Jesus is Born

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
          

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

Save the Turkeys!

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

Student Survival

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Even though I'm not heading back to school this year, school is still very much on my mind.  All of the retired elementary teachers from my school district get together for breakfast on the first day of school, and this year I got to join them...fun without the pressure!  That being said...it's my turn to share a project over at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog and so naturally I have a school project for you.  September is the time for back to school cards and projects and Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps has some fabulous stamp sets and digi images just perfect for those projects.  Now that many students are back into the school routine, they may be needing a little student survival.

Creative Nugget:  Here is everybody's favorite teddy, Rhubarb, with a student survival kit packed with items every student needs to make it through another year!  The "Back to School Rhubarb" digi was colored with copic markers, cut out, and popped onto the cello bag topper layered with Echo Park DP.  The tag was made by cutting a Spellbinders label die in red, white, and blue and then pieced together.  The lettering on the tag was made with a JustRite stamper and the cute little apple is a digi image called "Apple of My Eye."

On the back of the topper is an explanation of why each item is in the survival kit.  (Click on the picture for a better view.)  The little "Back 2 School Pencil Holder" digi is also available at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store.  Survival kits are a cute gift idea that can be taylor made to let a special person know that you are thinking about them.  Check out Sawyers Specialties for other suggestions for survival kits or come up with your own ideas.  Then have fun putting your own kit together! Thanks for stopping by...have a wonderful Wednesday!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Back to School Rhubarb Digi, Apple of My Eye Digi, Back 2 School Pencil Holder Digi (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Brayton Font (JustRite Stampers) 
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Walnut Stain Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Neenah Solar White, Riding Hood Red (SU!), Enchanted Evening (PTI), Little Boy DP (Echo Park)
Accessories: Label Ten Dies (Spellbinders), White Poster Paint Marker (Sharpie), Silk Ribbon (PTI), Kaiser Pearls, Copic Markers E53, E55, E57, E59, R00, R20, R22, R27, R29, R89, Y17, B95, B97, B99, YG01, YG13, YG17, BG0000, BG11, BG13 

Faux Tile

This is my last project as guest designer on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog for the month of July...I just can't believe how quickly the month has come to an end.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as guest designer.  My card today uses the stamp set, Helping Hands.  I just love coloring this sweet image with my Copic Markers.

Creative Nugget:  Sometimes before coloring an image I like to do a google search to get ideas for colors.  I found a rusty, old faucet image and took my inspiration from that.  These colors worked well with the Echo Park DP from the "A Walk in the Park" paper pad which can be found at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store.  After coloring my image, I held my breath as I cut it apart into one inch squares.  The pieces were put on a piece of wax paper and were covered with Glossy Accents.  After the pieces were dry, they were put back together on a piece of Dark Chocolate card stock with spaces between each piece to resemble grout, thus giving the image a tile look.  The back of each piece was covered in Scor-Tape to prevent the corners from curling up.   All the panels were stitched together and a flower made from a blossom building die was added.

You can see the gloss a little better on this close up of the tiled section.  This is the first time I've tried this technique and like the results...hope you do, too!  Why not give it a try using any glossy medium you may have on hand?  Thanks for visiting with me today.  Hope you are staying cool on these blistering, hot days!

Hugs,

Cathy

Card Recipe

Stamps: Helping Hands, Birds and Roses (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper: Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate (PTI), A Walk in the Park DP (Echo Park)

Accessories:  Sew Mini (Janome), Glossy Accents (Ranger), Blossom Builder 2 Die, Twill Ribbon, Button (PTI), Scallop Trim Border Punch (SU!), Kaiser Pearls, Embroidery Floss, Copic Markers BG0000, BG000, BG11, BG13, YG01, YG03, YG23, E07, E18, E42, E43, E44, E47, E49, Y15, Y17, Y18, YR68

Love is Like a Tree Side Step

The month of July is rolling right along, and it's time for another Tuesday project on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog.  I have been thoroughly enjoying my time as guest designer.  We've been having a heat wave here in  Southeastern PA, so I want you to think cool thoughts and take a stroll with me through a delightful country garden, enclosed by a white picket fence.  We can stop beneath the shade of sweet, heart-laden trees and bushes along the way.  Let's invite that adorable new kid on the block, Rhubarb, to join us on our stroll.  I have a side step card for you today using the new "Love is Like a Tree" set and Rhubarb with Birdie Digi.

 
Creative Nugget: These side step cards are so much fun to make.  The directions for the base of the card can be found in the resources at Splitcoaststampers.  Once you have the base, enjoy decorating each panel or step with stamps, sentiments, or die cuts.  The tree in "Love is Like a Tree" fit perfectly on the side panel.  I stamped the image twice, cutting one with a scallop circle nestability which was then popped on top of the other image for some dimension.  The bushes on the back step were made with just the top of the tree image in the set.  Glossy Accents was added to the hearts on the tree and bushes.  The Rhubarb Digi was colored with Copic Markers, cut out, and attached to the middle step.  The white picket fence in the front was made with a picket fence die and "nails" (black pearls) were attached.  Each step was covered with grass which was hand made from green DP in my stash.  The sentiment from the "Timid Timothy" set was stamped, die cut, and attached to the fence with button twine.  That's all there is to it!  Thanks for visiting with me today!  Hope you enjoyed my project.  Check out the stamps and Digis at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store and try creating your own side step card. 

Hugs,

Cathy

Card Recipe

Stamps: Love is Like a Tree, Timid Timothy, Rhubarb and Bird Digi (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Raspberry Fizz (PTI), Buckaroo Blue (SU!), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper: Pure Luxury (Gina K), Cryogen White, Blueberry Sky (PTI), DP (SU!)

Accessories: Nesties and Tag Die (Spellbinders), Fence Die and Button Twine (PTI), Kaiser Pearls, Glossy Accents (Ranger), 

Spotlight on Helping Hands

Happy Tuesday, everyone!  My project for today uses the newly released Sweet 'n Sassy Stamp set, "Helping Hands."  Korin has done it again...the sweet image in this set is perfect for coloring using your favorite medium and includes five wonderful sentiments.

Isn't this set just adorable!

Creative Nugget: I've been noticing so many beautiful cards lately with white embossing on colored card stock, so I decided to use this technique to make note cards with all the wonderful sentiments included in this set.  The image was  embossed with white detail embossing powder on four different colors of card stock, matching my Basic Grey DP.  The image was then stamped again on white card stock with Tuxedo Black ink.  The bird and the mouse in the image were punched out with various sizes of circle punches, colored with Copic Markers, mounted on coordinating pieces of card stock, and popped up on the white embossed image, spotlighting just the cute little helpers on each card. I then made a little card purse that holds all four cards along with matching envelopes.

                      

The directions for this card purse can be found here on this thread at  Splitcoaststampers.  Jodi Collins has pictorial instructions and Beate has a wonderful video with step by step, easy to follow instructions.  All four cards in this set can be seen below.  Thanks for visiting today!  I hope you've been inspired by today's project.  Check out this stamp set and the new Rhubarb images at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  Until next time...

Hugs,

Cathy

 

 

 

                                                               

Card Recipe

Stamps: Helping Hands (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

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

Paper: Select White, Lemon Tart, Hibiscus Burst, Hawaiian Shores, Spring Moss, (PTI), Lemonade DP (BasicGrey) 

Accessories: Circle Punches, Piercing Tool, Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), White Detail EP (SU!), Diamond Stickles, Glossy Accents, Sharpie Poster Paint Marker, Copic Markers C2, C3, C5, C7, E39, E53, E55, E57, R00, R20, RV21, RV23, RV63, RV66, YR23, YR30, YR31, BG11, BG70, BG72, BG75, YG01, YG03, TG06, YG23 

Greetings From the Beach!

Hi!  It's Cathy, (AKA Cathymac on SCS), checking in from the beach at Ocean City, Maryland!  What a privilege it is to be the guest designer for Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps during the month of July.  I met Korin back in January at a gathering of stampers from Southeast PA and fell in love with Sweet 'n Sassy's adorable images and wonderful sentiments, many of them scriptural.  The clear stamp sets contain so many sentiments, making them very versatile.  I will be sharing stamped projects with you each Tuesday during the month of July using two of the newly released stamp sets from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, "Love is Like a Tree" and "Helping Hand."

Love is Like a Tree

Before I get to my project today, I have a confession to make.  When I first became aware of digital stamps, I told myself that I would never be interested in using them.  Some how it seemed like cheating...you know...stamping without actually holding that stamp in your hands...without really inking up the rubber!  Well...never say never...I've had a change of heart.  I've found that there are many advantages to using digital stamps.  After stamping for many years, I have practically no more storage space left in my home...digital stamps are stored on your computer.  You can get a digital image almost instantaneously.  There are many adorable images out there...Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps has many of their images available as digi images.   AND they can be resized to fit your project, which brings me to my project for today. 

Creative Nugget:  When I saw this Melanie Mouse digi image at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, I knew she was a perfect match for the "Love is Like a Tree" set.  (See...I found a way to use my copics on this solid image stamp set!)   I made her small enough to fit in front of the tree and printed her on some white Couture Cardstock.  I then made a mask out of a sticky note, and stamped the tree behind her.  Clouds were sponged in the background using an old cloud template from Printworks.  I then stamped the hearts from the "Love is Like a Tree" set, which fit perfectly on the branches of the tree, and gave them a coat of Glossy Accents.  Melanie was then colored with Copic Markers.  The embroidery floss on the card was also colored with a Copic Marker.   The grass was sponged in with Peeled Paint Distress Ink, and the little heart-shaped flowers were drawn with a copic marker and a Sharpie Poster Paint marker.  It's hard to see in the photo, but small hearts were embossed on the black Bo Bunny DP with a Sizzix embossing folder.  The Faux brads were punched from Bo Bunny DP and coated with Glossy Accents.  Can't you just imagine  how the tree in this set could work in every season?  I hope you've enjoyed this project, and that it has inspired you to try to combine digital images with stamp sets that you have.  Thanks for checking in with us today...now back to the sun and the sand!  I'll be back next Tuesday with another project!

Hugs,

Cathymac   

Card Recipe

Stamps: Love is Like a Tree, Melanie Mouse Digi (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Computer, Tuxedo Black (Memento), Raspberry Fizz (PTI), Soft Sky (SU!), Peeled Paint Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper: Raspberry Fizz (PTI), Couture Cardstock, Bo Bunny DP

Accessories: Curved Rectangle Die (Spellbinders),  Hearts Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Heart Punch (Unknown), Circle Punches (SU!), Heart Circles Die (Spellbinders), Glossy Accents (Ranger), Embroidery Floss, Sharpie Poster Paint Marker, Copic Markers R20, R00, RV14, RV17, RV19, Co, C2, C3, C5