Non-Colorers Unite!

Good morning.  For all of you who hate to color stamped images, but sure to check out today's tip.  
Before we go there though, I would like to share some adorable cards I just got in the mail. 

The first two come from Kayte W.  I'm sure we have all see the adorable box card before, but wonder where one would write a note or letter.  Look at the ingenious way Kayte made more writing area!

This is how the card looks before unfolding:

Here it is unfolded:

And here it is opened - she attached it to a card base that allows a lot of writing area.  I would say Kayte is thinking "outside the box", if you will pardon the pun.

Kayte's second card is a technique I have not seen before as it pulls out from both directions.

Front:

Pulled out in both directions:

And of course the card base opens for writing.....

The next two cards come from Barbara R.  

Check out the great folds and how she adds extra area for writing:

Closed card.....

Opened card.....

And you are asking, so where do you write your message?  Keep looking - she attached that entire piece to a card base that opens up.....

And the last card for today:

I love the fold and all the writing area.

Thanks to both Kayte and Barbara for sharing these cards.

And now for the tip of the day: This is for all of us who do not enjoy coloring our stamped images.  I make my own stamp that colors the image.  Let me explain.  

Here are some stamps I just bought.  Love them but I need color!

 

I stamped my image on a piece of PLUMBER'S WASHER rubber. (See below for info on PLUMBER'S WASHER material)

Using a regular pair of scissors, I cut just inside the black lines so the cut out image is slightly smaller than the stamped image.

I now have a two stamps, one for the outline, one for the 

colored insides.  

I did the same for all these stamps.  I get such a kick doing this and not having to use markers or watercolor pencils or whatever to add color.  Hope you have fun with this technique.  Email me with questions in case I was not clear in my instructions.

PLUMBER'S WASHER rubber looks like this:

It is a 6" x 6" sheet of rubber that I bought at my nearby big outlet hardware type store.  It cost less that $5.00 and is in the plumbing department.  It cuts quite easily with my craft scissors.  After cutting it into the shape I want, I adhere it to my acrylic block or stamping tool with double sided tape (straight from the ATG).  Tons of possibilities!  Let me know what ideas you come up with.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Hugs, Jill