Happy Squeals!

Why the happy squeals, you ask?  I have gotten some cards done for the Hope You Can Cling To challenges over at Splitcoaststampers.  I have participated in these challenges every year (so far!), and I was afraid that with school, I wouldn't have time to do any cards this year.  I'm still not quite done with all of the challenges, but I'm hoping to finish the last of them this weekend and get them posted to meet next week's deadline!  I also have to study for a Pharmaceutics exam and a Biochemistry quiz this weekend, so we'll see if I get any more challenge cards done for this year or not.

I made this card for the challenge called "You Had Me in Stitches" (HYCCT1209).  We were challenged to make a humorous card that featured stitching.  I opted for this cute little piggy from "Farm Critters" and the coordinating Happy Squeals sentiment from Clear Dollar Stamps.  I resized the digi to fit my circle Nestabilities and colored him with Copics.  I hope someone will get a chuckle out of this card!

Supplies:
Image:  Clear Dollar Stamps digi image "Farm Critters"
Papers:  white, pink, dp from DCWV "Nana's Kids"
Ink:  Vintage Photo Distress Ink (sponged)
Other:  Copics, Nestabilities circle and scalloped circle dies, sponge, faux stitching done with a fine black multiliner
Card size:  A2

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings!
Sarah

New Release Day at CDS

So I typed up this post last Sunday, and I thought that I had scheduled it to automatically post earlier today, but surprise, surprise, it didn't post as scheduled.  I had a full day of classes and was studying for my quiz tomorrow when it dawned on me that I should check if my post was up or not.  Good thing I checked.  Anyway, today there is a huge release of new digis at Clear Dollar Stamps!  I had a lot of fun making samples for two new religious digi sets, "Whatever" and "Scriptures of Peace."

For my first card, I used "Whatever." 

To make the background paper, I copied and pasted a single verse enough times to fit the size I wanted for my card.  The Blessed image is also in this new digi set.  I thought that the font on the sentiment had a bit of a weathered look, so I decided to do some sponging and distressing on this card.  I sponged the image with Vintage Photo Distress Ink while the die was still in position to create the white mat.  A little twine bow and a rose provide the finishing touches.

Supplies:
Image:  CDS digi "Whatever"
Papers:  White, brown
Ink:  Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Other:  Sponge, Tim Holtz distressing tool, Spellbinders oval and scalloped oval dies, twine, Bow Easy, Recollections mini rose
Card size:  A2

My second card uses a new digi set called "Scriptures of Peace."  I used SC384 for my layout and the cracked glass technique.

Supplies:
Image:  CDS digi "Scriptures of Peace"
Paper:  White, green, dps from Basic Grey "Euphoria"
Other:  1.25" white ribbon, Bow Easy, gem, ultrathick embossing powder, heat gun
Cracked glass technique
Card size:  A2

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Sarah

Treat Yourself!

Wow  have the days zipped past me!  My daughter commented that since I went back to school in August, "all you do is study."  I had told her that I'd be needing to spend a lot of time studying, but I guess she didn't really understand just how intense Pharmacy school was going to be for me or how much it would cut into our crafting time!

I'm popping in just long enough today to post a quick card I made with the Clear Dollar Stamps digi set "Ice Cream Social."  I'm hoping to be able to participate in all of the Hope You Can Cling To challenges over at Splitcoaststampers, but we'll see.  I've got another round of exams coming up in two weeks, so I'll have to be a quick crafter - an extra challenge for me!

Anyhow, here's my card.  I used a very simple layout, just a fun piece of background paper and then I layered my image and coordinating sentiment.  My card fits the HYCCT1203 challenge to use 5 words.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps Digi set "Ice Cream Sundae"
Papers:  White, red, dp from DCWV "The Glitter Stack"
Other:  Copics, Nestabilities oval and scalloped oval dies, foam tape (sentiment)
Size:  A2

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Sarah 

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