Sweet Summer Treats & Boardwalk Blues

Hello crafty friends!

The Better With Sprinkles Release is officially available in the Catherine Pooler shop, and today I'm sharing a sweet and simple card featuring several of the fun new products from this collection!

I started by creating the focal panel using the adorable popsicle images and sentiment from the Life Is Better With Sprinkles stamp set. To create the repeating pattern, I used the new Print & Pattern Tool collaboration from Catherine Pooler and Sizzix. This tool makes it so easy to create perfectly aligned backgrounds and custom patterned panels!

The images were stamped onto watercolor paper using the brand-new Boardwalk ink, a gorgeous medium blue from the Party Collection. Once everything was stamped, I lightly spritzed the panel with water and let the ink soften and move across the paper for a fun watercolor effect. After it dried, I added splatters of Glitz Ink and the new Oh Boy! Shimmer for a little extra sparkle and shine.

For the background, I blended Glitz Ink onto white cardstock to create a bright yellow ombré effect before die cutting it with the Rick Rack Strip Dies. The playful waves add so much movement and perfectly complement the sweet summer theme. I attached the strips to a panel created with the Dots & Scallops Die, then layered my watercolor panel across the center.

To finish the card, I added a simple banner detail and a few Party Yellows Enamel Dots for pops of coordinating color.

I love how the bright yellow and Boardwalk blue come together for a cheerful summertime feel! The entire Better With Sprinkles Release, including the beautiful new Boardwalk ink, is available tomorrow in the Catherine Pooler shop.

Happy crafting! 💙💛🍦

~ Ally ~ 

Life Is Better With Sprinkles!

Summer crafting just got a whole lot sweeter with the brand-new Better With Sprinkles release from Catherine Pooler Designs! Today I'm sharing a simple and fun card that lets one of my favorite new products take center stage—the adorable I Scream, You Scream Patterned Paper Pack.

The moment I saw this paper filled with colorful ice cream cones, popsicles, and cherries, I knew it deserved to be the star of the show. The "Boardwalk" colored background paired with all those sweet treats instantly creates a cheerful summertime vibe without needing a lot of extra embellishments.

To keep the design clean and playful, I paired the patterned paper with the new Life is Better With Sprinkles Stamp & Die Set. The darling ice cream sentiment perfectly complements the paper and adds a fun focal point to the card. I stamped and die cut the sentiment, then layered it onto one of the gorgeous shapes from the new Vintage Sign Dies. The soft mint plaid background on the sign adds just the right amount of detail while helping the sentiment stand out.

A simple pull-tab style element tucked behind the sentiment adds a little extra interest while keeping the overall design quick and easy to recreate. Sometimes patterned paper does all the heavy lifting, and this card is proof that a few well-chosen elements can come together for a sweet summertime project in no time!

StampNation members already have access to shop the Better With Sprinkles release, and the full collection will be available to everyone tomorrow.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I hope this card inspires you to create something sweet!

Happy crafting! 🍦🍒🍭

~ Ally ~ 

Hooray for Summer Treats! ☀️🍧

Today I'm sharing a bright and cheerful card featuring products from the brand new Better With Sprinkles release from Catherine Pooler Designs! This fun-filled collection is packed with sweet summer treats, playful sentiments, and fresh new colors that are perfect for all your summertime crafting.

For this card, I wanted the background to be the star of the show. I created a soft, wavy design using the gorgeous new Party Collection ink color, Boardwalk. By blending the ink in varying intensities, I was able to create layers of cool blue waves that remind me of a sunny day by the water.

To add a little extra sparkle and shine, I splattered the entire panel with the new Oh Boy! Shimmer. The subtle shimmer catches the light beautifully and adds just the right amount of summer magic.

 

I kept the focal point simple with one of the adorable images and sentiments from the new Life Is Better With Sprinkles stamp and coordinating die set. This sweet set includes six fun summer dessert-themed greetings along with coordinating images that are perfect for birthdays, celebrations, and sending a little sunshine to someone special. I love how this tiny popsicle and sentiment pop against the bold blue background!

Sometimes all you need is a simple design, a fresh color palette, and a touch of sparkle to create a card that's ready to celebrate.

Release Information:

• StampNation Members: Shop early on Tuesday, June 16
• Public Release: Available Wednesday, June 17

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope this card inspires you to play with layered ink blending and add a little shimmer to your next project.

Happy crafting! 💙🍧✨

~ Ally ~ 

Lighting Up the Night with Summer Celebrations

Hello crafty friends!

Today I’m sharing a card featuring some of the adorable images from the new Sweet November Stamps Summer Celebrations digital release! This cheerful scene combines elements from several sets to create a magical summer evening filled with friendship, fireworks, and fun memories.

For my focal point, I used the sweet kiddos and colorful fireworks from the Light Show collection. I just love the perspective of these two friends sitting together and watching the fireworks dance across the night sky. To give them the perfect place to enjoy the show, I added the picnic table from the Popsicles collection.

I colored everything with Copic Markers, building a deep twilight sky that allows all of those bright fireworks to really shine. The vibrant reds, yellows, greens, blues, and purples create a spectacular display against the dark background, while the warm tones on the children help draw the eye to the focal point of the scene.

To finish the card, I added the sentiment "You Brighten My Day!" on a simple banner die cut. It felt like the perfect greeting to complement the joyful fireworks and the heartwarming friendship captured in the image.

I love how this card celebrates those special summer moments—sitting outside with friends, watching fireworks light up the sky, and making memories that last long after the show is over.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Be sure to check out the entire Summer Celebrations release from Sweet November Stamps for even more adorable images perfect for all your summertime crafting.

Happy coloring! ✨🎆🎇

~ Ally ~