My Calling :)

I have a chemical engineering degree. I am a Professional Engineer, registered with Professional Engineers Ontario. But stamping is my calling. I've been stamping for 4 years now and have been home for 5-1/2 years to be with my kids. And I have to say (likely much to my dad's chagrin as he's a chemical engineer too) that yes, without a doubt, stamping is my calling. I love the creativity it brings out in me. The feeling of satisfaction when I have completed a beautiful card. And the fact that I feel like I am good at it. Well, not always, but overall I get good feedback which makes me feel not only good about stamping, but it makes me feel accomplished :) Best yet, I get to share it with like-minded women (and sometimes men) and teach others this craft I love so much.

I sat down today to do the Pals Paper Arts Challenge. We were challenged to use an element of style: lace. While I was at it I figured I'd make a card for my monthly card class - Fast and Fabulous. I had just received this stamp set today - Faith in Nature. It's a hostess set, so you can get it by hosting your own private stampin' party or placing an order of $200 or more in my Online Stampin' Store. Anyhow - back to my story... I sat down, and in 5 minutes I had this lovely card. Five minutes!!!  I find the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder somewhat lacy, so I knew I had to use it. I also used the Lace Ribbon Border Punch, topped with Pear Pizzazz Polystitched Ribbon. Simple, yet striking (in my opinion ;) ).

Tips & Tricks:

*Faith in Nature just screams "WATERCOLOR ME!!!". I didn't watercolor this card, I stamped in Concord Crush and used my Pear Pizzazz marker to color it in (Isn't it fitting? Pear Pizzazz for a pear? Just realized that as I was typing, lol!) But for my next stamper's group, we'll be watercoloring and you can bet that we'll be using this set.

*I love how wide the Lace Border Ribbon Punch is. At first I found it daunting (it's about 1" wide). But I'm finding so many different ways to use it. I love this layered look! Haven't seen this anywhere yet.
*I find the Polystitched In Color Ribbon tends to fray. So when I'm not planning on sealing the ends of a bow with my heat tool - because I simply can't have ribbon fraying on a card - I just tie a simple knot in it. I like the look of the knot (rather than a bow) with this ribbon better anyhow.
*To ensure my pear and greeting were aligned properly, I mounted them together on the clear block and stamped just once!  Easy peasy :)
*Even with the embossing, this card took me 5 minutes to put together. Now there's an efficient use of tools and stamps!

We make six simple but beautiful cards (2 each of 3 designs) the last Wednesday of every month for only $20 or a $30 order - join us on September 28th if you're in the Ottawa area. You'll get to make the card above as well as 2 other designs - fall and Hallowe'en. Email me at stampingmonica@gmail.com if you'd like to come. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creatvity!