CDS Sneak Peek - Cocoa - It's a wonderful life

Each month, Clear Dollar Stamps releases "singles" which are single stamps that are "dollar stamps". Now where else can you buy adorable stamps for so little? I can tell you, I have some on my stocking stuffer list (for myself of course). My first samples shows the cup of cocoa and a sentiment stamp "It's a Wonderful life". You're probably asking why I decided to pair these two together? Well.... I'm a sucker for a nice Peppermint Hot Chocolate on those cold fall and winter mornings. If any of my friends are reading this - I'd like a Venti, non fat, extra hot Peppermint Hot Chocolate, still with whip. Hehehehe.... can you tell I start some mornings at Starbucks????

ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Cup of Cocoa, It's a wonderful life
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Gina K, Watercolour, Bashful Blue, Imaginesce DP
INKPADS: Versafine Onyx Black
MARKERS: Tombow Markers
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Pop Dots, Aqua Painter, Tombow Markers, Clear Embossing Powder, Liquid Applique, MS Snowflake Punch, Rhinestone, Re-useable Cup (Dollar Store)
COLORING MEDIUM: Tombow Markers

My second samples shows the cup of cocoa that I have stamped three times. I thought it looked really neat this way, especially with the whip on top and the Crystal Effects on the mugs.

ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Cup of Cocoa
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Gina K, Watercolour, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Imaginesce DP
INKPADS: Versafine Onyx Black
MARKERS: Tombow Markers
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Pop Dots, Aqua Painter, Tombow Markers, Clear Embossing Powder, Ribbon, Button, Linen Thread, Liquid Applique, Crystal Effects
COLORING MEDIUM: Tombow Markers

Check out what the team has created using the Single stamps.

Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask
Katie Renz
Kim Teasdale
Laurie Wilson
Linda Anderson
Nancy Grant
Sarah Taylor
Stacy Morgan
Tori Wild
Tricia Traxler
Trudy Sjolander

CDS Sneak Peek - Welcome to Parenthood.

Welcome to Parenthood is the newest release for Kim Teasdale at Clear Dollar Stamps available November 1st. Kim has a fun sense of humor and this set shows just that. I love this sentiment - "Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing, is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing". How funny is that???? I had to laugh at it as it reminds me of my stepdad who once it starts snowing, I swear he's out in the driveway shoveling all the snow away. I know he has a method to this madness (the snow's lighter, less to shovel at once but I just don't like shoveling snow). Last winter, I had my stepdad help me shovel at my house ( he felt bad for me because I couldn't get my car in the driveway). I've combined the sentiment with one of the houses from another CDS set called Nice Neighborhood.

ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Welcome to Parenthood, Nice Neighborhoods
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Gina K, Watercolour, Eskimo Kisses Basic Grey DP, Pink Pirouette
INKPADS: Versafine Onyx Black, Basic Black
MARKERS: Tombow Markers
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Aqua Painter, Tombow Markers, Clear Embossing Powder, Ribbon, Rhinestones, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, MS Snowflake Punch
COLORING MEDIUM: Tombow Markers

Other DT members showing this set are:
Candy Fosta
Katie Renz
Kim Teasdale
Nancy Grant

CDS Sneak Peek - Just Chillin'

Wendy Hall is one of the newest illustrators for Clear Dollar Stamps and this is one of her newest releases, Just Chillin', available November 1st. This set comes with a number of images as well as some super cute sentiments. To see what the full set looks like, make sure you check out Lori's blog, Clearly iStamp. I've used one of the penguin images from the set and colored them in with my Tombow Markers. Each month the DT is given challenges and I've done the color challenge here which was to use Red with one other color. Okay, okay... I kinda cheated ( I used white as my card base- Oops!!!). This was my first "Flower Soft" attempt and I have to tell you, I could become addicted to it. I thought that it would add just the right touch to Santa's hat.

ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Just Chillin'
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Gina K, Watercolour, Basic Black, Jolly by Golly Cosmo Cricket DP
INKPADS: Versafine Onyx Black, Basic Black
MARKERS: Tombow Markers
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Aqua Painter, Tombow Markers, Clear Embossing Powder, Polar White Flower Soft, Swirly Clip, Ribbon, Rhinestones, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug
COLORING MEDIUM: Tombow Markers

Other DT members showing this set include:
Candy Fosta
Nancy Grant
Tori Wild
Wendy Hall

CDS Sneak Peek - Jolly and Joy

I'm so LOVING this set from Shawne Arnold for Clear Dollar Stamps available November 1st. I love the whimsical look to it and how many pieces you can mix and match. Can you tell I'm a non-traditional girl when it comes to Christmas??? Isn't this too much fun? My inspiration for this card definitely came from my Cosmo Cricket DP. I've cuttlebugged one of the layers using a Snowflake EF to give it a slightly more weathered look and colored the images with my Tombow Markers.

ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Jolly and Joy
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Gina K, Watercolour, Ruby Red, Old Olive, Cosmo Cricket DP
INKPADS: Versafine Onyx Black
MARKERS: Tombow Markers
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Aqua Painter, Tombow Markers, Clear Embossing Powder, Linen Thread, Ribbon, Buttons, Silver Gel Pen
COLORING MEDIUM: Tombow Markers

Other DT members showing this set are:
Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask
Laurie Wilson (DT Leader)
Shawne Arnold
Tori Wild
Trudy Sjolander

CDS Sneak Peek - Baked for You

This new set, Baked for You illustrated by Lori McCroskey will be available November 1st from Clear Dollar Stamps. If you like to give baked goods as holiday presents or as a hostess gift this set is definitely for you. My first sample I thought would be perfect to put hot chocolate supplies in. I love a hot chocolate to keep me warm in the winter - mmmm.... The white space where I have stamped "Stir, sip and savor" will fit the different sentiments from the set so you can customize it to almost anything you want to.

ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Baked for you
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Gina K, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip
INKPADS: Versamark Frost Dazzle, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Nestabilities, Half Back Pearls, Ribbon, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Gift Box (SU)

My second sample uses two different stamps from the set, a cookie and then the circular sentiment "a little taste of heaven". You'd laugh if you knew the story behind the cookies.... So I'm about as good of a baker as I am a cook.... If you know me, I'm not that great at either. Can you believe I almost messed up the easiest cookies to make (they're Pillsbury - right out of the pack!!!). Almost a hockey puck was created but not quite. I made the cookies in the morning and left a note saying DO NOT TOUCH as I needed them for this project. I get home from work that day and all I hear throughout the evening is my brother saying "Have you taken a picture yet - I want those cookies!" Let's just say, he didn't mind the hockey puck consistency of my cookies and they all ended up in bellies of the ones I love.

ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Baked for you
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Gina K, Pretty in Pink, watercolor paper
INKPADS: Versafine Onyx Black
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Circle Punch, Scalloped Circle Punch, Tombow Markers, Aquapainter, Half Back Pearls, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Cellophane Gift Bag

Check out what the team came up with:
Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask
Katie Renz
Trudy Sjolander

CDS Sneak Peek - Charlie Nativity

Laurie Wilson has done it again with her newest Charlie set, Charlie Nativity available November 1st from Clear Dollar Stamps. This set also comes with "Joseph" - check out Lori's blog, Clearly iStamp for what the entire set looks like. This set really make us remember the true meaning of the season.

ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Charlie Nativity
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Kraft, Old Olive, Ruby Red, Watercolour
INKPADS: Versafine Onyx Black
MARKERS: Tombow Markers
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Aqua Painter, Tombow Markers, Clear Embossing Powder, Felt Flourish, Cuttlebug EF
COLORING MEDIUM: Tombow Markers

Other DT members showing this set are:
Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask
Katie Renz
Laurie Wilson (DT Leader)
Stacy Morgan

I'll be back later with some samples from a few other sets being shown today.

CDS Sneak Peek - Dog Day Celebrations

Hehehe.... I love this sentiment from Dog Day Celebrations available November 1st from Clear Dollar Stamps. This set is a companion set to Dog Days illustrated by Kim Teasdale. Because the dog has that "I'm so innocent" look to it so I knew it would work with what I wanted to do. I've used the wings, halo (I tried to make it broken) and the sentiment from this new too cute set. I have a bit of a naughty streak myself so I thought this would be fun. I already know who might be getting this card. I've colored the image with my Tombow Markers and an Aquapainter, then used Diamond Stickles on the Dog's wings. The snowflake was made using a MS Punch and I added the button on top of it with a pop dot.

ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Dog Day Celebrations, Dog Days
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Gina K, Watercolour, Close to Cocoa, Upsy Daisy DP
INKPADS: Versafine Onyx Black, Close to Cocoa
MARKERS: Tombow Markers
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Pop Dots, Aqua Painter, Tombow Markers, Clear Embossing Powder, Diamond Stickles, Linen Thread, MS Snowflake Punch, Ribbon
COLORING MEDIUM: Tombow Markers

Make sure you check out what the rest of the team has done with this set:

Candy Fosta
Katie Renz
Kim Teasdale
Sarah Taylor

Other sets being shown today include:
Holiday Patterns:Candy Fosta, Katie Renz, Laurie Wilson, Linda Anderson, Nancy Grant, Sarah Taylor

Railroad Memories:Candy Fosta, Cassie Trask, Laurie Wilson, Linda Anderson, Nancy Grant,
Stacy Morgan, Tricia Traxler

Reindeer Patchpal:Candy Fosta, Cassie Trask, Katie Renz, Laurie Wilson, Sarah Taylor, Shawne Arnold, Trudy Sjolander

Dino-mite:Candy Fosta, Linda Anderson, Stacy Morgan, Tori Wild, Tricia Traxler

See you tomorrow for some more sneak peeks.

You know you're old....

Happy Birthday Brian!!!! It's my stepdad's birthday today and he's been complaining about the fact that he's getting older so of course I had to make a card that pokes fun at it. The inside of the card says " Everything hurts and what doesn't hurt, doesn't work". How funny is that? I must admit though the old guy on the card looks much much older than my stepdad. You're only as old as you feel right? Can I just say I love this Gina K Set, "You know you're old when". It is so funny and I've been able to make cards with it for so many different people. It definitely captures my sense of humor, that's for sure.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Gina K - You know you're old when
Paper: Gina K Luxury White, Chocolate Chip, MME DP, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Basic Black
Accessories: Tombow Markers, Aquapainter, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Nestabilities, Swirly clip, Ribbon

Howdy - What's up?

Hehehe... Isn't he cute??? This is my fave image from the set, Howdy Partner illustrated by Shawne Arnold for Clear Dollar Stamps. This set was released October 1st so check it out. Each month the DT is assigned challenges and this one was to create DP using stamps from the set or from embossing folders. So you know me, I love my Cuttlebug Folders (sadly I own almost all of them and am stalking my local stamp store for the new releases that are coming out soon). I've colored the image using my Tombow markers and an aquapainter. I'm thinking about digging out my Prismacolor pencils if only I could find a local source that carries Gamsol (without having to drive an hour an a half to buy it).

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Howdy partner
PAPER: Gina K Luxury White, Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Blue Bayou, Watercolor paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black, Blue Bayou
MARKERS: Tombows
ACCESSORIES and TOOLS: Tombow Markers,Aqua Pen, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Nestabilities, Stars Cuttlebug EF, Ribbon
COLORING: watercolor on watercolor paper

Lovin from the Oven

Isn't Charliene just too cute? Baking with Charliene is a new release from Clear Dollar Stamps available now. Charliene comes with the cutest images to put on the platter as well as som pretty amazing sentiments. I fell in love with the set as soon as I saw it (although I must admit I'm not that great in the kitchen).

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Baking with Charliene
PAPER: Gina K Luxury White, Certainly Celery, MME DP, Watercolor Paper
INK: Versafine Onyx BlackMARKERS: Tombows
ACCESSORIES and TOOLS: Tombow Markers, Aqua pen, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Nestabilities, Pop Dots, Ribbon, Rhinestones
TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian peeps!!!! Today is turkey day so I had to pull out "Let us Gobble Together" from Clear Dollar Stamps. I love Thanksgiving - being able to spend time with my family. I didn't realize how much I liked Thanksgiving until I moved to the States for 3 years to teach in North Carolina. My first year down in NC, I said to my family that I wasn't home sick, didn't care about the family get togethers etc... Then about 4 in the afternoon it hit me how much I missed home - so I made a trip to the grocery store and made my own Thanksgiving meal. Okay... I had to improvise with a Rotisserie Chicken, Stove Top Stuffing and a packet of Gravy and a pumpkin pie! I vowed from that day that I needed to learn how to make a Thanksgiving Dinner. So the following year, I made the whole works with a turkey etc. As I've gotten older, I've tried taking away the cooking of the turkey from my parents but they haven't given it up quite yet. So I'm the "Stuffing Maker". Mmmmm... Stuffing is my fave part of the meal.

Hug your family today and think about all the things you are thankful for.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Let us Gobble Together
PAPER: Gina K Luxury White, Close to Cocoa, MME DP, Watercolor Paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
MARKERS: Tombows
ACCESSORIES and TOOLS: Tombow Markers, Aqua pen, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Nestabilities, Ribbon
TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

My first Attempt at Copics...

Kim Teasdale and I went on a little road trip (well actually a ferry ride and then a short drive) to take a Copics Class with Sherrie Siemens. For those of you who don't know Sherrie, she teaches the Copic Certification classes in Canada. This wasn't the certification class but just an intro to Copics. We made 3 cards in the class and learned a few techniques. You're wondering where that third card is, aren't you? Well.... it was hideous! My coloring was totally out of the lines and just plain bad. I couldn't bear to show it.



Loving the cherries! I love how they pop!!!


This image is just too cute! We used a Mister with blending solution in it to create the texture of the dog's fur. We were supposed to do some air-brushing on this card but the machine intimidated me so I didn't use it.

What do I think of Copics???? I haven't quite made up my mind yet. I like the look they give but I love how rich the colors look when I use my Tombow Markers. I wanted to buy some Copics the day of the class at the Store the class was being taught at but they didn't have any - you had to order them in... Well, I don't live anywhere close to this store (it's a 1.5 hour ferry ride and then an hour or so drive to the store) so I didn't get any. I may try to find somewhere on Vancouver Island that carries Copics so I can purchase a few. I know that if I decide to invest in
Copics that I definitely need to practice A LOT!

MTSC42 - Getting old in the parking lot

I know a lot of people with October birthdays so I thought I'd get a couple done before the day actually rolls around so I'm not left scrambling (This happens way too often even though I have a stockpile of cards right now). I can't say who this card is for but it's using the latest sketch from Mercy Kerin at Lord Have Mercy.

Can I just say Mercy always has the most amazing sketches? I love trying to do them every week and am always disappointed when I just can't fit them in.

Isn't this card great? The person this card is for has a great sense of humor so I know they will definitely get a good chuckle out of it! I love how it looks so girly and elegant yet with the sentiment it has that cheekiness to it. I'm a cheeky person so I know I can get away with this one.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Tickle the Funny Bone (Gina K)
Paper: Gina K Luxury White, Chocolate Chip, Sassafras DP, Bazzill Swiss Dots DP, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Basic Black
Accessories: Tombow Markers, Aqua Pen, Nestabilities, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Buttons, Linen Thread

Death leaves a heartache

As I mentioned yesterday, I had to make a few sympathy cards for the children of a close family friend. This card was made for Marion's son, Sean who I know was very close to his mom. He's a very earthy guy so I knew this would be perfect for him. I've combined Lovely as a Tree with a sentiment set from Impression Obsession called Sympathy Sentiments. I hope this brings Sean a bit of comfort in such a difficult time.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree (SU), Sympathy Sentiments from Impression Obsession
Paper: Gina K Luxury White, Chocolate Chip, 3 Bugs in a Rug DP
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Versamark, Basic Black
Accessories: Ribbon, Buttons, Linen Thread, Nestabilities

WCMD09C - Whatcha been doing?

I've been on a roll this weekend and although I had some cards I had to make, I wanted to be able to participate in some of the WCMD challenges at SCS. This card was made for the Stamping Bella sponsored challenge which was to make a card that shows what you and your girlfriends do to have fun. I don't get to spend as much time with my girlfriends as I like but when we do get together, a Starbucks run is almost always in the cards. You were also supposed to try to make it 80's inspired. I have to admit - I tried but the 80's were all about bad clothes and I just couldn't do that to these sweet bellas.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Javabellas by Stamping Bella, The Grind by Clear Dollar Stamps
Paper: Gina K Luxury White, Kiwi Kiss, October Afternoon DP, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Tombow Markers, Aquapen, Ribbon, Circle and Blossom Nestabilities, Clear Detail Embossing Powder

WCMD09A - Stars in Heaven

A close family friend passed away this last week and I've been asked to make some sympathy cards for the family. I've been putting it off for a couple days because they aren't something I enjoy making. This death has hit close to home as Marion is very close in age to my mom who I am incredibly close to. I can't imagine being the age I am and having to deal with the death of a parent. I've made this card for Monica who was incredibly close to her mom - I knew when I saw this sentiment that it would be perfect for her and that it would bring her some comfort.

I've made the card for WCMD09A at Splitcoaststampers - this challenge was to make a card wit either a quote or a sentiment as the focal point of the card. I've used the Indian Summer Line from Basic Grey. I love the softness of this paper - it's gorgeous. I already know I'll be buying more of it!

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Sympathy Sentiments by Impression Obsession, Serenity by Verve
Paper: Gina K Luxury White, Rose Red, Indian Summer by Basic Grey
Ink: Versamark, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Circle and Blossom Nestabilities, Floral Embossing Folder, Ribbon, Rhinestones, Clear Detail Embossing Powder

It's raining, it's pouring

It's Bellarific Friday at Stamping Bella!!! Most Fridays, it's a sketch but this week the challenge was to make either a Halloween or Fall related card. Well... I have no Stamping Bella Halloween images so I had to look through my stamps to find Belinda Bumperboots. Living on the Wet (errr... West) Coast in the Fall means Rain, Rain and more Rain. Hence the umbrella and gum boots. I thought about paper piecing the gum boots but when I was young, it was all about the black gum boots- there wasn't anything cool and funky like now. I've colored the image using my Tombow Markers and then used my Nestabilities to cut the image and scalloped layer. Note to self: Remember to cut out main image with Nestabilities before applying Glossy Accents and Stickles.... I had to wait for hours for everything to dry just so I could finish the card.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Belinda Bumperboots by Stamping Bella
Paper: Gina K Luxury White, Ruby Red, 3 Bugs in a Rug DP, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Tombow Markers, Aquapen, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Glossy Accents, Diamond Stickles, Ribbon, Half Back Pearls, Nestabilities

You rock my world

Happy Birthday Stacy!!! It's my hubby's birthday today so I purposely didn't show his birthday card as part of the CDS Sneak Peeks this past week. When I first met Stacy I knew he'd be a special part of my life and I'm honored to be his wife. He knows how I feel so I'm not going to get all mushy here but Stacy - you rock my world!!! Thank you for being part of it!

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Rock On
PAPER: Gina K Luxury White, Blue Bayou, Old Olive, Making Memories DP, Watercolor Paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
MARKERS: Tombows
ACCESSORIES and TOOLS: Tombow Markers, Aqua pen, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Stars Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Half Back Pearls
TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

MTSC41 Hang in There

Yeah!!! I found some play time this week although it be a couple of days late for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge. Life has been so insane lately with work and a variety of other things but as soon as I had the time I knew I had to play.


WOW!!!! This was a hard one Mercy! But I had to try to challenge myself. I must admit - I did alter the sketch a teensy weensy bit but not too much.

Didn't it turn out cute? I've had this Elzybell for about 6 months now but haven't used it as it wasn't time yet but with Christmas coming up, I wanted to pull it out. I've paired it with Clear Dollar Stamps' Hanging Out. The sentiment works perfectly if I do say so myself. I've used my Tombow Markers and an aqua pen. Diamond Stickles have been added to little Miss Elzybell's wings.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Hanging Around (Elzybell from Amuse), Hanging Out (CDS)
Paper: Gina K Luxury White, Rich Razzleberry, My Mind's Eye DP, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Basic Black
Accessories: Tombow Markers, Aqua Pen, MS Snowflake Punch, Rhinestone Brad, Ball Fringe Ribbon, Clear Detail Embossing Powder