Tuesday 27 March 2012

Rain or Shine


Mother's Day is celebrated in March in the U.K. and Ireland and MFT's Umbrella Stamp and Die set was my family's gift to me!  I couldn't wait to use it and Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge was a perfect opportunity with the bright colors of Concord Crush, Eggplant Envy, and Melon Mambo.
I don't know why but I love umbrella images, I'm not that fond of rain!
I stitched the dp's for a bg and addded a black frame to the sentiment label (cut with MFT's Layered Label Die-namic) - it's easy to do with a ticket corner punch.
The clouds were cut with Papertrey Ink's cloud die and popped up.
I love this sentiment, it's exactly what I want to say to friends when they're going through a rough time.
It reminds me of this Bible verse:
.Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
Proverbs 17:17 (The Message paraphrase)
I'm thankful that God has blessed me with friends and family like that!
Supplies include:
PTI Cloud die
Twine (The Twinery)
Button
Brads
Wild Rose Studio's Gorgeous Gingham dp
SU Melon Mambo cardstock
SU Concord Crush dp
Paper Mill Shop white linen cardstock
Sewing machine
Ticket punch

Monday 26 March 2012

Spring Cupcakes


Today's CAS challenge at Splitcoaststampers is an inspiraton photo - warning: it'll make you hungry!



I sponged the ovals using a post-it-note from which I'd cut with a Nestabilities Ovals Small die.  I then paper pieced the cupcakes, sponging the edges with ink to add a bit of dimension.  Finished off with buttons and a sentiment, the whole thing came together quickly and was fun to make...what pretty colors to work with!
Kind of puts me in the mood for baking!
Supplies include:
Memento Tuxedo Black, Angel Pink ink
Ranger Distress Scattered Straw, Shabby Shutters ink
DCWV dp
Paper Mill Shop white linen cardstock
Spellbinders Nestabilities Ovals
Post-it-notes
Buttons




I

Friday 23 March 2012

Rose for Korin

I made this card in honor of Korin, owner of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, who is Queen for the Day at Splitcoaststampers!  Korin is an inspiration to me through her sweet spirit and talent, and an example of how the Lord uses us wherever we are, as she seeks to honor God through her business.
I used two Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps sets, Rose Blossom and Poppies and Greetings for the sentiment.  I drew in the bottom part of the stem so that my rose could be slightly long stemmed.
I created a card base with a large Nesties Circle and then glued the doily cut with Cheery Lynn Designs English Tea Party doily on the front.  If you're trying this, it's important to make sure the front of the card rests evenly on two of the rounded points of the doily, or else your card will rock crookedly when it sits!
Copics used for the rose are:
RV14, RV23, RV21, RV02
Leaves:
YGb7, YG25, YG23, YG00
Supplies include:
Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles Large
Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags die
Copics
Echo Park Victoria Gardens
Paper Mill Shop white linen cardstock
Pearls
Ribbon

Wednesday 21 March 2012

A Butterfly Moment

Holly (toy) gave us a fabulous sketch for the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoaststampers today and I combined it with the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Hump Day challenge to use Red and Aqua or Light Blue.
I wasn't too sure if there were red butterflies IRL because I haven't seen one, but I discovered there are Red Admirals, though they're slightly different in shape from this one - it's from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Everyday Miracles set.
I covered the card base with dp and then stitched various dp's onto red panels for framing. 
The oval is stamped with Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Light of Christmas bg stamp before adding the sentiment.  The script is small enough that it can be used all year round, not just for the holidays.
I colored the butterfly with copics and for added depth along the bottom of the wings I sponged a little bit of SU's Real Red ink.
Copics used are:
R29, R27, R24, R22, R20, R000
I always attach ribbon like this by adhering it to a strip of cardstock so that I can tuck in the ends neatly and then attach it to the card base.
As I made this card with it's butterfly sentiment, I was thinking of a dear friend who's going through a difficult time with a family illness who told me that she's having trouble living in the moment because of being worried about the future and remembering the past...praying for that friend today.
Supplies used:
Spellbinders Nestabilities Petitie Ovals
Buttons
Copics
Sewing machine
Basic Gray dp
SU Real Red cardstock
My Minds Eye dp
Ribbon
SU Pool Party ink
SU Real Red ink
Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Coffee and Friends

Here's a card with today's Color Challenge colors at Splitcoaststampers - SU's Baja Breeze, River Rock, and Chocolate Chip.  I reached for my Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Cocoa's Latte set and stamped it several times so that I could pop it up in layers.  It also means I didn't have to mask the image to sponge the inside of the Nestie die.
I used My Favorite Things Jumbo Scallop Die-namic along the bottom of the card - I love this die because it's open ended along the top meaning you can cut scallops along the edge of the whole card base.
I spritzed the seam binding with water and crinkled it up for a distressed look.
This is such a fun sentiment, it's a perfect way to let a friend know how much you appreciate them - and all those chats over coffee!
Supplies include:
SU dp
SU Chocolate Chip Cardstock
Paper Mill Shop cream linen cardstock
Sewing Machine
copics
October Afternoon button
Jute twine
SU seam binding
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Ranger Distress Frayed Burlap ink
Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles, Scalloped Circles
Cuttlebug embossing folder

Saturday 17 March 2012

Gold Organza Bloom

Today's Inspiraton Challenge at Splitcoaststampers took us to Johnny Tapete's Original Vintage Wallpaper and I was inspired to use some My Minds Eye dp by a vintage wallpaper with tiny gold and pink flowers which you can see HERE.
I've also used the My Favorite Things sketch this week and the MFT Loopy Bloom Die-namic for the flower.  I found a small piece of shimmery gold organza in a box of fabric in the back of my closet (spring cleaning - it's amazing what you find in the back of the closet!)  I doubled it over and cut two of them since the fabric is so sheer and thin.  A small strip of double sided tape along the bottom and then roll it up and you've got a beautiful dimensional loopy flower.  I flattened the middle to add a button.
The dress is paper pieced and the rest is colored with copics and popped up.  I find that going over some bright colors with copic W0 or W1 (a light, light gray) tones down the brightness and it works well with some dp's which have muted or vintage shades of dp.  Copic E41 (Pearl White) also works well for this if the dp's have vintage tones.  But always try it out first before doing it on a piece of work you've been carefully coloring!  Ask me how I know.
Supplies include:
My Minds Eye Miss Caroline Howdy Doody dp
Twine (The Twinery)
Organza fabric
October Afternoon buttons
Copics
Sewing machine

Wednesday 14 March 2012

Tulip Thankyou

Time for some bright spring tulips - I love seeing them in gorgeous bunches in the shops and stores, a beautiful rainbow of colors in purples, yellows, reds and pinks.  Because I like to blend red, that's what I went with for the sketch challenge card at Splitcoaststampers today, given to us by Korin.   I used Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Tulips Digi, though this fabulous image is also available as a clear set called Spring Tulips.  It's fun to color and easy to cut out and pop up too, which was done in different layers here.  The top panel is embossed with my favorite folder, plaid!
The sentiment is from the very useful set Poppies and Greetings. 
These copics were used for blending red:
R46, R29, R24, R22, R20, R000
Copics used for blending green:
YG96, YG25, YG23, YG00
Supplies include:
MFT Dizzy Doily Die-namic
Sizzix Plaid embossing folder
Paper Mill Shop white linen cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Tuesday 13 March 2012

Jar of Daisies

I've been delighted to be asked to be a Guest Designer for the Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers this month and today's colors are SU's Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, and Poppy Parade.  I had some dp scraps that fit the bill so I stitched them together on a panel for the bg.  I masked the daisy head image by stamping it on the sticky end of a post-it-note so that I could group three together in the jar (image by Judith) and drew in some stems.  I used the same mask so that I could sponge Distress ink around the circle while still in the Spellbinders die.  The jar has some Clear Gloss to give it the look of glass. 
The seam binding has been dyed with BG10 copic ink, using the method of putting it in a plastic bag, squirting the ink in there and crinkling it all up until the ink spreads evenly - as taught to me by Tammy (stampertammy). 
The sentiment is from the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps set Blessings and Thanks which I love.
This is more than a sentiment, it's from a number of Bible verses in the Psalms including Psalm 107, 118, and 136.  When things are going great, it's easy to say and believe, but when things are rough or painful, it takes faith because we begin to doubt God's goodness.  These verses remind me that He is good - all the time.
Supplies include:
Papermania (daisy)
Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (sentiment)
Judith E-50 (jar)
October Afternoon dp
Sewing Machine
October Aftern, Stampin Up buttons
Seam Binding
Copics
Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles
Ranger Distress Scattered Straw, Frayed Burlap ink
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Post-it-notes

Saturday 10 March 2012

Poppies and Kraft

Today's Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoaststampers took us to the website of A Cool Breeze, specializing in handmade fans.  I chose this fan to inspire my card, and the background brought to mind kraft cardstock which I used for my card base.  I masked the poppies image, which is from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Poppies and Greetings, before sponging with Distress ink which is similar in shade to kraft.
I colored the flowers with copics and used a white gel pen for highlighting the flower centers.
The embossing folder was also inked on one side with the same color of Distress ink.
This bow was sitting on my crafting table, a reject from another project, but it looks at home on this card, I think!
Supplies include:
Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles
Sizzix embossing folder
Ranger Distress Frayed Burlap ink
Sewing machine
Copics
Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Thursday 8 March 2012

Orange you Sweet!

I loved this card at Splitcoaststampers by Jeannie, who said she saw the idea on Pinterest - I immediately thought of using the cute SNSS set Punny Fruits and Veggies along similar lines for a fun CAS card.
The sentiment is so versatile, it could be a thankyou or a card to let someone know you appreciate them!
This is such an easy card - my biggest problem was finding a popsicle stick (or "ice lolly stick" as they're called here) around the house - we used have a lot of them in our box of craft supplies when my boys were small, but those days are no more!  It was a big sacrifice, but I had go get one and eat it so that I could use the stick! : )
I cut a rectanglar shape from cardstock and curved the edges with scissors though you could use a corner rounder as well.  The "bite" is done using the end of a Nesties Scalloped Oval die.
The edges of the popsicle were sponged with orange ink and the little smiling orange was colored with copics and popped up.
I punched a couple of leaves with a Martha Stewart punch and then used a stylus and mat to make them curvy for dimension, with a scored line in the middle.
The bottom of the card is dry embossed with large polka dots leaving the area above the twine smooth for stamping the sentiment.
Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!
Supplies include:
Fiskars corner rounder
Sizzix embossing folder
Twine (The Twinery)
Button
Popsicle stick
Martha Stewart leaf punch
Copics
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Ovals Small

Wednesday 7 March 2012

Bless Your Heart

I made this card for the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoaststampers today and also for Taylor's Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Hump Day Challenge "Stitch It Up" to use real or faux stitching on our cards.  No excuses for me today as I seem to be sewing on nearly every card these days.
At first glance this may appear a Valentines Day card but it's an appreciation/thankyou card.
I used Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Heart Die set and sponged the edges of the hearts with ink.
All the hearts are layered up for different levels of dimension.
The Nestie Circle is framed with a Dizzy Doily, cut with an MFT Die-namic. 
I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, but I hope YOUR Wednesday is a GOOD one!
Supplies include:
Spellbinders Nestabilities Cirlces Large
My Favorite Things Dizzy Doily Die-namic
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
3 Bugs in a Rug dp
Button
Ribbon
Sewing machine

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Thoughts of You

A fun card with the My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Club #61 sketch at Splitcoaststampers this week!  Love this little Pure Innocence sweetie and had a yen to use her with My Minds Eye Miss Caroline dp's!  The dress is paper pieced, she's colored with copics and popped up.  All edges have been sponged with Ranger Distress Ink.
One of the things I love about this image is that it goes with almost any sentiment, but I am asked to make Thinking of You cards more than any other kind, and these are the type I send the most also!
I used one of MFT's mini tab dies for the sentiment and just by adding a little extra strip at the back I was able to frame it with matching cardstock.
Supplies include:
My Favorite Things Pure Innocence Making a List
My Favorite Things Because You're Special (sentiment)
My Favorite Things Mini Tab Quartet Die-namic
My Minds Eye Miss Caroline Howdy Doody
Sheer Ribbon
October Afternoon button
Copics
Sewing Machine
Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Saturday 3 March 2012

Creamy Roses

Today's Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoaststampers takes us to the website of Superfine Bakery - I chose a cake covered in creamy swirls for my inspiration.
I cut a number of roses from felt with My Favorite Things Rolled Rose Die-namics and used snips from Cheery Lynn Designs Fanciful Flourish die.  I prefer using felt rather than paper making flowers like these as it can be squished without harm! 
I dry embossed a small bit on the bottom of the panel and a large bit at the top, leaving a smooth strip for stamping the seniment - this works well with a Cuttlebug, simply turning the folder sideways, especially if you're using a panel on top of a card base.  I usually tape the folder onto the panel from the back so that it doesn't slide around and the end result is straight!
I then stitched the edges and popped it up on the card base.
Dipped into my jar of vintage buttons once more to finish off the bow made with gold cord.
Supplies include:
MFT Rolled Rose Die-namics
Cheery Lynn Designs Fanciful Flourish Die
Waltzingmouse Say It With Style
Craft Concepts Budding Vine embossing folder
Gold cord
Vintage button
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Sewing machine

Thursday 1 March 2012

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps March Release Blog Hop


Welcome!  So glad you've joined us to see the fabulous new releases from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps for the month of March!  If you've been hopping you've probably arrived from Dina's absolutely wonderful blog, but if not and you want to start at the beginning, go back to the SNSS blog so you don't miss anything!

I created this using the new set To Paris with Love - what a pretty image and so easy to work with!  There are also four French phrases along with an "Oooooh La La"!  I stamped and heat embossed the image in black and then sponged two colors of ink to match my dp.  I distressed the edges of the cream panel and stitched the dp.  Finishing touches are a seam binding bow and a rose along with black pearls and flourishes.
The seam binding was dyed with Copic ink G00 Jade Green.
Supplies include:
Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps To Paris With Love
SU Pool Party, Blushing Bride ink
Copic ink G00 Jade Green
Seam binding
Prima rose
Cheery Lynn Designs Fanciful Flourish
Pearls
Sewing machine
Ranger Distress Antique Linen ink
Black embossing ink

Next is a card using the new set Ticket Sentiments - this is a set that I'll be reaching for again and again - the sentiments include:
ALL MY LOVE
HAPPY FOR YOU
THANK YOU
BEST WISHES
YOU ARE AMAZING
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
FOR MY FRIEND
GET WELL SOON
Doesn't that cover a whole lot of card making!!!
I sponged the edges of all the dp with Ranger Distress ink for a vintage look and then stitched all the panels.
There's a fabulous new die set that includes a ticket die which is at the top of my "wish list",  but for the moment I simply cut the straight edges and then used a pair of scissors with a postage stamp edge to cut the ticket ends.  I added a bow, button and flowers to complete my card.
Supplies include:
Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Ticket Sentiments
Ranger Distress Antique Linen ink
October Afternoon dp
Sewing Machine
October Afternoon button
Flowers (Wild Orchid Crafts)
Twine
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Postage Stamp edge scissors

Here's another one using Ticket Sentiments, this one was so fun to make!  I distressed all edges with Ranger Distress Antique Linen ink and stitched up all the panels.  This was mae using last weeks sketch over at Splitcoaststampers given to us by Korin.  All of the stars were cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Stars with only twine and brads for embellishments to keep it masculine as a thankyou for a guy.  The ends of the tickets were again cut with postage stamp edging scissors but don't forget to check out the fantastic new die set which includes a ticket die!
Supplies include:
Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Ticket Sentiments
October Afternoon dp
DCWV dp
Twine (The Twinery)
Brads
Sewing machine
Spellbinders Nestabilities Stars
Ranger Distress Antique Linen ink
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Postage stamp edge scissors

We hope you enjoyed checking out the projects as much as we've enjoyed making them!   Thanks so much for stopping by - your next stop is Taylor's fabulous blog.  And just in case you get lost,  here's the whole list of team members hopping along with us today:

                                         Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog

After the blog hop, plan to join us for the New Release Party in our Member Company Forum at Splitcoaststampers at 8:00 pm EST.  There will be full reveals of the March stamp and die sets, challenges, and fun chat!
Thanks for stopping by today!