Thank You

Once again, I am using the same color combination and supplies in my card for today.  I can't seem to get enough of it.  I will be really sorry to see these little flowers leave at the end of May. 

I think the Tea For Two paper will be one I am stocking up on this month.  Not only do I like it, but Hanna really does too.

Stamps:  Lscy and Lovely
Cardstock:  Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade
Ink:  Basic Gray
Accessories:  Argyle Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Bird Builder Punch,
Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Victoria Crochet Trim, Flower Lace Trim,
Calypso Coral Reinker, Stampin Spritzer, Stampin' Sponges

Today will be a big day at school.  We are taking a field trip and our day is jam packed.  We start at Hills Bank, go to Hy-Vee grocery store to see a bakery and pharmacy, eat lunch at a Mexican restaurant, where they have to order in Spanish, then go to a veterinarian, and end up at the Sports Museum.  I think I will be one tired teacher at the end of the day, but the kids will have a great time and learn a lot about a lot of different careers.

Have a great day!

Thinking of You

Isn't this a great color combination!!

There are going to be some products in the Spring Mini Catalog that I am going to be sorry to see leave......the Tea For Two DSP, the Thinking of You stamp,  and the flower trim roses are going to be three of those!!!  

It seems like you can never have to many thinking of you cards.  I particularly like the color combination in this card.

Stamps:  Thinking Of You
Cardstock:  Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla,  Tea For Two DSP
Ink:  Calypso Coral
Accessories:  Oval Collection Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder,  Big Shot, 2 1/2" Circle Punch,   Flower Lace Trim, Victoria Crochet Trim,  3/8" Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon

Today promises to be another beautiful day!!  Be sure you are out in the sunshine enjoying it!!

Have a great day!

By The Tide

It has been another lazy day for me......some stamping, some reading, and just relaxing.  I guess I am getting ready for the big push till the end of the school year. Starting tomorrow, it it is going to be exceptionally busy until June 3rd.  

I am so glad that this stamp set, "By The Tide", is going to be in the new catalog that starts on May 31st. It has become one of my favorite sets from the Spring Mini Catalog.

Stamps:  By The Tide
Cardstock:  Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Tangerine Tango,  Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch

Enjoy the rest of the beautiful day!!  I think John and I are going to go to Iowa City to meet some friends for supper.

And then the rush is on!! 

Thinking of You

One of the stamp sets I was surprised that made it into the new catalog was "Lovely As a Tree".  I think it has been in the catalog since I became a demonstrator almost 10 years ago.  I like it just as much now as I did then. This is one of the cards I took a picture of when I went to Saint Louis last month.

Stamps:  Curly Cute, Lovely as a Tree
Cardstock:  Old Olive, Midnight Muse, Whisper White
Ink:  Black Stazon, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Midnight Muse
Accessories:  Stampin Sponges, Sponge Daubers

Today has been a very lazy day for me.  I did a little stamping, laundry and took a long nap this afternoon.  

I hope you have had a more productive day than I have, although John keeps telling me there is nothing wrong with resting!

Father's Day Is Coming

Mother's and Father's Day will be here before we know it.   Clockworks is an excellent stamp set to use for all of your guy card needs!!

Stamps:  Clockworks, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock:  Early Espresso, Crimb Cake, Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Early Espresso, Midnight Muse, Crumb cake
Accessories:  Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Word Window Punch,
Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Naturals Designer Buttons, 3/16" Metallic Brads

Tonight after school, I have to go pick up the estimate for my car.  While at the post office last night someone backed into me.  She was a very nice lady who was waiting for me when I came out of the post office.  An inconvenience to be sure, but it could have been a whole lot worse!

Enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather today.  I know I am going to!!

Lace Doily Dress

Today's card is one made with the lace doily in a little different way.......fold it into a wedding dress.  I think this idea is just so clever!!  I know I have several weddings and showers coming up in the next couple of months and this card will be perfect....just change the colors to their wedding colors and voila!!!!! A Perfect card!!

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White
Ink:  Wisteria Wonder
Accessories:  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Lace Doilies, Heart Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch,  Modern Label Punch, Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon, Basic Pearl Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Hopefully we will see the sunshine all day again today. It was so nice yesterday, even if it was a little chilly.  

Have a great day!

Retiring Lists and Wish Big

The retiring list has special meaning for me this year.....I get to retire with some of my favorite stamps!!!!!

Hundreds of stamps and accessories from the 2012-2013 catalogs are retiring, and this is your  chance to get them before they're gone. Many products are only available while supplies last, so be sure to get your orders in early!  There are some amazing discounts on some of these products as well!!!

Retiring stamps are available until June 3rd.  Check out the list here!

Retiring accessories are available only while supplies last.  Check out the list here!

Today's card uses one of the sets on the retiring list! This has always been one of my favorite cards made with the stamp set Word Play.   I will be sorry to see this stamp set go!!

Stamps:  Word Play
Cardstock:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper  White
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso Markers
Accessories:  Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Antique Brads

Grab your coffee and your pen and pencil and get started on your list of all those things you must have before they retire!!!

Have a great day!!

Sunshine

I knew when I saw the Feel Goods stamp set in the Spring Mini catalog that I would be using it a lot.  I love the sayings that are in this set. Since I can't seem to get a whole lot of sunshine from the weather, I have opted for sunshine in my cards.  This is one of the cards that everybody made last night at stamp class.  Even though it was very easy, I think it was a hit with everyone!

Stamps:  Sunflower, Feel Goods
Cardstock:  Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Soft Suede Marker

Tomorrow the retired list comes out from Stampin' Up! Which of your favorite stamps and accessories are going to be on it?  Be sure to have your wish list ready, because I know that the accessory things on the list are while supplies last and things usually go very fast!!

Have a great day!

Whalecome to the New Baby

Who would have thought that a whale could make such a cute baby card?  Stampers tonight will get their choice of a boy or girl baby card tonight as this is one of the cards they will be making.  Several of the stampers ask me a couple of weeks ago for a baby card and this one fit right in with using stamps in an unusual way.

Stamps:  Friendly Phrases
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Bashful Blue or Pretty in Pink
Ink:  Basic Black, Bashful Blue or Pretty in Pink
Accessories:  Cloudy Day Embossing Folder,  Happy Whale Clearlits Die, Big Shot, Stampin Dimensionals

The car is loaded and ready to go for tonight.  We have some really cute cards to amke so I hope you are joining us!!

Have a great day!

Not Quite As It Seems

I hope you can join me tomorrow night at stamp class as we use stamps and punches in less traditional ways. This is one of the cards we will be making......made with the ornament punch that we use at Christmas and also the bird builder punch.  

Stamps:  Lovely and Lacy
Cardstock:  Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla, Old Olive
Ink:  Perfect Plum
Accessories:  Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder, Big Shot,
Ornament Punch,  Bird Builder Punch

It certainly is nice to see the sun.  I hope you are out enjoying it in some way.

Have a great day!

Sailing Away

Today is a first for me....no school due to flooding.  I think I may need this ship if I want to go anywhere today.  This is an older card that has a retired sentiment set used on it but it was so appropriate that I had to use it!!!

Last night John and I went to Pella to the Scholarship Dinner.  This is a dinner where they recognize all of the Central students who have received scholarships and also to recognize all of the donors. Both Hanna, and my niece Allyson were recipients of scholarships this year. I am so proud of both of them!!

It truly is a very small world, because of the 500+ people that were there, one of the gentlemen sitting at our table who was also a parent, had done his student teaching at Mid-Prairie. 

Have a great day today and where ever you are, stay dry and safe!!

Happy Graduation

It might seem like it is early, but it is actually time to start thinking about those graduation cards that you might need.  Clockworks is a set that you might not think about when it comes to graduation, but it actually makes great graduation cards!!

Stamps:  Clockworks, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock:  Sahara Sand, Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Midnight Muse
Accessories:  Linen Thread,  3/16" Neutral Brads  

Hopefully today is a little calmer at school than yesterday was.  Between the storms, power flickering, no Internet service, and an early out for teacher inservice, it was quite a mixed up day.  Here's hoping today is better!!

Have a great day!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!

I think we are definitely going to need this umbrella today.  Between the storm last night and the dog being freaked out by the storm, there was very little sleeping last night!!!

Although it doesn't look like it in the photo, this is definitely Calypso Coral cardstock!!

Stamps:  Rain or Shine
Cardstock:  Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White,  2011-2013 DSP Paper Stack
Ink:  Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade
Accessories:  Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Big Shot,
Designer Printed Brads, 3/8" Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon,
2 1/2" Circle Punch,  2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch,
Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack,  1/8" Silver Mini Brads

I made great strides last night on the 4th grade photo albums.  I realize I need to take more pictures, however.  Good thing we have several special activities coming up that will present good photo opportunities!!

Have a great rainy day!!

Daffodil Flower Garden

On the way home from school yesterday I noticed all of the beautiful yellow flowers that are coming up in a flower garden down the street.  So.......here is today's card!!

Stamps:  Mixed Bunch, Friendly Phrases
Cardstock:  Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade
Accessories:  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot,
Blossom Punch,  Blossom Petal Builder Punch,  3/16" Metallic Brads

Today I am fortunate enough to help my grade level colleagues with one last task before the end of the year.  We will be working on making a Social Studies Curriculum Map.  While some people might moan and groan about this task, I really like talking about what is important for children to know and sharing ideas for the best way to go about teaching those things.  Call me weird...but there you have it!

Have a great day!

Upsy Daisy Happy Birthday

Upsy Daisy is one of the stamps that I always loved and was sorry to see retire.  I was glad to see it come back in the March set...Best of Flowers.

Stamps:  Perfect Punches, Best of Flowers
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP
Ink:  Basic Black
Accessories:  Stripes Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Dotted Ribbon Scallop Punch, Large Oval Punch

Wow...it was so nice to sleep with the windows open last night.  I think I slept better than I have in along time.  Listening to the birds sing this morning gives me hope that consistently nice weather is right around the corner.

Have a great day!!

Scrapbooks and Thank You's

What a relaxing weekend!!!!  My days have been spent working on little thank you notes and my scrapbooks for my fourth graders.  The scrapbooks are really going quite quickly...they are all constructed and many pictures have already been added.  I am not going to post any pictures for a while in case there are any parents out there reading this.  This little thank you note is one I took a picture of on the display board in Saint Louis.  They were a set of four and this is just one of them I have been working on.

Stamps:  Clockworks, One in a Million
Cardstock:  Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Marina Mist, Lucky Limeade, Riding Hood red, early Espresso
Accessories:  1/8" Mini Brad

I am thinking that either a nap or a good book is going to be calling my name as soon as I am done posting this. Both sound equally inviting!!

Have a great day!

Ready For Sun!!

All Right....All Ready......the rain can be done so the sun can come out.  I am definitely ready for some!!!

Stamps:  Bootiful Occasions
Cardstock:  Pacific Point, Marina Mist, Melon Mambo,
Whisper White,  Sunshine and Sprinkles DSP
Ink:  Basic Black, Marina Mist Marker
Accessories:  Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Big Shot,
Scallop Trim Border Punch,  Marina Mist 3/8"  Striped Organdy Ribbon

This is going to be a pretty low key weekend.......Hanna is staying at school, there are no stamp classes to get ready for, and no grades or anything right now that has to be done.  I am hoping I can make good headway on my scrapbooks for the fourth graders.  If I can get the rest of them assembled on Saturday, I could start adding pictures on Sunday.  Totally doable.....if I just make myself do it!!

Have a great rainy day!!

Friend to Friend

A while back I decide to surf to find ideas for the stamp set that Hanna won last year at convention.  I saw a card very similiar to this one and fell in love with it.  The color combination of Early Espresso and Raspberry Ripple is very striking...even more so than the picture shows.  We made this card at stamp class last Monday night.  I took a variety of greetings so people could make whatever type of card they wanted. Worked out great!!!

Stamps:  Stippled Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock:  Raspberrry Ripple. Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso
Accessories:  Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Big Shot,
Stampin Sponges,  Antique Brads, 1/16" Handheld Punch

Looks like it will be another rainy day today.  I am okay with that as long as it doesn't snow or get cold enough to make the roads slick. 

I have a lot of stamping I want to do when I get home from school tonight so hope I have the energy to do just that!!

Have a great day!

Happy Birthday

Today's card is another we made at our shoebox swap in Saint Louis.  Kimberly Miller brought this card and supplies to share with us.  I love this color combination and am so glad they decided to keep Pool Party around for a while.  

Stamps:  Delightful Dozen
Cardstock:  Pool Party, Gumball Green, Island Indigo, Whisper White,
Poetry Prints DSP Stack
Ink:  Island Indigo
Accessories:  Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Big Shot,  In Color Dahlias,
 3/8" Gumball GreenStitched Satin Ribbon, 1 1/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch

I know I have said this before, but unless something unexpected comes up, I think I have had my last night event at school.  We got together with the Family Fun Night Committee and Parent Boosters last night as a celebration of all of their hard work.  Martha, our cook, made delicious Chinese Chicken Salad, homemade rolls, and apple crisp for us.  It was awesome.  Thanks, Martha.

I sort of wish I was staying home today....it would be a good day to curl up with a good book, or stamp the day away!  

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Friend

Today's card is one that we stamped at our shoebox swap in Saint Louis.  Dawn Klein shared the technique of using gesso for a card background.  Gesso is a substance that you can buy in the art department of  most major craft stores.  We, however, have it at home by the gallon, because John uses it to cover the background of canvases before he starts to paint on them.  The stamp set used here, Affection Collection, is no longer available, but I wanted to show the cool background technique.

Stamps:  Affection Collection
Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, First Edition DSP, Poetry Prints DSP Stack
Ink:  Pool Party, Soft Suede
Accessories:  Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Pop tabs, 1 1/8" scallop circle punch, 1" circle punch, 1/2" circe punch, 2 1/2" circle punch, Doilies,  Pearl Basic  Jewels, Stampin Dimensionals

If you missed stamp class on Monday night, you can still join me at my house on Wednesday evening.

Have a great day!!

Stamp Class Tonight

The car is packed and ready to go for tonight.  This is one of the cards we will be making.  I took a picture of this card in Saint Louis and then changed up the colors. Now that I have gotten the hang of coloring the flowers with the spritzer and reindeer, I have a feeling I will be doing a lot of that.

Stamps:  Everything Eleanor, Thoughts and Prayers
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink:  Black Stazon, Summer Starfruit
Accessories:  Summer Starfruit Reinker. Stampin' Spritzer, 5/8" Flower Trim,
 Stampin' Sponges, Basic Rhinestone Jewels

Remember there is still free shipping until tonight an any orders!!

Have a great day!

Washington Township Thank You

Today was spent cutting cardstock for tomorrow night and making thank you notes for the Washington Township Family Fun Night Committee to give to those people kind enough to give us donations.  Although this is a very simple card, the picture doesn't really do justice to it.

Stamps:  Circe Circus, Sassy Salutations
Cardstock:  Real Red, Pacific Point, Whisper White
Ink:  Basic Black, Real Red, Pacific Point, Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango

The other project I got done today was to map out my calendar from now to the end of the year.  I wanted to make sure I was allowing myself enough time to get everything done at school in a timely fashion.  The end of the year will be here before we know it.

Free Shipping and Get Well Soon

STOCK UP!

We're excited to let you know that we are offering FREE shipping on EVERYTHING April 6-8 (excluding expedited orders)! That's right. There are no minimums or limits and all orders qualify! 

Free shipping starts:

o Saturday, April 6, 2013; 12:00 AM (MT)

Submit orders by:
o Phone: Monday, April 8, 2013; 6:50 PM (MT)
o Online: Monday, April 8, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT)

Today is going to be spent working on the scrapbooks I am making for my fourth graders.  I decided this was the time to get started so that if I need any more card stock, I can order it while there is free shipping!! 

This is one of the cards I took a picture of on the display boards in Saint Louis.  Since it does have flowers on it, it may be one of the cards we make Monday night.

Stamps:  Everything Eleanor,  Thoughts and Prayers
Cardstock:  Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Early Espresso, Summer Starfruit
Accessories:  Oval Collection Framelits, Big Shot, Flower Trim,
Summer Starfruit Reinker,  Stampin' Spritzer,  Stampin' Sponges, Basic Rhinestone Jewels

Have a great day!!

Life Is Going to Be An Adventure

I got this stamp set to use in Hanna's scrapbooks.  Have I used it for that.....absolutely not!!!!   Have I used it at all.....absolutely not!!!  As I was looking back over the photos I took in Saint Louis it hit me that this would be a great graduation card made in school colors!!  Stay tuned next week for one of those.

Stamps:  Daring Adventure
Cardstock:  Chocolate Chip, Gumball Green, Very Vanilla, Print Poetry DSP
Ink:  Gumball Green, Chocolate Chip

It is hard to believe that this week has come and gone already!  I think it has started to sink in that there are less than 40 days left of school and I have oh so much to get done!  Wish me luck in trying to get everything wrapped up by 2:30 May 31st!!

New Colors, Free Shipping, and A Card

Do you dream in color? We do! Announcing our Color Refresh! We love color and we know that you do too. Color is fundamental to who we are and what we offer. It's important for us to stay up-to-date with color trends so we are thrilled to share our updated line of colors, and hope you will be as excited as we are by the new possibilities! Why now? In 2010 we did a big color renovation and shared our plans for smaller color refreshes every three to five years to keep our colors on trend. Well, it has been three years and we are excited to announce that the upcoming 2013-2014 annual catalog will include 10 new colors (most of which are returning In Colors from previous years)! We are welcoming back some of your favorites, moving some colors around, and introducing one brand-new color, so take a look!

Beginning on April 4, 2013, all retiring/discontinued color products (i.e. ink, paper, ribbon, accessories, etc.) will be available only while supplies last. This means that some products will not be available through the retired list period. We did anticipate increased demand and based our forecasts for these retiring colors on historical sales information from previous color transitions. However, even with the most careful planning, the response to a transition of this nature can surprise everyone--including you in your own business and personal purchases. We encourage you to let your customers know that any of our retiring color products are only available while supplies last so they can get their favorites and look forward to the exciting colors coming in the 2013-2014 annual catalog. And also announced today, free shipping is going on April 6-8, 2013, which would be a great time for you and your customers to get your favorites before they are gone! 

Did you catch that last sentence?????

More News!!!!!!!!!

   FREE Shipping on EVERYTHING for Three Days!

We're excited to let you know that we are offering FREE shipping on EVERYTHING April 6-8 ! That's right. There are no minimums or limits and all order types qualify (customer,  workshop, online). Did we mention that the free shipping is on everything?    


And now for the card.................   

Stamps:  Just Thinking, Everything Eleanor, Delicate Doilies
Cardstock:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Window Collection Framelits, 2 1/2" Circle Punch,
Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Stam[pin' Dimensionals

Hanna made it to San Antonio last night and the girls loved their notebooks!!!!!

Looks like they are having a great time!!!!!

Have a great day!!!

Thanks a Million

Today's card is one that we made on Monday night and also one I got as a swap in Saint Louis.  The four of us that went to Saint Louis were just sure the flower was from a retired stamp set.  When I got home and showed it to Luetta, she immediately said it was the flower from Button Buddies.  She was absolutely right!!  Button Buddies was one of those stamp sets I just "had" to have and it had never been used.  

Stamps:  Button Buddy, Word Play
Cardstock:  Pacific Point, Whisper White, Polka Dot Parade DSP
Ink:  Pacific Point
Accessories:  1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Basic Rhinestone Jewels

I wish I were with Hanna right now....boarding a plane to take off for San Antonio!!  I know they are going to have a great time and learn a lot as well.

Have a great day!!

Hey There, Friend!!

Even though several people ended up not being able to make it last night, a great time was had by all that did come.  I have some packs left over if you want to come to the house Wednesday night to stamp.  This is one of the cards that we made....it can be used as a thank you card, but could have many other purposes as well.

Stamps:  Paper Pumpkin Welcome Kit
Cardstock:  Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Brights DSP Pack
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery
Accessories:  Bitty Butterfly Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch,
Scallop Edge Border Punch, !" Square Punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Today is a day we are making up a snow day.  We have early out as well as staff development.  The push is now on to the end of the year and trying to get accomplished all that I want to get done, before my class moves on to 5th grade!!

Have a great day!!

A Round Array Thank You

The last card is designed and all of the cardstock is cut for stamp class tonight.  The only thing left is to load the car!!  Tonight we are focusing on thank you notes.  This is one of the cards we will be making tonight.

Stamps:  A Round Array
Cardstock:  Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede
Ink:  Midnight Muse, Soft Suede
Accessories:  7/8" Scallop Circle Punch,  1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch,
1 1/4" Circle Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Crumb Cake Seam Binding,
Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Dimensionals

I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter.  It was very low key at the Wilson household.  We did grill last night, so that gives me hope that spring is right around the corner.

The sunshine is delightful today and with no school, I plan to soak it up!!

Have a great day!!!