Never Give Up

I'm stopping by just long enough to post my card for Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge #123.  We were challenged to stamp our own backgrounds.

I started with SC 382 from Splitcoaststampers for my layout, but I deviated a bit.  I changed the shape of the center panel, and instead of a die cut, I added a sentiment and a side bow in that area.  The sketch did get my mojo going, and I really like this layout for using up scraps!  I matched two skinny strips of the polka dot dp together and hid the seam under the seam binding.  The doily die cut was in my "things to use sometime pile" and was a good color match to the ink I used.

Here's my card:

Supplies used:
Stamps:  ODBD "Grunge Cross" background stamp (I turned it on its side) and "Never Give Up"
Papers:  White, pink, tan, polka dot dp from Basic Grey "Sultry"
Ink:  Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Versafine Onyx Black
Other:  Brown seam binding, Bow Easy, MFT Doily die, Spellbinders circle die, sponge
Size:  A2

I have tests this week, and I am really looking forward to taking that last one on Wednesday!  I'm hoping to not be so exhausted by that point that I can't enjoy some stamping time on Wednesday night..... we'll see!

Thanks for stopping by!
Sarah

ETA:  Thank you to Our Daily Bread Designs for selecting my card for a Shining the Light Award!

CDS September Release

Today at Clear Dollar Stamps, there is a huge new release!  I'm previewing two new digital sets today, Gardens and Wedding.  Each of these sets is packed with a great variety of images and sentiments!

My first card uses the new Gardens digi set.  I had to angle my card just a bit so that the glitter on the dp wouldn't cause too much glare for the camera.  The card really is square!  I didn't have a specific person in mind when I made this card, so I didn't include a sentiment.  It's helpful to have some cards on hand that you can write get well or happy birthday inside as the need arises.

Supplies used:
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps "Garden" digi
Papers:  white, light yellow, yellow, dps from DCWV "The Glitter Stack"
Other:  MS doily lace border punch, Copic markers, Grand Nestabilities circle and scalloped circle dies, organdy ribbon, Bow Easy
Card size:  6" square

My second card features the new "Wedding" set.  I thought this tiered cake with the hearts swirling out of it would be a fun image to color.  The cake topper is a silhouette of the bride and groom kissing.

I used SC 377 for my layout.

Supplies used:
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps "Wedding" new release digi
Papers:  Whtie and light yellow CS, dps from DCWV "The Glitter Stack"
Accessories:  Nestabilities petite oval and petite scalloped oval dies, Grand Nestabilities oval and scalloped oval dies, Recollections mini roses, Recollections pale yellow flower, foam tape (under sentiment panel)
Card size:  6" square

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Sarah

Birthday Wishes

I made this card for my cousin's birthday, and just didn't get a chance to post it.  I used a digi design and coordinating sentiment from Clear Dollar Stamps called What a Pane.  I went back to an old Papertake Weekly sketch that I really liked.  I had a couple of strips of dps that I wanted to try to use together, and this sketch was the perfect choice!

It was a little cloudy when I took my picture, so the soft blue background paper looks a little bit gray.

Supplies used:
Stamps:  CDS "What a Pane" digis (image and sentiment)
Papers:  White, lime green, dps from Basic Grey "Gypsy"
Other:  EK Success scroll punch, Nestabilitis circle and scalloped circle dies, Copic markers
Card size:  6" square

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Sarah

Some Exciting News to Share!

Starting this month, I'm beginning a 4 month term with Clear Dollar Stamps on their Digital Design Team!  You'll be seeing 5 projects from me each month including 2 that feature new releases.  The new releases will be revealed next week Saturday, September 15th.

I had not done much work with digital images previously, but I found them to be very easy to use.  One helpful tip is to set up folders for organizing the images in your computer.  On the Clear Dollar Stamps blog, they have a tutorial for getting started called Digi Stamps 101.  It was easy to use and even includes a free flower basket digi image so you can practice before making your first purchase!  What I love about the digital stamps is being able to resize my images.  It's a lot of fun to play with the sizing of the images and sentiments.  No more lamenting that a particular stamp is just a little too big (or too small) for a particular layout!

My first card features a digital image set called "Lost in Space."  I was agonizing over which of the cute images I should use first, and this little alien just wanted me to color him! 

I also decorated the inside of the card.

Supplies used:
Stamps:  CDS "Lost in Space"
Ink:  SU! "Tempting Turquoise" sponged on edges
Papers:  white, yellow, and orange cardstock, DCWV "The Glitter Stack"
Other:  Nestabilities oval and scalloped oval dies, Creative Memories star punches

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Sarah