May 30, 2026

Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper

It has been a long time since I have posted.  I have been sleeping later in the morning and then forget about posting.  I need to change my routine up so I can get back into the habit of posting daily.  This card is made strictly with designer series paper . . . no sentiment.  You can put what ever you want on the inside.

This is one of the cards that we made at Demp Day in Wisconsin a while back.  It is a super simple card that uyou could add any sentiment to.  I am petty sure this had a sentiment but when I got home it was issing somewhere so I decided to leave it as is and let you decide what and where to put your sentiment.

As soon as I am done posting this I am meeting my friend Joan in Kalona for lunch.  She is on her way home from Mount Pleasant and it is the perfect stop for lunch.  I hope to get either some stamping or some stitchng done this afternoon....but no napping!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 19, 2026

All Aflutter

Today's card is one I took to a Demo Day this last weekend.  It uses the All Aflutter stamp set and coordinating punch.  I love butterflies and have used this bundle on several cards lately.

I started with a card base of Thick Basic White and folded it in half and then folded the front of the card back in half again to make a z fold card.  I added a layer of Hydrangea Hue to the folded back flap to make my card front.  I used a Stampin' Brush to brush some color onto a piece of white cardstock and then added it to the front.  The sentiment and butterflies came next. Some embellishments and I was done.

Today is the day to get all of my stamping stuff off of the dining room table as they are delivering a new one tomorrow along with a new recliner.  I am hoping to keep the table clean of junk once it gets here!  LOL

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 11, 2026

All Aflutter

Today's card is another butterfly card made with the All Aflutter stamp set and punch.  The soft colors definitely remind me of spring.

I started with a card base of Thick White Cardstock and added a layer of Barely Blush.  I took another piece of Basic White cardstock and stamped the vines and sentiment with Gray Granite ink.  I added three Barely Blush butterflies and my card was done.

Today was Make-It-Monday and I think everyone liked the cards that they made.  We were done early so It has been a relaxing late afternoon and evening.  No baseball tonight so it will be an early to bed night!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 10, 2026

Scalloped Blooms

Happy Mother's Day!!  Late post again today as we spent the day with the kids.  I thought this was the perfect card for today because you could send it to anyone who has always been there for you, even if she is not your mother.

I started with a card base of Thick Basic White and Layered it with another piece of Regular Basic White that had been embossed with the Lazy Daisy 3D Embossing Folder.  Taking a piece of designer series paper, I layered it on a piece of gold foil and then a piece of Golden Glow cardstock.    I added a sentiment and some ribbon and my carrd was done.

We spent the day with the kids at Rock Creek State Park by Grinnell.  The kids ran around and fished and had a great time.  The rest of us are pretty tired!!

It was a great day!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 8, 2026

All Aflutter

Just when I think things are going to settle down and I will be able to consistently post to my blog, something rears its ugly head.  So I am sorry for the delay in posting ideas but it has been crazy around here. Today's card uses a stamp and punch set from the new catalog...the All Aflutter bundle.

I used one of the new 2026-2028 In Colors, Hydrangea Hue for my card.  The one thing I would do different is use a darker ink, like Pecan Pie, for the sentiment and the flourishes in the corners.  Otherwise I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out.

 

Today is the first day in a week that I haven't had some type of appointment that took up a lot of the day.  the only thing on the agenda was to go to the pharmacy and pick up the prescriptions from all of the appointments.  Luckily all six of them were ready at the same time and I did not have to make six different trips!!

I would like to work on some swaps for the demo meeting I am going to next weekend . . . I only hope I can stay awake!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 30, 2026

Scalloped Wishes

Today's card features a new product that will be available starting next Tuesday, Velvet Meadow Specialty Designer Series Paper.  This is another one of the beautiful papers that is in the new catalog.  You are going to want  to be sure and order some.

I started with a Berry Burst card base and layered it with a piece of Basic White that has been embossed with the Paradise Garden Hybrid Embossing Folder.   I took two pieces of the designer paper and added them to more Berry Burst cardstock.  I cut two circles with the Stylish Shapes Dies . . . one in Basic White and the other in Berry Burst.  I added some Moody Palette Glass Dots for embellishment and I was done.

Today was another early morning appointment in Iowa City, only this time for the car.  By the time I was done I could have probably bought

30 stamps sets, but at least I will be safe on the road!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 29, 2026

Lovely Blossoms Designer Series Paper

Today's card is one of the Cards in the Mail cards from last week.  It features the beautiful Lovely Blossoms Designer Series Paper.

This is a fun fold card with only part of the front of the card opening.  There is a strip of the designer series paper on the inside of the card which also shows from the outside.  I used the retired stamp Fabulous Phrases, but you could use any sentiment on the front of the card that you like.

Today started with an appointment in Iowa City and then a trip to the grocery store.  Everything is now put away and I am ready to watch some baseball.  Let's hope we have a repeat of last night's game.

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 27, 2026

Scalloped Wishes

Today's card is one of the cards we should have made this afternoon had we not cancelled class because of the impending weather.  It uses the Scalloped Wishes stamp set and the beautiful Delicate Design Specialty Designer Paper.

I used one of the templates I used for Valentine's cards earlier this year.  I love the way the three designer papers coordinate together.  You could change the sentiment to make it any kind of card you need.  You could also flip the way the pieces fit together on the front to make it look totally different.  Great way to make a lot of cards in a short amount of time.

Today was supposed to be Make-It-Monday but we decided to postpone it until next Monday based on the weather forecast.  As it turned out we would have been just fine, but I must admit it did not hurt me to rest another day!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 26, 2026

Lovely Blossoms Designer Series Paper

Today we have another super simple Cards in the Mail using the Lovely Blossoms Designer Series Paper.  This card will be in everyone's packet that gets Cards in the Mail this week.

These cards are so easy as the design is printed right onto the designer series paper.  All I did was cut a card base, an accompanying layer and add a sentiment and my card was done.  Easy Peasy!

Today looks to be another beautiful day.  I will be inside cutting cardstock and watching baseball.  I think I am resting up for the busy days of summer that will be coming up sooner than we realise.  What are you doing with this beautiful day?

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 23, 2026

Scalloped Wishes

Are you ready for a look at another cool sentiment set?   This card, which we made at Make-It-Monday last week, uses the stamp set Scalloped Wishes.  It has several sentiments and a couple of scalloped frames, perfect for card sending.

I started with a card base of Blackberry Bliss and added a piece of Basic White to it.  I cut a piece of Garden Poetry Designer Series Paper into fourths and flipped two of them over and adhered them to the card front as shown.  The sentiment piece was stamped with Blackberry Bliss on a piece of Fresh Freesia and punched out with the retiring Modern Oval punch.  I added some Dreamy Flowers, which will be available on May 5th, and also some Basic White Baker's twine.

Yesterday and today have been doctor appointment days.  John had a pulmonary check up yesterday to follow up from hs hospitalization.  Today he had a repeat lung CT scan to make sure that the his pnemonia is totally cleared up, hence the late post today and no post yesterday.  The rest of this week and next week appear to be appointment free.

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 21, 2026

A Round of Hellos

Today's card is one that comes from one of the Stampin' Sisters . . . Peggy.  I think they made it at the demo meeting that I did not go to since John was in the hospital.

Today is such a beautiful day I thought it was the perfect card to share.  It would work well for a birthday card, a congratulations card, or just a card to let someone know you are thinking about them.  It start with a card base and accents made with Peach Pie which is one of the retiring In Colors.  It pairs perfectly with Fresh Freesia as you can see here.  It also uses the Lovely and Beautiful Designer Series paper.  I think this has to be one of my favorite designer series papers in a while.

Errand running was on the agenda this morning.  Prescriptions and mulch were on my list. . . odd combination, I know.  The mulch is out the of vehicle but it is going to sit a day or two before I try and get it spread out.  Just loading it in and out of the Rav today was enough of a workout for one day.  A nap may be in my near future!!

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

 Happy Stamping!!

April 20, 2026

Nature's Symphony

Today's card is one we made a while back at Make-It-Monday.  It looks much more complicated than it really is.  One thing I really like about this card is that is uses up a lot of the strips of cardstock that you might have left over.

I started with a card base of Petal Pink.  I cut several .75" strips of Petal Pink, Secret Sea, and Summer Splach cardstock and adhered them in a pteern to a piece of Basic White cardstock at an angle.  I cut any excess cardstock off that was. hanging over the edge.  I then embossed this striped piece with the Lazy Daisy 3D Embossing folder.  I then wrapped it with Secret Sea 3/8” Bordered Open Weave Ribbon and tied a know.  I adhered this to a piece of Secret Sea cardstock and then to the card base.  I stamped my sentiment in Secret Sea, layered it on a piece of Summer Splash, and adhered it to the card with dimensionals.  To finish my card I added a few 2025-2027 Flat Pearls.  I am loving the way it turned out!!

Garage sale stuff is all put away, dishes are all done, laundry is done, no appointments today . . . a totally free day.  I think I will spend the afternoon cross stitching and see if I can make some headway on the project  am working on.

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 18, 2026

Sending Salutations  

Today I am sharing one of the On Stage Make and Takes that features a Sneak Peek into a new product . . . Artisan Sketches Garden Designer Series Paper.  It also uses a new stamp set, Sending salutations.  These will both be available on May 5, 2026

This is a super simple card that we all made last Monday at Make-It-Monday.  I started with a Basic White Thick card base.  I took a piece of the designer series paper and colored the flowers and leaves in with Fresh Freesia and Mossy Meadow Stampin' Blends.  This was then layered n a piece of Basic Black cardstock and adhered to the front of the card.  The sentiment is stamped with a new In Color . . . Golden Glow and adhered to the front of the card.  I meant to put some bling on this card before I took the picture but forgot it.

Today is the second day of the impromptu garage sale.  There is still plenty of designer series paper and stamps and dies left to choose from!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 15, 2026

For 3 days only- April 15–17, 2026 Stampin' Up! is offering 2x rewards on all purchases.

Promotional Details 

• Earn double rewards (2x rewards) for three days only, starting TODAY- April 15, 2026.
• This offer applies to ALL products (excluding non-commissionable products and existing Paper Pumpkin subscriptions).
• All orders qualify once the rewards threshold of $20 is met.

And don't forget . . . 

And now for some not so pleasant news . . . price increases.  As with everything else some prices are going up in the new catalog.  Now is a great time to stock up on the staples that are increasing in price.

The number in red and the ( ) are how much the product is going up.

Be sure and remember my impromptu garage sale this Friday (April 17th from 11am-6pm) and Saturday (April 18th from 9 am-3pm.)

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

Happy Stamping!!

April 10, 2026

Sunshine and Tulips

Today's card is one I got as a swap when I was in Long Beach at Onstage.  I decided I had better share it since it is on the Last Chance List.  It is a stamp and die set.

I will say this is a rather unusual color combination.  What do you think?  I do love the sentiment in this set but it is not one I bought for myself.

This morning was a busy morning . . . I got all of my retired stamps and dies pulled off of my shelves and all of the new ones put on.  The inks are done as well.  The only thing I need to go through before next weekend is the ribbon and punches.  That should be pretty easy to do next week.  Tomorrow morning I am leaving before the rooster is awake to go with my friend Joan to a stamping event in Woodstock, Illinois with one of the Stampin' Sisters.  We decided we did not want to spend the night so we will leave early to get there by 9:00 AM and come home when we are done!  I will not be posting tomorrow as I will be up early enough without doing that!!

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

Happy Stamping!!