TCC64 Parisian Postcard Hello

Hi Friends! 

Welcome back to The Card Concept Challenge for 2017!  Our challenge is open for two weeks and I just love this fun inspiration photo for our first challenge in January! 

I was inspired by the gold, white, black as well as the different patterns and flowers and decided to create a Mixed Media Freestyle Collage card using Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps (SNSS) Parisian Postcard ClearStamp Set along with Grunge Elements and the new Creative Worship stamp set, Rebecca Script Alpha (all available at Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps).

I also incorporated the Hand Stamped Sentiments HSSS254 Sketch Challenge as well as the final Mixed Media Card Challenge #31 “Change” with optional water into the design. 

This card reflects “change” for me since it is primarily a clean "Mixed Media Freestyle Collage" card design versus my normal "Shabby Chic" style for The Card Concept Challenge.   This year the designers at The Card Concept Challenge can choose whatever design style they prefer or even combine styles- my goal will be to try all the different styles throughout the year!

Also, I am sad to see that this will be the very last challenge at the Mixed Media Card Challenge but understand that change is necessary- I wish all the best to their fabulous Design Team and know that I will see their artwork in other challenge galleries. 

If you have not had a chance to visit us at The Card Concept Challenge yet, I hope you will find the time to do so- gorgeous inspiration from the rest of our Design Team!  

Plus, I hope you will find the time to visit the other challenge sites- wonderful DT samples and galleries at both the Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge as well as the Mixed Media Card Challenge!  It always amazes me to see all of the different designs that are created in inspiration, color and sketch challenges.

To create this card:

1). Ink the SNSS Parisian Postcard ClearStamp Set Eiffel Tower image with Versamark™ ink, stamp onto a piece of white cardstock, apply black embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

2). Once the embossing has cooled, fussy-cut the image and set aside.

3). Ink the floral image from the SNSS Parisian Postcard Clear Stamp Set with black soot distress ink, stamp onto white cardstock, create a mask for the image and stamp the remaining collage images from the SNSS Parisian Postcard Clear Stamp Set with antique linen distress ink.

4). Ink a few of the postage images along with the postcard image from the SNSS Parisian Postcard Clear Stamp Set with  Versamark™ ink, stamp onto the panel, apply gold embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

5). Remove the mask for the flowers and use water-based markers to watercolor the flowers (being careful around the edges since the black soot distress ink is not waterproof), dry with the heat tool.  

After the ink had dried, I used a thin black marker to redefine a few of the lines on the petals and stamped the SNSS Grunge Elements image (I used a small piece of the large splatter stamp) with black ink to add the splatter between the images.

6). Trim a piece of white cardstock, mount onto a piece of black cardstock, trim once more and mount onto the white card base.  Add the striped gold vellum cardstock (I used glue beneath the gold stripes to hide the adhesive).

7). Trim the collage panel, mount onto a piece of black cardstock and mount onto the card front.

8). Ink the letters from the SNSS Rebecca Script Alpha Clear Stamps to spell “Hello” with black soot distress ink and stamp onto white cardstock.  

Create the banner by hand cutting the flag end before mounting onto black cardstock and mirror cutting the banner.

9). Add the hello banner directly to the card front and mount the SNSS Parisian Postcard embossed Eiffel Tower image with dimensional foam.

10). Add a few black shimmery sequins to finish off the card.

I hope I have inspired you to possibly try a new style for your card making this year!  

Thanks for visiting and we hope you can join us in The Card Concept #64-Pretty Things Challenge.  Hugs and have a blessed week, sweet friends! 

Parisian Postcard by Sweet ′n Sassy Stamps

Sweet ′n Sassy Stamps Grunge Elements

SNSS Script Alpha

Old Fashioned Christmas in July

Hi Sweet Friends!

Woohoo!  Today we are celebrating “Christmas In July” with Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps!  We have a fabulous blog hop for you with examples from our wonderful SNSS Creative Team showcasing some of the great Christmas stamps from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps!

I have included all of the participating SNSS Creative Team blogs at the end of this post- just simply click on their name to “hop” along in the blog hop. This same list will be on each person's blog, so no need to hit the back button. Just look for the next blog in the line-up and off you go!

Also, if you have the time, please be sure to leave a comment on each blog along the way ( in other words, give us some “love” :-)) and Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps will be drawing a winner from all of the blog comments and that person will receive a FREE Christmas stamp set (in stock) of their choosing from the Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps line!

And to make this weekend even sweeter, Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps will be offering all of their Christmas stamps at 15% off through the weekend – when shopping, please add the code CMASJULY when you check out for the discount.

So woohoo!!  Time to celebrate Christmas in July and we hope we have inspired you to start on your Christmas cards :-)

 I am also incorporating the Splitcoaststampers Free For All F4A335 “Christmas in July” Challenge along with the Addicted to Stamps and More #203 “Holiday” Challenge.

I am using Old-Fashioned Christmas for the main images along with Parisian Postcard, Light of Christmas and Winter Blessings as well as the Ticket Dies for the tag sentiment.  

I think that the Old-Fashioned Christmas clear stamp is perfect for a "shabby chic"/vintage style cards as well as Clean and Simple cards and will share a simpler card in the future.  

To create this card:

Stamp the main focal image from Old-Fashioned Christmas onto vanilla cardstock using Walnut Stain Distress Ink, mask the snow banks with scrap paper and lightly sponge Tea Dye Distress Ink onto the “sky” area.

Ink and sporadically stamp the Light of Christmas stamp set with Walnut stain as well as the Parisian Postcard images and Winter Blessings snowflakes (masking the stamp image from Parisian Postcard before stamping the snowflakes).

Distress the edges with a distressing tool and ink, mount onto espresso cardstock (distressing the edges as well).

Add a bit of Clear Wink of Stella® to the snow banks (difficult to see in the photograph).

Ink the sentiment from Old-Fashioned Christmas along with snowflakes from Winter Blessings with Walnut Stain Distress Ink, stamp onto vanilla cardstock, die cut with the Ticket Dies and sponge with Tea Dye Distess Ink (also cut a Ticket Die from espresso cardstock, split in the middle and mount behind the stamped tag).

Add the tag to the distressed panel with dimensional foam, adhere the triple satin ribbon bow along with the ribbon and lace in the corner.

Mount onto the layered card front to finish off the card.

That's all there is to this card :-)  Alright, maybe not as simple as some but I did have a great time creating it!  Now, off to the blog hop- have a great time!!

Old Fashioned Christmas- Sweet ′n Sassy Stamps

Parisian Postcard by Sweet ′n Sassy Stamps

Winter Blessings- Sweet ′n Sassy Stamps

Light of Christmas- Sweet ′n Sassy Stamps

Ticket Dies- Sweet ′n Sassy Stamps

The Sea- Peace Be Still

Hello Again Friends!

This past Monday, I featured this card on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog and meant to post it on my blog as well- oops!!

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (SNSS) The Sea is a wonderful stamp set with this gorgeous ocean scene and several verses and sentiments- perfect for masculine or feminine cards!

This card was fairly easy to create: 

Stamp the ocean scene from The Sea (SNSS) using embossing ink, apply black embossing powder and heat set.  

Create a mask with a circle punch and sponge various colors onto the sky and water (I used Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry).

Ink and stamp the verse from the stamp set using embossing ink, heat set with black embossing powder, trim and mount onto black cardstock, trim and mount onto the white card base to finish off the card.

In honor of Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps’ 8th Birthday Celebration we are doing an “About Me” segment for each of the Design Team Members :

My husband and I live in Maryland and we are about to celebrate our 33rd Anniversary in January.  We do not have any children of our own, but love working with 3^rd thru 6^th grade kids in our church’s Awana program and have done so now for 18 years.  We have always had “kitties” in the house and over the years have had two groups of three- four are in “Kitty Heaven” and two that are still with us ( our “girls” are almost 10 years old, Angel and Queenie).

I have always been artistic and ever since I was a young girl had a pencil with paper in my hands drawing or coloring!  I was introduced to stamping in 1999 and loved the idea of being able to show others how they could be artistic as well!  I have been blessed with a very supportive husband and am currently on several Design Teams.

How long have you been a fan of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps?   I believe I have been a fan since the beginning and a customer for at least five years or more!  I love all of the beautiful images, Christian sentiments and verses!  It has been a delight to get to know  Korin as well as the Design Divas on the team.

What do you enjoy outside of stamping? 

I enjoy spending time with my husband and we love to take day trips to the mountains and enjoy God’s beautiful creation!  I love doing all types of arts and crafts as well as sewing and, of course, enjoy reading and studying the Bible (have also starting to do some Bible Art Journaling).

What is your "day" job? 

I have recently “retired” after 40+ years working outside the home primarily in accounting.  Right now, my current “day” job is a stay at home wife that is able to stamp between chores (well, sometimes the house is cleaned- lol!)

Who inspires you? 

As the others have said, that is a hard question!  So much inspiration is all around us as well as online- I tend to draw inspiration from nature, viewing online galleries such as Splitcoaststampers and I especially love to participate in online challenges- sketches, color combinations, themes, etc.  I truly believe that the Lord has gifted us all in various ways and am so thankful that He has allowed me to share that gift of art with others. 

Share a fun or interesting fact about yourself that most people might not know. 

My husband and I met on a “blind date” and have been inseparable ever since!

What advice would you give to a new stamper?  

Do not compare yourself with others- it takes time to develop techniques and skills.   Join stamping groups like Splitcoaststampers (which is free) and check out the galleries, try a few challenges and of course, check out the tutorials.  YouTube has so many videos and Pinterest is another source of inspiration for sure!!  Remember to have fun and do not compare yourself with others- it takes time to develop techniques and skills.  

What is your favorite SNSS set? 

Oh my, another difficult question!!  I love all of Sweet ‘n Sassys’ sets – the featured set, The Sea is one of my faves and here is a card that I created using a Salted Background:

I also love Parisian Postcard and here is a simple collage card using this set:

Well, I hope you have enjoyed these cards and our “Getting to Know You” segments- have a blessed week, sweet friends!

Parisian Postcard- Our Help is in the Name of the LORD Psalm 124:8

Hi Again Stampers!!

The entire world grieves with France this weekend as the details of the terrorist attacks unfold- our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of tragedy.

“Our help is in the name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8 and we are praying that the victims of this tragedy will be comforted and have a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7).

As I prayed for France, I wanted to create a card reflecting that prayer, so I decided to pull out the Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps (SNSS) Parisian and Tender Thoughts stamp set along with the Our Daily Bread Designs (ODBD) Scripture Collection 3 stamp set and use the Freshly Made Sketches FMS212 Challenge.

To create this card:

Stamp the Eiffel Tower image from the SNSS Parisian Postcard stamp set using Versamark™ ink, stamp onto Whisper White cardstock, apply Stampin’ Emboss® Black Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.

Once the embossing powder has cooled, carefully cut out the Eiffel Tower image.

Stamp the Psalm 124:8 verse from the ODBD Scripture Collection 3 images using Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink onto Whisper White cardstock, use the Big Shot™ with the My Favorite Things (MFT) Stitched Square STAX die to cut out the image, mount onto Basic Black cardstock and trim to create the frame.

Cut a larger square with the MFT Stitched Square STAX die from Whisper White cardstock, ink the retired Stampin’ Up! (SU!) Script background stamp with Smoky Slate Classic Ink, lay the die cut square onto the inked background stamp and press the paper lightly into the ink, lift and mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock (trimming the edges to create a thin frame).

Ink the sentiment from SNSS Tender Thoughts using Stāz-On® Jet Black onto Whisper White cardstock, trim and punch the ends with the Hexagon Punch, mount onto Basic Black cardstock and punch the Basic Black cardstock ends with the Hexagon Punch.

Trim a piece of retired Moonlight Designer Series Paper (DSP), mount onto Whisper White cardstock, trim again and mount onto the Basic Black card base.

Add the Scripture layer directly onto the card front, overlap with the larger square using Stampin’ Dimensionah.

Trim a piece of retired Moonlight Designer Series Paper (DSP), mount onto Whisper White cardstock, trim again and mount onto the Basic Black card base.

Add the Scripture layer directly onto the card front, overlap with the larger square using dimensional foam.

Add the fussy cut Eiffel Tower using dimensional foam (adding additional foam for the top of the tower), adhere the Silver Metallic Thread in the area behind the sentiment banner and mount the sentiment banner using dimensional foam.

Add a few Rhinestones to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Parisian Postcard, Tender Thoughts (SNSS); Scripture Collection 3 (ODBD), Script (retired SU!)

Ink: Versamark™, Stāz-On® Jet Black, Smoky Slate

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Moonlight DSP

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT Stitched Rectangle STAX Dies, Hexagon Punch, Silver Metallic Thread, Rhinestones

My prayer is that if you have not accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, that today would be the day of your salvation  "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). 

 "Believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31a). 

Thanks again for stopping by- hugs and I hope you have a blessed week, my friends!

HYCCT1509 Parisian Postcard - No Extra Postage :-)

Hi Friends!!

I had a chance to create another card for the Splitcoaststampers’ “Hope You CanCling To ” HYCCT1509 Diane's “No Postage Due” Challenge (create a card that does not require additional postage)  along with the SC546 Sketch and MIX139 “Working 9 to 5” (incorporate something that you would use in an office nine to five times)  Challenges.

I modified the sketch a bit by angling the front panel and used the postage stamp images as the “office” item for the Mix-Ability #139 Challenge (there are nine stamp/cancellation images although one is only partially visible under the focal panel).

I hope you have a chance to visit the above galleries and possibly time to join in on the fun!!

To create this card:

Using Ranger® Tim Holtz® Distress Stains (I used Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry and Seedless Preserves, spread a bit of each color onto a craft mat, spritz with water and lay two pieces of Whisper White cardstock into the stain, lift and spritz again with water twisting the panels to allow the colors to merge, and dry the panels with the Heat Tool.

Once the panels have dried, stamp the Parisian Postcard along with Grunge Elements (both from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamp) using Blackberry Bliss and Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink.

Once you are satisfied with the collages, spray Frost White Shimmer Paint over one of the panels (to be used for the background) and again, dry with the Heat Tool.

De-static the panel that you plan to use for the background with the Embossing Buddy®, ink the "Post Card" image with Versamark™ ink and stamp onto the panel, apply Stampin’ Emboss White Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.  

Front view 

****FYI*** I made the mistake of embossing this image onto the panel before stamping the collage so my image is not as white as I would like- Blackberry Bliss Classic Ink stains just like real blackberries- lol! :-)

Cut the background collage into thirds and mount onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock, trim very close to all of the edges.

Create the Eiffel Tower panel in the same manner as above, trim and mount onto Whisper White cardstock.

Add the 3/8” Stitched Blackberry Bliss Satin Ribbon to the card front along with the white crochet lace and stamped sentiment (wrapping the edge of the ribbon behind the background panel and snipping off behind where the tower image will be mounted).

Adhere the tower image directly to the card front (do not use dimensional foam- remember we are creating a card that will not require extra postage).

Turn the panel over and trim the edges of the tower image to be flush with the background panel.

Mount onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock, trim and mount onto a piece of Blackberry Bliss cardstock, trim and mount onto the Whisper White card base.

*** Revealing a Secret :-)  *** To reduce the bulk, I generally cut dies out of the background panels behind the focal image – in this case, out of the Blackberry Bliss layer.  You cannot tell that this has been done and now I have a die cut to use on a future card- now you know :-)

The card is now finished- normally I would add Pearls and other accents but those embellishments generally add bulk and you have to apply additional postage for "non-machinable" , so again, not today :-)

Stamp Sets:  Parisian Postcard, Grunge Elements (both Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Versamark™, Stampin’ Up! Classic Ink- Blackberry Bliss, Rich Razzleberry; Ranger® Tim Holtz® Distress Stains - Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves; Frost White Shimmer Paint

Paper: Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss

Accessories: Heat Tool, Craft Mat,  Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder, 3/8” Blackberry Bliss Stitched Satin Ribbon, 1 ¼” Circle Punch, Crochet Lace

Thanks again for visiting- I hope you have a chance to stop by again soon!  Have a blessed weekend, my friends!