Back to School

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Thank you for joining us for the Add A Sentiment Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

We also have a special challenge for children between the ages of 2 and 16! CLICK HERE or on the logo to go directly to the challenge page



This week the challenge is

Back To School

This week we are showcasing Avery Elle Products. You don't have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away a $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

The problem of making cards in advance is remembering what I used so fingers crossed that I remember everything.

I wanted to buy something from Avery Elle that would never go out of date and would work for card making and scrapbooking and for that reason I decided to buy Letter Balloons, I also have the Number balloons so the two will complement each other. They work brilliantly with scraps of card. I added a bit of sticky tape behind the holes at the top of each letter and again using scraps of white card cut the letters again and placed them in the holes.

The balloons stand out amongst the black card and it was only right to used the Simon Says Stamp Thank you Teacher stamp set in keeping with the back school challenge. I stamped with Versamark and used Bright White Opaque from WOW.

My twine is Doodlebug Beetle Black and the sentiment is Impression Obsession die, which I have moved several time and not helped my the dodgy photographer.

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Oxides

My card is an experiment, I watch a friend play with her Ranger Oxides and I know I'm a bit late to this party but I'm so glad to actually watch someone. Yes I know you can You Tubes but I find it doesn't hold my interest and my mind wanders, which means its pointless watching them.

So I got myself a few, what I considered nice pretty colours and thought I would use the Simon Says Stamp Flora Background, they very gladly sent me when they had Mothers, Fathers Florals release unfortunately it always seems to be around when I busy.

It does make a good background and when I coloured using the Oxides it really brought the stamp alive. Did I say how much I love these inkpads, I was frustrated with the distress inkpads because I love vibrant colours and I always found to get the depth of colour I wanted it use to hurt my hands which was why I love the Inkylicious Dusters. Now I get the colour using blending tools and no pain was involved, Ok it could be that the inkpads are new and but you can get reinkers so I can have the nice and wet all the time.

Didn't want to waste my background so cut them in four and backed it with a white Simon Says Stamp Stitched Square. I used Simon Says Stamp Hydrangea and Stitched Flakes to make my flowers and the leaves are Simon Says Stamp Circle of Leaves

My sentiment is using the Simon Says Stamp Love Die and my I used Simon Says Stamp Stitched Banners with their Best Hugs stamp set.

Going to the Zoo

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Thank you for joining us for the Anything Goes Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.
We will be back soon with the lucky winner of the $50 Voucher
This week the challenge is

Summer Sunshine 

This week we are showcasing our very own Simon Says Stamp Products. You don't have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away a $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

You may be wondering what do animals have to do with Summer Sunshine, but Summer as a child meant days out, my parents couldn't actually afford a holiday but we did have days out and one of them would be the Zoo.

I remember Chessington Zoo being just that, it took two buses (we didn't have a car) to get there and I loved going. So to me this card is a great reminder of those summer days.

So to my card my Animals are Simon says Stamp Wild Cuddly Critters and used Simon Says Stamp Stitched Circles to make a frame. It is a tall card because I wanted to at least three animals on my card will just have to use the Penquin later.

My papers are are Doodlebug Dragon Tails  and to hide my join of the two colours I used one of the Simon Says Stamp Eyelet Arch Border die. edited its not Dragon Tails its actually At the Zoo

My sign post is a cocktail stick and one of the Doodlebug papers had animal words which I cut out  the ones for the animals I used. Finally to finish off I cut out some small hearts and stars using Simon Say Stamp Holiday Shapes.

This card as disappeared into my DD room not sure who she plans to give it too but she fell in love with the it.

Ok a bit of waffling here but yesterday I went to Hampton Court Flower Show we had a great time and a big thank you to South West Trains. I never book assistance but the staff always ask if we need help. At big thank you to all the staff at Hampton Court Station who managed to fill up the homebound trains with as many people as possible. Yes it did feel like we were being herded but the end result with full trains and yes the guys even asked if I needed help.

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You have until Wed  8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in

Embossing

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Thank you for joining us for the Masculine Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

This week we are challenging you to

Emboss It 

Whether you choose to heat or dry emboss or you might like to emboss with paste or use an embossing tool. Whichever technique you choose to use we will be looking forward to seeing your creations!

This week we are showcasing WOW Products. You don't have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away a $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

And yet another senior moment I was sure I ordered a blue embossing powder but no I brought WOW Velvet Glitter Embossing Powder. So the idea I had went out of the window and I could easily use Bright White Opaque Embossing Powder but I'm always singing its praises and I use it regularly so I wanted to use something else to showcase what fab powders WOW are.

Now there is nothing wrong with the Velvet Glitter and as it happens I love my glittery Simon Says Stamp Snowflakes. Basically I used a Versamark pad and smothered a bit of cardstock then sprinkled the powder on it. You think you are using loads but in fact when you tip it back in its pot you've hardly used any at all.

The fun bit is using a heat gun to turn the powder into a sparkly bit of card. I used Simon Says Stamp Alexis and Maryann Snowflake dies, the little tiny one is Lawn Fawn Mini Snowflakes on the embossed card. Yes it did stick a bit to the die but I have a Versamark pen so I just topped them up with a bit more powder and heated it again.

I've the Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle and their Stitched Banners to make the actual card and the sentiment is probably my favourite Christmas one from Simon Says Stamp Christmas Toys stamp set.

Follow Simon Says Stamp on Instagram

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge to your challenge entry uploads so we can see them on there too.

You have until Wed  8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in

Playing with Sketches

I made some a couple cards playing with some Sketch Challenges, something I haven't done for ages. I know the challenges were for CAS card but sometimes they more challenging.

The first one is Freshly Made Sketches as soon as I saw the main shape I knew I had to use the Simon Says Stamp Eyelet Border dies. The banner again a die from Simon says Stamp and the pattern paper is Echo Park another favourite company of mine.

The Daisy is Simon Says Stamp Stitched Daisies cut twice with the centre cut from the same paper as the banner. The Leaves are inside the Circle of Leaves die. 

My pinwheels work but I could quite get a perfect match for the brads but they weren't as bad as they look here. I can't change them because the card is super stuck and my sentiment is a touch crooked again not as bad as the camera lies.

I used Simon Say Stamp Bundle of Shapes and MFT Stitched Oval dies. The dots and heart are some little stamps that always seem to be included in some stamps from Simon Says Stamp. Again the paper is Echo Park.

The pinwheel are really easy to make they are squares and you cut from the each corner towards the middle but stopping before you get to the middle. You then bring up each corner to the centre I use a dot of glue to help the ends stick and join them to the card with a brad.

Almost forgot the sketch is for CAS(E) this sketch.

Anniversary Wishes

I had a great time in Cornwall but came back with an infection and card making wasn't on top of my agenda and I forgot that yesterday my niece came for the day of making Wedding Stationery which was very successful.

So there is no Simon Says Stamp Card but this little experiment was in my drafts, I love the background stamp called Circle Doodle, I used WOW white embossing powder and then blended some colour on the card.

Using the large die from Bundle of Stitched Shapes to complete the background. The flowers are Simon say stamp Hydrangea Petal dies and the experiment was stamping a flower centre from the Friends of Life. It sort of worked.

The sentiment sentiment came from another Simon Says Stamp but I can't find which set. My craft room is in a pickle, I thought I lost a retired embossing folder that we have used on all my niece's wedding stationery and I pulled nearly out everything to find the safe place I put it in. Its all good I found it and now is on the bookshelf near the PC behind my DD photo. (I putting that on my blog, there a good case I will forget again)

The wishes is from Penny Black Best Wishes die but I only used the wishes with fun foam.

Wild Cuddly Critters

Hopefully I got this right but there are new release from Simon Says Stamp called Cherished.

I was very lucky to receive a die from the new release called Eyelet Arch Border, you get both sizes you can see on my card. Sorry can't link this post is schedule before the release but pop it in the search or follow the link from the main page of Simon Says Stamp Shop.

I've used the Simon Says Stamp Curved Edge not sure if the Arch is made for the curve or mine is a bit misshapen (probably caught awkwardly) but I think even mine looks OK.

I love the Wild Cuddly Critters from Simon Says Stamp and the Doodlebug At the Zoo is a match made in heaven what could be more apt than the giraffe paper for my card. A bit of twine which is also Doodlebug finished with some paw prints from Paper Smooches Dog Icons. Now I've used the circle die with the paw print inside but I've only used the paw print. I've copied the shop photo to show you what I mean.

The last few days we've been in Cornwall checking the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan so its going to be a day or two before I'll be feeling myself again.

Trio of Penquins

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

This week the challenge is

A Bit Of Sparkle 

This week we are showcasing our very own exclusive Simon Says Stamp Products. You don't have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

Aaaaagh the camera lies my Spun Sugar Distress Glitter isn't that orange and apologies for the wonky hand slopes of Stickles Frosted Lace.

Anyway look whats in the house Wild Cuddly Critters which was sold out the first time round, yes you may be seeing a lot more of the Penquin the nearer we get to Christmas.

I decided that three was better than one and how about a shaker card using Falling Snow from Lucy.
I used the Slopes and Hills from Simon Says Stamp along with the Stitched Squares.

The Alexis snowflake and the Christmas Toys for my sentiment are both Simon Says Stamp along with Stitched Banner that my sentiment is in.

Almost forgot the papers are MFT Merry and Bright and I used the Stitched Wavy Scallops again from Simon Says Stamp.

Cool Chick

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Thank you for joining us for the Anything Goes Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

This week the challenge is

Spring Color Inspiration  

The lovely Jenn Shurkus has made this gorgeous Inspiration Board for us to use, Thanks Jenn xx

This week we are showcasing Lawn Fawn Products. You don't have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

Oops I think I've done it again and not paid enough of attention for the challenge especially when Jenn spent time making a inspiration mood board. At least there is yellow colour in the board because there's plenty of that in my card.

An Easter chick isn't just for Easter which is why I used it this way, I apologise again for the crooked photographer that Doodlbug Twine is straight and so is my sentiment.

I've used Lawn Fawn Lets Polka in the Meadow, along with their  Valentines Borders. I parted the dies and didn't use the the arrows now they work all year round.

My Chick and sentiment if from the Somebunny from Simon Says Stamp along with the Stitched Rectangles. Rather than leave the background plain again and have my card looking samey (is that even a word) I decided to emboss it. I could have used an embossing folder but I often forget that I can emboss with stencils this one is called Falling Hearts from Simon Says Stamp.

Today I'm making Wedding Invites with my Niece, the dining table has been cleared and is ready for mass production.

Happy Birthday

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Thank you for joining us for the Anything Goes Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

This week the challenge is

Happy Birthday!  

We are celebrating the Wednesday Challenge's 8th Birthday his week! Where has the time gone!  They do say that time flies when you're having fun and we hope that you have as much fun with the challenges as we do! We all really appreciate YOU for joining in with us and we look forward to seeing your birthday themed entries!

This week we are showcasing our very own Simon Says Stamp Products. You don't have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

A birthday is always special and the lovely and very generous Heidi will be giving away not one, not two but EIGHT, yes EIGHT $50 Vouchers to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store. Woo Hoo!!

What a great chance of winning a prize, celebrate with us and join in with our Happy Birthday Challenge.

Can't believe I've been with the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge that long, WOW. I wish I had a bit more time on my hands to redo my card, the black part of sentiment is now annoying me. If I could work out how to unstick my bunny I would change it to blue. I think I was proving to myself I could stamp in different colours.!

I really wanted to use the sentiments on the Some Bunny set to prove it wasn't just for Easter but the there was a problem with the stamp. Now these things happen especially with the numbers that Simon Say Stamp sell. I always think its how you're treated when things goes wrong tells you how good the store is. So I got in touch with an e-mail to Customer Service, there was no quibble and another stamp set is winging its way over the ocean.

The paper are My Favourite Things Merry and Bright and I used the fabulous Circle of Leaves and the Stitched Squares from Simon Says Stamp. My flower is of course the Stitched Daisies from Simon says stamp and the little border its sitting on is made up with the scallop stitched border and stitched edge that comes with Simon Says Stamp Bundle of shapes.

Now the tricky part, where did  I get the sentiments from, I know they are all Simon Says Stamp. Right the sending you is from the Love stamp set and I worked out the rest came from the Best Hugs stamp set.

You are Amazing

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Thank you for joining us for the Fantastic Florals Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

This week the challenge is

Anything Goes

This week we are showcasing our very own Simon Says Stamp Exclusive Products this week. You don't have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

I finally got my hand on Simon Says Stamp Circle of Leaves, they kept getting sold out. I was just playing with the die to see how it cut when I decided to see if I could using one of Simon Says Stamp Stitched Circle afterwards and this how my centre turned out.  I cut it again so I could layer the leaves with some Foam Squares, I had to cut them down to fit and I used Zig Glue Pen to stick down the stems.

My circle needed a mat to go on and this point I knew I was going for an all white card especially has I had used a textured card. I used the Simon Say Stamps Stitched Rectangle for a finished touch round the mat.

But I needed something more I cute the Circle of Leaves again to make matching leaves and used the Simon Says Stamp Hydrangea dies, just the two smallest ones. They need some centres so I used the Simon Says Stamp Mini Flowers and Leaves.

To finish I needed a sentiment, technically its going to be a get well card but there could be further treatment and I felt this sentiment I found on the Ranunculus Stamp set   and it fitted inside one of the Simon Says Stamp Stitched Banners.

Finally a pearl for each flower to finish.

Follow Simon Says Stamp on Instagram

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge to your challenge entry uploads so we can see them on there too.

You have until Wed  8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Thank you for joining us for the Winter Birthday Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too. 

This week the challenge is

Anything But A Card

This week we are showcasing We R Memory Keepers Products. You don't have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

I had that sinking moment when I realised the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is for Anything but a card.

But I have in my possession a die that could make my life easier and that is the Tim Holtz Sizzix die for a matchbox.   It was very easy to adjust the W R are Memory Keepers Urban Chic papers 6 inch papers on the die but you do have to make the base and drawer wrap separately.

I used a bit of Doodlebug Beetle Black twine to make my handles and stuck them all together to may a little chest of drawers.

Time to decorate, I needed flowers, this time I used Simon Says Stamp Hydrangea die but I add some Lawn Fawn Mini Snowflakes for theirs centres, the pearls I found in my stash. My leaves are Penny Black Jolly Holly die that I recently brought. 

Apologies for the dodgy photos, I take my cards with a photo stand ( I know I still manage to take them crooked) but my little chest I had to take them free hand and the camera doesn't cope well with shaking hands.

Follow Simon Says Stamp on Instagram

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge to your challenge entry uploads so we can see them on there too.

You have until Wed  8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in