I started making my own greeting cards using rubber stamps about 14 years ago. There were a few magazines published at the time about the craft, but I mostly looked at the magazines and learned to stamp by trial and error and with some help from a stamping friend.

This friend got me hooked on stamping, and I blame (and thank) her for sharing this fun hobby with me. She would share her stamped cards and show me the techniques for making them.

To this day I'm still learning new techniques to create beautiful cards. I would venture to say I love the process more than the end result.

I recently received the book The Encyclopedia of Greeting Card Tools & Techniques by Susan Pickering Rothamel. The author is famous in the craft world for her unique techniques, beautiful cards and art objects she creates using rubber stamps and other artsy items. This book is loaded with ideas for the new and seasoned greeting card artist. It has detailed explanations for every tool and technique that a card-maker could desire to learn.

Each tool and technique is pictured with photos explaining how to use the tool and the process needed to complete the project. The projects range from rubber stamps to paint, fabric, fibers, beads and too many more to list.

One of the many features I love about the book is the artist profiles. Many famous card-makers are featured, along with pictures of their handiwork. The profiles are scattered throughout the book and add a special touch to the already information-packed reference guide.

I believe you could use this book as a tool for many years in the art of making greeting cards. I wish this book had been around when I first started. I know it has helped me remember some old techniques that I'd forgotten and also shown me new techniques that I can't wait to try.

This book is a must-have if you are interested in learning how to make your own greeting cards. I've been carrying the book around with me because it's one of the best I've seen in a long time that shows so many different styles of cards in one book.

The book is published by Lark Books, a division of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. It retails for $24.95 and can be purchased online at www.booksamillion.com.