Fall Color Challenge at Retro Rubber

 For our challenge at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog the colors are slightly non-traditional for fall.  It was really fun to come up with a design that is fallish as Dahlias are still blooming this time of year.

It is so fun to enjoy my Dahlias this time of year.  I once had a neighbor who was a Dahlia aficionado, and grew about 30 kinds of dinner plate Dahlias.   He would share his beautiful blooms.  This card uses Pinkfresh Dahlia Bunch from October 2021.  So Pinkfresh also likes Dahlias in the fall too.  I didn't want to use the entire image on one card so it is carefully trimmed to place on two cards.  Since coloring is so easy with matching stencils I actually made a set of four cards!

First card using the lower part of the image.

Second card using the upper part of the image.

• The Pinkfresh Dahlia image is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.
• The coordinating stencils are used to add Memento Dandelion Yellow, Cantaloupe, Morocco, Summer Sky, and Teal Zeal.
• The stamped image is die cut with the matching die, then trimmed into two pieces.  A second die cut is glued to the back to give a bit of dimension.
  
• Cuttlebug Basket Weave embossing folder is inked up in Memento Morocco and the background is pressure embossed.  The Basket Weave is highlighted by direct to paper inking in Memento Dandelion Yellow. 
• The A-2 card base is inked in Memento Teal Zeal to match the leaves.  
• All the layers are adhered together.  

This is another card that I want to wait until I send it to add the sentiment.  I have two friends battling breast cancer, and I try to send them sweet snail mail about once a month.  I may also use a few as thank you cards.

 

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 RRCB239.  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 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 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.

 Thank you for stopping by and do come play with us over a Retro Rubber Challenge Blog!

The Great Outdoors for Retro Rubber

At Retro Rubber Challenge Blog we have a fun challenge for the next two weeks.  As I sit at my computer and gaze at the wonderful view out my windows of the great outdoors!

My current stamp stash does not contain camping images, but I do have more than a few of the outdoor themed stamps.  I decided to combine two different companies to create the card below.

 

 

For the background of the card I used Hero Arts Layering Mountains at the Lake released in 2020.  I live on a lake now, but do not have mountains.  The background reminds me a bit of being a Dillon Reservoir in Colorado.   The front images are from Heartfelt Creations Woodsy Wonderland release in 2017.

• Memento Toffee Crunch and Rich Cocoa were used to stamp the mountains.  
• Trees are stamped in Versa Magic Tea Leaves and Spanish Olive.
•  A mask is stamped and fussy cut to allow the sky to be sponged in Versa Magic Sea Breeze.
  
• The lake was added by mixing Versa Magic Sea Breeze and Aegean Blue with bristle blending brushes.  The reflection in the water is stamped in Memento Luxe Wedding Dress.
• Woodsy Treescape and Woodsy Wonderland is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.  The images were colored with Prisma Colored pencils from the 48 color set I've had since about 1998! All are die cut with the matching dies.  
• Dark brown cardstock is trimmed to A-2 card size.  The center is removed with Heartfelt Creations Cut Mat Create Die 2A.  To match the interior of the frame, Fiskars Corner Rounder was used on the card base and frame 
• The Treescape is adhered to the card front and the frame is adhered over it.
• The Woodsy Wonderland image is die cut twice more and adhered to the back of the image to create a sturdy layered image.

I've not added a sentiment yet . . . might later depending on the recipient and occasion!  I'm really pleased with the final card.  Not necessarily my typical style of card right now, but I'm glad I have these stamps in my stash! 

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 RRCB238.  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 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 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.

Please do join along and add your card or project to our gallery at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog!

Tic Tac Toe Thank you card for Retro Rubber

 A very fun Tic Tac Toe at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog for the next two weeks.  Honestly, sometimes I struggle with Tic Tac Toe challenges because there are too many choices.  

 

I purchased an Altenew set "Beautiful Life" from 2021, and had to play with all the elements!  I do like that it has matching Stamps, Die and Stencils, as well as an Embossing Folder.

 The vertical line of stencil, heat/dry emboss, and metallics was the inspiration for this card. 

• The image is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.
• Stencils are used to ink the flower in Memento Dandelion and Cantaloupe, the leaves in Memento Pear Tart and Bamboo Leaves.  
• The image is die cut.
• Another Altenew set added the gold leaves.  "Leafy Splendor" from 2024.  The leaves are die cut from gold metallic paper then pressure embossed with the matching embossing folder.  
• Beautiful Life embossing folder is used to pressure emboss Color Core cardstock.  The surface is sanded to allow the shadow image to pop in orange.
• The same cardstock is used to create the matching sentiment die cut, using the reverse side.  Altenew Elegant Sayings is stamped in Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black and heat embossed with black detailed embossing powder then die cut.  Additional die cuts adhered to the back create a raised sentiment with a hint of white outline.
• The card is assembled and an A-2 card base.

 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 RRCB237.  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 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 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.

Please do come play along with us at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog!  We love to see your creations. 

Slimline Sketch at Retro Rubber

It is time for a new challenge at Retro Rubber.  This is the sketch I provided for the challenges, a Slimline design.

 

 

I had a specific stamp in mind when I designed this sketch.  Then wouldn't you know it I couldn't find it!  I did eventually locate it, an image by Creative Companion released in 2021 along with three other script and block images designed to work together.

For this card I went to my stash of "techniques tried and not used" cardstock.  Then decided to pull from a variety of greens.  (My handy color charts allowed me to identify the inks used, but since the samples were created over last 10 years or so, I may not be absolutely correct :))

• The background for the sentiment is water color paper that is brayered with Kaleidacolor Fresh Green.  Most likely it was spritzed with water to allow the colors to blend seamlessly.
• The narrow stripe is spritzed with Shimmer Mist in Sparkle then pressure embossed with a basket weave embossing folder.  Memento Bamboo Leaves was applied to the raised areas of the paper.
• The far right piece was bayered with Electric Blue Radiant Neon ink with a foam brayer.  It was embossed with a dots embossing folder and the raised areas inked with Electric Green Radiant Neon ink.  Radiant Neon inks are pigment based and have a softer look.
• All three sections are trimmed and adhered to the Slimline card base.  
• "Birthday" is stamped in Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black and heat embossed with ultra fine black embossing powder.  
• "HAPPY" is stamped over the birthday in Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black.
• Crafty Medley Green sequins are adhered then topped with Nuvo Crystal Drops in Gloss Ebony. 

I do hope you will join us at Retro Rubber with the challenge!  It would be a blast to see how you interpret my sketch! 

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 RRCB236.  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 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 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!

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy time at Retro Rubber

 Ah, the taste of fresh homemade lemonade . . . tangy sweet summer time drink!  Our challenge for the next two weeks at Retro Rubber Blog challenge is a color challenge, with the sample incorporating lemons.  

 

I choose to stay with the lemon theme with Hero Arts "Zest Wishes" from 2020.  I don't own the die set for this stamp collection, but it was easy peasy enough to fussy cut the images!

• The images were stamped in Nocturne Versa Fine Clair and heat embossed with black embossing powder on white cardstock.
• The images were water colored with Memento Dandelion and Cantaloupe.
• The sentiment is stamped in Versa Color Cyan and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. 
• Spellbinders Standard Circles large was used to die cut the circles, one from yellow vellum.  (I like how the yellow vellum over blue gives a greenish hue!)
• The background is blue cardstock has texture from the Taylored Expressions Pierced Circles Cutting Plate.
• Two of the images were fussy cut and the entire card is adhered together.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.  We hope you play along with our challenge at Retro Rubber Blog 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 RRCB235.  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 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 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.

Christmas in July!

Even though it is summer . . . is it time to think about starting on your Christmas cards?  If you make a few a month, then you will be ready to send them out come December. This is our challenge at Retro Rubber for the next two weeks. 

I went with a tried and true die cut Nativity scene by Crafter's Companion and a few ancient stamps.

• Kraft card base in A7 size is die cut with Follow the Star from 2021.
• Blue card stock is trimmed to 5" x 6 1/4", and 2" x 6 1/4"
• The larger blue card stock is die cut to align the curve of the die.
• The bottom section is stamped with Crafter's Companion Festive Sentiments from 2021 in Memento Luxe Wedding White and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  Neato Stuff "Dots and Stars" cube from 1991 is lightly stamped in Memento Luxe Wedding white. 
• Personal Stamp Exchange 1994 is the large star stamped and heat embossed for the large star.  Another side of the cube is used to stamp and heat emboss the remaining stars on the top section.
• Both top and bottom are adhered to the card.
• The smaller blue section is stamped with a third side the Neato Stuff cube to create dimension and depth then adhered behind the Nativity scene inside the card.
  

I am really pleased with the finished card and cannot wait to send in for Christmas.  Pleased do join us at Retro Rubber and play along.  Our rules are simple.

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 RRCB234.  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 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 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.

 

Retro Rubber Challenge #233 a fun Tic Tac Toe

Time to play with a new challenge over a Retro Rubber!  At times I find a Tac Tac Toe filled with too many choices.  This time my creativity had been sparked by watching crafty card making videos. Here is my creation.

 It is inspired by the top row of ink blend, stencil and sequins.

 

The process was straight forward even though it looks like a "how did you do that" card.

• Memento ink was blended on a 4" x 5 1/4" in the following colors: Bahama Blue, Summer Sky, and Teal Zeal.  The ink was heat set.
• The Crafter's Workshop Mini Flutterby stencil was used to create the Butterfly pattern.  Versa Clair Fine in Blue Bell is inked over the top of the stencil.  The key to this technique is to use the right style of stencil and an ink darker than the background blended inks.
• To finish the card Recollections Thanks from 2019 was stamped in Delicata Silver Shimmer and heat embossed with silver embossing powder.
• Sequins are added with liquid glue so they can be moved around to the optimum position.  
• The edges of a A2 card are inked in Versa Clair Fine Blue Blue to soften the look of the contrast between the card base in the card front panel.

Please do come and play along with our challenge, let us see what you come up with this plethora of options!

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 RRCB233.  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 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 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  Verification.  We love to comment but verification can make that difficult.