Aug 19 2008
Marbled Dragonfly - Tutorial and BLOG CANDY!
Before I start the tutorial today, let’s spice things up a bit with some Blog Candy. The Blog Candy today is a brand new, current, set of Stampin’ Up Stamps “Frames with a Flourish”.
So to enter for a chance to win this great set of stamps, please leave me a comment on this post telling me your all time favorite stamp. You know, the stamp you grab when you just don’t know what to make. I have several dragonfly stamps, but that’s what I get out when I have a creative block. :) If you are getting this blog update by e-mail you will need to click this link to leave a comment on this blog post:
http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/08/19/marbled-dragonfly-tutorial-and-blog-candy/
I will use a random number generator to pick the winner on the morning of Saturday, August 23rd.
A little about today’s tutorial: I like to make my own interesting backgrounds by layering colors of ink. I try to start my backgrounds with a bright light color and work darker as I go. This creates a glow by the light color showing through.
Let’s get started! 
Supplies:
| Stamps: Technique Tuesday “BoHo Buzz” & Stampendous “Marble Texture Cube” |
| Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White & Really Rust |
| Ink: Stampin’ Up Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Basic Black & Close to Cocoa, Adirondack Willow & Lettuce |
| Accessories: Versamark pad & Marker, Aqua Painter, Lettuce marker, Sponges, fine detail clear embossing powder, heat gun |
Stamped Dragonfly on a 3.25″ x 3.25″ piece of Whisper White card stock by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then loading it with Really Rust ink before stamping it.
Heat embossed image using fine detail clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Readied my Adirondack Willow ink pad for watercoloring by squeezing the ink pad when it is closed to create a pool of ink on the inside of the ink pad lid. This is what I will use to water color with.
Watercolored the wings and body of the dragonfly using an Aqua Painter and Willow ink.
Watercolored the edge of the wings with Lettuce ink.
Traced right on the inside edge of the wings with a Lettuce marker.
Colored over the entire dragonfly with a Versamark marker and heat embossed using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Used the Stampendous “TC01 Marble Texture Cube” with Willow ink and stamped all over the card stock with side “A” of the cube.
Stamped all over the card stock with side “B” of the Marble Texture cube with Close to Cocoa ink.
Using a circular motion, sponged Willow ink all of the card stock.
Sponged on some Close to Cocoa ink randomly around the card stock.
Stamped side “C” of the marble texture cube with Chocolate Chip ink in 3 places on the card stock.
Let the ink dry a moment and then wiped the embossed image off with an old rag to remove the ink from it.
Sponged Chocolate Chip ink around the outside edge of the card stock.
Starting a larger panel of Whisper White 5″ x 5″.
Rubbed the Willow ink pad directly on the White card stock in a circular motion almost covering it entirely.
Stamped side “A” of the Marble Texture cube around the sides of the card stock using Lettuce ink. Then used side “B” and stamped Chocolate Chip ink around the edges, sorry missed the photo :(.
Sponged Lettuce ink around the sides of the card stock using a circular motion.
Sponged Chocolate Chip ink in a circular motion on the inside of the card stock work outward and then sponged some of the Chocolate Chip in around the edges of the card stock.
Sponged Basic Black ink on the very edge of both panels of card stock.
Assembled card front and toned down the bottom panel of Really Rust card stock by sponging on the very edges of it with Basic Black ink.
Here is the finished card measuring 5.25″ x 5.25″.
Why don’t you give a try at making your own background paper today? I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Hope your day today is pleasant in every way.
Until my next post. . . . . .. . .
Hugs,
Michelle
Bonjour Mme Zindorf!
Oh la la! Me voilà de retour de vacances et voici ce que je trouve: superbe comme d’habitude. Mon étampe fav.? J’en ai plusieurs mais lorsque je suis bloquée j’aime bien l’effet craquelé sois comme arrière plan ou pour donner un ‘look’ campagne ou antique. Je me croise les doigts pour le concours……
Another geat tutorial. And it doesn’t hurt that you’re using an insect I find totally fascinating. I can feel the need to go off to my crafting area to see if I can come up with anything that looks remotely like this. Thanks Michelle.
I love your tutorials! I am amazed at how many stamps you have, too! When I am feeling stumped, I usually grab one of Magnolia stamps and just start coloring. By the time I am done coloring, I usually have a pretty good idea what I am going to do with it.
Hi Michelle…thanks so much for all your tutorials. I love seeing your cards and all way you put all the colours together. I think one of my all time favourite stamp sets is SU Petal Prints. I love that you can use it in so many different ways and it is always fresh looking.
Thanks for a chance to win some candy.
Being “stumpt” happens alot to me and when it does I reach for my stash of gift images sent to me by many different stamp friends. I color with markers or copics and eventually, I’ll be struck by an inspiration. Sometimes I even go to tutorials from the past. I love this creation by the way, and yet another technique to challenge us. Thanks for the inspiration!
Beautiful card Michelle. I am always amazed! My fave stamp-when I am stumped I go back to my roots. I started stamping 10+ years ago. The thing that was popular then was the PSX botanicals. Beautiful flowers that always come out nice. Great question. ~Debie
Hi there, great tutorials you have. I visit them every time!
My favourite stamp, that’s funny. That’s the cheapest stamp i ever bought from a butterfly.
I even don’t know the brand, i took it over from someone else. I am very font of this stamp, and i keep on grabbing that one!
Weird isn’t…
Marianne
I go for a Penny Black dog stamp. It just makes me smile. Something about the dog, sigh, makes me a happy stamper!
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
As always, a beautiful card today! I am continually stunned by the wonderful things I see on your blog every day! Thanks for sharing all that you share with us. The set I keep coming back to is called Priceless from SU. What a versatile set. Also, Lovely as a Tree - works for almost anything! ~chris
wow such great blog candy! great tutorials, and many inspirational ideas!thanks
Ups, I forgot to write abouit stamps:) my favoiurite stamp is christmas tree with hearts from Love grows by Autumn Leaves
I love your blog. I is the first one I go to every morning! I have 2 favorite SU sets - Watercolor Garden and All Wrapped Up.
Hi Michelle,
This is an awesome tutorial… I will totally be trying this our.
I may have to improvise here and there but WOW I love the marble technique!
SO, Here is my official comment on your blog candy today…
Today’s your birthday do-do-do-dooo….do!
Today’s your birthday do-do-do-dooo….do!
YUP! Today is MY birthday!
What a great surpise birthday gift your blog candy would be!
I would love to be the winner!
..blue skies are shining on me …nothing but blue skies do I see..
Have a day full of blue skies and happiness!
Barb
Hi Michelle,
This is an awesome tutorial… I will totally be trying this out.
I may have to improvise here and there but WOW I love the marble technique!
SO, Here is my official comment on your blog candy today…
Today’s your birthday do-do-do-dooo….do!
Today’s your birthday do-do-do-dooo….do!
YUP! Today is MY birthday!
What a great surprise birthday gift your blog candy would be!
I would love to be the winner!
..blue skies are shining on me …nothing but blue skies do I see..
Have a day full of blue skies and happiness!
Barb
i found your blog several weeks ago, and while your art is way beyond my abilities, i just love your tutorials - i’m learning
thanks for an opportunity to win some great blog candy!
I love your tutorials. I appreciate your sharing them with us! My ‘go to’ stamp set is either Roses in Winter or my new Just Rite monogram stamper. Both of them are quick and easy to use!
Hi Michelle!! First I must say that I look forward to your blog each day. You are so creative and inspiring!
One of my favorite all time sets is SU! Roses in Winter. It always makes for a nice card!
Thanks for the chance to win your blog candy! I’d be just as happy with one of your cards!
Hugs,
Joani
Another great tutorial! My favorite stamp set would be Roses in Winter. Thanks for offering blog candy!
I love dragonflies too, but my “always makes a pretty card” stamp is a “Rainforest Butterfly” collage stamp by Stampers Anonymous (SKU#798710). Butterflies can be colored in so many colors, to get out of my same color combo rut!
Wow another beautiful card. I would have to say that my favorite stamp set is Bloomin’ Beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win.
My favorite stamp set it My Favorite Things “Can Ya Dig It?”. I can make that lovely lady do just about anything to fit the theme I’m working on. Thanks for the chance at the blog candy and especially for all your lessons & inspirations.
Hi Michelle,
I’ve made some nice cards with your embossing tutorials - as I’ve showed you 
-
I adore your tutorials, and I watch your blog everyday. Although the “landscape” tutorials don’t work for me, just can’t fix it right. I’ll have to practice a lot
My favorite stamp is the butterfly. I’ve made several cards with it, and if I don’t know what card to make - especially for an elderly person - I always take that stamp out!
By the way, the stamp is a clear stamp from Artemio
Bye and many greetings from Holland
Michele, Your card is fantasic today, as always. I finally found the marble cube when i was down in Indy taking care of my daughter. I love it! My favorite set? Boy that’s hard, I would say Lovely as a tree, stardust and all nature. I do cute for the grandchildren that is fun also. I make tray favors for our local hospital so i get into all kinds of elements, they are fun to make. Thanks for the chance to win blog candy!
Sooo pretty! My favorite stamp? Geez, I quite like the little dragonfly in SU’s (retired) Unfroggettable set. It’s little buggy eyes are so cute. It always makes me smile…
What a beautiful card!! My all time favorite stamp…That’s tough! Ok, my new fresh favorite is definitely the coneflowers from Inspired by Nature! I have made tons of cards with it! And I’m using it in 2 workshops this week! Frames with a Flourish is on my wishlist…hint! Have a great day!
Gorgeous, Michelle. I love it! I don’t think there is one particular stamp I that I go to time and again, but there is one stamp set that I can always find inspiration with and that is Touch of Nature (SU). I seem to be developing the same kind of relationship with Flowers for Daisy from GinaK, but I haven’t had it long.
Another great card and learning experiance!
The first stamp set I bought was Lovely as a Tree and it is still my favorite to this date! It is so versital. Would you use it in one of your tutorials? I am in awe of your work and want to be just like you!
i think your cards are works of art! so beautiful.
my favorite set is baroque motifs because it is so versatile:)
Wow you are wonderful, your step by step details are great. My favourite is Artfully Asian, I was sad to see it retured but it will always stay in my collection.thanks for your inspiration
Eileen
Thank you so much for doing the tutorials for us in “blogland.” They are fantastic! When stumped, I usually reach for a flower set, if appropriate, or SU’s Lovely as a Tree set. I Love the blog candy set!
As always a stunning card.
Hmm favourite stamp - that’s a tough one. I think it would have to be Artfully Asian. I have always wanted to own Trees Three but alas Stampin’ Up! have not put it into the Australian Catalogue yet. I won’t give up hoping though!
Thanks.
Jayne
My favorite stamp set has to be Lovely as a Tree (SU). I’ve used it for so many different occasions. I will be more than sad when the day comes for it to go into retirement. Thanks for the chance at such awesome b-candy.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your wonderful talent and your generosity in sharing with all of us! Currently my favorite stamp is Baroque Motifs. It always makes a really cool card.
Melanie
This is another amazingly beautiful card! Only one favourite stamp??? I have to concur with Arimacias, that would be Baroque motifs. It’s so versatile! Masculine, feminine, formal, embossed…. Well, that and any Bella stamp, they are so darn cute!
Thanks for sharing your talent with us!
Beth Greco
Michelle, your cards are just gorgeous. I finally did a brayer card the other day and it actually turned out pretty good! Thank you. (you can see the card HERE - http://inkiefinger.blogspot.com/)
I think my newest “go to” stamp set is going to be Inspired by Nature!!
Keep inspiring us!
Sharon
Another gorgeous card, and wonderful tutorial, my favorite stamp is always my house mouse, I just love these little guys.
I love the card and I love when you use the marble block stamp, it is so neat. Lovely as a Tree and Winged Things are my go to sets of stamps. I also use my dragonfly stamp a lot and you can never go wrong with a tree! Thanks again for sharing a wonderful card with us.
Paula
Your cards are always so beautiful! The time it most take for you do the step by step has to be a lot! I love seeing that part! Thank you so much! I would have to say my favorite go to stamp is some sort of frames! I love to use them!
I think your cards are awesome!
My favorite stamp set is barogue motifs.
Beautiful as always. I think my go to stamp sets right now are Priceless or Lovely as a Tree, but I’m loving Dreams du Jour too. I’m using that quite a bit. And my all-time favorite background is Canvas.
Thanks for offering the blog candy.
Beautiful card by the way - another one I’m going to try. My all-time favorite is hard because I generally go to anything floral when I am stumped. I just bought a Big Shot and love using it to help create but I actually like the work that goes into the stamping an image and coloring it. My most recent favorite seems to be Touch of Nature and also Wanted ( I just love those sets). I use them for a lot of things but I also love my Stampscape stamps. I really love nature and the different scenes you can make especially fences. I have a thing about fences and anything vintage. I’ve been stamping for 15 years and have never grown tired of it. I have a million stamps (but not as many as you) so you must have 2 million - haha. Have a great day! Thanks for the blog chance.
I think my main problem with trying to make a Zindorfish card is that I don’t know when to stop! I want it to be perfect and of course, it never is, so I add some more…and some more….and some more…..LOL!
My favorite stamp is a retired stamp from Stampendous, about 12 years old, just a simple line drawing of a jar with a few daisies and leaves on stems. It always works, no matter how many other stamps I love! Great tutorials Michelle!
Another gorgeous card. I always tend to grab Baroque Motifs. It’s a very versatile stamp set and I like that it can be used for casual as well as elegant cards.
Hi Michelle your tutorial is amazing as always . I just love checking in each day to see what you’ve done and do love to try them .
My favorite stamp set would have to be Lovely as a Tree .
Thanks for the blog chance
I love your card! My favorite set from Stampin Up is Lovely as a tree. That set is soo stained it will not come clean anymore. I’ve made every type of card with it, birthday, anniversary, sympathy, thank you, thinking of you, etc. Thanks for the tutorial!
Oh that’s bee-yoo-tee-full! I sometimes reach for a dragonfly stamp too. But my fave has to be that grumpy ol’ lady with a smiley coffee cup and bunny slippers! She usually makes me smile even when I feel just like she looks!
Thanks for the tutorial and the chance to win blog candy. I usually grab a flower or tree stamp. If I’m in a slump I like to ink up a bunch of different images and sit and color. Cleaning off my table usually helps get me back in the mood too LOL.
Hugs, Anne
Hi Michelle. I love your dragonfly. I am glad you pulled out your marble cube again. I was halfway looking for it at our Heirloom stamp show this past weekend. This looks like a stamp that would be excellent to have. I have thought about it when you have used it in the past. My favorite go to stamp set is lovely as a tree. I just feel that set is so versatile and can be used for so many different things. I wouldn’t give it up for anything.
GREAT TUTORIAL. I really like using something simple like tart and tangy.
Michelle~ I read your blog everyday, and only wish I could color and brayer like you! I’m working on it though, by working through your tutorials! I think my most favorite ever set is Lovely as a Tree; I reach for those trees whenever I have a colored piece that I think won’t work; with trees it always does! I’ve never posted a comment before, but I have always wanted Frames with a Flourish, lol!
I seem to always grab a beach scene and sea shell stamps. I guess I’m always dreaming of the ocean.
Love your blog, I check it as often as I can! My favorite stamp set…..thats a tough one. I find myself reaching for Morning Soft and Lovely as a Tree. I love to watercolor and you just can’t mess up a card with either of those sets!
Thanks for a wonderful blog!
Your card and tutorial are fabulous as usual but to throw candy on top of it. You are so generous. I have “Frames with a Flourish” on my wish list and would love to win it. Thanks for all you do, you are an inspiration.
I think my favorite would have to be Garden Whimsy from Stampin’ UP! That set is adorable and I always love using it. Thanks for the offer of Blog candy althought your inspiration should be “the blog candy everyone craves” I love your site and would not miss a day.
Thanks for the inspiration today
Debi Pippin
I love your tutorials! This is another great card! I really appreciate the info. on the background. I find backgrounds to be tricky for me. Seems that after I get my main element done, I spend more time trying to figure out the “right” background to put with it. The one stamp I go to all the time when I don’t know what to do is one of the first stamps I ever bought. It is a stamp with 3 butterflies made by Stampcraft. I bought it at Wal Mart because it was cheap and I wanted to try stamping. And the fact that I grocery shop there my hubby would just assume the check I wrote was just for food! LOL
Another great tutorial, thank you. I love you cards they are all amazing. My stamp to go to is Baroque Motifs. Thanks for the chance to win.
I guess I just have to many “favorites” stamps. Thank you for sharing your tutorials with everyone here. You have raised the brayer to a new level for sure.
Spiral Bouquet from Papertrey is one I reach for again and again. I have to keep things simple with four home-schooled kids running around, and very little time to stamp. This set fills the bill. Thanks for the beauty you share with us.
Fantastic tutorial! Thanks for all the inspiration Michelle!
Oh, and my favorite stamp, would have to be flower stamps… not very original, but they work. I love the bold ones that I don’t have to color!
When ever I don’t know what I want to stamp I usually grab in “In full bloom” from stampin up.
Love all of your work.
mamaduck
Mine is A Touch of Nature by Stampin Up……my multipurpose, all occassion all season stamp set!
Love the colors in your card, love the card!
You are amazing, to get tutorials and candy too!! Lovely as a Tree, is my all time fave and I had to be talk into getting it, go figure eh, lol
Debra
Another fabulous card and tutorial. Your tutorials are so easy to follow. When I read them I’m always saying I can do this!!!! WOW this candy is to die for. I would love to be the lucky stamper to be able to play with this set. I would give it a lovely home and feed it regularly with their favorite food….INK INK INK and more INK! (teehee) One of my favorite stamp sets that I seem to keep going to is SU Baroque Motifs. Thanks for a chance a this sweet yummy candy.
That is amazing! What a fantastic tutorial!
I think Lovely As A Tree is the classic favorite. I hope it never retires.
My all time favorite stamp set?? Geesh thats a HARD one. I have only been stamping a few years so lets see.. I like its snow time! Anything with snowman goes into my favorites!
Thanks so much for all your tutorials. Lovely as a Tree, is my all time favorite, but I have many favorites stamps set !! (excuse my english, I’m french and my english is really bad… but I try !)
Another awesome tutorial! I am always amazed by your beautiful creations…..
My go to stamp? An um flourish by purple onion designs… Love it..
Beautiful card. My favorite stamp(s) usually will have some sort of flower on it. I love the technique of coloring with markers and spritzing with water. It always gets me charged up to complete it and make some more cards. Thanks for your continuing inspiration.
Shirley L.
Roseville,CA
I love your tutorials! Your style is so unique and that is a great thing!
I always go to Pick-a-Petal when I am stumped or have lost my mojo…so many cool things can be made with what is meant to be a flower stamp!
Michelle T.
Wonderful card!
When I’m stumped, I pull out sentiment stamps and go from there. Once I choose a sentiment, that will help me choose the other stamps to use.
Thanks for all the inspiration and a chance to win blog yummies!
Deb
I LOVE watching how you create your cards! You do the most amazing things! Your cards are TRULY works of art!
As for my “go to” set - probably Priceless!
Hi Michelle, I am a newbie at stamping, but I think if I were blocked I would reach for a flower stamp and start coloring away. I could make that flower stamp over 100 different colors if I wanted to, so there’s be no hard decisions to make and I bet that would get me out of that slump.
Love, LOVE this card! This is another wonderful tutorial. Thank you so much! I still think you make this look easy.
Love your cards! They are really beautiful. I always like to use the Priceless set from stampin up!
My go-to stamp when I’m having a “creative block” is whatever YOUR using!! LOL!!! forutnately, a lot of your tutorials use either something I have or something similar, so I work off of your inspiration. So I guess I don’t really have a ‘go to’ stamp. LOL. Thanks for sharing your time and talents with us!
Not too original but if I’m stumped, I tend to run to my flower stamps and grab one of them. Works for Birthday, sympathy, thinking of you - just about anything.
Beautiful stamp set - would LOVE to have that one.
This is a great tutorial - probably my favorite ever! I’m going to have to work on this SOON!
I don’t know that I have a favorite stamp - but I have always had a thing for birds. Crows especially. I can always come up with some scenario that has a bird in it.
Love your blog and truly hope to take a class with you someday……
How funny, I was just looking in the catty at the exact stamp set, I need the circle for something I’m making for christmas presents. lol
I’m not sure I have a go to stamp, I always peruse the the samples at Split Coast Stampers gallery for ideas.
One of my favorite stamps is the bear from Stamping Up’s Button Bear - cards just come easily with him as the main image. Love your tutorials!
Debbie Schubauer
my favorite stamps are LEAVES, so many possibilities!
love your work, amazing, i need to get my brayer out
and give it a try!
I love all your created works of Art!!! You have truly inspired me!! I actually don’t have a “favorite” stamp or stamp set. One that I always reach for to help with my background IttyBitty Backgrounds set. I seem to LOVE every stamp set I see….
My all time fave is SU’s Definately Decorative Daisy.
Gorgeous work as usual Michelle. I have dragonflies, and stamps that are close to the ones you use. I feel a case coming on…
You are so generous to offer your time to us, and blog candy as well! Thank you! If I had to choose a single stamp I think it would be a daisy. Works for lots of thoughts…sympathy, anniversary, birthday, THANK YOU. So here’s a daisy to you…
Jenny
Usually when I am stumped I find I grab SU ‘Lovely as a Tree’, there is so much you can do with this set. Yet lately I have been using ‘Birds Galore’ by Inkadinadoo, as my go to set. Another get group of stamps. Thanks for the great tutorial and a chance to win.
Michelle, you are my muse. I love everything you do. My “go to” stamp is the country girl side of me — me in my little pickup truck — SU’s Loads of Love. I’ve stamped that little truck into more situations that you can imagine. It gets great mileage!
Another great card Michelle! No surprise there. When I am stumped I turn to some of my awesome bird stamps. Birds can always bring ones spirits up and when your spirits are up so is your creativity. Thank you for the opportunity to win some of your blog candy.
BettyAnn
thank you for your tutorials. I have you on “blog” feed and always enjoy your newest creation.
Warm regards,
Jody
I tend to make a lot of Thank You cards…so when I am having a creative slump I grab a set of Thank You word stamps and just stamping on different paper for awhile get the creative jucies flowing… Thanks for all of your wonderful tutorials… I finally taked my husband into putting a computer in my scrap room now I can follow along step by step… Thanks! “E”
Great work. I love dragonflies. They make for a great feel good card.
boy, there’s nothing like the smell of rubber to bring people running to your blog is there?! LOL!
Great tutorial on how to use the marbling stamp. I just love to see how you work!
I guess my favorite stamp would have to be some kind of flower. I use floral stamps all the time. Stampin Up’s Heartfelt Thanks is a good one I use a lot.
Thank you for helping me with the distress gadget Michelle. I appreciate your taking the time from your busy very busy schedule to personally send me an email.
This is an inspiring tutorial..I love the colors & I love dragon flys….they are so graceful…
thank you for sharing and caring
JoAnne Micon
Love you’re work.Not doing so good on my own.But not going to give up.Still hopeing to get to a workshop.
ooop……forgot..my all time favorite stamp is the frog stamp. I have 2 & you can do so many things with a little froggie…..Thinking of you,get well etc….I have a cat stamp that I will grab too…..
I never win anything..maybe thiswill be my lucky time
JoAnne
Good Morning Michelle,
Always a joy to see your work! I don’t really have a favorite stamp, but I can’t resist stamps with butterflies and or dragonflies. I have many from SU, I Brake For Stamps and Innovative Stamp Creations and I love them all. Your tut was a real treat for me!
Thanks for entering me!
Terry
I just love your work. My favorite set that I always turn to would be Lovely as a Tree.
Wow! I always love your work. You are an an amazing artiste! My favorite stamp set has to be “Lovely as a Tree” by Stampin’ Up! I love how versatile it is.
Wow - I am new to your blog - just found it yesterday. I have not looked around enough yet - but wow is all I can say. I am one of those who is afraid of my brayer except for the most basic of maneuvers, so I can’t wait to try out your tutorials.
My favorite stamp set is probably lovely as a tree - it works for most any occasion and makes beautiful things even when I am not feeling particularly creative…
Thanks for the opportunity to win a new set!
I would have to say my hero arts circles. I have several sizes, designs. But I love them and they have helped me when I am mentally blocked!
Today was my day, I am a dragon fly fanatic. I have 23 I have collected, however I use my stick stamp, the most using it to “mark” the back of all my cards.
Michelle
This is my first time visiting your blog … amazing card, awesome tutorial and blog-candy to boot! Fantastic! My all time favorite is SU’s Provencal. As a matter of fact, I think I’m going to try it with this tutorial! Thank you so much!
Marta
My favorite always there stamp is a Beautiful Butterfly from The Write-Impression.I’ve had it a long time and have used it for weddings to sympathy cards.
Thank you so much for your tutorials. Your step by step directions challenge me to try it myself.
When I get a creative block I will usually reach for my Stampin’ UP! French Script background stamp. It never fails me. I can always find something different to put on it and Voila! The creative process starts all over again.
Thanks for all of your fabulous tutorials, Michelle.
The stamps I use with the most confidence are my butterfly stamps. I am inspired to try your backrounds with my butterflies. Thanks for your wonderful tutorials
Just love your blog and tutorials! I guess my first and foremost favorite are swirls or flourishes (of which I have many sets). I can use them in almost any type of project. Thanks for the chance to win some great blog candy.
Sandy in Utah
All I can say is “WOW”. I came across your blog today and checked out your website and have now subscribed to it. Your tutorials are amazing - for a beginner like me they are great because even I can follow your instructions.
My favourite “go-to” stamp set is “Embrace Life” from Stampin Up. I always seem to be able to use that set for whatever card I am making. I am fairly new at stamping and have not collected many of the other manufacturers yet. However, I am getting up the nerve to start online shopping.
I look forward to staying tuned to your blog.
Thanks
My favorite set is SU! Embrace Life. I just love it and find it to be so versatile. I enjoy your blog and it is the first one I read everyday!
sandyh502001 at yahoo dot com
Hi Michelle,
I’ve heard so much about you, but I’m afraid I’ve never visited your blog. What a beautiful place to visit, so much inspiration! I will be visiting everyday now!
My 2 favorite sets are Roses in Winter (retired) and then probably Lovely as a Tree. Both are so versatile.
Also, I have this cube and put it in my garage sale this weekend. It didn’t sell, so now I think I MUST go down and put it back into my craft room!
Thank you for saving this lonely cube and inspiring so many stampers!
I just came across your website yesterday! What amazing work you do. All of your cards are absolutely stunning. My all-time favorite stamp set (at least for this week) is Baroque Motifs. This is not my typical style but I love using it on any project. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Michelle - I love your blog! I have learned so much from it. I’ve been practicing your background techniques and my cards are much improved because of your instructions. Wish I lived close enough to take a class.
Love today’s card.
Nancy
hi michelle,
your tutorials are always amazing and i had my first attempt at a brayered sky with fab results.
my all time fav stamps are lovely as a tree and a touch of nature. they are pretty much neck a neck for first place.
fingers crossed.
have you any thoughts on coming over to the UK to teach?
thanks, donna
x
Another great card! Looks like a fun and messy technique!
My favorite stamp set is SU Watercolor Garden II. I love it because it is easy and quick to add layers of colors. I use it with all 4 color families…lots of fun! My favorite current set is Embrace Life. Love the versatility…and it is a great set for tthe clear embossing technique I have learned on your blog!!
Michelle! Thank you so much for all your tutorials, and showing us how you do the brayered backgrounds. THey are spectacular!! I truly appreciate all your hard work!
My favorite stamp set I usually grab is (lately) Wanted or Carte Postale (sometimes together). I hope I win!
~Ariel
This is one I can hardly wait to try. I love the look with those colors. My all time favorite stamp is Lovely as a Tree. It is the most wonderful stamp….even you have used it. Gotta try that tutorial so have a great day.
My all time favorite stamp is Stampin’ Up’s
Lovely As A Tree. Have used it so much, I
probably should have gotten two!!
Now I need to try that stamp with one of
your techniques
Love today’s tutorial—of course, I love every one that you have done.
My all time favorite Stampin up stamp set is “In Full Bloom”.
Linda Peterson
oops - forgot to say - my favorite all time stamp is Village Christmas by CHF.
Michelle, Your posts are like a ray of sunshine to start the day. I can’t wait to see what you have done new. I am addicted to this blog. Off to the craft desk to create some sunshine of my own and of course try this card. Michelle, thankyou for sharing your gift with us we are blessed because of it. Mary S.
My all time favorite stamp set is Lovely as a Tree by SU.
I love your tutorials you are just amazing.
your tutorials are fantastic, and so creative
my all time favorite stamp set is SU always, birds seem to work for everything
come christmas season I working with Holy Triptych
Hello there! Thanks so much for sharing your art with us,I love picking flowers,it will get my flow going better than any other stamps. Thanks….Gina
Hi, Michelle-
I have two little boys and enjoy making cards for kids birthday parties. So, my favorite and most useful would be penguin set (SU). Lately, since I’ve become your fan, I love nature stamps, images of birds, animals, plants.
Lovely card, as usual… and thank you for sharing.
Olga
OOPS I forgot my favorite stamp is what ever stamp I am using at the time. My tastes change all the time. Mary S.
I recently found your gallery and I am in awe of your talent! You do such beautiful work and have inspired me to try new techniques. My all time favorite stamp set is the single stamp of the Stipple Butterfly (retired SU stamp). I’ve created so many things with that one stamp, and have used several different techniques with it. By the way, I love dragonflies too!
Thank you for sharing your creativity with others!
Dianne
I think I must own too many stamps to have a favorite! I do use my Canvas background a lot, and my little “hand stamped by” bird that goes on the back of every card. Thanks for all your great tutorials. I’ve really learned a lot!
Michelle, I just love, love, love your blog. I have it book marked and go to it EVERY day. I’m a Stampin’ Up demo, but go to your blog more than the one I should be going to! I saw Karen Barber at Convention and felt like I was ‘part’ of the family with the connection that the two of you made. (I read Karen’s blog also!) You are so sweet and giving to all of us and I truely appreciate you and your talent. Please don’t ever stop! If you ever get a chance to teach in Minneapolis, MN, let me know, I will be there with all my friends. We try hard to recreate your work, but we need lots of practice!
Hugs,
Natalie
thanks again - this is really great - you can not imagine how much courage you have given me to try new things.
My go to stamp set is a Stampin’ Up set Petal Prints - but then again since I found your site, I have bought Innovative Stamp Creations stamps and I do love Flair of Summer - then…. Stampers Anonymous Nature’s Discovery is a good one as well … so many stamps - so little time!
My favorite stamp is “Thanks a Latte”…. as I am a coffee person, for it always seems to bring laughter and a sense of fun and peace with it, especially when I enjoy my coffee with my sister!!!!
I absolutely LOVE your work… our God has indeed given you a creative spirit!!!
Enjoy your day!
Denise from PA…. soon to be from OH
Michelle,
Today’s card….simply stunning! You make it look so easy! My stumped set I think would be “Roses in Winter” set. It’s so versatile and will work with so many colors. It alwyas makes me smile when I see a card made with this set. Happy stamping!
HI MIchelle
My favorite stamps right now are florishes. I just love them. Any thing that has to do with a florish is my favorite for the time being. Thanks again for giving such great tutorials.
Oops, I forgot to say my favorite stamp set also! I was so awe struck!
Every time a new Stampin’ Up catty comes out, I find new favorites. I’m in love with the sock monkey. I do love Embrace Life set and you have made Lovely as a Tree one that I use all the time!
Wondeful things you do…
i love SU baroque motives set… always find that it makes great things!
Another beautiful creation. I seem to be drawn to Riot of Petals by SU. I believe I love to regress to childhood and color. I find nothing can pull my attention away from coloring when I’m using this stamp. Great mental therapy.
By far, Lovely As A Tree from Stampin’ Up is my “go-tp”. It is so versatile! Beautiful card (yet again).
Hi Michelle, your blog always has such interesting things on it, beyond me at the moment, but I am determined to follow your tutorials, they are so well presented. Well done, I look forward to receiving your emails with tutorials etc. My favourite stamp set is Stampin Up’s Lovely as a Tree.
Regards
Del
Thanks for the great tutorials Michelle and for all the lovely blog candy you offer, not just this one.
A friend pointed me in the direction of your blog and I’m so pleased she did because I love reading how you make your cards. I’m learning lots but sadly my attempts never look anything like yours!
My all time favourite stamps has to be the large Hydrangea stamp from Rubber Stampede because I use it all the time and I’m never at a loss for what to do with it.
My all time favorite stamp is the French Script Background stamp. I would love to win this new set from SU . . . but I’m intrigued by your background cube. Is that stamp still available? I love what you do with it! This card is amazing!! Again, thanks for sharing!
Love your card! As for my all-time favorite stamp, I’m not so sure about that, but I have one that’s my “go-to” stamp. Because I make so many birthday cards, I have a Happy Birthday sentiment from Studio G that is always out on my stamping table.
Your cards are so inspiring! I just love to read through everything when I get your blog updates. My favorite stamp? I just love flowers stamps and punches. Flowers seem to bring inspiration when I’m not feeling very creative. Although I do believe trees are close behind.
Michelle, fabulous card! I love your marbled backgrounds! I think we all have our favorites. While the newest set always grabs a place in my heart, I have to say that my all time favorite is probably Lovely as a Tree — it’s just so versatile. I think I’ve used it for every type of card from sympathy to birthday to love. This seems to be a very popular set among all your fans!
Hi Michelle, thank you for your beautiful tutorials. I really love butterflies stamps. I can’t stop buy them. So when I’m stumped, guess what? A butterfly stamp. It can be colored in so beautiful colors. I have many other stamps but butteflies….
Great card, just starting my card making journey, and you are an inspiration.
Great website, cards.
Found your website, and am going to definetly put in my favorites.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful work! My favorite stamps are ones inspired by nature, like flowers and leaves. But the stamps I use the most are probably the one I use to sign my name on the back of my cards.
Hm, favorite stamp…that’s a tough one, Michelle! I am going to have to say my most favorite is the first stamp set I bought…Heartfelt Thanks by Stampin’ Up!. I think this stamp set is so versatile…can be bold or subtle, used in any color, and in any style. Gotta love that!
Lovely card and very inspiring. My favorite stamps are the collage type, but no particular one stamp jumps out at me.
Wonderful tutorial today!!! Love the dragonfly!!! I just love your site and your creativity! My go to set right now would be SU’s Serene Spring. I have used that one alot lately! My other all time favorite would have to be Like it A Latte from SU! Thanks for all of your fantastic tutorials!!!
Thank you so much for these awesome tutorials all the time! It really encourages me to try new things. I think my all time favorite stamp set is still All Wrapped Up by Stampin Up. Thanks for the chance to with great candy that wont rought your teeth.
What an incredible card! I just signed up for one of your Austin workshops and am so excited! I have so many favorite stamps, but find myself turning to Pick a Petal often, along with Serene Sunflower. Thanks for sharing your incredible talent with all of us. You are a blessing.
Bev from Houston
There isn’t a particular stamp I go back to but I LOVE flower stamps. They are great to use as a focal point or as a background, depending on what color you use. So in a pinch I always reach for a flower stamp - lately it’s been Beautiful Blooms by PTI. Thanks for sharing!
I, too, love dragonflies (oh, and butterflies and flowers and silhouettes and….). But, I think my very favorite sets (I have two) are Lovely As A Tree and a retired set called Along The Shore. I can always pull myself out of a slump with these two sets. But after seeing the new catalog, I think I may have found a couple of NEW favorites!!!!
Your work is awesome! Thanks for your continued sharing of your talent!
You do some beautiful work - you are very inspiring to me. My favorite stamp - is an old butterfly stamp - no clue who it is by. Thanks for all the tutorials!!
I love, love, love your tutorials. I only wish I had as much creativity as you probably have just in your pinky.
As for my favorite stamp set, it’s definitely “Roses in Winter.” With a family of women who love roses, it’s been a big hit with everyone, not just me. 
Hey Michelle your works of art really inspire me. Thanks for another great tutorial and card. My favorite go to stamp was Monarch Butterfly by Stampin UP. I foolishly sold that stamp and have regreted it ever since. I would love to get my hands on that one again. TFS.
Debbie/Phx AZ
There are lots of sets that I just love…….but I have to say that when I REALLY want to get creative I pull out my “Paint Prints” stamp set. It’s an old SAB set I think…but I just love it! Keep up the good work, I love coming here to see what you’ve created
Only one all-time favorite?? I’d have to say Lovely As A Tree…autumn is my very favorite season and the set is SOOO versatile for that time of year. Bdays, anniversaries, thinking of you, Christmas….it does it all!
Thanks for all of your great ideas!! I love coming here for inspiration when I’m stuck!
“Trees Three” by Stampin’ Up is my favourite stamp set. I had to pay an inflated price to buy it on E-bay, but it has been worth it over and over again. It’s just “my style”!
Bold & Beautiful card. - Goodness it would be hard to pick an all time favorite stamp since I have so many! For me I tend to reach for (Floral) stamps a lot so I’d have to say its more a stamp category then any one particular stamp. - Ida
Your card is FAB-U-lous! I am still working on the brayer technique and will not quit till I master it! Thank you for your daily Inspiration!!There are so many wonderful stamps out there but the ones that really call to me are the nature sets with trees and leaves, like.. Lovely as a Tree! What I love about using these sets is their versatility because I can create so many different types of cards with just one stamp and cover every season just by changing the colors or techniques!
Wow, what beautiful cards you make–just discovered you! I guess my all-time favorite is a plum blossom branch made by Art Neko — such delicate lines and serene flow.
What a stunning card! I love this one as it has my favourite colour! Choc Chip!!! I think I use it on everything! as for my favourite stamp, I don’t think I can narrow it down to one. My favourite set would be Lovely as a Tree from SU, and when I am in a funk, then any of my multitude of dog stamps help me out! Looooove my dog, and anything to do with dogs!
Thanks for the blog candy offer, and although I will gracefully accept it if you were to pick me (insert Puss in Boots eyes from Shrek here!), your daily eye candy suits me well! Thanks for the inspiration!
Diane
What a great tutorial!
My go to set is Priceless. Any time I get stuck, I can just pull out that set and whip something together. It’s magic.
Hi Michelle,
I KNEW that this was going to be an awesome question, and I fully expected to see great similarities in many of the answers, so I thoughtfully considered my response before I read your other posts.
I would agree with many of your readers that SU!’s Lovely As a Tree has to be my all-time favorite. I absolutely LOVE any stamp set that is “natural” in appearance (like a Touch of Nature or Noble Deer, also SU!), especially those that double for masculine cards and scrapbook pages.
I also appreciate stamps that give visual texture, like SU!’s Weathered, Canvas, and Linen stamps.
Thank you for your excellent tutorials and the chance to win some fantastic blog candy!
Have a great day, Michelle!
When I’m in a rut I always grab SU!’s Priceless. I can always do something with it!
I just stumbled across your blog and your work is just amazing!!! Thanks for sharing with all of us!
Great dragonfly card. I love your techniques. My go to stamp set is Stampin Up In Full Bloom. I can usually think of something to do with this one.
I actually don’t have a favorite tried-and-true set. When I feel in a rut, I want to grab a set that I haven’t used in a long while! However, when I don’t know where to start, I always begin with a background stamp - I use French Script, Linen, or any polka-dot stamp. I don’t like “white space” so I fill every inch of cardstock with something and that’s why I love background stamps so much!
I grab trees..any kind, type, size of tree!
WOW! What a great prize! I’d have to say that lately I’ve grabbed for the Abundant Joy set…Other all-time favorite inspiring for me are Elegant Inspirations and Elegant Greetings, Stem Silhouettes, and Botanicals.
My favorite go-to stamp is actually two or three. I love Stampin’ Up’s Watercolor Garden…in particular the daisy in that set. I’m a daisy freak anyway and this one is a bold image which makes it easy to play with in different ways. Love your blog, Michelle. In fact, I have a whole section entitled Zindorf. Your artwork is fabulous! Thanks for sharing.
Love this latest tutorial. Just scrumptios! My go-to stamp is actually a background stamp. I love Floral…that set just rocks my world. Love to make my own patterned paper out of it!
Shawn K.
I love dragonflies and you have done a wonderful job with this one. This for sharing your skills with us.
As usual, a gorgeous card!
My all time favorite set is Embrace Life. It’s easy for me to create something with that set. But when I want to add that extra “something” to a card, I usually grab my Linen BG stamp. It adds a subtle texture that I love.
Wonderful job again, as always. I love dragonflies, but my favorite stamp is a leafless tree. I can use it for any season, just by adding leaves.
My go-to stamp has always been the Stampin Up! Butterfly. It’s a Monarch butterfly stamp and I seem to use it in everything!
I love how you use texture in your cards to highlight the image and provide depth. Beautiful card!!!
I just got a new dragonfly stamp that I haven’t even used yet!!!Now I know how I will do it. My favorite “go-to” stamp is almost always a butterfly. I have lots of them, so I just grab one.
My all time favorite is Butterfly of Happiness, the butterflies and the sentiment are the best.
I would love a chance to win the stamp set. Thank you for all your inspiring ideas.
Donna Coffman
My favorite is a set from Stampin Up called “Stipple Shells”. Its been retired for a few years, but I still adore it. When I can’t think of anything else to work with, I can always come up with ideas with that set.
Your card is amazing (as always). I love the aged look with the crackles you’ve created. I would have to say that my favorite stamp….the one that I shall never part with…. would be my Stampin Up French Script stamp. It’s the older scraipt stamp, not the current one. I use it as a background stamp for any theme, any occassion. It’s awesome! Thank you for the opportunity to play for your blog candy!
It rather depends on what kind of a mood I’m in. If I’m in a technique-y, just-want-to-play-for-awhile mood, I grab SU’s petal prints. If I’m in a just-need-to-make-something, quick and cute mood, I’ll grab an A Muse stamp for whatever holiday is coming up. Thanks for sharing the blog candy!
What a wonderful card, as always!
I tend to resort to the Alcohol inks with a butterfly image. Sometimes I cut it out and make the wings 3-D.
Keep ‘em coming.
~Kim D in FL
ohhhh great card and love the tutorial..and my favorite stamp is…hmmm I really think it is my wildlife set from rubberstamper avenue…or it is a my flutterby butterfly set from TAC or…you know I love them all..ROFL
ohhh and I hope today is my lucky day and the generator generates my number..
I love love LOVE this card! I even have the stamp to give it a try
I can’t really say that I have ‘one favorite’ stamp, but if my mind is a total blank- I will usually go to one of my floral stamps. They can be used with almost any sentiment.
*hugs*
Jami
Isn’t it awful?! I cannot think of a favorite stamp I have. I will have to watch myself a little closer…I am just coming out of an AMuse binge that lasted nearly a year. I was nuts for all things AMuse. They are loosing their appeal for me, now (thankfully). I hate to get stuck in ruts…but they are still nice and simple line drawings, usually with clever sayings that accompany the stamps. Very nice paper, too.
My favourite stamp, believe it or not, is CHF ‘Trees Backgrounder’. I just look at it and all kinds of ideas come. It’s nice of you to offer blog candy but I think you’ve got it all wrong. We should be giving you pressies. - Nimue
I just love your blog, you inspire me everytime you post a new tutorial. The stamp I grab when nothing else seems to be what I want is usually my bella stamps. I love coloring the bella’s. Thanks for a chance to win your blog candy.
Love this card! I have so many stamps its hard to pick but I would have to say its lovely as a tree for sure and anything floral. Thanks for the opportunity to win some blog candy.
Michelle
I love your tutorials!
My favorite go to stamp is Heartfelt Thanks by SU. I always seem to reach for that one when I don’t know what to stamp!
I think my all time favourite stamp is my “round” stamps by Gelatins. I love the versatility of all the circles in the set. Thanks for the opportunity for some blog candy!
Michelle,
Your dragonfly is wonderful! All your work is great, but I can see why you migrate toward the dragonfly.
My favorite set to use when I’m in a quandry….SU’s Close To Nature. I love the butterfly.
Thanks for sharing and the opportunity for blog candy.
Teresa
wow, what another great tutorial. I’m STILL trying to work out the brayered sky technique, LOL…Oh and what awesome blog candy… I have this set on my Wish List…
Hello Michelle Zindorf
I love your totorials!
Thats Artwork what you make, an i learn so many on this Blog.
Thank you.
My favorite Stamp? Its a Butterfly by Inique Boutique.
Greeting from Switzerland
Uschle
gorgeous I wonder if I could do same thing with my ladybugs.. using reds .. my favorite stamp is my ladybug by Peddlers pack but I have over 3000 ladybug stamps all different so any ladybug is my favorite =)
Great tutorial. I love trying your tutorials. Wish I could do my braying the way you do. I have tried different things and nothing works for me.
My favorite stamps is loverly as a tree or delight in life
thanks for giving me the chance to win that set.
Stampin hugs
MaryS
What a great tutorial!! I love dragonflies. My favorite stamp that I use when all else fails is a butterfly collage stamp by Stamps Happen called Page About Butterflies.
I love your tutorials! I would say that my all time fav stamp to pull out for any time or season or occasion would have to be SU Lovely As A Tree so much can be done with just that one stamp set it is just amazing!!
Love the tutorials! My “grab and make” stamp is the Hero Arts dandelion stamp. There’s so many ways to use it!
I love your cards and tutorials. Thank you so much for doing this for those of us that need a visual. You give so much inspiration. I have to say I reach for Heartfelt Thanks a lot. It seems like I can put it with any color combination and make it work.
Thanks for a chance at blog candy.
Heidi
I showed your “birds on a wire” card I cased to my stamping ladies last night, and to say the least they LOVED it. Thanks for all your inspiration and please enter me in the Blog Candy giveaway.
gjmollet at shaw dot ca
That is gorgeous. I love how it glows! I have two favourites- flowers and any of the Thomas Kinkades from CHF. BTW, I bought that Texture Cube because I saw how many great ways it can be used from your blog!
evrytime fantastic cards !!!!
My favorite stamps at the moment are from inkadinkado. but at change daily. *lol*
Your Dragonfly are perfect for my Challengeblog Inspiration, what a chance.
Thanks so much for this great inspiration.
Greetings from Germany
Alexa
Hi Michelle!
Awesome card! My favorite stamp (stamp set) to use is SU’s Cool Cat! I love the cat– it so sassy!!! Besides I’m partial to it owning five cats of my own. I was thrilled when you recently did the tutorial of that stamp set. Keep up the great work!! I can’t wait to see what you’ve posted day to day.
Adrienne
Michelle, I do look forward to your tutorials each day. You use color in wonderful ways. Your cards are always inspirational and the ideas always translate well to use with other stamps also. Since I live in a rural area and dont have access to classes I have learned a lot with your tutorials. Thanks for sharing your great talent and for the opportunity to win the blog candy also. Davi
Michelle- I love this card, and this set. I am proud owner of this set, as a result of your previous beautiful cards. However, I keep referring to the Nature’s Silhouettes I set from ISC as “my new favorite set”! I love the cards you have created with the set, especially the field of flowers stamp in the set, and it quickly became a MUST HAVE set.
Thank you for all the great inspiration.
Please add me to the list of blog candy entrants, and thanks for offering such a nice set for candy.
not very creative, but SU in In Full Bloom or Heartfelt Thanks!!!
I can always count on Lovely as a Tree. You have a great blog!
Hi, Michelle! Thank you so very much for the inspiration you provide — you have such a great eye for color and an artist’s eye for perspective! I learn so much from looking at your tutorials! (now, if I could only make mine look as good as yours!)
As for my favorites — I have to name 2.
The first is a little magic wand about 1 1/2″ long — I use that as my “signature” on the back of the cards that I make. It came from http://www.thecatspajamasrs.com/Accessories.htm
and the other favorite would have to be the SU set called “Natural Beauty”
Thanks for asking and thanks for offering the blog candy!
You rock!!
bye for now!
Sherry
Beautiful card. I love Dragonflies. They fly all over my backyard. I have a watergarden and it is beautiful with the Dragonfiles and Lilies. If I get stumped, I go to my Sky stamp from Stampscapes. I think it is the cumulous clouds. I would probably choose your marble textured cube if I had one. I tried looking for it the last time you used it but haven’t found it yet. I’ll try again. Thanks for your tutorials, they are wonderful.
Michelle, I love your tutorials and the beautiful cards that you take the time to share with all of us. My favorite set to use is SU’s Lovely as a Tree. This has got to be the most used set in my collection. I would love to add your blog candy to my collection and appreciate the opportunity. Thanks!
Wow! This another awesome card. Your tutorials are so on point! My favorite Stampin’ Up stamp is Watercolor Garden and to be quite honest, do not know if it is still current - I just love it!
Good morning
Thank you for your tutorials - I love them! My favourite stamps when going blank are my various butterfly ones - I can usually figure something with them!! - even more now I have seen all your glorious backgrounds - next purchase will be a brayer!
Maxine (in New Zealand where spring is starting to show, most reluctently)
A favorite stamp of mine is any polka-dot stamp—-love ‘em! MollyK.
Checking your blog daily is such a treat. I love this tutorial. Your card is beautiful.
If I had to pick my all time favourite stamp, it would have to be the little girl from ‘Summer by The Sea’. She reminds me of Holly Hobby for some reason, which has many fond childhood memories. Also, I love to paper Piece her dress with dp.
Thanks for the opportunity for the blog candy…but seriously…your tutorials are like blog candy every day. Keep up the awesome work…it is totally appreciated.
Gloria
Michelle,
Thank you so much for all your inspiration. I am excited each time I see your latest update in my email. Can’t wait to see what beautiful thing you have made. My all time fav is probably SU’s Lovely As A Tree. It is so versatile, I have made all kinds of
Now off to check out this latest piece of art.
cards with it from Christmas to Birthday to Sympathy. I have many others, but I think this may be the one I use the most. Love the Label set, would love to win it
As I was browsing the new catalog this afternoon, I was thinking that I have to get Frames With a Flourish. Thanks for a chance to win it!!! My favorite stamp set is Time Well Spent - it has been the most versatile of all the stamps I own. Thanks for the daily dose of inspiration.
Wow!!! gorgeous as always!!!! I love making my own background paper, but some how mine don’t ever look like yours!!!! LOL!! My favorite stamp(s) are Baroque Motifs for almost anything that needs some sprucing up; and Stamps of Authenticity because I love to journal and comment on all my daughter’s pictures!!
Thanks as always, Sandra
Great tutorial! My go to stamp is a line image of a bunch of iris flowers. I can always color in a floral image when my mojo is lost. Thanks for your great tutorials!
Pam
Hi Michelle,
Loved the dragonfly tutorial. It was one of the first stamps that I bought along with a butterfly. The stamp that I tend to go to when stumped is SU Lovely as a Tree - it does work for almost anything. I have lots of males in my life (sons, brothers, dads, husbands) and so it really helps. And when I get requests from family and friends for gifts…they ask for SU Roses in Winter!
Thanks for your tutorials and inspiration!
How beautiful! I don’t know how you can create a new card practically daily and have them all be so WOW! My favorite stamp set is SU, Lovely As a Tree. Can’t go wrong with that one!
This card is beautiful!
I love how you did the background. I will definitely be visiting your blog more often. It’s my first time here!
Another gorgeous card!!! I do not know how you decide where to start….I cannot visualize what you have done here in advance……unless I see a picture in advance…..You are such an inspiration- I have tried a few brayer cards- I am still a beginner, but can just say I am glad for your daily tutorials- I love looking back abd seeing what colors you use together, etc……… Thanks for all you do Michelle!
Hopefully I will get the hang of using this site soon. Love the cards you make. My favorite stamp set is Lovely as a Tree by Stampin Up. Perfect for all occasions!
Michelle, another wonderful easy to follow tutorial. I love them all and have tried a few. Though somehow mine don’t quite look like yours. I think I put too much ink on my brayer and therefore the ink is solid on my card. I need to develop a lighter and softer touch. My favorite stamp? That is the hardest question of the year. Each new stamp quickly becomes my favourite. However, my classic all time favorite are the trees from Lovely as a Tree. They are so versatile.
What to stamp with when you don’t know what to stamp with, just grab Fabulous Flowers. This set is my favourite at the moment. Love your work, Michelle.
As always a masterpiece. I wish I could take in your Texas class in September, but my schedule is so tight. I will surely be with you in spirit though. Hmmmmm! My favorite stamp? I have quite a few “favorites” ones that I fall back on a lot, but if I had to pick just one, hmmmmmmm, probably any stamp that works well as a silhouette over a stunning brayered background - like your’s!
Barb
It is a tradition for me to look every day on your blog. Your toutorials are so wonderfull. Thank you for all your inspirations.
A favourite stampset? They are all gorgeous and my favorite is Baroque Motifs.
What a great tutorial and chance at blog candy! I am so enamored with your unique techniques and although I’m not much of an expert, I do like to try and play with the techniques you share. I have that particular stamp set on my “wish” list and would be absolutely delighted to just out and out win it! Okay, I have no pride–I want to win!
Wow! When you do blog candy, you don’t mess around! This set’s been on my wish list since it first came out! Love all of your tutorials, and especially love the marble texture. I bought a “Faux Finish” texture cube today, as a matter of fact, thinking it was the one you used, but now I see that it’s not… I’m sure it will still make interesting backgrounds, though, so I’m keeping it! Thanks for all your sharing and inspiration and all - LOVE IT!!!
I love the tart and tangy set, so fun and versatle!! Love your work so inspiring!
Mandy k
mandykirk@hotmail.com
Once again I love your beautiful dragonfly! My favorite stamp set has to be: Roses in Winter by SU! Classic roses, double stamped, in any color. This stamp set is a easy for me and if I get in a rut, I can always pull out RIW and feel like an artist! It’s been fun to read all the favorites and why.
What wonderful tutorials, Michelle! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us!! My favorite stamp? I love so many (probably why I have so many, lol!) but right now it could be Baroque Motifs or BoHo Backgrounds and the medallion. Now when I get my new order, it might be Upsy Daisy or… lol! Thanks for asking. Margaret
Oh what a great card and another awesome tutorial! Love it!! I always enjoy your posts/tutorials and each one of your cards never fails to inspire me!
Hard to name a favorite set but when I’m in a rut, I grab Lovely as a Tree from Stampin’Up - a good all purpose set that lends itself well!
It must be my lucky day! I just found your website today and not only is there a great tutorial but a chance for blog candy! If I had to pick a favorite set - it would probably the SU’s hedgehogs! I have all of them and several from Penny Black - they are just so cute & they always make me smile!
I love to use my stipple butterfly when I need to jump start my muse!! I also have some dragonflies that I like to use a lot.
I just love your dragonfly card!
Hi, Michelle! Awesome card as usual! My go to stamp set is SU’s Terrific Tulips….love it!
Thanks for another beautiful tutorial! My favorite stamp set? Hard question but right now I might reach for Baroque Motifs or Stitched Exotics.
Thanks for the wonderful blog candy; that set is on my wish list! : )
Nope, nada, no way, Jose - can’t pick just one! Like many others my often used ‘go-to’ stamp is Lovely as a Tree. HOWEVER, I will never give up Sketches (all 3 in the Sketches series, but Sketches is my favorite), Oriental Garden, Oriental Paintings, Kanji, Touch of Nature, all from Stampin’ Up!
Do I meet the criteria for the blog candy if I cannot decide? Please say yes!!!
you are amazing, just started getting your emails, they are fantastic and very inspirational. i scrapbook and make lots of thank you cards, so my SU thank you stamps get used a lot.
i love SU background and flourishes stamps, and hope to get some soon.
Michelle, I try to check your blog every day. You never cease to amaze me. As with so many of its predecessors, I love this card. I’m fascinated by dragonflies and butterflies - I can never own too many stamps of either! Now I must have the Stampendous “Marble Texture Cube”. I’ve seen it before in your creations, and now I MUST have it.
Thanks a million for your guidance,
-mary
My favorite stamp(s) would be the dried pressed flower ones (Stampin up and /or Hero). They are always my fallback if I need something. But latey I am just pulling a set from my collection and making myself use them. So many stamps and sets never used. Thanks for your great work!
Michelle, this is very pretty. I have so many favorite stamps. I guess right now i am into the western mode, and wild wild west is a Su set I just love. Also love lovely as a tree. But you see I love flowers, butterflies, dragonflys, oh heck I love them all. lol.
Evelynn
I love your artwork! Your blog is the only one I check routinely. It’s great that you take the time to take pictures of every step and make comments for each one.
The stamp set I go to more than the others is “Celebrate Life” from Close to my Heart. I like the little flowers and the butterfly. I like to make the butterfly shimmer.
Thanks for all you do!
My all time favourite stamp? Well, I’m on vacation right now so I can’t check the name of the SU set that I always use when I need inspiration or when I’m trying a new technique. It’s a line drawing set of flowers, stem and leaves and there is also a very similar wheel. I love the whole set and use it often.
My go to stamps are either butterflies or dragonflies. I have lots of both. And they are usually a good source of inspiration.
Thanks so much for sharing your creativity with us. You make such beautiful cards.
My favorite go-to stamp is the flourish from SU Baroque Motifs. I absolutely love that stamp. And running a close second is the bird from SU Always. I just adore both of these!!! Thanks for a chance to win!
Hi Michelle!
Your techniques are so cool! I love the way this dragon fly turned out, the colors seem so simple, but I am still learning to blend!
My all time favorite stamp (and I am new) is a horse stamp I got at Michael’s. I am an avid horse lover, and I can do quite a bit with this one horse stamp. I also like a lighthouse stamp that is fun to color. I have some watercolor pencils that are fun to work with.
I am investigating the prisma markers and the prisma pencils. Their colors really seem to pop on cards. I will have to buy a few at a time!
Just love your website and blogs! Keep em’ coming! And Thanks for showing these wonderful techniques!! I enjoy this so much!
Thank you for the lesson on how to use the marble cube. What a beautiful background you’ve created. I’ve played around with the cube a little, but as always, you’ve shown me more possibilites with the stamp than I could have imagined. Well, a favorite stamp set for me is Lovely as a Tree which seems to be a very popular choice
It’s the second SU! set I bought- the first was a Christmas set. Another set that I love is the retired hostess set Oh So Lovely. Thank you for the chance to win such a great stamp set as blog candy! Thanks for all that you do- you are very much appreciated!!!
Fantastic card and tutorial. How do you do it - I am in total awe! Maybe one of my first stamps I bought as a fluke - a pig with a wreath around her for Christmas which I used to make to/from tags for homemade goodies for my friends. That was when I lived in Texas and since I am from Iowa they thought the pig was very appropriate.
My fave is SU background stamp canvas… it is so subtle… but really adds some flair to my cards… thanks for another wonderful tutorial and this chance for some wonderful candy!
As always a wonderful tutorial. I love the background paper using the marble stamp. Just got mine (well 2 as I bought one on ebay, and just incase that didn’t arrive (postal gremlins) I found one at Michaels to my surprise on sale).
I love making Christmas cards and one of my favorite stamps is a house/tree/moon winter scene from Old Island Stamp Company British Columbia Canada. Out it comes every year, it’s got so much staining on the wood, proof of a well loved stamp.
another great tutorial… wow… I love fairies..I don’t have one specific stamp I like..just fairies..all sizes and all kinds..
Love yout tutorials! My favorite stamp is really a set. I constantly turn to Priceless when I need to come up with a card and seem to have a mental block. Thanks for the blog candy. Don’t have that set and I have been eyeing it!
Robbie
Hi Michelle,
I found your website a few weeks ago and now you are one my favorite web sites to look at daily. Your tutorials are great! And I love the cards that you create!
One of my favorite stamps is bouquets of flowers in three vases from PSX. It works so well for alot of occasions. I love using it. Thanks for the chance to win some blog candy!
Michelle, my jaw dropped to the table when I saw this beauty. How do you keep coming up with these great cards? You must never sleep. My all time favorite stamp is Heartfelt Thanks from Stampin’ Up! I seem to grab it all the time. It’s so versatile. TFS
Another gorgeous card!! My fav stamp is a little bitty peg stamp with dots on the bottom - it just kind of adds to backgrounds, flower petals, leaves, just about anything!! It’s from Rubber Stamp Tapestry.
All of your tutorials are fantastic. I love them all. I am saving all of them in a file so that I can try each one after I retire. I don’t have time now to do all of them, but I will eventually get them all done. I have done some of them and was so proud of my cards when I finished. Your cards are outstanding and so inspirational. I love your blog.
I love dragonflys too. My all time favorite is Tiny Dragons from Penny Black. Love you blog.
Pam C
I also forgot to put my favorite stamp set, when I have lost my mojo..it is On Gossomer Wings.
What an awesome artist you are!!! Everytime I look at your post I say I am going to try that, then I become overwhelmed. Someday I will overcome my fear.
My favorite stamp would be the paisley in the Stampin Up Polka Dot and Paisley set. I love paisley’s.
Keep up the fantastic work!
I always go back to True Friend from SU. I can make any kind of card from that set. So versatile. Baroque Motifs is another one.
Mary
http://www.primitiveseasons.blogspot.com
I like flower stamps….just about any of them will work for me. However, I would love to try your technique….but, frankly, it’s a bit intimidating….so, I’m just enjoying your blog.
Thanks for sharing…I would always check your blog first!
Wow Michelle! Your blog is awesome! I just found it =). I’ve literally just spent the whole day looking at your blog and trying your techniques. I can’t seem to get the brayer thing down though. How do you keep it from making a straight line? Anyway, my favorite stamp of all time is the big flower in SU Fabulous Flowers. I LOVE it!
Beautiful!:)
My favorite stamp set is probably Lovely as a Tree…Who doesn’t like trees? It’s just an all around great set, perfect for most occasions..I use Loads of Love a lot too.
Please tell Mr. Random Number Generator to be affraid…very affraid…(LOL!)
Your “Marbled Dragonfly” is superb. All your work is stunning, so it is difficult for me to say this, but this piece is one of my favorites. Thank you for contributing so much to the quality of art in the stamping community. I keep reading about your teaching schedule to see whether you are ever in my neighborhood (Sacramento CA), but the closest you have come is to San Jose - not a convenient day trip for me.
My all-time favorite stamp set is Oriental Gardens, a 2001 SU! collection. More recent sets that I like are Morning Soft, Bloomin’ Beautiful, and Riot of Petals - all florals.
Your blogsite is one I must visit every day. Thank you for all your wonderful work.
Hi Michelle,
I love the background you made on both the pieces of this card. Wow! My favourite stamp set has always been SU’s Lovely as a Tree. My current favourite stamp is usually the one I just got at that time and have to try different things with it for a while. Then I go on to the next new one!*L*I also love the stampscapes stamps. It’s really hard to pick “one” favourite.
Take care,
Trish
I love your tutorials…do they take a lot of time to do?? Your cards are awesome and so is that SU set — I want to win!!!!!!!!
Dorothy W. in KY
firstbebo@yahoo.com
Wonderful tutorial, thank you so much. Hmmm…as to favorite stamp, that’s really a tough one. Usually it’s the newest stamp in my collection. I can’t really narrow it down to one particular stamp, but how about a category? I do find myself drawn to suns, moons & stars.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful, original cards and techniques with us all. I check your blog regularly and have shared your Website with many people because of the clear directions you provide with every technique. My sister is an artist and I was finally able to compete with her, using stamps, brayer and sponging techniques, when I CASEd one of your dramatic sunset cards! I guess I’m still a child at heart, as my favourite all-time stamp that I use when I’m running out of ideas is Hedgehog Happiness. It makes me smile and lightens my day, while stimulating new ideas for cards!
my favorite is SU Wonderful WIngs — those butterflies & dragonfly just don’t stamp bad, no matter how hard I try!!!! LOL
Love today’s dragonfly, by the way…
Wendy Pannell fizzy53@comcast.net
You do such beautiful work and awesome tutorials! My all time favorite stamp is a Penny Black flower I’ve had for several years. It’s sort of a droopy flower but it can be used for lots of different occasions and I just love it!
Hi Michelle!
What a cool tutorial…thanks for sharing!
My favorite stamp: a butterfly. Any butterfly. Even a punch butterfly
Thank you for a chance to win that equally cool stamp set!
My favorite stamp that I reach for is a little koi fish stamp. I love the way he looks so shy but his tail is so fabulous and beautiful! Love your blog, very interesting and informative!
Michelle, this is another gorgeous card and great tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing so much with us! My favorite stamp set is Garden Silhouettes. I use this set a lot (maybe too much, according to some of my friends!) but I find it works with so many different colors and DPs and styles of card.
Carla
Well Michelle you did it again and made me think outside of the box. I love that texture cube, in fact mine is ALWAYS within reach, but I never thought of just using it around the outside of the cardstock as opposed to all over. My favorite SU set…..Hmmmmm I have so many, but I guess it would be Tree for all seasons or Roses in Winter, depending if it is a male or female card I am making. Keep up the GREAT work!
Wow - Michelle… beautiful card as always. I learn so much from your blog tutorials - thank you! As for me, my favorite stamp would have to be the Baroque Motifs as of late. I reach for that over and over again. Thanks for the opportunity to win some blog candy.
Michelle, I subscribe to your blog and look forward to your tutorials. Your art is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My all time favorite stamp… that’s tough… I love dragonflies, butterflies, words, and backgrounds. I guess I’ll just go with the one that’s been laying out the longest which is a small crackle stamp… always perfect for adding that extra touch.
I am in AWE of all your work, some FAB stuff..I don’t have any favorite one stamp, I’m just glad to be able to use them all……..thanks for a chance to win…
Michelle, What a great card! You are truly a gifted artist. My favorite “go to” stamp set is Lovely as a Tree. I thought I had used it in every way possible, until I saw how YOU have used it! It certainly is now my “dirtiest” stamp set! Thank you.
Great card! I love this BLOG! What talent you have.
My fav stamp is a little PSX stamp is a Mama Possum and her babies… It always makes me smile.
Marie H in North Carolina
Thanks for all you share. I have a special fondness for the Architectural Elements set. It is a go to set for me when nothing else will do.
Tina
Michelle- gorgeous card! I have this stamp, as yet uninked. I think I had planned to use it for St. Patrick’s day because of the Celtic look of the wings. Now I have an idea how to use it! You are such a fabulous source of inspiration!!!
My go to stamp is a background stamp, linen. It is almost always inked up in versamark, and makes a textured look in a flash.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Great card, absolutely gorgeous!
I am a pretty novice stamper, but I like frame type stamps. You can either journal or put a sentiment in them if you’re making a card.
I have just “discovered” your beautiful cards. Using a brayer is not a technique I use, but I will be trying it with your help. It is too hard for me to choose just on SU set as my favorite, but lately I seem to be using Noble Deer a lot.
I just love your tutorials! You give such good instructions that even someone like me who is “art-challenged” can make a piece of glorious work. I am away from home so I can’t remember the name of my “go to” stamp set but it is made by CTMH and it is flourishes. When I am just not sure what to do on a piece of work but I know it needs something I add flourishes. They can go with the most rustic to the most regal of stamp settings. Thank you for taking the time that you do to teach all of something great.
Gayle
For me its the stamp set that started it all for me… Bundled in Joy yes I know that set isn’t so old but that is the set that brought me into stamping:) I love that set because its a baby set and I remember when I first got that set last summer and was so afraid to try.. Now I can’t seem to go a day without stamping
Michelle,
Your card today is so beautiful.
My absolute favorite set is SU! Lovely As A Tree.
Thanks,
Jenny
Hi,
Recently came across your blog & it is fantastic. The step by step instructions are so easy to follow. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work & for some great “blog Candy”. I use the set Lovely As A Tree, when I get stumped.
Happy Stamping…
Another great tutorial…you are such a talent! Your blog comes directly to my email and I look forward to it daily. My favorite stamp is… (drum roll) my NEXT purchase!ha I love flowers and background stamps. Thanks for offering us blog candy, too!
Just one??? I love SU’s Stem Sillouettes (sp?) If I want to color then I would pick a Magnolia Tilda. Thanks for all the knowledge that you share with us.
Gorgeous card! I love all my stamps equally!
I love any and all flower stamps. I have collected too many that I always have some uninked ones to reach for!! Thanks for sharing tutorials for all of your amazing cards!
I love your blog and visit every day looking at what is new. Your cards are just amazing. thank you for sharing your talent with all of us. My all time favorite stamp set since the day I seen it in the SU occational mini catalogue is bloomin beautiful. I seem to always go to it and always come up with something new and different.
My favorite stamp set is Looks like Spring (retired) by SU. Thanks for all of the amazing crds, techniques and encouragement.
Thanks for another inspiring tutorial. I reach for stamps by Karen Lockhart or My Favorite Things.
beautiful card! my favorite stamp is pmsbella.
kayla
I have to say I love your tutorials, I have never used my brayer more since I found your blog. Your work is just gorgeous. My favorite stamp set would be Joy Forever from Close to My Heart.
All time favorite is Kimono by SU. Love the colors you have used.
Thanks for the chance to win blog candy. I enjoy using loads of love.
Michelle, I just recently found your blog and have fallen in love with your creativity!! I hope to see you one day in Oregon!
My “fall back” stamp set is “thoughts of you” by Close To My Heart
What a fabulous card!!! The stamps I turn to when I need a card is Lovely as a Tree by SU. It will make a masculine card, a winter card, a summer, spring or fall card. Very versatile!
Hi Michelle..thnx for sharing the tutorial..as always .. A WORK OF ART….
I hope this won’t disqualify me from trying to get blog candy, but I don’t have any SU stamps.. I just started..and only have a variety of clear stamps..put out by Studio G..and a couple of wood mounted flower and word stamps from a friend.. Used a few for my 4 cards now.. the more I learn I hope to get more stamps..
I almost bought the ‘textured cube’ stamp you used..the other day.. it was at Michaels.. but I held back because I have to buy necessities for now.. then add on extras. But would love to have that cube.
Have a good day.. oh yeah..it’s my B’day.. BIG 4-0 woooohooooooooo! I got (2) Michael’s $40 gifcards.. it’s times like this I wish I was 50 or 60..more gc value..haha..
I love subscribing to your blog. It is so inspirational! The stamp set I use most when I am stumped is Garden Whimsy by SU. I can always create something with the beautiful butterflies.
I love cats so I reach for a feline stamp. I have relaxed, stressed, sad and happy cat stamps so that I can match a sentiment stamp to it.
Pam J.
What a beautiful card! I love dragonflies! I have a little butterfly stamp that I use so many times. It goes with flowers and by itself or with a saying. Thanks for the blog candy contest. That is always fun!
Rene’ Mewes
Farmington, MN
RM3116@charter.net
Thank you so much for the tutorial(s)! I love your creativity and the inspiration. One set that I have always loved is Delight in Life…I think it was a SAB set back in 2007.
my go to set is Roses in winter from stampin up. I *heart* that set it rocks. love your tutorials.
Chelsey
Gorgeous Michelle! I bought that marble set just because of you! Hahaha! Now I need to use it.
My all time favorite stamp, hmmmmm, that is hard because I just love butterflies, any butterflies really! My oldest butterflies are my Wonderful Wings set by SU. They are gorgeous!
Hi There,
My favorite stamp is probably is 12 to 15 years old. It’s a maple leaf. I love leaves and fall colors. Maple leaves can be many colors. It’s so old the rubber is getting hard!
My go to stamp is always a sentiment and more likely than not it is a Wordsworth stamp - I have quite a few in my stash! It makes things easy because it can be used as the focal point and then it’s a cinch to pair it with good stamping or DP!
Hello Ms. Z!
Great card today (as always though!). I love the stamp set you are so generously offering. My favorite stamp is probably a teeny tiny little flower from the SU set, little somethings. sweet, petite, and can be used for so much!
I have a few happy birthday stamps and a nice scripty background stamp that i pull out whenever i have stampers block, i’m familiar with using them so its not particularly original stuff when i use them, but it always looks nice enough that i feel happy with it =)
Another beautiful card Michelle. The favorite stamp I like to grab is a saying stamp “We do not remember days,
we remember moments.
Cesare Pavese
I find this stamp suits all kind of cards from sympathy to BDay cards. Oh and it would be great to win that stamp set you are offering(I love it by the way) on Saturday, it will be DH’s and my 6 year Wedding Anniversary.
Ter
Peaceful Wishes by Stampin’ Up! has been a favorite since its release. It just retired, and I do not think I will ever part with it. Another set that I think I will never part with from SU is Watercolor Garden II.
I would love to see you do some things with those sets. I am just floored by your every post. I look forward to seeing what you have come up with everyday!
It is hard to name a favorite stamp. Right now I am really into butterfly and sister stamps because I have been working on a book for my sister and the cutest pictures of my son, when he was 3, running through little yellow butterflies. I would love to win these stamps as they would be great for scrapbooking or cards.
Thanks for always having such awesome cards and tutorials! Love your work!
Such a difficult decision….I LOVE ALL my stamps! But, lately, my favorite is a SU! set, Stem Silhouettes. Works for all types of cards. Very versatile.
Thanks for the opportunity to win some fun blog candy!
Absolutely gorgeous, as usual! I LOVE making backgrounds, too, lol! There was a time when I did more with just putzing around making backgrounds than completing actual, complete projects! Favorite stamp? As in ONE STAMP?? Oy! I guess my most used stamp has been my French Script background from Stampin Up. It’s been used on more types of projects! Fabric stamping, polymer clay jewelry, image transfer, and of course as a card background, lol!
That Frames set is one of the best stamp sets SU has goin’ right now! I LOVE it so much…I would be over the moon if I won it, lol!
Hugs,
Betsy
Hi Michelle! When I’m feeling in a rut, I always reach for my stamping bella stamps. Just coloring one or two of those gives my mojo a boast! Beautiful card and thanks as always for the tutorials.
Courtney
Hi Michelle! What an awesome offering for blog candy. I’ve put that set on my wishlist several times, so it’d be awesome to win it! I’d say my favorite when I have a block would be any of the baroque-ish sets from Stampin’ Up!, or Carte Postal. I love the style that’s in common with those sets. Thanks again for sharing your creativity with the rest of us!
I love your tutorials. You make it all look so easy.
I tend to get my tree stamps or star stamps when I don’t know what to make.
Thanks for putting this up for all to see.
Nancy L
I am constantly amazed with the wonderful techniques you share on these tutorials. You are a very gifted artist. Thank you so much! My favorite stamp set at the moment is Pick A Petal - it is so versatile!
Wow! I’m still amazed at all the responses and from everywhere in the world too! Anyway, beautiful card and I got that marble stamp when I was visiting my parents this summer. Haven’t used it yet, but now I got some more inspiration. I spent the past Saturday having a “Zindorf Day”! Tried about 8 of your tuts…some turned out better than others, but learned a lot on all of them! Thanks for continuing to share your talent!
My favorite stamp…hum…I find myself using the Crab and Co set a lot…It’s fun to put stuff in his claws and the puns you can use with it are great!
Aloha and Mahalo!
I enjoy your blog and learn a lot from it. My fav stamps are the house mouse stamps, esp the one with a pen. Lots of blessings from Sharon - South Africa
you are an amazing artist! My favorites lately are any that I can color, I especially love the bellas! But Stampin up will probably always be my favorite company.
Sherri
When I need a card fast my quick fix thinking stamps is “Baroque Motifs” when the creative juices are not flowing…these stamps make beautiful cards in a pinch!!! Thanks so much Michele for all your great tutorials! We should be sending you stamps for all your hard work!!! Thanks for the chance at some awesome blog candy.
I love the Technique Tuesday Boho Buzz stamp you showed in your tutorial. Not only do I use it to stamp dragonflies, but by masking the wings, you can make a beautiful border stamp.
In Full Bloom. Can’t make a bad card using that set. The flowers are fun to color, too.
Thanks for the chance to win a new SU stamp set.
My fave stamp is this bunny stamp that I got from a friend — I’m not sure where it’s from. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your incredible talent through your tutorials.
I am a newbie when it comes to stamping. I do not have very many stamps yet. I would have to say my favorite stamp is my wolf stamp by Rubber Stampede. Thanks for this chance to win.
I have to pick a favorite? I have so many of them. I would have to say SU summer by the sea. I love to watercolor the images, they make me feel so serene.
Hi Michelle,
Super blog candy, wouldn’t mind winning that!
You made another great card. You make me look at stamps in a different way.
My favorie stamp is a mini mince cube by Judikins. It’s very detailed and I love using it to make backgrounds.
Eveline.
Another beautiful work of art! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful techniques on your blog!! In Full Bloom is probably my favorite set to grab when I need to be inspired. I love coloring the images in this set. Thanks so much!
Beautiful card! I also like dragonflies and this one is a beauty. My favorite set to grab is a stamp sheet from Innovative Stamp Creations that has large flowers on it. It’s an easy one to use since the flowers are so large, they can look nice just embossed or you can be more detailed and colored. Thanks.
When I have “stamper’s block”, I often reach for S.U.’s Terrific Tulips. Tulips are my favorite flower, so I can always get a little inspiration from this set. This is a great blog, Michelle! I always love to see what wonderful things you create . . .
woozeeeeeeeeerrrrrr!!!!!!!!! Just when I accomplish one exciting tutorial and think outside the box with color and techniques you come up with you create another astonishing card. Thanks for all the inspiration. It makes me go and use older stamps that I have forgotten about and trying to use different colors with them. I Love trying new techniques.Wish you lived in Florida.
Hi Michelle,
Wow, another beautiful tutorial! You make it look so easy! Every time you inspire me to break out the brayer my images never turn out as soft as yours. Ah well. Guess I’ll just have to keep practicing! I’m pretty new to stamping, so I guess I’d have to say my go-to stamp is Embrace Life. I’m a sucker for cherry blossoms! Have a wonderful week!!
Now I actually might be able to make my own background paper. My brayer work……..yeah, it needs help.
Love that marbled bg!!! Backgrounds are my favorite stamps!!! Don’t know what I’d do without them! But if I had to pick a fave image stamp, I’d have to narrow it to two sets…stem silhouettes and lovely as a tree both by SU! Great tutorial, as always and I am now convinced that I need that marble cube!!!
I love your blog and check it out everyday! Everything you create is gorgeous! I’m have been trying out your tutorials. They are terrific! Thank you for putting so much time and effort into your blog. I have several “favorite” stamp sets. One of my all time favorites is Stampin’ Up!’s Lovely As a Tree. I’ve found that I can use it for just about any occasion.
Your work amazes me!! I only wish I could do half as good as you. I had a brayer but did not know how to use it so I got rid of it. I guess I should get another one. Mine was a hard brayer…. do you recommend that or a soft brayer.
Beautiful card, I love that marbelling!
I think my favourite all time set has to be the teddy bear out of SU!’s old “Favourite Teddy” set.
I love him, with his cute little wagon, he’s great for birthdays and new babies as well as sympathy cards.
I think he’s one that I’ll keep forever!
Another great tutorial! Love the marbled background! My favorite all time stamp has to be the moose in Pines. Its the first SU set I bought and I still love that moose!
This is so gorgeous!!! I am a dragonfly person also but when I am being creatively challenged, I tend to grab something that I can color…. it is relaxing and usually gets me back into the swing!!!! TFS and for the chance at the SU set…. it just happens to be on my wish list!!!!
This is gorgeous and thanks for the great tutorials you do. My all time favorite stamp is the flower from SU’s Heartfelt Thanks. Could use that one over and over.
Michelle, love your blog and tutorials. Hope that you will be able to join us on the east coast with a workshop. Your cards are so beautiful and colorful. My all time favorite is Lovely as a Tree. I can begin with this set then build around it for a card whether male or female. Since I have been following your blog and tutorials I get a jump start in creativity. Thank you so much for sharing you gift.
Blessing from NC….
Hi Michelle,
Your tutorial is amazing as always. I have to say everytime I come to your blog, it inspires me to sit down and do a project. Working full time makes it challenging for me to stamp but I still manage to sneak it in when I can. My favorite stampset would have to be SU! “Priceless”. I can always seem to fit it into whatever scrapbook page or card I am trying to make. So when creativity escapes me, I reach for that set. I hope you are teaching in the NJ/NY area sometime soon. I would love to take a class with you!
-Michelle H.
This card is awesome, and as always, your work is amazing! When I have a “block”, its usually for a “male” card. Lovely as a tree usually helps!
I always chose Heartfelt Thanks. I love the great looking fowers that are always created with this two step set.
thanks for sharing your wonderful talent.
Picking an all time favorite is so hard. I think it would be watercolor garden. But also “art of life” Touch of nature are in the running. My most used is probably Paint Prints. I will never part with that set!
I don’t know if I have just one favorite set, but if I have a block, I seem to grab some type of a swirl or flourish stamp. Maybe because you can’t go wrong with something pretty. Thanks Michelle for all your time. Your awesome
Wow! Another amazing tutorial. I think my favorite stamp set is A Touch of Nature from Stampin Up. The images are very versatile - can be used for girl or guy cards. I love this stamp set you are offering for blog candy. Thanks for the chance to win it.
June
As usual another gorgeous card, I finally have mastered the brayer technique thanks to all your wonderful tutorials!!!
You are so lucky to be gifted with your talent!!
Jen in Ohio
I look forward to seeing your tutorials each day.
My all time favorite stamp set is Botanicals from Stampin’ Up! That’s that set that I never had a problem coming up with ideas for. I miss it but hopefully they’ll come out with something similar one day.
Happy Stampin’
My favorite stamp has to be Autumn Blessings I think — I always seem to have it out and use it so much teh rubber is well “seasoned”…lol…Please enter me in for the blog candy. I just love your newsletter!
I have a really great frog stamp, but when I want to use it I just don’t know how to start colouring it. Green is such a difficult colour for me. Maybe when I’ve saved enough money to buy a box of Derwent pencils, I’ll find the right green and start using this stamp. Greetings from Belgium, Annelies
you never stop amazing all of us with what you can do with a brayer!!! you are so inspirational!
my all time favorite “go to” stamp set would probably have to be barouque motifs. i have used it for everything!
Sweet card Michelle, I love your Tutorial, I understand all, I come from Indonesia and living in Germany now. My favorite Stamp is the OWL from Pink Cat Studio, I made many cards with this stamp. Greeting from Germany (Munich), Monika
Love the aged look of this card - excellent tutorial on how to achieve the effect. My favorite stamp set: Carte Postale (can’t believe it’s retired!). There are so many ways to go with it, and it always looks elegant.
Because I live in Hawaii, I like to send my family on the mainland tropical cards. My favorite set is the Baha Breeze. No matter how many times I’ve used it before I can always get going once I put that palm tree on the paper. I too like to make my own background paper. I am never at a loss for background inspiration when I look out at the beautiful ocean and amazing sunsets here in Hawaii.
Aloha and Mahalo for all of your awesome inspiration.
I love your tutorials! You are so talented! My favorite stamp sets would have to be Lovely As A Tree and Unfroggetable. My son’s name is Jeremiah, and since the day he was born, every time people hear his name they sing “Jeremiah was a bull frog” to us. So… we have taken the frog as a family mascot, and I love collecting frog stamps!
Your card is gorgeous as always, and how in the world do you do so much? My favorite SU set right now is Polka Dots and Paisley, as I love to use the dots for making background paper. I cannot leave any piece of paper plain or untouch. Just ask my friends! Any chance of coming to the Cleveland area for a workshop? Thanks for all your art.
Gorgeous card, love your tutorials!!! My favorite Stamp is the Linen Background. I use it for any piece of plain cardstock just for a little bit of structure as base for the background, for example Flowers or Polka Dots in a brighter colour with the Linen Background just in the colour similar to the Cardstock.
Michelle,
Love your card. Read your blog everyday you post. Practicing with my brayer. Will post a card when I get half as good as you. My favorite set is between Lovely as a Tree and Garden Silhouettes. Thanks for all the inspiration.
Pam
Your tutorials are always the best instructions around! Thanks for taking the time to share your talent. When I have a block - usually I’ll head for my Penny Black stamps–there’s always something there that’ll get me going.
I love this card. I have bought a lot of stamps in the last few weeks since I have discovered your blog! I tend to go for the more realistic stamps of flowers, birds, trees, or animals (and yes, I had to get Wildlife Reserve after seeing you use it on the card with the fox-it was gorgeous!). Probably my favorite go-to set if I am stumped would be either Wonderful Wings or Stipple Butterfly. I can usually figure out some sort of background to put with those sets. After watching you the last few weeks, I have tried brayering a background too. Thank you for all the hard work that must go into your tutorials. I truely appreciate them.
When I am stumped, I reach for a butterfly stamp. Any butterfly stamp. I just learned about your blog, and find it fascinating! You do such a good job. Congratulations. God bless.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks again for another great tutorial. As always great work. Love coming home from work and having that waiting for me. Right now my all time favorite stamp set has to be SU Lovely as a Tree or Yukon. But to give me inspiration when I am in a slump is not the stamps themselves, it is seeing what others have done with them. And with your great tutorials, you give me lots of inspiration.
Thanks for the chance to win some blog candy.
Kim
As always Michelle, you WOW us!! Thanks for opening our eyes to all that can be done with the brayer! Keep ‘em coming!
And I SOOO want to know if you teach a prayer class in the Puget Sound area(Seattle)!
Sorry! Forgot to add that I actually don’t have a ‘go to’ stamp set - just some ‘go to’ blogs! If I work on CASEing a card I usually end up going off on a tangent and creating my own in the end!!
My favorite has changed over the years I have been stamping. For about the last 5 years my favorite has been the now retired Stampin’ Up Roses in Winter. I reach for that one over and over again and always feel satisfaction with it. This year they have come up with A Rose is a Rose so I probably will need to try that one. I love your site and learn a lot from you. Thank you so much for all the fun.
Thank you so very much for sharing!
You ROCK!!!!
Tammy
Michelle, your tutorials are so amazing and inspiring! I haven’t been stamping long but I do love my Stampin Up large backgroud stamps, I have quite a few. I also love birds and trees which I have a lot of…mostly hero Arts and Inkadinkado.
Hi Michelle,
Another inspiration card !! Thank you for sending your work of art to us every day.
They call me the butterfly lady!!! any butterfly stamp will do.
Rae
OMGoodness your tutorials are fantastic. I’ve just subbed to your blog so I can have a go at them all!
When I’m stuck for an idea I always end up grabbing Seeing Spots, I love every card I’ve seen using Heartfelt Thanks so am now desperate to get my hands on that one
Whenever I am searching for ideas, I find myself reaching for Lovely As a Tree… it is just so versatile and appropriate for nearly every occasion. Thanks again for sharing your tutorials and inspirations, and for the chance to win blog candy!
Wow - yet another great tutorial. My go-to stamp when I’m sitting and trying to do something is usually a nature stamp - such as a butterfly, dragonfly, trees, flowers. For some reason, they just feel so comfortable and easy for me.
I’ve got two go-to sets, both from Stampin’ Up! Natural beauty and Oriental Gardens are my two most favorite sets, and they always look gorgeous on cards.
Great cards!!! They are simply amazing!! I would have to say I love my 7 Gypsies Notting Hill set. It has everything for every project and they layer so well! In fact I never put it away!
That’s a tough one. I LOVE all my stamps, but if I’m stumped it’s definitely the florals I reach for. Which floral? too many to choose from!
Amazing….you get so many comments on your tutorials. You are amazing. Your instructions are easy to follow. Which stamp is my favorite? That is too hard to come up with. I love my SU sets, Hero Arts, Autumn Leaves, Flourishs. I love florals and flourishs. Thank you for taking your valuable time to produce your tutorials for so many of us out here to learn from.
Neat card! Love the “cracked” stamp and all distressing. Free is my favorite kind of stamp, followed by dollar, followed by clearance/sale. (LOL) Really, I can’t pick one favorite stamp. There’s too many wonderful ones out there, with new stuff all the time. My favorite is the wood mounted rubber, followed my cling mount rubber. I have some clear, but just can’t get them to stamp as clear. I like vintage stuff, and I love to distress. I’m practicing with my prisma pencils and markers, but not quite there yet.
Love all these cards! I just discovered these wonderful tutorials. I wish I didn’t live so far away from you. I would love to watch you do this. Hopefully the pictures and the directions will get me through the project I have in mind. I love your dragonfly stamp!!! The card is just gorgeous!!! I never thought of using a brayer to create “fog” as you used in the latest tutorials. Now I have to find lots of free time, set up my kitchen table, and just make cards using your tutorials. You are truly inspiring me!
Hi Michelle,
Your cards & tutorials are always so inspiring & inviting!
I’ve got one of those stamp sets that I always reach for and
it’s “Baroque Motifs”!! That’s my all time favorite.
Thanks for the chance at the blog candy.
thanks for all your wonderful tutorials! You Rock!!!!
hugs,
Ret
I’m a lurker, Michelle! I’ ve been looking at your tutorials for a few weeks now and finally tried something a bit like your style myself. I was very pleased with the results, though it will take a bit of practice to get as handy with a brayer as you are!
I’m a lurker, Michelle! I’ ve been looking at your tutorials for a few weeks now and finally tried something a bit like your style myself. I was very pleased with the results, though it will take a bit of practice to get as handy with a brayer as you are! Sorry, forgot to post about my stamps….I love the new Stampin Up Happiness Always set! That’s what I used for my card a la Zindorff!
Wow, this is gorgeous and way beyond my capabilities, but I so love the marbled background effect.
I’m still a beginner stamper (I’m originally a scrapbooker) so my stamp collection is still modest, but my favorite is a set of baby themed stamps from Fiskars.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Hi Michelle!
I love your tutorials. You always make it look so easy! My favorite stamp is “solidago sprig” by Rubber Stampede. It is a flower sprig that can be colored with markers and spritzed with water to make a beautiful ‘watercolor’ look on paper. Each creation turns out differently and I love seeing how each one comes out. Very easy in a pinch!
Hey Michelle,
I must say I do love your Dragonfly cards… My favorite stamp is an old wooden textile stamp - I just love it although I mostly use it for backgrounds.
Thanks for all the inspirations!
Hi Michelle,
Love your blog and all your beautiful cards. My all-time favorite stamp is from the first set I bought–it’s the flourish from Baroque Motifs (Stampin’ Up).
WOW!! Great tutorials.
It depends on what mood I’m in and what I can find on my stamping table but one of my favorites is Baroque Motifs.
Hi Michelle
My favourite stamp set is Wonderful Wings and I use the large butterfly and the dragonfly most. I’ve done so many different cards and used so many different techniques with those - from bleach, H2Os, acetate, etc. etc.
An adoring fan
Looks like I found this just in time! My favorite go-to stamps(s) is the 2-step flower from the Heartfelt set. Lucky for me it didn’t retire this year as I would be lost. Love your stuff–thank you for being so dedicated and sharing!
wow! what a candy!! well…..what I always reach for in a pinch - I would love to say is SU - but alas no! I go to a set from Moveable Parts - and its a fuzzy dog set - either the small or the big one…its just like my Scruffy and Scruffy always makes a good card!! LOL thanks again!
Maureen
I love your cards. Whenever I get into stamper block, my inspiration is your work.
: - ) But I do love stamps with abstract designs, like paisleys and swirls.
This is a fantastic candy blog. Thank you for this generous offer.
Well currently my all time favorite set is the new Upsy Daisy set from SU! I have lots of favorites but that is just number one right now!
Thanks so much for the chance to win!
Another masterpiece, I see. This is late…but wanted to comment anyway. My favorite stamps tend to be either whimsical or romantic..I love the flourish stamp in “Boroque Motifs” and I love the frogs in “Unfrogettble”. Both are Stampin’ Up! stamps. Lately, I’m enamered with the bird stamp in “Always”. Just can’t get enough of birds with flourishes and florals on them. I find that your artistry inspires me to do sunsets and beach scenes brought on by the gradiation of color you accomplish with brayering and sponging. Brings me back to my childhood and my passionate love for the outdoors. Keep on inspiring us.
Michelle - I am a big fan of your work (of course) and you inspired me to step out of my little box and play more with my inks and stamps
Thanks for these fabulous tutorials - they are very much appreciated
First I have to tell you how much I love your tutorials - awesome! Well, I actually have two old sets (SU!) that are so easy to grab and make an easy card - Watercolor Garden and Teriffic Tulips.
Hi, just found your site and enjoyed the use of the dragonfly stamp. I’m wanting to find some dragonfly stamps.
I really don’t have a go to stamp, but have many (SU) stamps! I love making greeting cards with stamps, especially birthday cards, and Christmas.
Hi Michelle,
I have to say your technique of layering colors is what attracted me to your site. I recently just started stamping and have not tried your brayer background technique but I will do so as soon as I purchase some brayers. Your sky on the farmland card you did was striking.
My go to stamp is an old SU stamp called Stipple Butterfly. Depending on the color of paper I have on hand I can color in the butterly to match and most sentiments and other botanical stamps can be coordinated. I have embossed, water-colored and colored with markers the butterfly stamp and each time it looks different. I also use different hardware, gemstones, and eyelets to create a different look. The possibilities are endless. I guess you can say that about any favorite stamp.
Thank you for sharing your dragonfly technique.
Genevieve