Jenny Gropp — Swanky Stamper for December

I don't know about you, but this card makes me want to pull out my Best of Christmas Cocktails, and swivel my hips a bit. But, I'll control myself for now to tell you how much this card makes me smile.

This card is surprisingly simple, if you just look at the layout. What makes this card special is all the added "stuff" that in Jenny's hands just makes this card a standout. From her stitched detail around the edges, to the "sugar" around the rim of the glass to the way she used the Nestablities die as a mask, and outliner and cutting tool. (Did I mention this is a Matchbook card?)

Add, paper piecing, rhinestones, doodling, airbrushing, this card has technique all over the place. But, most importantly, it looks as if Jenny had fun making this card. And it is the reason Jenny Gropp is the Swanky Stamper of the Month.

Jenny Gropp — Swanky Stamper for December

Chris V — Swanky Stamper for November

What I love about this card is that there is so much to look at. Using Leigh's Sketch as a basis for her design, Chris went to town. Scallops here, glitter there. Snowflakes, distressing and a bit of frivolous fluff for Sprinkle's outfit just make this card a jaw-dropper.

Chris V — Swanky Stamper for November

Meredith — Swanky Stamper for October

Love, love, loves this super cute card by Meredith. There is nothing not to love. From the dancing skellies, to the fun, fun fence, to the dotted ribbon, to the big fat puffy heart pin, to the stitching, right down to the perfect little kitty. Add a masterful use of the colors in the TCP Tuesday Color Challenge and this card couldn't be anything but a winner.

Meredith — Swanky Stamper for October

Amanda — Swanky Stamper for September

This card is so right on, in so many ways. First. Love, love, love the use of patterned paper here. Amanda shows off her great design sense by mixing FOUR different patterns. Very daring to put them right up against one another, but her daring pays off. Add a slip of ribbon and a sprinkling of buttons. This card is a WOWZA.

Amanda — Swanky Stamper for September

Alice — Swanky Stamper for August

When this card first appeared in my sites, I knew it was special. Don't you love the humor in this card? And no animals where hurt in the making of it.

Alice — Swanky Stamper for August

Carol C — Swanky Stamper for July

Don't you just love this card? When I first saw this card, my eye went directly to the bear and his marshmallow. And then as I took in the whole card, I kept noticing the details. From the stitching in the paper, to the stitching in the ribbon. To the leaves and the button, down to the color of the thread. This little card just keeps giving.

Carol C — Swanky Stamper for July

Linda Beeson — Swanky Stamper for June

When Toni presented an inpiration challenge featuring glasses from MOMA, I was in awe of what each artist took from the inspiration. I just love Linda's card because I think it represents the joy of the inspiration piece.

Linda Beeson — Swanky Stamper for June

Carol C — Swanky Stamper for May

When I was putting together the slideshow for Jen's Color Challenge, let me tell you, there was a lot of squinting going on.

That was, of course, until I saw this card. Then my eyes opened wide. Though I love bright colors, I have a hard time working with them and bow to those who can. So lots of bowing occurred. I love the play of shapes within simple shapes created by her use of punches. And Carol creates texture by bending her cardstock and by paper piercing. Love it.

Carol C — Swanky Stamper for May

Julie Masse — Swanky Stamper for April

I just adore this card that Julie made for Leigh's sketch challenge.

Bright and happy, it just screams Spring. Just like Spring, it has so many things that seem to have popped up organically and are perfect the way they come together. They make you say "Why, of course" that has to be there. From the mushrooms in the paper and the dots in Poochie's carrot and scalloped border, to the buttons as wheels everything is just perfect the way it is. This is one joyful card.

So, of course, Julie had to win the Swanky Stamper of the Month.

Julie Masse — Swanky Stamper for April

Jenny Gropp — Swanky Stamper for March

Sometimes, I'm asked how I pick the winning designs for Swanky Stamper of the Month. And I have to say that when I see it, I know it. For me, it's purely physical. I feel a pounding in my heart and a tightening in my lungs. And I know I have to release my breath that I'd been holding since I first saw the card.

This is how it felt when I saw this card. This card has everything. Balance, design, color, stamping ability, and most of all a sense of humor. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but it's a seriously great card.

Jenny Gropp — Swanky Stamper for March

Christyne Kane — Swanky Stamper for February

When I first saw Christyne's entry for TCP Tuesday a great sucking sound could be heard coming from my mouth. Her design literally took my breath away. Then I saw the second entry and the same sound was heard again. Christyne's use of pattern and texture is masterful. And, who can resist a little liquid applique.

Christyne Kane — Swanky Stamper for February

Alice B — Swanky Stamper for January

The inspiration for this card was a plate of sparkling snowflake cookies. And it is only fitting that the card that was inspired by such crisp and delicious cookies is just as crisp and delicious. I love the touch of blue with the brown and the glittery white. This card not only makes visions of gingerbread (okay, and sugerplums) dance in my head but makes me hopeful for the first snow fall. And that's wishful thinking in California.

Alice B—Swanky Stamper of the Month for January.