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.

Eat More Veggies

This month there are eight fantastic sets being released; I honestly cannot choose my favorite!  But the first one I inked up was Save the Turkeys!  How cute is that guy?  He comes with all sorts of interchangeable sentiments that you can put in the banner.  I colored him with my Spectrum Noir markers:

Body/Feathers: GB10, GB9, GB8, TN4, EB2, EB1

Head/Legs: GB5, GB4, GB2

Beak/Waddle: TN3, TN4, CR5, CR6, CR7

Banner: GB4, EB2, EB1

Outline: BG2, BG1

This card is just hanging out on my desk - it makes me smile so much, I don't want to give it away!

Supplies:
Stamps: Save the Turkeys (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: More Mustard, Aways Artichoke (SU); White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Forever Fall (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Ribbon (May Arts)

You Are Treasured

It's my turn to host the Sketch Challenge over on Splitcoaststampers this week, and I decided to use the sketch I drew to make a birthday card for my husband's grandmother.  I inked up the lovely Treasured set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I think this is such a great set, because it has so many "girl" words in it (grandmother, aunt, mother, sister, etc), and so many phrases to pair them with.  And really - how lovely is that butterfly?

I colored the image with my Spectrum Noir markers.  Here's a list of what I used:

Flower petals: CR7, CR6, CR5, CR4

Flower center: JG2, GB5, CT4

Flower stem: JG2, JG1

Butterfly: GB5, CT4, CT3, CT2

Outline: GG2, GG1

I stamped the image twice - once on the die cut circle and then again on another piece of cardstock, and fussy cut it.  I adhered it using foam tape, for dimenesion.  And to add even more dimension to the butterfly, I put an extra piece of foam tape there, which help keep the wing popped up at an angle.

Stop by the sketch challenge forum and play along with us this week!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Treasured (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections); White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Victoria Garden (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Spectrum Noir
Accessories: Half Pearls (Queen & Co)
Tools:Classic and Scalloped Circles (Nestabilities)

Warm Summer Greetings

I played along with the Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers yesterday.  I colored up the new Summertime Rhubarb from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps using my Spectrum Noir markers for a bit of bright summer cheer.  How cute is he, floating in that inner tube?  I adore Rhubarb, and just cannot get enough of him!

Here's a breakdown of the markers I used on this little guy:

Fur: GB10, GB9, EB2, EB1 (texture created with Blender)

Inner Tube: GB7, GB6, GB2; BGR2, BGR1, IG1

Water: BT4, BT4, BT2, BT1

Cup: PP3

Hope you get a chance to head over to Splitcoaststampers and play along with this week's sketch!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Summertime Rhubarb (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: White (Neenah); Swimming Pool (Bazzill), Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: Country Drive (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Spectrum Noir 
Accessories: Ribbon (May Arts)

Merci, Paris

I'm hosting the sketch challenge over on Splitcoaststampers this week!  I made a card using the To Paris With Love set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I sponged inside the inner frame of the main image and added some coloring with Copics.  This is such a fun set - I could stare at this image all day :)

Stop by and play along if you get a chance!

Supplies: 
Stamps: To Paris With Love (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: For the Record (Echo Park)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Pearls (Queen & Co); Flax Twine (The Twinery)
Tools: Oval Punch (SU)

Hoot of a Friend

Recently I was honored to have been asked to make a sample for the Inspiration Challenge over on Splitcoaststampers. I loved the site, Greenheart Shop, so much, I had to make two cards because I could not choose which piece of inspiration I loved the most!  Today I'm sharing a card inspired by this sweet little wool owl birdhouse.

I inked up the new Owl Be There set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and attempted to stick to the fun colors of the inspiration piece.  I think I ended up a smidge pinker than the original owl, but he's still cute!  I also added some hand-stitching to two of the panels, and snuck some of my favorite lace tape from Love My Tapes on there too.

Supplies:
Stamps: Owl Be There (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft, White (Neenah); Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: Social Club (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Lace Tape (Love My Tapes), Pearls (Creative Impressions), Thread (Unkown)
Tools: Circle Punches (SU); Paper Piercer, Needle

Friday Feature: One of a Kind

Friday is finally here!  To kick off an exciting weekend, we have an adorable springtime stamp set to highlight today.  And be sure to check out the whole post....we're sharing details of a huge sale you won't want to miss!

Have you seen One of a Kind?  It's got the three sweetest birds on a branch, and it's full of wonderful sentiments.  Take a look:

Here are a few details about this set:

~Includes 1 image and 5 sentiments 

~Set measures approximately 4"x3" 

~Large image measures approximately 3.5" x 1.85" 

~Illustrated by Korin Sutherland

And here are some samples from the Design Divas:

WOW!!  Such fun, cheerful cards!  Head over to the store to pick up your set today, and don't forget to share with us what you make!  You can upload your work to our gallery over on Splitcoaststampers.  We love to see your beautiful cards and projects!

And now.....we have a HUGE sale to share with you!  Mr. Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is celebrating a milestone birthday very soon, so Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is celebrating too!

Use the coupon code DAN40 at checkout for 40% off everything in the store through April 25th.  Happy shopping!

Wildflower Wishes

It's my turn again to host the sketch challenge over on Splitcoaststampers, and this week I'm sharing one that can be completely CAS, or semi-jazzed up.  I made two different card samples for the sketch; the one I'm sharing today is the sort-of jazzed up version (but I still think it is sort of CAS!).  I'm also standing in for someone this week and hosting the Hump Day Challenge over in the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps forums - the original challenge planned for this week was to add real or faux stitching to your cards.  I'm sticking with that, because I love it!

I stamped my Wildflowers image directly on my patterned paper and had stitched it to the black card stock. I added an extra circle panel to the original sketch, and used a sentiment from the Smell the Flowers set.  I used some silver self adhesive half pearls to finish off the card.

Stay tuned on Friday - I'll be sharing the second card I made using this sketch!  I hope you get a chance to play along with both the sketch challenge and the Hump Day Challenge this week!

Supplies:
Stamps: Wildflowers, Smell the Flowers (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Neenah), Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: For the Record (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: Pearls (Queen & Co.), Thread
Tools: Classic and Scalloped Circles, Pennant Banner (Spellbinders), Circle Punches (SU)

You Inspire Me

This is one of the first cards I made with the fabulous You set, designed by Dina Kowal for Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I really, really love how this card turned out!  I inked up each sentiment, stamped it once on scratch paper, and then stamped it on my card stock base.  That way, the colors were not too dark.  I stamped the large word you in the same way, and tied some twine around the top - that's it!  Simple as can be :)

Supplies: 
Stamps: You (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: White (Neenah)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Worn Lipstick, Peeled Paint, Wild Honey, Dusty Concord (Tim Holtz/Ranger)
Accessories: Flax Twine (The Twinery)

Thoughtful Rhubarb

Happy Saturday everyone!  I made a quick card to share using the darling new Thoughtful Rhubarb clear stamp set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I paired him with the yummy Snowfall patterned paper from Bo Bunny - isn't he handsome surrounded by blue?  I finished him off with a fun heart - I am loving the hearts die set from SNSS!

I also added some pretty velvet flourish stickers from Stampendous to my card - they were originally white, but I sponged some ink on them to help them blend in with the papers a bit more.

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!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Thoughtful Rhubarb (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (PTI), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Snowfall (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Antique Linen (Ranger Distress)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Velvet Flourish Stickers (Stampendous), Bling (Creative Impressions)
Tools: Heart Dies (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Banner Die (Spellbinders)

You Complete Me

I am SUPER excited about today's card!!  Not only was this week my first official time as one of the new Sketch Challenge Hostesses over at Splitcoaststampers (along with Korin and Holly - what a great trio we make!), I used one of the fantastic new stamp sets being released by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps this week.  How stinkin' cute is the glass of milk and bunch of cookies?!?!?! The stamp set is called You & Me, and it is definitely one of my favorites from the release.

I also combined this card with this week's Inspiration Challenge I host over in the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps member company forums.  I love this photo I found on Pinterest;  my card echoes the circles from the background, the cookie theme, and the colors (sort of - I used them, but in different hues). 

I hope you can find some time to come play along with one or both of these great challenges!!  And if you need even more to challenge you, play along with our release party challenges for chances to WIN a FREE set from the new release:

My Color Combo Challenge 

Cathy's Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge

Kim's Paper Piecing Challenge

And.....I love the new release SO much, I'm giving away a free set, just to spread the love.  Head over to this thread on SCS and just tell me which one is your favorite. That's it!! It's that simple!

Supplies: 
Stamps: You & Me (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill), Cream (Bazzill Prsimatics)
Patterned Paper: Sweet Season (Webster's Pages)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics (N0, N2, BG10, E31, E33, E35)
Accessories: Twine (May Arts)
Tools: Circle Punches (SU), Paper Piercer, Tim Holtz Design Ruler

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)

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)

Warm Chocolate Hugs

This week's CAS challenge over on Splitcoaststampers is to make a card with a winter/holiday theme.  Easy peasy for me, because I am currently in love with this gorgeous Snowflake Flourish set.  I kept my card super simple, and added the sentiment on a quick little banner I made.  I spritzed the left side with some water and rolled the edge around my paper piercer.  Spritzing it with water helps it roll smoothly.  I fussy cut a few snowflakes to pop up on foam tape as well. 

Important SHIPPING Announcement: 

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps will be closed over the Thanksgiving holiday to enjoy time with our family. You may continue to place orders however we will not be shipping November 23rd-November 30th. Shipping will resume December 1st. Thank you for understanding.

Supplies: 
Stamps: Snowflake Flourish (SNSS)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Tools: paper piercer (to roll edge), spray bottle (Stampendous)

Happy Winter!

Hi everyone, it's Taylor here today!  I'm sharing a simple card I made recently that is super easy to make in large batches(perfect for holiday card making!).  Last week's CAS Challenge over on Splitcoaststampers was a color combo - ivory, chocolate, and red.   I think this is such a delicious combo!  I made my card on a day when much of the country was getting snow (not us, even thought I wanted it - we got cold temperatures and rain, which I also happen to love).  To console myself about our lack of snow, I inked up one of my current favorite sets from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, Snowflake Silhouettes.

I stamped my snowflakes randomly on a cream panel, and then cut it into three sections. The ones on the left and right are 1 1/4" wide, and the one in the middle is 1 1/2" wide.  I stamped a sentiment and popped it up on dimensionals, and added three small stickers on the right side of the card to balance it out.

Supplies: 
Stamps: Snowflake Silhouettes (SNSS)
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Real Red (SU); Cream (Bazzill)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); Barn Door (Ranger)
Accessories: Dot Sparklers Stickers - Red Holograph (Stampendous)

Sending Love to You

Last week's Clean and Simple challenge over at Splitcoaststampers was to be inspired by a gorgeous breakfast photo.  I used the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Tea Time set, paired with a sentiment from the Christmas Tags set, to create my card.

To make the little "cinnamon stick", I cut a small pice of kraft card stock, sponged the edges with a couple different colors of distress ink, distressed the edges with my fingernail, and then spritzed the whole thing with water.  I rolled it up and tied it with a piece of ribbon until it dried, and then tied it onto my card!  My delicious background patterned paper reminded me of the warm background in the photo.

Supplies:
Stamps: Tea Time, Christmas Tags (SNSS)
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip (SU); White (Neenah); Kraft (Bazzill)
Patterned Paper: Forever Fall (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); Tea Stain, Walnut Stain (Ranger)
Coloring Medium: Copics (C00, C1, C2, C3, E31, E33, E35)
Accessories: Twisted Burlap (May Arts)
Tools: Spray Bottle (Stampendous)

All About the Blues

I'm all about the blue today, with two fun cards to share!  Today's Clean and Simple challenge over on Splitcoaststampers is all about paper piecing.  I'll take any excuse to bust out my favorite teapot set, Tea Time, from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!  I kept my layout super simple, and used some fun polka dot paper by Pink Persimmon.  The inside sentiment reads: "Teapot is on, cps are waiting, favorite chairs anticipating... No matter what I have to do my friend, there's always time for you." LOVE it!

I made this a couple Fridays ago for the Free for All challenge over on Splitcoaststampers - it was to use mostly blue. Easily done - I adore blue!!  I paired the cute Little Boys Toys set with the fab Blast Off paper by Bo Bunny. My sketch came from the amazing Wendy Jordan - I totally stole it right off her blog!

Supplies (teapot Card): 
Stamps: Tea Time (SNSS)
Card Stock: Blue Bayou (retired) (SU), Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: Bayberry Cottage (Pink Persimmon)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: Martha Stewart half pearls
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities


Supplies (Rocket Card): 
Stamps: Little Boy Toys (SNSS)
Card Stock: Night of Navy, Close to Cocoa (retired) (SU)
Patterned Paper: Blast Off (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Paris Dusk (Memento), Moonlight White (Brilliance)
Accessories: Cappuccino Twine, silver eyelet
Tools: cuttlebug embossing folder, crop-a-dile