Recently I happened upon a challenge called Retro Rubber. Have you heard of it? The idea is to use a stamp that’s a year or more old. Well, I have lots of those and I love to use them so, even though I’ve been diligently working on the not yet used stuff, I decided to play along today. My retro stamp is Kerr Jar and Berries by Embossing Arts, dated 1999. It was long about that time I ordered it from an Embossing Arts catalog.
I watercolored with a few Stampin’ Up! inks on 140 lb hot press watercolor paper. The current Retro Rubber Challenge #37 calls for this sketch:
I’m also playing along in the Just Us Girls Challenge at Cards In Envy. Cards must be flat enough to fit in an envelope and the current challenge calls for girly or feminine cards. I removed the center from my flower and replaced it with a linen thread bow so it would be non-lumpy and very easy to mail.
That’s it for me! Have a happy day!
Stamps: Embossing Arts Kerr Jar and Berries, Stampin’ Up! Bloomin’ Marvelous (sentiment) Paper: Arches 140 lb hot press watercolor, Pink Pirouette, kraft, Prima Annalee designer paper Ink: Ranger Archival Watering Can, Palette Noir (sentiment), SU inks for watercoloring Accessories: Flower, linen thread, ribbon
What beautiful blooms and berries! I love your coloring whether it be watercoloring or using copics. Your projects are always colored so well!
Posted by: Glenda | 05/05/2016 at 02:54 AM
Leslie, this is a beautiful card! I have never heard of the retro rubber challenge, but you have mastered it. The stamp is lovely and your coloring is fantastic! I really like the Kerr jar.
Posted by: Vicki R. | 05/05/2016 at 04:19 AM
Leslie, this is gorgeous! Your watercolouring is divine! I never heard of Retro Rubber challenge, but I could easy enter this challenge as I have many many stamps over a year old and many never even used! The image you used is so pretty. What a great idea about the center of your flower. I have some of these flowers too and very seldom use them for that reason, I will have to try your technique. Seeing such a beautiful card from you makes my day. Thanks for the inspiration, now if I could only stay at home and colour! Have a wonderful day.
Posted by: Pauline | 05/05/2016 at 04:33 AM
lovely and since I have a ton of them - sounds like a good challenge. 1999 eh!! I don't think I can beat that... Thanks for the link BIG GRIN. Have a great day
Posted by: yogi | 05/05/2016 at 07:30 AM
No kidding that stamp is so dated, it looks so current! What a keeper Leslie thanks for getting it inked up!
Posted by: Patti Willey | 05/05/2016 at 08:19 AM
Oh Wow Leslie that image is just Gorgeous, love the coloring of the flowers and how well your flower at the bottom matches them. Great idea for the flower center so it will mail flatter too! They probably never knew back then how "in style" the jars would be in 2016 :)
Posted by: Conniecrafter | 05/05/2016 at 09:16 AM
Just beautiful! I love that gorgeous flower arrangement image and the beautiful added flower! Thanks for sharing with us at Cards in Envy.
Posted by: Sandy Trefger | 05/05/2016 at 09:22 AM
Wow this is so beautiful Leslie, love these delicate colours you have used on your floral display, perfect flower and boarder to finish your design..
Pam x
Posted by: pam | 05/05/2016 at 09:29 AM
Gorgeous card, Leslie, and your watercoloring is fabulous! I thought it was Copic coloring. And I have this stamp and have never used it -- yet! I love it, and you've really made a beautiful card with it. I love your stitching and the sweet flower with the twine! And just a bit of DP adds the perfect finishing touch with your ribbon! Gorgeous! Hugs!
Posted by: CherylQuilts | 05/05/2016 at 11:54 AM
Fabulous coloring! LOVE the jar~
Posted by: vicki dutcher | 05/05/2016 at 12:32 PM
Just lovely Leslie, what a gorgeous flower arrangement image and card design.
Hugs Diane
Posted by: diane | 05/05/2016 at 02:14 PM
oh yes! I remember Embossing Arts! I have several of their stamps. Your card is gorgeous Leslie! Beautiful! You captured and colored it perfectly!
Posted by: Pam Sparks | 05/05/2016 at 02:58 PM
You might have had the stamp a long time, but it is a gorgeous one!!
So very beautifully colored and gorgeous flower. I Love any kind of a jar stamp and love the color of it! Another masterpiece! Hope you are having nice weather..very cool here, leaving tomorrow until Monday and I 'need' to get out of here, Nellies nose prints are still on the SUV window and I won't let Greg wash them off!!
Posted by: Diane Hover | 05/05/2016 at 05:17 PM
Great use of the sketch & love that image--not one I have, but I do have tons of Embossing Arts as they were right by me & I even taught some classes & made store samples for them!
Posted by: Greta H | 05/05/2016 at 10:16 PM
Oh my goodness Leslie, what a gorgeous card!!! the water coloring is beautiful on this lovely image, I love the look of this jar.
You used this sketch perfectly to showcase this flowers, all the details you added are beautiful.
Thank you so much for playing with Retro Rubber, I hope to see you again in the gallery soon.
Hugs,
Maria Rodriguez.
Posted by: Maria Rodriguez | 05/06/2016 at 03:40 AM
How gorgeous your soft shades are, Miss Leslie! I have recently heard of this challenge, and hope to play in it as my present DT obligations end. I have a great many wood mount rubber stamps that are from 1989 onward, and I still have feelings for them! LOL Some are timeless, and many are virgins, crying because they have never been used. Your stitching on this card enhances the delicate, homy, feel-good value of your card. I am always in awe of your artwork. hugs, de
Posted by: Donna Ellis | 05/06/2016 at 06:34 AM
What a lovely feminine card, Leslie! And a great combination of both challenges! Removing the center of the flower to add twine was a great way to reduce bulk. Gorgeous watercoloring! So very glad that you found Retro Rubber and hope that you will visit us often!!
Posted by: Katy McGloin | 05/06/2016 at 07:05 AM
What a gorgeous image, Leslie, and you have truly brought it to life!! I love it!!
Posted by: Broni | 05/06/2016 at 10:03 AM
Just awesome, Leslie! Your coloring is, as always, perfect. Fun challenge!
Posted by: Lynette | 05/06/2016 at 01:40 PM
Oh my goodness, Leslie, this is gorgeous! Your coloring has me green with envy. And, thanks so much for the kind words you left about my coloring when visiting my blog. You're much too sweet. :)
Posted by: Sybrina K | 05/06/2016 at 02:26 PM