Monday, April 27, 2015

Sweet treats for Monday!

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you are enjoying a good start to your week! 

 Misti is our hostess at Splitcoaststampers CAS322 Challenge this week and she has chosen "cupcakes" as our challenge.  How fun is that?  I chose an Impression Obsession stamp that Susie included in a fabulous goodie box that she sent to me!  I have to say that cupcake is taunting me!!!


Thanks for looking and have a Cupcake kind of day!

Monday, April 20, 2015

Wood Grain

Hello and Happy Monday!
This month's Sweet 'n Sassy release makes it easy to create projects that our guys will treasure so I thought it would be fun to create a background for a masculine card.  A Wood grain background was a natural choice to use with the"Mr. Fix-It" Clear Stamp set. 

Here's what you will need to create a simple wood grain background in just a few steps.

 I chose a kraft base, white craft paint and vintage photo distress ink for my background but many different looks can be achieved by changing bases, and/or paint colors!


Paint with long strokes using a DRY brush leaving card stock peeping through. 

Score lines at random distances, horizontally along the painted layer then sponge distress ink in score lines.

 Using two different sized hole punches, punch a few holes in the "wood". 

That's it! Easy Peasy!


Mr. Fix-It

For a look at this month's release please stop by our store HERE!

Friday, April 17, 2015

Sweet 'n Sassy April Release Blog Hop & Challenge



Welcome to the April 2015 Release Blog Hop & Challenge!    Grab a beverage, sit back and relax as you hop along to each of the DT Blogs and check out all of the fabulous  cards!

For this month's release I went with one layer CAS cards.  

First up I used "Camping Fun".  No surprise there, right?  I colored the tent to mimic our Eureka backpacking tent. We spent many a night in that tiny two person tent. 
 The next time my husband heads out on a trip I will tuck this card into his backpack when he is not looking! 

Next up I had fun with bugs!  Ordinarily I am not a bug lover but who can resist these cute, Sweet 'n Sassy bugs from "Buggin Ya" Clear Stamp set. I had a bit of fun and drew a frame for my Buggin Ya bugs!  
Did you know there is a coordinating die set available for preorder! You can check it out HERE!


I know that you want all the deets on how you can win a prize so read on:

Blog Hop Giveaway!
What would a Blog Hop be without a giveaway, right?  One random commenter from one of the DT blogs will be selected to win a $10 Gift Code to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  You have until Thursday, April 23rd at midnight EST to leave your comments.  The winner will be posted on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog on Friday, April 24th!


But wait....that's not all!
This month's challenge is 

"Make it Masculine"

There are just a few guidelines to follow when you play along so check out all the info on how you can enter at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog. 




The stamp and die sets the Design Team will be using for the Hop today are now available as a Pre-Order at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store!  

Are you still with me? There's one more fun announcement to make.  Sweet 'n Sassy is offering a a $50.00 Gift Voucher to one lucky winner just for posting your SNSS creation on the Sweet 'n Sassy Facebook page HERE

Now I am done for real.  
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Splitcoaststampers Product Review - Spellbinders 3D Embossing Folders

Hello Everyone!
Today on Splitcoaststampers the Product Focus Team shares thoughts on Spellbinders 3D Embossing Folders.

I cannot tell a lie all of my cards came together quickly using Spellbinders Embossing Folders.  That's saying something since I have shared with you, plenty of  stories of my long drawn out projects! 

Here's a look at what I created with Spellbinders E3D-019 Shady Alure EF:



Creations with:
Spellbinders 33D020 Dew Drop Delight


For this card I cut down the embossed layer to fit an A2 size card.  I stamped directly on the label then popped up the cat and butterfly.  I love that the label is part of the design and there's no fiddling with a diffuser!

Spellbinders 3D embossing folders do not disappoint.  They are a two piece sturdy folder held together by hinges.  The finished,embossed layer is a larger layer at 5x7" which allows more space to create with or they can be cut to a smaller size as I did for my last card. The embossing is deeply etched for beautiful dimension.   I can't help running my fingers over the raised designs!

There is more to see so I hope you will stop by and  view all the designer samples check out the Product Focus Gallery!


Thanks for stopping by!


Stamps and Dies:
1)Sweet 'n Sassy: Congrats Grad Clear Stamp Set
2)Spellbinders: Outrageous Butterfly
3)
4)Sweet 'n Sassy: Faith  Clear Stamp Set
5)Penny Black: In the Garden Clear Stamp Set

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Free For All - Going to Pot

I played along with Shirley's Free For All challenge at SCS: Going to Pot and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge: April showers/and or Spring Flowers (I am going with the Spring Flowers)


  I used Spellbinders Dew Drop Delight 3D embossing folder and cut it down so that it would  layer in an A2 size card.  I really like that the label is worked into the folder design without having to use a diffuser!  I stamped the flower pot directly on the EF layer and then popped up the kitty and butterfly.


Thanks for looking!!!

Friday, April 10, 2015

SNSS April 2015 Release Day!


Hello, sweet friends!  
Welcome to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps 
April 2015 Release Day! 


 Our Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Release this month is full of new stamp sets and dies that will make those masculine cards a snap!  Not only that, but  our new Retirement and Graduation sets include images and sentiments that will help us create one of a kind gifts to celebrate these special events! 

Both my husband and his dad are are extremely handy when it comes to fixing things so I was immediately drawn to the "Mr. Fix It" stamp set.


For my card I also used the Mini Tag Die Set

Now hop on over to the Sweet N Sassy Blog to view all the new sets available for PREORDER!

One last thing before you go.  Mark your calendar for next Friday, April 17th when we will have the 
April Release Blog Hop and & Challenge!!!


Thursday, April 9, 2015

Keys of Happiness

Hello!
I am combining challenges today with Splitcoaststampers and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. This month's Fan Club Central Theme at Splitcoaststampers is Keys of Happiness and the Simon Says challenge is "April Showers and/ or Spring Flowers".

One of the keys to happiness for me is friendship. I created this card with a gift from one of my dear stamping friends.  Janeen gave me several of these beautiful flower die cuts.    I enjoyed creating this and thinking of my treasured friend!

I went with the "flowers" part of the Simon Says Challenge.


I used Spellbinders 3D embossing folder "Shady Alure" to frame up the flowers.
Splitcoaststampers CT0315: Keys of happines

TFL and I hope you have a fabulous day!


Monday, April 6, 2015

Wanderer

Hello and Happy Monday!

This week it's my turn to hostess the CAS319 challenge at Splitcoaststampers.  My husband's birthday is at the end of this month and I am all about combining my art projects so my challenge is to create a masculine card!!


I used my favorite technique of Distress Ink, water, swishing and tapping to create my watery, wilderness background.  I have been on many a backpacking trip with my hubby in the pouring rain!  This is my artsy interpretation of the wilderness glistening, darkly as we traipsed through the woods dripping with rain.

One of my favorite memories is of a trip we took to Joyce Kilmer Wilderness.  It was one of the most physically, challenging hiking trips I had ever been on and the most rewarding.  As I created this card my thoughts turned to the beginning of that trip. As we hiked up the ridge little birds would flit ahead of us from fern to fern as if they were encouraging us to follow along and keep up!

Thanks for stopping by today and remember, not all who wander are lost!  


Friday, April 3, 2015

Taking the First Step

Hello friends, it's Friday and a fun Friday it is.  Our Spring break officially begins at 4:00 today when everyone comes home.  I treasure these breaks as I am ever aware of the changes awaiting as our children draw nearer leaving the nest. 

 This  "Sweet N Sassy" sentiment from the Faith Clear Stamp Set sums up my reflections perfectly.  Even though our oldest has another year at home he is preparing for the next steps without yet seeing the whole picture or as the sentiment states the "whole staircase"!


I used Spellbinders 3D Embossing Folder ~ DEW DROP DELIGHT for my background.  The folder has deeply etched lines and a beautiful label etched in the design.

I spent most of my time fiddling with the embellishment!  I went with a tulle bow and added some bling along with flowers to blend with the mat. 

I am playing along with the following challenges:
Splitcoaststampers F4A267  add flowers 
  CASology 140: Spring



Ingredients:
Spellbinders E3D-020 Dew Drop Delight
Sweet N Sassy: Faith Clear Stamp Set



Posies & More - Day 2 of IO March Release & Hop

Today is day two of the March Impression Obsession Release & Hop. First, I am featuring these pretty Layered Posies . This set is fun be...