Meet our Logistics Coordinator, Reba! Reba joined our team this past March and has really been a tremendous asset to our team! She heads up our shipping department making sure that our customers get the speediest service possible. Reba is very dedicated to her duties and is always looking to learn more!
She comes to us from North Carolina, bringing some Southern charm to the office. Reba is a happy wife to husband, Richard and proud Mom to her son Anthony, and daughter, Candace. In her spare time she likes to make beautiful jewelry (like the necklace she is wearing in the picture above)!! She also likes to try new recipes in the kitchen with her husband, and we are lucky to get some samples in the office!!
We are very happy and lucky to have Reba on our team!! Won't you take a moment to wish Reba a very Happy Birthday?
Wall Decor and More Prepare yourselves, everyone, I'm about to gush about a few of our products!!! We just received Wall Decor and More from Cricut Cartridge. Just in case you didn't know, Cricut Cartridge is a company that makes personal electronic cutters - all you need is a Cricut Personal Electric Cutter and a Cartridge and you cut tons of designs and alphabets for paper crafting, home decor, scrapbooking, and more!! I highly recommend that you check out the video just to see some examples of the cool things you can make with Wall Decor and More - the name really doesn't lie; there is SO much that you can do with this one! I could definitely see Wall Decor and More being perfect for a little girl's room because of the castles and crowns, or a little boy's room because of the sailboat, but it could also work for a neutral kids' room because of the giraffe and the other animals. There is even a teapot image that could be used for a little get together invitation and a cute telephone (yes, it has a cord attached like the "old days" before cordless and cell phones!) that could be used to make a neat little sign above a home telephone. The toughest question regarding this Cartridge is what to do first!!
I'm also a fan of the Cindy Loo Cartridge - it's neat with the small woodland animals and trees. They have sort of a cutesy feel to them, but I think it'd be perfect for a "just saying hello" kind of card or a camping scrapbook. If you're not so into the cutesy animals, this is still a good Cartridge to get because of the variety of flourishes. It has everything from paisley swirls to leaves and flowers. I think it'd be nice for any scrapbooking/paper project - so many options for finishing touches that will bring a good project up to outstanding status. Mini Monsters I know it may seem soon, but it's never too early to start planning for Halloween! Cricut has a new cartridge called Mini Monsters that is terrific for Halloween holidays or monster fanatics : ) It includes layered monsters, ghosts, pumpkins, and other iconic Halloween images like spiders, tombstones, etc. Not to scare anyone, but people have already started buying Halloween- and Christmas-themed products that we have! If you're going to buy any one item for Halloween this year, you should go for Mini Monsters - just look at them and how adorable they are!!
I hate to say it because the summer season is beautiful, but I am wishing for fall-like weather right now. Outside, it is the typical humid Ohio heat - I could really go for some cool weather like we had yesterday!!! Hah...I fit the cliche that people always want what they can't have : ) Enjoy the weather where you are!
Try not to fall in love with the brand new line from Penny Black...Sweet Things! Seriously, try not to! These sweet images are perfect for summer stamping and sending warm sunshiny thoughts and wishes to those you love! Check out the new line and let me know what you think!
....And our lucky ducky winner of the super cute TGF "Savannah" is...LEAH THE ORANGE!
Here's what she had to say:
“Oh my GOODNESS, how utterly cute is this SET?! i haven't seen these! fave TGF stamp to date? i think it would have to be Wild Sprout Stella - i love her style, with the short bob hair! :) off to see what else is new!”
Congrats, Leah! Please email me (Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com) your addy so I can send your prize!
Yay! The Tim Holtz Tattered Florals Dies are BACK IN STOCK! We got A LOT of them in today! I was soooo excited I jumped up and down while holding a box cutter AND I'm 6 1/2 months pregnant...needless to say, everyone was a little worried about me!!!! Don't worry...everything is OK and I promise I won't do it again;)
Dear Readers, Attention: Simon Says Stamp has new product from Tattered Angels!! For example, the Adventure color kit!! Each color kit comes with three shades of glimmer mist plus a clear coat! While packing an order this morning, I came across a color kit and remarked that it was not only cute, but a great way to get to get to know Glimmer Mists! I've been working to get to know these products a little bit better and have found out some really neat facts!
For example, there are three basic techniques for using Glimmer Mists: 1.) the light/even mist, created by holding the bottle back from your project (depending on how light you want the mist, hold closer or farther away) 2.) the raindrop effect, created by holding Glimmer Mist closer to your project and very slowly squeezing down on the sprayer 3.) the pooling effect, created by holding the Glimmer Mist very close to your project (this one gives the most intense color)
I've got to be honest here - I'm a big fan of the Tattered Angels Clear Stamps. The one shown at the right is called Seaside Coastal Breeze and I'm in love with it because of the flourishes! I like that they're not too showy, but they add a bit of flair to projects. I would recommend using Archival Ink for glimmer mist projects because then your image will not blur or become wishy-washy. Archival Ink is AMAZING for this type of project or any where you want the image to stay crisp and defined.
Timeless Romance Glimmer Screens As you can see in the video, some Tattered Angels stamps have matching stencils to help users achieve certain shimmer patterns! This is exciting because sometimes I feel like I get stuck in a creative rut (or my ideas are bigger than my abilities) and it's always nice to have something to fall back on that you know will work : ) The Glimmer Screens are great because not only do they help with highlighting the coordinating stamps, but they can also be used on their own with chalks, paints, or other inks! Glimmer Mists are water-based so they are not water-resistant, but this also means that they will not stain clothing...it may take a few washes, but I haven't had any disasters where Glimmer Mist didn't come out of my clothes. Fun fact that I learned: Glimmer Mist washes off of skin best with shampoo!
I like that the Tattered Angels mists are so versatile. I've seen them used on flowers for a fresh, dewy look. They dry instantly on wood. The mists stick to metal and glass. They can be used on plastic for a stained glass effect. You can let them air dry, blot it dry with a paper towel, or use a heat source like the super quiet Heat It Craft Tool from Ranger. Want to know a cool trick that I learned from a watercolor class? Use clear cling wrap (like saran wrap) over wet watercolors - or in this case, a small pool of glimmer mist - and crinkle it up to your satisfaction. Make the wrap loose so that some air can gradually get in and let it dry. When it's dry (it may take a few hours to a few days depending on how damp it is), peel off the wrap and observe the really cool wrinkled look left behind!! Some of the paint or mist color will end up darker in various areas, but I think it looks pretty impressive. To make sure that the crinkled look stays, you wouldn't want to use anything watery afterward. I think the Graceful Journey clear stamp by Tattered Angels would look cool with the crinkle effect - it might end up looking a little like sky, but could also just be some added texture : )
Well now, it's nearing the end of the day for me so I'd best be on my way! Play around and have fun!! -Sarah sarah@simonsaysstamp.com
Happy (official) First day of Summer everyone! Did you know it's the longest day of the year today? It's the longest day of sunshine for us here in Simon Says Stamp's home office! How do you keep the bright sunshine around longer you ask?! Why look no further than the sweet new Summer designs from C.C. A very big and special thanks to Jay Jay for giving these AMAZING examples!!
Okay well I don't know about you but this has really got me inspired and ready for some fun, summer crafting!! Thanks for the continued inspiration, Jay Jay!!!!
This card (above by Martine!) and the next two below (by Debby and Lols) all use Blue Moon's metal Pirate charms. I love the collage feel that so many of our designers use - not only do they use great-lookin' paper, but they'll throw in a charm or maybe some pearl or gem embellishments. These charms are the perfect addition to these cards for obvious reasons, but they could also be used for various other things. I'm thinking that the ship's wheel and the anchor might be nice for a nautically themed card. The skull would be nice for something involving rock & roll or even Halloween. These charms are metal and would be pretty sweet if used in a charm bracelet or some form of necklace, too.
Pirates are known for their wild behavior and their pillaging, but also for their sense of exploration and fearlessness - all are qualities that make them so appealing! Many of us are in love with Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but Edwin is pretty cute in his pirate costume. I love the colors that Lols used when making her card (see below). They are light, but remind me of foggy waters. I love how she colored the skull and the sentiment, "Arrr t'is Yer Birthday!" is not only cute but funny : ) One more thing that I like about this card: the background of the clock - it's kind of Captain Hook. If you like it too, check out the Timeworks Mask by Tim Holtz!!!
I really like the stack of coins in the bottom right corner and the torn brown paper is reminiscent of a treasure map or even burlap, which are both pirate-ish. I love the fact that Edwin and his sword stand out from the background - such a cool way to spice up any card! Lovely work Chris!
I love this card made by Domi because of the flowers, foliage, and the paper. She also did a great job coloring Tilda and I like the ribbon in the corner (sooo...basically I like the whole thing!). The paper she used - if I'm not mistaken - is by Magnolia and called Red Chef Plaid.
I love the gem embellishments that Marcea used for this card! It's perfect because pirates love treasure and also because they just look good! It may be hard to see from this angle, but the "AHOY" letters are glittery too. I absolutely LOVE when cards are tied together like this - the bits of sparkle and gems throughout the card are so fun! We have lots of different gem embellishments like this, but I would recommend Prima Center Kisses because they come in different shapes and sizes.
There are SO many good things to say about each of the Design Teamers and their creative work! However, I better get going! PLEASE check out the Simon Says Stamp Challenge - there are so many great examples of how products can be used and different techniques. I'd also love to see what you have to bring to the table!! : D
We are so lucky to have Jo as part of our Simon Says Stamp family! Her mixture of ingenuity and love of crafting make her a cut above the 'average crafter' and she continues to inspire many on a weekly basis via our Challenge blog! Take a look at just a sampling of her amazing work that I've posted on this blog!
Jo resides in Wiltshire with her husband and 2 beautiful young daughters, Ski & Fizzy. In addition to being a wonderful crafter, she has a passion for her family and being a wonderful wife and Mum! She also enjoys camping and crocheting, and tuning into Kirstie's Homemade Home!
We are also very pleased and excited to announce that Jo's beautiful work will be published in an upcoming issue (#81) of a very renowned crafting magazine, Cardmaking & Papercraft. The current issue (#80) is shown in the photo below; look for issue #81 featuring Jo out soon!!
We are so pleased, happy, and honored to have Jo on our team, she is wonderful! We hope you take a moment to really peruse her blog HERE because there is just too much loveliness for me to fit on one blog! :) I will leave you with one more of my favorite recent cards from Jo. We love you Jo, thanks for all you do!!!!
Haven't made a card for Father's Day yet and feeling somewhat stumped? Lisa Spangler's card (see left) is a great example of a classy, yet simple to make Father's Day card. I really like the various elements of the card - they work together without overcrowding. Specifically, I like the city background (made by a Hero Arts rubber stamp called Silly Scape); I also think the Heart Accent Pearls are cute! Lisa used the Ranger Diamond Stickles Glitter Glue to enhance them. The sentiment is from the Happy Dad's Day clear stamp set - one that I love because of all the options it offers. I like the grill and the tools, but the coffee cup reminds me of when I was little.
My elementary school had a gifts sale where we could shop for family members before different holidays. I remember each grade went at a different time of the day and that my sisters and I used to worry we had gotten our dad the same "#1 Dad" or "I love Dad" mug. I think he might still have a few of those $1 mugs around : ) There is a chance that if I make him a card for Father's Day, he might tear up or at least laugh about the mug fights. Thanks Dad It seems that we have gotten Dad the same types of gifts each year for Father's Day. I know that in addition to mugs, he has received many ties: one that my older sister decorated with neon puffy paint (it was SO awesome!), and lots of others with patterns we thought he would approve of. I like the Thanks Dad stamps from Stampendous because of that memory, but also because the words on the sheet aren't connected - it's up to the artist to make the combination of words for the sentiment. If I were decorating a card using this set, I'd probably color in the clear tie to look like the one my sister, Katie designed. I also like the Thanks Dad stamps because, as I've said before, people really do need to hear the words "thank you." I'm really thankful to both of my parents for how they've raised me and for all they have taught me.
Among the things my parents have taught me are the simple lessons Dad taught us. One is responsibility - each week we had to clean a bathroom in the house, put away our own laundry, and keep our rooms clean. I guess this also taught us discipline to a certain extent, too, because there were consequences for us if we didn't do those chores each week (hehe). We also learned how we should be treated by boys - Dad was always "a proper gentleman" when he took us out for father-daughter time. Some of these gentlemanly practices include opening doors for us, keeping us safe from harm, pulling out our chairs for us when we sat down, and really just making sure we were comfortable in general. The Proper Gentleman paper pack by Graphic 45 reminds me of my dad for these reasons (and also because some of the papers look like ties we've gotten him over the years). Aw, my dad is great!! :D
Hopefully many of you have some neat Daddy memories like I do and you'll get to remind your dad that you love him on Father's Day or at least remember good times! The weekend here in O-HI-O is supposed to be hot, but nice out - I'm thinking there will be grilling involved and if I'm lucky, I might even get some sun!
