Vintage Borders Tip Sheet and Introducing my Guest DT

I'm so excited to introduce you to my Guest DT for this month, the kind and talented

Lisa Hjulberg.

I'm sure you've seen her name all over blogdom as she designs for Taylored Expressions sketch, Sweet & Sassy Stamps and my new favorite challenge blog, Stampin' Sisters in Christ, among other things. It was through SSIC that I fist came across Lisa's artwork. I immediately became a fan. I was honored to find out that she has some of my previous GinaK stamps. She and I became immediate friends because of our cardmaking hobby and, more importantly our common love for Christ and His Word.

She has blessed me more than she'll ever know through her encouraging words and comments on my blog. I am thankful that God has allowed our paths to cross, even only through cyberspace. It is such a treat for me to have her as my Guest DT this month. Be prepared to be wowed by this incredible card maker. Here's one of her cards using Vintage Borders and Lord of the Season sets.

Here are some questions I asked Lisa, to help you all get to know her better.

1. How long have you been paper crafting and how did you get started? I've been paper crafting for more than 10 years. I actually started with scrapbooking after a friend talked me into hosting a Creative Memories workshop. I was hooked from Hello! Not too long afterwards, I was getting my nails done and my manicurist had a Stampin Up catalog at her station. She was hosting a catalog party. I picked it up and started flipping through the pages, and that was IT. I called the Demonstrator soon after and placed my first order (I was my own show!). The rest, as they say, is history.
2. What are your current favorite:

• Techniques - Sewing on my cards, for sure!
• Tools - My Janome Sew Petite, my Wizard and Spellbinders dies, and my Scor Pal
• embellishments - Ribbon, buttons and rhinestones... a card just doesn't seem finished to me without one or all!
• coloring mediums - Copics, mainly because they are so quick and easy to use. I also enjoy watercoloring when time permits, which doesn't seem very often anymore.
  

3. What inspires you to create? Quite simply, the beauty and joy of art. I'm predominately left-brained, but I've always had a true and abiding appreciation for all forms of art. I love to immerse myself in them and savor every moment. In paper crafting, the amazing array of designer papers, color, embellishments and stamp designs sing to my soul and make me long to sit down and create.

4. Tell us something about your family. I'm the mother of four boys (ages 24, 21, 16 and 13), who are the lights of my life. My husband and I have been married for more than 25 years (I was a child bride, of course *wink*). Golf is huge in my family. My husband was a Club Golf Professional for 20 years, and has been a University Golf Coach for nearly 10 years. My boys all play golf, but they love all sports. Me, I'm the odd duck because I'm very sedentary, prefering to craft or read or take a nap! I work full time outside the home in University administration. I grew up as an Air Force brat, so had the privilege of living in lots of different places in the US and abroad before settling down for what is now most of my life in Southern California. We are members of the Lutheran church, Missouri Synod.

5. Do you have a favorite quote that you live by? Because I am a Christian, there are many scriptures that are favorite quotes. But one in particular stands out: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." There is such peace in knowing that! I also recently ran across this variation on the Serenity prayer, which I've printed out and pinned up on my board as a constant reminder: "Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know that person is me." Amen!

-------------------------------------------------------
I have a few tips to share with you using my new set, Vintage Borders. You can download the PDF file with all this info on the StampTV Idea Center Vintage Borders page >> HERE <<. Approximate Stamp Sizes:

1. 4” x 3/8”
2. 4” x 1-1/2”
3. 3-1-2” x 5/8”
4. 4-7/8” x 1-1/2”
5. 4-7/8” x 1/2”
6. 1-7/8” x 1-7/8”
7. 2-3/4” x 1-1/4”
8. 2-1/2” x 1/2”
9. 3-1/2” x 3/4”
10. 1-1/2” 1/2”

Helpful Tips:

• Stamps 1, 3, 4, 5 and 8 can be used for any occasion, not just for holiday projects.
• Stamps 1 and 5 can create an illusion of a scalloped border layer when stamped with a contrasting color to the cardstock.
  
• Stamps 1, 3 and 5 can be stamped and trimmed for a cute little embellishment, even in lieu of ribbon.
  
• Stamp 2 has “Merry Christmas” in different languages. A specific greeting can be highlighted by using a marker to color it and used by itself.
  
• These stamps, especially #’s 2 and 4, can also be used to create a beautiful, quick background.
• Stamp 3 can be stamped with white ink and embossed for a realistic looking lace.
  
• All of these stamps, especially #’s 3. 4, 8 and 9 will look good embossed because of their delicate details.
  
• Stamp 4 makes a great border or background paired with other images, such as birthday-themed, birds, and of course, holiday-themed stamps. It’s always perfect when the recipient of the card is a music lover, no matter the occasion.
• Glue pearls, rhinestones or brads to the center of the lace flowers (#3), scallops (#’s 1 and 5), snowflake (#9) for an added beautiful effect.
  
• Punch the little holes in stamp 5 for added effect. · Highlight a ribbon on a card by stamping scallops on both sides of it.
  
• The scallops and lace stamps are great to pair with other images for baby, wedding, anniversary, and feminine cards.
  
• These stamps are not limited to vintage, shabby style projects. The detailed images can make clean and simple cards stunning and easily mass produced.
  
• These images are perfect for distressing techniques, such as tearing paper edges, sponging, wrinkling the paper, using distressed inks, etc. to give projects the aged, vintage look..
  
• Stamps 1-6 can be stamped side by side to create longer borders. To ensure the images line up when you do this, you can use a stamp positioner (like Stampamajig or Apple Pie makes an acrylic one) or do the following.

1. By using a ruler as a guide, find a straight line on the image and mark the sides of the stamp with a pen as shown in circles below.

2. Extend the mark onto the sides and on the back of the stamp as shown.




3. Lay the stamp flat on the table and by using an acrylic block with gridlines, line up the marks on the stamp to the gridlines. When you stamp, make sure you line up the gridlines to the edges of the paper and you’ll have a straight image without added gadgets.