Skipping Stones Tips/Technique Hop:

Welcome to the Skipping Stones Tips/Techniques Blog Hop!!!  If you came from Anja's beautiful blog then you are on the right track!

Each of us will be sharing a fun tip or technique.  Be sure to hop around and comment on each design team members blogs, as one random person will be chosen from the comments to win a free Skipping Stones Design stamp set.  Be sure to start the hop at our blog, Skipping Stones.

I am sharing a Christmas card (what else!) which I stamped using Christmas Labels. 

I would like to invite you to "behind the scenes" in my craftroom.  I have a few tips to share with you all.  

When I am using 4x5 diecuts, I ALWAYS tape the sides down with painter's tape.  I find I get a more even cut:

I also always have a nail file handy to "sand" the edges of my squares and circles to get that "perfect" edge:

I like to save money where I can.  With the Canadian dollar at an all time low, the exchange rate when I purchase through US websites (which is the only place I buy from), can get very pricey. So when I can pinch a penny, I certainly will!

Pop/foam dots are relatively inexpensive but I use them at an alarming rate LOL.  I can purchase a pack of 40 foam sheets from Dollarama for $1.25 CAD: 





I do not like when I have any dips/kinks/bubbles/waves in my cards.  I like to have a nice even flat surface when I am adding layers.  When I want a little dimension to my 4x5 layer, I use a foam sheet.

I chose a red foam sheet (although you cannot see it on the final project, any colour will do) for my card and again, taped it down and cut out with my diecut machine:

As you can see, I do use a lot of foam dots and the red foam sheet cuts down on the amount foam dots!  You can add many layers of foam sheets to add more dimension, but I already have enough layers:

There you have it!  A subtle (or not so subtle depending on what YOU want) layer between the scalloped green cardstock and the grey stitched cardstock:

That is it for me!  Carry on to Ilina's super crafty blog!  Cheers all and have a super fantastic Thanksgiving Weekend to all of my Canadian friends!!