Toile Blossoms Scene – Tutorial

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Today’s piece is dedicated to all the Stampin’ Up stamp hoarders.  Now you know who you are, a few of you have even asked me to use some of my old, but loved stamps in projects.  I was a hobby demo so I never felt the need to get rid of my old stamps when new ones came out.  So I have around 300 Stampin’ Up sets, that is what is left after weeding out sets that weren’t my style.  We won’t talk about my unmounted stamp collections in this same post. You all will think I’m a stamp junkie or something, lol. 

Let me hear about your stamp collections/addiction in the comments section of this post.  If you are getting this by e-mail update, click this link to leave me your comment:

http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/07/09/toil-blossoms-scene-tutorial/

I know I’m not the only one that will chose new stamps over new shoes, let me hear from you.  🙂

Anyway, I have used Stampin’ Up sets “Toile Blossoms” &  “Lovely as a Tree” in today’s piece. 

Let’s get started on the tutorial.  🙂

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ UP Toile Blossoms & Lovely as a Tree
Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Not Quite Navy and Soft Sky
Ink: Stampin’ Up Soft Sky, More Mustard, Not Quite Navy, Basic Black & Old Olive, Palette Noir Black
Accessories: Piercing Tools, Prismacolor Markers, Going Gray marker, White Gel Pen, Black marker, Ticket Corner Punch, Sponges, Brayer, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Versamark Marker, Gold Brads

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Stamped Toile Blossom images on a piece of 5″ x 5″ Whisper White card stock with Palette Noir Black ink.

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Colored the center of the flower petals with a Prismacolor Deco Pink marker.

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Added just a little Prismacolor Magenta marker to the flower petal centers.

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Colored the leaves with a Prismacolor Chartreuse marker.

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Colored the shadow (dark side) of the leaves with a Prismacolor Light Olive Green marker.

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Colored over the leaves and flowers with a Versamark marker.

Note:  Be careful to color the white parts first and then the colored parts so the color doesn’t smear onto the white part of your image.  You can clean the tip of your Versamark marker my coloring on scrap paper for a second.

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Heat emboss the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

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Brayered Soft Sky ink at the top of the card stock.

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Brayered Not Quite Navy ink at the very top of the card stock, not covering the Soft Sky ink entirely.

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Stamped Tree image with Palette Noir Black ink.

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Sponged More Mustard ink on the bottom of the card stock. 

Note:  The embossed images resist the ink.  Just wipe the ink off the images with a paper towel.

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Sponged Old Olive ink at the bottom of the card stock using a swiping motion from the bottom let corner toward the top right.  This was done to simulate grasses.  Also, sponged Old Olive Green ink in the leaf area of the tree.

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Added just a bit of Black ink to the very bottom of the card stock.

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Colored the tree trunk with a Going Gray Marker and added some grasses at the base of the tree with a Prismacolor Light Olive Green marker.

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Sponged a bit of Basic Black ink on the right side of the leaf area of the tree and just a faint hint of black under the tree for a shadow.

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Added White highlights (specks) on the left side of the leaf area of the tree with a white gel pen.

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Sponged heavily some Not Quite Navy ink at the top of the card stock to give the sky some interest.

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Used a black fine line marker and traced along the bottom side of the flowers and leaves to create the look of a shadow.  Also colored along the right side of the tree trunk with the black marker.

Used the ticket corner punch on the main image panel and the Not Quite Navy panel.

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Used my piercing tools and a fine tip black marker to do some faux stitching all the way around the card stock.

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Added some gold brads and here is the completed card measuring 5.25″ x 5.25″.

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Hope your day is filled with blooming flower gardens and shade trees.

Until my next post. . . . . . .

Michelle

80 thoughts on “Toile Blossoms Scene – Tutorial

  1. Very lovely card Michelle! I only have 41 Stampin Up sets. They are not my fave company although I do like them a lot. I have >2000 mounted and then 5 binders of unmounted. I have reached step one in my addiction though- Hello my name is Debie and I am addicted to Rubber stamping!

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  2. Gorgeous, Michelle. I have only got my first set about 7 months ago, so I guess I am not hoarding yet. I have managed to collect close to 30 SU sets in that time and am now starting on Gina K, of which I only have two.

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  3. Bessey's avatar Bessey

    Michelle, you make me smile. I would love to play in your craft room for a day, no maybe a week. lol I don’t have many stampin-up sets but do have quite a few stamps. Love the card. I am buying more inks and stamps because of you, which isn’t a bad thing. Keep them coming.

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  4. Lori's avatar Lori

    New shoes???? Do flip-flops from the Dollar Store count???? Love the colors in this card. And would love to see more “old” stuff in your tutorials. I don’t get rid of the sets when they retire, the last few years, more of my sets have retired then what have stayed in the catty’s! Thanks for another great one!

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  5. I’m with you – Stamps over shoes! Once again you’ve created a stunning card.
    I have one question for you. Why do you use the Palette ink for stamping. What qualities does it have that you like? When using your prismacolor markers do you have to let the ink dry a bit on the whisper white before coloring with the prismacolors?
    Oh – and I think I probably have about as many stamps as you – here’s a link to my stamp room for proof 🙂 http://stampsinkpaper.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html
    THanks for sharing your wonderful talents with us.
    Have a super day
    Laura

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  6. Janet's avatar Janet

    I would choose new stamps over new shoes any day! I only have about 70 sets of SU, just a few unmounted sets. I am retired so i can’t buy everything i would like. I do have some that you use and i love trying your techniques, when i can. Love your Blog and the things you teach us. Thanks Janet

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  7. Laura asked “I have one question for you. Why do you use the Palette ink for stamping. What qualities does it have that you like? When using your prismacolor markers do you have to let the ink dry a bit on the whisper white before coloring with the prismacolors?”

    Laura, I think that is two questions, lol. 🙂
    I use the Palette ink to stamp with when I will be using a solvent based medium to color with, such as, Prismacolor markers or Prismacolor pencils and Odorless paint thinner. The Palette ink doesn’t smear as much as other inks. I do let it dry a moment before coloring or I hit it with the heat gun for a few seconds. 🙂

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  8. Diana Barnett's avatar Diana Barnett

    Shoes vs Stamps. tough call, but stamps win out except when tennies need replacing! I stop counting stamps after I hit the 1,000 mark & bthat was several years ago. That’s when I decided to go unmounted. I tore off my wood mounts and well the rest is history. I day doesn’t go by that I don’t see a stamp on a blog somewhere that I know I must have. I don’t buy them all, but if they were all at the same place, bet I would. Keep the touts coming. I love them. I also see stamps that “I must have” right here on your blog, too!

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  9. Linda Collins's avatar Linda Collins

    Michelle,
    Yes, I too hoard my stamps. I loved them once and can’t bear to part with them. Truth be told I hoard my cards also. It is only recently that people have been able to pry them out of my fingers. I have actually learned to make several cards at the same time so that I can give one and keep one. I have around 150 stampin up sets. I also love Art Impression Water color stamps and Stampscape Stamps. I love that you are going to use some old sets because they need to be loved too. Thanks for all you do to feed our daily fix of creativity.
    Linda

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  10. Roxanne Stevens's avatar Roxanne Stevens

    I’ve been collecting for 3 years now. I have a friend who is a SU demonstrator, so most of my stamps are SU. 45 sets and a few wheels. I also have a bunch of non-SU stamps as well. Most of my stamps were either free, or a gift, or bought on sale. Very rarely do I pay full price for stamps and supplies.

    I get picked on because I have an Excell spread sheet that lists all of my stamps, tools inks, etc. It’s how I keep from getting duplicates.

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  11. Evelyn----Ks.stamper's avatar Evelyn----Ks.stamper

    Oh Michelle I love this so much, I really like landscapes. I love the colors and just everything about this. Yes I am addicted to rubber stamps, that is all I want to do, it gets to be embarrassing……. I own around 150 SU sets and many many others, and lots of unmounted, my favorite. Do you think we need counseling? ha ha it is a great hobby.
    Evelynn
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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  12. Forgive me, Stampin’ up! for I have sinned! It’s been, well, forever since my last confession…. I would probably choose stamps over food, if it really came right down to it. I might own more than 300. And I “need” more, like the sock monkey and that new little bunny, and the Ellen Hutson veggies and ohhhhh it just never ends. Forget about all the headless divas, the Doodle Factory… you don’t have enough time for the list! If I had a spreadsheet like that organized lady that I envy above me, it would probably not fit on my hard drive. I always comfort myself with the thought that if there’s ever some stamping apocalypse where the world no longer had stamps for me to buy, I MIGHT be able to squeak by on my insanely large collection…

    Glad it’s not just me 😉

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  13. Phyllis Gunn's avatar Phyllis Gunn

    Another beautiful creation! I admire your ability to create these scenes using stamps! Ummmm I got to thinking about your inquiry regarding stamps over shoes. I thought to myself, NO, I’m not that bad. I lied. The last thing I purchased was unmounted stamps. Can’t remember the last time I bought shoes! I even remodeled one room in my house to do my stamping in and had cabinets built in with a work counter that runs the length of the room……………all for stamping! Bad???? Oh I’m bad and I love it. I figure it keeps me off the streets.

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  14. Juliet Arrighi's avatar Juliet Arrighi

    I love stamping, but I have no loyalty to any one company – I will buy anyone’s stamps! I prefer the unmounted, but I’m having a hard time organizing them. I’ve stripped most of my SU stamps off their blocks.

    Like

  15. Veee (vlstrs)'s avatar Veee (vlstrs)

    Oh, this is just too beautiful. It used 2 of my favorites, too. Thanks you, thank you.

    How many? Well about 75-80 SU, plus lots of other companies, plus the unmounted, plus the new clear ones. But you all are making me feel good. I hardly have any. I better go shopping! The only reason Lydia has 300 is because she does get rid of the retired ones. I know I have some of them!

    I’l be making this one later today and get you a link to mine when I get it posted on SCS.

    Like

  16. Michelle how do you do it! All of your creations are beautiful. Not just beautiful but BEA-U-TIFUL! I’ve tried so many times to use my versamark pen to emboss “just this” or “just that” on a cardfront but it dries so quickly. Everything you do is awesome! I hope someday when I grow up I’m just like you 🙂
    Hugs,
    Joani

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  17. Rukhshana's avatar Rukhshana

    SU have only recently arrived in the UK & I have yet to start my SU collection although there are several sets I am tempted by. However I was tempted by the ISC Friendship plate you did a tutorial with recently. Shoes or stamps? No contest – if only my shoes lasted as long as my stamps do. I just need to create some more space before I go shopping again.

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  18. Shirley Lee's avatar Shirley Lee

    Michelle, lovely card. I’m going to try your technique today. Shoes, what are those? Of course I would choose stamps over shoes. Okay, here’s the truth about my addiction: I have over 3,000 wooden stamps! I haven’t even counted the acrylic or mounted rubber stamps. Of course I have paper, embellishments, punches, etc. to enhance my cards. My philosophy is to have a mini stamp store in my stamp room so I have choices when I am making a card or project. Does anyone know where I can join a Stampers’ Anonymous?
    Thanks for your sharing your talents.
    Shirley L.
    Roseville, CA

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  19. Lyn's avatar Lyn

    GUILTY!! I have over 300 sets myself and my mom (my best customer) has at least 100 or more herself. I went on a major cleaning spree a couple of years ago and sold most of my retired sets which I still regret almost three years later!! Shoes are overrated. I still love your art!!

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  20. Hilda's avatar Hilda

    As Rukhshana (who jolted my memory about your lovely blog, which is now safely in My Favourites!) has said, SU only arrived in the UK quite recently – I have already got 5 sets and a very long wish list!!!! Lovely as a Tree was the first set on my list, so I am doubly pleased to see you using it here. I love this beautiful card, and I really love your style and the work you do – thank you for your generosity in sharing your talents and I look forward to learning lots more xx

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  21. Gidget-Trish's avatar Gidget-Trish

    Great card! I love the Lovely as a Trees stamp set. I have 31 SU stamp sets with 3 more on the way, and several stamps bought on sale as well as many clear stamps. My collection seems small compared to many girls but I find I still don’t use all of the stamps that I have now so I feel badly about buying more. I’m newly retired so the funds aren’t there for buying too much. My stamps still all fit on one small shelf unit. I also do scrapbooking so I have many supplies in my craft room…..lots of cardstock! I shudder to think how much money has been invested into all my supplies in that craft room!!! I need to use what I have, but I LOVE shopping for more. It’s addictive. I see I’m not alone. What fun! 😀
    Trish

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  22. Michelle! This is just GORGEOUS! You have used one of my all-time favorite stamp sets, Toile Blossoms! I just love the way you create your scenes…so amazing!!! 🙂

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  23. I am always inspired by your cards and tutorials. You are so kind to share your talent with us. As for being a “stamp hoarder”, I feel your pain. I have over 100 Stampin’ Up sets and I’m not even a demonstator! LOL I have an estimated couple thousand stamps and that is just a good guess. I am trying to get motivated to inventory them all, but it is a daunting task. I now mount all my SU sets with thin EZmount instead of on the wood. I simply don’t have room for more wood. I may even start unmounting some that are on wood. Yes, I am bad, very, very BAD!!! Do you feel better now? hee,hee!

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  24. Nancy B.'s avatar Nancy B.

    I’ve just resigned myself to the fact that I’m a “stamp collector”. I probably spend as much time looking for new product and shopping as I do stamping, so I think the title serves me well.

    I have about 200 Stampin’Up! sets, although I haven’t counted for a while, and I have an order on the way.

    Thanks for all the hard work you put into these tutorials. You make it worth getting the brayer out and dirty 🙂

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  25. Oh Michelle I love this card!! i am in a dilema right now as to whether or not I should keep my stamp sets or get rid of the retired ones. I find it overwhelming to pick out a set from my what 37 stamp sets.(Couldn’t imagine over 300!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Its like sticking a child in a toyroom full of toys and saying, “hurry, pick one” But………………..as soon as I get rid of a set then I see a card made with it and then I kick myself because I got rid of it. See, I just don’t know what to do. And yes, I’m rambling

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  26. Gorgeous, Michelle!! And I’m with you on stamps over shoes. I know it’s an addiction, but I don’t really want to be cured! I can hardly walk into a store that sells rubber stamps without walking out with SOMETHING rubber or acrylic/photopolymer. I even have my own stamp making kit now. And it’s deadly to my budget for me to be sick and have nothing but time to surf the web for online stamp stores! I had to stop selling SU because I was buying way more than I was selling. So, yes, stamps are my addiction, the thing I collect most (and I have quite the “collector’s mentality” — just imagine if I had OCD!!)

    I’m with Janet on doing everything UM now. And I am unmounting all my SU stamps now that I’m no longer a demo and don’t need to keep them on wood. Wood blocks are lovely, but there’s only so much room in my little loft!

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  27. Ginni Carrican's avatar Ginni Carrican

    Hi, my name is Ginni and I’m a Stampin’ Up Stamp hoarder. I buy, mount, catalog and KEEP them. Use? You say USE? Yeah, sometimes! That’s why I’m subscribed to your blog …. to learn how to use them better.

    YES! Please mix the old with the new …. frequently it’s not the stamp you use but how you use it that gives me the inspiration. I don’t have the Toile set you used here, but I can see the same card with my Lilac stamp or my morning glories or any number of stamps. And you can never go wrong with Lovely As A Tree in my opinion!!

    Thanks for sharing this with us!!

    Like

  28. Kathee's avatar Kathee

    You’re too funny! I, too, am a collector/addict for SU stamps. I have >200 sets (at least the last time I counted) and I find it hard to part with any of them! I di make a notebook up with all the sets in it so I can remember what I have…lol…the system works pretty well. I tend to blend my sets together like you did with this card. Thanks for sharing and giving some of us a giggle….

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  29. Karen's avatar Karen

    LOL, yes – definitely stamps over shoes. It’s funny you should post this today as yesterday I wondering just how many stamps sets you had! Now I know!
    I only recently discovered your blog, a week ago, and have been in awe and certainly inspired. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

    Like

  30. Betty's avatar Betty

    Michelle,

    Wonderful work, as usual. Your cards so inspire me! I am glad that God chose to give you the talent to create your masterpieces using paper, stamps, and ink. How lucky you are!

    As for shoes vs. stamps — I must admit that I’m guilty of buying many more stamps than I really and truly need. But, it’s probably not a vice that I will give up. Why should I? If someone could give me 100 GOOD reasons why I should stop buying them, I would. I really, really would. So far, no one has been able to do so, so I keep on buying. I will still buy a pair of flip flops or a 12-pack of Diet Coke in a heartbeat, but there’s no way I’d stoop so low to buy a pair of heels or a bra over a set of stamps. I am well aware of the “good things” in life.

    I love that you work with some of the older stamps and especially that you do so many landscapes. Your beach scenes are to die for! I can look at your cards, close my eyes, and almost feel the breezes. Keep it up!

    Betty

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  31. Oh yes, I’m a ‘collector’ of stamps also and will forgo clothing, shoes, groceries, eating out and anything else to feed my addiction. I feel guilty sometimes as there are some ‘horse’ things I need but buy stamps instead. 🙂 I have no clue how many stamps I have, lots of SU sets and many many many UM stamps. I was having problems keeping my UM stamps organized, didn’t like binders or CD cases so designed a stamp credenza and finally got DH to help me build it. check it out on my blog, it’s great! http://bettystamps.blogspot.com/
    Last count (about 9 years ago) I had over 1000 stamps. True I have sold some but have also bought a many more than I sold! Many have never seen ink.
    Oh well, it’s an addiction!

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  32. Judy's avatar Judy

    Hi Michele,

    I don’t have anywhere near as many stamp sets as you do but I’m working on it. I would have a difficult time getting rid of stamps. I would like to know how you keep track of your stamps so you know what you have. Before you create a card do you peruse your stamp collection looking for ideas or do you have the idea then go looking for a stamp to use? How do you keep track of all those stamps? Thanks for being so generous with your creations in showing us how to do it. Your creations are inspiring and your tutorials are very informative. Yep, I would buy stamps over shoes anyday.

    Like

  33. Donna's avatar Donna

    OH…do you really want to talk about ow many stamps we have. I’m another addict but I’m sorry to say I haven’t surpassed your total of SU sets. However…I’m still aquiring sets that are old, either from the SU catalog (this group just grew because of the most recent RETIREES) or eBay. Some of the sets are simply classics and I can’t imagine being without some of those sets. I’m hopeless. Is there a support group for us? LOL!! Love your cards and your tutorials are the best! THANK YOU!
    Donna

    Like

  34. Marianne's avatar Marianne

    Wow! I discovered your blog about a week ago and I amazed at your generosity in taking the time to do such a wonderful tutorial! You make it sound & look so easy and yet your cards are absolutely gorgeous. I am truly a beginner (although I also “collect” SU stamps – over 50 sets in the last 3 months!) and your instructions break down each step so clearly that I just know that I could do this! You are truly an artist and all of us “wannabe’s” are so thankful for you!!

    Like

  35. Joan's avatar Joan

    I only have 85 SU sets and buying more all the time. I have many, many other stamps though and a lot of um’s and clear stamps. I really don’t want to know how many I have. What is it about stamps that is so addicting?????

    Love your tutorials and have used them myself.

    Like

  36. MSBetsyZ's avatar MSBetsyZ

    My name is Betsy, and I’m a Stamp Whore. Er…Hoarder, I mean! LOL, Michelle…I ‘should’ show today’s post to my husband to show him I’m NOT the only one with this problem! I have many hundreds of rubber stamp sets, plus all the unmounted stamps, clear stamp sets, etc. that have taken refuge in my room over the last dozen or more years, lol.

    I can say this: I have NEVER regretted getting rid of a pair of shoes nearly as much as I’ve mourned traded-away or sold stamps!

    Like

  37. Kim S.'s avatar Kim S.

    Love the card Michelle. Only have the ‘lovely as a tree’ set, but can wing the other set to duplicate this card. Beautiful.
    Addiction, yes I have the beginnings of a stamp addiction. It started with scrapbooking, which I have tons. Then added stamping to it. I have amassed over 100 SU sets, mostly retired sets. Can’t beat the steals at garage sales for the sets. I also have a few unmounted sets, but as I am still relatively new to stamping I haven’t acquired as much as some of you, but give me time and I sure I will.
    Thanks again Michelle for faithfully giving us an inspiring tutorial everyday.

    Like

  38. mary's avatar mary

    Michelle, I love the way you paint a scene with your stamps, ink, brayer and EP. Each one is so alive. Thanks for your continued guidance.

    Wow, I thought I had a lot of stamps but these ladies make me realize I need to buy more!!! I have dozens of flower stamps, both rubber and clear. Last night I wanted to try out your Floral Faux Tooled Leather technique and not one of my florals would work. I need more stamps…
    -mary

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  39. evette's avatar evette

    HOLY COW!!!!!!!! That is one of the most beautiful cards I have ever seen. Just love all the colors and your artful arrangement. I too am an addict…having over your amount plus single stamps and then there are my clear stamps….oh dear I am soooooooo bad. Also go involved with ebay and bid on retired and rare sets winning a number of them….do not do that Michelle…a big warnng from someone who should NOT have gone on there. But as a hobby demo for SU I am able to get a good price on my addictive “needed stamps” plus all the other things ya gotta have to do cards. Thanks for your great tutorials and wonderful sharing of your great talent with us little people. Love your site. evette

    Like

  40. Linda Marie's avatar Linda Marie

    WOW! Another brilliant piece of artwork! I cannot thank you enough for taking your time to do tutorials & sharing your God-given talent w/us.

    Like

  41. askagain's avatar askagain

    Thanks for sharing the tutorial! This card is just brilliant! And, no, you’re definitely not the only one who prefers stamps over shoes. Like lots of ladies on here, I’d happily eat pbj’s or oodles of noodles for every meal to indulge my stamp obsession. (unfortunately, my husband won’t!) So, I make do with the hundreds of stamp sets I have and any more I can sneak in the house! It’s a great obsession!

    Like

  42. Hollie's avatar Hollie

    Michelle, I have been getting your e-mails for about a month and I have made my version of several of your cards. Thanks for the inspiration! I buy one or two pairs of shoes a year, but, after about 5 years of stamping, I have 32 drawyers of stamps. So many that my husband built me a room with kitchen cupboard pan drawers to hold them. Since I have had my room about 12 of my friends come over every Tuesday to stamp all day. Young and old, we even have a couple of men sometimes. We all try to hold that day open for our own fun time. Your tutorials have taught us alot. Thanks for all you do!

    Like

  43. Another beauty Michelle! Thanks for sharing your art with us daily! I am definitely a stamp junkie but I didn’t start with SU! so I don’t have even a fraction of what you have! I have stamps from so many different companies I don’t know if I could remember them all! Great work as always!

    Like

  44. Kim Dunworth's avatar Kim Dunworth

    Just love this card and the stamp sets you used. I think the older SU sets are much more artistic than the newer ones they have been putting out. I have a huge collection of the retired sets I got on Ebay, many of which I had to have after seeing you use them. (Trees Three on Ebay lightened my wallet considerably). Seeing what the good retired stuff sells for on Ebay, I feel no guilt about hoarding. Someday I’ll make a fortune selling them back!

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  45. Kathy R's avatar Kathy R

    Lovely card, Michelle, as always. I really love shoes, but since my feet are too long and too narrow, it is easier to buy stamps that are the right “size”. I have about 40 SU sets, hundreds of unmounted, and 4800+ mounted — most of which I don’t like/love and have absolutely no clue as to why I bought them — but now I am so emotionally attached I can’t bear to get rid of any of them. Can anybody help, or am I beyond help????

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