CDS Sneak Peek - Toybox Time

Laurie Wilson is a master at illustrating and this set called "Toybox Time" is no exception. This set will be available January 1st from Clear Dollar Stamps. I wanted to keep this card simple and found a sketch online at Sweet Sunday Sketches by Karen Giron. She comes up with some pretty cool sketches. Toybox Time comes with a variety of toy stamps that we all remember playing with as kids. It's perfect for birthday cards, baby showers, and for scrapbooking pages as well.

CDS STAMPS USED: Toybox Time
CS/PAPERS: Gina K White, Basic Black, My Mind's Eye DP, Basic Grey DP, Watercolor paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Aquapainter, Tombow Markers, Nestabilities, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Ribbon
COLORING: Watercoloring with Tombow markers

Check what else is in the Clear Dollar Stamps toybox today:
Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask
Katie Renz
Kim Teasdale
Laurie Wilson (DT Leader)
Linda Anderson
Lori McCroskey (Owner of CDS)
Nancy Grant
Sarah Taylor
Stacy Morgan
Tori Wild
Tricia Traxler
Trudy Sjolander

CDS SOM - Kisses and Cookies

Each month, Clear Dollar Stamps creates a set for customers free with a purchase of $50 or more. Well this month, we're thinking ahead to Valentines Day and introducing you to Kisses and Cookies. I've made a few samples using this set which I thought would be perfect for little gifts for your loved ones.


Who doesn't love Hershey's Kisses?? As soon as I saw this set, I knew I wanted to make a card using the "Kisses" stamp and create a little gift package for my hubby. (Oops.... Guess I'll have to replace the missing Hershey's Kisses!!!


CDS STAMPS USED: JAN SOM Kisses and Cookies
CS/PAPERS: Gina K White, Basic Black, Pink Pirouette, Making Memories DP
INK: Basic Black, Pink Piroutte
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Nestabilities, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Ribbon, Mini Heart MS Punch, Hershey Kisses, Polka Dot Take-out Container

If you have kids who hand out Valentines for all the kids at school - what could be any quicker than these little love notes to give out? I think the set of 4 took me about 15 minutes total to make. Definitely something quick to make rather than buying pre-made Valentines.

CDS STAMPS USED: JAN SOM Kisses and Cookies
CS/PAPERS: Gina K White, Basic Black, Pink Pirouette
INK: Basic Black, Pink Pirouette
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Pocket Love Notes (SU)

Check out what the girls have cooked up for you today.
Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask
Katie Renz
Kim Teasdale
Laurie Wilson (DT Leader)
Linda Anderson
Lori McCroskey (Owner of CDS)
Nancy Grant
Sarah Taylor
Stacy Morgan
Tori Wild
Tricia Traxler
Trudy Sjolander

CDS Sneak Peek - Monster Mash

I think this month is one of my favorite releases for Clear Dollar Stamps! Monster Mash, a wonderful new set will be released on January 1st. As soon as I saw this set, a smile came across my face and I was in love! Who thought they could love a monster? The monsters from this set are just way too cute and would be great for any child in your life. I love the little one eyed monster. He's got an eye on us.... Hehehe.

DS STAMPS USED: Monster Mash
CS/PAPERS: Gina K White, Basic Black, Old Olive, Scenic Route DP, Watercolor paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Aquapainter, Tombow Markers, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Tags Trio (Spellbinders, Button, Embroidery Thread
COLORING: Watercoloring with Tombow markers

My second sample also is a monster but this one is sold as a single stamp called Mini Monster" as is the matching sentiment. How cute? I've made a set of 4 of these which I thought could be cute to give to moms I know so that they have some cute cards to give to their children. And we all know... there really isn't a boogy monster. Although as a child, my grandfather managed to convince me there was one who lived in their basement. I'm gullible!!!

CDS STAMPS USED: Mini Monster, Jesus beat the boogy monster
CS/PAPERS: Gina K White, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Scenic Route DP, Watercolor paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Aquapainter, Tombow Markers, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Tags Trio (Spellbinders), Clear Detail Embossing Powder
COLORING: Watercoloring with Tombow markers

Check out all the wonderful eye candy we have for you today.
Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask
Katie Renz
Kim Teasdale
Laurie Wilson (DT Leader)
Linda Anderson
Lori McCroskey (Owner of CDS)
Nancy Grant
Sarah Taylor
Stacy Morgan
Tori Wild
Tricia Traxler
Trudy Sjolander

SSD05 Lean on Me

Wow!!! What a whirl wind this last week has been. I've been sick for well over a week now and throw Christmas in there and I was one busy girl. I'm thankful it's over now and life can get back to normal - at least a little bit. It's Tuesday so that means.... Skipping Stones Sketch Tuesday. This is Kim Teasdale's last week as our Guest Sketch Artist and I just have to say she's created some amazing sketches that have been so much fun to work with.


I had fun making this card.... let's just say I had a big OOPS that I had to fix!!! I tried doing the sketch from memory (I'm getting older and this is something that apparently should not be done). I had the oval going the wrong way, rhinestones in the wrong place.... Reminder to self to make sure you write the sketch down before going into craft room. As you can see, I've flipped the sketch upside down (only because I originally messed up the sketch and didn't want to completely start back at Square 1).

For this card, I've used the set called Funny Bras Vol. 1. I actually borrowed it from Kim Teasdale as I don't have it quite yet. I love this set - the sentiments are witty, the bras are cute and who doesn't love a little "bosum" humour?

I rarely do close ups - but for this card I had to. I've used Taffy Smooch on the bra and then covered the entire oval section in Irridescent Ice. I then added a blue rhinestone in the center of the bra for a little bit of extra bling.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Funny Bras Vol. 1 from Skipping Stones Design
Paper: Gina K White, Melon Mambo, K and Company "Wild Raspberry" Collection
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark
Accessories: Nestabilities, Rhinestones, Taffy Smooch, Irridescent Ice, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Ribbon

CDS Sneak Peek - River Scene and Psalm 23:2

I'm back for day two of sneak peeks for Clear Dollar Stamps' January 1st release. I've paired the image "River Scene" with the sentiment from Psalm 23:2 to create this journal. I thought what a great way to showcase the two sets than a journal in which one can reflect in. I've picked the colors used based on my DP and I really like how it turned out. I'll be giving this to a friend of my mom's that I know will appreciate it and it will be well used. (I bet you I get asked to make another one). I love the scene in this stamp - it looks so peaceful and serene.

CDS STAMPS USED: Psalm 23:2, River Scene
CS/PAPERS: Gina K White, Old Olive, Daisy D DP, Watercolor paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Aquapainter, Tombow Markers, Nestabilities, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Journal, rhinestones
COLORING: Watercoloring with Tombow markers

Check out what the team has created today... The samples are all so beautiful!

Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask
Katie Renz
Kim Teasdale
Laurie Wilson (DT Leader)
Linda Anderson
Lori McCroskey (Owner of CDS)
Nancy Grant
Sarah Taylor
Stacy Morgan
Tori Wild
Tricia Traxler
Trudy Sjolander

CDS Sneak Peek - Charlie Sledding

I hope that the holiday season has been a blessing for you and that you've had the opportunity to spend time with friends and family. Look at this! Charlie is back at it for Clear Dollar Stamps in Charlie Sledding available January 1st. Hopefully some of you have snow right now and have been able to sled away the snowy days. This set comes with the one main image and then a variety of sentiments. I wanted to keep the card relatively simple yet wanted to create some type of scene - hence the "layers" of snow. On the edge of each snow drift, I've used diamond Stickles to create some interest. And can I just say - I'm so loving those flourishes????

CDS STAMPS USED: Charlie Sledding
CS/PAPERS: Gina K White, Chocolate Chip, My Mind's Eye DP, Watercolor paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Aquapainter, Tombow Markers, Nestabilities, Diamond Stickles, Glitter Flourishes (Making Memories), Clear Detail Embossing Powder
COLORING: Watercoloring with Tombow markers

There are a few sets being shown today so make sure you check out what all of the wonderful design team has to show you.

Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask
Katie Renz
Kim Teasdale
Laurie Wilson (DT Leader)
Linda Anderson
Lori McCroskey (Owner of CDS)
Nancy Grant
Sarah Taylor
Stacy Morgan
Tori Wild
Tricia Traxler
Trudy Sjolander

CDS Sneak Peek - Critter Tales

It's that time of the month again.... Clear Dollar Stamps Sneak Peeks with the release being January 1st!!!! We've got a bunch of great sets to show you over the next few days (I have two to show you today). What better way to ring in the new year than to have new stamps? This set is called Critter Tales. I love it! Hehhehe. I think the flamingo is just too cute for words and what a great sentiment to match. I've been on a black, white, pink combo kick lately and this card just screams Clean and Simple to me.

CDS STAMPS USED: Critter Tales
CS/PAPERS: Gina K White, Basic Black, Making Memories DP, Watercolor paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Aquapainter, Tombow Markers, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Clear Detail Embossing Powder
COLORING: Watercoloring with Tombow markers

Check out what the ladies have in store for you today. (I'll be back a bit later with another sneak - my fave of the entire January release).

Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask
Katie Renz
Kim Teasdale
Laurie Wilson (DT Leader)
Linda Anderson
Lori McCroskey (Owner of CDS)
Nancy Grant
Sarah Taylor
Stacy Morgan
Tori Wild
Tricia Traxler
Trudy Sjolander

After Christmas Blowout Sale at Clear Dollar Stamps

Clear Dollar Stamps is having a sale from December 26th to 29th.!!! And WOW!!!!!! It's a good one! Lori is clearing out some old items to make room for new stuff! The more you buy, the more you'll save!!!

You get a bigger discount the more stamps you buy!
This discount automatically applies!
$20 in stamps – 10% off your stamps
$30 in stamps – 15% off your stamps
$40 or more in stamps – 20% off your stamps
…………………………………………………………
Items that will have a coupon code for 35% off
Coupon code to enter at checkout: ACBS2009
Flower Soft
Bind It All products
Ribbons
Cuttlebug Products
Storage Containers
Spellbinders
Acrylic Blocks

Clearance Section: (click here to go straight to the Clearance section)
Stamps will be marked WAY down!
(Additional discount above does not apply to these stamps)

These items recently moved to clearance:
Copic Markers
Nikki Sivils line
Eyelet Outlet brads
Acrylic pieces

I hope you all had a wonderful day celebrating Christmas with family and friends. Today as you shop at Clear Dollar Stamps I'll be heading out Boxing Day shopping. For those of you who don't live in Canada, Boxing Day shopping would be like going Black Friday Shopping - great deals, lots of people and a ton of fun.

Merry Christmas

I just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!! I hope that your day is full of joy and is spent surrounded by friends and family!!!!

A Trio Candles

I decided to get a little crafty today (call me Crazy!!!). My mom was having a hard time finding candles she liked for the centerpiece at Christmas so I thought I'd make a few. I've used an Inkadinkado set that I believe is called Damask (not too sure and I can't find the package on my now very messy craft desk). For the center candle I also used a set called Christmas Blessings from Clear Dollar Stamps. I've used the sentiment that says "May the splendor of this season
Remind you of Him who is worthy of all our praise!" I know my mom will love the candles and perhaps even end up with tears in her eyes.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!! Remember the reason for the season.

SSD04 Good to the last drop

Can you believe it's almost Christmas??? Just 3 days away! Yikes!!! I hope you are all ready to enjoy the time spent with friends and family at this beautiful time of the year. It's Skipping Stones Sketch Tuesday and Kim Teasdale has come up with another fantastic sketch for us this week!!!


I love making square cards (gotta love the extra room to fill with sparkle and bling and stamping goodness)! I've used a new set from Skipping Stones Design called Coffee Vol.1. This set hasn't been released yet but I know it will be soon so keep checking. I love this set because it has so many cute images and fun sentiments to go with it. I've used the "To go" cup from this set and paper pieced all of the parts together. (I'm sick this week and haven't been anywhere near my craft desk other than to make this card. (Although I do have a few things I still have to make). Gotta love that "star buck". Hehehehe.... Heather has such a fantastic sense of humor and it really shows in this set. I added a flourish in the upper left hand corner for a bit of interest (you know me I have to have sparkle somewhere on my cards!).


Heather at Skipping Stones Design is in the Christmas spirit this week so we're giving customers 25% off all purchases!!! To top it off - FREE SHIPPING for any orders over $30 including international shipping!!! If you're from Canada like me, I love this!!!!

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Coffee Vol. 1 from Skipping Stones Design
Paper: Gina K White, Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Making Memories DP, Upsy Daisy Designs DP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Glitter Flourish (Making Memories), Nestabilities, Pop Dots

MTSC52 May your coconuts never hang lower...

I'm off work unexpectedly this week so I have a bit of extra time to play with my new stamps from Skipping Stones Design!!! And what better way to break in new stamps than to create a card using Mercy's Sketch Challenge this week. I've also combined this Mercy's sketch with the color challenge at SCS which is to use Melon Mambo, So Saffron and Mellow Moss ( I didn't have any so I had to substitute Certainly Celery).

Now, when I got home yesterday, it started to snow... and this is what it looks like outside my front door today (this is after quite a bit has already melted). Notice the plowed street?? Yeah!!! I live on the crest of a hill and needless to say the block I live on is considered an alternate route for Emergency vehicles if the very hilly street (one block over) is too hard to go up. Needless to say the part of our street in front of our house gets plowed rather quickly.

Much to my surprise, I received my new stamps from Skipping Stones Design (I had expected them to take more time to get to Canada given that it is now prime shipping season with the postal system. I love this set called Tropical Birthday. With the weather outside and me inside nice and warm I knew I had to use this set... To dream of being somewhere tropical instead in the cold of winter.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Tropical Birthday from Skipping Stones Design
Paper: Gina K White, So Saffron, Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery, "Wild Raspberry" DP from K and Company, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Tombow Markers, Aquapainter, Nestabilities, Fruit Punch Stickles, Dew Drops, Victoria Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

SSD03 Men.... It all starts badly...

It's Skipping Stones Sketch Tuesday!!! Wow - this week has gone by quickly.... I can tell you one thing - it totally wasn't the week I was expecting. The highlight of my week though was my birthday - a nice day spent with friends and family and a wonderful dinner out.

Kim Teasdale has done it again with another fantastic sketch this week! I love it - although I did take a liberty or two on it. Can you tell what it is??? As you can tell from my card, I've kept it relatively monochromatic with tan and black. Okay... Okay.... I didn't do the triangle section but instead added a swirly clip and ribbon.

Hehehe... I love the images and sentiments in this set, Funny about Men. They are just too funny... All the things we might think about men at some point or another and it's in a stamp set.

If you want to be part of the Stamp Tramp Design Team (DT for Skipping Stones Design), today is the last day to send in your application. Check out this thread on SCS for more information.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Funny about Men from Skipping Stones Design
Paper: Gina K White, Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Bo Bunny DP
Ink: Versamark, Basic Black
Accessories: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Swirly Clip, Ribbon, Nestabilities

Gone Fishing...

I went to my dad's for dinner last night, we got to talking about cards when my dad remembered a card I made using Fishing Fella from Stamping Bella well over a year ago. My dad has become an avid fisherman so he asked me if I'd make a "fishing" Christmas card for the gentleman who owns a Tackle Shop down island from where we live. I have the day off, so I got right on it and made the card. You know me... I'm normally all about adding the bling, ribbon etc but knowing this would be sent by mail I had to keep the card flat. I've stamped the sentiment "Gone Fishin" from A Muse on the swirly looking panel.

My list of goodies:
Stamps: Fishing Fella from Stamping Bella, Gone Fishin from A Muse
Paper: Gina K White, Soft Suede, Unknown yellow, Basic Grey DP, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Nestabilities, Stickles, Glossy Accents

SSD02 A grain of Salt

It's my birthday later on this week and well.... I think I need to take my birthday this year with a grain of salt. And no - I won't tell you how old I'm turning.... So when I saw this week's Skipping Stones Design Sketch Tuesday sketch, well I knew what set I'd be using. This week's sketch was designed by Kim Teasdale, our guest sketch artist this month. I think I'll be having one of these margaritas on Friday.

I had so much fun making this card. Yes, I cheated a little bit on the sketch. If you know me, I always find a way to make what I want to use work. I've used the set called Margarita Birthday available at Skipping Stones Design. I've colored the margarita with my Tombow Markers and then used Diamond Stickles around the rim to look like Salt. I've used two different sentiments from the set to complete the card. This is a super fun set and also comes with a glass of wine - Kim Teasdale made an amazing sample using this set last week.

Who doesn't love a sale - especially on stamps??? Just thought I'd let you know.... Everything at Skipping Stones Design is currently 25% off but it's for today only!!! So check out the website and fill up a cart. You'll need to enter the following code: 25off. They're fantastic stamps and you won't regret it! To sweeten the deal, shipping is free for any order over $30 including international orders.

Do you like fun and sassy stamps? Wanna be a Stamp Tramp??? Check out the Design Team Call that we have listed on Splitcoaststampers. There are two calls: one for Sketch Artists and the other for the Design Team. You have until Tuesday December 15th to get your applications in. The DT will officially launch in January and we look forward to seeing all of your marvelous creations!

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Margarita Birthday by Skipping Stones Design
Paper: Gina K White, Old Olive, Bo Bunny DP, Basic Grey DP, Creative Imaginations DP
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Basic Black
Accessories: Word Window Punch, Tombow Markers, Aquapainter, Nestabilities, Diamond Stickles, Rhinestones

It's Stamping Bella's Birthday!!!!

Welcome to the Bella Birthday Bash Blop Hop sponsored by Stamping Bella! If you've just happened upon my blog, you can CLICK HERE to start from the beginning at Bloggabella. You should have arrived here from Angie's blog.

I'm excited to be part of the Bella Birthday Bash Blog Hop! I've loved Stamping Bella ever since Emily started 3 years ago. I have a love affair with my bellas, stellas, the fellas.. Anything bella related really. I've used Stella needs a Prezzie. I've just received this stamp but it was on my list for quite some time and I couldn't wait to ink it up. I've colored Stella with my Tombow markers and then used Eskimo Kisses DP from Basic Grey as my background papers. I thought this would make a cute Christmas card to one lucky lady on my Christmas card list. I'm looking forward to Emily's release on December 7th (I've already got a cart full of stuff I want and am hoping to add more that day).

Three gift certificates for $100 in Bella Bucks will be hidden along the hop, but we’re not telling you where so be sure to leave some love as you hop!!! Make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! The winners will be announced on Monday, December 7 at the Stamping Bella Blog. MWAH!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Now it's time to hop on over to Dawn's blog.

SSD01 Prince Charming is on his way

I'm so excited!!! I mentioned last week that I am now on the Design Team for Skipping Stones Design - a fabulous fun company with sassy stamps. Have I mentioned Sassy is my middle name? As soon as I saw these stamps, I fell in love and got in touch with Heather (the owner), found out she is having a DT call and here we are... I'm on the team!!!

Each Tuesday, Skipping Stones Design will be having a new sketch for you to play with on the Stamp Tramp blog. For the month of December, the guest Sketch Artist is none other than Kim Teasdale. We all love her style and she's come up with some pretty amazing sketches to work with.

Now, check out this weeks' sketch - isn't it just fabulous? I told you Kim did a great job, didn't I?


I had so much fun playing with this sketch but as you can tell I flipped it so I could use the frog from the set called "Funny about Men". We all know I'm a DP addict ( I love my designer papers and my bling and my... I love it all!!!). I've had this DP for quite some time and as soon as I knew I was receiving this set, I pulled it out and anxiously waited for my stamps to arrive. Who am I kidding? I was stalking the mail box!

I've stamped the frog with Versafine Onyx Black and then colored with my Tombow Markers. I love how this image turned out. I've used a bit of Yellow Stickles on the crown for a bit of sparkle.
The sentiments from this set are so funny so of course I had to decorate the inside of this card (something I normally don't do but I know I'll start doing it as it makes the card look more finished). How many men do we all know that get lost and just won't ask for directions? It's normally after passing the same place a few times that they finally stop....

If you want to participate in this challenge, head to the Stamp Tramps blog.

What's in my card?
Stamps: Funny about Men (by Skipping Stones Design)
Paper: Gina K White, Old Olive, Scenic Route DP, October Afternoon DP, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Basic Black
Accessories and Embellishments: Ribbon, Nestabilities, Tombow Markers, Aquapainter, Yellow Stickles, Circle Punch, Scalloped Circle Punch, Clear Detail Embossing Powder