First Tuesday Trigger Inspired Card

Here's my very first Tuesday Trigger inspired card - I've been admiring those photos and the lovely creations inspired by them for a long time and thought I'd finally join in! 

Here's the incredibly pretty photo Cath chose this week:

 

It's called Pastel Pretties and I immediately thought of my button stash - how fun to go through and choose pretty pastel ones to match!

I brushed water across a water color paper panel and then added some strokes of water color paint before spraying with water to make them spread and "do their thing"!

Sometimes it can be hard not to have the paint go muddy if it mixes too much, so I was pleased that I managed to accomplish this on the first try!

I then used a toothbrush and a paintbrush to spritz and splotch on larger bits of paint and then dried with a heat tool to make the paint spread a bit.

The sentiment is from Verve's Words of Wisdom and it's stamped in My Favorite Things Color Box Black Licorice ink.

I think I'll save this card for my parents - they are 72 and 73 and have been trying to sell their businesses and retire for a number of years - I would just love for them to be able to have a rest and do new things after so many years of hard work, both providing for our family and also creating jobs in a small community.  Recently it's beginning to look like it might work out for them - I'll give them this card when their dream of retirement becomes a reality!

Supplies include:

Verve Words of Wisdom

Winsor Newton water colors

Twine

Buttons

MFT Color Box Black Licorice ink

Vintage Truck

Here's another card made with the layout from the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoaststampers this week - I used a fabulous image which was stamped and sent to me by my friend in Virginia, Roberta Morin, aka stampin'nana at SCS! 

Thanks, Roberta, love this image, it was fun to colour!

I wanted to go for a retro country look so used plaid and bandana dp and all panels have been sponged with distress ink.

It's kind of a fall image rather than a spring one, but hey - our seasons are all mixed up anyway!

As I type, tiny little snowflakes are falling, and when I drove through the hills this morning, snow was piled high by the road side!

Hope you're seeing some little signs of spring where YOU live!

Supplies include:

Stampin Up image

October Afternoon, Lilybee Designs dp

Papermania kraft cardstock

Hemp twine

October Afternoon button

Sewing machine

Stampin Up small oval punch

Ranger Distress Frayed Burlap ink

He is Risen!

 

I didn't get many Easter cards made in time to send out this year, but I've managed to make one for our elderly neighbours who are so kind to our boys, and have treated them like the grandchildren they've never had.  I'm thankful for lovely people like that as my family live so far away in the U.S.!

I made it with the layout from the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoaststampers today, using Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Calvary die and a sentiment from SNSS's Easter Blessings set.

Still besotted with Basic Gray's Lucille dp which I seem to be using on every other card, the combination of aqua and coral really appeals to me!

I sponged the sky using SNSS's Cloud and Raindrops dies and a Nestie Circle cut from post-it-notes.

Those empty crosses not only remind me of Jesus' death, but the sunrise reminds me that though it seemed darkness and death had won, when the sun rose on that first Easter morning, there was an empty grave too - Jesus had risen and there was new hope for everyone!

Wishing you all a meaningful Easter filled with hope because of His resurrection!

Supplies include:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Calvary die

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Easter Blessings

Nestabilities Ovals Petite Large, Small

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Cloud and Raindrops dies

Post-it-notes

Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles Small

Sewing machine

Prima Flowers

Basic Gray Lucille dp

Stampin Up Blushing Bride, Pool Party ink

Vintage Baby Girl

 

I have a file of Bessie Pease Gutmann images that I love to use for baby cards, and this is one of my favourites - what a dreamy effect, and it's suitable for both boy and girl cards. 

I sponged the edges with Ranger Distress ink for a vintage look and added some stitching and lace. 

The sentiment is from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Vintage Baby set and it's cut using My Favorite Things Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics. 

We've had a batch of brand new babies born within our church family - such a happy occasion for card making!!

Other supplies include:

Ranger Distress Frayed Burlap ink

Versafine Sepia

Spellbinders Nestabilities Ovals

American Crafts jute twine

Kraft card stock

Thoughts of You

It seems I can never have enough "Thinking of You" cards because there are always friends, loved ones, or church family members who are going through tough and difficult times.

I used the the layout for the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoaststampers which Korin's given us today. The top panel has been sponged before stamping with the lovely Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps set Long Stem Silhouettes - I love these flowers, they're incredibly easy to use either with stamp pads or with markers.

I then spritzed the whole thing with some acrylic paint, trying for sort of a rain washed effect.

The sentiment is from the SNSS set God's Purpose.

The sketch has two banners along the bottom of the top panel which I've tweaked by using Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Grass die and Fence die - love that sweet little picket fence!

It's Hump Day, the week is half way over - hope it's been a good one so far for you!
 Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies include:

SNSS Long Stem Silhouettes

SNSS God's Purpose

SNSS Grass Die

SNSs Fence Die

Stampin Up Lucky Limeade, Cool Caribbean ink

Stampin Up Lucky Limeade, Taken with Teal card stock

Sewing machine

Twine

Button

Sizzix Plaid embossing folder

Here for You

 

Here's a card I made as hostess of the Featured Stamper Challenge at Splitcoaststampers today - it's Nancy Littrell who's in the spolight today and I've long admired her beautiful clean style.  HERE is the card which inspired me.

I sponged the heart shape while still in the die with Stampin Up's Pool Party - I love this shade with a coral pink. 

The flower images is from Stampin Up and the sentiment is from Verve, two small ones put together.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and if you're here on Sunday -

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Belfast!

Supplies include:

Verve Here for You

Stampin Up Simply Soft

Darice Plaid embossing folder

Sizzix Dots embossing folder

Button

Twine

Stampin Up Pool Party ink

Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Lace

Spellbinders Nestabilities Hearts dies

Sewing machine

Copics

SNSS March Mini Blog Hop Day 4

 

Hi and welcome to Day 4 of the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Mini Blog Hops highlighting the March releases - today we're showcasing the wonderful set designed by Korin Sutherland, Flower Blocks 1.

I've had SO much fun with this set, the flowers are incredibly easy to colour or sponge and to pop up if you wish.

The first card was made by stamping the tulip image several times and sponging the colour onto the pieces before popping it up on the sponged bg - NO colouring at all! I added some scoring underneath the sentiment.  A quick, simple CAS card!

 

I rarely include three cards in a blog post, but couldn't help myself today - I can't tell you how worth it, this beautiful set is!

On the second and third card the image is coloured with copics to match the cardstock and dp.

  And on this very cold March day here in Northern Ireland, sunny yellow daffodils and luscious pink magnolias are just the ticket for getting me in the mood for warmer weather!

Other supplies include:

Stampin Up Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo ink (tulip)
Score-pal (tulip)

Lilybee Designs dp (daffodil)

Spellbinders M-bossibilities So Trendy embossing folder (magnolia)

Memento Tuxedo Black ink (all stamping)

 

 

Here are the details:

The set is designed by Korin Sutherland.

It contains 4 images 4" x 6".

The flower images are 2 3/4" x 2 3/4".

The price is $26.

The set contains 4 sentiments.

 

           Check out some of the beautiful samples by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.

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

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST, Wednesday, March 13th. The list of winnders will be announced on our website homepage on Thursday, March 14th.

Thanks so much for joining us today, I hope you've been inspired and really enjoyed the blog hops!

 

 

 

SNSS March Mini Blog Hop Day 3

Hi and welcome to Day 3 of our Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Mini Blog Hop featuring the March releases - today we're showcasing the fabulous new set Nature Silhouettes 2 along with the matching Bird and Feather dies!  Both are designed by Korin Sutherland!

For my card I used Stampin Up's Lucky Limeade, Cool Caribbean, and Mauve Mist ink.  I made a mask for the sun using a post-it-note and Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles small.  I added some tiny punched flowers to match the silhouette.

I also used the SNSS set Under His Wings for the sentiment - all of the sentiments work so incredibly well with the Nature Silhouette set!

 

Here are the details:

Stamp set contains 13 images.

It measures 4" x 6".

Queen Anne's Lace image measures approx. 2" x " 1/2".

It's designed by Korin Sutherland.

It sells for $16.

The die set sells for $9.75.

Check out some of the beautiful samples by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.

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

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST, Wednesday, March 13th. The list of winnders will be announced on our website homepage on Thursday, March 14th.

Thanks so much for joining us today, hope to see you tomorrow for another Mini Blog Hop highlighting a new set!

 

 

 

 

SNSS Mini Blog Hop Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Mini Blog Hops celebrating the March releases - today we're showcasing the fabulous new set by Dina Kowal - Vintage Seed Packet.

I had fun with distressing on this one and even found a tiny little silver gardening trowel charm in my stash to add to the the twine bow.  I popped up the circular part of the image and the banner for a bit more dimension.

Other supplies include:

Simple Stories Sn@p Color Vibe dp

Kraft cardstock

Ranger Distress Frayed Burlap ink

Copics
 

 

Here are the details:

The set measures 4" x 6 ".

It includes 3 images and 7 sentiments.

The circle frame measures approx. 3" x 3 1/4 ".

The set is designed by Dina Kowal.

The set sells for $15.

I love the possibilities with Vintage Seed Packet, the sentiments can be use on their own, the poppy can be used separately and the frame can be used with either the image or a sentiment!

 

Check out some of the beautiful samples by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.

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

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST, Wednesday, March 13th. The list of winnders will be announced on our website homepage on Thursday, March 14th.

Thanks so much for joining us today, hope to see you tomorrow for another Mini Blog Hop highlighting a new set!

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps March Mini Blog Hop Day 1

Hi and welcome to Day 1 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps March Mini Blog Hop - today we're showcasing the fun and fabulous set Special Blend! 

I had such fun colouring this cute birdie and teacup!  It's popped up on a sponged circle and doily - you have to have a doily for a proper tea party! :)

Other supplies include:

Buttons

Copics

Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles

Cheery Lynn Designs Doily die

Sewing machine

Ranger Distress Antique Linen

Basic Gray Lucille dp

 

 What a lot of fun this set is with the cute images and a huge variety of mix and match sentiments! It's designed by SNSS's newest illustrator/designer, Diane Zechman! Some of you may know her as cookiestamper on Splitcoaststampers!

 

Here are the important details:

Set includes 5 images and 17 sentiments.

Set measures approximately 6" x 8 ".

Stacked cups image measures approximately 1 1/2" x 2 1/2 ".

Illustrated by Diane Zechman.

Set is priced at $26.

 

Check out some of the beautiful samples by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.  Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along the way because we're giving away this adorable stamp set to one lucky commenter!

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST, Wednesday, March 13th.  The list of winnders will be announced on our website homepage on Thursday, March 14th.

 

Thanks so much for joining us today, hope to see you tomorrow for another Mini Blog Hop highlighting a new set!

 

Flourishes Beautiful World Tour

 

I'm so delighted to share the news that I've been asked to be part of the very talented bunch of stampers who make up the Flourishes Beautiful World Tour Design team!

Every month these fabulous ladies design a card or project to share with you from their little spot on the globe and I have the honour of sharing with you from my adopted country of Northern Ireland!

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, and part of the island of Ireland - I always say that it means we get to enjoy the best of both countries!

This month Sasha has given us the theme of Bookmarks.

I always try to keep most of the bookmark as flat as possible so there's no damage done to the pages and spine of a book, so that's always a challenge.  You know how much we crafters love using dimension!

I love Flourishes images for their variety and beauty, but I'm especially in love with the flower images, so I reached for the beautiful set, Magnolias.

Here's what I've created this month:

 

 

I stamped the image on the edge of an oval cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Ovals Petite Small.  The image is coloured with copics and sponged with Ranger Distress Antique Linen ink for a vintage look.

Here's a closer look:

 

 

The seam binding has been dyed to match the dp and cardstock with copic ink (R22).

I put it in a small plastic bag and added a few drops of ink, scrunching it up to distribute the dye and create a distressed look.

My Favorite Things Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics were used to make the bookmark - the dp has been attached to cardstock for extra reinforement!

I used Marianne Design Creatables Frame and Swirls die (LRO116) to frame the oval.

 

Other supplies include:

Twine

Cardstock

Basic Grey Lucille dp

 

Thanks so much for stopping by Northern Ireland on your World Tour! 

Don't forget that by leaving comments on the designers blogs as you hop the globe, you're in the running to win a free Flourishes Stamp set!  Comments will be accepted till the end of the month and a random comment will be chosen, so the more comments, the better your chances of wining! 

The next stop is Brisbane, Australia to see what the very talented Kathy Jones has created for you!