StampNation Weekend Challenge: By the Sea

This weekend’s StampNation Challenge is taking us “By the Sea!” For this challenge, create a project inspired by the ocean, the beach, seaside vegetation, ocean animals, or anything connected to water. You could even incorporate water into your creative process by watercoloring with inks!

For my card, I created a playful underwater birthday scene featuring the adorable sailor otter from the “Ahoy Matey” stamp set. I surrounded him with colourful fish, coral, seaweed, bubbles, and other fun treasures from beneath the waves.

 

The “Under the Sea Cover Plate Die” was used to create the fabulous ocean frame. Behind it, I blended Blue Raspberry, Boardwalk, Mardi Gras, and Uptown inks to make my own vibrant, ocean-inspired background. I love how all those beautiful blues and aquas bring the underwater scene to life!

I also added some pretty "Party Blues" enamel dots for a few darker ocean bubbles! Everything image and piece of the scene was colored using Copic Markers.

Now it’s your turn to dive into your crafty supplies and create something inspired by the sea. We cannot wait to see your “By the Sea” projects in the StampNation gallery!

~ Ally ~ 

Start Every Day with a Splash!

Hello, crafty friends!

I'm back today with another card featuring one of the beautiful new SN Gals, and this time it's the stunning SN Gal Oceanne from Sweet November Stamps! Isn't she gorgeous? I just love her flowing hair and graceful pose—it makes her the perfect centerpiece for a tall, slimline-style design.

To create her underwater world, I paired Oceanne with the seafloor image from the Mermee #3 stamp set. The detailed coral and ocean floor make such a fun backdrop while still allowing our lovely mermaid to shine.

Everything was colored with Copic Markers, but one of my favorite parts of this card is how I created the background. I colored all of the corals and the seafloor first, then used my Copic Airbrush System to softly spray shades of blue over the entire scene. This ties everything together beautifully and gives the illusion that all of the elements are sitting beneath the water's surface.

Once the background was complete, I popped Oceanne up on foam adhesive to give her a little extra dimension. I love how she almost looks like she's floating through the ocean! I finished the card with the sentiment, "Start every day with a splash!", which perfectly captures the fun, carefree feel of this design.

This was such a fun scene to create, and I can't wait to color up Oceanne again in even more underwater adventures!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and happy crafting! 💙🧜‍♀️

~ Ally ~ 

Sweet Summer Birthday Wishes | Craft Roulette Episode #324

Hello crafty friends!

Today I’m sharing a sweet birthday easel card that I created for Craft Roulette Episode #324! This week's parameters were such a fun combination:

• Project: Easel Card
• Colors: Craft Store Colors
• Element: Table
• Random: Add a Bug(s) or Insect(s)

For my card, I reached for the adorable Summer Celebrations: Popsicle digital stamp collection from Sweet November Stamps. I used the sweet little girl enjoying her popsicle along with the picnic table image to create a cheerful summertime scene. To satisfy the "bug or insect" parameter, I added the cute butterfly from Flight of the Fairies: Audrey & Hugo, fluttering overhead and bringing a little extra whimsy to the design.

Everything was colored with Copic Markers, one of my favorite ways to bring these darling images to life. After coloring, I carefully masked all of the images and used my Copic Airbrush System to create a soft sky and grassy background. The gentle airbrushed layers help keep the focus on the sweet image while adding depth and a sunny summer feel to the scene.

For the easel card design, I kept the layout clean and simple so the image could take center stage. A soft patterned lavender mat frames the scene beautifully, while a few sparkling embellishments add just the right amount of birthday shine.

I love how perfectly this card fit all four Craft Roulette parameters while still feeling light, playful, and full of summer charm. The little girl enjoying a cool popsicle on a warm day makes me smile every time I look at it!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope this card inspires you to pull out your favorite summer-themed images and create something fun for your next crafty challenge.

Happy crafting! 💜

~ Ally ~ 

Mermazing Friends Beneath the Sea

Hello friends!

Today I’m sharing a sweet underwater card featuring the adorable More Mer Friends stamp set from Sweet November Stamps! This darling set includes two precious mermaids and seven ocean-loving critters, making it perfect for creating fun and whimsical underwater scenes.

For my card, I chose one of the sweet mermaids and paired her with the adorable sea turtle and otter. I imagined them meeting up for an underwater adventure, so I created a soft ocean scene filled with gentle water, sandy sea floor, and dreamy underwater colors.

The entire scene was colored with Copic Markers, allowing me to add lots of depth and movement to the water while keeping the characters bright and playful. I especially enjoyed coloring the mermaid’s flowing purple hair and coordinating it with her tail for a fun pop of color against the cool aqua background.

To finish the card, I added the playful "Mermazing!" sentiment and mounted the completed scene onto an ocean-colored cardstock panel that had been splattered with an iridescent shimmer for a touch of magical sparkle. The raised panel adds dimension and helps the underwater scene take center stage.

I love how this card captures the fun friendship between these adorable ocean characters and showcases just how versatile the More Mer Friends stamp set can be!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I hope this card inspires you to create your own mermazing underwater adventure!

Happy crafting! 🧜‍♀️🐢🦦💙

~ Ally ~ 

A Sea-Sational Postage Adventure

Hello, crafty friends!

I'm back today with another card featuring the brand-new Sea-Sational MerMay release from Sweet November Stamps! This time, I couldn't resist using every single image from the adorable new Seababies stamp set to create a fun underwater postage-style scene card.

For this design, I started by masking off each section of a postage-style die-cut panel, creating multiple tiny underwater vignettes. I love how each little "stamp" becomes its own miniature scene while still working together as one cohesive card. The sweet mer-babies are joined by all their ocean friends, including playful fish, crabs, coral, and even a tiny snail exploring the sea floor.

Once all of the images were stamped, I colored everything with Copic Markers, bringing the cheerful underwater world to life with bright, beachy colors. To create the vibrant ocean backgrounds, I used my Copic Airbrush System, blending soft shades of blue throughout each postage section. The airbrushed backgrounds add so much depth while keeping the focus on those adorable images.

I finished the card with a simple sentiment and plenty of bubbles scattered throughout the scenes to tie everything together. The postage layout was the perfect way to showcase all the sweet characters included in the Seababies set, and it makes for such a fun storytelling card!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Be sure to check out the entire Sea-Sational MerMay release—it's packed with adorable mermaids, ocean critters, and underwater scenes that are perfect for all your summer crafting projects.

Happy stamping! 🧜‍♀️🐠🦀💙

~ Ally ~ 

Seabrina’s Underwater Hideaway

Hello friends!

The Sea-Sentional MerMay release from Sweet November Stamps is making a splash, and today I’m sharing a card featuring the adorable new Seabrina mermaid stamp set! If you love sweet mermaids, ocean scenes, and lots of coloring opportunities, this release is packed with inspiration.

For my card, I created a cozy underwater cave scene using Background Builder: The Deep. The curved cave opening frames Seabrina perfectly as she relaxes on the sandy ocean floor, watching a tiny sea turtle swim by. I love how this background creates instant depth and makes the scene feel like a hidden underwater sanctuary.

To add a fun postal-inspired touch, I built my card base using the mermaid-themed images from the Fantasy Post Marks stamp set. Stamping them in soft, colorful inks created a subtle background pattern that complements the ocean theme without overwhelming the focal image.

Everything was colored with Copic Markers, allowing me to add lots of rich ocean tones, sandy neutrals, and bright pops of color throughout the scene. Seabrina’s flowing hair and shimmering tail were especially fun to color, and I finished the design with the playful “Mermazing!” sentiment from the More Mer Friends stamp set.

The scalloped frame helps draw your eye into the underwater scene while adding a soft, whimsical finish to the card.

Be sure to check out the entire Sea-Sentional MerMay release and all the incredible inspiration from the design team!

Sweet November Stamps Blog Hop

Don't forget to join the SNS Blog Hop for even more mermaid-themed inspiration:

Sweet November Stamps Blog Hop

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and happy crafting! 🧜‍♀️💙

~ Ally ~ 

Sea-Sational MerMay Magic with Sweet November Stamps!

The newest Sweet November Stamps release is here, and it is absolutely overflowing with under-the-sea inspiration! The Sea-Sational MerMay Release features 11 brand-new mermaid-themed stamp sets, including enchanting mermaids, ocean friends, and the fabulous new ocean throne scene elements that make creating underwater worlds so much fun.

For today's card, I combined two of the new release products: Retro Pin Up Mermaids and Mermaid Throne. The Retro Pin Up Mermaids stamp set includes three glamorous mermaids with a vintage pin-up vibe, along with two coordinating sentiments. I couldn't resist pairing this beauty with the gorgeous Mermaid Throne image, creating a luxurious underwater retreat surrounded by colorful coral reefs and sparkling sea life.

To bring the scene to life, everything was colored with Copic Markers. I used my Copic Airbrush System to create depth and dimension throughout the coral reefs, building up the darker ocean tones as they fade into the distance. The airbrushed gradients really help create the feeling of being deep beneath the waves.

One of my favorite features of this card is that the mermaid actually floats up and down above her shell throne, adding a fun interactive element that makes the scene even more magical.

Be sure to join us for the Sea-Sational MerMay Instagram Hop, which starts today! You can find my hop post over on Instagram at @i_card_so_hard. Hop along, leave comments on the designers' posts, and you'll be entered for a chance to WIN one of four $30 Sweet November Stamps gift certificates. There is so much gorgeous inspiration waiting for you throughout the hop!

Happy hopping, and good luck!

~ Ally ~ 

Seahorses & Ocean Waves 💙

The new Catherine Pooler Designs “Ocean Wonders” collection is making waves and I am completely smitten with all the seaside inspiration! Today’s card combines soft ocean tones, layered waves and the sweetest pair of seahorses for a clean and elegant design.

For the focal point, I started by stamping and die cutting the adorable seahorses from the “Seahorses on Parade” stamp set. I used Quartz and Pink Champagne inks to create a soft tone-on-tone effect that gives them a delicate underwater feel.

To create the subtle background texture on the card base, I used the “Jellyfish Dance Layered Stencil” with the brand new Oyster Ink. I love how this stencil can be used in multiple ways! I also used portions of the stencil to add extra wave details to my layered ocean pieces.

The waves themselves were created using the “Melon Edge Die” and layered together with vellum, Juniper Mist, and Stone Blue cardstock. Once layered, I die cut the entire scene with a heart die to frame the sweet little seahorses together in their underwater world.

To finish the card, I added a simple sentiment from the “Beautiful Seas Sentiments” stamp set using Juniper Mist Ink.

I absolutely love how soft and peaceful this card turned out — the layered waves and muted ocean palette make it feel so dreamy!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 🌊

~ Ally ~ 

Under the Sea Birthday Wishes for Craft Roulette #371

Hello crafty friends!

I’m back today sharing my latest card inspired by this week’s episode of Craft Roulette Episode #371! The parameters for this challenge were:

• Project: A9 Card (5 1/2" x 8 1/2")
• Colors: Florist Shop Colors
• Element: Birthday(s)
• Random: Something from my MESK (messy desk!)

For my A9 creation, I dove deep under the sea with three adorable Sweet November Stamps digi mermaids: “Goldie Love,” “Turtle Kisses,” and “Otterly Fun.” I absolutely love how each little scene flows together to create one tall whimsical underwater birthday card!

To bring the ocean setting to life, I colored all of the images using my trusty Copic Markers. I then used my Copic Airbrush System to create the soft blended ocean background. The bright aqua tones paired perfectly with the vibrant mermaid tails and flowing hair — definitely fitting those “florist shop colors” from this week’s challenge prompt.

For the birthday element, I kept things simple with a flowing script sentiment that tucks nicely into the design without taking away from the mermaids.

And for the random “something from my MESK” parameter? I reached for some enamel dots from Catherine Pooler Designs that were sitting on my desk waiting to be used! They added the perfect little bubbly finishing touch to the underwater scene.

This card was such a fun way to combine multiple digi images into one colorful interactive-looking scene. Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Happy crafting!

~ Ally ~ 

A Little Fairy Happy Mail ~ Sweet November Stamps

There’s something extra magical about sending happy mail, and today’s card brings a touch of fairy charm to the mailbox!

For this project, I used the adorable “Fairwee Happy Mail” stamp set from Sweet November Stamps. I just love this little fairy fluttering in with her special delivery—it instantly makes me smile!

I started by die cutting my panel using The Greetery’s “Postcard Details Die” to create that classic postcard look. Once my images were stamped, I masked them off so I could build a soft, glowing background using my Copic Airbrush System. Blending bright yellows into fresh greens gave the whole scene a sunny, storybook feel—like a perfect little meadow for fairy mail delivery.

After removing the masks, I colored all the images with Copic Markers, keeping the palette bright and cheerful to match the background. That tiny mailbox and flying bird helper add such fun personality to the scene!

To really lean into the postcard theme, I added extra details using The Greetery’s “Postal Modern” stamp set. These little postal accents tie everything together and give the card that authentic mail-inspired finish.

Finally, I stamped the bold greeting using the CP & Sizzix “Print & Pattern: Hello Sentiments” stamp set. The large “hello” makes such a perfect focal point and balances the design beautifully.

This card is a reminder that even a small note can bring a big smile—especially when it’s delivered with a little fairy magic! ✨

~ Ally ~ 

Tidewater Tails – Luchia by the Shore 🌊

The newest digital release from Sweet November Stamps is here, and it’s absolutely fin-tastic! The “Tidewater Tails” collection is now available and features five gorgeous mermaids: Flavia, Luchia, Lunaria, Ondina, and Pacifica. Today, I’m sharing a card featuring the sweet and whimsical Tidewater Tail: Luchia.

I created a bright tropical scene for Luchia to perch in by pairing her with island elements from the Pirate Background Builder Set along with a few rocky accents from the Mermaid Rocks images. I love how these pieces come together to build a fun little island escape!

All of the images were colored with vibrant Copic Markers, really bringing this seaside scene to life. Those bold tropical tones and shimmering water make this card feel like a mini vacation!

Once my coloring was complete, I die cut the panel using a deckled edge die to give it that soft, organic finish. I layered it onto a handmade postage-style panel—because let’s be honest, the postage trend is just too fun not to play with! For a bit of extra detail, I stamped the background with the mermaid-themed postmarks from the Fantasy Post Marks stamp set.

To finish it all off, I added a sentiment from the Mermees Set#2 stamp set that perfectly matches the peaceful ocean vibe—“May waves of happiness wash over you.”

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Be sure to check out the full Tidewater Tails release—these mermaids are sure to make a splash in your next project!

~ Ally ~ 

Spring Woodland Easter Treat Bags 🐿️🌸 ~ Sweet November Stamps

Hello crafty friends!

Today I’m sharing a fun little project that was an absolute joy to create—these sweet Easter treat bags featuring the brand new “Spring Woodland” digital collection from Sweet November Stamps!

This adorable release includes 5 mini bundles filled with springtime charm. You’ll find 9 different critters holding Spring flower bouquets, a darling little girl with her feathered friend, and even a scene-building background image to help bring all your creations to life.

For my project, I decided to step a little outside of cards and create Easter treat bags for my co-workers. I made six in total, each one filled with goodies and topped with a custom tag featuring one of these precious woodland critters.

I started by printing and coloring each of the critters using my Copic Markers—you know how much I love bringing these images to life with soft shading and bright, cheerful colors! Once they were finished, I die cut them into tag shapes and added a subtle bit of ink blending to ground the images.

Each tag was attached to a whimsical gift bag, and I finished them off with a little sparkly pipe-cleaner for that extra touch. The names have been blurred for privacy, but each bag was personalized for its recipient, making them feel even more special.

I just love how these turned out—these little critters are full of personality and perfect for Easter treats, springtime gifts, or even cardmaking. The versatility of this collection makes it such a great addition to your digital stash!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I hope this project inspires you to create something fun for the season!

Happy crafting! 💜

~ Ally ~ 

🐰 Hoppy Easter Postage Pals Card 🐣 ~ Sweet November Stamps

With Easter just two weeks away, I couldn’t resist creating something extra sweet and full of springtime charm! Today’s card features the adorable “Postage Pals: Hoppy Easter” stamp set from Sweet November Stamps, and I had so much fun bringing these little critters to life.

I decided to lean into a fun postage collage design, creating a grid of mini “stamps” filled with bunnies, chicks, duckies, and even a cute little egg friend. Each scene feels like its own tiny story, which makes this card so playful and engaging!

To really sell that postage look, I paired the images with the fabulous “Year Round Post Marks” stamp set. The subtle stamped details layered over the background give it that authentic, vintage mail feel—such a perfect complement to the postage theme.

For the background, I went with a chalkboard-style look, using darker tones to really make the Copic-colored images pop. I love how the bright yellows, soft pastels, and fresh spring colors stand out against the deep background—it adds such a fun contrast and really highlights each little character.

All of the images were colored using Copic Markers, and I kept the palette light and cheerful to match the Easter vibe. Those tiny pops of color in the eggs and bows just make me smile!

To finish everything off, I added a simple sentiment—“Hippity Hoppity Happy Easter”—right across the center to tie all the little scenes together.

This card was such a joy to create, and I love how it feels like a collection of tiny Easter moments all in one place. Perfect for sending a little handmade happiness as we hop closer to the holiday!

~ Ally ~ 

Hoppity Hoppity Happy Easter with Lila 🐣 ~ Sweet November Stamps

Today I’m sharing a cheerful Easter card featuring the adorable “Lila” from Sweet November Stamps. I couldn’t resist coloring her up with her sweet little basket full of Easter eggs as she enjoys a sunny Spring day!

To build my scene, I paired Lila with the cute little duckies from the “Postage Pals: Hoppy Easter” stamp set. They look like they’re happily waddling along beside her on their own little Easter adventure. The sentiment “Hippity Hoppity Happy Easter” was the perfect finishing touch for this bright and playful card.

This card was created for Craft Roulette Episode #309, and it was so fun incorporating all the challenge parameters:

• Project: Mini Slimline Card

• Colors: Jolly – I used bright, happy spring colors throughout the scene.

• Element: In the Kitchen – Lila’s basket of decorated Easter eggs felt like the perfect nod to all the egg decorating that happens in the kitchen around Easter time!

• Random: Mask(s)/Masking – I used masking to build the little ducky scene around Lila and create a seamless background.

I colored all of the images with Copic Markers and finished the scene with a bright grassy field and soft sky background to really make the characters pop. I love how the playful ducks bring extra movement and charm to the scene.

This sweet little Easter card is ready to hop its way into someone’s mailbox and bring a smile!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

~ Ally ~ 

Catherine Pooler Designs – A Purr-fect Thank You

Today I’m sharing a fun and colorful thank you card featuring some fabulous products from Catherine Pooler Designs!

For the background, I used the Flirty Blooms Layered Stencil, but instead of layering the entire stencil design, I chose to use just one layer to create this playful pattern. I blended Sweetheart and Mardi Gras inks to form the soft pink and teal background, which gives the card such a bright and happy feel.

To add a little extra sparkle and interest, I splattered Pixie Dust Shimmer over the Sweetheart ink areas only. The shimmer catches the light beautifully and gives the background a subtle magical touch.

Next, I stamped and added the three adorable cats using Mardi Gras ink. I love how their playful poses add personality and movement to the card while keeping the overall design light and fun.

For the sentiment, I used a greeting from the “3 Times the Thanks Sentiment” stamp set. I stamped it onto one of the labels from the “More Sentiment Banner Dies,” which creates the perfect focal point across the card.

This card came together with a simple design, a bit of sparkle, and a trio of sweet kitties to say thanks in the cutest way possible!

You can find all of these supplies over in the Catherine Pooler Designs shop.

Have a great rest of the week!

~ Ally ~ 

Egg Hunt Fun ~ Sweet November Stamps

Today I’m sharing a sweet Easter card featuring the adorable “Egg Hunt” stamp set from Sweet November Stamps. This set is packed with Easter cuteness and includes three little girls, three little boys, two bunnies, and lots of fun scene-building elements—perfect for creating cheerful springtime cards.

For my card, I chose two of the little boys as they excitedly gather their colorful Easter eggs. I love how their playful poses bring the whole scene to life! I also added a few of the spring elements from the set along with one of the cute little bunnies to complete the egg hunt setting.

Everything was colored with Copic Markers, which helped create the bright spring grass and soft sky background for these little guys to explore. I kept the design clean and simple so the sweet scene could really shine.

The sentiment “Here comes the Easter Bunny” is also included in the Egg Hunt stamp set and felt like the perfect finishing touch.

This card was extra special because I sent it off to my two nephews for Easter. I thought these two little egg hunters suited them perfectly!

Sweet November Stamps always makes it easy to build charming scenes, and this set is just full of springtime joy.

Have a great weekend!

~ Ally ~