Simply Simple Stamping

New Catalog Sneak Peeks!

Written by Connie on May 24, 2013 · 7 Comments

Since I had to take a very short break from videos, I just had to do something to take my mind off of what was going on around me. I thought you all might like to see some cards created by some AMAZING Stampin’ Up demonstrators from all over the US and Canada. These are cards created with either new stamp sets or new colors (or both!) that will debut in our NEW catalog on May 31st. I hope you enjoy this little “sneak peek” of what’s to come!

If you would like a copy of the new Stampin’ Up catalog, you can get a copy for FREE from me. You cover the shipping and I will cover the cost of the catalog – how’s that for a deal! To get your copy, just click the BUY NOW button!

Enjoy the sneak peek!!!

Thanks to everyone for your THOUGHTFUL and PRECIOUS comments on my last post! We are starting to get back into the routine of things. We appreciate your prayers for our community!! You wouldn’t believe the outpouring of support we have seen – everything from donations to people hauling debris. We are OKIE STRONG!

An Update from Connie

Written by Connie on May 21, 2013 · 132 Comments

Hey my stampin’ friends! I have a few things to share with you. First, I know I haven’t posted in a few days but there was a good reason. I was making videos, playing with new Stampin’ Up products due to come out in the new catalog. It was amazing and relaxing and FUN! As you know I have 2 teenage daughters and it’s May. May means lots of spring concerts, talent shows, banquets, awards nights, etc. It has been INSANE in our house to say the least.

Well, sadly, things went from busy to devastating. I’m sure you have heard about the tornadoes in Oklahoma the last 2 nights. Shawnee is just one town over and Moore is my hometown. My kids attend Moore schools and all their friends live here. As you can imagine, we are all in shock over what is happening. My family is safe and my home is safe. It came close though. It was heading right towards my home and my husband’s job but, like tornadoes tend to do, it shifted, then lifted just when it was getting closer. Relief! Then we saw the destruction the tornado left behind in our precious town. It looks like a war zone. I was able to get my youngest daughter out of school before it hit but my oldest was still at the high school. The tornado came within a stone’s throw of her school and we couldn’t reach her through text messages or cell phones. It was the most horrifying hours of a mom’s life! We did finally get a text from her that they were in shelters but had no idea what was happening. They didn’t know that a tornado had even touched down! It took us several hours to get through traffic and debris to get to her but I was one determined mom who wanted her baby HOME. Needless to say, she was very shaken when she realized what had happened.

Now, let me tell anyone who is still reading this… One thing you need to know about Okies…we have each other’s back! We are strong and determined and we RUSH to the aid of our neighbors and strangers. We take care of each other! Our home was hit by a tornado in 2003 and I saw firsthand what the people in my town will do to help our their neighbors. I am in tears just remembering it all. We do appreciate your prayers for those families who have lost loved ones and children. We appreciate your donations to the Red Cross to help these families who have lost everything.

If you would just give us a few days to recover from all of this, I would appreciate it. We are fine but just in shock right now. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts for the wonderful people of Moore.

I will be back with Flash Cards soon!!

Stampin’ Girls Gone Wild Wednesday???

Written by Connie on May 16, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Today is Wednesday…well, okay, it’s actually Thursday. Wednesday is Stampin’ Girls Gone Wild day but due to an unforeseen issue on my part, I had to delay it a day. Sorry! Totally my fault BUT Josee’s project for this week is SOOOO worth the wait!

Hi everyone! Josee here! It’s my turn and I have a fun card to show you featuring 2 stamp sets on the retiring list.

If you haven’t checked out the lists for the RETIRING PRODUCTS…make sure you check out my store and get the ones you love before they’re gone!

There’s only 2 more weeks left to get them!

The card for today is using the Natural Composition Speciality paper which, you know what, I too often overlook. It’s a FAB-U-LOUS paper and thankfully is going to make it back into next year’s catalog. Yippee!

I love how this image goes so well with this particular greeting from the Word Play stamp set…especially when it’s colored with markers. Don’t you?

Here are the supplies I used on today’s project.

If you are in the United States, ORDER HERE from CONNIE

If you are here from Canada, ORDER HERE from my friend JOSEE

STAMP SETS: Forever Young c#122572/ w#122570; Word Play c#120651/ w#120308
PAPER: Naturals Composition Paper #126917; More Mustard #100946; Wild Wasabi #108641; Whisper White #100730
INK: Crumb Cake #126975; Markers – Regals #119701; Subtles #119700
ACCESSORIES: Vintage Faceted Buttons #127555; Early Espresso Baker’s Twine #123124

FLASH CARD 2.0 – Amazing Friend Card – Video No. 20

Written by Connie on May 15, 2013 · 12 Comments

Today’s FLASH CARD 2.0 is a layout I think you will use again and again. Talk about EASY! You can change it up with a different punch or stamped image. I really love how the fold “hides” the writing on the inside (so you don’t have to worry about it showing through).

I used Iridescent Embossing powder on my card but if you’re really in a hurry, just skip that step and stamp your heart out.

Let’s get started with today’s video!

I hope you enjoyed the video today! I have such a fun time creating them for you and you guys are always so sweet with your comments. I just love you guys!!!

Here are the supplies I used on today’s project. If you would like to purchase any of these, just CLICK HERE to order online!

Flash Card to Go Kits are available too! Just click on the kit or kits you would like on the right hand side of my website. :)

Creative Elements stamp set 122645 (wood) 122647 (clear)
Best of Butterflies stamps set 133345 (clear)
Amazing Family stamp set 131907 (wood) 129192 (clear)
Wisteria Wonder Classic Ink Pad 126985
Pink Pirouette Classic Ink Pad 126956
Wisteria Wonder cardstock 122922
Pink Pirouette cardstock 111351
Very Vanilla cardstock 101650
Subtles Marker Collection 131263
White Gel Pen 105021
Iridescent Embossing Powder 101930
Heat Tool 129053
Elegant Butterfly punch 127526
Stampin’ Dimensionals 104430

You’re orders are SO appreciated!!! Watch your mailboxes for a special Flash Card from me as my way of saying YOU’RE AWESOME!!

Have a fantabulous day! See ya soon!

Flash Card 2.0 – Amazing Sister/Friend

Written by Connie on May 14, 2013 · 7 Comments

Are you ready for a new FLASH CARD 2.0? I’ve been on vacation in Fiji and Fiji tim is 17 hours ahead of Oklahoma time. WOW! There’s something that I have never had to deal with before! That also meant trying to get back into the swing of things when I got home… but all I wanted to do was sleep!

Well, I am happy to say that my sleep schedule is back on track and I am back to Flash Cards as well! I’ve missed my creative time and I have missed sharing it with you all!

Today’s card is a fun fold that I think you’re going to really enjoy making. It goes together much faster than I thought it would! This accordion style card is perfect when you want to create something REALLY different from the “same ol’ card”.

Can you believe this card was made with just TWO little pieces of cardstock? Lots of dimension and pop on this card! I used Iridescent Embossing Powder to really give this card amazing sparkle… because who doesn’t LOVE sparkle!?

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the video!!! You’re going to love how easy this one is! See ya tomorrow!

Have Shoe Bags, Will Travel

Written by Connie on May 13, 2013 · 6 Comments

I just returned from an incredible trip to Fiji and I think I brought home more SAND than shoes! There is sand everywhere! I have said for years I need to go buy some shoe bags. Wait, what? BUY shoe bags? Nope, I am going to make them! They are so simple –there is no reason to buy them!

These shoe bags are SUPER quick and EASY!!!! I mean REALLY easy! And it’s one of those things everyone needs.

Are you a fabric collector? Go ahead. It’s okay. Just admit it… you’ll feel better if you do.

Maybe you’ve collected a lot of the OVERSIZED Fat Quarters from Stampin’ Up. Well, today is the day you MAKE something with it! Yes, dust off that sewing machine, fill the bobbin, and let’s create!

Stampin’ Up is retiring their oversized fat quarters and guess what… they are on SALE right now! 40% off! Each oversized fat quarter will make (1) set of shoe bags.

Oh, you’re going to love this part – no measuring! Just cut the fabric in half, 18″ x 13 1/2″ and you’re ready to go. About 24″ of ribbon (and the matching ribbon is on sale too), and in NO TIME you’re done and ready to travel!

Okay, so you can see that sewing is NOT my thing. I’m really terrible at it. I have one of those cheapo sewing machines but hey, it can make a straight stitch and that’s all I needed. If you’re an experienced sewer, you are going to cringe at how bad I am but it’s just a shoe bag. It’s not like it has to look amazing, right? lol

I hope that you find today’s video fun and helpful. I had a blast making these bags and they go together SUPER fast! I love that I have found a use for all those oversized fat quarters I have lying around.

Now, I am off to make some for my friends, my kids, my husband, my neighbors (yes, I have that much fabric).

Here is what I used on my shoe bags. To order, CLICK HERE

Essentials Designer Fabric (10 fat quarter) 126892 – On SALE 40% off through June 3, 2013
Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Dots Ribbon 124138
Old Olive Scalloped Dots Ribbon 124139
More Mustard Scalloped Dots Ribbon 124140
Marina Mist Scalloped Dots Ribbon 122986
Chocolate Chip Scalloped Dots Ribbon 124142

Have fun!!!! I’ll be back with more Flash Cards soon — I promise! I think I am finally over my jet lag and can get the creative juices flowing again.

Drab to FAB Gift Bag Video

Written by Connie on May 8, 2013 · 3 Comments

Wahoo! It’s Wednesday and you know what that means! STAMPIN’ GIRLS GONE WILD! Today I am going to share with you a super easy and quick way to take a DRAB lunch bag style gift sack and turn it into a FABULOUS gift bag, perfect for any occasion!

The Stampin’ Up Retirement List is out and like many of you, I am sad to see some of my favorite stamp sets and accessories go away. I love Distressed Polka Dots and Curly Cute so I wanted to make one last video for you showcasing a couple of my favorite stamps. Not to worry! You can still get these sets until June 3, 2013!

Are you ready for today’s video? Let’s go!

See? I told you! Super fast and easy, right? Now it’s YOUR turn!

If you are in the United States, ORDER HERE from CONNIE

If you are here from Canada, ORDER HERE from my friend JOSEE

Here are the supplies I used on today’s project:

Bordering on Romance stamp set 125480 (wood) 125482 (clear)
Distressed Dots 122815
Curly Cute 117014 (wood) 120510 (clear)
Real Red Classic Ink Pad 126949
Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink Pad 126952
Tempting Turquoise Cardstock 102067
Daffodil Delight Cardstock 119683
Summer Smooches Designer Paper 125409
Apothecary Accents Framelits 127003
Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon 122977
Stampin’ Dimensionals 104430

Thanks for tuning in today! So glad you stopped by! See ya next time!

FLASH CARD 2.0 – Glimmer Banner Card – Video No. 19

Written by Connie on May 3, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Are you ready for another FLASH CARD 2.0? I was really happy with the way this one turned out. Not how I envisioned it but that’s okay… I like it just the same! Rather than colored cardstock for my Flash Card 2.0, I am bringing in a piece of 2″ x 5 1/2″ Silver Glimmer Paper!

I hope you enjoy today’s video!

Want to order FLASH CARD KITS TO GO? Just find the color collection you like best on the right hand side of my website. It’s so easy to order too!

Want to purchase any of the supplies for today’s card? You can ORDER HERE:

Four Frames stamp set 123440 (wood) 123442 (clear)
Occasions Alphabet stamp set 117090 (wood) 123598 (clear)
Hearts a Flutter Bundle (stamps & framelits) 131098 (wood) 131097 (clear)
Pool Party cardstock 122924
Whisper White cardstock 107730
Silver Glimmer paper 124005
Wild Wasabi Classic Ink pad 126959
Primrose Petals Classic Ink pad 126858
Chocolate Chip Classic Ink pad 126979
Decorative Label punch 120907
Small Heart punch 117193
Stripes Embossing Folder 123128
Primrose Petals Stitched ribbon 126844
Stampin’ Dimensionals 104430

Thank you all so much to tuning in today and for your support of the FLASH CARD series!!! I appreciate you guys SO much!

FLASH CARD 2.0 – Glimmer Banner Card

Written by Connie on May 2, 2013 · 1 Comment

Today I want to share with you my most recent FLASH CARD 2.0 project.

It’s don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that BLING! I just love GLIMMER PAPER on a card, don’t you? A little goes a long way too!

Even the inside has bling! Today’s card is a quick and fun banner card. Banners are HUGE right now. If you’re on Pinterest, you already knew that.

Why not give a card with a mini banner? The Hearts a Flutter Bundle (stamp set and matching Framelits) are perfect for this FLASH CARD 2.0!

You won’t want to miss the video on this SHINY card! Tune in tomorrow!!

FLASH CARD 2.0 – Graduation Gift Card – Video No. 18

Written by Connie on April 30, 2013 · Leave a Comment

I am so tickled with how this gift card holder turned out. I know you are going to enjoy making these because they are so quick and easy. Pick the school’s colors and made the card “custom”. The grad will LOVE that@ If you need to make some up in advance why not make them black and white with a splash of gray…. you can’t go wrong!