Saturday 22 February 2014

Loved and Used...

At some stage, I know not when, it became obvious to me that the stamps I overlooked when on a shopping spree were probably the genre of images that were 'arty' and the ones I wouldn't know what to do with.  Or the ones that I looked at and thought 'oh that's great, but really, I can draw that'.  Yeah.  But I never did.  And, I can't stamp and emboss my drawing can I?  So little by little I got brave and equipped myself with stems, squiggles, splotches and blotches.  This little gem stands out though, it really has been wonderfully useful.  And remains so.
The relatively early morning light is very blue!  Damn, I'm such a good photographer I didn't notice and have no idea how to change it
Ah well.  It's just to show you one of my most loved and more importantly, most loved stamps.  Yep, a wood mount.  But it's available as a cling these days too.  It's by Magenta (distributed in the UK by Woodware Crafts).  I've had it for at least 10 years.  And I use it on something - card or LO, at least once a month.  


This card is for a Batik Style Backgrounds workshop coming up.  I was unsure about it - because I was a bit unconvinced by the colours, but it's been well received in those terms of colour, and two people have said that they like a workshop card that gives them ideas for stamps they already own.  Oh. OK then!
A couple of years ago at a Christmas Card making day, I used this stamp to make a wreath on a card front - that is still talked about amongst the Marathonati. I think it's because of the useful-ness of a seemingly plain image.  Today, I'm planning at least two hours of uninterrupted desk time, and this stamp will be featuring.  I have Card Marathon samples to make and I think it only right and fair that I try to use it again.
I might show you more of my long serving trusty friends stamps if you show me yours.



20 comments:

Ann B said...

Just my kind of stamp Julia, as you say it is so useful, so much so that I may break my 'no you don't need any more stamps' mantra and buy one myself. Love the card too.

Dotty Jo said...

Love your card Julia! I have an old stamp that I bought cheap on eBay and have to say that I use it all the time. Have a good weekend hun, Jo x

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I love that stamp too...you were kind enough to let me use it for my WOYWW ATCs last year!
I really like that card, a LOT!
Hugs, LLJ xxxx

shazsilverwolf said...

I really love that card- which is odd for me, I don't do pink, lol! Love the batik style look, that really does look like an interesting technique. Must admit, I would never have bought that stamp, but now I see the possibilities it has.... naughty Julia! Hugs, Shaz xx

Belinda Basson said...

I use Picasa which is free to download. It is good for correcting colour, straightening squiff photos and cropping too. Simple and easy to use.

Helen said...

I still want that stamp!! I have a very similar, smaller one, square, with a frame round it, also Magenta of course, but I don't like it as much as the taller one. So I need to go on a scouting mission for it. Wood mounted version, of course!! Hope you are enjoying your desk day.

Krisha said...

Beautiful card Julia.
There is nothing like a well LOVED stamp.
Have fun with your creative time.

Monica said...

I do not have many stamps and try to buy when I need for a specific purpose. I like the vague ones that have multiple uses and you can go on Pinterest and be wowed by imagination.

Laurie Unger said...

Love this! You've opened my eyes to the possibilities!

Elizabeth said...

Great stamp and even though I'm not all that keen on pink your card is lovely - the white embossing on the inky background is fab. I have a few 'useful' stamps too and they are also the ones I started out by rejecting because they seemed just a bit too arty for me ... experience has taught me otherwise :) Hugs, Elizabeth xx

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

Thank you for your visit today, Julia. I do like this stamp of yours, but I cannot afford any more at the moment anyway, having blown the budget for the next few months, thanks to Barbara Gray. Not only do Clarity look after their customers, but they listen to requests for new designs. We knew that next Sunday there will be a set of blue tits, and I suggested a goldfinch. Before the end of the day, it was being drawn. We also requested a special stencil that had been produced for the trade show at the NEC as a give away there. Within 48 hours it was on the website for us. Can't wait for the Crop, even if I am asleep half the time. xx Maggie

Sue said...

That is a stunning card. Now I'd never think to use that stamp like that. I obviously need to get thinking out of the box.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I remember you using that stamp before. It's certainly worth the price you paid for it. I heard Magenta was bought out by another company. I really liked their stamps. And between you and me, I prefer wood mounted stamps.

Princess Judy Palmer said...

First off... I didn't know Magenta is still around (hooray) and I didn't know they did cling now (hooray). If I ran across this stamp I probably would ignore it, like you used to for the reasons you used to. I still don't really see a use for it but like what you've done with it here. I it is really elegant here and I like the pink.

Now that I've said all that I recently got a Penny Black stamp of some "grasses" that look a lot like this stamp. I haven't used it yet.

Thanks for showing me yours.... I don't think I have a go-to stamp currently. Did I ever have one? This is why I buy so many stamps because I don't have just one to keep me anchored.... woe is me.

April said...

Oh you shouldn't be unsure about those colors at all. That card is sooooo cool.
April

Unknown said...

I love that stamp! So simple and yet so useful. The card is beautiful too. Colors great!

misteejay said...

Love the card Julia and that stamp is fab. What a useful stamp.

Toni xx

jodpea said...

I think ive used that very stamp!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful card Julia - and colour. I had to look twice because I thought it was a Christmas/winter card - which it could so easily be if in light blue - but then lilac would look gorgeous, as would mint green. Haven't heard of the faux batik style of stamping - although I know what batik is of course. Interesting.

Did you ever blog the wreath card you made with it - would be good to see that...

Paula x x x

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