I believe that necessity spurs creativity. Growing up in a large family, we were not always able to have everything we wanted, so we would come up with ways to make things ourselves.  My mother was an avid seamstress and superior cook. She could do wonders with a bolt of fabric. She even sewed dresses for my Barbie doll. (What I wouldn’t give to still have those clothes today!) 

I’m still using those skills I learned. When faced with a problem or challenge, the creative juices start to flow. Even though I have been a crafter for most of my life, I was not introduced to rubber stamping until about 10 years ago, and I haven’t looked back since. 

My obsession led me to a job at a local stamp store where I worked and taught classes for 5 years. It was the best job. I got to do what I love, create, teach, travel, and meet some wonderful people. 

The primary focus of my work is in rubber stamped cards but I also love collage, scrapbooks, mixed media and polymer clay. 

I am a Certified Instructor for SDU (Scrapbook Design & You), which is a program designed by EK Success partnered with AC Moore stores nationwide. My work has been published in Vamp Stamp News. There is a gallery of my scenes featuring Stampscapes rubber stamps on the Stampscapes website at (www.stampscapes.com).

I am an Inkling Moderator for the Ranger Inks Yahoo Group and my work has been featured several times on Suze Weinberg’s blog as well as on Youtube. Samples of my work are also on my blog at:

www.creativedestinations.blogspot.com 

Diane makes the most amazing cards using Cornish Heritage Farm's Thomas Kincaide rubber stamps.  She has graciously accepted our invitation to share how she makes these beautiful images!  Enjoy.

Thomas Kinkade’s Foxglove Cottage Scene
By: Diane Long, Guest Artist

Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

 Supplies:
Stamps:
Thomas Kinkade’s Foxglove Cottage stamp (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Papers:
White & light green cardstock
Inkjet printable acetate
Inks:
Ranger Archival ink in Sepia & Olive
Yellow & orange Sharpie markers
Ranger’s Adirondack Blending Solution
Other:
Colored pencils (I used Fantasia watercolor pencils & Prismacolors)
Wonder Tape 1/8 inch roll (Suze Weinberg)
Border stickers (Starform)
Q tips
Craft knife, ruler & mat

Directions:  

1. Stamp the image on smooth white cardstock. I like using Ranger Archival inks in Sepia or Coffee (this time I used Sepia). I stamp it with the rubber facing up and I put the paper on top. Securing the paper edege with one hand, I rub the paper with the other hand. 



2. Stamp the image again using Archival Olive on inkjet printable acetate. It can be found at most office supply stores. It is rough on one side and smooth on the other. This rough surface allows the ink to have something to adhere to. I also stamp this rubber side up. 
3. Now place the acetate over the paper and see what a difference the acetate layer makes! 
4. The coloring process can be daunting but just focus on one area at a time.
5. I do the windows first. Turn the acetate over onto the smooth side. Take a yellow Sharpie marker and color the windows, and then take a bit of orange marker and dab around the bottom of the windows. Put some Blending Solution on a Q Tip and dab to blend color. You can always go back and add more yellow again if too much was taken off. The windows are the only portion of the image that you will color in on the acetate.



6. Color the rest of the scene in using colored pencils, including the windows. To do the small flowers, I dot the color on using 2-3 similar tones. 



7. Layer the acetate over the colored scene & staple on one side to temporarily secure. Lift the acetate and place strips of Wonder tape around the outside of the scene, Peel off pink backing and press. Trim off excess paper/acetate. 
8. Take an 8.25” x 11” piece of green cardstock and score in half both ways. Now you have 4 squares. Cut one square away. On the diagonal square you will need to cut an opening for the scene. I use a piece of scrap paper that the scene is stamped on as a guide.



9. Put strips of Wonder tape around the opening and attach scene. Fold flap to cover the back of the scene. Trim opening with border stickers.