Regarding questions about the durability of Rub-Ons

Since my post yesterday I have had a few people asking me about the rub-ons coming off when the cup and saucer is washed. I was wondering about that myself. But I washed the cup with a soft dish cloth, dish soap, and water to remove fingerprints before I photographed it. The rub-on seemed to do just fine. I wouldn't recommend putting it in the dishwasher though.

If you have never used rub-ons before here's a tip: When you think you have the rub-on transferred lift a corner of the transfer sheet (using your other hand to hold down the opposite corner)and begin to pull the sheet back slowly. This way, if you notice not all the image transferred you can lay the sheet back down in place and continue rubbing.

Like most anything, using rub-ons just takes a little practice. If you do find that you have totally messed up the transfer and want to start over, you can remove your mistake. If you are transferring the rub-on to a glass or ceramic surface use rubbing alcohol or fingernail polish remover. If you are transferring the image to paper/cardstock you can "lift" off the transfer with some scotch tape.

If you have more tips for using rub-ons, please share them in the comments section.

Valentine Espresso Set

Happy (almost) New Year's! Today, when I was out shopping the after-holiday sales, I found this espresso set in the Dollar Spot at Target. I thought it was cute but a little plain. Maybe I could dress it up with the rub ons I had ordered earlier this month from Stampin'Up! (As a demonstrator I was able to preorder some rub ons from the upcoming Spring & Summer 2008 catalog.)

And here is the result.

This is really so easy to do. You just cut out the image you want to use from the sheet of rub ons. Remove the backing, place it over the surface you want to transfer it to and then rub over the image using the stick that is enclosed with the packaging. It took me less than 10 minutes to finish this project.

I'm now looking around house and finding all kinds of ideas for using rub ons. I can't wait to try some more. In the new catalog there are 5 different sets to choose from. The new Stampin'Up! 2008 Spring & Summer Idea Book & Catalog premieres January 2nd.

You can view the catalog online at www.stampinup.com. If you'd like to order a hard copy of the catalog please contact me. Just leave your contact info in the comments here. Thanks for looking!

What I've Been Working On

I can finally post one of the projects I have been working on the past couple of weeks.

Last Christmas two of the women in my book club I had just joined made these awesome book journals as gifts for each of us in the club. I have enjoyed being part of the group this past year so much that I wanted try and make something to share with all of them. So I made desk (or nightstand) caddies as a holiday gift for each of them, 17 total. But can you believe it? I forgot to photograph them before taking them to the meeting Thursday night.Luckily I had a few extras left.

To make them I started with small wood gift boxes that I purchased from Michael’s. I covered each one with scraps of [scrapbook] paper I had and then sealed them with Mod Podge. Since I was using scraps, no two were alike.
To go inside each box I made a bookmark and two bookplates. The bookplates were made using a Stampin’Up! set called Property Lines. I used more paper scraps and stamped images to make the bookmarks. The quote: Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier, is from the same Stampin’Up! set. The woman reading image is from Fishbone Graphics Rubber Stamps. I finished the boxes by including a highlighter and a book light in each.

The boxes are big enough to hold a pair of reading glasses too. A place to keep everything that you may need when you settle down with a good book.

Stay Tuned.....

Sorry, I haven't posted anything this week but I have been busy working on some holiday gifts. I don't want to post any photos or details yet, just in case the intended recipients view my blog.

Stay tuned though, I promise to have something to share soon.

-Michelle