My Favorite of 2017 - Your Next Stamp

Happy Holidays crafty friends!

I hope you all had a great holiday and ready to ring in the New Year soon.  The DT is compiling their favorite card of 2017 to share and today is my day to show and tell. :) I will tell you that choosing just one card for an entire year is rather difficult. I love so many but did settle for this one because it covers a few of my favorite things - love and coffee.

Using some patterned paper from the Hugs and Kisses collection and the puffy cloud border die, I created the backdrop for the floating coffee mug.  The set of Love and Coffee was used for the main image and sentiment before completing the look with a few hearts stamped around. A super clean and simple card to express what you really only need!  You can find the original blog post HERE to see more about this card.

It is always fun to go back and see some of your older projects and pick out a few you really enjoyed.  I know I tend to forget about some of the cards or projects I have done until I peruse through my albums and say, "Oh yeah!! I forgot about that one!" hahaha! It's a great way to refresh your mojo a bit and do some new creations possibly from the old. 

Thanks for stopping by and I wish you all a safe and joyous New Year! See you in 2018!

Tag Some Holiday Joy - Your Next Stamp Friday Challenge

Happy Holidays!

It's hard to believe Christmas is a short 18 days away and I still don't feel complete with things getting done.  It will get there though! With all the hubbub of the holidays and wrapping of presents, I am needing tags all the time.  This week's sketch challenge on the YNS Challenge Blog was perfect to make another one using the sketch as well as one of the super cute mini stamp sets YNS has in the store.  I am using Reindeer Smiles.

For the tag, I used the Stitched Scallop Rectangle set and added some patterned paper. The image was stamped and colored in with Copics before being cut out using the coordinating die. I added the sentiment and eyelet in the corner to hold the twine.  It was finished with some gold cording for the bow.

I love making tags and these mini sets in the store are perfect for using on tags.  Don't forget to stop by the YNS Blog to see the other fun creations the team has put together.  Thanks for stopping by and hope you all have a fabulous, stress-free weekend!

Holiday Buddies - Your Next Stamp 12 Days of Christmas Series

Happy Monday and Cyber Monday!

I am Day 6 of the YNS 12 Days of Christmas Series and today I am sharing with you a project that you can create for the holidays using some cute stamps from Your Next Stamp. I am using Holiday Buddies to create a "family photo" of sorts.  These cuties were easy to make into a photo op and you can even take a step further by decorating the outside of the frame.  That was what I was going to do, but realized I did not have any fun holiday dies small enough to decorate without covering the images.  So, I left it as it and decorated the inside with a few gumdrops and star sequins.

I used my MISTI to stamp the images at once on each of the Stitched Rectangles before coloring them in with Copics.  I measured out the patterned paper, which is an 8.5"x11" piece, to create 9 separate windows.  I used strips of black cardstock to glue over the paper before placing my images where I wanted them. I sponged a little distress ink around the edges to take out some of the brightness from the white cardstock before adhering the images down. 

If making a frame is too much to create, you can always create small canvas art using your images like you can find HERE from a previous post I did on how to use your stamps on canvas.  This makes for a cute little pictures around the house.

I hope you enjoyed this photo op project and don't forget to continue checking back on the YNS Blog everyday to see what each DT member created for this series.  Thanks for popping in and hope you have a great week!!

Fa la la la la - Your Next Stamp Friday Challenge

Happy Black Friday/After Thanksgiving!

I hope you and your family had a nice holiday if you are in the US, and now ready to gear up for Christmas.  Christmas... I just can't believe that it's here.  This year has certainly flown by and shortly after unwrapping presents, you will be ringing in the New Year.  But enough about what is surprising me and let's talk about this week's YNS challenge.  There is a new sketch and color challenge up! For my creation, you will notice that it is not a sketch followed or even the color patterned followed.  That is because I had this technique I wanted to try that I completely forgot to follow the guidelines.  I really hate when I do that.  Not to mention that I then left out of town for the holiday, so I couldn't even fix it.  So, I hope you enjoy it anyway and you can think that perhaps I was just making my own rendition of the sketch. : )

This technique is one that Jennifer McGuire recently posted about using your dies to create a makeshift letterpress.  You can find Jennifer's video here.  Using the Scribble Tree die and the Drink Tag die, I made this "letterpressed" wine bib which I feel came out pretty great.  This technique works like a charm.  I heat embossed the sentiment at the top from the Merry Everything set before adding a few sequins to it for added sparkle. A simple tag but one you can make multiple times for easy gift giving.  I really enjoyed this technique and I am sure I will be doing this often. I love the look of letterpress so it's great to have a technique to mimic the look. 

While you are over at the YNS Blog, check out the store because Karen has a fabulous sale going on. 30% OFF everything on the site!! YNS was recently featured on Jennifer McGuire's 2017 favorite crafty things so this is a great time to pick up what she loved at a great price!

Thanks for popping in and hope you have a great weekend and find some great deals!

November Release of The Cat's Pajamas and Blog Hop

It's the new release of The Cat's Pajamas and our blog hop will not disappoint in showing you all the awesome new sets and creations the kitty cat pack have done.

For my peek of what I have used is the new Corner Pop Up Cut Up along with the new set of Time Out.

This is the outside of the card decorated with the other new Cut Up of the Clock to intrigue the recipient to open the card to see what this "time" is all about.

Once opened, the inside comes to life with clouds and the image from Time Out.   The sentiment is stamped directly onto the card base.  I decorated the edges using an accent stamp from Simply Stacked for an added design.  Here is a closer look at the pop up.

I did used the pop up twice to make for a double cloud scenery, but the beauty of this Cut Up is that you can design it any which way you want or what works for your project.  To see more, you can check out Alma's video on YouTube here.  The clouds used for the background is the TCP Cut Ups of the Cloud Border and Stitched Clouds.  This makes for such a fun card to give using different ideas!

Are you IN IT TO WIN IT? Be sure to hop along and leave a little love for your chance to win a TCP Store gift certificate.  Who wouldn't want that?!  AND to top off this holiday weekend, Alma is offering up to 40% off in the store!!

Thanks for hopping in and head on over to Jessie's Blog for more inspiration!

The Cat's Pajamas Stamps - November Release Sneaky Peek

It's sneaky peek time with The Cat's Pajamas Stamps for November! So much fun in this release you will not be able to refrain from buying it all. :)  The new corner pop up die is amazing with so many possibilities.  But you will want to check in on Tuesday when we have the blog hop to see what I and other cats have done with it.

For my first sneak, I am using the new stamp set called Sent with Love.  Perfect for all occasions.   I love all the whimsy bits in this set!

For this card, I cut the back panel with one of my diagonal cut edges dies before cutting the patterned paper with the TCP Ornate Frame cut up.  The image was heat embossed with the sentiment on top stamped with some black ink and pink ink for the hearts.  I used my white gel pen to highlight the birdcage before stamping the letter and fussy cutting it out to be popped up.  The patterned paper panel was also popped up and the card was finished with some gold star sequins.

My other card is using the new Blessed and Wings Cut-Ups to create this CAS embossed card.  These two just seem to be perfect to be shown hand in hand.

The top panel is dry embossed using one of my embossing folders while the wings were cut out with some silver glitter cardstock.  The word was cut out using some black cardstock and I connected the wings to both sides of the word before popping it up over the embossed panel.  The card was finished using some rhinestones for some sparkle.

Are you IN IT TO WIN IT?  Be sure to leave a little love as you take a peek this week at the Cat Pack's creations so that you may have a chance to win a gift certificate to the TCP Store!  Thanks for stopping by and hope you join us tomorrow for the blog hop to see the final creations and get shopping on your list! :)

What Is Your Favorite Christmas Color Combo? Your Next Stamp DT Dare

Happy Wednesday!

It is that time of the month for the YNS DT dare challenge.  This month, we have been challenged to share our favorite Christmas color combos. There are so many fun Christmas combos these days to make for some fun and whimsical gift giving.  But for me, I always result in being drawn to Red, White, and Silver.  Even my tree is made up of those colors.  So, in my tree decorating fashion, I have created a card using the newly released Scribble Tree Die set.

For this card, I started with a red card layered with some white cardstock.  The top red layer is cut out using the Stitched Rectangle die set.  The tree and sentiment were cut out using some silver glitter paper but not before layering it on top of three white cardstock layers for some height. I completed the card with a few rhinestone for additional sparkle.  This card can be quick and easy for making in quantity. It can take less time f you don't layer the cuts, but just use foam tape. 

Don't forget to stop by the YNS Blog to see all the awesome color combos the team is sharing.  Leave a little love while you are there and you can have a chance at winning a stamp set of your choice!! Woot! Thanks for popping in and have a great day!

November New Release Blog Hop

It's time for some early holiday shopping! That's right, it is time to purchase all the YNS items you have placed on your wish list whilst checking out the DT peeks this morning! :) I know you are not disappointed with what you have seen for this release.

For my first card, I created a little scene using the new set called Merry Mouse Joyful Greetings.  Using some mirror cardstock, I made the ornament look shiny and for the mouse to see his "reflection."  Using some tree dies, I created the background along with some paper from the Holiday Joy paper collection before hanging the mouse from the top.

For my second card, I am using the super fun set of Reinbeer.  I just love this one since I don't really have any beer type stamps. Many wine, but no beer.

This is a perfect set for a masculine Christmas card or for the beer lover in your life. :)  Again, for the background, I am using some paper from the Holiday Joy collection and the center panel is cut using the Stitched Rectangle die set.  The beers are popped up and the sentiment heat embossed to lie across the bottom.

As always, Karen has a fantastic sale for you to enjoy so that your favorite picks don't hurt your pocketbook too much! 20% OFF YOUR PURCHASE!!

Be sure to keep hopping along and leaving a little love for your chance to win a fabulous YNS Store gift certificate! Thanks for stopping by!

An InLinkz Link-up

November Sneak Peek - Your Next Stamp

Yahoo! It is time for the November release sneak peek of Your Next Stamp and this release is Wowzer!! So many awesome holiday sets and dies to end this years' holiday with a bang.

For my sneak, I am showcasing the new Wine Tag Die set and the new Merry Everything.

I started with a plain white cardstock base for the tag and layered it with some glitter paper to make this shine!!  I couldn't help but use last months release of the Pine Tree Branch die to tie this all in and add a fun bow from the Bow-tiful Little Bows die set.  Once I had all my elements cut out, I heat embossed where I wanted the start of my sentiment before adhering all the pieces together. The word 'Merry' was cut out with the new Merry die that coordinates with this Merry Everything stamp set. I do love how this turned out with all the sparkle of the tag and see myself making a few tags this season.

Be sure to stop by the YNS Blog to see all the fun Sneak Peeks from the DT and stop back tonight for the new release blog hop! Thanks for stopping by and we will see you tonight!

Jingle All The Way - Your Next Stamp Friday Challenge

Happy Veterans Day and Happy Friday!

It's another Friday challenge over on the YNS Blog and once again, the sketch will not disappoint. Either direction you decide to make your card, this sketch is perfect for that. 

For my card, I used the position as the sketch, but my take was a little different in where I placed that bottom strip.

I used the super fun and goofy set of Jingle All The Way for the main image.  This set is so much fun if you haven't seen it.  It's just plain fun!  For the circle panel, I used the YNS Stitched Circle Frame before stamping the image to be colored in with Copics and cut out using the coordinated die set. Some of the fun Holiday Joy paper collection was used for the side panel and I heat embossed the sentiment to be popped up on the left with some Platinum colored embossing powder.  The rest of the sentiment was stamped at the bottom using some Momento Cottage Ivy green ink.  I finished the card with some sequins to be placed around. 

Be sure to stop by the YNS Blog to see the other fun creations some of the DT members have done and sure hope you play along! Link up your creation on the blog for your chance to win a YNS gift certificate! Thanks for stopping by and please, if you see a veteran today, thank them for their service to our country.  It will be greatly appreciated by them.  Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Tweet Holiday - Your Next Stamp Friday Challenge

Happy FriYAY!

It's time for another Friday Challenge with Your Next Stamp.  I decided to use the sketch (as I seem to always do) along with the newly released stamp set of Tweet Holiday. This is such a funny set with that bird with the hat over his eyes.  Always makes me giggle!

I used my Copic Airbrushing system to create the background. Just an abstract shape I made, but sort of wished it wasn't so "perfect." It really should have had a rougher edge, but that's ok. I still like how it turned out.  For the sky, I also used the airbrush to lightly brush the sky and then used a darker color with the brush end to create a splatter effect.  The image was stamped and cut out using the coordinating die and colored in with Copics.  It was then popped up over the glow of yellow once the back panel was made using some of the Holiday Joy paper collection.  The sentiment was placed at the top while the card was finished with some stars from the Cool Die Three set to mimic the patterned paper.  Some Silver Tinsel gumdrops completed the look. 

Don't forget to stop by the YNS Blog to see the other fun creations the DT have done.  They are sure to get your creative mojo.  Thanks for stopping in and hope you have a great weekend!

"Magical" Feature Day - Your Next Stamp

Happy Sunday!

It's time for the October Feature Day with Your Next Stamp! This month the DT was challenged to create something around the theme Magical. The team did not disappoint and made some super fun projects.

I decided to make a card using the cute set of Sports Fanantics - Shoeper Awesome.  I thought it was perfect to use this image with the sentiment to create a magical get well card.

I stamped and colored the image with Copics before cutting it out with the coordinating dies.  I used the Starburst Background set to stamp behind the shoe for some glow. The shoe was popped up over that.  I used the YNS Hugs and Kisses paper collection for the back panel and cut out the fun scalloped panel using the Stitched Scallop Rectangles die set. The card was finished stamping the sentiment directly onto the top panel and adding some Candy Land glittered gumdrops and popping a couple of stars from the same patterned paper.

Thanks for stopping in and don't forget to stop by the YNS Blog to leave a little love! You can have a chance at winning a stamp set of your choice! Woot! Have a great rest of the weekend.

The Cat's Pajamas Stamps October New Release and Blog Hop

It's time to shop!! The Cat's Pajamas Stamps new release is here for you to grab all your favorites you spotted during the sneaky peeks.  If you have arrived here from the fabulous Brenda's blog, then you are in the right place.  If not, be sure to start there to begin the hop.

For my card, I am using the super cute set of We 3 Snowmen. They are too cute!  I made my card a 3/4 cut card so that the 'SNOW' shows at the bottom of the card.

I colored in the thin lines of 'snow' with a light blue/green waterbased marker and the main images were colored in with Copics.  I layered the top panel over some glittered cardstock and finished the card with some rhinestones.

Are you in it to win it? Be sure to leave a little love as you hop along and you can have a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the TCP Store!

Thank you for stopping by! Now be sure to hop on over to the talented Michele's blog for more crafty inspiration and enabling. : )

October New Release Sneaky Peek - The Cat's Pajamas Stamps

The time has come!! It's Sneaky Peek Week with The Cat's Pajamas Stamps and I am bringing up the rear to end the week of fabulous peeks the Cat Pack has done.  If you have missed any or all of the peeks, you will want to be sure to scroll through the TCP Blog. You will not be disappointed in all the inspiration you will find.

For my first peek, I am using the absolutely awesome set of  Fat Cat Christmas. This set has some of the best sentiments perfect for the cheeky gift giving this season.

The image was stamped and colored in with Copics before being cut out using a stitched circle die and popped up over the patterned paper.  The presents were cut out using the new Presents Cut-Ups to be popped up over the image and the sentiment popped up at the top.

This second peek is a tag made from the new Rudolph Cut Up paired with the Presents Cut Ups and the sentiment from the Reindeer Games stamp set.

My intent was to have the reindeer seem as though it was popping up over the present and added some fun by using some googly eyes I have had in my stash for quite some time.  I also couldn't resist adding a little bow to her head as well.

Are you in it to win it? A random winner will be picked to win a $10 TCP Gift Certificate to the TCP Store for leaving a comment either on the blogs or the Cat Pack's Instagram page.  Leave a little love for your chance to win!!

Don't forget to stop back tomorrow for the new release blog hop!! There will be more awesome inspiration to wet your creative palette.  Thanks for stopping by!

Warm Wishes - Your Next Stamp Friday Challenge

It's time for another Friday challenge with Your Next Stamp. The sketch is so much fun and I couldn't resist using it for this card.  I used Warm Christmas Wishes along with the new Holiday Joy paper collection for the main focus of the card.

The image was stamped and colored in with Copics and then cut out.  For the circle background, I used two pieces cut using the YNS Circle dies and Stitching Mark dies. I then took one of the circles to be cut out using the Evergreen border die so that it can be popped up over the second circle to create a little scene.  I stamped the "steam" before placing the mug where I wanted it using some foam tape.  I thought otherwise to color in the star, but now I am wondering if I should have. Oh well, I still like it plain. : )  The patterned paper was layered over some red cardstock and the sentiment was stamped and fishtailed to be placed at the bottom.  The card was finished with a little Stickles to the tops of the trees for added sparkle.

Don't forget to stop by the YNS blog to see the other fab creations the DT have done.  Thanks so much for stopping in and taking a peek!