So Incredibly Grateful

Have you SEEN the November Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp? Have you SEEN IT? Well, it is fabulous. For reals fabulous.

Actually, I'm not even going to say too much, I'm just going to show you this card that I made with it. Because... THESE STAMPS, YOU GUYS!



I used the gorgeous leaf stamps with several different embossing powders to create a layered, embossed design on the Kona Coffee cardstock and layered that over one of the pretty patterned papers. I am in love with those leaves. Lots. Lots of love for leaves. And such.



AMIRIGHT? I am. You don't even have to answer that. Those leaves are awesome. Those stamps are awesome. This kit is awesome. Basically...

Everything is Awesome.

And I'll just leave that right there. *wink*

Have a Happy!

Hop To It!

Have you seen the latest from Simon Says Stamp?! The Hop To It release is live and it is fabulous! So many cute stamps and dies to choose from! And many have a spring time feel and I was QUITE ready for that here in snow-filled Massachusetts!



I used the brand new Artful Flowers stamp set for this card. I LOVE these flowers! They just cry out for watercolors, so that is exactly what I did with them! I painted the flowers with watercolors and then used Spectrum Noir Aquas to add some depth of color to the stems. I heat embossed the sentiment in gold on a strip of grey paper, trimmed it into a banner, and adhered it with foam tape. A few simple sequins finish it off!



You can find my complete supply list below. Be sure to head on over to the Simon Says Stamp store to check out this release and more!

Supplies: (Links are affiliate links. Your support is always appreciated!)

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Artful Flowers
Watercolor Paints: Zig Kuretake 24 Color Set (I love these paints. Definitely a great tool!)
Watercolor Paper: Tim Holtz
Patterned Paper: Pebbles Inc. Happy Day 6x6 Paper Pad
Sequins: Pretty Pink Posh Marshmallow Cupped Sequins 4mm
Ink: My Favorite Things Hybrid
Cardstock: Neenah Desert Storm

Have a Happy!

Have a Heart

We have a brand new challenge on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog! Today we are bringing out the LOVE! The theme for the challenge this week is Have a Heart! We want to see hearts on your project somewhere! I played with some super fun new goodies for my card and I just love how this one turned out!



I am still loving this adorable Little Monsters set from Simon Says Stamp! Seriously, though, you guys. It is just TOO CUTE! I colored him with Spectrum Noir pens and mixed in a bit of paper piecing. You can find my complete supply list at the bottom  of this post. I then added a giant sentiment sticker and it is AWESOME! For reals, though, I love that sticker.



The design team is showcasing Wink of Stella and Glitter Ritz products this week and I've incorporated both on my card today! I added some clear Wink of Stella to the eyes and then coated them with Glossy Accents for a shimmering, shiny look. The glittery hearts are enamel hearts that I coated with Glossy Accents and covered with red Glitter Ritz glitter! SO MUCH FUN!

And now it's your turn! One lucky participant is going to win a $50 Gift Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Store! That lucky participant could be YOU! Create a card based on the Have a Heart theme and link it up to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog for your chance to win! I can't WAIT to see what you create!

Here are the supplies used for my card. These links are affiliate links. As always, your support is appreciated! 

Cardstock: Crafter's Companion Ultra Smooth White

Patterned Paper: Pebbles We Go Together 6x6 paper pad

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Little Monsters 

Stickers: Pebbles We Go Together Epoxy Hearts,  Pebbles We Go Together Epoxy Phrase Stickers

Pens: Spectrum Noir

Ink: MFT Hybrid Black Licorice

Other: Glossy Accents, Wink of Stella Clear, Glitter Ritz

A Springtime Hello

Hello! I  have been playing with watercolors a LOT lately and I am SO loving it! I got this great French 50's Cafe stamp set from Crafter's Companion awhile ago knowing it would be absolutely BRILLIANT with the watercolor look! I love it! LOVE!



I stamped the image with VersaFine Smokey Grey ink, gave it a  minute or two, then I watercolored the image and the areas around the image. The sentiment is a gold rub-on from Pebbles, Inc. (I used a rub-on successfully. Let's just take a moment to appreciate this very special moment in time. Because dude, that never happens. Never. It's a miracle, I assure you.)



My watercolor set is a super handy one, too! It's the Sakura Field Set and I particularly love that it is small enough to travel, but has a ton of colors. It also has a handy handle on it so you can use it standing up or in a field or wherever inspiration may strike! The waterbrush comes with it, too! LOVE IT!

For more awesome Crafter's Companion inspiration, be sure to visit the Crafter's Companion USA Facebook page! They do a TON of giveaways, over there, too! Be sure to like and comment so you continue to see the inspiration and opportunities to win!

Have a Happy!

I am Much Obliged!

***This is my second post of the day! Be sure to scroll down or CLICK HERE to see my CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Sneak! It's a good one! Just sayin'.***

So. I decided to take the Pattern Play class over at Online Card Classes. I don't often pay for classes, but this one sounded like one I could really use, so I decided to go ahead and jump right in. That, and Jen sorta talked me into it. Something about it being a great class... yadda yadda yadda.... but she's not biased or anything...being one of the guest teachers. Just sayin'. HA!

It began yesterday and they gave some great tips on choosing your patterned papers and how to use them effectively. SO... I did my homework, tried to put some of these tips into practice and came up with this card. I still feel the CAS on this one, I think. I do love the strip of striped paper. That is totally a trick I will be using more often! I struggle with stripes, so I was happy to have this great tip and I LOVE it!


I used papers from three different collections. I pretty much NEVER do that, so I challenged myself to really look at what I had and not stick to only one 6x6 pad. So... the stripe came from the Sn@p Life! 6x6 by Simple Stories, the teal and red polka dots came from the Hip Hip Hooray 6x6 pad from American Crafts, and the pretty grey floral came from the Seen & Noted 6x6 pad from Pebbles. I was surprised that the colors all worked so well. I often struggle with coordinating colors from different collections, so this was exciting for me!


I stamped the sentiment in grey (it's from The Craft's Meow Many Thanks set) on a white banner to be sure it stood out and then simply added a few threaded buttons and some twine to finish off the card.

So...what do you think? Did I pass Day 1? HA! I'm a little scared that I will have to now play with patterned paper like every day until the class is over. Not gonna lie. HA! BUT, alas, it will be good for me and by the end of it, I will be a trained professional. HA! A Patterned Paper Professional! Gotta love some good alliteration. For reals.

A CASE of Serious Fun!

Did you see the giveaway I posted over the weekend for a FREE PERSONALIZED STAMP from PSA Essentials? If not, you should totally go check it out! It's easy to enter and an awesome prize!!!

As for today, well, I decided to play along with the challenge over at CASE Study! The muse is Teri Anderson... so naturally I pulled out a set of her new adorable stamps from Technique Tuesday!


Wow! This card has LOTS o' stuff on it. I know... I could have created a CAS card inspired by Teri's original, but when I saw it, I kind of wanted to challenge myself to go ahead and use lots 'o stuff! It was fun! And I do like the results! YAY! Love it when that happens! Woot! Woot! (P.S. The bag has a Michael's gift card tucked into it.. Love that they have fun colors on their cards!)


I have created links to the supplies I used below just in case you want to check out all that awesomeness! For reals. Just sayin'.

InLinkz.com

Happy Birthday! I'm Impressed!

Hello! Today. I choose to be happy!

Go ahead... say it...out loud... it feels good. For REALS!

I have a fun birthday card to share with you today using some super fun stamps from Paper Smooches and more mustache and glasses brads from Eyelet Outlet. Umm..I DID mention that it's an obsession, didn't I? I think I did. 'Cause, dude, it totally IS! They are WAY too much fun. Just sayin'.


Tee-hee!!!! Seriously, though... how could I resist that one? Yup. I know. I totally couldn't! YAY!


I added a bit of color to the image with Spectrum Noir markers and used super cute paper from Pebbles! LOVE!

AND...I am not sharing a birthday card for no reason today, my friends..I'm sharing a birthday card because today is MY birthday! Woot! Woot! I love my birthday. HA! No, but for realies... I do. So...I thought I'd celebrate by offering a gift to one of YOU!

I am giving away a $20 Gift Certificate to ONE of the following. Winner's Choice!
Simon Says Stamp
I {heart} Papers
Fresh Squeezed Stamps
Gourmet Rubber Stamps
Eyelet Outlet
Ummm...those are some pretty darned good choices! Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter! (If you are reading from an email or reader you will need to click over to the blog to enter! Thanks!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is in no way sponsored by any of the above listed entities. The prize is from me.

Have a Happy, folks!!!! Actually...today... have an EXTRA Happy!

Jingle Out!