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 ~ 

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 ~ 

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 ~ 

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 ~ 

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 ~ 

No Matter Where We Roam 🚐💚 ~ Catherine Pooler is Here!

 

Hi crafty friends!

Today I’m sharing another card featuring the adorable Happy Trail-ers stamp and die set from Catherine Pooler Designs. I just can’t get enough of these sweet little campers!

I started with the background by using the new Peak View stencil and blending in the gorgeous Getaway ink for a soft, scenic look. To add a bit of sparkle and texture, I finished it off with Disco Ball embossing powder, which gives the mountain peaks such a fun shimmer.

For the ground, I wanted something a little different, so I created that speckled soil using the new Rusted Roof embossing powder—it adds the perfect earthy texture for the camper to sit on.

To bring in a playful element, I created a faux lake using strips of the Trail Mix patterned paper, die cut with the Rick Rack Strips Dies. I love how the waves add movement and a pop of pattern to the scene!

The camper itself was stamped, die cut, and colored with Copic Markers, then popped up in the center of the circular window for dimension.

Everything is pulled together with the rich Aquatini cardstock, and I added a few Party Greens enamel dots for a finishing touch. The sentiment circle perfectly sums it all up—“No matter where we roam, you’ll always be my home.” 💕

This card was such a fun mix of textures, patterns, and techniques—perfect for sending a little love wherever the road leads.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy shopping!

~ Ally ~ 

Lighting Up the Trail with Happy Trail-ers ✨🚐 ~ Catherine Pooler

Hi crafty friends!

Today I’m sharing a super fun (and interactive!) card featuring the adorable Happy Trail-ers stamp and die set from Catherine Pooler Designs. This sweet little camper just makes me want to pack up and head out on a cozy adventure!

For the focal image, I stamped and die cut the camper, then brought it to life with Copic Markers. I kept the colors warm and playful, adding those classic stripes to give it that vintage trailer charm. The tiny details—like the curtains and door—are just too cute!

To create the background, I used the Trail Mix patterned paper, and I am completely in love with this lightning bug design! It adds such a whimsical, nighttime camping vibe and pairs perfectly with the theme of the card.

Now for the really fun part… this card lights up! 💡
I incorporated a Pear Blossom Press “One Light” to create a glowing effect inside the trailer. When you press the tiny lightning bug on the camper, the light inside the window turns on—how magical is that?! It adds such a delightful interactive element and really makes the card feel special.

For the sentiment, I used the Hearts-n-Tags Dies to create the tag and stamped the greeting in Mardi Gras ink. I love how the bold color pops against the softer tones of the card and ties everything together.  I also used our new Getaway ink on the top of the tag with some Samba stars.  A few new "Party Greens Enamel Dots" were used to finish off the card.

This card was such a joy to make—combining coloring, pattern play, and a bit of simple circuitry for that wow factor. Interactive cards like this always bring an extra smile, and this little camper is ready to roll by and say hello!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 💚

~ 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 ~