Jan 01 2012
Year in Review 2011 – Part I
Hope you can find some time to relax and enjoy this Sunday and New Year’s Day before we delve head first into 2012!
2011 was very event filled in our household. My Dad experienced many, many nearly insurmountable medical issues during the first 1/2 of the year, but by the Grace of God he is with us today, feeling better than he has felt in years, driving about town, shopping, enjoying restaurants and going to the gym to exercise 3 times weekly. God is GOOD and He is still in the miracle business!
Our oldest son, Steve (an engineer), was married to Marissa (a school teacher), a beautiful, Christian girl; our middle son, Ben, is doing well in his growing excavating business and our youngest son, Brian, is enjoying his 2nd year of college. Both Ben and Brian have lovely girlfriends, Jessie and Brittany, who have become a part of our family and we couldn’t be more pleased! And we have two grand-dogs!
The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store which I ran as a blog store for several years became an official online store in March of 2011 and I can’t believe I didn’t go that route sooner! It is SO much easier on my end. There have been a few bumps along the road (isn’t there always with technology), but we work them out as they come along. The store is a work in progress with much yet to do on my wish-list of things to accomplish. I do what I can, as I can and I can only wish that maybe someday I’ll get it all done!
And The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store has only been successful because of YOU — those who read my blog and the blogs of the Stamp Simply Designers and who shop at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. I can’t thank you all enough for your support, encouragement and patronage over this past year. You are appreciated FAR more than I am able to express. THANK YOU!
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YEAR IN REVEIW 2011 – Part 1
This year I decided to create 2 separate Year in Review posts. This, the first, will showcase some of my favorte projects from the past year — projects that feature a bit more in embellishments and may take a bit more time to create. However, nothing that I do is ever super time consuming — I’m generally a *let’s get it done quickly* type of crafter! So here we go:
This is a Valentine that opens to reveal a pocket filled with 3 pretty tags on which you can write love notes to your true love! The full range of project photos can be seen on this post. However, since this was written prior to the opening of the online store, the links all go to dead pages — you can go to the store and do a search for items on the left sidebar.
This is a gatefold pocket Valentine that opens to reveal a pocket to tuck in some goodies. Card measurements and more photos are included on this post. However, since this was written prior to the opening of the online store, the links all go to dead pages — you can go to the store and do a search for items on the left sidebar.
This is a baby card made with a Cotton Scrap by Crafty Secrets that unfortunately is no longer available. You can see more photos and project details on this post. However, since this was written prior to the opening of the online store, the links all go to dead pages — you can go to the store and do a search for items on the left sidebar.
This is a Mother’s Day card (on the right) that was inserted into a Clear Box decorated to match the card (on the left). More photos and details can be found on this post.
This is the one and only scrapbook page I did this year using one of Brittany’s graduation photos. I WILL make time to create a book for her this year! More photos and details can be found on this post.
I really love this card — the pretty Webster’s Pages paper and the script note. More photos and details can be found on this post.
I almost put this wedding card into the next post with clean and simple cards, but decided to put it here to even out the numbers. It is merely one sheet of paper, one sentiment and a ribbon and rose with a few pearls. More photos and details can be found on this post.
Again, such pretty papers — pretty paper, roses and ribbon just get me every time! More photos and details can be found on this post.
LOVE the shabby chic style of many of the newer JustRite stamps! More photos and details can be found on this post.
I love to make boxes, and this was probably my very favorite of this past year. I liked how well the ribbon, wired beads and gilded roses all worked together so well! There is a card to match. More photos and details can be found on this post.
Another card and box duo using JustRite shabby style stamps and a pad that compliments them perfectly! More photos and details can be found on this post.
And last, but not least, is this trio of cards made for the Hope You Can Cling To challenge at SCS to support breast cancer. They are no stamp cards, just using pretty paper, ribbon and cameos. In my mind, these fall more into the clean and simple category as there isn’t much to making them, but they ended up here because of the dimension. More photos and details can be found on this post.
And that’ll wrap up Part 1 of my 2011 Year in Review.
All items used are available at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.
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Tomorrow I’ll post Part 2 featuring clean and simple card creations. Hope to see you then.
Thank you SO MUCH for stopping in today.
Enjoy your day!
22 responses so far
These projects are all so gorgeous, Sharon! Thank you so much for all the inspiration you share with us! Happy new Year!
Absolutely beautiful, Sharon!
Gorgeous creations, Sharon!! You are the Ebelly Queen! Glad your year was good and that your Dad is doing better. Wishing you a prosperous ans happy New Year!
Sharon, it has been such a pleasure to be a part of your growing journey. You’ve been a wonderful friend (though we’ve never met!) for years now and to be part of the process of growing Stamp Simply Ribbon Store has been a labor of love for us all.
Every single project you produce just drips of elegance and class. It is no wonder you have such a strong following… including ME! 🙂
Love much,
Holly
Wow! You are so creative, love all the work you do, thank you so much for sharing all of it. Happy New Year!
You sure do gorgeous work, whether it is clean and simple or ornate! Glad to hear how well your dad is doing-praise God!
Hope 2012 is a great year for you!
Your work is gorgeous and so inspiring! Always enjoy the visit here. Congrats on the success of your Online store! Hugs, Lisa
Happy New Year Sharon. I loved your Part I Year in Review and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s Part II. I get so much inspiration from your creations! I have to say that you are at the top of my list of designers! Thanks for sharing with us all year. God’s Blessings to you.
Barbara in SC
Beautiful, especially as I had not seen some of them previously.
Congrats on a wonderful year 🙂 Great news about your dad and so wonderful that yoru store has done so well. A lovely array of cards and wishing you a blessed year ahead. May some of your heart’s desires be fulfilled.
What trip down memory lane! Blessings and love to you and your family! What a year of wonderful happenings for you! Yes God is good.
LOVE the picks for your review! Your work is undeniably gorgeous and inspiring to say the least! I am grateful to be on your team and look forward to what 2012 will bring! Thank you, Sharon…for your friendship and sharing your talent with all of us!
Thanks! Great site.
It’s so nice to hear your Dad is doing better and your family is so blessed! Thank you for showing these cards again, some I had missed and am truly inspired by!!!! Happy New Year, looking forward to another great year 🙂
Hi Sharon! So glad I found your blog. Your favorites are beautiful and some posted long before I discovered you, so this was a treat to see. I look forward to part 2. May you have a very Happy New Year!
I remember a few of these but others I don’t so I am glad you shared again doing this recap. You and your work is so amazing and inspirational. I am so glad I found your blog. I look forward to your 2nd recap of 2011! Thank you and blessings to you and your family in 2012.
Beautiful cards as always. I love your work! So glad your family is doing so well. I want to especially send greetings to Ben the excavator. My husband and I started our excavating business in 1976. I know I’m biased, but my DH is the master excavator. Sadly b/c of the economy our builders all went bankrupt or left MI. New home construction was the mainstay of our business. We’re thinking of retiring this year if we can find buyers for all the equipment. If Ben enjoys his work as much as my DH has he will be a happy guy!
Glad to hear your family is doing so well. Also glad your store is thriving and growing. I certainly like shopping in it all due to your wonderful inspiration. Hope this year is even better to you.
Gorgeous!!
Happy New Year!! All the Best!!!
Hugs
Natali
[…] I’m back with Part 2 of my 2011 Year In Review. If you missed Part 1, you can see it here. Today focuses on cards that are quicker to make and/or more clean and simple. Here they […]
Thank you Sharon for sharing your wonderful and gorgeous
cards and boxes with us, your talents are so amazing and I appreciate them all. also thank you for opening an on line store
especially for those of us who live in rural isolated areas and don’t always get to shop in brick and mortar stores, also those of us who are handicapped. Thank you so very much, wishing you a
Happy,Prosperous and Healthy New Year.
Gayle Ingram
Gorgeous. A new year and some new cards…Yippee
I’m looking forward to getting back into a routine again.
Happy New Year to all you’re followers.
Sharon these are all gorgeous. I really am liking seeing everyones favorites for the year. Wonderful cards, hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!