Christmas Topiaries

Hello friends....yes, it's time to begin working on Christmas cards!  I can't believe I just said that!  

Creative Nugget:  This beautiful topiary is part of a new set designed by Krista Hamrick and just released by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  Layers of Echo Park papers in my stash were stitched together to make the card front.  The topiary from the Christmas Topiaries stamp set was colored with Copic Markers and cut with a Layered Lacey Ovals Die.  The poinsettia border at the bottom was fussy cut with the last poinsettia popped up on a die cut heart.  Some clear Nuvo Crystal Drops were added for some texture.  Today's sketch from Splitcoaststampers was used for the card design.

This card will be submitted for the following challenges: 
Allsorts Challenge Week 432 - Use at Least two DP's
Alphabet Challenge Blog - M for Make Your Mark

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Cathymac

Fall on Your Knees

Happy Saturday sketch loving friends!  It's time once again for another fabulous sketch at The Sweet Stop!  This week's design has lots of layers, so it was right up my alley.  For my sample I combined a variety of stamp sets by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, a fall theme, and scripture...thus the title of my post...Fall on Your Knees! Aren't you thankful that in good times and in troubling times we can fall on our knees and our heavenly Father will hear our prayers and supply our needs?

Creative Nugget:  The Vintage Cream card base was embossed with the Canvas Impression Plate and distressed with Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Inks.  The DP panel was distressed and stitched to some Dark Chocolate card stock.  It seems that every card I make lately has stitching on it...I just love the look and can't make myself put my little sewing machine away!   Hope you don't mind!  More paper from the Weekend Market Collection Paper Pad by Bo Bunny was cut using the Splendid Circle Die.  The fishtail banner panel was made using a Tim Holtz technique called Perfect Distress, which can be found HERE, various distress inks, a leaf image from the Season of Change stamp set and the Friendship Script background stamp.  Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls gives this panel and the sentiment panel a very pretty shimmer which does not show up at all in the photo.  The sentiment panel was stamped with the woodgrain border from the Grunge Borders clear stamp set, the scripture from the Words of Jesus set, and one of the Decorative Frame Toppers. The leaf in the corner is cut from cork using one of the matching Season of Change Leaf Dies and stamped with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink...and yes, the die cut through the cork with no problems!  A little bit of jute and some pearls finish the card.

And here is the Christmas version using the pre-released Christmas set, Holiday Baubles, and the Light of Christmas background stamp.

Now it's your turn...but before you rush off to your crafty place, check out the beautiful samples by the other talented Sugar Babies and leave a little love on their blogs!  Can't wait to see what you create for SSS175 over at The Sweet Stop!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Janice Melton

Shannon White

                Chrissy Dickinson




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

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Season of Change, Friendship Script, Words of Jesus, Grunge Borders, Decorative Frame Toppers (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Wild Honey, Aged Mahogany Distress Inks (Ranger)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate (PTI), Weekend Market Collection Paper Pad (Bo Bunny)
Accessories: Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Rectangle Nestie, Splendid Circle Die (Spellbinders), Season of Change Leaf Die Set (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Sew Mini (Janome), Kaiser Pearls, Cork

SNSS Christmas in July Blog Hop

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is celebrating Christmas in July!  What a perfect opportunity to get an early start on those Christmas cards and Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps has some of the most wonderful images for the job!  Ready to see what the Design Divas and a few special friends have been up to with their Christmas stamps?  Take a look! If you've come from Monika's Blog, you've already seen some fabulous stamp sets in action.  If you just happened to stop by, be sure to begin at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog to read about how you can join in on this hop and win some prizes!

Creative Nugget:  For my sample, I used  the clear stamp set, Season of Love.  To begin, the silhouette image was stamped on Vintage Cream card stock and cut out with a square nestie.  The beams of light coming from the star were masked and sponged with Wild Honey Distress ink.  The rhinestones were colored with a copic marker and added to each star.  The patterned paper is from Graphic 45 and was layered onto True Black card stock.  All of the panels were layered onto a Vintage Cream card front.  A Spellbinders fancy label die was added to the bottom panel.  Some lace and ribbon were sponged with Antique Linen Distress Ink to age them.  Black rhinestones complete the card.


Lots of great things are happening at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps during these pre-holiday festivities!  ALL Christmas clear stamps are 20% off through Wednesday, July 25.  Three new holiday sets are available in the store right now!  You can get them before they are released in September and October...AND if you buy them now, you can take advantage of the sale price!

Every order of $25 in Christmas clear stamps will receive Gingerbread Man, a darling new 2" x 2" mini clear set.  And as always, all clear stamp orders of $50 or more get this month's free w/ stamp set, Christmas Candle (while supplies last).


Now head on over to see Mary Faus for more Christmas sweetness! Here is a list of the bloggers participating in the hop in case you get lost along the way!

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog

Kim Singdahlsen

Bridget Finlay

Jennifer Ingle

Taylor Usry

Monika Davis

Cathy McCauley

Mary Faus

Ceal Pritchett

Giovana Smith

Lee Murphy

Jennie Harper

Kim Schofield

Julie Ranae
Jessica Fick

Korin Sutherland 

And what's the best part about Christmas in July?  We want YOU to play along with us!  Use Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps to create a Christmas project and link it below to join in our Customer blog hop.  You have until Sunday, July 22 at 11:59 PM EST to play along.  One randomly selected participant will receive their choice of one Christmas clear stamp set!


Thanks so much for hopping with us today.  I can't wait to see your Christmas creations!


Hugs,
Cathymac

Birds of a Feather

Good morning stamping friends!  How did you like the July release by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps?   If you haven't had a chance to see the new stamp sets yet, head on over to the store and take a look.  You will not be disappointed!  You can count on seeing many samples using these sets in the upcoming weeks right here on my Sweet Stop blog post.  In fact,  I've used one of the new sets for my Sweet Stop sample today.  I enjoyed working with SSS167 this week and I know you will, too!  Lets get started!

Getting Sentimental Challenge: Timeless Tuesday #177

Creative Nugget:  The sentiment is from the new "Words of Jesus" clear stamp set.  The scripture verse was stamped on a circle nestie and mounted on True Black. The patterned paper panels are from the Country Garden Collection by Bo Bunny and each was also mounted on True Black.  The panels were stitched to a Pure Luxury card front.  The Bird Builder punch by SU! was used as an accent, keeping the sentiment the main focus of the card.  Baker's Twine and pearls finish the card.   Nice 'n Easy!

The focus of the Christmas version is another one of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps' birds...this one is the Cardinal Digi!

I hope I've inspired you to play along at The Sweet Stop!  Here's SSS167 and the links to the other Sugar Babies' Blogs.  Check out their fabulous samples for more inspiration!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Janice Melton

Shannon White

               Chrissy Dickinson

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

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Words of Jesus (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Mega Mixed Messages (PTI)

Ink:  Versafine Black Onyx (Tsukineko), Walnut Stain and Broken China Distress Inks (Ranger)

Paper: Pure Luxury (Gina K. Designs), True Black (PTI), Country Garden Collection Paper Pad (Bo Bunny)

Accessories:  Circle Nesties (Spellbinders), Bird Buildre Punch (SU!), Sew Mini (Janome), Baker's Twine, Black Pearls (Queen and Company)

                                             

Happy Independence Day!

Hello stamping friends!   I hope you all had a great Independence Day and were able to celebrate our nation's birthday with friends and family on the 4th.  We were able to take the residents of a local nursing home to the town's 4th of July Parade. We kind of made a parade of our own as we wheeled the wheelchairs down the street dressed in red, white, and blue tie-dyed tee shirts.  It was good to get these lovely ladies and one gentleman out for an evening of enjoyment!

With the festivities of the 4th over, it's time to celebrate another great sketch at The Sweet Stop!  How could I not make a card with red, white, and blue?

Creative Nugget:  This Lighthouse Digital Stamp at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store is a lot of fun to color...of course I used my copics for this. The panel was cut with a rectangle nestie and some light sponging with distress inks was done while still in the die.  Glossy Accents and a rhinestone was added to the top of the lighthouse and the whole panel was mounted on a piece of Night of Navy card stock. A doily was cut from patterned paper using a Cheery Lynn die.  Four panels of matching patterned paper were also mounted onto Night of Navy card stock.  All of the layers were adhered to a Bashful Blue card base.  A little piece of cheesecloth was tucked between the doily and the popped up lighthouse image.  The banner was hand cut and rhinestones were added to the side of the sentiment.

This card will also be submitted to Card Crafter's Circle for their Challenge 

# 30 - Summer Holiday.

Here's the Christmas version...the orientation was changed and the rectangle panel was replaced with a Christmas tree!  Our Daily Bread Design's "Joy Tree" was used for this sample and this card will also be submitted for the "Anything Goes" challenge on the ODBD Blog.

This was such a fun sketch to work with...I do love my layers!  I hope you'll be able to find some stamping time this week and play along with us at The Sweet Stop. Take a moment to enjoy more wonderful samples by the other Sugar Babies and leave a little love behind!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Janice Melton

Shannon White

           Chrissy Dickinson


Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to stop back again on Monday for the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps New Release Blog Hop.  There will be lots of eye candy, challenges, and of course...PRIZES!


Hugs,
Cathymac


Card Recipe
Stamps: Lighthouse Digi (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Everyday Classics (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Antique Linen and Faded Jeans Distress Inks (Ranger)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy (SU!), Neenah Solar White (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Little Boy Patterned Paper (Echo Park)
Accessories: Rectangle Nestie (Spellbinders), English Tea Party Die (Cheery Lynn), Glossy Accents (Ranger), Rhinestone Stickers (Michael's) Copic Markers R22, 24, 27, 29; Y11, 13, 18; G40, 43, 46; E40, 41, 42, 43, 44; C00, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 

Just a Note

Hello friends!  What a busy week this has been..I'm so glad it's Saturday and time for another fabulous sketch from The Sweet Stop!  I enjoyed working with this one and I'm sure you will, too...so let's get started!

Creative Nugget:  I just love this flower and butterfly image from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  It's from a clear stamp set called, "Treasured."   The "Vintage Postcard" elements were stamped on a piece of Neenah Solar White card stock in Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.  The butterfly image was stamped in Tuxedo Black, then stamped again on a scrap piece of card stock. Both images were colored with copic markers, and the image on the scrap paper was cut out. The main panel was then cut with a circle nestie and sponged around the edges while still in the die.  The Echo Park panel pieces were layered onto Close to Cocoa card stock and adhered to a Vintage Cream card base.  A piece of lace was used for the second strip in the layout design and the Eyelet Border Die was cut from a coordinating piece of patterned paper.  Some ribbon was woven through the die cut and a button tied on.  The little tag was made from the Tiny Tags stamp set and matching die by Papertrey Ink.  The second butterfly image was then popped on top and the leaves curled slightly with a scissors.

I'm taking a copic class at the Color Me Creative Classroom to improve my copic skills, and my homework was to practice coloring with reds...so this card and the Christmas version will be submitted for my homework assignment!

I hope you'll play along with us this week at The Sweet Stop!  Don't forget to check out the wonderful samples by the amazing Sugar Baby Team!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Shelby Goolsby

Wendy Ramlakhan

Janice Melton

Shannon White

                 Chrissy Dickinson






Thanks so much for dropping by for a visit!  I hope you'll stop by often! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!


Hugs,
Cathymac


Card Recipe
Stamps: Treasured, Vintage Postcard (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Tiny Tags (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Brushed Corduroy, Antique Linen (Ranger)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Close to Cocoa (SU!), Vintage Cream (PTI), This & That DP (Echo Park)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestie (Spellbinders), Eyelet Border Die (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Tiny Tag Die, Button (PTI), Wrinkle Ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Copic Markers R20, 22, 24, 27, 59; YR21, 23; Y21; BG0000, BG11; YG63, 67

A Wintery Window Scene

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

Shannon White

Kim O'Connell

Lorie Ames

Chrissy Dickinson

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!

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