SNSS 8th Birthday Party Blog Hop

Hello friends!  Welcome to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps 
Birthday Party Blog Hop!  

The Design Divas have created cards featuring some of our favorite Sweet 'n Sassy stamp sets and dies, but that's not all we're sharing!

One lucky commenter will be randomly selected to win a phenomenal PRIZE PACKAGE worth $80!!  Just leave a comment on each of the DT Blogs by 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 12th to be eligible for the prize. We will announce the winner of the prize package on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog on Friday, November 13th so be sure to check back there to see if you won!

The design team has created some wonderful cards to share for our birthday celebration but we'd like to see YOUR creations, too, so feel free to grab your favorite SNSS products and link up using the Linky Tool at the bottom of this post. Each participant will receive a SURPRISE "party favor."  The Linky Tool will remain open until the end of November.  We can't wait to see your sweet 'n sassy creations!

Here is my creation for the hop:

Creative Nugget:  The background panels for my card were made with pigment powders, stencils and baby wipes at a recent Color Burst class taken at a local stamp store.  The left panel was stitched to a scalloped edge cut with one of the dies from the Bookmarks & More Die Set.  The banner girl from the Worship the Lord stamp set was colored with copic markers and hand cut into a banner shape.  A white paint pen was used to draw flowers on her dress to mimic the flowers on the background.  The sentiments are from the Script Birthday and Mini Tags stamp sets. A Gingham bow was added to finish the card.  I love how the stamp sets in the Bible Journaling line can be used to make cards for any occasion.

Here are the products from the 

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store used to make this card sample:

After the hop, why not head on over to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store and grab some of those favorites you have been waiting for!   

 

In case you haven't heard, we are offering free shipping with your $30 order until Thursday, November 12th.  Be sure to enter code BDAYFREESHIP at checkout.  

Thanks so much for stopping by…enjoy the hop!

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

Watercoloring Flowers

Hello, friends!  Just two quick cards to share with you today. I signed up for an on line watercolor class, so I'm trying out some of the techniques.  This first one was done for one of the Dare to Get Dirty Challenges on Splitcoaststampers last week.  

Creative Nugget:  The frame for this card was done by painting watercolor onto an acrylic block, spritzing it with water, and stamping it onto a piece of watercolor paper.  Distress inks were painted right on the Wildflowers stamp by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, spritzed with water, and stamped inside the frame.  The sentiment is from the Script Birthdays set, also by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.   A few pearls and a black mat finish the card!

I'm taking the opportunity to use some of the challenges to get a jump start on my Christmas cards for this year.  This card was created for the CAS(e) This Sketch Challenge, the Splitcoaststampers CAS challenge to use a watermelon palette, and the Splitcoaststampers Technique Challenge to do a watercolor resist.

Creative Nugget:  The Light of Christmas background stamp was clear embossed on watercolor paper.  A watercolor wash was applied over the embossing to create a kind of ombre look using the watermelon colors.  The Poinsettia was black embossed, watercolored, and fussy cut before popping it on the tag which was cut with the Bookmarks & More die.  The sentiment was stamped on a hand cut banner.  Gold micro beads were added to the center of the poinsettia.  Some gold Bakers twine was unraveled and tied to the tag to finish the card.  All the stamps and dies for this card can be found at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

Here is the CTS #87 sketch:

That's all for today!  Hope you've been inspired by your visit!

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Make a Wish

Happy Saturday, everyone!  Hope you've been having a wonderful week...it's time for another new sketch at The Sweet Stop!  This past Thursday, Sabrina challenged us to use beads on our card or project for the Ways to Use It Challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  I did not complete my card on Thursday, but that challenge gave me the idea to use beads on my sketch sample for this week!

Creative Nugget:  So Saffron, Chocolate Chip and Mint Julep patterned papers by Basic Grey were used to make the panels for the layout.  The So Saffron layer was embossed with a Sizzix embossing folder and stitched to the green DP layer.  The patterned DP layer was stitched to a Chocolate Chip card stock panel punched with a scalloped edge.  A bow made with seam binding was tied around the card front before attaching it to a Vintage Cream card base.  The dandelion from the Make a Wish stamp set by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps was stamped in VersaMark and clear embossed on a piece of Vintage Cream card stock.  This was cut with an Opulent Oval die and sponged with Scattered Straw and Pine Needles ink while still in the die.  The ink was wiped off the image with a paper towel.  Little seed beads were hand stitched to the dandelion seeds.  The sentiment from the Script Birthdays stamp set was stamped on a hand cut banner and attached along with a button to the front of the card.  I like the way the seed beads look on this card and will need to remember to use beads again on future projects!

The Sugar Babies have some fabulous samples for you.  Be sure to check them out and join us this week at The Sweet Stop for SSS225!

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...enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Make a Wish, Script Birthdays (SNSS)
Ink: VersaMark (Tsukineko), Chocolate Chip (SU!), Walnut Stain, Scattered Straw, Pine Needles Distress Inks (Ranger)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate (PTI), So Saffron (SU!), Mint Julep Paper Pad (Basic Grey)
Accessories: Opulent Oval Die (Spellbinders), Sew Mini (Janome), Sizzix Embossing Folder, Scallop Border Punch (Fiskars), Clear Embossing Powder, Button, Twine, Seed Beads, Seam Binding

Happy Flowers

Phew...I finally feel that I'm caught up...at least until the next big project comes around!  Hello all...hope you've had a wonderful week.  We've had a lot of rain here lately...the old saying about April showers proved to be true this week! LOL! I thought some bright, cheerful flowers would help brighten the day, so I reached for a Sweet 'n Sassy stamp set called Happy Place for my sample for The Sweet Stop Challenge this week.  Since it's the third week of the month, there's a spin and a prize...just make a Happy Birthday card for SSS207 and you could randomly be selected to win a $15 Gift Certificate to the Sweet 'n Sassy Store!

Creative Nugget:  The sketch was followed closely to create the layers for the base of the card using Solar Crest, Limeade Ice, Blueberry Sky, and Real Red card stocks.  Some clouds were sponged on the  base layer and on the flower panel with Faded Jeans Distress Ink.  The flowers were stamped and paper  pieced using My Mind's Eye DP.  The grass was drawn in with some Copic Markers.  The "happy" was cut from one of the sentiments from the Happy Place stamp set and adhered to a cloud, while the "Birthday" from the new Script Birthdays set was stamped right on the cloud from the Clouds & Raindrops Die Set.   A few of the raindrops were added and given a coat of Glossy Accents.  A double Baker's Twine bow, some pins, and a MS butterfly punch out complete the card.  Hope this card will brighten your day!

Please take time to see what the other Sugar Babies have created for you and play along with us this week over at The Sweet Stop!

Sugar Babies

Monika Davis

Janice Melton

Robin Parker

Faye Winn-Jones

Melissa Schultz

Ceal Pritchett

Marlena Peduzzi

Stephanie Serrano

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Enjoy your day!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Happy Place, Script Birthdays (SNSS)

Inks: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Peeled Paint, Faded Jeans, and Barn Door Distress Inks (Ranger)

Paper: Solar Crest (Neenah), Lieade Ice, Blueberry Sky (PTI), Real Red (SU!), Hootenanny Paper Pad (My Mind's Eye)

Accessories: Clouds & Raindrops Die Set (SNSS), Baker's Twine (The Twinery), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Pins, Copic Markers YG00, YG21, YG25

Innies and Outies

Welcome to Day #2 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps April Release Features!  You'll find that today's featured sets will be very useful and versatile for making the many birthday cards you need throughout the year.

Today's features are:

Script Birthdays and Birthday Innies

• Stamp set includes 17 sentiments
• Set measures approximately 4" x 6"
• The first sentiment measures approximately 1 3/4" x 7/8"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set is priced at $15

• Stamp set includes 5 sentiments
• Set measures approximately 6" x 4"
• The first sentiment measures approximately 3" x 1"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set is priced at $15

Here is a samples for the Script Birthdays Set:

Creative Nugget: Several sentiments from the Script Birthdays clear stamp set were stamped in rainbow colors on a Solar Crest panel.  This panel was given some texture with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. The banners were hand cut and attached on the diagonal.  The package from the Birthday Bash stamp set was also stamped in rainbow colors and cut with the matching Birthday Bash Die Set.  The card front was matted in True Black and mounted to a Solar Crest card base.  A few pearls, Baker's Twine, and a button were added to finish the card.

Here is a sample using the Birthday Innies Set:

Creative Nugget: For this sample I decided to feature the Birthday Innie on the outside!  Kaisercraft patterned papers were stitched to True Black card stock and mounted to a Solar Crest card base.  The birthday sentiment was stamped on a Labels One Die and matted on a Decorative Labels One Die.  A Decorative Frame Topper was stamped above and beneath the sentiment.  Some seam binding was dyed to match the card for a bow.  Button twine and pearls were added.  The flower is actually an organza brad.  The prongs were cut off so it could be attached to the bow.  This card is a CASE of one made by Ellen Parker who is today's Featured Stamper on Splitcoaststampers!

Check out more fabulous samples created by the other super talented Design Team Members by clicking on the thumbnails below.

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along the way because we're giving away these versatile stamp sets to one lucky commenter!

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Wednesday, April 10th.  The list of winners will be announced on the SNSS website homepage by Thursday April 18th.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Enjoy the hop!

Hugs,

Cathymac