November 30, 2017

Celebrate You

This card, which everyone made last Monday night, is one I took a picture of when I was in Utah.  Susie had several swaps which we were looking through, and this one really caught my eye.  I don't know who made it however. 

I have been trying to use more of the designer series paper in class night cards, as it doesn't really do anyone any good when it sits on my shelves. People had a hard time deciding which side they wanted to use, though.

Stamps: Celebrate You

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Berry Burst, Whisper White, Silver Foil

Designer Series Paper: Birthday Memories

Ink: Berry Burst

Accessories: Metallic Foil Doilies, 3/8" Silver Metallic Edge Ribbon, 

aRhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Today I am continuing to work on Christmas cards.  I hope I can get a majority of the Big Shot cutting done today.  This evening we will be going to a funeral visitation for my son-in-law's brother.  Hanna and Jake will be driving over from Des Moines.  It will be good to see them again, only not under these circumstances.

SO . . . remember . . . 

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 29, 2017

Christmas Sampler

One of the orders I had to get done yesterday was for a Christmas sampler. These are so much fun to make!!

The only guidelines I had for the sampler was that she wanted Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green.  Since I love these colors together, I decided to make myself one as well.  It fits in quite well with the other Christmas things I have made over the years.

Today I am going to try and make a lot of headway on my large order of Christmas cards.  I also need to put together two shoebox swaps for our monthly shoebox swap group that is meeting tonight.  I know exactly what I want to do, I just need to get it done.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 28, 2017

A Little Wild 

Many times stampers that come regularly to Make-It-Monday will have a request for a certain type of card.  A baby card was the request for  this Monday, so this is the card they made.

This little elephant guy is just so cute . . . he is perfect for a baby card!!

Stamps: A Little Wild, Baby Bear

Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Coffee Break

Ink: Memento Black Ink, Smoky Slate Dark Stampin' Blends

Accessories: Layering Circles Framelits, Big Shot, 

2 1/4" Circle Punch, 3/8" Silver Metallic-Edge Ribbon, 

Pearl Basic jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Not everybody needed a baby card last night so this is how she changed it up using the exact same supplies, but made a card to suit her needs!!  I love it!!!!

Today I have about three orders I HAVE to get out the door, and then will work on a Christmas order.  My stamp room did not see any attention yesterday in the way of cleaning . . . I decided to sit and just look at my Christmas tree and marvel in the beauty of it before heading to Iowa City!!!  LOL  

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 27, 2017

Count My Blessings

I believe I have said it before, but sympathy cards are one thing that I have to have on hand, because I can never make one when I need it.

This card, that everybody will be making tonight, is super simple to make in multiples.  Simple, but classy.

Stamps: Count My Blessings, Better Together

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Layered Leaves Embossing Folder, 

Big Shot, 3/8" Crumb Cake Classic Weave Ribbon, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Everything is ready to go for tonight, so I think I am going to try to tackle my stamping room and get it in some semblance of order after my flurry of stamping and craft shows.  Right now it is also home to all of the Christmas shopping that we did over the weekend.  If I get super ambitious, I may even try to get some things wrapped today.  I do want to go to Iowa City early to try and get some errands run before stamp night.  I also need to bake batch of cookies for John to take to old guy coffee this afternoon.  Maybe it is a good thing that everything is all ready for tonight!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 26, 2017

Snowflake Sentiments

I am certainly not ready for snow, but I do love cards with snowflakes on them.  My friend, Luetta, shared a card similar to this with me a while back. I chose to use the sentiment that is in this month's Paper Pumpkin kit.

This is one of the cards every one is going to make at Make-It-Monday.

Stamps: Snowflake Sentiments, November Paper Pumpkin

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Year of Cheer Specialty Paper

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Big Shot, 

Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 1 1/2" Circle Punch, 

Foil Snowflakes, Stampin' Dimensionals

Today has been a pretty low key day, just getting ready for stamp night tomorrow night.  Now that everything is ready, I think I will probably finish my mystery book that I have been reading.  It is such a nice day out, that John has gone deer hunting, so I am actually home by myself.  That does not happen very often!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 25, 2017

Paper Pumpkin!!

When I saw this Paper Pumpkin kit at convention a couple of weeks ago, I knew I would absolutely love it!!!

I was so excited when this black and white checked box was in my mailbox!!

Everything I needed to finish my project was in the kit!!

There were enough supplies to make 10 stockings!!!

I ordered a couple of extra kits, as I had plans for them, but when Hanna saw them she thought they would be great Christmas gifts for her advisory students.  

I think though, I got enough that I can make what she wants as well as what I am wanting them for!!

After our third Black Friday shopping trip yesterday, Hanna and Jake toted the Christmas stuff up from the basement and helped to get the house all ready for Christmas.  They left mid-morning today as they have Jake's work Christmas party tonight.  I think I will probably be resting today, before starting in again with all of my stamping projects tomorrow!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 23, 2017

Painted Harvest

I love this swap card that my friend, Christy, brought to a stamping meeting way back in August!!  It is perfect for today . . .  thankful for each and every one of you!!

The background of the middle panel is actually a coffee filter rubbed on ink pads.

Stamps: Painted Harvest

Cardstock: Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Ink: Crushed Curry, Early Espresso

Accessories: Leaf Punch, Crushed Curry Chevron Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

The turkey is in the oven and almost done, the side dishes are almost done, and we are just waiting on the the people to come and eat!!

I want to wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 21, 2017

Colorful Seasons

Here is another swap card I received in Utah!!!  Even though I have seen many samples made with this set, I couldn't resist one more idea!!

There are tons of layers on this card so I am sure it would cost extra to mail it, but totally worth it, I think!!

Stamps: Colorful Seasons

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Basic Black, Berry Burst, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Fresh Florals

Ink: Berry Burst

Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, 

Layering Circles Framelits, Lots of Labels Framelits, 

Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

I couldn't resist using this card today because life really is a beautiful thing. It was just a year ago that I got the results from my mid-treatment PET scan that showed my lymphoma was totally gone!!  Oh what a joyous day that was . . . and right before Thanksgiving too!!

Today is going to be a very busy day  . . . I am running some errands in Iowa City, meeting my brother and niece for lunch, going to an appointment for my shoulder and getting my hair cut, and then picking Hanna up in Grinnell this evening for the Thanksgiving Holiday!!  Life is a beautiful thing and I am very grateful to still be able to do all of these things!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 20, 2017

This is another one of the cards I swapped for last week.  I love how simple it is, but would be perfect to send to someone just so they know you are thinking about them.

The color combination of Lemon Lime Twist and Basic Black is becoming one of my favorite combinations.  The Basic Black just makes the Lemon Lime Twist pop.

Yesterday was the busiest and most profitable craft show I have EVER been at!!  I took some pictures in the afternoon when I had a couple of spare moments.

I would not have even been able to get out of my booth to snap the pictures in the morning.  The were wall to wall people and you could hardly move in the aisles.

I must say . . . . I am not too sure about me!!  There is something wrong in leaving home on the weekends at 5:15 in the morning . . . especially when you are retired!!  Saturday for tailgating and the ball game and yesterday for the craft show.  Today I am just plain tired . . . not much on the agenda today other than resting!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 18, 2017

Magical Mermaid

This is another swap I received last week.  I specifically swapped for this one because I knew I did not have this set and have no intentions of getting it.

But that is one of the great things about swapping . . . just because a set doesn't appeal to me, doesn't mean someone else won't like it!!

Once again there were no supplies listed, nor was the creator!!

By the time you are reading this I will have been tailgating for quite a while. I am leaving before the chickens are up to meet my brothers and sister-in-law for a day of Iowa football.  I am even going to the game today!!  Go Hawks!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 17, 2017

This Little Piggy

This Little Piggy is such a cute set . . . it definitely makes me happy!!  This is one of the swap cards I received in Utah.

I really like they way the creator took the banner and cut it apart to put on either side of the oval.

Today I am finishing up all of the cards from the last two Make-It-Monday nights.  My stamp room is an absolute disaster and this is the first step toward taming it again!!  Once I get that done I can get to work on some orders that have come in the last few days!!  It is a great rainy day to stay in and craft!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 16, 2017

Be Merry Kit

Tuesday afternoon and yesterday morning I finished working on my project for the Festival of Trees.  I used the Be Merry Ornament kit from the holiday catalog. 

I started with a pile that looked like this.  Everything I needed to make the ornaments was in the kit except a hot glue gun, glue sticks, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

My tree is only 3 feet tall so I used one whole kit and half of another one.

I like it much better in the dark when the lights are twinkling, but then that is pretty much true of any Christmas tree.

I had gotten some red tinsel to put on it, but decided that was too messy so I made some garland out of white baker's twine, a 7/8" scalloped punch and the Quilted Christmas Designer Series Paper.

Here is a close up of each of the ornaments.  

They are much prettier in person.

 

All in all I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out.  I am not a very good tree decorator  . . . Julie and Hanna are much better at that . . . but I do really like the ornaments.  I have six left over from the second kit and have something in mind for those as well!!  Hope to post pictures of that soon.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 15, 2017

One of the best parts about going to a stamping event is the swapping.  I always try to get cards that use stamp sets, paper, color combinations, or layouts that I don't normally use.

 

This card fits the bill on several of those categories.  

There were no supplies listed with this card or the maker's name to give credit.

I made great headway on my project yesterday.  I need to run to Iowa City to get a few supplies to finish it up.  I am out the door as soon as I finish posting this.

A little after noon, my friend Dawn, who is a traveling nurse and home for a little break, is picking me up and we are going to visit Susie.  It will be great to catch up on all that she has been doing and seeing as she has traveled!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 14, 2017

Oh What Fun!

Here is another one of the cards I swapped for in Utah!!  I must have been wishing for snow because I  certainly have a lot of snowflake cards!!

I like the Soft Sky in this card even though it is not a traditional Christmas color!!

Stamps: Oh What Fun!

Cardstock: Soft Sky, Whisper White

Ink: Soft Sky

Accessories: Seasonal Layers Thinlits, 

Winter Wonder Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 

Basic Rhinestone Jewels

We  had a full house last night at Make-It-Monday.  I think everybody was pleased with their cards.  

Today I am working on a very special project for the Festival of Trees in my county.  Stay tuned tomorrow or the next day for pictures.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 13, 2017

Star of Light

This is one of the swaps I received at convention.  I love the specialty designer series paper used in this!!!

So simple, but yet so elegant!!  Again the paper does the work for you!!

Stamps: Star of Night 

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer

Designer Series Paper: Year of Cheer

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Big Shot, 

Banner Triple Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

We had a very uneventful trip home which is good, because the last several trips where we have flown home from a stamping event have been more eventful than I like due to weather!!   Like going to Minneapolis instead of Des Moines because of a blizzard, or circling Des Moines for over an hour because of a rainstorm and flooding.  This time we landed without event . . . a half an  hour early even.

Today I am finishing up gathering supplies for tonight's Make-It-Monday.  I am looking forward to sharing and stamping some awesome cards tonight!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

 

November 12, 2017

Snowflake Sentiments

This is another one of the cards everyone stamping with me on Monday night will be making.

It would work perfectly as a Christmas card or as any other winter card.

Stamps: Snowflake Sentiments

Cardstock: Very Vanilla Thick, Very Vanilla, Gold Glimmer

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Winter Wonder Embossing Folder, 

Big Shot, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool,
1 1/2" Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 

3/8" Gold Metallic Edged Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

The last day of convention was just as much fun as the first two days.  We ended the trip with our favorite restaurant . . . The Melting Pot. We are definitely creatures of habit . . . we always choose the same thing . . . Spinach Artichoke Cheese Fondue for the appetizer . . . 

And Bananas Foster for the desert!!!

We are headed to the airport around noon and will be home be early evening. We have had a great time while we were here, but I am ready for my own bed!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

SaveSave

November 11, 2017

Snowflake Sentiments

I love when the paper makes the card special with very little effort of my part.  This card is just such a card!!

I also am not much one for mixing my foil colors but it just seems to work on this card!!

Stamps:  Snowflake Sentiments

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick. Whisper White, 

Copper Foil, Silver Foil

Designer Series Paper: Year of Cheer

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Layering Ovals Framelits, 

Big Shot, Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Dimensionals

Today was another great day at the convention. I have so many ideas running through my head of new things I want to try and do!  I can't wait to get home and share!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 10, 2017

Remarkable You 

The more I use the Stampin' Blends, the more I like them.  The are so easy to use and even I can get some shading with them.  I tried this card in multiple colors bit decided I wanted to go with the Pumpkin Pie color for fall.

I also love the fact that we have a coloring tool that we can use on pearls and jewels.

Stamps: Remarkable You, Butterfly Basics

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Ink: Memento Black

Accessories: Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive Stampin' Blends, 

Basic Pearl Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

We have had a great first day here in Utah . . . saw some great new stamping products and ate way too much food!!!  Got half of my cards swapped and have some pretty cool ideas in return.  Tomorrow is a full day of meetings and presentations and then we are going to another one of our favorite restaurants for supper . . . the Melting Pot.  We ALWAYS look forward to our dinner there when we come to convention!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 9, 2017

Bloomin' Love

You might recognize elements of this card!!  This is what I ended up with as my swap for Utah.  I changed out the embossing folder and the color of the base card and also changed out the jewels for pearls.

I am much happier with the end product!!

Stamps: Blooming' Love

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Sweet Sugarplum, Very Vanilla

Ink: Sweet Sugarplum, Early Espresso

Accessories: Sunshine Wishes Thinlits, Stitched Shapes Framelits, 

Layering Circles Framelits, Layered Leaves Embossing Folder, 

Big Shot, Delicate White Doilies,  Basic Pearl Jewels, 

Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

We made it to Salt Lake City without any problems whatsoever!!  Direct flights are wonderful!!  As soon as we got to our hotel we ditched our luggage and headed out in search of supper.  We went to one of our favorite restaurants and had some delicious lettuce wraps!!

Tomorrow we are going to have a leisurely start to our day and head off to the convention center mid-morning.  I can't wait to see what all Stampin' Up! has in store for us in the coming months.

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

Happy Stamping!!