My Heart for Paul

Today's Inspiration Challenge over at Splitcoast was to draw inspiration from

MacKenzie-Childs designs...very fun and playful!

I choose this armchair as my inspiration:

Red Harlequin Wingback Chair... Here's my rendition:

I began with some beautiful papers that my husband, Paul, bought me for Christmas. The beautiful, textured red background paper is Provo Craft Chili Pepper; the heart designer paper is Abby Simon designs. There was gold metallic touches on the heart paper, so I chose to use a gold mirrored cardstock in the layers as well. I don't remember where I bought this gold mirrored--it was in my "stash"- but Sharon (notimetostamp) has discovered Marco Paper, take a look at one of her designs using it here.

I used Stampin' Up's Kind Thoughts medallion, and stamped it with the Essential Glue Pad, then used gold fine glitter to create the image over the heart. The glitter did not stick very well to the very fine lines of the image-- but it leaves a subtle design over the heart. I did test it on a regular piece of cardstock before I took the plunge--it showed up and stuck much better than the red dp...? In any case, I'm sure that my hubby will like it (as he picked the papers out...hehe!)

This also fits Sharon's Friday challenge to use new items. She had commented yesterday as to what else was in my Christmas package from Paul...yes, Sharon, there is still more to come!!! LOL!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

New Stuff!

Yes, I got to play with my new "stuff" today! Yay!!! I decided to play two challenges: Splitcoast's Limited Supply Challenge, and Sharon Johnson's (notimetostamp) weekly Friday challenge.

The Limited Supply challenge required that we do not stamp a holiday design: no snowflakes, Christmas trees, etc... Just a regular card. As you can see, my colors turned out pretty bright! No red or green here! I used PaperTrey Ink's Summer Sunrise cardstock for the base and picket fence (Martha Stewart Picket Fence border punch), and Basic Grey Two Scoops for the background. My image is stamped and colored with Copics on PaperTrey Ink's Vintage Cream cardstock, then diecut with Nestabilities Labels II.

Sharon challenged us to create a design using something new. Well, I received stamping goodies from my husband, Paul. Yes, he normally does not purchase stamping items for me--I was so surprised! I used Primas that he had included in my gift pack. The Sarah Kay image is also new to me. It was so much fun to color!

My design is finished off with Stampin' Up buttons and taffeta ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Day Twelve ~Merry Christmas!~

Merry Christmas! I hope that your day is full of blessings~~Faith, family, and love! I chose a birthday card for today, as to honor our Lord Jesus' birth!

This was a fun card to design. I was playing around with Stampin' Up's So Saffron decorator paper and decided to clear emboss Stampin' Up's "Fabulous Flowers" directly onto the dotted dp. Then, to define the petal borders, I sponged around the embossing with More Mustard ink. I stamped three flowers, cutting out parts of each to build and add dimension to my final bloom. I added three Dew Drops to the center of the flower.

I stamped Stampin' Up's "Print" background in More Mustard; layered it onto a distressed, sponged So Saffron layer; then adhered it to a More Mustard card base. The birthday sentiment is from Flourishes. Three more Dew Drops and sheer ribbon finish off the design.

I am thankful for you all--your kind comments and visits mean so much, and I hope that I am able to inspire you as well!

Eleventh Day of Flowers ~Christmas Eve~

Today's flowers are quite summery: the hope for warm weather to come! This is a tall card--it fits into a business sized envelope.

I began by stamping the image panel with Stampin' Up's Watercolor Garden with ink colors So Saffron and Mellow Moss. I added Itty Bitty background (also Stampin' Up)spatters with Creamy Caramel, then sponged the perimeter with So Saffron. I used a ticket corner punch to do the corners before layering it onto a piece of black cardstock.

The base of the card is So Saffron. I set up panels of Stampin' Up decorator paper in So Saffron and Canvas stamped background onto one black panel.

The design is finished off with the bee and sentiment (PaperTrey Ink) stamped in Versafine Black Onyx.

I apologize as that these are "Oldies but Goodies," quite a few of the stamp sets I've used are retired. If you chose to recreate my design, I hope that you are able to substitute with what you own! I will be back after Christmas with fresh and new items!

Tenth Day of Flowers

I've chosen this bucket of tulips for your tenth day of flowers. The colors are a bit washed out in this photo, but I wanted to include it in the flower lineup!

I started with a black cardstock base, then layered it with a white Swiss Dot cuttlebugged and Wild Wasabi trimmed panel. The black and Wild Wasabi cardstocks are Stampin' Up, with the white being PaperTrey Ink.

I bought this image stamp from JoAnn's Fabrics quite a while ago. I stamped it in Adirondack Pitch Black ink and colored it with Copics. The sentiment if from PaperTrey Ink stamped in Versafine Black Onyx. I really like Versafine inks for stamped sentiments, but I've found they are not really compatible with Copic markers. The gingham brad is from Michael's.

I hope that your Christmas preparations are coming along-- I'm still playing catch-up! As I'm rushing around, getting caught up in the BUSYness, I must remember what and why we're celebrating-- JESUS is the REASON for the SEASON!

Have a wonderful week! Thanks for stopping by!

Ninth Day of Flowers

Your ninth day of flowers features Stampin' Up's Mixed Bouquet and Itty Bitty Background sets, along with a Wordsworth sentiment.
I colored the flowers with Copic and Spica markers; cut them out and mounted them on the white panel that was stamped directly with stamps from Mixed Bouquet.
The card base is Taken with Teal, with layers of black and Wild Wasabi textured cardstocks. The black gingham and Wild Wasabi are both from Stampin' Up as well.

Have a great week, and be sure to check back for flowers to come!

Your Eighth Day of Flowers

I wanted to show you two cards with the same image--made up in two different colorways. Both cards use Watercolor Garden II, Canvas background and Itty Bittie Backgrounds--all purchased from Stampin' Up.

The first card has K and Company dp, and Stampin' Up's Bordering Blue, Mellow Moss, Not Quite Navy, and Always Artichoke cardstocks. I also added a piece of Mellow Moss grosgrain, and Swarovski crystals.

The second card is featured in Purely Pomegranite, Pretty in Pink and Old Olive cardstocks. I used a Coluzzle (in the age before Nestabilities...hehe) and rock n' rolled the image before finishing off the design with unknown ribbon, and Swarovski Crystals.
Hope you're having a marvelous weekend! Thanks for stopping, and take care!

Seventh Day of Flowers

Fresh flowers are just wonderful to receive! If only they lasted longer! Here's a way to to keep that bouquet blooming for some time!
This beautiful floral image is from Northwoods Stamps. I received this stamp as a gift from my good friend Kathie. She knows just what I like! Thanks so much Kathie!
I began by stamping off the image onto PaperTrey Ink's white cardstock and colored it with Copic and Spica markers. I used Crystal Effects to create the "glass" vase.
The base cardstock is Stampin' Up's Buckaroo Blue (retired) topped with K and Company dp. I ran a Buckaroo panel through my Cuttlebug using a Swiss Dot folder. I added a Walmart grosgrain ribbon to complete the design.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend!

Sixth Day of Flowers

Ouch-- sorry this post is so late! Our school program and last day before Christmas vacation is over! Yay!

Today's flower is Cornish Heritage Farm's Black Eyed Susan. I started with a Summer Sun card base, topped with Bohemian Chic Earthtones dp. I also stamped a Really Rust Panel with SU's Canvas background stamp to mount beneath and peeking out from behind the image panel. The sentiment is Stampin' Up, and the image colored with Copics. It's all finished off with a brad from Michael's.

Have a great rest of Friday!

Fifth Day of Flowers

My Fifth Day of Flowers to You features House Mouse! House mice, to be exact! These two are so sweet! I created this card for a Way to Use It challenge at Splitcoast. We were to use rub-ons, or create our own if we did not have any. It was an interesting challenge--I did my best at creating my own-- the sentiment was computer generated, then made into a rub-on. It turned out kind of light, but was a fun experiment. I'm not certain that I will try it again!

The House Mouse image was stamped with Adirondack Pitch Black ink and colored with Copics; Papers are: K and Company Wild Saffron dp, Summer Sun and Old Olive cardstock. I used a photo corner punch and SU brads to finish off the design.

Thanks for stopping by!

Baby Makes Three

This is a very quick card for today's Splitcoast Stampers sketch challenge found here. It is for my niece and her husband with the marvelous news of their upcoming baby!

The stamp set image is Stampin' Up's Bundle of Joy, sentiment-- PaperTrey Ink Mixed Messages. Inks used: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Black Onyx, and Copic markers.

Paper: Basic Grey Two Scoops, PTI White cardstock. Embellishments: Nestabilities Label I, Basic Grey button, unknown heart punch, and corner round punch.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great remainder of the week!

Fourth Day of Flowers

My flower for you today is a Siberian Iris. I stamped the iris with Brilliance Black onto PaperTrey Ink white cardstock. I then used my Nestabilities Scalloped Oval to die cut the image panel. I colored the iris with Copic markers and added a sentiment stamped from PaperTrey Ink's Mixed Messages. I used the Nestabilites tag dies to cut the sentiment and tied a piece of sheer ribbon through for an accent.

My base card is made from Stampin' Up's Ballet Blue cardstock. I cut a cardstock weight vellum piece and ran it through my CuttleBug with the Swiss Dot Folder.

If you have images colored in advance, this makes for a very quick, yet pretty card.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Twelve Days of Flowers-- Day Three

Another "Oldie But Goodie" for today's "Twelve Days of Flowers." I had created this card for a color challenge featuring Groovy Guava and Soft Sky (both retired). I also added a touch of black.
The stamp set is Stampin Up's Fabulous Flowers. I used Groovy Guava and Versafine Black Onyx inks along with Dazzling Diamonds on the blossom. I stamped out the Wordsworth "thanks," used a PTI dotted oval border, and then punched it out with a scallop punch (the days before Nestabilities...).
The Soft Sky panel behind the blossom was run through my Cuttlebug w/folder. Stampin Up' Black Gingham tied it all together...

Have a great week!

The Second Day of Flowers

The second day of flowers greets you with a beautiful blossom from Flourishes...

I created this card for friends who were marrying. My card base is PaperTrey Ink's Spring Moss, layered with PTI's Sweet Blush. I stamped a faint background with Stampin' Up's Script in PTI Sweet Blush Ink.

I stamped my peony image with Black Brilliance ink onto PTI's white cardstock. I do love PTI's cardstocks-- they feel so thick and luxurious-- also, they accept Copic ink just wonderfully!

I then colored my peony with Copic markers. I'm sorry that I didn't mark down the colors that I used--I layer and use many colors-- but will try to keep track in the future. One tip that I have for coloring with Copics-- use a subtle splash of unexpected color from time to time--for instance--I almost always use a yellow along with the green on a leaf, and a brown or tan on a stem. All items in nature have many shades and variances--I try to pick up on these. I finished coloring my peony with touches from a Spica clear glitter pen, placing the glitter strokes where rain or dew would collect on the flower.

PTI's Spring Moss and Sweet Blush ribbons, along with Swarovski crystals, finish my design. Pretty simple design-- but I like to have my colored image really take center stage.

Hope you're enjoying your day-- we have a snow day here in Michigan! Kind of fun to get another day off-- hope I get a chance to stamp instead of cleaning house for the holiday preparations!

Blog Candy Nesties Winner!

Christy Dillman won the Nesties Blog candy!
Christy said: Beautiful card, thank you so much for inspiraion! Thank you also for the opportunity to win some awesome blog candy!!! I do not have any Nesties yet, but would love to have this set!
December 11, 2008 12:12 PM

Christy, please email me at dsaaranen@charter.net with your mailing address!
Congratulations! Thanks to all who participated!

The Twelve Days of Flowers

My gift to you is twelve days of flowers...my hope and wish for you is a very blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

I will be posting twelve days of flowers for your holiday enjoyment...I hope that you like them!

I designed this card for a Featured Stamper Challenge over at Splitcoast. This card takes inspiration from Silke (Sparklegirl). You can see her gallery here.

The stamps that I used for this are: image--Stampin' Up's Abundant Joy and Canvas; Papers-- K and Company gingham, SU Barely Banana and Plum; inks-- Adirondack Pitch Black, Perfect Plum, and Copic Markers. Unknown brads and slit punch finish off the design.

Have a wonderful week and make sure that you stop by for the next twelve days to view your flowers!

Tag to Card, Tag to Notebook

I have a very busy couple of days coming up, and will be showing some "oldies but goodies" from my Splitcoast Gallery. The following is a tag that I had created for a tag exchange. I had some tags left, so I morphed them into Christmas cards.



Most of the products shown are retired from Stampin' Up. I believe that you can achieve the same results with the products available now.I stamped my Bashful Blue image panel with the Aida background (retired), stamped the snowflake (Stampin' Up Snowflakes -retired) with Versamark, and embossed with white embossing powder. I corner photo punched the corners, then sponged the edges of the panel and added a crystal to the center.

I added a white layer, then another Bashful Blue layer stamped with a Linograph background stamp (retired). I once again photo corner punched the corners. I sponged these edges, and added a ribbon from Walmart, finishing my tag.

To add a base to create a card, I layered SU Holiday dp (retired) onto Bashful Blue cardstock. I used Crystal Stickles to highlight the snowflakes on the decorator paper.

After the holiday season, I still had one tag left (yes, I made a huge bunch in the first place...hehe) so decided to use it to alter a small notebook.

My final snowflake is layered onto black this time, then onto unknown decorator paper adhered to the notebook. I added a Stampin' Up gingham ribbon for an accent.

Hope you enjoyed all of the snowflakes! Have a wonderful weekend!

Day Twelve of Stamp Simply Celebrates!

Our last day of Stamp Simply Celebrates! I truly hope that you have enjoyed our party-- it was great! Last day's events are listed in this excerpt from Sharon Johnson's blog:

Welcome to Day 12 of Stamp Simply Celebrates! If you are new here, check out Party Central for a full rundown of our 12 day schedule. Feel free to jump in anytime at all!!!
Anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during our 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!! You DO NOT need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08. Thanks!

Barb Schram - Explore. Dream. Discover. - Today for Barb’s Featured Project she has created a useful Holiday Home Decor item for YOU if you please, or it makes a fabulous gift item that will knock the socks off your friends! It comes completely packaged! How fun!!! I KNOW you won’t want to miss out, so be sure to visit today over at Barb’s place and lap up the inspiration!!!
Sharon Johnson -No Time To Stamp? It’s Sharon's regular Stamp Simply Challenge today, and it promises to result in some great layout options for you to use for quick projects.
Some great samples for the Stamp Simply Challenge today can be seen on these blogs: Julie, Janine, Jennifer, Tammy, Dee, Becky, AJ, Jerri Darlene and LeAnne.

Leslie Miller - Running with Scissors - Leslie has some BLOG CANDY for you today!
Sharon Johnson -No Time To Stamp? -Check out these goodies!

Remember-- my blog candy is open until Sunday at 6 p.m. when I will be choosing a lucky winner-- all you need to do is scroll down to the next post and leave a comment!

Stamp Simply Celebrates! Blog Candy!!!!

Hi there! Hope you're enjoying all of the Christmas Holiday ideas from Stamp Simply Celebrates! I am garnering tons of ideas-- and I need them!!! Christmas is just around the corner, and I have much to accomplish!

I was excited to ink up (Memento Tuxedo Black) this new image (Home for Christmas) from Stampin' Up-- it is perfect for coloring! I colored it with Copics last night, then created a very quick and easy card today to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I often stamp several images, then spend evenings in the living room with my family, coloring. I've even taken my markers into the woods to be with my husband as he was cutting wood to heat our home!

The red cardstock is PaperTrey Ink Pure Poppy. The print is Cosmo Cricket Oh Joy: Wrapping Paper, purchased from Joan's Garden. I finished off this simple design with satin ribbon from Ellen Hutson, and Stampin' Up Hodge Podge Hardware in Antique Copper (retired).

And now, an excerpt from Sharon Johnson's blog:

Welcome to Day 11 of Stamp Simply Celebrates! If you are new here, check out Party Central for a full rundown of our 12 day schedule. Feel free to jump in anytime at all!!!
Anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during our 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!! You DO NOT need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08. Thanks!

AJ Otto - The Willow Garden - Are you wrapping gifts yet? Probably! I’ll bet you need some pretty tags to dress those packages up — well, be sure to check in on AJ’s Featured Project today to see all her Gift Tags. And then play AJ’s Challenge so you, too, can have some nice gift tags on hand!!! Be sure to stop in at AJ’s today!
You can see more tag samples by checking out the Blogs of: Heather, Janine, LeAnne, Jerri, and Sharon.
Jerri Jimenez - A Touch of Grace - Today Jerri will grace us with her Featured Project which is a beautiful 6 x 6 Scrapbook she made, which is certain to be a real treat for the eyes. Jerri also has BLOG CANDY to offer today (think scrapbooking made easy), so be sure to stop in to see Jerri!!!
Other scrapbook samples can be seen by checking out: Barb, Jennifer.

Jerri Jimenez - A Touch of Grace - Jerri also has BLOG CANDY to offer today so be sure to stop in to see Jerri!

BLOG CANDY:

Don't you just love Nestabilities? I know that I certainly do!!! Don't have any? Well, here's your chance! I'm treating one lucky person to this set of Nestabilities Labels Two...I have this set and just love it! You can enter by leaving a comment on this post. I will choose a winner Sunday evening (12/14) at 6 p.m. EST. Best Wishes!

Stamp Simply Celebrates! Day Ten

Day Ten!!! Here is an excerpt from Sharon's blog:

Welcome to Day 10 of Stamp Simply Celebrates! If you are new here, check out Party Central for a full rundown of our 12 day schedule. Feel free to jump in anytime at all!!!
Anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during our 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!! You DO NOT need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08. Thanks!

Leslie Miller - Running With Scissors - Today we are treated to the beauty of Leslie's work with her Featured Project where she is showing us how to Alter Food Packaging to turn it into a wonderfully warm, cozy, and sweet gift item that anyone would love to receive!!! And it's something we can all easily do! I know you won't want to miss this, so be sure to visit Leslie today!!!
You can see more great samples of Leslie's Project by: Dee, Jennifer
Joan Fricker - Joan's Garden - Joan offers us a beautiful Featured Project today — who doesn't love beautifully presented Soap and Candle Gifts! Well, especially these soaps and candles!!! And you can make your own as a part of Joan's Challenge, with inspiration from many!!! Be sure to check out this sweetly scented event!
And there are many more samples of Joan's Challenge. Check out: LeAnne, Dee, AJ, Heather, Barb, Darlene, Janine, Sharon (that's me, just scroll down)

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy - Tammy is offering BLOG CANDY today!
LeAnne Pugliese - Wee Inklings - LeAnne also has a BLOG CANDY offering today!

Have a marvelous day! Blog candy here on Thursday!!!

Stamp Simply Celebrates! Day Nine

The party continues! Here is an excerpt from Sharon's (notimetostamp) blog:

Welcome to Day 9 of Stamp Simply Celebrates! If you are new here, check out Party Central for a full rundown of our 12 day schedule. Feel free to jump in anytime at all!!!
Anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during our 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!! You DO NOT need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08. Thanks!

Jennifer Buck - The Buck Stamps Here - Time is moving on and I think we all need some Quick Cards about now, agreed? You'll enjoy Jennifer's Featured Project today where she also Challenges you to create some quick cards, qualifying you to enter her BLOG CANDY drawing.
You can see more great Quick Card samples by checking out Jennifer's designers: Janine, Julie, Tammy, AJ and Sharon (that's me, just scroll down)
AJ Otto - The Willow Garden - How about a game? I LOVE games!!! Check out the DT Trivia Game AJ is hosting over at The Willow Garden!!! And AJ has some BLOG CANDY to offer to the winner!!!

Jennifer Buck - The Buck Stamps Here - Jennifer is offering BLOG CANDY in conjuntion with her challenge listed above.
AJ Otto - The Willow Garden - AJ has some BLOG CANDY in conjunction with her DT Trivia Game listed above!!!
Sharon Johnson - No Time To Stamp?- with SU BLOG CANDY today.

Have a great day and enjoy the fun!

Stamp Simply Celebrates! Day Eight

Welcome to day eight of Stamp Simply Celebrates! So many great ideas for the Christmas Season!

Julie Koeber's featured project is a challenge to create a small gift or token of thanks for those people that help us out everyday--our paper delivery person, hair stylist, or child's teacher--you get the idea...she is also tying in blog candy to participants...

My samples are both inexpensive stamped jewelry created from kits:

The strawberry bracelet is a kit by 7gypsies--Naked Bracelette in Antique Brass. It can be found here: Scrapbook Express for around $6.00. I stamped my strawberry image (Lockhart Stamp Co.) with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored it with my Copic Markers. It was quite quick and easy to assemble.

The pendant is a Martha Stewart Pendant kit from Michael's--costing between $5.00-$7.00 (I bought it last summer). Both strawberry and zinnia images are Lockhart Co. stamps, purchased from Ellen Hutson. I once again colored it with my Copic markers before assembling it.

You can see more great small gift ideas at these links:

Leslie, Joan, Barb, Jennifer, Sharon

Check out BLOG Candy at Sharon's site-- you don't want to miss it!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Stamp Simply Celebrates! Day Seven and Secret Sister

Day Seven of Stamp Simply Celebrates brings some fabulous fun! A quote from Sharon's blog:

"Welcome to Day 7 of Stamp Simply Celebrates! If you are new here, check out Party Central for a full rundown of our 12 day schedule. Feel free to jump in anytime at all!!!
Anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during our 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!! You DO NOT need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08. Thanks!

Susan Roberts - Rainy Day Creations - How often do we give Gift Card Holders? Well, if you’re like me, probably a lot!!! Susan’s Featured Project today shows us a quick gift card holder to make and she Challenges us to make our own, using her template or your own. Susan also has a BLOG CANDY offering today. You won’t want to miss this, so be sure to visit Susan today!
You can see some more wonderful samples of gift card holders from Susan’s designers by checking out these blogs: Janine, Jennifer, Darlene, and AJ
Dee Jackson - Stampin cuz I Luv 2 - For her Featured Project today, Dee puts together some gorgeous Packaging for Your Food Items — how fun!!! Her Challenge today provides many beautiful samples for you to see and to be inspired by so you can prepare your own packaged delectables for those on your gift list. Be sure to stop in at Dee’s today to see the sweet treats she and her designers have prepared for you!!!
You can see more beautifully packaged food gift items by checking out Dee’s designers at these blogs: CAT, Jennifer, Darlene, Heather and Barb.

Susan Roberts - Rainy Day Creations has a blog candy offering today in addition to her challenge listed above.
Sharon Johnson - No Time to Stamp? has blog candy as well."



I'm adding a card that I gave my Secret Sister at our stamping group as well. The dp is Stampin' Up Holiday Treasures; SU Craft Chocolate Chip embossed with Clear Embossing Powder; Creamy Caramel sponging; stamps are Inkadinkadoo from Joan's Gardens:

Thanks for stopping by, and have a blessed Advent Sunday!

EDITED TO ADD INSTRUCTIONS: I began by stamping my image on Confetti Cream cardstock with Chocolate Chip craft ink, then embossed with Clear embossing powder and heat to set. I used Copic pinks and greens to color the open snowflake area on the bird. Diecut image out with Nestabilities Label I and Cuttlebug. Sponge around image panel with Creamy Caramel ink. Diecut one larger size Label I on Stampin' Up Holiday Treasures houndstooth. Adhere the image panel to the houndstooth, then using the slot punch, punch a hole to the right of the bird for the ribbon to thread through.

The middle floral panel measures 5" x 5" adhered to a Chocolate Chip panel measuring 5.25 x 5.25". Take your bird image panel with ribbon threaded through and center it onto the floral panel and tape down. Tie your ribbon around the floral/chocolate chip panel before you tape it to the base of the card. The base is a 5.5 x 5.5" Confetti Cream top fold card base completely covered with the houndstooth paper from the designer pack.

Stamp Simply Celebrates! Day Six

Hope you've been enjoying the festivities at Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply Celebrates! I know that I have! Day Six features two--count 'em-- yes, two featured projects and challenges! PLUS two chances at blog goodies!!!

Heather Telford is showing us how to Dress Up Your Table! I know that I need lessons in this category, and am looking forward to all of the samples and ideas! Heather has also challenged us to do the same! You can view her project and challenge here. Be sure to check out more beautiful table scapes-- Joan, Jerri, Jennifer, and Darlene.

LeAnne Pugliese has a very fun and useful featured project called "Mother's Holiday Helper." As you can see from her design found here, she gives clear instructions how to create and design this great project!

My sample for LeAnne's project is pictured below. I started with a Terracycle Kraft pocket folder from Office Max. I once again pulled out Cosmo Cricket's Wrapping Paper, Yuletide and Ornaments dp--I just cannot get enough of this paper! I bought it from Joan's Gardens-- Joan has a wonderful sale every Monday--so fun to look forward to seeing what she has! Paper Reflections Collage Background paper (music) is used for the bird on front. The bird was a fun find. It's a free template from the Hallmark Magazine. You can find it here.

The front is finished off with some sponging, chipboard from Stampin' Up, and a button tab to close. The tab has a Velcro dot beneath to do the actual work.

The inside is finished with a computer generated Christmas List, calendar, and supplies for Christmas Card addressing (stamps, computer generated labels, etc.) The large paper clip is from Walmart.

What a great project-- thanks so much LeAnne! You can see more samples of "Mother's Holiday Helper" at the following links:

Barb, Janine, Darlene and Sharon

BLOG CANDY!!! AJ Otto and Sharon have some delectable treats! Check them out!!!

Thanks for all of the well wishes for my son's engagement! I appreciate it so much! Have a great day!

Engaged! and Stamp Simply Celebrates! Day Five

I am so happy to announce that my oldest son, Joshua, and his girlfriend Jennifer, were engaged last night! My husband and I (our entire family, in fact) are so pleased and excited! Picture this-- Josh brought Jen down to the state park, hiking though the trees and snow flurries (around 15 degrees in my estimate), to the beach, where they came upon burning candles arranged in the shape of a large heart. Here's a picture of the two of them taken after the big question was asked and answered! Congratulations Josh and Jen!

On to Stamp Simply Celebrates! day five! courtesy of Party Central: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5
Barb Schram - Explore. Dream. Discover. - Barb has an offering of BLOG CANDY today!
Cathy Tidwell - Cat’s Creations - CAT, too, has BLOG CANDY to offer today, but she has more!!! She has created a Sketch Challenge for you as well. You can see the sketch over at Cat’s Creations, so be sure to stop!!! (NOTE: Cat’s Challenge and Sharon's challenge below can tie in together well and you can get two challnenges done on one card!!!)
Sharon Johnson - No Time To Stamp? Today is Sharon's regular Stamp Simply Challenge. It’s a fun twist on a Christmas card — be sure to check it out!!!

Have a wonderful Friday!!!

Teacher or Acquaintance Quick Gift

Hello! Welcome to today's Stamp Simply Celebrates! featured project and challenge!

Do you have trouble coming up with a quick gift for your student's teacher, or for an acquaintance that seems to have everything? Notecards are a great gift for someone who may be difficult to buy for!

I prefer to create giftcards that are for any occasion, so they are useful for the recepient. Teachers appreciate notecards for communication and thank you's; elderly folks also enjoy notecards, as they very often mail "the old-fashioned way."

Here is a grouping of simple notecards following a bird theme. I purposely left any sentiment off, so they are suitable for any situation. I also do not use a lot of embellishments, so they are easily mailed without extra postage.

This grouping has two different methods to present your gift. The first is the A2 card box, pictured in the back row on the right. I followed a wonderful tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers by Beate Johns for this very easy box. You can find Beate's tutorial here.

The second is a Notecard Folder, pictured in the back row, left. I found this template online at Mirkwood Designs. There is a bevy of marvelous templates at this site-- be sure to check it out. The Notecard Folder holds four A2 cards, as well as envelopes. Instead of using ribbon or cord to close it, I used a tab with Velcro self-stick dots. Here is a photo of the inside:

I used two different stamp sets: Stampin' Up "Soft as a Feather" (retired) and Crafty Secrets "Bird Notes." I stamped the images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream, and colored them with Copic Markers. I used marker colors 0, G40, E00, C1, YR21, YG11, BG93 and E55. I die cut the images out with with my trusty Cuttlebug, Nestabilties Labels I, and Curved Rectangles.
The designer paper is Cosmo Cricket's Fleuriste: Vineyard, purchased from Joan's Gardens. Regular cardstock: Chocolate Chip from Stampin' Up. All ribbon used is also from Stampin' Up.

My challenge to you is to create a set of simple notecards and package them as a gift. I am really looking forward to seeing any and all of your ideas for cards and presentation! Please feel free to upload them at any gallery. If you choose to upload at Splitcoast Stampers, please use keywords SSC08. Make sure that you link your design here as well!

Please use these links for more wonderful notecard ideas:

Jennifer, Julie, AJ, Tammy, Jerri Kay, and Janine

Let us not forget blog candy! Dee and Sharon both have fun goodies--best wishes!

Stamp Simply Celebrates! Day Three

Day three of the "twelve" Days of Stamp Simply Celebrates! Hope you all are enjoying the fun party!
Here are today's highlights:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3
Jennifer Buck - The Buck Stamps Here - Jennifer has some BLOG CANDY today!
Joan Fricker - Joan’s Garden - Joan also has some BLOG CANDY today as well!
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy - Do you like to get a lot done, and quick? Who doesn’t!!! Tammy’s Featured Project today is a Mass Production Project, but believe me, when Tammy does it, it will not look mass produced!!! Tammy also offers a Challenge today so you, too, can mass produce some cards quickly!!! Make sure to stop in at Tammy’s today!!!

If you would like to see upcoming events for the full twelve days, visit Party Central on Sharon's blog!

My challenge will be coming up on Thursday, December 4th-- please come by and see what I have planned for you!

Stamp Simply Celebrates, Day Two!

Hello everyone! Hope that you enjoyed the cookie recipe exchange yesterday...more fun and goodies in store for today!

Becky Oehlers has some fantastic ideas for gift packaging, as well as blog candy! Check her out!

Darlene Pavlick is hosting today's post card challenge. Be sure to try and play; if you do, and would like to upload to Splitcoast Stampers, please use the key letters of SSC08. Also, make sure you link your project back to Darlene's blog!

Sharon will also be offering blog candy!!!

Enjoy your day, and thanks for stopping by!