Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! After much consideration, I decided to create a blog as a way to track and share my papercraft creations.  I purchased my first rubber stamp approximately 15 years ago.  At the time I only purchased the stamp because it was an image of African Violets, which happened to be my sorority flower.  I never used the stamp because I really didn't know what to do with it.  Little did I know that little purchase so many years ago would become my favorite activity...well more of an obsession.  After that initial purchase, I didn't explored rubber stamping any further until about 2002.  At the time, I was visiting my friend and noticed a basket full rubber stamps.  She was gracious enough to show me how to use them.  I was amazed at what I saw.  From that point on, I haven't looked back (much to my Husband's dismay).

I don't consider myself a creative person.  As much as I love rubber stamping and other paper crafts, the creative process does not come naturally to me.  I am still learning and searching for my style, but love every minute of the process.  So I hope you enjoy this creative journey with me.  Please be patient while I develop my blog since I am a newbie and still figuring this blogging thing out.

Now to my first creation:

I made this card for a product demo I did at my local stamp store, Loving Hands Creations, for one of their open houses.  I was demonstrating using Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Inks.  I created the sky background by using the Clearsnap Stylus tool to sponge Ice Blue ink on the paper.  I used a torn paper towel as my mask to create the clouds.  I have seen this technique done using various masks, from scalloped edged paper to acrylic pieces made specifically for this purpose.  However, I find that torn paper towels gives a more natural look to the clouds.  Next, I sponged on Lime Pastel and Olive Pastel for the grassy area.  On a separate piece of paper, I stamped the flower image from Artful Stamper with Blackbird ink.  I used the stylus tool to color the petals with Wisteria, Lavendar, and Blackberry.  I used Butterscotch and Bisque for the flower center.  I used the same greens from the grassy area on the flower stem.  I cut the flower out and adhered it to my background.  I stamped the sentiment from Great Impressions with Charcoal.  For the card base, I used Prism cardstock (embossed with Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder) and Cloud 9 Designs DP.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The crystals are from Mark Richards and glitter is Stickles.  

Please enjoy!