Retro Rubber Challenge #278 - Theme - Off to the tropics

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

We have a fun theme for you this time - use tropical flowers on your card

I had a few more tropical flower stamp sets than I thought, so this was a lot of fun!

I started by blending a panel onto a piece of card stock, using some tropical colours. I then stamped all my flowers in slightly darker coordinating inks, over the blended panel.

I decided I wanted to add the little Chameleon somewhere on my card and I thought he looked great hanging off the sentiment banner. So I blended the banner to match where it touched my blended panel and the Chameleon.

I used the following sets - MFT 'Tropical Flowers' and Concord & 9th 'You're my Person' - both of which I have had since 2016 and I also used MFT 'Polynesian Paradise' that I have had since 2019.

How will you use tropical flowers on your project? Don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber, and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends August 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 5 challenges, including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #277 - Tic Tac Toe...

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

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

Tic tac toe is always a lot of fun!

I went with the diagonal row - Sparkle, Your Choice, Flowers. For your choice, I went with no markers!

Yep, my card was made with only inks. This ancient set by Concord & 9th 'Hello Lovely' that I have had since 2016 comes with a bunch of random shaped stamps that you can use to add colour to the stamped image.

My sparkle is a bit of bling dotted around and some wink of stella; sadly, I don't think you can see the shimmer and sparkle in my photo :(

Also my sentiment is by Simon Says Stamp and is from 2015!! 

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

Challenge ends August 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 5 challenges, including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #251 - Anything Goes..

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

Anything goes is always a popular challenge, it gives everyone a chance to dig deep into that retro stash!

I recently got my 'new' stash organised and so I now swing by there first before making anything. Some of it is shamefully quite old...

Today, my stamp set is by Concord & 9th 'Umbrella Turnabout'. I bought it on sale in 2023, and I have never used it. Which is such a shame, as it's gorgeous.

I stamped it using my Altenew stamp wheel, which is perfect for turnabout stamps. I used Altenew inks too - Mountain Pine, Pink Diamond, Eastern Sky and Rocky Shore. I used my colorcube cards for inspiration and blended 2 cards -

I love these colorcubes, the first one was bought for me as a gift and I use them for cardmaking and quilting to get perfect colour combos.

To finish my card (which I made for my Aunt), I added a piece of glitter cardstock and a Hello die-cut (by Simon Says Stamp).

I love how this turned out and I ended up with a large leftover piece of the umbrellas, perfect for another card.

What will you find in your stash to play with? Pop on over to Retro Rubber, and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends April 4.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge, and please only enter 5 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #247 - Colour Theme

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

I am super excited, my parents arrive on Thursday and we leave for our family cruise on Sunday!!

We have a colour challenge for you.

I decided these were the perfect colours for a monster card!

It was also an excuse to break out a favourite turnabout stamp for the background. I love using these stamps for colour challenges because you can use 4 different colours on them. I used Altenew inks for my background. I coloured the monster in similar colours. I love how the peachy colour breaks up the purples and adds interest.

Stamps used - Concord & 9th - Semi-circle Turnabout I have had it since 2020, Taylored Expressions - Candy Monster, I have had it since 2018.

Show us how you use the colours, pop over to Retro Rubber, and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends Feb 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 5 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #242 - Fall inspired....

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

Hubby and I are getting ready for our anniversary trip to Mexico at the weekend, we have been together for 20 years and married for 15 years, so it is a big one for us and we are celebrating in our fave place.

We have an inspiration image for you this time.

I have generally avoided fall / autumnal stamps and sayings, it's not really my thing. But I do love fall colours and obviously have leaves, etc. I thought it would be fun to make a hello card using fall colours and leaves.

I used x2 sets for my card - Concord & 9th 'Friendly Hello' that I got in 2021 and Lil Inker 'Welcome' that I have had since 2016.

I used Altenew and Hero Arts inks for my leaves, flowers and little dots. 

I recently got a set of Color Cubes - these cards are designed to help you when you are stuck for colour inspiration and I love them. I used card 260 from cube 2 to help me here and I think that the colours have ended up perfect.

What kind of fall inspired card will you make? Don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber, and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends November 1st.

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 #240 - Sketch Challenge..

Hey,

Welcome to another awesome Retro Rubber challenge.

We have a sketch for you this time.

You know how much I love a sketch!

Even though I only used 1 stamp, everything I used is 'Retro' LOL. The papers I have had since I moved to the US in 2013!! My stamp is from 2019 by Concord & 9th 'Geometrics' set.

This came together so well, that I made a 2nd one out of the scraps!


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

Challenge ends October 4th.

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 #239 - Colour Feeling Fallish..

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

This time we have some lovely Fall / Autumn colours for you..

I thought palette would work really well with a Concord & 9th turnabout stamp. I settled on 'Wreath Turnabout' - this is their OG wreath turnabout and I love it, I bought it in 2020 when Jenn Shurkus was having a destash. Autumnal colours are lovely, I don't really get these colours here in Tampa, I do miss that.

I used inks by Taylored Expressions (Lavender Glaze, Jelly Donut) and Alternew (Marigold, Chamomile).

I was a bit stuck about what to do for a sentiment and I settled on the hello die by MFT from their 'Hi, Hello, There' set that I have had since 2021.

I'm thrilled at how pretty this is and it was SO easy, I love turnabouts, especially when I use the Altenew stamp wheel which is perfect for these stamps.

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

Challenge ends September 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 #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 #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 #178 - Anything Goes...

Hey,

WHOOPS!!! I got all confused and jumped ahead two weeks! So I am re-posting this one!

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

We have everyone's fave this time - Anything Goes!!

This is my fave challenge, as I get to raid my stash and I like to mix old with new.

The sentiment is by Concord & 9th from their 'Snail Mail' set that I got last year (Happy Birthday is from the Avery Elle set), paired with my all time fave Avery Elle 'I'm Late' snail stamp that I have had since 2017.

I kept the whole thing simple and popped my happy little snail for some interest. I love adding white gel pen to his balloon and hat.

What will you find in your older stash to play with? Can't wait to see, don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends March 25th.

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

Fusion Card Challenge - Turquoise Flower Bouquet...

Hey,

Welcome to another awesome Fusion Card Challenge.

This time we have 'Turquoise Flower Bouquet' for you! As always both the sketch and the inspiration image are awesome.

Which will you try?

No surprise here, as usual, I loved both, so I fused them!

I rotated the sketch and added a piece of coordinating paper to the bottom to match the sketch. As my stamp was so large it worked perfectly as the central piece of the sketch.

The stamp is a fave of mine by Concord & 9th 'Wonderful Florals'. Every time I used it, I have to watercolour it, as it is such a great canvas to do that with. I used Distress Inks to watercolour and iuile watercolours for the gold lettering, as IRL it gives the most amazing shimmer.

Another simple but impactful card.

Make sure you check out all the rest of the inspiration by the DT over at the Fusion challenge blog, and play along with your own creation! When playing along you may use the sketch OR the photo to inspire your makes. OR, if you are feeling adventurous, you can fuse them together (see what I did there!).

Can't wait to see your makes. 

Challenge ends on March 15th.

Cx

Retro Rubber #169 - Anything Goes - Big Thanks

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

I have missed about 5 weeks of Retro Rubber challenges, as Hubby and I relocated from NYC to Tampa!! It was a LOT and I needed to focus on my little family for a while.

But I am back, with everyone's fave - Anything Goes!

I love this set by Concord & 9th 'Big Thanks' I have had it since 2019 and I use it a lot, it comes with an awesome die-cut and looks great stamped in a rainbow of colours. Love your face is one of my all-time fave sayings.

What will you pull out of the archives for anything goes? Pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends October 22nd,

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

Fusion Card Challenge - Green

Hey,

Welcome to another fantastic Fusion Card Challenge.

This time we have 'Green' theme for you! As always both the sketch and the inspiration image are awesome.

Which will you try? As always, I loved both, so I fused them!

I was inspired by the green circles and so I created a background in multiple greens. I love using glitter paper and I had some scraps from Christmas that fit perfectly here. I actually wanted to use an oval for my sentiment, but it was too big! 

It felt a bit bland, so I added the gold twine (my all-time fave $1 Target purchase) and some bling to liven it up!

I used -

Concord & 9th - Dotty Turnabout stamp

Craft Smart - Shake Chic sentiments

The Works - Dotted, Scalloped, Stitched rectangle dies

Altenew Inks - Parrot, Hunter Green, Just Green, Minty Mint, Sweet Leaf

Make sure you check out all the rest of the inspiration by the DT over at the Fusion challenge blog, and play along with your own creation! When playing along you may use the sketch OR the photo to inspire your makes. OR, if you are feeling adventurous, you can fuse them together (see what I did there!).

Can't wait to see your makes. 

Challenge ends on January 1st.

Cx

Fusion Card Challenge - Valentine Gnome

Hey,

Welcome to another awesome Fusion Card Challenge.

This time we have 'Valentine's Gnome' for you! As always both the sketch and the inspiration image are awesome.

Which will you try? I fused them!

As I have previously mentioned I am not a Gnome fan, but I was rummaging around and found this little set that I had totally forgotten about! Perfect for a little scene with all the little elements in the set. 

I stamped the background, it's a teeny bit patchy, but I kind of like that about it!

I used -

Memory Box - Love Grows stamps & dies

Concord & 9 - Gingham background 

Make sure you check out all the rest of the inspiration by the DT over at the Fusion challenge blog, and play along with your own creation! When playing along you may use the sketch OR the photo to inspire your makes. OR, if you are feeling adventurous, you can fuse them together (see what I did there!).

Can't wait to see your makes. 

Challenge ends on February 16th.

Cx

Fusion Card Challenge - Cocoa

Hey,

Welcome to 2021 and the first Fusion Card Challenge, of what we are hoping is going to be a much improved year following a tricky 2020.

We are kicking off the year with Cocoa..

Which will you try? As always I loved both, so I fused them!

I was inspired by cute cocoa mugs in the photo and I always love a sketch!

As I tend to do, I rotated the sketch to suit my stamps better. I decided to mix up the stripes, by using my ancient MFT chevron dies, I love these dies. I die-cut them in plain red and spotty papers. 

Then I added a fun scalloped circle die that is from one of my fave shops in the UK - The Works. The cute Fox is 'Winter Fox' by Lawn Fawn, I added spots to the mug to match the paper used, and I think it might be one of the first things I ever bought from Lawn Fawn. I added a sentiment by Concord & 9th from 'Winter Wear'.

Make sure you check out all the rest of the inspiration by the DT over at the Fusion challenge blog, and play along with your own creation! When playing along you may use the sketch OR the photo to inspire your makes. OR, if you are feeling adventurous, you can fuse them together (see what I did there!).

Can't wait to see your makes. 

Challenge ends on January 19th.

My Retro Rubber teamie LeAnne, told me about the current Card Concept challenge and I realised my card is perfect for the challenge, as per Fusion, I am 100% inspired by the mugs of cocoa.

Cx

Christmas Cards 2020: Concord & 9th Wreath...

 

Hey,

As we are only a couple of days away from Christmas, I thought I'd share a few more of my cards for 2020.

I love Concord & 9th turnabout stamp. I thought it would be fun to use their wreath turnabout with their new-ish inks.

For the left card I used - Cranberry, Sprout, Parsley, and Clover. The right card uses - Mushroom, Eggplant, Dove, and Wheat.

The sentiment die is by Hero Arts and the strips are by The Ton.

I love how elegant and pretty they are, and the inks worked so well. The non-traditional colours look lovely and Mushroom is my fave.

Cx

Floral Die-cut Birthday Thanks...

 

Hey,

Sorry for the lack of posts this week! It was supposed to be a fun week off following my 11th Wedding Anniversary. But sadly thanks to my pesky wisdom teeth it's going to be a bit different.

As an emergency, I had to have the remaining x3 wisdom teeth out on Tuesday. I was SUPER nervous, but my Oral Surgeon was amazing and so I am all good and recovering well.

With all this in mind, I thought it was a perfect time to show you the thank you set I made for my birthday. If you are a long time follower of mine, you will know that I love to make 'sets' to say thank you for the generous and thoughtful birthday and Christmas gifts I receive.

Here are a couple from previous years for you (Do you think I have a Monster stamp thing?!) - 

2017 Monster Tag Birthday Thanks

2018 Monster Rockstar Birthday Thanks

For this year's cards I used the Concord & 9th die from the 'Big Thanks' Bundle and cut it from the pretty Lawn Fawn 'Fall Fling' Papers. I really wanted to use these papers and they worked so well on the brown Paper Source card blanks, that were gifted to me by a friend!

I love making sets and I usually get carried away, so end up with a few for my stash and/or charity.

Cx

You Are Amazing...

 

Hey,

Looks like it's going to be a Clearly Besotted week on my blog :)

I really like rainbow stamps and this cute set by CB creates lovely painty edge rainbows.

I added the stars from a Taylored Expressions rainbow set and the sentiment is by MFT.

This was a great way to play with my newish Concord & 9th inks, I'm not sure if I love them or not. I do like the colours, but the mini pads leave marks, so you can only use a certain kind of stamp.. more investigation needed methinks!

Anyway, the end result was a pretty, simple very CAS card.

Cx

Color Throwdown: Hey Girl!

Hey,

So my friend Jen shared her card for Color Throwdown and I loved the colours so decided to play along too!

It also seemed like the perfect time to have a play with the 'Daily Wear' set by Concord & 9th - I bought it in their big blowout sale earlier this year. It comes with all different things that you can put the girl above / in to. I chose to use the letterboard.

I stamped the letterboard and the girl. I coloured them both with Copics and then I heat embossed a sentiment from the set onto the letterboard. I love this WOW! Embossing powder in Primary Yellow, it is so bright.

I pulled out a fave sentiment by Unity Stamp Co from their 'Kinda Sorta Miss You' set and heat embossed that onto grey paper using the same powder.

I decided to go with offset layers and the yellow spotty paper is by Stampin' Up.

To add a bit of shimmer, I went around the edge of the letterboard using a Sakura gelly roll glitter gel pen.

I'm pretty pleased with how this card came out, not bad for an impulse make!

Cx

Pawsome Love..

Hey,

Happy Friday!!

Hubby and I have the week off next week. It was supposed to be our week to de-clutter the apartment ahead of our move to Tampa. We are probably not moving this year, given the CV-19 pandemic, but we are still going to de-clutter.

I made today's cards right at the start of the lockdown because the Simon Says Stamp 'Pawsome Love' set arrived and I just had to play.

For the main photo I combined the cute kitty with clouds and house dies by Avery Elle. The card blank is by Concord & 9th and I love these.

I am so happy with how this came out and even though you can see a paw below the cloud (a mistake), I quite like that!

I had this cover plate die out on my desk and was determined to incorporate that into my card. I just wish I had used a more neutral paper behind it. I am loving the glittery hello die cut though - that die is also by Simon Says Stamp.

Have a great weekend.

Cx