Copyright Laws for Stampers

There is a very interesting (and sometimes heated) thread on a forum of which I'm a member regarding the copyrighting of rubber (and digital) stamps.  I'm getting so tired of stamp companies and designers trying to tell me what I can and can't do with MY stamps once I've BOUGHT THEM.  Here is my post in that thread:

Well, I know that people will disagree with my feelings on this subject, but this is how I see things. When I buy a stamp, I can do whatever I want with it, as long as I don't try to pass it off as my own design. A stamp is a tool, not a work of art that is bought to be hung on a wall or placed on exhibit solely as an artistic piece. If that's the case, then the stamp designers shouldn't have their designs made into stamps. (I'm not saying that the designers aren't artists, though, and I don't mean to de-value their talents.)



If I want to lend my stamps to friends or family, I will. If I want to stamp off some images to give away or trade, I will. If I want to sell cards or other hand-made projects, using hand-stamped images, I will. If a stamp company has nothing better to do with its time than come after and sue little old me, then it can go right ahead. I don't have time to research and keep track of each and every stamp company's Angel Policy (which I don't believe is enforceable anyway). If they feel that strongly about it, they should include their policy with the stamp so that I can make an informed decision about whether or not I want to buy their stamps.


There are plenty of stamp companies out there that don't have a problem with any of the things I've mentioned. I've refused to buy stamps from some companies who have made it very clear that they are very proprietary about their images and don't even want you sharing stamped images. That's my right as a consumer.


As I said, I know others will disagree with me, but that's how I feel. With all of the things I have to worry about in my life, this is very small stuff. And I try not to sweat the small stuff.

And, by the way, shame on those stamp designers and companies who are asking us, the consumers, to do their policing for them.  I refuse to rat out my fellow crafters if they aren't following "the rules."  It's not my job to study your (unenforceable) rules and then monitor my friends and family for you.  If you want that done, you're going to have to do it yourself.   Big Brother is NOT going to be watching.  Sorry.

My Review of the Gypsy by Provo Craft

Here's a link to my newest article on Scrapjazz.  Check back soon for some cool card ideas for Father's Day.  Thanks for visiting, and remember to be your crafty self.

Newest Additions to My Etsy Shop

I L-O-V-E Swarovski Crystals!  Here are the 2 newest additions to my shop.  Hope you can drop by for a look!

Die-Cut Daisy Card

(I've been trying to post this project for two days, but Blogger has had issues that are hopefully resolved now.  I hope you find it was worth the wait.  You can also find this article on Scrapjazz.)

Die-Cut Daisy Card


Daisies are one of the easiest flowers to die-cut and layer on a card or layout. You can keep it simple by using only one layer, or you can add as many layers as your heart desires. Here is a fun, quick card that you can make for spring birthdays, Easter, Mother’s Day, or whatever occasion is coming up in your life.

Here are the materials you will need for this project:


Sizzix Big Shot/Big Kick machine


Daisy Die (any medium-sized daisy die will work)

Circle Die (if your daisy die doesn’t cut a separate center)

Spellbinders Impressablities Flowers Template

Patterned paper

White core cardstock

Birthday stamp (lots to choose from at www.scrapbook.com)

Adhesive

Black inkpad

Directions:

1. Create card base by cutting white cardstock to 8 ½” x 5 ½” and folding in half to 5 ½” x 4 ¼”.

2. Cut white core cardstock to 5 ¼” x 4”, and emboss in Big Shot with Spellbinders die.

3. Sand lightly to reveal white core.

4. Adhere to white card base.

5. Cut 2 daisies out of patterned paper, using daisy die in Big Shot machine.

(Optional Steps: If your die doesn’t cut a separate center, cut a flower center using a circle die. If it doesn’t cut a leaf, you can either cut one with a die or cut one by hand. Another option is to simply leave the leaf out.)

6. Layer the daisies and leaves, and attach them to the card in the upper left section. Gently curl the tips of the daisy petals around a pencil, and fold the leaf in half vertically, to add dimension.

7. Add another half circle or other shape to the lower right section of the card.

8. Attach ribbon just below the daisy.

9. Stamp a greeting on a scrap of patterned paper with black ink.

10. Adhere greeting just below ribbon.



If you want to add even more dimension to your card, you can use foam tape or dimensional dots to your layers. Don’t be afraid to add your own embellishments and personal touches to this project. Happy crafting!

Color Pencil Technique

Here's a fantatic video by Shari Carroll from Hero Arts, showing how to color with Prismacolor pencils without using mineral spirits to blend them. I love it!