The quickest card....EVER!

Hi all! Gosh, I haven't had a minute to stamp this week so... this one is an O2M, N2U (old to me, new to you!) card! A few weeks ago, I had to drop a little note in the mail to a neighbor, who is also a musician. I thought.. Hhhmmmm..... what can I do in a snap? I literally had 4 minutes to make a card to run it over before I had to be someplace else! So, I made a mini card!

See?

This baby is a 4 by 4" card. I had some musical paper, cut it to measure 3-7/8" square, edged it with a gold leaf pen, matted it on my 4" square card and then used my large oval punch from SU to cut my shape! My sentiment is actually a self inked stamper from Just Rite. Add a loopy brad with some black satin ribbon and.... DONE! The envelope is a 4-1/4" square that I got from Flourishes HERE. On the envie, I decked out one of the edges with the same self inked stamper. One side is the sentiment and the other is the musical notes. Gotta love that!

Well, I have to say - it actually took me longer to photograph it and write this post than it did to actually make my card! Just an easy peasy way to tell a neighbor-- I appreciate you! What's better than that?

Hope you are enjoying your week! I'll be back with more -- lots more-- before the week is done!



P.S. Are you a fan of Copic Markers? Flourishes has a fun announcement on the company blog about a program that's coming soon! Click HERE!

It's all Just Rite!

We're wrapping up the Just Rite candy trail with a bow and my day is the tail end of the trail! So, if you'd like to win the Just Rite Christmas Ensemble and Harmony Circle Stamper....



...all you need to do is leave a comment at the end of this post! Why don't you tell me your favorite Christmas or holiday tradition?

If you need some inspiration on how to use this set, I even have that too!

To make this 4-1/4" square card, I used my scalloped circle and circle nesties along with a Marvy Giga scalloped circle punch. I used the Christmas Glittered Paper (which is going on sale soon!). After embossing the Merry Christmas and adding some bling, I used one of the ornaments from the All that Glitters set for my centerpiece. Not a difficult card, but it sure is festive!

So, sign up for my candy and then hop on over to these other DT members to check out their goodies! Late Sunday, we'll have the winners' roundup over at the Flourishes Newsletter!

Faith
Susan
Cindy
Laura
Flourishes Newsletter
Latisha

That's it my friends! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

A Post That's Just Rite!

Hi all! I have news of some huge blog candy happenings first! As we get ready to kick off the holiday season, everything at Flourishes will be Just Rite! We want to make it easy for you to add to your wish list or buy for that special stamping buddy in your life! So, starting December 1st, everything Just Rite in the Flourishes store will be 25% off. In order to build some excitement, the Flourishes Design team will be showing you all the fun ways you can use these products and we will be giving away some goodies of our own!

First up is Faith who is giving away a bundle of Just Rite goodies. Click HERE to see her creation and sign up!

Then Susan is offering up not one, not two, not three, but FOUR bundles of Just Rite goodies for the taking! So click HERE to check it all out!

Stay tuned because there is more fun to come! I'll pass along the daily details here! You'll be able to check the Flourishes Newsletter HERE on November 30th when we announce all the winners!

Now to a card.... I made this for a friend who was a bit under the weather. I wanted her to know that I was thinking of her and wishing her well! She let me know today she got the card -- so it's safe to post! LOL!

I wanted to bring out some drama without a ton of stamping. So,the background is the Flourishes Damask backgrounder, the flowers are from Flourishes Spring Ephemerals set and the rest is just a tag with a Studio G sentiment, add a black satin ribbon, a splash of gold and some black rhinetones and you are pretty much done!

I did add the tag on with some gold cording... See? And, as you can see -- there's no such thing as too much bling! Not in my world! :-)Before I go, I want to thank my blogging friend Kim for giving me the Kreativ Blogger award. I (blush) was honored to get this award twice. Thanks Kim! You rock!!

Hope you are having a fabulous start to your week! I'll be back tomorrow!

I'm about to get schmoopy on you....

Watch out, it might get a little gushy. So, if you don't like warm and fuzzy, click away now! LOL!

This project was one I made for my hubby not too long ago. Every now and then he goes on a business trip for a few days and when he goes - I don't want him to forget lil ole me! So, I made this notebook. Before he leaves, I slip it in his briefcase and in it - a little note to let him know I'm thinkin' bout him! Nothing too sappy, just a little sweet something to say - you're missed!
It was really easy to make! I covered the front of a dollar store journal with this patterned paper from Crate Paper. The label is a sticker from Making Memories. The hearts were punched with a punch I got from Hero Arts. And, the text was made with my JustRite stamper in the Trompe Script. Add some hot fix nail heads to the label.... and the outside is pretty much done! You can see, I added some black scalloped edge ribbon to the inside so that he could open it up to the right page.

Here's a peek at the first page on the inside. I love this saying - it's from the Lace Heart set by Flourishes. I stamped the heart in the background from the set in Antique Linen. Then, stamped the saying over top in Versafine Black.

Well, that's it my friends. I am laying low for a bit-- I have been battling the worst cold for the past few days and I am whipped! I know I will be back Friday for Sharon's Stamp Simply challenge though! See you then!

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!

Cooking Up A Delicious Gift!

Hi all! I don't know about you, but when the holidays roll around, I always seem to search for those fun little hand made creations to show people how much I appreciate them in my life! People like my hair dresser, my kids' teachers, my nail lady, you know - those people you see regularly that just need that little pick me up!


So, when I saw the new JustRite Baking Ensemble - I thought -- I NEED THAT! IT'S PERFECT! I made homemade candy and fudge, so you can see why this set would be awesome! (Note: if you like this set and want to snatch it up like I did -- know that you also need the actual 2-5/16" wood stamper as well in order to stamp with it!)


I thought of the hot cocoa stamp for a little sleeve of the gourmet drink! Well, when I started thinking, I remembered a project I learned how to make years ago! This project has been around the block - so to speak - so if you've seen it before - you can fast forward. If you haven't, stay tuned, it really is a fun little project to make!

Start with a 5-1/2" by 10" piece of patterned paper, score it 4" in and 8" in so that you have two 4" panels and a 2" overhang. After you score and fold, punch a hole in the center of the two 4" panels like I did below.
Make a 2" strip of patterned paper and score the same way. I also edged by red patterned piece with a bit of gold leafing pen for a little extra something!
Now, take roughly 20" of ribbon and string one through the inside left of your sleeve.
String the other end through the inside hole on the right. This ribbon will help hold your packet of hot chocolate in place! Seal it up and adhere your decorative strip.Now it's time to focus on the little "hot chocolate label!"
If you look back at the stamp set, you might not realize, each stamp is actually a ring of words and then the inner image. They can be mixed and mingled to create dozens of options! I kept my ring exactly as shown! I stamped it red and then inked up the Gourmet Hot Chocolate part of the inner stamp with a green marker. I didn't ink up the cup yet! Instead, I inked the cup with Versamark ink and stamped it on a scrap piece of white card stock and embossed it with gold detail embossing powder. I colored the cup with two shades of green Copic markers. I colored the hot chocolate with two shades of brown and then added some Liquid Applique so my whipped cream would be all fluffy! While the Applique was still wet, I sprinkled on some prisma glitter and then heat set the Applique to puff it up!

From here, punch out the label with either a Marvy Mega Scalloped Circle punch or a Spellbinders Nestabilites Scalloped Circle die. I used a circle cutter to create both my green and red mats. Mat it all up, add some rhinestones where the little dots are on the stamped border and.... you're ready to slip your hot chocolate inside! Now, excuse my low fat Swiss Miss. Before I give this little number away, I'll go shopping for a bit of the good stuff!! ;-)

This is what it looks like with the hot chocolate in the sleeve….
And, this is what it looks like when you pull up on the ribbon! It just slides that hot cocoa right up!
Pretty slick, huh? This one is easy enough to mass produce – which makes it even better!

Being that this is the 15th, the You Know You Rock Challenge will soon be up and ready to roll! Be sure to check it out!

Before I go, I wanted to share the sweetest card I got in the mail Tuesday. When I saw the return address, I smiled because my bud Jacki has been someone I visit for well over a year now! If you head on over to the Card Castle and read up you can actually read the smile in her voice! She's just too endearing. Not to mention, her cards are out of this world! So, when I opened up the envelope and saw this beautiful card, MY smile grew even bigger! The note inside was just too sweet. So, thanks Ms. Jacki! I hope you feel a big hug coming your way! You are just too cool for words!
Well folks, this post is getting to be book length! I might as well call it a day! Until tomorrow!

Singing and Stamping with Becky!

Ok, first things first, you don't need me to tell you that Becky Oehlers is a rock star. She is! She is a rockin' stamper and she sings -- in real life! Yes... IRL! When I first started this thing called blogging, I would lurk over at her blog - Hemidemisemiquaver - and was always amazed at the crisp, clean and original cards she would come up with. When she first left a comment on my blog-- I thought 'Oh my! I was visited by a stampin' celebrity!' Yep. I actually said that! Ok, I'll stop. She'll read this and think I'm some kind of crazed stalker! It's really not that bad -- just admire the gal! ;-)

So, for this week's Stamp Simply challenge - it's all about Becky! You can read all the details on the challenge over at Miss Sharon's blog - the basics of ssnotime55 are - clean, crisp, classy! Becky has a knack for using ribbon to jazz cards up and one thing I love is the sharp geometric contrast she can deliver with a punch of color. Did you ever see the paper that she designs? It's called Demi Designs. They are digi downloads, FREE, and way cool! Check out her blog!

THIS was the card that inspired my creation. I love the geometric feel, the bright pop of color mixed in with the sharp black and white contrast. And this stamp was my starting point. I found it in - of all places- the dollar bin at Michaels. I thought it looked kind of like Becky!

So, here goes with my creation! I used Versamark ink to stamp this design all over the black cardstock and then embossed with white detail embossing powder. I also used the brand new Harmony Classic II ensemble from Just Rite to create my sentiment. I added some rhinestones, some red grosgrain ribbon and that's pretty much it! Simple, hopeflully clean, classy and crisp!

Before I get to the list of fun projects from the other Stamp Simply gals - you have to meet the Guest Designer for our team! Darlene Pavlick is joining us for October! So without further ado check out these ladies take on Miss Becky!

Darlene
Dee
Tammy
Janine
Jennifer
Becky (yes, she's casing herself!)

This one was a fun one! Hope you can make time for play time and join us!

Blessed are they...

I was sitting and thinking recently about some of the new things that just arrived in my mailbox from Just Rite. In the box was the new rectangular stamper -- you know-- the one where you can make your own sayings? I know I will use this a TON! So, what to put on my stamper? That's when a Bible verse came to me:


"Blessed are the peacemakers. They shall be called the children of God."
-Matthew 5:9


When you think of peace - what image comes to mind? A dove right? Well, what if I spelled this verse out and used some of the new bird images from Flourishes? HHhhhhhm. I might just have something there!

And so... I got to work!

I did have to shorten the saying a bit so that it would all fit. This is the Brayton font on one of the Just Rite rectangular stampers. It is a font that is naturally a bit "off" so stamping this was a breeze. These stampers are a dream. It makes you wonder, why didn't someone come up with a way for us to devise our own sentiments sooner??

To finish off the card, I stamped the bird from the Birds And Vine set with Versamark ink and embossed it with white. After matting it up,adding a sheer ribbon, some self stick pearls and a little punched leaf -- you're pretty much done!

Hope you are all enjoying your day! I'll be back tomorrow with a card set that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Until then.....

Sew Fun!

Hi all! Hope life is treating you all well! If you are wondering when I am going to draw a name for my blog candy.... I'll have a winner Saturday! So, if you want to be in the running but haven't left a comment on the post below... feel free! The clock is ticking!! :-)



Ok, I am at it again! This week marks week two of the Stampin' Champion Contest! All you need to do is making something, anything with any JustRite product! You can check out the contest by clicking HERE!

I've always wanted to take a simple sewing kit and alter it.... so I did! I saw this little box full of sewing needs at the dollar store and snatched it right up. It was my intention to alter it into something kind of manly and slip it into my hubby's overnight bag. He travels every now and then for business and you never really know when a button will pop without a wifey around!! :-)

Well, this one got away from me! I thought about sewing words that I could adorn it with using my Monogram Stamper! I actually used the classic wood stamper with the special occassions font with the small letters set. I love the mix of the print with the cursive style letters that I used for the word "sew" I stamped both individually and then used a 1-1/4" punch to cut out the word sew. I punched two little holes for my safety pin that was embellished with some brown gingham ribbon, layered it up with foam tape, matted this piece on a scalloped shape I cut with my scalloped circle Nestabilities. The rest is just covering the box with paper, adding a decorative edge with my Martha Stewart punch, sponge some ink on, add some self adhesive pearls and... done with the outside!

Here's a peek at the inside...

I used some coordinating card stock for the top inside of the box and then embellished it with some darling stamped images from Crafty Secrets called Sew Special!

I love the framed sentiment that looks like a label - "From My Hand to your Heart" That spool of thread is actually a two set stamp - you can stamp the spool and then ink up the thread and stamp over top in any color you like! Pretty cool huh?? Here's a look at all the sewing words. My ribbon is kind of covering two -- stitch and mend.
Well, I think this was a blast to create. Funny, my hubby thought it looked too girly. Maybe I'll have to do another one with a more manly theme afterall. Or, I could just tell him. Take it - your wife made it for you and you just might need it!!! What do you think about that!?! :-)

Hope you are having a great start to your week! Tomorrow is the start of school for us so we are off to go putt-putt golfing or bowling or something! Yesterday we saw - Fly Me To The Moon. Cute flick! The kids loved the whole 3-D factor!

So, until tomorrow - go take on the day!

Stamp Simply--- JustRite Style!

I made this for the JustRite Stampin' Champion Contest! I couldn't help it -- I've got the fever! All you need to do is make something, anything with any JustRite product and enter it in the gallery! Want to find out more? Click HERE!

I also kept in mind this week's Stamp Simply challenge, which is to use the same image on the background of your card as you do for the foreground of the card. So, since my focal point is the flower, I used the same stamp on part of my background as well! Just that simple! If you want to find out more on the challenge, take a trip to Sharon's place HERE!

I made the card by stamping the flower (Summer Blossoms - Flourishes) all over half of the base mat on my card using Rust Adirondack ink, then stamped my flower two times with the rust ink and one time with Momento Bamboo Leaves for the small stem piece at the base of the flower. I colored and cut out different sections of the flower so that I could layer it and make it 3-dimensional. The saying around my floral element was created using one of the Classic Round Wood Stampers (took the mount from my Damask Set) and the Small Letter Set for the Round Monogram Stamper by JustRite. I spelled out "Bloom Where You Are Planted" and made sure to leave some room for my stem to come up through the middle! The rest is just matting, adding ribbon and some self adhesive gold brads!

Here's a close up to show the flower and how I layered up the different parts! It actually reminds me of the paper tole that my mom used to do when I was just a little one! She cut out images she saved. I just cut out my stamped images!

Want to see what the other Stamp Simply gals did this week?
Check out:

Janine
Jennifer
Tammy
Dee
Becky

It's a JustRite Kind Of Day...

This is one of those ten minute cards that could make up a wonderful gift set! I made it for the JustRite Stampin' Champion Contest!

With Olympic fever hitting strong, the JustRite folks decided to urge stampers to 'go for the gold!' All you need to do is post a project using any JustRite product. You can enter as much as you like too! The contest runs for the next few weeks - you can click HERE to check it out!

For my card, I decided to use just one color of ink. I chose a periwinkle blue ink pad and just stamped my Flourishes Peony all over the the main mat on my card. Then came the monogram. I used the Damask border from the Monogram Stamper along with my initial and then topped it all off with some lucious sheer ribbon and some pretty light blue self adhesive pearls! The main section of the card was then mounted on a piece of pearl paper. The scallop mat for my monogram is also from a piece of pearl paper.

That's it! Hope you enjoy!

Monogram It!

Monograms are all the rage right now and I have to say, after playing with the new Monogram Stamper by JustRite over the weekend, this little stamping toy sure makes it easy! I made this grouping of cards for a friend and I love how it turned out! All of the paper came out of a Basic Grey's Scarlet's Letter 6 by 6 pad. This makes it VERY easy to color coordinate! I used the Monogram Stamper with the large alphabet and instead of using the border that came with the set, I used the Damask Border. I love this design! It's so classy and elegant! While each matted circle was created with the small circle and scalloped circle Nestabilities, and each has a black satin ribbon accent, each note card is a tad bit different. Can you see the envelopes? I masked off an edge and used both the Damask background from Flourishes and a border stamp in the Flourished Elements set, to give my envelopes a pop of black too!

This one is a black and white look with AB Crystals in the four corners of the border.

This one is primarily black and red with red rhinestones....

And the upper one here has amber rhinestones while the lower one has gold nail heads. See the red strip on the lower note card? That was done with the red distressed paper in the paper pad with the brand new Spring Ephemerals set just out by Flourishes LLC! I stamped it once in black and then stamped over it with gold. It was a cool effect! Too bad it is just along a strip of paper!
Do you want a chance to win a Monogram Stamper of your own???? Well, run, don't walk over to Leslie Miller's place. She's got some fantastic blog candy and I've been told, there won't be just one winner -- there will be FOUR!

Good luck & I'll be back tomorrow!

How Does Your Garden Grow???

I absolutely love this time of year when we can dig our hands in the dirt and watch the seeds turn to flowers. I think it's always fun to give the gift of flowers - even if they come in the form of a seed packet. It shows you care. I love receiving these things too because when I plant the seeds and watch them grow, my friend is never far from my thoughts!

So, I created this little number to put my seeds inside. It's a 4-1/4" by 9" strip of pink paper that has been scored 3-1/2" lengthwise. Your finished packed will measure the same size as a regular card - 4-1/4" by 5-1/2". I added a scalloped border and some black and white sheer polka dot ribbon.

Decking out the pocket was the fun part! I just got some new Flourishes stamps in the mail and thought they would be perfect for this project! That Siberian Iris is to die for! Click HERE to see the whole set! I even used the Damask Flourish backgrounder to create a kind of sparkly watermark effect. I stamped my Siberian Iris, masked it and then stamped the Damask background over it with Versamark ink so that it wouldn't cover the flower only be peeking out behind it as the backdrop. I then brushed on some Luminarte Iridescent Red Polished Pigments. This medium sticks to the Versamark and after you rub or burnish it with a soft cloth, you really don't need to seal it! It creates this beautiful shimmer.

I also got to play with another new toy on this project!! I recently got a Monogram Stamp by JustRite Stampers. I saw Sharon Johnson create this really cool stationary set and that's what did it for me! Click HERE to see her project! Who new you could mix and match all their fonts and borders? I didn't until I started to surf around. Very cool! I decided to spell the word "grow" because I thought, obviously, it would be perfect for this project.


Here's a close up of the Damask background with the Polished Pigments shimmer. I even used the Damask background on my monogram circle. I liked giving it a little something extra!
Hope you are having a fabulous weekend! I am going outside to play--- it's a gorgeous day here!
Take care,


You must be the change you wish to see in the world ~Mahatma Gandhi