SNSS October Sweet Perks

Hello friends!

It's time once again for the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps 
Sweet Perks Club and you won't want to miss all the SWEET deals we have for you this month!  There are four new bundles for you to choose from that are perfect for getting a start on those Christmas cards you'll be needing. Please note however, that the stamp sets included with the new bundles are NOT new, so please check your stamp collection to be sure you do not already have the stamp set before ordering the bundle!

Here are the bundles being offered this month 

at a 20% savings:

You'll need to hurry though, because these SWEET deals will only be available for two weeks.  On October 9th you will only be able to order these products separately at the regular price.

Here's a peek at a humorous card that was made with one of the new bundles:

Creative Nugget:  The adorable polar bear from the Beary Christmas bundle was stamped, colored with Copic Markers, cut, and popped up on a panel made by embedding the Small Snowflakes on a Vintage Cream panel.  A few strips of Simple Stories DP were stitched behind the bear panel for some country charm. That cute sentiment was stamped under the bear to finish the card.  The inside says," Never mind… don't answer that!  Just have yourself a Beary Merry Christmas!"

You can check out all the SWEET deals for the Sweet Perks Club and see more fabulous samples by clicking the logo below!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a Sweet Day!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Blessings and Prosperity

Good morning friends!  My card for today comes from Janette's Sketch  on Splitcoaststampers.  Tilted panels are always a challenge for me because my brain likes things to be straight, but I always like the end result when the card is finished, and this card is no exception.

Creative Nugget:  This card is pretty straight-forward as the sketch was very closely followed.  The Graphic 45 papers from the Ladies Journal Collection was perfect for the gorgeous Elizabeth dress form by Our Daily Bread Designs.  Two of the panels were stitched to True Black card stock. The Beautiful Border die cut, also by Our Daily Bread Designs was used for the vertical element on the card.  The sentiment is from the ODBD Birthday Doily stamp set and was cut and matted with a Vintage Labels die cut.  A seam binding bow and several pearls finish the card.

This card will be submitted to the following challenges:
Splitcoaststampers - SC507 Sketch Challenge
Word Art Wednesday - Challenge 151 Anything Goes

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, 

Who walks in His ways.

When you eat the labor of your hands,

You will be happy, and it shall be well with you.

(Psalm 128:1-2a)

NKJV

What a happy thought to begin the day!  

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Creative Blog Hop

Hello friends!  I received a pleasantly surprising e-mail several weeks ago from my friend, whom I've had the pleasure of meeting in real life, and fellow Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Design Team Member, Monika Davis, asking if I've heard of the Creative Blog Hop.  Well…up until then I had not!  She explained what it was…

The Creative Blog Hop is an ongoing blog hop design that works on a nominating system, where I nominate 2-3 other designers whom I admire and who inspire me.  The idea is to learn more about creative bloggers by answering four questions.

If you don't know Monika, she is as sweet as can be and is incredibly talented and creative!  One could pick her project out of hundreds because of the fun little extras she includes on her cards…vellum, butterflies, cheesecloth, flowers, and those little bundles of threads peeking out from the other elements on her creations.  Just take a look at this fabulous project designed by Monika:

And this lady is nominating me?  I feel so honored!
Here are the questions we are asked to answer...  

Question 1:  What am I working on right now?
Being on two design teams, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and Our Daily Bread Designs, keeps me quite busy.  I have the pleasure of creating samples using fabulous products released each month by these two wonderful companies.  In addition, I help to host two challenges on Splitcoaststampers…the Sketch Challenge and the Ways to Use It Challenge.  Participating in the many challenges out there in Blogland stretches me and helps me to grow as a crafter.  I also love trying new techniques and right now am dabbling a little in watercolor and mixed media.

Being on my church's Encouragement Ministry Team gives me lots of opportunities to use the cards I create!

Question 2:  How does my work differ from others in my genre?
I really don't feel that my work is very different from others…I must admit…I'm a big copycat, so I don't really have a style of my own.  If I see something I like, I'll give it a try.  Others often comment about the stitching on my card creations.  I just feel that a stitched edge gives a finished look to a project.

  
Question 3:  Why do I create what I do?
This is an easy one!  Our Creator, maker of heaven and earth, has blessed me with a desire to create.  I want to honor the Lord with any talent that He has given to me. If someone can be encouraged or cheered up by a hand made card sent to them, then the time spent on that card will have been well worth the effort.  

Question 4:  How does my creative process work?
Sometimes I begin with the stamp set I'm going to use.  If I'm using designer paper, that determines the colors…if not, I might browse several inspiration sites to find the right color combination.  Once the stamp set and colors are decided, I might look for a design from a sketch challenge or on Pinterest.  However, once I get started, the card might take off in an entirely different direction…I never quite know what the end result will be.  Sometimes I just wake up with an idea in my head and go from there.  Sometimes I'm inspired by a challenge or by something I see on an inspiration site. If I'm going to color an image like a flower or a bird, I will often do a Google search for that image to get the colors right.  I guess you could say that my creative process works differently for each project!

That's me in a nutshell…and now I get to nominate three other talented ladies to join the hop!

Chris Olsen - Twinkles Glow With Stamps

Chris (A.K.A. Glowbug on Splitcoaststampers) and I have the pleasure of working together on the Our Daily Bread Designs Design Team.  Our term as "Dirty Girls" on Splitcoast also overlapped by several months.  I hope at some point to be able to meet this talented lady in real life!  She puts her heart and soul into every gorgeous creation she makes. She is a master at layering elements on a card that include dies, flowers, flourishes, and fabulous bows!  She is so encouraging to me and I am always inspired by her creativity!


Diane Zechman - Paper Cookies

I have had the pleasure of personally meeting this incredibly talented lady and she is as thoughtful, hospitable and sweet as she is creative!  Not only does she create cards, but she is currently illustrating and designing stamp sets for Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, one of which was used to create the sunflower card above.  I am in awe of her 3-D projects and shaped cards.  She is known on Splitcoaststampers as Cookiestamper and is a Dirty Dozen Alumni!  Quite a few companies have been fortunate enough to have Diane design for them!

Lee Ann Barrett - Greyt Paper Crafts

I got to know Lee Ann when she joined the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Design Team and what a great source of inspiration she has been for me! Her cards have that WOW factor that make you just want to CASE every one!  She has begun using craft metal on some of her creations that adds that extra bit of dazzle.  Lee Ann would say that she has a classy and elegant style, but she does CAS just as well!  She is known as Whippetgirl on Splitcoaststampers and is also a Dirty Dozen Alumni. 

I love and admire each of these wonderful ladies!  Please be sure to check in with them next Monday, September 29th, when they will be sharing a little bit about themselves.  I know I will be looking forward to what they have to share!

I hope you've enjoyed this post and have been inspired in some small way!
Have a blessed day!

Hugs,
Cathymac

SNSS Fall Release Take 2

Hello Sweet 'n Sassy friends!  The only thing I don't like about Fall is that Winter is close behind!  But that won't keep me from enjoying the warm autumn colors, cooler weather, and crunching leaves!

If you have not had a chance to check out the new stamp sets and dies released by SNSS this month, head on over to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store to see what's new.  All of the new stamps and dies are perfect for creating fall themed cards!

The Flowers in Bloom stamp set and matching Flowers in Bloom Die along with the So Grateful stamp set were used to create the "Grateful For You" card below.

Creative Nugget:  The background for the beautiful coneflowers from the Flowers in Bloom stamp set was made by sponging Picked Raspberry, Dried Marigold, and Crushed Olive distress inks through a leafy stencil.  The Friendship Script Background was stamped in Gathered Twigs ink over the leaves while the stencil was still in place.  Modeling Paste was applied through the Tim Holtz Burlap stencil.  While this was drying, the coneflowers were colored with Copic Markers and cut with the matching Flowers in Bloom Die.  The sentiment from the So Grateful stamp set was stamped on a little tag and everything was all tied together with a small piece of burlap and some jute twine.

For more gorgeous samples just click on the links below.  

If you have made a card using any of the new stamps and dies from the September Release feel free to add your card to the gallery.  We'd love to see your creations!  The Linky List will be open until Thursday, September 25, 2014.

Thanks so much for stopping by…I hope you've enjoyed your visit!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Taking a Look Back at the ODBD September 2014 Release

Welcome, my friends!  Today we are taking a look back at Our Daily Bread Designs September 2014 Release.  Here is the project I created using some of the new products released this month.  

Creative Nugget:  Have you ever finished a card just to decide you didn't like it and rip it all apart?  The gray background on my first attempt at this card was just too dark for my liking so apart it came.  Several Doily Die cuts were embedded onto a piece of Vintage Cream card stock to create the background for this second attempt.  A strip of Soulful Stitches paper was stitched to the doily background.  A small quilt made of Soulful Stitches scraps stitched together on Smokey Shadow card stock and mounted to Sage Shadow was added next.  Then came the Beautiful Border Die cut from Groovy Guava card stock.  The knitting basket and yarn from the Hand Knit stamp set were colored with Copic Markers and cut with the matching Knitting Basket and Yarn Dies.  A hand cut banner was stamped with the sentiment from the Birthday Doily stamp set.  Two little buttons from the Doily Die were covered with Glossy Accents and pearls attached to finish the card.  There…that's much better!

Here is another card made by layering the Doily Dies together in neutral tones and mounting them on a panel embossed with the Daisy Chain Background Die.  I love how delicate this Doily Die is and know I will be reaching for it time and time again!

Here are the products from the ODBD Store that were used to create these samples:

My first card sample will also be submitted for the following challenges for this week:

ODBDSLC213 - Stitch It!

Mojo 363 Sketch Challenge

For more inspiration using the September Release be sure to visit the ODBD Blog.  To see the details for each of the DT projects just click the links listed below!

Chris * Grace * Julie * Cathy * Lori * Sandee  

Dawn * Paula * Stacy * Wanda

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs,

Cathymac

SNSS September 2014 Release

Hello Blogger friends! Welcome to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps September 2014 Release!  Autumn is such a wonderful time of the year.  Just think of cool crisp mornings, warm colors, ripe, juicy apples, pumpkins, changing leaves, and Thanksgiving, and you have the makings of a fabulous release!

This release is a little different from those in the past as some of the items have already been released to Sweet Perks Club participants…but now, there are a few more Fall surprises we have to share with you!

 First, our new stamp sets!

So Grateful

• Stamp set includes 24 words 
• Stamp set measures 4" x 4"
• Designed by Gloria Stengel
• $11

 Beary Bountiful Autumn

• Stamp set includes 2 images and 5 sentiments
• Stamp set measures 4" x 6 "
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• $15

Falling Leaves

• Stamp set includes 2 images and 2 sentiments
• Stamp set measures 4" x 4"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• $11

Skeleton Leaf Background

• Stamp set includes 1 image
• Stamp set measures 4" x 4"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• $11

The following stamps and dies can now 

be purchased as single items!

Autumn Mum Greetings & Autumn Mums Dies

• Stamp set includes 2 images and 7 sentiments
• Stamp set measures 6" x 4"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• $15
• Die set includes 2 dies
• $12.50

Forest Silhouettes Dies
(Coordinates with the Forest Silhouettes stamp set)

• Die set includes 9 dies
• $22.75

Flowers in Bloom Die

(Coordinates with the Flowers in Bloom stamp set)

• Die set includes 1 die
• $10.25

Leaf Silhouettes Dies
(Coordinates with the Leaf Silhouettes stamp set)

• Die set includes 10 dies (5 are embossing dies)
• $17.75

Here are a few cards I made with these fabulous new products!

Creative Nugget:  The large mum from the Autumn Mum Greetings stamp set was stamped on a piece of Solar Crest card stock and colored with Copic Markers.  A narrow panel was cut from this piece with a craft knife leaving the mum attached to the white card stock on the sides.  I saw this technique on Pinterest, but can't remember now where it was from.  A strip of Solar Crest card stock, slightly smaller than the strip cut from the mum panel, was sponged with Memento inks and embossed with a Wood Grain Impression Plate.  This was adhered behind the mum.  The whole panel was then attached to a piece of True Black card stock to form a mat which was then mounted to a Solar Crest card base to finish the card.

Creative Nugget:  The split sentiment from the So Grateful stamp set was stamped in two different colors on a piece of Solar Crest card stock and embossed with a wood grain pattern to create the card front.  A watercolor wash was painted on a piece of Watercolor paper, and the Skeleton Leaf Background was stamped over the colors with Versafine Onyx Black ink.  This layer was cut with a Square Nestie and mounted to a piece of orange card stock.  The banner was hand cut.  A few Leaves from the Leaf Silhouettes stamp set were cut with the Leaf Silhouettes Dies, tied to a button, and attached to finish this CAS card.

Creative Nugget:  I found this background panel stuck in one of my paper pads and decided it would be perfect for this adorable image from the new Beary Bountiful Autumn stamp set.  Rhubarb was colored with Copic Markers.  A little Colorless Blending Solution on a towel was dabbed on Rhubarb to achieve the texture.  The apple image was colored three times, fussy cut, and popped onto the card.  One of the arrows from the What's Up Arrow Die Set points to the Harvest sentiment which was stamped on a Mini Tag die cut to finish the card.

Please join us for our release day blog hop featuring our talented DT creations.  You are going to FALL for all of their gorgeous projects! :)

The DT blog links can be found in the Linky Tool at the end 
of this blog post.

One random commenter from one of the DT blogs will be selected to win a $10 Gift Code to be used at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store.  You have until Thursday, September 18th at midnight EST to leave your comments.  The winner will be posted on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog on Friday, September 19th!

 One more thing before we let you go...

We can't forget our fun Release Day Challenge!
"Create a Fall Themed Card"   

Just a few guidelines to remember as you play:

            

- You don't have to use a Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps image to enter (although we sure love when you do!)
- Please create a NEW card (no back linking)
- We ask that you enter your card in no more than 3 challenges
 - You'll have until Thursday, September 18th at midnight EST to enter
- We'll draw 1 winner from this week's challenge to receive a $10 credit to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store!  
If there are 25 participants, (not including the DT), we'll draw 2 winners!
- Please use code SNSSept2014RC when uploading to Splitcoaststampers or other galleries 

To enter simply share a link to your creation below, but don't forget to visit the DT blogs to see their beautiful release creations!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you were inspired by your visit!

Hugs,

Cathymac

ODBD September 2014 Release

Hello friends!  Happy Labor Day!  Welcome to Our Daily Bread Designs September Release!  If you enjoy needlework of any kind this release is especially for you, but if not, there are plenty of pretties I'm sure you will want to add to your collection of stamp images and sentiments!  The Design Team has been having a lot of fun working with these new stamps, dies, and papers, so join us as we share these new products with you.

Three winners will be randomly chosen from the comments left on the designers blogs to receive a $15 Gift Certificate to the ODBD Store, to be used toward the purchase of ODBD Stamps found in the "stamps column" of the website. You have until September 2, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. EDT to leave your comments!  The Winners will be posted on the ODBD Blog on September 3rd, so be sure to check back there to see if you won!

Here is a card made with the new Doily Die (*LOVE*), 
the Sewing Mini Set, and the Soulful Stitches Paper Collection:

Creative Nugget:  The card front was created with some of the beautiful new Soulful Stitches Paper and Vintage Cream card stock with a Beautiful Border between the two.  These were stitched to Smokey Shadow card stock and mounted to a Vintage Cream card base. The Doily Die was tucked under the border and the sentiment from the Sewing stamp set stamped in Watering Can Archival ink. The patch from the Sewing set was stamped on several coordinating papers from the Soulful Stitches Collection and layered across the card. The seam binding ties everything together and a few pearls were added to finish the card.

My second sample was made with a Double Display card base!

Creative Nugget:  The mats were made with Smokey Shadow card stock and papers from the Soulful Stitches Paper Collection.  A stamp positioner was used to get the patch from the Sewing set to fit on some of the panels.  Distress inks were applied directly to the Birthday Doily stamp, misted with water, and stamped onto Mixed Media paper.  The doily was cut with the Doily Die as well as a mat from Smokey Shadow.  These were then cut in half and attached to each side of the card.  A Vintage Pattern Die was used for the sentiment and was attached to just the left side of the card so it could open.  Slits were made in the label so the seam binding could be threaded through and tied to keep the card closed.  

Here is the card opened!

Creative Nugget:  The Elizabeth dress form was colored with Copic Markers and cut and mounted with the Vintage Label Die. You can see just a little of the Doily Die peeking out from behind. The inside sentiment on the inside, right panel was stamped on an Antique Label Die.  A few pearls add the finishing touch!

Just take a look at these beautiful new ODBD 

September Release products  

 that were used to create these samples!

You can see all of the gorgeous creations made by the talented Breadsticks on the ODBD Blog.  To see the details of each project be sure to visit each of the DT Blogs by clicking on the links below!  Leave a little love behind to qualify for one of the prizes!

Chris * Grace * Julie * Cathy * Lori * Sandee 

 Dawn * Paula * Lisa * Silke * Wanda

  Angie * Sabrina * Audrey

Thanks so much for stopping by…enjoy your Labor Day!

Hugs,

Cathymac