Running With Scissors...

February's Featured Stamps, Card #1

It's the first Monday of a new month, and that means it's time to make a new selection from among my many stamps and bring them out for a weekly spin.  Last month I used a set that was new to me.  This month I've chosen, not a set, but a collection of stamps I've had for years -- almost all the way back to when I first started stamping.  Since February is Valentine month, I thought it would be fun to bring out these Running Rhino designs which were sold years ago by Uptown Rubber Stamps. 

I absolutely love these stamps!  I know it's not the usual sort of thing you see me using, but I've got plenty of this kind of stamp in my stash and I aim to use them.  I simply cannot seem to settle down to one stye or another, and I don't imagine it's necessary, anyway.  Stamping is all about fun and self expression, and I believe with Running Rhino it's going to be a great month.

You can't find these stamps anymore.  You can find Running Rhino posters, and a scant few items featuring Running Rhino art, but no stamps, tsk, tsk.  I colored the image with Copics, staying close the colors on the stamp label.  It was easier having the colors already decided, and these earthy, rich colors are immensely appealing to me.  The mats were cut free-hand, roughly following the lines of the image.  I glued the white and Curry mats together before I embossed them in the Cuttlebug.  I stamped the image a second time and colored just the heart, cut it out and popped it up on foam mounting tape.

I've got to run now, before too much more time gets away from me.  I'll be back tomorrow with Ruby Tuesday.  Hope to see you then!  Have a great day!

Stamps:  Running Rhino Nature Heart for Uptown Rubber Stamps, Stampin' Up! Holidays & Wishes (sentiment)  Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, SU! Crushed Curry, Flourishes Classic White, retired SU! designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Chocolate Chip, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, rhinestones, Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Favorite Things

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Please join me on the Flourishes Newsletter.

I'd love to tell you about a few of my favorite things.  The article I've written is right here.

Thank you so much for dropping in!
 

                     

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Ruby Tuesday: Stella and Hero Arts

Hello to all my stamping friends on this very Ruby Tuesday!  I have a simple card to share today.  I say "simple" because there's no coloring, and the layout is made from scraps which just sort of fit together.  All the stamps are Hero Arts (possibly retired), including the zig zag stitch.  It looks very real, doesn't it? 

To get the color on the foliage, I inked the stamp with Saffron, then touched it up with a Ruby Red marker directly on the rubber.  The Ruby Red card base was stamped with SU!'s retired Linen background in the same color.  Of all stamps to retire...good heavens... why that one?  It makes any paper appear textured.  You can even feel it somewhat.  You can click on the picture for an enlarged view.  Oh, happy day!  I've always wanted to have photos that enlarged when clicked, but I couldn't do it on my old blog.

The flower is Hero Arts, also -- found at my local scrapbook store.  This particular flower tied in nicely with the Ruby and Saffron color combo.  The flower center is a Rain Dot, similar to Dew Drops but self-adhesive, and a sheet contains varying sizes.  This one is a translucent saffron shade, but to enhance the color, I adhered it to Saffron cardstock and trimmed around it, then fixed it to the flower using a glue dot.  This will be an easy card to mail, and those are my favorite kind!

Thanks for sharing your time today.  It's so nice that you could stop by.  Have a great day!

Stamps:  Foliage, sentiment, zig zag stitch by Hero Arts, Linen background by Stampin' Up!  Paper:  Ruby Red, So Saffron, Flourishes Classic Ivory, BasicGray Stella Ruby designer paper  Ink:  Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Ruby Red classic ink and marker  Accessories:  Hero Arts flower, Rain Dot, brads

January's Featured Stamp Set, Card #4

It's the last Monday of the month and, therefore, my last card with the stamp set I chose for a weekly inking in January -- just my way of making sure I use my stamps, rather than let them lay neglected.  I find it so easy to collect stamps, and I always have good intentions... I imagine all the fun I'll have coloring and designing.  The truth is, I do most of my online shopping when I'm feeling worn out and uninspired from the work day.  Creativity does not come to me on work nights.  Hmmmm... let's weigh the difference... work nights/weekends -- a little out of balance, isn't it?  But that's the way it is.  I have more stamps than time to stamp.

My stamps are from Impression Obsession.  The trowel is from a set called Gardening, but the sentiment is not part of the set.  It can be found in the Daffodils & Mixed Flowers set, but I'm not sure if it can be purchased separately.  These stamps came to me as a gift at Christmas from someone who knows exactly how I feel about my time in the garden.  I couldn't have said it better, though I've tried in my past garden posts, such as this one, or perhaps this post will speak to you more.  The garden brings me to my senses, puts life in perspective and gives me my bearings in the world.  During the long, gray days of winter the memory becomes a little dim, but I did see the first crocus in the garden today.  Poor thing was all wet and bedraggled, but it held warmth and sunshine in its pretty yellow blooms.

I sponged the sentiment/image panel with Barely Banana ink and colored the trowel with Copics.  The lattice edge is Spellbinders Lattice Borderabilities, and the flower is a Prima.

Next month I'll focus on some different stamps from my stash.  You know, when you think of a stamp set in terms of entertainment value, the time and pleasure of creating even four cards from a set represents more value than most comparably priced forms of entertainment.  Ahhhhh, I feel better now.  Hope you do, too!  Have a great day!

Stamps:  Impression Obsession  Paper:  Vanilla, textured white, BasicGrey Lemonade designer paper  Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Linen thread, Prima flower, copper brads, Spellbinders Curved Rectangle Nestabilities and Lattice Borderabilities, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

A Little Bit Vintage

I really wasn't thinking vintage when I made this card.  I was just playing around with my new Lace Edges set, making a background which could be used as a complement to one of Flourishes other images -- nothing in particular in mind.  When I went browsing through my sets I decided I'd like to stamp something other than the flowers I usually reach for... and then I remembered Mixed Greetings. 

I do like this set with its choice of three different bowls and either mixed fruit, a plant, or a pile of mail to place in the bowls.  There are also three different greetings included in the set.  Today, however, I thought of one of my newest greetings from the Tag Lines set, and how well it would work with this selection.  It's nice to have choices!

About the background:  The upper panel has one of the lace medallions stamped repeatedly in Pale Plum on Flourishes Classic Ivory.  The lower panel is a bit of BasicGrey Stella Ruby designer paper stamped with a chocolate lace border.  I love how it appears as though the design might simply be a part of the paper, itself.  Gives me all sorts of ideas for making my own designer paper, something I truly enjoy.

About the image:  The bowl is actually a solid image stamp with only the upper border open for coloring.  To give it a little shading, I stamped it in Ranger Distress Vintage Photo and added shading with Copics.  I don't know what it is about the Ranger inks, but they seem to work equally well for both watercoloring and coloring with Copics.  Before I purchased my first Memento inks, I used Ranger inks all the time with my alcohol markers (Prismacolor and Copics) and experienced not one bit of smearing.  The mail was stamped with the same Ranger ink and lightly shaded with Copic E25, a beige tone, giving it an aged appearance.  I cut out the bowl and the mail separately and popped them up on the oval.

Once everything was all put together,  I thought it did look a little bit vintage, and that brings me around to Cindy's post on the Flourishes Newsletter today.  Cindy set out to make something intentionally vintage, beautifully vintage, and she's sharing what was on her mind as she did so.  I hope you'll enjoy visiting her there.

The recipe below shares the product links I have available.  I'm very grateful for your visit today.  I'm not sure how many readers I have left since I moved to my new site... time will tell.  Life is an adventure.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Stamps:  Mixed Greetings, Lace Edges, Tag Lines  Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Classic Ivory, BasicGrey Stella Ruby Designer paper  Ink:  Ranger Distress Vintage Photo, Chocolate Chip, Pale Plum, Copics Flesh Tones 2 Collection  Accessories:  Ribbon, pearls, Spellbinders Oval Nestabilities and Flourish Accents Shapeabilities, SU! Modern Label punch, Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

A Valentine for My BFF

Hello, and welcome to another day on my all-new blog.  It feels all new to me because it's so different, not only in appearance, but in management aspects.  I've spent quite a lot of time getting to know it and working on things behind the scenes.  I haven't been able to import my old blog yet, but I've provided a link to it -- notice the bar along the lower edge of the banner... click on "My SCS Blog" and it will take you directly to three year's worth of blogging.  Three years!  I can hardly believe I've been at this that long!

I'll confess I rather like the idea of starting out fresh.  My only regret is that I don't know how, or if there is a way to transfer all your subscriptions over to this blog.  For now, I can only say a quick click on the subscribe link under my photo will take you to a number of options, inluding getting delivery by email.  Thank you for your patience and tolerance while I stumble along.

Today's card was made with two of Flourishes' brand new sets -- Angelic Love (locket and BFF) and Lace Edges.  I stamped the locket, masked it and then stamped the lace trim.  The combined shape of the trim and locket fit very nicely in the scalloped heart Nestie.  All the coloring was done with Copics, and Saffron shading was sponged onto the heart shape while the die was still in place.  The scrumptious silk ribbon, the frame under the heart, the corner accents, and the rhinestones are all from Flourishes, as well.  Funny thing... the corner accents are from the Spellbinders Foliage Frame Frameabilities set, but they aren't included in the product photo.

I'll sum up the ingredients in the recipe below, and wish you a wonderful day.  Take care!

Stamps:  Angelic Love, Lace Edges (Flourishes)  Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Crushed Curry, Flourishes Classic Ivory, 7 Gypsies designer paper  Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa, Close to Cocoa, Crushed Curry  Accessories:  Silk ribbon, rhinestones, Spellbinders Foliage Frame Frameabilities and Scalloped Heart Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Ruby Tuesday: Stella's Primrose

Stella's feeling feminine today -- all dressed up in lace and scallops and wearing a pretty flower.

Stella is BasicGrey Stella Ruby designer paper, in case you aren't familiar with Ruby Tuesdays.  Today I covered the entire card front with Stella, and added the center panel with just a bit of the floral pattern peeking out from behind the image oval.  It's that floral pattern that inspired me to choose this particular stamp from Flourishes' A Year in Flowers, Set 1.  I coordinated the colors as closely as possible, using Sweet Pea and Fields Copic Collections, also from Flourishes.  There's a touch of yellow mixed into the background, as well as the flower centers, and brown gives a little more shading at the base of the plant.  Stella finished off her ensemble with ribbon and pearls, and now she's ready to step out like a lady.

I'm so glad you could pay a visit to Stella today.  She loves company!  Take care, and have a good day!

Stamps:  A Year in Flowers, Set 1  Paper:  Ivory card base (covered with paper), Cameo Coral, Flourishes Classic White, BasicGreyStella Ruby designer paper  Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Offray ribbon, lace, pearls, Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Oval Nesties, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

January's Featured Stamp Set, Card #3

So far, so good... I really appreciate you all pitching in to help me get my new blog started.  Your comments were very helpful and encouraging.  Thank you!

I chose this Impression Obsession Gardening set to get good and inky this month, posting a card every Monday in January.  It's such a cheerful set and makes very happy cards!  We're in the middle of a storm at the moment -- lights flickering, distant thunder, lots of thumping and rattling going on outside with the wind gusts -- but looking at these summery colors surrounded by my bright and shiny new blog is like basking in sunshine!

I couldn't have been more pleased to find this button in my stash -- what a perfect match with the shade of blue and the planter of pink roses.  All the coloring was done with Copics.

I'm going to make this quick because I've spent far too much time on the computer this weekend already.  I hope you enjoy the card!  Have a happy Monday!

Stamps:  Impression Obsession Gardening, Hero Arts sentiment  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White, BasicGrey Urban Prairie designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Offray ribbon, button, linen thread, Elegant Bouquet embossing folder (Stampin' Up!), Scotch brand foam mounting tape

A Few Favorites From 2009

Thank you so much for making the trip over here to my new blog!  I wanted to prepare a post to welcome you and give you a little something to see when you got here.  Since I haven't yet been able to import everything from old blog to new, I took a sampling of some of my 2009 favorites.  The month and the recipe are written above each photo.  I hope you enjoy!

January

Stamps:  Swan Song by Firecracker Designs, Toile Blossoms (retired SU!)

Paper:  Whisper White, Very Vanilla textured, SU! retired Enchante designer paper

Ink:  Palette Noir, Prismacolor markers

Accessories:  Offray ribbon, velvet ric rac, Kaiser flat-backed pearls, Spellbinders Labels 1 dies, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

  

February

Stamps:  Strut Your Stuff

Paper:  White cardstock base, BasicGrey Euphoria designer paper, Neenah Classic Solar White

Ink:  Versamark

Accessories:  Ribbon, Kaiser flat-backed pearls, Spellbinders dies, white and blue embossing powder, Twinkling H2O’s, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

 

March

Stamps: Sweet Peas (Flourishes)
Paper: Blush textured, white textured, watercolor
Ink: Palette Umber, various Stampin' Up! inks for watercoloring
Accessories: Satin ribbon, pearls, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

 

April

Stamps: Sweet Violets (Flourishes)
Paper: Certainly Celery, Pale Plum, watercolor, retired SU! designer paper (Enchante?)
Ink: Palette Umber, Pretty in Pink, Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Pale Plum
Accessories: Ribbon & crochet trim, ribbon slide, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

 

May

Stamps: Nasturtiums (from Flourishes)
Paper: Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, watercolor, Neenah Classic Solar White, retired Stampin’ Up! designer paper
Ink: Palette Umber, Prismacolor markers for coloring
Accessories: Ribbon, flower brad, Spellbinders oval dies, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

June

Stamps:  Bareback, Flannel Plaid, Just Jeans, By Definition, Baroque Motifs, Toile Blossoms, Warm Words  Paper:  So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, watercolor  Ink:  Palette Umber, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue (sky), Prismacolor markers  Accessories:  Polytwill ribbon, ribbon slide, Spellbinders dies (for cutting the image panel and mat), Scotch brand foam mounting tape

 

July

Stamps:  Unknown, but art by Sherry Nelson  Paper:  Brocade Blue, watercolor  Ink:  Palette Noir, various SU! inks (pads, reinkers, markers) for watercoloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, pearls, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

 

August

Stamps:  Gerbera Daisies (Flourishes)  Paper:  PTI Lemon, Flourishes Clasic White, BasicGrey Urban Prairie designer paper  Ink:  Ranger Distress Walnut Stain, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, brads, label punch, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

 

September

Stamps:  Cottage Home (upcoming Flourishes release)  Paper:  Classic White, BasicGrey June Bug designer paper (both from Flourishes), Whisper White, Crushed Curry (Stampin’ Up!)  Ink:  Ranger Distress Walnut Stain, Chocolate Chip, Prismacolor markers for coloring  Accessories:  Silk ribbon from Flourishes, Spellbinders dies, Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

 

October

Stamps:  Falling Leaves  Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, More Mustard, Classic Ivory, 7 Gypsies Gypsy Market designer paper  Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa, vanilla, saffron, chocolate, Prismacolor markers for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, copper cord, rhinestones & rhinestone leaves, Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder

 

November

Stamps:  Forest of Trees, Holiday Greetings  Paper:  Classic White  Ink:  Versamark, Soft Sky, Bayou Blue  Accessories:  Ribbon, pearls, Spellbinders Curved Rectangles Nestabilities and Flourish Accents Shapeabilities, silver detail embossing powder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

 

December

Stamps:  Fall Flowers, Fall Quotes  Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, watercolor, Stampin’ Up! Razzleberry Lemonade designer paper  Ink:  Palette Umber, various SU! inks for watercoloring and sentiment  Accessories:  Chocolate polytwill ribbon, brads, Martha Stewart Arched Lattice border punch, oval punch, Spellbinders Double-Ended Tags

 

Thank you!

Blog List: Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen Design Team, Current & Alumni

Treat yourself to some eye candy.  These designers are amazing!

Amy Sheffer: http://pickledpaperdesigns.blogspot.com

Angie Zublionis - http://quackingcreations.blogspot.com/

Anna Wight: http://sweetmissdaisy.typepad.com/

Beate Johns: http://beate.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Becca Feeken: http://www.amazingpapergrace.com

Betty Wright http://gbedwright.blogspot.com/

Bev Rousch http://bevithia.blogspot.com

Bonnie Sharp: www.theluckyclucker.blogspot.com

Broni Holcombe:  http://bronih.typepad.com/splashesofwatercolor/

Cambria Turnbow: http://cambriaturnbow.blogspot.com/

Candy Williams:  http://cwilliams.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Carolina Buchting: http://www.creativepad.typepad.com/

Cindy Haffner: http://cindyhaffnerscorner.blogspot.com/

Cindy Lawrence: http://onehappystamper.typepad.com/

Cindy Lyles: http://www.starlitstudio.blogspot.com/

Cindy Motherway: http://www.mothermark.blogspot.com/

Christine Okken www.christinecreations.blogspot.com

Carole Burrage - http://motherslittlehelper.typepad.com

Dawn Easton: http://www.TreasureOilerDesignz.blogspot.com/

Deb Felts: http://withastampandasong.blogspot.com/

Deb Saaranen http://deborahlynnesdreamincolor.blogspot.com/

Debbie Olson http://www.debbiedesigns.typepad.com/

Denise Marzec: www.thepaperlandscaper.blogspot.com

Diane Zechman http://papercookies.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Heather Pulvirenti: http://heatherpulvirenti.blogspot.com

Holly McMillen http://toyzhaven.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com

Jami Bova www.sgtstamper.com/blog

Jami Sibley: http://jami.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

JanTink: http://stampspaperscissors.typepad.c...aper_scissors/

Jeanne Streiff: http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Jen del Muro: http://www.iheart2stamp.com/

Jenn Balcer: http://jbalcer.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Jennie Thompson: http://scrappilyeveraftergallery.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Buck http://www.thebuckstampshere.blogspot.com

Jerri Jimenez - http://jerrikay.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com

Jessie Rone http://www.canyousayaddictedtostamps.blogspot.com

Joan Ervin - http://spampingwithapassin.blogspot.com

Joanne Basile - www.stampedbyhand.blogspot.com

Jodi Collins - www.stampingalatte.blogspot.com

Jody Morrow: http://confessionsofaribbonaddict.blogspot.com/

Julia Stainton: http://bellepapier.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Julie Ebersole: http://papertrufflez.typepad.com/

Julie Warner: http://thewritestuff.justwritedesigns.com/

Kim Teasdale: http://www.paperintheworks.blogspot.com

Kittie Caracciolo http://kittiekraft.typepad.com/kittiekraft/

Lana Lepinski www.LunarLana.typepad.com

Laura Fredrickson http://www.scrapnextras.com/

Lauren Meader: http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Leigh O'Brien: http://sunflowerstudio.typepad.com/sunflower_studio/

Leslie Miller: http://lesliekmiller.typepad.com/running-with-scissors/

Lila Holgate http://lilascreativecorner.blogs.spl...tstampers.com/

Linda Bullard: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=7835

Linda Duke: http://www.lindaduke.typepad.com/

Lindsey Botkin: http://jacksonbelle.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Lisa Johnson: http://www.poppypaperie.typepad.com/

Lisa Strahl: http://www.monalisamoments.typepad.com/

Lisa Zappa www.shabbychickjunk.blogspot.com

Melissa Bove: http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/

Michele Boyer http://papercuts.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Michelle Giraud: http://www.twisted-chick.blogspot.com/

Michelle Laycock: http://www.inkartist.blogspot.com/

Michelle Woerner www.stopandstamptheroses.blogspot.com

Michelle Wooderson: http://michellewooderson.blogspot.com/

Michelle Zindorf http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Natasha Trupp http://palmtreesandpogosticks.blogspot.com

Pam Hooten: http://pamhooten.blogspot.com/

Paula Bloom http://prbloom.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Sharon Harnist: http://paperfections.typepad.com///

Sharon Johnson http://notimetostamp.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Sherrie Siemens: http://sherrie-cardcreme.blogspot.com/

Sherry Cheever: http://sherrycheever.typepad.com/walkinonthebadside/

Susan Roberts http://rainy.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Taylor VanBruggen: http://www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/

Tosha Leyendekker:  http://stamptalkwithtosh.blogspot.com/

Tracy Harp http://www.inky-doodles.blogspot.com/

Trudee Sauer: http://trudee.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Valerie Stangle: http://valeriestangle.blogspot.com/