Card Positioning Systems #144

I'm a little late in joining the girls in the Clear & Simple Stamps sponsored sketch at Card Positioning Systems this week. We just got back yesterday evening from a wonderful week in Florida (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, sitting in the pool...in the rain, and Disney Quest). It was a great time!

This is a quick & simple card today as I just had a few moments to stamps before hubby is back and I head out to grocery shop. Oh, the dreaded grocery shopping after returning home from vacation!!! Our fridge is BARE!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and enjoyed some good fixin's. I hope to get back into the swing of things in the next few days and maybe share a few photos of our Disney trip.

Card details:
Stamp Set: Stamp of the Month-Cup of Cocoa from Clear & Simple Stamps (release date 12/1)
Inks: Memento Rich Cocoa
Cardstock: Patterned paper unknown, Bashful Blue, Papertrey Ink Stamper's Select
Accessories: none :-)

Clear & Simple Stamps now on Twitter

This is my 2nd post of the day. Scroll down for my first post. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, enjoy all the leftovers today!


Season's Tweetings!

That's right Clear and Simple Stamps is now on Twitter. And to kick off our Twitter debut, we'd like to have join you in a special Take the Challenge - Twitter style.

It's very simple. Stop by our Twitter Page and send us a tweet about your favorite CSS stamp set. A random twitter follower* will win a $25 gift certificate to the store. You have until 11:59PM, Sunday November 29th, to enter.

Click here to follow us on Twitter.

*You must be a CSS follower on Twitter to be eligible to win.

Little Gals

I've had this card made for a long time, months. I can't even remember what I made it for or when. Do you do that? Make cards and stash them for a later date without any details on the card? How do you catalog your cards so that when you go to blog about them you have all the information?

I've changed the way I do things since then. When I make my card I usually write all my card details on a sticky note and put it in the card so that when I go to post it, I have all the info. Either that or I photo it right away and type up the info on my blog for a later date.

I do know this card was made with Little Gals by Kim Hughes from Cornish Heritage Farms.

Gift Tag Ensemble

I love these little altoid tins and I definitely want to play with them a little more. They would make such fantastic gifts. I saw some gift cards that were put into one and I'm going to try that again. I did one previously and want to try some different designs.

I broke out a few of my Clear & Simple Stamps for these gift tags. I used Winter, O'Tree & the background Wheat for them.

Hope you enjoy this little gift idea. I was able to fit 6 of these tags in this tin with a little room to spare.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day with family & friends and BE SAFE!!!


Gift tag ensemble:
Stamp set: O'Tree, Winter, Wheat
Cardstock: Basic Black, Real Red, Glorious Green, PTI Stamper's Select
Inks: Basic Black, Real Red, Glorious Green, Fresh Snow
Accessories: Vintage Brads, Basic Eyelets, Martha Stewart punch, ribbon unknown, Crop-a-dile, corner punch, silver stickles

Birthday card for Brenna

Here is a card I made to go along with the frame for my goddaughter Brenna. Actually, they don't go very well, but it was an appropriate card for her.

I'll be a little quiet on the blog front this week for the Thanksgiving holiday and hopefully will be back in high gear after that.
Sorry I don't have too many more details on this card as I made it quite awhile ago.

Free Bonus Template

What about a Free Bonus Template this month from Clear & Simple Stamps? This Winter Sleigh would make such a great centerpiece over the mantle or for your Christmas dinner.

Sorry I have been quiet on the blog front. I have been busy, just with some things I'm unable to share at this time. Thanks for sticking around patiently while I get some creativity going here on the blog!

Designer of the Month

This month I had the honor of being highlighted as Designer of the Month for Clear & Simple Stamps. Here is a link to the article on their blog & I encourage you to sign up for their monthly newsletter that highlights their specials and challenges we hold. I know my friend we are going on vacation with next week will get a kick out of this-he ribs me all he can about my blogging and stamping :-)















I created an ensemble with the new set that was just released yesterday called New Year. I had a New Year's party in mind when creating with this set. The first I created was New Year's invitation in which I highlighted the martini glasses as my focal point and added the Happy New Year and 10.9.8.7 on the bottom so when you open the invite you see this.

Next I created a little table setting card to put out with a cute little phrase by Oprah. I wanted to keep the scheme of all my creations the same for this setting so I used all the same papers and colors.












I created a table piece with the Basket of Thanks template from Clear & Simple Stamps this month. They are a lot of fun to make and can be used for any occasion. I also did a little medicine container filled with some M & M's for people to take with them.

Lastly, a thank you card to send out to all those who attended the party, thanking them for being a part of our lives and for helping to welcome in a New Year with us.

Hope you enjoy my creations today and make sure to check out the Clear & Simple blog for the interview.




Ensemble Details:
Stamp Set: New Year, Wheat
Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Night & Day designer paper by SU!
Inks: Versafine Onyx Black, Real Red, Versamark, Fresh Snow, Copic YG95
Accessories: Ribbon retired by SU!, Hero Arts gemstones, satin ribbon May Arts, black twine, word window punch, Crystal Effects, Black embossing powder, Circle & Pinked Circle Nestabilities

Happy Birthday, Darling!

Today is the release of the Clear & Simple Stamps Winter Days Collection.

WANT IT ALL
You can order the entire collection in one single click. This is a package valued at $120, including all {8} newly released stamp sets.
___________________________________________________________________________________

Fall Studio

Peaceful Pines

Winter Sentiments

Winter

Ski Darling

Hockey

New Year

Wall Flower

Make sure to check out the Design Team's blogs for samples of the new releases:

• Beth Matson
• Clear & Simple Blog
• Jen Tapler
• Lori Tecler
• Maria Levine
• Neva McMullen
• Robyn Weatherspoon
• Sue Berker

Card Details: Birthday Darling from Clear & Simple Stamps
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, SEI Paisley & Petals-Paisley Trim
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics YR21, Y21, E00, C4, T5, G12, BG10, G82, YR14, R81, BG18, 0
Accessories: Ribbon unknown, nestabilities

Happy New Year!

Here I am with some more gift bags with a matching card. I really am trying to use some things around the house this year.

This year I am planning ahead of time, trying to make some crafty gifts for Christmas. Now, I just need to remember to give some of this stuff away and not hoard it around the house.

Make sure you check out the other design team members creations for some sneaks at the new sets being released by Clear & Simple Stamps on 11/15/09.

• Beth Matson
• Clear & Simple Blog
• Jen Tapler
• Lori Tecler
• Maria Levine
• Neva McMullen
• Robyn Weatherspoon
• Sue Berker

Stamp Set: New Year to be released 11/15/09
Cardstock: Garden Green, Kraft, Ruby Red, Whisper White, Basic Grey June Bug
Inks: Garden Green, Ruby Red, Memento Tuxedo Black, Summer Sun marker, and YG03 Copic
Accessories: Ribbon unknown, Crystal Effects, Zva Crystals, EK Success Curved Edger punch, small gift bag

It's Fall Y'All

This week our blogger's challenge is to make a card with the them Happy Fall Y'all.

I love this stamp set from Clear & Simple Stamps. The little trees are so cute and whimsy and there are endless possibilities to what you can do with them. I used the two step stamping process with the tree trunk on this one. For the leaves I colored them in mellow moss and then went over and shaded with old olive.

Participating in sketch challenges is probably one of my most favorite things to do, but I rarely get them done in a "timely" manner. I did loosely base this card off of Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #105.

So my Janome sewing machine is acting up on me and didn't want to sew for me. I spent a good 1/2 hour sewing on this card, but I love how it turned out, so it was worth it. Besides my arms/hands needed that good needle work out.

Hope you will join the blogger's challenge girls and show us your Fall cards. You can check out the links to all the participants here.

Have a great weekend and make sure to head back here on Sunday for Clear & Simple Stamps Winter Days Collection being released November 15th.

Card details:
Stamp Set: Woodlands from Clear & Simple Stamps
Cardstock: Brocade Blue, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Papertrey Ink Stamper's Select, Chatterbox Ink Meadowlark & Chateau Bias Plaid
Inks: Old Olive, Mellow Moss, Brocade Blue, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Square and scalloped square nestabilities, Janome sewing machine, Antique Brass hodgepodge hardware

Winter Pail

I love this holiday season, but I'm not fond of the cold weather. I'm okay with shorts & t-shirts year round, but I'm in the wrong part of the country for that. Luckily we don't get much snow here where I am, maybe once a year we get a light dusting.

I received some wonderful apple butter from one of my husband's co-workers and it was wrapped in this tissue paper. I set it aside to use and thought this little pail would be perfect with it. I plan to give this away for a Christmas gift with some goodies wrapped in. I find myself reaching for those alterables this year instead of running out and buying a bunch of gifts for teachers, bus drivers, daycare providers, etc.

Make sure to check out the rest of Clear & Simple Stamps design team projects with sneak previews of the new sets being released 11/15/09:

• Beth Matson
• Clear & Simple Blog
• Jen Tapler
• Karen Giron (Guest Designer)
• Lori Tecler
• Maria Levine
• Neva McMullen
• Robyn Weatherspoon
• Sue Berker

Project details:
Stamp Set: Winter by Clear & Simple Stamps-to be released 11/15/09
Cardstock: Whisper White
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics YG03, YG23, YR68, R29
Accessories: Chipboard, tissue paper, Fire circle rhinestone brads, silk ribbon, crop-a-dile

Take The Tuesday Challenge #11: Color Combination

Join us this month with the Take the Tuesday Challenge of combining the following colors to create a card, 3D object, etc.

Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Close to Cocoa
*you can use any colors that are similar*

I had an idea in mind as soon as I received this cool stamp set. I love In Bloom and combined this with the Banner of News & Birthday Darling.

The background was creating using one of the flower & leaf images from In Bloom and stamping them in pumpkin pie with a sponge daubing of summer sun in the middle. The leaves were stamped in Old Olive. The primas were my focal point on this card using the sketch from Clean & Simple-FTL64. I decided to put a sentiment in the banner of news, and sponged the outsides with close to cocoa.

I hope you will join the Clear & Simple Stamps team in creating something using this color combination. If you do, please post with keyword TTC11 at Papercraft Planet so we can see your work. Don't forget to check out the Clear & Simple Stamps design team creations as well:

• Beth Matson
• Clear & Simple Blog
• Jen Tapler
• Karen Giron (Guest Designer)
• Lori Tecler
• Maria Levine
• Neva McMullen
• Robyn Weatherspoon
• Sue Berker

Card details:
Stamp Sets: In Bloom, Birthday Darling & Banner of News by Clear & Simple Stamps
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Old Olive, Confetti Cream
Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads, Primas, Scallop border punch, sponge dauber

Thanks so much

I love this set but I tell you this image had me stumped big time! I had to view Papertrey Ink's Gallery on this set to see how I needed to use it. LOVE it now!!!

This paper was still sitting on my desk waiting to be used so I was able to get 2 more cards out of it. I again used Kerry's Three Clover Designs sketch here.

Frustrated, that's how I felt doing this card. That darn Martha Stewart punch just kills me every time. It'll work, then it won't, then it will. I've used it maybe a handful of times. Hoping that the next one I won't get will work a lot better or I may be put off by buying them at all.

Hope you enjoy the card!

Card details:
Stamp Set: Enjoy by Verve
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Summer picnic dsp (?)
Inks: Old Olive, Bashful blue
Accessories: Hero Arts gemstones

Snow Mug

I don't have a blogger's challenge technique today for you but thought I would share a little gift I have ready early this year.

Want something quick and easy for gifts this year? How about a cute little mug filled with some candies, teas, coffee gift card, etc.? This would make an adorable, quick and easy gift.

I had this mug sitting around for ages, and it had previously been decorated, but I decided to re-vamp it. I cut a piece of whisper white cardstock, stamped the Snowflakes sentiment across it the page and then randomly stamped the snowflakes in the Winter set being released 11/15 in Hibiscus Burst, New Leaf and Enchanted Evening. Easy peasy right?

Add a little ribbon, some shredded cardstock and goodies inside the mug and wrap in some cellophane with a cute little tag. I think this is actually one that I might give away this year.



















Mug details:
Stamp Set: Winter by Clear & Simple Stamps to be released 11/15
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Enchanted Evening, Hibiscus Burst, New Leaf by Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Whisper White, Enchanted Evening
Accessories: Enchanted Evening ribbon, cream twine, oval & scalloped oval nestabilities

Caardvarks Circle Card Challenge

This week the challenge over at Caardvarks is to make a circle card. Oh, how challenged I was. I had this cute idea to use the Snowglobe tutorial on SCS this week from my buddy Libby. Then I thought maybe that wouldn't qualify as a circle so decided to go along the lines of the snowglobe looking theme.

Although this took me a little while to complete, I love how it turned out. The acetate and dazzling diamonds make the perfect snow to showcase the little snowman from the Winter set from Clear & Simple Stamps being released 11/15/09. I used the color challenge for SCS this week which was neutrals with a POP.

Would love for you to join Caardvarks, Clear & Simple Stamps and myself in making a circle card. Link it to Caardvarks when it's complete so we can check out your creativity and for a chance to win a $15 gift certificate to the Clear & Simple Stamps store.


Card details:

Stamp Set: Winter from Clear & Simple Stamps to be released 11/15/09
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink Stamper's Select, Acetate, Basic Black, Raspberry Fizz
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics YR04, RV04, C1, C4, Raspberry Fizz
Embellishments: Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Crystal Effects, Scalloped circle punch, nestabilities circle & scalloped circle, round tab punch

Embellish Owls Color Challenge meets Mojo Monday

This card has a few challenges I created it for, although some may not be current. I can't seem to keep up with all the challenges I like to do so I save them for that rainy day.

The color scheme for Embellish Magazine was to use Coral, Brown & Green combined with an owl image. She even provided a digital owl image if you did not have any owl stamps. I have this one, although I think I might have some older ones I didn't go dig out. Oh well!

I also combined the Embellish Magazine Challenge with one of Julee's Mojo Monday Sketch #108

What kinds of challenges do you enjoy participating in, if any?

Card details:
Stamp Set: Ollie + Olivia from Stampendous, Mocha Chica from Kim Hughes
Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Confetti Cream
Inks: Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Twill tape, ice crystal stickles, berry sorbet buttons from Papertrey Ink, twine, primas, stylized flowers cuttlebug embossing folder

Baby Cakes meets TCP Color Challenge

How I love this stamp and it doesn't see ink as much as she should!!! It reminds me of what I will probably be looking at in about 10 years when I have a teenage girl.

My friend Vicki got me into these Stampotique stamps and I am embarrassed to say I haven't been "shopping" there in awhile, I'm almost afraid to look at what's new as I love so much there.

I started off this card using MJ's sketch for today but my image was too large so I had to migrate away and do my own thing. It's nice and simple, but I like it, the colors are from the TCPTUES82 Challenge using the following colors:
The sentiment cracks me up and next time I might replace it with a ??? mark at the end of it. Like seriously?? Oh, that would be good!

So my girl to the right doesn't have the *EXACT* hair as Vicki, but it's dedicated to her anyway since I think of her whenever I use my Stampotique's!

Card details:
Stamps: Baby Cakes by Stampotique & Handwritten Notes by Papertrey Ink
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (colors below)
Cardstock: My Mind's Eye Pretty Please "Polka Dot Pink" Paper, Tempting Turquoise, Stamper's Select White, Basic Black and Soft Sky
Accessories: NONE, I mean, really, I only used the paper piercer for this one

Spread the Love Blog Hop

If you have arrived from Maria Matter's blog you are in the right place. If you didn't, you may want to start with the Spread the Love Blog Hop here.

Sometimes stories just touch your heart and you can't help but do something even though you don't know those involved. This is one of those stories. The story of Jaimie Cates. The article on the story can be found here.

Sending a card doesn't seem like much, but hopefully Jaimie will know how much others are thinking of her and the cards will bring a smile to her face.

From my blog you will want to make sure to visit Karen Foltz's blog.

Card details:
Stamp Set: Handwritten Notes by Papertrey Ink and Weensies by Stampotique
Cardstock: Eggplant Envy, Almost Amethyst, Stamper's Select White, Basic Grey Eva
Inks: Copics & Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: button from Making Memories, scalloped square nestabilities

Here is the complete list of the Spread the Love Blog hop.

Katharina Frei http://katharina1704.blogspot.com/

Linda Lucas http://lovelylindascraftcentral.blogspot.com/

Trudy Sjolander http://truesgiftsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/

Peggy Russell http://beautifulgreetings.blogspot.com

Deena http://acreativeneed.wordpress.com/

Kim Teasdale http://paperintheworks.blogspot.com/

Tangii www.tangiink.com

Maria Matter http://JoyfulStamper.blogspot.com

Kim Howard http://basementstamper.blogspot.com

Karen Foltz http://watercoloreddreams.blogspot.com

Ann Vento http://raindropechodesigns.blogspot.com

Samantha from SPCC http://thescrapmaster.blogspot.com/

Sharon Traynor http://cardsngreetings.blogspot.com/

Janna Sicard http://jannascreativeoutlet.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Stricker http://randomvintagefinds.blogspot.com

Terry Oulboub http://terryeo.blogspot.com/

Libby Hickson http://stampinlibby.blogspot.com

Jenni Hamilton http://jenniscraftyjournal.blogspot.com/

Sammy Jo Singer http://62cards.blogspot.com

Helen Dooley http://tomorrowstreasure.blogspot.com

Danielle http://dani2519.wordpress.com

Sharon Lougheed http://cardsbyrequest.blogspot.com

Lydia http://mylittlecrafthaven.blogspot.com/

Cindy Beach http://stampspaperandink.typepad.com/

Kimmi Blakey http://poppy-petal-designs.blogspot.com/

Crafty Creations Challenge http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Scull http://justcoffeepleasestampsribbonspaper.blogspot.com/

Laura Campbell http://www.layersofcolor.com/blog/

Lisa Cook http://www.bylisac.blogspot.com/

Katie Cotton http://papermakeup.blogspot.com

Vicki Parson http://stampedsmiles.blogspot.com

Lorraine Aquilina(Lols) http://loraquilina.blogspot.com/

Shelly Lutton Olson......http://minkiespaperparadise.blogspot.com/

JayJay http://stempelelfejayjay.blogspot.com/

Denise Lynn http://denisesstampingpage.blogspot.com

Cindy Royal http://royalthings.blogspot.com/

Crissy Armstrong http://crissysartnheart.blogspot.com/

Simonne Clay http://semsee.blogspot.com/

Kathryn of KLM Designs http://kscardcreations.blogspot.com/

Silvia Mabie http://mabiestampin.blogspot.com

Melissa DeTullio http://missyscreativecorner.blogspot.com

Regina Jones http://rjones-scrapcreations.blogspot.com/

Leslie Hanna http://thecrookedstamper.blogspot.com

Megan Lock http://meganlockdesigns.blogspot.com

Pamela Firecracker http://www.pamelasgallery.com/

Micki http://artfulxpressions.net/

Elaine from Quixotic http://www.quixoticcards.com

Jenny Lazslo http://playingisapassion.blogspot.com/

Boni Boutelle http://bonibleauxdesigns.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Smith http://lizslaboursoflove.blogspot.com

Tracey from Starving Artistamps http://starvingartistamps.blogspot.com

Giovana Smith http://giovana-believe.blogspot.com/

Jacilynn Cox http://jacilynndashwood.blogspot.com

Debbie Eastman http://debbieeastmancardsimake.blogspot.com/

Anita Autore http://cardsandcoffee.blogspot.com

Jenn McMillan http://jennmcmillan.blogspot.com/

Lydia Fielder http://projectreanimate.blogspot.com

Amanda Newton http://amandanewton.wordpress.com

Jaime Schlangen http://inkyandscrappy.blogspot.com

Melissa Earnest http://mmedesigns.blogspot.com

Erin Bailey http://scrapstampandbemerry.blogspot.com

Kimmie http://kraftinkimmieskorner.blogspot.com

Cammie King http://myblogbycammie.blogspot.com

Avril http://avrilannwatson46.blogspot.com/

Wags n’ Whiskers Challenge http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com

Tanya Smith http://craftynumnums.blogspot.com

Shannon http://www.desertdesignsstudios.com/blog/

Dianne http://mypaperhugs.blogspot.com/

Linda Coughlin http://thefunkiejunkie.blogspot.com

Stamp Something…for Jaimie http://spreadthelove-forjaimie.blogspot.com/

Basket of Thanks: Template of the Month from Clear & Simple Stamps & BLOG CANDY ALERT

BLOG CANDY ALERT AT BOTTOM!!!!

The basket of thanks is the greatest thing next to sliced bread! I had such a blast making these little baskets, they are quick and easy to make. Sue is always blowing me away with the templates she is creating.

The basket I created was with fall in mind. The trees have changed colors here, the heater is on in the house, the pants & sweatshirts have come out and I thought this would be the perfect color combo. Make sure to check out this wonderful basket from using the Stamp of the Month, Fall Studio.
COPIC BUNDLE:
For November the bundle will include the Copic Trio Set: Yellow Green 1 (YG01, YG03, YG07)

Copic Marker Bundle with the SOTM for the bargain price of $26 - that's a $15 stamp set and $15 Copic Marker Trio set combined at a $4 reduction in price - you won't find a better bundle anywhere! (HINT HINT...it will will be $25 if using the DTBlog $1 Discount too)

BLOG DISCOUNT CODE: DTBlog1109

TEMPLATE: Basket of Thanks

Join us in trying out this basket template and make sure to check out all the other creations by the design team, they are sure to blow you away!

• Beth Matson
• Clear & Simple Blog
• Jen Tapler
• Karen Giron (Guest Designer)
• Lori Tecler
• Maria Levine
• Neva McMullen
• Robyn Weatherspoon
• Sue Berker

BLOG CANDY ALERT!!!!
Clear and Simple Stamps will be giving away a free SOTM (Fall Studio). All you have to do is create a Basket of Thanks using the template and put a link to your project in the comment section of the CSS blog. A winner will be chosen at random Wednesday, November 4th.

Basket Details:
Stamp Set: Woodlands by Clear & Simple Stamps
Cardstock: Whisper White, brown unknown, Bungalow "Me & My Cousins" Paisley/Blue from My Mind's Eye
Inks: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: watercolor pencils from SU!, prima, Rustic twine & button from Papertrey Ink, ribbon unknown