Mr. Foxy

I have a new obsession.  I was fooling around on Pinterest one day when up popped the most intriguing stamp image on a card.  Turns out it was a Woodware Lino Cut.  I followed the link and found a whole bunch of them at Frantic Stamper.  How did I not know about these stamps?  Where are all the samples?  After much searching I finally found a Woodware blog and from what I can tell, the company owners retired in 2016.  I think they're no longer making new designs, but the existing designs are still on the market.  I'm really not sure.  Does anyone know more about these stamps?

I now have six of the lino cut stamps and more in my wish list.  Once I started stamping with them I didn't want to stop.  Perhaps their style is not for everybody, but I'm totally smitten.  I started with Mr. Foxy because I wanted a fall card, and he seemed right for that.  Somehow the cards ended up with a vintage look, which is something I rarely do these days.  Things happen.  I tell you, I don't always have control of my own stamping.

I made two cards, both 5" square.  Frames are Core'dinations cardstock, sanded for aging.  The stamped panel on each is smooshed with Versamark and embossed with ultra-thick embossing enamel, two coats.  The image panel for this first card was put in the freezer for a short while so it would curl up and then crack when I straightened it.  When I learned this technique it was called "cracked glass".  I rubbed ink into the cracks, wiped off excess.  Vintage-ish paper behind it.  All part of the aging process.

The next card is similar, but different.  Frame is smaller, designer paper shows on the outer edges, different die cut in the corner.  Brushed ink around the edges of the image panel while the die was still in place.  Most significant is that I used a sponge dauber to ink the image in two different colors.

I knew these cards would be difficult to photograph because of the glossy coating, but it was even more so than I imagined.  While I was able to avoid the harshest glare, there is a haze over some areas that diminishes the crisp awesomeness I see with my own eyes.

Okay, I've taken too much of your time already, so I'll wrap up here.  See recipe below and have yourself a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Woodware Mr. Foxy  Paper:  Whisper White, Core'dinations brown, 7 Gypsies Conservatory designer paper  Ink:  Versamark and SU Really Rust (both cards), Apricot Appeal (1st card), Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel (2nd card)  Other:  Ranger Ultra-Thick Embossing Enamel, Die-namites Ivy Corner (1st card), Poppystamps Hampstead Corner (2nd card), Spellbinders Grand Classic Squares (both cards)