Step right up..more cupcake fun!

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I have to apologize for not posting my Sunday Share this week, life has been a little crazy the past few weeks.  My husband sprained his LCL so he is in a knee brace and having a little trouble getting around. He is wonderful about helping me since I also work full time but with his bum leg his number one priority is to rest so he can get better. He is healing nicely and moving around a lot better so I am able to get some stamping time in.

Today I want to show you how to use the two step or as I like to call it the “three step” Sweet Cupcake set to make this adorable birthday greeting.

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When you look at the set, you will notice on the image sheet there are little numbers letting you know what order to stamp the images in. But me being the rebel I am I like to stamp mine in reverse, 3, 2 then 1. For me it is easier to start with the solid then build the layers ending with the most detailed stamp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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First I picked the #3 frosting stamp.  It is the one that is pretty solid.and inked it up using Pink Pirouette.  Stamp off on scrap paper once to make the image pretty light. Then stamp on a small piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Next I picked the #2 frosting stamp, ink again in Pink Pirouette and stamp directly over the first image.  Note: Because this ink is so light I did not stamp off first but stamped it in full strength.  Final step use the #1 stamp and  using the same ink again, stamp over the image.  Again full strength ink to make those frosting swirls come to life!

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Now we are going to do the same with the cupcake.  Using the #3 cupcake stamp I inked it using Chocolate Chip classic ink.  This time I stamped it off not once but twice on my grid paper to make it as light as I could. Then I stamped it on the same scrap of Whisper White cardstock as the frosting.  Next up the #2 stamp, ink in Chocolate Chip then stamp off once on the grid paper and stamp over the first image.  Last take the #1 stamp, ink stamp using the Chocolate Chip full strength over the other two images and viola a yummy cupcake with loads of detail.

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For the candle this is a two step, I stamped the solid candle in Pink Pirouette then the stripes using Chocolate Chip ink.  The Flame is stamped using Pink Pirouette

Run everything through the Big Shot using the coordinating framelits.  The word “wish” was cut from Pink Pirouette cardstock.

Learn more about the coordinating framelits and Big Shot here.

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Using the Clear Wink of Stella pen I colored over each piece, just to give it a little bit of glimmer. This is one of my favorite new toys!  Love how it dries so quick and gives a subtle sheen.  When I looked at the candle I thought it should be inside the frosting just how a candle would be. So time to break out the old X-Acto knife and self healing mat to cut a small slit.  Then I inserted the candle.

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Time to assemble the card!  The polka dot DSP in Chocolate Chip is adhered to a Pink Pirouette panel and attached to the far left side of the card base.  A Fun Tip: When using photopolymer word stamps it is so easy to create your own phrases. I took “Make A” and “Big”  and mounted them on one clear block to make a single “stamp”.  I stamped this with Chocolate Chip ink onto a Whisper White panel.  This is the mounted on Chocolate Chip cardstock then Pink Pirouette cardstock, attach to the card base as shown.  Using itty bitty teeny tiny dots, no bigger than a pin head of Mono Liquid Glue attach “wish” under the stamped greeting.  Dimensionals are used to attach the cupcake and frosting taking care to make sure the candle creates the “I” in wish. Then attach the little flame.  The final touch, a little bling by adding three rhinestones at the bottom.

The final card!

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Sweet Cupcake Set – Stampin’ Up!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!  Check back soon, next time we will continue the bundle and Big Shot theme with the set Jar of Love. As always if you have any question please feel free to contact me any time!

Happy Stamping!!

~Jo

Supplies used today:

Having Fun with the Big Shot!

This is by far my favorite tool, I use this little baby all the time!  I remember before the Big Shot debuted, when you wanted to dry emboss you needed to use a light table and brass stencils and all the fussy cutting of images, I don’t miss that at all!

The Big Shot retails for $110.00 and includes two standard cutting pads and platform. You may have sticker shock with the price, it is a lot to spend but this tool is worth every penny! The amount of time saved, plus all the awesome things it can do with it make it a must have purchase that you will use for years to come!  If you would like to know how to reduce the cost by 50%, let me know I would be glad to help you!

Now let’s get started with a simple card using both framelits and a textured embossing folder.  This tutorial will show the most popular ways to use the Big Shot; to emboss and to cut out images.

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Clockwise from left: Cupcake Cutouts Framelits, Confetti Textured Embossing Folder, Standard Platform, Big Shot Machine, Finished Project, Magnetic Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Sweet Cupcake Set.

First let’s start with embossing!

If you have been stamping as long as I have, you will remember the only way to dry emboss was to use those fancy little brass stencils and the light table plus you had to be near an outlet. The Big Shot eliminates all that so it is completely portable. I have even taken mine camping!

You will need a Textured Impressions Embossing Folder or TIEF for short.  Here, I am using the Confetti TIEF.  I love this folde with how the confetti acts as a frame.  You will note one side has indentations and the other side has raised images, this is what will create the embossed effect when the two sides are pressed together.  Simply open the folder and slide the cardstock inside, then close it up.

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Now we are ready to run this through the Big Shot.  You will be using a standard platform and two cutting plates, making a little embossing “sandwich”.  If you have an older platform like me it has several tabs with each one used for a different function.  Tab 2 is used to cut framelits and thinlets and Tab 1 is for embossing.  Flip open to Tab 1 and place one cutting pad on the platform.  The new platforms available through Stampin’ Up! no longer have the tabs.  Now add your TIEF on top, then place the other cutting pad on top of the TIEF. You have now created your “sandwich”.  Slide it into the Big Shot as shown, grab the handle and crank away. This is my favorite part, it will pull it along as you crank, squishing the two sides of the TIEF together making a perfectly embossed panel!  So much quicker that tracing those brass stencils isn’t it?

After embossing my panel I wanted the raised images to stand out a bit so I sponged the panel with Soft Sky classic ink and a sponge dauber.  Then I stamped the greeting using Chocolate Chip classic ink.

Next up, cutting out a stamped image with the framelits!  You will need a set of framelits, I am using Cupcake Cutouts which coordinates with the Sweet Cupcake stamp set.  And bonus…they are available as a bundle!  Not only can you save 10% when ordered as a bundle but during the month of July, my personal monthly special is purchase any bundle in the current catalog you will receive a FREE bottle of Stampin’ Mist!

Taking another trip down Memory Lane, when you wanted an image to pop off the card you would stamp and then grab those scissors and cut away.  I can vividly remember making Christmas cards one year. I loved my design only thing I didn’t think of when creating one  card was all the cutting I was going to have to do for forty cards.  I can tell you by about the tenth card my hand was cramping and I was beginning to wonder what I was thinking with all that cutting.  Not so bad with one but forty…yikes!!  If I had a Big Shot I would have had those little images cut out in records time!

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To make the cute little cupcake, I stamped the image first on scrap cardstock using the Sweet Cupcake set, Soft Sky and Chocolate Chip Classic ink.  FYI- For my Sunday Share next week, I will be showing how to use the 3-step Sweet Cupcake photopolymer set to get that beautiful realistic shading!  Make sure you follow me so you know when a new post is available!!  After the image is stamped it is now time to cut it out.

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For framelits I use the magnetic platform.  Since they are made from metal when you place them over your stamped image they will “stick” to the platform.  This will reduce the risk of having the framelit shift so you get a perfect cut every time!  If you haven’t invested in the magnetic platform yet, you can tape down the framelit with a little piece of washi tape or the sticky side of a small post-it note.  You want to make sure you use something that will be easily removed from the paper without tearing it.

Now we are going to make another sandwich.  Place a cutting pad down on the magnetic platform.  You might notice all the cut marks, I have two sets of cutting pads.  One set I use for framelits and the other set for embossing only.  Next comes the stamped images.  Take note the framelits have a flat side and a raised side. It is very important that the raised side is placed down over the image with the flat side facing up.  Take care to line up the framelits over your image. If you’re using the magnetic platform it will stick in place if not be sure to secure the framelit as described above.  After the framelits are in the right spots cover with the other cutting pad.  Again you made another “sandwich”!  When cutting out images, I like to run it through twice to make sure it cut through.  I crank it one way and then reverse before I take it out of the machine. And viola your images are perfectly cut out!

Once everything was cut out, I went over the images with Wink of Stella in clear to give it a little shimmer.  Then I assembled the card using a Soft Sky card base, Chocolate Chip panel then the embossed panel.  Finally I attached the cupcake with dimensionals to make it pop!

And here is the finished card….

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Sweet Cupcake Set – Stampin’ Up!

Thank you for visiting today!  Be sure to check back often, I am in the process of updating several pages including …drum roll….video tutorials!  A little nervous about that but I know once I get through one video I will be OK.  And anyone who knows me, knows I love to talk!

Happy Stamping!

~Jo

Items used in todays share:

Quick Stamping Share! Sweet Cupcake

I have had so much fun creating with this set, the cupcakes are so realistic and the three-step stamping creates so much depth.. I am really in love with these images!!  And in true Stampin’ Up! fashion, the set has coordinating framelits, so getting exact cuts are a breeze!

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I am working out a new schedule for posts so you can get several new ideas each week. This Thursday I will be taking a look at my favorite tool the Big Shot.  And next Sunday I will have a more in-depth look at this set with directions for creating these fun cards!

And coming soon ..video tutorials!!  My wonderful daughter just graduated from college with an art degree so she will be helping me get started.  I can’t wait to share these with you!!

As always thank you for visiting!  Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July!!

Happy Stamping!!

~Jo