Arches, Rock Formations & Nature ATC Stamps

Hi all, 

here are 2 new cards I made with ATC-sized rubber stamps (2.5" x 3.5")  from Creative Play Stamps' *Arches Collection* and *Nature* category.  They are a selection of photographed scenes of natural rock formations and are perfect for making ATC's, collages, and cards.  (I also have to point out that they're great for making masculine cards).

The stamps in the collection are:  Balanced Rock, Landscape Arch, Rock Formation, Skyline Arch and Three Gossips. 

For my first card I used *Animas River* from the Nature category.  I had the idea to use both the real and faux stitching from a cowboy card I received from a swap a few years ago.  I also wanted it to look worn and antiqued so I distressed the edges of everything with Tim Holtz's distess ink in *Vintage Photo* using a sponge to apply the ink, and then tore out the image and the corner of the card with my deckle-edged tearing ruler to achieve these torn and tattered looking edges.  I colored in the stamp with my dye ink-based Marvy BrushArt Markers and then huffed on the stamp before I stamped it.  I went over the detail afterwards with darker shades.

I was looking through all my rubber stamp sentiments, greetings & sayings and remembered this stamp from Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co., that I recently got and I thought that it went perfectly with my image.   (The birdies are flying away free in the distance!)  I achieved the moon image by punching out a 1 inch round punch scrap piece to make a mask, and then I sponged light blue ink all around it and drew in the birds with a fine black Copic Multi-liner pen.

This next card was also inspired by a swap I got some years back, where they had stamped a single flower then had it peeking out from a frame that had twine tied on all 4 corners.  I thought I would try that on this card and continue the cowboy and distress theme.  This stamp is called *Three Gossips*.  Doesn't it look just like 3 gossiping figures?  They look like they're wearing robes and are leaning in to hear the latest gossip!    I used most of the same techniques on here as I did on the first card.  This sentiment (quote) is also from Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co. 

Supplies available at Creative Play Stamps:

FIRST CARD

Stamps: Creative Play Stamps *Animas River*, Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co *13117 - Set Free*

Papers:  White Cascata cardstock, various solid-colored.

Inks/Markers:  Marvy Brush Art Markers, Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Copic Multiliner pen

misc:  deckle-edged tearing ruler, art sponges, twine, paper piercer

SECOND CARD

Stamps: Creative Play Stamps *Three Gossips*, Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co *13106 - Rest*

Papers:  White Cascata cardstock, various solid-colored.

Inks/Markers:  Marvy Brush Art Markers, Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Copic Multiliner pen

misc:  art sponges, twine, paper piercer

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April Showers Bring May Flowers Card Contest!

Hello everyone!!!

There's a really fun contest going on over at Creative Play Stamps!!!  It's called *April Showers Bring May Flowers*, and you just need to upload any floral or garden-themed card to the contest forum!  (No purchase necessary).  The stamps do not have to be from Creative Play Stamps.  You can enter as many cards as you like until midnite, May 8.  Then voting begins on the 9th and goes until the 22nd!  The winner will be revealed at the site on May 26th!  Good luck!

There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes:

1st Prize: **Big Bag of Prima Flowers and a $30 Gift Certificate 

2nd Prize: $15 Gift Certificate 

3rd Prize: $10 Gift Certificate 

**The bag of flowers is about the size of a child's pillow - 13" tall, and 9" wide - and weighs 1/2 a pound! 

Here's a little inspiration to get you going!

DISCO LILIES

Since the 70's and 80's has been back in style for a while,  I thought I'd pay tribute to that era by making an orange and brown 70's style card!  I made the orange and brown madras background using the *Dragged Madras* technique featured at Technique Junkies (aka PatStamps).  It's one of the featured techniques for April/May and can be found here if you're a subscriber.  Since I had been using the Cuttlebug Vintage Corners for another project, I figured I'd just keep using them on these cards.  The Lily rubber stamp is from Creative Play Stamps!

Most Supplies available at Creative Play Stamps:

Stamps: Creative Play Stamps:  *Lilies* and *Alphabet Lowercase*

Papers: Ivory Cascata Cardstock, various solid-colored cardstock

Inks/Markers:  Adirondack Brights *Sunset Orange* reinker, caramel reinker, Ranger Cut N' Dry Felt Pad, Marvy Brush Art Markers;  Orange, Pale Orange, Vermillion, Red,  Spica AtYou *Melon*, Black  & *Olive* glitter markers, black sharpie pen.

misc: Cuttlebug Die 2x2 *Vintage*,  Martha Stewart punches: Rose Leaf  & Floral Lace Border, daisy punch, pearl sticker.

THREE TULIPS

This one is a bit more simple.  After the shock of making the retro-70's card I needed to make something a bit more *normal*, lol! I used one of my all-time favorite stamps from Creative Play Stamps, *Three Tulips*.  I just love this stamp and don't ever get tired of using it!

Supplies available at Creative Play Stamps:

Stamps: Creative Play Stamps:  *Three Tulips* 

Papers:  GCD Studios *Droopy Vines*, Ivory Cascata Cardstock, various solid-colored cardstock.

Inks/Markers:  Marvy Brush Art Markers; Blush Pink, Pink, Dusty Pink, RoseMarie,  Crimson Lake, Jade Green, Taupe. 

misc: Cuttlebug Die 2x2 *Vintage*,  Martha Stewart Floral Lace Border punch, Martha Stewart wide ribbon *crosshatch hydrangea*, daisy punch, pearl sticker, *Magenta* Stickles, American Crafts Thickers.

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Design Teams!

Hi everyone!!!  I would like to introduce you all to two great rubber stamping companies!  One of them is *Heart and Soul Rubber Stamp Co* and the other one is *Creative Play Stamps* and I just happen to be on their Design Teams!!!  I'm a very lucky lady.  What does it mean to be on a Design Team?  Well, every so often, these companies will send me rubber stamps or other items from their stores so I can get creative and make something artistic with them!  Then I can showcase what I've made here on my blog and elsewhere and let everyone know where to buy the supplies!!!  Fun, huh?

So without further ado, here they are!!!

Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Company is run and owned by Sue Wiebold.  As her title suggests, Sue's mission is to serve the Lord by serving the public with *unique and creative Christian stamp images*.  The motto of her company is written just below her logo - it's the bible verse from Deuteronomy 6:5 "... love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul...."

From the main website:

Over 900 Unique
Inspirational & Scripture Images
Mounted or Unmounted Available

"Serving Him By Serving You Since 1997"

We are an Angel Company .....

We are joyfully celebrating 12 years in the stamping family! Like many companies, we began with the love of a hobby and a desire to share it with the world!

Our Mission Statement:

To serve Him by serving you with unique and creative Christian stamp images; 
Excellent customer service; an “Angel Policy”; 
The promise that we will never sell or share our mailing list with anyone; 
And a satisfaction guaranteed return policy ☺

At Heart & Soul we truly believe that it’s possible to make a difference in someone’s life by sharing your time and talents with those around you- 
Maybe even an eternal difference by sharing God’s Word with them!

We gladly support K-Love Christian Radio, Shared Hope International and the American Cancer Society as good stewards of the blessings God has graciously allowed us! 
We appreciate your business!

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*Creative Play Stamps* is run and owned by Art and Laura Hampton.   They have just about any and every paper craft item in the world available for purchase at their online store! Believe me, you'll be AMAZED at their selection, it's simply unrivaled!  You can buy just about anything there that's related to cardmaking and scrapbooking, they have all the hottest toys and new releases, and stuff that's hard to find as well.  (If you're having trouble finding something, look there first!)  They can ship to just about anywhere in the world and ALL USA orders $50 and up receive FREE shipping!  CPS is located in Illinois.

From their site:

My name is Laura, and after enjoying rubber stamping for several years, I decided to try my hand at creating my own images.

With some help from my husband, I started CreativePlayStamps.com.

We are a small company that designs and sells our own line of unmounted rubber art stamps. We are dedicated to helping you discover how economical unmounted stamps are, and to helpingbeginners get started.

Have a question? Please write me at service@creativeplaystamps.com.

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So, I hope I introduced them well!  You'll be seeing lots of product from them on my blog!  I encourage you to peruse their sites and buy a lot - please tell them Maxene sent you!   xoxoxo

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Welcome!!! My first official post!

Welcome to my blog!  Although I created it a long time ago, I'm only just now posting on it.  I've decided to put all my rubber stamped creations on here, separate from anything related to the Stampin' Up! company.  The reason for that is because I already have another blog which focuses solely on Stampin' Up! product.  That blog can be found at: www.rubberarts.blogspot.com and if you would like to purchase any Stampin' Up product, you can do so from that blog!  Thanks for visiting!

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