Steph's Scrap Happenings

O Taste and See -- SNSDC38

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

It's Friday, so that means it's time for another Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Digi challenge. This week's challenge is a sweet one. :) Your card or project is to have a dessert on it. I chose to use Rhubarb's Pie and a verse from the Baked with Love set.

I used a sketch from SCS (SC366) for my card design. I substituted the ribbon & bow for the row of circles. I used PSE to alter the verse so that it would be all in one line. Can you believe I didn't use any Nesties on this card?? A rare occurrence! After coloring Rhubarb & his pie with Copics (in real life his apron goes much better with the papers), I sponged some ink on the panel. I also inked the edges of all my patterned papers and sentiment panel.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), DCWV (mint)
Patterned Paper: SU
Stamps: SNSS (Baked with Love, Rhubarb's Pie)
Ink: Studio G
Embellishments/Tools: Brads (OT), Ribbon (I wish I knew...it's from my stash & I wish I had more), Copic markers, PSE

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday #12 - Use Scripture
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion - Color Bingo (I chose the far right column - Teal, blue & brown)
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Text Me

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you'll play along with us this week with our *sweet* challenge.

Happy Birthday to You

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

I used two different digi sets from Clear Dollar Stamps to make this birthday card. The week's CPS sketch (CPS252) was the inspiration for the design.

I used the birthday sentiment from the Totally Tags set and popped up the present from the Birthday Fall Critters set. I colored the present with Copics and accented the bow and polka dots with a glitter pen.

The colors are definitely stretching my comfort zone because brights are not the colors that usually "call my name." But, in the interest of challenging myself, I reached for this colorful Colorbok paper pack.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Colorbok
Patterned Paper: Colorbok
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps (Totally Tags, Birthday Fall Critters)
Embellishments/Tools: Cuttlebug embossing folder (Spots and Dots), Sakura Clear Star pen, Copic markers, Zutter Round-it-All (1/2"), Spellbinders (Circles - Large & Small)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
CPS #252 - sketch
Sentimental Sundays #86 - Die Cuts (spellbinders circles)
Birthday Sundaes #40 - Birthday sentiment on the front of the card
Stamptacular Sunday #148 - Seeing spots - use polka dots somewhere on your card
Papertake Weekly - Happy Highlights (highlight something on the card with something glittery or glossy - I highlighted the bow & polka dots with a glitter pen)

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you'll come back soon.

SIWS32 - Nehemiah 8:10

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:19:00 +0000

This week's focus verse for the Say It With Scripture Challenge at The Sweet 'n Sassy Connection is one of those verses that is easy to memorize but harder to put into practice. Nehemiah 8:10, "The joy of the Lord is your strength."

Have you ever been around someone who is going thru a difficult time and yet they still have a joyful attitude? They are practicing this week's verse. However, more often, we allow our circumstances to get us down and we forget that our joy come from the Lord. I'm as guilty of this as the next person. It's a struggle to "live above our circumstances" as my husband calls it. Our joy doesn't come from things or circumstances or good health...it comes from the Lord and His goodness. Instead of meditating on this, we keep looking at the negative things in our lives and don't look at all that the Lord is doing and has done for us. I want to work this week on changing my focus and allowing the joy of the Lord to shape my attitude. Care to join me?

I made a new type of pocket card for me this week. It's an easy design and I found the tutorial for it at StampTV's Mix-it-Up Monday Challenge for this week. I did alter their sketch to make my finished card 5" wide by 5.5" high.

I colored the hummingbird and flower with copics and then inked the background of my diecut. A lacey circle mat, some pearls and a bow finished off the image panel.

I put the Scripture verse on the top of the pull-out panel and anchored each end with a brad.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (red)
Pattered Paper: BG Picadilly
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy (Hummingbird digi set)
Ink: SU (Bliss Blue)
Embellishments/Tools: Copics, Ribbon (Wright's), Pearls (Recollections), Brads (MM), Spellbinders (Circles large, Lacey Circles), Cuttlebug EF (Swiss Dots), SU Stampin' Writer

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sentimental Sundays #86 - Die Cuts (Spellbinders Circle and Lacey Circle)
Stamp TV's Mix-It-Up Monday - Pocket/Envelope Card
Word Art Wednesday #12 - Use Scripture
BasicGrey Challenge #61 - Favorite Things + BasicGrey product (my favorites on this card are my spellbinders, pearls, and the fancy fold + I used Picadilly papers)

I hope you'll join us this week on our Say it With Scripture Challenge. Don't forget to stop by and get your free digi.

Thanks for stopping by today. Please come back soon.

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps January Digi Release Blog Hop & Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Today it's time for another Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge but this week we are adding a little more fun to the regular challenge! The Sweet `N Sassy Digi Challenge ladies are bringing you a FUN Blog Hop for the January Digi Release!!

Get a cup of your favorite drink (I'll take a white chocolate mocha) and start hopping to the blogs of Digi Challenge ladies. While you're hopping, be sure to leave a comment on each blog. One of the ladies below is a mystery blogger and she will be picking one name from the comments on her blog post to win a wonderful prize! What is the prize you ask?? The winning prize will be the whole January Digi Release!! How cool!! The winner will be announced on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge blog on Friday, January 27th.

Our challenge this week is to make an easel card. I love making easel cards so I was pretty excited about this week's challenge. If you have never made one before, here's a great easel card tutorial from SCS.

We are owned by 3 cats so I'm really enjoying all the new cat digis Korin has now. I got to work with the Cheer Up digi set this week. The fluffy kitty behind the empty bowl reminds me of our Maine Coon, Sam. He LOVES the food bowl. The other kitty reminded me of my Russian Blue kitty, Sasha. Our Persian, Darius, got left out this time. Maybe he'll make an appearance another day. :)

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), SU (teal)
Patterned Paper: SU
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Cheer Up digital stamps)
Tools/Embellishments: Copic markers, Pearls (OT), Cuttle Bug EF (Swiss Dots), Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace), Brads (MM), Spellbinders (Circles large & small, Lacey Circles)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #122 - Something New (the stamp set & the paper)
Shelly's Images - Anything Goes
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Use die cuts (Circles large & small and Lacey Circles)
Stamptacular Sunday #147 - Texture (embossed strip, border punched edges, lots of layers)

Be sure to stop by the blogs of the rest of the Digi Challenge Ladies for more details on their fabulous creations. You don't have to hop in an particular order...you'll just want to make sure you stop by each blog and leave a comment so that you have the best chance for winning the prize.

Carol Longacre

Ceal Pritchett

Harriet Skelly

Jerusha Borden

Jessica Stockmeyer

Kim O'Connell

Makiko Jones

Margo Smith

Stephanie Serrano

Stephanie Wright - That's Me!!

Korin Sutherland

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you'll come back soon!!

Snowy Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:16:00 +0000

I have a winter birthday card to share with you today. I used one of the new pre-colored releases from Clear Dollar Stamps (CDS) and paired it with the sentiment from an older CDS digi stamp set.

I am really enjoying using my new Grand Spellbinders dies. Making shaped cards is a breeze now! The recipient of this card really likes cardinals and the color green so I thought this particular snowman was perfect. I also chose to pick up the green from the inspiration photo in the Birthday Sundae's #39 challenge. I used some bling on the snowflake and stickles on the snow and pompoms on the snowman's hat & scarf for sparkle.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Times and Seasons)
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps (Turtle Greetings and Snow Tweet Colored Green Digital Stamps)
Embellishments/Tools: Brads (Paper Studio), Zig Millennium pen, pearl flourish & rhinestones (Recollections), Spellbinders (Grand Label One, Petite Oval Small & Large), Snowflake - Misc from stash, Stickles glitter glue (diamond)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Birthday Sundae's #39 - Photo Inspiration + must use snowman
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #122 - Something New (both stamp sets)
Paper Pretties Challenge #189 - Use glitter (on pompoms and snow)
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Use die cuts (Labels One for card base, Petite Ovals large & small for image & sentiment panels)
Shelly's Images - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you have a great day!!

SIWS31 - Psalm 122:1

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:05:00 +0000

We're focusing on a verse from Psalms this week in the Say It With Scripture Challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection. Psalm 122:1 says, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."

My husband pastors our church. I truly look forward to going each Sunday & Wednesday to hear him teach and preach. I also look forward to the fellowship of our church family. I've been sick recently and was unable to attend church for 2 weeks. I felt like I'd been gone forever and was so happy to be able to go to church with my husband this past Sunday. I thought of this verse as we were driving to church and thought how appropriate it would be to use this week. We should look forward to attending church for worship, fellowship and the encouragement we receive by being with other believers.

The design of my card was inspired by Gina K's Daily Inspiration Journal. This is a new stamp set for me -- I usually avoid stamps with this much coloring but decided to stretch my comfort zone this week. My conclusion is that my coloring still needs lots of work.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), scrap from stash (green)
Patterned Paper: SU
Stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Country Church Digital Stamp set)
Copics: G7, G14, G17, C1, N5, N7, YG03, RV66, Y13, E7, E9, E33, E35, colorless blender
Embellishments/Tools: Sakura Glaze Pen, Offray ribbon, Oriental Trading Pearls, Spellbinders (Deckled Rectangle LG & SM, Petite ovals and Petite Scalloped Ovals)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin Sisters in Christ #122 - Use something new (stamp set, coloring a scene)
Sentimental Sunday #85 - Ribbon
Papertake Weekly - Buttons, Bows, Bling, Blooms {use any or all - I have bows & bling (pearls)}
Word Art Wednesday #11 - Use Scripture or an inspirational quote

January Digi Release at Clear Dollar Stamps

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

There is such a great variety of stamps being released today in the Clear Dollar Stamps January Digi Release. Everything from Noah's Ark, to Snowmen, to flowers, to a Bible and Scripture verses. You're sure to find lots of stamps you just can't live without. :)

One of the sets I got to play with is called Morning Devotions. I though this sentiment was perfect for a prayer journal so I decided to use it on an altered notebook.

Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey (Picadilly)
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps (Morning Devotions Digital Stamps)
Embellishments/Tools: Zva Creative pearl flourish, Ribbon (Wright's), Spellbinders (Lacey Squares), SU Crystal Effects, Zutter 1/2" Round-it-All

I'm entering this journal in the following challenge:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #122 - Something New (the stamp set)

This adorable set is called Snow Tweet Colored Blue. This set is also available in a line art set or a green colored set. Come back later this week and I'll have something in the green version to show you.

I sponged the edges of my snowman & the sentiment panel to add to the snowy look. I used some stickles on the white parts of the snowman's hat & scarf and on the snow. Some Crystal Effects on the snowman's buttons added some extra dimension..

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (red)
Patterned Paper: SU
Stamps: Snow Tweet Colored Blue
Ink: SU (Bliss Blue)
Tools/Embellishments: SU Crystal Effects, Stickles (diamond), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals, Petite Scalloped Ovals), Zutter Round-it-All 1/2"

I hope you'll stop by the Clearly iStamp blog to see the rest of the digi sets being released today and to see the beautiful projects made by my fellow design team members.

Thanks for visiting today.

SNSDC36 - Butterflies

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:18:00 +0000

This week we have a fun challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog. We're challenging you to make a monochromatic card. Here's your chance to really showcase your favorite color.

I chose to use brown for my card -- no, it's not my favorite color but an easy one to work with for this type of card. My shades range from cream to chocolate. Thanks to PSE I was able to not only layer my images but even color them brown. I used this week's Sweet Stop Sketch (SSS140) for my layout. I inked the embossed panels to help the embossed areas pop.

Supplies:
Cardstock: SU (dark brown), Bazzill (medium brown), Recollections (light brown)
Patterned Paper: Adorn-It (Fern Collection)
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy (Everyday Miracles)
Inks: SU (Creamy Caramel)
Embellishments/Tools: Ribbon (Michael's), Flowers (Prima), Pearls (Recollections), Cuttlebug EF (Victoria)

Come play along with us this week. We'd love to see what you come up with for our monochromatic challenge!

Thanks for stopping by today.

SIWS30 - Hebrews 13:1

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:24:00 +0000

Our challenge verse this week for the Say it With Scripture Challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection is Hebrews 13:1, "Let brotherly love continue."

I recently read a friend's status on Facebook and it truly made my heart sad. I don't know all the details but apparently something happened with one of her children. Other folks heard part of the story, started talking about it without having the complete details, and since they had the story wrong, her child was really hurt. The sad part? All the folks involved were Christians. It's been said that Christians are the only ones that shoot their own wounded. This should not be. We should support and encourage each other...even when things go wrong. No we can't condone wrong-doing, but if we remember "there but for the grace of God go I" we'll treat each other with more gentleness. So this week, let's focus on loving our brothers (and sisters) in Christ and treat each other a bit more kindly.

I thought this image was perfect for this verse because one of the birds is different from the others. How often are we critical of things that are different? I've been under the weather this week so I took a little help by using one of the SNSS pre-colored images. I used the SNSS Lacey Eyelet Border Die for a little interest along the bottom of the card. Some pearls and faux stitches added the finishing touches.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific, SU
Patterned Paper: BG (Picadilly)
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (God is Love, One of a Kind Colored Digi)
Embellishments/Tools: Offray Ribbon, Queen & Co Pearls, Zig Millennium Pure Black Pen, Spellbinders Petite Ovals, SNSS Lacey Eyelet Border Dies

I'm entering this card in this week's Word Art Wednesday #10 challenge.

I hope you'll play along this week. Don't forget to stop by for your free digi.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you'll be back soon.

U R 2 Cute!! - SNSDC35

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

We have a recipe challenge this week to start off this year's digi challenges on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog. Our challenge is to use one number element, two embossings and three colors of your choice.

I chose to use this adorable pre-colored digi and made a computer generated sentiment to go with him. I wanted the sentiment panel to mimic a dog collar. I'm not sure how successful I was but that was the intent. :)

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (red), Misc (blue)
Patterned Paper: Creative Imaginations (Samanatha Walker)
Stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy (Spot Colored Digital Image)
Embellishments/Tools: MM metallic mini circle brads, Cuttlebug EF (Swiss Dots, Just My Type), Spellbinders (Circles large and small)

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you'll play along with us. It's as easy as 1 - 2 - 3.

You're Tea-rrific

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I'm always on the look-out for cards that have unusual folds. Last Wed., there was a tutorial for a Double Dutch Fold Card on SCS. I thought it looked fun and decided to give it a try with some pre-colored digi stamps from the Tea-rrific Colored Digital Images set from Clear Dollar Stamps.

I accented the scallops on the petite scalloped oval with some bling and a small white bow (not gray like the picture would have you believe).

I also did a little interior decorating. The picture below also shows how the sentiment on the right "door" is popped up on some foam tape.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper: Crate Paper (Random)
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps (Tea-rrific Colored Digital Image)
Embellishments/Tools: Rhinestones and pearl flourish (Recollections), Ribbon from stash, Fiskars border punch (Threading Water), Spellbinders (petite Ovals, petite scalloped ovals), Bow Easy

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you'll come back soon.

Ephesians 3:20 - SIWS 29

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:24:00 +0000

Happy New Year!! Have you adjusted to writing 2012 yet? I still have to think about it and double-check myself. :)

For our first Say It With Scripture challenge at The Sweet 'n Sassy Connection, we're focusing on a verse that talks about how wonderful the Lord is. What better way to start off a new year than to remind ourselves of how much the Lord has done for us? He does so much more than we could ask or think. There have been so many times when I've seen the Lord work out situations that (humanly speaking) were pretty tough in a way that was much better than anything I could have thought of myself. That alone should remind me that the Lord does NOT need my help in arranging the events of my life. If only I would learn!!

Our Challenge Verse

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20

As we start this new year, let's meditate on this verse and remind ourselves to remember all the ways the Lord has worked in our life in the past and that He does not need our help in working things out for us.

For my card, I chose to keep it simple and used this weeks sketch from CPS (CPS249). I love the elegance of black and white. This design helps keep the focus where it needs to be...on the Scripture

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (black)
Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny (Enchanted)
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy (Encouragement Scripture Digis)
Embellishments/Tools: Ribbon (JoAnn), Pearls (BG), Spellbinders (petite ovals large and small)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
CPS 249 - sketch
Sentimental Sundays #83 - Anything Goes
Paper Sundaes #101 -Something old (the pearls on my card), Something new (the Bo Bunny paper)
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Going Gray with Scrap-Creations - Something old (the pearls on my card), Something new (the Bo Bunny paper)

SNSDC34 - Case the Digi DT

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

I hope each of you enjoyed your Christmas with family and friends. We were able to spend time with both of our children, our daughter-in-law and grandson. There's nothing like a small child to add excitement to Christmas day. Jack is now 2 and loves pulling the paper off the presents. In the words of my brother, "Good times."

After a week off, we're back with another challenge for you at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog. This week, our challenge is to case one of the digi DT. The card you choose to use for your inspiration doesn't have to have a SNS digi. Just visit our blogs, choose a card for inspiration and make a card of your own. Remember, digital images only for this challenge. As always, you don't have to use a SNS digi but we sure love it when you do. Each card you make this month will get you one entry to win a free digi. If you use a SNS digi, you will get two entries.

This is my inspiration card from DT member Carol Longacre:

I love the herringbone background and that she used a different shape to showcase her focal image.

My husband and I celebrated our 27th anniversary this week and I needed to make him a card. Since he gave me a Grand Calibur for Christmas, I wanted to make sure I used it on his card. I made a shaped card with the Grand Labels 1 that came with it. I try to do something special on his cards because he appreciates the work that goes into them and is my biggest encourager.

I used this excellent Herringbone tutorial on SCS to make my card background. I paper pieced Rhubarb's heart and put distress stickles on it. It didn't photograph well. :(

Because he really likes interior decorating on cards, I did a little on this one.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Times & Seasons)
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Stamps (Love Sentiments, Sentiments for Him, Rhubarb's Heart)
Embellishments/Tools: Ribbon (Hobby Lobby), Distress Stickles (Rock Candy), Copics, Sakura Glaze Pen (used on eyes & nose), Spellbinders (Labels 1, Grand Labels 1)

I'm entering this card in the following challenge: Paper Sundaes #100 - Celebrate.

I hope you'll play along with us this week and case one of the Digi DT.

Thanks for stopping by!

One Last Christmas Card

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:13:00 +0000

I have one last Christmas card to show you for this year. I think this pre-colored mistletoe image from Clear Dollar Stamps is beautiful. The set also comes with an image with a gold bow.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections
Patterned paper: Bo Bunny (Noel)
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps (Mistletoe Digital Image)
Embellishments/Tools: Jute (Joann's), Fiskars border punch (Threading Water), Spellbinders (Circles large & small), MM Mini Metallic Brads

I'm keeping this short today as I'm dealing with a cold that's had me on resting all day. Thanks for stopping by.

Merry Christmas!!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:26:00 +0000

I hope each of you are enjoying spending Christmas with those you love. Let's not forget Who this day is for, after all to Christmas, Christ is everything. If you have not yet accepted God's free gift of salvation, I can think of no better day than Christmas to accept the greatest of gifts.

I really like the wow-factor of a tri-shutter card. These papers from Echo Park really help it to pop. Splitcoast Stampers has a great Tri-Shutter tutorial,

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (kraft), DCWV (green)
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Season's greetings)
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps (Candy Cane Poem Colored Digital Image, Candy Cane Poem Digital Image)
Embellishments/Tools: Kaiser Craft Ribbon, Spellbinders (Circle, Lacey Circle), Sakura green star pen, Fiskars Threading Water border punch

Another wow factor card is the star-fold card. Bo Bunny papers do the trick this time. Here's a tutorial for the Star Card.

Supplies:
Cardstock: SU
Patterned Papers: Bo Bunny (Noel)
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps (Candy Cane Poem Digital Image)
Ink: Colorbox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)
Embellishments/Tools: Chipboard elements (Bo Bunny Noel), Pearl Flourish (Recollections), Spellbinders Label 4 (regular and small)

Merry Christmas!!

SIWS 28 - Ecclesiastes 3:1

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:35:00 +0000

This week we are focusing on Ecclesiastes 3:1 in the Say It With Scripture Challenge at The Sweet 'n Sassy Connection. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Eccl. 3:1).

As we approach the end of the year, it's a good time to take stock of how the year has gone and what we have accomplished for the Lord. Just as the year has different seasons, so too there are seasons in our lives. When we are young, our opportunities for service for the Lord will differ from the ones we will have when we are older. It's important for us to realize that these different types of opportunities are given to us by the Lord for a purpose. Instead of chafing because someone in a different season of life has opportunities we do not, we should instead be focusing on making the most of the opportunities we do have. Next year, let's all try to focus on doing all we can with what the Lord gives us.

For my card this week, I used the Mojo Monday sketch 220. I chose some of the beautiful papers in the Bo Bunny Snowfall 6 x 6 pad that is now available in the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps store. These papers are beautiful and wintery. I used some bling on some of the snowflakes and a rhinestone ring around the sentiment panel for some sparkle. Two different embossing folders added extra texture.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Misc from stash (blue)
Patterned paper: Bo Bunny (Snowfall)
Stamp - Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Encouragement Scripture)
Embellishments/Tools - Cuttlebug EF (Snowflakes, Just My Type), Spellbinders (Circle small, Lacey Circle), rhinestone circle (Recollections), individual rhinestones (BG and Recollections)

This will be the last Say It With Scripture Challenge for the year. We are taking next week off so that we can spend time with our families. We'll be back January 4th with a new challenge.

Please join us this week and don't forget to stop by the Say It With Scripture Challenge at The Sweet 'n Sassy Connection and grab your free digi.

Thanks for stopping by today. Merry Christmas!!

SNSCD33 - Tag! You're It!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge blog is all about tags! We'd like to see you make a tag using a digi stamp. Not too hard, right? In all the busy-ness of the season, a tag can be just the small little crafty project that helps you keep your sanity AND helps you get some of those items crossed off your to-do list.

Since this month we're Crazy for Cocoa, I chose to use Cocoa's Ornament for my tag.

Cocoa is colored with copics and the ornament is colored with Prismacolor pencils (red and green) and a AC metallic marker (silver). I then gave the ornament some shimmer on the white and the bow with a Sakura clear star pen. Lately it seems like I use that pen on just about everything! I also dotted the middle and the points of each snowflake with the clear star pen. It gives the whole tag a bit of shimmer. Some baker's twine (also available from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps) finishes off my tag.

Supplies
Cardstock - Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper - Echo Park (Season's Greetings)
Stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy (Cocoa's Ornament)
Inks - SU Creamy Caramel, Colorbox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)
Embellishments/Tools - Sakura pens (clear star & silver star), Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Spellbinders (Deckled Rectangles large & small), The Twinery Baker's Twine (maraschino, honeydew)

I'm entering this tag in the following challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday #142 - Christmas Glitz
Paper Sundae's #99 - Anything Christmas
Craft Your Passion #88 - Tag You're It!
Papertake Weekly - I'm Dreaming of a {favorite color(s)} Christmas - red, green & cream

I hope you'll play along with us this week and don't forget that it is not too late to join the Crazy for Cocoa Blog Hop! There are prizes to be won!! You have until tomorrow (Dec. 17th) night to link up your card for a chance to win. You can find all the details on the Sweet 'n Sassy blog.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you'll come back soon.

Clear Dollar Stamps December Digi Release

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0000

If you are looking for the Crazy for Cocoa Blog Hop, please scroll down one post or click here. This is my second post for the day.

Today is the day of the Clear Dollar Stamps December Digital Stamp release. There are so many great sets this month (do I say that every month? *grin* ). I was able to play with three of them.

Little Bethlehem

I really like the line art look of this stamp. I'd seen monochromatic Bethlehem scene cards done with regular stamps and wanted to see if I could recreate the look with a digi. Here's how I did it:

1. I opened the jpg version of the digi in PSE.

2. After creating another layer, I unlocked the image (background) layer and moved the new layer under the image.

3. Using the Magic Wand tool, I removed all the white from the image.

4. I created another layer on top of the image and colored it brown. With the brown layer highlighted, I clicked CTRL+G and I ended up with a brown line art Bethlehem image. I followed the same process for the sentiment.

I accented the trees and buildings and colored in some of the roof lines and domes with a Sakura clear star pen. This shows up as silver in the picture. The star was colored with a gold metallic pen and then has clear star pen on top. I used lots of inking and distressing on this card and used the rail of my paper trimmer to guide my paper tearing. The cream colored cardstock came pre-embossed. What a time saver!

Supplies:
Cardstock: SU (brown), ANW Crestwood (corduroy white)
Paper: Royal Langnickel Watercolor Paper, BG (Oxford)
Stamp set: Clear Dollar Stamps (Little Bethlehem)
Ink: Colorbox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan), Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Walnut Stain)
Embellishments/Tools: PSE (used to recolor image & sentiment brown), Brads (MM metallic basics mini circle), Recollections gold pen, Sakura Clear Star pen, Heidi Swapp Edge Distresser, Ribbon (Michael's), Bow Easy

I'm entering this card in the following challenge: Paper Sundaes #99 - Anything Goes Christmas.

Totally Tags

This set is sooo versatile. There are so many ways to use them beyond the obvious tags...cards, bookmarks, medallions on altered crafts, and the list goes on. For today, I chose to make a card.

Back in October I saw this card on Patter Cross' blog. I loved the design. I chose to CASE it for my card today. Instead of using a ticket for my sentiment, I used The Merry Christmas sentiment and punched a flower from my patterned paper for the center. I accented this flower with Sakura glaze and clear star pens. I used a copic marker to tone down the white in the baker's twine.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Recollections
Patterned Paper - Echo Park (Season's Greetings)
Stamp - Clear Dollar Stamps (Totally Tags)
Ink - SU (Creamy Caramel)
Embellishments/Tools - Paper Studio 1 7/16" circle punch, Spellbinders (Circles large & small, Lacey Circles), Sakura pens (glaze and clear star), The Twinery Baker's Twine (maraschino), Copic Marker (E33), SU Stampin' Write pen (Close to Cocoa)

I'm entering this card in the Craft Your Passion #88 - Tag You're It and Paptertake Weekly - I'm dreaming of a (red, green, and cream) Christmas challenges.

Hoppily Ever After

For a total change of pace, and holiday, we have this cute set. Aren't these frogs adorable?!

After coloring the image with Prismacolor pencils blended with Gamsol, I used a glaze pen all over the frog. This gives her a wet look. I used glitter pens on her hat, flowers and eyelashes {even a frog princess likes her makeup} for a little shimmer.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Bazzill (kraft), Georgia pacific (white)
Patterned Paper - SEI (Winnie's Walls)Stamps - Clear Dollar Stamps (Hoppily Ever After)
Embellishments/Tools - The Twinery Baker's Twine (Cappuccino, Honeydew), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals, Petite Scalloped Ovals), SU Stampin' Write pen (Close to Cocoa), Prismacolor pencils, gamsol, Sakura pens (glaze, pink star, clear star, green star)

I hope you'll stop by the Clearly iStamp blog to see the rest of the digi sets being released today and to see the beautiful projects made by my fellow design team members.

Thanks for visiting today.

Crazy For Cocoa Blog Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Crazy 4 Cocoa blog hop! We all adore Cocoa and thought it would be fun to showcase him all month long. Today, as part of the fun, the Sweet 'n Sassy Design Divas have joined together with a few of the talented Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge ladies to bring a great Cocoa Mouse blog hop to you! Make sure you've got your warm drink and some chocolate...let's get ready to hop!

If you arrived here from Mary Faus' blog, {aren't her cards adorable?!} you're in the right place. If you just happened to stop by today, you'll probably want to go back to the Sweet 'n Sassy blog and start the hop from there. You won't want to miss a thing! Such fantastic cards and projects to be seen!!!

My card today features the De"light"ful Cocoa Digital Stamp. The image was colored with Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol. I used a glaze pen all over the candle and jar to give it a glass effect. The candle flame has some sparkle thanks to a glitter pen. I used The Sweet Stop Sketch #138 for the card design.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper - Echo Park (Season's Greetings)
Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy (De"light"ful Cocoa, Do Not Open Til Christmas)
Ink - SU (Creamy Caramel)
Embellishments/Tools - Prismacolor pencils, gamsol, Sakura Glaze pen, Sakura Clear Star pen, The Twinery Baker's Twine (Maraschino, Honeydew), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals)

I'm entering this card in the Paper Sundae's #99 Challenge - Anything Christmas and the Craft Your Passion #88 Challenge - Tag You're It.

Your next stop is the talented Holly McMillen. Wait until you see what she has to show you! Pure Cuteness!!!

Just in case you get lost, here is the whole list of design team members hopping along today:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

Korin Sutherland

Bridget Finlay

Kim Singdahlsen

Harriet Skelly

Jessica Fick

Kim O'Connell
Sandy Domelle

Monika Davis

Carol Longacre
Ceal Pritchett

Kim Schofield

Mary Faus

Stephanie Wright - That's Me!!

Holly McMillen

Stephanie Serrano

Cathy McCauley

Makiko Jones

Dina Kowal

Taylor Usry

But wait...there's MORE!!! We want YOU to hop along with us! All you have to do is make a card or project featuring Cocoa Mouse and add your direct link to our linky tool below. One participant (drawn at random) will win their choice of ONE free Cocoa Mouse clear stamp set or FOUR free Cocoa Mouse digis! You have until Saturday, December 17 at 11:30 PM EST to add your direct link...go get stamping!

Don't forget, during the month of December we really are Crazy 4 Cocoa. The entire line of Cocoa Mouse clear stamp sets and digi images are 10% off!

Thanks for stopping by today. Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the new Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge.

SIWS -- Psalm 32:11

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:20:00 +0000

This week's challenge verse for the Say It With Scripture Challenge at The Sweet 'n Sassy Connection is Psalm 32:11, ^"Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." As we anticipate celebrating the birth of Saviour, we can rejoice & be glad. Jesus left all the splendors of Heaven and chose to come to earth to live as a man. Why? So that He could provide our way of salvation so that someday we could live in Heaven with Him. For this reason alone, though there are a multitude of others, we can be glad, rejoice and shout for joy. This Christmas, let's remember whose birthday we're celebrating and the wonderful gift He has given us!

For my card, I chose to use this week's Mojo Monday #219. I embossed two of the panels for some extra texture. I think the patterns and embossing give a quilt feel to the card.

I used PSE to remove the lines on the Cocoa image and then added my verse to his letter. I really like this Cocoa image because you can showcase so many different things on his letter. It's such a versatile image!

Supplies:

Cardstock - Recollections, Georgia Pacific

Patterned Paper - Echo Park (Times & Seasons)

Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Hummingbird, Write Soon Cocoa)

Ink - SU Creamy Caramel

Embellishments/Tools - Cuttlebug EF (Victoria, Script Texture), Spellbinders (Circles), Sweet 'n Sassy Lacey Eyelet Border Dies, Copic Markers, Prismacolor pencils, AC Metallic Marker (silver), Oriental Trading Pearls, PSE

I hope you'll join us this week and don't forget to stop by for your free digi.

Thanks for stopping by today.

SNSDC32 - Tea Time

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to use a tea, coffee or hot cocoa theme. You do not have to use Cocoa mouse but I couldn't resist using my favorite Cocoa Latte image.

I colored Cocoa with Copics and then paper pieced his cup. After cutting him out with a circle nestie I inked the panel before removing it from the die. I cut a fancy tag in half to put behind the image panel and trimmed decorative corners down to make them fit. Both were inked before removing the dies.

Supplies:
Carstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (blue)
Patterned Paper: BG (Oxford)
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy (Sweet Cocoa Sentiments, Cocoa's Latte)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen)
Embellishments/Tools: Distress Stickles (chipped sapphire), Spellbinders (Circles large & small, Fancy Tags 3, Decorative Photo Corners), Cuttlebug EF (Swiss Dots)

I hope you'll play along with us this week. Thanks for stopping by today.

Home for the Holidays VSN Projects

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Over Thanksgiving Weekend, The Sweet 'n Sassy Connection had 15 VSN challenges. Our theme was Home for the Holidays. I was excited to be the challenge hostess for two of the challenges and I was able to participate in 5 more. I realized I'd never put them on my blog so here goes -- the first two are the ones where I was the challenge hostess. You might want to grab a cup of coffee/tea/cocoa....this is a long post. ;)

Challenge #4 - Fancy Folds - use something other than the normal single card fold

I used the Surprise Pop Up Card tutorial found on SCS for this card. I followed Beate's directions in the video tutorial rather than the written directions. The rest of the pics will show the "fancy" part. Pull the tag and....voila!!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Season's Greetings)
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy digis (Cocoa's Stocking, Do not Open 'Til Christmas, All My Heart)
Tools/Embellishments: SU Button die, Oriental Trading Pearls, DMC floss, Copic Markers, SU Crystal Effects, Tim Holtz tag reinforcers, Spellbinders (petite ovals), Fiskars Threading Water Border Punch, Jute from Joann's

Challenge #6 - Tag {Any type of Christmas tag}

Does this look familiar? Yes, it was made to go with this card I made for the Birthday Blog Hop.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific, Recollections
Stamp: SNSS (Rhubarb's Stocking)
Tools/Embellishments: Offray Ribbon, Cuttlebug EF (snowflakes), Stickles, Copic Markers, Spellbinders (Petite Ovals), Sakura Clear Star pen

Challenge #1 - White Christmas {only the image & embellishments can have color}

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific
Stamp: SNSS (Bundled Up Snowman)
Embellishments/Tools: Ribbon from stash, Copic Markers, Cuttlebug EF (Snowflakes), SU ticket punch, Best Occasions Rhinestones, Spellbinders (petite ovals & petite scalloped ovals)

Challenge #7 - Gift Card/Money Holder

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Season's Greetings)
Stamp: SNSS (Do Not Open Til Christmas)
Embellishments/Tools: Ribbon (Michael's), Copic Markers, Staedtler pens, Sharpie markers, Sakura Clear Star pen, SU punch

Challenge #8 - Card must have a removable ornament - untie the bow on my card to remove the ornament. The hanging ribbon is behind the circle and makes it look popped up when on the card. I printed my star twice. On the top one I scored on the lines and alternated the folds.I then glued the edges of the top star on the bottom layer for a 3D star.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny (Noel)
Stamp: SNSS (Because of the Brave, Christmas Carol Sentiments)
Embellishments/Tools: Best Occasions Rhinestones, Ribbon (wide-Hobby Lobby, narrow-stash), Spellbinders (Circle, Lacey Circle, Fancy Tags 3), Cuttlebug EF (Victoria), Copic Markers, Sakura Clear Star pen

Challenge #9 - Christmas ATC (ATC = Artist Trading Card - these are 2.5" x 3.5" cards that are not to be sold only traded)

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Season's Greetings)
Stamp: SNSS (Rhubarb's Candy Cane)
Embellishments/Tools: Copics, Staedtler pens, Sharpie pen, Sakura clear star pen, Best Occasions Rhinestones, Spellbinders (petite ovals, petite scalloped ovals) SU ticket punch

Challenge #15 - Warm Winter Wishes - a Christmas card with a coffee/tea/hot chocolate image

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Season's Greetings)
Stamps: SNSS (Cookie Warms the Heart, Don't Open 'Til Christmas, Sweet Cocoa Sentiments)
Embellishments/Tools: Copic markers, Best Occasions Rhinestones, MM Brads, Spellbinders (circles, big scalloped border petites), SU Crystal Effects

Whew! If you've hung in this long you're a trooper. Thanks!

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you'll come back tomorrow for the new Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge.

Ezekiel 34:26b - SIWS26

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:42:00 +0000

This week's verse for the Say It With Scripture Challenge at The Sweet 'n Sassy Connection is Ezekiel 34:26b, "There shall be showers of blessing." This verse has such a clear message to me...as I follow the Lord, He showers me with blessing after blessing after blessing. Truly, as it says in Ephesians 3:20, He does "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think."

My husband has a visual sermon illustration where he takes a large piece of white paper and draws one black dot in the middle. He then asks, "what do you see?" Everyone says, "a black dot." He then reminds us that there's a whole sheet of white paper there too. He then compares our lives to the white paper. So often we focus on the *black dot* of a trial or discouraging situation and forget all the blessings we have in the whole sheet of white paper.

This week, I'm going to challenge myself to focus on the *white space* as lately I've been looking at that black dot waaaaaayyy too much. Will you join me and even when/if discouraging times come, let's focus on the paper and not on the black dot?

I paper pieced my image this week and colored the girls skin with a copic marker (E00). I used my Bow-Easy to make my triple-loop bow. I used my glitter pen to accent the rain but as usual it's hard to see in the picture.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (black)
Patterned Paper: BG (Two Scoops, Out of Print)
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy (Let It Rain Digital Stamp)
Embellishments/Tools: Sakura Clear Star pen, Copic Marker (E00)Spellbinders (Circles, Big Scalloped Border Petites), Cuttlebug EF (D'vine Swirl), Ribbon (white/black - Joann's, pink-stash)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
The Sweet Stop (SSS137) - sketch
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion #87 - Anything Goes + glitter (my glitter is the rain)

I hope you'll join us this week at the Say It With Scripture challenge. Don't forget to stop by and pick up your free digi.

Thanks for stopping by today.

SNSDC31 - Tea Bag Wallet

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge blog is to make some type of gift. It doesn't matter if it's big or small, one or many, quick or not. The only requirement is that it must have a digi stamp somewhere on it.

I saw this Christmas Tag Wallet Tutorial on SCS a couple weeks ago and had been really wanting to give it a try. I decided to turn it into a tea bag wallet. The tutorial was VERY easy to follow. I didn't make any adjustments in sizing for my wallet. The only thing I added was a piece of paper to decorate the top of it.

I used PSE to make my teapot and tea cup scene using the Tea Time Digital Stamp Set and added the verse from the Baked with Love Digital Stamp Set. I pieced the tea bag with parchment paper and then added the "used tea bag" look with copics. DMC floss and a parchment paper scrap (also colored with copics) completed the tea bag. The tea in the cup was colored with copics and then I applied a couple coats from a glaze pen to add a wet look. A few steam wisps courtesy of a copic marker completed the decorative panel.

The inside of the wallet will hold 6 tea bags. If you are not a tea drinker and are making this for a gift, choose your tea bag brand carefully because not all tea bags are individually wrapped. The pockets are 3" wide and 1.25" tall.

Some other items you could try in this type of wallet are:
**individual instant coffee packets in the pockets with maybe some creamer or sweetner
**Crystal Light type drink packets.
**some brands of hot chocolate mixes would fit but because of their height you might need to adjust the top pockets
**chocolate candy squares

This wallet would make a great gift for a teacher, hairdresser, Sunday School teacher or even just a "Thinking of You" gift for a friend. Quick, easy and cute! What's not to like?

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollection
Patterned Paper: SEI (Winnie's Walls), Jillibean Soup (Watermelon Gazpacho Soup), Fiskars Parchment paper
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Baked with Love & Tea Time Digital Stamp Sets)
Ink: ColorBox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)
Embellishments/Tools: DMC Floss (ecru), Staedtler Triplus Fineliner pen, Copics, Spellbinders Label 4 (reg. & small), Sakura Glaze pen, Twinings Tea Bags (Earl Gray & English Breakfast Tea)

I'm entering my Tea Bag Wallet in the following challenges:
The Crafty Bloggers Network #5 - Other Than a Card - 3D project
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #131 - Christmas Present

I hope you'll play along with us this week and show us your crafty gifts.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you'll come back soon.

Thanks a Bunch

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:20:00 +0000

I have a quick thank you card to share with you today. I purposely kept it simple and pretty flat so that it would be easy to mail.

I printed the flower jar pre-colored image from the Jargon Mix Color Digital Image Stamp set from Clear Dollar Stamps twice. I fussy cut several of the flowers and layered them on top of the base image. I used a glaze pen on the water in the jar to add a "watery" touch. For a little sparkle, I used a clear star pen in the middle of the flowers.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper: BG (Picadilly)
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps (Jargon Mix Color Digital Image Stamp)
Embellishments/Tools: CM Black pen, Sakura glaze pen, Sakura clear star pen, Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace), Spellbinders (Labels 4 (reg & small), Circles, Lacey Circles

Thanks for stopping by.