No Time To Stamp?

Simplicity.  That’s where I’m at with Christmas cards this year!  These simple little cards are made with a 2″ strip of designer paper, a simple focal image and a one word sentiment.  Truly, it doesn’t get any easier.  And I love this white simplicity.  The Limited Supply Challenge at SCS this week was to use a circle and a rectangle on your card.  Well, I took that literally and that’s ALL I used.

As you can see, I’ve used three different layouts with my 2″ strip of DP. This little mistletoe image is in the Cool Christmas set by Inkadinkado.  I got mine from Joan’s Garden.  I used this set two days ago with some bird images — really loving it.  Easy to color, easy to work with.  No dimensionals on this (oh, but I was tempted - LOL!), just a twinkle sticker at the bow center.  Leaves are colored with Copics and the berries are colored with a red Spica Glitter Pen by Copic.  Images cut and embossed with Petite Circle Nestabilities.  Just a short post tonight.

Stamps:  Cool Christmas by Inkadinkado.  Many Merry Messages by SU.   Paper:  PTI White, SU Black and Holiday Treasures DP.   Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black.  Copics in YG03, YG95.  Red Spica Glitter Pen.   Accessories:  A Muse Twinkle Stickers, Petite Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders.

Hope you enjoyed these simple cards.  I tell you, I AM enjoying super simple!!!  And I will have lots more of these simple and flat Christmas cards coming through the next many weeks.  My SU order is in town, waiting to be picked up, and I’m also working on a fun project that will be a gift for a stamping friend.  Hope you check back in to see!!!  Thanks so much for stopping in today — so MUCH appreciated!!! Happy weekend everyone!!!

My goals for this Christmas are to make cards that are quick, cute (or pretty) and flat!  I haven’t made all my cards for years, and I’d really like to this year.  I’ll need about 100, and I only have about a dozen done — so I need to get busy!!!    I did 3 super quick cards this evening.  Two of them use the sketch from today’s Sketch Challenge at SCS, and this 3rd is just a tad off from the sketch.  I used a new set I just got by Inkadinkado — fun and easy set to work with!!!

Aren’t they cute?  I love these little birds — so easy to do up!  I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black, colored quickly with Copics (B00, B21, B23), and then it was just a matter of layering paper and I’m done!  The birds are on a 3.5″ square panel.  The sentiment is cut and embossed with a Petite Oval Nestability, and can you see my *brads*?  Here’s a larger view.

Well, they aren’t brads at all.  My goal was to make this flat for an envelope, so I didn’t want to use brads, but I thought that sentiment oval really needed them, so I punched holes with my Cropadile, cut another oval the same size in black, and backed my sentiment with the black oval for my *faux brad look* — LOL!!  For quick and easy, it works!!!  You get the look without the bulk.

And see my ribbon?  You’ll flip over this one — it is a nice, black satin ribbon — from the $ Store — a large reel with 100 yards, for $1 — YES, you read that right!!!  That was a great find a couple years ago by my thrifty neighbor!!!  And I just knotted the ribbon which doesn’t add much bulk at all.  The sentiment is on SU Dimensionals, but they aren’t too thick, so this will go easily for 1 stamp.

Stamps:  Cool Christmas by Inkadinkado   Paper:  PTI White, SU Bashful Blue, Black and Summer Picnic DP   Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics in B00, B21, B23   Accessories:  Ribbon, Cropadile, SU Dimensionals, Petite Oval Nestability by Spellbinders

I bought this fun set called Cool Christmas from Joan’s Garden.  Joan lists items for sale each Monday, but since the holidays are coming and people are looking for Christmas items, she decided to list things again this week.  Also, when you get there, scroll down to see what she listed on Monday.  Joan’s Garden is a fun stop!!!

As always, thank you so much for stopping in!!!  I surely do appreciate your visits and knowing you were here.  Several of you wrote to me asking for quick and flat cards, so I hope this satisfies!!! And I will have more cards coming on a regular basis with this quick and flat theme in mind!!! Hope your week is going well!!!

Keyword ssnotime54 - There is no time limit. You can play this challenge and upload your project at Splitcoast and/or your Blog, anytime at all!  You (and that means anyone and everyone, blogger or not!) can play as many times as you like!!!  The point is to keep it simple, quick and have fun!!!  Please link back here.

Today’s challenge is 2bKrafty with Janine – Janine Orchard that is, our very own Krafty Stamp Simply DT member!!!  And if you’re not getting it, Janine’s Blog title is 2bKrafty — which she certainly is!!!  When I was cruising Janine’s Blog to determine what to pick from her designs for our challenge, I kept seeing Crisp, Fresh and Fun, and there were certain things that were predominant in her work that kept popping up at me.  Following is that list, but remember, these are suggestions only of design elements that Janine uses often.  You do not have to include all of these on your project, but they are here as a starting point.  Please check Janine’s Blog for further inspiration from her gorgeous creations.  There’s a lot to see and  you WILL be inspired.   Here are some ideas to get you in a *krafty* mode, ala Janine:

Colors:  Vivid colors that  are rich, deep or bright 
 
Shapes:  A large focal image, use of circles, ovals, scallops and little tags
 
Embellishments:  Use of primas (flowers) and Janine’s trademark Dew Drops
 
Overall Feel:  Crisp, Fresh and Fun!!!

OK, now let’s get Krafty and see what we all come up with — fun!!

Here’s what our DT did, but if you are viewing this late Thursday night or early Friday morning, please bear with us as everyone is uploading their projects — thank you!!!

Check out Julie Koerber’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 card here.

Check out Becky Oehlers’ card here.

You can see all Gallery Submissions here.

Aren’t these girls just FABULOUS!!!  Thank you girls!!!  Much appreciated!!!  

Here’s my card for today’s challenge:

Still playing with my Inkadinkado stamps — but I just LOVE this adorable snowman — he is so much fun!!!  In keeping with the challenge today I used a  large focal image, bright pink color, oval shapes, pearls and rhinestones for my embellishments,  a small oval sentiment, and I do think the overall feel of this card is Crisp, Fresh and Fun!!! At least it surely was FUN making it!!!  Her body, hat and scarf are all accented with glitter.  Thank you, Janine, for providing us with such inspiring work!!! Much appreciated!!!

This card is also another for the Inkadinkado sketch challenges  that Jacksonbelle is running.  I think I’m done now!!!

Stamps:  Ornate Christmas by Inkadinkado, Small Script by SU

Paper:  PTI White, SU Black, Crafty Secrets Radiant Pad

Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black.  Copics in RV11, Rv17, C1

Accessories:  Satin Ribbon, Pearls, Rhinestones, Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Cropadile, Petite Oval Nestabilities by Spellbinders, SU Corner Rounder, SU Small Oval Punch, Sponge, Mounting Tape

That’s it!!!  Hope you can find time to play this week — Janine’s is a fun gallery to go through!!!  Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!!! Thanks much for stopping in!!!

I used this ornate snowman by Inkadinkado on a double challenge card this evening.  I combined today’s color challenge at SCS, Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze, with another of Jacksonbelle’s sketch challenges requiring the use of Inka stamps.  I have 3 new sets of Inka stamps, so I’m having fun with Lindsey’s challenges!!!  Here is tonight’s card:

I followed the sketch exactly, but as I needed, and wanted, more room, I changed it up to a 5.5″ card.  Can you see what I did — I do this ALL the time.  I started my card as a standard A-2 size, which is the blue DP framed in black.  I then realized that as my main image was so large I wanted more room, so I cut a card base to 5.5″ square, just plopped my original work for the A-2 size onto the larger square card, and was good to go.  That gave me room to add my sentiment circle and the nice wide ribbon I wanted to use.  I just used the little snowflake stamp from the set to fill in the dead space along the right border.  And if I didn’t tell you, I’ll bet you’d never know this started as an A-2 sized card!!!  Good thing to remember — it works like a charm and is truly a life saver many times over, for me anyway!!!

My image is colored with the above copics, nothing fancy, but I was pleased to be able to acheive the colors I was after for this color challenge with my limited supply of Copics.  And my sentiment was done with the JustRite Monogram Stamper, the Curlz Starter Kit which includes the Curlz Font and Wood Stamper and the Small Letter Kit.   And I wanted to show it to you because if you will notice, I used the WORDS ONLY this time.  I did not use the outer border.  This gives much more flexibility as to size and shape you may want.  By omitting the border I was able to to get just the size I needed to fit onto this card.  And, luck was with me for once (LOL), as these words were still on my stamper from the last card I made using the Curlz font!!  And you know what I decided, since I have several of this size stamper, I am just going to leave this *Let it Snow* saying on this stamper as I KNOW I’ll be using it again and again on both snowman and snowflake cards I plan to make in the months to come!!!  That just makes sense, doesn’t it?

Stamps:  Ornate Christmas by Inkadinkado, Curlz Starter Set by JustRite and Small Letter Set by JustRite

Paper:  SU Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze and SU DP’s:  Urban Garden and Green Tea

Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black, and Copics in B21, B95, YG95, C1.

Accessories:  May Arts 1.5” Grosgrain Ribbon, SU Slot Punch, Rhinestones, Pearls, Mounting Tape, Pop Dots,  Nestabilities by Spellbinders in Classic Rectangle, Petite Circle and Petite Oval.        

And I guess that’s it once again.  I did get all my kitchen windows washed today and 14 qts. of applesauce made, so it was a good day.  Tomorrow I want to tackle the bathroom — do the window, which also involves making a new valance and shower curtain and valance there as well.  Hope I get it all done!!!  I hope you are all having a productive and fun week, too!!! Thanks much for stopping in!!!

Oh, and before I leave, just wanted to say I saw a new Blog today for the first time.  She hasn’t been blogging long, but I was  just awestruck by the exquisite beauty and meticulous workmanship of each and every project on her Blog — YES, I went through them all!!!  Thought you might enjoy taking a look, too!!!  Her name is Deb and her Blog is My Muse.  See you all tomorrow!!!

I picked up this Birthday Cupcake set by Inkadinkado this past weekend and I love it — if you can believe, it is my FIRST nicely sized cupcake stamp — too funny, I am always the LAST to get with the program and the trends — LOL!!!  Anyway, since I’ve been enjoying my new Inka sets and since Jacksonbelle is running a sketch challenge for Inka stamps, I thought I’d do another.  Here’s the link to the sketch, which is at Lynda Benden’s Blog – a GREAT blog to browse if you haven’t been there before!!!  Filled with beautiful creations. 

Fun card to make.  I used some old DP that I have always loved (from Michaels), colored my cupcake with Copics, glitzed it up with some new Martha Stewart glitter in a purple shade, pierced my scallop border, used the Martha Stewart Lace punch, added ribbons, a flower and called it done!!!  I did not include a sentiment.  Although this is a Birthday set, I really could use this card for other purposes, so to be safe, I left off any sentiment.  I like options when the cards are just going to be left here for my future use.  I’ll adjust it to my needs when the time arises.

Stamps:  Birthday Cupcake by Inkadinkado

Paper:  PTI White, SU Barely Banana and Basic Gray, DP by Making Memories

Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black, Copics to Color

Accessories:  Martha Stewart Lace Punch and Glitter, Glue Pen, May Arts Ribbon, Wal-Mart Flower, Petite Oval Nestabilities by Spellbinders, SU Piercer and Mat Pack, SU Brad, Mounting Tape          

That wraps it up for this post — just a quick one.  I have a lot of company coming and am starting a window washing project, so, well — you know how that goes!!!  Got all my kitchen curtains washed today so I hope to finish the kitchen tomorrow.  Hope you are having a good week!!!

Hi everyone!!!  Today starts a new year for the  Stamp Simply Challenges!  Thank you all so much for playing each week —  I SO enjoy Fridays and THIS is the reason, getting to play with all of YOU!!!   Much Appreciated!!!  I am prewriting this as I won’t have computer access Thursday evening or Friday during the day, so the announcement for the Stamp Simply Guest Designer for the month of November will not be made until Saturday morning.  I’m so sorry, but it just could not be avoided!!!  Now on to this weeks challenge –

Keyword ssnotime53 - There is no time limit. You can play this challenge and upload your project at Splitcoast and/or your Blog, anytime at all!  You (and that means anyone and everyone, blogger or not!) can play as many times as you like!!!  The point is to keep it simple, quick and have fun!!!  Please link back here.

Today’s challenge is to get Cute-n-Classy with JenniB – Jennifer Buck that is, known as JenniB04 over at SCS where, I must add, she was crowned one of the newest Dirty Girls on Monday — way to go Jennifer!!!  Check out her Cute-n-Classy photo here.  Now back to the challenge –

What I see when I view Jennifer’s work are projects that are very clean and fresh,  often with cutsie type images, but always done with total class!!!  I like that!!!  Jennifer’s work is very delightful and refreshing and her fun-loving spirit shines through many of her projects.  Jennifer also does a fair amount of 3-D or altered projects, so if you’re inclined to do a 3-D project for today, that works!!!  So the basic list for today’s challenge is to make a project with a Clean Design, Fresh Colors, Cutsie Images, and a Classy Overall Appearance.  For inspiration, Jennifer is providing us with some samples of her work, as well as a new creation for today.  You can check them all out at The Buck Stamps Here.  And once you get there, take the time to cruise her blog for even more fabulous inspiration!!!  You’ll be pleased you did!!! 

The above are suggestions, not all requirements — the only requirement is that you try to create a project with a clean, fresh and classy feel to it, using Jennifer’s work as your inspiration.  HOW you achieve it, is up to you! We can’t wait to see what you do!!!

If you are viewing this late Thursday night or early Friday morning, please bear with us as everyone is uploading their projects — thank you!!!

Check out Julie Koerber’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 card here.

Check out Becky Oehlers’ card here.

You can see all Gallery Submissions here.

Aren’t these girls just FABULOUS!!!  Thank you girls!!!  Much appreciated!!!  

Here’s my card for today’s challenge:

Every day is a gift — Oh how true!  This beautiful bird image (cute and classy all rolled up into one!) is in a set by Inkadinkado called Winter Birds — so many gorgeous, flourishy birds — I just love it!!!  I merely stamped my image in black onto white paper, and then it was merely a matter of layering paper — now how EASY can that be!!!  I love the clean, crisp feel of the celery, black and white together.  And I got to use more of my new May Arts ribbon, which I LOVE.  This striped ribbon is 1.5″ wide and is a grosgrain, but its nice and soft for tying — just perfect!!!  After my card was all put together, I added a rhinestone eye and traced over the flourishes with a glue pen and applied Dazzling Diamonds, for a VERY dazzling card IRL!!!

• Stamps: Winter Birds by Inkadinkado, sentiment by Papertrey Ink

• Paper:  PTI White, SU Black and Certainly Celery

• Ink:  VersaFine Onyx Black

• Accessories: May Arts Ribbon, Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, SU Large Oval Punch, SU Slot Punch, Mounting Tape, Rhinestone

Hope you have some time this week to play with us and get Cute-n-Classy with JenniB!!!  It’s a fun one!!!  Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead!!!

This has to be a quick post tonight - I won’t bore you with details.  I just got a few new sets by Inkadinkado, my first sets by Inka actually, and when a friend told me about the sketch and contest that Jacksonbelle is having, well, of COURSE, I had to play!!! So here you have it:

The card is 5.5″ square.  The blue panel is embossed with Iridescent Ice but all the rest of the glitter is glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds,  and I don’t know why the blue of the glue pen is showing through on the photo because it isn’t IRL — also the sheer ribbon IS navy blue just like the paper!  The snowflake is from the Ice Crystal die for the Cuttlebug, purchased from Jacksonbelle Embellishments, cut out of chipboard.  LOVE that die!!!

• Stamps:  Winter Birds by Inkadinkado, Baroque Motifs by SU

• Paper:  PTI White and SU Night of Navy

• Ink:  Versa Mark and SU Night of Navy

• Accessories:  Sheer Ribbon, Petite Oval Nestabilities by Spellbinders, Cuttlebug and Ice Crystal Die, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Brad, Mounting Tape

Thanks so much for looking!!!  We’ll all be back on Friday with our Stamp Simply Challenge — a fun one again!!! Hope you can join us!

Oh yes, scroll to the next post down to check out all the Blog Candy contests — it is up to date as posted.