January 6, 2026

Friendly Foliage

Today's card is one I received as a swap when I went to Los Vegas.  It is one of the cards we will be making Monday night at Make-It-Monday.

We started with a Lost Lagoon card base and added a layer of Pretty Peacock.  We next added a layer of Basic White that had been stamped with the Linen background stamp.  The focal point was stamped with Pretty Peacock and die cut with the coordinating dies.  We added some embellishments and a sentiment and we were done.  I love the way the die cut leaves some space between the leaves.

As soon as I am done posting this John and I are headed out the door to his doctor's appointment.  Since it is so late in the afternoon I am sure we will be there for a while because they will be behind.  The good thing about that is that we can grab supper on the way home and I won't have to come up with anything or cook anything tonight.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 5, 2025

The Right Words

Today's card is a thinking of you card made with the stamp set "The Right Words".  With all of the sickness that is going around this would be the perfect card to send to someone so they know you are thinking of them.

I started with a piece of Thick Basic White cardstock and added two .75" strips on either side of the card.  I added a piece of Secret Sea cardstock in the middle and then added some designer series paper.  I punched out two pieces of cardstock for the sentiment.  One in Basic White and one in Secret Sea.  I cut the Secret Sea one in half horizontally and layered it on the top and bottom of the white piece.  Add some twine and embellishments and you are done.

One of the things that I added to my Word of the Year, which was balance, is consistency.  That was totally directed at my blog.  I want to try and be more consistent in my posting regardless of what else is going on.  So here's hoping it works.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 1, 2026

Happy New Year

Today's card comes from a blog I follow . . . Stamping With Amy.  It uses  the Stampin’ Up! Words For The Season stamp set bundle.

I started by adhering a panel of patterned paper from the Modern Christmas Specialty DSP to the front of a Basic Black card base.  Then I cut a panel from a Gold Foil Sheet with one of the Textured Notes Dies.  I adhered a piece of black cardstock to the gold foil and adhered it to the card front with dimensionals.  I die cut the words from gold cardstock and added them to the card front.  I stamped the words "to you and yours" on black cardstock with versamark and embossed it with gold embossing powder.  I die cut it with one of the dies from the set and adhered it to the card ront as well.  Iridescent Foil Gems complete the card.

Here's to another year of cardmaking,  making magic and cherishing every moment together.  I truly cherish all of you and appreciate your friendship and support.  Let's make more memories in 2026!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

December 25, 2025

Merry Christmas

My card today is the same card I sent out this year . . . I made 100 of them so it was pretty easy to do.

I started with a Thick Basic White card base and added a layer of Secret Sea.  Then came a layer of designer series paper topped with more Secret Sea and Basic White layers.  The sentiment is stamped in Secret Sea.  Super simple but very pretty!

Today is a quiet day at our house.  The kids will all be here this weekend and it will be anything but quiet.  I am taking a break from posting while they are here.  I will post a new card on Tuesday morning.  I did decide to turn on the lights on the tree and just sit and reflect over my 70 years of Christmases.  As a kid we always traveled every other year to my aunt and uncle's house where ever they lived.  There was a lot of chaos then as well with six kids running around but we sure did have a good time.  After John and I got married, we always celebrated our own Christmas at home and then took off to his parents house to celebrate with his family.  My family always celebrated the weekend or two before Christmas.  There was no shortage of chaos at either of our family's Christmas celebrations.  There have been a couple of Christmases spent at a hospital, but we celebrated none-the-less.  

As I said in a picture I posted last night . . . "Christmas is a time to celebrate the love in our hearts and the special people in our lives.  Thank you to all of my friends and family for being a constant source of love and support."

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

December 24, 2025

Christmas Ephemera

Today's card is another one I made with designer series paper and Christmas Ephemera.

This card is another one that was in the Cozy package I bought in October.  It uses Shaded Spruce cardstock, Christmas Ephemera, Christmas Tags and More Designer Series Paper, an embossing folder and the red ribbon that are all in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I have a feeling that many of the items used in this card are either on the Last Chance List or sold out. 

I just made my last trip to Washington to pick up the last Christmas present and I can proudly say "I AM DONE".  I plan on reading and Cross stitching this afternoon and all day tomorrow since we are not celebrating Christmas until this weekend!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

December 23, 2025

Jolly Holly

Today's card may look vaguely familiar as it is one of the set that yesterday's card belongs to.  This card was made with the others using the same basic layout, just rearranging where the patterns are and using the Jolly Holly stamp set.

This card is another one that was in the Cozy package I bought in October.  It uses the Christmas tTags and More Designer Series Paper , an embossing folder and the red ribbon that are all in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I have a feeling that many of the items used in this card are either on the Last Chance List or sold out.  However the layout will always be good and you could use whatever paper you have on hand that coordinates with each other.

I spent the morning in Iowa City with my friend, Joan, getting last minute things.  We went out for lunch and then I headed home.  I can barely keep my eyes open so I think I may just close them and take a nap!!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

December 22, 2025

Traditional Labels

I guess if I am going to show you the rest of the Christmas cards I made this year I had better start showing them.  This card was made with three others using the same basic layout and using the Traditional Labels stamp set.

This card is another one that was in the Cozy package I bought in October.  It uses the Christmas tags and More Designer Series Paper , an embossing folder and the red ribbon that are all in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I have a feeling that many of the items used in this card are either on the Last Chance List or sold out.  However the layout will always be good and you could use whatever paper you have on hand that coordinates with each other.

This looks to be a beautiful week.  As soon as I am done posting this I am heading out to get my hair trimmed and make one last trip to Walmart in Washington.  I am actually after cooking baking supplies this time . . . not more Christmas shopping.  Reading is on the agenda when I get home.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

December 21, 2025

Christmas Caard Display

As long as I was changing up the rest of my Christmas decorations I decided to use my thrift display window to display the handmade Christmas cards I have received so far this Christmas.

You might remember that I picked this up at a Goodwill earlier this fall for under $10.  It makes a great display for cards.  I was trying to decide where I was going to store this while my Christmas decorations are out.  Then I decided, why not make it part of my decorations.  I love being able to display the handmade cards i have received.  Hanna added the greenery around the frame and I really like the way she arranged it.  What do you think?

What a beautiful day it is for the first day of winter.  If only the rest of winter could be like this I would be a happy camper.  Instead of being out in the hustle and bustle I am happily sitting inside reading, watching football, and cross stitching.  I got my fill of the hustle and bustle yesterday when Luetta and I went out for lunch and I picked up a couple of the presents that I had ordered on-line and were ready for pick up.  Enjoy the rest of this great day!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

December 19, 2025

Joy

Today's card is one I made from the Cozy Cottage class I bought back in October.  The joy comes from an emphemera pack that has a lot of Christmas greetings.

 

The card is just basic layering using Real Red cardstock and Gold Foil and pieces of Traditions of Christmas Designer Series paper.  It is tied with a read ribbon and the sentiment is adhered with dimensionals.

I made a quick trip to Iowa City today to pick up what I needed to finish wrapping all of the gifts.  I hope to finish that this afternoon.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

December 18, 2025

Charming Day

Our card today is another one from Make-It-Monday last week.  It uses the Charming Day stamp set and dies.  The dies are on the last chance list and the stamp set is now sold out.

I started with a card base of Blackberry Bliss and added two embossed and sanded pieces of Blackberry Bliss Two Tone Cardstock.  The middle designer series paper is from the Floral Charm Pack.  I used the Branching Out and Charming Day Dies for the focal piece in the middle.  The sentiment is stamped with Blackberry Bliss Ink.

This has been aa pretty productive day.  I got three-fourths of my presents wrapped and the rest sorted ready to put into gift bags tomorrow.  I need to run to Hobby Lobby to get some more bike gift wrapping bags for some of the kids gifts.  I did not realize how big some of them are.  The rest of the day I have just sat here and listened to the wind blow and be thankful I do not have to go anywhere.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

December 16, 2025

December Product of the Month - True Blue Florals

You know that the right paper can transform a project from “pretty” to “absolutely unforgettable.” This month’s Product of the Month 12x12 Designer Series paper - True Blue Florals - is the perfect way to spark your creativity and bring fresh energy to your stamping and crafting! Whether you’re crafting for winter holidays, birthdays, or everyday gratitude projects, these papers adapt beautifully. 

This Product of the month can be your for only $5 with a $75 dollar order before tax and shipping.

Here are some samples provided by Stampin' Up! to give you some inspiration!!

Get your order ready so you too can get some of this beautiful designer series paper!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

December 15, 2025

Branching Out

Today's card is one of the cards everyone made last week at Make-It-Monday.  It uses the stamp set Branching out which is on the last Chance List.  Be sure and get yours before they are sold out!!

The Mossy Meadow and Basic Beige colors compliment each other perfectly.  When I made a second card like this I used the Basic Beige for the little flower and left off the smudge in the middle of the flower.  I really liked it much better.

The sunshine sure looks good coming in the window.  I went out to go to the post office and it was practically balmy.  Hopefully it stays like this instead of the deep freeze.

 

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

December 14, 2025

Banner Botanical Kit

Yesterday I had a little time in between cross stitching to complete one of this month's kits . . . the Banner Botanical Kit.

This kit includes the following Banner Botanical Photopolymer Stamp Set, a Secret Sea Ink Spot, and all of the supplies to make 9 cards.

I chose to make all of my cards with the "You make My Heart Happy" beause I thought I would use those more.

The featured colors in these cards are Cherry Cobbler, Darling Duckling, Garden Green, Gold, and Secret Sea.

There are enough supplies to make 3 of each of the card with matching decorated envelopes for a total of 10 cards.  

Stay tuned after the first of the year for a new stamping opportunity with me . . . Kit Night.  This is one of the kits you ucld choose from and make your own beautiful cards.

Yes . . . it is cold . . . yes . . . the roads might be iffy, but I am heading out later this morning to finish my shopping that I wanted to get done yesterday and to meet a friend and. head to Hiawatha to make 2026 calendars with our friend Susie.  I am sure I will be cuddled up in my blanket when I get home and probably fall asleep.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

December 13, 2025

Baby, It's Cold and Snowy Out There!!

Today's card is one I made from a class I bought  . . .  called the Cozy Craft retreat.  I know I have shared this card before but with as much snow as we are getting and as cold as it is I thought it was super appropriate to share it again.

There is no stamping on this card whatsoever.  It is made with designer series paper and letters cut out with the new large letters dies.  Amazing what you can do with no stamps . . . just paper.

Can you believe how much snow is outside?  I am sure we have gotten another 4 inches at least on top of what we got on Thursday which was on top of what we got last weekend!!  I had planned to go shopping to finish up getting everything Gigi Claus needs for the stockings but it is going to have to wait for another day!!  At least we have decided when our family is doing Christmas and it isn't until the 28th of December so that gives me a little more time.

Stay warm and safe in all of this cold weather and snow!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

December 12, 2025

Sentimental Framing

Today's card uses a technique I learned many years ago, but haven't used in a long time . . . Faux Silk.

I started with a card base of Basic White Thick.  I added a layer of Pecan Pie and Gold Foil.  Before adhering the gold foil I die cut a leaf out of the center of the piece.  It will not show as it is covered up and saves some of the specialty paper.  Next I took a piece of white tissue paper a little larger than the white cardstock. . . the kind you use for gift wrapping and stamped the Etched Autumn Background Stamp using Pecan Pie ink directly onto the tissue paper.  I wrinkled it up into a ball.  I took a glue stick and rubbed glue all over the white cardstock being sure not to miss any places.  I then spread my wrinkled tissue paper over the glued white piece smoothing it out somewhat.  You can either cut the excess off or wrap it around the white.  The tissue paper ended up looking like fabric on the white cardstock.  Add a sentiment and the gold leaf you already die cut and your card is done.  A fun technique that makes your card extra special.

Not that I need to go anywhere today but at least our driveway is plowed out.  I just got back in from sweeping the snow off of the ramp and out to the trash bins.  We have a new person doing our shoveling this year and he is not nearly as good as the one we had before.  If he does not come by mid-afternoon I will go back out and  sweep a path to the Rav so that at least if we have to go somewhere we can get to the vehicle.  The rest of the day I plan on cross stitching and watching some TV and staying warm!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!