10.10.2025

Simon Says Stamp Sugar and Spice Release Blog Hop … Day 1

WELCOME to DAY 1 (yes, there’s another one tomorrow!) of the Sugar and Spice Release Blog Hop. You should’ve arrived from the awesome Rachel Alvarado but if you want to go to the start the full list can be found at the bottom of the post!

I’m SOOOO excited to be joining in with the celebrations over at Simon Says Stamp for the amazing Sugar and Spice Release! There are so many gorgeous, festive products available and my order is already in – didn’t want to miss out!

I made 4 cards to share for some inspiration on how you can create with some of the goodies available – 3 of them are holiday cards (my favourite season to craft!). I’ll be adding these to the #SSSSugarAndSpice Gallery HERE – why not add yours too and share your creativity to inspire!

The first two cards feature one of the new embossing folders Brilliant Ornaments which also has a co-ordinating die! Simon’s folders are so fun to work with – I absolutley love them. Both sides are equally stunning and give totally different looks. I also used the new Plaque Slides Stamps and Dies and the Charming Berry Branch (such a versatile die). I created layers using the A2 Rectangle Dies and the Scalloped Rectangle dies.

My next card is more traditional in it’s colour scheme but uses the same Charming Berry Branch and Plaque Slides for a totally different look.

My last card is a pretty in pink extravaganza featuring the beautiful Graceful Swans Stamp Set. I Also used the Pretty Bows dies and the A2 Arches Dies.

Don’t forget, a winning comment will be chosen from each stop on the hop and will win a $25 gift card for the Simon Says Stamp Store so make sure you drop some love for a chance to be in the draw!

I hope you found something to inspire you and happy hopping!!

HOP ORDER: 

Simon Says Stamp Blog 

Nina-Marie Trapani

Cathy Zielske

Jennifer McGuire

Laura Bassen

Heather Hoffman

Mindy Eggen

Barbara Tarayao

Yana Smakula

Keisha Charles

Cheiron Brandon

Heather Ruwe

Miriam Prantner

Rachel Alvarado

Caryn Davies (hi!)

Barb Engler

08.10.2025

Simon Says … Bright and Colourful

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Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. Thank you for joining us for the Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

This week the challenge is

We are showcasing AALL & Create Products this week. You don’t have to use them to join in but if you have some we would love to see them used.

I’m sharing more Christmas fun this week and have used the AALL & Creat Merry Little Things stamp set.

I stamped the trees onto watercolour cardstock using Versamark ink then heat embossed in white.

I pulled out my Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolour paints and coloured them in different colours to give a nostalgic feel.

I embossed a sheet of white cardstock using the Ice Crystals Embossing folder from Studio Light and mounted it onto a peice of black cardstock and then onto an A2 card base. I finished with a sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Strips.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $25 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

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So now it’s YOUR turn, Happy Crafting

Follow Simon Says Stamp on Instagram

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Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge to your challenge entry uploads so we can see them on there too.

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You have until Wed  8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in.

02.10.2025

20th Blogaversary … Jenn Shurkus!

I’m joining in with celebrating a talented crafty friend whom most of you (if not all) will be familiar with … Jenn Shurkus! Her blog is 20 years in the making and so a few of us who have known Jenn over the years have got together with her to mark this amazing achievement by creating a card inspired by the Ocean-loving mermaid-girl herself.

Jenn is known for her love of all things Distress so I had to start with an inky background – aqua blue of course! I also went with a Christmas theme as a nod to her Get Cracking on Christmas challenge she has been doing for a few years now. I also loved the big sentiment so included that too using the CZ Design Making Spirits Bright Stamp and die set from Simon Says Stamp.

One of my favourite products released this year is the Barn Star Wreath die collection from Spellbinders. I’ve used it several times already and will be definitely using it again before the season is over! I die cut the elements from various card stock colours and popped it onto my card.

Here’s the card that gave me inspiration…

Jenn has a full list on her blog of all the other peeps celbrating this milestone with her so hope you go and show them some love. She also has a huge giveaway going on so you’ll definitely want to swing by!

Hugs,

Caryn x