Sneaky Peek of High Hopes New Release

It's time to give you a peek of High Hopes new release stamps .... so here's introducing 'Toucan Twosome'!

I must confess that I'd no idea what colour a Toucan was, but thanks to Google, the general idea seems to be that they have back feathers and their beaks come in a multitude of colours ... so just match them to your DP LOL!

I thought this image would be perfect for a Valentine or Anniversary card.  I've also used some lovely ribbon from Ribbon Carousel ... they've a sale on at the minute but you'd need to be quick as it ends on 8 Jan.

Wanna see some more of the new release? ... pop over to High Hopes blog to see some fabulous creations from the High Hopes Dream Team!  Today is the first day of the Sneak Peeks for the new release.

We actually have 2 releases happening at the same time.

Today the team is showcasing some of the designs from the "Two by Two" release. 

This release is filled with fun images feature Noah and animal pairs. They can be used in conjunction with each other, for baby cards, or use the pairs for a fun Valentine's Day cards!

Tomorrow, we will be back with the other release images and the new challenge. 

Then at midnight EST on Wednesday morning, we will have a Blog Hop to celebrate the release. 

The stamps will be available to purchase on Wednesday.

Challenges I'd like to enter this card into:

Layout inspired by Willow Sketchie challenge 3 Jan

Crazy 4 Challenges #167 - ribbons and bows

Crafty Catz #164 - anything goes

Simon Says Stamp - new something (my new stamp and ribbon)

I'm Back!

Hi folks, I know I've been off the radar for a while, its been a very busy Christmas and New Year, and I've also been spring cleaning and painting my kitchen (and recovering from my New Year's celebrations)!  But back to work on Monday BooHoo so hopefully normal service will resume.  We've also a new release from High Hopes coming your way soon ... sneaky peaks will begin on Monday!

This card uses an old Sugar Nellie stamp - coloured with copics and flower soft added to her pompoms.  My fancy corner die is from Simon Says Stamp and the postmark sentiment stamp is from Lili of the Valley.

Sketch from the Sugar Bowl #98
Colour theme from the Play Date Cafe #163
Pile it On #49 - pile on the embellishments
Party Time Tuesday #101 - Celebrate
Tuesday Alchemy #47 - hopes, dreams or resolutions - my crafty New Year resolution is to re-ink my older stamps and use up unloved DP!
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
Penny's Paper Crafting Challenge #108 - use your favourite embellishment (mine is my bling and bakers twine!)

2012 Favourite 5

Following on from the Christmas favourite 5, Debby at A Scrapjourney is now asking us to show our Favourite 5 from 2012.
The more I think about it, the more I change my mind, so I'm just going to jump in with my current favourites!

Stamp set from Simon Says Stamp.  Original post here on my old blog

I discovered the 10 minute craft dash this year, what a tough challenge!  This card was totally enabled by my buddy Benzi! (She's a bad girl, forever leading me astray in various online craft stores LOL)
Original post here

And of course, a card featuring my much loved High Hopes stamps!
Original post here

I also discovered Wild Rose Studio stamps this year, how sweet is this little Ellie!!
Original post here

This Lili of the Valley stamp continues to be one of my favourites!
Original post here

And I just had to squeeze in a wee Paper Smooches card!
Original post here

Snowy Thanks

Wow, I can't believe that its almost New Year's Eve already!  We had a lovely Christmas, though Santa 'forgot' to leave me some crafty goodies with all my other pressies .... which I'm currently rectifying in some of the on-line sales!
Hope you have a good New Year ... I'm off partying, so am anticipating a bit of a sore head on Tuesday morning. Ha!

I needed a quick thank you card, so thought I'd use the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge as inspiration and combined with the 10 minute craft dash - total time 9 mins 43 secs!! The trick of this challenge is to have a definite plan as to what you're going to create and get all your stuff organised in advance.  I think the biggest portion of time was used up cutting my wee snowman out, there's minimal colouring and hardly any embellies.

Paper Smooches SPARKS Dec24-30 - picture challenge
10 minute Craft Dash #9 - holiday theme
CAS-ual Fridays CFC83 - 10 minute holiday card
Hotshot Craft #14 - clean and simple
Moving along with the Times - Thank You
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
Charisma Cardz #51 - anything goes

Favourite 5 Christmas cards

Debby4000 at A Scrapjourney is having her annual look back at your own Christmas creations, so this is my Top 5!
I've had a great crafty year, and I was so chuffed to join the High Hopes Dream Team as I've loved their stamps ever since I started card making.  I was gutted though when I ran out of room on my old blog and had to start again from scratch, losing all my old followers in the process.  Boo Hoo.
I definitely haven't been making as many cards as I used to ... I'm blaming that on being so busy at work and old age. Bwahahaha!

I think this is my Fave Fave!  (snowman from High Hopes)  More details on this post on my old blog.

One of my first efforts at a 'white + 1' card.
More details on this post

Another High Hopes fave, using one of their new release penguins - more details on this post

I bought this stamp (Papermania I think) as I'm currently doing a Michael Powell cross stitch, and loved this wee winter scene.

And last but not least, and hot off the press ... Greg's Christmas card!  





I've just noticed that my favourites are all varying shades of blue!!!! I'll have to get some brighter DP for next year LOL

Last one!

Hurrah, last Christmas card of the season!  I love making them, but not all those last minute ones ... I'll be better organised next year (though I've a funny feelin I said that 12 months ago!!)  Of course poor Greg gets left to the very end!!

Image from Pixie Cottage - coloured with copics, clear gloss added to his nose, sparkle to the baubles and flowersoft snow.

Anyway, hope whatever you're doing you have a fabulous Christmas Day tomorrow!
(I was just looking at the Santa tracking site there, and so far the Big Man has delivered over 2,600,000,000 pressies, that's some going!!)




Lexi's Creations #80 - snow
Joanna Sheen - with love at Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #104 - anything goes for Christmas
Simon Says - Merry Christmas
ABC Xmas -  Y is for your favorite punch or die (mine's this snowflake die from Marianne Designs)
Natalie and Amy - Winter Wishes
My time to Craft #202 - animals in the snow
Sarah Hurley Challenge #75 - Christmas
General layout inspired by this week's Featured Stamper at Splitcoaststampers - here's Sylvia's original

Froggy flower

Well all the pressies are bought and wrapped, cards written and any that haven't been posted are too late to send anyway (sorry if you didn't get yours!), decorations are all up, and I'm finally all ready for the Big Day!  All we need now is a wee sprinkle of snow, I'm so fed up looking at clouds and raindrops!!

It's been absolutely aaaages since I sat down and made a card just for fun, recently they've all been for special orders / Christmas cards / pressies!   I've used a Nellie Snellen stamp and some scraps of DP and Whimsy butterfly die.  Coloured with copics, sparkle added to her wings and pink bling to her wand and the butterfly.

Sketch from MFT Wednesday Sketch Club MFTWSC103
Papertake Weekly Pick of the Year - free choice - I used the Get Krafty challenge from 21 Feb
Divas by Design #66 - anything goes
Penny Black at Allsorts December challenge - It's Your Choice
Stampin for the Weekend #24 - anything goes