On my recent trip to the art supply store, I got myself a little toy. I was feeling happy, having finished preparing my tax return more than a month early (how did that happen??) and this little stamp caught my fancy.
Most art supplies are my professional tools. The odd little rubber stamp is a toy. I see two faces in it: two eyes (one ringed in black), a nose and a mouth on the side, or two eyes and a mouth on the side and a little black beret.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 I'm settling back into my routine, sort of. It takes a few days to put things in order after I've been away. I still have work to do on a project, but I'm taking little breaks to relax, get groceries, dental check-up.... you know how it goes!

My idea of relaxation is playing with my new stamps, and my new washi tape, all from The Paper Crown.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

When the atmospheric conditions outside are heavy, the work inside is cool and light.

I love designing cards using just rubber stamps. They have to be just right -- like this stamp from Paperbag Studios, with Cavallini stamp details. The Paperbag Studios stamp appealed to me because it's a sweet message written by grandparents to their grandchild.

The bonus with these cards is that they can be framed in small shabby frames and look like a million dollars. Easy and economical!
Stay cool (unless you're in Australia!).

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 This rubber stamp arrived today. I love bows and I make them all the time; now I have a stamp, too. By one of my favorite people, Dawn Houser. I got this one from her Etsy shop where she has many of her stamps as well as lots of other goodies.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Friday's child

I was at BizzyB's yesterday evening to see what was new (before all the stuff runs out). I don't mind telling you that I always get a thrill to see my own stamps on the shelves, as well as all the Stampington magazines to which I contribute. I went through the store inch by inch so that I wouldn't miss anything, and found these two stamps that were right up my street. Of course I grabbed them. I regret to say that they were the only two, but they can always be ordered, according to Mrs. BizzyB.

A lot of stamps are now coming out as cling stamps, but I love the ones on wood: they are easier to organize, to pick one out of the many, and to stamp with. May they continue forever.


  
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Friday's child

What a design team member does [speaking only for myself, of course]:

Tears open the package and pulls out a sheet of brand-new rubber.
Pulls out various scissors and start separating the images, cutting and trimming the one that leaps out at her [ooh, have to try this one right away].
Tries it out; ideas start flowing.
Readies some backgrounds.
Trims the other ones while waiting for backgrounds to dry.
Then goes to town. [Once I get going I can't stop. By 2 a.m. I had made 5 samples. I will be making more today.]
Last but not least: Enjoying the process very much...

So there you have it. I adore getting new stamps, and I can never wait to try them out. This set is brand-new so I can't show you anything more just yet....


Do not break your shin on a stool that is not in your way.-- Irish proverb

Words

In my world, if something is repeated too many times it tends to lose its meaning, or at least its meaning is vastly diluted. I mean no offence; if the words speak to you, that's good. But for me, sometimes it's so overdone that it makes you want to scream. Instead of screaming, I go for humour. This is one of those words, and the rubber stamp was perfect for it.

Other words ripe for humorous artwork: Believe (believe what?); Art (yes, obviously) ... So, go ahead. have some fun. The world needs more humour!!

[Stamp Francisco Rubber purchased from StampDiva.]

Hold on to your hats! It's going to be a bumpy ride.

I love playing with rubber stamps, and incorporating them into collage, and finding new ways to use them.

A message

I've been a fan and customer of stampdiva.com for years and years. Susan's middle name is customer service. I think she was the one who started me on my rubber stamp adventure. I check her site regularly, and I saw this stamp today.

Perfect. No explanation needed!