It's Ama-ZING!

It's video tutorial time at the Scrapbook {Express}ions blog today! This post features not one but TWO videos about heat embossing with American Crafts Zing! powders. I also used one of my very favorite sets of myStampBOX stamps called BOO!

Be on the lookout for more projects from me using this set of stamps. They rock!

Order Me a Tall, NonFat with Extra Stickles.

It's challenge day at Caardvarks! Our sponsor for this challenge is Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker. Check out her products which include some incredibly cute stamps!

The challenge: Create a *new* tall card and upload it to 'Varks via Mr. Linky by midnight Pacific Time on Oct. 31st.

The prize: Scalloped chipboard album, acrylic alphabet stamps, 8x8 Designer Paper Pad "U R My Favorite," 8x8 Designer Paper Pad, "North Pole Nights" and other goodies thrown in for good measure.

For my first card I used a tree cut from the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge on the Cricut. Text papers are so hot right now, so I used this one by Bo Bunny as the background. I inked everything to within an inch of its life with my Tim Holtz foam ink applicator. It has become my right hand these days.

Then I decided to try one more tall card just for fun. That Stretch Your Imagination cartridge is perfect for this challenge! The turkey is just whimsical enough to make me smile. And what self-respecting turkey would come to Thanksgiving dinner without Stickles and pearls? It's a good thing these challenges allow for a little creative insanity. Ahem.

On a bittersweet note, this is my final challenge as a Caardvarks Crew member. For nearly two years I have joined in the fun with some of the most talented cardmakers on the planet - it has been such an honor. It's time for us to step down to allow some returning and some new members to carry the embossing tool torch to light the way for papercrafters. Jen and Nathalia, I thank you for all your hard work with creating challenges and galleries, securing prizes and DT sponsors, and most of all your friendship throughout it all. I'm so glad that we'll stay in touch! Thanks to all the support from the 'Varks fans as well. We couldn't do it without you. ♥

Scrappin' Sports Stuff News

It's official! I was recently named to the first Design Team for Scrappin' Sports Stuff's online store. What's even cooler is that my best pal, Carolyn, also made the team! I'm excited to use some of their unique products, especially for Ian's Taekwondo layouts. Congrats to the new team - I can't wait to start working with you!

Magazine Winners!

Big congrats to Amanda Profumo and Nikki C! You are the winners of the Crafts 'n Things magazine featuring my Christmas gift jar set. Please send your mailing addresses to bettina@mystampbox.com so we can get your information over to the magazine editors. Thanks to everyone for playing along!

Family Favorites + a Giveaway!

Today I'm excited to share this fun gift set called Family Favorites. It was accepted for publication in the December 2009 issue of Crafts 'n Things magazine and is on newsstands now! I used one of my very favorite sets of mystampBOX stamps called Neighborhoods to create this embellished cookie mix jar and matching card. Try using your stamps to jazz up premade packaging especially at holiday time. It will save you lots of time and make your family and friends feel extra loved by your handmade touch.

To celebrate we are giving away two free copies of the December 2009 Crafts 'n Things magazine that has the cookie recipe and more details about this gift set. For a chance to win, leave a comment here on this post about your favorite handmade gifts to give. For a second chance to win, click over to the myStampBOX blog and do the same thing. We'll accept comments until Sunday October 18th at noon EST. The winners will be announced at the mSB blog on Monday October 19th. Good luck!

Take a Bow!

Here's our first Caardvarks challenge for October, sponsored by the amazing May Arts ribbon company. The 'Varks crew members were treated to some lovely ribbon samples for this challenge. Thanks, May Arts! ♥

Challenge: Create a *NEW* card using ribbon in a wonderful way!

Deadline: Entries must be linked via Mr. Linky by Oct. 17th at Midnight, PST

Prize: An incredible assortment of May Arts ribbon! (Here's a little peek.)

Here's my first card. I love, LOVED making this card! First of all, can you just STAND how cute that monsta is? I have been inspired to love all things monsta by my creatively-kooky and lovable 'Varks Crew pal, Lauren. I paired the image up with some Making Memories Spook Alley papers and of course the outrageous orange and black pom pom ribbon from May Arts. Isn't it the best for Halloween? If you may recall, I also used it on this set of altered letters.

More details about these letters can be seen by clicking here.

The other ribbon I was treated to is this beautiful crushed textured ribbon with wire. That chocolate brown color looks good enough to eat! I paired it with a simply-designed card of My Mind's Eye paper and rub on plus one simple journaling sheet. I love the cool aqua with the warm brown tones in this card.

For more May Arts ribbon inspiration, check out the RIBBON GALLERY of projects created by the Caardvarks Crew. You'll be glad you did!

myStampBOX: Introducing Our New Designers

myStampBOX stamps: Deck the Halls and Colour Me Alphabet

ETA: The blog hop is now closed and a winner has been chosen. Thanks for playing!

We're so happy that you joined in our blog hop introduction to our new myStamp BOX designers! If you should have happened upon my blog today, please start at the myStamp BOX blog for an amazing journey of fabulous cards and introductions to all of our new designers.

I am pleased to welcome the lovely Tina McDonald to our team.

Hi everyone! I'm Tina! I'm 33 yrs old and live in beautiful Wickham, New Brunswick, Canada with my hubby of almost 10 years and our 4 beautiful children. I've been scrapping for about 6 years. I draw my inspiratin from life around me!! Everything from the looks on my childrens faces, to their clothes, to music we listen to and emotions in our daily life! My style is hard to name... but is kind of romantic, clean and simple. I love white space and journaling strips!! I've had the honor of being on several kit and store DT's and being published in several great magazines! I am more than thrilled to be a part of this team and look forward to digging into these stamps!! I'd love for you to come by and visit me at my blog!! _______________________________________________

Here's our rotation for this blog hop just in case you missed some of our designer's blogs:

Ally

Jolene <-- You are here

Leica

Tracey

Trace

Gudrun

Marci

Cherie

You have a chance to win some wonderful mSB goodies just by commenting on each participating designer's blog and by collecting the letters on each designer's blog to spell a very special phrase.


When you have collected all the letters and made all of your comments, please email your phrase answer, along with your full name and email address to Allison at sosketchy@live.com with "mSB Blog Hop" in your subject line. You can send in your answer and information to win up until Sunday October 4th at 5pm EST.

The letters that you are collecting from me are: CO

Now go hop to Leica's blog. Good luck!