From our Family to yours...

Merry Christmas!  

Our family would like to take the time to thank you all for the great support you have shown me and my family.  Not just with my quirky stamps, challenges, and blogging adventures.  But for the love and support you showed me when I needed it the most with my son.  Life takes us in so many directions, we all plan our route, but life finds a way to sway us, lead us, and re-direct us.  Sometimes it's not the easiest of routes, but when I need that guidance, support, and help the most, so many many of you wonderful crafters were right there behind me cheering me on and helping me see through it.  Many of you still email me and ask about my son, it's so refreshing to know that you would take the time to ask about my family.  I thank you all so dearly for all of it.  It is so good to know that, in a world where there are problems, and conflicts, the spirit of humanity is still alive.

This Christmas I had but one wish, to know that one day my son will be completely cured.  I know that this will be the case, as everyday he is getting closer and closer to being done with radiation.  I thank god every night that everything was caught so early, and that my son never had to suffer through what could have been a painful and long process.  I thank god that all his issues with this are manageable.  Sure we have had one heck of last few months of the year, with up and down, and up and down to doctor appointments and so on, but we have done it as a family.  My husband taking some shifts, my younger children making the best of those car rides and situations.  

To my DT gals, thank you for hanging in there with me through thick and thin.  During the moments where I was so all over the place due to whatever I was going through.  You gals are the heart and souls that make Simply B Stamps.  You have shown me true friendship, sisterhood, and the meaning of coming together for one another no matter what the situation.  There will never be enough words to express my gratitude to you gals for all you do.  I look forward to another blessed year with you all!

May you all be blessed with the warmth, love, and happiness that comes with the spirit of Christmas. 

The very Merriest of Christmas to you all from all of us at Simply B Stamps!

Day 12 We wish you a...

SCARY Christmas! Well not quite Christmas yet, but today I am sure everyone is preparing for the big day tomorrow! We are busy baking cookies with Jude for him to place on Santa's cookie plate. Washing the carrots for Rudolph, and watching Christmas movies all day long!

Although many of us are away, there are some of us that are still hanging around at home having a Jolly good time staying in warm, crafting, and sharing tender moments with our immediate family.

Today our last day of the 12 Days of Scary Christmas is one last Disney Haunted Holiday Scarol here we go....

We Wish you a Scary Christmas

We wish you a Scary Christmas

we wish you a scary Christmas

we wish you a scary Christmas

and a Haunted New year!

Good hauntings we scream,

To you and your kin,

Good hauntings and Christmas and a Haunted New Year!

Bring us a froggy pudding,

Oh bring us a froggy pudding

Oh bring us a froggy pudding

And then disappear!

Oh we won’t boo until we get some,

We won’t boo until we get some,

So bring it right here!

Good hauntings we scream,

To you and your kin,

Good hauntings and Christmas and a Haunted New Year!

We wish you a Scary Christmas

we wish you a scary Christmas

we wish you a scary Christmas

and a Haunted New year!”

Ha! Too cute no? So today we challenge you to create anything Christmas/Halloween. It can be anything at all, Christmas Carolers singing those fun Scarols we have been posting. A Spooky Christmas Card. Anything that these here lyrics inspire you to create! Being that tomorrow is Christmas I will be giving you all until Dec. 30th to create this project!

The Prize for this is image 6, not exactly the last image in our new not yet released line I have been speaking about these past five days! That's right the __________________ line has 7 new images! You will love them! I do and I haven't even colored them yet, usually I love them even more once colored!

What has the DT come up with? Let's check it out!

Aeryn

Suzi

(Joining in late...) Barbara

Day 11 Guess who's coming to town....

SANDY CLAWS!  

With it being so close to Christmas it's only appropriate we make today's challenge about Sandy Claws... you didn't think I was going to say SANTA ClAUS did you?  That wouldn't be SBS!

Today's challenge is very easy, it's photo inspired!

What inspires you from this photo?

It's Christmasy, it's Halloweenish... what can you come up with based on this photo?  Pretty easy if you ask me!  

Today's prize is image 5 from the new line we have been talking about these past four days!  In digi, available next year but not in digi at all for purchase.

So sorry not enough participants were available for the day 10 prize.  Let's hope we get the 6 or more to participate in this one!  WHoohoo.  

Here's what the photo inspired our DT to make

Aeryn

See you all Dec. 24th for the last day!  Woot woot!

Christmas from The Crypt

Hi, its Cyndi with a peek into The Crypt with some of the Emo Christmas stamps!  This was the original line that made me completely gaga over Simply B Stamps!  I have 4 projects to share with you today starting with Bahumbug Christian!

Christian is such a hoot!  He reminds me of my Scrooge of a hubby :)  He hates Christmas prep, but loves the day itself!  I colored him with my copics then cut him out with Wonky Squares from Spellbinders and did a bunch of stitching with my machine.  The papers for this card are from Echo Park last year which I got from the Simply B Store (she's out now, but there's a TON more EP paper there!!)

On the top of the card I punched a border with my Martha Stewart Icicle punch then covered it and Santa's fluffy trim with some stickles.

Next is Prezzies for Lola!  She is such a little doll, complete with her bat friends (check the present!!)  She's colored to match papers from a cute little pad I picked up that was imported from England.  A bit of black tulle and shimmery turquoise organdy for a bow and she's perfect!

To Lola I added some hints of sparkle with my Spica markers AND Gelly Roll Glaze pens!

Next is my FAV of the bunch, elfinmiller.  He just inspired me to have so much fun creating this card!  My colors are a bit non-traditional, but oh-so SBS!  I added some Aged silver EP from Stampendous! around the edges of some of the panels and on the top of the ornament.

Here's a closeup of Miller:

The ornament is cut with a Tim Holtz Ornament die from Sizzix, then I embossed it with Spot & Dots Cuttlebug folder, inked the raised parts with Spiced Marmalade TH Distress ink then embossed that with Clear EP from Stampendous!

And finally, this is the page that I submitted earlier this year for Betty's Design Team call.  I love it as much now as then!  I used Candy Cane London for my tag.  Papers are from Little Yellow Bicycle and Love, Elsie (KI Memories).  The ornaments are the same Tim Holtz die embossed with the Spiderweb CB folder.  Skull was from the dollar bin at Michael's.

So don't forget when you hop over to the SBS store to check out some of the older stamps too...just as fun!  The projects today use the 4 of the 6 Emos that are still available in clear stamp form :)  Thanks for joining me today for From the Crypt!

Day 10 a New Poem with a Twist...

We all know the 12 days of Christmas song right?  

The haunted Mansion has an awesome twist with 13 Days of Christmas instead of the 12 days.  It plays in the seance room with the Madame Leota floating around in her crystal ball, one of my favorites scenes during the Haunted Holiday Mansion season!

Here's that version:

“On the 13th day of Christmas, my ghoul love gave to me:
 13 rings of power, embracing strength that never ends…


On the 12th day of Christmas my ghoul love gave to me: 12 signs of the Zodiac, that rule the future and transcend…


On the 11th day of Christmas my ghoul love gave to me: 11 candles floating, their scent of mystery in the air…


On the 10th day of Christmas my ghoul love gave to me: 10 telling tealeaves, that swirled with secrets yet to share.

“On the 9th day of Christmas, my ghoul love gave to me: 
9 magic crystals, that sparkled with a force that is pure…


On the 8th day of Christmas my ghoul love gave to me: 8 balls of knowledge, that answer with a truth that is sure…

On the 7th day of Christmas my ghoul love gave to me: 7 pearls of wisdom, to keep my love bewitched to me…


On the 6th day of Christmas my ghoul love gave to me: 6 mystic mirrors, reflecting futures yet to be.

“On the 5fth day of Christmas, my ghoul love gave to me:
 5 lucky charms, to understand the right from wrong…


On the 4th day of Christmas my ghoul love gave to me: 4 wheels of fortune, to spin their rich and golden song…


On the 3rd day of Christmas my ghoul love gave to me: 3 lifelines, extending help to those in need…


On the 2nd day of Christmas my ghoul love gave to me: 2 passion potions, that love and romance may succeed…


On the first day of Christmas, my ghoul love gave to me: A star! A brilliant star for my fortune card tree!”

Today we challenge you to take any of the above 13 days and recreate it, or make your own one of the 13 days using the elements from those 13 dyas!  Make it a card, altered project, or anything at all!

Prize is image 4 from our new upcoming _____________ line in digi form!  You all remember these will not be in digi form right? You don't want to miss your chance at a digi do you?  Get those projects going!

Of course we must congratulate our Gingerbread House Winner:
 2. Jamie S.

 please email me to claim your prize!

See you Dec. 22nd for day 11!  We are getting close the end and close to Christmas!  WOW has this year gone by fast!

Aeryn

Betty:
 On the first day of Christmas, my ghoul love gave to me: A star! A brilliant star for my fortune card tree!”


I chose to make another Christmas coffin, and include one Star!  My sister saw my mom's and she just had to have one!  

Day 9 Baking SPIRITS Bright

Baking of course is a big part of Christmas... but no cutesy baking here!

As Jack Skellington puts it.. “With some treats and some games, you can make a scene merry... why, even a gingerbread house could seem scary!”

Can you guess what today's challenge is? Why a Scary Gingerbread house of course!

Create a Gingerbread shaped card all decked out with Halloween cheer, or bake one and load it with fun Halloween colors! The possibilities are endless here ladies!

Must I really tell ya the prize for today, or can you all guess? Ok, I will say it... image 3 from the new _______________ line, now let me remind you that this new line has 7 new images, and it is not to be confused with the first six images given as prizes in days 1-6! All prizes will be awarded in digi form, and this particular line will NOT be available in digi form at all. Unless you win it as a prize! Get those Haunted Gingerbread House projects going!


Now the winner of God Rest You Merry Grim Grinning Ghosts.... (again WOW on the entries all so hard to pick that we have to use Random.org!)
 1. Trudie 

Check out the DTs projects!

Aeryn

Rio

Barbara

Day 8 God Rest you Merry....

Grim Grinning Ghosts!  You didn't really think I was going to say Christmas did you?  HA HA HA HA!

We have yet another Christmas Scarol from Disney's Haunted Holiday collection!

God Rest you Merry Grim Grinning Ghosts

“God rest you Merry Grinning Ghosts

there’s no need for dismay

Its time to rise out of your crypts

To see Jack’s Holiday

A frightening world of Christmas dreams

To lead our hearts a stray

Oh spirits you won’t believe your eyes

Cold dead eyes

Oh grim grinning ghosts come out and socialize!

God rest you Merry Grinning Ghost

In the mansion you will find a holiday of fright!

Jack’s Christmas yule tide wonder

A devilish delight!

A wicked mix of mold and mirth

Oh spirits take your flight!

Oh spirits you won’t believe your eyes

Cold dead eyes

Oh grim grinning ghosts come out and socialize!

Is that not a fun Christmas Scarol?  I love it!

Today we challenge you to add a ghost to your Scary Christmas project... you can don lots with this one... imagine all three ghosts from the original A Christmas Carol!  Just give it that SBS twist!

Today's prize is image 2 from that fun line I mentioned yesterday!  You know the _________________ line!  In digi, that will not be available in digi form at all!  


Here's the winner from our Shape of Christmas Challenge:


 2. Sandy 

Here is what the DT has come up with to help get your Spirits flowing!

Aeryn

Betty

A close up of my ghosts!  

I stamped them on acetate with StayzOn White Cotton.

Day 7 The Shape of Christmas...

Usually it's a Christmas tree, or a star, or something cute like that right?

Not in SBS world! Today's challenge is sooo very very easy... create a coffin and deck it all out with Christmas cheer! Pretty easy I think!

Here's an awesome free template by Martha Stewart for a coffin Box: Coffin Treat Box

Of course you can just add a coffin to your Christmas Coffin project, or make a Coffin Card! Anything goes, just include a Christmas Coffin!

Today's Prize is from yet another new line, not yet released! _________________ digi from the upcoming ___________________ line! I will give you all a tiny hint... if you loved our Teen Scene Halloween... these cuties will help you "Celebrate" in that quirky SBS style! These will NOT be available as digis for sure, so you don't want to miss a chance at this digi!

Of course we must see who won our Scary Bells challenge right... (again picked by Random.org as all are just too, too cool to choose just one... we had to have Random.org choose!)

3. Starla B

Here is some inspiration from the DT

Aeryn

Betty- I made a treat box for my mom, she loves Mounds and I only find them during the Holidays! Not so sure how reaction will be when she see's it's a coffin box! LOL But you gotta admit, it's one fancy Coffin Box full of Mounds!


close up

Barbara

Day 6 La la la, la la la....

Can you guess our next Chrismas Scarol from our title?

No?  It's Scary Bells of course, not Jingle, but Scary Bells!  Sing along with me...

Scary Bells

“Crashing through the night,

With a horrid mangling sound,

Clang each heart with fright,

To terrorize the town.

Bells from belfries ring,

Making spirits rise, 

The freaky tones like voices moan throughout the midnight skies!

Oh!

Scary Bells, Scary Bells

Ring your ghostly call

Oh what fun it is to scream and terrorize us all. Ah!

Scary bells, scary bells,

With your manic sound,

When you toll the spirits roll from six feet underground!

A day or two ago,

I thought I’d take a ride,

To see the mansion sights

To see what was in side,

My horse began to rear,

The scary bells did clang

I fell into an open grave to cheer myself I sang…

Scary Bells, Scary Bells

Ring your ghostly call

Oh what fun it is to scream and terrorize us all. Ah!

Scary bells, scary bells,

With your manic sound,

When you toll, the spirits roll from six feet underground!

Now it that song doesn't get you into the Scary Christmas spirit I don't know what will!  

Today we challenge you to add bells to your projects!  

Use any part of the lyrics above to help inspire you!

Prize: 

Image number 6 of our not yet released __________________ line!  Of course you all know the details of these prizes by now right?  Only you and the DT will have this image before anyone else, and as I keep saying and reminding you all... these may NOT be available in digi form! They are awesome I promise!


Before we continue let's see who won our Nightmare Before Christmas Poem inspired challenge...


 3. Sandy


Whoohoo congrats please email me at simplybstamps at yahoo dot com to claim your prize!

I am having serious issues with my photoshop and blogger they don't seem to want to cooperate with each other!  I am trying to get my Bells project up... stand by please :)  Betty

See you all Dec. 14th at 8PM PST for day 7!  You are going to DIG it!  heh heh just a little hint!

Aeryn

Day 5 How's about a sweet little Christmas poem....

Nah!!!!  I much more like our Twisted ways!

I have a small little twist to the beginning of the beloved T'was the night before Christmas poem we all grew up with..

"T’was the Nightmare Before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was peaceful, not even a mouse.

The stockinga all hung by the  chimney with care,

When opened that morning would cause such a scare!

The children nestled and all snug in their beds

Would have nightmares of monsters and Skeleton Heads!"

Ha!  Another cuteness yeah?

You are challenged to include, Skeleton heads, Monsters, or sweet little kids dreaming of such wonderful Horrors!  Give this Christmas poem that cute, but creepy SBS twist!  I know you can do it!

Todays prize, yep you guessed it digi image number 5 from our non released ____________________ line!  Again, I must remind you that this image along with the previous four may or may not be available in digi form once released!  Don't chance it on not having this in digi if you are a digi fanatic, get crackin' on your T'was the Nightmare Before Christmas projects!


Before you check out the goodies the gals have come up with let's see who won our Wreck the Halls!


The winner is.... and ladies these are chosen at random as they are just too hard to pick a favorite.  You are all just rockin' these challenges and I really hope you are all enjoying them as much as I am loving all the entries! Ok ok.....

 

6. Kathy G

Please contact me at simplybstamps at yahoo dot com to claim your prize!

Onto the next challenge!

Here's some inspiration from the quirky SBS gals!

Aeryn

Alison

See you all back here Nov. 12th at 8PM PST for day 6!  Woot woot almost half way there.  Are you all enjoying yourselves?  I hope so I tried really hard to make this fun and quirky for all our SBS fans! 

Christian's 18....

****Please scroll down for day 4 of the 12 days of Scary Christmas!****  


Wow, Christian has turned 18, yesterday December 9th!  I can hardly believe that just yesterday he was Jude's age.  We have been through some wild rides!  I am so very proud of how he has handled his cancer, and even more proud and happy to report that he is showing positive progress with his Radiation sessions.  I love our time together as soon, it will be spread out further.  He's a senior in High School, and will soon be leaving for college.  Nothing could prepare me for this, I am sad to see my son leave the nest, but it must be done.  I know he will be successful in life.  I have every confidence that this young man, with the best smile in the world, class clown type, great with kids, kind heart, and great personality will be one awesome adult!  He has made me laugh on the days I am the most down.  I need only remember his goofy smile, his goofy ways, and how he acts the clown to cheer me up and it brings a smile to my face.  It's been one heck of a ride these past 18 years with him.  We have had our disagreements, not so great moments (as we all do with our teens), but I wouldn't give any of them up.  They are my Christian moments, I will never forget those moments and I am so happy that I have been able to capture some of those moments!  


Thank you all so very much for the support you showed my son, myself and my family when we found his cancer.  I know that all of you will be there in spirit cheering me on and holding me up as I watch my son leave the nest and become an adult.  Of course it's been only a few hours now, but just the thought was a bit sad and exciting all in one.  I am sure many of you know what I mean.  I am scared that I will not be able to let go, I fear I will faint at the sight of him drive away... but I know I will survive it of course, all mommies do!  It's just weird to think of my first born all grown up.  It's hard to think that he's not my baby anymore, well in a way he always will be no matter what!   Again, thank you all for reading my rambling.  I just wanted to share with you all that my awesome son is now a young adult and doing great!


Just look at that goofy face... who wouldn't miss that!

Little sister Rio made him that cake!

Just a reminder....Don't forget these Digis are only available through tonight, 
December 10th,  Sunday at 11:59 PM PST  

These are wonderful aren't they?  Straight from artist Abigail Larson, these are her original art work!
I really, really enjoyed coloring these up!

Clocks

The Oval Portrait

Halloweenie 5

The Child of Morella

You can find them here, they will be gone in digi form after Sunday night, and into rubber in the new year!  Grab them while they are digi!

See you later tonight at 8pm PST for the next 12 days challenge!

Day 4 Deck the Halls with...

Christmasy Halloweenish decor? LOL

Time for a new Christmas Scarol inspired project.. here's a fun new Scarol...

Wreck the Halls 

“Wreck the Halls with bones and spiders

Fa la la la la la la la la

‘Tis the season for Ghost Riders

Fa la la la la la la la la

Don we now scary apparel

Fa la la la la la la la la

Dress up like Lock, Shock and Barrel

Fa la la la la la la la la

Join the chaos strike the harp

Fa la la la la la la la la

Ouch the wreaths are really sharp

Fa la la la la la la la la

If they eat you it’s their pleasure

Fa la la la la la la la la

You’ll become their Yule tide treasure

Fa la la la la la la la la

Wreck the halls with rats and roches

Fa la la la la la la la la

Hurry Christmas eve approaches!

Fa la la la la la la la la

Drape them all be dark and thrilling

Fa la la la la la la la la

Look their lovely ooze is dripping

Fa la la la la la la la la

Try a taste of poison toddy

Fa la la la la la la la la

Leave a gift, leave us your body

Fa la la la la la la la la

Dig a grave then dig it deeper

Fa la la la la la la la la

Leave a present for the reaper

Fa la la la la la la la la….la la la la!!!”

Are you all singing along with these?  I sure am!  The kids look at me like I am a bit coo-coo but that's ok!  Today we challenge you to do just that!  Wreck your Halls with Spooky Garland, or Wreck your own Cards with Chrismas/Halloween decor!  Anything goes, just make it Christmas Spooky!

Before we scoot along here, lets' see who won our Wicked Wreath challenge!  This was really, really, really, really tough...


 1. Jamie S. 

Today's prize is new non released digi number 4 from our ____________________ line coming in the new year!  I know I am getting on your nerves leaving it blank, but then what would be the fun in it right?  Get to Wrecking the Halls!

 Aeryn

Cyndi

Alison

See you Dec. 10th at 8PM PST for Day 5 of our 12 days of Scary Christmas!

Now before you go, I promised you all on facebook a min release did I not?  So... available today through Sunday at 11:59 PM PST  Winter Steampunks 2!

These are wonderful aren't they?  Straight from artist Abigail Larson, these are her original art work!  I can't wait to color some of these up!

You can find them here, they will be gone in digi form after Sunday night, and into rubber in the new year!  Grab them while they are digi!