Shy Willow

The challenge is to create a card, layout or other craft project based on the theme "Summer!"


Challenge: Easy Craft Projects - Challenge #16
Challenge: Whiff of Joy Guest DT Call
Main Stamp: Shy Willow (WoJ)
Patterned Paper: Handmade Garnish (K&C)

Copic Colors:
-skin: E000, E00, E11, R20
-hair: E17, E19, E18
-other: G40, G82, G85, R11, R12, R14, E40, E41

OA Buddies - Amelia

The challenge is to use any stitching or sewing method and incorporate it in at least two layers of cardstock or decorative paper. Since I don't have a sewing machine setup, I improvised and did faux stitching in white around the center green decorative paper. The second challenge category was to use ribbon.


Challenge: The Greeting Farm - Farm Fresh Friday
Challenge: Quirky Crafts - Challenge #31
Main Stamp: Oliver & Amelia Buddies (TGF)
Patterned Paper: Nana's Kitchen (DCWV) Handmade Garnish (K&C)

Copic Colors:
-skin: E000, E00, E11, E13, R20
-hair: E44, E47, E49
-other: YR000, YR12, YR14, YR18, G21, G24, G28, W1, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7

Treasure Tempestwind

The challenge is to create a card, layout or other craft project based on the theme "Water!"


Challenge: Secret Crafter - Saturday Challenge #90
Challenge: Stamp and Create - Challenge #3
Main Stamp: Treasure Tempestwind & Eddy (CCD)
Patterned Paper: unknown scraps
Dry Embossing: Papertrey Ink Impression Plate In Bloom

Copic Colors:
-skin: E000, E00, E11, R20, R22
-hair: C1, C3, C5, C7
-other: R22, R24, YR21, YR23, YR24, BG13, BG18, C1, C3, C5, C7, 0

Update: I was awarded the top 3 at Stamp and Create for this challenge!

Tips, Tricks & Techniques 0x014

Cutting off the unwanted areas on a stamps is probably an old-hat by now, however, here are a few tips that might help anyway. When cutting cling-mounted rubber stamps, keeping the paper backing on while cutting will help the scissors make a straighter cut through the foam and gives the stamp a cleaner edge.

As for cutting, I prefer to make cuts vertically straight through the rubber and foam. However, I know some like to cut angled outward so the foam base is slightly larger than the rubber. Either method will help achieve a clean stamped image. Just be wary of cutting inward on an angle (where the foam is smaller than the rubber) which might cause a slightly blurred edge when stamping. For this reason, I also make short straight snips with the scissors and avoiding longer curved cuts.

Most stamps are round or square in shape and therefore are easy to cut around. However, concave areas, areas that curve in or are hollowed inward, are the most difficult to get to. In this situation, instead of making a curved cut with the scissors, I've found best tool is a hobby knife or Xacto knife. This allows me to finish cutting those areas while still preserving the clean straight edges that I aim for.

Twinkle Tots Izzy

The challenge is to create a card or project using the sketch provided.

I added a vellum envelope on the front and created a mini bookmark to put in it. The envelope and scalloped edge insert were from Stampin' Up!

Challenge: Club Anya & Friends - Saturday Sketch
Main Stamp: Twinkle Tots Izzy (TGF)
Patterned Paper: unknown scraps
Cricut Cartridge: Storybook

Copic Colors:
-skin: E00, E11, E13, R20
-hair: E44, E47, E49
-other: RV00, RV21, RV23, RV25, B000, B02, B05, C1

OA Buddies - Oliver

The challenge is to create a card or project using the sketch provided. I reversed the sketch for this card.


Challenge: Club Anya & Friends - Wild Card Wednesday
Main Stamp: Oliver & Amelia Buddies (TGF)
Patterned Paper: Nana's Kitchen (DCWV)

Copic Colors:
-skin: E000, E00, E11
-hair: E15, E17, E18
-other: YG91, YG93, YG95, B91, B93, B95, E42, E43, E44, YG03, YG01, E51, Y23, Y21, Y26

Little Sisters Reading Time

The challenge is to create a card, layout or other craft project based on the theme "Cute" - that's easy!


Challenge: Craftalicious Challenges #3
Main Stamp: Little Sisters Reading Time (LOTV)
Patterned Paper: Kioshi (BG)
Cricut Cartridge: Lacy Labels

Copic Colors:
-skin: E000, E00, E11, R20
-hair: E50, E51, E53, E55, E31, E57, E27
-other: Y11, Y15, Y17, E27, E35, E57, W3, W5, G12, G21, G28, YR00, YR12, YR14, V000, V12, V15

Tips, Tricks & Techniques 0x013

Didn't quite have enough decorative paper to paper-piece with? Don't sweat it! You can always cut out the center area that will be covered over with other layer. I use an Xacto knife or paper trimmer to get to the center without cutting the edges. Then once the card is all finished no one will know the middle is missing!

Rosie Posie

The challenge is to create a card or project based on the inspirational photo provided. I chose to focus on the flowers in the photo and create this card.


Challenge: Dutch Dare - Card Challenge #81
Main Stamp: Rosie Posie (LOTV)
Patterned Paper: Mango Frost (DCWV)
Cricut Cartridge: Lacy Labels

Copic Colors:
-skin: E000, E00, E11, R20
-hair: R02, R05, R08
-other: G00, G02, G09, Y17, Y38, YR24, E50

Tips, Tricks & Techniques 0x012

Finding the right storage solution that works for your space can be challenging. Here is my current method for storing cling mounted stamps. I have my wood mounted stamps on shelves next to the desk but I keep the cling mounted ones on my desk. The yellow box (and green one above it) are Rectangle Boxes from WalMart, found in office supply department. The boxes came with two dividers but I needed to use one in the yellow box to support the green one on top of it.

I got the plastic storage cases from Stampin' Up! and they are the same size as a DVD case. (Which means if your collection is larger than mine, you can also look at DVD bookcases or movie racks to store them in.) I cut paper to fit inside the cover sleeve and stamped the images on the front. On the side I've written both the stamp company

I like to keep a personal catalog of all my stamps in a binder, including the digital stamps saved on my computer. This allows me to categorize the entire collection in a way that helps me find the right image when I need it.

As long as it doesn't matter if the stamps aren't facing upright, then it's like a puzzle to see how many can fit together. Once I get it to my liking then that's when I stamp the cover so I can remember the placement. I keep all of my sentiments together so I only have to look in one area. However, I stamp the sentiments a second time with the set they came in so I which ones went where.

I hope I've sparked some storage ideas for your own cling-mounted stamps. Good luck!