Honorable Mention

This month's Guest Star Stamper Contest was especially difficult to judge.  I got over 450 submissions for Piece of Cake and another 400 for Snowflake Serenade!  I ended up sorting the submissions DAILY, just so I could keep up!

If you haven't seen the winning projects from this month, then you MUST stop by the Ink Pad to take a peek!

Lauren Meader did the most amazing project with Piece of Cake.  It got a verbal "oohhhhh" from me while I was sorting through all of the competition!  I think there are a couple reasons that I loved it so much.  The colors are fantastic.  Reminds me of a boutique in Paris.  And most of all, I loved how well her background tied in with the focal point image.  It is such a fantastic use of Beautiful Blooms as a companion set.  I love the details of the liquid pearl applied to the centers of each flower on the cake.  I love the way she tied a bow with the satin ribbon rather then just knotting it.  I just identify with it...with all of it.  If you haven't seen Lauren's work before, I highly recommend stopping by her blog.  Not only is she super-talented, she also has a big heart.

Next up is Jillian Winters.  Her Snowflake Serenade project had so many unique attributes compared to others that submitted to the same category.  Her use of the acetate was brilliant.  The snowflakes seem to be falling gently from the sky.  Matting the focal point so it appears to be "floating" really accentuates the snow as well.  Her color choices were perfect for the theme of the project too!  (Brrrrrrr!!!)  The way she incorporated the Nestabilities was really clever as well.  The addition of the scallops really adds a special touch.  Jillian's taste is classic with a little trendiness thrown in for good measure.  I assure you, if you take a peek at her work on her blog, you will find inspiration surrounds you!

As I do every month, there are always several projects that are too fabulous to NOT mention.  Here are the official Honorable Mentions from this month's contest!

Barb Schram made this beautiful creation with Piece of Cake.  She stamped the cake and "glitterfied" it.  Then added a layer of acetate over it.  She was then able to add the flower accents without any worries about the ink interfering with the texture of the glitter mixing.  To attach the acetate without any visible adhesive, she used brads and our velvet flowers.  I love how the velvet flowers fit right in and add so much detail to the project.  Great job, Barb!

Lexi Daly said that she couldn't wait to "set the table" when she discovered that a scalloped oval punch creates a perfect plate for the slice of cake!  I love how she used Faux Ribbon to add the details across the bottom of the card and how they integrate with the sentiment.  SOOOOO cute!!!

Carolyn King had the most ADORABLE idea!  She created a little tag for this gift bag by stamping the slice of cake so the edge was aligned with the fold in a plain white card.  She then trimmed around the cake, creating a super-cute gift card!  I just love the way that turned out!  She really went the extra mile with the way she embellished the bag as well!

Becky Oehlers went above and beyond with this ensemble she created.  She went as far as having an actual cake made to coordinate with the stamp set!  She created a cake band along with matching placecards & napkins!  This is one party I would have liked to attend!  The napkins are so cute, I don't think I would have had the heart to use them!

Julie Campbell made this really fun & bright version of a cake card.  I thought it was SO kid-friendly, especially as something you could mass-produce and have on hand for all those parties your kids are invited to!  I loved the color scheme.  It is so cheerful and happy, which is what we ALL want to communicate with a birthday card!

Jen Del Muro did a fun alteration of one of our clear card boxes.  I loved the unique color scheme for this wintery project.   I also thought that it was a wonderful way to package up all those holiday goodies that everyone makes this time of year.  So clever, Jen!!!!

Jen also made these cards.  I loved how well the snowflake images coordinated with the Cuttlebug embossing folder.  Plus, the projects were nice & clean.....and simple.  I think anyone could mass-produce these gorgeous designs in no time flat for their own cards this year.  Such an inspiration! 

Melanie Muenchinger created the most stunning background paper with the words from Snowflake Serenade.  I just loved the look of this and thought it was so creative.  (I'm quite partial to green as well!) The small rhinestone detail on the snowflake tag is a nice touch as well!

So, do you want to have YOUR chance to be the next Guest Star Stamper?  We are now accepting entries for the following categories:

Spiral Bouquet

Monogrammed Projects (using Trajan or Ambassador)

All of the details of the contest can be seen here.  I look forward to seeing your submissions!!!

Comments

[Barb Schram]

I just fell off my chair so I'm having a hard time typing! What a surprise and what a privilege to have one of my entries highlighted. Thank you Nichole. This is a first for me to have my work highlighted in this type of public arena!

[Melanie Muenchinger]

Lovely cards! Thanks for the shout out again, the celadon is for you, girlfriend!(and thank you, Donna, for that rhinestone bling you gifted me with!) CONGRATS BARB(my PTI pm buddy)

[Julie Campbell]

Yeah!!! (doing the happy dance!) Thank you so much, Nichole! It's great to see some familiar "faces" too! Congrats everyone!!! I love all of the projects!

[Becky]

Thanks so much Nichole. I just can't live without these stamps. You have mastered beauty and simplicity. Congrats to all of these familiar faces!!! I just e-mailed you Julie :)

[Charlene Austin (Willow01)]

Congrats Ladies! So incredibly beautiful....each and every one!

[Carolyn King (Cammie)]

Wow! Thanks so much Nichole! I am so honored to be spotlighted with these ladies!

What a thrill!!! Thanks so much...and congrats to the other ladies featured and this month's winners--what outstanding projects!

[Tiffiny]

These are great projects. I can see why you had a hard time picking.

[lexi]

thanks so much again nichole! it is an honor to be mentioned, especially next to such awesome projects. big congrats to everyone featured and especially to the newest winners--have fun with your free stamps! :) lexi

[Lauren (mytime)]

Congrats to everyone.
I truly have NO IDEA how you can a pick a winner PERIOD! There are so many amazing samples.

Your images make it so easy to create with. I {heart} your style :D

I'm still in shock I actually won :D
Thank you so much. I absolutley LOVE that Eat Cake set!!!

Already stalking my mailman for my newest order!

You are better than Martha Stewart.

[jen del muro]

thanks for making my day!!! i have a lot of fun creating with your stamps and it is great to see my work here!!! thank you!!!

[Rose Ann]

Everything looks absolutely fantastic!! Congratulations everyone!

[Jillian (inkstampnscrap)]

I'm still floored that you picked my card....I absolutely fell in love with this set and had such a blast making it. And oddly enough it was really simple to put together! Thanks again Nichole, can't wait to get my hands on more of your fabulous sets!!! xoxo

[Tessa]

Great job everyone! I love all the projects. Maybe one of these days I will get up the guts to enter.

[Kerry Fitzpatrick]

Please let me know when you get the next shipment of the SNOWFLAKE SERENADE!!!! I have purchased everything to make the Snowman Soup Tins and all I need is the stamp set.
I definately will order a set ASAP.
Thank you.

[Fresh Floral Art]

Hey Nichole!! No pressure-but waiting for a Thanksgiving post. Can you believe how far you have come since last year's thanksgiving post!!