Special Fundraiser

If you're looking for the Little Darlings blog hop post, click HERE.

Hello everyone!

Before I get to today's card, I'd like to mention a special fundraiser that I am helping out with.  Kim Sherrod is holding a fundraiser for her dear friend whose son was admitted to the hospital for heart problems. Kim is trying to raise money for her friend to be able to see her son, but it's not going well. Her friend is struggling financially and can't afford to make the trip.

She approached me about designing some stamps for her and I was glad to do so.  You can purchase the stamps in digi format or possibly as clear stamps, too by visiting THIS PAGE.  If you can, please stop over and help her raise some money for a very worthy cause. I used one of the images from the Floral Fancy set in my card below to give you an idea of how you can use these stamps.

This card, surprisingly, is also for the Sentimental Sundays Challenge for this week which is: It's a garden party.  It's been a while since I've been able to play along with the team, but it was nice :)  Please make sure to head over to the blog to check out the always-so-fabulous DT's work as well as to grab the freebie for the week.

Images: Floral Fancy for fundraiser - can be found HERE; Medium: none, recolored using Office Publisher; Papers: Crate Paper Portrait Collection; Embellishments: lace and more lace, Viva Decor Pearl Pen, Ranger Liquid Pearls; Tools: Spellbinder dies, Inkssentials ink blending tool, Ranger Tea Dye ink pad

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fantastic rest of the weekend :)

Eeek! How do I get so lucky?

If you're looking for the Little Darlings blog hop post, click HERE.

Eeek I'm so excited to announce that Denine has asked me to come on board the first ever Shop Pumpkin Spice design team! I've mentioned Shop Pumpkin Spice (SPS for short) a few times on my blog and when I saw they were having a DT call, I just had to try.  I love to get the most of my money and SPS lets me do just that!  I'm joined by four other lovely and talented ladies so make sure you head over to the SPS blog and pay them a visit, too!

SALE ALERT!

Extra 10% off Closeout items: Code: 10CL11

July 25th - August 31st
More being added this weekend!

 

 Echo Park Springtime Paper Pad 6"X6" - $3.02 with 10% off coupon!

  

 Echo Park - For The Record 6"x6" Paper Pad - $3.77 with 10% off coupon!

PRE-ORDER ALERT!

Will be in stock possibly around mid-August

Here are just some of the collections, but more being added this weekend!

  

 My Minds Eye - "Paris & Co." 6 x 6 Paper Pad - $4.19

 

 My Minds Eye - "A Beautiful Life" 6 x 6 Paper Pad - - $4.19

Here are just some of the other great deals I'm talking about:

 

 Echo Park - "Victoria Garden" 6x6 Pad - $4.19

 

 Echo Park - "Country Drive" Collection Kit - $9.79

 

 Watermelon Gazpacho Paper Pad 6"X6" 24 Sheets - $4.19

  

 Graphic 45™ Paper Pad 8"x 8" Once Upon Springtime - $6.99

See?  What'd I tell you?  Aren't those prices ROCK BOTTOM or what?? Can't wait to work for SPS alongside the other ladies and our fearless leader, Denine!

Little Darlings Blog Hop!

 Welcome to the Little Darlings release blog hop!

If you've come here from Lena's beautiful blog, then you're in the right place.  If not, please head over to the Love To Stamp blog to make sure that you don't miss a single thing!

Today is the Little Darlings Stamps Back To School release (see above for all the images) and we're celebrating with a blog hop!  Mindy kindly asked me to be a guest today today's festivities and of course I said yes.  I just couldn't resist since, well, since the images are just so darling!

For today's hop card, I'm using the adorable image, Science 101 which can be found HERE.  Isn't she so sweet?  She reminds me of myself :)  There really aren't any other images out there like this one!  I tried to come up with some funky embellishments that were science-related and couldn't so I'm a bit disappointed in myself. The little squiggly red thing is supposed to be the double helix structure of DNA, but it didn't come out as great as I had hoped, lol.  The clear dew drops were supposed to look like bubbles?? Alright, that's reaching FAR I know : /

Oh, and Angie is kindly letting me give away this cute stamp to a random blog hopper!  To enter for a chance to win, please leave your name and email in the InLinkz below.  Make sure you visit everyone in the hop because there are tons of prizes to be won!

I used the Whimsy Stamps Balloon Die Set to cut out the balloons and I stamped inside one of them using a sentiment from the Whimsy Stamps Mini Party Letter Seals.  You can also get many of the Whimsy Stamps sentiments at the Love to Stamp store HERE at incredibly low prices! I think all of them are at 15% off. 

Stamps: Little Darlings Science 101, Whimsy Stamps  Mini Party Letter Seals (can also be found at Love to Stamp), Whimsy Stamps Embellished Circle - Rays; Medium: Copics on X-press It Blending Card; Papers: BasicGrey Hello Luscious, DCWV All About The Girls; Embellishments: super fancy double helix DNA embellishments made by moi, clear dew drops, twine, balloons cut using Whimsy Stamps Balloon Die Set; Tools: Nestabilities

Well, that's it for me today!  Make sure you hop along to Mindy's always-so-gorgeous blog to see what she's come up with using one of these new adorable images!

Just in case you get lost, here's the blog hop list:
Start - http://lovetostampstore.blogspot.com/
Angela - http://angelwoodcrafts.blogspot.com/
Lena - http://scrappeskreppe.blogspot.com/
Ann (Guest) - http://raindropechodesigns.blogspot.com/
Mindy - http://stampinmindy.blogspot.com/
Jeanette (Guest) - http://jeanette-happythoughtsinkspots.blogspot.com/
Myrna - http://hikers3.wordpress.com/
Ruby - http://rubyonlywrote.blogspot.com/
Chelsea (Guest) - http://craftinglifespieces.blogspot.com/
Angie - http://www.scrapgirl-angie.blogspot.com/

MiC chipboard dragonflies!

Hello everyone! 

I wanted to quickly pop in a share this card for the special challenge at Make it Colourful to celebrate Make it Crafty's one year anniversary.  Talk about cutting it close!  I used Make it Crafty's Mini Dragonflies laser-cut chipboard (thanks, Zoe!).  I promised myself that I would do something to highlight these little beauties because they really do deserve the spotlight on their own.  Just look at how gorgeous they are!

Even though I fussed over this card and it started out WAAAAY different than what it ended up (two pieces of kraft cardstock fell victim to my indecision), it didn't take very long to put it together.  First, the blue dragonflies (well they weren't blue yet) were laid down on a scrap piece of paper and I took a Tumbled Glass Distress Inkpad and stamped them blue.  I don't have any other colors of inkpads except browns so to color the pinkish/red dragonfly, I  used Liquid Pearls in Rogue.  After they dried, I used Stickles to add glitter to them (a clear one, I don't know which exactly).  After that dried, I added Diamond Glaze over it.  Sounds like a lot, but it really didn't take long at all, especially since the drying was pretty quick because it was a small area.

The rest of the card is just typical me.  Pretty paper, overdone flowers, and a bit of twine as my attempt to use up my ridiculous stash.

Thanks so much for looking!  Hope this inspires you to use those MiC chipboards in a new way!

Stamps: None; Paper: BasicGrey Hello Luscious; Embellishments: Make it Crafty Mini Dragonflies laser-cut chipboard; WOC flowers, twine; Tools: just the good ol' paper cutter and ATG glue gun

Winner of the "A Touch of Elegance" set

Thank you for joining us for our new release blog hop!  Here's the random winner of the "A Touch of Elegance" stamp set....

34.

littlehamsterz

Congratulations!!  Please email me at raindropecho@gmail.com with your mailing address and I'll forward it over to Denise.

Join us again next month for a brand new release and more chances to win!

Yay!! Look look - I'm a Pink Lady!

AAHH!!!

Guess who's going to be guesting for Tickled Pink Stamps for the next three months?  Yep, me!  I'll be designing for Kellie and the Lil Lolitas line (sprinkled in with the sentiments and dies of course) so, I guess she's the boss lady 2x over for me, lol.  You can see all the other chosen guests at the Tickled Pink Stamps Blog.

Can't wait to show you my TPS creations in the next few months! This will be such a blast!  Thanks for everything, boss lady Kellie :)

Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenges!

Newsflash!

Just wanted to let everyone know that Whimsy Stamps will be starting a new challenge blog HERE!  It will be run by my fabulous teammate, Debbie, so you're sure to be in for some great fun.

A few things I pulled out of the blog:
1.  You do not need to use a Whimsy image, but if you do, you have a chance to win a prize.
2.  Challenge posted on Wednesdays.
3.  Random winner will be chosen each challenge from those who used a Whimsy stamps image (rubber or digital).
4.  Guest designers will be chosen to create for the blog.
5.  It will be tons of fun!

And one more thing! We would love it if you could help spread the word about the blog.  Grab the badge above and tell your Friends that there will be a new challenge starting on Wednesday 10th August and leave a link to your blog  HERE.  Everyone who follows these 3 simple steps will be entered into our draw to win a mystery prize. The winner will be announced  on the 10th August on the first Challenge day!

Pink {INK} Sketch Challenge #2!

Happy Friday!

Whew, I'm so glad this week is over!  Feels like it's been both a short week and a long week - does that make sense?  It feels like it's been a long week because it's been a busy one, but it feels like a short week because there's not been enough time to do all the things I need to do!

Anywho, enough whining.  Guess what?  It's already time for the Pink Ink Sketch Challenge #2!  This time around, we have a lovely sketch by the gorgeous and talented Kellie (who is going on an amazing 60-day Facebook free thing)!

Isn't the sketch wonderful?  I think it is :)  I took SOME liberty with it, but hopefully you still see all the elements there.  The beauty with sketches is that it gives you a starting point and then you can just RUN with it.  Plus, the DT this week has created some wonderful samples for you!

For this challenge, we are sponsored by Kellie and her awesome Tickled Pink Stamps store this week so if you love the TPS images, make sure to play along over the next two weeks for a chance to win!  Kellie is giving away 3 RUBBER or DIGITAL stamps from the NEW August release that wont had even started previews yet YAY.  BUT wait that is NOT all I am also going to give away the sentiments set AND the die to match!

Since TPS is sponsoring, I decided to use some brand spankin' new and oh-so-adorable Lil Littles.  I used Lil Little Lolita Lilith (I think Lilith is my favorite Lolita) and also used Lil Little Lad Luca.  I also used a sentiment from the Pink Valentine Sentiments set.  And yes, you are totally right if you're thinking that I went flower crazy on this card.  I gotta use up the ridiculously huge stash of flowers sooner or later!

Stamps: Tickled Pink Stamps d Lil Little Lolita Lilith, Lil Little Lad Luca and Pink Valentine Sentiments; Medium: Copics on X-press It Blending Card; Papers: Prima Madeline; Embellishments: WOC flowers (lots of them), pearl spray, lace; Tools: Spellbinders Circle die

Oh, and if you visit me often (thank you for that, I'm sorry I'm such a terrible commenter), you know that I usually color with Distress Inks, but hey, guess who picked up Copics again?  Yep, that'd be me, the person who SOLD some of her Copics because she thought she was never ever going to use them again.  Bad idea.  I think it's been about a year since I colored with Copics, if not more.  I've been seeing such awesome coloring from so many Copic users out there (you all know who you are) and I was overly optimistic that "Oh, maybe I can do that, too."  Well, let's just say that maybe I need more practice.  The only thing I really like on the colored image are their hair and her umbrella and maybe Luca's shirt.  Yes, practice indeed.

Alright, enough from me.  Make sure to stop by the Pink Ink Sketch Challenge Blog to be inspired by all the gorgeous creations by the DT and to enter the challenge!

Whimsy Stamps July Release Blog Hop!

Hello and welcome to the Whimsy Stamps 
July rubber and dies release BLOG HOP!

If you've come here from Zoe's insanely amazing blog, then you're on the right track.  If not, you can start at Lori’s blog to to make sure you don't miss a single creation.

The Whimsy July rubber stamps and dies release happened last week on July 13th, but today we are hosting our blog hop to showcase the 9 fabulous new rubber stamps and 2 new Shapeology metal dies now available at Whimsy Stamps! These new goodies are available to buy from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favorites. We also have our wonderful special guests joining us for this hop - Deb Routledge, Elaine Hughes, Niki Estes and Zoe McGrath.

The Whimsy Stamps DT have been showcasing these fabulous stamps for the past 6 days, so if you missed them be sure to hop on over to the Whimsy Inspirations Blog for some more inspiration!

Here is a full list of the wonderful July release rubber stamps and dies:

5 stamps from Kenny K
Boogie Down ~ Holla Back Girl ~ Hot Weave ~ Spy Chick ~ Victory Kid

4 stamps/sets from Raindrop Echo Designs
A Touch of Elegance ~ Adventure Mini Postage Stamps ~ Vintage Bottle Labels ~ Vintage Transportation

2 dies/sets from Raindrop Echo Designs
Dress Form Die (coordinates with ‘A Touch of Elegance’ stamp set) ~ Elegant Flourishes

The hop starts today (Wednesday July 20th at noon EST) and ends on Wednesday July 27th at noon EST.  For this hop we have 6 different prize draws! We have one grand prize draw where one lucky hopper will win a selection of new release stamps for hopping along with us. We also have 5 mini candy stops throughout the hop where you can enter to win a new release stamp.

I'm one of those prize draws!  I'm giving away the A Touch of Elegance stamp set pictured below.  

To enter for a chance to win this stamp, just enter your information into InLinkz. You do NOT need a blog to enter - you can leave the URL blank and just fill in the Name and Email and click Submit. 

Now, on to my creations for the hop!  I had a lot of fun using these stamps and really made me do things outside of the usual things I come up with.  Hope you like them!

Using Spy Chick and Elegant Flourishes

Stamps: Whimsy Stamps Spy Chick; Medium: Distress Inks on Lanaquarrel (I think); Paper: Fancy Pants It's The Little Things; Embellishments: May Arts striped twill ribbon, baker's twine, button, pearl; Tools: Inkssentials ink blending tool (for distressing), Whimsy Stamps Elegant Flourishes

Using A Touch of Elegance

Stamps: Whimsy Stamps A Touch of Elegance; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black stamped on DCWV textured paper; Paper: Webster's Pages; Embellishments: seam binding, pearl sprays, doily, button, cord, Viva Decor Pearl Pen and Ranger Liquid Pearls, Mary Arts striped twill ribbon; Tools: Spellbinder dies (lots of them), sewing machine, Inkssentials ink blending tool (for distressing)

Using Vintage Transportation and Vintage Bottle Labels

(I CASE'd Chupa's amazing card HERE)

Stamps: Whimsy Stamps Vintage Transportation and Vintage Bottle Label; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black stamped on kraft; Paper: Echo Park For The Record; Embellishments: Mary Arts striped twill ribbon, button, hemp cord, lace, black pearls; Tools: Fiskers corner rounder punch, Inkssentials ink blending tool (for distressing)

Alrightey, that's all for me today!

The next stop on the hop is the super talented Debbie's blog. Be sure to pop over and see what she has for you today. And then remember to leave comments and enter for your chance to win the prizes on offer along the hop too! 

Finally, here is a complete blog hop list in hopping order:

Lori Pachkowsky
Niki Estes (Guest DT)
Marley van der Heijden
Patricia Garcia
Denise Lynn
Minna Paajanen
Deb Routledge
Crystal Irwin
Simonne Clay
Elaine Hughes (Guest DT)
Erin Bailey
Stephanne Maraver
Donna Smith
Chris Olsen
Zoe McGrath (Guest DT)
Ann Vento
Debbie Eastman
Annika Ryan
Iris Wiechmann

Thank you so much for hopping with us today and we hope you enjoy all of the DT creations!
 

Whimsy Stamps July Release! Showcase Day 6

Today is Showcase Day 6 for the Whimsy Stamps July rubber and dies release!

For today's showcase, I've used two things from the new release.  The dress form stamp and the sentiment on the top right are from the A Touch of Elegance set and the flourishes are from the Elegant Flourishes die set.  Not my usual style, but I really loved it!  Is this considered a shabby card?  I can never seem to make those and when I think they're shabby, they really aren't, lol.  Whether it is or it isn't shabby, I'm still relatively happy with how it turned out.  Not to mention, it was a breeze to make since there was no coloring.

Oh! And do you see that pretty seam binding that I used?  Whimsy now has these in stock HERE.  They are hand dyed with natural ingredients and have this sweet yummy smell to them.  Love these ribbons!

Remember, all the new stamps and dies are available at the Whimsy Stamps store NOW. Make sure to come back tomorrow for our release blog hop because there are tons of prizes to be won!

Stamps: Whimsy Stamps A Touch of Elegance; Ink: Brilliance and Colorbox; Papers: Webster's Pages; Embellishments: Whimsy Stamps Ribbon (seam binding), heart pin, teeny tiny pearls from Pizzazz APlenty; Tools: Elegant Flourishes, sewing machine, Making Memories distressing tool

Whimsy Stamps July Release! Showcase Day 5

Today is Showcase Day 5 for the Whimsy Stamps July rubber and dies release!

For today's showcase, I've used Victory Kid and some sentiments released last month: Summer Letter Seals, and The Good Life Ticket Sentiments.  The tickets were cut out using the Ticket Die and the seal sentiment was stamped directly onto the paper.  I just loved the papers from this paper pad and thought that it would be fun to show Victory Kid celebrating summer.  Afterall, isn't this how you felt when school was out??  He looks like he just wants to hit the beach and have a good time being a kid :)

Remember, all the new stamps and dies are available at the Whimsy Stamps store NOW.  I'll be showcasing another creation tomorrow, but make sure to at least come back on Wednesday, July 20th for our release blog hop because there are tons of prizes to be won. 

Hope you have a wonderful Monday!

Stamps: Whimsy Stamps Victory Kid, Summer Letter Seals, and The Good Life Ticket Sentiments; Medium: Distress Inks on Lanaquarrel watercolor; Paper: Fancy Pants Beach Bum; Embellishments: hemp cord; Tools: Whimsy Stamps Ticket Die

Whimsy Stamps July Showcase Day 3

Today is Showcase Day 3 for the Whimsy Stamps July rubber and dies release!

For today's showcase, I've used Holla Back Girl and Adventure Mini Postage Stamp.  Kept it simple with just the sentiments pretty much as embellishments along with a suitcase dimensional sticker.  I thought these three sentiments went perfectly with the image :)  I cut out around the box of the sentiments and then cut some brown paper using the Mini Postage Stamp Die.  I was too lazy to try to align things, lol.

Remember, all the new stamps and dies are available at the Whimsy Stamps store NOW.  I'll be showcasing creations all week, but make sure to at least come back on July 20th for our release blog hop because, as always, there are tons of prizes to be won.  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Stamps: Whimsy Stamps Holla Back Girl and Adventure Mini Postage Stamps; Paper: Distress Inks on Lanaquarrel; Paper: BasicGrey; Embellishments: suitcase sticker; Tools: Whimsy Stamps Mini Postage Stamp die, Tonic ticket edge punch

Whimsy July Release - Day 2 Showcase

Today is Showcase Day 2 for the Whimsy Stamps July rubber and dies release!

For today's showcase, I've used the Vintage Transportation set that was just released.  I love not having to color sometimes! I get cards done in a flash and I get to use my neglected tools (like the gorgeous MS border punch) that I hardly ever use.  I think, even though there are hearts in the border punch, I could actually give this to a man, lol.

I used Chupa's old Sketchbook Saturday sketch (mine is missing some elements) and her card sample really inspired me, too!  Actually, all her cards inspire me.  That woman is spectacular.  I drool over her creations...

Anywho, remember, all the new stamps and dies are available at the Whimsy Stamps store NOW.  I'll be showcasing creations all week, but make sure to at least come back on July 20th for our release blog hop because, as always, there are tons of prizes to be won.  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Stamps: Whimsy Stamps Vintage Transportation set; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Papers: Need to look it up - don't remember right now; Embellishments: hemp cord; Tools: Spellbinder dies, MS border punch

The Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenge mid-month reminder!

Hiya! Just wanted to quickly pop in and remind everyone about The Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenge for this month which is PUNCHES!  Just use punches and/or dies on your creations.  Yep, easy!

For this card, I've used a Cheery Lynn doily die (on the left, can't see it very much) and a Martha Stewart leaf punch.  You still have time to join us this month so we'd love to see your creations!

This card uses the sketch over at Truly Scrumptious - and what a scrumptious sketch it is! Loved using it.

Images: Teddy Bo Lazy Days (thank you Donna!); Medium: Distress Inks printed on Canson Montval watercolor; Paper: Prima Madeline; Embellishments: WOC flowers; Tools: MS leaf punch, Cheery Lynn doily die

Whimsy Stamps July Release - Showcase Day 1

Hello again!  Today is Showcase Day 1 of the Whimsy Stamps July rubber and dies release!

I've used KennyK's Boogie Down (love her boom box) and paired it up with a sentiment from the Film Strip Sentiments set (stamped on a transparency).  The Music Notes background that you see behind her was stamped on patterned paper.  I like the color tone on her face, a little different from what I usually end up with.  I have no idea how I got it, though, lol.

Remember, all the new stamps and the two dies are available at the Whimsy Stamps store NOW.  The Flourishes Die Set is sold out but I have it on good authority that it has been reordered so hopefully they will arrive soon :)

I'll be showcasing creations all week, but make sure to at least come back on July 20th for our release blog hop because, as always, there are tons of prizes to be won.  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Stamps: Whimsy Stamps Boogie Down, Film Strip Sentiments and Music Notes; Medium: Distress Inks on Lanaquarrel watercolor; Paper: DCWV Dots and Plaids; Embellishments: May Arts striped twill ribbon; Tools/other: transparency

Whimsy Stamps July Release!

Today is an exciting day here at Whimsy Stamps because it's ...
Rubber stamps and dies RELEASE DAY!

This month we are doing things a little differently - we are releasing the stamps and dies a whole week before our new release blog hop! So that means... the July New Release rubber stamps and dies are available to buy RIGHT NOW from the Whimsy Stamps store!

We are going to be holding a fabulous new release BLOG HOP on July 20th, when we will have our usual plethora of prizes, special guests, and lots of amazing creations from our DT.

From today until July 19th, the DT are going to be showcasing this month's new release stamps and dies in the lead up to our BLOG HOP on July 20th, so be sure to stop by our blogs to see what we've created.

Here is a list of the new stamps, sentiment sets and dies we have released today:

5 new Kenny K rubber stamps
Boogie Down ~ Holla Back Girl ~ Hot Weave ~ Spy Chick ~ Victory Kid

4 new Raindrop Echo Designs sentiment rubber stamp sets
A Touch of Elegance ~ Adventure Mini Postage Stamps ~ Vintage Bottle Labels ~ Vintage Transportation

2 new Raindrop Echo Designs dies
Dress Form Die (coordinates with A Touch of Elegance stamp set) ~ Elegant Flourishes

Remember, they are all available to buy from the Whimsy Stamps store RIGHT NOW!

Today I'm like to share with you a creation using KennyK's new Hot Weave and previously released Film Strip Sentiments.  The Film Strip Sentiments were stamped on a transparency.

Stamps: Whimsy Stamps Hot Weave and Film Strip Sentiments; Medium: Distress Inks on Lanaquerrel watercolor and Prismacolour pencils for deeper shadows in her hair; Paper: BasicGrey; Embellishments: WOC flowers, Prima flowers; Tools: Tim Holtz Elegant Flourishes dies