The latest release from Simon Says Stamp is so fun! I had the opportunity to play with the CZ Design Big Old Birthday stamp set. This is a must have stamp set for all cardmakers – we always need more birthday cards! The bold sentiments paired with the smaller phrases make a fantastic and quick card.
My first card features the CZ Design Big Old Birthday stamp set along with the Simon Says Stamp Birthday Borders stamp. I love this sentiment so much! I wanted to keep this card simple and graphic, since the sentiment is big and bold. I stamped everything and then Copic colored the candles in rainbow colors. Lastly, I added Ranger Glossy accents to add some shine to the candle flames.
For my next card, I made a mini slimline. I used the Simon Says Stamp Candles Cling Stamp to create my background. I stamped it in Lost Shadow Distress Ink. I think this is the perfect grey. I’ll be using it a bunch on future cards. Next, I stamped the sentiment from the Big Old Birthday stamp set in black ink. I colored the heart red and then added Ranger Glossy Accents to the heart. After it dried, I adhered it to a Simon Says Stamp Fog card base that I created.
How pretty is this sentiment? Cathy Zielske designs the best sentiments. I wanted to create another graphic card and my goal was to make it look like a cake. This time I stamped the candles and then die cut them, just to add another layer to my card. I really like the colors I used on this card. What do you think?
Please be sure to check out the entire new release. It’s a great day to treat yo’self!
I would greatly appreciate it if you did your shopping through my affiliate link. Thanks so much!
Hello and welcome back. The Hugs Release is now available from Simon Says Stamp and my cards today feature one of the new stamp sets, “You’re My Gal.” It is such a fun set, especially for making cards for your gal pals!
I wanted to make a quick Valentine and this set makes it super easy. To create this, I die cut a white panel with one of my stitched, rectangle nesting dies. Next, I stamped the sentiment from the You’re My Gal stamp set with Moment Tuxedo Black Ink. Then, I die cut a little envelope and a little heart. I adhered the envelope above the sentiment and then added the heart. Lastly, I adhered the white panel to an A2 top folding card base. Easy peasy!
To start my card, I stamped the little envelope image from the stamp set in GinaK Soft Stone Ink to create my own patterned paper. Next, I stamped “Hey Girl” in Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide. I set the ink by drying it with my heat tool. Then, I stamped it again (using my MISTI) in clear embossing ink. I sprinkled Picked Raspberry Distress Embossing Glaze over it and heat embossed it. I love that you can still see the background through the sentiment. Next, I stamped the smaller sentiment in Momento Tuxedo Black Ink. I decided to add a few small hearts. I made those by inking and embossing a piece of paper to match the sentiment. I die cut the heart and added them to the card. Lastly, I adhered the panel to an A2, side folded card base that I made from Fog cardstock from Simon Says Stamp.
This one is my favorite! To create the background, I misted a panel of Canson Watercolor paper with water and then sprayed it with Tart Cranberry Mica Stain. I set that panel aside to dry while I worked on the rest of the card elements. Next, I used the Simon Says Stamp Stacked Hearts die to cut out the grey heart pattern. I adhered it to the red panel and kept one of the little hearts in place. I added red Wink of Stella to that small heart to give it some sparkle. Then, I cut a 1″ x 5″ piece of vellum. I used my Rabbit Hole Cottontail Embossing Tool and then stamped the sentiment in embossing ink. I sprinkled Ranger Black Embossing Powder and heat embossed it. Next, I figured out where I wanted the sentiment and then folded the excess vellum around the back of the red panel and adhered it on the back. Lastly, I adhered the red panel to a white, A2 top-folding card base. I love how this card turned out!
Today I am once again featuring an Itty Bitty from Unity. This one is called Merry Christmas Treeline. I believe it was free with a purchase a few years ago. I think it is adorable.
My card was inspired by a co-worker’s sweatshirt.
She purchased the sweatshirt from Sam’s Club! I thought it was cute. Below is the card it inspired.
To create my card, I ink blended Ranger Distess Oxide in Kitsch Flamingo on a piece of card stock. Then, I die cut it with one of my nesting scalloped edge dies. I added foam tape to the back of it, too. Next, I stamped the image in GinaK Fresh Asparagas ink. I stamped it a few times to get the coverage I wanted. I created two different sized banner shapes to add to my card and adhered them to an A2 top folding card base. I placed the pink stamped square on top of the banners. Lastly, I used my pine punch and cut out a few sprigs to add behind the pink square. I think this turned out pretty cute.
Where do you find inspiration for card making? Leave a comment for a chance to win $20 to the Unity Online Store!
It sure is hard to believe that it is already December! But, we all have lots to look forward to – like DieCember at Simon Says Stamp!
I was thrilled to get the chance to create with this new die from Simon Says Stamp “Joy to You” cover plate. I made several cards and a fun banner.
For my first card, I started by using the cover plate to die cut some deep, red cardstock. I splattered white acrylic paint to add snow to my background. Next, I die cut green cardstock so I could inlay a green tree on this card. I layered it onto a white panel and adhered it to a white, top folding A2 card base.
For this card, I used the letters from the previous card to determine my color palette. I found some pretty plaid patterned paper in my stash that I thought would work perfectly for this card. I used the cover plate to die cut some white cardstock. Next, I inlayed the red letters. I also used the cover plate to die cut some silver paper so I could get a silver tree to inlay. This was such a quick card to create, and I love how it turned out!
This next card really came together quickly! I die cut the cover plate from Simon Says Stamp silver glitter cardstock. Next, I added foam tape to the back, to give this panel some dimension. I die cut a green panel and adhered it to a white, top-folding A2 card base. Lastly, I adhered the silver panel. So sparkly and pretty!
This card is probably my favorite. I simply die cut the cover plate 3 times out of white cardstock. I adhered them all together and then rubbed the edges onto my embossing ink pad. Next, I sprinkled gold embossing powder and heat embossed the edges. Then, I splattered Lawn Fawn Liquid Stardust on the base panel. I adhered the die cut panel to the base panel and added them to a top-folding A2 card base. Lastly, I inlayed a green tree. I love how this card turned out!
For my last project, I created a fun little banner for my chalkboard wall. I was going for a rustic, farmhouse vibe. I die cut the cover plate from black cardstock and used a dauber to add some Ranger Picket Fence Distress Ink on it to make it look a little chalky. I adhered that panel to a banner shape that I created.
To create the banner shape, I cut a piece of white card stock to 4 x 5 3/4″. I found the center and measured up one inch from the bottom and drew a small dot where that measurement met the middle. Using an xacto knife, I cut from each of the bottom corners, diagonally up to where the dot was located, to make the banner shape. I cut several of these for the banner.
For the other banners, I die cut an oval out of kraft cardstock and adhered it to a gingham rectangle that was adhered to the banner piece. I die cut black trees using Simon Says Stamp Mod Tree Wafer Die and adhered them to the kraft ovals. Next, I punched holes so I could string up the banner. I added black jingle bells (which I found in the Target Dollar Spot) between the banners. I hung this on my chalkboard wall in my kitchen and I am loving it!
I hope you will consider Joy For You Cover Plate Die for your holiday crafting. I think it is a must have for creating quick and simple cards!
Thank you for your support. Click the link below to shop my affiliate link. I only use and recommend products I love. I was not paid to do this post. All products were personally purchased except for the Simon Says Stamp Joy to You Cover Plate die which was provided by the company.
The latest Simon Says Stamp release, Holiday Sparkle, is live and you are going to LOVE it! Today I am featuring the new cling stamp “Christmas Star.”
This stamp is truly versatile and perfect for all of your holiday makes!
For my background, I sprayed Ranger’s Distress Mica Spray in Shiny Bauble and a bit of Merry Mint onto watercolor paper. I first misted the paper with water and then, layered on the mica spray. Let me tell you, that spray is magical! So shimmery and pretty! After it was completely dry, I inked up the cling stamp with embossing ink and then sprinkled on Ranger Snowflake Tinsel embossing powder. I decided I wanted lots of sparkle! After I embossed my background, I cut it down to 3″ x 4.5″. For my sentiment, I selected “Joyeux Noel” from Simon Says Stamp Reverse Christmas Wishes sentiment strips. Lastly, I adhered everything to a black panel and put it on a top folding A2 card base.
I loved the mica spray combined with this cling stamp so much, I had to make another card! I used the same process, but this time I only used the Merry Mint mica spray. Then, I heat embossed the stamp with Wow Metallic Platinum Sparkle embossing powder. Next, I cut the snow bank out of white card stock and stamped the sentiment in grey ink. I die cut the Simon Says Stylized Star from some matte silver card stock and adhered it to the background along with the snow bank. To finish, I adhered it to a top folding A2 card base.
I also made a quick and simple tag using the “Christmas Star” stamp set. Doesn’t the gold embossing look pretty on this dark green card stock? Stamping and embossing a 6 x6″ piece of cardstock allowed me to make multiple tags quickly. I die cut a small circle and scored it in the middle to create the topper to my tag. Once again, I used a sentiment from Simon’s Reverse Christmas Wishes sentiment strips.
I was challenged to create something other than a card with this cling stamp. So, I stamped it onto green paper with GinaK Fresh Asparagas ink and used my gold gel pen on the dots. This made adorable gift wrapping – especially with the gold bow!
I hope you are inspired to create some holiday crafts with big sparkle energy! Click here to see the entire new Holiday Sparkle Release https://bit.ly/3taLidE
The Simon Says Stamp Cozy Hugs release is live! There are so many great products for your seasonal crafting.
I am featuring projects created with the Simon Says Stamp Batty for You stamp set. This stamp set has an adorable bat and several fun sentiments. I am so excited to share these projects with you!
For my first project, I wanted to create a fun Halloween card. I began by stamping the bat parts out and then Copic Colored them. I used the following : 100, W8, W6, W5, W3 and R01. I did not have the dies, so I fussy cut my bat – It was super easy! I wanted to add some dimension, so I scored the wing along the printed lines, and gently folded them accordian style. I adhered the wings to the back of the bat body. I used a Sakura Black Glaze pen on his nose and Ranger Glossy Accents on the eyes to add some shine.
Next, I cut a 4.25 x 5.5 panel out of grey Kraft paper and ink blended around the edges with Ranger Black Soot Distress Oxide. I splattered Ranger Perfect Pearls to add some sparkle. I die cut stars and a moon out of metallic paper from my stash. I also cut a moon out of heavy black cardstock to layer behind the gold moon for dimension.
I played around with the layout of the card so I could determine where I wanted to stamp the sentiment. I stamped it, then adhered all of the elements to the background. Lastly, I adhered the whole panel to a top-folding A2 cardbase so it would be ready to mail.
I had so much fun creating the first card, I decided to make another one!
Card #2:
For my next project, I prepared the bat exactly as I did for the first project. I used the Simon Says Stamp Here for the Boos die for the sentiment. I die cut the words out of black cardstock, and the background out of purple cardstock. I left the whole purple die cut in tact, so I could layer the black wording on top of it. I love the added dimension this gives! I also adhered some foam tape behind the sentiment die cut and the bat so they would pop off the background.
For the background, I found some textured cardstock in my stash that I thought would look cool ink blended. I started with Speckled Egg Distress Oxide and then moved to Chipped Sapphire and finally, Villanous Potion. I went over these a few times to get the blend I wanted to acheive. Next, I die cut the panel with a Honey Bee Deckle Edge A2 die. I adhered it to a top folding, A2 panel and added my sentiment and bat die cuts. This card really came together quickly!
Project #3:
I love giving out a little something special to some of my favorite trick-or-treaters. So I decided to add the cute bat to some Halloween treats.
This time, all I did was stamp the bat parts with Versa Mark embossing ink and heat embossed with Brutus Monroe Alabaster embossing powder. (Glow in the dark embossing powder would be really fun for this too!)I fussy cut the bats again and folded the wings (I scored on the back of the wings so I wouldn’t mess up the embossing) for dimension. Then, I added googly eyes for some extra fun. Lastly, I adhered the bats to the candy with a pop dot. Don’t they look fun in the candy dish?!?
I hope this gave you some inspiration for creating your own Halloween creations with this new set from Simon Says Stamp.
For more card inspiration, please follow me on Instagram @maryredjr
Today I am sharing a recent sympathy card I made. I was inspired by cards on the Pinkfresh Studios webpage and also the current Freshly Made Sketch Challenge #525. Here is the sketch:
I really like all of the texture I created with the different layers of die cutting.
For me, sympathy cards are difficult to make. It was nice to have a sketch for inspiration. Do you have a go to design for sympathy cards? Let me know in the comments.
Happy National Tea Day! Are you a tea drinker? I mostly drink coffee, but I do enjoy a chai tea every once and a while.
This is the project I created in honor of National Tea Day:
For my card, I used the following products:
Sentiment: Honey Bee Hug in a Mug stamps and dies
Image: Honey Bee Mugs and Kisses dies
Patterned Paper: GinaK Blizzard paper and Lawn Fawn Hello Sunshine Remix/Oh Happy Day
Ink: GinaK Soft Stone and Ranger Distress Oxide in Peacock Feathers
This card is pretty straightforward – it was just a lot of die cutting and glueing!
Though I’m not a regular tea-drinker, I do enjoy chai flavored treats! Here’s a yummy, tea-inspired recipe, Chai Spice Monkey Bread from All Recipes. It’s soooo good!
It’s not the holidays without cocoa! Here are my projects for National Hot Cocoa Day:
Here is my card and belly band recipe:
Sentiment: Honey Bee Stamps “Hug in a Mug” stamps and dies
Image: Honey Bee Stamps “Mugs & Kisses” die set, Hello Bluebird “Holly and Pine” dies
Background: Simon Says Stamp “Pine Bouquet” Embossing Folder
Ink: GinaK Dark Chocolate
Since it is National Hot Cocoa Day, I thought I’d also share a recipe for homemade hot cocoa mix. This recipe makes enough for 4 servings. Serve in a festive mug with marshmallows or a candy cane for a sweet seasonal treat.
Ingredients:
4 cups milk (whole or 2%)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Place milk, cocoa powder and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium/medium low heat, whisking frequently, until warm (but not boiling). Add chocolate chips and whisk constantly until the chocolate chips melt and distribute evenly into the milk. Whisk in the vanilla extract and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
I hope you will join in the fun and link up your newly created hot cocoa project for a chance to be a guest designer on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog. Details and link up can be found on the blog: http://coffeelovingcardmakers.com/18349
At a very young age, my son, Kyle, decided he really liked to wear a tux.
It all started when he was in my sister’s wedding at age 4. He loved the tux he wore. In fact, he asked me what job could he do where he could wear a tux.
I told him he could be a limo driver. He liked that idea.
As Kyle grew, his admiration for tuxes continued. And he found lots of reasons to wear one.
Above: Kyle playing piano at my wedding 2006.Below: Senior Prom 2011
Above: University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony 2019. Can you spot Kyle?
Kyle’s love of tuxedos inspired this card.
The Suit Jacket die is part of Divinity Designs latest release. To create this card, I started by die cutting the card base from the Couture Collection Die Set. Next, I die cut the suit coat parts, as well as the bow tie and pocket square, with the Suit Jacket Dies. I liked the idea of a polka dot bow tie and pocket square. To make this even more “tux like,” I added a boutonnière. I used a pop dot to give the boutonnière some dimension. I created it by stamping the rose from the My World Stamp/Die Duos with red ink onto red cardstock. I die cut it out and added a green leaf cut from the Bitty Blossoms Die Set.
I love the detail I can achieve with this set of dies! Aren’t those buttons so cute?
A Red Letter Day 