Boo!

I am having fun with my Halloween stamps. The background is made with a Heidi Grace clear rectangle border and a stamp I got from Michaels' that I did not like so I carved out the center, threw it away and saved the little square frame. The B is a foam stamp. The stitching is from my Paper Trey Circles set. The spider and pumpkin are SU. The bats are from an unknown source of UM stamps. The ribbon I used on the corner came from Craft Warehouse.

SU Boat

Watercolor crayons and paper piecing technique are what was used to create this card.

Big!!

Sentiment by SU, elephant is Sideshow Stamps, paper by Imaginisce.

Paper Trey and Cuttlebug

Background is Cuttlebug and the stamps are all Paper Trey. I love pink and black together!

Glenda's Card

Just had to share this lovely card made by my friend, Glenda.

Perk Up

Get well card for a sick neighbor who is hospitalized. The images are from Crafty Secrets.

Unmounting TO Saran Wrap?

Unique idea! I might try it with some stamps I unmount from wood that still have good foam and are sticky. Check out her August 22 post for the details. Well Said Blog

Punch Template

I may have posted this once on my old blog--not sure, the halfheimers, LOL, gets worse by the year. Anyway, I was describing it to an internet friend who wanted to see a picture, so here it is. It is in a page protector. This saves me so much time to lay it over images or sentiments to see how they fit rather than having to drag out all the punches.

Zebra

Pulled out my old SU set and matching wheel. Made a card like this long ago and gave it away.

Trick or Treat

Is it too early? Not according to the stores and Martha Stewart. I saw her new stuff today at Micheal's and loved it. Watch for future cards!

This card is made by running the Fiskars spider web plate through the Cuttlebug with misted black paper. I then lightly, very lightly brayered it with ColorBox White Frost pigment ink. The spider is from Batty For You SU set. The stitching around the circle is done with the Circles Paper Trey set. The sentiment comes from Impress Rubber Stamps and punched with the SU Word Window.I bought it in the Impress Seattle store. The rick rack is sparkly and was in a box of stuff I have had sitting around forever. Plastic googly eyes purchased at JoAnn.

Verve Visual

This was made with my new Verve Visual stamps. Started out to be a CASE from the Verve Gallery and after I got the Cuttlebug background and the Happy tag on the side, I decided to do my own thing. So it is now a partial case. I was happy to find that after I dry embossed the dots on the square, that the sponging really took on the dots making them more apparent.

Answering Questions

Q-Are you using plates other than embossing folders in the Cuttlebug?

A-Yes, I use the Fiskars texture plates and the Big Impressions plates. They are 2 sided giving me lots of options. Wait until you see the cool Halloween things I can make with them!

Q-How did you make the photo corners out of ribbon?

A-I just cut out a 3/4" strip and put a dot of glue on the corner of the card. I attach the little strip diagonally and then fold it over and tape it to the back.

Q-Did you know that All That Scraps is having a big sale this weekend?

A-No, I didn't get the email. Will have to check that one out for sure!

Q-Did you buy the Paper Trey sets yet? Can we look forward to samples?

A-I am still drawn to them, but have not ordered. I understand their ordering process is backed up and that they are out of the Primas and tins I was looking at. I think I will just keep waiting. I like them, but have enough new stuff lately that they are not calling to me.

Q-Is there anything in the new mini that you want?

A-I really like the True Friend set. I may have to get that one sometime in the future.

Q-Have you been won over to the Copics yet?

A-I still greatly admire cards I have seen done with them, but I am not confident that I could get the same look so I will wait until I either win the lottery or get a big inheritance unless I get a chance somewhere to prove to myself that I could use them correctly. Too big an investment for something I fear could end up in a drawer.

Q-What paper cutter do you use?

A-I still love my over-a-decade old Fiskars rotary cutter. It has never let me down.

Q-So how many rolls of ATG tape have you gone through by now.

A-Just put my third one on this week. It feels like a miracle!!!!

Q-How far are you into making Christmas cards?

A-I make them a year ahead. Don't shoot me but I finished them in February one day when I was home sick with a cold.
I love making them during the Christmas season when I am on break and had them 80% done by the time school resumed.

Q-Do you send Halloween cards?

A-I do, to family and friends and my nephews.

Q-Did you see that you are nearly to 10,000 hits already? Don't you feel like a celebrity?

A-It amazes me. I have actually had a stranger in another city in a stamp store find out that I have this blog and she squealed and hugged me!! LOL, the store owner uses my blog for some of her class samples and this woman just happened to be there when we were discussing it. I guess I would feel the same way if I met some of the bloggers that I read every day too!

Another Cowboy

Background is white core DCVW textured cardstock that has been misted and run through the Cuttlebug with the Big Impressions Starter Kit plates. It was then sanded with rough sandpaper to allow the white to come through. I did the corners with red paisley ribbon from Michaels, but I first sponged it with some brown as the white design was too bright.

Little Cowboy

This was a fun card to make. My friend Laurie will get a kick out of the title of the card because we used to know a guy we called Little Cowboy.

Background is SU Just Jeans in Brocade Blue on Bliss Blue Cardstock. The stitching was done with the white Signo pen and then sponged with the blue around that to darken the seams. Cowboy is stamped on SU Canvas background in blue. The cowboy is a Sideshow Stamps stamp (see link on left). Colored with markers and the edges were sponged with brown. Paisley ribbon in red (comes in many colors) is from Michael's.

Verve Visual Cards Coming Soon

I got my first Verve Visual stamps this week. I love the designs very much but they are a bit tricky to use. I have gotten so used to clear stamps that trying to line up red rubber is a challenge. These stamps are sold unmounted and the EZ mount does not come with them, making them a bit pricey for unmounted. But I am very happy with their performance and the nice packaging. They came with the CD cases and the index cards as well as the label on the spine. I was impressed by that. I have been working on cards with them and will post soon. I also bought the small Thoughtful Phrases. I bought both sets during the pre-order special which saved me a few dollars.

Possibly My Favorite Set

I will never part with this set. I love it so much and have made so many cards with it. It is an SU set called Pattern of Friendship. The tag was made with the sentiment slipped into a slot made with the Word Window Punch. The dresses were made with the paper piecing (paper applique) technique as described in my other blog (see link at side).

Colorin' Kate

Want to see some of the best coloring ever? Check out Kate's gallery, it will amaze you. Colorin' Kate Gallery

One More Retro Card

I will move onto something else tomorrow, but I sure love this background paper! The background is Cornish Heritage Rice Paper background stamp. I made the red stitching with the stamp from the Hero Arts Ribbons and Stitches (one of my very favorite sets), the leaves around the scalloped edge are Paper Trey. Behind the cherry paper is a paint sample strip.

From Paulie

Paulie nominated me for the "Nice Matters" award! Here is what she said:

Last but not least, my 7th recipient for the NICE MATTERS AWARD is my friend, Donna over at RUBY SLIPPERS STAMPIN' . She is the one who got me started stampin' cards three years ago. Not only did she share ideas with me but she sent me supplies to get started along with many sample ideas.

I will be passing this award along to others after things slow down a bit. I have several upcoming things to prepare for and am feeling short on time.

Please visit Paulie (she also taught me to link and so I am trying it here) at: Postcards From Paulie

Another Retro

Another card from the same set as below. The cherries are a chipboard cut out I purchased.

Feel Free to Link

I have been getting requests to link to my blog. Feel free to do so. No permission needed.

I Love Retro

These are Crafty Secrets clear stamps. I just love retro. I think the cherry background paper is fun with this set.

To My Friend Paulie

It worked!! Your instructions teaching me to link worked. Thank you SO much!

Answering Questions

Q-I notice you are stamping more and more with clear stamps. Do you still prefer red rubber or have you made the switch?

A-You are right. I am stamping more and more with clear. I LOVE the ability to position. It makes me braver in trying new and creative things. The single factor of being able to see through my stamps has made stamping so much more fun for me. I am buying more and more from companies that offer unmounted red rubber, although if they offered the same thing in quality clear I would buy those. My current priority list, provided I love the images is to buy quality clear first over unmounted rubber. If I cannot get that I will take unmounted red rubber over mounted. I now only buy mounted if I have to have the set and there is no other close option elsewhere.

Q-How do you store your clear stamps?

A-I store them in CD cases with the center piece removed and the tabs popped out. With the thin clear stamps you can put them on both sides of the inside of the case. Since I purposely stain all my clear stamps with a permanent black like Palette Noir or Stazon Black, I have no need to put an index card in the case! Much easier and I can store over 30 stamps in one case!

Q-I notice your link to Joan's thread on the GW board was pulled. Why do you think they did this?

A-I have no idea. Before I left for work there was one rather semi-furious response. I saw nothing after that. Possibilities: Maybe dissention is not OK there, maybe it was the personal attack one person made, maybe after I went to work the thread really went south. The letter is still being discussed at SCS and the comments on Joan's blog are VERY interesting. I wish GW had allowed us to discuss this issue as it appears from the chatboards, comments, etc. that there are hundreds of women who would love to be allowed to discuss this topic. Since I have not heard anything from the Gingerwood owner, I can only speculate.

Q-I see you are really branching out. What can we expect in the future?

A-In addition to building my clear stamp collection (Paper Trey, Crafty Secrets, Heidi Grace, Autumn Leaves, Technique Tuesday, and others), I am currently waiting for an order from Verve Visual, Sideshow, and TAC. I bought TAC a couple of years ago, but only recently saw a current catalog and few of those sets jumped out at me and you just cannot beat those prices. I also like the brand new CTMH catalog and may be tryiing some of those as the fall moves on and my budget allows.

Q-Whose blogs do you read all the time?

A-The list is absolutely huge and when I get time I will be adding to the Favorite Places list of links on the left of my blog. I absolutely adore everything Joan and Nichole do and both of their blogs are linked. I also have Denise's blog linked. If you want to see my very favorites, check out my old blog at the yahoo link (see at the left) and use the many, many links there to find my favorites. I promise to work on this in the near future. There are some fantastic bloggers out there and I would love to have them all linked. I have been having some really painful shoulder problems and typing exacerbates it and so I have limited my computer time.

A MUST read letter to the SU company

I always read Joan's blog and I agree with every word in her letter to the SU company. Check it out!

http://www.paper-and-ink.blogspot.com/

I still cannot make clickable links within text, but there is one for Paperlicious, Joan's blog, on the left side if you scroll down.

Another 10 Card

All stamps are SU!

10 Club Card

Made this card at 10 club. I don't have this SU set but I sure do like that bird.

Fun to Make!

Was this ever fun to make. I used the clear stamp set called Build-a-Flower that I showed you in a previous post. I stamped them on pink, glued to white, and then used a black pen to detail stitching and dots. The center embellisment is from one of the $1 packets from JoAnn. I then put it on yellow and cut it out and placed on a background made with Blue Lagoon chalk in and my Autumn Leaves Swirly set. The rest of the detailing is done with the white signo pen that I buy from www.jetpens.com

Tip from Ginny at GW

I posted on the GW board (link to left) about my unfinished projects all over the place. Ginny uses Ziplock bags and stands them up in a box so she can just flip through them. Problem solved!! Thanks Ginny!

A Message from Sakura/Gelly Roll

I contacted the company about an unopened package of clear StarDust pens that when opened, did not write from the get go. It seems they were missing the silcone balls in the ends of the caps and they dried out. I never even knew that those silicone balls belonged there!

Here is a condensed version of what they said were tips for these pens:

The Gelly Roll pens will write an average of 800 meters. When we fill them we remove all the air bubbles and this is why they don't look full to the end.

It is very important to keep the cap on the pen between uses as gel inks cannot be exposed to air. This dries out the tip/ball chamber. Store pens horizontally.

If you need to revive a pen, scribble in circles for a few tries. There is no guarantee that once it stops it will start again. Heating or shaking will NOT correct these pens.

They not only replaced the pens but sent me 5 extras in new colors!! Good customer service!

Walmart Find

Look at these wonderful Halloween embellishments for only $1.44 at Walmart. I can't wait to find ways to use them on my cards.

In Colors Matched to Tombow Markers

Blue Bayou= Tombow #368
River Rock= Tombow #027
Pomegranite= Tombow #757
Wild Wasabi= Tombow #158
Groovy Guava= Tombow #913
Soft Sky= Tombow #350
Marigold Morning= Tombow #985
Cranberry Crisp= Tombow #837
Buck. Blue= Tombow #528
True Thyme= Tombow #N57
Cool Caribbean= Tombow #371

Gorgeous Envelopes

These envelopes came from an art store in another state and are not available to purchase from them via online or mail. If anyone knows where I can get more, please let me know. Aren't they just wonderful??

Watercolor Crayon Ship

All stamps are SU, except the lift ring which was in a dollar bin at Craft Warehouse.

Pampered Chef tool holder

I love the Pampered Chef tool holder. I hate cooking, but this thing is great for crafting!

Friend-Ship

Bear with me. I am an obsessive stamper. I get a new set and I stamp and stamp and stamp with it, and this one is no exception. When this SU set came out, I thought "kinda cute" but it just grew on me and I had to get it. I love it!! This card is watercolored (again) with watercolor crayons. Background paper is the paper I showed you earlier in my blog. The Carribbean background has been stamped in blue with the Cornish Heritage Rice paper background that I love so much. The circle around the sentiment comes from Medium Circles and Rounds, a clear set and I cannot remember from which company.

Another Back to School MFT Card

The top strip is a piece of ribbon. Image is watercolored. I freehanded the wood floor but my son says it looks like she is on Noah's Ark.

For the person who asked why these cards are headless--it is because it is the style of the artist who designs the stamps. I love the idea that the teacher could be anyone and am not fond of cartoon stamps. This way you can imagine for yourself who the person is. I hope she makes more sets!

Is this not a gorgeous stamping room??

Loving this!

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/photos/scraproom/new/

Journey

Main image and sentiment are SU. Background Polka Dot is Cornish Heritage (link at side).

Answering Questions

Time to get caught up on the questions!

Q-Did you buy the Paper Trey sets last night at the reveal?

A-No, I have not but I am sorely tempted. I did not think I liked the flowers until I saw some of the cards in the Paper Trey Gallery. That first one done with the Rose Romance really won me over. I like the Spooky Treats but have many similar stamps already. The big jack o'lantern face is too big for my style. What has me looking at that set over and over is the label candy wrappers. I really love them. I also love the red Primas she just put on their site. I could also go for a tin or two for making gifts. I am still deliberating.

Q-Did you ever find the Crafty Secrets Coffee set you wanted?

A-I certainly did! I got them on ebay for $23 plus $2 shipping and they came today--only 3 days after ordering. I hope to play with them tonight.

Q-What kind of sponges did you use for the moon on the cat card?

A-It is a cosmetic case sponge, round and quite flat. You can buy them in packages of several for around 80 cents in varying sizes at Walmart. They are the round ones made to go in powder or blush round cases.

Q-What do you think of Verve Visual stamps?

A-I will let you know. Just preordered their new set revealed today and also the sentiment set. I waited to get both so I could save postage. They are a bit high priced for bare red unmounted rubber, but I had to try them. Watch for a review in the future.

Q-How much do you stamp?

A-Some days I don't stamp at all, and some days like last weekend, I get in a stamping frenzy. I have lots of new cards to show you and to post. While on vacation I bought lots of stamps and ribbons and when I have new stuff I can get really obsesssed making card after card from the same set. I worry that you readers will get tired of seeing many cards made from the same set, but that is just how I stamp.

Q-Why didn't the flowers on the sympathy card run when you wet them?

A-I spritz the stamp with a light mist after I have colored on it directly with markers. It does run a bit, blending the ink and giving a watercolored look. I do not mist the actual card though.

Q-Do you do holiday cards?

A-You bet I do. I have some Halloween ones made and was waiting to post but am getting requests to get a head start on holiday card photos, so I guess I will be diving in on Halloween soon even though it is still August.

Q-You have mentioned 10 clubs and stamp groups before. Will you show us what you make in those groups?

A-I never thought of it, but now that you mentioned it, I will be sure to do that in the future.

Using a Sponge as a Stamp

For this mini-card I used a new make up sponge for the moon. I like the texture it gives. I inked the entire sponge with yellow and then rolled the edges in orange. Make up sponges made for cosmetic cases come in different shapes and sizes and are a very inexpensive way to get solid shadow stamps with texture. I don't wash them. They are so cheap that I just save one to use for a certain color and then use a new one for a new color.

School Wishes

Being a teacher, I have many teacher friends and like to send cards for the start of the school year. This MFT (see link at side) Back to School Set is the perfect thing. I am trying to make no 2 cards alike for the 7 cards I will be sending this year, so you will be seeing what I continue to come up with.

This is watercolored with Caran d'Ache Watercolor Crayons--the Neocolor II Aquarelle set to be specific. The sentiment is from the new SU hostess sayings set. The punched out place is the SU Word Window Punch. The frame around that is a $1 stamp I found in a stamp bin at Craft Warehouse, that just happens to fit perfectly. Ribbon is from Walmart. I used the white signo pen from www.jetpens.com (identical to the SU pens) for the detailing on the scallops done with my Fiskars Cloud scissors from JoAnn.

For those Interested in Gingerwood Chatboard

It is now registered. Go to this link to register and join us there for stamp chat!
http://www.gingerstamp.com/

Lady Bug on Houndstooth

Lady bug is made with an oval punch and the Houndstooth and Paisley are SU, as is the Riveting embellishment. The Polka Dot background is by Cornish Heritage and is available unmounted for a real savings (link at side).

Sympathy Card

SU Close As a Memory Set. I made this card last week and had no idea I would need to use it so soon. A coworker's mother just passed away.

Ghosties, Dots, and Piercing--Oh, my!

After a discussion on Ghosties on Gingerwood (see link at side) which are the clear plastic embellishments from Heidi Grace, I decided to see what I could do. This one is a Heidi Grace one but I did not like that it was clear and shiny and did not take ink well. So I used a nail buffer (after trying sandpaper, which only left it all scratched up). The nail buffer nicely and evenly made it hazy and more permeable to the Cranberry Adirondack ink that I rubbed into it. It is attached with a glue dot and a red rhinestone.

I also discovered that Ghosties can be made with the Cuttlebug using empty milk cartons, lids from Cool Whip, Ziplock disposable food containers, and other non clear thin plastic items--thanks to the GW ladies.

I made the dots around the red cardstock edge using the technique I mentioned yesterday on this blog. It was trickier with non-see through cardstock so I simply marked the back of the card as a guide for where the square would go. I also added ruler liines to my chipboard template so I could see from the front where my positioning was.

The white stitched line on the right is done with the Cutter Bee Piercing tool (reviewed in posts a couple of weeks or so back in this blog). I then used a white pen for stitching. The red stitching is done with a stamp from the Hero Arts first ribbon set.

WoooHoooo!

I got featured under Tutorials of Note! Check it out here: http://stampinwhenican.blogspot.com/

Color Dust Resist

The brush you see is a Color Duster by Judikins. For my money, these are the handiest little tools for less than $1.50 each. You simply use a dusting, not a pouncing motion, over your ink pad. Then use the same dusting motion to lay down color in layers on the card for an air brush look. Takes a bit of practice but it is fun and easy after you get the hang of it. Never wash your dusters as they will fall apart. You simply use one for each basic color group. The one you see is used for all pinks including light pink. You can dust off the color on old scrap paper but it will always be pink. You can swipe it over wet baby wipes if you accidentally forget and brush it over another color, but often you get a pleasant, yet unexpected result by using it with the ink you accidentally put on it. I have one I use for experimenting with different color combos and have come up with some really fun things.

This stamp is a Fancy Pants clear stamp, same set as the "Happy" sentiment on the blue card below. I stamped it with Versamark in clear on white cardstock. Then used clear embossing powder and heat set. When it was cool I began using my Color Dusters to make the flowers pop! Then rub the whole thing with a clean tissue to remove ink residue from the parts you want white. I used the SU ticket punch on the corners.

I used Bliss Blue for the background, Pretty in Pink, and Pink Passion for the flowers and Gable Green for the leaves.

Your Blog?

If you have a blog, I would LOVE to have you leave your address with any comments you make on my blog. I love to see what others are doing and then those who also read the comments here can visit your blog, too!

Build-a-Flower (Autumn Leaves)

Just a quick card I whipped up so I could try out the set below. The faux rick rack is made with a stamp from Hero Arts. The sentiment is from Paper Trey (link on left and down) as well as the design around the sentiment.

A reader asked if I also got this set at Walmart. I didn't but I understand that both Frugalities.com and Walmart have carried them on occasion.

Autumn Leaves Clear Stamps

Since the first set I got at Walmart for $8--much, much less than in the stamp stores, worked so well, I decided to get another set. Will let you know what I think after I get a card made soon.

Dry Embossing Dots! Thanks to Shellie

Shellie at GW came to my rescue this morning in helping me come up with a way to make dry embossed dots without buying yet another tool. She suggested I use a hole punch and chipboard. It was easier than I thought. I am not sure if you will be able to see it but I marked the dots around the circle so I would know where to punch before putting it on my light table to emboss.

The following 3 photos show (some not too well but they are there) cards done with this technique.

Dry Embossed Dots Border

This is the same technique around a square. Sentiment is Fancy Pants. The circle image is a punch out from Iota gift wrap.

Click on the picture and it will enlarge so you can really see the dots.

Another Dry Embossed "Dot" Card

Blurry Close Up of the Dots

Sorry, my camera does not do very close pictures very well, but I wanted to give you the feel of the dots anyway.

Answering Questions

I have been asked the following questions over the last week, so here goes with the answers:

Q-Do you really like those headless My Favorite Things stamps and why?

A-I not only like them, I love them. They seem more personal to me because I imagine anyone's head on those. OK, so I am weird. I don't like cartoon-y faces and so stamping with headless people makes me more comfortable. I love artistic freedom that the artist used in coming up with this idea. If you go to the main site, you can link to the artist and cards she makes for Target. I just love her style.

Q-How do you use your watercolor crayons?

A-Mine don't leave the tin box they are in all laid out in one layer. I use an aquabrush (brush filled with water) and just touch it to the crayon itself to pick up color. I let layers dry as I shade so paper does not get soggy.

Q-Could you please provide clickable links?

A-I have added several clickable links on the left down below. You may find what you are looking for there.

I would love to figure out how to do that using Safari and a MAC. I prefer Safari and have been told Foxfire will do this. I am just kind of lazy to have to remember to switch browsers. I am looking into it though and am going to ask a computer tech if there is any way to accomplish it simply.

Q-Do you feel any brand loyalty?

A-Nope. I buy what I like, what works, what is dependable.

Q-What do you think of the "Stamps for a Cause" that some companies are doing?

A-I think it is great they are fundraising for the charity of their choice. I think it is a wonderful idea and if I were a vendor you can bet I would do it too. That being said, I only buy stamps because I like them because if I really want to support a charity, I would like it to be the charity of my choosing. If I like the stamps to begin with, it is fine with me.

Colluzle Bookplate Template for Sale (SALE PENDING)

I ended up with 2 of these. They retail for $19.99 as you can see at http://www.coluzzle.com/products/detail.php?cl=coluzzle&scl=templates&cat=&item=44-5345

This one has never been used. $11 plus $3 for postage or $4.95 if you prefer priority. Insurance extra if you want it.

I use mine all the time and it really is a collection of great pieces. Email me at rubyslippers@neofast.net (CURRENTLY SALE IS NOW PENDING)

Thank a Teacher

Love this new MFT set. Background was done using the same method as the card below. The tablet lines at the bottom are made with SU's new ABC roller wheel. The message on the blackboard is also an SU stamp. Main image is colored with watercolor crayons. Edges sponged with Creamy Carmel ink on a dauber.

Back to School

WooHoo! I can post pictures again!

The main images are from My Favorite Things (thanks to the person who alerted me to my mistake in identifying) and the dress is done with the paper piecing/applique technique (instructions in my old blog--see link at the side). Designer paper is Basic Grey. I did the background by attaching my unmounted little alphabet to a block and repeatedly stamping the 3 rows in white on black.

As a teacher, I love to see stamps for my profession. I make cards for other teachers to celebrate Back to School time.

What Would You Like to See More Of?

Just wondering what you would like to see more of? More cards, reviews of products, tips, organization ideas? I aim to please and want to know what my readers really like. Post a comment and let me know.

Cutting EZ Mount Like Butter!

I bought this Walnut Hollow Creative Hot Knife for Women at Michaels for $14.99. It is one of the best purchases I have ever made. It includes a metal stand and 2 blades.

Yesterday I mounted 55 stamps using this and it was not only the easiest mounting job I have ever done, but the nicest looking, and kind of fun to do too!

This knife heats to 900 degrees and will cut the EZ mount around the pretrimmed rubber. I will include a link to a tutorial at the end of my review.

I had no trouble avoiding undercuting, cutting in small areas, or going around curves. You want to let the knife do the work by melting and not by dragging it to cut like you would an exacto knife. You must be sure to allow 5 minutes for heating. When you first heat it the smell is nasty. That goes away with each subsequent use. If the smell of the mounting foam, which is mild, bothers you, you may want to allow for more ventilation.

The directions say to use a tempered glass mat. My husband suggested the back of a glass cake pan as it is tempered for heat already. It worked beautifully.

Be sure to remove the backing paper and stick the non-sticky side of the foam right to the dish. The paper won't cut with the hot blade. Also be sure to cut your stamps closely, more closely than ever, since this tool cuts perfectly. The rubber will not melt and you don't have to worry about it at all as you go around the foam.

Stampinjay at Gingerwood suggested taping the stand to your glass pan/mat to keep it in place so this extremely hot tool does not fall onto your lap or leg. This tool is potentially very dangerous and you really need to keep it away from any possiblity of a child trying to use it.

Photo tutorial of this process is found here:
http://www.sundayint.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=236

You can see a photo tutorial at Sunday International.

SU Very Punny FOR SALE

This is a new unmounted set with blocks, labels, plastic box, etc. $15 includes priority shipping. Insurance extra, if you request insurance. Email me at rubyslippers@neofast.net if you are interested.

Reinker Storage

I found this spice rack at Storables in Seattle and use it for most of my frequently used reinkers.

Joan's Copic Marker Review

I consider Joan to be a true artist. She gave a much more detailed review than I did and I find her remarks to be right on. Check it out here: http://www.paper-and-ink.blogspot.com/

Glittered Style

SU stamps. Dress was stamped on pink paper and then Versamarked completely and coated in Stardust EP and then heated.

Copic Markers? I Don't Get Them

I finally had a chance to actually try these markers in an art store. They were in a package of 12 markers for $71.95. I expected them to be fabulous! I honestly could not tell a bit of difference between them and the Tombow markers I have used for years. They streak the same way and layer the same way. I won't be buying what appears to be a case of the emperor's new clothes.

Big News at Cornish

They are retiring a ton of stamps, including a boatload of backgrounds. And they are all on sale!

www.cornishheritagefarms.com

Garden Boots

Another Paper Trey card. Be sure to check out www.papertreyink.com for some of the best clear acrylics on the market. Their quaility and service are consistently superior.

Lavendar Flowers

Background and tag are SU. I believe the flowers may be Hero Arts.

Latchhook Canvas Sponged Background

Inspired by many cards I have seen done with the Art of Life SU set. I used latchhook canvas and sponged through it for the background.
NOTE: I did not use plastic canvas. I used latchhook canvas. It is like thin stiff string that has been starched and makes the grid pattern easily. VERY cheap, available at an craft store where they sell latchhook supplies.