Running With Scissors…

Here’s my #1 cupcake — the one I always come back to when I need a single cupcake as the focal image for my card.  Now, why did I need a cupcake card?  Well . . . it’s Courtney’s birthday!  She’s Libby’s #1 cupcake and just as cute as a cupcake.  It’s even written on her shirt today.

So . . . Libby’s having a birthday party for Courtney!  And what’s a birthday party without cake . . . and goodies . . . maybe some candy, for instance?  As part of Courtney’s birthday celebration, Libby has posted her From Courtney’s Closet challenge today.  That’s a photo of Courtney in one of her cute outfits which the players use for stamping inspiration.  I think it’s such a great idea for a challenge, and whenever I play I have the most fun!  Today’s challenge is a little bit special, so you’ll want to head over here to get the details and be inspired.

I was inspired by the colors, the cupcake and and the multicolored sentiment on Courtney’s outfit.  My cupcake, from Stampin’ Up!’s retired Treat Yourself, is paper pieced with BasicGrey Two Scoops paper and sprinkled with black rhinestones.  The same paper covers the card front, and the zig zag stitch is done with an old Hero Arts stamp.  I think the rest of the details are covered in the summary, below.  Here are some of Libby’s other sample makers for this challenge:

Carole Burrage
Maria Gurnsey
Melissa Sauls
Nancy Riley
Rose Ann Reynolds
Sue Kment

I hope you get a chance to join the celebration.  There’s plenty of inspiration and motivation at Libby’s blog!  Have a good week!

• Stamps:  Treat Yourself
• Paper:  White card base, textured white from Wal-Mart for punched hearts, Neenah Classic Solar White, BasicGrey Two Scoops designer paper
• Ink:  Palette Noir, PTI Perfect Match Berry Sorbet, SU! markers for sentiment, Chocolate Chip for zig zag stitch
• Accessories:  PTI Berry Sorbet ribbon, black rhinestones, SU! Heart to Heart and word window punches, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

I sincerely appreciate the thought that went into your comments on my Scor-Pal and tote blog candy post.  I read every one of them and was quite moved by many.  This random number generator has selected a winner:

#340 — Debbie Fisher

“I don’t have a Score-Pal and would LOVE one! I love what everyone does with them. Ü

My Christmas card list has gotten smaller and smaller and the relief of stress that that brings is wonderful!”

Congratulations, Debbie!  Please contact me to claim your prize.

Thank you all so much!  Enjoy your day!

Hello!  I’ve been enjoying your comments on yesterday’s blog candy post.  The general consensus is that most of us do send Christmas cards but receive fewer every year in return.  As stampers, I think we’re more likely to hold onto this tradition for the pleasure of our craft, but some have curtailed the practice, at least temporarily, with the most frequently cited reason being that of time constraints.  It seems the modern world has given us freedom in some areas and constricted us in others.

When I say “modern world”, yes, I’m thinking about washing machines, electric or gas ranges, vacuum cleaners, supermarkets, air travel . . .  We don’t spend from dawn till dusk scrubbing on a washboard.  A trip to town and back is no longer a day’s journey.  Families can be spread across the country, yet it’s within the realm of possibility to be together from time to time.  We shop for pleasure, go on vacation, take the kids to the park.  And how about those craft shows, stamp clubs, parties, movies, dinners, concerts?  We’re “free” to work outside the home or further our educations.  We dash in and out of each other’s lives through high speed electronics.  These are good things . . . right?

We’re fortunate to have these options — the opportunity to make choices within the scope of our circumstances, and that’s a very individual matter.  As long as we know what fits within our boundaries and don’t willfully cross them . . .

Today, I came home from work, caught my second wind and made four of these exceedingly simple cards.  I layered white on white, with only a stamped sentiment (Flourishes’ Holiday Greetings), 2″ of designer paper, and a glittery snowflake embellishment.  The snowflake center is a ribbon slide.  I threaded the ribbon through the slide, then the ribbon ends through a hole in the center of the snowflake - front to back, and taped the ribbon ends behind the card-stock layer.  The snowflake is held snugly flat against the card with the aid of Alene’s Tacky Glue.  The card requires only 42¢  postage and can be machine cancelled with a crimped card-stock sheet protecting the front.

The 2″ of designer paper was inspired by Sharon Johnson’s challenge here.  Thank you, Sharon!  I needed that!

Tomorrow, my first priority will be to address and mail the 40+ cards I’ve made thus far.  I was surprised to find I have so many, but it’s not nearly enough.

Thank you so much for visiting with me today!  Have a happy holiday season!

• Stamps:  Holiday Greetings (Flourishes)
• Paper:  Neenah Classic Solar White, Diane’s Daughters Green Snowflake designer paper
• Ink:  Bravo Burgundy
• Accessories:  Ribbon, glittered snowflake, SU! ribbon slide

Well, here we are, at the final day of our Stamp Simply Celebrates Christmas party.  Whew!  It’s been a good time and I hope you’ve enjoyed participating in some of the activities, trying your luck at the many blog candies we’ve offered, or even just looking.

Today, I have some blog candy for you which you’ll find further down in this post.  Additionally, you’ll find blog candy at Sharon’s — No Time To Stamp?

But don’t forget to check out today’s featured project:

• Barb Schram - Explore. Dream. Discover.

And today’s challenge: 

• Sharon Johnson -No Time To Stamp?

Please check the Party tab on Sharon’s blog to find any challenges or inspiration you may have missed.  It’s never too late to be inspired!

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Now . . . I’m happy to be rounding things up with a little offering of my own — a gift of thanks for all of you, my readers, the folks who keep me coming back here every day — to this place where we meet and exchange ideas.  Yes, I learn a lot from your comments.  I appreciate every little thing you have to say and I enjoy our “conversations”.  Whenever possible, I like to visit your blogs through the links you provide, even though it may take me a while to get there.  I know there are many wonderful blogs I have yet to discover.

I’m sharing a Scor-Pal and its custom tote:

All you need do is leave a comment — but — I’m curious to hear what you have to say on this topic:  Christmas cards.  Do you send many?  If so, do you receive nearly as many as you send?  Honestly, I have a mammoth Christmas card list, but I receive fewer every year.  When I receive a card from someone I haven’t heard from in a long time, I feel good to know they thought of me, however briefly.  When I receive a card from someone I see every day, I’m pleased to feel I earned a spot on their list.  Is this genteel tradition falling by the wayside and, if so, is it really all about postage?  Or have we made ourselves too busy?  Aren’t all our modern conveniences supposed to make life easier for us?  Do we need to slow down?  Are these too many questions?  Seriously, I’m just wondering about your thoughts.  Take a moment to express yourself.

This discussion will remain open until Monday, Dec. 15, at which time I’ll turn off the comments.  A winner will be selected by a random number generator and announced Monday night.  Good luck to you!

Welcome to Day 11 of Stamp Simply Celebrates!  Check out Party Central for a full rundown of our 12 day schedule.  Feel free to jump in anytime at all!

Anyone can play any of the challenges by any of the hostesses during our 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!  You do not need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but encouraged.  When doing so, use the keyword SSC08.  Thank you!

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CHALLENGES

AJ Otto - The Willow Garden - Are you wrapping gifts yet?  Probably!  Perhaps you need some pretty tags to dress those packages up.  Well, be sure to check in on AJ’s Featured Project today to see all her Gift Tags.  And then play AJ’s Challenge so you, too, can have some nice gift tags on hand!

You can see more tag samples by checking out the Blogs of:  Heather, Janine, LeAnne, Jerri and Sharon.

Jerri Jimenez - A Touch of Grace - Today Jerri will grace us with her Featured Project which is a beautiful 6 x 6 Scrapbook she made – certain to be a real treat for the eyes.  Jerri also has blog candy to offer today (think scrapbooking made easy), so be sure to stop in to see Jerri!!!

Other scrapbook samples can be seen by checking out:  Barb, Jennifer

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BLOG CANDIES

Deb Saaranen - Dream in Color - Deb has an offering of blog candy for us today.

Jerri Jimenez - A Touch of Grace -  Jerri also has blog candy today, so be sure to stop in to see Jerri, too.

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THE CARD

This is a very simple card I made in multiples in an effort to gain momentum on my Christmas card production.  I know, the lack of layers, ribbons, and embellishments is somewhat disappointing, but  I needed something that would be quick to assemble after I’d done the initial stamping.  I have eight of these cards.

I spent a few minutes at home cutting cardstock and embossing the swirls and stars image, and did all the rest of the stamping, cutting and assembling on my breaks at work.  It’s hard for me to settle down to a card with no more work in it than this, but I kept wondering — if I saw a box of these cards for sale in a store, would I like them?  I decided I would.  And though there’s not a lot to them, they’re still special because I made them, myself.

The cardstock is shimmery ivory and Rose Red.  The larger tree is popped up on foam mounting tape.  The swirls are embossed in a soft, pearly gold EP.  The stamps are all from the Fancy Pants Blissful Season set.  I hope you like my simple, very mailable Christmas card.

I’ve been very busy the last couple of weeks and haven’t been out to visit much, but I’ll be doing some catching up as soon as possible.  I know I’m missing a lot!  I’ll be sharing a treat on Friday, the 12th . . . I’ll have blog candy for you.  I hope you’ll like it!  See you then!

Welcome to Day 9 of Stamp Simply Celebrates!  If you are just arriving at the party, check out Party Central for a full rundown of our 12 day schedule.  Feel free to jump in anytime at all!

Anyone can play any of the challenges by any of the hostesses during our 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!  You do not need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but highly encouraged.  When doing so, use the keyword SSC08.  Thanks!

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A CHALLENGE, A FEATURED PROJECT & A GAME

Jennifer Buck - The Buck Stamps Here - Time is moving on and I think we all need some quick cards about now, agreed?  You’ll enjoy Jennifer’s Featured Project today where she also challenges you to create some quick cards, qualifying you to enter her blog candy drawing.

You can see more great quick card samples by checking out Jennifer’s designers:  Janine, Julie, Tammy, AJ and Sharon.

AJ Otto - The Willow Garden - How about a game?  I love games!  Check out the DT Trivia Game AJ is hosting over at The Willow Garden!  And AJ has some blog candy to offer to the winner!!

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CANDIES 

Jennifer Buck - The Buck Stamps Here -  Jennifer is offering blog candy in conjunction with her challenge listed above.

AJ Otto - The Willow Garden - AJ has some blog candy in conjunction with her DT Trivia Game listed above. 

Sharon Johnson - No Time To Stamp?- with SU! blog candy today.

Blog candy:  Sharon and Susan

Challenge and Featured Project:  Susan shares ideas for presenting the universally loved and never returned gift card.  Yes!  We always need new ideas for gift card holders, don’t we?  You’ll be inspired by Susan and her sample makers!

Challenge and Featured Project:  Dee has some WOW ideas for food gifts — those little “take alongs” for Christmas get togethers or just to let someone know they’re in your thoughts.  These are great ideas!  Check out her links to her sample makers, too!

Sharon’s keeping track of all the party happenings in one place on her blog.  See the tab at the top of her blog, above her header — it says “Stamp Simply Celebrates!  THIS IS THE PARTY”.  <— That’s where you’ll find the full scoop of ongoing and still to come activities.

Enjoy, and happy stamping!

The party continues!  Today, you’ll find:

• Blog Candy:  AJ
• Blog Candy:  Sharon
• Challenge and featured project:  Heather — See wonderful ideas for holiday table decor as Heather shows you what she’s created and gives links to her sample makers, as well.
• Challenge and featured project:  LeAnne — LeAnne will share her design for a planner.  Whether for the holidays or everyday, this is a useful and very creative project.  LeAnne will also give links to her sample makers.
• To see other projects, blog candies that may still be open, and to get an idea of what’s coming up, please see here.

*** Happy holidays! ***

Today, I’m happy to be a sample maker for Cat’s sketch challenge, which can be seen here.  I love this sketch.  It’s very simple and can be interpreted a number of different ways, including flipped completely or turned on it’s side.

I’m still making multiples of each Christmas card — at least two of each — but I made five of this card, which is exactly how many of those pretty snowflakes I had.  The bird and sentiment were stamped in Night of Navy craft ink on Shimmery White cardstock and embossed.  I placed dimensional dots of Stardust Stickles on the designer paper snowflakes.

This is a great sketch for mass producing cards, but all the cutting and embossing of those nested ovals, the embossing of the image and sentiment, setting eyelets, and creating the embellishment multiple times was, perhaps, a little too time consuming this late in the game.  I’m going to have to step up the pace, and soon!

The embellishment is a glittery snowflake by Imaginisce (purchased locally), with a large silver eyelet encircling a white pearl, and a silver cord bow added for a little extra touch of holiday pretty.

More samples made with this sketch are being shared by Darlene, AJ, Heather, Julie, Susan, Tammy, and LeAnne.

As for the rest of today’s activities . . .

You can find blog candy at Barb’s and Cat’s.

There’s another challenge at Sharon’s.  It’s her regular Friday Stamp Simply challenge that so many of you enjoy.  Today you can combine it with Cat’s sketch, as Sharon did, for a double challenge!

I hope you’re enjoying the Holiday season without too much stress and hustle.  Our little party is meant to be fun and stress free, so play if you can!  The card recipe is listed below.  Have a wonderful day!

• Stamps:  Winter Birds (Inkadinkado), Hero Arts Sentiment (old)
• Paper:  Shimmery White, Night of Navy, silver metallic, Diane’s Daughters designer paper
• Ink:  Night of Navy craft (pigment)
• Accessories:  Eyelets, silver cord, Kaiser pearl, clear embossing powder, Stardust Stickles, Spellbinders oval nesties

Hi, there!  I’m just popping in to give you today’s Stamp Simply Celebrates line up:

Blog candy:  Dee

Blog candy:  Sharon

Challenge and featured project:  Deb

Deb is sharing something most stampers love to make — a gift of notecards.  Plus, she shows two different ways to present them, making them even more special.  She’ll give you links to her sample makers, too — well worth the trip!

Please find an overview of what Stamp Simply Celebrates is all about here.

Enjoy!