{MFTWSC99} You Sparkle

Well hello there! Did you miss me? I have been super sick lately with this horrid cold/cough that has moved into my chest now :( I am sooooo sick of it and might have to break down and go to the doc's. I am a firm believer that 'Not all bugs need drugs' and 99% of the time let things run their course (I don't even think my 3 year old have ever been on antibiotics, when I think about it!)...but it's been over 2 weeks with no reprieve! It's just getting worse it seems! Anyway, why am I telling you all this? Because for the first time since I started this little 'hobby' I have NOT cared the least bit to go down and stamp something. Nope. Nothing. No mojo. I've read paper crafting magazines, surfed blogs, gotten new packages in the mail. Nothing has me interested in crafting. Scary, huh? 
Tonight I finally FORCED myself to get down there and give it a go, and I can't say that I love the results, but I guess it was good to get a toe in the water.

This card is for this weeks MFT sketch challenge (there will be a new one tomorrow!) I am just under the wire!

I've used an MFT PI skating girl and snowflake die. The DP and CS are Stampin' Up! The jute twine is from the Ribbon Carousel.

I hope that I feel the urge to really get back at it. But on a plus, I have decorated my house beautifully for Christmas! Maybe I'll post some pics on here for you to see! It's probably my favourite job I've done yet! 
Maybe some of you have some tips for me regarding getting inspired again? Maybe it's just that time of year where we all have so many other things going on that crafting is on the back burner? Fingers crossed it's just being under the weather and when I kick this nasty bug I'll be getting right back in the saddle! Don't give up on me yet..... :)

{KKS156} Christmas Cookies!

This weeks Kraftin' Kimmie challenge is to create a Holiday or Christmas themed card!

I used the lovely Grace for my holiday card.....

She is coloured with copics, and I cut her and the scallop oval panel mat with spellbinder dies. The gorgeous vintage seam binding in LIME is from the Ribbon Carousel and it's topped with a cute lil gingerbread man button (Dress it Up). I embossed the crumb cake CS with a dot EF. The DP is Simple Stories.

Check out all  the details for this weeks challenge at the KKS blog. Play along with us and you might be the winner of a new Kraftin' Kimmie rubber stamp!

{TSG Peeks} SnowBuddies

Snowbuddies, the new set from Melyssa, has SO many possible ways to be used; we can’t even begin to tell you how excited we are about it! With a whopping 57 stamps, you can build your own snowman, use one provided, or a little of both. It’s the easiest way to build a snowman, and you don’t even have to get cold to do it. ;)

I used a $1 frame from Michaels and Snow buddies to create a little snowman scene depicting my family :) I masked the three lil ones in the front, and added mom and dad behind. I added some handcut snowdrifts, trees and fence (using YNS dies) and snowflakes (MFT die). The little red bird is a button from Dress It Up. I topped the snowflakes with SU rhinestones.
 After staining the frame, I added snowflake diecuts (again, MFT), buttons and brown jute twine (Ribbon Carousel). The letters were cut with a Stampin' Up! alphabet die ... Oops! I see now that I must have forgot to add the dot to the 'i'! I'll have to go down to the stamping room and look for it!

I didn't use the Snowman Sentiments on my project today, but there are so many sweet sayings...I can't wait to make up some cards with them!

Snow buddies  is a 6x8 set that includes a total of 57 stamps and will sell for $24.00.

What’s a snowman, without a SUPER cute and TOTALLY clever sentiment to go with it…well, we don’t want to know! The Snowman Sentiments set has 9 fabulous sentiments to coordinate with your Snowbuddies set, or any holiday set you want!

Snowman Sentiment is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 9 stamps and will sell for $9.00.

Would you like to win the new Snowbuddies or Snowman Sentiments stamp sets? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, November 24th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

{TSG Peeks} Snow Globe and die

I told you yesterday that you had to wait until today to see WHY the new Holiday Cheer set was so versatile…well, wait no more! Not only is it a set that stands alone, the SUPER cute images were designed to fit into today’s set, Snow Globe! Along with a matching die, Torico has really out done herself!!

Okay- this hunchback bear decorating a tiny tree is my FAVE of the set we showcased yesterday, Holiday Cheer...Isn't it awesome that those 4 images from that set fit perfectly into the Snowglobe set?? Yep- we're pretty smart over at TSG ;) This is going to be one of my go-to Christmas combo's for years to come!!

I coloured up my image with copics (the minty colour is honestly not as bright IRL as the picture is showing!) I did some sponging around the edges of the DP to soften the look, as well as inking up a Dress It Up snowflake button (tied with Ribbon Carousel's natural Jute Twine) so that it was less white! The banner flags were cut using MFT's fishtail flag STAX. I added some machine stitching around the outside and horizontal panel.

Snow Globe and Die is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 4 stamps and will sell for $29

Would you like to win the new Snow Globe and Die set? Here is what you need to do-visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, November 24th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

{TSG Peeks} Holiday Cheer!

Torico is at it again, bringing us another SUPER cute Holiday set to love and adore, and this one has a twist…but you will have to wait until tomorrow to see WHAT the twist is!! Just take it from me, this set is so versatile, you will be turning to it again and again for all your holiday needs! With four ADORABLE scenes, and four fabulous sentiments, you are sure to fall in love.

Holiday Cheer is a 4x6 set that includes a total of 8 stamps and will sell for $15.00.

Would you like to win the new Holiday Cheer stamp set? Here is what you need to do-visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, November 24th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

{RCC74} Thanks A Bunch{RCC74} Thanks A Bunch

Have you played along yet with this month's Ribbon carousel Challenge?!  We are now doing monthly challenges with a big 'ol prize at the end for one lucky challenge participant!  

Each month we are giving away a Ribbon Carousel 

to one of our randomly chosen challenge participants!

This month's theme is

Giving Thanks/Fall

 I made a CAS kind of card, which isn't normally my style but I have been feeling under the weather, and like most moms I know, have not heeded my body's warnings! Yesterday I had a super hard workout at the gym (my trainer kicked my hiney!) and then cleaned my house like a crazy person getting ready for my sister in laws baby shower, which I hosted last night! So with all that, I had no energy for my initial plan (which was to use the same MFT Turkey Girl image like the AMAZING colouring goddess Wendy R! Thank goodness I ddn't colour the same thing as her- it would have been downright embarrassing;)  Plain and Simple it was!

I've used all Stampin' Up! goodies, minus my favorite natural jute twine from the Ribbon Carousel.

Ready to play?! 

There are three rules to be eligible for the prize:

1.  You MUST use ribbon or twine on your creation 

2. Your project must be based on the theme of the month

3. You must add  a NEW project  to the inlinkz below and link directly back to your project on your blog or online gallery.

You have until November 30th to add your creation to the link below. The random winner of the ribbon carousel will be announced here on the blog on Monday, December 3rd!

To link up your project, click HERE and go to the bottom of that post!    

Good luck!

{TSG182} Sexy and I know it!

This week, our challenge is brought to us by Jessie! She is challenging us to use the sketch provided!! This week’s sketch was inspired by a card made by our fabulous Trendsetter, Jenny (that's me!)

Okay- you are all gonna think I'm nuts when you see this card, but trust me, there is a funny back story around a certain Borat-style mankini, and this card was made to pay homage to the male swimsuit that lurks in the shadows...just waiting for it's day in the sun (literally) lol!

I used the donkey from the set Ba Donkey Donk, drew in his mankini with a copic multiliner, as well as his moustache (Happy Movember Everyone!) I added some green stickles to the suit, glaze pen to his hair, hooves and 'stache, and a little buttermilk spica pen to the sand flecks.

The green net ribbon is from the Ribbon Carousel, as well as the black jute twine, tied onto a purple button.

 The sentiment is from the set Donkey University. 

To be eligible for the giveaway, create a card or project using circles in any way you like, and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (November 26th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the lookout to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG182 so we can check out your beautiful work!

{KKS} New Release Hop!

Hiya! Welcome to Kraftin' Kimmie's new release BLOG HOP! All of the stamps that you've seen the Krafty Girls and Guests preview the last couple of days are now available in the KKS Store for purchase! We have our Travel Trinket Collection, Cheryl's Lexi, Lucas and Lulu kiddos, Emilie's Cute-a-Saurus dinos, and Annie's Travel Girls Moonlight Whispers!

For the hop tonight, I have used cute little Lexi....she's all packed up for her sleepover at Grandma's house, maybe? Haha- kids always crack me up when you let them pack their own overnight bag.....filled to the brink with toys, movies, and books and not a stitch of clothing or a toothbrush in sight ;) Priorities, I guess!

I used some vintage looking OA paper, paired with Bazzill Cardshoppe card stock. An MFT flower die and a cute lil button tied with Ribbon Carousel's Navy jute add some dimensional interest.

Don't forget to leave some lovely comments along the way, as a few lucky stampers will win prize packages filled with some of these new stamps!!

{KKS} New Travel Girls & a Challenge!

So are you here for a new challenge or are you here to check out the brand new ANNIE stamps for NOVEMBER???? Well, either way, we've got ya covered!! Not only do we have a new weekly challenge but we also have SIX new AWESOME stamps!!!

This month we are adding to a theme that we've already started.....TRAVEL GIRLS!!! I posted a question on our Facebook fan page about what travel girls you'd like to see and we have SIX of your most popular answers in today's previews!!!!

Just wait 'til you see all the incredible creations by the Krafty Girls and Guests featuring Carmen from Spain, Felina from Mexico, Helena from Greece, Myriam from Switzerland, Priya from India and Svetlana from Russia!! Prepare your pocketbook.....because you're gonna want them ALL!

I've used Felina from Mexico...have I mentioned that I LOVE MEXICO!! lol! This is my favorite of our travel girls this month:) I coloured her with copics and added an MFT hibiscus die topped with a brown brad. One of the things that I love most about Mexico (besides the tequila!) is the decor! The bright colours just get me!! I tried to bring some of those colours into my card today....

Check out all the amazing creations on today's hop in combination with this week's challenge!! The lovely SHERI is our hostess this week and her challenge features a fantastic SKETCH!! Use the sketch she has provided as inspiration for your card or scrapbook page! And the random winner of this week's challenge will receive the new MYRIAM, as featured on her gorgeous creation!! 

{KKS Previews} Cute-A-Saurus

Today at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps we are sharing a new

 set by the totally talented Emilie Goulet!!! We've got

 something super cute and so unique for you!! Perfect

 for the little kidlets in your life....and maybe some old

 fossils too!!! It's CUTE-A-SAURUS! Emilie has created   

a fun set of DINOSAUR images for your cards and 

scrapbook pages!

Okay, Mom to 3 boys...adorable dinosaurs...need I say more? I am in LOVE!! This is probably my favorite card that I've made this week- I just think this little guy with his baby doll is precious!! This DP is an old pack, I can't even remember who made it! I used MFT fishtail flags dies, as well as spellbinders. The orange ribbon is from the Ribbon Carousel, as well as the navy jute twine. The button is one from my stash.

Below you will find a list of all the Krafty Girls who are

 sharing PEEKS with you today!! And as you're hoppin'

 around, be sure to leave a comment at each stop 

because someone will win a package of these fun 

stamps!!

All our new NOVEMBER 2012 stamps will be available

 on Sunday at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop!!! And

 come on back tomorrow because not only will we have

 a fantastic new challenge for you, but we'll be

 revealing the NEW stamps by Annie Rodrigue!!! Get 

ready to take a trip around the world!!

{TSG} Happy Holiday Penguin

Hi there! Welcome to the final day of November's There She Goes (Again!) week. Every month we take a look back at some awesome TSG stamp sets in hopes of bringing you fresh inspiration and perhaps introducing you to some of our best-selling stamps. This week we have had a peek at some wonderful winter sets:

STICK TOGETHER

JUST FOR YOU

PENGUIN PALS

Today, the trendsetters are sharing their brand-new creations and you're in for a treat! Check out the TSG blog for all of those cards!!

Here is my card, using the super sweet Penguin Pals:

And here's a close up, tilted towards the light so that you can see all the spica glitter and glaze! I used SU CS, Imaginese DP, MFT snowflake and fishtail flags dies and a Webster Pages Sparkler, as well as some unknown red rhinestones.

Thanks for popping in! See you soon....

{KKS Previews} Day 2

Welcome back to our NOVEMBER Krafty Peeks!!! Today 

we are excited to share the TWO new SETS by artist

 Cheryl Alger!!! First we have some characters that you 

are already familiar with.....Lulu, Lexi and Lucas! And

 we are very excited to share a sweet new inspirational

 set by Cheryl!!! It's OFF WE GO!! and DELIGHTFUL 

VERSES!!! 

I've made two cards for today- the first using the Delightful Verses set. I coloured the sunflowers with copics, adding glaze pen to the ladybugs and chocolate liquid pearls to the brown centres. The edges of the image and sentiment panels were inked with Wild Honey Distress Ink. The Walnut Seam Binding and Natural Jute Twine are from the Ribbon Carousel and the little brown button is SU. The DP is Crate Paper's Farmhouse, and the CS is SU (early espresso and cherry cobbler) and x-press blending stock to colour on.

My second card features one of my fave KKS characters, Lucas! I coloured him with copics (he wanted to be a gingy today;) and pieced his shirt and lil hobo sack. Some MFT dies and a little Dress It Up button tied with Brown Jute Twine add some interest.

All the Krafty Girls and Krafty Guests listed below

 have  lots of super designs to show you, so be sure to 

hop over to each of them! And while you're there, be

sure to leave a comment because we are giving away 

one of EACH of the new sets!!! You could WIN the new 

OFF WE GO! or DELIGHTFUL VERSES set!!!!!

Then come on back tomorrow to check out MORE new

stamps we have to show you , this time by artist Emilie

Goulet!!! And ALL the new stamps will be available on 

Sunday at the KKStamps Shop!!

Happy hoppin'!

{RC/ WhimsieDoodles} Blog Hop!

The Ribbon Carousel Crewmates are teaming up with the talented designers from Whimsie Doodles to bring you a blog hop jam packed with crafty eye candy!  

We will be helping to show off some of the amazing digi stamps AND some ribbon and twine from the Ribbon Carousel, of course!  

Here’s a little about our sponsor:

Whimsie Doodles is so excited to be blog hopping with the RC! 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 challenges and tutorials.

We are huge fans of Melyssa here at the RCC! And can you guess why? Aside from the fabulous designs and amazing artwork from the Whimsie Doodles team, Melyssa is the designer of the carousel in our previous logo! 

Now, lets talk prizes!   

Hop along with us today and leave some blog love for our Ribbon Carousel Crewmates and the Whimsie Doodle designers to be eligible to win one of the 2 prizes up for grabs!  We'll select 2 random commenters from 2 randomly selected designer blog, so be sure to spread the love around!

The Whimsie Doodles prize is a $25 Gift Certificate to the Whimsie Doodles store, and the RC prize is a $25 Gift Certificate to the RC store! 

Ready to Hop?!

I've used Whimsie Doodles Flakey Snowman and 5/8" light fuschia satin grosgrain double band ribbon from the Ribbon Carousel. 

I added some stardust glitter pen to the snowflakes, glaze pen to the buttons and white pen to add some highlights to my Copic colouring. 

I used this weeks SSSC sketch. You can find that HERE.

I'm also entering this card for the current Whimsie Doodles Challenge (Holiday), which is also a Guest DT contest for January's release! Check that post out HERE!

{MFT} You're A Star!

Hey there! I have a card to show you today that I made for My Favorite Things guest design team spot for this month:) I always have so much fun when I have been able to play with the MFT designers in the past, so I am going to take a stab at it again this month.

Here is my card, using this sketch:

This card was a HOOT to make!!! It's not my normal style, as I m a bit of a copic addict, so I tend to lean towards the images that need to be coloured ;) But sometimes it's fun to stretch a bit and challenge yourself!

I used the following stamp sets and dies: Just The Ticket stamp and die set. At The Movies stamp and die set, Star Border die, Mini Film Strip die, and Peek-A-Boo Squared.

And here is the inside. She is turning 32 soon, so I thought it would be cute to stamp 'Take 32'!
The DP is a mix of SU and some unidentifiable scraps in my scrap-bin! The CS is SU as well, and the brads are from Michaels. 

Well, that's it for me today! Stay tuned this week for Kraftin' Kimmie new release peeks! xo

{TSG181} Snowy Joy

This week our There She Goes challenge is brought to us by our Trendsetters! We are challenging YOU to make a card or project using a winter theme. Snow, snowmen, just make it wintery!!

I used the stamp set Holly Jolly and coordinating Holly Jolly die (comes with the set!). I stamped the snowball circle with memento ink and did a tiny bit of colouring with copics (BG10, C3) to add some shading. I added some silver brads and a jewel brad to the centre of the snowflake. Some vintage seam binding (in graphite) from the Ribbon Carousel finishes it all off:)

To be eligible for the giveaway, create a card or project using this week’s challenge(winter) and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (November 19th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the lookout to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG181 so we can check out your beautiful work!

{YNS} New Release Hop!

Hello!  Welcome to the Your Next Stamp November New Release Blog Hop!  We are so excited this month because we are introducing ANOTHER new illustrator to the YNS family ~ Macy Wong!  Her images are so super sweet and we know you are just going to love them!  We also have some adorable new Franfou images, and Mabel Designs!  To start the hop, head on over to Kerri’s Blog. 

Did someone say prizes???  We have 3 new release prizes hidden along the hop!  You must leave comments on all of the DT blogs to qualify for the prize drawing.  You have until Friday, November 9th at 12 midnight (EST) and the winners will be posted on the YNS Blog on Saturday, November 10th. 

Oh My Gosh!! I am in love with these new bunnies! They are so stinkin' cute! This lil fella is so excited about the season....One of the sentiments that comes with this set was stamped on a flag tag and hangs under the bow (Ribbon Carousel). I actually used a baby DP pad when I made this Christmas card....don't be afraid to use paper that isn't specifically for a certain season. Mixing it up is a great way to make your card stand-out, as well as using up some supplies;)

Karen is also offering a fabulous Hop Special ~ 15% off your entire purchase including sale items!  The code is YNSNOV2012.  She also has some great bundle deals and some awesome steals in the YNS Bargain Bin!

Now it’s time to hop on over to Susan’s blog, but don’t forget to leave me a comment before you go!  Happy Hopping!

{TSG180} Leaping Lions!

This week our challenge is brought to us by Debby!  She has challenged us to make a card or project using some medium to dress up your coloring! Whether you use stickles, crystal effects, diamond glaze, glitter, gel pens, glace, liquid pearls…just anything to make your normal coloring that much more!

I used the cute set Jungle Out There.  I coloured my lion up with Copics and added Spica glitter pen to his mane, paws and tai for a little sparkle. I also added sakura glaze pen to his nose and mouth.

The awesome DP is from Farmhouse and the brown twine is my fave Ribbon Carousel stock. CS is Bazzill Card Shoppe and SU. Brads are from Michaels.

To be eligible for the giveaway, create a card or project using this dress it up challenge, and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (November 12th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the lookout to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG180 so we can check out your beautiful work!