It's a Monday!

Good Morning,

Well we have made it back to Monday!  It certainly feels like a Monday too.  Several things I have touched have acted strange including my blog!  All is right though we had a nice weekend with the family and got to see almost the entire family at some point during the 2 days!  It was nice and yesterday was nice with the Mom's!  The weather has been wonderful here and today is supposed to be close to 90 degrees.  Woo Hoo, well seems like we went from winter to summer, very little spring, but I am not complaining, when it's not cold, dreary, snowing or raining I am fine with it!!  I apologize for missing a post last week, it was a bit crazy here with work, school and a craft show that I did.  It is back to normal this week, and I am thankful. Today's card is a happy card, it is actually 2 cards, but one was a Mother's Day Card and the other is a Birthday card with only 1 small change:

It's just a classy card and so pretty.  I was very, very late to the party on the dress form framelits, I just got them in March and now they are retiring, but I won't part with them!!!  The card on the left in Coastal Cabana is the birthday and the right is Strawberry Slush and is the Mother's Day card.  Here are the details on the card:

Paper: Basic Black, Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar
Ink:  Black StazOn, Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush (inside sentiment)
Stamp(s): Pretty Petites Stamp Set (retired), Feel Goods and Delightful Dozen for the inside sentiments
Accessories: Ovals Collection Framelits, Dress Up Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Petite Curly Label Punch, Pearl Basic Jewels, 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (retired)

So there you have it, a simple change like adding the punch changes it a little card, you could always leave off the punch and still make it a Birthday card with the sentiment on the inside.  I love the colors from the 2013-2015 In Colors and can't stop using them, and I can't wait to start using the new 2014-2016 In Colors, they are not as bright as the other in colors but they are very rich and beautiful!!  I hope you like the cards and I will be back soon with more.

Have a great day!

TTFN,

A happy card after rain!!

Good Morning!

I don't know about your area but we have been inundated with rain in the last 2 days!  We are blessed that there were no severe storms like in Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and many more areas and still more suffering with flooding and even more rain.  Our rain has ended this morning so hopefully the saying about April showers bringing May flowers will hold true!  I have a card for you today that is happy and bright.  It uses the spotlight-lighting technique.  Karin did this card at her April classes and I loved it so I just changed the colors because it was so pretty!

Here are the details on the card:
Paper: Real Red Card stock, Daffodil Delight Card stock, Whisper White Card stock
Ink: Real Red, Jet Black StazOn, Real Read, Pear Pizzazz and Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Markers
Stamp(s): Pleasant Poppies
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Squares Collection Framelits,  Blender Pens, 1/4" Real Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals.

I haven't used my blender pens much as they make me a little nervous, but I am working on using them so I get comfortable with it and this card was perfect.  I outlined the poppies with the marker and then colored in the flowers with the blender pens and the ink pad for a softer color.  I stamped just a corner of the stamp on the inside and colored them too.  It really is pretty and a happy card with the bright colors!  I love the technique and I think I will be doing more with it!!  Thanks Karin, so pretty and fun!

Some other news, I was lucky enough to get to attend the new catalog launch party on Monday night.  I have to say I am loving the new catalog and can't wait to be able to order all the great new products that are coming our way!!  So much stuff, the wish I mean shopping list is very, very long!  

Well I am going to sign off and wish you all a wonderful weekend!!

TTFN,

Good Morning Folks!

I hope you are having a nice week!  The weather here is finally getting warmer and we have gone a month with no snow!!  WOOO HOOO!  Seriously this winter has been biter, bitter cold and snowy so I am glad that we are seeing spring! Well I have a have card fro you today!  This card was one we made at my club last weekend.  I got the idea from Pintrest and the original was done by Anne Marie Hile I changed the colors but I loved the layout so I kept that intact!  Thanks Pintrest and Anne Marie for the inspiration.

I wanted a happy and springtime card and this fit the bill perfectly!  It's hard to see in the picture but the butterflies are triple layered, the very bottom later is a different color than the middle later.

Here are the details for this card:

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Gingham Garden DSP

Ink: Island Indigo

Stamp(s): Simply Sketched (Hostess Set)

Accessories:  Big Shot, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Rhinestone Basic Jews and Dimensionals.

This card was fun to put together and is so pretty.  My club members all seemed to like it!  The scallop border punch is on the retired list so if you see it as a much have order soon!!!  Remember that Stampin' Up is offering free regular shipping through Friday April 25th so hurry and take advantage of this great deal!!

Have a great Wednesday!

TTFN,

Back Again!!!

Good Morning Folks!!

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Easter!  We had a lovely weekend!  Both days full of family and fun (though my hubby may say differently, since he had to do lots of work).  I have been missing for a while and I apologize.  Work, life and school have really been my focus for a while.  I am about 5 weeks from finishing my Master's degree and that has really taken a lot of my focus that I would normally demote to creating.  I am so close to done I can taste it, all that is left is the final class capstone project which is a lot of work but I am feeling pretty good about it (today at least, ask me again 4 weeks from now and I may have a different answer)!  However I have been really missing my blogging and sharing with you all!!  I apologize and you have my word I am going to post at least once a week for the next 5 weeks and then I hope to get more frequent after that!  Hang in there with me, please, please!   I have a few craft shows coming up so I will stay busy creating but I have plenty to share!  I figure I would jump back in slowly, no card today, but since Stampin' UP announced their retiring lists today I wanted to share them.

Retiring Stamps PDF:
http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/lastChance/2014_NA_RetiredList/NA/US_Retiring_Stamps.pdf

Retiring Accessories PDF:
http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/lastChance/2014_NA_RetiredList/NA/US_Retiring_Accessories.pdf

Remember that this year the retiring products are only while supplies last, so don't delay!!  Place your orders early to be sure you get what you want before they are gone, gone, gone!!

Also to sweeten the deal Stampin' UP is offering FREE SHIPPING on everything from April 21 to April 25th!!!  This is awesome!!  It does not include expedited shipping costs, but free shipping is an awesome deal!  Take advantage early and often until Friday April 25th !!!!  You don't need any codes or anything it is automatic!

There are lots of great things on the lists and while it is a little hard to say goodbye, I am so excited by the new catalog and what Stampin' UP has in store for us!!

I will leave this for you all to review and keep it short and sweet today!!  Thank you again for hanging in there with me during my missing in action moments, I think we should be on the right track!  Have a great Monday!!

TTFN,

Good Morning,

God Bless the USA!  I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the military members, past and present, their wives, children, parents and family and friends for their service!  I also want to say a big thank you to all the first responders, firemen, police, paramedics, EMT's, dispatchers, drivers and all those I am surely forgetting!  To their families as well THANK YOU!  You all keep us safe and help us when there is an emergency and their families stand by them and worry when they are gone helping others.  While I did not personally know anyone that lost their lives 11 years ago on this fateful day, they are angels and watching over their families and this country and they too will never be forgotten!  We may meet these first responders on the worst days of our lives, but they are there to help and for that I am so thankful.  I am not personally involved on the military or a first responder but I have family and friends that are or have been. In fact I have very dear friends who both work in emergency services and they got married on this day a few years ago!  They wanted to never forget and I applaud them!!  Happy Anniversary Jeff and Tricia!  Today is not and was not about which political party you support, which candidate is the best, it is about supporting America!  We are a great country and we will never forget those that have made the ultimate sacrifice to this country and their communities!  I will never forget where I was and what I was doing when this horror was unleashed on our country and most people are the same way, but I pray that we can continue to heal and get stronger as a nation to never allow this happen again!  Cherish your families and friends and be proud to be an American!  Thanks for reading and allowing me this,  I feel it is important to thank our military and first responders and their families and take a moment to acknowledge their service and sacrifice!  I try to do it as often as I can.   I will be back later this week with a card.

 

TTFN,                                                                                                                               

Halloween Card for Swap!!!

Hi All!!!

Well after a long hiatus I am back to to blogging.  I have stayed busy making cards, but life as usual got in the way!! We took some wonderful vacations, 2 weeks in Disney was my dream!!  I am also on the tail end of finishing my BS degree in October and of course there has been work!  Hey I love my job and it certainly allows me to have so much fun with my stamping hobby!   Well I hope you all have been well and had a great summer and had lots of fun adventures with your family!!  Well here is the card I have for you today!!  It was a card I designed and made for a swap that I was invited to be in with a group of other really talented demonstrators!  The cards all had to be holiday themed.

 

Here are the details:

Stamp Sets: Toxic Treats, Wicked Cool

Paper: Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Tangerine Tango

                                   Accessories: Spider Web Textured Embossing folder, 1/2" Stripped Satin Ribbon, Labels Collection Framelits, Decorative Label Punch (double punched), Basic Rhinestones, Frost White Shimmer Paint (mixed with rubbing alcohol and placed in a spray bottle).

 

Well I hope you like the card!  It was super fun to make and Looks a little spooky!!  The frost white shimmer paint sprayed on the black really pops and looks great and it is so easy to make!!  Just take a small travel size spray bottle fill it with some rubbing alcohol (mine was 70%) and then add some shimmer paint.  There is no real formula just add the shimmer paint until you get it to your licking.  Then spray your cardstock and let dry, though it dries really fast!!  Also cover the area you are working in or use newspaper or everything will be shimmer.  Trust me I know this from experience.  :)

 

Have a wonderful day and I plan to be back soon with more cards!!

 

 

TTFN,



 

So Many Babies!!

Hi Everyone!

Well I am back on this beautiful day here in Maryland! The temperature is amazing and the sun is out, though it is a little breezy, but I will take it! So the card I am sharing today is one I made for a swap with a a group of other demos. The card was going to serve a couple of purposes, the swap obviously, and we have 3 friends/family members that are pregnant so I was going to need some baby cards! I thought this was a good start and I can easily boy or girl it up. Now that we know all of them are having boys I need to make all of them for boys! This card uses the spotlight technique. Thanks Karin!! She had used this technique on another card using the Packed for Mom stamp and I really liked it. So with her help and guidance I incorporated it with this card!!

Paper: Perfect Plum. Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist, Whisper White, Nursery Nest DSP
Ink: Perfect Plum, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, Blushing Bride, Marina Mist
Stamp(s): Packed for Baby, Short & Sweet (inside sentiment)
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Word Window Punch. 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Circles # 2 Die (smallest circle), Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Dimensionals and Snail.

Now you may wonder why I used the Circles #2 Die instead of the 1 3/8" circle punch. Well it was simply because I had misplaced the punch and needed to finish this card. I was very worried about how this card would come together since I had never done the spotlighting technique, and it was so easy I was so pleased!! Sorry the picture is a little crooked, I got a light box and am learning to use it. Then my Dad deemed my camera needed to be upgraded and he got me a new one yesterday. I love my Dad!! He said now that I am back to blogging I had to have the right equipment! I never expected that at all, I was OK with my camera, but I will take a new one for sure!! :)

Well I am going to photograph some more cards to keep sharing with you all here! Hope you have a great day!!

TTFN,

Happy Card

Hi Everyone,

Well I am back again with another card! Several weeks ago I was suposed to go spend the day with a few very talented demos, but we had a bit of a family emergency and I was unable to attend. I was so bummed out, but these ladies were sweet enough to complete the projects for me and I am blown away at their kindness and the amazing projects! I had made a card for them to complete and another card as a swap (you will see it soon) and another special treat. So here is the card we were going to make while we were together. I love the colors and that is funny since they aren't part of the brights group! I am in love with the 2011-2013 In Colors so much. The Everyday Enchanted DSP in sale a brations is some paper that I am finiding I can't live without. So pretty and versatile. Here are the details on this card:

Paper: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment DSP

Ink: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade

Stamp Set(s): Mixed Bunch, Sincere Salutations

Accessories: Big Shot, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Labels Framelits Collection, Blossom Punch, 3/4" and 1" Circle Punches, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval, Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Basic Pearls

I hope you enjoyed this card. I did a similar version for a card club I am in, I had to miss that class so I hope the ladies liked it. I love this card and it is so fun and happy!! I am hapy spring is almost here and this card just reminds me of spring and happy days ahead!! I just wanted to give a shout out to Jen, Julie, Amy and Christin, ladies your work is awesome and I so thankful you included me!! I look forward to doing this again soon and actually being there! :)

Have a great day!

TTFN,

Where in the world???

Hi All,

Well I took a real long blog hiatus. I had to do some real hard thinking about what I wanted from this stamping adventure and how to get it! I am happy to say I have made some changes and I think they are amazing!!! I am so happy with the new adventures on the horizon and stamping is fun again! I took to heart something a talented friend said, "stamping has to be fun and without change there would be no butterflies!" That stuck and with some great support I made the leap and a wonderful change! I have had some wonderfully supportive friends throughout this journey and you all know who you are! Thanks from the bottom of my heart for bringing such joy and fun to my life! I never stopped stamping during my long break from blog world so I have lots of great things to share! Nothing worth doing is easy but in the end it was the best decision for me and I am happy! So on to the sharing.

This card I made as a thank you card and I love it! You could use it for many different occasions though, birthday, thinking of you, anniversary, and more! The brights color family is my favorite and I almost always start there, but this card stayed there and I think it was soooo cute. I saw a card similar to this last summer (I don't know who did it, but if you do let me know and I will give credit where credit is due!) and after the butterfly comment I thought it was perfect!! The base is Melon Mambo though the picture sure doesn't look like it, however I got a light box for photographing cards and projects so hopefully that will all change now!! Here are all the details:

Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry
Ink: Tempting Turquoise (inside sentiment)
Stamps: Thank You Kindly (inside stamp)
Accessories: Big Shot, Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Dies (2 butterflies for each color).

It is a simple card but so pretty. I try to mail lots of my cards so I try to keep the thickness manageable so the card arrives safely and in tact. I hope you like the card and I am going to be posting more regularly and I look forward to being back!!

Thanks so much!!

TTFN,

Good Morning,

Well I am back again with another birthday card. This one is for my best friend's mom. I saw the idea for the card on Sandy Hancock' blog (Udderly Awesome Stamping from the Heart) and loved the colors and the look of the card! I had made a few others with different DSP and different colors, but this combo caught my attention and I knew I needed to make one. So happy belated birthday Momma Jean! Here are the details of this card:

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Garden Gala Designer Series Paper (retired)

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight Marker

Stamp Set(s): Curly Verses (Summer Mini)

Accessories: Corner Rounder punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Star Punch (retired), Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Pearls, Snail Adhesive and Dimensionals.

This is just such a fun and sunny card!! Thanks again Sandy for the inspiration!! I heard last night from my friends at convention that they made it to Salt Lake City safely and they were already having fun!! Soak up all the experiences ladies, I want to hear all about them!! Have fun!! Also happy birthday to my sister-in-law, Krista! Today is her birthday, and I will share her card with you tomorrow!

Have a great day and stay cool out there!

TTFN,

Hi Blog World!!

I am so sorry I have been MIA for almost five months. I have been working two jobs (one to fund my crafting habit LOL) and I went back to school! It has been a busy time, but I have found that making cards and stamping are a stress reliever for me! It's been the best thing, so while I haven't been sharing too much I have tons and will do my best to try and post much more regularly!!

Well this is a card I made for a really good friend of ours whose birthday was July 2 and I just made her card on July 10. She knew I was soo sorry. Anyway I used the new in colors for 2011-2013, and I snuck in one of the 2010-2012 colors too!! I love these colors together! I originally saw a card like this in March and knew I wanted to do something like this! Sorry I don't know the name but if you do sent it to me and I will certainly give them credit! Circle Circus is one of my favorite stamp sets and I was so glad it didn't retire!

Carstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Island Indigo, Pool Party

Stamp Set(s): Circle Circus, Party Hearty (retired)

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Pool Party

Accessories: Pear Pizzazz Glimmer Brad, Crop A Dile, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing folder, 1 3/8" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, 1/2" circle punch, snail adhesive, dimensionals

So I want to give a shout out to my friends that are right now sitting in the airport waiting to board a plane to go to Salt Lake City, UT to go to the Stampin' Up Convention!! Hi Julie, Cathleen, Jen, Becky and all the ladies in that group!! I am going to live vicariously through you all!! Have a great time ladies and I can't wait to hear all about your adventures! I miss you already!!

To all the demos lucky enough to go to Convention, have a blast I will be searching your blogs for info an seeing what you did and got. :) To all of us staying home, we will have fun in our on ways! Hopefully we will all be able to be there another time!!

Everyone have a great day and I will see you later this week!!

TTFN,

A Bright card to chase the dreary away!!

TGIF!!!

Hi all welcome back! Well it is a rainy dreary Friday but I thought a bright and fun birthday card might cheer me up!! I love the brights family there is not a color in there I don't love, love, love.... I could say that about most of the families, he he. I do make the Brights my go to usually. March is such a busy month for birthdays my hubby, my father-in-law, 3 of my friends, my aunt, and two of our friends kid's. I think that is all, but I probably forgot someone.... Well with all those different birthdays I am going to need a lot of cards, so this was what I started with!! Not sure who if anyone will get it, but we shall see!! Here are the details on the card.

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Mellon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Stamp Set (s): Button, Button, Punch Bunch (Sale-A-Bration)

Ink: Melon Mambo, Daffoil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Bigz Die Scallop Squares Duo, Large Scallop Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Basic Pearls, Sticky Strip, Snail Adhesive, and Dimensionals.

I hope you like the card and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I plan to be back on Monday with some cards I am making over the weekend!! Have a great day!!

TTFN,

Today, where were you one year ago??

Good Thursday Morning!!
Well I am back again with another card I made. Before I get to that I just wanted to announce that one year ago today I became a Stampin' Up demonstrator!! WOOOO HOOOO. Wow, I can hardly believe it has been that long. I have so much more I want to learn and do, but I am having so much fun!! It has been such a wonderful ride! I have met so many wonderful people and made some great new friends! Too many to mention here, but Frances and Becky and the SuPURR StamPurrs you know who you are! I actually got to stamp with some of them yesterday and celebrate a new friend's birthday!! Happy Birthday TJ, I hope it is as wonderful as you are!! We have such a great time getting together, and the ladies are so talented I learn so much from them! Thanks Julie, TJ, Cathleen, Joyce and Karin for letting be in your group!!! Ok so on to the card, it was made for my mother-in-law to give to a friend of hers so she wanted something pretty and happy and feminine! I love this! How do you think I did??

Paper: Whisper White, Concord Crush
Stamp Set(s): Elements of Style
Ink: Concord Crush Classic Ink
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Snail Adhesive.

I have recently come to love the concord crush, it is such a rich color and I can never choose a favorite color but the concord crush is right in the running with so many others. :) I hope you all have a great day and are able to stamp something!!! I will be back tomorrow with a birthday card!!

TTFN,

Thinking Spring, please come back

Good Morning!

Well I knew it was too good to be true. Our lovely run of spring-like weather has gone away. It was 77 degrees here on Friday, and now we have a dusting of snow on the ground! WHAT??? Oh I can dream of warmer sunny weather and that is what inspired this card. I needed a thinking of you card and these colors seemed happy and sunny! Here is what I used on this card:

Stamps: Apple Blossoms (Level 2 Hostess), Kind and Caring Thoughts (retired, sorry)
Paper: Whisper White, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizazz Cardstock, Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper.
Ink: Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Peach Pizazz Classic Ink
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Decorative Label Punch

Pretty basic and simple but I think it is really cute and fun!! I hope you enjoyed it, and I will be back Thursday with a card I made that is so bright you will want your sunglasses!!! I hope you have a wonderful day and stay warm and dry and lets all try and think and hope real hard for some warmer and sunny springtime weather!!!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Happy President's Day and to those of you who have the day off I hope you enjoy it!! I hope everyone had a great weekend, ours was great here on the Mid-Atlantic coast, pretty windy on Saturday but the sun was shinning and it wasn't freezing cold so I will take it!! We had a nice weekend and had a great time at our friends' Daytona 500 party yesterday. I decided I needed to be done sharing the Valentine's Day cards and thought I would share this card I made for my hubby's aunt and uncle to celebrate their 55th Wedding Anniversary. They are such lovely people and a real testament to for better or worse and in sickness and in heath. So I thought they needed a pretty special card! I love the Baroque Motifs stamp set and use it on lots of stuff, including our friend's weeding invites ( I will share a sample later this week or next once I finish them for her). So here are the details on this card:

Cardstock: Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Stamp Sets: Baroque Motifs
Ink: Versa Mark, Gold Encore Ink (I know it's retired, so I just used it n the sentiment :))
Accessories: Black Embossing powder, gold embossing powder, clear rhinestone brads, basic rhinestones, modern label punch, embossing buddy, dimensionals and snail adhesive.

I hope you liked this card, I was going for elegant yet simple, I didn't want to overdo it since it had to go through the US Mail and I didn't want stuff mangled and damaged. Do Happy 55th Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Bruce, I hope it was as wonderful as you two are!! I hope you all enjoyed the card and we will see you back tomorrow with a new card!! Have a great Monday!!!

TTFN,