The Old Switcheroo!

What could possibly happen if two designers, from two different companies, swapped stamps?  Well, a whole lotta stampy goodness, I tell ya'!

My buddy Lisa Spangler and I thought we'd have ourselves some fun with a little switcheroo, and hope you get as much a kick out it as we have!

 

 

Lisa Spangler

Hiya!  I had a blast stamping these cards using A Muse stamps – ideas
kept popping in my head faster than I could stamp them.  I still have a
bunch of sketches planned out, can't wait to  give them a go!

Here's a little bit about me:  I started stamping 14 years ago while in
graduate school, not to make cards, but to decorate envelopes. 
Eventually it dawned on me that I could make cards with stamps too –
and I've been doing that ever since!

In 2005 I was invited to create card samples for the Hero Arts catalog.
The next year I left my job as a software engineer to work for Hero
Arts full time as a Designer and Senior Web Engineer.    I also get to
teach classes and help with product development.  It's my dream job!

I live in Austin, Texas with Jason, my husband of over 11 years and
our two goldfish, Smiley and Woodfin.  When I'm not stamping, I'm
either hiking, riding my road or mountain bicycle, taking pictures of
wildflowers, or tromping around a prairie. 

One of my favorite foods is sushi, and when Julie asked what stamps I'd
like to use for the samples for our swap, that one was at the top of my list.
YUM.

Julie, it's been so much fun working with you on this “designer swap”
-- you are truly amazing.  Many thanks to you and A Muse!

Right back at ya', girlfriend!  Thanks so much to Lisa and to Hero Arts for this FUN Designer Swap! 

And, now, I'm tickled to share the fab cards that Lisa whipped up with ya'all!

Happy, HAPPY Birthday!

Lisa does a lot of her coloring work with colored pencils, and I think the shading she does is terrific!

In this design, she actually stamped with a nice dark brown ink, which sets a softer tone to the finished piece, and really brings out the warmth of the colors she chose to use.

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Flower Filled

Lisa used our Oval Frames set in conjunction with the Marvy Scallop Oval Punch to frame our little flower-filled wheel barrow, and sponged the edges to really make the focal image POP!

Look carefully, and you'll see how the tiny blossoms have been blinged with Micro Dot Twinkle Stickers.

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Just a note

Lisa's a tremendous nature buff--check out her blog, Sideoats & Scribbles to see her stunning photography of the beautiful prairie flowers she films. You will fall off your chair!

             

I had no idea the Texas prairies were so beautiful, until I saw Lisa's photography.

I loved how she made the little hill by pinking the Madeira Green paper--I am SO trying this!  Such a simple touch but, with great impact.

Did you catch the "love" note made with the heart shaped Twinkle Sticker?

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Ice Cream Note

I love out-of-the-box ideas, and this one is no exception--I love how Lisa used an image from the Fancy Borders set to create the "ice cream scoops"!

So stinkin' CLEVER!

The glitter makes 'em all the more delicious, and each one is topped with a little Twinkle Heart "cherry" sticker!  SWEET!

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Arigato

This is just so sweet, to have the flowery Party Lantern dangling from yet another image from the Fancy Borders set.

If you look carefully at the detail photo, you'll see how Lisa used the Clear Twinkle Stickers to create little hanging "crystals". 

And check out how she embellished the paper flower in the center with the pink Mini and Micro Dots!

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Flower Fan

I literally blurted out "SHUT UP!" over this.

I see fans.  Lisa sees fans.  And, Lisa sees a FLOWER!!!

Genius.

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Lisa used the fan from our Sushi set to create  a flower, centered by a clear disc and a button.

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OK, so she sees fans, flowers, AND BUTTERFLIES!!!

Are ya' shaking your head like I was?  Same fan, from the same set!

Fantastic cleverness!  GET OUT!!!

 

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Thank you

I started cracking up over this because Lisa and I are *so* much alike--we BOTH SAVE OUR PLASTIC SUSHI GRASS for cards!

ROTFLMBO! 

I love how she cut out and 3D mounted the little Tatami sandals from the Sushi Set on this!  Just so darn SWEET!  And, see how she used the Heart Twinkle Stickers to embellish them? 

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Sushi Spinner

            

I know!!! (--Monica, TV series "Friends")

Check out how she curved the sentiment, along the edge of the sushi circle element!

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Now you're wheely rollin'!

Wheely Girl is Lisa's all-time favorite A Muse stamp, and she smartly used the solid stitched image from the Fancy Borders set to create a hill for her to cycle up!

Did you notice what she used to create the windy "trail" behind her?

The STEAM from the Coffee Break Set!

               

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Lisa, your creations always inspire and delight--thank you for making this Designer Swap such a blast, my friend!

We'd love to share the fun with you, our readers, by havin' a "Lisa's Favorite A Muse Stamp Give-Away":

Wheely Girl
+ Madeira Blue 4 Bar Note Cards

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment right here on this article!

And, be sure to pop over to the Hero Arts Blog HERE and check out the cards I made!   I hear there's a give-away goin' on over there, too! 

--Julie   

Comments

[Mandie Segura]

I love seeing all of these great creative ideas-so inspiring!

[Mary]

All of these cards are adorable. I love them. Truly, truly. It does inspire me to get back to stamping. They are cute, fun, special!
Great job!

[Louise Charlton]

Such cute ideas! I have been admiring Lisa's cards for a long time! Love what she did with A Muse stamps! Great job! (and thanks for a chance to win the Blog Candy! I don't own any A Muse stamps... yet!

[karine]

Just lovely cards ! thanks to share with us !

[fiona]

wow these cards are just so darn cute! what a great idea you two had, it has been great to see what you both came up with.

[Lori Barnett]

You have created awesome cards! Love your stuff :)

[MandyMc]

WOW! Some genius ideas to inspire us!

[Hollie]

Amazing cards! Thank you for sharing!!

[Diana]

Love those creative ways you used the stamps, the party lantarn is m favorite

[lisa]

Thanks everyone! I really, truly enjoyed reading all of your comments! And mega super duper thanks to Julie and A Muse -- this was SO FUN!

[Leslie]

I am blown away by Lisa's creativity! Great cards!

[Beca]

Great cards! Love the flowery paper lanterns!! So adorable!

[Beth Rang]

This was a wonderful idea, and I love the cards, particularly the ones using the sushi set.