June 30, 2021

Party Puffins

I am not totally sure what there is about this stamp set that speaks to me, but I totally love it!  For one thing, it makes such neat kids' birthday cards.

Everyone stamping with me this week got to make this card. The back side of the striped designer series paper is black with small white polka dots.  Many people preferred to use that side of the paper because they thought it really made the green scallop and strip pop.  Either way, the card was a hit.

Stamps:  Party Puffins

Cardstock: Basic White Thick, Granny Apple Green, Basic White

Designer Series Paper: Pattern party

Ink: Memento Black

Stampin' Blends:  Pool Party Combo Pack, Granny Apple Green Combo Pack, 

Pumpkin Pie Combo Pack, Daffodil Delight Combo Pack

Accessories:  Layering Circles Dies, Pearl Basic Jewels, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

I am continuing my social butterfly week today.  I am going to do something I have not done in years.  I am meeting some friends and we are going to go Barn Lot Putt-Putt Golfing.  I haven't gone putt-putt golfing in more years than I care to remember!!  I have an appointment after that and then I am off to go shopping for some daylilies.  I am finally getting around to weeding and fixing up one of my flower beds.  The ground was so soft after all of the rain we have had that the weeds pulled up very easily yesterday.  I was a muddy mess when I was done, but at least it was done and I can go on to the next step.

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 29, 2021

Create With Friends

Most of Stampin’ Up!'s dies are part of a bundle.  However, the annual catalog includes 9 new dies that although they coordinate with lots of other products, aren’t part of a bundle and paired with a specific stamp.  They are:  Basic Borders Dies, Flower Market Dies, Give it a Whirl Dies, Layering Diorama Dies, Picture This Dies, Stitched Greenery Dies, Tailor Made Tags Dies, Warm Wraps Dies, and the Iconic Dies, which is used on this card.

I surely do love the new Blending Brushes.  They make the blending of inks so much easier than either the retired Stampin' Sponges or Sponge Daubers.  This is one of the cards that everyone made at Make-It-Monday last night.  We talked about how this would make a very nice sympathy card as well.

Stamps: Create With Friends

Cardstock: Calypso Coral, Basic Black, Basic White

Ink: Memento Black, Pale Papaya, Calypso Coral, So Saffron 

Accessories:  Iconic Dies, Bark 3D Embossing Folder, 

Blending Brushes, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

This is social butterfly week again.  I am meeting some friends for lunch today and hope to get some stamping done this afternoon.  I am working on yet another big project that I would like to have done shortly after the 4th of July!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 28, 2021

Bamboo Beauty

Bamboo has always been a thing of beauty in my mind.  So when I saw Bamboo Beauty in the new catalog it was one stamp that was on my first order.  I saw what was a one-layer card with this design on Pinterest the other day, so had to give it a try.

Although bamboo is pretty simplistic in nature, I didn't like the one layer card so stepped it up a little to add an embossed layer and made the card into a z-fold card.  You can't see it very well in the picture but the layer behind the white is embossed with the Macrame 3D Embossing Folder.  I was pretty happy with the results.  I really like the mixed fonts that are used on all of the sentiments in this set.

 

Stamps: Bamboo Beauty

Cardstock: Soft Succulent, Basic White

Ink: Evening Evergreen, Crumb Cake

Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Dies, Blending Brushes

Today's post is coming to you from the newly cleaned off back patio.  It is a little humid and sticky out here but by no means hot.  In fact when the breeze blows I am almost a little chilly.  I guess that is a sign to not sit here too long because there are still things that need to be done before tonight's Make-It-Monday!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 27, 2021

Hats Off

When John and I first got married there were many seasons in our home and not the ones you would usually think of.  There was turkey season, squirrel season, deer season, goose season, duck season, and fishing season. I'm probably missing some but you get the idea.  This card, which I saw on the display boards in Hawaii immediately reminded me of those.  I think I bought more camo clothes than I even knew existed the first couple of years we were married.

 

Using the Beauty of the Earth Designer Series Paper is perfect to make this hat a camouflage hat.

Stamps: Hats Off

Cardstock: Basic White Thick, Shaded Spruce

Designer Series Paper: Beauty of the Earth

Ink: Shaded Spruce

Accessories:  Hat Builder Dies, Evergreen Forest 3D Embossing Folder, 

Versamark, Basic Stampin' Emboss Powders, Heat Tool, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Cardstock is slowly getting cut for tomorrow night, but I decided to take a break and sit outside for a while on my cleaned-off patio.  It will probably be too hot or buggy before too long to enjoy it much so I decided I better be out here while I can.

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 26, 2021

Sweet Ice Cream

What is better than ice cream in the summertime??  Red, white and blue ice cream, of course!!

I have always loved a polka dot embossing folder and this one is no exception.  You can barely see it but this folder only embosses about 2/3's of the cardstock layer.    It makes for an interesting look on the card front.  This is the last of this week's Cards in the Mail.

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Stamps: Sweet Ice Cream

Cardstock: Basic White Thick, Misty Moonlight, Poppy Parade, Basic White

Ink: Misty Moonlight

Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Dies, Checks & Dots Embossing Folders, 

Ice Cream Cone Builder Punch, Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels, 

Simply Elegant Trim, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

We had a great visit with Hanna and Jake yesterday afternoon.  We now have John's Christmas present, a bird feeder, outside the bay window, and a plant holder put up on the backside of the house.  We met Julie and Jason for supper and a good visit before calling it a night.  The next time we see Hanna and Jake hopefully they have some little children in tow!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 25, 2021

Plentiful Plants

Today's card comes straight from a site I follow . . . Flowerbug's Inkspot. If you know me at all you know that this color combination is my thing!!

This is one of the cards that is in this week's Cards in the Mail.  I also took a bunch of my retired designer series paper and found complementary patterns of paper and made a whole bunch of cards using this layout to send home with Hanna and Jake.  The make up really easy and they all look different depending on what paper you use.

Stamps: Plentiful Plants

Cardstock: Basic Black, Basic White

Designer Series Paper: pattern Party

Accessories:  Macrame 3D Embossing Folder, Versamark, 

Basic Embossing Powder Collection, Heat Tool, 

Matte Black Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Hanna and Jake are coming this way today as Jake wants to visit the Amish stores before they leave for Colombia to stock up on some bulk items.  After that, they are coming to the house to put up the bird feeder that John got for Christmas, and then we are going to meet Julie and Jason for supper in Iowa City.  Oh, how I love the fact that we are able to get together again and do things!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 24, 2021

A Fun Morning of Stamping

I had the pleasure this morning to work with two awesome young ladies on some card-making projects.  One of my very first stampers, Pat, who has been stamping with me for almost 17 years volunteers in Iowa City at Open Heartland.  She works with these two young ladies, Amaris and Karla.   They had expressed an interest in card making and Pat is helping them with that.

 

She asked me before I went to Hawaii if I could share some stamping techniques with these ladies and today was the day.  I took several retired flower sets and some retired ink and punches and away I went.  I showed them some basic coloring techniques and they took off.  Here are a few of the cards they made this morning.

Here are a few that they made with the designer paper they had.

Any time I can share my love of stamping with people it is a good day.  When I get to work with young people it is even better!!  

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 23, 2021

Tasteful Touches

You still have 7 days left to get your beautiful Hydrangea Hill Designer Series paper.  After that, it is gone!!  And who wouldn't want some of this gorgeous paper!!!

This is the same basic layout as the card I posted yesterday . . . just with different die cuts and a little wider strip of designer series paper.  But you would really never know it as they look totally different.  This is another one of the cards that is in this week's Cards in the Mail.

Stamps: Tasteful Touches

Cardstock: Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather, Basic White

Designer Series Paper: Hydrangea Hill (Retiring)

Ink: Gorgeous Grape

Accessories:  Stitched So Sweetly Dies, 

Meadow Moments Embossing Folders, Gorgeous Grape 3/8" Sheer Ribbon, 

Mini Glue Dots, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

My Facebook post from five years ago said this "Finally a perfect day to clean off my back patio...not too cold, not too hot, not raining and nothing pressing I had to finish today. Now I can sit all afternoon with my iced coffee and a good book and enjoy the singing birds!!!"  How funny that this is exactly what is on my agenda for today as well.  I am hoping it is a quick project so that I can get a little stamping done this afternoon as well!!  On my patio, of course!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 22, 2021

Happy Thoughts

I am going to be so sad to see this stamp set, Happy Thoughts, retire at the end of the month.  I love the sentiments, the fonts, everything about this stamp set.  This is one you will want to keep in your stamp stash for a long time.

This is one of my go-to layouts whenever I am making a simple card.  It is perfect for a Cards in the Mail card.  This one is in this week's packet.    The Painted Texture 3D Embossing Folder just adds that extra dimension cards need.

Stamps: Happy Thoughts (Retiring)

Cardstock: Soft Sea Foam, Misty Moonlight, Basic White

Designer Series Paper: Hand Penned

Ink: Misty Moonlight

Accessories:  Layering Circles Dies, Painted Texture 3D Embossing Folder, 

Genial Gems, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

I started the day with a morning hair appointment and am just now getting around to a post at noon.  Later this afternoon I will be going to Iowa City for one of my Technique/Stamp Clubs.  Since we are all now retired or off for the summer we can meet earlier in the afternoon.  Hopefully, I will get a little other stamping done sometime in between activities.

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 21, 2021

Pansy Patch

The Pansy Patch Bundle is getting its trial run today in this card that is in this week's Cards in the Mail.

I wasn't sure about getting this set of dies because there are so many little pieces.  However, one of the great things about this set of dies is that it die cuts the flowers that are printed on the designer series paper.  It definitely makes card-making very easy!!

Stamps: Pansy Patch

Cardstock: Basic White Thick, Highland Heather, Basic White

Designer Series Paper: Pansy Petals

Ink: Blackberry Bliss

Accessories:  Pansy Dies, Layering Circles Dies,

Pretty Flowers Embossing Folder, 

Artistry Blooms Adhesive Backed Sequins, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Yesterday was a great day spent with the kids!!  It was so nice to be together without worrying about masks or social distancing!!!

We did have a pretty interesting ride coming home through some pretty intense rain and thunderstorms.  Julie and Jason decided to get off the interstate about halfway home and come south a little bit to get away from the storm cell.  We wound our way through the country on backroads and had a very uneventful rest of the trip home.

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 20, 2021

Hats Off

Hats Off to all of the fathers out there on Father's Day.  This bundle makes the perfect guy cards and is one that you will want to have in your stamp stash.

This set includes several other stamps and dies so that you could personalize it for your guy.  In my mind, I am picturing a black and gold card with the big letter I on it.  We will see if I actually get it done!!

Stamps: Hats Off

Cardstock: Misty Moonlight, Basic White

Designer Series Paper: Pansy Petals

Ink: Memento Black, Bumblebee, Misty Moonlight

Accessories:  Hat Builder Dies, Stampin' Dimensionals

As soon as I am done posting this we are off to Adel.  Julie and Jason are picking us up shortly.  Besides celebrating Father's Day, Hanna and Jake are being commissioned before leaving for Colombia.  They are also having a prayer service for them for safe travels and all to go well while they are gone.

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 19, 2021

Turtle Friends

I love this Turtle Friends stamp set.  I decided to change it up a bit when I was stamping the extra packets from Monday night.  You can see the original card here.

Like I said in the original post since turtles are so slow these are great for belated birthdays . . . the sender is as slow as a turtle!!  

Stamps: Turtle Friends

Cardstock: Evening Evergreen, Soft Succulent, Soft sea Foam, Very Vanilla

Designer Series Paper: Pansy Patch

Ink: Memento Black, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories:  Layering Circles Dies, Turtle Punch, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Today is going to be a pretty low key day . . . no social butterfly activities today!!  I am hoping to get a start on the Cards in the Mail Class for Monday and also to work a little on the box of cards to take to Hanna and Jake.  And of course, listen to the baseball game!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 18, 2021

Artistically Inked

The flower die in the Artistic Dies is pretty awesome.  I have used it a lot already and foresee using it a lot more.  It does coordinate with the Artistically Inked stamp set, but I have yet to use the actual stamps.

The Flirty Flamingo Metallic Ribbon has enough color variation in it that I think it goes perfectly with the Blushing Bride cardstock.  I was a little iffy on that until I finished the card and was pleased with the results.  And of course, you are going to need some Tombow glue to adhere the die to the cardstock.

Stamps: Artistically Inked

Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Basic White

Ink: Blushing Bride

Accessories:  Artistic Dies, Pretty Flowers Embossing Folder, 

Flirty Flamingo 1/4" Gold Metallic Ribbon, 

Silver & Clear Epoxy Essentials, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

This week and next are my social butterfly weeks.  It seems as if I am going out to lunch a lot, but you have to remember I have almost a whole year to make up for!!  LOL

Today, Luetta and I are going to Iowa City for lunch and to pick up a few crafting items.  I am hoping to stamp some when I get home on the cards I am making to take to Hanna and Jake.

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 17, 2021

Biggest Wish

I don't often buy hostess items in the catalog, but I am certainly making an exception for this Pattern Party Designer Series Paper.  Not only does one side have awesome colorful patterns, but the other side is all black and white designs.  What could be better than that!!

I am also enamored with the Biggest Wish stamp set.  I love the size of the sentiments and the fact that you can mix and match different fonts.  I can see this stamp set getting a lot of use this year!!

Stamps: Biggest Wish

Cardstock: Basic White Thick, Basic White

Designer Series Paper:  Pattern Party

Ink: Memento Black, Poppy Parade

Accessories: Black 3/8" Glittered Organdy Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

My garage sale pile has started.  It doesn't look very big here, but this does not count all of the stuff and boxes I have stored under my stamping table.  Keep checking back to see how this pile grows over the next month or so.

Today I am going to be a social butterfly.  I am meeting some friends for lunch and then John and I are going out for supper with some friends to celebrate their anniversary.  It is so nice to be able to do things like that again with friends.  Never take anything for granted!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 16, 2021

Sweet as a Peach

I think I have said it before, but I knew I HAD to have it as soon as I saw this stamp bundle.  If you know me at all then you know my answer is usually "Peachy" when someone asks me how I am so of course this had to join my stamp collection.

I love the look of the peaches.  To achieve this look I inked up my stamp in Pale Papaya and then took a sponge dauber with some Calypso Coral ink and went around the edges of the peach before I stamped it.  I think they turned out pretty realistic looking.

Stamps: Sweet as a Peach

Cardstock: Pale Papaya, Calypso Coral, Basic White

Designer Series Paper: You're Peach

Ink: Memento Black, Pale Papaya, Calypso Coral, 

Early Espresso and Pear Pizzazz markers

Accessories:  Peach Dies, Sponge Daubers, Champagne Rhinestones, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Yesterday's lunch was great and I had some time for stamping in the afternoon.  Today I want to continue with my project for Hanna and Jake, so hopefully, I can get several things stamped up to assemble in my recliner this evening while watching baseball.

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 15, 2021

Turtle Friends

Are you slow as a turtle sending out birthday cards?  Then I have the stamp set for you . . . Turtle Friends.

Everyone stamping with me this week will be making this turtle birthday card that comes from one of my Hawaii swaps.  I wasn't totally sold on this stamp set until I saw some cards made with it and realized that the turtle is a punch!!  Makes making cards so easy!!

Stamps: Turtle Friends

Cardstock: Evening Evergreen, Soft Succulent, Soft sea Foam, Very Vanilla

Designer Series Paper: Pansy Patch

Ink: Memento Black, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories:  Layering Circles Dies, Banners Pick a Punch, Turtle Punch, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

On the agenda today is lunch with some friends and then a little stamping in the afternoon.  Believe it or not, the Cubs are on television again this evening so of course, I will be watching!!  Five days in a row of games on TV . . . I am a happy camper!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 14, 2021

Artistically Inked

You might have wondered yesterday why I called the technique we worked with at Technique Class Blending Brush Twofer when you only saw one card.  Well here is the second one or the twofer!!

I took the die cut that we sponged around and over to leave the negative space and used it on a second card . . . hence the twofer.  It made a super card!  I would be hard-pressed to tell you which one I like the best.  They are both great cards!!

Stamps:   Artistically Inked

Cardstock: Polished Pink, Granny Apple Green, Basic Black, Basic White

Ink: Polished Pink, Granny Apple Green, Mango Melody

Accessories:  Artistic Dies, Blending Brushes, Opal Rounds, 

Double Oval Punch, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Everything is ready and sitting by the back door waiting to be loaded into the car for Make-It-Monday tonight.  I actually had everything done and ready to go in time to take a little nap late yesterday afternoon before the Cubs played baseball last night.  They should be on TV tonight but between stamp night and them being blacked out in our viewing area, I will settle for looking at the box score.

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 13, 2021

Artistically Inked

Another technique we worked with last Thursday night was what I called Blending Brushes Twofer.  Here is one of the cards we made.  My friend, Luetta, had borrowed this stamp set and dies while I was in Hawaii and she and her mom had made several cards with it.  This is one of those cards. When she sent it I knew it would be perfect for a technique class.

I have used this technique before with either our sponges or our sponge daubers, but the Blending Brushes make it SO much easier.  The hardest part of this whole technique was making sure I had all of the little pieces out of the die-cut before I started sponging.  You want to be sure that you have all of the negative spaces available to pick up the color you are using.

Stamps:   Artistically Inked

Cardstock: Polished Pink, Granny Apple Green, Basic White

Ink: Polished Pink, Granny Apple Green, Mango Melody

Accessories:  Artistic Dies, Blending Brushes, 

Opal Rounds, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

I spent a significant amount of time in my stamping room yesterday morning and early afternoon.  I am working on a project to use up a lot of my retired designer series paper and In-Colors.  I am making simple, easily mass-produced cards to donate to Hanna and Jake's church.  They go through a lot of cards, and I love to make cards so it seemed like a perfect idea.  I got about 75 of them done yesterday and hope to get a lot more done in the next two weeks.

Today, before I work on that project, I need to get everything cut and ready to go for tomorrow night's Make-It-Monday so I can stuff the envelopes while watching the Cubs on TV tonight!  

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 12, 2021

Daisy Garden

Thursday was Technique/Stamp Club and one of the techniques we worked with was the Painted Soft Pastel technique.  This technique comes directly from an email I received from another demonstrator and her site, chic n' scratch.  

This looks like a very complicated technique but it is really very easy.  All you need is some embossing powder, a heat tool, the Soft Pastel Assortment, and a Water Painter filled with either water or rubbing alcohol.  I love the way it turned out and this stamp is perfect for this type of spotlighting technique.

Stamps: Daisy Garden, Biggest Wish

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Coastal Cabana, Basic Black, Basic White

Ink:  Coastal Cabana

Accessories:   Tasteful Texture Embossing Folder, Versamark, 

Basic Stampin' Emboss Powders, Heat Tool, Water Painter, 

Soft Pastels Assortment, Baker's Twine Essentials Pack, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

How can it be Saturday again already?  The time sure is flying by!!  I am hoping to spend some time in my stamp room today getting ready for Make-It-Monday.  The Cubs are on TV again tonight and tomorrow night so I am a happy camper!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 11, 2021

Elegantly Said

Today's card showcases the Simply Elegant Designer Series Paper.  There is no better description of this paper other than "simply elegant".

Paired here with the Gold from the Gold & Rose Gold 6" X 6" Metallic Specialty Paper it is way more stunning in real life.  The picture certainly does not do it justice.  This is one of the swaps I received in Hawaii and is included in this week's Cards in the Mail.

Stamps: Elegantly Said

Cardstock: Basic Black, Basic White (Inside)

Designer Series Paper: Simply Elegant, 

Gold & Rose Gold 6" X 6" Metallic Specialty Paper 

Accessories:  Versamark, Metallics Embossing Powder, 

Heat Tool, Elegant Tag, Gray Granite 1/4" Shimmer Ribbon,

Mini Glue Dots,

Stampin' Dimensionals

Today is going to be another lazy day of reading and watching baseball this afternoon.  I have several things I should be doing outside, but it is too hot, so they will save for another day!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 10, 2021

In Symmetry

Today's card is using a different package of awesome designer series paper from the new Annual Idea Book and Catalog . . . Sweet Symmetry.  I might have had trouble spelling symmetry before using this paper and stamp set, but not anymore!!

This is another one of the cards that is in this week's Cards in the Mail.  Super simple once again and good for any occasion you might need a card for.  I wasn't sure I was a fan of this color combination when I started but it is growing on me!!

Stamps: In Symmetry

Cardstock: Just Jade, Night of Navy, Basic White

Designer Series Paper: Sweet Symmetry

Ink: Night of Navy Ink

Accessories:  Tailored Tag Punch, Just Jade & Gold 3/8" Braided Ribbon, 

Mini Glue Dots, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Today has been a totally mixed-up day.  I am late with this post because I misjudged my time this morning and needed to leave before I got it done.  My friend, Luetta, and I had planned on going to Iowa City to do some errands and eat lunch.  So today is a late post.  The good news is that lunch was awesome and everything on my list was purchased and then some!!

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

Happy Stamping!!