MFTGUESTDT0211 Key to my Heart

Isn't she such a cutie? I've made this card for this month's Guest Designer Challenge for My Favorite Things which is to create a card using a "Recipe for Love".  The recipe for love was to use 1 DP, 2 cardstock colors (not including neutral base), and three embellishments.   For my card, I've used the a la mode set called "Key to My heart" that I have watercolored with my Tombow markers. For a bit of dimension on the card, I used one of my cuttlebug folders on the Soft Sky panel. I love how the sentiment works so well with the charms that I've used (I've had them for awhile and I guess they were waiting for just the right card). I decided to go for a totally non-traditional color scheme for this Valentine's card and I love how it turned out (believe it or not, the DP is from an old Bo Bunny Christmas paper).

Supplies:

Stamps - Key to My Heart (MFT)

Paper: Gina K White, Basic Black, Soft Sky, watercolor paper

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Basic Black

Supplies:  Tombow Markers, waterbrush, charms, ribbon, heart punch, button, clear detail embossing powder, cuttlebug folder, nesties

TSG92 Set them on fire...

Everybody needs some inspiration every now and then, and this week Holly is our Trendsetter of the Week at There She Goes and she has a room that will do just that! Create a card using the colors in the inspirational piece, the clean and modern lines of the piece, or one certain item showcased in the piece. Let your imagination go wild!

I had so much fun making this cheeky, anti-Valentine's type card.  This sentiment from LOL Taglines just cracks me up. As soon as I saw the colors for the inspiration challenge, it sent me for a loop... I wasn't sure what to do but luckily LOL Taglines arrived in the mail on Friday and I knew I just had to use it.  Made total sense to me, I tell ya!!! It was fun!!! The large heart is actually a chipboard heart that I covered with DP, sanded the edges of it and then sponged with Basic Gray Ink.  The fire heart has been watercolored with my Tombow markers. Overall the card came together quite quickly.  I have a friend in mind who will get a chuckle out of this card. 

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that utilizes the inspirational piece, and then go 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 (Feb 7th). 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 TSG92 so we can check out your beautiful work!


Have a great day!!!

You're Seeing Double!!!

Today we have a very special surprise for our readers! A DOUBLE BLOG HOP!!! That’s right, Baby Bud Designs and By LORi Designs have teamed up to bring you a big ol' blog hop! We’ve got a fantastic line up of extremely talented designers showcasing some pretty adorable images.

Today you’ll find a ton of inspiration and of course a hop isn’t a hop without some prizes right? So be sure to leave comments on every stop!

So sit back, relax and enjoy the wonderful creations that both of these wonderful Design Teams have created for you! You won’t be disappointed!  If you just happened upon my blog, head on over to the By Lori Designs blog.  You should have arrived at my blog from Calypso's blog.

For my card today, I've used a new image from Lori Boyd Designs called "Love You Friend".  It's definitely a great image for Valentine's Day!! Wahoo!. I've watercolored the image using my Tombow Markers and the layout is this week's "Unscripted Sketch" challenge that I've flipped upside down.  Lori sure knows how to make her images cute and fun that's for sure.  

Thank you so much for stopping by today and head on over to Ildiko's blog.  

If you get lost along the way the whole list will be posted at each of the Main blogs! Have fun and thanks for joining us today!

BY LORi Designs Blog
Baby Bud Blog
ANDREA
CALYPSO
ANGELA  <------- YOU ARE HERE!
ILDIKO
ARIELLE
JENN
HANNAH
JENNETTE
JACQUIE
KERRY
JANE
LISA
JAYNE
MARGIE
JENNIFER
MARIA
LINDA
TAMMYLEE
MERCY
TANYA
SHERI
STEPHANIE
SHERRYANN
SILVIA
DEBBIE
KRISTA
LORI

Happy HOPPING!!!

TSG Sneak Peeks - Day or Night and Sentimental Thank You

WOW! Haven't the sneak peeks this week at There She Goes just been knocking your socks off?  So much fun I tell ya!!! You're in store for another day of amazing eye candy from the entire Design team.  I'm the first official stop on the blog hop today. 

Torico’s newly-illustrated set “Day Or Night” showcases adorable houses along with several accents and sentiments that enhance each image, and make this home-themed set a must have for any cardmaker!

For my card using the new set, Day or Night, I decided to simply sponge the main image rather than coloring it. (I think my mojo went to sleep when I was coloring the image).  And I must admit, I love the look of it sponged (I used Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip).  The layout for this card uses this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge (flipped upside down).

Day or Night is a 4x8 stamp set that includes a total of 34 of stamps and will sell for $18.

Are you dying for another fabulous set showcasing more beautiful handwriting from our very own Julie Lacey? The wait is over! This sentiment set is yet another versatile and stunning addition that you will be thankful to have!

Now if only we all had handwriting like Julie Lacey... I love her writing as it has such a whimsical look to it.  Not much to this card.... a simple layout, each layer of DP has been dry embossed and then the edges sponged with Creamy Caramel to give it a slightly distressed look.  The main image panel has been sponged with Wheat Versamagic Ink. I love how this card turned out and I can't wait to give it to someone.

Now head on over to my favorite stamping friend, Corinna!! I get to meet Corinna next week and can I tell you just how excited I am??

Sentimental Thank You is a 2x6 stamp set that includes a total of 6 of stamps and will sell for $7.

Would you like a chance to win the Day or Night & Sentimental Thank You stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Day or Night and  Sentimental Thank You 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 Day or Night & Sentimental Thank You stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (Jan. 29) during the Release Party Chat.

TSG Sneak Peeks - Happy Mail and Love

Hey there to all the TSG friends!!! I'm so glad you joined us on our sneak peeks of this month's release!! I think each day of sneak peeks just keep getting better and better.  So grab your cup of coffee and sit down and enjoy!!!  If you just happened upon my blog, I'm the first official stop on the blog hop today.  If there is a break in the blog hop, you'll want to check out the master list at the TSG Blog.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you will definitely want to invest in this stamp set illustrated by Jessica. These bold-lined images can be used as either the focal point of your creation or used as accents with other love-themed sets.

Love is a 2x6 stamp set that includes a total of 11 of stamps and will sell for $7.

Who doesn’t like to receive happy mail? The little girls in this set illustrated by our very own Iwona Palamountain sure do! Whether wishing someone a happy birthday or sending that special friend a pick-me-up, this adorable set will brighten anyone’s day!

Iwona aka Chupa has amazing style when it comes to her card creations and wow!! Now she's illustrated this darling set!! What can't she do?  I had so much fun coloring this little cutie pie with my Tombow Markers. The inspiration for this card most definitely came from the DP (from Little Shoebox) that I picked up in Victoria over the weekend. I knew they'd be a perfect combination.  Combine that with this week's Card Patterns sketch and you've got my card.  I love how everything pops on it. 

Happy Mail is a 3x4 stamp set that includes a total of 7 of stamps and will sell for $7.

The next stop on the blog hop today is the super amazing Corinna!!!

Would you like a chance to win the Love and  Happy Mail mini stamp sets? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Love & Happy Mail 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 Love & Happy Mail stamp sets. The winner will be announced Saturday (Jan. 29) during the Release Party Chat.

TSG Sneak Peeks - Back in 10

WOWZA!!! I can't believe how quickly this month has gone by and it's already time for There She Goes sneak peeks!!!  I'm the first official stop on the blog hop today - wahoo!!!  If there is a break somewhere along the hop, there will be a master list at the TSG Blog.

Is the winter chill getting you down? Do you need to take a break from the hectic activities of everyday life? Just sit down and enjoy this beautifully illustrated set from Di Carubia! These furry friends know how to relax and enjoy nature; and we’re certain that these whimsical images will not only bring a smile to your face, but they will also warm your heart!

Isn't that image just too adorable for words? Makes me ready for Spring I tell ya!!! We've had so much rain here lately and relatively mild temperatures compared to normal but I have a feeling we'll still get hammered by a few more snow falls. For my card, I knew all along I wanted to use this "City Park" DP from American Crafts as they are such springy colours.  I've watercolored the image with my Tombow Markers.  This card really took on a life of it's own. I had something totally different planned in terms of layout etc but I love how I let my creativity take hold and do things I normally never do.  Love it!!!

Now.... make sure you grab a cup of java and head on over to the amazingly talented Corinna's blog!!!

Back In 10 is a 4x6 stamp set that includes a total of 17 of stamps and will sell for $15.

Would you like a chance to win the Back In 10 stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Back In 10 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 Back In 10 stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (Jan. 29) during the Release Party Chat.

MFTWSC3 A little bit of Flopsey love

Isn't this little Flopsey just way too cute??  He's looking ready for Valentine's Day!! I must admit I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day but I love making cards for it.  Strange eh?? I just got Valentine Flopsey in the mail this week so I decided I had to ink him up and give him some love for this week's MFT Sketch Challenge.  I'm already an MFT addict (and yes... I'll admit it) and now that they have a weekly sketch I think I'll become an addict of those too.  I've watercolored Flopsey with my Tombow Markers and then highlighted around the edge with one of my pink Tombows.  DP is from the Echo Park valentine's Line - Be Mine.  Love it!!!! Great color combos I tell ya - but then again I'm a sucker for anything with white, black and pinks.  Overall a pretty simple card for some lucky person on the Day of love... I also made this card for this week's Sugar Creek Hollow challenge which is to make a card with mainly black and white with a splash of colour.  I think I achieved that - wahoo!!1

Supplies: 

Stamps - Valentine Flopsey - MFT

Paper - Gina K White, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Echo Park DP, Watercolor paper

Ink - Versafine Onyx Black, Basic Gray

Accessories - Tombow Markers, waterbrush, clear detail embossing powder, ribbon, chipboard hearts, dimensionals, Cuttlebug embossing folders

BLDC#2 What's up Dude?

What's up Dude???? The BLD Challenge #2 (By Lori Designs)  is what's in the house today. I'm a sucker for challenges - they always get the mojo going and mine seems to have taken a bit of a hike lately so if I have a challenge in hand, things are good.  As soon as I saw the colors for this week's challenge, I automatically thought of Ethan Lollipop.    

The colors just screamed for something "guyish". I had some certain DP in mind and of course when it came time to make my card, I couldn't find the paper pack I was looking for... (I should take that as a sign that I need to clean my craft area... what do you think?).  So I searched through my DP for something that had a "cool guy" look to it and settled on some October Afternoon and Cosmo Cricket DP. Ethan has been colored with a combination of watercolor pencils and Tombow Markers.  I'm thinking my card looks a little bare but when I really look at it, it definitely has a masculine feel to it.  Can't really go with bows for a guy card right? LOL.  I've also made this card for this week's "That's Krafty Thursday" on Jeanie Witmer's blog.  I love that someone else loves Kraft as much as I do.

Thanks for dropping by today!!! We'd love you to play along with us!!!

MFTWSC#2 Let's Celebrate!!

Can I just say I was inspired with this card??? Love it!!! I think it may be one of my fave cards in quite some time.  It's been a crazy couple of weeks here so there has been very little crafting going on.  I had a chance to go to my LSS over the weekend and pick up some new DP.  This forced me to find my mojo.... and I was inspired by this amazing DP from Bella Boulevard and Pebbles.  For my card today, I've followed the sketch for this week's MFT Challenge at SCS (which I'm getting done just under the wire - thank goodness).  I absolutely love that MFT has gone to a weekly sketch as a sketch always inspires me.  Crazy I know but I love em!!1  For my card, I've used the a la Mode "Cheers" (unfortunately it's out of stock right now so I can't link it).  The image has been watercolored with my Tombow Markers and I paper pieced the dress with one of the DP's.  I've clear embossed part of the champagne flute to give it a bit of shine.

Thanks MFT for inspiring me this week!!!

TSG90 A bear full of love

There are several techniques that are essential for stampers to have in their arsenal, and this week Corinna is our Trendsetter of the Week at There She Goes. wants us to make sure that wet embossing is one of them! Pull out your heat gun along with some embossing powders and get busy! You can emboss a solid image on your creation, emboss an outlined image and watercolor it, or showcase another wet embossing technique…your choices are endless!

Well.... I kinda took the easy way out didn't I???  Don't shoot the messenger okay?  When I watercolor, I always end up using Versafine Onyx Black Ink and Clear Detail Embossing Powder so that it gives you a "dam" ask Kim Teasdale would say. It allows you to be able to watercolor without going outside the lines... And believe me... I tend to like to color outside the lines. For my card,  I've used two sets from There She Goes, Bear Hugs and Sending my Love (for the sentiment). I thought that this could make a cute Valentine's card for a child or a friend.  The DP is from Pebbles (it was one of my finds on Saturday at my LSS).  It's been awhile since I've done a CAS card and it feels good to be making one again.


To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that utilizes wet embossing techniques, and then go 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 (Jan 24th). 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 TSG90 so we can check out your beautiful work!
 
Have a great day!!!
 

SSSC100 Hugs and Blessings for Katie

If you know Katie Renz, you know she`s a sweetheart.  What you may not know is that just before Christmas, Katie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Gastric Cancer.  She has been blogging about her journey on her blog, Katie`s Paper Haven.  Katie is married and has three young sons who all love and adore her.  I had the honour of being on the Clear Dollar Stamps DT with Katie for almost two years and in that time I found out just how amazing Katie is.  It breaks my heart to know the journey that her family is now on. 

A number of amazing artists have banded together on Jak Heath`s blog and created a bundle of digis in efforts to raise money for Katie and her family.  It is such an amazing cause for such an amazing lady!!! I urge you to head on over to Jak`s site and buy the digis.  They`re awesome!!!  For my card, I`ve used the digi that Lori Boyd donated for this cause.  They are just way too cute!! 

Take the time to hug your loved ones!!! 

PS. I have a blinkie on the right hand side of my blog that will direct you to Jak`s blog where you can purchase the digis.

It's a BLD Blog Hop!!!

Wahoo!!! It's someone's birthday!!! And in honour of our amazing leader Lori Boyd's birthday we're having a blog hop to celebrate some new releases!!! Lori's birthday...and she's giving her customers a gift of new stamps to play with.  How sweet eh??? Now if you happened upon my blog today, you'll want to go back to the BLD Blog.  Otherwise you should have arrived here from Jacquie's blog.  Isn't she just fabulous?  I'm sure she had great eye candy for you to feast on.

I have two beauties for you today.  The first card uses Puddle Jumper Emily which also comes with a present and the sentiment Happy birthday.  I've watercolored the image with my Tombow Markers and a waterbrush.  I then added Diamond Stickles to the balloons and the bows in her hair and on the dress.  The layout comes from this week's Card Patterns Sketch.

My second card uses Molly, a new release from the Bug and Roo Line which is illustrated by Hannah Boyd.  That girl has her mother's talent I tell ya!!! Artists in the family that's for sure!!! Once again the image has been watercolored with my Tombow Markers and a waterbrush.  The inspiration for my card came from the polkadots on Molly's dress and as a result, I just had to use the Cosmo Cricket DP from the Pixie-licious  pack. I've used this month's Sketch for You to Try (SFYTT) by Jen del Muro.

Guess what.... you'll want to comment on everyone's blogs!! Why??  Two lucky commenters will each win a $10 Gift Certificate to By Lori Designs!!!! Who doesn't love free goodies right? 

Now... make sure you have your cup of coffee and enjoy the rest of the blog hop.  Your next stop along the way is Jennifer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORI!!!! You're an amazing lady who deserves the best!!!

TSG89 A tree full of love

Winter is in full swing, but this week Julie has a color combination that is guaranteed to lift your spirits! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

For my card today, I've used the TSG set, "Sending My Love", a mini-set that I thought is perfect for quick and easy Valentines Day cards. I've been hoarding the black and white damask DP from My Mind's Eye but I thought it was perfect as the starting point for my card (and it fit the challenge perfectly right?).  I've watercolored the hearts on the tree with my Tombow Markers and kept it pretty simple with the layout from Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that utilizes the colors provided, and then go 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 the challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (Jan 17th). 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 TSG89 so we can check out your beautiful work!
 

Miss You a Latte

Wow!!! It's been a summer of so many ups and downs which meant a bit of time off from stamping.  But here I am, back and revived and enjoying creating again.  And one of the great things happening this month is that I am one of the guest designers at One Crazy Stamper which is a Canadian online store.  Yeah!! So excited to be able to design for a Canadian company.

To start the month off, the DT is working with this fabulous sketch. 

Isn't it fab?  I had so much fun playing with it!!! 

I was so excited when I saw that One Crazy Stamper carries MFT stamps (after all, I am an MFT junkie) and the Miss You a Latte a la Mode works perfectly for the sketch.  I've watercolored the image with my Tombow markers and then I decided to do a bit of paper piecing with the Echo Park "For the Record" DP .  I am loving this paper pack and may have to get a bit more...  Each layer of DP has been dry embossed with Cuttlebug embossing folders. Love the look of dry embossing for a bit of extra texture. 

BLDC#1 Floral Frenzy

Hey there!!! So glad you joined me today in my little Floral Frenzy of happiness!!! Wahoo!!! The time is finally here for by Lori Designs first challenge and it's a color challenge!!! Aren't the colors fabulous?  Too yummy I tell ya.

I had so much fun making my card for this challenge using the Lollipop, Peekaboo Baby. I've had this digi for awhile but with time constraints surrounding the holidays and my work schedule, I never had the time to color it.  I must have been waiting for this challenge?  What do you think?  As soon as I saw the colors for the color challenge, I automatically thought of the floral DP from My Mind's Eye (I had to have it when I bought and I finally cut into it) and I combined it with DP from 3 Bugs in a Rug (pink DP).  The image has been watercolored with my Tombow Markers.  When I first started using digis, I was using my watercolor pencils (which I am still getting used to) but then I discovered that I can use my Tombows and the ink hasn't run!!! Wahoo for me!!! The layout mainly follows Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge from this week... with one exception... I just couldn't bear to cut off any of the circle part so I shifted the main image panel down a bit to suit my style. 

We'd love for you to participate in the challenge with us today!!! Head on over to by Lori Designs!!!

TSG88 Odd Couples

It’s our first challenge of the New Year over at There She Goes, and Jessie, our Trendsetter of the week,  has a wonderful one to jump start your mojo! Pull out your sets, and combine those that wouldn’t normally “go” together to create a new and innovative card. Let your creative juices flow to combine two or more sets…your options are limitless.


I have to admit... this one really had me thinking. I tried to get creative but I kept on going back to the same sets, Daily Grind and A Drink A Day.  I've used two of the images from Daily Grind and the sentiment "Whether you think your  glass is half or half full, it's time to ask for another refill".  Cheesy I know... but they work so well together.  I've watercolored the two images with my Tombow Markers and the layout is from Mojo Monday.  I'm addicted to my Echo Park DP (I should be hoarding it but I can't).  Love it!
To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that utilizes unconventional set combinations, and then goo 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 (Jan 10th). 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 TSG88 so we can check out your beautiful work!

MFTGUESTDT0111 My heart is yours

Hey there everyone!!! I hope you're having a wonderful day!! I've had a busy weekend but I knew I had to make some time for this month's MFT Guest Designer Challenge which is to use a banner on your card.  I've had the banner die since shortly after it came out but I hadn't used it yet.  I knew once I saw the challenge that I wanted to do something a bit different so I decided to make the banners into a border.  It took me awhile to get all the banners made and sponged but once that was done, the card came together relatively quickly. I bought this K& Company DP last week while I was out with a friend and knew it would be perfect for this cutie pie PI (Love You with All My Heart - currently out of stock).  Isn't she just too cute for words?  I've watercolored her with my Tombow Markers and then I sponged the edges of the circle Nestie with Wheat Versamagic Ink. I also used the Hearts a Plenty die-namic for a bit more dimension.  

Thanks MFT for such a fun Challenge!!

Stamps:  PI Love You with All My Heart
Paper: Gina K Ivory, Early Espresso, K & Company DP, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Wheat Versamagic
Accessories: Nesties, Tombow Markers, Waterbrush, Ribbon, Baker's Twine, Button, Hearts a Plenty Die-namic, Banners Die