I've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'...

Do you ever struggle for inspiration even when you have a sketch or something to guide you?  That was my problem this week.  My crafty mojo was no where to be found even though I was working with an awesome CAS(E) this Sketch challenge.  What's a girl to do?  Well, I decided to take a page out of Dannielle's book and do a little Fusion.  ;)  Before we get ahead of ourselves, let me show you the sketch.

For my first card, I used the adorable Yummy Love set to make the perfect valentine for my honey.

I used a couple bits and pieces of patterned paper that I had leftover for the background and the heart shape.  To get that cute "Hello" banner, I cut up a journaling card from a pocket scrapbooking company.  I had some white letters laying around but I needed a little bit more color so, I colored them with my copics to match the heart.  Love how that turned out!  A little fun coloring on my honey pot and some Glossy Accents to make some honey on the dipper and you have a pretty cute card.  Love it and I hope you will too!

For my 2nd take, I got totally stumped.  I tried a TON of different card ideas and I just wasn't cranking out anything I liked.  Then my Facebook feed gave me an idea.  I'd use the Fusion challenge blog as my inspiration and pull in a picture that inspires me to use along with my sketch.  That's all it took.  I had a card done and I loved it in less than 10 mins...I swear!  So, here's the inspiration photo I used in conjunction with my sketch for my second card:

Pretty, isn't it.  I knew that this was just screaming for a little ELEGANT combo so I broke out Elegant Flowers and Elegant Sentiments.  You can't beat that 1, 2 punch!

I stamped my flower with a lovely turquoise ink and then stamped the outline with gold to emulate the inspiration photo.  The sentiment was stamped with the same gold and then I added some enamel dots and bling to represent the berries from the inspiration.  I thought it needed a little something more so I cut the card front down to layer on a striped card base for the perfect extra pop of color.

Nothing terribly techniquey this week but I wanted you to see how a sketch can just be a springboard to even more inspiration.  Thanks to the Fusion blog for all their great and inspiring combos.  I hope you will visit their challenge and CAS(E) this Sketch for some fun and energizing sketch action.  Don't forget to check out our Sweet Stamp Shop Facebook page.  We'd love to hear about your ways of getting your craft mojo back.  We all need a little help sometimes!  Also, don't forget to check out the SSS YouTube channel.  Nicole has totally revamped it and you won't want to miss out on the fun she has in store, so make sure you subscribe now!  I hope you enjoyed today's Sketches 2 Ways and I can't wait to see you back here soon.  Have a great Monday.

-Chrissy Pin It

Purple, Pandas, & Pears...Oh My!

It's another SWEET Monday and I have a bit of fun for you today.  For this week's Sketches 2 Ways, I debated using the current sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch or giving you another peek at an upcoming sketch.  Duh!  I decided you guys are way too special to not get especially sweet treatment so, the sketch I'm using will be up on the CTS blog this Thursday which gives you an extra 3 days to play with it.  Woo hoo!

I had WAY too much fun with the combo of Sweet stamps and the awesome sketch this week.  Yup, I actually ended up with 4 cards from one sketch and had to ask my fellow designers to help me pick the two that I would feature here.  Don't worry, you'll get to see the other 2 also...just check out my blog today and on Thursday.  First up, the sketch!

Can you see why I had so much fun?  Well it all started with Alyssa's Yummy Love stamp set.  How am I supposed to resist smiling fruits and veggies?  Impossible.  

I had some cards lying around from a certain pocket scrapbooking company that I knew would be perfect with these stamps.  So, I did a little misting on my green card base to give the card some sparkle (shine mist).  While that was drying, I stamped and colored these adorable pears.  I decided yellow was the way to go because that is the color of the pretty pears on our trees out front (when they aren't covered in snow...ugh) and I liked how it picked up the yellow on the delicious card.  I die cut a heart to cover a mess up that I had where I tried to add a little shadow to the pear.  It just didn't look that great.  Thanks goodness for dies to cover up an oops.  I thought I was finished when I stamped the sentiment but I was feeling the need to fill the white void under the pears.  A little green washi was all it took.  What do you think?  I think the washi really helps tie the card to the sketch.

 My second card is inspired by my littlest dude.  His 4th birthday is coming up and he's a purple-a-holic.  So, I broke out our new number set, Numbers - Symbols, and everyone's favorite panda, Panda Face. 

 I did a little masking, embossing, and inking on this card.  WHOA!  First, I masked off a rectangle to make a little focal background for my card.  Next up, I embossed my 4's all over my background shape with white embossing powder.  Using some neon purple (yup, NEON purple) ink and a make-up sponge, I blended in a cool background that I knew my little dude would just adore.  I love how the embossed 4's really stand out.  I applied a little strip of glitter paper to represent the line from the sketch.  Finally, I stamped my sentiment on a little square of paper that I knew would make a perfect sign for my panda to hold with the hands that I cut after stamping 2 cute panda images on another white paper (one for the panda and one for just his hands).  A few foam squares for dimension and there you have it.  So, do you think my purple lover will like his birthday card?

He might just give me a face like this:

I just love that little goofball.  I hope you enjoyed my cards today and I'd love for you to come visit me at my blog for another awesome card made with more Sweet Stamp Shop goodies (you might find another surprise there also).  How awesome is that?  We'd love it if you come visit us on Facebook and LIKE us!  You won't want to miss out on the deals and peeks shared there...I guarantee it!  Just tell them Chrissy sent you.  ;)  Thanks and have a wonderful week!

-Chrissy Pin It

January Release - Basically, awesome.

Yeppers - today is release day! I can kinda hardly believe it - time flies so fast (then again I say that every month, don't I - lol)

Anyway, let's just dive right into it!

THE most important part (second to the stamps) is the sale - so before we go any further, here's the 'deal' ---

TODAY AND TOMORROW ONLY!

20% off your total NEW release stamp purchase using coupon code NR20

(and if you mention 'blog' on your order, I'll throw in something special for you - but, only if you mention 'blog' in the comment section of your order!)

Are you ready for the new release?! I'm so excited about these four stamp sets, I could jump for JOY! But, I'll refrain myself - it's ok if you wanna jump - we encourage it!

We're releasing some great BASIC stamp sets ....

'Basic' means: a great standard and 'must have' set for any collection, usually including (but not limited to) sentiments and general images. Something you can use over and over again!

We're proud to be releasing...

Foxy 2x6 

Anatomy Of Love 4x6

Just The Basics 2x6

Numbers-Symbols 2x6

We LOVE our design team - no, really! They're awesome - on top of it - and just the best, sweetest, group of ladies we've had! So, let me show off what they've done to show you how awesome these stamp sets really are!

Please - please - *super pretty sweet* please - take a moment and visit these talented ladies on their blogs. Not only do they have bonus content - but, they LOVE what they do and it shows.... take a moment and 'follow' their blogs (if you can) and leave a comment - it means so much to these girls, I promise! (you'll make their day!)

Charlene Bopp 

Please take a moment to visit the uber talented Charlene on her blog HERE - she'll have bonus content (and it's - WOW)! 

Samantha Mann

Samantha is really the sweetest girl around - go ahead and see what else she has up her sleeve, on her blog - HERE.

Tyra Babington

 

It's no secret - I have a design crush on Tyra! SHE'S amazing!! WOW, ok - you like, absolutely have to go see her blog - like, right now :) HERE

Nicole Gavaldon

Every time Nicole posts one of her creations - I think, Ummm - WOW. I know you think so too, right?! So, take a moment and say hello to her on her blog HERE. 

Chrissy Larson

So, we don't have enough room on the blog right now to show off the amazingness of Chrissy! Most of these cards do special things - open with fun sentiments - and are just *way cooler* then these little pictures show - SO you MUST, must - must - go to her blog and check these cards out in more detail - amazing!! HERE

Melissa Chipperfield 

Haven't you LOVED Melissa's new series on blog photos?! (you should scroll down to her blog post and check it out if you haven't already!) Also, take a moment to visit her blog - HERE - she's pretty spectacular! 

Lindsay Amrhein

Take a moment and follow Lindsay on her blog - HERE - she posts great content and always has the most inspirational cards! 

Annette Witherspoon

Annette - is a doll - and so is her fun cards - I know she has a couple more really awesome creations to show you - on her blog, HERE. Be sure to say hi, I know she LOVES it! 

Dannielle Robeson

Did you know that Danni - our design team coordinator - is now the design team coordinator for 'Fusion Challenge'?! Yep, take a moment and check out her blog - get all the latest news and fun stuff coming out of Danni's crafty world! HERE

Your fearless leader NICOLE, might have made a couple items for the release too! (I just couldn't help myself, this is such a good release) But, you already know what I look like, right?! lol So, I'll spare ya the picture... and just get right to the good stuff... 

Don't forget about the sale - good today and tomorrow only! Coupon code - NR20 .. 20% off all the new release stamps! 

Check out all the new releases on the website - http://www.sweetstampshop.com/new-release/

Take a moment and comment below - let us know which stamp set you're just going to *have to have* ---- we love to hear what stole your heart! 

Thank you so much for stopping in, commenting, following - and supporting! We're a small business who deeply appreciates you as our customer and we know - it just wouldn't be possible without you! So, thank you!! 

Happy release day - Happy Stamping!

N. 

Pin It