Stamp Simply Bridal Inspiration

Here's the photo and Sharon's challenge for today's Stamp Simply Challenge (ssnotime158)...

"I fell in love with this photo when I saw it! This is a bridal sari for an Indian wedding. I absolutely LOVE the colors, the texture, the shimmer of the fabric, the beading, the patterns. Today's challenge is to use this photo for your inspiration and just run with it -- take what speaks to you from this photo and show us all your FAB creations!


Can't WAIT to see what you all come up with!"


Here's my take for today's challenge:



I went with the colors from the photo, as well as beading and medallion touches. The gorgeous papers here are Graphic 45's 8 X 8" "Steampunk Debutante," brand new over at the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. The blue green color is a bit darker than the turquoise in the photo, but still reads turquoise.

Here's a closeup of the Spellbinders "Lotus." 

Kaiser Chocolate self stick pearls add a bit of bling and a beaded look (the pearls show a bit more bronze looking IRL).

Both items are from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.












And...something I rarely do...

I finished the inside with a quote from Wordsworth's "Women's Collection" also available at the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

I'm eager to see what the rest of the Stamp Simply Challenge team have come up with! Check them out...

Sharon and the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
Chrissie Stokes: Simply One of a Kind – September Guest Designer
Deb Neerman: Paper, Ink, Scissors & Stamps
Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits
Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat
Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty
AJ Otto: The Willow Garden
Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover

If you play along this week, be sure to link up to Mr. Linky, our favorite fella over at Sharon's blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a fantastic Autumn weekend!

Cracked Snowman!

This week's Stamp Simply Challenge (ssnotime157) is Cracked Glass! This is one of my favorite techniques...if you haven't tried it yet, check out this helpful tutorial by Beate Johns over at Splitcoaststampers.

This bright and happy Christmas bulb paper is Crate Paper's "SnowDay" collection, now available at the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

This cute "cracked" snowman is part of JustRite's new "Groovy Snowman" (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store). I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then used numerous Copic Sketch markers to color and shade it. Spellbinder Classic Circle Dies (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) were used to create the bordered snowman.

I then proceeded with the Cracked Glass Technique. Note: I added one more layer of embossing powder AFTER cracking and inking my image panel, heating again. This gave a smooth appearance with the inked cracks still showing through.

A May Art's Striped Twill bow tied with a Bow Easy (both from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) adds a final touch.

See other examples of cracked glass:

Sharon and the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
Deb Neerman
AJ Otto
Janine Orchard
Jenny Gropp
Barb Schram (Barb's not playing this week)
Barbara Anders

and guest designer:
Chrissie Stokes!

If you play along, be certain to link up with Mr. Linky at Sharon's blog!

***ALSO: Sharon is running a sale of 15% off of May Art's Ribbon By the Spool thru September...perfect time to stock up on the pretty Christmas ribbon!

Have a wonderful Autumn weekend...get out and do something FUN!

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store Blog Hop: Gift Ideas for Autumn Giving & CANDY!

It's that Stamp Simply Ribbon Store Blog Hop time of the month once again! Take a look at the challenge that Sharon presented us with:

"Autumn is the perfect time to get started on some of those projects we've been thinking about and putting off all summer. The Design Team at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store has come up with some GREAT project ideas and would like to share them with you today. Each Design Team Member was asked to create something they like to give as a gift during the upcoming fall and winter seasons. I know you'll be thrilled to see all the fabulous gift ideas they are showcasing today!"

My gift project is designed for a friend who loves to journal or keep lists:

I began with a composition notebook that you can buy almost anywhere right now. You may be able to find some at very good sale prices, due to school beginning.

The beautiful decorator paper featured is 7 Gypsies "Conservatory" from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. Isn't is gorgeous? The first time I saw it, my jaw dropped...vintage and botanical...can it get any better?  

I used the 8" X 8" pad, filled with double sided prints. Sharon will also be carrying a 6" X 6" pad of the same design.

Take a close look at the precious Bible verse on the tag. It's Verve's "Proverbs 3:5 Plain Jane" stamp stamped with Versafine Sepia ink, both sold at the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. 

Stamped distressing with a vintage button and twig finish the tag. May Art's Black Twill (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) ties the journal shut for privacy, as well as keeping any extra notes or goodies tucked in.

Here's the order of this month's gift inspirations:

Sharon and the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Deb (you're here! Thanks for coming!)

Linda Duke

Holly McMillen

Michele Woerner
Barb Schram is not playing this month

Once again, there is mystery candy involved in this hop! Yes, it is the items shown in the top picture! Make sure that you leave a little bit of love at every stop to be sure to be entered!

Thanks so much for joining us today!

Quick and Easy No Stamp "Man" Card

Here's a quick and easy, no-stamp "man" card! Today's Stamp Simply Challenge is to do just that: create a card for a man.

I rarely make masculine card designs...I lean towards flowery, girly designs! So a quick and easy layout, along with masculine designer paper, fits the bill.

All of the designer paper used here is from Graphic 45's "A Proper Gentleman" available at the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. Sharon has put together a "Stamp Simply Graphic 45 A Proper Gentleman Kit", filled with fabulous items including the black twill that I used today. You can also purchase the designer paper pad and twill separately. 

Layered patterns, copper hardware (SU retired HodgePodge Hardware and Michael's Copper brad--doesn't it look like a little steering wheel?), and May Art's black twill (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) add simple, yet special, touches.

Father's Day, birthday, thinking of you...add your sentiment to the interior, and you're set!

Check out the rest of the Stamp Simply Friday Challenge team's designs:

Sharon and the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Deb Neerman: Paper, Ink, Scissors & Stamps
Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits
Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat
Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty
AJ Otto: The Willow Garden
Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover

If you decide to play along this week, be certain to link to Mr. Linky on Sharon's blog!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Mail!

First day back to school was great! It was so good to see the students happy faces...and how much they've grown over the summer months! It's going to be a GREAT year!

This week's Shabby Tea Room Challenge "Tag, You're It" requires a tag to be used in your design...see the challenge HERE.

My design features a vellum pocket card with pullout tag. Pictured above is the sweet My Favorite Things Pure Innocence "Happy Mail" gal all tucked into her pocket.

The tag can be pulled out to be used as a book mark for your favorite young reader...





The Guidelines designer paper, Plum Pudding cardstock and Luxe Satin ribbon, are all from PaperTrey Ink.

The image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store), then colored with Copic Sketch markers. Spellbinders Labels Ten (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) were used to die cut the image panel to create a tag.

Oh...and a Bow Easy, also from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store, was used to make that oh so pretty bow to pull the tag!

Back to School

It's that time of year again! Crisp temperatures, early sunsets, and BACK TO SCHOOL!

Even though this little gal (My Favorite Things "Pure Innocence") appears to be quite contemplative about the idea, I am certainly looking forward to this new school year!

I saw this week's SFYTT sketch over at Jen del Muro's blog, and thought it would be perfect for my design today.

These fun papers today are all from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store: ABC papers and red polka dots from October Afternoon's "Report Card," and olive argyle (when I was a girl, I had a knit dress with almost these exact colors and print) from Graphic 45's "A Proper Gentleman."

Spellbinder's Classic Circle dies (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) were used to layer the image, along with "Assorted Fresh Fruit" Spellbinder Shapeabilities for that all important apple for the teacher.

I hope that you've enjoyed my design for today. Have a great week
whether you are in school or not!

Stamp Simply Falling Leaves

Falling Leaves...today's Stamp Simply Challenge (ssnotime155)! We're celebrating Autumn today! It's a rainy day here in the Upper Peninsula, and some of the leaves are beginning their colorful change. My design also fits today's Splitcoaststamper's Free for All Challenge: to use birds in your design.

KaiserCraft's "Peachy Keen Collection" (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) is the perfect paper for today's project...the mellow colors, along with leafy prints, just FIT!

Another perfect "fit" is JustRite's new "Backyard Birds Set" (also available at the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) which includes four different bird images and borders...suitable for the four seasons. I've used the Autumn border today, along with the bird and thistle.



Memento Rich Cocoa ink Stamp Simply Ribbon store) and Copic Sketch markers were used to color the image.

Spellbinder Classic Circle dies (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) were used to die cut the image panel and borders.











Would YOU like to be a guest designer for the Stamp Simply Challenge team this month? Check out Sharon's post and play along! Be sure to link to Mr. Linky!

Check out the rest of the team's "Falling Leaves":

Sharon Johnson and the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
Deb Neerman: Paper, Ink, Scissors & Stamps

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits
Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat
Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty
AJ Otto: The Willow Garden 
Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!