{YNS/RC} Blog Hop!

I am so excited for today's blog hop merger of two awesome companies, both of which I am lucky to design for: Your Next Stamp and The Ribbon Carousel!!! How fun is that!?!

And to add to the fun, Karen (she is super-awesome, I can vouch for that!), owner of Your Next Stamp is generously offering a coupon code to all blog hop participants for 15% off any online order placed from today through June 30th!

Be sure to take advantage of that deal!

I've used YNS's Kai from Hawaii (one of our cute World Kids Collection) on today's card, as well as two great products from the RC: Divine Twine in Orange and Jute Twine in Natural.

Some dies that I used are The Cat's Pajamas Wave Cutup & MFT's Hibiscus and Sunshine Dienamics. I found a neat button in my stash (I think MME) and what do you know, the backside looks like the coconut necklace that Kai is wearing! I love it when things just fall into place!

His little surfboard is paper-pieced and popped up using dimensionals. He is fussy cut and popped up as well! I thought there was too much orange happening with the sun, so I used the divine twine to make some wraps around the centre and I think it adds so much more:) I coloured Kai with copics and added clear and buttermilk spica glitter to his hair (very conservatively- I just wanted that summer blonde hair that just glimmers like the sand)...his necklace and trunks are coated with glaze pen, as are his eyes and the star and edging of the board. I coloured his skin a little darker than my usual combo (this time using E00, E11 and E13, rather than my usual caucasian E000, E00, E11)..I wanted him to look like a total surfer beach bum, all tan!

I used this month's SFYTT by Jen del Muro....this is such a keeper as far as sketches go:) And you still have time to get your card in for that;)

OK, let talk PRIZES!

Hop along and leave some blog love for our designers for a chance to win!

The Ribbon Carousel is giving away a ribbon carousel!

Your Next Stamp is giving away a $10 YNS online Gift Card to spend on stamps of choice!