May 29, 2025

Spotlight on Nature

Today's card is another one I found in a bag in my stamping room.  there were three or four cards in the cello bag and like I said I can't remember where they came from.  I will share the other one tomorrow.

I love the monochromatic look of this card.  It does help that green is one of my favorite stamping colors.  The mixing and matching of the designer series paper is perfect for the leaf focal point.  

Today looks to be another beautiful day.  I worked in my stamping room yesterday putting away baggies and baggies of Stampin' Blends.  I tested them all and then labeled the ends of them before putting them on my away.  When my friend and I go to a stampin' retreat I just put the blends we need in a ziplock bag to ttransport them.  I had bags and bags of them to put away because I had not done that since before I got sick in 2023.  It took me all afternoon and part of the evening to finish them all.  I then finished up my swaps . . . which is another first to have them done before leaving.  

Today my friend, Luetta, and I are going to a funeral visitation in Newton.  A former co-worker's husband passed away and Luetta asked if I would go with her.  Not sure what time we are leaving but I am ready whenever she says she is headed this way.  I know she has to work part of this afternoon.  I am sure we will grab supper somewhere on the way home.  I don't like the reason for the drive, but it is a beautiful day to be out and about.

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 28, 2025

Sweet Blooms

Today's card is another one I made at Susie's event back in March.  It uses a new bundle and designer series paper.

Susie had most of the work done for us already.  All we had to do was to adhere the pieces together.  The combination of Shy Shamrock and Secret Sea is not one I would normally use bit it looks great together.  In the photo the Secret Sea looks black but it is a VERY deep navy blue.  I think this card turned out perfect.

Today is a laundry day and a clean a little bit in my stamp room. I am setting my timer and only working 30 minutes at a time for two reasons . . . I don;t want to get too tired and I don't want anything to hurt.  This seems to be working pretty well because it looks better each time I go in there.

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

Happy Stamping!!

MAY 27, 2025

Impressions Abloom

Here is the last of the Cards in the Mail for last week.  I used one of my favorite designer series papers in the Floral Impressions package for this card.

I started with a card base of Misty Moonlight and added an embossed piece of Basic White cardstock.  I used the Eyelet Embossing Folder but you could use any patterned embossing folder you have and like.  I cut two pieces of the designer series paper and layered them on to Misty Moonlight and added them to the card front.  Add a sentiment and some embellishments (that are hard to see but are in the middle of some of the flowers) and you are done!

 

Today started out pretty early.  I had to get the access to the basement cleaned off because we are having our yearly drain clean out done this morning.  Our tree which we had trimmed a while back seems to like to spread its roots through the sewer pipes and needs to be cleaned at least periodically.  Today is the day.

After he is done I am going to continue to work on my swaps for this weekend.  All that is left is the coloring of the flowers and the sentiment piece.  I hope to have them done by the time the baseball game is over tonight.

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 26, 2025

Happy Memorial Day

Our card today is a repeat of one I posted last year.  I realized that I had no new red, white, and blue cards, but wanted to recognize Memorial Day.

Thinking today about my dad and father-in-law and the many other people that have served our country.  We certainly enjoy a lot of freedoms because of their service.  Thank you does not seem like enough.

This would be super easy to recreate with current designer series paper and stamp.  I do love making red, white, and blue cards, but just forgot this year.

Yesterday John and I took an afternoon ride to look at all of the flags. It was the perfect day for picture taking . . . Overcast, breezing blowing, and the flags waving so majestically!

Today will bring a quick trip to Iowa City to pick up an on-line order that I neglected to get yesterday and then the usual stamping and baseball!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 25, 2025

With You In Mind

Today's card is another of this week's Cards in the Mail.  This time we have a masculine birthday card.

With a Pool Party base and a layer of Country Woods designer series paper you have your card started.  I die cut two nesting Textured Note Dies, one in Pool Party and one in Basic White and added them to the card base after stamping the sentiment.  Add some embellishments and my card was done.

It looks to be a gray day today.  I wanted to take a drive and see all of the flags but not sure I want to go on such a day.  John says that pictures will be better with the overcast skies but I am not sure I believe him.  It may just be a normal day . . . watching baseball and stamping!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 23, 2025

Unbounded Love

Here is another one of the flowered Cards in the Mail.  I am loving this designer series paper.

I started with a card base of Thick Basic White and added a layer of Petunia Pop.  I took three strips of Floral Impression Designer Series Paper and added it to a piece of Basic White.  You might notice that the flowers lined up in the strips.  I took a 4.5" X 3" piece of designer series paper and cut it into three 1 inch strips and then layered them on the white in order.  Add to the card with a sentiment and some embellishments and you are done.

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What a beautiful day.  John and I are making a trip to the cemetary in Iowa City to leave some flowers for mom and dad.  Last year that was the first thing I did when I got out of isolation and it was raining.  Today will be a much better day!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 22, 2025

Spotlight on Nature

Cards in the Mail is late this week as we have no card class next Monday because of Memorial Day.  This is one of the cards that everyone will be getting in their packet.  The hardest part of making this card was deciding which designer series paper I wanted to use.

I started with a card base of Summer Splash and added a layer of Basic White that had been embossed with the Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder.  I added a couple of pieces of designer series paper to sime Summer Spash cardstock and layerd them on my card.  After adding some embellishments and a sentiment my card was done.

Today has been a lazy day.  Finishing up Cards in the Mail and enjoying the breeze through the windows.  No baseball today so reading my book may be on the agenda.

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 21, 2025

Spotlight on Nature

Today's card is one I found tucked away in a tote bag I was emptying out.  I don't remember when I got it or who it was from.  It was with two other cards that I will show you another day.

I am sure I got this a while ago so the designer series paper and the embellishments are probably retired but I am sure there is something else that could be substituted that would look great.

As you can see this is a fun fold card with the circle adhered to the bottom half of the front.  What a fun way to add a little something extra to a card.

Baseball and cardstock cutting are on the agenda for this afternoon.  I was going to pull weeds this morning but it was a little chilly for me yet!!  It looks like tomorrow and Friday will be good weed pulling days.  

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 20, 2025

Wooded Acres

Today's sympathy card is another one I made at Susie's event in March.  As you might be able to tell I have not been doing a lot of stamping for myself lately.

The trees are stamped with Old Olive Ink and then lightly sponged with the same ink.  The ground is sponged quite a bit heavier with Old Olive Ink as well.  The sky is sponged with Balmy Blue.  I covered it up with my circles byt the strips are actually woven underneath them.

This would be a great card for about any occasion depending on your sentiment.

As soon as I am done posting this I am headed to Iowa City for an appointment.  Hopefully she can work the kinks out of my neck.  I have a suspicion they are related to my ear infection, but not sure.  I just know it all started at about the same time.  I hope to stamp some when I get home.

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 19, 2025

Paper Tags

Today we have another card or cards featuring all five new In Colors.

Both cards start with a Thick White cardstock base and a layer of Secret Sea.  I then either punched or die cut a variety of sizes of circles.  On this first card I embossed the circles with the Dotted Circles 3D Embossing Folder and adhered them to a piece of Basic White cardstock which was then added to the card.  The finishing touch was some Antique Pearls.

The second card starts the same way with the Thick White Cardstock and Secret Sea layer.  This time I adhered the circles to the Basic White Cardstock before embossing with the Dotted Circles 3D Embossing Folder, giving the whole card an embossed look. 

Which of the two cards do you like better?

Today looks like a dreary day and a good day to stay inside and read.  that is a good thing because I am trying to get my book club book done today.  I don't think I will make it but I can at least try!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 18, 2025

Layered Thoughts

Today I have one of the cards that we made as a Make and Take at On Stage in March.

We started with a prefolded card from the Basic White Assorted Memories & More Cards & Envelopes.  We adhered one pattern to the card and then took a second pattern and ripped diagonally so we had a strip.  We stamped the greeting of out choice on the ripped piece and adhered it to the card.  And that was it.  It has sat on my stamping table since I got home because I thought it was kind of plain.  This morning I added some retired gems that were also sitting on my table and just happened to match.  I am much happier with it now!!

Yesterday was a great day celebrating Zylur.  We got there early and visited with everyone before there was a crowd there.  We ended up leaving about 6:30 so I was actually home by about 9:00.   Today is going to be a cardstock cutting, watching baseball kind of day.  It looks beautiful outside so if it is still warm and not too windy I may read outside after the game is over! 

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 17, 2025

Stampin’ Up! Beautiful Blues Card Kit

I couldn't wait to get the Beautiful Blues Card Kit from the new Annual Idea Book and catalog.  I had time yesterday to put them together.  The designs are stunning and the kit is so quick and easy to put together!

The Beautiful Blues kit includes the exclusive photopolymer stamp set and a Night Of Navy Stampin’ Spot to stamp the pieces of the kit.

I love the beautiful card base on this card!  The only stamping involved is to add the sentiment!

This card features beautiful layering and a few sparkly blue gems!

I love the printing on this card base!  Beautiful!

I love that I’ve got 9 beautiful cards with coordinating envelopes ready to mail out!

As soon as I am done posting this, I need to get ready to leave for my great-nephew's graduation party in Illinois.  I am meeting my brother and sister-in-law in Iowa City and riding over with them.  It will probably be a late night so no stamping for me today!!  I would rather be celebrating anyway!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 16, 2025

Sunrise Sailing

Today's card is another one that I made at Susie's event.  It is made with a bundle I do not have . . . Sunrise Sailing.  The bundle includes the stamp set, Hybrid Embossing folder, and the dies.

We started by embossing the Cloud Cover cardstock with the hybrid embossing folder.  We sponged a little Night of Navy ink on the water and some Craft White on the clouds. The birds were stamped in Night of Navy.  The boat and cloud were stamped and colored or stamped on and then die cut.  I am happy to have a sample made with this bundle since I do not have it.

Today looks to be another beautiful day.  I have a nail appointment in the middle of the afternoon so am not planning on starting anything before I go to that.  I may try to do a little stamping when I get home but I may try and get my book club book finished instead.

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 14, 2025

Party Alphabet Dies

One of the cards that we saw at On Stage in March just reached out and grabbed me.  It was this card made with the Large Letter Dies.

They were one of the first things I put on my first order.  If I was still teaching they would be getting a workout, but they probably will anyway.  This does not use any stamps, but conveys your message perfectly!!  You could actually get a second card by just placing the cut out letters onto Basic White cardstock.  I do think these letters will come in very handy for scrapbooking.

There will be no weeding or walking again today.  My trip to Urgent Care revealed an ear infection with my ear canal being quite swollen and plugged up.  I am not sure how I survived 66 years and never had an ear infection and in the last four years have had several!! 

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 13, 2025

Peaceful View

Today I am sharing a card that everyone stamping with me yesterday got to make.  I love the way it turned out!!

I started by stamping the image from the Peaceful View stamp set  in Secret Sea ink  on a panel of patterned paper from the Beautiful Gallery 6″ x 6″ DSP.  I did use the Stamparatus even though it is retired so that I could get a good dark image.  Then I trimmed down the stamped image to 3-5/8″ x 5″ and adhered it to a rectangle that I’d cut from Secret Sea card stock with one of the Textured Notes Dies.  The sentiment comes from another new stamp set . . . The Right Words.  I think when I make another one of these cards I will stamp it a little higher up so that more of the sky shows and it will lighten up the card.

As soon as I am done posting this I am off to an Urgent Care to have my ear looked at.  It has been progressively getting worse and I have decided that the ache is not going to go away on it's own.  So much for weeding or walking today!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 12, 2025

Cutest Onesie

Again, I have another card that I made with Susie.  It is the cutest baby card!!

The bottom of the dresser is made by using the To The Point punch and punching in the middle to make it look as if there are legs on the dresser.  The drawers are just strips of Crumb Cake cardstock that have been embossed the same as the card.  The Adhesive-Backed Texture Dots serve as the drawer knobs.  Stampers will have a choice of using Pretty in Pink for a girl card or Balmy Blue for a boy card.  Isn't this a cool baby card?

I started the morning with an early morning hair appointment and will finish the day watching the Cubs.  In between times will be spent finishing getting ready for Make-It-Monday and then visiting with stampers as they make their cards.  If I have time I may sit outside and read!  A pretty perfect day if you ask me!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 11, 2025

The Right Words

Happy Mother's Day!!  Today's card is for someone worth celebrating every day, not just Mother's Day.  It is one of the cards everyone stamping with me this week will be making and is another one I got from Susie's event in March.

The base of the card is Petunia Pop cardstock and the next layer is Petunia Pop two -toned cardstock that has been embossed and sanded.  This is a technique that I have used before when we had white core cardstock, but have not done it for years. Since we now have two-toned cardstock in every color, I can see I need to use that technique a little more often.

We had a great day in Des Moines with the kids.  I came home with several plants after a trip to Hanna's favorite greenhouse in the area.  Now the trick will be to keep them alive.

Today's agenda is to cut cardstock and get envelopes stuffed, all while watching the Cubs game later this morning!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 9, 2025

With You In Mind

I am so glad that this stamp set made the cut to be included in the Annual Idea Book and catalog.  I love the big greetings and the fonts that are used.

This is another one of the cards that we made at Susie's a couple of weeks ago.  It is super simple and could be changed out for a variety of occasions with a change of sentiment.  The 2 3/8" circle punch is the perfect size for this sentiment and many others in this set.

What a beautiful day!!  I should be out pulling weeds or taking a walk but I decided to give it a rest today.  We are going to Des Moines tomorrow to meet the kids and I know it will be a busy and full day so decided to rest today and store up my energy!!

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

Happy Stamping!!