Bag of Sequins

I had soooo much fun making this card for two challenges, the 

Featured Stamper Challenge at Splitcoaststampers where we were 

inspired by talented stamper Penny Ward, and the Moxie Fab 

World Styling with Stencils challenge found HERE.

And HERE is the lovely card in Penny's gallery which 

inspired me to try my hand at a bag of sequins - 

love the idea, it kind of reminds me of a little teabag!

I stenciled the bg with Stampin Up Lucky Limade ink 

and then spattered the background with watercolour paint.  

The bag is created with vellum and My Favorite Things 

Fishtail Flags Die-namics.  The sentiment is embossed in 

white and it's from Flourishes Sentimental Favorites.

The twine is dyed with copic in to match.  

I finished it off with some little stars using Sweet 'n Sassy 

Stamps Stars dies and some sequins!

Stars, stencils, sequins, and splatters.....

all those things make me happy! :)  

Thanks for stopping by today, hope it's a good one for you!

Double Stencilling

Here's my card for two challenges, the CAS Featured Stamper Challenge at 

Splitcoaststampers and the Less is More Challenge #163 Masking or Stencilling.

I'm crazy about stencilling so I was really looking forward to this!

Loll Thompson is the Featured Stamper and HERE is the gorgeous 

card which inspired me from Loll's fabulous CAS gallery - I
love EVERYTHING Loll does!

I used magic mesh and SU's Lucky Limade ink first,
then added some leaves with another stencil.

The butterfly is stamped on vellum and sponged with Ranger 

Distress Broken China ink, then highlighted with a copic marker.

The sentiment is from Flourishes Sentimental Favorites.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

A Mother's Heart

Here's my card for the Waltzingmouse Pajama Party Bedtime Sketch!

I used the beautiful set Roses in Bloom, which if I remember correctly, 

was the first Waltzingmouse set I ever got!  I just couldn't fit this lovely 

sentiment at the bottom and also wanted a lot of white space at the top, so it 

made sense to put it there - hope that's okay.  Living on a 

different continent, far away from my Mum/Mom for the past 28 years, 

I can say this little qoute is so true!

Thank God for Skype, facebook, and I-phones, which have

made the distance a little easier to bear!

The image is coloured with copics and the dp panels are stitched.  

I finished with a die-cut lace border and mini buttons.  

Working with this colour combo always makes me happy.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Rainbow Butterflies

Rainbow colors and butterflies really appeal to 

me, so this was a fun one to make!   I'm hosting the 

Featured Stamper Challenge today over at Splitcoaststampers 

and here is the lovely card by Diana Nguyen which inspired me.
(ETA: I am editing this post to enter the Moxie Fab World
Styling with Stencils Challenge!)

I used one of the bookmark dies from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps 
Bookmarks and More Dies to 

create the tag - I love how by just cutting the die-cut down on 

one end, and hey presto, you have a tag!  

This works with either one of the bookmark dies.

I stamped the butterflies from SNSS Majestic Monarchs using various 

Stampin Up inks. I created a small black frame using a paper cutter, 

and a little trim with small scissors along the rounded bit at the top.  

Twine and gingham ribbon were added to finish off the tag.

Then it was on to the background.  I used some magic mesh as a stencil, 

sponging the rainbow colours across in diagonal lines.

The sentiments are from SNSS Precious Poppies.

Thank you so much for stopping by today, have a wonderful Sunday!

SNSS March Release Hop Day 4

Hello and welcome to Day 4 of the blog hops celebrating the 

March Releases at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps! 

Today we're showcasing the fabulous set

Pick Me Up

along with the coordinating

Pick Me Up Dies

I love this set, with all the little elements, the possibilities 

are truly endless!  I found the dies and stamps incredibly easy 

to "get right" if you know what I mean - they coordinate beautifully!

For my first card I lightly sponged all edges with 

Ranger Distress Antique Linen ink.  I created a little tag for 

the sentiment with SNSS Heart Dies and a mini hole punch.

The dp is Pebbles Seen and Noted.

For my second card I created a bg using a stencil with 

SU's Pretty in Pink and then spattered with watercolors.

The polka dot heart was made using SNSS Hearts Dies.

I used Versafine Sepia and Color Box.

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

Set measures 4" x 4".

Coffee mug image measures approximately 1.5" x 1.5".

Illustrated by Korin Sutherland.

Coordinates with Pick Me Up Dies.

Sells for $11.

Set contains 6 dies.

Coffee mug measures approximately 1.5" x 1.5".

Designed by Korin Sutherland.

Coordinates with Pick Me Up stamps.

Sells for $7.50.

The DT has shared their gorgeous samples in the thumbnails below.
Stop by each of their blogs and comment for a chance to WIN one of the
(2) $20 gift codes to our store over the course of our 4 days of blog hops!

Don't miss these other opportunities to win:

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all the comments on Friday's release blog post

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all the comments on full reveals in our SCS forum

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all the participants in our
release challenge hosted on blog

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, March 14th.
 The list of winners will be announced on our blog by Monday, March 17th.

Thanks so much for joining us and enjoy the hop!

Feathery Thanks

Here's my card for the Waltzingmouse March Pajama Party Challenge 

#3 - What Would Mother Do?

My Mum/Mom had a button box full of all kinds of buttons,

 probably some of them handed down from Grandma. Long ago, 

I wasn't interested in the slightest, but oh, wouldn't I love to 

get my hands on those buttons now!  Instead, I had to get my

vintage buttons from St. George's Market in Belfast.  There's a lady who 

has a stall with fab hats and headbands she's done by crochet and 

I bought a cute jar full of beautiful vintage buttons for a fiver -  

this is one of my hoarded vintage buttons!  I embossed the gold feathers 

from Waltzingmouse Fine Feathers (one of my most very favourite sets, 

by the way!) and then sponged Ranger Distress ink over mesh 

(Broken China, Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint).
I used a Spellbinders Nestie Oval to emboss the sentiment 

(from the same set) and added some gold cord and gold gems.

The sun is really shining here in Northern Ireland today, I'm starting

 to feel like I should get out of the craft room and get into the garden/yard!

Whatever the weather in your area, have a great day, and thanks for stopping by.

Triumph Over Fear

Here's my card for the current CASE Study Challenge (#181)  - this month the Muse is Joni Nina Andaya and here is the beautiful card to inspire us!

I love Joni's card, especially the pastels with contrasting black bits, 

I'm always drawn to adding black to a card!

I used some Theresa Collins dp to cover the card base and then 

added a black frame using SNSS Bookmark and More dies. I ran the die halfway 

through to get the interesting top bit, then turned the die-cut around in the die

 to run the other end through. 

The sentiment is from Verve Words of Wisdom and it's 

stamped on a Nestie Oval cut from vellum.  Other elements include 

a nest of silver thread, a felt rose (MFT Rolled Rose Die-namic) and 

some vellum and black leaves (Elizabeth Craft Leaf Dies).

The sun's shining here in Northern Ireland and it actually feels

like spring might be on the way!

Thanks for stopping by today, hope it's a good one for you!

SNSS March Release Hop Day 3

Hello and welcome to Day 3 of the blog hops celebrating the 

March Releases at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps! 

Today we're showcasing the meaningful set

God's Will

Though this verse from Isaiah speaks of many things, including amazing 

blessings here on earth, it always makes me think of what is waiting 

for us in heaven, so that was my inspiration for this card.

I used cloud die-cuts from SNSS Clouds and Raindrops Dies to sponge 

a sky with SU's Blushing Bride ink.  

I then splattered with some matching watercolours, before adding a 

frame with a black fine line pen and some little hearts

 using the recently released set Pick Me Up Dies.  

The hearts symbolize the love of God, the very 

reason we have heaven to look forward to!

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

Includes 6 sentiments.

Measures 6" x 4".

Largest verse measures 2" x 2.5".

Designed by Korin Sutherland.

Sells for $15.00

The DT has shared their gorgeous samples in the thumbnails below.
Stop by each of their blogs and comment for a chance to WIN one of the
(2) $20 gift codes to our store over the course of our 4 days of blog hops!

Don't miss these other opportunities to win:

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all the comments on Friday's release blog post

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all the comments on full reveals in our SCS forum

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all the participants in our
release challenge hosted on blog

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, March 14th.
 The list of winners will be announced on our blog by Monday, March 17th.

Thanks so much for joining us and enjoy the hop!

SNSS March Release Hop Day 2

Hello and welcome to Day 2 of the blog hops celebrating the 

March Releases at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps! 

Today we're showcasing the fabulous 

Borders and Backgrounds

along with the coordinating 

Borders and Backgrounds Dies

For the first card I stamped one of the lacey borders in creamy white
on vellum before cutting with the dies and layering them up.
The butterfly, from Majestic Monarchs
(cut using the coordinating Monarch Dies), is embossed on dp.
I'm very into this shade of watermelon pink at the moment!
The dp is from Cosmo Cricket.
This is also for the Featured Stamper Challenge at Splitcoaststampers
today, and HERE is the lovely card from stampin_mynn's gallery
which inspired me!



For the second card I went for a very CAS look, sponging
from the bottom to create shading
using Stampin Up Lavender Lace and then stamping the double
circle border in the same.  I cut an additional border in
 black cardstock to give an exra layer of definition and then added some
black pearls.The sentiment is from the newly released God's Will.

Now take a look at the full sets and all the details below:

Stamp set includes 5 images.
It measures 6" x 4".
Images measure approximately 5.5".
Designed by Korin Sutherland.
Set sells for $15.00.

Die set includes 5 dies.
Dies measure approximately 5.5" wide.
Designed by Korin Sutherland.
Set sells for $28.50.

The DT has shared their gorgeous samples in the thumbnails below.
Stop by each of their blogs and comment for a chance to WIN one of the
(2) $20 gift codes to our store over the course of our 4 days of blog hops!

Don't miss these other opportunities to win:

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all the comments on Friday's release blog post

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all the comments on full reveals in our SCS forum

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all the participants in our
release challenge hosted on blog

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, March 14th.
 The list of winners will be announced on our blog by Monday, March 17th.

Thanks so much for joining us and enjoy the hop!

SNSS March Release Hop Day 1

Hello and welcome to Day 1 of the Hops celebrating the 

March Releases at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!  

Today we're showcasing the fabulous set

Flower Blocks 2

I love the way one of these beautiful images sponged or coloured creates a
bold, striking focal point on a card.  For both of my cards I stamped
the image several times so that parts could be popped up for
dimension and then sponged each layer.  In order to keep the edges
crisp, I use an SU marker to run along the edge of each image so
that there are no white cut lines showing, it's a small detail, but it
seems to add definition.  In colours include SU Real Red and Pool Party.

For the first card I used a stencil and Stampin Up's Pool Party ink,
and then spattered in a similar shade with watercolour paint.
The flower center is covered with tiny black beads.

For the second card I did the same, sponging each individual
petal as a layer.  Each panel of dp has been sponged along the edges too.
Ink colours include Stampin Up Yoyo Yellow, Orchid Opulence, Rich
Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, and Ranger Distress Scattered Straw.

Now take a look at the full set with all the details below:

 Stamp set includes 4 images and 4 sentiments.

Set measures approximately 6" x 8".

The images measure approximately 2 5/8" x 2 5/8".

Designed by Korin Sutherland.

The DT has shared their gorgeous samples in the thumbnails below.
Stop by each of their blogs and comment for a chance to WIN one of the
(2) $20 gift codes to our store over the course of our 4 days of blog hops!

Don't miss these other opportunities to win:

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all the comments on Friday's release blog post

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all the comments on full reveals in our SCS forum

(1) $20 gift code drawn from all the participants in our
release challenge hosted on blog

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, March 14th.
 The list of winners will be announced on our blog by Monday, March 17th.

Thanks so much for joining us and enjoy the hop!

Put the Kettle On

I discovered very quickly after I came to live in Northern Ireland why
the British and Irish drink so much tea - sometimes you feel so cold
right down to your bones and a good "cuppa" is about the
only way to warm up from the inside out!

And it's very true that people reach for the kettle when
a crisis looms, large or small!

I love this Stampendous sentiment and created a little tag with a hole
punch and MFT's Fishtail Flag Die-namics.  

I sponged the edges of the tea-cup with Stampin Up's Lucky
Limeade ink to give some dimension and also curled the edges
with a paintbrush handle to give a rounded effect.
 It was created with a cute little Memory Box die.

The flourish, from Papertrey Ink, is stamped to create some "steam".

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by today!

Bunged Banner

A card made for the Featured Stamper Challenge at Splitcoaststampers today.  

Jenn Cochran, aka fattire7 is our inspiration this week and 

HERE is the card which inspired me.  I created a little banner using 

various die-cuts and elements - it's a great way to use up scraps of dp.  

My only suggestion is to play around with the layout and layering 

so that most elements are visible - moving things around changed the 

whole look and I did that until I got something pleasing to the eye.  

This beautiful verse sentiment was a gift to me from my dear friend, 

Dina, aka dini, of Mamadini's Stamperia.  It's made by Heart and 

Soul Rubber Stamp Company.

Dies used include:

 Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Hearts Dies, Stars Dies, 

My Favorite Things Flower Trio, Fishtail Flags Die-namics, 

Papertrey Ink Happy Trails die (bird).

I also used a Woodware butterfly punch.

Just wondering if the title of my post needs explaining as "bunged" 

wasn't a word that I remember using before I came to the U.K./Ireland.  

It means loaded, jammed, or very, very full.  I'd love to know 

if it's a word commonly used in your part of the world!

Have a wonderful Sunday and thanks for stopping by!