Red Roses: CSS Group Post

Happy Red Roses Day!  Clear & Simple Stamps is stopping to smell the roses today in honor of this fun holiday with projects featuring an array of floral sets from Collection 3.  I thought it would be fun to make a sweet baby card and combine the Flowers set with Special Bundle.

I love the Flowers set and find new ways to layer the blooms and grasses each time I use it.  I chose to pair the long stems with shorter grass and stamp in two shades of green for depth and interest.  The roses were stamped in bright red.  I also rolled the edges of a few of the medium blooms in a darker crimson to give the allusion of shading and variety.

To create a subtle sky I stamped a small strip from Hexagons Plus.  I didn't want it to be solid so I staggered the strips to taper off.  My stork was stamped onto Kraft Like a Rockstar and shaded with a white pencil.

For a finishing touch I stamped a quick label onto an envelope... a perfect touch for gift giving or delivering a bunch of red roses to the new momma.  ;)

The team is filled with rosie inspiration... head over to their blogs to see what's blooming:

Clear  & Simple Stamps

Lori Tecler

Jaclyn Miller

Kim Duran

Tracy Schultz

Dana Grothaus

Laurie Willison

Jennifer Rzasa

Laura Bassen

All supplies are CSS unless noted.
Stamps: Flowers, Special Bundle, Hexagons Plus, Labels 9 (envelope)
Paper: Kraft Like A Rockstar (cream & original); SU! Riding Hood Red
Ink: PTI Pure Poppy, Scarlet Jewel, Simply Chartreuse, Spring Rain,  Dark Chocolate; SU! Always Artichoke
Tools: Ric Rac/Pinking dies, Special Bundle die-cuts

Sending You - CSS Review Day 4

I hope this post finds you well-rested after a fabulous weekend!  I'm back today for the Clear & Simple Stamps: Release in Review.  Today the team is concentrating on showing off the background and sentiment sets from Collection 3.

I used the Flower Garden background set to create small patches... a fun way to use several of the patterns without things getting too busy.  Next, I stamped the sweet vase and plant from All Occasions 2.  I love that the All Occasions sets have not only a ton of beautiful sentiments but also these extra images.  TIP: Stamp the outline first and then fill it with the solid image.

My favorite part of this card is the fancy edge created from using the  Edgers 1 die-cut combo.  Edgers 1 is a set of two dies (one for vertical oriented cards and one for horizontal).  Included with the dies are a set of seven coordinating stamps.

Now, I'm "sending you" on your way to see the design team's projects... enjoy! :)

Clear & Simple Stamps blog

Laurie Willison

Laura Bassen

Jennifer Rzasa

Kim Duran

Lori Tecler

All supplies are CSS unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Flower Garden, All Occasions 1 & 2, Edgers 1 die-cut combo

Paper: Kraft Like a Rockstar & On the Catwalk Cream; PTI Spring Moss; My Mind's Eye - Miss Caroline

Tools: Edgers 1 die-cut combo & Shapes: Circles; PTI Button Card & Doily Details dies

Sassy Somethings: Butterfly Garden 1 die-cut, ribbon

Floral Treats - CSS Review Day 2

Hi friends!  So glad to have you back for another day of the Clear & Simple Stamps: Release in Review.  Our focus today is on florals and butterflies.  Collection 3 is filled with beautiful floral images, nature inspired themes, and butterflies galore... perfect for spring and summer creations.

I thought it would be fun to make a sweet table setting for a friend.  This would also make a nice little package to take to a hostess, drop with a special secretary, or to gift as a small surprise to someone dear.

The Party Favor 5 die makes a small gable box from one sheet of 8.5 x 11" paper.  It is all one piece and easily folds for sturdy treat packaging.  TIP: To create the floral stamped wrap, I trimmed a strip of On the Catwalk Cream cardstock and adhered it to the die with low-tack tape.  When I ran it through the die-cut machine, I had perfect score lines to coordinate with the box corners.

A small notecard stamped with Flowers completes the ensemble.  I love the variety of blossoms included in this set... and I love the little strawberries.

We hope you'll stop by the other CSS designer's blogs today... lots of lovely projects filled with flowers and butterflies!

Clear & Simple Stamps Blog

Tracy Schultz

Laurie Willison

Kim Duran

Laura Bassen

Lori Tecler

All supplies are CSS unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Flowers, Butterfly Garden 1

Paper: On the Catwalk Cream, Coral Necklace, & I'm a Princess Pink

Ink: PTI Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, New Leaf, & Pure Poppy

Tools: Party Favor 5 die, Butterflies 1 die,  Tags 1 die

Sassy Somethings: PTI ribbon; Crate Paper buttons

Sending Sunshine - Play Date Cafe #132

Hi friends!  This week at The Play Date Cafe is a favorite... it's Color Splash week!  I chose to create an encouragement card and send some sunshine to a sweet friend.   I'm also popping it as an entry into the Paper Crafts Magazine Gallery Idol contest.  

Black & White (or cream) + a "splash" of Mustard

I chose several of my Papertrey Ink sets to create with this week.  The background was stamped using Background Basics: Wrought Iron and my focal point is the  Garden Variety II frame combined with Simple Sunflower.  The flower centers are embellished with black pearls from this week's fabulous Cafe sponsor:

I hope you will join us this week at The Play Date Cafe.  The "splash" challenges always stretch me creatively and I have so much fun thinking in "black & white".  I can't wait to see what you create!

All Supplies are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Simple Sunflower, Garden Variety I & II, BB: Wrought Iron
Paper: Vintage Cream & Kraft; My Mind's Eye 
Ink: Summer Sunrise & True Black
Tools: Simple Sunflower dies, Seed Packet Frame 2 die, Tiny Tags die; CSS Butterflies 1 die-cuts
Sassy Somethings: black pearls from Want 2 Scrap; Prima trim; Crate Paper button; True Black grosgrain

Clear & Simple Stamps: Build-a-Flower Preview

Welcome to day 2 of the Clear & Simple Stamps previews for the March release.  Today we are showcasing dies.  There are some amazing dies in this collection... coordinating stamp & die sets, large dies perfect for specialty applications (banners, party favors, etc.), favor boxes, labels... it's a long list of goodness.  

I chose the new Build-a-Flower die set to create this wreath card.  This die set has: one large bloom, one small bloom, 4 leaves in various sizes, and 2 "button" floral centers (1 large / 1 small).  The leaves have a darling embossed detail and the floral blooms are perfect for layering.  Plus, the "button" centers have lots of applications aside from the flowers.

I used a 1 3/4" circle die to create the middle portion of my wreath then stamped a sentiment from Let's Celebrate to peek through.   I added a bit of heft to my blooms by backing them with thin chipboard (recycled packaging).  I adore these flowers and know they will show up on lots of my projects.

Visit the other CSS team members to preview more of the new dies... lots of wonderful inspiration:

Kim Duran

Tracy Schultz

Stephany Zerbe

Laurie Willison

Dana Grothaus

Jennifer Rzasa

Lori Tecler

ALL Supplies are Clear & Simple Stamps unless noted.

Stamps: Let's Celebrate; Cardstock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, PTI Spring Moss & Ripe Avocado; Patterned Paper: Echo Park Graceful collection; Tools: Build-a-Flower (available March 5th), Spellbinders Basic Cirlces (lg.)

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

Make a Wish - Play Date Cafe #116

This week at the Play Date Cafe we have a very bold color story... which I softened a bit, but loved working with.  I used some of my favorite stamps from The Craft's Meow and really enjoyed creating this garden-y card.

Plum, Pear, & Moldy Cheese

(Moldy cheese!  How much do you love that for a great blue?!)

Two things I am currently loving:

Stamping my own backgrounds/patterned paper.

Shimmer mist.  Why am I the last person to get on the bandwagon with this stuff? Seriously, it is sassy and sparkly, and oh so lovely.  Plus, it elicits oohs & aahs from my 3 year old. ;)

This week in the Cafe is bittersweet as we say goodbye to two very talented designers and friends: Andrea Ewen & Michele Gross.  Andrea's style is one that I have loved and admired for.ever.  Her cards are beautiful and always perfectly shabby chic.  Michele's cards are always fun and she is the queen of clean & simple design.  Both of these ladies have become friends and I know that I will continue to be inspired by their sweet spirits and crafty creations. Be sure to leave them some love this week on their blogs and add them to your Google Readers - they both have SO much more to share with you as their journeys continue.

Please join us this week in the Cafe - we have a great prize from Sweet N' Sassy Stamps.  I can't wait to see what you create - make it sassy! ;)

Stamps: The Craft's Meow - Butterfly Kisses & Celebrating You, PTI - BB Woodgrain (fence) & Simply Jane (frame); Cardstock: PTI - Rustic Cream, Enchanted Evening, & Kraft / A-Muse - Heather; Ink: A-Muse - Heather & Grass / PTI - Enchanted Evening & True Black / Vanilla shimmer mist; Tools: PTI - Simply Jane dies, Picket Fence die / MFT banner

Grow A Dream - Play Date Cafe #105

Hi-ya crafty friends!  I'm returning this week to The Play Date Cafe and getting back into a creative mode. Thanks so much to all of my sweet friends in the Cafe for giving me the time that I needed with my family over these last few weeks - we are deeply grateful for the calm after the storm.

Our color story this week is creamy and sweet: 

Kraft, Flesh, and Cadet Blue

We hope you'll join us for this week in the Cafe and are inspired by these lovely colors.  I just love the smokey blue paired with two light neutrals.  So many directions you could choose... and I was very tempted to run full speed to winter and snowflakes with this color palette, but in the end I decided I'm not quite there yet and opted for something soft and all-occasion.  I used Papertrey's Garden Variety stamp set and dies paired with papers from My Mind's Eye.

The prize this week in the Cafe is fantastic and is being offered by Kraft Outlet.  You have most likely noticed that I am smitten with all things kraft, so this is right up my shopping/creating/adoring it alley.  Pop over and check them out - you will fall in LOVE with all things kraft.

Looking forward to seeing what you create this week for The Play Date Cafe Challenge #105 - enjoy the kraft! ;)

Stamps: PTI Garden Variety and Year of Flowers Collection; Ink: SU! Soft Suede and Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers; Cardstock: PTI Kraft and Rustic Cream; Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye; Tools: PTI Seed Packet Frame, MFT Medium Scallop border; Sassy Somethings: Memrie Mare (etsy) cabbage rose ribbon, Crate Paper button, Prima vintage trim

Cream + Color

Charming birds. Damask. Eyelet trim. Rolled Roses. These are a few of my favorite things. The challenge this week at The Shabby Tea Room is called White and Bright - or in my case, Cream plus Color. The idea is to use white or cream and only one additional pop of color. I chose Baja Breeze as my accent. Stunning. I will definitely return to this idea because I absolutely adore the result. I hope you love it as much as I do.
Stamps: PTI Everyday Classics, Damask Designs, Text Style, and Fillable Frames #8 (and die); Ink: SU Baja Breeze and Soft Suede; Cardstock: PTI Rustic Cream; Tools: My Favorite Things - Rolled Roses die; Sassy Somethings: eyelet trim, SU Baja Breeze striped ribbon (retired), SU basic pearls

Thank You Tags

Time for something simple and sassy. I wanted to whip up some cute tags for items I'm popping in the mail to crafty friends. Just so happens that in my own mailbox this week I received Royal Mail from WaltzingMouse Stamps and I could not wait to ink 'em up and take 'em for a spin. It's a tiny sampling, but it will take the edge off until I can play again... I've got a million Christmas projects/presents to complete!

These little numbers are also going into several weekly challenges. Here are the deets:

• WaltzingMouse: Sketch Challenge #25. I'm eeking in under the wire to submit this one, but Claire posts a new challenge each Saturday and gives out PRIZES! Woot!
• Pals Paper Arts - My 'alma mater' and a place dear to my heart filled with good pals. They're hosting a Color Challenge this week that is SO fun!
• Our Creative Corner: Tag You're It is the theme this week - how could I resist?

See you soon!

Stamps: WaltzingMouse: Chrysanthemums, PTI Studio Style; Ink: SU Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss (retired), and Chocolate Chip; Cardstock: SU Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, and Real Red; Patterned Paper: PTI It's Official; Tools: SU 1.75" and 1" circle punches, PTI Limitless Layers dies and Tag Sale #1 die, Fiskars Upper Crest border punch; Sassy Somethings: Kaiser rhinestones

Birthday Binder

I am so excited to share this project with you today - I'm proud of it! My mom is such a wonderful friend to me and she is so supportive and excited about everything I create. This Birthday Binder is just for her and will be packaged up with several other handmade goodies this holiday. (Stay tuned throughout December for the coordinating items and other gift-giving ideas.)

I added a pocket to the inside front flap for envelope storage. The measurements for this pocket are: 4.5" x 7". I plan to add the date and sweet sentiment to the top square.

I personally think these little binders + calendars have a lot of potential and could be a happy home to lots of things... coupons, receipts, photo storage, etc. - definitely not just cards. I can't wait to whip one up for myself... hope you are inspired by it too!

P.S. I popped this over at Wee Memories - such a simple challenge this week: Use ribbon. Tie a bow on and join them! ;)

Stamps: All PTI: Mother, YOF Violets, Text Style I, Fancy Flourishes (inside), Calendar Basics; Cardstock: PTI Ocean Tides, SU Very Vanilla textured; Patterned Papers: SU Perfect Plum Patterns and Cottage Wall (retired), PTI Pretty Pastels; Tools: PTI Lg. Scallop Border die; Sassy Somethings: PTI Ocean Tides felt and Spring Moss satin ribbon, SU So Saffron buttons and Basic Pearls

Bella Bleu Bliss

Just a quickie post for you today with a seriously 'wow' card using A Rose is A Rose. In case you don't know, this is my favorite stamp set... my stamping version of comfort food. ;) I combined a few challenges for this little diddy:

Makeesha Byl's Inkspirations Inspiration Challenge (there's a mouthful). I loved the colors from her inspiration photo. This combo of More Mustard, So Saffron, and Not Quite Navy will definitely be reappearing here at Sassy Stampin' - LOVE! (Even my hubby commented how much he liked the colors - usually I just get a standard 'nice, honey').

The layout is from Crazy 4 Challenges. Have you checked them out yet? CRAZY talent and divine design - need I say more?

Off to take care of my simply sweet (but sickly) snot-nosed snuggle bug. Cold season stinks! ;)

Tomorrow: Pals Paper Arts simplifies life with a KISS Challenge. (No, not for your lips - for your stamps, silly!)

Sassy Stampers:
SHOP ONLINE 24-7

Stamps: A Rose Is A Rose (111560), Heard From the Heart (111644)
Paper: Not Quite Navy (101722), More Mustard (100946), So Saffron (105118), Bella Bleu Designer Series (113974), Bella Birds Designer Series (retired)
Ink: Brocade Blue (101102), Not Quite Navy (103008), So Saffron (105213), More Mustard (103162), Kiwi Kiss (retired), Old Olive (102277), Chocolate Chip (100908)
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)
Must-Haves: Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
Sassy Somethings: Halfback Pearls (not SU)

Sweet Treat

Who doesn't love a little treat? The Sweet Centers stamp set and Sweet Treat Cups make packaging a small treat effortless... with a sweet and sassy result.

• The layout for today's card is inspired by a new site: Crazy 4 Challenges. Their sketch this week is perfect for a 'tent' card. Typically a tent card refers to making a smaller card base (scored at the top) and then adding an element that rises above that crease. A standard card measures 5.5" x 4.25". If you were to reduce the base to 4" square and then measure to allow your element to 'pop' 1.5" - it would still fit into a standard envelope. Make sense? Because the new Padded Envelopes are a bit larger and perfectly accommodate cards made with Sweet Treat Cups, my Chocolate Chip card base is 5" square.

A layer of Crushed Curry topped with Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper is just the right mix for fall. Before adhering this layer to my base I used my 1.75" Circle Punch and created a place to pop my Sweet Treat Cup filled with autumn colored buttons... perfect for my crafty friend!

• I stamped the flower petals from Sweet Centers 10 times - 5 each in Pumpkin Pie and Dusty Durango. I adhered the Pumpkin Pie petals first and then staggered the Dusty Durango petals, using Stampin' Dimensionals. A few Old Olive leaves were added to each side.

• Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain creates a sassy resting place for my 'Wonderful Friend' sentiment. I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig to achieve precise alignment (no more crooked sentiments!). I love the whimsical font from Wonderful Favorites and the ability to customize a 'just right' personalized sentiment no matter what the occasion.

• Linen Thread and a button accent mimic my sweet treats and tie everything together. For a little extra something sassy, I added two fluttery darlings from Great Friend. Their butterfly bodies were created by quickly wrapping a small piece of Linen Thread around their torsos.

The Holiday Mini Catalog is filled with sweet stampin' treats and great ideas for holiday crafts. Need a copy? E-mail me, and I'll pop your FREE copy in the mail to you.

Be sure to snag your own Sweet Centers stamp set and Sweet Treat Cups!

Sassy Stampers:
SHOP ONLINE 24/7

Stamps: Sweet Centers (116521), Great Friend (113792), Wonderful Favorites (115114)
Paper: Chocolate Chip (102128). Crushed Curry (115319), Kraft (102125), Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series (115675)
Ink: Pumpkin Pie (105216), Dusty Durango (115654), Old Olive (102277), Chocolate Chip (100908)
Tools: 1.75" Circle Punch (112004), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)
Must-Haves: Sweet Treat Padded Envelopes (116911), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683)
Sassy Somethings: Sweet Treat Cups (116802), Linen Thread (104199), Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain (115616), Buttons