April's Review	Andrea's Review	Randi's Review	Catherine's Review	Chris' Review

Review by April

One of the things I've always wanted to learn more about is stamping! I have stamps in my scrapbooking stash, but I've never really put them to good use. I jumped at the chance to review the new PageSage Rubber Paper Scissors DVD for two reasons: One, I was hoping I would finally learn some cool stamping techniques that would make me want to add stamps into my everyday scrapbooking routine! Two, I've seen two other PageSage DVD's and not only did they create some really cool projects, but I was totally inspired by them and encouraged to try new techniques!

PageSage's Rubber Paper Scissors DVD is packed with over 129 minutes of rubber stamping techniques! The instructor, Judi Watanabe, is well known for her published artwork and makes learning fun and easy. She starts out by showing some of the basic tools that complement stamping, as well as the difference between ink pads, and how they can benefit your projects. The DVD menu offers the following choices: Play (this plays each of the techniques on the video), Basics (which talks in detail about tools and supplies), Projects (there are 9 different ideas that include techniques like masking, resists, folds, making windows, and using embossing powders in unique ways), a Gallery (filled with more than 100 samples of artwork), and Extras (where you can find tips on projects, supplies used, bloopers, and even previews of other PageSage DVD's)! The stamping projects start out simple and basic, perfect for beginners, and then progress to more advanced stamping techniques, offering great ideas for more advanced stampers!

I would usually rather make a layout then a card, however after watching this DVD, the first thing I wanted to create was card with a unique fold that was demonstrated on the DVD. I used some of my clear decorative stamps and Encore Metallic Ink to create the designs. I added some lavender glitter embossing powder around the square frame stamp to help it stand out. I also embossed the stamped hearts and then applied pop dots on the back of them to add a little more dimension. I used a cut and fold technique from the video and a masking technique to help with my design.

Title: Thank You Card
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Prismatics: Black)
Ideas from (PageSage DVD: Rubber Paper Scissors)
Embossing Powder (Ranger: Glitter embossing powder in Lavender)
Ink pads (Tsukineko: Encore Ultimate Metallic in Silver)
Stamps (Fancy Pants, and October Afternoon)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner, All Night Media pop dots)

I have always wanted to create a pop up card and was excited to learn this was one of the projects on the DVD. I used an embossing pad, powders, and a decorative clear stamp, to create the background design. Then I used clear stamps, Staedtler's Watercolor markers, and some Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink to create the pop up block and other designs. To complete the card, I matted it with a darker cardstock, added a rub-on and some journaling lines, and then used my glitter pen to enhance the decorations.

Title: I Love You pop up card
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Prismatics: Iced Pink, and Razzleberry Dark)
Ideas from (PageSage DVD: Rubber Paper Scissors)
Embossing Powder (Ranger: Antiquities Rose Quartz, Holographic)
Embossing Pad (Ranger: Big & Bossy Embossing pad)
Markers (Staedtler Watercolor Brush Markers Graphic 3000 Duo)
Ink pad (Clearsnap: ColorBox Fluid Chalk in Dark Peony)
Pen (Sakura Star Dust Gelly Roll)
Stamps (Fancy Pants)
Rub on (Flair Designs)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

For my last project, I wanted to try some of the stamping techniques from the DVD that focused on Fluid Chalk ink pads and watercolor use. First, I used a clear stamp and a Fluid Chalk ink pad in Alabaster (a creamy white), to stamp all over the layout. Then I created the lime and dark pink block designs by laying the ink pads directly on the paper over the stamped images. This allowed the "Alabaster" colored flowers to show through the lime and dark pink blocks. I added more stamped flowers in a darker green all over the page. I also used Fluid Chalk ink to stamp the flowers at the bottom, colored them in with watercolor markers, cut them out, and applied pop dots on the back of the flower border strip to add some dimension. I outlined the picture with a watercolor marker and then used it and the some of the other ink blocks to journal along.

Title: Friends
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Prismatics: White)
Ideas from (PageSage DVD: Rubber Paper Scissors)
Markers (Staedtler Watercolor Brush Markers Graphic 3000 Duo)
Ink pad (Clearsnap: ColorBox Fluid Chalk in Alabaster, Lime Pastel, Dark Peony, and Olive Pastel)
Stamps (Fancy Pants)
Pencils (Crayola Colored pencils and Twistables)
Pens (Sakura Star Dust Gelly Roll, American Crafts Precision pen)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

After watching this DVD and creating projects inspired by it, I feel much more confident in my stamping ability. I took notes while watching Paper Rubber Scissors and I'm looking forward to trying out several of the new stamping techniques I learned. What I thought was great about this DVD, was that fact that it teaches a variety of techniques for both beginning stampers and more advanced stampers. I think this PageSage DVD is an excellent choice for stampers of all levels!

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Review by Andrea

Come "play" in the world of Rubber Paper Scissors with PageSage's new creation!

You just cannot beat the ease of watching a DVD in your home at any hour of the day, day of the week or dressed in any attire! PageSage offers you that luxury for less than $30 with their wonderful art DVDs. Their newest creation featuring Judi Watanabe, creator of Judikins, has terrific instructions for creating with rubber stamps, paper, ink, paint and scissors. Judi creates beautiful projects right before your eyes illustrating techniques that you may have wondered "how'd they do that?" or "how do you use that ink or paper?". Starting with simple basics for rubber stamps and inks, Judi explains the differences between them offering the viewer expert knowledge within a matter of minutes. After stamping for over 10 years, even I had a couple "a-ha" moments watching the Basics and Inks section at the beginning of the DVD!

The action really starts when you enter the Projects section of the DVD. There are nine distinct sections featuring a specific technique or product, all with examples completed during the taping of the segment and more in a gallery at the end of the segment. The sections are split into: Solids (bold image stamps and dye inks), Colors (bold image stamps and markers), Powders (heat embossing and pigment inks), Masks (layering images and dye inks), Backgrounds (mixed mediums), Resists (chalk and solvent inks), Folds ("active" cards with moving panels), Windows (acetate and solvent ink) and Pops ("active" cards with pop-up images).

The DVD was taped in a well-lit studio with good sound. The camera angles were shot from the appropriate overhead position or close-up location when needed. The DVD itself is chaptered with easy indexing to find specific gallery images or projects. The "Extras" section at the end of the DVD has one of my favorite PageSage regulars - the bloopers. It's great to watch the Pro make mistakes too! The "Tips from Projects" segment features over 51 tips that are highlighted during the taping! Through the nine segments, that averages over 5 tips per project! Pretty impressive in my book.

I have to say that it was very difficult for me to decide where to start! This first layout takes some of the layering ideas from the "Solids" section of the DVD to create a background. Did you know dye inks are transparent? You can see from layering the stamped images and colors that the underlying shows through. I guess I knew that was the case, but hearing Judi specifically point it out brought my attention to the potential of that characteristic.

Title: August 2007
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Prismatics: White and Frosted Yellow)
Idea Inspiration for Background (PageSage DVD, Rubber Paper Scissors)
Mesh (Magic Mesh, 12" x 12" Yellow)
Stamps (Inque Boutique, Fun & Funky Flowers)
Ink (Stampin' Up!)
Quote (Flair Designs, Summertime Vellum Quote Book)
Topper (received in a swap)
Brads (unknown)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

One of my favorite techniques is heat embossing and resists, so combining the two is so FUN! The title circle on the next layout was created using both. The letters were stamped using embossing ink on pink paper then embossed with clear powder. That piece was sprayed with color wash "masking" the pink color underneath. What a great contrast!

Title: Pure
Products used: Idea Inspiration for Title Circle (PageSage DVD, Rubber Paper Scissors)
Patterned Paper, Coaster and Tags (My Mind's Eye, Kaleidoscope)
Stamps (Autumn Leaves)
Ink, Color Wash and Embossing Powder (Ranger)
Bling (Rhinestone NY)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

The "Windows" segment really caught my eye as working with acetate is another favorite of mine. For this card, the goldfish was stamped on acetate (transparency film) using StazOn solvent ink, turned over and covered with Crystal Lacquer. Dye ink drops were added from reinker bottles and moved around with a paint brush to "color" the fish. Glitter was added as a last step before setting aside to dry. When the lacquer was dry, the final card was assembled. A similar project can be found in the ScrapFriends How-to section: Stamped Acetate Card .

Title: Happy Birthday Card
Products used: Idea Inspiration (PageSage DVD, Rubber Paper Scissors)
Metallic Cardstock (WorldWin Papers)
Transparency (Apollo)
Stamps (Lasting Impressions with Panache)
Ink (Tsukineko: StazOn Jet Black and Encore! Ultimate Metallic Honeydew and Gold)
Crystal Lacquer (Sakura)
Dye Reinkers (Stampin' Up!)
Fiber and Glitter (unknown)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

Rubber Paper Scissors is a great DVD for any type of crafter. The stamping segments were very useful in explaining the different products available today for stamping, from ink to paper. The paper projects were especially fun and easy to follow. I really liked the step-by-step explanation which made you feel like you were right there in front of Judi! I do wish the additional comments that popped on the screen had an auditory beep to let you know they were there - it was a little tough when writing down the tips to look up and see the typing disappear off the screen! Good think rewind works on the DVD too!

If I had this DVD when I first started stamping and working paper, imagine the projects I could have created years ago! Get this DVD for yourself and any friends that love to stamp and work with paper. They'll love you for it!

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Review by Randi

Having reviewed several other educational DVD’s by PageSage, I knew I was in for a treat when this arrived in the mail. Rubber Paper Scissors, is –as it sounds – about stamping. Judi Watanabe is the featured artist, and she leads us through over two hours of happy creating with stamps using all sorts of techniques. Whether you are a beginning stamper or a seasoned one, you’ll find lots to learn and do here.

One thing that I especially appreciate about PageSage is that they don’t assume anything. The DVD includes a “Basic” option that includes tips and instructions covering supplies needed. Each tool and product is shown and Judi tells WHY you will need each item as you work through the DVD. Mounted rubber stamps are explained, even telling the four parts and some differences in how they are manufactured in various companies. She also explains unmounted stamps and how to use them.

Another section in the “Basics” explains the various types of inks and how to identify them, and the advantages between dye inks, pigment inks, (with a special section on Metallic Pigments), and solvent inks. An example of stamping with each of these is shown, plus how to use the re-inker of each type plus how to clean the stamps. The tips given in this section alone are well worth the price of the DVD if you are a beginning stamper! You’ll graduate to a higher level in quick order just by watching this segment.

Judi tells us how to recognize coated and uncoated papers even providing stamped examples which show the differing results one can achieve with the same ink just by changing the type of paper used. Rubber Paper Scissors concentrates on card creations, so a great explanation of scoring your paper into a card base (using various tools) is explained. Nothing is left to chance as you also get demonstrations of using various paper cutting tools, and even tips on how to clean and keep your tools sharp. This is a thorough beginning course of how-to’s!

The actual stamping segments are separated into chapters about

• Solids – learn how to use three colors of dye-based ink on the same project using a stamp with a solid image.
• Colors - this segment uses outline stamps and shows how to add color to the stamping with colored pencils, and also how to apply brush markers directly to solid stamps to add color to your stamping.
• Powders – Judi takes the mystery out of embossing powders and UTEE types of powders and shows us how to use them in this segment.
  
• Masks – shows how to do the masking technique using dye-based inks, markers, stipple brushes, and silhouette stamps
• Backgrounds – this technique creates backgrounds for your projects and uses solvent ink, pastel chalks, watercolors, and a brayer.
• Resists – This segment demonstrates two types of resists. One uses clear embossing powder and a heat tool while the other uses white chalk ink with a buff technique.
• Folds – demonstrates different types of folds to create movement on the card.
• Windows – This segment uses clear acetate (transparency plastic) and instructs how to create different types of window areas in cards. Very cool!
• Pops – who can resist a card with a pop-up feature? This segment is a great place to learn how to create them!

Here are just a couple of my projects inspired by this DVD. In the first layout I used a direct to paper technique coupled with masking to create the background. I colored the stamps with markers and used the "huff" technique for the dragonfly stamp.

Beautiful
Rubber Paper Scissors DVD by PageSage
Herbal Garden Light Prismatics Cardstock, Prism Papers
Lime Pastel, Dark Brown and Aquamarine ColorBox Fluid Chalk Inkpads by ClearSnap
Honeydew Encore Ultimate Metallic Inkpad, Tsukineko
Dragonfly stamp, Inkadinkado
Watercolor Brush Markers, Staedtler
Leaves Mask, Heidi Swapp
'Beautiful' Scriptina Die Cut Topper, Sarah Heidt Photocraft
'Beauty' Rub On, K & Co
Permanent Bond Glue Runner,Adhesive Tech

This layout about my in-law's 50th anniversary party features embossing and metallic ink.

50 Years
Rubber Paper Scissors DVD by PageSage
Gold Metallic Cardstock, Prism Papers
Number Stamps, MaVinci
Swirl Stamp, Time to Stamp
Gold Encore Ultimate Metallic Ink Pad, Tsukineko
Ancient Gold Enchanted Gold Embossing Powder, Ranger
Gold Wedding Cardstock Stickers, Paper Studio
Gold Letter and Number Stickers, Mrs. Grossman's
Pieces of Time Stickers, American Traditional Designs
Permanent Bond Glue Runner, Adhesive Tech

While Judi is an expert, even she can make mistakes. One thing I really liked about this DVD is that instead of starting over, she showed practical ways to “fix” these easily made mistakes. These tips will save a LOT of projects that might otherwise have been pitched out!

Even though the DVD is dedicated to creating cards (and you’ll be an advanced card maker by the end of the presentations) the techniques presented here are easily carried over into scrapbooking projects. Judi even presents many layouts using the techniques in the examples which follow the lessons.

This PageSage creation is so jam-packed with tips and ideas that I can’t begin to comment on them all in the space allotted for this review. My recommendation? Skip the crowds at the stamping conventions and BUY this DVD! Watching the entire DVD at once can be overwhelming, so work in segments. Try a technique for a day or even a week then move onto the next one. It contains enough classes to keep you stamping and learning for a long time to come.

Note: Many thanks to the following companies for providing their products to use in the process of this DVD review: Ranger Embossing Powders, Tsukineko Encore Metallic Ink Pads, ClearSnap Colorbok Fluid Chalk Inks, Staedtler’s Watercolor Brush Markers, Prism Papers, Adhesive Tech, and Tie One On Ribbons.

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Review by Catherine

PageSage is one of those companies that you know is going to produce high quality products. I’ve had the opportunity to review several of their DVD’s, and I own several others. One of the newest DVD releases from PageSage is called “Rubber Paper Scisors Rubber Stamping Simple to Stunning with Judi Watanabe”. I was as impressed with the quality of this video as I have been with the videos I have seen to date.

Judi Watanabe is well-known in the rubber stamp community as the founder of Judikins rubber stamp and accessories company. Her teaching style is simple and straight forward, and one can tell that she has been teaching crafters for a number of years by the way that she easily explains concepts. If you have never stamped before, then Judi makes it extremely easy to start.

The run time of the PageSage Rubber Paper Scissors DVD is 129 minutes long. That’s over two hours of stamping. This is an extremely in depth beginning stamping video, in my opinion. The first section covers everything from Supplies, Rubber Stamps, Inks, Papers, Scoring, and Cutting. All of the basics needed to begin creating rubber stamped cards. The rest of the DVD contains techniques for creating cards. These sections are:

• Solids
• Colors
• Powders
• Masks
• Backgrounds
• Resists
• Folds
• Windows
• Pops

Beginning with the Basics section, through the rest of the techniques, I would consider this video to be for the beginning or early intermediate paper crafter. Judi moves very slowly and explains each and every step of the cards in great detail. The resulting cards that are created are beautiful and inspiring. There is also an Interactive Gallery section which includes more than 100 pieces of stamped artwork by Judi.

After watching the video, I was inspired to create a mini-album cover for my son for a book he had been asking for. After seeing the newest “Harry Potter” movie, he has been wanting a cool spell book. I used techniques I had seen in the DVD to layer stamps and create a background for the cover of the book.

 

Magic Spells & Wishes:
Products used:
Inspired by (Rubber Paper Scissors DVD – PageSage)
Metallic Cardstock (Prism Papers )
Stamps (Stampers Anonymous; Stampin’ Up!; PSX; Fancy Pants Designs)
Ink (Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink - Clearsnap)
Metal Fram (Karen Foster Designs)
Ribbon (from TOO Ribbon Club)
Glass Vial, Watch face (7gypsies)
Chipbard Star (unknown)
Adhesive (Ad Tech Permanent Bond Glue Runner; Glue Dots; Red-Line Tape – Magic Scraps)

For my next project, I had a set of rubber stamps that I’ve been wanting to use for quite some time. After watching the Rubber Paper Scissors DVD, I was inspired to use these stamps to create the background for a scrapbook page.

 

Embrace:
Products used:
Inspired by (Rubber Paper Scissors DVD – PageSage)
Cardstock (Prism Papers)
Metallic Cardstock (Prism Papers)
Patterned Paper (Fancy Pants Designs)
Ink (Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink – Clearsnap)
Flowers (Prima)
Stamps (Limited Edition – Danelle Johnson)
Journaling Block (MME)
Fabric Label (Creative Imaginations)
Adhesive (Adtech Permanent Bond Glue Runner; AdTech3D Design Blocks)

I love stamping on my scrapbook pages and other paper crafting projects. After watching this video, I have even more confidence in my stamping abilities. If you are one of those people that love watching other stampers create, or are into learning new techniques then the PageSage line of DVD’s is right up your alley. If you have always wanted to learn more techniques for stamping, or have been wanting to begin stamping, then the PageSage Rubber Paper Scissors DVD is exactly what you need. Check out this video today!

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Review by Chris

I have several PageSage DVD’s in my viewing library. I know that every time I pop one into my DVD player, I’m in for an exciting journey to new creative places. PageSage’s new Rubber Paper Scissors DVD did not disappoint me. Like many crafters, I own many stamps and the ink pads, embossing powders and other paraphernalia that go along with them. But I don’t use them nearly as much as I should. This new PageSage DVD presented many new techniques and projects and provided me with the much-needed inspiration to get out my stamps and just PLAY!

The artist in this new DVD is none other that Judi Watanabe, owner of Judikins, Inc., a leader in the world of art rubber stamping. Not only does she design and produce innovative rubber stamp images, she also develops many accessories for the craft. Judi has a wonderful camera presence and her talent in stamping and project design is obvious right from the start. It was a pleasure to watch her.

Rubber Paper Scissors is a perfect instructional DVD for all levels of stamper. The beginning stamper will appreciate the introductory chapter on the Basics of Stamping, which includes images and detailed descriptions of supplies and basic techniques needed to create a successful project. Subsequent chapters include instructions on using solid stamps, creating multi-colored stamped images, embossing your stamped image, using masks to layer stamped images, creating unique backgrounds, creating designs using a resist technique, folding paper to create unusual card designs, putting windows in your cards and making action cards with pop-ups. There is an extensive gallery chapter with links that take the viewer back to the specific project instructions and a fun chapter with bloopers from the recording sessions. In addition to stamps, other products explored are various types of ink, watercolor/brush markers, colored pencils, embossing powders, and mask tape to name a few. After each instructional segment, the finished projects are displayed fully embellished, giving the viewer additional ideas for project completion.

I have a variety of solid stamps in my supply but I’ve never been really sure how to use them. The chapter on Solids provided excellent examples and instructions on ways to use these solid stamps. For my first project, I created a patterned paper using a collection of “retro” type solid stamps, another with a stamp of solid dots, and a third using two different outline flowers. For my inks, I chose three different colors of chalk ink from Clearsnap. I don’t like to waste papers, so I have used the solid white paper that comes in the pages of my albums as the foundation paper for my stamping. I love how this layout turned out.

{cousins}
Products used: Background stamping technique inspired by PageSage’s Rubber Paper Scissors DVD
Cardstock (Prism, Prismatics, Frosted Teal, Intense Teal, Frosted Kiwi)
Stamps (Hero Arts Dot Border, Zinnia Bloom, Daisy Bloom, Retro Squares)
Inks (Clearsnap ColorBox Fluid Chalk, Aquamarine, Lime Pastel, Creamy Brown; Cat’s Eye Pigment, Chestnut)
Die cuts (QuicKutz Sunshine; Flourish; Brackets)
Ribbon (Michaels)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech Permanent Tape Runner)

In keeping with my new habit of using up my leftover scraps, I created this cute card with my stamped patterned papers.

Birthday card
Additional products: Stamp (Kolette Hall)

I was intrigued by the chapter on using masks to layer stamped images. I have never been very successful with this and the detailed instructions in this DVD made the whole process much easier to understand. I created a mask of the girl-with-cat stamp image, and used that to apply images “behind” and around her. Then I used the negative of my mask to protect the background while I colored in the various parts of the girl image. I did not have the Eclipse tape referred to in the DVD, but the Easy-Tack spray repositionable adhesive from Krylon worked fine to make a repositionable mask. I’m quite happy with the outcome of this project!

Bonjour! card
Products used: Project inspired by the Masks chapter of PageSage’s Rubber Paper Scissors DVD
Stamps (Rubber Romance Janelle, Bonjour!, Hampton Arts Large Pocket Watch; Hero Arts Italian Poetry)
Inks (Ranger, Distress Inks, Tattered Rose, Scattered Straw, Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, Dried Marigold; Printworks, outliner)
Watercolor pencil (Derwent)
Paper (Judikins, MatteKote)
Cardstock (Prism Prismatics, Suede Dark Brown)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, permanent tape runner; Krylon, Easy-Tack repositionable adhesive)

Once again PageSage has produced a superb instructional DVD. The projects are fantastic, the instructions clear and easy to follow and the instructor fun to watch and listen to. All levels of stamper, from beginner to experienced, will find something of interest in this DVD. It certainly will be one that I will return to over and over for inspiration and technique ideas.

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