February 20, 2025

Bright Borders

Today's card is another one that we made when we went to the Demo Day a couple of weeks ago.  Once again it is super simple to make if you need to mass produce thank you cards.

We used the Timeless Plaid Designer Series Paper to make the three strips of paper.  Think how easy it would be to totally change this card just by changing the color of the strips of paper.  You would never know it was the same layout unless you laid them side by side.  The tiny bee trinkets have been a favorite embellishment this spring and they are unavailable to order at this time.

I had an early morning dental appointment and then had to pick up some prescriptions so my post today is very late.  I was just about ready to take a nap when I realized I hadn't posted yet and thought I should do that before napping.  OOPS!  The nap came first as I must have fallen asleep while trying to post this!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 19, 2025

Spring Corners

Today is Happy One Year Post Transplant so it is an amazing day for me and I am wishing one for you as well with this card.  

We made this card at the last Make-It-Monday just because I thought it was cool and an unusual way to use the die in this set.  But it is the perfect card for today.   I started with a card base of Melon Mambo and added a layer of the Sale-a-Bration Free paper, Bloom Impressions.  Next I die-cut the corner of the Basic White cardstock and added the sentiment in the opposite corner.  I started to adhere it to the second layer of Melon Mambo and decided that I wanted to add a piece of the flowered designer series paper behind the die cut.  I still wanted it to show up a little more so spongeed lightly around the design in the lower left corner.  Add some embellishment and I was done.

Today brings more cold weather and a stamping party...a first birthday party where we will be stamping birthday cards.  I picked up some cupcakes yesterday as well...because who has a birthday party without cake!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 18, 2025

With You In Mind 

Today's card is another one that we made at our weekend Demo Day in Illinois.  It is also one of this week's Cards in the Mail.

It uses the same products as the card i shared yesterday.  You can see that card here.  I am thinking that I need to stock up on my Pool Party, Lemon Lolly, and Daffodil Delight cardstock. This is a fairly heavy card since iit has four layers on th outside and another layer on the inside.  Just something to keep in mind if you are going to mail it.  We used the Nested Essentials Dies to make the sentiment piece.  This is lonely set of dies on my stamp shelf because I rarely use it.  That won't be the case after the weekend in Illinois as we used it quite a bit.  The sentiment on this card is stamped with Old Olive ink but you could use Pretty Peacock like we did yesterday as well.  If you like vellum you are going to for sure want to pick up some of this Floral & Denim Specialty Designer Series Paper.  It is beautiful in person.   

Today is a cardstock cutting kind of day.  I need to get stuff cut for Cards in the Mail this week, the birthday celebration tomorrow, and next Monday's Make It Monday cards.  Good thing I have lots to do since it is so cold outside.

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 17, 2025

Kindest Expression

Today's card is one of this week's Cards in the Mail.  This is one of the cards I got when I went to Illinois to the Stampin' Sisters demo meeting a couple of weeks ago.  I honestly don't remember if this is one of the cards we made or a card I got in a swap.

I just love the flower pattern in the Floral Delight Designer Series Paper and the blue checked gingham vellum from the Floral & Gingham Vellum Specialty Designer Series Paper is the perfect compliment.  Add some embellishments and your sentiment and your card is done.  Believe it or not the ink used on this card is Pretty Peacock.  It goes great with the card.

I had an early morning doctor's appointment this morning and then went out for an impromptu lunch and shopping excursion with a friend so today's post is a little late.  Better late than never, I guess.  A nap is on the agenda for this afternoon before Zoom Book Club tonight.

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 16, 2025

Layering Leaves

Today's card is the last of the Cards in the Mail from a couple of weeks ago.  It uses the So Sincere Designer Series paper which is a remake of a packet of paper they had a while ago but with a different color pallette.

Once again, as with most Cards in the Mail cards are this one is super simple.  Choose two coordinating patterns of designer series paper that you like and then a complimentary color for the ribbon and layer of cardstock.  I have been trying to use more punches as opposed to die cutting because right now it is easier for me.  This card uses the Labeled With Love Punch for the sentiment.  Adhesive-Backed Dappled Dots and some Pretty in Pink Bordered Ribbon complete the card.

 

The whole day yesterday was spent reading so that I could complete by Book Club book.  I finished it about 10:00 last night so that leaves today for me to work on Cards in the Mail for this next week.  I have the samples done and am going to work on the directions while watching basketball.  I may even try and get some of the cardstocl cut yet this afternoon before the Hawkeye Basketball Game.

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 15, 2025

With You in Mind

Today I am sharing a Cards in the Mail card from a couple of weeks ago.  It is super simple and showcases the Wildflower Birthday Designer Series Paper.

This specialty paper has gold leaves running through some of the pieces.  It is just beautiful in person.  This super simple card has a layer of the designer series paper on a layer of gold foil and then adhered to the Blueberry Bushel cardstock.  I actually cut my gold foil Spotlight on Nature circle out of the center of the gold foil on the card.  It doesn't show at all and is a great way to save on the specialty paper.

I started reading my book club book first thing this morning and have not put it down since . . . except to text with Luetta about card ideas.  That is why I am so late posting today.  I am hoping to finish the book this afternoon, but if not I still have tomorrow.  It is a gret day to stay at home and veg!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 14, 2025

Hearts of Elegance

Happy Valentine's Day

Today's card is the last of the Valentine cards everyone one made at the Valentine's Card Class.  I think this is my favorite of the cards that they made.

I started with a base of Real Red cardstock and layered a piece of the Marbled Elegance Designer Series Paper on it.  I die-cut two hearts from the Hearts of Elegance Dies . . . one on Real Red and one in Gold Foil.  The sentiment piece is die cut from the Iconic Dies which are on sale on the Last Chance List.  they are a screaming deal . . . marked down from $23 to only $9.20.  The sentiment has been embossed with gold embossing powder and adhered to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Add a couple of the Adhesive-Backed Hearts and you have a super elegant card for your loved one . . . for much less that you would pay for it in the store!!

Today is going to be another stay-at-home day with the exception of a trip to the Post Office at some time.  I am surely getting a lot done since I am not out and about all of the time.

View on Valentine's Day last year . . . 

View on Valentine's Day this year . . .

What a difference a year makes!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 13, 2025

Delightful Wishes

Today's Valentine card uses a sentiment from the Delightful Wishes stamp set.  I believe you were supposed to combine it with the word "wishing" but I wanted just these three words on my card.

Once again the beautiful Marbled Elegance Designer Series makes the card very elegant.  Stampin' Up! went over the top with this paper.  The gold foil heart is just the right amount of embellishment.  I only put one piece of bling on this one . . . on the sentiment strip.  It almost gets lost on the card when looking at the photo.

Boy, does the sun look delightful.  I am sure it is not as warm as the sun makes it look, but it does warm up the living room shining in through the windows.  My driveway is cleaned off and so is my car, thanks to the guy that does our shoveling for us, so I could go somewhere is I wanted to, but I think I am content to just stay home and read and stamp.

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 12, 2025

Hearts of Elegance

As with all of the cards that we made at the Valentine's Day card class, this one uses the Hearts of Elegance stamp set and the Marbled Elegance Designer Series Paper.

I'm pretty sure I have mentioned that this is one of my favorite layouts.  I know I use it a lot, but with different colors, different stamps, and different designer series paper you would never realize it is the same layout unless you put the cards side by side.  The Adhesive-Backed Hearts add the finishing touch.

As I sit here anad watch it snow, I am extremely grateful that I have no appointments or any place I have to be this year.  I went out and measured how much snow we had received about 9:00 this morning and it was a hair above 4 inches.  I think it is supposed to snow the rest of the day.  It will be interesting to see how much there is there tonight.

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 11, 2025

Hearts of Elegance

For the rest of the week I will be sharing the Valentine's cards that were made at the Valentine's class that got weathered out!!  Everyone got to make their cards however because I mail their packets in enough time for them to receive them and get them made and in the mail.

This card looks like it is made with Real Red, when in fact it is actually Melon Mambo!!  It uses one of my favorite layouts and is very easy to make and duplicate if you need a lot of cards.  The Marbled Elegance Designer Series Paper is absolutely awesome and does ALL of the work to make this card special.  The gold flecks running through it show up much brighter in person.  I chose to just cut squares of Basic White and Melon Mambo for the heart, but if you wanted to step your card up you could use the Stylish Shapes Dies to die-cut the squares.  The edges of the squares would then be similar to the edge of the gold heart.  You could also step it up by adding some kind of bling.

fl

As soon as I am done posting this I am off to Iowa City to run an errand at the hospital and to pick up some groceries and other things in case we really do get a lot of snow tomorrow.  I decided we probably needed some real food, instead of deciding day by day what we were going to have for supper, and ending up having either pizza or some kind of breakfast food . . . eggs, French toast, or waffles.  Not sure what I want to get as it is still a struggle to both cook and eat it, but it is getting better.

I know I certainly have enough craft projects and books to keep me busy, even if we are snowed in for days!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 10, 2025

Beautiful Butterflies

There has been no posting for the last three days because I was either taking John to an appointment or was busy at a stampin' retreat.  I am hoping to be back on a regular schedule now!

One of the best things about going to stamping retreats, besides the company, is the swapping.  I used the Beautiful Butterflies stamp set and dies for my swap this time.

Believe it or not, I had my swaps ready to go by the middle of last week, which is unusual for me because I am always finishing them on the way there or after we get there.  Here are my 22 swaps.  It was a small group swapping this time.

I love how colorful the butterfly turned out when cut out of the Bloom Impressions Designer Series Paper.  I am now searching for another designer series paper that is not a Sale-a-Bration item to make some more butterflies!!  If you have any suggestions, let me know!!

It sounds like the weather is going to be kind of icky later in the week but at least it is going to be good for today's Make-It-Monday.  I need to finish getting things ready to go for that and then I am going to look over all of the cards we made this weekend and the swaps I got and plan card classes theought then end of the month and into March!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 6, 2025

"Bee" My Valentine

Today I have a fun valentine card for you.  I made several of these one day this week!!  They are super simple.

I was thinking when I first looked at this stamp set that the bee would be incredibly hard to line up.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  It is super simple to line up perfectly every time.  As long as you use a dark color for the stripes you will be okay . . . and really what other color would you use for the stripes.  The wings and the antennae are punched out with some of the heart shapes that are in the punch.  Easy peasy!!

What a cute Valentine card to make for your littles . . . or your bigs for that matter!!  I made five for a customer and have one left over . . . I think it will probably go to Shayra for Valentine's Day as I have a couple of other ideas for the boys!!

Our driveway still looks a little icy so I am waiting for the sun to come out and finish melting the ice before I go anywhere.  I do need to go to the post office at some point today to put a couple of packets in the mail from the cancelled Valentine Class yesterday.  Other than that it is going to be a rest day to store up energy for the weekend!  LOL

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 5, 2025

Hearts of Elegance

Each month I try to have a little treat for the people that deliver John's noon meal.

This month I made Valentine Match books.  I used Cherry Cobbler cardstock and some designer series paper from the Iconic Celebrations package which is on the Last Chance List and is on sale while supplies last.

So far I have eight of them done . . . at least enough to last until I get home from my stamping weekend and can make some more.  I can get four from one sheet of cardstock as long as I remember to score and cut it properly.  A pretty inexpensive thank you to make.

On the inside I have stapled a small bag of Valentine M & M's.

Close it up and it looks just like a large match-book.  These are so fun to make and to give out!!! 

My kitchen is cleaned up from my whirlwind stamping, my Valentine class, which was supposed to be this afternoon but cancelled because of the weather, is in the mail, my regular Cards in the Mail are ready to go to the post office, the trash is on the curbside ready for pickup tomorrow morning, and I have been to the grocery store to stock up on essentials in case it gets icy.  Not a bad mornings work and it is only 10:30.  Now I can leisurely finish up my swaps for this weekend and catch up on some shows that I missed while watching basketball, and watch the icy rain fall.  It is nice to know I do not need to go anywhere if the weather does get bad.

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

Happy Stamping!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 4, 2025

Beautiful Butterflies

Today's Card in the Mail uses the small butterfly die from the Beautiful Butterflies set along with the Mixed Media Designer Series Paper which is an On Line Exclusive.  The paper is a lottle much for me in big pieces but I do like the little strip that is toned down by the Mossy Meadow cardstock.

I know I saw this card on line but am not sure where . . . it might have been Flowerbug's Inkspot but it was a while ago.  This is a favorite layout of mine and I use it all the time.  The ribbon is covering up the sentiment but it says "in case you need me . . . I'm here"

I am enjoying the sunshine coming in the living room window while it lasts.  I am sure tomorrow will be another story!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 3, 2025

Hugs For Love

Today's card is the first of the Cards in the Mail for this week that I want to share with you.  I can see that I need to stock up on my Daffodil Delight cardstock if I want to use the Floral Delight Designer Series Paper very much.

My card started with a card base of Daffodil Delight with a layer of Basic White that has been embosssed with the FREE Sale-a-Bration item . . . the Starstruck embossing folder.  I stamped my sentiment in Old Olive and punched it out with the To The Point Label Punch.  I used this punch two more times on random pieces of the Floral Delight Designer Series Paper.   The Old Olive banner through the middle of the card surely does make yellow labels stand out.  Add some Linen Thread and a couple of Opal Rounds and my card is done. 

Yesterday was quite productive.  The Cards in the Mail for this week are cut, packaged, and ready to mail, the Valentine class for Wednesday (if we are able to have it with the weather prediction) is planned and waiting to be cut, and my swap for this weekend is all planned and it too is waiting to be die cut and assembled.  I was able to get a lot done while watching the fabulous women's basketball game yesterday afternoon.  Every day is a great day to be a Hawkeye . . . but yesterday was really special! 

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

Happy Stamping!!