The Winner Of A Free Clear Artistic Stamp Is...

JenMarie!!! Yay for you! I already have your addy, so all you need to do is go to Clear Artistic Stamps and pick a single stamp and email me with your choice! FUN, huh! THANK YOU to everyone who left a comment and participated in the giveaway! You ladies are so inspiring and you all rock my world! ~Hugs~

Melanie Tote Bag

Okay, it's 20 minutes till MFT's release party over at SCS begins and I just got this project done--gotta hurry and post this, then get over there for some major fun! You probably already know how much I adore Artist, Melanie Muenchinger--I know many of you feel the same about her as I do! Well, look at the adorable little tote bag she created! Yes, it's her own design and she was kind enough to offer this TUTORIAL so we could all make one (or 2 or 3 or 10) as well! Isn't she a sweetheart! I used some cheerful designer paper and ribbons for a bright Springtime tote. You can decorate the front with or without stamps. Embellishing this was lotsa fun too! Hope you all want to try one and make sure to post your "Melanie Tote" on your blog or on your SCS gallery and let Melanie know! She wants to see everyone's tote! ~hugs and happy tote-ing~

Superstar!

It's Tuesday and that means it's American Idol night, yay!--actually, I haven't watched it since the tryouts, but work with me--Bunnies have dreams too and this girl can belt out a tune! She has even impressed Simon and we all know that doesn't come easy! Maybe this is the year for a bunny to win the coveted title!

If you visit my blog or love Gina K. Designs as much as I do, you already know that this adorable bunny is by artist Melanie Muenchinger. She is a major source of inspiration and a tremendous talent and her blog recently became a top 100 best blog, so it's not just me--this lady ROCKS! She having a super duper blog candy giveaway this week, visit her BLOG for the deets!

I used this super cool black and silver glittery paper from the RAK package Donna sent me. I cut stars out of yet more glitter paper and created my "stage" from my coluzzle oval template and the stage floor from my Flourishes Cake 101 Decorating set (normally used for the cake plate, ha!) The microphone was supposed to turn out way cuter than this, but I guess you can sort of tell what it's meant to be.

Well, thanks for indulging me! This was fun! ~Hugs and Happy Stamping~

Bloomin' Bags

I made these little Easter treat holders using some nice patterned paper from K. & Company's Margo collection. They are each a piece of 4 x 10" paper, scored at 4", 5 1/2" and 9 1/2". I trimmed my fold-over tops with scallop scissors for a cute border. I cut each colored image from Gina K's "Baskets of Happiness" stamp set and popped them on dimensionals above the stamped sentiments. I added a coordinating ribbon to each flap and made little tags using Gina K.'s "Rectangle Greetings" stamp set. These can be altered to fit lots of different treats and are quickly completed too! TFL!

A Special Card

I'm involved with a wonderful organization called Women For Women, Int. and I have an honorary "sister" in Rwanda whom I communicate with and encourage as she expands her education, grows her small business and raises her family of 4. She regularly sends me letters and recently even sent me this very special card...I wanted to share it with all my friends who enjoy the beauty of a card. If you look closely you'll see the incredible skill it took to cut the intricate pieces of this woman and the continent of Africa surrounding her. The small circle off the the lower side is Madagascar (had to look on the map to make sure). Isn't it neat? It fills me with joy to know that she created this just for me!
I will send her this card in return. I used almost all Stampin' Up! products on this, but I couldn't resist playing with some of the fabulous paper that Donna sent me too! The pattern is perfect for what I had in mind for this card. I used Embrace Life stamps; pomegranate, rose red and regal rose inks; rose red, regal rose and whisper white cardstock. I added a bit of ribbon and a few pink gems for some sparkle.
I think it's so awesome that my Rwanda sister is a fellow papercrafter and cardmaker--who woulda thought?! Thanks for allowing me to share this little tidbit of my life today, friends. I hope you've been inspired!

Ohhh Donna....

ohhh Donna! I had to share this wonderful surprise I recieved from my wonderful blogging pal, Donna! She is so sweet and generous...just look at what she sent me! Some of you probably saw this fabulous card she made--I loved it when I saw it on her blog and at SCS, but now I have it in my hot little hands and it's even more amazing! I wish I could pass it around for you all to see irl! She is such a talent! I had mentioned that there are no Hobby Lobby's in WA State, so she sent me these absolutely beautiful ribbons (grosgrain pink and white dotted, satin chocolate and ivory) and all of these wonderful pattern papers from a Hobby Lobby near her (she admits she frequents a bit too often...hehe!) I am so thankful and thrilled and I intend to pay this kind gesture forward! Be on the lookout for a blogging RAK from me, you never know who it might be~how fun! Thanks for visiting and hugs for a happy day!

Guest Designers & Free Stamps!

Iwant to congratulate the new Guest Designers for Clear Artistic Stamps...welcome Jennifer Greco, Maren Benedict, Patti Pompe, Gloria Stengel, Carla Mayfield, Heather Strenzwilk and Maggie Lamar to the team! The guest spots will start in April and their wonderful work will be showcased on the Clear Artistic Stamps main page! To celebrate this exciting occasion we invite you to leave a comment on my post or on any post today from the standing design team members: Etha, Lisa , Gwen and Wendi to be entered into a drawing where you can win the chance to pick a single stamp of your choice! What a great way to try out the clear stamps!! You can also enter on the main web site . So you’ll have 6 chances to win and you can enter once at each of the six locations to celebrate the guest designers! There is also fresh Gift Art, a new Palette and new Layout to play with in the CAS yahoo group ! And did I mention it's free?! Winners for the blog candy will be announced on Thursday. Have fun doing some blog-hopping and up your chance for free stamps! Hugs and happy hopping!