Catherine Pooler ~ Woodie Wagon

Happy Thursday all!  Last week Catherine Pooler Designs had a little mini summer release!  This releases name is "On The Boardwalk" and it's celebrating a taste of summertime!

One of the first things in my cart this time was their cool new "Woodies Wagon Die" set!  It is just pure summer vibes!

My Woodie Wagon needed some passengers!  So I grabbed the new "Boardwalk Cruisers" stamp set packed full of our furry friends and some fun summer things like skateboards and beach balls!

Look at all those furry critters takin' a ride along the surf scape!

I was inspired to create my card by attending the latest StampNation quarterly event, the "Coffee and Cards" with Catherine and Erika!

It was a fun Zoom event filled with lots of inspiration and fun chatter.  You can catch that recorded live over on the StampNation group.  You can check out the 3 available subscriptions in the link list below.

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!

~ Ally ~

Wanna WIN the Next Stamp Approval Collection?

Hey everyone!  There’s lots of fun things going over at StampNation!
 
The Dream Team & our guest designers are hard at work getting the newest and most fabulous Stamp of Approval holiday box card creations ready for next month’s release.  Yup… it’s that time ALREADY!

What is Stamp of Approval you ask?   It's a box of specially curated stamps and dies that are designed to coordinated perfectly together that arrives in your mailbox.  It contains many, many hours of creative fun! When you purchase your box, you also receive a beautiful PDF document that contains all kinds of card designs for you to replicate!

Wanna WIN the next Stamp of Approval 

box before you can buy it???  

All you have to do is create a card using the previous SOA box contents, using the “Lovely Notes” collection and link it up on Catherine’s  blog right here.  All the rules are listed over on her blog as to how you can play along.

To showcase the box, I thought I’d share a brand new card using the “Lovely Notes” Collection just for you today!  This collection contains this pretty wreath image and lots of other cool images and sentiments (6 stamp sets and 2 die sets to be exact!)

So come and join me and create a brand new SOA card and share it with us!  You might just WIN that new box of goodies before anyone can even buy it!

Click here to get on the WAIT LIST for our new 

Holiday release coming in September!

Catherine Pooler will be opening her shop sometime towards the end of the month.  Inside the shop, she’ll not only be including some of the oldest Stamp of Approval kit contents (stamps, dies & stencils) but also some of her own stamp & die designs, other wise known as Catherine Pooler Designs.  Be sure to stay tuned for that announcement soon!

If you’d like to WIN one of the $25 gift certificates to Catherine’s shop, come and play along with the StampNation “Heat It Up” classes held all summer long and participate in them all!  Two winners will be chosen to WIN one of 2 gift certificates offered up as prizes for the class.  Come and play along to win!

For more information on how to join StampNation, click the image below!

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Ally ~

An Exciting Summer to Come!

So what’s what’s so exciting about this Summer!!!?!?  Well… there’s lots happening at StampNation in the next few months!

First of all, Catherine has revealed the newest collection of Stamp of Approval theme today!  It’s AWESOME!  Another box of goodies you will NEED to add to your stamping goodies!  Plus, Catherine has announced all of our amazing guest designers for the newest box.  Click here for more details.

What is Stamp of Approval you ask?  Well….. it’s a specially designed box of stamping & card making goodies especially made for you by Catherine Pooler! Catherine puts together a whole whack of stamps and dies that coordinate for creating cards and other stamping projects!  It’s always got something that you just can’t live without in it!  And she ships them all over the world!!

The new SOA collection goes live for purchase on July 13th!!!!  That’s just a little over 2 weeks away!  To ensure you get a crack at purchasing this box of ah-mazing goodies (‘cuz they go FAST!!), get your email on the waitlist HERE!

Catherine also has her SHOP open right now (until Friday at midnight EST) and you can purchase stamps, dies and stencils from the first 3 SOA collections, the “Friendship”, the “Holiday Magic” and the “Young at Heart” collections!  PLUS… she has added brand new DIES for “Eva’s Favorite Flowers” stamps from the Friendship collection and THREE new items of her very own, Catherine Pooler Designs.

Here are some cards using Catherine’s newest goodies, “Eva’s Favorite Flowers Dies”, “And Sentiments”, “And Dies”…

Plus I created another card featuring the new "Wild Blooms" stamp set yesterday over on Periscope.

You can check out the full scope which I posted on YouTube, HERE. 

Come and buy them ALL for your stash HERE!

ALSO… over at StampNation, beginning Friday, we have a FREE Summer-long event called HEAT IT UP.  It’s a course meant to teach you all about cool techniques with Heat Embossing!  The Dream Team will be posting all summer long with cool and awesome techniques, tutorials and gorgeous examples.  Come and join us for that event for July & August!

If you’re not a member of StampNation, come and check out more details here.  We’d love to have you join us this summer!

Can’t wait to have fun with you this summer!

Creative hugs,
~ Ally ~

Follow Your Heart

Happy Hump Day all!

I’ve been stamping like crazy these past 2 weeks!  The new Stamp of Approval box is coming soon to a mailbox near you and Catherine and the SOA Creative Team have been madly creating cards for the printable PDF that each customer receives with their fabulous box.  This is a MUST-HAVE box let me tell ya!  To sign up to receive an email regarding when the box goes on sale can be found right here plus StampNation members receive notification 1 hour earlier than everyone else – just ONE of the many perks of being an SN member.

Another perk of StampNation is the amazing FREE Creative Stencils class going on right now in honour of SN's 5th birthday!  It’s amazing.  Here’s a little sneak of my latest stencil class creation…

So if you get a chance, check out StampNation!

Today it’s my turn as hostess of the Splitcoaststampers Card Sketch this week and here’s my fun sketch for this week…

I looked at the sketch and the first thing I saw was a “heart” at the end of the arrow so I used the brand new digital stamp set “Follow Your Heart” from Power Poppy.

 

Isn't it pretty?!?!

I used my Copic Markers to colour in the heart cluster of beautiful roses with all kinds of shades of pink and red.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you’ll join us beginning on Saturday for our first sneak peeks of the Stamp of Approval: Young at Heart collection.  See you then!!!

~ Ally ~
 
Sponsored by:  Power Poppy

Supplies:
stamps:  Power Poppy (Follow Your Heart)
cardstock: Stampin’ Up! (Real Red), Recollections 110lb White 
patterned papers:  Lawn Fawn (Beachside 6x6), My Favorite Things (Homespun Gingham 6x6)
die cut shapes:  MFT (In & Out Stitched rounded Square die, Stitched Ovals, Homespun Stitched Lines)
ink:  Copic Markers (R21, R22, R24, R27, R29, R39) 
sequins: Pretty Pink Posh (Sparkling Clear 4mm, 6mm)
Silhouette: Cut File (Chevron Borders).

It's Been a BUSY Week!

Howdy everyone!  It’s been a super busy week here as I get ready to take my Cub Scouts to camp this weekend.  I thought I’d share a few things happening though with you all.

First off StampNation kicked off their 5th Birthday celebration on Monday.  for this year’s bash, the Dream Team and few wonderful guest designers have prepared a FREE Creative Stenciling class!
  

It will eventually be moved over to the Creativity Grows Here classroom but until then it’s free to all StampNation members.  And it’s incredible!  We have much, much more than 7 days of challenges & how-to videos and inspiration.  Make sure you check it out!

Here’s a few sneak peeks of some of my cards for this awesome class…

Plus this week I shared a fun how-to video myself over at Power Poppy on Monday.  This week’s “Inspire Me Monday” is all about creating fun back grounds using the grid method.  You check it out HERE on the Power Poppy Blog. Here's a peek of that card...

Join us on Tuesday as the Instant Gardeners introduce a brand new digital stamp… and this is simply beautiful!  You’re gunna have to purchase & download this one immediately!!! 

I’ve also been hard at work creating examples for the newest (and most fabulous of all!) Stamp of Approval box!  And let me tell ya, if you can swing the $97 price tag (which is a STEAL for what's in this box!)

 THIS is THE box to invest in!!!  

It’s called “Young at Heart” and it’s a birthday themed box.  It has some amazing stamp sets, some even cooler dies and a fabulous stencil!  Wowsers… it’s AH-MAZING!

To get your name on the email waiting list, please visit here.

 Here’s a mini sneak peek of one of my card creations using the box contents….

Thanks for stopping in to see me today! I hope you have an amazing weekend!

~ Ally ~

Autumn's Just Around the Corner

Howdy all!  Happy Friday!  I’m here along with Bloom Brigade today sharing some brand new Power Poppy creations.

I’m actually featuring one of our brand new digital stamps called Olive and Oak.  This gorgeous Autumn cluster features some beautiful oak leaves and acorns along with a spring of fruiting olive branches – it’s gorgeous!

My card to features some brand new to the market papers by the new company called Paper Play Paper Company.  This line is called "Autumn Day".  This company is going to go places!!!

Here’s a little close up…

My card today is actually part of my StampNation classes during the month of September called “Color Me”.  I’m featuring 8 lessons all about different kinds of mediums in the crafting industry and one of those mediums being my favourite, Copic Markers.  Power Poppy has graciously sponsored my month long class!  Thank you Marcella!  Make sure to check more about the class right here!


Join me and the Bloom Brigade on today’s blog hop adventure…

Allison Cope – you are here!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Julie Koerber
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan

Thanks for stopping by today!

~ Ally ~

Supplies:
Stamps: Olive and Oak (Power Poppy)
Ink: Copic Markers, Jellyroll White Pen
Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, Autumn Day 6x6 (Photo Play Paper Co.), Chocolate Brown Cardstock (MFT), Bazzill Cardstock
Accessories: Cross-Stitch Oval STAX Dies (MFT), Twine (Darice), Green Trim (Micheal’s), Thread.

Color Me: Class & Challenge Coming!

So most of you know I am a colouring addict!  Yup, no new news there!  So I thought I’d share some knowledge on colouring mediums, some colour theory and some colouring creations with all of the StampNation members!

So I’ve designed an 8 lesson class to show case all of these cool things and it’s beginning THIS week. 

Every Thursday and Sunday during the month of September, I will sharing my knowledge and I’ll be assigning a mini challenge at the end of every lesson.

To find out all the particulars, check out this…

I hope you’ll join me in the “Color My World” forum over at StampNation!  You don’t wanna miss it!

~ Ally ~

“In The Mood” Blog Hop

 We are so excited to announce the release of our newest online card class, In the Mood! Through mood board inspiration, our designers teach class participants many different ways that you can draw inspiration from the world around you. To celebrate the release of In the Mood class we have created a special In the Mood blog hop. Each of our designers, and some of our friends, have created a card based on this mood board.

There are 10 FREE class registrations hidden along the hop, so make sure you leave comments along the way.
The more comments you make, the greater your chances are of winning!

You have until 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, June 21st to leave a comment to be entered to win! Winners will be announced at on Monday on Catherine's Blog.

Sign up by June 24th to get access to a BONUS mood board and two extra video tutorials.

*************************

Here is the mood board that we are being inspired by today!  Isn't it stunning!  It has all kinds of cool aspects to it; butterflies, delicate flowers, cute little tea cups, beautiful glassware, stunning sunsets and even cool jewelry!  

I was inspired by not only the color scheme of the mood board but also by the gorgeous flowers and the China tea cups.  I took the colors and colored my poppies with the fun hues of blues, purples and pinks.  My simple image includes some pottery just like the tea cups and it of course showcases those happy poppies inside!

Here's a little close up of my blooms...

It’s time to hop along now. Click on each of the designers below…

Catherine Pooler
Maureen Merritt
Kristie Goulet
Heather North
Stephanie Klauck
Isha Gupta
Laurel Beard
Allison Cope – you are here!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoyed hopping along with the entire team and I hope that you'll come and check out this class... it's amazing!

Make sure you head on back to  

Catherine's blog for further information!

~ Ally ~

Supplies:

stamps: Poppies (Power Poppy), Twinkle, Twinkle (SugarPea Designs), Background Basics: Gingham (Papertrey Ink)

paper: Recollections White Cardstock

ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Dusty Concord (Ranger Distress), Copic Markers, Clear Wink of Stella

accessories: Stitched Circles die (My Favorite Things), Stitched Borders 2 (Pretty Pink Posh), Michael's Trims.

Giveaways, Challenges & Coupons for Fun Classes!

Technique Toolbox: “Creative Ways to Use Dye Ink Pads” class has been a smashing success.  Lots of class members have truly been inspired.  This class is an amazing resource for stampers of all levels.... newbie stampers to the senior stamper too! 

COUPON CODE EXPIRES SOON -  March 18th. 

Find the registration link and StampNation coupon code here:
 
Technique Toolbox Class Coupon Code for StampNation Members

There is also some very cool prizes for people who comment and/or share they’re work based on the lessons in the class.  Participants could win:

• 12 pack of Dewdrop Memento Ink Pads from Imagine Crafts
• $20 Gift Certificate to Whimsy Stamps
• FIVE $20 Gift Certificates to CAS-ual Fridays
• At the Office Stamp Set and Office Supplies Die set from My Favorite Things Stamps

Save the Date:  Our next event will be the week of April 19th.  More details to follow!

My GIVEAWAY for the PageMaps U “Cardmaker Class 2015” is still open for comments for your chance to win.  Someone that leaves a comment is going to WIN a free spot in the class and this class is amazing!!!  If you love PageMaps and you love sketches then this class is for you!  Click here for more details on how to win!

Power Poppy has a brand new monthly challenge!  It’s called “Power & Spark” and this month’s challenge is golden!  Yup… it’s as EASY as using gold on a project and sharing it on the Power Poppy Blog!

No Power Poppy images are required!!!  Anything will do… and if you WIN, you get to choose a clear OR digital stamp set of your choice to add to your collection!  So get on over there and play along…. CLICK RIGHT HERE for more details!

Hope you have an amazing (and creative!) weekend!

~ Ally ~

Sign Up & Get a Free Bonus PDF!

Hey, friends!  Class is now in session and the feedback we’ve gotten has been tremendous!

Look at what Kathy D. has to say:

“Just registered today & you were right that the Bonus PDF is worth the price of the class!  Anxious to jump in!”

I do want to remind you that the FREE bonus closes down Wednesday at 11:59 EST.

Will the class be available for purchase later?  Of course!  Just the bonus is going away.


Some of you have had questions…The most common ones I’m hearing are:

Q: Can I view this class only once?
A: You will have LIFETIME access to this class (well, as lifetime as I can guarantee is as long as I am blogging and stamping, which I expect will be many years)!  You can go back and refer to it and watch the videos over and over again.

Q: Is there a discount?
A:  YES!  StampNation Members get a $10 off coupon code.  SN Membership fee is $9 per month, so it’s a great time to become a member!  Members, grab your discount code here.

A few more things –
Prizes:  there are goodies up for grabs for class attendees!  Drawing is on March 12.
Coupon Code to Ellen Hutson – expires on February 24, class attendees, grab that code here!

Click here to register for

 Technique Toolbox: Creative Uses for Dye Ink Pads!

Can’t wait to see you in class!   The post Bonus is closing soon!

~ Ally ~

Technique Toolbox: Dye Ink Pads - Class Now Open!

What’s this?  February 18th?  Why yes!!!  That was YESTERDAY!

We’ve been working on this class for months and we are STOKED to be opening the doors today…by WE, I mean:

• Maureen Merritt
• Kristie Goulet
• Heather North
• Allison Cope – that’s me!
• Isha Gupta
• Kay Miller
• Stephanie Klauck

and Catherine Pooler!  More than 20 video tutorials, 35+ samples and written tutorials to teach you how to streeettch those Dye Ink Pads to make the most of them.

Click here to register now! 

Subscribe in the next week and you’ll get this amazing reference guide AND a coupon code to shop at Ellen Hutson!

Click here to register now! 

Here’s a peek at some of the awesomeness in this class:

There are also prizes for class attendees up for grabs.  Check it out:

• 12 pack of Dewdrop Memento Ink Pads from Imagine Crafts
• $20 Gift Certificate to Whimsy Stamps
• FIVE $20 Gift Certificates to CAS-ual Fridays
• At the Office Stamp Set and Office Supplies Die set from My Favorite Things Stamps

Click here to register now! 

~ Ally ~

Let’s Get Inky!

We are really looking forward to releasing our next class this week!  Ink pads are the most important tool stampers own and can be one of the most versatile.   What if there was ONE resource that taught you how to make the most of them?

Here are all the need-to-know deets:

• Registration opens on Tuesday, 2/17 for StampNation Members – don’t forget to use your $10 discount code you’ll find in the forum!
• General Registration opens on Wednesday
• Sign up in the first week and get your quick reference guide for Dye Ink Pads – this is a MUST HAVE at your craft table!
• Class attendees will get a special discount code to shop at Ellen Hutson through Feb. 24.
• Prizes!  Class attendees will be in the running for some amazing prizes.

When we started planning this class, we thought we’d do a mini class…

ummm…yeah….

We got carried away teaching, stamping, creating and having a blast and now this class is overflowing with amazing stuff!

Wait until you see this PDF resource that Maureen put together. Let me tell you, this resource ALONE is worth the price of admission.

note:  the reference guide is a download…not a physical product.

Prizes for class attendees:

• 12 pack of Dewdrop Memento Ink Pads from Imagine Crafts
• $20 Gift Certificate to Whimsy Stamps
• FIVE $20 Gift Certificates to CAS-ual Fridays
• Stamp and Die set from My Favorite Things Stamps

See you on Wednesday inside the classroom!

~ Ally ~

We’re Dying To Ink You Up!

It’s Wednesday and it’s time for a fun new challenge over at StampNation!  This week the Dream team and I were challenged to create with…the heART!

Here’s a little sneak peek of some of the sweet creations for this week…

And another announcement...  We have a brand NEW class rolling out next week.  Announcing…

This class promises over 15 video tutorials from some amazing card artists, more than 20 stunning examples along with step-by-step written instructions for you to follow.  If you’ve ever been intimidated by all the different inks out there and what to do with them… well then this is the class for you!
 
Class opens February 18th.  Newsletter subscribers will be the first to know – see Catherine’s blog here to subscribe!

StampNation Members will have early access AND a $10 off coupon code – watch the SN boards for details!

Subscribe in the first week and you’ll get a bonus PDF download resource…invaluable for certain!

I hope you’ll come and join us!  Happy inking! 

~ Ally ~

Let it Snow!

It’s time for the StampNation Dream Team to share another fun and festive challenge!  Here’s a little sneak peek of the Dream Team’s work…

Can you guess what our theme is this week?

Here’s another clue…

Well if you still haven’t guessed, maybe you better go and check out this week’s challenge for yourself!

Still working on your holiday cards?  Stuck for ideas?  NO FEAR… the StampNation Dream Team and a few guest are here to the rescue!  Check out the amazing “A Very Trendy Holiday 2.0” class!  It’s jam packed with cool cards, fabulous step-by-step videos and lots of holiday card inspiration!

Come and join us at StampNation!  You won’t regret it!

~ Ally ~