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

Masculine Birthday with Serene Scenery HSS245

Pin It Now! Time for a new challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments!  This week's challenge is an inspiration collage.

There's so much in this inspiration grouping to choose from, you're sure to be inspired!  I picked out the wooded scene, as well as the colorful background behind the deer in the postage stamp image.  I created a sweet and simple masculine birthday card - I never seem to have a man card when I need one in a pinch! 

I was going to create a watercolored background with several colored ink pads and a blender brush, but then came across this pretty colored background paper from the Serene Scenery 6x6 DSP pad.  It's a water / seashore scene, but the muted colors did well with the color combo I was looking for.  Fast and easy! 

Head on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and check out the design team samples and our fellow participants!

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!

Honeycomb Happiness Birthday Celebration HSS232

Pin It Now! I went searching for a birthday card last week for a girlfriend - specifically a pink birthday card.  And can you even fathom that I have NO pink birthday cards? For real? I fixed it with this sweet and simple little watercolored balloon card using Honeycomb Happiness from our current Sale-A-Bration.

I incorporated our current sketch at Hand Stamped Sentiments - it's a good one!

I kept the card simple, as I plan to mail more cards this year than I probably have over all my cardmaking years combined.  This is the year that I bless people with a greeting.  It doesn't have to be fancy.  It just has to get done.

Inside...from Birthday Blooms.  I love how it matches the cursive wood embellishment on the front.

Thanks for stopping by!
SUPPLIES:
STAMPS: Honeycomb Happiness, Birthday Blooms
INK: Memento Black, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Blushing Bride
PAPER:  Birthday Bouquet DSP, Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Corrugated Paper
EMBELLISHMENTS:  Expressions Natural Elements, Gold Sequin Trim, Metallic Gold Thread,

Honeycomb Happiness & Bloomin' Love for HSS230

Pin It Now! It's about time for creating Valentines!  Love the soft pink and blue of Blushing Bride & Soft Sky.  Using the latest sketch from Hand Stamped Sentiments, here's my first Valentine of 2016 :D  But scroll all the way down, there are 2 cards for this sketch!

The sketch: Click on the pic to visit HSS for more inspiration!

I love this suite from the Spring Mini! Not just for Valentine's Day, this one can be used just for an all occasion card for a friend.  

I thought the sketch was so much fun, I decided to make one more with it! 

How do you like this SWEET chick?!  It would make anyone's day brighter. Honeycomb Happiness is a Sale-A-Bration set that you can get for FREE with any $50 order.  I'll be making a bunch of cards up with this fun set. I'm thinkin' Easter...

Don't forget to check out Hand Stamped Sentiments for this quick and easy sketch!  I'd love to see what you do!

SUPPLY LIST:

STAMPS: Honeycomb Happiness, Bloomin' Love

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

Sweet Stack-A Banner Birthday Card HSS224

Pin It Now! Hey crafty friend!  Sharing a golden birthday card with you today, using the latest color challenge from Hand Stamped Sentiments. This one was so easy! The colors really go together so well.  I have to admit, I CASE'd a combination of two cards from the catalog!  That's always a great place for inspiration when you're in a pinch.

I love the stamps in this set, Sweet Stack. It's meant for creating little cake boxes, but I think they're all great for cards, too!  The pennant above is meant for the top of the cake box.  

Here's the color combo challenge - click the pic to visit our site!

Inside...

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Sweet Stack

INK: Mossy Meadow, Blackberry Bliss, Delightful Dijon, Basic Black

Cozy Christmas for HSS223

Pin It Now! Here I am back with another Christmas card using my favorite set of the year!  I love all things vintage, so I keep going for this one, Cozy Christmas, and the coordinating Home for Christmas DSP. It's so sweet!

I used our latest sketch from Hand Stamped Sentiments...

For my card, I wanted to have a more shabby chic vintage look, and the brightness of the houses and churches on the DSP was throwing me off. So, I brushed over it with a layer of chalk paint and sponged the edges with gold. I placed the original paper next to my finished panel so you can see the difference. It's just more subtle, so the sentiment stands out.

Why don't you join in the challenge this week and make a little special something for someone?!

Have a blessed and creative day! ~Erika

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Cozy Christmas

INK: Real Red, Mossy Meadow, Pool Party, Basic Black

PAPER: Home For Christmas DSP, Real Red, Whisper White, Gold Glimmer Paper

EMBELLISHMENTS: doily, sequins, star punch, gold 3/8" glitter ribbon

Cozy Christmas HSS221

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The new Christmas goodies have inspired me today, along with Hand Stamped Sentiments' latest sketch, which is AWESOME. I adore the vintage feel of the Home For Christmas collection!  The Designer Series Paper coordinates so well with this old fashioned stamp set. I'll be spending LOTS of time with these!

I used lots of DSP from this pack to embellish my card, and absolutely no ribbon or big shot products!  That is really unusual for me.  I like the layers, the patterns work well together.  Great paper pack!!!

Here's the lovely sketch!  Click below to play along. I'd love to see what you do!  

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Cozy Christmas

INK:  Mossy Meadow, Baked Brown Sugar, Pool Party

PAPER:  Home For Christmas, Silver Glimmer paper

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Basic rhinestones

Get Well Soup HSS220

Pin It Now! Keepin' it simple with a big, easy stamp on a clean background today.  Get Well Soup is an excellent stand-alone stamp!  For the latest color challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments, I added a strip of black striped paper, sponged with Daffodil Delight, and cut away a small portion of the card front so it shows inside and out.  Used an Aqua Painter to color the teacup, and sponged Tangerine Tango on a heart die cut from Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper.

I fussy cut the teacup and popped it up, as well as the glimmer heart.  My Sahara Sand marker was used to add some shading. Finally, the metallic thread wrap with an antique brad. 

What do you think of this color combo?  Come on over to HSS and play along, I'd love to see what you do!

Have a blessed & creative day! ~ Erika

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Get Well Soup

INK: Memnto Tuxedo Black, Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Sahara Sand

PAPER: Whisper White, Vintage Typeset Specialty DSP, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Antique Brad, Gold Metallic Thread

Celebrate! With Birthday Wishes HSS218

Pin It Now! I'm working my way through my new supplies, and it's taking a while, since I have had so little time to do crafty things lately.  Late summer brings veggie canning, outdoor projects, and back to school prep!

I've been looking forward to using this fun set, Birthday Wishes!  It's a photopolymer set, which means layering couldn't be easier!  So, using our latest color challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments, here's a cake that's cute as can be!

The colors:

I love the colors!  They're great for guys or girls.

And how about that metallic thread? And the corrugated paper! The little details make all the difference.  I think it'll be SO cool when the birthday person sees the little golden sparkle on this card.  

Inside, one of the cake layers is stamped with the included sentiment in Pool Party.

Have a blessed and creative day!  ~erika

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Birthday Wishes

INK: Tangerine Tango, Lost Lagoon, Basic Black, Pool Party

PAPER: Tangerine Tango, Pool Party DSP (retired pattern), Corrugated Paper, Whisper White, Basic Black

EMBELLISHMENTS: Expressions Natural Elements, Gold Metallic Thread, Decorative Dots TIEF

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!

Banner Blessings & Butterfly Basics HSS216

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Hey crafty friend!  Today I have a card to share featuring a stamp set I've been dying to use, Banner Blessings.  It's a photopolymer set with four stamps that feature scripture for several occasions.  I LOVE it.  I used it with Butterfly Basics as a background collage for Hand Stamped Sentiments' latest color challenge.

I used the emboss resist technique to create a soft collage background, sponging Bermuda Bay on white cardstock after embossing with clear.  The spritzing tool gave it a little extra blast of color.

The seam binding ribbon was plain Very Vanilla, and I ran it across a Strawberry Slush ink pad, wet it, crumpled and squeezed the water out, then used a blow dryer to quickly dry the inky ribbon.  Then tied into a bow and scrunched it for a shabby look.  

The large butterfly framelit was cut with vellum to give a little more layering without hiding the pretty stamped background.  

Stop by HSS to see the inspiration projects and play along!  

PS:  In case you didn't notice, I substituted Strawberry Slush for the Watermelon Wonder, as I'm probably the last demo in the world to not place an order from the new catalog.  Sad but true! 

Have a blessed and creative day!

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Butterfly Basics, Banner Blessings

INK:  Bermuda Bay, Strawberry Slush, Blushing Bride, Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark Clear

PAPER:Whisper White, Vellum

EMBELLISHMENTS: Strawberry Slush baker's twine, Vintage faceted button, Very Vanilla seam binding ribbon, basic rhinestones, sponge, spritzing tool

Vintage Americana Style Mini Treat Bag - HSS215

Pin It Now! Independence Day is right around the corner!  Here is a little vintage style bag made from the Mini Treat Bag Framelits dies.  I love vintage Americana, so I wanted to keep that flair.  My bag is holding a bunch of sparklers, with a few wrapped in (retired) SU Tinsel Trim.

Here's the inspiration collage for this week's challenge.  SO great!  

I was inspired by the woodgrain, the pennants, and the color combo of the bouquet of flowers.

I used Pacific Point, Real Red, and vanilla.  The vintage print from the Typeset DSP was perfect for the vintage feel!  

I opted to cut the stars diagonally across the bag, and lined it with the vintage print from behind.
The rosette is a 1" x 12" strip, and scored every 1/4".
The sentiment is done by me on the computer with a free font US Declaration.
The little banner punches are stamped with Hardwood.
I crumpled the vanilla seam binding ribbon and doily and rubbed them with Crumb Cake sponging.

What do you have planned for the 4th?  Whatever you do, spend a little moment to lift up our nation in prayer.  What a blessing it is to be in this great land!  Pray for her protection and preservation. Thanks! 

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Hardwood

INK:  Crumb Cake

PAPER:  Pacific Point, Real Red, Red Glimmer, Typeset DSP, Whisper White

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Vintage Faceted Buttons, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Mini Banner Punch, Mini Treat Bag Thinlits, Star Punch (retired), Linen Thread, Doily, Score tool