Warm Wishes from Cocoa (and me ;))

I love Cocoa, so you can imagine that I was happy to see the 11th birthday Cocoa set. The warm wishes are also perfect for this time of the year. And well... with Cocoa's name in combination with the warm wishes... I think I'm going to make some hot chocolate when I'm done writing this blog ;).

I stamped the image of Cocoa on marker paper and colored it with my markers. After that I cut out the images and I die cut a couple of snowflakes for the background. I used dark blue cardstock for this card and stamped the sentiment with embossing ink. I love the bright white embossing powder on dark cardstock so that's what I used for this card too. I added a couple of pearl drops and sequins to finish the card.

I used the stamp set Cocoa's cups for this card.

Warm wishes!
- Lucinde

Happy Birthday and Some Snowman Soup!

Hi Friends! Today's post is a pretty fun one because it is part of a month long celebration for Sweet N Sassy Stamp's 11th Birthday! I made a birthday tag using Party Hat Cocoa Digital Stamp to get things started! (I love Cocoa Mouse - don't you?!)

 As part of the celebration, there are presents of course - for you!! There are different ones every week and this week it is FREE US Shipping with the code "HAPPY11FREESHIP"

My inspiration projects today are a little surprise for my sister. She is a big time scrapbooker and my favorite person to create for. When I send her a card she thanks me for the "embellishment" and adds it to a page. Soooo today I made her an actual embellishment using a great little clear stamp set from 2013 called Snowman Soup.

I bought this mug die cut this summer and have just been waiting for the inspiration to use it - this stamp set was just what I needed! I decided to decorate my mug with a winter scene by stamping my snowman and making him a bit taller. I wanted to color it with color pencils because they are so great on dark colored paper. I was not disappointed.

I created a little journaling card to go into it so she can journal the page and tuck it into the mug. I decorated the bottom corner with one of the smaller snowmen in the set.

I was having so much fun, I also created a little ATCoin thinking she could pop it somewhere too. I colored this up with Copics - you can see the difference in vibrancy when it is beside the color pencil snowman. I really like them both in different ways!

Here is the whole set - I think she is going to love it!

I hope you are inspired today to just create something and have fun doing it. Try different mediums and see what you like best.

Thanks for stopping by and joining the celebration!
Lyn

Love and Hugs

Hello everyone! Today I want to show you a sweet winter card that I made with ‘For the Birds’ and ‘Cocoa sends love’. The set with Cocoa has amazing greetings and it’s a great match with a lot of sets.

I stamped the bird on watercolor paper and colored it with my watercolor markers and a waterbrush. I have a (watercolor) paper pad with several gold and white foiled designs on it so I made a matching backgrounds with the same colors that I used for the scarf and hat from the bird. You could stamp your own background with embossing powder and create the same effect. I love that I can create a matching background really quick this way. You only have to wait patiently while it dries ;). The background was a little bit too bright for the bird so you couldn’t see it when I placed it directly on top of it. I decided to add a piece of vellum behind the bird to tone down the background. I die-cut a rectangle with a stiched border out of the vellum and stamped the sentiment ‘love & hugs’ on it. added a clear drying glue behind the borders of the vellum and a little bit behind the bird where you wouldn’t see it at all. I finished the card with a couple of pearl drops.

I hope I inspired you to start creating today!

- Lucinde - Lucilight

Warm Cocoa Wishes

Hi Everybody, Regina here.... 

It has been in the high 70's the last few weeks and now it's in the low 60's and 50's.  That's COLD for Mississippi weather lol.  I know, if you live up North you're chuckling right now. :)

I love to drink flavored coffees and hot chocolate when it starts getting cooler outside so I thought it was time to pull out this stamp set by Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps called Winnie's Warm Wishes. 

I used a Tim Holtz stencil for the background called Holiday Knit.  I love this stencil for holiday and winter cards.  For the very first time, I used my new Clarity Stencil Brushes.  I like the soft look but you do have to apply many layers.  I tend to press harder with a jumbo sponge dauber and always seem to make it darker than I would've liked so these definitely will solve that problem.  I used Gina K Designs Ocean Mist and Jellybean Green Inks and card stocks. 

I colored the cups with Copic Markers and added Nuvo drops in Gloss White on the marshmallows for some dimension and shine.  For some subtle shine on the hearts, I used the Sakura Glitter Pen in Clear Star.  You'll notice there is one cup in this set.... I mirrored it to make the other one. I used a piece of acetate and stamped the cup in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and pressed it gently on the card stock.  It's not going to stamp as crisp as the original one but I went over it with a black Faber Castel PITT Artist Pen with super fine tip and cut them out. 

Next I embossed the words I wanted for the card on Gina K Designs Black Onyx card stock with Brutus Monroe Alabaster Ultra Fine Embossing Powder and cut into strips. 

To finish it off, I used clear sequins which I think add such a lovely touch without interrupting the other items on the card. 

I like this stamp set also to make cards to send out after the New Year as well. 

For more inspiration, please visit my blog at http://cardsbyregina.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Faith & Feathers ~

Good morning family and friends! Mary here with some samples from one of my favourite sets from Korin. Faith is an ensemble of inspirational quotes and scriptures. It comes with seven sentiments/scriptures. The feathers are from the Nature's Silhouette 2 and the birds and feathers die.

My second sample uses the same combination of stamps with second generation stamping. Very simple with no embellishments.

The Birthday Celebration continues until the end of the month. This week November 20-26 Sweet and Sassy is celebrating by offering

25% off all dies - use this code when you place your order: BDAYDIES25

A bit about myself:

I was born and raised on an Ojibwe-Cree reservation in Northwestern Ontario. My heritage is one that I cherish and appreciate very much.  Both my parents have now departed for the next life, so I especially find it important to continue  imparting to my now grown kids, the values of who we are as a people. It gives me great joy when I hear them quote our values in various life experiences. Currently, my husband and I own a home exteriors business. We also serve in our home church and we travel extensively for prayer related ministry in various networks.

I was introduced to stamping 20 years ago! aacck! I cringe when I think about my first creations. haha. For the most part, I like what I create. Then there are some days I should've left my inks and stamps alone but that too is part of the creative process.

My first introduction to SNSS was through a little humble store. I gravitated to the stamps because of the scriptures. I fell in love with Cocoa!!! I served on the Crazy4Cocoa DT and then on the Digi Challenge in 2011. Since then, I have served on the SNSS team. I am so privileged to have walked with all these women over the years. So much talent, inspiration and sisterhood.

I love finding my stamping inspiration through stories and people. My first card (above) I call "messy faith". The reality of growing in our faith is rarely a clean cut journey. I'd rather say it gets messy as we deal with the realities of our own heart. The messy background is symbolic of that. If we stop and listen to faith stories, it is seldom without a mess but the result is beautiful. I added feathers to my card because it is symbolic of my heritage. Feathers represent honour. We need to honour all people. We honour because it flows out of who we are and not what the other deserves. Jesus did that.

Best advice for stamping: get to know your inks and the different uses of each type. 

My all time favourite SNSS is Cocoa! Here are a few creations from the past:

FAITH Cards - Materials Used:
Stamps: Faith, Nature's Silhouette 2
Paper: SU, Hampton Arts
Inks: Paint, SU, Versafine
Accessories: SNSS dies, jute, bead

        

Cocoa Mouse stamps are on sale!

Good morning!

Today I have a couple of Cocoa mouse cards that I made in honor of this week's Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps sale event going on in celebration of SNSS's 5th birthday!

I used Sew Happy Cocoa on my first card and Fall Time Cocoa on my second card below.  

Don't look at my coloring too closely though... I stamped the images in Memento Espresso ink, colored with Copics and then trimmed - all the while not loving the ink color.  I've decided that I can't stamp in brown inks when I color with Copics - it has to be black!  So, I went over the sentiments and images with a Copic multiliner black pen but due to the details of the stamp images, my tracing wasn't perfect.  I didn't have time to redo them, sorry...! agggh!

\\

But, as you can see Korin's Cocoa Mouse is pretty adorable anyway!  Check out her awesome sale page HERE and grab some sets while they are available for such great prices!

Have a great day!
Jessica

Cocoa is the Best!!

It's Kim and I have a fun Cocoa card for you using All-Star Cocoa.

Living in a household of men, my family is very aware of the fact that it is football season!!!

Besides watching a continual loop of ESPN Sports Center and multiple preseason games (Go Broncos!), my teenage son is having an interesting experience.  He has recently transferred to a small Christian high school.  My husband, who also attended a small Christian school, warned my 6'4", 200 pound son that he would get the attention of all of the coaches (even though his "sport" is actually band!)  We visited the school about a month ago and, as we were touring, a gentlemen at the other end of the hallway saw us and practically ran down the hall saying, "Are you a new student?  Do you play football??" And now that my son is actually enrolled there, the teacher in his Theology class asks him every single morning, "Are you sure you don't play football?"

So I created this card for my son.  When he is having a down day - I'll bring out the card.  Inside it says, "You are the best (but are you sure you don't play football!!)"  It will make him smile...

I impressed myself a little with the pennants (I'm easily impressed).  I tend to take stamps at face-value...a postage cancellation stamp is a postage cancellation stamp.  But...in this case, the curves on the postage cancellation stamp from Vintage Postcard became the folds on the pennants!!

I also brought out my favorite basic set - Grunge Borders - to do the diamonds on the green panel.

(All other details are on my blog.)

Kim

To Everything, A Season

Hello everyone, it's Taylor here today.  As many of you know, I've been a part of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps for quite some time - just about eighteen months, to be exact.   And for a little over a year, I've had the privilege of serving as the Design Team and Social Media Coordinator.  It is with a twinge of sadness that I'm writing this today - it will be my last official post as part of the Sweet 'n Sassy team.

The decision to step down has not been an easy one for me, and it has taken quite awhile to come to.  I love Korin, and have been so happy to work for (and with) her for so long.  And the Design Divas - well, you couldn't ask for a more caring, supportive group of women to be around. 

I just wanted to take this time to thank all of you - the team and the customers, for the friendship and encouragement you've given me for the past eighteen months.  It has been wonderful getting to know all of you, and seeing the inspiration and creativity you bring to the table.

I won't be going far - you'll still see me in the gallery over at SCS, and sharing my SNSS creations on the Facebook page, too.  I love my SNSS stamps too much to not get them inky all the time!

I appreciate all of the opportunities I've been given as a part of this team.  Truly, SNSS has been such a blessing to me!  I cannot wait to see future releases and what the talented ladies who work with them will create.

Customer Spotlight Sunday

Welcome to another Sunday!  I'm a little behind today, thanks to the time change...oops!  I have a lovely card to share today.  I spotted it over in our gallery on Splitcoaststampers - take a look:

This card was created by Julie (aka jkstieber) using the Butterfly Flourish paired with a sentiment from Springtime Cocoa.  I love the warm, distressed look she created!!

Thanks so much for sharing such fabulous creations with us!  You never know when we'll spot your card in our gallery or on one of our challenge blog linky collections, so be sure to keep those amazing uploads coming (we are always on the lookout in our Splitcoaststampers gallery, over at the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection, Paper Craft Planet, and the linky collections for the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge and the Digi Challenges)!

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Customer Spotlight Sunday

Hello Sweet 'n Sassy friends!  I hope you've gotten a chance to check out the great March Release....the team has been having so much fun with it!  Today I'm here to share some great cards I spotted over on the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection.  Take a look:

card created by: Stacy Morgan

card created by: Stacy Morgan

Aren't these circle cards created by the talented Stacy Morgan so much fun?  She used the Springtime Cocoa set for her first card; her second features the darling Cocoa's Tasty Treats.  I love the red on both of them!

Thanks so much for sharing such fabulous creations with us!  You never know when we'll spot your card in our gallery or on one of our challenge blog linky collections, so be sure to keep those amazing uploads coming (we are always on the lookout in our Splitcoaststampers gallery, over at the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection, Paper Craft Planet, and the linky collections for the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge and the Digi Challenges)!

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Customer Spotlight Sunday

Hello friends, can you believe it is Sunday again?  I'm here to share a couple of customer cards that I spotted this week - I think you will love them as much as I do!

Take a look at what the lovely Emily Painter-Davis has ben sharing:

This first card features the Pamper Me Cookie digi image, and was made for a Sweet Stop Sketch challenge.  Aren't the colors just so perfect and girlie?

Emily's second card features the yummy A Donut for Cocoa digi image, and was made for the SNS Digi Challenge.  Love that sketch she created, and the color combo!

Aren't these cards  fabulous? I love how both of them are colored, and the bright colors Emily used - well done!!  Thanks so much for sharing such fabulous creations with us!  You never know when we'll spot your card in our gallery or on one of our challenge blog linky collections, so be sure to keep those amazing uploads coming (we are always on the lookout in our Splitcoaststampers gallery, over at the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection, Paper Craft Planet, and the linky collections for the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge and the Digi Challenges)!

Customer Spotlight Sunday

Hello friends, and welcome to another joyous Sunday!  I have some fabulous inspiration to share with you today; both of these cards come from the lovely Donna Hanley:

Aren't these cards just darling? And both of them are so well colored - great job, Donna!! Thanks so much for sharing such fabulous creations, with us!  You never know when we'll spot your card in our gallery or on one of our challenge blog linky collections, so be sure to keep those amazing uploads coming (we are always on the lookout in our Splitcoaststampers gallery, over at the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection, Paper Craft Planet, and the linky collections for the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge and the Digi Challenges)!

Did you see the surprise announcement about the entire February release being available early?  Limited quantities are already in the store, so if you order now you might even get your stamps before the official release on Thursday, Feb 2!

And mark your calendars for these two events coming up next week:

The Design Team is hard at work creating amazing samples to show off during our New Release blog hop next Thursday! The fun starts right here on the SNSS blog!

We have so many fun things planned for our release party next Thursday...challenges, chatting, giveaways, and oh so much fun!! Don't miss it!

Want a Challenge?

I'm hosting the sketch challenge over on Splitcoaststampers today, and I drew this sketch with this image from the Love From Cocoa stamp set in mind.  I love how I can use any sentiment in the set to put on the little pice of paper he's holding!  I had fun with this card - the break, however temporary, from my holiday gift making and wrapping frenzy was quite welcome.

How can there only be four more days until Christmas? I'm excited, but wow do I have lots of prep work to do! W'll be hosting two holiday meals at my house.  One on Christmas Eve, and another on Christmas Day. Plus, gifts that need wrapping are still arriving daily for my kids, from relatives all over the place. This year, I've taken a page from some friends and used stamps to make gift tags, instead of putting names on them. So no one know (but me) which presents belong to what person. I can't wait until Christmas morning!! This has totally made me feel like a kid again :)

Head over to Splitcoaststampers and play along in the sketch challenge this week - I hope you like it!

I also shared a new Inspiration Challenge in the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps member company forums yesterday.  I used this warm picture to inspire me to color up De"light"ful Cocoa. My sketch is from the Sweet Stop this week - it's such a great one!

I encourage you to come play along with this one too - you could combine the sketch and Inspiration Challenges if you want!! 

Supplies: 
Stamps: De"light"ful Cocoa (digi); Be Mine Cocoa (clear) (SNSS)
Card Stock: Purely Pomegranate, Creamy Caramel, So Saffron
Patterned Paper: Webster's Pages
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Coppics (R81, R83, R85, BG10, BG11, C00, Y11, Y00, Y15, Y17, R20, E31, E33, E35, E51, E50)
Accessories: ribbon
Tools: cuttlebug embossing folder

Supplies (Sketch Challenge Card):
Stamps: Love From Cocoa (SNSS)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Olivia (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Worn Lipstick (Ranger Distress)
Coloring Medium: Copics (N0, N2, C00, C5, R20, E50, E51, BG72, 0 Colorless Blender)
Accessories: Charcoal, Blossom Baker's Twine (The Twinery, available at SNSS)
Tools: Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

And the Winner Is....

We had SO much fun during our Crazy 4 Cocoa blog hop last week!  Thanks to everyone who hopped along and left comments on all the blogs, and a HUGE thanks to everyone who played along with us!

It's time to draw a winner using random.org.....the lucky person is: Patricia Hays!!

She made this darling card for Operation Write Home, using the Patriotic Cocoa stamp - he's available as part of a clear stamp set and as a digi on his own!  Patricia, send an email to Korin at korin@sweetnsassystamps.com that includes your snail mail address and your choice of one free Cocoa Mouse clear set or four free digis!  What a fun Christmas surprise!

Dont' forget, it's still Crazy 4 Cocoa month - the entire line of Cocoa Mouse clear stamps and digi images are 10% off through December 31 (no coupon needed).  Happy shopping!

Peppermint Cocoa

I shared another fun Inspiration Challenge over in the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps member company forums on Splitcoaststampers last Tuesday.  Last week it was all about the hot cocoa theme and peppermint colors....mmmmmm!! 

I couldn't resist coloring up this sweet Cocoa image (I used the one from the Cup of Cocoa clear stamp set, but this image is also available as an individual digi).  I added some great Halo Crystal glitter to the ends of the snowflakes on the cup (although it migrated everywhere!). 

You should come play along with our fun challenge!  While we share a new one each Tuesday (you can see the current challenge here), there is no time limit to play along!  You could land a weekly "guest designer" spot just for playing along!  Also, did you know that December is Crazy for Cocoa month at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps?  The entire line of Cocoa Mouse clear stamps and digis are 10% off all month long - no coupon needed!  You can thank me later!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Cup of Cocoa (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Jovial (Basic Grey)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Cappuccino and Maraschino twine (The Twinery, available @ SNSS)
Tools: Scallop Border Dies (SNSS); English Tea Party Doily Die (Cheery Lynn), circle punches (SU)