Chichiboulie Blog Hop Stop #7

**Click HERE to go to my post for this week's Saturday Spotlight on Hidden Potential Challenge: In So Many Words**

Welcome to the Chichiboulie Blog Hop sponsored by Stamping Bella! If you've just happened upon my blog, you can CLICK HERE to start from the beginning at Bloggabella.

Stamps by Stamping Bella: 'Twinke Fairy', sentiments. Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Blue, Papertrey Poppy, DCWV 'Citrus Stack with glitter', Papertrey white. Ink: Memento black, copics. Accessories: Papertrey poppy grosgrain, Nestabilities rectangles, stardust glitter pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter gems.

For this little Twinkle Fairy, I made sure to add plenty of sparkle: glitter DP, gems, Dazzling Diamonds wings, even glitter pen accents on her paper-pieced dress.


And to add a little extra fun, I created a coordinating topper to include bath crystals because there's nothing more magical than a long soak in a hot tub!

How about a prize? In addition to the fabulous eye candy, we have decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! One pre-selected blogger will draw a random winner from the comments on her post, and the winner will receive a $25 Gift Voucher to Stamping Bella!!! The fun part is...we're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! We will announce the winner on Monday in the Splitcoast forum.

Now it's time to hop on over to The Stamping Scrapbooker.

MWAH! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Saturday Spotlight on Hidden Potential: In So Many Words!

Stamps by Prickley Pear Designs. Cardstock: Black, Elegant Eggplant, Almost Amethyst, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, vellum. Ink: Stazon black, Versafine black, Stardust glitter pen. Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Rectangle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug swirls embossing folder, black gems, organdy swirl ribbon.

It's time for another Saturday Spotlight on Hidden Potential challenge! I'm a big fan of sentiment stamps, and it's always fun to find new ways to make these tidbits of wisdom even more versatile.

Here's SSOHP challenge #6: You will need to use wording in some creative way, use a dictionary sheet for a background or collage, use a sentiment and stamp it repeatedly for a background or use ONLY a sentiment on your creation....use those words wisely!!

For my card, I stamped this spooky sentiment repeatedly on a vellum sheet so tidbits of it peek around the card, but don't cover the other fun elements of this Midnight Madness sketch #25:

The full sentiment is stamped below the image for your reading pleasure.

Thanks going out to Prickley Pear for generously sending the Spotlight Divas these fun stamps and many others to play with on this challenge. Special thanks also to my stamping buddy, Deb of Freckle-Face Printworks, for being an awesome Halloween embellies source; she sent me both the ribbon and black gems!

Gather up those sentiments and show us how creatively you can be In So Many Words!

November SheetLoad Sneak Peeks!

Make sure to head on over to SheetLoad of Cards to see sneak peeks from the upcoming issue.

But before we jump into November '09, don't forget about the fabulous October '09 issue, sponsored by DRS Designs!! You still have time to enter the Show Us Your SheetLoad challenge for chances to win gift certificates from the sponsor!!

Here are sneak peeks at the pieces I have in the issue...

SheetLoads of Treats with DRS Designs!

Stamps by DRS Designs: Poppin' In Holiday Greeting P032, Popcorn Bowl G1131, Popcorn Background G1124. Cardstock: Real Red, Black, CM yellow, Papertrey white. Accessories: gingham ribbon, Nestabilities.

Gift sets are my all-time favorite crafting project. They are even more fun is if they are quick and easy, but still have that 'wow' factor. This set came together very quickly because it was inspired by the October SheetLoads sketch (complete with supply list and cutting diagrams) and used the already coordinated stamp combination by DRS Designs. Wouldn't these be perfect for teachers, neighbors, or any other last minute gift needs?

Have you downloaded your free October e-issue of SheetLoads yet? DRS Designs is the sponsor for this month and the issue is also chock full of great sample cards made with DRS Designs images! Remember, all SheetLoads readers will receive free shipping on orders from DRS Designs through the end of the month!!

There's still time to play along for your chance at great prizes, too:

1) Shout Out to SheetLoad for your chance at a $10 DRS Designs gift certificate and

2) Show Us Your SheetLoad for a chance at a $25 gift certificate from DRS Designs!!

Mercy for This Turkey!

Stamps: High Hopes 'Small Turkey', Prickley Pear sentiment. Cardstock: Basic Grey 'Indian Summer', kraft, Chocolate Chip, Papertrey white. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Chocolate Chip. Accessories: Martha Stewart scallop border punch, orange satin ribbon, Circle Nestabilities.

At least Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #45, which provided the layout inspiration for this card!

This funny little High Hopes turkey is now available at KLSNS, along with his even more funny friend, 'Tom's Plea' who holds a sign saying 'Be a Vegan' and the Basic Grey 'Indian Summer' and its gorgeous autumn palette.

Speaking of autumn, don't forget to join in the fun of the KLSNS October challenge to create a project with Fall colors for your chance to win a $10 shopping spree!

Dressing Up Rudolph's Snack

Digital images 'Reindeer' and 'Fall Daze Paper Pack 2' by Aisne's Creations at DigiScrap Station. Computer generated sentiment. Cardstock: GP110 white. Accessories: mini take-out box, circle Nestabilities, ribbon scraps.

All kids leave treats for Santa, but how many remember Rudolph? Our girls assembled this type of special reindeer food mix (oats and glitter) at a Christmas get-together last year and were thrilled to sprinkle it outside on Christmas Eve.

Here's a closer view of Rudolph (layered on a Fall Daze pattern) who seems to be looking for a snack:

Aisne's Creations has a file of these adorable reindeer (with and without Rudolph's red nose) along with Santa's sleigh now available for only $1.50. Be sure to stop by Digiscrap Station and check out these cuties along with the brand new fairies, 'Blossom & Friends' and 'Sunflower Pixie'.

Still in Halloween mode? There's a whole line of Halloween Dress Up Freebies available on Aisne's Blog!

Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge #17 is a Masquarade Party with the challenge to dress up an item. Although I didn't go with the Halloween theme, I really like how this mini take-out box is re-purposed as a reindeer treat container-- wouldn't these be fun classroom favors or even crafts?

Now it's time to zig zag back through the holidays and finish a Thanksgiving card using a High Hopes image just in at Kelly's Stampin' N Scrapping Store!

Sharing with Friends

Digital image 'Bronte and Louis' by Mo Manning. Cardstock: kraft, GP110 white, CM yellow and green. Ink: Chocolate Chip, Copics. Accessories: Nestabilities rectangle, cording, yellow satin ribbon.

And sharing is even easier with toddlers, because they are right at tongue level!

Isn't this a precious image by Mo Manning? She has so many fun images at Mo's Digital Pencil Store and is also very generous with the freebies like this one available to Papercraft Planet group members (links in her blog side bar).

This week's Mo's Digital Challenge #3 is to create 'Anything But a Card' so I combined it with Saturday Spotlight on Hidden Potential's challenge #4 to make a treat container. Vicki has a super-easy-to-follow tutorial on her blog showing how to make these Hanging Cello Bag Treat which are perfect for surprising someone special with a goodie bag hanging from their door handle!

Here's a side view of Louis' treat; chocolate chip cookies, of course:

Be sure to stop by the Saturday Spotlight blog for more great treat container ideas; play along for your chance to win two free stamp sets by Firecracker Designs!

Fight Like a Girl!

Last week I learned a friend of mine was out of remission for ovarian cancer and needed to go through another round of chemo. I made a card based on Sweet Sunday sketch #41 using this wonderful 'Hope Fights' image by Whimsie Doodles to let her know I'm cheering for her through this very rough repeat chemo session.

Did you know the awareness ribbon for this cancer is teal? Here's a website that lists colors for hundreds of awareness ribbons. This image is in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, but it's perfect for any of these battles!

Head on over to the SheetLoad blog today and find out how to win the adorable image above.

This digital stamp set is called 'Hope Fights' and was created by Melyssa of Whimsie Doodles, in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

SheetLoad will be giving out four (4) free sets and you have until Monday at Midnight to get your name in the drawing.

Good luck!

PS: You can see more of Melyssa's creations at her Whimsie Doodles site.

It's Halloween Release Time at DRS Designs!

Stamps by DRS Designs: Halloween Kitty L076, Purrfect Halloween E064, Stars Background H124, Lines O'Plenty Background H366, Cat Print A1066. Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Summer Sun, Lovely Lilac, Black, GP110 white. Ink: Memento black, Versafine black, Copics. Accessories: dotted black organdy, circle punch, Stardust glitter pen.

Have you seen the new Halloween stamps available at DRS Designs yet? They have everything from spooky to cutes and general autumn theme as well.

The first card was inspired by Tuesday Morning Sketch #16; you still have time until 5pm to play along for a chance to win a free stamp set from this week's sponsor, There She Goes.

The next card is based on Taylored Expressions sketch #87:
Stamps by DRS Designs: Fancy Pumpkin G077, Star background H124, It's All Accessories D155. Cardstock: black, Lovely Lilac, Summer Sun, Papertrey white. Ink: Memento black, Versafine black, Summer Sun, Copics. Accessories: SU scallop border punch, orange satin ribbon, circle Nestabilites, Stardust glitter pen.

Now it's time for me to go play with more of the new images!

Saturday Spotlight: Treat Containers!

Stamps by DRS Designs: Eyeball C062, Eyes for you sentiment D092. Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Only Orange, GP110 white. Ink: Memento Black, Copics, Versamark. Accessories: circle punch, white detail EP, SU tag punches, ribbons.

Ready for some great ideas on how to deliver all those upcoming holiday goodies? This week's Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential challenge #3 is to create a treat container. Check out the Design Team's ideas and then share your own creations for a chance to win a stamp set from this week's sponsor, Firecracker Designs!

This treat container features brand new Halloween releases by DRS Designs. It's one of my favorite types of treat containers because not only is it easy, but it's a great way to reuse those peach containers from kid's lunches. You can use the container opened the regular way or use an edge-fee can opener to open the bottom so the pop-top remains for extra 'how'd they do that?' factor. Last year I posted a photo tutorial for this quick and easy project. Here are two more examples; can you tell I like this technique?

Another Halloween style:



And an open version used for office Christmas gifts:


Be sure to link your creations to the Saturday Spotlight challenge so we can all build up our idea files for the upcoming holiday goodies!

Outdoorsman's Birthday

Digital images and DP by Aisne's Creations: 'Fall Daze: Fawn and Squirrel, 'Master Artist 1'. Stamps: Papertrey 'Birthday Basics'. Cardstock: Kraft, Chocolate Chip. Ink: Versamark. Accessories: gold EP.

Aren't these Fall Daze images the perfect scenes for an outdoorsman's autumn birthday? Not only are they gorgeously realistic, but each pack is only $1! Browse through all of the Fall Daze series and the brand new Halloween characters HERE.

The layout is inspired by Splitcoast Stampers sketch challenge #251. I embossed the Happy Birthday and added the brads to balance the leaping fawn, but didn't think any other embellishments were needed with these beautiful images. I couldn't resist a bit of double-sided humor since I know I need a laugh around birthday time -- the inside sentiment reads "time to jump for joy!".

Instead of Raking Leaves...

Stamps by SmARTworks. Cardstock: Cool Caribbean, Kiwi Kiss, Papertrey white, My Mind's Eye 'Bloom and Grow' DP. Ink: Chocolate Chip, Copics. Accessories: Martha Stewart scallop border, Nestabilities Rectangles, sparkly brads.

...I'd rather be stamping!

Inspiration for this card was Card Positioning System's sketch #137 and SmARTworks' October challenge to create a Fall card. As much as I love Fall themes, this fun and retro stamp set was calling my name. So, I ended up pairing it with a retro DP and relying on the colors to create my autumn theme. That's what Fall is all about: the gorgeous oranges and reds, elegant browns, and clear blue skies.

OK, at least for today -- tomorrow it's back to rain. More time for stamping instead of raking, right??

More Eskimo Kisses

Stamps: Papertrey 'Signature Christmas'. Cardstock: Basic Grey 'Eskimo Kisses', Soft Sky, Textured Old Olive, Pretty in Pink. Ink: Rich Razzleberry. Accessories: circle punch, scallop border punch, Rich Razzleberry dotted grosgrain.

Now we finally see why this Basic Grey paper was named 'Eskimo Kisses'! The blues, purplish reds and greens in this DP make this card eligible for this months color combo challenge on the Basic Grey Challenge blog.

Inspiration was courtesy of Sweet Sunday sketch #40; I'm drawn to these layouts that feature lots of spaces for bits of DP. All the pattern, and in such small amounts that I can get past my hoarding instincts!

What Dogs Will Do for Their People!

Digital image by Mo's Digital Pencil . Sentiment: Holiday Best. Cardstock: Black, CM orange, Doodlebug Holiday stripes, Paper Studio Halloween dots, GP 110 white. Ink: Copics, versafine black, orange and Certainly Celery markers. Accessories: CM oval cutter, orange dotted silk ribbon, Long rectangle Nestabilities.

Isn't this a hilarious image? Not only that, but it's free just for being a member of Mo's Digital Pencil group over on the Scrapbook News and Review site!

It's also perfect for several challenges:

1) Mo's Digital Challenge #2 to use Fall colors plus only two types of embellishments.

2) Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #44; I only added the second DP because I didn't have quite enough of the stripes to cover the whole area.

3) Tuesday Tagger's challenge 'Things That Go Bump in the Night'; poor Bronte will probably bump into a few things with his kitty mask on!

4) Copic Creations #14: Black. The tutorials on coloring to achieve a realistic black were awesome; I think the black areas are the only ones I truly happy with on this image!

5) Last, but certainly not least, one of my favorite challenge blogs Opus Gluei #29 'Hocus Pocus' which challenged us to add a little magic to our project. Bella in her witch hat counts, but I think it's even more magical that she actually was able to convince Bronte to dress up like a black cat!!

This should take care of my 'need' for challenge for a while! My next challenge is cutting out all these super fun DRS Designs Halloween releases so I can begin showcasing them. Thank goodness for my hot knife tool!!

Rubber Baby Buggie Buttons!

Stamps by DRS Designs: Brush Baby Buggy G341, Cute as a Button B753, Large Original Plaid P641, Giga Heart Circle L273. Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, GP 110 white. Ink: Melon Mambo, Copics. Accessories: Giga Scallop Circle punch, magenta grosgrain ribbon, SU buttons, circle punch.

Have you been admiring the new stamp sets that center around buttons? Such a fun idea to design an image around a button! I decided to borrow the concept and replaced the wheels on this stroller with these sweet buttons.

The sketch was inspired by Clean & Simple Stamping's Fall-To sketch #64; unfortunately I realized I forgot the background panel! Oh well, that just means it's even more simple, right??

DRS Designs is the sponsor of this week's Creative Card Crew challenge to create a baby card. Visit the challenge post to see more sweet examples of baby cards!

Simple, Special and Stunning SheetLoads!

It is time for the October edition of Simple Special Stunning at the SheetLoad of Cards blog, featuring samples by Katie Skiff.

Each month one of our artists will share three different cards that use the current layout. Each card is a "step up" from the previous one, but they are all fabulous. It is a good way to show how SheetLoad is geared toward papercrafters of all levels.

Here are some sneak peeks to whet your appetite...

Midnight Harvest Mouse

Digital image 'Harvest Mouse' by Delicious Doodles. Sentiment: Papertrey 'Autumn Abundance'. Digital Cardstock by Aisne's Creations 'Fall Daze Paper Pack 3'. Cardstock: kraft, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, GP110 white. Ink: Chocolate Chip, Copics. Accessories: dotted chocolate ribbon, Oval Nestabilities.

Isn't this little 'Harvest Mouse' adorable? He's a freebie offered by Teri (Delicious Doodles) on the Tuesday Taggers blog for this week's challenge.

More digital fun on this card -- the patterned paper is one of several autumn-themed selections available at Aisne's Creations!

Sketch inspiration is provided by Midnight Madness Sketch #23; isn't this a unique sketch? Don't forget that you still have one more day to hop along the Midnight Madness blog hop for lots of fun prizes!

Clean and Simple Holiday Cards

Stamp by DRS Designs: Traveling Afar L673. Cardstock: Creative Memories green, GP110 white. Ink: Versamark. Accessories: silver EP, red satin ribbon.

This really couldn't be much more simple -- no coloring needed, just a bit of embossing! There's still time to join in 'Operation Write Home' which is being sponsored through the end of October by DRS Designs. Remember those traveling afar and earn your chance at great prizes!

DRS Designs is also sponsoring this week's challenge at Scrapmaster's Paradise. Create a card using this color combo, or similar colors to Really Rust, Crushed Curry, and Always Artichoke. It makes the perfect autumn theme, doesn't it?

Stamps by DRS Designs: Time for Sharing Greeting G993 , Tiny Leaf A1074, Open Plaid P631. Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Crushed Curry, Really Rust, WCP. Ink: Always Artichoke, Crushed Curry, Really Rust, Versafine black. Accessories: black brads.

The layout is a rotated version of Unscripted sketches #27, home of elegant layouts. I misted the inked stamps and then misted the final stamped panel for a softer, more watercolor effect for the leaves.

Two chances for winning just by stamping -- what are you waiting for?