Here's a quick tip for when you are using brads on a stamping project:  After taking the little bitty brads out of the container that you are going to use, PUT THE LID BACK ON. Then move the brad container away from your arm.  Especially when you are in a hurry to finish your valentines to get out in the mailbox before the mailman comes.  But if you like picking up things the size of a mosquito off your kitchen floor, then this tip is not for you!

Here's another quick tip….if you have any inkling that a holiday is approaching, let's say…oh…Valentine's Day…..and you already have most of your cards made, go ahead and put those cards in envelopes and address and stamp them, just so you don't have to do it as the mail truck is coming down the street and it is pouring down rain outside.  Because getting an umbrella out of the closet will slow you down.

Want to see a Stampin' Up! video of Bonnie Thurber demonstrating how to use the new Border and Corner Punches in the Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration catalogs?  I knew you would! 

I know you'll enjoy Bonnie on this video!  I've seen her on stage at Convention and not only does she do a great demonstration, but she can sing also!!  She doesn't sing on this video though!

Sometimes the chipboard letters are good to use the natural way they come, but sometimes you want to color them.  One way to do that is to use a Craft Ink Stampin' Spot.  You could use a sponge dauber, but I like to just use the direct method where I apply the ink directly from the Stampin' Spot to the chipboard.  Just turn the spot upside down and pounce it on the chipboard piece.  You could also use the Classic  Ink Stampin' Spot but it might be a little lighter in color.

You can order a set of 12 Stampin' Spots in each of the color families in either the Classic or Craft ink (see catalog pages 156-7).  Stampin' Spots are about 1" x 1" in size and are handy for carrying to crops or stamping events or a less expensive way to own all the colors in a family.  The majority of the time I think anyone would prefer the full-size ink pads, but the spots have their uses!  Let me know if you have any questions about the Stampin' Spots!

I love this Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive!  I'm using it on all my Convention swap cards, except where I need Mini Glue Dots or Stampin' Dimensionals.  It is easy to apply, you need just little dots of it so more economical than SNAIL Adhesive (although I love that too!), only occasionally gets all over your hands (and then it washes off!), and you can use the Adhesive Remover (#103684) to get it off areas where you don't want it.  Another advantage is that for a few moments you can move your piece around to get it exactly right since it is a liquid glue.  It is permanent if you adhere your pieces right away, but if you let it dry it can be a temporary adhesive.  Besides the small tip, it has a broad applicator at the bottom of the bottle, which I always forget about! You can use it for beads and glitter, too!  If you are making a box or something other than a card, you may have to hold it for just a few seconds until it sticks, but that is the only real drawback, if you want to call it that.  Now if flying in an airplane to Salt Lake City causes the glue to malfunction, then my swaps are in serious trouble!  But I don't think that will happen!  You might consider adding this on to your next order!    

#110755   Tombow Adhesive   $3.95

When you find a pattern that you like for a project, do you usually place it on your cardstock, trace around it, and then cut it out?  Here is a way to make that process easier!  This was a tip in our demonstrator magazine, "Stampin' Success" and is a way I have been using patterns.

1. Print your pattern, but rather than cutting it out and tracing around it, just lightly adhere the whole pattern page to the cardstock you will be using.  Dotto is good for this or if you must use tape, stick it first onto your clothing to take off some of the "sticky" and then use it.  Adhere it also within the pattern area so it won't move as you cut.

2.  Cut out both the pattern and the cardstock at the same time.

3.  Leaving the pattern on, score both sheets if you need to using your bone folder or other scoring tool.

That's it!  Take the pattern off carefully and your project is ready to assemble!

Sign up to be a Demonstrator and get the "Stampin' Success" magazine FREE every month (let me tell you how we all look forward to receiving our magazines!) as well as access to a special pattern and template area on the Stampin' Up! website on the "Demo side"!