GO CANADA GO!!!!

Wow!!!! What an exciting 17 days it has been with Vancouver hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics!!! The Canadians have rocked it!!! I can honestly say I am overwhelmed by the patriotism that we as Canadians have shown over the last couple of weeks. It is one of our best showings to date and for the athletes to do it at home has been amazing.

I even had the opportunity to go to Vancouver last weekend to check out some of the Olympic action (I'll show some pics in the next few days when I get all of my computer issues fixed). It truly made me so proud to be Canadian!!! We're a patriotic bunch but we normally don't show it so openly.

I'm so excited that our Men will be playing in the Gold Medal Hockey Game today!!! Let's bring home the gold and make everyone remember whose game hockey really is!!!

CDS Sneak Peek - Shoefly

Another cutie eh? (Can you tell I'm Canadian - we're always saying eh). This cute little shoefly is another in a series by Kim Teasdale for Clear Dollar Stamps which will be available on March 1st. I love how punny they are - I'm a sucker for any play on words. I picked up this awesome My Mind's Eye DP from Michaels and knew instantly it would be what I'd use for this card. It just seems so earthy. I also loved the fact it was glittery - you know me and my need for sparkle!!! I've colored the image with Tombow Markers (my go to marker). The wings of this fly have Stickles as well. Isn't the sentiment great? "These boots are made for walkin". I swear I'll have that song stuck in my head the rest of the day now.

Check out what the DT has created for you today - it's great eye candy. I'll be back tomorrow with one last sneak peek for you and then on Monday you can fill up those shopping carts.

CDS Sneak Peek - Snail Mail

Hehehe.... Isn't this snail just too cute? It's a new stamp set in a line of "bugs" created by Kim Teasdale for Clear Dollar Stamps available March 1st. These sets come with one main image plus sentiments - all "punny" of course. I've taken my inspiration from my DP (surprise surprise right?) which explains the liberties I've taken with the color of my snail. The entire image has been colored with my Tombow Markers and then the shell has been covered with Glossy Accent to make it shine. Fun eh? I've tried to keep the look of this card as clean and simple as I could.

Make sure you check out all of the amazing samples that the DT has come up with (see my sidebar).

I'll be back later on with another sample using Kim's other bug. It's super cute!!! I am so loving this series that she is creating!

CDS Sneak Peek - Sassy and Fabulous!!

OMG!!!! I know I get excited every month about new stamps but this by far is one of my most favorite sets by Clear Dollar Stamps. Kim Teasdale has illustrated this amazing set called Sassy and Fabulous. I had mentioned to Kim months ago that it is so hard to find great girly sets with super sassy sentiments. Well now it's here and it will be available on March 1st. If you read my blog on a regular basis, you know I'm a girly girl and love my purses and my shoes. My purse addiction is such that I'm no longer allowed to buy new purses (so in steps my Mom... She'll buy the purse and I'll permanently borrow it). After all, I didn't buy the purse right??? Hehehe.. I'm cheeky I know.

For my first card, I used some DP that I've had for quite some time but ended up hoarding it. I figure the DP isn't doing any good just sitting on my paper rack so why not use it? I love this sentiment "I enjoy the little things in life.... shoes, handbags and jewelry!" Isn't it fabulous??? (This might explain why I used it on both my samples! I've colored the images with my Tombow markers and then for the Diamond I pulled out some Diamond Stickles (every card needs a bit of sparkle and bling right?)

For my second sample, I used a chipboard purse album that I found at Michael's in the $1.5o section ( I only used on page of it). I then covered both sides of it with this awesome Making Memories DP. I've embellished it using a swirl from my Pebble Chips (this is chipboard that comes in a bag that looks like a potato chip bag). I made one of the funky layered flowers that I've shown on my blog before and up in the left hand corner I made a tag with my fave sentiment from the set.

Thanks Kim for making a set that is just so me!!!

Check out what everyone has for eye candy today!!! It's an awesome day. (Please see sidebar for links)

CDS Sneak Peek - Daisy Girl

Feels like Spring here which means Easter is on its' way. Wendy Hall has created this great set called Daisy Girl for Clear Dollar Stamps latest release on March 1st. I've used the bunny from the set to show that it can be used for so many things. Isn't the bunny just way too cute? I'm all about cute I tell ya. To see what the whole set looks like, go to Lori's blog.

I've colored the image using my Tombow Markers which are always my go to in terms of coloring. I have some Copics but can you believe it that I'm afraid to use the darn things. I find Tombows to be just so vibrant and bright. I've kept the layout pretty simple and clean so that it highlights the bunny. Hope you like it!!!

I'm still having computer issues and am using someone else's computer so make sure you check out what the rest of the team has come up with for you to check out today. (Please see sidebar).

I'll be back later on with another sample which I am so incredibly excited about.

CDS Sneak Peek - Charliene in the Morning

This is what I look like in the morning... only not quite so good!!! I tell you it's been a long week with computer problems (I almost couldn't some of my samples because of it). Laurie Wilson has created this amazing addition to the Charlie Line of stamps for Clear Dollar Stamps which are all available on March 1st. My favorite Charliene!!! It comes with some great sentiments like the one I've used as well as different images like the coffee mug I put in her hands. I've colored the image with my Tombow Markers and then added Stickles to the trim of Charliene's housecoat. I was most definitely inspired by the DP for this card as I often am. Believe it or not, I had this paper sitting out for over a week knowing that I wanted to use it for this card. I just needed the right layout for my image. Turned out cute if you ask me (I'm modest right?) hehehe. Hope you like it.

I'll add the specific details about the card as soon as I get my computer problems figured out.

In the mean time, check out what the DT has come up with for you to look at (please see sidebar).

See you tomorrow for some more amazing eye candy!!!! It's awesome I tell ya!!!

CDS Sneak Peek - Patchpal Turtle

I can't believe it is that time again already...It's Clear Dollar Stamps Sneak Peek Time with the latest release being March 1st. This has been one of my most favorite months in terms of new stamps coming out. I had so much fun creating my samples and hope that over the next few days you enjoy what I've created. I have two sets to show you today and this first one is called Patchpal Turtle illustrated by Shawne Arnold who already has a variety of "patched" stamps. I've colored this image using my Tombow Markers and absolutely love how it turned out. I was inspired by the Origins line from Basic Grey. You know me... I love my sparkle so of course I've added some Stickles to both the flower and the dots on the turtle's shell. Hope you like it.

Check back a bit later on to see my next sample but in the mean time - check out what the rest of the team has for you in terms of eye candy. Unfortunately you'll have to check out the team in my sidebar (I've been having major computer problems in the last week so I'm borrowing my brother's Mac and I can't get things to go into my blog posts properly). Hopefully I'll get this fixed soon.

Hop(e) for Haiti - Fund Raiser

As you know, Skipping Stones Design is having an auction of all the cards that were featured in our Hop(e) for Haiti Blog Hop on Tuesday. If you are interested in any of the cards you saw or in some stamp sets that are not yet released, Erin Grotegut compiled a list for you linking all of the auctions. You rock Erin!!!!

Hop(e) for Haiti

Pre-Release Stamp Auctions

Pre-Release Auction Stamp Set - Gray Hare Birthday
Pre-Release Auction Stamp Set - Chick Chat
Pre-Release Auction Stamp Set - Brrrrrrthday
Pre-Release Auction Stamp Set - Sassy Snow

Card Auctions

Amy Sheffler Card
Jennie Harper Card
Jackie Pedro Card
Chels Van Wyk Card
Deb Felts Card
Jeanne Tomshack Card
Angela Thomas Card
Bev Rousch Card
Erin Grotegut Card
Dawn Easton Card
Peggy Russell Card
Sarah Masteller Card
Debbie Fisher Card
Kim Teasdale Card
Mary Giezma (Gift & Card)
Latisha Yoast Card
Sharon Perry Card
Karen Giron Card
Kathi Carlson Card
Jamie Bova Card
Jen Del Muro Card
Kandi Phillips Card
Michelle Giraud Card
Sankari Wegman Card
Wendy Price Card
Laurie Schmidlin Card
Courtney Baker Card
Belinda Chang Langer Card
Heather Timmins Card

Hop(e) for Haiti

Welcome to Skipping Stones Design’s Blog Hop(e) for Haiti. If you just happened upon my blog today, you’ll want to go back to the beginning at Skipping Stones Design. I'm the second stop along the way today but believe me.... the eye candy you'll see is AMAZING!!!!

As a company, we wanted to do something to give back to the people who have been so devastated by the Haitian Earthquake. So we thought what better way than to invite some of our favorite stampers to join us in this cause. Each card you see on the blog hop today will be auctioned on E-bay with all proceeds going to the Red Cross in support of the Haitian Relief Effort (please check the Skipping Stones Design Website for the link to the auction). 100% of the proceeds of the Ebay auction and $2.00 from every stamp set purchased from February 16 - 22 will be donated to the Red Cross. We know that we can make a difference.

Combined with the blog hop today, it's also Skipping Stones Sketch Tuesday which means the Design Team is showcasing another great creation from Belinda of Bella Bleu Paperie. We'd love for you to play along with the sketch. Just remember to use the keywords SSD012 if you are uploading to any online galleries or link your card at the Skipping Stones Blog. We'll be looking soon for Guest Designers so you never know....

This sketch had me stumped...So many stamps, so many choices... what to do???? I searched through my stamps and my DP for hours. Kim Teasdale even got a phone call or two about it... I had a totally different stamp picked but changed it when I found the DP. I can't believe I've never noticed the pattern in this Basic Grey DP. (Does that mean I have too much DP??) I've used the strawberry and sentiment from the set Chocolate Vol. 2 (not released yet - I'm tempting you aren't I?)Hehehe....

I've colored the image with my Tombow Markers (my go to marker). I'm excited that Tombow will be having a "Specialist Degree" class that you can take (I understand it's along the same lines as having Copic Certification). I added Glossy Accents to the Chocolate to try to make it look like it was dripping from the Strawberry. I really like how it turned out.

Thank you for stopping by and your next blog to hop to is the amazing Kim Teasdale.

How about a prize? In addition to the fabulous eye candy, we have decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! There will be a few pre-release sets up for grabs hidden along the blog hop. The fun part is...we're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!!

If there is a break somewhere along the way, there will be a master list at:

Skipping Stones Design or my blog, Sparkle and Bling

Order of participants:

Skipping Stones Design http://skippingstonesdesign.com/

Angela Thomas http://sparkleandbling.blogspot.com/

Kim Teasdale http://paperintheworks.blogspot.com/

Dawn Easton http://treasureoilerdesignz.blogspot.com/

Karen Giron http://kgiron.blogspot.com/

Erin Grotegut http://www.inkysmiles.blogspot.com/

Christi Milliken http://www.blessingsonpaper.com/

Sarah Masteller http://sarahspapertray.blogspot.com

Sharon Perry http://ladybug820.blogspot.com/

Mary Giemza http://mycardz.wordpress.com/

Jen del Muro http://iheart2stamp.com/

Kandi Phillips http://kraftykandikrafts.blogspot.com/

Sankari Wegman http://sunnysankari.blogspot.com/

Laurie Schmidllin http://justgivemestamps.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Amy Sheffer http://pickledpaperdesigns.blogspot.com/

Jackie Pedro http://thescallopededge.typepad.com/the_scalloped_edge/

Chels Van Wyk http://www.scraptasticvoyage.blogspot.com/

Deb Felts http://withastampandasong.blogspot.com/

Jennie Harper http://stampawaytheday.blogspot.com/

Jeanne Tomshack http://tomshack.blogspot.com/

Bev Rousch http://bevithia.blogspot.com/

Peggy Russell http://beautifulgreetings.blogspot.com/

Debbie Fisher http://debbiedee.blogspot.com/

Latisha Yoast http://crafteebee.blogspot.com/

Kathi Carlson http://kathiscreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Jami Bova http://sgtstamper.com/blog/

Michelle Giraud http://twisted-chick.blogspot.com/

Wendy Price http://paperinkandsmiles.blogspot.com/

Courtenay Baker http://courtbaker.blogspot.com/

Belinda Chang Langer http://cadnileb.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for hopping with us today!!!!

Love is in the Air - It's a Bella Blog Hop

Welcome to the LOVE ME DO Blog 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 at my blog from Dana - one of the fabulous Bella Babes.

Can I just tell you how much I love my Stamping Bella goodies??? I truly am a Bella Addict (now if only my bank account would allow me more spending money) so I always just at the chance to participate in the Bella Blog Hops. I was surprised when I started looking through all my stamps as to how few I have that relate to love. Guess I need to do something about that right? ;-) So out came "Stella Does a Balancing Act". Now if only we all looked so good in the bath tub.... I've stamped and embossed the image and then colored with my Tombow Markers.

How about a prize? In addition to the fabulous eye candy, we have decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! One pre-selected blogger will draw a random winner from the comments on her post, and the winner will receive a $25 Gift Voucher to Stamping Bella!!! The fun part is...we're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! We will announce the winner on Friday in the Splitcoast forum. MWAH!

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

Getting ready for the Games!!! GO CANADA!!!

Wow!!! I can't believe that the Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies are just hours away!!! It seems like it's been so long since it was announced that Vancouver would be getting the 2010 Olympic Games. At the time that it was announced I was a Canadian living in North Carolina and was I ever proud that my home nation would be hosting but even better my home province. I've since moved back to Canada and am so proud to be Canadian!!! There is really a sense of pride today knowing that we're hosting the world in our beautiful province. I had made the decision not to buy any Olympic Clothing but then Kim Teasdale and I went to The Bay ( it's producing the clothing for the Canadian Olympic Team) and we got caught up in the excitement!!! Needless to say I'm sporting my Red and White this afternoon!!

So on that note....

GO CANADA GO!!!!!!

Openings in Heaven

I've long been an admirer of Shannan Teubner aka Steubner on SCS. I was devastated when I saw that she lost her husband a few days ago unexpectedly. I can't imagine what she is going through right now so I decided to make a card just for her. I find sympathy cards so hard to make so I wanted to try to keep the colors more springy. I absolutely love this quote and when I read it I automatically thought of Shannan. She's such an inspiration and I hope I can make her day just a little better.

Stamps: Bitty Botanicals (Clear Dollar Stamps), Sympathy set from Impression Obsession
Paper: Gina K White, Melon Mambo, MME DP, Bo Bunny DP, Basic Grey DP
Ink: Rose Red, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Button, Linen Thread, Ribbon, Nestabilities

"Hop"e for Haiti

We've been doing a lot of behind the scenes things at Skipping Stones Design. Heather (the owner of SSD) has brought together a wonderful group of ladies for a blog hop with an amazing cause. I've seen the list and WOW!!! Talk about talent!!!! I'm so excited to see what our fabulous guests create.

All of the cards featured in the blog hop will be auctioned off on Ebay with all proceeds going to the Haiti Relief Effort (money will be going to the Red Cross). During this time, Heather will also be donating $2 from each stamp set sold to this wonderful relief effort. Make sure you check out the Skipping Stones Website for the link to the Ebay auction.

SSD011 If you obey all the rules....

You miss all the fun!!! Guess what time of the week it is again!!! It's Skipping Stones Sketch Tuesday (one of my fave days of the week). Belinda of Bleu Bella Paperie came up with a gorgeous sketch this week but can I tell you it had me stumped for a bit. If you only knew how many sets I looked through to find the one that I thought would work the best with the smaller image area.
I've had the set, Chic Martini, for a few weeks but was waiting for the right card to use it with. This Katherine Hepburn is one of my favorite quotes of all time. It's so much fun and makes you feel kinda naughty. Hehehe.....

As you can see, I tried to keep my card relatively simple. I've been hoarding this last bit of velvet flocked DP for quite some time and I will tell you I know longer have any left :-( It's such a sad day. I love the combo of black, white and pink so I knew I wanted to use Melon Mambo for the punch that this card needed. It really makes everything pop!

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Chic Martini by Skipping Stones Design
Paper: Gina K Luxury White, Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Little Yellow Bicycle DP
Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red
Accessories: Pop Dots, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Prayer Changes Everything

I'm loving making cards that are a bit more simple (well simple for me anyway). It's always nice having cards ready for any time that you need them. My family is notorious for letting me know last minute that they need a card so I now make sure I have a stock pile for many different things. For this card, I've used a new release from Clear Dollar Stamps called Peace for the Journey. I showcased a card last week that used it as well. It truly is a beautiful set.

CDS SETS USED: Peace for the Journey
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Gina K White, Rose Red, Pink Pirrouette, Indian Summer Basic Grey DP, Watercolor paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red
ACCENTS AND TOOLS: Nestabilities, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Pop Dots, Sponge

MTSC59 Cherries and Bitty Blossoms

Awwww..... Life is finally settling down and things seem to be looking up finally. I'm hoping that I have turned the corner and that great things are coming my way. (We can all dream right?). I know it's Wednesday but I just had to play with Mercy's Sketch Challenge this week.


I really like how my card turned out. I've had this Cherry Blossom Bittybloom from Stamping Bella since Mid-December but I haven't had time to play with any of my newer goodies. Terrible I know!!! They've been dying to see ink and I just haven't had the time to play. I've colored this Bittybloom with my Tombow Markers and then added Stardust and Yellow Stickles to her flower hat. Of course, considering it's Mercy's challenge I wanted to make another one of her paper flowers that she had a tutorial on. What a great embellishment and so quick and easy to make. It is almost impossible to tell in the picture but I sprayed it with Pearl Shimmer Mist for a little bit of sparkle.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: CherryBlossom Bittybloom by Stamping Bella
Paper: Gina K White, Old Olive, October Afternoon Cherry Hill DP, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories and Tools: Tombow Markers, Aquapainter, Nestabilities, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Yellow Stickles, Stardust Stickles, Button, Linen Thread, Pearl Shimmer Mist, Brads

SSD10 Instant Human - just add coffee....

OMGoodness.... I can't believe that it is already February! Yikes! This year is going by so quickly. I guess that's a good thing considering the year I've had so far (it's slowly getting better). Guess what time it is!!! It's Skipping Stones Sketch Tuesday!!! It's a new month so that means we also have a new guest sketch artist and this month our sketch artist is Belinda of Bleu Bella Paperie. You have to check out her blog - she has a great style to her cards ranging from clean and simple to layers of DP.

Belinda created a great sketch for us to work with this week, although, you know me I had to alter it just a tiny bit.... I was determined to use the Bed Head Momma from the set, Funny Coffee Vol. 1. I discovered that my rectangle nestabilities weren't quite big enough unless I wanted to eithe cut off some of her fabulous hair or part of her bunny slippers. So out came my Long Rectangle Nestabilities and away I went. I stamped what I call Bed Head Momma in Versafine Onyx Black and then embossed with Clear Detail Embossing Powder. I colored the image with my Tombow Markers (my fave coloring medium to date). I've dry embossed a couple of the layers with some of my Cuttlebug Embossing Folders (Victoria and Paisley).


If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I LOVE my DP!!! See that little scrap with the blue and green flowers - I have been hoarding it for quite some time waiting for a card to use it on. I was so excited when I realized I still have a bit of it left for another card!! Yeah!!! I love how well this color combo works together. See that cool flower??? I followed a tutorial that Mercy Kerin had on her blog about how to make them ( I think this just might be my new embellishment on my cards)

If you want to create a card using this weeks' sketch, make sure you use the keywords SSD10 in any online gallery or go to the Skipping Stones Blog and link your card there.

A little FYI....
Kim Teasdale will be teaching an online class at My Creative Classroom starting tomorrow all about Tombow Markers. She's a master at using Tombows and her class if fabulous!!! You'll want to check it out.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Funny Coffee Vol. 1 by Skipping Stones Design
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Frayed Burlap Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Paper: Gina K White, Chocolate Chip, Bo Bunny DP, Scenic Route DP, Imaginesce DP, Watercolor paper
Accessories and Tools: Tombow Markers, Aquapainter, Long Nectangle Nestabilities, Scallop Circle Punch, Button, Linen Thread, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Victoria Cuttlebug EF, Paisley Cuttlebug EF