Jenny Petersen — Swanky Stamper for October

Take a look at this card and tell me, can you smile even harder? That's what I kept asking myself when I first saw this card. To really appreciate it. You must go to Jenny's Blog and check out all the fantabulous details.

Yes, that is sparkley tinsel around the apron. Yes, that is lace around the border. Yes, that is PJ, and he/she is purple. And YES, those are eyeballs floating around that bowl. Well, what else could you have floating around in "Eyeball Soup", I ask you? Jenny, you have found my weakness, Halloween and icky things like eyeball soup. And for that, you are Swanky Stamper of the Month.

Jenny Petersen — Swanky Stamper for October

Tori Wild — Swanky Stamper for September

I love it when an artist takes something and gives it a little twist. And that twist, pushes an extraordinary card into drop jaw fantastic. That's what Swanky Stamper of the Month, Tori Wild did here with her stitching. Not only did she use it as a freeform frame around the card, but she used it to define the "mat" she created around the whale. In lesser hands, the mix of patterns and textures might be a little distracting. Not so, in Tori's excellent care.

Tori Wild — Swanky Stamper for September

Jackie Pedro — Swanky Stamper for August

This card has so much going for it, I couldn't not pick it. From the different DP, to the stitching to the paper piecing, I am in love with this card. Add her use of the wave die cut and the twine. Just divine.

Jackie Pedro— Swanky Stamper for August

Julie Dinn— Swanky Stamper for July

This card is so fun and adorable it just screamed to be the one that won Julie Swanky Stamper of the Month for the second time this year. Not afraid to mix and twist her DP this card makes a splash with me.

Julie Dinn— Swanky Stamper for July

Julie Masse— Swanky Stamper for June

There is so much about this card that is so very right.

The use of wood in the button and in the paper. The colors of the bear, and the papers. The unexpected use of newsprint (see that "Hello" in the lower right corner?). The bold scallops that echo the wood button. The furriness of the twine. The grass. So many things about this card are so right. So much to love. I guess that's why Julie had to be Swanky Stamper of the Month.

Julie Masse— Swanky Stamper for June

Julie Dinn— Swanky Stamper for May

There are always so much really great designs to choose from each time I have to pick a Swanky Stamper. This time was no exception. But this card by Julie Dinn has everything I love. Great color, great use of embellishments (see the flocked brad) paper piercing and a great mastery of patterns. Yup. This card has got it all.

Julie Dinn— Swanky Stamper for May

Michele H — Swanky Stamper for April

I don't know what I like more about this card, its design, the paper she chose, or her mastery of the different textures in the card, or the use of the "pokey" toothpick that just went so well with the theme of the challenge, "Let's get Poke-y".

But I think that it's a combination of all of these elements and the cute felt embellie that just does it for me. LOOVVES IT!

Michele H — Swanky Stamper for April

Sonja Christoph — Swanky Stamper for March

There is always something so wonderful when a window frame is used in a card. I don't know if it is because it adds a new dimension to the design or if it is all about peeking into a world that could surprise us. This card does both.

Sonja uses color to her advantage here and grabs us with her striking orange, pink and black color combo. Then she uses the window frame to take us deeper into the design to gaze upon the wonderful goodness. Add Sprinkle to the mix and we are goners. YUM-O!

Sonja Christoph — Swanky Stamper for March

Karen Motz — Swanky Stamper for February

One of the very special people that I got to meet at this last CHA was none other than Karen Motz. I've been enjoying her blog now for quite sometime and was so excited to finally meet her. Then, this fabulous card is uploaded for the sketch challenge. I love the bright colors and how it repeats the circle motifs without hitting you over the head. And what do you know? It's a Karen Motz. Yuppers.

Karen Motz — Swanky Stamper for February

Cindy Major — Swanky Stamper for January

So there I am. Looking for the next Swanky Stamper, and I realize that all four of the cards that I have picked as finalists are all done by the same person. These cards are all similar, but different in their own ways. Some are simple, with just the paper and the stamp to guide their design, while others are more elaborate, playing with texture and pattern. All are beautifully stamped and even come with their own envelope that is stamped as well. A special bit of sumpin' sumpin' that just adds to that specialness.

Cindy Major — Swanky Stamper for January