Interview with DT member Bibi

Les intervjuet på norsk her. (Interview in Norwegian)

Name: Bibi Lindahl

Location: Fredrikstad, Norway

Occupation: Owner of Rubber Dance

Blog: Stamped by Bibi

How long have you been stamping and what made you start?

Since 1992 after seeing how beautifully a penpal had decorated her envelope with stamped images. I wrote back and asked her where she got them, waited a couple of weeks for her reply, then I sent a letter to the stamp company (Cherry Pie) and asked if they had a paper catalogue, which I received a couple of weeks later.  I quickly placed my first order (of many to come!), and waited two more weeks or so... Those were the days, before the Internet! Cherry Pie still exists, now with an online catalogue and shop, of course.

How do you improve your skills and/or learn new techniques? 

I keep learning a lot from the women on my DT and bloggers I follow. Back in the 90s and early 2000s, I subscribed to several US stamps magazines. Nowadays I only read Craft Stamper (UK), which I love. I'm not really a technique junkie, so what I'm looking for is inspiration and fun ideas. Pinterest can also be a great source for that.

How would you describe your style?

I'm not sure that I have a distinctive style as I like to dabble with different materials and styles, but I guess most of my cards are quite colourful and "flat" - without a lot of 3D embellishments. For the past few months I have enjoyed making CAS cards, too (= Clean And Simple), which has been a challenge - but a fun one!

What do you make the most often? 

I mostly make cards and tags, and I decorate all the envelopes in which I ship out stamp orders. I did some art journalling for a while, but ended up going back to my roots as a card maker.

Which materials/products do you frequently use?

Watercolour paper and watercolour paint, black archival ink, Distress ink pads, paint, stains and sprays (I have other brands, but Distress are my faves - and within reach on my work table).

How often do you make something?

Oh, that varies a lot! As much as two weeks can pass between each time I make a card or anything else. It depends how much work I have to do (admin stuff and filling orders). I am getting better at setting aside time to create, though, because I am happier when my fingers are full of ink. Did I say fingers? Make that hands and clothes, too! When I decorate shipping envelopes, I make them in batches so I have a pile ready. It's a nice activity when I don't feel super creative but need to feel that ink .... 

Where do you buy the supplies you need? 

I buy regular cardstock at a local craft store (Panduro), but order anything watercolour related from Ken Bromley in the UK, because they have so much more of it. I order my Distress ink pads from Bikuben (best price I've found in a Norwegian store). Once in a very blue moon, I visit the awesome stamp & scrap store Scrappiness, which is only a 20 minutes drive away. I always end up spending a fortune and a half when I'm there ... (they have everything - and then some!).

Are there any particular stampers you would like to meet? 

I would like to meet the women on my DT, current members as well as previous ones! We've also had quite a few guest designers that I'd like to meet, and of course several of the people who frequently join our challenges and leave comments here on our blog (hi there!). I have many online friends/stamping buddies whom I've never met in person. Sure would be fun if we could! Stamp retreat, anyone? 

Being the founder and owner of Rubber Dance, I have sort of been a member of the Design Team since the very beginning. What I like best about being on the team? Getting to know the other teamies (we also chat in a private FB group), having to meet a deadlines (push and challenge myself), and of course seeing what the other teamies make with my stamps! I could never have done this without the fab team members' help, their encouragement and endless creativity!

Here are some of the things I have made with stamps from Rubber Dance:

Stamps from African Animals, Winter Wonderland (sentiment), bow cut off from Gift Box

Stamp from Celestial Images

Stamps from Sew Sweet, African Animals, and Just a Note (sentiment).

Chipboard arms (gloves) from EyeConnect Crafts

Bee from Beautiful Bugs, Something Wonderful (sentiment)

Stamps from Vintage Birds

And, finally, this card - which won me an honouralbe mention 

at the CASology challenge blog just recently!

You can see my post here (including the poem that inspired me).

Thanks for reading this far! ;-)

All the other DT members have been interviewed this month.

Check out their answers here:

Gail

Susan

Anita
Susanne

 Love,

Bibi

♥