Taking time to stamp

Now you can see my take on the Lockhart stamps. I used Ciao markers on white luster paper after stamping in Brilliance ink. I used Graphic 45 papers when I layered the images.

I stamped these flower pots with a newly reinked Brilliance pad and the outer frame smeared when I colored it so I stamped the image again on on a paper sprayed with Smooch spray then cut out the colored picture and layered it, then put it on the pink card.

I like the sweet flowers and repeated the images on the bottom of the card with an Impression Obsession stamp and colored it with Copic Ciao markers too.

I really like how the Ciao markers feel in my hands. After a while the Sketch markers tire me out since they are wider. Both have the same super brush tips marked with a gray rim so I can grab it quickly. My preference too is for the paler colors since I can go 2 or 3 shades darker just by layering the same color.

Here's my take on the vase of lilacs. After coloring and layering, I used some flower soft on the flowers. I used two colors of purple and a touch of sweet pea. I imagined the vase as one of those white hobnail antiques and so after coloring I brushed some blue-green interference watercolor from the interference palette, my favorite. I especially like the colors on dark papers because they show up as pearly metallic but on a whitish design like this you get a lovely iridescence. To top if off I attached a small bow.                           

If you think I like flowers, you would be right. This vase reminded me of my niece's wedding bouquet of sweet peas, orchids and other purple Spring flowers. I colored it a little paler than her flowers.  (Her theme was peacocks and the colors were all deep teal, blue and purples.)After I finished coloring I used Crystal lacquer to color the vase so it is 3 dimensional.Last is a tribute to warm weather. A lovely beach chair, sand done with Fun flock. I had fun using my new warm grays #1 and #5 and of course the original Copic color of sand. The dotted wave punch worked for an edge.

Samples from Lockhart Stamps

New stamps on the shelf always look better when stamped. Here are several cards made by the Lockhart company. The owner uses colored pencils and plenty of layered papers.

The red card shows a lovely flower pot filled with Spring flowers.

Another vase filled with daisies and roses. Then daisies and roses.

Lots of us feel this way about our morning coffee.

Continuing the window series is this joy full Christmas one.   Finally here is a vase of lilacs.

Mouse of the Month

One Mouse Band shows Amanda the mouse playing a flower like a horn and the words say, You Rock. We get a new mouse each month. Come in and look at the flyer for the new images coming out. We can call you when they come in and set one aside for you. 1 800 STAMP 93.

Flowers like you have not seen before

The Outlines flower stamps can be put together in many ways. Here are some layered flowers created with our newest cling stamps.

     The blue flower Enjoy, It's Your Day uses both blue and green vellum.      Various papers were used to create the next blue flower and the leaves were also stamped on vellum. Lovely background leaves are used also.
     You can't tell by the picture, but this peach flower is smaller than the others. Lots of variation in card size to create. Notice the patterned paper of the flower and leaf. Both are not really patterned paper, but created with the background stamps. This is a perfect way to get just the color combinations that you need.
     Butterflies are very popular now and the sparkle added by the gems makes this card elegant.

Creative Bag Contest

 Winner of the Bag Decorating contest in April is Sandra Davis. She entered two bags. The stamped bag won. Her second bag shows her zentangle interest and expertise. Stamp Thyme is all the time bag designed by Susan Kennedy was winner of the people's choice contest. Carolyn Baitinger chose to race to Stamp Thyme. Mickie Mulder entered the lovely masked bag with loads of ladies. Anne Franc embellished her yellow bag with crystals and more. Congratulations to all and thanks for your entries

Stamp Thyme has been part of the "green" movement for years and one way is by using paper bags that biodegrade and paper wrapping around your stamps when you make a purchase.

Wedding Card

Norm and I flew to Temecula California last week to attend the wedding of my niece Cheyenne and her husband Chris. This is the card and envelope I brought with. I stamped the hearts on the envelope with brilliance Silver and the inside with brilliance also. The card itself was several layers. Stamp and striped pearl paper with the same hearts but in light blue brilliance and the words in a deeper blue brilliance. The dress was stamped on white cardstock, embossed in platinum powder and cut out. Color the flowers with pearl ex paints. Use crystal lacquer on the flowers, then sprinkle with ultra fine glitter. Finish by attaching blue pearls randomly.

Simple Flower Card

I love simple things which you probably have noticed from my blogs. I stamped the solid flower silhouettes in different chalk colors on a pink paper, then the outline flower silhouettes randomly over the first flowers. I think that this is a great concept. Next came several leaves stamped in versifine ink. I placed a mother's day stamp on the card, but that certainly could have been another sentiment. Easy and elegant.

Studio Paints and Canvas

Cheryl has been playing with the Studio paints and canvas since they arrived. This card is made with the canvas that has been frayed. She stamped, then put dots of color on a craft sheet and painted areas with a brush.

Here Cheryl again stamped the image with archival black ink, but on tissue paper. She painted the background, then used multi medium to apply the tissue paper to the frayed canvas.

The houses are made on canvas frames using Studio paints and multi medium. She will be teaching these techniques next week in class. Check out www.stampthyme.com/classes.html.

Using Mega Mount for Backgrounds

Huge stamps have always been a problem to stamp. No longer. The mega mount rocker handle works well to allow you to stamp that large stamp and make it look great. Newest techniques are to stamp the background more than once to get a purchased paper look. Thin stripes was stamped with rose chalk ink onto mauve paper. Reinked with wisteria chalk ink, it was stamped again, a little to the right of the first image. Then Flourish 2 was stamped in blackberry chalk ink at the top and bottom. Edge the paper with ink.

Last pop the words and the butterfly (colored pencil shaded with gamsol).

Mouse of the Month

Sensory Overload features the mouse Monica. The words are available too. Cheryl added some Flower Soft to the lilac in the sample sent with the stamps. Cute! These stamps are wood mounted and usually sell out.

April 20, 2010

Earth Art International is rather a new line of stamps at Stamp Thyme. The outer design is an animal shape and  contains many iconic native American images and designs filling in its body outline.  These images are shown entirely colored in. Colored pencil is one way of accomplishing this but you can use your favorite medium. Each also looks stunning just stamped in black. Color in one area if you wish or leave it white. Don't forget to look for the signature ladybug in each design which will bring you peace and good luck. These stamps are clear acrylic.

April 19, 2010

Here are a few more cards made with Stacy Stamps. These are cling rubber stamps with no wood. You just use them on an acrylic block. Saves cost and storage space. These cards are colored with colored pencils.Of course, Stacy is known for her trianglular stamp images.

April 18, 2010

I'm a sucker for animal babies. Here are some from Stacy stamps.

April 17, 2010

I like how this card turned out with just a touch of yellow fun flock and some crystal lacquer on the glass jar. Copic markers can be used to illustrate with subtle colors. The vase is from Lockhart stamps and the flower stems from Impression Obsession.

April 15, 2010

I just love these stamps from Lockhart stamps. The sweet small designs are perfect for coloring. These were sent to us from the  company and all are colored with colored pencils. There does not appear to be any blending, but they call for the use of gamsol. Personally I am hooked on Copic markers another medium that works well. Then touch them with some fun flock or Flower soft. Some of the the shiny objects including water, vases and fruit can be embellished with crystal lacquer. All you need are the stamps.

Here's a card I missed yesterday. Also a sticker embellished with Stickles.

April 9, 2010

I'm finally getting the gist of this blog. I'll try to post more and that will give me lots of practice.

Look at these "stickers" from Penny Black. We like them when we have to make a card in hurry (or lots of cards). Just apply peel off the image, apply to paper and layer onto your note card. Then the fun begins. Decorate with Stickles, Distress Stickles, Glitter, Class a Peels, Crystals, Dew Drops, Flower Soft, Fun Flock, Smooch, Shimmerz or your favorite embellishment. Each takes a few minutes and there are at least 4 on a sheet. All avalable at Stamp Thyme.

Lovely brown toned card with sticker.

Another image made into a quick card.

April 3, 2010

Since our store was once a gas station, there was plenty to do before we opened. We spent a couple of months cleaning, painting, hanging slat wall and changing things. There are walls where the garage doors were. Later a back room with space for classes and more stamps plus office were added. Our store name reflects my interest in herb gardening. Before we opened, we had the asphalt on the south side of the parking lot removed and soil hauled in so we could plant it. The store has grown and evolved as the stamping world has. We still emphasize card making but have plenty for the scrapper, paper crafter or polymer clay artist.

April 2, 2010

Norm and I opened Stamp Thyme on March 1, 1995. We appreciate real rubber stamps but do carry lots of clear acrylic stamps and red rubber cling stamps as well as the wood mounted ones. Stamp Thyme has everything else you need to go with them, including papers, inkpads, embellishments, brass stencils, punches and lots more. We love samples so you can be sure to get lots of ideas in our store. We also have a Technique of the Week, so come in and learn something with this short, free make and take. This was our 15th anniversary so starting a blog this year makes sense. I hope you will stop in and see what we look like in person.

Marilyn