YNS Meets ISSC18

Another quiet week on my blog... I took a small break from stamping this week to deal with life... I've been on the job hunt for a few months now and I finally feel like things have turned a corner and hopefully good things are coming my way.  It was one of those weeks where it was make cards or get my rear in gear and get some more resumes etc out there.  And the job hunt won... 

But enough about my life... I have some fun stuff going on this month!!! I've been asked to be this month's guest designer at Your Next Stamp.  Eeks!!! I'm so excited that I get to be a part of supporting a Canadian company. 

I'm loving this graphic!!! Hehehehe. Too cute!!!

Because I'm being revealed as the guest designer today, I decided to combine my announcement with my iSpy card.  This weeks sketch,  ISSC18 is from LeAnne Pugliese ( LeAnne Pugliese @ SCS) and is based on this card

For my card, I decided to use "Vacation Don" that I think is way too cute!!!

I told you he's cute!!! LOL!!! Gotta love a bear in a convertible with a surfboard in tow.  I have stamped the image in Versafine Onyx Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and then I watercolored the image with Tombow Markers.  Easy Peasy!!! The sentiment comes from the YNS set called "Seasonal Icons One". 

As part of "Your Next Stamp", the ladies do what is called "Fun Friday"  where the DT provides extra info about how we stamp etc.  My Fun Friday tip/trick is to let you know "Don't be afraid to combine different companies' DP on your cards".  I am a sucker for DP especially in 6x6 pads.  Most people use only one pad for their cards, but I like to mix it up to make my cards stand out.  It makes your card a little bit different.  On my card, I have some older Cosmo Cricket, My Mind's Eye and Fancy Pants Design.  All of the colors "go together" to create a cohesive look.  Cool eh? 

Onto the iSpy info:

Here is how to play:

• Create a paper crafting project (card, scrap book page or 3D item), based on the sketch provided.Post your creation on your blog or an online gallery (using a code ISSC18), and link it here with the inlinkz widget below.
• Please provide a direct link to your post - not the generic link to your blog.
• A new challenge will be posted every Friday at 12:01 AM EST, and you have until noon on the following Friday EST to submit your entry.
• You may enter as many times as you like, but please provide a newly designed project with a new link for each additional project.
• We will choose the top 2 creations to be featured in our "Top 2 Winners" post every Sunday where we will announce who we have picked :) The winners will receive their very own iSpy Sketches blog badge!
• Don't forget that you may combine our challenges with others and use supplies from any company that you wish :)
• Have fun and we look forward to "spying" your creations!

Wahoo!!! A new blog design!!

WOW!!!! I was chatting with Kim Teasdale yesterday and casually mentioned I'd love a new blog design.  I had absolutely NO clue as to what I wanted so we started chatting today about some ideas.  I went off to make dinner and came back to an email with my blog banner. I LOVE it!!! I was absolutely blown away by what Kim created for me.  Have I mentioned I LOVE it???

Make sure you check out Kim's website called

You won't regret it. 

She has great watermarks as well. 

The background part of my blog is from

Mel Stampz

I'm giddy with excitement about my new blog!!! I hope you like it!!!

Kim, you ROCK!!! Thanks for being such a fabulous and amazing friend!! Love ya!!!

TSG Sneak Peek - Oh Crop!!!

Oh Crop is our second set from Melyssa this month, and it has STOLEN our hearts!! The flying pigs, the picturesque scene, that ADORABLE farmer…really, how could you NOT love this? You don’t have to be a country girl to know that THIS set is a Blue Ribbon WINNER!

Can I just say I've had SO much fun creating cards for this release and this card is no exception.  I remember as a child always using the phrase "When pigs fly" so of course I had to use the two flying pigs from this set on my card.  I've used last week's Deconstructed Sketch for my card (another fab sketch!!!).  Did I mention I had fun make this card.  I stamped the two pigs in Versafine Onyx Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I then masked them off and sponged in the sky background using Soft Sky ink.  I have watercolored the image with Tombow Markers and added some Diamond Stickles to the pigs' wings. (After all, every pig needs a bit of bling right??). 

Oh Crop is a 6x8 set that includes a total of 21 stamps and will sell for $24.00.

Would you like to win the new Oh Crop stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, May 26th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

ISSC17 - We Blend well!!

Isn't this a fantastic sketch at iSpy?  This week's sketch features Amy Rohl aka rohla @ SCS and is based on this card. I knew I  liked it as soon as I saw it... and then I had a massive brain fart!!!

See my brain fart?  Yup, I screwed up the sketch.  I guess that's what you get when you try to do the sketch from memory!! Apparently, my memory isn't that great but I guess it's an opportunity for interpretation of the sketch. Right?? LOL!!!

For my card, I used the Alley Way stamp set called "Kitchen Gadgets" that I have stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and then watercolored with Tombow Markers.  This was my first time using sets from the Alley Way and I must say I LOVED them!! They stamped clearly the first time so no muss or fuss trying to get a clear crisp image.  The quality is definitely fantastic!!

Want to see what the rest of the team created?  Head on over to the iSpy blog to check it all out!!!

TSG Sneak Peek - Cute as a button

What can we say about this new set from Torico, other than…it’s Cute As a Button?! The perfect sewing set for ANY crafter, full from top to bottom, end to end, with as MANY stamps as you could POSSIBLY need to make the perfect card or scrapbook page, this whimsically cute set is sure to have EVERYTHING you need to celebrate the crafter in your life!

I may not be a sewer but I have to admit this is a CUTE set and perfect if you have a sewing friend in your life.  For my card, I wanted to go girly and cute so I used DP from My Mind's Eye (various paper lines) that worked well together.  My layout is this month's SFYTT, which i know will be going into my favorite sketch file.  I stamped the dress form in Versafine Onyx Black and embossed it with clear embossing powder. I then sponged around the edge of the main panel with Angel Pink Memento ink. 

Cute As a Button is a 6x8 set that includes a total of 33 stamps and will sell for $24.00.

Would you like to win the new Cute As a Button  stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, May 26th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

TSG Sneak Peek - Flava Sava

Excuse me, I MUSTACHE you a question….is this NOT the CUTEST set?! Mustache’s, and puns about mustaches (lol), are all the rage right now and we couldn’t help but add a little TSG flare to this FABULOUS trend! The possibilities, and uses, for this set are endless…and just ENTIRELY too funny!

Hehehehehe....

For my card today, I went with a more clean and simple approach trying to use more masculine colors.  Kraft is very manly, don't you know? LOL.  I stamped the solid image mustache in Chocolate Chip ink randomly all over the main panel. I then did a center panel using Summer Sun and Orange Ink (not sure of the color name).  Easy peasy!!!

Flava Sava is a 4x4 set that includes a total of 14 stamps and will sell for $10.00.

Would you like to win the new Flava Sava stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, May 26th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

TSG Sneak Peek - Congradulations

Welcome to Day one of sneak peeks for There She Goes.It's going to be a fun week of sneak peeks I tell ya!!!

Melyssa is at it again, and just in time for all your graduation needs! This stamp set is PERFECT for ANY grad, young or old!! There is NO better way than to honor your favorite grad with a card, or scrapbook page, honoring their achievements!

For my card today, I've used this week's TSG Sketch Challenge (and of course, I changed it up a tiny bit...).  It was such a fun sketch that I couldn't pass it up!!  My inspiration for my card comes from the Cosmo Cricket line called "Twenty Three".  I stamped the image in Versafine Onyx Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and then watercolored with my Tombow Markers. 

ConGRADulations is a 4x6 set that includes a total of 17 stamps and will sell for $15.00.

Would you like to win the new ConGRADulations stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, May 26th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Happy (early) Birthday to Jessica!!

It's Jessica Knutsen's (the amazing talent behind There She Goes Clear Stamps)  Birthday later on this week but with sneak peeks for TSG starting tomorrow, we wanted Jessica to have a day all to herself!! She deserves it!!! So SURPRISE!!!

For my card, I used one of the new releases called "Bombdiggity" that was released at the end of April.  The image was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and then embossed with clear embossing powder.  I ended up masking the girl so that I could add the bombs in behind her.  And surprise, I've watercolored the image with Tombow Markers.  My card started out using Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge but I ended up veering away from it (the image panel was too big and the fishtails wouldn't fit (BOO).

Before I send you on your way, I just want to wish Jessica a very happy birthday!!!! Jessica is one of the sweetest and most loyal friends I have and I'm more than honored that I can call Jessica my friend.  I've had the opportunity to get together with Jessica on a few different occasions and I'm always sad to leave.  I probably shouldn't mention she makes one mean margarita!!! Thank you Jessica for being the person you are!!! There's no one out there like you! Love ya!!!!

Jessica truly is "the bomb"!

FS276 'Sup Grill-friend

I was SUPER excited when I saw that Candace Pierce (a fellow Trendsetter) aka Candylou on SCS was selected as this week's Featured Stamper!!! I have been a LONG time fan of Candace's and am always in awe of her cards. Don't tell her but I stalk her blog!! LOL!!! Candace is an absolute sweetheart with a heart of gold and I'm honored to not only be on a design team with her but am lucky enough to call Candace a friend.   

Enough mushiness... LOL!!! For my card today, I decided to CASE this card of Candace's.  I loved the unique layout (I'm a sucker for a skewed panel) and the fun colors that Candace used.  I've used the new Paper Smooches set called "Alfresco" on my card and have watercolored it with Tombow Markers. A few things I changed from Candace's original cards are:  DP, image, color of ribbon, omitted the rhinestones. 

Thanks for popping by and checking out my card. 

Congrats Candace!!! Enjoy your day in the spotlight at SCS!!!



ISSC16 and TSGA - Take Flight

WOW!!! I can't believe my blog was quiet all week. Oops!!! Sorry about that!! I was out of town last weekend and then I was finishing up May's Dirty Dozen gallery.  It'll be busy around here for the next week or so though with TSG's sneak peeks starting on Tuesday.

In the mean time, it's TSGA ( There She Goes Again) week and time for this week's iSpy Sketch.   At There She Goes the girls have been highlighting "Aim for the Clouds", "Life's a Beach", and "A Drink a Day".  

This week's iSpy sketch is based upon a card by Dyane Fogleboch (Precious Stamps @ SCS) and is based on this card.

I manipulated the sketch just an eensy teensy bit... Of course, I had to!! (that's in my nature I'm sure of it). 

For my card I wanted to try to go a little "outside" the box by using the clouds from MFT as the horizontal panel across the card.  Each of the clouds were run through my Cuttlebug using various embossing folders and popped up at varying heights to add a bit of dimension.  Shall I just say quite a few pop dots were harmed in the making of this card.  LOL!!! I then used the two hot air balloons from the TSG set called "Aim for the Clouds"  (currently on sale for $12.75).  They were both watercolored and then popped up

Hope you like it!!! Now pop on over to the TSG blog to see what the girls have used for the TSGA week

Don't forget about popping over to the iSpy blog to see how the girls have interpreted this week's sketch!!

There's some great eye candy at both blogs!!!
 

MOABH - A Drink A Day

The time has come for this year's Mother of All Blog Hops hosted by There She Goes!!! I love that we get to showcase all of TSG's amazing sets with our customers joining in on the fun.  Can you believe that this is the 3rd year already?? So much fun!!! Over the next two days,we (customers and trendsetters) will be featuring some of our favorite There She Goes Clear Stamp sets.  Not only that, we're going to give YOU a chance to win some fabulous prizes.

To find out how, please go to the There She Goes’ blog and read the simple instructions.

I had so much fun making my card using the TSG set called "A Drink A Day".  Now, a little disclaimer here... I've noticed I've been using a lot of drink type stamp sets lately but reality is I rarely drink!!! A fruity martini every now and then on a girls night and that's about it.  I LOVE this set because of all of it's cheeky sentiments, perfect for any occasion and perfect for my friends.  People know I'm one cheeky and sassy girl so this set is perfect!  I stamped the images in Versafine Onyx Black Ink and then watercolored with Tombow Markers.  I also added some Glossy Accents to the glasses to make them look more realistic. 

And check this out too!!!

You'll want to check out what everyone has in store for you today so check out the Inlinkz below and hop onto the next person!!

Thanks for popping by!!!!!

ISSC15 Party Time!!!

I can't believe another week has flown by as quickly as it has. I've been creating a lot of stuff but nothing I can share with you yet (it's for the SCS Dirty Dozen gallery) so my blog my be quiet over the next few days. 

In the mean time,  it's time for another sketch at iSpy Sketches.  This week's sketch is from Leanne W (From Leanne @ SCS) and is based on this card.

Now I have to admit something... that curved panel really threw me for a loop!! I wasted endless amounts of DP trying to get the curve right and then I had an aha moment!!! Tear the darn paper!!!



As you can see, I flipped the sketch (I'm such a rebel!!!LOL).  For my card, I used the Market Street Stamp set called "Tiki Time".  I stamped the versafine Onyx Black and then embossed with clear embossing powder.  I watercolored the images with Tombow Markers and then added some Diamond Stickles to the margarita glass.  Each of the layers have been distressed using my scissors (can't find my distressing tool, it's still packed up).  I also added some Brown Jute Twine from the Ribbon Carousel. 



Here is how to play:

• Create a paper crafting project (card, scrap book page or 3D item), based on the sketch provided.Post your creation on your blog or an online gallery (using a code ISSC15), and link it here with the inlinkz widget below.
• Please provide a direct link to your post - not the generic link to your blog.
• A new challenge will be posted every Friday at 12:01 AM EST, and you have until noon on the following Friday EST to submit your entry.
• You may enter as many times as you like, but please provide a newly designed project with a new link for each additional project.
• We will choose the top 2 creations to be featured in our "Top 2 Winners" post every Sunday where we will announce who we have picked :) The winners will receive their very own iSpy Sketches blog badge!
• Don't forget that you may combine our challenges with others and use supplies from any company that you wish :)
• Have fun and we look forward to "spying" your creations!

TSG Meets Ribbon Carousel!!!

Eeks!!! Two of my fave companies pairing up for an amazing blog hop! What could be better than that right?

 

"We are thrilled to be teaming up today for a blog hop with the designers from The Ribbon Carousel! If you haven't checked out the Ribbon Carousel Store, you TOTALLY should! From ribbons, to flowers, embellishments and paper, you can get ALL your stamping needs fullfilled!!

Isn't this elephant just too cute??  He's from the TSG set called "Jungle Out There" that is becoming one of my new faves. I know I say that a lot about the TSG stamps but Jessica keeps amazing us with fantastic stamp sets every month.  For my card, I was inspired by the current Deconstructed Sketch that I fell in love with. I'm often a sucker for cool sketches and this one definitely fit the bill.  The image has been watercolored with Tombow Markers and then I sponged in the sky background and the grass.  Easy peasy!! I've discovered that using Nestabilities with the larger scallops in various sizes it creates a great sponged sky using Soft Sky ink.  I then added some Stone Twinery Twine and some Silver Satin Pleated Ribbon from the Ribbon Carousel.   

Now, who is up for some prizes?

Hop along today and one lucky blog hopper will win a Ribbon Carousel and one lucky blog hopper will win a $50 gift certificate from There She Goes Clear Stamps!

But that's not all!

The Ribbon Carousel will give away a $10 gift certificate to the Ribbon Carousel Store on our Facebook page and we will give away a $10 gift certificate to There She Goes Clear Stamps on their Facebook page!  

Here's what you need to do:

1. Head on over to the Ribbon Carousel Facebook page and say hello!

2. Head on over to the There She Goes Facebook page and say hello there, too!

3. Come back to the Ribbon Carousel Facebook page and tell us you've done it!

4. Share the post on the Ribbon Carousel or There She Goes Facebook page about this blog hop with a friend for an extra

chance to win!

Lets go! Start hopping!

TSG155 Inspired....

Hello TSG Fans!! Our Trendsetter of the Week, Holly, is challenging all of us to use the provided photo as inspiration for our card or projects. There is so much to look at in this photo, and SO many TSG stamp sets that will work, this should be FUN!! The great thing about inspiration is that you can take it where ever you want it to go, just let yourself be inspired!

When I saw this inspiration pic, I knew I wanted to use the two sets "Believe in You" and "Every Child". The inspiration pic reminds me of a child's play area and who wouldn't love to sit in the chair in the pic right?  I have used an older Freshly Made Sketch for the layout of my card.  I mimicked the chevron striped chair by using Chevron striped paper (perfect match if I do say so myself).  I have watercolored the image with Tombow Markers.  

To be eligible for the giveaway, create a project using the inspiration photo, and 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 (May 14th). 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 lookout 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 TSG155 so we can check out your beautiful work!

ISSC14 You're appreciated

WOW! It feels like it's been a busy couple weeks on my old blogarooni here and it'll just keep on coming at ya!!! A new month means a new sketch for the girls and I at Ispy Sketches. This week's sketch is fromm Brenda Orso ( fuzzymaddy@ SCS) and is based on this card. I have to admit, I love Brenda's SCS name!! Brings a smile to my face.

Check out the fab sketch!!!

I had so many ideas when I saw this sketch but knew right away that I wanted to use one of the a la Modes from MFT. This one is called "An Apple for the Teacher". I stamped the image on watercolor paper with Versafine Onyx Black and then embossed with clear embossing powder. I then watercolored the image with Tombow Markers (are you surprised??). 

Here is how to play:

• Create a paper crafting project (card, scrap book page or 3D item), based on the sketch provided.Post your creation on your blog or an online gallery (using a code ISSC14), and link it here with the inlinkz widget below.
• Please provide a direct link to your post - not the generic link to your blog.
• A new challenge will be posted every Friday at 12:01 AM EST, and you have until noon on the following Friday EST to submit your entry.
• You may enter as many times as you like, but please provide a newly designed project with a new link for each additional project.
• We will choose the top 2 creations to be featured in our "Top 2 Winners" post every Sunday where we will announce who we have picked :) The winners will receive their very own iSpy Sketches blog badge!
• Don't forget that you may combine our challenges with others and use supplies from any company that you wish :)
• Have fun and we look forward to "spying" your creations!

Ribbon Carousel/ May Arts blog hop info

Just a reminder:  Part of the Ribbon Carousel Team paired up with May Arts. Make sure you check it out!!!

You have 4 chances to win! Hop along and leave some love on the designers' blogs. A winner will be chosen randomly from one of the designer's blog from the Ribbon Carousel and one designer's blog from May Arts.

Also,stop by and say hello on both the Ribbon Carousel's Facebook page and the May Arts Facebook pagefor additional chances to win!

You have until Friday , May 4th at 3:00 EST to play along! Winners will be announced on Friday, May 4th at 6:00 PM here, on the May Arts blog, the Ribbon Carousel Facebook page, and the May Arts Facebookpage!

Here are the prizes:

Ribbon Carousel Blog: 4 spools of May Arts Ribbon (winner's choice)

Ribbon Carousel Facebook page: 2 rolls of Mary Arts Ribbon (winner's choice)

May Arts Blog: Ribbon Carousel

May Arts Facebook page: 2 ten packs of wooden spools

 

 

 

And just a reminder, we're also celebrating with a 20% off sale in the store, which includes ALL of the beautiful May Arts ribbon in the store! Only good till May 7th so enjoy!

Be sure to check out the RC Blog for all the information and how you can win!