Top 10 Favorites and An ANNOUNCEMENT

Hello friends!
It proves to be super difficult to select Top 10 Favorites. 117 entries are not the most entries we have, however, the quality of work in each entry is stellar. Thank you for your patience.

Without further ado, here are the Top 10 Favorites.

 (in no particular order)

1.  #6 Lindsay A.(simple stripe/flower formula with perfection)

2. #8 Linda Brandyberry  (love how Lin rocks that plaid pattern with two cards)

3. #14 Penny Ward (there is no plaid like home....love this homespun design)

4. #32 Thordis (the DIY plaid totally rocks!)

5. #55 Humblechan (way to use the stripey pattern paper) 

6. #62 Hannellie (the placement of stripes and color combo....swoon!)

7. #71 Sarah G. ( hello, plaid sentiment!!)

8. #74 Toni at FHC (that plaid-stenciling is sheer perfection)

9. #84 Melissa L. (beautiful plaid effect with the leaf die)

10. #102 Jessica Lin (genius use of Washi tape)

Among the Top 10 Favorites, this time we have two winners.

With RANDOM. ORG's help, 

 The first random winner that will receives a (Mini or Original) MISTI of her choice is.....

4. #32 Thordis

 The 2nd winner that will receive Concord and 9th stamp set is.....

10. #102 Jessica Lin

 Congratulations, Thordis and Jessica, please claim your prize by Dec. 5th, 11:59pm, EST or another Top 10 Favorite will be randomly picked for the prize.
The following are our Honorable Mentions that are worth checking out.

#51 Kimberly Wiener

#56 Glennis F.

#58 Marcie Sharp

#63 Janet Swanlady21
#75 Oleysa K.
#83 I Card Everyone

Now...here comes the last bit...

As you know, this challenge blog is run by one person-->me, Virginia. I feel that it is finally time to say good-bye while all things are still going great. I simply do not have enough hours to properly run the challenge: inviting guest designers regularly, getting sponsorship and giving each entry enough love and attention. We are ending in Challenge #25 and that's not bad at all. I definitely set out to do more than what I had intended.  Therefore, this is it.

 My huge, ginormous thanks to the past guest designers who gave their time and shared their talent freely right here in this blog. They truly made this blog the "happening place". For that, I am so very grateful.

I truly hope that you have enjoyed playing in this challenge in the past. Your support and feedback are always so positive and encouraging....which is why it is SO hard to say good bye.

Please know that this blog will remain open for future inspiration purpose.
You will still find me busy blogging in my own blog: Yes, Virginia...
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Altenew Color Layering Kit Promotion

Hello friends!
I am popping in to share some info....
We have a lot of Altenew friends and fans out there and I think this post might be beneficial to some.

😀Just a heads-up: Altenew is releasing the Layered Rose Stamping Kit today.
 You can see it here

This all-in-one bundle is perfect for creating realistic and in-depth roses for your projects! Create one of a kind project, or mass-produce cards with lovely roses. With the included guide, anyone can enjoy this kit-this also makes a great gift for newbie crafters.

 

This special kit includes:
~Vintage Rose Stamp Set
~Painted Greetings Stamp Set
~Project Ideas Guide
~Medium Acrylic Block
~Floral 6 Mini Cube Set (Forest Glades, Frayed Leaf, Ruby Red, Coral Berry, Frosty Pink, Jet Black)---> valued at $19.99

To celebrate the release, there is a 40% off promotion for two days: $64--->$38 

Shop here

Sale starts 11/29 at 12:01am EST and ends 11/30 at 23:59pm EST. 

The comment feature in this post has been disabled. 

 I know this kit is of exceptional value and it may benefit someone who has few Altenew products.
I will be back later tomorrow to announce the Top 10 Favorites.
Thank you for stopping by!

A Little Notice and Black Friday Sale!

Hello there!

It is time to announce the Top 10 Favorites...

However, I simply do not have enough time to properly look through all the fabulous entries and didn't feel right to randomly just pick Top 10 Favorites. 

Thus, there is a bit of delay. 😞

I will try my best to look through the entries and announce it around Nov. 30th.

Thank you so much for your patience.

I don't want to disappoint you without sharing a card.😀
You can find out all the details in my blog "Yes, Virginia..." (a giveaway, too!).😊

Meanwhile, enjoy some Black Friday Sale 
over Simon Says Stamp
 
use code SSSBFS and get 15% off  (one day only)
or
use code TAKFIVE for $5 off your purchase (till Nov. 28)

over Altenew.

Don't miss out...this really is an amazing sale!

ALTENEW Black Friday Sale!

• On Sale: Up to 50% off on 88 selected items. 
• Sale starts 11/25 at 12:00am EST and ends11/25 at 23:59pm EST ( be prepared to order asap for the best selection)
•  
• 50% off Elegant Floral Stamp & Die Bundle: $102 >>$49 
•  
• 50%off Celebrations Stamping Kit:$135>>$68 
• 
  
• 50% off Thank You Kit:$99>>$49
•  
• 30% off Stamping Starter Kit:$80>>$56
•  
• 20% off AllStamp & Die Bundles  (55 bundles available in the shop)
•  
• 48 Crisp Dye Ink Oval Set:$321>>$281

Thank you for stopping by!

InLinkz.com

Watercolor/Stamp a Plaid

Hello friends!

We have just a few more days to enter the "Stripes & Plaid" challenge! 

Did I mention that we have 2 amazing prizes?

One winner will win a MISTI   
Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented of his/her choice (Original or Mini)

and another will win Concord and 9th Stripe Builder 

You can find all the details here.

I set out to make a DIY plaid pattern paper and decided to use watercoloring.
Why using watercolors, you'd ask?
Imperfection is what I can easily strive for.

I rely on this stamp set "Basic Stripes" although you can totally freehand paint your own plaid/stripes.

With watercoloring, the stripes do not have to be perfectly lined up and the colors can be opaque and splotchy. It's a easy and fun way to try stamping a s plaid.

I started out with the soft colors (mainly the blue, yellow, green) and then I added the grey. That's when I thought that I "ruined" the project!!! It didn't look nice at all with the grey at first... However, I persevered and stamped the bright colors (red and navy blue). That completely changed the look! Now when you look at it, the grey actually compliments the color palette and makes all the colors stand out!
So, that's my little "finding".



With the gold-embossed deer image from "Comfort and Joy" (Winnie and Walter), I added a layer of vellum and strings. I really want to show off the homespun, retro feel of the plaid background.



I strongly encourage you to try water-coloring stripes/plaid. I know you will have lots of fun like I did. Do make sure that you keep the watercolors somewhat dry, otherwise, when you stamp the next color, it may become all muddled!

InLinkz.com

Please keep the entries coming. The deadline is Nov. 18th (11:55pm EST).
Thanks so much for stopping by!

An InLinkz Link-up