Category: Encouragement Cards

Simon Says Stamp In My Thoughts Butterfly

Hello and welcome back to my blog! I appreciate you stopping by! Today I’m participating in a Simon Says Stamp Instagram Hop to celebrate the CELEBRATE release. Be sure to check that out and comment along the hop for your chance to win a $25 gift card to Simon’s website. Who doesn’t love gift cards, am I right?! Today’s card is once again featuring the new Whirl Butterflies, and I had much fun with these butterflies, and probably made too many projects with them, but at least they’ve gotten some good use! Let’s run through the details for this one, shall we?

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I began this card by die cutting the SSS Spindle Flower from Neenah 110lb cardstock, and doing some ink blending using SSS Pawsitively Saturated Inks in Bubblegum, Carnation and Zest. I chose this flower because I had never used it before, and now I’m wondering why I haven’t used it before!! It’s such a great flower! Once the flowers were colored, I assembled the pieces together using liquid glue.

The flowers were going to need leaves, because all of my flowers always need leaves! I used the SSS Budding Branches for this and did some ink blending using Seafoam and Sprout for these. I also went ahead and cut the SSS Whirl Butterflies from gold cardstock and set that aside. My panel was cut using the SSS Postage Stamp Edge Frames and then splattered with gold acrylic ink for added texture and interest.

I glued some of the leaves to the panel and then glued the florals atop those. The rest of the leaves were then glued in place, filling in the gaps, while the gold butterfly was adhered using SSS 3D Foam Strips. The butterfly doesn’t come with a body, and I wanted mine to have one so I used the body from the SSS Layered Cosmic Butterfly and secured that in place.

For added interest, I love adhering jewels to the ‘bud’ portion of these leaves, and did that using PFS Ballet Slipper jewels. I stamped the sentiment from the SSS Checking In set using VersaMark Ink, heat set that using Ranger Princess Gold Embossing Powder, and used the coordinating die to trim it out, along with two additional cuts. Those were all adhered together before being adhered to the panel using foam strips. The entire panel was then adhered to the card base using foam tape for added dimension to finish up.

That does it for this one! I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope it inspires you to get crafty in your space! Don’t forget to check out the entire Celebrate release over on Simon’s website, and join the hop over on Instagram for your chance to win! Thanks again for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!

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Simon Says Stamp Daisy Oval Frame

Hello Friends and welcome back! I’ve been busy playing with goodies from Simon’s latest release, Celebrate! Today’s card is featuring the new Daisy Oval Frame set, so let’s jump right in to the details!

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I began this card by die cutting the SSS Daisy Oval Frame from gold cardstock, along with the inner frame as well. I also cut it from yellow and green cardstock, because I wanted to inlay those pieces into the gold.

I pulled a panel of Neenah 110lb cardstock and die cut it using the PFS Diagonal Stitched Rectangles, and splattering it with some gold ink. I removed all of the gold pieces before adhering the frames to the panel using liquid glue, and then began gluing in the colored pieces for a finished look.

The sentiment is from the SSS Extra Talkative set and that was stamped using VersaFine Onyx Black ink and heat set using Ranger Clear Embossing Powder. I cut that out using the coordinating die, along with two more cuts and adhered all of those together. As always, I felt like I needed more leaves, so I used the SSS Etched Meadow Flowers and Leaves for that.

I glued the white leaves in place and adhered the sentiment atop those using SSS 3D Foam Strips for some dimension. The panel was then adhered to the card base using foam tape, and some PFS Gold Metallic Pearls were added to finish up.

I hope you enjoyed this project, because I sure did! There’s something so satisfying about the inlay process. Don’t forget to check out the entire Celebrate release over on Simon’s website! Thanks again for stopping by, and have a wonderful day, friend!

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Simon Says Stamp The Best Organic Leaves

Hello Crafty Friends, and thanks so much for stopping by! The latest Simon Says Stamp release, Celebrate, is live, and I’ve had a blast playing with all of my goodies! Today’s card is featuring the new Organic Leaves stamp, so let’s go through the details!

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I began this project by pulling a card from The Color Cubes and then pulling ink pads that matched, or matched as close as I could get them. The inks used were SSS Pawsitively Saturated Ink in Mocha, as well as PFS inks in Ballet Slipper, Peony and Berrylicious. I cut a panel of Neenah 110lb cardstock and placed it in the Misti and began stamping the SSS Organic Leaves. I started with the lightest color at the top, and worked my way through the colors. When I was done adding each ink, I did use a blender brush to soften the edges of the ink, so that I didn’t have any harsh lines on the panel. Once everything was stamped, I used the PFS Diagonal Stitched Rectangles to trim it down.

For some added interest to the card, I used the SSS A2 Thin Frames and cut one of those from gold cardstock and adhered it to the panel using liquid glue. I used the SSS The Best is Yet to Come for the sentiment and cut that from the same gold cardstock, along with two additional black layers. The shadow portion of the die was also cut twice from black cardstock, and all of these layers were glued together for a stacked look.

The sentiment was adhered to the panel using SSS 3D Foam Strips and the panel was then adhered to a black panel, for contrast, using SSS Dot Tape Runner, before being adhered to the card base. For a little added bling, I added some PFS Gold Metallic Pearls.

That does it for this one! I hope you enjoyed it! Have you checked out the entire Celebrate release yet? I’d love to know your favorites in the comments! Thanks again for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!

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Just Because Butterflies

Hello Friends, and thanks for joining me! I could not wait to get my hands on the newest Pinkfresh Studio washi tapes! They were delivered a couple of days ago, and I immediately started creating with them! For this card, I’ll be combining my two favorite companies, Pinkfresh and Simon Says Stamp. So, let’s get in to the details, shall we?

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I began this project by adhering the washi tape to panels of Neenah 110lb cardstock. I’m using the PFS Fluttering Butterflies and the PFS Vines and Roses washi tape, along with the coordinating dies. Once all of the pieces were cut, I began on the rest of the card.

I used the PFS Sparkling Diamond to cut a panel of Neenah 110lb cardstock, and did some light ink blending using PFS Ballet Slipper ink. I also used the SSS Stitched Squares to cut some frames for interest. The squares were adhered to the ink blended panel using SSS 3D Foam Strips, and I then played around with the placement of the flowers to decide on the look of the card.

Every floral needs additional leaves in my opinion, so I used the SSS Budding Branches for that. I began adhering the floral pieces using liquid glue, and adding the white leaves in between the layers. I did end up trimming off some of the white leaves, but reserved those for adding back in at the end.

The sentiment is from the Spellbinders A little Message Sentiments that was created using the BetterPress Letterpress System, along with black ink. I used the included coordinating die to cut several pieces and adhered all of those together for a stacked look. The butterfly was adhered to the frames, and I used PFS Gold Metallic Pearls to add to the “budding” portion of the branches. The whole panel was then adhered to the card base using SSS Dot Tape Runner to finish up.

That does it for this one! I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope it inspires you to get crafty in your space! If you’ve never tried the PFS washi tapes, I highly encourage you to do so! They are so simple to work with, and the end result projects are so very beautiful and effortless! Thanks again for joining me, and I hope you have a wonderful day! Don’t forget to stay awesome!

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Simon Says Stamp Feel Better Blossoms

Hello Friends and welcome back! Thanks so much for stopping by to check out today’s project featuring the new Cherry Blossom Embossing Folder from Simon’s latest release, Be Bold. Let’s run through the deets for this one!

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I began this project by spritzing a panel of Neenah 110lb cardstock with water and placing it in the SSS Cherry Blossom Embossing Folder and running it through the machine. I also used the included die cut and cut a few white flowers and ink blended those using SSS Pawsitively Saturated Ink in Seafoam.

To add the black to the flowers, I used the TH Brayer and a VersaFine Onyx Black ink pad, and just rolled the black onto the raised portions of the panel. I also used a Copic 110 marker to touch up some of the black flowers as well. Once that was dry, I used Cosmic Shimmer Snow and Ice Lustre Polish to add some shine to some of the black flowers using my finger.

I used the SSS Feel Better Soon sentiment and cut that once from Aqua Mirror cardstock and twice from Neenah 110lb cardstock. I also cut the shadow portion twice and adhered all of those pieces together using liquid glue. The sentiment was glued directly to the panel, and I glued the ink blended flowers in place also.

To finish up, I added some SSS Dazzling Gems in Surf to some of the flowers before adhering the floral panel to a black panel with foam tape.

That does it for this one! I hope you enjoyed this project, and I hope it inspires you to experiment and play around with your embossing folders. Don’t forget to check out the entire Be Bold release over on Simon’s website. Thanks again for stopping by, and have yourself a wonderful day!

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Simon Says Stamp Appreciate You Lattice

Hello Friends, and welcome back! I’m so glad that you stopped by today! Simon Says Stamp’s latest release, Be Bold, is live, and today’s project is featuring a couple of new products! So, let’s run through the deets for this one!

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I began this project by taping down the SSS Lattice Tile Stencil to a panel of Neenah 110lb cardstock, and did some light ink blending using SSS Pawsitively Saturated Ink in Bubblegum, Lilac, Seafoam and Sunbeam. Once the ink blending was complete, I used the PFS Diagonal Stitched Rectangles to trim it down. I also used the SSS A2 Thin Frames to cut a frame from matte silver cardstock. The frame was glued to the panel and set aside while I worked on the sentiment.

I die cut the SSS Appreciate You once from SSS Matte Silver cardstock, and I die cut the shadow three times from Neenah 110lb cardstock. I die cut the actual sentiment from one of the shadow pieces, and adhered all of those together using liquid glue. I then used glue and inset the silver sentiment into the shadow. I also used the SSS Olive Leaves to cut those for some added interest.

The leaves were adhered to the ink blended panel and the sentiment was adhered atop those using SSS 3D Foam Strips. I added some PFS Matte Silver Pearls to match the Matte Silver cardstock. This panel was then adhered to the card base using foam tape.

That does it for this one! Head on over and check out the entire Be Bold release! Thanks for stopping by, and don’t forget to stay awesome! Have a wonderful day!

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Simon Says Stamp Be Still Flower

Hello Crafty Friends, and welcome back! I’m so glad that you’re here! Today’s project is featuring the new Wild & Free Flowers set from Simon’s latest release, Be Bold. Let’s not waste any time, and get to it!

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I began this card by stamping one of the florals from the SSS Wild & Free Flowers onto a panel of Neenah 110lb cardstock, using VersaFine Onyx Black ink and heat setting it using Ranger Clear Embossing Powder. I then colored the image using Copic Markers in G24, G85, G94, R83, R85, RV52 and Y18, along with PrismaColor Pencils for some extra shading.

Once the coloring was complete, I used the PFS Diagonal Stitched Rectangles to trim the panel down, before adhering it to a black panel with foam tape. I stamped the sentiment, which is from the SSS Tiny Words Faith set, using the same black ink.

I added some clear drops and “fake” black splatter using Copic Multiliner pens. Normally, I add real splatter, but I wanted control of where the black dots were placed, hence the use of pens. This panel was then adhered to the card base.

A pretty simple card for today. I hope you enjoyed this project, and I hope it inspires you to get crafty in your space. Don’t forget to head over to Simon’s website to check out the entire Be Bold release! Thanks again for stopping by, and I hope you have a fabulous day!

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Simon Says Stamp Thanks Daisy

Hello, and welcome back! I’m so glad that you stopped by! I’m back today with a card featuring the new Beautiful Dove from Simon Says Stamp’s latest release, Splendor. This has been a fun release, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing with the products that I received. Let’s run through the details, shall we?

To begin this card, I die cut the SSS Beautiful Dove from Neenah 110lb cardstock and pulled out some inks to do some ink blending. I settled on using SSS Pawsitively Saturated Inks in Lilac, Morning and Surf. Once the ink blending was completed, I adhered all of the pieces together using liquid glue, and went back over with the brushes to enhance the colors just a little bit more.

I set the dove aside, and began working on the flowers. For these, I die cut the SSS Charming Daisy three times from Neenah 110lb cardstock and ink blended those pieces using Sprout, Fairway and Citrine, along with C&9th Dove ink. The pieces of the flowers were then glued together. I did end up cutting off the leaves, because I wanted to add them back in where I had open spaces.

For the background, I stamped the SSS Crackle Background onto a panel of Neenah 110lb cardstock using PFS Misty Coast ink and trimmed it down using SSS Postage Stamp Edge Frames. The sentiment is from the BetterPress A Little Message Sentiments set, and I used BetterPress Black Ink to make the impression onto a BetterPress A2 Card Panel. I then used the included die to trim it out, along with two additional pieces and adhered those together using liquid glue.

To assemble the card, I determined the placement of the flowers and glued the stems down and then adhered the floral sections with SSS 3D Foam Strips. I then adhered the dove with Foam Strips, glued the sentiment in place, and then glued the leaves where I had space. The panel was then adhered to the card base with foam tape, and clear drops were added for additional interest.

That finishes up this one! I played around with so many doves and colors and finally decided that a colorful dove needed muted florals, otherwise, it was just too much. I’m an over thinker, and this is a classic example of my over thinking! Anyhoo, I like how this one turned out, and I hope that you do too. Don’t forget to stop by and check out the entire Splendor release over on the Simon website. Thanks again for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

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Simon Says Stamp Lucky Flowers

Hello, and thanks so much for stopping by! I’m back today with a card featuring the Lots of Luck stamp set from Simon’s latest release, Splendor. Let’s not delay, and get to the details!

This set is a layering stamp set, so I decided on some colors for the flowers and the grass before getting started. I began by stamping the first layer of the grass with SSS Pawsitively Saturated Ink in Sprout, and the second layer with Field onto Neenah 110lb cardstock. As a note, you want to start out with your lightest color first. For the flowers, I used Bubblegum, Carnation, Sweets and Taffy. Once the stamping was completed, I used the coordinating dies to trim everything out.

I settled on the Just Because sentiment from this set, and stamped that using VersaFine Onyx Black Ink and heat set that using Ranger Clear Embossing Powder. I did repeat those steps to get a smoother finish on the sentiment, and then die cut that as well. For a stacked sentiment, I did two additional die cuts, and adhered all of those together using liquid glue.

For the background, I used the SSS Detail Ringlet Plate and cut a panel of that, and I also used the SSS Stitched Rectangles to cut a frame. I did end up splattering the panel with some Distress Oxide Picked Raspberry Spray for some added interest. The frame is slightly smaller than an A2 card, so I trimmed down the Ringlet panel to fit behind the frame and glued those together. I played around with the placement of the flowers and grass and decided that I needed some additional leaves, so I used the SSS Etched Meadow Flower and Leaves set and cut two sets of the leaves. Those, of course, had to have some ink blending, so I used the same ink colors so that everything would match.

Now that I have all of the elements, it’s time to assemble the card. I tucked the grass inside the frame so that it overlapped the sides of the frame slightly, and glued just the bottom in place. I then glued the leaves in place, with those hanging over the frame as well. The flowers and sentiment were then glued in place and the entire panel was adhered to the card base with foam tape. To finish up, I added some clear drops for a little shine.

That does it for this one! I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope it inspires you to get crafty in your space. Don’t forget to check out the entire Splendor release, as it’s a fun one! Thanks again for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

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Simon Says Stamp Just Because Flower Bunch

Hello Crafty Friends! I appreciate you stopping by! Today, I’m participating in an Instagram Hop to celebrate Simon Says Stamp’s latest release, Splendor, so you’ll want to head on over there to comment along the hop for your chance to win a $25 gift card. Today’s project is featuring the new Beautiful Dove die, and I knew that I wanted to pair it with a bunch of flowers. So, let’s run through all the details for this one!

To begin, I went to work on all of the flowers. I die cut the flowers from Neenah 110lb cardstock using SSS Etched Magnolia Blossom, SSS Charming Daisy, SSS Layered Dandy Flower and SSS Cosmos Stem. All florals need leaves, so I used the SSS Etched Berry Branch for those. Once everything was cut, I got started on all of the ink blending.

For the ink blending, I used SSS Pawsitively Saturated Inks in Bubblegum, Lilac, Lemonade, Sunbeam, Seafoam, Sprout and Field. I sat the florals and leaves aside, and die cut the SSS Beautiful Dove from Neenah 110lb cardstock and did some ink blending of that using Earl ink. Once all of the components for the card were assembled and complete, I got to work on the rest of the card.

I used the SSS Stitched Whirl Background and cut that from a panel Mixed Media paper. I then saturated the paper and added some light pink watercolor to it, and dried it with the heat tool. Once it was dry, I did place the panel under something heavy to flatten it out a bit. When I was ready to assemble, I did run it back through using the Whirl plate to get the die cut definition back. I’m not even going to lie, I putzed around with the placement of the flowers and leaves for WAY too long! Way too much over-thinking going on!

In all of the playing around with placement, I did trim off some of the leaves and “berry clusters,” and reserved those for adding back in later. I adhered the leaves first using liquid glue, and adhered some of the flowers with glue and some with foam strips. The dove was then adhered to the panel with foam strips as well. Next, I added back in the trimmed leaves and “berry clusters” where I had room to do so.

Because this card is so involved, and not a whole lot of space for a sentiment, I opted for a tiny sentiment. I used the BetterPress A Little Message Sentiments using BetterPress Black Ink and trimmed it out using the coordinating die. I did die cut it several times and adhered those layers together using liquid glue for a stacked look. The sentiment was then glued directly to the panel.

My panel was then adhered to the card base using foam tape. Lots of layers and dimension on this one, but I absolutely love dimension, so I’m good with that! For some bling, I added some PFS Iridescent Drops to the “berry clusters” to finish it up.

That does it for this one! I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope it inspires you to get crafty in your space! Head on over to Simon to check out the entire Splendor release! You won’t be disappointed! And don’t forget to check out the Instagram Hop for your chance to win a $25 gift card. Thank you again for stopping by, have a wonderful day and stay awesome!

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