Stamplorations and Roses

I normally don't publish a post on Mondays, but I wanted to show you what I've created for the current Stamplorations Challenge. They are so generous with their free digi stamps and have a ton of giveaways, so if you haven't visited yet, you should! You can choose to do the theme or sketch or both—I chose the theme—and you don't have to use Stamplorations products but you can print out their freebies and use those if you like.

This is a free digi that I've colored with my all-time favorite Prismacolor pencils. I used an oval die, some Lawn Fawn watercolor paper and a hugs die from LF as well. I trimmed the roses on the right, so I could slip the pink cardstock behind them, as if they are coming out of the frame. I drew in stitched lines for another little extra. The word die is cut from prisma paper that has a shine so I didn't need to add any glitter to this one.

I have one more rose card to share that's not entered into the Stamplorations contest...it's a piece of 6x6 patterned paper from Altenew and I stamped the sentiment in black. I added a silver chrome pen to the words and thin silver stickers to the sides. So fast and easy! I love this Relections pad of watercolor-look paper.

That's it for this surprise post, hope you'll join in the challenges this month at Stamplorations!

Happy Monday!

Chark

Giveaway Winners

Thanks to everyone who entered here on the blog and on Instagram for my four Freebie Friday prizes—I love hearing from people who create, it's a wonderful community! I'm a huge fan of entering contests, so it's always fun to give away stuff too and share the love!

Without further ado, CONGRATULATIONS to:

1. cyc.crafts (from IG) who won the rainbow foil and stencils

2. lunalayercakemall (from IG) who won the Pretty Little Studio and other Christmas goodies

3. d.ann.c (from IG) who won the $25 gift card to Butterfly Reflections

and 4. rightbrainart (from IG) who won the Unity stamps

I'm sensing a pattern here, so I may have to do a blog-only giveaway sometime.

And I wanted to get up one last post for the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop, which is always a good time—I'm amazed by how many different coffee/tea/cocoa projects there are each time! This one features paper and die cuts from Doodlebug Designs and my favorite drink, tea!

Thanks to Amy and the whole team at CLBH for another fun one!

Happy Friday!

Chark

Coffee, Tea or Gingerbread

I'm a big fan of gingerbread, both the edible kind and the decorating kind, and I have a handful of cute gingerbread boys and girls as stamps and dies. This digi came from the Craftin Desert Divas shop, and I cut out a Doodlebug tea cup to give him. He's cute, amma right? 

He comes in color and line art. I printed him in color but my printer started to run out of a vital ink and he came up looking less than tasty. So I took my Prismacolor pencils and made him look more like gingerbread. The bg paper is Doodlebug, as is the sentiment strip. I'm entering him in the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop and you can join me until Friday evening to try to win one of the gazillion prizes!

Come back tomorrow to see who won my four Thanksgiving giveaways (you have until 11:59pm Eastern tonight to enter, just scroll down to the four posts)!

Happy Thursday! 

Chark

Brrrr...Time for a Cuppa

It's time for the Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop. All you gotta do is create a fall or winter themed coffee/tea/cocoa project and then link it to the hop and you're entered to win tons of prizes! I love the hop, it's a great way to get inspiration, learn about new crafty companies and visit some caffeinated friends!

This digi is from Craftin Desert Divas and I got it free in the Kit and Clowder FB group. They have great coloring classes and you can even find a free one. They have 24 days of giveaways right now, but you have to join the Facebook group to comment. They aren't pushy at all and I love the free digis you get occasionally just for being in the group.

I used Prismacolor pencils on this and trimmed it to fit my card, then I wrote out the sentiment because I love the idea of Santa drinking a tea while he sorts his mail. I added dots with a white gel pen and a black Faber-Castell pen.

Hope you'll join in the Coffee Hop with me! And if you wanna win some free crafty stuff, check out the four posts before this one and comment/follow me or head to my IG account (in the sidebar) and enter there! Commenting open until Dec. 6 at 11:59 pm Eastern time...better hurry!

Happy Tuesday!

Chark

Late Night Tea Time

My favorite time to have a cup of tea is in the evening, after supper, while I'm watching some shows, like Orphan Black. I love me some clone tv! It's gotta be warm and decaf black tea, because caffeine after dinner is a mistake for me, with a cookie to make it a perfect little snack. I don't always have the cookie, but it's a rare night for me to go without a cuppa.

These little Doodlebug cups and sugar cubes are so cute, I had to get them and make a card for the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop. The paper is from the 6x6 paper pad from the same Cream and Sugar Collection.

Giveaway: Leave a comment on any or all of my Coffee Hop posts this week here on my blog (you can leave one comment per post for more chances to win) and you'll be entered to win either two Hero Arts stencils (for overseas friends) or this Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Rectangle die set (for U.S. buds). Commenting closes July 1 at 11:59 pm EST.

Happy Friday and Happy Hopping!

Chark 

One Bunny or Two?

I love these Bunny Teatime stamps from Memory Box. When I saw them in the local scrap store, I didn't buy them immediately, mostly because I didn't need them. But then I got them the next visit, anyway. After all, there's always another Coffee Lovers Blog Hop around the corner! 

I made them into a birthday card with a Memory Box birthday sentiment die and a frame die from Lawn Fawn.

Giveaway: Leave a comment on any or all of my Coffee Hop posts this week here on my blog (you can leave one comment per post for more chances to win) and you'll be entered to win either two Hero Arts stencils (for overseas friends) or this Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Rectangle die set (for U.S. buds). 

Commenting closes July 1 at 11:59 pm EST.

Happy Hopping!

Chark

Coffee, Tea or Bunnies?

I got this adorable stamp set from Memory Box in preparation for the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop but never got them inked up in time.

I did, however, recently stamp a million and then painted and colored them one night. I spent the next night trimming them out. The following week, I found the matching dies on sale for half off. So, I bought them...after hand trimming this bunch.

 

It was lots of work but I do love these little guys. I adhered one of them to a panel I had embossed with the Hero Arts Nesting Ovals and then inked up with Distress Inks followed by some Distress Oxide Inks. 

He's so cute! I know I'm going to be using this set lots. And I'll use the matching dies next go-round.

Here's a card from Monday that was over at the a2z Scrapbooking Blog. I was forgetful and didn't post on Monday. I used one of the watercolor panels that I made and blogged about here. I love this Floral Border Die at a2z. So pretty and makes such a big statement with little time or effort. You have until the end of the month to join in our card challenge using your favorite Hero Arts inks, stamps, dies or digis. You could win $25 to the store, so hop over and link up!

Don't forget, my readers get a 15% discount on their $25+cart at a2z Scrapbooking just by using CHARK15 as their coupon code, on clearance or brand-new items!

Happy Wednesday!

Chark

Doodlebug Coffee Cuties

Hi, crafty friends, I'm joining in the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop using my brand-new Doodlebug Design papers and stickers. I love Doodlebug products cuz they're stinkin' cute, and now they have tea and coffee designs, so of course I got some for the spring hop!

The hello die is Paper Smooches and everything else is Doodlebug Design that I got from Butterfly Reflections (great company and product variety). Look at this paper up-close, and those matte Spring dots are so yummy looking!

P. S. Hop over to the a2z Scrapbooking Blog and comment each day during March for a chance to win $25 to the store! And since I'm on the DT, I'm allowed to offer my readers a 15% discount on carts of $25 or more--use CHARK15 when you check out!

Happy Friday!

Chark

Time's Running Out

If I'm posting twice in one day, it's because time is running out for the Coffee Lovers Bloghop! Yikes! I made this little bag just right for a gift card and wanted to post him. The little gnome/elf looked cold, hence the sentiment. I thought about adding a little cup but I like it better without. He's from Hero Arts and I used Prismacolor pencils on the kraft...they work great.

And in case you didn't believe in how great a cuppa can be, even The Doctor needs tea once in a while, as this clip from Doctor Who explains.

GIVEAWAY: Just comment on this or any of my Coffee Lovers posts Friday, Monday, Wednesday or Friday to be entered to win this pair of stamps and dies from Lawn Fawn (I originally wanted to give a LF stitched rectangle die set, but I literally cannot find it, and I'm running out of places to look. But I know where these guys are!) 

If you comment on multiple days, your name goes in the draw multiple times (one per post, comments closing at noon EST Saturday, December 17). I have five posts, since I have two today—here's the other—so you have five chances to win if you post a comment each day!

Happy Friday Again,

Chark

Tea and Books

If I can't have tea and cookies, hand me tea and a good book...and then bring me a cookie later. :)

This tag uses the Prima Coffee Break Paper I won way back when the Coffee Lovers Bloghop was young. I've used it sparingly, but almost always break it out for the hops. The tag was precolored aqua, my fave color and the gold snowflake paper is from the Dollar Spot at Target—get yours before they're gone!

Here's a close-up of the papers. 

I think this little gift bag would be great for a mug, a book or a gift card to the coffee shop.

GIVEAWAY: Just comment on this or any of my Coffee Lovers posts Friday, Monday, Wednesday or Friday to be entered to win this pair of stamps and dies from Lawn Fawn (I originally wanted to give a LF stitched rectangle die set, but I literally cannot find it, and I'm running out of places to look. But I know where these guys are!) 

If you comment on multiple days, your name goes in the draw multiple times (one per post, comments closing at noon EST Saturday, December 17).

Happy Friday!

Chark

Coloring is For Everyone

So I'm still hooked on my Prismacolor pencils and coloring at night while watching tv and relaxing. I'm kinda getting crazy with the digi stamps. Here's the latest from 2 Cute Ink (I probably ought to get an endorsement deal since I mention them so much!). Here's their link if you adore cuteness and coloring too.

And just in case you need a heads up, the Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog hop is coming next week. I've been doodling and thinking and trying to come up with a couple of entries. You can create a coffee, tea or cocoa Spring-themed project and link up your blog or flickr or whatever to try to win prizes. a2z Scrapbooking Supplies is donating a $25 gift card to the store and there are so many more companies with giveaways. Hope you'll join in, it's a great group!

Happy Wednesday, off to have a cuppa!

Chark

Teatime with Pooh and Piglet

A friend just gave me a set of rubber stamps from a yard sale she got for less than 50 cents...she loves Pooh and friends too and knew I like to stamp, so it was the best gift ever! I literally sat down that night and started stamping. 

It's an old Christmas set and Pooh is actually holding a present, but I cut them apart and gave him a little tea cup instead. Piglet looks excited to get it.

I adhered them to a piece of canvas that I watercolored and made it into a "tea bag" tag. I put the pen in the pic so you could see how little it is.

I did the no-line watercoloring with Tombow markers and paintbrush. I'm entering this on the last day into the Coffee Loving Blog Hop.

You can leave a comment below or on my first post for the hop for a drawing for blog candy. I'll draw a winner on Sunday.

And if you want a free digi tea cup, you can go to this post. 

Thanks for the fun hop yet again, Amy!! 

Cheers!
Chark

Happy Holidays...But Which Holiday?

Thought I'd share the goodies I won from Laura Carson over at Artfully Musing during her Haunted Village event.

Of course, they're Halloween goodies, but I love them all so much and received them recently, so here they are, despite Christmas being just a week away! 

This stencil is super cool and the fun embellies are going to be a blast to use.

Notice the orange and green eraser brains at the top left. I asked my daughter (who's 21) if she wanted one and she chose the purple. Later I heard her say, "Awww, cute, it has a little brain stem." I guess the was the perfect thing to offer her!

Here are some of the chipboard pieces I received from Laura. Now, that's what I call a prize pack, thanks, Laura!

And for all those tea lovers out there, feel free to save this image and use it as a freebie. I made it in preparation for the Coffee Loving Winter Blog Hop, because tea and cocoa are the focus this time around. If you do use it, please link my blog to your posting and let me know if you do, so I can see how you colored it!

Happy Friday!

Chark

Can I Get You a Cuppa?

I'm a big tea lover and today is National Tea Day! Celebrating with the folks at The Coffee Loving Blog Hop today with these projects. 

The first project uses Prima's Coffee Break paper and a little tea cup from Lawn Fawn's breakfast set, along with a brown paper bag and doily.

This one uses the digi Coffee Stamps from Hero Arts and a2z Scrapbooking. The tea bag is a little sentiment cut from the Coffee Break Prima 6x6 pad.

And this one uses a little robot stamp from Hero Arts and Kelly Purkey and the same digi Coffee stamps I got my big cup from. I love that you can size these any way you want. This little bag is just big enough for a gift card.
 

If you comment here or on my flickr stream on any of these three, I'll enter you in a drawing to win these outline coffee stickers and some fun bling, I'll announce the winner after the hop closes.

And if you want some great deals, hop over to a2z Scrapbooking Supplies and check out all the new things in the sale section AND you can use the code Chark15 to get 15% off your cart of $25 or more! That's double the savings!! or something, I'm not a math teacher, people. I know a good deal when I see one, though! :)

Happy Tea Day!
Chark

It's Always Tea Time

See below to win!*

The post title is from the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland and it's how I feel about life! I love tea—hot or cold, green or black, slightly sweetened or unsweetened. It's all good in my humble opinion. So, even though I'm entering the Tsuruta Designs Coffee Lovers Blog Hop, I made a tea cup. Shhh! Don't tell anyone it's not coffee.

I used a vintage clip art from The Graphics Fairy, which has tons of free vintage illustrations. Love them! And I used some free Alice vintage digi art too. I used Shabby Shutters and Barn Door Distress Inks that I applied straight to the paper and trim from Doodlebug Design. The hello die is from Papertrey ink. Hope you'll join in the hop! Thanks for looking at my coffee tea card.

SPONSORS

17 Turtles:  $15 Store Gift Card

A Muse Studio/Chris Franco:  Cup of Good Cheer stamp set

Add a Little Dazzle:  $25 Store Gift Card

Butterfly Reflections Ink:  Prima Coffee Break

Color Cast Designs:  Coffee Lovers kit

Create a Smile:  Monster Party stamp set

Hero Arts:  A Little & Today's Special stamps/Cup 'O Joe Shadow ink

Kraftin' Kimmie:  $25 Store Gift Card

Kreative Kymona:  Fancy Mug Giveaway

Latina Crafter:  Cafe Wood Veneers + $25 Store Gift Card

Neat & Tangled:  Warm Wishes stamp set

Newton's Nook:  $15 Store Gift Card

Paper Smooches:  $25  Store Gift Card

Pickled Potpourri:  $7 Store Gift Card

Poppystamps:  Tea Cup Stack Die

Reverse Confetti:  $15 Store Gift Card

Stamp Academy:  2 classes

Stampin' Up/Veronica Zalis:  $20 Store Gift Card

STAMPlorations:  $10 Store Gift Card

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store:  Coffee Cup Prize Pack

SugarPea Designs:  $20 Store Gift Card

Sweet 'n Sassy:  Pick Me Up Clear stamp & die set

The Alley Way Stamps:  Tea Par-tea stamp set

Two Paper Divas:  Your Warm My Heart stamp set

Your Next Stamp:  $20

Verve Stamps:  $25

Whole Wild World:  Coffee before Talkee mug

CANDY ALERT: *I'm giving away your choice of stencil from a2z Scrapbooking Supplies, where I'm on the Design Team. All you gotta do is comment on any of my three Friday posts about the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop and you'll be entered. I'd love if you followed my blog, but that's not required. I'll announce the winner next week. Contest will end on Monday, Dec. 15, at 11:59pm (edt).

p.s. If you spend $25 or more at a2z Scrapbooking, you can get 15% off your total if you use CHARK15 as your coupon code...hey, I'm a coupon!  

Happy Friday,
Chark