simon says... make your own background

Hi, friends.. it's Wednesday! And this week's theme over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog is Make Your Own Background!

So put away that patterned paper, and create your own! :) This week's product focus was stencils.. aaaaalll the rage right now. So here's my card, using a stencil, some ink, and a sponge to create my background:

I used Simon's Exclusive BLOCKED CIRCLES stencil with a couple Distress Inks (FESTIVE BERRIES and TUMBLED GLASS) and slightly shifted the stencil between color applications to get that great pattern. I accented it with a circle stamp from Simon's Exclusive LOTS OF DOTS set. The sentiment is from the Simon Exclusive HAPPY EVERY DAY set as well. I pretty much love how this came out.. it was SO quick to do. Plus, imagine the color combinations you could do with this! What do you think? :)

So now you're up! Link your custom-made background project HERE no later than 8am next Wednesday (the 11th), and you'll be included in the random drawing for a very generous prize voucher to spend at Simon!

And have you heard? Simon Says Stamp just introduced their very own line of inks and card stocks! Super quality, gorgeous colors... head HERE to check 'em out!

That's all from me.. thank you for peekin'. See you soon! :)

simon says... anything goes

That's right, friends! Time for another Wednesday challenge, and time for another chance at a very generous gift voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp!

This week's theme is Anything Goes.. always popular. :) And the product line we all used was none other than the FAB Tim Holtz/Ranger! If you have Timmy/Ranger products in your stash, we'd love to see you use them along with us, but it's not a requirement.

So here's my card:

I used an image from the PSYCHEDELIC GRUNGE stamp set along with a sentiment from THE JOURNEY clear stamp set. I used BROKEN CHINA for the blue ink as well (the green is THIS one from Hero Arts), and spritzed the inked image with water before stamping to blend the inks together a little more. A Hero Arts NOTECARD, some fussy cutting, and some ENAMEL DOTS, and ta-da! :)

And now it's your turn! Upload your project HERE no later than 8am EDT next Wednesday (the 4th), and you'll be in the drawing for that awesome gift voucher! And head on over HERE to see the rest of the DT projects!

Thanks for reading today... I hope you and your family have an amazing Thanksgiving! See you soon. :)

simon says... KISS!

Hi friends! It's Wednesday! :)

Time for a new challenge, and another opportunity to win that amazing $50 gift voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp! 

This week's theme is Clean & Simple. My fave. ;) And the product line we all worked with was from the FAB Kelly Purkey! If you have any KP Exclusives goodies in your stash, we'd love to see you use them as well! But it's not a challenge requirement.

As for my card:

I used the fun AUTUMN stamp set (the tag image was heat embossed on KRAFT and then fussy cut), along with THIS OCEAN INK from Hero Arts, and a sprinkling of enamel dots. To me, Clean & Simple means minimal layers, strong design, and white space... i luuuuuv the white space. :)

So, link up your Clean & Simple creation HERE, before 8am EDT next Wednesday (11-13-13), and you could be the randomly-drawn winner of that amazing voucher to Simon Says Stamp!

Only five entries per person, and no back-linking, please... only new projects will be accepted. And swing by HERE to see what the rest of the team did for this challenge... as always, simply amazing!

Thanks so much for stopping by... see you soon! :)

even more simon STAPtember® exclusives.. feather dies and an alpha

Hello, once again! Lots of posts from me lately, I know. I'm just having SO much fun with these STAMPtember® goodies! :)

This one features the trendy FEATHERS dies and SIMPLE LETTER OUTLINES alpha, both STAMPtember® '13 releases. The rest of the sentiment is from THIS set here (also a Simon exclusive), and I used card stock from the September '13 card kit and twine from the October '13 card kit. I love this color combination! May just get me out of my 'pool & red' rut. LOL :)

Hope you're having a fab weekend.. thanks for stopping by! :)

use those scraps.. and a simon exclusive

Howdy, peeps! I have another card today, a simple one that features a scrap from an older project, and a new Simon Exclusive STAMPtember® die! :)

Remember THIS card? I saved the butterfly masks and used one as an embellishment here! :) The sentiment panel was made using the smaller of the new Simon BRACKET DIES (here, the scalloped one)... just cut on both top and bottom of my paper strip. The sentiment is from THIS new Simon Exclusive set, and the card base is the awesome WOODGRAIN card stock. Easy peasy! :)

Thanks for reading... TGIF! xo

simon says stamp october '13 card kit cards

Howdy, friends! I've got a couple cards from the Simon Says Stamp October '13 card kit for ya tonight.

I was supposed to post this first one last week and totally spaced it. LOL So here it is, with a bonus card to make up for it... :)

I'm in love the with the lined script sentiments in this stamp set! They stretch the full length of a card base. Here, I just stamped it and then fussy cut under it for interest. I also used some of the patterned papers and sequins from the kit.. the sequins are so LUSH! Very opaque, creamy colors with an almost pearlescent look to them. Not your typical "arts-n-crafts" sequins! ;) I just put some gemstones in the centers.

This one is pretty self explanatory.. it took me maybe five minutes to make. :) It would be great to make a set of these as a gift! Just use a different patterned paper background on each one. I thought about adding some enamel dots or something, but chose to leave it as-is. But I did give the li'l birdie an "eye" with my Unibal Signo. :)

There are still some kits left! RUN, and get yours HERE... it's sure to sell out!

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow with another Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge post! xo

Simon Says... it's a blog hop!

Welcome to the Simon Says Stamp STAMPtember® Wednesday Challenge group blog hop! :)

A bit about STAMPtember®:

Simon Says Stamp was founded in 2002 with an interest in exclusively selling rubber stamps. It didn't take long until we realized we couldn't stop there. During the past 11 years we celebrate rubber stamping in it's full glory by giving access to people around the world to a one-stop shop. Rubber stamps still remain the heart of our business, and we are celebrating by hosting a STAMPtember® event intended to inspire, educate, and celebrate the greatness of rubber stamping. Part of the enticement of rubber stamping is that stamps can be used in creating or complimenting ANYTHING! from stamping dates on bank documents and postage parcels in the early 18th century, rubber stamping has dramatically expanded to include card making, life documenting, art journaling, scrapbooking, mixed media, and many forms of altering and expressing art!

To celebrate the 4th annual Simon Says Stamp STAMPtember® event, we're 'hopping' along and sharing some great projects featuring the new STAMPtember® product releases, YAY! This is one of the BIGGEST releases Simon has had to date, and features new stamp sets, dies, flair, and stencils... AMAZING stuff! Check out the releases RIGHT HERE!

My favorite products of the release are all the incredible dies... which, on their own are already very versatile and can be used any number of ways. But so many of Simon's dies are really unique! A lot of them coordinate with stencils and stamp sets... furthering their value and your creativity!

We're SO excited that you're here to celebrate with us and hop along in this special challenge group hop! :) Once you're done 'hopping' please be sure to head over to our Wednesday Challenge group blog found RIGHT HERE, and participate in this week's challenge: Celebrate STAMPtember® by using any Simon Says Stamp product on your project. As always, Simon Says Stamp will be randomly giving away a $50 voucher to one lucky participant to spend at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp superstore!

So now, on to my card:

I used the super-fun BIG HELLO craft die, and diecut several strips of card stock all at once. Then I adhered them evenly spaced onto my card base with pop dots. The sentiment is from the new WHIMSICAL FLOWERS stamp set, and I LOVE how fine the font is! I used VersaFine ink in Onyx Black, which is fab for fine-line/detailed images. Overall, I wanted to keep the card simple and bold, just like the die... SO many possibilities with this one! :)

Thanks so much for visiting my blog on the hop! Your next stop is the sweet Laura Sterckx! You'll find her blog, 'Making Cards Is Fun' right HERE. :)

The hop began at the newly designed official Simon Says Stamp blog, so if you encounter any broken links while 'hoppin,' you can head back there for a full list of participants and stops. The Simon blog has a new address and an amazing new look, with all the great inspiration you've come to love and expect from Simon Says Stamp! :)

Don't forget to click below to play along in the challenge once you're done 'hopping' and officially inspired! :)

super-sized sunday with the simon says september '13 card kit

Howdy, peeps! Do you like my tongue twister blog post title? :) Finally gotten around to photographing some of the cards I've made with the Simon Says Stamp September '13 card kit, and thought I'd put a bunch into one big blog post for ya.. especially since these all have the same color palette. So, get ready!

The first card is a remake of one I made when I first got the kit, but forgot to photograph before sending it off to someone:

I used the stencil in the kit to carefully cut out a mask from some Eclipse masking paper with my craft knife (as long as your blade is brand-new-sharp and you don't put too much pressure on the stencil as you drag your knife along, you won't cut into the stencil at all). I then used the Colorbox Frost White ink in the kit and sponged it over the mask. Remove the mask, and stamp the sentiment in the resisted area. :)

My next card uses some of the patterned paper, as well as the Studio Calico wood veneers in the kit:

I again used the stencil to cut out a banner, but this time from some of the kraft card stock. I then heat embossed the sentiment before adhering it with pop dots. I also punched out some squares from some of the chalkboard-looking patterned paper as mats for my veneer shapes. :)

And finally:

A real quick and easy one! Just some simple stamping with some Hero Arts inks: Black, Wet Cement, and Soft Sand. They go perfectly with the kraft card stock. :)

Alrighty, that's it from me today.. whew! See you again soon with something from the NEW October '13 card kit! Thanks for reading! :)

simon says... it's the kids' summer vacation challenge :)

Hello again! I have a special post for you today...

..time for the little ones to take a break inside from the summer heat and get crafty! The theme is Anything Goes, with the option of ICE - ice cream, ice skating, snow, etc.

Entrants must be between 2 and 16 years old, and are allowed to enter as many times as they like! We will have 3 FABULOUS prizes for 3 randomly-drawn entrants: they could win a Simon's Grab Bag, full of crafty goodies... YAY! :)

My little Emmy was excited to play along... inspired by the ICE theme, she made this card:

It's an adorable image from Stamps Happen. After stamping, she colored with colored pencils. :) Blue is her favorite color, and it definitely contributes to the frosty feel! And the clean and simple design...*swoon* she's a girl after my own heart. :)

Alrighty, kids.. it's your turn! Head on over HERE to upload your project. You have until the end of the month (August 31st) 11:55pm EST US to join in.

Can't wait to see what every one makes! Have a great day!

simon says... anything goes

Another Wednesday, another challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog. :)

This week, the theme is Anything Goes! Always a fan favorite. And another favorite is the product line we used - Simon Says Stamp Exclusives! This could be the stamps or the dies... just show us you Simon Exclusives. If you don't have any in your stash, don't fret... you can still play along in the challenge. :)

I used both on my card:

I used the HAPPY stamp set, and the HOLIDAY SHAPES dies. Tried my best to line everything up perfectly straight, but I can see now that my old eyes deceived me and I was NOT successful. LOL Anyway, The pink card stock is from HERO ARTS and so is THE INK. I'm sorry the stars look so blurry (I had lights coming from both sides, so it caused a double shadow), but they were diecut and then covered with a little dab of Glossy Accents and dipped in sparkly, black glitter. THIS ONE would work extremely well.

Here's a TIP: The best method I've found for glitter clean up is a good ol' disposable lint roller... just a cheap one, say, from the dollar store! Roll it all over your work surface, your clothes, anywhere, and then tear off the sheet and throw it away. Super quick and easy. :)

So now it's your turn! Upload your project HERE by 8am EST US next Wednesday (the 7th), and you'll be included in the random voucher drawing!

Don't forget to stop by HERE to see what the rest of the DT did for this challenge... such amazingly talented ladies!

ALSO, the Simon Says Stamp Store blog has a new home and a new look, just like the Wednesday challenge blog - click HERE or the badge below to check it out:

And enter your email below here to be sure you'll receive the updates... with inspiration and prizes galore, you won't want to miss any of it! ;)

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Whew... that's it from me today. Thanks for reading... see you soon!

eternally grateful - more SSS card kit

Hello again! I'm back with another card from the Simon Says Stamp May '13 card kit...

..again with the kraft (it just pairs so well with the colors/papers in the kit), but this time I used papers from the chartreuse side of the collection. And I used the gorgeous stamps in the kit, too... did a little paper piecing with the rose and leaf images. :)

Thanks again for reading today. Be back tomorrow with my card for the new Simon Says Stamp challenge! :)

simon says... things with wings

Hi, friends! Hope you are well! Time for another challenge at the Simon Says Stamp challenge blog...

..where one lucky participant will be randomly chosen to receive a generous gift voucher to spend in the Simon Says Stamp super store!

The theme this week is Things With Wings, and the DT all used the wonderful Studio Calico on our creations. If you have Studio Calico items in your stash, use it along with us, we'd love to see it! If not, it's not a requirement of the challenge, so no worries. :)

As for my card...

..I used the BUTTERFLIES CHIP SHAPES on my card, but changed them up a bit by cutting some of the patterned ones in half and mixing and matching different halves together... just shooting for something fun and unexpected. :) I stamped the plain butterflies with my Studio Calico LATTICE BACKGROUND stamp and some STAZON TIMBER BROWN ink. The sentiment is from the HEY DAY SENTIMENTS stamp set.

 

This card has a rather masculine feel in my opinion, even with the butterflies... the color palette, perhaps? I think I'll probably tuck this into hubby's luggage next time he takes one of his business trips... :)

 

So now it's your turn! Create your project featuring Things With Wings, and upload it HERE before 8am EST US next Wednesday (the 15th), and you could win that awesome gift voucher to spend in the store!

 

And don't forget to head on over HERE to see what the rest of the design team has done for this challenge, too... LOVELY!

I'm still recovering from my illness and dental work. It's been a slow(er than normal) and frustrating process... not out of the woods yet. Getting better and healing is my top priority at the moment, but I will have new cards to see soon, as promised. :) Thanks for reading today. xo

simon says... happy mail!

Hi, friends! Time for another challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp challenge blog!

The theme this week is  Happy Mail, and the product line we on the DT worked with is TECHNIQUE TUESDAY. If you have any of their fabulous stamps in your stash, we'd love to see them used! But if not, no worries.. it's not mandatory to enter the challenge. :)

My card features images from the Ali Edwards SIMPLY YOU stamp set. First, I just adhered strips of colored card stock in rainbow order (because to me, rainbows are happy, and this is supposed to be happy mail, :) right?) and then heat embossed the sentiment over the top of them. Great way to use up those scraps! The flower is also from the set, and I used ENAMEL DOTS for their centers. Easy peasy!

So now it's your turn! Create your "Happy Mail" project and upload it HERE by 8am EST US next Wednesday, May 8th, and you'll be in the random drawing for a generous gift voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp!

 

And don't forget to go HERE to see what my wonderful teamies did for this challenge... sure to make your day a happy one! :)

 

 

Thank you for reading today. See you very soon with those cards from the Simon Says Stamp April 2013 card kit! I wanted to get some done this last weekend, but ended up spending my time nursing a major toothache on top of a sinus infection (complete with fever and body aches) instead. So NOT a party... UGH. Ended up having a root canal on Monday, and it's been a slower recovery than expected. But I'm on those wonderful antibiotics and pain meds now, ;) so I hope to have something up very shortly! Thanks for hangin' with me. :)

 

Have a great day!

simon says... travel/cityscapes!

Hiya, stampy peeps! Time for another Simon Says Stamp challenge!

Your participation could randomly win you a generous gift voucher to spend at the Simon Says Stamp superstore!

This week's theme is Travel and/or Cityscapes! The 'urban' trend is really big right now, and I went with a very straightforward approach to my card:

A card for a far-away friend. :) Love love LOVE this SKYLINE DIE by My Favorite Things! It's long enough to cover the full width of a card, even at landscape orientation! And the buildings are large enough to get crisp, window detail, but still small enough to layer, which I did here. I went for that dimensional, 'buildings near and far' look by using a gradient of black/gray card stocks (THESE would work well for this). I realize that the lightest gray buildings are also the farthest, and by that token would also have to be the smallest. But I feel I achieved the look and feel I was going for. It's just a card. ;) The sentiment is from this Hero Arts set HERE (a must-have), and the heart is the smallest heart from the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive HOLIDAY SHAPES die set, covered with a spot of glossy accents.

It probably goes without saying that there are a LOT of popdots on this card, HAHA! :)

So now it's your turn! Create your travel/cityscape-themed project, and upload it HERE by 8am EST US next Wednesday (the 24th) and you could win that amazing gift voucher!

And please be sure to stop by the Simon Says Stamp challenge blog HERE to see what the rest of my wonderful teammates did for this challenge! no surprise... I am BLOWN AWAY!

Thanks for reading today... see you soon! :)