Pelletier Craft Studio

Sweetheart Challenge

Calling all crafty sweethearts!

To celebrate the love and creativity in our crafting community, we're excited to announce the Pelletier Craft Studio Sweetheart Challenge!

For the next few weeks, we invite you to share your beautiful handmade cards, scrapbook pages, and albums with us! Keep posting to earn more chances to win. We’ll add all participates in a drawing for $50 in Free Crafting projects. $50 FREE! Drawing Feb 14th!

How is that for a Sweetheart Gift?

How to participate:

Create or share a photo of your handmade card, scrapbook page, or album.
Tag us @PelletierCraftStudio.
Use the hashtag #sweetheart challenge

Get ready to inspire and be inspired!

#SweetheartChallenge #CraftingCommunity #HandmadeWithLove

#PelletierCraftStudio

Four ways to condition clear stamps

Tired of blurred images? Hate it when your solid images bead up when you stamp, leaving blotchy spots. Not happy with the ink coverage on your new stamps? Uneven images? Or dots instead of lines? Here are 4 ways to condition clear stamps to prevent all these issues.

Why do you even need to condition clear stamps? I mean, we are talking new stamps. Great question? The answer lies in how they are manufactured. Clear/photopolymer and red rubber stamps come out of manufacturing a little too clean. Some think they have oil on them and that is why they will not ink up smoothly right away. We are here to help you forward to happy stamping.

4 ways to condition clear stamps

1- Use a Pink Pearl Eraser

One way to condition clear stamps is to use a pink pearl eraser, but not one on the end of a pencil. It is too soft, and will crumble all over your new stamp. I like to use the rectangular ones because they offer a wider flat surface. When conditioning clear stamps using this method, you simply use a top to bottom stroke with the flat edge of your eraser. Repeating it 3-4 times should do the trick. Test it by inking of your post condition stamp. Repeat if necessary. Here is an example of a before conditioning and after conditioning using this method.

2. Use an embossing ink

Embossing ink is tacky, so once you have applied a generous amount of embossing ink, your dye ink will stick to the stamp easily. You will not need to wipe off the embossing ink but do be aware that it will dilute your dye ink for the first few times you stamp if you try to stamp with it right away. If you do wipe it off, taking off too much in spots could leave your stamping with blotches in places. Let it dry for a few minutes then test it by stamping on your junk mail. (More on this in a later blog post.) Here is an example of an embossing ink for conditioning your clear stamps with this method.

3. Use a fine 180 grit emery board

Don’t Panic! This is my favorite way to condition clear stamps. However, I must admit some people are afraid to use the emery board on their new clear/photopolymer stamps. First, you need the right kind of emery board, just like you needed the right kind of eraser and ink for the first two methods. I like to use 180 grit emery board or even sandpaper. For me carrying around sandpaper just does not fix in my traveling case when I go to crop outside the craft room. An emery board is small and fits in my pencil case. Conditioning clear stamps in this method, simply means rubbing the 180 grit emery board over the top of your stamping surface. Keeping your board flat to the surface of the top of the stamp will prevent any damage. This method is fast, easy and as you can see will give you the best results. I do like to wipe off the top of the stamp before applying ink just to remove any residue. Here are the result after only a few seconds of sanding the top.

4. Use a Chamois Cloth

Not sure what this is? Ask your husband, he uses it to wipe off his car after he has washed it and he might even use it to put on wax. As for me and Cindy; this is our favorite way to clean ink off all of our stamps. You only need water on your chamois cloth when conditioning clear stamps, but plan on it taking you a while. Remember water does not offer much resistance to the stamping surface, so this takes a little elbow grease. (You know the rubbing back and forward several times). One thing that I do like about this method is that if I leave home without my pencil case or my eraser or if I forgot my embossing ink, I always have my chamois cloth/shammy. After all, I will be cleaning my clear or red rubber stamps after each color change. You are going to want one of this with the storage container. Unlike other containers, I like keeping the chamois cloth in a salt container. I can wet it and use it for up to a week without needing to rewet it. But even better, you only need water, and because it gets a little air, there is no foul smell.

I hope this blog post has helped you learn more about using your clear/photopolymer stamps for the first time. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out in the comments below. Or if you condition your clear stamps with another method, I would love to pass it on. All of your comments are welcome.

Elevate Your Card-Making with Hot Foil: Crafting a Simple Yet Shimmering Card!

Crafting isn’t just about creating, it’s about making something extraordinary. Enter card making with hot foil – the secret weapon to infuse your card-making endeavors with dazzling shine and elegance using foil that is heat transferred. In this post we’re diving into the realm of hot foil crafting unlocking the potential to take your cards from ordinary to extraordinary. With the exquisite Flowery Bouquet complete bundle, I’ll guide you through crafting a simple, yet striking card that radiates with the captivating shimmer of hot foil.

Unveiling the Hot Foil Magic:

Hot foil isn’t just a technique. It’s a transformative experience for your crafts. Its ability to imbue your creations with an unparalleled sheen and sophistication is unmatched. For today’s project, we’ll harness the power of Flowery Bouquet stamp set, stencil and hot foil plate, to craft a card that truly shines.

Materials You’ll Need:

Flowery Bouquet complete bundle
Glimmer Hot foil system
Ink blending brushes tools
Your choice of ink colors
Blank cardstock
Platinum Six die cutting machine
Crafting Process:

Setting the Stage: Prepare your workspace with all the necessary tools and materials. Ensure your creativity zone is ready to be transformed into a realm of shimmer.
Hot Foil Embossing: The centerpiece of this technique is the Flowery Bouquet hot foil plate. Place it on your hot foil platform and witness the magic unfold as you run it through your die-cutting machine. The intricate details of the bouquet will be imprinted in captivating gold onto your cardstock, setting the stage for the card’s allure.
Subtle Splashes of Color: Employ the coordinating Flowery Bouquet Stencils to introduce delicate hues to your design. A touch of ink blending with your chosen colors will seamlessly infuse life into your bouquet, creating a harmonious interplay of color and shine.
Effortless Elegance: The magic of this technique lies in its simplicity. Let the foil and colors take center stage, and you’ll be amazed by the effortless elegance that emerges.
Hot foil isn’t just a crafting technique, it’s a journey into a world of opulence. With the Flowery Bouquet bundle, we’ve embarked on a creative adventure that marries the brilliance of hot foil with the charm of effortless crafting. This card isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a testament to your ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. So the next time you’re looking to add that touch of shine and sophistication, remember that hot foil isn’t just an option – it’s the gateway to a shimmering masterpiece.

Recently, Pelletier Craft Studio held a hot foil class showing everyone just how extraordinary hot foiling makes any project. This class will be held again at our upcoming September Under the Big Top Retreat. Best of all the class is open to the public. Join us to learn more about hot foiling.

Other great foil projects:

Creating Mats for scrapbook photos

Elevate Your Scrapbook Pages with Creative Matting TechniquesMatting pictures adds a touch of elegance and professionalism to your scrapbook pages drawing attention to your cherished photos and memorabilia. But why settle for plain rectangles when you can unleash your creativity with a variety of die-cutting techniques? Let’s explore some fun and unique ways to elevate your mat game:

1. Embrace the Edge:

Die-cuts with decorative edges offer a subtle yet effective way to enhance your mats. Think soft scallops, delicate lace borders, or playful zig-zags. These playful details add a touch of whimsy and perfectly complement photos with a similar theme.

Matting with decorative die cuts

Folk Edge Circle Die Cuts (click here to see product details)

Blanket Stitched Oval Die Cuts (click here to see product details)

2. Shape Up Your Story:

Don’t be afraid to get literal with your mat shapes.

For a nature-themed page, use leaf-shaped die-cuts to frame photos of woodland adventures. Starburst shapes will add a touch of magic to celestial memories, while heart-shaped mats are perfect for lovey-dovey moments.

3. One-Sided Wonder:

Who says your die-cuts have to be symmetrical? Embrace the offbeat by using dies with unique edging on just one or two sides of your mat. This creates a dynamic visual tension and adds a touch of unexpected flair.

4. Shape-sational Memories:

Take your scrapbooking to a whole new level with Dia-roma shaped die-cuts! These ingenious little gems not only add a charming shape to your mats, but also come in delightful shapes. Imagine a fish-shaped mat for your son or grandson’s first caught. What about a gingerbread house mat for Christmas memories of the children helping build the holiday gingerbread house?

Pond Flowers Die Set

5. Zig-Zag Your Way to Success:

Sometimes the simplest touches can have the biggest impact. A simple zig-zag or scallop border die-cut adds a hint of texture and visual interest to your mats. This technique works beautifully for both classic and modern layouts, and you can adjust the depth and width of the zig-zag for endless customization.

Remember there are no rules in creative matting. Experiment with different shapes, sizes, and textures to find what speaks to your personal style. With a little imagination and these fun techniques, your scrapbook pages will be bursting with personality and pizzazz.

So grab your die-cutting machine, unleash your creativity, and get ready to mat your memories in style!

Did you know that we now have a scrapbook class? Each month we will be offering a scrapbook class that will teach you new trends in the scrapbook world.

Time to get organized-Declutter

The end of the year is the perfect time to declutter and organize your craft room! Let’s face it, our creative havens can easily become a chaotic mess of papers, ribbons, and just stuff. We’re here to inspire you to tidy up and stack up on some amazing ways to transform your craft room into a well-organized and inspiring space. You know this saying, “It’s not where you start but where you finish.” Well, you need to see first where you are. Take out your phone and let’s take some pictures. At the end, you are going to be so proud of how far you have come.

Declutter- Purge

Are you ready for the first this first step? For many of us, it’s the hardest. A new start is a great time to declutter/purge your space. We know that is probably one of the scariest words for crafters. However, it is an essential step to an organized and clutter-free space. Here are a few tips to help and hopefully make purging your space a pain-free process. (Not to mention, you might even make a little money. $$)

Conquer and divide

Keep it
Maybe keep it
It goes!

Focus on the “Maybe keep it” pile

Ask yourself these questions

Have I used it in the last year?
Do I plan to use it in the next 6 months? Really??
Is it usable?

If you answer “no” to any of those questions, it might be a good idea to move the item to your “It goes” pile. Hey, look at the bright side; one pile done.

Set a reminder in your calendar. If in 4 months you have not touched this box, do not rumble through it. Toss it or donate it. Going through this box again will only clutter back up your craft room. Also, notice we stored this box outside the craft room. The last thing we want to do is clutter up another room in our homes. Time to move it out!

Create 4 piles from your “It goes” pile

Throw away
Sell
Donate
Belongs in another room

I am shocked at what is in my craft room that should be in other rooms of the house. Such as 3 pair of shoes. Yes, I am really bad about kicking off my shoes when I am crafting. Dealing with each pile appropriately is important. Not to mention, you might just find something you lost last year! ugh!

Sort through your “Keep it” pile

Create category piles to organize your supplies. The categories might look something like this:

Ink Pads
Ink Refills
Embellishments
Paper
Markers
Punches
Ribbon
Tools
Watercolor
Journaling
Photos
Albums

Rank your pile categories by most used supplies. This ranking will help decide which products you want easily accessible. Be sure to toss any unusable supplies (dried ink/markers, broken tools, torn paper, etc.).

This week might be the biggest challenge, but I know you can do it! Focus on making progress, even if it means just purging items that are broken or can no longer be used. Even baby steps are steps in the right direction.

Start thinking about how you want to set up supplies in your craft room. Here is a few products I love using.

Stamp N Storage

Are card making classes beneficial?

Crafting is a popular hobby. Whether it’s card making, scrapbooking, or creating beautiful home décor there’s something truly satisfying about creating something with your own hands. But with the rise of online card making tutorials and DIY videos, is it really worth spending money on doing a class? Let’s dive into the benefits of taking crafting classes and see if it’s worth the time and investment.

Benefits of Taking Crafting Classes

1. Learn New Techniques

Crafting classes offer the opportunity to learn new techniques and skills that you may not have been able to pick up on your own. From intricate card-making techniques to advanced scrapbooking methods, these classes can expand your crafting repertoire and take your skills to the next level.

Learn by Doing: For some crafters, visual instructions aren’t enough. Crafting classes provide a hands-on learning experience, perfect for those who learn best by doing.

Master the Details: While videos and tutorials are helpful, they might miss crucial details. In a class setting, you can observe the instructor’s techniques up close and ask questions for clarification. Need to see a step done again? No problem – instructors can provide real-time guidance. This interactive approach ensures you don’t miss a beat and grasp even the most intricate techniques.

2. Creative Inspiration

One of the biggest benefits of taking crafting classes is the creative inspiration that comes from being in a group setting. Whether it’s an in-person class or an online workshop, being surrounded by other crafters can spark new ideas and creativity that you may not have discovered on your own. Crafting is a collaborative process, we learn and build off of each other. You might even learn to love a new style you never thought of before.

3. Expert Guidance

Crafting classes are often taught by experienced instructors who can provide expert guidance and personalized feedback. This is incredibly valuable, especially for beginners who may feel overwhelmed by the vast world of crafting. In-person or live online instructors can often show you how to turn what seems like a mistake into a creative opportunity, saving you time and materials in the long run. Having a knowledgeable instructor to guide you through the process can make all the difference in your crafting journey.

4. Community and Connection

Making friends as an adult can be tough, but crafting classes offer a fun and social solution! Whether you choose online or in-person options, you’ll connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for crafting, or perhaps are looking to discover a new creative outlet. Imagine forging a bond with a fellow crafter – it could be someone who wants to rekindle a childhood hobby, or even someone seeking new connections after retirement. You might even find yourself chatting with someone navigating similar life experiences, creating a space for mutual support and friendship. From the camaraderie of card making to the shared focus of an online watercolor workshop, crafting classes foster a sense of community that goes beyond just learning a new skill.

5. Explore Diverse Crafting Avenues

Crafting classes offer a vast array of topics to ignite your creativity, regardless of your skill level. Whether you’re a beginner yearning to master basic card-making techniques or a seasoned crafter seeking advanced scrapbooking methods, there’s a class out there to expand your horizons. The beauty lies in the variety – delve into floral designs, experiment with alcohol markers, embrace the versatility of mixed media, or craft interactive cards that spark delight. With such a wealth of options, you’re sure to find something that ignites your passion.

Bonus Tip: Look for classes that offer recordings! This allows you to revisit the instructions anytime, ensuring those intricate details remain crystal clear even on repeat crafting adventures.

6. Unleash the Power of Flexibility

Online crafting classes are a dream come true for busy schedules! Learn at your own pace, in the comfort of your favorite crafting nook. No more battling commutes or rigid timetables. The flexibility allows you to squeeze in learning sessions whenever and wherever it works best for you. It’s perfect for early birds who love a quiet morning craft session or night owls who prefer creating under the moonlight.

Bonus Tip: Look for classes with both online and in-person options! This provides the best of both worlds: the convenience of online learning with the potential for a more interactive, in-person experience if you choose. You can revisit the online recordings to solidify your grasp on the techniques, allowing you to truly make the most of both formats.

7. Finding the Value in Crafting Classes

Crafting classes offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, but navigating costs can be a concern. Here are some tips to maximize the value you get:

Look for “All-Inclusive” Classes: These classes provide all the materials needed for the project, allowing you to walk out with your creation and the tools to keep crafting at home. This eliminates the need for separate supply purchases and ensures you have everything you need to get started.
Consider Starter Kits: Some classes might offer optional starter kits. These kits can be a cost-effective way to build your crafting supplies while learning new techniques.
Compare Class Formats: The cost structure can vary depending on the format (in-person vs. online), class duration, and materials included. Researching different options can help you find a class that aligns with your budget and learning goals.

By exploring these options, you can find a crafting class that provides excellent value for your investment in learning and creativity.

“The beauty of crafting lies not just in the creations themselves, but in the journey of learning and connecting. Have you considered taking a crafting class? We invite you to subscribe to our newsletter for more insights on crafting and to discover the class that ignites your passion. Until next time, happy crafting (or soon-to-be crafting)!”