Lots of Goodies to Show

It is day #2 of sneak peeks for Clear Dollar Stamps. You will be able to purchase all of these stamps tomorrow, March 1st. I will be making this post short and sweet, we are having a thunder storm and I don't want to electricity to go out in the middle of this (can you tell I've had that happen before?!). This gorgeous stamp set is called Hydrangea...isn't it a beaut?! Now don't ask me why I made mine lavender in color. My Mom had a hydrangea that was always pink while the neighbor had a blue one. I used the Tomobw markers and blender pen and made mine lavender...oh bother.

This set is called Roses to Die For. You know from yesterday's post that I love working with die sets. Well talk about versatility because this set also fits in the Blooming Bouquet die set that CDS already released! I used both the large and small flower here as well as the leaf die.

This card makes use of the March Stamp of the Month Yearly Occasions. I love it because it has a nice variety of holidays. I used three hearts that I punched out to make the shamrock and a simple St. Patrick's Day card.

And the final set to show you is called Ladybug Hugs. So cute, cute, cute. Again I went with the Tombow markers and blender pen technique, my favorite! I simply wanted to shake things up a little bit and make these bugs different colors. Hopefully they made you smile. For a look at what all is included in each of these four stamp sets, go to Lori's blog, Clearly iStamp. And if you really want to be inspired, check out all of the DT members' blogs, you can find them on my right sidebar. Have a wonderful Monday.

Clear Dollar Stamps Previews Have Begun!

Welcome to Day 1 of Clear Dollar Stamps March sneak peeks! I have two sets to show you! This first project I made use of the stamp set Cross Messages and the coordinating Cross Die Set. I've gotta tell ya, I am lovin' the die sets!!!! I cut the card base out first, placing the top of the cross just over the fold of the cardstock. I then cut it out a second time just a single layer, embossed it, then adhered it right on top of the card base. I thought these would make a nice little something to hand out to someone in need.

This set is called Scriptures of Peace, and they are really quite lovely! I adore the fonts too. I have been hooked on the 4.25" square cards as of late, and that's exactly what this one is!!! Just the right size to make the verse be the main focal point. Now to check out all of the verses in this set as well as the Cross stamp and die sets, go to Lori's blog, Clearly iStamp. And to see what else the DT has created, head on over to their blogs and leave 'em a little love!

Laurie

Cassie

Lisa

Candy

Stacy

Sarah

Barb

Shell

Tricia

Christi

Colorful Anniversary

Picture Perfect Creations is celebrating their first anniversary with a dual challenge. First, take a look at these colors, totally fabulous. What's the second part you ask...why to make it an anniversary themed card of course!!!

And here is my card, using Papertrey Ink as well as Kitchen Sink stamps. It's fun playing color challenges. I usually combine them with a sketch, but not this time! Inside sentiment says "Happy Anniversary."

I'm off to get some grocery shopping done then finish up the laundry before the boys come home from school. Leftovers for dinner tonight, hooray!!!!

A Freshly Brewed Ribbons & Bows Challenge

Welcome to this week's Freshly Brewed Challenge - Ribbons and Bows. Okay, I'm warning you now, I had this challenge in my head as "Buttons" and Bows, so imagine my surprise when I was ready to upload my card and realized how wrong I really was! The card would not have worked so back to the drawing board (or should I say my stamp room) I went! I used Emma Cupcake to show off this lovely image...plus my friend's birthday is coming up so this will be her card!!! As you know, I'm on this "use what I've got" kick, so I went thru my endless pile of papers and used this double sided Chatter Box piece as well as Bazzil cardstock.

Hard to believe March 1st is right around the corner. And that means a new rubber stamp release at Fresh Brewed Designs. We are celebrating with a Blog Hop, so don't miss it!
Help spread the word by adding this badge to your sidebar and linking it back to Freshly Brewed Challenges. If you do add the badge, email Heather (freshbreweddesigns(at)yahoo(dot)com) and let her know. She will add you to a drawing for a special prize that will be announced after the March 1 hop.

This is my second post today, please be sure and check out the Sweet Sketch Wednesday post right after this one.

Sweet 'n Sassy Sweet Sketch Wednesday

As you can see by the title of this post, it's all about the sweetness!!!! Welcome to Sweet Sketch Wednesday. I for one am thrilled with all of you and your wonderful creations!!! This week's sketch is quite thrilling too, I am sure we'll be seeing some gorgeous projects! You want to know what else is sweet...why our sponsor, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps - thanks Korin!!

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is a Christian digi stamp company offering a wide variety of hand drawn digital stamp designs and sentiments for the digital stamper or scrapbooker. We started out as a clear stamp company back in November 2007 and made the change over to all digital in February 2010. We have hundreds of fabulous digis to choose from starting at just $.99. Check us out at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

Our winner this week will receive a $10 gift certificate from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

I was lucky enough to receive this adorable image, Milton's Good Book. Is he not the cutest?! And what do you think about that little caterpillar crawling up the flower stem??? Adorable, right??!! I used papers, ribbon and stickers from a Taylored Expressions KI kit. Now please check out the rest of the Sweet Sketch Wednesday's DT creations, they are fabulous!!!

Bold and Blingy Butterfly

Definitely had the crazies come for the weekend!!! Funny how your plans for a calm and relaxing couple of days turns completely around. But hey, we all survived and I am now able to get back into my stamp room. Too bad it's 1am right now and I'm very, very tired. Please pardon any and all mistakes in my post!! My card is bright enough though, it should wake me right up!!! I'm using a Clear Dollar Stamps February release stamp set and coordinating die called Bold Butterflies. Two challenges I want to submit this to are Flutter By Wednesday where we were to use a rainbow or a rainbow of colors plus a butterfly, angel or fairy. I definitely think I got the colors in there!!!!!! The second challenge if 4 Crafty Chicks - fairy/angel/butterfly. Guess I should look for a 3rd challenge - how much bling can you get on one image!!!!!!!

Help Us Help Our Katie

And we're doing it blog hop style!!! As many of you know, our very own DT Leader at Clear Dollar Stamps, Katie Renz, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer. You can follow her story on her blog, My Paper Haven. Katie is journaling her journey and sharing it with us all. A very courageous and generous giving of herself to all of us who can find inspiration through her strength. She will make you laugh and make you cry.

A new blog has been set up, called Help for Katie, to help raise money for Katie and her lovely family. Many of you remember AND donated to the fund raiser held by Jak Heath last month. This is a new fund raiser with a new round of beautiful digital images for your donation of $15, and the chance of winning some wonderful prizes also for donating. Check it all out HERE at the new Help for Katie blog.
You should have arrived here from the uber talented Lisa's blog. If you have not started at the beginning of our hop, please do so at Lori's blog, because you really don't want to miss out on anything. I have two cards to show with digis donated by Clear Dollar Stamps. This first one uses a pre-colored image from the set Prairie Wagon. There is also digital paper included in this set!!!! I went with some scrap paper though that I had close by in my scrap bin! I'm always pulling paper out of that thing but it never seems to get any smaller!!!

Is this not adorable??!! I love this set called Patchpal Elephant. Again I used a pre-colored image, sentiment, and the digital papers!!! No stamping at all!!!!!!! GASP!! Just a little sewing!

If you want to see what else is in the package of digitals you'll receive for making your $15 donation, go to the new Help for Katie blog. BUT, before you do, finish up the hop!!! I need you to head on over to visit the totally terrific Tricia so you can see what she has come up with!! I know she will amaze you!!!

Flower Bunny Loves You

And I love Flower Bunny! And you can get Flower Bunny free at Clear Dollar Stamps with a $50 purchase, or you can buy him for just a few carrots!! I made this folded frame card for the Tuesday Morning Sketches. Bunny was heat embossed on WCP then colored with Tombow markers and a blender pen. This fun bright DSP is from Bo Bunny, appropriate, don't you think?! Anyway, I had a blast making this, don't know why I never made one before.

I wanted to let you know this Sunday, the 20th, we at Clear Dollar Stamps will be holding a fund raising blog hop for our friend and DT leader Katie Renz. Now I'm going to make you wait till Sunday to find out all the fun we have planned, but do take a look at the new Help 4 Katie blog.

Three Post Wednesday

Yes, I have three posts for today, so be sure and visit them all!!!

Freshly Brewed Designs

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Oldies but Goodies Blog Hop

Welcome to the Oldies But Goodies Blog Hop!

I love this blog hop!!! I get to play with something that hasn't been used in 6 months or more! Now you should have stopped by here from Heather's Blog...isn't she amazing?! And one of the sweetest ladies I know!!! I have to say that because she's my boss (LOL!!!)...I'm lucky enough to be on her DT for Fresh Brewed Designs. If you just happened to come here and want to start at the beginning of our hop, go to Brenda's Blog.

Believe me when I say I have MANY stamp sets that haven't seen ink in over six months. The hardest thing for me to do is decide which one I will use!!! I decided to pull out a Stampin' Up set...Serene Sunflowers. I haven't used SU stamps much ever since hanging up my demonstrator apron so what a treat. Colors include Bermuda bay, Soft suede and Crushed curry. I did a little bit of the rock 'n roll technique with the flower center. The sentiment is from Blossoms Abound (the stamp set was still on my desk from last week!). The bee is all glittered up with Stickles.

The next stop on your journey is to another extremely talented lady's blog, Lisa Lara. Lisa and I "work" together as DT members for Clear Dollar Stamps. So how fun this blog hop was for me, nestled between such wonderful friends.

Sweet Digi Stamp Boutique

Wahoo, I love Wednesdays!! I always get to share lots of fun things. This is my Sweet Sketch Wednesday post and you are going to love what we have going on this week! First of all, would you look at the sketch, it's a real beauty!!!! So very versatile! Each week we are sponsored by some wonderful companies headed up by some very generous ladies. This week, our grand prize winner will receive 6 FREE DIGIS from our sponsor, Digi Stamp Boutique!!

You really must stop by Digi Stamp Boutique. Sally Ann has so many wonderful images!! Thanks for sponsoring us again this month!!!

Here is my card, using Nurse Grace. Who wouldn't feel better receiving a card with this cutie on it! I used Copic markers on her, then went into my scrap bin to find some papers. Usually I do it the other way around!! Now I encourage you to check out the rest of the DTs projects because there is some real inspiration out there. You can find them HERE at the Sweet Sketch Wednesday blog.

Freshly Brewed Sketch

Welcome to another challenge from Fresh Brewed Designs...and it's a sketch!!! I love sketches, and this one sure is a fun one! We want you play along with us this week and show us your take on this sketch!! Click HERE for all the details.

Here is my card, using the Fresh Brewed Designs image Coffee Cake. I totally adore the name as well as the image! I used my Copic markers and glitzed up the frosting with a little Stickles. I cheated a bit, instead of three individual embellishments along the upper left, I stacked all three onto one layered flower!!!! Yep, I pushing it, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it! Now you really must check out the rest of the DT's samples, you will be inspired, I guarantee it!!!

Now remember, we are having a month long prize challenge, Anniversary is the theme. Check out all the details HERE. Also, be sure and mark your calendar for March 1st for our New Rubber Release Blog Hop!!!!

This is the Life!

That was my first thought when I saw this adorable Clear Dollar Stamps digital set called Purrfect Day, this is the life!!! What could be better...for a cat that is!!! For me, I'm just thrilled to have internet service! Last night as I'm preparing this post, boom, no internet connection. Now I'm the night owl of the family so I could only do so much on my own without my computer guru of a hubby who was fast asleep. So here I am, telling you about the new digi release at Clear Dollar Stamps. Now hurry on over because there are some real beauties.

Valentine's Day Card

I'm back to not sleeping well at all, and it sucks the creative juices out of me!!!! Yes, it's a CAS card, but it took me forever to make it!!!!!! I need a margarita! Back to the card, the stamp set is from PaperTrey Ink, the DSP is from the scrap bin, and the cardstock is Very vanilla and Rose romance (remember that?!). I followed an old Clean and Simple Sketch that I just randomly chose. I'm going to submit this for some challenges that wanted Valentines: Dutch Dare (posted on Thursdays), 4 Crafty Chicks (also on Thursdays), and Friday's Card Makin' Mamas. It's time to bundle up on the couch with my Nook and see if I can make myself sleepy with reading.

Hugs to You!

Happy Saturday! It's the weekend...HOORAY!! I can't believe it though, we are getting snow right now AND I'M SICK OF IT!!! All the better reason to stay inside and stamp! I've got pork chops in the fridge marinating, so dinner is taken care of. Should I do some dusting...hmm, let me think about it...okay, already thought about it and the answer is no!!! LOL!

I made this card last night for the color challenge at Picture Perfect Creations - Concord crush, Certainly celery, Crumb cake. I pulled out an all-time favorite set of mine, Blossoms Abound. Now the cardstock is Concord crush (using it for the first time), but the ink is Eggplant envy. I haven't gotten many of the new colors of inks. I know exactly who I will be sending this out to. Stay warm.

You Are Unfrogettable

Too bad I keep forgetting when challenges are due so I can get them posted in time!!!!!! I made this card for The Sweet Stop sketch. I'm a little late getting it submitted, but here it is anyway. I used the stamp set Hoppy Frogs from Clear Dollar Stamps. I heat embossed him onto WCP then went to town using my Tombow markers and blender pen. Now another current challenge I will submit this to is the Delightful Challenges - Get Punchy. I used my smallest heart punch as well as two circle nesties. The DSP is Basic Grey's Oliver. Happy Friday!

Looks Like Spring!!

Well at least my card looks springy!!!!! The kids have yet another school delay because of the bitter cold temperatures. I really can't wait for some warm sunshine. This card is for the Stamping 411 sketch. I used the stamp set Sentimental Flowers from Clear Dollar Stamps. I stamped the flower, stem and grass then added color with a blender pen and ink that I had squished onto the lid of the ink pad. I let the scrap of designer paper determine my colors - yellow, teal, green and black. This stamp set has a coordinating SVG file that I then cut out with my Cricut so I could use the butterfly on and pop him up. I do love the added dimension. Have a wonderful Thursday and stay warm!

How Charming!

Welcome to the Freshly Brewed Challenge for this week - use a charm. Now I had to go digging for some, and I found this cute bee. Made me think of the Fresh Brewed Designs image I recently got called Bee Mine. Isn't he a cutie?!!! I printed off several of him, coloring them each up differently. I've gotta admit, I liked the black and yellow version best. I found some yellow and red designer papers in my stash which worked perfectly. The sketch is from 4 Crafty Chicks.


I've got some news:
Our NEWEST fun addition to Fresh Brewed Designs is MOCHA MANIC MONDAY FREEBIE!!!
Every first Monday of the month you will find a new Freebie!!! The Freebie will only last for the first week of the month, then it is GONE until the next months image is added!!! It will be linked under MOCHA MANIC MONDAY FREEBIE. So be sure and snag yours up today!!!!!

Sweet Sketch and Whimsie Doodles

That's right, Sweet Sketch Wednesday is being sponsored this week by Whimsie Doodles. Talk about a fun site!!! And would you look at the fabulous sketch you get to play with this week!!!!! Gorgeous!! And what is the prize if you are the grand prize winner?????? A $10 gift certificate for the Whimsie Doodles store!!!!! WOW!!!

Now a word from our sponsor: Whimsie Doodles is so excited to be sponsoring the new challenge! In March of 2009 Melyssa Connolly, artist and owner, began turning her whimsical hand-drawn images into digital files for sale online. Whimsie Doodles' digital stamp line features images that range from cute little boys and girls, to punny stuff, and everything in-between. We enjoy sharing lots of samples on our company blog, where we also post weekly challenges and tutorials.

*** A special offer for Sweet Sketch Wednesday Fans - use the discount code Sweet10 at the Whimsie Doodles online store and receive 10% off your next order! Code expires 30 days from today.*** So everybody's a winner this week!!!!!!

Here is my card using the People Digital Stamp called Hot Mama. I loved the image, but when I read the sentiment that's included, well I knew this was a must have!!!!! Who doesn't have a friend (better be sure they're a GOOD friend) that could use a card like this!!!! I know I do! Alright, now put your thinking caps on, can anybody tell me the name of this Stampin' Up DSP I used? I'll give ya a minute. It was part of their first round of designer papers. And get this, it's only one sided!! GASP! What's worse, I can't believe I still have some of it!!! Hot Mama's dress goes perfectly with it, don't you think?! Okay, okay, I'll tell you the name of the paper, it's called Sassy. Leave a comment and tell me if you knew it!! Now be sure and visit the rest of the Sweet Sketch Wednesday DT because there are some wonderful creations out there!!!

Post Super Bowl Blues

It's a sad day at the Andersons' today in Pittsburgh. We love our Steelers and wish they had won. But what a great and exciting season they gave us! No more football, but we do have hockey to watch...Go Pens!!!!! While waiting for the game to start, I made two quick cards using some randomly selected Clean and Simple sketches. I pulled out some PaperTrey Ink sets that haven't seen ink in a while. This set is called Father Knows Best. Found a scrap of designer paper to use as well. Gotta love that!!!

Another PTI set called Everyday Classics. This was an anniversary set that is fun and fabulous! I used papers from January's KI Kit from Taylored Expressions. I had fun making these cards and like the way they turned out! I'll be selecting more CAS sketches for more quick cards! Now hopefully the mailman won't be demanding more postage like the last round of cards I mailed out!!!!!

It's Super Bowl Sunday!

I'm so excited for the football game!!! And if you didn't know, I'm a huge Steeler fan, so go BLACK AND GOLD!!! Right now it's a little past midnight, so I've got a long way till the game. I wanted to be sure and show you one of the cards I made, cause I really like the way it turned out. I owe it all to the lovely sketch over at the Critter Sketch Challenge blog. I'm trying to consistently play along every week with a few of my favorite challenges, and this site is one of them. I used one of the newly released sets at Clear Dollar Stamps called Scriptures of Hope. I cut the scripture out using a Nestie then while it was still in the die sponged some Pink pirouette ink around it. The verse speaks of eagle wings, but I used a butterfly instead! Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you on Monday.

Beautiful Red Roses

Happy Saturday!!!! I thought I could sleep in today, but I forgot about needing to take hubby's car in for inspection. I pick him up so he doesn't have to stay there with it...aren't I nice!!!!! Anyway, here is my challenge card for today. Actually it fits the bill for two challenges! First is the sketch, and you know I love sketch challenges, and I really like the Midnight Madness sketch. The next challenge is Crafty Creations, a red rose. It just so happens Clear Dollar Stamps released this beauty last month, a digital set called Rose Bloom. So a red rose it is!! I found this pack of Stampin' Up DSP called Cerise from years ago...UNOPENED!!!! Yes, it's that bad in my stamping world!!!!


I need to get a lot of my cards done today...after all, I'll be busy tomorrow evening cheering on the Steelers!!!!!! Go Black and Gold!!

Clearly Inspired Challenge - It's a Sketch

It's the first Friday in February, so it's time for the Clearly Inspired Challenge at Clear Dollar Stamps...and it's a sketch!!! I love sketches, and you will love this one too!!!

And here's my card, using the set Critter Tales. I've been wanting to use this DSP, Little Yellow Bicycle's Cupcake Love for some time now, and the flamingo with this sentiment was perfect!! I embossed the image onto CDS water color paper then used my Tombow markers and blender pen, a technique I really enjoy. Unfortunately all of the colors look a little washed out, they really are much brighter. And there's lots of sparklies on the paper too. Fun challenge for some fun prizes, check out all the details HERE. Remember, you must use a CDS stamp. And if you don't have one, we've got you covered with a pretty magnificent FREEBIE, so no excuses. This snow and cold weather should keep you inside to stamp! Now let's cheer on those Steelers on the road to #7!!!!

Have a Gouda Day

Aren't these little mice adorable?! And the cute sentiment...love it!!! This is a digital set from Clear Dollar Stamps called Gouda Day. I used the pre-colored image, printing it off twice so I could cut the little mice out and pop them up. As for the sketch, I went with the Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge. Because of the size of my image and sentiment, I had to adjust the sketch and embellishments a little bit, hope that's okay. Now be sure to come back tomorrow because, since it's the first Friday of the month, it's our Clearly Inspired Challenge at Clear Dollar Stamps. So let me tell you all about it...tomorrow!!!!!!

Q and S

I have two Quick and Simple cards I wanted to share with you today. Yes, this makes my third post for today also, but I wanted to get this card in for the challenges I've using. First, it's for the Sketch Challenge over at SCS. I also used the colors from Picture Perfect Creations - Rich razzleberry, Blushing bride, Old olive. I used the Love Birds stamp set and die from PaperTrey Ink.

Now this card I've had in my head for a few days now, just never sat down and did it. And because I waited, I missed the deadline for the color challenge at 4 Crafty Chicks that I based this on. What a dingaling I can be!!!! Love the colors, my favorite earth tones - Wild wasabi, Very vanilla, Chocolate chip and Crumb cake. The only chocolate chip is the sentiment so I went with dark brown thread when I did a touch of sewing. This is another PaperTrey Ink stamp set and die, Mat Stack 2 Collection. Very quick and simple for me, and very mailable!

Thanks again for stopping by. Scroll down for my other two posts from today...Freshly Brewed Challenges and Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

Anniversary Challenge

I always have two posts on Wednesdays so be sure and scroll down for the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge...after you read about the fun challenge we have going on at Freshly Brewed Challenges!! Heather has changed up some of the challenge rules and requirements so let me list them here:

-All images, cards, projects are allowed.
-Stamped/digital images are not required
-5 entries per person per challenge are allowed
-No limits on how many challenges your card is entered into
-No other rules or restrictions unless stated on the post itself (if it were a challenge for a hop or release it may have different rules than the normal weekly challenge itself)
-Winners are chosen at random using random.org
-Every First Wednesday of the month will be a prize challenge (and you have all month to play!!!) Prizes will no longer be weekly.
-Fresh Brewed Stamps or Digis are not required but we encourage you to us them if you have them. If you do, your card will be entered twice for the prize drawing.

That being said... and today is the FIRST Wednesday of the month...Heather is giving away a fun prize!!! The prize this month is a RUBBAH STAMP!!! Which one you ask? Coffee, Take Me Away! Our blog banner / FBD trademark image of course!!!


Now on to the challenge!!! The theme is Anniversary, and you can interpret that as you please. My card made use of the Love Blooms Vase digital image. Inside it says Happy Anniversary. I pulled out some old Basic Grey DSP, Stella Ruby (who remembers that?!). A fun image and even funner challenge. Can't wait to see what you create!


Also, don't forget about our March 1st new rubber release and blog hop!!! You are not going to want to miss this!!!

Shamrock Bear

It's Wednesday, and time for another Sweet Sketch!!!! Yes, Arlana is amazing, always challenging all of us with her fabulous and fun sketches. And you'll love this one!!!

We have a wonderful sponsor this week too, Meljen's Designs. And what is the awesome prize you ask...why it's 4 digis of your choice if you are the grand prize winner!!! Wow, thanks Melissa.

Meljen's Designs is a lovely stamp company owned and illustrated by Melissa Jenkins. She illustrates whimsical digital images inspired by her kids and family. The Meljen's Designs store officially launched on April 1 and is steadily growing! Meljen's Designs has new releases along with a new challenge every Thursday, freebies every Monday and a Guest Designer each month at the Meljen's Designs Blog. Please visit the Meljen's Designs line of stamps at the WHIMSY STAMPS STORE to browse and enjoy Melissa's wonderful images!

Now check out Shamrock Bear. Is he not the cutest?! I total love him!!! I had so much fun coloring him in with my copic markers. I got a little over zealous with the blender pen and the brown, causing it to run out of the lines under his chin. When it happened I was too tired to start all over again so I overlooked it! See there, I can suppress my Type A personality and need for perfection!!! Now be sure and head over to the Sweet Sketch Wednesday blog. Be sure and comment to be in the running for the prize and well as check out the rest of the DT's creations. And while you're at it, leave them some lovin' too!!!!