INQUE BOUTIQUE Stamps: (REVIEW)

These gorgeous images are the two sets that I own from Inque Boutique. I discovered this company at the Summer CHA in Chicago IL in July. The images are breath-taking, trendy and stylish. There are SO MANY DIFFERENT IMAGES! Check them out
All of the stamps are rubber and very reasonably priced, these are the large sets that retail for $11.99 and have stamps as big as 4 and 5 inches long. They are all unmounted and I will admit it's a different / new system so it took a little getting used to but once you do, it's very easy. The stamp itself is thin rubber and a bit rigid with a self adhesive side that sticks to an acrylic block, (or any block). Easy to apply, remove and reapply.
One fantastic feature about these stamps is that it comes inside a self contained storage area, they are all PRE TRIMMED, so there is no cutting and no mounting of adhesives or foam etc. There is no work to do when you get a brand new set.
There is one draw-back that I would like to note. These stamps are made, it seems to me, for paper-crafters. Because the rubber itself is thin and rigid, then you mount it onto a block, it is stiff and not flexible. No problem right? unless you need to squish the image into a surface that is not perfectly flat, like a paper mache box. The system is designed to be used with a foam base that goes "under" the paper to make an ideal stamping surface, but hardcover books and paper mache shapes are not flexible like paper, we need the stamp to be flexible; which is the case when you mount rubber on to EZ mount foam.
So there it is, if you do altered art or other such similar art, be fore-warned that you may end up with a partial image stamped on your project if it's not perfectly flat and not flexible.
However, if you scrapbook and make cards and stamp mostly on paper, these images are so beautiful, I'm sure there's room in your collection for a few sets :o)
I am using these two sets in the classes to be held at The Paper Tree in Manchester NH on Sat. Nov 10th at 1:00 pm. Hope to see you there!

TINKERING INK! I won!

I won a free pack of Tinkering Ink papers from their Westminster collection!! woohoo.
Hopefully, I can play with it soon and upload some "stuff" for you to see.

TINKERING INK WESTMINSTER

STAMPING: Clear vs Rubber

Just a quick post, if you've been wavering or wondering about the differences of rubber vs clear stamping, Blockheads has some information to share that was passed on to me by Robyn L. of Maine

BLOCKHEADS; CLEAR VS RUBBER

A Fun Place to Create!

Hi.

I just wanted to share with you a really FUN place in Sanford. A very nice woman named Helen owns a "paint your own" pottery studio and if you're looking for something fun to do, please check it out.

She takes groups of children, birthday parties, scout troops and more! There are also "ladies nights" and Diva nights.

She has a great selection of pieces for holidays, gift giving and everyday.

See her website for details

GET FIRED UP

or call Helen with your questions

490-3473

It's really fun and EASY, Helen has all kinds of tricks that make everyone a creative artist.

New Class Projects!

Both of these classes will be taught Saturday, Oct 27th at The Paper Tree in Manchester NH.

This project is a paper mache box that looks like a book! Stamping, paint, decoupage and a matching journal inside! I'll also show you how to attach a ribbon handle if you want to make it into a purse. $32

Learn a fun and easy technique for a faux leather finish and create an Old World faux leather finished paper mache book box with coordinating journal. Book Box measures 8 x 11 x 2 3/4”. Get familiar with the Bind-it-all binding system as you create your matching journal (5x8). This project can be converted into a purse with a magnetic closure and a ribbon strap handle or keep for a shelf sitter. Feel free to bring your favorite ephemera items for your project, but a variety will be available. There will be many opportunities to customize your project with stamping and ephemera (Min. 6 students, Max 16) Please bring a heat tool if you have one. Paper for journal cover will be random Basic Grey Stella Ruby Collection.

Have fun learning while you play with color wash sprays as you create this amazing 12x12 Color Wash Canvas Art Collage; It's fabulous, with or without a 5x7 photograph! Title options include: Beautiful, Charming, Wish, Sparkle, and Believe. Please bring a heat tool if you own one and some newspapers to protect your workspace. (Min. 6 students, Max 20) $28

YES, I was shaking!

Which is why this fantastic photo isn't as perfect as she is. Can you blame me? This is the first game of the season and my 13 yo daughter is a STARTER for the Sanford Jr. High Football team. She's AWESOME. I'm so proud of her, but as a Mom, it gets my blood pressure up with worry. It was the same when Jared played too. The close- up photo was taken AFTER the game was finished, Sanford won!! woohoo!