A Button Bag

Look at this darling project Axa made! She recycled a button bag and turned it onto the sweetest little goodie bag ever, didn't she? Axa used the Tracy image, and she paired her with some really great, cheerful colors. And those little flowers are darling. Nice job, Axa!

It's Kimme's Turn to Shine

Today I'd like to introduce you to Kimme, one of our fabulous designers. We are so lucky to have Kimme on our team - she's so much fun to be around! Read on to find out all sorts of fun facts about Kimme and see a few of her favorite InStyle Stamps projects.

How long have you been stamping?
I went to my first stamp party back in 1999 and fell in love with making cards at that time. I had used stamps to help accent the table signs at my sister's wedding in 1993 and to decorate the labels on the cake boxes at my wedding in 1997, but didn't really pick it up as a hobby until 1999.

Do you prefer to make cards or other projects?
I am a card maker first and foremost.  I do make some scrapbook pages, and buy all the supplies to alter anything, but I still consider myself a card maker.

 If you were a Copic marker/Prismacolor marker which color would you be? Ooooh...I think one of the Copic BV's.

Which of your InStyle Stamps projects was your favorite?
Unfair question, I love each one until I make the next one

You are stranded in a craft store, which aisle do you sleep in?
The aisle with all the BasicGrey paper...and I wouldn't sleep, I would pet the paper all night.

What 5 words describe you? Mom, tired, Princess (in my own mind), funny, dependable

  What’s your crafting style?
I don't know that there is a name for my style, but I have been told I am pink and blingy with lots of layers. I have a really difficult time making Clean and Simple cards, they actually take me longer than a layered embellished card.

Messy or clean scrap room?
My space is in the basement with the toy room. So my desk stays clean out of necessity or little fingers get into it, the rest of the room is usually a wreck until bed time.

What tool or embellishment can you not live without?
My Gelly Roll Pens, especially white and Stardust....and BasicGrey Paper ....and my Copic Markers.

What is your favorite stamping technique?
Any fun folds or any technique I haven't tried before. I always like to try things at least once.

 Thanks, Kimme, for everything you do for InStyle Stamps! We are so glad to have you on the team!

Method Monday: Acetate

Its Cyndi... I'm up for Method Monday this week and I thought it would be fun to play around with some acetate! There are so many cool things you can do with acetate and I want to show you a couple of them today!

I am using a sheet of acetate for my card front that I cut down from a 8.5" x 11" piece that I bought in a pack. It can also be purchased in smaller sheets as well as in pre-scored cards. Once I cut my piece down to an A2 card size I simply scored it with my Sor-Pal.

The next thing I did to it was to run it through my Cuttlebug with an embossing strip to hit just the edge. It leaves a cool white look to the part that was embossed.

If the embossed part doesn't appear as dark as you'd like you can also sand over as I had to do with this card so that it would be more pronounced.

For my image I used Cupcake Chloe, one of my favorites from the Chloe collection from InStyle Stamps. She was colored to match the cute Sweet Shoppe papers from Collage Press. I then took a few of the papers from this collection and added them randomly to the acetate card base.

(I tried coloring in the flowers on the edge, another thing you can do with acetate if you have Copics or other alcohol based markers. It looked kind of cool but my colors weren't quite right. Instead of starting over I just used some Copic refill solution to "erase" the color! Remember when coloring directly on the acetate that you need to use darker colors)

I punched a circle from an extra piece of acetate then stamped a cupcake with Staz-on and added glitter to the edges using PVA glue and Stampendous! pearl glitters.

To attach my papers to the acetate I chose to add glue to the backs on the parts that would not show through the card. You can also use a really invisible glue such as Zip Dry or use eyelets. For the small acetate circle I simply added a dimensional adhesive (from Glue Arts U Cut It pak) behind the cupcake so that it would not show through.

Here's what the finished card turned out like. (The top view is below).

Thanks for joining me today! Why don't you give acetate a try? You should be able to find it at any craft store :)

-Cyndi

Winners, Winners, Winners

Congratulations to all our winners.  We had such a busy week last week and so many things going on, we really appreciate all your comments.  If you still want a chance to win, you are invited to play along with our sketch, color and InSpiration challenges for a chance to win free images. 

 

Glue Arts Prize Pack

Vicki said...

Cute cards. Added to my wish list.

 

DT blog comments
Kristine’s blog Sitting Chloe post

Melisa Waldorf said...

Oh I just love those fall cards. Awesome image and your coloring is fabulous!

 

Kerry’s Clown Chloe post

Elena said...

Absolutely adorable! Love all the sparkles and stars!

 

Operation Write Home Birthday Bash Card

Random Selection:

#8 Claudia7

 

Blog Hop

Congratulations Jan for receiving the most votes this month.

Comment: #6 Stacie said...

Great hop! I LOVE that firefly image!! My fav! I cast my vote but it sure was a tough pick!!

 

Congratulations to all of our winners this week.  Be sure you to send an e-mail to vvillasenor@instylestamps.com within 48 hours to claim your prizes. 

September Releases

New Chloe's and other images are in the store. Happy Shopping!

Coloring Fall

We'd love to have you play along with our color challenge this month! You have until Tuesday, October 12th at 11:59 PM PST to enter.  Here is our color pallet:

Here are a few samples from our awesome design team.
Angelique pulled the reds, oranges and yellows and made it all pop with a bit of purple.

Angelique

Axa made this incredible house.  I want to add some bling to the front of my house now (and a pie too.)

Axa

And the sentiment here makes me crack up 100%.  I think it fits for most teen boys.

.

Cyndi

 

Now it's your turn.  Be sure to provide us with a link back at this post

Sept Blog Hop

Apple picking, football, pumpkin pie, a crispness in the air, kids in school, leaves changing colors, sweaters being pulled out of the closet, it is officially autumn.  Even though we don’t all get to experience the seasons change the same way, we can all appreciate that cooler weather is on it’s way.  This month our blog hop theme is Autumn.  The designers were to make a project with Autumn in mind.  Go see what they have created and then come back.
 Jan
Kerry
Angelique
Cyndi
Kimme
Cathy
Kristine
Axa
Robin
Barbara
Genevieve

Welcome back!  All of them were great, right?  Vote below for your favorite, and then leave us a comment letting us know you voted (**you do not have to tell us who you voted for, unless you want to!**). Once you do those things, you will be eligible to win a goodie bag from InStyle Stamps worth $25.  So tell us what you think.

Which designer put you in the fall mood?

• Jan
• Kerry
• Angelique
• Cyndi
• Kimme
• Cathy
• Kristine
• Axa
• Robin
• Barbara
• Genevieve

View Results
Create a Blog Poll

Voting will remain open until Sunday, September 26th at 10:00 Am PST - that's 48 hours to look them over and make the tough decision about your favorite. We'll post the fan favorite and the random winner from your comments that afternoon!

More Chance to Win

*Don't forget we are sponsoring a challenge for the Operation Write Home Birthday Bash.  You could win 4 free digis, you have until Sunday, September 26 at 12pm EST to enter.  For more information go here.

*This week's creations were sponsored by Glue Arts. Comment on all new release posts on the ISS blog by Sunday the 26th at 12:00 PM EST, prize is Glue Arts adhesive goodie pack

*Win a free digi image - two random commenters on Design Team memeber's blogs this week will win a free image from us - all you have to do is comment on the InStyle Stamps posts on the Design Teams blogs. You have until Sunday the 26th at 12:00 PM EST to comment to win. For more information go here.




 

Update

Before we get to the post of the day featuring our last release this week, I wanted to take the time out to thank everyone for participating. Both Taylor and Virginia had unexpected medical emergencies come up and are currently recovering. Thanks to Kimme for picking up the slack. She was able to get the posts off without a hitch.

The new images will be in the store this weekend. I'm trying to work on them now but the website is being difficult.

I apologize for the delay in giving out the BDay Chloe freebie for OWH. They have been sent already to those that participated. Again it was not our intention to send them so late, but things come up beyond our control.

You may see a delay as well with the choosing of a winner for the Glue Arts Prize as well. But know we are on it and will take care of it as soon as possible.

Wishing you all a happy weekend, and Virginia and Taylor a speedy recovery!

Take a Load Off

Chloe has certainly had a busy week, flying, clowning around, playing dress up, catching fire flies and going for long walks in the rain, now it is time for her to take a rest.  Here is Sitting Chloe:

Amber Hillman joined us this week to make this adorable card that anyone would LOVE.  Look at that wonderful heart button

Amber

Chloe is sitting among the flowers here.

Kristine

Here Chloe is keeping some treasures safe and sound.

Angela

And here Chloe’s head is up with the butterflies.

Kimme

Make sure you join us tomorrow for our blog hop and for the release of all the new stamps previewed the past 2 weeks. 

Don't forget to comment on every new release post (on this blog) this week for a chance to win our awesome Glue Arts prize pack. And check back tomorrow for more samples with new images.
And to be eligible to win a free digi from us, you just have to comment on our designer's InStyle Stamps posts this week. Not every designer will have a post every day - it's like a treasure hunt! The more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win a free digi image.

High Flying Style

What has Chloe gotten herself into today?  Look  up and you will see her soaring over head flying like the most famous aviatrix.

Look how pink and pretty this first card is.  I love the butterfly taking flight over Amelia’s head.

Barbara

Look at the clouds in the background here. 

Wendy Price

Love the texture on the gears.

Cyndi

Amelia Chloe and all the images you have seen previewed this week will be released this Friday, September 24 in the InStyle Stamps store. 
Don't forget to comment on every new release post (on this blog) this week for a chance to win our awesome Glue Arts prize pack. And check back later today for more samples with new images.

And to be eligible to win a free digi from us, you just have to comment on our designer's InStyle Stamps posts this week. Not every designer will have a post every day - it's like a treasure hunt! The more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win a free digi image.

Clown Chloe

It’s the greatest show on earth and today it is featuring Clown Chloe.  Kerry’s card lets you know that Chloe is the star of the show. Genevieve made her Chloe extra sweet surrounding her with strawberries and  flowers.  Finally, you are not seeing double, Wendy Price from Paper, Ink and Smiles joined us today and flipped her image to make 2 clowns for her card. 

Kerry

Genevieve

Wendy Price
 

Clown Chloe and all the images you have seen previewed this week will be released this Friday, September 24 in the InStyle Stamps store. 

Don't forget to comment on every new release post (on this blog) this week for a chance to win our awesome Glue Arts prize pack. And check back tomorrow for more samples with new images.
And to be eligible to win a free digi from us, you just have to comment on our designer's InStyle Stamps posts this week. Not every designer will have a post every day - it's like a treasure hunt! The more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win a free digi image.

Chloe in Wonderland

Oh Chloe how pretty you are even after all you have been through.  Falling through the rabbit hole must have given you quite a fright, but you are as cute as ever.  Axa’s card has you celebrating a very merry unbirthday, Kerri’s puts you against the Red Queen, and Kimme’s gives you a costume change.

Axa Lima

Kerry

Kimme

All of our new releases will be available in the InStyle Stamps store on Friday, September 24. 

Don't forget to comment on every new release post (on this blog) this week for a chance to win our awesome Glue Arts prize pack. And check back later today for more samples with new images.
And to be eligible to win a free digi from us, you just have to comment on our designer's InStyle Stamps posts this week. Not every designer will have a post every day - it's like a treasure hunt! The more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win a free digi image.

Today's Darling... Meet Firefly Chloe!

Are you ready fr day two of release week, brought to you by an amazing partnership between our designers and Glue Arts? Prepare yourself for this cuteness -- it's time to introduce the newest Chloe! This is Firefly Chloe, and she is such a sweetie. I love the little fireflies buzzing around her! The designers have done an amazing job making sample to share with you today. Be sure to head over to their blogs for details about their cards, including what amazing Glue Arts products they used.And be sure to check the Glue Arts blog to see what their designers have whipped up using stamps from our store.

All of the images we share this week will be released in the store on Friday, September 24th. So start making your wishlists now!

Barbara Sproat

Cathy Wallington

Axa Lima

Genevieve Samson

Angelique Nederpel

Angela Sowell (former designer)

Don't forget to comment on every new release post (on this blog) this week for a chance to win our awesome Glue Arts prize pack. And check back tomorrow for more samples with new images.

And to be eligible to win a free digi from us, you just have to comment on our designer's InStyle Stamps posts this week. Not every designer will have a post every day - it's like a treasure hunt! The more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win a free digi image.

Introducing...Raindrop Chloe!

Let's get the new release festivities started! First up this week is the adorable Raindrop Chloe - don't you love those little Wellies (boots) and umbrella? The designers have done an amazing job making sample to share with you today. Be sure to head over to their blogs for details about their cards, including what amazing Glue Arts products they used.

All of the images we share this week will be released in the store on Friday, September 24th. So start making your wishlists now!

Kristine Reynolds

Cyndi Bundy

Cathy Wallington

Angelique Nederpel

Don't forget to comment on every new release post this week for a chance to win our awesome Glue Arts prize pack. And check back tomorrow for more samples with new images.

It's Glue Arts Week Here at InStyle Stamps!

This week we've got something exciting and different planned. Thanks to the folks over at Glue Arts, all of our projects this week are held together with some really great adhesives. Our designers all received packs of goodies from Glue Arts, including the Glue Glider Pro  and/or refills, 3D Adhesive foam, Mini Adhesive Squares, and Ribbon Adhesive. And we had so much fun using them! Be sure to check out what some of the Glue Arts girls made today, too!

All of the projects you see featured on the blog this week used Glue Arts products. For details on product specifics, you'll have to head over to the designer's blogs. We're going to give you a chance to get in on the Glue Arts fabulousness, too - we're giving away a prize pack from the generous Glue Arts team!

How do you get a chance to win? Simply leave a comment on every new release post we have this week - some days will have one post and some will have two. You'll see posts on this blog beginning today, Monday, and finishing up on Friday. We'll give you until Sunday, September 26th at 12:00 PM EST to get all of your commenting done, and we'll announce the winner on Sunday afternoon.

And if THAT wasn't enough, we are going to give away some digi images, too! At the end of the week we'll choose two random commenters from all of the comments on our designers' InStyle Stamps posts this week and give each of you a free digital image. So, the more comments you leave on the designer's InStyle Stamps posts this week the more chances you have to win! The winners will be announced on Sunday the 26th.

We're Hosting a Birthday Bash!

We're SO excited to be hosting a challenge for the Operation Write Home Birthday Bash! Making cards for our heroes far from home is a very important cause to all of us - Jan hosts the Midweek Throwdown at Operation Write Home, and several of our designers are either married to heroes or have family members that serve. We are so grateful to the men and women who sacrifice so much for us!

To help Operation Write Home celebrate their birthday, we have a very special challenge for you this week. We want you to make a birthday card that you can send OWH, and they in turn will get it to a hero to send home.

We're going to get you started on your birthday card by donating the image featured on this card, Birthday Chloe, for you to use! That's right - well give it to you free - that's how important this cause is to us. All you have to do to get Birthday Chloe is follow this blog, and sign up for the newsletter. Once you've done those things just leave us a comment with your email address -use this format, to avoid spam: instylestamps (at) instylestamps (dot) com - and we will get the image sent to you.

Taylor Usry (image used - Birthday Chloe)

Once you've played along, be sure to link your card here. You have until Sunday, September 26th at 12:00 PM EST to get your card linked up. We'll be selecting a random winner just after that to win FOUR digi images from our store! Be sure to look for the announcement next Sunday.

Here's some important information you need before you make your card (borrowed from the OWH page):
The basic guidelines:

1. No glitter. Seriously. It's a hazard for our heroes, so we won't send cards with any glitter that will flake off the card. Read more.
2. A2 sized cards. Most efficient for our shipping dollars, so we strongly recommend A2 (4.25" x 5.5" - half a sheet of cardstock). Read more.
3. Packing Slip. Download this handy packing slip and write in your contact info and quantity—the shipper will be able to email you to let you know your cards arrived. If you haven't heard back you can also check the Thankful Thursday post each week to see if they've arrived. Our shippers get lots of packages every day, so please give them some grace in getting back to you.

Some additional things you may want to do that will help out our shippers:

1. Stamp the backs of your cards. We put "Operation Write Home" on the back of every card so families at home know how their hero received such a work of art to write home on. You can order your own stamp, acrylic or self-inking; you can handwrite "Operation Write Home"; you can make a label; or have your own stamp made at your local office supply store. Listing your own information on the back of the card is fine, we just add OWH to it.
2. Learn "the tuck." If you are including envelopes (some people prefer to include a donation for envelopes instead, and leave the labor to our shippers), the tuck is very helpful if your cards are already stamped. If they are not yet stamped, leave them entirely outside the envelopes. Check out the mailroom video below for more info on the tuck.
3. Include a donation. Small or large, cash or check, every bit helps! Please paperclip it to your Packing Slip to be sure your check doesn't sneak off to Afghanistan by accident.
4. Limit multiples. Some folks like to make a lot of one design. While that's fine, it becomes a big problem in one particular instance: holiday cards. If you want to make a lot of those (over 30), please send them 8 weeks ahead (or more). That allows us to mix them into the most boxes; we often end up with 100 of one design arriving the last week, and if most of those holiday boxes had already been sent in weeks prior, those multiples will have to wait til next year.

Don't forget - Once you've played along, be sure to link your card here. You have until Sunday, September 26th at 12:00 PM EST to get your card linked up. We'll be selecting a random winner just after that to win FOUR digi images from our store! Be sure to look for the announcement next Sunday.

Have You Seen Our September Sketch?

his month we had a little fun with our sketch challenge - not only did the whole team follow a sketch, but everyone made T-Slide cards, too!

Have you had a chance to play along in our sketch challenge yet? There's still plenty of time, and we'd love to see what you create. You don't have to make your card a t-slide card, but we encourage you to try it out. Here is the sketch:

And here are a couple of cards from our amazing designers:

Axa Lima (image used - Hiroku, available in digi or rubber)

Kerry Luis (image used: Janice)

Be sure to check their blogs for more pics of the cards - they look so good when they are opened up, too.

We would love to have you play along with us this month. And you don't have to make a T-Slide card to play - just follow the sketch. We encourage you to try an T-Slide card, though -- it's fun to make different types of cards!

You have until Tuesday, October 5th at 11:59 PM PST to enter. Leave your link on this original post (directly to your entry, please) and remember to comment after you play! You could win TWO digi images from our store if you play along and use an InStyle Stamps image. If you don't use one of our images, you could win ONE digi image from us.

Here are the rules:

• Make a new card using our sketch (you are welcome to combine with other challenges)
• Link below, directly to your post
• Mention our challenge, or use the picture of our sketch, on your post (with a link back here)

Have fun, and we can't wait to see what you come up with!

Sending Love

Today we have our last sneak peek image of the week - haven't they been terrific? Don't forget that Monday we kick off the new release celebrations for September. And we've partnered with Glue Arts to bring you some fabulous projects. Tomorrow we have a really fun and important challenge for you - so you won't want to miss that either!

And now, here is Sending Love. Tina made an adorable lovey-dovey card, and Taylor used her image to make a whole set of 3"x3" notes to tuck into lunchboxes, backpacks, and gits, and other small places. So many possibilities!

Taylor Usry

Tina Gilliland

Another Birthday!

We're celebrating again today... it's Robin's birthday! Please join us in wishing her a very happy day :)