Friday, January 10, 2025

SSS To Be Loved Blog Hop, Day 1

 *This post contains affiliate links to Simon Says Stamp.


Happy Friday!  Today I'm participating in a hop celebrating the Simon Says Stamp To Be Loved release.  You should be arriving from Alberto Gavas stop on the hop, and I'll have the full list at the end of this post if you need it.  As usual, there are prizes to be had.  One commenter on each stop along the way will receive a $25 store credit.  In addition, with any To Love (the last release) or To Be Loved purchase over $50, you'll automatically receive the Circle Hoops embossing folder pictured above for free.

Today I'm featuring several cards created using my new Sketched Clovers stamp set which features clovers in the same style as the Sketched Leaves set that was released last year.


For my first card, I created some custom pattered paper, stamping the leaves using three colors: Lucky, Limelicious, and Pearfection.  I love the way the lines of the leaves look when they are layered together!


One of the sentiments from the set was stamped on a pice of white cardstock, a green mat was added, and then it was popped up with foam tape.


Next up a very simple one layer card using back stamping.  This is where the stamp is placed on your block upside down, so that the flat bottom of the stamp creates a slightly larger solid stamp on the image in question.  The solid back stamping was done with Sprout ink.  After the back was stamped, I flipped the stamp over and stamped the right side using Field ink.

I actually used my stamping platform for this card, placing the image, stamping, turning my panel 180 degrees, and then stamping again to create a symmetrical pattern.


The completed panel was trimmed down and I added another sentiment from the set in the center.


Next up, embossing!  Similar to the last card, I saved a bit of time by utilizing my stamping platform for this card.  I also saved time by stamping two clovers at once.  These were stamped with Versamark and embossed in gold, the panel was turned 180 degrees and then stamped and embossed again.  I then moved/alternated the four different clovers images, repeating the process until I was happy with the border that was created.

As you can see, there's no issue in overlapping the embossing, it just adds additional texture and interest.


Another of the sentiments from the set was gold embossed in the center of the card, and the panel was then adhered directly to a kraft card base.  I often use kraft with gold embossed cards.  I feel like it gives a little definition, but keeps the gold embossing the star of the show.


This last card might be my favorite.  I really love Distress Embossing Powders.  I feel like they emboss very easily and cleanly and always look good, but I also wanted to use black cardstock, and Distress Embossing Powders are semi-translucent, so really don't show on black.

That's where the lightbulb came on.  Instead of using Versamark as I usually do, I stamped the clovers with white pigment ink and then embossed with Cracked Pistachio.  I'm so happy with the look.  It's not definitely more subtle than using a normal embossing powder, but so pretty.

The entire black panel was stamped/embossed, and then I pulled out my Lucky You dies for the sentiment.


For the sentiment die, I pressed my white pigment ink pad into/across a piece of black cardstock, embossed the entire piece with Cracked Pistachio, and then die cut the embossed cardstock.  This was adhered to the shadow piece which was cut from black cardstock.

I also added a sentiment from the Lucky You stamp set which was embossed using the same technique on a strip of black cardstock.  Both the sentiment pieces were popped up with foam tape.

That's all for me today.  I hope you got some good ideas for how to use this (as well as the previously released Sketched Leaves) set.  Your next blog hop stop is Heather Ruwe, and the full list is below.  Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered to win the $25 store credit.  Good luck and happy hopping!

Simon Says Stamp Blog
Caly Person
Cathy Zielske
Jennifer McGuire
Barbara Tarayao
Emily Midgett
Amy Rysavy
Debby Hughes
Keisha Charles
Alberto Gava
Miriam Prantner
Heather Ruwe
Tina Smith
Jean Doeringsfeld
Tracy Ware
Natasha Vacca

55 comments:

  1. Love these!! The background shamrocks are awesome

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  2. You out did yourself. So many beautiful cards.

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  3. So many beautiful cards. Love them all.

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  4. I love the sketched look of the leaves. Each card is lovely but my favorite is the last one!

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  5. Love your 4 leaf clover cards. Each one is beautiful!

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  6. I KNEW that I would love the clovers. They are so cute!

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  7. I love these cards. Happy St Patty's Day!

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  8. I love all of these - I don’t even think I could pick a favorite!

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  9. Miriam, love your cards. I agree, the last one is my favorite too! The black background is fabulous!

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  10. Irish girl here so I LOVE each of these!

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  11. Such fun shamrocks and beautiful cards!

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  12. Love the variety of these 4 leaf clover cards!

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  13. Great cards. I love your last card on the black cardstock. A new "lightbulb" trick for me to try.

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  14. I love your card creations. I have never done back stamping so this is a technique that is a new idea for me. This is a fun stamp set.

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  15. Such fabulous cards! I really love the first card with all the different shades of grey!

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  16. These are great cards, thanks for sharing with all of us!

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  17. Your cards are great! The stamp set is, too! Thank you for the many possibilities with it!

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  18. Excellent way to use my distress embossing powders

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  19. I love all of these! The one with gold is very eye catching, the dark one has a certain drama, and the lighter green is so playful with the off-set imagery. So cool! Thanks for sharing your talent and inspiration.

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  20. I love your cards! The embossed card is my favorite!

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  21. These are all super-cool! I love St Patrick's Day b/c there are no obligations w/ this holiday and everyone gets to be a little Irish for a day!
    Lori S in PA

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  22. Love these gorgeous clovers and the cards you created! I picked this set as one to add to my wish list! I actually found a 4-leaf clover when I was a kid and I still have it!

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  23. Love the card! I can see a use for the shamrock!

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  24. Love your cards Miriam, especially the last one on black!

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  25. Gorgeous designs with that wonderful stamp set Miriam. Your cards and your stamp design are absolutely fabulous! xoxo

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  26. What beautiful cards! I love this shamrock!

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  27. Beautiful cards! Love the tone-on-tone green one the most!

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  28. What a great set of cards! You have convinced me I need this stamp set! So many great ideas provided by your cards!

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  29. Just texted friends saying I needed some St. Patrick's Day inspiration. Not any more!

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  30. These are all so Beautiful!! Love this shamrock!!!

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  31. What a great set of cards! Love the shamrock and you have provided so much inspiration! Thank you!

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  32. WOW! All beautiful cards! They kept getting better and better as I scrolled down your post. I think my favorite is your last one with the embossing powder on black cardstock!

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  33. Thank you for sharing- love such great inspiration

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  34. I love how you used these stamps to make such different backgrounds.

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  35. Thanks for sharing these wonderful cards!! Love the sketched clovers and all the great techniques that you used. Beautiful!!

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  36. Beautiful cards!! Love the sketched clovers! Thanks for sharing your amazing tips and inspiration.

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  37. These are fantastic!
    Thanks for sharing.

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  38. Miriam, I really enjoyed your cards and all of the different color selections. So inspiring.

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  39. Miriam, thanks so much for sharing your cards. I love all the color choices and inspiration.

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  40. You used my favorite stamp set in this release! Your cards are fabulous! Thank you for the awesome ideas to use this product! Love the gold and green together!

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  41. Amazing cards. I love this stamp.

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  42. Love that stamp set, LOVE your cards! I, too, love the last card the best...wait maybe I like the first card best, no wait..... ; )

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  43. What lovely cards! I would have never thought to do the shamrocks on black. Just beautiful!

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  44. Amazing and charming cards--and so many of them! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  45. Such beautiful and creative cards, Miriam!

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