SSNOTIME #169 - Quick and Easy Gift Sets

Hi everyone!  Most of you are familiar with Sharon's weekly Stamp Simply challenge?  Well, last week she announced some changes to her weekly challenge and now us gals on the DT for her store will be playing in the challenges! 

This week the challenge is to make Quick and Easy Card Gift Sets!

Who doesn't love to receive a gift set of cards all neatly packaged up?  The team was challenged show you samples of some quick, easy, but still FAB cards in coordinated sets presented in a Clear Box for a real WOW factor!  Tie on a bow, add a belly band -- whatever strikes your fancy! 

I started out by making a quick and easy Christmas card and then used THE SAME layout to make a trio of birthday cards.  You know as stampers, we like to make all kinds of cool "go where life takes you" kind of cards, but let's face it, when friends and family ask for cards -they are always BIRTHDAY!  Aren't they?!? 

Here is the Christmas card.  The cutie Christmas paper is by KaiserCraft, Be Merry, sentiment from JustRite Stampers, Christmas Nested Frames, silver cord and rhinestones and a poinsettia prima to top it off!

Each of the birthday cards uses the same layout, I just changed the flower accent and pattern paper.  The birthday sentiment is from Clearly Wordsworth, Everyday Greetings.  This card uses Basic Grey, Curio, Prima Fairytale rose in Coral, 1/8" silk ribbon and rhinestones.

This one uses Basic Grey, Marjolaine, Prima Trellis Rose in Fontaine, silver cord and rhinestones.

This one uses Cosmo Cricket, DeLovely, Prima Trellis Rose in Fontaine, silver cord and rhinestones.

Here is the pic of them all packaged in a clear box!  You can dress these up as elaborate or simple as you want.  If sending to a crafter, I use all kinds of ribbons and flowers, but to a non-crafter (where the packaging will likely end up in the trash) I go with some simple silver elastic cord.  The poinsettia flower matches the Christmas card.

I have to admit, the prima flowers I used on these cards are REALLY poofy!  Here is a side view of them stuffed in the box.  It bulges a bit, but who cares?  lol!

Everyone is welcome and invited to play along!  For those uploading on SCS, the keyword is ssnotime169.  There is no time limit. You can play this challenge anytime at all.  The point is to keep it simple, quick and have fun!!!  And when posting to your blog, be sure to link up to Mr. Linky at the end of this post. Please link the direct post, not your blog URL, so we can easily find your project!

This week Deb and Barb are also playing along this week.  Be sure to check out their blogs to see what gift set they created!!

Deb Saaranen:  Dream in Color 

Barb Schram:  Explore.  Dream.  Discover (will post on Saturday)

All items in bold/italic are available from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

To order just email Sharon at ssj@up.net with your list and your state/zip OR country so she can calculate postage and she will get back to you with an invoice. 
You can see all KITS here.
You can view all ribbons available here.
You can view individual paper pads, supplies and JustRite stamps here.
You can view the Just Rite Cling stamps in stock here.  This link also includes some super sell-out prices of many JustRite sizes she will no longer restock.
You can view all tools used here.
You can view Odds-N-Ends for sale here.
You can see/read about the CLEAR BOXES here and here.
You can view Verve stamps here.
You can view Wordsworth stamps here.
You can view Primas here.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

I have added this set of 3 birthday cards to my Etsy store if anyone is interested.

Stamp Simply -Mid Winter pick me up

Hi everyone, it time for another Stamp Simply challenge and Spring has sprung! LOL, NO not really, but this week Sharon has challenged everyone to create a project with a floral and springtime colors! You know, kind of a visual break from all the cold.

My card uses some yummy new Melissa Frances pattern paper I just received. I also am experimenting with some more chipboard. This time I inked it up with white craft and when it wouldn't dry (even with the heat gun) I dipped it in white EP and embossed it! LOL! I sponged the edges, added some Kaiser pearls, and tied some of the luscious white 1/4" silk ribbon from Sharon's Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

The sentiment panel uses Verve's Wishful Elegance set. I am in desparate need of Birthday cards -so heads up! It's hard to see in the pic, but I stamped the "sunflower-y" blooms randomly in light yellow ink.

Everyone is welcome to play along!! Sharon has Mr. Linky on the challenge post, so be sure to link up your card. And, be sure to use keyword SSNOTIME122 when you upload to SCS. Be sure to stop by the team's blogs to see all their heart cards!

Sharon, herself
Jennifer
Janine
Julie
AJ
Tammy
Deb
Barbara
Jenny
Barb

Thanks for stopping by! Stay tuned for Verve's BIG RELEASE PARTY Friday night, on the SCS Verve forum!! See you there!!

Card Deets:

Stamps - Wishful Elegance

Ink - light yellow, white craft and black

Paper - white, sage shadow, Melissa Frances PP

Accessories - Kaiser pearls, chipboard, sewing maching, white EP, 1/4" white satin ribbon, rectangle nesties

Stamp Simply -using hearts

Hi everyone, it time for another Stamp Simply challenge! Sharon has asked me to stay on another month and be the guest designer for January! Thanks Sharon, I am thrilled!

This week, Sharon has challenged everyone to USE HEARTS on your project. SSNOTIME121 is Love in the Air! It can be a Valentine's card, wedding card or any card that uses hearts on it!

My card uses some heart die cuts from the adorable MME Loves me Do kit! Oh man, My Mind's Eye has 2 fantastic Valentines paper lines this year. ***happy sigh***. The 2 large hearts are from the kit and the 2 smaller hearts are punched. AND the cute red rhinestone is heart shaped!! The sentiment is from Verve's Sweet Valentine and embossed with white EP. The ribbon is white seam binding from Martha Stewart and the button is tied on with embroidery floss.

Everyone is welcome to play along!! Sharon has Mr. Linky up and working, so be sure to link up your challenge card to her blog. And, be sure to use keyword SSNOTIME121 when you upload to SCS. Be sure to stop by the team's blogs to see all their heart cards!

Sharon, herself
Jennifer
Janine
Julie
AJ
Tammy
Deb
Barbara
Jenny
Barb

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp Simply using NEW things!

Hi everyone! It's time for another Stamp Simply challenge! This week, Sharon has challenged us to USE SOMETHING NEW. This is a great challenge for the first week in the NEW year! So, bring in the new year and use some of those Christmas goodies you received/bought for yourself *wink*!

You know what I like about Sharon's challenges? They are all about stamping simply! These last couple days I have been dealing with a fussy tooth (to put it mildly) and didn't have the time or energy for anything BUT simple! LOL!

My card uses my NEW {ippity} Stamps Devoted set, my NEW copic marker (YG93) and some NEW Fancy Pants Vintage Valentine pattern paper. I stamped the branch image out in Soft Suede ink 2 times. I added tiny Kaiser pearls in Rose and wrapped the pink burlap string around the front 2 times and tied in a small bow.

Speaking of NEW stuff! Check out these pics. My mom got the boys a really old dinosaur alphabet stamp setfrom Goodwill. Seriously, my mom has the BEST luck at the Goodwill! WHO finds a complete LIKE NEW set like this? Anyway, here are the boys having fun today with their new stuff!

Everyone is welcome to play along!! Sharon has Mr. Linky up and working, so be sure to link up your challenge card to her bloggy. And, be sure to use keyword SSNOTIME120 when you upload to SCS. Be sure to stop by the team's blogs to see all their thank you cards!

Sharon, herself

Jennifer

Janine

Julie

AJ

Tammy

Deb

Barbara

Jenny

Barb

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! SEE YOU IN 2010!!

Sorry everyone, I had to turn my comment Word Verification back on. I have been getting daily spam that is driving me CRAZY!

Card Deets:

Stamps - Devoted, Just Wanted to Say ({ippity} Stamps)

Ink - Soft Suede (SU!)

Paper - Vintage cream, Vintage Valentine "My Heart's Desire" (Fancy Pants)

Accessories - Burlap String (May Arts), Kaiser Pearls, Large oval punch (SU!), copic marker in YG93

Clean and Simple Thank you notes

Hi everyone, it's time for another Stamp Simply challenge! This week, Sharon has challenged us to make CAS thank you note cards. You can do any theme, lots of us can use some Christmas themed thank you cards this time of year, but what about something else?

I chose to make a set of summer themed thank you notes. For 3 reasons: First, I just got the entire amazing MME Breaking Free "Fruit Flavored" collection kit (love the fun summer/Hawaiin theme it has), second, my birthday is in the middle of June and I can use these then, and third, I am kinda tired of Christmas. Oh yeah, I said it, on the NIGHT BEFORE Christmas -bwahaha!

So here they are one at a time. Each card uses a small strip of the Fruit Flavored pattern paper and some of the die cuts in the kit. ***happy sigh*** The sentiment is from Verve's Celebration of Thanks.

Sharon has Mr. Linky up and working, so be sure to link up your challenge card to her bloggy if you play along!! And, be sure to use keyword SSNOTIME119 when you upload to SCS. Be sure to stop by the team's blogs to see all their thank you cards!

Sharon, herself
Jennifer
Janine
Julie
AJ
Tammy
Deb
Barbara
Jenny
Barb

Thanks -Michelle

Stampin' some CAS snow

Hi everyone, it's time for another Stamp Simply challenge! This week, Sharon has challenged us to make a CAS card that has SNOW on it. I loved this challenge. I needed 3 more Christmas cards and CAS was in definitely in order and now I'm done!! Whew!

My card uses the long retired, but will always be my favorite snowman image, Frosty!! Isn't this guy the cutest? When I am short on time, I like to find a layout that has a similar image size and copy it. I used a layout from this Anya post a couple months ago.

The snow is from a couple of lines from liquid applique -very easy to do with alot of impact! (quick TIP, apply the liquid applique BEFORE you glue the cardstock layers together as the heat gun will warp the glue and make your them funky!!)

The pattern paper is MME Merry Days of Christmas -which is a perfect match to the SU Baja Breeze colored felt snowflakes! The sentiment is from Verve's Holly Jolly. This is CAS, so it's fairly straight forward. I do have to say, once I bought my Score-Pal, making CAS cards went to the next level. Scored lines on the card base make a huge difference don't 'cha think?

Sharon has Mr. Linky up and working, so be sure to link up your challenge card to her bloggy if you play along!! And, be sure to use keyword SSNOTIME118 when you upload to SCS. Be sure to stop by the team's blogs to see all their altered cards!

Sharon, herself

Jennifer

Janine

Julie

AJ

Tammy

Deb

Barbara

Jenny

Barb

Card Deets:

Stamps - Frosty, Holly Jolly

Paper - White, Baja Breeze, MME pp

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories - Copic markers, red rhinestones, silver brads (all from Pink hedgehog papercrafts), liquid applique, felt snowflakes (SU!)

Stamp Simply -altered store bought cards

**this is my second post today. If you are looking for my Raspberry Suite/Mojo card, you can click here**

Hi everyone. It's time for another Stamp Simply challenge! This week, Sharon has challenged us to Alter a Store Bought card. This WAS a challenge for me, not from difficulty, but FINDING a store bought card in my stash of last year's cards! Just about ALL of my friends and family sent family picture cards for Christmas -LOL! I did find one sent by Bill's Aunt that had a lovely poinsettia picture on it, so I went with that.

Here's what I did. I trimmed out the poinsettia image, layered it on gold cardstock then burgundy then added pearls to each poinsettia. I shamelessly cased Julee's design , and centered it in the middle of an embossed rectangle. I added some ribbon to the top and some gold pearls to the bottom. Very easy and very elegant.

For the inside, I trimmed a strip of the card border and added it to the bottom. Right about now, I wish I took a picture of the card I altered BEFORE I cut it all up -LOL!

If you play along, be sure to use keyword SSNOTIME117 when you upload. Be sure to stop by the team's blogs to see all their altered cards!

Sharon, herself
Jennifer (has the week off)
Janine
Julie (has the week off)
AJ (posting late)
Tammy
Deb
Barbara
Jenny
Barb

Please bear with us all as we each upload and link on Thursday night. Everyone should be up and set by Friday morning.

Here is a close up picture.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stampin' Simple Tags

Hi everyone! Surprise! I am this month's guest designer for Sharon's Stamp Simply challenges! Those of you who know me, know my love and admiration for Sharon. She was one of my first SCS stamping friends and has been my inspiration since the day I started stamping.

For those of you who are an SCS Fan Club member, you may remember my very last upload as a Dirty Girl last October? I made two cards with a simple elegant feel and dedicated them to Sharon. You can find my upload here -note, you must be a Fan Club member to access the Dirty Dozen Gallery. So... when Sharon emailed and asked me if I wanted to be her guest designer this month, I couldn't say YES fast enough!!

This week's challenge is to make TAGS! Fun little things that you can hang on a gift or bag to bring some handmade loveliness to the receipient. Remember, keep it simple!!

I made a couple of Christmas tags. I started by using the largest Labels Four nestability die and trimming the bottom off. At that point, I felt it was a bit too wide for the length, so I trimmed off each side and rounded the bottom corners.

I then stamped the cutie pie tree from the {ippity} Stamps Kissmas & Mistletoe set, colored it with copics and cut it out. I used some scraps of Bella Blvd December Details pattern paper and lots of Zva Creative rhinestones . I tied the tops with wired silver cord (from Michael's) and put a silver flower sequin with a rhinestone in the center.

I guess if you wanted to mass produce these, you could eliminate all the rhinestones, it would be much quicker and just as cute.

If you play along, be sure to use keyword SSNOTIME116 when you upload. Be sure to stop by the team's blogs to see all their tags!

Sharon, herself

Jennifer
Janine
Julie
AJ
Tammy
Deb
Barbara
Jenny
Barb

Please bear with us all as we each upload and link on Thursday night. Everyone should be up and set by Friday morning.

You can see all SCS Gallery Submissions here.

Thanks for stopping by! I look forward to showing you more Stamp Simply projects this month!

Card Deets:

Stamps - Kissmas & Mistletoe {ippity}

Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa

Paper - White, Wasabi, Raspberry Fizz, December Details pattern paper

Accessories - 6mm metallic cupped flower silver sequins, ribbon scraps, scallop border punch (SU!), Zva Creative rhinestones, copic markers, labels four nesties, wired silver cord

Verve Project Parade and a CPS sketch with some sunshine

Hi everyone! It's my day to post my project on the Verve Blog. In case you haven't hopped on over there, the theme this month is "It's a Girl Thing: Celebrating the Women in our Lives". Here is a tiny peek at my project. You will have to go on over to see the whole thing!! If you play along, there are 2 chances to win some Verve bucks!!

Next up, I have a card for this week's CPS114 challenge sponsored this week by Sweet and Sassy Stamps. I also played along with Sharon's SSnotime85 challenge -to use yellow and let the sun shine in!! We have been having NON-stop rain over here in Oregon for days and I guess I needed a bit of bright colors!

This card uses pp from DCWV the Citrus pack. Man, I love all the colors and patterns in this pack. Actually, now that I am posting this, I see that it kinda coordinates with the bright colors with my Verve Project Parade... humm, I guess I really was needing some BRIGHT fun around me!!

The image and sentiment used on this card are from Repeat Impressions, the image is called Sunflower. I just love this delicate image -it made me smile the entire time I was making this. The sentiment tag was made using the double ended tag nestie, I just "skootched" the paper before the second hole, so the die only cut one end. I took my SU turquoise marker to the "stitching" on the Top Note piece. Some little primas and blue bling finish off the sketch.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card Deets:
Stamps - Sunflower, Thank you (Repeat Impressions)
Paper - white, tempting turquoise, Citrus matstack (DCWV)
Accessories - circle nesties, Top note die, turquoise marker, double ended tag nestie), Got flowers deux primas, turquoise bling, copic markers and stickles

Viva La Verve with a birthday twist and a white frame

Man there are so many wonderful challenges out there and my favorite are sketches! Have you all had a chance to check out the weekly Viva La Verve sketch challenges? They all have a twist of some kind and this week's twist is to make a birthday card. How fun! For those who play along each week, there is a chance to win some free Verve!

My card also follows Sharon's Stamp Simply challenge #78 to use white cardstock as a frame of your image. The image is from Verve's newly released set, Miracles Blossom and the sentiment is from Circular Sayings. I love how the sentiment can also be used on the 1/2 circle as well as on a full circle -double the ways to use it!!

I colored the image with copic markers and went over some of the blooms and leaves with Angel Wings Shimmerz. The super cute cardstock is the new DCWV Citrus Pack -gotta love the fun colors! Here is a close up of the blooms.

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for a pic or two of Robward. All I am saying is... THUD!

Card Deets:
Stamps: miracles blossom, circular sayings
Paper: white, tempting turquoise, citrus pack DP
Ink: adirondack pitch black
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie grosgrain, orange bling, copic markers, angel wings shimmerz

A simple purple flower

This week's Stamp Simply challenge from Sharon (notimetostamp) was to use the color purple and flowers. And, as usual, keep it simple. I decided to use the Heartfelt Thanks flower as the 2 step stamping is easy and there is no coloring involved!

I used my Flourishes background stamp Damask for the panel behind the image and the sentiment is Flourishes Many Sentiments set. The black striped organdy ribbon is from Heidi's store and I added a tiny bit of yellow stickles in the center of the flower. If this card looks familiar, you are right. I copied the layout of my Featured Stamper butterfly birthday card posted below! That is another tip for a simple card, copy a layout that you have already done.

Card Deets:
Stamps – Heartfelt Thanks, Many sentiments, Damask
Paper - white, black, pale plum
Accessories - paper piercer, yellow stickles, organdy ribbon

I'm DONE with the new home cards!

Whew! Sharon's (notimetostamp) Stamp Simply challenge today was a LIFESAVER! Her challenge was to do a 10 minute card. I had 2 more new home cards left to complete my order and I am super short on time today, so this sounded PERFECT! When looking at the samples on her blog, I found the perfect layout to CASE. Oh, thank you Jennifer Buck!

Never mind that these "simple" cards took me over 2 HOURS to complete -my youngest, Ryan, is in a cranky mood today and I had to deal with a tantrum about every 10 minutes -rolleyes!

Anyway, here they are, my last 2 cards! I just love cards that uses DP, I have an obsene amount of DP and I love to use it up. The card on the left uses the SU Ginger Blossom and the right uses Webster Pages, Parlour Collection. Here's my quick card tip: Cut the base cardstock just under the size of the card you are mounting it on. That way you don't have to worry about the "fine tuning" of the card front to get it to fit perfectly on the base.

Card Deets:
Stamps - Congrats all around by MFT, Warm Words, Happy Thoughts by Verve Visual
Paper - river rock, really rust, DP
Accessories - SU vanilla tafetta ribbon, rust and vanilla brads from Pinkhedgehog Papercrafts