I've been stamping up a storm (creating swap cards, class cards, pages and projects, paper pumpkin items, etc.) and having a ton of Stampin' Up! classes and events during the past week (6 events in 5 days time!). Phew! So I'm sorry I didn't post anything yesterday. I really do try hard to post 6 days a week – Monday through Saturday. But I guess I was a little busy. LOL The good thing is I have lots to show you for the coming days and weeks!

In the meantime, let me share today a project that we made for my What To Give class back a couple months ago in June – charms made from soda pop tops (a product we used to carry in our Spring Catalog). You can get soda pop tops at most craft stores, and they are very trendy.

We flattened our soda pop tops between two cutting mats using the Big Shot (use the same set up as you would for an embossing folder). And then we punched a couple holes in the tops and bottoms with the 1/16" hole punch.

Then we stamped our design on card stock, punched it out using the 1" Circle punch, and added color with markers. To add it to the flattened soda pop top, we attached it to the inside using glue dots.

To make a clear acrylic-like coating, paint on a thin layer of Crystal Effects. Allow it to dry. (This seals the ink so it won't smear in the next step.) Now add a thick layer of Crystal Effects and allow to dry overnight. Embellish with a self-adhesive rhinestone. Then add jump rings and the keychain or necklace chain and the rhinestone jewel (these you can get in the jewelry section at your local craft store as well).

For our class to speed up the process, we left out the Crystal Effects and instead used a melting pot and ultrathick clear embossing powder. After we attached the stamp designs inside the flattened soda pop tops with glue dots, put about 1/16" to 1/8" thick layer of powder all over the image. Then we placed our soda pop tops in the tray of the melting pot to melt the powder quickly. (Be careful not to overheat!) We removed them and allowed them to air dry and harden. Then we added the rhinestones, jump rings and chains. Quick jewelry! And so pretty, too!!

Stamp Your Art Out! ~Rachel

Current Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: Whisper White card stock or Afternoon Picnic Designer Paper (the newsprint looking design), Mosaic Madness stamp set (wood-mount or clear-mount), Jet Black StazOn ink, any Stampin' Write markers, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Big Shot, Crystal Effects, Glue Dots and 1" Circle Punch.

Other Supplies Used: Melting Pot and Ultra Thick Clear Embossing Powder, Soda Pop Tops, Necklace and/or Key Chains, Jump Rings, Rhinestone Jewelry Charms, and Pliers.