March 31, 2025

Thankful Garden

Today's card is one that is in this week's Cards in the Mail.  It uses the Thankful Garden Suite which is an Online exclusive product.

I found this card and layout on line and really liked the fact that the designer series paper was all the way to the left rather than centered.  This paper is stunning and the picture does not really do it justice.  When layered on the black and Fresh Freesia cardstock it really pops.  Think of all the other layouts you could do with a piece of 4" X 3" designer series paper and a piece of cardstock.

My day started early with a haircut appointment and then I had some errands to run and orders to deliver and I am just now sitting down to write my post.  I am thinking a nap sounds like a good idea when I am done!

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 30, 2025

Storybook Life

Today I have a piece of framed art to share with you instead of a card.  This is one of the projects we made at the Sisters' Retreat earlier in the month.

We used the Mixed Media Florals Memories and More Card Pack to make this wonderful reminder of spring.  The only stamping was the "Hello Spring" from the Storybook Life Scrapbooking stamp set.  Please ignore the crooked blue banner piece underneath the sentiment.  I did not even notice it was crooked until I went to write this post and I did not want to take it apart to fix it.  At least not this morning!!  For the most part everything was ready for us to adhere this project together . . . just a little bit of fussy cutting around the bottom flowers and to flag the ends of the banners.  Everything else was precut or a sticker from the card pack set.  It was a super simple project that we started the event with on Friday night.

Today looks to be a bit of a dreary day . . . wish they could all be like yesterday.  I am planning on a basketball, cardstock cutting kind of day today.  Hopefully I can throw in some reading as well.

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 29, 2025

Beautiful Butterflies

My card today is part of a four card set that I made at the Stampin' Sisters retreat a few weeks ago.  I will be sharing the other three cards later so be sure to watch for them.

Daffodil Delight was the card base with a layer of Basic White and then a layer of the Floral Delight Designer Series Paper.  We die cut the butterfly out of the bottom of the white sentiment piece and backed it with a square of the Daffodil Delight so that the Lemon Lolly butterfly die-cut would stand out.  With the sentiment, Low Profile Dots and Daffodil Delight ribbon for embellishments, our card was done.  Such a bright springy card . . . Let's hope Spring is right around the corner. 

As soon as I am done posting this I need to finish getting ready for a stamping day with friends.  We will be sharing what we learned at On Stage and also stamping with some new products.  I am excited to see what all we will be making.  The two cards I am sharing focus soley on the five new In Colors and do not use new stamps.  I am hoping to get to play with those sometime this week.

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 28, 2025

Beautiful Butterflies

Today's card contains very little stamping, but is still a cool card!!

I started with a card base of Thick Basic White cardstock and added layers of Pretty in Pink and Soft Sea Foam.  On top of that I added two patterns from the Wildflower Birthday Specialty Designer Series Paper.  I added a little bit of the Gold Twisted Thread on the left side of the card.  I embossed my sentiment with gold embossing powder and popped it up on my card with mini dimensionals.   And my card was done!! 

Today I need to get my cardstock cut for the downline/sideline demo meeting tomorrow.  I know exactly what I am doing and there are only going to ten of us there so it shouldn;t take to long to get it all done.  I am hoping I can do it without aggrivating my back because right now it is pretty good!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 27, 2025

Darling Dinos

This cute kid's birthday card is one of the cards everyone stamping with me this week got to make.  The more I work with this set the better I like it.

This is sort of an odd color combination . . . but then I guess this is sort of an odd dinosaur as well.   I love how he turned out . . . I have used the other two dinosaurs in the set quite a bit, but not this one.  Now I think he is my favorite.  Just think of the color combinations you could use to make the dinosaur look totally different.

Today is going to be an organizing day before I take John to an appointment first thing this afternoon.  When we get home, I am planning on cutting cardstock for the swaps I am taking to a downline/sideline demo meeting this weekend.

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 26, 2025

Spotlight on Nature

Today's card is one that everyone stamping with me on Monday got to make.  It features the Spotlight on Nature stamp set and dies.

This is a swap I received at On Stage and it does use some retired products.  The punch used for the sentiment is retired and I think the actual sentiment is retired as well because I could not find it in any of the current stamps, but I do remember it as being a Stampin' Up! stamp.  I love how the Spotlight on Nature circles fit in the Embossing Folder.  This card could be used for any occasions with a change out of sentiments and if you don't have that punch anymore, you could use anything that gave you a long skinny piece.

No appointments, no deadlines, no book to read for book club . . . what to do, what to do???  I want to try and organize my pre-pre-order from Stampin' Up! and mark off in my catalog what I got so that I don't end up ordering two of the same thing.  I know, I know . . . who would do such a silly thing, but it has been known to happen!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 25, 2025

With You in Mind

Today's card is one of the Cards in the Mail from a couple of weeks ago.  I saw this on my friend, Susie's, blog and loved the colors in it.

The Mixed Florals Designer Series Paper is one that I thought was super hideous when I first saw it, but I must say that it has certainly grown on me.  I believe the trick is to use it in small bits and pieces and then it is not so overwhelming.  The Poppy Parade and Garden Green cardstock tend to tone it down a little bit.  You might notice that I have a Garden Green layer underneath the white sentiment piece.  Since the Hexagon Punch only comes in one size, so I punched two of them in Garden Green and cut one in half vertically and the other in half horizontally and then layered them on the back of the white one.

Today so far has been kind of a lazy day.  As soon as I am done posting this I am headed out the door to a nail appointment.  I cancelled my last appointment because of the icy weather so am looking forward to having them done so it is easier to type and stuff.  I am hoping to get some organization done of the stamping stuff that is sitting in boxes in the kitchen when I get home.

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 24, 2025

Friends For Life

Today I am sharing one of the cards everyone stamping with me this afternoon will get to make.  It is one I received in a swap at On Stage.

The basic card is just layering Thick Basic White and regular Basic White with a piece of the Full of Life Designer Series Paper.  I then die cut the word "friend" and colored it with various colors and my small blending brushes.  I layered this onto the outline die-cut for the word friend and adhered it to the card.  I used quite a few dimensionals on this card. . . you could use as many or a few as you like.  I finished it off with a few Iridescent Faceted Gems because all cards need some bling.

I can hardly believe it,mbut my kitchen counter is cleaned off of all my stamping stuff other than what we will be usingmthis afternoon.  Imdon't think it has been that way since Christmas . . . now the trick is to keep it that way!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 23, 2025

Beautiful Butterflies

Today's simple birthday card is one of this week's Cards in the Mail.  It was a card I got as a swap either at On Stage or Sister's Retreat . . . I don't remember which.

My rule of thumb is that cards always need some type of embellishment and layers.  This card had the layers but no embellishments.  Without totally redoing the whole thing I just added some of the Low Profile Dots I had laying on my stamping table.

I think it made a difference . . . how about you?  It is such a simple thing to add and brightens it up.  Technically I should have three embellishments but decided to stop at the two on the sentiment piece.

Today is going to be another basketball watching kind of day.  It is amazing how much I got accomplished yesterday while watching the games.  Today all I have left to do is cut the cardstock for tomorrow night's Make-It-Monday.  I may try and sort out all of my designer series paper that has been sitting on the counter into four groups . . . current, spring mini catalog, On Line Exclusive, and retired.  It sure makes it easier when I can just throw the scraps into a bag to give to my sister-in-law's mom.  I know she always puts them to good use!

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 22, 2025

Thankful Garden

Today's card is one I received from my friend, Susie, as a swap at On Stage last week.  It uses several On Line Exclusive products.

It doesn't really show in the photos but this is a Z-fold card.  I love making Z-fold cards to add interest to them.  The other thing I really like about this card is that there is no die-cutting, only punching.  If you are a fan of black and white cards then this is the card for you.

My day has already been busy and productive. I have already been to Iowa City to get some groceries for us and to pick up some stuff for Hanna and made up a care package to drop off at the hospital for her friend who has a daughter in the PICU at the University.  Walmart and Bruegger’s Bagel are not that busy at 7:30 in the morning.  I was home by 9:00.  I think it is time for a nap except I want to watch the Iowa women at 11.

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 21, 2025

Unbounded Love

Today's card is one I think I got ads a swap at On Stage.  It used the March On Line Exclusive Designer Series Paper Botanical Textures.

Although this paper look like Basic Black in the photo is it actually Blackberry Bliss.  The center strip of cardstock and designer series paper is popped up on dimensionals as is the square of Blackberry Bliss holding the birthday sentiment.  The Basic White sentiment piece is also popped up on dimensionals . . . lots of dimension in this card.  As I said, I did not make this card and I am not actually sure what she used as an embellishment . . . you could use whatever you have in your stash that you think looks good.

Today is going to be a basketball watching kind of day.  I am watching the Iowa State girls as I type this.  As soon as this game is over I will transition to the Iowa State men's basketball game.  I can be an Iowa State fan sometimes and the NCAA Tournaments are one of them. 

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 20, 2025

Any Sentiment You Like

Today's card is a generic card that you can use any sentiment you want or need.  It is super simple if you want to make a lot of them.

I started with a Basic White Thick card base abd added a layer of Boho Blue cardstock.  My next step was to layer the two patterns of designer series paper onto the white cardstock and add that to the card base.  I stamped my sentiment with Boho Blue ink and popped it up on my card with some Stampin' Dimensionals and then added a couple of Iridescent Basic Pearls to either end of the sentiment.  My super simple card was done!!

My first job today is to get my kitchen table cleaned off so that we can have our Sale-a-Bration Celebration this afternoon.  The cardtock is all cut and stuffed into envelopes and the directions are typed up and printed off.  I am also hoping to get a head start on planning and preparing next Monday's Make-It-Monday!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 18, 2025

Birthday Celebration

Today's card is another easy one using the Wildflower Birthday Designer Specialty Paper.

I started with a base of Pool Party and added a layer of white that was embossed with the Starstruck Embossing Folder whch was a Sale-a-Bration item.  I punched two labels with the To the Point Punch . . . one white and one Pool Party.  I cut the Pool Party one in half horizontally and put one half on the top and one on the bottom.  I wrapped some of the Gold Open Weave trim around the card and added some Party Dots and my card was done!

As soon as I am done posting this I am out the door for a day of shopping in Des Moines with a friend.  Since it is spring break for her we decided to take advantage of that and go a little further than Iowa City to see if we could find anything new and different.

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 17, 2025

Textured Notes

Today's card is one I took as a swap to the Sister's retreat and also to On Stage.  I just changed up the colors and the stamp set from a card I posted earlier.  You can see that card here.

I was aiming for a sunset background and while I did not achieve that I am pleased with the way this one turned out.  You can't see it in the photo but it is actually a Z-card which adds a little more interest.  I started by die-cutting an arch out of a piece of Basic White cardstock the same size as the top layer of the card.  I used this piece as a mask for sponging in the colors in the arch.  I used Pumpkin Pie first along the outside of the arch and then filled in the center with Daffodil Delight and Peach Pie. The stamping was all done with Momento Black.  Add some embellishments and you are done. 

I made 35 of these cards for the Sister's retreat and another 27 for On Stage.  They were pretty easy to do from my recliner and did not have a ton of die-cutting on them.

On Stage was so much fun and  am brimming with ideas I want to try.  I had promised myself I would slow down some when I got home and that is going to e very hard to do now.  We were very fortunate that we had no trouble getting home yesterday.  Our flight left at 5:45 in the morning . . . before the storms hit North Caroline.  We had a very rough flight to Detroit but other than that our flights were on time and I was home before noon.  My recliner and heating pad were calling my name so that is where I stayed all afternoon figuring out my pre-pre-order from the new Annual Idea Book and Catalog!!

Today is going to be a catch up day to get things back in order in the house and also an appointment this afternoon for my neck and shoulder.  Other than that it will be mostly a rest day.

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 12, 2025

Memorable Blooms

Greetings from the Detroit airport!!  I left home at 6:00 this morning to go to Susie's house so we could head to Des Moines and our flight to Raleigh, North Carolina.  We had a slight layover in Detroit, which is now going to be a bit longer since our next flight is delayed.

Our card today is a super simple one.  It uses some of the die cuts from the Wildflower Birthday Specialty Designer Series Paper.

It doesn't get much easier than this.  I layered some Pretty in Pink, Night of Navy, and some Basic White for the start of the card.  The rest of the layers are from the Designer Series Paper, including the bouquet and the piece that the sentiment is stamped on.

Hopefully we will be on our way soon!!  

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 11, 2025

Pattern of Friendship

Today's card is one my friend, Susie, made . . . although I used a different stamp set.  The Pattern of Friendship is one of the new March On Line Exclusive stamp sets.  

This card also uses On Line Exclusive Designer Series Paper . . . Serene Love.  This is one of the packages of paper that is the same designs as an earlier pack, just different color schemes.  This paper is now on the Last Chance list and is a great bargain.  It has such pretty flower patterns on one side and geometric patterns on the other side.

Today I HAVE to get my suitcase packed because I am leaving before 6:30 tomorrow morning to meet up with Susie and head to the airport for our flight to North Carolina and On Stage.  To say I am excited is an understatement.  This is another one of those places and activities that I never thought I would do again!  I plan to soak up every moment!!  Not sure how much blog posting I will be able to get done . . . it will be sporadic at best!

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 10, 2025

Beautiful Butterflies

Our card today uses the Beautiful Butterfly stamp set and dies.  It is one everyone got to make that came to the Transplant Birthday class.

I started with a card base of Berry Burst and layered it with a piece of Petunia Pop cardstock.  I embossed the next Basic White layer with the Beautiful Butterflies 3D Embossing folder.  I die cut a Petunia Pop butterfly outline and layered it with the Berry Burst butterfly and a Pebbled Path body.  I added some of the Adhesive-Backed Sequins Trio and I was done.  I love the way it turned out.

This weekend was three days full of stamping, visiting with friends, and eating too much food!!  I will say I am tired so today and tomorrow will be total rest days as I get ready for my next trip which starts early Wednesday morning.  No stamping for me these two days as I want my back to settle down so I can enjoy On Stage.

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 6, 2025

Memorable Blooms

Today's card is one that everyone stamping with me last week got to make and also one that came from the Stampin' Sister's Demo Day last month.

We started the card by die-cutting the center out of a piece of Basic White cardstock and stamping it with a stamp from the Elements of Text using Soft Sea Foam ink.  We adhered the white piece to a piece of Petal Pink cardstock and inserted the Elements of Text piece of cardstock back into the center of the card.  That was then layered onto a Soft Sea Foam card base.  The leaves and flowers were stamped and die cut from the Memorable Blooms stamps and dies and colored with Soft Sea Foam and Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends.  You will notice that I left the sentiment pirce blank on my sample card because I am not sure what occasion I might need such an elegant card for.

Today I get to do one of my least favorite things. . . go to the dentist and have some cavities filled.  Chemotherapy and the transplant did a number of my teeth (on top of already having not so good teeth) so I have several cavities that need to be filled.  We are starting today with the first four and then have four more that will be filled in April.  At least I have something fun to look forward to tomorrow as I will be going to a stamping retreat.  Yesterday I finished up the 35 cards I needed for that swap and also made 26 extra that I can take to On Stage and swap there.  it was a good feeling to have all of those done and bagge and ready to go!  

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

Happy Stamping!!

February 5, 2025

One More Year

Hold on to your party hats, today!!  As I sit here typing this and listening to the wind blow, I am glad there is no place I have to go or anywhere I have to be.  This wrinkly little dog birthday card is one everyone got to make when they came to the special birthday class in February.  It is a card I made at the Demo Day back at the beginning of the month.

This is a perfect birthday card for the guys in your life!!  The brown plaid paper from the Timeless Plaid Designer Series Paper Pack scream masculine and we all now how hard it is to come up with cards for guys.  There is not even much coloring on this grouchy little dog, but what a cute card.

The hard part of my swaps are all done . . . the stamping and the coloring are all done and they are mostly put together.  I just need to add the last layer with Stampin' Dimensionals and they will be complete.  I went ahead and made about 25 more cards than I need for this weekend so I can take them to On Stage with me in case I decide I want to swap there.  I am hoping to be done with the bu the time John's lunch arrives (if it is coming today with the weather)at about 11:15.  Wish me luck!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 4, 2025

With You In Mind

Today's card which is one of this weeks Cards in the Mail card is SUPER SUPER simple.  Yet I think it is one anyone would love to receive.

I started with a card base of Pretty Peacock and adhered a piece of Frames and Flowers Designer Series Paper tot he front.  I took one of the wreaths that was pre-cut from the kit and added a 2 3/8" white circle to it.  Stamped my sentiment, added some embellishments and I was done!  It doesn't get much simpler than that!

Other than taking our taxes to the tax office, I stayed home all day and worked on stamping stuff.  I got a LOT done but I still have a lot more to do before Friday!  Good thing I have nothing on my calendar again today as I will be working on trying to get everything done so I can rest on Thursday!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 3, 2025

Mixed Florals

This On Line Exclusive stamp set was one that did not appeal to me at all when I first saw it, but it is certainly growing on me.  Has that ever happened to you?  This card is one that everyone stamping last week got to make.

There is quite a bit of coloring on this card but it does go fast.  You could make it for any occasion with a change out of sentiment.  The Petal Pink Stampin' Blends color pretty lightly so you just have to keep going over and over the area to make it this dark, but I love the way it turned out.  All of the products used in this card are in the Mixed Florals suite.

First job on my list for today is already done . . . get the dishes done!!  Second on my list is to get my blog post done which I am doing now.  Third job on my to-do list is to finish getting this week's Cards in the Mail    Next on the list is to work on my swaps for this weekend.  That may take me the rest of the day but at least I have several shows on my laptop to catch up on so the time should go pretty fast.  I am hoping to get them done yet today.  I will come up for air and rest after that!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

March 1, 2025

Darling Dinos

Today's card is one we made a while back at Make-It-Monday.  I just love how it turned out.  I am going to need to save this until September because it will be the perfect card for Shayra!!

As I think about it now I will have to come up with another card for her because I changed this one up into a Valentine's Day card and sent to one of the kids.  I changed the sentiment on the front to say Happy Valentine's Day and inside it says "Roar means I Love You in Dinosaur".  This is a set that I will be keeping around even if it retires at the end of April because I will probably always need kid's cards . . . at least for a while and this makes great kid cards.  There is a lot of coloring on this card, but that is a mindless thing I can do while watching TV . . . and you know  . . . baseball season is right around the corner!!

Today is a stay at home and rest day . . . yesterday started out with a dermatology appointment where they did a couple more biopsies of spots, froze a spot, and dug a little spot put.  As long as the biopsies come out okay I am done there for at least six months.  After that I met a high school friend for lunch.  We haven't seen each other for over 20 years so there was a lot of catching up to do.  Not a lot of stamping done yesterday, but a good day none-the-less. 

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

Happy Stamping!!