Goin' "Out on a Limb"... :)

A few days ago I was inspired by a fellow blogger to go "Out on a Limb" (aka my fave new Papertrey Ink stamp set LOL) and start my own ATC Swap. I'm a little hesitant, but am hoping that this will inspire lots of fun ideas and also foster new friendships along the way. My first ATC Swap has now been posted on Split Coast!

This swap is going to be ALL about Papertrey Ink stamps sets. The basic requirement, other than being at least 2 layers and embellished, is that participants must use a Papertrey Ink stamp set of their choice. I thought this would be a fun way to honor one of my faves especially during the exciting few weeks they'e had with all their new announcements, products, and the new PTI website launching this weekend! Congrats, Nichole, if you're reading!

Anyway, the post JUST launched on SCS, so all you eager swappers out there I'm waiting for you!

To join the swap, go to Split Coast Stampers and click on the Forums link. From there, choose Swaps, then ATC's (Artist Trading Cards), then look for my thread titled "New Papertrey Ink Swap! Read Me :) My SCS user name is pinkgirl76. See you there!

Stamper's Debate: Rubber vs. Acrylics... I want your opinions!!!

Ok, so I know you guys have seen this picture before... I guess I like it because it's such a meaningful representation of how far I've come since this is the first photo that launched on my website...

Anyway, it's also a nice little array of hand-stamped projects which has gotten me thinking... do I prefer the traditional wood-mounted, rubber stamp or the new generation of clear acrylics and polymers?

Oh, sheesh, I don't know. One of my best friends is a Stampin Up! Consultant, and we've been enjoying the art of rubber stamping and each other's company for almost 5 years now. We got to talking one day, and she asked me, "so, do you think this new clear stamping phase is here to stay? Do you like it better, etc.?" I honestly didn't know what to tell her and still don't. I will always order from her and support her business, but this questions did prompt several of my own. After all, it's quite an investment, as we ALL know!!!

So, the "pros" of traditional rubber? There is definitely something about picking up that wooden stamp, looking at the image, and the pure satisfaction of staring at a perfectly inked image on paper. There is that clear box, the uniform storage and labeling, etc. which makes me giddy LOL. They are all pre-mounted, and the actual cutting/mounting of them is another artform all in itself...also very satisfying when done correctly...

Ok, so what are the cons? Well, there is the UTTER frustration of not being able to see EXACTLY where the image is going...which is especially hard when using alphabet sets. They take up ALOT of room, especially when you are talking as many sets as I own, and even more that I owned in the past before I finally made the decision to sell some off to good homes.

Hence we now have clear stamps, aka acrylic polymers, which, in my opinion only got really "big" last year. Some of the cons? Well, although this particular one doesn't bother me much, I've heard them getting a lot of flack for having to mount/unmount them one at a time. Peeling off and placing them everytime isn't a big deal to me, although for some, just the fact that you HAVE to mount them every time is a turn off in itself. I will agree that it is time consuming, for sure. Right now, the biggest "con" is that on more than one occasion, right out of the box I've ripped them accidentally. I'm not the most "patient" person in the world, granted, but still, some of these suckers REALLY cling to the plastic sheets in which they are stored in.

Speaking of storage, this is another grey area to me. Although it's great that they don't take up so much room, I have yet to find the PERFECT storage system for my clear stamps, which are starting to pile up LOL. I tried the binder system and didnt' like it. They kept falling out of the plastic sleeves. I bought some little velcro and plastic pocket thing and didn't like that much either. PaperTrey Ink, one of my favorite clear stamp companies, has a pretty cool idea using clear CD jewel cases, which I do keep their sets in. For now, though, most of my clear stamps I store in my Creative Options Case, which has worked the best for me so far. I like the zippered pouches and am thinking about upgrading to the larger size, although this small size fits in my scrapbooking cart which is nice for travel. I really like Creative Options. They also make (just as an aside :) an AWESOME Ribbon Holder which I've found to be the least likely to get tangled and unruly (eek!) This also fits in my cart so I have only one thing to pull with me when I go out.

Ok, so that out of the way...pros? Well, I can tell you all that I really, really like being able to see where I'm stamping. This has been super-handy, not only for alphabets, but you know those SUPER frustrating times when you don't quite get enough ink on the stamp, etc? Clear acrylics even let you go back, albeit with a slow and steady hand, and re-do the image with a VERY good chance of it coming out ok.

Also, and this is JUST my opinion which is why I'm so curious to hear some of yours, I sort of feel like the clear stamp brands/manufacturer's have a little more of a creative "edge", let's just say. Seems to me like they keep a better finger on the pulse of what's hot and what's not....is it just me?

I truly can't make up my mind, folks! Please feel free to leave your comments (there is a link under this post) because I'd LOVE to hear them! Thanks and Hugs, Jess :)

DOLLAR STORE DATEBOOK

Every once in a while, I get a really good deal. This month, it happened to be on a new Honda Odyssey for my family. Pretty happy with it so far...HOWEVER, sometimes, I get an EVEN BETTER deal! Such was the case with these datebooks!

So, check this out. I'm in the dollar store of all places, searching for favors, and it dawns on me I should probably buy a 2008 planner. There they were, staring at me on the endcap in plain view.

Wait! I thought...I should MAKE these! And there you have it...with cautious excitment, I took off the vinyl outer layer and the flat, cardboard like surface was staring me in the face...as if to say "papercraft me!" "take me home and alter me!" I bought 20...the rest is history :)

To purchase a 2008 Datebook, you can visit my webpage, or you can make one yourself! I used papers here from Bo Bunny's spring line, along with Bazzill Bling flowers from Imaginisce. Adhering paper works best with regular ModPodge and a foam brush. I find that paper ModPodge was a bit too thin to support the already thin covers. I do have some extra books if you can't find them since it's February, so email me if you're interested and I can send you some.

Can't wait to see what you can come up with!

WELCOME! My first post :)

Well, it has come to my attention that I should probably start "blogging". I'm not really sure how, but I guess just like I was able to design my own web page and run a successful business, I will hopefully figure this out, too :)

Thanks for coming to visit. Soon, I hope to network a vast amount of stampers, papercrafters, scrapbookers, or just admirers in the hopes that this network becomes a family...a place where we can all inspire each other, come to share ideas, to share stories, even just to vent or get away from the average everyday grind.

My name is Jessica Diedrich, and I hope to meet you soon.

To learn more about me, or how I started in this craft, or what inspires me, please visit my home page at www.whimsicalbutterfly.net.

I will post some new ideas/tutorials soon. Please feel free to share with me as well. There is much to learn and admire out there...I hope this blog helps me find some really unique things!