake Winter Wishes Tag

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis 
· January 15, 2018 

 

Happy Winter!  (Is there such a thing?)  I don’t usually mind the cold but it has been especially cold in the Northeast lately!  For most people, the holidays are over.  I tend to hang on for awhile afterwards. LOL!  I am certainly just now going through my photos and noticing what I haven’t posted so here’s a Snowflake Winter Wishes Tag that I created for a challenge – but never posted cuz…yes…that’s the kind of holiday season I had!

I used to work on lots of tags but have been stuck on cards lately.  It felt really good to work on a smaller surface.  Another thing I love about tags is that I keep all of them for myself! haha!  Yes…I don’t share them.

I like that – not only because I get to keep my creations but because it seems to alleviate some of the creative pressure I feel when I’m making something for someone else.  I always angst over cards I’m sending – Will the person like it?  Is it “perfect?”  I know I tell all of you not to worry about all that “stuff,” but sometimes I do too.

So, I started with a Kraft Tag and just ran it through the Big Shot in the SU! Woodland Embossing Folder.  Kraft Tags are great for a grungy base.

Next, I rubbed some Vintage Photo Distress Ink (My personal favorite!) on some of the raised embossed areas and around the edges of the tag using a Blending Tool.

I wanted some background images that wouldn’t be distracting so I used the Timeless Texture Stamp Set by Stampin’ Up!  I love these stamps!  They add that little “something” you want without pulling attention from the rest of the tag.

I stamped a couple of them in Night of Navy Ink.  I didn’t mount any of the stamps onto blocks so I could stamp pieces of the images.

Next, I ran a White Picket Fence Distress Ink across the embossed birch trees and dried it with a Heat Tool.  Black Soot Distress Ink was applied to the edges of the tag with a Blending Tool.  I love the way this creates a frame that draws your eye to the tag.

 

One of my favorite things to do is dye ribbon to match my color scheme.  For this tag, I used Weathered Wood, Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky Distress Inks.  I just smushed them onto my Craft Sheet, spritzed with water and then ran my Crinkle Ribbon through the inks and balled it up in my hand and dried it with a Heat Tool.

I felt like it still needed “a little something” so I ran a piece of Silver Tinsel Twine across the bottom off the card and adhered it behind with Mini Glue Dots.

An Idea-ology charm (Typed Tokens – Christmas) was distressed with White Picket Fence Distress Paint and attached to the double bow using a jump ring.

I used Tim Holtz’s Paper Snowflakes Die Cuts to cut Snowflakes from Silver Glimmer Paper and Pool Party Cardstock and layered them together using Mini Glue Dots and attached them to the tag with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

I also attached an Adhesive Sheet to a piece of Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper and die cut “Winter Wishes” using the Holiday Script Words Die Cuts and the Big Shot and then attached it on top of the snowflakes.

To finish it off, I attached another tag to the back of the tag to hide the ribbon backs and the mess I made with the inks!

Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

Categories : Die Cuts, Distress, Embossing, Mixed Media, Paper Crafting, Tags, Vintage

Just Breathe Colorful Seasons Card

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis 
· January 12, 2018 

In the Northeast, the weather has been  freezing!  I like to create fall and summer cards when I’m cold.  It makes me feel like I’m spreading sunshine when I send them out!

This card is a great example of simplicity paired with layers to create a card that looks rich and textured.

The Colorful Seasons Stamp Set has many stamps that can be used to create cards like this.

I started with a piece of Watercolor Paper to create the background.  I “smushed” Pumpkin Pie Ink and Daffodil Delight Ink onto a Craft Sheet, spritzed both the inks and the paper with water and then swiped up the color with the paper.  Before I dried it, I splashed some water onto it with my fingers to create the watermarks and then dried all of it with a Heat Tool.

“Just Breathe” was stamped onto the background using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.

A Multi-purpose Adhesive Sheet was attached to a piece of Basic Black Cardstock.  The Adirondack Chair was die cut from that piece using the Seasonal Layers coordinated Thinlits Dies.

The Watercolor Paper was adhered to a piece of Basic Black Cardstock which was then adhered to Whisper White Cardstock.

A 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic Black Cardstock was passed through the Big Shot in the Petal Burst Embossing Folder.  It was then adhered to a 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″ piece of Whisper White Cardstock.  This was attached to a card base of Basic Black Cardstock 4-1/4″ x 11″, scored at 5-1/2″.

The background piece was attached to the card base using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

The card was finished off by attaching a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Whisper White Cardstock to the inside of the card base.

You can easily change the “feel” of the card by using different ink colors.  Try blues for a beachy look!

Categories : Cards, Die Cuts, Paper Crafting

FREE SHIPPING from Stampin’ Up! Today ONLY!

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis 
· November 27, 2017 

Yup!  You read that correctly…

 FREE SHIPPING today only! 

Offer Expires at Midnight Tonight so HURRY!!!

Categories : Uncategorized

The New Stamparatus Stamping Tool

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis 
· November 15, 2017 

It’s not often that I’m screamingly excited about a new tool.  Stampin’ Up! is introducing a revolutionary tool called the STAMPARATUS!  They will be accepting pre-orders for it tomorrow (11/16/17).   The New “Stamparatus!” is a MUST HAVE for stampers!  Holy Cow!  It’s so incredible I can’t EVEN!   You have to see it to believe it!  Check it out!  The two removable windows give you FOUR different surfaces to stamp with so you don’t have to move your card over and over!!!  (See Video Below).

While this new item will be in the 2018-2019 Catalog, Stampin’ Up! is selling this as a Pre-Order beginning November 16th, 2017 at 4 PM EST. THAT’S TOMORROW!!!!  (Delivery will begin February 1, 2018.)

Things you’ll love about the Stamparatus:

  • Make multiples with ease
  • Consistently stamp crisp, clean images
  • If you want a darker impression, apply more ink and restamp—no need to start over
  • Make fewer mistakes, saving time and money
  • Easily create 2-step, 3-step, and 4-step stamped images using reversible plates
  • Develop new and specialized stamping techniques with adjustable stamping plates and precision placement

Here are the details:

  • Compatible with Stampin’ Up!’s red rubber and photopolymer stamp
  • Foam mat to use with photopolymer stamps
  • Rulers and gridlines for quick measuring
  • 2 open sides so you can stamp on larger paper
  • 2 reversible plates: a total of 4 surfaces to work with
  • 2 magnets to hold the paper in place
  • Magnet storage areas
  • Retail Price–$49.00 USD/$65.00 CAD

Stampin’ Up! will be releasing LIMITED QUANTITIES of The Stamparatus on November 16th beginning at 4PM EST.  YOU can pre-order it at the SAME time as Demonstrators!  The pre-order will begin production with a delivery date beginning  February 2018.  Please check out the FAQs so that you are ready to order when the window opens.  You must have an account to order so please visit my STORE to set up an account ahead of time to expedite the order process.  See the Ordering Tutorial HERE.

You can see ALL the details in this 5 Things You Must Know Video:

Preorder the new Stamparatus Stamping Tool on November 16th.  

Don’t miss the opportunity to be one of the first to have it.  

Download the Stamparatus Flyer

Stamparatus Q & A

How To Reserve A Stamparatus Tutorial

Additional Details:

With the launch of this tool, Stampin’ Up! is trying something different: testing a new reservation system. It acts like a true preorder: you reserve your spot and they guarantee shipment as soon as the product arrives in their warehouse. Demonstrators and customers will place reservations and receive their product at the same time. This system will allow SU! to get the product to market as soon as possible while avoiding backorders and efficiently managing inventory.

The global launch will feature three reservation windows. For each window, please note the following:

  • Reservation quantities are while supplies last.
  • Limit is 1 tool per customer per reservation window. (Note: The Stamparatus is not a Cash-and-Carry item.)
  • You may participate in multiple reservation windows.
  • In order to reserve your Stamparatus, you are required to provide your credit card information.
  • Credit cards will not be charged until the Stamparatus ships from the SU! facility. When you close your order, be sure to verify that your credit card and shipping information is correct.

RESERVATION WINDOWS            AVAILABLE TO SHIP

November 16–30, 2017                             Approx. February 1, 2018

December 5–30, 2017                               Approx. March 19, 2018

January 15–30, 2018                                 Approx. April 15, 2018

Email me with any questions – Cathy@StampsAndScrapbooks.com

Categories : Uncategorized

Masculine Washi Birthday Card

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis 
· November 11, 2017 

When I set out to create a card for someone, I usually have no idea what I’m going to do.  I am late to the Washi Tape craze which is not unusual for me.  I usually jump on the band wagon just as things are on their way out! LOL  But…I have a lot of gorgeous Washi Tape Rolls and they were just staring at me so I decided to break them out and create something.

I began by marking the center of my card stock at the top, bottom, both sides and the middle so that I’d have some type of guide for where to place the tape.  As you can see, it’s not “perfect” but I promise you the recipient will not care.  I started adding Washi Tape– Tim Holtz Vintage Design Tape “Paperie” – from the center and then building top and bottom until the whole piece was covered.  While all my supplies are out, I usually make two of everything when I create ’cause it’s easy and it helps me to be able to let go of my creation if I have another one. 😉

I cut the second piece in half so I could use it for two more cards.  Next, I adhered a strip of Silver Glimmer Paper to a piece of Multi-purpose Adhesive Sheet and used Tim Holtz’s “Happy Birthday” dies and the Big Shot to cut out the words.  I used the Paper Piercing Tool to remove the backing from the Glimmer Paper and NOT the actual words.  I also carefully removed the insides of the letters so that they would attach to the background to “fill in” the negative space to create the letters.  I used my Paper Piercing Tool to pop out the actual letters, removed the adhesive backing and then adhered them to one of the smaller backgrounds by pressing down onto the letters to adhere them.  Next, I attached the Silver Glimmer strip to a strip of Basic Black Cardstock and then used Stampin’ Dimensionals to attach it to the front of the Washi Tape Background.  I will save the smaller piece for another card.

I wrapped a piece of Basic Black Stitched Ribbon around the front of the card, secured it behind the cardstock and attached it to a 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ piece of Basic Black Cardstock that was scored at 4 1/4″ to create the card base.  The inside of the card has a 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece of Whisper White Cardstock attached.

A piece of Basic Black Stitched Ribbon was tied to the ribbon and knotted. To finish the card off, I attached an Idea-ology arrow using Mini Glue Dots and an Idea-ology corner to the lower right side of the card.  Voilá!

 

Categories : Cards, Masculine

Sunflower Card and Mail Art

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis 
· November 6, 2017 

The simple, textured background allows the Sunflower to be the star of this card while the Burlap Bow gives it an organic feel.

As fall approaches, I find myself being drawn to Sunflowers for some reason.  The Mason Jar from Stampin’ Up!’s Jar of Love Stamp Set is the perfect beginner for this card.  The coordinating Everyday Jars Framelits Dies makes cutting out the jar easy and neat. The Sunflower is from Tim Holtz’s Flower Garden and it looked like it belonged in that jar.

Card base is Whisper White Heavy Cardstock 4 1/4″ x 11″ – scored at 5 1/2″.  Can I tell you how much I adore this heavy cardstock!  It is a perfect card base and helps your finished cards stand up.  I use it for die cuts too.

Next layer is 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″ run through the Big Shot in the Softly Falling Embossing Folder.

I stamped the jar onto a piece of Watercolor Paper and then stamped the stem and flower.  I watered down the Soft Sky Stampin’ Write Marker and used an Aqua Painter to  apply it to the cardstock.  The “shadow” is watered down Going Gray Stampin’ Write Marker applied in the same way.

Okay…Let’s talk coloring…  There are so many options to color and, depending on how much you enjoy it, you can decide on which medium to use.  For this card, I used regular Stampin’ Write Markers from the Many Marvelous Marker Set (38 colors).  Stampin’ Up! has reintroduced Alcohol Markers called “Stampin’ Blends” for those of us who don’t have the time, money and experience to go full on Copic.  You can see more about them HERE. 

The flowers, leaves and stems were colored in using light and darker markers.  The top of the flower is Chocolate Chip and Cajun Craze Stampin’ Write Markers.

The petals are Daffodil Delight and Crushed Curry and the leaves are Lemon Lime and Garden Green Stampin’ Write Markers.  If you have the Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack, they’d be perfect for this flower and the Old Olive Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack would be great for the leaves.

A Clear Sakura Glaze Pen was used to “coat” or color-in the jar to give it a glass-like finish.  You can also use a Fine Tip Glue Pen to glaze the jar.  That will give you a thicker, shinier jar.

Mount the Watercolor Paper to a piece of Crushed Curry Cardstock and adhere that to the embossed piece of Whisper White Thick Cardstock using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Next, wrap a piece of Burlap Ribbon around the card front and secure it behind.  Organic Ribbons look best with mason jars.  Each one will give you a slightly different “feel.”  I tried one with a retired ribbon and liked that one too.

I adhered a bow to the ribbon using Mini Glue Dots.  I stamped the greeting from the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and punched it out with an Oval Punch (Retired) and then punched out a piece of Crushed Curry Cardstock and layered them on top of each other and then adhered it to the card front using Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.  (These little additions to the new catalog are surely one of my favorites.  They’re a must have!)  Lastly, a White Perfect Accents Enamel Dot was added in to finish off the card.  (Yes!  It does make a difference!)

I’ve always suggested that you decorate  your envelopes but lately, I’ve seen some incredible Mail Art and I’m inspired!  This envelope took as much work as the card!  BUT…you cannot believe how excited people are when they get one of these in the mail. The postal workers were excited too!  Just make sure that you have enough postage on the envelope, especially if there’s a chunky bow.  Look for more posts of that new obsession! 😉

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to Contact Me.  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the Comments below. Ciao for now!

 

Categories : Cards, Embossing, Mail Art, Paper Crafting, Watercolor

The skinny on the new Alcohol Blends Markers

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis 
· November 5, 2017 

INTRODUCING….Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers!!!!  

I’m really excited about these markers!  There are so many techniques that you can do with Alcohol Markers and I’m thrilled to have colors that coordinate with our inks, papers and accessories!  I know I’ve told you before, but I’m definitely a little color challenged.  I’m “that girl” who buys the clothes on the mannequin because I can’t match them myself. LOL

Stampin’ Up!’s® premier alcohol markers, Stampin’ BlendsTM allow you to create a wide range of colors and shades which make it easy to blend colors like a real artist without having to attend art school.  I am certified to teach Copic Markers for Beginner and Intermediate Levels.  I took days (literally) of classes and it’s still difficult to master for most of my customers and, honestly, for me too.  There are hundreds of comic markers and, I don’t know about you but I find the prospect of using two markers to color instead of dozens far less overwhelming.

Stampin’ Up!’s®  high-quality, dual-tip markers come in 12 exclusive Stampin’ Up! colors, each with a light and dark shade. This makes it so “do-able” to create beautifully shaded creations with a minimal amount of effort.

So…what do I love about them?  Oh…let me count the ways!  Besides the obvious – coloring – I love to use them to alter the colors of embellishments like metals and pearls and enamel dots among other things!  I love the dual tip and the simplicity of using them with the light and dark duos.  I love the tight snap of the cap which keeps the marker from drying out.  I love that they’re square so they won’t roll off my table while I’m using them.  I love how the caps nest together so I won’t lose track of them.  That’s just a few of my favorite things.  Here’s a quick Stampin’ Up! Video of the Features and Benefits:

 The beauty of the Blends is…well…that they BLEND so easily!  Check it out:

You can see the Stampin’ Blends Brochure for yourself HERE.  You can buy them individually, in sets of two, or the whole Magilla!  And..SU! has put together a Bundle with a Stamp Set and a Kit as well.  You can see a Video on the Color Me Happy Bundle Below OR View it in the Brochure.

Don’t forget the “Magic” pen – also known as “The Color Lifter.” It can be used for many different reasons – It lifts color if you accidentally go outside the lines; it can add a highlight; act as a base to lighten your colors; help with blending; and so on.  This video shows The Color Lifter as well as the bronze and skin tones.

If you’re already in love with them, you can ORDER THEM HERE.  Don’t forget the Color Lifter!  That is definitely a “must have” with these markers.  The Tuxedo Black Memento Ink is the only ink suggested with the Alcohol Markers so check to make sure you have one.

Whew…this was a looooooong post!  Thanks for hanging in there with me! 😉
Categories : Alcohol Blends Markers, How To Videos

12 WEEKS OF CHRISTMAS 2017

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis 
· September 29, 2017 

One Week ’till the launch of 12 Weeks of Christmas! During this campaign, you will receive a different project tutorial via email. You’re going to see Cards, Gifts, Bags, Tags and Wraps. It’s gonna be fantastic! BUT…the only people who get these amazing free tutorials are my Mailing List Peeps. So…in order for you to get them, You Must Be on my Mailing List by Wednesday, October 4th at 1pm local time. SIGN UP HERE  

Categories : Uncategorized
Tags :
Next Page »

Let's Connect!

Be a Mailing List VIP!

  • Subscriber Only Specials
  • Exclusive Samples to Your Inbox
  • VIP Punch Card When You Order

Shop 24 7

organizemore

Cathy Parlitsis

Winner copy

Best Blogger Craft 2016

Categories

Archives

 BLOGWORTHYLINKS

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2014 Winner Top 100 Paper Crafting Blogs

31 All Craft Sites

Stamping Top 50 - 26

Scrapbooking Top 50 - 23

 

Designer Spotlight Feature

Intermediate Copic Certification

CHA Member

Guest CG Badge 2015 500P

guest-dt-badge

 

StampsandScrapbooks.com
Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved