Friday, September 5, 2008

Sneak Peek #4: Just So Sporty

The idea for "Just So Sporty" occurred to me about .2 milliseconds after "Little Tees" LOL! I must admit, although I've never been much of an athlete myself and don't really follow any televised sports, this set was definitely something I felt my stamp collection needed, but I have never seen a set as inclusive as this before. I'd been reluctant in the past to invest in any "one sport" stamp sets since everyone has a favorite, and kids pick a new one every season, but my hope is that with these versatile words and images you can scrapbook the majority of your sporting events and create sports-themed cards and gifts, perfect for guys or girls of any age. (I do NOT want to say this is a masculine set, since women play sports, too, but definitely has some great options for when flowers and hearts just won't do! LOL!) I had a hard time choosing which project to share today, they are all so different, but I'll start with this card because it has a lot of elements I'm really happy with and can share tips on how I did them. I made it for my 6 year-old all star, he loves ANY and every sport involving motion! He was particularly disappointed that they don't offer baseball in the fall here for his age group, so I created a little jersey that looks like his team's from this past spring, the inside reads "What a good sport!" (4 separate stamps) to remind him what a talent I think he is at everything he tries...
To make the background, I placed several of the sports (but not all! there's still more if you don't see "yours"!) on my gridline block so I can ink them all at once. To include as many stamps as possible, "ball" is a single stamp to pair up with "volley", "basket" etc (plus I love these two font options). I left a gap wherever "ball" needed to go, and after stamping out all these sports to cover the card base (I used the diagonal on my Scor-Mat as a guide), I went back in with "ball" where I needed it as well as filling in a few more gaps in the corners. (I sponged around the edges later with more gray ink to add some texture.)
Coloring tip: I wanted my new jersey (notice the "boxier" shape of this shirt?) to be a really vivid, solid purple, without looking flat, so I stamped it and the new cap on Lovely Lilac CS, and then went in and added a few wrinkles to the sides and shadows along the bottom and under the sleeves with my purple Koh-i-Noor pencil. Isn't that awesome how much it looks like fabric? (and MUCH faster/uses less supplies than coloring the whole thing, gotta love that!) So try stamping on colored CS and shading with the same or similar colored pencil or marker. My white gel pen recently bit the dust, so I was absolutely delighted to see how opaque my stripes and collar came out with the white Koh-i-Noor on dark CS! I used my Purple Copic Spica on the star I stamped on my cap.


Now I just gotta say I am still amazed at how well the baseball came out LOL! And it was very simple to make. I started with a white die cut and embossed Circle Nestabilitie and sketched on two arcs for the seams with my gray Koh-i-Noor. (I went and grabbed my son's baseball to get it right) :) I saw right away that piercing for the stitching would really make a huge difference, so I made little pairs of holes on either side of the seam with my paper piercer deluxe, and attached each making a little red "V" of my marker.
Baseballs never stay white for long, though, right?! So I sponged around the edges and a few random spots in the middle to make it look more rounded and scuffed. Lucky for me, I never wash my sponge, so mixed in with the gray were all sorts of green shades (most likely Old Olive, Mellow Moss), I think it added a nice grass-stained patina, don't you? I even got a scratch on there by mistake (whoops!), but look, there's one on the real ball, hee hee! ;)
I have a mile-long tip sheet to go with this new set as usual and I hope you're as excited to see the rest of stamps as I am to show them to you! And please rest assured, even if you and your friends aren't "sporty", I've included some things in this set I know you'd still use! (I actually started AND finished my first scrapbook page in 3 years yesterday using stamps from this set only, and it wasn't even a sports-themed page! You can see it at our release party tonight) As you would probably expect, the images in this set and "Little Tees" are all interchangeable, so have fun combining the two to make sporty ringers or girly jerseys ("cheer" or "dance" anyone?) :) Are your fired up for the party tonight now or what?? Don't forget to check out more of this set using a HOODIE this time from Jessica, Joanne, Asela and Gina K ...

And now for the winner of this set: Charlene Herter, who wrote: "I love your card! Another great use for those punches, too." Congrats, Charlene ! Please send me your addy and I will put your stamps in the mail ASAP!


AND NOW for some big news (and the second blog candy offering this week): I've mentioned before Diana Crick and I met at CHA and she heaped on a pile of goodies I've been enjoying and giving away here, as well as oodles of projects I've been making with it and how much I love the new mat, but did you know Diana's also a fan of "Little Tees"? Yup, and she emailed offering to donate a BRAND NEW SCOR-PAL AND SCOR-MAT prize pack (a $55 value!) that I could give away on my blog to one of you in return for me sending her a "Little Tees" set! Well, how could I refuse??? Simply leave one comment on this post to enter, I will be back tomorrow and Sunday announcing how you can get more entries. I will announce a winner Monday, and Diana will ship the prize pack directly to that lucky person!


And now!!!!!! (after the world's longest post LOL!), if you'll excuse me, I have a PARTY to get ready for, please join us tonight at 7PM CST!!!!

136 comments:

  1. WOW! This is fabulous. I can't wait to see everything you've done with this set. I had a blast with it today!

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  2. What a wonderful set - can't wait to see the rest of it!!

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  3. Beautiful card! Can't wait to see all the wonderful stamps with your new set.

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  4. This set is great! I will definately be getting it! Thanks for a chance to win the score pal and mat.

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  5. WOW...looks like ANOTHER great set of stamps you have designed. You are soooo talented. I totally LOVE the card you made too...VERY clever.

    I also can't tell you how awesome it would be to win a scor-pal...It's one of those items I've tried to budget for, but always find more stamps I NEED!!! :) Thanks so much for this opportunity.

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  6. Thanks for the chance to win. I am constantly inspired by your every work!

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  7. This set has been worth the wait all these days...This is way too fabulous!!

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  8. OMG!! How cute is this set?!!! I love it and the card with the baseball and word background...you are one clever cookie!! Nice job and I can't wait for The release.

    Debbie M. - Mesa,AZ

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  9. OH Gosh, this one is really adorable!! LOVE the ball and how you showed exactly how you achieved that wonderful look--thank you! Love the tee--cool tip also to start with a richer shade and then color in even deeper with the koh-i-noor! This is one cute tee and cap--want them! ;)

    Diana is such a sweet (and brilliant) lady! That is really nice of you to give it away to someone, and don't enter me--I already own this spectaular product and the mat--some lucky person is going to be VERY happy! :) hugs!

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  10. Wow! You are such an amazingly talented lady and I can't wait to see everything.

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  11. Love the detailed explanations that you write along with your creations. Thanks for a wonderful job! Jannette

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  12. Finally a stamp set for the boys in our lives! Thank you so much!

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  13. Oh, how great! I wondered if you would do some "manly" tees since the last set was more "womanly". I can't wait to see the rest of the pieces to this set! And that blog candy offer... Wow! That's so generous!

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  14. OH boy this is such a great set! I'm not 'sporty' either, but I know a ton of sports nuts who would love cards made with these stamps! I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve! You are so generous to offer such wonderful blog candy prizes too! Thanks!

    SCS ID: Urscrappymama

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  15. Loved the T's and now this, what could be better!

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  16. You are great! The card is fantastic! I like how you created the paper background! Love the ball! The stamp set is awesome!!!!

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  17. This is awesome! I love the card you made with the 2 sets! I just love the little Tees! Now the blog candy...WOW!!!!! Thank you so much for the chance to win!!!

    :)
    Kim

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  18. Great card and thanks for all the tips! Looking forward to tonight!

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  19. Cute set. I love all the options for different sports.

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  20. Melanie, INCREDIBLE!!! Thanks for supporting my addiction! I just can't wait to see more cards. You are amazing!

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  21. Looking forward to seeing the whole set! Thanks for the chance to win some goodies!

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  22. I love the set and LOVE LOVE your card!!!! Can't wait to see what else you have done!! donna c
    donnacalamari@msn.com

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  23. I can not wait to see the whole set! Thanks for a chance to win the scor-pal set. Have a beautiful day!

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  24. wow! what great blog candy! getting to trade with others is so much fun.

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  25. Just So Sporty is just so cool , and so are your cards !
    Awesome giveaway , would love to win a Scor Pal as I do not have one yet .

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  26. Wow - love the new set! Your sets are always great and a wonderful value.

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  27. We are a sporty family - I can't wait to see the rest of the set! I have been wanting to get my hands on the Scor-pal for a while now - keeping my fingers crossed!!!

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  28. Who can resist blog candy? And Wow this is super blog candy! I would definitely love to have this prize. Your new set sound very versatile and I can't wait to check out the whole thing tonight!

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  29. What a neat trade between you and Diana.
    Love the background paper you designed, at first I thought it was one of those commercial printed ones.

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  30. Love it! The baseball is perfect.

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  31. Wow this is some AWESOME candy. I've seen so many things made with this sweet candy. I would love to try some of them out if I was the lucky stamper. I just love your card and the details are just fabulous. Thanks for a chance.

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  32. Melaine!!!!

    OMG - have to have this set!!!! It's perfect!

    LJ

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  33. great card, Mel! I really like that baseball! Your background is awesome as well as that adorable jersey. Can't wait to see your scrapbook page...

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  34. Wow! I'm almost speechless! You did it again! This is an awesome set! And the price is great too!

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  35. Great tutorial! that baseball is amazing! Super job! This set is going to be such a hit! You rock!

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  36. I wonder if you ever sleep, Melanie as your mind must be in a constant state of overdrive!!! What creativity. Love the new set and I would love to be lucky enough to win your blog candy. Thanks.
    Cheryl Sims

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  37. Great card! Great for the men in one's life. I love how you did the baseball...its so realistic looking. Thanks for showing that!

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  38. Another fabulous card! I can't wait to see the whole set. Thank you for a chance to win the awesome blog candy!

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  39. WOW!! But I would say that's a fair trade.. that Little Tees set is FABULOUS!!!! I was really kickin myself for not squeezing it into my tight budget this month. And Scor Pal.. man what a GREAT piece of blog candy..

    Michelle

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  40. how awesome, Melanie! cute card-love the purple {don't enter me, you know I already have the sco-pal stuff-just wanted to say hi}

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  41. Wow! I can't believe how generous people are. Melanie, I love your art work.
    Thanks,

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  42. Thanks for creating a variety sports set! I couldn't bring myself to buy a stamp set tailored to one sport either. Wow, more clothing apparel; so cool!! I love how you created the baseball hat to give that fabric feel. and the baseball looks great too.

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  43. Thanks for posting this great set, my friend would love it as her son is so baseball, and for the Scor pal its on my list to get, I got one for a friend as a cheer her up gift and she love love loves it! Thanks

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  44. I have a scor pal so this is a comment because I feel the need to comment on your talent!!!!!

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  45. just FANTASTIC! love it...you creative genius!

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  46. Wow that is pretty amazing! Thanks for a chance to win! Greetings from Belgium, Annelies

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  47. Wow, Melanie, this is one great set. I love how versatile your sets always are and this one takes the cake.

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  48. This is great and I love it.Guy stamps are often too predictable and this is a fresh idea.There is more to come.. I'm sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what is next.
    Thanks for the chance to win the scor-pal and mat.

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  49. What a terrific set! I just love the card, and I can't wait to see your scrapbook page.

    I have been so out of the loop lately -- busy with work -- that I missed out on the last giveaway for your new terrific set! I hope to win Diana's goodies *fingers crossed* . . . hard to type that way ;) Kel

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  50. Oh, I can't wait to see the rest of this set! This looks like a super set! Great card too.

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  51. What a great set! Love the card too. This would be handy in my house since I am the only girl here! Well besides my 2 dogs!
    I was the only girl for 32 years on my mom's side and we live near her. I have lots of boys cousins and nephews.

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  52. This set is so versatile! I am looking forward to seeing the rest of it.

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  53. I am loving this set! I'm pretty sure it will be a must-have for me.

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  54. What an awesome set! Can't wait to see the rest tonight. I love how you did the baseball. Went to check out the other girls cards....
    you ladies are sooo talented.
    Have a sparkling day!!
    Pamela Vega

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  55. You did such an awesome job with this baseball themed card! LOVE the tee and cap! Fantastic work!!

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  56. What a great set. I love everything about your card --the jersey, the patterned paper and the baseball. Great job, as always!

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  57. WOW!! Love your card and this looks to be a great set like Little Tees (which I love by the way). I can't wait to see the whole set tonight. Thank you for the chance to win.

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  58. I have been totally amazed at what EVERYONE has been doing with your Little Tees set!!! I cannot wait to see this new set...I know it will be awesome!!

    Thanks for the opportunity to win this awesome gift...I've been looking, thinking & wandering if I NEED one!!! :-)

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  59. I love this set. There is just so much to do... and then seeing all your ideas, it's just great. I love the purple BB card, can't wait to make a few of my own. Soccer of course :o)!! Thanks for sharing

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  60. OMG Melanie! This is fabulous! and soooo useful! I can't wait to start using this set!
    Scor Pal...pick me pick me! I had it on my birthday list, but my Hubby told me last night he was unable to get one...boohoo...maybe I'll get Lucky!

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  61. WOW--what a fun set--so versatile!! TFS. The candy is sweeeeeet too!!!

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  62. I've just been catching up on your blog, as usual you aew ANAZING! I totally love that punch and this baseball card is too cute!

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  63. Fabulous idea, Melanie, and I haven't even seen it all yet. That set is a must have for this sporty house! My 10 yo son said 'Cool, a hoodie'. That 'cool' is high praise from a tween boy!

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  64. Melanie, your sporty set rocks the house. I absolutely love it. I'm not a sporty girl, but my niece is a cheerleader and want to play basketball. So this set will come in handy. I am sure I will use this as much as the Tee set (which also love). Your baseball on your card is another genius idea. Um, your stamp IQ must be like 1,000 at least. See you at the party tonight.

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  65. Wow - this set is so versatile! I can think of a lot of folks that would love getting a card made with this set. Thanks for the chance to win the Scor-Pal, too - I've wanted one for ages!!!

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  66. I can't wait to see the rest of the set! I will have to stay up late tonight! ;D Thanks for the chance to win the scor-pal and scor-mat!

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  67. Oh wow!! I just love this stamp set. I love the card and all of the attention to detail that you put into it Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  68. Great job! I love what you did on this card. :0)

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  69. I can not wait to get my hands on this set. I have an idea for a birthday party centerpiece with the baseball. Marsha

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  70. People in the crafting business are too cool! Another cute set. I'd love to win the Scor-Pal to share with my mother. Hope to "see" you at the party tonite.

    Smiles.

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  71. I love it!! How fun is that. What a way to make the set even more versitale.

    It's a good life!
    Terri E.

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  72. Love your new set...Thanks for sharing your talent with us.

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  73. I also love your new sporty set (at least all of the sneak peaks)! I will definitely try to stop by the new release party tonight!

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  74. Wow, a chance for a scor-pal...include me in!

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  75. I have a Scor Pal that I use every day but can't wait to get the mat. It is at the top of my wish list.

    Congrats on your new release. I see endless possibilities!

    Thanks to Diana C and you for your blog candy offerings. Darlene

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  76. Super cute!! I especially love the baseball- great idea!

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  77. I am LOVING your little tee's set and all the creative ways you have used the set. I LOVE what I have seen thus far of your new sports set. I can't wait to see what you have yet to show.

    Awesome!

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  78. That is such a neat stamp set. I love the detail on the baseball cap - it looks so real with the little fold in the brim. I can't wait to see the rest of this set.

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  79. Adorable set! I love how you created the jersey and baseball. Too cute! Can't wait for the party tonight!

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  80. This set is a must-have for me! I can already think of so many ways to use it! :)

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  81. How great! Love the card and I hope I win! :)

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  82. Wow, you have such an eye for detail, I love this card! What a great set...I'm thinking of my future little guy athlete that just started kindergarten yesterday! Perfect!

    How nice to have a chance to win a Scor-Pal...my mom doesn't have one yet and I would give it to her! (just don't tell her it came with a mat!)

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  83. Wow Melanie, I love your sets, just got mt little tees and will be ordering this one as well

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  84. This looks to be another fabulous set! Great blog candy too! ~chris

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  85. What a great set! I can't wait to see it all!

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  86. I can't wait to see you scrapbook page -- after this card, you really have me hooked!

    The sets keep getting better and better -- WAY TO GO!

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  87. Ok WOW I LOVE the way you did the Baseball. Amazing work and amazing set. I cant wait to see it in full!

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  88. You really out did your self this time .how do you do it .I love what you did with the card ..I cant wait to see the rest.

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  89. Yay for more blog candy! hehe! I'm amazed at the card you made and your baseball turned out perfect! I can't wait to see the rest of the set and your other creations!

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  90. Oh MEL!!!!!!!!!! Of course I just GOTTA add this one to my Little Tees as it's the PERFECT complement!!!!! What can I say??? You just keep coming up with winners and this set is a HOME RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL Sorry, there go my dumb puns again!!!! Can you tell I'm excited about the release party??!!!!

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  91. What a fun card and awesome tutorial - thanks so much for putting it togehter! Can't wait to see the rest of the set! Hope you have a great weekend and see you later on at the party...I hop!

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  92. Great card Melanie...love the baseball! Thanks to both you and Diana for the chance to win a scor-pal. I have heard it is a wonderful tool!

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  93. Cute, CUTE!! It's nice to see an all-inclusive stamp set on the market (soon, that is!). Best wishes!

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  94. What a wonderful generous offer!
    Thanks so much for the chance and the great stamp set!

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  95. Looks like a great set, can't wait to see the whole thing. I love your card! And what a great prize package. Feel free to pick me!

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  96. Diana rocks...and so do you! Love what I've seen so far; can't wait to see more!!!

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  97. I'm sure this will be just as versatile as the Little Tees set. I really enjoy the fact that you have a tip sheet to go with each set! Gives us all the more ideas to really get the most out of our monies. Congratulations on another smash hit!
    Gail

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  98. Bring on the Scor-Pal baby! I took your card to work. . .it's on display :)

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  99. I love the t-shirt set. Can be used in so many ways.

    Thanks for a chance to win a great prize.

    Deeleane

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  100. I LOVE this new set Melanie...another homerun for sure!! :-) Can't wait to see your tip sheet for it since I'm sure it's amazing!!
    Huggs,
    Jana

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  101. WOW!Love the Sports set, I can't wait to see the whole set. All of your cards are truly amazing! Thank you so much for all your inspiration!! Christar

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  102. I have to try that baseball trick. It looks really real!

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  103. I love seeing your projects! I can't wait to see the rest of it!

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  104. This stamp set will fit all age groups, male & female! Even if someone isn't "sporty", they might be a fan!

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  105. How nice! Thanks for the chance to win! I've been wanting a Scor Pal:D
    betty.chet@gmail.com

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  106. I love your card and the tips on giving everything dimension. That's a great baseball you created. Thanks for your generosity in offering such great blog candy.

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  107. This is a great set--I love your card and all the tips you gave on how to make it. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  108. WOWSERS!!! What a great man-card! Super background and your baseball is outstanding! There is so much to say about this card! Thanks for sharing. Again, WOW

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  109. What a great set!!! I'm always looking for a new set for a masculine card....excited to see more. You have done a beautiful job, again!!!

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  110. All I can say is:

    O MY GOSH!

    I am so thankful to a stamping community that is SO GOOD to each other!

    Blessings to you both!!

    PS I ADORE your sets, Melanie...adore!

    Kim Marie

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  111. Your sets are so versatile and cute, Melanie. No wonder you have so many fans!

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  112. That card is just the cutest!
    Thanks for sharing all the details...wow!
    And, thanks for offering a chance to win a Scor-Pal...double WOW!! :)

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  113. i cant wat to c the hole set mi moth iz watring i thinc u hit this wun owt of the parc
    luv ya
    merri

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  114. must have this set! I think you just need to send me every one of your sets as they are released since I buy them all!!

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  115. Awesome set. Love the sports theme. And thanks for a chance to win.

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  116. Did you miss a vocation as a fashion designer?? LOL! :-D

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  117. Oh what a tease you are..lol
    I can't wait to see it all.
    The baseball card is just awesome.

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  118. I am so happy to see this set (can't wait to see all of it). One reason I like this set is it isn't gender specific.

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  119. Wow, this new set is so HUGE and FABULOUS! Incredible, how many stamps we get for less than $20.

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  120. Awesome set Melanie!! You rock girl!! What an awesome giveaway...wow!!

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  121. Thanks for a chance to win a score pal! I would LOVE to own one! Your stamp set looks really awesome can't wait to see more of it!

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  122. Great set Mel! I would love to win a Scor Pal!

    sandyh502001 at yahoo dot com

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  123. WOW! What an awesome DP you created! I just love your ideas for that! And that baseball...WAYYY better than the little one I tried to do, lol!! I cannot wait to get this set too!

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  124. Love this new set Mel. I'm a hoodie girl because I'm ALWAYS freezing even in the summer I get a chill. I just made my order to GinaK and this was definitely on the list, I'm going to use this when I scrapbook my drag race pages (there isn't much out there for drag racing, yet). Thanks much, I can't wait to get it next week. Your awesome! ~Julie

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  125. Such a cute stamp set and your work is amazing.
    Claudia
    scfranson@charter.net

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  126. What a fun new set you created! You definitely think outside the box and have so many fun ideas!!

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  127. What a great card and love that blog candy!!

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  128. Amazing!! this is so cute!! ANd thanks for the chance at the scor pal!!

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  129. I'm already thinking of other ideas to use the bb with - the detail is wonderful!

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  130. Looks very flash - wonderful idea :)

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  131. This set is too cute... I especially like the little hoodie.

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  132. Hi Melanie! What a neat way to create a baseball...thank you for sharing the how-to.

    And, thanks to you and Diana for a chance to score a Scor-Pal :) WOW!

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  133. OH man, how did I miss this!

    Love the baseball! I could do the same thing for a fastpitch softball...they are optic yellow with the red stitching!

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  134. Great stamp set with lots of versatility.

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Your generous feedback helps make my work and this blog better! Thanks for inspiring and motivating me! :)