I need to confess something. I'm wheel challenged. I have purchased a number of Stampin' Up! wheels (the patterns are fabulous and the projects using them divine) but fail miserably in committing them to the production line. I have become unglued over this, literally.
Today's tutorial shows you how I "unraveled" a regular Stampin' Up! wheel. It's quite easy and can be done with a jumbo wheel, too. Now before you grab your hobby blade, remember that if you want to scrapbook or create a project larger than 6 3/4" inches (the approximate length of the new flat "stamp"), keep the wheels just the way they are. However, if you are a die hard card maker (like me), you may be generating thunderous applause as you read.
Here's my nemesis (and first "patient," the Boho Friend Wheel).
Pre-surgery. Note the seam. It cuts easily with a hobby knife.
Post Op. TIP: I gently peeled the rubber from the wheel.
Meet EZ Mount. There is a sticky side and a static cling side. I purchased it through Sunday International (after getting the idea from the Splitcoast Stampers Forum). TIP: Since there is no foam backing on the wheel (just rubber), you need to choose the EZ Mount Static Cling Mounting Foam (it comes in 8.5 x 11 sheets), not the EZ Thin Mount, which is designed for stamps with an adhesive foam backing.
TIP: I use my "gunky" scissors (an extra pair of Stampin' Up!'s Craft & Rubber Scissors) specifically for projects like this. I tied a little piece of ribbon on the handle to distinguish it from my always clean pair. This way I only have one pair to clean up (Goo Gone) vs. dirtying two.
Adhere the sticky side to the rubber and cut close to the design, removing the excess.
Peel off the paper liner to expose the static cling side. When you mount the static cling side to the acrylic block (2"x 7" is the perfect size for the wheel), I promise you, it's not going anywhere. Kind of magical really.
TIP: The jumbo wheel "unraveled" should also fit on this same block (I haven't tried it yet). However, it would need to go on the flat side (wider) vs. the side with the beveled edge. The stamps are simple to remove from the block and tuck away on Stamp N' Stor Panels.
One hour post surgery . . . The 4.25 x 5.5 card base is Stampin' Up!'s Chocolate Chip Textured card stock with a layer of Whisper White on top. The white card stock embosses beautifully using my Big Shot and the Cuttlebug Divine Swirls Embossing Folder. TIP: The sandwich from the bottom-- Big Shot Multi-purpose Platform Tab 1, Acrylic Cutting Pad, Embossing Folder with card stock inside, Acrylic Cutting Pad. For more details on how to enjoy the Big Shot, please see Big Shot 101.
The vertical panel shows off the Boho Friend Wheel (now a stamp, per the steps above) dipped in Baja Breeze Ink. It gets a delicious Baja Breeze accent courtesy of Stampin' Up!'s new Scallop Edge Punch (see Scallop Edge Punch Tutorial). The Perfect Touch is three white pearls from the Pretties Kit, attached with Mini Glue Dots ("wardrobe failure" resistant).
The sentiment was stamped twice, first in Baja Breeze and second in Chocolate Chip (Whisper White card stock). I dissected only two words from the chocolate version and mounted them with Stampin' Dimensionals (cut to fit) on the Baja version. The sentiment and the subsequent Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip mats were clipped with a Ticket Corner Punch. The final touch was a luscious piece of Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon.
Are you wheel challenged ("I can't wait to try this") or a wheel princess ("Mary is nuts . . .wheels are soooo easy")? Please leave me a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
The Big Shot Die Cutting machine (download Big Shot brochure) and Stampin' Up!'s exclusive dies go on sale today. I'm ready to help you with Big Shot questions (leave me a comment--I'll get back to you) or to place your order on-line.
Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary
Stamp Set: Full of Life, Boho Friend Wheel
Paper: Chocolate Chip Textured, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze
Cool Tools: Big Shot, Cuttlebug Divine Swirls Embossing Folder, Ticket Corner Punch, Scallop Edge Punch
The Perfect Touch: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pretties (Pearls), Stampin' Dimensionals
