Artsy Inkers
Stamping/Crafting Fests! => Older Fests => AIR 2017- July 15-23 => Topic started by: howdyheidi on July 07, 2017, 07:01:10 PM
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I will post the starter question soon.
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I often liked to do the interview thread during fests, it is fun to learn about each other. This time, I thought I would do it differently. I thought we could just have a conversation about stamping and cardmaking.
Feel free to ask questions and come back frequently to reply to what others are talking about.
I will start us off. We all have been crafting and stamping for a while now. What do you think is the biggest change since you started stamping? Are there things you wish were the same as before? What is the best improvement?
Feel free to veer off all directions.
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Biggest changes--The change from only rubber stamps to now choices of cling and clear stamps too. Also broadening choices from individual stamps to sets.
Things that were previously easier-when I worked I spent 90% of my day on the computer and have never adjusted to wanting to spend time on social media. I do enjoy learning from others and so my current favorite social media is You Tube.
Best improvement-broadening the scope of stamping to include lots of mixed media options. I feel it has broadened the possibilities of being more creative.
I feel like I missed the whole wave of folks starting with distress oxide inks. Have you bought any? What do you think of them? Any favorite techniques?
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I think one of the biggest changes is that there is just so much stuff! That is a pro and a con. Before: I bought a single wood block rubber stamp and I would color it with whatever I had at home ... markers or colored pencils most likely. Now there are special markers and pencils that are marketed to rubber stampers. So we think we NEED those ;) Just the quantity of stamps and supplies can be overwhelming. I'll be interested to see how Jan's crafty life changes after her purge and move. Will you enjoy it more? Will you miss anything?
So what do I miss? Hmmm, again I'm thinking of what I don't miss. I used to pretty much stamp alone on my kitchen table. Now I might be stamping alone physically, but with Artsy Inkers, youtube videos, blogs, etc., it doesn't feel as lonely. I can see what others are doing online. Hmm, I guess that has a con too, because I often spend too much time looking at what everyone else is doing and not enough time actually creating something.
Best improvement : today I'm feeling like the best improvement is in stamp positioning tools! WooHoo! All is not wasted if you don't get a good impression the first time. I did use my stamp-a-ma-jig before, and I will probably still use it. I like stamping on the clear sheet and being able to try the image out before I stamp it on paper ... move it around, does it fit, etc.
but for stamping multiple copies of one image and getting a good impression, the new hinged stamp positioners rock!
Distress oxide inks - Heidi, I hope you respond to this. You've been getting wonderful results from the oxides! At first I didn't think I needed any, then I saw what Heidi was making, and watched youtube videos and decided to try a few. I need more play time. They stick really well to clear stamps and give good coverage on solid stamp images so that is nice without even getting in to all of the background techniques.
Heidi, am I supposed to add another question or let the conversation continue on these topics for awhile?
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From Heidi: What do you think is the biggest change since you started stamping?
Oh gosh I have to agree with Iring on this, there is so much stuff to choose from. I especially like the tools that have come out in the last few years. I remember when I got my first red sizzix machine and a few of those big clunky dies, I thought I was in heaven. Now I have a cart and several drawers and boxes full of dies (and a fiskars large base cutting machine which seems new to me but they do not make them anymore). I like the electronic cutting machines too. And the coloring mediums, wow there are so many choices now. Back in the day you had colored pencils or waterbased markers that ran on the paper that was available. I used to buy my white card stock by the ream at Staples and it was the heaviest they sold at the time. The markers bled terribly on it. I still have some of the things I made at that time and oh my goodness they look terrible with the bleeding that has gotten worse through the years.
Are there things you wish were the same as before?
Nope I do not wish for the inks that were available, the paper, or the big stamps on wooden blocks. I like it much more now.
What is the best improvement?
There are so many choices in ink, paper, stamps, dies, and tools now that I thing they are all the best improvements.
From Far North: I feel like I missed the whole wave of folks starting with distress oxide inks. Have you bought any? What do you think of them? Any favorite techniques?
Yes I have all the oxide inks, the new 12 release arrived this morning. I like them a lot. I like them for stamping and for backgrounds. I like them about as much as I like the distress inks which is saying a lot because I really like the distress inks. I haven't tried all the techniques I have seen done with the oxides on the youtubes but I am working my way through them.
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We had a busy day, so I will be back to discuss tomorrow. Just wanted to say that yes, you can ask new questions at any time like a regular chat thread. :) O0
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I had the exact same thought as Iring. There is so much stuff. Which can be a blessing and a curse. I keep getting new stuff and ignoring the old. And I have so many stamps that I have yet to use.
Another big change is Pinterest. You know the old say, "Idle hands are the devil's playground," I'm convinced that Pinterest is the new devil's playground. It is a great place to get all sorts of ideas. But as Iring mentioned you can end up spending more time looking at ideas than actually craft.
I also agree with Sadie and Iring about the new tools being the best improvement. My Misti is great when I remember to use it. ;D And thin dies are a huge improvement over the big clunky ones.
Despite seeing some really cool things done with the distress oxide inks, I still haven't joined the band wagon. I just haven't been stamping as much lately. I've veered off into mixed media stuff. And I just can't justify the expense and the space it will take up.
Since I'm on a never ending quest to find the most efficient way to store all my stuff, I'm wondering what are some of the best storage ideas you've come across or used? I have been unmounting my stamps for years and putting them in CD & DVD cases but I'm starting to wonder if there is a more space efficient way to store them.
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Wow, great thoughts! I agree about there being an overwhelming amount of supplies. I do like the improvement in quality of inks, but wish that every stamping company didn't feel like they needed a whole line of paper and inks and markers, etc. The reason I don't like it is because I think some are going to close and then you won't be able to replace the colors later on.
Changes: When I started stamping, I went to the local craft store, looked at wood mount stamps and supplies, picked out stuff, and then went home and used what I bought. They also had samples made up in the store to give you ideas of how to use your supplies.
Now, the craft store sells relatively few stamping supplies and I do many purchases online, and then they are usually cling mount or clear stamps. Sometimes, when I buy a stamp set I am very surprised at the size of the stamps when they come. There are now tons more ideas online.
What I wish was the same? That I did more crafting, less looking, and was less critical of my work. Although I didn't know about any at the time, I wish there was a local groups that still got together to craft. I love online groups and forums, but would like IRL ones too. And I am working on using what I have more instead of browsing for new stuff.
I am still waiting for my Tim Holtz stamp positioner, so I hope I love it as much as y'all love your MISTIs.
Oxide inks: Yes, I did say above that I think there are too many lines of inks, but I do love the oxides. They are different and add new things to do with your old stamps. You can do the Tim style of backgrounds, but I really think they are FANTASTIC for stamping, especially on colored cardstocks. I have enjoyed watercolor stamping with them to get very cool effects, sponging on cardstocks of all colors, sponging and then stamping with water, and adding something shiny to an oxide background. April recently shared a card where she used the oxide ink to paint in an image - that looked cool.
I have shared lots of Oxide projects and a couple techniques on my blog. This link should take you to all those projects from newest to oldest, if you are interested. http://mylittlestampingblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Distress%20Oxide
I am jealous that Sadie got her second set of colors already! I preordered them and am still waiting. I did think that the second set is better colors than the first. Tim apparently randomly selected the first 12 and they don't all play well together.
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I wish I had better ideas for organization, but I really am not super organized. I do have a small space to work with so I just fit what I can, and I have an overflow pile that doesn't really work for me anymore!
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What a great discussion to find after I just got back from a stamp show! This time I took 4 classes which I haven't done in years! Of course all the vendors had the latest and greatest stuff! I have been pickier lately since I have so much stuff, so I try to get things that are unusual or different.
When I started out it was mostly wood mounted stamps and embossing powder.
Improvements have been the Misti and die cut and embossing machines. Of course they are always coming up with better ways of doing things and I am happy about that. I am a techniques person and I just love working with them. I feel that these days in some ways there is less creativity and more kits for making cards and such.
I love the Oxide inks and have the first set. There are so many techniques with them and I love them all. The inks do stick well on clear stamps and make stamping easy and crisp looking.
I have found the best way to store paper scraps, embellishment, die cut shapes, etc. is to use large clear gallon size freezer bags. It is easy to see what is inside. I have stored my plain rubber stamps from my design team in them and labeled them so that I can just grab that one bag to look through instead of looking through all the unmounted rubber stamps.
April
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April, and anyone who goes to stamp shows, how have they changed? Are they smaller now?
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Hmmm, I don't know, what do you think April?
I went to the Stamp & Scrapbook Expo in Orlando. It used to be called only Scrapbook Expo and there might have been a handfull of booths with stamps. In Orlando there were quite a few stamping supplies. I'd say maybe at least half or more of the booths were stamping.
There are two Stampfests in Florida. At least last year they were still well attended with more booths than I could get to in a day (but I'm a slow shopper, I look at everything, stop and watch demos, can't decide where to spend $ ...) . This year I didn't go because they moved the February event further away from me, about 4 hours, and the June event was only a few months after I just over did it at Stamp & Scrapbook Expo so I stayed away :o
As far as organization ... I'm always looking for ideas. I still have lots of wood mounted stamps and they are in a cabinet in acrylic box frames turned upside down and used as trays. I'm working at getting my clear, cling and unmounted rubber stamps in Avery Elle clear envelopes stored in Frig Bins similar to Jennifer McGuire's method. I love the frig bin storage so far. I have stamps divided in to journalling/sentiments/calendar year/themes. I've watched Totally Tiffany's organizing videos over and over hoping I will absorb it by osmosis and/or the organizing faeries will come while I sleep! I'm trying to catalog my stamps so I can keep sets together but still see for example, all my heart stamps and where to find them. It is a very slow, overwhelming process which I have stopped and started several times.
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I'm convinced that Pinterest is the new devil's playground.
Exactly! :angel: We need a devil emoji!
When I started out it was mostly wood mounted stamps and embossing powder.
Yep! Those were my first purchases. A few wood mounted stamps and then a Milwaukee heat gun and embossing powder. Embossing powder just seemed like magic! I still use my original Milwaukee, and I think I got it at Home Depot.
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The stamp shows did get real small but I think they are on the upswing since the economy is better. This Stamp and Scrapbook Expo had the most vendors I have seen in awhile. It was very well attended both on Friday and Saturday. The other shows I went to in the winter were less attended and had less vendors. I think the Stamp and Scrapbook Expo gets more people by offering so many classes for 2 days. They also have a big crop going on as well. They also give away lots of prizes all through the day. I think this might be the only one I go to from now on. We will see! LOL!
April :smile:
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I wonder what one would need to leave out to lure the organizing fairies to my house. :smile:
Iring - if you click on more under the emojis, you can find the devil - >:D
I'm trying to catalog my stamps so I can keep sets together but still see for example, all my heart stamps and where to find them. It is a very slow, overwhelming process which I have stopped and started several times.
I'm with you on that. Everytime I think I'm done, I buy more stamps. Perhaps I just need to stop buying stamps. ::)
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Perhaps I just need to stop buying stamps
:o
Happy Emoji day! I heard them talking about it on the Today Show! Thanks for showing me where to find the devil! Haha!
>:D
Heehee. Hmm what would we need to leave out to attract the organizing fairies?! Good question!
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Here's a new question. What keeps you stamping and cardmaking...all these years? What kind of projects are your favorite to make?
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CraftNerd there is no golden ring for organizing anything. The best advice I have ever seen about organizing anything is.......figure out how you use the things you want to organize and then organize them in a way that will be easy for you to find and use them......so for stamps for example how do you use them? Do you use them as sets, like to look at them as sets? Do you use stamps in categories, like hearts, stars, background stamps, flowers, etc.? Then organize them in whichever way you use them. Do you like to look through your stamps for inspiration? Then have them so you can flip through or look through them. Would you actually use a stamp inventory to find the stamp you want to use? If so it might be worth the time to make a master book of all your stamps. Put some thought into how you want to use or find your stamps and then try and find an organizing system that will work for you.
I have all my unmounted rubber stamps organized in plastic folder dealies that are made for scrapbooking supplies and they have held up really well. I have the cling stamps which are Tim Holtz, Dina Wakely, Dyan Reavely, and Paper Artsy in Avery Elle extra large plastic envelopes in plastic bins that I got at Ikea. I still have some in those albums that I have gotten at Hobby Lobby with coupons. So my stamps are organized in many different ways. I would think that if I did not have the folder thingies I would put my unmounted stamps in Avery Elle plastic envelopes by the same categories I have them in now and then into a bin like the other stamps. I would label the envelopes and then it would be easy to find the hearts, stars, Christmas, Etc stamps to look through. If I really wanted to get fancy (which I have done) I would stamp all the stamps on white paper and laminate it to go into the envelopes with the stamps in that envelope. It took a couple days and I have most of them done. I know that the Ranger cling stamps do not need to go into envelopes but some of the stupid stamps fall off the heavy plastic backing so I like to put them into envelopes so all the stamp sets are together and there isn't one in the bottom of the bin or one that falls out of the album when I am moving it. (Not admitting that I have had that happen and found it on the floor later) I did need to trim the hard plastic backing so the Tim Holtz, dylusions, and Paper Artsy fit into the extra large folders, but the dina wakely ones fit without trimming, does not make any sense.
I usually leave the stamp sets in the plastic they come in until it rips or breaks then put the backing paper and the stamps into an Avery Elle plastic envelope.
I am at work but will try to take some pictures of how my unmouted stamps are stored tonight and post them in case you want to explore the same sort of system.....LOL this turned out to be a book, didn't it?
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Here are the folder things I use for unmounted rubber stamps. Some of them have 8 inside envelopes and some have more. The bottom pictures are of the folders open and you can see the envelopes inside them.
I hope this explains how I store them and how it would work to use the Avery Elle plastic envelopes in a box thing.
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I usually leave the stamp sets in the plastic they come in until it rips or breaks then put the backing paper and the stamps into an Avery Elle plastic envelope.
This has been my way of doing things too. I can't bring myself to spend the money on extra pockets until the originals break. Are there anything like the Avery Elle pockets to fit 6x8 size stamp sets like the Gina K ones?
Sadie, your organization looks fantastic!
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I usually leave the stamp sets in the plastic they come in until it rips or breaks then put the backing paper and the stamps into an Avery Elle plastic envelope.
This has been my way of doing things too. I can't bring myself to spend the money on extra pockets until the originals break. Are there anything like the Avery Elle pockets to fit 6x8 size stamp sets like the Gina K ones?
Sadie, your organization looks fantastic!
The Avery Elle extra large ones are 6 3/4 x 9 3/8 inches. They would work. They cost around $12.00 for 50 plastic envelopes.
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Oh, I didn't know they came that large! That's great!
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Those folders look cool, Sadie. And that was a great tip about organizing based on how you use stuff.
I've unmounts all my stamps and have them in CD/ DVD cases. The cases are labeled by category and numbered. I also have 2 binders with an inventory of all my stamps (except a few new ones). And I love having the inventory. I can sit and flip through it and plan out my cards.
My main problem is that I have so many stamps that the CD/DVD cases are starting to take up a lot of room. I have them in decorative boxes and I've got 3 boxes stacked on top of each other in my craft closet. And invariably, the stamp I want is in the bottom box.
What keeps me stamping/ cardmaking? This year I haven't been stamping that much. The challenges here are a great inspiration. And at this point, everyone in my life expects to get cool handmade cards for birthdays and holidays that I feel compelled to make them.
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everyone in my life expects to get cool handmade cards
Yep! That keeps me stamping too!
The other thing that might keep me stamping is I'd like to start stamping more in a traveler's notebook. I'm not much of a planner person but I do occasionally use a bullet journal. I recently bought a traveler's notebook on sale at JoAnn's, it's by Webster's Pages. Haven't put anything in it yet ... Does anyone else do any journal/planner stamping?
Sadie, thanks for the organization tips! I really like those folders. You can fit a lot of stamps in a small space. The bit about how you want to use your stamps and how you want to look for them makes sense. I organized all of my embossing folders in to Totally Tiffany flippin' storage pages (https://www.totally-tiffany.com/product/flippin-storage-page-3-pack/) and made an index catalog of crayon rubbings. So now I look in my catalog to find which folder I want and which page it's stored in ... but I kind of miss when they were in a basket and I just flipped through the actual embossing folders, rather than looking at rubbings of folders. I've started (barely) cataloging stamps but it's such an overwhelming task and I'm not sure I'll even want to look through a catalog. Yet I know it would be so nice to find that heart stamp (for example) that might be in a random set that isn't Valentine or wedding.
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New topic: Is there a type of image or stamp/die that you want but no one is selling? A product idea no one is making? In what areas should the stamp industry expand?
(Feel free to keep going with your own topics and questions)
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What keeps you stamping and cardmaking...all these years? What kind of projects are your favorite to make?
Well for one thing I have a room full of stamping and cardmaking items that I love so that keeps me going and going and going........
My favorite projects are sometimes things that I see on youtube and then make with things I have instead of what they used....my last favorite project was mini flat canvases, like 4 x 4 canvases using the Tim Holtz crazy dogs and cats and sayings........I actually used the stupid distress crayons in that project and love how they turned out. It is the little surprises like that which keeps me going back to the hole in the wall craft room........LOL
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Is there a type of image or stamp/die that you want but no one is selling? A product idea no one is making? In what areas should the stamp industry expand?
I cannot think of any type of stamp or die that I want that isn't being sold. There are still so many different stamp companies making so many different types of stamps that a person can find just about anything they might want already made up and packaged for sale.
I would like a thing like the scan and cut 2 that would hook up to the computer so you could also design and send to the machine. I like the idea of the scan and cut. I would love to have one but I already have a cameo and two of the original circuts so I cannot justify buying it to just scan and cut out stamps, even though it would be cheaper then buying all the dies to go with the stamps. I want one machine that will do it all.....but I am screwed anyway because I use MTC and no one is supporting it anymore so eventually I will need to find a different program......but it still works with my cricuts since I haven't upgraded past the point of when provo craft sued the MTC maker.......
I really think the stamp industry has expanded so far out of what it started to be that I am unsure if it can expand anymore. Cards, Scrapbooking, Planners, Project Life, Mixed Media, Art Journals, Household decorating items........what else is there? Perhaps designer toilet paper? LOL
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Sadie, if you have the cameo, you have design software ... or maybe you need to upgrade to Designer Edition, it is totally worth it and much cheaper to upgrade your cameo software than it is to buy a Scan and Cut! You can cut stamped images on the cameo ... there may be an extra step. You can do it with a pixscan mat or I know there are videos out there showing how to do it without the special mat (you'd need a scanner, or printer/copier/scanner). I haven't done much of that (cutting stamped images) but I want to take some time and learn how to do more of that, soon.
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Well, we've used TP for casting over rubber stamps ... I bet someone out there has stamped on it! Ha! I've thought about stamping napkins ... but you'd have to be careful of ink ... maybe archival?
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Sadie, if you have the cameo, you have design software ... or maybe you need to upgrade to Designer Edition, it is totally worth it and much cheaper to upgrade your cameo software than it is to buy a Scan and Cut! You can cut stamped images on the cameo ... there may be an extra step. You can do it with a pixscan mat or I know there are videos out there showing how to do it without the special mat (you'd need a scanner, or printer/copier/scanner). I haven't done much of that (cutting stamped images) but I want to take some time and learn how to do more of that, soon.
I do have the cameo designer software but I cannot update that either or I loose the ability to save files as svg. The powers that be decided that we should not be able to save our own purchased files as svg. and took that away in the software update some time ago, they lost me right there........since there are no other programs that can read the silhouette file it is no good for anything but the silhouette software after a certain update......They can give me new things but do not take away something I use in the program. Since I use those files in my sewing embossing program I do not want to loose that. But without the updated software I can no longer download anything from the silhouette store they still win........
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Well, we've used TP for casting over rubber stamps ... I bet someone out there has stamped on it! Ha! I've thought about stamping napkins ... but you'd have to be careful of ink ... maybe archival?
I hate to admit this but for the bridal showers of all my children I had stamps made with the bride and grooms name and date and stamped napkins........LOL....I used pigment ink and laid them out to dry overnight.......For one wedding I made little boxes (150) for m & ms and stamped different things on the sides with their names and wedding date......I am such a dork! For one wedding I got 50 large X and O (12 inches high) and covered them in valentine paper on both sides to sit on the tables........I have no idea what she did with them, she took them home with her after the reception.....LOL
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Ok Sadie, if you're a dork then I am too, because I've crafted two weddings! Thank goodness I only have two kids. I don't think I can do another wedding! Your kiddoa were lucky to have hand stamped napkins!
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New topic: Is there a type of image or stamp/die that you want but no one is selling? A product idea no one is making? In what areas should the stamp industry expand?
(Feel free to keep going with your own topics and questions)
Hmmm, I can't think of any. I can't remember looking for something, thinking I wish I had xxx stamp and not being able to find one. Maybe that's why I haven't carved any stamps. I have a tool and a slab o' rubber but I don't know what I'd carve!
Areas for expansion ... do you think large stamps are coming back? Maybe for stamping on fabric (say a onesie)? I don't know that I'd do it ... except maybe one day if I get some grandbabies? Does anyone remember Hot Potatoes? She stamped on velvet on the Carol Duval show.
Hey! Guess what?! I googled "Hot Potatoes" to verify I had the name of the company right, and look what I found ... an article (http://www.vintageimagecraft.com/mary-oneil.html) about Hot Potatoes and Mary O'Neil!
I think maybe Julie Fei Fan Balzer could be heading that direction with her foamies. Has anyone used those?
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There is a stamp I have been looking for and can't find a good one of. I want a sweet looking realistic baby chick. The ones I have seen are too cartoonish or the real looking ones are not sweet looking! LOL! If you know of a good one, please let me know.
What keeps me stamping is I have a lot of birthdays to send cards for, then my Christmas cards, and my design team. Making cards is my therapy! They say stamping is cheaper than therapy, but I doubt that! LOL! Anyway, it IS good therapy! :smile:
April :smile:
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I think what I like about stamping and cardmaking is that it is a creative outlet that is small in scale and you CAN do it all day but you can make something from start to finish in a small chunk of time too. Like this week I have been really busy, but I still have had time to make some cards (and hope to still do all the challenges!!).
I like it when something new comes onto the market that allows me to use my stamps in different ways. That is why I liked the prima watercolor crayons and the distress oxides. I use them with my stamps, but get different effects.
I'm not sure if there is any suggestions I would have for the stamping industry. April, the baby chick stamp sounds like a good one. I would like some more unusual animals and flowers to be made. And I have seen some interesting European stamp companies and it would be nice if we could get their stamps more easily.
I have not used the foamies and I wonder if they are going to catch on. I think that stamping on kids clothing for a summer craft would be a good idea.
Definitely papercrafts for parties and wedding is still a big thing.
Have any of your friends who were not doing cards or stamping become interested in it because of you?
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Sadie said something about looking on Pinterest and then finding satisfaction from making the project without buying the new items. That is a great challenge!
It made me think of a blogger I follow who sometimes uses a card she received (store bought) as inspiration and then creates a home made card. I thought that looked fun.
Here is an example of one of her posts: http://myperfectlifeuk.blogspot.com/2017/07/pro-am-showdown-9-city-zoo.html
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I did remember of one project I would like. I purchased the March My Monthly Hero kit from Hero Arts. https://heroarts.com/pages/mmh-march-2017-kit
I just LOVE the style the drawings for the animals in this kit. They look like little storybook images and I have been hoping that the artist who drew these would do more images in that style.
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Heidi, I looked on the link to the blogger who cases store bought cards. I loved how she made her card with her own supplies! Great idea!
I did have a lady in my Sunday school class who wanted to make cards after seeing mine. She went right out and bought cutting machines, etc! She ended up mostly making her cards with all die cuts, but she has done a great job.
Heidi, I am with you about stamping and cardmaking being small scale. I do much better with that and that is another reason I love stamping. And then there are so many fun techniques that you can do too, so i don't get bored!
April :smile:
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Heehee, yes, I corrupted at least one friend. We used to scrapbook together ... and then sometimes if I couldn't get my stuff together to scrapbook (too overwhelming) I would bring stamping instead. Now she is a SU demonstrator!
Speaking of SU, I bought the
Storybook Friends set (retired :()
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/66/ca/2f/66ca2f07f4f39feb6fcbdc23bbc51485.jpg)
because I like the storybook look of the animals. And yes, as soon as I saw that March Hero Arts kit, I loved those bunnies! I think it sold out quick though and I didn't get it.
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The "store bought card as inspiration" idea would be a fun challenge someday.
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I have had three friends over occasionally to stamp cards. One of them decided recently she wants to do more of it. I haven't seen her to see if she purchased some stuff yet. I was going to see if she wanted a few things from my stash.
Cindi, I do like your storybook stamps, especially the lamb. The march kit did sell out quickly. I was glad I wasn't indecisive about it. I have a niece who loves rabbits, so I knew I could at least make her cards with it.
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Cindi - I loved watching Mary O'Neil on the Carol Duvall show. But that was before I started stamping. I had to google the foamies, and my thought was meh.
Heidi - I've made cards before based upon store bought cards that I really liked the design of.
I too was tempted by the Hero Arts' March kit, but I didn't end up getting it. And those storybook stamps are cute.
Corrupting friends is fun. ;D
Is there a type of image or stamp/die that you want but no one is selling?
My problem is refraining from buying more stuff when I have so many stamps that haven't been inked yet. I don't tend to have a problem finding stamps I want. Although I do occationally have a problem finding a stamp in my stash that is exactly what I want for a project. And then I have to resist the urge to go out and buy the "perfect" stamp to fit my vision.
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« Reply #23 on: Today at 04:56:49 AM »
Heidi asked: “How do you curtail your spending once you have a nice stash of supplies? “
I think this relates to your first question of how things have changed in the stamping world since we first started. Back then all that was available to buy was stamps, black ink, embossing ink and gold embossing powder. Freebie paper cutoffs were available from the print shop. It took several years before colored inks and markers entered my world. Oh my, how the development of technology and marketing have changed our world AND now even after the move I have an abundance of supplies and tools.
To reduce my spending I took time to determine my purpose in stamping and made a plan. I thought about a lot of things such as why do I create cards? Do I enjoy the creative process? Do I want to make other stamped items too? How many cards do I want to create regularly? Do I want to be on a design team? Do my supplies and tools match my interests or do I buy mostly because it is the latest rage?
Tips-Personally I have found making less visits to craft stores is very helpful. I have defined a few types of products that I choose not to use….glitter, crayons and chalk and do not spend money on purchasing more. I am also working on determining a ballpark number how many types of a product do I need…can I eliminate some multiple cutting tools? Embossing powders? Can I justify more stamps, dies and stencils if I am only making a small amount of cards yearly? What about all the different products that can be used for embossing with stencils.
Perhaps I should consider creating stamped items for RAKs.
One of the old sayings from stampers was “stamping is cheaper than going to a therapist” not sure it is still true!
...Jan
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Good tips about spending and creating priorities for your own crafting.
I think this fest has been really fun! I still have one challenge left to do. Don't forget about the Christmas/Winter Hoidays in July challenge going the whole month. Also, April is signed up to do a monthly challenge for August and there is a thread where you can sign up for other months. Or just make a challenge yourself for any amount of time. :)
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I think this fest has been really fun!
Me too!
I just looked and at 9:30pm Eastern there are 54 files in the AIR 2017 album. I think we've had a pretty productive week! It feels good to use some of the things I haven't used in a long, long time.
Heidi, thanks for mentioning the challenges that will continue on ... let's keep the creativity flowing!