Trying another SCS challenge... this one uses a background stamp from SU! called On the Spot and a frog stamp from an Ebay company I found called Prairie Peddlars.

Running Out of Room

My craftroom - - which doubles as a bedroom - - filled up quick!
So, to make creating and sleeping more comfortable, I'm going to be parting with a few sets I don't use.

The following are available for sale, catalog dates available for reference.  Please, no trades.
Art of life (hostess 2005)
Bold & Bright (2002-2003)
Best Blossoms UM (2006 SAB)
Cattitude (2 sets available - Summer 2005 mini)
Close to Nature (2005)
Corners Mini (R02)
Country Vines (R99)
Faith and Hope (spring mini 2006)
Garden Collage UM (SAB 2005)
Holiday Helpers (R02)
Holiday Hedgehogs (R04)
Just Cause I like You UM (Spring mini 2006)
Pretty Peacocks - missing single feather (R04)
Serengeti
Spring Party (R05)
Such a Tweet - 1st owner's initials on blocks (R06)

If interested, please email - memorykatcher@hotmail.com

Silly Bird Premiere

I sketched this a few days ago while working with a student who is building her portfolio...
I'd love to make "Silly Bird" and his friends into a stamp set... but haven't a clue how to get that into the works. I did, however, get a confirmation from the CEO of Rubber Stamping Fun for my students to submit potential designs.

Anyone have connections out there?

The challenge

Split Coast Stampers has a weekly sketch challenge, and I finally took the plunge and tried to meet the challenge. I printed the sketch, created a pattern and cut my pieces to match. Now I think I'll eye ball future cards to suit my personal style a bit more.

ADAPTION = spice

To cure cancer

I'm all about stamping for a cause...

I was visiting SplitCoastStampers.com today and ran across a cute card using "Missy B Designs" - it turns out that this is how I find most of the stamps I like these days... And though I am now on a spending free budget, I broke it off for just one stamp purchase. I can't wait till the sheets arrive (yes, many many stamps included) and I can show off my creations!

Special thanks to mytime of the Dirty Dozen at SCS who clued us all in on stamps that benefit children's cancer research.

What's in a stamp?

Ask anyone about stamping preferences and you're bound to get a tirade of passionate responses. It seems that once we've identified our choice, nothing else will do...
So, I was asked for preferences and here's the reply: I prefer wood mounted stamps or rubber stamps mounted on "easy mount" backings because they have more longevity of image quality.

While clear (acrylic) stamps are great for image placement, frequent use distorts the stamp - - they are too fragile for obsessive stampers.
Additionally, with the wood mounts, I am ready to stamp without additional supplies, I know I have a stamp that will last, and the hand grips are usually more comfortable. The image is going to be secure because it is specifically fitted to the block - overhanging because of bad
sizing ruins a project!
Easy mounted rubber stamps are great for those of us with huge collections and limited space to put them. They are often stored in binders, are about as strong as the wood mounted rubber stamps, and require only one set of blocks for a whole collection... I can also combine images on one block to stamp a scene in one stroke (see my blog, the Magnolia mother's day
card).

Calendar Swap (Part One)

Here is part of the Calendar 6x6 Page Swap I hosted. There were 21 swaps sent out for this effort! I'm always impressed by the creativity...

Mother's Day collection

Here are the cards I created for Moms... problem is, once I make 'em, it's hard to part with them. But then, isn't the work you're proudest of the best to share with those you love?

Stamp info: There's this great swedish company called Magnolia that sells cute stamps like my bumble bee and flower card. I l-o-v-e the styles and can't wait to see more from them. Plus they ship quick overseas!

The other two cards are all Stampin' Up! The set I used is called "On Walkabout" and the papers and inks are also SU! product. I cheated with the ribbon though; bought it at a Hanover Fabric store closing sale.

A reviewer?

... I'm going to attempt to embark upon a new adventure. With my public relations and journalism background, you'd think I'd be a perfect fit to write product reviews, right? I agree!
So, I signed up to review newly created stamps from a North Carolina company called "Rubber Stamping Fun." The president says I'll get my first set soon and so I will anxiously stalk the mailbox to see what he sends! And of course, as soon as I get creative with it - which is sort of like getting Jiggy, except I stamp instead of sing - I'll post the masterpiece (or modest effort toward creativity) here.

I hope they send something designed by Shannon Lynn, their featured designer... cause I liked this stamp set she did (pictured above)...

Scrapbook Bling Swap

Here are a few of the swaps I received from a SU! swap I hosted called "Scrapbook Bling." The goal was to create embellishments (4x4 or larger) for scrapbook pages.

Here are two more attempts at cards... the left is using the Doodle This, Doodle That sets and includes a removable bookmark. It's a perfect gift for Mother's Day... though my own Mom already got the card when I was testing out my technique.

The right card uses several SU! retired sets that I got from a demo downsizing. I love how it has an ethnic flavor and uses the earth tone (elements) colors. My family seems to love the pull out cards, but found the sliders dangerous - - pull too quick and you break the creation!

Spring Mini

Here's a little card I did while playing around with the Spring Mini stamps and accessories from Stampin' Up! I entered it in the monthly contest, but snail mail must have encountered some salt en route and it took more than a month to arrive LATE! Bummer for me, but I still love the card.

I used the Doodle This, Doodle That, and Doodle Alphabet sets. I also used my Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Hodge Podge Hardware and the new tab and spiral punches (love them).

Retiring...

Going, going, gone...

If I've learned anything in the few short months since becoming a demonstrator (and in the year or so as a customer), I've learned that Stampin' Up! is serious about creating. And to make room for the abundance of creativity their artists apparently have, the company is continually retiring absolutely awesome sets. Although it may seem like a bad thing, the exclusivity of these temporary offerings actually makes them more valuable: aside from acquiring a great stamp set, you are getting something RARE. Add to that that the replacement sets are often equally as nice (if not better than) what they let go.

So, if you're looking to buy one of the much loved sets on "THE LIST," get it fast... June 30 is just around the corner. And July 1st is bound to bring a huge selection of new must haves.

One of the newest images, releasing July 1 ~>