getting the most out of your mists

Hello there!!
Samantha here, and I'm super pumped to be on the Sweet Stamp Shop blog today!! :) Today I'm going to focus all about mists and 'out of the box' ways to use them! :)

I know I LOOOOVE using mists! they give an awesome 'messy' look to a project! And I'm the first to admit that 98% of the time, I either splatter the mist onto my project or spray it (either over a stencil or not)! I love the way that looks, but I was trying to come up new ways to use my mists and really stretch their 'I NEED TO USE THIS PRODUCT RIGHT NOW' factor! Ha ha!

My first thought was to paint with them, like watercolors!

And, since I'm currently in a love affair with the color gold (swoon) i used a Heidi Swapp Color Shine mist to really give me a goldy-shimmery look! :) And, people - I LOVE how this looks!! All I did was dip my paint brush into the mist bottle and lightly 'swipe' along the cardstock!

Those cute as can be little pears from the amazing Yummy Love stamp set really POP, don't you think?

My next thought was to combine misting with embossing folders! Sounds messy, right? Hmm, maybe a little! But so worth it! This is how I did it:

All I did was spray one side of the embossing folder (Lightly! - No pooling of color for this one!) and emboss the cardstock like i normally would! How did I not try this before?

I think this 'distressed' wood grain background is just AWESOME!!

Lastly, I tried what i thought was the most obvious way to use my mists more often...using them to tint my white embossing paste! I LOOOOOOOOOVE embossing paste, and since I have white, it's the perfect jumping off point to add color!

What you need to keep in mind here, is that you really need to play around to get the exact color you want and how many drops to use, etc. On one card i tinted my embossing paste with grey mist and it needed like 10 drops of color to mix, and for my card for this example, i used pink and only did 3 drops! So it really just depends on the color, and the amount of saturation you're looking for! :)

If you're intrigued to see the card i made with the pink tinted embossing paste - head on over to my blog! :)

What is your favorite way to use mists? I'm totally dying to find new ways to use this product! :)
All of my cards use the Yummy Love stamp set for the images and the Monogram Alpha stamp set for the sentiments! LOVE this pairing! :)

Have you been following the Sweet Stamp Shop on Pinterest? There is a TON of inspiration there, if you're ever feeling like you need a creative jump start! And if that doesn't help - the Sweet Stamp Shop Flickr account is filled to the brim with amazingly SWEET creations!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Samantha Pin It

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

How to Choose a Background for Photographing Your Cards

 

Hi, Sweet Things!  It's Melissa and I'm back to take a look at backgrounds for those photos of yours for this part of the Picture Perfect series!

Before we get started, I want to say that dressing up your photos doesn't have to take a lot out of your crafting budget!  You'll need to decide whether you want your photos to be one of two types:

1.  Hero Shot - This type of photo keeps your card the sole focus.

2.  Styled Shot - This type adds props to complement your card.

Also, let's take a look at my favorite backgrounds when photographing cards these days:

12 x 12 Decorative Paper

Rubber Door Mat (with a wood panel look)

2x2 Backdrop Panels (from My Backdrop Shop)

(Note:  I use these for taking photos of my small children also!)

As you can see, there are many options and I recommend you choose one or two that work for you and the look you're trying to achieve.  All store quite easily and are pretty compact.

Let's go ahead and look at hero shots first as this is the simplest of the two to put together!  Here is one extremely simple example of a hero shot using two pieces of white cardstock as the background and base:

To me, the plain white base and background cause the already white card to get lost.  Not a terrible photo, but it's not my favorite.

Here is an example of adding some simple patterned paper as a background to decrease the amount of white in the photograph:

See how much richer the photo is beginning to look just by adding a little color?

Here is another example, but this time I added a colored base instead of a background:

This did help a bit, but I'm still of the opinion that the white background isn't the best.

Now let's take a look at what happens when I simply use a faux wooden floor backdrop and take the photo from slightly above the card!

How's that for rich color?!  We're getting somewhere!

This is where you can decide to keep your photo simple or take it up yet another notch.  Are you wondering what you could possibly use for props without making a special trip to your local department store?  Guess what?!  You probably have more props setting around your house right now than you think you do!  Here's a list of some possibilities:

• cookie sprinkles
• a lamp base
• kids' toys
• gift bows
• party supplies
• office supplies (paper clips, etc.)
• school supplies (pencils, erasers, etc.)
• art supplies (crayons, etc.)
• baskets
• ceramic dishes
• little buckets
• Christmas decorations (ornaments, etc.)
• other holiday decor

That's just the beginning!  Depending on what kind of theme your card has, you can usually find something around the house to go along with it!  I keep a little basket of things I've found over time stored away for times when I feel like dressing up a photo.  It's beginning to get quite full and I love it!

So what did I do for my final photo this time around?  Take a look!

I used the adorable Yummy Love set by Alyssa Lea for the apple and sentiment:

...and the cute glasses from the Monogram It set to give the apple a scholarly look:

For the photograph, I used a patterned paper in the background with a number theme as this card is going to go to a teacher this Valentine's Day.  I used a decorative paper base that looks like wood.  I brainstormed for appropriate props and grabbed an apple out of the kitchen as well as a couple pieces of broken chalk from my children's chalk board.  See?!  It doesn't take fancy props to take your photos up to the next level!

I hope this gives you a few ideas to get you started!  It's so much fun to play with backgrounds and props!  Take some time the next couple weeks to brainstorm for your own ideas!  You'll be surprised how many things you'll find around the house for props and that decorative paper stash you're hoarding is going to love seeing some daylight!  I know mine sure does!

I'll be back in a couple weeks to talk about photo editing!  In the meantime, bop on over to my blog for more Sweet Stamp Shop Sweetness and don't forget to Like Sweet Stamp Shop on Facebook so you don't miss out on upcoming news and specials!

Enjoy your Monday!

Melissa

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Coloring With Distress Re-inkers

Hi Sweet Friends!  It's Charlene here with you today.  Are you guys ready to get inky?  A few months ago, I saw an awesome video tutorial on YouTube on how to color with Distress Reinkers (sorry, I'm drawing blanks, can't remember who did the video).  There are many different techniques out there, but today I'm going to cover what works for me.

Here we go!

1. For this technique, I chose the Yummy Love stamp set.   It's an awesome set to practice this technique and it's super cute too!  Other supplies:  Archival ink (definite must-have for watercoloring), watercolor paper, ink, paper towel, and a brush.   
2. I use an acrylic block to put a teeny tiny drop of ink.  That drop right there is more than enough.
3. I started with a water brush, but it did not go so well - yikes!  So, I switched on over to a good old brush and a cup of water.  This is just my preference. 
4. To color:  use a tiny bit of ink and start coloring at the corner and work your way to the center or to where you think the lightest part of the object is....That is pretty much it!  

Here are the pears up close on my card:

Here's the full card:  Tada!

We would love for you to share your creations with us!

Thank you so much for joining me today.  You can see more of my work on my blog, HERE.

Charlene 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

Coloring On Vellum How To!

Happy New Year Sweet Friends!  It's Charlene here with you today. When I was on an excursion at Michaels recently, I saw these massive beautiful flowers made out of fabric.  Swoon...they were gorgeous!  Being a crafter on a budget, I went to my stash and see if I could re-create it....

Coloring on vellum is one of the techniques that I learned a while back. The finished product looks amazing and has that airy look to it.  AND it's super easy to do!

1. Can I just say that the Elegant Flowers stamp set is beyond amazing? Yep, love this set! I stamped multiple images onto vellum using Versamark ink then heat embossed with white powder.  
2. Now it's time to color.  Ready?  All you need are inks of your choice and q-tips.  Start at the base of the flower and color upwards.  Add more color until you are happy with the shading. Fussy cut the flowers and assemble.  That's pretty much it!

Here's the finish product:

I assembled the flowers to make a giant focal point.  The layers add so much dimension.  I'm happy with how this turned out, it looks like the flower that I saw at the store, but in vellum. :)

Here's the rest of the card:

I added a sentiment from Yummy Love stamp set to finish off the card.  That's another amazing set!

We would love for you to share your creations using SSS stamps.  You can head on over to Flicker or to FB.  

You can visit me on my blog, HERE.

Thank you so much for stopping by!  Have an awesome day!

Charlene 

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Guest Designer: Jennifer Rzasa

Hey there sweet friends! Alyssa here today to introduce another FAN-TAB-U-LOUS guest designer: Jennifer Rzasa! Jennifer artist and blogger behind Our Change of Art and she is ALSO the creative mind that created the Runway Inspired Challenge. Her work is so clever and beautiful! Jen is another dear crafty friend who has supported me from my very first step into the craft world, so I couldn't be happier to have her showing off the new Alyssa Lea Designs line of stamps at Sweet Stamp Shop! Meet Jennifer:

Hi, this is Jen Rzasa and I'm so happy to be helping Alyssa release her first stamp set with the Sweet Stamp Shop! I'm an elementary music teacher, and I live with my husband near Boston MA. I love making cards, but I also adore watercolor painting, sewing, cooking, and making/altering jewelry.

And here are the sweet masterpieces Jennifer whipped up for us:

I think that the Yummy Love set is perfect for someone who is just getting started with coloring (like myself!), because you can fill in those cute fruits with a solid color or slight shading and it will look awesome either way! Plus, the sentiments are really sweet :)

Isn't she amazing?! I was lucky enough to receive one of Jen's beautiful cards in the mail a couple years ago - and let me tell you - they are even more beautiful in person!

Of course, Jen rocked the Yummy Love stamp set!

You can grab Yummy Love HERE!

Jen - thank you SO much for joining us this month, your hard work truly shows in your beautiful projects! Big hugs from everyone at Sweet!!

Alright my sweet friends, I would LOVE if you would leave some sweet comments for Jennifer, and remember to drop by her personal blog Our Change of Art!

Big bloggy hugs <3

Alyssa

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Guest Designer: Thienly Azim

Hey there sweet friends! Alyssa here today to introduce you to our FIRST amazing guest designer this month - Thienly Azim! Thienly is the blogger and papercrafting wizard behind Mod Paperie. Her work with SVGs is mind blowing! And -- having worked with Thienly in the past -- I can't say how happy I am to have her with me to show off the new Alyssa Lea Designs line of stamps at Sweet Stamp Shop! Meet Thienly:

Hello! I'm Thienly Azim and love anything crafty, especially if it involves paper! As a mother of three - I find that being creative is the best way to unwind my day! I love to make cards and 3D papercrafts with my cutting machine. I currrently design for two companies, and I'm thrilled to be here as a guest designer today!

And here is the amazing project Thienly whipped up for us:

I just couldn't resist but to make some fun straw toppers with these stamps! I matched the paper straw, twine and buttons to match each of the fruit colors, and backed them with cork. I used straw topper dies (Lifestyle Crafts straw topper), so everything was quick and easy to make! These make such fun addition to your next party!

Can you say ADORABLE?!

Thienly rocked the new Yummy Love stamp set!

You can grab Yummy Love HERE!

Thienly - thank you SO much for joining us this month, your hard work truly shows in your beautiful projects! Big hugs from everyone at Sweet!!

Alright my sweet friends, I would LOVE if you would leave some sweet comments for Thienly, and remember to drop by her personal blog Mod Paperie!

Big bloggy hugs <3

Alyssa

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