Painless Tattoo!

Hi everyone!  Hope you are having a wonderful Monday morning and are ready for a bit of sketchy inspiration!  This week you are getting a sneak peak of the upcoming sketch over at CAS(E) this Sketch (shhh...don't tell anyone).  I must admit that this one had me stumped for a bit but I'm really loving what came out of my crazy mind when I finally figured it all out!  Here's the sketch:

 I was stuck in the feather zone for awhile with the sketch and just couldn't get past them.  Finally, I thought of balloons and that started the creative juices flowing.  I turned to Fall Gratitude for my balloon shapes.  Seriously, would these not be the coolest balloons ever with those patterns?  I also had to use Elegant Sentiments...how could you resist that script?  It's gorgeous! 

I found some splattered/bleached paper in my stash which made a perfect background for my balloons.  I stamped each balloon on other papers in my scrap stash and to give them a little fun twist, I used Glossy Accents for dimension and shine.  I embossed "happy" to make sure it stood out against the background and it turned out perfectly.  I connected my balloons to the sentiment with some hand drawn strings.  I love how it all came together and was thrilled that I pulled it off without feathers!  ;)

For my 2nd take on the sketch I layered the rose image from Elegant Flowers on top of the heart from Cookie Sprinkles.  These two images worked perfectly with a sentiment from Chalkboard Sign.  I did a little tweaking to the images that I'll show you in a second.

 

For some reason, when I layered the flower bud and the heart on my colored paper, my mind went straight to a tattoo.  So, I decided to look up different means of making an image look like a tattoo.  By adding some simple lines, some shading with copics, and a little reflection triangle on the heart, I think I got a pretty good looking tattoo for my card.  A simple technique but I think it's a fun one to try out!  Check it out:

To complete the card, I did a cheat chalkboard background using some patterned paper I had lying around that already had the chalkboard look.  I went with the Chalkboard Sign sentiment, "I Love You" because I thought it worked well with a tattoo image and I embossed it to make it pop.  Here's the completed card.  What do you think?

    

I hope you enjoyed my two takes on the sketch coming up this week at CAS(E) this Sketch and got a new technique to try with your Sweet Stamp Shop stamps.  Have fun with the sketch and share your creations on our Flickr group.  Don't forget to check out the Sweet Stamp Shop Facebook page for up-to-date info and offers.  Plus, a new release is right around the corner and believe me, you won't want to miss it!  Have a great week!

-Chrissy Pin It

CAS with Kristen

Hi there! Welcome back to the blog! Today I'm here to show you a CAS card that is very easy to recreate.

The background was made using the feathers from Fall Gratitude. I second generation stamped the feathers in a light beige color. Next I stamped the feathers again in a light blue then cut a couple out. With the sentiment, I stamped it in a darker blue to make it really pop out! I popped that and the feathers up with foam adhesive. "You're the Bomb" is from Super Mom! For some final touches, I added some enamel dots (that I colored with Copics), sequins and twine! Super easy and fun to create! :)

Here are the sets I used.

Super Mom

Fall Gratitude

Have you joined our Use What You Have Challenge recently!? There's a free stamp up for grabs. The post can be found HERE.

Also, there's a DT Call going on and it ends TODAY! So get on it! I have loved every minute of being on this DT and I know you will too! :) All the information you need can be found HERE!

As always, thanks for stopping by! It's so appreciated. :)

Kristen

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CAS Day!

Hi there! Welcome back to today's clean and simple post. Today I used one of the new stamp sets. It's a fun set that can be used with many different themes. I just chose an ordinary, old "Well, Aren't We Fancy" card! Who wouldn't want to receive one of those in the mail!? 

I started out with the tiny images and stamped them repeatedly in different colors and places.  I then stamped the sentiment in black ink and filled in fancy with a black marker. Next I popped it up on a piece of cardstock, added a little ribbon and finished if off by using black enamel dots! Super easy and fun to make. 

Here's a look at a couple other cards I had put on my blog a little bit ago just in cased you missed them!

Sets used today:

Happy Hour

Fall Gratitude

Easily Distracted

Make sure to stop by the Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, make sure to check out the new flair added to the shop! You're going to love it! :)

Thanks for stopping by and see you soon! :)

Kristen

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Triple Sweet Thursday - 10 Minute Craft Dash

Hey everyone!

Happy Thursday sweet friends! It's Alyssa here from My Thoughts Exactly with another Triple Sweet Thursday - 3 Cards, 3 Ways, 1 Challenge! As always I'll be spotlighting ONE challenge and rocking it THREE ways to get you inspired!

This week's featured challenge:

The 10 Minute Craft Dash

About the Challenge:

The 10 Minute Craft Dash is a color challenge with a TWIST: you must complete your card in under 10 minutes. A new challenge is posted every other Wednesday. Your entry must use the color palette and be completed in under 10 minutes. Though if you do go over 10 minutes you can still link up,  you just won't be eligible for the prize. An important note: you CAN plan and pull out your supplies prior  to starting the timer!

Why I Love This Challenge:

Do you LOVE color challenges but find yourself bored or not so challenged by them from time to time? If so, The 10 Minute Craft Dash is for YOU! I love a good old color challenge, but I REALLY love the 10 minute twist! It's like the card makers work out. Sometimes I find myself spending HOURS on one card. That's ok every now and then, but isn't great when you have several cards on your to do list. The 10 Minute Craft Dash really pushes you to get creative and just DO IT. Do it FAST.

The Current Challenge:

The current challenge called for the use of orange, black, and green. Perfect for Halloween right? But Halloween isn't the only way to rock this color palette!

3 Cards - 3 Ways -ONE Challenge

Way 1 : CAS

Time: 7 minutes and 2 seconds

For my first card I went the route I'm most comfortable with: CAS. I pulled out my Sweet Stamp Shop Triangle Style and Zombies stamp sets, an orange, a green, and a black ink pad, and some white paper. I started the timer and went to work creating my Halloween inspired triangle pattern. After scrambling to find some sequins to finish off my card, my stylish and simple Halloween card was finished in 7 minutes and 2 seconds!

Way 2 : a GUEST card by Danni!

Time: 7 minutes and 47 seconds

For card number two I brought in the help of my wonderful friend and Sweet Design Team coordinator Danni! It was super fun to do the dash with Danni and Nicole! Danni busted out this beautiful ombre card featuring the Sweet Stamp Shop Fall Gratitude stamp set in just 7 minutes and 47 seconds! I especially love the little gem accents. Thanks so much for your help Danni!!

Way 3 : More Involved

Time: 9 minutes and 38 seconds

Whew. This one was close. For my final card I challenged myself to step outside the halloween/fall box. I will admit a couple things: I stretched "orange" to a bit of a yellow to red spectrum, and see those green sequins? Yeah, those MIGHT have gone on after I stopped my timer and then realized I had no green, shhh. But I LOVE how this card turned out, and that's really what it's about isn't it? For this card I whipped out my Sweet Stamp Shop Super Mom stamp set, plus my watercolors and some clear acetate. Oh, and don't forget the sequin ;)

SSS Used in These Projects:

Triangle Style

Zombies

Fall Gratitude

Super Mom

I'm looking for MORE challenges to feature right here on the SSS blog! What is YOUR favorite challenge to play along with? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Have you checked out the SSS Pinterest and Flickr pages?

There's TONS more fantastic inspiration on those pages so be sure to click and check them out!!

Before I go, DON'T FORGET the Sweet Stamp Shop October release is happening October 16th! You WON'T want to miss this one!!

Big bloggy hugs <3

Alyssa

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UWYH Challenge #18

It's #18 - that's right - we've been at this challenge for 18 weeks and it's been so much fun for me! I should first mention TWO things... the halloween sale is still going strong... (I actually think we're sold out of a couple of these... but, we still have some left of the others)

For a limited time - and limited to stamps on hand - we've got all our halloween stamps 50% off. Some of these are going to retire and never come back - so snatch up your favorites before we bid farewell!

Check them out in the shop HERE 

Next, I don't know if you heard but, we've got FLAIR in the shop! WOWIE! We're in love... and we think you will be too!

Take a moment and check out the new flair in the shop HERE. We introduced this new product with really limited quantities - so, if you love em' - grab em' !! 

Now for the winner of last week - and although we didn't have as many participating in the challenge as usual... wow, we were totally blown away at the creations that were added! So - big HIGH FIVE! and, a THANK YOU!! 

But, there can be only one.... winner that is... and we thought the best use of old supplies was ... 

Kim G

Congrats KIM! Email us at info@sweetstampshop.com with your address and we'll get something sweet right out to you! 

______________________

Let's just take a moment to go over the rules...

Read through the directions carefully - we've changed just a couple things... (well, not really changed - just made more clear) 

You'll have until next Tuesday to add your link below - your link needs to be to the direct post not to your general blog - and it needs to include -

1. A link back to our challenge (and optional - our challenge badge - see above)

2. A picture of your stash

3. A picture of your project

Some Extra Details -

1. You do not *have to* use SSS in your card or project - although, we'd love it! (and we can't feature your project in our marketing without you using SWEET! - so keep that in mind!)

2. You have until Tuesday at 10pm pst to add your link below

3. There will be ONE winner based upon most creative use of 'old stuff' .... and ONE winner drawn from all the participants. Winners will be announced the day of the new challenge - so, in this case... next Wednesday. Prize will be something sweet - lol. REMINDER - NEW RULE - In order for us to have TWO winners we must have AT LEAST 15 entries (by 15 different people - multiple entries don't count towards the 15) in the challenge! If not, then we'll just award the one person who used their stash the best. SO, SHARE the challenge and get your friends on board! 

4. Entries limited to 3 per person. Thanks! 

MOST IMPORTANT!!! Create whatever strikes your fancy - scrapbook page, project life - cards - altered art - home decor.... anything! Just be sure to use that old stuff in it!

INTERNATIONAL participation is welcome - but, prizes will be shipped at the expense of the participant.  

__________________________

Typically we have an inspirational board - but, this week I decided to play along with another one of my favorite challenges - and do a 'double duty' card! 

(What's a double duty card? --- It's when you make one card that works for several challenges) And, today my cards fit quite nicely with the current CAS-ology challenge  

So, I decided to break out my 'Fall Gratitude' --- IT'S BACK IN STOCK!! 

Fall Gratitude 

I also dug out my barely used (trying to fix that) ink pads... 

And I made this card... 

I used some of our new flair - from the 'greetings' set... 

Card Greetings Flair

And, while I was making that card... THE IDEA OF THE CENTURY HIT ME (large booming noise) ... I thought... oh, man - I could cut up some of these feathers in orange and brown --- and then, make a TURKEY! 

AND.... here it is... 

SWOON - it turned out just as amazing as I had pictured! HOW CUTE, right?! I used the Chevron Flair with this one... 

Colorful Chevron 

And, of course I pulled out my favorite little Thanksgiving set... Turkey Hotline

Turkey Hotline 

So, I challenge YOU to make a 'double duty' card... and you know - with us, that's easy because with our challenge ANYTHING GOES (as long as you use your stash!) 

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Triple Sweet Thursday: Fusion Card Challenge

Hey everyone!

Happy Thursday!! It's Alyssa here again from My Thoughts Exactly with another Triple Sweet Thursday - 3 Cards, 3 Ways, 1 Challenge! Once again I'll be spotlighting ONE challenge and rocking it THREE ways to get you inspired!

This week's featured challenge:

Fusion Card Challenge

About the Challenge:

Fusion Card Challenge offers a new challenge every other week in which you are provided with BOTH an inspiration image AND a card sketch. You use JUST the image, JUST the sketch, or BOTH. Once the entry period has ended all of the entries are opened up to voting. The entry that receives the most votes is declared the Zen Master and 3 Honorable Mentions are also chosen.

Why I Love This Challenge:

OPTIONS. This challenge is basically TWO challenges in one: and inspiring image AND a sketch, PLUS the added option of combining the two. I LOVE options when it comes to challenges, the more inspiration the better, and Fusion Card Challenge really delivers. Another thing I love is that this challenge offers the chance for our peers to VOTE. Most challenges seem to be random or judged by a design team, Fusion is more of a people's choice. And don't we all just LOVE to have a say and get a VOTE these days?

The Current Challenge:

I just LOVED this funky inspiration photo (which just happened to include my two favorite colors: teal and green!), and who doesn't love a classic sketch with banners??

3 Cards - 3 Ways - ONE Challenge

Way 1 : Inspiration Photo ONLY

For this first card I decided to pull inspiration from the photo ONLY. I chose to use the colors mostly, but I also pulled from some of the shapes on the cups which is what pulled me to use the trees from the Sweet Stamp Shop Fall Gratitude stamp set. The "Fall in Love" sentiment is also from this set.

Way 2 : Sketch ONLY

For this next card I decided to focus on the sketch ONLY. I turned the sketch on it's side and used the bullseye from the Sweet Stamp Shop Wheely Like You stamp set as my circle. In place of two of the banners I used arrows (one from Wheely Like You and the other from Made By #2). The sentiment is also from Wheely Like You. Instead of using a patterned paper I decided to create a similar effect with watercolor.

Way 3 : Inspiration Photo AND Sketch

For this final card I decided to combine the inspiration photo AND the sketch. All of the stamps you see here are from the Sweet Stamp Shop Chalkboard Sign set. Once again I turned the sketch on it's side. I stamped the hearts in the colors I pulled from the inspiration photo. In place of the main circle I used my "I Love You" sentiment, and in place of the banners I used arrows.

Don't you just LOVE the OPTIONS??

SSS Used in These Projects:

Wheely Like You

Fall Gratitude

Chalkboard Sign

Made By #2

I'm looking for MORE challenges to feature right here on the SSS blog! What is YOUR favorite challenge to play along with? Leave me a comment and let me know!

If you were to enter this Fusion challenge which route would you take? Inspiration photo, sketch, or both??

Have you checked out the SSS Pinterest and Flickr pages?

There's TONS more fantastic inspiration on those pages so be sure to click and check them out!!

And before I go I just want to say that Sweet Stamp Shop has some REALLY exciting things around the corner, so be on the lookout for the next release, I know you're going to LOVE it!

Big bloggy hugs,

<3 Alyssa

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