Showing posts with label Altenew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Altenew. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Feels like Fall theme for Retro Rubber

 The leaves are starting to change here in Northern Minnesota, prime leaf peeping season is just in the next week or so!  Our theme at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog is:

 

My sister-in-law is a self described witch because her birthday is Halloween.  She loves to dress up for the holiday, and finds all things Halloween fun!  She enjoys the witch themed cards that I create for her birthday.  Here is this year's version.


  •  Joy Clair Trick or Treat set from 2016 has several pumpkin images with a couple of different choices for the centers.  All are stamped in VersaFine Clair Pine cone and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. 
  • The images are colored with Powder Puff Chalking inks in Rusty Nail, Sunset, Rouge, and Kokomo.
  • The sentiment is from Scrapbook.com Happy Birthday set.  This set is so versatile!  Sentiments in all fonts and sizes along with matching dies.  It is the only birthday sentiment set you will ever need.  The image is stamped in Altenew Mahogany Bark and then die cut.  
  • Altenew Burlap die is cut, and Burlap Press Plate provides nice texture to finish the layers of the card.   

Thanks for stopping by and we hope you play along with us at Retro Rubber! 

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 RRCB282.  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, September 22, 2026

Play the Tic Tac Toe board with us a Retro Rubber Challenge Blog

 Come have some fun with us a Retro Rubber Challenge Blog and play along with the fun autumn themed board.

 

This was a challenge I created for the team, and I did have fun with the game board.  I decided to go with a set from Concord & 9th that I purchased new back in August of 2021 called Harvest Wreath Turn-About set and dies.  It is very versatile!  


  •  The background is stamped four times in four different ink colors.  I used my Altenew Stamp Wheel which makes is super simple to rotate the image 90 degrees before stamping the next color. The card uses the following Altenew inks: Maple Yellow, Amber Blaze, Melted Butterscotch, Canyon Clay, Burnt Red, Mahogany, and Sand Dunes.  
  • There are smaller stamps that create the splatter  to finish out the rest of the card base.   
  • The card base is die cut with Waffle Flower's Deckled Frames then distressed further and then inked with Mahogany ink.
  • The Happy Birthday sentiment is at least 15 years old and is by Imaginesce, All Kinds of  Happy.  Further embellishment is all from the Harvest Wreath set as well as the circle die. 
  • The leaf die cuts were inked with the matching inks  after they were cut.
  • The card base edges is inked with Mapple Yellow.  
  • The layers are adhered together, with dimensional foam adhesive used under the circle.  The leaf dies are adhered to the back of the circle before it is adhered to the card base to give it all a bit of dimension. 
  • To finish off the card Darice Hemp twine is tied in a bow and adhered with a small glue dot.

This card was super fun to make and I really like the final result.  I hope you have as much fun as I did!  

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 RRCB281.  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, September 8, 2026

Sketch time at Retro Rubber

 A good sketch is a great way to start a card.  We have a nice sketch to work with at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog.  


For my sample I started with the image I wanted to use.  We have some very pretty Coneflowers in our wildflower garden bed, so I decided to use Altenew's Mini Coneflower released in 2023 for the image.


  •  The Mini Conflower is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black and then colored with Altenew inks in Golden Honeycomb, Amber Blaze, Baby Pink, Fuchsia, and Magenta.  I used a Fantastix to do the coloring as the image is smaller.  The stem was colored with a colored pencil, yes it is a tiny bit green!
  • After searching through my mixed media scrap bin I found a few bits that would work as the other parts of the sketch.  The rectangle under the image is Fireworks! sprays in Tangelo and Dandelion.   The Spellbinders Deckled Rectangles die is used to created the rectangle.  
  • The blended strip is glossy cardstock inked with Kaliedacolor Dessert Heat.  
  • The create some textural interest, the Altenew Burlap Press Plate was used as an embossing folder on the card front.  A bit of Altenew Peachy Glow ink is rubbed on the surface to add color.  
  • The sentiment is the Spellbinders BetterPress for life sentiments.  
  • The layers are adhered together for the finished card.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I do enjoy reading your comments!  Check out the Retro Rubber Challenge Blog to see what the other team members came up with for this 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 RRCB280.  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 25, 2026

Anything Goes! at Retro Rubber

Everyone's favorite challenge to enter is anything goes, right?  I do enjoy seeing all the different styles of cards that show up on these challenges!  Join us over at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog and play along.

 

 

There are many birthday cards I like to send out for the month of August.  It is by far the most busy month for me to send greeting to my family and friends.  Here is one I created using the Altenew Alluring Orchids released in 2024.  What I like about this set is the spots at the center of the flower are a stamp, making them very easy to add to the flower.


  •  The outline of the orchids is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.  
  • Altenew's Baby Pink, Fuchsia, Magenta, Jazzberry, Soft Lilac, Lavender Feilds, Deep Iris, Midnight Violet, and Matcha Tea are applied through the layered stencil sets.
  • Midnight Violet is stamped on the image with the corresponding stamp.   
  • The image is die cut with the matching die.
  • Cardstock is inked with Matcha Tea and the sentiment from Scrapbook.com Happy Birthday is stamped in Midnight Violet before die cutting.
  • The black background is splattered with Spellbinders Opaque White water color.
  • The layers are adhered together and the edges of the orchid image are trimmed off the card edges.

Thanks so much for checking out the blog, it is always wonderful to read your comments.

 

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 RRCB279.  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 11, 2026

Off to the Tropics

To start out our challenges for August we are going to the Tropics at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog.  This is a challenge I submitted for our group, and I had a lot of fun playing with my stamps.  
 
 I choose a stamp set from Pinkfresh Studios released in 2022, Hibiscus.  At that time their stamp/stencil/die sets were designed with a matching washi tape.  I have one of two of these sets with the washi tape, and a few more of the stamp/stencil/die.  This is my favorite card of the series I made with two stampings of the main image.


  •  The image is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.
  • Altenew inks used to stencil the images: Baby Pink, Fuchsia, Magenta, Jazzberry, Eucalyptus, Forest Green, Golden Honeycomb, and Amber Blaze.
  • I liked the inspiration image and copied it by using Kraft cardstock and Hero Arts Nest Wood Frame Shapes from 2019.
  • Hero Arts It's Your Day from 2015 provided the sentiment stamped in Amber Blaze.


 
One image from the set is a large focal point.  The Sentiment is Technique Tuesday Large Birthday from 2019. 

 

Another version with Hero Arts Wood grain Fancy Die for a background.  Sentiment is Scrapbook.com from 2022, stamped in Fuchsia. 


 The final set has the same background with an oval die cut added.  The die cut is made by using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Ovals from 2015.  The sentiment is another one from the Scrapbook.com Happy Birthday set.

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 RRCB278.  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. 

Thank you so much for checking in here with me!  Please make your own Tropical Flowers project and join us at Retro Rubber!

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

CAS Sketchy Time for Retro Rubber

 Sometimes all you need to get started is a simple sketch.  We over at Retro Rubber have one for you for the next challenge, please join us!


I had a need for a masculine birthday card and wanted to try out one of the mini stamps from Altenew released in 2021 Overlapped Leaves.  


  • To create an ombre' throughout the three squares the Kaliedacolor in Fresh Green is brayered over cardstock with a sponge brayer.
  • The squares are punched with a Creative Memories 1 1/2" punch.
  • The image is stamped in VersaFine Clair in Nocturne and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  My first try was with gold pigment ink, but this was a better choice. 
  • To add textured interest to the background I pressure embossed black cardstock with Altenew's Rustic Burlap press plate.  
  •  Hampton Arts Birthday Greetings from 2014 is stamped in the darkest ink in the Kaliedacolor Fresh Green ink pad and is carefully trimmed leaving a white edge on the panel.
  • The the layers are adhered together with wet glue.

This was a quick card to make thanks to the sketch!  Have fun with your version!

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 RRCB276.  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 2, 2026

All the creative possiblities of a Tic Tac Toe!

We love to see all the options that happen when the challenge is a Tic Tac Toe over at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog.  Here are your choices:

 

I choose die cut or punch, stripes, and my choice.  I've been playing around with Color Cubes, and this card using #98 for inspiration.

  • The background on the top is Concord & 9th's In the Meadow Turn-a-bout released in 2022.  Altenew inks in Maple Yellow and Cherry Sweet, along with Memento Love Letter and Rose bud were used to ink the stamp for each successive turn.
  • Christina Werner's Layered Plaid Stencil was used to create the matching stripes.  
  • Die cuts from the In the Meadow set are inked with coordinating colors as are the edges of the layers. 
  • A Fiskars border punch is used to punch yellow cardstock.
  • Pinkfresh Studios Double Stitched Oval die cut is stamped with Scrapbook.com's Birthday sentiment. 
  • The layers are adhered together.

Thanks for stopping by and we hope you play along with us at Retro Rubber!

 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 RRCB273.  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, May 19, 2026

Sketch for Retro Rubber makes a fun Birthday Card

 So many shapes could be used for this fun sketch from Retro Rubber Challenge Blog.  My vision was one of balloons!


 The image is a mini release from Altenew in 2020 named Mini Delight Birthday Love.  The background hearts are ANCIENT, a Fiskars roller from about 1990.  The small heart's origin is unknown from probably pre-1990.  The ombre' effect on the balloons is created by using Kaleidacolor inks.


  • The background is brayered with Kaleidacolor in Spectrum.  Spectrum has been in my stash since early 1990.  When I was on the Design Team for Imagine Crafts I finally purchased the reinkers to make it nice and juicy again.  The pad still works wonderfully!
  • The balloons are from a selection of Kaleidacolor pads: Blue Breeze, Fresh Greens, Berry Blaze, and Desert Heat.  I stamped and die cut enough balloons for four cards using the spectrum of colors.  
  • The edges of the background card front and of the card panel are inked with Versafine Clair in Nocturne. 
  • The balloon heart placement is determined then the small heart stamp is alternated to give the card a cohesive design.  
  • The sentiment is from Scrapbook.com and stamped in Nocturne and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.   

I hope you have fun using this sketch and share your creation with us at Retro Rubber! 

 

 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 RRCB272.  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, May 5, 2026

Pastel Color Challenge for Retro Rubber

 Spring often has many soft pastel colors, this challenge is to represent those tranquil shades. Please join us at Retro Rubber and play along!



 I wanted to represent some delicate spring flowers and choose to use an image from Altenew names Flourishing Garden released in 2023.  It was a Craft Your Life set with stencils, dies, and embossing folder.

  • The image is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black and ink stenciled in Altenew Arctic, Rose Quartz, Pastel Sunrise, and Strawberry.  Then it is die cut before trimming part of the image for the card front.
  • The coordinating embossing folder is used to pressure emboss vellum for a delicate look.  The vellum is adhered to the card front using sticky dot adhesive. The Floral image is added.
  • The sentiment is Spellbinders BetterPress image from A little Message Sentiments.  I batch produce the sentiments when I am feeling not-so-creative for future use.

Another card was created from the same session using another part of the Flourishing Garden image.  Thin ribbon, and a few sequins embellish the front of the card.


 Which one do you like better?  Thanks for stopping by!

 

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 RRCB271.  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, March 24, 2026

Sketch Challenge at Retro Rubber Beach Scene

We have a clean and simple sketch for you to give a try at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog.  It should be fun to see what you create!  I gave it two tries and had fun with both!

 

 

This is actually what I decided I really liked for this challenge.  It reminds me of wall art where the scene is stretched over several panels on the wall.


  •  The stamp is Hero Arts Color Layering Waves from 2019.  I used Altenew inks in Sand Dunes, Rocky Shore, Iceberg, Eastern Sky, Ultramarine, Arctic, Caribbean Sky, Persian Blue, and Sapphire.  
  • The sentiment is from another Hero Arts set Mountains at the Lake.  The flying bird silhouettes are also from this set.  
  • The die cut Adirondack chair is Taylored Expressions and a scrap of Distress paper was used.  To get the chair to face the direction I wanted I actually cut it in reverse and them flattened the rolled edges on the die cut.    
  • The background texture is a press plate by Altenew named Burlap. 
  • All the edges of the image and the sentiment were inked with the Sapphire ink.  

This is my first try:


  •  For color inspiration I used Color Cube card 692.
  • The birds are from Technique Tuesday's Chickadees 2.0 released in 2017.  They are stamped in VeraFine Clair Nocturne and head embossed in iridescent embossing powder.   Then colored with Prisma color pencils and die cut with coordinating dies.
  • The chickadees are mounted on My Favorite Things Die-Namics Wonky Stitched Rectangles which are then mounted to a pre-printed A2 card base.   
  • The sentiment is stamped on a matching piece of cardstock and die cut with the coordinating die.  
  • Everything is adhered together for a quick finished card!

I hope that you will share you sketch inspiration with us over at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog! 

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 RRCB268.  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, February 10, 2026

Play along with Retro Rubber and Tic Tac Toe!

 We always enjoy seeing all the wonderful combinations that this type of challenge inspires!  Join us at Retro Rubber!


 (As a side note--Retro Rubber was forced to close in the fall of 2025 due to the discontinuation of a blogger portal, so there is an option for pumpkins . . . )

 I may be late to the Postage Collage fad, but now I am totally onboard!  I knew that the ton of smaller stamps I have collected over the last three decades would come in handy someday!  The balloons, two of the sentiments, party hats, and sparkles are all from small sets acquired at Michael's and Joanns.  

 

This card is the diagonal of "purple, my choice, and square".  This actually started as a practice piece but morphed into a cute card!  I have found my new color cards to be very helpful in picking colors when I am stumped, this is inspired by Color Cube #066.

  • The Waffle Flower Postage Collage Gifts stencil is used to create each of the different colored gifts.  I used the Altenew color familes of Lapis Lazuli, Shades of Purple, Bubblegum Dreams, Martian Terrain, Pocketful of Sunshine, and Frosted Foilage.   
  •  Then out came to small stamps like Scrappy Cat's Birthday Wished from 2017 and Ms. Sparkle & Co Happy Birthday also from 2017.  All these images were stamped in Memento Grey Flannel.  The postmark and small envelope are from the WF Postage Collage Stamp set released 7/2023.
  • Turns out I didn't like the Martian Terrain gift, so after using the WF Postage Collage die I discarded that piece and arranged the rest on grey cardstock trimmed with a WF piercing die from the A2 set.  
  • The Celebrate today is from Altenew Blooms of Encouragement from 2024.
  • Spellbinder's Classic Scalloped Circles was used to die cut one image, and XXXX
  • Everything is mounted on an A2 size card base.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  This was fun card to create and share.

 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 RRCB265.  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, January 27, 2026

A sketch for Retro Rubber using Taylored Expressions

Now that we are back in the groove of playing with fun challenges, we at Retro Rubber have a fun sketch challenge for you!

 
Recently I've been inspired to play more with my new Color Cubes and explore different color combinations. Creating my own backgrounds and supporting colored cardstock makes this super fun! 


  • Using Color Cube #98 I started with Altenew inks in Teal Tempest, Canyon Clay, Coral Red, Amber Blaze, and Toasted Mauve.  
  • The background stamp is Four Seasons by Taylored Expressions released in 9/2022 with matching stencil is stamped in Tuxedo Black.   Using Color Cube #98 I selected Altenew inks in Teal Tempest, Canyon Clay, Coral Red, Amber Blaze, and Toasted Mauve to color in the stencil.
  • The focal image is part of the Whimsical Wildflowers stencil set in the Arch Nouveau collection.   
  • Arch Nouvoeau dies are used to die cut the focal image and the backer.  
  • Teal Tempest is used to distress the card base and backing for the focal image.
  •  Canyon Clay is used to color the contrasting cardstock.
  • The sentiment is from the set from Scrapbook.com and was released in 2022.  It is a staple for my birthday card creations! 

Just a few reminders about our 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 RRCB264.  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, January 13, 2026

Retro Rubber is back! Anything goes challenge!

 After WordPress closed down we here at Retro Rubber took a break to regroup.  Now we are back with everyone's favorite to showcase your latest, greatest make!  Anything goes at Retro Rubber!

 

Sometimes I just take time to sit and play with my crafting stash.  This is one of those times! I also had a huge number of birthday's coming up, so there was a purposed behind creating with some pretty images.

 
This is one of six cards created from this same stamped image.  All of the cards look different as the image was cut at differently and placed on the card front.
  • The image is Altenew's Flourishing Garden released in 2023.  The image is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.  I had a small selection of Altenew Fresh Die inks and used them to stencil in the layers.  Blue Horizons, Teal Tempest, Honeydew Glow, Lemonade Stand  and Peridote. 
  • This kit include an embossing folder as well.  The cardstock I had to match wasn't large enough to create a full width card panel, so being creative I inked the edges in Teal Tempest after pressure embossing the cardstock.  
  • After I decided on the placement of the floral images I trimmed the edges off of the card front and adhered the layers together.
  • Scrapbook.com Happy Birthday sentiment is stamped on yellow cardstock in the Teal Tempest and die cut.   

Come and have fun with us and show us what you have created that is your favorite Anything Goes!  Just a few guidelines to follow:

  • 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 RRCB263.  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.


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, May 6, 2025

Sweet Spring Flowers for Retro Rubber

 Are there flowers blooming in your yard?  Not quite yet in mine here in Northern Minnesota--but soon.  I have starts going inside the house and visits to the Amish Greenhouses 45 minutes away are in the plans soon.  Our challenge at Retro Rubber for the next two weeks is to create a card with spring flowers.


 
I recently sat down and had a play session with a great set from Altenew in 2021, Build-a-flower Bearded Iris.  The lovely Iris comes in many colors and I experimented with several different choices.  Once I had the layering set up on my stamp platform I made eight different flowers in four different colors. 
 

  • The leaves and stems are Memento in Pistachio, Bamboo Leaves, and Olive Grove.
  • The yellow Iris is Memento in Dandelion, Cantaloupe, and Tangelo.
  • The pink Iris is Memento in Angel Pink Lilac Posies, and Rose Bud.   
  • The flowers and leaves are die cut with the matching die.
  • This background is Black-out Distressed Cardstock from Coordinations pressure embossed with Darice Damask embossing floder and then sanded to bring out the distressed green design.
  • The sentiment Happy Birthday is by Scrapbook.com from the set named the same from 2022 and is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black on the green side of the cardstock used to make the embossed panel.  That way it matches perfectly.  BTW if you are looking for a very versatile Birthday greeting set, the one by Scrapbook.com has about any design you could want!
  • The corners are rounded on an A2 size card, and the layers are adhered together with wet glue and allowed to dry.  

One of the cards was sent to my daughter, the others are in my stash for future use!




 

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 RRCB254.  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.