Running With Scissors…

Today I used another image from the Jeanne Streiff Collection at Rubberneck Stamp Co.  I’m trying to be better about using my new stamps soon after I acquire them.  I have quite a few new stamps, papers, inks and Primas.  I don’t know what happened.  I guess I exercised too much reserve for too long and then went on a binge.  Boy, was it ever fun, though!

This is a solid image stamp.  I colored the rubber with Ruby Red and Handsome Hunter markers and stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock.  Once it was on the paper I doctored up the flower by coloring over it again and shading with a black marker.  I did the same with the leaves, but with Sage and Hunter markers.  The shading around the image was done with Caramel and Regal Rose chalks.  I sprayed with three coats of matte sealer to give it a nice finish.

The frame was made with my Creative Memories oval cutting system and Daisy D’s paper adhered to cardstock.  The red paper is Daisy D’s, as well.  The edges were stained with Basic Black ink directly from the pad to the paper.

Thank you so much for visiting today!

• Stamps:  Flora & Flairs - SKU:  401-020304
• Paper:  Very Vanilla, Daisy D’s designer paper
• Inks:  Basic Black, Markers - Ruby Red, Basic Black, Handsome Hunter, Sage Shadow
• Accessories:  Organdy ribbon from Flourishes, soft chalks, spray matte sealer, Scotch brand foam tape

Hello, friends!  I’m happy to say I now have several of the new Jeanne Streiff stamps from Rubbernecker.  Today I used a stamp called Just Leaves and I think it’s Just Beautiful.  I’m always drawn to this sort of image with its soothing, graceful lines.  I think this one’s my favorite so I reached for it first.  That is, today it’s my favorite…tomorrow is another day.

I made this card in the manner I most enjoy.  Not only do I like the earthy colors and the distressing, but I mixed stamp companies (Rubbernecker and Stampin’ Up!) and combined designer paper (BasicGrey Stella Ruby) with a background stamp (Linen).   Linen, now retired by SU!, is one of the most useful background stamps I’ve ever come across.  If you look at the green card base and the main image panel you’ll see there appears to be a slight texture to the paper.  That’s the Linen background stamp.  I think it’s most amazing that it can be so subtle yet have such impact.

I stamped my leaves in Chocolate Chip.  Then, without reinking the stamp, I used my Stamp-a-Ma-Jig stamp positioner to help me align the stamp slightly offset from the first image and stamped again to create the shadow effect.  I used another all-time favorite stamp, Itty Bitty Backgrounds from SU!, to add a little splatter-sprinkle around the leaves.  This somehow suggests movement.  I don’t know why, but it does.

There’s no sentiment on this because I find it handy to keep cards available that are suitable for any number of occasions.  When the time comes I can stamp something on the inside.  I’ve already lined the inside of the card with a panel of vanilla cardstock and stamped the leaves again there and on the envelope flap.

Thank you for visiting.  I hope I’ll have a chance to share again soon.  Have a great day!

• Stamps:  Just Leaves from Rubbernecker–SKU: 403-02; Linen (retired) and Itty Bitty Backgrounds from Stampin’ Up!
• Paper:  Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla, BasicGrey Stella Ruby designer paper
• Ink:  Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel
• Accessories:  Ribbon, brads

Dragonflies always make me think of warm, still summer days near the water — the buzzing whir of insect wings, seed pods snapping open all around me, the occasional kerplunk of a bullfrog leaving its sunny lily pad float for the water’s cooling depths.  There’s a lake we like to visit every year…more a pond, really…actually, it’s a small flooded meadow — picture Walden’s Pond.  No motor boats, not even a boat ramp, but we like to slip a small car topper past the water’s edge and float quietly among the summer sounds all day.  I’m longing to be there this very moment, but I’m afraid summertime isn’t quite here yet.

I was determined to make a simple card today.  I really need to get better at that.  One stamped panel, a sentiment and some ribbon, perhaps?  I was a little surprised at how quickly this card went together.  I know there’s not a lot to it, but I’m beginning to understand the allure of the simple card.

My stamped panel features the KK Originals Dragonfly Double Take stamps from Rubbernecker Stamp Co.  It’s a set of two stamps — a solid and an outline.  I stamped the solid dragonfly image several times in Versamark on glossy white cardstock then rubbed over it with ColorBox Fluid Chalk inks in Lime Pastel and Ice Jade.  I used wadded bathroom tissue (yes, TP) as my blending tool — take up some ink from the pad, then rub it over the glossy panel.  The Versamark images will resist the ink, thus the name for this technique, Versamark Resist.  I stamped the outline on just one dragonfly image and covered the wings with Crystal Stickles.  The white cardstock base has a slight texture to it.  The sentiment is also from Rubbernecker.

It wasn’t until I’d finished the card that I realized the solid dragonfly images have no antennae — dang it!  Poor things, flying around bumping into each other!  Did you notice?  I haven’t been able to focus on much of anything else about the card since I zeroed in on that.  I hope it’s all right.  I was so excited about making a simple card…

This will be my last post as a guest designer for Rubbernecker Stamp Co.  I’ve enjoyed my time with them and you can bet I’m not done using their images.  They’ve been a great team to work with, too — warm hearted and caring of each other.  Thanks, girls, for bringing me into the fold and making me feel welcome!

Just a couple more things… you’ll find Rubbernecker Bucks up for grabs Tuesday at Linda’s Works of Heart (Linda Duke) and Walkin’ On The Bad Side (Sherry Cheever).  Don’t miss out!

Treasure Hunt Tuesday means there’s a free stamp to be had if you can find it (it’s pretty easy pickin’s, actually) at Rubbernecker Stamp Co.  Go here on Tuesday for your Treasure Hunt clue.  Good luck to you!  Have a wonderful day!

• Stamps:  Dragonfly Double Take - SKU: 4021-O, Glad We’re Text - SKU: 25-21
• Paper:  Glossy white, textured white, Tempting Turquoise
• Ink:  Colorbox Fluid Chalk inks in Lime Pastel, Ice Jade and Chestnut Roan, Versamark, Chocolate Chip
• Accessories:  Ribbon, Crystal Stickles

This is probably my favorite image from Rubbernecker Stamp Co. – no surprise, probably, since I love flowers so much.  But this, in particular, has such a free flowing, light and cheerful personality.  I was tempted to do it in pinks and grays, but I just finished a pink card this weekend so…Guava it is!

Actually, it was this Cuttlebugged piece from my scrap drawer that helped me decide the colors.  I know the ink is Guava but the cardstock might be Marigold Morning.  At any rate, I thought they looked good together and I love the way the hearts in the paper carry the theme.

The image is watercolored with inks.  The sentiment is from Rubbernecker, too, and it’s one I picked up as a companion for this vase — two favorites on one card.  I hope you like it, too!  Here’s a list of the essentials:

• Stamps:  Hearty Vase - SKU:  20 SO CM, Petite Can’t Express - SKU:  2000-03
• Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Marigold Morning, Apple Cider designer paper from SU!, 140 lb. cold pressed watercolor
• Inks:  Jet Black Stazon, Groovy Guava, Really Rust, Going Gray, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip
• Accessories:  Ribbon, brad, Floral Fantasy Cuttlebug embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Tuesday, once again, brings the opportunity to win Rubbernecker Bucks — this time from Broni or Kittie.  But that’s not all — it’s Treasure Hunt time at Rubbernecker Stamp Co.  If you’re in the mood for some adventure, go here to find a clue to a free stamp!  Enjoy!

This is Alfie.  He lives with me now but I found him at Rubbernecker Stamp Co. among several other dogs in need of a home.  He was the sweetest, most lovable one of the bunch but, of course, we all connect with different types.  I guess Alfie is just my type.

I found the sentiment and the dog paraphernalia background there, too.  His doghouse is made of two 3 x 3 squares of designer paper.  I cut an arch in one square for his doorway and I cut the other square on the diagonal and mounted it on foam tape to make the roof.  Alfie is colored with chalks.  Affable fellow that he is, he sports his sentiment proudly at his door.  It’s been knocked askew with a little friendly roughhousing — you know how dogs can be.

Here are some more Alfie card details:

• Stamps:  Alfie - SKU 77-05, Best Friends Text - SKU 77-09, Doggie Square (background) - SKU 77-13
• Paper:  Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip textured, Very Vanilla, My Minds Eye designer paper
• Ink:  Jet Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip
• Accessories:  Offray ribbon, Primas, buttons, brad, soft chalks for coloring, spray matte sealer, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Now, if you’re feeling lucky, you might like to try your hand at the Rubbernecker Bucks on Candy’s blog and Shelly’s blog.  Be sure to check their blogs on Tuesday, the 29th.  You’ve got two chances at a $10 gift certificate from Rubbernecker!

If you’re feeling adventurous, Tuesday is Treasure Hunt time at Rubbernecker.  Details can be found here.

Good luck and happy hunting! 

Joanne Leddy — you’ve won the Rubbernecker $10 gift certificate!  Thank you all for playing along.  I appreciate every one of your comments — you make my heart feel good!  Joanne, I’ll contact you by email.  Have a great day, everyone!

I had the most fun making this card.  I don’t know…it just makes me feel good.  It’s not all pretty and girly.  There are no flowers, gemstones or satiny ribbon.  In fact, it’s supposed to be a guy card.  I’m trying to broaden my thinking as to what, exactly, constitutes a guy card.  I generally lean toward outdoor themes or subjects that are inherently “guy”.  But, gosh, what about something on the lighter side once in a while?  Most of my favorite guys have a sense of humor and I think this card would be okay with them.

This is my Howling Cats stamp from Rubbernecker.  It tickles my funny bone but then, I’m sort of a cat fancier.  They look like guy cats, I think.  Our cat, Marvin, somewhat resembles the gray cat on the left.  Marvin and an orange neighborhood cat sometimes get together and howl like this, although I don’t think it’s done with quite the same spirit of camaraderie as the characters in the stamp.

You know how sometimes everything seems to work out just right when you make a card?  Well, that’s how I feel about this one.  I knew right away what colors the cats would be.  In turn, I thought immediately of this paper.  The fibers were chosen because they were the right color and they look yarn-like for cats — *and* — they’re not girly.  The layout just sort of happened.  It’s simple but I like it.  The cats are colored with soft chalks.  There’s more information about that process in my previous post.  I always finish off a chalked image with spray matte sealer, usually a couple of coats.  It dries very quickly.

• Stamps:  Howling Cats SKU:  76-09, Cat’s Meow Text SKU:  76-13
• Paper:  More Mustard, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, BasicGrey Oh, Baby Boy designer paper
• Ink:  Palette Hybrid Noir
• Accessories:  Chalks for coloring, hardware, fibers, spray matte sealer, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Now, for the fun and games!  It’s my turn to share a $10 Gift Certificate to be used at checkout when you place your order at Rubbernecker Stamp Company.  Your comment here will be your entry.  A winner will be chosen by this random number generator.  Gosh, $10 is more than enough for the two stamps I used on today’s card.  They have lots of other stamping supplies at Rubbernecker, too.

Be sure to visit Sherry’s blog for a chance to win the same prize.  You can only win once, but you have two chances.  Good luck!

It’s also time for Tuesday Treasure Hunt!  Follow the clues to find the Treasure at Rubbernecker Stamp Co.  Details can be found —> HERE.  The first Treasure Hunt clue can be found Tuesday, the 22nd, on Linda’s blog.  Have fun playing, and good fortune to all!

ETA:  I’ve just learned that Rubbernecker made the Treasure Hunt easy today — there are no clues to follow.  Just go here to read about how to find the prize.  Thank you!

Well, here’s something that would wake you up in the morning.

I used two of my Rubbernecker stamps for this card – Coffee Cup Block and Coffee Bean Background.  You can find them both here.  The designer paper in the background reminds me of exactly how I feel when I’ve had too much caffeine, so as soon as I spotted it in my drawer I couldn’t think of using anything else on this card.  It was a gift from a friend (thank you, Donelle!) and I don’t know who makes it.  I do love the wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee colors.

I hope to get my time back to normal soon but as of this moment I have no time to linger.  I rather miss our visits…sigh…  Enjoy your day!

• Stamps:  Coffee Cup Block #234-09, Coffee Bean Background #201-01
• Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, unknow designer paper
• Ink:  Jet Black Stazon, markers for coloring
• Accessories:  Ribbon, square clip, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

That’s the sentiment that’s partially showing on the front of this card; the rest of it is on the inside.  I loved these candles right off the bat when I saw them on the Rubbernecker site and, lucky me, they had the perfect sentiment to go with them.

These are three different candles which I mounted on the same block and stamped all at once, repeating for the last two candles in the row.  They’re colored with water-based markers, outlined on one side with pale gray to sort of lift them off the background.  The card base is black Bazzill — 4 1/4″ x 6″.

• The Candle Set #2 is SKU:  60-020405060708.  It includes the same three candles in miniature.
• The So Many Candles sentiment is SKU:  60-12.

I’ve got some other irons in the fire and not much time on my hands, so I have to run now.  I hope to someday catch up on my blog visiting, too.  You all inspire me so much!  Please bear with me…I’ll be back with more to share soon!  Thank you for stopping by today!

This pretty little stamp is so petite I’m surprised I noticed it among the plethora of KK Originals at the Rubbernecker site but, oh, I just love it!  Its diminutive size is in direct proportion to the postage stamp work area in the current disorder of my stamp room.

I colored it with markers on a 2″ square and placed it in the middle of a 5 1/4″ square card.  One way to make those small images work on a big card is to frame it with wide mats, and I thought these Chatterbox papers coordinated beautifully with this sweet and delicate bouquet.  See how the leaves in the paper match those in the stamp?  I love that!  I left it sentiment-free thinking it would make a nice all-occasion card.  This was a very simple card to make, with no special coloring techniques.  I discarded one image on which I’d shaded around the flowers because it detracted from the fresh look I was feeling for this card.  Like Sharon Johnson always tells us — if you use pretty things, you can make a pretty card (or words to that effect).  It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Some of the other pretty things I used on this card are new colors from PaperTrey – Berry Sorbet and Sweet Blush.  This Blush is sweet, indeed, and the Sorbet — yummy!  The satin dot ribbon is from PaperTrey, also.  It’s one of several styles created to coordinate with the new papers and inks.

That’s it for today!  I’ve summarized the ingredients below.  Have a great day!

• Stamps:  KK Originals Bouquet #311-F
• Paper:  PTI Berry Sorbet and Sweet Blush, Whisper White, Chatterbox designer papers
• Ink:  Jet Black Stazon, markers for coloring
• Accessories:  PTI Berry Sorbet ribbon, Scotch brand foam mounting tape