High Hopes new release blog hop!

Welcome to the High Hopes blog hop!

I'm joining High Hopes for release day!!


To celebrate, High Hopes has a blog hop showcasing many of the stamps that are on now available!!


Hop along the blogs to see what the fantastic Divas have created for your inspiration!


There is candy along the way. You won't know where so you need to leave a comment on each of the blogs to make sure you have a chance at the prize!


The blog hope will run through 7pm Monday, June 4th with the winner of the candy announced on Tuesday.


Oh, and the stamps are now available in the High Hopes Website and at some retails stores.


This is the last stop on the blog hop - you can start from the beginning here.


Enjoy!


Sarah


xx

High Hopes Numbers Challenge!

Hello all!

Welcome to the last High Hopes stamp challenge of the year!  I've had such a great time this fall as Guest Designer for High Hopes.  What an awesome group of ladies - and beautiful stamps!

This is my creation for the "Numbers Challenge"



I've used this adorable little baby monkey (love her diaper and soother!) to create a 1st birthday card for a little girl!

I've chosen this pretty Prima paper "Jack and Jill" and coloured the little monkey in coordinating colours.  I've used MFT oval lace doily and lace edge dies as well as the number die and stamp set.

I hope you come over and join us in this super fun challenge - for a chance to win some AMAZING High Hopes stamps!  FABULOUS prizes!

High Hopes Stamps

Happy Stamping!

Sarah

xx

Stamps:  High Hopes, MFT

Paper:  Copic XPress It, Prima Jack & Jill, SU! cardstock

Dies:  MFT

Punch:  SU! oval

Copics:

E37, E35, E33, E31, E0

E55, E53, E50

E15, E13, E11

R22, R20

R01, R000, R0000

R85, R83, R81

G29, G24, G21, G20

C5, C2, C1, C0

E43, E41, E40



High Hopes Snowflake Challenge

Hello stampers!

With snowflakes teasing us almost every day here in London, High Hopes is challenging you all to get our your paper snowflakes!

My gorgeous Tim Holtz snowflakes were anxious to escape their drawer and come out to play.

They've joined this gorgeous little High Hopes Santa (Santa's List) from the fabulous new 2011 Christmas release in my attempt to merge "cutesy Santa" with "antiquey distress".

I've stamped Santa on Copic XPress It with Memento ink and coloured him with Copics.  I've punched him with an oval Nestie and mounted him on another oval paper.  I've used the gorgeous new Christmas paper 6x6 from My Mind's Eye.  Tim Holtz has a great choice of snowflakes out this year and I've used his edge die and his snowflake dies.  I used my Xyron to adhere the snowflakes.  I've distressed everything within an inch of it's life here.  I've used Glimmer mist, distress inks, and glitter.  He took a while to dry!

Come and join in the fun - create with snowflakes & High Hopes and enter to win some GORGEOUS new stamps!

Challenge # 122 is open for two weeks starting today!

Come on over and see what the other designers have created this week.

If you are in need of a High Hopes stamp, check out our Diva stores:

Lacey Stephens - Stamp and Create based out of the US

Nikki Fairbairn - Bunny Zoe's Crafts based out of the UK/Europe

Amy Wegener - Stampin' Stuff based out of Australia

High Hopes Website

Stamp:  High Hopes Santa's List
Paper:  My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Christmas
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Antique Linen distress ink, Picket Fence distress stain, Versa magic chalk ink (aquatic splash)
Accessories:  Glass effect gel, Deco Art glamor dust, Inkssentials opaque white pen, Gelly roll pen, Glaze pen
Dies:  Spellbinders petite ovals large, Tim Holtz Movers & Shapers mini snowflakes set, Tim Holtz On the Edge Snow Flurries
Copics:  R59, R46, R27, C7, C5,C3, C1, C0, C00, E01, E00, R20, BG10, E42, E41, E40, W1, W00, W000

High Hopes Challenge: #119 - Party Favor and HIGH HOPES OCTOBER SALE

Hello all!

Well fall is DEFINITELY in the air here in London, ON. Fall jackets are out of storage and shorts are put away officially. Ahhh, so sad. BUT - that means Halloween is nearly here! I always said I would never be one of "those" mothers for my child. You know the type - who make the beautiful "Martha Stewart" type cupcakes for every class event. And the ones who send home the gorgeous hand-made gifts. Well, unfortunately for me, my competitive nature has started to get the better of me! And I fear I am becoming one of "those" mothers.

I've also created this little treat box for High Hopes Challenge #119 - Party Favor.  Be sure and go over there and check it out!   What a fun challenge to join - and a great chance to win some awesome, awesome High Hopes stamps of your choice (did you see the STUNNING snowmen just released?  GORGEOUS!)!

Also - be sure to check out the October special to save 20% off!!  Who doesn't love a sale!!  This fantastic deal runs October 1 through 7 - so be sure to check it out!

Here is our Halloween treat basket we're making for Sam's classmates this year! I love an opportunity to make any kind of box or basket. It's a nice change from cards and always looks so cute. This one I found on splitcoast and is called "Maria's treatbox". Very nice and quick to make. Thanks Maria! I think I'll be using this one again.

I've used High Hopes angel bear pumpkin (seriously - how cute? all my favourite things in one - bear, angel AND pumpkin!). I've stamped him on Copic XPress It and coloured in Copics. And I've finally used this gorgeous paper I bought last month: The Apothecary Emporium Collection 6X6 Paper Pad by Echo Park.

After making a few of these, I must admit - I think it's time to upgrade to a Scor-Pal finally!!

Happy Halloween (almost)!
and Happy Stamping!
Sarah
xx

High Hopes new release blog hop!

Welcome to stop # 8 of 11 on the High Hopes Christmas Release Blog Hop!

You should have come here from the talented Kristine (if not, feel free to go back and see her gorgeous creation!).

And your next visit will be to the lovely Alex!

This is the lovely new "Christmas Joy" snowman from High Hopes that will be available to purchase on Thursday!  Don't miss out on your order for one of these GORGEOUS new stamps!  I must admit that I really dragged my heels on getting out the Christmas crafting supplies this month.  Especially since I'm still wearing shorts and I HATE saying goodbye to summer every year :-(  BUT these cute little snowmen have helped "ease" me into the spirit!

If you've been following my posts this week leading up to the official release date, I am continuing with my colour scheme for my cards with the GORGEOUS new Bo Bunny Blitzen paper.  DEFINITELY my fave of the new Christmas papers so far!  A perfect match with Stampin' Up kraft paper.  I've added the coordinating cardstock stickers, and accented with a beautiful Prima flower I had left from last year, and some self-adhesive pearls.  Those who follow me know my love with the Spellbinders nestability dies, and this is one of my favourite, labels ten.

I've stamped my little snowman on Copic XPress It with Memento ink in Tuxedo black and coloured him with my Copics.  I always look for an opportunity to use some BG's!

Copic colours:  BG18, BG15, BG13, BG11, BG10, E55, E53, E51, R39, R37, R35, R32, W3, W1, W0, W00, YG17, YG25, YG03, YR12.

I am a proud member of the Scrappin' Great Deals design team, and I'll certainly be featuring these High Hopes stamps on my blog posts over there as they become available for sale.  Maybe I'll even teach with them this fall!  By the way - there is an AWESOME sale on over there right now.....

go to Scrappin' Great Deals to

Save 25% on Spellbinders & Cuttlebug!!

This includes Grand Calibur, Cuttlebug Machine & sooo much more!!

Click here for our extensive Spellbinders Gallery!

Click here for amazing selection of Cuttlebug Products!

(pre-orders & clearance are excluded from this offer)

plus ...

With every $25 purchase (pre-tax) you will receive a FREE bottle of Stickles!

No coupons necessary - discounts will automatically be applied

These special offers end Friday, September 23rd @ midnight

Offers cannot be combined with other discounts/coupons

Tell them Sarah sent you!

Carrying on to your next visit along the High Hopes new release blog hop - please visit Alex!  And when you get back to the High Hopes blog, don't forget to enter this week's challenge "Home for the Holidays".  You have another week to enter your submission - and win some awesome new stamps!!

Happy stamping!

Sarah
xx

High Hopes sneak peek - day 2!

Here's my creation for Day Two of the High Hopes Christmas release!

I am loving working with these stamps!  They are the prettiest Christmas stamps I've seen in a while, and so much more versatile than the usual ones I see.

I've continued my theme with the beautiful new Bo Bunny Blitzen paper.  I admit that I do have an addiction to 6x6 paper stacks - but this one is different - really!

I've stamped High Hopes Snowman with Bird on Copic XPress It with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  And (of course) I've coloured him with Copics!

I punched him out with my Nesties Ovals and the background paper with the Nesties scalloped ovals - and pop dotted them.  I printed the sentiment myself on SU! Kraft paper, and punched it with my Nesties also.

I've added some gorgeous handmade crochet flowers that I found on Etsy, and added some accents with my Viva Decor pearl pen.

I'm also entering this card to the challenge for the brand new Touch Twin Markers by ShinHan!

Copic Colours: 

R39, R37, R35, R32; YR12; E79, E77, E74; YG17, YG25, YG03; B97, B95, B91; E55, E53, E51; W5, W3, W1, W0, W00; BG10.

I am having such a great time as a Guest Designer for High Hopes - only wish I could do this full time - now that would be a fun career!

DO NOT miss our awesome Blog Hop - tomorrow - Thursday, Sept. 22 - and also to see the full release of these beautiful stamps!

Hope you enjoyed this little sneak peek!

Happy Stamping
Sarah
xx

High Hopes new release and "Home for the Holidays" challenge!

Hello stampers!


I'm absolutely thrilled to be a guest designer for High Hopes stamps this fall!  And I think I got the BEST release ever to work with!  Just wait till you see these images - they are awesome.  It was really hard to choose which ones to work on for the release this week!


This week - please join us for two special events - our "Home for the Holidays" challenge as well as our brand new Christmas release and blog hop!


This little snowman is absolutely one of my new faves for the holidays.  With his string of hearts, he is SO PERFECT for Christmas!  He just shouts old fashioned family Christmas to me.  And as soon as I found these beautiful Bo Bunny Blitzen papers at Scrappin' Great Deals, I KNEW they would be a perfect match!  I love these old fashioned colours, and muted combinations for Christmas, compared to the very traditional, staid red & green. 

I had a great time colouring this guy with my beloved Copics.  I am 100% a Copic girl, and so High Hopes stamps are ideal for me!  They have nice open spaces to get some really good blending & shading and to really build up that colour.


Be sure to go to the High Hopes blog and see some more of these gorgeous new images!  They are guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit!

Stamp:  High Hopes Snowman with Heart String
Paper:  Bo Bunny Blitzen, Copic XPress It
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz for Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink
Cardstock:  SU! Kraft
Dies:  MFT sentiment die, Spellbinders Nestabilities Lacey Hearts, Tim Holtz Alterations Brackets Edge Punch
Accessories:  SU! ribbon, Diamond Stickles, Sticky Thumb Adhesive, Tim Holtz blending tool
Copics:  E79, E77, E74, E71, R29, R27, R24, B97, B95, B93, B91, E15, E13, E02

Happy Stamping!
Sarah
xx

now designing for High Hopes stamps!

Happy Tuesday and Happy Back to School Day!

My baby is starting GRADE TWO today – I can hardly believe it!  Where did the last 7 years go?  Seriously!

I’m THRILLED to bits to be a new Guest Designer for High Hopes stamps!  I’ve loved this line of stamps for a long time, especially because they are perfect for Copic markers (my favourite medium).  So I’m looking forward to inking up many of their beautiful new release images once they arrive!  YAY!

I stamped this little guy for the “Back to School” theme over at High Hopes.  Be sure and enter the challenge for your chance to win 3 High Hopes stamps of your choice!!  What a great prize!!

 Also come and check us out at our new page on Facebook for lots more creative ideas!

I’ve stamped my little mouse on Copic Xpress It – and coloured him in Copics.  I’ve used Nestabilities Labels Eight in two of the sizes to create a frame as well as the Shapeabilities Butterflies die to create a two-layered dimensional butterfly.  This BEAUTIFUL paper was a perfect way to ease me into the fall mood, even though I hate to give up the summer.  I really am a summer girl – I have such a hard time with winter – ugh.  I’ve spritzed all my paper with Glimmer Mist in Dazzling Diamonds.  I just love the shimmery effect it gives.  I’ve added some gold Smooch to add extra oomph to the flower and some other flowers in the pattern.  I’ve used My Favorite Things rolled daisy die (I LOVE this) and found a coordinating brad in my stash to finish it off.

My background is on SU! Kraft - and I've used two SU! stamps in Tim Holtz for Ranger distress inks to create the setting for my little mouse.  Of course, I've added a little extra bling here and there with some Stickles and some 3D glaze on my little mouse.  I've typed my own sentiment which I found in this awesome book InspirationStation Book of Quotes/ Titles.

And if you're in the mood for a little enabling - check out my post on the Scrappin' Great Deals blog..

 Happy stamping!

Sarah

xx

Cardstock:  SU! Kraft & Early Espresso
Paper:  Copic Xpress It, Basic Grey pyrus
Spellbinders:  Labels Eight, Shapeabilities Butterflies
Other dies:  My Favourite Things Rolled Daisy die
Stamps:  High Hopes mouse under mushroom, Stampin’ Up Linen Background, Inspired by Nature.
Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress inks, Walnut stain, Frayed burlap, Antique linen
Copics:  E59, E57, E55, E53.  E13, E11, E02, E01, R22.  E44, E43, E2, E41.  R29, R27, R24, R22, YR23, BG78, BG75, BG72.  BG02.  YG99, YG97, YG95, G40.  BG10.
Accessories:  Glimmer Mist, Crystal Stickles, 3D Crystal Lacquer, Gold Smooch, Sticky thumb adhesive roller & dimensionals, SU! Dimensionals, Tim Holtz blending tool

High Hopes Stamp Challenge

Hello everyone and happy August!

We are having a beautiful summer here in London - absolutely fantastic!  And for some reason it is motivating me to craft!  Well, that along with the fact that I had my crafty Mother-in-Law here for two weeks, AND I've been making time to get together with my stamping and crafting friends lately!  We had an awesome time at Friday night crop at Scrappin' Great Deals last week - if you live in the area - definitely come and hang out with us some time!  It's a blast!

I am also LOVING this weather and spending so much time outside - enjoying my backyard and deck.  Even sharing my son's little pool with him!  It fits my bum, so it works for me!  And I happen to really like taking photos of my cards outside - instead of inside.  I just like the look of the outside shots personally.

I'm especially motivated lately because I'm beyond excited to go to a full day workshop with Suzanne Dean this Sunday!  HURRAY!  I've been looking forward to this for MONTHS!  If you don't know of her, and you're a Copic fan, you really need to check out her blog - and her FABULOUS YouTube tutorials!  I really love them - they are so helpful.

I've been re-discovering my High Hopes stamps lately, which were buried in my stash.  They are beautiful images to colour with Copics.  I really love little people, and love colouring skin and hair especially, so these are perfect for me!  You can find a full selection of them at Scrappin' Great Deals.  Sheila keeps all the latest in stock!  And my beloved friend and fellow stamper Andrea happens to be on their design team - so that certainly helps - as she's one of my crafty inspirations!  (Definitely check out her beautiful blog for some inspiration - she is so talented).

I stamped this little girl with Memento tuxedo black, on XPress It cardstock.  I always pull my Copic colours from my paper, and this one is My Mind's Eye, Lime Twist - Fly a Kite.  I coordinated with Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie and Buckaroo Blue to pull from the papers.  I really like working with the 6x6" paper stacks and pulling all my other colours (card, flowers, Copics) from there.

I started by colouring her overalls in blue with B00, B02, B04, B06, B18.  I've feathered over with the colourless blender a little to bring in some more highlight.  I then coloured her t-shirt, bows, and patches in orange with YR07, YR04, Y38, trying to get a little contrast at least, even in those tiny spaces.  Then I picked up the red in the flowers & ladybugs, with R14, R24, R26.  I've coloured the little hearts in R14, R12.  The skin I used my usual combo of E11, E02, E01, E00, R20.  I like having lots of depth in the face and lots of shading.  I just like the effect on my little characters faces.  Her hair I've used my favourite combo E35, E31, YR20, which can really give different effects depending on how many layers you do, and how much white space you leave.  The shoes and buckles are with E29, E27, E25.  The grass and leaves are done with G20, G21, G24, G29.  I've highlighted her eyes with B00 (I'm not fond of leaving "empty" eyes) and as I usually do, outlined the whole image with BG10 (my favourite colour).  I've highlighted the little "dots" in B00, added some diamond glaze to the bugs and the flowers, and some stickles to the dots and lines, just to perk it up a little!

I added some Prima flowers, some rhinestones, and a cute sentiment from My Favorite Things - stamped on some of the Lime Twist paper and punched with a die from My Favorite Things.

I've entered this card into these challenges:
High Hopes:  anything goes
Oldie but Goodie:  Outdoors
Creative Craft Challenges:  summertime
Everybody Art Challenges:  summer
Craft Your Passion:  favourite season
Have a great week!

Sarah
xx

High Hopes Bear Hugs Thank You Challenge

I had a wonderful week of crafting with my mother-in-law who's been here visiting from England!  Sadly my inlaws went home today, and it's back to work for me tomorrow - boohoo!

Here's a card I finished up this morning, for the High Hopes "Thank You" Challenge!
also for the Crazy 4 Challenges C4C95 Challenge.

I've stamped High Hopes "Bear Hugs" in Memento, rich cocoa, on X-Press it paper.  I've coloured her in Copics, punched out with my Nesties ovals and mounted her on My Mind'sEye, Fine and dandy, "tickled pink" paper (punched with Nesties scallop ovals).  I used another piece of paper from the same 6x6 paper pad, and mounted all on SU! cardstock. I also used SU! certainly celery (which I've embossed with a Cuttlebug folder) and kraft cardstock, and topped with an SU! taffeta ribbon.  The "Thank You" sentiment is a SU! stamp, which I've stamped on the "tickled pink" paper with Memento, tuxedo black, and used my Nesties scallop ovals again, and pop-dotted.  I've added some self-adhesive rhinestones, and some paper roses, which I've accented with liquid glaze (thank you Andrea for this great tip!) to look like dew drops.

Copics used:

Bear:  E35, E31, E53, E50, R20, RV11

Skirt/ flowers:  R89, R85, R83, R81

Shirt/ shoes:  YG97, YG67, YG63, YG61

Socks/ t-shirt:  C1, C00, C000

Hair:  E31, E25, E29, E49

Bandage:  E13, E11

Skin:  E11, E01, E00, E000, R20, R00

Grass:  G21, G24, G29

Outline:  BG10

Happy Summer!

Sarah