Saturday Showcase: January 26, 2013

Is it another Saturday already?  Sheesh, they come by in the rotation again so quickly.  Oh and I apologize for the date discrepancy in last week's post.  I had it down as 2012 instead of 2013.  First time I've made that mistake so far this year.  Usually though it is in the first week of January when I do so, NOT towards the end of it.

Anways, it is that time of week where I showcase other artists' work (whether it be stamps, cards or otherwise), a blog post offering a great technique, or I might even just pick a whole blog to showcase. If you are new to my blog you can find out why I created the showcase HERE.

My top picks for this week include... 

Card Choice

  This cute card was designed by

  KAREN LETCHWORTH

Her blog is called

My Cup Runneth Over

First of all that is such an awesome name.  It puts everything into a positive perspective before you even get to the heart of the blog.  This card has such a fun feel to it that it makes me want to my happy dance...if of course I was still physically capable of dancing.  So I'll settle for some toe tapping and bobbing from side to side.  That will work too (see, it's all about adapting to our circumstances -- but that is a lecture for a whole different kind of post). 

Karen used a LOT of glitter in this project.  I'm wondering if she is still finding it everywhere too like I still am.  I love all the balloon strings and the three dimensional letters she used for the word 'happy'.  I also love how all the muted-bright colours work together.  I realize that muted-bright is a bit of an oxymoron but it is the best wording I can find right now to describe what I am trying to say.  What do you expect for trying to finish this at 5:00 in the morning?  

 Karen is a devoted Christian and believes that God should get ALL the glory for any talent she may have.  Well, among many other things in my life, I just thank God that I've been able to find talent like Karen's out there in order to share with all of you.  Karen has many other great card designs.  Pay her a visit to see for yourself (clicking on the blog name will take you straight to her blog).

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Digital Stamp Artist Choice

These beautiful digi stamps were designed by

 ANNA STILLWELL 

Her blog is called

Cuddlebug Cuties

I was lucky enough to come across Anna's blog when she first started so I can easily say that I have been a fan of her work since the beginning.  Anna has offered up over 30 incredible freebies since she started.  They are primarily all images of girls and woman that are part of her 'Cuties' collection.  Although, there has been an image of a pumpkin and an image of a little boy surrounded by balloons and presents--called Birthday Boy--that she created back in September in honour of her son's, then upcoming, birthday.   It is such an adorable little image and you should check it out on your visit.  Anna will be leaving this image on her blog as a forever freebie.  

I think that my favourite image out of all of them is the one I have showcased above.  Her name is Angel.  When Anna started her blog, one of the first digi ideas she had was to create an angel. She figured that Christmas was the perfect time to offer it up and so it appeared in her December 1st post aptly entitled, "Angel".  One of the things I love most about this digi is her hair.  Here, like in all her drawings, Anna captures the idea of motion in the hair.  You'd almost swear that a light breeze was blowing in the background.  I also love the versatility of this angel.  Not only could it be used at Christmas but it is suitable for so many other occasions as well.  Anna usually offers up both a coloured version and black and white version of her freebies.  She also sometimes lists the colour of her marker choices.  I love when artists do this as it helps me in learning about what colours work well together. 

 Many of Anna's previous freebies are still up for grabs but may not be there long as they get transferred into her Etsy shop after awhile. Make sure you go and check out the ones currently being offered on her blog before they are gone.  Anna may still be on holidays for a few days which means her Etsy store may be closed temporarily.  While I've posted the link to it above, you can also find it in the left sidebar of her blog.  Just make sure you click the Cuddlebug Cuties link under 'My Etsy Shop' and not the Etsy link like I seem to always do. 

Another wonderful thing about Cuddlebug Cuties is the candy offered up every month.  The current collection of sweets has a Valentine theme.  You can see a picture of what she has available if you look at my right side bar (you'll need to scroll down a bit).  To enter for your chance to win, all you have to do is become a follower of her blog and add your name to the linky list.  Click HERE to go the January candy post but do it soon because there is only a couple of days left for this particular yummy assortment of goodies.  On top of the monthly candy offerings, there is bonus candy right now.  She is currently offering up some fabulous Copic Markers, 15 in all, to one lucky follower who also leaves a comment on the original post which you can find HERE.  Goodness, my mouth is watering with the taste of all that sugar!  Please pay this talented lady a visit.  You'll definitely come out a winner no matter how you look at it (clicking on the blog name will take you straight to her blog).

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Finally, that brings me to the...

This is a special category highlighting 
 a stamp for sale by another artist.

 This week that honour goes to... 

TAMARA

Her store is called

 The Stamping Chef

 Her blog of the same name is located HERE

The Stamping Chef is one of the 'new kids on the blog', having just surfaced at the end of November 2012.  The head Chef is Tamara and she is from the Netherlands.  I have been stalking following The Stamping Chef since its inception.  Before launching the blog's associated store, Tamara offered freebies to everyone as a kick start.  You can still find them, plus those offered up in the Freebie Friday posts, by clicking on the freebies link on her main page. There is a total of 17 freebies available!  Tamara designs some very cute, funny and quirky images all offered up as digital stamps.  She has also started adding Digital Scrapbooking kits. 

Today I'm focusing on a couple of the stamps available in the store.  The first one is called "I haz cheese".  

Apparently I have a thing for cute, adorable mice since this is the second mouse I have put into a showcase.  In this particular design I'm drawn to the ruffly fur, those seriously delightful teeth and that charming expression on his face.  For some reason when I look at him I am reminded of toddlers and young children who come across something that just has to be shared with everyone around them.  I see years gone by of my girlfriend Laurie's girls and my husband's great nephew when I look into that darling little face.  Okay, maybe it is a little odd comparing a mouse to a child but hey, those of you who have come to know me can attest to the fact that I am a little odd myself.  

Honestly tell me you can't see bits of your own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or friends' kids when you peer deeply into those engaging little eyes.  I dare you!  Clicking on the image of the mouse will take you directly to his location in the store.

I couldn't seem to stick with just one image so the second one I am highlighting is called, "Hold On".
  

When I found this stamp I just fell in love with it.  This stamp provides such versatility.  It could be used for anything from the idea of "hold on, get ready for the ride of your life" when starting out in a new relationship, to the idea of "hold on, it will get better soon, you just have to hang in there".  It could even be used on a card for a young lady about to embark out on her own; or, it could be used to wish someone luck when pursuing a dream, the idea being to "hold on, the world is just opening up for you".  I just love it when so many ideas can be generated with just one stamp.  Clicking on the image of the little girl and bear will take you directly to their location in the store.  

As an aside...when I was proofing this paragraph, the song "Hold On" by Wilson Phillips came on the TV playing in the background.  Hmmm...I wonder if there is any symbolism there.  That was quite a coinkydink considering that song came out in the 80's.  Do, do do, do --do, do, do, do.  In case you couldn't figure that out it is the theme song to The Twilight Zone I'm sure most of you think that is where I live half the time after reading through some of my posts.

Anyways, back to the topic at hand.  Please visit Tamara and welcome her to our community if you haven't had the chance to already.  Oh and join me in wishing Tamara's husband Roy a happy birthday.  He will be turning 35 on January 28th.  Back at the beginning of January, Tamara had asked people if they'd be willing to create a birthday card and send it to her husband in exchange for a free digi because they have a very small family and she wanted to surprise him with a bunch of extra cards (click HERE for the details of that original post).   Unfortunately, the fact is that by the time I would have created the card, and mailed it to Europe, there'd be no way he would receive it on time.  So, since the showcase today spotlighting Tamara's images is only two days away from Roy's birthday,  I decided to offer up a sort of digital greeting for him right here.  

Please forgive the colouring.  Turn away from the computer before bursting out into giggles.  This was my first attempt at digital colouring and any of you who know how to use photshop essentials would laugh your head off if you knew how I piece mealed this together.  After 4 hours of trying to achieve a semblance of shading, I gave up.  I know I have shading in all the wrong places.  It's one of the things I struggle with.  Note to self:  Find a good site that teaches you about the subtleties of shading.  I suppose it is the thought that counts (original black and white image of the dragon is from Dustin Pike).  So Roy if you ever see this, know that I hope you have a wonderful birthday and I hope you received lots and lots of cards.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Before I go I'd just like to add one thing.  In my very first showcase I introduced you to Vicky from Crafting Vicky.  Well, Vicky is just five people shy of her 200th follower.  This is an important milestone for her.  I've had many people become followers over here since putting Vicky's card in the showcase;  so, if you are unfamiliar with her work, I ask that you please go and pay her blog a visit.  If you like what you see become a follower.  If you can, be one of those people to help her achieve this next important goal.  

Well, that is the last Saturday Showcase for January 2013.  Thanks to all these wonderful artists for agreeing to allow me to showcase their work on my blog.  I'm sure I'll be coming back to them time and again.  Though you never know, I may be contacting YOU next to showcase something incredible you've created.

Until next time,

Note:  

*Thanks to Nikki from Limited Runs Stamps for creating my Saturday Showcase badge.