Tutorial - Straight Stick Trick

Hello and welcome to one of hopefully many new blog posts to come.

I was lucky to be asked to create a tutorial for Handmade Harbour and Totally Tutorials blog. The only catch - I had to want 5 free digital images. Gee, that was a hard one to accept (NOT!) hehehe.

So, here is my tutorial for you using THIS wonderful image from Handmade Harbour. My tute will show you a simple but excellent way of making sure your card layers line up perfectly every single time - the "Straight Stick Trick". I have been teaching this "trick" to people attending my card classes for years and they love it. I have heard that this is also a technique taught at design school. 

First of all, here is my little kitty Smudge, helping me to colour the image by laying all over my spot lol. She loves to sit next to me while I am working at my craft desk (that's why that little pink blanket is there - she know's that's her spot).

Here is the card I made. I actually made a different card, which was almost the same, except silly me, didn't have an image from the lovely Wendy at HH. oops. So, card re-do and voila! here we are.

The image has been coloured in with Copic Markers. I actually prefer using watercolour pencils and a waterbrush, but the printer ink is water-soluble, so the Copics work best. I have also used Copic paper.

Ok, my first tip: I actually put my tape on my wrist like a bangle, as I find I have greater control. I also tear my tape, as opposed to cutting, for 2 reasons; 1. cutting the tape gums up your scissors and 2. it's quicker and easier just to tear it.

STEP 1: First things first - apply the tape on all 4 sides of the paper or cardstock you are adhering. Also, make sure to place a strip of tape diagonally across the centre of the piece. This centre piece is very important, as it holds the piece in place while you remove the bits from the sides.

STEP 2: Next, peel back and fold a small portion only of each piece of tape backing around the edges of your card/paper. Be sure to press down so the tape backing is folded out at a right-angle. Remove the tape backing entirely from the centre diagonal strip.

STEP 3: Here, you can see I have plonked the prepped paper onto the card. The peeled backing acts as 'feet' and suspends the paper over the card, so the sticky centre isn't touching the card base at this stage. This is the time when you line the paper up exactly where you want it to be. 

Once you are happy with the placement, you press the middle so the exposed centre tape adheres to the card base. You need to keep your fingers pressed to the middle while you peel away any 2 of the exposed backing tapes.

STEP 4: You can now release the paper and peel the remaining backings from the patterned paper.

In this photo, you can see how the stamped image is suspended by the peeled and folded tape backing.

Simply repeat all the steps to adhere the stamped image in place.

Ta-da! You have now got a perfectly lined up image and mount on your card. yay!

 And here is the card finished. 

And that's all there is to it. I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial. It is very handy to know, especially if you are very particular about your edges all lining up perfectly.

Here's a list of the materials I have used
Stamps: 043 Sewing Machine (Handmade Harbour), Sew Suite stamp set (Stampin' Up!)

Markers: - Copics

Cardstock and patterned paper - Die Cuts With a View
Other: ribbon, paper flowers, buttons, letter stickers, round adhesive diamantes, Kindy Glitz, white gel pen for "highlight" on sewing machine.

Take care and ciao for now,