Sweet Stamp Shop Grand Re-opening!

Today is such an exciting day!  Sweet Stamp Shop is having their Grand Re-opening complete with a new look on their website!  You have to go see it because it's fantastic!

To celebrate, I designed a card using a brand new image!  Talk about cuteness!

I framed the main image with a die cut heart.  The coloring was done with watercolors.  I added dimension with foam dots.  The sugar cubes are embellished with clear Stickles and I used washi tape, twine, black gemstones and sequins for a little extra fun.

Be sure and check out the store for the newest releases!  There have been so many exciting things happening over at Sweet Stamp Shop lately that you'll want to check out their blog to keep up with it all!

Have a great Thursday!

Sweet Panda Love

Is it Friday already?!  I'm positive it was Monday yesterday!

Today, I'm sharing a sweet and simple little card made with the Perfect Panda set from Sweet Stamp Shop, one of my favorite stamp companies!

I grouped all elements of the design into one corner, stamping with black & red inks.  I added a little Crystal Effects to the balloon for shine.

I just love the adorable little pandas in this set!  DS3 used to be in love with pandas, but seems to have moved on to zebra adoration now.  I'm trying to find a place we can go this summer that lets him get fairly close to a real one!  So far, I've found a location that lets you pet one, but I need to double check once summer is here as I know they rotate their animals.  Regardless, I'm pretty excited at the thought of surprising him!  He has a summer birthday and it would be so fun to include a little weekend trip to see his favorite animal!

It's a no school day here on the home front!  No snow in the forecast, but a scheduled teachers' inservice day.  We have lots of snow to play in outside from our recent snowstorm and the sun is supposed to appear after lunch if the weather people are correct!

Have a fabulous Friday!

National Coffee Day Blog Hop!

Well, here it is the very end of the day and I'm just now posting a card I'd made over the weekend for today's Coffee Lovers Hop!  And so is life...

I used Sweet Stamp Shop's new coffee stamp set and kept things to the point.  My favorite.

A Sweet Farewell

Today, it's with a hint of sadness that I type this post.  I'm sharing my final post for Sweet Stamp Shop as I sign off from the design team.  It's been such a great design team experience and I seriously would consider staying if a full summer wasn't staring me in the face!  Basement projects are in full swing now (I'll soon be sharing details!) and school will soon be out for the summer!  Lots to look forward to!

Over on the Sweet Blog, I've posted links to all the Picture Perfect photography posts that I wrote over the past six months, so you can go check them out!  I figured it would be good to put everything in one place just in case anyone missed a week here or there.  I hope the tips were helpful to others!  I in no way claim to be an expert at photography, but I don't mind sharing things I have learned from trial and error in hopes that it will help someone else on their photography journey!

To wrap up my design team term, I created a couple different cards.  If you read my blog fairly regularly, you'll know that I like to create a few things with panda images since DS3 is really into pandas right now!

Stamps:  Sweet Stamp Shop (Panda Face, You Had Me At - sentiment)

I dug out the oh-so-sweet Panda Face set to create a fun little hello card.

The window die is from Memory Box and I adhered a little bit of clear window sheet behind it before popping it up with foam dots to give a more realistic glass look to the window panes!  Such a simple card, but it it really makes me smile!  The simple "hello" sentiment is from the versatile You Had Me At word set.

My second card is less whimsical in nature...

Sweet Stamp Shop (Fall Gratitude, Just the Basics - sentiment)

I've seen so many cards with gold dipped feathers the past few months that I had to try it with the retiring Fall Gratitude set!

I embossed portions of each feather with gold embossing powder after stamping the feather image in Pacific Point ink (StampinUp!).  I popped up the main panel with foam dots and added a trio of gold sequins for a little interest.  The simple sentiment is from the Just the Basics set.  I could have used the Dio De Los Muertos set for this card since it has two little feathers, but I don't currently own it!  *gasp*

I have to tell you that there are a ton of fantastic new sets coming from Sweet Stamp Shop in the months ahead!  I've gotten a little sneak peek and I'm drooling.  The cuteness never ends, I tell you!  If you'd like to get insider peeks yourself as well as extra discounts on new releases, you will want to like Sweet Stamp Shop on Facebook before another new release comes and goes!

A full week of painting awaits since the drywall project is finished in the basement!  I started priming the craft room Saturday, but lots of interruptions occurred with everyone home!  I may try to bravely tackle a little more painting today while DS1 & DS2 are at school and DD is napping, but we'll see!  I can't wait to start sharing photos of this house project with you!  Right now, I'm trying to pick out a paint color and you know how that goes...

Have a marvelous Monday!

Sweet Stamp Shop May Release #2

Are you ready?!  It's time for Sweet Stamp Shop's May Release #2!  Two new sets are available to you today and these, my friends, are seriously must-haves!  Who doesn't like sets that are versatile?!  Just take a look...

Stamps:  Sweet Stamp Shop (Balloons, Happy Birthday)

I love balloons and the new Balloons set has a variety of cute balloon images!  And confetti.

With balloons, one must have the appropriate sentiment, so the second set for this new release provides just that!

Isn't that just a whole lot of happiness all wrapped up into one fantastic stamp set?!  So many options with mixing and matching the different fonts!  I. love. it.

I created a second card to show you just how perfectly these new sets can accompany other Sweet stamps sets in the online store!  I used my favorite hedgies, of course!

Stamps:  Sweet Stamp Shop (Balloons, Happy Birthday, Hedgehog Kiss, Starts Here - 'love' portion of the sentiment)

The adorable hedgehogs & heart balloon were colored with Copic markers before being fussy cut and popped up with foam dots.  I added a bit of Crystal effects to the balloon to give it some shine.

So what are you waiting for?!  Go take a look at the rest of the creative goodness the design team whipped up for you over on the Sweet Blog and then don't sit around trying to decide if you need these sets!  They're selling like hot cakes!  In fact, the Happy Birthday set is now available to pre-order because of yesterday's pre-release party!  Not to worry, though, more will be back in stock by the end of the month, so go ahead and order anyway and you'll have them in your hands before you know it!  There's a coupon code over on the Sweet Blog for today's new release too, so you'll want to take advantage of that!  (Oh, and if you put my name in the Comments section of your order today, you'll be helping me out a lot!)  Next month, you may want to get in on the pre-release privileges by liking Sweet Stamp Shop on Facebook!  That's how you'll know when the party is about to start and get insider perks!  Go on!  I promise you that the next few months hold some new stamp sets that you're going to want to be in the front of the line for!  I've seen them and I. can. not. wait.  Things keep getting sweeter and sweeter over at the Sweet Stamp Shop and I have this feeling that I'm hopelessly addicted.  Darn sweet tooth.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

A Sweet Monday

It's Monday and today I'm sharing a bit about cameras over on the Sweet Stamp Shop blog! Ever wondered what the difference between a point-and-shoot camera and a DSLR camera is? I'm sharing a little about the two, so head on over to the Sweet Blog!

Yesterday was my mother's birthday, so I had birthdays on my mind and created a fun, text only birthday card!

Stamps:  Sweet Stamp Shop (Feeling Today, You Had Me At)

I combined two stamp sets to create the birthday message:  Feeling Today and You Had Me At.  I stamped the checklist, mounted the entire main panel on a piece of My Mind's Eye decorative paper and then popped the entire thing up with foam dots.  I added a trio of festive sequins to add to the party atmosphere!

I created a second card using paper piecing.

Stamps:  Sweet Stamp Shop (Elegant Flowers, Baking Love, Cookie Sprinkles, Stinky Skunk)

Mother's Day was actually what was on my mind when I was working on this, but I decided to turn it into a thank you card instead.  I combined a flower bud from Elegant Flowers, the bowl from Baking Love , the "thanks" from the Cookie Sprinkles and the shadow (under the bowl) from the Stinky Stunk set.  I masked the bowl and flowers and then paper pieced the flowers with some polka dot paper in my stash.  The bowl was colored with Copic markers.  Three small clear sequins were added for a little extra interest.

I hope if you've been following the Picture Perfect blog series over the last few months, you have learned something that has helped with photographing your cards.  I love playing with a camera and product photography is one area that I have an interest in.  If you ever have a question, please ask!  I've found the best way to figure something out sometimes is to just ask!  Don't be shy!

There will be one more new release this month from the Sweet Stamp Shop, so if you want the inside scoop on it, be sure and follow along over on Facebook!

On the home front, DH is putting in exhausting hours in the basement!  Poor guy.  That's what happens when you create a deadline for yourself!  In some ways, it's a good thing because it forces you to focus.  In other ways, you begin to realize all that you have left to do and things quickly begin to feel urgent.  Very, very urgent!  I think I'm going to try to convince him to take a break this afternoon!  Coffee only helps for so long!  Tomorrow is the big day when the drywall guys begin hanging drywall in the basement, so today is the final prep day for us!  Off I go!

Have a marvelous Monday!

Sweet Stamp Shop May Release #1

Today is the day!  Sweet Stamp Shop is releasing three new stamp sets and just wait until you see them...

Always giving us something to smile about, another adorable critter has joined the others in the Sweet Shop!  This time, it's a skunk!

Stamps:  Sweet Stamp Shop (Stinky Skunk, Dad's Tool Box - 'sorry' sentiment)

Sometimes one needs to admit they've been a bit of a stinker, so this card is for such an occasion.  Apologies aren't easy, but they're necessary at times!

With Father's Day next month, the next set I'm going to show you hits the nail on the head!  What father doesn't like tools?!

Stamps:  Sweet Stamp Shop (Dad's Tool Box)

The main panel is embossed with a woodgrain pattern.  I actually cut apart the "DAD" so that I could pop up each letter with a foam dot.

Stamps:  Sweet Stamp Shop (Dad's Tool Box)

On this card, I used black sequins to replicate little washers and added some sparkle to the toolbox with Smooch Spritz.  The main panel is embossed with a brick pattern.

Here is the entire set:

Adorable, no?!!  There is one more set being released today, but I'll let you see it over on the Sweet Blog where even more creative inspiration awaits!  Be sure to take advantage of this coupon code for 10% off the new release sets (good for today):  MR110
The new releases have been selling like hot cakes, so you'll want to be quick to grab the ones you want!

It is still not feeling much like spring around here.  I guess we're getting a late one this year.  I just hope we'll at least get a few nice spring days to enjoy before plunging into the heat of summer!  Rain has been ours most every day so far this week.  Indoor projects are going strong, including a basement that is about to be drywalled!  Exciting, but also a bit nerve wracking!  We're in a bit of a time crunch in our house!  Here's a peek at my future craft room (Yes, I'm trying so very hard to contain my excitement!):

This is actually a room that will be able to be used as a bar or a little apartment kitchen by future owners, if desired.  The line of boards you see sticking out from the wall will be an island with bar stools, a perfect height for someone like me who prefers to stand when crafting.  There will be a few cabinets in an L-shape to go along with the island.  I'll post more pictures as things begin to come together!

The camera is still snapping photos of other things, of course...

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Fruit Smoothie in a Card

Happy Monday! What a beautiful weekend we had!  It finally feels like spring may be here to stay and we spent a good amount of time outdoors enjoying the mild temperatures!  Absolutely divine!

I'm sharing a couple cards I created for the newest installment of Picture Perfect over on the Sweet Stamp Shop blog.  Today's topic?!  How to use a point-and-shoot camera to take photos of your cards!  Yes!  It really is possible to get nice photos with a basic camera!  Go take a look at today's tutorial!

With warmer weather, I find myself craving smoothies more than ever!  The Yummy Love set was calling my name, so I whipped up these two cards:

DS1 & DS2 have this thing for the Annoying Orange on YouTube.  They have also been telling lots of knock knock jokes lately, so I thought it would be fun to make a card with these two things in mind!  DS1's birthday will be here soon, so this is going to be his card...with a little joke inside, of course!

Love these adorable fruit images as much as I do and don't have them as a part of your summer stamping stash yet?  Well, guess what?!  Today is your lucky day and I'm sharing a discount code for the Sweet Stamp Shop for you to use (TODAY ONLY)!  How is that for happy Monday morning news?!  Here you go:  MS15.  That's for 15% off your entire regular priced purchase today!  Go ahead!  I give you my permission to shop (not that you really need it)!

My dear children are now adjusting to the return on the camera.  The warmer months give me lots of opportunities to take photos and they are often the subjects.   It's a good thing they're such good sports!  Want to see what I do with my camera when I'm not taking photos of cards?  Go take a peek at my photography website, Pixel Moments!

Have a marvelous Monday!

Sweet Stamp Shop April Release #2

Today is just so full of excitement! This is my second post for the day, so if you're looking for the new CASology post, scroll on down!

Sweet Stamp Shop is releases the second round of sweet goodness today!  You're not going to miss out because these new sets are THE cutest!  Hey, don't I say that about all the Sweet Stamp Shop sets...I just can't help stating the obvious!

Just take a look...

I am such a big hedgehog enthusiast when it comes to stamps!  When I saw this set was about to be released, I could hardly contain my excitement!  Aren't these little critters so sweet?!  I used little black gemstones for their adorable little noses!  Take a look at the rest of the Hedgehog Kiss set:

Next up?!  How about a little Artsy Fartsy fun!

I added a little gloss to the tip of the paintbrush for a wet paint look.  I couldn't resist making another card with the cute little glue bottle...

Stamps:  Sweet Stamp Shop (Artsy Fartsy, Mr. Octopus - sentiment)

Take a look at the rest of this set!

I'm thinking I'll use this for end-of-the-year school cards for DS1 & DS2's teacher gifts!

The third set in the new release contains even more cuteness!  (Does the cuteness ever stop?!)  How about a little sea creature who has a thing for coffee and donuts?!  Mr. Octopus is just learning how to use today's modern technology, but hasn't quite figured out that food and computers don't mix...

Stamps:  Sweet Stamp Shop (Mr. Octopus, Today Was)

I used the grid from the Today Was set as a background.  I actually applied gloss to the icing on the donuts, but this particular photo doesn't show it well.  Orange Stickles were applied to his stylin' spectacles and clear gemstones were adhered to the corners.  Yep, he's into fashion statements too.  Take a look at the rest of this fun stamp set:

Now head on over to the Sweet Blog to see the fourth new release set and more sweet design team creativity!  You'll want to grab the sets you love right away because there is a discount code for you to use on the new release and it is only good for TODAY...Code = AR10!

It's errand day here, so now I'm off into the sunshine!  I had a busy weekend and am getting my balance back slowly, but surely.  Sorry about the missing Happiness Is posts lately.  I am definitely still happy, just lacking in blogging time the last little while.  Hoping for smoother sailing now!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

CASology #91: Ransom NOTE

Today marks the beginning of a brand new cue word week over at CASology!  Like many of the cue words, this week's word can be interpreted more than one way!

I took off in a direction that will give away the fact that I'm a big mystery novel lover.  Oh, and I have a thing for chocolate too...

Sweet Stamp Shop is sponsoring CASology this week, so I used one of their many fantastic stamp sets on my card, Alpha Tabs.  I added a few chocolate looking ink smudges for good measure and then had this crazy idea that I should crumple the ransom note a bit because, after all, isn't that the official way to make it look like I mean business?!  I preserved white space by using small letters to create both dimension and interest.  The message is the focal point of the card!

Please be sure and go take a look at the Sweet Stamp Shop's new release that is kicking off today!  You'll want to take advantage of the discount code over at CASology for 10% off (today only) in the Sweet Shop on the new release sets!

Also, go say hello to the CASology design team members and this week's guest designer on their personal blogs!  They work so hard each week to provide inspiration for you and they would love to hear from you!

 

Ardyth Percy-Robb
Gillian Ross 
Jen Wills
Joyce Mehrberg
Judy Marino
Kimberly Wiener
May Park
Meghan McMillan
Melissa Chipperfield (you are here)
Tracey McNeely

Guest Designer:  Dena

Be sure and link up your own NOTE creation on the challenge blog by Monday at NOON (CDT) for your chance to win this week's Sweet prize!

Sweet Stamp Shop: Part II

Well, whaddya know?! I made it back to blog Part 2 for today!  Here's the second card I wanted to share with you today:

Stamps:  Sweet Stamp Shop (Fall Gratitude, Today Was - sentiment)

I decided to use a stamp set that wasn't quite as new to create a spring-like card.  I'm thinking it will indeed be a happy day when spring finally shows some evidence of its arrival!  I'm thinking of some ways to use the feathers in this set for spring time birds...

...and this set has my wheels turning too now that I've inked it up:

I continue to love just how versatile Sweet Stamp Shop stamps are!  With a little creativity, a person can use these stamps in so many ways!

I hope you had a great Monday!  I made it about half way up Mt. Washmore before I had to stop trying to conquer it entirely in one day.  I think everyone in the household now has enough to wear for at least a couple more days...