OK, everyone — this is our first challenge. And remember, these challenges will all be to make cards that are simple, don’t take a ton of time, but are still lovely. Quick, easy and simple is the main focus for this challenge. I’ll plan to post one every Friday evening!

Challenge No. 1 – Keyword SSnotime01 (stands for Stamp Simply notimetostamp No. 1) There is no time limit. You can play this challenge and upload your card at Splitcoastand/or your Blog, anytime at all! You can play as many times as you like!!! The point is to keep it simple, quick and have fun!!!

Challenge suggestions:

• Use only 1 stamp per card— one STAMP, not one SET! You can do it!!! Less to think about, less to clean! Unless you just love to color, avoid stamps that require a lot of time to color — but if you love to color, then that’s OK! I love to use solid image stamps for quick cards!
• You are permitted to use a 2nd stamp for a sentiment if you so desire. I often leave the sentiment off until I know what I will use the card for — your choice!
• Use as few pieces of paper as possible — at least 3 pieces recommended (card, main image, and accent or frame). Spend less time cutting and measuring with less paper.
• You are encouraged to use any tools and any and all embellishments you wish. Tools (punches, piercer, crimper, heat gun, Crop-a-dile, etc.)make life quick and easy, and embellishments add a lot of pizzazz without much effort!
• You are welcome to copy my layouts or use your own — the layout doesn’t matter.
• My samples (I have 2 for this) are shown below!

That’s it — create away!!! Remember, a fabulous card doesn’t have to take hours to make. And we’re going to prove it!!! Can’t wait to see what you all come up with!!!

Remember when you upload to use the keyword above, followed by a comma.Please come back here to post (as a comment) that you’ve played, provide a linkso I can check out your card right away,and give your thoughts on the challenge, ask any questions, or share your own ideas and thoughts on making quick and easy cards!!! I’d LOVE to hear everyone’s ideas — who knows what we might all learn!!! Please check out everyone else’s work and, if you have time, leave some comments!!! Make someone’s day!!! You can find all cards uploaded for this challenge by doing a search from the main gallery page by typing in SSnotime01 or by clicking Gallery Submissions Here.

Some wanting to play said they have never uploaded before. Do you have a username at Splitcoast? You need that first, click register here. Then you’ll need to get a photo or scan of your card. You’ll also need a little note (I make my note before I leave my workspace) of the all supplies used: stamps, paper, ink and accessories. Then go to Upload Photo, click here. All of this is also available on the left hand side ofSplitcoast’s Home Page underQuick Clicks. Then just fill in all the information. Make sure your username is listed. The most confusing part at first is finding the proper category. Click on the arrow and a dropdown appears. If you are using a SU set, scroll down until you find the alphabetical listings, get to your set and click. If it is a non-SU stamp, then you just upload it to Member Gallery. To get your photo there, just click on Browse. Then when in your photo program, just click on the photo you want and the address to it will appear in the Browse space! Thenselect a titleforyour project, describe your project, then scroll down and click Upload/Submit. This may take a few minutes, be patient. When it is done a new page pops up to fill in all the supplies.Make sure to include thecode above (SSnotime01) followed by a comma, in your keywordssection.Then click the Submit button again (I think it says submit), wait until it says you’re OK, and then you can see your photo in the gallery. It’ll be in your personal gallery and in the gallery for that stamp set and should also be on the main gallery page as a recent upload. That’s it!!! The first time is the hardest — piece of cake after that!

Some hints for fast and fabulous cards:

• Use color combinations that really POP!!!
• Use gorgeous ribbon that catches the eye!
• Add a little element of sparkle to dress up your work!
• Plan a layout that is somewhat askew — it takes time to frame panels perfectly — skip the perfect framing and layer/frame off-kilter intentionally.
• When stamping your main image, stamp a few extras to have on hand for that day you need a card quickly! Since you are only using 1 stamp, it will hardly take any extra time!!!
• Using designer paper can add a lot of interest to a quick and simple card!
• Distressing, sponging and piercing can also add a lot of interest without much effort!

This is Sample No. 1. I used a stamp from a tried and true set, Heartfelt Thanks. The flower part of the stamp was inked on the pad and the stem was colored with marker and stamped 3 times (reinked each time) on white paper. I then took thefine tip of the brown marker and made those little dots on each little bud in the flower — can you see it — that one small thing made a HUGE difference in how these flowers looked!!! It is framed, askew, with brown, and wrapped with knotted ribbon. The card base is stamped, tone on tone, with the same stamp. Super quick and easy!!! And it was so simple, but I love it!!!

• Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks
• Paper: Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White.
• Ink: Groovy Guava. Marker in Chocolate Chip.
• Accessories: Wide Chocolate Satin Ribbon from Theater Ribbon Originals.
• Card: Standard A-2 Size, 5.5″ x 4.25″
• Floral Panel: 2.75″ x 3.75″

This is Sample No. 2. For this card I used another solid image stamp, the large one from Fabulous Flowers. I love the huge impact this one large flower makes!!! I used a little more paper on this card, but it is still all easy layering and cutting. The flower is first stamped in Groovy Guava onto Blush Blossom cardstock. I then stamped it again, right on top of the first image, but offset a bit (intentionally) in Really Rust. Stamping it offset a bit gives it a more layered, deeper look, very easily!!! No SAMJ, no fussing, just a quick stamp, peeking to make sure I was off! And since this flower image is so large, I only wanted a portion of it on my panel. I actually stamped the entire flower on a larger panel, and then after it was stamped I cut my panel down to the size I wanted, allowing me to cut it so the flower was exactly where I wanted it. After distressing the edges with the distressing tool on my cutter kit, I quickly outlined the petals with a glue pen and sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds for instant appeal!!! Who doesn’t love DD? I then layered a dark gray behind it and mounted it onto the card with mounting tape. Using mounting tape, or dimensionals, adds depth to the card front, making it more appealing, in my opinion. I used Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware. I like to attach those little hangy tab things at the top of a card and let the hanger part hang down so I can tie a ribbon to it. That’s it. Took a bit more than the first card, still in all, very quick and easy!!! The designer paper adds a lot of interest on this one, as well as the sparkly, large flower!!!

• Stamps: Fabulous Flower, Warm Words
• Paper: Really Rust, Blush Blossom, Going Gray, Basic Gray, Fall Flowers Designer Paper
• Ink: Groovy Guava, Really Rust, Basic Gray
• Accessories: Pewter HPH, Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon, Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Distressing Tool on Cutter Kit, Mounting Tape, Mini Glue Dots
• Card: Standard A-2 size, 5.5″ x 4.25″
• Blush Blossom Main Image Panel: 2.75″ x 3.25″
• DP: 2.25″ x 5.5″
• Going Gray: Cut 1″ x 5.5″ — only .25″ exposed

Hint: If you have unruly ribbon tails, you can easily position themwherever/however you want with Mini Glue Dots — now you know my ribbon secret — LOL!!!

Hope you all have fun playing!!!