First of all I just want to shout out a huge THANK YOU!!!to all who have been blog hopping this past 1 1/2 weeks following our Blog Candy Parade in celebration of the one year anniversary of both my Blog and the Stamp Simply Challenge. In all honesty, itmushroomed far beyond my wildest expectations. It started 2 days before the factwith the thought that I may do a post offering blog candy — me, one candy — WHO would know!!!! Oh my GOSH!!! And inaddition to thanking all of you readers for your kind words (oh, how I love reading your comments — each and every one of them!) and your support (it’s that support and encouragement that keeps us Bloggers going!!!), I would also like to thank those who joined in on the fun and made donations of Blog Candy. Please stop in to see these folks — even though this party is near over, they LOVED meeting all of you and would still love to visit with you some more:

Businesses:JustRite, Scor-It, Kitchen Sink Stamps

Stamp Simply Designers: Julie Koerber, Dee Jackson, Tammy Hershberger, Jennifer Buck, Janine Orchard, Becky Oehlers

Stamp Simply Friends: Jerri Jimenez, Joan Fricker, Barb Schram, Kellie Fortin

There are still several Blog Candy posts open for entries. Here they are:

Blog Candy #18 isCLOSED,winner is Cindy H click hereand scroll down to the bottom of the post. (JustRite Christmas Ensemble with Stamper III)

Blog Candy #17 isCLOSED, winner is MaryC click hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (JustRite Special Occasions Monogram Set)

Blog Candy #15 isCLOSED,winner is Natasha T click hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (Scor-It Mini with Tote)

Blog Candy #14 is alive and active click here. (Kitchen Sink New Release Stamp Set)

And here are some NEW Blog Candy posts — check them out!!!!

Sharon Harnist over at Paper Fections has someBLOG CANDY to give away. She is celebrating a BIG number, so go on over and check out her FABULOUS projects and enter her drawing. (You will LOVE her give-away!!!!)

And the folks over at the JustRite Blog are stillas busy as can be deciding what they can give away next!!! Word has it they are doing Blog Candy give-aways ALL WEEK LONG!!! Make sure to check back in with them often during the week so you don’t miss a thing!!!

No project to show you today — still trying to clean that stamp room!!! But, if luck is with me, maybe I’ll have a card up later tonight — I do have something in mind I’d like to try with a new Inkadinkadoset — hope I get it done!!! Thanks much for stopping – you have NO IDEA how I appreciate your visits!!! Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day here — wishing the same for you!!!

NOTICE: THE LIST which is one post down (scroll down) has been edited and is current as to all active Blog Candy posts — have fun!!! There are still many running!!!

This card uses the Scor-It Mini to dry emboss the lines. I have a Scor-It Mini Blog Candy still active — click here. And if any of you saw the Journal I did in that post, I was so pleased to see that a friend of mine, Joan, took my instructions, put her own spin on it, and made this adorable Journalwith a country elegance I LOVE. Check it out here. To me, there is no greater pleasure than to see that someone has taken a project of mine as their starting point and then created a beautiful project of their own!!! That ALWAYS makes me smile!!!

And it has also become very apparent to me that many of you don’t know the difference between a Scor-It and a Scor-Pal. If you are interested, Iwould urge you to check out this article I wrote quite some time ago which compares the two products. Click here.

Now, for today’s project, I did a quick card today for the Color Challenge at SCS — the colors were Riding Hood Red,Basic Gray and Always Artichoke. It was quick because I used the Cuttlebug to dry emboss the focal image and my Scor-It Mini to add embossed lines for interest. Here it is:

To make this I first embossed a 1/4 sheet of white with the Bird Call folder in the Cuttlebug. Then I just cut off what I didn’t want on the bottom. I was left with 3.5″ of my embossed image. I also cut it a bit narrower so more red card base would show. Now, I took the cut down piece and first scored a line 1/4″ from the top on my Scor-It Mini. I then adhered this piece to another piece of white cut to the size I wanted for my card. Then I put it back on the Scor-It Mini and scored lines every 1/4″ inch, filling up the bottom white space. Here’s a pic:

Can you see the seam line where the embossed image was cut and adhered to the base? I started scoring right there and kept moving down 1/4″ for each score line — only takes a few seconds. I love using an embossing folder to make quick cards, and personally I just think adding these scored lines kicks it up a notch, yielding a very professional result. And you get beautiful raised score lines when using either of the boards by Scor-It, the full sized board or the Mini.

Ok, then I just matted my embossed main image ontoBasic Gray, wrapped with a scrap of ribbon (always great when that last scrap works! – and this was my Artichoke for the Color Challenge), adhered to the Riding Hood Red base, added my tag, and DONE.

• Stamps: Out on a Limb Sentiments by Papertrey Ink

• Paper: PTI White, SU Riding Hood Red,Basic Gray

• Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black, SU Basic Gray

• Accessories: Ribbon, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder, Scor-It, Tag Die by Spellbinders, Dimensionals

A quick project — now back to the MAJOR project for the day — trying to clean my stamp room — LOL!! Now THAT’S a job!!! Thank you all so much for stopping in and remember, there are still many Blog Candy posts to check out, see above. Wishing you all wonderful fall weather, storm-free and sunny!

A HUGESHOUT OUT!to one of our very own Stamp Simply Designers — JENNIFER BUCK. Have you read her great news??? You can do so in Jennifer’s SCS Dirty Dozen Gallery here, or on Jennifer’s Blog here. WAY TO GO, JENNIFER!!! One of Splitcoaststamper’s newest Dirty Girls!!! So proud of you!!!! And Jennifer’s partner in crime this month is Mary Jo Albright, an ultra talented paper crafter whose creations I have admired for years. Here’s the link to her SCS DD Bio and to her Blog!!! Congrats girls, I know we are all in for a great treat for the next 6 months!!! (And if you can’t get into the SCS gallery links, it is because you are not a member of the Fan Club. You can readabout the Fan Club here.)

Play the Stamp Simply Challenge this week Cuddle up with Tammy and have a chance to be selected as the Stamp Simply Guest Desiginer for the month of November. Read about it here

Have you checked out this Blog Candy at the JustRite Blog? Watch them carefully — there is more to come this week!!!

Today is Monday — that means it’s time for the Every Monday Sale over at Joan’s Garden — it’s always fun to see what she has each Monday!!! Stop in and see! (Remember to keep scrolling down once you get there!)

_______________________

Announcements:

Blog Candy #18 is alive and active — click here. (JustRite Christmas Ensemble with Stamper III)

Blog Candy #17 is alive and active click here. (JustRite Special Occasions Monogram Set)

Blog Candy #16 isCLOSED, winners are Anne L and Jen click here. (2 prizes – JustRite Christmas Ensemble and Baking Ensemble)

Blog Candy #15 is alive and active click here. (Scor-It Mini with Tote)

Blog Candy #14 is alive and active click here. (Kitchen Sink New Release Stamp Set)

Blog Candy #13 isCLOSED,winner is Kristie click here. (CB Folders, Die, Chalk and Brads)

Blog Candy #12 isCLOSED,winner is Bev J click here. (Flourishes Stamp Set plus paper and ribbon)

Blog Candy #11 isCLOSED, winner is sandyh50 click here. (Papertrey Stamp Set)

Blog Candy #10 isCLOSED, winneris Pat M chick hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (JustRite Curlz Monogram Stamper)

Blog Candy #9 isCLOSED, winner isDarlene G click here. (Papertrey packaging and alterables)

Blog Candy #8 isCLOSED,winner is Bev G. click here. (Crafty Secrets stamp set and Journal Notes)

Blog Candy #7 is CLOSED, and the winner is Denise click hereto read more about it. (DCWV, Hero Arts, Fiskars, See Ds, IO, Dew Drops and more!)

Blog Candy #6 isCLOSED, winner is Karen M click hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (Stamp Simply Coffee w/ Friends Set)

Blog Candy #5 isCLOSED, winner is MariaG click here. (MFT new release Set)

Blog Candy #4 isCLOSED, winner is Tamara W click hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (JustRite Damask Monogram Stamper)

Blog Candy #3 isCLOSED, winner is Erika M click here. (SU Punch and Unity Kit)

Blog Candy #2 isCLOSED,the winner is Darlene L. click hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (Stamp Simply Thank You Set)

Blog Candy #1 isCLOSED,the winner is Bessey! click hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (Kitchen Sink Stamp Set)

YOU MAY SIGN UP FOR EVERY BLOG CANDY, but please only sign up once at each Blog Candy post thanks!

Fun and Games Play here for your chance to be a Stamp Simply co-host. CLOSED. The winner has been selected by Random.org, and out of 38 entries number 26 was chosen, and thats Heather T. Congrats! Heather!!! Here is Heathers Blog. Cant wait to see what you come up with!!!

The Stamp Simply Guest Designer for the month of October has been selected byRandom.org. There were 24 qualified entrants and Random.org selected #9, who is DARLENE, akronstamperdpk. And heres herBlog link. CONGRATULATIONS, DARLENE!!!

Play the Stamp Simply Challenge this week Cuddle up with Tammy and have a chance to be selected as the Stamp Simply Guest Desiginer for the month of November. Read about it here

_______________________

Announcements:

Blog Candy #17 is alive and active — click here. (JustRite Special Occasions Monogram Set)

Blog Candy #16 is alive and active — click here. (2 prizes – JustRite Christmas Ensemble and Baking Ensemble)

Blog Candy #15 is alive and active — click here. (Scor-It Mini with Tote)

Blog Candy #14 is alive and active — click here. (Kitchen Sink New Release Stamp Set)

Blog Candy #13 is alive and active click here. (CB Folders, Die, Chalk and Brads)

Blog Candy #12 isCLOSED,winner is Bev J click here. (Flourishes Stamp Set plus paper and ribbon)

Blog Candy #11 isCLOSED, winner is sandyh50 click here. (Papertrey Stamp Set)

Blog Candy #10 isCLOSED, winneris Pat M chick hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (JustRite Curlz Monogram Stamper)

Blog Candy #9 isCLOSED, winner tba click here. (Papertrey packaging and alterables)

Blog Candy #8 isCLOSED,winner is Bev G. click here. (Crafty Secrets stamp set and Journal Notes)

Blog Candy #7 is CLOSED, and the winner is Denise click hereto read more about it. (DCWV, Hero Arts, Fiskars, See Ds, IO, Dew Drops and more!)

Blog Candy #6 isCLOSED, winner is Karen M click hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (Stamp Simply Coffee w/ Friends Set)

Blog Candy #5 isCLOSED, winner is MariaG click here. (MFT new release Set)

Blog Candy #4 isCLOSED, winner is Tamara W click hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (JustRite Damask Monogram Stamper)

Blog Candy #3 isCLOSED, winner is Erika M click here. (SU Punch and Unity Kit)

Blog Candy #2 isCLOSED,the winner is Darlene L. click hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (Stamp Simply Thank You Set)

Blog Candy #1 isCLOSED,the winner is Bessey! click hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (Kitchen Sink Stamp Set)

YOU MAY SIGN UP FOR EVERY BLOG CANDY, but please only sign up once at each Blog Candy post thanks!

Fun and Games Play here for your chance to be a Stamp Simply co-host. CLOSED. The winner has been selected by Random.org, and out of 38 entries number 26 was chosen, and that’s Heather T. Congrats! Heather!!! Here is Heather’s Blog. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!

The Stamp Simply Guest Designer for the month of October has been selected byRandom.org. There were 24 qualified entrants and Random.org selected #9, who is DARLENE, akronstamperdpk. And heres herBlog link. CONGRATULATIONS, DARLENE!!!

Blog Candy#18 will be offered on Monday, so check back in if youre interested!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your visits this week!! Hope you are having a pleasant one!!!

For today’s Blog Candy I have a JustRite Damask DIY Monogram Stamper Kit. The folks at JustRite were very generous in offering this Classic Wooden Stamper Kit to helpus celebrate this week! Thank You, JustRite — you are ALWAYS Just Rite!!!

And I will say, of the three original Classic Wooden Stampers, this one has always been my personal favorite. I just like the 3 larger outer rings with the single initial in the center. It’s quick and easy to use and I just think it is so attractive. And today I used this Monogram Stamper to make a baby card. Remember the days when we all purchased baby gifts for the mother-to-be in green and yellow, not knowing the baby’s gender? Well, those days seem to be long gone, and I havea stash of pink andblue cards for baby showers. But today I just thought it would be good to have one gender-neutral card in my stash, so that’s what I did! And the B is for Baby, not Boy! Here it is:

Using a monogram as the focal image, makes for a quick and easy card, and I like that!!! I cut, embossed and framed my monogram with my Petite Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders. My white embossed panel was also quick and easy to do. I first punched the border scallop and then, using my Mini Scor-It, I scored 3 lines, each 3/8″ apart, just above the scallop. I then inserted the panel into the Swiss Dots embossing folder, but only up to the scored lines. Once I ran it through the Cuttlebug I then trimmed it down so it fit perfectly on my yellow mat, and then I rounded the corners. Tie the ribbon on, adhere my monogram with dimensionals and I’m done!

I received a surprise package in the mail yesterday from a friend and it contained a nice sampling of Papertrey cardstock, DP and ribbon — oh, how wonderful!!! Today’s cardwas made with the Papertrey cardstock and ribbon. Loved the weight of the cardstock — SO nice to work with. I am fussy about paper and do LOVE a heavy paper, so I was very pleased!!! I can definitely see some more of these yummy colors in my future!!!

• Stamps: DIY Damask Monogram Stamper Kit by JustRite
• Paper: Papertrey Ink
• Ink: Colorbox Chalk Aquamarine
• Accessories: Papertrey Twill, Petite Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders, Martha Stewart Lace Punch, Cuttlebug and Embossing Folder, Mini Scor-It, SU Corner Rounder, White Pearls, Dimensionals

To enter this drawing for a chance to win this JustRite Damask Monogram Stamper Kit, all you need to do is leave a comment. A winner will be selected by a random number generator. This post is open to comments/entries until 6:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, Sept. 11. The winner will be announced Friday morning. Good luck!!!

Once again, thanks so much for stopping in! Have you been signing up for all the Blog Candy? Thanks much!!!

The winner has been selected, and it is #94, Tamara W. Congrats! Tamara!!! Here’s what she wrote:

Tamara Won 07 Sep 2008 at 10:01 am edit comment link comment

I would never have known about DIY except for you! I LOVE the cards you have made and keep checking for new ways to use it. Thanks.

The selection was made by random.org:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

94

Timestamp: 2008-09-11 22:11:55 UTC

Thanks so much for playing everyone! Much appreciated!!!

Keyword ssnotime50 -There is no time limit. You can play this challenge and upload yourproject at Splitcoastand/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.

In celebration of my Blog’s soon to be 1st Anniversary, and the1st Anniversary of this challenge the week following, we are doing something a bit different, and fun, for the next 6 weeks. Ournext 6 challenges will be centered around each of the Stamp SimplyTeam members. And this week we are highlighting Julie Koerber who isOut to Impress— andVERY impressive she is — andeven more thanimpressive, JULIE IS HOT!!! And that’s the name of this week’s challenge.

Yes, JULIE IS HOT, HOT, HOT!!! RED HOT!!! When I think of Julie’s work, I immediately think of red, a color she uses often, and oh so well!!! I also think of large, spaciouslayouts, crisp and striking color combinations, minimal but absolutely perfect layering, and exquisitely beautiful and perfectly placed embellishements, never overdone!

Today’s challenge istwo-pronged:

1. Make a card with the primary color being red (you can add any other colors you like).

2. Use Julie’s style as inspiration for your work. You need not CASE her, just let her beautiful and classy style inspire you. Julie has made a new card for us, and she has also chosen4 of her previous cards to showcase as inspriation pieces that will convey her style, and you can see them here.

Cant wait to see what you do!!!

Check out Julie Koerberssample here.

Check out Dee Jacksons samplehere.

Check out Jennifer Bucks sample here.

Check out Janine Orchards sample here.

Check out Tammy Hershbergers card here.

You can see all Gallery Submissions here.

Aren’t these girls justFABULOUS!!! Thank you girls!!! Much appreciated!!! Becky will be back soon, I promise — we are sooooooooo missing her!!!

Heres my card for todays challenge:

I used red, a striking, crisp color combo of red, black and white, I used a layout with large panels and minimal layering, I added a simple scallop and I kept embellishments to a minimum as I wanted the focus to be on this gorgeous, 1.5″ wide wired gingham ribbon. So, how did I do — can you see Julie in this card? Oh, I’m not so sure Julie has ever used this wide gingham ribbon, but I sure love this type of ribbon and thought it just *went* with where I was going on this card!!! Here’s a few details:

• The stamp is an Anna Griffin tulip that I just inked directly from the pad.
• There are 3 rows of embossed lines at the top of the black panel, just to make a border effect. Plus they remind me of little pintucks which would go so well with the gingham ribbon.
• The sentiment is actually just the center part of one of the center images from the soon to beavailable Harmony Classic Circle III Stamp Ensemble by JustRite. This is the really large 3.25″ round wooden stamper that I SO love!!! I just masked off the rest of the stamp, inked the center sentiment in black, stamped and then cut and embossed with a Double Ended Tag by Spellbinders. (This largeHarmony Classic Circle Stamper III is available on pre-order NOW at the JustRite site).

Here’s the list of supplies:

• Stamps: Tulip by Anna Griffin, All Night Media, Sentiment by JustRite (explained above)
• Paper: PTI White. SU Real Red and Black.
• Ink: Versa Fine Onyx Black. SU Real Red and Old Olive.
• Accessories: 1.5″ Wired Gingham Check Ribbonby Offray (Wal-Mart), Scor-It, Martha Stewart Lace Punch from Wal-Mart, SU Corner Rounder, Double Ended Tags by Spellbinders, SU Brads, Mounting Squares.

Once again, thank you ever so much for stopping in — I so appreciate it!!! Hoping you all can enjoy a nice summer and holidayweekend!!!! Hope to see you again soon!!!

I got to play with new stamps today – how fun!!! And for as long as I’ve been stamping I’ve only had odds and ends of stamps for autumn, never a full coordinatedset. The moment I saw Papertrey’s new fall set, First Fruits, I knew it was just what I was wishing for — beautiful, yet simple, images along with a fabulous combination of words to take me through the fall and Thanksgiving season. I don’t have the designer paper that so beautifully coordinates with this set, but I found a small Fall Harvest pad by K & Co. in Michaels that I think works well. Here’s my first project with First Fruits:

I made a simple card using Petite Oval Nestabilities to frame the sheaf of grain as well asalabel attached to a band running around the bottle of Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette. I also stamped an envelope to match as well as the inside of the card.

This really was quite the easy project. The Blessings sentiment is cut and embossed using a label die, also by Spellbinders. My ribbon is an old scrap, and my original plan was to make more pieces to this little gift, but I ran out of this ribbon, sothis is it!!! I’m sure I’ll be making many more little gift type items with this set, so I’ll be sure I have enough ribbon next time before I start — LOL!!!

• Stamps: First Fruits by Papertrey Ink
• Paper: SU Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Morning Marigold, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive. Fall Harvest Mat Pad by K & Co.
• Ink: Versa Fine Onyx Black, Morning Marigold, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive.
• Accessories: Ribbon, Petite Circle, Petite Oval and Labels Trio all by Spellbinders, Mounting Tape, Glue Dots.

And today is Monday, so you know what THAT means — it’s the Every Monday Sale over at Joan’s Garden — check it out — I think she has Scor-It’s this week — both full sized and Mini!!!! I’ll have to pop on over and see what else she has, too!!!

Thanks so much for stopping in!!! I do so appreciate it!!! Hope you enjoy your week –it sounds like good weather for us — and today it IS beautiful!!! Hope to see you soon — thank you so much!!!

Keyword ssnotime48 -There is no time limit. You can play this challenge and upload yourproject at Splitcoastand/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.

We all have favorites in our OWNgalleries, right? Today we are going to go through our OWN galleries, find a card that is an absolute FAVORITE we’ve made, and re-make it. In other words, we’re going toCASE ourselves! On your re-make you can do it as close to the original as you like, or you can change it as much as you like — just be inspired by YOUR FAVORITE card!! And remember, LINK your original card so we can all see it — Fun!!! Cant wait to see what you doand, as always, try to keep it simple.Most importantly have fun!!!

Check out Julie Koerberssample here.

Check out Dee Jacksons samplehere.

Check out Jennifer Bucks sample here.

Check out Janine Orchards sample here.

Check out Tammy Hershbergers card here.

Our Stamp Simply Team is smaller today, what with vacations andallthat summer entails!!! But arent they FABULOUS!!! Thank you girls!!! Much appreciated!!!

Here’s my original card that I’m going to remake:

I made this card in April, 2007 when my Cuttlebug was still a new thing! This was my favorite embossing folder, and it still might be! It was also before I had any of the nice stick pins in the SU Pretties Kit. I used a corsage pin and flowers from Michaels. To get the sheen on the embossing I swiped it with Versa Mark and then applied Pearl Ex. A simple card, but I have always loved it. I’ve taught this card many times and made it many times for weddings. And here’s my today’s remake:

Same basic idea, just a little different. Today I used 2 different embossing folders plus I also scored in between the embossed areas, using my Mini Scor-It. The scoring is hidden under the ribbon, but it really does add a nice touch IRL. I used Martha Stewart Lace and Bird punches. The bird is covered in Dazzling Diamonds, and it does match the card IRL!!! Here’s a step-by-step on how to emboss this sheet:

1. Insert sheet intoSwiss Dots folderso only 1″ of sheet will get embossed when you run it through.Run it through and emboss.
2. Insert opposite end of same sheet into the Birds and Vine folder so that there is a 1″ blank space left between the two different types of embossing. Run it through and emboss. You should have a 1″ space that is empty/blank.
3. To score, I used the Scor-It Mini. Measuring on the ruler, score right in the center of the 1″ space. Then move out 1/4″ at a time and continue scoring until the space is filled up. You will have 5 score lines as shown.
4. Using the Martha Stewart Lace Punch, punch the bottom edge.
5. Cut a piece of colored cardstock for your mat about 1/8″wider and about 1″ longerthan the embossed sheet was before you punched the lace,then punch the lace bottom as above, then mat the embossed sheet onto this colored sheet, trimming the top so it is equally matted.
6. Adhere to card, wrap with ribbon and attach sentiment and bird.

Today’s card isjust a bit more of a modern take on the original which had a bit of a vintage feel to it. I like them both!!!

• Stamps: Many Sentiments by Flourishes
• Paper: PTI White, SU Almost Amethyst
• Ink: Lovely Lilac by SU
• Accessories: May Arts Ribbon, Cuttlebug and Embossing Folders, Scor-It Mini, Martha Stewart Lace Punch and Bird Punch, SU Large Oval Punch, Dimensionals

You can see all Gallery Submissions Here.

Some wanting to play said they have never uploaded before. If thats you and you need help uploading, just go to my Challenge No. 1 here.

Once again, thank you so much for stopping in!!! Hope you can find time one of these days to remake one of YOUR favorites for us all to see!!! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead!!!

I was up for a triple challenge this morning: Color – Elegant Eggplant, Taken with Teal and Old Olive; Sketch, and Ways to Use It – using Copics. Here it is:

I used a retired SU set, Sun Ripened II. I love this set and the original Sun Ripened. I didn’t seem to have the right weight/color ribbon for this card, so I improvised by twining together and knotting some organdy and 2 strands of hemp. I also used my Scor-ItMini to score the three lines for added interest. And here’s the Copic colors I used:

And see the GRAPES sentiment? I did that with my50 pt. Times New Roman font that came in one of my JustRite Stamper kits. I used the rubber grid the letters come on for my stamper — but again, I must remind you that the Harmony Rectangle Stamper will be available sometime in September, and no one will be happier to get one than me — LOL!!! Anxiously waiting. But in the meantime, using my rubber grid works!!!All the new product coming from JustRite is available to pre-order now at the JustRite site.

And I just want to say, I have been collecting SU alphas and numbers for years — I havea huge, and I mean HUGE, box full of them. All unmounted, untouched — sound familiar. Cutting rubber and mounting stamps has never been something I enjoyed — so there they sit. Well, with the new JustRite alphas and numbers — oh my — ready to go, snap into place — done and over in a flash!!! CAN’T BEAT IT!!! Just my 2 cents on that issue — LOL!!!

• Stamps: Sun Ripened II by SU- retired, Time New Roman font by JustRite
• Paper: PTI White, SU Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Taken with Teal
• Ink: Palette Black, SU Old Olive, SU Taken with Teal Marker
• Accessories: Michael’s Organdy, Wal-Mart Hemp, SU Brads, Labels Trio by Spellbinders, Scor-ItMini, SU Dimensionals, SU Piercer and Mat Pack

And that will do it for this post!!! Another beautiful day here – out to hang some sheets on the line!!! Hope you are all having such great weather as well!!! I’ll be back tomorrow with our usual Stamp Simply Challenge — hope to see you then — I think you’ll be pleased with how easy and fun this one will be!!! Thanks much for stopping in!!!

I’ve had the pleasure of running into Joan Fricker twice in the last month, and seeing as she is from Indiana and I’m from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula well, that’s pretty amazing! On our second visit we had much more time to sit and talk, and I learned so many fun things about Joan.

Joan has a long history in sales that I found quite fascinating. She’s done a lot of what I would consider *fun* things along the way, requiring hard work and dedication, leading up to where she is today — just having fun in Blogland, creating, posting, making friends, and still — selling!!! Yes, Joan has anEvery Monday Sale on her blog — low key, easy to manage and, most importantly, a project she considers fun!!! More detailson her Every Monday Sale will follow, but first, a bit aboutJoan.

• Joan’s first job was at age 5, selling potholders door to door
• As a school girl Joan worked in her parents grocery store attached to their home in Teegarden, IN
• After marrying at age 17 and adopting a daughter,Joan sold Avon for 7 years
• After DH’s motorcycle accidentJoanneeded more income, soshe began selling toys for a season, which was her start in the party plan business
• Joan’s love for interior decorating led her to a company called HODA (similar to Home Interiors), where she managed 30 women for about 14 years, always placing in the Top 10 in sales (#1 in sales 1 year!). Joan had found her niche! Interior decorating was her love!
• Joan purchased a Decorating Den Franchise and became a full fledged interior decorator selling draperies, furniture, wallpaper, carpeting and accessories. Within 2 years Joan was ranked #2 in the state of Indiana. Her 80 hour work weeks were fun, but extremely stressful.
• 6 months after purchasing her Decorating Den Franchise, Joan’s husband was diagnosed with cancer and passed on 18 months later. Joan continued working, but the joy was gone. She sold her business by the time it was 4 years old.
• Still needing an income, Joan started selling jewelry for a party plan company, shortly becoming manager with 30 girls under her. Joan did this job merely for an income, not for love of the job.
• After a few years, a new manenters Joan’s life, they were married, and he asked her to quit the jewlery job and be home evenings, much to Joan’s delight!
• Joan and DH now become involved in a company selling natural products and together they developed an organization of over 200 people.
• Joan became tired of trying to keep 200 people motivated and felt she needed a hobby. She started making soap, and soon decided she needed to sell some of it to support her habit (sound familiar — LOL!)
• In short order, Joan had 11 employees in her soap business and had accounts across the nation as well as internationally. Candles and other toiletries were added to her line. After 9 years of again 80+ hour work weeks, the fun was gone. Once again, it was time to sell her business and take control of her life.
• Joan is loving the stress-free days of her retirement. She enjoys canning, flower gardening and making cement leaves. Thecement leaves are AMAZING — check them out here. She also started scrapbooking, fell in love with digital scrapping and spent time learning Adobe Photoshop. Then enters card making, rubber stamps, etc. — and I think you can all get the picture after this point — LOL!!!

No matter how busy Joan stays, her love of selling just won’t quit! She loves going to trades shows (thus her CHA trip) and searching out new and exciting things. Joan has an adorable little shop at her home (pictured above) and this fall she plans to develop that into a small local business where card makers can gather, create, share and enjoy those simple pleasures that are inherent with this hobby. And given Joan’s history, I just have a hunch her latest venture will be a smashing success!!!

Joan is slowly, but surely, stocking her little store, and in the meantime she runs a fun and simple Every Monday Sale onher blog. She only lists a handful of items each Monday, ships them out promptly, and then she’s done — until next Monday!

So, what lines does Joan carry? Well, some really GREAT lines that we all know and love. Joan currently has:

• Crafty Secrets Stamps
• Inkadinkado Stamps
• Cricut Cartridges
• Cuttlebug Embossing Folders
• Spellbinders
• May Arts Ribbon

Joan will soon be receiving:

• Hanna Stamps
• Art Impression Stamps
• JustRite Stampers
• Scor-It
• Scor-Pal
• Crystal Elements
• Glue Glider

So, if you’d like, stop in to see Joan and check out what she’s got for sale today. Her prices are certainly very reasonable and her shipping beyond compare! You just never know what you might find at Joan’s Garden. Keep scrolling down once you get there asitems are all listed separately.

And being a huge fan of beautiful vintage images, I’d like to leave you today with some creations made using Crafty Secrets images.

I made this card in May 2007 for the Fan Club Gallery at SCS. Itis 5.5″ square andusesBird Notes by Crafty Secrets. If you are are a Fan Club Member, you may view all details here. If not, you may want to consider joining. You can read all aboutthe Fan Clubhere.

This card was also made in May, 2007 for the Fan Club Gallery at SCS. This card is very large at 8.5 x 5.5, and it uses bothStickers and Cotton Scraps by Crafty Secrets. And, yes, that is a real cookie cutter hanging there and a doily that I cut and added seam binding to in order to create a mini apron!!! Again, details may be seen in the Fan Club Gallery here.

Thanks so much for stopping in today and getting to know Joan a bit better!!! I truly enjoyed preparing this article and sharing these fun facts about Joan with you!!! Hope you are all off to a wonderful and fun-filled week ahead.