Trick or Treat?

Hello! I hope that your week is going well! I wanted to share a past design that was a lot of fun to create. This card was published in the Aug/Sept. 2008 issue of Stamper's Sampler. The fun part of this design was to take a stamp or image and make it your own...in this case, after stamping the little girl and boy image, I dressed them up for Halloween.

My cardstocks here are SU Basic Black and retired decorator papers. I stamped the Stamping Ground image onto glossy white cardstock with Versafine Black Onyx ink making sure to let dry. I then added a Violette Classics Butterfly sticker, aluminum foil crown (kind of difficult to see in the photo) for the girl, and a clown hat with jewel for the boy.

Trick or Treat pumpkins are the final part of the student's costumes.

Gingham ribbon, large eyelets, and a SU Collage alphabet sentiment finish this design.

Try changing up an image--you will enjoy seeing the results!

Joshua and Jennifer's Wedding

As most of you know, my son, Joshua, and his beloved, Jennifer were married this past Saturday. I just wanted to share a few quick pics with you all!

Mr. & Mrs. Joshua Saaranen

Our new family picture...how fun to have a daughter!

Josh and Jen on their Harley

Jennifer and her flower girl

6'6" Josh with little cousin (ringbearer) Logan

Hope you enjoy these pictures from our happy celebration!

The Lord has richly blessed both Joshua and our family with the addition of Jennifer!

Praying You'll Soon Be Well

Time for the Stamp Simply Friday Challenge! This week: Rich Autumn Leaves. We were to base our design on the colors or images of Autumn. I decided to literally use Autumn leaves...the decorator paper that I used looks just like the leafy floor in the Fall forest!

This design is SUPER simple! I layered the leafy paper with SU Confetti Cream and Bazzill Nutmeg textured papers, creating a top fold design. Our Daily Bread design's "Get Well" set provided the sentiment, stamped with Versafine Sepia, then heat embossed with clear SU EP.

Prima Cashew Daisy Dreams line up to make the big finish.

Well, in my eagerness to get all of my design work done before the wedding, I have unintentionally posted one day early! You will need to wait until Friday to check out the rest of the Stamp Simply DT's designs:

Sharon
Janine
Jennifer
Julie
AJ
Barbara
Jenny
and September Guest Designer: Charlene Merrick

I hope that your weekend is fabulous! Enjoy the beautiful crisp weather!

The Blessings of Friendship

What would I do without my friends? Life could be so very difficult without someone to share it with! So many have touched my life these past weeks as our family has been preparing for the upcoming wedding. Thanks to all of you, you know who you are! On to my design!

I wanted to participate in today's Sketch challenge over at Splitcoaststampers. I also wanted to use one of my new September Our Daily Bread design three releases. I choose the "Friendship" set.

I began with SU Chocolate Chip cardstock for my base. I then layered it with PaperLoft's Backcountry Mountain Meadow cardstock. I followed the sketch, though used just the dp for my panels. The panels are layered with distressed SU Mellow Moss.

I stamped my image with Memento Rich Cocoa ink onto a scrap of cream colored paper. I used SU's distressing tool on the edges, then added Hero Art's White and Cream Art Flowers along with Jolee's Jewels crystals to finish the panel.

I hope you like it! Have a great Wednesday!

French Country Rooster

I absolutely love this retired "Roosting" set from Stampin' Up. It is one set that I will never part with! I used this rooster image to case a design from Splitcoaststamper's Featured Stamper challenge, which is held every Sunday. Laura Fredrickson (ScrapNExtras) was the stamper that was featured the week that this was made. Her card is here. Be sure to visit Laura's blog: Scrapnextras. Thanks so much for all of the inspiration Laura!

I began with a cardstock base of SU Summer Sun cardstock, layering it with red and print decorator paper by K & Company (Wild Saffron). The prints in this pad of K & Co. just scream French Country to me! I purchased my pad from Michael's.

My image was stamped onto PaperTrey Stamper's Select white with Adirondack Pitch Black ink, then colored with numerous Copic markers. Spellbinder Rectangle dies were used to cut the image panel.

HodgePodge Hardware (SU retired also), Michael's brads, and a piece of ribbon finish off this design. I hope that you like this "Oldie But Goodie!"

Two for You!

What a busy Friday! An Our Daily Bread design, Stamp Simply CAS/B&W, and info on the second day of JustRite's Mega Blog Hop!

My first design is featuring Our Daily Bread design's "Get Well" stamp set. ODBD's stamps are deeply etched rubber, perfect for creating a crisp image or sentiment. I stamped my Proverbs 17:22 Bible verse with Versafine Sepia ink, embossing it with Stampin' Up's Clear EP. Spellbinder's Oval dies were used to die cut the sentiment panel.

My card base is PaperTrey Ink's Berry Sorbet cardstock, layered with gorgeous K & Co. Wild Raspberry decorator papers. My blossom was created with Spellbinder's Peony dies. A Stampin' Up Build a Brad finishes the flower's center. A swath of PTI Berry Sorbet grosgrain adds a pretty touch. On to my next design:

Today is also a Stamp Simply challenge day! Sharon challenged us to make a Clean and Simple (CAS) card using only black or brown ink--no coloring. I decided to go monochromatic with my most recent Stampin' Up order.

I began with PaperTrey Ink's True Black cardstock, creating a top fold design with my ScorPal. Layers of SU "Night & Day" dp make up my crisp and clean background.

I stamped the SU "Compliments to the Chef" silverware on PTI Stamper's Select White cardstock with Versafine Black Onyx ink. A Spellbinder's Rectangle die was used to cut the image panel, then popped up with dimensional tape.

This design is all paper...nothing extra! Super simple for mailing!

Please check out the rest of the Stamp Simply DT designs!

Sharon
Janine
Jennifer
Julie
AJ
Tammy
Barbara
Jenny
and September Guest Designer: Charlene Merrick

Don't forget JustRite's Mega Blog Hop! It's in it's second day! You can access the list at JustRite's blog here. Mega Inspiration, Mega Sale, Mega Fun! (and blog candy to boot!)

I hope that your weekend is wonderful! Thanks so much for stopping by!

JustRite Mega Blog Hop and Font Sale!

It all starts today--JustRite's Mega Blog Hop! Inspirational projects and design featuring JustRite's many fabulous fonts begins NOW! After gaining ideas, be certain to head over to JustRite for the fantastic 7 Day Font Sale! Take an extra 30% off all font and Rectangular Stampers. For 7 days only, September 17th-24th.

I began my JustRite project with some Bazzill Nutmeg textured paper, layered with two unknown decorator papers gleaned from my ever growing stash. I just loved mixing the country type print with the mottled dp...the colors matched perfectly!

My very simple design features an oval, cut with Spellbinder Oval Dies. The oval panels frames out my single Spellbinder Assorted Leaf just perfectly!

Now for the fun part! JustRite fonts are so great--you can create whatever you want to say, quickly and easily! I used JustRite's Times New Roman Uppercase font this time, but equally love the other font sets as well! I stamped with "Autumn" sentiment with Versafine Sepia ink, die cutting it with Spellbinder's Ribbon Tags Trio.

A bit of sparkly ribbon purchased from Michael's finishes this Autumn design.

There is Mystery Blog Candy being given away during the Two Day Just Rite Font Blog Hop!!! Why is it a Mystery.....well there will be 3 blog candy giveaways on each day and you can only win by leaving a comment on the right blog! The real surprise is you won't know which blog has the candy.....even the designer doesn't know! So as you visit each of the 54 designers over the two day event take time to leave a comment.....who knows, the lucky winner may be you!!!!! You have until Sunday at noon to leave a comment for your chance to win. Then check back at the JR Blog on Sunday evening to find out who won!!!! Enjoy the Hop.

If you're just starting here, be sure to head back to the JustRite Blog for the very beginning!

JustRite Blog: http://justritestampers.blogspot.com/2009/09/its-finally-here-day-one-of-justrite.html
Michelle Wooderson http://michellewooderson.blogspot.com/2009/09/justrite-font-blog-hop.html
Sankari Wegman http://sunnysankari.blogspot.com/2009/09/just-rtite-mega-blog-hop.html
Heidi Blankenship http://embellished-dreams.blogspot.com/2009/09/justrite-mega-font-blog-hop-personalize.html
Eva Dobilas http://evafromca.blogspot.com/2009/09/welcome-to-day-one-of-justrite-mega.html
Beate Johns http://beate.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/09/17/justrite-mega-font-blog-hop-triangle-box/#comments
Sharon Harnist http://paperfections.typepad.com/paperfections/2009/09/justrite-font-mega-blog-hop.html
Barbara Anders http://barspaperpursuits.blogspot.com/2009/09/all-about-fonts-justrite-blog-hop.html
Sharon Johnson http://notimetostamp.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/09/17/mega-justrite-blog-hop/
Deb Saaranen http://deborahlynnesdreamincolor.blogspot.com/2009/09/justrite-mega-blog-hop-and-font-sale.html
Becca Feeken http://www.amazingpapergrace.com/justrite-font-hop-and-blog-candy/
Kazan Clark http://nunutoolies.blogspot.com/2009/09/justrite-2-day-mega-blog-hop.html
Lauren Meader http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/09/17/justrite-stampers-mega-font-blog-hop/
Tammy Hershberger http://stamphappy-tammy.blogspot.com/2009/09/just-rite-font-hop.html
Linda Beeson http://pkod.blogspot.com/2009/09/justrite-stamps-blog-hop.html
Jenny Gropp http://onekraftykat.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-hoppin-with-just-rite.html
Lori Craig http://loricraig.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/09/17/naughty-or-nicecheck-it-twice/
Tanis Giesbrecht http://papercanvas.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/just-rite-font-blog-hop/
Jenn Balcer http://jbalcer.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/09/17/i-love-fonts/
Lisa Somerville http://www.lisasomerville.com/2009/09/justrite-font-blog-hop.html
Karen Maldonado http://reallifeinpictures.blogspot.com/2009/09/just-rite-mega-font-hop-its-here.html
Pamela Smerker http://paperaskew.blogspot.com/2009/09/justrite-blog-hop-day-1.htmlhttp://paperaskew.blogspot.com/2009/09/justrite-blog-hop-day-1.html
Karen Taylor http://creativeyearnings.blogspot.com/2009/09/just-rite-font-mega-blog-hop.html
Latisha Yoast http://crafteebee.blogspot.com/2009/09/just-rite-blog-hop-day-1.html
Julie Overby http://joverby.blogspot.com/2009/09/justrite-blog-hop.html
Mary Pfaff http://crafty-cabin.blogspot.com/2009/09/just-rite-mega-font-blog-hop.html

Be certain to check the JustRite blog tomorrow to participate in the second day of hopping! And don't forget to look for the blog candy along the way!

Wedding on the Brain...

"Wedding on the Brain..." is the perfect definition of my life right now! As many of you know, my oldest son Josh is getting married the last weekend in September. Since life is so busy (isn't it for all of us?) I am featuring an "oldie, but goodie" today--with a wedding theme of course! I picture this dress on one of the guests, or maybe even a bridesmaid!

I originally made this card for Splitcoaststamper's Fan Club Interactive Gallery, which you can find on the Main Gallery page here. It is sooo much fun to play along with the Dirty Girls and their current gallery theme!

On to the design. I began with Gina K.s "Retro Boutique" and stamped it with Versafine Black Onyx ink onto Basic Grey Scarlett Letter paper. I then added a bit of Spica Glitter pen for bling.

My base card stocks are Stampin' Up Metallics in Copper and Gold, layered with two top panels of BG Scarlett Letter dp. I stamped the dress/hanger image onto the top dp layer, then paper pieced the cut out dress onto the hanger. Dimensional tape is applied between the two dp layers, to provide some dimension (kind of hard to see in this photo).

An unknown sentiment from my stash finishes off this glimmering design. Hope you like it!

I will be uploading something new for Just Rite's Blog Hop this coming Thursday. This hop is going to be major fun and inspiration, with two days of paper artistry! Be sure to check back then!

Have a great week!

Hey, Pumpkin!

Stamp Simply: Halloween is Almost Here! "Today's challenge is to make a card or project for Halloween, or perhaps a bag or container for treats! Anything goes. And I realize some don't care to do Halloween, and that's just fine -- then just incorporate a pumpkin into your project! Everyone can play, and we hope you do!!!"

Life certainly has been "Stamp Simply" for me lately...the school year beginning, construction, wedding plans...so busy in fact, there is no stamping whatsoever on this card! I took the quick and easy route by using Cosmo Cricket's "Haunted" Rub Ons.

I began with a PaperTrey Ink True Black cardstock base. Layers include Stampin' Up's Really Rust, and PaperTrey Ink Bitty Dot Basics.

I rubbed the pumpkin image and sentiment onto PaperTrey Ink's Rustic White Cardstock (so heavy and nice! Love the little speckles too!), then die cut it with a Spellbinder's Rectangle die. A SU Black Gingham ribbon, tied with a Bow Easy, adds an extra touch. Both image and dp panel are popped up with dimensional tape.

If you would like to see more Stamp Simply Halloween designs, please check out the fun designs that the Stamp Simply team has come up with:

Sharon
Janine
Jennifer

AJ
Tammy
Barbara
Jenny
and September Guest Designer: Charlene Merrick .

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

Harvest Berries

This week's Stamp Simply Challenge (ssnotime103) is "Overstamped Sentiment." We were to design a card, overstamping the sentiment over the image in some manner. After feeling a touch of Autumn in the air, I chose to use one of my all-time favorite Stampin' Up sets, "Botanicals."

I stamped my berries image and botanical verse onto PaperTrey Ink's Vintage Cream cardstock with Memento Rich Cocoa ink. After coloring the berry branch with Copic markers, I used an Itty Bitty background stamp to apply a stippled touch. A Spellbinders Rectangle die was used to cut the image panel.

My background papers are SU Chocolate Chip cardstock, and ProvoCraft Textured Red Hot Pepper dp.

A bit of warm, flannel SU trim finishes this design...hope you like it!

Be sure to check out the rest of the Stamp Simply DT designs:

Sharon
Janine
Jennifer
Julie

AJ
Tammy
Barbara
Jenny
and September Guest Designer: Charlene Merrick (SCS: LilLuvsStampin) Welcome Charlene!

Remember to link back to Sharon's blog if you are playing along with us this week! We would love to see your beautiful work!

Thinking of You Pocket Card & "Three for Thee"

Time for Our Daily Bread designs blog hop and challenge! Three new releases, "Friendship," "Getwell," and "Thinking of You" are all available now! I've chosen to use the Bible Verse and sentiment from "Thinking of You" for my pocket card today.

The cardstock base is SU Summer Sun, layered with K & Company Wild Raspberry decorator paper. The Wild Raspberry has such happy, cheerful colors, and is dotted with pretty butterflies...so suited to all of the September butterfly release sets.

I stamped my Bible verse and sentiment directly onto the dp using Versafine Black Onyx ink, with a Martha Stewart border punch adding extra interest to the pocket. An appealing, sunny Prima Fiesta Flower makes this pocket card *POP*!

Stampin' Up's Round tab punch, along with a Sticko Button Ups adhesive button create the tab for the pull card in the pocket.

Now are you ready to play along with us in the pocket card challenge? One of each of the new sets will be given away to three fortunate winners that participate in "Three for Thee."
Please follow the following rules to be eligible to win:

1.Make a pocket card of any style, shape, with as many pockets as you want. There are numerous tutorials on SCS in the Resources Section that you can use, or come up with your own design. 2. Link your card to the ODBd Blog by Thurs Sept. 17, 8PM EST. Winners will be announced on the ODBd blog on Sat. Sept. 19th. 3. Anyone can play along, but only those using ODBd Stamps as the main focal point will be eligible to win. 4. Be sure to visit the ODBd Blog on Sept 19 to find out who won!

Welcome to Dawn Lusk, September's Guest Designer! I'm so excited to be working with Dawn once again! Also, congratulations to Grace Nywening, our new design team coordinator! A BIG thanks to Judy Rozema for all of her guidance and patience (on my part as a new dt person anyhow!) for her wonderful job as dt coordinator...I really appreciate Judy, as I know others do!

Please check out the ODBd blog, the rest of the Breadsticks, and their pocket card creations:

Deb's blog--you are here! :) Head to:

Lorelie
Chris
Sandee
Jane
Loretta
Angie Z
Becca

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful week!

Flower Soft Falling Leaves & Butterflies and Blessings

I have two cards for your today! Both feature Our Daily Bread designs new sets! I've named the first card "Flower Soft Falling Leaves." This design also features Flower Soft's new Autumn color!

I began this design with Bazzill's Nutmeg textured paper...one of my favorite browns--it matches the Versafine Sepia ink just perfectly! More texture was achieved with the ScorBug, making dashed lines across the SU Sunshine Yellow paper, giving a basket woven feel. Look carefully, as it is a bit difficult to see the texture in this picture--it's great IRL!

I used Spellbinder's dies from ODBD to cut the leaves, then sprinkled them with the Autumn Flower Soft.

An American Crafts Elements brown brad, along with the Our Daily Bread designs "Friendship" sentiment, finish this quick and colorful design!

Flower Soft is giving away a Autumn FS package on their blog...check it out here.

Be sure to check the other Flower Soft DT designs:

Jennifer Buck, Charmaine Ikach, Niki Estes, Carole Burrage, AJ Otto , and Sharon Johnson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today is release day over at Our Daily Bread designs! There are three beautiful new sets available for purchase..."Get Well," "Friendship," and the set I used today, "Thinking of You." All three feature beautiful Bible Verses and much used sentiments.

I began with some Bazzill textured paper for my design. I ran one layer through my CuttleBug, using the Textiles folder. Some chunky clear glitter from Stampin' Up adds interest to the edges of the embossed panel.

I used the Stampin' Up Sizzix Bigz Beautiful Butterflies to die cut a butterfly from another "Textile" embossed piece of cardstock, dressing it up with a Michael's brad, May Art ribbon, and more chunky glitter.

My sentiment and image from the ODBD set was stamped onto PaperTrey Ink's Stamper's Select White cardstock with Versafine Sepia ink, then embossed with Stampin' Up Clear Fine Detail Embossing powder. After embossing, I used a Copic marker for a bit of lavendar, then die cut the panel with a Spellbinder's Oval die. A bit more glitter added pretty sparkle to the image/sentiment panel.

Quick and easy, with a bit of embossing and glimmer! I love the fact that whichever ODBD set I pull out, I am able to create a pretty design around a sentiment or Bible Verse. A bit of dressing up with Primas or diecuts, and you have a beautiful design suitable for so many occasions!

Please check back for our big release on September 3rd! We will be having a blog hop with designs for the three new sets, and a challenge, "Three for Thee," which will include prizes that Kelley at ODBD has so generously provided!

Please visit these Bread Sticks for fabulous ideas using the three sets:
Chris
Connie
Dawn
Grace
Lorelie
Sandee
Silke

Have a great week, and thanks so much for stopping by!