Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Tutorial Tuesday: Woodrowe Keepsake Album Kit

For this week's tutorial I am going to walk you through the simple process of creating a fabulous mini album from the Woodrowe Keepsake Album Kit.  The way the kit is designed with its coordinating papers and elements, it couldn't be easier -- more fun!

These are the five sheets of 12x12 pieces that comprise the kit -- enough to make two mini albums.  For this tutorial I am going to focus on using the kit to make one larger album.

The first page you will find two pocket pages which are pre-scored and prepunched for binding purposes.  Because these papers are double-sided, you'll have two options for every pocket.

The second page gives you one of the covers, again pre-scored and pre-punched for binding. It also contains some album insert pages and smaller pieces to use as photo mats or journaling spots. 

This third sheet has more insert pages/photo mats and smaller pieces which you'll fold into pockets and photo frames.

Sheet number four contains two half pockets which are created by simply folding over at the pre-scored lines.  You'll also see some tabs, labels and photo corners which will be used later.
The final sheet (not shown) contains another album cover should you desire to make two albums out of this kit instead of one.

To create my album I start with my first cover.  You can see how it simply folds at the pre-scored lines. I can choose between two sides for my cover.  I also have some album pages ready to insert.

I then construct my pockets by simply folding them in half and adding adhesive to the fold-over tab.  Once again, they are pre-scored and punched so they too are ready to add in as album pages. You'll see how the photo mats can easily be used as inserts here.

Next I will create my half pockets by folding the page at the scored line and adding adhesive on the small tab. Your photo mats fit in the pockets perfectly, of course.

Now I've got four pocket pages and two regular album pages ready to place in my album cover.


I've chosen some hardware from the Amelia collection for my front cover.  This will help to reinforce the cover page and make sure the album is securely held together.

Now that I have the bones of my album put together I can start adding in all the fun elements and smaller pieces which will really make the album come together. You can choose to add as many as you like. Since I am focusing on creating only one album from this kit, I plan on using most of these elements.


These little pieces can look confusing, but they easily fold over into photo corners or corners for the album itself.

As all the papers match together so well, you can quickly add photo spots and labels as I've done here.

Love all the pockets that are created with this set.  I've placed a tab on one of my tags so it can easily be pulled out.

More journaling and photo spots.

This picture shows a library pocket with pull out tab which is accented with a photo frame.  It gives the page some dimension.


And here is the completed album held together with a lovely ribbon from the Reese & Woodrowe set.  I've got a spot all ready on the front to stamp a title or name for this album. Can't wait to start adding in my pictures, some stamping, etc.

The colors and patterns in this kit are such that they would make a great album with a masculine theme or also a mini Christmas album.  Lots of possibilities!

You can download a FREE PDF of this tutorial from the Red Rubber Designs store.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Week in Review, 07-29-12

Can you believe that July is almost over? We're over half way through the year and soon it will be time for school and crisp Autumn nights.

During the month of July, we've showcased some beautiful Fall images with a few nods to Halloween:

Fabulous Fall Card by Kate (The Scrap Yard)
Trick or Treat Card by Paul-Kay (Creative Stamping With Paula-Kay)
Spooktacular Holiday Decor by Louise (Kard Krazy)
Bone Appetit Treat Bags by Sarah (Vintage Figments)
Happy Leaf Card by KC (Distracted by Something Shiny)
Being With You Card by Diana (Wordbirds Nest)

Also, take advantage of our July special while it lasts - all Ink Pads are 25% off (discount shows up in your cart). This sale is still good through midnight Wednesday, August 1st.

New stamps in the store:




And introducing -- NEW! DOLLAR Stamps!





Don't forget our challenges! Red Rubber Designs is hosting two challenges this month: Our Third Thursday Just Because Challenge (deadline Thursday, August 2 at Midnight Central time) and our Tutorial Inspiration Challenge (deadline Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at Midnight Central time). You could win a gift certificate to the Red Rubber Designs store just for playing!

First Thursday is coming this week, when we'll start off the month with a Blog Hop by our fabulous Design Team, celebrating Christmas in August. Join us, right here on our blog for a creative hop and fun game (with another prize)!



See you then!




Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Tutorial Tuesday: Inspiration Challenge

Welcome to our first Tutorial Tuesday Inspiration Challenge! For the last several months, our Design Team has been bringing you some wonderful tutorials to help with your stamping and crafting projects. Occasionally (usually about once a month) we have a Tuesday open and decided it was the perfect time to have a challenge and invite you to play.

Our Inspiration Challenge is easy: It's an open challenge - you can create any project in any medium you like, as long as it's based on one (or more!) of our Tutorials. The only requirement is that you use a current stamped image from our store.

You can find all of the Tuesday Tutorials here on the blog or you can download them free from our store.

Please use at least one image from the Red Rubber Designs store as the focal point in your project. Upload your challenge submission to the Red Rubber Designs Flickr Group using the challenge tag TT0712 (that's TT [as in Tutorial Tuesday] zero712 [as in July "07" and the year "12"]). Also, please tell us which Tutorial you used as inspiration!

See our Challenge Information page for details on the general challenge rules and how to upload your challenge submissions to our Flickr Group.

Deadline for submitting is Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at Midnight Central time.

To start us off right, a $10.00 gift certificate to the Red Rubber Designs store will be awarded ONE randomly chosen participant in our first Tutorial Tuesday Inspiration challenge!

I can't wait to see your inspiration!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

New Stamps in the Store!

Our July special - 25% OFF on all of our Ink Pads - is still going on!

The Red Rubber Designs Just Because Challenge is your opportunity to show us your creations using Red Rubber Designs stamps and maybe win a prize! Come play along with us!

New stamps added to the store last week:








Friday, July 20, 2012

Challenges at Red Rubber Designs

After posting our first challenge yesterday (our Third Thursday Just Because Challenge) I realized that we hadn't given you enough time to get your project done and post. So we're changing the deadlines of our challenges to two weeks from the date of the challenge.

I've updated yesterday's challenge post with the new deadline of Thursday, August 2 at Midnight Central time. Come play with us, won't you?

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Third Thursday "Just Because" Challenge: Sketch


Red Rubber Designs and the Design Team are pleased to offer you another outlet for showing off your creativity. Today is the first of our "Just Because" challenges.  Every Third Thursday of the month, we will challenge you, our treasured customers, to show us how you are using your Red Rubber Designs stamps and products.

Please see our Challenge Information page for more information on our general challenge rules and how to upload your projects.

July Just Because Challenge: Sketch


Your mission if you choose to accept, is to create a card, tag, scrapbook layout or any other project (any project using any medium is acceptable) using the following sketch:



Please use at least one image from the Red Rubber Designs store as the focal point in your project. Upload your challenge submission to the Red Rubber Designs Flickr Group using the challenge tag JB0712  (that's JB [as in Just Because] zero712 [as in July "07" and the year "12"]). See our Challenge Information page for details.

This challenge ends on Thursday, August 2 at Midnight Central time.


And we have prizes! A $10.00 gift certificate to the Red Rubber Designs store will be awarded to each of TWO randomly chosen participants in our Just Because challenge!

The Design Team is offering a little inspiration to get you started.........Just Because.





Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Tutorial Tuesday: Stamped Bangle Bracelet


Today, I'm presenting a tutorial on stamping a wooden bangle bracelet.


For this project I used:

1-1/2" rounded bangle blank
Distressed Ink - Peeled Paint
Palette Ink - Noir
Red Rubber Designs Stamps - Autumn Swirls & Happily Grateful
Smooch Pearlized accent ink - Pumpkin (if this is not available, copper metallic acrylic paint can be used)
Black acrylic paint
Gloss acrylic sealer

Begin by dobbing distressed ink around the outer surface of the bracelet until it is completely covered.  It will have a slightly blotchy, uneven color.

Next use the Distressed Ink to stamp a background pattern with the Autumn Swirl Stamp.  For this, I find it easiest to lay the acrylic block on the table with the stamp face up.  Ink the stamp and then roll the bracelet on the stamp.  Since this is a rounded bracelet, you'll want to start at one side and rock towards the other side, then roll the bracelet a little bit and then roll back towards the other side.  Rock & Roll - Side to side, forward, side to side, forward..... Since this is creating a swirly background, if it is not perfect, it is OK.


Now the butterflies - again, lay the stamp face up on the table and ink with Noir Palette Ink. Use a similar rock and roll motion to stamp the butterfly on the bracelet - stamping several butterflies around the bracelet at different angles.




If you have any voids in your stamped images, don't try to stamp over them. Use a black sharpie marker to draw in the missing spots.


Now, use the Smooch accent ink (or copper acrylic paint) to fill in the sections of the butterfly wings.



Paint the inside of the bracelet with black acrylic paint.

Once everything is dry, (I let it all cure 24 hours), finish the bracelet with 2 or 3 thin coats of clear acrylic sealer.




Download this FREE tutorial from KC Eddy in the Red Rubber Designs store!


Monday, July 16, 2012

Week in Review - July 15, 2012

 I meant to post this yesterday, but the day got away from me!

Here's some highlights of the happenings at Red Rubber Designs:

Got ink? Our July special is a 25% OFF sale on all of our Ink Pads, so stock up on the colors you need!

NEW! Be sure to join us starting this Thursday for our Third Thursday Just Because Challenge. It's your opportunity to show us your creations using Red Rubber Designs stamps and maybe win a prize! Stay tuned to our blog for challenge details. Meanwhile, check out our new Challenge Information page for more info on  our challenges.

We're celebrating Autumn and Halloween this month at Red Rubber Designs and our Design Team has some fabulous creations for you:

Distracted by Something Shiny (KC Eddy) - Autumn Wonder Card
Creative Stamping with Paula-Kay (Paula-Kay Bourland) - Halloween Treat Boxes
The Scrap Yard (Kate Yetter) - Sunflower Card
Vintage Figments (Sarah Hemphill) - Sunflower ATCs
Kard Krazy (Louise Granlund) - Sunflower Pocket Card
Wordbird's Nest (Diana Queen) - Halloween Card

New items added to the store recently:

Handmade crocheted flowers in Light Blue

New stamps added to the store last week:










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