A Sunflower Tribute for Jeanne

 

Hello friends,

This week at Splitcoaststampers, our Free 4 All Challenge theme is Flowers for Jeanne, a tribute to a talented creative rock star we lost this week, Jeanne S.

Jeanne was one of those people who made the creative community brighter simply by being part of it. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to see the funny side of things. Even when life threw several losses her way in a short amount of time, she remained upbeat and continued to bring her unique personality and creativity to everything she did.

Jeanne and I messaged back and forth a great deal as we worked on many deadlines together. We shared so many conversations along the way that I caught myself tonight, as I finished photographing my card, thinking, “Oh, I need to show Jeanne this.”

And then came the lump in my throat.

It is still hard to believe she won't be there to share the next card, the next deadline, or the next little bit of creative chatter.

A CAS Sunflower Card for Jeanne

Since it hasn't been easy to focus today, I decided to go with a lovely, clean and simple card design. Sometimes a simple card is just what is needed, allowing the flowers and the sentiment to do the talking.

I chose a beautiful piece of sunflower patterned paper from Brutus Monroe. This paper is now retired, but it was perfect for today's tribute. Sunflowers have such a cheerful, sunny personality, and they seemed like a wonderful way to celebrate Jeanne.

I cut the sunflower paper on a diagonal and added a black border to create a crisp, graphic look. The patterned paper does all the heavy lifting on this card, so I kept the rest of the design wonderfully simple.

For the sentiment, I stamped “always bring your own sunshine” directly onto the card base in the lower corner.

The sentiment is from one of Jeanne's very own stamp sets that she created for Impression Obsession.

I couldn't have chosen a more perfect sentiment.

Jeanne brought sunshine. She had a way of making people smile, and she wouldn't let anyone sit under a dark cloud for long. Even when things were difficult, she found a way to bring humor, encouragement, and a little light to the conversation.

That is something I will always remember about her.

I will be posting this card to the new tribute thread at Splitcoaststampers titled Those We Have Lost. It is a place to remember and celebrate the creative friends who have touched our lives.

I hope you will join us in this week's Flowers for Jeanne challenge. You can make a card with flowers, share a favorite memory, or simply take a moment to celebrate a talented friend who brought so much to our community.

Jeanne, I wish I could show you this card tonight.

I hope you know how much sunshine you brought into the lives of your creative friends. Your humor, your talent, and your friendship will be missed more than words can say.

If you enjoy making cards with a touch of humor, you can find more handmade card inspiration like this Little Stinker here on my blog. This card matches Jeanne's sense of humor, although it's a SweetMissDaisy Designs.  :)

Thank you so much for looking, and thank you for helping us celebrate Jeanne.

With love,

Angie

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Supplies

• Sunflower patterned paper — Brutus Monroe (retired)
• Black cardstock
• Card base
• Sentiment: “always bring your own sunshine” from Sunflower Season an Impression Obsession stamp set created by Jeanne S.

Snowman in Pink - Handmade Christmas

 Hello friends! Today I’m sharing a sweet pink Christmas snowman card featuring the adorable Love Grows stamp set from the new SweetMissDaisy Designs release. I’m also celebrating this week’s Featured Stamper at Splitcoaststampers!

For my Featured Stamper inspiration, I selected Cathy’s darling snowman card. I kept the same basic theme and even colored our snowmen’s scarves in the same color. From there, I made a few changes of my own. Cathy used three die-cut snowflakes, while I used one large snowflake. I also added a banner, but placed mine lower on the card and turned it in the opposite direction.

Cathy, congratulations on being our Featured Stamper this week! Your gallery is wonderful, and I had so much fun choosing your card for my inspiration!

Pretty in Pink

I decided to give my snowman card a cheerful twist with lots of pretty pink. The pink appears in the snowman’s hat, scarf and gloves, as well as in the patterned paper background.

For the background, I used a fun diagonal block die with paper from the Quilted Grunge Brights paper pack by SweetMissDaisy Designs. I love how the diagonal design adds movement while the bright pink tones give the card a playful Christmas feel.

I stamped the snowman holding his Christmas tree and placed him on a postage stamp die-cut panel. A large die-cut snowflake is tucked behind the sentiment banner in the lower portion of the card. The combination of the snowflake, banner and postage stamp panel gives the design several fun layers without making it feel too busy.

The Love Grows stamp set is part of the new September release from SweetMissDaisy Designs, and it's available now in the SweetMissDaisy Designs Etsy shop.

Card making is such a wonderful way to share creativity while sending something meaningful and handmade. It’s also great fun to build the Christmas card stash! I hope today’s card inspires you to spend some pleasant moments creating.

If you missed my September Release post, you can find it HERE.

If you’re looking for more snowman inspiration, you might also enjoy:

• Snowman in Lavender
• Sparkle and Dazzle Snowman
• Back to Basics Snow Couple

Country Charm & Christmas Cheer - SMD Sept. Release

  Hello friends! Today is SweetMissDaisy Designs September Release Day, and this month's release has a wonderful mix of fall and winter designs. The release features the Barns stamp set with two different barn images, Tree Farm, with a pretty winter tree farm scene, and the darling Love Grows snowman stamp set. It's a perfect collection for creating both cozy country cards and adding to your Christmas card stash!

Today I'm sharing three handmade cards featuring these new designs.

A Quiet Place to Breathe

First up is one of the beautiful barn images from the Barns stamp set. I wanted to give this card a soft, peaceful country feel, so I selected papers from the Boho Gardens paper pack. The colors worked beautifully with many of the colors in the Art Nudge #826D prompt.

I colored the barn scene in soft greens, pinkish brown, and yellow to keep everything gentle and warm. I finished the card with the sentiment "a quiet place to breathe" and added a few gems for a little sparkle.

I love how this card feels like a peaceful little escape to the country!

Fresh-Cut Christmas Wishes

For my next card, I'm featuring the beautiful winter scene from the Tree Farm stamp set.

I started with a gray card base and created a simple red "ribbon" by cutting a strip of red cardstock and adding a die-cut bow. I placed the ribbon vertically across a piece of white cardstock for a classic Christmas package-inspired design.

For the focal point, I die-cut ovals from gray, red, and white cardstock and layered them together to frame the tree farm scene. I colored the barn and the sign in deep red, giving them an eye-catching pop of color against the winter landscape.

Below the scene, I stamped the sentiment "fresh-cut Christmas wishes."

This design has such a traditional Christmas feel, and I think it would be especially fun for anyone who loves a fresh-cut Christmas tree!

Trimmed with Love

My last card features the darling Love Grows snowman stamp set.

For this one, I selected deep blue-green papers from the Lavender Field paper pack. I love using patterned papers that aren't necessarily intended for Christmas cards and discovering how beautifully they can work with a winter design. The deep colors give this card a cozy, slightly unexpected Christmas look.

I stamped the adorable snowman onto a tag and colored his scarf, hat, and gloves in shades of pinkish maroon. The set also includes a heart, so I stamped three little hearts and sprinkled them around the sentiment "trimmed with love" and toward the upper right side of the tag.

I'll be adding this card to the Splitcoaststampers Fan Club Christmas Challenge.

All three of the stamp sets featured today are available now in the

SweetMissDaisy Designs Etsy shop!

Card making is such a wonderful way to share creativity while sending something meaningful and handmade. Whether you're in a pastoral mood, looking for peaceful country inspiration, or ready to add to your Christmas card stash, I hope today's cards inspire you to spend some pleasant moments creating.

For more country-style card inspiration, you might also enjoy 

Garden Girl

 Golden Wreath

 Rooster with Sunflowers.

Happy creating!

Angie

All is Bright Cardinal Christmas Card

 Hello friends! Today I’m sharing a pretty cardinal nestled among holly leaves card made for this month’s Splitcoaststampers Fan Club Christmas Challenge and this week’s Sketch Challenge. I love when one card can work for two challenges, and this sketch gave me a fun opportunity to change up how I used my stamps!

For the sketch, I chose a beautiful stamp featuring leafy branches. Instead of stamping the leaves directly onto the cardstock, I stamped the image onto a tag and then angled the tag to follow the design of the sketch. I love how simply changing the shape and placement of the stamped image gives the card a completely distinct look.

Rather than creating the leafy border shown in the sketch, I used pretty patterned paper for that element. I added the sentiment in the same general position as the sketch, keeping the layout recognizable while putting my spin on the design.

The stamp set I used is an older Heartfelt Creations set a dear friend gave me when she was moving out of me. She gifted me papers along with so many wonderful stamps and dies from Heartfelt Creations. It was such a treat to finally put one of those treasures to work!

I especially love using something that is new to me, even when the supplies themselves are older. There are so many wonderful treasures hiding in our craft rooms, and sometimes all it takes is a challenge or sketch to give us the perfect reason to pull them out and create something new.

Card making is such a wonderful way to share creativity while sending something fun and handmade to someone special. Whether you’re getting an early start on your Christmas projects or simply looking for an excuse to color an elegant image, I hope today’s card inspires you to spend some happy time creating!

If you’re looking for more winter designs featuring cardinals, you might also enjoy 

A Touch of Music

 Cardinals by the Window

 Birds and Birdhouses

Happy Stamping!

Angie

Too Cute To Spook in Pink

Hello, crafty friends! Today I’m sharing a too-cute-to-spook Halloween card featuring the sweetest little ghost—and some very unexpected Halloween colors.

I’m celebrating this week’s Featured Stamper Challenge at Splitcoaststampers, honoring the talented Tisa. Tisa has created a stunning collection of cards, and I chose to CASE a few elements from one of her designs while putting my own spin on the rest. I used similar colors and made a large circle the focal point of my card, but everything else is different. It’s always fun to see how a few design elements can inspire an entirely new card!

For my card, I started with a piece of fuchsia patterned paper from the Monster Brights Paper Pack by SweetMissDaisy Designs and cut it to 2 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches. I die-cut a partial circle along the edge of the patterned paper to create a fun peek-through opening.

Next, I die-cut a sweet scalloped circle and stamped the adorable ghost from the Fab-boo-lous Stamp Set by SweetMissDaisy Designs. This little ghost is all dressed up for Halloween with a pink ribbon and a lollipop! I colored her with soft pink cheeks and pink shading, which makes her look even sweeter.

I layered the scalloped circle over the partial circle opening and popped it up with foam adhesive for added dimension. Then I stamped the “Too Cute to Spook” sentiment, trimmed it out, and popped it up as well.

I love how this card turns traditional Halloween colors upside down! Instead of the usual orange, black, and purple, the bright fuchsia and pretty pink give this little ghost a fun and unexpected look. And really, could she be any cuter? I think not! 👻💗

If you’d like to make this card yourself, you’ll find the stamps and papers I used in the SweetMissDaisy Designs Shop.

Card making is such a wonderful way to share creativity while sending something fun and handmade. Whether you’re getting an early start on your fall and Halloween projects or simply looking for an excuse to color an adorable ghost, I hope today’s card inspires you to spend some happy time creating!

And if you’re looking for more cute ghostly inspiration, you might also enjoy A Trio of Fab-boo-Lous Ghosts and Scarecrows and Spooks.

Happy stamping!

Angie

Halloween Fun Meets Christmas Cheer | SMD Designs August Release

 Hello friends!

It's release day at SweetMissDaisy Designs, and there is so much to share! This month's release includes two delightfully spooky stamp sets created in partnership with Serendipity Stamps, one fantastic SweetMissDaisy Designs original, and—because Christmas cardmakers never really take a season off—a charming skating snowman!

Let's take a look at today's projects.

Fab-boo-lous Ghosts

First up is the adorable Fab-boo-lous stamp set featuring six "too cute to spook" ghosts! These little ghosts are perfect for cards, but they would also make fabulous treat toppers, tags, gift card holders, party favors, and more.

For my card, I selected three of the sweet ghosts and paired them with two of the fun sentiments. The tiny spider comes from the Open If You Dare stamp set—I love mixing sets to create even more possibilities!

The purple patterned paper from the new Monster Brights paper pack makes the perfect playful Halloween background. I selected two different photos from this week's Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge for this cheerful Halloween design.

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Haunted Halloween

Next up is a wonderfully creepy haunted house!

The haunted house image comes from the Haunted stamp set. I began with a 3¼" x 5½" piece of bright chartreuse patterned paper from the Monster Brights paper pack centered on my card base.

One of my favorite elements is the crescent moon "fence" in the background. The die is actually retired and originally created to make a rosette, but I discovered it makes an amazing spooky fence! It's always fun to stretch your supplies and find new uses for older dies.

I stamped the haunted house onto a 3⅛" x 3½" panel and colored it simply with touches of chartreuse on the moon, sky, and ground. Sometimes a limited color palette creates just the right eerie mood.

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Hey Pumpkin!

How can you resist this lovable little ghost?

The sweet image from the Hey Pumpkin stamp set features an adorable ghost proudly holding a smiling jack-o'-lantern. I combined papers from both the Monster Brights and Monster Prints collections to create lots of playful Halloween color and pattern.

Soft blue-green shadows give the ghost a gentle glow, while bright orange enamel dots and a "Happy Halloween" sentiment complete the card with a fun pop of color.

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Skating By

Last—but certainly not least—is the monthly snowman release!

The Skating By stamp set features a bundled-up snowman happily gliding across the ice. I colored his cozy winter clothes in cheerful shades of yellow, red, and green for a classic Christmas look.

The background comes from the Worn Dots paper pack, and I finished the card with lots of die-cut snowflakes to create a magical winter wonderland scene.

This card is skating into three Splitcoaststampers challenges:

• F4A858 – Countdown to Cool
• CCC26AUG – Enchanting or Magical Cards
• SCSCCAUG26 – Fan Club Christmas Challenge

All the stamp sets featured today are available now in the SweetMissDaisy Designs Etsy shop!

Card making is such a wonderful way to share creativity while sending something meaningful and handmade. Whether you're getting an early start on Halloween projects or adding to your Christmas card stash, I hope today's cards inspire you to spend some happy time creating.

If you're looking for even more Halloween inspiration featuring SweetMissDaisy Designs, be sure to check out these projects:

• Scarecrows and Spooks 
• Pumpkin Trick or Treater
• Autumn Leaves Scarecrow 

Happy stamping!

Angie

Build Your Christmas Card Stash with a Classic Santa

 Hello Friends!

It's August 1st, which means it's time for a brand-new Splitcoaststampers Fan Club Christmas Challenge! If you've been making a few Christmas cards each month, you're well on your way to having a beautiful handmade stash ready for the holidays.

Today I'm featuring the very handsome Santa from the Santa stamp set by SweetMissDaisy Designs. I paired him with beautiful patterned papers from the Rustic Winter Paper Pack for a classic Christmas look full of cozy holiday charm.

Process

I began by creating the background with the Stitched Triangles Die from Scrapbook.com. The stitched geometric pattern adds wonderful texture and interest while allowing the festive patterned paper to shine.

Next, I stamped the handsome Santa onto a large postage-style die-cut and colored him before layering him over the triangle background. To finish the design, I added the sentiment, "Have Yourself a Merry Christmas," creating a timeless holiday card that's easy to mail and fun to recreate.

If you'd like to make this card yourself, you'll find the stamps and papers I used in the SweetMissDaisy Designs Shop.

Be sure to stop by on Saturday for the exciting August SweetMissDaisy Designs Release! There are more adorable products on the way, and I can't wait to share them with you.

One of my favorite things about this layout is how versatile it is. Simply swap in your favorite holiday stamps, patterned papers, or coloring medium to create a completely different look. Handmade cards are such a wonderful way to share creativity while sending something heartfelt to friends and family.

I hope today's project inspires you to get started on your winter card stash if you haven't already. December arrives much faster than we expect!

If you're looking for even more Santa inspiration, be sure to check out my previous projects:

• Two Festive Santas
• Elegant Santa

Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy stamping!

Angie

Supplies

• SweetMissDaisy Designs Have Yourself a Merry Christmas stamp set
• SweetMissDaisy Designs Rustic Winter Paper Pack
• Scrapbook.com Stitched Triangles Die
• Large Postage Stamp Die
• Coloring Medium of Choice

Countdown to Cool: Handmade Snowman Card

 Hello friends!

This week at Splitcoaststampers, our Free 4 All Challenge is Countdown to Cool! With temperatures soaring across the globe, I enjoy cooling down by making winter cards! There's something wonderfully refreshing about coloring cheerful snowmen, die-cutting snowflakes, and creating icy winter scenes while the summer sun is blazing outside.

Today I'm featuring the adorable Send You a Blizzard stamp set from SweetMissDaisy Designs. This charming snowman is holding a Christmas tree in one hand while catching a snowflake with the other, and he couldn't be any sweeter!

Process

I began by cutting a 2¾" x 5½" panel from the dark snowflake patterned paper in the Rustic Winter Paper Pack. To add a pop of festive color, I die-cut a contrasting red vertical border and layered it alongside the patterned paper.

Next, I stamped the adorable snowman onto a large postage stamp die-cut panel and colored him with alcohol markers. The snowy background and festive colors really make him stand out against the darker patterned paper.

To finish the card, I added the sentiment, "Hope Your Season Sparkles and Shines." It's the perfect finishing touch for this cheerful winter design.

If you'd like to recreate this look, you can find the stamps and papers I used in the SweetMissDaisy Designs shop. Of course, this design is easy to adapt using your favorite snowman stamps, patterned papers, and coloring techniques.

Creating winter cards during the hottest months of the year is a fun way to beat the heat while building your Christmas card stash before the holiday rush arrives!

Do you enjoy making winter cards in the middle of summer? I'd love to hear about your favorite way to stay creative during these hot months, so be sure to leave me a comment!

If you'd like to see this same adorable snowman in a different color palette, be sure to check out my Merry & Bright Snowman card. It's another cozy winter design featuring this sweet snowman and his little tree, but with a completely different look!

For even more snowman inspiration see:

 Two versions of Decorate the Tree 

Snowman Star Angel

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you this Saturday for the August SweetMissDaisy Designs Release!  

Sunnyside Up - Handmade SweetMissDaisy Designs Card

Hello! I have a cute, sunny card to share today! I'm playing along with the #SSSIGChallenge from @simonsayschallenge, where the theme is Cute Critters, and I'm also joining the Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.

Today's card features the adorable beach-going chicken from the Just Sand stamp set by SweetMissDaisy Designs. While browsing today's inspiration site at Splitcoaststampers, I found the perfect photo titled "Chick Magnet." LOL! Who knew beach-going chicks could make such a fun art theme?

Process

I began by cutting a 3¼ x 5½-inch piece of star-patterned paper from the Stars & Stripes Paper Pack by SweetMissDaisy Designs. I layered it onto a piece of red cardstock measuring 3½ x 5½ inches.

Next, I cut a 3¼ x 4½-inch panel of white cardstock for my focal image. I stamped the darling beach-going chicken from the Just Sand stamp set and colored her with alcohol markers. She is so cute with her beach umbrella, beach blanket, and little sand bucket! After coloring, I layered the image onto the card front using foam adhesive for a little extra dimension.

To finish the card, I added the cheerful "Sunny Side Up" sentiment and a few enamel dots for the perfect finishing touch.

If you'd like to recreate this look, you can find the stamps and papers I used over at the SweetMissDaisy Designs Shop. You can easily adapt this handmade card design using your favorite stamps, patterned papers, and coloring techniques. Card making is a wonderful way to share creativity while sending something meaningful and handmade.

I hope this project inspires you to create your own handmade cute critter cards!

More Cute Summer Inspiration with SweetMissDaisy Designs

If you enjoyed today's project, you might also like these summertime cards from my blog:

• Where Has My Little Dog Gone?
• Beachside Critters
• Pawsitively Sunny Summer

Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy stamping!

Merry & Bright Snowman Christmas Card

 Hello everyone!

I'm still having so much fun creating with the new SweetMissDaisy Designs release! Today I'm featuring the darling Send You a Blizzard stamp set for my Christmas card. I'm also joining the July Splitcoaststampers Fan Club Christmas Challenge, which is always a wonderful excuse to add another handmade Christmas card to my holiday stash.

Process

I began with a top-folding A2 card base before selecting a 3¼" x 5½" piece of Rustic Winter patterned paper from SweetMissDaisy Designs for the background. The beautiful dark green plaid with hints of deep maroon immediately inspired my color palette for the entire card.

To coordinate with the paper, I die-cut an Oval Tab from deep maroon cardstock. I then stamped the adorable snowman from the Send You a Blizzard stamp set onto a 4" x 3¼" piece of white cardstock.

One of my favorite details is the little Christmas tree decorated with shimmering golden stars. They add such a festive touch! I colored the snowman's hat, scarf, and gloves in rich shades of maroon to coordinate with the patterned paper and oval tab, tying everything together beautifully.

To finish the design, I tucked three delicate die-cut snowflakes beneath the image panel for extra texture and dimension. The sentiment, "Hope Your Days Are Merry and Bright," is popped up with foam adhesive to create a cheerful focal point.

If you'd like to recreate this card, you'll find the Send You a Blizzard stamp set, Rustic Winter patterned paper, and many more coordinating products in the SweetMissDaisy Designs Shop.

More SweetMissDaisy Designs Snowman Inspiration

If you enjoy creating snowman cards as much as I do, be sure to check out some of my previous projects:

• Snowman in Lavender
• Snowman in Pink
• Colorful Snowman with Cardinals

These ideas are simple to adapt using your favorite stamp sets, patterned papers, and coloring techniques. Handmade Christmas cards are a wonderful way to share creativity while sending something meaningful from the heart.

I hope today's card inspires you to keep building your Christmas card stash during these hot summer months. Spending a little time creating winter scenes is a fun way to cool off while getting ahead on holiday cards!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy stamping!

Angie

Handmade Christmas - SweetMissDaisy Designs July Release

Hello everyone!

I am thrilled to share several projects featuring the July SweetMissDaisy Designs Release! This month's release includes a beautiful Buttons Background stamp, an elegant Santa set, an adorable Fresh Baked gingerbread baker set, and a charming snowman in the Send You A Blizzard set. These delightful winter stamps arrive just in time to help you get a head start on your Christmas card stash!

Fresh Baked Christmas Card and Tag

My first project features the adorable Fresh Baked stamp set.

To begin, I stamped the Buttons Background stamp and die-cut it into a rectangle. Next, I die-cut a coordinating piece of patterned paper from the Winter Friends Paper Pack to the same size. I slightly tilted the two layers so the button pattern peeks out from each corner, adding a fun touch of interest.

After coloring the sweet gingerbread baker, I fussy cut her and popped her up with foam adhesive. The sentiment, "Made with Love and Sprinkles of Joy," perfectly captures the cozy baking theme.

For an extra playful detail, I added a speech bubble above the baker and stamped the tiny gingerbread cookie, candy cane, and Christmas tree images inside it—as if she were dreaming about all the delicious Christmas cookies she's about to bake!

To coordinate with the card, I also created a matching gift tag. I used the same patterned paper from the Winter Friends Paper Pack for the tag topper, then stamped the festive Christmas basket image. I colored it using the same sea foam green, gingerbread brown, and red color palette to tie everything together before adding the "Fresh Baked" sentiment.

This sweet set would be perfect for creating tags to accompany homemade Christmas treats and baked gifts during the holiday season.

Elegant Santa Christmas Card

My final project showcases the elegant Santa stamp set.

I started with patterned paper from the Winter Blues Paper Pack for the background before stamping Santa onto a stitched rectangle. The graceful illustration is gorgeous on its own, so I kept the design fairly clean to let him remain the focal point.

Above Santa, I stamped the lovely holly accent included in the set. Small white dots scattered across the holly, bow, and greenery add a little snowy sparkle and whimsical charm. I finished the card with the sentiment "Believe in Magic," which complements the elegant design beautifully.

If you'd like to recreate these cards, you can find all the new stamps and the papers I used in the SweetMissDaisy Designs Shop. The entire July Release is available now!

More SweetMissDaisy Designs Christmas Inspiration

If you're looking for even more Christmas inspiration, be sure to check out these previous projects:

• Twinkling Lights Santa
• Happy Cluckin' Winter
• Holiday Magic Collection

Adapting these ideas with your favorite stamps, patterned papers, and coloring techniques is easy. Handmade Christmas cards are a wonderful way to share creativity while sending something meaningful from the heart.

I hope these projects inspire you to build your Christmas card stash early. Happy stamping!

Where Has My Little Dog Gone? A Sweet Summer Card

 Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? A Sweet Summer Card

Hello friends!

I'm sharing a handmade SweetMissDaisy Designs card created for this week's Splitcoaststampers Free for All Challenge. The theme is Nursery Rhymes or Children's Songs, and it immediately brought one little tune to mind!

I used the adorable pup from the Beachside stamp set by SweetMissDaisy Designs. As I colored this happy beach-going pup, I couldn't stop humming, "Oh where, oh where has my little dog gone..." I guess he decided to spend the day at the beach! 😂

Process

To create my clean and simple design, I added a 2-inch-wide strip of Citrus patterned paper from SweetMissDaisy Designs along the left side as a colorful vertical border. Next, I stamped the beach pup image onto a scalloped circle die cut, colored it with alcohol markers, and popped it up using recycled plastic packaging for dimension.

To finish the card, I popped up the sentiment, "Happy Summer! Fetch Some Fun!" for an extra layer of interest while keeping the overall design clean and cheerful.

If you'd like to recreate this look, you can find the stamps and papers I used over at the SweetMissDaisy Designs Shop.

You can easily adapt this handmade card design using your favorite stamps, patterned papers, and coloring techniques. Cardmaking is a wonderful way to share creativity while sending something meaningful and handmade. I hope this project inspires you to create your own handmade summer cards!

More Summer Card Ideas

If you're looking for even more inspiration, be sure to check out these projects:

• Pawsitively Sunny Mini Pocket Card
• Beachside Critters
• Sandcastle Snow Girls

I'm also joining the #ArtNudge 626A Challenge with this card. I used many of the colors from the inspiration photo and kept the beach theme with sand and sea, although I didn't include the beach chairs or large umbrella. ArtNudge is a fun link-up challenge with a chance to win a prize, so be sure to check it out if you enjoy creative challenges!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful, creative day!

Merry & Bright Handmade Christmas Card

 Hello everyone! Today I'm sharing a handmade Christmas card featuring beautiful products from Waffle Flower Stamps & Dies. Since it's July 1st, it's also time for a brand-new Fan Club Christmas Challenge at Splitcoaststampers—a perfect reminder that it's never too early to create holiday cards!

Process

I began with a gorgeous piece of starry patterned paper for the background. The sparkling stars create the perfect backdrop for the focal point of the card.

Next, I die cut the Retro Christmas Tree and used the coordinating stencil from the bundle to softly blend blue ink onto the tree, adding subtle shadows and dimension. One of my favorite details is the fun diamond cut-outs throughout the tree—they give it such a charming retro look while allowing the patterned paper to peek through.

For the greeting, I stamped Merry & Bright from the Elegant Christmas Combo set and used the coordinating die to cut it out. I absolutely love sentiment dies! They're such a wonderful time saver because there's no searching through my die collection trying to find one that's the perfect size. The coordinating die creates a clean, professional finish in just seconds.

 I love how easy this design is to customize. Simply swap out the patterned paper, ink colors, or sentiment to create a completely different look while using the same layout. Handmade Christmas cards are a wonderful way to share creativity and send something truly meaningful to family and friends.

If you enjoy Waffle Flower products, you may also like my Happiness Is... post, where I share two more fun cards featuring Waffle Flower stamps and dies.

I hope this Retro Christmas Tree card inspires you to get a head start on your holiday crafting! We'd love for you to join us for this month's Fan Club Christmas Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy stamping!

Angie

Snow Sisters Build a Sandcastle

 Hello! How about cooling down with some beach-going snowgirls? 😊 Today I'm featuring the darling snow people from the Cool Summer stamp set by SweetMissDaisy Designs.

For this cheerful summer card, I started with patterned papers from the Citrus Paper Pack. The sunny colors create the perfect backdrop for a fun day at the beach. I layered two rounded-corner panels to add dimension and visual interest before creating the focal image.

Next, I stamped the adorable snow people onto a stitched panel with rounded corners. As I colored them, I decided they were snow sisters enjoying a summer adventure together! Matching yellow hats and a sweet daisy accent tied their look together perfectly.

Of course, no beach day is complete without a sandcastle! These snowy sisters did a fantastic job building one. To add a few extra details, I fussy-cut a starfish and a bird from the stamp set. The starfish is placed above the "Stay Cool" sentiment, while the little bird found a cozy spot near the top of the focal panel.

I just love the playful contrast of snow people enjoying a sunny beach day. Sometimes a little creative whimsy is exactly what's needed during these hot summer months! These cheerful snow sisters are certainly helping me stay cool while crafting.

If you'd like to recreate this look, you can find the stamps and papers I used at the SweetMissDaisy Designs shop. One of the things I love about this design is how easily it can be adapted using your favorite stamps, patterned papers, and coloring techniques.

Cardmaking is a wonderful way to share creativity while sending something meaningful and handmade. I hope this project inspires you to create a few chill summer cards of your own!

You might also enjoy my Beachside Critters cards for even more seaside inspiration.

I am playing along with the #ArtNudge 626D Challenge.  Participate in the enjoyable ArtNudge Link party challenge for a chance to win a prize; visit today!  

Happy crafting!

Angie

Pawsitively Sunny Summer Mini Pocket Card

 Hello friends!

Today I am sharing a fun Mini Pocket Tip Card created for the Splitcoaststampers F4ALL Beach Challenge. The beautiful beach-themed colors and seaside prompt from the #ArtNudge 626C Challenge also inspired me. The bright, cheerful palette is the perfect match for this adorable summer design!

To create the pocket card base, I started with a double-sided 6x6 sheet of Citrus patterned paper from SweetMissDaisy Designs. I scored the paper in half at 3 inches and folded it. Next, I scored the bottom portion at 2 inches and cut along the center fold line up to the 2-inch score line, creating pockets on both the inside and outside of the card.

For the front, I decided to let the folded section become part of the design rather than a pocket. I simply glued the 2-inch flap closed and used it as a decorative element. I die-cut a scalloped circle from Citrus patterned paper and layered it with a smaller white cardstock circle. On the white layer, I stamped the darling beach-going kitty from the Beachside stamp set and colored her using the bright summer colors from the ArtNudge inspiration photo.

The sentiment, "Wishing you a Pawsitively Sunny Summer Day," was popped up with dimensional adhesive, and I tucked a bit of gold thread behind it for extra sparkle and texture.

Inside the card, I rounded the corners of the 2-inch flap and folded it upward, gluing the edges to create a functional pocket. This little pocket is perfect for holding a gift card, a thank-you note, cash, or even a small surprise. Here

, I designed it to hold "tip money" for a server. I think it would make the sweetest summer thank-you gift! I added the sentiment "Just a Note to Say Thanks" to the pocket, using a sentiment from the adorable Ricky Raccoon stamp set.

One of my favorite things about this project is how versatile the design is. You can easily customize it with different stamps, patterned papers, and color combinations to suit any occasion. Handmade pocket cards are a wonderful way to share creativity while giving something thoughtful and practical at the same time.

If you'd like to recreate this project, you'll find the stamps and papers I used at SweetMissDaisy Designs. I hope this card inspires you to create your own pocket cards for gift giving, thank-you gifts, and special occasions.

Everyone is welcome to join the Art Nudge Blog Link party for a chance to win a prize.  :) 

 You may also enjoy these related projects:

• More Mini Pocket Cards Featuring 6x6 Patterned Paper

• Ricky Raccoon on Text Paper

• Warm Yellow Daisy Ricky from the May Release

Thank you for stopping by today! Happy crafting!

Beachside Critters for the SweetMissDaisy Designs Release!

 Hello everyone! I have three fun cards to share featuring the June Release from SweetMissDaisy Designs! This release is packed with adorable critters enjoying all the best parts of summer, making it perfect for seasonal cards, challenges, and happy mail.

Soakin' Up Sunshine

My first card features the Cool Summer stamp set paired with papers from the Citrus Paper Pack. The bright colors made it a perfect fit for the wallpaper inspiration photo from this week's Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge.

I started by creating a selfie-style frame and stamped the beach-going snowman inside it. The background is a soft yellow pattern from the Citrus Paper Pack, and since the inspiration photo included touches of yellow, green, orange, and red, I incorporated those colors throughout the scene. To finish the design, I popped up a sunshine die-cut from the Citrus Paper Pack and added the cheerful "Soakin' Up Sunshine" sentiment.

Just Chillin'

Next up are these adorable chickens enjoying an ice cream treat from the Just Sand stamp set. For this card, I added a 2½" x 5½" star-filled border along the right side and die-cut a navy scalloped circle to frame the image.

The papers come from the new Stars and Stripes Paper Pack, which adds a fun patriotic feel to the design. Even though the card doesn't specifically mention the Fourth of July, the red, white, and blue color palette makes it perfect for summer celebrations and holiday greetings. I finished the card with a sentiment from the Just Chillin' stamp set.

I'll be entering this card in the Splitcoaststampers Free 4 All Challenge, where the theme is "Chillin'."

Beachside Kitty

Lastly, let's take a look at the Beachside stamp set! I selected the sweet kitty drifting along the beach from the four adorable images included in the set.

This stamp set is wonderful for scene building. After stamping the main image, I added a bright sun and two fluffy clouds to create a cheerful beach day. The background paper is from the Citrus Paper Pack, layered with white cardstock and the image panel.

I colored the scene using deep blues, bright yellows, and a pop of red to capture the fun energy of summer. This card will be entered into the #SSSIGChallenge @SimonSaysChallenge, where the theme is "Make a Scene."

If you'd like to recreate any of these cards, you'll find all of the new stamps and papers used here in the SweetMissDaisy Designs Shop.

More critters enjoying summer:

• Roo & Sunflower

• Happy to Bee Among Flowers

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope these cards inspire you to create your own summertime scenes with the June SweetMissDaisy Designs Release.