Stamps - where to find your favorites

I am having a hard time getting links to work..if one is broken please let me know!
Since the discovery of Copics I have been looking at more stamps (that I can color in!!) and digi stamps came up. So off to the world of digi stamps! I have found, and others share their favorite digi stamp sites. Since I will guess this is going to get lengthy I decided to just do a posting on them and add them in as I find them. Am I missing your favorite place....let me know so I can add it. Please share your experiences with digi's and sites that offer them!

They have the cutest stamp faces for everything!

Digi stamps

http://bellesnwhistlesstamps.com/index.php

Digi and rubber stamps

Digi and rubber

 

They have a really cute frog set...seen it from a hop.

 

Located here in Cleveland! Rubber stamps

Digi and rubber

Digi

Dig's, Rubber and SVG and JPG files to match!

Copics To Copic of Not...That is the Question..

Last night I was talking with Dana from the group Split Coast Stampers. I had just been asking a variety of questions unrelated to each other (learning all sorts of lil tid bits!!). Then she made one comment - and it caught my attention completely!! "I just love my Copics!!" All I could think of was why????? The cost, wasn't impressed with what I thought was a competitors brand, they don't last long, ruining the tips when you blend - these were reasons I never looked twice at them. You know me...I asked why and brought up all my reasons - in some detail so she really understood. Her response to me...will forever more change my view - thus the need to Copic!! So let's go Copic!!

First off the very basics:

The main differences

-The number of colors available

-Airbrush Compatibility

-Ink Capacity

-Nib Types

-All use same refills (which are very inexpensive!! Bonus!)

Sketch Marker is available in 344 colors - shares nibs with Ciao

Copic Marker comes in  214 colors - most nib choices - these only fit Copic

Ciao is available in 144 colors - holds least amount of ink, won't fit into airbrush system

Airbrush Systems, you will want to purchase only the Sketch and Copic Markers.  The body of the Ciao marker is too small to fit into the Copic Air Grip. I strongly suggest searching videos if you have never seen this - very unique and amazing effects.

Want to know what a Copic is...well the best place to begin at Copic. Of course they are loaded with everything - you can even d/l their color charts to keep track of which ones you have. I called them as I was overwhelmed as to where to start my collection - yes they have help for that!! All you need is a basic starting color and they will help to choose 3 colors that will work well together with their color palette.

By now I am sure you have checked out pricing..ouch I know!! So I did a little bit more research on where others purchased them. A number of companies were pointed out, and some clubs as well - I don't mind signing up if it means great pricing..but customer service and shipping has to all be there as well. To narrow down one company at times seemed difficult, but once again Dana to the rescue!! She recommended Oozak.com and since she obviously knew her stuff when it came to Copics I took her word and headed over to Oozak, set up an account and placed my first order! All I can say is she has now been correct 100%, they don't even nail you on shipping!!!! I see a bright future with Copics (and without breaking the bank!!!).  Next step....Learn!!

Now that we have the details out of the way...let's have fun and see what people are doing!!!

If you haven't figured it out I love You Tube!! As I was drowning myself silly in videos in the side panel was one marked Copic Basics : A Beginner's Tutorial - well hey perfect for me!!! This is not a company that sell it...as I began watching it I realized I was completely consumed IMHO Suzanne really does an excellent job at explaining AND showing what the basics are, I will admit I learned a lot from her and even subscribed to her. I hope you enjoy her tutorial as much as I did!!!

You know I will be adding to this as I discover this Copic world!! LOL are you realizing that I truly had no clue about these!! I have been led to people that are amazing with their Copics and will be adding tutorials and links as soon as I get it all sorted out!
Until next time....

Inchies - A what??? Answer and Ideas

If that was your response to what an inchie is...and still want to know I have found the answer! Or maybe you just want a few ideas..found those to. While in my search for the answer I came across a new site Lockhart Stamp Company! They had put together a really nice presentation about inchies! As I was looking around their place I knew I had to include in my little blog world - what better way than introduce something new to me! If you are always looking for new stamps - here's one!! The site is loaded with information and stamps! If you find something you want....go to their Buy Stamps and find a retailer near you. I think I could go on and on..but instead I will let them speak for themselves. This posting is longer than most...but worth it!

Let's get started!

Inchies are a little like eating chocolate for the first time... One taste and there's no turning back. Well, it's the same with Inchies! Whether it's creating, collecting and trading, it's so much fun! Don't forget to visit Inchie Arts (Inchie Supplies) for all of your Inchie supplies.

Frames

This is a great frame that I've made into 9 magnet boards featuring individual Inchies and an Inchie puzzle (one image cut into 2 or more 1" sections). Here's a smaller version. With this frame I "framed" each Inchie with a slender slip of paper that I glued on to the 4 edges, forming a frame. I like the clean, visual snap. Grouping Inchies by color or themes provides a visually strong presentation.

3D Affect

Inchies used in cards can add a nice 3D affect.

Displaying, Storing & Recording Inchies

Covering wooden moulding with scraps of paper makes a great display for Inchies from friends. Thanks, Carlie and Vee! I use my Inchie Arts Index© to keep track of Inchies I have traded with friends. My pages are filling fast. This is my storage box for my paper Inchies, ready for me to stamp on directly or cut out images and apply to the front of my designs.

 Next Up!!!

The following are just a small sample of a couple parts of the site...head over there to see everything!! Karen put together a great selection!!

Their Stamps
You know your getting started in the butterfly section right?? My Fav!!
Ever see a stamp and not be sure unless you see it colored in?? Someone over there has and created a solution. I cannot get the rollover to work here, but if you move your mouse over the basic stamp on the site - it shows in full color! How sweet is that. Here is one of their stamps - yes a butterfly!

Checkered Butterfly 2064

Secondly  Tips and Techniques -

Tips & Techniques 1: Karen's List of Favorite Pencils  

Learn how to use colored pencils to create unique and special designs for yourself or friends and family. Karen will cover the selection and care of your pencils, how to ensure clean artwork and finally, a list of Karen's favorite Prismacolor © colored pencils. Go to Karen's List of Favorite Pencils

Tips & Techniques 6: Stocking of Sweet Treats

Something for Christmas? How about coloring the Sweet Treats stocking? Go to Stocking of Sweet Treats

And finally Favorites - who doesn't have their favorites? One of theirs was perfect for this!!


Inchie Arts

Inchie Arts is your source for everything Inchies! From artist quality Inchie supplies to creative ideas from top designers...everything you need for making, displaying, organizing and collecting your Inchies! You'll find white and black inchie squares, Inchie papers, Inchie Magnets, Inchie Art Magnetic Display Board, an Inchie Index, an Inchie Binder, Inchie Binder Replacement Cover and Inchie Pocket Pages. Check out the Inchie Arts products at: http://inchiearts.com/ Inchie Arts products are available at your favorite stamp or scrapbook store. Also visit Lisa's blog at: inchiearts.typepad.com/inchie_arts/

Melanie Muenchinger Stamps

Here is one more designer that I think everyone will find something they love. You have most likely heard of Melanie Muenchinger, her site is Hands, Head and Heart where you will find it loaded with ideas using her stamps, helpful hints and also for specific sets and to many tutorials and ideas to count. Gina K of course with Gina K Designs and Stamp TV carries all of her sets. Gink K did a blog hop over the weekend and I discovered the world of Melanie Muenchinger - the stamps below are ones on the top of my very long wish list. She has so many different sets for any occasion - but you know me flowers and butterflies are my weakness!!!

She is an Illustrator and Senior Designer

And you are about to find out why!!!

To get an idea of her style and some of her sets I decided this time to show the whole set and one project - and of course follow the the item description to get your own set and the other link to see how to create what you see!!! All projects were completed by Melanie herself (I do believe) No they are not in any sort of order - however, I am going to show the first sets that I discovered over the weekend....starting with!!!

 

This is the very first set of hers that caught my attention!

Imagine not only stamping these - but embossing them!!!! These are screaming to be embossed IMHO.

Bring the Bling Item # MM-38

Tell me this shouldn't be your first set of hers! Here is how to do it!

This set is actually very versatile to me...think of all the things you could do with them individually.

I saw one card where the a second center flower was cut out and popped up onto whole array.

Spring Basket Item # MM-36

I love this one, so elegant.

 Couldn't decide which one to choose plus it is spring time!

You know I had to show sets with butterflies!

A Year of Borders Item# MM-33

Just so beautiful...

 

Choosing one more to show you was almost impossible to decide...

Pressed Flowers  Item # MM-26

Breathtaking...you have to agree

Peachy Keen Stamps Ideas

 I decided to do a posting on Peachy Keen Stamps. In groups it is asked does anyone know of a stamps for.....?? Well theses stamps can fill in the dotted line!! I will be adding to this post continuously since they always come out with new sets - nope there is no particular order. I am going to "try" to get a sample a each set - of course I might find some that I just have to have also. Under each image will be stamp set used and link to it on the website so you can see whole set. Warning: These stamps are addictive!!! But oh so adorable!! There will also be a link to original posting so you can see what was used to create these pretties. Peachy Keen Stamps also carry a number of other fun toys, want to know what they are?? Hehe check out their website..click on the blinky above to take you there.
Don't forget to check out their sizing chart to ensure you get the correct size you need.

Pk-944 Funshine Face Parts for 4"-5" dolls
For the complete recipe click here!

PK-640 Princess Face Assortment
For the complete recipe click here!

Same set as above - these sets are so versatile!!!! 
PK-640 Princess Face Assortment
Here is recipe for this one

 

Are you as shocked as I am....same set as above!!

Told you these sets were completely versatile.

PK-640 Princess Face Assortment 

How to turn a princess into a rockin cupcake pirate

 

I promise...last one - but I love them on veggies!!

PK-640 Princess Face Assortment 

Princess and the pea??

 

PK-757 Wide Eyed and Bushy Tailed Face Assortment

List of goodies used 

PK-450 Wide Eyed Kids Face Assortment

Items used to create card

 PK-229 Funny Flowers

List of items used and closeups of each one

PK-943 Funshine Face Parts

You will never believe how this was made... 

I fell over when I first saw this!!
PK-450 Wide Eyed Kids Face Assortment

You really really want to see how this was done!

I just love this set!!!!!

PK-283 Cheers for Green Beer

What you need to make this set and more photos

 PK-283 Cheers for Green Beer

Told you I love this little guy...follow here on what she did

PK-754 Critter Faces SET A Medium

This idea is brilliant! and so cute!!!

 

OK I must admit I just found this set and I love it!!!

PK-660 Laughy Taffy Face Assortment

What was used and more photos

 

 I know I know...it's not a face set but this set is so adorable!!!

You have to check out the whole set!!!

PK-281 Valentine Cupids

Of course you want to know what was used

Another set I have never seen!! I can hear my bank account going dry...

PK-681 Retro Paper Doll Faces 

Here's how to wrap up your sweet tooth 

 

PK-460 Happy Lashes Face Assortment

Hungry to know what was used??

 

Believe it or not...this is an altered clutch purse

This is their most popular set!!

PK-490 Everyday Character Face Assortment

Sit back and enjoy the video

 

PK-542 Cheery-O's Face Assortment

See how this was created

 

PK-570 Basic Paper Doll Face Assortment

See how your flowers bloom here...

Sarah at Pink By Design did this one - another favorite of mine!

This set must be seen...hysterical!!!

PK-470 Happy New Year Face Assortment

Doing it Pink Style...

YES YES YES I know...the following are not faces - but you have got to see them!!!

PK-634 Frankly

PK-635 Haunted Pumpkin House

PK-636 Pumpkin House Accessories

PK-637 Lisa Jean Halloween
Now aren't you happy that I showed you these...and there are so many different sets!!!
 


I think these are the best!! And combine them with the faces!!!
 PK-272 Faceless Veggies Three
PK-271 Faceless Veggies Two
PK-270 Faceless Veggies ONE

Isn't this little fella cute as can be!
PK440-Cute and Cuddly Face Assortment

 Hop on over now and see how this was made

Well I figured since I have given a sneak peek on other products I have to show these!
Cottage Cutz Dies
Kathy made this demo (I think she just wanted an excuse to make penguins)

Well I am tired for now.....never worry I will add more ideas!

Until next time Happy Stamping!!