June flew by

So it has been awhile since I've popped online to share. While I have been creating, most of it has been for my scrapbooks and not my cards. I just got the Rubber Stamping Fun preview set and will be posting a few samples using it soon. I'm impressed with the snazzy word art and faces included in this new treasure! These artists have really hit the trends with some nice ones...

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).