Flowers, Hearts, and Butterflies

Here's my card for this weeks Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger challenge - A Painterly Palette!

 I love these colours together! 

It's also for the Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoaststampers today at Urban Outfitters and I chose THIS rug for it's simiilar colours and array of flowers.  Then I just had to add some butterflies and hearts!  

The hearts were cut using SNSS's Heart Dies and I use dp from my scraps including Papermania and My Minds Eye.  I based the arrangement around a little tag that came with the Papermania paper stack.

The rose is from Prima and the ribbon is from SU.
The tiny little sentiment is from a Stampendous set Poppies in Jars.

SNSS Christmas in July

Hello and welcome to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Christmas in July Die Release and Blog Hop!

We're highlighting two new die sets that coordinate with two popular sets released last year - Poinsettias and Vintage Ornaments!

I hope you can join us to see what the design team have come up and get some inspiration for your holiday card making!

 For my first card I used a favorite colour combo of pink and green using 

Stampin Up dp and cardstock (Lucky Limeade).  

I stitched the dp onto die-cuts using the 

recently released beautiful SNSS Doily border dies.

I sponged the die-cut ornament with Melon Mambo ink lightly 

before stamping in the same colour.

I wish the photo showed the tiny gold flecks in this card stock - but even if you could see how pretty it is in real life, I couldn't point you in the direction of where to pick some up
as I have no idea where it came from!  How does that happen? :)

I sponged the ornament die-cut with Melon Mambo ink before embossing with gold ink.  I covered the entire Doily Border die-cut with gold embossing ink and then embossed with gold powder for thick rich gold effect.  I did the same thing with the little punched snow flakes - not easy to do without burning my fingers - I had to dig out some tweezers!

Here are the Vintage Ornaments stamps and dies plus the details you might be interested in:

Die set includes four dies.
It's designed by Korin Sutherland.
It's priced $16.75.
It coordinates with the Vintage Ornament stamp set below:

Poinsettias

 I'm very into making backgrounds with stencils right now and simply sponged over one with Ranger Distress Mowed Lawn ink before popping up the poinsettia which was coloured with copics - the die makes it so easy!
I used a sentiment from the SNSS set Christmas Light .

Here are the stamps and dies with all the details:

Die set includes one die.

It's designed by Korin Sutherland.

It's priced at $10.50.

It coordinates with the Poinsettia set.

Be sure to check out what the other designers have come up with and leave a comment at each stop - Korin is giving away each new die set - two winners, one set each!

The deadline for commenting is midnight EST on Wednesday, July 31st.  The winners will be announced on the homepage website on Tuesday, August 6th.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Congrat's Silhouette

Here's a card made for the Featured Stamper Challenge at Splitcoaststampers, I'm hosting today and I chose Heather Hoffman, aka housesbuiltofcards - HERE is the lovely card I chose to CASE.  

I love the fact that Heather sells most of her cards, with the proceeds going to help widows and orphans in Burundi, Africa to have homes, hence her blog name!

I used thin strips of Echo Park and Stampin Up dp and stitched them together for the background before attaching a black silhouette cut using the Bella Bouquet die by Memory Box. 

 The sentiment is from Flourishes Sentimental Favorites.

My sewing machine was going all wonky, so the stitch length is somewhat erratic, but I think I tracked the problem down to attaching the dp with doublesided tape and the adhesive "caught" the needle, pulling at the stitches - you live and learn!

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you're having a great weekend! 

SNSS July Mini Blog Hop Day 5

Hello, it's our last day of Mini Blog Hops celebrating the
July release sets at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and today
 we're showcasing a fun combo of stamps with the matching die set!
 It could not be easier to create on a beachy and summery theme with

Wish You Were Here and Beach Dies

I paper pieced a beach with Echo Park dp using the fun 
SNSS Wave dies (with the negative die-cut), then added the
copic coloured elements cut with coordinating Beach Die set,
which makes things so easy!  I finished off with a trio of matching brads.
This is my favourite kind of card to make - bright pops of colour
but plenty of clean white space too.
 I have all kinds of ideas for this set - can't wait to
 have a little bit of crafty time to try them out!

Here are the details:

Stamp set includes 10 images and 7 sentiments.

Stamp set measures approximately 4" x 6".

The umbrella image measures approximately 2 3/8" x 2 ".

The die set includes 10 dies.

Both are designed by Korin Sutherland.

Stamp set priced $15.

Die set priced $17.50.

Get the bundle for just $30.

Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because

Korin's giving away this set to one lucky winner!

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, July 19th.

The list of winners will be announced on  the SNSS website homepage by Monday, July 22nd.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

SNSS July Mini Blog Hop Day 4

It's Day 4 of the Mini Blog Hops celebrating the July releases at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps - today we're showcasing a set which I'm very excited about and all you butterfly lovers out there will be too!

Majestic Monarchs

I love sponging these butterflies and find them fairly easy to cut out, I simply add a little bit of shading on the antennae with my black copic and go around the edges with the black copic too - it gives clear definition and makes them stand out a bit more.

Sponging is a great alternative for uncomplicated images if you're not that fond of colouring!  I used various Stampin Up inks including Lucky Limade, Melon Mambo, Orchid Opulence, Taken with Teal, and Cool Caribbean.  The butterflies were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

There's not much else to explain as this is a very clean and simple card, the butterflies arranged in a trail along with some black gems.

This set is one I'll be reaching for again and again - in case you missed it, check out the second card on THIS post for another creation using this great set.

Here are the details:

Stamp set includes 6 images and 3 sentiments.
It measures approximately 6" x 4".
The largest butterfly measures approximately 2 1/2 " x 1 3/4".
It's designed by Korin Sutherland.
It's priced $15.

Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our DT in the thumbnails below.
Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because
Korin's giving away this set to one lucky winner!
The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, July 19th.
The list of winners will be announced on  the SNSS website homepage by Monday, July 22nd.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!

SNSS July Mini Blog Hop Day 3

Hello and welcome to the Day 3 of the mini blog hops celebrating the July releases at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  Today we're showcasing two new sets,
Cocoa's Get Well Wishes and Wishing You Well.

Cocoa's Get Well Wishes

I stamped Cocoa twice, cutting out the circular panel with Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles and sponging with Ranger Distress Frayed Burlap.  Using copics, I only coloured Cocoa's tail on this panel, then coloured the whole image on the second stamped image, cutting it out and popping it up on the circle - that way there's a bit of dimension and I don't have to fussy cut Cocoa's cute but complicated and curly little tail! :)  I used Nitwits dp and Lifestyle Crafts Inverted Squares Nestiing dies, adding a button and bow to the fishtail banner sentiment.

Here are the details regarding this sweet set:

Stamp set includes 2 images and 8 sentiments.
Set measures approximately 4" x 4".
The RX Cocoa measures approximately 2" x 2".
Designed by Korin Sutherland.
Priced at $11.

Wishing You Well

I stitched together strips of dp (Stampin Up, Simple Stories Sn@p Color Vibe) for the background for this get well card.  The sentiment panel was cut using SNSS Decorative Plaque Dies and the flourish accents above and below the sentiment were stamped with the matching Decorative Frame Toppers.

The stars were cut with SNSS's Stars Die Set - these dies barely have time to grow cold, they're in my hands so much, they practically stay warm! :)

Take a look at all the useful and encouraging sentiments in the Wishing You Well set, 

here are the details:

Stamp set includes 7 sentiments.

Set measures approximately 4" x 4".

The "Get Well Soon" sentiment measures approximately 2" x 1/4".

Designed by Diane Zechman.

Priced at $9.

Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because

Korin's giving away this set to one lucky winner!

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, July 19th.

The list of winners will be announced on the SNSS website homepage by Monday, July 22nd.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

SNSS July Mini Blog Hop Day 2

Hello and welcome to Day 2 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Mini Blog
 hops celebrating the July release sets.  Today we're showcasing two sets,
the uplifting and encouraging Faith and the beautiful Delightful Doilies by Dina Kowal. 

Faith

I used Pebbles Seen and Noted dp and dipped into my flower 

stash to find some matching blooms.  

What a fantastic sentiment by Corrie Ten Boom,

 I just couldn't wait to use it!  It's stamped in Versafine Black Onyx.  

To separate the dp panels I added three strands of twine.  

Here are the details of this useful, encouraging set:

The set includes 7 sentiments.
It measures 4" x 4 ".
It's designed by Korin Sutherland.
The price is $11.

Delightful Doilies

I went for a clean and simple look using this gorgeous new set called Delightful Doilies, just stamping the largest doily in Stampin Up's Melon Mambo ink.  

The sentiment is stamped in Versafine Black Onyx. 

What a beautiful quote, I love to make cards showing appreciation 

for good friends!

  I added a matching rose from Wild Orchid Crafts and some pearls in various sizes to finish.  

Here's another card I made for today's Featured Stamper challenge at Splitcoaststampers honouring Jeanne Jachna, aka akeptlife.

I sponged a background with Stampin Up's Gable Green, Yoyo Yellow and Melon Mambo ink before spritzing with water and dabbing with a cloth to lift a bit of colour.  I then spritzed with Melon Mambo ink, before stamping the doilies across the card in the same colours, and adding pearls to finish.  I was trying to honour Jeanne's bright style and CASEing THIS card - hope I haven't overdone it on the bright side!  

Here are the details of this gorgeous set:

 The set includes 7 images and 3 sentiments.

It measures approximately 8" x 6 ".

It's designed by Dina Kowal.

The price is $26.

Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our DT in the thumbnails below.
Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because
Korin's giving away this set to one lucky winner!
The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, July 19th.
The list of winners will be announced on  the SNSS website homepage by Monday, July 22nd.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!

SNSS July Mini Blog Hop Day 1

Hello and welcome to the first day of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps
July Mini Blog Hops celebrating the July Releases!
Today we're highlighting a fabulous stamp set as well as an exciting die set.

Celebrate Today

Take a look at all those wonderful encouraging sentiments!  Here are the details:

Stamp set includes 2 images and 8 sentiments.

Set measures approximately 6" x 4".
Designed by Korin Sutherland.
It's priced at $15.

For my card I sponged the edges of a pre-cut tag with Stampin Up's Lavender
and stamped the flowers and sentiment with Versafine Black Onyx ink.
The striped ribbon is from Stampin Up.
I find it very helpful, especially for wide ribbon like this,
 to carefully use a lit match to "seal" the ends of the cut ribbon
so that it doesn't fray and has a neat edge.    That is unless you're going for
 shabby chic and aiming for a bit of fray!
I added a strip of lace over black so that it would really stand out and
finished off the whole card with pearl accents.

Doily Border Dies

Here's my card using these incredibly intricate and beautiful border dies.

I cut about 10 of these doily borders and because the dies are good quality
 and give a good crisp cut, it was very easy, the "little bits" pop out quickly and cleanly!
 I adhered them to the white card base for sort of a
 faux dry embossed look which hopefully resembles lace.
I used Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Decorative Plaque Dies for the sentiment panel,
 stamping above and below the sentiment with an accent from Decorative Frame Toppers.
The butterflies are created using the newly released Majestic Monarchs.
Check out the blog hop on Tuesday, June 16 for some inspiration using this beautiful butterfly set!
Inks used for this card include Stampin Up's Lucky Limeade,
Cool Caribbean, and Yoyo Yellow.



And here are the details:

Set of 2 dies.
Dies measure approximately 3/4 x 6.
Designed by Korin Sutherland.
Priced at $11.50.

Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our DT in the thumbnails below.
Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because
Korin's giving away this set to one lucky winner!
The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, July 19th.
The list of winners will be announced on  the SNSS website homepage by Monday, July 22nd.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!

You Float My Boat

Hello!  With all things nautical on trend at the moment, I thought I'd share a card I made back when I was on the Dirty Dozen design team at Splitcoaststampers in 2011.  

Our theme that month was Oh, So Shapely and the challenge was to use dies or punches.

At the time I had fewer dies and absolutely nothing nautical but I found a colouring book image of a sailboat on-line and printed it onto dp and card stock on the back side. 

 I then cut out the shapes and pieced together this little boat. 

If you're stuck for a certain shaped die-cut, it's a quick and not too difficult alternative!

 The waves were made with My Favorite Things Die-namics and I used a Papertrey Ink Cloud die for the clouds.  I used the spotlighting technique for part of the waves and sentiment (which was computer generated).  All circles were cut using Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles Large and Small. 

 It was all pieced together with scraps from my dp stash so it's impossible to list them all here.  

Just thought I'd share something with a fun summer theme today as we're having a very unusual spell of sunny weather here in Northern Ireland.  It seems too good to be true to be having a "proper" summer!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Melon Memories

Happy 4th of July to all those celebrating in the U.S.A! 

I'm American born and bred, but have lived here in Northern Ireland the past 28 years.
I'm proud to be American and am so thankful for my heritage and all those who have contributed to it, from the founding fathers to those who serve in the military today.

I have many happy memories of 4th of July picnics and family celebrations and those memories include fabulous food such as sweet watermelon!   

Here's a card made with the recently released set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, Sweet Kiwi Koala .
 I created it for the release last month and then my computer broke down,
so I couldn't participate in the blog hop.

The image is colored with copics and cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles Small. 
The dp is from My Minds Eye and Stampin Up.
I added a little tag using the fabulous
Mini Tags and Sentiments Die Set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps - love how versatile this set is!  

This is my favorite type of card to make - using a mix of dp's yet
leaving some nice, clean, crisp white space.

Have a wonderful, safe holiday celebration and thanks for stopping by today!

July Flourishes Beautiful World Tour

Hello and welcome to this month's Beautiful World Tour showcasing some fabulous creations by the BWT Design Team from around the world!
 I'm your last stop on the tour here in Belfast, Northern Ireland,
so if you've stumbled across the hop and want to join in from the beginning head back
to the Flourishes blog so you don't miss anything!
If you've arrived from Anne-Elise's wonderful blog, you're right on track!
Did you know you have a chance to win a fabulous Flourishes stamp set - all you have to do is leave a comment on each designers blog by the last day of the month!

This month our hostess is Sasha and our theme is
CITRUS!
I went with pink grapefruit and and lime shades, with touches of
zesty lemon yellow and sweet citrus orange!

I coloured the beautiful flower wreath from Flourishes Mother's Words of Wisdom with copics, cut it out and popped it up against a stitched designer paper background.
The dp is Cherry Blossoms - Gingham and Strawberry Social - Plaid from Nitwit Collections. 

The sentiment is stamped with Versafine Black Onyx ink on vellum and I used My Favorite Things Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics to cut the banner.
To make the banner with a double ended fishtail, I simply put the cut banner back in the die upside down, carefully measuring the ends so that it would be even, and ran it back through the Cuttlebug.
I curled the ends up using a rounded pencil and gave it some dimension,
 before adding some pink grapefruit coloured brads.
 Here's a closer look:

Thanks so much for joining us today and for stopping by Belfast on your World Tour!
 I hope you've been inspired, have a wonderful day!