The Stamp Review Crew: Sunshine Sayings

Welcome to another Stamp Crew Review Blog Hop!  We share our take on a selected stamp set every first and third Monday.  Today we stamp with another set from the main catalog, Sunshine Sayings and coordinating Sunshine Wishes dies.  If you are following the hop in order, you have just arrived from Mike Funke's blog.

I have used the sentiments from Sunshine Sayings many times to complement my other cards, but I have yet to break out the Sunshine Wishes dies.  Such a shame!

I had a photo of my daughter sitting on my desk from a previous project, and I thought it would be fun to combine Sunshine Sayings with Splitcoaststampers' Mix-Ability Challenge #209, Brr! Make It Frosty!, which is a mixed media challenge to add something sparkly.

I often make a half-page journal entry with these mixed media challenges in my retired This & That journal.  But, you know, any creativity journal will do!  Or you can incorporate ideas onto a scrapbook page.  To make it a true mixed media page, I added embossing paste through the Hearts Decorative Mask to create some fun texture.

Stamps: Sunshine Sayings; Paper: Basic Black, Neutrals DSP Pack, Watercolor Paper, Red Glimmer Paper; Ink: Watermelon Wonder, Real Red, Versamark; Accessories: Blushing Bride Sequin Trim, White Embossing Powder, This & That Journal, Hearts & Stars Decorative Masks, Embossing Powder, Sunshine Wishes Dies, Big Shot, Sewing Machine, Thread.

And along the same vein, a heart die-cut watercolor card.

I stacked three layers of "love" die-cuts to make the word thicker and pop out.

Stamps: Sunshine Sayings; Paper: Watermelon Wonder, Real Red, Basic Black, Watercolor Paper, Urban Underground DSP; Ink: Pink Pirouette, Watermelon Wonder, Versamark; Accessories: Rhinestone Jewels, White Embossing Powder, Sunshine Wishes Dies, Big Shot, Sewing Machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

Hop on over to Mickey Roberts's blog to see what fun projects she has put together with this week's set.

 

Control Freaks Fall & Gratitude Blog Tour

Welcome... It's time to hop along with the super fabulous Control Freaks group!  This month's theme is Fall & Gratitude.  My favorite time of year!!  You've probably arrived here from Connie Babbert's blog.  Her projects are always so gorgeous and creative!

I wanted to focus on the Gratitude for Days Simply Created Kit in the Holiday Catalog.  I love the premise of this kit, jotting down items of thankfulness.  Life is hard, but when you take a step back and list all your blessings, your attitude turns right around.

Of course, as a demonstrator, I would have to put my own spin on it.  I thought this was a perfect kit to pull together a decor item, a surprise for my daughter for her bedroom.

(Click photo to enlarge)

She'll get a chance to write down some items she is thankful for, and I added some photos I thought she would like.  She will be able to rearrange, add, and customize as she likes.

Stamps: For All Things, Truly Grateful, Fall Fest; Paper: Vellum; Ink: Hello Honey, Tangerine Tango, Blackberry Bliss, Old Olive, Lost Lagoon; Accessories: Gratitude for Days Simply Created Kit, Linen thread, Rhinestone jewels, Banner punch, Itty Bitty Accents punch pack, Feathers framelits, Fun Fall framelits, Bitty Banners framelits, Big Shot.

Following through with the idea of jotting down items of thankfulness, I created a prayer or gratitude journal with the kit.

I trimmed down the paper inserts slightly so they fit easily in the pockets and bound the album with the kit's thick baker's twine.

Stamps: For All Things, Truly Grateful, Fall Fest; Paper: Very Vanilla; Ink: Hello Honey, Tangerine Tango, Blackberry Bliss, Old Olive, Lost Lagoon; Accessories: Gratitude for Days Simply Created Kit, Linen thread, Gold Basic Metal button, Rhinestone jewels, Banner punch, Itty Bitty Accents punch pack.

So what to do with the leftover number stickers?  December Dailies came to mind, although the color scheme is definitely for fall, so I put together some November Dailies pages.  You could easily throw together some Project Life pages, but I love the hodgepodge feel of a This & That album.

I was determined to use the kit whenever possible, so with the exception of a couple embellishments, all items came from it.  Day 10 utilizes an interactive pull-out from one of the kit's pockets.

Stamps: Remember This, Hip Notes, Alphabet Rotary; Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Silver Glimmer; Ink: Real Red, Early Espresso; Accessories: Gratitude for Days Simply Created Kit, Epic Day This & That bundle, What's Up punch, Itty Bitty Accents punch pack, Squares Collection framelits, Big Shot, Alphabet Soup download in My Digital Studio, e-cutter.

Jump over to the amazing Debbie Henderson's blog to check out what fabulous ideas she has for us. 

Season of Style This & That Meets MDS

My daughter loves to plan for holidays, birthdays, or vacation, and she loves to decorate.  She has been having so much fun with the Season of Style This & That journal in the Holiday catalog.  This weekend I helped her decorate the front, and as I type this, she is busy decorating some pages.

We used the journal sample in the catalog as a starting point, but added the Merry Woodcuts download, traced and cut on the e-cutter.

Did you know that the Merry Woodcuts download and the Season of Style This & That bundle are both on sale right now?

The current online hostess code is 4J23AWFG, available through December 1.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stampin' Addicts MDS Seasonal Sale Blog Hop

Morning y'all!  Welcome to the Stampin' Addicts My Digital Studio Seasonal Sale Blog Hop.  My fellow SAers and I will share samples created with a selection of digital downloads that are 30% off through November 30.  This will give you some great ideas, as well as a better feel for what content is included in the downloads.

If your traveling full circle around the hop, you've come from Holly's blog featuring Waiting for Santa.  Weren't her projects awesome?  Today I'm going to share some projects using the download Bookstagram Photobook Template.  Here's an overview of what is included in the download.

This photobook template is designed in neutral colors for a wide variety of projects and photos.  It has trendy font and numbers, as well as five full-page background overlays, which are really fun!  I merged some items from a couple template pages to quickly create this page.

MDS Elements: Stamps:  Bookstagram; Accessories: Clip Assortment - library clip, Baker's Twine - Basic Gray bow; Font: KG Eyes Wide Open.

Here's a hybrid card using the sketch from today's MDS Monday challenge, which I happen to be hosting.  I love the polaroid look, even on cards, and Bookstagram happens to have a polaroid frame stamp image.

A snazzy image in the polaroid frame is a must, so I looked through my existing downloads and found the Outdoor Exploration kit to pair with it.  The front panel, main image, and "summer" badge were printed, cut/punched, and mounted on the card base.  I exported the frame, true-to-size, to the e-cutter for tracing and cutting.  The fun new thing for me was using the brayering technique to create the sunset background.

Paper: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White; Accessories: Circle punch, Dimensionals; MDS Elements: Stamps: Bookstagram - summer, Bookstagram - tall frame, Outdoor Exploration - log cabin, Outdoor Exploration - fishng pole, Bookstagram - overlay 1; Paper: Outdoor Exploration DSP; Brayer Color Palette: Calypso Coral, Summer Starfruit, Soft Sky, Pool Party, Smoky Slate, Going Gray; Accessories: Outdoor Exploration embellishments, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch.

There are some great elements in the Bookstagram download for a This & That page.

I designed most elements in MDS and printed them out.  The exception is the 2012 frame and travels banner, both exported as a jpeg, traced, and cut on the e-cutter.

Stamps: Perfect Blend, Remember This & That rotary; Paper: Pistachio Pudding, Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Whisper White, Epic Day DSP; Ink: Pistachio Pudding, Crumb Cake, Garden Green marker, Basic Black marker; Accessories: Linen Thread, Natural button, Hung Up cute clip, Dimensionals; MDS Elements: Bookstagram Photobook template.

Would you like to learn more?  Mydigitalstudio.net has information on the MDS software, including what content comes with the program, and a 30-day FREE trial.  The website also has extensive training videos with all the wonderful features of the software.  I encourage you to take some time to play with this fun program!  Make sure you check out the next stop to see the great Hanukkah ideas Yapha has with Hanukkah Happiness.
 

 

The complete blog hop listing:

1) Heidi (hlw966) -- Bookstagram
2) Yapha -- Hanukkah Happiness
3) Tanya (tanya27) -- Jingle and Joy Kit
4) Kim (s1itcher46) -- Season of Style Pocket Cards
5) Holly E. (Hollybeary creations) -- Waiting for Santa

Thanks for stopping by!

Stampin' Addicts New Catalog Blog Hop

Welcome to Stampin' Addicts New Catalog Blog Hop, featuring a selection of stamp sets to get you revved up for the new catalog season. Love the look of the new catalog?  But your wish lists aren't full yet because you are waiting to see the new stamp selections in use?  Well, hold on!  My fellow Stampin' Addicts will knock your socks off!

If you have been following the blog hop in order, you've just seen Sara's wonderful creations featuring Tag It. Today I have stamped samples from the set Around the World for you.

This is a great stamp set for creating bon voyage-type cards for your favorite grad or retiree world traveler, or even travel-themed party favors.  Don't forget the passport invitation to the party!

The card was created using the Clean&Simple layout #248.  My Digital Studio was used to create the cover of the passport invitation.  And the matchbox party favor uses a template from the internet, altered for a box measuring 2 x 2-5/8".

Here's a closer look at the passport invitation.

CARD: Stamps: Around the World, Really Good Greetings; Paper: Pool Party, So Saffron, Whisper White, I Am Me DSP; Ink: Pool Party, Basic Gray; Accessories: White baker's twine, 1" Circle punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Perfect Polka Dots EF, 3" Circle die, Big Shot, Dimensionals. PASSPORT: Stamps: Around the World, The Open Seas; Paper: Whisper White, I Am Me DSP; Ink: Pool Party, Basic Gray, Versamark; Accessories: Early Espresso baker's twine, Gold EP, My Digital Studio.SUITCASE PARTY FAVOR: Stamps: Around the World; Paper: Pool Party, Basic Gray, Whisper White; Ink: Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Basic Gray; Accessories: Rhinestone jewel, 1/2" Circle punch, 1" Circle punch, Dimensionals

And this set lends itself quite naturally to scrapbook pages.  I have to admit, I was drawn to this set because of the fun pocket card samples in the catalog.  But for my first stab at scrapping, I put together a hodge-podge spread (a.k.a. This & That spread) of biking memories from this past holiday weekend.  We were camping in the Catskills, and my husband and I took a tour around Hunter Mountain.

(Click to enlarge)

I imported the map into MDS and added the bike icon from the World Traveler kit.  These are photos that would just not make it into an MDS photobook.  But I so thoroughly enjoyed the ride, it was so pleasing to make a layout just for me.  Check out that I did create one pocket card out of our camping receipt.  ;)

Stamps: Around the World, Filmstrip, Oh, Hello, Designer Typeset, Remember This & That; Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Epic Day DSP, Cardboard from DSP; Ink: Calypso Coral, Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso; Accessories: Early Espresso baker's twine, Epic Day washi tape, Subtles button, Rhinestone jewel, Bitty Banners framelits, Big Shot, Dimensionals; MDS Elements: World Traveler kit.

Finally, I thought it would be fun to create a card that is not necessarily travel-related, focusing on the cameras in the set.

This card is based on Retro Sketches #49.  I love the clean and linear look.

Stamps: Around the World, Filmstrip, Petite Pairs; Paper: Very Vanilla, Whisper White, I Am Me DSP; Ink: Calypso Coral, Basic Gray; Accessories: Rhinestone jewel, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

Make sure you check out the next stop to see what Tanya has created for you using You're My Hero. Her projects are always amazing.

 


Blog Hop Order:

1) Paula (scrapshappen) -- Timeless Talk
2) Carman -- Perfect Blend
3) Sara (lilyinkpad) -- Tag It
4) Heidi (hlw966) -- Around the World
5) Tanya (tanya27) -- You're My Hero
6) Yapha -- Zoo Babies
7) Rhonda (rhondag) -- Backyard Basics
8) Kim (s1itcher46) -- Regarding Dahlias
9) Mary (nuhddad) -- Flower Shop
10) Adriana (escape2stamp) -- Happy Day
11) Debra (WebDeb) -- Beautifully Baroque

Thanks for stopping by!

Stampin' Addicts New Colors Blog Hop

Welcome to Stampin' Addicts New Colors Blog Hop!  Not too long ago, we focused on the retiring colors from the Color Refresh; now we are kicking off the new colors with a hop.  Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy the yummy color tour.

If you have been following the blog hop in order, you have just come from Rhonda's blog featuring Coastal Cabana. Weren't her projects fun?  For my stop on this blog hop, I am highlighting the new In Color Crisp Cantaloupe.

For my first card, I thought I would illustrate Crisp Cantaloupe as a fabulous and yummy summer flower color.

It combines wonderfully with Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz and/or Baked Brown Sugar. 

Stamps: Field Flowers, Banner Greetings, Woodgrain BG; Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pear Pizzazz, Baked Brown Sugar, Naturals White, Whisper White, Epic Day DSP; Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz, Baked Brown Sugar; Accessories: Naturals button, Linen thread, Natural Trim, Modern Mosaic EF, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

The combination of Crisp Cantaloupe with Coastal Cabana just screams island colors.  I put together a coral reef card for a stampy friend who is a huge snorkeling fan.

The background is lightly brayered with Coastal Cabana to add some color, and the fish is called a French Grunt.  Mmmm, the colors make me think of sherbet!

Stamps: By the Tide, Itty Bitty Banners;  Paper: Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Crumb Cake, Whisper White; Ink: Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Black Stazon; Accessories: Linen thread, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Brayer, Aquapainter, Sponges, Bitty Banners framelits, Fancy Fan EF, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Changing gears a little, I held over a card we made at the annual New Catalog Kick-Off and Open House to show Crisp Cantaloupe isn't only a feminine color.  

Check out the colors in the Soho Subway suite; love the masculine look with a little bit of girly Crisp Cantaloupe accent.  This makes a great card for the guy in your life who is bold enough to wear pastel dress shirts (you know the kind of guy I'm talking about!).  For the chevron cut-outs, I stamped on the back of the patterned paper with the Oh, Hello set and trimmed.

Stamps: Label Love, Oh, Hello; Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe, Summer Starfruit, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso Core'dinations, Soho Subway DSP;  Ink: Early Espresso; Accessories: Linen thread, Very Vintage button, Artisan Label punch, 2-1/2" Circle punch, Sanding block, Chevron EF, Big Shot.

I can't just make cards... that's not me!  :)  I had to think for a bit to come up with a 3-D that matches this color well.  I ended up with this wonderfully coordinating color combo of Crisp Cantaloupe and new Smoky Slate for this girly table ensemble. 

I've been wanting to recreate a dress centerpiece/place setting since I saw it in a bridal shop in Savannah years ago.  I even took a photo of it with a paper craft in mind.  The shop had several different dual color choices for table center and purse favors, so that's what I put together here as well.  These could be for prom, a shower, or even girls' night out.

Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pink Pirouette, Pear Pizzazz, Smoky Slate; Accessories: Hung Up cute clip, Pearl jewels, Basic Gray stitched grosgrain ribbon, 1-1/4" Circle punch, Bird builder punch, Beautifully Baroque EF, Dress Up framelits, Petite Purse die, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

I've got one more project to share.  I just couldn't stop.... I hope you don't mind!  The Soho Subway paper gave me the idea to give a This and That journal page a whirl with one of my favorite pictures of my daughter in NYC.

The page isn't based strictly on Crisp Cantaloupe, but I used it as a strong accent color.  The hexagons were traced with my homemade 3/4" cardboard hexagon template, and the arrow from the Designer Typeset set was created by mounting the paper on cardboard (backing of the patterned paper packs), then stamping and cutting.  That gives it a little more heft to stand out.

Stamps: Designer Typeset; Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla, Soho Subway DSP; Ink: Early Espresso; Accessories: Epic Day This and That Journal, Petite Pennant builder punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals; Font: Candice.

Make sure you check out the next stop to see what Kim at Stitchin' N Stampin' On Paper put together with Pistachio Pudding.  She always had amazing projects; I hope she has some mint chocolate chip ice cream!  :)










The complete blog hop listing:

1) Carmen -- Baked Brown Sugar
2) Rhonda (rhondag) -- Coastal Cabana
3) Heidi (hlw966) -- Crisp Cantaloupe
4) Kim (s1itcher46) -- Pistachio Pudding
5) Yapha -- Strawberry Slush
6) Cindy (Cindy E) -- Bermuda Bay
7) Paula (scrapshappen) -- Smokey Slate
8) Sara (lilyinkpad) -- Soft Sky
9) Tanya (tanya27) -- Crushed Curry

Thanks for stopping by!

Epic Day This and That Journal

Tomorrow's the last day to grab the Epic Day This and That bundle for 15% off.  The bundle includes:

• Epic Day journal
• Epic Day designer series paper
• Remember This and That rotary stamp
• Epic Day stickers
• Epic Day washi tape

Some suggested add-ons are:

• Additional a la carte bundle items
• Glue sticks
• Hung Up shaped clips

We are going to get together May 16 to decorate the front and a two-page spread.

We've got some kiddos coming too, for a semi-mother/son and mother/daughter crafting night.  My daughter will be taking the class as well too... she's so excited.

You can purchase your bundle HERE now.  Thanks for stopping by!