Retro Rubber Challenge #221 Merry Christmas..

Hey,

Can you believe that it's that time already? Time for the last Retro Rubber challenge of 2023.

We really hope you have enjoyed playing with us this year, it has been fun to see some new faces. Don't forget you don't have to have a blog to play along, you can link up using Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc

This time we want you to use the photo to inspire your card - colours or imagery, or both, it is entirely up to you.

I was inspired by the musical notes and went for a hunt through my Christmas stamps and came up with this beauty by StudioLight 'Essentials: Let It Snow' I have had it since 2020. I smooshed a Christmassy background and stamped over it. I remembered why I rarely use this gorgeous stamp.. it is a beast to stamp, it took approx 8 inkings to get it to work..

But so worth it, because this card makes me so happy!

We can't wait to see what you were inspired to make and pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends December 15.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Have a wonderful Christmas and we'll see you in 2024.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #220 Tic Tac Toe..

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

We have a tic-tac-toe board for you.

I was excited by this board and I chose - Snowman-Pattern Paper-Tag.

I am sad that Your Next Stamp is closing, I got my first ever Monster stamps from them and that sparked my obsession. I used one of my fave sets by them here 'Silly Monsters Chillout' I have had it since 2019.

This was such a fun and easy card to make. I love tags and I have a huge stash of them. This one is from Michaels and I love the glittery edges. My paper I found in my Christmas stash and worked perfectly here.

Which row will you choose? Pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends December 1.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #219 Get your sketch on...

Hey,

Welcome to another awesome Retro Rubber challenge, only 3 more left this year!

We have a sketch for you this time, you know I love sketches.

I went with a kind of one-layer card (I think to be one layer, you have to stamp onto the card blank?). I stamped 4 rows to fit the sketch. I love how it came out, it feels perfect for a guy or a teenage boy.

I used Tim Holtz Arrows & Dotted Inquisitive mini stamp set, which I have had since January 2022 and I used my fave Happy Birthday sentiment by MFT that just lives on my desk and I have had it since 2017. I stamped everything using Distress Oxides, I love the muted, kind of chalky feel they give.

Show us your interpretation of the sketch and pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends November 17.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #218 - Fall Picnics colour challenge..

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge - can you believe it is almost November?!

This time we have a colour challenge for you.

I love Concord & 9th turnabout stamps and I have a lot of them, so I thought as we need to use at least x3 colours, it would be fun to dig one of my faves out. For this card I used the 'Lovely Blossoms' turnabout, that I have had since 2021.

I was aiming for x3 colours in my background, blue, green and yellow.. but guess who stamped the blue first and then the yellow.. so I got a kind of greeny tinge! No matter, I like it and I used yellow for my sentiment instead. The sentiment is also by Concord & 9th from their 'Big On You' set (also 2021) and I use this set a lot.

Super easy and fun card to make. I used my new Altenew Stampwheel for the background and I am in love!

How will you use the colours? Be sure to pop on over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends November 3rd.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #217 Anything Goes..

Hey,

I am back, after my birthday hiatus. My birthday was crazy fun and I'll write a post about it soon.

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

This time it is everyone's fave - Anything Goes.

I love these 'Mod Birds' stamps by MFT and it has been a while since I got them out for a play! I have had them since 2018 and I love bird stamps! these stamps are super easy and fun to use, you stamp the main outline and then pick a colour and stamp the detail parts.

I mixed and matched the sentiments for these simple cards, they are 2 stamps, one by Hero Arts 'Take Note' from 2017 and the other by Simon Says Stamp from a 2016 cardkit (I think..).

Can't wait to see your anything goes cards, don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends October 20th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #214 Let's Get Sketchy..

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

If you are in the big bend area of Florida, like I am, please be safe and take care in the storm x

We have a sketch for you this time.

You know how much I love a sketch!

I decided to pull a couple of old faves from the archives for this card. The side panel is a Hero Arts background stamp 'Lines' that I have had since 2015! I used a scrap I found on my desk for the other part of the sketch LOL. The cute Monster is by Neat & Tangled 'Little Monster' and I have had it since 2018. I always love colouring the word, it always looks so fun. The rest of the sentiment came from a Avery Elle set 'Peek-a-boo Balloon' and that is from 2019. 

A great mix of older sets to create a fun card.

Now it's your turn! Show us your interpretation of the sketch and pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends September 8.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

I will be taking a short break to enjoy the multiple festivities around my 50th Birthday! But I will be back on October 10th.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #213 - Colours of the Rainbow..

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

This time we are all about the colours of the rainbow.

If you look at my card carefully, you will see I used every single colour of the rainbow LOL.

I love the 3 Ellen Hutson sets I used (Over It, Unicorns & Rainbows, Pure Magic) - I have had them since 2019 and I am really sad that Ellen is closing her doors, but I get it.. retirement looms.

I created the background using a fave MFT Cloud stencil and distress oxides. I stamped the rainbow over the top and coloured that using Sakura Gelly Roll Starburst pens.. these pens give all the shimmer.

A fun easy card with the perfect sentiment.

How will you use your stash and the colours? Don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends August 25.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #212 - Anything Goes

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge. Can you believe it is August already?! And today is my Momma's birthday!

It's everyone's fave 'Anything Goes'.

I have had the MFT 'Martini's on Me' set since 2013 and I can clearly remember thinking 'should I spend this much money on a small set'. LOL now 10 years later and so much use, I think we can agree it was a great investment.

It recently got a new lease of life, as I got these Mama Elephant 'Birthday Messages' (2021) and they have perfect sentiments for this set, including the one I used here.

The cards are so simple, just stamp, colour and mount onto the card blank. I gave one of them to a friend and she loved it. I think these will be becoming a staple in my birthday card box.

What are you going to dig out of the archives? Don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends August 11th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #211 - Tic Tac Toe!

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

This time we have a tic tac toe board for you.

I love these boards, so many ideas!

I went with your choice (bling) - die cut or punch - stencil.

I love stencils and I am a big fan of these 'create in quads' ones by Taylored Expressions, you layer the stencils over letter-sized paper and end up with x4 different stenciled panels. Clever.

The one I used here is from the TE Quad monthly club and is called 'Pattern Party'.  I decided it was the perfect background for one of my fave Monsters by 'Your Next Stamp' the set is 'Way Cool Monsters' and I have had it since 2019. I am sad to say goodbye to YNS as they are closing their doors after 14 years, they are the reason for my love of Monster stamps. I added some googly eyes to my Monster.

My die-cuts are obviously my Monster and the yellow panel.

I stacked the sentiments, because I wanted to use the Favorite Human stamp by Technique Tuesday, I find that this sentiment always works well with Monsters! It is from their 'Favorite Human' set and I have had it since 2017.

Because the background is so busy, I didn't want the 'your choice' element to get lost, so I went with large blingy gems, so they would stand out and not get lost.

A fun cheery birthday card.

Can't wait to see which row you decide to use, pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends July 28th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #210 - Sketch time!

Hey,

Happy 4th of July if you are in the USA!

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

We have a sketch for you this time.

You know how much I love a sketch!

I used coordinating papers to match the sketch and create a bright sunny background for my girl. All the papers are by Recollections at Michaels. I used a new to me Concord & 9th stitched cover plate die on the yellow paper for some interest.

My girl is one of my fave MFT Pure Innocence girls and this one is 'Heart Bouquet' and I have had her since 2017. I added a sentiment strip by Taylored Expressions.

I am really happy with the matchy-matchness of my card :)

Show us your interpretation of the sketch and pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT has made.

Challenge ends July 14.

Remember to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #209 - It's Summer...

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

Later today I am going on an adventure! I am riding the train from Tampa to NYC - I hate to fly and I really wanted to give this a go. Wish me luck, I know I am nuts, but I am super excited anyway!

Time for you to pull out those fun summer stamps for our current theme.

Recently while I have been working on my Retro Rubber cards, I remembered about all the awesome stamp sets I got in March 2022 from the SCT crop & create classes I did.

This awesome set I used for the background is by LDRS 'Just a Note'. I stamped all the fruit using Distress Oxides. I die-cut a red circle to hold my sentiment, which is by Pink Fresh Studio from their 'So Sweet' set that I have had since 2017. 

It came together so well and every time I see it I smile.

What summery delights will you dig up from your archive? Don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT has made.

Challenge ends June 30th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

The Library Challenge #81 - Drink, Read & Be Happy..

Hi,

Happy Wednesday to you!

I haven't played along with a card challenge in quite a while, but I saw that The Library Challenge had restarted and I loved the inspiration image.. so I made a card for it :)

Here is the challenge inspiration.

I was inspired by the diagonal design, the colours and just the idea of reading.

I have had these new-to-me Avery Elle stamps (Feels Like Home & Feels Like Home addition) on my desk for a while and aren't they just perfect for this challenge!

I stamped the chair first, so I would know where to add my blue diagonal paper piece. After I had finished colouring my little scene, I decided to add the bottom blue strip to anchor the chair and the table.

The sentiment is by Unity Stamp Co and from the 'Chapter One' set and sums up how I feel after work each night, when I sit in the lanai with a drink and my book!

Fab challenge, so happy it's back and that I carved out time for a play.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #208 - Sweet Summer Colour Challenge...

Hey,

Welcome to another awesome Retro Rubber challenge.

June already!

This time we are all about sweet summer colours - we want you to use at least 3 of the following 5 colours - yellow, pink/red, green, orange or brown.

These colours are so fun! I used yellow, pink AND red, green, orange and brown. LOL.. all of them in fact.

I used an MFT wave stencil with distress oxides to create the waves for my Octopus. I added a few bubbles for a little bit of added interest.

I love Octopus stamps and this one is one of my faves from the 'Mr Octopus' set by Sweet Stamp Shop (who are sadly no longer in business), I have had this set since 2017. The ice cream and lolly and sentiment are all from the Avery Elle set 'Skating By' that I have had since 2016 and I love all the small elements in this set.

He's so kooky I love him!

Will you be like me and use ALL of the colours? Can't wait to see your creations, don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends June 16th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #207 - Anything Goes...

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

This time it's everyone's fave - Anything Goes.

I know everyone loves Anything Goes!

I had fun with this, I dug out one of my fave Lawn Fawn sets 'You are Sublime' - I have had it since 2018 and it has been a bit neglected!

I love Japanese art and I saw these random wave stamps that reminded me of the art and so I bought them early last year. I stamped one here and then to anchor it, I drew 2 contrasting lines under the wave using Sakura glitter gelly roll pens.

I stamped and coloured the submarine from the LF set and popped it up and added the sentiment and the bubbles also from the set. 

I love mini slim as a format and I think it works really well here.

I can't wait to see what you will decide to play with, pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT has made.

Challenge ends June 2nd.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #206 - Tic Tac Toe...

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

This time we have a Tic Tac Toe board for you.

I had fun with this, this card is actually for my MIL (her birthday is today!). I went with Birthday / Flowers / Your choice (watercolour).

Recently I have been pulling out the stamps I got as part of the 3 day SCT crop and create last March. This stamp set is called 'Beautifully You' and is actually by SCT. I used my fave Altenew watercolour brush pens and a waterbrush to colour the stamp. Super easy and really very therapeutic.

Here is a little close-up, you can see the gold ink splatter that I added.

Which row will you choose? Don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends May 19th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #205 - Get your sketch on...

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

This time we have a fun sketch for you.

I love sketches! I have seen a lot of cards recently with this folded-over corner, it showcases double-sided papers which I think is really clever.

I have been cutting all my 12x12 papers to 4x5 perfect for cards and it means they are all ready to go and I am using more and more patterned papers.

I chose a piece of paper by Recollections, I creased the top corner and folded it over, and I put a bit of foam tape under the fold, so it held its shape. I thought that a brown card blank would make all the bright colours pop.

The sentiments are by Pink Fresh Studio from their 'Simplest Gestures' set and I got it as part of my kit during the SCT Crop and Create in March 2022. I have recently been bringing out the sets from the crop and playing with them - it's like finding new treasures!

It was such a fun make, that I made another one!

Show us your interpretation of the sketch and pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends May 5th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #204 - It's Spring!

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

This time, we are all about Spring.

It was Mother's Day in Europe a few weeks ago - in fact my Momma was here in the US with me, so that was nice. I made my Momma and MIL these springy cards to celebrate them.

I love the flower stamp by The Stamp Market 'Floral Diamond' I have had it since 2020 and I love cutting it out with my Brother Scan n Cut.

This time I stamped it onto watercolour paper and heat embossed the outline so that I could watercolour it, for a softer look. The sentiment is by Lawn Fawn and I have had it for years, I don't even think they sell it anymore! It felt flat on plain white paper, so I embossed the white panel using one of my fave embossing folders by Creative Expressions - I think this came from the UK with me 10 years ago. It added some much-needed drama to the card and I love it.

Here is a close-up for you -

Can't wait to see your spring makes and don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends April 21st.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #203 - Happy Birthday...

Hey,

Hello from Miami!! Well I am on the road on the way back, after a long weekend of dancing with Hubby!

Are you ready for another fun Retro Rubber challenge?

This time we are after birthday cards - easy peasy for us cardmakers.

Birthday cards are always needed and I love making them.

Recently I was on a mission to make a bunch of masculine cards.

I was gifted this wonderful Tim Holtz set 'Inquisitive, Dots and Arrows' in 2021 by a friend. It is the smaller set that he produces for Joann's so you also get a stencil.

I used the stencil and the background stamps that came with the set to create a fun background for my dude! I used Distress Oxides for the stenciling and the stamping - did you know that Oxides stamp really well? I stamped my fave dude from the set and then he was cut out using my Brother Scan n Cut (aka big sexy).

I added a small Happy Birthday stamp - this is one of x3 HB stamps that I keep in my top desk drawer, because I am always looking for a birthday stamp for a last minute make lol! So a couple of years ago I decided to pull out 3 that would suit all my needs, so I have this small one, a small scripty one and a larger more graphic one. Handy!

I can't wait to see which stamps you pull out to make your birthday card, don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends April 7th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #202 - Anything Goes...

Hey,

Welcome to another awesome Retro Rubber challenge.

This time, it is everyone's fave 'Anything Goes'.

I made this card for my godson who turned 21 last week - how is that possible!? He loves graphic design and is studying photography. 

I used new Heidi Swapp 'Countdown Outline' stamps that were a gift from a friend, to create the fun background. The sentiment is by Taylored Expressions and is one of their simple strips series 'Birthday' from 2021. 

I wanted to add a camera, so I dug through my collection and came up with this seriously old stamp by Tim Holtz 'Mini Blueprints' from 2013 - why don't I use this set more? I stamped it, drew an outline, and then cut it with my Brother Scan n Cut.

I wanted a bit of shimmer, so coloured a few of the numbers using a Sakura gellyroll starbust gel pen.

It came out even better than I expected!

Time for you to rummage through your older stamps and show us anything you like! Don't forget to swing by Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends March 24th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #201 - Tic Tac Toe..

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

We have a tic tac toe board for you this time!

I love these boards, even if we choose the same row, our cards are all so different!

I chose the top horizontal line - die-cut or punch, ribbon or twine and slimline.

I am a big fan of the mini-slim format, so that was easy. I used a Paper Play mini-slimline rectangle die to cut my background paper. The paper twine is SO old I am thinking nearly 10 years old, it came in a huge bundle and I use it a lot, but it never seems to run out. The gorgeous lady stamp was a birthday gift last year - C.C Designs 'Fashionista' and I coloured her using Altenew Markers and cut her using my Brother Scan n Cut. The sentiment is from 2021 and by Taylored Expressions 'Simple Strips Friendship' I love these strips, they give you so many fun sentiments to use.

Which row will you choose? Pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends March 10th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #200 - Let's get Sketchy...

Hey,

Welcome to the 200th Retro Rubber challenge!!! 

Can you believe it! I have been on the DT since the beginning and I LOVE Jane our fearless leader and all my teamies - past and present. It is such a great way to use my huge stamp stash.

As it is our 200th post, if enter the challenge AND you comment on my post, I will pop your name in a hat, pick a winner and send you some random crafty stuff :)

This time we have a fun sketch for you this time.

You know I love a sketch!

I made this card when my OG craft buddy JT was in town last week, it was so much fun to craft with her.

I used a fave MFT background stamp 'Pineapples' that I have had since 2017, it is one of the most used things in my stash. I got the awesome MFT/Pure Innocence 'Pineapple of my eye' girl last year and this is her first outing, I feel like she is going to get a lot of use, as I love pineapples! I coloured her using my Altenew markers and added a couple of paper strips to match the sketch.

Show us your interpretation of the sketch and pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends February 24th.

I'll be MIA until the 20th, as my Daddy is here in Tampa and we are going on a cruise later on this week - whoop!

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #199 - Tickled Pink!

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

It was fun to see so many people in the gallery for the last challenge. I hope you will love this one too. This time we have a colour challenge for you.

I went with pink, white, and silver (I am using creative license here with my grey cat counting as silver).

This is one of my fave stamp sets - 'Pawsome Love' by Simon Says Stamp, I have had it since 2020. It has a great range of sentiments and critters. I really like the Palentine's Day idea, as I love to send Valentine's cards to my girlfriends.

I got all fancy and created my OWN folding banner using an ancient MFT banner die.. I have always felt the banners are too long and finally learned to fold my own!

Which colour combo will you use? Don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber, and get inspired by the things the DT has made.

Challenge ends on February 10th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #198 - Warm Winter Wishes...

Hey,

Welcome to the first fun Retro Rubber challenge of 2023 - did you miss us? We missed you!

We have a theme for you this time - Winter...

I love snowflakes (not IRL) and I have tons of stamps, stencils, and dies. 

I wanted to make the little Fox stand out, so I used a fave Gourmet Rubber Stamps snowflake stencil with blue glitter paste (by Martha Stewart). All the reds and blues in the Fox's outfit really pop off the card. He is 'Holiday Fox' by AALL & Create and was a gift from JT for Christmas 2021.

What wintery items will you use? Pop over to Retro Rubber, get inspired by the things the DT have made, and welcome our new teamie, LeeAnn Mckinney.

Challenge ends January 27.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge, and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

A trio of fun makes...

 

Hi,

I had a fun week off between Christmas and New Year.

I played at my desk a lot and here are a few of my fave makes - using mainly new things.

The main photo uses Taylored Expressions layered star stencils, Lisette gifted them to me when I was in NYC. When she was still in the hospital with Matteo, I went on a rummage through her craft room (lol) and stamped a bunch of these super cute Unicorns, also by Taylored Expressions.

My local Tuesday Morning, gave me all the goodies on a little outing - the stamp is by Ranger Letter It - I love these stamp sets, they make it look like I hand-lettered things! The amazing Hero Arts cover plate die (shown below) is also from that trip and it makes SUPER quick cards.

A super quick post just showing that I am playing and making, I keep neglecting my blog!!

Cx