Shape Up for Christmas

Hello friends!  Aaaaack…it's getting too close to Christmas and I have so much to do!  I just heard from a friend that she has already sent out her Christmas cards. Eeeeek..where does the time go?  I was able to get another quick card done this morning with a little help from several challenges.

Creative Nugget:  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is featuring the Shape Up clear stamp set today on their Blog which inspired the background for my card.  The hexagon was inked with a variety of colors and spritzed with water to achieve a watercolor effect. Some black paint splatters were added for a bit of grunge.  The Splitcoaststampers' Way To Use It Challenge for today was to use postal marks or postage stamps, so out came the Vintage Post Card stamp set.  Since I wanted to get another Christmas card finished, out came the Christmas Silhouettes and Christmas Silhouettes Dies.  The design was my sketch from yesterday's Sketch Challenge also at Splitcoaststampers.  I do like the way this all came together and hope that you do, too!

Here are the supplies used from the 

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store that were used:

My card will be entered for the following challenges:

Splitcoaststampers - SC517

Splitcoaststampers - WT508

Weekly Christmas Card Challenge - #53 Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by…have a wonderful day!

Hugs, 

Cathymac

DT Favorites: Landscape Silhouettes

Hello sweet friends!  This month, in lieu of a release, the design team at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps has chosen their favorite Sweet 'n Sassy Stamp Set to feature.  Each day from October 5th through the 9th, different sets will be featured on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog.  Not only will you be able to see fabulous samples made with these all-time favorite sets, but you will be able to purchase them at 20% off the regular price for this week only as long as supplies last.  Click HERE to see the DT Favorites Sale!

Today is Day 2 of the Favorites Features and we will be showcasing my favorite, Landscape Silhouettes, as well as Nature Silhouettes 2.  

Here are my samples made with Landscape Silhouettes:

Creative Nugget:  Both scenes were created by masking and sponging the background with Memento Inks.  The silhouette images were stamped using Versafine Onyx Black ink.  Basic Grey papers were used to make the first card, and The Vintage Postcard set was used to create a background and sentiment for the second card.

For more samples using Landscape Silhouettes and Nature Silhouettes 2, hop on over to the SNSS Blog. Don't forget to leave a comment on the blogs of the DT showing samples today for a chance to win a $10 store credit.  To make it easy to view their blogs, I've included their links below.

*** Kim *** Janette *** Cathy (That's me!) ***

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is also beginning a new CASH Rewards Program beginning this month.  For every $50 you spend, you will receive $5 in Sweet 'n Sassy Cash.  See the details Here!

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

Hugs,

Cathymac

Crazy for Crayons

Hello friends...just a short post to let you know that I am hosting the "Ways to Use It Challenge" over at Splitcoaststampers today.  My love of coloring began a looooong time ago when I would sit for hours with my Crayola Crayons and a coloring book!  So my challenge for today is to revert back to your childhood and get out those crayons...Crayolas or Watercolor Crayons.

Creative Nugget:  The background for my card was made using the Melted Crayon Background technique.  Red, pink, and white crayons were melted on a hot, craft iron and smeared onto a piece of glossy card stock.  The postcard heading from the Vintage Postcard clear stamp set by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps was stamped using Archival Jet Black ink and then dried with a heat gun.  This was embossed using a Tim Holtz embossing folder.  The melted crayon panel was mounted on True Black card stock and a Vintage Cream card front.  Another layer of Echo Park DP mounted on a border punched piece of True Black was added.  After stamping the Poinsettia, also by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, several times on Neenah Solar White, a white crayon was used to color highlights on each leaf.  Worn Lipstick, Aged Mahogany, and Peeled Paint Distress Inks were then sponged on the poinsettias.  The poinsettia panel was embossed using the Canvas Impression plate while other poinsettias were cut out and layered onto the panel with Dimensionals.  Black gingham ribbon and pearls finish the card.

If you get some stamping time today, try having a little fun with some crayons, and come join the "Ways to Use It Challenge" over at Splitcoaststampers!  Hope to see you there!

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

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Poinsettia,  Vintage Postcard (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Archival Jet Black (Ranger), Walnut Stain, Worn Lipstick, Aged Mahogany, and Peeled Paint Distress Inks (Ranger)
Paper: Vintage Cream, True Black (PTI), Neenah Solar White (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Christmas This & That Paper Pad (Echo Park)
Accessories: Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Sew Mini (Janome), Scallop Trim Border Punch, Circle Punch (SU!), Crayons (Crayola), Iron, Kaiser Pearls, Gingham Ribbon

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

SNSS March Release Blog Hop

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