Fun Friday YNS - Handmade Reptile Textured Cardstock

Today is Fun Friday with Your Next Stamp. I created my card using Fhiona's Pet Turtle. 

I used Mojo Monday 242 for the sketch.

I also incorporated some felt clouds using our Puffy Cloud Die. The textured reptile paper I created myself in both brown and green.  If your interested in creating your own, look below.  I put together a video tutorial with step by step instructions. 

You get really cool shiny reptile skin :) 

So fun to make :) 

On a side note (and a freaky coincidence lol), as I was doing my blog post Kelly called me out to the yard and asked me to bring my camera. Lo and behold look what was creeping around my yard, a snapping turtle lol! 

It's been so hot here, we are in the start of a heatwave going into this weekend. As you can see he's very DRY! So since Kelly was watering flowers he decided to give him a bath to cool him off some. He seemed to have enjoyed it!

I never seen one in my yard before, so I just had to post these here since they are a perfect match for my card today :) 

Thanks for visiting! 

May Blog Hop

Blog Start: May 1st 2012 at 8:00AM EST

Blog Ends: May 6th 2012 at Midnight EST

Today is a very special day at Your Next Stamp. We are very excited to announce that YNS is the newest Splitcoaststampers Member company!! 

To celebrate we have put together a special Bog Hop filled with our favorite things from YNS. We have 3 hidden prizes along the way, so make sure you leave a comment on every blog to qualify for the prizes. The winners will be announced May 7th on the YNS Blog and the new YNS Splitcoaststampers Forum.

If you came here from Lori's Blog you are right on track. If not, you can start at the beginning of the Hop at Dana's Blog.

Today I created a card using the stamp Flower Bouquet Fhiona that I LOVE from YNS.  I also incorporated several of our newest die sets, Puffy Clouds, Flower Fun Spring Grass Die, and Tag Galore Two.

 

This really makes me think about Spring!

This new tag is so fabulous.

The pink flower is a Prima and the yellow flower is an unknown that was floating around my supplies. The ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

 

EXTRA EXTRA NEWS ALERT:

Karen (the owner of YNS) is also in the process of moving, so she is having a MOVING SALE!  Quantities are limited, so shop early to grab the stamps and dies you want at a fantastic price. There is also a Retired Stamp Bin and a Bargain Bin so make sure you check out all the awesome deals. 

Now it's time to hop over to Veronica's Blog.

In case you get lost:

1. Dana
2. Kerri
3. Cabio-Guest Designer
4. Carole
5. Diana - ME :)
6. Veronica
7. Jen D.
8. Jen R.
9. Kelli-Guest Designer
10. Susan
11. Wendy
12. Peggy
13. Lydia-Guest Designer
14. Jenny P.
15. Karen

Upcoming Blog Hop Info!!!

& a BIG surprise announcement ......Check back tomorrow!!!

Fun Friday YNS - Glossy Accents

My tip for today is to not forget about your Glossy Accents! Glossy Accents is the perfect add on to any card that has liquids, drinks, water etc...

 

 

 

I used Rainy Day Fhiona for my card.  

The puddle at her feet I drew in (it's not part of the original stamp). I then  added the Glossy Accents to really make it stand out.  Adding a water puddle to your stamping is so fun!

 

Thanks for visiting and don't forget to use that Glossy Accents if you have it.

Fun Friday YNS - Think Outside the Box

Today is another Fun Friday with Your Next Stamp!

Today my tip is to think outside of the box (or maybe on the box ? lol) and use laminating for your projects. I purchased my laminating machine at Walmart for 25$ and I love it. I can now expand my horizons and create things that can be for outdoor use. Laminating protects your images and projects, and allows them to stand up to the weather. 

I purchased this awesome birdhouse at Lowes last week for $9. It's made of 100% cedar and very well built.  I'm an avid backyard bird watcher and I have many birdhouses. My 8 acre yard is a certified Wildlife Habitat registered with the National Wildlife Federation, so I encourage the birds to stay permanently once they visit. Each year I add new items to my yard, and this is a new addition for this spring. Of course I had to spruce it up a bit lol.

I left the front plain. I felt adding to the front may discourage the birds from setting up house there if they smelt something with a plastic covering, so I decorated the back instead. This will be hanging in a tree so the back will be very visible as well. 

Here is the now newly decorated back. I figured if I 'welcomed' the birds, maybe I would get lucky and someone will set up house in it this spring. I'm hoping the birds can read :)

   I used the Fhiona's Pet Bird for this. This was so fun to make!  We also have several other BIRD STAMPS that could be used as well or for similar projects. My new birdhouse looks awesome hanging in a tree.

Don't forget, think outside the box and utilize laminating to weather proof your projects! My birdhouse sustained a serious rain storm the other night, and looked fine when I inspected it the next day.

BONUS PIC: 

A very cute female Downy Woodpecker visiting one of my Suet Feeders.

Thanks for visiting.

Your Next Stamp Blog Hop!!

Today we have some awesome new stamps launching at Your Next Stamp and a very exciting and fun April Blog Hop!

 Blog Hop Starts: Wednesday, April 11 at 6 am (EST)
Blog Hop Ends: Sunday, April 15th at midnight (EST)

If you came here from Kelli's Blog you are right on track.  If not, you can start at the beginning of the Hop at Jen D's Blog.

Hop Prizes – $20 YNS Gift Certificate PLUS 2 secret bloggers will be giving away YNS ScrapFest stamps - Shopper Fhiona and Cropper Fhiona! In order to qualify for the grand prize you need to leave a comment on every blog along the Hop, and that will also give you the chance to win the ScarpFest Stamps with our secret bloggers.

Karen is also offering some awesome bundle deals plus the fabulous YNS Bargain Bin, so make sure you check those both out when you hit the YNS Shop. You can also pick up the fabulous limited addition ScrapFest stamps for 5$ each!!

Today I used the new stamp and die set Cheers and Stylish shoes. 

The drinks included in this set are so yummy looking and took me right to Hawaii and the Tropics. 

I added a little bit of sparkle with my Spica pen and some Glossy Accents to make the glass really pop.  

Aloha!

 

Your next and final stop is Karen at the YNS Blog. Hope you guys enjoyed the Blog Hop and Thanks for visiting! 

Here is a project I created a while back using the Shopper Fhiona ScrapFest Set. This set will be available for 5$ today as well. It's a fabulous stamp to have for your collections - Who doesn't love to go shopping?!

Thanks again, and I'm really looking forward to everyone's comments!