It’s no secret that a lot of scrappers like to create vintage looks, using vintage looking papers and embellishments or even the real thing. It lends some amount of authenticity to a scrapbook; by making it appear old, it feels more valuable. It better conveys the impression of years gone by.

And, it can also add authenticity by displaying actual vintage materials to the same time period as the photos and miscellanea cover. Vintage things are great for scrapbook pages of grandparents or great grandparents, even historical events your family may have taken part of.

For those looking for more vintage finds, Ask Anissa has put together a good list of vintage craft and information sites to get you going.

In an apparent effort to leave no form of art media behind, Thomas Kinkade works are now being made as rubber stamps.

Craft Critique has a review of these new stamps.

The Persepolis Fortification Archive Project has posted an interesting, though lengthy, article on ancient seals and their function and preservation in “Seals and Archives: Persepolitan Administrators and Their Images.” While arguably not written for the layperson, there are quite a number of interesting details that can be picked up.

Blogger Petal Bells shows how to make a faux fresco with rubber stamps and watercolors in her blog post “Faux Fresco.” Cooll stuff.

Blogger Bo has some neat ideas for some Artist Trading Cards involving fish scenes: “Fishy Set of ATCs.”

Although some of the ideas do involve using rubber stamps, honestly, it’s “The Entertainer” playing in the background that gets her the link.

Christy Hardin Smith does it to us again. Boos to her for, once again, using “rubber stamp” instead of “rubber-stamp” when referring to politicians in her post: “Progress?”

Oh, the agony!

Please excuse the informality, but it’s pretty cool when rubber stamps play a part in history.

In 1886, a riot occurred in Chicago after a bomb was thrown into a crowd at a labor rally. Albert Parsons and seven others were charged with the bombing.

Lucy Parsons, labor anarchist and wife of Albert, traveled nationwide to raise money for her husband’s appeal. She rubber stamped items she sold.

Albert Parsons and the other seven were found guilty and sentenced to death. Three were pardoned but Parsons and four others were hanged in 1887.

Flash forward some 120 years later, when a librarian found Lucy Parson’s rubber stamped impression in a book on the Chicago Haymarket Riot. An expert believes the impression to be authentic, and the book is estimated to be worth $3,000. It is the rubber stamp’s impression that increases the book’s value!

Source: “Bookstore owner: stamp is real”
The Daily Northwestern, July 12, 2007

For a change of pace from news and tips, today is going to be “I Love Stamping” Saturday. For today’s post, I am searching the blogosphere for people talking about loving rubber stamping. If you want to be included in next Saturday’s list, write a post on your blog about how or why you love rubber stamping and drop me a line to tell me about it!

Today’s List:

StampGirl: “I (heart) stamping!!“: “I really do. I absolutely love it!”

Paula: “Third Time Is the Charm!“: “Mr Fluffles is so cute! I just love stamping this image…”

Kendra: “About Me…“: “Of course my favorite would have to be my stamping area and my office.”

Cathy I.: “Tag, I’m it!“: “I love all kinds of crafts but stamping and scrapbooking are high on my list right now!!!”

TGGRFriend: “I’ve been tagged!“: “Most days I can be found hanging out in my stamp room and am completely and totally addicted to stamping…”

Nina: “The Boy Who Lived Grows Up … and TAGGED“: “I am currently obsessed with rubber stamps.”

This Saturday’s efforts were made easier by a blog tag meme going around. Probably won’t be so lucky next week, so be sure to contact us if you love stamps and want to be listed next I Love Stamping Saturday!

Blogger Karen has a written a thoughtful post on the “digital divide” in the scrapbooking community: “Digital vs. Traditional Scrapbooking.”

In my opinion, the more important issue is over scanability, as mentioned in an earlier post, “Archiving Your Memories.” Scrappers should create their scrapbooks in the way that is most pleasing, enjoyable or easy for them. Creativity isn’t limited by the tools you use; it’s limited only by what you can do with those tools.

Being able to pass along your scrapbooked memories to the next generation is also important. That’s why I think it is best to use standard-sized paper, whether you create your pages digitally or traditionally (or a mix). That way, copies or scans can more easily be made, and multiple copies can be distributed among your heirs. Why should scrapbooks (and the memories they contain) be split among your children when everyone could have a copy of their own?

Blogger Amy Ybarra Murphy (Craft Chi) has a way to create some cool treads on your threads: “Sneaker Stamps.”

That’s right: use your sneakers for stamping. That’s one way to stomp your art out!

Combine with a stencil (as shown in her blog entry) to create patterns in different shapes. Or, use ‘em plain and let the world know you’re its stepping stone. Ask for time off because you got walked on during the commute to work. Or, just get extra use out of those overpriced shoes that didn’t last six months.

Don’t have any old shoes? Go here and buy some cheap shoes.