Stamp Simply 43 -- Thank You!

Hi all! TGIF! Hope you have some fun weekend plans! Maybe you'd like to join Sharon for her weekly Stamp Simply challenge? This week, it's all about gratitude - thank you cards to be specific. How easy is that? Click HERE for all the details! Well, it sure was easy with this brand new Stamp Simply set just realeased this week from Flourishes called Thank You. Oh my! Each and every element is so elegant - from the beautiful tulips to the gorgeous script text - you need to check it out!

For my card - I used Versamark ink to create my background. On the dark green side, I used one of the flourish elements from the Flourished Elements set. On the other side, I used a text background stamp that is also a part of the stamp simply set! The tulip was colored up with ink pads - tea rose, olive and vintage green Vivid! After it was stamped, I used a damp aquaflow brush to spread the color out a bit over the flower and make it look more "painted." The saying, "With Gratitude" was stamped with Sepia Brown Versafine ink. Add a velvet pink ribbon and a ribbon slide and you can't get more simple than that for a Stamp Simply challenge!!

Here's a close up. I love this tulip image. It's so classic!

Need a little more inspiration before you get your fingers inky? Check out these gals from the Stamp Simply Team! Janine, Jennifer, Dee, Tammy, and Becky.

Hold on tight -- a lot coming your way!

We're on DAY 5 of a major celebration!! My bloggin' bud Sharon Johnson over at No Time To Stamp celebrated a huge milestone recently and now the festivities are underway to celebrate! She hit one million on her blog counter!!!! So, she invited her Stamp Simply design team along with some wonderful friends along to play! There will be candy and challenges and plenty of gift giving ideas ripe for the holiday pickings for 12 whole days!
Today's challenge is two-fold! Cat over at Cat’s Creations is offering up some blog candy... if you take part in her fabulous sketch challenge! And, it's Friday -- which means Sharon has her regular Stamp Simply challenge! So, guess what? I decided to combine both!

CAT'S CHALLENGE: It's a sketch--- and here it is! SHARON'S CHALLENGE: Make a Christmas card -- with a twist! You cannot use a traditional Christmas stamp or Traditional DP! You may use any stamp --- just NOT a Christmas stamp! You can use a Christmas Sentiment though! And, you can use any colors you like -- even Christmas colors! As always, click HERE for the official details of ssnotime64!!

So..... here's what I came up with! I used THIS set called Mardi Gras just for the crowns! I gold embosssed three and then cut them out and popped up the center one with foam tape -- add some rhinestones and self stick gold nail heads and you have three decked out crowns -- fit for a king! The sentiment is from the City of David set also from Flourishes and says- "Wise Men Still Seek Him." The top is glittered red paper (I kind of cheated on this because this is a Christmas paper but I didn't think it was a gimme-- you could use this for Valentines day too easily!! Shhhh! Don't tell Sharon! LOL!) The bottom of my card is plain green that was embossed with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. Mat it all up on some cut out images from my oval and scalloped oval Nestabilities, add some satin ribbon and some "bling" and you are done! Super duper easy!

Want to see what the Stamp Simply team did with this challenge?

Check out LeAnne Pugliese’s sample here.
Check out Jennifer Buck’s sample here.
Check out Janine Orchard’s sample here.
Check out Tammy Hershberger’s sample here.
Check out AJ Otto’s sample here.
Check out Becky Oehlers‘ sample here.
Check out Dee Jackson’s sample here.

For more inspiration on Cat's challenge, check out these fabulous friends of Stamp Simply!

Darlene
Heather
Leslie
Susan

Remember! If you want to try your hand at a challenge, you can upload projects and link to your blog in a comment or you can upload to Splitcoast using the key word SSC08! If you do Sharon's challenge - be sure to add the ssnotime64 key word as well!

Barb Schram - Explore. Dream. Discover. - Barb has an offering of BLOG CANDY today!


And, if you do the sketch by Cathy Tidwell at Cat’s Creations - you can sign up for her blog candy!


And, if you want to stay up to speed on different daily challenges and blog candy giveaways, click HERE to travel to "Party Central!" That's where you'll find a daily rundown of all the Stamp Simply Celebrates happenings!

That's it for today folks! See ya back here tomorrow!

Stamp Simply - Two Steppin' All The Way!

Ok folks! It's time to put on your dancin' shoes and do a little two step! This week for Stamp Simply - we are all going to be Dancin' with Dee and her wonderful, inspiring two-step creations. Dee is a lover of Kitchen Sink Stamps and, if you know KSS, you know they are famous for their multi-step stamps. So kick up your heals and let's get dancin'! Click HERE to visit Sharon's place to find out all the official details!

As I looked through my stamps, I didn't think I had any two-step stamps until I stumbled upon THIS set from Impression Obsession! I love that dandelion and forgot I even had it! THIS card from Dee inspired me to take it out. Now, this card from Dee isn't a two stepper,but I loved it! Love the silhouette, loved the oval tag with the sentiment. It's one of those cards that is just easy on the eyes!! So, I did my take on this card!!


I chose to mix up the colors a bit. I wanted something crisp - like her card - but more on the cool side colorwise. So, I stamped my blue centers first and then went over top of them with the outline stamp. The blue is actually an old CTMH color,the light grey is called, I believe, Stone Grey and is a Versafine ink pad. Add a tag (Sizzix) embellished with a circle and greeting Add a sheer blue ribbon and you're almost done! I used the ticket corner punch and added some blue rhinestones for a little pop.

If you look closely here, you see the flowers have a bit of sparkle. I did add some Shimmerz in the color Angel Wings to give it a little pizazz! I also painted this shimmer on the edge of my blue paper. It looks really sparkly and soft which is perfect for a dandelion!

You might think that the Stamp Simply challenge is all that is going on over at Sharon Johnson's place this week. Well.... think again! It is her one year blog anniversary, so the Stamp Simply Design Crew is helping her throw one heck of a party! Look for games, tons of giveaways (about a dozen), challenges and contests!!! Stay tuned HERE for more!

Meantime, go check out with some of the other Stamp Simply gals did for this week's Dancin' With Dee challenge!! We even have some guest players who are just too talented for words!!

Janine

Jennifer

Dee

Tammy

Becky

Joan

Jerri Kay

Before I go, I have to share some wonderful cards that ended up in my mail box this week!

The first one is from my mom.. the Rubbermaid... I told her I admired the simplicity of this card. So, she mailed it to me. All it is - is an elegant saying, some beautiful stickers, ribbon and decorative paper. I love how bright it is! It's a card that makes you smile! This second card comes from one sweet lady who spends most of her fall out in the fields, farming with her hubby. She took time to make this card and send me some nice thoughts! Thanks Michaelle! See, I told you getting in your stamp room would be good for the soul! She works pretty darn hard!!
Well folks -- TGIF! Hope you can boot scoot and do a little two steppin' with us!! :-)

p.s. I mentioned that I used Shimmerz on my Dancin' With Dee card -- want to win some? Click HERE to find out how!!

Stamp Simply --- Truly Thankful!

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to the very first Stamp Simply challenge of 2009! This one --- Stamp Simply 68 or ssnotime68 on SCS is all about being thankful for our blessings in the new year! If you are anything like me you have a million thank you cards to send out! So, today's challenge courtesy Sharon Johnson is all about making a Thank You card! That’s it — no other rules!!!

So, I had this sketch idea on my head and -- from start to finish, my card took less than a half hour. That is always a plus when it clicks! I used paper from Paper Crate and stamped the background stamp from Flourishes Stamp Simply Thank You set on my brown piece using Burnt Umber Palette ink. I outlined the brown piece with some gold leaf pen and then stamped the tulip in the set on watercolor paper. Use some markers and a water brush to paint it up, mat it onto some green decorative paper, add a ivory satin ribbon and some gold pearl style gems, add the sentiment in the lower corner and bam... done!

Here's a close up of the flower. I just did a real light watercolor style wash on it.

Before I go... I want to make sure to tell you to visit the rest of the Stamp Simply team! We have a new face on board too! January's Guest Designer is Deb Saaranen who's blog is Dream in Color. She is an amazing artist so it will be great to see what she cooks up each week! You can also check out Janine, Jennifer, Tammy, Dee, Becky, and AJ.

Hope you can make time for some play time!

p.s. The ever so talented Melanie Muenchinger is celebrating a year of blogging and stamp designing over at her blog "Hands, Head and Heart" and I'm hored to be a part of her anniversary celebration! Click HERE to check out cards she's sharing from all her sets released through Gina K. Designs and tune back in here Sunday when I'll have a card using one of my favorite Mel sets! Oh, did I mention prizes will be up for grabs? With great sponsors like Gina K? My Favorite Things? Scor-Pal? Paper Temptress? Even Mel herself? So head on over and check it out!

Stamp Simply--- no pictures!

Hi all! Time for another fabulous Stamp Simply challenge! Only, this one isn't from the fabulous Sharon Johnson--- we have a guest hostess this time! Heather Telford won a chance at writing up the latest Stamp Simply challenge when we celebrated the 1 year anniversary of Stamp Simply! So.... here goes! For ssnotime57 you have to design a card without using ANY image stamps -- that means no flowers, no butterflies, no snowflakes, no cute people, no nothing! The only stamps you can use are sentiment or background stamps. Feel free to use designer paper and other accessories but leave the picture stamps on the shelf! For more deets, check out Sharon's place!

My card is heavy on the pearl! I used pearl paper for my flourish (Quick Kutz Revolution die), my scalloped circle (SU punch), and then, I used my Damask background stamp, stamped it with Versamark and covered it with Pure Mica Luster Pearl powder. Add the sentiment which is from the JustRite Wedding Ensemble. Can you see that fab shimmer? Add some pearls, ivory satin ribbon, pearl paper punched with my Stampin' Up scalloped edge punch and wham, bam.... you're done! It looks like a complicated card, but it really was a quick card! I actually said to my hubby - tell me what you think of this card without really looking too close at it because I actually made it for you but I didn't want to tell you! HA! Yep, I am "that way!" LOL!

Want to see what the other gals with the Stamp Simply team cooked up?

Check out Heather Telford’s sample here.
Check out Darlene Pavlick’s sample here.
Check out Dee Jackson’s sample here
Check out Jennifer Buck’s sample here.
Check out Janine Orchard’s sample here.
Check out Tammy Hershberger’s sample here.
Check out Becky Oehlers’ sample here.

Hope you make time to play this week! We love to see your take on these challenges!

TGIF!

Stamp Simply - 2 challenges in 1!

Hi all! Well, last week I couldn't play along with the Stamp Simply gals (insert sad face here)! To make up for lost time, I decided to combine last week's with this week's challenge! The challenge last week was to use a monogram and this week --- black ink only! No colors!

So, here you have it! A monogram for Stamp Simply 74 and a little black in for Stamp Simply 75!

I used Basic Grey Urban Prairie papers for this one! It's my new favorite paper! The ink I used was Versafine Black Onyx with, of course, my monogram stamper! I used the Brayton alphabet set with my 1-5/8" wooden stamper. The "frame" was done with one of the borders from the Special Occassions set. Use a circle punch to trim it up, mat it on a larger circle that has been punched out and then add some ribbon and bling! Done! Super duper easy card! Ten minutes tops!

Want to see what other fun the Stamp Simply gals cooked up??? First check out the lovely Sharon Johnson HERE to see her fab work and get the official details and then, visit these fine ladies on their place on the web!

Heather, Dee, Tammy, Janine, AJ, Jennifer and Becky.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a fabulous weekend!


p.s. Amy S. - you left a comment asking me to email you -- I don't have an email for you, so feel free to shoot me an email if you like! juliekoerber@bresnan.net. Thanks! ;-)

A Friday Two-fer!

Hi all! TGIF! With Fridays comes two very fun stamping "events!" First, we have the Friday Stamp Simply challenge and this one allows you to "bring on the heat" or "make an impression!" It's all about embossing - heat or dry!

Then, we have the Flourishes Pre-release challenge! This one is all about "getting sentimental!" All you need to do is make a sentiment the center of your creation! If you play -- you could win all three of the new Flourishes releases for March!

So... let's see what I cooked up! I actually have two creations for you! First things first, for Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply challenge, I chose to try my hand at using an embossing folder in a different way! I used the Textile Texture Cuttlebug Embossing folder and then, after I finished embossing, I used my finger and some metallic rub-ons by Craf-T-products. I bought mine forever ago and a stamp show, but I know Gina K. Designs sells them HERE. I just used a really light hand (actually a light finger) with the copper rub on over all the embossed areas -- even the embossed areas on my die cut "frame" from using my curved rectangles Spellbinders die! It just created such a rich look!

The rest is simple, cut a smaller mat out of white using the curved rectangles, add a satin ribbon with an elegant ribbon slide, some self stick pearls in copper and BAM! Done!

Want to see what the other Stamp Simply gals cooked up? Check out,

Dee
Tammy
Janine
AJ
Jennifer
Becky

and be sure to stop by our new Stamp Simply guest designer Barb Schram! She's joining us for March! You will be impressed with all the fun she delivers! Welcome Barb!

Ok... moving on to creation number two! This week, the Flourishes DT is ushering a challenge of its own! All you need to do is make a quote or sentiment the focal point of your card! That's it! Upload to SCS using the keyword FLLCMAR and you'll be entered into a drawing to win all three new releases from Flourishes that will be unveiled next week starting on Wednesday!

So, wanna see my card? I simply picked out some dp in red and red polka dot and then stamped my poppies from Poppy Patch all over one of the pieces using Brick Vivid! ink. Mat it up, add a sheer black polka dot ribbon, add some Kaiser black bling and you're almost done! The finishing touch was to stamp one of the poppies behind my sentiment - also in brick ink. The sentiment, also from the poppy set was stamped using Versafine Black Onyx. Done!

Here's a close up of the sentiment!

If you want to make a "sentimental" card for the challenge, check out the Flourishes Newsletter HERE for the official details. You can also visit these talented ladies sites for even MORE inspiration!

Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Faith Hofrichter
Latisha Yoast
Laura Fredrickson
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan

Thanks for stopping by y'all! One more quick note! Don't forget about the Impression Obsession sale! It's all going on at the Impression Obsession Webstore this weekend! The company's owner, Mitra, is lowering the free shipping threshold from $100 to $30. So, if there are stamps you've been waiting to buy-- there's no time like the present! All the new CHA stamps have been loaded to the store! This special promotion will run from 8:00 am (EST) Friday, March 6 through midnight on Sunday, March 8. So.... it's a quick sale! To see all the NEW images... click HERE for the rubber stamps, and HERE for the clear images!

Whew! That was a lot to throw at you! Hope you had fun looking! See you back here this weekend!

Stamp Simply -- Bleeding Hearts!

Hi all and TGIF!! Time for another Stamp Simply Challenge! Today is kind of fun for me because this is my 2 year anniversary with the Stamp Simply team -- where does the time go? I don't have a clue, but I know it's been a fun ride!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner and fun little projects needing to be made, today's theme was selected with Valentines in mind -- the challenge is Bleeding Hearts! Keep in mind, your project doesn't need to be a Valentine! You just need to have a heart and the color red in your project! The keyword is ssnotime124.

Because this is all about stamping simply - I only have one stamp on my card!

For my creation, I did a little stitching around my decorative paper panel, added a punched edge, a fun sentiment (Impression Obsession) and some grosgrain ribbon. The cupcake is actually a sticker I found at Target! It's from Jolee's Boutique and there were 6 dimensional stickers in one pack. Love the glitter on these -- just too cute! I wanted something easy peasy because right now my mom has her Valentine Card Drive underway for the kiddos at the Children's Hospital of Michigan. She collects handmade cards so that the kids recieving treatment/care there have fun cards to share and exchange! You can read up more HERE! Or, you can email me at juliekoerber@bresnan.net if you want my mom's address to send some love her way! ;-)

The fun thing about the creation above was -- it was easy to mass produce! Here's a peek at all my Valentines that will soon make the trek to Michigan! Easy peasy! Hope you make time to play! All you need to do is click on Sharon's name below and you can read the official rules for the challenge. When you're done, just link up using Mr. Linky so we can check out your fabulous creations!

Want to see what the other Stamp Simply gals created this week for the Bleeding Heart challenge? Just stop by and give some love to.....

Sharon
Janine
Jennifer
AJ
Tammy
Deb
Barbara
Jenny
Barb

Thanks for stopping by! See you back here soon!

Stamp Simply 35!!

Hey all! Friday's pretty much here and that means---Stamp Simply Time! First things first - did you hear the fab news about our own Ms. Sharon Johnson? She's now the part owner of a stamp company! She's a "Flourish!" AND.... in a matter of time (June), she'll have her own Stamp Simply line! How incredibly cool is that? So, to say congrats - why not take part in this week's SUPER easy challenge! All you need to do is create a trio of panels --they can be anywhere on your card - in a line - staggered - diagonal - whatever way your little heart desires! If you upload to Splitcoast - the key word is ssnotime35. Click HERE for Sharon's place and all the details!


I used my new Siberian Iris stamp from Flourishes. Isn't this so pretty? I just love irises so I was a sucker for this stamp! I stamped it three times and embossed it with black detail embossing powder. I used embossing powder because I wanted to paint my flowers and, I don't know about you, but when I paint, I tend to bleed over the lines and it always dulls the black ink so that it just isn't as crisp looking. Embossing prevents that so that the paint sits on the paper better. I painted the image with my Twinkling H20s. LOVE these paints! If you wet your watercolor paper first ( I use Strathmore 140# cold press), the colors just bleed together to blend perfectly. The paints I used were Key Lime and Green Tea for my leaves and Cherry Sorbet and Pink Azalea for my flowers.

Here's a close up! I so wish that you could see the beautiful shimmer. It is just such a pretty paint!

The rest -- is pretty self explanatory. I cut my trio of boxes making sure to cut different parts of the flower out for each "frame." I matted it on a piece of black paper that was 1/8" bigger all the way around and then matted my trio onto a piece of green pearl paper. The saying is also a part of the Siberian Iris set. Add a loopy brad and some sheer green polka dot ribbon, mount it onto a pink card front and you are done!! See how easy this challenge is? What are you waiting for?? :-)

Need a little more inspiration? Check out what the other ladies on the Stamp Simply Team did!

Dee
Tammy
Jennifer
Janine
Becky

I hope you all have exciting weekends in store! I know I will be busy stamping the weekend away!!! Mark your calendars!! Monday night is the preview party for Gina K Designs on Splitcoast. And, all I can say is WOW! Some really, really fun stuff! So, check back for a preview--- or two! :-)


You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."~ Kahlil Gibran

Just Tab It...Stamp Simply Style

Hi all and TGIF! It's time for another Stamp Simply challenge! This one you could say... is a recipe card with a twist! Think of flipping through a recipe box filled with cards -- the tabs/dividers come to mind instantly. That's where we are headed with this one! It doesn't have to be a recipe... in fact, all it needs is a tabbed element on it to give you that impression of a traditional recipe card in a box.

Well, when I started creating, I realized my tab is on my card... not really hanging off -- so I think this is my own spin on the challenge! :-)

This card is super duper easy peasy.... it's stamped simply because there is only one stamped image on it and that's the sentiment! I used some Crafty Secrets Cotton Scraps, did a little stitching, matted it up on some Basic Grey paper, added a tab, a button threaded with some fun Burlap String and then stamped my sentiment (From the Garden - Flourishes) using Denim Adirondack ink. The base of the card is actually an unusual size. It was cut to fit in one of those banker's envelopes. You can see I did try to add some pizazz to my base layer. I used a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder and ran my decorative paper through and then lightly sanded it to really reveal my embossed design! I really love the look!

And that, my friend, is it! Hope you make time for play time! When you create your cards, don't forget to link up to the challenge post on Sharon's Stamp Simply post using Mr. Linky! Don't forget to hop on over and see what the other Stamp Simply gals cooked up!

Deb --- our Guest Designer for February!
Sharon
Janine
Jennifer
AJ
Tammy
Barbara
Jenny
Barb
Deb

Thanks for stopping by! See you back here soon!

Stamp Simply-- All Buttoned Up!

Hi all! TGIF! Today's Stamp Simply challenge hosted by the fabulous Sharon Johnson is about being cozy and all buttoned up for winter! It's funny because as I type this, we are just finishing up a 75 degree day. Hard to think about winter! Well, now is the time to do it! To get ready and button up! The challenge - to make a fall card and incorporate a button on it somehow! Oh, and keep it simple! You can check out the official details at Sharon's blog HERE.

With All Hallows Eve here.... I thought it might be fun to do a Halloween theme card. I had the perfect ingredients! My friend Viv recently gave me these darling Crafty Secrets Cotton Scraps and -- they just make up such cute and simple cards! Perfect for a Stamp Simply challenge!

All I did was mat it up on some fun Halloween paper, add some stitching and a fun epoxy button with some Halloween gingham ribbon! I'd say this is Stamped Simply -- but there's no stamping on it!

Want to see what the other Stamp Simply gals cooked up?

Check out Darlene Pavlick’s sample here.
Check out Dee Jackson’s sample here.
Check out Jennifer Buck’s sample here.
Check out Janine Orchard’s sample here.
Check out Tammy Hershberger’s sample here.
Check out Becky Oehlers’ sample here.

Before I go, wish me luck, tonight Cal - my 11 year old- is having all his friends over for a Halloween party. Oh my! Can I handle ten 11 and 12 year olds? On sugar? Really? EEK!

I do have a fun photo to share. My friend Lovely came over yesterday and took some fun pics of Ellie. She is so stinkin' creative! She had this idea that Ellie should have a broom and jump so that she could get a shot of her "flying!" OH MY GOSH! It was so funny, but I have to tell you-- pretty cool results! Check it out! Hope you have a frightfully fun Friday and Halloween! I'll be back tomorrow with some fun Shimmerzy news! You won't want to miss it!

Stamp Simply Celebrates-- Day 2!

Hi all! Hope you are having a great start to your week! I have a quick card to show today before I get to all the happenings with the Stamp Simply Celebrates party! So.... here goes! When I saw this snowman paper, I just knew I had to make a card and make him center stage! So, away I went! I whipped out my sewing machine for a little zig here, a little zag there! I cut out a tag with my Spellbinders ribbon slide tag die and added some antique linen distress ink around the edges. The saying is from a Cornish Heritage Farms set called Joyeaux Noel and was stamped in Stonewashed Adirondack ink. Add some satin ribbon and a pearl, mat it up and you're almost done! It's hard to tell, but I added Candlelight Shimmerz to all of the snowmen to add some razzle dazzle!

Here's a close up! Can you kind of see it??? In real life, it's really super duper sparkly!!

All in all, an easy card that I think is just cute! It's kind of a heart warmer if you ask me!! :-)

Now.... to the party!!!!

We're on DAY 2 of a major celebration!! My bloggin' bud Sharon Johnson over at No Time To Stamp celebrated a huge milestone recently and now the festivities are underway to celebrate! She hit one million on her blog counter!!!! So, she invited her Stamp Simply design team along with some wonderful friends along to play! There will be candy and challenges and plenty of gift giving ideas ripe for the holiday pickings for 12 whole days! Today's challenge is over at Becky Oehlers' Place - Hemidemisemiquaver Design! The goal is to create an unique packaging idea that is perfect for the holiday gift giving season! She's got a crew of sample makers all aiming to please! So get ready to be "WOW"ed!

The second challenge is with Darlene Pavlick at Dar’s Crafty Creations! If saving postage is of interest to you — be sure to check it all out over at Dar’s today. There are some talented sample makers who have helped Dar out by providing some extra inspiration -- so check out the links!

Remember! If you want to try your hand at a challenge, you can upload projects and link to your blog in a comment or you can upload to Splitcoast using the key word SSC08!

Sharon Johnson - No Time To Stamp? - has a piece of candy up for grabs — be sure to stop in and see if you can Scor-It!!!

Becky also has some candy offerings at Hemidemisemiquaver Design - So stop by and check it out!

That's it my friends! I'll be back tomorrow with more Stamp Simply Fun!! Tomorrow, I'm playing along and will hopefully have some inspiration for those last minute Christmas card makers!!!

Until then!

Stamp Simply--- Fun Folds!

Hi all! It's Friday, which means it's time for a Stamp Simply Challenge! And, this one is extra fun because I used one of the new Flourishes stamp sets for it! Kind of two for one fun!

Sharon's Stamp Simply Challenge was to use a fun fold. Click HERE to visit Sharon's place for all the official details! The card could be anything except your regular old 4-1/4 by 5-1/2" A2 card. It could be standard card size but it had to have some sort of different fold! I thought and thought and decided - If I layer up some paper to create a card without it being standard - that might work! So.... here's a first look!

You might think that looks pretty standard but.... look again! The back of the card is a 5-1/2" by 4-1/4" piece. THEN, the card is created by wrapping a 3" by 8-1/2" piece around it scoring it at the 4-1/4" mark.

This is it from the inside! Ok, getting to the stamps! I used my Spellbinders Labels Two Nesties to create the centerpiece on the front of my card. Stamp the plate and silverware from the You Are Invited Set (brand new set from Flourishes!) in Versafine Black Onyx and cut out. Mat on a 2-1/4" square of Metallic Gold Card Stock. Weave through some black satin ribbon and add some gold self stick nail heads.

The inside was done by stamping the three glasses in a row using Lightning Black Brilliance ink. I also used this ink for the Damask pattern on the front of my card. The shimmer matches the Stardream paper PERFECTLY! It rocks! The saying, "You Are Invited" was stamped at the top using Black Onyx Versafine ink. Here's a closeup of the flourished silverware. So classy looking.... don't you think? Me thinks so!
And, here's a close up of the classy little glasses! They are perfect for this time of year! Love the idea of using them for a dinner party invite!

So, that's it my friends! Be sure to check out what the Stamp Simply gals cooked up this week!

Check out Sharon Johnson's sample here.

Check out Cathy Tidwell’s sample here.
Check out Jennifer Buck’s sample here.
Check out Janine Orchard’s sample here.
Check out Tammy Hershberger’s sample here.
Check out AJ Otto’s sample here.
Becky Oehlers has visitors this week — have fun, Becky!
Dee Jackson is taking a much need break — get some rest, Dee!

And.... if you want to see more talent in action, visit these ladies on the Flourishes DT and Blog Team! They have quite the samples for the last day of our release week blitz!

Cindy Lawrence -- she has fabulous blog candy too!

Faith Hofrichter

Latisha Yoast

Laura Fredrickson

Linda Duke

Susan Roberts
Cindy Haffner

Becca Feeken

And... check out the Flourishes Newsletter for more great samples!

As always, if something I design inspires you when you hit the Flourishes store, remember to use the promotional code juliek! There's even a huge sale - you can get 10% off all three sets when you buy the new release bundle! You can click HERE to see all the other goodies that are on sale too! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Edited to Add: My mom has blog candy up for grabs in honor of her Blogoversary! Go send her some LOVE and sign up for her fun goodies!!! Click HERE.

p.s. I might be down for the count for the next few days... my kiddos took me and hubby to family skate night tonight and, I mean to tell you, I am walking like an 80-year-old after skating for two hours! Call me crazy but I want to go back for more! It was a blast! :-) It was Ellie's (my five year old) first time skating and I wish you could have seen the look of determination on her face! She was bound and determined to get this skating thing down!! Hilarious!

Stamp Simply.... Let it SNOW!!

Hi all! TGIF!!! It's time for another Stamp Simply Challenge (ssnotime118) and this one is hoping to give you all... a white Christmas! All you need to do is incorporate some snowy element into your creation! Use anything that says snow - winter, ice, snowflakes - whatever your little wintery heart desires! And, while you're at it - try to make it a "clean and simple" a.k.a. CAS design!

So... here's what I have!

I have to admit, this is -- kind of-- a "repurposed" card. The main image was a part of a card that I made in a SU class that I took with my friend Sheila. Well, I got home and realized all of my layers were crooked! Don't you hate that? I swear, I need glasses! I loved the main image - cute, clean and mod! So, I ripped that off my card front and redesigned! Add some dp, a mat, some stitching, some sheer ribbon and a 1" circle punch for your "Warm Wishes" message (Hero Arts) I wish I knew the SU stamp set! I can't recall! But - basically, I stamped the tree four times - one on the base, and then one on a small, medium and large circle punch and layered it up using foam tape. I cut a shwoopy do for my snowy ground, add some sparkly "snow" and that's pretty much it!

Now, please humor me and stick with me for this next part of the post. I was making my card and my hubby comes in and says -- "What cha doin'?" Well, I tell him that the Stamp Simply challenge is snow -- anything snow. He says, 'Oh, that would be easy'. I raise my eyebrow (yes, only one) and say, 'Really... Come on. Seriously?' He's got this goofy smile on his face and I say, "Ok, have at it. You do the challenge this week too." Well, my friends, this is hubby's attempt.

It's a snowman in a snow storm. Yep -- I thought most of us left that joke back in 1st grade. Not hubby! I think he's still laughing. Ahhhhh..... well, at least he pays attention to my stamping addiction! Could be worse! ;-)

Thanks for stopping by!! Be sure to check out the rest of the Stamp Simply gals.....

Sharon
Michelle Woerner -- our guest designer for December!
Janine
Jennifer
AJ
Tammy
Deb
Barbara
Jenny
Barb

If you play, don't forget to link up your creation to Mr. Linky over on Sharon's blog HERE!

Have a fabulous weekend! See you back here soon!