Baby Boy Congrats

Here's a card I made for two special purposes! 

 First of all, it's for my son's best friend from childhood and his wife, they just had their first baby (wondering where all those years went, seems like it was just yesterday that those two young men were attending playschool together!)

This is also for today's Featured Stamper challenge at Splitcoaststampers - this week it's Susie, aka paperpunchscissors - I'm delighted for Susie, who is such a character, with a kind encouraging heart, and loads of talent and creativity!  

HERE is the card I chose to CASE from Susie's gallery.

I chose this Darice embossing folder because the pattern reminds me of 

the patchwork fields on the hilly countryside here in Northern Ireland.  

The trees and house were snipped from die-cuts using the
Memory Box Modern Landscape Die.

The plane and banner were stamped and cut using
Papertrey Inks Fly Away set and dies.  

The clouds were created with die-cuts using Papertrey Ink cloud dies
and Stampin Up's Cool Caribbean ink.

Have a wonderful day, and thanks for stopping by!

Pearl Wreath

Today I'm sharing a card
made with the very versatile set Seasonal Wreaths.
The leaves on this particular wreath seem just perfect for an autumn card, but
I was in the mood to try something different, so I went for a pastel palette
using Andrea Jayne Pampered Pets dp, stitching each panel.
I used a layout based on THIS card from Curt O'Brien's gallery at Splitcoaststampers where he is the Featured Stamper this week! 

I created it without a sentiment and now I'm trying to decide what occasion to use it for -
what do you think?  I'd love to hear what kind of card you
 think this should be, if you've got the time to let me know!

I tried to pick up the soft green in the leaves and the soft pink in the
bow while coloring the image with copics.
The coordinating Wreath Dies make cutting the wreaths and popping them up so easy! 

I added little clusters of pearls for a bit of shine and dimension.
I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday,
and thanks so much for taking a few moments to stop by today! 

Faux 14 Carat

A clean and simple card with plenty of gold embossing!

 I used two or three layers of gold embossing ink and powder for the leaves (Joy Craft) and the sentiment (Papertrey Ink Counting My Blessings). 

 If you're trying this with small leaves such as these I suggest using tweezers, and heat embossing one end first, then do the other end.  I pressed the leaves into the gold ink pad before sprinkling with the embossing powder.

Make sure to do any bending, curling or shaping of the leaves first, the finished product will crack if you try to do it afterwards.  

The background was created using Creative Expressions Lattice embossing folder.

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful day!

SNSS September Release Blog Hop Day 6

Hello and welcome to Day 6 of the Blog Hops celebrating the

September Releases at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!  

Today we're highlighting the fabulous set designed by Diane Zechman,

Snowman Soup

What a fun set - I've only had time to make one card with this set, but I've got more ideas, and can't wait to get back to these sweet snowman 
and cozy hot drink images!

I covered the card base with Stampin Up dp and stitched a strip across the lower half.  Ranger Distress Antique Linen ink was used to sponge the image panel.

To play along with the sweet little hearts in the steam, I added some die-cut hearts using Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Heart dies 
(the tiniest ones are cut using a punch).

The tag was cut using SNSS Mini Tags dies.

Take a look at all the cute images and sentiments below!

• Stamp set includes 7 images and 8 sentiments
• Set measures approximately 6" x 4"
• The large snowman image measures approximately 2" x 2 1/2"
• Designed by Diane Zechman
• Stamp set - $15

Be sure and leave a comment on each of the blogs along the way as Korin is giving away 
(6) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 6 blog hops).

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, September 13th.  The list of winners will be announced on the
website homepage by Monday, September 16th.

Thanks so much for stopping by, enjoy the hop!

SNSS September Release Blog Hop Day 5

Hello and welcome to Day 5 of the Blog Hops celebrating the September Releases at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps - today we're showcasing an elegant set with coordinating dies:

Christmas Silhouettes 

and 

Christmas Silhouettes Dies

To make this card I covered the card base with SU dp and then stamped the silhouette and sentiment in SU's Cherry Cobbler ink.  The circle was cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles Large and I used a doily die with Cherry Cobbler cardstock.

I finished the whole card off with clusters of flat back pearls.

There are so many directions you could go with this beautiful set, from clean and simple to vintage!  I love the way the sentiments can be mixed and matched also.

Take a look at the set and dies below along with the description details!

• Stamp set includes 6 images and 6 mix & match sentiments
• Set measures approximately 4" x 6"
• The tree image measures approximately 1 1/2" x 3"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set - $15
• Die set - $21.25
• Bundle ($36.25 value) - $32

Check out some of the wonderful samples made by our 
very talented DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure and leave a comment on each of the blogs along the way as Korin is giving away 
(6) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 6 blog hops).

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, September 13th.  The list of winners will be announced on the
website homepage by Monday, September 16th.

Thanks so much for stopping by, enjoy the hop!

SNSS September Release Blog Hop Day 4

Hello and welcome to Day 5 of the Blog Hops celebrating Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps September Releases - today we're highlighting the precious set

Born This Day 

and 

Manger Dies

For my card I used post-it-notes to sponge some rays of light from the star down onto the manger scene using SU's Baja Breeze.  The gold star is cut from dp using Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Stars dies, and I added some tiny blue star buttons.  

I love all the sentiments which come with this set, many of them Bible verses about the birth of Christ!

Check out the stamps, dies and details below:

Stamp set includes 2 images and 13 sentiments and scripture verses
Set measures approximately 4" x 6"
The manger image measures approximately 2 1/4" x 2 1/2"
Designed by Korin Sutherland
Stamp set - $15
Die set - $8.25
Bundle ($23.25 value) - $21

Now take a look at some of the wonderful samples made by our 

very talented DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure and leave a comment on each of the blogs 

along the way as Korin is giving away 

(6) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 6 blog hops).

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, 

September 13th.  

The list of winners will be announced on 

the website homepage by Monday, September 16th.

Thanks so much for stopping by, enjoy the hop!

SNSS September Release Blog Hop Day 3

Welcome to Day 3 of the Mini Blog Hops celebrating the September Releases at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps- today we're showcasing the fabulous new set which coordinates with the Ornament Dies set - it's called:

Mod Ornaments

The bold style of these stamps makes for a fantastic silhouette in ANY color.  I went for a postal look combining the new set with one of

 my favorite SNSS sets,  Vintage Postcard.  

The sponging was done with SU's Orchid Opulence while still in the Spellbinders Nestabilities Squares Large die.

Check out all of the images and sentiments below:

• 
  
• Stamp set includes 4 images and 9 mix & match sentiments
• Set measures approximately 4" x 6"
• The round ornament measures approximately 1 3/4" wide
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set - $15
• Die set - $16.75
• Bundle ($31.75 value) - $28

Take a look at some of the wonderful samples made by our 
very talented DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure and leave a comment on each of the blogs along the way as Korin is giving away 
(6) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 6 blog hops).

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, September 13th.  The list of winners will be announced on the
website homepage by Monday, September 16th.

Thanks so much for stopping by, enjoy the hop!

SNSS September Release Blog Hop Day 2

Hello and welcome to Day 2 of the Blog Hops celebrating the September Releases by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps  - today we're showcasing the cute set 

The Magic of Christmas

 I stamped the swirly little tree in Stampin Up's Pool Party ink to match the dp and added a little star button plus some pink micro buttons for tree ornaments. 

You could add anything such as sequins, pearls, enamel dots or stickles!

Hopefully the notebook edge and the metal clip play together
 for sort of an office theme!  

Now check out the details of the set below:

• Stamp set includes 2 images and 4 sentiments
• Set measures approximately 4" x 3"
• The tree image measures approximately 2" x 2 1/4
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set - $9

Take a look at some of the wonderful samples made by our 
very talented DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure and leave a comment on each of the blogs along the way as Korin is giving away 
(6) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 6 blog hops).

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, September 13th.  The list of winners will be announced on the
website homepage by Monday, September 16th.

Thanks so much for stopping by, enjoy the hop!

SNSS September Release Blog Hop Day 1

Hello and welcome to Day 1 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Mini Blog Hops celebrating the September Releases - today we're showcasing the matching stamp and die sets:

Seasonal Wreaths

and

Wreath Dies

My goodness, what a fabulous and versatile set, this one will get 
you all the way through the year for nearly every occasion!

For my first card above I created a birthday card with sponging and stitching.  
This particular wreath is extremely easy and quick to color and with the
 matching die, it makes creating even easier!

For my second card, I created a door with the negative die cuts from a window die. 
 I got this idea from Ruth Hamilton's blog.  I popped up the 
negative die-cuts on a white panel, 
scoring around the edges, then framed it in black.
 The gold brad was one I stole from my husbands desk, but it works just fine for a door handle!  The wreath is coloured with copics and popped up.

Now check out all of the fabulous wreaths and sentiments below along with the matching dies:

Stamp set includes 5 images and 19 mix and match sentiments

Set measures approximately 6" x 8"

The wreath images measure approximately 2 1/4" wide

Designed by Korin Sutherland

Stamp set is $26

Die set is $33.25

Bundle (a $59.25 value) is $53

Check out some of the wonderful samples made by our 
very talented DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure and leave a comment on each of the blogs along the way as Korin is giving away 
(6) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 6 blog hops).

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, September 13th.  The list of winners will be announced on the
website homepage by Monday, September 16th.

Thanks so much for stopping by, enjoy the hop!

I Say, Old Bean

I've been having so much fun with my new Waltzingmouse Stamps and in particular this fabulous set, My Kind of Guy!   When I saw the WM Pajama Party Bedtime Story Sketch I thought I might be able to tweak it just slightly and make this card.  It's my first time entering a challenge on the Waltzingmouse blog! Here's the sketch:

I used Memory Box Family Ties dies to make a little bow 

tie for my debonair gentleman and My Favorite Things Umbrella
Die-namics to make a cane.  

The tag is cut with Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Mini Tags dies and
I dyed a bit of twine with copic ink

 to match the dp.
The flourish is cut using My Favorite Things 

Framing Flourish Die-namics - there are four adhered

 together for a sort of chipboard appearance.  

I love a bit of hardware on a guy card, so 

went with an elegant little brad to top it all off!
Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Ink: Color Box Black

Paper: Echo Park

Pretty Amazing Birthday

One more creation for the Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger based on this fab photo called

Honoring Ombre

What a gorgeous cake, I'm in awe at how perfectly straight it is -  

sometimes I can't get a simple two tier cake together straight!

I tipped my hat to the ombre look by using striped dp in similar shades.

I adhered four "birthday " die-cuts (Papertrey Ink) together, it's a little extra work but I find it gives almost a chipboard look and means I don't have to fiddle around with those wee sticky dimensionals!

Other dies used include Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Doily Border die and Spellbinders Butterfly dies.

Hopefully the result is fun and feminine, just like the cake!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Damask Butterfly

Here's my card for the
Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger challenge

based on this fab photo inspiration which Cath gave us!

Honoring Ombre

I don't have enough different purple inks to create a true ombre effect, 

but that's the look I was aiming for as I sponged through the Clear Scraps Damask stencil with 

Stampin Up's Orchid Opulence, Lavender Lace, and Pretty in Pink.

The pearl heads on the stick pins are dyed to match with a few drops of copic ink and I added a 

Prima flower to the butterfly which is cut with a Spellbinders die.

I didn't want to detract from the stenciled background so I stamped the sentiment (SU) 

on a bit of gingham ribbon and the result is kind of a clothing label effect!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Flourishes September Beautiful World Tour

Hello and welcome to your stop in Belfast, Northern Ireland for the
 Flourishes September Beautiful World Tour!

If you're hopping along and have arrived from Sasha's Inspirations, you're in just the right place.
 If you've just stumbled across the hop here on my blog and want to check out all the BWT creations, you can start back at the Flourishes blog HERE.
Don't forget that you are in with an opportunity to win a beautiful Flourishes stamp set simply by commenting on each designers blog by the end of September!

This month our hostess is Aleksandra and our theme is Postcard!

I chose to use the set Windows to the World - if I was sending a postcard,
 this is exactly the kind of place I'd like to be sending it from!
This tropical scene would be the view from my ocean side hotel.
 I'd be writing my postcard lying there on a sun chair or beach towel looking out at the turquoise sea, trying not to smear the ink with my coconut smelling sun cream!
I also thought that this sentiment was exactly the kind of thing I might write on my postcard!

The image is coloured with copics and popped up on a  square cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Squares Large.  I used Stampin Up's Orchid Opulence ink for the sponging.  I added some flowers and greenery in the corner.  The grass is simply slivers of cardstock.
I used a white gel pen to highlight the waves.
Those are extremely tiny pearls in the centre of the pink flowers on the image.

Thanks for stopping here in Belfast, now check out what the talented Naomi Gong has come up with this month!