...Enjoying Life...: 2022

Friday, December 2, 2022

SSS DieCember Release Blog Hop Day 1!

Hi friends!

Welcome to my stop on the Simon Says Stamp, DieCember release blog hop! Have you seen the new DieCember release? It's awesome and I'm excited to share some inspiration with you!

If you'd like to start at the beginning of the hop, click here to be taken to Simon's blog. This is day one of a two-day hop, so be sure to stop by Simon's blog again tomorrow for lots more inspiration!

FREE GIFT:

As you can see from the banner above, if you shop during the hop, you'll receive Simon's "Merry on a Line" die for free, with any purchase of $25 or more! Use the code: MERRY at checkout. This promotion ends at 11:59 pm ET on 12/4.

GIVEAWAY:

Simon is also giving away a $25 gift certificate at every stop along the hop, from the comment sections! Be sure to leave a comment below for a chance to win. Simon will announce the winners on their blog on Wednesday, December 7th.

SIMON GALLERIES:

Did you know Simon has card galleries for each of their releases and their card kits, and even a video gallery? It's true and you can add your very own cards and projects to these galleries! Here's a link to all the Simon Brand Galleries, and here's the link to the new, DieCember release gallery . There is so much inspiration to see! I encourage you to check them out and add your own cards/projects as well!

MY CARDS:

My first card showcases the beautiful, Fanfare Border die. I also used Simon's new, Pawsitively Velvet Cardstock to cut two of the images. I thought an older, congratulations die was perfect in the center. It's a simple card but pretty too! Wish you could see the velvety texture!

Next up is a set of thank you cards. It was so easy to whip these up using the Thank You Cover Plate die! Just choose some fun colors and layer it all up!

Okay, this next die set is called, Leafy Teardrop. I used alcohol inks on a panel of Yupo paper before cutting it out and pairing it with an older embossing folder.

Up next is this beautiful stamp set called, Holiday Florals. I chose to only use the leaves and berry images from the set and I love how this turned out! Pink and green are my fave colors for Christmas! I paired this one with a snowflake embossing folder from a previous release.

For my last card, I played with this stencil set called, Layering Poinsettias. I thought it would be fun to use blues/aquas for the flowers, instead of the traditional pinks/reds. I added a few frosty sequins in the centers for a bit more interest. And by the way, Simon's inks are awesome to use with stencils!

I hope I've given you a few ideas on using some of the new DieCember products! Up next on the hop is my sweet and talented friend, Heather!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

HOP ORDER:

Simon Says Stamp Blog

Barb Engler <<you are here

Heather Ruwe

NEW RELEASE PRODUCTS:

Friday, November 11, 2022

SSS Holiday Sparkle Release Blog Hop - Day 1!

Hi everyone!

Welcome to my stop on the Simon Says Stamp, Holiday Sparkle release blog hop!

If you'd like to start at the beginning of the hop, click here to be taken to Simon's blog. And don't forget, the hop continues tomorrow with so much more inspiration from this fabulous release!

FREE GIFT:

As you can see from the banner above, if you shop during the hop, you'll receive Simon's adorable, Holiday Zipper Pouch for free, with a purchase of $50 or more! Use the code: CUTEBAG at checkout. This promotion ends at 11:59 pm ET on 11/13.

GIVEAWAY:

SIMON GALLERIES:

Did you know Simon has card galleries for each of their releases and their card kits, and even a video gallery? It's true and you can add your very own cards and projects to these galleries! Here's a link to all the Simon Brand Galleries, and here's the link to the new, Holiday Sparkle gallery. There is so much inspiration to see! I encourage you to check them out and add your own cards/projects as well!

MY CARDS:

First up is this pretty stencil set called, Retro Layering Christmas. I love, love, love pink and green for Christmas and used Simon's Pawsitively Saturated Inks with the stencils. I added bits of highlights with both a white and black gel pen.

My next card showcases three new products. I die cut the adorable, Layered Cheery Penguin with Simon's new, Pawsitively Velvet, Black cardstock. It's not easy to tell in the photo but it is so soft and fuzzy! I added the sentiments using the new, Bold Birthday Acetate Sentiment Strips. Yes, they're acetate! The colors from my alcohol inked background show through the letters! So cool!

Okay, next up is the gorgeous, Refined Snowflakes Embossing Folder and Die set. I just had to emboss it on Simon's Rose Gold Metalic Cardstock! It's such a beautiful color! And can you tell the die cut snowflake is cut from some more velvet cardstock? This time in white.

My last card uses the pretty, Holiday Greens stamp set. I stamped and colored the floral image twice so they would mirror each other, with enough room for a sentiment in between. It's a clean and simple card but I love how it turned out!

That's it for me and I'm your last stop on the hop! Remember to stop by Simon's blog again tomorrow for day 2 of the hop!

I really appreciate your visit today! I hope I've inspired you and given you some ideas for using a few of the new products from this awesome release!

Hugs,

HOP ORDER:

Simon Says Stamp Blog
Nina-Marie Trapani
Caly Person
Nichol Spohr
Cathy Zielske
Jennifer McGuire
Amy Rysavy
Suzy Plantamura
Keisha Charles
Yana Smakula
Barbara Tarayao
Emma Williams
Heather Ruwe
Bibi Cameron
Lisa Addesa
Barb Engler

NEW RELEASE PRODUCTS:

Friday, October 7, 2022

SSS Cozy Hugs Release Blog Hop Day 1!

Hi everyone!

Welcome to my stop on the Simon Says Stamp, Cozy Hugs release blog hop!

I'm your last stop on the hop today. If you'd like to start at the beginning, click here to head to Simon's blog. And don't forget, the hop continues tomorrow with so much more inspiration!

FREE GIFT:

As you can see from the banner above, if you shop during the hop, you'll receive Simon's Giant Hugs Card Wrap die for free with a purchase of $75 or more! Use the code: COZY at checkout. This promotion ends at 11:59 pm ET on 10/9.

GIVEAWAY:

SIMON GALLERIES:

Did you know Simon has card galleries for each of their releases and their card kits, and even a video gallery? It's true and you can add your very own cards and projects to these galleries! Here's a link to all the Simon Brand Galleries and here's the link to the new, Cozy Hugs gallery. There is so much inspiration to see! I encourage you to check them out and add your own cards/projects!

MY CARDS:

I must admit, life got in the way the last coupe weeks and I was not able to create as many cards for the hop as I normally do. I feel so bad about that and the three cards I am sharing today are simple, easy and not my best work. I think we can all relate that there are times in our lives when other things take priority. **sigh**

Anyway, on this first card, I used the adorable, Batty For You stamp set. I did not have the dies but these images are pretty easy to fussy cut. I colored the bat with Copics and used some white paint to splatter across the black cardstock.

Next up is the fun, Turkey Day stamp set. The turkey images in this set are a riot! They definitely made me smile! Just some simple Copic coloring and using the small leaf image to stamp all over the background.

On my last card, I used the beautiful die called, Layered Warbler. I combined a bit of dark blue cardstock with some Copic colored pieces to put together this pretty bird.

That's it for me and you are officially finished hopping for today. Don't forget to stop by Simon's blog again tomorrow for day 2 of the hop!

I hope I've given you a little bit of inspiration today for using some of the products in this awesome release! Thank you so much for stopping by! Hugs!

HOP ORDER:

Simon Says Stamp Blog

NEW RELEASE PRODUCTS:

Products are linked below - including affiliate links. This simply means that if you use one of my links when making a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support! More affiliate info here.

Friday, September 2, 2022

It's a STAMPtember blog party!

Hi everyone and happy STAMPtember!

It's the best month of the year and I'm excited to share some cards with you, showcasing a few of the products from Simon's big, STAMPtember release!

I LOVE STAMPtember! It's a month long celebration of all things stamping, crafting and card making, hosted by Simon Says Stamp. It's filled with new products and card kits, surprises, videos, YouTube live streams, tons of card making inspiration and exclusive stamp set collaborations with everyone's favorite stamp companies! Be sure to keep an eye on the Simon Says Stamp blog every, single day this month for all kinds of fun!

SCAVENGER HUNT:

Okay, so have you heard about the scavenger hunt? Check out all the blog/Instagram posts from today's STAMPtember party and find all the codes! There's lots of free product offers! You can start at Simon's blog here. Once you're there, you'll find a full list of crafters participating in the party.

Here's my code for you. You'll receive a FREE, Party Like a Puffin stamp set, with a $30 purchase, when you use this code at checkout. Yay!

SIMON GALLERIES:

Did you know Simon has card galleries for each of their releases and their card kits, and even a video gallery? It's true, and you can add your very own cards and projects to these galleries! Here's a link to all the Simon Brand Galleries and here's the link to the new, STAMPtember gallery. There is so much inspiration to see! I encourage you to check them out and add your own cards/projects!

MY CARDS:

My first card showcases the Pepperberry Bundles Embossing Folder and Cutting Die. I love that this folder comes with matching dies! I used Copic Markers to color the die-cut portions, before adhering them to the embossed panel. And the sentiment is from the Christmas Blessings stamp set. What a beautiful set that is, filled with a ton of gorgeous, holiday sentiments!

My next card features the Acorns and Leaves stencil set. I used a few of Simon's fabulous, Pawsitively Saturated Inks to create this pretty, fall card. And a bit of white splatter is always a good idea!

Can you say candy?! What a yummy cling stamp this is! It's called, Sugar Rush and I had a blast coloring it with Copics. I chose a funny sentiment from CZ Designs' stamp set called, Sassy Thankful. So fun!

Okay, so this die plate is so gorgeous! It's called, Flourishing Bloom Plate and all I did was cut it out, color the flowers and leaves using Copic Markers again and adhered it to a black cardstock panel. And I used another sentiment from the Christmas Blessings set.

Thank you so much for visiting me! I hope you're as excited as I am for STAMPtember, and I also hope I've given you a few ideas for playing with some of the products from this awesome release!

Enjoy the rest of the blog party!

NEW RELEASE PRODUCTS:

Saturday, July 23, 2022

SSS Dream Big Release Blog Hop Day 2!

Hi friends!

Welcome to my stop on day 2 of the Simon Says Stamp, Dream Big release blog hop!

If you'd like to start at the beginning of the hop, click here to be take to Simon's blog. If you missed day 1, click here to start that day's hop.

I can't wait to share some inspiration with some of the products from this awesome release, but first I have a free gift offer for you!

FREE GIFT:

As you can see from the banner above, if you shop during the blog hop, you can get Simon's Scripty Big Hugs die for free, with any purchase! Just use the code: BIGHUGS at checkout. This promotion will expire 7/24 at 11:59 pm EDT.

GIVEAWAY:

SIMON GALLERIES:

Did you know Simon has card galleries for each of their releases and their card kits, and even a video gallery? It's true and you can add your very own cards and projects to these galleries! Here's a link to all the Simon Brand Galleries and here's the link to the new, Dream Big gallery. There is so much inspiration to see! I encourage you to check them out and add your own cards/projects!

MY CARDS:

First up is the beautiful, Alstroemeria die. I love how this die comes with a few extra petals for layering. I did some simple Copic coloring and used an oval die, an embossing folder and a die cut sentiment, all older products from Simon, to complete my card.

Next I have a card I created using the Dimensional Cubes stencil set. This set is fantastic! I mean, the possibilities are endless! Is this cool, or what?!

I must have been into blues and greens when I was creating these cards. Lol! Does that ever happen to you? The Talavera Vine cling stamp is another wonderful product from the release. I white embossed it, then used some Distress Inks for the resist technique. And adding sparkle is always a good idea!

I love to use Simon's very own Matte Gold Cardstock when there's floral embossing involved! So elegant! This Terrace Floral embossing folder is gorgeous, and it comes with a matching die too!

And yes, there's some blue in my next card too. What can I say, it IS my favorite color. This is such a darling stamp set! It's called Born to Sparkle and I know it's gonna sell fast, so go grab it quick if you want it! It's so fun to play with for a slimline scene! And there are so many other images in this set. I only used a few.

Okay, so that's it for me. I hope I've given you a few ideas for using some of the products from this wonderful release! Next up on the hop is the very talented, Jennifer Kotas!