Happy Birthday, Korin!

My sweet friend Korin, owner of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, celebrated her birthday yesterday.  This card was created for her!

Creative Nugget:  Diluted Oxide inks were used to add a wash of color to the corner of the card.  This was over stamped with Leafy Flourish and Typewriter Text backgrounds and splattered with some black acrylic paint.  Strips of Washi tape were adhered to the card front off center.  The Majestic Monarch butterfly was embossed over strips of the same Washi tape and cut with the coordinating Monarch Die.  The sentiment from the Keep in Touch, Too set was stamped on a banner and added to the card. Tiny Sparkles, metallic threads and twine were added to finish the card.  All of the stamps used are available at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

This card will be submitted for the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #236 - Anything Goes

Simon Wednesday Challenge - Happy Birthday

Catch the Bug Challenge Blog - Anything Goes

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Speckled

Crafty Girls Creations Challenge 35 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Looks like a crafty day today...rain, rain, rain!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Just Believe

Hello, Sweet Friends!  Just a quick post with a card to share with you today.  I had an idea for a card which followed the Sketch Challenge from Wednesday over at Splitcoaststampers.  The whole card was finished except for the main panel and when I reached for the stamp set I had in mind to use, realized I did not have that set!  What…a Sweet 'n Sassy stamp set NOT in my collection?  Well…you can be sure I will be taking care of that promptly, but out came two favorite stamp sets to mimic the one I had in mind…Leafy Flourish Background and More and Majestic Monarchs.

Creative Nugget:  The background on the large circle was sponged with Distress Inks and one of the images from Nature Silhouettes was stamped repeatedly across the grass line.  A trail for the butterflies was made with one of the flourishes from the Leafy Flourish Background and More stamp set.  The Majestic Monarchs were colored with Copic Markers and cut with the matching Monarch Dies.  A sentiment from God is Bigger was stamped onto a Mini Tag die cut to finish the card.

The following supplies from the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store were used for my sample today:

Thanks so much for stopping by…hope you were inspired!

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Make It Clean and Simple

Hello friends…happy Friday!  One Saturday a month our church hosts a Women of Purpose Ministry.  The more "Mature" women share their special gifts and talents with the younger ladies.  Tomorrow it is my turn to share and of course I'll be teaching stamping techniques in card making as a way to send encouragement to loved ones and friends. Since some of the ladies have never stamped before, I kept the cards we will be making very "Clean and Simple."

Creative Nugget:  The first card was inspired by the talented Bridget Finlay who is a master of "Clean and Simple."  Her inspiration card can be found HERE.  One of the images from the Nature Silhouettes stamp set was stamped twice in opposite corners using the "Second Generation" stamping technique.  The sentiments are from God's Purpose.  Some gingham ribbon and a few pearls finish the card.

Creative Nugget:  To create the background, Rose Bud and Cantaloupe Memento Inks were rubbed onto an acrylic block, spritzed with water, and stamped directly on a piece of Mixed Media paper.  This was done twice to intensify the color.  The Majestic Butterflies and the sentiment from the Script Birthdays stamp set were stamped with Watering Can Archival ink.  A few splatters and some rhinestones finish the card.  Any dye based ink will work for this technique.

Creative Nugget:  The final card was made by sponging Memento Inks through a negative mask to create a circle in the center of the card front.  A script stamp was used to add interest while the mask was still in place.  The woodland scene from Landscape Silhouettes was also stamped using Versafine Onyx Black ink while the mask was in place.  The mask was removed and the sentiment was stamped.  Twine, a button, and some pearls finish the card.  The stamps used to make this card are not available at this time.

These are the stamp sets currently available at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store used to make these cards: 

Thank you so much for visiting…perhaps you've been motivated to send someone a CAS card of encouragement today!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Delightfully Delicate Background

Hello everyone!  Welcome back to DAY 2 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps February Release Blog Hops!  

Today's Feature is:

Delightfully Delicate Background

Today the DT is thrilled to share the new Delightfully Delicate Background with you.  This gorgeous image is a seamless background stamp that can be used to make as large a background as you wish!  You'll love the dainty touch it adds to your projects!

• Image measures approximately 3.75" x 3.75"
• Stamp is $11

Here is a card I made with the beautiful 
Delightfully Delicate Background:

Creative Nugget:  The background is very subtle on this card as I tried a new mixed media technique.  It was clear embossed on mixed media paper and Peeled Paint, Spun Sugar, and Broken China Distress paints were applied over the whole panel.  Some Typewriter Text was lightly stamped on portions of the panel after it had dried.  Next, modeling paste was applied through a honeycomb stencil.  As that was drying, the flower from the Bloom & Grow stamp set was stamped on another panel.  The Delightfully Delicate Background was lightly stamped in Wild Honey ink around the edges of the flower.  Inka Gold was sponged on the modeling paste and around the edges of each panel.  A hand cut banner with one of the sentiments from the Bloom & Grow stamp set was added along with some ribbon, pearls, and a Majestic Monarch to finish the card.

The DT has shared their gorgeous samples in the thumbnails below.  Stop by each of their blogs and comment for a chance to WIN one of (2) $20 gift codes to our store!

Don't miss these other opportunities to win:

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all comments on Friday's release blog post
(1) $20 gift code drawn from all comments on full reveals in our SCS forum
(1) $20 gift code drawn from all participants in our release challenge hosted on the SNSS Blog 

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, February 14th.  The list of winners will be announced on our blog by Monday, February 17th.

Thanks so much for joining us!  Enjoy the hop!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Bloom & Grow

Hello friends!  After being without power for three days, I'm thrilled to be able to be here for DAY 1 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps February Release Blog Hops!

Today's feature is:

Bloom & Grow

This 4"x6" set includes 6 images that can be used together for layering or to create backgrounds.  It also includes 6 beautiful sentiments that have to do with blooming and growing…a lovely new set to get you thinking about spring…and right now I wouldn't mind a little bit of Spring!

• Large Flower Petal image measures approximately 1.5" x 1.5"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set is $15

Here are a couple of cards using Bloom & Grow to spark your creativity!

Creative Nugget:  On this card the flower grows with each passing moment to match the sentiment.  Gelatos were colored directly on the stamps and spritzed with water to create a watercolor effect. The larger flower image was stamped off once before stamping on the card for a lighter shadow behind the smaller image which was stamped full strength.  The same technique was used for the stems.  The sentiment banner was hand cut and popped onto the right side of the card, and Majestic Monarchs, cut with the Monarch Dies and colored with Gelatos, were added along with a few pearls to finish the card.

Creative Nugget:  On this card a square was masked in the middle of the panel along with a border.  Light sponging with Summer Sky Memento ink was done between the masks.  A combination of Memento inks and Stampin' Up! inks were used to stamp several images from the Bloom & Grow stamp set.  The masks were removed and the sentiment was stamped in the middle.  A Doily Border Die, a few pearls, and gingham ribbon were used to finish the card!

The DT has shared their gorgeous samples in the thumbnails below.  Stop by each of their blogs and comment for a chance to WIN one of (2) $20 gift codes to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store!

Don't miss these other opportunities to win:

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all comments on Friday's release blog post
(1) $20 gift code drawn from all comments on full reveals in our SCS forum
(1) $20 gift code drawn from all participants in our release challenge hosted on the SNSS Blog 

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, February 14th.  The list of winners will be announced on our blog by Monday, February 17th.

Thanks so much for joining us!  Enjoy the hop!

Hugs,

Cathymac

God is Bigger

Hello, Sweet 'n Sassy friends!  I hope you've been enjoying the January Release Feature Hops!  You're in for a real treat again today.  I love sentiment sets…especially those that remind us of God's ability to take care of any circumstance in which we happen to find ourselves.  This new stamp set does just that…and more!

Welcome to Day 4

Today's feature is

God is Bigger

•Clear stamp set includes 24 sentiments
•Set measures approximately 4" x 6"
•Longest sentiment measures approximately 2/8" x 2.5"
•Designed by Korin Sutherland
•Stamp set - $15

Here is my clean and simple sample for this encouraging stamp set:

Creative Nugget: The inspiration for this card came from a sketch on the Freshly Made Sketches Blog.  Banners were cut from Bo Bunny and Cosmo Cricket designer papers and stitched to the card front.  The sentiment from the God is Bigger stamp set was stamped and attached above the DP banners.  I thought a butterfly was the perfect accent for this sentiment.  Two sizes of the Majestic Monarchs were stamped on sponged card stock, cut with the new Monarch Dies which we will be featuring tomorrow, and layered onto the card.

Check out more fabulous samples made by our talented DT starting on our SNSS Blog.

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away (5) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 5 blog hops). 

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

Thanks so much for joining us! 
Enjoy the hop!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Majestic Monarchs

Welcome back to Day 4 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps July Release Features.  If you like butterflies, you'll find yourself reaching for this beautiful set time and time again!

Today's feature is:

Majestic Monarchs

• Stamp set includes 6 images and 3 sentiments
• Set measures approximately 4" x 6"
• The largest butterfly image measures approximately 2 1/2 " x 1 3/4"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set is priced at $15

Here are several cards made with THIS beautiful set:

Creative Nugget:  These are not my typical colors and were inspired by the Color Challenge today on Splitcoaststampers.  I wasn't sure I was going to like them, but I was pleasantly surprised!  The flight of butterflies were stamped on Vintage Cream and colored with Copic Markers.  The large butterfly was stamped again on vellum, embossed, colored on the back, cut out, and popped onto the panel.  Two hand cut fishtail banners, one in Winter Wisteria, and the other in Basic Grey DP were stitched to the same panel.  The Hawthorne quote was stamped on a Decorative Plaque Die and a Decorative Frame Topper was added to the top and bottom with Winter Wisteria ink.  The plaque was popped on the card and the left end trimmed even with the panel. All panels were sponged with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and mounted to a Vintage Cream card base which was also sponged. A few pearls were added to finish the card.

These cards were in a previous post, but you might have missed them and I thought you would enjoy seeing them again.

and

Love these butterflies with the doilies!

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

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

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is Friday, July 19th at midnight EST.  The winners will be announced on our website homepage on Monday, July 22nd.

Thanks so much for stopping by...enjoy the hop!  Come back tomorrow for the last feature...you don't want to miss this one!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Mix It Up With a Sketch

Good morning friends!  I just love leisurely mornings like this...there's no where I have to be until later, so Kody and I will enjoy a nice walk before it gets too hot.  But for now, it's time for this week's sketch at The Sweet Stop.  For my sample today, I've decided to mix it up...yesterday the Mixability Challenge on Splitcoaststampers was to use three or more different surfaces on your card or project, so with that in mind and SSS218 this card evolved!

Creative Nugget:  I'm not sure who made this pretty DP as it was in a pack of papers given to me by a very good friend...(thanks, Korin...wink*). but the different panels were matted in Smokey Shadow card stock and mounted to a Soft Stone card base following the sketch.  The Majestic Monarchs, from a new set being released next Friday by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, were stamped directly on the DP and colored with Copics.  One butterfly was stamped, embossed, fussy cut, and attached to the largest of the butterflies on the panel.  During the process of making this card I was playing around with mixed media paper, distress stains, and stencils.  Although I did not use this paper on my card as intended, a small piece was salvaged to create the sentiment tab, stamped with a thank you from the Many Thanks stamp set.  The Kindness Flower Dies were used to cut nine flowers from tissue paper.  These were stamped with the matching flowers from the Kindness stamp set.  They were layered and held together with a brad.  The petals were separated and ruffled and a little pearl attached to hide the brad.  Some stitching and a few flourishes finish the card.  My five surfaces were card stock, DP, vellum, watercolor paper, and tissue paper!  Hope you like it as it was a fun card to put together.

Be sure to check out all the pretties created by the other talented Sugar Babies.  I hope you'll be able to find some time to stamp with us over at The Sweet Stop this week!

Sugar Babies

Ann Tuck
Ceal Pritchett
Cynthia Olheiser
Debbie Owens
Jamie Moore
Marlena Peduzzi
Melissa Schultz
Monika Davis
Robin Parker
                                              Stephanie Serrano

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

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Majestic Monarchs, Kindness, Many Thanks (SNSS)
Ink: Tuxedo Black, Pumice Stone Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Soft Stone, Smokey Shadow (PTI), Vellum (SU!), Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore), DP, Tissue Paper
Accessories: Sew Mini (Janome), Kindness Flower/Clover Dies (SNSS), Mini Fanciful Flourish Die (Cheery Lynn), Kaiser Pearl, Copic Markers BG10, BG13, BG18, YR21, YR23, YR24, YR61, YR65, YR68, R20, R21, R22