No Time To Stamp?

I love to make gift card holders and this is in a non-traditional size with a vintage feel.  In shades of soft yellows, ivory and a touch of blue I consider this to be gender-neutral, suitable for either a girl or boy.  And it is oversized, not made to fit into an envelope but meant to be given as is, either personally to the new Mom and Dad or at a baby shower, or how pretty it would be gently placed in a gift basket along with other beautiful goodies. It is made from one full 8 1/2 x 11″ sheet of cardstock and the finished measurements are 4 1/2 x 8 1/2. Instructions to follow later in the post.  But let’s take a look:

I loved the vintage feel of this DP by SU (Bella Birds), so I added a border with a Martha Stewart Lace Punch and my 100% Ivory Silk Bow.  This image from the Baby Stamp Ensemble by JustRite also has a vintage feel to it that I love!

The image is stamped in VersaFine Vintage Sepia (it was the perfect shade of brown) and Copic colored.  Be mindful, VersaFine is NOT the ink you would typically use to Copic color, I just cheated as I wanted that color today.  My image from the Baby Stamp Ensemble was cut and layered with my Petite Oval Nestabilities, and Kaiser Pearls in Champagne were added. 

Here you can better see the detail of the lace punched border and my bow using 100% Silk Ribbon, made on the Bow Easy.

Here is the gift card holder inside.  The large pocket can hold all kinds of goodies.  The top flap is held securely closed with a Velcro Dot closure. 

This is the Baby Stamp Ensemble by JustRite and the good news is — it’s currently on sale at the JustRite Stampers site!  It requires the 2 1/4 x 3 1/16″ Oval Stamper.  That’s the same oval stamper we’ve been using of late with Autumn Blessings and Thinking of You.  And as you can see in the photo, I always cut out my images to remove the excess rubber as it does have a tendency to pick up unwanted ink.  This solves the problem quickly and easily! 

If you care to look, here’s a baby girl gift card holder in the traditional size I did with this same set nearly a year ago.

And quickly, here’s the how-to on this gift card holder.

Using an 8.5 x 11″ sheet of cardstock, punch a lace border along one 8.5″ edge.  If you start exactly in the middle with your punch, then work both to the left and right, your scallop design will be perfectly centered.

Score 2.5″ from the opposite short edge, and again 4.5″ in from the first score line.

That’s your basic card holder, now just decorate away!

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SHOPPING:

Get the Baby Stamp Ensemble at SALE PRICES at JustRite Stampers, along with their full line of product.  You’ll also need the 2 1/4″ x 3 1/16″ Oval Stamper if you don’t have it already.

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The following items used to create this project can be purchased at the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store:

2 1/4 x 3  1/16 Oval Stamper, Versa Fine Vintage Sepia Ink, Kaiser Pearls , Velcro Dot Closure

100% Silk Ribbon  by May Arts

Bow Easy, Petite Oval Nestabilities by Spellbinders, Scor-It Score Board

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Please Note:  All Ribbon by the Spool in The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store is on sale for 15% off when purchased by the Spool.

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Thank you so much for stopping in today — I do truly appreciate all your visits here.  I’ve got a lot on my agenda this week, some of which includes stamping, so I hope to see you back real soon.  Have a wonderful week, everyone!!!  See you soon!!!

Feeling Square? - Today’s challenge has to do with shape — squares.  NO rounded corners on todays card — so that means NO oval or circular punches or die cuts — only square shapes.  The card must be square, any size, as long as it’s square and all layers added must have squared corners.  Only your small embellishments can be round or oval — so you can use buttons, brads, primas, etc. as embellishements, even though they may be round. So if you’re feeling a little square, today is YOUR day!!!  You know, it’s TOTALLY HIP TO BE SQUARE!!!!  Have fun!!!

Keyword ssnotime110 - 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.

Check out the great samples for the Stamp Simply Challenge today on the blogs of these fabulous designers:

• Amy, October Guest Designer
• Janine   
• Julie 
• AJ
• Tammy is taking the night off!  Get a good rest, Tam!
• Deb  has some great Blog Candy today!
• Barbara
• Jenny
• Barb Schram (Barb is kindly filling in for a bit as Jennifer Buck takes some much needed time off — enjoy your break, Jennifer — we’ll miss you!)

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

You may see all SCS Gallery Submissions here.

And here’s my Square creation for today:

A 5.5″ square card — Stamped VERY Simply.

Image is from Old Fashioned Christmas by JustRite, used on the 3 1/4″ Wood Stamper, stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and it is Copic Colored — the square is 2.5″.

Sentiment is from Many Merry Messages by SU, stamped in Versa Fine Onyx Black Ink, my favorite ink for crisp and clean sentiments.

Double Embossed Lines are made with my Scor-It, spaced 1/4″ apart.  Using Perga Soft  makes your scoring tool just glide over even the heaviest of papers.

Trying to show you how deeply impressed you can get your embossed lines when using a Scor-It.  Makes for very professional looking embossed designs.

All items linked in the text above are available at the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

Thanks much for stopping in — it’s been an exhausting day so I’m signing off without much chit chat! 

If you are interested in any of the JustRite Monogram Kits at 30% off, please scroll down one post, or click here to read about them — thanks!  See you all real soon!!!

A clean and simple gift card holder that is masculine, seasonal (autumn) and personalized with the recipients initials.  I used a collection of varying stamps on this simple little project, but they all blended wonderfully.  Here it is:

Leaf image is from A Year of Leaves by Melanie Muenchinger for Gina K. Designs (copic colored).  A great set for year round use!  Initials done with 60 Pt Font contained in the 1 3/16″ Wood Stamper with Bonus 60 pt Font and Damask Borders by JustRite.  Paper (Autumn Traditions DP), hardware and inside sentiment are all by SU.  I used a strip of White 5/8″ Double Sided Suede. I love this suede on guy cards.  It adds the ribbon touch we love, but without the fru-fru that guys don’t particularly love — LOL!!  The touchy-feeliness of this suede is wonderful and is very suited to an autumn card!  I want to add that I don’t typically like to cut my ribbon at the edge of the card — I prefer to wrap it around; however, with this suede ribbon, it cuts beautifully with no fraying or ravelling, so I did adhere it to the card front only and cut the sides — works GREAT with this suede ribbon.  It is all held closed with a self-adhesive Velcro Dot.  Here’s the inside:

Can you see the closure?  It’s my favorite self-adhesive Velcro Dots, and I just added them in 3 colors to Page 3 of my store.  I usually try to make my cards so all the hardware backs are hidden between layers, but on a CAS card sometimes that harder to do, and it’s OK if they show - especially on guys cards — LOL — they don’t care!  This has a nice little pocket to tuck in some cash, a check or gift card!

This is my favorite quick and easy Gift Card Holder template and I’ve used it dozens of times.  I originally got the measurements from an SCS challenge years ago.  Start with a 1/2 sheet of paper - 8.5 x 5.5 - and using my Scor-It I scored in 2″ from one short edge and 2.5″ in from the other short short edge.  When folded, the 2.5″ flap is the top while the 2″ flap is the pocket (adhere on the sides with red sticky tape).  Then just decorate away.  This is a GREAT little template that comes in so handy time and time again.

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The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store carries the following items used on this project:

1 3/16″ Wood Stamper with Bonus 60 pt Font and Damask Borders by JustRite

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (image) and VersaFine Onyx Black Ink (sentiment)

5/8″ Double Sided Suede Ribbon by May Arts

Self-Adhesive Velcro Dots

Scor-It

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Thanks much for stopping in today.  I have one more masculine gift card holder to make in the next day or two and it will be for Pastor Appreciation Month.   I really should make a few masculine birthday cards as well - this just may be a masculine week here on my blog — time will tell!!!  We have some gorgeous sunshine and pleasant temps today — hope you are enjoying pleasant days as well!!!  See you soon!

Gatefolds  — Today’s challenge deals with how we fold our card — we are going to do Gatefold cards today.  Fun for a change!  Gatefolds are cards that fold in from each side, meeting in the middle, so it opens like a gate.  The folds don’t have to be symmetrical, your opening can be off center if you like.  Check out all the DT samples for some great ideas with this fun fold!!!

Keyword ssnotime109 - 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.

Check out the great samples for the Stamp Simply Challenge today on the blogs of these fabulous designers:

• Amy, October Guest Designer
• Janine   
• Julie 
• AJ
• Tammy 
• Deb
• Barbara
• Jenny
• Barb Schram (Barb is kindly filling in for a bit as Jennifer Buck takes some much needed time off — enjoy your break, Jennifer — we’ll miss you!)

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

You may see all SCS Gallery Submissions here.

And here’s my Gatefold creation for today:

A Christmas card simply made using a Winter Cotton Scrap, a Vintage Envelope Sentiment from Flower Soft, 100% Silk Ribbon (Burgundy), a die cut corner and pretty SU paper, Autumn Traditions  (a fall pack, but I love a few of the prints in it for Christmas).  My gatefold opening is off center and you can scroll down to get measurements for cutting and scoring this fold.

I’m trying to capture the glitz here.  My Cotton Scrap is sewn onto Soft Suede SU cardstock which I distressed afer sewing, using my scissor blades.  I like to sew in this meandering fashion because then you don’t have to be so careful that’s it pefect, and that’s good!  Santa’s hair and beard where dazzled up by drawing lines with my Quickie Glue Pen and sprinkling on SU Dazzling Diamonds.  SOOOO pretty IRL.  The envelope is a fun cutout from a pack called Vintage Envelope Sentiments by Flower Soft — PERFECT for that finishing touch!

Here’s the inside.  I adhered Very Vanilla cardstock, used a Cuttlebug die cut corner inside to match the one on the front, and stamped my inside sentiment with one of the centers from Christmas Treasures by JustRite, used on a 3 1/4″ Wood Stamper.  And can you see on the Cotton Scrap panel how I adhered a piece of cardstock to the back to cover up all my stitching lines and give the inside a cleaned up look?  It also served well in this instance as I could sandwich my ribbon between the layers.  This is the only place where the ribbon is attached to the card.  It merely wraps around the card and you tie your bow on the side.  The recipient then has to open the bow to open the card — FUN!!!  I think so anyway.  It gives a bit of a *present* feel to your card.

My paper is cut to a standard 1/2 sheet - -5.5 x 8.5″.  I used my Scor-It Mini to score my fold lines.  I scored 1 3/4″ from one edge and 2.5″ from the other edge.  Once folded it gives me the standard A2 size of 5 1/2 x 4 1/4″.

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Shopping:

Flower Soft carries the Vintage Envelope Sentiments as well as their full line of product.

The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store carries the following items to create this project:

• Christmas Treasures Set on the 3 1/4″ Round Stamper by JustRite

• VersaFine Vintage Sepia Ink

• Scor-It Mini

• Burgundy 100% Silk Ribbon by May Arts

• Winter Cotton Scraps by Crafty Secrets

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So glad you were able to stop in again today — wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead, and hope you can try a Gatefold card if you are so inclined.  They’re fun!  See you soon!

I have a couple of super quick Halloween treat ideas today.  The first is a little basket that could be used for school treats, table favors, or a teacher gift as it’s cute for a desk decoration.  The second is a small money holder for a dollar or two for your favorite little ghost or goblin!  Here they are:

I used last year’s Halloween DP by K & Company that I got from Michaels.  It’s very glittery and festive. Not sure if it’s still available.  The only other paper used is Pumpkin Pie cardstock by SU for the scallop.  The stamp set used is this year’s Limited Edition Halloween Set by JustRite, called Witch Way to the Treats.  It fits on the 1 3/16″ Wooden Stamper, a fun size.  I do have a limited number of sets left, but won’t be able to get any more once they are gone.  I’ll tell you quickly how I made these and give you some closeup shots.

This little basket is so quick and simple.  It’s basically a cube that has not been pushed all the way in to form the cube.  The side flaps are only partially pushed in and adhered, if that makes sense?  I’m thinking there is an official name for one of these, but I can’t put a finger on it.  Anyone know?  To make this, start with a square of paper, 6 x 6″.  I then used my Scor-It to score 2″ in from all 4 sides.  You end up with 9 equal squares.  Cut the 2 score lines on 2 opposing sides.  Now you can fold it up, just don’t fold it all the way in, and adhere into position.  (I don’t have time to make a template and photo now to show you, but if anyone doesn’t understand and would like a template photo, just let me know and I’ll come back this evening and edit this post to include one.)

Here’s a view of the back.  I think you can see how it folds easier on this side.  My handle is made of 10″ of 1.5″ Striped Ribbon. It is just adhered to the inside of the basket with a heavy duty double sided tape, folded on the bottom where taped to create the little gather.  It is then stuffed with shredded paper and some wrapped taffy.  Finished it measures about 5″ at the widest point and about 5″ high.

This is a little holder for a dollar bill or don’t some places like McDonald’s make coupons for Halloween?  A fun way to present a little treat.  Finished it is 4″ square. Cut your paper 4 x 9″.  Again using my Scor-It, I scored 2″ from the bottom for the pocket and used double sided red tape on the sides to adhere it up.  I then scored 3″ down from the top to create the top flap, and I rounded the corners with my SU Corner Rounder.  Now it’s done, except for decoration.

Again, I used Witch Way to the Treats and the same Grape 1.5″ Striped Ribbon.  And I really like this ribbon treatment — so quick to do and fun!  The ribbon is tacked to the flap with double sided tape so it doesn’t slip and the ends are just tied with a coordinating color of 100% Jute String.  Can’t get much easier.  And in this case I love how that ribbon flying off the end of the card mimics the motion of the witches broom in the image.

Here’s the inside — fun with the double sided paper!  And just enough room for some little treat!

Nothing fancy about either of these projects.  They were kept super simple with mass producing in mind for school or other events. 

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Shopping: 

Most items to make these projects, with the exception of the paper, can be found in the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store:

Witch Way to the Treats Set and 1 3/16″ Wood Stamper by JustRite

Petite Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders

1.5″ Striped Ribbon and 100% Jute String by May Arts

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Thanks so much for stopping in today!  Hope you are enjoying this Autumn Season!  We are still having higher than normal temps and we are waiting for the leaves to change.  It’s always so beautiful here in the fall.  And speaking of fall, that reminds me of this week’s Stamp Simply Challenge — stay tuned!  It’ll be up on Thursday evening, as usual.  Have a great week, everyone!

Today begins the Mega JustRite Font Blog Hop and with 54 designers sharing ideas it continues through tomorrow as well.  Be sure to read through to the end of my  post.  Tons of links are shared as well as info on the week long Font Sale at JustRite and some fun Blog Candy offerings.  Now, on to my project.  I have a lot of photos, so I’ll be brief with my words.

A trio of Christmas cards — Stamped Simply — using both Times New Roman Uppercase Font and Times New Roman Lowercase Font on the Harmony Rectangle Stampers.  I feel it’s best to keep projects simple for the holidays.  These cards were a pleasure and a breeze to make.  What a feeling of accomplishment when they go together so quickly.

Here’s a visual of what I used — Times New Roman Font Uppercase and Lowercase on the Harmony Rectangle Stampers.  I’m loving these 2 sentiments for this style of Christmas card, so I’m sure I’ll be leaving the letters in tact for some time yet.  I’m blessed to have several stampers — something you may want to consider, too, especially now when they are on sale!

My sentiment is gold embossed, outlined with a gold leaf pen (I actually use a Calligraphy Pen by Marvy Uchida — it’s my latest favorite gold pen — the tip is a bit smaller than some).  My sentiment is then nestled between rows of double embossed lines.

A similar card in a vertical orientation.  Note here how the sentiment is only adhered on the ends, allowing it to rise up over the ribbon — kind of a nice touch, I thought!  Kaiser rhinestones are used to add some glitz.  My Red 100% Silk Ribbon by May Arts is tied in my favorite fun and flirty fashion with the Bow Easy.  You can read this post to see how it is done.

This card is the same as the first, just reversed with the ribbon at the bottom.  Can you see how I’ve lined the insides of the cards in pure white? I like an inside that is easy to write on and also easy to read.   The card itself is Gold Brushed Metallic paper.

To emboss the double lines in my cards today, I used my Scor-It Mini.  I left a 1″ space for my sentiment to be placed and my double lines are 1/4″ apart.  If you use a Scor-It, using the Perga Soft on your scoring tool tip helps the tool to glide over your paper.  It feels like you are gliding over butter — totally effortless.

I have a hard time taking pictures to get the embossed lines to show up as they do IRL.  That’s what I’m trying to show you here.  I really like the depth of the embossing when using a Scor-It.

Here’s a nice closeup of the heat embossed sentiment, lined with gold leaf pen.  A couple of tips for you:

1)  People think they can’t draw a straight line so they couldn’t use a gold leaf pen. WRONG!  The pen tips are soft, like a marker.  You push the tip into the paper, starting at one corner, and draw the pen towards you with just a tiny bit of pressure. The paper forms sort of a groove in the tip and the line comes perfectly straight.  It truly could not be more simple — if you haven’t done this, give it a try.  An easy way to dress up a simple project.

2)  Another common question — how do you get the sentiment so straight on that small piece of paper.  Well, I don’t — LOL!!! I don’t stamp on a small piece.  I stamp on at least a 1/4 sheet of paper.  Once your stamper is loaded with letters and ready to go, line up the bottom edge of the Rectangle Wood Stamper with the bottom edge of the paper so it’s nice and straight and stamp there.  Now your sentiment will be straight with the bottom of the paper, so now you can easily trim it down to size on your paper cutter.  If you were using Nesties to cut your sentiment, then it would be of no concern — but today I was cutting my sentiments myself on the paper cutter.

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Shopping:

JustRite Stampers has the Font Sets I used today, Times New Roman Uppercase, Times New Roman Lowercase and the Harmony Rectangle Stampers, as well as their entire Font line on sale for one week.  Take advantage and pick up some extra Harmony Rectangle Stampers as well!

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store  carries the 100% Silk Ribbon by May Arts in 21 colors, the Bow Easy and the full line of Scor-It products.

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JustRite is celebrating a Mega Font Blog Hop, a two day extravaganza with 54 designers, in style with a Super7 Day Font Sale.  If you’re looking for some fabulous font sets, you won’t want to miss this sale, they are offering 30% off all JustRite font sets and the Horizontal and Vertical Font Stampers.  The sale begins September 17th and ends September 24th.

There’s Mystery Blog Candy being given away during the Two Day Just Rite Font Blog Hop!!! Why is it a mystery? Well there will be three blog candy giveaways on each day and you can only win by leaving a comment on the right blog!  The real surprise is you won’t know which blog has the candy. Even the designers don’t know!  So, as you visit each of the 54 designers over the two day event, take time to leave a comment. You may be one of the lucky winners! You have until 12:00 noon on Sunday to leave comments for your chance to win. You’ll want to check back at the JustRite Blog on Sunday evening to find out if you’ve won.

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And now it’s time to start hopping.  Here are the links for today’s player — so grab your cup of coffee or tea and settle in for some fun hopping!  (I’m sorry if these links, or anything else on this post,  are a garbled mess, I’m working on it - MAJOR blog issues going on here today — so sorry.  You can scroll down to an old-fashioned link list if this one doesn’t work.)

Michelle Wooderson

Sankari Wegman

Heidi Blankenship

Eva Dobilas

Beate Johns

Sharon Harnist 

Barbara Anders 

Sharon Johnson 

Deb Saaranen 

Becca Feeken

Kazan Clark 

Lauren Meader 

Tammy Hershberger 

Linda Beeson 

Jenny Gropp 

Lori Craig

Tanis Giesbrecht 

Jenn Balcer 

Lisa Somerville 

Karen Maldonado 

Pamela Smerker

Karen Taylor 

Latisha Yoast 

Julie Overby 

Mary Pfaff

JustRite Blog

Thanks so much for stopping in today!  Truly enjoyed having you here — enjoy your Hop and I’ll be back late Thursday evening with our weekly Stamp Simply Challenge.  Hope to see you then.

Michelle Wooderson
http://michellewooderson.blogspot.com
Sankari Wegman
http://sunnysankari.blogspot.com
Heidi Blankenship
http://embellished-dreams.blogspot.com
Eva Dobilas
http://evafromca.blogspot.com/
Beate Johns
http://beate.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com
Sharon Harnist
http://paperfections.typepad.com
Barbara Anders
http://barspaperpursuits.blogspot.com
Sharon Johnson
http://notimetostamp.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com
Deb Saaranen
http://deborahlynnesdreamincolor.blogspot.com/
Becca Feeken
http://www.amazingpapergrace.com/
Kazan Clark
http://nunutoolies.blogspot.com
Lauren Meader
http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com
Tammy Hershberger
http://stamphappy-tammy.blogspot.com
Linda Beeson
http://pkod.blogspot.com/
Jenny Gropp
http://www.onekraftykat.blogspot.com/
Lori Craig
http://loricraig.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Tanis Giesbrecht
http://papercanvas.wordpress.com/
Jenn Balcer
http://jbalcer.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Lisa Somerville
http://www.lisasomerville.com
Karen Maldonado
http://reallifeinpictures.blogspot.com/
Pamela Smerker
http://www.paperaskew.blogspot.com
Karen Taylor
http://creativeyearnings.blogspot.com/
Latisha Yoast
www.crafteebee.blogspot.com
Julie Overby
http://joverby.blogspot.com/
Mary Pfaff
http://crafty-cabin.blogspot.com/

It seems I need way too many sympathy cards — I had to get one in the mail today for a friend whose mother passed away.  To save time I decided to make basically the same card that I posted yesteday, only make it a bit more feminine.  So today I have a CAS feminine sympathy card, using the same layout as the masculine sympathy card I posted yesterday.  There are a few changes that I’ll explain as I go:

Same idea as yesterday — Cuttlebug  focal background, the same image from Thinking of You by JustRite (see, I TOLD you I’d use this set a lot — LOL!).  Same large size of 5.25 x 7.75″ , same VersaFine Onyx Black Ink (my FAV for sentiments and black images).  This time I used the Petite Oval Nesties rather than the Classic I used yesterday on the masculine card.  Can you see  how when using the Petite the oval is more elongated — leaving me room on the sides to add my pearls?  It’s really not as perfect of a fit, but I like the fact that I have room for pearls.  Here’s a closeup:

I also used scallops around my oval for a more feminine touch, and I added a Black 100% Silk Bow made with the Bow Easy. 

And here’s  2 other touches to gussy up this card:

I used Perfect Pearls on my Cuttlebug embossed image.  Can you see in the photo how the raised leaf design has a pearly shimmer to it?  I accomplished that very easily with the Perfect Pearls Kit I have in the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.  I love the rich and elegant look this gives.  Here’s what I did:

• Emboss paper in Cuttlebug

• Run Perfect Medium (or Versa Mark) over the embossed paper

• Using the larger, soft brush take a very small amount of Perfect Pearls in Pearl color and brush over the embossed paper, working in small sections, until done.  In this case, I only did the raised portions.

• Using a Swiffer cloth, wipe the paper to remove excess powder — done!

• You can spray with a Fixative if you so desire to keep powder from brushing off. (I did NOT on this card).

Can you see how the large blush background panel is embossed in a diamond grid design?  Another quick and easy touch using my Scor-It Score Board and the Sliding Ruler made to attach to it.  Using the sliding ruler it is SO easy to create fun embossed or debossed lines to add texture and interest to your card — just LOVE it!!!  I thought it went so well with this sympathy card.

Shopping:

The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store  carries the following items to create this card:

• Thinking of  You Stamp Set by JustRite

• 2 1/4 x 3 1/16″ Wood Block to use with stamp set

• VersaFine Onyx Black Ink

• 100% Silk Ribbon

• Perfect Pearls Kits

• Bow Easy

• Scor-It Score Board

• 12″ Sliding Ruler for Scor-It Score Board

Thanks much for checking in again today — with summer winding down, I surely hope to be posting more regularly and more times per week — that’s my goal, anyway!  Something to work toward.  We are experiencing HOT summer weather this week — which is nice to finally get, even though a comfortable 75 degree day with breezes suites me to a T!!!!  Hope you are all having a great week!

And be sure to check out all the fun with the new Christmas releases being revealed this week at the JustRite Blog.  There are blog candy giveaways and fun all week long. And if you need any of the new Christmas sets, just let me know, I’d be happy to supply them for you – they all release next week!  Lots of fun stuff and I can’t WAIT to start sharing some projects with you!!!

This Blog Hop officially begins at 11 a.m. Thursday (today).  I had to post early, so though you can see my creations, the links won’t go to live posts for the other DT members until 11 a.m., so please check back in then and start hopping along!

Today I am offering a sneak peek at one of the many new Christmas sets JustRite will soon have available for this Christmas season.  This set is called Christmas Treasures, available for purchase August 22,  and though it has 4 centers and 4 borders, I’m only using 2 centers on my projects today.  This set fits the large 3 1/4″ Wood Stamper. (All links will be at the end of this post).  I loved that large round stamper last Christmas season and I can see I’m going to get even more use out of it this year!!!

Well, I had new Christmas stamps to play with, but no new holiday paper, so in going through my supply of older Christmas papers, I was amazed at how much I had.  I feel I really do need to use up some older papers to make room for the new, so I’ve made envelopes to match each card for today, a great use of DP’s if you’re looking to reduce your stash!  Additionally in planning for my cards today, I wanted to show you some cards that would be relatively quick and easy to reproduce.  We all make so many cards at Christmas, we need the quick and simple, right?  Well, I do anyway!  Here’s my first:

What a beautiful image portraying the true meaning of Christmas.  My background is Cuttlebug embossed and to create this rich, aged look, I ran a Versa Mark pad across the embossing, then I brushed on some Perfect Pearls, removing the excess with a Swiffer cloth, and I then sprayed it with Krylon Workable Fixatif to set the powder and keep it from rubbing off. It creates the look of an expensive embossed paper, and it only took minutes!  The envelope was made with the coordinating SU Prints DP using the Envelope-It Template.

Here’s a better look at the image. So perfect for Christmas!  I colored the earth with Copics (E31 and YG95) and there is glitter sparkling on all the stars.  The ribbon treatment was easy on this card as well.  A strip of ribbon is just around the panel and then a separate length was run under the ribbon and tied into a bow, shirring the ribbon underneath – I like that look of shirred ribbon.

This next version is even quicker to mass produce, using DP rather than an embossed background sheet.

Sticking with my theme of cards that are easy to mass produce, and using the same simple layout,  I made my ornament hanging on a ribbon by simply stamping my sentiment from Christmas Treasures by JustRite and then cutting with  the Labels One Nestability by Spellbinders on the diagonal. The ornament topper is made with the SU Round Tab Punch.  Once folded, I just cut off those curled up ends to straighten the sides.  The edges of the ornament are done with a gold pen and the topper is covered with glitter.  The envelope, made with the Envelope-It template, is done with the same DP and I added the simple glittery stripes to give it some pizzazz.  I just adhered down 2 strips of red sticky tape, peeled off  the  protective covering and sprinkled with glitter — perfect stripes!!!

Today’s cards used the same layout, with slight variation, giving 2 totally different looks. Christmas Treasures will be a fun set for sure!  Next time I’ll add some borders!  Watch for it on the JustRite Blog in August.  It will be available to order on August 22.  I love this set because it offers a nice variety of images — something to suit any type of Christmas card you may need.  And remember, Christmas Treasures fits the 3 1/4″ Circle Stamper — a size I LOVE!!! 

As I said, I am posting a bit early.  The JustRite Blog Hop officially begins at 11:00 a.m. Thursday (today), and that’s when all these links will take you to some GREAT JustRite projects to inspire you!!!!  Be sure to stop back in and check out all the projects!

Editing:  I must apologize — I see the links are rather messed up — some work properly and some will bring you to the blog on the person below where you are clicking.  I am so sorry.  I am out the door in minutes for a little vacation with no time to correct this.  I’m so sorry.  But at least one click will get you started!

Barb Schram
Becca Feeken
Debbie Olson
Heidi Blankenship
Kathy Jones
Kellie Fortin
Lauren Meader
Lisa Somerville
Michele Kovack
Michelle Wooderson
Sharon Harnist
Sharon Johnson - that’s me
Taylor Van Bruggen
JustRite Blog

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Stamps:  Christmas Treasures by JustRite, used on the 3 1/4″ Round Wood Stamper

Paper:  PTI White, SU Black, River Rock, River Rock DP, Ski Slope DP

Ink:  VersaFine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Versa Mark, Sandford Gold Pen, SU River Rock, Copics in E31, YG95

Accessories:  Black Silk Ribbon, Petite Circle and Labels One Nestabilities by Spellbinders, SU Round Tab Punch, Envelope-It, Cuttlebug and Textile Embossing Folder, Glue Glider, SU Dimensionals, Carpet Tape, Red Sticky Tape, Glue Pen, SU Dazzling Diamonds, unknown Gold Glitter, Perfect Pearls, Swiffer Cloth, Krylon Workable Fixatif

Shopping:

JustRite Stampers for the 3 1/4″ Round Wood Stamper and Christmas Treasures available on August 22, as well as all the JustRite products 

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store for 100% Silk May Arts Ribbon, Envelope-It by Scor-It, VersaFine Onyx Black Ink, Scor-It Score Boards, Perfect Pearls by Ranger

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And don’t miss the NEXT Just Rite Blog Hop coming on August 17, showcasing ALL the new JustRite Christmas products!  It’ll be a fun one!!!

Thank you so much everyone for stopping in today!  Make sure you check back at 11:00 to check out all the fabulous projects on the JustRite DT links above!  I’m leaving now for a bit of a vacation, but our Stamp Simply Challenge will pop up tonight as usual!

Keyword ssnotime95 - 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.

Let the Sparks Fly!- I know the 4th is over, but fireworks are a big deal around here and the sparks are still flying!  So let’s make some sparks of our own today — or at least *sparkles* — today let us use glitter, generous amounts of glitter (if you like) so our creations sparkle away and catch the eye.  Let’s create our own fireworks here in blogland!  Have fun getting sparkly!!!  (If you are not a glitter user, then just make sure you add some sparkly feature to your project!)

Check out the great samples for the Stamp Simply Challenge today on the blogs of these designers:

• Rose Ann, July Guest Designer
• Janine
• Jennifer - is taking the night off!
• Julie - is taking the night off!
• AJ
• Tammy
• Deb
• Barbara
• Jenny

Please bear with us as we are all uploading and linking on Thursday night. Everyone should be uploaded by Friday morning.

You can see all Gallery Submissions here. Thanks, girls!

And here is my sparkly creation for this week (all product links will be at the very bottom of  this post):

For today’s challenge I kept it simple by using glittered paper, Blue Awning by K & Co,  glittered chipboard to match, and I *stamped simply* by creating a monogram.  This paper and chipboard are both highly sparkly IRL, but it is lost in the photo — so sorry!

This is a wedding card I’ll need for August with the monogram of the newly married couple.  When monogramming for a couple, the woman’s initial is first, or on the left (Anna), the man’s (Eric) initial is on the right, and their last name is large and in the center.  How FUN for a newly married couple to receive what might be their very FIRST monogram!  I also made an envelope to match, which is seen beneath the card, which I’ll show you how to do in a bit.

First I just want to take a minute to talk about JustRite product — monograms specifically.  I LOVE monograms.  Monograms are what first drew me to JustRite and as much new and fun product as JustRite has come out with of recent, the simple monograms still lay near and dear to my heart as being an all time favorite.  I made today’s monogram using the  Special Occasions Monogram Kit.  That kit contains the 1 5/8″ Wood Stamper, 3 borders, 3 centers, and 3 sets of Special Occaisons Font in 2 sizes.  However, what I really love about the JustRite product is that it is all so interchangeable.  Take a look at the closeup of my monogram:

Today I chose not to use the borders on my stamper as I wanted to use the chipboard border that coordinated with my paper.   So I very easily stamped out my initials and built my monogram layers with paper and chipboard.  As long as you have ANY Font Set by JustRite and a Wooden Stamper to snap the letters into, you could do the same thing.  I love the complete Monogram Kits in the boxes, an all-in-one-package, but just because you may not have a kit, don’t feel you can’t make pretty monograms!  Personally, my favorite font is the elegant and pretty Special Occasions, especially for monograms, but it’s so fun to have a variety and choice to allow us to do masculine monograms, mongrams for children, whimsical monograms, etc.  Just wanted to point out that with JustRite, once you starting collecting product, it is SO interchangeable that your options are limitless.

OK, now on to how I made the envelope.  The front is shown above in the first photo.  And the back of the envie has a monogram to seal it closed — take a look:

Good gracious, but I’m having fun making these envelopes. Truly, they just take a minute or two, and I KNOW that is hard to believe, but it’s TRUE!  I’m using the Envelope-It template by Scor-It and all you need is a sheet of paper that is at least 9.25″ x 7.25″ and you can create an envie — how fun!  That’s smaller than a standard 8.5 x 11″ sheet of cardstock.  Here’s the template:

The template is made of aluminum, so it’s going to last!  The instructions are printed right on it, so they won’t get lost.  It even shows you were to put the glue — a foolproof template, for sure!  It has tiny legs you can adhere if you like, and I did.  I do like it raised up just a bit.  You can do this in either of two ways.  Working on a cutting mat, you could cut around the template with a hobby blade and be done!  I’m not real great with knives, so I prefer to trace around it with a pencil and then cut on my pencil line with scissors.  It just takes a minute.  The large hole in the center is a GREAT idea.  It is so you can SEE the design on your paper and you can place the template so that the design you want gets properly centered on the envelope front — BRILLIANT THINKING!!!

Photo 1:  Once your envelope is cut, lay it on your 12″ (full-sized) Scor-It board UPSIDE DOWN, and score all 4 lines from point to point, as shown on the template.  Very easy and quick.  It all lines up very quickly.

Photo 2:  Once scored I have turned my envelope to the right side for you to see.  You can see the pattern on the paper is nicely placed on the envelope front and the tabs and flaps are ready to be folded and glue applied.  VERY SIMPLE.

Once again, here’s the envelope back with the monogram used as a seal.  You will also note I DTP’d all the envie edges to give them a more finished look.

And again the completed project and the envelope front — you can see how I’ve used another piece of coordinating chipboard on the envie front. ALL super easy and quick to do — from monogram to envelope — but making a GREAT presentation!

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Stamps:  Special Occasions Monogram Kit by JustRite

Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream, Blue Awning by K & Co. (Michaels)

Ink:  ColorBox Chalk Inks in Creamy Brown and Blue Iris

Accessories:  1.25″ Silk Ribbon, K & Co. Adhesive Chipboard (Michaels), Petite Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders, SU Corner Rounder and Dimensionals, Glue Glider, Scor-It 12″ Score Board, Envelope-It Template

Shopping:

JustRite Stampers for the Special Occasions Monogram Kit and other JustRite Font and Wood Stampers

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store for the May Arts Silk Ribbon, Envelope-It Template and Scor-It Score Boards.

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Check out these MASCULINE MONOGRAM projects uploaded tonight by Kellie — I think you’ll like them — and they surely show the versatility of the JustRite product!

So glad you stopped in again to see what we’re up to!  Please be sure to click all the DT links above to see their great takes on this fun challenge.  And hoping you can play with us this week if you’re inclined and able!!!  Wishing you all a wonderful, fun and safe summer weekend!!!  I’ll be back soon - thanks much for stopping!

There are times when you need a card to be just a little more special.  This is one of those times, most unfortunately.  One of the girls in our stamping group, very suddenly and unexpectedly, lost her husband just a few days ago.  The funeral is tomorrow.  Trish is a stamper who enjoys beautiful cards, so I tried to make this one beautiful, especially for her.  The sentiment says…  May your Heart and Soul find peace and comfort.  That is my prayer for Trish and her young children.  Here’s the card I made:

I used the new sympathy set by JustRite, called Thinking of You, available for purchase on July 7.  It is made to use with the Harmony Classic 2 1/4″ x 3 1/16″ Oval Stamper.  It has 6 different centers and borders, all very lovely for a sympathy card.  I simply gold embossed my sentiment and border, then cut with a Petite Oval Nestability, layering it on top of a Labels 1 Nestability.  I used Cuttlebug die cut corners and edged with a gold pen.  Some elevation, a silk ribbon and bow made on the Bow Easy, and I’m done!

You will notice I also made an envelope to match, and it only took me a couple of mintues, truly!  I used my brand new Envelope-It template by Scor-It.  I was so pleased with how easy it was.  It’s an aluminum template with the instructions printed right on it.  You can either cut your paper with a craft knife or trace and cut with scissors.  I think adding a matching envelope just really sets off a card and makes it all the more special.  Having my new Envelope-It to use, I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot more matching envies for my cards!

Another thing I’d like to point out – about the Oval Nestabilities.  This stamp set by JustRite, like the previous ovals in this size, were made specifically to fit the Classic Oval Nestability dies.  Well, I don’t own them (but they are on order).  What I do have is the set of Petite Oval Nestabilities.  If you look again at my card, you’ll see that my die cut oval is not the exact shape as the stamped image.  The Petitie Oval Nesties are more elongated, whereas the Classic Oval Nestabilities are the ones that fit these JustRite stamps much more accurately.  Just wanted to point that out as I realize this can be a confusing point!  Check out these cards made by Kellie Fortin.  She has used the Classic Oval Nesties, and you’ll see how they fit her stamped images, as compared to mine done with the Petite Oval Nesties.  Such gorgeous cards!

Please also check out Heidi’s Blog. She shares a lot of wonderful photos of this set and you can see exactly how the Classic Oval Nesties fit these images.  She’s got a beautiful project and some great photos.

Here’s a look at all these beautiful sympthy images, sentiments and borders from Thinking of You.  I LOVE this set and know I’ll get a lot of good use out of it over the years.  I always like to have a variety of sympathy cards made ahead and on hand, so that is definitely on my *to-do* list for real soon!

Have you signed up for the FAB Blog Candy yet at the JustRite Blog?  If not, check it out!

And here’s a couple more blogs to check out using NEW JustRite products, available on July 7:  Michelle - What is in Mish’s Mason Jars??? and Becca - Great Expectations.

Stamps:  Thinking of You Set used on 2 1/4 x 3 1/16 Harmony Classic Oval Stamper II by JustRite

Paper:  SU Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Soft Sky Prints DP

Ink:  Versa Mark

Accessories:  1.25″ and 1/4″ Silk Ribbon by May Arts, Bow Easy, Scor-It, Envelope-It, Petite Oval and Labels 1 Nestabilities by Spellbinders, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Corner Dies, SU Detail Gold Embossing Powder, SU Corner Rounder, Marvy Gold Calligraphy Pen, Glue Glider, Xyron X, SU Dimensionals, Lick & Stick Envelope Glue

Thanks much for stopping in today.  I truly appreciate all the visits you make!  I’ll be back on Wednesday morning with a project using some more new product, so please stop in again!  Thanks much and see you soon!