March 2023 Crop & Create Cards

I do the required HW, any embossing of sentiments, and stack and glue die-cut sentiments together if needed. And most all classes I take I try to do the coloring of critters ahead of time. I don't like to feel rushed during class. I do not do any stencil work or stamping in advance unless in the HW.

But I'm an over-achiever, so don't feel like you need to do all this. I'm probably not the norm.

I had trouble with the Spellbinders fancy die, too. I ran it through my SB Platinum 6 with and without a shim, 80# Neenah and fresh cutting plates. The outside cut fine but I could not get a good impression/cut on the detail. I'm going to ask my friend with a Gemini if she can try with that.

Since the issue with die cutting the Spellbinders intricate die was brought up, I pulled out my Gemini Jr (which I'm not impressed with but that's another story) to cut the panels.

I did the 1st one without the metal shim and it cut but not great.  The outer "ring" I had to poke out some chads and they were barely cut so I had to poke hard.  The center "ring" more embossed instead of cut but since it looks like we aren't using that piece, I'm not too worried about it.

For the 2nd and 3rd panels, I did use the metal shim and it cut perfectly on all 3 "rings". Most of the chads came out automatically but the ones I did poke out were super easy to poke.

This is the sandwich I used:

clear plate (top)
frosted shim
metal plate
magnetic shim
die
paper
clear plate (bottom)

I'm not a fan of the Simon Hurley class which is such a bummer because I really liked his last time.  

Now the scrapbook.com class I LOVE...but it is pink. 

I've just started on the homework and only have Gina K and Spellbinders completed.

I don’t think I’ll make any of the Ranger cards. It’s not just the card designs, it’s the stamps. Just not my style.

I’ve done HW for Gina K, Lawn Fawn, Concord & 9th, Hero Arts and Spellbinders. I did the coloring on LF and HA. I recommend you do the HA coloring before class. That one large stamp was time consuming to color twice.

We are polar opposites on this, which surprises me! I went ahead and made Simon's "bonus" card as a reward for getting through several classes worth of homework that day. I liked it enough to make 2 two different versions. Now granted my style is markedly different than his, but I saw the potential. I've never felt compelled to create on my own before a class. Weird. For the SB.com class, I used my own CS selections. The colors in the paper pack are very bright! The designs are adorable, and I'm sure I can incorporate them into other projects.

In general, I've completed prep for SB.com, Spellbinders, Taylored Expressions, Ranger, and GinaK. Not too bad. I'm sitting down right now to prep another class or two. Problem is I keep getting waylaid into browsing online because of the discounts. 

I did get my box! Yay! I really over extended myself this March with classes so I haven’t started my homework but will start work on it soon. I’m doing the Taylored Expressions event Friday and Saturday.

I almost skipped this box but I am very glad that I didn’t. There are some things that I wouldn’t have purchased for myself but I know I will use so I’m super excited!

Ugh, I haven't even looked at the homework yet. Life just got crazy hectic this week and it won't let up until next week. I usually enjoy the homework so at least it's something to look forward to and not to dread (like normal homework lol).

cmpeter thanks for the tip about colouring the HA image before class. I'm not a fan of that stamp set but I'll do it anyway since I paid for it - and maybe someone I give the card to will be a fan of it, it's not all about me lol.

Also thanks pinklady thanks for the tip about photographing the Spellbinders dies before using them - 16 dies is a lot to keep track of.

I had planned to pick up some magnetic sheets for these die sets, but I didn't find any locally and then didn't remember to look when I was in a larger center.

Girls, make sure to check your stamps. I have one so far (of course the one I want to use NOW) that will not fully impress the middle of the image.

This.^^^

Every new stamp I get I tape the backing sheet to the door of my stamping platform with blue painters tape and stamp the whole thing to make sure it works. I'm having problems with the LDRS set. Anyone else? The cake, cupcake, make a WISH and the large and small celebrate. It's like they aren't etched deep enough and I get over-stamping.

ETA: I stamp on scratch paper not the good stuff.

I didn't have any problems with the HA fence.

I got the HA stamp to work, but I did need to use extra pressure in the middle and stamp it twice.

Will check all the rest of the stamps tomorrow.

These are good tips regarding the stamp sets, I will check mine out hopefully this weekend.

Still no homework done over here!