Let It Snow!

Is everyone excited? Tomorrow is release day and you can finally get your hands on our new holiday images! Yay! Got one more card to share with you today using Shimo-san (and his friends)... Found this old Doodlebug snowflake paper in my stash and thought it would be fun to incorporate it in this card... I guess I was getting tired of the red, green, and white color scheme. The sentiment used is from an old TPC clear set and the snowflakes were punched using my MS crafts punches. This is the front of the card...



And here's the inside! I decided to brave trying out the pop-up stage card (click here for tutorial). It was a bit challenging on figuring out the placement of the images, but after a 2nd try, I got them to fit in the card properly. I won't even tell you what my first one looked like!



The sentiment is another handy dandy laser cut by Island Scrapbooking. I just love how these little sentiments make cardmaking so easy! And I'm sure you recognize those trees in the background no? They are the pine tree from the Critters in the Woods Lawn Fawn set. I paperpieced the trees together so I wouldn't have to color them.

Here's a close up of the trio. Using this background paper allowed me to color up the image using fun bright colors.



I hope you enjoyed all of our sneak peeks this week. A big MAHALO to Amy Young for all her help with this release! Thanks Amy! And as usual, thanks to Debi for all of her creative samples! OK- last chance to enter all of our blog candy giveaways! Make sure you follow the blog candy rules to be eligible. I'll post the winners later this weekend. Good Luck!

T'was The Night Before Christmas

So after I made yesterday's card, I had a vision of another card...

This card reminds me of the T'was the Night Before Christmas poem, or maybe the "Grinch Who Stole Christmas?". Anyway, I really really really wanted to somehow make Setsuna peeping out from the chimney. So after doing some altering, I was able to make him fit into the fireplace opening! Then I added Yuki, who came down to check her stocking and found it full. It was so much fun using the two images together.


Here's a close up of Yuki...


And here's a close up of Sestuna peeking out from the fireplace...



Don't forget, there's still time to enter into our blog candy giveaway! You have until 9/30/11 at 11:59 HST to enter. For more info, check out our introductory posts (Setsuna) and post on each introductory post to be eligible for each image. Good Luck!

Naughty or Nice?

I have to admit, I used to always get worried when Christmas time came around... That's when mom used to bust out the whole... better be good or Santa won't come routine. The whole reason why I was worried is because one year the Easter Bunny never showed and I was told it was because I was naughty... so after that, I always worried if I was good enough to get something from Santa.


I guess that was the inspiration for this card I'm sharing with you today. I used one of my Lawn Fawn alphabet sets to spell out "Naughty or Nice?" since I've never seen any regular stamps with this sentiment. You notice Setsuna has not filled the stockings yet right? I think he's trying to figure out if all of them should be filled or not! BTW- the fireplace and stockings are also Lawn Fawn stamps- can you tell I like using them? They seem to always work so perfectly with our stamps. For some fun, I decided to use some patterned cardstock for the "carpet".


Here's a close up of Setsuna.


After I made up this card, I got inspired to make another one using this same image. I will share this other card with you tomorrow. See you then! Don't forget to check out Debi's and Amy's blogs for more holiday fun!

Are You Liking Us On Facebook?

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

More of our Release Week posts to continue tomorrow... just thought I'd pop in now and remind everyone that we have a facebook page set up for Sister Stamps. If you like us on facebook, you just might be surprised with some candy! Oh... and whenever I stumble across some Sister Stamps samples out there in blogland, I link them up so you can check them out too!

Hope you are enjoying the sneaky peeks so far... Did you guys go check out Debi's and Amy's posts yesterday? They are totally fabulous!

And don't forget to enter for chances to win all of our blog candies... check out the introductory posts for Setsuna, Shimo-san and Yuki on this blog and check Debi's blog for more candy opportunities.

Check back tomorrow for more samples!

The Joy of Yuki

Can you believe its Release Week already? Before I get into my card to share, I wanted to tell you who our guest designer is for this release... Any guesses? Well, this individual posted several times, so I knew she was interested in our images, then I saw her post a card using Mei Lin and Mei Li and I knew I had to ask her to help us out. I've been a HUGE fan of Amy Young's work since I stumbled on her blog a couple years ago. Earlier, I posted about a couple of tutorials she made using our stamps. Hope you had a chance to check them out! Thanks Amy for helping us with this release... we can't wait to see what you come up with! Oh- and don't forget to check out my CBFF (crafty best friend forever) Debi! I'm sure she has some surprises up her sleeve too!


On to the card... I've always liked the look of a Joy Fold card but never found the time to make one. I finally made one using Yuki for one of my Christmas Card classes. It was so simple to put together, I can't believe I didn't try this earlier! Decided to change it a little by adding a scallop circle to the front flap so the card wasn't so angular. Then I added a ribbon and roses for a little bit of embellishment.



Here's the card when it's open. So fun and easy!


Did you remember to enter into our blog candy giveaways? If not, there's still time- go to our Introductory post for Setsuna and check out the rules. You can post once on each introductory post for a chance to win. Oh- and Debi just might have some candy to share as well.

And Last But Not Least... Shimo-san

Don't laugh, but we did something a little silly with the name of this image. While searching for a good name on the internet, I decided to look up Frosty... as in Frosty the Snowman? Anyway, I believe the word "shimo" means frost, so my husband said, why not call this image "Shimo-san"... as in Mr. Frosty. I could be wrong though.. I'm sure someone will correct me along the way.
So here's the front of the card... In a minute you'll see why the focal point is a paper samurai hat....


Ta daaaaa! Here's what the card looks like when its opened. This type of card is called a pleated center pop up card. For the tutorial click here. I love this type of card as it allows you to make your images stand up when the card is opened and laid flat. I added some punched snowflakes (Martha Stewart Crafts) and made them float by adhering them to some acetate strips. Since they are strong and clear, it helps my snowflakes to float around the kids. The large doily that the sentiment is stamped on is by Papertrey Ink.


And now you see why the paper samurai hat on the front? Yes, the boy is placing this same hat on Shimo-san's head! :) Here's a closer look at the image.

Hope you enjoyed our introductory posts! We have a surprise guest designer joining us for this release so check in next week to see who it is! Before I forget, if you want to win Shimo-san, remember to post a comment on THIS POST (and follow the rest of the blog candy rules on the Setsuna introduction post) and also tell me if you've ever seen falling snow. Before this year, I never did and it was always a dream of mine to see it. I finally got my wish when we went to Japan this past March and I was estatic! I must've been the only fool taking photos in the falling snow, but I didn't mind. Coming from Hawaii I wasn't going to pass up a photo op of falling snow!


Dug up a photo from my trip... cute yah? The day it snowed we went to Tokyo Seas (2nd Disneyland park in Tokyo) and found these mini Mickey and Minnie snowmen!

Meet Sweet Yuki...

This sweet little girl is Yuki. I love Yuki. In fact, I think she just might be my favorite image thus far. You can really tell how much she loves everything she got in her stocking!


Yuki means Blessing/Snow, and I thought that would be an appropriate name for this little girl. Don't you? She really really really reminds me of my sister at Christmas time. My sister LOVED Christmas. I did too, but not as much as she did as a child. Whenever I see this image, it totally reminds me of her and a story I hear almost every year around Christmas time. My mom knew my sister wanted a Barbie dream house for Christmas. Well, times were not so great and back then, and a Barbie dream house cost a pretty penny. If I recall correctly, mom scrimped and saved and finally had enough to get it on Christmas eve. I think it was the last one left at the store too. She told me it was worth every penny to see the look on my sister's face on Christmas morning. Hey... how come I never got that Barbie dream house as a hand me down??? I just realized that... hmmmm....


Anyway, back to the card. As you can see I used my favorite layout of circle, washi strip on the side and sentiment on the bottom. I guess that really is my go-to layout. As you can tell, I colored her up before I got brave enough to try Mama's hair coloring technique.


Now for a closer look at Yuki and what's in her stocking... I LOVE LOVE LOVE that puppy dog. He is just the cutest! And, did anyone have that toy in her stocking? I remember my brother and sister brought that back from Japan . I could never do it back then, but I remember watching my brother play with it a lot. Wish I found one on my trip earlier this year! Guess I have to add that to my list for next trip. Oh yes, and not to forget the sentiment and banner stamps are by Lawn Fawn (my favorite).



Ok, by now you should know the drill right? If not, refer to yesterday's introductory post on Setsuna for the blog candy rules... Oh, and let me know what your favorite Christmas present was as a kid. I'm dying to find out! I remember one year it was a cash register. What does that say about me huh?

Here Comes Setsuna!

Setsuna (or calm snow) is the first of our Release #3 images. He was actually my brain child as I love Santa images and suggested the idea to my sis. I have a soft spot for Santa's and love how she incorporated Santa into our line. I really didn't expect any holiday images for this year, but once she sent them to me, I knew we had to squeeze in an extra unplanned release this year.



Found this washi paper in red and green and thought it would be perfect for a Christmas card! Teamed it up with a laser cut sentiment by Island Scrapbooking and the card was pretty quick to put together.


Can't wait to hear what you think of our little Santa boy, so if you would like to win Setsuna, here's the rules:

• Post a comment on THIS POST by September 30, 2011 11:59pm HST.
• Become a follower if you aren't already- please follow publicly so we can verify you are a follower.
  
• Tell me what your favorite holiday memory is.

Check in tomorrow to meet our next image!

Release #3 Images Revealed...

Wow- September is really flying by! Can't believe it's already time to reveal our next set of images due out on 10/1/11.




My sis sent me these images during the summer and I was so excited, I could hardly contain myself! Maybe it's cause I've been playing with the Release #1 and Release #2 images for about a year now, so these holiday stamps were a breath of fresh air and so exciting to incorporate into holiday projects. Can't wait to start sharing some of the samples with you soon. Please check in for introductions of each image this week.

Coloring Tutorials

I know some of you've been asking me about coloring tutorials for hair, but believe me I'm not an expert. Plus I'm camera shy (I'm more of a behind the camera than on camera personality). So, I asked my dear blogging friend Amy Young if I could refer those of you who want to learn how to color hair with your Copics to her blog(s). She posts fabulous video tutorials on Youtube and the Color Me Copic blog that she regularly contributes to. This blog has great information/suggestions on colors to use for all types of skin, hair and other questions you may have. She also posts great information and projects on her personal blog: A thousand sheets of paper.

She even featured Sister Stamps in a Sepia coloring video and Super Hero black hair video (Thanks Amy!). Check out the card she made using the image from the tutorial here.

I've linked up all these blogs so just click away to see all of her great tutorials. Did I mention that Amy also has her own stamp line called Sweet November Stamps? So not only is she a talented paper crafter, but she is also an artist! You need to check out her new fairwees if you haven't already- they are so cute!

For those of you who live in Hilo, I will probably do a hair coloring class once my schedule frees up (like maybe next year?). In the meantime, enjoy Amy's videos!

Squeezing One In....

I told you we had some surprises in store for you! We are squeezing in an extra release (Release #3) scheduled for October 1st!


Check with your favorite retailer for a sneak peek at our Release #3 images (See sidebar for list of retailers and links to their sites). Be back later this month to tell you more about it!

2nd Release Blog Candy Winners!

Did you get a chance to check out the other eye candy on Debi's and Mama's blogs? If not, please take some time to visit- you won't be disappointed!

And now to take care of some business.. You all want to know who won right? Here's the winner list:

Ayako: Debbie ("Your stamps are beautiful! I have searched for asian stamps for my daughter's adoption albums...")

Yoko: Kate

Nobu: Jeni

Miyono: Allison

Congratulations to all the winners! Please email me your mailing address at sisterstampsllc@gmail.com. I will be traveling this weekend, but I'll get your goodies out early next week.

To everyone else who played... thank you for all your sweet comments! I love getting feedback from all of you- so thanks for taking the time to enter.

And for another surprise... I decided to giveaway a whole set of Release #2 to one lucky random facebook friend! Login to our facebook page to see who won! As a reminder- like us on facebook and you just might be surprised!

Stop by tomorrow for another surprise!

It's Release Day!

Woo hoo! Made it through the week and now you can pick up your Sister Stamps Release #2 images! I have one last sample to share with you today... Used Ayako to try out a new technique. I'm not quite sure if I did it correctly, but thought I'd share it anyway since I was so intrigued when I first saw it... You will notice that Ayako looks like Ayako but somehow looks different... can you guess why?



Here's a close up so you can see her better...


Yes, I stamped her in a light color- I think it was a "sand" color in momento ink before coloring her up. This was a challenge, especially when coloring in her dark hair. I think the effect is neat and reminds me of watercolors. I think I definitely need to practice more though...

I don't know if you can tell, but I used the new Sizzix scallop pop up die and cut it using acetate, so you could still see the washi paper underneath it. Just got these the labels #3 Spellbinder die set recently and used it for the sentiment. The Arigato sentiment is by Island Scrapbooking and matches this card perfectly.


Don't forget to check out my girls Debi and Mama for their last Release #2 projects! Just wanted to thank Mama for being an AWESOME guest designer for us! Thank you so much for all your creative projects and inspiration! And also to Debi for all your help with store samples and blog samples- you rock!

And to all of you bloggers out there... hope you liked our Release #2 images! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

I will be back later to announce the winners of my blog candy... good luck to you!