Clear & Simple Stamps: Create-a-Plaid Preview

{This is the 1st of two posts for today. Please click here for my Play Date Cafe project.}

I have exciting news, dear friends: I am joining the Clear & Simple Stamps {App} design team!  This is cutting-edge technology for crafters and is available to iPhone & iPad users.  My projects will typically be peeked here on the blog, but CSS App users will have full content available.  Instructions, project photos, and LOTS of inspiration at the tip of your finger... whenever... wherever.  You can find out more about the App HERE.

More good news: It is release time at Clear & Simple Stamps!  Each release collection has a theme and March is swaddled in sweetness for all things BABY.  I will be participating along with the other DT members to preview these new sets and share inspiration.  Any sets that catch your eye will be available for purchase on March 5th.

Today the CSS team is highlighting the new background sets that are debuting this month.  I used Create-a-Plaid for a fashionable take on welcoming a little someone new.  I was inspired by classic Burberry plaid.  I used the wide strips for the bottom portion of the card and some of the thin lines to create a matching scarf for my giraffe.  Keep your eyes peeled for that sweet giraffe (and a few more animal friends) in coming days. ;)

I am thrilled to work with this company and their top-notch designers.  They have a store full of fabulous stamps, coordinating dies, cardstock, buttons, and ink... anything and everything your crafty heart desires.  I have been incredibly impressed with the quality of their products and packaging.  If you're new to Clear & Simple stamps, I encourage you to run over and check out the store... also be sure to visit the CSS blog each day for more March previews.

ALL Supplies are Clear & Simple Stamps unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Create-a-Plaid & Baby Shower (available March 5th); Cardstock: Dare to be Diva Red, Perfect Little Black Dress, Kraft Like a Rockstar, and PTI Fine Linen; Tools: RicRac/Pinking die & Baby Shower dies, Spellbinders Class Ovals (lg.); Sassy Somethings: Dare to be Diva Red buttons, PTI Pure Poppy twill

Special Bundle - Play Date Cafe #121

Welcome to another beautiful Play Date Cafe challenge!  This is my 2nd post for the day... be sure to see this post about my opportunity to join the Clear & Simple Stamps design team and their March release.  It's a happy day at Sassy Stampin'!

Peony, Mojito, and Sand

The Cafe colors this week are pastels... some of my favorite shades of pink & green.  And since the March release at Clear & Simple stamps revolves around all things baby, I wanted to give you a peek at the new Special Bundle set.  One of my favorite features of this set is the ability to stamp a solid silhouette in one color and then add the outline image.  And how cute is that basket?

So, do this week's colors make you think baby?  Perhaps they remind you of spring, having tea with a girlfriend, or your favorite outdoor wedding... so many creative directions to go with these soft, sweet shades.  Play along with us in the Cafe for a chance to win a fabulous prize... we can't wait to see how these colors inspire YOU!

ALL Supplies are from Clear & Simple Stamps unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Special Bundle (available March 5th); Cardstock: Kraft Like a Rockstar & I'm a Princess Pink; Patterned  Ink: A-Muse Studio Blush, SU! Soft Suede, Memento Tuxedo black; Tools: MFT Fish-tail Banner die-namics; & Simple Scallops die-namic, PTI Ric-Rac Border die (lg.) & Button Card die; Sassy Somethings: I'm a Princess Pink buttons and satin ribbon

Home & Heart - Play Date Cafe #120

Orange.  Do you love it?  It is the color for 2012.  (people who are smart and fashionable tell me so) This week the Play Date Cafe is embracing the warm shade with open arms.  Not only is our color story gorgeous and fresh, we are being sponsored by the ever-so talented, Theresa Momber, illustrator for Gina K. stamps.

Orangesicle, Baby Blue, and Basil

My card feels like spring and uses lots of Papertrey goodies.  I thought I would include a few simple steps for you today to create the focal images:

• Create double-ended panel using the Half & Half dies then stamp with BB: Woodgrain.
• Cut Mat Stack 5 and stamp with coordinating flourish from the Mat Stack 5 stamp set.  I used Winter Sky ink from A-Muse Studio.
• The circle is cut from Limitless Layers 2 and stamped with Wreath for All Seasons.  The "home" and "heart" sentiment were isolated from Love Lives Here.
• A sweet house from Love Lives Here is the final touch.

We hope you will join us this week in the Cafe.  

ALL Supplies are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Background Basics - Woodgrain, Mat Stack 5, Wreath for All Seasons, Love Lives Here; Cardstock: Kraft, Rustic Cream & Spring Rain; Patterned Paper: Echo Park Victoria Gardens; Ink: SU! Soft Suede & ___, A-Muse Studio Grass and Winter Sky; Tools: Half & Half dies, Mat Stack 5, Limitless Layers 2, Love Lives Here dies; Sassy Somethings: Fine Linen saddle stitch

Button Bliss

Do you have a favorites pile of goodies in your crafty space?  I have a few sets that never leave my immediate sight and Button Boutique from Papertrey is one of them.  The styling of the set always inspires me and it was a natural fit for this week's Make It Monday challenge: glittered buttons.  So easy and striking.  One of those moments where you shake your head and wonder, "Why didn't I think of that?".  (spray adhesive (or glue) + sparkly glitter = sassy)

I always love the color combinations at CR84FN.  This week: Chartreuse, Gray, and Lavender.  Perfect for spring, and I love how the gray can act as an anchor.

I think that I've mentioned using A-Muse inks before, but I just want to shout from the rooftops how much I adore this ink.  Beautiful coverage.  I used Heather (purple), Grass, and Slate.

So happy to have you pop in today.  I have lots of projects and a few fun announcements coming soon so "stay tuned"! :)

ALL supplies are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Button Boutique, Signature Series Dress Form, doily from Market Street Stamps; Cardstock: Rustic Cream & Lavender Moon; Patterned Paper: October Afternoon (gingham) & Lily Bee (floral), Crate Paper (text); Ink: A-Muse Studio - Heather, Grass, and Slate; Tools: Button Card Die collection, Sending You dies, Dress Form die, Ric-Rac border die; Sassy Somethings: Vintage Cream satin ribbon, Lavender Moon button, Prisma glitter

Lace Bouquet - Play Date Cafe #119

Everyone loves a great pop of color and this week is a fan favorite at The Play Date Cafe - it's a Color Splash Challenge!  These black & white challenges were so difficult for me a few months ago, but I am getting more comfortable and love that the "splash" this week is hot pink.  Someone really needs to go zebra stripes with this! ;) 

Our sponsor this week is The Twinery.  Woot!  Everyone loves twine (and this is the BEST) so be sure to play along for your chance to win a fabulous prize.  I can't wait to see what you create for the Cafe!

ALL Supplies are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Lace Bouquet & Giga Guidelines (sentiment); Cardstock: SS White; Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye - Mischievous; Ink: True Black, Vintage Touch tea-dye duo; Tools: Edger #3; MFT Butterfly die-namics

Rosie Posie - Play Date Cafe #118

This week the Play Date Cafe is funky and fun with a fresh, bold color combo.  I always have so much fun creating with these color stories each week, and I also love seeing how the palette inspires our players.  I could not get the idea of hexagons out of my head when I saw these bright blues.  (On a side note: I am currently in LOVE with navy blue.)

Golden Yellow, Pacific, Cobalt

Our sponsor this week is FABULOUS!  Simon Says Stamp has an incredible selection of amazing products and they are offering this week's winner a $25 gift certificate to their store!  Be sure to play along for your chance to win - we can't wait to see what you create for the Cafe!

ALL Supplies are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Rosie Posie and Tiny Tags; Cardstock: Rustic Cream & Blueberry Sky; Ink: Summer Sunrise, A-Muse Studio Winter Sky, Navy, & Grass; Sassy Somethings: Spring Rain double-stitch ribbon, Crate Paper button, Webster's Pages trinket pins

Stamp Your Heart Out Banner - My Favorite Things

Hi friends!  I've decided to put both feet in the water this month and go for the big contest at one of my most loved places: My Favorite Things.  Every month during their new release festivities they host a guest designer contest, and I would be so honored / thrilled / elated / over the moon excited to have that opportunity.

Please click picture for enlarged view

The theme for February is: Stamp Your Heart Out.  I created a little love banner to hang that represents my sweet family.  I used Pure Innocence images for my kiddos and a perfect sentiment from Clearly Sentimental about Family. I also used a TON of cute MFT dies for embellishments and sassy somethings.

I feel like the heart theme is represented not only literally but also figuratively since my family IS my heart.  I hope you love it too.

P.S. This was the hardest thing I have ever tried to photograph. ;)

ALL Supplies are MFT unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Pure Innocence Heart Stripes & ___. Clearly Sentimental About Family; Cardstock: PTI Kraft, Sweet Blush, and Rustic Cream; Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye & Crate Paper; Tools: Die-namics Layered Heart, Fishtail Banners die-namic, Rolled Rose die-namics, Butterflies die-namics, By the Letters die-namics

Doily Hugs

I'm at it again -- more doilies.  I can't get enough.  Stamped doilies.  Die cut doilies.  Doilies on a plane.  Doilies on a train.  Wait... mom mode just merged with crafty mode (and Dr. Seuss).  Anyway, I love a good doily and my favorites are the Doily Detail sets from WaltzingMouse Stamps.

Every week WMS hosts a fab sketch challenge and it worked perfectly to combine this week's sketch with the color palette from CR84FN.  Here are those challenge details:

WaltzingMouse Sketch Challenge #82

CR84FN Color Challenge

Thanks for stopping in - Doily HUGS to you and yours.

Stamps: WMS - Doily Details 1 & 2, Say It Loud, Gingham & Co.; Cardstock: PTI Rustic Cream, Kraft, and Sweet Blush; Ink: A-Muse Blush and Cranberry, SU! Bashful Blue; Tools: PTI Scallop Border die (large) and Heart dies; Sassy Somethings: Crate Paper button

Follow Your Heart - Play Date Cafe #117

Hi-ya crafty friends!  It's another beautiful week at the Play Date Cafe.  Our color story this week is soft and creamy...

Robin Egg, Lilac, and Bisque

I inked up one of my favorite backgrounds from Market Street - Grace.  I sometimes struggle with getting a nice impression from really large stamps, but my A-Muse inks are perfect.  I used Eucalyptus and was thrilled with the even coverage.

My doily focal point uses lots of frilly bits. Pop in tomorrow to see how I re-worked this card for a different look after one of my sweet wee ones got a hold of it. ;)

We hope you'll play along with us this week in the Cafe.  We have a great prize up for grabs from Melanie Muenchinger, one of the talented designers behind Gina K. stamps.

We also have a fabulous new designer: Alicia Thelin.  Her work is gorgeous and full of fresh ideas.  We are SO happy to welcome her to the Cafe.  Pop over and tell her hello and then get crafty with us - can't wait to see what you create!

Stamps: Market Street - Grace background & Compass (sentiment), WMS Dainty Doilies 2; Cardstock: PTI Rustic Cream & Lavender Moon, SU! Baja Breeze; Ink: A-Muse - Latte & Eucalyptus, PTI Dark Chocolate & tea dye duo; Tools: PTI Parisian Lace die & Loopsy Daisy die; Sassy Somethings: Kaiser flower (from my Market Fresh kit - MSS), Webster's Pages & Authentique trinket pins