And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness
and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

ODBDSLC156 ODBD Stamps and Dies

Hello friends!  Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day yesterday!  It's time for a new Shining the Light Challenge and I thought I would take this opportunity to honor all those who have and are now serving in our military.
This week's challenge is:
Our Daily Bread Designs and Dies
Use an Our Daily Bread Designs stamp and any dies.


To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a PRIZE, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs Store!!  Entries for the prize must be submitted by Sunday, June 2 at 8 p.m. EST.  One random winner will be chosen and announced with the next challenge.

As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing three or more of our participants for the Shining the Light Award.  In order to qualify for this award, you must use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, June 2 at 8 p.m. EST.  If you upload your creation to Splitcoaststampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBDSLC152.  When creating your posts on blogs, please include a link to the challenge.  Thanks you!  We love seeing your creations!

Here is my card for this week's challenge:


Creative Nugget:  I decided to try a "Lever Card" after finding THIS tutorial on Splitcoaststampers.  The layers are modified as I wanted to have a double matt on each of the panels.  A combination of Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy, and Old Town Tavern papers by The Paper Loft was used to decorate each panel.  The soldier image from Not Forgotten was stamped twice on Soft Stone card stock...once in Cherry Cobbler, and once in Night of Navy.  The cherry parts were then cut and pieced on the navy layer.  The Fence Die was cut from Kraft card stock and attached to the bottom of the top layer.  I found some ancient chipboard stars in my stash and covered them with matching DP to be attached on either side of the soldier image.  Some seam binding was died and tied around the frame.   The sentiment was stamped in Night of Navy and cut with an Antique Labels & Border Die. This was trimmed by hand so it could be layered on a navy Antique Label.  



The Antique Border was added to the third panel.  A tag using one of the other sentiments from the Not Forgotten stamp set and the Recipe Card & Tags Die was mounted on the last panel to finish the card.



Here are the Our Daily Bread Designs supplies used to make this card:












                                   
Be sure to visit my Challenge Team Sisters for more fabulous inspiration for this week's Shining the Light Challenge!  Can't wait to see what you create using ODBD Stamps and Dies!


and a special thanks to Gloria Stengel for being this month's guest designer!

Thanks so much for stopping by...hope to see you back next week for another awesome challenge!  Have a wonderful week!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Not Forgotten (ODBD)
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy (SU!), Walnut Stain Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Kraft, Soft Stone (PTI), Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy (SU!), Old Town Tavern DP (The Paper Loft)
Accessories: Fence Die, Antique Labels & Border Dies, Recipe Card & Tags Dies (ODBD), Sew Mini (Janome)Chipboard Stars, Seam Binding

Monday, May 27, 2013

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day, Friends!  I have just a quick post to share today...it's my day to post on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog, so I thought I would share a few patriotic cards with you here as well!  These cards were created to thank the men and women who are dedicated to protecting our country and our freedoms, and to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice by serving in the military!  


Stamps: Patriotic Cocoa
Ink: Tuxedo Black, Night of Navy
Paper: Solar Crest, Real Red, Night of Navy, Fancy Pants Designs DP
Accessories: Hearts and Stars Scallop Border Set, Circle Nesties, CB Embossing Folder, Baker's Twine, Button, Sew Mini, Piercing Tool, Copic Markers


Ink: Real Red, Night of Navy
Paper: Solar Crest, Night of Navy
Accessories: Hearts and Stars Scallop Border SetStars Die Set, Square Lattice EF, Canvas Impression Plate


I hope you will take time today to pray for those serving in our military both at home and overseas.  These brave men and women put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe here at home!

Have a wonderful Memorial day...thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Bountiful Balloons

Happy Saturday, everyone!  It's time for a new sketch at The Sweet Stop!  My card this week was inspired by Bridget Finlay's Wired Balloons card which was inspired by Colleen Dietrich's Baby Balloon Bouquet!  So we have balloons to bring hugs, balloons for baby, and balloons bearing birthday wishes...hope you are inspired by these bountiful balloons!


Here is my card for this week's sketch:


Creative Nugget:  Sweet 'n Sassy's new Birthday Bash set and matching Birthday Bash Dies made this card a snap to put together.  The cheerful designer paper was laying on my work table, so I don't remember which paper pad it came from any more, but the colors were replicated on the die cut balloons by sponging on Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Cherry Cobbler, Pretty in Pink, and Pumpkin Pie inks.  A doily was used for the circle element on the sketch.  Hemp twine was taped to the back of each balloon and all the ends were tied together near the bottom.  The balloons were then mounted on the doily with dimensionals. The horizontal panel was embossed with a Sizzix embossing folder and attached to the card.  Some messy stitching was added around the border.  The cupcake paper was stamped directly on a scrap piece of DP that had been die cut.  The icing was also die cut and sprinkles were stamped on using matching inks.  Stickles was added to the balloons and the sprinkles for a little sparkle.  I found that the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Timeless Classic Stamp Set fit perfectly on the banner to finish the card.

Be sure to check out all the fabulous samples created for you by the Sugar Babies and join us this week at The Sweet Stop!


Sugar Babies


Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  I wish to extend sincere gratitude to all of you who have friends or family serving in our military.  Their sacrifice is greatly appreciated and I pray for them often!

Hugs, 
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Birthday Bash, Timeless Classic (SNSS)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Pumice Stone Distress Ink (Ranger), Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Cherry Cobbler, Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie (SU!)
Paper: Select White (Neenah), True Black (PTI), Baja Breeze (SU!), DP (unknown)
Accessories: Birthday Bash Die Set (SNSS), Sew Mini (Janome), Sizzix Embossing Folder, Banner Die (PTI), Hemp Twine, Diamond Stickles (Ranger), Doily

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

ODBDSLC155 Sky or Water


Hello everyone!  Hope your week got off to a great start. We have another wonderful Shining the Light Challenge for you this week...we're paying tribute to part of God's awesome creation...
This week's challenge is:
Sky or Water

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a PRIZE, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs Store!!  Entries for the prize must be submitted by Sunday, May 26 at 8 p.m. EST.  One random winner will be chosen and announced with the next challenge.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments, we would love to see them if you have them.  As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing three or more of our participants for the Shining the Light Award.  In order to qualify for this award, you must use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, May 26 at 8 p.m. EST.  If you upload your creation to Splitcoaststampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBDSLC155.  When creating your posts on blogs, please include a link to the challenge.  Thanks you!  We love seeing your creations!


I was able to purchase several stamp sets from ODBD that have been on my wish list for a while that were perfect for this challenge.  Here is my card:


Creative Nugget:  A piece of Cryogen White card stock...love the shimmer on this...was masked and sponged using a variety of distress inks.  The Mighty Sea image was then stamped in Tuxedo Black ink with the help of a stamp positioner to get the horizon lined up to match the sponging.  A little touching up was done with Copic Markers and white acrylic paint was stippled on the waves along with some Diamond Stickles.  The Labels Twenty-Six die was used to cut a frame out of the edge of the My Mind's Eye DP and to make the frame out of Smokey Shadow card stock.  The Fishing Net Background was lightly stamped on the DP using Pumice Sone Distress Ink.  The ocean image was attached behind the frame and the right edge trimmed with a craft knife. The Anchor image was stamped, colored with Copic markers, and fussy cut.  The anchor was colored and cut again and covered with Glossy Accents.  A hole was punched so the twine could be threaded through before attaching it to the card.  A few of the sea gulls were stamped again and fussy cut to fly above the anchor. The sentiment was attached with more of the twine to finish the card.


Here are the materials from the ODBD Store used to make this card:












To see more awesome sky and water creations, be sure to visit my Challenge Team sisters...

              ~~Chris Olsen~~Jan Marie Ennenga~~
                ~~Audrey Hiltke~~Diana Nguyen~~
               and our guest designer, Gloria Stengel

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit!  As you go about your day, take time to enjoy God's wonderful creation!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: The Mighty Sea, Anchor, Fishing Net Background (ODBD)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Rusty Hinge, Dried Marigold, Mustard Seed, Stormy Sky, Faded Jean, Chipped Sapphire Pumice Stone Distress Inks (Ranger)
Paper: Cryogen Iridescent White, Confetti White (SU!), Smokey Shadow (PTI), On the Bright Side DP (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories: Spellbinders Label Twenty-Six (ODBD), Tag Dies (Spellbinders), Gold Shimmer Twine (The Twinery), White Acrylic Paint, Stickles, Glossy Accents (Ranger), Copic Markers

Saturday, May 18, 2013

A Happy Hello!

Hello everyone!  We finally had some glorious weather yesterday...but I had to work!  Today it's raining...and I'm off!  Let's look at the bright side...since I'm inside today, I'll use this as an opportunity to get some projects finished.  If it's raining where you are, come join us at The Sweet Stop for a "Buggy" challenge!  Since it's the third week of the month, there's a SPIN with the sketch and a chance to win a $15 Gift Certificate to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store!  The Spin: Going Buggy!

An adorable new set just released by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, Buggin' Ya, was used for my sample.

Creative Nugget:  Isn't this little lady just the happiest creepy crawly you've ever seen?  She was colored twice with Copic Markers.  One was fussy cut and popped on top of the other. This panel was cut with a Fleur de Lis Square Die and the grass and clouds were sponged while still in the die.  The red panel is embossed with Swiss Dots which were swiped with a Fresh Snow ink pad for definition.  That and the My Mind's Eye DP were matted on True Black card stock.  Some stitching was done across the banners and around the bottom corner.  The ladybug was stamped three times on the wider banner and colored with copics. The red banner was cut from Cherry Cobbler card stock.  All the panels were mounted on a Solar Crest card base.  A few pearls following the stitching in the corner were added to finish the card. This was really a fun sketch to work with...I know I'll be using it again!

To see more fabulous sketch samples, check out the other Sugar Babies!  Hope to see you at The Sweet Stop this week!

Sugar Babies

                                    Robin Parker
                                    Stephanie Serrano

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Buggin' Ya! (SNSS)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Tumbled Glass and Peeled Paint Distress Inks (Ranger), Fresh Snow (PTI)
Paper: Solar Crest (Neenah), True Black (PTI), Cherry Cobbler (SU!), Ooh La La Paper Pad (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories: Fleur de Lis Square Die (Spellbinders), Photo Corner Punch (SU!), CB Embossing Folder, Sew Mini (Janome), Kaiser Pearls, Copic Markers R24, R27, R29, R39, R89, YG21, YG25, YG67, C3, C5, C7, C9

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

North Coast Creations May Release

Welcome friends!  It's time for the May release from North Coast Creations and the two new sets being released are bound to help you keep your cool!  This month we will be choosing 2 winners who will receive a $10 gift certificate to the NCC Store just for commenting on our Coasters Design Team cards!  You have until May 17, 2013 at 9:00PM EDT to make a comment on each of our designers' blog posts. Our 2 random winners will be announced on the North Coast Creations Blog on May 18, 2013.


I have two COOL samples to share with you today...
one from each of the new sets!

Creative Nugget:  This first sample is from the new stamp set, What's the Scoop?  This card took on a kind of retro look as the layout was meant to mimic an old fashioned soda shop window, complete with awning.  Different Bo Bunny papers were stitched to a Cool Caribbean panel which was matted in True Black and mounted on a Solar Crest card front.  The sentiment from the set was stamped on DP and mounted to a Spellbinders Tag Die.  The ice cream cone was fussy cut and mounted to a tag from the Recipe & Tags Die Set available from our ODBD sister company.  Some Gingham ribbon and a button finish the card.

Here's a peek at the complete set:


My second card uses the new set, You're the Bomb!


Creative Nugget:  The Kaisercraft papers were stitched to Chocolate Chip card stock and mounted to a Vintage Cream card base.  The chocolate dipped popsicle was colored with Copic Markers and fussy cut so it could be popped on the Elegant Oval which was cut with the matching Elegant Oval Dies, both available from our sister company, Our Daily Bread Designs.  Some Ice Stickles was rubbed on the lower part of the popsicle with my finger, and Glossy Accents was applied to the chocolate dipped top of the popsicle!  Yum!  The sentiment was stamped on one of the smaller Elegant Oval Dies and sponged with Wild Honey Distress Ink.  A bit of lace, a couple of Dew Drops, and a seam binding bow finish the card.

Here's the complete You're the Bomb! set:


Now aren't you hungry for a nice COOL treat?  Be sure to stop by the other Coasters for more delectable delights. Don't forget to leave a comment on each blog for a chance to win a PRIZE


Thanks so much for stopping by...have a wonderful day!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Across the Miles

Greetings from across the miles!  Welcome to Day # 4 and the last day of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps May Release Features.
Today's featured stamp set is:
This wonderful set designed by Dina Kowal is perfect for those who love to travel, but also for encouraging distant loved ones and missionaries.  The different elements in the set work nicely with the main image to create a variety of styles and the sentiments are beautiful and inspiring.  This set also coordinates well with Dina's Vintage Postcard stamp set.

  • Stamp set includes 4 images and 8 sentiments
  • Set measures approximately 4" x 6"
  • The map image measures approximately 3 5/8" x 2"
  • Designed by Dina Kowal
  • Stamp set is priced at $15

Here is my sample for Across the Miles:


Creative Nugget:  Masculine cards are not easy for me, but these papers from the Weekend Market Collection by Bo Bunny certainly help.  Several patterns were pieced and stitched to Really Rust card stock and attached to a Vintage Cream card base.  The Friendship Script Background was stamped in Vintage Photo Distress Ink on a Vintage Cream panel.  This layer was distressed and stitched to Really Rust.  The map from Across the Miles was stamped with Versafine Onyx Black on Vintage Cream.  This piece was then scrunched into a ball to create creases which were brushed with Walnut Stain distress ink and spritzed with water. The edges of the map were torn and further distressing was added with Wild Honey, Vintage Photo, and Walnut Stain Distress inks.  The compass was stamped, distressed, punched out, and covered with Glossy Accents.  The sentiment was cut with a Spellbinders tag die and attached to the compass and the card with button twine.  The little cow is from the Landscape Silhouettes set and shows from where the card is being sent.   This is my attempt at masculine...hope you like it!

Click on the thumbnails below to see more amazing samples created by the Sweet 'n Sassy Design Team!

Be sure to leave a comment on each blog along the way because we're giving away this wonderful stamp set to one lucky commenter!

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is Friday, May 17 at midnight EST. The winners will be announced on our website homepage on Monday, May 20th.

Thanks so much for flying by!  Enjoy the last hop for this release!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Monday, May 13, 2013

Buggin' Ya

Hello...and welcome to Day # 3 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps May Release!  Hope nothing has been buggin' ya so far today, but after today's mini hop, you'll be seeing lots of creepy crawlies!  Now bugs are not particularly my cup of tea, but these adorable bugs are sure to grow on you!
Today's feature is:

This cute stamp set is for all those boy moms, grandmas, aunts, and babysitters who know what it's like to find critters in pockets.  There might even be a few girls out there who love creepy crawlies as well!  This is another one of those stamp sets that can be used year round!
  • Stamp set includes 6 images and 12 sentiments
  • Set measures approximately 4"x 6"
  • The worm image measures approximately 2" x 1"
  • Designed by Korin Sutherland
  • Stamp set is priced at $15

Here's what I came up with for Buggin' Ya:
Creative Nugget:  The Sweet Stop sketch for this week was used for the card design.  The cute parade of ladybugs were colored with Copic Markers.  The Grass Die helped to ground those marching critters!  To give a country feel, gingham was used for the top panel, the grass and the ribbon.  The sentiment was cut apart and matted with True Black card stock.The base layer was embossed with a Picnic Plaid Impression Plate, stitched to True Black card stock, and mounted to the Solar Crest card.  Pearls were added to finish the card.  These bugs I can live with!  LOL!

Here's another one:
Creative Nugget:  I got the idea to put all the bugs from this set in a jar, but I didn't have a jar pattern, so off to the drawing board.

Look...a clean desk space!  LOL!
I sketched the jar by folding the paper in half so both sides would be the same, then used the top of the jar pattern to create the topper.  The jar pattern was traced onto a folded card and cut out with the bottom corners rounded.  The topper was traced three times onto some Graphics 45 paper...one for the front, one for the back, and one for the inside of the jar.  The toppers were glued to the card after Copic Markers were used to define the folds. Doodles were added around the edges of the jar.  The bugs were stamped onto the jar and stamped again so they could be colored and popped up.  Some splatters were added to fill the white space.  A tag was made using one of the sentiments from the set and tied around the jar lid.  The ant from the set was used on the inside of the card.


Click on the thumbnails below to see more amazing samples created by the Sweet 'n Sassy Design Team!

Be sure to leave a comment on each blog along the way because we're giving away this wonderful stamp set to one lucky commenter!


The deadline to comment for a chance to win is Friday, May 17 at midnight EST.  The winners will be announced on our website homepage on Monday, May 20th.

Thanks so much for hoppin' by!  Have a delightful day!

Bugs 'n Hugs, 
Cathymac

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Head In the Clouds

Welcome back to Day # 2 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps May Release Features!  
Today's feature is:


Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps already has a Clouds & Raindrops Die Set, and now there is a stamp set that matches the dies! The sweet sentiments are a perfect fit for this fun and whimsical set.
  • Stamp set includes 4 images
  • Set measures approximately 4" x 4"
  • The striped cloud image measures approximately 2 1/2" x 1 1/4"
  • Designed by Korin Sutherland
  • Stamp set is priced at $11
  • Coordinates with Clouds & Raindrops Dies

Here is my sample made with this fun set:



Creative Nugget:  An S Fold card design was used to make my sample for Head in the Clouds.  Bo Bunny DP and Blueberry Sky card stock were used to cover each panel.  The clouds were die cut and stamped using Blueberry Sky ink, and some of the clouds were popped up for dimension. Classic Circle Nesties were used to make the rainbow and a little Stickles made it sparkle.  The Fence and Grass Die Set along with flower and leaf punches were used to create the ground.  A few pearls were added to finish the outside of the card.


The card opens to reveal the sun, which was made with Spellbinder Dies, and the sentiment, which was cut apart to fit on the sun.  I could not seem to get a good picture of the opened card, so here is a close up of just the inside:



To see more fabulous samples created by the talented Design Team, click on the thumbnails below!

Be sure to leave a comment on each blog along the way because we're giving away this wonderful stamp set to one lucky commenter!

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is Friday, May 17 at midnight EST.  The winners will be announced on our website homepage on Monday, May 20.

Hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day!
Thanks for stopping by!  Join us again tomorrow for day three!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Landscape Silhouettes

Hello everyone...so glad you decided to pop in today, because not only is it Saturday and time for The Sweet Stop sketch, but it is also time to feature the first of     Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps new May Release stamp sets!  This first feature is chock full of gorgeous landscapes from all around the world. These silhouette images are PERFECT for sponging and background techniques, not to mention the fact that they can be used for any occasion, for any gender, all year long! How's that for versatility!
Today's feature is:

  • Stamp set includes 12 images
  • Set measures approximately 8" 6"
  • The cityscape image measures approximately 4 1/8" x 7/8"
  • Designed by Korin Sutherland
  • Stamp set is priced at $26 
This first card uses the The Sweet Stop sketch for this week:


Creative Nugget: The background and the top panel were made by embossing the sun rays with a Tim Holtz embossing folder.  The rays were masked and sponged with Dried Marigold and Mustard Seed Distress Inks.  The image panel was masked and sponged with Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Dried Marigold, and Mustard Seed Distress Inks.  The farm image was stamped with Jet Black Ink.  All panels were textured with a Canvas Impression Plate, matted in True Black, and the background panel stitched. Everything was mounted to a Pure Luxury card base.  The black gingham ribbon was sponged with Mustard Seed and tied with a button to finish the card.

Be sure to check in with the other Sugar Babies for more inspiration for SSS210.  Hope to see you at The Sweet Stop!


Sugar Babies

                                              Marlena Peduzzi
                                                Melissa Schultz
                                                Monika Davis
                                                Robin Parker
                                               Stephanie Serrano


Here are some other samples using Landscape Silhouettes:



Click HERE for yet another sample that was posted yesterday.  Can you tell I LOVE this set?

The Sweet 'n Sassy Design Team has created many more wonderful samples for you.  Check out their amazing creations by clicking on the thumbnails below!

Be sure to leave a comment on each blog along the way because we're giving away this fabulous stamp set to one lucky commenter!

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is Friday, May 17th at midnight EST.  The winners will be announced on our website homepage on Monday, May 20th.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a glorious day and enjoy the rest of the hop!

Hugs,
Cathymac