Friday, December 18, 2015

Little Treats - Your Next Stamp Friday Challenge

It's a Friday Your Next Stamp challenge and I have a cute little treat to share with you using a new die released this month.


This new die is the Scallop Topped Treat Bag.  It is so cute and perfect for making favor bags for a party or classroom party.  Not to mention this is so super easy as the die makes all the markings for you.   The score lines are even there!

For this, I cut out some patterned paper with the die and decorated it using the mini gingerbread boy/girl set and Christmas words die set.  The open scalloped circle die was used for the back panel.  When opened, two little treats are inside to give.


Hoe fun is this? I just love giving little treats and having a die to make multiples of them, makes it even better!

Be sure to check out the YNS Blog for all todays challenge inspiration and hope you have a great weekend!
 photo Siggy 2.png

Monday, December 14, 2015

Happy 2016 - Your Next Stamp DT Dare

It's time to dare you once again... that's right! It's this months Your Next Stamp's DT Dare and the team is sharing and creating with you their Favorite Things.

This newest release from YNS has been such a hit and it couldn't have been paired more perfectly as it was with the DT 12 Days of Gift Giving. So, for this dare of our Favorite Things, I have to share with you a set released that helps celebrate the new year.  This set is called Happy 2016. 


This card uses quite a bit of different items from this release such as the stitched oval die set and the Bow-tiful Little Bows die set.  The image was colored in with Copics and cut out to be popped up over the oval cut out.  The year was stamped directly onto the oval base and colored in with Copics. The top of the party hat on the number '2' was given a mini pom pom for some added texture and element while the card was completed with some yummy Give Thanks Gumdrops.  

Be sure to check out the YNS blog and comment for your chance to win a stamp set of your choice! Thanks for stopping by and hope you all have a great Monday.
 photo Siggy 2.png

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Your Next Stamp December Release Blog Hop


Every time I post a new release, it just proves to me how quickly time is flying by! It's nearly the end of 2015 and Christmas is ready to come screeching around the corner soon enough.  But, before you worry about either of those, it's time to share with you some of the newest release sets from Your Next Stamp.  The DT is ready for you to get your pen and paper out to make your list of items to spoil YOURSELF with this season.  Enabler? Meeee?? Nah.... Just a friend helping another friend out! ;)




For my first card, I am using the new set of Coffee...Right Meow! hee hee... I just love it too! It has all the favorite coffee sayings for all you coffee lovers out there.  And for you cat lovers who love coffee? Even more perfect.

The image was colored in with Copics and cut out to be popped up over the also new release of YNS Stitched Oval layered dies. The YNS Stitched Rectangle dies were used to cut the back layers.  Another fun set being released are the Coffee Rings.  In this set, there are drops which is what I used to be place on the bottom of the oval under the mug.  I used some patterned paper I have had in my stash for years I believe, and completed the look with some ribbon and a button.  Here is the inside of the card to complete the sentiment on the front:

This is certainly how I feel when I did not stay on top of my coffee buying in the house! :)

For my second card, I am using Blast Off.  Such a great set for your space or astronaut lover.  In conjunction of this set I used another new release of the large Star Splatter background.  This was used as my background which I stamped with Versamark and heat embossed it with some Iridescence embossing powder.


The super cute image was colored with Copics and fussy cut out and popped up.  The "moon" was made using white card stock and embossed with an embossing folder and a circle punch to make the shape.  I completed the card by stamping the stars in the set, cutting them out, and turning it over to show just the white so that I can run it over with my Wink of Stella.  It is hard to tell in the picture unfortunately. For the sentiment, I stamped the bottom portion with Sprout Memento ink and then Cottage Ivy on the top for a sort of ombre look.

This release has so much fun creative uses that Karen even has an awesome special to make spoiling yourself easier.  Your order will be 20% OFF with the coupon code below. How sweet is THAT?!


Don't forget to keep hopping and leaving a little love as you go on the DT blogs.  You could be the winner of a $20 YNS gift certificate to the store.  The winner will be posted on 14 December. Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy shopping!


 photo Siggy 2.png

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

December Sneaky Peek - Your Next Stamp

The time is here for the December sneak peeks for Your Next Stamp! There are so many fun and unique sets that it will be hard for you to make your list. Besides the sneak peek I am going share, I will share with you this... Did you know this is the year of the Monkey?? :) Have I perked your curiosity?

For my card, I am using two new sets -  Coffee Rings and Java Geek.  These couldn't be more perfect since I am a coffee-holic. And for those of you who may have picked up our Perfect Chemistry set earlier in the year, this is a perfect addition to that.





How fun are these sets? I started with a brown card stock base and cut out the main layer with the Stitched Rectangle set in a confetti creme card stock.  The coffee ring was stamped with Memento Cocoa Brown ink while the elements were stamped with Memento Espresso Truffle, cut out, and popped up.  I stamped the cup on the same confetti card stock and cut out a piece of kraft card stock for the sleeve. The look was completed by adding the glasses to be popped up, the sentiment, and some gumdrops in Latte.  

Be sure to check out the other fun creations from the DT to get this months mojo flowing! Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a great day!

 photo Siggy 2.png

Monday, December 7, 2015

Seventh Day of Gift Giving - A Tutorial - Your Next Stamp

Happy Monday everyone!

If you haven't been following, Your Next Stamp is doing a series on the 12 Days of Gift Giving with the Design Team making items for easy gift giving ideas using various dies in the YNS Store.  Today is day 7 and I am happy to share with you an easy ornament using simple circle dies and the Bookmark/tag die set.


One of my sons plays Lacrosse and during the season last Spring, we received some wonderful action shots during the championship game.  I thought it would be a fun idea to make an ornament using one of the shots to remember that game and for my son to have a memory item for the tree.  Here are the dies I used to make this project:

To start, I chose a photo I wanted from my computer to be printed out on basic card stock. This was ok to do because I knew I was going to laminate it.  You could always print it out on photo paper to eliminate the lamination. Once I found the picture, I used Photoshop to size it so that when I cut it out using my dies, the main image will be centered. Once printed, I cut the photo out and placed it in between the laminating sheets and ran it through the lamination machine. 

When that was finished, I ran the picture through my die cutting machine with the chosen circle size for the ornament.


Using red card stock, I used the largest sized Bookmark die to be the topper of the ornament, cutting about 3/4 of the size.  You could always shorten it to your liking since you will have two circles holding this in place.


I ended up trimming a bit more off the tag to rest nicely between the two circles.



Speaking of two circles, I used the largest sized Circle Die to cut out two circles to be the "ornament ball."  This is also the time to use the coordinating stitched circle marks to stitch the outline of one (or both) of the circle.




Adhere the circles to the tag to make it now come to life as an ornament. I use scrap paper of things printed in our house that is not being used as my stamp off pad, so I am sorry for the additional background images! :)



Voila!

 Now choose a coordinating patterned paper to place in the center for your photo to overlay with cutting it out with the next smaller circle die.  For mine, I used some Studio Calico paper in red with some white swirls.

Now adhere the photo to the center of that.


The ornament is starting to take shape, but I wanted to add a little more.  It needed some wording, so I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out the year, the team name, and LAX in black card stock.



I positioned the lettering where I wanted it before adding some glue dots to the back and placing them on top using my fine needle tipped tweezers.


This is almost done, but it needs some ribbon for hanging and of course just a little bit of bling by using the new Holly Jolly gumdrops. 


Because this was for my son, I knew I couldn't bling it up too much or girly-fy it with more ribbon.  I kept it simple and this project makes for an easy project for all ages! Here is the finished look on the tree:


I sure hope you enjoyed this tutorial and hoped I was able to help with another idea for gift giving this year.  You can find all the dies and gumdrops mentioned in the YNS Store ready for your creative ideas.  Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you have a great start to the week!

 photo Siggy 2.png

Friday, December 4, 2015

Winter Fun - Your Next Stamp Friday Challenge

Happy Friday friends!

A happy day it is for me.  The week is over, let the weekend begin, and my husband comes home after a week away for work! More importantly, the rain has stopped and the sun is shining.. woot!

Today is another Friday Challenge over at Your Next Stamp and the sketch is so much fun! There are many opportunities to make fun winter/holiday cards with this layout and for my card, I couldn't resist making one using Penguin Buds.



These two little mischievous guys make me smile.  I stamped and fussy cut them out to be popped up over the curved center panel while stamping the sentiment directly onto the panel.  The patterned paper is from Studio Calico  and I finished it up by adding some white dots with my gel pen onto the corners and some yummy Holly Jolly gumdrops for sparkle.

Be sure to stop by the YNS Blog to see the other fun creations made by the DT and hope you will join us on playing along! Don't forget to check out the 12 days of Gift Giving series while you are there.  One DT member is sharing an idea for making fun and cute holiday tags, calendars, gift card holders, etc! You don't want to miss it.  Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great weekend!

 photo Siggy 2.png

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Thanks - TCPTUES304 Anything Goes

Hello!

Today is a new TCPTUES challenge and it is Anything Goes! With Thanksgiving around the corner, I couldn't resist making a thankful card using the new release of the Grapevine Wreath die and the freebie set of leaves dies when you spend $65 or more.

The look of the wreath was completed with the new Easy Stitched Bow die and some gold chunky glitter scattered throughout.  The sentiment is from the Wreath Building Kit set which goes perfectly with the Grapevine die.

It is a perfect time to stock up on your favorites as Alma has a sweet deal happening now. 30% off the entire set including the new release!! You can't get a better stock up deal and a great way to get those free leaf dies.



We hope you play along and link up with us for your chance to win a great TCP gift certificate! Be sure to stop by the Cat Pack blog to see the other fun creations from the pack! Hope you have a great day!
 photo Siggy 2.png

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Shut The Front Door! Your Next Stamp Feature Day

That's right- Shut the front door! It's Feature Day today with the DT of Your Next Stamp.  Today we are sharing with you some creations in the theme of Christmas.  Perfect to get your mojo going for the holidays!

For my card I am using the new fun die set called Front Door. Super fun.. you can use this set for a peek-a-boo card so that the recipient can open the door for a surprise or use it like I have as a stationary door.

 I really wanted a CAS simple card using this door as the door to being home for the holidays.  I used some patterned paper from Studio Calico that mimics wood grain in red and popped up the wreath over the window.  For a little added color, I did place a small piece of yellow card stock behind the window so it sort of looks like someone is home. The sentiment is from another new die set this release called Christmas words.  All the gold shown, around the edges and on the words, was created using a gold sharpie.  For the edges, I used a ruler to ran the sharpie along the edges and just colored in the words once I cut them out.  I do like just the hint of gold.  To complete the look, I added some Gold Nugget Gumdrops to the wreath.

Be sure to stop by the YNS Blog to see all the super cute and super creative Christmas designs made by the team.  Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you have a great Sunday!
 photo Siggy 2.png

Friday, November 20, 2015

Holiday Mittens - Your Next Stamp Friday Challenge

Hello crafty friends and happy Friday!

This week is a new Your Next Stamp Challenge that we'd love to see you participate in!  For my card, I created on using the new Winter Mittens and Christmas words die with the new sketch to make this super fun card perfect for the holidays.


I started with the Stitched Square die set to create the frame for the top panel.  Using the Christmas Words die set, I picked out the 'Happy Holidays' die and cut it on the bottom portion of the square.  Taking my craft knife, I hand cut out the center leaving just a frame and the words.  I followed the sketch and made the background panel in just a black card stock.  For the mittens, I cut them out using patterned paper from Studio Calico to mimic a knitted look and even reversed the die so that I could have a left and right mitten.  I added the ric-rack embellishment and some buttons for a more realistic feel. The mittens were complete with some plain red divine twine  before being popped up over the black panel.   The card was complete by adding some new fun Holly Jolly Gumdrops and a snowflake with some added stickles.

Be sure to stop by the YNS Blog to see all the fabulous creations from the design team. Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you all have a great Friday!

 photo Siggy 2.png

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

TCP November New Release Blog Hop

Hello!

Welcome to this months TCP new release blog hop!! Hopefully you were able to join us on our Facebook page last night for all the fun and prizes!  There was much to be seen and shared.

Ok! Let's keep hopping...If you arrived from Nancy's blog, then you are on the right track.  If not, be sure to start on Lori's blog to start on all the hopping fun.  For my card, I made one using the new set called Bunny Christmas along with the new bow Cut Up.





Using some fun patterned paper from MME, I used a strip to begin the background followed by a panel cut out using Framed Up.  The image was stamped and colored with Copics before being fussy cut out and popped up.  It was complete by adding the bow cut up and some sequins followed by some white dots in the corner using my white gel pen. A great CAS card showing off Bun Bun and his holiday stash!!

Now keep hopping along and visit Christine's blog for more eye candy! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
 photo Siggy 2.png

Monday, November 16, 2015

Peace - TCP Sneaky Peek Day 7

It's day 7 for the November TCP Sneaky Peeks! Today is all about getting a view of the new cut ups and of course to have them added to your list of items to purchase! :)

My card today is a simple and elegant one using the new Bow Cut Ups.  This is such a cool Cut Up and one I can see using quite often.  Not to mention it is SO easy to use!!


I thought I would make this card like a package to create an elegant way to give a holiday card.  The bow was made from the Cut Up while the strips were made by my and using a Cutter Bee perforated tool to create a similar look to the bow.  The tag was created on my own and I stamped the sentiment from another set for the single word.  And can I just say it couldn't have been a better time to showcase that sentiment? With all that is happening in the world, Peace is just was we all need.  The patterned paper is from Anna Griffin.

Now that the whole week has been a spotlight on the new release, tonight is the big night to join in on our Facebook PJ party for fun, games, prizes, and more sneak peeks from the Cat Pack.

We hope you have been leaving some love along the way this whole week on the blogs showcased.  That way you are IN IT TO WIN IT!!



Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek! We hope to see you on our Facebook page tonight!
 photo Siggy 2.png