Christian Critters Too

I think that Clear Dollar Stamps has outdone themselves with the releases this month. Christian Critters Too is a fantastic set with Christian related sentiments that co-ordinate with all of the Critter Sets. The sentiments fit for almost any occasion and serve as a great pick me up sentiment on a card. There are so many sentiments - I had a hard time picking which ones I wanted to highlight on my cards.

For my first card, I've used my Cute Critters set for the skunk. Pink, Black and White is one of my favorite color combos so of course I had to use it. I picked up the Black and White Flocked DP at a LSS but boy oh boy - it cost me (almost $3 a sheet) so needless to say I had to make sure what my layout was going to be before I went at it with my paper cutter. I love the look of layers as you can tell - I originally had another DP to go on this card but I love the look of layering the flocked DP over the pink DP. I've used Angel Wings Shimmerz on the White part of the skunk and pink Shimmerz on the flower. I hope you love this card as much as I do.


ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Christian Critters Too, Cute Critters
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Basic Grey, Watercolor Paper, MME DP, Little Yellow Bicycle Damask Flocked DP
INK: Versamark, Basic Black
MARKERS (if any): Sahara Sand, Going Grey, Basic Grey, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Regal Rose
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Pink Shimmerz, Angel Wings Shimmerz, Ribbon, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Stamping Dimensionals, Nestabilities (Long Rectangles Classic, Long Rectangles Scalloped, Large Oval, Large Scallop Oval, Small Classic Circle, Large Classic Circle, Large Scalloped Circle)
COLORING MEDIUM:Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES:Watercoloring



I rarely make Clean and Simple cards but I think the lion from Zoo Critters needed to be just that - clean and simple. I knew that I wanted the sentiment to stand out as much as the lion. I've really enjoyed watercoloring (I'm finally getting better at it) the lion. As you can see, I've used my nestabilities on this card as well and the MS Double Scallop Puch as well.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Christian Critters Too, Zoo Critters
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey Offbeat Collection, Watercolor Paper
INK: Versamark, Basic Black
MARKERS (if any): So Saffron, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, More Mustard (ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Clear Embossing Powder, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Ribbon, Double Scallop Punch (MS Punch), Nestabilities
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

Check out what the other CDS girls have been up to.

Laurie Wilson
Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask

CDS Sneak Peeks - Bold Bouquet

I'm all about flowers... I love them. Hint Hint Honey.... What's great about this set called Bold Bouquet from Clear Dollar Stamps available May 1st is that it has so many different flowers, and different ways to layer the flowers to make something fantastic.

Each month, the CDS design team gets challenges.... And boy did this one challenge me but I LOVE how it turned out. This card is a sketch (which I've flipped on its side) and also for having a flower and a bow together. I've been hoarding this DP for so long and I am glad I did because it just enhanced the beauty of the flower.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Bold Bouquet

CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Old Olive, Regal Rose, Imaginesce DP
INK: Pink Pirouette, Old Olive, Regal Rose
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Nestabilities, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Ribbon, Flower Button, Embroidery Thread, Stamping Dimensionals
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Dry embossing

My second card using this set is for one of the color challenges to use blue (any shades) and white on a card. Believe it or not, I had this card all together, pictures taken and edited before I ripped it apart to add the brad which is what I think makes this card elegant. I've stamped and embossed two different flowers from this set before cutting them out and popping each one up using stamping dimensionals. For the center of the flower, I used a button in the same tones of blue.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Bold Bouquet
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Making Memories Poolside Houndstooth DP
INK: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Versamark
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Clear Embossing Powder, Nestabilities, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Ribbon, Brads, Button, Embroidery Thread, Stamping Dimensionals
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES (if any):Dry embossing, Embossing

Check out what the CDS girls have been up to using this set.

Laurie Wilson
Katie Renz
Candy Fosta (also on iStamp Blog)
Tori Wild

Kuddly Koalas

This is my third set, Kuddly Koalas (the second set illustrated by Shawne Arnold of the CDS Design Team). Each month, as a design team we are issued challenges - this card is for the inspiration challenge. This card was easy because I absolutely LOVE the combination of blue and brown (my bedroom and living room both have these colors). I used some My Mind's Eye DP that had green in it as well because I wanted to bring out the green in the bamboo. I colored this Koala brown as I know Koalas then to have a brown coat or a more greyish color to them. I've used Stickles on the butterfly for a bit of bling. We all know I love my bling.



ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Kuddly Koala

CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, My Mind’s Eye DP, Watercolor Paper
INK: Versamark, Basic Black
MARKERS: Gable Green, Green Galore, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana, So Saffron, Summer Sun (ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Clear Embossing Powder, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Large and Small Classic Round Circle and Scalloped Nestabilities, Ribbon, Dew Drops, Stickles, Stamping Dimensionals
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

I think the Koalas loved being part of the CDS Challenges - this card uses no Designer Paper (gasp - me using no designer paper - amazing isn't it?). On the left, I've stamped leaves on the Wild Wasabi Paper and used the Floral Screen embossing folder on the Blue Bayou cardstock. I was at the Dollar store with fellow DT member, Kim Teasdale when we came across these Bamboo Coasters and I knew I was going to fit them on one of my cards.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Kuddly Koala

CS and PAPERS: PTI White, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Blue Bayou, watercolor paper
INK: Versamark, Basic Black
MARKERS: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Pretty in Pink, Cameo Coral, Pink Passion, Barely Banana, So Saffron, Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Going Grey, Basic Grey, Tombow Marker N65
ACCESS. and EMBELLISHMENTS: SU Markers, Aquapainter, Dew Drops,Bamboo Coaster, Large Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities and Large Classic Rectangle Nestabilities, Stamping Dimensionals, Embossing Powder, Cuttlebug Floral Screen Embossing Folder, Sponges
COLORING MEDIUM: SU Markers and Aquapainter
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: watercoloring, heat embossing, dry embossing

More samples by the CDS Girls:

Laurie Wilson
Katie Renz
Candy Fosta (also on Clearly iStamp blog)

Make sure you look below as I've had a few sneak peeks today. Come back tomorrow to see more fun stuff! You'll love it!

Biggest Wishes

Here is my second post today using one of the new releases available May 1st on the Clear Dollar Stamps website. This set is called Biggest Wishes - isn't it too cute??? What's great is that the mouse can be colored any color and still look cute. This set comes with a few sentiments including the one I've used on the card. This set has been illustrated by one of the Design Team Members, Shawne Arnold. I've used Angel Wings Shimmerz on the cake to make it look elegant (almost a wedding type feel to it).


Close up of the Shimmerz on the cake.

ALL STAMPS USED: Biggest Wishes

CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Basic Grey Ambrosia Collection, Watercolor Paper
INK: Versamark, Basic Black
MARKERS: Basic Gray, Going Gray, Sahara Sand, Only Orange, Pumpkin Pie, Blush Blossom, Barely Banana(ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Clear Embossing Powder, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Angel Wings Shimmerz, Paint Brush, Buttons, Classic Rectangle and Classic Scalloped Nestabilities, Embroidery Thread, Stamping Dimensionals, Crystal Stickles
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

For my second card, I wanted something bright and cheery which I think would be great for a little girls' card. I've used my Curved Rectangles Nestabilities for the main image. I have a few friends with birthdays this month, so one of them will be definitely getting this card. But one candle, won't be enough.... Hehehe...

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Biggest Wishes
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Rose Red, My Mind’s Eye DP, Watercolor Paper
INK: Versamark, Basic Black
MARKERS: Gable Green, Green Galore, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue, Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue (ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Clear Embossing Powder, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Ribbon, Curvy Rectangle Nestabilities, Swirly Clip, Dew Drops, Sakura Clear Star Glitter Pen
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

Check out the other girls blogs for more samples using this great set.

Laurie Wilson
Candy Fosta (also on Clearly iStamp Blog)
Tori Wild
Cassie Trask

Charlie Gardens

I'm so excited to finally be able to show you what I've been busy creating for the Clear Dollar Stamps Sneak Peeks for May. Can I just say that this set is a must have if you have a gardener in your family? My whole family loves to garden so when I saw this set - I had to jump for the chance to play with it. I'm the black thumb of the family (they even tell me that - although I do know what's pretty in a garden!)

My first card has Charlie in his garden - with a carrot in his hand (I've popped the carrot and Charlie's apron up using Stamping Dimensionals) and using the sentiment "24 carrot friend". Using my Cuttlebug and the Forest Branches embossing folder, I've made a little hill of dirt for Charlie to stand on. I wanted the card to have a bit more masculine feel to it so that I can give it to one of the men in my family.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Charlie Gardens
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, Archaic DP (Basic Grey) Watercolor Paper
INK: Versamark, Basic Black
MARKERS: Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Going Gray, Really Rust, Only Orange, Pumpkin Pie (ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Clear Embossing Powder, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Ribbon, Long Rectangle Nestabilities, Circle Nestabilities, Ribbon Tags Trio Nestabilities, Buttons, Embroidery Thread, Cuttlebug, Forest Branches Embossing Folder, Stamping Dimensionals
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

This second card is actually the first card I made for the New Releases. I had the designer paper picked out before my stamps had even arrived. Yes - I was thinking ahead - a little eager I guess you could say ;-) I love how Charlie seems to come alive in this card. I've used the basin full of veggies with this card. Some of the veggies come as singles in this set. It looks like Charlie is ready to make a salad - such a great idea with Spring now here.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Charlie Gardens
CS and PAPERS: PTI White, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Basic Grey DP(Offbeat Collection), watercolor
INK: Versamark, Basic Black
MARKERS: Real Red, Rose Red, Ruby Red, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Only Orange, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Pale Plue, Lavender Lace, Perfect Plum Going Grey, Basic Grey, Sahara Sand
ACCESS. and EMBELLISHMENTS: SU Re-inkers, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Ribbon, Mega Curvy Rectangle Nestabilities, Stamping Dimensionals, Embossing Powder
COLORING MEDIUM: Re-inkers, Markers and Aquapainter
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: watercoloring, heat embossing

Be sure to check out the other girls' blogs for more sneak peeks using this set.

Laurie Wilson
Kim Teasdale
Candy Fosta (also on Clearly iStamp Blog)
Tori Wild
Cassie Trask

The Sneak Peeks have begun!

The Sneak Peeks for Clear Dollar Stamps' has begun!!!! I don't have anything to show you today as my sneaks are for Tuesday and Wednesday so make sure you check back then. You'll love what the team has come up with and the sets are just absolutely way too cute! Needless to say, I'm in love.

Today's Sneak Peeks are:

Horse Heritage - Laurie, Candy, Kim and Katie
Fruity Fun - Laurie, Candy, Katie, Tori and Linda
May Lily of the Valley Flower - Laurie, Candy

Also, make sure you check out Lori's blog - Clearly iStamp for a chance to become a Guest Designer for May.

Holy Blog Candy

WOW!!! You have to check out the blog candy that Debbie has for her blogaversary! It's loaded with a crazy amount of wonderful things. Check it out.

Passion for Crafts

SC225 Charlie Fenced In

Awwwww.... the joy of having time this week to make a card! I've been crazy busy at work and getting my Clear Dollar Sneak Peek Cards done that I haven't had anything to show you. Can I just say how much I heart Charlie??? He's the cutest guy and I swear that some day I will own them all. I borrowed this one from Kim (Paper in the Works) - thanks girlie!!! I knew when I saw the sketch tonight that I wanted to play - what a great way to relax after a long day. Little did I know that I was going to spend WAY too long cutting all the layers (you'd think for a Math teacher that I'd be good at figuring out the measurements on this card). Like I said - long day! (I've got two jobs and I was working at my part time one today). I really like how this card turned out in the end but I have to tell you that the photo just doesn't do it justice. My camera didn't pick up the colors in the Basic Grey paper very well but I love the card anyway. I've used Stamping Dimensionals like crazy - most of the layers on this card have been popped up. I thought that the top part of the card was looking a little bare so I added the ribbon and the half back pearls.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Charlie Fenced in (Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper: PTI White, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Basic Grey DP, Daisy Bucket DP, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Versamark, Basic Black
Accessories: SU Markers, Waterbrush, Half Back Pearls, Ribbon, Nestabilities, Stamping Dimensionals

FS115 Find Joy Everyday

Today's featured stamper is Jaymerz - who can I say loves her Bellas and is a self confessed Bella Addict??? I think any girl who gets their first Bella always comes back for more. Jaymerz' style is amazing and if you only knew how many of her cards I have favorited. So of course I had to play today.

This is the card I chose to case: Bella Sketch 63 If you don't know already Jamie hosts the Bella Sketch Challenge every week which is why I knew I wanted to do one of the sketch cards.

Things I've changed: Image, Colors, sentiment, ribbon

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Peony Bittybloom (Stamping Bella)
Paper: PTI White, Chocolate Chip, Scenic Route DP, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Basic Grey, Versamark
Accessories: SU Markers, Waterbrush, Nestabilities, Ribbon

SC224 Beebee loves Spring

Wow - I can't believe it's been a week since I've posted but then I realized I've been a busy bee behind the scenes making lots of goodies for Clear Dollar Stamps. I found this amazing DP at my local scrapbooking store and knew I had to find the right image to use with it and here she is - Beebee Bittybloom (Chichis are one of my greatest loves). This card is for SC224 which allowed a bit of leeway with its' design. They're so much fun to color and always make for something beautiful. Hope you like it!

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Beebee Bittybloom (Stamping Bella)
Paper: PTI White, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Fancy Pants DP, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Versamark, Basic Black
Accessories: Ribbon, Button, Embroidery Thread, Aquapainter, SU Markers, Stamping Dimensionals, Embossing Powder, Nestabilities

SC223 Simple and Elegant

I love this set - Great Friend!!! As soon as I saw it in the mini - I knew I had to have it. I love its' simplicity yet at the same time it is so elegant. I've kept this card really simple today - look - no ribbon, no rhinestones, no buttons, no bling!!! Yikes - what's happening to me? I think the DP speaks for itself and allowed me the opportunity to keep this card clean and simple. I've used my Swiss Dots Embossing Folder to emboss one of the layers of the card for a bit of extra dimension. I've cut out the butterfly and popped it up using Stamping Dimensionals and the framed background has been stamped and embossed.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Great Friend (SU)
Paper: PTI White, Kiwi Kiss, Imaginesce DP
Ink: Regal Rose, Old Olive, Versamark
Accessories: Embossing Powder, Stamping Dimensionals, Nestabilities, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug

CC213 Call me Bashful

Can I just say what an awesome color challenge it is today???? I hadn't used the colors together before but I love it - Bashful Blue, So Saffron (thank goodness my order came yesterday) and Close to Cocoa. I'll definitely be using this combo together again - and look how great it co-ordinates with the DP I've used. I have so much DP - way too much - so I've decided I need to start using up what I have before I buy more. Did you hear that Kim? You need to be my conscience.... hehe... (Kim and I are good at enabling each other).

Don't you just love Charliene April Showers? I had to steal her from Kim until I place my order with Clear Dollar Stamps. The sentiments that come with it are amazing? Definitely a must have set. Here I am enabling others again....

I've used my re-inkers with Charliene - a technique I am still trying to master but it's coming along. Now I just need the rest of the re-inkers so I can play like crazy. I've used Crystal Effects on the puddle and DP for the umbrella (which I have popped up).

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Charliene April Showers (Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper: PTI White, Close to Cocoa, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Crate Paper DP, DCWV DP, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versamark, Basic Black
Accessories: Embossing Powder, Crystal Effects, SU Re-inkers, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Stamping Dimensionals, Corner Rounder, Buttons, Embroidery Thread, Dew Drops, Mini Glue Dots, Nestabilities

FS113 Retail therapy is justwrite

I'm back... This week has been pretty crazy and I haven't had much time for stamping. Way too many hours at work and a crazy schedule in life has left me tired. But when I saw who this week's featured stamper is last night, I quickly found a card to case. This is the card I used as inspiration: Ribbon of Thanks.

Things I've changed: Sentiment, image, colors and ribbon choice. I've also left one layer of ribbon off. I'd forgotten how much I love the beauty of a clean and simple card. I need to do more! Although, sometimes they take just as long as I'm always wanting to add more. I've watercolored the top half of the dress and paper-pieced the bottom. I then added a flower rhinestone over the flower that is part of the stamp. I've also popped up the circular part of the card using stamping dimensionals.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Humor in high heels (SU), Retail therapy (Stamping Bella)
Paper: Papertrey White, Rose Red, Basic Grey Bittersweet DP
Ink: Versamark, Basic Black, Rose Red
Accessories: Flower Rhinestone, Stamping Dimensionals, EP, Nestabilities, SU Markers, Aquapainter.