Saying goodbye to iSpy

Hi there, everyone.  I'm not sure if you saw Kim's announcement last week on the iSpy blog but she's decided it's time to close the blog down.  Kim is working outside the home now and with all of us on the team so busy, no one was able to step up and take over the challenges.  I've loved being part of this team with such a fantastic group of ladies. 

 

In honor of saying goodbye to iSpy, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite cards I made while on the team. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane :-)

 

 

 

 

 

ISSC44 Candy Cane Time...

I'm in the Christmas mood (kinda) when it comes to card making so I had a lot of fun playing with my stamps for this card.  This week at iSpy, we are featuring this week so I'm thrilled!!! This week we are featuring Christine Okken ( ChristineCreations at SCS) and is inspired by this card.

 

 

LOVE this sketch!!! It's a keeper and I know that I'll be using it again and again. 

 

 

I've had this stamp set from The Cat's Pajamas called "Raising Cane" for a few months now and I"m so glad I finally got to play with it. For my card, I was inspired by the DP I've chosen (mixture of Basic Grey, Simple Stories and Pebbles).  The image was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and then I watercolored with Tombow Markers. This is the first time I've done the "Out of the Box" technique with having part of the image outside the main panel and I have to admit it made me a little nervous but I LOVE it.

 

Make sure you pop on over to the iSpy blog to see what the girls have created.

 

 

OMG!!! Exciting news!!!

Eeks!!!!! I have been sitting on some fun news for the last week and I'm so excited that I can finally share it with you!!!

I'm joining the Stamping Bella Design Team!!! I still can't believe it!! Stamping Bella has long been one of my favorite stamp companies and has always been one of my dream design teams.  I swear I must have looked like a fool doing my happy dance.  I officially start on December 1st so you'll be seeing a lot of fun cards from me soon.

 

In honor of this, I have combined this weeks' Bellarific Friday challenge (which is Holiday wishes) with this week's iSpy Sketch challenge. This week's iSpy challenge features  Jean Martin and is inspired by this card.

 

 

I think this sketch is truly fantastic and will keep it to use again at some point.

 

 

For my card, I've used one of the first stamps I ever purchased from Stamping Bella called "Polly Packages". The image was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and then watercolored with Tombow Markers.  The DP is an older pad from Crate Paper called "Snow Day" (still one of my fave Christmas pads).  As you can see, I moved the bow to the right hand side of the card to balance it out.  Both the green and yellow DP were sponged in corresponding inks for a bit of extra dimension. 

 

Thanks for checking out my fantastic news :-)  I'm still on Cloud 9. 

 

  

ISSC42 Snowflakes...

Hi there!!! Welcome to another busy week in the life of Angela Thomas. LOL!!!  I've been creating so much this week but unfortunately I can't share any of it with you yet.  Sorry!! 

 

I'm glad I can share this card though.  I've made this card for this week's iSpy sketch as well as for There She Goes Again week at TSG. 

 

This week's sketch features Anya Schrier and is inspired by this card.

 

 

I went with a CAS look for my card. 

 

When I bought this MME paper pad called "Cowboy" I bought it for its' masculine colors but when I was scouring through my million and one paper pads I realized how nice it would be for Christmas cards.  For my card, I've used the TSG set called "Stick Together" and the set called "Flourishes". 

 

Thanks for dropping by today!!!

 

I thought I'd let you know that TSG is having a sale right now :-)

 

 

 

ISSC40 Wishing you Joy

Hi there!!! I've been busy in my craft area this week but don't have much to show you... Sad, I know!!! I've been creating a lot of scrapbook pages lately (What's wrong with me? I must be sick!! LOL!!!) and have been enjoying creating them. 

 

That's not why you're here though, so I'll get on with it.  This week's iSpy sketch features  Julie H. (Juble at SCS) and is inspired by this card.

 

Okay.... Call me a dunce!!!  I tried doing my card based on memory (normally I copy out the sketch on paper) and apparently I forgot part of it.  OOPS!!! Let's just say I took some creative license, K?  That works for me!!

 

 

For my card, I used the TSG set called "Wishing You" that I stamped in Chocolate Chip Ink which I ended up embossing with clear embossing powder. I then used Versamagic Wheat Ink that I sponged around the Nestabilities. 

 

Thanks for popping by :-)

 

 

ISSC39 Merry Christmas

Eeks!!! I'm so excited!! This week's sketch at iSpy Sketches features  Maureen Plut (Irishlatte at SCS) and is inspired by this card. I have long been an admirer of Maureen's style so when I found out we were featuring her, I did a little happy dance.

 

 

I went shopping with fellow Special Agent Kim Teasdale last week and picked up some new goodies including the die used below on my card.

 

 

The "Christmas Tree Stacker" die is from Dee's Distinctively Dies that I purchased at my local stamp store.  They are actually designed to be layers of the same tree but I loved the idea of creating three separate trees.  I then inked the edges of each with Old Olive ink.  The sentiment comes from the TSG set called "Holiday Tags".

 

Check out what the DT has created :-)

 

Kim Teasdale

Tobi Crawford
Vicki Dutcher
Christyne Kane
Vickie Zimmer
Jessie Rone
Arielle Gordon
Leanne Whitby

ISSC38 Happy Halloween

WOW!!! I can't believe how quickly this month has flown by.  It's been a busy one so this is a two-fer post. LOL!! I'm combining this month's TSGA card with the current  iSpy Challenge.  This week at iSpy, we are featuring Rosemary D. (rosigrld at SCS) and is inspired by this card.

 

 

Love this sketch!!! Love, love, love!!!

 

Eeks!!! Isn't she way too cute!! I've used the TSG set called "Hauntingly Delightful" which is one of my favorite TSG sets.  I've stamped the image in Versafine Onyx Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and then watercolored with Tombow Markers.  I normally do a cloud background with blue but with purple instead to give it a bit more eery look. 

 

Thanks for popping by. 

 

 

 

ISSC37 Let's Chill

Can you believe how busy my blog's been this week?  It's definitely a sign my mojo has been found after a long hiatus. LOL!!! It's so nice to be back creating again on a consistent basis. 

 

I also took a bit of a break from iSpy Sketches but I'm glad to be back playing again with all of the fun sketches.

 

This week's sketch is  by Jean Cross (naturecoastcrafter at SCS) and is inspired by this card.

 

I loved this sketch but wanted to make it my own..... Surprise right? LOL!!!

 

 

My parents recently came back after a two month vacation and they picked up some fun goodies for me on their travels.  I couldn't wait to ink up Swanky Snowdudes from Paper Smooches for my card today. I stamped the smaller snowman and then masked it so that I could add the larger snowman.  Both were embossed with clear embossing powder and watercolored with Tombow Markers. 

 

Now pop on over to the iSpy blog to see what wonderful eye candy the DT created.

 

 

ISSC35 A frightful Halloween

Eeks!! September has just flown by and I'm still shocked that we're so far into this year.  It seems like 2012 only started.  I'm so glad Fall is finally here even with the warmer than usual weather we've been experiencing on the West Coast.  I guess I shouldn't complain right? 

 

This week's iSpy sketch features Audrie Magno-Gordon (girlgeek101 @ SCS) and our sketch is based on this card.

 

I love the simplicity of this sketch so I went out of my norm and went for a clean and simple card and I love how it turned out. 

 

 



 

For my card, I've used the TSG set called "Bugs and Hisses"  for the sentiment.  I also used a Memory Box Die for the spider.  Easy peasy right? 

 

 

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!!!

 

 

 

 

ISSC31 You Inspire Me

WOWZA!! This month has flown by!! Where did summer go?  I've been adjusting to some changes in life lately so my posts have been a little sporadic.  I'm hoping I can figure out how to juggle it all. 

 

This week at iSPy, you are in for a treat!!! We are featuring Karen Dunbrook ( k dunbrook @ SCS) and is based on this card. Karen is the queen of CAS!!! If you check out her blog or SCS gallery, you'll need to grab a cup of coffee and a cloth because you'll be drooling over her fantastic work!!!

 

 

I love the simplicity of this sketch. 

 

 

And if I do say so myself, I really like how my card turned out.  I used some Carta Bella DP as my inspiration and used the MFT set called "My Favorite Sentiments" (this was part of their birthday releaes).  I stamped the sentiment in Versafine Onyx Black and then embossed it with clear embossing powder before sponging with Pink Pirouette ink. 

 

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 ISSC31), 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!

 

iSSC29 Love you beyond Measure

My blog seems to have fallen asleep.... Sorry about that!!! I had intentions of getting ahead this week but I was buried under Dirty Dozen projects, completing my samples for the upcoming TSG release and watering my parents' garden.  I had hoped to do some "me" stamping this week but it didn't happen.... Hopefully next week!!!

I know why you're here... you're here for the current iSpy sketch!! Yeah!!! This week's sketch is from  Renee Matarese ( Renlymat @ SCS) and is based on this card.

My card is also for this week's TSGA post.  Each month at There She Goes we highlight some of our older sets and Jessica puts them on sale :-).  For my card, I've used the TSG set called "Chemistry".  It has always been one of my favorite TSG sets and I pull it out every chance I get.  I have watercolored the image with Tombow Markers and then added some Diamond Stickles to the "bubbles" coming out of one of the test tubes.

Thanks for popping by!!!

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. 

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!!!

ISSC25 - Snowy Days...

I've had a fairly busy week (I know I was procrastinating yesterday) so I decided to combine my card for There She Goes Again week (where we highlight some older TSG sets) and my ISpy challenge card.

Here is this week's iSpy sketch that I based my card upon.  This week we are featuring Elzbieta B. (crazysexycool @ SCS) and is based on this card

For my card, I've used the TSG set called "Snowy Days" for the sentiment.  The snowflakes were created using the MFT Snowflake die. 

Pop on over to the iSpy blog to check out what the DT has in store for you!!!

ISSC24 I'm thinking Winter...

Eeks!!! I had so much fun on my girls trip to Jessica Knutsen's with Kim Teasdale and Tobi Crawford.  We had a blast stamping for 4 days and doing a bit of crafty shopping. I colored up oodles of images and now that I'm home I'm creating cards with them. 

It's that time of the week - the iSpy Challenge. Yeah!!!  This week, we are featuring Shari Carroll and is based on this card. Let's just say Shari's card is phenomenal and will leave you seeing spots. 

This sketch is awesome!!! Leave it clean and simple or do what I did... layer it up!!!

I altered the sketch just a teensy bit...I didn't add all the circles because my circles were too big.  For the DP, I've used an older MME pad called "Merry Little Christmas" that I bought when I was in the US.  I'm not a traditional girl when it comes to Christmas colors so this paper pad was right up my alley.  I've used an old CHF Kim Hughes set called "Winter Trees" that I watercolored with my Tombow Markers. I experimented quite a bit with my coloring while I was away so you may notice a bit of a change with some of my upcoming cards. The sentiment comes from the TSG set called "Wonderful Winter Wishes". 

We'd love for you to join us so hop on over to the iSpy blog to check out what the DT has created and for details on how to participate!!

ISSC23 - Just add pink

Hey there!!! How was everyone's holiday weekend? I hope you all had the opportunity to spend it with friends and family!!!  I'm sure that's not why you're here. LOL!!!

Onto this week's iSpy Challenge. This week, we are featuring Gisèle Whittaker(gmw1612 @ SCS) and is based on this card.

Wanna see my card? LOL!! Of course you do!!

As you can see, I flipped the sketch... I wanted to use one of the MFT a la Modes so I chose to use "Fight Like a Girl".  I have watercolored the image with Tombow Markers (I'm sure you're surprised with that...). The DP is a mixture of Bella Blvd, Echo Park and MME. 

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 ISSC23, 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!

ISSC22 Cuteasaurous

WOW!!! I've been busy on my blog this week!! I hope you've been enjoying it.  I've definitely been having a lot of fun with this month's TSG sneak peeks. 

I'm here today with this week's ISpy sketch - love it!! This week's sketch is from Julie Mogford (jules_bmp@ SCS) and is based on this card.  I love Julie's CAS look to her card, but you know me, I HAD to layer it up. 

Fun eh?  Love it!!!

I recently acquired quite a few CHF Kim Hughes sets at a crafty garage sale at my LSS and this is one of the sets called "Little Boy".  I've noticed on the Paper Smooches website that Kim has redone this image with a slight difference to the legs of this dinosaur.  I've stamped the image in Versafine Onyx Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and then watercolored the image with Tombow Markers.  I  also had a bit of fun with my Glossy Accents and covered most of the body with it. 

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 ISSC22, 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!

ISSC20 with Lori Boyd

Another week has flown by and it's been a busy one for me.  I got a new job for the summer and beyond which will allow me to still be a Teacher on Call.  I'll be working at my local Michael's as their Scrapbooking instructor and as a Sales Associate.  Yeah!! This could be dangerous though. LOL!!!

I know you're not here for that though, you're here to check out this week's iSpy sketch.  We're featuring Lori Boyd (3Bugs&Me @ SCS) and is based on this card.  I have had the honor to be on Lori's design team and I've always loved her style.  Her coloring is beyond gorgeous and her personality is out of this world.  I'm lucky to be able to call Lori a friend. 

Here is this week's sketch.  Fabulous right?? 

I had SO much fun with my card. 

  LOL!!!! As soon as I saw this stamp set from Totally Stampalicious called "Gus Mantastic" I knew I had to buy it.  It was my dad's birthday recently and this is the card I gave him.  It brought a lot of chuckles that day I can tell you that.   I stamped the image in Versafine Onyx Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and then watercolored with Tombow Markers.  I masked off Gus so that I could sponge in the clouds as well as the sand. 

Hope you like it!!!

Now pop on over to the iSpy blog to check out what the girls have created!!!

ISSC19 - Into the future

I'm always blown away by how each week goes by so quickly. I'd say it has to do with the nice weather... but that would be a lie! It has rained here for the last week, not a little bit of rain, a LOT of rain.  But here's to hoping nice weather is just around the corner.  In the mean time, I'm here with this week's iSpy challenge. 

This week's sketch is from Diane Varrecchione (pinkberry @ SCS) and is based on this card. 

This is a great sketch and I have a feeling I'll be using it again in the future. 

Normally, I like to layer my cards all up and get fancy but this sketch made so much more sense going the clean and simple approach.  For my card, I've used the MFT set called "Own your story" that I recently purchased a LSS garage sale.  Wahoo!! I scored a fabulous deal on it.  The sentiment was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and the floral image was stamped in Pink Pirouette and both were then embossed with clear embossing powder.

Hope you like it :-)

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 ISSC19, 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!