use what I have: wood mount stamps




Happy Sunday!

So I always seem to have this ideas to self challenge myself, but this year, I'm really trying to go forward with those challenges.  So far, I've been pretty good about using my distress inks...and loving them!  I broke out the modeling paste for yesterday's post...and loving that stuff too.

In my non-crafty life, I'm consistent in what I do.  I pretty much have the same thing for breakfast and lunch during the week....yogurt and fruit.  I generally order the same thing at my favorite restaurants.  I shop at the same stores and I wear the same type of outfits {jeans, sweaters and ballerina flats}.  Call it boring but I call it reliable (chuckling).

In paper crafting, I'm slow to jump on the techniques bandwagon {see earlier comment about distress inks and modeling paste), but that's because I don't consider myself a techie.  When it comes to paper collections, I do generally purchase what is "hot" and I typically buy the 6x6 and all of the other accessories.

So here's my new challenge:


I still have some of my classic Hero Arts stamps but really, the only shop that 'makes me buy' wood mount is Impress.   For those that haven't had the awesome opportunity to step into an Impress shop, it is literally hypnotic.   They have the best artists and the most wonderful card samples.

Here's a peek at my wood mount collection:


I'm like probably most stampers, I started off with Stampin' Up.  I had TONS of their stamps but don't have the room to store them.    My A Muse collection has been significantly reduced but the ones in that wire tired basket are the ones that I couldn't part with.  

Anywho's, my goal is to use at least 4 wood mount stamps a month.  I managed to use 2 on this card: 


That fabulous chunky jar is Impress and yes, I love the Hero Arts Japanese Dolls set, so glad that I kept the winter version, I almost sold that one but changed my mind.

Okay, who else has a ton of wood mount stamps that are sadly neglected?!

I was inspired by



and the wonderful ladies at



I was going to do a card with blooms but decided to use just the colors.  I couldn't find a perfect woodgrain paper so I used the distressed brick wall.

I was lucky enough to spend some time with 2 of the Fusion girls last week:




It's always a great day spending time with friends to craft & chat!

Comments

Jessi Fogan said…
Now that's a great self-challenge - I don't have nearly as many wood mounts as before, but a lot of them are boxed & in the basement since I just don't have the room! Your card is adorable - love the veneer, and that sweet girl!
This is just soooo pretty. Grey and yellow is my fav. colour combo and it looks great here.
I don't have many wood stamps, but you've inspired me to dig them out.
Caroline xxx
Sherry Eckblad said…
Raising hand, I have a lot of wood mount stamps that I just can't part with this year. But they are put away from me in another room and if I don't use them this year they too will be put into the garage sale stuff. I have decided time to let go.
Love your card and the little Japanese girl in the jar is adorable. I can see why you kept that set.
Good for you!! I am still plugging away at my scrappy stash this year!! There are only 3 collections I wanna get from this year's CHA releases ... and that's all I will be getting! LOL! I loveeeeeeeee this!! LOVING the colors, the jar and that girl!!!!!!!
SmilynStef said…
I will confess I have drawers full of wooden stamps that are sorely neglected ... I'll have to see what I can do about inking some up ... love your take on the Fusion Card Challenge ... your coloring of her is adorable.
Joan B said…
use them! Love the way you have these stored. Great card.
4 wood stamps a month, totally doable goal, I'm with you friend! Love the jar.
jessica said…
This is such a great card Amy!! Love it!
I have so many wooden stamps...parted with a bunch but guilty of having the rest sit in a drawer :(
You have inspired me to bring them out again!
Laurel said…
Great challenge Amy, I wonder if I have any wood mount ones left I have done some pretty major purging in the last few years...Love your card!
Lynn said…
Hey there Amy. I have very few wood stamps left. A couple of alphabet sets primarily. I love your sweet card! So glad you could play along with us at Fusion...and so lucky to spend time with Katie and Kimberly!
Lisa Arana said…
Use what you have... such a simple concept. Why is it so hard to do? Lol. I love this dearie!!!
Cathy Weber said…
Amy...lucky you! I would love to spend some time with the other Fusion girls...I am jealous! I also admire your resolution to use your older stamps...great idea to use what you have! Such a cute idea to use the little girl with the mason jar and to add the wooden speech bubble for the sentiment. Your stamp storage area is also a stunner. I'm jealous again!
Lisa Petrella said…
This is so darling, Amy! Love that sweet little winter Japanese doll and how you paired her up with the jar! And that's so great that you got together with Katie and Kimberly!! It's always so much fun to get inky with people in person!!! I use my wood-mounted DeNami stamps all the time obviously, but I have to confess I probably have a couple dozen wood mounts from other companies that I've seriously neglected! I just took a bunch to a LSS and traded them for store credit, but I still have more----ones I couldn't part with. Thanks for inspiring me to ink them up!!
Shannon J said…
First, OMG, the way you have your inks and wood block stamps organized is SO pretty! Makes me want to re-organize my room right.now!!! Love that you have challenged yourself to use your wood blocks!! I'm ashamed to say how many Stampin' Up wood blocks I have!! Most of them are boxed up, with many other supplies I don't use anymore! I need to have a sale one of these days!
Shannon J said…
Okay, I got so carried away telling you about my wood block collection that I forgot to say how much I LOVE your card!! That mason jar is adorable...and the sweet little doll - beyond adorable!! Glad you kept her too ;)
Bonnie said…
This is a great challenge and one I should take. I have a lot of wood stamps! Many of them have been neglected for too long! Love your jar and the sweet little girl!
Virginia L. said…
You are so inspirational in your art and always share with us your big heart! I love your self-challenge...it really brings out the side of you that is a bit different from before. Look at the jar/doll card combination...it is utterly delightful! I just love your creativity, Amy! Your photo with Katie and Kim is precious! Enjoy the crafting journey!
Miriam Prantner said…
A great challenge! I'm looking forward to more of this feature this year! I really love this card. I like the mix of the really chunky bold lines of the jar with the refined and delicate little girl.
Angie Tieman said…
I love your new challenge! I might call mine "Use what you've never used" or "Use what you thought you had to have" challenge! haha! Your positive wording sounds much better though! :)

I had a feeling this card might be for the Fusion challenge! That girl is too adorable!!
Tracey McNeely said…
Fantastic card and fantastic goal Amy! I have four drawers full of wood mount, mostly Hero Arts. One day I would like to go to an Impress store, have been buying things from them online for 25 year. When I do I will need a personal tour guide--you!
wendipooh13 said…
ohhhh love our card and great idea to challenge yourself!!! I need to do that too, I think I'm "reliable" also!!
Ivanka said…
Perfection! Love your card. And I love your self challenge. I need to do more of that.
Laura Davis said…
Awwww this is an adorable card Amy!
laura
Julia Aston said…
Love your image in the chunky jar Amy and that little piece of brick wall! How fun that you met some Fusion girls!
Funny you should say; I just used a wood stamp today by DeNami! I have not used too many wood stamps either, but like you, I'm making a conscious decision to use them more frequently. :) Just need that Stamp A Majig by my side for those stamping days.

Love this little Japanese girl!
Rose said…
LOVE :)

going to email you with all my other comments and questions! lol
Well... I use all stamps. And I am in love with them. I have a shelving unit that covers an entire wall with mostly wood stamps on display, I must see them ... So I never said I wasn't obsessed. Once I rearrange them by holiday, I will take a picture, I have my clears by maker, and my woods were too, now I want the woods by holiday, I finished the Christmas, and almost done with the birthday and thank you shelf.. I will post it too to get others inspired too I hope...so I am on track here, cute card, such a sweet set!!!

Thanks for joining the fun at Fusion!!!!
We may need to get together again soon soI can see you use the stains in action!!
Audrey Pettit said…
I am right there with ya, girlfriend! I have waaaaay too many wood mount stamps that I never use. Occasionally I challenge myself to use them, too...but I don't tend to stick with it for long. I really need to change that! LOVE your card! How fun to put that sweet little winter gal inside the mason jar. Just completely makes me smile!
This is perfect for Fusion! So glad to see you using those wood mount stamps (since you keep buying more- wink!)...and the inks! So much fun crafting with you gals!
cm said…
Jeans, sweaters, ballerina flats = me, too! Same thing for meals (seriously SAME thing pretty much every day), me! I'm as routine as they come, and it's wonderful to know that I'm not alone. Your resolution to use your wooden stamps: brilliant! I only have a handful, and yes, they deserve more love. One of my goals: use the 12 x 12 sheets of paper I have, because the 6x6 pads are taking over! Need to use those lovely patterns...Your card here: delightful!!! Hope your kids+Seattle day was fabulous!
c
Jean said…
Cute, cute! Love the stamps, love the colors!
Kelly Griglione said…
Awesome, awesome challenge, Amy!! I actually used a wood mount stamp last week, and it felt good! Although, I must say, I was disappointed that I couldn't see EXACTLY where it was going (control freak? what, no way!!) So funny how you never thought twice about that at the time, but now it's a huge barrier. I guess if it was going on an element instead of the actual card base it wouldn't be as stressful. Anyway, so glad you didn't get rid of your winter gal ... you colored her so well! And thanks so much for joining the Fusion Challenge : )
Lynnda said…
Neatly arranged Love your space! Yup use them! Loving your card sista! So cute! hugs....x
Ashley Horton said…
Adorable card Amy, and great use of your stamps!!
FLEUR de Lo said…
Great challenge. I recently moved and got rid of ALL of my wood mounts. GASP! Thanks for popping into my blog. You're big and famous now but still remember us lowly ones. :) I continue to drool over your work. You're such an inspiration.
Anonymous said…
Amy!! Is Katie in Seattle too? I tried to click on your email but it wouldn't take me through...so now that I am back on my feet from a horrendous virus, I'd love to connect. I am playing catch up with work related stuff and my b-day is next weekend (SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!!!), but I would so love to set up a crafty get together with you all!! You can reach me at lokatecreative (at) gmail (dot)com
Unknown said…
Such a fun and sweet card! Love your challenge of using your wood mount stamps. Mine are sadly neglected, but I think they make fine decor...loving yours on display!
Unknown said…
What a great goal to set "using what you have" I love the jar you stamped with, so fun... and girl time is always a blast! Love your card. Thanks for joining us at fusion
Lyndal said…
Super cute stamps Amy - FAB challenge too - although I just have too many stamps that I haven't inked yet LOL! So happy to see you playing along @ FUSION :) :) :)
Lindsey said…
Good for you, Amy! You inspire me.
DebC said…
This is sooooo cute! I love that adorable image!
Deb C
donna mikasa said…
What a fun post! I agree that woodblock stamps are what started it all and I have TON of them that I can't part with mainly because I just love the FEEL of wood in my hand!
Jinny Newlin said…
My wood mount stamps are ever so neglected, too, Amy. So glad you whipped yours out for this cutie! What a doll, and I just love this palette! Great pic of you and the girls, too! So fun!
Kelly said…
very cute! I spy THREE coffee stamps on the shelves alone! hee hee hee