Living My Dream

Simon Says Stamp Send Happiness BLOG HOP - Day 1

Yesterday, the newest release from SSS went live called Send Happiness. There is a whole lot of happy in this release! I posted a "one stamp, five ways" post yesterday HERE using the Chillin' Gnomies stamp set. Here is an image of the five cards I made: I will also have a "one stamp, five ways" post on the SSS blog on the 30th using the new Fairytale Spinners stamp set. Here is a sneak of those five cards: And now for today's business! I have a new set of Suzy's watercolor cards as part of this release called "Under The Sea". Here is an image of them as they are sold (all printed on watercolor paper): I painted all... Read more →

"One Stamp, Five Ways" - Chillin' Gnomies (SSS Send Happiness New Release!)

Today is the SSS new Send Happiness release - whoopeee!!! And there are so many cute products in this release! I had to pick two stamp sets to do a "one stamp, five ways" post with. I picked the Fairytale Spinners stamp set for my SSS Blog Guest Post that will be up on June 30th. Here is a sneak of the 5 cards I created with this stamp set: The second stamp set I picked for my "one stamp, five ways" post on my blog is the Chillin' Gnomies stamp set. I have five cards to share with you today using this stamp set. Here are the five together: I also have a set of 12 new watercolor cards... Read more →

Pretty Pink Posh Blog Hop - Day 2

The new products from Pretty Pink Posh were released yesterday and are now available for purchase at either Pretty Pink Posh or at Simon Says Stamp. There are links to all of the new products to both stores at the bottom of this post. I have 3 cards to share with you today using many of these new products. There are blog hop details below the cards. CARD 1: I started this card using the new Layered Leaves and Flowers stencil. This is a 3 part stencil and I used the leaves first with Distress Oxide Inks in 4 green colors and my Picket Fence brushes. Next, I used the 2nd stencil with the flowers. I colored some Texture Paste... Read more →

"One Stamp, Five Ways" - Simon Says Stamp July Card Kit Home Sweet Home

Today I have a "one stamp, five ways" post to share with you using the brand new Simon Says Stamp July card kit called Home Sweet Home. Here is an image of the kit: As usual, I will be focusing on the 6x8" Home Sweet Home stamp set that is included in the kit and also sold alone. I have 5 cards to share with you below. CARD 1: This stamp set works really well on slim-line cards as the city scene stretches for about 7.5" long (although it can be cropped for smaller cards as well). I make my slim-line cards to be 8.5" x 3.5". If you cut a piece of cardstock to be 7" wide, you can... Read more →

MFT June 2020 New Product Release - Cards x 3

MFT has their June release today and I have 3 cards to share with you using my two favorite new stamp sets from the release. The first is by Stacey Yacula called Hooray Kind of Day and the second is called Sunny Vibes. Here are images of both stamp sets: CARD 1: I made this slim-line card in a vertical method for my first time ever. I thought it would be a good way to use ALL of the stamps in this set on one card. I started with a piece of cardstock cut to be 3.5" wide x 8.5" long. I applied Distress Oxide Ink over two different stencils. I used Waves and Hills with Mowed Lawn ink for... Read more →

Crafty Hugs Blog Hop - Amazing People Watercolor Cards

Hello friends! Today is the first day of the 2 day blog hop for the brand new Simon Says Stamp release called Crafty Hugs. I love that this release is targeted at showing those who have helped us through this difficult time gratitude. When I was designing my watercolors for this release, I tried to make them usable for all of the people in our lives that have put their lives in jeopardy by doing their jobs and helping us stay home (or maybe you are one of those essential workers yourself - so thank you!). I added a greeting to all but one of these as I had so many ideas of things I wanted to say (((sorry for... Read more →

"One Stamp, Five Ways" - SSS So Beautiful Crafty Hugs Release

Today I have a "one stamp, five ways" post using the brand new Simon Says Stamp release called Crafty Hugs. I picked a stamp that is totally me called So Beautiful. Here is an image of the stamp: It is a 6x6 cling stamp with an unattached sentiment illustrated by Shari Carroll. This is a different type of cling stamp since it isn't really a background as most of them are. I wanted to use it because I love the doodled look of the flowers. Here are my five cards: CARD 1: You Are So Beautiful For this card, I stamped the floral stamp on watercolor paper using MFT Natural Ink. I the painted it with watercolors. I usually use... Read more →

"One Stamp, Five Ways" - SSS May 2020 Card Kit BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES

Today I have a "one stamp, five ways" post using the Simon Says Stamp May card kit called Beautiful Butterflies. As usual, I focus on the stamp set which is also called Beautiful Butterflies and sold alone. There are dies for the stamp set as well, although I didn't have them, so mine are fussy cut (and you can tell!). You can also buy the paper alone and it is so gorgeous - I used it on a few of my cards. Here is an image of the kit: CARD 1: My first card uses my favorite technique I call "random stamping". I've told you before and I'll say it once again; I love puzzles which is why I enjoy... Read more →

MFT New Release May 2020 Cards

Hello my masked, staying home, lysol wiped friends! These are CRAZY times without a doubt, but there is always something positive to find in any situation. My positive is getting more crafting time! Today is the new My Favorite Things release and I was so excited to play with two of the new stamp sets. I have a card to share with you using Always Bring A Smile and another slim-line card using Hanging With My Gnomies. Can I just say right up front that I have no idea what a Gnomie is or why they are suddenly popular in the stamping world, BUT I absolutely adore them. I love elves and collect Christmas ones and I played with a... Read more →

Simon Says Stamp Sunny Days Ahead Blog Hop!

Hi friends! Today is the first day of the Simon Says Stamp new release called Sunny Days Ahead. That statement could definitely have 2 meanings and in my life it is currently the less desired one. It is SO sunny here - in the 90's this week and breaking all kinds of heat records. And I live a mile from the beach, but can't go - wahhh (I know, I know - I deserve no sympathy). But I, like most of you, am looking forward to the second meaning which is things improving on the health front. But enough of that - this is a happy blog hop! So let's get started... I have a new set of watercolor cards... Read more →