Happy New Year's Eve!!

This is my New Year's Eve mani.



Wayyyy more exciting than my plans...sitting home with the hubs watching tv.

Started with two coats of Wet n Wild Black Creme. One coat is pretty opaque but I find for me that two evens it out a little better.



Stamped using China Glaze IDK using fauxnad image plates QA 17 (random stars on accent finger) and QA 18 (full size image of stars on rest of fingers).



I learned about these plates after either seeing KD image plates on Spellbinding's blog or getting an email from SarahLouise...can't remember now! The KD image plate seller had a few of the QA plates but when I was surfing ebay, I seen another seller more local (US) AND for a better price selling the whole set so ultimately, after asking if the seller would ship to me in Canada, I ended up buying them from here **. If you go to the bottom of the listing, you'll see better pix of all the plates. I've used these QA plates a few times since I got them (maybe five plates now) and any I've used work well. I picked up the XL K plate as well. I believe the listing indicates that there is no international shipping; however, I emailed and asked anyway...no harm in asking is always my motto! The seller agreed and for a reasonable price (under $6 I think). When I emailed back saying my order had arrived safe and sound, the seller replied indicating that international shipping will be considered if requested.



The plastic covering on these plates is a breeze to remove as well. The other great thing about this ebay seller is that they also have 20 of the A series image plates for $45. I think of how much I paid for them when they were only available from Europe...ouch!

This is how my package arrived...super cute eh? The seller even sent a couple extra image plates and stickers!





Have a fantastic New Year's Eve...regardless if you are like me and staying in or out revelling in the New Year!

All the best to you in 2012!!!

**Please note that I paid the invoiced amount in full for my plates. I do not endorse nor promote this website/etailer other than I am passing on the info of where I got them to those who may wish to know. I have no affiliation with any company and received no compensation for promotion of these products, nor am I promoting them...just letting fellow stamping addicts where they may be obtained should they be interested!

Giveaway Winner Revealed...Plus New Plates!

Did you enjoy the Christmas Eve post? This was the little project that I was working on that I alluded to a few posts back....I did a theme or two every time I changed my nails for most of the month of December and I think I did three on the day of Christmas Eve to finish it off...and still had more thoughts in my head of mani's I wanted to post for more of the poem but just ran out of time! I had plans of doing posts for each of the manis shown but chances are, it may not happen, so if anyone is reallllyyyy wanting to know a plate used in one of the images, or a base colour or anything, leave a comment in this post, or the Christmas Eve post or shoot me an email, and I'll be glad to let you know!



I know some of you are anxiously awaiting the results of my giveaway which ended last week but first I wanted to show you my Christmas gift to me that arrived a few days before Christmas.


Some of you may know that Shirley over at Dashica Beauty Shop ** released a bunch of new image plates a few weeks ago; my order arrived December 22nd. I was thrilled when I got to looking at them when I seen a bunch of the full size images are perfect for allowing the base coat of the polish to show through which is right up my alley right now...this was one of my many, many suggestions to her...I'm sure she got tired of hearing from me with all my image plate suggestions!


As I'm getting more and more into layering and different polish finishes but am a stamper at heart...these full size images allow the best of both worlds! I love to use full image plates when stamping as they are so simple and quick to stamp onto your nail especially when you don't have much time to do your nails.....which is my life most of the time to be honest!

Started with a base of Spa Ritual Solitude.



Added one coat of KleanColor Holo Chrome. Hello holo! Wowzers!



Stamped using Konad black special polish using image plate SdP 47.


Added random dot of L.A. Girl Disco Brite Platforms for colour interest. Topped with SV. This image is perfect for layering, don't you think? To me, the polish and layering possibilities just using this image are endless...never mind the numerous other images that there are on these plates. Fantastic!


Now onto the giveaway winner.....thanks to everyone who entered this giveaway and for checking out my blog! There were 234 comments left on the giveaway post...there was the odd duplicate and some gals commented several times with updates...but once everything was tallied, there were 435 *ballots*. I used random.org to pick a winner...unfortunately, I'm not computer savvy enough to figure out quickly how to take a screen shot of the results, cut, paste and post it, but I did take a pix and this is who was chosen:




Congrats rock-or-not!

An email has gone out to rock-or-not and hopefully she will reply in the 72 hours or this post will be updated. Thanks again to Beautiful Scratchers who donated some of the image plates for the giveaway...the rest of the plates and polish were paid and supplied by me!

Edit: I did hear back from rock-or-not and her package will be mailed out soon!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! It's a very busy time of year for my family but hopefully, New Years long weekend will be a little more relaxing!

Thanks for looking!

Edit: Feb 27 2012: rock or not emailed that her package has been received!

**Please note that I paid the invoiced amount in full for my plates. I do not endorse nor promote this website/etailer other than I am passing on the info of where I got them to those who may wish to know. I have no affiliation with any company and received no compensation for promotion of these products, nor am I promoting them...just letting fellow bloggers where they may be obtained should they be interested!

Twas the Night before Christmas...

Twas the night before Christmas,



when all through the house



Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,



In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.



The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.



And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,



Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow


Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.



With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!



On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!



To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.


And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,



And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.


The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.




He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.


And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,



"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

From my family to yours, have a Merry Christmas!

Last Call for Giveaway...And Another Christmas Mani

A quick post for a quick mani! This literally took me less than half an hour start to finish...maybe you can tell!



Started with two coats of OPI Smitten with Mittens and OPI Bride's Bouquet topped with Arezia #645. Unfortunately, the white has a tinge of red from the SV coverage from the SwM's but it was too late for me to redo this...plus it was the second mani I had done that night and I was ready for bed!



Stamped using CND Gold Chrome with Konad m9 for belt and Konad special black polish using T34 for Santa's face.



Added dots along tips using Konad special white polish.


Decided a wanted glitter on the white so added random clear topcoat to just the white polish area and then sprinkled on loose glitter. Took a dry brush and dusted off any loose glitter. I really like the extra that sparkle adds...I don't know why I don't use it more often! (well, I do know why...because glitter is everywhere for days afterwards!)



Topped with SV. I know this mani is nothing that hasn't been seen before, but it was simple, quick and perfect for this time of year....especially when its getting down to the wire with Christmas right around the corner!

Speaking of down to the wire, please remember that today is the last day to enter my giveaway as seen here! I'll close off entries around midnight tonight (unless I fall asleep, which is a good possibility) so last call if you are interested in entering! I'll post the winner as soon as I get a chance.....I picked up a few items to send along to whomever is the winner today....I couldn't resist when I was out and about picking up a few stocking stuffers!

Thanks for looking!

Another Christmas Mani

I did this mani quickly late last night...not terribly detailed because it was late and I was getting tired, especially after cramming alllllll my Christmas shopping into Saturday and Sunday. My brain was saying yes, continue to shop Sunday night as the stores were open late.....but my feet were saying no more, no more! I should have learned my lesson from when I went to the US last year and wore boots doing all that walking...that massive shopping trips call for running shoes!

Started with base of Color Blast by Orly in Reflection. (I didn't take pix of base, sorry). Topped with a coat of Cover Girl Goddess. I kinda goofed up here, probably because I was tired because I should have hand painted in the moon on my pinky before I topped with Goddess....but I forgot, so after I hand painted it in, I put another thin coat of Goddess on my pinky.

Stamped using Konad black special polish using T45 (reindeers), D-01 (sleigh), D-07 (words Merry Christmas) and SdP C-19 (Santa).

Topped with coat of SV. Here's my not often seen right hand, which I stamped slightly different using Christmas themed stamps.

Is your Christmas shopping done? I'm done...I think. Now just need to find the time to do some wrapping!

Thanks for looking!

Christmas Poinsettias

I think this may be my Christmas morning mani...think...obviously won't know until the day arrives but this screams Christmas to me!



Started with two coats of Nubar Cloud White.



Stamped using Konad red special polish using image from SdP D-12. (Some of these pix, the stamping leans a little orange on my monitor anyway but it clearly was red in real life). For the accent finger, I isolated two of the smaller poinsettias on the plate (as its a full size image) and stamped them separately just for something different! I was also thinking maybe red polish with white stamping may be a cool accent...maybe next time.



Anyway, added dots in centres of the flowers using Color Club Gingerbread Man.



Put a little gold glitter using Orly glitter stripper near the centre of the flowers. Have you ever seen the poinsettias with the glitter sprinkled on top? That's what this looks like to me!



Topped with SV. I got a lot of compliments on this mani...from a few men too!

The next day, I took a pix outside....looks like I had mani crack too using SV like nailxchange posted about a while back...not so obvious in real life, but you can see it clearly on the thumb in this mani.



Its getting down to the wire for my most recent giveaway...if you are interested in checking it out, please go here!



Thanks for looking!

My First Tape Mani...

(well, if you don't count the time I used tape to do french tips once before, that is!). And I cheated too, using scrap booking scissors! Here's what I came up with.



Started with a base of Finger Paints To-Teally Chic; two coats.



Then got out my newly purchased scrap booking scissors. I was by Michael's not terribly long ago picking up a few stocking stuffers. I had one of those 50% off one item coupons and picked up a set of these. I think the total was around $15...I thought my DD could use these for scrap booking too when I'm not doing manis.



After I cut the tape, I put it on my nail like so.



Then added a coat, maybe two of Nicole by OPI Snow-man of My Dreams. I removed the tape right after applying the polish as I remembered reading that if you let the polish dry, it will pull off along with the tape when its removed.



Stamped with Nicole by OPI Positive Energy using XL C, then topped with SV.



Have you used crafting scissors for a mani? If not, do you think you will give it a try? I'd love to know your thoughts!!

Thanks for looking!