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 ~ 

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 ~ 

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 ~ 

Just Rolling By Shaker Card ~ Catherine Pooler Designs

Today I’m sharing a fun, interactive card featuring the brand new Trail Mix release from Catherine Pooler Designs! 🏕️✨

This card showcases the adorable images from the Happy Trail-ers stamp set and coordinating dies, paired with the bright and playful patterns from the Trail Mix patterned paper pack.

I decided to create a shaker card for this project to really bring in that sense of fun and movement! To start, I cut the red and pink striped patterned paper from the new "Trail Mix" patterned paper packusing the Scallops & Dots Dies. I then used a rectangle die from the same set to cut out the window opening for my shaker.

Inside the shaker, I added a mix of sequins from the Helsinki, Wimbledon, and Vienna mixes. I love how the soft pastels and pops of color tie in perfectly with the camper and give the whole card a festive, celebratory feel!

For the focal point, I stamped the camper and tree images in Slate ink, die cut them with the matching dies, and colored everything with Copic Markers. I kept the colors bright and cheerful to match the fun, retro vibe of the patterned papers.

To finish the design, I die cut a tag from the Trail Mix patterned papers and stamped the sentiment in Samba ink. The “Just Rolling By to Say Hello” greeting is just perfect for this cute little camper scene!

This release is packed with so many fun elements for creating playful, outdoorsy cards—I’m already thinking of all the different ways to use these stamps!

Don't forget to add our brand new Party colored ink, Getaway, to your shopping cart!

We also have a number of inks that are retiring.  Make sure to check out that sale RIGHT HERE.  While supplies last. 

The Trail Mix release goes live in the Catherine Pooler shop on Wednesday, so be sure to check it out!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 💛

~ Ally ~ 

Wishing you Happy Trails Ahead ~ New Release from Catherine Pooler on it's Way!

Today I’m sharing a card featuring the brand new Trail Mix release from Catherine Pooler Designs — and it’s full of all the cozy, outdoorsy vibes! 🏕️

This card highlights the adorable Happy Trail-ers stamp set, and I just couldn’t resist creating my own custom patterned background using all of the fun camping images. From the sweet little campers to the campfires, trees, and chairs, this set is perfect for building playful outdoor scenes!

I stamped out all of the images and colored them with my Copic Markers, keeping a bright and cheerful color palette to match the fun, retro feel of the campers. Once everything was colored, I arranged the images to create a full background — it’s such a great way to stretch your stamp sets and create something totally unique!  I also added a quick brushing of some Pistachio ink across the entire panel.

To tie everything together, I added a strip of the new Trail Mix patterned papers along the side. I love how the bold plaid brings in all those same colors and really frames the card design.

For the sentiment, I used the sweet “Wishing You Happy Trails Ahead” sentiment in "Mardi Gras" ink and popped it up on foam adhesive for a little dimension. It’s the perfect finishing touch for this happy, outdoorsy card!

In addition to a brand new Party ink color, "GETAWAY", we are also retiring a few inks this time.  check out the SALE section of the shop for the list of ink colors retiring... HERE.  Only until supplies last.

You can also get a FREE 3x4 stamp set called "Gone Camping" with your purchase of over orders of $50.  Use the code: CAMPING to get this FREE.  While supplies last. 

This release is packed with so many fun elements for creating camping and adventure-themed projects — I think it’s going to be a favorite for summer crafting!

🛍️ The Trail Mix release goes live in the Catherine Pooler shop on Wednesday, so be sure to check it out!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  StampNation members get the opportunity to shop TOMORROW at 12 noon EST.  This release goes live to the public on Wednesday at 9am EST.

Happy shopping!

~ Ally ~