New Member

[coyotez]

Hi
Well I think I even sent a post to the wrong forum oh well I will get it. I am brand new to rubberstamping and am really eager to learn. Thanks for letting me join in.
I will be trying to participate after I get my feet wet in this new area of crafting for me I do computer crafting that sort of thing but this has always intrigued me
Linda

[emy]

Hi, Linda! I'm sort of new to stamping as well - I got started last year, then got busy with my job and my other hobby (beading...love those glass beads!), but now that the holidays are coming up, I wanted to make some cards to send out to friends, so I've been immersing myself the last few days, and trying to come up with some ideas and figure out exactly what I want to do. I'm thinking of doing something like a few small holiday-related images as a background, then a smaller card mounted over that with the appropriate holiday message (hey, I have a LOT of different friends *g*). Simple, but since it's getting a little late, it's probably best to keep from getting too complicated.

Peace and stamps!!
Emy

[coyotez]

Hi
Well I am headed to Michaels today so will definitely get my feet wet they are having a great sale today and I did have a stamping magazine I also sent for some videos and books so I should be in good shape to really get going. I can easily use this in my crafting business since I make candy wrappers, and laminated cake decorations this could really be good for me I am excited and I have a week's vacation to play with. I do have a craft show on Sunday after that it is free time for me.
Linda

[i.r.stamper]

Oh, I just love it when I see someone new picking up a stamp! And if that person happens to be either a crafter or a budding artist.....well, look out world, we have us a new stamper!:D

You are going to find so many things you can do with your stamps! Yes, you can make your holiday cards, but even though it's almost December it's still not to late to take it a bit further than that!!! How about stamping some wrapping paper to go with your cards? Or even easier, how about stamping up the "To-From" tags that you'll use on your presents??? THOSE are nice and fast, yet add an elegant look to your wrapped packages!!! AND you can use those neglected snips and pieces cut from larger sized cardstock, so nothing goes to waste! For instance, say you've made a card with a window cut out of the front.....do not toss that piece of paper that you cut from your card!!! Instead, use it to make a nice gift tag!!! I keep one drawer just for those clippings of extra paper, so that I'll have smaller pieces of paper ready for whenever I need 'em!

Or how about stamping your tree decorations this year??? Ok, so stamping on a round glass ball can be a bit problematic, especially if you're new to this art form......but who says it has to be on an ornament???:) Last year my best friend wanted to do something different on her tree, AND wanted her tree to be color themed for a change. So, she took some of those small shipping tags (not the regular sized ones, though they'd probably work too) and decorated them in two shades of blue (her colors were blue and silver) then overstamped the colored background using silver EP. Sounds so very simple, yet her tree was to DIE for last year!!! So much so, in fact, that I've decided to borrow her idea THIS year, and use some tags on MY tree!:D

[Janette]

Welcome to Club!

I am Janette from Finland...newbie too but eager to learn everything I can.

I have got new friends here and planning to join to card swap too. I hope that you both enjoy being here with us.

Hugs.
Janette

[coyotez]

Thanks so much for the welcome and yes I am really getting the feet wet. I did do a card last night a gold embossed Santa on some blue cardstock cut with a nice trim and put onto a regular card. Not much but off to a great start. Looks pretty good for a first attempt. I am waiting for some stamps with sayings to go inside of it I have thought of calligraphy pens but somehow I think a stamp would look nicer. I got the gel pens, watercolors, paintbrushes, sponges all the good things out and ready to stamp today. I am eager to learn and there is a ton of creativity just waiting for me.
I am also looking forward to the books I ordered.
Linda
Happy Stamping:)

[LoneStamper]

LOVE new stampers and love to add my 2¢ for Christmas stamping!
You might try making "postcards" ... instead of making a normal foldover card, just layer a whole bunch of different cardstocks ... each layer 1/4" to 1/2" smaller than the lower layer. If you are leaving a 1/2" border, stamp around the edges (VersaMark watermark pad is fun). If you use some of the metallic papers/cardstock available (there's even some holographic paper!), it also looks really impressive. (I picked up some textured gold wrapping paper that I may use as one layer this year --- 5 yeards for $1 -- cheap!) A white or black 1/4" layer makes things pop! That spray webbing (we used to use on tee shirts) is also fun on a "background" paper. The message goes on the front of the card and I usually sign on the back with the date.
Or, check into envelopments (Posh has them for sale) ... the card and envelope is all in one! For some reason, non-stampers are impressed with your "artiness!" You just have to be carefull when sealing them; they CAN look like regular envelopes and I have known people who cut the top off not realizing (then of course, the top is now attached to the bottom!). Last year I made wreath stickers and said (Please open here) in the middle of the wreath.

[coyotez]

What a great idea. I just did my first ever watercolor and am really impressed with myself does not look like an amateur at all must be the stamp or something or I read the directions right it came out really nice. I just cut it out with some fancy scissors and put a hole in it and hung it up in front of my computer. I am going to try to do a large snowman that I just could not resist buying lots of coloring in that one this is way more fun and I could be addicted already. I have always admired the work of stampers and always wanted to learn it is not as hard as it looks once you figure out the basics after that it is up to your own creativity am I right? I will definitely be giving out Christmas cards this year usually don't but I feel like doing these and they are so much more personal than the store bought ones. Do you use the stamps for your sayings inside or do you just write really pretty?
Linda:)

[CarlottaP]

I THINK WHAT DO YOU STAMP INSIDE YOUR CARDS IS A GOOD IDEA FOR A TOPIC ALL IT'S OWN! oops, sorry for the all caps. I am going to post a topic on this.

[teatah]

It sure is nice to see some new people getting into rubber stamping. It is something the way this craft has grown over the last 5 or 6 years. I find that the more I do, the more I learn. I am just amazed how much I know that I didn't know when I started. It is so soothing of a hobby to do. You get into it and then look at the clock and are amazed at how much time as passed. I have found that my cards are so much better than when I started. One of my daughters is getting into stamping, and my only granddaughter loves to stamp whenever she comes over. She doesn't know it yet, but she is getting a rubber stamp kit, that I put together for her, for Christmas. I think she is going to just be so excited. I can't wait to see her expression.

[Janette]

hi

I have 2 younger sister whose are interested of stamping. Lucky me I have to help them to get stamps and other accessories for them as our parents hasn´t money... :( But I build up stamp club just for them and my friend who lives near us. So I think that everything goes well anyway.

I can imagine your grandchild´s face when she´ll get that set.

Hugs much
Janette

[teatah]

I think my granddaughter is going to love the kit. I go some stamps for my youngest daughter, also. I waited for Hobby Lobby to have stamps half off and went and bought quite a few. That really helped to get them on sale like that. It is such a fun and productive way to pass the time, and is a productive things for kids. I have heard that is kids are constructive, they aren't destructive. It sure gives you a sense of accomplishment.

[Janette]

I know that your youngest child and grandchild will love their presents... :) I am happy for them as I don´t get presents at all not even a xmas etc.

[teatah]

How sad for you that you don't receive any gifts. I can understand how hard that must be for you. WHAt I have done sometimes is buy myself a gift and wrapped it up. It isn't the same,but at least you know that you are getting something you really want.

[Janette]

no gifts for me and last xmas was really hard last year so me and my fiancé decided that we don´t celebrate it all...but I am going to get some shelves on my walls on next month and my fiancé is going to get one pc game.... ;)

Janette

[teatah]

I hope good times for you. I love to craft and rubber stamping gets me through a lot of things. It helps to be able to do things you enjoy so that the tough times are easier to bear. May you have a pleasant holiday season in your own way.

[Janette]

thank you for your kind message.

I wish you and your family the most enjoyable Holidays.
Most important things is that we have our family with us on xmas.

hugs
Janette

[teatah]

I am feeling uplifted about the holidays. It feels like it will be a good one. I hope the best for you, also. I made some Christmas cards yesterday with an idea I saw in a catalog. I cut out some Christmas tree lights from my sizzix and glued 3 on the front of white card stock. There were 2 ways I glued them on. First I glued 2 at the same height on each side of the card( fold to the top) and the 3rd one in the middle a little higher up. Then I took a gold gel pen and drew lines from the middle of the top of the ornament to the fold. Then I made yarn bows and glued them to the top of the ornament. The 2nd card is done the same way, except the lightbulbs are at 3 different heights with the fold of the card to the side. These ideas I saw in the current Creative Express catalog. Happy crafting

[Janette]

hi

your cards sounds so pretty already :) maybe you would scan them and add them to gallery?

Hugs
janette

[teatah]

My system doesn't scan the cards to be shared in the forum. I got an email from Warren where I can send them in and they will scan them in for me. I probably will send one of these in to be put into the sharing with all you other people. I love to see what other people do and sometimes I use the idea, sometimes I print out ideas for future reference when I get brain dead and can't come up with any new ideas. You'd be surprised how many times I came up with an idea just as I go to bed. One morning I woke up with an idea and got another idea that was a spin off and ended up making some that day.

[Janette]

:) I have saw couple dreams that I have made cards but I never can´t see what´s kind of...I´ll put some of my cards to gallery asap.

Hugs
Janette

[teatah]

Sometimes I see someone else's idea and then I make one similar. or else I make something different but alike with what I have on hand. Somethimes you get an idea and really run away with it. It turns out to really suit your fancy.

[Janette]

you tell me....here in Finland hasn´t much stamping stuffs and more less acid free background papers so I mostly have to use what I have here.

I still have LOTS to learn and more lots accessories to have to get :p but I don´t give up, not now ;)

hugs
Janette

[teatah]

It sure helps an awful lot to be able to have mail order catalogs to order supplies from. It may take a little longer to get the items than if you went to an actual store, but it comes right to your house and you can shop late at night and in your pajamas. There are also days that you just don't have the gumption to go out and shop. You could go to every store in town and not find just the right item you are looking for. Know what I mean?

[Janette]

hi

it would help me a lot too if I shouldn´t 6,8 times more because of currecies.... :( One dollar is 6,8 Finnish Markka here... But I need to if I want to get some goodies :)

Janette

[teatah]

It sure makes it more difficult when you consider the rate change. You don't have many craft stores by you, I take it? There are 3 general crafts stores and 2 specialty rubber stamp and scrapbooking stores here in town, so I am not at a loss for places to shop. Plus, I have ordered from about 5 different internet/catalog places. I had fun getting some more sizzix dies today----4 more. Time to play with them. Good luck finding supplies.

[Janette]

We have only 1 craft store that sells some PSX accessories + other craft accessories. Here in Finland people don´t know about scrapbooking either so stamping is little bit popular here.

I just get interested of other crafts too like candle & soap making, teddybears etc...:)

thanks for wishing me luck

Janette

[teatah]

What is really nice is that you can use most of the same supplies for scrapbooking and rubber stamping. It's nice that you have a PSX place there. They have some nice supplies.

[Janette]

yes I am very glad that they have even some of psx supplies...
I think that I´ll become to real crafter now :)

hugs
Janette