MTSC93 A lollipop for you

Wow... my blog has been busy this last week with sneak peeks for There She Goes and Clear Dollar Stamps.  Just before sneak peek time, I'm pretty busy and I had a couple of orders arrive - one of them being My Favorite Things.  I love this PI image called Lollipop Girl so when I saw Mercy's sketch challenge this week, I just had to play.  I also received some Delovely Cosmo Cricket DP from CDS so I had to use it.  With the yucky weather we've been having, I needed something cheery.  We've had so much rain here which kinda sucks considering what gorgeous weather we had this summer.  I was hoping for a little more sunshine. The image has been watercolored with my Tombow Markers and then I added a little bit of Glossy Accents to the lollipop (which I'm wishing I hadn't done because it dulled the intensity of the color). 

I have a few more Pure Innocence images that I bought and some of the a la Modes so you know I'll be breaking out the MFT stamps again soon. 

CDS Sneak Peek - Snow Flourishes

I'm a sucker when it comes to holiday stamps and even more so when it comes to Snow Flakes. I don't know what it is about snowflakes but I love them. Oh wait... I don't like them so much when they keep falling from the sky and you get stuck inside the house because there's too much snow to go out.  Well, Clear Dollar Stamps has a wonderful new set coming out on October 1st called Snow Flourishes which you will absolutely love. They make for quick, easy, clean and simple cards that pack a punch.  If you're like me and leave your Christmas cards to the last minute,  this set will enable you to get beautiful cards out quickly. 

For my first sample above, I used one of the snowflake Cuttlebug embossing folders on the top half of some Kraft Cardstock.  I then layered a dark brown matting and on my white Cardstock stamped a variety of snowflakes using Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Soft Sky, Pink Pirouette inks.  It makes for a very pretty card in some unconventional holiday colors.

For my second card, I decided to go with a "sparkly" look that hasn't translated in the photo. Each snowflake was stamped in Versamark and then embossed with some Glittery Embossing powder.  In real life, it packs a punch... in a pic not so much.  What I love about this stamp set is that it has so many snowflakes and so many sentiments that it is a must have for your Christmas stamp collection. 

To see the full set, look at Lori's blog and then check out what the DT has for you today.

Snow Flourishes: Laurie, Katie, Angela, Shell


Snow Tweet: Trudy, Katie, Lisa, Stacy

Filled with Cheer: Kim, Katie, Nancy, Cassie, Christi

CDS Sneak Peek - Silly Goose

You Silly Goose!!!  Hehehe... I love this set by Laurie Wilson called Silly Goose.  This is October's Stamp of the Month at Clear Dollar Stamps available free with a purchase of $50 starting on October 1st .  I had so much fun creating a more masculine sample (card above) and  a girly sample (below).    Both have been totally inspired by my DP choices. I have to tell you... I love Basic Grey DP!!! It's the best. 

Both images have been colored using my Tombow Markers (I'm so bad about putting away my markers as soon as I use them but I promise I'll start listing the numbers soon).  These were so much fun to make and I have a feeling I'll be using this Silly Goose again soon!!

There are a few sets being shown today. Go to Lori's blog to see what the sets look like and then check out what the DT has come up with. 

Autumn Blessings: Trudy, Katie, Tricia


Something to Crow About: Laurie, Trudy, Katie, Barb, Gloria

Jabez Prayer: Candy, Katie, Shell, Stacy, Cassie

Silly Goose (SOM): Laurie, Katie, Angela, Christi

TSG74 Inspire Me with Flowers

This week at There She Goes we have a fabulous inspiration challenge that is brought to our featured Trendsetter Iwona! There are so many great elements to this image that are perfect to get that mojo flowing. You can take your inspiration from the colors, shapes, layout, textures, etc. Have fun and we can’t wait to see what you come up with!

I had so much fun making this card. I know I often go for bright and fun DP's but this was a little out of my comfort zone in terms of colors but let's just say that the Inspiration photo definitely inspired me.  I love how both the teal and the yellow seem to pop off the page.  I just got a package of goodies in the mail from There She Goes and Polka Dot Blooms was one of the sets I'd been wanting for awhile. Both the inspiration photo and the DP screamed for me to use this stamp set.  I've cut out a second flower and popped it up using Pop Dots.  I also loved the texture in the photo which is why I chose the DP from the Cosmo Cricket DeLovely pack.  I then dry embossed my DP layers with some Cuttlebug Embossing Folders (Victoria and Seeing Spots) and then sponged around the edge of both of them. 

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that is inspired by the provided picture, then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (Oct. 4). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG74 so we can check out your beautiful work!
 

Stampin' Island Style 2010

Planning is well underway for Stampin' Island Style 2010 and we want you to join us on Saturday October 16th in Nanaimo BC!!! IF you live on Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland or Western Washington - this is an event for you!!! 


 It will be a great day of make and takes, stamping time with some amazing ladies, door prizes,  lunch catered by Acme.  If you are interested, let me know or Kim Teasdale (kim.teasdale@yahoo.ca) ASAP as there are only 30 spots available. 

Blogs for Boobies Bidding ends today!!!

Hi ladies!!! Do you remember this card from last week?  I participated in the Skipping Stones Design's "Blogs for Boobies" Bounce to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Today is the last day to bid on everyone's cards including mine (bidding ends at 8 PM MST).  My card currently has a bid of $6.  Can we get it any higher? 

For a list of all of the participants, go the Skipping Stones Design post  so that you can see what wonderful eye candy all of the ladies have come up with.  There are some absolutely amazing cards from some of the most amazing people!!!

Thank you so much for making this fundraising effort a huge success!!!

TSG Blog Hop Challenge - Hauntingly Delightful and You're a Hoot.

One of the things that Jessica has been wanting to add to the TSG stamp line is a cute owl themed stamp set so when Torico came to me with the idea of wanting to illustrate an owl set, she was totally on board! This fun stamp set includes owls in different shapes and sizes as well as fun sentiments and access images. (Believe me when I tell you I had a hard time choosing what owls to use for my card). 

I've been the beginning of the hop (after the TSG Blog)  all week and today is no different.  If there is a break in the hop, head on back to the TSG blog for the master list. 


You’re A Hoot! is a 4x6 stamp set that includes a total of 26 stamps and will sell for $15.

Hehehe... how fun are these owls?  Too cute I tell ya!!!  I put them close together so that it looked like they were holding hands and in love.  How cute eh?  The owls have been colored with Gamsol and Prismacolor pencils.  The sentiments are actually two different sentiments that can be mixed and matched with other items from the set.  The layout of this card is based on this week's Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge.

It’s hard to believe that Halloween is just around the corner! Torico has illustrated a ton of fun images that you are going to love creating spooky projects with! From witches to vampires and everything else in between, this stamp set is going to quickly become a favorite of yours to use for years to come.

I'll admit that I have never been one to make a Halloween card before but WOW!!! This set absolutely ROCKS!!!! I fell in love with it when I saw it and know that I'll be using it again and again.  This image is just one of many that I had a hard time choosing from.  Be on the lookout for many more cards with this set!!
Hauntingly Delightful is a 6x8 stamp set that includes a total of 36 stamps and will sell for $24.

Would you like a chance to win both of these stamp sets? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their You’re A Hoot / Hauntingly Delightful Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own You’re A Hoot / Hauntingly Delightful stamp sets. The winner will be announced Saturday (Sept. 25th) during the Release Party Chat.

Head on over to the amazingly talented Corinna's blog!!! I know the eye candy will be amazing!!!

TSG Blog Hop Challenge - Autumn Mosaic

One of the greatest things about stamping is to combine different stamp sets to create unique settings and scenes. Chris’s beautiful illustrations are perfect for this technique and I’m happy to say that she has done it again with this new set called Autumn Mosaic. This wonderful fall themed stamp set includes many different images that can be combined to create a scene or wonderful to use as a solitary focal point for your cards.

You should have arrived here from the There She Goes blog. 

I had fun with this card - making something a little different than my norm - a little vintagey yet clean and simple look to it.  The DP is from Cosmo Cricket and Basic Grey - I can't believe how well these DP's matched.  The image has been colored with Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol.  I'm still learning the technique so go gentle on me k?

Autumn Mosaic is a 4x8 stamp set that includes a total of 21 stamps and will sell for $18.

Would you like a chance to win the Autumn Mosaic stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Autumn Mosaic Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Autumn Mosaic stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (Sept. 25th) during the Release Party Chat.

The next stop on the blog hop is the illustrator of Autumn Mosaic - Chris Dark!!!! She's rocking the sets!!!

 
To celebrate the beginning of Fall, There She Goes is having a Changing Of The Seasons sale! From today (September 22) through Wednesday (September 29th) five select stamp sets are 15% off their regular price! This season’s sale sets are-


Home Sweet Home $20.40 (reg. $24)

Spooktacular Silhouettes $20.40 (reg. $24)

HSH Halloween Additions $15.30 (reg. $18)

HSH Holiday Additions $20.40 (reg. $24)

Holiday Tags $20.40 (reg. $24)

Have fun shopping!!!
 

TSG Blog Hop Challenge - Cattitude

I'm so excited!!!! My first Blog Hop Challenge with There She Goes!!! I'm the first official stop on the blog hop today (after the TSG Blog).  If there is a break in the hop at all, you find the master list at There She Goes. 

Puppy Love was a big hit with all of you dog lovers out there and now Torico is back with a little something for the cat lovers! This adorable cat themed set includes felines that range from cute to sassy as well as the perfect sentiments to accompany them.

So we all know how much I heart my Tombow Markers and that I don't know what I'd do without them... well this month... I had to do without them.  For the release this month, we had to work with digital stamps and needless to say I had never worked with them before. Don't fret!!!!  You'll be getting the real deal!!!!  Let's just say that Tombow Markers and Digital stamps don't work all that well together so I used Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol - a technique I have not done in a few years and had only tried once before.  I kinda like the look of it!!! Although I have learned I'll need to invest in better blending stumps and a lot more practice...  

Cattitude is a 4x6 stamp set that includes a total of 24 stamps and will sell for $15.

Would you like a chance to win the Cattitude stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Cattitude Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Cattitude stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (September 25th) during the Release Party Chat.

Wanna know where you go from here??? Head on over to the UBER talented Corinna's blog!!!  Make sure you leave us all some love for your chance to win this way too cute set!
 

Katie Skiff.... you know who you are!!!!  You won the custom "Created by" stamp from my blog!!!! Email me with your address and we'll make sure we get that sent out to you!!!
 

TSG Stampbook Saturday and a little treat...

Hey there everyone... Check out the TSG Blog today for Stampbook Saturday brought to you by ME.  It's my first post on the TSG blog and I'm super excited about it. The idea of Stampbook Saturday is to create a "stampbook page"  inspired by a card. 

Do you remember this ATC?? 

That I used to create this card?

Well it inspired this Stampbook Page!!!  Yeah!!! I can honestly say I have never been a scrapbooker and had no intention of ever becoming one... but after this stampbook page.... I could be converted!!! The horrors I know!!!

As you can see, I used the same DP's as well as the same stamp set called Bee Happy which is most definitely my fave TSG stamp set ever.  The main image (in the circle Nestie) has been watercolored with my Tombow Markers and then the wings of the bees have been covered with Diamond Stickles.  Super easy peasy!!

As you can see, I haven't put a pic on my Stampbook page yet... I know exactly what pic of my husband and I that I want to use but I can't find it right now... 

Are you still with me????  I sure hope you are!!!!  As part of There She Goes 2nd Birthday Celebration, I have the pleasure of a little blog candy for a commenter on this post.  Someone on my blog will win a Custom "Created by" TSG stamp for the back of your card looking exactly like the one below. Please note that I will be drawing a name on Monday evening about 6 PST.

Good luck and have a great day!!!!

MTSC91 Going Vintage

We all know I love Mercy`s sketch challenges and I know I keep saying they get better and better each week but it`s true... they really do!!!  Mercy is most definitely the ``Master`` of sketches.  She`s absolutely brilliant!!! I never have enough masculine cards so I decided to pull out the CDS stamp set called ``Measure of a Man``.  I`ve watercolored the image with my Tombow Markers and then decided to use the Cracked Glass technique to make my card feel a little more vintage.  After all... Vintage never goes out of style right.... 

Mercy... thanks for rocking the sketches each week!!!

Stampin' Island Style 2010

Hey there everyone!!!!  Kim Teasdale and I have been working behind the scenes to get a Stamping Get together organized in Nanaimo BC on October 16th.  Are you from Vancouver Island?  The Lower Mainland?  Western Washington?  If so and you're interested in coming, email me at scottha@hotmail.com or Kim at kim.teasdale@yahoo.ca and let us know.  We can give you all the details!!! 

We'd love to have you join us!!!!  There will be make and takes,  a "buy and sell" table, door prizes,  a stamping crop etc.  The event is being held at the Ramada and lunch will be catered by Acme Food Company.  

We hope to hear from you soon!!! Let us know asap as the date is quickly approaching - just a month away.  It will be a great day with a bunch of fantastic ladies.

Blogs for Boobies Bounce

Hi there everyone!!! I'm back....  back for Boobies that is!!!  When I left Skipping Stones Design at the end of my term, I let Heather know that I definitely wanted to come back for this amazing "Blogs for Boobies Bounce"  which is intended to raise funds for the Susan G Komen Foundation with the thought that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  We've decided to start ahead of time so that the money can be donated in October.  If you just happened upon my blog by chance today, make sure you go back to the beginning at Heather's  Blog. You should have arrived from the absolutely amazingly talented Ashley Cannon Newell (who is also this month's sketch artist at Skipping Stones Design).

For my card today, I've used "Bras Vol. 1" which is such a fun set.  Heather has just released Bras Vol. 2 in support of this blog bounce. My image has been watercolored with my Tombow Markers.  As you can see, I really wanted to play with the Pink theme knowing that it is the color for Breast Cancer Awareness.  I'm lucky that I have been fortunate enough to not have any family members with Breast Cancer but I know how important research for it is.  In some way, each one of us knows someone who has been diagnosed with Cancer at some point and I'm sure we've all lost a loved one to the disease. Just this year, my Father-in-law died of Pancreatic Cancer which has affected my husband in ways I never imagined. 

There are three ways you can help support this amazing cause along with the rest of the amazing ladies who are participating in the Bounce both today and tomorrow.  Each card that is posted either today or tomorrow will be up for auction on each individual's blog.  It's an allstar line up of ladies (I'm sure I'll be bidding on a few cards myself).

1 - Go shopping! For every stamp set that you purchase during Sept 15th through the 23rd SSD will donate $2 to the Komen Foundation. Stamping and shopping that you can feel good about. 

or

2-Bid! If you see a card or a project that you like bid on it in the comment section of the blog post. WE DO ASK THAT THE MINIMUM BID ON A CARD IS $5 AS THIS MONEY WILL BE GOING TO CHARITY. See how to place a bid for more detailed instructions. If you are the highest bidder September 23rd 8:00 p.m. mountain time then you WIN the card/project that you bid on.

or

3 - Tell your friends about the "Blogs for Boobies Bounce"!!!!

"How to place a bid"

Step #1
Find the comment section of the blog that shows the "Blogs 4 boobies" card or project that you want to buy. *Please note you may only bid on the card/project shown in the specific "blogs 4 boobies" post. *Any bids not placed on the correct post will be considered invalid.

Step #2
Once you are in the "blogs 4 boobies" comment section fill in the dollar and cents amount of what you are willing to pay for the card/project.

Step #3
Next to your $ bid please type in your email address. During a silent auction bidders sign their name next to their bid. typing your email address is the electronic equivalent of signing your bid. Also it will help the blogger contact you if you are the highest bidder.

Step #4
Watch and wait.

Once you have entered your bid/comment sit back and wait. If someone out bids you then you may bid again. Bidding will continue until 8:00 p.m. Mountain time September 23rd.

* Please note that the participating stampers/bloggers will probably re-post their Blogs 4 Boobies card/project on the 23rd of September. If/when the blogger re-post their project then the bidding will continue on the NEWEST post and that comment section.
 
"What do I do once I place a bid"


Watch and Wait

The "Winner of the Auction" Will be the highest bid (that includes an email address) in the comment section of the MOST RECENT blogs 4 boobies post as of 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time on September 23rd

Things to keep in mind:

Near the end of the bidding you may not see bids as they come in. Most blog have a comment feature where the blogger must approve comments before they are published. So bid high. You might have the highest bid that is published, but someone might have outbid you in an unpublished comment/bid.
 

THE NEXT STOP ON THIS BOUNCE IS ANN KRANITZ. 

Thank you so much for bouncing by my blog today!!!! We hope you can help us raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer. 

A little penguin bringing presents

I've been so busy lately but this past weekend I had some extra time so I wanted to get some Christmas cards made.  Every year I always have the intention of making Christmas cards and sending them out.... and as many typical stampers, we never get around to it and we don't get them out - am I right???  

So when I saw this weeks' sketch at Card Patterns, I knew I wanted to play with this UBER cute penguin from the Clear Dollar Stamps set called Winter Critters.  I've watercolored the image with my Tombow markers (surprise surprise right???).  This card actually came together quite quickly (if you don't count my coloring time) so I think I may be cranking a few more of these out - so if you're on my Christmas list.... don't be hurt if you get a duplicate k? 

Yeah!!!!! Another Christmas card down!!!

TSG72 A beautiful day

Wow... what a week!!! I had a busy weekend of making cards (you'll get to see them over the next couple of weeks) and this one is my favorite.  Kim Teasdale has come up with this amazing sketch for this week's There She Goes Challenge. 

I have to tell you that this sketch left me totally inspired so I pulled out the Poppies set by Chris Dark and go to work.  I've pulled the colors for my card from the Basic Grey and October Afternoon DP's.  I've watercolored the image with my Tombow Markers and then sponged around the edge with Canteloupe Memento Ink. 

Both layers of DP have been dry embossed with Cuttlebug folders and then the edges of them were sponged for a bit more texture.  I don't often say it (well... okay.... maybe I do) but I LOVE how this card turned out.  And for the "birthday twist"  I've added this sentiment from the Poppies set as well. 

Have you been checking out the chalenges this month?  You definitely should!!!   We've got a great month planned for you!!

SSSC85 Enjoy your day... with Remotes!!!

I had a bit of free time last night so I decided to take the time to make a quick card with Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch - it just called for the remote controls from Kim Teasdale's "Measure of a Man" set from Clear Dollar Stamps.  The DP used is from MME and Bella Boulevard and I thought were perfect for this man card.  This was an easy peasy quick and easy card!!!  With how busy I've been, it was something I needed.

Enjoy your day!!!