Golden Inkspirations

First Class Friend

2012-03-03T04:58:00.000-05:00

What a busy, busy week! Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps just had another fabulous release...six new stamp sets and a matching set of dies! I LOVE them all, but especially the Vintage Postcard clear stamp set. If you have not had a chance to check them out, head on over to the store, where there are some special deals going on, to take a look. I'm sure you will be adding some of these sets to your wish list! With that in mind...I decided to feature my favorite set of the release for my Saturday sketch from The Sweet Stop!

Creative Nugget: This sketch was perfect for achieving a kind of vintage look. The papers, colors, and accents helped produce the look I was trying for. The top panel was created by stamping some of the elements from the Vintage Postcard set right on the patterned paper in Basic Gray and Pumice Stone Distress inks. The little first class friend post mark was cut out with one of the matching dies. The second panel was made the same way using the Friendship Script background stamp set, another new release. These were layered on My Mind's Eye papers from the Portobello Road paper pad and a Soft Stone card base. The dotted panel was zig-zag stitched to the Heart Border, which is also a die from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. Finally came the addition of the rolled flower made from two cuts of DP using the Spiral Blossom 2 die from Spellbinders. My first attempt at a rolled flower is a bit over-worked and not as tight in the center as I would like, but looks okay...I think! Some Stardust Stickles was brushed on the flower petals and the whole flower given a shot of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist to finish it off! You can scroll down to my last post to see another card made with this fabulous set!

I didn't get a Christmas version done yet...busy, busy, week...but this is such a great sketch, that I plan on doing one, so be sure to check back!

Before you leave, check out the very talented Sugar Babies for more inspiration and then join us at The Sweet Stop this week for some fun stamping!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Chrissy Dickinson

I appreciate so much the time you take to stop by...thanks so much! Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Vintage Postcard, Friendship Script (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Basic Gray (SU!), Pumice Stone Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper: Soft Stone, Smokey Shadow (PTI), Soft Sky (SU!), Portobello Road (My Mind's Eye)

Accessories: Pennants and More Dies and Heart Border Die (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Spiral Blossom 2 Die (Spellbinders), Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), White Seam Binding (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Kaiser Pearl

SNSS March Release Blog Hop

2012-03-01T08:00:00.121-05:00

Welcome to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps March New Release Celebration! The Design Divas are so excited to be kicking off this month's amazing stamp release with a blog hop today. You are probably joining me from Kim Singdahlsen's blog; if not, be sure to head back to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog so you don't miss a thing!

Creative Nugget: For my first sample, I used the new "Pennant Party" clear stamp set designed by Korin Sutherland. What an amazing and fun set to work with. The set has 25 whopping stamps and will sell for just $11, an amazing value. There are also matching dies available, making the stamps in the set easy to cut out. I went a little ouside the box to create my golf scene, using the dies to make trees, a flag, and the golf hole. After piecing my background using various patterned papers, I zig-zag stitched around everything. The trees were added to the background and the #1 in the set was used to make the tree trunks. The marker flag was made with one of the pennant dies and a toothpick rolled in a black stamp pad. Even the word "PAR" was made from one of the sentiments in the set. I just covered all the letters except PAR with tape, inked up the stamp, removed the tape, and stamped it on the flag! The sentiment banner was hand cut, a button added, and that finished off my card. Fun! This is definitely a set that can be very versatile!

Creative Nugget: Here's another sample using just the pennant dies and a sewing machine. Buttons were added for interest. The sentiment is from the "Sew Happy Cocoa" clear stamp set.

Creative Nugget: My third sample has a completely different look as I went with a shabby, vintage style using the fabulous new set designed by Dina Kowal, "Vintage Postcard." It has 17 stamps and will sell for $15. The postcard elements were stamped on Kraft card stock using Tuxedo Black and Walnut Stain distress ink. The titmouse image on the left is from a clear stamp set called "Peace of God," and was colored with copic markers. I cringed and held my breath as the next step of the distressing process began. The whole panel was crumpled up into a tight little ball and opened back up again. Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain distress inks were swiped across the wrinkles and spritzed with water. After letting the inks run a bit, the panel was ironed to dry and flatten it. I breathed easy...I liked the results! The card base was layered with card stock and patterned papers that had been distressed and pierced. A little bit of cheese cloth was also distressed and added under the postcard image. (Thanks, Monika!) Everything was tied together with a ribbon that was stained with the distress inks.

We hope you enjoy checking out the other projects as much as we've enjoyed making them! Your next stop is the talented Mary Faus's blog. And just in case there's a glitch, here is the whole list of team members hopping along with us today:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog

Korin Sutherland

Jessica Fick

Kim Singdahlsen

Cathy McCauley <--- You are here!

Mary Faus

DJ Rants

Amber Hillman

Monika Davis

Kim Schofield

Giovana Smith

Holly McMillen

Dina Kowal

Bridget Finlay

Taylor Usry

After the hop, make plans to join us for our New Release Party over in our Member Company Forums on Splitcoaststampers. We'll have full reveals of all the stamp and dies sets being released this month, challenges to inspire you, and of course fun chatter with great friends! See you there!

Thanks so much for stopping by...have fun hopping!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Congrats Card Recipe

Stamps: Pennant Party (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Peeled Paint, Wild Honey, and Frayed Burlap Distress Inks (Ranger)
Paper: Select White, Kraft (PTI), Soft Sky and Cloud DP (SU!), Basics Kraft Paper Pad (BasicGrey), Victorian Gardens Paper Pad (Echo Park)
Accessories: Sew Mini (Janome), Pennant Dies (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), 1/2" hole Punch, Photo Corner Punch (SU!)

God Bless You Card Recipe

Stamps: Vintage Postcard, Peace of God (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Tuxedo Black (Memento), Vintage Photo, Worn Lipstick, and Walnut Stain Distress Inks (Ranger)
Paper: Blueberry Sky, Kraft, True Black (PTI), BasicGrey DP
Accessories: Distressing Tool, Piercing Tool (SU!), Cheesecloth, Satin Ribbon (PTI), Copic Markers B91, B95, B97, B99,YG21, YG63, YG67, R43, R46, E11, E13, E55, E57, E59, C1, C5, C9

Butterfly Flight

2012-02-25T05:44:00.001-05:00

Where did this week go...it just flew by! Here it is, Saturday already, and time for another sketch at The Sweet Stop. This one had me stumped for a while, but butterflies seemed perfect for the sketch, so out they came again this week!

Creative Nugget: The spots on the sketch became spots of color made with various polka dot stamps and distress inks, Peeled Paint, Broken China, and Victorian Velvet. The spots were then overstamped with butterflies from two Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps clear stamp sets, Rose Collage and Serene Silhouettes. The corners were torn from another piece of Select White card stock and sent through the Big Shot with the Swiss Dots embossing folder. The sentiment from the Prayerful Thoughts stamp set seemed just right for these butterflies so it was layered on a Spellbinders ribbon slide die cut along with some seam binding dyed with the Victorian Velvet stamp pad. Everything was layered onto my favorite True Black card stock and an Autumn Rose card base. Easy-Peasy...and no patterned paper or copic markers!

For the Christmas version, the spots became stars:

I'm so excited that my Christmas stash is growing! For more inspiration for this sketch, check out the amazing samples made by the Sugar Babies! Hope you'll give this one a try and play along at The Sweet Stop...I'd love to see how you use the spots!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

Chrissy Dickinson

Before I leave I want to invite you to two exciting events happening on March 1st...

You don't want to miss this one. The new sets being released are amazing! Just to whet your appetite, here are peeks at two of the new clear stamp sets being released:

This set was designed by Dina Kowal. It includes 17 stamps and will sell for $15.

This next set was designed by Korin Sutherland. It includes 25 stamps and will sell for only $11.

See what I mean...just amazing! Hope you'll plan to join us next Thursday for a day of fun! Thanks for stopping by today...have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Rose Collage, Serene Silhouettes, Prayerful Thoughts (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Victorian Velvet, Broken China, and Peeled Paint Distress inks (Ranger)

Paper: Select White, True Black, Autumn Rose (PTI)

Accessories: Floral Doily Motifs (Spellbinders), Kaiser Pearls, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provocraft), Seam Binding (Really Reasonable Ribbon)

Butterfly Flourish

2012-02-18T04:26:00.001-05:00

Hello friends...it's Saturday again and time for another fabulous sketch from The Sweet Stop! Korin just keeps coming up with sketches that yield beautiful results! I don't know about you, but a good sketch just seems to get my creative juices flowing...I hope you like my samples for this week!

Creative Nugget: See what I mean...I really like how this one turned out and I didn't even use copics! I began by making a wrinkle-free background for the butterfly panel. Some Broken China and Peeled Paint Distress ink was swiped across a non-stick craft mat and spritzed with water. The ink on the work surface beaded up and a piece of white card stock was dabbed and twisted on the wet ink. A heat tool was used to dry the ink. The same process was repeated two more times until most of the ink on the work surface was used. A circle nestie was used to cut the panel. The Butterfly Flourish, from a new clear stamp set released earlier this month by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, was stamped on the panel with Versafine Onyx Black ink. The verse from Psalms, from the Wait on the Lord stamp set, was stamped on Fine Linen card stock and cut with a rectangle nestie. Both panels were mounted on black and layered on some designer paper from My Mind's Eye. Some stitching was added around the perimeter. A black border left over from another project was zig-zag stitched to the striped panel. All of this was layered onto True Black and a Fine Linen card base following the sketch. A black ribbon was tied across the middle and some black rhinestones were added. One of the butterflies was stamped again, cut out, and popped up for some dimension. The sentiment and little banner are from the Rose Collage clear stamp set, and were cut out and added to the circle panel. That finished off my sample.

Here's the Christmas version:

If you've enjoyed these samples, you're sure to get inspired by what the other Sugar Babies have created for you today. Be sure to check them out and play along with us at The Sweet Stop this week! If you use punches or dies on your card, you could even be eligible for a prize!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

Chrissy Dickinson

Thanks for stopping by...hope you get to grab some stamping time and enjoy your weekend!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card recipe:

Stamps: Butterfly Flourish, Rose Collage, Wait on the Lord (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Broken China and Peeled Paint Distress ink (Ranger)

Paper: Pure Linen, True Black (PTI), Neenah Solar White (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Vanity Fair Paper Pad (My Mind's Eye)

Accessories: Circle, Scalloped Circle, and Rectangle Nesties, Classic Petal Edgeabilities

(Spellbinders), Non-Stick Craft Mat (Ranger), Sew Mini Sewing Machine (Janome), Black Ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Kaiser Black Rhinestones

Bountiful Borders

2012-02-16T01:40:00.000-05:00

Hello, friends! Today is an exciting day for me...it's the first time for me to host a challenge over at Splitcoaststampers. The "Ways to Use It" Challenge for today is to see how creative you can be with those border dies and punches. If you don't have any border dies or punches...you can grab some decorative scissors to create your borders. I made two samples for WT362.

Creative Nugget: Some new Edgeabilitie dies and inserts were used to create the decorative strip across the bottom of the card. The die and one of the inserts from the Classic Petal set was layered with an insert from the Classic Ric Rac set for the bottom part of the strip. The same die and inserts were reversed to create the top of the strip. This produced a little flower design in the middle from which the Baker's Twine was tied. The neat thing about the new Edgeabilities dies is that all of the sets are interchangeable for endless possibilities! The decorative strip was layered onto a Dotted Swiss panel, a black panel, and a Select White card base. The sentiment was computer generated and punched with the modern label punch.

Creative Nugget: The bottom border of this second sample was made by using the edge only of the Ric Rac set of Edgeabilitie Dies. The die was used on the white panel as well as the black card base. The hearts are from a Sweet 'n Sassy clear stamp set called "Polka Dot Silhouettes" and were stamped in various colors. Some of the hearts were then die cut with matching heart dies and popped up for dimension. Some ruffled black gingham ribbon and a computer generated sentiment were added to the top of the card.

I hope you'll grab your border dies and play along with the challenge. I'd love to see what you create with those bountiful borders! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Polka Dot Silhouettes (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Computer
Ink: Computer, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Wild Wasabi, Brilliant Blue, Lovely Lilac (SU!)
Paper: Select White, True Black (PTI)
Accessories: Dotted Swiss Embossing Folder (ProvoCraft), Classic Ric Rac and Classic Petal Edgeabilities, Banner die (Spellbinders), Modern Label Punch (SU!), Kaiser Pearls colored with Copic Markers, Baker's Twine, Heart Dies (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Ruffled Ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Tiny Twinkles (Taylored Expressions)

Tom and Tilly

2012-02-11T04:00:00.007-05:00

Happy Saturday, friends! It's time for another sketch from The Sweet Stop and this one is ideal for getting out those background stamps or large image stamps. Since Valentine's Day is on Tuesday, I thought I would use a "Sweetheart" image to celebrate the occasion, so here are Tom and Tilly!

Creative Nugget: Aren't they just the sweetest couple? I've been wanting to color this Mo Manning image for a while now and this sketch provided the perfect opportunity! Tom and Tilly were colored with copic markers. You can hardly see it in the photo, but a cloud stencil was used to sponge some Weathered Wood Distress ink in the sky and Vintage Photo was sponged on the bottom. The image was adhered to the top of a black panel and strips of scrap patterned paper were used to make the stripes on the bottom. A little heart trim separates the image from the stripes. All of this was put on some Basic Grey DP, another black panel, and a Pretty in Pink card base. A bow made with my Bow-Easy and a sentiment were added to finish off this anniversary card.

This card also qualifies for Inspiration Challenge #36 at the CMC Copic Challenge Group over at Scrap Bitz.
Here are the inspiration photos:

And here's the Christmas version which I'm also submitting to Mo's Digital Challenge #121:

I went down the left side with Gems, Lace, and
Dies/Punches.

Maybe you can use this sketch to make a Valentine's Day card for your honey if you haven't made one yet. If you do, post it on The Sweet Stop Blog. We'd love to see what you create with the sketch! Be sure to check out the other Sugar Babies for some more fabulous inspiration!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

Chrissy Dickinson

Thanks so much for stopping by...enjoy your weekend!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Tom and Tilly Digi (Mo Manning), Love is Like a Tree (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

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

Paper: Pretty in Pink (SU!), True Black (PTI), Neenah Solar White (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Basic Grey DP

Accessories: Modern Label Punch (SU!), Ribbon (PTI), Kaiser Pearls, Heart Trim, Copic Markers YG01, YG17, YG23, YG25, R32, R35, R37, R39, R81, R83, R85, E00, E11, E13, E25, E33, E53, E59, E99, C00, C1, C2, C3, C5, C7, C9, 0

I Woof You!

2012-02-09T10:34:00.000-05:00

Hello, Friends...I have a really short post for you today! Over at Splitcoaststampers, Hannah challenged us to make a valentine with a twist...no RED or PINK! This is what I came up with.

Creative Nugget: No matter how much I try, I cannot seem to color my dogs any color but golden...go figure! Any way...this adorable pup from a Sweet 'n Sassy clear stamp set called "I Woof You!"...was colored with copic markers. Scraps of Basic Grey DP were zig-zag stitched together and a heart Nestie cut out of the middle. A Baja Breeze heart was embossed with hearts and layered onto a Chocolate Chip scalloped heart...that's a lot of hearts! LOL! The hearts and the stitched DP were layered onto So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, and then a Baja Breeze card base. Button twine was wrapped around the card and a paper button covered with Glossy Accents added. Finally the pup was cut out and popped up on top. There you have it...a valentine with no RED or PINK!

Thanks for stopping by...enjoy your day!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: I Woof You! (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron (SU!), Cryogen White, Max & Whiskers DP (Basic Grey)
Accessories: Heart and Scalloped Heart Nesties (Spellbinders), Kaiser Pearls, Glossy Accents (Ranger), Sew Mini Sewing Machine (Janome), Copic Markers YR21, YR21, E37, E99, W5, W7, W9

Rose Collage

2012-02-06T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hello friends! Hope you all had a marvelous Super Bowl weekend! Congratulations to all you Giants fans!

It's my day to post on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog, so I thought I would share my sample here as well! Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps has done it again...the February release was fabulous! The collage images and silhouettes are perfect stamp sets to be used with many wonderful background techniques. So I grabbed my distress inks and started playing around!

Creative Nugget: The inspiration for my card came from Sunday's Featured Stamper over at Splitcoaststampers, Darsie Bruno. You can see Darsie's fabulous gallery here. I used the same two new Sweet 'n Sassy clear stamp sets, "Rose Collage" and "You," as Darsie did to make her fabulous Rose Collage card. To make the background for the beautiful Rose Collage stamp, I started with a piece of white card stock and crumpled it up...just bunch it up into a little ball...the more creases, the better! Flatten it out and rub a distress ink pad over the creases. I used Spun Sugar on my sample. Then spritz it with water so the ink begins to spread and run. Use an old iron or a craft iron to help dry the card stock and flatten the paper even more. You can leave it as is, or sponge on more color. I decided to add some Scattered Straw and Antique Linen. When you are happy with the results, stamp your image. The ribbon was distressed as well. I just dragged the ribbon across the Spun Sugar and Scattered Straw ink pads to lightly stain it. A few torn edges, paper piercing, and pearls finish the card. What do you think?

I hope this makes sense to you, but if not, visit Tim Holtz's blog to see a video tutorial on this and other background techniques. To see a sample of another fabulous background technique using alcohol inks, see my last post.

I hope you'll grab your Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and try some beautiful backgrounds. We'd love to see what you create! Happy stamping!

As always...thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Rose Collage, You (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, StazOn Jet Black (Tsukineko), Spun Sugar, Scattered Straw, and Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Select White, True Black (PTI), Neenah Solar White (SNSS), Yours Truly Paper Pad (Echo Park), Vellum (SU!)
Accessories: Felt Applicator Tool (Tim Holtz), Kaiser Pearls, Silk Ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon)

More Morning Glories!

2012-02-04T04:20:00.002-05:00

Happy Saturday to you my friends! We've been having some glorious weather here...very mild for winter. On Thursday the groundhog informed us that we will have six more weeks of winter, but with the weather we've been having, I prefer to think that Spring is right around the corner!

What a wonderful release party Thursday evening! If you've not had a chance to check out the new clear stamp sets, hop on over to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps store and check them out...fabulous flowers and butterflies, roses, Cocoa, and Rhubarb, cute little girls, and a versatile mix and match sentiment set all about YOU! I've been having fun with the new Morning Glory set and used it for The Sweet Stop sketch for this week!

Creative Nugget: I love these gorgeous morning glories and stamped them repeatedly on the three different panels. They were then colored in with my copic markers and cut with different sized nesties. Each panel was layered onto True Black and several extra flowers were colored and popped up for dimension. The background was done with alcohol inks and I loved how it turned out. I put several drops of Lettuce, Wild Plum, Stream, and a small drop of gold onto a felt applicator tool and started dabbing onto a piece of glossy card stock. When the piece of card stock was completely covered, some blending solution was added to the felt pad and dabbed over the colors to blend them. The background you see on the card was the result! All of the morning glory panels were layered onto the background following the sketch design. This was then adhered to a piece of Select White and a True Black card base. I cut the shank off the back of the button and added it, some lace, and a sentiment to finish the card. I hope my mom likes it as it will be given to her for her birthday next week!

And the Christmas version!

Check out the ever-so-talented Sugar Babies and join us at The Sweet Stop this week! We love to see what you create using Korin's wonderful sketches!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

Chrissy Dickinson

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

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Morning Glory (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Birthday Basics (PTI)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Lettuce, Wild Plum, Stream, and Gold Adirondack Alcohol Inks (Ranger)

Paper: True Black, Select White (PTI), Neenah Solar White (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Glossy White (SU!)

Accessories: Square and Rectangle Nesties (Spellbinders), Word Window Punch (SU!), Lace (The Paper Studio), Kaiser Pearls, Button (PTI), Clear Jelly Roll Pen (Sakura), Copic Markers YG17, YG21, YG25, V000, V05, V06, V09,BG10, BG49, BG53

February Release Blog Hop

2012-02-02T08:00:00.088-05:00

Welcome to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps February New Release Blog Hop! This month's release is so exciting - it was even released a week early as a surprise! Get your warm beverage and a tasty snack, and get ready for some amazing inspiration from the Design Divas!

If you've just come from the amazing Holly McMillen, you're on the right track...otherwise you might want to go back to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog to start at the beginning. You won't want to miss a single project from this fabulous release!

For my first sample, I used the new "Morning Glory" clear stamp set which includes one image and six wonderful sentiments perfect for letting someone know you are praying for them.

Creative Nugget: The morning glories were colored with copic markers and cut with a Labels Six Die. While still in the die, a little Broken China Distress Ink was added around the outside edge. This was all layered on some of my favorite Bo Bunny DP and a fence die cut. The Fanciful Flourish die cut was woven through the fence posts. Several of the flowers were stamped and colored a second time so they could be popped up for depth. A sentiment, pearls, and a rhinestone were added to finish the card.

My second sample features everyone's favorite mouse, Cocoa. Korin has done it again...another adorable Cocoa clear stamp set that has Cocoa peeking out of an Easter egg! The "Egg-cited Cocoa" clear stamp set also includes five sentiments perfect for Easter and throughout the year.

Creative Nugget: For this sample I used this week's sketch at The Sweet Stop. The colors were pulled from the My Mind's Eye DP. Cocoa is always so much fun to color with copics. The eyelet border die was cut twice and layered so the Baker's twine could be weaved through. The sentiment was stamped before embossing the Select White card stock with the Swiss dots EF. All the elements were layered following the sketch design.

I hope my projects have inspired you to add these two new, wonderful sets to your wish list! Now head on over to the ever-so talented, Amber Hillman for some more release time eye candy!

Be sure to make plans to join us for our new release party tonight; the fun takes place over in our member company forums on Splitcoaststampers. We'll have great fellowship with crafty friends, challenges, and a prize drawing! The excitement starts at 8:00 PM EST.

Now, take a look at what the other Design Divas have created to show off this amazing batch of February stamps:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog

Korin Sutherland

Kim Singdahlsen

Giovana Smith

Dina Kowal

Jessica Fick

Kim Schofield

Mary Faus

Monika Davis

Bridget Finlay

Holly McMillen

Cathy McCauley <---You are here!

Amber Hillman

Wendy Jordan (our February guest)

Taylor Usry

Don't forget, the entire February release is available in the store right now; you can order the stamps individually or at a discounted bundle price! Head over to get yours today!

Thanks so much for stopping by...come again on Saturday for another fabulous Sweet Stop Sketch!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Morning Glory Card Recipe

Stamps: Morning Gory (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Paper: Smokey Shadow, Simply Chartreuse (PTI), Neenah Solar White (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Bo Bunny DP
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Modern Label Punch (SU!), Labels Six (Spellbinders), Fence Die (PTI), Fanciful Flourish Die (Cheery Lynn), Kaiser Pearls and Rhinestone, Clear Jelly Roll Pen (Sakura), Copic Markers YG17, YG21, YG23,
YG25, BG49, BG53, BG70, V000, V05, V06, V09, W9, W7, W5

Cocoa Card Recipe

Stamps: Egg-cited Cocoa (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Paper: Smokey Shadow, Spring Moss, Vintage Cream (PTI), Neenah Solar White (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Ooh La La DP (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories: Square Nestie Spellbinders), Lacey Eyelet Border Die, Baker's Twine (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Kaiser Pearl, White Poster-Paint Pen (Sharpie), Copic Markers W00, W1, W2, W3, W5, R00, R20, R81, R83, R85, E40, E41, E42, BG49, BG53, BG70, YG25

Snow Friends

2012-01-28T06:06:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-21T04:26:00.001-05:00

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!

2012-01-19T07:40:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-14T06:29:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-11T08:00:00.004-05:00

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

2012-01-07T04:51:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

Comforting Thoughts

2011-12-19T08:00:00.005-05:00

Good morning, friends! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. With only a week left until Christmas, I thought I'd deviate from the festivities for a while and bring you some comforting thoughts and a technique I have not used in a while.

Creative Nugget: Some of the most comforting words come from Psalms 23, so I grabbed two wonderful Sweet 'n Sassy clear stamp sets, "Psalms 23" (I'm not seeing this one in the store right now) and "Wildflowers." I began by stamping Psalm 23 with Tuxedo Black ink on a piece of Select White card stock and cut it out using a Spellbinders label die. The wildflowers were then stamped with VersaMark ink and clear embossed. Peeled Paint, Tattered Rose, and Weathered Wood distress inks were then sponged over the wildflowers while the panel was still in the die. The ink was then removed from the embossing by rubbing over the whole panel with a paper towel. This was layered onto a black panel embossed with the Square Lattice EF. Other layers of white, black, and Basic Grey DP were added and mounted on a Select White card base. Black gingham, a little get well tag, and black pearls embellish the card.

As we franticly finish our Christmas preparations this week, let us ponder the wonderful words of this psalm, remember what the season is really all about, and take comfort!

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Psalm 23, Wildflowers (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Mixed Messages (PTI)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Peeled Paint, Tattered Rose, Weathered Wood Distress Inks (Ranger)

Paper: Select White, True Black (PTI), Sweet Threads DP (Basic Grey)

Accessories: Labels Seventeen Die (Spellbinders), Square Lattice EF (SU!), Black Gingham Ribbon (PTI), 1/2" Circle Punch, Kaiser Pearls

Jesus is Born

2011-12-17T03:07:00.001-05:00

Welcome back, friends! Here it is Saturday again and time for another sketch at The Sweet Stop! Since this is the third week of the month, the spin was to use chipboard on our cards.

Creative Nugget: Only eight more days until Christmas so I decided to focus my sample this week on the reason for the season. I found an adorable Mo Manning image that was just perfect for honoring the birth of our Savior!

The "In the Manger" image was colored with copic markers. A little shimmer was added to the wings of the angel with a jelly roll pen. This was layered onto a second panel stamped with an Our Daily Bread Designs stamp called "He Shall Be Called." This was layered onto some Bo Bunny DP, Soft Stone card stock, and a Night Sky Shimmer card base. A sentiment banner from the "O Christmas Tree" clear stamp set by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps was added. The chipboard star was colored with a jelly roll pen and covered with Glossy Accents and clear micro beads. A silver edged organdy bow and colored rhinestone finish the card. With all the shine on this card it also qualifies for the Dulce Stamps and Cards Thursday challenge for this week.

Here is a closer look so you can see the shimmer of the Night Sky Shimmer card stock, the jelly roll pen on the angel's wings, and the micro beads on the chipboard star.

Check in with the other Sugar Babies for more fabulous inspiration for this week's sketch! Then create your own card using chipboard and upload it using the linky tool at The Sweet Stop for a chance to win a free stamp set!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

Lorie Ames

Chrissy Dickinson

Thanks for stopping by! This will be the last sketch challenge at The Sweet Stop for 2011. The Sugar Babies are taking the next two weeks to enjoy Christmas and New Year's Eve with our families and friends. We'll be back in January with many more wonderful sketches to inspire you! Have a great weekend:)

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe:
Stamps: In the Manger Digi (Mo Manning), He Shall Be Called (ODBD), O Christmas Tree (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Faded Jeans Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Night Sky Shimmer, Soft Stone (PTI), Neenah Solar White (SNSS), Midnight Frost DP (Bo Bunny)
Accessories: Rectangle and Scallop Rectangle Nesties (Spellbinders), Chipboard Star (SU!), Ribbon (PTI), Kaiser Rhinestone, Jelly Roll Pen (Sakura), Copic Markers B91, B93, B95, B97, B99, Y11, Y13, Y21, Y23, Y26, R20, E00, E21, E35, E37, E40, E41, E57, E59, E97, E99, W00, W2

Crazy 4 Cocoa Blog Hop

2011-12-15T08:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Crazy 4 Cocoa blog hop! We all adore Cocoa and thought it would be fun to showcase him all month long. Today, as part of the fun, the Sweet 'n Sassy Design Divas have joined together with a few of the talented Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge ladies to bring a great Cocoa Mouse Blog Hop to you! Make sure you've got your warm drink and some chocolate...let's get ready to hop!

Creative Nugget: Here's what I created for the hop today! "Cocoa's Gift" clear stamp set was used for both the card and the gable box.

The layout for the card was taken from yesterday's sketch challenge over at SCS. Cocoa was colored with copic markers and his gift box was paper pieced with "12 Days of Christmas" DP by My Mind's Eye. All the panels were mounted on Ivory card stock embossed with the square lattice folder and a Garden Green card front. The little tag was made with a circle punch. Twine and pearls were colored with copic markers to match.

I wanted a matching gift box for my niece's Christmas gift so I reached for an old SU! gable box from my stash. The whole gable box was sponged with Antique Linen Distress Ink to tone down the white of the box. Cocoa was colored and paper pieced the same way, but the layout and colors were changed slightly from the card. I left room on the tag to put my niece's name.

The wonderful thing about this stamp set is that it is perfect for almost any occasion! Hope you've enjoyed these projects as much as I enjoyed making them...It's always fun to use Cocoa to send some sweetness to someone special!

Now head on over to Makiko Jones for another fun project featuring Cocoa!

If you get lost or if you need to start at the beginning of the hop, here is the whole list of design team members hopping along today:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

Korin Sutherland

Bridget Finlay

Kim Singdahlsen

Harriet Skelly

Jessica Fick

Kim O'Connell
Sandy Domelle

Monika Davis

Carol Longacre
Ceal Pritchett

Kim Schofield

Mary Faus

Stephanie Wright

Holly McMillen

Stephanie Serrano

Cathy McCauley ~ You Are Here

Makiko Jones

Dina Kowal

Taylor Usry

But wait...there's MORE!!! We want YOU to hop along with us! All you have to do is make a card or project featuring Cocoa Mouse and add your direct link to our linky tool below. One participant (drawn at random) will win their choice of ONE free Cocoa Mouse clear stamp set or FOUR free Cocoa Mouse digis! You have until Saturday, December 17 at 11:30 PM EST to add your direct link...go get stamping!

Don't forget, during the month of December we really are Crazy 4 Cocoa. The entire line of Cocoa Mouse clear stamp sets and digi images are 10% off!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Cocoa's Gift (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper: Ivory Neenah, Garden Green (SU!), 12 Days of Christmas (My Mind's Eye)

Accessories: Rectangle Nesties (Spellbinders), Square Lattice EF (SU!), Circle Punch, Kaiser Pearls, Twine, Sharpie Poster-Paint Pen, Copic Markers C0, C1, C3, C5, R00, R20, R22, R24, R27, R81, E50, E51

Gable Box Recipe

Stamps: Cocoa's Gift (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper: Ivory Neenah, Garden Green (SU!), 12 Days of Christmas (My Mind's Eye)

Accessories: Rectangle Nesties (Spellbinders), Gable Box, Square Lattice EF, Oval Punches, Tag Punches (SU!), Baker's Twine (SNSS), Button (PTI), Kaiser Pearls, Twine, Sharpie Poster-Paint Pen, Copic Markers C0, C1, C3, C5, R00, R20, R22, R24, R27, R81, E50, E51

Celebrating Cocoa

2011-12-10T05:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Saturday, everyone! How are you doing with all your Christmas preparations? Only 15 more days! In all the hustle and bustle of the season, don't forget the real reason for Christmas. "Seasons Greetings" and "Happy Holidays" are nice greetings, but they take Christ out of Christmas. That's one of the reasons I love Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps...they are a Christ honoring company that's not afraid to use the word "Christmas!"

This month Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is celebrating that adorable little mouse, Cocoa, as well as the birth of our Savior. Next Thursday, December 15th, we'd like to invite you to join a

"Crazy 4 Cocoa Blog Hop."

The design teams will have some fabulous eye candy for you, PLUS...you will have an opportunity to link up your Cocoa creations and be eligible for some wonderful prizes! So grab your Cocoa images and plan to join us next Thursday!

So for my Sweet Stop sample this week, I've used none other than COCOA!

Creative Nugget: I can't tell you how many times I was interrupted while making this card, but it's finally finished and the festive look will be perfect for one of my nephews! This Cocoa image is from a set called "Cocoa's Christmas." The image was colored with my trusty copic markers and glammed up with some gems, Glossy Accents, and a Jelly Roll pen. The festive designer paper is from Holly Jolly Christmas by Echo Park. The Martha Stewart border punch mimics the loops in the DP. Some Baker's Twine and a button complete the card.

Take a look at the other wonderful samples by the Sugar Babies! Then grab some stamps and get inky...maybe even a Cocoa image, and join us this week at The Sweet Stop!

The Sugar Babies

Korin Sutherland

Monika Davis

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton
Shelby Goolsby

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

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Cocoa's Christmas (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Paper: Select White, Dark Chocolate (PTI), Holly Jolly Christmas (Echo Park)
Accessories: Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Glossy Accents (Ranger), Jelly Roll Pen (Sakura), Gold Spica Glitter Pen, Rhinestones, Button (PTI), Baker's Twine (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Copic Markers E42, E43, E44, E47, E49,R00, R11, R20, R27, RV25, YR04, YR07, BG0000, BG000, BG45, BG49, YG17, YG41, YG67, W00, W2

Christmas Blessings

2011-12-03T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hello friends! Happy Saturday! Now that December is here, the crunch to get ready for Christmas is on, and I have so many more Christmas cards yet to make...yikes! Being short on time, I looked for an easy sample to make for this week's Sweet Stop Sketch. I found this already colored Tilda on my desk and went from there.

Creative Nugget: Since Tilda was already colored with copics, all I had to do was add a little twine to the candy cane and build my card base using the sketch. The base of the card is Pure Linen Card stock. Layered onto that is True Black and some lovely papers by My Mind's Eye. I loved the text in the background and the sparkly red stripes that matched the sparkle on Tilda. It's hard to see in the photo, but this card really shimmers! The sentiment is from a wonderful sentiment set by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps called "Christmas Tags." Black hemp found in my stash and jute button twine were tied in a bow around the front of the card. Some how ribbon just didn't seem to fit the style of the card. That said, this card went together rather easily...hope you like it!

Now don't forget to check out the other samples by the talented Sugar Babies Team! I don't know about you, but I think the talent on this design team is amazing! The samples just keep getting better and better!

The Sugar Babies

Korin Sutherland

Monika Davis

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton
Shelby Goolsby

Thanks for stopping by...Have a fabulous weekend!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Candy Cane Tilda (Magnolia), Christmas Tags (SNSS)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper: Pure Linen, True Black (PTI), Lost & Found Christmas (My Mind's Eye)

Accessories: Scallop Border Punch (Fiskars), Labels Twenty-Three, Nested Pennants, and Rectangle Nestie (Spellbinders), Diamond Stickles, Glossy Accents (Ranger), Hemp, Jute button Twine (PTI), Copic Markers

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Joins the Technique Junkie Newsletter

2011-12-02T07:00:00.006-05:00

Happy Friday to you all! Welcome to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and Technique Junkie Newsletter joint Blog Hop! The Technique Junkie Newsletter is excited to showcase their new 3D and Fun Folds CD! Can I just say that SNSS are a perfect match for these wonderful 3D projects and fun folds as you will see as you hop along with us today!

The Technique Junkie Newsletter has been publishing rubber stamping technique tutorials since 2002. The 3D and Fun Folds CD contains 70 step-by-step technique tutorials in pdf format...perfect dimensions, perfect directions, and great pictures for every step. Visit www.techniquejunkies.com for more details about the CD and the Technique Junkie Newsletter.

A fantastic group of design team members from both Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and the Technique Junkie Newsletter, have helped put together this fabulous Blog Hop to kick off the 3D and Fun folds CD.

This is actually the fifth Blog Hop this week showcasing these wonderful techniques! The Blog Hop happenings began on Monday with opportunities to win many prizes from some of the wonderful advertising companies! If you're just discovering the Blog Hops today, I hope you'll take the time to go back and visit each blog for every day to see some amazing projects! You have until 11:59pm EST December 2nd to leave comments on as many blogs as you can to win the grand prize!

Monday ~ Joint Blog Hop with Classy Cards 'n Such

Tuesday ~ Joint Blog Hop with Rogue Redhead Designs

Wednesday ~ Joint Blog Hop with The Paper Temptress

Thursday ~ Joint Blog Hop with Mark's Finest Papers

a Heinrich Company

Friday ~ Joint Blog Hop with Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

On Saturday, December 3, Pat, from Technique Junkie Newsletter, will announce the winner from each company. Be sure to hop along on each day! There will be FIVE WINNERS! On Monday, December 5th, Pat will announce ONE LUCKY WINNER with a GRAND PRIZE with a bundle of prizes from all the participating businesses.

If you have been following along already you should have come from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog. If you are only starting here, please head back to the Technique Junkie Blog and go from there. You won't want to miss any stops along the way. In order to win, you will need to comment on everyone's blog AND Pat Huntoon's Blog. There will be an additional chance to win by playing along in her Blog Hop!

Here are my two projects I created for the HOP! The first one is a "Pleated Front Card."

Creative Nugget: I began with a craft card base and stamped the snowflakes and swirls from the "Snowflake Flourish" clear stamp set with Fresh Snow ink. The card front was then scored and pleated. Each edge was sponged with Fresh Snow ink and pierced. The "Winter Friends" digi was sized to fit the front of the card and colored with copic markers. Polar White Flower Soft, Diamond Stickles, a snowflake die, and several small gems add sparkle and texture to finish the card.

Here is what the inside of the card looks like. This was a unique and fun fold to work with and is one of the techniques included in the new 3D and Fun Folds CD!

For my next project I used the "Goodie Box Tutorial."

Creative Nugget: This is what the front of the box looks like. A border punch was used for the edges. The die cut candle image is from the beautiful "Christmas Light" clear stamp set and was colored with copic markers. Graphic 45 DP was used to decorate the front panel. Some Glossy Accents was used on the berries and the candle drips.

Here is another view of the "Goodie Box" so you can see the dimensions of the box better.

I decided to fill my "Goodie Box" with little tea light candles since it fit the theme of my card. When you open the box...

you will see a little pocket with a message tag on the left and a package of tea light candles on the right. The wonderful thing about this fun fold is that it can be adapted to fit any occasion and makes such a lovely gift!

Your next stop on the hop is Jackie Kalchert, but just in case there are any hiccups, here is the whole list of celebrants on this Blog Hop!

The Technique Junkie Newsletter Blog

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog

Cathy McCauley

Jackie Kalchert

Ann Clack

Monika Davis

Holly Brown

Jane Bosi

Chris Dickinson

Pat Huntoon

Thanks for stopping by today...enjoy hopping!!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Pleated Front Card Recipe

Stamps: Snowflake Flourish, Winter Friends Digi (SNSS)

Ink: Fresh Snow (PTI)

Paper: Craft, Select White, Enchanted Evening (PTI), Cryogen White

Accessories: Labels Twenty, Oval Nestie (Spellbinders), Piercing Tool, Personal Trimmer and Scoring Tool (Fiskars), Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Copic Markers E41, E43, E44, Y17, YR12, YR16, B93, B97, B99, BG0000, BG000R32, R46, R59, R89, 0 Colorless Blender

Goodie Box Recipe
Stamps: Christmas Light (SNSS)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Cherry Cobbler (SU!), True Black, Pure Linen (PTI), Graphic 45 DP
Accessories: Candle Die (SNSS), Border Punch (EK Success), Oval and Scallop Oval Nesties (Spellbinders), True Black Satin Ribbon, Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Glossy Accents (Ranger), Copic Markers W3, W5, W7, W9, E31, E81, E97, YR30, Y13, Y17, YG21, YG63, YG67, R22, R29, R89

A Wintery Window Scene

2011-11-26T05:02:00.002-05:00

Happy Saturday, everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Sometimes in the rush to get ready for Christmas, this holiday gets neglected, but I love this opportunity to reflect on all we have to be thankful for and getting together with family and friends to enjoy a fabulous meal! I am so thankful for all of you that take the time to visit Golden Inkspirations and leave just a little love behind...your kind comments are so much appreciated!

That being said, it's time once again for The Sweet Stop sketch and this one is just perfect for showing off those large scenic stamps.

Creative Nugget: I just love this new window die from Our Daily Bread Designs. The detail is fabulous and it works so well with many of the stamps you already have! I decided to pair the window with a cute little stamp from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps called "O Christmas Tree," which is not available right now in the store. The window and curtain dies were cut and shaded with my copic markers. A piece of vellum was attached behind the top part of the window which was decorated with rhinestones. Little twine tie-backs were added to the curtains...fun, and the windowsill was cut again for the popped up sentiment. Then it was time to work on the scene behind the window. A piece of Select White card stock was cut to fit the window. The Christmas tree scene was stamped so the image would be centered in the window, and colored with copic markers. The snow mounds were stamped again onto vellum, cut out, and adhered over the main image. Then Star Dust Stickles was added to the snow and the branches to give it some sparkle. The window was then popped up on top of the wintery scene and adhered to the card front which was made to look like a room complete with Eskimo Kisses DP and a black velvet ribbon chair rail. Some piercing was added to the corners before attaching the whole card to a True Black card base. I deviated a little from the sketch as there seemed to be no perfect place for the little circle text element. I had so much fun designing this card...I know I will be using this window die again and again!

The Sugar Babies have once again come through with fabulous samples to spark your creativity. Be sure to check them out and join the fun over at The Sweet Stop by uploading your card!

The Sugar Babies

Korin Sutherland

Monika Davis

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton
Shelby Goolsby

Thanks for stopping by for a visit...have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: O Christmas Tree (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Broken China Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper: Select White, True Black (PTI), Vellum (SU!), Eskimo Kisses (Basic Grey)

Accessories: Window Die (ODBD), Piercing Tool, Baker's Twine (SNSS), Black Velvet Ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Kaiser Rhinestones, Star Dust Stickles (Ranger), Red and Lemon Yellow Spica Glitter Pens, Copic Markers E13, E17, E18, E19, B01, B00, B000, B0000, R81, R83, R85, YG03, YG93, Y04, Y08, C00, C0, C01, O Colorless Blender

Winter's On the Way!

2011-11-19T04:21:00.000-05:00

Happy Saturday to you, my friends! Have you noticed that little nip in the air? I do believe winter is on the way! Thoughts of snow and snowmen are on my mind, and so I reached for this cute little SNSS set called "Welcome Jesus" for my Sweet Stop sample for this week. The main image in the set is this adorable joyful snowman!

Creative Nugget: I began by stamping and coloring the snowman on a rectangle nestie with my trusty copics. The sparkly starburst shapes and snowdrifts were added. A second snowman was stamped on a scrap piece of paper, cut out, and popped up on top of the the first one. Eskimo Kisses DP was used for the background panels. I actually got my Sew Mini out for some real zig-zag stitching around the edges of each panel. A Martha Stewart snowflake border in Cherry Cobbler was added to the turquoise layer which was given some texture with the canvas impression plate. This was all added to a Cherry Cobbler layer and then to a Select White card base. A build-a-flake die, Maraschino Baker's Twine, and Star Dust Stickles were added to complete the card. Now...doesn't this card just make you think of winter?

This was such a fun and easy sketch to use...I know I will be using it again! Check the other marvelous creations by the Sugar Babies and give this one a try. Upload your creation using the keyword SSS135 over at The Sweet Stop. There's one more week left in November's SWEET CELEBRATION which means you can be randomly selected to win a $10 prize for SNSS! We love to see your talent displayed each week!

The Sugar Babies

Korin Sutherland

Monika Davis

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

Lorie Ames

Chrissy Dickinson

Thanks for stopping by for a visit! Bundle up out there...and have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Welcome Jesus (SNSS)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Broken China and Antique Linen Distress Inks (Ranger)

Paper: Select White (PTI), Cryogen White, Cherry Cobbler (SU!), Eskimo Kisses (Basic Grey)

Accessories: Rectangle Nestie, Build-a-Flake Die (Spellbinders), Snowflake Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Sew Mini, Baker's Twine (SNSS), Star Dust Stickles (Ranger), Copic Markers BG0000, BG000, R00, R20, R39, R85, R89, YR04, YR07

Save the Turkeys!

2011-11-18T08:43:00.003-05:00

When I realized Thanksgiving is less than a week away, I knew what I wanted to do for my SNSS Blog post for today! Every year my DH and I get invited to Thanksgiving dinner, and every year I make a table favor for everyone, so it was time for me to come up with this year's idea! Korin had just added a new "Save the Turkeys" digi to the SNSS Store that would be just perfect. I started playing around with the Spellbinders Label 10 die because the ends reminded me of turkey feathers...okay...maybe that's a stretch, but bear with me! This is what I came up with...AND...6 Hershey Nuggets or little cello bags of mixed nuts fit perfectly in this little favor box!

Here's how to make this cute little turkey box!

Step 1: Die cut the largest Label 10 die from card stock. Now would be a good time to add texture if you want. Center the die between the left end and the 6" mark on a Scor-Pal and score at 2 and 4 inches. (Or use whatever scoring tool you have.) Then turn the die vertically and score at the ends of the scallops on each side. Cut the tabs up to the score line as shown.

Step 2: Apply adhesive to the tabs on the right side of the die cut.

Step 3: Fold on all the score lines. Tuck the tabs in and adhere. At this point you can decorate your box...or...make a liner.

Step 4: Cut a complimentary piece of card stock 4 1/2" X 4 1/2". Score at 1 1/4" on all four sides. Cut corner tabs to score line and add adhesive to the tabs on the right side of the box.

Step 5: This is what you end up with. This liner will tuck perfectly into the little die cut box. I added some adhesive to the bottom to hold it in place.

Step 6: I decorated my box by cutting a piece of DP with the next size smaller die and wrapped it around the box. The great thing about digi images is that I was able to size the turkey to fit the box perfectly! The "Save the Turkey" image was colored with copic markers, cut out, and popped up on the front of the box. A 6" piece of ribbon was adhered to the sides of the box and buttons were added for decoration.

And there you have it! Be sure to check out all the other new digs and wonderful stamp sets at SNSS! For this week, every $25 gift certificate you buy, you get a $5 gift certificate for yourself! Thanks for stopping by! I'm off to make several more of these turkey favors!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Telescoping Nativity

2011-11-12T05:26:00.003-05:00

Hello friends...I trust everyone has had a wonderful week! Thanks to everyone who hopped along with us on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps birthday celebration blog hop. Don't forget to check the SNSS Blog to see if you've won one of the fabulous prize packs...4 winners will be announced today! And now...since it is Saturday, it's time for The Sweet Stop sketch challenge!

Creative Nugget: I apologize for the quality of the photo...the lighting was not very good when I took this picture. A few weeks ago Holly, AKA Toy, over at SCS challenged us to make a telescoping card, and there were so many beautiful samples, I thought I'd give it a try. The nativity image was stamped four times on Select White card stock and cut with different sizes of square Nestabilities. The square panels were matted on slightly larger layers of Enchanted Evening card stock. Each panel was popped up on top of each other, telescoping out from the front of the card.

Here is another view so you can see the telescoping technique a little better. The base of the card is Enchanted Evening with a white panel embossed with the square lattice EF. The side panel was given some texture with the canvas impression plate and mounted on Enchanted Evening with an eyelet border. I couldn't resist adding this new Lacey Eyelet Border Die from SNSS...isn't it lovely! Some crinkle ribbon was dyed to match the card and woven through the border. Sparkly rhinestones were added to complete the card. This technique was fun and easy...hope you'll give it a try!

The other Sugar Babies have outdone themselves with this sketch. Take some time to check out what they have done...then use the sketch to create a card of your own. Use the linky tool at The Sweet Stop to upload your creation. One lucky participant will win a $10 gift certificate from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!

The Sugar Babies

Korin Sutherland

Monika Davis

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

Lorie Ames

Chrissy Dickinson

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today...enjoy your weekend!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Season of Love (SNSS)

Ink: Enchanted Evening (PTI)

Paper: Select White, Enchanted Evening (PTI)

Accessories: Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (SU!), Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Eyelet Border (SU!), Lacey Eyelet Border Die (SNSS), Kaiser Rhinestones, Crinkle Ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon)

SNSS Birthday Blog Hop

2011-11-07T08:00:00.005-05:00

Hello friends...and welcome to the SNSS Birthday Blog Hop! Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is so excited to be celebrating four wonderful years! It has been my privilege to be one of The Sweet Stop Sugar Babies, and on the Design Team for Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps since August of this year! I just love working with the many talented ladies on these teams, all who are both supportive and encouraging. Korin, the owner and illustrator for SNSS, is such a sweet person who strives to honor the Lord with each stamp set she creates. If you are familiar with Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, you know that each set of images also contains many sentiments perfect for creating cards appropriate for any season...making them very versatile!

A fantastic group of SNSS design team members, past and present, along with other special friends, have put together this fabulous Birthday Blog Hop to kick off a whole month of fun! We have 37 stops so the hop will take place over three days...feel free to take your time visiting each blog! You have until 11:59EST on November 9th to leave comments on as many blogs as you can! On Sunday, November 12, SNSS will announce FOUR WINNERS who will be selected at random from all the comments that have been made at random stops along the way. Each winner will receive a prize pack that includes stamps, paper, dies, and twine valued at $40.

If you have come from Darcie Bruno you are on the right track...otherwise you may want to head back to the beginning of the hop at the SNSS Blog. You won't want to miss any stops along the way! Remember to comment on as many blogs as you can...the more you comment, the greater your chance of winning one of the fabulous prize packs!

Since SNSS is celebrating their 4th year, I decided to make a birthday card featuring everyone's favorite mouse...Cocoa!

Creative Nugget: The SNSS image and sentiment used for my sample are from a clear stamp set called "A Cocoa Kind of Birthday." Cocoa and his yummy birthday cake were colored with copic markers. After coloring the cake, White Opal Liquid Pearls was added to the icing. The candle flame and Cocoa's eyes both got a dab of Glossy Accents. The colored image was layered on Early Espresso and Pink Pirouette card stock, and then onto panels of DP from the Sweet Tooth Collection by Bo Bunny. A MS border punch was used to make the scalloped lace down the middle of the card. A die cut number 4, pearls, a button, and twill ribbon complete the card.

While I had these papers out, I decided to make a little note card for our Encouragement Ministry at church.

One of the things I love about Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps are the scripture verses included with many of the stamp sets. The verse used on my sample is from the clear stamp set "Wait on the Lord." This card went together very quickly. The floral flourish was die cut from a Sizzix die and Carnation Creations by Spellbinders.

Hope you've gotten some inkspiration on the hop so far! Don't forget to leave a comment before you head off to the amazing Beate Johns. Here is a list of all of our bloggers today in case you get lost:

SNSS Blog

Korin Sutherland
Holly McMillen
Taylor Usry
Kim Schofield
Monika Davis
Lydia Fiedler
Harriet Shelly
Makiko Jones
Jerusha Borden
Mary Marsh
Lori Craig
Kim O'Connell
Chris Dickinson
Stephanie Wright
Shannon White
Janette Olen
Katlyn Traxler
Deb Felts
Stephanie Serrano
Jessica Fick
Kim Singdahlsen
Mary Faus
Sandy Domelle
Bridget Finlay
Ceal Pritchett
Dina Kowal
Margo Smith
Shelby Goolsby
Tami Mayberry
Lorie Souther
Darsie Bruno
Cathy McCauley < You Are Here
Beate Johns
Janice Melton
Jacquie Peifer
Lisa Hjulberg

Happy Birthday, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps! Thanks for stopping by today...enjoy the rest of the hop!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Cocoa Card Recipe

Stamps: A Cocoa Kind of Birthday (SNSS)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Walnut Stain Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper, Cryogen White, Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette (SU!), Sweet Tooth Collection (Bo Bunny)

Accessories: Square Nestie, Number Die, Twill Ribbon, and Button (PTI), Lacy Border Punch (MS), Word Window Punch, Oval Punches (SU!), White Opal Liquid Pearls and Glossy Accents (Ranger), Kaiser Pearls, Copic Markers E42, E43, E44, E47, E49, R00, R20, R81, R83, R85, R89, Y02, Y11, Y17BG0000, BG000, BG11, BG13

Wait on the Lord Card Recipe

Stamps: Wait on the Lord (SNSS)

Ink: Early Espresso (SU!), Spun Sugar Distress Ink (Ranger)

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

Accessories: Scallop Circle, Circle, and Square Nesties, Carnation Creations Dies (Spellbinders), Scribbles Swirls (Sizzix), Caribbean Baker's Twine (SNSS), Twill Ribbon and Button (PTI), Kaiser Pearl

God's Purpose

2011-11-05T04:30:00.001-04:00

Hope you have had a wonderful week, my friends! What a busy week it has been! Sweet and Sassy Stamps is celebrating their 4th birthday this month with lots of special surprises, so if you get a chance...head on over to SNSS for a glimpse of all that's happening! This past Thursday, six new clear stamp sets, several digis, and three die sets were released. I used one of the new clear stamp sets, "God's Purpose," for my Sweet Stop sketch sample for this week!

Creative Nugget: After doing a Google search for chickadee images, I colored this sweet little chickadee with copic markers. Highlights were added with a white poster-paint pen and Glossy Accents was added to the berries. The image was cut with a square nestie and mounted on a labels one die cut. Porcelain DP by Basic Grey was used for the panel pieces on the sketch. Everything was mounted on a Sweet Blush panel textured with my favorite canvas impression plate. The scripture verse stamped on the bottom, also one of my favorites, is one of five sentiments included in this stamp set. All panels were adhered to a True Black card base. Some Baker's Twine and black pearls were added to complete the card. This card will be used for the Encouragement Ministry at my church...hopefully to bring comfort to the recipient.

Check out what the other talented Sugar Babies at The Sweet Stop have done this week, then head on over to SNSS. I'm sure you'll find something new to add to your wish list!

The Sugar Babies

Korin Sutherland

Monika Davis

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

Lorie Ames

Chrissy Dickinson

Have a fabulous weekend! Thanks for stopping by..be sure to come back again on Monday for the SNSS Birthday Blog Hop!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: God's Purpose (SNSS)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Pumice Stone Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Cryogen White, Sweet Blush, True Black (PTI), Porcelain DP (Basic Grey)
Accessories: Square Nestie, Labels One Die (Spellbinders), Piercing Tool, Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Glossy Accents (Ranger), Kaiser Pearls, Baker's Twine (SNSS), Sharpie White Poster-Paint Pen, Copic Markers C00, C1, C3, C5, C7, E70, E71, E74, E77, E79, R11, R12, R14, R17, R27, BG0000

SNSS Winter Release Blog Hop

2011-11-03T08:00:00.171-04:00

Hello everyone and welcome to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Winter Release Day Blog Hop! This month we are doing something really fun...the Design Divas and the Digi Team are hopping together to celebrate the fabulous clear stamps, digis, and dies that are being released tonight!! So grab a cuppa and maybe some of that yummy chocolate the kids collected this week :) and get ready for some amazing eye candy! Don't forget to join us tonight at 8:00PM EST over at our member company forums at Splitcoaststampers. We have a great Release Party planned. There will be full reveals of all the new clear stamp sets, digis, and dies being released plus challenges and PRIZES!

If you have been following along already, you should have come from the talented Taylor Usry. If you just happened to stop by, you may want to head over to the beginning of the hop at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog. You won't want to miss any stops along the way! If you happen to get lost, here is a complete list of all the bloggers hopping today:

I will be sharing several projects for two of the sets being released tonight.

Cozy Friends is a whimsical winter set that contains two adorable winter friends and four matching sentiments. This set is perfect for sending warm and cozy greetings to all your friends as well as for creating adorable gift tags for your Christmas packages.

Here is a card made with this cute set.

The two cozy friends were colored with copic markers. Liquid appliqué gives texture to the fur and a Sharpie poster paint pen was used to add a pattern to the scarves. Punched snowflakes, rhinestones, and Baker's twine finish the card.

And here's a gift tag using the same set.

This gift tag was made with a white and a poppy scalloped circle. The white one was scored at the top and the poppy one attached above the score line so the tag flips open. The polar bear was stamped on cryogen white card stock, cut with a circle nestie, colored with copics, and attached to the tag. You'll find that both images work perfectly with your circle Nestabilities! Some White Opal Liquid Pearls and glitter were added to the pom-pom. The Baker's twine will be used to attach the tag to a Christmas gift. And now...on to the second set!

God's Purpose includes a chickadee, two scripture verses, and three sentiments. This set is another wonderful addition to the other bird sets you can find at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

And here is my sample for this beautiful set.

The sweet chickadee was also colored with copic markers. The image is mounted on a Cheery Lynn doily die which was then adhered to a white panel impressed with a wood grain pattern. Black felt ribbon, pearls, and a layered poinsettia complete the card.

I think you'll agree that both of these sets would make wonderful additions to your stamp collection!

Now head on over to Margo Smith to see another amazing SNSS sample! But before you go, when you get to the end of the hop, stop back at the SNSS Blog and leave a comment to let us know what you think of the November release. You won't want to miss this step because we've got a HUGE prize up for grabs...the ENTIRE NOVEMBER RELEASE valued at over $130!!!!...that's 6 stamp sets, 3 die sets, and 11 digis! Tonight at the release party, we'll announce the randomly drawn winner from the comments made...PLUS...everyone who attends the release party will receive a free digi!

Have fun hopping...Hope to see you tonight!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Cozy Friends Card Recipe
Stamps: Cozy Friends (SNSS)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Cryogen White, Rich Razzleberry (SU!), Select White (PTI), Eskimo Kisses (Basic Grey)
Accessories: Circle Nesties (Spellbinders), Snowflake EF (ProvoCraft), Liquid Applique (Marvy), Kaiser Rhinestones, Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Baker's Twine (SNSS), Sharpie Poster-Paint Pen, Copic Markers RV000, RV11, RV32, RV34, RV63, RV66, RV69, YG03, YG13, YG17, G0000, G000, BG0000, YR18, YR19

Cozy Friends Gift Tag Recipe
Stamps: Cozy Friends (SNSS)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Cryogen White, Select White, Pure Poppy (PTI)
Accessories: Circle and scalloped Circle Nesties (Spellbinders), Whit Opal Liquid Pearls (Ranger), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (SU!), Baker's Twine (SNSS), Copic Markers R00, R20, R22, R29, R89, YG03, YG17, G0000, G000, BG0000, C5, C9

God's Purpose Card Recipe
Stamps: God;s Purpose (SNSS)
Ink: Tuxerdo Black (MemSSento)
Paper: Cryogen White, Select White, True Black, Pure Poppy (PTI), Season's Greetings (Echo Park)
Accessories: English Tea Party Doily Die (Cheery Lynn), Square Nestie, Layered Poinsettia Die (Spellbinders), Wood Grain Impression Plate (PTI), Kaiser Pearls, Black Felt Ribbon, (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Sharpie Poster-Paint Pen, Copic Markers E30, E31, E35, E51, E74, R22, R29, R89, C00, C0, C1, C3, C5, C7, C9