Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Books books books! at Retro Rubber

If you are a bibliophile this challenge is for you brought to you by Retro Rubber!  I will admit my stash was a bit scant when it came to images for this challenge.  I did go looking for ideas and came across some lovely images . . . but the spirit of this challenge is to use what you have!  So I resisted the urge to find a retro image elsewhere at went with one I already owned.

 

I will admit my stash was a bit scant when it came to images for this challenge.  I did go looking for ideas and came across some lovely images . . . but the spirit of this challenge is to use what you have!  So I resisted the urge to find a retro image elsewhere and went with one I already owned from TPC Studio released in 2010.  It was a part of a Back to School Set.  It is an image I have used on scrapbook layouts for back to school.


  •  The background is from a Judi-kins Stamp mounted on wood that has a copy right of 2000 printed on it.  An Excerpt of a story from the Book of Kells is the name of the stamp.  It is stamped in Versa Mark on Kraft cardstock.   My Favorite Things Wonky Stitched Rectangles is used to die cut the image.
  • The Books image is stamped in Versa Magic Jumbo Java and colored with Derwent Watercolor pencils.  The panel is cut with a smaller die from the MFT Wonky Stitched Rectangles.  (As a side note I just found out the MFT has closed!  I will miss this fun company!)  
  • The thank you sentiment is a Studio G image from 2009 stamped in Versa Magic Jumbo Java.  
  • Fiber is tie around the front panel and then adhered with dimensional foam adhesive.  The entire panel is then adhered to the card base.   

We have  ton of fun over at Retro Rubber and would like to see how you play with this theme!   We do have a few guidelines:

  • We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
  • New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
  • Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
  • Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB259.  No backlinking. 
  • Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
  • Enter as many times as you like. 
  • Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 5 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 5 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
  • If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
  • Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

 

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Tic tac Toe! Pick your favorites!

 Tic Tac Toe stretches your imagination, as you selected which row or column to use!  Here is this fortnight's selection from Retro Rubber.   

 One of my favorite ways to color images is to use stencils.  For me the easy peasy way works best,  I've never really enjoyed coloring with alcohol pens.  One has to know what her skill set is!  I enjoy the Pinkfresh Studio images, and their first stencil sets came out with the long stamps that could stamp, color, and die cut all in one for multiple images.  This is the first of two cards created that met the Die Cut/Stencil/Sequins diagonal.


  •  Pinkfresh Studio's Sunflowers from March of 2022 is used to create the flower images.  Stamped in Memento Tuxedo Blank and colored with the stencil set in Memento Pear Tart, Bamboo Leaves, Rich Cocoa, Elderberry, Dandelion and Versafine Clair in Cheerful.  The set was released early to Support Ukraine, it was ready but not released--then the war in Ukraine began.  I love sunflowers too!
  • The background is Pinkfresh's Argyle Stencil with a very feminine touch done in Memento Dandelion and Elderberry.  Several different colors of sequins are used to decorate the intersections and are adhered with wet adhesive.
  • To add more interest a very old Spellbinders die, Floral Ovals from 2011 is die cut.  The center is die cut with a Spellbinders Petite Oval.  The frame is mounted to the base with dimensional foam adhesive.  The flowers are adhered to the frame, and supported with dimensional foam adhesive.
  • Scrapbook.com's Happy Birthday stamp and die set is the sentiment.  The cardstock was inked with Memento Dandelion then stamped in Elderberrty to carry the color throughout the card design.

Here is the second card from the same stamping session.

 
  • The background is Sizzix's 3D Textured Cobblestone with the edges inked in Versafine Clair Cheerful.  
  • The card base edges are inked in Memento Pear Tart.
  • The Sentiment is Perfect Sentiments foiled with Auro Glimmer foil. 

Do come and play with us at Retro Rubber, we would love to see your work!  There are a few challenge guidelines:

  • We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
  • New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
  • Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
  • Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB259.  No backlinking. 
  • Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
  • Enter as many times as you like. 
  • Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 5 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 5 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
  • If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
  • Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Quick Graduation Card from a sketch

 I was in the mood to get a ton of things done today and on the list was a graduation card for an announcement that came a few weeks ago.  A quick search for a card sketch challenge and I found this one over at Freshly Made Sketches 698 that made this card go together in just 15 minutes!

The graduate will be going to a well known university in California, so I choose those colors for the card.  


  •  From my scraps bin I found crimson cardstock and stamped an acient grad cap by PSX probably 1998 or so in Memento Luxe Wedding White and heat embossed with white detail embossing powder.
  • The diploma is from Stampendous 1998 dated.  Stamped in Versafine Clair Nocturne and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.
  • The confetti is a stencil by Alex Syberis Designs called festive fun.  It is a two step stencil.  I used Altenew Mahogany Bark and Maple Yellow.
  • The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Background and I simply edged the strip in Maple Yellow.
  • Adhered it all together and wooza, it is done.

Thanks for stopping by! 

 

 

 


 

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Sketch Time for Retro Rubber

It is hard to believe we are already at the end of July?  At any rate we have another sketch challenge over at Retro Rubber, one created by yours truly.  

 

I didn't have specific images in mind when creating this sketch, but once it was time to make a card the stamps from Hero Arts release in 2017 of Color Layering Koi and Frame Cuts were a perfect fit.  When I lived in Japan as an exchange student I would marvel at the Koi ponds and gorgeous fish.  

To maintain a sense of proportions I decided a A7 (5" x 7") would work best.  I used cool serene colors for this card because this card would be sent to my mother for my dad's birthday.  One his birthday she visits his columbarium at the Willamette National Cemetery.  I cannot be there is person, but want her to know that I am there with her.  

  • The koia, leaves, and water lily were stamped in layers with Versa Magic in Thatched Straw, Mango, Aspen Mist, See Breeze, and Night Sky.  
  • The diagonal strip is masked off, and inked in Thatched Straw and the words stamped in Mango.   
  • The light aqua card base is trimmed to 4.75" x 6.75.
  • White cardstock is trimmed to 4.5" x 6.5" and a circle is die cut to match the sketch.  
  • The bubble images are stamped inside the open area in Night Sky.
  • The base and white cardstock is layered and mounted with dimensional foam adhesive to the card front.
  • The sentiment is stamped in Night Sky and die cut with Fawn Cuts Banners and inked in Night sky as well.
  • The image layers are added to the card.
  • Nuvo Crystal Drops in Metallic Navy Blue are added to finish the card.

Crafting this card brought me peace too as I fondly remembered my Dad, it's been 3 years since his passing.  I am thankful for the parents that raised me!!!!

Please do join along with us at Retro Rubber.   We have a few simple rules.

  • We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
  • New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
  • Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
  • Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB259.  No backlinking. 
  • Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
  • Enter as many times as you like. 
  • Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 5 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 5 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
  • If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
  • Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that dif

 

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Color Challenge for Retro Rubber #259

 Summer time!  We have a great color challenge for the next two weeks.  Please play along with us at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog.  


Honestly my first impression was of the colors of our rival University in the state of Oregon.  BUT I decided I could work through the rivalry and go with flowers!  
 
  • The flower image is Kind Cosmos from Technique Tuesday released in 2019.  Sadly, Technique Tuesday closed their doors a few years ago.  I am thankful for the smattering of smaller floral images with matching dies.
  • The image is stamped in Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black and heat embossed with black embossing powder.  Derwent Watercour Pencils are used to create the color gradient on the flowers and leaves.  Cosmos have very feathery foliage.   The matching die is used to die cut the image.
  • The Thanks sentiment is from TT Echinacea  set, and is water colored to match the flowers.
  • Pinkfresh Studio Slim Ornate Banner is used to create the shaped background.
  • Elizabeth Craft Designs Stitched Retcangles created the base from patterned paper.
  • All the layers are adhered together.

This card was fairly simple to put together, and the finished product is nice and simple for a thank you for summer time.  Thank you for stopping by!  Please play along with our Retro Rubber challenge!

 

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

  • We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
  • New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
  • Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
  • Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB259.  No backlinking. 
  • Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
  • Enter as many times as you like. 
  • Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 5 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 5 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
  • If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
  • Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Birthday theme time at Retro Rubber

 If there is one type of card everyone needs it is a birthday card, so here is a challenge to add one to your stash OR have ready to send tomorrow!  Join us at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog!

 

I was inspired by the balloons in the inspiration to use a set I have had since Sept of 2017 and have played with only a time or two.  It is Concord & 9th's Happy Balloons Stamp and Die Set.  


  •  What is really fun about this set Happy Balloons is that you can stamp designs or solids and create cute balloons.  I used the solid and one that creates dimension in the balloon.  The balloon image is stamped on vellum in Memento Cantaloupe, and then the texture layer is stamped over the image several times to create darker dots.  The image is die cut with the matching die. 
  • Melon colored cardstock is die cut to create the balloon outline, banner and string.
  • Birthday is stamped in Memento Morocco on the banner and then the images are adhered together.
  • The background is stamped in Memento Teal Zeal on teal cardstock.  
  • The edges of the card base are inked in Memento Morocco.
  • All the layers are adhered together, and TaaDaa a quick birthday card!  

Please do join us over at Retro Rubber and play along!  

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

  • We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
  • New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
  • Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
  • Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB256.  No backlinking. 
  • Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
  • Enter as many times as you like. 
  • Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 5 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 5 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
  • If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
  • Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

   

 

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

A Special Birthday Card for the Tic Tac Toe

Tic Tac Toe boards are always fun, and so many different ways to for projects to be created.  Try your hand at this challenge from Retro Rubber.  

 

My mom's birthday is at the beginning of June so I created a special card for her using one of Heartfelt Creations (HC) sets released in 2018, Butterfly Dreams.  I do miss the delicate whimsical images that Heartfelt Creations was known for as they retired in 2024.  Glad I have these to play with!

  • Butterfly Dreams paper pack was used for the background and banner.  The background is spritzed with Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray in Sparkle using the The Crafter's Workshop Mini Flutterby stencil.  It is easier to see in person. The edges are inked in Brilliance Pearlescent Ivy.  
  • White cardstock was die cut the HC Regal Borders and Pocket die.
  • Butterfly Kisses Border is stamped in  Brilliance Pearlescent Ivy and heat embossed with iridescent embossing powder.  The images are watercolored with Memento Luxe dual tip pens scribbled on a work mat.  Angel Pink, Rose bud, New Sprout, Summer Sky, Danube Blue, and Tangelo are used.  The image is die cut with matching die and gently shaped with the flower shaping kit.  
  • Purrfect Posies by HC released in 2019 creates the flowers with the stamp, die, and mold combination.  The flowers are water-colored  with Memento Dual Tip markers in Lilac Posies, and the leaves are water-colored with New Sprout.  The centers of the flowers are filled with Perfect Pearls and Prills in Sweet Shoppe by Artquest.  
  • The sentiment is from the HC set and is stamped in Memento Luxe Lilac Posies and heat embossed with iridescent embossing powder.  It was hand cut and then edged in Brilliance Pearlescent Ivy.  
  • The layers are carefully adhered together using liquid adhesive, glue dots and dimensional foam.

This labor of love did take awhile to create, but I am sure my Mom really enjoyed her card.  She saves them all and eventually returns them to me.  

Please do join along with us at Retro Rubber and play along with our challenge.  We would love to see what you create!   We do have a few simple rules.

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

  • We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
  • New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
  • Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
  • Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB257.  No backlinking. 
  • Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
  • Enter as many times as you like. 
  • Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 5 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 5 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
  • If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
  • Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.