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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Year's Resolutions - Loves Rubberstamps Challenge

Good Morning!

Well we have come to the end of yet another year.  Where does time go?  They say as you get older, time flies faster…. I am really beginning to believe that.  Before I get into today's post, I just want to say  a BIG THANK YOU to all my followers for your support this year.  I hope that you have a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2014!

Ok, today I am back with our final challenge for 2013 for Loves Rubberstamps.  We want to see and hear all about "New Year's Resolutions".  So come on over and share your creation with us.

Our fabulous sponsor this week is:


I am not sure what all this year will hold for me and my family, but what I do know it will be a busy year with lots of fun adventure.  So just one of my New Year's Resolutions is to stay organized to cut down on stress.  So I chose to focus on my coupon organization for this challenge.   It does take some time to organize coupons and look at ads, but I can tell you since June I have captured over $4,600 in savings with coupons, rebates and sales (yes, I am tracking everything ;).  Best yet, I have cut our grocery bill in 1/2 and our shelves are reasonably stocked.  Items that are stocked well, I will not buy until I begin to run low again.

Ok, so how does all this gibberish about sales and coupons relate to the challenge you ask?  Well, I shop a few different stores to capture only sale items.  So I made this File Folder Organizer to hold my coupons for each store.  I can just slip this down in my purse as I head out the door and go to the store on my lunch break to save some time.  You can find the tutorial here.  (I did alter it a little bit for my use).

I colored Make It Crafty - Zoe Celebrates with copics.   She is such a fun image to color.  Lots of curls and excitement with this one!   I cut the image out with My Favorite Things DieNamics Rounded Banner Stax Dies and used another to nest a background.  The papers are all My Minds Eye - Lost and Found.  I finished the front off with ribbon, clothes pin, button and a banner.


Copics used:
Hair:  E25, E29, E31, E33, E50
Skin:  E000, E00, E11, E13
Pants:  B91, B95, B97, B99
Shirt/Shoes:  R01, R02, R05, R08

This is the back - Coordinated papers from My Minds Eye.



This is the inside of the file folder.  The papers all coordinating.  I also used some Sizzix dies (Library card & File Folder) to create some extra pockets on the inside.  The folders are stamped with Stampers Anonymous images in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.  I used different sentiments from Sweet November - A Little Bit of Magic to help enforce my goals.  This was just purely a little fun for me.

This is just a picture to show you how it will hold coupons for different stores.  



How to play: 
Just upload a creation that follows this week's challenge to your online blog or gallery. Then leave a link to your project in the linky widget at the bottom of this post. If you upload to online galleries, please also use the tag or keyword LRSBC84. Our challenge is open to everyone, you can use any stamps and products that you would like, and you can enter as many times as you want. 

Deadline:
The linky entry widget will close at 9PM CST on Monday, January 6th so all entries need to be in before then. 


Design Team Favorite Picks:
The Design Team members will also each choose their favorite card from this challenge and the winner's will be able to proudly display a special blog badge on their blog. The Design Team favorite's from Challenge 84 - will be announced before the posting of Challenge 85. ** These Winners will receive a $5.00 gift voucher for use on an order $25.00 or more ** 


** Be sure to Play Along in our - Weekly Blog Candy Giveaway! Just hop along with our Design Team in a Mini Blog Hop for the chance to win the hidden prize! Start the hop here on ourSensational Sunday Inspirations post **

Ok, so I have shared just one of my New Year's Resolutions, what is yours?  Come on over and show us with your creations at Loves Rubberstamps Challenge Blog!

Thank you for stopping by today!  Have a safe New Year's Eve and a blessed 2014.

Blessings until next time….
Athina

Monday, December 30, 2013

2013 in Review

Hello!

I am just amazed and one lucky lady to have gained so many friends through the crafting, blogging and challenge world.  You have all challenged me to do better and strive for more in my work.  As we bring another year to a close, I always like to look back and pick my favorites from each month so see how things have changed.  I can often see growth in my work by doing so.  So here are my favorites of each month.

January - I created my background based on photo inspiration.

February - Just a fun fold card. 

March - I love the rustic feel and warm colors of this one.

April - This reminds me of my Aunt Jeannie.  I am starting to see improvement in coloring here.

May - I just love the colors!

June - A manly card with an adorable image.

July - I seen Shelby (Color of Happy) color this a long time ago and fell in love.  I had to give it a try.

August - My favorite colors and I like the lace.

September - One of my favorite inking techniques with Distress Inks.

October - I stepped out with the flowers and I dirtied this one all up.

November - I did not color this one (pre colored image), but I was so intimidated by the Shabby Chic challenge.  I think it turned out ok!

December - Christmas is my favorite time of year.  I had this one picked out for my Aunt, but did not get it to her.  So here you go Carley ;)  I loved the rich red in this one.

 Ok, so there they are.  Thanks for hanging in there with me.  I have enjoyed sharing with you this year and look forward to another fun year ahead.  Your comments and time spent here are very much appreciated.

Happy New Year's to you!

Blessings,
Athina







Sunday, December 29, 2013

So Special - Loves Rubberstamps Blog Hop!

Good Morning Friends -
Welcome to the Loves Rubberstamps weekly Sensational Sunday Blog Hop! The Design Team has created some gorgeous projects for your Inspiration. Check out each link and leave a comment. If you get lost along the way, each stop will have a full list of links. One of the Design Team posts is the hop's Sensational Sunday Sweet Spot and a name will be drawn from that list of comments to be in a monthly drawing for a $20 Loves Rubberstamps Gift Voucher!  We will draw the winner of the Voucher the 1st Sunday of each month! Remember, you have until 8:00 pm CST Saturday to leave your comments!

You should have arrived here from Dangina's blog!

Did you have a nice Christmas?  We sure did, but we aren't quite done celebrating just yet.  We have another family celebration today and one more next Sunday.  It has been wonderful seeing all of our family and spending some extra time with them this season.  So what crafty supplies did you get?  We decided to cut back on gifts this year, but I was fortunate enough to get a gift card to Michaels and a gift certificate to Loves Rubberstamps!  I will be shopping in the very near future for some more goodies!!!


Since we took a break last week, we have the entire team participating in the Hop today!  That means extra goodness for you!!!  I found this cute little Make It Crafty, Gnomey Peter added to the store.  Isn't he funny?  Even though he has a hat, I think he can be used anytime as he has the pirate feel.  I colored him with copics on cryogen paper.  I just ripped that paper and used Tim Holtz Distress ink in Brushed Corduroy.  The background papers are by Simple Stories, Aweso{me}.  The sentiment is by Amy R, Be Happy, stamped in Rich Cocoa Memento ink.



Copics used:
Hat/Pants: YG93, YG95, YG97
Jacket/Boots:  E44, E47, E49
Skin:  E000, E00, E11, E13
Hair:  E41, E43, E44, E47





So here is the remainder of the hop!  
Indah - A video tutorial!

Don't forget our special Holiday Blitz that ends Monday, December 30th! Lots of prizes up for grabs and the challenge is Anything Goes, so come on over and share your beautiful creations with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be sure to check out what the other lovely ladies have created today.  

Blessings until next time...
Athina

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Holiday Blitz - Loves Rubberstamps!

Hello Friends!

Today starts a special HOLIDAY BLITZ challenge at Loves Rubberstamps Challenges where we will be giving away TONS of prizes with multiple winners!  The Holiday Blitz is your favorite.... ANYTHING GOES...theme AND it will last from now until December 30th so you have plenty of time to get your entries in!  We will have prize packages to give away from the following companies:

KENNY K STAMPS - 2 PRIZE PACKAGES
QKR STAMPEDE
AURORA WINGS
MILK 'N COFFEE STAMPS
CRAFTY SENTIMENTS DESIGNS
EUREKA STAMPS
C.C. DESIGNS
and... Loves Rubberstamps is giving away a $50.00 Gift Voucher!

You will DEFINITELY want to play along with us :) Remember you have until December 30th to get your entries in :)

 
Since we have seen some snow lately, I thought the cutest little snowman is in order, A Cozy Cup of Wishes.  I had fun coloring him up, but now that I look at him, he looks a bit flourescent.  Hmmm….  Well, I used a Sweet Shop sketch and came up with this fun one!



Copics used:
Boots:  W1, W3, W5, W7
Skirt:  E44, E47, E49
Jacket:  G20, G24, G94, G99
Scarf:  R14, R46, R59, RV99


Tim Holtz Alterations On the Edge - Snow Flurries Die
Pearls
Lace


Sketch used:

Make sure to come over and play along in our HOLIDAY BLITZ!  Remember you have until December 30th to get your entries in :)

Thanks for stopping by…
Blessings until next time
Athina

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Snowfall! Loves Rubberstamps Blog Hop

Good Morning Friends -
Welcome to the Loves Rubberstamps weekly Sensational Sunday Blog Hop! The Design Team has created some gorgeous projects for your Inspiration. Check out each link and leave a comment. If you get lost along the way, each stop will have a full list of links. One of the Design Team posts is the hop's Sensational Sunday Sweet Spot and a name will be drawn from that list of comments to be in a monthly drawing for a $20 Loves Rubberstamps Gift Voucher!  We will draw the winner of the Voucher the 1st Sunday of each month! Remember, you have until 8:00 pm CST Saturday to leave your comments!

You should have arrived here from Dangina's blog!

I love Magnolia images, especially this time of year.  I grabbed Tilda with Ribbon Heart Scarf and had fun coloring her up with rich Christmas green and reds.  All the snow falling was a fact here in Ohio yesterday. I did a joy fold card for something a little different.  I think she turned out pretty well and is decked for the upcoming celebrations.  I finished the card off with a bow, lace and some pearls.



Front side of the card:


Copics used:
Skin:  E000, E00, E11, E13
Hair:  Y21, YR23, E37, E59
Shoes: W1, W3, W5, W7
Boots:  E21 E23, E25, E29
Jacket:  R14, R46, R39, RV99
Scarf/Mittens/Hat:  G20, G24, G94, G99

Inside of the card


So here is the remainder of the hop!  

Today is the last day to apply for the Loves Rubberstamps Design Team.  Check out the details of the DT call here.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be sure to check out what the other lovely ladies have created today.  

Blessings until next time...
Athina

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Christmas Snow! Loves Rubberstamps Challenge

Hello Friends -

Are you ready for Christmas yet?  If not, it is ok!  We have another fun challenge this week at  Loves Rubberstamps to help with your preparations…..  Its Anything Goes with Christmas!

Our sponsor this week is Eureka Stamps!

Well, we got several inches of snow this weekend and it turned bitterly cold.  After having temps in the mid 50's just a few days prior, it was a shock.  I guess it is the middle of December, so it is technically time, but I am just not ready.  So that brings me to my tag for today.  All this snow, we could build a snowman.  I plan to use this on one of our neighbors baskets for Christmas this year.



Copics used:
Skin:  E000, E00, E11, E21
Hair:  E47, E49, E57
Hat/Dress/Scarf:  BG72, BG75, BG78
Snowman Hat:  100, W3, W5, W7
Snowman:  B0000, B00, 0

Supplies used:
Copics
Fancy Pants Designs - Blissful Blizzard
Inkessentials - Blending Tool
Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Peacock Feathers
Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Evergreen Bough
Spellbinders - Lacy Circles
Stickles
Ribbon & Lace
Doily
Spare Parts Embellishments Brad
American Crafts Sparkle Finish - Tinsel
Liquid Applique

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Come on over to Loves Rubberstamps and share your creations with us!  

Here is how to play!

Just upload a creation that follows this week's challenge to your online blog or gallery. Then leave a link to your project in the linky widget at the bottom of this post. If you upload to online galleries, please also use the tag or keyword LRSBC82 Our challenge is open to everyone, you can use any stamps and products that you would like, and you can enter as many times as you want. 

Deadline:
The linky entry widget will close at 9PM CST on Monday, December 16th
 so all entries need to be in before then. 

Prize Information:


One lucky participant will be chosen using a random number generator will be able to proudly display our Winner's Badge on their blog! 

We will have two different possibilities for a gift voucher prize from Loves Rubberstamps for the winner as well.

$10.00 - If the stamp used is from a company that we do not carry in our store

$20.00 - If the stamp used is from a company that we DO carry in our store

Design Team Favorite Picks:
The Design Team members will also each choose their favorite card from this challenge and the winner's will be able to proudly display a special blog badge on their blog. The Design Team favorite's from Challenge 82- will be announced before the posting of Challenge 83 ** These Winners will receive a $5.00 gift voucher for use on an order $25.00 or more ** 

** Be sure to Play Along in our - Weekly Blog Candy Giveaway! Just hop along with our Design Team in a Mini Blog Hop for the chance to win the hidden prize! Start the hop here on our Sensational Sunday Inspirations post **


Loves Rubberstamps is looking for a few new design team members.  I have been with the team for almost a year now.  Everyone is so warm and friendly and the store is continuing to grown giving you many options for your projects.  Check out the details of the DT call here.  DT call ends 12/15.

Have a wonderful day!  
Blessings until next time...
Athina

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Naughty or Nice? Loves Rubberstamps Blog Hop

Good Morning Friends -
Welcome to the Loves Rubberstamps weekly Sensational Sunday Blog Hop! The Design Team has created some gorgeous projects for your Inspiration. Check out each link and leave a comment. If you get lost along the way, each stop will have a full list of links. One of the Design Team posts is the hop's Sensational Sunday Sweet Spot and a name will be drawn from that list of comments to be in a monthly drawing for a $20 Loves Rubberstamps Gift Voucher!  We will draw the winner of the Voucher the 1st Sunday of each month! Remember, you have until 8:00 pm CST Saturday to leave your comments!

You should have arrived here from Dangina's blog!

So how is your Chistmas shopping coming along?  I picked up a few more things yesterday, so I am down to one little thing and I should be complete.  I like getting things out of the way early so that I can enjoy the holidays, instead of rushing around.  Anyhow, the reason you are here…

I have always loved this image and Laura now has it in the store (Make it Crafty - Christmas Eve Countdown).  I decided to bite the bullet and try to color him up.  He is not actually as hard as you might think.  This fun little santa is illustrated very well.  After I colored him up, I thought it would be fun to put him on an Upright Z fold style card.  

Here is the inside top portion.  


Inside middle portion.


Card 'unhooked'

A closer look at the tinsel & coloring.



Copics used:
Skin:  E000, E00, E11
Hair:  W1, W3
Shoes: W1, W3, W5, W7
Pants/Shirt:  E40, E42, E44, E49
Jacket/Hat:  R27, R29, R59
Bag:  G20, G24, G94, G99
Sky:  BV23, BV25, BV29
Bricks:  I forgot to write down the colors. Sorry

Cosmo Cricket
American Crafts Tinsel
Ribbon

So here is the remainder of the hop!  


Loves Rubberstamps is looking for a few new design team members.  I have been with the team for almost a year now.  Everyone is so warm and friendly and the store is continuing to grown giving you many options for your projects.  Check out the details of the DT call here.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be sure to check out what the other lovely ladies have created today.  




Blessings until next time...
Athina

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

A Big Santa Hug - Loves Rubberstamps Challenge

Hello Friends -

Well, I have survived my first day back to work after vacation!  It is the first Tuesday of the month, so that means Anything Goes at  Loves Rubberstamps!  

Our sponsor this week is Shape Ez!

I decided to make a card/gift card holder out of a paper bag today.  I am sure I am not the first to do this, but I just scored the bag down the middle and folded it up.  I used the inside (bottom of the bag) to hold the gift card.  I did sew around the edges of the front to sturdy things up a bit and hold it together.  I guess my vacation must have really relaxed me because my desk was a total mess after this one.  The background started was creme colored.  I inked the trees, lamp post and added some snow.  I get tired of using the same old papers sometimes, so this way I can do what I want.


Since I used the Santa Hug stamp by Magnolia, I wanted him to look like he was giving you a hug.  His hands are propped up with pop up dots.  I did fussy cut him and colored him with copics.



Copics used:
Hair/Gloves: W00, W1, W2 (white gel pen)
Skin:  E000, E00, E11
Suit:  R14, R46, R59, RV99
Belt/Shoes:  C1, C3, C5, C7, C9, 100

The inside is the bottom of the folded bag with some burlap and trim added.  The poinsettias were from the same sheet of paper used on the front of the card.  I just used creative cutting to get them where I wanted them.


Supplies used:
Magnolia - Santa Hug, Fir in Snow, Lamp Post, Santa is Coming to Town Postage Stamp
Stampabilities - Believe
Tim Holtz Distress Markers - Fired Brick, Black Soot, Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
Liquid Applique
Tacky Glue
My Minds Eye - Christmas
Mixed Media - burlap
Trim
Stickles


Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Come on over to 
Loves Rubberstamps and share your creations with us!  

Here is how to play!

Just upload a creation that follows this week's challenge to your online blog or gallery. Then leave a link to your project in the linky widget at the bottom of this post. If you upload to online galleries, please also use the tag or keyword LRSBC81 Our challenge is open to everyone, you can use any stamps and products that you would like, and you can enter as many times as you want. 

Deadline:
The linky entry widget will close at 9PM CST on Monday, December 9nd
 so all entries need to be in before then. 

Prize Information:


One lucky participant will be chosen using a random number generator will be able to proudly display our Winner's Badge on their blog! 

We will have two different possibilities for a gift voucher prize from Loves Rubberstamps for the winner as well.

$10.00 - If the stamp used is from a company that we do not carry in our store

$20.00 - If the stamp used is from a company that we DO carry in our store

Design Team Favorite Picks:
The Design Team members will also each choose their favorite card from this challenge and the winner's will be able to proudly display a special blog badge on their blog. The Design Team favorite's from Challenge 81- will be announced before the posting of Challenge 82 ** These Winners will receive a $5.00 gift voucher for use on an order $25.00 or more ** 

** Be sure to Play Along in our - Weekly Blog Candy Giveaway! Just hop along with our Design Team in a Mini Blog Hop for the chance to win the hidden prize! Start the hop here on our Sensational Sunday Inspirations post **


Loves Rubberstamps is looking for a few new design team members.  I have been with the team for almost a year now.  Everyone is so warm and friendly and the store is continuing to grown giving you many options for your projects.  Check out the details of the DT call here.

Have a wonderful day!  
Blessings until next time...
Athina

Monday, December 2, 2013

Loves Rubberstamps Sale & DT call

Hello Friends!
Happy Monday to you!  I hope you had a great weekend!

I have some exciting news announcements for Loves Rubberstamps today!

First… Everyone loves a good sale right?  Well Loves Rubberstamps is offering 25% off any size order until midnight 12/2/13 CST.  Just use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout.  Head on over to the store where there has been lots of new goodies lately, including Magnolia, Al People, Little Darlings and Bildmarna.

Second…Loves Rubberstamps is looking for a few new design team members.  I have been with the team for almost a year now.  Everyone is so warm and friendly and the store is continuing to grown giving you many options for your projects.  Check out the details of the DT call here.

I will be back tomorrow with a cute little paper bag gift card holder.

Thanks for stopping by!

Athina