High Hopes Valentines

Good morning! Today's challenge at High Hopes is brought to us by the talented Michelle! She would like us to show some love with a Valentine's Day theme. At the High Hopes blog, you will find pictures of what the Divas have come up with this week. Let me tell you, these talented ladies have rocked this challenge!! You are sure to find inspiration there. You will also find details on the prize up for grabs this week. You MUST use a High Hopes image to be eligible for the prize. Now, if you do not yet own any of these fantastic stamps, there are links to retailers on the blog too!

For my card this week, I used one of the new Dustin Pike images. I used this image during our sneak peeks a couple of weeks back, but I thought I would pull out "Dragon Go Round" again, and show how it can be used for multiple occasions! I stamped the image on Neenah cardstock and then masked it before stamping it a second time. I added some "girly" eyelashes to one of the dragons, and coloured them up with Copic markers. Voila! We have a cute little dragon couple out for a romantic ride on a carousel! The sentiment is one I came up with, and printed off on my computer.

I love to stretch the possibilities of stamps! These images are so versatile.

I hope you find time to play along this week! Just link up your Valentine's creation featuring a High Hopes image on the blog for your chance to win!

Blessings,

Melanie

Stamps: High Hopes "Dragon Go Round", my own sentiment

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers

Papers: SU cardstock, My Mind's Eye design papers

Embellishments: American Crafts ribbon, metal slider from the dollar store

Tools: Spellbinders Labels Eight

Look Through the Window

Well, I was given the opportunity to choose the challenge for Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps today! This is something I had never done before, so I was a tad nervous! I figured I would challenge you all to a technique that I had yet to try out! How about an Aperture Card?! (probably better known as a window card) I have been wanting to try this out for quite some time! I hope you find time to play along this week. If you do, make sure to use a Kraftin' Kimmie image on your project and you could find yourself the lucky winner of "Bird Fairy" from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!

I am absolutely in love with the fairies Crissy Armstrong drew for Kimmie's January release! Oh, they are just gorgeous! I was in one of my local stores and found some beautiful papers by KaiserCraft that were perfect for what I had in mind to create with "Bird Fairy"! I just love when that happens.

I cut the window out with Nestabilites, and used the same set to make the frame for the window. I was also able to play with my brand new Nesties (Doodle Parts and Flower Creations)! The edges of all the papers and die cuts were distressed with brown ink. Those pearls are from the dollar store!!



I stamped "Bird Fairy" on Neenah cardstock and coloured her with Copic markers. The detail in this stamp is gorgeous! I just love all the folds of her dress, and tendrils of hair. This image was so much fun to colour. The little bird is just adorable too! The sentiment used on the inside of the card comes with Bird Fairy.



I seem to reach for my browns a lot when colouring hair, so I've been trying to experiment with different colour combinations. (Funny thing...I have never tried colouring red hair, which is a bit ironic considering I am a redhead. Maybe next time!) This close-up will give you a better look at the little bird! I coloured him as a blue jay, but I think he would make an adorable cardinal too!

So, I hope you hop on over to the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Blog to see what the Krafty Girls have made this week. Let me tell you, these ladies are so talented...their work always amazes me! You are sure to be inspired after taking a look at their creations. Remember to use a Kraftin' Kimmie image on your submission, and you may just be the lucky owner of the "Bird Fairy" stamp I used on my card today!

See you back tomorrow for another post!

Blessings,

Melanie

p.s. It has come to my attention recently, that some people have been having problems posting comments on my blog. My apologies for this. I am trying to look into this glitch, but it seems that it may just be a random issue with Blogger. If you are having problems, please let me know! Feel free to email me. You will find the link in my profile. Thanks!

Stamps: Kraftin' Kimmie: "Bird Fairy" and sentiment "Let the Fairy in you Fly"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black,Copic markers
Paper: KaiserCraft, Bazzill, Neenah
Embellishments: Pearls from dollar store, flower and swirls made with Spellbinders
Tools: Spellbinders Labels Eight, Flower Creations, Doodle Parts

A Reminder...

Hello fellow stampers!! Just a reminder that every Friday brings a new challenge over at Humble Pie Stamps! Although I do not have a card for today's challenge, the other Bakers have created some beautiful cards to get you inspired! The challenge this week is to use lots of flowers!! (a minimum of 5) The prize this week is the cute Maggie In Love stamp (several of the Bakers used this image on their cards this week). The Humble Pie stamps are available exclusively at The Town Scrapper.

Also, Phebe still has her amazing sale going on!! Everything at The Town Scrapper is buy one, get the second of equal of lesser value for 50% off!! This sale will be on until February 14, 2010..don't miss out on it!! Phebe's contact information is on her blog (her phone number is in the header, just below her blog's name).

You may use any stamp to participate in the Humble Pie Challenge, but if you do have some Humble Pie stamps, then we would love to see them!

Have fun stampers...can't wait to see what you create!

Blessings,

Melanie

One Post, Two Cards!

Today at Sweet 'n Sassy, you will find a bunch of new digis being released!! We've got several very cute images, and some fabulous sentiments to compliment them! Looking for inspiration? Well, hop on over to the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Blog ...a different DT member posts each day! Make sure you become a follower so you will not miss out on anything! Today is my day to post, so you will find the cards shown below over at the Digi blog as well!

I chose to work with two different images. The first is called Puppy Love. What an adorable little doggy! This cutie comes with two different sentiments, one of which I used here, as well as two small bonus images (a bone and pawprints). I used the little bone from the set to make the background paper that the puppy is mounted on. I distressed all the edges, and antiqued them with Distress Inks. The puppy was coloured with Copic markers. I hand cut the large bone and antiqued that as well. Finally, the puppy was pop-dotted for dimension.

The second image I worked with is Birdie Delivery. I am totally in love with this cute image!! So, I decided that I needed a whole parade of them!! lol Now, I'm not usually successful with a "clean and simple" kind of look, but I thought I'd give it a go. It usually takes me forever to put a card together, so I was quite pleased that this one came together in about twenty minutes (not including the colouring time). As always, I coloured with my handy dandy Copics! I also had this metal embellishment kicking around in my stash...how perfect!! Gotta love it when that happens!

I had coloured the bundles different colours, so as not to be gender specific. However, if you know a couple expecting quadruplets, then this card just may be perfect for them! lol...can you image four babies all at once??!!

So, head on over to Sweet 'n Sassy to take a peek at all the new digis! Korin's digital stamps are such a reasonable price. That means you can pick up several without breaking your budget!

Have a blessed day friends!

Melanie

Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Digital Stamps "Puppy Love" and "Bird Delivery"
Ink: Copic markers
Paper: Bazzill, Neenah, Basic Grey, DCWV
Embellishments: Assorted ribbons, dollar store metal embellishment
Tools: Spellbinders, Bow Easy

Really??...You Want Me to "Create a Scene"??!!

Lol...you know "creating a scene" isn't always a good thing to do...at least, that's what I usually tell my kids!! HOWEVER, it is a good thing this week at High Hopes! The fabulous Alex is challenging us to CREATE A SCENE using at least 3 different High Hopes images. I really love this challenge, so thanks Alex!

I decided to use one of the new release images (have you ordered your's yet???) with a few older stamps. This is "Birthday Fish" from the Dustin Pike release. This image makes me giggle...I find it so funny!! I have been wanting to do something special with it, and this challenge gave me that opportunity! I paired him up with "Findley" and "Gilbert".(all images were stamped on Neenah cardstock and coloured with Copic markers)

I chose to go with a recessed window card. this allowed me to create a 3-D scene. I drew the fish tank and covered it in acetate to create the "glass". The outline was cut out of cardstock. The pebbles are glass beads I picked up at the dollar store.

So, our little "Birthday Fish" decided to take the party to whole new level! We all know somebody like that right...somebody who marches to the beat of their own drum?? The sentiment is one I came up with myself...I was feeling a little cheeky! (lol...I wonder if my family thinks I'm that "one"??!!) Inside is a birthday sentiment (also my own), "It's your birthday...go a little crazy!":

Look how happy our little "Birthday Fish" is...so adorable!! I tried Jeanne's water technique on the balloon, and then coated it with Glossy Accents:

Hope you all find time to enter into the High Hopes Challenge. As always, there will be a free stamp offered as a prize! Remember, you must use High Hopes images to be eligible! The Divas have posted cards over at the blog to inspire you...and let me tell you, they are fantastic! So go take a peek!

What are you waiting for? How many times in life will you be given permission to "GO MAKE A SCENE"??!!

Melanie

Stamps: High Hopes "Birthday Fish", "Findley" and "Gilbert"

Paper: Neenah, DCWV, DP from my stash

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers

Embellishments: Dollar store glass beads

No Embellishments...gasp!!

Oh Happy Saturday!!! I hope you all have a fantastic weekend planned...perhaps with a bit of stamping time?

We have another new challenge for you over at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps! This one is brought to us by my fellow guest designer Donna Wardle. She is challenging us to use NO EMBELLISHMENTS!! She would like to see your colouring skills shine through, so that means NO buttons, NO ribbons, No brads...bare bones stampers!! She has graciously allowed us to use "paper embellishments", so that opens up paper punches, die cuts, etc. So let's see that gorgeous colouring! Oh, but make sure to use a Kraftin' Kimmie image if you want to be eligible for the prize!

Today, I have used one of Kimmie's older images. This is Francesca. That hat is awesome! I wish I was funky enough to pull off wearing one just like that! lol I stamped Francesca on Neenah cardstock and coloured her up with Copic markers.

I also followed the sketch for Sketch Saturday. Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is the sponsor over there, so make sure to enter in that one too. You'll be doubling your chances at winning some Kraftin' Kimmie goodies!

Blessings!

Melanie

Stamps: Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps "Francesca"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers

Paper: Neenah, Imaginesce, Bazzill

Tools: Martha Steward Punch, small flower punch

Someday My Prince Will Come

Good morning stampers!! I would just like to start off today's post by saying a big THANK YOU to everybody who takes the time to come by and look at my blog. I love to read your comments, and truly appreciate all the kind words. I understand that we are all busy, so thank you again for taking the time out of your day. You ladies (and gents?? perhaps??) ROCK!!

So, if you are a regular visitor here, you will already know that every Thursday new digital stamps are released at Sweet 'n Sassy!! Korin has so many fantastic images, and the prices are incredible!! You are sure to find something to tickle your fancy! So after reading my post, please stop by the Sweet 'n Sassy store to check out all the stamps!! Also, make sure you pop in to the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi blog. A different team member posts everyday, so you are always bound to find fresh inspiration there!

My card today features the two new images "Heart Princess" and "Fenton the Frog". Now, how perfect are these two for a "princess and the frog" theme?? Korin has also released three sentiment sets today. I used one sentiment from the "Princess Seeks Frog" set. (The other two sets are "A True Friend" and "Love Sentiments 1".)

I printed my images out onto Neenah cardstock and coloured them with Copic markers. The trim on the dress was "blinged" up (I love how we can just make up words to suit our fancy!!) with Frosted Lace Stickles, and Fenton received a generous coat of Glossy Accents.

It's a little difficult to see, but I sponged in a sky using a make-up sponge and a cloud template.

Now, we have some extra fun for you all today!! You can hop on over to Paper Craft Planet for Sweet 'n Sassy's Digi Day!! Join in for a challenge, chatting and PRIZES!!! Yup, free digis my friends!! You will find all the details on the Sweet 'n Sassy group at PCP. I'm hoping to hop on for a bit after work, and I'm looking forward to connecting with all of you!

Have a blessed day friends!

Melanie

Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Stamps "Heart Princess", "Fenton Frog", "Princess Seeks Frog" sentiment set Paper: Bo Bunny, My Mind's Eye, Neenah Cardstock,Bazzill Ink: Copic markers Tools: Various Spellbinders Embellishments: Dollar Store ribbon, Prima Hydrangea, flat backed rhinestone, Glossy Accents, Stickles