ISSC34 with Joanne Basile

Hi there!!! Thanks for hanging in with me while I adjust to my new schedule.  For my post today, I have combined my TSGA post with my iSpy post for this week. I'm so excited about this week's iSpy!!! We are featuring  Joanne Basile (basilefamily @ SCS).  Joanne is an amazing cardmaker and I can say I'm always in awe of her cards when I visit her blog.  Her work is amazing!!! This week's sketch is based on this card.

 

 

For my card today, I decided to do a mirror image of the sketch because it worked better with the sketch. 

 

For my card, I have used the TSG set called "Wrapped in Joy" for the image and the set called "Make a Wish".  The image was watercolored with Tombow Markers. 

Hope you like my card!!

Head on over to the TSG blog to check out all the inspiration and the iSpy blog to see what the DT has created with the sketch.

Don't forget to check out the TSG store :-)

Have a great day!!!

 

 

 

 

ISSC28 A Great Pear

Hi there!!! It's Friday, finally!! LOL!! I'm off work for the next several days so I'll have an opportunity to get a little crafty - wahoo!! I've had these sweet pears colored up since mid-July and they're finally making their way onto a card for this week's iSpy Sketch Challenge. You'll recognize the fruit (I used a different image from this set called "Fruity Friends" from Taylored Expressions just last week). 

The image was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and then watercolored with Tombow Markers. I even pulled out my SU Pastels (which haven't seen the light of day in a few years) to create the cheeks on the pears.  The DP is all from my scrap bin (MME, Pebbles and not sure about the red/pink polka dots). 

Head on over to the iSpy blog to check out what the Special Agents have created. 

DTGD12Jellybean74

This year,I am enjoying  the Dare to Get Dirty challenges in a different way, mainly because I'm doing it from the "other" side as current Dirty Dozen. It has been so much fun seeing everything happen behind the scenes. 

I have made this card for my challenge :-).  Eeks!!! I'm super excited to be hosting my own challenge.  It's a fun challenge (although one of my sample makers may have cursed me a little LOL).  Make sure you head on over to this thread to check out my challenge. 

For my card, I have used the MFT set called "Disco Queen" that I have had since shortly after it came out but sadly it hadn't seen ink yet. Sad I know.... The image was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and then watercolored with Tombow Markers.  The DP is a combination of Basic Grey and MME. 

The large photo of my card doesn't show the disco ball in as much detail as I wanted so here's a close up of the Diamond Stickles I put on it to add  a little bling.

Thanks for dropping by and make sure you head on over to SCS to check out all the DTGD details (if you're not a Fan Club member yet, you'll definitely want to be).

ISSC26 Talk nerdy to me

WOW!!! This has been one busy week especially with the Dare to Get Dirty Challenges at SCS just around the corner. Have you been enjoying the TSG sneak peeks as well this week? 

We all know the reason you're here... this week's iSpy sketch which is from Therese Calvird and is based on this card.

Easy sketch eh?  I love it!! Although I must admit, this one had me stumped for a LONG time.  I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with it and then I had an aha moment.  Or should I say I slapped my own forehead moment?  LOL.

For my card, I was inspired by the new "Sunny Side" DP from Pebbles that I bought at my LSS recently. The image is an a la Mode image called "Talk Nerdy to Me" from MFT. The image was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and then watercolored with my Tombow Markers.  I think this card would be perfect for a back to school gift.

Now head on over to the iSpy blog to check out what the DT has created!!!

Have a great day!!!

SFYTT Out on a limb?

It's been a great month so far and I was more than excited when I found out that "There She Goes" is sponsoring "Sketch for You to Try".  One of my fave stamp companies pairing up with one of my fave sketches.  Match made in heaven I tell ya!!!

Great sketch!!!

My card uses one of the new releases from TSG called "Jungle Out There".  I watercolored the image with Tombow Markers (surprise, surprise).  LOL!!! I'm so predictable.  The DP is a mixture of Bella Blvd and Kaisercraft that I purchased recently at my LSS. 

There is a great group of girls participating with samples today using TSG stamps. Pop on over to Jen's blog to check out all the details!!

Before I leave, I just want to let you know that Candace, who is one of our new TSG Trendsetters, changed her blog address and blog name. I hope you visit her new blog, Creatively Candace to follow her beautiful creations!

ISSC05 Happy Birthday My Little Friend

It's been a quiet week on my blog-arooni....  I'm still trying to get myself situated at my parents while repair work is being done at home.  I've only just set my makeshift craft area up today so that I could make my card (hence the bad picture quality of my card.... CRAPPY lighting). 

Wahoo!!! It's March which means one thing... daylight savings time soon and the beginning of slightly warmer weather.  And a new month of inspiration for you at Ispy Sketches. This week we are featuring this gorgeous card by DJ Rants (DJRants at SCS) that was posted in her SCS Gallery on March 19, 2011.

Here is our sketch for this week - I was a little intimidated but ended up having a TON of fun with it!!

Lots of layers eh?? WOWZA!!!

Once again... I apologize for the bad pic quality.  I will try to take a pic when it's lighter out to see if I can get something better.  For my card, I've used the fun TSG set called "My Little Friend" and have watercolored the cute gnome with Tombow Markers.  I've used a mish mash of DP (MME, October Afternoon and Pebbles) to create a bright fun card.  I've added some Black Jute Twine from the Ribbon Carousel as well (I love this stuff).

I'm hoping with my card it will bring a little SPRING.. LOL...

Have a great day and thanks for popping by!!!

SFYTT Bee Mine

Yeah!!! My "Your Next Stamps" order arrived earlier this week and I couldn't wait to make a card with this month's Sketch for You to Try. Your Next Stamps is the sponsor at SFYTT this month and as this month's Guest Designer I get to play with their stamps too. Yeah!!! I was disappointed that I didn't have them for the first card this month but I'm delighted to use them for this card. When I opened up the stamps, I was incredibly impressed with the quality of "Your Next Stamps".  Phenomenal!!! I know I'll be placing an order soon for some fun goodies.  The image I have used on this card is from the fabby set called "Seasonal Icons 1". The image has been stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I then watercolored the image with my Tombow Markers. I paper pieced the hearts (one of the SFYTT girls did it on their card and I love the look) and I've also added some Diamond Stickles to the bee's wings for a bit of extra dimension. Isn't that DP fabulous? I made a trip to Parksville to Scrapbookin' Adventures the other day (our closest scrapbook store) and found this fabulous Pebbles DP. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. It's been awhile since I've had DP that I just "had" to have. The twine on my buttons is Black Jute Twine from the Ribbon Carousel.

Don't forget you have all month to play along with this month's Sketch for You to Try.

Did you see the fun announcement on Jen's blog today? Karen of Your Next Stamps is offering up some fun for SFYTT participants.

ISSC02 We have Chemistry

WOW!!! What an amazing response for the first iSpy sketch last week.  We were totally blown away by all the entries!!! This week's card is based on Beate's "Sweet lil Sheep" and how cute it is!!!

When I first saw the sketch, I'll admit I was a little scared. Okay.... a LOT scared.  And then I wished I had that fantastic pennant die.... which I don't.  (may have to invest in it sometime soon though). 

 

I loved Beate's color combo so I just had to use it (but reversed the order of them on the card).  I've used DP from We R Memory Keepers and My Mind's Eye.  Chemistry is my all time fave TSG set and with Valentine's Day just around the corner, I knew I had to pull it out one more time this season.  (Don't worry.... I only have one more Valentine's card to share with you before the big day next week). I stamped the main image in Versafine Onyx Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and then watercolored with my Tombow Markers. The black jute twine I've used on my card is fromt he Ribbon Carousel.  Easy peasy I tell ya!! 

Now head on over to the iSpy blog to check out all of the fabulous eye candy!!!

RCC39 One Tiki, Two Tiki...

This week at the Ribbon Carousel Challenge, we're partnering up with the fantastic ladies at Market Street Stamps for a two day blog hop extravaganza.  And the eye candy you'll see, WOW!!!

For the next two days, the Market Street Stamps and Ribbon Carousel Designers, will be showcasing the amazing stamps from Market Street Stamps and the beautiful ribbons from RibbonCarousel.com. 
And of course, we're giving away some AMAZING prizes!!!

 It's an "Anything Goes" challenge at RCC and I had a LOT of fun with this card using the fantastic set called "Tiki Time".

For my card, I was inspired by the current "Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge".  I first stamped the margarita images in Versafine Onyx Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I then watercolored them with my Tombow Markers.  To add a bit of "Salt" to the glass, I used Diamond Stickles.  I've also used my favorite Black Jute Twine to finish off my card from the Ribbon Carousel. Add a few of the fantastic sentiments from the set and Voila... my card. 

Here are all the Blog Hop details:

What: Market Street Stamps and Ribbon Carousel Blog Hop!

When: Tuesday, February 7 through Monday, February 13 11:59pm EST

Where:  Market Street Stamps Blog and Ribbon Carousel Blog

How:  Start the blog hop at either the Market Street Stamps blog or Ribbon Carousel blog.  Visit each of the designers blogs featured on both days, Tuesday and Wednesday. When you have completed the Blog Hop, leave your name on the Inlinkz on either the Market Street Stamps Blog or the Ribbon Carousel Blog.  You have until NEXT MONDAY, February 13 at 11:59pm EST to complete the entire hop.

3 Prizes for 3 winners:  We’re giving away Two $25 Gift Certificates to the Market Street Stamps store…

And…

a newly released Ribbon Carousel!

We’ll announce the winners on both blogs on Tuesday, February 14! We hope you enjoy the hop! 



SFYTT A little Hello

OMGoodness!!! Check out that little logo above!! Can I just say WOW!! Jen del Muro and Susan Liles asked me, YES ME to be the February Guest Designer for Sketch for You to Try. My first response when I was asked was "Are you sure you emailed the right person?".  I'm super excited to be playing along with all of the FABULOUS ladies at SFYTT.  So many of the ladies are my stamping idols so it's a true pleasure and honour. 

Fabby sketch eh?? Love it!!!

This month, Your Next Stamp is the sponsor and I can't wait to play with their stamps. Unfortunately, they didn't get here  in time but  I'll be playing with them as soon as they arrive. 

So here's my card.  Cute eh? 

As you can see, I have flipped the sketch on its' side (such a rebel...) because the fabby Addy'tude from Stamping Bella worked better this way.  I've watercolored the image with my Tombow Markers and then fussy cut her out so that I could pop her up to give her some dimension. I added some rhinestones as her earrings.  Who wouldn't want those stunners in their ears right?  I'll take some sparkle and bling anywhere I can get them.    The DP for my card is a mix of Basic Grey Picadilly and My Mind's Eye.  As you can see... I changed the sketch up a little itty bit and used the long rhinestone swirl as the three circles in the sketch.  I love the look that it gives and it's still looks like the original sketch.

Thank you so much for popping by!!! I'll be playing along with Your Next Stamps as soon as i get them.  Pop on over to Jen's blog to check out all the details about this month's sketch. 

Have I mentioned this is a dream come true???

ISSC01 I've met my match

I can't believe the time has finally arrived!!! It's the inaugural sketch for iSPY Sketches. We've teased you a little throughout the week and we're so excited about unveiling our first sketch based upon this amazing card from Loretta Lock. 

Now if you know me at all.... I'm a rebel and I rarely leave a sketch in its' original state.  This time, I've flipped it on its' side so that I could use the fabby a la Mode image called "I've met my Match" from My Favorite Things. 

I've stamped the a la Mode in Versafine Onyx Black and have coloured it with Tombow Markers.  (surprise, surprise right?) LOL!!! The DP for my card comes from a few different of my fave DP companies including Pink Paislee, My Mind's Eye and We R Memory Keepers.  The fabulous Scarab vintage seam binding and Blossom Twinery Twine are both available at The Ribbon Carousel.  I had so much fun adding the rhinestones to the Wonky Scallop Border Dienamic from My Favorite Things (I've had it since shortly after it came out and this was the first time it has seen daylight - LOL).

TSG141 You brighten my day

This week at There She Goes, our challenge is brought to us by our Junior Trendsetters! They have challenged us to make a card or project using the photo as inspiration.

I had so much fun making my card but I tell ya... it was hard making a decision as to what floral image to use.  TSG has so many fabulous sets containing flowers but I eventually decided on the set called "Bloom" which I don't pull out often enough.   I've stamped the image and sentiment in Versafine Onyx Black and then the main image was watercolored with my Tombow markers.  My flowers were a little bright for what I was trying to attain so out came a light brown Tombow marker to soften the colours. The layout for my card is this week's Freshly Made Sketch that I've flipped upside down.  Instead of the three little circles, I replaced it with a rhinestone flourish. 

To be eligible for the giveaway, create a card or project using the photo as inspiration 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 (February 6th). 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 TSG141 so we can check out your beautiful work!

TSG Sneak Peek - Scootin' By

Day 3 - hasn't the sneak peeks been fantastic? 

Cruising on a Sunday afternoon, scootin’ by to say hi! Melyssa Connolly has brought Leah back and she’s “born to be wild!” She already comes with lots of fun, but if this isn’t enough she has a kit to accessorize to her hearts content! Whether she’s moving, heading off to school, or enjoying a ride she’ll surely make tracks into your heart.

If you know me at all, it's been said that I'm a nice person who sometimes gets aggravated while driving... You'll just need to ask Jessica and Kim Teasdale, they'll tell ya.  LOL!!! I've always wanted a scooter but to be honest, they scare the living daylights out of me.  I've watercolored the image with my Tombow Markers and kept the layout fairly simple. 

Scootin’ By is a 4x8 set that includes a total of 15 stamps and will sell for $18.00.

Scootin’ By – Accessories is a 4x4 set that includes a total of 14 stamps and will sell for $10.00.

Would you like to win the new Scootin’ by and Scootin’ by Accessories stamp sets? 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 January 28^th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

TSG Sneak Peek - Perk Up

I'm such a sucker for anything coffee related so when Jessica sent the sets we'd be releasing this month, I did a little happy dance!! There She Goes really knows how to make amazing sets!!

Friendship and coffee are a good blend to send greetings near and far. Torico has created a darling set to perk up the one “mug” you’ve been missing. An absolute must for those sweets and treats without all the calories!

I had so much fun with this card!!! I started out using fellow Trendsetter Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch and used fun DP from Fancy Pants Design and Bella Blvd.   I have watercolored the image with Tombow Markers and then sponged the edge of the main panel with Versamagic Wheat Ink.  The White Ruffle edge ribbon and black Jute Twine are both from the Ribbon Carousel.  I also made this card for Jeanie Whitmer's current "That's Krafty Thursday" challenge.

Perk Up! is a 4x8 set that includes a total of 36 stamps and will sell for $18.00.

Would you like to win the new Perk Up! 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 January 28^th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

TSG139 I "ruff" you

I "ruff" you!!! Isn't that just so cute?  I'm hoping my post goes live tonight!!! I'm off to Vancouver today to see my beloved Vancouver Canucks play!  Let's just say I'm super EXCITED!!! Yup... I said it!!  LOL!!! Okay... enough jibber jabber here.  You're here for my card right?  This week over at TSG, the Senior Trendsetters are highlighting 3 sets in our "There She Goes (AGAIN) week".  This weeks' challenge is to create a card with nature in it.  I know what you're thinking... but yes, I do have some nature in my card!! See that little patch of grass?  LOL... That's my nature for ya. 

For my card today, I've used the TSG set called Puppy Love.  I think is my all time fave set from There She Goes.  I've watercolored the image with my Tombow markers (surprise surprise!!!) and kept it relatively simple.  The layout for my card is last weeks' Viva La Verve challenge at SCS. I absolutely loved the sketch and it worked so perfectly for my card.  My DP is a hodge podge of Echo Park, Fancy Pants, and Bo Bunny. I'm all about mixing my DP together for a fun look to a card.  It makes it pop a little more, don't you think? 

We'd love for you to participate with us this week so head on over to the TSG blog to check out what the girls have cooked up for you. 

RCC35 Inspired by relaxation

I can't believe it's been a month since I've made a card for the Ribbon Carousel Challenge!!! Wowza!  This week Laurel has created an inspiration challenge that is somewhat winter like. 

**** Sorry about the pic quality!!! I have a new camera and things came out kinda funky with the lighting.  I'll try to take a pic on Tuesday in the day light.  I kinda strayed away from the inspiration pic - oops!!! I did keep most of the colors the same though and then added a bit of  pink to lighten it up for a more Spring like look.  I've used a digi called "Bubble Leah" from Whimsie Doodles who is our sponsor this week.  The image has been watercolored with my Tombow Markers and then I've added some Diamond Stickles to the bubbles both in the bathtub and the air. The layout for my card comes from this month's SFYTT. I must have been pre-occupied while making this card.... I got it all finished and then realized I had no ribbon on it!!! So, part of my card had to be disassembled so that I could add some  Pink Sorbet Baker's Twine from the Ribbon Carousel. Call me a dork!!!

One lucky participant will win a $10 Gift certificate to the Whimsie Doodles online store. You'll want to check out the Ribbon Carousel Challenge blog too!!! There might be a little something extra for this week's participants.