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Sunday, May 15, 2011

Mini-Tutorial on PTI's Framed

I've expressed  my difficulties with Papertrey's Framed set before. Getting a good impression was tough, and I ended up wasting a lot of cardstock trying to make it work. Grrr. I snooped around online looking for solutions, and one that came up repeatedly was using a giant gridded block. Well, my gridded block wasn't quite large enough, so I used a coupon and bought Martha Stewart's large block at Michael's.

This particular block comes with a detatched handle thingy. Not sure what it's supposed to be used for. It would not be good for stamping small stamps because you'd have a hard time seeing where to place it through the handle, and if it's supposed to be attached to the big block, well, I like my blocks simple. A handle will just get in the way.

Whatever. The giant gridded acrylic block is DA BOMB and is truly necessary for getting good impressions with the Framed stamps. If you buy the Framed set, definitely budget for a big grid block. I was getting good impressions about 50% of the time with my old, non-grid block. With the new grid block, I'm stamping about 90% good images. THAT is a number I can live with.

Step 1

Mount the frame onto the gridded block as shown. Leave more lines at the top so you can align it properly over the card to stamp. Once the stamp is stuck, turn the block over and press the trapped air out from under the center flashing (the part of the stamp that doesn't stamp) to minimize ink transfer where you don't want it.



Step 2

Ink the stamp. I use Memento inks in the dewdrop pads for better ink control. When I get ink on the flashing, I use my finger to wipe it off before stamping.

Step 3

Holding the block above the cardstock, center the image so the grid is evenly spaced between the top and sides of the cardstock. Lower the grid to the paper as evenly as possible, press firmly straight down, and lift straight up from the cardstock.


Note: I always stamp clear stamps on a large stamping pad I bought at JoAnn's years ago. I get much better impressions when using this pad. Also, I use a post-it note to hold the card closed. PTI's cardstock doesn't want to lie flat on the fold, and with it sticking up, you'll get smudges. Mark's Finest Snow Storm heavy cardstock does a better job of lying flat when scored and folded and the crease burnished.
 
*****

And that's it! Getting the right tool to stamp this big frame has made all the difference. Here are a few finished cards I made to give you a feel for the set.
 
First, use the rectangle frame on a portrait-oriented card with the sentiment sticking out. The strong vertical of the flowers and frame is balanced nicely by the strong horizontal sentiment.  The flower is from StampinUp's Stem Silhouettes and the sentiment is from PTI's Signature Greetings.
 

Here's the same idea with the square frame on a landscape-oriented card. The flower silhouettes are from Clear and Simple Stamps, and the sentiment is from PTI's Signature Greetings.


Next, I stayed entirely in the frame with a simple winter scene. The trees are from PTI's Masculine Motifs, the bird is from Through the Trees, and the sentiment is from Faux Ribbon.


And finally, my favorite card I've made with this set. The butterflies (Martha Stewart punches) are punched from light blue vellum, the branch is from PTI's Out on a Limb, and the sentiment is from Clear and Simple Stamps limited edition Thank You set. The bling is olive from Hero Arts. Don't be afraid to stray outside the box just like my wandering little butterfly!

29 comments:

  1. Thanks for taking the time to show how you get this set to work well. Once you have the right tools, things start to look great! Your cards are beautiful. Love the little butterfly outside the frame.

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  2. Susan, great tutorial, and beautiful examples! I never considered the frame set, but I will now. GREAT tip about the post-it note --- I've messed up many a card that wouldn't stay shut. And a question.....is this large stamping pad from JoAnne's like a mouse pad? I've not seen a stamping pad as such at Michael's, but I've read using a mouse pad creates a better impression. I love all 4 of your cards. Great tutorial!

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  3. Sue, the pad is sort of like a mouse pad only much thicker...about quarter of an inch thick. It's also larger: 11" x 17". I love it and have used it for at least six years.

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  4. I have a large Fiskars stamper which is like an acrylic block only bigger. I love the spongy feet and how easy it is to get even pressure with it. I must admit I haven't thought of using a post it note for hoding the card down...DUH! What a great idea! thanks for sharing the tutorial!

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  5. Your cards are beautiful!! I had NEVER THOUGHT to turn the frames to open on the sides rather than just the bottoms...wow, how you inspire me:)!!!

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  6. This is a really useful tutorial - thanks! I really must remember to use a post-it to keep my card closed - I usually try to do that with my little pinkie!! Your idea is so much neater :)

    BTW - a superb set of photos using the frame!

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  7. Hi Susan, A whole host of brilliant tips and brilliant cards, did I say brilliant? Yes and Thank You. Love your cards today as usual LOL :0) xxx

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  8. Smashing cards and thanks for the tutorial too

    Kathyk

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  9. Fabulous cards and info. I have a pad that's actually for paper piercing - a large one - from Ellen Hutson's store, that I use when stamping, now. Does a great job of getting clearer images and/or sentiments. I love the framed look - don't have that stamp from PTI but if I ever get it I'll take your advice about also getting the MS block.

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  10. Thanks so much for the great info. I will now go confidently into my stamp room, big block in hand. Your fabulous cards are a true inspiration!

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  11. oh wow!! thanks for the tutorial..and what simply elegant cards!!
    vanessa xx

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  13. Simply stunning! Love how your turned things around and had the message coming out the side.

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  14. Great cards and ideas. Thanks for the insight on the PT stamp.

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  15. Thanks, Susan - now I know what I'm using my next Michael's coupon on! And I think I need the frame stamp set, too. Don't believe I have anything like it. Very, very cool cards!

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  16. Thanks for the Post-It tip. The butterfly card is so, so pretty and the Christmas card looks as professional as a Hallmark one.

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  17. Susan, these are all beautiful cards!! My favorite is definitely the Thanks with butterflies. Blue is my favorite color and I love butterflies:) tfs

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  18. Gorgeous cards! I may have to buy that PTI set. Thanks for taking the time to do a tutorial on using them. And thanks for the tip on using a post-it note to hold the card closed - such a simple but brilliant solution.

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  19. Great tips and super fab cards - love how you made them so different, with just a turn of the frame!

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  20. Yeah - good idea! After a lot of struggling, now we don't have to do the fuzz...

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  21. I sooo love that frame, I think I need to get me that stamp, beautiful cards!

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  22. Thanks for the tutorial, it's nice to know I was not the only one having positioning problems :)
    Jenny x

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  23. GREAT tutorial. All of the cards with frames are simply stunning!

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  24. Boy do I feel dumb! I thought you all were drawing your lines. I was amazed at how even they were! I don't own andy PTI stamps, but if I had one, it would be this one. I always learn something when I visit your blog. These are inspiring cards too. Each is beautiful! I think I'm going to have to go to that PTI site!

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  25. thanks for the tips of using a dewdrop inker and working the bubbles out. i use my fiskars stamp positioner (grid also) and now it all works like a charm. turning the frame so it's vertical is also a neat idea. your cards are wonderful!

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  26. Fabulous cards and a very clear tutorial.

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  27. I wasted so much paper the last time I used the Waltzingmouse Frame-It set (same as Papertrey's) that I wanted to scream. Thank you so much for sharing this. I love the frame set, but I was so frustrated I wanted to throw it out the window! off to Michaels I go...

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  28. S - have you tried the rocking blocks that PTI sells? They have a lip on two (opposite) sides of the block which is raised above the area where the stamp adheres, and after you ink the stamp, you roll the block across the paper, which eliminates 95 percent of mistakes for me. You do still have to be careful about ink placement and getting the flashing pressed down firmly. The block set has 4 sizes of blocks in it, and I think the largest (6x4) will hold the framed stamp.
    Zanne

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment!