Stamp Simply Celebrates!!!

Today is the beginning of Stamp Simply Celebrates! Sharon Johnson (notimetostamp) has hit the 1,000,000 mark plus on her blog, and we're celebrating! You can find the link here to view Party Central to see some of the upcoming events December 1st-12th. If you go to Sharon's home page of her blog via some other link, make sure you look above the banner picture and click on the Stamp Simply Celebrates! Party Central tab. Scroll around and read for links to upcoming blog candy, projects and challenges, all to thank you for your support! Sharon will be opening the celebration with blog candy, as is Janine Orchard (see below).

The December 1st project and challenge are issued by Janine Orchard (2bKrafty). Janine is hosting a cookie recipe exchange and is giving away a blog candy treat as well! Such yummy fun! I was thrilled to be a sample maker for this challenge, (as were the guys around the house-- the cookies didn't last long--hehe) and chose the following recipe.

"Greatest Ginger Snaps on Earth"

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup dark molasses

1 egg

2 1/4 cups flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. salt

Cream sugar and butter. Add molasses and egg, beat well. Combine flour, soda, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and salt. Stir into creamed mixture and beat well. Shape dough into walnut sized balls and roll in sugar. Place balls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for about 12 minutes. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before removing.

These are soft and chewy cookies and have been a hit with all who have tried them. Hope you like them too!

Most folks have received gifts of cookies or bars, and probably have old tins available. It's difficult for me to toss these used tins, and they sometimes clutter up my pantry. Thus, I wanted to decorate a recycled tin to place my "Greatest Ginger Snaps on Earth" in.

I began by covering the base and cover of the tin with Cosmo Cricket's Oh Joy Wrapping Paper dp, hot gluing tan trim from Walmart around the rim and base perimeter. I created a mitten template and made my mittens using Cosmo Cricket Oh Joy Yuletide dp. I added the tan trim to the top of the mitts to create cuffs. The large bow behind the mittens is May Art ribbon that I got from Sharon. I used a Martha Stewart snowflake punch and Michael's brad to decorate the Wordsworth sentiment.

Take a stroll through these links to see more Cookie Recipe Exchange samples:

Janine
Jennifer
Darlene
Barb
Jerri
A.J.

If you choose to participate in this challenge, and decide to upload it to Splitcoast Stampers, please use the code SSC08 to upload to the Stamp Simply Celebrates! gallery. Also, please link your photo back to Janine's blog.

My photo today should look different from past photos. I finally opened the "Photo Studio in a Box" that I had purchased about a month and a half ago. It was fun using it for the first time--I can see that some experimentation will be needed to rid some dark and light issues, but overall I am happy with the results.

What a wonderful start to Stamp Simply Celebrates! Hope you enjoy the celebration and are able to participate! Have a great week!

Hi there! So sorry that I have been missing in action-- I've been very busy preparing for Sharon's (notimetostamp) big one-million celebration "Stamp Simply Celebrates!" All of the action begins tonight around midnight (December 1st) with exciting projects, challenges, and blog candy all created to help YOU prepare for the Christmas holiday! I will be posting a project as a sample maker near the midnight hour. Hope you're all able to join in!

Here is a past project from my Splitcoast gallery site. The snowmen and sentiment are from Wordsworth...the decorator paper is Stampin' Up's 2007 Holiday pack...the trees are Stampin' Up "Lovely As a Tree." Hope you like it!

Have a great Sunday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Had a bit of time coming back from our family dinner to whip up a quick card.

I started with PaperTrey Ink's Everyday Blessings set. I inked up the pineapple with Colorbox pigment inks, doing a bit of the rock and roll technique. I then stamped a sentiment from the Everyday Blessings set over it with Versafine Black Onyx. I diecut the image panel using the Nestabilities Label I set. I used Stampin' Up brads for an accent.

I cuttlebugged the SU Really Rust panel, mounted it onto PTI Summer Sunrise--then on a Really Rust card base. My bowtie is PaperTrey Ink's Summer Sunrise grosgrain.

That's it for today-- have a marvelous long weekend!

***Remember to watch for Stamp Simply Celebrates! beginning Monday, December 1st!

A BIG Congratulations go out to my friend, Sharon Johnson (notimetostamp). Sharon's blog has hit the 1,000,000 mark! Way to go, Sharon!!! I know that her blog is my first stop every morning when I first get up! Sharon's style is what I like to call "absolute elegance"--due to my opinion (and many others) that her designs are the epitome of elegant paper crafting.

The best news about Sharon's milestone is that we will all benefit with her party-- Stamp Simply Celebrates! There will be tons of blog candy, projects, and challenges-- all created to help you get ready for the holidays! Sharon's big "do" will begin on Monday, December 1st. Hope to see YOU there!

Sweets for the Sweet!

This card is for Sharon's (notimetostamp) weekly challenge, and today's Limited Supply Challenge over at Splitcoast.

Sharon's challenge this week is to stamp on ribbon. I found that you need the right type of ribbon and ink to make this work. The first type of ink that I used on this Stampin' Up taffeta ribbon ran, but my second choice (Versafine Black Onyx) worked just fine. I would have switched ribbon types had it not worked the second time. Trial and error! The sentiment is Stampin' Up's "So Very."

The Limited Supply Challenge was to use chocolate in your design. It doesn't count if you're eating it while you stamp-- just on the card! I pulled out this fun image-- Stampendous "Tiers of Treats." I copic colored it using R46,YG03, YR21,E55,E57,E47, C1, and O. I also used a clear Spica Glitter pen to give the berries a slight sheen.

I used SU "Holiday Treasures" once again, as well as Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red textured cardstock. I thought the printed dp looked just like candy sprinkles-- adding an extra "treat" element to this already sweet design.

I accidently grabbed some SU Shimmer White-- I normally do not use SU papers to Copic color on (in my opinion the Whisper White and Very Vanilla do not portray the Copic colors as well as the PaperTrey Ink cardstock) and decided to try it once the image was stamped upon it. It worked just fine, giving a sheen to the finished work. After coloring the image, I used my Nestabilities to diecut the oval shapes and scalloped oval. I finished off the card using my corner punch on two opposite corners.

Have a wonderful weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Quick Christmas Card

Just a really quick card and post tonight. The Way to Use It challenge over at Splitcoast today was to use pearls in your design. I threw this together while making supper. I just love Stampin' Up's new decorator paper: Holiday Treasures.

I have also been having fun with Spellbinder's snowflake die. I wanted to try it in bolder colors to contrast with yesterday's design in Bashful Blue. It seems to fade away on this printed bg in the photo-- stands out much better IRL.

The Nestabilities label was diecut by my Cuttlebug, and stamped with SU's All Year Cheer I sentiment. The ribbon is taffeta from Stampin' Up, and the pearl, BRIDES Embellishments from Michaels.

Thanks for stopping by!

Snowy Day

Yay! I have the day off today due to a teacher's inservice at our school! I decided early on that I would not leave the house-- just stamp and organize my dining room where I stamp! It's snowing quite heavily-- I think Winter is here to stay. The perfect day not to venture out!

I checked out Splitcoast when I got up (yes, I did sleep in a bit after sending my hubby off...hehe) and really loved the sketch that Roxie challenged us with. I decided to go with a snowflake theme, inspired by you-know-what.

I knew that I wanted to include PaperTrey Ink's beautiful Linen Vellum, as well as Stampin' Up's Bashful Blue. I used Bashful Blue regular cardstock, as well as BB textured cardstock for the base of the card.

Using the Martha Stewart snowflake punch, I created little glitter windows (SU Dazzling Diamonds) for the four corners. I then used my Spellbinders Snowflake die to create the center snowflake, cutting both blue and vellum snowflake parts to build my flake. I then used more Dazzling Diamonds for sparkle and gleam.

My Wordsworth sentiment was then Nestability diecut through my Cuttlebug. Stampin Up' Bashful Blue Taffeta ribbon was then used for an accent bow and sentiment treatment.

My "frosting on the cake" was a Swarovski crystal purchased from Michaels adhered to the center of the focus snowflake.

Have a wonderful day-- snowy or not! Thanks for stopping by!

Dad's 70th Birthday

I designed this for my Dad's 70th birthday tomorrow. We're celebrating with a surprise coffee for him after tomorrow's church service.

I decided to pull out my Lyra Aquacolor crayons to create part of the card to make last Thursday's Way to Use It challenge over at Splitcoast- to use watercolor paper.

I watercolored the sky background and stamped trees onto it using Stampin' Up's "Lovely As a Tree" pine along with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.

I then stamped, colored, and cut out my eagle from regular PaperTrey Ink cardstock. This handsome image and sentiment set is Our Daily Bread's "On Eagles Wings." I used YR24, YR21, E55, E57, and E00 Copics to color the eagle. I mounted the cutout eagle onto the panel using dimensional tape.

The reddish-rust, textured paper is from Bazzill. Basic Black cardstock is from Stampin' Up. The entire image panel is also popped up with dimensional tape.

As this is a card for my father, I chose to leave it ultra-simple. He is definitely a no-frills type guy!

Have a wonderful remainder to your weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

2008 Pastor Appreciation

I designed this card for our church family to give to our Pastor for Pastor Appreciation month. We will have a celebration potluck dinner for him as well.

I wanted this design to be simple, yet somewhat elegant. Simple, with straight designs and limited embellishments; and elegant, using metallic papers to dress it up. Also worth mention: the size is a full sheet folded in half, with a bit trimmed off making it 5.25" x 8.25".

The shimmer white cardstock is from Stampin' Up, and the metallic onyx, unknown. SU Basic Black cardstock is also layered in to ground the shimmery effect and match the black rhinestones from Kaiser.

The stamp set is Everyday Blessings from PaperTrey Ink. I inked up the cross and sentiment with Versafine Black Onyx, stamped them out, and used Nestabilities dies to cut and emboss them. The image, sentiment, and center large panel are all popped up with dimensional tape.

I now wish that I had dropped the sentiment down when I was testing locations. I "thought" I wanted it here. In any case, the dimensional tape really took hold!!! So here it sits! This photo doesn't do it justice-- the embossing, subdued glimmer, and rhinestones look so much nicer IRL!

Have a marvelous Friday and thanks so much for stopping by!

Joy to the World

I created this card for today's sketch challenge seen here at Splitcoast. I am also placing it in the Fan Club Interactive gallery seen here.

This beautiful image of Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph is from Our Daily Bread Stamps. I love their scripture verses, as well as their "deeply etched" rubber images! They truly do stamp a very defined, crisp line. I stamped the image using Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto PaperTrey Ink's Vintage Cream cardstock. I then colored it using Copic markers E55, W1, E57, BG93,B97, YR24,B23, and 0. I also added a touch of Spica Yellow Glitter Pen to the lamp light.

I flipped the sketch vertically, then used Bazzill textured papers for the blue and brown. The sentiment panel is Stampin' Up Creamy Caramel. I used a circle Nestability to create the window in the main panel to frame my Versafine Black Onyx stamped image. It's all finished off with a Close to My Heart brad.

Hope you're having a great week, and thanks for stopping by!

Limited Supply Challenge and Link to Blog Candy

I created this card for Friday's Limited Supply Challenge over at Splitcoast. Unfortunately, I did not get it loaded until Saturday. The challenges are open to participation anytime there-- it is not a race or contest-- though more people have the chance to see it on the actual challenge day.

The challenge was to use a rectangle and circle in your design-- no embellishments except for ribbon. I had this scene in mind since I received this new set, but was unable to get just the look I was after. I will have to try again without the stipulation of just a rectangle/circle combo.

Edited: Well, sorry this is not my original card! You can see the original design at my gallery at Splitcoast... my circle had to go!!!

Now to the blog candy-- check out Chris' (chris99) blog for a link for blog candy sponsored by Craft Stamper Magazine. Chris' cards are just marvelous! You can jump to her blog here.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Stamps: Stampin' Up Winter Post, Lovely as a Tree and Flannel background
Paper: PaperTrey Ink Craft and white
Ink: Stampin' Up white craft, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers
Accessories: Offray ribbon from Walmart, Nestabilitie dies, SU Dazzling Diamonds and border punch

Get Well So You Can Go Hunting, Ralph!

Finally! A card to post! This get well card is for a co-worker who is in the hospital. It is quite small-- but will be joined by a cookie platter or some other form of yummy food.

I used a retired Stampin' Up set here-- Noble Deer. This is the first time that I've colored it with Copics. I had a bit of difficulty getting the result I was looking for.

This is also a challenge card to meet today's Splitcoast Ways to Use It challenge. We were to use corner punches in some fashion. I used my corner rounder punch here. I also had fun with some new Nestabilities-- the Label I set. This was used to cut and emboss the image panel.

The sentiment is from PaperTrey Ink's Faux Ribbon set. Since Ralph is a big hunter, the inside should read "I'm waiting for you..." LOL!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:
Noble Deer, PaperTrey Ink
Paper: Stampin' Up Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, PTI white
Ink: Copic markers, Versafine Black Onyx, Adirondack Pitch Black
Accessories: Nestabilites, Cuttlebug folder

I made this Christmas card to celebrate the carol, "Joy to the World." It is one of my favorite carols! Singing this at an Advent or a Christmas Eve service brings joy to my heart and adds to the special worship!

I love this holly berry image. I'm sorry to say that I cannot remember where I bought it-- it is 1999 PSX K-1826. I believe I purchased it from JoAnn's Fabrics.

What a fun image to color! I used my Copic markers...R27, R89, YG67, YR21, Blending pen and C1 Cool Gray for shading.

Stampin' Up papers were my choice here: Riding Hood Textured dp, Basic Black and Creamy Caramel. As I've mentioned before, PaperTrey Ink papers are my favorites to Copic color on, Vintage Cream is featured here.

I used a number of punches here...Stampin' Up's corner rounder punch, circle punches, and a Martha Stewart Lace Border punch.

A sentiment from the Flourishes Rejoice set and May Arts ribbon finished it off...

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!