Black Dogs are the GREATEST!

 Did you know that black dogs end up in shelters longer than any other color dog? For some reason adopters shy away from black pups. Personally, I think that is ridiculous because black dogs (labs, in particular) are WONDERFUL! I have my super great buddy, Wyatt (along with my chocolate lab, Morgan), and he is a great big ball of love. He's also a 100 lb. lap dog, but, alas....

The Newton's Nook and Simon Says Stamp Stamptember collaboration stamp set had this absolutely perfect little Turkey Day pup and I could not resist using him to create a fun Thanksgiving card! I colored him, black of course, with Copic markers and simply stamped and heat embossed the sentiment.

The background is Simon Says Stamp Fractured stamped in grey ink. Nice and simple. While this particular Thanksgiving stamp set is no longer available as it was a limited edition for Stamptember, don't you worry your little puppy loving head... you can check out the Newton's Nook collection at Simon Says Stamp and find ALL KINDS of cute critter stamps that you will just love!

Since this is such a simple card, I only took the one shot. Also... Wyatt was literally hunting me down because I got caught steeling treats for the photo. So... I will share a photo of Mr. Wyatt, since he inspired my card! YAY!

Friendly Little Bats

 I mentioned that I really like bats, right? When I saw the Reverse Confetti challenge to create a card with a Thanksgiving or Friendship theme, I figured it was a perfect time to combine my love of Halloween and bats with a friendship sentiment for a cute little card.

I stamped the three little bats from the Reverse Confetti Best Witches stamp set and colored them with Spectrum Noir colored pencils. I am discovering that I REALLY love coloring with colored pencils. I honestly feel like I work better with them than I do with my markers a lot of the time. I am loving it. It is also wicked relaxing to feel the smooth pencil over the paper. I don't know...I just really enjoy it.

After stamping and coloring the bats I added a quick stamped star and then finished it off with a great Lawn Fawn Hello die. The friend is actually hand written with a Copic pen to get the look I was going for.  

This card was one of those ones that I just really enjoyed creating. It makes me smile.

What are the kinds of things that just make you happy when you create? Is it coloring? The actual stamping? Putting together various design elements? I'd love hear about it in the comments!

Advent Calendar Extravaganza with Taheerah Atchia

Hello, friends! It has been a long time, I know! I took a bit of a break from blogging after stepping down from my design teams, but I am super excited to be participating in this exciting event! Taheerah does such a great job putting it together and the sponsors this year are AMAZING!!! TWENTY FIVE days of inspiration and prizes, people!!! For. Reals.

 

Advent Calendar Extravaganza is THE festive event of the season! This ‘hop with a twist’ was dreamed up by Taheerah Atchia and features surprise destinations each day! Joining in the fun with Taheerah are ONE HUNDRED special guests, each serving up some fantastic Christmas inspiration! Just like an Advent Calendar, you’ll never know where you’re going to be visiting next until you ‘open the door’!

And that’s not all! With 25 *amazing* sponsors taking part as guests as well, your crafty wish list is bound to get a boost with a chance to win a prize EVERY SINGLE DAY!!

Join in the fun every day at taheerah-atchia.com to see what special surprises await behind the door!

I created this super fun card using a slightly less traditional color scheme. I absolutely LOVE this Very Merry stamp set from Simon Says Stamp! I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers and used a couple of washi tapes in black and gold to get a cool, modern vibe. Spectrum Noir's Glitter brush pens added the perfect sparkle to the ornaments and the stars!

It’s not a party without a prize - and with prizes every day there are several chances to win! Today’s prize is generously supplied by Simon Says Stamp so you’ll definitely want to win! Simply leave a comment on this post - then head back to taheerah-atchia.com and leave a comment there too! You must leave a comment on Taheerah’s blog as well as mine in order to be eligible to win! Don’t forget to grab the other surprise destinations from Taheerah’s blog and head over to them to leave comments there as well to improve your odds even more! You have until 23:59 EST on 31st December 2016 to enter.

Don’t forget Advent Calendar Extravaganza runs from 1st-25th December inclusive so make sure you visit taheerah-atchia.com every day for fabulous inspiration and amazing prizes every single time! 

Have a super Happy Christmas!!!!

Spectrum Noir Colorista Blog Hop

YOU GUYS! Spectrum Noir has a brand new Colorista line of coloring books and markers and colored pencils. I seriously am IN LOVE! I have had them in my hands for a bit now and I love how the markers work so well for coloring books and also how there are a variety of books allowing me to work on a small coloring page or a larger one depending on my mood!

Here is a page I have been working on. I love how the bits of gold foil add so much to the design!!!

They have SO MUCH going on around this release! You will see them first on HSN on August 30th! 

Not only that, but Spectrum Noir is offering a FREE Colorista Coloring Course! Yes, I said free!

You are NOT going to want to miss out on this excitement!!! You can find the complete blog hop list for today's party below! Also, don't forget to comment on every post along the way for your chance to win a package of coloring goodies!!! One random winner will be chosen from a random blog along the way!

Spectrum Noir 
Chrissie Tobas 
Laine Webb 
Jodi Clark 
Kendra Weitstock
Jo Mckelvey 
Annie Wills 
Mari Kocjancic 
Dana Warren 
Nicole Bretherick 
Lori Barnett 
Tracey Freeman 
Giovana Smith 
Bianca Shervington 
Alexia Misso 
Jennifer Tyron 
Debbie Seyer
Sara Davies 
Jennifer Ingle
Crafter’s Companion US  

Have a Happy!

Loads of Fun!

Hello, all! It's time for another ANYTHING GOES Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge! This week, the design team is featuring Lawn Fawn products!!! YAY! Lawn Fawn or Lawn FUN?!

That was bad.

But oh, so good.

Okay...anyway... I'll get to my card now....



Umm... when did laundry get this FUN?! For reals, though. I had so much fun making this little shaker card! I used the stamps in the Loads of Fun stamp set both to set the scene and as little socks in my shaker! SO FUN!!!! I also added some marshmallow seed beads from Pretty Pink Posh to look sudsy.

That's a fun word. Sudsy. For reals.... say it out loud.

You're welcome.



Now it's your turn! It's anything goes week, so you can create whatever you want! It just has to be new and you have to link it up over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog for your chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate to Simon Says Stamp! WOOT! WOOT!

SUDSY!

Yup. That happened.

Come play along! We can't wait to see what you create! 

Have a happy!

Don't Make a Scene!

Okay, I lied. That's actually EXACTLY what we want you to do for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week! Make a Scene! The Design Team is using Newton's Nook products in our scene inspired cards today. You don't have to use them if you don't want to, but we would love to see them if you've got 'em!



Okay, so, when I saw this Dreams of London stamp set I simply HAD to have it. And then we got super busy getting ready to move and I hadn't had the chance to play with it yet. I finally broke it open and oh, my goodness, I love it even more!!!! I stamped (masking the cat) the images and then colored them with Spectrum Noir pens. I added some distress inking to create the background in my little die cut circle.



And now it's YOUR turn! Create something awesome that incorporates a scene in some way on your project and link it up over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog for your chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate to the Simon Says Stamp store! THAT, my friends, is an awesome prize!

I can't wait to see what you create! Scenes can be so much fun to put together! 

Have a Happy!

CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Release DAY 3!

YAY! Are you guys having a blast so far? I certainly am! We have two more awesome stamp sets from the new CAS-ual Fridays Stamps July release to share with you today!!!

Today we are showcasing one of my absolute FAVORITE stamp sets from this release! It's called Partridge in a Pear Tree and I LOVE it!!!



I stamped this super cute stamp and masked off the present on the bottom so I could 'plant' my tree at the bottom of my card. I colored with copics and stamped the solid bird in place. Isn't this image SO FUN?! I seriously love it! For reals.

>

Our second new release is the Starlequin stamp set. First of all... BEST NAME EVER. For REALS. Secondly, I love how this can totally be used both for holiday and for every day designs. I combined it with another favorite stamp set for my card today!

Now you simply MUST head on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps blog to check out what the Girl Fridays have created with these amazing new sets! You are going to LOVE the creative ideas everyone came up with!

Have a Happy!

A Simon Says Stamp Treat!

It's ANYTHING GOES week! Yes, that means this week you get to create anything your heart desires and link it up to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog! Just make sure it is something new! The design team is featuring Art Impressions products this week. You don't have to use them, but if you have some, we'd love to see what you do with them! They have some pretty fun stuff! Both hilarious and adorable! And if you love to color there are SO many awesome options for you!



Naturally, I chose a puppy stamp set. Naturally. I also decided to challenge myself to a one layer design. I used the Cat and Dog mini Front and Back set for this card. I love that you can add the puppy butt to the inside of the card!!!! I de cut the clouds (Memory Box Puffy Clouds), being sure to only partially cut the one with the puppy in it so his little head would stick up!

Now it's YOUR turn! Create a super fun something or another and link it up for ANYTHING GOES week! One lucky participant will win a $50 Gift Certificate to the Simon Says Stamp store! WOOT!!!! That's an awesome prize, folks. For reals, though.

Have a Happy!

CAS-ual Fridays Stamps and Imagine Crafts Blog Hop!

Hello, all! Today the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps design team and the Imagine Crafts design team are coming together for a super fun blog hop with LOTS of inspiration for you! If you came from Monica Edwards' blog, you are already on the right track! If not, you may want to hope on back to the Imagine Crafts blog to start from the top of the list!



I pulled together some fabulous stamps from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps and some of my favorite inks from Imagine Crafts to create this fun card! I stamped the Tin Roof background diagonally on the corners of my panel with Momento Tuxedo Black ink and then colored with Copics. I then stamped the sentiment from the MWAH! stamp set with Cardinal VersaColor pigment ink and clear embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder. Because I was able to stamp the sentiment in a bold color and emboss it for extra dimension, I was able to stamp it over the pattern without it getting lost.



Be sure to leave a comment on my blog, along with the others along the way! CAS-ual Fridays Stamps is giving away a fabulous Gift Certificate and Imagine Crafts is offering a wonderful prize, too! YAY!!!

Your next stop on the hop is Teresa Abajo! Happy Hopping!

Zip It!

Hello! It is ANYTHING GOES week over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week! This week, the Design Team is playing with Technique Tuesday products this week! You don't have to use them to play along, but if you have some, we'd love to see what you do with them! I decided to use the super fun zipper die that I haven't had the chance to use quite yet!



I used the fun new Simon Says Stamp Cuddly Critter Accessories stamp set to create a little birthday scene. I colored with colored pencils for a playful look and then die cut the zipper in the front card panel. I used strips of cardstock on the back of the panel to secure the gift card, but once the zipper is pulled, it is easily removed! This is a super fun way to add an interactive element to your cards!



Isn't this a super fun way to give a gift card?! I love it! I really do! Now it's YOUR turn! Create a NEW project... anything you'd like to make...and link it up over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog for your chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate to the Simon Says Stamp Store! You know you want to win that goodness!!! Just be sure the project is new. Backlinked entries will not be counted.

Have a Happy!

Just a Little Note

Hello, friends! I have a brand new CAS-ual Fridays Stamps card to share with you using the new Pretty Posies stamp set! I am IN LOVE with these stamps and dies! In. Love. I tell ya.



I colored the flowers with Copics and then die cut them. I adhered them to my card and trimmed the edges for a fun border look. Shhh... don't tell anyone, but I only used two flowers total - time saving AND awesome looking! WHAT?! Totes. For reals.



I used a bit of adhesive on the base of the leaves so I could curl up the tips a bit. I love how that adds a natural, finished look to them!

These stamps are currently out of stock, but check out the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps blog for info on how to secure yours now!

Also, don't forget that you can save 15% off your CAS-ual Fridays Stamps order using code JINGLE2016. That is one heck of a good deal, ya'll!

Anything GOES!

It's ANYTHING GOES week! Yup! It's that time again! And this week the Design Team is playing with Stampendous! goodies! You know I had to pull out a fun little critter for this one! 

These little ice cream bunnies know how it's done, ya'll. I stamped them on watercolor paper and painted them, adding just a touch of texture with some Enamel Accents because, well, because chocolate chips. For reals, though.

The sentiment is from the Simon Says Stamp Ice Cream Dream set. It worked SO perfectly with this image! I love it when that happens! YAY!

And now it's your turn! Create something fabulous (remember...it has to be NEW) and link it up to the challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog for your chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate to the Simon Says Stamp Store! YAY!!! 

Have a Happy!

It's time to CELEBRATE!

Yes, my friends, it is time to CELEBRATE! It's our Seventh Birthday over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog, so, naturally, you get the presents! We are giving away SEVEN $50 Gift Certificates to the Simon Says Stamp Store this week, instead of just one! WHAT?! Yup! Totally! You don't want to miss out this week! The challenge is to create something birthday inspired! The Design Team is using Simon Says Stamp exclusive products this week for your inspiration. You don't have to use them, but if you have some, OF COURSE, we love to see how you rock 'em!



I simply had to pull out this adorable Birthday Farm Animals stamp set for this one. It's not necessarily the newest of all sets, but MAN, do I love it! It is so perfect for all kinds of birthdays and totally fun! I used the Firework Burst dies from Simon to create a fun, party-style background behind my goat. MY GOAT!!! I just got to use that in a sentence. Yup. That made me happy.

>

And now it's YOUR turn! Create a fabulous birthday inspired creation and link it up over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog for your chance to win one of SEVEN $50 Gift Certificates to the Simon Says Stamp Store! WHAT?! Totally, you guys! For. Reals.

And, with that, my dear friends, I wish you well! Happy creating... and WINNING!!!!

Have a Happy!