Calm After The Storm

Hi Everyone! I am EXCITED to share my card with you today because I created it for inspiration for the new, re-vamped Loves Rubberstamps Blog Challenges! This weeks challenge is called APRIL SHOWERS and to play you just create a card, scrapbook page, or other papercrafting project that is ANYTHING shower related! See all the details including what you can win in this post here - Blog Challenge #1 - April Showers

Here is my card:

I sponged the entire background using a lot of different Stampin Up! Ink Pads and my Umbrella is the new release C.C. Designs Cutters Die - Umbrella. After running the die through my cuttlebug I added score lines for dimension to look like the umbrella panels and then "popped" it using dimensionals on my card. The photograph that I was inpired by reminded me of the peaceful, calm stillness after an April rainstorm on the beach which is what I wanted to capture in my card. I chose the sentiment as a reminder to cherish the simple, beautiful things in life like a gorgeous landscape picture.

The photograph was one that I saw on Pinterest and had pinned to my CARD INSPIRATIONS BOARD. I love doing scenery cards so you will see a lot of pretty landscape pictures on there. You will also see some pretty cakes because I am inspired by those too...LOL! And if you check a little further into my pinterest boards you will see I have a ton of desserts to try recipes...way more than my food food ones... *blush*

Here is the photograph that inspired my card today, it is called "Colourful Morning by Noval Nugraha"

Here is what I used on my card - items that can currently be purchased in our store, Loves Rubberstamps, will have the clickable links :)

C.C. Designs Cutters Umbrella Die
Cherish Stamp is from a set by Clear Art Stamps

Cardstock Used:
Stampin Up! - Whisper White & Pumpkin Pie

Stampin Up! Inks Used:
Peach Parfait
Calypso Coral
Summer Sun
Basic Gray
Pink Pirouette
Pretty In Pink
Melon Mambo
Lavender Lace
Elegant Eggplant
Basic Black
Night of Navy

I also used a Spectrum Noir Alcohol Ink Marker in True Black from the Essentials Set, sponges, Stampin Up! Dimensionals and lots and lots of post it notes :)

I hope you enjoy the card today and play along in this week's challenge! Happy Stamping! - Laura

My Sunday Shares - Favorite Blog Finds

Good Morning Everyone!

I have a super special treat for you today! As I have mentioned before, I am restructing this blog to be an inspiration blog for the many products we carry in the store. I have been busy coming up with ideas on providing the best inspiration for you and one of them is called My Sunday Shares. Every Sunday I am going to post (with the artist's permission) my favorite blog finds created using products from companies that we carry in our store. I will also post direct links to the artist's blog posts that talk about the project shown. So here is my first Sunday Shares favorite finds...

I would normally have multiple artists showcased but after you see my first "favorite" artist's work you will see why I am sharing just her projects today! I started coming across Mariska van der Veer's AMAZING projects when I added Whimsy Stamps to our product line. She is one of their very talented design team members. I started seeing more of her work and became even more "in awe" of her talent because not only is she on the design team for Whimsy stamps but also C.C. Designs and is a guest designer for Pink Cat Studios, both companies we also carry!

If you have not seen Mariska's work you are in for a treat! I love paper piecing and the way it can really make a stamp image "pop" so it looks 3D and Mariska is THE BEST at this technique! Check out this altered cigar box that she made using a Bildmalarna Stamp called Mimosa Is Coming...

Here is a Close Up:

Check out her blog post that shows all the itsy bitsy pieces that she used to create this awesome 3D image!

See what I mean about her being the best! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Every time I see one of her creations all I can saw is WOW! Then I see all the little bits that make up her image and am just in awe at her attention to detail and the hours it must take to create each image. Mariska was kind enough to tell me that I could share any of my favorite projects she has made with you so here are some more.

This was the first project of her's I saw that caught my eye. She used the Silver Fairy from the Wee Stamps Collection by Sylvia Zet for Whimsy Stamps

See Mariska's Blog Post for the Silver Fairy Altered Cigar Box

Here is one of her C.C. Designs Cards that was tucked into my favorites :) She uses the new release Umbrella Lula Swiss Pixie

See Mariska's Blog Post for Umbrella Lula

I will share one more of my favorite's because honestly there are many more... I could post her whole blog on here - LOL! This one is a card she created using the new Chloe Stamp from the Little Cottage Cuties designed by Elisabeth Bell for Whimsy Stamps. We just got these in and they will be in the store later today including the two new ones just released! I was super excited because Elisabeth Bell is one of my FAVORITE designers :)

Read how Mariska created this cutie in her blog post!

I know I said that Chloe would be my last "favorite" but I have to show you one more... AMY! I LOVE the way Mariska colored this little cutie and made her 3D looking with all her layers...

Isn't that incredible? You can see how she created her in this blog post.

I hope you enjoyed my favorite finds for this week's Sunday Shares! I would like to extend a special thanks to Mariska for allowing me to share her incredible talent with all of you! Please visit her blog, Sending You a Little Smile and become a follower - besides her amazing creations she has some awesome tutorials on paper piecing to create your own 3D images! I hope this inspired you to try paper piecing your stamp images! If you do please put a comment with a link to your creation - I would LOVE to see it!

Thanks for stopping by! Laura

Club Kid...Life is what you make it

Hello everyone!

Today I have a card to share.... YAY! I made this last night while I was trying to find things to keep myself awake due to only having 2 1/2 hours of sleep in two days thanks to my outside job...but that is a whole other story that I won't bore you with here! After working 2 - 12 hour shifts (7am - 7pm Tuesday then... 3am to 3pm...Wednesday and 2 1/2 hrs of sleep in between) this is what I made....



It is an easel card that I made for the Whimsy Stamps Challenge Blog

Whimsy Stamps is one of my favorite companies (that is why I carry them in my store obviously - LOL) Their artist line up is AMAZING! Each has their own unique line with images that are so fun to create with.

One of my favorite lines is from the KennyK Collection...the Glam Gang Series! I used the Club Kid image for my card. I colored it using my Spectum Noir Alcohol Ink Markers on the Crafter's Companion Cardstock and then cut her out so she could be popped against the background to give it a more 3D look. I completed my easel card background and bottom of my card by stamping it with the Street Art Background from the Raindrop Echo Designs Sentiments Collection. This was just made for this series I swear :)

My ticket saying is also from the Raindrop Echo Designs Sentiments Collection and is called The Fun Life Tickets which I swear are also made for this series by KennyK!

After putting it together I felt the left side corner needed a subtle "pop" so I added the little red heart punchie. I really love how this card turned out!

Here is a close up of my Club Kid image that I colored:



I am still in the learning phase of coloring and shading with alcohol ink markers but I thought she turned out pretty good! There is an amazing and talented lady named Suzanne Dean who is my coloring hero! She has a great blog with some awesome tutorials on coloring with copics. Copics are still on my "wish list" so I just used what I have.

I hope you like the card today! I love the saying on the ticket because I needed some positive inspiration after having a stressful few days at my outside job! Makes me more determined to make my dream of turning Loves Rubberstamps into my only "job" because as the ticket says... Life is what you make it...

Happy Stamping Everyone!

Products Used: Bolded Blue products can be purchased in my store, Loves Rubberstamps

Stamps:
Club Kid - Whimsy Stamps KennyK Collection
Street Art Background - Whimsy Stamps Raindrop Echo Sentiments Collection
The Fun Life Tickets - Whimsy Stamps Raindrop Echo Sentiments Collection

Also Used:
Spectrum Noir Alcohol Ink Markers
Stampin Up! Pretty In Pink, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, & Real Red Cardstock
Stampin Up! Heart To Heart Punch
Crafter's Companion Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock for Alcohol Markers
Stampin Up! Dimensionals
Stampin Up! Glitter Brads
Uni-Ball Signo White Gel Pen

Inks Used:
Momento Tuxedo Black
Stampin Up! Early Espresso, Pretty In Pink, Crumb Cake

Belles 'n Whistles now available!

Good morning everyone!

I just wanted to share a few happenings at Loves Rubberstamps with you!

First off... we have a new company that we have added - Belles 'n Whistles! They offer clear stamps designed by the fabulous artist Elisabeth Bell. Here is one stamp that we have available for purchase called A Pen Friend.



We have also added a new line from Crafter's Companion called Paintbox Poppets designed by artist Christine Haworth. These feature adorable images of children with a vintage, nostalgic feel to them. This one is called Father's Footsteps.



We have a new shipment of Bildmalarna stamps that have arrived and are ready for purchase too! These feature their new Spring release stamps and some customer favorite images so be sure and check those out too! This super cute image is called Your Birthday and is one of the new Spring release Little Winged Friends.



We are expecting LOTS of new products that will be arriving over the next few weeks and we will be adding two more new companies once their products arrive! You can see all of the new items that have been added to our store here!

If you haven't already... be sure to sign up for our newsletter that will keep you up to date on what's new and you will receive special offers once in awhile as well. Make sure when you subscribe that you list your birthday month in the comment and you will receive a special offer to use during the month of your birthday as well!

Hope you all have a safe and Happy Easter weekend with family!
Laura

Happy St. Patricks Day

Top O' The Morning to you all!

The picture above is a free vintage graphic that you can use for your papercrafting projects.

Right now in the store you can save 20% on all St. Patricks Day Stamps - TODAY ONLY! Better grab them fast they are going quick!

You can also save 10% on our Easter Themed products as well!

Hope you all have a safe and family filled day! Cheers!

BLOG CHALLENGE - FUN & PRIZES! - LRSBC1

Hi Everyone!

I am super excited because it is time for our VERY FIRST BLOG CHALLENGE!

Our Featured Stamps right now are the STRAWBERRY KISSES Collection from Crafter's Companion, so that will be our theme for this blog challenge:

STRAWBERRY KISSES

Rules: Create a Card, 3D Project, or Scrapbook Page that is inspired by the phrase "STRAWBERRY KISSES"

We want EVERYONE To be able to play so you can use any stamps, paper, embellishments that you want, HOWEVER, you get bonus entries when you use a stamp from a company that we carry in our store, and a double bonus when you use an actual Strawberry Kisses Collection Stamp! If you don't have one they are currently 10% off in our store, Loves Rubberstamps!

We are giving away PRIZES for playing along! Here is what we are giving away:

Grand Prize Winner will get a STORE GIFT VOUCHER for $25.00 off an order!
We will also choose 2 runner-up winners and they will each receive FREE SHIPPING Coupons for use on their next order from our store.

PLUS: On our store website we have a "Gallery of Champions" where we will display the top 3 winners creations AS LONG AS they are made using a stamp from a company that we carry in our store, with the artists permission, of course. We will also provide a link to your blog for you also.

To play along. after creating your project upload it to your blog or online gallery. You MUST provide a link back to our Blog Challenge Post on your blog entry. Please use the Keyword Tag LRSBC1 when uploading your projects to an online gallery. Then leave a link to your project using the linky widget at the bottom of this post. ENTRY SUBMISSION CLOSES FEB. 29th at 11:59 PM. You can play as many times as you would like.

Here is how the entries work and how you can earn BONUS Entries for the prizes:

Earn 1 Entry - Just play along using whatever stamps, materials you want
Earn 2 Entries - Use a stamp from a product line that we carry in our store
Earn 3 Entries - Use a STRAWBERRY KISSES Collection Stamp

* Remember to be eligible for your project to be displayed in our Gallery of Champions, you must use a stamp from a company that we carry in our store.

We will choose the winners using a random number generator and will announce them on MARCH 3rd.

Here are some projects that my friend Tarry and I made to help inspire you!






This card was made using the FREE STRAWBERRY KISSES BACKGROUND PAPER that you can download. The stamped image I used in this sample from the YUM Strawberry Kisses Collection Stamp Set. I colored it using prismacolor pencils. I hand drew my floor and used Background Paper for the wall. There is Crystal Effects on the glass so it looks shiny and I used Liquid Applique for the whipped cream.



This box is made using a tutorial from splitcoaststampers called MARIA'S TREAT BOX.
On this box, I used an EK Success Scalloped Heart Punch to create my Strawberry, other than that everything else is made using all Stampin Up! products, some retired and some current. Here are some other views:



I filled my treat box with Hershey's Kisses! YUM!



Side View of my Strawberry Kisses Treat Box



This card is called a "TENT TOPPER" I again used the stamped image from the YUM Strawberry Kisses Collection Stamp Set this time coloring it with my Spectrum Noir Alcohol Ink Markers. The chocolate on my strawberry was made by covering a piece of Early Espresso cardstock from Stampin Up! with clear embossing powder so it is shiny. I covered the rest of my chocolate areas and the glass using Crystal Effects. I can tell you that I learned that the Crystal Effects will change the color of your Alcohol Ink Markers after you add it. I didn't mind because this was a glass so it makes the contrast ok, but keep this in mind if you use them. I also stamped the dog a second time and cut him out and "popped him" on this card for extra dimension! If you can't tell he has chocolate smeared on his face!

Here are some neat scrapbook pages my friend Tarry Myers created. Tarry is an OTRA VERIFIED RESCUE TRANSPORTER and is also the OTRA IOWA MODERATOR & OTRA MEMBERSHIP MODERATOR. OTRA stands for On the Road Again, and they are a group that transports dogs to rescues and families once they are adopted. Tarry makes these scrapbook pages when dogs that she helped transport get adopted for the new families to have as a keepsake!



This is a 12 x 12 scrapbook page. On this page Tarry used the GORGEOUS Strawberry Kisses Collection Stamp Set You can see she stamped the "Gorgeous" saying on a bone, cute!



Here is a close up of the stamped image from the GORGEOUS stamp set.



On this tag she used the little strawberry image from the stamp set!



Here is Tarry's second scrapbook page that uses the FRIENDS FOREVER Strawberry Kisses Collection Stamp Set.



Here is a close up of the image from the FRIENDS FOREVER stamp set.

We plan on doing Blog Challenges on the 1st and 15th of every month! I hope you will spread the word and play along with us. :)

FREEBIE and Sneak Information...

Hi everyone!

I have been hard at work loading our opening inventory in the store! I appreciate everyone's patience as we are getting things added! I just wanted to give everyone a heads up on what is coming...

I am currently adding all of the new C.C. Designs February 2012 stamps that were just released yesterday into the store. We have them all on hand and ready for shipping!

I will also be adding products from Whimsy, Lablanche, Melissa Frances, the Spectrum Noir Alcohol Ink Markers, and the Paint Fushion line as they have all arrived.

I have shipments on the way from Bildmalarna, Stamping Bella, American Art Stamp, Gourmet Rubber Stamps, Prickley Pear Stamps, Wild Rose Studios, and some more Tattered Angels that should all be coming in the next week or two.

So lots to look forward to!

TODAY I thought I would take a quick break because I wanted to share an AWESOME FREEBIE with you and give you some sneak information on our very first LOVES RUBBERSTAMPS BLOG CHALLENGE which I hope you all will play in!

Right now in our store our featured stamps are the new STRAWBERRY KISSES Collection from Crafter's Companion. This line will be the inspiration for our first blog challenge! Everyone will be able to play, even if you do not have these stamps. Our first blog challenge will be posted in about a week and a half with full details on the rules and the prizes!



In the meantime here is an awesome FREEBIE for you to enjoy from Crafter's Companion that coordinates with the Strawberry Kisses Stamp Collection. It is FREE background paper and all kinds of embellishments for your cards, scrapbook pages, or papercraft projects.

You can even use some of the freebie goodies in your project for the blog challenge coming!

I hope you enjoy the FREEBIE! I am excited for our first challenge - it will be lots of fun :)

I am off to add more inventory... Have a great night everyone! - Laura