Snow Friends

Hello friends!  Hope you've had a wonderful week.  Here it is Saturday again and time for another Sketch at The Sweet Stop.  The evidence of the snow we had last weekend is slowly fading away as temperatures rise, so I thought I would use a snow theme for my card sample.

Creative Nugget:  I just love this cute "Winter Friends" digi image from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  After choosing the patterned paper from the Winter Park collection by Echo Park, the image was sized to fit the sketch and colored with copic markers, pulling the colors from the paper.  This was then cut with a square nestie.  Some Weathered Wood Distress ink was lightly sponged around the edges while still in the nestie and small white dots were added with a white poster-paint pen to represent falling snow.  All of the panels were layered onto Smokey Shadow card stock.  The bottom of the Smokey Shadow DP layer was punched with a snowflake border punch.  The sentiment from the "Cozy Friends" clear stamp set was stamped on the Select White layer and impressed with a canvas pattern.  The little heart at the end of the sentiment was a leftover from a heart border punch from another project and received a dab of Glossy Accents.  All layers were mounted onto a Soft Sky card base.   Some sparkly twine and a felt snowflake were added to complete the card.

While we are on the subject of snow, Kody LOVED his first snow experience!

Don't let this cool, calm, and collected pose fool you...he had just been racing around the yard like a mad dog, burrowing his face in the fluffy, white snow!

See what I mean!

Hope you enjoyed my card and the photos!  The Sugar Babies have some other fabulous samples for you this week...don't they always!  

The Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

           Chrissy Dickinson  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Plan to come back on Thursday as the Sweet 'n Sassy Divas have a fabulous February Release Blog Hop planned.  You can see all seven of the wonderful clear stamp sets that will be released on Thursday, February 2nd at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps store.  Korin is even offering a discount on the whole release bundle.  Then join the fun by joining us for the release party at 8:00 PM at the Sweet 'n Sassy forum over at Splitcoaststampers!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Winter Friends Digi, Cozy Friends (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Weathered Wood Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper: Soft Sky (SU!), Smokey Shadow, Select White (PTI), Winter Park DP (Echo Park)

Accessories: Square Nestie (Spellbinders), Snowflake Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Heart Border Punch (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Felt Snowflake (SU!), Glossy Accents, Stardust Stickles (Ranger), White Poster-Paint Pen (Sharpie), Copic Markers E00, E02, E13, E17, E18, E19, R00, R20, Boooo, Booo, B91, B95, B97, Woo, W1, W2, W3, W5, W7, 0

Bear Hugs

Happy snowy Saturday to you!  Yes...as I sit here writing this post, snow has finally decided to make an appearance here in the east coast. Although I love its quiet, pristine beauty, I dislike having to drive in it and I have two clients to see today, so I'll need to give myself plenty of time. We tend to panic a little here at the first sight of the fluffy, white stuff! LOL!  Enough of that, it's time for The Sweet Stop sketch, and one with a twist...a Valentine with unconventional colors!

Creative Nugget:  Blue hearts with mauve, orange, green and black seemed a little unconventional to me, so this Bo Bunny patterned paper was used on a Lavender Moon card base.  The other layers were added, following the sketch.  The mauve piece behind Rhubarb was given some texture with a Sizzix heart embossing folder, then swiped with a New Canvas stamp pad to make the hearts stand out a little more. The Labels Seventeen die was cut and sponged with some green at the bottom and clouds sponged on the top.  The tree, from Love is Like a Tree clear stamp set, was stamped on top of the sponging.  Rhubarb, from Love From Rhubarb, was colored with copic markers, cut out, and popped up in front of the tree.  The blue heart he is holding along with the hearts falling off the tree were covered with Glossy Accents and sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  A black ribbon found in my stash and Kaiser pearls finish the card.  And there you have another fabulous sketch by Korin!

And here's the Christmas version.

Don't forget to stop and see the other samples by the Sugar Babies. Then play along over at The Sweet Stop for a chance to win a set of four star dies!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

Chrissy Dickinson

Bear Hugs to you for stopping by...enjoy your weekend...even the snow (if you have some)!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Love is Like a Tree, Love From Rhubarb (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Certainly Celery (SU!), Broken China Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Select White, Lavender Moon, True Black (PTI), Neenah Solar White (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Bo Bunny DP
Accessories:  Labels Seventeen Die (Spellbinders), Hearts Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Glossy Accents (Ranger), Kaiser Pearls, Ribbon, Heart Punch, Copic Markers BG000, BG02, BG05, BG07, E70, E71, E74, E77

Cocoa Kind of Day!

It's a Cocoa kind of day!  Although it's very cold here...burrrr!....and a perfect morning for some hot cocoa, I've been dabbling with another kind of cocoa...Sweet 'n Sassy's Cocoa the Mouse!  These stamps were perfect for two of the challenges at Splitcoaststampers this week...Taylor's Sketch Challenge and Hannah's Sew Beautiful Ways to Use It Challenge.

Creative Nugget:  My first Cocoa card was made for SC368.   Cocoa was colored with copic markers and was fussy cut out and popped up on a spellbinders heart and scalloped heart Nestie.  Each panel of DP was layered onto True Black card stock...I do love my black!  Each layer was placed on the white panel, but not attached, to get the correct placement for the sentiment.  This was then put through the Big Shot with the Canvas Impression plate to give it some subtle texture.   All layers were attached to a Lemon Tart card base.  Baker's twine and a button were added as well as some liquid appliqué on some of the kernels of popcorn.

Creative Nugget:  My second Cocoa card was made for today's "Ways to Use It" challenge, WT358.  We were to use either faux or real stitching.    The Echo Park DP was messy stitched around the perimeter of the card onto True Black card stock (I know...there's that black again!), and zig-zag stitching separates the three panels. This was then attached to a Select White card base.  Sew cute Cocoa was again colored with copic markers and cut with a circle nestie and layered onto a Labels Three die.  Kaiser pearls were colored with a yellow copic and attached to the corners of the die.  A sentiment banner and button tied with gingham ribbon were added to complete the card.

I've just realized that both cards use similar colors...bright and cheerful! Hope you've enjoyed today's post...Thanks for stopping by!  Now I think I will go grab a cup of HOT Cocoa!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Cocoa's Popcorn Recipe

Stamps:  Cocoa's Tasty Treats (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Tuxedo black (Memento), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)

Paper: Lemon Tart, True Black, Select White, Bitty Dot Basic DP (PTI), Neenah Solar White (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), DeLovely DP (Cosmo Cricket)

Accessories: Heart and Scalloped Heart Nesties (Spellbinders), Pinking Hearts Border Punch (SU!), Button, Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Baker's Twine (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Liquid Applique (Marvy), (Copic Markers Y8, Y11, Y15, R00, R20, R24, R 27, R29, R37, R39, C1, C3, C5

Sew Thoughtful Recipe

Stamps: Sew Happy Cocoa (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Tuxedo black (Memento), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Old Paper Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper: Select White, True Black (PTI), Neenah Solar White (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), For the Record Paper Pad (Echo Park)

Accessories: Circle Nestie, Labels Three Die (Spellbinders), Sew Mini Sewing Machine (Janome), Button (PTI), Gingham Ribbon (SU!), Kaiser Pearls, Silver Spica Glitter Pen, Copic Markers Y8, Y11, Y15, R00, R20, R24, R 27, 

R29, R37, R39, C1, C3, C5

Chocolate Smile

Hello friends!  It's Saturday again and that means it's time for the second sketch for 2012 at The Sweet Stop!  Are you in the habit of making New Year's resolutions?  I usually don't bother because I don't have much success in keeping them past the first month! LOL!  Having said that, I have a confession to make.  I LOVE stamping and making cards, but I am very bad at sending them!  I am embarrassed to say that I did not get very many Christmas cards sent out this year, so...while I'm not prepared to say this is a resolution, my challenge for this year is to try to make not one, but two cards for each Sweet Stop sketch, one of which will be a Christmas card.  I'm not sure how faithful I will be at this, but for this week at least I have two sample cards for you!

Creative Nugget:  Is this not the cutest face you have ever seen?  This adorable Mo Manning image was colored with copic markers and cut with a square nestie using the out-of-the-box technique.  The legs were cut out with a craft knife so they would look like they are dangling over the edge.  This was then mounted on a piece of Early Espresso card stock.  The various layers of Early Espresso and Basic Grey patterned paper were mounted on a Select White card base following Korin's wonderful sketch.  A sentiment from the "A Cocoa Kind of Birthday" clear stamp set was stamped on the pink background DP and then was given some texture using the picnic plaid impression plate.  The banner layer was made with a piece of DP that was scored every 1/4" and pleated.  This was mounted on a piece of Early Espresso card stock with Scor-Tape.  Heart trim, pearls, a button, and some Baker's twine complete the card.  Now don't you just want to go grab some chocolate?

Here's my second sample...the Christmas card!

Creative Nugget:  Once again, the candle image from the "Christmas Light" clear stamp set was die cut and colored with copic markers.  Love how easy this is with the matching die!  This was popped up on a panel lightly stamped with the script from "Light of Christmas."  The other panels in the sketch were made with Kaisercraft patterned paper and Scarlet Jewel card stock.  Some pearls, lace, Glossy Accents, button twine, and a button finish the card.  And there you have my first Christmas card for 2012!

The Sugar Babies have some more fabulous samples to get your Mojo going, so head on over to their blogs and leave a little love before playing along with SSS141 this week!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

Chrissy Dickinson

Thanks for stopping by...have a great weekend!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Chocolate Smile Recipe

Stamps: A Cocoa Kind of Birthday (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Chocolate Smile Digi (Mo Manning)

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Spun Sugar and Walnut Stain Distress Inks (Ranger)

Paper: Select White (PTI), Early Espresso (SU!), Sultry DP (Basic Grey)

Accessories: Square Nestability (Spellbinder), Kaiser Pearls, Picnic Plaid Impression Plate, Button (PTI), Baker's Twine (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Heart Trim, Scor-Pal, Copic Markers E000, E00, E04, E11, E33, E35, E40, E43, E44, E47, E49, E53, E70, E71, E74, R20, R81, R83, R85, YG21, YG23, Y21


Light of Christmas Card Recipe
Stamps: Light of Christmas, Christmas Light (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Aged Mahogany and Tea Dye Distress Inks (Ranger)
Paper: Rustic Cream, Scarlet Jewel (PTI), Dear Santa Collection Paper Pad (Kaisercraft)
Accessories: Christmas Light Candle Die (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Kaiser Pearls, Glossy Accents (Ranger), Button and Button Twine (PTI), Lace (From my very good friend, Korin), White Poster-Paint Pen (Sharpie), Copic Markers Y13, Y17, Y38G24, G29, YG95, YG99, R22, R39, R89, E00, E11, E13, E15, W1, W3, W5, W7, W9

Feeling Fruity

Good morning...it's my day to post on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog so I thought I would share that post here as well!  Hope you are having a great week!

The new Sweet 'n Sassy clear stamp set, "Punny Fruits & Veggies," reminded me of the fact that when I taught first grade we would always celebrate Valentine's Day with a party.  Being conscious of food allergies and heath issues, we would have "February Fruit and Valentine Veggies," with dip of course, at our party.   Since I was feeling kind of fruity today, I decided to play with the cute fruit from this adorable set!

Creative Nugget:  A little 3 X 3 box holds the set of four fruity notecards. There's a wonderful tutorial for this little box which can be found HERE in the resources section on Splitcoaststampers.  Each of the fruits from the set were colored with copic markers and cut with a Spellbinders Circle Nestie and mounted on a scalloped circle that matched the card base.  These were then layered onto Basic Grey patterned paper and a heart embossed panel that had been punched with a scalloped border. A strip of patterned paper was added under the scallops and a bit of Baker's Twine finished the card.  Here are all four notecards.

I just love how each of the sentiments is perfect for each piece of fruit!

After seeing this post, you may be feeling a bit fruity, too!  Hop on over to the Sweet 'n Sassy store and pick up some fruit and veggies and have fun!

Blessings to you and thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs,

Cathymac


Card Recipe
Stamps: Punny Fruits & Veggies (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Select White, Orange Zest (PTI), Cherry Cobbler, Apricot Appeal, Gable Green (SU!), Cryogen White, Sugar Rush DP (Basic Grey)
Accessories: Sizzix Embossing Folder, Circle, Oval, and Scalloped Nesties (Spellbinders), Piercing Tool, Scallop Border Punch (SU!), Baker's Twine (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Copic Markers R32, R39, R59, R89, YR00, YR04, YR12, YR68, YR82, YG13, YG17, YG21, Y15, Y17, E43, E44, E47

A Tasty Treat

Happy Saturday and welcome back to the first sketch of 2012 at The Sweet Stop!  The Sugar Babies have taken a little break, but now we're back and are excited about sharing all new sketch designs with you!  Our first sketch uses some different angles so get ready for some wonderful eye candy from the design team!

Creative Nugget:  For my sample this week, I went with this sweet Cocoa image from a brand new clear stamp set called "Cocoa's Tasty Treats."  This set along with seven others PLUS new dies were released on Thursday night and are available at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps store right now!  Cocoa was colored with copic markers and then the fun of making this yummy ice cream sundae look good enough to eat began.  Glossy Accents were added to the fudge and the cherry and then White Opal Liquid Pearls was added to the whipped cream...YUM!  The image was then cut with a square nestie along with two other squares that were embossed with the square lattice embossing folder and sponged with Spun Sugar (how appropriate) Distress Ink.  These were mounted on some Early Espresso card stock which was cut at an angle to fit across the card.  The background was layered with some Bo Bunny patterned paper from "The Sweet Tooth" collection.  This was all mounted on a Creamy Caramel card base.  An eyelet border, Baker's Twine, buttons, and pearls, all some of my favorite things, were added to complete this yummy card for a sweet friend!

Now before heading off to see some more fabulous designs by the Sugar Babies, I'd like to share a little more sweetness with you.  Our Kody is now four months old and its been quite a while since I've shared some photos with you so just take a look at this cutie pie!

The Perfect Christmas present!

A Tasty Stick...Yum!

Chasing Leaves

Awwwww...A New Toy!

Isn't he just adorable!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

Lorie Ames

Chrissy Dickinson

Thanks so much for stopping by...
have a great weekend!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Cocoa's Tasty Treats (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Tuxedo Black, (Memento), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)

Paper: Select White (PTI), Creamy Caramel, Early Espresso (SU!), The Sweet Tooth Collection (Bo Bunny)

Accessories: Kaiser Pearls, Square Nesties (Spellbinders), Glossy Accents, White Opal Liquid Pearls (Ranger), Baker's Twine (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Button (PTI), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (SU!), Copic Markers B52, BG11, BG13, BG18, RV0000, RV11, RV17, RV19, RV32, YR30, E30, E31, E33, E35, E37, E44, E47, E49, E50

January Release Blog Hop

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps has an amazing release planned for this month, and the Design Divas are so excited about it!  Eight new clear stamp sets and three new sets of dies will be available in the store tonight. Make sure you've got a warm, tasty beverage and some donuts ready...you won't want to miss a bit of the inspiration we have for you today!

The first card sample I have is from a new clear stamp set called "True Friend."  This set will be sold for $15 and includes 7 wonderful sentiments about friendship that you will find yourself reaching for time and time again.

Creative Nugget: The background for this wonderful sentiment was created by scribbling several colors of copic marker on a large acrylic block.  This was then spritzed with some colorless blender solution.  A piece of Neenah Solar White card stock was smooshed and twisted on the block, picking up the color.  This gave my paper a soft watercolor look.  I couldn't resist adding a silhouette image taken from another fabulous set being released tonight.  The image was cut with a Spellbinder labels die and mounted on pieces of patterned DP by Echo Park.  Other elements on this card include a Cheery Lynn doily and flourish die, some heart trim, pearls, a layered flower, and some messy stitching.  The whole card was then given a shot of Tattered Angels, giving it a very shimmery look which was hard to capture on the photo.

My next sample comes from an adorable clear stamp set called "You & Me."  This set is not only perfect for creating those cute Valentine cards you will need to make, but gentle reminders of your feelings for special friends throughout the year!  It will sell for $15 and includes 5 images and 12 matching sentiments.

Creative Nugget: Aren't these salt and pepper shakers just the cutest?  They were colored with copic markers.  The salt was made with a White poster-paint pen and jelly roll marker and the pepper was made with a black Spica glitter pen and the white poster-paint pen.  The shakers were then covered with a layer of Glossy Accents to make them look like glass.  This was then cut with a circle die and mounted onto a fancy tags die.  The faux blanket stitched DP was mounted on some heart embossed Select White card stock.  The card was finished with some ribbon, pearls, and a little heart charm I had in my stash!

And now take a look at the rest of the Design Divas (and our very special January guest)...they've all whipped up some gorgeousness today!

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog

Taylor Usry

Bridget Finlay

Monika Davis

Jessica Fick

Dina Kowal

Giovana Smith

Kim Schofield

Amber Hillman

Kim Singdahlsen

Holly McMillen

Mary Faus

Cathy McCauley --->  You are here!

Lydia Fiedler

Korin Sutherland

We hope you can make plans to join us tonight in our Member Company forums over on Splitcoaststampers.  We're having a Release Party, and it is full of great activities, stamp set reveals, and fun with friends!  All of the partying will take place in our Release Party forum, so be sure to bookmark it! Hope to see you there!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Hugs,

Cathymac

True Friend Card Recipe
Stamps: True Friend (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Paper: Neenah Solar White (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Victoria Garden Paper Pad (Echo Park), Select White, Smokey Shadow (PTI)
Accessories: Labels Seventeen Dies, Carnation Creations Die (Spellbinders), English Tea Party Doily Die, Fanciful Flourish Die (Cheery Lynn), Black Kaiser Pearls, Ribbon (PTI), Sew Mini (Janome), Heart Trim, Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Copic Markers YG25, BG72, R32, R81, Colorless Blender Solution


You & Me Card Recipe
Stamps: You & Me (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Paper: Select White, True Black, Sweet Blush (PTI),  Lost & Found DP (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories: Circle Nesties, Fancy Tags Die (Spellbinders), Black Marker, Black Gingham Ribbon (Stampin' Up!), Sweet Blush Ribbon (PTI), Kaiser Pearls, Heart Charm, Sizzix Embossing Folder, Glossy Accents (Rander), White Poster-Paint Pen (Sharpie), Clear Jelly Roll Pen, (Sakura), Copic Markers BG000, W3, W1, R20, R32, R81