Happily Ever After

Here's another set of gorgeous dies that Spellbinders sent me - I paired it with a damask embossing folder for a wedding card:

supplies: white, cream, and silver metallic card stock, Spellbinders Layered Happily Ever After dies, Taylored Expressions Damask embossing folder, silver brads for flower centers, adhesive foam

I first cut an A2 panel in white card, and from that cut out the arched shape; then that panel was embossed with the folder.  On my white card base, I affixed a cream bride and groom diecut in the center.  On the embossed panel, I added the sentiment die cut in silver, and then popped that panel above my card base with some adhesive foam.  The flowers were also cut from cream card to make them stand out a bit better from the white background, and I added tiny silver brads to their centers.

What a great set to have for weddings!  Going forward, I think I'd use the bride's wedding colors for some of these details.......

Summer Sunshine

I think this Sunny Studio pad of gingham papers is ever so pretty, so I chose one as background and used a Simon wreath die as my focal point.

supplies:  white, yellow, and green card stock, Sunny Studio Classic Gingham paper pad, Simon's Blooming Circle die, Gina K. Wreath Builder sentiment, pearls

I cut the wreath from yellow and green card, then used one of the negatives as my guide to reform the wreath on a white backing.

Hope this brings a smile!

Cinch & Go Flowers

I was so pleased to receive some Spellbinders dies recently!  Here are 2 cards using Becca Feeken's Cinch & Go Flowers III.

The first one uses shades of aqua:

supplies: white, Sea Glass, Surf Blue, Audrey Blue, and Green Apple card stock, Doodlebug patterned papers, Becca Feeken's Cinch & Go Flowers, Simon's Beautiful Flowers sentiment, glittery blue brads

And my 2nd uses my happy colors of white, yellow, and black:

supplies: white, black, and Green Apple card stock, patterned papers from Lawn Fawn and My Favorite Things, Cinch & Go dies, sentiments from Simon's Happy & Smile and Happy stamp sets, yellow brads

The layered dies have 4 sizes of the flower, plus a backing and a leaf sprig.  On these cards, I used all 4 layers of the flower, but they would work in any combination.  I used white and colored card stock, but you could sponge on distress inks to make your own custom colors.  Irregardless, they add a wonderful dimension and take a card to the next level!

Hope you're enjoying your Sunday - thanks for stopping by!

Butterflies

As soon as I saw these papers from Bo Bunny's Early Bird paper pack in the Simon August Card Kit,  I knew what I'd do with them.

supplies: white, pink, Surf Blue, yellow, Soft Navy and kraft card stock, dps from Early Bird paper pack, Simon's Stitching Butterflies dies and sentiment from Beautiful Day, Memory Box Pinpoint Rectangle die, adhesive foam squares to pop up butterflies

This may be too busy for a variety of reasons, but for me, it brings back my quilting days - I loved to find just the right patterns to mix together!  Thank you for stopping by.

Too early for an autumn card??

We had a couple of gorgeous days this week, a break in our humidity with cool breezes and sunny skies - it made me think of fall.  So I made this card with some stamps I haven't used in awhile.

supplies: kraft and Dark Chocolate card stock, plank dp from Carta Bella Spring Market papers,  Wplus9 Beautiful Bouquets Mums, Spectrum Aqua markers and water to color, sentiment from Simon's Mandy's Flowers, VersaFine Clair Pinecone ink, sequins

Thanks for stopping by - hope your weekend is a great one!

Simon's Friendly Frolic release!

Simon has a fun new release today, called Friendly Frolic!  I was sent this pretty floral set and here's what I made:

supplies: ivory and rose card stock, watercolor paper, Simon's Sketch Lotus Flowers, Spectrum Aqua markers and water, Simon's Stitched Rectangle die, sequins

This new set also has a die to match, or you can buy it along with the stamps in a SET, if you prefer.  For those of you who love the Picture Book dies, there are THIRTEEN new ones - dinosaurs and sea creatures!! And there are dies to match the popular stamp set Beautiful Flowers.  I have my eye on the new Leafy Frame cover plate die.  Won't it be pretty for fall/autumn cards? And there's a botanical/herbal pun stamp set that looks fun: Plantiful Puns!

As always, there's something for everyone - be sure to visit THIS page to see everything.  Happy shopping!

Simon Says........Anything Goes!

Happy Wednesday!  Welcome to another challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

Our theme this week is Anything Goes, and we are highlighting Art Impressions products this week.  I am slowly collecting their Window to the World series of cling stamps - here's my latest.

supplies: white and Surf Blue card stock, MFT Plaid Patterns Merry & Bright dp, Art Impressions Peace Window, Zig markers and water to color, sentiment pieced from a retired The Craft's Meow set and Winnie & Walter's Big, Bold, Happy, MFT Mini Stitched Scallop Square die, adhesive foam squares

And one more, since this time of year fits.  I actually made a window for this one......and amped up the colors a bit from my first card.

supplies: white card stock, AI Window to the World Island, Zig markers and water to color, Newton's Nook Tropical Leaves stencil, blending brush and green distress inks: twisted citron, peeled paint, mowed lawn, lucky clover, and pine needles, purple tape for masking, Sizzix foam adhesive sheet

Now it's your turn!  We have a $50.00 gift certificate 

to the amazing Simon Says Stamp store for 1 lucky random winner of this week's challenge!

Don't forget about our ongoing Kid's Challenge this month. All details can be found HERE. 

Modern Rose Background

I wanted to play again with the sweet Modern Rose Blooms background; this time I colored the stamp with some water-based markers, then spritzed it and stamped on watercolor paper.

supplies: watercolor paper, ivory, lavender and surf blue card stock, Simon's Modern Rose Blooms cling, Spectrum Aqua markers and water, Mandy's Flowers, Tonic Nuvo markers, twine and a Doodlebug Tiny Heart

You can see how the amount of water that I spritzed affected each area of the panel - it's not equal across the board, but I guess that shows that it's handmade!  It will be interesting to try this stamp in other color combinations.

I'll see you again tomorrow, I hope, for a new Simon Wednesday challenge!

Black, White and Yellow

Here's another card using the supplies in the August Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp.  I have always loved text/script as an element, and adding black and yellow to the mix is icing on the cake for me.

supplies: white and yellow card stock, dps from Bo Bunny Early Bird and a black dot, Simon's Mandy's Flowers clear stamp set, Tonic Nuvo Sunshine and Irish Clover markers, Doodlebug Tiny Hearts, adhesive foam squares to lift flower

Here's the Card Kit:

Enjoy your week!

For You, with Love

Here's another card from the Simon August Card Kit, this time featuring the pretty Modern Rose Blooms cling and another of the floral stamps from Mandy's Flowers.  Since my last card was soft pastels, I went a little brighter with this one.

supplies: white, pale gold, and black card stock, Modern Rose Blooms cling, VersaMark ink and white embossing powder, picked raspberry and mustard seed distress inks, round sponging tool, Mandy's Flowers, alcohol markers to color, Doodlebug Tiny Hearts, Simon's Stitched Rectangle and Stitched Circle dies

I had first white embossed the Modern Rose onto a pale gold cardstock, but didn't like the results, so I sponged on some distress inks, then went with those colors to color my flower pot.

Here's all that you get in the Card Kit:

There are matching dies coming soon, if that's something you'd be interested in.  

Simon's August Card Kit

I know I've said this many times, but this may be my favorite Simon Card Kit EVER!  The amazing stamp sets, lovely papers, and those teeny hearts - swoooooon!  Here's my first play (it won't be the last)!

supplies: white and Cotton Candy card stock, Simon's Mandy's Flowers clear stamp set, Tonic Nuvo markers to color, Bo Bunny Early Bird patterned paper, twine, Doodlebug Tiny Hearts sprinkles, Simon's Scallop Stitches and my own oval dies

After stamping the flower jar image and cutting it into an oval shape, I pierced each side of the top of the jar with a needle and threaded the twine through, then tied it into a bow and topped it with one of the adorable tiny hearts.  The rest of the card was just a matter of layering the gorgeous elements together.

This kit is really an amazing value - it is less than the price of the 2 stamp sets in it!  And it's even better if you buy it at the subscription price!!  I know this set will be a much-loved classic!

Hugs and Prayers

I needed a card for a friend, and remembered this beauty by Debbie Olson.  So I CASEd her sketch, changing up my sentiment and flowers, using some of my favorites.

supplies: white and Audrey Blue card stock, Impression Obsession Wooden Plank cling background stamp, VersaMark and white embossing powder, Altenew Painted Flowers, Rose Petal mini inks, Hero Arts Green Hills and Grass inks, Hero Arts Prayers sentiments, Audrey Blue ink

It's a gorgeous summer day here; the humidity is at bay for awhile!  Hope you're having a wonderful day!

Simon Says........Use a Die or Punch

Happy Wednesday!  Welcome to another challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

This week we'd like you to use a die or a punch in your creation.  My teamies and I are using products from Birch Press Design.  You don't have to use them, but we'd love to see them if you have them.

I chose their pretty Just Because die and paired it with a Lawn Fawn cover die and a Simon flower bouquet:

supplies: black, white, and Audrey Blue card stock, Birch Press Design Sugar Script Just Because die, Simon's Center Cut Flowers cling stamp, Nuvo markers: Aquamarine, Sunshine Yellow, and Irish Clover, Lawn Fawn Quilted Backdrop cover die, adhesive foam squares to pop bouquet above card

Now it's your turn!  We have a $50.00 gift certificate 

to the amazing Simon Says Stamp store for 1 lucky random winner of this week's challenge!

Don't forget about our ongoing Kid's Challenge this month. All details can be found HERE. 

Plaid Thanks

Thank you cards are always high on the list of needed cards - here's one made of lots of dies and a stamped background:

supplies: white, rose, yellow and Green Apple card, Concord & 9th Plaid Background clear stamps, Simon's Hollyhock and Green Apple inks, a green Zig marker to color in the diagonal stripes, Simon's Single Roses leaf and Thanks dies, Lil Inker Perky Posies flower dies, Winnie & Walter Noelle scalloped rectangle die, adhesive pearls for flower centers, adhesive foam to raise top panel

Hope your week is off to a great start - I'm hoping for a break from the heat and humidity!

The Little Things

This summer I've been enjoying what appears to be a bumper crop of cherries, and they have been delicious!  The other day I remembered this amazing Sunny Studio clear stamp set that I had missed when it first came out.  It arrived earlier this week, and here's my first play with it.

supplies: white card, red gingham dp from Sunny Studio Classic Gingham paper pack and Berry Bliss clear stamp set,  Hero Arts inks in reds (Pale Tomato and Red Royal),  greens (Green Hills and Grass), and Latte, Simon's Beautiful Ride sentiment and Scallop Stitches die, MFT's Stitched Mini Scallop Square die, adhesive foam squares 

Of course I had to pair the stamped image with their red gingham - this card makes me happy!  Hope it does the same for you!

Coincidentally, Sunny Studios has some new delights just out - gorgeous new paper pads in jewel tones and some fun stamps and dies, too - check them out HERE!

Simon Says........Fun in the Sun

Happy Wednesday!  Welcome to another challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

Our theme this week is Fun in the Sun, and my teamies and I are playing with Mama Elephant goodies!  Summer is the time for picnics and being outside, so I chose this cute picnic set.

supplies: white card and Bristol paper, Mama Elephant Picnic with Friends, Zig markers and water to color, mowed lawn and broken china distress inks for background

Now it's your turn!  We have a $50.00 gift certificate 

to the amazing Simon Says Stamp store for 1 lucky random winner of this week's challenge!

Don't forget about our ongoing Kid's Challenge this month. All details can be found HERE. 

Playing with Plaid

I was in the mood to make my own plaid.

supplies: white card stock, Tammy Tutterow Mad for Plaid stencils and Tiny Sentiments stamp, Winnie & Walter Scenery: Stripes (stamped stitched line), Simon's Beautiful Day butterflies and Stitched Rectangle dies, worn lipstick and squeezed lemonade distress oxide inks, VersaFine Onyx Black ink

After using Tammy's stencil to sponge my background, I stamped the stitched lines to add a diagonal.  I used the same inks to watercolor my butterflies.

Thanks for stopping by - hope your week is off to a great start!

A Rainbow Hello

I give all the credit for this card to my friend Mary Anne.  We were discussing these Sunny Studio paper pads, and she had the idea to use them on a large sentiment die like this one.

supplies: white card, Winnie & Walter In a Word Hello cutaway, Avery Elle Simply Said Hello stamped sentiment, Tammy Tutterow Bitty Posies flower and leaf dies, MFT Wonky Rectangle die, Sunny Studio Rainbow Bright and Classic Gingham paper pads, Doodlebug sprinkles for flower centers

LOVE these bright happy colors!

Thanks for stopping by!

And one more time........

and we'll call it done for this year's Hollyhock studies.......

supplies: white card stock, Bristol paper, dps from Echo Park Bundle of Joy Dots & Stripes, Penny Black Hollyhocks wood stamp, Spectrum Aqua markers and water,  Wplus9 Hello die, PTI mix and mat die

A pretty simple design, I'll skip the explanations this time.  Thanks for stopping by!

Simon Says Stamp...........Red, White, and Blue

Happy Wednesday!  Welcome to another challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

Our theme this week is Red, White, and/or Blue, in honor of our country's birthday today!  My teamies and I are playing with Simon Says Stamp exclusive goodies.

supplies: white and Soft Navy card stock, Simon's Brush Stroke Messages and Seeing Stars stamp sets, Lipstick Red and Navy inks, retired Fireworks stencil from Simon's July 2016 Card Kit, Nuvo Pure Platinum embellishment mousse and glitter, Impression Obsession Stars and Stripes cling stamp

I trimmed a piece of white cardstock and stamped my sentiment using red and navy inks, and then did the same with my brush-stroke stripes and stars.  Then I used my stencil to add some fireworks.  After spreading platinum mousse through the stencil I removed it and added some glitter for some sparkle.

Here's one more card, just for fun - I saw a similar idea on Pinterest and thought I'd see if I could make it work, using Simon's Scallop Stitches.  I paired it with a teddy from my collection.

supplies: Lipstick Red, white, and Soft Navy card stock, the largest Simon's Scallop Stitches and heart dies from (retired) Heart Flowers

Now it's your turn!  Heidi has provided another $50.00 gift voucher

to the amazing Simon Says Stamp store for 1 lucky random winner of this week's challenge!

Before I go, I have a reminder for you. First we are in the midst of our month-long Kid's Challenge.

It's open to young people between 2 and 16; here's your chance to let your kids' artwork shine!