Me and My Lil' Buddy

I have been really enjoying the most recent release of the Oddly Sweet Curiosities Sets #3 and #4.  Having two teenage boys, it has been great fun to make cards that even they think or cool.  I also love that there are no color 'rules' when it comes to all of these monsters.  I can play with color and sparkle and shine to my heart's content!

This wonderful image is called Me and My Lil' Buddy.  It would make a great card for Father's Day, but I really love a 'just because' card using the sentiment that comes with it.

The papers are from Prima and those fabulous wooden hearts are part of the veneers from Studio Calico.  Be certain to see what current collections are available as SCACD always has something fabulous!

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Alex

The Thinker

This image from The Oddly Sweet Curiosities Set #3 is very aptly named The Thinker.  The sentiment used here "You're one in a million" comes with the image.  Great for making cards for kids, friends or just because.  I made this one more 'boyish' since that is what my house is filled with so I have great inspiration available.  The papers are from  Bo Bunny.  This particular one is out of stock, but SCACD has a great selection including a bunch of new papers.

This card is headed to the box for Operation Write Home. I used on of their sketches for design inspiration as well.  Operation Write Home Sketch #161


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Alex

Miracles Happen

This darling and her fabulous saying are Miracles Happen from the latest release by SCACD of The Oddly Sweet Curiousities Set #3.  Yes, to me this image is a 'she'.  Why, well because of Cera from The Land Before Time.  My youngest watched this movie over, and over and over and....., well, you get the idea.  Cera was my absolute favorite character.  I can just hear her saying this too.  As a mom, I can also hear myself saying it to my kiddos as well :)

After coloring up the image Miracles Happen and stamping the sentiment, I paired them with paper from the MME Lucky in Love pack.  The pearls around Miracles Happen are made using the Viva Decor pearl pen in white.

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Alex

Suki

This lovely lady is Suki by Joanne Schempp and a digi image available at Sweet Pea Stamps.  I love image the way the aritist has her colored, I love it printed in black and white and love it here.  Just some simple elegance to it all.

I paired the image with paper from Teresa Collins, some lace, prima flowers and Viva Decor pearl pen in cream.

I used a sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday #194-5

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Alex

Sweet Pea Stamps BLOG CANDY alert!!!

BLOG CANDY:
Post your latest favorite image in the Sweet Pea Stamp line, in the Sweet Pea BLOG comment section HERE. Post by Sunday Night. I will randomly pick three winners, one winner will will a $10 gift card to our online store, the second and third winner will win $5 gift cards to our online store. Winners will be posted on Monday, on the blog. We will not notify you, you will have to check back to the Sweet Pea BLOG on Monday.

 Look what's on Sale (only while overstock is high):
Sale

More DIGI's added:
New Digis

The website got a facelift,
to celebrate this SPS is offering plate #6 for only one penny with a $25 purchase, more details on our homepage of our website:
Sweet Pea Stamps

Don't forget about our challenge:
ONE SWEET CHALLENGE

Lovester

Lovester, what a fun and fabulous name for such a character from The Oddly Sweet Curiosities Set #4.  The sentiment is the matching one that accompanies the image.  I used paper from the American Crafts Soho Garden collection.  I fussy cut a couple of the teacups from the paper to use as decorative elements.  My favorite though has to be the fuzzy slippers using pink flowersoft.
Sketch from Sketch Saturday week #246


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Alex

Unchained Melody

Unchained Melody is one of the new images by Teresa Sherman for Sweet Pea Stamps and is part of Plate #237.  When I saw it my first thought was 'that is a sturgeon!'.  I have had the opportunity to see some extremely large sturgeon at the hatchery at Bonnevilee Damn in Oregon.  They are beautiful and fasinating creatures.  When Teresa Sherman paired one with such a stunning mermaid, I fell in love.

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Alex

Just a little bit crazy

This past weekend I visited my brothers and participated in the Spartan Race in Arizona.  Not only the race, but here I am with a good friend at 5:30 AM getting ready to hit the course (after 120 burpees in the parking lot) with the Hurricane Heat. (I am the one looking still asleep)  Basically they take all the suckers participants out to parts of the course and have us run obstacles in unusual manners and really work us over and work as teams.  It is a fabulous time and I am glad I did it, even four hours later when we got back.  THEN we did the actual race.

Here we all are, right before we head out to the course in our regular heat.  Yep, Lisa and I are the tough ones.  They guys all slept in and only did the regular heat.  Wimps :).

I'll post more of my thoughts and pictures on my 'being healthy' blog as soon as I can figure out how to get some pictures off my Kindle Fire, lol!  In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy seeing a bit of the insanity that is me.

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Alex

Irish Chick

I was super excited when I learned that we were going to be using Joanne Schempps Art Irish Chic for variations week on the Sweet Pea Stamps Blog.  She is just so sassy and fun!  I gave her lots of shimmer and sparkle with stickles.  I am loving seeing what the rest of the Design Team has created, aren't you!?!

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Alex

SCACD New Release and Blog Hop

Today SCACD releases the sequel to the oh so popular Oddly Sweet Curiosities!!!

This is a fun and fresh stamp Collection from Susana Loves Stamps!!!We proudly introduce the Oddly Sweet Curiosities Sets 3 and 4 which house some of the cutest little Curiosities with matching sentiments. SCACD has continued with the appeal these little Curios have that are a combination of inspiration as well as happiness through laughter the best medicine!!! Each Curiosity comes with its own matching sentiment. So pick up one or the whole set so you can mix and match the sentiments. These are Fab and definitely year around fun!!!

I hope you are having fun with the hop and being inspired.  You should have come from Dianne's BLOG, and if not, please start at the store blog so you don't miss a THING!

 This is *Retail Therapy*, she and her sentiment are one the cuties from the Oddly Sweet Curiosities Set 4.  I have paired her with paper from the Echo Park Love Story collection and used the Dies by SCACD Ribbons and Bows Dressform.  Her pearls are made with a Viva Decor Pearl Pen and the eyes on her shoes and bag touched with Diamond Glaze.  
 

This ADORABLE guy is Choose Happy.  I will admit that when I first saw him, I was not in love.  NOW, I am head over heels in love with him!  Think of all the different cards and occasions he can be used for!  Children's cards, men's cards, make someone smile cards, all of them!  He would pair with most any sentiment and he just makes you want to smile!
After stamping and coloring him, I added some glimmer to his wings with a clear Copic Glitter pen.  There is a bit of Stickles on the scales, and diamond glaze on his eyes.  The Dies by SCACD used are the Classic Corners and Ornate Hinge. 

Your next stop on the Hop is Melanie's BLOG.  I know she has some AMAZING things for you to see, be sure and leave her some love while you are there.

Once you finish, pick up ALL of these at SCACD here or our International friends can get these at QuixoticPaperie

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Alex

Dawn's Fairy

This is a beautiful image from the Mythical Reflections set exclusively for SCACD.  Her name is Dawn's Fairy. 

As a fairy, I knew she needed sparkle wings and lovely hair.  I am happy with the result, but it was attempt number two.  I had something happen that I have only heard horror stories of ......

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA - the blob of ink!!  NOOOOOOOOO, the horror!!

So, stamped her up again and started over.  I paired her with paper from the Bazzill Timeless collection.  The vines on the top and corners are cut using the Dies by SCACD Fancy Flower and Key Corner.

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Alex

So In Love Hooty

The second I saw Concetta Kilmer's image So In Love Hooty I knew I had to have it.

These sweet owls are just the pefect image for a sending my love card, or a wedding or anniversary or just because.  I am looking forward to playing with several different color combinations.  Jennifer had another version she shared a bit ago you can see HERE.  Don't you need this image?  Perfect for so many things, right?

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Alex

Solid Blank Canvas Woman - following the muse

Sometimes I just have a vision in my head and have to create.  This was one of those times.  I will admit, the first run at it was not so successful and required a few minor modifications, but I am pretty thrilled with the end result.

I used the side of box I had to cut a piece that is approximately 6 x 9 inches.  I tore the front paper off to give it a roughed up look then sprayed it with Dylusions ink spray.

While that was drying, I stamped the Solid Blank Canvas Woman image onto some canvas fabric with Versamark Ink and embossed it with a black holographic embossing powder.  I added some black stitching around the edge.

I took a scrap of the canvas material and sprayed it with the same Dylusions ink spray I had used on the cardboard.  The flower is created using an strip of lace gathered up and pearls placed in the center.  Once it was dry I cut the leaves from the canvas I had sprayed. 

I put it all together and added some cording around the edge to frame it.  I am so please that this is actually going up on my wall.

I hope that you take the time to follow your creative muse!

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Alex

Miranda

This is another of the Fairy Portraits drawn by Elaine Cox.  Her name is Miranda.  I love all four of these images and they are a joy to color.  Usually I do this one with fall colored leaves, but I wanted to brighten it up this time around so went with spring green instead.

The background paper is from the Carta Bella Devoted collection.  A great collection for Valentine's Day creations.

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Alex

The Silentness

The Silentness is a ching-chou kuik image that I love to use for horizontal cards.  She just looks so peaceful and is such fun to color.  The Silentness  can be purchased individually in rubber or digi or the full plate #57 in rubber with three other amazing images!

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Alex

Vintage Eyes Goes Western

This beautiful lady is called Vintage Eyes and is part of the Eyes of Fables and Adventures collection designed exclusively for SCACD.  Not only is she holding a lovely flower, but she also comes with a poinsettia accessory stamp so that you can make her very Christmas Holidays easily. 

I decided to go for more of a vintage/western feel with her today.  I used some of the Bazzill Miss Teagan papers.  The ribbon accent is also cut out from the same pack of Bazzill papers.  I really love the cardstock weight of this paper.  It is so sturdy and nice to work with.  I put Vintage Eyes in her own frame to coordinate with the background paper, aged the paper with some ink and viola!

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Alex

Mythical Reflections

One of the most recent stamp releases from SCACD is the Mythical Reflections Collection.  It is impossible for me to pick a favorite image from this release, but today I am sharing Hannah.

A fairy always calls for some sparkle and shimmer.  I have some great ways to do that with things I have gotten from SCACD.  The scepter and crown are both colored using the Spica Copic glitter pen in gold.  Behind Hannah are the Nature's Tapestry Fan, one of the Dies by SCACD.  They are coated with Diamond Stickles.

Hope your new year is treating you fabulously and you are getting plenty of time to craft!

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Alex

Bess

I have always loved the image Plate #85 of fairy portraits drawn by Elaine Cox.  This is one of them and the image is called Bess.  I had such a wonderful time coloring her hair.  Once that was done, I realized that the majority of the image was colored!  I distressed the image and placed on a background paper from the Bazzill Miss Teagan Sue collection.

What are your favorite Sweet Pea Stamp images?  Can you actually pick just one?

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Alex

Cecaelia

There is a new sheet of images drawn by Rebecca Sinz available at Sweet Pea Stamps.  Plate #234 and all four images are stunning.  I was really taken with Cecaelia.  I never have imagined and octopus as sexy, but Cecaelia makes it so.

The background paper is some older Basic Grey I had.  The fabulous die cuts that, in my opinion, are perfect for this are some of the Dies by SCACD.  These are the Ornate Hinge die.


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Alex

Rockstar Eyes

Welcome to 2013!!  It is going to be a FABULOUS year!  I decided there was no better way to start the year than using the image Rockstar Eyes (Alex), my namesake stamp.  I just LOVE her!!!  She is part of the Eyes of Dreams and Beauty Collection from SCACD. 

I thought this paper from the American Crafts So Ho Garden pack was very pretty and colorful and I wanted to use it.  I colored up Rockstar Eyes to coordinate with the paper and then began to create.  This went through several phases before becoming what you see here.  Sometimes I know exactly what I am going to do and sometimes it is trial and error.  This was definitely the second.

The sentiment is one that accompanies Monster Success and is from the Oddly Sweet Curiosities Set #2.  If you haven't seen these, you really should give them a look.  They will put a smile on your face for certain.

SCACD is open again after the holiday break so be certain to check out what is new and available.  Maybe even pick up something that has been lingering on your wish list that Santa forgot to bring ;).

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Alex

Dead Sea

This stunning image is part of the Plate #234 by Rebecca Sinz  for Sweet Pea Stamps and is called Dead Sea.  I absolutely love that it is so true to the original tales of mermaids.  They are the sirens of the sea and lure sailors to their death in the depths of the water.  This lovely is surrounded by the bounty of her conquests.

After coloring, including a couple of gold teeth in the skulls you can't really see, and adding stickles to the tail,  I matted and backed with a pattern paper from the Echo Park Love Story Collection.

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Alex

Sweet Sale at Sweet Pea Stamps

Through Dec 31st!!!

All rubber stamps are 50% off

(digi's excluded)

Adrift

This is another wonderful mermaid image drawn by Rebecca Sinz for Sweet Pea Stamps called Adrift.  I have been playing around with colors because to me mermaids, fairies, etc. can all be any color, have any color hair, etc.  That is part of what makes them so fabulous!

The background paper is from the Bazzill pack Miss Teagan Sue.  It was super wonderful to use bright colors and flowers with such dreary weather outside.

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Alex

Little Draco

I am sooooooooo in love with this Mythical Reflections Collection.  Love it ALL!!!  This time I played with Little Draco.  Isn't he just the best dragon ever?

He is covered, and I mean COVERED in stickles so he sparkles just like any good dragon should.  The background paper is from the Teresa Collins Now and Then paper pad.  The die is from the Dies by SCACD and is the Classic Timepiece.  The hands in the corner are from the cut out portion of the die. 

Don't forget to do one last shop in time for Christmas so that Santa (cleverly disguised as a postal worker) can deliver exactly what you want!

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Alex

Sweet Pea Stamps- Thank You Lynette!

Each year the Sweet Pea Stamps design team loves to create a hop for Lynette, owner of Sweet Pea Stamps as our gift to her for Christmas. We are all in awe of the lovely stamps she offers and want to show our appreciation for her kindness and generosity.

 

Today I am going to share a creation made using the image Wind Swept by Rebecca Sinz.   This lovely image is on a sheet with 3 other amazing images or can be purchased individually in rubber or digital format.

After coloring the image I paired it with turquoise card stock and a pattern paper from the Teresa Collins Now and Then collection. 

 What would a blog hop be without some candy? So one lucky person will win these gorgeous rubber stamps. Just leave comments along the way - each time you do you will earn another chance at winning!

 

This year the hop stops are:

Karina

Alex

Ali

Connie

Jennifer

Holley 

Randi

Nataliya

Lori

Sweet Pea Stamps

 Thank you for stopping by and good luck! 

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Alex

50% OFF SALE!

50% off Sale!!!!

extended thru Thursday:

_________________________

Check out our "$2 and Under" stamp sale, they make perfect inexpensive Christmas gifts:

"$2 and Under" Stamp Sale

NEW DIGI's added this week:

Purchase $30 worth, 10 stamps (after any gift vouchers) of digi's get a $6 gift voucher for your next order (that is like getting 2 free on your next order).

NEW DIGIS

We are now offering Gift Certificates for the Christmas Season!

We have added an event calendar to our website to keep you informed on the latest happenings

Butterfly Kisses

This adorable image is called Butterfly Kisses and from the Elisabeth Bell exclusive to SCACD Sampler 8 collection.

I ended up pairing her with papers from two different collections.  They both worked so well with the image and together.   Also, since the paper police have never been to my house, I couldn't think of a reason not to.  The floral background is from the American Crafts - Soho Garden.  The real with the script print is from the Teresa Collins - Tell Your Story.  Those gorgeous corners are from the Dies by SCACD - Garden Corners and only one of the two fabulous die designs you get. 

Since I awoke to snow on the ground this morning, a bit of sunshine in my creations was a nice thing to have.

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Alex

Midnight Rose

This lovely lady is Midnight Rose by Elaine Cox.  I had this background paper from Teresa Collins on my  table and the image stamped out sitting in the same area.  I noticed the roses in both and knew it was a perfect match, as long as I could color the image correctly.  The corners are Dies by SCACD Classic Corners.  Very pleased with it and looking forward to sending this card to a friend in need of some 'happy mail'.

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Alex

Is it birthday season as well?

I have posted this in the past, but was reminded of it today.  :)



As a December baby (today isn't my actual birthday day though) I would like to take a moment and remind others of the dilemma.  Specifically #4.  I Probably should have made that #1.  As people with our birthdays at this time of year, we have enough to 'deal with' without your added griping.  Please stop.  It really gets old hearing how tough it is on YOU to have to buy for us.  So don't.  It won't be the first or last time our birthday was ignored, forgotten or overlooked.  That is pretty standard for us.  It is also preferable to hearing about how inconvenient our day is.

ATTENTION!! ATTENTION!!! ATTENTION!!

Right about now is when all the holiday hustle and bustle really starts. I would like to take just a moment to remind you that some people still have birthdays in the next couple of months. I also want to give you a couple of tips with regard to those birthdays.

1- Do not wrap the present in holiday paper. If you don't have anything else, please use the newspaper.
2- A combined gift is fine, if it was requested. If the recipient is under 12 years old, separate gifts are necessary for them not to feel slighted. The cost does not matter, trust me on this.
3- Telling them to pick one from under the tree to open early, NOT a good idea.
4- They did NOT ask to be born during this time of year, do not complain to them. Complain to the parents and if you ARE the parents, well.....

Keep in mind this is only a mini list and there are other items that may apply. I can, however, guarantee that if you keep these four in mind it will be appreciated!

Bon Jour!

WOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO SCACD is open and has lots and lots and lots of new stuff!!!!  First though, I want to share what I created with Bon Jour Eyes and some of the items you can find at SCACD.

I adore both collections in this release, The Eyes of Adventure and Fables Collection.  There isn't a single image I don't just love!

After I colored up Bon Jour Eyes I paired her with some paper from the MME Lucky in Love paper - I know! - Valentine's Day paper!!!  Make sure you check out all the new papers SCACD has gotten in!

After that I paired the image with the Dies by SCACD Natures Tapestry Fan that matches the fan in the image's hand!  I have been just dieing to do this!  FUN!!!  I felt it needed a bit of 'pop'.  I had been playing with the Art Anthology Gelate and so grabbed it in Splash and covered the die cut for some shimmer.  One of the things that makes the Art Anthology Gelate so great is that it can be dimensional.  However, nothing says it has to be.

Can you see that shimmer?  Now imagine it about 10 times more because that is how it really looks!  Fabulous and all because I was too lazy to get up and grab something else.

Now, don't forget that there are tons of new items available at SCACD.  Be certain you do some holiday shopping for things you really want to open.  Something special under the tree just for YOU!

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Alex

Toucan

Loved coloring this image, Toucan by ching chou kuik for Sweet Pea Stamps.  I really love the images on this entire sheet.  You can see how I used the butterfly image "here" if you would like.  The colors for the Toucan were so cheerful and worked well with this Basic Grey paper.

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Alex

Sweet Pea Stamps

Black Friday through Cyber Monday:

All stamps 45% off

(except for ching chou kuik's Plate #232, Silent Woods, Silent Cry, Fall Woods Under the Pale Moon. Concetta Kilmer's Mr & Mrs Christmas Sweets and Elisabeth Bells Releasing Stars, Li'l Miss Polly and Li'l Peppermint Frolicking. Cushion, digi's and grab bags are also excluded)

More Digi's added, including some from Valarie Wade's Collection
NEW DIGI'S

DIGI SPECIAL, during our black friday and cyber monday special:
Purchase $30 worth, 10 stamps (after any gift vouchers) of digi's get a $9 gift voucher for your next order (that is like getting 3 free on your next order.

Mystery

I have paired Mystery by Anna Marine with some autumn colored paper from Bo Bunny and Dies by SCACD Vintage Fountain die cut.  I am quite pleased with the end result.  What would you create with this image?

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Alex

Who Me?

This cute image is called Who Me and is part of the Exclusive to SCACD Elisabeth Bell Sampler #8 release.   I have to admit this particular image didn't really call to me when I first saw it.  However, the minute I actually stamped it out and started to look for papers and colors is came to life and I loved creating with it.  I will use it again and again.  I think this is just a super versatile image for both cards for girls, especially pre-teens, and good friends.  It just works for so many thoughts and occasions.

I paired the image with papers from the Lilybee Victoria Park collection.  The vines at the top are the Dies by SCACD Fancy Flower and Key corner.  I created matching black pearls using the Viva Decor Pearl Pen in black.

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Alex

Arctic Princess

 When the latest release at SCACD, Mythical Reflections, came out last week, I couldn't wait to play with this image, Arctic Princess. All of the images in this release are amazing, but this mermaid and her seahorse just called to me!  They were begging to be blinged up!!!

 After stamping in Momento Tuxedo Black Ink, I colored up the image.  I used the Copic Glitter pen in gold on the reins.  Viva Decor Glitter liner in hologram on her tail, the ice crystals, and the shell on her crown and on the seahorse.  The seahorse main and fin on her tail are covered in Stickles.  I used Liquid Pearls for the dimension on the pearls at the top of her crown.

One of the most fun parts of creating this card though was making the ocean scene. I used Silk Acrylic Glaze in Oyster and French Lilac.  The Oyster was applied using a small brush and the Crafter's Workshop Flames Stencil.  The French Lilac was applied using a sponge and the Crafter's Workshop Branches Reversed stencil. 

The corner die cuts on the top are from the Dies by SCACD collection and are one of two gorgeous dies you receive in the Classic Corners.  Make sure you check out the SCACD Store Blog for other creations from the DT with the Mythical Reflections release and the Elisabeth Bell Sampler #8 release.

Challenges:
Songbird #7 - Could It Be Magic
Loves Rubber Stamps #25 - Anything Goes
Through the CraftRoom Door #43 - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Papelitos #19 - Anything Goes
Without Words - Nov. Whizz Bang/bright colors


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Alex

In The Wind

I had this lovely image In The Wind by ching-chou kuik for Sweet Pea Stamps in my stack of images that had been stamped but not colored. When I was looking through them, it jumped out at me and I couldn't believe I hadn't done anything with it yet. It is just so pretty and yet simple in its beauty.  The dreamy look on her face is fabulous.

I absolutely had to add Stickles, and a lot of them to this card as well.  She need to shimmer and shine as much as possible.  The Sun and Moon Statement Corner die was required as well.  I have never seen a die and image go together more perfectly than these two.

I know exactly where her new home is going to be.  Who do you know that needs a card sent to them today?  Wouldn't this stunning image make the perfect one to send?  The image is even on sale right now!

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Alex

NEW RELEASE at SCACD

This is SCACD's last 2 stamp releases of the year! We're bringing you cuteness from Elisabeth Bell for SCACD with 4 new adorable stamps in the Sampler #8 Collection. We also have Susana Loves Stamps new collection- Mythical Reflections which brings you 4 more mythical stamps to help inspire you and help you create!  Be sure to check out all the details on the SCACD store blog and hop along with the SCACD DT as we showcase these amazing new stamps!

As you are hopping, you will have come from Elaine's blog, if not please go to the SCACD store blog to start at the beginning.

The first image I want to share is Dawn's Fairy from Mythical Reflections.  This entire set just takes my breath away!

I used paper from the Bazzill Timeless collection for the background.  The corners are Dies by SCACD Garden Corners.  The vines/leaves on the side of the image are the cut out from the center of the Classic Timepiece. 

Next up is Golden Girl from the Elisabeth Bell for SCACD Sampler #8 collection.  She is such a cutie.

I wanted the blossoms to be pink because they reminded me of cherry blossoms. I like the matching of the cuffs on the sleeves with the design on the parasol.  Sometimes it really is about the details.  Speaking of which, the elements on the sides are the Dies by SCACD Ornate Hinge.  I am finding this to be such a versatile die.  More than I ever would have imagined.  I just slightly inked the white cardstock with a light blue so they would show against the white background.

For our International Friends, you can purchase these at Quixotic Paperie.

The next stop on the hop is Chris's blog.  I know she has some fabulous creations to share.  Be sure and leave her some love while hopping by.

Get Inky!
Alex