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!

Me, maybe some Candy and a Friend...

Ok, this is not a sale advertisement, or a DT Blog Hop or anything remotely craft related. Just me, sitting here typing...while my kids continue to NOT go to bed and I continue to wonder whether or not Laptop Wrist is a REAL ailment or just a figment of my imagination...I think it *might* be carpal tunnel, but I don't really want to *think* about it much! Things here have been pretty out of the ordinary...I cannot go into details but suffice it to say that our stress levels are WWAAAYYYY over the normal threshold and your prayers are greatly appreciated. On the up side, we both still have jobs! I know many people are not so blessed and I hope that God will open a new door, a better door, for them in the near future.

Interestingly enough, I did something recently that most people think of as a "man-thing". In fact, I was the only woman there! If you really want to know what it was, email me and I will let you in on the secret. I would post it here, but DH tells me that my blog now shows up when my name is Googled so my personal privacy is pretty much out the window. Actually, I might end up making a Blog Candy out it...that would be fun! Put all the correct answers into a hat and draw a winner? What do you think? What kind of things would make a good "Candy?" I know what my crafty friends will say....but what about the rest of you? Let me hear from you!

Now, I want to tell you about a sweet person that I have come to know in the blogging world. Ellyn, who owns the blog Profoundly Seth. Seth is her youngest who was born early and was profoundly deaf. They fought to get him Cochlear Implants, which he now has, and the journey was amazing to read. She also talks about her losing a child (stillbirth), losing a husband (in the process) and how she is coping with being pregnant while her marriage seems to be ending. She has three other kids, Ava, Jace and Eli(he was stillborn) and is currently expecting #5. Her blog is an adventure into faith, family and fortitude. Please give her some bloggy love, and help raise her "hit-count"...it is her only source of income at the moment.

Blessings,
Shannon

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!

Sweet and Sassy Scripture Blog Hop!

For the next three days, SNSS will be highlighting their collections with scriptures. I just love to use scripture on my cards and whatnot and I look forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with. Be watching for some really great ideas of how to share your faith with others using scripture stamps! Check out the details below...

Join us for the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps monthly DT Blog Hop! This month we are featuring our popular scripture stamps!

Wednesday, August 26th:
SNSS Blog featuring Chris Olsen
Courtney Fowler
Janette Olen
Connie Babbert
Nancy Brown
Teresa Kline

Thursday, August 27th:

Sandy Domelle
Leah Cornelius
Lisa Hjulberg
Jeanette Comerford
Korin Sutherland
Lorie Souther

Friday, August 28th:


Deedee Anderson
Belinda Chang
Ceal Pritchett
Shannon Pankow
Chris Dickinson
SNSS Blog featuring Michele Kovack

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!

Take a Walk on the Wild Side!

It is that time again! Time for the Sweet & Sassy Stamps July Blog Hop! We have some beautiful creations from our amazingly talented design team for you to enjoy. If you did not come here from another SNSS DT members blog, then hop on back to SNSS and start from the beginning! You don't want to miss the eye candy (and maybe some BLOG candy too!)



This set is called "Doodle Birds" and it is just so much fun!


I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers. The CS is all from my stash (trying to use up some of what I have) and the DP is from the DCWV Green Stack.


I added branches punched with an MS punch and Basic Grey Urban Prairie buttons with ribbon from StuffMart. I trimmed the birdy and popped her up, along with the nest. This sentiment makes it perfect for a housewarming card!




Now, the next stop on your "hop" is the incredibly talented Courtney. Hop on over there and see what creative things she has for you! And don't forget today is the LAST DAY for the Blow Out Sale 40-50% off and Christmas in July Sale over at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

Blessings!