Monday, October 31, 2011

The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas-Stamp Simply Style-Day Eleven



It's day eleven of The 12 Days of a Clean and Simply Christmas--Stamp Simply Style!


Points of interest:
1.   Grab your nested dies for a CAS design...it automatically looks like "more" when it really is "less"!
2.   When you make a monochromatic print design, line up the layers to match, then add dimensional tape between the layers. This makes for a clean and concise look.
3.   Use a light colored Prismacolor pencil or sponge ink onto the edges of the dark paper layers for additional interest.

And...a pretty bow always makes for a delightful finish!

All supplies used for today's CAS design are available at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

Check out the rest of the CAS designs today:

Sharon Johnson--The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
Deb Saaranen (you're here...thanks for stopping!)

Hope you return for the final day...day 12...of The 12 Days of a Clean and Simply Christmas--Stamp Simply Style!





Saturday, October 29, 2011

Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style--Stripes

Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style--Stripes...I love May Art's stripe ribbons...there are a variety of sizes, stripe widths and colors at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.




Products used today: Bo Bunny "Gabrielle" paper; Webster's Pages "Cameo Silhouettes"; May Arts "Crochet Lace," and 3/8" "Grosgrain Stripe" ribbons.

EDITED TO ADD: The Webster's Pages "Cameo Silhouettes" that I used are from the variety pack; the "Mother and Child" is still available as part of the variety pack.

If you would like to see a mini tutorial on making the lace flower beneath the cameo, check it out here.

All products used today are available at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.


This is a Mystery Blog Candy, meaning the winner will be drawn from comments on one of today’s participating blogs, so leaving a comment on each blog will greatly increase your chances of winning, but only one comment per blog, please. The winner will be selected at 6 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, November 1 and will be posted on Sharon's blog on Wednesday, so please check back to claim your prize if you are the lucky winner! Good luck!

Sharon Johnson - The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Barb Schram
Holly McMillen
Deb Saaranen (and you're here!)

Please check back here on Monday...we will be continuing with day ten of The 12 Days of a Clean and Simply Christmas--Stamp Simply Style.

Friday, October 28, 2011

The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas-Stamp Simply Style-Day Ten

Day 10 of The 12 Days of a CAS Christmas--Stamp Simply Style! Today I'm using Wordsworth's "Snowmen" stamp set, along with K and Company's "Glad Tidings Diecut Pad" (marked down now!). Love the shaped edges of the die cut pad!

I stamped, then paper pieced the snowmen from white cardstock onto the tan decorator paper panel. Glitter, shading, curved corners, a Bow Easy shaped May Art's Wrinkled Ribbon bow, and glittery button from Bo Bunny's "Father Christmas Buttons," finishes this quick design.

All named supplies today are available from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

Please check out the rest of the team participating today:

Deb Saaranen (you're here! Thanks for stopping by!)

Be sure to visit back tomorrow for Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style! Also, we will be finishing The 12 Days of CAS--Stamp Simply Style Monday and Tuesday.

BONUS...LOL!  I just had to show you a few more cards that I made with Wordsworth's "Snowmen" set when I first got it--it's been a favorite for me for some time!









Have a great weekend!


Thursday, October 27, 2011

The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas-Stamp Simply Style-Day Nine


The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...for day NINE of The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas--Stamp Simply Style!

A really "clean" design for you today...featuring paper piecing with some texture and bling.

This little sock is JustRite's "Christmas Trimmings,"  paper pieced with Bo Bunny's "Blitzen" 6 X 6" designer paper. I also have the 12 X 12" Blitzen paper for upcoming larger Christmas projects, but the 6 X 6" pad is perfect as it has tinier prints which work wonderfully for card making.

If you like Christmas stockings, there's another JustRite set called "Warmest Wishes" that features stockings, full of goodies. It's pretty cute, fits the large oval stamper, and has four different borders included.



Kaisercraft rhinestones in "Lippy Red" add a touch of bling.        The image is framed out with Spellbinders "Postage Stamps" and "Classic Square" (Check with Sharon for availability) dies, then set with dimensional tape onto a textured, pure white base.

The named and listed items are all available at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

If you haven't done so yet, be sure to check out Sharon Johnson's CAS design for today!

Reminder: tomorrow is day 10 of The 12 Days of a CAS Christmas-Stamp Simply Style; Saturday, we're back to Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas-Stamp Simply Style-Day Eight

Day eight! Yes, we are on day eight of The 12 Days of a CAS Christmas-Stamp Simply Style!

My design is very easy today, all designed around the fabulous Prima "North Country" decorator paper.

My image is Wordsworth's "Holiday Stylized" (marked down now!), stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa ink. This set has a slightly more modern feel, but I especially love the sentiment, "joy, love, peace" that is included.

A bit of "Divine Twine" decorates this very CAS design. All product used today are from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

Be sure to check out:

Sharon Johnson- The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
Deb Saaranen (you're here!)
Holly McMillen

Hope you can make it back tomorrow for day nine! Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas-Stamp Simply Style-Day Seven


Day seven of The 12 Days of a Clean and Simply Christmas--Stamp Simply Style!

My post is going to be quick and sweet as...my SHIPMENT has finally arrived and is due to be delivered at any moment!!! Yay!

Designer paper used today is KaiserCraft's "Be Merry" Collection. Sharon has "Be Merry" marked down, so get it quick! Love this pad...has glittered, flocked (stripes above are lightly flocked) and all sorts of tags, borders (see above) and fun designs.



This was quick...I just grabbed the white sheet from the pad, die cut it with Spellbinders "Create a Flake One" (no longer available, but there are new Spellbinder snowflakes....see here) and popped on a Webster's Pages "Vintage Button Assortment."

Layer it all up, and you're done! All supplies used today are from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

Be sure to check out Sharon Johnson's CAS design!

Tomorrow's day eight...hope to see you back! Thanks for stopping by!


Monday, October 24, 2011

The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas-Stamp Simply Style-Day Six

Hello, and welcome to day six of The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas-Stamp Simply Style!



Brand new items, first time out of the pack for my design today...beginning with Prima's "North Country" designer paper and "Prima North Country Art Tiles." You can see all of the "North Country" goodies here.


This also is a first time use for Penny Black's "Snow Dust" rubber and wood stamp. I stamped the image with Versafine Sepia ink, then blinged it up with Kaisercraft rhinestones in "Lippy" and "Silver."

The bow today is May Art's Grosgrain with Satin Edged Ribbon, formed with a Bow Easy.

All supplies for today's design are available at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

If you haven't checked Sharon Johnson's CAS yet, be sure to take a look!

On a personal note:  Thanks to everyone at Splitcoaststampers--I was chosen as this week's Featured Stamper...what an honor! I appreciate everyone playing along, casing designs from my SCS gallery!

Thanks for stopping by during our halfway point...we will continue The 12 Days of a CAS Christmas--Stamp Simply Style tomorrow, day seven! Please join us again!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style-Wrinkled and Crushed

It's Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style, and today we're featuring both Wrinkled and Crushed ribbons from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

Today was a very busy and exciting day for me, so I went with some of my tried and true elements for this design:


...Monochromatic, Copic coloring, and typical "Deb" layout.

Today's decorator papers are Webster's Pages "Spring Market/Yacht Club/Country Estate."


I colored up LaBlanche's "Two Rabbits" silicone stamp, then framed it out with Spellbinder's "Postage Stamp" and "Classic Square" dies.

A May Art's Crushed Silk bow...tied with a Bow Easy... then accented with a wooden Bo Bunny "Welcome Home" button, adds the finishing touch.

Supplies for today's design are available at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.


This is a Mystery Blog Candy, meaning the winner will be drawn from comments on one of today’s participating blogs, so leaving a comment on each blog will greatly increase your chances of winning, but only one comment per blog, please. The winner will be selected at 6 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, October 25 and will be posted on Sharon's blog on Tuesday night or Wednesday, so please check back to claim your prize if you are the lucky winner! Good luck!



Here's the list of participants today:

Sharon Johnson - The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
Deb Saaranen (and you are here!)
Holly McMillen

Just a note: We will be continuing with day 6 of The 12 Days of a Clean and Simply Christmas-Stamp Simply Style on Monday! Please join us then!




Like I said, it was an exciting day! We had a special visitor arrive in  Dushanbe, and I must say that it was an honor to meet the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It was a quick trip for Secretary Clinton, and I'm certain she is already on her way to another destination.

Friday, October 21, 2011

The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas-Stamp Simple Style-Day Five

Welcome to The 12 Days of a CAS Christmas-Stamp Simply Style! Yes, we are on day 5...last day for this week. We will continue the 12 Days of CAS this upcoming Monday. But, be sure to come back tomorrow for our Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style Saturday...you won't want to miss it!

My CAS design for today is a simple gift tag. Warning, there are multiple layers, but it is still very easy to create.


Easy, as there is very little stamping...letting the decorator paper scene shine as the focal point. Webster's Pages "Botanical Christmas/Winter Fairy Tales" has multiple back to back prints/scenes, this tree being my favorite.

JustRite's "Christmas Mini Sentiments" is stamped directly onto the image panel with Versafine Black Onyx ink, then layered over cream cardstock and another of the Webster's Pages prints.



All supplies used today are from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

Be sure to check Sharon's CAS for today out:


On a personal note: if you have a chance to check out the Oct/Nov 2011 issue of Stamper's Sampler, you'll see that I have three cards published there! Just wanted to let you know!!! :)

Thanks for stopping by, and please come back for tomorrow's Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style!







Thursday, October 20, 2011

The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas-Stamp Simply Style-Day Four

We're back for day four of the 12 Days of a Clean and Simply Christmas-Stamp Simply Style!


My design for today features one of my favorite styles: vintage. Even though I wanted to do a vintage card, I still strove to keep it CAS. It truly can be done, once you have the correct supplies.

My Mind's Eye "Lost And Found Christmas" 6 X 6" decorator paper adds the muted, rich colors and wonderful prints leaning toward a vintage look. With this type coloration and print, you already have achieved a bit of time worn appeal. This pad is actually quite versatile, as Sharon used it on day three of the 12 Days of CAS, lending a more modern and elegant feel.



If you have followed my designs from the past, you will recognize this poinsettia blossom, Spellbinder's "Nested Poinsettia." This is one of my favorite ways to add a festive focal point to my Christmas designs. Easy, too, as you can cut all three layers of the poinsettia out of a 6 X 6" pad at once. Exciting news: Spellbinder has come out with a brand new "Layered Poinsettia"!

A punched snowflake and a Webster's Pages "Vintage Button Assortment" round out the poinsettia, while Melissa Frances cream "Lace Trim" borders the design.

Just a note: Sharon has gotten a passel of gorgeous buttons and embellishments...I'm drooling!...check them out here!

Quite often I design cards without a greeting on the front panel. This way, I can use the card in any manner for any event during the holiday. Just add your sentiment to the inside, and you're ready to go!

You can find the above named supplies at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

Be certain to check out Sharon's design for today as well:

Sharon Johnson- The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Thanks for stopping by, hope you can come back tomorrow for day five of a CAS Christmas-Stamp Simply Style!

Edited to add to answer Traci's question: there is dimensional tape between each of the poinsettia flower's three layers. The layers are die cut from the same decorator paper pad (Lost and Found Christmas) with the edges slightly bent up for dimension.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas-Stamp Simply Style-Day Three

Hello, and welcome to day three of 12 Days of Clean and Simple (CAS) Christmas...Stamp Simply Style! 

I must say it's been fun throwing together quick and easy cards, with nary a thought to as what I'm doing...LOL! Actually, with all of the gorgeous decorator paper and embellishments available, it really doesn't take a lot of thought to putting together a quick card that can thrill the recipient.

Enough of that...here's my design for today:




I began with a simple layout using Cosmo Cricket's "Mitten Weather" 6x6" decorator paper pad (on sale now for only $3.00 a pad!). You can view all of Cosmo Cricket papers here.


This pad has traditional Christmasy colors, as well as lavender tones, with some of the prints usable for all year round...such as this card here.


The highlight of this CAS design has to be the beautiful cream Prima "Wave" trim and Webster's Pages "Assorted Holiday Silhouette" cameo. You can purchase the Silhouettes in single styles or as the assorted pack.

A bit of ivory 1/4" May Arts Silk ribbon, JustRite "Mini Christmas Sentiment" and die from JustRite's "Happy Everything" Kit join in to finish this design.

All supplies used today are available at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

More CAS inspiration (and the winner for last Saturday's blog candy):

Sharon Johnson - The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
Deb Saaranen (you're here!)

Check back tomorrow for Day Four in The 12 Days of Clean and Simple Christmas-Stamp Simply Style!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas-Stamp Simply Style-Day Two


Day Two of the 12 Days of CAS...Stamp Simply Style! Well, how about no stamping at all? Here's a quick, five minute design using some of the fabulous new K and Company "Visions of Christmas" products.

What a pretty collection of holiday themed papers. It's joined by some gorgeous Grand Adhesion Stickers...I've chosen the "Visions of Christmas Christmas Tree" stickers, but there are other packs featuring angels and  beautifully decorated words.

Take a closeup look at the sticker I've used today. The glitter and gems are part of the sticker...


Isn't this scene simply charming?

My card is very mailable...and oh so easy like I mentioned before. It's an A2 size, layered with one of the double sided designer prints for the holly berries and red, plus the green border taken from a different sheet from the same pad.

All products today are available at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

Deb Saaranen (You're here, thanks for stopping!)

Please come back tomorrow to see Day 3 of the 12 Days of Clean and Simple Christmas Stamp Simply Style!

Monday, October 17, 2011

The 12 Days of Clean and Simple Christmas--Stamp Simply Style

Hi there! Sharon and The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store has an exciting 12 days of CAS inspiration planned, beginning today...

"Welcome to Day 1 of The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas - Stamp Simply Style. This ongoing series will feature cards that are CAS (clean and simple), making it quick and easy to recreate them or even mass produce them for the Christmas season. Likewise, our posts will be short and sweet as well -- nothing to bore you or take up a lot of time -- just sharing some ideas for CAS Christmas creations! Hope you'll join us for this 12 days series."

Well, I'm going to go for it in the next 12 days to see how much CAS I can come up with! Hmmm....it's definitely a challenge for me. My cards are usually pretty simple, but don't know how clean I can get them?!?



I began with regular cardstock...NO decorator paper for me today! In fact, white cardstock rarely makes an appearance in any of my typical designs! I do love, love, LOVE decorator paper though, and will be right back with it for tomorrow's design.



The stamp set that I've used for today is JustRite's new "Christmas Trimmings." I really fell for the wreath and swag when I first laid eyes upon it. I must admit that I would not mass produce any design that took a lot of time with coloring, but this went fairly quickly, with hardly any shading involved.

I stamped the images out with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, stamping the swag directly onto the white background panel. After coloring with my Copic Sketch markers, I die cut the wreath and cherry layer with Spellbinder Classic Circle dies (check with Sharon for availability).

A May Art's Wrinkled Ribbon bow adds the final touch to this CAS design.

Here's a link for the entire Christmas section over at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.



Check out the other gal's CAS designs:

Sharon Johnson - The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
Deb Saaranen (you're here!)
Michelle Woerner

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our new CAS designs! Thanks for stopping!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style-Silk

Welcome to today's Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style Silk! As indicated by the title, we're celebrating SILK Ribbon! One of my favorites--lush, soft, pliable silk!

We're also all playing along with the Hope You Can Cling To challenge over at Splitcoaststampers, a month long effort to increase breast cancer awareness and add cards to their card drive. There is a LOT going on -- daily challenges, prizes galore and a card drive. You can read about it here.


The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store is pleased to be a sponsor of the 2011 Hope You Can Cling To event. Please check it out, play along, donate some cards and in the process have an opportunity to win some of the fabulous prizes being offered.

I've made two different looking cards for today, both using Prima's "Melody" decorator paper pad and JustRite's Clear Stamp Set, "Be Strong." I am also posting both cards over at today's Splitcoaststampers Hope You Can Cling To challenge Think P-I-N-K.


I've used the sentiment, "Hope" from the JustRite set, along with some punched out butterflies studded with KaiserCraft rhinestones for my first design.

One of the prettiest additions to this design is the May Art's Silk Ribbon bow, fashioned with a Bow Easy. A narrow strip of 1/8" ribbon stands in as a border between prints.





My second design features the same JustRite clear "Be Strong" set and Prima "Melody" DP as mentioned earlier (you can see the entire Melody collection here). I've paper pieced the pink ribbon on the image panel, then die cut and layered it with Spellbinder Petite Oval dies (check with Sharon for availability). Sorry, no silk on this one!

Just a touch of bling, and this card is finished.

All supplies used today are from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.


Once again, this is a Mystery Blog Candy(pictured above), meaning the winner will be drawn from comments on one of today’s participating blogs, so leaving a comment on each blog will greatly increase your chances of winning, but only one comment per blog, please. The winner will be selected at 6 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, October 18 and will be posted on Sharon's blog on Tuesday night or Wednesday, so please check back to claim your prize if you are the lucky winner! Good luck!

Designers participating today:

Sharon JohnsonThe Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Michelle Woerner
Deb Saaranen (you're here--thanks for stopping by!)

NOTICE:  The Stamp Simply 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas is beginning on Sharon's Blog on Monday, 10/17.



Lots of info and links today...have fun checking them out! We really appreciate your stopping by and hope that we've inspired you!















Saturday, October 8, 2011

Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style--Pleats/Ruffles

features pleats and ruffles. You can find all sorts of beautiful pleated, ruffled...even jeweled...ribbon and trim accents at


I've chosen to use Prima's Valenciennes for my project today. The color that I've used is no longer available, but there are other colors available. I really love the added vintage bling on the Valencienne trim.






This image is by LaBlanche..."Foxglove." I stamped the image with Memento Rich Cocoa ink, then colored it with Copic markers. After coloring it, I framed it out by cutting a rectangle out of DP, then used a Spellbinder Rectangle die to pop out the center. You can just barely see the dimension on this photo, it presents quite nicely IRL. 

The decorator paper used today is Prima's "Botanical  Collection" 6 X 6" pad. The key embellishment is from Prima's "Vintage Trinkets-Locks and Key." A bit of May Art's 1/4" Ivory Silk "attaches" the key to the card.

All supplies used today (minue the Copic Markers) are from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.


AND:

This is a Mystery Blog Candy (pictured above), meaning the winner will be drawn from comments on one of today’s participating blogs, so leaving a comment on each blog will greatly increase your chances of winning, but only one comment per blog, please. The winner will be selected at 6 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, October 11 and will be posted here on Sharon's blog on Tuesday night or Wednesday, so please check back to claim your prize if you are the lucky winner!

Designers providing today's inspiration:


Deb Saaranen (you're here!)
Holly McMillen
Michelle Woerner

Thanks so much for joining us today, remember to check to see if you are the blog candy winner, and come back and see us next Saturday!




How about a blooper? Or what I would call a blooper anyhow...I fiddled with this card and was not happy with the way it looked in the photo...here's my first design, check it out.


I love this cameo from Bo Bunny's "Gabrielle Trinkets" but just was not happy with the final results. So, it was edited out...a day in the life!













Friday, October 7, 2011

LaBlanche Times Birthday

Here's fairly flat design that I put together last night for my Dad's birthday...trying to get a head start since it takes mail a couple of weeks to make it to addresses in the States.


Don'tcha just love when your parents keep your cards forever?
It makes me smile to think that this card will sit out
for MONTHS on their entertainment center!

I received LaBlanche's "Times" silicone stamp and Bo Bunny's "Timepiece Collection" from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store and was so pleased at the perfect match of vintage style.  It was so fun and easy to put this card together...I didn't have to think too hard...LOL! 


You can see the entire collection of LaBlanche Stamps at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store here, and items from the Bo Bunny Timepiece Collection here.

Since this is a "manly man" design for my Dad, I went with May Art's Burlap String for a bit of added interest.  

The sheet of cork and photo corners were pulled from my stash.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and remember to check back on Saturday for the Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style Hop!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Green Bazaar in Dushanbe


Hi! I just wanted to share some pictures from the Green Bazaar (outdoor market) near our home in Dushanbe. It is the largest market in the city, filled with all sorts of items for living...and with people!

Just a note...these photos are posted on Facebook, so you may have seen them...just wanted to give my non-Facebook user family and friends a chance to see some of our surroundings.


One of the entry points to the Green Bazaar.
It is extremely busy here, hard to cross the street with the traffic.






Some of the fresh and delicious bread, you can often find it still warm from the oven. It is called Lepyoshka. The Tajik people revere their bread, they do not throw it away or waste it.
It is "bad" to allow it to sit or be served upside down on the platter or plate.





This gal is cutting carrots to sell for the national dish, "Plov." It consists of rice, meat, and carrots. You cannot even see her knife as she is cutting very fast. I've often watched the ladies cutting and they are not even looking at what they're doing...this lady was a bit shy of the camera, so she looked down.




These are handmade brooms. There often is someone actually sitting and making them on site, but not today. These brooms are used to sweep the sidewalks, courtyards, parks, public areas, and homes. I have seen elderly women sweeping on the sides of the streets at 4 a.m.with these same brooms.







Handmade watering cans.







Mounds of spices...they're measured by the glasses sitting atop the piles.






Dried beans, lentils, grains, and rices.





Bakery of all sorts.





Closeup of the filled goodies. I think they're filled with chocolate, but not entirely sure. It also may be Nutella, which is popular here. There is no peanut butter here.






Vegetable vendors. The young man was especially friendly, and wanted me to take their pictures.






Marvelous fresh vegetables.
We soak all vegetables and fruits that are not peeled in a mild bleach solution before eating. 
The Green Bazaar is open everyday of the year, and they will be selling some types of foods,
even in the winter months.






Melons.





Pastas. The pasta seems to be quite a bit more starchy than what we have at home.
The cooked texture becomes quite soft.


Soaps and toilet paper, some of the necessities of life.








My husband Paul walking the market.


We shop for all of our fruits and vegetables at the Green Bazaar, and buy most of the rest of our groceries from small indoor markets nearby.

We have been told that food is a bit more difficult to get during the winter months, even though the markets are open, so we have been preparing by freezing fruits and fruit juice. We also have a shipment of groceries coming from the United States to supplement our food store.


Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek into our adventure!