Sunday, October 3, 2010

Whimsy Stamps Holiday Release Blog Hop!

Good morning friends! I've got some exciting news to share with you...I was contacted by Denise, the very sweet owner of Whimsy Stamps, who invited me to be a guest for the Whimsy Stamps Holiday Release Blog Hop! May I just say how blessed and honoured I am to have the opportunity to join in with the fantastic Whimsy Stamps design team, as well as all the other lovely guests on the hop today. Thank you so much Denise!

Whimsy Stamps is releasing a lovely collection of rubber stamps to suit all your crafty needs this upcoming holiday season...and they are available for purchase today! To celebrate this release, Denise has put together a blog hop jam packed with gorgeous projects by some amazingly talented designers! So grab a cup of coffee or tea, put on some Christmas tunes and let's get this holiday hop started!

Did you arrive here after visiting the lovely Ann Vento? If not, then you will want to start the hop right from the beginning with Bev Rochester...then just follow the links along the way to visit the next participant in the hop! Oh, and you will want to make sure to leave comments along the way, as there will be some hidden prizes! (You can find a complete list of the blog hop participants at the Whimsy Inspirations Blog HERE.)

I had the opportunity to work with "Jingle Bell Ride" illustrated by the very talented artist Crissy Armstrong. I absolutely love the line of Carousel horses that Crissy has designed for Whimsy Stamps...they are gorgeous! I have a sweet spot for stamps featuring horses, as they have always been my favourite animal. (yes...I was your typical horse-crazy little girl!) I rode a lot as a teenager, worked at a barn and spent countless hours drawing horses...used to drive my art teacher nuts, as most of my projects featured them! lol The pretty vintage papers are from My Mind's Eye. The "frame" was cut out of metallic gold cardstock using Spellbinders Labels 10 . All papers were sponged with Black Soot Distress Ink. The Jingle Bell Ride stamp set comes with some fantastic accessory stamps and a few sentiments..."Merry Christmas" is one of them. What a gorgeous font! I used Spellbinders Fancy Tags and Petite Ovals Small for the sentiment. The gold scrolls behind the sentiment were cut using Spellbinders Doodle Parts.


"Jingle Bell Ride" was stamped on Neenah with Memento Ink and coloured with Copic markers. I also added additional shading with a black Conte crayon and paper blending stump. This helped to soften the look of the ink, as well as accentuate the "dappled" look that I first layed down with the markers. The furry collar, booties and poinsettias were given a coat of Stardust Stickles. The candy canes and bells were coated with Glossy Accents.


Copics: Horse: W1, W3, W5, W7 Mane, Tail and Hooves: C100, C7, C5, C3, B60 Pole and Bells: Y11, Y21, Y17, YR31, E33 Reds: R37, R46, R59, C5 Greens: G20, G82, G85, G99, C5 (YG00 and YG11 were also used on the leaves) Furry cuff: C1, C3, B60, colourless blender

You can see the glimmer from both the Stickles and metallic cardstock, as well as the shine from the Glossy Accents in this angled shot:


Remember that all the brand new stamps you will see on the hop today are now available for purchase at Whimsy Stamps! The hop will remain open until Thursday October 7, 2010 at 12:00 pm EST. All prize winners will be announced on October 7, 2010 after the hop closes.

Your next stop on the holiday hop is Debbie Eastman, who I know will have something stunning to share with you! Don't forget to leave those comments!

Have wonderful time on the hop today Whimsy fans, and thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Melanie
Stamps: Whimsy Stamps "Jingle Bell Ride"
Ink: Memento, Copic markers, Black Soot Distress Ink (also black Conte crayon)
Paper: My Mind's Eye (Holly Jolly), Bazzill, Neenah
Embellishments: Stardust Stickles, dollar store pearls, machine stitching
Tools: Spellbinders Labels 10, Fancy Tags, Petite Ovals Small, Doodle Parts

97 comments:

~Denise Lynn~ said...

Absolutely STUNNING! Melanie this card is amazing! You have brought this horse to life and I have no other words than just STUNNING! Amazing details and coloring. Thank you so much for joining us a special guest. It has been an honor and pleasure to have you. :)

Debbie said...

Oh wow this is just stunning Melanie,Hugs Debbie x

Dazie said...

Wozeers this is beautiful I adore the colour combo its stunning!
Dazie
x

Patricia Garcia said...

Wow Melanie, you really made me stare at my screen lol!! Just beautiful girl!!

Hugs,
Patricia

Renkata said...

Melanie, when I saw your beautiful card, it make me so emotional, I love Christmas.Your card is just so romantic, amazing colouring and layout.
Love it.
I will be happy to get some card like this in my mailbox :)

Stampvanwinkle said...

Melanie, this is just beautiful. I love your coloring technique. So wonderful!!!

angelwhispers said...

Such a stunning creation what fabulous inspiration you are sharing!! Just adore the image and the card design and colours are just perfect!! Love Chanelle xx

Oma said...

Beautiful cards Melanie!

Brenda said...

Wow, what a fabulous card. Your coloring is amazing and I love the colors that you chose to do this card in.

Marion said...

Wow Melanie. This is just awesome. Love the colours and that background is delish.
Marion

Anne said...

Stunning card Melanie love everything about it
Anne xx

mycardz said...

Hi Melanie! Allow me to pick up my jaw! WOW, wow, wow - what an amazing job you've done with this image! You know I'm your biggest fan and I think I now have a new favorite. I love it. Your coloring is so absolutely amazing GF! Wow. I think I need to re-do my card after seeing yours! :) hugz, Mary

Darsie Bruno said...

I have no words for how beautiful this card is!!!

Anonymous said...

Stunning coloring!

Sandra said...

Stunning card!....such a lovely image coloured to perfection!

Take care
San x

Crissy Armstrong said...

This is truly jaw dropping. Wow, stunning is a word that also comes to mind. I love the dappled grey appearance of the horse. And the extra shading on the bone structures of his face. You certainly must have practiced a lot on horses! It shows in how you coloured this one! hugs!

Marilyn said...

Wowsers, this is simply stunning!
http://www.onestampingfool.blogspot.com/

Vanja said...

This is absolutely stunning!! Your colouring is amazing and I love the papers.
Hugs, Vanja

Auntie Em said...

Wow, your colouring is awesome! I love the shading you did on the horse and your design really sets your work off!
Thanks for sharing! :o)

Saskia said...

Beautiful work... so elegant!

Hop hop hop... to the next blog! (hopping is so fun!)

Saskia :)

jan farnworth said...

wonderful card.

Lorraine said...

wow this is beautiful wish i could colour like you the hair and fur looks so real xx

Sinikka said...

Lovely paper and a great colouration. Love it.
Sinikka :-)

Arianne said...

The colors are soooooooooooooooo beautiful! Love this card!

Nyte Crafter said...

Awesome card.. love it

Unknown said...

Such a nice card :)

Miria said...

Absolutely stunning card, Melanie. Hugs from Italy. Miria

Ellibelle said...

wow, this is gorgeous Melanie. Love your coloring!! And I love the vintage feel to it.

PJsKreativeKorner said...

Oh my gosh, my mouth just flew open. What an absolutely beautiful, stunning, gorgeous, etc. card. I am amazed. I love this card and your work. WOW again!!!!!!

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Oh Melanie, how gorgeous!! You have incredible talent!! I so love your coloring and the gorgeous design!! Your coloring always brings the images to life, your detailing is stunning! Awesome color choice and stitching!
hugs,
Chris

SemSee said...

WOW Melanie, this is gorgeous! I adore the colours you've used and of course your colouring is amazing!! Stunning! Hugs, Simonne x

Gram's Treasures said...

Oh, that's perfect, using the patterned DP to background the image! What a great idea. Beautiful card!

Annika said...

Your colouring is truly something to aspire to - the detail and shading is just stunning! It's an honour to have you hopping with us!!
Hugs
Annika

Angela said...

Wow your card is so beautiful,it looks really nice.Many thanks for the fun with the blog hop.
Many greetings
Angela

Tanya said...

Wow! That is one awesome card!! :)

Cassie_lu said...

amazing color choice and how the image is framed is breath-taking

Crystal said...

Melanie WOW this looks AMAZING!!!! AWESOME colors and design girl!

Anneke said...

Hi Melanie!
This is such a amazing card!!
Hugs anneke

sallysbitz2 said...

Wow what a stunning card, great inspiration xx

Rosalee said...

Awesome card Melanie. Just love that you chose black and white as your background. It makes your image to pop beautifully.
Hugs, Rosalee (Manitoba, Canada)

Teri said...

This is stunning, so reaistic, just awesome!!!
Teri

Rhonda Miller said...

Stunning. I love the colors. TFS.

Lynne in NI said...

Oooh, what a stunner Melanie! Your colours are fabulous and I love how you used the new stamp!

Anonymous said...

I love that card it is beautiful.

Sue

Allymcb1 said...

These cards are amazing. I love the colours you have chosen they really make the image pop out.

Patti P. said...

Your coloring on your horse is so beautiful, it has a very realistic look to it and all your attention to details is lovely. TFS

JLJ Designs said...

Beautiful card! I love the colors you've used.

Jennifer

peggysue said...

What lovely colors you chose for the horse, I like the mane and tail, very authentic looking. Great choice of papers too!

MissD said...

Great card like the colours makes a change

auntie lisa said...

This is absolutely gorgeous!! I love all the details!!
Lisa

Patrice Herrera said...

Oh My Goodness this card is stunning! Yikes you are creative I love your work!

Tracey said...

HOLY WOW!!! This is AMAZING!!! Gorgeous colouring Melanie!!

Kathie ~ Beary Wishes said...

Gorgeous card Mel.
Kathie xx

terriavidreader (IN-USA) said...

Really lovely card.

Linda Carson said...

WOW! Jaw-dropping gorgeous!

Divinewoman said...

This is a beautiful card and colors are great!

AUSTINSGRAMM said...

Beautiful card and love your coloring. Gorgeous..


tfs
bobbi

Mickie said...

Oh how pretty, I am truly in love with that stamp!!

Janet said...

I really like your color choices.

Unknown said...

Very pretty!
Thanks for sharing!
hugs,
Gini

Charline said...

just wonderful colours you've chosen for this amazing horse

raindropecho said...

Wow Melanie, you are such an artist. That coloring and shading on this image is absolutely stunning. WOW. Thank you so much for joining us for this release!

- Ann

Anita said...

Gorgeous card and your coloring is beautiful. Love the papers, too.

Dena said...

Well, this is one amazing card!!! Your coloring just makes is pop!!! Very, very pretty!
Hugs, Dena

Sharron aka Sharrahug said...

Gorgeous card!!!! Your coloring is amazingly beautiful!!!!
Huggies ~
Sharron♥

Robin McK said...

Melanie, this card is soooo amazing! I wish I could do a "break and enter" into your brain and get some of those colouring secrets! TFS!!!

Lisa T said...

So beautiful! Those Nestabilities dies are so elegant!

Gail said...

elegant, stunning, awesome!!..tfs..loves ya

CraftinGranny said...

Oh Melanie, this card is totally awesome and so beautifully done. I'm amazed by your coloring and in awe of your design. Thank you so much for sharing!! "Hugs" Carol

Jenny said...

Oh, eine bezaubernde Karte.

Corinne said...

Gorgeous card. Love the colors...you did a wonderful job on it.
Hugs~
Corinne

Mary Lou said...

Hi Melanie~~I am speechless again Hun!!!
Love the shiny glossy look and those deep rich colors~~Spectacular!!!!
Gosh I want to color like you~~you must be sick of reading this LOL
Keep inspiring me cuz I love it!!!
Blessings and Hugz

Unknown said...

I've been so impressed by the colouring by the DT so far and yours is no exception. Your card is gorgeous

Lisa

Candy said...

WOW I love how you used black on your card. It is really awesome. I stared and stared trying to see it better!!!!
Really different and so striking :o)
Hugs ~

Shirley N said...

Absolutely stunning and your coloring is gorgeous!

Krista's Design said...

Never saw your work before... boy... I missed out!!! Love the way how you colored the horse!!!
Oh my Gosh... I need to practice!!! :)
Luv&Hugs,
krista

Sarah said...

What a lovely card, love the colours and oh everything about it. I really do love that stamp and the different way that all you DTs have used it. Sarah x

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous, stunning card.
Helen x

Heike's Creativeplace said...

Wow, your creation are Stunning. Lovely Details and colors.

Hugs
Heike

x laura x said...

wow your colouring is beautiful and i love everything about your card. I think you have showed this image off brilliantly.
x laura x

karen said...

This card is amazing! YOU are amazing! Wow!

Suzanne said...

Oh wow melanie, this card is absolutely amazing.
Your colouring is stunning. I am so impressed.
Hugs Sue x

Shazza said...

oh my word Melanie, sucha dramatic fabulous card, I adore it x

Karen McAlpine said...

Love the new releases! Lovely card.

Diamond Doll said...

Awesome card Melanie, your colouring is just amazing and colour combo is stunning.
(hugs)
Trish (-:

RoseC said...

Beautiful work!!! Thanks.

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Absolutely delightful! The image is really special and you have done such an exquisite job on the coloring. I never would have thought to use blacks for a Christmas card, but with the gold it looks so rich and antique looking. Thank you so much for the awesome inspiration!

Cheryl said...

Gorgeous card!

Tasha said...

Wow this looks so luxurious and special, its stunning
love tasha xx

Erin... said...

Holy WOW this is unbelievable! Spectacular!

Maria said...

Wow Melanie! This is stunning and yet again I am in awe. Amazing colouring, beautiful DPs and a fabulous layout as well. Hugs, Maria

Lorraine A said...

beautiful card Melanie :-) I love this image and the colours and papers you used are fab :-)

Luv
Lols x x x

Tami G said...

hey there..
so beautiful.. thanks for sharing..

Elise said...

Gorgeous card!!

joan said...

Oh wow this is just stunning Melanie, every card in the bolg hop is so different, but beautiful

Anonymous said...

Breathtaking! Simply breathtaking! The colors and dimension are wonderful. Jumps right off the page. I can only imagine how beautiful it is in person! Many thanks...you are one talented lady!
Sue Brailey

♥Rach♥ said...

Completely gorgeous! I love the subdued background with the bright, eye-popping image!