I am not a stamper but I am a great fan of stamping.

 

Because of the instant gratification of this art form, thousands of people were brought into the world of art, and encouraged to make their mark through methods that did not intimidate. So they were free to experiment and watch their creative passions flourish.

 

Because of rubber stamping, mediums and techniques that had been confined within narrow and limited boundaries for their whole history, like thermal powders for example, burst forth with new, exciting and seemingly limitless possibilities.

A truly wonderful stamp (and mixed media store) in Albuquerque - owned by my friend, Rhonda - will be closing in April. One of many, many stores that are no longer on the map. The last stamp show I went to was just a quarter of the size it was five years ago. Rubber Stamper magazine has become just a section in another craft magazine.

 

These things make me wonder if this terrific genre might be slipping into obscurity through no fault of its own.

 

And then I get an email from Karen Wallace, a stamping devotee from somewhere in the Midwest. She attached pictures of two beautiful cards she made using Sheer Heaven.

In all the hoopla and hullabaloo about Sheer Heaven transfers, we sometimes forget all the other wonderful things it does.

 

Like being a vellum substitute that can be pigment inked, heat embossed and painted with watercolor.

 

When Twinkling H2Os first hit the market, people were thrilled by how beautiful they looked on Sheer Heaven, and by the fact that Sheer Heaven didn’t warp from the moisture.

 

These two cards by Karen are perfect examples of how perfect a pairing these two are, and the gold embossed outlines give these designs a jeweled elegance.

 

Thanks, Karen for reminding me that there is still great stamp art happening and still artists like you who are devoted to showing how great it can be!

 

Notes:

Both cards are by Karen Wallace and you can see more of her work on her blog: