Happy Together

Who was lucky enough to be gifted with the So Happy set that was free with purchase during Sweet 'N Sassy Stamp's recent birthday celebration?  It's such a super versatile set, I just love it!!  The good news...you can purchase it NOW if you missed it the first time!

I borrowed the general idea for this card from some gifted stamper...I only wish I could track back to give credit to the correct one!  I can't honestly remember what the original card even looked like--but, I chose the adorable images from SNSS's You & Me stamp set.  I love the whole idea of this set--we go together like peanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots and doughnuts and coffee...too cute!  It's also available as a digital set.

It's a bunch of fun to play around with and a fun take on an anniversary card that steps away from the traditional flowery type of greetings. 

Enjoy.  Be Awesome!
Jane

I got crafty with: 

Merry Kiss-mas!

I first saw this fun little lip balm project on the My Favorite Things blog and was obsessed until I finally just broke down and got m'self a little giftie.  I made these for all of my girls recently and the project did not disappoint at all--so. much. fun!

Just a few little goodies: 

 I found mine in a cute little stamping/scrapbooking store in the town where #One goes to college.....if I have to leave him there, I feel like there should be a bright spot or two (you know, more than just his whole future!  lol).

Sending smooches--Be Awesome!  Jane

Rock 'N Roll Birthday

A little known fact about me is that I spent 13 years being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I rarely blogged my Stampin' Up! creations in the last many years due to SU! policy--and frankly, the difficulty I had in trying to understand the rules over blogging--mostly because I was representing other companies by showcasing their stamp designs.  I was really more of a hobbiest and used most of my SU! purchases in the process of writing tutorials or for various paper crafting projects.  Now, that I am no longer a demo (something I am often sad about), I have challenged myself to get out my long hoarded stamps and make something!

This is a card I made for a work friend. He's a rocker!  LOL!! Anyhow, the guitar guy and the background images are called Extreme Elements and Extreme Guitar...so extreme!  I started by creating a colorful background using distress oxide inks...these things are addicting!  I love the different texture affects you can achieve. 

To add the Happy Birthday, I used the current set, Labeler Alphabet.  To find a SU! demo who can order that for you, head on over to the Stampin' Up! website!

TTFN.  Be Awesome!  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

Me and My House....

 

We will serve Him.....Me and Mine.  #thatisall

live inspired.

I am currently in love with Distress Oxide inks and Color Burst--truth.  I've always been in love with Unity Stamps Co.--featured here are  Hollyhocks by Donna Downey and Empowered Words--my all time go to Unity Stamp Co set:

 

live inspired. 

jane

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays, Friends!!  Today, I'm sharing a project I created to bring the pages of the gospel right to my fire place mantle.  I created this 6x6 reverse canvas to feature the image of the Holy Family found in the Receive the Savior stamp set from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps.  Hurry--it's on sale right now!!

I've been wanting to try my hand at the reverse canvas for awhile.  It was so super easy---I can't wait to make more!  I love working on mixed media projects.  The great thing is how they just sort of unfold--kind of like life.  For this canvas, I used a variety of ink sprays, white paint, metallic texture paste, a stencil, gel medium and some random goodies laying around the Studio that sparkle and shine (it's super sparkly in real life!!). "Merry Christmas" is a wood piece I found in the dollar zone last year; mixed media makes a case for hoarding, for sure!

As we move into December, keep in mind the real reason for the season and be sure to take time to enjoy the greatest gift of all!


TTFN--Jane

I got crafty with: 

Better Than Grilled Cheese

After such a busy and full filled few days, I needed a little introvert recharge time in the Studio.  I pulled out some goodies I've never seemed to have enough time to goof around with and made this cute little card.  The card features images and sentiments from some older Stampin' Up sets:  Sweetie Pie and Words of Truth.

The inside of the card:

"I love you more than grilled cheese"--LOL!  The very reason I bought this set in the first place!

The rest of Words of Truth: 

And, Sweetie Pie:

I'm working on some card sets for the upcoming gifting season.  Perhaps a series featuring these goodies might be order?

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

Celebrating Happiness

I had the joy of attending the wedding of my two friends a couple of weekends ago.  It was a smallish affair and full of joy and promise, just like weddings are supposed to be!  I wanted to do a totally handcrafted gift; mostly because those kinds of gifts were most important to me when I got married about a 1,000 years ago!

This is the card I created to go along with a hand lettered sign that recorded the date their family was established.  I ordered the sign from CreativeinHim on Etsy and I love it so much; I'm sure they do too!  I used both So Happy (the free with purchase set!! yay, you!) and Scribble Flowers, (both available at Sweet N Sassy Stamps) to create this whimsical water colored card.  I love "painting" and find it to be so relaxing and therapeutic.

I sure hope you are enjoying the Birthday Celebration over at Sweet N' Sassy Stamps and are finding lots of inspiration!

Be Awesome!  Jane

Choose Happy

Happy Wednesday, Sweet Friends!  I’m sharing a fun technique card today that features the So Happy (free with purchase) and Happy Together stamp sets from Sweet ‘N Sassy Stamps.  

This technique is called Scrappy Spots and makes great use of your favorite shape stamps along with a background stamp or various sentiments like I’ve used here from the So Happy set.  It’s definitely a fussy technique with lots of masking, but those are my favorite and oh so therapeutic!

After stamping your shapes, use the negative space to mask around each shape and add the sentiments. Next, mask off each shape and brayer a colorful background on the whole piece. When I was finished creating my background, I added some silhouette images from Happy Together and some additional sentiments.  Choose Happy Every Day!

Be awesome!   Jane

Happy Birthday, Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps!

Oh my gosh, you guys!!!  I'm so STOKED!!  Today is the start of Sweet 'N Sassy Stamp's BIRTHDAY MONTH!!  And, what a party it is going to be!!  It's not just any birthday either.....we are celebrating 10 years of stampy goodness with surprises, prizes and goodness befitting a milestone birthday!

Today, I'm sharing a birthday card that I recently made for one of my most favorite people--my son!  We are long past the cutesy animal, gamer and other "kiddie" images I've used in the past for the man/child who is now 19 grand years old!  I can scarcely comprehend how the years have flown so fast!

The dilemma, I think that faces many stampers--man cards!!  I generally find masculine cards are driven more by the colors than any other specific design element.  While floral stamp sets are prevalent, how many "guy" image sets do you actually own?  Thus, color.

I started using SNSS's Borders and Backgrounds (retired) to create a resist image.  Using a nonstick sheet, I created a color palette directly on the surface using a variety of distress inks.  The sentiment comes from the So Happy set--a free with purchase set at Sweet 'N Sassy this month only!  Be sure to check out the website for details and follow along on Facebook and IG!  You are NOT going to want to miss this!  Be sure to visit the Creative Team's blog also for tons of information and inspiration!

Get ready for some birthday fun!!
Be Awesome, Jane

Calms His Child....

I shared this 6 x 6 canvas over on the Creative Worship blog for Sweet N Sassy Stamps last week and wanted to share it here as well. Mostly because I love it and all of you.  It's Monday and I have a day of vacation after spending some time this weekend with one of my favorite people.

That's him.....last year as a senior doing one of the things he loves most.  This year, off to college!  Gosh, I love him so much!!  College has felt like a bit of a storm in my life so far.  The letting go.  It's hard.  It's all about redefining.  And, adjusting to what they call "new normal."  The kicker is, there just is no such thing as a normal.  Am I right? 

In this walk, I'm learning that nothing stays the same.  Just as soon as I think I'm used to something, it all changes.  But, really, that is the storm.  Sometimes, the storm is a breezy rain with patches of lightening and maybe a little hail.  Sometimes, it feels like a full blown hurricane and it rages on and on....

Praise God that He both calms the storm and His children--all in His infinite wisdom!!  Where would I be without Him?

I created my canvas by started by layering bible pages in a random pattern using mod podge. I had picked up a tattered and well loved Gideon bible at Goodwill a bit ago.  I love the idea of praying over my art and found it to be a calming piece to the over all art project.  I colored several pages by applying distress inks directly to my non-stick sheet and then dipping the pages until I got the right look.  Once dry, I was able to stamp and trim images from Fantastic Flowers and Scribble Flowers.  the center sentiment, Calms His Child, is a favorite of mine as well.  A few of the other textures that can be seen are the gold background created using texture paste and a stencil and some sequins. I've been in love with sequins for quite some time now and added just a few for a little bit of bling.

I hope you enjoy!!  TTFN, Jane

You Are Loved

Happy Monday, Sweet Friends!  I thought I'd try to start the week off with a little PSA (you are loved) for eveyone!

I think it's true that inspiration is everywhere.  One of my most favorite things to do is imagine a neat card that I might see here or there redone with images I already own.  Waaaay  back in the day, when I first started stamping, I would just buy the exact set, make the card once (maybe) and that would be enough to get it out of my system.  LOL!!  It sure explains why I. Have. So. Much. Stuff!!

I can no longer remember where I saw the card that inspired this one.  What I do remember is that it was mostly black and white with a leaf as the repeating image.  For my version, I used His Wings, from Sweet 'N Sassy stamps. 

The colorful feathers were created using water color paper and several different distress inks.  To finish things off, I used All About You and some sparkly sequins.

Have a great day and remember, you are loved!
TTFN, Jane

Snowman Soup Giftie

It's getting to be that time of year....gifting season!  One of my favorite sets over at Sweet N Sassy Stamps has always been Snowman Soup!  It is perfect for all things paper-cards, scrap book pages and sweet little gift packaging like this tote I crafted!

Inside the tote, are two little pockets just big enough for some cocoa and mini marshmallows.  Who wouldn't want a little something special like this?

I finished the backside with a sentiment from Christmas Tag Sentiments.  It's so cute....I can't wait to give it away!

Be Cozy--and Awesome!

Jane

That's the Ticket

Happy Birthday to someone!  I always find that I need birthday cards and as my kids (and their friends) age, I've had to age my designs as well.  The card I'm sharing today could easily be for a boy or girl.  It's funny how color alone can influence that!  It was fun creating it using some goodies from Sweet 'N Sassy stamps.  I finally broke out my Ticket Sentiments and matching dies .  On sale now and good news for you...the dies are FREE when you purchase Ticket Sentiments for yourself!  How cool is that?

 I used a bunch of paper scraps to create all of those fun tickets.  I find it easier to die cut the shape and then stamp on it.  This is such a fun set!

To finish off the whole card, I added a cupcake and sentiment from Birthday Bash (retired), also from Sweet N Sassy stamps.  

I hope you are enjoying  this fantastic day!  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:

Success and Integrity

Our pastor preached a week or so ago on this passage from Nehemiah----about how given his success, much was expected of him.  Same for us.  It's easy to forget as we go through our day to day the ways in which God blesses and ordains our work.  I know this to be true.  I work in a tough environment.  It's hard for me sometimes not to be overly focused on the behaviors--some days, it's physical, other's it's attitudes.  Nevertheless, I've been blessed with opportunities to show the love of Christ for the Glory of God.  Just like Nehemiah.






I loved this message so much, I wanted to journal it so I could continue to go back and be reminded.  I've used lots of goodies from Sweet 'N Sassy stamps to journal with--you should check them out!

To complete my page, I used:  Words of Life-Action, Note This, He is Worthy (retired), Worship the Lord (retired) What's Up, Skinny Caps Alphabet, Mini Grunge Alphabet, Words of Life-Common Words (retired).

What are you dwelling on?

Be Awesome--Jane

I Adore You

Happy Wednesday!  Today, I have a card that features goodies from Sweet 'N Sassy stamps.

I've used Fantastic Flowers and a simple masking technique to create the left side panel.  Flowers are colored with distress inks with some oxide ink shading along the edge.  I added a simple sentiment from All About You to finish things off.  Sweet and simple--kinda my jam lately :)

TTFN, Jane

Make A Wish

Happy Monday!  Today, I have a fun little birthday card to share featuring stamps from Stampin' Up! 

I missed out on getting this set, Tasty Trucks, during last year's Sell-A-Bration, but was lucky to find it in a great trade!!  My mojo's been in short supply lately, but I'm hoping to CASE some cute projects I've admired using this set to get things moving again.

This card is a pretty simple one--repeating sentiments on the left hand side and a panel of designer paper to add some color.  I stamped the truck and "make a wish" on water color paper and then layered them together.  I added a few embellishments, such as a vellum star, mini staples and some sequins.

I can't wait to play around with this set some more!  It's been busy busy around here trying to get everyone ready for school, and life.  I'm grateful for it all!

TTFN, Jane

With Thoughts and Prayers...

Life is tough some times.  I'm trying to get better at using my craft to uplift and support others.  After all, we all need to know we are thought of and cared for--right?  I always joke about being a card maker who forgets to send out event cards.  So, along with trying to be better at that, I'm trying to be better at the spontaneous thinking of you kind of cards.

Mary Brown (aka Stamper Camper) posted a card in this general design on some group or other I am a part of.  I thought the design was so fresh and unique, I just had to copy her!  LOL!!  Yes, I understand the irony of that statement....

I'm featuring a set from Sweet N Sassy Stamps called, Mason Jar.  By the way, SNSS is open again!  Those flowers are so much fun to color---it's a great and versatile set--check it out!

TTFN--Jane

Smile...it's almost Friday!

Made it to the middle of the week!?  Yay!!!  I've got a fun dimensional card to share that features some recent releases from Sweet N Sassy Stamps, Send Me and All About You; I also used an older {favorite} set called Capture This Moment.

This is a fun little interactive card design that I've been making for several years.  Recently, I found this awesome die at My Favorite Things.  Makes it all so easy and, it's a pretty versatile die.  I can't wait to have more fun with it!

TTFN, Jane

I Sing.....

Well, it's been a bit of a whirl wind lately.  Many things going on in my world.  Some good.  Some stressful.  Some down right yucky.  I'm always grateful for my creative time.  And, the people, places and things which surround me that remind me there is good in this world, the preaching of the Word that reminds me without a doubt that I am loved, forgiven and free!

I created this journal page on a Sunday afternoon after singing praises and being fed at church in the morning.  It came after a week of some pretty icky stuff, a week that left me feeling like the world around me was crumbling.  But, holy and worthy is He.  Revelation 5:11-13.  Something we all can cling to.

I used several stamp sets from Sweet N Sassy Stamps.  You can find them in the SNSS store {and a bunch of other super good stuff!}  They've been closed for a bit due to a move, but are set to reopen this week!!  I'm excited!!  Sets I used are:  Sing Loud, Send Me and Mini Grunge Alpha. 

Thanks for popping by :)  Go, be awesome!  Jane

All About You....

Happy Sunday!  Today, I'm sharing a colorful card that also features a new goodie from Sweet N Sassy Stamps, All About You.  It's the perfect sentiment set for all of those just because cards--jut the right thing to say!

To create my colorful background, I applied several distress inks to a stencil, spritz with water to create the first imprint.  Then, I used the stencil in the traditional way to add more color.  It gives the panel a water color look.  Give it a try!

TTFN, Jane