Friday, December 23, 2016

My Fave YNS Creations from 2016

There  is a comment to win contest going on right now of the YNS blog.   The design team and December guests are sharing their favorite creations from 2016.   Head on over there to comment for a chance to win a stamp set of your choice.

My favorite creation from 2016 is this one featuring the Silly Monster Rockstars.
YNS Supplies:  Silly Monsters Rockstars stamp set | Silly Monsters Rockstars die set | Lots of Dots Edge Stamp | Half Circle Flip die set
What a fun year!

Smiles,
Julie

Friday, December 16, 2016

YNS Winter Wonderland Designer Showcase


Have you been following along with the Your Next Stmap Winter Wonderland Designer Showcase series?
It spans 12 days and each day we are giving away a $10.00 gift certificate to the YNS Store.


Today is day 7 and I am up on the Your Next Stamp blog sharing shaped tags.

Here is a peek, but head on over there for all the details and to leave a comment for a chance to win.   Be sure to check back on the posts from days 1 - 6 too!



Smiles,
Julie

Friday, December 9, 2016

Coffee Lover's Blog Hop

Today I am playing along with the Winter Coffee Lover's Blog Hop!
Those cute penguins from The Cat's Pajamas are getting in to trouble again and this time they found the coffee cups (or in my house it would be the tea cups)!

Supplies:   TCP Jolly Holiday stamp set (larger Christmas stamps), TCP Big Cups stamp set (penguins), Penguin Joy (smaller snowflakes)

So can you guess where my inspiration came from for this CAS card?   This year's Christmas cup design at Dunkin' Donuts!   I was sitting in a meeting the other day and someone walked in with a cup - I knew immediately that I had to do my own take on it!

Head on over to the Coffee Lover's Blog to join in the hop - everyone is welcome to play along and there is a huge list of prizes!  You can find all the details HERE.

Have a wonderful day and enjoy your coffee, tea or cocoa!

Smiles,
Julie

YNS Snowman

Challenge #54 is up at Your Next Stamp starting right now!   This challenge runs for 4 weeks which will give you more time to play along during the busy holiday season.

I decided to go with the sketch this time around and pulled out some of the yummy new plaid paper from YNS as my starting point.

With a paper pieced scarf and hat the snowman was ready to go.  There are snow capped mountains in the distance and a water colored sky to create a background for Mr. Snowman.

Here are the sketch and color combo so you can play along.  Check out all the challenge details on the YNS blog.


Smiles,
Julie

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

It's a CASE

The Your Next Stamp Year in review celebration continues today with a CASE and a chance to win a stamp set of your choice!   Head on over to the YNS blog and leave a comment on the DT Dare post to be entered in the draw.    

How many times do you see a card made by someone else that you love and want to copy?   It happens to me all the time.   This month's Dare gave me the opportunity to copy away as the challenge was to CASE a creation from one of my teammates.

  YNS Supplies:  Fishy Fun stamp and die sets |  Stitched Rectangle Die Set | Peek-a-Boo Trio Large Die Set
I took inspiration from this card created by Martha.   Martha's layout was fun and a great way to showcase all the fish in Fishy Fun.   I turned my card, substituted circles instead of squares and added an extra sentiment.

Head on over to the YNS blog for a chance to win!

Smiles,
Julie

Sunday, December 4, 2016

YNS December Year in Review Blog Hop

This month the Your Next Stamp design team is hosting a Year in Review Blog hop.   The design team has put together a great line up sharing projects featuring products released during 2016.   There will not be a new release this month, but there are still plenty of fun stamps and dies in the YNS Store.

Of course we will be rewarding one lucky commenter with a $25.00 gift certificate to the Your Next Stamp store!!!  The more blogs you comment on along the hop the greater your odds of winning.   Leave a comment by 12/6 to be entered in the draw, the winner will be announced on the YNS blog on 12/8.


This is a blog HOP, so I went with none other than Sprinkles the sweet bunny (or trouble maker depending on what she gets in to!).

YNS Supplies:  Sprinkles Sugar Rush stamp set, Gumdrops, Sprinkles Sugar Rush Die set, Stitched Rectangle die set, Fishtail/Banner One Die setBlack Olive Premium Dye Ink Pad, Holly Berry Red Premium Dye Ink Pad, Winter Plaids Paper Pad
Sprinkles Sugar Rush is one of my favorite stamp sets released this year.  We have a pet bunny at my house, Chloe and using this set always makes me think of her.   Another fave on this card is the plaid paper - the blue and red color combo gets me every time.

My card is based on Sketch Saturday challenge #441.

Now get hopping, but don't forget to leave a comment before you go!   There are so many wonderful creations from my team mates, you won't want to miss a single stop on the hop.

Smiles,
Julie


Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Building a Snowman

Have you played along with challenge #328 on The Cat's Pajamas Blog yet?  This time around the theme is snow - snowmen, snowflakes, snowbanks, which type of snow will you choose? All stamps are welcome to join in the fun and you may just win a gift certificate to the TCP store!


Do you sometimes start off with one idea for a card in your head and then end up going the complete opposite direction?   That is this card.   Somehow colorful, bright and cheery turned in to monochromatic.  While flipping through papers the polka dots refused to be put to the side!


Here are the challenge details:
  1. Every other Tuesday a new challenge will be posted on The Cat’s Pajamas blog and our Facebook page.
  2. If you want to play along you just upload your design to The Cat’s Pajamas blog page using the InLinkz button by the Monday, 11:55 EDT before the next challenge.
  3. You are not required to use a Cat’s Pajamas stamp or die but if you have them we would love to see them.
  4. On the following TCP Tuesday, the winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10 or $15 if a TCP product is used.

Link up your creation on The Cat's Pajamas Blog and play along.  

Smiles,
Julie

Sunday, November 27, 2016

TCP Sale

Everything in The Cat's Pajamas store is on sale right now!

Take advantage of the sale through Monday to save on everything on your wish list!

Have fun shopping!
-Julie

Friday, November 25, 2016

Ugly Sweater Season

Your Next Stamp has a new challenge starting today!   Join in the fun for a chance to win a gift certificate to the YNS Store.

Do you own an ugly holiday sweater?   I don't own one, but I do own the YNS stamp set!
Pair that with the new Winter Knits paper pad and it is a match made in holiday heaven.
 YNS Supplies: Ugly Sweater stamp and die sets | Winter Knits paper pad | Scrapwork Strips die set | Holly Berry Red ink pad

Head on over to the YNS blog and play along.

Smiles, Julie

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

YNS Sale

Start your holiday shopping today!   Save at Your Next Stamp with the "It's Almost Black Friday Sale"!!!



Note:  Free Shipping does not apply during this sale - flat rate fee of $10 will be applied to orders over $75 in Canada and US.
Sale applies to in stock YNS products only

Have fun shopping!
-Julie

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Thanksgiving Placecards

Today on the Your Next Blog the design team is sharing tags of all different shapes and sizes.   Head on over there for a chance to win a stamp set of your choice.   All you need to do is leave a comment on the YNS Feature Day blog post for a chance to win.

Sooooo I admit, I stretched the idea of tags just a bit and made name tags of a sort, aka place cards.

Waddles will add just a bit of fun to the Thanksgiving table this year!

Smiles,
Julie

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Cocoa Hugs

Head on over to the YNS blog for a chance to win a stamp set of your choice.   Simply leave a comment on the November Design Team Dare post to be entered.

The Dare this month is Winter Fun and I am sharing Cocoa Hugs!   What better way to warm up from the cold then with a cup of cocoa?

Hot Cocoa Hugs stamp set |  Woodlands Paper Pack | Circles with Stitching and Piercing Marks die set

My Card is based on Sketch Saturday #437.

Smiles,
Julie  

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Stars and the Sea

We are seeing stars over on The Cat's Pajamas Blog!  The new challenge starts today and the theme is stars.  All stamps are welcome to join in the fun and you may just win a gift certificate to the TCP store!


TCP Supplies:  Aye, Aye Captain stamp set

This card takes me back to one of my favorite color combos, light green, ocean tides and aqua mist.  The bunny was stamped on water color paper and then colored up with Zig Water color brush markers.   The star background on the card base was created using the 3 mini stars in the Aye,Aye, Captain stamp set.   The sentiment on the strip was an add on after I stamped it crooked directly on the panel - I had to find a way to hide the mistake.


Here are the challenge details:
  1. Every other Tuesday a new challenge will be posted on The Cat’s Pajamas blog and our Facebook page.
  2. If you want to play along you just upload your design to The Cat’s Pajamas blog page using the InLinkz button by the Monday, 11:55 EDT before the next challenge.
  3. You are not required to use a Cat’s Pajamas stamp or die but if you have them we would love to see them.
  4. On the following TCP Tuesday, the winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10 or $15 if a TCP product is used.

Link up your creation on The Cat's Pajamas Blog and play along.  There is also a customer winter blog hop going on right now - join in by November 19th for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the TCP store.

Smiles,
Julie

Saturday, November 5, 2016

YNS November New Release Blog Hop

The Your Next Stamp November release is available in the YNS store right now!  We are hopping and you may just with a $25.00 gift certificate to the YNS store if you hop along and leave comments along the way.  The full list of participants is at the very bottom of this post.  The more blogs you visit and comment on the greater your odds of being the lucky winner.



This release is full of winter fun with a variety of stamps and dies.

The new Sports Fanatics set has 2 skates to choose from and numerous sentiments.   This set will work for scrap booking and a variety of cards.  Several members of my extended family enjoy ice hockey, so this set is going to see a lot of use.
YNS Ingredients:  Sports Fanatics Skating Fun stamp set, Sports Fanatics Skating Fun Die Set, and Stitched Square Die Set
I went with a masculine take on this set.   That sentiment almost makes me feel like I am swearing on my blog!  The background was made with water color markers, slightly brighter than the color of the hockey team I had in mind.
There are so many other ways this set could be used.  I can just see the male and female skates linked together for a love card!  


Up next is clean and simple quilting!  I love quilting so I am excited about the new die set Scrapworks Diamonds and Triangles.
YNS Ingredients:  Holiday Postage stamp set, Scrapworks Diamonds and Triangles die set, Stitched Rectangle die set, Holly Berry Red Ink
,

 

I have been waiting for a die set like this for awhile.   Paper quilting was popular years ago using punches.  The dies are even better because each gives the true look of  quilting with the stitched marks.   I am having so much fun playing with this new set and I find myself on Pinterest searching for quilt patterns to recreate.   Right now my desk is covered in triangles and I am working on an 8" x 10" project.   

Karen is offering 20% off everything in the YNS Store.   Use the code below to take advantage of the discount.


Ready, set, get hopping and shopping!

Smiles,
Julie


YNS November Preview - Waddles

How would you like a peek at the Your Next Stamp November release?  
If you answered YES then you are in the right spot!   Today is preview day and the new release will be in the store tonight at 10 pm EST.
Head on over to the Your Next Stamp Blog to see everyone sharing a peek today.

Then stay tuned for 10 pm tonight to shop in the store and hop from blog to blog for a chance to win a YNS Store Gift Certificate!

There is a new Waddles in this release and he having tons of winter fun.

What other treats are included in this release?   Check it out tonight at 10 pm and join in the blog hop!

Smiles, Julie

Friday, November 4, 2016

Pink Holiday

Your Next Stamp Challenge #51 is going on right now.   Join in the fun for a chance to win a store gift certificate!

I went with the sketch this time around and added in one of the cuties from the stamp set Holiday Buddies.
YNS Supplies:  Holiday Buddies Stamp Set | Holiday Buddies Die Set




Smiles,
Julie

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Christmas Tags

The holiday season is fast approaching.   The latest challenge from  The Cat's Pajamas is the perfect way to prep for the season as we are looking for tags.  Plus, wouldn't you love to win some Cat Cash to pick up a gift for yourself?!




Here are the challenge details:
  1. Every other Tuesday a new challenge will be posted on The Cat’s Pajamas blog and our Facebook page.
  2. If you want to play along you just upload your design to The Cat’s Pajamas blog page using the InLinkz button by the Monday, 11:55 EDT before the next challenge.
  3. You are not required to use a Cat’s Pajamas stamp or die but if you have them we would love to see them.
  4. On the following TCP Tuesday, the winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10 or $15 if a TCP product is used.

Link up your creation on The Cat's Pajamas Blog and play along.

Smiles,
Julie

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Holiday Buddies x 3

Today I am up on the Your Next Stamp blog with 3 cards created with the  Holiday Buddies stamp set.
Here is one of the cards - I was aiming for clean and CUTE!

Stop on by the YNS Blog to visit and see the other two cards!
Smiles,
Julie

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Karen's Krazy YNS Store sale and Birthday Blog Hop

Happy Birthday Karen!!!   To celebrate her 40th birthday, Karen is offering the biggest discount ever in the YNS store.  This sale is for one day only, today, October 25th, so don't let this great deal pass you by!  Check out the YNS blog for additional details:

1.  FREE Shipping will not apply during the 40% off sale. All orders that usually would be eligible for free shipping will have a flat rate of $10.00 applied to the order upon check out
2.  The discount code MUST be applied during checkout - no refunds will be applied to orders placed without the code
3.   24 hour sale valid October 25, 2016 only - the sale ends at midnight EST .
4.  Discount is on in stock items only, no rain checks

In addition to the sale, some of the design team got together with an impromptu blog hop to send birthday wishes Karen's way!
Happy 40th Birthday Karen!  Wishing you a wonderful day full of cake, smiles, and FUN!   
YNS Ingredients:  Stamps:   Your Next Stamp Smiley Happy Critter Crew Set Two and sentiment from Party Animals, Your Next Stamp Flower Splatter Stamp setDies:  Your Next Stamp Stitched Tag Set Two dies, Stitched Rectangle Dies, and Fishtail/Banner 

Here is the full list of designers sending Karen wishes, so hop along for inspiration and then stop at the YNS Store to get a great deal - don't forget to enter the discount code!


Thanks for stopping by.
-Julie

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Wicked

It's feature time on the YNS blog and this month the design team was asked: "what is your favorite paper crafting technique?"   
Head on over the YNS blog to see the entire team's response and be entered in the drawing to win a stamp set of your choice.

YNS Supplies: Halloween Phoebe stamp set |  Halloween Phoebe Die Set Circle Die set
So what is my fave?   Paper piecing!   It is an easy way to add color and pattern to your creations.

Smiles,
Julie

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Halloween Jars

The Your Next Stamp blog has been full of treats this week!   It is our Halloween Designer Showcase series and the team has been sharing creations featuring a variety of YNS products.

My project for the week is painted jars which are decorated with vinyl die cuts.
It took longer to paint the jars than it did to decorate with the die cuts.   The Your Next Stamp dies cut through the vinyl easily and since there was adhesive on the vinyl it made creating a decorative scene even easier.
 

Start off by washing the jar, then wipe it down with rubbing alcohol.   Apply one layer of acrylic paint to the outside of the jar and let dry.   Add vinyl die cuts and then use a spray sealer to protect it and add shine.   3 layers of sealer was used on these jars.

YNS Ingredients:  Halloween Phoebe Die Set Spooky Halloween Scene Die Set 

Although these jars work great filled with treats, each could also be used as luminary, by adding a battery operated tea light.   The single layer of paint let the light through and added texture to the night scene.   Here is the orange jar lit up; the light did not shine through the purple as well.


Be sure get all the spooky treat filled inspiraton from the rest of the team on the YNS Blog.
Have a happy Halloween!
Smiles,
Julie

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

The Cat's Pajamas October New Release Blog Hop!

Hello everyone and welcome to The Cat's Pajamas October new release blog hop!!!
We have a great line up for you today, with the Kitty Kat Pack and a guests sharing creations featuring products from the new release.   

 You should have arrived here from Jessie's Blog.  If you simply wandered on over to say hi, then be sure to visit Brenda's Blog as that is where the hop starts.   After my blog, you will head on over to guest Lynn Collin's blog for more inspiration.

Up first from me is a card that has a removable ornament.   The new Scallop Duo Cut Up allows you to mix and match the inserts to create a custom design.   The outer scallop also works perfectly as a base for an ornament.

 I tried for a delicate historical feel with the paper and coloring.  To ensure the ornament is sturdy, I die cut the main outer scallop  twice, glued those together and used that as the base.
To make it easy to remove the ornament, a strip of paper was adhered to the back of the card, gluing down only the sides to allow the ribbon to slide through.   The knot in the ribbon helps hold it in place.








Here is a bonus card for the hop using another stamp from the Penguin Joy set.  I decided to go with the colors and paper used for the ornament on this one.
TCP Ingredients:  Penguin Joy Stamp Set

What a release!   Which set is your favorite?  

Today is the start of the Winter Customer Blog Hop.   We can't wait to see what you create!   Link up your creation on the TCP blog and check out all the details there too.


Don't forget to leave a comment before you head on over to Lynn Collin's blog!  Happy Hopping and Shopping!

Smiles,
Julie