I was
They certainly didn't start out good, though. I love this rubber stamp, and paid a fortune for it (at least a fortune in my world at $15.99 (USD). I tried to use it last year to no avail, although I did everything people told me to do, including using a bit of sandpaper to get the protective coating off it that the manufacturer may have put on, since it's a very detailed and scenic portrait stamp. I needed 8, but when I didn't get a single one that was acceptable, I had to go to "Plan B." I think I'm going to give this to my neighbor across the street who introduced me to stamping, because her daughter is a Stampin' Up dealer. Perhaps she'll have far better luck with it than I had.
Plan B began with spritzing book pages with my handmade shimmering spray mists that I cut to size once the mists were dry. Then I got out all my Christmas stamps and stamped away, this time successfully, I might add.
Next, I sewed all these individual stamped images to the misted background using variegated green thread. 
Golly, I could have shown an inside that was better centered, but I'm not one who measures, so what you see is what you get. Most were better centered, though. And of course, the "Handmade By" stamp holds my signature E and Bleubeard's paw print.
Here they are ready to go in the mail. I'm SO happy I got them out before December 25. And since these feel like Christmas to me, I'm adding this to Moo-Mania and More's latest challenge, which is Christmas.For these, I started with blank cards to which I added the misted, stamped, and sewn assembly on the front. For the inside and back, I used individual stamps.
I want to wish each and everyone who celebrates it, a very merry, happy, and safe Christmas. I appreciate your visits more than you can possibly know. Please don't forget to meet me at Moo-Mania and More where I promise, you'll get some incredible Christmas inspiration.
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14 thoughtful remarks:
I love your cards, and how much time, effort and love you put into them. Some stamps are harder to stamp than others, and sometimes it helps to top up the ink pads with ink refresher first. But some stamps are really hard to get a good impression. Glad you got them out on time, it's not always easy. Thanks for joining us at Moo Mania and More, look after yourself, and have a wonderful time. Hugs, Valerie
Well done for getting them mailed in time! Wishing you a Happy Christmas and great 2016 too.
Wow - your cards are just stunning ! That's really bad that this stamp doesnt work proper! I have some photo stamps - they are bad as well-- I just get good impressions when I stamp them on glossy paper with chalk inks-
horrible.
Thank you very much for joining us again at Moo Mania & More dear Elizabeth!
Have a good day and take care of yourself.
Very Merry Christmas for you and the boys!
oxo
Susi
Love these cards, so perfect. I alas, did not get a single one done, New Year's carsds they will have to be.....I like your ther stay, but I know,what you mean. I have a couple with great images that never stamp well and they are good ones too. Sometimes the fee print doesn't come put. Boo hoo. Have a most Merry Christmas. 🎄❤️🎄
wonderful cards Elizabeth!! I do love some of those finely detailed stamps but you are right -they can be such a bugger to stamp well. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas my friend!
Here's to creative solutions! Those stamps are frustrating when they don't perform as desired. Have a Merry Christmas.
I sent out store-bought cards and have not once made my own Christmas cards. I love what you did with yours. Merry Christmas!
Fab cards E! I'm an old stamper and I would have trouble getting an clean image stamped from that one too. And I've spent big bucks on stamos with beautiful intricate images and had no,luck using them.....the bane of a stamper. But anyway, hope you and the Boys have a wonderful holiday. Hugs Nan, T and Baby. (hope you received our card)
Is there some way to confirm your address other than on your blog?
I can understand you having trouble with that very detailed stamp--I sometimes have trouble with much simpler ones. In the end, they came out great!
Wishing you peace and joy!
Everything you create is always lovely and full of wonderful thoughtful details!
Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas dear E!
oxo
These cards are fabulous even if they are plan B! You keep showing me how easy it is to use a sewing machine on cards but I still keep shying away from it - maybe next year!!! As for your tricky stamp - have you tried inking up the stamp and laying your substrate top side down on top of the stamp and applying some pressure- maybe with a brayer? Just a thought… Have a wonderful Christmas! We are going to middle son's for our Christmas lunch before GD goes to see her Mum (GS sadly won't go - but I am not really surprised!) Hugs, Chrisx
Your plan B cards turned out beautifully! just wondering...did you try using that portrait stamp like a printing plate? by that I mean place it on the table with the printing side UP. have your paper ready and close by. Ink up the stamp, Lay the paper down on the stamp, and then carefully rub over the back of the paper with the back of an old wooden spoon, or use a clean brayer. Then 'pull' the paper up off of the stamp. that's how we used to pull prints from our wood cuts in college printing class. just one more suggestion to try before you give away that lovely stamp. and, it may just be that the stamp is not well made! Good luck...Merry Christmas dear friend! I'm off to bake bread and coffee cake. My family doesn't arrive until Christmas evening. ho! ho! ho! ♥
Like others said--I have three of those expensive white foam intricate type of stamps and the only way I can get them to print is to set them print side up and lay the paper down on top of them and then press the paper on to the stamp. They're gorgeous, but hard to stamp with. Your cards turned out great though. Wonderful plan B. Merry Christmas, Elizabeth!! :)
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