I DARE you, Get Dirty!

Splitcoast Stampers is for me, where my obsession with stamping began.  To be able to search for a particular stamp set I'd just purchased, and see *so* many gorgeous cards with it.  I loved participating in the daily challenges, and with each one, I became more confident in my ability to create.  I met so many wonderful people on Splitcoast and learned from all of the oustanding Tutorials written each week.

What I didn't know, is that it would literally, change my life.  Sounds crazy, but its true.  I'm now blessed three days a week that my "hobby" has become my job. That I've met some of my very closest of friends.  That I now consider myself - an artist? 

I never would have dreamed that I'd be lucky enough to be asked to join the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen, these girls were my stamping HEROES and now, I'm pleased to count so many of them as my dear friends.

Serving on the dozen was a HUGE accomplishment for me, what a huge honor to have my work recognized. I enjoyed every single moment and challenged my creative boundaries and grew so much during those six crazy months.

This week, Splitcoast is holding the Dare To Get Dirty - a series of challenges hosted by present and former "Dirty Girls."   Did I mention there are PRIZES - if you complete all of the challenges before August 10th, you're in the running for a prize, selected at random from all those that complete ALL the challenges.  (and yes, you can combine them.)

You've got to be a member of the Splitcoast Fan Club to participate in the challenges - but I can't recommend the Fan Club enough.  Here's a few reasons

1) Access to the monthly Dirty Dozen Gallery - you'll have over 100 amazing - totally drool worthy projects to inspire you.  You'll also have access to all the previous Dirty Dozen Galleries - learn from the best of the best and pick up some new ideas!

2) Instant upload privileges! Your uploads to the Galleries will *instantly* be visible - you won't have to wait for moderator approval. Which means - Sunday uploads are a-okay.  I'm an "instant gratification girl" so this is a big deal for me.

 3) You're supporting the greatest Stamping Community ever!  Splitcoast is THE place for cardmakers and stampers - help support this amazing community!

4)  As I mentioned above, these challenges are FABULOUS and you're going to learn SO much, try new things in your projects, and you'll have FUN too.

Okay, so my sample for my challenge I'm hosting is below, but you've got to head on over to the forum set aside for the Dare to Get Dirty challenge!

I'm having lots of fun with the new Just the Ticket Stamp set and Die-namics from MFT.  I also reached for the Open Scallop Duo (the larger of the two) and ran through a piece of corrugated cardboard for a real rustic look.  Pattern papers are from Authentique. 

Have fun and go ahead, I DARE you to Get Dirty!

 

Dare to Get Dirty - come join us!

I'm sure by now you've seen on Blog-land that it is Dare to Get Dirty week over on Splitcoast Stampers. Challenges are posted each day by current or alumnae Dirty Dozen members.

One of today's challenges is hosted by my Dirty Dozen Roomie and sweet friend Bev Rousch. You'll have to stop by over HERE to find all the details on the challenge itself, but I can share with you my sample today.

Dare to Get Dirty week is your chance to play along with the Dirty Dozen, and who knows, maybe even get noticed for a future spot on the team.... In any case, it is a wonderful way to grow your creativity and most of all, have some fun!

If you're not familiar with the Splitcoast Fan Club - then you'll want to give it another look. Not only do you get access to the Dirty Dozen Gallery each month - which is always loaded with some jaw dropping beauties - but you also get instant upload priviliges in the gallery, which is a *huge* benefit for me. And, of course, you're supporting the greatest stamping community there is!!

So, onto the sample details......Let me just say that I had to go on a hunt to find my Christmas papers, but I was so glad to find this pretty red snowflake one. I added a bit of green with my new MFT Open Scallop Dienamic, and a bit of texture using MFT's Felt, and the new Die-namic Framed Greetings Die - I cut it in half and matted it on either side of the oval nestie for a little accent. Finished off with a wood button from the Earth Girl collection. This little Pure Innocence: Presents for You cutie is one of my all time faves.

No go ahead, and get yourself little Dirty!

TCP Tuesday - Release

Hope you're having a blast hopping along through the TCP Summer Release HOP! You should have found me via Amy's blog, and I'm sure she left you in awe, she's pretty amazing like that.... If not, then please be sure to start up at Leigh's blog, so that you don't miss a single thing!!

I hope you loved Sneaky Peek Week as much as we all did, and guess what, the goodies are now available at the TCP Store. With new stamp sets, felt, wood veneer, Glitzy Glitter and oh my word all that luscious Divine Twine, I do SO hope you'll choose some goodies to come home with you!

This TCP Tuesday we're celebrating our new forum on Splitcoaststampers by mixing it up with the Dirty Dozen on their Dare to Get Dirty Challenge. The Hostess with the Mostess is our very own Dirty Dozen Alum, Leigh O'Brien. Their sketch challenge is our sketch challenge this week. Check out their challenge on the Dirty Dozen forum at Splitcoaststampers and see what the Dirty Dozen has done with this sketch.

Don't know about the Dirty Dozen? They are the elite of the elite. And you can get access to all their design challenge, creations, galleries, templates and instructions. How? Just click here.

So here's my sample for this amazing challenge, we do SO hope that you'll come play along with us!

I just love the sweet little illustrations from the Mew Paper Arts line at The Cat's Pajamas - I've added lots of the latest TCP Accessories including Divine Twine, TCP's gorgeous felt from the Seeing Red collection, and of course a little Cat Cuts felted flower!

I have the honor of sending you on your way to the Mistress Meowy herself - Alma. Illustrator, company owner, amazingly talented stamper, and most of all, great friend (mwah Alma!). Head on over there and congratulate her on such a wonderful, chock-full-o-goodness release.

Oh, and of course, go buy some stamps, because all the latest goodies that we've been taunting you with are now available at the TCP Store!! Happy Shopping!!

Dare to Get Dirty Continues!

As if it weren't enough fun to get to play along as a sample maker for Dare to Get Dirty, I also signed up to be a challenge hostess this week!

I selected an inspiration piece that is just so "me." I hope you'll come see the piece I chose and get stamping. You'll find my challenge HERE

I'm actually at the beach with my boys today, although, something tells me I won't look this relaxed... I'm sure I'll be digging holes, chasing small boys up the beach, or dodging seagulls who are trying to eat my tunafish sandwich... but I'm so excited to breathe the salt air, and wiggle my toes in the sand. Ahhhh. I love summer! This image is the latest "Who's that Girl" from My Favorite Things and is titled "Catch Some Rays."

Have a GREAT day! I'll have a sample for one more challenge tomorrow afternoon!

Its a Double Bella Day!

Last summer, I had SUCH a blast playing along in the Dare to Get Dirty challenges onSplitcoast Stampers.

This summer, I'm so excited that I've had the chance to participate as a sample maker. You may know that I adore sketch challenges, so I was thrilled that Cindy Haffner asked me to play along in her sketch challenge today!

This cutie is "Lil' Artist" from Stamping Bella. Since I'm a crazy addicted crafter, I happen to have lots of little artists here at my daycare. They love to create, and I love to watch them color and draw. We're never without LOTS of crayons!

You'll find all the details on the challenges on THIS forum. New challenges are added every hour! How fun is THAT! There will be a random prize draw from participants that complete them all and upload their creations by August 1st!

Psst. I'll be back with another post at 2pm!!