they many faces of embossing

Hey there!
It's Samantha here on the blog today! And I'm SUPER excited to share some cards about the different kinds of embossing out there!

One of the hottest trends happening right now is embossing paste!! I, for one, am a HUGE lover of this look!
But there is the old school dry embossing and heat embossing too - both techniques look wonderful on cards!!

here's a quick comparison of all three styles:

And those ideas are just scratching the surface of the embossing world!! You can change the look and feel of your card by adding color:

* by mixing re-inkers/mists with your white embossing paste
* adding inks to you embossing folder, or lightly (and carefully!) adding ink to the raised images after they're embossed
* using color embossing powder

I mean, you can add glitter, distress stains, watercolors, markers, seriously, there is SO much available out there to make these techniques fresh and FUN!!

For today's cards, I kept it simple and clean (and white!) just to consistantly show the differences in the three methods!

My first card shows off the lovely effect that Heat Embossing can provide:

I stamped the US image from Across the Miles (one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE sweet stamp shop stamp sets!!) in versamark ink and then heat embossed in clear over water color paper! The numbers are from Numbers - Symbols stamp set from the latest release!! which were popped up for dimension! the rest of the sentiment was created using Alpha Tabs (another MUST have!!).

My next card shows off the awesome look of Embossing Paste!! LOOOOOOOOOVE that stuff! :)

I used it to add white on white interest to the background of my card! :)
(The same stamp sets were used for this card!)

I have one last card on my blog showing how Dry Embossing can give you a super cool look by adding dimension to the background of the card!! :)

Well, what do you think? Are you inspired to flex your embossing muscles?! I hope so!! Let me know in the comments below if you used any http://www.sweetstampshop.com/all-stamps/Sweet Shop stamps with embossing techniques!! i would LOVE to leave you some LOVE! :)

And while you're at it, take another gander in the Sweet Stamp Shop Store - did you know they sell flair now?! CUSTOM flair to coordinate with their stamp sets!! Hello!!!

See you next time sweets!!
~Samantha  Pin It

World Card Making Day EXTRAVAGANZA

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY (**weekend**) is HERE!! 

- Eh, it's just an excuse to have awesome sales and make lots of cards! --- But, we'll take it! 

Speaking of sales ... wanna know what's going on with Sweet Stamp Shop this weekend only.... enter large booming noise.... 

20% off the WHOLE SHOP! (yep, even clearance and the new flair) 

SALE IS GOOD UNTIL MID-NIGHT SUNDAY! 

We're UNLOCKING THE VAULT! 

Yep, We've got a STASH of retired - AWESOME - stamp sets (yep, you see a 'Sweet Tooth' and a 'Sweet Victoria' in there!) And, we're giving them away for FREE!! ---- Here's the details...

READ CAREFULLY SO YOU QUALIFY!!

Spend $15 (after the 20% discount) and get one free 3x4 retired set for FREE.

The set is chosen by Sweet Stamp Shop - and is limited to stock on hand. 

YOU MUST ADD THE $15 'WORLD CARD MAKING DAY' TO YOUR CART TO GET THE FREE SET!! YOU MUST HAVE SPENT $15 BEFORE TAX (and AFTER THE DISCOUNT) TO EARN THE FREE SET! ** this helps us keep track of inventory ---- if you can't add this to your cart ---- we're SOLD OUT. 

www.sweetstampshop.com

________________________________

It just so happens that today is Momzie Sweets birthday - so we'll be out celebrating all day ... and that means no card making for me ... (which is ok, cause - it's kinda my 'job' ... lol) ANYWAY! I did make a special birthday card with my Mom in mind .... and I did make it this morning... so I think that counts that I made a card on WORLD CARD MAKING DAY! 

I used a sticker sheet from Colorbok - 'Woodland Creatures' that I found at Target and HAD TO HAVE... Glad I actually used it! 

I also broke out my 'Alpha Tabs' stamp set... it made the best 'mini signs' ... 

Alpha Tabs

Ok - head off to the shop and take advantage of the awesome sale - it ends tomorrow night! Happy craft card making day peps! 

<3 

N. 

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Triple Sweet Thursdays - RIC #43

Hey everyone!

Happy Thursday!! It's Alyssa here from My Thoughts Exactly and I am SO excited to be sharing my very FIRST post with you as a member of the Sweet Stamp Shop Design Team!! And let me tell you, my new "job" here at SSS could NOT be more perfect for me! On (most) Thursdays I will be here on the blog with "Triple Sweet - 3 Cards, 3 Ways, 1 Challenge" where I will be sharing with you my favorite challenges from all over blog land and I will be showing you THREE different ways to tackle that ONE challenge! SUPER fun, don't ya think?? So, without further ado, let's get to it!

I wanted to kick things off by featuring my personal FAVORITE challenge:

Runway Inspired Challenge

About the Challenge:

Runway Inspired Challenge (or RIC as you will often see) is a bi-monthly challenge that offers an image of a current runway outfit as inspiration. Participants can enter the challenge as many times as they would like. With every challenge a new prize is offered, the entries are judged, and the winner is chosen by the RIC Design Team.

Why I Love This Challenge:

First and foremost I love RIC because it is DIFFERENT! I feel that most challenges offer a theme, sketch, or color palette to inspire you, which is fantastic. But for me, RIC offers a sketch, color palette, and sometimes even a theme all in one, without directly offering each of those things, and that is DIFFERENT! With RIC you can choose to be inspired by the colors in the outfit, the patterns in the outfit, the layout of the outfit, the era the outfit references... It's really up to YOU to choose how the runway photo inspires you, and I love that. 

Another thing I love about the RIC is that it is judged. Now this may seem daunting at first, but let me tell you why it rocks: It MOTIVATES me. When a challenge is judged I feel WAY more accomplished when I win. And even if you're a novice crafter and you think there's no way your skills are up to par, I promise you CAN win! You just have to keep at it, keep MOTIVATED, keep trying! Is it too cliche if I say "If at first you don't succeed, try try again"?

The Current Challenge:

HERE is the current inspiration at Runway Inspired Challenge

Can't you just see all the possibilities??

Pattern - Color - Layout... What will you choose?

3 Cards - 3 Ways - ONE Challenge

Way 1 : CAS

For this first card I decided to take the CAS route. I was inspired by both the pattern in the photo (from the shirt AND the background) and the color scheme. Check it out:

I created the patterned background simply by using a ruler and my black Copic marker, leaving a space for my sentiment. Then I stamped the two flower stamps from the Dia De Los Muertos Sweet Stamp Shop set, cut them out, and popped them up. Finally I stamped the Miss You from Wheely Like You Sweet Stamp Shop Set.

Way 2 : Outside the Box

For this second card I drew my inspiration from the colors in the photo ONLY. If a challenge doesn't require you to use EVERY piece of the inspiration they provide, get CREATIVE! Check it out:

I created the sort of "ombre" background using my watercolors and watercolor paper (side note: watercolors are my newest OBSESSION! So I hope you don't mind if you see quite a bit of water coloring from me!!). Then I stamped the color sentiment from the Color Wheel Sweet Stamp Shop set on a scrap of white. Finally I stamped the feathers from the Dia De Los Muertos Sweet Stamp Shop set, cut them out, and popped them up.

Way 3 : More Involved

CAS not your style? No problem! For this one I dove into my patterned paper stash, whipped out my Copics and some of my favorite SSS stamps for coloring! Check it out:

For this card I wanted to go a little crazier, I created a Halloween card! I started by choosing the striped patterned paper, as well as a solid yellow. I layered these two pieces and wrapped them with a piece of yellow twine. Next I stamped the skull from the Dia De Los Muertos Sweet Stamp Shop set and colored it with my Copics. Last, I stamped out "happy halloween" using the Alpha Tabs Sweet Stamp Shop set.

So what do you think sweet friends? Are you feeling motivated to give the RIC a shot? I sure hope so!!

And if you DO, I would LOVE to see what you create! Leave me a comment with a link to your RIC entry so I can check it out and leave you some love!!

Also, what is YOUR favorite challenge to play along with? Leave me a comment and let me know!

It might just get featured here on the SSS blog ;)

SSS Used in these projects:

Alpha Tabs

Color Wheel

Dia De Los Muertos

Wheely Like You

Before I go I wanted to give you a quick reminder: The SSS September release is coming!!!

You DON'T want to miss this one! It is SO ADORABLE!!

Be sure to join the September Release Facebook Event so you don't miss a thing!

And I'll see you on September 10th with some inspiration using the new sets :D

PS. 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!!

Alright sweet friends, that's all for me today!

I'll see you again next week for the September release!!

Big bloggy hugs <3

Alyssa

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Sweet Tooth Tuesday - Gelatos

It's that time again! Danielle Pandeline here with another video for you.  This time I am tacking Gelatos! When these creamy chap stick things came out I wasn't sure what to think. But, I have learned to LOVE them by just PLAYING! Sometimes you have to just play with a medium to get to know it. It's fun to get messy and covered in colors to come out with an AMAZING result! I know you know what I'm talking about!

Here is my card that I made using Gelatos, Stencil, Paint Brush and some Sweet Stamp Shop Stamps.  The background is used by smearing the Gelatos across the background in an Ombre patterned, then spritzed with water and go back and forth with your paint brush. EASY PEASY right?  Then to make the silver circles, I took the stencil and rubbed the Gelatos over the area I wanted. Took a baby wipe ( A stampers best friend!) and smooshed the silver Gelato around in circles. Peel up the stencil and VIOLA! Instant texture. Now, be sure to let the Gelato dry over night! Remember it is a soft creamy medium, it will dry with time.

 I used Spin Me and Alpha Tabs to create this BRIGHT, FUN and AMAZING card.

Spin Me

Alpha Tabs

Let's Recap!

Materials Needed:

-Watercolor Paper

-Gelatos

-Stencil

-Sweet Stamp Shop Stamps

-Paint Brush

-Water

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial as it is my last for Sweet Stamp Shop for the Summer Design Team.  I had a lot of fun this Summer creating fun videos and projects for all you SWEETIES to be inspired by,  If you liked what you see you can follow my blog here and my YouTube here for more inspiration. 

Be sure to leave me a comment on your experience with Gelatos! I would like to here the techniques you have, or if you enjoy them as much as I do. 

Happy Stampin!

~Danielle P.

A Few Sweet Reminders! 

The Use What You Have Challenge is SUPER fun! I know I have some buttons and brads that haven't seen daylight in a while!  Let's put that stuff to good use. 

If you have missed my past Sweet Tooth Tuesday videos you can find them here! 

Don't forget to Tweet about any project that you made on our Twitter Feed here. 

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Sweet Tooth Tuesday - Emboss Resist

Happy Tuesday everyone! Danielle Pandeline here with a Sweet Tooth Tuesday Video.  Today, I am going to show you how to use an Emboss Resist technique to create a fabulous colorful background.  For my card today I used the Distressed Chevron background stamp. I just can't get enough of this stamp, it is very versitile.


TA-DA! Isn't this an AMAZING Ombre effect. I just can't get enough of playing with watercolors lately. It's a HUGE stress reliever for me. 

Distress Chevron

And for the sentiment I used Spin Me from the June Release.

Spin Me

Here are the steps:
1)Use a piece of Watercolor Paper
2) Pick a Background Stamp
3) Stamp in Versamark Ink
4) Apply Embossing Powder
5) Tap off Excess
6) Heat with Heat Gun
7) Apply Watercolors, Shimmer Sprays or Color Mists (your choice)
8) Wipe excess color from embossed image
.....and your done! You now have a colorful background to use on your card.

Here are a few other cards I made using the same technique and Heidi Swapp Color Shine (Best sprays EVER!)

Happy Bugs

Spin Me & Alpha Tabs

Alpha Tabs              &                 Spin Me

Dig out some old supplies and use this technique to play along with the Use What You Have Challenge.

Don't forget to join us for our July Release, RSVP over on Facebook.  It is going to be a SCARY good time!

If you need MORE inspiration check out our Pinterest page. There is some serious awesome inspiration to be seen.

Happy Stampin!
~Danielle





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