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 ~ 

Hang Loose Birthday Vibes with the New "Give Me a Sign" Collection!

There's a brand-new crew of cuties arriving at Sweet November Stamps this Saturday, and they're bringing all the personality! The new "Give Me a Sign" digital collection features six adorable little friends, each showing off a fun, expressive gesture that's perfect for celebrating friendships, birthdays, encouragement, and so much more.

For today's card, I couldn't resist using "Shaka Brah." That huge smile and classic shaka hand sign instantly made me think of my nephew, so this became his 11th birthday card!

To create a tropical backdrop worthy of his laid-back vibe, I masked off the image before stamping the palm fronds from the "Aloha Wees" clear stamp set all around him. The leafy frame really helps draw your eye to that happy face while adding fun island vibes. Everything was colored with Copic Markers, and I finished the scene with a warm sunny glow behind him. The bright blue patterned paper ties everything together and keeps the card feeling cheerful and full of summer energy.

Whether you're making birthday cards, sending a little encouragement, or just sharing a smile, the "Give Me a Sign" collection is packed with personality and so much fun to color.

The entire "Give Me a Sign" crew is now available to download from the Sweet November Stamps shop. I can't wait to see which expressive little friend becomes your favorite!

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 ~ 

You Deserve a Triple Scoop of Fun!

The new Better With Sprinkles release from Catherine Pooler Designs is officially here, and today I'm sharing a sweet card packed with color, pattern, and a little bit of stitching!

For this card, I dove into the adorable I Scream, You Scream Patterned Paper Pack and selected several of my favorite designs to create a playful patchwork background. I trimmed the papers into strips and layered them together, then added machine stitching between some of the panels to give the card a cozy, quilted feel. The combination of bright summer colors and fun ice cream-inspired patterns makes for such a cheerful backdrop!

To create a focal point, I die cut one of the tags from the Hearts-n-Tags Dies and layered it over the patterned paper. The tag provides the perfect place to showcase the adorable greeting from the Life Is Better With Sprinkles Stamp Set, which I stamped, colored, and die cut with the coordinating dies. I love the whimsical triple-scoop image paired with the fun sentiment—it's impossible not to smile!

A few coordinating enamel dots from the new Party Blues Enamel Dots finish off the design and add just the right amount of dimension and shine.

This card came together quickly and is a great way to let those gorgeous patterned papers do most of the work. If you love bright summer colors, sweet treats, and easy card designs, you're going to have so much fun with the Better With Sprinkles collection.

You can find the entire Better With Sprinkles release now in the CP shop!

Happy crafting! 🍦💕

~ Ally ~ 

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 ~ 

Drift, Dance, Dream with Laguna

Hello friends! Happy Wednesday!

Today I’m sharing a bright and cheerful beach scene featuring the adorable Laguna little mermaid from Sweet November Stamps. With her sweet smile, curly hair, and vibrant pink tail, she was the perfect focal point for a sunny seaside card!

To create the scene, I paired Laguna with the large island image from the Dock on the Bay Scene Builder stamp set. The tropical shoreline instantly set the stage for a relaxing day by the water. I colored the entire scene with Copic Markers, blending soft aqua waters, sandy beaches, and lush island greenery to bring the coastal setting to life.

For Laguna herself, I chose bright pinks for her tail and added a fun pop of orange to her bow. The contrast against the cool blues of the water helps her stand out beautifully against the background. I also added lots of shading and highlights to give the scene depth while keeping the overall look bright and playful.

The sentiment comes from the new Merwee Tide Dancers stamp set and perfectly captures the carefree summer vibe of the card: "Drift, Dance, Dream." I stamped it in black to anchor the design and balance the bright colors throughout the scene.

To finish the card, I mounted the completed panel onto some fun Catherine Pooler polka dot patterned paper. The colorful dots add an extra touch of whimsy and frame the beach scene without distracting from the focal image.

This card has me dreaming of warm sunshine, sandy beaches, and ocean breezes. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I hope Laguna inspires you to create your own little seaside escape!

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 ~ 

My Unbelievable Friend: Going Viral

The newest Sweet November Stamps digital release is here and it is absolutely making waves! The new “My Unbelievable Friend” collection is filled with adorable mermaids and their besties, perfect for creating fun summer scenes and friendship themed cards.

For today’s card, I used the sweet “My Unbelievable Friend: Going Viral” digital image. I paired the girls with the fabulous “Mermaid Rock” digital set to create a relaxing seaside scene where these two friends are clearly capturing the perfect selfie moment together.

I colored the entire scene using my Copic Markers, blending lots of vibrant ocean inspired tones for the mermaid tails and soft sandy neutrals for the rocky shoreline. I love how expressive these characters are and how easy they are to build into a complete story card. The flowing hair and shimmering tails were especially fun to color!

To finish the design, I kept the layout simple so the detailed image could really shine. Sometimes a beautifully colored scene is all you need.

The new “My Unbelievable Friend” collection is available now in the Sweet November Stamps shop. Perfect for summer cards, friendship cards and all your mermaid loving crafty projects!

Have a great weekend!

~ Ally ~ 

So Lucky to Create with Ocean Wonders!

The new Catherine Pooler Designs “Ocean Wonders” collection has completely swept me away with all of its beachy charm! Today’s card combines soft ocean textures, bright tropical colors, and some sweet seaside treasures.

I started by creating the card base background using the “Jellyfish Dance Layered Stencils” along with the brand new Oyster Ink. I love how this subtle pattern almost looks like flowing underwater grasses swaying in the ocean currents. It adds just the right amount of texture while still keeping the card soft and clean.

Next, I stamped and die cut several of the adorable seashell images from the “Beach Comber” stamp set. To give the shells lots of bright coastal personality, I used a cheerful blend of Lemon Sorbet, Creamsicle, Bellini, and also Sweetheart, and Pucker Up inks. The two-toned stamping really helps bring all those shell details to life!

For the design, I tucked the shells along the curved edge of the card to create the look of treasures buried in the sand. I absolutely love how the bright pinks and warm oranges pop against the crisp white background.

To finish everything off, I added the heartfelt sentiment from the “Inside Out: Love You” stamp set:
“some days I ask myself how did I get so lucky”

This card came together so beautifully and feels like the perfect mix of elegant and playful summer vibes.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

~ Ally ~ 

Shell-ebrating Simple Summer Cards!

There’s something so relaxing about creating beach inspired cards and the new Catherine Pooler Designs “Ocean Wonders” collection makes it so easy! Today’s card is all about keeping things simple while letting those beautiful seaside images shine.

For this clean and simple design, I used the adorable “Beach Comber” stamps and dies to create a soft monochromatic collection of seashells and starfish across the card front. I stamped all of the images using a blend of Creamsicle, Getaway, and Bellini inks for that warm sun-kissed coastal palette.

To keep the look cohesive, I used Creamsicle cardstock for the card base, which really helps all of the soft peachy tones blend together beautifully. The white die cut borders around each shell help the images pop while still maintaining that light and airy feel.

To finish the card, I added a sweet sentiment from the “Beautiful Seas Sentiments” stamp and die set:
“it’s time to shell-ebrate your day”

Sometimes simple cards are the most effective, and this one came together so quickly while still feeling bright, cheerful, and full of summer vibes!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

~ Ally ~