Unmounted Sets for Sale

I have the 13 piece 2 Step Daisy set from SU. It has been unmounted and put on EZ mount cling. Moderately used but in good shape. $10 plus $2 shipping.

Autumn Leaves Clear stamps Swirls set. Has 9 pieces very gently used and no staining. $8 and $2 shipping.

Email me if interested at rubyslippers@neofast.net

Nesties Layering Box

I decided I needed a way to visually layer my Nestabilities so I could see what things would look like. When dealing with the Nesties themselves it was confusing as to which piece came from which set when doing multiple layering. I spent an evening cuttinig each shape from each large set in green. I then cut each shape from each small set in white. These can be used to see exactly what the results will look like and how they will fit in the intended space. I used a CD tin for the box. I printed the words on the computer on Avery sticky back paper (comes in a package in Office Supplies at Walmart) and then decorated it with an SU roller and French Blue Colorbox Chalk ink. It has already proved to be very helpful.

Kitchen Sink Stamps Arrived!

My 3 Step Daisies arrived yesterday. I ordered them only on Wednesday during the sale and they are here already and I have made 5 cards with them that I will post in the future. The quaility of the stamps is as good as the best clear companies I purchase from. Additionally, the directions that come on the back of the packet are awesome. The site also has a detailed tutorial on using these stamps. Once you have it down, they are a breeze to use. I did use a black Sharpie on the backs of some of them to help with positioning and make it easy at a glance. One of my favorite surprises with this company was the free clear thank you stamp that came in the set. It is an adorable snowflake that says Thank You repeatedly around the edge. I have already made a couple of thank you cards with it. It is such a cute stamp that had they had it for sale I would have bought it for sure. So, here you have it, another company that gets an A+ in every area! (I also want to add that one stamp had a couple of minor defects. Within a few hours of emailing Maria, she got back to me and is mailing me a replacement stamp. Now that is the kind of customer service that will have me going back again!!

Blog Candy On the Way

My counter hit 50,000 this morning and so that means it is time for blog candy. I need to do a little more planning before I announce what it will be and how you can get it, but watch this blog for an announcement in the next couple of days. I have been collecting some really cool goodies for a lucky reader.

Chilly Day

This is another card done with the MFT Baby, It's Cold Outside set. I got the ribbon at All That Scraps, which is my current favorite ribbon source. This is colorred with markers and a Dove blender pen.

Snowy Tree

This stamp (brand unknown) is my one of my favorite tree stamps to do winter scenes with. I used a white crayon for crayon resist on glossy cardstock. The whole thing is embossed with Versamark and Stardust EP.

I Know Exactly What I Like

When I first started stamping I could go in a stamp store and want almost every stamp. Over the years I got pickier. When I first started stamping, if I wanted a dragonfly, almost any dragonfly would do. As time went on, I could look at a dozen dragonfly stamps and maybe only one would appeal to me. I used to agonize over which stamps/stamp sets to buy. Now, I almost always immediately have a very strong reaction to a set I end up buying and don't buy the sets that are "kinda" OK. In other words, I know at first glance if I have to "have" a set or not and that opinion really does not change. The instant I saw Inkadinkadoo's Birds Galore it was just IT. I knew instantly that I wanted that set. Same thing with MFT's Baby It's Cold.

The delightful result of this is that the stamps I have bought in the last couple of years really do get used rather than using them once or twice and putting them on a shelf. If I really love a set, I will use it over and over making it well worth the money I spent on it. Any set that doesn't just grab me hard immediately doesn't get purchased. Rarely, but very rarely, a set will grow on me. That set will be risky for me to buy as it may or may not become a loved set. The sets that grow on me are fewer and fewer. I am really glad that my desires have evolved to this. I can also put things in perspective. If I love it and it is in good quality clear stamps, then I will buy it. If it is red rubber, I have to really, really love it to want to add it to my collection. In the last year I have only purchased a handful of red rubber stamps and most of those were individual and unmounted. My clear collection has grown by leaps and bounds. Being able to perfectly position is just a dream come true. Additionally, in my opinion, the clear stamp companies seem to be the more innovative these days. They are putting out the designs that do grab me.

Over the years I have also learned which stamps are most versatile, which lend themselves to favorite techniques, which are going to take so much time that I probably won't really end up using them, and which I will bore with quickly.

It is just SUCH a relief, LOL!! to finally know my own mind where stamps are concerned.

Penguin Snow Angel

This was stamped in black on Stardream White and then colored with markers. I used a decorative corner punch to do the corners. Stampendous is the brand of the penguin stamp and it has been a favorite for years.

Hear the Snow Crunch

I love this set and am not sure when I am going to move on, so bear with me. Images from MFT, background is SU Canvas, and I don't know where I got the sentiment.

Vintage Sledders

This is a Paper Inspirations stamp. I love their vintage style and they are out of my home state, Montana. I stamped this in black and then tinted it.

Snowgirl!

I used the MFT set Baby, It's Cold for this card. The background is done with the SU roller. I embossed my stitched ribbon with the word from the MFT set. I used Stickles for the snow. It is colored with markers and a Dove Blender. This set is rather new but already well used.

Here is the Gina K Post That Touched Me

Click on the title of this post and it will take you to the post of Dec. 10, 2006 that Gina wrote that I referred to in my post just below this one. Our family has gone through some very painful things in the last few years such as my hearing loss, my son's illness, my husband being diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 49, as well as the loss of 2 parents. I was having a very difficult time the night I read what Gina had written and it helped me so much. I am impressed to link it for you as I am sure there are others out there who might find the peace that Gina's words gave me that night.

Gina K Reads My Blog!

I feel like a teenage girl who has been smiled at by Donny Osmond! Gina K (click the title of this post and it will take you to her blog) is one of THE nicest ladies in the business and is a wonderful artist, designer, and business woman. She is the maker of Gina K stamps and they can be purchased at All That Scraps that I mentioned in my previous post today. I do have some Gina stamps, but did not review her because I have not ordered directly from her, instead I have gone through All That Scraps. She recently took all her stamps unmounted so I will be looking at her things in the future to add to my collection.

Gina left a comment on my last post and I am so excited! I don't know if Gina remembers, but probably a year or two ago she posted something personal that deeply touched me spiritually. It was a true answer to prayer for me and was more helpful than she will ever know. I emailed her about it and she emailed me right back. I really did not know who she was at that time. It was before she was selling her own stamp line and had her own company. While I don't post at SCS, I have read many of Gina's comments and she is unfailingly gracious even in the midst of some of the foolishness that goes on at that site. Her character shows through in so many ways. She is a true witness to the way a professed Christian who really lives her beliefs would respond. So Gina, if you read this, just know you are one of my stamping heroes!

Donna's Stamp Company Review for 2007

One of my readers asked if I would review the companies I have purchased from online this year and let her know about quality, service, etc. So here goes. All of them are linked at the left if you scroll down.

Paper Trey: The stamps are totally awesome and I have never been disappointed. A bit pricey but the creativity and quality of the stamps make it well worth it. Customer service is good and shipping is reasonably fast most times and free over $40. It used to be excellent, but as they have grown they are a little slower to respond but still fall in the good range. They tend to have a lot of back orders though which is frustrating. I had one order held up due to this and when I ordered it showed up as in stock on their site. Their cardstock is fantastic to use with Nestabilities because it embosses so well! I give them an A-.

All That Scraps: This company is wonderful. Shipping is very fast and is free over $10. Customer service is outstanding. Christine emails when items you have inquired about are back in stock. She answers emails very quickly and lets you know when your item has shipped. I love her selection of ribbons and other small items in addition to her carrying My Favorite Things stamps which I love. A+ for this one.

OnyxXpressions: I did a preorder for Christmas stamps around Thanksgiving. They came late enough that there was no way I could use them for my Christmas cards. I LOVE their images but I have decided that the shiny black rubber just does not stamp well enough for me no matter what I do to them. I have 2 of their stamps and unless they change their rubber I won't be ordering again. I can neither see the black ink on the black rubber resulting in uncleaned stamps and uninked places on images. I give them a D+ hesitantly-- because I love the images, but the stamps just don't cut it for me.

SmArtWorks Stamps: Fast shipping, excellent service, good communication, wonderful stamp quality and excellent stamp images. I absolutely could not be happier which means they get A+ from this stamper.

ImpressRubberStamps: Located in Seattle, I both buy online and visit the store when I am in the area. I have visited 3 of their stores and am consistently met with clerks who go the extra mile, no problems with making returns, lots of creative ideas, a HUGE selection of things I like. When I order they ship quickly and I have never had a problem with an order. I give this company A+.

A Muse: I have purchased their stamps online, in their store, and in other stores. Customer service is excellent and they were SO nice in the store. I love their stuff but I do think their things, particularly the Elzybells stuff is priced pretty high. I give them an B+ only for the high prices. If they went clear and dropped their prices a bit, they would be on my A+ list.

Green Grass: I have ordered once and was pleased with quality, service, shipping, and their cute designs. I wish they had more to choose from and will order in the future. Another A+ company.

Verve Visual: Ditto the comments above and I will give them an A+ too.

Cut At Home: I love this company. Their monthly 40% off is a wonderful treat. Customer service is outstanding and Marci is excellent at communication. She also combined shipping for me on a backordered order with a current order and saved me dollars! I have only purchases Nestabilities, but am very impressed with this company!! Another A+ from this stamping teacher.

Cornish Heritage: Fast ship, wonderful stamps, many options---love the EZ mount. A nice forum with tips and excellent customer service. I ordered from them a few years ago before they were all the rage and made a mistake in my order. Liz fixed it by phone and was so nice about it. A few weeks ago I made another error on the kind of foam I ordered and she not only fixed it but didn't even charge me the difference. Another A+ company!!

Sideshow Stamps, River City, World Win Papers: I have done very minimal business with these companies this year but was pleased with all of them. World Win sent me a very generous gift at no charge and I was delighted. I will be buying from these companies in the future.

Stampin' Up: While not online I have an awesome demo and just wanted to tell her that I appreciate all she does. As for SU, I just want them to go unmounted so much!! Also, those darn poorly constructed ink pads are very frustrating. I have not seen the new catalog yet, so I don't know what I will "need", but I LOVE their paper and inks and colors! Even if they don't go UM I will be buying my cardstock and inks from them.

A Warm Cup of Cocoa

I think all stamps are Hero Arts, but am truly not sure. I used white Fabric Applique for the whipped cream. I love this little cup stamp and it has been one of my very well used stamps.

Jingle All the Way

I still have so many ideas for Christmas cards that I wanted to do. Not sure if I will be able to move on to Valentine's or not:) I guess some snow cards might work for the interim. I just love Christmas stamping so much!

We had a wonderful holiday and I hope you did too! (I got Josh Groban's Noel CD too!)

Merry Christmas

Stamps are by Gelatins and the branches are SU. The Ribbon is from Michael's. The brads are faux brads from JoAnn.

All Is Calm Snowglobe

This is somewhat aCASE from a RAK from Jan B. I changed the colors and added ribbon and used a different Cuttelbugged background, but it was definitely "inspired".

Happy Christmas Eve

White Poinsettias

The flowers are SU. The sentiment is from a clear $1 JoAnn set. The sparkle is Red Stickles.

Merry and Bright Sledder

Main image is by SmArtWorks. The sentiment is by Green Grass Stamps. Paper is DCVW Christmas Glitter Stack. I watercolored this with Caran d'Arche watercolor crayons.

Rudolph With Your Nose So Bright

I love this little Rudy stamp. I think he was a $1 one I got a few years ago. The striped paper strip is Memory Box. I colored him with markers and used red Stickles for the nose. The ribbon is from JoAnn. Background is SU Houndstooth in a bit darker than the red paper (shows in real life).

Joy

Another Paper Trey card. Background is Cuttlebugged with the Texture folder. The gold strip next to the green was done with redliner tape and gold EP. I am thinking I need to get some new gold EP. It seems to have gotten kind of dark over the years. I probably should not have bought it in bulk.

Pink PaperTrey Tree

The tree is from Paper Trey, greeting is from a packet of clear $1 stamps from JoAnn. Paper is Memory Box and the ribbon is from All That Scraps.

Faux Paper Trey Stamps

I did not buy the Take a Bough set from Paper Trey. Instead I made do with some things I had. The branch is a masked tree. I just masked off one section to make a branch. The ornament is from my Memory Box Vintage Ornaments clear set. The sentiment is from Green Grass Stamps. I used opal Liquid Pearls for the snow.

Paint Print Poinsettias

Another quick Christmas card. I made a few for last minute cards. I thought I had enough cards this year, but I really miscalculated this time. I love this set because it is so versatile.

Merry, Merry, Merry

This card was made with Green Grass Stamps. They had a sale on them in November and I am enjoying using the whole set. I like that some are a bit retro looking.

The Best of the Fuzzy Marie Pictures

See post below for details. BTW, her concert was VERY family friendly. I appreciated that .

Marie Osmond--the one clear picture

I took my mom to a Marie Osmond Christmas concert last night. It was 2 hours of wonderful. Taking pictures was extremely hard. I got one clear picture. Yep, this is it--LOL! She came down into the audience and shook our hands. We had fantastic seats, but the lighting and the movement did not allow for good stage pictures at all. Oh, well, I do know what she looks like and we were close enough to see that she looks exactly like she does on TV. That woman really has energy. She had all her 8 kids there and they performed. Her oldest son really has a voice and stage persona. A day of shopping, dinner at Olive Garden, and this concert made for a wonderful day.

Anyone Know Where To Find this Set?

I have seen such cute cards made with this Inkadinkado set. On the Heartfelt Greetings blog (I emailed for permission to use this picture but have not heard back--hope it is OK) she showed this picture. I have no name for the set and so am showing you this to see if you recognize it. It is not on the Inkadinkado site at all and yesterday I went to a store that carried them (out of town) and they said they cannot order it because they have no numbers for it and have not seen it before. Help would be appreciated. It is a clear set.

Vintage Santa

This was done with the Crafty Secrets Vintage Christmas set. It is hard to see but I embossed a flourish stamp on the vanilla background in white. The paper is Figgy Pudding by Basic Gray. I used Nesties for the circles and then used Platinum Stickles around the Santa. I used Cranberry Adironadack for Santa and Old Olive SU ink for the sentiment (also from Crafty Secrets). I have no idea where the ribbon came from.

One of My Best Cards

I think this is one of the best cards I have done lately. I love red! I used the MFT Baby, It's Cold Outside set colored with markers and a Dove Blender pen. I used Stickles for the snow. The DP is DCVW Christmas Glitter Pack paper. I used Nesties for the rectangle and for the 3 oval. I used my Cutter Bee Piercer for the edges and went over that with my white gel pen (I get mine from www.jetpen.com and pay less--identical to the SU ones). The snowflakes are from the MFT set.

Frosty Gets Caught

CASE or Coincidence

Click on the title of this post and it will take you to Amy Rysavy's blog and you will see a card that looks so much like mine (except her coloring is a whole lot better LOL)! Now, I am positive that this card I made last night has never been seen by Amy and there is no way I had seen her card when I made this because she did not post it until this morning, within minutes of when I was photographing mine. I think this is a good example of why we can never be sure that anything is CASED (copied).

I love your card, Amy, and you totally inspire me, but this time was a coincidence or else you are attempting to channel through me.

This set is so much fun to use. My set has been traveling around the US for nearly 2 weeks. It started in TN, went to NJ, went to Chicago, ended up in Federal Way, WA last Wed!! and did not make it to me until 5PM last night! I am loving it and it was well worth the wait.

So Honored!

Click the title of this post and it will link you to QKD Bloggers where I was chosen to be featured!! What an honor!!

Winter Ornament

I love light blue and black together and so I made this faux ornament with my Coluzzle. I never did get one of those special staplers for the thick decorative staples since I figured out that I could just put the staple through the paper and bend it over in the back with my bone folder. I used one to make the top of the ornament. All stamps by SU.

Penny Black Background Stamp

The background is Adirondack Pesto Ink on Old Olive SU cardstock. The trees and sentiment are Penny Black stickers which coordinate with Penny Black stamps. I just layered them onto colored cardstock to make them stand out. I believe the trees and sentiment used to be available as stamps but retired. I found the background scrollwork border (I just lined it up and repeated it) in a sale bin at Apropos stamp shop in Spokane, WA a couple of years ago. Got the stickers there too. I added tiny bits of clear Stickles here and there on the trees. Very simple and easy card! Also, I used a Krylon Gold marker along the top and bottom edges.

A Very Vintage Christmas

Image are from Crafty Secrets Vintage Christmas and are colored with watercolor crayons on SU Vanilla cardstock. I am so glad I bought this set. I love every image in it. I used the branches and berries from the SU Peaceful Wishes set.

Peaceful and Bright

Very similar to another card I posted. This is done with Peaceful Wishes and the sentiment is from Green Grass stamps (link at side). The background is done using the Peaceful Wishes greenery in white. Ribbon is from Michael's.

Happy Holidays

I used the retired Poinsetta SU roller with white ink for contrast. Not sure where the sentiment comes from. This is another fast and easy card. I also did some with Happy New Year for the sentiment.

Cornish Background Christmas Card

I used the new Cornish Grid background in white on black for this card. The flowers are punched and I added sparkle to some with Twinkling H20's. The sentiment is from a $1 set from JoAnn and the ribbon is also from JoAnn.

Home for the Holidays

Note: Click on the image to see the detail.

I used Paper Trey white cardstock and my Nestabilities to do the embossing. IMO, Paper Trey cardstock gives the deepest and crispest dry emboss. I do not know the source of the image and the sentiment comes from a packet of clear $1 stamps I got at JoAnn. They are called g-clear stamps. I used Stickles for the sparkle after I used watercolor crayons to color. The snowflake on the corner is from Heidi Grace and the pink center is from a packet I got at JoAnn.

Delivering Christmas Joy

I used the word window punch to do the sentiment. The truck is stamped on red and then shaded with markers. I used the masking technique to add the little Christmas tree.

Penny Black Ornament

I really love this color combination year round. The main card is Bazille.

Clean and Simple Christmas Card

I stamped the quilt image in green as if it were a wreath. I used the red wrought iron corner punch to contrast. This card was a very fast card and I may make some to use as thank you cards.

Penny Black Christmas

This is another card done with a PB Christmas sticker from last years's stash. It is on SU Real Red Cardstock. These make quick cards in a pinch, although I much rather stamp.

Polar Pals

Love this little retired SU set. I used Stickles for the glitter. I used the snowflake to frame this. I have made several cards with this set.

Christmas 2007 Card

I made about 50 of this particular card to send this year. I also made some others. This is made with SU Peaceful Wishes, Basic Grey Fruitcake paper, and a sentiment from Hero Arts (I think). I used red Stickles for the berries.

Paper Trey Christmas

This is the Paper Trey Santa. I wanted to use less traditonal colors. The leaves are Penny Black. Borders are Technique Tuesday. I colored directly on the PB stamp.

Figgy Scrap Trees

Sentiment is from Green Grass Stamps. The trees are leftover Figgy Pudding Basic Grey scraps.

10 Club Card

This is one of the 10 club cards we made this month. It is completely covered with Heat n' Stick and then with Dazzling Diamond glitter.

SNOW!

Santa & Reindeer & Elves, Oh, My!!

Sentiment is from Green Grass Stamps. Image is a $1 stamp from JoAnn. Paper is from Memory Box.

Let it Snow!

I love the Nestabilities and it occurred to me that maybe I could also cut Cuttlebugged paper. Works very well and the result was this card with the silver background.

Breaking News

Verve Visual has gone clear! I have purchased their unmounted red rubber but today they have announced they have gone clear and are releasing 6 sets! Check them out by clicking on the title of this post above and it will take you right there.

Snowman Window

I really had fun using my Nestabilities to do this card. I also want to say that this card was inspired by another blog, but I can no longer locate the source. I don't think it is an exact case but am pretty sure that the color combo and the window were something I have seen before. Background of the main piece is the Handstiched SU background that retired long ago. I originally bought one, never used it and then sold it. Of course, a few months later I just really needed it so bought a used one on ebay and have been happily using it ever since. The ribbon is from JoAnn and it looks like I got their last roll. Went back yesterday and they had no more.

The Right Shoes

The images are from Hero Arts, the sentiment from Paper Trey, the green border is Technique Tuesday, and the paper is from the DCVW Christmas Glitter Stack.

Nugget Label Tip

People have asked again how I get my labels for the tins stamped evenly when the edges of the labels are so hard to see. They really ARE hard to see. So, to make this easier I take a colored 3 x 3 post it note. I lay the top sticky edge right along the seam horizontally between 2 labels. I use that as my guide and stamp. Then I just move it up to the next label and get perfect positioning every time!

A Blue Christmas

The images are from Perfect Presentation and the lower background is Houndstooth. Ribbon is from JoAnn. I used red Stickles on the left image and clear Stickles and on the right. I do not know the source of the designer paper. The circle around the North Pole image is from the Paper Trey Borders and Corners Circle set.

Dear Santa

Background stamp is the new CHF Lined Paper. I think the cookies and milk are A Muse. I used a gel pen to do the writing.