My Top 10 Favorites in 2016

Hello friends!

As 2016 is coming to the end, I thought it would be fun to look back on my stamping journey this past year. I picked my Top 10 favorites based on my own creative take- how I approached with new/tried and true techniques and how I used the new and old supplies. They are what stood out to me. You can simply click on the title and it will take you to the post (in case you miss seeing it in the past).

~in chronological order~

#1 there is no place like home

Text on images is the new "sexy".

#2 Hello Beautiful

Watercoloring is such a good thing.

#3 Wishing You a Very Happy Birthday

 Cards like this will never go out of style. 😀

#4 XOXO
 
 Distress Crayons can add colors like no other.


#5 thinking of you

Stamps and pattern paper CAN be BFF.

#6 Arigato...that means thank you

Rainbow colors (with alcohol inks) make me happy.

#7 Thanks

Adding transparency (acetate) to your stamped design is... oh .so. fun.

#8 you are the bestest

Stamps and die combo set can make such a seamless pair.

#9 Merry & Bright

 

Using inks and sprays can achieve some unexpected and amazing result.

#10 Wishing you peace love joy

I have stamped quite a few wreath cards. This is my absolutely favorite.

Last but certainly not the least, I am adding a bonus card. This Christmas card is one layer. But wow...the color impact is amazing, isn't it? It is my NEW personal favorite.



 I hope you are not tired of seeing my stamping. 😁
 If you like to see me around in 2017, please leave me a comment and let me know.
I will try my best to bring you my best work right here in this blog.

 Thank you for your amazing support, comments, feedback and encouragement.
A big thank-you for shopping through the links ( Simon Says Stamp and Altenew and now Concord and 9th). Don't forget to check out the awesome sales on DIES over SSS!
Today is the LAST day ---> shop here.

 I just got back from a week-long cruise to the Caribbean last night. I had an amazing time with my family and the traveling was smooth. I am feeling truly blessed. 😎

Here is one of the photo taken in San Juan, Puerto Rico a few days ago.

🎉I wish you all a very Happy and Healthy 2017!🎉
Happy New year!

My Favorite Crafty Items in 2016...and in 2017

Hello friends!

I am sharing my previous post again...in case you miss seeing it for the first time.

I have compiled a list of crafty items that I love in 2016. 

An InLinkz Link-up

In case you are wondering what's "in store" for Virginia...
the following are some of the products that I will be featuring in 2017.

If you like to create along with me using the same products, you can purchase these products through my Simon Says Stamp affiliate links. Perhaps we can share what we create with these products and have some fun together!
Thank you for your feedback and support.

The comment feature in this post has been disabled. 

InLinkz.com

 The comment feature in this post has been disabled. 

In my next post, I will be back to share my Top 10 favorite Cards in 2016.

A Year in Review Blog Hop from Altenew

Hello friends!

This is my 2nd post for the day.
For Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, please scroll down or click here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have a special blog post to share today...

 It gives me a tremendous pleasure to be part of the Altenew "A Year in Review" Blog Hop. The guests are invited to share a few of our favorite Altenew projects in 2016. If you are coming by from the sweet and talented May Sukyong Park's blog, you are in the right place!

I actually created a new project for this hop.
I wanted to create a super colorful card....
Since we are in the middle of a freezing cold winter in my part of the world and what better way to brighten up the mood?

COLORS!


I gathered my sprays and mist and created my own color paper. With the stamps and die combo from Bamboo Rose, this actually took little time to create.

I had so much fun arranging/assembling the butterflies, as you can imagine.

Do you love this? I thought the sentiment from Painted Encouragement is spot on.
I was invited to share my favorite Altenew projects in 2016. I had a hard time narrowing down to my Top 10 Favorites. 😁 For your easy viewing, I have grouped them in the following  with Inlinkz.

 The technique used is described below the photo. You can click on the card to find out more about it. Quite a few of them have included a video!
Please head over to Altenew for all the details and join the hop. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Blog Hop Order: 
Altenew
Yana Smakula
Sveta Fotinia
Erum Tasneem
Jennifer McGuire
May Sukyong Park
>--------Virginia Lu --------<
Hussena Cal
Laura Bassen
Svitlana Shayevich
Laura Jane
Therese Calvird
Isha Gupta
Marika Rahtu
TaeEun Yoo
Anna Kossakovskaya
Kristina Pokazanieva
Natalia Zubkova
Debby Hughes

😍 PRIZES 😍

After the blog hop, Altenew will give away a $30 gift certificate to 6 winners. They will be randomly selected from the comments across all of the blogs in the hop.

Altenew is running a special shipping promotion now through Friday. Make sure to enter the code at checkout to take advantage of this special deal!

~Enjoy FREE U.S. shipping on all retail orders with code GOODBYE2016

and 

 $7 OFF international shipping on orders over $17 with code WELCOME2017.

 Offer ends Friday, December 30th at 11:59 pm EST. (Retail orders only. Not valid on prior purchases. Cannot be combined with other coupon codes.). Shop here.

 AND 

that's not all....

I will send out this very card "rise above" to one random commenter in this post.

How do you like that? 😁
So, if you like to receive this card, please make sure to leave me some love! Time to hop to Hussena Cal next! Thanks so much for stopping by!

InLinkz.com

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge #401

Welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge !! Thank you for joining us for the "Make It Sparkle" Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too :-)

This week the challenge is...

Anything Goes

 We are using Lindy's Gang products this week. You don't have to use them to join in but if you have some, we love to see them used :) 

I love using Lindy' Gang's Mermaid Seashells for the coloring. These Magical powder are easy to use. Once mixed with a dash of water, you then created your own color mix with SHINE and GLITTER! I tried my hand with no-line coloring (stamped in Khaki) and then I proceeded to color the images.

 I did some masking with this Daisy Clear Stamp Set (from Altenew). Then I took my time to color the entire images with Lindy' Gang's Mermaid Seashells.
Instead of Copics, markers, color pencils... this is another great medium for coloring stamped images!


As always, Simon Says Stamp will be giving away a $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store!

So now it's YOUR turn ! Happy Crafting !!

There are fabulous Give Aways and inspiration from fabulous designers on a daily basis over on the Simon Says Stamp Blog . If you haven't subscribed by email, you may want to do so you don't miss out.

You have until Wed. 8am Eastern Time to join in :-)

Follow Simon Says Stamp on Instagram

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge to your challenge entry uploads so we can see them on there too !

I hope you check out the DT's work!  I can't wait to see what you create!!
Thanks for stopping by! 

InLinkz.com