...with a give-away!
Thanks so much for reading my blog, and to those of you who take time to leave comments, extra thanks! I'm simply blown away by your enthusiasm for my clean and simple blog, and you just have no idea how inspired and motivated I am by YOU!
To share the love I'm feeling, let's have a give-away.
I primarily use stamps from three manufacturers: Papertrey Ink, Hero Arts, and StampinUp. I like a lot of other stamp manufacturers, but to keep my life and spending simple, I stalk these three companies at each release. So the winner of this give-away will receive a CHOICE OF ONE of the following:
--A $25 email gift certificate to Papertrey Ink.
or
--A $25 email gift certificate to Stampin'Treasures.*
or
--A $25 certificate toward an order of Stampin'Up supplies through my wonderful demo Danielle Stackhouse.**
All you have to do is tell me what you want to see on Simplicity in the future. Perhaps you want more (or less!) of something I already do, or maybe you want me to try something I've never shown here (techniques, for instance, that you want me to simplify, or other paper crafts like scrapbooking or bookbinding).
Deadline for comments will be Monday, September 28, 2009, at 10:00 EDST. The winner will be announced on Tuesday.
One comment per reader, please.
*Stampin'Treasures sells the complete line of Hero Arts stamps, among other companies as well.
**Due to SU restrictions, Danielle can only sell to people in the United States.
Congratulations on the hits! I LOVE your simple and clean style!!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see you keep doing what you've been doing!!!
And, FYI, your SU Demo could order the stuff and you could mail it to the winner... if you wanted
WOW, Awesome Candy!! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, thanks for all the inspiration!
I really enjoy seeing your make-over cards and would love to see you post more!
ReplyDeleteMore of your wonderful clean and simple style - I am so enjoying it! So many card artists want to add lots of layers and embellishments and I don't think it adds all that much to a card. I love your style!
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to see some "Clean & Simple" examples of scrapbooking!
ReplyDeleteI struggle with scrapbooking myself, either the pages get too cluttery, or look too plain. I'd love some easy scrapbook pages that look elegent, not plain.
i love all of your creations, but what i love more is the way you describe your process, having a way with words is such a gift :)
ReplyDeletePersonally, I wouldn't change a thing:) I love coming here and looking at your beautiful creations. CAS can often times be hard but you make it look so simple! Thanks for sharing, for your tips and for the chance at some wonderful blog candy.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 20,000 hits. That's pretty cool. As for changes to your blog....hmmmm....I really can't think of any! Of all the blogs I read, yours is the one I look forward to the most. You are a true inspiration to the stamping world!
Thank you so much for sharing your talent.
Theresa
hi susan,
ReplyDeletei must say i agree with all these folks. your blog is the best there is, and i look forward to every visit. you are so readable. your cards are magical and perfect. you have such a talent, and we all appreciate your willingness to share with us. don't change anything! thanks soo much. marty ferraro
I love your cards! Here are some things I like and hope you continue. Giving us the names of the stamp sets used, colors of the cardstock, why you might like a particular cardstock from PTI better than Stampin Up or just the reverse or any other helpful tidbit you've discovered. Your instructions on making certain cards are very useful too. Thanks for a wonderful blog!
ReplyDeleteHow about some CAS large gift tags? Congratulations on so many hits. Yo know I love coming here.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I remember happening upon your blog when you started -- what a fun milestone to reach! I am a huge fan of simple cards and appreciate you sharing your work. One technique I'm always interested in seeing more of (probably because I don't quite understand how to do it) is masking. Have you done much of this?
ReplyDeleteYour work is wonderful and very inspiring. I have learned so much and am intrigued to see how you cross this style with scrapbook pages.
ReplyDeleteDon't change a thing! I love it just as is. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteLynn
Congrats and don't change a thing! just continue to share all your wonderful creations with us!! :0)
ReplyDeleteI <3 your style, and look forward to checking each day to see if you've added anything new! :)
ReplyDeleteI find myself getting drawn back to the "simple" more often lately -keep up the great work & thanks for sharing it with us! :)
Crystal (SCS happy2stamp4ever)
How about using some die cuts on some of your beautiful clean and simple cards. I'm drawn to die cuts, but want to stay CAS. I'd even be willing to send you some for some gorgeous ideas.
ReplyDeleteSmiles!
I just recently found your blog and I love everything you're doing so I wouldn't change a thing your simple syle is getting my creative juices flowing again that's for sure, so thank you for that!
ReplyDeletecongratulations on your milestone! i enjoy reading about your thought process. i'd like to see more of the creative ways you fix errors like smudges or misplaced sentiments; it makes it real.
ReplyDeleteI have just started reading your blog and love it. I would love to see any scrapbook pages you have done and techniques you have used.
ReplyDeleteSusan - You have such a fabulous eye for creating stunning cards. Congratulations on reaching such a wide audience!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see some of your ideas for children's cards.
I look forward to checking in with you each day!
I love your blog. I love your cards, but I also love all the dialogue around them - I feel like we get to really know you as a person. I would love to see you apply your CAS style to masculine and kids' cards.
ReplyDeleteI love to look at your cards because not only do you keep it simple, it's always elegant. I loved your box drawing tutorial and I would love to have you teach us your formula for a good design.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 20,000 hits!
I'm pretty new to your blog and I'm a big fan - you've got such a knack for CAS stamping! Keep up the good work and congrats on your many readers!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the card makeovers as it really helps me to understand CAS concepts better (i.e. focal points, etc.) I also enjoy your opinion on tools and stamping supplies. I think your talents are amazing and I appreciate how frequently you post card samples on your blog : )
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteI am a constant lurker, but your offer of blog candy has brought me out of hiding! I like your blog AS IS! Paper crafts and scrapbooking would take away from card posts! :P I do like it when you take a "fussy" card and simplify it, so more of those would be fun.
I'm sure I'll love whatever you put on your blog--since I already do. I especially like your Simplicity Tips or your explanations of what makes a particular design good (or not good). I liked when you showed two versions of a card, with an explanation of why one was better design. Since I don't scrapbook, I hope you stick with cards--but I'm sure I would even like YOUR scrapbook pages. I have learned so much from your great CAS design, and I'm looking forward to learning more!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all your hits. I love your blog and have tried to CASE a few along the way, but they just dont look the same. Love your blog. What I found really helpful was your last lot of blogs about note cards and all the helpful tips etc, would be great if you could do more like that. Have to say by fav card of all time has to be your BONER one even my husbad loved it. congrates on all the hits again and keep it going, I also love questioning autism as I also have a boy with ASD.
ReplyDeletemegan NZ
Love your blog and love the clean and simple look. I'm a cardmaker, not much of a scrapbooker. I do make a page now and then and would love to see this applied to a scrapbook page. I find most scrapbook pages have way too much going on so maybe you could give some pointers on that. I also struggle with masculine cards, never know what to do for the guys!
ReplyDeleteI love your style and would love to just see more! :-) That's not asking for much - right?
ReplyDeleteSusan, I will echo others' comments about your elegant simplicity. I loved your posts on the lined border card fronts. I like seeing what you do with SU! products without so many layers. Thanks for sharing what you do!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and have enjoyed all your creations. Simple is sometimes hard to create--you do an awesome job. More SU cards is my request.
ReplyDeleteI'm always looking to learn new techniques - and how to make different paper flowers. But on the other hand, the websites that normally show those don't have the nice clean, simplistic look you manage to achieve.
ReplyDeleteI'm always impressed by what you manage to create!
Wow! Congrats on 20,000!
ReplyDeleteYou're my go-to-girl for CAS so keep that up... Otherwise whatever you post, I'm sure I'll love! :)
Well done on 20,000 hits. I love your blog and check it daily.
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed these last few posts on the note cards and all the tips you have given us. So more of this please. I would also be interested in some more cards for kids.
Cheers Judith
Congrats Susan on the hits! I have recently found your blog and love it just as it is - your true CAS style appeals to me. Thanks for the regular posts, wish I could be as consistently productive.
ReplyDeleteGood luck for the next 20,000 hits.
Congrats! I love your style and always look forward to you next post.
ReplyDeletePlease continue bringing us your cards and proving that "less is more."
Diane M
aka detour3
Congratulations to you for creating such a fabulously inspirational and popular blog. I'm not sure what I'd like to see in the future as I am constantly thrilled and enchanted by what I find everytime I visit. I really enjoyed your recent tutorial. With CAS cards there is so little room for error as you can't hide your mistake behind a flower or some bit of frilly stuff! So perhaps more help with the precision stuff would be good please - otherwise Susan, just keep on being your super, inspirational self! Jo x
ReplyDeleteJo x
this is my favorite blog because i totally love seeing simple, easy cards. In a fast paced life, having two jobs to satisfy my habit (stamping) i like making the simple but beautiful cards and seeing your samples give me the inspiration. mahalo from hawaii!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the inspiration, I love reading your blog it has definitely helped me more creative recently. I love your card projects and more recently your notelet sets. I'd love to see how you would interpret book designs, whether it's a birthday book or just a note book!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Heather
Thank you so much, Susan for all you do to keep me inspired. I know I'll get more cards done using your techniques! Nancy
ReplyDeletenancydlrq@gmail.com
Hey Susan,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing the process you used when you made the cards with the border. I love seeing all the cards you create..very inspiring.
Karen D.
I just stumbled across your blog as I was crusin' the SCS CAS cards.
ReplyDeleteI am just starting to peruse your blog now...what would I like to see? More of E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! I came to you look at your blog because I am in love with "my 1st love" of the clean and simple style!
Thanks for the opportunity to win a gift certificate!
bonnie32002@gmail.com
Your blog is at the top of my list! Actually, I love both of your blogs! I wouldn't change a thing either. I do love to see Stampin' Up! products used, as I am a demo and you are very inspriational. That would be the only request I would make. Thank you for sharing your talents. Your work is amazing!
ReplyDeleteBarbara Bird
How can you improve on perfection...the one thing I would find helpful is to list the measurements. New to stamping I cannot yet estimate cuts from the pictures.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your incredible gift
blessings
patti moffett
Congratuations, Susan! I found you on SCS and think of you as Queen of CAS and love your blog. You have freed me by showing me all the absolutely beautiful AND simple cards. Thanks for sharing your recipes; that helps a bunch. I love that you use fewer "stuff" too.
ReplyDeleteI love your CAS style! I would love to hear more about why you chose to make a card a certain way or why you chose certain elements. It always helps me get a new perspective on how to look at my own cards.
ReplyDeleteWow. Just recently found your site and am totally enthralled with the simplicity. I love the clean lines and you have made me realize I dont have to layer and layer things. The last few have been fabulous - going to try them!
ReplyDeleteThanks and keep them coming.
Cindy
cin_40@hotmail.com
Susan - don't fix something that isn't broke!!! Your blog is one of the first ones I catch each morning to see what new CAS you have. I've gotten so I rarely go to SCS's regular gallery -- I'm just a plain and simple CAS gal so just keep on doing what you're doing.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your milestone! You are one talented lady. While I don't think you need to change a thing, I would enjoy seeing the great things you could do with a scrapbook layout. Keep inspiring us so well!
ReplyDeleteI like your blog a lot. I enjoy how you break down your various lines of reasoning for your design choices, and I *really* love when you show the cards that are less than perfect (probably because I'd never be brave enough to show my also-rans).
ReplyDeleteSusan...more of the same! I love your cards; I love your humor! I wouldn't really change a thing!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your "traffic". ;)
Congrats on your blog success! It is a joy to read. I look forward to your daily creations and beautiful projects.
ReplyDeleteI'd love more tips on the exact materials you use - such as your ink! Your images are so clear, but mine are not. Those tips are great to read about!
So happy you have a blog -
Jess
I love your style - I would love to just see more of your projects.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Holy Cow! Nothing like a giveaway to get the comments going!
ReplyDeleteI love your clean and simple style. Your blog always puts a smile on my face. I can't think of anything different I want to see. If I ever do, I'll leave a comment [but not on the contest page....that would be cheating ;) ].
Love your blog!!! Maybe if you can share your inspiration for your cards. What creative thought you had when sitting down to be creative. Congrats on the big 20,000 mark.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I love your clean and simple style. It would be nice to see scrapbbok pages done in that same style. Thanks for taking the time to share your beautiful creations creations with us.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the 20,000 hits. I like how you simplify cards and how you share tips on fixing errors or on products you prefer and why. Thanks for sharing. jmniffer
ReplyDeleteYour blog is my MUST visit every day! I am so glad that you started this resource!
ReplyDeleteI love your extreme make-overs... please keep doing more of those!
I'm always stumped for gift ideas... like unique monogram card designs that haven't been done over & over again. Or CAS gift set designs.
How do you package your creations? Do you give them as gifts or just for personal fun?
Any insight into your design studio at home?
Thanks again for doing this - your talent is amazing!
Congrats on your hits. I honestly don't know what I want to see more of. Perhaps the status quo is fine. I come here to see how sleek and elegant a card can be. You have shown me that CAS is not the same as lazy stamping.
ReplyDeleteI don't see my comment, so I'm posting again, hopefully correctly this time.
ReplyDeleteSusan, you are my inspiration! I view your blog to not only inspire me but also calm me after a hectic day.
I'd love more detailed recipes. Not to copy you exactly, but understand why a square card is better here, and A2 is better there...why a ribbon knot works better than a bow for this one but not that one. And dimensions! Thank you for asking,
Sarah (kegbo)
Susan I enjoy your blog so much. I just really enjoy the variety of stamps you use along with any tips you put out to help us. Thanks for the chance to win and way to go on your hits.
ReplyDeleteSusan congrats on the blog hits! I love whatever you do here so I don't have any requests. You are my CAS idol! Hugs, Harriet
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the blog hits! It's no wonder - your designs are incredibly gorgeous. I love our visits and look forward to seeing more wonders you will be creating.
ReplyDeleteI do love looking at your cards, they are nice and clean and simple, the way I like a card. I don't always need a lot of white, just a clean look. Thanks for the instiration!
ReplyDeleteI only recently subscribed to your blog and it is my favorite one. I really look forward to finding it in my inbox. I just love your cards and tips. I can't think of anything to change except maybe increase the frequency! :o)
ReplyDeleteyou do a great job!
WOW! That is just so generous!! Thank you for the chance. I love that you do so many tutorials. What about some videos???? I'm gonna tell my blog followers about this.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! love your artwork, always simple , always fun. Nice deigns. thanks for the inspiration. Gina f
ReplyDeleteHonestly, Susan, I wouldn't change a thing! Your cards are gorgeous, and your commentary usually gets me thinking or laughing (or both!). LOVE your blog and that we've become bloggy friends! :D
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and visit it nearly every day. You are such an inspiration for me. I enjoy the comments on your thought process. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteSusan, love your stuff! You've come such a long way since I first wrote on your blog. I am clearly a single layer card maker - you are a great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLsuralee
talascam@rogers.com
I love things like the simple thank you card sets for gifts. Stretching single card making ideas into sets is a way to be economical, generous, and creative. More of that !
ReplyDeleteI am always inspired by your blog. I tend to not know when to stop, and you are very good at teaching me to step back and call it done. I enjoy it when you rework a busy card and CAS it. But whatever you do, I know I will enjoy it! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou are my very favorite CAS designer and you have such great ideas. If you could make bookbinding that simple and inspiring, I would love it.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on reaching that milestone in blog-dom!! I wouldn't change a thing on your blog - each time you show us a creation, I'm challenged to recreate it and it makes me think outside of the box! Nice job, keep up the inspiration! and especially - - thank you for taking the time. [Even the style of the 'word verification' is simple and easy to read!! heheheh]
ReplyDeleteCongrats on on your hits! Great blog.....I love your clean and simple style.Don't change a thing...
ReplyDeleteReeRee
ReeRee220@aol.com
I am so glad that I found your blog! I love everything I see here, and I do quite enjoy checking out the websites for your three favorite stamp sites. Have you ever come across a company called Impress? They have some things you'd like, I'd imagine. I have to say that my favorite thing about your blog is the sheer frequency that you are able to post with your new ideas! I love checking you blog every day or so and always seeing new things! So I guess I'd have to say, "Keep up the good work, Susan!" Thanks so much for sharing your creative ideas with us!
ReplyDelete<3 Miriam
I really enjoy your blog, especially the commentary about the choices you made and what worked or didn't work and why.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a beautiful blog, and your cards are just lovely.
Keep doing what you are doing. I enjoy visiting your blog. Your cards are always so uncluttered and balanced and they feel so restful to me. I do enjoy reading your thought processes as you create your cards.
ReplyDeleteI first discovered your talent on SCS and recently your awesome blog....don't subscribe to many blogs, but just HAD to yours. I am always amazed how you can stamp so simply, yet always add a touch of WOW. You have such a special style.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing!
Congratulations on reaching the 20,000 hit milestone. I enjoy seeing all of your creations, learning the thought process behind them, and reading your wit and wisdom -- think pears. :-) Thank you for sharing all facets of your creativity with all of us.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your hits...well deserved!! We love your style girl!! What I'd love to see more of.....one of the things I love most about your posts is your descriptions of how you decided to place items or why you chose the items you did!! Keep up the great blogging!!! Crossing my fingers for an increadible prize :-) Thanks for the chance!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 20,000 nits! That's great -- and definitely not surprising. You have such a knack for explaining your thought process and describing your techniques. I hope you don't change a thing and just keep on doing what you've been doing. I do especially love seeing your makeovers and even the ones you don't especially like. I learn so much from your "mistakes"! Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I come here to enjoy your clean and simple cards with all the white in the background. I like the feeling that I can be assured of finding exactly that when I visit. It seems to make life easier when I know I can go to a certain blog to see cute, whimsical, expertly colored images, and another for beautiful, rich watercolors with elaborately elegant card designs. I know whose blog to check when I'm looking for food gift ideas, and whose to go to for a good story. Your blog is very special to me because you've given me so much inspiration when it comes to clean and simple -- and white. White, white, white. I love it. Thank you! And thank you for your generous blog candy offering. Congratulations on your 20,000 hit milestone!
ReplyDeletePlease, don't change anything! I love the fresh, clean look of your cards - they are brilliant at reminding us that sometimes less is more, and classy never goes out of style! And congratulations on your blogging milestone.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog. If you were to change anything, I would like to see some scrapbook pages and some masculine themed cards. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteKeep on doing what you do best... simple. I am trying to simplify more and your cards give me great ideas. I always need sympathy, children, and masculine cards. What about tags and boxes or bags to hold the tags?
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. I think I have most of your cards in my favorites gallery at SCS and I save all of your blog posts too. I really like the remakes of cards you do to make them clean and simple.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog because your cards are simple with a little added touch and you use basic supplies. I would like to see a few clean and simple scrapbook pages where the pictures are the main focus, not the embellishments.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your style! I think that's most definitely why I come here! It inspires me when you do a bunch of cards with the same set - makes me think outside the box! Thank you for all your inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHard to improve on perfection. I really rely on your blog for some CAS gratification! I also love when you take something "fussy" (my word for the antithesis of CAS) and transform it into CAS. Thanks for sharing your many talents with us!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all your hits. I love your cards. Lynn P. peters_mark@att.net
ReplyDeleteI always liked CAS cards, but thought that was just because I wasn't as talented as others. Your blog and SCS challenges let CAS earn a place of respect.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 20,000 hits!!!! Woo hoo! I love your crations and would like any tips or tricks you use to make your cards look so fabulous. And the black based card you posted on Thursday was wonderful! Perhaps an occasional card with a different coloured base? It's be great to see what you do with the other colours. Thanks so much for showing us the way of CAS!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your hits!! Love your blog!!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan. I found your blog a few weeks from the CAS fall-to-layout, I think. I love your blog! Love your designs, tips and instructions. I also enjoy your comments about being an English major. I'm married to a man with 2 English degrees, so your comments often hit home and crack me up. Congrats on the blog milestone, and thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI really have enjoyed your post using busy cards as inspiration and turing them into beautiful CAS cards. Would love to see more!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog, via your beautiful CAS cards on SCS today, using Berry Christmas. I look forward to looking through your entire blog today (at work!), so I can't comment too much on what I'd like to see, but from what I have seen already, your cards are beautiful! Love your clean and simple style.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if anyone else mentioned this, but I would love to see your craft area...Or is that too personal? As long as you keep on inspiring us with your signature simple style, I will stay an avid follower!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine anything else I would like to see on your blog. One of the reasons I like visiting is because not only do you showcase the best CAS cards but you give great design tips for making the most of simple images and layouts. Congrats on your hit count!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, and have been following it (mostly silently) since you started it. I think the design choices you make are delightful and informative, and I especially like your clear and well-written descriptions! I think we may both be book nerds (I'm a fellow Literature MA, though not Medieval...more of an early-20th-century girl), so I wouldn't mind bookbinding examples if that's something you also enjoy doing! That's where my papercrafting odyssey began! Thanks for all the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteSusan, i love your style and your discussion of how things "work" and about composition and balance. the ONLY thing i can think of is that i'd love to see some "projects". I can only assume from the CARDS you create, that your PROJECTS would be simple, elegant and stylish. by project, i mean boxes, bags, goodies, packaging, etc. something you may find in the "anything but a card" category on splitcoast. Keep up the great work and i'll definetly keep visiting! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI love your work. You asked about "joy" in a recent blog. Joy is waking up and finding something in my inbox from simplicity. Thank you for sharing your talents. Any chance you could use some designer paper in a clean and simple card? I've bought way to much and find that I rarely use it. Maybe something left over from your mother's scrapbooking days.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Less is more....keep the simple lines...don't change a thing
ReplyDeleteI like clean, simple cards. I think they are easy to look at and a lot more calming. Thanks for the inspiration!
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ReplyDelete