Adding Colored Images to Cards

When Esther and I went to the rubber stamp convention in July, we made several make-n-takes using alcohol markers for coloring. This is not something I normally do, but I decided to get a few stamps and try my hand at it. There are so many cute stamps that can be colored. These cute birds are from Endless Creations. I also invested in Nuvo's creative pens since they come in color families and I thought it would take out some of the guesswork.

The "Friends" stamp is one I've had for several years from Just For Fun. The ribbons are from my stash. (Thanks to my older sister for the pretty black loop fibers!)

For the inside, I added some black and white cardstock paper and stamped with these adorable birds, also from Endless Creations. I like how their stamps often include a reverse image as well as choices to get them in different sizes.

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I also colored this cute cactus from Pink & Main. The stamp set with its cacti and cute sayings was too adorable to pass up. (Or more accurately, for my mother to pass up. I shopped vicariously at the convention she and my sisters attended — thanks, Mom!) The flowers were from my stash. I had one pink one already and inked the rest with Vibrant Fuschia Archival ink. I added pearls for a finishing touch. On the inside, I added white paper edged in the Vibrant Fuchsia.

Both of these cards were made using the Top Note Card Making Die by The Paper Cut.

Contrary to popular opinion, I don't find coloring to be a calming activity. It can be quite stressful for me since I want to know what colors the things are "supposed" to be. I have been this way all my life. When I was a kid, coloring books were equally as stressful. Esther says I need to branch out and try new things! When I started stamping, I told my mother that all I wanted to do was to emboss the stamped images and call it done. I've come a long way since then!

Blessings,

Julie