Hello Crafty Friends!!

I have been busy, busy preparing for Christmas, and I am happy to say I only have a few more items to wrap, and some baking to do with the kiddos, then I am done!!

With all the holiday preparations, I haven't had as much time for coloring as I would like, but I wanted to pop in to share a card a made about a week ago, and just haven't posted yet!

   

This lovely little lady was a FREEBIE from Stamp Anniething as part of the Kit and Clowder Advent Calendar Facebook Event. This is Brooke as Anna, and she was so fun to color!! You can still grab her for yourself, and enter in the coloring competition for a chance to win a clear stamp from Stamp Anniething!

   

  

I colored her to resemble Anna from Frozen, and paired her with this perfect sentiment from the C.C. Designs Snowman Sentiment Set. I used some Doodlebug Polar Pals paper, and a few Gold Nugget Glittered Gumdrops to tie in the colors.

   

  

Skin - E13, E11, E02, E00, E000, R30

Hair - E37, E99, E97, E30, E50

Cape  - RV69, RV17, RV66, RV63

Skirt - B69, B66, B63, B60

Top - B02, B01, B00, B000 and T10, T9, T8, T7, T2

  

I'm entering this into the Tuesday Morning Sketches Anything Goes Challenge.

    

That's all I have for today!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

  

 

I'm kicking off the December Designer Showcase on the YNS Blog today!

 

I thought this would be a great chance for me to share my opinion of the new YNS Black Olive Premium Dye Ink. Did you know this ink was formulated for using with alcohol markers?!

You may have noticed I'm a fan of Copics. ;) If you're anything like me, you've tried loads of different black inks with your markers, trying to find the best one. I settled on Memento Tuxedo Black a long time ago... I say settled because it's never been my favorite black ink. I never felt like it was black enough or crisp enough, but it was the ONLY one that didn't smear with my Copics. 

Then along came YNS Black Olive... I know you are probably skeptical to try another new ink for your Copic coloring, but I'm here to put your concerns to rest!!

  

I used Hammermill Color Copy Digital Cover 80# cardstock for my review...

  

 

First up, I wanted to show you a side by side comparison of the same image (Winter Wonderland Phoebe) stamped with the two different inks.

 

 

If you look up close, you can see the Memento looks almost faded compared to the YNS Black Olive. Also, her eyes are much more prominent with the Black Olive Ink.

 

 

The next test was the BIG one for me... I am not patient when it comes to ink drying! I stamp my image, and I want instant coloring gratification! If I have to wait for the ink to set, or blast it with my heat gun, I don't want it!

Here is part of the image colored immediately after stamping with YNS Black Olive... I colored the face (sloppily) to show that I went right over the eyes and mouth without ANY lines smearing!

 

 

Up next came the blender test. We all want to fix our mistakes without worrying about the outline of the image getting all muddied! I was pretty heavy handed with the blender pen here, and the lines are still crisp and perfect!!

 

 

Here is sweet little Phoebe all colored up, before I cut her out with the coordinating dies and added some fluff to her outfit with my Marvy Snow Marker.

  

Winter Wonderland Phoebe Stamp Set | Winter Wonderland Phoebe Die Set | Black Olive Ink Pad

Large Bookmark/Tag Die Set | Open Scallop Circle Die Set | Circle Die Set

Winter Plaid 6x6 Paper Pad | Pajamas All Day Stamp Set

 

I hope I have put your mind at ease about trying another (and hopefully your LAST!!) black ink pad.

Thanks so much for visiting!

 

  

It's time for the Monthly Design Team Dare at Your Next Stamp!

This time, we were "dared' to CASE another Design Team member!!

What a fun challenge!! I'm sure you've all noticed that the YNS Team is full of talented and inspiring designers, so the hardest part was choosing just ONE to CASE!!

  

I decided on CASEing this card by Julie... I've had it pinned to an inspiration board since she posted it, and it is the reason I realized I *needed* the Scribble Fun One Stamp Set!

    I kept the basic layout the same, but changed up a few details... I decided to make mine an A2 size rather than a square, and instead of using matching colored cardstock on the center panel like Julie did, I decided to use some of the beautiful YNS Inks on white cardstock.

  

 

Since there are so many pretty colors of ink, I decided to make a whole rainbow set of cards! The colors I've featured are:

Holly Berry Red, Pumpkin Orange, Sunflower Yellow, Olive Green, Blue Curacao, and Purple Passion.

These were so quick to put together, I'm thinking I'll make a few more set to give out as gifts!

   

Be sure to check out the rest of the creations on the YNS Blog to see who the other designers were inspired by!

And don't forget to leave a comment while you're there... one lucky fan will win a YNS Stamp Set of their choice!

   

  

 

Good Luck!

  

   

It's my turn to post on the C.C. Designs Facebook Page today! If you're not already a follower, be sure you join... we have loads of inspiration for you!!

  

Today, I've colored up the cute little girl from the new Roberto's Rascals Breakfast set. I paired her with paper from the Snowy Day Paper Pad, and also used a couple of Snowy Day Enamel Dots.

  

  

Skin - E11, E21, E00, E000, E0000, R30

Hair - E59, E37, E35, E33

Pink - R85, R83, R81

White - C0, C00

Donut - E44, E43, E42, E41

  

That's all I have for today!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

    

  

Instead of a new release this month, we are bringing you the

BEST of YNS 2016!!

  

   

Each of the designers has chosen some of their favorite stamps released during the past year, and will be featuring them for this month's Blog Hop!

  

As I was looking back through the year's releases, it was unbelievably hard to choose a favorite!! There were so many amazing stamps and dies, not to mention the YNS Inks and Papers that were introduced this year!! I finally decided on coloring up the cute little airplane from Just Plane Amazing... I've used this one several times, but I still love it!!

I paired him with some paper from the BoBunny On the Go 6x6 Pad, and colored him with Copics to match. The sentiment is stamped onto vellum, and the little plane is popped up above.

 

  

Blue - B29, B26, B23, B21

Yellow - Y35, Y32, Y23, E50

Windows - BG000, BG0000

Tongue - R30

   

As always, you have a chance to win a fabulous PRIZE for hopping along with us!!

Just leave a comment on each of the blogs along the hop, and you'll be entered to win a $25 YNS Gift Certificate!!

   

Happy Hopping!