TSG No Peeking Blog Hop Challenge!

Hey everyone!  Welcome to our third and final day of blog hop challenges! We have a super fun set to share with you today that is perfect for creating Advent Calendars, tags and even Christmas cards!  
Kids love to countdown the days until Christmas is finally here and with this new set illustrated by Torico, you are going to have just as much fun creating a countdown advent calendar! 

 With 25 different adorable holiday images and two sets of numbers the possibilities are endless! To make this set even more useable, there are two decorative circles and two decorative squares that were designed to be used with a 1 3/8” punch!!

No Peeking! is a 6x8 set that includes a total of 53 stamps and will sell for $24. 

Here's the First 4 days of a cute Advent Calendar!  This is such an adorable stamp set, and I love that the numbers can be used for birthdays or regular calendars too!

I've got a fabulous project for you today! I decided to make an advent calendar and it's really fun.  I'll be back tomorrow with details on how to make the calendar, but let's just enjoy looking at the finished product today!

  Using lots of dies I have hanging around, I cut out a calendar template and some gift card envelopes.  I decorated each, stamped and colored the numbers and images from the new No Peeking stamp set.  I love this set!  Look at that adorable wreath!  I used Dark Pink Vintage Seam Binding and lots of bling.

I love these little presents and the numbers alternate with dots and stripes making them perfect for monthly, yearly and birthday calendars too!

Torico's images are adorable and perfect for any child to stamp and color too!  I love this Turquoise V-Striped Twill with this paper...and the RED and GREEN twill look AMAZING with the Holiday papers that are out!

And look at that cute little snowman!  I wrapped the envelope with Aqua Baker's Twine.

 Now all you have to do is take the envelope off each page and open it up for a treat! You can fill them with gift cards, notes or candy!

And fabulously fun and easy to make with a few dies and the fabulous stamp set!

Here's Day 1-4 together.  I'm so excited about how adorable these are turning out that I've already cut all the pieces for a countdown calendar for Riley.  I'll be sharing ALL of the pages each day in December!  

Would you like to win the new No Peeking! stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post. 

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday October 29th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

TSG Bon Appetit Blog Hop Challenge!

Hey everyone! We have another fabulous set from Torico – she’s showing off her range of creativity.

Whip up some delicious greetings with the new Bon Appetit set. From the succulent turkey to steamin’ hot pie create some mouthwatering table settings and pass down secret family recipes for generations to come. Compliments of Chef Torico! 

Bon Appétit is a 4x8 set that includes a total of 31 stamps and will sell for $18.

OK, so there's an adorable rotund chef in this stamp set, but since I haven't been able to do much Halloween creating, I thought I'd make a Halloween party invitation.  

I broke out these gorgeous Pink Paislee Halloween DP, using 6 different patterns (a personal record I think).  

 I stamped and cut out the silverware, plate, napkin.  Then I used the TSG Spider Web Die to accent the card panel and with the leftover piece, I wrapped it around the napkin, accenting with these cute gem spiders from Michael's.

I added a couple more gem spiders, because they are soooooo adorable!

Would you like to win the new Bon Appétit stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post. 

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday October 29th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

See you back here tomorrow for the last peek of the week.  And this one, you're NOT going to want to miss!

Holiday Hoopla with Taylored Expressions!

 (Click HERE to find the TSG Blog Hop Challenge)

Hey everyone!   Taylored Expressions is hosting a Holiday Hoopla today and I'm excited to be a part of it!  You should have arrived here from Chupa's fabulous blog.  If you didn't (or if you get lost along the way) you can head back to the beginning at Taylor's blog for the full list of participants. 

There are 22 designers showcasing Christmas/Winter/Holiday stamps sets from TE with samples that include all sorts of projects from cards to gifts and beyond!  We want to inspire you to get your holiday crafting and card making into high gear!  Be sure to stick with me all the way to the end of the post to get a coupon code for 25% off holiday stamp sets at Taylored Expressions! 

The set I'm showcasing is Joy To The World and I love it because it's gorgeous, versatile and best of all, with every purchase through the end of the month, Taylor is donating $5 to the Angel Tree. 

I wanted to get started on my Christmas cards, so I thought I'd come up with an easy to duplicate way to get some cards done.  Easy to replicate cards need to be easy and quick and relatively flat so they aren't too expensive to mail.

I used the Holiday Wonder Project Pantry Kit and let the papers add depth to the cards.  I stamped the angels in Tuxedo Black, highlighted and colored with Copics.  

 Since these are going to be mailed for Christmas, I didn't want to add much weight.  A perfect solution is Stickles and Liquid Pearls.

Creating for this hop caused to me to go back and look at some of my previous creations and I wanted to share one of those with you today too.   

I made this fabulous card with the September Key Ingredients Kit and Hangin' Out - At the North Pole.

 Are you getting in the mood to stamp?  Be sure to check out Taylor's 12 Days of A Handmade Christmas Video Series for lots of easy gift ideas.

Now, who loves a SALE?  Use Coupon Code HOOPLA2011 to get 25% off the following holiday stamp sets (released in 2009 and 2010) at Taylored Expressions now through November 2:  

Christmas Blessings, Enjoy!, From the Heart, Hangin' Out -  At the North Pole, Holiday Wonder, Home Sweet Home, Keeping Tabs, Merry Little Cocktail, Penguin Pals, Season's Sweetings, Sparkle & Cheer, Tag Treats , Tag You're It, Take Note - Holidays , Wings of Joy, Winter Wonderland.

The coupon code is case sensitive. Follow these instructions to apply the discount to your order:

1. Add the desired stamp sets from the above list to your shopping cart.

2. Insert the coupon code into the Promotional Code box.

3. Click the Update Cart button.  Your discount should now be applied.

4. Proceed to checkout to finalize and submit your order.

 

Now hop on over to Wanda's amazing blog for more holiday goodness! :D

4.25 x 5.5" Angel Christmas cards:

Stamps:TE Joy to the World Stamp Set
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copics (See photo)
Paper: TE Holiday Wonder CS
Accessories: Rouge Liquid Pearls, Adirondack Dimensional Pearls Lettuce,
Crystal Stickles

TSG Autumn/Friendbots Blog Hop Challenge!

Hey everyone!! Oh my goodness, I am excited to get started with this month's TSG sneak peek blog hop challenges!  The stamp sets this month are fabulous, so let's get to it! 

The seasons are changing and it’s time to add some rich colors and beautiful leaves to our paper crafting projects! Autumn mini set has a bunch of different leaves each with a fun pattern that you are going to love to use!

Autumn is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 13 stamps and will sell for $7.

I decided that this stamp set is so gorgeous and easy to us, that a lot of fancy paper wasn't necessary!  I have been seeing lots of these cards with the rounded panel corners and thought this stamp set was MADE for this kind of card.  This card is easy to make and easy to replicate for all kinds of autumn cards.  I embossed the background panel while leaving a space for the sentiment by placing a die on top of the plate prior to running through my machine.

For the inside, I finished off the panel simply by inking up the inside and then adding colors to the edges.  When you do this technique, use the lightest ink on the inside and add medium then dark inks.

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Torico brings us the techno savvy stamp set that everyone needs. We are living in an information age on an information planet so why not surprise your Friendbots with some automated cuteness. Let’s make it the age of interfacing with all your B.F.F.s!

Friendbots is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 5 stamps and will sell for $7.

OH how I love this stamp set!  Dylan and I craft together often, so I thought I'd make this card for him.  I broke out some old Basic Grey and the new TSG World's Best Die set and went to town.

 I colored the adorable "friendbots" with Copics.  Some Liquid Glass to the "glass" parts of the robots finishes the front off.

And here's the inside.  I used some dies and another impression plate to give it texture. Dylan will love it! :D

Would you like to win the new Autumn / Friendbots mini stamp sets? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! Here's a list of all the Autumn/ Friendbots Hop participants:

The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, October 29th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.  I'll be back tomorrow with more TSG goodness, so be sure to stop back.  Till then, go get crafty!

5.5"x 4.25 Autumn card:

Stamps: TSG Autumn Stamp Set
Ink: SU Pumpkin Pie, Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip
Paper: PTI Scarlet Jewel, Terracotta Tile, Simply Chartreuse, Rich Avocado,Dark Chocolate  CS
Accessories: CTMH Opaque Mocha Pearls

4.25 x 5.5" Friendbots card:

Stamps:TSG Friendbots Stamp Set
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copics (See photo)
Paper: PTI CS, Basic Grey Oliver
Accessories: Silver Wired Covered String from RibbonCarousel.com,
TE Stars Impression Plate, TE Seeing Stars Dies

Best Witches!

Hey everyone!  We're back on schedule with LOTS of posts scheduled for this week!  Today is a brand new TSG challenge, brought to us by the entire TSG Trendsetter team!  With Halloween and Autumn upon us…we would like to challenge you to make a card or project with the theme of either Halloween or Autumn.

I am a huge fan of Halloween (actually, I think I'm a fan of Halloween decorations and paper crafting stuff)!  I broke out the new We R Memory Keepers Spookville paper and went to town!  I love, love, love this paper!  I colored the cute witch from the TSG Hauntingly Delightful stamp set with Copics and added Copic White for some highlights.  So fun! 

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card or project with a Halloween or Autumn, and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (October 31st). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG127 so we can check out your beautiful work!

4.25 x 5.5" Best Witches card:

Stamps: TSG Hauntingly Delightful Stamp Set
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copics
Paper: PTI CS
Accessories: Baker's Twine from RibbonCarousel.com, 
PTI buttons,
Tools: PTI dies

TE KI Blog Hop: Hope You Can Cling To......

Hey everyone! Today is the Key Ingredients Blog Hop and we are so excited to show you lots of different ways to use this month's gorgeous Key Ingredients Kit!

 This month, SplitcoastStampers is hosting a very worthwhile, month long event called Hope You Can Cling To. 

Here's a little info from the HYCCT thread on SCS:

Splitcoaststampers is proud to partner with the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center for our second annual month long card drive to benefit those affected by breast cancer.

Whether your stamps cling to acrylic, wood, or to your hard drive, they hold the power to convey hope and lift the spirits of anyone who sees what you create with them. That is the inspiration for our “Hope You Can Cling To” stamping campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

We are kicking this campaign off on World Card Making Day - a day of celebration of the power of a handmade card. We encourage papercrafters across the globe to put their talents to work creating beautiful handmade cards to send to patients and their families at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, and, in the process, turn our gallery pink!

Taylor has so graciously donated prizes to the campaign and also released this gorgeous Moka Hope stamp set this month, donating a portion of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Taylor is an amazing woman!

 I used the Moka Hope stamp set for my card today.  I stamped Hope and the sentiments in Tuxedo Black, coloring with my Copics. I cut them out with the Rectangle, Scalloped Rectangle, Circle and Scalloped Circle Spellbinder Dies. I just thought she was so gorgeous, and I'll be sending this card down to the Cancer Center, so I didn't go too crazy with the layers.

I embossed the ivory cardstock from the kit with an embossing folder.  I love the pink cardstock included in the kit.  It has a gorgeous texture that lends nicely to a CAS card.  And yes, I do consider this CAS for me! ;)

I finished off the card with this adorable light pink bling, which is ON SALE now!

And of course, since this card is being mailed, I finished the inside too. :D

I love, love, love these kits!  I open my clear box and see everything I could possibly need to create tons of papercraft projects!  No hunting for the perfect color cardstock.  No searching for the matching ribbon.  It's all sent to you right from TE in a cute clear box!  For more information on subscribing, click HERE.  And THIS is a great FAQ page.  We add our cards each month to the KI Gallery found HERE.

Be sure to visit the rest of the KI team:

Jessica Diedrich
Lea Lawson
Monica Davis
Rachel Sztonyk
Stephanie Kraft
Taylor Van Bruggen

I'll be back on a regular basis now, crafting and creating while my hubby is away in Afghanistan.  Have a great day and go get crafty!

Swimming, Swimming, Swimming!

Hey everyone! I am so proud to be participating in this wonderful blog hop that will benefit an amazingly special woman named Katie and her family. Please read on for all the details about this fundraiser and to find out how you can help!  

Although I don't know Katie personally, and you may not either, it is important for our community to come together and help when one of us is in need.  And THAT is something our crafting community does OH SO WELL! :D

From October 10-12 some of the best stampers are joining together to support and encourage our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer.  If you're not familiar with her, Katie’s cancer story started just before Christmas last year. 

This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight.  A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer.  Her first post about it is here.  The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here.

Here is my card that I am sending to Katie today. I always start with a sketch and used the TSG125 Sketch Challenge as a jumping off point. I add lots of bling, cuz, well, I love bling and I hope Katie does too!  It also qualifies for this week's Ribbon Carousel Challenge (RCC24) "Sparkle with Sparkle".  I love this cute little card and hope you'll be inspired to make Katie a card....and perhaps even donate, using the PayPal button below, if you can.

This exclusive stamp used in my sample, designed by Becky Oehlers is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digis or a dig and SVG cut file.  100% of the profits go to Katie's fund to help her and her young family. Her husband Kevin and her three young children need our help and support.  In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale.  

Direct donations are also being accepted.  Information central is HERE.  This is a permanent page that will stay active at i {heart} papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button. 

Here are all the items available for sale.

  

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation.  The following is a list of everyone who has projects posted today.  I hope you will be inspired by them and moved to purchase or donate.  If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:

Katie Renz

PO Box 5913

Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Here's a list of today's participants!

Ashley Harris 
 Clare Buswell 
 Jessica Diedrich 
 Lisa Somerville 
 Charlene Merrick 
 Eva Dobilas 
 Judy Rozema 
 Sharon Doolittle 
 Tifany DeGough 
 Windy Robinson 
 Ashley Cannon Newell  
 Connie McCotter 
 Heidi Van Laar 
 Karen Maldonado 
 Lori Craig 
 Melissa Phillips 
 Tosha Leyendekker  
Amy Kolling 
 Angela Thomas 
 Angelica Suarez  
Angie Blom  
Becky Oehlers  
Betty Wright 
Bev Gerard  
Brenda Weaver  
Carolyn King  
Chari Moss  
Charlene Driggs  
Cindi Bisson Claire Brennan  
Corinna McGregor  
Craft Critique  
Karen Hunsaker (Rubbernecker Stamps Designer) 
Keely Yowler  
Kelly Schirmer  
Keri Lee Sereika  
Kim Hughes 
  Kimber McGray  
Kittie Caracciolo  
Kristin Eberline  
Wendy Price

The Gratitude Challenge

Hey everyone!! OK, so there is a blog, Simplicity, written by Susan Raihala (aka LateBlossom on SCS). Susan, has a way with words.  In fact her post yesterday was...simply....fabulous. Susan is, IMHO, simply.....AMAZING.  Her blog is one of the few that I read from my Inbox.  She has a plethora of wit, sarcasm, organization, OCD, and extremely fabulous CAS talent. 

 Last weekend, Susan wrote about a new personal challenge that I am going to join in on, The Gratitude Challenge.

Feel free to copy these onto your blog and get the challenge out there! If you don't know about the challenge, here's a crash course:

Thanksgiving here in the United States gets lost between Halloween and Christmas. It's become just another day to over-eat and watch football. Sadly, its original purpose--to celebrate and give thanks for the blessings of a plentiful harvest--has been lost. The Gratitude Challenge asks you to make cards and send them to people for whom you are grateful, to those who have contributed to the plentiful harvest of your own life.

Thanksgiving is a good time for Americans and Canadians to do this, but really, shouldn't we ALL express our gratitude for those people in our lives who have made a difference through their love, friendship, kindness, and generosity? You don't have to be in a particular country or faith to do this. Show those whom you love how grateful you are to have them in your life by sending cards. It's easy, and we're making them anyway, right? 

Thank you Susan for this timely reminder of what is important, and sharing a way to embrace and share the gratitude that I SHOULD show year round. ;)

Operation Julie's Smile

Hey everyone! Hope your week has been wonderful!  Mine sure has been and the weekend is lookin' pretty good too, because......

Today is a BIG day in blogland--we are having a benefit blog hop for Julie Ranae. You can find out all the details at Sweet Stamp Shop's blog and take your time! You have ALL WEEKEND to hop with us and win prizes!! 

One of Carousel Crew members, Savannah asked that we participate and OF COURSE I said yes!!  One of the fab prizes up for grabs is the OCTOBER Ribbon Club Kit from RibbonCarousel.com.

Nicole Rixon, owner of Sweet Stamp Shop put together this benefit after finding out about this situation and before Julie Ranae knew it, it took flight! Because she is an event organizer by trade, she has taken on the job of organizing all of the blogs in this hop as her way of ‘working overtime’ for what she needs, the same as if she were able to work overtime at an outside job to pay for the work to be done. It is the goal of all of these generous friends & sponsors to help make this situation more do-able for our friend so that she can share a brand new smile with all of us soon. If there is anything you can do to help with a financial donation, there is a donation button ready for you to click.  Any amount is appreciated and ALL DONATIONS will be eligible for prizes from our sponsor pool of over $2500.

Here is a bit of information about our prizes: We have over $2500 in prizes donated by very generous companies [a complete list of sponsors will be listed on the SSS blog].

Prizes will be drawn for the following: 

1) from Blog comments left 

2) from Paypal Donation list {donation button found below or on the Ribbon Carousel Challenge sidebar}

 

I'm so excited to be participating and can't wait to see everyone else's creations!  Let's help Julie out!  And thanks everyone for visiting!!

Introducing the 8 Post Ribbon Carousel!

Do you need a great way to store all that yummy twine that is out there?!  Here's the 8 post Ribbon Carousel that holds 16 spools of twine!!

Here's the link to the 8 Post Ribbon Carousel.  Use OCTBLOG for 10% off your order!  :D

Did ya miss me?

Huh? Huh, didcha, huh?  OK, so I'm a little over-tired and sleepy, but wanted to check in with y'all and say hello.  HELLO!!!  My husband is deploying soon.  I know.  I'm a newlywed.  I am going to be a very sad newlywed pretty soon.  So please excuse my lack of artwork and quips these past few day.  I promise, I'll be back on a regular schedule again at the end of the week.

 I'll just leave you with this adorable photo of my two boys.  They decided to wear the same sweatshirt and I had to snap a pic.  Reminds me of when my mom dressed my sister and I in our matching outfits as little girls. :D  I'll be back with some adorable artwork later this week.  Promise. Ciao for now.