Quick Mold Update

I didn't quite have time to add all the molds I planned, but here is what got updated to my site today. All can be found on the Faces & Buttons section page at: http://www.theenchantedgallery.com/artdolls.html

New rubber stamped card (molds update coming next week)

I finished another card with my newest stamp set (#Roma-119.) I used the same flower punch as the last heart shape card (EK success' retro flower,) but trimmed a dip in the edges to better shape the flower to the art.

I also have eight new mold designs to share as soon as I make the example art for them this week. Mostly new faces and floral buttons, I'll try to get an update done within a week!

Once that's done I'll be drawing up some new rubber stamp designs. So far I plan to do some more fairies in a variety of sizes along with a separate sheet of mini stamps that would work for jewelry/memory glass/inchies/stampbord pendants etc. I've also got a few tutorial pages in progress, including additions to the paper doll page. Busy Busy! More about that soon :)

xoxo

Classic and Scallop Heart Shape Nestabilities Card + New Stamps!

The heart nestabilities die cutting shapes I ordered from Overstock.com last week came in the mail! I've been looking forward to testing out these shapes with my rubber stamps for card making. Here's my first card I made using them, plus a preview of my newest rubber stamp sheet (#Roma-119.) The rubber is being pressed now and will be available for purchase through my website within the next couple weeks.

(Card Ingredient List: The Enchanted Gallery rubber stamps, Spellbinder's Nestabilities Heart Dies, Colorbox pigment ink pads, Scrapbook paper from K&Company, Stickles glitter glue, 1" marvy circle paper punch and scissors for cutting out the word "Love" and retro flower punches from EK Success.)

What rubber stamp designs are you looking for?

When I first started rubber stamping about 10 years ago I found it extremely difficult to find Art Nouveau or Artsy/Elegant/Fantasy Art themed stamp designs. While many companies have recently added Victorian / Vintage theme and other beautiful designs to the market, I still find that most of the others lean towards the "cute" side.

I do appreciate cuteness of course, but at the same time it's just not my taste in art. I've never been very good with drawing teddy bears, cartoons / comics or cuddly creatures. I think I'm missing out on a big chunk of the market because of that, but also think there are artistic stamps people are looking for that haven't been made yet either.

I try to keep up with the latest crafting trends while keeping true to my own artistic preference.... but I do need some other perspective! I'd love to hear suggestions for types of stamps you're looking for. Have something in mind but just haven't found "it" yet? Leave me a comment on this blog and I'll keep it in mind the next time I'm drawing.

Anything from a certain type of picture, character, designs/borders/patterns to fit a certain size or shape, word sayings etc. I genuinely love to create and nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing the cool things people make with my stamps.

I can't guarantee that I'll end up providing the stamp design you want (and I don't do custom orders,) but if I love your idea/enough people mention a certain type of thing I'll definitely give it attention! Currently I've made stamps that fit many of the popular stamping sizes such as Artist Trading Card 2.5" x 3.5", Jumbo domino pendants 1" x 2" and I'm working on a "mini" domino set that will be 1.5" x 0.75" that will fit on smaller/travel dominoes, bamboo tiles or handmade clay beads for bracelets. I also have many art doll theme sheets for making paper dolls and provided a free template you can print out and decorate.

Speaking of the doll stamps and paper art doll template (including a body with a few optional mermaid tail designs)... and my LOVE for amazing art my customers make... I found these great examples from the talented Kimberly Sherrod's flickr photo stream ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/calamitykim/ ) Or check out her crafty blog at: http://calamitykim.typepad.com/

Happy Crafting!

Preview - Upcoming rubber stamp designs 07/08

Vintage Art Nouveau and Posa's Day of the Dead mini stamps for small projects, mini domino jewelry and bamboo tile / bead stamping. Will be available on my website in about 2 weeks.

I'm also working on some original art stamp sets that will compliment the most popular sizes and shapes of die cuts (like the nestabilities and cuttlebug dies) and some paper punches. Such as designs and written sayings that fit inside scalloped circles and ovals. I'm also working on floral designs and butterflies that would be good to cut out and layer on paper. I've always wanted to test out using sticky foam squares to lift up parts of images, to build flowers that look like they are growing off the page or butterflies hovering above the paper.

Spellbinder's Nestabilities Storage Solution + Positioning Rubber Stamps in your Cuttlebug Die Cutter

I browse a lot of craft blogs checking out the cool new cards and stamping projects everyone's making. I kept seeing two foreign words
pop up, one "Cuttlebug" and two "Nestabilities". For years I've been collecting Marvy and Carla Craft paper punches, but this gets
expensive and takes up SO much space in my craft drawers. I had never thought about getting a die cutting machine as an alternative
to paper punches, but now there is an affordable one that does it all!

After you get the machine you'll need to buy dies. A die is a thin metal piece in a certain shape (like paper punch shapes, scallops,
leaves, flowers, tags etc.) Depending on the brand these are really thin or have a big chunk of foam and plastic base on them. No
matter what it's like you can usually use it in the Cuttlebug. I've successfully tried out Sizzix (both the sizzlits and big dies,) Cuttlebug,
Spellbinder's Nestabilities and Bosskut brand dies in my Cuttlebug machine. They are all great, but if you're a serious paper crafter you
just have to check out all the Nestabilities (shapes that fit over each other in about 1/4" to 1/2" increments - nesting dies.) It will bring
your card making, rubber stamping and scrapbook layouts to a whole new professional looking level!
No more careful measuring and cutting out frames or mat layers. Just roll your cardstock through the cuttlebug with your die ;)

I have created a step by step tutorial for positioning your rubber stamped images with the Nestability dies in a Cuttlebug Die cutting machine. You can see that along with more info at:
www.theenchantedgallery.com/nestabilities.html

I only purchased a few styles so far, and instead of waiting for my scallops to come I made a quick project using the petite ovals alone. I'll be adding more, and better, example art as soon as I get the rest of the Nestabilities collection. I just had to help spread the word since I think these will help a lot of rubber stampers spruce up their cards.

I also came up with a really easy and TINY way to store these dies. I took a few 4"x6" sheets of thin chipboard (you could also use the thick sheets from the back of scrapbook paper or note pads, cereal boxes etc.) I then took my cropadile (or hole punch) and made 3 holes close to the edges and put keyring hoops in to make a mini binder. Attach two magnet strips to each page to hold your metal dies in place. The dies are so thin the book is easy to flip pages and isn't bulky or akward at all! I look at this and think... Wow, imagine how much space all of these designs in big ol paper punches would take up!

Have fun ;)