HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE #61

Good morning everyone

I hope you are all having a great weekend so far.

This weeks High Hopes Challenge is brought to us by the lovely Michelle and she has chosen "Valentines".

I couldn't wait to ink up this adorable couple.....the image is "Rubbing Nosies" and "Love is in the Air" sentiment.




I enbossed the image with black and painted it with Tombows. The white is painted with icicle H2o's. I cut out the image and layered it with foam tape. I used my nesties for the frames. The flowers were done with my EK Success retro flower punch and McGill daisy punch. I added some flat backed pearls for the flower centers. The DP is from The Paper Company.

Be sure to stop by the High Hopes Blog, the Diva's have created some fabulous cards to inspire you.

I hope you will have time to play along with us, this weeks prize is the adorable "Troubled Travis" from the new release. Remember, to enter our challenge you must use a High Hopes image on your card.

If you are looking to purchase High Hopes stamps be sure to check out "The Rubber Room"

Have a great weekend and Thanks so much for stopping by.....

KAREN x

COLOUR CREATE CHALLENGE #37

Good morning everyone

It's time again for the Colour Create Challenge. This weeks challenge is brought to us by the lovely Jo and she has chosen "Soft Pink, Soft Blue, Silver and White". Such a gorgeous colour scheme!!



Here is a little
inspiration to
get you going.

This weeks
sponsor is
"Stretch N Bubbles".




After all that water colouring I did last week I decided I would do something a little different to give myself a break. I just love these adorable images. They are a 3D sheet that you cut out and assemble like Paper Tole. This little sweetie is from the "Moorehead Collection".




I cut out the pieces and layered them with foam tape. The ovals were cut with my nesties and I pieced the holes with my Ornare piercing tool. I used my MS border punch for the top border and used my paisley CB folder for the embossing. The flowers were punched with my EK Success small retro punch and the fern is a MS punch. I added some flat backed pearls for the flower centers.
I hope you like it....

Be sure to stop by the Colour Create Blog as the Design Team have some gorgeous creations to share with you.

Have a wonderful day and Thanks so much for stopping by...

KAREN x



*all products used in my card
are from "The Rubber Room"
and online store.

HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE #60

Good morning everyone

We had such a fun week with the High Hopes New Release and by the wonderful comments you all have left, you had fun admiring Dustin's awesome images too.

It's time for another High Hopes Challenge and this weeks host is our lovely guest Diva Alex and she has chosen "Create a Scene....using at least 3 images" .

I have combined some older images and a new image for my card today.
The images are..... "Cheeky Sean" ...." Branch" and "Single Banana". The sentiment is "Ladder of Success".




I embossed the images with black and painted them with Tombows. I stamped and embossed the leaves on the branch twice and cut them out and layered them. I added glossy accents to his teeth and some stickles to the leaves and bananas. I cut out the center of the card front and suspended Sean from the tree branch. I embossed the green frame with a CB folder and added some flat backed pearls. For the inside of the card I used Ranger alcohol inks to make the background and framed it the same as the front. Sean swings through the center of the card when it opens.

Be sure to stop by the High Hopes Blog as the Diva's have some fabulous cards to share with you and the blog hop candy winners are being announced today too!!

All High Hopes stamps including the new release are available for purchase at The Rubber Room and online store.

Have a wonderful Sunday and Thanks so much for stopping by....

KAREN x

Wags N' Whiskers Challenge #9

Well.... can you imagine I am back again today!! It was a really busy blogging week for me, more posts than normal but lots of fun.....so lets continue all that fun with the Wags N' Whiskers Challenge. Wags N' Whiskers fabulous artist Crissy Armstrong is hosting today's challenge and she has chosen..... "Be Inspired". Crissy would like you to use someone else's creation to inspire you! Give them credit for the inspiration and link us back to their project.

It didn't take me long to think of who I wanted to use for my inspiration. My card is cased from Michelle Petermann and I have adored her card from the minute I laid eyes on it. This is Michelle's card here.

The beautiful image I am using for my card today is "Angel Whispers".




I embossed the image with black and painted it with Tombows. I painted her wings with a thick coat of frosted lace stickles. I cut out another pair of butterflies and layered them. I embossed the whole card with a CB folder and added 2 panels embossed with the same CB folder. The frame is cut with my nesties circles and fluer de lis pendant. I used my fler de lis border punch from EK Success for the bottom edge of the card. I added some mulberry paper roses and some flat backed pearls.
I hope you like it......

There are some amazing creations made by the Diva's this week so be sure to pop on over to the Wags N Whiskers Blog and see who inspired each one of them!!

I hope you will have time to play along with us this week and don't forget if you want to be eligble for a chance to win this weeks fabulous prize you must use a WnW image on your card.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a fabulous day!!

Karen x


* all product used on my
card were purchased from
The Rubber Room and online store.

RELEASE DAY and BLOG HOP!!!!!!

It's finally here....HIGH HOPES RELEASE DAY and BLOG HOP!!!!!

I know you are all excited about Dustin's first release with High Hopes......so let's get going with the Hop.

If you have landed here from Nikki's blog you are going in the right direction......if you would like to start at the beginning you need to back to the High Hopes Blog.

There are 4 amazing prizes to be won.....1 Full New Release and 3 separate stamp packages.

To be eligble to win any of these packages you must leave a comment on each Diva's blog and the High Hopes Blog.
4 of the Diva's will hosting a prize, but we don't know which Diva's they are yet....so be sure to comment on all the Diva's blogs.


I couldn't resist doing a Stair Step Card....as these amazing little characters are just perfect for it.
The images I have used are " Chuck".... "Space Scape"...."Dragons Destiny".... and "Space like Home sentiment".



I embossed the images with black and painted them with Tombows. I stamped 3 of the Space Scape images..... one for the background and 1 for each step. I cut out all the images and layered them with foam tape. I added glossy accents to the dragons helmet and the alien's eyes. I stamped and embossed a maple leaf with red ink and clear embossing powder to the flag.
I also added some stickles here and there.



















Here is a side view to show you the dimension of the steps.

Now to continue "Blog Hopping"...... your next stop is Melanie.

The new release stamps are on sale "NOW"....and can be purchased at "The Rubber Room and Online Store".

Have fun with the Blog Hop.....Thanks so much for stopping by

KAREN x

HIGH HOPES SNEAK PEEKS....Day 3

Good morning everyone

I'm here today with another sneak peek from the High Hopes New Release created by the talented artist "Dustin Pike".

I fell in love with this one immediately......I'm sure you will too, especially all my Canadian friends!!

This awesome image is "Team Canada".
The sentiments are "Gangs all Here" and "Happy Canada Day".




I embossed the image with black and painted it with Tombows. I used my white pigment ink pen for the dots. The frame is cut with my nesties and the scallop I did with my scallop scissors. I printed our National Anthem onto white cs...you can find it here. I used my EK Success Fleur De Lis punch for the border. I stamped the sentiments with black Stazon onto white shrink film and shrunk it down with my embossing gun.

I hope you like it.....


Be sure to stop by the High Hopes Blog for the list of Diva's that are sneak peeking today. You don't want to miss their fabulous creations!!

I hope to see you all again tomorrow for the Blog Hop, the stamps will be available to purchase then too!!

Have a wonderful day....Thanks so much for stopping by....

KAREN x

HIGH HOPES SNEAK PEEKS....Day 2

Well it's Day 2 of the High Hopes Sneak Peeks.

I hope you enjoyed yesterdays peeks....aren't the images just amazing!!

Tomorrow will be some more sneak peeks with the Blog Hop and release Wednesday Jan. 20. You are going to love this Blog Hop as the prizes are "Out of This World"!!!






I couldn't resist using this adorable dragon for today's card.....let me introduce you to "Dwight".

I embosed the images with black and painted them with Tombows. I painted and cut out the bubbles and added a thick coat of glossy accents. I also added some purple stickles to anything that was purple. I used a CB folder for the green cs and used my nesties for the circles. The DP is from K and Co.

Be sure to pop on over to the High Hopes Blog as the Diva's have some amazing creations to share with you today.

I'll see you all again tomorrow...... have a fabulous day and Thanks so much for stopping by.....

All the new release stamps will be available to purchase Wed. Jan 20 at The Rubber Room and online store.

KAREN x

HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE #59 and SNEAK PEEKS!!!

Let the fun begin.....

Today is not only the High Hopes Challenge, it is the first day of sneak peeks for the fabulous "New Release" by the amazingly talented artist "Dustin Pike".

This weeks challenge is brought to us by Jeanne and she has chosen "Spacey Colours..... Blue, Green and Purple".

The super adorable image I have used is "Troubled Travis" and "Good Idea" sentiment.



I embossed the image with black and painted it with Tombows. I also added some stickles. The frame borders are done with my MS punch. I embossed the blue cs with a CB folder and added some black flat backed pearls.

To see more new release sneak peeks pop on over to the High Hopes Blog.....the Diva's have some awesome creations to share with you today. We will be back tomorrow and Tuesday with more sneak peeks with a blog hop on Wednesday.....release day!!

I hope you will have a chance to play along with us this week......you must use a High Hopes image to qualify for your chance to win....and this weeks prize is "2 stamps from the new release".

The New Release will be available for purchase at The Rubber Room on Wednesday Jan. 20 2010.

See you all tomorrow for another sneak peek
Have a great Sunday and Thanks so much for stopping by....

KAREN x

WAGS N' WHISKERS CHALLENGE #8

Happy Friday everyone

I am looking forward to the weekend and we are supposed to be getting some fine weather in the next few days. Sunshine and above freezing.......every passing day is another day closer to Spring!!

It's time for the Wags N' Whiskers Challenge. This weeks challenge is brought to us by the lovely Sharon and she has chosen "Hearts".... use at least one heart on your card or project.

For this weeks challenge I am using the beautiful image......"Puppy Love".




I embossed the image with black and painted it with Tombows. I used my MS heart punch for the borders. I used a small heart punch for the other hearts. The Dp is from Basic Grey paper packs. I added some dew drops from Robin's Nest on the corners. I used my Easy Bow maker for the little blue bow. (just love that little template!!)

Be sure to pop on over to the Wags N' Whiskers blog to see the fabulous creations the Diva's have designed this week. If you have time, I hope you will play along with us this week and be sure to use a WNW's image for your chance to win.


I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and Thanks so much for stopping by.....

KAREN x



*all products used to make
my card were purchased
from The Rubber Room and
online store.

COLOUR CREATE CHALLENGE #36

Good Morning everyone

It's time for the Colour Create Challenge. This weeks challenge is brought to us by the lovely Chris and she has chosen Kraft, Blue and White with the optional extra of Texture.


Here is a little inspiration
to get you started.

Our sponsor this week is
" The Rubber Room"
online store and there is a
$20.00 gift certificate up for
grabs for one lucky winner.


I picked up this adorable mini suitcase at The Rubber Room and thought it was just perfect for a set of note cards.




The sweet little butterfly and little flowers I used are from High Hopes and the sentiments are from Sunshine Designs.

I embossed the butterflies with black and painted them with Tombows. I also embossed the sentiments. I used a CB folder on each card and used my nesties to cut the frames. The craft piece at the bottom of the sentiment was cut with my scallop scissors. I used some wire for the antenna.

I hope you will have time to play along with us for this challenge and be sure to stop by the Colour Create Blog as the Design Team have some gorgeous creations to share with you.

Have a wonderful day...Thanks so much for stopping by

Karen x

SIR DUSTIN HAS ARRIVED........

This has been the hardest news to keep.....let me tell ya....but the cats out of the bag now and I am so excited to introduce you to High Hopes new artist......" DUSTIN PIKE"!!
Dustin has created some amazing images for his debut and trust me you are going to love them!!

We will be starting the sneak peeks this Sunday Jan. 17th on the High Hopes and Diva's blogs and then a blog hop for the release on Wednesday Jan 20th.

All of the new release stamps will be available for purchase on Wednesday Jan 20th at "The Rubber Room and on-line store".

Be sure to get on over to the High Hopes blog to see the details on how you can win a package bursting at the seams with new release stamps!!


KAREN X

HIGH HOPES AHALLENGE #58

Good morning everyone
I hope you are all having great weekend so far. We are still braving the cold, as many of you are too. At least the snow has stopped here, just super cold...a good day to stay inside and keep warm.

It's time for the High Hopes Challenge and this weeks challenge is brought to you all by me!! I would like you to "Put A Bow on it".

The adorable image I have chosen for my card is "Trish Tea Angel" and "Tea-rrific" sentiment.





I embossed the image with black and painted it with Tombows. I added some frosted lace stickles for her wings. The frame is cut with my nesties and the flowers were made with my MS
hydrangea punch. I used some flatbacked pearls for the flower centers. The fern is also a MS punch. The DP is from Chatterbox.
I hope you like it!!

Be sure to pop by the High Hopes blog and check out the gorgeous cards the Diva's have created to inspire you.

I hope you will have a chance to play along with us this week and be sure to use a High Hopes image on your card.

Have a wonderful Sunday and Thanks so much for stopping by.....

KAREN x



*all products used in making my card are from The Rubber Room and online store.
Check out their brand new website for the amazing deals going on this month!!

WAGS N' WHISKERS AND MOTIVET CHALLENGES

Good morning everyone....

It's time to get back in the swing of things with the Wags N' Whiskers Challenge after our little holiday break.

This weeks challenge is a "Valentine Card.....with no red"!! I love this challenge because red and is not one of my favorite colours.

The gorgeous image I have chosen for my card is "He Loves Me".


I embossed the image with black and painted it with Tombows. I added glitter to her wings. The borders are done with my MS punch and the flowers are made with a small MCGill daisy punch. the flower centers are flat backed pearls. Both DP's are from Darcie's.

The Diva's have created some absolutely gorgeous cards this week so pop on over to the Wags N' Whiskers Blog for some wonderful inspiration.
I hope you will have time to play along with us this week and be sure to use a Wags N' Whiskers image on your card to be eligble to win this weeks fabulous prize.





















This week at the Motivet Challenge
there is another fabulous sketch for
us to follow.








The adorable image I am using for my card is "Lucy"....isn't she just the sweetest!!



I embossed the image with black and painted it with Tombows. The circles are cut with my nesties and embossed with a CB folder. The center border is done with my MS loop punch and the flowers are punched with my MS Hydrangea punch. I used some flat backed pearls for the flower centers. The papers are from Basic Grey Wisteria paper pack.

There are some beautiful cards over at the Motivet Inpirational Blog created by the DT so be sure to go on over and have a look. Make sure you use a Motivet image on your card to qualify for a chance to win some wonderful prizes.

Have a great day and Thanks so much for stopping by...

KAREN x


*All products used in my cards are from The Rubber Room. Just click the link and it will take you to The Rubber Room's brand new website and online store.

HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE #57

Happy Sunday everyone

We had a nice little holiday and now it's time to get back into our routine with our High Hopes Challenge. This weeks challenge is brought to us by the lovely Nikki and as she does so brilliantly, has created a wonderful sketch for us to follow. Don't you love it when half the work is done for us...Thanks Nikki!!



The adorable image I have used on my card is "Father Time and Baby New Year".


I embossed the image with black and painted it with Tombows. I used Gelly Roll silver metallic on the clock and scythe. I added flocking to his beard and hair. I cut the circles with my nesties and embossed them with a CB folder. The flower was punched with my EK Success Retro Flower punches. The burgandy paper is from Core'dinations and I used my sanding block to give it the distressed look. The DP is a 2 sided paper by Magenta Style.

I hope you will have time to play along with us this week and be sure to stop by the High Hopes Blog to see all the fabulous cards the Diva's have created to inspire you.

Have a wonderful day and Thanks so much for stopping by..

Karen x




*all High Hopes Stamps are available
at The Rubber Room and online store.