Our winner for our "Things That Fly" Challenge drawing is Kecia W. at Stamping Deets!!! Congratulations, Kecia! Have fun shopping with all of our great new Fall/Winter stamps and dies!! DT Thursday Our Design Team hostess for today is Laura Fulcher. She has a great card to get you in the mood for tricks and treats! Fly on over to her blog HERE for the real treat!!! When you get back check out the details for our next challenge further down the post. Our Next Challenge Is "Colors Of Fall" The challenge starts October 3. For those of you who aren't familiar with our challenges, the guidelines are below: Use all IO dies/stamps. Ending time is this challenge will be Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 10 p.m. EST. Use the Inlinkz thumbnail format and rules at the end of this post. The winner is selected by Random.org to win a $25 Gift Certificate for use in our on-line store. Players are notified of the winner by email the night the challenge ends. The winner's name will be posted with the DT Thursday post on Oct. 10. All entries are posted in the Customer Card Gallery, under Card Galleries at the top... Continue reading

When I saw Snowman Mitten, I immediately thought that stamp needs the 'Kiss' technique with CAC Knit! That thought led to below: Cardfront Background: Stamped CAC Ornate Snowflakes on white cardstock with Memento Summer Sky, trimmed to 4"X5.25" and mounted to white cardstock. Kissing Technique: Inked CAC Knit with Summer Sky ink, placed Snow Mitten on inked CAC and then stamped on white cardstock twice. Trimmed around first mitten. Cut out snowman and buttons on second mitten. Mounted mitten on white cardstock with 3D pop-dots, traced around with Magic Matter 1/8" and cut out. Mounted buttons with 3D pop-dots. Sentiment Snowflake: What a pleasant surprise when I die cut Lg. Snowflake. I honestly had no idea this die was actually 4 separate snowflakes if you want. I saw it embossed by Jenny Gropp HERE, so I thought I would be getting a really detailed one snowflake and instead I got 4 detailed and lovely snowflakes. You see 2 above and I used the other two for the sentiment on the card as shown. I stamped the sentiment Happy Holidays on a leftover circle from Circle Shaker Frame Die Set. Assembly: Mounted the snowflake on the right first with Glossy Accents,... Continue reading

Our winner for our "Die" Challenge is Linda at Snail's Pace!!! Congratulations, Linda! Have fun shopping with all of our great new Fall/Winter stamps and dies!! DT Thursday Our Design Team hostess for today is Vicki Garrett. She has some wonderful ways to save her warm and wonderful memories of a really cool time to show you! Guess who the lady in blue is? ;-) Hop on over to her blog HERE for the real treat!!! When you get back check out the details for our next challenge further down the post. Our Next Challenge Is "Things That Fly" The challenge starts September 19. For those of you who aren't familiar with our challenges, the guidelines are below: Use all IO dies/stamps. Ending time is this challenge will be next Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 10 p.m. EST. Use the Inlinkz thumbnail format and rules at the end of this post. The winner is selected by Random.org. The drawing is for a $25 Gift Certificate, for use in our on-line store. Players are notified of the winner by email the night the challenge ends. The winner's name is posted with the DT Thursday post on Sept. 26. All entries are posted... Continue reading

A quick card with a bit of whimsy using the Cutout Christmas Tree Die. I tried a new way of taking the photo to see if I could pick up more sparkle and I think it worked. I laid the cardfront down flat and took the photo from above, just as I do supplies, etc. The pearls don't show as white as they truly are though. Cardfront Base: Cut cardfront dark green background of 5.25"X5.25", and white dotted swiss at 5"X5" and mounted. Stamped CAC Mesh Circles with VersaMark on white cardstock, applied stamp and bond powder, heated to a gloss, applied glitter, and heat embossed to seal. Trimmed to 5"X5" and mounted on cardfront with 3D pop-dots. Die cut and mounted frame to cardfront. Saved die cut for inside. Christmas Tree Cutout: Cut clear acetate 3"X4". Die cut Christmas Tree Cutout and mounted on acetate, trimmed around with scissors. Added yellow and clear sparkle glitter glue to light and ornament areas. Next time I would like to try Glossy Accents and glitter for better dimension. Added Viva Ice White Pearl to the trim area. Added the flourish to the base and mounted in open area with 3D pop darts.... Continue reading

DT Die Blog Hop Day 3 Winner Our winner for the Day 3 drawing, for her choice of 3 dies or die sets, is Colleen C. Congratulations, Colleen, and happy shopping!!! A big thanks to all of you for making the hop a great success. We hope you had as much fun as we did!! You are invited to join us in our challenges too!! Dies Challenge Don't forget the Dies Challenge for all of you is still in progress. For details go HERE!!! Another Treat For You There is another post by one of our DT members just below this one. She has a beautiful card for you. Check it out before you go!! Thanks for stopping by to look and share. Shirley Continue reading

Our winner for the Day 2 drawing, for her choice of 3 dies or die sets, is Colorado Crafter. Congratulations, CC, and happy shopping!!! The last day of the hop and our Design Team has more wonderful cards for you using our new dies! Check out their blogs following the guidelines below and be eligible for the drawing where you can win 3 dies of your choice!!! After that check out the details of our challenge, that starts today for all of you, further down the post. IO Blog – You are Here Daniela Dobson Dina Kowal Ellen Taylor Jeanne Streiff Jenny Gropp Kittie Caracciolo Laura Fulcher Vicki Garrett Participant Drawing Guidelines Today is the last day of our hop: The hop starts here. Comment on each participating blog, including this one. The deadline for comments is 10 p.m., today, EST. The drawing will be for 3 Dies of the winner's choice. The winner for each day will be announced in a post tomorrow. I am off to see what the DT has created and to read your comments too!!! Today, September 5, we are also starting our regular challenge for you, with a: Dies Challenge Your challenge continues as... Continue reading

A quick card for a wedding shower being held in early December for my friend's daughter. I did the following: Used white and blue cardstock to set up the background for the snowman. Die cut body, hat, arms, coal, and one extra bottom for the sentiment with Snowman Set from white cardstock. Edged body with glitter and mounted as shown. Added face and ribbon scarf with pearl heart sticker. For some reason the arms look too dark. Added arms and hat. Snowman is bowing as he gives "Warmest Wishes". :-) Die cut Sm. Snowflakes twice using sticky paper, added glitter and mounted as shown. Edged sentiment circle with blue ink and glitter. Stamped sentiment, added bow and done! For even more fun, below is yesterday's drawing winner and the fantastic cards for today by the DT. Die Drawing Winner Day 1 Our winner for the Day 1 drawing and choice of 3 dies or die sets is Shona at Dog Fur In My Glue. Congratulations, Shona, and happy shopping!!! Our Design Team has more pretty and fun filled cards for you using our new dies! Check out their blogs followed by the guidelines below to be eligible for the drawing,... Continue reading

Not Birch trees today!! I couldn't resist seeing how they could sparkle as other trees: Prepared base with white and brown cardstock and stamped white cardstock with CAC Snowflake and tan pigment ink, added some tinsel glitter, embossed, and layered onto the base. Tore two strips of white cardstock, layered on the bottom, and left loose in the middle to mount trees and deer. Die cut Birch Trees from white cardstock, painted brown, and ran ATG Tape along the back. Mounted trees in snow and dusted with glitter for the open spots left by the tape. Die cut Deer Trio from brown cardstock and mounted in the snow layers. Die cut banner from Banners & Tails from white cardstock, stamped with sentiment from Sentiments I with red ink, and mounted. Die cut Cardinals from red remnant cardstock, attached with glue dots and finished off with a little red bow!! Are you ready for some more fun? Our Design Team has designed 3 days of fun for you, filled with cards using our new dies too. Their blogs are listed below. After that find out how you can win 3 dies of your choice by following the rules for the hop... Continue reading

Design Team Die Blog Hop An error was made when posting the information about the prizes to be awarded. All of the details of the hop with the changes are below. The Design Team will have a Blog Hop September 3 through September 5 showcasing our NEW DIES!! Here is how you can participate and have a chance to win 3 dies of your choice to be awarded each day: Comment on each participating DT blog, including the IO blog, each day to be eligible for that day's drawing. The time to comment each day closes at 10 p.m. EST. A drawing will be held each day for 3 dies of the winner's choice. Winner chosen by Random.org) The winner will be announced in the post the following day. On the last day of the hop, Thursday, we will start our Die Challenge for your participation. The details below. Our Next Challenge Is "Dies" Our next challenge starts September 5. For those of you who aren't familiar with our challenges, the guidelines are below: Use all IO dies/stamps. Ending time is this challenge will be next Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 10 p.m. EST. Use the Inlinkz thumbnail format and rules... Continue reading

Our Design Team hostess for today is Jeanne Streiff. Below is a sneak peek and then you can check it out totally HERE for the real treat!!! When you get back check out the details for our next Design Team Die Blog Hop and a challenge for you too, further down the post. Design Team Die Blog Hop The Design Team will have a Blog Hop September 3 through September 5 showcasing our NEW DIES!! Here is how you can participate and have a chance to win 3 dies of your choice to be awarded each day: Comment on each participating DT blog, including the IO blog, each day to be eligible for that day's drawing. The time to comment each day closes at 10 p.m. EST. A drawing will be held each day for 3 dies of the winner's choice. Winner chosen by Random.org. The winner will be announced in the post the following day. On the last day of the hop, Thursday, we will start our Die Challenge for your participation. The details below. Our Next Challenge Is "Dies" Our next challenge starts September 5. For those of you who aren't familiar with our challenges, the guidelines are... Continue reading

Another masculine card for a student achiever. When I saw the Geese Flying and then the new Banners & Tails die set, I thought a Goose would be a great way to send a 'flying message'. IMAGES: Stamped CAC Clouds on white cardstock with Memento Summer Skies. Trimmed it to 4.75X4.75". Mounted to blue 5.25X5.25" cardstock (This size card fits a 5.5" square envelope and allows room for bows, 3D pop dot, etc.). Stamped CAC Wood Grain on white cardstock with Memento Nautical Blue. Trimmed it to 4.75X1.5" and included the most open wood grain (to resemble open water blowing in the wind), then mounted bottom of sky. Watercolored a little. Stamped Flying Geese twice on white cardstock with Memento Toffee Crunch and then: Painted one of the suns yellow and trimmed around it to resemble a circle. Painted the geese in the other image and trimmed around. Used the geese as an overlay and matched up with the wings in the trimmed sun. Mounted to sky. DIES & SENTIMENT: Die cut banner from Banners & Tails, mounted the sentiment from Warm Fuzzies Sentiments (used the die cut to line up the sentiment on the acrylic mount), stamped with Memento... Continue reading

Our winner in our "Let's Hear It For The Boys" Challenge is Candice at Craftin' With Candice!!! Congratulations, Candice. Have fun shopping with all of our great new Fall/Winter stamps and dies!! DT Thursday Our Design Team hostess for today is Dina Kowal. In addition to the 3 cards (sneak peeks below), she has created a video tutorial that shows how she created all three cards!!! By the way, some of the stamps she uses are her very own dkdesigns. Hop on over to her blog HERE for the real treat!!! When you get back check out the details for our next Design Team Die Blog Hop and challenge for you, further down the post. Design Team Die Blog Hop The Design Team will have a Blog Hop September 3 through September 5 showcasing our NEW DIES!! The will be more about it and the prizes on the next DT Thursday post, August 29. On the last day of the hop, Thursday, we will start our Die Challenge for your participation. The details below. Our Next Challenge Is "Dies" Our next challenge starts September 5. For those of you who aren't familiar with our challenges, the guidelines are below: Use... Continue reading

When we posted our new list of challenges we didn't show the "Die Challenge" for all of you scheduled for September 5. I know how some of you like to plan early and wanted to bring that to your attention. In addition, all of them are now posted in the sidebar. If you like you can post it in your blog sidebar too by: right click on the list and click on "save as" save it to your computer go to your blog and follow the instructions for putting an image in your sidebar. (If you need help I might be able to help you.) Since our "Let's Hear It For The Boys" Challenge is still going strong, I thought I would post the card I just finished for my grandson's birthday. It's later in December. Here in NC our first snow can happen then, if we are lucky, and Winter Scene reminded me of that. It was so easy as you can see below!! STEPS: Stamped Winter Scene on Ice Gold Cardstock with Memento Rich Cocoa. Painted with watercolors and Niji waterbrush. Added some glitz for snow with glue pen and glitter. Trimmed to 5.25"X5.25" and mounted to the... Continue reading

Let's find out what the DT is saying about "the boys" by visiting their blogs listed below!! When you get back, show us your card "for the boys" by taking part in the challenge too! IO Blog – You are Here Dina Kowal Ellen Taylor Jeanne Streiff Jenny Gropp Kittie Caracciolo Laura Fulcher For those of you who aren't familiar with our challenges, the guidelines are below: Use all IO stamps/dies. Ending time is next Wednesday, August 21, at 10 p.m. EST. Use the Inlinkz information at the end of this post. The winner is selected by Random.org. The drawing is for a $25 Gift Certificate, for use in our on-line store. Players are notified of the winner by email the night the challenge ends. The winner's name is posted with the DT Thursday post on August 22. Entries are posted in the Customer Card Gallery with a link back to your blog/gallery post. Have some fun, create your card using all IO dies/stamps, and then post it using the Inlinkz at the bottom of this post. If you need inspiration you can check out 2013 Card Galleries at the top of the blog. Also, there are direct links to... Continue reading

This card was really fast to do: IMAGES: Stamped Christmas Mousette, Mr. Mouse, Tiny Mistletoe, and Not A Creature Stirring on white cardstock with Memento Rich Cocoa on white cardstock using Mini Mount. Painted the mice and mistletoe with Twinks, but inkpads or markers can be used too. Gave Mousette little pearl earrings too!! Added Flower Soft with Glossy Accents to the mice, added Viva White Pearl and a little glitter to the berries. Used a small piece of red glitter twine for a bow for the mistletoe. Used the cling Not A Creature Stirring as a template for tracing around the sentiment after I stamped it, then used the Magic Matter for 1/8" to get the tan matt for around it. Mounted it to the inside and included left-over background from the Mesh Circles. BACKGROUND: Stamped CAC Mesh Circles with Memento Desert Sand ink on white cardstock. Added VersaMark with a dauber to selected circles, added Stamp and Bond Powder, heated to clear, added glitter, heated to set (That's why my pictures are darker. I wanted the glitter to show). Alternatives could be glue pen or glitter glue. Mounted to tan cardstock and added white pearl hearts in corners.... Continue reading

Our winner in our "Words of Encouragement" Challenge is Karen Amidon. Her gallery is at Splitcoast Stampers. Congratulations, Karen! Have fun shopping too!! DT Thursday Our Design Team member hostessing today's DT Thursday is Daniela Dobson. She has a wonderful surprise for us! Take a look at her sneak peek below and then hop on over to her blog HERE. Then see you back here to check out the details of our next challenge further down the post. Our Next Challenge "Lets Hear It For The Boys" Our next challenge starts August 15. For those of you who aren't familiar with our challenges, the guidelines are below: Use all IO stamps/dies. Ending time is this challenge will be next Wednesday, August 21, at 10 p.m. EST. Use the Inlinkz thumbnail format and rules at the end of this post. The winner is selected by Random.org. The drawing is for a $25 Gift Certificate, for use in our on-line store. Players are notified of the winner by email the night the challenge ends. The winner's name is posted with the DT Thursday post on August 22. All entries are posted in the Customer Card Gallery, under Card Galleries at the top... Continue reading

When I saw our new dies I had to have the Snow Globe Die and couldn't wait to show you the fun I had with it! What really got me excited about the globe die is it fits perfectly with the Large Shake-It Pouch. I tried it out and below is what I did. BACKGROUNDS: Stamped Cover-A-Card Snowflakes 3 times for 3 different looks: First with Memento Summer Sky on white cardstock (background behind snow globe). Second and third time with VersaMark (Emboss Resist) on white cardstock, clear embossing powder, heat embossed, then brayered with Summer Sky (first well inked and the second much lighter for the snow globe). Cut white cardstock 5.25X5.25" for base, 5.0X5.0" of darker emboss resist cardstock, cut 4.5"X4.5" of blue snowflake on white background. PREP BG FOR SHAKER: Mounted the dark snowflake emboss resist on the white cardstock. Did the die cut for the Snow Globe from the lighter Emboss Resist and the base from some leftover Bazzill Dotted Swiss brown cardstock. Lined up the "globe" on the lighter Emboss Resist with the die cut and the die and traced around it. Die cut the hole for the Shake-It Pouch on the lighter Emboss Resist.... Continue reading

We all need them and this is your chance to give them back to someone. So that is what our DT is doing this week for their creative cards!! To be inspired visit their blogs below, then come back and show us your cards of encouragement by entering the challenge at the bottom of the post. IO Blog – You are Here Dina Kowal Ellen Taylor Jeanne Streiff Jenny Gropp Kittie Caracciolo Laura Fulcher Vicki Garrett For those of you who aren't familiar with our challenges, the guidelines are below. The rules are at the end of the post with the entries: Use all IO stamps/dies. Ending time is this challenge will be next Wednesday, August 7, at 10 p.m. EST. Use the Inlinkz thumbnail format and rules at the end of this post. The winner is selected by Random.org. The drawing is for a $25 Gift Certificate, for use in our on-line store. Players are notified of the winner by email the night the challenge ends. The winner's name is posted with the DT Thursday post on August 8. All entries are posted in the Customer Card Gallery, under Card Galleries at the top of the page, with a... Continue reading

We all want to thank all of you who participated in the hop this week. Your wonderful compliments and comments about our new products and your enthusiasm really made it a success for all of us....and of course.....I am still having fun today too!!! Our winner for Day 5 is Lisa at Crafting With Lisa! The winner for the drawing for the week is Katie Bondroff. Congragulations to you both and happy shopping too. You can check out our new Fall/Winter dies and stamps HERE, and the clear sets HERE. Our Next Challenge Our "Words Of Encouragement" Challenge begins August 1. For those of you who aren't familiar with our challenges, the guidelines are below. Use all IO dies/stamps in your post. The focal point of the card must be IO stamp(s) or die(s). Card shape templates are allowed. If you have a question please email me. Taking part in other challenges is allowed if our company is listed first. Ending time is this challenge will be the following Wednesday, August 7, at 10 p.m. EST. Use the Inlinkz thumbnail format at the end of the challenge post. The drawing is for a $25 Gift Certificate, for use in our... Continue reading

Welcome to the fifth and last day of our CHA DT Blog Hop! We want to thank all of you who participated in the hop. Your wonderful comments about our new products and your enthusiasm really made it a success for all of us....and okay.....a lot of fun for me and we hope for you too!!! Our winner for Day 4 is Diane H. at Nellie's Nest! Congratulations, Diane, and happy shopping too. You can check out our new Fall/Winter dies and stamps HERE, and the clear sets HERE. Mitra introduced them at CHA in Las Vegas, NV, this week. For my card today I chose Alesa Baker's Angelic Tree, Cover-A-Card Dots, and Fir Tree die set. I think because there is so much glitter, I had a very difficult time getting a good picture. I created it by: Stamping the image on white cardstock with Memento London Fog, painted with Memento Cottage Ivy marker, Spica At You Lipstick pen, and Twinkling H2O Warm Pecan. Used Sakura glue pen for the edges of the snow angels and DecoArt glitter, added bow to tree. Mounted with 3D pop-dots after the cardfront background was done. I cheated on the CAC Dots background.... Continue reading

Winner Of Pack Your Bags Challenge First we would like to congratulate the winner of our Pack Your Bags Challenge, Katie Bondroff. Congratulations and happy shopping with the new images and dies!! CHA DT Blog Hop Day 4 Welcome to the fourth day of our CHA DT Blog Hop! Our winner for Day 3 is Sandy at Simply Sandy Lee! Congratulations, Sandy, happy shopping too. You can check out our new Fall/Winter dies and stamps HERE, and the clear sets HERE. Mitra has been introducing them at CHA at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, this week. For my card today I chose Leigh Hannan's Ghost Espresso and the sentiment is Kalani Allred's Poisonous Potions (also available in clear set Have Broom Will Travel). The background is Cover-A-Card Mesh Circles. I created it by: Stamping the espresso twice on white cardstock with Memento Rich Cocoa twice, painted the first one with Twinkling H2O's. Cut out the front of the matching plate, the label in the middle and the ghost "steam", painted, and mounted with 3D pop-dots. Added Stickles Cinnamon as shown. If you click on the photo you will see the label on the cup says, "Its... Continue reading

Welcome to the third day of our CHA DT Blog Hop! Our winner for Day 2 is Larissa Heskett! Congratulations Larissa, happy shopping too, and I have emailed your Gift Certificate. You can check out our new Fall/Winter dies and stamps HERE, and the clear sets HERE. Mitra is also introducing them at CHA at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, July 22 through 25. For my card today I chose Gary Robertson's Butterfly and Pumpkins and the sentiment is from the clear set Hydrangea. I created it by: Stamping the image on white cardstock with Memento Espresso Truffle twice, painted the first one with Twinkling H2O's. Cut out the butterfly and leaf to the right, turned the leaf over and traced for the left side and drew the tip of the butterfly wing, attached with tape to each. Painted painted both shapes, embossed on reverse side with stylus and mounted with 3D-pop dots. Added black edge to image with Scripto pen. Mounted on die cut from Spellbinders Polka Dots and white cardstock at an angle. Mounted that on black cardstock and then on Dotted Swiss cardstock. Added black organdy bow, pearl stick pin with pearl heart... Continue reading

Welcome to the second day of our week long CHA DT Blog Hop! Our winner for Day 1 is SHartl!!! I have emailed you with the information I need to issue your gift certificate. Congratulations Shar, and happy shopping too!!! You can check out our new Fall/Winter dies and stamps HERE, and the clear sets HERE. Mitra is also introducing them at CHA at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, July 22 through 25. For my card today I chose Leigh Hannan's Ghost Cone and Kalani Allred's Poisonous Potions (It can also be purchased as part of her Have Broom Will Travel clear set). The background is Cover-A-Card Gingham. I put it together by: Stamped Ghost Cone on white cardstock with Brilliance Galaxy Gold 3 times. All were heated with heat gun to dry. One was for the base, one for the pumpkin and and cone, and one for the ghost. All were painted with Twinkling H2O's. Layers were trimmed, embossed from the back with a stylus and mounted with 3D pop-d0ts on base. Added Stickles Orange Peel, Buttercup, Lime Green, and Cinnamon as shown. (Could not resist those eyes!!!) Stamped CAC Gingham with Memento Toffee Crunch... Continue reading