Christmas In July Blog Hop!

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Y'all!  It's Christmas in July at Sweet N Sassy Stamps and that means both a fun hop full of inspiration AND a super sale!  It's time to plan your holiday projects and SAVE!!  All Christmas and Winter stamp sets are on sale--be sure to check them out!




You definitely want to start at the very beginning so you don't miss any of  the inspiration!

Sweet 'n Sassy Blog

Julee Tilman

Bev Gerard

Ceal Pritchett

Dina Kowal

Gayle Bond

Giovana Smith

Jane Bosi

Jeanne Streiff

Julie Cassell

Lee Ann Barrett

Lyn Tomlin

Monika Davis

Sheri Gilson

Stephanie Serrano

Make sure to leave some kindness in the comments on each stop.  It will enter you for a chance to win a $50 gift voucher for the Sweet N Sassy Stamps store!

My project for today features the sets Thrill of Hope and Christmas Wishes.  Using water color paper, I started by stamping and embossing the deer images.  I created a circular mask using a piece of copy paper with a circle die cut window.  Next, I added the trees using Ranger distress ink. I sponged ink around the edges and then added the sentiment and some sequins to finish things off.

My second card uses Thrill of Hope along with Home for the Holidays. After stamping and embossing the lab image from Home for the Holidays, I added the trees and several layers of distress inks to create a antique-y look.  Once dry, I added some red glitter glue to sparkle up the trees and some snowflakes.

Don't forget to share some love at each stop on the hop and be entered to win a $50 gift voucher for the Sweet N Sassy Stamps store!  Enjoy the rest of the hop.....You're off to see what Jeanne Streiff has to share next.  I'm positive it's going to be amazing!

TTFN, Jane

Warmest Wishes....

Happy New Year!!!  I'm cleaning out my "to share" folder today with a few cards I created using images from Sweet N Sassy Stamps.  One of my favorite stamping things to do is find cards I love (usually on Pintrest) and recreate them with stamps I already own.  Waaaaaayyyyyy back in the day, when I first started stamping, I had to buy the exact same stamps and inks and embellishments to recreate the cards I loved.  It's actually a great way to learn about how product works, to get a feel for stamping and locate your mojo.  Some people are offended when their designs are copied, but I hold to the old adage---it's the highest compliment!

The card above features both Thrill of Hope and Christmas Wishes.  I kind of womp at sending out Christmas cards....well, I sorta womp at sending cards period.  Which is really ironic since I create tons of them.  If I were into resolutions, I may resolve to send more, but really, I'll probably still womp.  But.......I digress.  My point was, the Warmest Wishes sentiment from this set is perfect for wompers like me---I finally did sent this one out as a New Year's wishes card--perfect and versatile.  

This card features the retired set, Bottom of My Heart,  Wood Background and All About You.  I finally pulled out my Faber Castel Oil Pastels to create the water colored back ground.  Using a resist technique with the wood slice image, the water color back ground is the perfect splash of color for this simple card.

I love the colors in this card!  It features Wood Background, Whimsy Bouquet, Itty Bitty Blossoms, Texture Tiles One and Scripty Thoughts.  In this day and age with dies and fancy machines that die cut your images, I still love me some good old fashion fussy cutting.  It's a great stress reliever for me!

Thanks for stopping by!!
TTFN, Jane

It's About Relationship....And, Cookies

Hello, Sweet Friends!  My post today is mostly about cookies and art, kids and home.  I had a nice weekend of celebrating my oldest's birthday and watching football.  I'm not a super hard core football fan, but I am a fan of my kid.  He's a huge sports fan. He once said he wanted me to be excited about the things he's excited about (aka the Pittsburgh Steelers and other various teams).  That's what we do, right?  For the ones we love, we watch their stuff or read their books or listen to their music.  I also have a wide repertoire of rap music I listen to--some I like, others I tolerate and most I abhor, but I listen to it when I'm with him because he genuinely wants to share it with me.  It comes down to relationship and that is something I can totally get on board with.  If I'm honest, it makes me a better person and I like how he has pushed me outside of my comfort zone at times.  He's one of the most interesting people I know and I love spending time with him.  We've had great conversations in the most unlikely of situations.  I will always grab the time when it's there.  Without.  Fail.

For me, it's about family and home so naturally, this time of year is my favorite since it's also about home and family.  We'll be hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year.  I'm excited.  We were blessed with a ridiculously large home about five years ago and nothing makes me happier than having the ones I love all gathered together here. 

But, my crafting thoughts are already on Christmas!  I'm loving this new set from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps, Christmas Cookies.  I started by stamping and embossing cookie images on watercolor paper for both cards.  I colored in the images using distress inks and added some glittery glue to each one.  On the top card, I didnt want to cover up any of the background so I added a sentiment using Christmas Wishes on a piece of velum.  The second card features a sentiment from Home For the Holidays.

Don't forget there's a birthday celebration going on right now at Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps.  You can save on all of the November releases as part of the current promotion.  Be sure to learn more and stayed tuned for fun and savings all month long!!

Enjoy!  Jane

Warmest Wishes

'Tis the season, Sweet Friends!!  I'm sending you all my warmest wishes for a season of love and reflection.  I'm sharing a holiday card I created using the Christmas Topiaries and Christmas Wishes sets from Sweet N Sassy stamps.

I've used a simple masking technique to create the main image and then added some simple water coloring around the trees.

It almost seems strange, but my creative gears keep turning and this will likely be my last holiday post, as my creative time switches to the goodies the new year will bring!!

As always, I'm most grateful taht you've taken the time to visit me and I hope you are, at least, a little inspired to get inky yourselves!  Be Awesome.

TTFN, Jane

Merry Christmas

Happy Wednesday!!  I cannot believe November is practically over already!  The fall has raced by--my absolutely favorite time of the year!  It is time to get ready for the most wonderful time of the year.! Today, I'm sharing a card that features some beautiful goodies from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps!  It's not too late to start those cards!

This card features Christmas Botanicals and Christmas Wishes. Now is the time to get your order in!!  All November orders at Sweet 'N Sassy stamps qualify for the Grand Prize drawing that culminates our month of birthday celebration!  The prize.......a year's worth of stamps!!  You know you want to win!  Go check it out, NOW! It's the perfect thing to do when enjoying your turkey coma--

Wishing you a season of peace and gratitude--
TTFN, Jane

Christmas Time....

Happy Saturday, Sweet Friends!  I honestly cannot wrap my head around the idea that I am already making Christmas Cards!! It still feels like the dog days of summer--I'm wearing shorts for goodness sake!  BUT, the Sweet N Sassy  Christmas release makes it hard to resist!  You can see the full release HERE and you can order NOW and save! 

Coloring has always been therapeutic for me.  The various trees in the Christmas Topiaries set are just perfect for some focused art therapy.  On both cards, I've water colored using distress inks and Fabiano hot press water color paper.

I saw this fun idea--to create a shaker card using acetate and sewing--in an online video. After making an acetate pocket and filling with pretties, I sewed it closed, added a topiary and sentiment from Christmas Wishes....so easy, y'all.

My second card features another beautiful topiary, pretty paper and some messy sewing....my bobbin ran out and threatened a messy card, but I did what we crafter's do and pretended it was all part of the plan....

Thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget to check out the wonderful sales and deals going on right now over at Sweet N Sassy stamps!   

Be well---Jane

I got crafty with: