It’s my birthday (Monday) – and while I’m gone all day taking day two of a watercolor workshop (hope nothing goes awry here on the blog in the meantime!), there’s a fabby hop to keep you busy! Let’s GO!
Topflight Stamps, LLC Grand Opening!!!
I’m excited to be part of a Grand Opening Bloghop with a new stamp retailer – Top Flight Stamps – and they’re bringing us some global FUN! For many of the online shops we buy from, it’s really hard to bring in stamps from all over the globe – that’s why you often don’t see them around. But when Top Flight Stamps reached out and asked if I’d spread the word … well, I know you guys love seeing “new things!” And even though today’s stamps aren’t “new” by any stretch of the imagination (years old), they’re new to ME and that’s what counts, right?
They also have an amazing Grand Opening Special Discount – 20% off ALL orders til March 31 – use code TFS-GO20 And, they offer FREE shipping for US addresses for orders over $50!!
NOTE: The stamps I used are out of stock – and won’t be back til April. We’ll all have to be patient for restocking on international stamps, this is why most US-based retailers don’t tend to carry them. BUT – Donna from TopFlight says you can email during this sale and tell her you want them, and she’ll honor the 20% off once the stamps come in.
Read on below for the bloghop and prize info – but I’m so excited, I wanna show you my project first! 🙂
Scenic Storytelling
In conjunction with sharing these new stamps, I’ll show you quickly how to mount unmounted red rubber on Ezmount – lots of international stamps are done this way to save on shipping. So they’re a little time consuming, to make up for trying to keep prices reasonable. But worth it! I’ll do some speed coloring – but then, the scenic storytelling begins. Lots of you want to do backgrounds, so I’ll chat a bit about how I get these things together, and maybe YOU will be inspired to do this with your stamps, too! Watch the video below or click HERE to see it in HD on YouTube.
The stamp across the top is, I assume, a train station gate – so these three pups are dressed for travel! On the panel behind them I drew two pillars, and a bit of a train – although you can’t see much so I kinda wasted a bit of time there. Grey blobs might be more effective!
The grumpy cat….looks like me on some days. LOL. We’ve had so much rain lately, yeesh!
Mischievous kitties are ready to steal an ice cream sundae….I used to have a cat who LIVED for Double Chocolate Brownie by Dreyers. And that brand and flavor ONLY. He’d shove his whiskers right in my bowl – or turn his nose up if I didn’t have the right kind! For the scene I drew a table and chair, and the background picture could also be a window?
This hot dog is riding his razor scooter backwards AND in sunglasses. He’s truly too cool for school on his boardwalk ride! I used really light colors for the sand, water, and sky so they’d recede into the background.
And last but not least – a party! They’re all riding the little doggie – who looks just a bit puzzled! Often we’d let a stack of animals just sit on a plain background – but I added a simple rug, striped wallpaper, and pink trim to give them a “room” for their party. Baclgrounds don’t have to be hard!
Sleepy kitty looks a bit like me when the alarm goes off – AGH! Stop that noise! Especially today – it’s my birthday….and I’ll be at a watercolor class all day. Which is a good reason for an early alarm, but still….I’m with kitty, let’s sleep in tomorrow! 🙂
Hope you take some time to poke around on the Top Flight Stamps website – be sure to tell Donna I said hello! Don’t forget the 20% off sale good til the 31st – and FREE shipping once you hit $50!
Bloghop
Hop along and visit all the crafters on the hop – be sure to comment on ALL the blogs on the hop to be eligible for the GRAND PRIZE a $50 store credit!!! PLUS – each of the designers in this blog hop are giving away a $10 gift certificate to one of the commenters on their post. I will announce my winner here on Monday, April 3. The $50 Grand Prize winner will be announced on the Topflight Stamps Blog on the same day. Good luck!!
Next stop on the hop: Rachel Kleinman!
Here’s the full list – go see what they all have to share!
- Topflight Stamps
- Donna Bowman
- Clare Messenger
- Linsey Rickett
- Julia Stainton
- Karen Crossen
- Heather Pulvirenti
- Veronica Zalis
- Tenia Nelson
- Lynne Forsythe
- Lisa Hoel
- Sandy Allnock – You are here
- Rachel Kleinman
- Teri Anderson
- Lisa Adametz
Supplies
Below are links to the supplies I’ve used for today’s project. Compensated affiliate links may used, which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support toward the costs of running this blog! Read more.
- Katzelkraft Les Drôles D’accessoires (Funny Accessories)
- Katzelkraft Les Chiens (Dogs)
- Katzelkraft Les Chats Russes (Russian Cats)
- Copic Markers
- Neenah Cardstock
- Ez Mount Sheets:
- Scissors:
- Tim Holtz Tonic Non-Stick Micro Serrated Scissors
- Tim Holtz Tonic Mini Snips
- Tim Holtz Tonic Kushgrip Titanium Shears
Great stamps and stories! Did you use the thick rubber mounting material?
unbelievable talent and love your color choices! Cute stamps, too!!
Those are super fun and fabulous cards, Sandy!!! Your coloring is so inspiring. Thank you!
How very, very creative. Thank you so much for your videos Sandy – love them!
These are fun stamps.
Remind me of the old poker-playing
pictures of years ago. Love the
animals. I’ll get on the list.
thanks for sharing
What a lovely birthday treat for your blog readers!!! Such lovely stories – never knew French kitties and doggies could be so much fun. Thanks for introducing me to this new store – it wouldn’t have been on my radar otherwise. just today I was trying to hunt down an American store where I might be able to purchase a stamp from a German stamp company. I’ll be a customer for sure! Happy Birthday Sandy – hope you class was a great one!
These are all gorgeous and the cats and dogs are too cute. Love these. TFS. Hugz
These are all so much fun! LOVE the sweet scenes you sketched in around them and these stamps are absolutely fabulous!
Found this hop when viewing this video on YouTube – YAY Katzelkraft! Can’t wait to see what else they’ve got on their site. Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU (a little late…). Love these chats et chiens – your coloring and then backgrounds are divine!!
I can’t believe I went through the whole blog hop, starting here, and completely forgot to comment on your wonderful cards! Your backgrounds really bring the whole scene to life! I absolutely love seeing what you’re creating each day. Keep up the beautiful work.
I’m crazy about animals and specially about cats and dogs! So funny and fantastic this serie of cards with Katzelkraft stamps. I love them all. I wish you a very happy birthday and much more creative years to go!
Awesome dog and cat art projects!! Great colors and great “storytelling”!
Awesome! These are smooth and flawless!
As always your cards are delightful! I went to the new stamp website and even tried to buy some, but, alas, there was a glitch in the system and I couldn’t get my order to go through. I suspect the stamps were flying off the shelves, and I just wasn’t quick enough. Will keep checking back to see when she is restocked. LOVED the variety of ‘off the beaten track’ stamps.’ Thanks for the alert 🙂
Oh Sandy! Your cards are so fun! I especially love the Grumpy cat with the umbrella. My brother-in=law was just here grumping about the rain & it made me think of him immediately. I need that stamp! Thanks so much for sharing all these adorable images. You are so talented!!!!
All of your cards
are so fun and
beautifully made.
Carla from Utah
Love the cards! I have had my eye on these stamp aets (along with the Grumpy Penguins from Katzelkraft for some time). And great use to tell a story!
Just wanted to add thanks for so many card ideas.
I LOVE your style and admire your talent. You are truly gifted. I must have these stamps and blame you! LOL!
I love these stamps but had difficulty seeing them on a card. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
Sandy your cards are so adorable. Love to watch your videos and I think you so much for sharing them.
Wow!!!! Your cards are just over the top! Love all the coloring, the scenes are so realistic! Love them all but really do love that Grumpy Cat! These are a must have to add to my collection!
Your doggie and kitty scenes are so adorable. I really love the cranky kitty and the clock and the cool doggie dude on the scooter.
…not even sure what to say. Your coloring ability is just BEYOND WORDS and I am speechless!!!
OMGOSH! I LOVE these stamps! I have seen them and couldn’t justify the high cost of ordering them from across the pond!! Now I can get them!!!! OMGOSH! Your cards are fabulous!!!
Oh my little goodness! These are delightful! Each one really does tell a story! You have magic in your fingers, my dear! Thanks for the great video, too!
Ohh it’s adorable! Love all your scenes, you are so good making the “right” backgrounds for them
Ah these cards are fantastic. I have got these stamps too.. what should I say. It becomes a hardworking day.. I wish I could colorize them a bit like youThank you for this wonderful inspiring!!
I love these cards! The stamps are just too funny. The expressions are great!
I love each of these cards and the best part is the story behind them of course…..your coloring is amazing and always inspires me to challenge myself! I want all of the KaltElcraft stamps of course they are sold out with this great discount going on..to,say the least I have many stories to stamp as I have three very distinctly different cats and a 90#german Shepard who thinks he is a cat as he was raised by them
…my favorite is grumpy kitty my grumpy kitty loves me and his stamp fits her perfect Thanks again Sandy!
Fabulous cards, Sandy. I’m glad that I’m not alone making up stories for my scenes. lol
Oh, these kitties and pups are just adorable! Love the cards you created and your beautiful coloring and details! Enjoying the hop, and excited to get to shop some of these international companies!
Happy Birthday to you!
Wow, these are amazing work!
I love your backgrounds and the way you tell stories with images. I thought the thing with numbers on it was a prize podium like in the Olympics I never would have thought of it as a doorway to a train platform. You’re so clever.
Happy Birthday Sandy! Today is my birthday also, only I’ve celebrated many more than you and so I wish for you many more to come! Thanks for sharing all your wonderful work with me!
I have wanted the cat stamp set since I saw it, ages ago!! I am SO happy I can get the set now (when it is in stock) and a bunch of other cool stamps from companies that have been out of reach.
Happy Birthday Sandy !
so enjoyed the storytelling. . . .such vibrant color
Really cute scenes/story settings! I just never know what to expect when I check in – full of surprises. Must be what keeps you happy and giving.
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Hope next year is the best yet and the following ones even better!
WOW…. lovely cards and awesome inspiration Sandy!!! Thanks for sharing!
Check out my blog if ya can, as I host always anything goes challenges each week! Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Jo
Jo’s Scrap Shack
Your coloring makes these fun stamps pop!
Your cards are always amazing – love your videos and this one was so many great ideas rolled into one.
Great use of the stamps! Does your copic class teach the background scenes? Not these exact ones, but creating the rooms, etc
No, it’s more basic than that. But according to those who’ve taken it -it’s really helpful with a lot of coloring issues. More advanced ones are coming, and Jumpstart is the prerequisite.
Sandy, such great cards! So cute! Love your stories about each of them! Thanks for sharing your processes!
Stunning, super cute cards! Love ’em. I ordered – all but the kitties as they’re out of stock (plus some others I had to order as well). I emailed the owner and she said she should be getting more in April and I’ll still get the discount. Yay! so, for others wanting to order something sold out, you might want to email the owner about it.
Sandy, these cards are so stinkin’ cute and funny! I love them to bits!
These are fantastic!!
Happy Birthday. Thanks for the absolutely fabulous card ideas. Your coloring and designs are just wonderful.