Ask Kel (FAQs)

I want to start stamping. What do I do?

A good place to begin is here at my intro series, Get Started Stamping:

• Part 1 – Starting Supplies
• Part 2 – All About Ink
• Part 3 – Stamp Talk
• Part 4 – Mounting a Stamp

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Your rubber stamps are so cute! Where do get them?

I have a few staple companies I purchase my stamps from, but my favorite rubber stamp designer of all time is Stampin’ Up (SU for short). I love SU, because the stamp images are so stinkin’ cute and the quality of the rubber is top notch. The stamps also come in matching sets, which make them economical and versatile. They also sell coordinating ink pads, paper, ribbon, and embellishments that make card designing a cinch.

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Where can I get Stampin’ Up! products?

If you fall in love with Stampin’ Up! products like I did, you can shop at my demonstrator website, here: http://thesunsethouse.stampinup.net. To find out more about Stampin’ Up and me, click here.

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What do those weird acronyms in your entries mean?

The stamping world has its own intimidating vocabulary. Stampers use more acronyms than a text messaging teenager. When sharing a card, it’s common practice to list the supplies used so that others can find the materials if they should so desire. Acronyms are used to describe the more well known brands. I try not to use too many because I know it can get confusing. But sometimes, it makes more sense to to use an acronym than to type out all the words. Here are some of the more commonly used shortcuts:

• CASE: Copy and Share Everything or Copy and Selectively Edit. When you see a card layout you like and you make a similar card of your own, you have effectively CASEd the card.
• CS: Cardstock
• DP : Designer paper, or patterned paper sold by Stampin’ Up
• RAK: Random act of kindness. When you send a card to someone without an occasion, you are performing a RAK.
• SCS: Splitcoast Stampers, a stamp community, forum, and online resource
• SU: Stampin’ Up, a rubber stamp and paper craft company well known for its red rubber stamps, scrapbooking kits, signature ink colors, and embellishments
• VM: VersaMark, a craft brand that is known for its watermark ink

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You look familiar… have I seen you on Weddingbee?

In fact, you have.I write under the alias Mrs. Eggplant. Wedding blogging was really enjoyable and I was incredibly inspired by fellow bloggers and readers on the bee. Everyone helped me create my dream wedding on a budget. Writing for the bee actually motivated me to start this blog and document more of my creative ventures.

Now that the wedding is over, I’ve semi-retired my bee-dom. I’ll still write a wedding-related blog post every now and then, but the majority of the time, you’ll find me right here.

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Did you teach yourself to use the Adobe Suite?

I did. And you can too!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m no expert with the all the Adobe programs (which include Photoshop, InDesign, Lightroom, and Illustrator), but I do have a working knowledge of Illustrator that allows me to design simple stuff (like stationery for weddings) and full knowledge of Photoshop and Lighroom, which allows me to give my photos a professional boost. With the internet, there is a wealth of free information available and many people that are willing to share. In fact, one of the reasons I started this blog is to encourage everyone to explore their creative passions. I am, by no means, naturally artistic. But I’m resourceful. I can work Google like nobody’s business.Everything I’ve learned has been from looking stuff up on the internet and tons of trial and error. I read lots of books, study people that inspire me, and spend lots and lots of time on Google. Hey, If I can learn, anyone can learn.

If you’re interested in learning Photoshop for digital photos, Scott Kelby has written a great book that teaches you how to do cool things like removing blemishes and love handles in your pictures. I’ve also found Photoshop Cafe to be indispensable in my learnings.

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What kind of cameras/lenses do you use?

Currently, I use both a Canon 5D Mark II and a 7D camera bodies, along with a few lenses: a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4, a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, Canon EF 85mm/1.8, Canon EF 85mm/1.2, Canon EFS 60mm/2.8 macro, Sigma EX 30mm/1.4, and a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro USM. Of all these I use the 50mm/1.4 to shoot most of the portraits and cards that I post online.

However, I don’t believe that you need expensive camera with expensive lenses to take good pictures. I would suggest investing in a basic DSLR camera body and one good lens to start off. A Canon Rebel XSi will be more than enough camera for most people and sells for around $400. You can get a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens for under $100, which will give you a nice depth of field for your photos. Then, I would suggest getting an introductory photography book to learn the basics (Scott Kelby has some informative ones), studying how your favorite photographers compose their pictures, and heading out for some practice. Have fun!

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Do you have a question that you’d like answered? Send me an email and I’ll get right back to you!

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