Down on the Farm in Autumn

Hello sketch lovin' fans!  Sorry I missed you last week.  My dear hubby and I had an invitation to use a beach condo for the weekend and could not pass up the opportunity.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate my birthday a little early!  Now that Saturday has rolled around again, we have a fun new sketch for you at The Sweet Stop.  Since I love this time of year, I grabbed one of my favorite SNSS sets and turned it into a fall scene for my sample.

Creative Nugget:  I found these wonderful fall papers in my stash...not sure where they are from, and stitched my layers to Vintage Cream and Early Espresso card stocks.  The card front was mounted on an Early Espresso Card base measuring 
5 1/4" x 5 1/4".  Memento inks were used to sponge the sky and the ground.  The trees from the Landscape Silhouettes stamp set were stamped using Toffee Crunch Memento Luxe ink after masking the deer,  and the farm scene from the same stamp set was stamped using Sepia Versafine ink. The result  was that the farm looks like it is tucked behind the trees.  An old retired SU! stamp set called Itty Bitty Backgrounds was used to create the leaves on the trees.  The sentiment from the Autumn Leaves stamp set by SNSS was cut with an oval punch.  It was added along with some fishtail flags, twine, a button, and a few  Small Leaf Dies to finish the card.

For more wonderful inspiration for this sketch, check in with the other Sugar Babies, and join us this week at The Sweet Stop!

Sugar Babies

Ann Tuck
Ceal Pritchett
Cynthia Olheiser
Debbie Owens
Jamie Moore
Marlena Peduzzi
Melissa Schultz
                                               Monika Davis
                                               Robin Parker
                                               Stephanie Serrano

Thanks so much for stopping by...have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Landscape Silhouettes, Autumn Leaves (SNSS), Itty Bitty Backgrounds (SU!)
Ink: Summer Sky, Danube Blue, Dandelion, New Sprout, Bamboo Leaves, Peanut Brittle, Toffee Crunch Luxe (Memento), Sepia Versafine (Tsukineko), Gathered Twigs Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Early Espresso (SU!), DP (Unknown)
Accessories: Sew Mini (Janome), Small Leaf Dies (SNSS), Oval Punch (SU!), Button (PTI), Twine

Happy Johnny Appleseed Day

Johnny Appleseed and I have something in common...we share the same birthday!  Not only did Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) plant apple seeds across the nation during the westward expansion, he carried the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as he walked, telling stories to young and old alike. So in honor of both of our birthdays, I've created an apple card for today.  

Creative Nugget:  Square layers of Vintage Cream and Bo Bunny DP were stitched to Early Espresso and mounted to a Vintage Cream card base...also a square.  The Decorative Corner Dies fit perfectly around the DP square and little squares of Vintage Cream completed the background for the apple basket image. The Apples image was colored with Copic Markers and cut with a SB Classic Square Nestie.  This panel was layered onto a SB Decorative Labels One Die cut from Early Espresso.  The little birthday sentiment is from another stamp set from Our Daily Bread Designs, Peaches, and was cut with a square punch.  Pearls were colored and added to finish the card.

Many of the materials used to create this card 

are available at Our Daily Bread Designs.

This card will be entered in the following challenges:

• WT446 on Splitcoaststampers - Use squares
• ODBDSLC172 Shining the Light Challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs - Anything Goes with ODBD stamps and Dies
• CCEE1339 - use fruit (extra bonus - use apples)

Happy Johnny Appleseed Day!

Thanks so much for stopping by...hope your day is special and blessed!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Doodled Snowflakes

Welcome friends!  I just wanted to share a quick card and let you know about a special sale going on at Our Daily Bread Designs this week!  

For this week only the Sparkling Snowflakes set and the entire Sparkling Snowflakes Bundle is on sale!  From now through Saturday, September 28th, 2013, 11:00 PM EST, you can save 20% or 30% on select products from Our Daily Bread Designs. Check the Our Daily Bread Designs Blog for more details and some wonderful samples using these products!

Here is a card made using the Sparkling Snowflakes set and the Jingle Bells set just released this month:

Creative Nugget:  This wintery Christmas card was made for two challenges today on Splitcoaststampers.  The Technique Lover's Challenge was to use doodling and the CAS Challenge was a sketch.  Tumbled Glass Distress ink was sponged on the upper corners of the card and the snowflakes were lightly stamped using Tempting Turquoise ink.  A turquoise jelly roll pen was used to trace some of the lines on the snowflakes and to add dots to the points.  The Jingle Bells image was colored in Copic Markers and Star Dust Stickles added to the snow.  The image was cut with a Spellbinders Matting Basics B die and doodling added around the frame.  Hand cut fishtail flags and a sentiment stamped vertically finish the card.

Here are the ODBD supplies used to make this card:

Thanks so much for stopping by...have a wonderful day!

Hugs,

Cathymac

A Look Back at ODBD September Release

Hello friends!  Today we are taking a look back at

Our Daily Bread Designs September Release.

The stamp sets that were released in September are perfect for making Autumn and Christmas cards.  Since I always seem to scramble at the last minute to finish up my Christmas cards, I chose the new Jingle Bells stamp set for my sample and paired it with the gorgeous Decorative Corners Dies.

Creative Nugget:  For some reason I was thinking of the song "Silver Bells" and got the idea to make the Jingle Bells silver.  The image was stamped in metallic silver ink and embossed with Hologram Highlights Powder, giving it a lot of sparkle.  The sentiment was stamped and embossed the same way.  A SB Resplendent Rectangle Die was used to cut the image, and a SB Tag Die was modified to fit the sentiment.  Four of the smaller Decorative Corner Dies were cut to frame the image along with a SB Marvelous Square Die.  A silver metallic paint pen was used to edge all of the layers, including the card base.  A few silver pearls, wired silver ribbon, and Twinkle Goosebumps were added to finish the card.  Hmmmmm...I may need to try this in gold as well...Thanks, Kelley!  

Here are the materials used available at the 

Our Daily Bread Designs Store:

For more stunning samples using the beautiful stamp sets and dies from this release, please check out the 

Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. 

For your convenience, the links to my DT Sisters are listed below.  You won't want to miss any of the gorgeous projects prepared just for you!

***Grace***Sandee***Chris***Julie***Sabrina***

***Dawn***Lori***

Thanks so much for stopping by...have a blessed day!

Hugs,
Cathymac

A Little Snowman Soup

Hello sketch fans!  I pray you've all had a wonderful week. The weather here is turning a bit cooler...finally...perfect for taking a nice long walk!  

Saturday has rolled around again, and that means it's time for a new sketch at The Sweet Stop.  For my sample today, I've used one of the new stamp sets just released by 
Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, Snowman Soup, designed by the talented Diane Zechman.  If you've not seen the new release, head on over to the SNSS Store where you'll see all the new Christmas and winter goodies.  It's not too early to begin working on those Christmas cards!

Creative Nugget:  The little snowman soup image in the stamp set was chosen for the three square panels.  The colors were inspired by a piece of KaiserCraft DP...you can see just a little bit of it down the right side that had been punched with a Martha Stewart snowflake border punch and again on the sentiment banner.  The adorable snowman was colored with Copic Markers, matted on True Black, and attached to a piece of Solar Crest card stock embossed with snowflakes.  A felt snowflake was tied onto the card with a piece of black gingham ribbon.  The whole card front was mounted on a True Black card base.  This card came together so quickly following the sketch!

For more fabulous sketch inspiration, check out the other Sugar Babies!

Sugar Babies

Ann Tuck

Ceal Pritchett

Cynthia Olheiser

Debbie Owens

Jamie Moore

Marlena Peduzzi (on vacation this week)

Melissa Schultz

Monika Davis

Robin Parker

Stephanie Seranno

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit...hope you've been inspired to join us this week at The Sweet Stop.  Can't wait to see what you create with the sketch!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Snowman Soup (SNSS)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper: Solar Crest (Neenah), True Black (PTI), KaiserCraft DP

Accessories: Square Nestie (Spellbinders), Snowflake Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Felt Snowflake (SU!), Black Gingham Ribbon

Snowman Soup

Hello friends!  Welcome to Day 6 and the last hop for 
Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps September Release!  If you love snowmen, you will love this adorable set designed by Diane Zechman. The images are perfect for making cards and gifts that warm the heart.

Today's feature is:

Snowman Soup

• Stamp set includes 7 images and 8 sentiments
• Set measures approximately 6" x 4"
• The large snowman image measures approximately 2" x 2 1/2"
• Designed by Diane Zechman
• Stamp set - $15

Here is my sample for Snowman Soup using the

Mug Template available at SNSS:

Creative Nugget: The Mug template was downloaded, traced on a top-folded card base, and cut.  The snowflakes from the Snowflake Flourish stamp set were white embossed on the Solar Crest card front.  Summer Sky, Danube Blue, and Nautical Blue inks were sponged over the snowflakes.  The snowman image was stamped, colored with Copic Markers, and cut with a Classic Circle Nestie.  I discovered that the little mug image fit perfectly in the hands of the snowman...how cool is that!  The mittens were stamped again, colored, cut out, and popped up on the mug for some dimension.  Paper embossed with Swiss Dots was torn to fit on the bottom of the mug to look like snow.  Swirls were embossed on the whipped cream and a little tag attached with seam binding to finish the card.  This card along with a jar of cocoa mix would make a lovely gift at Christmas...don't you think?

Check out more fabulous samples made by the talented Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away (6) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 6 blog hops).  The deadline to comment for a chance to win is Friday, September 13th at midnight EST.  The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage by Monday, September 16th.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Enjoy this last hop for this month!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Christmas Silhouettes

Welcome to Day 5 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Feature Blog Hops for the month of September!  You'll find yourself reaching for this beautiful set time and time again when creating your cards for Christmas, and the coordinating dies add to the ease with which this set can be used.

Today's feature is:

Christmas Silhouettes

• Stamp set includes 6 images and 6 mix & match sentiments
• Set measures approximately 4" x 6"
• The tree image measures approximately 1 1/2" x 3"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set - $15
• Die set - $21.25
• Bundle ($36.25 value) - $32

Here is my card made with Christmas Silhouettes:

Creative Nugget:  The inspiration for this card came from two sources.  First the Color Challenge on SCS yesterday was to use pink, green, and dark blue...yes...what looks like black in my photo is actually a shimmery dark blue.  The other source is this week's Queen for the Day, Cheryl Scrivens, who just happens to be as sweet as can be and has an awesome gallery to boot!  I CASEd THIS BEAUTIFUL CARD for my sample.  The Basic Grey DP panels were stitched to the Midnight Sky Shimmer paper and mounted on a Solar Crest card base.  The frame was cut from SB Square and Scalloped Square Nesties.  The candle and holly branches were cut with the matching Christmas Silhouettes Dies, stamped with Angel Pink and Bamboo Leaves ink, and sponged with matching distress inks.  Several gems were placed on the holly berries and a silver cord bow was added to finish the card.

Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away (6) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 6 blog hops).  The deadline to comment for a chance to win is Friday, September 13th at midnight EST.  The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage by Monday, September 16th.

Thanks so much for joining us.  Be sure to stop back again tomorrow for the last feature blog hop...you won't want to miss the fabulous samples made with tomorrow's adorable stamp set!  Enjoy your day!

Hugs,
Cathymac

Born This Day

Hello friends!  Welcome to Day 4 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Feature Blog Hops for the month of September!  I hope you've enjoyed the hops thus far.  Today we have a precious Christmas stamp set celebrating the birth of Jesus. The thirteen sentiments and scripture verses included in this set convey the real reason for the season.  Creating with this set is made even better with the coordinating die set!

Today's feature is:

Born This Day

• Stamp set includes 2 images and 13 sentiments and scripture verses
• Set measures approximately 4" x 6"
• The manger image measures approximately 2 1/4" x 2 1/2"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set - $15
• Die set - $8.25
• Bundle ($23.25 value) - $21

Here is my sample using Born This Day:

Creative Nugget:  Vintage Cream card stock was used for all the layers on the card front.  Each layer was outlined with a gold 

Uni-ball pen...wouldn't you know, my gold leaf pen had dried out. The Canvas Impression Plate gave texture to the first layer.  A scalloped border, some gold pearls, and stitching was added to the vertical panel.  The frame was cut with SB Classic Square and A2 Matting Basics B dies.  The sentiment was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black ink, and the adorable manger scene was colored with Copic Markers.  The gold pen was used to color in the star, and white fun flock gives the little lamb some wooly texture.

Check out some fabulous samples made by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away (6) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 6 blog hops).  The deadline to comment for a chance to win is Friday, September 13th at midnight EST.  The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage by Monday, September 16th.

Thanks so much for joining us!  Enjoy the hop!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Mod Ornaments

Welcome to day 3 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Feature Blog Hops for the month of September!  The stamp set we are featuring today is perfect for making festive Christmas cards and coordinates with the Ornament Dies for even more versatility!  I just love the fonts used for the sentiments in this charming set!

Today's feature is:

Mod Ornaments

• Stamp set includes 4 images and 9 mix & match sentiments
• Set measures approximately 4" x 6"
• The round ornament measures approximately 1 3/4" wide
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set - $15
• Die set - $16.75
• Bundle ($31.75 value) - $28

Here is my first sample using Mod Ornaments:

Creative Nugget:  The sentiment was stamped in Early Espresso ink on Solar Crest card stock and embossed with a Sizzix Snowflake folder.  Three banners were cut from scraps of Echo Park DP and the edges sponged with Walnut Stain Distress ink before being stitched to the embossed panel.  The Mod Ornaments were cut with the coordinating Ornament Dies and stamped using a stamp positioner in Riding Hood Red and Bermuda Bay inks.  Silver cording was used to "hang" the ornaments and add a bow.  Rhinestones were added for a bit of bling.

Here is a card previously posted that also uses this wonderful set:

Click HERE to see the detail for this card.

Check out more festive samples made by the talented Design Team in the thumbnails below.

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away (6) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 6 blog hops).  The deadline to comment for a chance to win is Friday, September 13th at midnight EST.  The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage by Monday, September 16th.

Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for another hop full of Christmas inspiration!  Enjoy today's hop!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Magic of Christmas

Welcome to day 2 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Feature Blog hops for the month of September!  The stamp set being featured today is sweet and full of whimsy!

Today's feature is:

Magic of Christmas 

• Stamp set includes 2 images and 4 sentiments
• Set measures approximately 4" x 3"
• The tree image measures approximately 2" x 2 1/4
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set - $9

Here is my sample made with Magic of Christmas:

Creative Nugget: Basic Grey patterned papers were sponged with Aged Mahogany Distress ink, stitched to Pool Party card stock, and mounted to a Solar Crest card base.  The sentiment was stamped in Bravo Burgundy ink on a Bookmarks & More Die which was trimmed to fit the top of the card. A Doily Border Die was cut from DP and attached to the card.  The tree image was stamped in VersaMark ink and white embossed.  The image was cut with a Rectangle Nestie and Pine Needles Distress ink was sponged over the tree image while still in the die.  This panel was stitched to Riding Hood Red card stock and a few gems added for a bit of bling.  A seam binding bow was added to finish the card.

Check out more fabulous samples made by the talented DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away (6) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 6 blog hops).  The deadline to comment for a chance to win is Friday, September 13th at midnight EST.  The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage by Monday, September 16th.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Enjoy the rest of the hop!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Seasonal Wreaths

Happy Saturday, sweet friends!  We have been enjoying some extremely pleasant weather this week...ahhhhh...I could take this all year long...love, love, love the fall!!  

Saturday means a new sketch at The Sweet Stop, but it's also the first day of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Release Feature Blog Hops for the month of September.  We have six days of hops and wonderful inspiration planned just for you.  The new stamp sets are already in the SNSS Store so if you see something you like, it's available now!

Today's feature is:

Seasonal Wreaths and coordinating Wreath Dies

This wonderful set and the matching dies are perfect for sending seasonal greetings all year long!

• Stamp set includes 5 images and 19 mix and match sentiments
• Set measures approximately 6" x 8"
• The wreath images measure approximately 2 1/4" wide
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set - $26
• Die set - $33.25
• Bundle (a $59.25 value) - $53

The Sweet Stop sketch was used for my first sample.

Creative Nugget: The layers of the sketch were made by stitching lilybeedesign patterned papers to Cherry Cobbler card stock and mounting them to a Vintage Cream card base.  The fall wreath was stamped, cut with a Classic Circle Nestie, and colored with Copic Markers.  The bow was paper pieced, piercing was added, and the wreath image mounted to a Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Circle. Small Leaf Dies were colored and attached with a button to the sentiment banner.  Pearls were added to finish the card.  

Check out the other Sugar Babies for more fabulous sketch inspiration and play along with us this week at The Sweet Stop!

Sugar Babies

Ann Tuck

Ceal Pritchett

Cynthia Olheiser

Debbie Owens

Jamie Moore

Marlena Peduzzi

Melissa Schultz

Monika Davis

Robin Parker

                                     Stephanie Serrano

I had fun creating a circle easel card for my second sample.

Creative Nugget:  THIS tutorial on Splitcoaststampers was followed to make the easel base using Scalloped Circle Nesties. The circle panels were pieced with Solar Crest and Bo Bunny papers.  The wreath used could be perfect for any time of year depending on how it is colored.  Piercing, a paper pieced bow, seam binding, and pearls were used to give this Christmas card a festive look.

Check out more fabulous samples made by the SNSS talented DT in the thumbnails below.  

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away (6) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 6 blog hops).  The deadline to comment for a chance to win is  Friday, September 13th at midnight EST.  The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage by Monday, September 16th.

Thanks so much for joining us...enjoy the hop!

Hugs,

Cathymac

SNSS September Release Day

Hello friends!  Just a quick post to let you know that today is Release Day at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!  Hop on over to the SNSS Blog to get all the yummy details.  Korin is releasing six wonderful Christmas and all season stamps, three fabulous coordinating die sets, and one of the new sets already has a matching die set!  And the best news is that they are already available in the store!  Click on the graphic to go directly to the set information in the store.

Be sure to check out all the new goodies!  Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Cathymac