simon says... animal antics

Howdy, peeps! Have you heard?! :)

Yep - the annual STAMPtember® event is underway! :)

Simon Says Stamp was founded in 2002 with an interest in exclusively selling rubber stamps. It didn’t take long until we realized we couldn’t stop there. During the past 11 years we celebrate rubber stamping in its full glory by giving people around the world access to a one stop shop. Rubber stamps still remain the heart of our business and we are celebrating by hosting a “STAMPtember” event intended to inspire, educate, and celebrate the greatness of rubber stamping.

Part of the enticement of rubber stamping is that stamps can be used in creating or complimenting ANYTHING! From stamping dates on bank documents and postage parcels in the early 18th century, rubber stamping has dramatically expanded to include card making, life documenting, art journaling, scrapbooking, mixed media and many forms of altering and expressing art.

Be sure to join everyone over at the Official Simon Says Stamp Blog every day for new product reveals, inspirational ideas, blog hops, prizes... it's just a big ol' party, and you will NOT want to miss it! ;)

Now, on to today's post:

That's right! A new challenge is up over at the Wednesday Challenge Blog...

..and the theme is Animal Antics. The product line we on the DT used features some of the cutest animal images in the stamp arena - Lawn Fawn! Some of us also used products from The Craft's Meow. If you have either Lawn Fawn or The Craft's Meow in your stash, we'd love to see you use them along with us! But it's not mandatory for the challenge. :)

Anyway, on to my card:

Aren't these little guys adorable? :) Every image, including the sentiment, is from the Critters in the Snow set. I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink (the best for coloring with Copics),and then colored the penguins with Copics C5 (body - a few layers of this one was needed to get a deep enough color.. but don't go too dark, or you'll lose the other black-stamped details, such as his eyes and tail) and YR68 (feet). I also used the BG10 to give the snow depth and definition (using a cool aqua in select areas helps to make your white elements look 'whiter', and acts as a shadow). I also stamped the snowflakes in the background with some white dye ink, for a subtle look.

And now it's your turn! Upload your Animal Antics-themed project HERE no later than 8am EDT next Wednesday (the 11th), and you'll be included in the random drawing for a super-generous gift voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp!

That's it from me today. I know I said I had a card from the September card kit to show you, but someone needed it and I mailed it before remembering to take a picture first... oops. LOL I'll have another one for you tomorrow. Stay tuned. Thanks for reading! :)

simon says... anything goes!

Thaaaat's right Are you ready to play along? :)

This week's theme is the popular Anything Goes! And the team all used The Greeting Farm products on our creations. If you have any Greeting Farm goodies in your stash, we'd love for you to show us! But it's not a requirement of the challenge.

Anyway, here's my card:

I used the sweet Mini Flutters set, which also includes a die to match, making it a great value! I simply diecut a few butterflies from scrap paper to use as masks, and sponged Distress Inks on to my panel (Spun Sugar and Frayed Burlap). I then removed the masks, and used the stamps in the set to stamp the butterfly images in a fun, random collage style (same inks above, but added Gathered Twigs and Worn Lipstick), overlapping some of the masked areas. A little bit of flicking with some ink and an old toothbrush and some pearls add texture, while the sentiment is this one from My Favorite Things.

Alrighty - your turn! Upload your project HERE before 8am EDT Wednesday September 4th, and you'll be included in the random drawing to possibly win a very generous gift voucher to the Simon Says Stamp store, provided by the ever-generous Heidi and the gang. :)

That's it from me today... be back soon with something from Simon's September '13 card kit! And who could forget about STAMPtember®... it's just a few days away! ;)  xx

simon says... back 2 school

That's right! And this week's theme is Back 2 School! 

 The DT used products from Maya Road on our creations, so if you have any Maya Rd. in your stash, please use it along with us! However, it's not a requirement for anyone to participate in the challenge. :)

So here's my card:

An encouragement card for one of my kids, with my version of the chalkboard technique. :) I used Maya Rd.'s LISA LOWERCASE ALPHABET chipboard letters... how could I not? ;) They were painted with acrylic paint. The rest of the sentiment is from Simon's Exclusive YOU set, and was heat embossed. The background is Hero Arts' NOTEBOOK Cling stamp, and the chalkboard was made with the DESIGNER WOODGRAIN stamp. I also used Studio Calico's TINY STARS Wood Veneers, and colored them with a permanent red ink.

Now it's your turn! Upload your Back 2 School project HERE by 8am ET August 28th, and you'll be entered into a the weekly drawing for a very generous gift voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp, provided by the sweet Heidi and gang!

And be sure to head HERE to see what the rest of the team did... :D

Thanks for reading... see ya soon!