Friday, January 29, 2010

CSS and Pocket Silhouettes...a Match Made in Heaven

When I ordered a few sets of kid-themed stamps from Clear and Simple Stamps on the recommendation of my friend Susie Berker, the nice folks at CSS threw in a set of Thank You stamps for free. Isn't that sweet?!? You should know that I'm extremely picky about clear stamps, but CSS makes high-quality photopolymer clear stamps that are simply adorable and a delight to use.

I needed to make some thank you cards, so I pulled out Pocket Silhouettes (one of my very favorite SU sets EVER!) and the "you are too kind" stamp from CSS. Using the Gina K paper that Bahb sent me, I made a color-varied set of 4.25" square cards that had me giggling with glee at midnight!

My colors were based on what tiny gemstones I had on hand. These are an amber color, so I used Brilliance beige for the flowers and Palette dark chocolate for the sentiment. Warm and wonderful, don't you think?

These hot-pink gemstones worked well with Brilliance orchid and Palette Noir ink.

Brilliance lavender ink got clear gemstones...all my purple gemstones are too red to go with lavender.

Brilliance ice blue and pale blue gemstones make this the most subtle of the set.

Then I went with Brilliance Mediteranean blue and dark blue gemstones for a bolder look.

And of course, Brilliance rocket red with red gemstones really stands out.

Can I just say that having lots and lots of gemstones in lots and lots of sizes is a major blessing? My life would be so dull without bling....

Supplies
stamps: SU Pocket Silhouettes, CSS Thank You
ink: Brilliance, Palette
paper: Gina K white
accessories: lots and lots of tiny, tiny self-adhesive gemstones

30 comments:

  1. These are *stunning* Susan!! My favourite is the first one but they make a fantastic set together!

    Couldn't agree with you more about needing bling. In fact I need lots more!

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  2. Susan, these are all so beautiful! Really, it's amazing what you do with something simple. Like we've all talked before, I've hoarded my stash of gemstones, and these cards are the perfect example of when NOT to hoard. They make all the difference. Gorgeous.

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  3. Well, looky here.....these are just fabulous, and I agree with Sue, a perfect excuse to break out those hoarded rhinestones! I would never have thought to use those little gems on a "serious" stamp like Pocket Silhouettes! You have forced me to look at them in a whole new light! May have to take them on my stamping retreat this weekend and play!!

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  4. I love Pocket Silhouettes, too!
    As usual, your cards are amazing.
    Do you ever sleep? Just wondering....
    Petra

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  5. These cards are perfectly lovely!!

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  6. Yes, Petra, I do sleep, usually from midnight to 6:30. But I deeply resent the need for it. *wink*

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  7. I love how simple these cards are but are so elegant with the addition of the gemstones & the changing color. Great cards!

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  8. what a great set!! I love that you a whole schwack of gems on one card...I typically have trouble using 3!! Love these

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  9. Love the pink one. The red one is my second favorite. I like the overlap with the words and the bling.

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  10. Wow! I am with TrishG I LOVE the pink one then red...they just pop! I LOVE bling too! Wonderful group of cards!!

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  11. I understand why you were giggling with glee! These are great. Simple and beautiful with just the right touch of bling. Very elegant!

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  12. I LOVE these! Simple and elegant! I'm totally with you on the bling--I just ordered about $40 worth of gems and pearls a week or so ago. I find I like the little ones best--they seem sparklier to me. Also, Stampendous makes some sparkle dots stickers that are great because they're totally flat, but still very sparkly. Your cards here prove the little extra expense of the bling is totally worth the wow factor it adds.

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  13. You giggle with glee at midnight so that we can giggle with glee in the mornings. Love these! Awesome little set.

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  14. As usual, I love, love the simplicity and elegance of your cards. Have you tried coloring your clear or white gemstones with alcohol inks? I've had it work well with these and brads.

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  15. Oh these are delightful! When I read what ink you used - Brilliance - I thought how appropriate - Susan stamps with brilliance!! I absolutely love this set of cards!!

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  16. hi susan,
    i agree with LeAnne about adding the fun bling to this "serious" stamp. really makes it look magical. i think you were inspired!!
    marty ferraro

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  17. LeAnne and Marty, I've always thought the other three images in Pocket Silhouettes were pretty serious, but this one seems more graphic and stylized and a bit whimsical, which gave me the idea of bling.

    Barbara L, I actually did color some gemstones last night on another card with Sharpies, which works nicely, too! I don't have any alcohol inks, though.

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  18. Oh I super love this card! Great idea. I can see lots of possibilities with this one. Thank youso much for sharing.

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  19. What stunning cards.
    Where do you get your rhinestones from? My LSS has size huge and that is it.

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  20. Fantastic set of cards, Susan! Gotta love the bling!

    Have a great weekend!

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  21. These are gorgeous! Like Juanita, I haven't found a good source for bling here in small-town Ontario. And I'm allergic to cross-border shipping fees! ;)

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  22. oh my goodness, these are wonderful!!! you're the best :)

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  23. Gorgeous cards! They are my favorite stamps too - so many ways to use them. Thanks for sharing your beautiful CAS cards!

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  24. You've done it again .... taken a stamp that we have seen and loved before added your magic to give us a set of gorgous cards. I think it's time to crack open the bling!!

    Thanks for sharing all your wonderful ideas' life would be dull without your daily posts ....

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  25. lovely....every girls need a bit of bling in her life don't you think??

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  26. OH - you're GOOD!!!!!!

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  27. The three times I've bid on that stamp set, I've lost! But now I MUST try again! Love these cards!

    And thanks to Barbara L. for the tip on coloring bling. I have a gazillion clear gems leftover from a Christmas project and a few choice alcohol ink colors.

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  28. These are adorable! Love all the bling. I usually color all of mine with Copics to match my papers/ink too. Simply precious - great cards!

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  29. Beautiful, simply beautiful! I keep looking at that SU set but haven't bought it yet. Your color combos with bling are nudging me to change my mind.

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment!