Welcome to Simple to Spectacular!
Who doesn’t love a simple, classic sugar cookie? But then you icing and it gets even sweeter and more decadent. And then you pop on some sprinkles and suddenly it’s a party! The idea of this feature will be to show how a single stamp set can be used to create a card from clean and simple to downright fabulous with a few extra layers and embellishments.
We have a few designers participating today and they each have three progressive card designs to share using The Sweet Life stamp set. Enjoy!
“The Simple to Spectacular approach to card making is such a fun way to create a stack of cards! Not only am I able to accomplish a lot all at once, but the process goes pretty quickly because I’m using similar supplies on each card. And on top of that, it challenges me to really look at a card design and think about ways to not necessarily improve each card but how to change it up on each one. This helps to improve my design skills by allowing me to hone my usual style while also growing in the styles that may not be my normal go-to. Whether you’re a simple card kinda girl or a pile-on-the-layers gal, taking one card and trying to create three different versions of it with the Simple to Spectacular approach is a great way to become a more well-rounded crafter!”
Supplies:
- STAMPS: The Sweet Life
- INK: Hibiscus Burst, Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise, Cocoa Bean
- PAPER: Stamper’s Select White
Supplies:
- STAMPS: The Sweet Life
- INK: Hibiscus Burst, Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise, Cocoa Bean
- PAPER: Stamper’s Select White
- DIES: The Sweet Life
Supplies:
- STAMPS: The Sweet Life, Cover Up: Grid
- INK: Hibiscus Burst, Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise, Cocoa Bean, Versamark
- PAPER: Stamper’s Select White, watercolor card stock
- DIES: The Sweet Life, Shape Shifters: Oval 2
- OTHER: gold detail embossing powder, Zig clean color real brush markers, water brush
CLICK HERE to visit Dawn’s blog to see more!
“Simple To Spectacular is truly one of my favorite features. I love coming up with a design and thinking of ways to progressively incorporate details that make the projects shine. The Sweet Life is a set that I’ve always really enjoyed using, but don’t pull out nearly often enough. It was a pleasure to pull out these multi-layered blooms and leaves for my projects today. I hope you’ll stop by to see how I put this wonderful set to use!”
Supplies:
- STAMPS: The Sweet Life, In The Shadows, Vogue Vases, Scripted
- INK: Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart, Harvest Gold, Bright Buttercup, Berry Sorbet, Pure Poppy, Dark Indigo, Green Parakeet, New Leaf
- PAPER: Aqua Mist, White
- DIES: Mix & Mat: Pinked Edge, Tag Sale #10
- OTHER: Foam Tape, Blending Sponges
Supplies:
- STAMPS: The Sweet Life, In The Shadows, Vogue Vases, Scripted
- INK: Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart, Harvest Gold, Bright Buttercup, Berry Sorbet, Pure Poppy, Dark Indigo, Green Parakeet, New Leaf
- PAPER: Aqua Mist, Dark Indigo, White
- DIES: The Sweet Life, Mix & Mat: Pinked Edge, Tag Sale #10, Vogue Vases Die, Scripted Die
- OTHER: Foam Tape, Blending Sponges, Xyron
Supplies:
- STAMPS: The Sweet Life, Vogue Vases, Scripted
- INK: Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart, Harvest Gold, Bright Buttercup, Berry Sorbet, Pure Poppy, Dark Indigo, Green Parakeet, New Leaf
- PAPER: Aqua Mist, Dark Indigo, White
- DIES: The Sweet Life, Bold Borders: Wave, Tag Sale #10, Vogue Vases Die, Scripted Die
- OTHER: Foam Tape, Blending Sponges, Xyron, Multi Matte Medium
CLICK HERE to visit Lizzie’s blog to see more!
“The Sweet Life stamp set has always been a favorite of mine and is one of those “stand alone beauties”! It can take any card from simple to spectacular just because of the three-step approach to stamping. But my cards today, throw in a new element with each step that’s taken. From one layer on the first card, to adding die-cuts and a background on the second card, to adding heat embossing around the edges on the final card. Such a fun approach to get your creative juices flowing!”
Supplies:
- STAMPS: The Sweet Life, Penned Elegance, Stitch in Time Borders
- INK: Autumn Rose, Lovely Lady, Sweet Blush, Olive Twist, Ripe Avocado, Simply Chartreuse, Cocoa Bean
- PAPER: Kraft, Sweet Blush, Bitty Big Olive Twist
- DIES: Mix & Mat: Plaid
- OTHER: Sequins
Supplies:
- STAMPS: The Sweet Life, Penned Elegance, Stitch in Time Borders, Background Basics: Birch
- INK: Autumn Rose, Lovely Lady, Sweet Blush, Olive Twist, Ripe Avocado, Simply Chartreuse, Cocoa Bean, Fine Linen
- PAPER: Kraft, Sweet Blush, Bitty Big Olive Twist, Chicken Scratch Gingham
- DIES: Mix & Mat: Plaid, The Sweet Life
- OTHER: Sequins
Supplies:
- STAMPS: The Sweet Life, Penned Elegance, Stitch in Time Borders, Background Basics: Birch, Stitched Swirls
- INK: Autumn Rose, Lovely Lady, Sweet Blush, Olive Twist, Ripe Avocado, Simply Chartreuse, Cocoa Bean, Fine Linen
- PAPER: Kraft, Sweet Blush, Bitty Big Olive Twist, Chicken Scratch Gingham
- DIES: Mix & Mat: Plaid, The Sweet Life
- OTHER: Sequins, Watermark ink, white embossing powder, heat gun
Thank you so much for starting this series. I have enjoyed seeing the transformations. One day I hope to ‘transform’ a nice card to a beauty!
So glad you picked The Sweet Life for today’s post as it’s one of my all-time favorites! Wonderful inspiration from all of you!
I enjoy everything about the simple-to-spectacular feature – focusing on a single stamp set, having the three cards side-by-side, and sharing the larger photos for digging into the details. What I’m surprised at each month, because CAS cards are not in my wheelhouse, is that I almost always prefer the simplest cards. Do you think that means I should start making CAS cards or is it because of the approach the DT takes when they make their cards for this feature? That leads me to a question for the DT.
For this feature, do you start with the simplest card and add to it or with the type of card you’re most likely to make and work from it? From the information above, it seems that Lizzie does the latter, but I’m still curious how each DT member creates for this feature. Thank you for sharing.
I think each designer approaches this progressive process a differently and it might depend on the stamp set and inspiration that they happen to have that day. You might find it helpful to visit their individual blogs to see their commentary on their process, if they choose to share it.
Love this series! Each time look forward to it!
Love all the gorgeous cards, from simple to spectacular!!
The Simple to Spectacular feature is one of my very favorites! I almost always prefer the “simple,” but it is so interesting to see all three. I love seeing the row of all three together. Thank you for doing this feature!