I Will Never Leave You

My family bought me a few crafty goodies for Christmas, including 

several Phyllis Harris stamps by Unity - this one is called I Will Never

 Leave You and it's based on Hebrews 13:6.  We just celebrated 

Christmas and the whole miracle of Emmanuel, "God with us" - this 

is another aspect of that truth, not only is Jesus with us, 

but He will never, ever leave or forsake us! 

This stamp is currently on sale for $10, down from $24, which is great value.

I stamped the scene with Stayzon Black ink and cut it down to 

fit the front of my card as it's actually much bigger than this. 

 It's watercoloured with Winsor & Newton paints.

Hope you've had a wonderful Christmas, and are enjoying these 

last few days of 2014 - thanks for stopping by today!

Watercolor Encouragement Set

Hello!  Today I'm taking a break from Christmas cards and  
 sharing a set of cards made with some very old favourites from 

Stampin Up - Summer by the Sea and Seaside Sketches.  Any image works 
well for this though I think sketchy ones like these are especially great.
And it's so quick because there's no colouring -
I don't know about you, but it takes me a while to blend those copics!
The Bible verse sentiments are from Our Daily Bread Designs, 
and I use them all the time for cards of encouragement.  

  The background on each card was created by pressing Ranger 
Distress ink pads on to an Acrylic block and then spraying it 
with water before pressing on to watercolor paper.

After it's thoroughly dried I stamped the images and the 
sentiments, then added matching sequins.  
Thanks so much for stopping by today, I hope it's a good one for you!

SNSS November Release Hop

Hello and welcome to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps November

2014 Release Hop!  November marks the 7th birthday of SNSS,

and it also means we crafters go into full fledged Christmas

card creating mode.  Hopefully you'll find inspiration on

every level with the DT creations this month!

 

 

 First I have a bright birthday card with candle shapes from

bright polka dot paper - I then used a leaf die from Small Leaves Dies 

for the candle flame, sponging the edges with yellow and orange ink. 

The Birthday Word Die is fabulous for

combining with the Companion Words
stamp set, take a look at both below.

 

 

 Next I've used the beautiful Bare Tree Die (I just love this, what an incredibly

useful die!) along with the deer from Forest Silhouette Dies. 

 

The background has been sponged with Stampin Up inks and then spritzed

with water and pressed with a paper towel so that some of the ink

lifted, hopefully giving the impression of falling snow.
(Please note this technique works with inks such as SU and Ranger Distress.)

I added some tiny punched flakes with the tiniest of pearls.
The sentiment is from Christmas Light.
Check out the Bare Tree Die below,
which includes tiny leaves and a tiny flower.
 

Next I've used a beautiful blessing from the Scripture and Sentiment

Companion set along with the same Bare Tree Die.

It works wonderfully to stamp the Scripture on the inside! 

I cut the tree four times and adhered them together for a

chipboard appearance. The background has been water colored

and I added some pearls and sequins to finish.
Take a look at all the verses with beautiful coordinating sentiments:
 

 Last I have a card using the sweet Baked for You set - the cherry pie

is colored with copics. Everything has been sponged with

Ranger Distress Frayed Burlap ink for a distressed look.

 

I made this card thinking of my Aunt Sandy in Kennewick,
Washington, who makes the BEST pie crusts ever and who

also uses cherries from their sour cherry tree

in the most amazingly mouth watering ways!

Check out the fabulous dies which coordinate with
the this set - Baked for You Dies.  A fabulous apron die is included!

 

 

 You can be inspired by the other DT creations which are linked
below and remember that one random commenter from one of the
DT blogs will be selected to win a $10 gift code to be used at
Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. You have until Thursday, November 2th
at midnight EST to leave your comments,  The winner will be posted

on the SNSS blog on Friday, November 21st.

 

The Release Day Challenge this month is:

 

Wintery Birthday Card

 

To enter simply share a link to your creation below.

Just a few guidelines to remember as you play:

- You don't have to use a SNSS image to enter
though it's fun for us to see when you do!

- Please create a new card, no back linking.

- We ask that you enter your card in no more than 3 challenges.

- You'll have until Thursday, November 20 at midnight EST to enter.

- We'll draw 1 winner from this week's challenge
to receive a $10 credit to the SNSS store!

- If there are 25 participants, not including the DT, we will draw 2 winners.

 

Thanks so much for joining us today!  Be sure to check back

on Friday, Nov. 21 to see if you've won!

-Please use code SNSNOV1014RC when

uploading to Splitcoaststampers or other galleries.

 

Christmas Joy

Hello!  Sharing a Christmas card I made this week for the

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog, using watercolours on watercolour

paper with a beautiful image from Christmas Light.

This set was designed by my talented friend, Dina Kowal.

I spritzed the image with paint by tapping the loaded

brush with my finger, using some post-it-notes

to loosely mask off most of the panel so that the

spritzing would be confined to right around the

candle area. Ranger Distress Antique Linen ink was sponged

around the edges of the panel. I then used some magic mesh  

along with a polka dot stencil with the same ink. 

Light of Christmas bg stamp was inked up  

with Ranger Distress Frayed Burlap ink, with part

of the ink wiped away so that it would stamp

a partial image for a faded effect.

The finishing touches are clear sequins and thin gold cord.

For some reason, one or two of the sequins look neon green in this

photo - something about the way the light falls, as all

of the sequins are exactly the same color!

I particularly love this sentiment from Christmas Light because it

emphasizes the whole message of Christmas -

Emmanuel or "God with us."

Thanks for stopping by today!

SNSS Christmas Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Special Design

Team Christmas Blog Hop!  Today we're

featuring some favorite SNSS Christmas stamp sets just in time to give

you plenty of inspiration for your holiday stamping.  We hope you'll

join the fun and visit each blog.

I created a watercolour background before popping up

two ornaments using the fab Mod Ornaments set - they've

been cut with the matching Ornament Dies.  I've used some

silver cord to give the impression of hanging ornaments, and

finished it off with plenty of rhinestone embellishments.

 I'm sure you have your own favorite Christmas stamp set, so we're inviting you to

create a Christmas greeting and add it to the gallery by clicking the

Linky Tool below!  Of course there will be a PRIZE for one of those who

decide to join us.  You have until Thursday, October 30th, 2014 at

 midnight EST to upload your creation.  We will randomly select one

lucky participant to receive a $10 gift code to be used at the Sweet 'n

Sassy Stamps Store!  The winner will be posted on the Sweet 'n Sassy

Blog on Friday, October 31st.

 

All My Heart

I've been making quite a few cards with a pink theme in honor 

of the fight against breast cancer highlighted in October. 

 Splitcoaststampers has a special card drive called 

Hope You Can Cling To - the cards created are sent for 

patients at a cancer treatment center in Texas to use. 

Here's a card I created for a challenge to include a 

bear on your card - I love this adorable 

wee teddy from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Valentine Critters. 

 He's colored with copics and the head is 

popped up over the body to give some dimension.  

I have to tell you, I just love this 

set with all those adorable little critters and use it the whole year around - they're 

perfect for baby cards, birthday cards and general cards expressing love! 

The heart is cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities 

and sponged while still in the die with Stampin Up Blushing Bride ink.  

Buttons seem to play along well with polka dots to me, 

so I grabbed a few in melon pink from my button jars!

The fight against cancer is close to my heart as my husband and so many 

in his family have battled through it.  I know many of you can identify 

as you have loved ones and dear friends with similar stories.  

May God give you strength and peace for

 whatever challenges you're facing today.

Thank you for stopping by for a look!

Song in My Heart

A card for Susie's (PaperPunchScissors) Hope You Can 

Cling To Challenge at Splitcoaststampers 

yesterday: Heart Song, to use music on your card. I thought this fab set from 

CASual Fridays stamps called Love Notes would be perfect for it.

The background is created using varioius Distress Inks including 

Mowed Lawn, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Peacock Feathers, 

Dusty Concord, and Picked Raspberry.  I applied the ink to an acrylic 

block and sprayed it with water before stamping in various layers on watercolor paper.

The treble clef is from Memory Box.  I love using watercolor paper 

for cards, the thick texture gives such a rich feel!  

Thanks for stopping by today and if you'd like to know more 

about the HYCCT card drive to benefit those suffering from

 breast cancer during the month of October, you can find out all the details HERE!

Thanks Mum

I thought it might be fun to revisit a card or two that I submitted as a Dirty 

Dozen designer at Splitcoaststampers a few 

years ago.  We have a commitment not to use them on blogs, etc. for at 

least six months but that time is well up!  Our theme was to create cards about 

those who have inspired or influenced us and I chose to make a card honouring

 my Mum who instilled in me a deep love of reading and books from a young age.
Here'a a photo I found of the two of us!

This  image used on this card is called Book Time, it's a digi from 

A Day for Daisies and it's coloured with copics.  

The dp is from October afternoon.  I added some matching 

beads to the twine as finishing touches.  

Thanks for stopping by today!

Look Ma, No Adhesives!

A card for the Holding it Together Challenge at the Splitcoaststampers 

Hope You Can Cling To card drive.  It's a month of 

challenges and card making to benefit those affected by breast cancer!  

Sabrina has challenged us to make a card using 

no adhesives and it has to be more than one layer, though the whole panel can 

be attached to a card base.  It's harder than I thought - I kept reaching for 

embellishments like sequins and pearls! I eventually hit on the idea of

stitching on buttons.  The butterflies are watercoloured with Distress Inks 

including Picked Raspberry, Dusty Concord and Worn Lipstick and then 

stitched onto the panel.  The card base was watercolored
and then stenciled with gray ink.  

It's a beautiful sunny autumn day here in Belfast - whatever the weather

is like where you are, I hope you're having a good weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

Autumn Thanks Card Set

Today we're showcasing again some of the new stamps and dies
released by  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps during September! 

Here's a set of four "thank you" cards created with the fabulous
Leaf Silhouettes stamp set and Leaf Silhouette Dies. 

 The sentiments are from the very useful So Grateful - love how
easy it is to mix and match the words to say thank you in different ways.

I used ink to watercolor the backgrounds, leaving an unpainted area so
the popped up leaves would stand out in contrast.  This involves brushing
 the whole rectangular area with water before brushing in the ink loosely
 in the bottom left two thirds.  As the ink/paint spreads you can add in a
bit more here and there for more depth of color.

After stamping the sentiments in Color Box Black 

Licorice ink, I added a few matching sequins to finish.

Here is a closer look at each card with ink colors.

Ranger Distress Spiced Marmalade and Mustard Seed.

Stampin Up Lucky Limeade and Ranger Distress Peeled Paint.

 Stampin Up Rich Razzleberry.

Ranger Distress Broken China, Peacock Feathers and Pine Needles.

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you'll take a look at the pretty creations some of 

the Design Team have come up with using new September release

stamps and dies!  If you've made any creations using the new sets,

we'd love to see them, please add the using the linky tool below which closes

September 25, 2014.

Give Thanks

Here's an autumn card in non-traditional pastel colors 

using the Leaf Silhouette Stamp Set and the newly
released Leaf  Silhouette Dies. by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. 

 I love the bold, modern style of these leaves - very fun to work with!

The background is created with a technique using watercolors 

or ink and a stencil, which I learned in the 

Watercolor for Cardmakers Online Class.

Many people prefer using watercolor paper but other types of card stock work 

fine because it doesn't involve over-working the paint/ink too much.  

However, a word of warning, many types of card stock will buckle and warp -  I 

taped down the edges of the panel with easily removable masking
tape to avoid excessive warping, but if it does 

happen, you can adhere the panel to another piece of card stock or 

else put it between the pages of a large book and sit on it for a while to flatten it out!

I brushed the panel with plenty of of water, then added various colors of ink 

with the brush - the paint or ink should spread and blend if you've added
enough water.  If not, give it a spray of water until you see it start to really blend.
Here I used Ranger Distress Shabby Shutters, Scattered Straw, 

Antique Linen, Broken China and Worn Lipstick.  I then lay the stencil over the

 wet panel and set some jars of buttons on top of the stencil so that it's 

pressed down into the paint/water fairly evenly - you could probably use anything 

that has a bit of weight to it but also allows some air flow.   Then you have 

to let it sit and dry!  Go have a cup of coffee or do some cleaning up around 

your craft area!  Don't be tempted to take the stencil off too soon 

before it dries - so maybe you've got time for a cup of coffee AND tidying up!  

When the stencil is removed the result is something like this - the paint/ink has 

gathered where the stencil is pressed against the paper, creating darker areas, leaving
the stencil pattern in lighter shades. 

I popped up the stamped, die-cut leaves and added a strip of vellum with the sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Comrade, Friend Buddy, Mate!

I'm delighted to be joining the talented DT at Serendipity Stamps
for a second hop during September.
Each month there's a fun challenge posted on the 
Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog
and this month the theme is "Summer's Last Hurrah!"  I hope you'll pop
over there to check out the creations on this theme
by the talented design team and join the fun!

The design team have the extra challenge of creating a card based on 

one of our own photos - I chose this fun photo of my friend's new puppy,

 Brodie, which I took this summer. I had fun playing with him on the
grass in the sunshine - managed to get a shot without him chewing my shoelaces!

He's part Tibetan Terrier, was born in Donegal, and
he was 8 weeks old when this photo was taken in August.

My card is a thank you for a friend, inspired by not only my shoes, but 

also by the friendship and loyalty that we all love in our furry friends!  

I coloured the shoes from the fabulous Tennis Shoes Cling Set

with copics, stamping one extra shoe so that the image panel would stretch 

across the card a bit further.  I stamped one of the
sentiments from the set multiple times up the side.

I love the Thanks Die which cuts beautifully - I used four die-cuts

and stacked them up for dimension.

Thanks to Mary and the Serendipity DT for inviting me to join them 

this month, it's been an honour and so much fun!   

And thanks for stopping by today!

SNSS September Release Hop

Hello and welcome to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps September Release Hop - 

this one is a little different as some of the items have already 

been released to Sweet Perks Club participants, 

but we also have a few more Autumn sets to share with you!

The first one is Falling Leaves.  I created a watercolour bg with warm, 

bright colours before stamping the leaves in sharp black for contrast, 

finishing with sequins and twine.  Check out the full set with details below:

Falling Leaves includes 2 images and 5 sentiments.

Set measures 4" x 6".

Designed by Korin Sutherland.

Price is $15.

Next are two beautiful fall sets Skeleton Leaf Backround and So Grateful.
 I gold embossed the leaf background before edging the 

panel and the framing panel with a Krylon 14 KT Gold Leafing Pen.  

The sentiment, which is gold embossed on a vellum banner, is 

from the new So Grateful set - this one has fabulous sentiments for 

mixing and matching!  Take a look at both sets with all the details below:

Skeleton Leaf Background set includes 1 image.

Set measures 4" x 4".

Designed by Korin Sutherland

Price is $11.

So Grateful includes 24 words.

Set measures 4" x 4".

Designed by Gloria Stengel.

Price is $11.

Beary Bountiful Autumn set includes 2 images and 5 sentiments.

Set measures 4" x 6 ".

Designed by Korin Sutherland..

Price is $15. 

Many of you have been enjoying the beautiful Flowers in Bloom set
and now there's a fab die to match!  I coloured the image with copics and
 then used a minimum of dp to keep a clean look.

Here are the details:

Flowers in Bloom die includes 9 dies.

Price is $10.25.

Now take a look at the rest of the fantastic fall release!

Forest Silhouette Dies coordinate with the 
Forest Silhouette stamp set includes 9 dies.

Price is $22.75.

Leaf Silhouette Dies coordinate with Leaf Silhouette stamp set.

Die set includes 10 dies, 5 are embossing dies.

Price is $17.75.

Autumn Mum Greetings includes 2 images and 7 sentiments.

Set measures 6" x 4".

Designed by Korin Sutherland.

Price is $15.

Autumn Mum Die set includes 2 nested dies.

Designed by Korin Sutherland.

One random commenter from one of the DT blogs will be selected to 

win a $10 Gift Code for the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps store.  

You have until Thursday, September 18th at midnight EST to 

leave your comments and the winner will be posted

 on the SNSS blog on Friday, Sept. 19th!

Last of all, we have a fun Release Day Challenge to create a Fall card!

Here are a few guidelines to remember as you play:

-You don't need to use an SNSS image to enter, though it's fun to see when you do!

-Please create a NEW card, no back linking.

- Please enter your card in no more than 3 challenges.

-You'll have until Thursday, September 18th at midnight EST to enter.

- One winner will be drawn from this week's challenge 

cards to receive a $10 credit to the SNSS store.

- If there are 25 participants, (not including the DT), 2 winners will be drawn)

- Please use code SNSSSept2014RC when uploading to Splitcoaststampers or other galleries.

Check out the cards created by the Design Team below and thanks for stopping by today!

Summer's Last Hurrah with Serendipity!

I was absolutely delighted to be asked to design with the talented 

Serendipity Stamps team this month -

I kept seeing gorgeous creations made with beautiful stamps floating

 through the Splitcoaststampers galleries and when I clicked on them

 to find out the details, "Serendipity Stamps" kept appearing!

Each month there's a fun challenge posted on the 
Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog
and this month the theme is "Summer's Last Hurrah!"  I hope you'll pop
over there to check out the creations on this theme
by the talented design team and join the fun!

Here in Northern Ireland most of us still hang out our laundry to dry
whenever the weather allows in the summer and one of the most common
phrases you hear when you're out and about is - "Oh no, there's the rain,
and I just hung out my wash!" I suspect we won't have very
many more days of nice weather to hang out laundry this summer!

The additional challenge for the design team is "paper piecing".  

I'd already chosen to work with these adorable wee dresses  hanging on a line

 from the set Three Dresses, and they were so much fun for paper piecing!
I popped up the bottom of each dress for a little dimension. 

The Hello Die  is perfect for a greeting to go along with the
 "Just dropping you a line" sentiment - I attached it with a little wooden clothes pin.

 And I have to tell you, not only is this one of the most useful dies ever, 

but it cuts beautifully! Tiny little buttons on a lacy strip were added to finish.
The designer paper is from Basic Gray Fresh Cut.

Just to let you know - there is a fab 20% off of the Words and Verse

stamps at Serendipity right through to September 10th!
There are loads of fabulous sentiments including
some for backgrounds in beautiful fonts and styles!

Thanks again to Mary and the Design Team at Serendipity Stamps for letting
me join them this month and thank YOU for stopping by!

Summer Window

A card for today's Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.  

We got to choose a photo from Audrie's
Inspiration Pinterest board and this is what I chose:

Sandie, aka sistersandie, sent me some fabulous window frames,
 which I think she created with her Silhoutte, and this seemed
the perfect time to use one.  

I watercolored a background to give the impression of flowery bushes and 

then sponged the Papertrey Ink vases for some dimension.

Inks used were Ranger Distress Picked Rasberry, Peacock Feathers, 

Dusty Concord, Shabby Shutters, and Mowed Lawn.

The sentiment is from Flourishes and it's stamped with Color Box Black Licorice.

Thanks for stopping by today, have a wonderful weekend!

Watercolor Tea Rose

A card inspired by this color palette at Design Seeds for the

Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge.  I love the warm

 colors paired with such a dark contrast in this palette.

The background is a watercolor wash using Ranger Distress
Mustard Seed and Dried Marigold.  I then lightly
stenciled with the same colors.

The image is Flourishes Old Tea Rose and it's 

been watercolored "loosely" with added 

spritzing, sponging and a few stamped splats using 

Visible Image Ink Splats.I find stamping the splats in areas where I've 

already laid down color adds just a bit  more depth.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, 

hope you're having a good week so far!

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps August Release Hop

Hello and welcome to the August 2014 Release at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!  

There are some fabulous new dies to coordinate with previously released sets,

all with an ocean theme!  They're perfect for summer time 

cards as well as for cards all throughout the year.  Don't forget to 

check out our fun Release Challenge with the chance to win a prize 

too - it's an easy one you won't want to miss! 

Beauty by the Sea Dies

First up...Beauty by the Sea Dies which coordinate with the 

Beauty by the Sea stamp set.

For my card I used Distress Embossing Powder (Old Paper) 

which gives a near perfect impression of sand!  I used an 

embossing pen to create "waves" with white embossing powder.

The shells are stamped in Versafine Sepia and coloured with copics.

The sentiment is a great message from Calms His Child.

Now take a look at the full set and the details below:

Die set includes 6 dies.

Designed by Korin Sutherland.

Die set price is $15.25.

Happy Ocean Friends Dies

Next is Happy Ocean Friends Dies which coordinates with the Happy 

Ocean Friends stamp set. These little sea creatures are so sweet and fun to colour!

I watercolored a background, then spritzed with water before

 lifting off some of the ink with a paper towel.

I then spritzed with more ink, before adding some dewdrops in turquoise.

Check out the full set with all the details below:

Die set includes 7 dies.

Designed by Korin Sutherland.

Die set price is $16.75.

Flourish Seashells Dies

Next we have Flourish Seashells Dies which coordinate with the 

Flourish Seashells stamp set.

I watercolored the stamped die-cut shells in rainbow colors 

and then added a sentiment with words from the set God is Bigger.

Have a look at the entire set and the details:

Die set includes 5 dies.

Designed by Korin Sutherland.

Die set price is $11.75.

Release Challenge

Now to the Release Challenge!  We've got an easy one for  

you this time, it's"Add a Die Cut"!

Add at least one die cut to your card or project.    

To be eligible for the prize, 

we ask that your create a NEW card (no back linking, please) 

and enter your card in no more than 3 challenges.

  The winner (or winners) will be posted on the 

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog on Friday, August 22nd.

Just a few guidelines as you play along:

- You don't have to use a Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps image to enter 

(although we sure love to see it when you do!)

- You'll have until Thursday, August 21st at midnight EST to enter.

- We'll draw 1 winner from this week's challenge to receive a $20 

credit to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store!

If there are 25 participants (not including the DT) we'll draw 2 winners!

- Please use code SNSAUG2014RC when 

uploading to Splitcoaststampers or other galleries.

- To enter simply share a link to your creation with the Linky Tool below.

Thanks for joining us today!  Be sure to join us again on 

Friday, August 22nd to see if you've won and 

to check out the next Friday Feature & Challenge!