March CREAM OF THE CROP!

Click here for the Market Street Stamps BLOCK PARTY!!

Hi!

I hope you're having a wonderful Saturday!! You guys enjoying the BLOCK PARTYand the FREE digi!? We're loving all the projects you guys are linking up over there- keep em coming! One of you will be chosen as a GUEST DESIGNER! SO exciting!

I'm VERY happy to share our picks for this month's "Cream of the Crop" tonight!

You guys filled our galleries and facebook wall with BEAUTIFUL projects this month- and they were all so CREATIVE! It's really hard to choose three winners each month anyway, but it was REALLY hard this month!

Before I share the winners, we would like to encourage everyone to join in on the fun! It's super easy to enter and you can enter as many times as you want! Show us your best work!

Thank you to ALL the wonderful designers that shared their project with us this month!

So..... here are three projects that caught our eye and stood out- well executed, creative, and inspiring!!

ERIN LEE CREATIVE 

Erin ROCKED the Hippie Chic set this month! We LOVE that dress form and she certainly did it justice with this beautiful botanical card! I LOVE the colors- so pretty!

Stop by Erin's blog and show her some love! Trust me, you're gonna want to stay awhile!!

Erin Lee Creative

Amanda Coleman

Amanda certainly WOW-ed us with this project! She used the Home Sweet Home set to create the most incredible portable doll house for her little girl! You really need to stop by her blog and take a look at all of the details- it's really amazing! SO adorable!

Stop by Amanda's blog and have a look around! You'll definitely be inspired!

Popper & Mimi Paper Crafts

Audrey Tokach

Audrey's sweet and fun style definitely shows through in the cards she created this month with the new Home Sweet Home set! Her coloring is fab and you just can't look at this card without smiling! It's just perfect! 

Stop by and visit Audrey's blog- she's so sweet and you'll fall in love with her cute, whimsical card style!

Pink Ink Originals

Ladies- please contact Jorge
{jorge at marketstreetstamps dot com}

to collect your $20 gift certificate and the code for a blinkie that you can proudly display on your blogs!!

So... who will be the

"Cream of the Crop"

for April?

Here's how you can play along!!

The details:

The Cream of the Crop Spotlight is a merit based contest- we're looking for projects that catch our eye, but we also encourage stampers of all skill levels to upload their cards for consideration! We will be looking for projects that are well executed, use Market Street Stamps in a new and fun way, have great use of color, and have amazing overall design. Most importantly, we want to see what you're making!

• Deadline to get your project in will be the last Friday of the month
• Cream of the Crop Spotlight projects and winners will be announced that weekend!
• Spotlight winners will EACH win a $20 gift certificate to the Market Street Stamps store!
• If you are chosen, in addition to the $20 gift certificate to the Marketplace, your project photos will appear on the MSS blog (as well as a link to your blog (or gallery if you do not have a blog) )!
• You may upload/link as many projects as you like!

You have until 11:59 PM Central Time on April 27th to share your projects and be in the running for April's Cream of the Crop!

Here are links to places I'll be looking for your projects:

• Market Street Stamps on Facebook
• Market Streets Stamps on Twitter
• Market Street Stamps Flickr group
• Market Street Stamps SCS gallery (keyword: marketstreetstamps)
• Market Street Stamps Neighborhood 

We LOVE to see your projects! Keep up the great work!!

March BLOCK PARTY!

Welcome to our

Market Street Block Party!

Are you SOOO excited to get your new stamps! You guys are going to love ALL of the new sets that went on sale last night- they're so much fun! We can't wait to see what you make with them!

You know we LOVE to see what you're making with your MSS stamps, right? Well this is a great way to show us! It's time for our Block Party and it's one of our most popular contests! Why's that? Because of the FANTASTIC prizes!

Here's what you have to do:

• Create a new project with MSS stamps! It can be anything (cards, layouts, altered items, etc.)- be creative and have FUN!
• Link your project below by Sunday, April 1st at 11:59 PM Central Time
• Note: Your creations for this contest will not be considered for the Cream of the Crop contest. Each MSS contest or challenge requires a separate, unique entry to be eligible to win!

Here's what you could win!

• One randomly selected participant will win an awesome prize package full of yummy stamps & accessories!
• ONE show stoppin' paper crafter will be asked to join us for a Guest Design spot for the following month! (This months winner will be a Guest Designer for the month of May!)

I know a lot of you would LOVE the opportunity for a Guest Design Team position- here's you shot!

We can't wait to see what you are making! Don't forget to spread the love and visit each other's blogs/galleries to share inspiration and ideas!

We'll announce the winners on Wednesday, April 4th!

Don't have any Market Street Stamps yet?
We've got you covered.
We want EVERYONE to play along and created a FREE DIGITAL stamp to make it easy!
Just head on over to our Neighborhood and snag yours to get started!
(please note, you must be a registered member of our Neighborhood to join - it's quick and easy!)
To access your FREE digital stamp, simply click "Join" if prompted to join the "Block Party" group, the thread with the digital file will be there!

This FREE digi is available for a limited time so don't miss your chance!

Here's a sneak peek!

Angelica here for a quick second with a BONUS card to get your mojo goin' even more!!
My sweet friend Erin has a "Daily Grind" card to share and  I just LOVE it!
Be sure to visit Erin over at Erin Lee Creative. She is AWESOME!

PARTY ON!

March Reveal + Release!

REVEAL DAY! 

I hope you're ready - 

I have been dying to show you this release for weeks!!

This is such a versatile collection of stamps, and I think you're going to really enjoy the value we've packed into each set.

If you've joined us for our Reveal Days before, you know we always list our stamps together as a special bundle - for one week only, you can snag all of the new releases for just $37.12!! 

That's 25% OFF retail!

Rather just snag your favorite set? No problem. They're 15% off for a week, too! 

 

Check below each new set to see if you're one of our lucky winners this week!!

{SHOP} our March Bundle!

BEST VALUE!!! 

• Includes all four sets released this month: Daily Grind, Simple Salutations, Blessings in Disguise, and Candy Stripe!
• Special savings of 25% off if you purchase this limited-time bundle (available through 4/3 only!)
• Regular Retail Price for all 4 sets: $49.50 / On Sale for $37.12!

{SHOP} Daily Grind

This large 5.5" x 8.5" stamp set is versatile coffee set will surprise you with the many sentiment and occassion possibilities! Create a card for everything from a retirement (Say Goodbye to the Daily Grind..) to a get well card (Perk Up!). This is a set you will turn to again and again. Mix and match the retro-inspired sentiments with any of the twelve images included! 26 stamps total.

• Set measures 5.5" x 8.5"
• Regular retail price: $19.50 (15% off thru 4/5/12)
• Includes 26 individual stamps (each size listed in detail on our website)
• Images illustrated by Angelica Suarez

Daily Grind WINNER:

Carol's Ink Spot 

 

{SHOP} Simple Salutations

Finally! You asked for it, and we listened! A sentiment-only set featuring one of Angelica's favorite fonts. Choose from a variety of phrases for all occasions and mix and match with your favorite backgrounds for a clean and simple look! Includes SIXTEEN different phrases and sentiments to fit any occasion.

•  Set measures 4.25" x 5.5"
• Regular retail price: $12.50 (15% off thru 4/5/12)
• Includes 16 individual stamps (each size listed in detail on our website)
• Sentiments designed by Angelica Suarez

Simple Salutations WINNER:

Jennifer Ashley DeGough

{SHOP}Blessings in Disguise
Our Market Minis are a popular way to create beautiful handmade card at a great price! "Blessings in Disguise" is a great value with great design - two swash elements in different sizes, and a classic quote for inspirational cards or art journaling projects.

• Set measures 2.5" x 4"
• Regular retail price: $5.00 (15% off thru 4/5/12)
• Includes 3 individual stamps (each size listed in detail on our website)
• Images designed by Angelica Suarez

Blessings in Disguise WINNER:

Sonia A.

{SHOP} Candy Stripe 

Whether you're trying to create a perfectly matched pattern paper, or want to add a wash of color to your card background, our background stamps have you covered. Generously sized to fit an A2 card perfectly, you don't even need a block to use them! Check out this awesome tutorial by Design Team member Stephanie for stamping these (big) babies right from the acetate sheet!

• Set measures 4.25" x 5.5"
• Regular retail price: $12.50 (15% off thru 4/5/12)
• Includes 1 background stamp
• Image illustrated by Angelica Suarez

Candy Stripe WINNER: 

Lisa's Creative Niche

Winners - please email:

 jorge at marketstreetstamps dot com 

and include the following info:

First and Last Name

Address, City, State, Zip Code (country if not USA)

Set you won

Winners: please contact us within 15 days to contact us to claim your prize.

We will attempt to contact all winners that we have not heard from within that time frame.

Thank you SO much for joining us this week - as always, you guys are the fuel that keeps this fire going!!! Happy Stamping!
Angelica

March Sneak Peek :: Candy Stripe and Blessings in Disguise

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Tonight is our last night of sneak peeks and your last chance to enter to win one of each set showcased this week!! Tomorrow we will be revealing the sets at 7 pm CDT and announcing our 4 lucky winners!

Tonight, we're peeking "Candy Stripe" (a background requested by our very own Brenda Weaver), and "Blessings in Disguise" (our mini this month). 

Would you love a chance to win? Check out our giveaway details below!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Each month, we give away one of each set showcased to one LUCKY commenter!

• Earn ONE entry for each comment you leave across ALL of our designers' blogs tonight. {p.s. if, for any reason, a designer does not have a new release post up don't worry!! Winners will be chosen only amongst posts that are published. :)}
• Earn TWO entries for following us on Facebook OR Twitter (be sure to let us know if you do in a separate comment on this post)
• Earn THREE bonus entries for sharing this giveaway on your Facebook page OR Twitter account (be sure to let us know if you do in a separate comment on this post)!
• You have through Wednesday, March 28th to enter to win each set. 

Be sure to enter to win 

Daily Grind

+

Simple Salutations

from earlier this week, too!

DESIGN TEAM SAMPLES

Be sure to visit each blog for a chance to win this set!You might even spy some additional *bonus* inspiration along the way!

 

Amy Kolling: Amy's gorgeous "simply elegant" style makes its way to her third card which pairs beautiful embossing with subtle pattern, allowing the sentiment to take center stage.

Brenda Weaver: Pretty in pink, and a dash of shabby chic, Brenda's card is absolutely perfect for a girlfriend or relative going through a hard time.

DoBea Alberts: DoBea used the flourish in this set as a design element, and it's just so perfect! I love the ruffle she created to offset the brown, too!

Samantha Casey: Samantha masked areas of the sentiment to make a truly unique card. And I know I'm not the only one who think a little caffeine really is a 'blessing in disguise'! hehe Check out the flourish she used for steam! So clever!

Stephanie Muzzulin: Stephanie created this gorgeous mini which could also serve as a journal. I just love adding big, bold sentiments like this to my art journals - they are a great reminder whenever I'm having a tough day.

Stephanie Washburn: How awesome is this? Create your own customized herringbone pattern using Candy Stripe!! Stephanie will show you how to get this fun look on her blog! 

Tifany DeGough:  Tifany's serene card looks lovely with a wash of color on the hydrangeas from Comforting Florals. The sentiment is from our new Simple Salutations set  and the background is the new Candy Stripe background - available tomorrow at 7 pm CDT!

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Love seeing so much variations in the same set! Don't you? Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below before you hop over to our DT's blogs!! Have a great night, and I'll see you back here tomorrow for the reveal and release!! Yayyy!!

March Sneak Peek :: Simple Salutations

Hi Guys!

I am super excited to finally bring you what so many have requested - a 'sentiment only' stamp set. I've included 16 sentiments in a set that's got you covered from birthdays to retirement and everything in between.

Love this set? You can WIN IT by checking out the details below and following the guidelines for entry:

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Each month, we give away one of each set showcased to one LUCKY commenter!

• Earn ONE entry for each comment you leave across ALL of our designers' blogs tonight. {p.s. if, for any reason, a designer does not have a new release post up don't worry!! Winners will be chosen only amongst posts that are published. :)}
• Earn TWO entries for following us on Facebook OR Twitter(be sure to let us know if you do in a separate comment on this post)
• Earn THREE bonus entries for sharing this giveaway on your Facebook page OR Twitter account (be sure to let us know if you do in a separate comment on this post)!
• You have through Wednesday, March 28th to enter to win each set.

Don't forget to head back to this post for a chance to win the Daily Grind set we featured yesterday!

DESIGN TEAM SAMPLES

Be sure to visit each blog for a chance to win this set!
You might even spy some additional *bonus* inspiration along the way!

 Amy Kolling: Not one, but TWO gorgeous notecards combining Daily Grind and Simple Salutations! I adore the wrapped twine accented by a matching button.

Brenda Weaver: Such a sweet, sweet baby card. The font I used for this set is very versatile - it's both casual but has a script feel at the same time. It's definitely one of our favorites around Market Street Stamps.

DoBea Alberts: I love DoBea's fun, bright color scheme and the addition of the sentiment on the side. This card could be left blank and the sentiment added later depending on the occasion to make it even more versatile.

 Julie Day: Such an elegant card, I absolutely adore the paper piercing Julie created all the way around her card for an interesting, subtle border.

 Samantha Casey: Nothing says "Happy Birthday" like joyful balloons held together with alternating colors of pretty twine! Samantha kept her base black, and these balloons really lent a giant pop of color and contrast nicely together.

 Stephanie Muzzulin: I love the burlap peeking through from behind Stephanie's top panel - it gives it such a nice texture and inviting feel. Map images are great elements to add to any "Miss You" card.

Stephanie Washburn: Easy, breezy, beautiful. Steph shows us how to layer a simple die-cut element and make it the focal point of this stylish greeting. 

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Love, love, love what our Design Team has created for this release, and I hope you're enjoying them too! Don't forget to enter by Wednesday night to win and I'll see you back here again tomorrow - same place, same time!

March Sneak Peek :: Daily Grind

...COFFEE...

Café Kaffe Caffé  

Koffie Kaffee

No matter where you're from or how you spell it - one thing is for sure: Coffee is a Universal conversation starter. Whether you're a half-caf-grinder, bold-brew-barista, casual sipper, or a full blown java junkie, you share something in common with millions of other people all over the world! And if you don't drink it, chances are, someone you know and adore does. 

Jonesin' for java and 50's Diners were what inspired me for March, and I think you'll absolutely LOVE the cards our designers created as well!


We're also excited to bring in two sets this month that were requested by two of our Neighbors! You'll see those later this week. 

If this is your first time joining us for a release, let me give you a quick run down on how it works:

• We'll show you Sneak Peek images from our sets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Sneak peeks are scheduled for 7 pm CDT.
• On Thursday, our sets will be revealed and all the sets will go on sale at 7 pm Central Time. 
• For ONE WHOLE WEEK after that, new sets are 15% off individually or 25% off if you buy that month's bundle (all sets in the release).

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Each month, we give away one of each set showcased to one LUCKY commenter!

• Earn ONE entry for each comment you leave across ALL of our designers' blogs tonight. {p.s. if, for any reason, a designer does not have a new release post up don't worry!! Winners will be chosen only amongst posts that are published. :)}
• Earn TWO entries for following us on Facebook OR Twitter(be sure to let us know if you do in a separate comment on this post)
• Earn THREE bonus entries for sharing this giveaway on your Facebook page OR Twitter account (be sure to let us know if you do in a separate comment on this post)!
• You have through Wednesday, March 28th to enter to win each set. 

DESIGN TEAM SAMPLES

Be sure to visit each blog for a chance to win this set!

You might even spy some additional *bonus* inspiration along the way! 

 Amy Kolling: Amy's black and white vision came together with a classic, cool idea to utilize more than just a couple stamps from this set at a time!

Brenda Weaver: The steam can be used interchangeably or left off completely! It's up to you! And I love the way Brenda layered this eclectic card to highlight the takeout cup!

 Jen del Muro: Jen's staggered elements look like pure joy unfolding on the front of her card. Her shading on the coffee cup is so beautiful and realistic!

 Julie Day: Julie's out-of-the-box project had me racking my brain for ANY upcoming occasion I could recreate these sweet favors for! I will definitely be stashing away this idea for upcoming swaps and stocking stuffers!

 Samantha Casey: What's sweeter than a milkshake? Samantha's card!! Inspired by the delicious Espresso Milkshakes at my favorite local coffee shop, I wanted to illustrate an image for the *sweet-cream* drinkers. Samantha's card showcases that vision perfectly! (If you're ever in Green Bay, Kavarna serves the BEST vegetarian yummies and coffee drinks in town, I highly recommend a visit!)

 Michele Gross: I love how it feels like a mad tea party with Michele's stacked cups! I think we've all had a three-cup kinda day at some point or another, right?

 Stephanie Muzzulin: Simply stated, and so balanced, Stephanie's card is the perfect pick-me-up!

Stephanie Washburn: Create your own background with the fun border strip included in this set! Steph turns a panel into a canvas with this pop of purple in the corner.

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Didn't the team totally ROCK these sets? I can't wait to see how you create with them, and don't forget to read the guidelines above to see how YOU can snag 'em for free!


Leave me a comment below to let me know what you think so far. See ya back here tomorrow!!
Angelica

Guest Designer :: Jacquie Peifer :: Part 2!

Hi Market Street friends!!  

How are you this FINE Friday?! 

 Jacquie/Javablustamper here to share one last creation with you, as your March Guest Designer!  It was such an honor to create for you this month!  In my first project I shared a Krafty Kard and I colored that Krafty image, along with some distressing!!  Well, this one is NOT a whole lot different, as I am STILL stuck on those  things!!  Copics, Kraft and Market Street Stamps!  Ahhh......what a combo, huh?  The only thing that changed THIS time?  I decided to use some colored cardstock too!  I used the brand NEW set HOME SWEET HOME and a GREAT "go to" background, A BIT OF BURLAP!  That Home Sweet Home set won't be SO brand new for long though!!  Market Street has some MORE new ones  coming your way SOON!!  Be on the look out!!  

Ok, so....instead of coloring on the Kraft?  I tried coloring on the patterned paper!!  I wasn't too sure what to expect, BUT, I was pleasantly surprised!!  I think it really adds some dimension to this cute little abode!!  I even decorated the inside of my card!  I used a die cut that matched the patterned paper I chose! 

 If you are looking for MORE info?  You can find all the DETAILS on my blog, HERE!  Thank you for visiting with me today!  I really enjoyed sharing with you!  Have an AWESOME day!

 

Patterned Paper Tile Design

Hi, there! 

Steph here! Nice to see ya!

Today I have a quick little tutorial to share with you!

I've been mildly obsessed with using every last drop of the new Market Fresh Kits from MSS... lol! And today I have another little trick to share with you. It's something that I thought of AFTER I made a layout for the last kit release. I made a tiled paper accent on one of my layouts and LOVED the effect, but it was way more work than I wanted to do again... and then I started to think about it. And realized that I was kinda silly to cut all those squares and glue em back down... haha! I thought up an easier way and I thought I'd share it with you!

So here's what I did THIS time! WAY easier! And I'm all about THAT! 

I started with a few strips of patterned paper- these are 1/4" wide. They can be as wide as you want them- use whatever scraps you have on hand!

I took a scrap sheet of paper (mine was 4" x 6") and covered it with scor-tape. Then, I carefully laid all the strips down in rows! I trimmed up the edges with my scissors and this is what I have here!

Turn the striped sheet of cardstock so the lines are running horizontally across the paper and get out your paper trimmer! I cut every 1/4" to make a bunch of strips.

See what I mean! Isn't that SO much easier! Now I can take the strips and arrange them on the card like tile! Such a cool look and WAY easier than it looks (I think!).

When you're taping the strips to the card, make sure to line them up so that the colors alternate! It's a good idea to make sure your strips are at least a half inch longer than you need them for your project so you can make these little adjustments! When you have it the way you like it, you can easily trim the edges with scissors!

I added a nice line of bright pink ribbon to really make it POP! Can't go wrong with pink ribbon! The light bulb (from the ON THE BRIGHT SIDE kit) was heat embossed on vellum- I love how the tile pattern shows through! 

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By the way... there are still a few ON THE BRIGHT SIDE kits available! You can get it as a single purchase (for $31.99+shipping) or sign up for a subscription to save BIG (subscription prices as low as $24.99+shipping!!) These kits are packed FULL of product AND include an exclusive stamp each and every month!

Go check em out!!