Sweet & Sassy Stamps Christmas Cheer Blog Hop Day 1!

I know, I know... it is only October. But, if you are like me, you need ALL the time you can find to get those cards out in the mail for Christmas! Sweet & Sassy Stamps is having a 3 day Blog Hop to showcase some of the incredible Christmas stamps and digi stamps that are available RIGHT NOW! I am the last stop for the day, so if you did not start on the Sweet & Sassy Blog, you should hop over there to start from the beginning. You do not want to miss out on all the DT's lovely creations!

This lovely image is from the Jesus Is Born stamp set. It has this image and several sentiments, including portions of scripture. It is a very versatile set, in that you can use the image as the focal point, or you can use the larger scripture portions and have a completely different look. I chose to use this portrait of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as my focal point. I colored them with Copics, cut them out and popped them up on foam dots.

I used several different shades from the E range to get the skin tones the way I wanted them. I used W1-3 for the swaddling clothes to add some contrast between Jesus and his parents.

The CS is SU! Mellow Moss and the DP is Basic Grey Mellow. I really like the way this paper coordinates with the colors I chose for the image.

I carried the same "feel" to the inside and added a portion of the Book of Luke, which I cut and embossed with my new Nesties Labels 9. I cut one size larger with the BG DP for a border and put my white CS on the opposite page to allow plenty of space for writing.

Here is one of the sentiments that go along with this set. I stamped, trimmed with edge decor scissors from Fiskars, and popped it up on foam dots as well. I was trying to go for a "stable" feel so I used a large rectangle Nestie to cut out the angular piece of DP and then embellished with hemp twine.

Come back tomorrow and start the Hop again with the lovely and talented Chris Dickinson. You can see the rest of the schedule for tomorrow and Friday on my sidebar.

And don't forget the BIG SALE!!! going on at Sweet & Sassy Stamps right now for subscribers! Just visit the SNSS store, sign up as a Sweet & Sassy Stamper, and then you can take advantage of a Subscriber Only Buy 1 Get 1 Free Sale on a large number of soon to be "out of print" stamp sets. Get 'em while you can! While you are there, check out the new digis and get your Free Digi!

Thanks for Hoppin' with me!

A Drum Roll and A Blog Hop.....

TA-DA!!!! A new card! Finally!

This card is made using the new Basic Grey "Eskimo Kisses" paper, isn't it just adorable? I have paired it with the Waddle I Do Digi Stamp that was a special with purchase a while back.

I added silk/paper flowers and bling brads from my stash, along with a few other finishing touches that you can see below.

I colored him with Copics and added Glossy Accents to his scarf, eyes, cheeks, feet and beak. I trimmed him out and popped him up on foam dots.

Here is the heart charm from the wedding section at Joann. You get a bunch in a pack and they are perfect for sliding over ribbon. The pearl pin is a corsage pin and the beads were recycled from an old belt my DD did not want any more. I did not have *quite* the right shade of green ribbon, so I colored a lime green grosgrain ribbon with Copic to match the cardstock. (This is a handy trick to use if you are in a pinch!) And I finished it with Light Blue grosgrain ribbon tied with a bow.

Here is the sentiment I chose, which I outlined top and bottom in two different Copic colors (C3 & B21). I love this image! He is so sweet! You can still get Do Not Open Until Christmas at the Sweet & Sassy Stamps site, which was a companion set to this one.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE NEW RELEASE BLOG HOP THAT STARTS TOMORROW!

We are celebrating our October release with another 1-day blog hop. You will see amazing projects using our two newest sets as you hop along the DT blogs Thursday, October 1st. Find the clues along the way for a chance to win both sets from the new release!

Start at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog then visit the following in no particular order:

• Korin Sutherland
• Chris Dickinson
• Courtney Fowler
• Sandy Domelle
• Janette Olen
• Jeanette Comerford
• Teresa Kline
• Ceal Pritchett
• Deedee Anderson
• Lorie Souther
• Nancy Brown
• Leah Cornelius
• Shannon Pankow
• Belinda Chang
• Lisa Hjulberg

Blessings!

Autumn Stroll Blog Hop! Last Stop

Turning leaves, a cool breeze and the kids are back in school...must be Autumn! Of course here in Texas it is still PLENTY HOT! But, it is getting better... This month, Sweet n' Sassy Stamps has a few new Autumn-themed clear stamp sets and some new digi's as well. If you did not get here from Sandy's Blog, then you might want to head back to Chris's Blog and start your Blog Hop day off right. You don't want to miss any of the lovely "Fall Festival" of creativity we have in store for you!

This lovely little lady is from a digi set called,"Pick of the Harvest." I have colored her with Copic markers on Neenah Solar Crest cardstock. The think I love about digis is how easy it is to use them. You just print them out with an inkjet printer, set the ink with a heat gun and voila! you are all ready to color and don't have to clean up after yourself! hehehe

Isn't this just the sweetest sentiment? It comes with several, but I chose this one. I used SU! Chocolate Chip CS and some DP from DCWV The Green Stack and Basic Grey Mellow. The flowers are just pieces from my stash and the brads are Basic Grey Urban Prairie. The ribbon I got on sale at Joann and the butterfly charm is Blue Moon from the jewelery making section at StuffMart.

Here is a closer look at our cutie! Don't look TOO close, you see where I got a little happy with the markers! LOL I really like how this sweet little gal turned out. You can get her in digi form from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps right now. It is quick and easy and you will be coloring in no time!

This precious little guy is from a set called, "Leaves Me Smiling." He is also a digi (gotta love 'em!) and I have printed him on the same paper and colored with Copics. If you look closely you will see how I used individual little brushtip strokes to add some dimension to his fur.

Again, just an adorable sentiment! This set also comes with several to choose from. I used the same CS and DP for this one, but I added a button and some silk leaves and ribbon from StuffMart.

Now, I am your last stop on the hop for today, but don't forget to check out Belinda's Blog in the morning! She is sure to knock your socks off!

Blessings!

Sweet and Sassy Scripture Blog Hop Day Three!

Welcome to the third and final day of the Sweet and Sassy Scripture Blog Hop! I have been so blessed by all I have seen the first two days! If you did not arrive here from Ceal's blog, make sure to go back and start the day from the beginning at DeeDee's blog. You do not want to miss their lovely creations. For this blog hop, I have chosen to use the Romans Road stamp set to make a little flip book that would be perfect to keep in your purse or car for those times when you are given the opportunity to share your faith with others.
I used SU! Real Red & Mellow Moss CS and Basic Grey Mellow (totally coincidence!) DP for this project. The ribbon is from StuffMart and the acrylic drops were clear and I colored the bottoms with Copic markers. (I couldn't NOT use my Copics at all! hehehe)

The scriptures were stamped on white SU! CS with SU! Real Red ink.

Now, normally I am of the opinion that one can never over embellish, but I did not want the decorations distracting from the message, so this is one of the simplest things Ihave done lately.

I just alternated coordinating BG papers, no particular layout in mind and put the scriptures in order.

I thought this DP was perfect for this last page...even if it does not really "go" with all the other pages. It seems to convey the right feeling.

I have always sort of struggled with sharing my faith...I tend to forget what the actual scriptures are and where to find them, so this is the perfect tool for me to use when talking with others about my faith and how they can accept the gift that Christ so willingly offers to us all. This was extremely easy to make and if you would like the particulars, let me know.

Now, hop on over to Chris's blog. She has shared her testimony as well, and it is sure to be a blessing to you!

Blessings!

SSS16 and A New Card! Finally!

My life is really a mess right now, but I did find time to make a card, finally!

Isn't this guy too cute? This is from a Sweet n' Sassy digi set called "Something to Crow About." I am beginning to get really hooked on digis, because they are so easy to use, so inexpensive, and sooooo easy to clean up after (you don't have to! hehehe)

I am still working on my "black" technique with the Copics, but this one turned out pretty good. I used the C range of greys and kept laying down color until it looked dark enough. I wanted to convey a Fall theme, so I used the silk leaves, althought it kind of makes him look like a turkey instead of a crow! LOL And I know that sunflowers are technically summer, but here in Texas we have them in the fall as well.

I colored a second set of his eyes, beak, wings and legs to pop up on foam dots and I added even more dimension with Glossy Accents. The CS is SU! and the DP is DCWV The Green Stack. The gingham ribbon is SU! and the leaves and sunflowers are from the craft section at StuffMart.

This is one of the many sentiments that come along with this little guy, and I like that because it is a digi, I can resize the sentiment to whatever size I want it to be.

I brought the same theme to the inside and topped off with ribbon and flowers.

Blessings!

Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #13...and again!

This is the sketch for Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #13:

And here is my (first) take on this sketch.....

This is a brand new SNSS Digi release called "Showers of Blessing," by Courtney Fowler. Courtney has her own blog and challenge team called the, "Created by Courtney Challenge Chicks." Her work is lovely and her love for the Lord is evident in all that she does. Initally I wanted to color her dress in blue, but it made me think of the Morton Salt girl, so I tried to pick a color that I don't use much as a focal. Green, which I love, is usually what I use for leaves, etc. Here her dress and umbrella are colored with Copics using marker in the G and YG ranges. The background is done with C1-C7. Notice how I "grounded" her with a darker shadow below? When you do this, it makes the image look like it is actually on something, instead of floating in mid-air. Her hair is done with red-toned E range markers. CS is SU! Mellow Moss, DP and brads are Basic Grey - Mellow (I JUST realized that they both say mellow! hehehe), ribbon is Martha Stewart, bling is K&Co. Anytime I put gemstone brads or crystal bling on my cards, by DH says, "You Bedazzled it! LOL (Inside joke from The Game Plan, if you have seen it.) I used my MS Lace Border punch on some of the DP.

This is a close up showing the colorful paper and the sentiment. The digi comes with several sentiments to choose from, so you have something for inside and outside. After I finished this card and submitted it for the sketch blog, I realized that it was SUPPOSED to be a Christmas-themed card...doh! So, accordingly, here is my second take on this sketch:

If you have not noticed yet, very rarely do I stick exactly to the sketch. I always change something, even if I just rotate or switch sides. Not sure why, I just always do! CS is a DCWV card blank and some SU! Chocolate Chip, DP is Basic Grey - Mellow (Again...I just love this paper!) and a Christmas sentiment DP from a DCWV Holidays stack, ribbon and buttons are from StuffMart. Again, I used the MS Lace Border punch. I chose to go a little simpler with the card so that the image would really stand out. I just love this guy! It is another SNSS digi called, "You Light Up My Life!" This one you can only get by participating in the Christmas in July Celebration going on at SNSS this month. Hurry! After this month, you cannot get this one or the other two Christmas digis. (Do Not Open Till Christmas and Stanley the Penguin)

Since he is supposed to be made of snow, I used a C1 marker and B00 marker to line the edges and softened with colorless blender. I also *try* to keep in mind where I want the light to come from, so I know where to put my highlights, as you can see on his hat.

Blessings!

Christmas In July!!! And an Important Request....

Hey Guys! Here are a couple of things I have been working on lately...

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is having a Christmas In July promotion right now where they are giving away these awesome Christmas Digis by Korin Sutherland.

This one is called, "You Light Up My Life," and it has the snowman image with two sentiments. Isn't that little bird just adorable? I think this one is my favorite. You can only get these digis by participating in the CIJC sale at Sweet 'n Sassy during the month of July. After that, they will no longer be available. I used Basic Grey Mellow paper and Urban Prairie brads, Neenah Solar Crest CS, Copic markers and Glossy Accents on this card, along with bling from K&Co., ribbon and silk flowers from Joann and my MS Lace Border Punch. I also added some antiquing on the CS using an SU! Close to Cocoa inkpad. After I colored him, I trimmed him and popped him up on foam dots.

Here is a closeup of the ink-antiquing. I went over the sentiment with Copics as well, just to add a little dimension.

The next digi is called, "Do Not Open Until Christmas!" and he is adorable! Most people color him as a Polar Bear, but I wanted to do something different, so my image is a night time scene with a brown bear. I used SU! Not Quite Navy and Real Red CS, along with some more Basic Grey Mellow DP, bling from K&Co., Glossy Accents and, of course, Copic Markers. Red Grosgrain 5/8" ribbon and some doodling with a Bronze Sakura Gelly Roll pen finish it off.

I wanted the tree to look more like a fir than a pine, so I used markers in the BG range. I like the look of this for a fir tree. After I colored the the decorations, I used Glossy Accents to make them stand out a bit. I added some stars to the sky with a White Sakura Gelly Roll pen and topped with Glossy Accents.

Now, onto my Important Request:

My precious birth-mother, Mama Kathryn, has been diagnosed with cancer. I am going to spend a week with her in Idaho starting the 2oth of July. She is a believer and is holding fast to God's promises but it would really bless her to get some cards from all of you talented people out there. If you can and you want to, please send her a card of encouragement, especially ones with scripture, to remind her of God's love and faithfulness. I know it would just mean so much to her. If you have a blog of your own, feel free to pass on this request. My other request is that you pray for her, add her to your church prayer list, etc.

Here is her info:

Kathryn McGinnis, P.O. Box 193, Hope, Idaho, 83836

Thank you in advance for doing this for me and Kathryn.

Blessings!

Sweet & Sassy DT Blog Hop!

Well, here it is... my very first Blog Hop! I am honored that I was chosen to represent Sweet & Sassy Stamps as a Junior DT member from July '09 to Dec '09. You probably came to my blog from Lisa's blog. If not, go back to the SNSS Blog and start there! You don't want to miss ANY of the "eye candy!"

Here is another card that I made using the "Birthday Buddies" stamp set that was a new release for the month of June.


This set is incredibly versatile, it has several cuddly little critters and some great sentiments to go with them. This one is my current fave, because I think he is looking at that slice of cake like he really wants to keep it for himself! hehehe! I used SU Not Quite Navy CS, YoYo Yellow CS and the DP is from the Fun In The Sun Summer Stack from DCWV. I cut the Scalloped Circle and Embossed Circle Nesties with my Cuttlebug and popped that little guy on there with some foam dots. He is, of course, colored with Copic markers and highlighted with Sakura Gelly Roll White Gel pen. Some white ribbon, a multi-color flower and some "bling" were all that was needed to complete this card.

The next stop on your hop is Nancy.

Blessings!

Finally! An Update and A New Card for Sweet Stop Sketch 11!

Things here have been really crazy! In the last two weeks, we have gone thru:

A) a brushfire burning in the heavily wooded area behind our property for three days,

B) a snakebite to my youngest child's ankle,

C) a trip to the ER and stay in the hospital for said child,

D) a whole lot of thankfulness to God that my son is ok and my house did not burn down!

So, if I have been especially quiet the last couple of weeks, now you know why!

Here is my latest creation, using Sweet & Sassy Stamps "Birthday Buddies" set. My inspiration for this card comes from the Sweet Stop Sketch Spot Challenge #11. If you have not had a chance to participate in any of these, hurry on over there and take a look!

The CS is SU Yoyo Yellow and Brilliant Blue. The green is DCWV, olive 12 x 12, textured. The DP is also DCWV, not sure of the name but I will try to get it and add it later. I added some red crystals on the corners for some bling!

Isn't this little guy just too cute? I colored him with Copics (C1,3,5 and E00,02) and detailed him with white gel pen and Glossy Accents. The balloons are colored with Copics in the R, Y, and B families. I used a MS border emboss/punch to jazz up the horizontal strip of Brilliant Blue CS and added some skinny red ribbon from Wally World.

The sentiment is also from the same set, it has several to choose from. You may not be able to tell from this photo, but I embossed the image and sentiment with clear embossing powder after I stamped it. It really makes the sentiment POP!

Blessings!

Here's is the Latest News from Sweet & Sassy Stamps!

Lots of cool stuff going on over at Sweet & Sassy Stamps, just in time for the hot weather!

SUMMER KICK-OFF SALE EXTENDED!

Wanna get your hands on some great spring and summer stamps at a great price? All of our spring and summer stamp sets are 15% off all month long!

Firecracker Festival!
We'll be hiding a firecracker somewhere on our website for the whole month of July. Find the firecracker and gain access to some great specials and give-aways! Visit our homepage for more details and to find out where to register!

NEW DIGI STAMPS

We've added MANY more great digi stamps this past month so if you haven't checked them out lately, you are really missing out. Remember, digi stamps are wonderful when you are crafting on a budget and who doesn't love instant gratification!? Here are some of our fun new designs:

Sweet as Hunny
Celebrate America
Lemonade Stand
Basket Full of Love
Catch of the Day

CHRISTMAS IN JULY CELEBRATION!

Despite the warm weather we know many of you are wanting to get a head start on those Christmas cards so we're having a Christmas in July Celebration! For the entire month of July, our Christmas & Winter stamp sets are 15% off!

But the fun doesn't stop there! When you spend $25 in Christmas & Winter stamps,

you will receive a FREE Holiday Greetings stamp set.

Hold on, there is still more!!!

Wanna order our other stamps and products instead? We have something for YOU, too!

Place a $20 order: receive Stanley the Penguin digi set

Place a $35 order: receive Stanley the Penguin AND

Do Not Open Till Christmas digi sets!

Place a $50 order: receive Stanley the Penguin,

Do Not Open Till Christmas AND You Light Up My Life digi sets!

These exclusive digis can only be earned through our Christmas in July Celebration and will not be available to purchase.

Sassy Stamper Savings

Receive FREE SHIPPING with your $40 order when you enter coupon code SUMMER during checkout. Offer expires July 31, 2009.

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!

I am so excited that I just cannot stand myself!!! I have been chosen to be a Jr. Design Team member for none other than.........

Sweet & Sassy Stamps!!!!!!!!!

I have followed Korin and this company since I started papercrafting in early 2008. The thing that I really love about SNSS is that they use their company, their stamps, and their lives to bring glory to God. What a blessing to combine my love for Christ and my love for creating in such a wonderful way. There also is the added benefit of getting to know the wonderful and talented group of other DT members that are part of SNSS. I will be telling you more about them in the near future.

My design term starts in July and runs thru December. Be looking for some really great SNSS stuff to appear on the blog, along with blog hops, giveaways and release parties! WooHoo! Who does not love a party?

Blessings!

SNSS Digi - A Flower For You

Isn't this just the sweetest lil' bug ever? I fell in love with this lil' guy! He is a new digi from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. I love to use digis because I am lazy and do not like to clean rubber they are so easy to use! The digis from SNSS are especially easy to color because they are drawn with outlines that are just a lil' bit wider than most (Thank you, Korin!) and are more Copic-friendly for those of us that tend to color outside the lines just a tad! I have put all the colors I used in the picture to give you some reference. The base card (5"x7") is SU Summer Sun CS and I have layered with Black SU CS. The DP is a red gingham from DCWV Classic Prints & Cardstock Stack.

After I colored the main image, I colored another of the flowers, coated it with Glossy Accents, trimmed it, and popped it up on foam dots for some 3-D effect. I love the way it makes the flower really POP! I also gave him a "halo-effect" with two shades of grey. I like the extra depth this gives to the main image. I also "glossed" his nose, cheeks and antennae! I layered him on the black CS and then attached round silver brads with flower bead spacers from my stash. Then I popped him up on 1/16" foam.

I printed the sentiment on SU Whisper White, using two different fonts and layered it with the yellow and black CS. I added another brad/spacer to coordinate with the main image. I popped this up on 1/8" on the left and mounting squares above the edge of the main image.

The ribbon is a red grosgrain from my stash and some SU Real Red Gingham that I was blessed with recently. I have been on a charm kick lately and I found these Blue Moon flower charms at Stuff Mart last time I went. I thought it matched perfectly!

I followed the theme on the inside, with a slight twist. I used SU Real Red and Whisper White CS with SU Black/White Gingham ribbon and more of the brad/spacers.

I left the inside blank...you never know what you might want to say to a friend. All in all, this was a joy to make and I will have a hard time parting with it.

Blessings!