Little League Hello

This is my 2nd post for today.  If you're looking for the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge, please scroll down one post.  :)

I was so excited to be asked to be a Guest Designer for August for the Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge blog.  With a name like that, how can you go wrong??  :)

This week's sponsor is A Day for Daisies digi stamps.  They have sooo many cute images.  I was excited to get to work with their Little League digi.  Our son used to play baseball when he was young and I can't decide if this digi reminds me of him or our grandson.  Can you tell I'm missing both of them?

This week's challenge is to use wet or dry embossing.  Since I'm still digging out from all the boxes due to our recent move, I chose to use dry embossing.  I used two different embossing folders.  One to add faux stitching around the background panel and one to add texture behind my little slugger.

I colored my little guy with copics and then fussy cut him out and popped him up on the textured panel.  A simple "hello" stamp was stamped & matted and then also popped up.  A few brads were added for additional texture & interest.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections
Patterned Papers:  MME (Good ay Sunshine), Echo Park (Dots & Sripes)
Stamps:  A Day for Daisies (Little League), Hello (Studio G)
Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa
Embellishments/Tools:  Cuttlebug Embossing Folders (Just My Type, Spots & Dots), Copics (E37, E35, E33, E29, E25, E00, E01, W-1, N9, N5, B21, B23, B32, B000, Y11, Y15, Y13, YR07, 100, Y000), Brads (MM), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals Large & Small)

I'm linking this card up at 52 Card Pickup #32.
Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you'll play along with this week's Chocolate, Coffee, & Cards challenge.

Children Are a Heritage - SNSDC66

We moved to our permanent housing last week and we're still getting settled.  I was able to dig out a few of my supplies to work on this week's Sweet 'n Sassy Digi challenge. It was fun to take a break from the unpacking.  This week we have a color challenge -- use purple and green.  This is not a common color combo for me so it was a challenge.  :)

One of the benefits of digi stamps is that you can layer them before printing them out.  I layered the verse from the Baby Blessings digi set on top of the Baby Buggy digi (retired).  I used my copics to color parts of the Baby Buggy digi and paper pieced the blanket part with white.  I outlined the blanket with a copic before gluing it down.  Some stickles on the hearts added a little sparkle.  I used an M'bossabilities folder on the purple cardstock and now I'm really wishing I'd matted it with some of the green cardstock.  For those I've mentored...yes, I broke my own rule and didn't mat.  Oh well.....

I added pearls around the outside of the image panel and to the flower centers in the embossed panel.  A ribbon across the top borner finished off the front.

For the interior, I used the same outside design but didn't add any pearls.  I really like this sentiment from the Baby Blessings set.  I goofed and signed the card before taking the picture. Sorry about that.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections (white), Bazzill (purple, green)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Baby Blessings, Baby Buggy-retired)
Embellishments/Tools:  Ribbon (Offray), Spellbinders (Standard Circle Large & Small, Lacey Circle, M'Bossabilities Splended Side A embossing folder), Pearls (SU), Copics (YG03, YG05, V04, V06, V09, Colorless Blender), Stickles (Crystal)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday #40 - Use Scripture
52 Card Pick up #32 - make a card
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #151 - Baby or all pastels


I hope you'll play along with us this week.  Thanks for stopping by today.

SNSDC64 - So Happy For You

It's Friday and that means it's time for another challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.  Our challenge this week is to use flags or pennants on our projects.

I chose to use the new pre-colored Kiwi Koala image.  I think Kiwi is adorable and the watermelon slice makes it a perfect summer image.  I really like the criss-cross card and found this "cheater's version" that only uses 1/2 of a piece of 8.5" x 11" cardstock instead of the whole sheet.  Christine David's no waste criss-cross tutorial can be found here.

The flag was made with a simple toothpick and a scrap of cardstock.  The faux stitching was done with a journaling pen.

Supplies:  
Cardstock:  Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Jillibean Soup (Blossom Soup)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Kiwi Koala's Watermelon Colored Digi, Hummingbird with Scripture)
Embellishments/Tools:  Brad (MM), Ribbon (misc from stash), toothpick, EK Success Corner Rounder, CM Fine Tip black pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Paper & Such - Just Stitch It (real or faux)
Shopping Our Stash #61 - Something New (the digi is a new release and the first I've used it)
Crazy for Challenges C4C146 - Stitching Real or Faux
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
52 Card Pickup - Make a card

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll play along with us this week.  I'm keeping this short today because we're enjoying an unexpected visit from our son and his family.

Tutorial: Paper Piecing with Digi Stamps

Paper Piecing with Digi Stamps

I really enjoy paper piecing, and especially paper piecing with digi stamps.  It’s a great way to add extra dimension and match your image to your background paper.  I also enjoy it because my coloring skills are still “under construction” and this is way to use images that normally would require large areas of coloring and shading.

I like to paper piece but I don’t like to waste my patterned paper.  So here’s my method (this works if you just want to print a sentiment on special paper too):

1.  Print the image on regular copy paper first.  Then decide how many different patterned papers you plan to use and print that number of images on the copy paper.  For my example I am paper piecing Opal Owl from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps.  I printed two complete owls (one for a base and one for background paper). I then cropped the image in Word and printed two heads (one for the eyes and one for the beak) and two bodies (one for the belly and one for the feet).  When paper piecing, always print one image on cardstock.  After cutting out the pieces from the patterned paper, glue them to the cardstock image.

2.  Cut a piece of patterned paper bigger than the image and apply adhesive to the wrong side on just the edge of the paper that will go into the printer first.  (All printers are different but for me this is the top edge.)  Adhere the piece of patterned paper over my image on the copy paper.  Try to make sure that the adhesive is above where the image will print.   Run the copy paper back thru the printer.  By adhering the edge that goes into the printer first, I've never had a problem with jams. 

3.  Cut out all the separate pieces.  The little pieces can be tricky so leaving a bit of a “tag” on them can be helpful (see the feet in the picture below for an example of this).  For now, don’t cut out the full image that is printed on cardstock.  To keep the outlines, run a black marker around the edges of each cut out piece.  This also colors the white edge and gives a more finished appearance.

4. Now it’s time to glue the pieces to the base image -- a pair of tweezers and a Quickie Glue pen are very helpful for small pieces.  For the example image, the feet were put on first, then the main body, then the stomach, then the eyes and lastly, the beak.

5.  Now it’s time to complete your card or project.  Treat the paper pieced image just as you would a stamped and colored image.  In my sample project, the tree was also paper pieced (it’s from the Enjoy the View digital stamp set also by Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps).  The tree top was run thru an embossing folder before being glued to the tree trunk.

I originally posted this card on my blog here.  You can find full details on the supplies I used in that post.

I hope you’ll give paper piecing a try.  It’s a lot of fun and can add some pizzazz to your next project.  Thanks for stopping by today.

SNS July Digi Stamp Release - Christmas in July

For this month's digi stamp release, we're having a blog hop.  Be sure to visit the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge blog for all the details.  You'll also want to visit each of the blogs in the hop and leave a comment.  One of us is a mystery blogger.  The mystery blogger will randomly choose one of the commenters on her blog to receive the entire July Digi Stamp Release.

There is a challenge to go with this week's digi release (SNSDC63).  Appropriately the challenge for this week is to make a Christmas card.

I'm actually getting to use 3 of the new releases.

Immanuel

 

Poinsettia

Christmas Sentiments

I chose to make an easel card.  I paper pieced the poinsettias and added a pearl to the center of each flower.

When I packed my scrapping supplies for our recent move, I was obviously exhausted.  I own the Cuttlebug (CB) and the Grand Calibur (GC).  Apparently I packed the plates and machines in 4 separate boxes. What was I thinking?!? We're in temporary housing for the next couple weeks so all I've been able to find so far is my GC machine and the CB plates.  The reason I'm confessing *grin* is to give an example of how to use your spellbinders dies without a machine.  I traced the interior of one die around my sentiment.  I traced the exterior of the same die on patterned paper for a mat.  I then handcut them both out (you'll notice I chose a pretty simple die with fairly straight lines - ha!). I thought the mat was a little wide so I got brave and handcut another mat (the green one) for in between the sentiment and the burgundy mat.

I thought the patterned paper that I used at the top of the card would look good accented with something.  My glitter pens are hiding from me so I used pearls to make a lacey look. Tweezers are your friend when placing pearls/gems like this.   I thought the lacey edge on the paper by Anna Griffin helped with the "lace" theme.

Supplies:
Card base:  Strathmore Bristol
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Figgy Pudding), Anna Griffin
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Immanuel, Poinsettia, Christmas Sentiments)
Embellishments/Tools:  pearls in flower centers (Queen & Co. - pearl), small pearl flourishes (Recollections), all other pearls (SU Jewels Basic - Pearls), Spellbinders Labels 7, Colorbox fluidchalk (chestnut roan), CM fine tip black pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Card Positioning System #274 - sketch
Going Gray with Scrap Creations (GGSC122) - Christmas in July
Shopping Our Stash #60 - use a precious/hoarded item (I used the Anna Griffin paper - I've had it in my stash for about 10 mos., the Figgy Pudding paper has been in my stash for a couple years)
Love to Create #24 - Use 3 of something (I used 3 poinsettias and 3 different digi stamps)
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Show us What You Got Christmas Edition
Word Art Wednesday #37 - Use Scripture
Divas by Design #44 - Anything Goes
52 Card Pickup - make a card

Here is the full blog hop list.  Be sure to visit each one and leave your comment for the best chance to win the full release.

• Cathy Wallington
• Crafty Math Chick
• Ceal Pritchett
• Cyndi Bundy
• Melinda Gleissner
• Patricia Hays
• Stephanie Serrano
• Stephanie Wright
• Wendy Jordan
• Korin Sutherland

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you'll come back soon.  And remember....when packing your scrappy tools, ALWAYS pack your die cutting machine in the same box as the plates that go with it.  *smile*

SNSDC62 - Fun Folds

We have a fun challenge this week on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog....Fun Folds.  If you are a frequent visitor to my blog, you know I love fancy/fun folds.  It can be any fold you like as long as it's not a standard "fold in half" type card.

When I was making my card for this challenge, we were in the middle of packing for last week's move.  So I kept it pretty simple and just did a gate-fold card.  They are one of the first fancy/fun fold cards I tried.  Here's a great Gate Fold tutorial from SCS.  My card folds to a 4.25" square.

 

Moving is always stressful and my husband had been working hard.  I wanted to give him a little note to let him know all his hard work was greatly appreciated.  This sentiment from the Love Sentiments set was perfect.  I tucked the sentiment panel behind one of the hearts from the All My Heart set to help keep the card closed.  Even though it's a masculine card, I thought this pearl flouish from Prima worked well.

Since my husband likes when I decorate the inside of my cards, I made sure to line the inside panels with patterned paper.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, DCWV, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park (Times & Seasons)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Stamps (All My Heart, Love Sentiments)
Embellishments/Tools:  Prima Say It In Pearls, Stickles (Cinnamon), Spellbinders (Standard Circles Large & Small)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #147 - Follow the "plan" (at least 1 circle/oval, at least 2 papers, at least one embellishment) 
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Must have text
Scrap Creations - Use something that you've gotten new within the last two months (mine is the pearl flourish)
Shopping Our Stash #59 - use an extra fold or pleat on your card -- for the stash part, I've had the paper, stamps & stickles for a looongg time)
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge (4CCC-98) - Stripes

I hope you'll play along with us this week in our fun fold challenge.  Remember, you don't have to use SNS images (though we love it when you do) but you do have to use a digi image.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'm off to continue job-hunting.  ugh!

SNSDC61 - Beach & Sand

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to make a card or project that has to do with the Beach or Sand.  I chose to use both.  I used the Ocean Paradise digi stamp and a sentiment from Enjoy the View.  After coloring my image with Copic Markers, I used Crystal Effects from Stampin' Up on the water and also used Crystal Effect to glue real sand from Nags Head, NC, on the sand section of the image.  After sponging in the sky, I drew a few birds.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Bazzill, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper - Echo Park (Hello, Spring)
Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy digis (Enjoy the View, Ocean Paradise)
Embellishments/Tools - Copics, Offray Ribbon, SU Crystal Effects, CM fine tip black journaling pen, Spellbinders Grand Labels One, and sand from the beach in Outer Banks, NC

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #146 - Use Something New (my paper & a new technique - I've never added sand to a card before) 
Tuesday Throwdown #104 - Summertime (nothing says summer to me more than the beach)
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Use an image and text
Chocolate, Coffee, & Cards Challenges #16 - Anything Goes

I hope you'll play along with us this week.  Thanks for stopping by today.  I'm going to keep this quick as we made an "across several states" move yesterday.  We'd appreciate your prayers as we get settled.

Stars & Stripes - SNSDC60

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to use Stars & Stripes on your project.  Be sure to visit the blog and see how the rest of the Design Team interpreted this challenge -- not everyone went with a patriotic theme.

I chose to use Patriotic Cocoa and went with a simple design since there was so much "busy-ness" with the gingham paper.  I printed the sentiment below Cocoa AFTER I colored him.  That was living dangerously!  I used Spellbinders Labels 7 to cut out the image panel.  Since I was using the largest die and therefore had no larger size to mat the panel, I traced around the outside of the die on my blue cardstock and cut it out with scissors.

I colored Cocoa and his star with my Copic markers.  I used some stickles on the perimeter of the star for some sparkle and also added subtle sparkle to the stars with my Sakura glitter pen.  Some baker's twine from The Twinery finished off my card.

Supplies:
Cardstock: DCWV, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  DCWV
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Stamps (Celebrate America, Patriotic Cocoa)
Embellishments/Tools:  baker's twine (The Twinery - Maraschino, Denim), Spellbinders (Labels 7), Stickles (diamond), Sakura Clear Star glitter pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Going Gray with Scrap Creations - 4th of July
Shopping Our Stash #57 (SOS57) - Red, White & Blue or Stars & Stripes (or both)
Really Reasonable Ribbon #50 - Red, White & Blue
Tuesday Throwdown #104 - Gingham
Love to Create #21 - Anything Goes
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge #45 (PPMC45) - Independance Day Inspiration
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge #212 (PWC212) - Red, White & Blue
Simon Says Stamp - Sporty or Patriotic
Cute Card Thursday #223 - Patriotic
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Stars Stripes & Sparkle
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges #16 - Anything Goes


Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll play along with us this week.  Don't forget to stop by the blog to see if you are last week's Blog Hop winner.

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps June Digi Release Blog Hop

It is time for another Sweet `n Sassy Digi Challenge, but today we are very excited to add something more!  Since it's also time for the June Digi Release, the SNSDC Ladies are bringing you a fun blog hop to introduce all the new digis.  You'll want to stop by each blog to see the beautiful samples made with this month's new releases.  And while you're hopping, be sure to leave a comment on each blog.  Why?  One of the ladies is a mystery blogger and she will be picking a random winner from the comments left on her blog post.

What will the winner receive?  I'm so glad you asked.  The winner will receive the entire June Digi Release!!  The winner will be announced next Friday, June 29th, on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.

This week's challenge is near & dear to most ladies' hearts....Bling!  Just add rhinestones, pearls, jewels, etc. to your project.

I was able to play with the new Dahlia digi this week.  I chose to paper piece the flower in 3 different patterned papers.  The layers were attached to each other with a glue dot and a button finished off the center of the flower.  Before attaching each layer, I burnished the flower petals with a pen top on a mouse pad (high tech aren't I?) to make them curl on the edges.  A little glitter pen provides some extra sparkle to each petal.

For my bling, I added rhinestones and pearls.  While I don't think you can see it in the picture, I added some glitter pen dots to the center of each of the yellow flowers in the background paper.  I also accented the die cut edge with the glitter pen.  This card definitely has some sparkle!!

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill Two Scoops (Key Lime Pie)

Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Picadilly)

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Dahlia, Encouragement Scripture Set)

Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Classic Edges 2, Classic Decorative Inserts 5), Sakura Clear Star glitter pen, Studio G rhinestones, Recollections pearl flourish, DMC floss, Morex Corp ribbon, button from stash

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

CPS 270 - Sketch

Papertake Weekly - Bingo (ribbon/diecut/button, ribbon/free/blooms)

Word Art Wednesday #33 - Use Scripture 

Stampin' Sisters in Christ #144 - Create something that reflects you (I like to use Scripture; a little bling but not too much and pearls more than rhinestones; in general I like a feminine look - I enjoy being female)

Divas by Design #40 - Use a diecut

Terrifically Thrilling Thursdays - Anything Goes

I hope you'll play along with us this week. Just a few things to keep in mind as you play....

Please remember to use digital images ONLY for the challenge.

~You don't have to use SNS digi images to play along but we sure do love when you do!

~Please share a link to your creation using the Linky feature at the end of this post. If the link feature is down, please add a link with your comment.

~When uploading to online galleries, please use keyword SNSDC59.

Every card you enter into our challenges throughout May, you will get one entry to be eligible for winning 3 digis of your choice from the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps store. Plus, if your card is used SNSS digi stamps, it will be two entries!! Be sure to play along every week... The more you play and/or use SNS digis, the more chances you get to win!!

Every week, we spotlight one participant who uses SNSS digi images for their card or project.

One of the featured participants throughout June will also have a chance to be a Guest Designer for the month of August!

Have you checked new Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps Digi Challenge FACEBOOK page? We will give away THREE digital stamps (3 winners, each gets 1 free digi of their choice) when we get to 100 LIKES!

Don't forget to stop by each of the Digi Design Team Ladies' blogs and leave a comment for your chance to win the entire June digi release. 

Here is the blog hop list to see June Digi Release-Bling it On Challenge creations...

Cathy Wallington

Ceal Pritchett

Cyndi Bundy

Makiko Jones

Melinda Gleissner

Patricia Hays

Stephanie Serrano

Stephanie Wright - That's Me!!

Wendy Jordan

Korin Sutherland

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll come back often.

To Be a Hero - SNSDC58

This week's challenge at The Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to make a card that has a maximum of 2 layers (the card base and embellishments don't count as layers).  If you know my cards, you'll know this is a true challenge for me.  So, in my mind, when I was making this card, the patterned paper strips, the puppy image and the jute are all embellishments.  *grin*

I used this weekly card sketch challenge on SCS for the card design.  I printed the sentiment directly on my 8.5 x 11 cardstock before cutting the card-base to 5.5 x 11.  I then layered dark blue cardstock behind some new (to me) embossed brown Bazzill cardstock.  Before adhering the two layers of cardstock to the card-base, I punched a hole in each corner and then threaded some jute thru the holes and tied a knot in one corner.  I then attached this panel to the base with pop dots.

The puppy was colored with copics and fussy cut.  The paper strips are from a piece of patterned paper I've been sort of hoarding in my stash. I inked the edges of the strips and all 3 solid cardstocks.  The line is called "Like Father, Like Son" and is by Fancy Pants.  Our son looks up to my husband and our grandson does the same with our son, so these father/son sentiments are close to my heart.  I used pop dots to attach the paper strips and the puppy.  I added a little glaze to the puppy's nose and a touch of glitter pen to his tag.  A little doodled frame around the sentiment finished off the card.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, Co'redinations
Patterned Paper:  Fancy Pants (Like Father Like Son)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Father's Day Sentiments, Let's Go Fishing Puppy)
Embellishments/Tools:  jute (JoAnn's), Sakura glaze pen, Sakura clear star pen, CM Journal pen (black), Colorbox Fluid Chalk (chestnut roan)


I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sentimental Sunday #106 - For a Special Guy
Craft Your Passion #114 - Anything Goes
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge (PPMC43) - Father's Day
Papertake Weekly - 3-2-1 (I used 3 solid cardstocks, 2 digi stamps and 1 piece of jute)
Going Gray with Scrap-Creations - Celebrations

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll play along with us this week.