It's Not Just About the Stamps

When I go to my local craft store I don't just shop the rubber stamp aisles. I love to embellish my cards with items I find in other departments.

• I have found some really nice paper in the Art Department along with colored pencils, markers, bottles of colored ink, watercolor pencils, and eraser carving materials.




• The Fabric Department has ribbons, floss and yarn. During the holidays there are fabrics that have motifs you can cut out and use. There are also buttons and snaps.




• The Floral Department has ribbons, dried flowers, raffia to accent with. You can take silk flowers apart and use the petals to make a pretty card. I like to stamp a fairy and use flower petals for her skirt.




• The Jewelry Department has beads, colored wire, flat backed jewels, conchabons, and charms. These can add a little flare to your cards. Those little letter beads are a cute accent on a card. There are also all kinds of little storage containers in those aisles.




• I have even invaded the Model Car section. In these aisles I have found pin striping tape that comes in several colors. What an easy way to edge a card. There is flocking also, used to make animals on my cards look fuzzy. It seems everywhere I shop I can find items to add to my cards.




• The Hardware Store is even fun now! There are fun, creative things you can do with items like paint chips.
  

Once you start this craft you will find creative ideas of your own. Don't limit yourself to the rubber stamp and scrapbooking aisles.

How I Discovered Rubber Stamping

I get asked about how I got started in rubber stamping from time to time so I thought I'd just post it here (it's too long for the Blogger profile).

I've been stamping for about fourteen years. It all started when I worked at Hobby Lobby. I was working in the Crafts Department and we sold rubber stamp supplies. I thought I would buy a few so I could sell the product. Well, after I found out how easy it was, I was hooked! When I learned how to emboss there was no turning back.

Since then I have taught so many people how to stamp, from my (then) four year old grandson to a lady in her seventies. I taught an autistic girl and she was so proud of what she could do. Her cards looked as good as mine.

After working at Hobby Lobby for five years I really learned this craft. I ordered all of the supplies and used them too. I feel that in order to sell the merchandise I needed hands on experiance.

I have been in several internet groups sharing my craft. My favorite group was the Gingerbread Girls. We had so much fun swapping items and giving advice and ideas. I learned a lot from those girls. I was sad to see the group disband.

I enjoy teaching classes. The ladies are so surprised how easy it is. They get good results from the first class. It's a craft you can share. After all, you can't wear a rubberstamp out by stamping with it.

This is a craft that men enjoy also. I've had mainly ladies in my classes, but in the magazines I have seen some beautiful items stamped by men. There was a gentleman in Old Town Spring that showed me a lot of tricks at his rubber stamp store. I really miss going there, he was really a wonderful person. He had so many creative ideas.

I've used my stamps to make cards, scrapbook pages, stationary, Christmas ornaments, and refrigerater magnets. I've stamped on glass, candles, and wood. That can be a little tricky, but all it takes is practice.

My grandson and I stamped a little wooden stool for him. He loved it! Of course, it gave him a little added height so he could get into things, but it was useful too.

Stamping is easy and fun. There is always something new to learn and new challenges to meet. I never get bored. Sharing is the best way to learn. Everyone has new and creative ideas.

And through this blog I'm continuing to share what I've learned. I hope you'll share your own tips, projects, successes, and lessons learned too.

Fall Leaves with Layers

On an ivory card I stamped a fall leaf border three times (border stamps don't have to be used only as edge borders). Onto this I glued two brown cardstock squares. On top of those I glued two tan squares that had been cut out with deckle edged scissors. Next I glued two leaves made out of foam stamps and embossed with embossing powders, one in clay pot and the other in tea dye distress.

Hello Friends!

Things look at little plain at the moment but I'm in the process of a makeover of my Web presence. It's taken a little while but I'm jumping on the blog bandwagon. I'll have all my old tutorials and some new tutorials and lots of pictures of my rubber stamping projects online as soon as I can.