Are you feeling lucky?

Hellloooooo everyone!!

Are you ready for some more The Greeting Farm January release previews? Today we are previewing a new and totally adorable clear set called "Lucky Bunnies". (The eagle-eyed die-hard TGF fans out there will spot that this is an updated and new version of an old retired set of 2008.)

For my 2 projects I decided to make a card and matching corner bookmark for my niece's upcoming birthday (she loves to read and is a real bookworm).  I love creating "scene cards" and as soon as I saw this stamp set I just couldn't resist, lol! 

This is also my entry into the January MFT Guest Designer Contest where they are asking you to paper-piece.  I don't need to be asked twice to use all-time fave technique, lol!  I paper-pieced the tummies and ears of the bunnies, the presents, and one of the balloons (the stamp has one balloon, but I stamped a second balloon onto patterned paper, cut it out and positioned it behind the first).

I also used my brand new MFT Die-namics die set "By The Letters" for the very first time (bought from My Mum's Craft Shop).  I thought it would be fun to add some yummy Sew Sweet - Baker's Twine as actual strings of the balloons and I also made a teeny tiny hair bow out of it for one of the bunnies - I love my twine!  [Emma has added Baker's Twine to the SALE section at Sew Sweet and it is currently 25% off!]

I created a border on the reverse of the bookmark using one of the accessory stamps of this adorable clear stamp set - SO easy to do!!!  I also stamped the "Wrapped in Hugs" sentiment stamp to finish:

Do hop on over to the TGF Blog to see today's GORGEOUS "Lucky Bunnies" preview creations by the team - sooooo cute! :)))  Only 2 more sleeps 'til RELEASE DAY!! WOO-HOO!!!!!! :))

Thanks so much for dropping by!  And a very HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all! See you in 2012!

Hugs,


Supplies
Stamps: TGF Lucky Bunnies (clear set)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
Colouring Medium: Copics (E33 E31 E30 R20; R81 R83 R85; Y13)
Paper: Echo Park 6x6 pad
Card: White, Kraft
Tools: MFT dies; Martha Stewart border punches, Corner round punch
Other: SU Glitter, Sew Sweet - Baker's Twine

I'm a TGF Premiere Farmer!

Hi everyone! I'm SO sorry that I've been MIA for a while. Unfortunately my beloved gran was admitted to hospital almost 2 weeks ago and then passed away suddenly just over a week ago, so everything has been rather topsy turvy ever since. :(

However, I'm here today to share some fabulouse news! I am honoured to announce that ... I am a TGF Premiere Farmer!!

I've known about this for a little while, but of course was sworn to secrecy until today! I can't tell you how amazed and shocked I was when I received the invite. "Me? You really want me? You sure you haven't made a mistake?" immediately came to mind! But once I'd stopped hyper-ventilating, punching the air, leaping up and down and generally making a complete fool of myself, I flew off a quick email of acceptance! Well, how could I not? It's not every day you receive a personal invite onto one of the most coveted DTs in the stamping world. I've always wanted to be a TGF Farmer but never thought I would be good enough!! WOO-HOO!! Huge thanks to Marie and Jess for inviting me and believing in me - you gals are the best and I hope I make you and The Greeting Farm proud! *bites nails nervously* :)

You can read all about the new way of doing things over at the TGF blog, but basically TGF has decided to split their Farmers into two groups and the "TGF Premier Farmers" are a small group hand-picked by Jess and Marie who will be handling the previews of each release.

If you stopped by the TGF Blog on Tuesday you would have drooled over the brand new "Miss Anya Garland" stamp set samples by new TGF Premiere Farmers Wendy and Corinna.  Today I'm previewing samples made with the newest addition to the Creeper Crew, "Madden", and here are my cards:

I followed Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 148 and used Echo Park 'Happy Days' paper for my first card. 

For my second card I used some fabulous Authentique Gathering 6x6 paper.

Isn't Madden cool? Hee hee! I loved playing with her and colouring that hair!!  Next time I colour her up I will choose a different hair colour ... and it may not be blonde or red! *wink*

Make sure you hop on over to the TGF blog to take a peek at all of today's preview projects. 

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas. Thank you all so very much for your visits, comments, support and friendship over the past year. Here's to a blessed and peaceful holiday and a fantastic 2012!

Hugs,


Supplies - Card 1
Stamp: TGF CC Madden
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Colouring: Copic Markers
Paper: Echo Park 'Happy Days' 12x12 Collection - Bottle Caps (HD19005) and Big Flowers reverse (HD19007); 6x6 Paper Pad (HD19023)
Card: White; Black
Embellishments: Echo Park 'Happy Days' 12x12 Element Stickers (HD19014) & Alpha Stickers (HD19015)

Supplies - Card 2
Image Stamp: TGF CC Madden
Other Stamps: Whimsy Stamps Everyday Mini Postage Stamps; Whimsy Stamps Music Notes background stamp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black: Dark Brown chalk ink
Colouring: Copic Markers
Paper: Authentique 'Gathering' 6x6 bundle
Card: White; Chocolate Brown
Embellishments: Prima flower; Sew Sweet - Brown brad; Bead cap; Sew Sweet - Seam Binding; Flatback pearls
Tools: Whimsy Stamps Vines die set; Whimsy Stamps Mini Postage Stamp die; MS border punch; Corner rounder punch

SCRS Preview & Release: Ice Skating Chloe

ETA: I'm so sorry this post didn't go live when it was supposed to. It was set to publish at 05:00AM but when I checked a few minutes ago it didn't! Eek! Silly blogger - grrr!

Hi everyone and welcome to Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps RELEASE DAY! This is our last SCRS post for 2011 as the DT is having a well-deserved break over Christmas. Our bi-weekly SCRS challenges will resume on 3 January 2012.

Today we are showcasing the fabulous Ice Skating Chloe. All new release stamps are available to buy from the Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Store RIGHT NOW, so hop on over there and treat yourself to a sparkly Christmas present! :)

Be sure to visit the rest of the SCRS designers for more peeks of Ice Skating Chloe. Sparkle will be giving away Ice Skating Chloe to one lucky person! For a chance to WIN, you need to visit and comment on all of the designer's Ice Skating Chloe blog posts (links listed below), then head on over to the SCRS blog and comment on the Ice Skating Chloe post there. You have until midnight EST tonight to comment.

Alice Wertz
Kim Yu
Shaela Odd
YOU ARE HERE --> Simonne Clay <-- YOU ARE HERE
Sparkle Smith
Stephanie Kraft
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Thanks for popping by and I hope you've enjoyed our new release!

Hugs,

SCRS Preview: Hockey Oliver

Hi everyone and welcome to the first sneak peek day of our last Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps release of 2011.  I can't believe there are only 23 days left of this year and only 17 more sleeps until Christmas!! Eek! I am SO not ready, lol!

Today we are showcasing the awesome Hockey Oliver who comes with a fabby sentiment stamp that reads 'Slap Shot;. All new release stamps will be available to buy from the Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Store on Saturday (10 December) - just in time for treating yourself to a sparkly Christmas present! :)

I confess to knowing nothing about ice hockey, so I used the net to search for some ice hockey uniforms to help me colour Hockey Oliver.  Whilst I was surfing, I found the GB Ice Hockey website and so decided to replicate their uniform.  Then I spent ages digging through my papers to try to find some red and blue to match, but I couldn't find anything suitable.  So I then hit upon the idea to make the base of the card a Union Jack Flag!  Being the type of person I am, I wanted to make the proportions perfect and so after a bit of searching I found them on Wiki! :)  I'm really pleased with how my Union Jack turned out!  Now I have the measurements all figured out, I will be able to make some Olympic cards for next year.  London 2012 will be the 3rd consecutive Olympic Games my brother has competed in as part of the Men's Recurve Archery Team GB! :)
Be sure to visit all the rest of the SCRS designers for more peeks of Hockey Oliver. Sparkle will be giving away Hockey Oliver to one lucky person! For a chance to WIN, you need to visit and comment on all of the designer's Hockey Oliver blog posts (links listed below), then head on over to the SCRS blog and comment on the Hockey Oliver post there. You have until midnight EST tonight to comment.

Alice Wertz
Kim Yu
Shaela Odd
YOU ARE HERE --> Simonne Clay <-- YOU ARE HERE
Sparkle Smith
Stephanie Kraft
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Thanks for popping by!

Hugs,

SCRSC69: Holiday Emily

Hi everyone!

Sorry I've neglected this blog a bit recently.  It's been busy, busy, busy here and I seem to be chasing my tail all the time, but I'm back now with my Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps challenge 69 card to share with you, which is a fabulous sketch by Kim!  This is our final SCRS challenge of 2011 and our challenges will resume on 3 January 2012.

I inked up Holiday Emily for today's card and paired her with some yummy Echo Park 'Merry Christmas' paper from last year:

Supplies

Image: SCRS Holiday Emily rubber stamp

Sentiment:  Paper Makeup Stamps 'Little Moments Mini Sentiment Set'

Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad; Copics

Core'dinations 12x12 Colorcore cardstock: Poinsettia CR030

Echo Park 12x12 'Merry Christmas' paper: Holly Berry MC5009

Spellbinders dies: Lacey Circles S4-293 and Layered Poinsettia S5-055

4mm flatback pearls and 5mm gems

May Arts Striped 3/4" Twill Ribbon: Red/White (from Sew Sweet)

One of my favourite ribbons of all time is May Arts Striped 3/4" twill ribbon (available from http://www.sewsweet.co.uk/), and I think the red/white one is perfect for Christmas cards (it reminds me of candy canes!).  For this card I cut a small piece of the ribbon and then carefully cut it in half vertically to create 2 candy cane-esque pieces to pop in the top left corner.

Our challenge is open to all players. Each challenge a random winner will be chosen, and the winner of challenge 69 will receive Sledding Chloe. In order to qualify for a prize, you must use a Sparkle Creations image on your creation.

To play along in our challenge, please upload a photo of your project to the SCRS gallery by Sunday 11 December @ 9 PM (PST). Here is the direct link to entries for this week's challenge: Sparkle Creations Photo Gallery -- SCRS Challenges -- Challenge #69. If you haven't registered yet, it just takes a few seconds to create a login and upload your photo. [Please note that contest entries will be pulled only from the SCRS Photo Gallery.]

Thanks for stopping by today! ......only 19 more sleeps to go!!!!! (We're very excited here in the Clay household, lol!)

Hugs,

I'm a cover girl!

...okay, so not in the 'model' sense!  (That would never happen, lol!)  But I am pleased as punch that one of my cards is on the cover of the latest issue (99) of Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine.  My card is the traditional red and green Poinsettia card, and you can also see piccies of the matching bag and box I made in the bottom RH corner of the cover.  My wonderful crafty friend, Jo Nevill, has been a designer for CMAP for a long time now and one of her gorgeous projects is also featured on the front cover - she has done a tutorial to make the most stunning Christmas table decorations and you can see a peek in the bottom LH corner of the cover:

I was commissioned to make 2 cards, a bag and a box for the Quickmakes feature of the magazine which you can find on page 35.  Here's a shot of my ugly mug, lol!  I straightened my hair the day thet piccie was taken.

And finally a piccie of the 2-page spread on pages 36 and 37. The magazine did an amazing job of staging and photographing the cards, box and bag:

As you can see, I used some fabulous Whimsy Stamps rubber stamps for my creations and paired them with some gorgeous Authentique 12x12 Wonder paper.  I used red gingham ribbon, kraft cardstock and Vintage Photo ink to give the projects a warm, traditional feel.

Here is the list of the stamps I used:

Sweet Treats bag - Whimsy Stamps Vintage Christmas (large candy canes & "to and from" sentiment)
Winter Bloom card - Whimsy Stamps Vintage Christmas (large poinsettia)
Vintage Tree card - Whimsy Stamps Christmas Tree in Words

You can buy the stamps direct from the Whimsy Stamps store or from the lovely Elaine at Quixotic Paperie if you live in the UK/Europe.

Thank you for popping by and sharing in my excitement of being published!  I know this is not a new thing for many of you, but it is huge honour for me and I am thrilled! :)

Hugs,

SCRSC68: Team Josh vs. Team Oliver

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Today I have my Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps challenge 68 card to share with you.  Our current challenge is "Team Oliver" vs. "Team Josh". With Breaking Dawn out in theatres now, we thought we'd do our own spin on "Team Edward" vs. "Team Jacob"! If you aren't familiar with this, no worries - just use either an Oliver or a Josh image on your card or project! You have until Sunday 27/11/11 @ 9 PM PST to play along.


I'm still on a Christmas card run at the moment and so I chose to ink up Elf Oliver.  I paired him with some fabulous Echo Park paper and followed Jen's November Sketch for You To Try:

Supplies
SCRS Elf Oliver
Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
Copics
SU glitter; Brown & White cardstock
Echo Park 12x12 Collection Kit - Holly Jolly Christmas
Divine Baker's Twine (from Sew Sweet)
Green buttons (from Sew Sweet)

Our challenge is open to all players. Each challenge a random winner will be chosen, and challenge 68's winner will receive their choice of either Football Josh or Backpack Oliver. In order to qualify for a prize, you must use a Sparkle Creations image on your creation.

Do visit the rest of the DT to see their beautiful challenge creations:

Margie Cortina
Mary Johnson
Simonne Clay
Sparkle Smith
Stephanie Kraft
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Store
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you have a fabulous Tuesday!

Hugs,

Whimsy Stamps November Release Showcase - Day 5

Hi again and welcome to Day 5 of the Whimsy Stamps November Rubber Die Release Showcase!

On Wednesday (16 November) Whimsy Stamps released this month's rubber designs and new shapeology dies. From then until 23 November the Whimsy Stamps DT and Special Guests are showcasing these fabulous new stamps and dies with a daily mini blog hop and I am part of today's hop!

Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you have 24hrs to enter each prize draw.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12.00PM EST tomorrow. All winners will be announced here on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12.00PM EST on 23 November.

To take a peek at today's fabulous new release creations, please click on the links below...

Beate Johns {Special Guest}
Deb Routledge {Special Guest}
Debbie Eastman
Ellie Stover
Erin Bailey
Jacque Beddingfield {Special Guest}

YOU ARE HERE ---> Simonne Clay <--- YOU ARE HERE

Stephanne Maraver
Sylvia Blum

For today's new release creation I have used the stunning Raindrop Echo Designs Sleigh Ride stamp set. I adore Ann's vintage sets - they are so beautiful. The "Winter Wonderland" sentiment comes from the Sleigh Ride stamp set, but the stamped border is from the Raindrop Echo Designs Winter Notables 1 stamp set. I simply stamped the sentiment onto kraft card, used my stamp positioner to stamp the border in the perfect position, and finally I carefully cut out the shape with scissors (...because silly old me didn't buy the Whimsy Shapeology Notables 1 die - duh!).  I used my Whimsy Shapeology Elegant Notables 1 die with brown card to cut out the stunning flourish shape then glued my kraft sentiment on top. 

I designed this card so that I could mass produce it using just one piece of patterned paper each time.  My idea is to simply switch out the patterned paper for another but keep everything else the same! Next time I make this card I think I will be brave and use some green and brown markers to highlight a few bits of the image, but to date I have been too scared to colour on kraft with my Copics, lol!  Here is a list of supplies I used ...

Supplies

Raindrop Echo Designs Sleigh Ride stamp set

Raindrop Echo Designs Winter Notables 1 stamp set

Whimsy Shapeology Elegant Notables 1 die

Teresa Collins 6x6 paper pad - World Traveller

Dark brown and kraft cardstock

Tim Holtz Distress ink pad - Vintage Photo

Brown ribbon, 4mm brown flatback pearls

Remember that the entire new release is available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Oh, and don't forget to leave a comment *wink*!

Hugs,

Whimsy Stamps November Release: Showcase Day 4

Hi everyone and welcome to Day 4 of the Whimsy Stamps November Rubber and Die Release Showcase!

On Wednesday (16 November) Whimsy Stamps released this month's rubber designs and new shapeology dies. From then until 23 November the Whimsy Stamps DT and Special Guests are showcasing these fabulous new stamps and dies with a daily mini blog hop, and I am part of today's hop!

Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you have 24hrs to enter each prize draw.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12.00PM EST tomorrow. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12.00PM EST on 23 November.

To take a peek at today's fabulous new release creations, please click on the links below...

Debbie Eastman
Dena Concienne {Special Guest}
Ellie Stover
Erin Bailey
Minna Paajanen
YOU ARE HERE ---> Simonne Clay <--- YOU ARE HERE
Tammy Louise Cunliffe

For today's creation, I chose to ink up the adorable Wee Stamps for Whimsy Stamps - Wee Florist - isn't she pretty?   I actually messed up the colouring of the parting of her hair (I seem to be having problems with my Copic E50s at the moment - they are turning orange if I colour more than one layer with them?). As I'd coloured everything else, even the background, I didn't want to start over, so I added a rose to cover up my mistake!

I also used my gorgeous Shapeology Double Scallop Tag Die and kraft card to create a sentiment tag that slots behind the main image. I used Vintage Photo ink to stamp the sentiment that reads "You bring sunshine to my life" which is from the stunning Raindrop Echo Designs Vintage Seed Packets stamp set (FYI: the stamps in this stamp set would go perfectly with the Wee Florist image!)

Supplies

Whimsy Stamps Wee Stamps - Wee Florist

Whimsy Stamps Raindrop Echo Designs - Vintage Seed Packets

Whimsy Stamps Shapeology Die - Double Scallop Tag

Copics

Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad

Tim Holtz Distress ink pads - Vintage Photo (sentiment) and Antique Linen (edges)

Basic Grey 6x6 paper pad - Picadilly (a gift from a friend - thank you SO much sweetie!)

Kraft and white cardstock

Spellbinders Nestabilities - Lacey Squares (from MMSC)

Cotton Lace (from Sarahs Cards Ltd)

Ribbon from stash

Rustic Cream Button Twine (from Sew Sweet)

Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts

Remember that the entire new release is available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check the Whimsy Inspirations blog tomorrow for more new release creations!

Hugs,

SCRS Preview & Release: Snow Angel Ruby

Hi everyone! Today is the final day of our Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps November release sneak peeks and also it's RELEASE DAY!

Today we are showcasing the beautiful Snow Angel Ruby. All new release stamps are available to buy RIGHT NOW from the Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Store! Yippee!

Sorry for the poot photo - this is so much more sparkly IRL.  The snowflakes are punched/die cut from glittered card and I have used the very fine SU glitter all around Ruby. Hopefully the light will be better later today/tomorrow and I will be able to update the photo complete with glitter that sparkles, lol! :)

Supplies
SCRS Snow Angel Ruby rubber stamp
Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
Copics
Coredinations 12x12 Colorcore cardstock
Echo Park 'Wintertime' 12x12 papers: WT7002 Flurry (reverse) and WT7003 Snow
15mm Double-faced Scarlet Berry satin ribbon (from Sew Sweet)
38mm White Eleganza Web Ribbon
Martha Stewart punches: Arctic Snowflake
Spellbinders: Snowflakes Dies and Labels 22
White & Pale Blue glittered card
4mm red flatback pearls
YNS Glittered Skittles
SU Glitter

Be sure to visit all the rest of the SCRS designers for more peeks of Snow Angel Lucy. Sparkle will be giving away Snow Angel Lucy to one lucky person! For a chance to WIN, you need to visit and comment on all of the designer's Snow Angel Lucy blog posts (links listed below), then head on over to the SCRS blog and comment on the Snow Angel Lucy post there. You have until midnight EST tonight to comment.

Alice Wertz
Jen Shults {November Guest Designer}
Kim Yu
Shaela Odd
YOU ARE HERE --> Simonne Clay <-- YOU ARE HERE
Sparkle Smith
Stephanie Kraft
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Thanks for popping by! I hope you've enjoyed our new release!

Hugs,

SCRS Preview: Snowbunny Lucy

Hi everyone! Today is the first day of our Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps November release sneak peeks!

Today we are showcasing the adorable Snowbunny Lucy who comes with a darling sentiment stamp. All new release stamps will be available to buy from the Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Store on Saturday (12 November)!

I decided to pair Lucy with some fun papers from my Echo Park Holly Jolly 12x12 Collection Kit (I love EP collection kits!!).  This is such a fab kit, and the best bit is it's currently 10% off at only £12.59 from My Mum's Craft Shop (NB ALL EP 12x12 Collection kits at MMSC are 10% off at the moment - yippee!).

Supplies
SCRS Snowbunny Lucy rubber stamp
Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
Copics
Coredinations 12x12 Colorcore cardstock
Echo Park 'Holly Jolly 12x12 papers: HJ20002 Snowy Sidewalks and HJ20003 Merry & Bright (reverse)
Cotton Candy Baker's Twine (from Sew Sweet)
Martha Stewart punches: Arctic Snowflake & Himalayan Snowflake
Corner rounder punch
YNS Glittered Skittles (from Your Next Stamp)

Be sure to visit all the rest of the SCRS designers for more peeks of Snowbunny Lucy. Sparkle will be giving away Snowbunny Lucy to one lucky person! For a chance to WIN you need to visit and comment on all of the designer's Snowbunny Lucy blog posts (links listed below) then head on over to the SCRS blog and comment on the Snowbunny Lucy post there. You have until midnight EST tonight to comment.

Alice Wertz
Jen Shults {November Guest Designer}
Kim Yu
Shaela Odd
YOU ARE HERE --> Simonne Clay <-- YOU ARE HERE
Sparkle Smith
Stephanie Kraft
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Thanks for popping by and see you again on Saturday for release day - yay!

Hugs,

SCRSC67: White on White

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Today I have my Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps challenge 67 card to share with you.

Before I get to my challenge card, I would like to remind you that from this month (November) we have switched to bi-weekly challenges - this means a new SCRS challenge will be posted every 2 weeks.  Also, the SCRS team has been split into 2 groups - Team A will post their projects on the same day the challenge goes live and Team B will post their projects one week later.  I am in Team B and so even though challenge 67 has been running for a week, it's now time for me to share my challenge creation with you!

Sparkle is sponsoring this week's Party Time Tuesday challenge #41 which is "bling" so I added some pearls to this week's card.

For my "White on White" creation I chose to ink up Relaxing Charlotte:

Remember that My Mum's Craft Shop is now an official UK/European stockist of Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps! So if you're in the UK/Europe, you can buy Relaxing Charlotte right HERE at the MMSC store.

Our challenge is open to all players. A random winner will be chosen to win a fabulous SCRS rubber stamp, and our prize for challenge 67 is the adorable Farming Oliver. In order to qualify for a prize, you must use a Sparkle Creations image on your creation.

Do visit the rest of the DT to see their beautiful challenge creations:

Margie Cortina
Mary Johnson
Simonne Clay
Sparkle Smith
Stephanie Kraft
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Store
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you have a fabulous Tuesday!

Hugs,

SCRSC66: No Colouring

Hi everyone!  I hope you're having a great week.  Here in the UK a lot of schools are closed for the half term holidays, so we have been enjoying some fabby family time this week!  We have been out shopping for winter boots for our daughter and I couldn't believe my eyes that most of the shops have their Christmas decorations up and Christmas gifts in store - we still have a week left of October!!  I do LOVE Christmas though - it's my favourite holiday! :)

This post was supposed to post on Tuesday, but unfortunately we've had internet and computer problems since Monday lunchtime which totally scuppered my plans! We've had no internet for most of the week, but after consultaing an expert, it turns out that we had a virus that was causing all sorts of havoc - eek!  It's sorted now, but it was SO frustrating not to know what was wrong and being without a computer/internet for alsmot a week! Grrrr! ;)

Anyhoo....this week at Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps challenge we are challenging you not to colour!  This is not as scary as it sounds - you could stamp your chosen SCRS image in a different colour, perhaps get out your embossing powders, or even paper piece some or all of the image, just so long as you don't actually colour! :)

I chose to use Charlotte with a Rose (also available at MMSC if you live in UK/Europe) and went with a kraft and white/cream theme:

Our challenge is open to all players. Each week a random winner will be chosen to win a fabulous SCRS rubber stamp. In order to qualify for a prize, you must use a Sparkle Creations image on your creation.

I'm really not sure about my card - the jury is out whether I like it or not, LOL!  But I can tell you that my fabulous SCRS DT sistahs have done an amazing job with their challenge cards, so please visit them for inspiration this week:

Alice Wertz
Amy Tsuruta {October guest}
Corinne Mercado
Kadie Ensley
Kim Yu
Margie Cortina
Mary Johnson
Piali Biswas
Shaela Odd
Sparkle Smith
Stephanie Kraft
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Store
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Thanks for popping by today! Hope you're having a great weekend!

I have to go into hospital next week for a colonoscopy.  Fingers crossed nothing goes wrong, but I have planned to take next week off just to be safe.  All being well, I will be back crafting/blogging the week after, but I may schedule some cards that I haven't yet blogged in the meantime!

Hugs,


Card Supplies...

Whimsy Stamps: Bart Loves Christmas

Hi everyone!

On 12 October, Whimsy Stamps released their fabulous new rubber stamps and dies. Over the past week the Whimsy Stamps DT and Special Guests have been showcasing these awesome new goodies and today is our final showcases day!  Please visit the DT to take a peek at their final new release projects:

Annika Ryan
Debbie Eastman
Erin Bailey
YOU ARE HERE ---> Simonne Clay <--- YOU ARE HERE
Stephanne Maraver
Sylvia Blum

For my final showcase creation I decided to ink up the adorable Bart Loves Christmas.  My paper is from the gorgeous Echo Park Seasons Greetings 12x12 Collection Kit (available from MMSC).  The alpha stickers are from the same kit and I used them with the Whimsy Stamps Ornaments dies to create my sentiment!  Twine and ribbon are from Sew Sweet.

Here is a full supply list, complete with links:

Supplies
Whimsy Stamps Bart Loves Christmas (from Whimsy Stamps)
Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad (from MMSC)
Copic markers (from MMSC)
Echo Partk 'Seasons Greetings' Collection Kit (from MMSC)
Core'dinations 12x12 Colorcore cardstock - Poinsettia and Mantis
Whimsy Stamps Ornaments die set (from Whimsy Stamps)
Red/White Twill Stripe ribbon and Divine Twine 'Cherry' (from Sew Sweet)
Turquoise Dew Drops and 38mm White Eleganza Web Ribbon (from MMSC)

I also want to let you know that the Whimsy Inspirations Magazine - Issue 4 has been released today! It features never-before-seen creations from our wonderful Magazine Staff as well as many stunning creations by the Whimsy DT, Special Guests and Friends of Whimsy.

Thank you so much for popping by today!

Hugs,

SCRSC65: Sunflower Charlotte

Please scroll down or click here for my Whimsy Stamps Showcase Day 5 post

Happy Tuesday everyone!

This week at Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps challenge we have a gorgeous photo from which to draw inspiration, courtesy of The Pottery Barn:

Sparkle is sponsoring this week's Card Patterns Sketch #137 with some fabby SCRS rubber, so I decided to use their awesome sketch for today's challenge card, simply flipping it upside-down:

I chose to ink up the beautiful Sunflower Charlotte for today's card and paired her with some gorgeous Basic Grey Origins 6x6 papers (I'm now down to my last few scraps of this pad ... *sob*).  The elements I took from the photo as inspiration for my creation were the white, lemon, green and brown colours, and the leaves.

Supplies
SCRS Sunflower Charlotte rubber stamp
Memento tuxedo black ink; Tim Holtz Vintage Photo ink
Copic markers
Kraft & White cardstock
Basic Grey 'Origins' 6x6 paper pad
Ribbon, Prima flower, button, 4mm flatback pearls
Green Button Twine (from Sew Sweet)
Circle & Scallop Circle Nesties, Corner Rounder punch, Scallop border punch

Remember that My Mum's Craft Shop is now an official UK/European stockist of Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps!

Our challenge is open to all players. Each week a random winner will be chosen to win a fabulous SCRS rubber stamp. In order to qualify for a prize, you must use a Sparkle Creations image on your creation.

Do visit the rest of the DT to see their beautiful challenge creations:

Alice Wertz
Amy Tsuruta {October guest}
Corinne Mercado
Kadie Ensley
Kim Yu
Margie Cortina
Mary Johnson
Piali Biswas
Shaela Odd
Sparkle Smith
Stephanie Kraft
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Store
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you have a fabulous Tuesday!

Hugs,

Whimsy Stamps October Rubber & Die Release Showcase - Day 5

Hi everyone and welcome to Day 5 of the Whimsy Stamps October Rubber Die Release Showcase!

On 12 October, Whimsy Stamps released this month's rubber designs and new shapeology dies. From then until 19 October the Whimsy Stamps DT and Special Guests are showcasing these fabulous new stamps and dies with a daily mini blog hop.

Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you have 24hrs to enter each prize draw.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12.00 PM EST tomorrow. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12.00 PM EST on 19 October.

To take a peek at today's fabulous new release creations by the Design Team, please click on the links below...

Ellie Stover
Erin Bailey
Mariska van der Veer {Special Guest}
Stephanne Maraver
Sylvia Blum

I am part of today's hop, but after collecting a very upset daughter from school, I've had to abandon everything for some "mummy & me" time.  I will photograph my card later tonight when she's gone to bed and then upload it. So please bear with me.  I am very upset for her at the moment.  All I will say is that some parents are really not fit to be parents if they bring their children up to disregard the feelings of their friends.  It's not some petty playground squabble either, but something that has been running in the background, unbeknownst to us. I'm not quite sure why human beings can't treat each other with love and respect and consider each other's feelings. I could go on and on about this, but I know it won't change anything, it won't change people. So I will stop there. It just makes me so very sad.

ETA: Here's my card

Supplies
*NEW* Whimsy Stamps Kenny K Mistletoe
*NEW* Whimsy Stamps Holiday Mini Postage stamps
Whimsy Stamps Music Notes (background stamp)
Whimsy Stamps Shapeology Die - Vines
Whimsy Stamps Shapeology Die - Mini Postage Stamp
Whimsy Stamps Shapeology Die - Double Scallop Border
Kraft, Red and Bitter Chocolate cardstock
Memento tuxedo black ink; Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distress ink
Copic markers
Basic Grey 'Jovial' 6x6 paper pad
5mm & 4mm flatback pearls
Spellbinders Layered Poinsettias dies (S5-055)
Chocolate Brown Seam Binding (from Sew Sweet)

Remember that the entire new release is available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check the Whimsy Inspirations blog tomorrow for the next mini blog hop list!

Hugs,