DeNami Design Sketch Challenge #6

Hello, friends! I'm sorry I've been absent from blogging for several weeks. I have a great excuse, though. I've been co-writing a new musical comedy, and it will be opening the theatre's season in March! Stay tuned for more details about the show (my first time writing an original show!) and the theatre's exciting rebranding! I'll create a separate post all about it, but today...it's all about the card I just made! I've actually created several cards, and I hope to get them all posted soon, so check back often!

I'm thrilled that after the holidays, DeNami Design has started their challenges again. The winner of the challenges wins a gift certificate to DeNami's website, and I am DESPERATE for some of their newly released stamps. If you haven't seen the new stamps, check them out NOW. No, seriously....I can wait. Check 'em out. Did you see them? How cute are those kitties and all the under the sea stamps? Plus, the hatching chickie?! UGH. I am so inspired to design with these stamps. I'm just hoping to get my hands on some of them soon. *fingers crossed* The first challenge of 2011 is a darling sketch challenge featuring a sketch by new DT member Laurie. She has a lovely blog, so make sure to check it out!

My card was inspired by the beautiful winter wonderland that we've had here recently. I like to call it "Disney snow" because it is so picture perfect. I'll be honest. I'd love some warmer weather, but the snow is truly beautiful. To set the mood for the snowy card, I wanted to use all pearly papers that shimmer like the snow in sunlight. I wish you could see how it shimmers in these pictures, but here it is!

Thanks for checking out my blog! Don't forget to check back soon for more cards and information about my new show!

May your creative juices always flow!

Amy

Supplies: Stamps: Snowflake & Snowman blocks (from Winter Blocks set), Snowflake & Snowmen borders (from Winter Days set), Let it Snow sentiment (from Holiday Greetings set) (all stamps by DeNami Design) Paper: Purple Pearl (WorldWin), White Pearl (Darice), Silver Deckled (Judikins) Ink: Pearlescent Orchid, Purple & Sky Blue (Brilliance) Embellishments: Jewel Snowflakes (Michael's), Pearls (unknown), Silver Wire Ribbon (DeNami Design)

DeNami Design's January Blog Hop: Simply Scallops!

Happy New Year!

What could be a better way to really get this year started than another fabulous blog hop by DeNami Design? Did you know that DeNami Design released over 50 new stamps this month? They are fantastic! Make sure to check out all the new releases, including new colors of cardstock and grosgrain ribbon by visiting their site HERE.

Now, let's get back to our main event...

If you've been following the blog hop, you should have just seen the gorgeous creations of Virginia Larsen at her blog: Ginny Lou Studios. She has such a great sense of color and detail!

If you're just joining the hop or you're lost, start at the beginning on DeNami Design's Blog.

Don't forget to leave comments on every blog for your chance to win a $20 gift certificate to DeNami Design!

This month's theme is Simply Scallops! How much fun is that?

Here's my card creation:

I wanted to use the scallops as interesting corners and borders. I was also so excited to stamp the polka dot background in rainbow colors. It's so easy to ink the stamp when using Dew Drops by Memento! Plus, I used my fabulous ATG adhesive to create my own glue dots for giving Mimi some dimension, and I used Diamond Glaze to give several of the elements on the card a glossy shine. I had so much fun with this card and the bright colors

Next on the blog hop is the incredibly talented and unbelievable sweet Sue Lelli. Her blog, Card Therapy is amazing! Check out the flowers she makes on many of her cards! STUNNING!

Lastly, if you've enjoyed reading my blog, please become a follower! If I can reach 50 followers, I will have a giveaway contest! Please follow my blog and tell your friends!

Supplies:

Stamps: N127 Mimi in the Rain, N133 Polka Dot Background, Hi! (from PF29 Everyday Greetings set) (all stamps by DeNami Design)

Paper: White, Purple (The Paper Company), Blue & Red (DCWV)

Ink: Tuxedo Black, Ladybug, Tangelo, Dandelion, Cottage Ivy, Danube Blue, Grape Jelly (all by Memento)

Tools: Scallop Border (Martha Stewart), Small Scallop Oval (Marvy), Small Circle (Picture Punches), Small Corder Rounder (The Paper Studios), Precision-Tip Scissors (Cutterbee)

Other: Copic Markers, Spica Glitter Pen, Diamond Glaze, ATG adhesive

More Holiday Mania!

Here is another holiday card! This card features stamps from one of my other favorite stamp companies: Penny Black. I've previously loved their gorgeous tree and holiday stamps, but I've recently become acquainted with their li'l hedgehog character. He's sooooo precious! I especially love this image, and I wanted to create a fun & festive border, so I used their poinsettia stamp to decorate the edges.

Enjoy!

Here's the INSIDE of the card. Again, I used the poinsettia stamp, but I only inked a portion of it, and I combined it with this wonderful sentiment stamp.

Supplies:

Stamps: Christmas Star (Poinsettia), A Thorny Affair, ...The Most... (all stamps by Penny Black)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Desert Heat (Kaleidacolor)

Paper: White (American Crafts) Other: PrismaColor Pencils, Diamond Glaze (on berries)

Season's Tweetings!

With the holidays upon us, I wanted to share another fun card with you. If you've read any of my previous blog posts, you have probably figured out that I really love DeNami Design's stamps. I discovered their stamps just over a year ago, and I've been insanely addicted ever since. I can't get enough of their elegant, whimsical, and adorable designs! One of their most popular "characters" is the adorable chickie. Upon first seeing the chickies, I thought, "How cute!" However, I was somehow able to resist them and focused on many of DeNami's other stamps. However, after taking DeNami's classes at Papertrix in October, I realized just how much fun it is to stamp and color those precious little chickies.

Well, it has happened....I'm a chickaholic now!

(Sorry that these photos are a little blurrier than usual...I used my cellphone camera this time, and it's just not as sharp as I had hoped).

Supplies:

Stamps: F201 Cartwheeling Chickies, F200 Season's Tweetings, N112 Harlequin Border (all stamps by DeNami Design)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper: White, Red, Green, & Black (American Crafts)

Other: Copic Markers, Stickles, Stardust Glitter Pen

Special Thanks for Unexpected Kindness

Recently, I was blown away by a fellow blogger's kindness and generosity. I created the following card specifically for her. I made the card a few weeks ago, but I had to wait to post it to make sure she received it in the mail (didn't want to ruin the surprise!). This is one of my favorite parts about having a blog, being overwhelmingly touched and inspired by other people all over the world. To all of you who have been supportive, whether it's by leaving comments or sending me wonderful emails, I wish you the happiest of holidays and a very happy new year.

Amy Smidebush

I am also entering the above card into the DeNami Design Product Challenge #5: Punches. For more information about this challenge, please see my other entry and visit the amazing DeNami Design Blog. Supplies: Stamps: A78 Mini Cherries, D80 Small Cherries, J88 Large Cherries, You're a Sweetie (from TR09 Sweet Sayings stamp set (all stamps by DeNami Design) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Paper: Red, White & Dark Green (The Paper Studio), Textured Green (DCWV) Other: Copic Markers, Diamond Glaze, White Gel Pen, Twine (PTI), Scallop Oval Punches (Marvy)

I've decided to post another recent creation inspired by friendship. After finally getting my hands on some baker's twine, I couldn't stop the flow of ideas, and this is one of my absolute favorite cards from 2010. I hope you enjoy it, too!

Supplies:

Stamps: F172 Hello Friend (DeNami Design), TC51-R Texture Background (from Foliate Quad Cube by Stampendous), N232-R Chickadee (Stampendous)

Ink: London Fog, Paris Dusk (Memento)

Paper: Red, Navy & Gray (The Paper Company)

Other: Embossing Ink (Versamark), White Embossing Powder (Judikins), Delphinium Blue Flower Soft, Snow Marker (Marvy, used on belly), Stardust Glitter Pen, Pearl Pens (Viva Decor, copper=beak, black=eye, red=berries), Baker's Twine (Jillibean Soup)

DeNami Design's December Blog Hop: GIFT TAGS!

HAPPY BLOG HOP DAY!

I'm so excited! It's another fantastic blog hop from DeNami Design! I always look forward to these days. It's such a joy to see all the different creations and receive so much feedback.

If you've been following the hop from the beginning, you probably just came from

Beverly Montez' blog Sweet Sentiments. She is so talented! So many of her creations feature adorable critters and characters. SO CUTE!

If you are just joining the hop or you're lost, you may want to start at the beginning HERE. Not only is this a great way to get inspired, but you can also win prizes! Two lucky blog hoppers will be chosen to receive a $20 gift certificate to DeNami Design. For more details, check out the DeNami Design Blog.

...On to the HOP!

I was excited to make some tags using my DeNami stamps. I couldn't decide, though, if I wanted to make something sophisticated, elegant, or fun & festive. So...I decided to make three completely different tags!

My first tag uses two fabulous border stamps by DeNami to create a sophisticated pattern.

Supplies: Stamps: N112 Harlequin Border, N128 Three Line Border, Joy Dot (from TR22 Christmas Word Dots set) (all by DeNami Design) Inks: Lady Bug, Cottage Ivy, Tuxedo Black (Memento) Papers: Tag (unknown), Gold Foil (American Crafts), White (The Paper Company) Other: Copic Markers, Quickie Glue Pen, Red Glitter (DeNami Design), Gold Stickles, Gold Gel Pen (Pilot), Red Glitter Rickrack Ribbon (unknown)

My second tag features one of my favorite elegant stamps of all times: DeNami Design's Large Holly. It's such a stunning centerpiece, and then I used little leaves around it to complete the tag.

Supplies: Stamps: N95 Large Holly, Two Leaf Sprig (from PF37 Elegant Floral stamp set), Three Leaf Sprig (from PF05 Rosevine Flower stamp set), Peace Dot (from TR22 Christmas Word Dots set) (all by DeNami Design) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Paper: Tag (unknown), Gold Foil (American Crafts), White (The Paper Company) Other: Copic Markers, Gold Metallic Pen (Pilot), Quickie Glue Pen, Green & Iridescent Xtra Fine Glitter (DeNami Design), Xmas Red Stickles, Red Cord (unknown)

My final tag is just fun, festive, and cheerful. I'm a sucker for Christmas lights, so this is a celebration of holiday lights, using some amazing retired DeNami stamps that I've been fortunate enough to find.

Supplies: Stamps: N53 Light Border (retired), Small Bulbs (retired), Cheer Dot (from TR22 Christmas Word Dots set), A89 Mini Starlet, A93 Teeny Swiss Dot, A92 Teeny Star Inks: Tuxedo Black, Cottage Ivy, Danube Blue, Lady Bug, Dandelion (Memento) Paper: Tag (unknown), Gold Foil (American Crafts), White (The Paper Company) Other: Copic Markers, Diamond Glaze, Gold & Silver Metallic Pens (Pilot), White Gel Pen (Pilot), Stardust Glitter Pen, Green Ribbon (American Crafts)

Thanks so much for checking out my blog today. I hope you enjoyed seeing my creations, and please continue to see more tags on the blog hop.

Again, if you're lost, start at the beginning.

If you're right on track, then your next stop will be the

amazing Creative Antics by Ann Cox.

Ann creates stunning, elegant masterpieces, and I'm sure today is no exception!

Hop on over to see!

Have a happy hop & a very happy holiday!

Amy

Fa La La Carolers

Tis the season to be jolly!

Fa la la la la la la la la!

Sadly, I've been missing from the blogosphere for a few weeks. Life sure has been busy, and I've had a few setbacks, but I'm BAAAAACK! And, it's just in time to enter a couple fantastic contests!

DeNami Design has another fantastic Product Challenge. This time the theme is PUNCHES! Ohhhh, I loooooove using my punches! So, of course I have to enter! Plus, I recently saw that another blog has a Holiday Music Inspiration Challege going on as well, and it is sponsored by DeNami Design. Head on over to Wee Memories to check it out. It's a truly wonderful blog, and I'm now addicted to it!

So, here's my entry for both fantastic challenges:

This card makes me so happy because not only is it fun and festive, but I'm actually working as a Christmas caroler right now! It's wonderful! I get to wander around my picturesque little town, singing beloved Christmas carols, spreading joy and love throughout the season. Yup...it's fabulous. I can't complain. Plus, I colored the ladies in the stamp to look like my fellower carolers and me! Oh, and I used a fantastic new pen to write "Fa La La" in the circles. It's a Parallel Pen by Pilot. It is so versatile and easy to use, and my handwriting comes out looking fancy and flowing. I love it!

I hope you enjoy this card, and please check back again soon. I've been creating lots of cards which I need to post on this blog, plus the December Blog Hop for DeNami Design is THIS SUNDAY! For details on that, make sure to check DeNami's Blog. Hope to see you hopping!

Happy Holidays,

Amy

Supplies:

Stamps: A90 Mini Music Notes & M71 Christmas Carolers (DeNami Design)

Inks: Tuxedo Black & Cottage Ivy (Memento)

Paper: Patterned Paper (DCWV), White & Green (The Paper Company)

Other: Iridescent Extra Fine Glitter (DeNami Design), Quickie Glue Pen, Copic Markers, Parallel Pen by Pilot, Metallic Border (FlowerSoft), assorted punches by Marvy and The Paper Studio