Something New {Sweet Stamps}

Welcome 2015!

"Midnight Magic"

Hi, Blogging Friends! A special hello to new followers Pamellia Johnson and Debs Artliff. 

For the month of January it is my pleasure to guest design for Sweet Stamps! It certainly was fun choosing from their many pretty stamp designs, as well as artsy stamps, stencils, several brands of die cuts, and so much more. I'm sure you'll be as pleased as I was with the quality of their broad selection of fine crafting products.

The Sweet Stamps Blog challenge this week is SOMETHING NEW - it can be anything that speaks to you about newness. For complete details, please visit the Sweet Stamps Blog and check out what beautiful inspiration the Sweeties have designed for you! 

Today's post, while themed "Something New," is all about Midnight Magic with the newly-hatched Swan Family from Sweet Stamps. Midnight is also the magical hour when the new day starts. The new Swan Family is taking their first swim with the babies in the New Year!

I wish for you special new awarenesses in 2015 which will bring creative magic in your soul! 

I used the following products from Sweet Stamps:

• Sweet Stamps Swan Family #3009I
• Sweet Stamps Sending Happy Thoughts Sentiment #9115F
• Sweet Stamps Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
• Sweet Stamps SweetCuts Die Elegant Leaves

I love using bold blue or navy with sweet, soft pastel pink. It was perfect for these little swimmers!

YES! it is FLAT for mailing!

TIP: There is a boo-boo on this card - I ran out of enough pink for the folded base, so the card is pieced together as shown below:

Here is the inside (using the positive stars die cut) and the Sweet Stamps sentiment:

Next I have my NOT-SO-FLAT easel card:

Isn't the Swan Family image beautiful?

I experienced another mishap while coloring with my Copics:

When opening this brand new Copic Marker, it splattered everywhere!
I was lucky that it did not splatter on the image!

TIP:

This happens when the pressure inside a Copic Marker is not equalized. To fix the problem, remove both ends of the cap at the same time. Let it breathe a moment, and then put the caps back on. This was the worst I've ever had happen. Usually, I open both ends of newly-acquired Copics, but I forgot this time.

Here it is colored, and without all the frou-frou. 

It's gorgeous like that, 

but I decided to add "stuff" to it (giggle).

What is a swan lake without roses, fauna, lacy backdrop and microfine glitter?

The microfine glitter is very fine - it lightly shows up on the floral spray. Instead of glitz, it actually provides a sweet texture.

Close Up of the sentiment:

This beautiful Umbria Italian Collection Sue Wilson die works a little differently than expected.

It comes in 3 pieces. The outermost and innermost dies completely cut on the outside.

But the middle piece does not have a cutting edge.

TIP:

A circular die cut is needed if you want to layer it as this sentiment is.

If using a Circle brand other than Spellbinders, please cut the circle first, and then place the Sue Wilson die inside and re-cut. It seems to me that the SB dies are slightly deeper in cut than other brands, and that is why I suggest that.

Here is how to do it if using the SB circles:

Close Up of the swan family in these colors:

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope my boo-boo's and tips have helped! :-)


Products Used:

I used these products from Sweet Stamps:

Sweet Stamps Swan Family #3009I
Sweet Stamps Sending Happy Thoughts Sentiment #9115F
Sweet Stamps Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
Sweet Stamps SweetCuts Die Elegant Leaves

EASEL CARD:
Spellbinders Grand Circles
Spellbinders Grand Decorative Circles
Spellbinders Grand Scallop Circles
Cardstock: Xpress-It White, SU Lost Lagoon Turquoise
Embossing Powder: Mediterranean Opaque by Sparkle N Sprinkle
Scrapy Land Sue Wilson Die – Umbria Italian Collection CED1504

Scrapy Land Copic Sketch Markers

Scrapy Land Chloe Stem Die by Memory Box

Sparkle N Sprinkle Micro Fine Velvet Glitter "Cloud Nine"

FLAT CARD:
Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One
Spellbinders Grand Labels One
Cardstock for the flat card: SU Pink, SU Blue, Xpress-It White
Scrapy Land Sue Wilson Die – Umbria Italian Collection CED1504
Scrapy Land Copic Sketch Markers

Scrapy Land Beloved Stars Die by Memory Box

Challenges my card is submitted to:

1. Creatalicious Challenges #70 - New Beginning P15 M
2. Monday Morning Challenge (My Creative Moments) - #2 New Somethings - (new stamp, 2 new die cuts, new turq cardstock)(new babies going for their first swim in the new year) 01/26
3. Dies R Us Challenges #17 - Anything Goes and Use Something New (Both Stamps are new- Sue Wilson, Tall Chloe Stem and Beloved Stars dies are all new)
4. Gem of a Challenge #135 - Something New 1/15 (new stamp, 2 new die cuts, new turq cardstock)(new babies going for their first swim in the new year)
5. Die Cut Divas (Jan 1) - Anything Goes with Die Cuts - P1 M (please see list of die cuts above)
6. Crafty Catz Challenges #260 Anything Goes - 1/7
7. QKR Stampede Challenge #120 Anything Goes - 1/8
8. Stempelsonne Challenge (Stamp Sun) - #131 Anything Goes With Stamp as main focus 1/8
9. Hiding in My Craftroom Challenge #181 Pinks (my first card displays my love of pink!) 1/9
10. Winter Wonderland (Jan 2) Does not Have to Be Christmas this time - Favorite Color Combination - Pink and Bold Blue is one of my favorite color combinations (first card) 1/8
11. Outlawz Coloring Challenge (Jan 2- Jan 8) Theme is BIRDS-Wings 1/8   CPC010215 
12. Artistic Inspirations #122 - Something New -  (Both Stamps are new- Sue Wilson, Tall Chloe Stem and Beloved Stars dies are all new) 1/18

Stamping Hugs,