T.G.I.F. and F.R.A.K. {winner posted}

Happy Friday! I look forward to Fridays for so many reasons, but one of the things I love lately about Fridays, is...

I have a very special F.R.A.K. for you today -- it's the new Stamping Secrets eBook from Ella Publishing!
 

This book includes 28 packed pages, full of 21 gorgeous projects, 35 expert stamping tips, 6 step-by-step written tutorials, and 20 minutes of exclusive video instruction. It's available at Ella Publishing for $10.99 (but use promo code SECRETSTAMPER for 15% off).

But why not try to win it for free, right? For your chance to win, leave a comment telling me what kind of stamps you use the most. I'll leave the comments open until 5 p.m. Central on Monday, March 13. Be sure to include your email address in your comment if it's not already in your Blogger profile.

Good luck!


FINE PRINT: If you don't have an email in your blogger profile (or you aren't sure what I'm talking about), please be sure to leave your email addy with your comment. After 5 p.m. Central on March 13, I will randomly draw a winner from the comments  on this post and list the winner's name/ comment at the bottom of this post. I will also contact the winner by email if possible. International entries are welcome! Thanks for reading! 

UPDATE 3/13/2012: The winner is...

Congratulations, Lisa! Watch your email for details on how to download your free eBook!

Everybody loves a secret

Wanna hear a secret? How about 21 secrets that will change the way you look at your collection of stamps?


This week, I got to peek at this brand-new eBook from Ella Publishing:

Stamping Secrets: 7 sensational stamp sets used 21 ways

By stamping experts Nichol Magouirk, Ashley Cannon Newell, Lea Lawson, Nancy Burke, Robyn Werlich, Shari Carroll, and Shemaine Smith

Ready to make the most of your favorite stamps, and learn new tips and tricks along the way?
In 28 packed pages, you'll enjoy 21 gorgeous projects, 35 expert stamping tips, 6 step-by-step written tutorials, and -- probably the coolest feature -- 20 minutes of exclusive video instruction!


Ella hand-picked seven sensational stampers (including my sweet friend Shemaine!) and invited each of them to:

• choose a favorite stamp set from a favorite stamp company
• create three versatile projects using that set (scrapbook layouts, cards, and more)
• share their expert stamping tips, tricks, and tutorials with you!

With stamps from Stampin' Up!, Hero Arts, Technique Tuesday, PaperTrey Ink, Lawn Fawn, BasicGrey, and Unity, this eBook offers great ideas and tips for every skill level. It's currently available at a special introductory price of $8.79 through March 7, 2012, so hurry over to Ella and pick up a copy!

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for some F.R.A.K.!

In the background

I think I'm evolving. Not in the Darwin kind of way, but in the scrapbooker kind of way. I notice little things I do differently on my pages. For example, I've started to gravitate toward patterned backgrounds instead of plain cardstock. And even when I start with plain cardstock as a base, I have this innate need to do something to it -- mist it, stamp it, rough it up a bit -- before the layers start going down.

Case in point:

I started with french vanilla cardstock as a base, but I wanted a subtle background. So I used Versamark ink to stamp the medallion image as border for the rest of the elements.

It's subtle...maybe a little too subtle because it's hard to see in the photos. This is one that looks a lot prettier in real life.

In other news, I found out this morning that my layout "She" is featured on the Ormolu blog today! Check it out here.