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Lisa Henke — Swanky Stamper for December
When I think about designing stamp sets and dies, I design them to be used in different ways. And I love it when a designer gets that, and goes for it. That's what Lisa Henke does with "Go Bananas." She went for it. Rather than going for a traditional look and color combo, she had fun with it and used a playful layout and color palette where the words were the true focus of the card. And her coloring? Well, let's just say that she wasn't monkeying around.
Lisa Henke — Swanky Stamper for December |
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Kimberly Gajewski — Swanky Stamper for November
One of the artists whose work I look forward to seeing play in our TCP Tuesday Challenges is Kimberly Gajewski. Her cards always make me smile with her inventive use of color and texture and pattern. Plus, the girl can color up an image like nobody's business.
Take the card on the left that she created for the TCP Tuesday Sketch Challenge. She uses the "in" side of corragated cardboard for her star and her tree paper mimics the pattern of the cardboard. And the way she colors Big Bear, sublime.
The card on the right, done for our Acetate Challenge is just a wonderful mix of layers and patterns. She uses acetate to create that circular window that gives us a peek into a living room of penguins in Round the Chimney.
Kimberly Gajewski — Swanky Stamper for November
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Stephanie Herbert— Swanky Stamper for October
Sometimes a card just speaks to you. It transports you to another time and place and the images are so vivid that you can almost smell the air and feel it swirl around you.
That's what this card by Stephanie Hubert does. It takes me to a crisp Fall day, where the pumpkins are in the field waiting to be picked by a little boy or girl to be "their" pumpkin. It takes me to a country road where the leaves have turned and have fallen. Where the smell of freshly cut things and rain is in the air.
Yup, a great card, can do all these things.
Stephanie Herbert— Swanky Stamper for October
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Wendy Bond — Swanky Stamper for September
I admit it, I'm kind of a game nerd. Love the colors and designs of gameboards, and cards. Gameboards, especially, always made me feel like I was going on a trip. I could imagine myself riding the shoe, or in a tiny little cars making my way through the board. And don't get me started on the playing pieces. I love the feel of a chess piece or poker chip. Sheesh!
So when this pretty little card by Wendy Bond flashed across my screen, I gasped. Yes, gasped. Not only did she play around with different patterns and textures, but she brought to light my little problem. Thanks, Wendy.
Wendy Bond — Swanky Stamper for September
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Nancy Thomas — Swanky Stamper for August
It's been a foggy month here in San Francisco, so when I saw this card by Nancy Thomas, I just perked up. Its bright and cheery colors, along with the patterns and textures and unusual layout is just terrific. Love Nancy's coloring and stitching, too.
Nancy Thomas — Swanky Stamper for August
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Julie Dinn— Swanky Stamper for June
Looking at all the entries for Swanky Stamper of the Month, one name kept popping up. Julie Dinn. Not only did Julie do all the TCP Tuesday Challenges in May, but her simple, sweet style really makes our stamps pop. She has a great way of mixing color and texture and patterns. And she does it, seemingly effortlessly.
Julie Dinn— Swanky Stamper for June
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Nancy Thomas— Swanky Stamper for May
Sometimes, when I see a card, I remember it for a long, long time. This card, by Nancy Thomas is one of those cards. I remember when I first saw it, I realized that it was perfect for any number of the challenges that we had this month. Nancy used Bear Hugs in this card, and she shows how versatile a stamp can be in the hands of a talented artist. The same thing goes for a dies. She looks at the Heart Trio CutUps die, in a fresh, fun way. I just love seeing what she can do with our stamps and dies.
Nancy Thomas— Swanky Stamper for May
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Linda Nicholson — Swanky Stamper for April
It wasn't the luck of the Irish that made me choose Linda's piece. It was skill. She made this darling banner using our Pennant CutUps and a plethora (Yes, I said plethora. Generally, I loathe that word, but in this case, it is fitting to honor Linda with the use of it) of other stamps to create this banner for the TCP Tuesday 149 "Let's Get Lucky" Challenge.
This banner is such a treat for the eye. The more you look at it, the more you see and are amazed at its cleverness. Love all the different textures and patterns, too!
Linda Nicholson — Swanky Stamper for April
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Nancy Thomas — Swanky Stamper for March
When I saw this lovely card that Nancy Thomas created for the TCP Tuesday Sketch Challenge using our Skating Bunny set, one phrase kept coming to mind. "Concept is King". Not only is this a wonderfully sweet card, but the concept is majestic!
She took the Ice Skating Bunny and turned him into a roller skater by adding "wheels" and a strap to hold the skates on. Then repeated the "wheels" in the paper, and scattered around the card. Finally, she parsed the saying into a sentiment that really works for the image, and cleverly tucked it between his ears.
Brava, Nancy! Do you hear me clapping?
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Jenny Peterson — Swanky Stamper for February
Would you be surprised if I told you that this month's Swanky Stamper has been Swanky Stamper before? Even two times before. I know I was surprised that someone could continue to Wow me time and time again. But, that's what Jenny Petersen has been doing.
From her coloring to her color and paper choices, the gal is amazing. Check out this card. I love the way the hearts just flow across the page and are stitched in place. Look at the raincoat. I want a raincoat like that. And the hair? Awe inspiring. I guess that's why Jenny is the Swanky Stamper for February.
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Tammy Hershberger — Swanky Stamper for January
When I first saw this card I was blown away by Tammy's use of color. So festive and nontraditional, but so right. She uses the Mariachi Penguins from the Hola Tequila Clearly Swanky Set, and the Icing CutUps Die to work this magic.
Nontraditional image, nontraditional colors and a coloring job that is truly amazing makes this card, and Tammy, the Swanky Stamper of the Month.
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