Love Theme is the newest Hambo Challenge at the Hoedown!

Hambo's challenge for Hoedown #142 is to create a project with a LOVE theme - sentiments or images that show love (thinking more romantic love here than a child/parent love.) Your image could be totally random but tie it in with a sentiment, or vice versa.  

Since I'm trying to rest my "tweaked" knee, I can still find some time to color up some fun images from Hambo for the contest!  This image is called Snow Heart and is a favorite of mine. I love combining kraft paper and Anything! This image comes with several sentiments, 2 of which I used here.  I used a snowflake punch in the corner thinking I'd like it to go all the way through.  But instead, decided to back the punch with some more kraft. That's where I placed my handmade stamp.  I used the remaining white punch as an accent under the sentiment. Thanks for looking and have fun playing!
  

Scary ANIMAL Birthday card for HAMBO Challenge

Back when I was a "Bacon Bit" on the Hambo site, I collected several cute images and stamps.  In the spirit of the new year, I'm trying to expand the challenges that I enter my cards in and so for their 2 week challenge, you're to use one of their many ANIMAL images.
I've always liked this one called Monster Yell -he always gave me a chuckle and came with 3 different choices of sentiments.  For some reason the large washer eyelets colors are a bit off and wouldn't adjust but you can get the basic idea of matching colors to the papers used.
The 2 winners each get a free digital image so jump right in there!  Their Valentine Pig is hilarious and very versatile to use with Valentine's Day around the corner!  Thanks for looking!

Snow Heart Featured at Hambo Hoedown

This week with the Bacon Bits at Hambo Hoedown, we are using a very cute image called Snow Heart and a sketch.  It's a great digital for the upcoming Valentine's Day!  I added the extra "snow" by using puffy paint on the fur.  I decided to use a couple of white embossed card fronts and a wide sheer but embroidered Heart ribbon as the horizontal band.  The CAS gives the A7 card the Wintery feel I was looking for.  This image comes with 4 neat sayings for VDay and I plan on using them all!

This will be the last post for me as a member of Team Squeal at Hambo Hoedown.  They will be bringing some new members on for the new term and I wish them well.  This surely has been a learning experience for me~I learned how to use a watermark and how to submit items to print publications.  Guess you can teach an ole dog new tricks afterall.  Thanks for the memories~ Carolyn

We're SPINNING at the newest Hambo Hoedown Challenge

What a fun challenge at the Hambo Hoedown this week!  We were to make a CIRCLE shaped card using the Plate Spinner a digital image by Hambo Stamps.  Also as an added interest, we were to use swirls/spirals on the card in some fashion.  Well ole' Plate Spinner has a lot going on including a lot of fun! 

I had some B'day paper with funfetti swirls on it so mounted it on the black circle, creased the side of the front so I could attach with brads the back circle.  I fancy cut the very cute digital so the plates actually wobble because they aren't affixed.  The plastic confetti swirls were embellies from a birthday pack so on they went.  This digital comes with 3 sentiments-the one I chose and double mounted is the first part and the inside has the second part.  Try something like this and step out of your comfort zone!  This was fun!

Hambo Hoedown is having a Name That Toon Challenge

Welcome to "Name That Toon!" sponsored by Hambo Stamps! Today Hambo friends and the Bacon Bits Design Team are bringing you a dozen fun creations that depict comic strips! It might be our favorite, or just one that was fun to design. If you arrived here from Libby you are in the right place! If not, you might want to start back at the beginning at the Hambo blog to make sure you are eligible for the hopper prize!

To tell you the truth(and my age), it has been MANY years since I read a comic strip much less read a newspaper that could to afford to carry a syndicated comic section!  But when growing up, I always got a kick out of "Beetle Bailey".  I don't know if it was because of a guy being named after a BUG or if it was the cute doggie named Otto, but it always was a hoot.

Now, HOW APPROPRIATE that here at Hambo we have a lovable mascot called BAILEY!  Because of that, I chose to use my Bailey digi called Bailey Hugs in place of Otto's and think it turned out so cute.  I printed out a busy comic strip for the card's background, colored in the title, and featured 2 colored printouts from the internet.  Worked Bailey/Otto around a little bit, colored him with copics and there we are!  Aren't the gold star embellies and the dog bone twill ribbon cute!

Talk to the Ham - Hambo blog http://hambostamps.blogspot.com/
Lyn http://mypurplehouse.wordpress.com/
Libby http://stampinlibby.blogspot.com/
Carolyn http://luvmycards.blogspot.com/ That's me
Deborah http://beadnstampn.blogspot.com
Dawn http://dawnmercedes.blogspot.com/
Jan http://www.jans-gonestampin.blogspot.com/
Jane http://janeelizabethssworld.blogspot.co.uk/
Kecia http://stampingdeets.blogspot.com/
Paula http://heyheypaula-heyheypaula.blogspot.com/
Judy http://jarfullofjoy.blogspot.com/

A prize will be awarded to one participant whose comic strip-themed creation tickles the Bacon Bits’ fancy in a hammin’ jammin’ way!  Another prize will be awarded randomly to a hopper who comments on all of the blogs along the way. The winners will be announced on the Hambo company blog, Talk to the Ham, on Wednesday, January 23, as well as at the Hambo Hoedown challenge blog. We love comments anytime, but the deadline for prize entry comments is Sunday, January 20 at 5 PM CST. Don't miss it!
Now laugh on over to Deborah for another great Comic Strip that will tickle your fancy!








  

Hope your Refrigerator is Running..To Hambo Hoedown

We all know that if a family wants to find anything out that's being scheduled or to see if any important messages have been left, you check the REFRIGERATOR, right?  Well this week at Hambo Hoedown we're acknowledging this great American "Post Office" and to do this, we're using Refrigerator-a digital image by Hambo Stamps.  It comes with a choice of 3 sentiments.  The additional challenge was to use some LEFTOVERS from some of your other cards~ I used the embellished heart "magnet" from a previous Valentine card-the red bumpy paper on the "floor" was from a masculine card and the clock on the kitchen wall was a rub-on from a New's Years Eve card.
I chose to take some liberties with the digital and reverse the image, one of the beauties of using digitals!  That was because I wanted to Open the Freezer door to the interior of the unit where I placed the sentiment "You're So Cool".  I also used an embellished heart to attach to the Frig the sentiment, I'm Stuck on You".  The inside below the Cool sentiment is finished with a Top Note Die Cut.  I think this will make a Great Valentine's Day card.
While you're checking out the Hambo site, be sure to note that there is a DT call currently going on until the 19th in case you'd like to submit your application.  Also there are new sets of Clear stamps being introduced into the shop as well as other scraping supplies~still with the same quality you'd expect of Hambo Stamps.  Be sure to come back on the 18th for a Blog Hop with the Bacon Bits-the theme features comic strips and anyone can join in the parade as a participant.  See you there!

Creations in FELT with Hambo Hoedown

Our neck of the Country is still in the grips of winter, every few days we get a little snow, a little sleet or freezing rain.  SO, It's only fitting that the image that we are using this week at the Hambo Hoedown is Penguin Snowball-a digital image by Hambo Stamps. He comes with 3 sentiments and he sure looks warm with all the FELT on him!  We were to add felt to the card so I made snow from some white FELT, cut out a scarf from raspberry FELT and by cutting the area around his arms, was able to tuck it behind his flippers.  I cut the stocking cap out of the same color FELT, fringed the pompom on top as well as on scarf and put the details on each with a fine black marker.  The inside is finished with the snowflake paper.
There are many things going on right now at Hambo Stamps:  There is an open DT call and they are accepting applications until the 19th.  There are many new items in the Hambo Store for you to check out like clear stamps, inks etc.  And there is a BLOG HOP coming.  Our jammin’ theme is “Name That Toon.” Using any Hambo image, either rubber or digital, create a project that represents and depicts a comic strip! Maybe it’s your favorite one you read as a kid, or maybe it’s one that you don’t even like! Whatever it is, we want to see your comic strip creations!  The hop is scheduled for Friday, January 18, and is set to go live at 7:00 AM CST.   A prize will be awarded to the customer whose comic strip-themed creation tickles the Bacon Bits’ fancy in a hammin’ jammin’ way!  The winner will be announced on the Hoedown blog, as well as on the Hambo blog on Wednesday, January 23.  You won't want to miss it!

Happy New Year..Pheasant from Hambo Stamps

Well this was a fun Hambo Hoedown COLOR challenge~We were to use the colors of Hot pink, aqua, lime green, sunny yellow and orange! Choose three (or all) of those colors to spiffy up Pheasant! It's a New Year bird! :)  I never have enough Birthday cards so I jumped right in.

I freed the tail feathers up from the pheasant when I cut with the scalloped oval.  Threaded this neat very stiff rickrack I got at a LSS under the tail as an end accent-love that look!  This New Year Bird is called Pheasant-a digital image by Hambo Stamps and using such bright, vivid colors is definitely stepping out of my comfort zone!  BUT, I think it's a great way to expand my ideas and a good way to start 2013.  The image comes with 3 sentiments, and I've accented the one I chose with aqua dew drops.

There's lots of wonderful new product and projects coming up in 2013 for Hambo Stamps-clear acrylic stamps, ink supplies just to name a few!  We would love for you to join us~the DT group, otherwise known as the "Bacon Bits" get so inspired when we see the different interpretations of the images that you provide!!  Please become a Follower so that you can continue to get the newest challenge alert AND if submitted by the deadline, you can receive the next challenge digital image FREE!  What a great deal!  Hope to see you ALL around a lot in 2013!

Carolyn

Bailey makes his Last appearance in 2012 for Hambo Hoedown

One of the favorite Characters that keeps popping up at Hambo Stamps is Bailey, the lovable dog of the owners!  True to form, I decided to use the latest image called Bailey's Christmas (awww, doesn't he just warm your heart in his Santa hat and Bow-tied Bone?) on a Special Little Boys' present under the tree this morning!  You are seeing the Gift Tag before I addressed it and tied it on-with the Hoedown Challenge this week, you could equally use it for Thank you notes, invitations for Festive parties, etc.
As you can see, I paper-pieced his bone for dimension, mounted 2 of the included sentiments on candycane paper.  The quilted looking CS is also mounted on the candycane paper and then I put a very large pronged grommet at the top with a red sheer tie.  Easy Peasey!  Come join us this week and show us you ideas for Bailey to make another appearance in 2012 before the New Year arrives!

Having trouble with your HAMBO Christmas lights?

How many of us (or at least our husbands) are facing this same dilemma this and every Christmas?  It seems no matter  how neatly you put them away previously, there you are!  Well this is character is called Pig Tangled- a digital image from Hambo Stamps and the sentiment is from this great stamp site also.  The Challenge was to make an easel card using this digi and I decided to switch it up and use one of embossed card FRONTS on the inside...of course, as a single piece of cs, that presented a challenge in itself.  I created a tabbed easel back for the image and used the tab to mount it to the top of the card front-with me still? While I only used Inka Gold on the "Cheer" word, there were so many imprinted ones on it that were perfect for Christmas=peace, hope, love, lights, and joy--see why I wanted to use it?  I used the simplicity of red dew drops for the "stopper".  I think the cutest thing is the flower soft I used on his "fur" -He looks so cheery!  Hope you all are getting in the spirit of Christmas and are taking time, in between untangling the lights!, to enjoy the wonder of the season and enjoy friends and fellowship with your loved ones.

The Men are going Out West at Hambo Hoedown!

I love challenges that stretch my "comfort zone" and this week I experienced that~but then when I started coloring in my Southwest digital Image by Hambo Stamps I just let my thoughts travel through possibilities and I came up with this scenario:  I could picture this dry desert mountain scene right outside my window if I lived in Arizona or if I was traveling through the area in my camper. Then, what would I find surrounding me in those locations:

• pleated blinds on the windows (made here from heavy cardstock, pierced with a sewing machine needle to mark the path later punched and threaded through with waxed thread. Then, coppery blind "pulls" to lift the blinds.
• I glued down a "valance" across the top of the blinds-mainly to cover up the knots from the cord.
• There would be "moulding" around the window-here in brown and even with the corners mitered.
• A couch to sit on-I used stitched lines and lots of shading to show the arms and puffy back
• I created a pillow out of 2 circles of crumpled patterned paper, stuffed with fluff, and ran a stitch around the edge.  Distressed with ink.
• Then added an afghan-strip of paper, crumpled, fringed, and wadded up into the corner of the couch.
• The Sentiment added is also from Hambo Stamps from a previous entry into their great contests.

I hope you will get inspired from the DT entries using this image and get your Masculine card supply built up again!  This is a great way to increase your digital library by simply placing your entry with them in time to receive the next challenge digital image~Free!

Thanks for looking and remember to think out of the box and not get intimidated, Carolyn

Hambo Snowman Wishes to all of you!

I just get a big grin on my face when I look at this Hambo Winter rubber stamp from Hambo Stamps--It's called Snow Pig-3219 and I colored it up with Copics and gave it a place of honor on my recent CAS card!  I used an embossed card front run through my Texture Boutique with a snowman worshiping the snowflakes and then mounted my image on pop dots.  He's even got a jazzy green stickled hat and boots! I also used the Warm Winter Wishes-4710 sentiment which is one of my favorites.  I used a Spellbinder oval scalloped die on the sentiment and then glued some flower soft on the edges.  There's also a pile of it at the
bottom of Snow Pig.  I accented the larger snowflakes with some Inka-Gold in Silver, icicle Stickles on the snow dots and a large glittery snowflake attached to the image.  I just love the images you get at Hambo-they're so clear and detailed-very easy to print with and color in!  Thanks for visiting and come sit a spell again~Carolyn

Let me Paint you a Christmas Scene with Hambo Stamps

Even though this week we are all taking time to gather our Friends and Families to our homes and spend some quality moments with them on Thanksgiving Day, it won't be long before the mild temps are turning in to cold and there is frost on the windows...have you ever gone by a neighborhood and glanced those windows?  This rubber stamp by Hambo Stamps is called Christmas Window-4319  and it gives me the warm, fuzzy feeling that I feel when I'm in the cold and you know families are safe and warm inside their homes. It's a very detailed stamp but it's so pretty!  I paired it with a set of Icicles-3101 and the sentiment which can be found here-the number for it is 4710.  Because I wanted to make this card to reflect "the window on the world" idea, I took a few liberties with my Hambo stamp-usually I want it on the very front along with the other features.  But I wanted to create the illusion of looking into something. I love the brick dp and the snow banks that I added so that there was room for adding some thoughts.  There are some little crystals on the blue icicles.

I hope you, all of my new friends, will have a wonderful Holiday, share good food and hospitality, and wear your Stretchy Pants for the day!!

Happy Birthday Tim Hunter~Hambo Stamps #1 Artist

Team Squeal is joining all the other Bacon Bits on Hambo Hoedown, wishing Tim the Very Best of Birthdays EVER!  We will actually be a day early BUT that is the Surprise!  Woot Woot!

He's always giving us such entertaining and unique digital and Rubber Stamp images that I was Thrilled to join in the fun and create a Birthday Card especially for him.

I used the neat Fall Rubber stamp called Crows-3820 and in order for them to "hold" the flying confetti ribbon, I cut their beaks and slipped the ribbon under them.  Highlighted with lemon Ice Stickles made them really show up! You'll find the sentiment that I used at the same location at Hambo Stamps--Just Be-Caws-3808.  I mounted it on a section of candles and then used the stickles on the flames.

Tim thank you for your creativity and the ability to put a smile on our faces!  Hope you have many more! Carolyn

Football is in the air with Hambo Stamps

Hut**Hut** it's time to Toss the Ball into the Fall Season at Hambo Stamps!  I love the crisp, fresh air and the turning leaves and ones' thoughts turn to many things-one of which is kids and their youth sports teams!  This rubber stamp I've used is called Football Boy - 3702 and he's adorable! The neat thing about Hambo Stamps is that they have both digital AND rubber stamps on cling backing; also featured are sentiments and what they call "Fractured Funnies" which give you hilarious sentiment options.
I had several pages of Football DP destined for some Manly cards but the strange thing is there were no mfg. marks on the back so I can't share with you who makes the paper! This was a great time to use them~attached a ribbon from my stash, the image and sentiment from Hambo, some dew drops and voila~a great card!  Thanks for looking, Carolyn

Watch out for the CROWS at HAMBO's HOGtoberfest

The Crows might make a meal of the corn around my Hambo rubber stamped image, Pig Scarecrow-3801  .  I just LUV this image and thought it would be the perfect companion for the newest event at the Hambo Hoedown and I can't wait to tell everyone about HOGTOBERFEST!!!  

This is Hambo's annual sale, where ALL of the stamps on our website (including digis) will be discounted by 30% --with even an additional discount applied to our retiring stamps. (Cling
cushion is NOT included in this sale.)  The sale starts October 25th and here is the link that will tell you all the details.  This might be your last opportunity to buy wood-mounted Hambos because when the inventory is gone, they will no longer be offering them in the store.  This will also be the last week for purchase of Asela's Hop Art digi designs, before they're officially retired.

The recipe for my card: A2 card blank, Cloud paper from My Minds Eye, Grass/weed paper from stash, adorable image, new FLAT circle adhesive backed shaker box filled with popcorn, and Hambo sentiment How's It Growin'-2716.  

Hope you enjoyed the card and will join us Bacon Bits at the great sale at Hambo Stamps!  Thanks for looking~ CAW CAW~~

2 of my Favorite things~FLOWERS & Hambo Stamps

This stamped image, Flower Pot Girl by Hambo Stamps could be ME!  I love all seasons for planting and nurturing flowers and when I stamped this cutie, I just fell in love with her, colored her with copics and pop dotted her for dimension.  What a gorgeous backdrop paper for her with all the pink zinnias, lilies, mums.  


This Sentiment is just the perfect accent for the card-I used my fishtail dies for the banner and then used my favorite embellishments~Buttons!!  The Hambo Stamp store  offers a wide variety of themed rubber stamps and digitals and many sentiments that are sure to be perfect for any occasion.  Be sure and check them out!  Thanks for looking!  Carolyn

New Card for Hambo Stamps-Happy Fall Ya'll!

What do a pile of leaves, a little boy, a basket and a rake add up to??  A great Fall rubber stamp image from Hambo stamps called Raking Leaves #3722 and I paired it together with Festive Fall  sentiment to create an neat card for any Fall occasion~Thanksgiving Day, a Fall Visit to Friends, Etc.  I took 4 of my favorite papers and created a split panel with 4 sections. Added a pumpkin satin ribbon, the two rubber stamped images and 2 leaf brads in burnished gold and bronze.  The real highlight is the adorable little boy in the leaf basket. I also did a tri-color blend on the Fall Lettering to compliment the theme. One nice thing as I start on Team Squeal working in rubber stamps is that the design is cut so accurately into the rubber-deep groves with sharp edges make your prints so crisp and clean.  A great print to color on!  I hope you'll check out the store and the Hambo site-I'm sure you will get inspired too!  

Meet the Newest Member of Hambo Stamps Design Team!

I've been invited to join Team Squeal on the Hambo's Bacon Bits Design Team and am very excited!  I've played at the Hambo Hoedown often in the past few months and like their whimsical Characters and funny sentiments~they make for a great card! 
The blog hops offer many great ideas and prizes so you'll have to be sure to watch for announcements so you don't miss out on anything!  It's a new challenge every week.  The neat thing is that you can use either their digital or rubber stamps for your entry.  
One of the  characters that they have is Bailey, the Labrador Mascot of Hambo Stamps~he has his own set of adorable digital images, drawn by Tim Hunter.  

For our Teams "Debut" as a Bacon Bit, we were given the digital, Bailey Devil-digital image by Hambo stamps.  We were to use Bailey Devil and one of the sentiments on a project that shows Sparkle and Shine. I had such fun creating a Halloween house for him to go Trick or Treating at~a concrete step, some grass with pumpkins outside, a door that I placed yellow vellum inside the panes to look like a lit house/brass brad for a doorknob, dp that looks like bricks or siding, a brass ribbon slide that with yellow vellum and yellow copic around it becomes a light!
The MAIN ATTRACTION is of course BAILEY--he's all dressed up in his Devil costume, complete with a black cape with red trim. He has Red Stickle Horns and a pitchfork covered with Platinum Stickles...I'd be afraid to keep the Treats from him!  
Well, thanks for joining me here as I start this exciting new venture on Team Squeal!  Have a safe Holiday and don't eat too many candies!

Clown Alert On Hambo Hoedown Challenge!

It's time for a POLKA at the Hoedown!

POLKA DOTS, that is!

Today's challenge is brought to you by CLOWN SHOES:

This week at Hambo, they have given us the dual challenge of using Polka Dots and the Clown Shoes digital image, which includes 4 great sentiments that can be used in various ways.  Remember that you don't have to this image to enter the challenge- But they do require that a Hambo Image only images be used and you can use ANY of those for your Polka Dot creation. 

I chose to use this shoe template that I had-makes it look like a Converse tennis shoe with that circle on the ankle.  I mounted the polka dot paper onto heavier cardstock as I was putting in eyelets in the bottom (air vents-blast from the past eh?) and for the shoe lace (this is actually woven between the back and front layer) and needed the extra strength. Then copic colored the clown and mounted the sentiment as a "sign" that the clown was holding.  

Hope you can join in all the fun at the Hambo Hoedown and if you make the deadline of Monday, July 30, at 10:00 PM CST**** then you will get a free digi to use on the next challenge!  Great way to expand your digi library with great images!  Thanks for looking ~ Carolyn