Rustic & Flower-full Jar of Love HSS247

Pin It Now! A new stamp set is like a cool, sweet breath of fresh air! My latest new purchase is the Jar of Love bundle, and oh, is it fun! And beautiful, and versatile, and easy to use...

I used our latest sketch challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments as a springboard.

This sketch has loads of potential!

I love that I could add many laters without it getting too bulky.  I think I can still mail this without the extra postage.  No dimensionals here, just layers on layers. 

Don't you love that little bit of patterned paper?  It's from the Festive Birthday DSP pack.  The one with the pinatas?! I love this floral!

Inside, I used the leftover flowers and paper scrap.

Head on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and give this sketch a go!  I'd love to see what you're up to!

Have a blessed and crafty day!
~Erika

SUPPLIES:
STAMPS: Jar of Love, Hardwood
INK: Crushed Curry, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Emerald Envy
PAPER: Festive Birthday DSP, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
EMBELLISHMENTS: Basic Pearls, burlap scrap, 1-3/8" circle punch, 1" square punch for banner ends
BIG SHOT: Everyday Jars Framelits Dies

Sweet & Simple Cards with Banner Blessings HSS246

Pin It Now! Hey crafty friend! I'm playing around with the new In Colors this week - I'm still warming up to them - and Hand Stamped Sentiments' latest challenge has given me the boost I need to get a little creative!

I need some nice, mailable cards to lift some spirits this week, and what better stamp set than Banner Blessings?  And Flirty Flamingo is such a happy color!  It pairs with the sentiment perfectly for some happy snail-mail.

The flower stamps are from Birthday Blooms, and I had to fit Dapper Denim in there, so I used it on the sentiment stamp just as an accent.  

Here's the color combo, up close and personal...what do you think?  

I'm glad I didn't stop at one - looking forward to spreading some sunshine this week!
Hope you'll join in at HSS!

SUPPLIES:
STAMPS:  Banner Blessings, Birthday Blooms
INK: Sweet Sugarplum, Flirty Flamingo, Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark
PAPER: Flirty Flamingo CS & DSP
EMBELLIES: Linen Thread, Sweet Sugarplum Ruched Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Corrugated Paper

Oh Happy Day Card Kit Alternate / HSS243 Sketch

Pin It Now! Hey crafty friend!  Are you staying cool?  Here in the NC mountains it's only 80 degrees today...aaaahhh. Much nicer than my home state of MD, where my Mom tells me it's 102.

Nice day to make a card, indoors, right?!

Here's a card I made using the Oh Happy Day card kit.  I used the elements from one of the cards pictured in the instructions, and tweaked it to fit the sketch for Hand Stamped Sentiments.

Here's the sketch!

I added Basic Black cardstock for a larger base, cut the card in half and layered the solid back of the card with the patterned front.  Added a piece of coordinating paper from By the Shore DSP, and a fancier ribbon (Gold Natural Trim) than the baker's twine that's included with the kit.  

The kit is fantastic, but I like to beef up the smaller cards! 

Head over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and see what's new!

Birthday Blooms in Watercolor HSS229

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Hey crafty friend! Today I'm sharing a watercolored card with a beautiful new stamp set from the Spring Occasions Mini, Birthday Blooms.  It's just perfect for our current color combo over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. 

Using an aqua painter and ink pads, the colors are layered to create deeper and lighter shades on the petals and leaves, and Sahara Sand is washed all around the image to give it depth.  Our Sahara Sand lace trim is perfect to finish it off! 

Definitely a new favorite stamp set!  

SUPPLIES:
STAMPS: Birthday Blooms
INK: Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, Memento Black
PAPER: Watercolor Paper, Sahara Sand CS, Elegant Eggplant CS
ACCESSORIES: Sahara Sand Lace Trim, Vintage Faceted Button, Linen Thread, Basic Rhinestones

Six Sided Sampler for a Sweet Friend

Pin It Now! Hey there, popping in to share the card I made for our latest sketch challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments! It's been a really crazy week...had wisdom teeth pulled, sent kids off to camp, and finally, my kitty, Skittles, passed away today. Poor baby, she was blind, deaf, and so very weak.  So something as simple as making a card was as welcome as an old friend.

I used Six Sided Sampler, which I've had for a long time, but rarely use.  I love how easy it was to put this card together with this pretty stamp set!  Just pick a color scheme, stamp, punch, and arrange.  The only tricky part was not repeating patterns or colors too closely.

The sketch! 

To finish, it didn't need much.  A die cut butterfly and some strips of ribbon.  

Hop on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and play along!  I'd love to see you there!

World Card Making Day! White on white card for a friend.

Pin It Now! Happy WCMD!   This one is for you!  I hope you're going to take some time out for yourself to make something that warms your heart.  There truly is nothing quite like a handmade greeting. Your expression and effort is appreciated, and hey, it makes you feel good!

I've done a lot of white on white for this card, and was inspired by this photo on Splitcoast Stampers for their Saturday challenge.  Who wouldn't be inspired by this, really?

I picked up this lovely fabric on my trip to Ireland last month. It was from a sweet little shop in Derry in the Crafter's Village...right up my alley! Here's a look at it...

I'm tearing it into ribbon strips to make knots and flowers for my cards. It really makes me happy :)

Don't know if you can see it, but I used the smallest oval punch to cut notches in the sides of the front panel to hold the ribbon in place. 

I'm loving the iridescent shine in the vintage button. 

My layout was inspired by this sketch from Case This Sketch.

Have a perfectly wonderful WCMD!  Blessings, ~erika

SUPPLIES

STAMPS:  Peachy Keen

INK: Rose Red, Gumball Green

PAPER: Whisper White

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Bitty Punch Pack (flowers), basic pearl

BIG SHOT: Chalk Talk Framelits, Lovely Lace embossing folder

OTHER: Floral fabric, white embroidery thread, stray button, Martha Stewart leaf punch

Hello! I must be going! Fun with retiring stamps {HSS184}

Pin It Now! I spent a portion of my morning going through all my stamps sets and marking my retiring stamps.  It's always bittersweet.  Is it silly to feel an attachment to stamp sets?  This fun fringe card was made with two retiring sets - Storybook Friends and Happy Day.

The layout of the card is from our latest sketch challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  I flipped the sketch, and took the liberty of leaving it upside down so that you can see how "right on" I was!  Haha. You are welcome to turn it back upright for your card, or sideways if that floats yer boat.

If you haven't tried using Stampin' Up!'s Fringe Scissors, you absolutely must!  They are SO fun and easy to use.  What a great dimensional effect, and it gives the card an ombre look with the graduated shades of pink.

Here are a few tips on creating an ombre fringe card:

1)  It looks best if the card base is long ways, i.e. opens from the bottom and not the side.

2) The strip of cardstock I used to layer this card are 4-1/4" x 1-1/2", and scored at 1" to mark where to stop cutting with the fringe scissors.

3)  It helps to open the scissors wide to make your cuts, and not to cut until the scissors close.  This prevents unnecessary twisting and tearing of the cardstock. 

4) The fringe cuts in the scissors seem to be spaced so that your 4-1/4" pieces will have perfectly spaced fringes, right up to both ends!  Neat!

I was tempted to color the little critters with an aqua painter, but let it go black and white, like an old cartoon.  

If you decide you can't live without Storybook Friends, there's time to order it before it's gone!  Contact me today to order!  Happy Day, too - available while supplies last!  Below are links to the retired lists.

SUPPLY LIST:

STAMPS:  Storybook Friends, Happy Day

INK:  Versamark, Black Stampin' Emboss Powder

PAPER:  Subtles DSP Stack, Pink Pirouette, Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, Whisper White

EMBELLISHMENTS:  White Organza Ribbon

PUNCHES:  1-1/4" circle, 1-1/2" circle

TOOLS:  Fringe Scissors

  

PS:  Here are a couple of the cards I made with Storybook Friends last year!

Retiring Stamp Sets

Retiring Accessories

If you plan to place an order, here is a HOSTESS CODE for your convenience!  TPQAW6RB

Have a blessed and creative day!

Hello Friend! Hipster Camera Card

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I'm digging into some new stamp sets this week, and up first is the new bundle featuring the stamp set Peachy Keen!  A super hip, modern set that is sure to please the younger set.  My 9 year old, Ryan, thinks it's cool ;)

The color combo we're challenging you to use this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments is:
Midnight Muse
Smoky Slate
Rose Red.

This one did have me scratching my head for awhile, but a little inky time fixed me up!

The little camera cutout is done with the Envelope Punch Board.  It's a piece of Smoky Slate, 2-3/4" x 4-1/4", and scored at 2-7/8", flip it over, and score again at 2-7/8". Round the corners, and you have a cute centerpiece!

Come on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and see the inspiration the other designers have posted!  I'd love to see what you make!

Have a blessed and creative day ~ Erika

Supplies:

Stamps:  Peachy Keen

Ink:  Rose Red, Midnight Muse, Basic Black

Paper: Midnight Muse, Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer

Embellishments:  Hardware Clip, Wooden Elements, White Bakers Twine

Big Shot:  Chevron Embossing Folder

Envelope Punch Board, Corner Rounder Punch

Hello Again, Pink & Green!

Pin It Now! The winter doldrums might be setting in, as much as I hate to admit it!  I love snow, and the warmth of the woodstove, but I have found myself gazing out the kitchen window at what was once my flourishing garden, that's now a brown pile of compost.

So in the craft room, we're back to butterflies & blossoms, to brighten someone's day!

The sketch is the latest from Hand Stamped Sentiments, and it's all about circles. Which I love. 

The first thing I did was cut the card base a little narrow, 3-3/4" wide, so the elements on the card could hang over and still fit in a standard envelope.  Although I'll likely make a box for this one!

I used Strawberry Slush & Wild Wasabi on a Sahara Sand base. Papillon Potpourri for the butterfly & Simply  Celebrate for the "hello".   

The flower is punched from crepe paper with the Blossom Punch. Three layers of the crepe flowers, sponged, stacked, and fluffed with my scoring stylus. The glittery center is a jumbo pearl, of all things, with the sticky backside dipped in glitter. I used silver & some pink seashell glass glitter that I have in my stash. Then I simply stuck a couple of glue dots to the back and nestled it in the center.  

I thought the paper doily die cut needed a little something, so I sewed a couple of circles onto it. Better!

So what do you see in this snazzy sketch?  Will you go bold and trendy? Or change the shapes to suit your need?  I'd love to see what you do, so hop on over and play along!  

SUPPLY LIST:

STAMPS:  Papillon Potpourri, En Francais, Simply Celebrate

INK:  Strawberry Slush, Wild Wasabi, Crumb Cake

PAPER:  Sahara Sand, Sweet Sorbet DSP (Sahara Sand pattern), and In-Color Stack (polka dot)

EMBELLISHMENTS: Jumbo pearl, twine (Sale-A-Bration), Crepe Paper, vintage button (my stash)

PUNCHES: Blossom, 2-1/2" circle

BIG SHOT: Delicate Doilies Sizzlits Die

Petals & Feathers - New Spring Supplies! HSS176

Pin It Now! Hey crafty friend!  How's it going?  Have you recovered from Christmas yet?  As much as I love Christmas, I am very ready for some springy projects!  Here's one using some new spring mini & Sale-A-Bration goodies, as well as some regular catty stamps I have in my stash.

I'm drawing inspiration from this photo from Hand Stamped Sentiments. This is a fantastic photo because there are so many ways to interpret it.  Hearts? Pink? Nature?  I chose feathers, and a little pink!

HAND STAMPED SENTIMENTS
PHOTO INSPIRATION CHALLENGE
HSS176

Fine Feathers is a stamp set that I purchased right away, and it sits and looks pretty on my shelf most of the time.  This was a great opportunity to ink it up!  I stamped three feathers in three colors - Crisp Cantaloupe, Blushing Bride, and Soft Sky.  Cut and arranged them on a tag. A little stamp layering with two new stamp sets (Petal Parade & Simply Celebrate) and some spritzing. 

See the sequins?  You'll be seeing a lot of them!  They come in a huge roll, and I think they'll last a long, long time!  I adhered them with Sticky Strip behind the (new SAB) Sweet Sorbet DSP. They add a nice glimmery touch to an otherwise pastel card, and I love the way they catch the eye when the light hits them.  

So go on, make a spring - love - birdy - feather - whatever card!  I'd love to see what you come up with using Hand Stamped Sentiment's photo challenge!  

Have a blessed and creative day ~ Erika

Supplies:

Stamps: Fine Feathers, Petal Parade (SAB), Simply Celebrate (Spring Mini)

Ink: Basic Black, Blushing Bride, Soft Sky, Crisp Cantaloupe

Paper:  Sweet Sorbet DSP (SAB), Blushing Bride, Whisper White

Embellishments: Gold Sequin Trim, Crisp Cantaloupe Stretch Ruffle Trim, Gold bakers twine

Punches:  Scallop Tag Topper, Crop-A-Dile

Other: Stampamajig, Spritzing Tool. 

Vintage Inspired Wiper Card - HSS164 Sketch

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This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments, we have a sketch to play with.  With trendy hexagon shapes along one side, I couldn’t wait to get started!  

I pulled out lots of new supplies that I haven’t had the chance to use yet…it’s been a busy couple of weeks!  Paper, stamps, my hex punch, and new embellishments, including Chevron Ribbon and the dainty Very Vintage buttons.  With all these supplies in a pile, I knew I would need A LOT of real estate on this card. So I made a “wiper card”. Front, back, sides, and even the inside are decorated with bright colors and patterns.

The patterned paper came from two stacks, the Etcetera and Afternoon Picnic DSPs. Hex shapes were hand cut from a sheet of Afternoon Picnic, and the cute vintage ad on the front was cut from Etcetera.  They both feature Pear Pizzazz, so they blend well!

The front panel uses our sketch at HSS…I turned it on its side.

The “wiper” appears when the card is pulled open from the right and left ends, and “hello, sweet friend” appears.  I love cards with surprises, and I can’t wait to give this one away!

I thought it needed a little space for writing, so the back side is stamped with the new Post Card stamp.

So there you have it, patterns and pop ups all ‘round. Come on over to the Hand Stamped Sentiments blog & see what all the other ladies have created with this fresh sketch!

The Wiper Card was a technique recently posted at the Ustamp With Dawn & Friends Cards With Cool Moves event, and it was so easy to create with the tutorial that Melissa Stout put together.  You can check it out here if you’re
interested.




SUPPLIES:
STAMPS:  Six Sided Sampler, Post Card
INK:  Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Baked Brown Sugar (for distressing edges)
PAPER:  Afternoon Picnic, Etcetera, Pear Pizzazz, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry
EMBELLISHMENTS:  ¾” Chevron Ribbon in Pear Pizzazz, Very Vintage Designer Buttons, Hexagon Punch, Basic Rhinestone, Pear Pizzazz Baker’s Twine

Have a blessed and creative day!  ~ Erika