HAPPY NEW YEAR

Just a quick note to wish every one of you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!


See you in 2010!

ADDRESS BOOK - FREEBIE PAGE DOWNLOAD

I just bought a copy of Simply Handmade - a new magazine I just noticed - and reading through, I found a great idea for an address book. Make your own, using the Bind-it-all to bind the pages together.

What we need for any address book are the inner pages - and here they are for you print off at home!

Photographs copyright Simply Handmade



Here's the original post about the address book, from the Simply Handmade blog - and here's the free download for the inside pages.

Make this in any size you like! I'd advise you print out on a more expensive, higher quality printer paper (100gsm if possible) or even a thin cardstock.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Here's a virtual card from me, to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Copyright Susie Jefferson

A LITTLE CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION

Copyright Susie Jefferson for Blade Rubber Stamps, November 2009 issue Craft Stamper
 




By now, I bet most of you have made all your cards, stamped and posted them - or are frantically trying to get just a few done for very special people.

Here are some Slide galleries of inspiration to help you:

By Freyja Lee:
Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3

Copyright Susie Jefferson for Blade Rubber Stamps, November 2009 issue Craft Stamper





and by me:
Gallery 1
Gallery 2

And finally, for those of you who are really panicking, a quick card topper project (make this in a production line, using any tag shape) and slap it on top of your cards.

Or, if you're as disoraganised as me - throw in the towel completely and go and buy some, lol (shhhhhhhh, don't tell anyone!)

FREE DOWNLOAD - SCRAPBOOK & CARDS TODAY

Scrapbook & Cards Today is Canada's scrapbook magazine. Their latest issue is out today as a free download!

Here's the link.

Enjoy!

HOW TO SOLDER - STAMPINGTON VIDEO

Bless Stampington - they are now doing instructional videos on YouTube! So for all you soldering fans who are a little unsure of what to do... here you are!



Blade Rubber has lots of soldering supplies: the glass slides, frames, copper tape, alchohol inks, collage materials. For the actual solder and a soldering iron, try DIY stores and computer/electronic shops like Maplins.

Copyright Susie Jefferson

Here are my tips on how to solder safely:

Glass (depending on thickness) can resist a certain amount of shock, but is susceptible to heat changes.

Metal is very efficient in transmitting heat - so let soldered pieces cool down periodically. Overheating can damage your piece irreversibly (scorching paper and causing the glass to crack).

• Glass will also show every little mark: fingerprints, smudges of glue or paint – so clean any glass you wish to use with a proprietary glass cleaner and kitchen roll on BOTH sides. Where possible, handle at the edges.
• Wash your hands in soap and water – to work successfully with glass, your hands need to be absolutely grease-free.
• Work on a heat-proof surface to protect work tops from any solder drips.
• If you don’t wear glasses and are cutting glass, you need to wear safety glasses or goggles. (If not cutting glass, sensible working practices should suffice.)
• Always use a proper glass cutter, not a tile cutter.
• Always work in a well lighted and well ventilated area.
• If you are susceptible to fumes, have a respiratory infection or are suffering from a cold or cough, you might wish to wear a dust mask.
• Always use LEAD-FREE solder. Any fumes you might notice will not be harmful.
• DON’T buy a soldering iron from your local discount store and also don’t buy one from a stained glass store (neither has a temperature control, and too high a temperature will crack your project).
• Always unplug your soldering iron if you step away from your work station (even if only for a minute to answer the phone etc). It’s a good idea to let it cool down anyway – too much heat is bad for your glass.

Having said all that - go for it! It's a lot of fun!

MORE STAMPINGTON FREEBIE DOWNLOADS

Stampington has just released two more freebie downloads, a Marie Antoinette and a sweet Victorian miss.

To download them both go here.