Because He Lives

Happy Easter Weekend Friends!

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps released a new set in March- Timeless Hymns and I absolutely love some of the verses from the hymns in this set!!  

"Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow" and "It is well with my soul" reflect how I feel this Easter Weekend. 

Jesus Christ took on our sin when He died on the cross and rose again on Resurrection Sunday!!  We celebrate Jesus' Death and Resurrection this weekend and my heart is signing these hymns as I create this post!!  

I decided to design a few more CAS Mixed Media cards using Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps Timeless Hymns along with the new March stamp of the month- Texture Tiles I (today is the last day to receive this set free with your $75 US order) and the previously released stamp set, Landscape Silhouettes for a few online challenges.  

The card below will be linked to the Simon Says Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge and the card above to the Word Art Wednesday #328-#329 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge galleries yet or the Sweet ‘n Sassy blog/FB page, I encourage you to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create the Brusho® background:

1). Lightly spray a piece of watercolor paper with water, sprinkle Brilliant Red and Turquoise Brusho® onto the panel, allow the powders to spread and use a brush to blend. Dry with a heat tool and repeat until you are satisfied with the color.

2). De-static the panel with an embossing powder tool, ink the image from Landscape Silhouettes with archival black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Trim the panel and mount each landscape onto black cardstock.

3). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool (in the area for the sentiment), ink the sentiment from Timeless Hymns with archival black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Add additional distressing with hickory smoke distress ink using images from Texture Tiles I and use a water brush to apply additional Brusho®.

4). Trim the background panel, mount onto a piece of black cardstock, trim again and mount onto the white card base.

5). Mount the landscape panel onto the card front with dimensional foam.  Use the Extra Fine Sharpie® White Paint Pen to add a few "stars" and sporadically  adhere some sequins to finish off the cards.

Stamp Sets: Landscape Silhouettes, Timeless Hymns, Texture Tiles I (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim Holtz® Hickory Smoke Distress Ink, Colourcraft Brusho®- Brilliant Red, Turquoise; Extra Fine Sharpie® White Paint Pen 

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter,  Sequins

Thanks again for taking the time to visit!!  I hope all of you have a blessed Easter Weekend and Resurrection Sunday!!  

CAS Mixed Media- Landscape Silhouettes Sympathy

Hi Sweet Friends!

This evening I am sharing a Clean and Simple (CAS) card that I designed using the  Landscape Silhouettes and Tender Thoughts stamp sets from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps for the AAA Cards #111 "Use Only One Third" Challenge and the Retro Rubber #83 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

I have owned both stamp sets for several years and they are so versatile for many occasions. I love the silhouette images and while I had Landscape Silhouettes out, I created four additional cards that I will share in the next day or so :-)

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge galleries yet or the Sweet ‘n Sassy blog/FB page, I encourage you to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Tap a few colors of Distress Oxide onto a silicone mat (see below for the colors I used), lightly spray with water and press a piece of watercolor paper 4 ¼” x 5 ½”.   Lift up and continue to re-apply ink until you are satisfied with the background.

2). De-static the panel with an embossing powder tool, ink the image from Landscape Silhouettes with archival black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Trim the panel and mount onto black cardstock.

3). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool (in the area for the sentiment), ink the sentiment from Tender Thoughts with archival black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of black cardstock, trim again and mount onto the white card base.

4). Mount the main panel onto the card front with dimensional foam to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Landscape Silhouettes, Tender Thoughts (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim Holtz® Distress Oxide- Twisted Citron, Broken China, Picked Raspberry

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by!!  I am planning on sharing a few more CAS cards featuring easy backgrounds this weekend- hopefully you will be able to visit again soon!  Hugs and I hope you have a wonderful weekend reflecting on Christ's sacrifice and Resurrection- Alleluia, what a Savior!!

SC690 The Word of the Lord is True

Hi Friends!

It’s time for the weekly sketch at Splitcoaststampers!  Allison is our #SC690 sketch artist this week and think her sketch is perfect for so many occasions- don't you?

I decided to use bees versus the butterflies in the design and pulled out the several sets from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps- Sweet As Honey, Grunge Elements 2 and the March Stamp of the Month, Texture Tiles I to create a Mixed Media Shabby Chic card.  I have mentioned before that my hubby and I collect antique honey dishes and one of the requirements is that the dish has to have a bee on it :-)  In real life I am afraid of bees (since I am allergic to their stings), but I do love bee images- go figure :-)

I also love using Scripture on the front of my cards and hope that the recipient can display the card for a longer period of time (if they wish) than just a few weeks for their birthday, etc. and thought that this verse would be one that could be displayed year round:-)

Psalm 19:10 is perfect for memorization and reflection- God’s Word is Truth and is sweeter than honey!!   It is a comfort to know that He will never leave us or forsake us- What a Savior we have in Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Don’t forget- you only have a few more days to be able to receive the March Stamp of the Month, Texture Tiles I free with your net $75 order (US$$- after all other discounts are applied) from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps! I love all four of the texture tiles in this set and the offer is available until March 31^st.  Plus with $75 (US order- after all discounts) you will receive free shipping!!

I am also linking this card to the Double D Challenge “Just Wing It” and the Word Art Wednesday #328- #329 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the Splitcoaststampers’ Sketch gallery or other challenge sites yet, I hope you will do so- beautiful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). On a silicone craft mat, press Tim Holtz® Fossilized Amber and Wild Honey Distress Oxide Ink, lightly spritz with water and press a piece of coated white cardstock into the ink.  Dry with a heat tool and continue to add color with additional Distress Oxide Ink as well as Faber-Castell® Gelatos™- Gold Champagne and Iced Coffee (this adds a bit of shimmer).

2).  Ink the honeycomb image from Sweet As Honey with Tim Holtz® Vintage Photo Distress Ink and stamp repeatedly over the panel to create the background.  Add additional shadows with Derwent® Watercolor Pencils (I used Deep Cadmium and Burnt Sienna).  Add additional distressing with the splatter image from Texture Tiles I with Brushed Corduroy and Walnut Stain Distress Ink along with the large splat image from Grunge Elements 2 using Wild Honey Distress Oxide Ink.  Stamp the script image from Texture Tiles I with Fossilized Amber over the entire panel and heat set with a heat tool.

3). Trim the panel and die cut a rectangle shape from the upper left (you will use this for layer #3 in the sketch).

4). De-static the lower part of the panel with an embossing powder tool, ink the verse from Sweet As Honey with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink (I carefully cut the first line apart from the stamp to use separately), stamp onto the panel and heat set with clear embossing powder.  Once the embossing powder has cooled, layer onto a piece of black cardstock, trim and mount onto a white card base.

5). Layer the die cut rectangle onto a piece of black cardstock, hand tear the bottom edge and use a distressing tool to distress the edge a bit further.  Mount onto the card front with dimensional foam.

6). De-static a piece of white and black cardstock with an embossing powder tool.  Stamp three of the bee image from Sweet As Honey with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink and the top part of the verse sentiment (that you had cut off in step #4) with Versamark™ ink.  Apply clear embossing powder to the bees and white embossing powder to the sentiment, heat all with a heat tool to melt the embossing powder.

7). Once the embossing powder has cooled, watercolor the bees using Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide Ink and use a slate marker to add shadows to the wings.  Fussy-cut each of the bees and hand trim the sentiment.  Add the bees directly to the rectangle panel and the sentiment with dimensional foam.  Add a bit of shimmer to the bee’s wings with a Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen.

8). Add “drips of honey” with Nuvo™ Limoncello Jewel Drops to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Sweet As Honey, Grunge Elements 2, Texture Tiles I (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™, Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim Holtz® Distress Oxide Ink- Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey, Vintage Photo; TH Distress Ink Walnut Stain, Brushed Corduroy; Stampin’ Write Smoky Slate Marker, Faber-Castell® Gelatos™- Gold Champagne and Iced Coffee; Derwent™ Watercolor Pencils- Deep Cadmium, Burnt Sienna, Nuvo™ Limoncello Jewel Drops, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black (Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories/Tools: Big Shot™, Spellbinders™ Rectangle Dies, Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool, Clear and White Embossing Powder

Thanks again for taking the time to visit! If you have a chance, we would love for you to join us at Splitcoaststampers for this week’s sketch challenge!  Hugs and I hope all of you have a blessed Easter week, sweet friends!

Pretty Kitty Thank You

Hi Friends!   

I have an announcement to make- this will be my last post as a SU-Only Challenge Designer :-(   

It was a hard decision to make to step down from the team and it has has been my honor to be part of the SUO Challenge DT since 2013! I have enjoyed every moment and have had such a great time getting to know Robin (our coordinator) as well as the rest of the team.  The challenge site will be undergoing some behind the scenes changes along with a few new DT members, so stay tuned :-)

 I wanted to create a "Thank You" Card to show my appreciation for all of the hard work that Robin as well as the rest of the SUO Design Team (DT)put in each week and for my thanks to all of you who have faithfully played along with us over the years! 

I am still planning on creating and posting cards but one less deadline will allow me to spend more time with my hubby (he will be having another surgery soon) and allow us to have more time to complete our other tasks at home.

I decided to create a card using a few stamp sets that I have not had a chance to ink up yet- Pretty Kitty and Bella & Friends (I think both of these sets are so cute!) and paired them with Petal Palette for an easy Clean and Layered card.   

I have also incorporated the Fab Friday #133 Sketch Challenge and the A Bit More Time to Craft #64 “Anything Goes” Challenge into the design.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the SU-Only Challenge site to check out the rest of the Design Team projects or the other challenge sites, I hope you will do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock with the Embossing Buddy®, ink the kitty image from Pretty Kitty with Stampin’ Archival Basic Black ink, stamp onto the prepared cardstock, apply Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder and heat set with the heat tool. 

2). Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the image using an AquaPainter™ along with Stampin’ Up! Watercolor pencils and markers (colors listed below).

3). Die cut the image using the Big Shot™ with the Stitched Layering Framelits™, layer onto black cardstock, trim close to the edge.  Cut the image at the bottom (to create rectangle- the cut area will be hidden by the sentiment).

4). Repeatedly stamp the rose image from Petal Palette using Versamark™ over a piece of Bermuda Bay cardstock.  Trim the panel, mount onto Basic Black cardstock before adhering to the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.  Add the split Pretty Kitty image directly to the card front.

5). De-static a scrap piece of Basic Black cardstock with the Embossing Buddy®, stamp the sentiment from Bella & Friends using Versamark™, apply Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.  Once cooled, hand trim and mount onto the card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

 6). Die cut a heart from Calypso Coral cardstock using the Support Ribbon Framelits™, add to the sentiment panel and apply Clear Wink of Stella® for a bit of shimmer.

7). Finish off the card by using the White Gel Pen to add a few highlights to the flower centers.

Stamp Sets:  Pretty Kitty, Petal Palette, Bella & Friends

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™, Stampin’ Archival Basic Black, Stampin’ Write Markers-Old Olive, Calypso Coral, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Sweet Sugarplum; Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo; Clear Wink of Stella®, White Gel Pen

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay

Accessories: Big Shot™, Stitched Layering Framelits™, Support Ribbon Framelits™, AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Clear and White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Thanks again for taking the time to visit – I hope that you have a wonderful Easter week and stop by again soon!

TCC89 Live By Faith

Hi Friends!!

It’s time for The Card Concept #89  {Spring has Sprung} Challenge!!  I love this bright, crisp spring photo- don’t you?  

Spring may have sprung for some parts of the US, but for us, winter came in with full force! We had more snow than all winter on the first day of spring- lol!!  I was not going to let the snow spoil spring though and I was inspired by the yellows, blues and stripes to create a fairly simple mixed media card.

I designed this card with the Boho Cross and Boho Faith stamp sets (Our Daily Bread Designs) along with a bit of very neglected washi tape (from my massive stash).

I love participating with online challenges and am linking this card to the Simon Says National Craft Month Challenge and the Word Art Wednesday #326-#327 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to do so, I hope you will find the time to check out the rest of the wonderful Design Team cards at The Card Concept as well as the entries at the other challenge sites- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Using a Clarity™ Stencil Brush along with a stencil, apply Tumbled Glass Distress Ink to a piece of Whisper White cardstock. 

2). Once you are satisfied with the background, de-static the cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the sentiment from Boho Faith with archival black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

3). Once the embossing has cooled, place a few strips of yellow washi tape over the background (I have so much washi tape and rarely use it for cards- I need to work on this- lol!).  Trim the panel, mount onto a piece of Tempting Turquoise cardstock, trim again and mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock before adhering to the white card base.

4). On another piece of Whisper White cardstock, de-static with an embossing powder tool, stamp the cross from Boho Cross with archival black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool. Once the embossing has cooled, color with Stampin’ Write Markers- Crushed Curry and Tempting Turquoise and fussy-cut the image.

5). Loop a piece of gold metallic thread and mount onto the card front (position so you can adhere behind where you will mount the cross image).

6). Mount the cross image using dimensional foam.

7). Add shimmer to the cross image with a Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen and a Pearl in the center of the cross.  Finish off with a few Morning Dew Nuvo™ Crystal Drops.

Stamp Sets: Boho Cross, Boho Faith (Our Daily Bread Designs)

Inks/Mediums:  Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim Holtz® Tumbled Glass Distress Ink; Stampin’ Write Markers- Crushed Curry, Tempting Turquoise; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Nuvo™ Morning Dew Crystal Drops

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Clarity™ Stencil Brush, Memory Box™ Distressed Tula Stencil, Gold Metallic Thread, Misc. Yellow Washi Tape, Self-Adhesive Pearl

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you will be able to join us for the The Card Concept #89 {Spring has Sprung}  Challenge!

SC689 Thanks Be Unto God

Hi Friends!

It’s time for the weekly sketch at Splitcoaststampers!  Carey is our #SC689 sketch designer this week and she has created a fun sketch for sure!

I decided to use a verse from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps What A Savior stamp set for a Christmas card :-) 

We are having a major snow storm here on the East Coast (more snow in the last 24 hours than we have received all winter) and it is the first day of spring!!  

So with the crazy weather, I thought snowflakes would work well for the diagonal element (layer #3) and used a Memory Box die that I had purchased a few months ago and had not had a chance to use yet :-)

I am also linking this card to the Try Stamping on Tuesday March Techique “Embossing” Challenge and the A Bit More Time to Craft “Anything Goes” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the Splitcoaststampers’ Sketch gallery or other challenge sites yet, I hope you will do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). On a piece of white cardstock, use sponge daubers to apply Broken China, Mermaid Lagoon and Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide Inks. Once you have blended the colors, lightly spritz water over the panel and dry with a heat tool.

2), Use the Big Shot™ with the Memory Box™ Snowflake Swell Die to die cut another piece of white cardstock. 

3). De-static the upper left hand corner with an embossing powder tool, ink the verse from What A Savior with embossing ink, stamp onto the panel and heat set with white embossing powder.  Once the embossing powder has cooled, sponge Broken China and Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide Ink over the embossing, lightly wipe off the excess from the embossing with a dry cloth or paper towel and lightly spritz with water.

4). Mount the snowflake panel onto the oxide background and trim.  Mount the entire panel onto a piece of denim cardstock, trim and mount onto the white card base.

5). Apply shimmer to the snowflakes with a clear glitter pen and add a few Ivory Seashell Nuvo™ Crystal Drops to finish off the card.

 Stamp Sets: What A Savior (Sweet‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™, Tim Holtz®  Distress Oxide Ink- Broken China, Mermaid Lagoon, Blueprint Sketch; Nuvo™ Ivory Seashell Crystal Drops, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Paper: Whisper White, Dapper Denim (Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories/Tools: Big Shot™, Memory Box™ Snowflake Swell Die, Embossing Buddy®,  Heat Tool, White Embossing Powder

Thanks again for taking the time to visit! If you have a chance, we would love for you to join us at Splitcoaststampers for this week’s sketch challenge!  Hugs and I hope all of you have a great week, sweet friends!