Birds & Blooms- Thoughts of You

Hi Friends!

I had a chance this past week to create a few cards with Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps.  This quick mixed media card features the previously released stamp sets, Birds & Blooms, Long Stem Silhouettes and Texture Tiles I.

I have mentioned before that my husband and I love to watch birds, so I wanted to create another card with the Birds & Blooms stamp set and thought this set would be perfect for the Hand Stamped Sentiments #HSS288 “Inspiration Photo”Challenge ( I was inspired by the photo in the lower left) using the Match The Sketch #227 Sketch Challenge (I flipped the sketch) for the layout.   

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites or the SNSS Blog/FB Page yet, I encourage you to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1).  Die cut a piece of white cardstock with a stitched rectangle die, de-static the cardstock with an embossing powder tool, ink the blossom branch image from Birds & Blooms with Versamark™ ink, apply white embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

2). Once the embossing powder has cooled, watercolor the images using ink from water-based markers.  Watercolor the background as well and add a bit of splatter with the splatter image from Texture Tiles I.  Mount the panel onto a piece of black cardstock (die cut with the next largest rectangle die) and adhere directly to a piece of white cardstock, trim and mount onto the black card front.

3). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, ink bird image from Birds & Blooms with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool. Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor with ink from water-based markers and fussy-cut the image.

4). Mount the fussy-cur bird image with dimensional foam. Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the feathers and an Extra Fine Sharpie® White Paint Pen to add a highlight to the bird’s eye.

5). De-static a piece of black cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the sentiment from Long Stem Silhouettes using Versamark™ ink, apply white embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, cut the sentiment apart and mount onto the card front with dimensional foam.

6). Finish off the card with a few Nuvo™ Morning Dew Crystal Drops.

Stamp Sets:  Birds & Blooms, Long Stem Silhouettes ,Texture Tiles I  (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Versamark™, Zig® Clean Real Color Markers- Lt. Pink, Green, Brown, Lt. Blue; Stampin’  Write Markers- Dapper Denim, Marina Mist, Calypso Coral; Nuvo™ Morning Dew Crystal Drops, Extra Fine Sharpie® White Paint Pen

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

Accessories/Tools: Big Shot™, MFT Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Dies Set 1 & 2, AquaPainter™

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by! Hugs and I hope you have a chance to visit again soon!

Praying for You

Hi Friends!

I hope all of you are having a great week so far! Today we are celebrating the May Release at  Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps and I absolutely love all of the stamps in this new release!

There are so many versatile images and sentiments- perfect for all sorts of cards, scrapbooking, paper crafts, home décor as well as Bible Art Journaling! 

I decided to create a mixed media card featuring the May Stamp of the Month, Scripty Thoughts along with the new Refresh My Soul (Creative Worship) stamp set and the previously released stamp set, Texture Tiles I using the Match The Sketch #226 Challenge for the layout and also participating with the Simon Says Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge. 

Plus, if you love the new release as much as I do, you can order the May Release Early Bird Pre-Order for $75 (US$) and save over $10 plus receive the May Stamp of the Month, Scripty Thoughts free along with free shipping and handling- what a great deal!

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites or the SNSS Blog/FB Page yet, I encourage you to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the various cactus images from Refresh My Soul with archival black ink onto the prepared cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Watercolor the images with water-based markers and fussy-cut each image.

2). Die cut a stitched circle from a piece of white cardstock.

3). On a silicone mat, press peeled paint distress ink onto the mat, lightly spritz with water, press the remainder of the die cut panel of white cardstock (from step #2 above) into the ink, lift and continue to repeat until you are satisfied with the background.  Repeat the process and press the actual die cut circle into the ink as well.  Dry all thoroughly with a heat tool.

4). Add a bit of distressing with the splatter image from Texture Tiles I using archival black ink, die cut the main panel with a stitched rectangle die and mount onto a piece of black cardstock (die cut with a larger stitched rectangle die).

5).  Mount the entire card front onto a white card base.

6). De-static the die cut circle with an embossing powder tool, stamp the “Praying” sentiment from Scripty Thoughts with archival black ink and heat emboss with clear embossing powder.  Mount onto a die cut circle from black cardstock and adhere to the card front with dimensional foam (covering up the original circle area that was die cut).

 7).  De-static a scrap piece of black cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the “For You” sentient from Scripty Thoughts with embossing ink and heat emboss with white embossing powder.  Create the fishtail banner by hand and mount onto the card front.  Add the two cactus images onto the circle with dimensional foam and mount the cactus at the lower righthand corner directly to the card front.

8). Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the floral areas of the cacti and finish off the card with a few crystal drops.

Stamp Sets:  Refresh My Soul, Scripty Thoughts, Texture Tiles I (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Versamark™, Tim Holtz® Peeled Paint Distress Ink, Zig® Clean Color Markers- various colors, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Nuvo™ Morning Dew Crystal Drops

 

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

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT Dies- Stitched Circle, A2 Rectangle Dies Set #1 & 2, at Tool, Embossing Buddy®, Clear and White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™

 Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and visit! Hugs and I hope you have a wonderful week!

SUO182 Blast from the Past- Equestrian Dream

Hi Friends!   

Woohoo! We are celebrating our 7th Anniversary at SU-Only Challenges with a fun  “Blast from the Past” Challenge! Our Design Team had such a great time coming up with ideas for this challenge and there is even a chance at some blog candy- we hope you will play along with us! 

I wanted to pull out a few retired stamp sets and chose Equestrian Dream and Tiny Tags.  I decided to pair them with retired Outlaw background paper, Lucky Stars Textured Impressions Embossing Folder™ and Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware.  

Since I have been a demonstrator since 1999, I have kept all of my retired sets (trust me, I have many favorites) but also wanted to participate with the Match The Sketch #191 Sketch Challenge as well as the Sunny Day Crafting “H is for Horses” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the SU-Only Challengesite to check out the rest of the Design Team projects or the other challenge sites yet, I encourage you to do so- fabulous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Ink the retired Equestrian Dream image (circa 2001) with Stampin’ Archival™ Basic Black Ink, stamp onto Very Vanilla cardstock, apply  Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.

2). Die cut the image with the Stitched Shapes Framelits™, layer onto Early Espresso cardstock, trim close to the edge (I split the image behind the banner sentiment).

3). Use an AquaPainter™ with Soft Suede, Early Espresso and retired Baked Brown Sugar Classic Ink to color the horse images.  Sponge a bit of Baked Brown Sugar Classic Ink over the edges.

 4). Emboss a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock using the retired Lucky Stars Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, trim and mount onto a piece of Early Espresso cardstock,  Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Baked Brown Sugar and Early Espresso Classic Ink over the edges and stars, mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

5). Trim a piece of Outlaw Designer Paper, mount onto a piece of Early Espresso cardstock, trim close to the edge.

6). Stamp the sentiment from Tiny Tags with Stampin’ Archival™ Basic Black Ink, stamp onto Very Vanilla cardstock, apply  Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool. Add a bit of Backed Brown Sugar Classic Ink (diluted), punch out with the retired Ovals Punch (trimming to fit if necessary), layer within the Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware label, add to the banner with two brads.

7). Add the horse image to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals® and add the banner to hide the cut edge in the center.   Create the photo frame corners using a 1” Square Punch and hand trim to create the “corners”.

8). Trim a piece of Outlaw DSP for the lower edge of the sketch, adhere to the front of the card.

9). Add a bit of distressing with the small splatter stamp from Timeless Textures with Early Espresso cardstock.  Add a few Pearls to the corner to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Equestrian Dream, Tiny Tags,Timeless Textures

Ink/Mediums: Stampin’ Archival™ Basic Black, Classic Ink- Early Espresso, Soft Suede, retired Baked Brown Sugar

Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Extra Thick Whisper White; retired Outlaw DSP

Accessories/Tools: Big Shot™, Stitched Layering Framelits™, Lucky Stars Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Pearls. Sponge Daubers, retired items- Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Punches- Oval. 1” Square, Hexagon

Thanks again for taking the time to visit and I hope that you will create your own Stampin’ Up! Only project and play along with our “Blast from the Past” challenge!

SUO175 Farewell to The Wilderness Awaits

Hi Friends!   

It’s time for the #175 “Mainly Masculine” Challenge atSU-Only Challenges!  I am so sad to see that The Wilderness Awaits is one of the stamp sets on the Stampin’ Up! retired list so I decided to create a card using the fox image as well as the sentiment.

I also incorporated the FabFri #112 Color Challenge along with the Match The Sketch #177 Sketch Challenge and the Simon Says Monday “Little Critters” Challenge.

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 galleries yet,  I encourage you to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Ink the fox image from The Wilderness Awaits stamp set using Basic Black Archival Ink and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Use the AquaPainter™ to color with Stampin’ Up! Watercolor pencils- Calypso Coral and Basic Black.  Use the water brush with ink from the Rich Razzleberry and Dapper Denim Classic Ink Pads to water color the sky area.

2). Use the Heat Tool to dry the panel and die cut the image with the Stitched Shapes Framelits™. Die cut another oval using the same size framelit™ from black cardstock, split in half and mount behind the fox image so just a bit of the black shows. 

3). Using the AquaPainter™, watercolor Dapper Denim and Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Ink the small splatter stamp from Gorgeous Grunge (another set to be retired) with Archival Basic Black ink, stamp off and stamp onto the panel several times.  Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock.  Mount the entire panel onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

4). Stamp the sentiment from The Wilderness Awaits with Versamark™ onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock, apply Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.  Hand trim and create the banner points.

 5). Mount the fox oval image with Stampin’ Dimensionals and add the sentiments to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: The Wilderness Awaits, Gorgeous Grunge

Ink/Mediums: Classic Ink- Dapper Denim, Rich Razzleberry, Stampin’ Archival™ Basic Black; Versamark™; Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- Calypso Coral, Basic Black

Paper: Extra Thick Whisper White, Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories/Tools: AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and I hope that you will create your own Stampin’ Up! Only project and play along with our “Mainly Masculine” challenge!  Hugs and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Faith Quote Blocks- Great Hearts by Great Troubles

Hi Friends! 

We are continuing to celebrate the 9th Birthday at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and I hope you are able to stop by the Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps blog for additional inspiration and the SNSS Facebook page to check out the daily and weekly specials in honor of the celebration! 

Today I am sharing another card with the new November Release set, Faith Quote Blocks Clear Stamp Set (designed by NinaB Designs)  along with the previously released SNSS Decorative Frames Clear Stamp Set on the SNSS Blog and wanted to share it with you as well.

Since my card uses more than two mediums, I consider it a Clean and Simple (CAS) or Clean and Layered (CAL) Mixed Media card and trust me, it was fairly simple to create. 

Also, one of my very favorite online challenge sites, Pals Paper Arts decided to close their challenge site (I am truly going to miss the inspiration from these talented designers), so I searched online for a few new challenges and decided to incorporate this week's Match The Sketch#149 Challenge  :-)).

I loved this sketch as well as their wonderful Design Team and gallery of entries and hope to play along again soon!

To create this card:

Emboss a piece of white cardstock with a heart patterned embossing folder, trim and mount onto a piece of black cardstock.

Mount the small scrap of black cardstock (per the sketch) onto the card base and add the strip of 5/8” black satin ribbon along with the 3/8” black and white gingham ribbon (wrapping the ribbon ends behind the panel).

Add the layered decorative kraft patterned paper panel onto the card front and mount the entire card front onto the white card base.

Stamp the SNSS Decorative Frames Clear Stamp image with Versamark™ ink onto a piece of black cardstock (don’t forget to de-static with an Embossing Buddy® first), apply white embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Once the embossing powder has cooled, position the SNSS Faith Quote Blocks image into the center of the frame, stamp with Versamark™ ink, apply heat emboss with white embossing powder, once cooled fussy-cut the image and apply white craft ink to mimic chalk dust (I used my finger).

Create the rolled flowers from rust cardstock (I already had these in my stash ready to go) and add to the card front along with the leaves.

Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the roses to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Faith Quote Blocks, Decorative Frames (Sweet‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™,  Whisper White Pigment Ink, Clear Glitter Pen

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Cajun Craze, Garden Green; retired Love Blossoms DSP

Accessories/Tools:  Big Shot™, Happy Hearts Textured Impression™ Embossing Folder, retired MFT Royal Roses Dies, Martha Stewart™  Leaf Punch, 5/8” Black Satin Ribbon, 3/8” Black and White Gingham Ribbon, White Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and don't forget to check out the SNSS FB page during the week for daily specials- hugs and have a blessed weekend, sweet friends!