It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It's the most WONDERFUL TIME of the year! No, really, you guys. It totally is. I love Christmas. I just LOVE it! Today we have a brand new challenge on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog! We want you to create a project inspired by this Winter Inspiration board!

I love the neutrals and the pops of red in these photos! I decided to pull from that to create my card today. The Design team is featuring Penny Black products this week, and I am super loving this stamp set! Lots, you guys. For reals, though.

I am still in love with the chalkboard technique. It is just such a great look. This stamp was begging for it, so I had to make it happen. I stamped and embossed the sentiment in white and then used Simon Says Stamp white pigment ink to add a chalky look. Love it!

I added a few sequins and some Wink of Stella sparkle to the red bunting in the background. It is happy. I like it.

Now it's YOUR turn! Create something fabulous inspired by the inspiration board and link it up over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog. One lucky participant will win a $50 Voucher to the Simon says Stamp Store! YAY!!!

I am also linking this up to the Craft Stamper White Stamping Challenge!

Have a Happy!

Simon Says Stamp Valentine's 2014 Blog Hop and Giveaway!

HOLY WOW, BATMAN! Simon Says Stamp has an AMAZING new release for Valentine's Day this year! You are going to LOVE IT!!! I have two cards to share with you today using some of the new goodies along with a chance to win a $25 Gift Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Store! Woot! Woot!!! If you came from Amy Kolling's blog, you are already on the right track! If not, you might want to head on over to the Simon Says Stamp Blog to start from the beginning!

I am also EXTRA excited because the fabulous Lizzie Anne Designs girls have collaborated with Simon Says Stamp for several stamp sets (and dies!) for this release!


ACK! Aren't these stamps awesome? And that super fun XOXO die? I used the Chalkboard Love set and it is just gorgeous! I layered the die cut over a simple white panel to create the background and then rocked the chalkboard technique for my banner. That really is my favorite technique! I just love the look!


For my second card, I used the same stamp set and also pulled out some of the band new inks from Simon Says Stamp. These inks are so fabulous! I really love them! I kept this one super CAS, but I really like the layered colors.


Are you as in love with this new release as I am? Well, I have good news! One lucky commenter on EACH of the blogs in this hop will win a $25 Gift Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Store! Simply leave a comment below to enter! The Giveaway closes at 6pm Eastern on 12 December.

Your next stop on the hop is the wonderfully inspiring Debby Hughes!  The complete hop order is below if you would like it!

Simon Says Stamp
Kristina Werner
Shari Carroll
Jennifer McGuire
Kathy Racoosin
Nichol Magouirk
Laura Bassen
Stephanie Klauck
May Flaum

Jess Larsen

Laurie Willison

Amy Kolling

Jennifer Ingle

Debby Hughes

Lucy Abrams

Lorraine Aquilina

You can find the products I used in the cards above in the links below.  Be sure to head on over to Simon Says Stamp to see the full Valentine's 2014 Release!

Chalkboard Love XOXO Border Die SSS Cardstock - Rainbow *Crafter's Companion 50 PACK ULTRA SMOOTH PREMIUM WHITE CARDSTOCK 752252 *Versamark WATERMARK Rubber Stamp Emboss Chalk Resist INK PAD Simon Says Stamp Schoolhouse Red Dye Ink Simon Says Stamp Sea Glass Dye Ink Simon Says Stamp Premium Dye Ink Collection *Tsukineko Embossing Powder WHITE Emboss *Precision Heat Embossing Emboss Tool Gun Hero Arts PW200 *Sizzix BIG SHOT MACHINE Powder Blue & Teal 657900 *Tombow MONO MULTI Liquid Glue Two Applicators 62191 *Tombow MONO Adhesive PERMANENT Tape Dispenser *EK Success 1/16"" SQUARES 3-D Foam Dots Adhesive SPAF-THS *May Arts SILVER Metallic String

InLinkz.com

Setting Sail on a New School Year

I had a pumpkin spice coffee this morning and a PumkinHead beer (It's made by Shipyard and it is the BEST pumpkin beer on the planet...go find some.  For reals.)  the other day.  As much as I hate to admit it, fall is creepy it's way in slowly, but surely!  Fortunately, it is supposed to be in the upper 80's around here today, so that helps me out a bit.  HA!  Don't get me wrong, I love fall...it's just that nasty thing-which-should-not-be-named that comes after it that I so dread.  But, alas.  *sigh*

With fall, however, also comes the excitement of back to school for many students and teachers!  The Hubbums still has a bit before he starts, but I know many schools have gone back already!  The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is all about BACK TO SCHOOL this week!  Super fun!



I couldn't pass up this opportunity to use one of my FAVORITE techniques!  The chalkboard technique!  The inside of my card reads, "On a GREAT School Year!"  It's a perfect card to tuck into a lunch box, give to a teacher, or even to the office staff or admin!  The design team is using Maya Road products this week and I am in LOVE with that striped fabric tape that I used to create that fun little flag!  LOVE IT.  For reals, dude.



And, of course, Simon Says Stamp is offering one lucky participant in this week's challenge a $50 Gift Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Store!  For reals, you guys.  That's good stuff.  Just sayin'.

You have until 9am Eastern Time 28 August  2013 to participate.  We ask that you do not backlink - we like to inspire you to create something NEW!  YAY!  Also, you can enter up to FIVE times!  Woot!  That kinda rocks.  Just sayin'.  Be sure to add links back to the challenge blog to be eligible for the prize.

If you would like to check out the awesome goodies I used to create this fun card, they are all available at Simon Says Stamp and can be found in the links below!  (Sometimes they take a minute to load, but it makes it super easy to find 'em.  Just sayin'.)