On the First Day of Christmas

I remember singing this song as a child - holding the note for "five golden rings" then singing faster and faster as I counted down to the "partridge in a pear tree." I never had a problem remembering the first five items, but I've always gotten confused with the numbers that go with maids a milkin' and lords a leapin'. When I found the "Days of Christmas" cubes by Stampington, I looked forward to creating a Christmas keepsake (2007 November Rubber Stamper) to help me keep the days straight.
From the beginning, I envisioned a monochromatic project in shades of aqua.When I saw a black plastic frame with 12 small openings at the dollar store, I knew that I'd found the perfect format.

First, I painted the frame with Ranger Adirondack Aqua Paint Dabber and edged with Stream Paint Dabber. The veins (Pool Paint Dabber) and crackle (Stream Paint Dabber) were stamped with the Stampendous Faux Finish Quad Cube. I sprayed inexpensive white bridal flowers and leaves with a Ranger Inkssentials Mini Mister filled with 1/3 Ranger Adirondack Stream Color Wash to 2/3 water.
To create the background paper for stamping, I misted watercolor paper to dampen and stamped the Stampendous Marble Texture Cube with Ranger Adirondack Aqua and Pool Ink misting to blend the colors. I then stamped the images with Ranger Adirondack Stream Ink and embossed with Ranger Super Fine Detail Clear Powder. I used my waterbrush to add color to the images misting to blend and mute the colors for a subtle effect. The center section was created in the same manner with Bring Roses (PSX) and Lace Corner (Stampabilities.) You can see the detail here.

"Love" and "gave to me" (Hero Arts Artistic Lowercase & Uppercase Alphabets) were stamped on a transparency with Ranger Big & Bossy Clear Ink and embossed with Ranger Turquoise Embossing Powder. "My" was stamped and embossed on watercolor paper then attached to an acrylic circle tag. "True" was die cut with the QuicKutz Maddie Anne alphabet and edged with a Ranger Adirondack Pigment Stream Pen.
This inexpensive project - less than $2 - is the perfect reminder of Christmas past and a carefree childhood.

Sister "Secret"

The Rubber Stamper asked me to submit several layouts for the July 2007 issue, but when I found out that only one page would be published from each designer, I asked them to use the "Secret" layout. I'm not sure what her older sister was doing - probably telling jokes or subtlely tickling, but this was one of the few photos of our younger daughter with her mouth open when she had braces. You can follow the progression of the photo shoot from the top to bottom right to explosive laughter on the left.

I created the look of mulberry paper with the Inkadinkado stamp and Ranger Adirondack Purple Twilight and Eggplant Inks. By lightly misting the inked stamp with water, the effect is a watercolor look. You may continue to mist and stamp without reinking as long as ink remains on your stamp. Then heat set. A Filigree Heart (The Artful Stamper) is stamped under the letter "e" in secret in the same way.
I stamped the Large Romantic Swirl (B Line Designs) onto a transparency with a Purple Twilight Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Dabber, and "Secret" (Making Memories Fab Font Alphabet) was stamped with a Pitch Black Paint Dabber. The focal picture was edged with Cool Perl and Purple Twilight Paint Dabbers. Tip: Use Ranger's Inkssentials Matte Accents in attach transparencies. You only need a dot or two under the paint where it won't be noticed.

Thinking In & Out of the Box

It was hard to keep the secret. When I found out that my work was going to be on the cover of the May 2007 Rubber Stamper, I could hardly contain myself. I swore my husband to secrecy and counted the days until the magazine was out. Now that was exciting!

When I found the unpainted box at Hobby Lobby, I knew it would be the perfect home for four ATCs. I created the background paper for the “Imagine” image by collaging painted paper as described in the prior post. The rest was just pure stamping and embossing fun. Isn’t the Ranger Chinese Red Embossing Antiquities great against the black case!

The star net background is Cliff Floral by Stampington. All other images are by Paula Best: Imagine Dress, 2003 Cube Face Tags, Essential Words, and Alphabet Bricks.

Watercolor & Collage Grace These ATCs

I like to play with paint so making these ATCs (featured in the May 2007 Rubber Stamper) was just plain fun. For the background paper, I randomly applied Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Dabbers to dampened Japanese Masa paper leaving some white areas. I tore the painted paper and 7 Gypsies printed tissue into strips and glued them onto heavier (140-lb.) watercolor paper with matte medium. When dry, I covered the paper with a layer of matte medium for a smooth base for stamping. The Paula Best images were stamped with Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink. (Play Angel, Normal Person, Design Slice Flamingo, Be Angel, and Essential Words)

Stamped "Purse" Gift Bag

This project was published in the May 2007 Rubber Stamper as a variation of the "snazzy" found background technique. First I stamped all flowers and paisleys (Hero Arts) onto text weight paper. Next, I pounced ink over punchinella ribbon extending the ink past the edges of the ribbon to create a creased effect. Finally, I stamped my initials with LaPluma's Exiled alphabet for a personalized touch. In just a few easy steps, you can turn an inexpensive gift bag turned into a designer purse!

30 Second Backgrounds

This was one of those serendipity moments. I'd been working with Ranger's Adirondack Color Wash all afternoon. Normally, I mist my craft sheet with water and clean up by making additional background pages. After making a stack of extra backgrounds, I cleaned the craft sheet with a paper towel.

I decided to try stamping on glossy paper with the wet paper towel. The results were unbelievable. The texture of the towel and the brilliant colors transferred to paper creating a stunning background in less than 30 seconds. In January 2007, the Rubber Stamper featured these five cards using this technique. I stamped all images with Ranger Archival Ink.




I used these stamps:

• Chocolate: Afternoon Tea by Oxford Impressions
• Strength of a Tree: Oak Branch by Stampscapes; Strength by Custer’s Last Stamp
• Memories Are Forever: Memories Are Forever by Limited Edition
• Eyes for You: Shaving Mug by Artful Legacy; Eyes by 100 Proof Press; Harlequin Diamonds by Post Modern Design; Old Writing by Hero Arts; Thank You by Stampabilities
• Forest Sunrise and Stream: Forest Sunrise and Stream, Bush, and Sedge Filler by Northwoods

Here are two additional cards that include images from Suze Weinberg Instant Art book. “SECRET” is stamped with the Postmodern Design Reverse Block Alphabet. “Live, Laugh, Love” is by American Art Stamp.




Heat set your backgrounds for the best results. You'll still be under 30 seconds. That's what I call fast!

Snazzy Backgrounds

When I submitted this idea for a feature article in the October 2006 issue of the Rubber Stamper, I called the technique “found” backgrounds because I stamped the backgrounds using items I found around the house. TRS titled the article “Snazzy Background.” I don’t know how “snazzy” tub mats, shelf liners, and fly swatters are, but they are great tools for stamping.

The technique is simple with the right supplies. I created the backgrounds with Ranger Adirondack Inks and stamped the images with Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink. The key is to stamp on regular text weight paper (like the paper you use in your printer) since household items generally carry little ink.

In this first project, you can see the impression of the shell patterned tub mat. The background is filled by repeated stamping with shelf liner, my favorite and most used “found” items. (One pack at the dollar store will yield a life-time supply for you and several friends.) Isn’t the angel stamp great! The stamp and phrase are from Postmodern Design, and the rick rack border is by Hot Potatoes.

For this card, I stamped with a geometric patterned tub mat and then pounced an inked cosmetic sponge over metallic micro-dot ribbon. By turning the ribbon as I pounced, a geometric pattern was formed in some places. Check the skirt of the Tim Holtz “Pattern” stamp for this detail.

The third project published in TRS was this composition book. Interestingly, the back side was featured where I used fewer real stamps. Now you can see the front of the book. I stamped the background with a wavy tub mat, a shell tub mat, my trusty shelf liner, and a diamond patterned fly swatter. The suction cup on the underside of the tub mats leaves a circle print. (Look under the net to see the starfish repeatedly stamped in the background.) All stamps are by Oxford Impressions.

Now you can see the three cards that TRS didn’t publish. I stamped the “Life’s Blessings” card with bubble wrap, a flower fly swatter, and shelf liner before adding the images by Art Impressions.


For a different look, try tone-on-tone stamping as I did with the “Kind Words” card. In this case I added stamping with a small paint container to the shelf liner and bath mat – as before, with the suction cups forming interesting circles. The flower stamp is from Hero Arts and Mother Theresa speaks though a Wisecracks stamp. (I don’t know about you, but I find that amusing!)

This card makes me want to jump for joy. Well, at least it makes me smile. I’ve used the small paint container with a twisting motion to apply more ink – some circles with the lid on and some off. You can see bubble wrap, fly swatter, and the ever present shelf liner. The exuberant figure is by Stamp in the Hand and the saying is from Wordsworth.

When I started stamping with household items, it changed the way that I look at my environment. We are surrounded by interesting textures and shapes. I enjoy the challenge of using them.