April 30, 2018

Guy Greetings

Guy Greetings is another one of those sets that will remain in my personal stash when it retires at the end of May.  It is absolutely awesome for guy cards and since both of my girls have guys that like cars, etc. I must keep it!!

This is actually a gatefold card with the opening being in the center.  It is also one of the cards that everyone made last week.

Stamps: Guy Greetings

Cardstock: Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Ink: Memento Black

Accessories: Simple Stripes Folder, Big Shot, 

White Perfect Accents (colored with a Black Sharpie), 

Stampin' Dimendsionals

As soon as I am done posting this I am off to work on wedding invitations.  I took my car in for routine service this morning so I couldn't go anywhere even if I wanted to so it will be a great day to make a lot of progress on them!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 29, 2018

Moon Baby

Moon Baby has been one of my favorite baby stamp sets of all time.  I have a feeling it will stay in my personal collection when it retires May 31st. 

When people made this card at Make-It-Monday they had the choice of making a girl card as shown here or using Marina Mist and Pool Party cardstock with blue Stampin' Blends.

Stamps: Moon Baby

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Powder Pink, Sweet Sugarplum, Whisper White 

Ink: Memento Black Ink

Accessories: Oh My Stars Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 

Daffodil Delight Combo Pack Stampin' Blends, 

Pink Pirouette Dark Stampin' Blends, Ivory Stampin' Blends,

  Crushed Curry 3/8" Satin Ribbon, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Yesterday was a fabulous day of fun stamping, good company and friends, and good food.  I came home with tons of ideas and my brain swirling with many more.

Today I am going to continue to work on wedding invitations as well as run some errands in Iowa City and of course watch the Cubs this afternoon.

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 28, 2018

Hanna's Scrapbooks

Every year I make a scrapbook for each of the students in Hanna's advisory class.  For some odd reason she did not take as many pictures this year. as she has in them past.  Guess she must have had something else she was focusing on somewhat this school year!!

So I had to come up with a scaled down version of the flip-flop albums I have made in the past.  You can see those here.

Some of the things stayed the same . . . the cover and the back . . . just scaled down a bit.  I blurred out the class list on the back cover, but that is supposed to be what is there.

One of the facebook groups I belong to . . . Create With Rhonda . . .  had this smaller version of an album.  Hanna being Hanna, still had to have her inspirational quotes in there.  We do have new ones this year, however.

I love the two pullouts where you could put pictures or a note.  All in all I am pretty pleased with how they came out and all 18 of them only took me a morning to complete . . . from cutting the cardstock to adhering the last quote.

My friend, Luetta, is picking me up in a little bit and we are going to spend our day stamping at an event that our friend, Susie, hosts every year.  It will be nice to stamp something else and only one of everything since I have been stamping in multiples lately!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 27, 2018

Graduation Thank You's

Sometimes I get rid of my retired items and other times I keep them around. I was glad I had kept the Hexagon Hive Thinlits Die because it sure came in handy when making these soccer thank you notes.

It really pairs nicely with the Hexagons Dynamic Impressions Embossing Folder.  Too bad they were not available at the same time!!!

Stamps: Thanks stamp from Paper Pumpkin

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler (retiring), Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Hexagon Hive Thinlits Dies (retired), 

Layering Circle Framelits, Large Letters Framelits, 

Hexagons Dynamic Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 

Tailored Tag Punch, Fine Tip Glue Pen, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Yesterday ended up being a very productive day, although a mixed up one.  I was so busy it was 5:00 in the evening before I realized I hadn't done a blog post, so I just decided to wait until today.  I got all of Hanna's little scrapbooks for her advisory class done yesterday . . . 18 in total, and I also got Lauren's invitations started. I even managed to go out for supper with friends and to watch the Cubs game.  Hopefully today will be as productive!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 25, 2018

Truly Tailored 

I can never see bow tie without thinking of my dad.  I think I could probably count on one hand the number of times I saw him with a regular tie, because he always wore a bow tie.  When I saw this card on Pinterest I knew I wanted to use to for a Make-It-Monday.

I love the color combinations that they have put together in this designer series paper pack.

Stamps: Truly Tailored (retiring)

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip (retiring), Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Designer Series Paper: True Gentlemen (retiring)

Ink: Chocolate Chip (retiring), Memento Black

Accessories: Layering Circles Framelits, Big Shot, 

2 1/4" Circle Punch, Banner Triple Punch, 

Regals Enamel Dots(retiring), Stampin' Dimensionals

Yesterday was a very productive day . . . I got all of the cardstock cut for Lauren's invitations, got my order of graduation thank yous done, and got my own than you done for stamp night on Monday night.  And I had time to rest in the afternoon and also watch the Cubs game.  Today I am planning on getting the envelope scrapbooks done for Hanna's advisory class and also finishing the book that is due at the library tomorrow.  And of course . . . watching baseball on TV again tonight.

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 24, 2018

Butterfly Basics

Butterfly Basics is one of those stamp sets that I used all of the time when it first came out and then it sat neglected on my shelf for quite some time.  I decided that it needed to be used again since it was retiring at the end of May.

This is one of the cards that everyone made last night.

Stamps: Butterfly Basics (retiring), Rose Garden (retiring)

Cardstock: Old Olive, Marina Mist (retiring), Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive 

Accessories: Old Olive and Marina Mist Markers, 

1 3/4" Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch, 

Basic Pearl Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Yesterday was another one of those weird days where unexpected things happen . . . none of it bad . . . just took time from what I was planning on doing.  So today is the day that I will get all of the cardstock cut for Lauren's invitations and also get my order of graduation thank yous done.  I want to have everything done by this evening so I can do lap work while the Cubs are playing baseball.

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 23, 2018

Born To Love

Back again with the same stamp set and the last of the three wedding shower cards.

Since I am making Lauren's invitations I knew exactly what colors I wanted to use.  Three cards . . . same stamp set . . . but each one unique and personalized to the bride!!

Stamps: Born To Be Loved

Cardstock: Very Vanilla Thick, Powder Pink, Very Vanilla, Gold Glimmer

Accessories: Sweet and Sassy Framelits (retiring), 

Happy Hearts Embossing Folder ( already retired), 

Big Shot, Versamark, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 

Gold 3/8" Metallic Edged Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Everything is ready and sitting by the door waiting to be loaded into the car for tonight's Make-It-Monday.

I think I am going to start on getting all of the cardstock cut for Lauren's invitations so that I can start stamping them tomorrow.  I also have an order of college graduation thank you notes that I should work on today.  But I might just sit and look at the sun . . . because the weather is going to be so nice today!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 22, 2018

Born To Be Loved

Here is the second of the three shower cards that I made on Thursday with this stamp set.  This one was for Hanna. 

The designer series paper reminded me of the ties that the ring security boys are wearing and the Wisteria Wonder is the same color as her Save the Dates and thank you notes.

Stamps: Born to Be Loved

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Wisteria Wonder, Silver Glimmer

Designer Series Paper: Delightful Daisy

Accessories:Sweet and Sassy Framelits, Big Shot, Versamark, 

Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 

Tear and Tape, Stampin' Dimensionals

Yesterday was an awesome day with so much love shown for all three girls. After the shower, we got a tour of the house Hanna and Jake are renting and then went out for lunch before heading home.  

Today I am planning on cutting cardstock and getting everything ready for Make-It-Monday tomorrow night.

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 21, 2018

Born to Be Loved

This is one of three wedding shower cards I made the other day with this stamp set.  It was perfect for what I needed.

I did use a retired embossing folder for this card, but I thought the hearts fit right in with a wedding shower.

Stamps: Born to Be Loved

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Gold Glimmer, Whisper While 

Accessories: Happy Hearts Embossing Folder (retired),  

Sweet & Sassy Framelit Dies (retiring), Big Shot, 

Metallic Gold Ribbon (a piece I found on my stamping room floor 

but perfect but for this card),Tear and Tape, Stampin' Dimensionals

Yesterday was an awesome day starting out with a little shopping with Hanna followed by lunch with Lauren (Hanna's friend) and her mom.  We then went to the wedding dress fittings and both girls had their fittings for their own wedding dresses and the bridesmaid's dress they will wear in each other's wedding.  We then went on to the nail salon and spent the rest of the afternoon there.  I arrived at my hotel just in time to watch the  Cubs baseball game.

Today is the bridal shower and then I will head home.  I want to get a start on cutting cardstock for Monday night's make-It-Monday.

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 20, 2018

No Bones About It

I have had this stamp set for a couple of years . . . have I ever used it. . . absolutely not!!  But that might change after making this birthday card that my friend, Crystal brought to our Paper Pal shoebox swap on Wednesday night.

Since it is a photopolymer stamp set it is very easy to line up.  I love the colors that she chose to use in this card.

Stamps: No Bones About It

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Basic Gray, Whisper White

Ink: Memento Black, Crushed Curry, Tempting Turquoise, 

Tangerine Tango, Garden Green, Smoky Slate

Accessories: Triple Banner Punch,Basic Black Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals

I did it!!!  I actually finished all 450 thank you cards so that I can take them to Hanna this weekend.

As soon as I am done posting this I am headed out the door to meet Hanna in Des Moines to do a little shopping before we meet her friend, Lauren and her mom, Carolyn, for lunch before the two girls have fittings for their wedding dresses.  After the fittings we are headed to the nail salon for an afternoon of pampering.  Saturday morning we are all going to a wedding shower for Hanna, Lauren, and their friend, Haley.  All three girls are getting married in the same church within about month of each other this summer.

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 19, 2018

Sweet Little Something

This card which everyone made a couple of weeks ago at the Sale-a-Bration Celebration has been sitting on my table just waiting to be photographed.  It got buried under mounds of Wisteria Wonder cardstock that I am using on Hanna's thank you notes.

This little guy is really easier than he looks to get lined up.  Photopolyner stamps are great for images like these.

Stamps: Sweet Little Something, Moon Baby

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Whisper White

Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso

Accessories: Cable Knit Embossing Folder, Layering Circles Framelits, 

Stitched Shapes Framelits, Big Shot, 1 1/8 Scallop Circle Piunch, 

Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine,.Stampin' Dimensionals

Close . . .oh so close to being done with thank you's.  If we hadn't had a water emergency yesterday I might have gotten them done.  Our shower handle broke while John was taking a shower and we couldn't get the water turned off in it.  Of course, then I had trouble getting the water shot off to the house, once I found the shut off handles.  I just wasn't strong enough the first couple of times to get it to work.  Luckily our local Plumbing and Heating Company, Kuenster's Plumbing and Heating came right over and took care of the problem.  They fixed the shower handle and explained that I had done everything right in trying to shut off the water to the house, it just takes a while for all of the water pressure in the house to subside, so that is why it seemed like it wasn't working.  it is so nice to have someone you can depend on to be there right away when you have problems.  So thank you . . . Kuentser's!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 18, 2018

Perennial Birthday 

I just had to have this Painted With Love Designer Series paper because I thought it was so cool when I saw it at convention.  Have I used it much . . . NO!! So I decided it was time to start!!

This is one of the cards that I took as a shoebox swap to our Paper Pals get together last night.

Stamps: Perennial Birthday

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Calypso Coral, Cajun Craze

Designer Series Paper: Painted With Love

Ink: Calypso Coral

Accessories:  Daisy Punch, Delicate Lace Doilies, Stampin' Sponges, 

Mini Glue Dots, Faceted Gold Gems, Stampin' Dimensionals

I am hoping to get most of the Hanna's thank you notes done today. I am about three fourths of the way done so it should be an attainable goal!! Especially since the weather is going to be so icky again today.  Do think spring will ever get here or will we go right to summer???

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 17, 2018

Swirly Birds

Dapper Denim . . .  here again . . . this time paired with Emerald Envy.  Like I said yesterday, I like this color with just about every other color you might want to pair with it.

This is the last of the cards that everyone made last week featuring retiring In-Colors.  For the next Make-It-Monday we are going to concentrate on stamps sets that are retiring.

Stamps: Swirly Bird, Picture Perfect Birthday

Cardstock: Emerald Envy, Dapper Denim, Whisper White

Ink: Emerald Envy, Dapper Denim

Accessories: Swirly Scribbles Thinlits, Big Shot, Fien Tip Glue Pen

Today is going to be a busy busy day.  I left home in the dark for an early 3 month oncology appointmnent.  I am posting this as I sit and wait for my appointment after having my labs drawn.  When I am done here I am going shopping for shower presents for this weekend.  This afternoon I have an appointment for my shoulder and then have a hair appointment.  I will finish out the day meeting with my Paper Pal friends for our monthly shoebox swap. I am sure tomorrow will be another day of rest after all of the activity today!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 16, 2018

Flower Shop

Oh Dapper Denim . . . you are a favorite of mine!!!  I love it no matter what color you pair it with!!

This was another one of the cards that everyone made last Monday night. Flower Shop and Rose Wonder are also both retiring at the end of May!!

Stamps: Flower Shop (retiring), Rose Wonder (retiring)

Cardstock: Dapper Denim (retiring), Basic Gray, Whisper White

Ink: Dapper Denim (retiring)

Accessories: Pansy Punch (retiring), Silver 1/8" Ribbon (retiring), 

Clear faceted Gems, Stampin' Dimensionals

I made awesome progress on Hanna's thank you notes completing almost half of them . . . 200 done!!  I am planning on working on them again today as well as getting ready for Wine and Cheese stamping night here at the house. The last two days have been great for staying inside warm and cozy!!  Who knew my space heater would still be in use at the middle of April!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 15, 2018

Waterfront

I am so glad that the waterfront stamp set will be carrying forward to the new catalog in June.  The artwork is awesome and the sentiments even better!!

This is one of the cards everyone made last month at the Waterfront stamp night.

Stamps: Waterfront

Cardstock: Lemon Lime Twist, Dapper Denim, Whisper White

Ink: So Saffron, Dapper Denim, Pool Party, 

Sahara Sand, Lemon Lime Twist 

Accessories: Old Olive and Early Espresso Markers, 

Linen Thread, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

I received this picture from a friend yesterday.  She had ordered Paper Pumpkin for her daughter because she loves to craft.  It makes my heart happy to be able to share my love of crafting with other people, especially young people . . . because after all they are the ones who will carry on this tradition to other people in the future.

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 14, 2018

Flower Shop 

The second technique we worked with Thursday night was making a sparkly embossed background using a retiring favorite . . . Dazzling Diamonds.   Whatever am I goin to do without it . . . dazzling Diamonds has been a conversation starter for many years!!!

The two colors used here . . . Wisteria Wonder and Pool Party are also retiring colors!!!   BOO!!!

Stamps: Flower Shop, Beautiful Day

Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party, Whisper White

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party

Accessories: Layered Leaves Embossing Folder, Big Shot,
Versamark, Heat Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 

Pansy Punch, Clear Faceted Gems, Silver 1/8" Ribbon, 

Banner Triple Punch, Whisper White 1/4" Organza Ribbon, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

I made great headway on Hanna's thank you notes yesterday.  I have all of the cardstock cut, and half of them scored and folded with the white insides adhered.  This morning I am going to do some stamping of the front piece so that I can finish scoring, folding, and adhering inside pieces and also put some fronts on this afternoon while watching the baseball game.  Today and tomorrow are supposed to be awful weather days so they are perfect to spend in my craft room and watching baseball games!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 13, 2018

Beautiful Day

I had started my swaps for Milwaukee before I made the decision not to go. Since I had the cardstock all cut I decided to turn it into a technique card for Technique/Stamp Club last night.  

Sometimes I want an embossing powder color that Stampin' Up! does not carry so I used Versamark, regular ink, and clear embossing powder to make the black embossed flower.

Stamps: Beautiful Day

Cardstock: Basic Black, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Memento Black

Accessories: layered Leaves Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 

Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 

Real Red Reinker, Old Olive Reinker, AquaPainter, 

Clear Faceted Gems, Stampin' Dimensionals

What is this huge stack of cardstock you might ask???  It will be turned into 600 wedding invitations and inserts, 400 thank you notes, and 600 wedding programs for Hanna and her best friend before the end of May!!!  I think I have my work cut out for me!!! 

I had better go get busy!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 12, 2018

Butterfly Basics

I surely hope there is a butterfly set in the new catalog that is as awesome as this one!!!  I think this is one stamp and framelit set that will forever be in my collection!!

This is another one of the cards that everyone made this week at Make-It-Monday.  I am sure it will be making another appearance before May 31st when it retires for good!!  Just because you are retired doesn't mean you aren't awesome!!

Stamps: Butterfly Basics

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Flirty Flamingo, Whisper White

Ink: Flirty Flamingo, Basic Black

Accessories: Butterfly Thinlits Dies, Big Shot, Mini Glue Dots, Linen Thread

Wow . . . what a difference a little rest and a good night's sleep make!!  I felt like a whole new person yesterday.  I spent most of it in my stamp room getting past packets stamped up and working a little on what I wanted to do for Technique/Stamp Club tonight.  I have several errands to run today so will be going to Iowa City early to do those before club tonight.

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 11, 2018

Paisleys & Posies

A blog I follow, StamperCamper, had this card on her blog a while ago.  I thought it would be perfect for the Make-It-Monday featuring retiring colors. I didn't think we were going to be able to finish this card as is because I had forgotten a Versamark pad, but one of my stamping friends, MaryBeth bailed me out and brought one from her home.

I have used a lot of the stamps in this set before, but these four had never seen any ink, so it was good to use them before they retire as well!! 

Stamps: Paisleys& Posies

Cardstock: Dapper Denim, Whisper White, Copper Foil

Ink: Dapper Denim, Lemon Lime Twist

Accessories: Versamark, Copper Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Yesterday reminded me of Tired Tuesday from a couple of years ago.  I don't think I moved from my recliner, other than to fix meals and get something to drink.  I turned on the Cubs game to watch it and saw the first pitch, but that was about all.  Today promises to be better as I have several errands I need to run and I would like to get a start on Hanna's thank you notes as she has a wedding shower coming shower coming up here in about ten days!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 10, 2018

Floral Phrases

Sweet Sugarplum is one of the colors I am really going to miss when it retires May 31st, but I am sure there will be a new one that I will come to love just as much.  It really plays well with the Rich Razzleberry color.

This is one of the cards that everyone made last night at Make-It-Monday last night.

Stamps: Floral Phrases, Blooms and Wishes

Cardstock: Sweet Sugarplum, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Ink: Sweet Sugarplum, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Layering Ovals Framelits, Garden Trellis,

 Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Stampin' Dimensionals

Today is going to be a total day of rest.  After the last week, I can freely admit that I am tired.  I am not planning on doing anything other than maybe reading a good book and watching the Cubs home opener.  Who knew that it would be postponed yesterday because of snow!!  I am so ready for spring!!! 

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 9, 2018

Tranquil Tulips

Is this really April??  If this snow does not stop we never will see some of these tulips.  This is one of the hostess sets in the current catalog that I really like and will be sorry to see leave at the end of May.

Make-It-Monday tonight is featuring the retiring In-Colors and Peekaboo Peach is one of them I am going to miss a lot!!  Who am I kidding . . . I am going to miss all of them!!

Stamps: Tranquil Tulips

Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Peekaboo Peach, Whisper White

Ink: Peekaboo Peach, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Layered Leaves Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Stampin' Dimensionals

With the exception of the car being packed everything is ready to go for tonight.  I have several errands to run before stamp night so we will hope that the weather cooperates with me and lets me get them all done!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 8, 2018

Southern Serenade

There are so many sets in the Occasions catalog that I really hope make it into the main catalog when it is released in June, and Southern Serenade is one of them.

There are many things that you can do with it, although I have mainly used it by coloring in the flowers.

Stamps: Southern Serenade

Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Sweet Sugarplum, Basic black, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Sweet Sugarplum

Accessories: Smoky Slate and Sweet Sugarplum Markers

We made it to southern Illinois and back without any trouble, getting home last evening.  While the reason for  the trip was sad, it is always good to spend time with family.  

And remember . . . 

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

Happy Stamping!!