Raindrop Echo Designs: August 2009

Sketch and Stash new sketch is up!

Better late than never, right? With all the stuff going on, I forgot to post my guest designer card for the Sketch and Stash Challenge Blog!

Today there's a new sketch up! Make sure you pop over to the blog to see all the beautiful creations by the DT. I used a new stash on this card: an unused stamp from the Buzzcraft "Thinking of You" clear stamp set.

Thank you to everyone at Sketch and Stash for having me as guest designer this month! The sketches are always fantastic to work with and I have thoroughly enjoyed being with you for the month of August :)

This week's sketch

My Card

Stamp: BuzzCraft Thinking of You set; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, BIC Mark-It; Paper: MMBI, Recollections; Accessories: Prima flowers, heart brads

Lily-Boo's Boutique has a challenge blog!

Yep, you heard that right! The Lily-Boo Too! Challenge Blog is now up and running and you have one whole month (until the end of September) to enter our challenges!

We all love Lily-Boo's Boutique image so what's more fun than using them in a challenge? Well, how about using a FREE Lily-Boo's Boutique to start you off with your LB digital image collection? Go to the challenge blog to get the link to your free download! You've been warned: once you start collecting, it will be hard to stop!

Challenge Prize: 2 downloads from Lily-Boo's Boutique

So what's our challenge for you this month?
A "new home" card using 2 Ribbons, 3 Flowers, 4 Brads

Image: Lily-Boo's Boutique New Home FREEBIE; Paper: MMBI, Recollections; Accessories: K & Company flower stickers, ribbon, brads

MyGrafico's Sweet Blog Hop!

UPDATE ON WINNER OF MY IMAGE!
Random.org choose........#10 Jenny! I will email you your image today :)

Yes, you've got that right - another blog hop! Today is MyGrafico's Sweet Blog Hop in honor of the website being back up after what felt like such a long wait. We have a week long celebration with chances to win images the entire week! If you've come from Mary's blog, you're on the right track. If not, go back to MyGrafico Challenges blog to make sure you haven't missed anyone.

So, let's get to it! Look at what we have in store for you:

Monday: Leave a comment here to win the chocolate-dipped strawberry from the Candy Shoppe set. Find my secret letter (see my hints at the bottom), collect the other secret letters from the other DT's blogs, and email the secret phrase to Martha (mccreations@ymail.com) by 10PM PST to win the entire set!
Tuesday: Sign up as a follower of the MyGrafico Challenge blog; prize? Superhero set
Wednesday: Several DT members will be giving away full sets of images if you post a "sweet" creation. Go back to the MyGrafico Challenge blog to find out who will be giving you another chance to win more sets!
Thursday: Leave a comment on the challenge blog; prize? Halloween Ghoulies set
Friday: Toss up to anyone who has become a follower of the challenge blog or left a comment on the blog; prize? Tr ick-or-Treat set

My Blog Hop Card

Image: MyGrafico Candy Shoppe; Sentiment: me; Paper: MME, Recollections; Accessories: buttons, ribbon; Tools: Copics, BIC Mark-It

Sorry for any confusion! My secret letter is: E

Can this blog hop be any more fun? Of course! Just head over to Lana's Blog and see what she cooked up for you!

Paper Maniac Pre-Opening Blog Hop with CANDY

Here's what you've all been waiting for:

The Paper Maniac Store Pre-Opening Blog Hop!

If you've come from Angie's blog then you're on the right track. If not, head over to Paper Maniac Store Blog to make sure that you haven't missed anyone!

I had a wonderful time making this card! It was a big help that the Unity 100% Happy August store kit is so easy to work with. The possibilities are endless! All the embellishments, paper and stamps I used to make this card is available at the Paper Maniac store When it opens up on September 1, 2009 8AM EST, make sure to take advantage of the 15% off your total purchase (until September 6 ) with coupon code GRAND15. The Unity 100% Happy store kit will already be discounted 10% off the retail price AND you can also enter the coupon code to get an additional 15%.

Want to know about another option to purchase these store kits? Try Paper Maniac's autoship feature: get 20% off the store kits if you choose to have the store kits automatically shipped to you each month. If more 20 people or more sign up for it, one person from the list of subscribers will win one store kit each month! (A couple of disclaimers: You can choose to skip one shipment every 6 months if you notify us by the first of the month. If you win the free store kit, you will not be available to win again for two months.)

Later, you will also find out about some of the reasons why Paper Maniac is different from other stores. One of these reasons is the Paper Maniac Take N' Makes. These are cardmaking kits in which you can have the option of choosing either the "Almost Done" kits or "Make It Your Own." More information about these will be given when the store opens.

Okay, let's get back to the reason why you're here: the blog hop. Simply leave ONE comment here, ONE comment on all the DT's blogs, and ONE comment on the Paper Maniac Store Blog for a chance to win some candy. The blog hop will end September 6 and a winner will be chosen on September 7.

What can you win?

Unity Stamp Company's Store Kit for August - 100% Happy
Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker – 6 x 6 Paddie – Victoria's Street
Victoria's Street Clear Stamp Set
Pack of Warm Cord Brads
Robin's Nest – Bottle of new Tear Drops – Under the Sea
American Crafts - Thickers – Rainboots
Pack of Flair
Pack of glittered chipboard shapes

My Blog Hop Card

Stamp: Unity 100% Happy August Store Kit; Paper: from the Paper Maniac Take N' Make Autumn Kit (Bazzill, Paper Trey Ink), Neenah 80# Solar White; Accessories: Robin's Nest Christmas Dew Drops, Petaloo flowers, red grosgrain ribbon; Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Nestabilities; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

NOW, it's time to hop along!
Head to Ceal's blog to see a GREAT card: Simply Beautiful

Pile it On! Sunday

Time is zooming by and it seems that Sundays just come and go. I'm very lucky to be busy creating and designing for such wonderful teams and companies and the Pile It On team is no exception. Once again, we have a fantastic challenge for your at Pile It On! with a sponsor that I know you'll love: Timbo Hunter of Hambo Stamps. If you haven't seen his images, just head over to the Timbo Hunter Store. This week's challenge: Think Round - Spots, dots, and Circles.

This card is for a few challenges:

Pile it On! - Think Round: Lots of Dots, Circles, and Spots
Delightful Sketches - Sketch #5 - I moved over the main square to the left
ABC Challenge - C is for Circles
Whimsy Stamps Challenges - Touch of Sparkle - Used Stickles on the cupcakes
Rubbernecker - Wacky Wednesday#26 Bling - Used Stickles on the cupcakes

Image: Timbo Hunter; Paper: MMBI, Recollections; Tools/Accessories: Copics, ribbon, Stickles

Rosie-Dee's sneak peek

Well, this is my last sneak peek for Rosie-Dee's Challenges! It's my last week as guest designer and it's been so fun creating for their themes. It was really a pleasure and an honor to have joined them for a month. You can head over to the blog to see my full card as well as the wonderful creations from the DT!

Challenge: Neopolitan Ice Cream colors: Pink, Brown, Yellow

Sneak Peek

Rosie-Dee's full reveal

Here's the full reveal from last week's Rosie-Dee's Challenge: Sea. Enjoy :)

Stamp: Rubbernecker Palm Tree Morning; Paper: Recollections; Accessories: Prima flowers, rhinestones, ribbon; Tools: Prismacolor watercolor pencils

The Fresh Batch - Another Thursday sketch!

Where does time go nowadays? It sure is flying by for me!

It's Thursday again, and not only is that one step closer to the weekend, but it's also a day for another fun sketch at The Fresh Batch. Visit the blog to see what the DT has created and enter to win some Stamps and Smiles goodies. Remember, you also have a chance to be the guest designer for the following week!

This week's sketch

My Card

Stamps: Stamps and Smiles Carl the Cupcake; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Paper: MMBI, Recollections; Accessories: ribbon, hemp twine

Crafty Creations Challenge: The Farm

It's Wednesday and time for another Crafty Creations Challenge. Unfortunately, things have been really crazy for me lately so I had to sit this challenge out. BUT, you still have some fabulous and inspiring creations from the rest of the crafty ladies at our challenge blog. We also have a generous prize up for grabs from Jaime so make sure to play along!

This week's theme: The Farm
This week's prize:

Kaboodle Doodle Monday - Color challenge!

This week at Kaboodle Doodle Challenges, we have a fantastic color challenge for you! Angie has set the challenge and this week she wants you to use: black, white, and purple. This color combo is always so great to work with - somehow I always come up with dramatic creations. Check out the blog to see what the DT came up with and enter for a chance to win some digital images.

This week's challenge: use black, white, and purple
This week's sponsor and prize: Victoria Case - 5 digital images

Stamps: Unity 100% Happy; Paper: Recollections; Tools: Cuttlebug, embossing folder, Copics

Want this Unity 100% Happy stamp set? You can get it at Paper Maniac for 15% off retail prize when the store opens on September 1! Want to save even more? Sign up for autoship and get Unity Stamp sets for 20% off all kit of the months. See this post for more details!

Rosie-Dee's Sneak Peek

Here's the sneak peek for this week's challenge at Rosie-Dee's. I know, I'm a little late. Sorry about that; I was off having fun with family. The challenge this week is "Sea" so get creating!

Rosie-Dee's Full Reveal

Here's last week's card :)

Stamps: Rubbernecker Elemental Squares; Paper: MMBI, Recollections; Tools: Copics

New home

Are you ready for another fun sketch at The Fresh Batch? This week we have one with lots of possibilities! I've decided to go the simple route, but you should see some of the amazing cards that the other DT members have come up with! They are one talented bunch :D

We have a special announcement this week!
"One designer from our weekly sketches will be the next guest designer for Stamps and Smiles. We have a huge release coming out soon and we would LOVE to pick one of you to be our next Guest Designer!! Play along in the next two weeks and one lucky winner will be picked for the guest spot!! The winner will be announced with the next release date."

So get those stamps out (they don't have to be Stamps and Smiles stamps) and get creating!

This week's sketch

My Card

Stamps: Stamps and Smiles Land of Cuppy; Paper: DCWV Fun in the Sun stack; Tools: Stickles, ribbon, buttons, Copics, BIC Mark-Its

This card is for a couple of challenges:

Cupcake Craft - Week #53 Something Sweet
ABC Challenge - B is for Buttons

Who says the middle of the week can't be fun?

I certainly don't because there are TWO, yes count them, TWO challenges today that you definitely need to check out today.

The first is the Creative Belli Blog challenges with the theme of "Water-based markers only." Yep, no Copics! For this card, I used some Marvy markers. It's been fun being a guest designer and I appreciate them having me for the month of August!

The second challenge is Crafty Creations with the theme of "Tags." I always say this, but the DT has really stepped it up for this challenge. What great tags they've come up with! The prize this week kindly donated by Trudette.

Stamp: PB Allegro set; Paper: DCWV; Tools: Fiskars corner rounder and edge punchers

This card is a few challenges:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Challenge #12 Sketch
AllSorts - Week #14 In an English Country Garden
Penny Black Challenges - Week #62 Colour Challenge - The "greenish" paper is actually blue, but I looks green because of the distressing. Sorry! I used PB Allegro clear stamp set
Creative Inspirations - Challenge #15 Tags
Stampin' for the Weekend - Challenge #11 Days Gone By (Vintage)

Sketch and Stash Guest Designer!

Jill has chosen me as this month's guest designer for Sketch and Stash Challenge Blog and I'm very thankful to have been asked. The sketches are always so fun to use and the one for this week is no exception. Check out the DT's creations this week at the blog and I'm sure you'll find some inspiration. Thanks Jill and the gals at Sketch and Stash for having me!

My unused stash: Rubbernecker Stamp Oasis Asian Summer stamp

Card Details
Stamp: Rubbernecker Stamp Oasis Asian Summer
Paper: MMBI, Best Occasions, DCWV
Tools: Copics, BIC Mark-It, Cuttlebug & embossing folder

Pile it On! Sunday - For a man/boy

Ah, another week, another chance to play along with a new Pile It On! Challenge. This time we're challenging you to make a masculine creation for a boy or man. The DT has come up with a variety of examples for you. Head on over to the blog to see what they've cooked up.

This card is for these challenges:

Pile it On! - Challenge #11 Oh Boy
IC Sketches - ICS #29
Stamp Something - Something from Summer Vacation

This week's theme: Something masculine for a man/boy

My Card

Card Details
Image: Lily-Boo's Boutique Circle Boys
Paper: Recollections
Toosl: Cuttlebug, embossing folders, Nestabilities

Rosie-Dee's Sneak Peak - "Sun" challenge

Wow, I can't believe it's already half-way through August! It's amazing how time is flying by. We have another challenge for you over at Rosie-Dee's this week and it's a fun theme: SUN. Here's a sneak peak, but you can head over to the blog to see my entire card as well as the DT's inspiring creations.

This week's theme: Sun

My sneak peak

Rosie-Dee's Full Reveal!

Here's the full reveal for the Rosie-Dee's card from last Sunday's challenge! I almost forgot to post it today :) Visit the blog tomorrow for another challenge!

Card Details
Stamp: Unknown, sorry!
Paper: DCWV Fun in the Sun stack
Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities

Three blind mice want to say...

Do you know what they're spelling out? I'm sure they do. Very simple card, hope you like it :) Sorry for the bad picture; I gave this card away this afternoon so I couldn't take another one! This is my first time using this stamp and I just love this image; don't you?

This card is for a few challenges:

Card Patterns - Sketch #27
Whimsy Challenges - Challenge #14 Animal Magic
ABC Challenge - A is for Anything Goes/Animals
Color Throwdown - Challenge #55 Black/white, melon mambo, kraft, crushed curry

Card Details
Stamp: Whimsy Stamps Love You Mice
Paper: Best Occasions
Tools: Cuttlebug, embossing folder, Nestabilities, Copics

Bring on the cupcakes

Once again, Dalis and Jennifer at The Fresh Batch have come up with a fun sketch for us to work with! Of course, it helps that we get to play with these cute stamps :) Check out the blog to see what everyone else has come up with! Play along if you can because up for grabs is some Stamps and Smiles goodies.

This week's sketch

My card

Card Details
Stamps: Stamps and Smiles
Paper: DCWV and Best Occasions
Tools: Cuttlebug, embossing folder, Nestabilities

This card is for a few challenges:

Die Cut Dreams - Challenge #9 Cupcakes
Stamp with Fun - Challenge #19 Birthday
The Pink Elephant - Challenge #27 Brown, Turquoise, Neutral

Daisies, daisies, everywhere!

Ah, the middle of the week. Nothing is more exciting than the middle of the week! Wait, no, I mean: nothing is more exciting than a Crafty Creations Challenge in the middle of the week! The rest of the DT has yet again produced some very inspiring creations; I'm sure they'll get your creative juices flowing! Check out the blog to see what they've come up with!

This week's challenge: yellow
This week's prize (kindly donated by Ali): gel-a-tins Spring Garden clear stamps

My Card

Card Details
Stamp: Sugar Nellie Daisy
Paper: DCWV and MMBI
Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Paper Piercer

This card is for a few challenges:

Friday Sketchers - Sketch #64
Stamp Something - Charmed Somethings Challenge
Cute Daisy May - Floral Fantasy
Paper Makeup Stamps - Sticker Challenge - the flowers and butterfly are stickers