The Stamp Shoppe & Just Magnolia Challenge

Happy Wednesday! I was away for a few days with the family. We relaxed at my sister-in-law’s cottage. It was wonderful and we had a great time. The kids spent almost the entire time in the lake fishing!

When I arrived home, my package from The Stamp Shoppe had arrived. Oh….I was so excited! I inked up this one right away because I was just itching to color it up!

I used the wonderful sketch from this week’s Just Magnolia challenge. I modified it a little bit by using the Webster’s circle die-cut but I just had to use it with this image! I really am pleased with how this card turned out. I have used different textures on the layers and a very simple color palette. I love the slight shimmer to the Bazzil cardstock and I am happy that for once I just didn’t cover it all up!

• Stamps: Magnolia Wedding Collection 2010 Loving Bridal Couple
• Ink:Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Bazzill cardstock, Webster’s pages die & vellum kit
• Coloring: Copic Markers
• Embellies: Prima Flowers, Wilton doily, Tim Holtz ticket, Silk ribbon,  Ecru Lace

The Stamp Shoppe News:

Wedding Collection 2010 now in stock!!
June Special:  15%off 2009 Fortune and Graduation collection as well as the following flowers: gardenias, cherry blossoms, and shabby chic roses.

Use coupon code: june2010

I’ll let you know the July Specials once I know them!

High Hopes Challenge ~ Stars

Happy Sunday! Today I have my card for the High Hopes Challenge to show you and this final week before our month long summer break is ~ STARS!

I used one of the newly released Dustin Pike images. OMGosh they are all so cute. It is so hard to choose which one I want to use! As you all know, I love to color with my copics and this image was pure fun to color!

• Stamps: High Hopes Bear-ly Inspired
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: SU Garden Green, Celery Green, Cosmo Cricket Material Girl
• Coloring: Copic Markers
• Embellies: Stars made with Creative Memories star punches

If you are looking to purchase High Hopes stamps why not check out our Diva's stores.

• Amy Wegener - Stampin' Stuff based out of Australia

• Nikki Fairbairn - Bunny Zoe's Crafts based out of the UK/Europe

• Lacey Stephens - Stamp and Create based out of the US

• Amy Leggate - Paper Romance based out of Canada

• Karen Goguen/Cathy Siroski - The Rubber Room based out of Canada

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will play along with us over at the High Hopes Challenge blog.

Sketch Saturday # 109 ~ Graduation Willow

Happy Saturday Everyone! Summer time is here! The kids are out of school, hubby is entering his quieter time of the year at work and that means we are going to have FUN! We have many small excursions planned. Nothing too far away! What are your plans for the summer?

Today I have my Sketch Saturday DT card to show you. I have used one of the newly released City Girls stamps from Whiff of Joy. Don’t you just love the little wink that she is giving! What a great extra touch!

I broke down and used this gorgeous paper that I have been hoarding for awhile. I really am terrible. I buy paper and then can’t bear the thought of cutting it up!

• Stamps: Whiff of Joy Graduation Willow, SU Bojo Background stamp
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Bazzill, Kaiser Craft DP
• Coloring: Copic Markers
• Embellies: Kaiser Craft pearls, Bead caps from Whiff of Joy, Su ribbon in Bashful blue

I hope that you find some time this week to join us over at Sketch Saturday. We have a lovely prize of Mo Manning stamps that are generously being offered by one of our wonderful regular sponsors: The Craft Barn!

Don’t forget to enter my own small blog candy. I have Graduation Oakley up for grabs! Please click ~here~ to go to the correct post and enter you name under the inlinkz froggie.

Whiff of Joy City Girls II Release and Blog Candy

Hi again! This is my second post of the day so please remember to scroll down after this post to see my post for the Wags ‘n Whiskers Blog Hop!

Today is the new release of Whiff of Joy’s City Girls II. They are back and they are just as gorgeous and sophisticated as the first set! The card that I am showing you today is the one that I made for my dear eldest son who just graduated from elementary school this week. How the time has flown! I was so excited to see this wonderful Graduation Oakley in the set. There is also a Graduation Willow and they are perfect for this time of the year!

My son joined a Sailing Camp last summer and we have signed him up again for this summer as well. He really loves it and that is the reason for the Sailing Motif on the DP which is by Best Creations Inc. I bought it a long time ago and was thrilled when I re-discovered it in my stash! The quote inside is a favorite of mine and I actually have it on one of the walls in my craft room so it is something that he hears and sees often!

All the stamps in the new collection will be available ~here~ as of June 25th. They are really amazing and I know that you will fall in love with them just as I have!

A little Blog Candy:

I have an extra Graduation Oakley that Katharina gave me for a blog candy so if you would like a chance to win it, please add your name to the inlinkz Mr Froggy here at the bottom of my post. I will keep this candy open until next Friday at Midnight EST and I will ship internationally.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

Let’s Party ~ Wags ‘n Whiskers Release Blog Hop

Happy Friday! Well, the day has finally come when you can get the new Wags’ n Whiskers stamp release. The collection is called “Let’s Party” and is illustrated by Emma Metcalf. I have to admit that these images really tug at my heart-strings. There is just a very special quality about them. What I think is really neat is that we are releasing the stamps as digis and as rubber! Something for everybody!

We are having a Blog Hop so if you did not start at the very beginning, please do go to the WnW blog and start at the beginning. You wouldn’t want to miss the amazing creations of my fellow Divas!

Don’t forget to leave a comment here on my blog as well as on the blogs of all the Wags Divas. There will be 4 of our blogs that have hidden candy for you to win ~ 2 digital images of your choice!
I used the delightful sketch from this week’s Friday Sketchers. It was created by the very sweet and talented Aud and I think it is just a lovely one!

Be sure to check out all the samples that my fellow DT sisters have created for your inspiration.  We hope  you will be able to play along and post your own creation on the Friday Sketcher blog . Our prize is being sponsored this week by our regular and generous sponsor: Simon Says Stamp.

Aud, Bea, Carole, Claudia, Tanja, Jacque,  Jacqueline, Janneke, Inge

Now for my card recipe:

• Stamps: Wags ‘n Whiskers: Purrfect Day available ~here~
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Su White, Basic Grey Two Scoops
• Coloring: Copic Markers
• Embellies: Flower and Butterfly both from Jacque :)

The next stop on the hop is amazing Michele. I know she has something fantastic to show you so hop on over!

Another wee sneak peekie

This is Sammie. I think I am in love. How sweet is he? He is yet another stamp in Wags ‘n Whiskers “Let’s Party” release that is illustrated by the extremely talented Emma Metcalf.

This is the perfect image for a little boy’s birthday card. He will be released in a rubber and a digital version. Imagine how easy it would be to add a few extra candles on the hat with the digi and it would even work with the rubber image. Just stamp another one out and cut out the extra candles and glue them on!

As with yesterday’s card, I just went clean and simple for my card.   My paper is Cosmo Cricket Joyride and I am  really happy with this paper pad. Every pattern is wonderful.

We will be having a  blog hop and official release of our new stamps tomorrow: Friday the 25th. I hope you all take the opportunity to hop along and leave comments. Did someone mention Candy? LOL! See you again tomorrow!

Wags ‘n Whiskers Sneak Peek ~ The Stamp Shoppe DT Card

Happy Wednesday Everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful week. I have been so busy that I have had no time to blog hop at all. The children’s last day of school is tomorrow and for my eldest, it is his last day of elementary school. I am in denial. Where did the time go? His graduation ceremony was yesterday and it was beautiful. One of my favorite parts was an amazing slide-show that showed the kids at various activities and school events. It was set to “Time of Your Life”, “Waving Flag” and another funky one I don’t even know! LOL! We were so proud of our guy and overjoyed when he won the award for Outstanding Achievement in Science! Sorry, I know I am running on! I’ll get to my cards!

My first card features a sneak peek of Wags ‘n Whiskers’ new release with our new illustrator Emma Metcafe.  The line is called Millie and Friends and this collection is called “Let’s Party”. It is so fun and whimsical and for my card, I just went clean and simple. It seems to suit the image so well. My paper is Cosmo Cricket Joyride and I colored my image based on the color palette of my DP. The release will be both rubber and digital………something to suit everyone…..and will be this coming Friday the 25th.

My next card is features Magnolia stamps from The Stamp Shoppe. I combined last week’s theme (which I missed) of accessory stamps and this week’s theme of red and white. This card again is Clean And Simple but I really like how it turned out. I just colored the same image three times and to add some interest I embossed my white cardstock with a  Swiss Dots folder.Oh…and a little stickles to the lace. I can’t help myself. Even CAS needs a little bling!

I also want to remind you of the specials this month over at The Stamp Shoppe:

June Special:  15%off 2009 Fortune and Graduation collection as well as the following flowers: gardenias, cherry blossoms, and shabby chic roses.

Use coupon code: june2010

Thanks for swinging by.

High Hopes Challenge ~ Anything goes

Happy Sunday and Happy Father’s Day to all you amazing Dads out there.

I am pretty late with my post today. Last night we took the children to see the International Fireworks Display. It was amazing and they loved it. We got home very late: 12:30. Needless to say, we all slept in today and so I am behind in everything. Of course we are taking good care of my hubby today and I just finished getting everything prepared for a yummy Shish-Kebab barbeque and I even prepared his favorite dessert: Crème Brulée. Considering how hot it is today, it is proof of my love. Otherwise I wouldn’t be turning that oven on to bake anything!

Anyhoo, here is my card for the HH Challenge which is Anything goes. This new image cracks me up! I tried to keep the card nice and simple and fresh. I couldn’t. however, resist adding some stickles to the ice-cubes and covering the whole glass with glossy accents!

Stamp used is from the new release and is called: Drink Lemonade

If you are looking to purchase High Hopes stamps why not check out our Diva's stores.

• Amy Wegener - Stampin' Stuff based out of Australia

• Nikki Fairbairn - Bunny Zoe's Crafts based out of the UK/Europe

• Lacey Stephens - Stamp and Create based out of the US

• Amy Leggate - Paper Romance based out of Canada

• Karen Goguen/Cathy Siroski - The Rubber Room based out of Canada

I hope you can join in our HH challenge this week. We have a lovely prize for you: you get to pick whichever HH stamp you like!

Sketch Saturday & The Stampe Shoppe

Happy Saturday! Thanks for stopping by today. I have 2 cards to show you today. My first one is for this week’s Sketch Saturday challenge. I just love having gorgeous sketches made up and waiting for me to use! LOL! I wanted to show you another sneak peek of the new City Girls release from Whiff of Joy. You won’t have to wait much longer. They will be release on June 25th!

Don’t forget that Katharina is also offering a very wonderful special:

I just love this sophisticated  image. Her hair cute is so chic and I love the martini glass! I tried something different for the circle component of the sketch. I used black cardstock and a Spellbinders die for the outer one. I also sprayed it with Shimmerz and added some gemstones to glam it up. The inner circle is a Verve stamp that I airbrushed and sponged to match the rest of the card.

• Stamps: Whiff of Joy City Girls II ( available ~here~ as of June 25th), Verve Stamps
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: SU! White & Black cardstock, DP My Mind’s Eye
• Coloring: Copic Markers
• Embellies: Flowers are a gift from my dear friend Jacque :)

I hope you join us this week over at Sketch Saturday. We have a fabulous prize this week from our generous sponsor:

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The next card that I have to show you features the beautiful Magnolia Bridal couple.  I have fantastic news for my fellow Canadians. Heidi from The Stamp Shoppe already has her restocks of the Fairytale collection and she has the new Magnolia Ink magazine! I can’t wait to see it. She also has confirmation that her Wedding Collection stamps have been shipped and she will have them early next week! OMGosh! I can’t wait.I was very lucky to have been RAKed with a couple of them and so I have this to show you :)

 

This was a card I made for a friend who wanted a custom card for a wedding she was attending.  I wanted to keep it very soft and elegant. The frame was made with a Spellbinders die and I used a shimmery paper and that plus the pearls really gives the frame that extra touch of elegance.  I used silk ribbon and I love how it softly drapes down. I added some Stickles and some Shimmerz to the veil and head-piece and also the hem of her dress. I also added stickles to the edge of my cardstock mat. You can see this much better in this picture:

I also want to remind you of the specials this month over at The Stamp Shoppe:

June Special:  15%off 2009 Fortune and Graduation collection as well as the following flowers: gardenias, cherry blossoms, and shabby chic roses.

Use coupon code: june2010

Enjoy your weekend and I hope you have enjoyed your little stop over here! I really appreciate that you did!

 

Triple Play & a Blog Hop!

View Full Album

Happy Friday Everyone! Today I have a doozie of a post for you! LOL! I have been super spoiled with many gorgeous new stamps to work with! I am so happy to be able to share them with you! I am not going to list my supplies today (the post is already long) but contact me if you have any questions…..I would be happy to answer them :)

High Hopes is having a blog hop today so if you didn’t start at the beginning, head over to the HH blog and then keep hopping so that you don’t miss any new designs. A couple of random Diva blogs will be giving out candy (nobody knows who yet) and so remember to leave a comment on each Diva blog for a chance to win some new stamps!

Here is another look at the new High Hopes Release featuring Meljen’s Designs! I fell head over heels in love with this whimsical pony (I believe it is named Fancy Flower Pony) and as you can see, I totally embraced the girly-girly aspect of the image. I used purple, pink and blue and added sparkle, lace and bling! LOL!

The next stop on the hop is the sweet and talented Alex!

I used the sketch that my lovely friend Carole created for Friday Sketchers this week! I almost always make square cards so this was a nice change.  Carole is also generously providing the prize: 2 Magnolia stamps! I hope that you get the chance to join us this week. Please check out the gorgeous sample by the Sassy Sketchers:  Aud, Bea, Carole, Claudia, Tanja, Janneke, Inge

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My next card is a sneak peek of the amazing new Whiff of Joy release: City Girls II. Katharina knew that we needed more of these sweet and sassy images! It was hard to pick which one to show you first but in the end, this cutie won out! Don’t you LOVE this image?! They will be available on June 25th but if you want more peeks, please visit my fellow WoJ DT sisters…they are listed on my side-bar!

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Last, but certainly not least is my Wags ‘n Whiskers challenge card. We were invited to use the theme of “lemonade” on our card! Please join in with us for a chance to win free stamps! I added tons of pops of yellow and love the happy feel that it brings. This sweet stamp is called Travelling Buddies and is available ~here~ This is not a new image BUT we will be having a new release NEXT week and the images are super cute!

 

Click the banner above to find out how you can win the new release!

Okay! I need a nap! Really I do! LOL! Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

 

Whiff of Joy Card and New Video Alert

Happy Thursday! Today my card showcases one of my most favorite stamps of all time. This is Melinda and she is part of the Spring 2009 Whiff of Joy Guardian Angel Collection.
I have had many emails and comments here on my blog regarding how I create the clouded background on my cards. I created a video to show you how I do it. It is really very simple. I hope you will head over and take a look!
You can find the video   -->here<--  at the Whiff of Joy Tutorials and Inspiration blog.

• Stamp: Whiff of Joy Melinda with Bouquet 
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Baja Breeze for sponging sky
• Paper: SU Very Vanilla, Pink Piroette, MME DP
• Coloring: Copic Markers
• Embellies: SU Ribbon, Prima Flowers, Wilton Doily

I purchase the Eclipse tape that I use to mask my images at Ellen Hutson -->here<-- 
Thanks for stopping by and I hope this answers your questions!

More Exciting High Hopes News ~ A Sneak Peekie!

Happy Wednesday! Wow! It is pretty clear that you all have been loving the new Dustin Pike ~ High Hopes Release! I know that we Divas have had a blast coloring up his images and sharing our creations. We have also had another big secret that we have been bursting to tell you all!

Melissa Jenkins is joining the HH family!

“We are so proud and excited to be welcoming Melissa Jenkins to the High Hopes family!  If you are not already familiar with MelJen's Designs, you are in for a treat, as she has a very unique "girly girl" style with swirls and hearts and sweet little ladybugs accenting much of her work.”

Melissa’s designs are very unique and it was a real pleasure to color up and create with her sweet images. I chose this sweetie resting on a card for my sneak peek.  The image was colored with Copic markers and I added some stickles to the hearts and outlined the stars and squiggles with my Atyou Spica pens. I played around with the layout and came up with this. The border around the center square is made with Martha Stewart punches and then I cut out a circle in the center that was larger than the image circle to create this fun look. I sponged the white cardstock with Baja breeze ink to soften it up. It still looked a little plain, so I added tiny adhesive pearls. Honestly it doesn’t take as long as you might think and I LOVE how it looks. A few primas flowers and the card was done!

If you would like to win a package of Meljen’s new stamps, please visit our High Hopes Blog to find out what to do. While you are there, you will see the list of the other Divas who will be showing sneak peeks! Our release day and blog hop will be this coming Friday!

Thanks for stopping by! I have so many new cards to show you in the next few days………I have been super busy with all my new stamps and I can’t wait to share all my cards with you!

High Hopes Blog Hop

Good Monday Morning! The day is finally here: High Hopes New Release Day. We are celebrating with a blog hop so if you didn’t start at the beginning, you should click   --> here< --  so you don’t miss any of the Divas’ fabulous cards showcasing our new images by Dustin Pike!

 

My card features the image “Catching Some Rays” and I think it is just so funny. I can’t help myself. I chuckle every-time I look at it! I colored the poor wee fish a bright orange and doesn’t it just pop?  I took my cue for the rest of the card from the orange of my fish and the black from the x-ray background! I even added some clips to the top……….just like how real x-rays are hung in front of the light-source.

• Stamps: High Hopes Catching Some Rays
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: SU Black, Orange, Cosmo Cricket Joyride
• Coloring: Copic Markers
• Embellies: SU Ribbon &  Library Clips

If you are looking to purchase High Hopes stamps why not check out our Diva's stores.

• Amy Wegener - Stampin' Stuff based out of Australia
• Nikki Fairbairn - Bunny Zoe's Crafts based out of the UK/Europe
• Lacey Stephens - Stamp and Create based out of the US
• Amy Leggate - Paper Romance based out of Canada
• Karen Goguen/Cathy Siroski - The Rubber Room based out of Canada

As you continue the blog hop, please leave a comments with the Divas.  There will be 4 random blogs chosen among us and these chosen blogs will then pick a winner. The winner can then choose 2 stamps of their choice!

The blog hop will remain open until Wednesday 12pm GMT/7am EST. (Shhh……when there will be another big announcement………don’t tell them I said anything…LOL!)

The next stop on the hop is Amy W!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!

Big News

Win, Win, Win!!!! We are so excited to announce that we will have a new release on Friday, 25th June!!! This release will be available in Digital Format only.... for now ;-) We have more exciting news to share with you in that this release is with our fabulous new artist Emma Metcalf. We are thrilled that Emma will be joining us and sharing her cute designs. Emma is a children's illustrator based in the UK. Our designers are already having fun colouring the new images!

The sneak peeks will begin on Wednesday, 23rd June on the Divas Blogs!! We will have links to the participating blogs listed here, too. The peeks will continue on Thursday, 24th June.

There will be a Blog Hop here beginning at 12:01 EST/5:00am GMT on Friday, 25th June!!!. Then at 7:00 am/noon GMT the Digi's will go live in the stores with links here on the blog.

Would you like to win the whole digi release???!!!
Well grab the release badge above and post it on your blog with a link back -->HERE<--
One lucky person will win the whole release!!! The winner will be posted on Monday June 28th.
Thanks for helping spread the word and Good Luck!
ENTER HERE :-)

High Hopes Sneak Peek ~ Sketch Saturday

Happy Saturday! Today I am excited to show you a sneak peek of one of the new High Hopes release illustrated by Dustin Pike. I LOVE all the new stamps and I am sure that you will too! I hope you have been saving up because there are so many “must-haves” in this collection! Wait until you see my card for Monday’s blog Hop! OMGosh! The image is hysterical!

This one is called “Bird Watching” and is so sweet. I combined my sneak peek with my Sketch Saturday DT card! The sketch was perfect for this image.

I colored my image with copic markers and then masked it off and airbrushed it with the copic ABS. Then paper I used is from Stampin Up and was the free Salebration kit from last year. I am really trying to plough through all the paper I have before I buy more! The scallop border was made with a SU punch and the ribbon and cardstock is SU! Bashful blue. The adhesive pearls are Martha Stewart.

I have been so pressed for time lately. So much is going on with the boys and with the end of school drawing near, there seems to be a constant flow of things that need doing. Soccer season has started and so we are on the field 4 nights a week! It is seriously cutting into my craft time.

Please check out the High Hopes blog and you will find the links for the other Divas who have sneak peeks today!

I hope that you will also have time to participate in this week’s Sketch Saturday Challenge. There is a lovely prize being sponsored by Simon Says Stamp! Please also check out the amazing creations by my talented DT sisters. Gorgeous, everyone of them!

Thank you for stopping over here at my little blog today! I hope you enjoyed the HH peek!

Friday Sketchers Challenge

Happy Friday! Just a quick post from me today as I am way behind schedule with things! My card today is for the Friday Sketchers Challenge which is hosted by the lovely Bea this week.

I have used this incredibly sweet Hilda image from Motivet and my favorite shades of aqua and cream.

• Stamps: Motivet Hilda looking over her shoulder, Sentiment by SU!
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: SU! Retired
• Coloring: Copic Markers
• Embellies: SU Ribbon

Our sponsor this week is none other than the wonderful Motivet Stamps. The winner this week will be able to chose 3 unmounted stamps of their choice. WOW!

Be sure to check out all the samples that my fellow DT sisters have created for your inspiration.  We hope  you will be able to play along and post your own creation on the Friday Sketcher blog

Aud, Bea, Claudia, Tanja, Janneke, Inge

I am so excited to be designing for Motivet and I thought I would share some other ways for you to win free stamps.  At the inspiration blog you have the chance to win Motivet Rubberstamps every week.

• On Fridays they have a week long Sketch Challenge where you have the opportunity to win stamps, 3 stamps for the nicest card, and a randomly selected winner gets 2 stamps.
• For every comment you post on the blog you enter for a chance to win 5 rubber stamps, every week! So, come join us in the fun!
• Get your own FREE digi stamp to enter our sketch challenges :) to download the image simply click the kitten icon below: