12 Reasons to Follow me on Twitter

What is Twitter you ask?  Well, it is a free social network that keeps us in touch in real live time.  Want to know what I’m up to?  Just click on this cute little bird at the side of my blog.  My Twitter name is Rubberstamping.

Things to expect when you peak in:

• Discover what I have in store for my blog and business
• Get an inside scoop when I’m designing new stamps
• Leave me suggestions as to what tutorials or stamps you would like to see me do
• Have personal interaction and chat time with me.  Rubberstampers love new friendships.
• Learn what classes I will be teaching
• Learn what classes I am taking
• Discover what is new in the scrapbook and rubberstamp world in the Sarnia greater area
• When I’m feeling chatty, I just may leave a thing or two about what I’m doing for the evening–or daytime if I’m not at my full-time job
• Be the first to learn a new tip or trick I learned.  It could mean a new idea for a tutorial will be forthcoming
• Hear about my design team work with the Technique Junkie Newsletter
• Hear about my design team work with Odd Bird Planet.  New tutorials are in the works
• When you join and follow me, I will sign up to follow you, which will be all the more fun!

To get you started, I even have a few links for you:

Where you will find me and where you can sign up

181 Free Twitter Logos

Inque Boutique’s secret weapon video

Rubberstamping with PearlEx video

Basic Rubberstamping and Embossing video

Learn about cling stamps with Stampendous

Home Decor with Stampin’ Up video

So, are you in?

Halifax Citadel

Tutorial Tuesday will resume next Tuesday.

Anyone who has visited Halifax, Nova Scotia, will recognize one of my favourite Canadian landmarks–the Halifax Citadel town clock.  This is one of the very first stamp designs I drew.  I love this landmark so much, I did a cross-stitch of it 15 years ago.

To purchase this stamp, visit Sunflowers and Dragonflies Creative Designs.

Reader of the Week: Jeanette Waters

Before I introduce my Reader of the Week, I want to thank you for the many positive comments I am hearing about this regular feature.  Each week I learn something new from the interviews.  Take this week, for example.  I never heard of liquid chalks or glimmer chalks so I Googled them and attached links for those of you who never heard of them either.

As a recap for new readers, my Readers of the Week are randomly selected from a comment left throughout the week.  It’s a way for me to get to know you a little better, and it’s a way for you to have your day in the spotlight.

I would like to introduce my Reader of the Week, Janette Waters, of H2O Creations.

As you can see, Jeanette loves to layer her cards.  Who doesn’t love layers these days!

Jeanette started out sewing before she got into rubberstamping.  She likes the look of cards that use sewing, and hopes to start sewing on her own cards one day.

Jeanette was introduced to stamping when a girlfriend invited her to a stamping party, and added “the rest is history.”

I was surprised to learn that Jeanette has been blogging four years.  That is a long time, as blogs just became a huge thing about 3 years ago, and statistically, most quit blogging after two years.  What started out as a diary of her RV roadtrips to keep her family updated, turned to a rubberstamping blog.

As stated earlier, Jeanette is a lover of layers.  She starts with the basic layout of the card and adds to the card from there.  Liquid chalk inks and glimmer chalks are her favourite products.  She loves to use chalks in her backgrounds because they leave such a beautiful soft look.

Curious about liquid chalks?  Ziggy Art has a wonderful description.  Nex Tag is just one place where you can purchase this product.

Curious about glimmer chalks?  Simon Says Stamp gives a description along with the opportunity to purchase this item on-line.

I am always curious as to how long other stampers spend in their studio, and much to my surprise I learned Jeanette spends a long five to six hours there each day.  She spends her time on the computer and creating cards.

Design team work includes:

CowTown Stamps

DogGone Stamps

Just My Sketches

My Sketch World

My Grafico

Squigglefly

When she isn’t in the studio you can find her in her gardens.

Asked to describe her life, Jeanette was happy to say she is very fortunate and lives a very happy life.

As the fairy tale says, “and they all lived happily ever after.”  It sounds like Jeanette is indeed living her dream.

Tutorial Tuesday: One Layer, Postal Friendly Card

There are times we are in need of a unique one layer card, especially when holidays roll around and we are sending out many cards.  This technique can be used on any card, but today I will show you my Sea of Love version.   Adding a border will give the appearance of dimension to your card and to your sentiment.

It is important to note that this is an A2 card so the border will be narrow.  Next week I will demonstrate  a wider border on a larger card.

All images are Odd Bird Planet

Supplies:  Stamps, Sponge and Ink pads

3 pieces of cardstock will be cut:  A2 (5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″) and another piece slightly smaller, and a second slightly smaller than your last piece.

Step 1:  Clear your table to give yourself room to stamp.  This includes pets.

Step 2: Stamp images onto paper.  Leave room for your border.

Step 3: Cut a piece of cardstock slightly smaller than 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ A2 size.  Use cardstock as paper will not be strong enough.

Step 4: Place the larger of the two smaller pieces of cardstock in the centre of your A2 card.  Sponge dark colour around the edge of your card.

This is what your first border will look like.

Step 5: Using the smallest piece of cardstock, place it on the centre of your card and sponge lighter ink around the border.  Don’t be afraid to ink over your first colour.

Step 6: Next, stamp a sentiment on your card.

Step 7: Place a piece of cardstock over your sentiment and sponge colour around the cardstock.

You are now left with an image that gives the appearance of having the sentiment on a layered piece of cardstock.

Step 8: Finish sponging colour in the white space and colour your card.

I use this technique on a lot of my cards.  Next week, I will show you a way to spice up the border.

Odd Bird Planet Stamps Used:

951D Claude Left

1094 AA Philippe le fish small right

1095 AA Philippe le fish small left

934D Liza Seahorse left

244C Michelle right

997C Sea of Love

For a complete list of my tutorials, click on the Tutorial tab at the top of my page.

Porcelain Roses and Lilies

BasicGrey’s Porcelain paper coordinates with these SU Cameo Coral/Pretty in Pink/Rose Red roses and lilies very well.  Paper was machine stitched before adding the many layers of paper.

Have yourself a fantabulous day!