Guest Designer: Tori -- UWYH#19

Hello Happy Sweeties!

Nicole here today with another fun double duty post... we're excited to show off one of our guest designers... and of course, the new challenge.... let's just dig right in...


Meet Tori...

Hi! My name is Tori Holman and I live in sunny San Diego. I love making any kind of craft but my forte is card making. I also love painting, sewing, and reading  I was married to my best friend, Jeremy in 2010 and we now have a 1 year old daughter named Ava. I find her in my craft stuff all the time, making the saying true, like mother like daughter. I am so excited to be sharing my projects with all you sweet peeps and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

We're so happy to welcome her to the guest designing sweet family! Check out the card she made...

SO creative - right?! Can you guess which she used?! CITY SCAPE! WOWIE!

City Scape

Ok - moving right along...

We're back with #19! And, we're happy that you're loving these challenges as much as we are... would you like to hear the winner from last week?!

We just love this card from Samantha Mann...

It's just so darn CUTE - head over to her blog to peek at the entire card - HERE 

Samantha - email us your address and we'll get something right out to you! 

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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.  

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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 '10 minute Craft Dash' 

I loved those colors and I wanted to challenge myself to make a card that *wasn't* halloween or fall themed.... so I came up with...

Isn't that fun?! I was able to just come under the 10 minute requirement... the stop watch was at 9 something. (I forgot to make a note - lol) You know what helped? Having a simple card in mind.. not too many different techniques - and just 'creating'!

I made sure to use some of my HUGE ribbon stash... sorry for the dark grainy picture - I kinda don't want to clearly own up to my whole collection :) --- Isn't that a lovely ribbon rack my Dad built me!!?

I used three different sets...

Admit One 

Spin Me 

Dots Background

Ok - now it's your turn - go out and search for a couple challenges that fit your fancy... be sure to USE WHAT YOU HAVE! --- and link it up here!!

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Feeling Trendy- Chalkboard

Hey there crafters!
Michelle B back with another post on what's trending! But first...let's get an answer to the riddle:

When I'm new I'm remarkably plain,
But after first use, I'm never the same,
People clean me a lot, but I'm never like new,
The changes come off, but leave residue.

The answer is: Chalkboard

Well today I am sharing a chalkboard design! These are popping up everwhere and are a pretty easy technique!

I used three sets...
                                                                Chalkboard Sign

Cityscape

Wheely Like You

Here is my take on the chalkboard craze...

Simply trim your black cardstock, heat emboss your sentiments and images, than use white ink on a sponge applicator to add 'chalk residue' to the background.

I just love the way to fireworks add movement to the card. And adding some sequins really makes it pop! The tiny hearts pattern paper is from My Mind's Eye.

Well, do you like?
I hope you will give it a try!!

How about a give-a-way?
If you can answer this next riddle...*hint* this is our next trend.

I have many feathers to help me fly. I have a body and head but I'm not alive. It is your strength which determines how far I go. You can hold me in your hand but I'm never thrown. What am I?

The winner will receive a  new Made by 2 stamp set

Isn't she awesome!!!

Thank you Nicole!!

See you soon!

Michelle





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Tutorial Tuesdays - Straw Watercolors

Hello, Sweet fans! It's Jessica here from Kissin' Krafts! I am excited to be part of the Sweet Stamp Shop's Tutorial Tuesdays for the next few months!

Today, I am talking WATERCOLORS! My newest addiction! I mean it! Cannot get enough!

So before we continue, let me give you a quick tip about watercolors. You need to 'prep' watercolors to get the most vivid colors possible. How do you do that you ask?

Simple...

Using lukewarm water, form a pool of water on the colors that will be used on you project. Once the water starts to soak in, it is time to get to work!

Today's watercolor technique is card 'Straw Watercolor Painting'. This technique is so simple and tons of fun to do! Reminds me of fireworks! Which brings me to this SWEET card using the Cityscape stamp set...

So where to you start? Using watercolor paper, add a puddle of watercolor on the paper. Using a straw to determine airflow direction, blow air moving the paint in a variety of directions. Repeat with as many desired colors for your project.

This is a very simple technique that is great to add fun colors to any project! Have you seen any current trends or techniques that you want to learn more about? Leave a comment on this post with a suggestion and it might show up in a future Tutorial Tuesday! Cannot wait to here what you come up with!

Today's project was created with the Cityscape stamp set:

Who is ready for the new September Release? One more week! Join us on Facebook for more details!

Hope you all have an awesome Tuesday!

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Challenge Me Friday

 Quick reminder - you'll wanna 'join' our July Release Event Page HERE! 

We do give-a-ways ... show off peeks ... and share our general excitement for NEW STAMPS!

Good Morning Sweet Friends!

Woo Hoo!  It's Friday and that means I (Tracy) am back with another Challenge Me Friday!  Today I'm going to be introducing you to the CASology Challenge blog and why I love CAS cards.

CAS means Clean and Simple and for this challenge blog, you need to create cards that are just that, clean and simple.  It's one of my favorite techniques, but it can be very tricky to pull off.  It's good for the budget because you don't need a lot of supplies, but it can be difficult to determine when enough is enough on your card or not enough.

For my card, I used the Cityscape stamp set to stamp the buildings, fireworks, and sentiment.  I stamped the buildings on a different piece of paper, colored them with Copic markers, and the cut them out.  It fits with the Fireworks challenge theme because of the fireworks behind the buildings.  I added some Stickles to each of the stars in the fireworks so they shine!

I like this challenge blog because they give you some helpful hints about CAS cards.  There hints are as follows:

1.  One main image
2.  Lots of open space (uncluttered)
3.  Limited layers & embellishments
4.  Quick & easy to recreate

Cityscape Stamp Set

Let me know whether or not you like CAS simple design.  Why or why not?

Also, don't forget to 'like' the Sweet Stamp Shop Facebook page and while you're there, check out the July New Release Event page!  You'll get to see some sneak peeks and maybe even have the chance to win a prize!

Have a great weekend!

~Tracy

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Challenge Me Friday

Good Morning Sweet Friends!

It's Tracy back again with another Challenge Me Friday!  

Today I am going to talk a little about HOW to enter challenges.  My best tip about this is to follow all of the directions closely.  You don't want to be disqualified from a challenge because you forgot to link to the challenge or didn't add the challenge 'button' to your post.  Most challenges include the instructions and rules in the post or have a page on their blog/website that lists them.  Also, make sure your card fits into the challenge theme.  It may seem obvious, but it does happen where some cards don't fit the theme and then you are not eligible to win the prize.

This week, I made a card for the RetroSketchs challenge.

I love to make cards based on a sketch, especially when you're feeling un-inspired.  They are also fun because you can make your card look exactly like the sketch or just follow it loosely and add some of your own interpretation in there.

Cityscape

Have a great day!

~Tracy

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