July 23, 2025

Gallery Blooms

Today's card is one of last week's Make-It-Monday cards.  I received this card in a swap but do not remember where.

I started with a piece of Basic White Thick and added an piece of Basic White that had been embossed with the Damask 3D Embossing Folder.  The flowers were stamped with Memento Black and colored with Real Red Stampin Blend Combo pack.  The greeting from Beautiful Motifs was embossed with Gold Embossing Powder.  My friend, Bev, who does not like tone on tone cards is going to put a layer of gold foil between the two white pieces of cardstock for a different look.

Posting has been a bit sporadic lately and will continue to be so until the 5th of August.  Mann Camp and a cruise will keep me busy so will post when I am able!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

July 16, 2025

The Right Words

Today's card is one I made a while back with Susie.  For some reason the photo is showing very yellow tints, where as in real life it is actually Pecan Pie and Basic Beige.

The center of the designer series paper was actually cut out with a Textured Note Die and then adhered back in place with some dimensionals.  The Beautiful Gallery has several designs that would work for this technique.  Some are brown toned and many are blue toned.

Today is a rest day at home day.  After the weekend stamp sale and whirlwind trip to Minneapolis, and stamp class on Monday I am spending a couple days resting.  Tomorrow is an Oncology appointment day and then is Mann Camp and a cruise to Alaska, so I think I will rest now!! 

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

Happy Stamping!!

July 12, 2025

Textured Notes

Today I am sharing the last of this week's Cards in the Mail.  It is a masculine looking card using the Textured Notes stamp set and the new On Line Exclusive Designer Series Paper, Need For Tweed. 

The basic card is Early Espresso with .5" X 4.75" strips of paper.  You will need six coordinating patterns of the paper.  I used the Textured Notes Dies for the sentiment pieces.

Despite the hot weather in the afternoon and the deluge of rain in the evening, the first day of my stamp sale was a success.  The house was full of stampers looking for bargains.  I am open again today from 9-1 and then will be taking off for Adel so I can go on a girl's trip to Maple Grove, Minnesota with my sister-in-law and her family.  We are going to an author presentation of one of our favorite author's . . . Ruth Ware.  I will not be posting tomorrow or Monday morning as both are super early get up and go kind of mornings.

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

Happy Stamping!!

July 11, 2025

Simple Birthday

Today I am using the stamp set, Simple Birthday, to show a fun new technique . . . Drop Shadow Stamping.

I stamped my happy birthday full strength in  Strawberry Slush full strength and then stamped it a second time, offsetting it just a little without reinking the stamp.  It gives a shadowy effect to the words.  You can use this tehnique with any stamp but there are three word stamp sets that work particularly well . . . theis Simple Birthday, Congrats, and Thanking You.  It is a super simple technique yet looks really cool!!

I am all set up and ready to go for my stamp sale this afternoon and tomorrow morning.  Of all the mornings the mornings to oversleep, this morning was not ideal.  I did not set my alarm because I have been waking up by at least 7:30 every morning so decided it wasn't necessary.  Wouldn't you know it . . . I slept till 9:45!!  I must have been tireder than I thought!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

July 9, 2025

Painterly Pears Designer Series Paper

I rarely make a card without a sentiment on it, but here is one.  I didn't think I liked this suite at all when I first saw it, but I must tell you I am in love with the designer series paper.

If I were to put a sentiment on this card I think I would either stamp it on the Old Olive in the lower right hand corner or add the sentiment in the lower right hand corner of the focal piece.  What would you do?

Late post today . . . I had an appointment this morning and then stopped at the grocery store.  I am hoping to get the rest of my boxes sorted and placed where they will go onto tables starting tomorrow.  I think it will make it easier to get everything set out in a timely fashion.  I did manage to go through every piece of paper in my stamping room and also got through all of the punches.  I have a ton of punches that I am getting rid of so if yu are in need of punches, I am your person!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

July 8, 2025

Simply Said

I think I have finally caught up on my rest and sleep and can go back to a normal schedule.  There is a reason you have your children when you are young!!  Yesterday morning I had to get this week's packet of Cards in the Mail ready to go and forgot all about posting.  This is one of the cards that is in the packet.

This flowered paper is in a package called Floral Charm anad is one of July's On Line Exclusive products.  The flowers are certainly all charming and there is not a single pattern that I do not like.  I had one package of it here and had to order more yesterday because I know I will use it a lot!!  This layout is one of my favorites, but always seems to look different when I use different paper.  I struggled to find an embossing folder that I thought coordinated with the paper and finally landed on the Happy Hibiscus 3D Embossing Folder.  The flowers are not quite the same, but similar enough.

Today, I am going to sort through my punches and decide which I am keeping and which are going to my garage sale this weekend.  I also went through another drawer set and found a lot of 12" X 12" designer series paper that is going to the garage sale as well.  The only paper I kept from that set of drawers was anything that had black and gold in it, as well as the black and gold solid 12" X 12" paper.  Maybe after I get home from my cruise I can actually start to scrapbook some things, instead of collecting pictures and paper!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

July 4, 2025

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy 4th of July!!  As I told my friend, Luetta, when we went to lunch yesterday . . . I love the 4th of July!!

I used the same products for this card as I did for the card I posted yesterday. . . .Painted Stripes and Simply Said.

This card is a Triple Panel Gatefold Card!!  The middle panel opens to the left and the other two open to the right.

I don't normally decorate the inside of my cards but since this is a special day, I decided it needed a special card!!

I am ready for the day.  The kids will be here in about 20 minutes and I am sure they are ready for the parade and all of the candy that will be thrown their way!!  There might not be a post for the next two days as Hanna and Jake are leaving the kids with John and I and are going away to celebrate their anniversary.  Hopefully I can keep the kids entertained for two days . . . I want to take them swimming.  I hope the weather cooperates.

 

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

Happy Stamping!!

July 3, 2025

Painted Stripes

It is no secret that I love the 4th of July!!  And the red, white, and blue color combination.  So of course I had to make some cards to celebrate!!

This is the first card I made yesterday.  I am super pleased with the way it came out.  The Painted Stripes stamp set really makes the perfect flag.  The stripes look like the flag blowing in the wind to me.  I did use a retired star punch as I didn;t want to get my die cut machine out.  It was much easier!!  I used Secret Sea as my base but it is really dark.  Maybe Night of Navy would have been a better choice.  What do you think?

I have one more trip to Iowa City to get some groceries and a stop at Hobby Lobby to grt another wreath.  I got one when I was there the other day and almost picked up two but did not.  Now I wish I had, so back I go!!  Good thing Hobby Lobby and Hy-Vee are next to each other!!

 

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

Happy Stamping!!

July 2, 2025

With You In Mind

I have a fun fold card to share with you using the stamp set, With You in Mind (this stamp set is an Online Exclusive but it can also be found on page 37 in the new Annual Catalog), Floral in Bloom Designer Series Paper, Stylish Shapes Dies, 2 3/8" Circle Punch (this product can be found in Online Exclusives) and 2024-2026 In Color Flat Pearls.

I started with a piece of Summer Splash cardstock. I then embossed a piece of Basic White cardstock using the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder.   I adhered it to the Summer Splash cardstock.  I cut another piece of Summer Splash cardstock for the flap and scored it. I added a strong adhesive to the back and adhered it to the card front

I stamped the sentiment in Summer Splash ink onto Basic White cardstock. I punched it out with the 2-3/8 Circle Punch (I didn’t use the Stylish Shapes Dies, because the sentiment wouldn’t fit). I then cut a Peach Pie circle using the Stylish Shapes Dies and adhered the sentiment to the front.  On the back of the Peach Pie circle, I added Stampin’ Dimensionals on one side only and adhered it to the flap.   To complete my card, I added a piece of Basic White cardstock to the inside and three Summer Splash embellishments to the front of the card.

I started reading when I got up this morning and totally forgot about my post.  My friend, Joan, called and wanted to know if I wanted to meet her in Kalona for lunch and then look at new sewing machines.  I will have to say they sure have changed since I bought one!!  After lunch I made a couple of patriotic cards for the 4th of July and when I am done with this I am going back to my book!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

July 1, 2025

Layered Thoughts

Today I am sharing with you a flowery birthday card make with the stamp set Layered Thoughts.

My card today showcases the Floral Impressions Designer Series Paper, showing you a couple of the patterns in the paper package.  These coordinate wonderfully, which is one thing I really like about Stampin' Up! products . . . the perfect coordination!!  I also used the Textured Notes Dies and embellished my card with the 2024-2026 In Color Flat Pearls.  I am really pleased with how the card turned out.  I think anyone would be happpy to receive this card.  If you would like to make one of your own this is in this week's Cards in the Mail packet.

 

Today looks like a beautiful day to run errands and be out and about, which is exactly what I am going to do.  I have a nail appointment first thing this afternoon and an appointment for my neck and shoulder aftr that. As soon as I am done posting this I am headed out the door to do a little shopping and errand running before my appointments.  There may be a little organizing or cross stitching when I get home.

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

Happy Stamping!!