September 25, 2024

Everyday Greetings

Today's Cards in the Mail card uses an On-Line Exclusive stamp set . . . Everyday Greetings.  If you haven't already gone on line and checked it out you should.   It has some pretty neat sentiments in it and the fonts are super cool.

I have used the reverse side of the Lily Pond Lane Designer Series Paper.  I am not too fond of the ducks and lily pads but I love the reverse side of the papers.  Add a sentiment and a pop of pink with the bordered ribbon and your card is done!!

My bags are packed and I am ready to go . . . this time really on a jet plane.  My long awaited cruise is finally here.  I will not be posting again until at least October 7th.  I do jump right back into the thick of things with three doctor's appointments on MOnday the 7th.  I am intending on resting and relaxing for the next 10 days and not thinking about doctors or appointments!!!  I do have access to Facebook so if you would like to follow along on our adventures I will be posting pictures there.

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 23, 2024

Autumn To Remember

I can finally share this card that I absolutely love made with a stamp set in the Scrapbooking Brochure . . . Autumn to Remember.  This is one of the swap cards that I took this weekend to Illinois when I attended Holiday Hoopla hosted by the Stampin' Sisters.

It uses my favorite technique . . . Joseph's Coat.  I actually looked back through my posts to find another fall card that I had made several years ago that uses that technique.  You can see that card here.  It's a pretty messy technique but oh so worth it!!  Autumn is my favorite time of year to use this technique because fall colors lend themselves well to the blending and shading underneath the clear embossing powder.

I had to make siteen of these cards for the swap so it took me a while to get them done . . . especially since I am not. moving that fast these days.

I spent the weekend stamping with friends in Illinois.  I actually got along better than I thought I would and completed all of the projects except for assembling four treat holders.  All of the stamping and coloring is done for them and I hope to get them together before I leave for the cruise on Wednesday.  Today will bring an appointment this morning and then coming home to start my packing.

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 19, 2024

Autumn To Remember

Today's card uses another one of the new stamp sets in the Scrapbooking Brochure that you can see On-Line.

I once again used a layout I used a couple of weeks ago, just changing the cardstock, designer series paper, and the sentiment.  You can see that card here.  I am really liking the paper that is in the Scrapbook Brochure.  For a change, I actually like both sides of the designer series paper.  Be sure to check it out!!

Today is an errand running, meeting friends for lunch, finishing my swaps kind of day.  I also need to start packing both for my weekend stamping retreat as well as the cruise next week.  I am sure it will all get done, I just wish it WERE already done!!  Hopefully, there will be a little time for some relaxing today at some point!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 18, 2024

Enjoying Little Things

Today's card is not only a Cards in the Mail card but also words to live by!!  Sometimes I think we get so wrapped up in the big things of life that we forget to enjoy the little things along the way.

Just like we should stop and enjoy the little things in life. . . sometimes less is more on a card such as this one.  Using only Basic Thick White Cardstock and some designer series paper, we have a card anyone would love to receive.  The Country Woods Designer Series Paper is perfect for just such a card.

I ended up having a lot of time to work on things yesterday . . . my appointment got canceled because the doctor was sick.  Actually, the extra day of rest was a good thing!!  Besides getting some stamping done I now have my packing list complete or almost complete.  It gives me time to look it over and add those things I think I might be forgetting.

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 17, 2024

Potions & Spells

Today's Cards in the Mail card uses some products from the new Scrapbooking brochure available only online.  In the future scrapbooking products will be in the main catalog.  The Designer Series Paper is in that brochure and the stamp set, Potions, & Spells, is an OnLine Exclusive product.

  

I decided to rework one of the layouts I did last month, only using Halloween paper.  You can see that card here.  Instead of reinventing the wheel all the time, I need to do more of that.  It definitely shows how easy cardmaking is once you have some products and an idea or two!!  I didn't have any ribbon that I thought was the right color so I colored some of the Black & Very Vanilla Large Checked Ribbon with my Dark Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blend!!  I love being able to make ribbon any color you might need.

If you haven't checked out the Scrapbooking Brochure you really need to do that.  You might think it is only for scrapbookers, but that is not the case.  You can check it out by clicking this link.  What a great time to tock up on papers and such tomorrow during the FREE shipping event!!

Yesterday, I had a sudden burst of energy and got everything ready to mail for Cards in the Mail. I also worked on my second swap for this weekend. Today, I have an appointment in Iowa City right in the middle of the afternoon, so I am planning on running all of my errands before it and then coming home and trying to get those finished up!

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 16, 2024

Changing Leaves

Today's card is another one I got from Susie at her last demo event.  It uses the Changing Leaves stamp set.

Changing Leaves is an On-Line Exclusive which means that it is not in a print catalog anywhere.  Anyone can order these, but you can only see it On-Line.  If you need help finding it On-Line, I can help you.  This card also features the new Basic Beige color that replaced very Vanilla.  I didn't think I would like it but it is growing on me!!!

Today is the only day where nothing is scheduled between now and when I leave for my cruise on the 25th of September.  I am hoping to get my second set of swaps completed and all of the cardstock cut for this week's Cards in the Mail.  I am hoping for good energy and motivation today!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 14, 2024

Changing Leaves

Today's card uses the Changing Leaves stamp set along with the coordinating Hybrid Changing Leaves 3D Embossing Folder and Dies.

                              

Most of the cards I have seen made with this stamp set have been fallish cards but as you can see it works great for spring and summer cards as well.

I first stamped the leaves on the Thick Basic White card base using Pool Party ink which has been stamped off a couple of times.  I then took a piece of Granny Apple Green cardstock and embossed it with the Changing Leaves Hybrid Embossing Folder.  Then I stamped the large leaf image in Shaded Spruce ink and cut it out with the Changing Leaves Dies.  Lastly, I stamped the sentiment in Shaded Spruce ink, cut it out with the same dies, and wound some Linen Thread underneath it.  To finish it off, I added some Iridescent Pearls around.

Today is a tailgating, football kind of day.  Hanna needs to be in Iowa City on Sunday and Monday for a school conference so she is coming earlier on Saturday so that she can tailgate and go to the football game with me.  It has been a lot of years since we have attended an Iowa game together.  I sure hope the weather cooperates with us, although with my seats this year it doesn't make that much difference if it is sunny or rainy.

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 13, 2024

Wanted to Say Dies

Today's card is another one that uses the Wanted To Say Dies.  It was a shoebox swap from the demo meeting in June that was provided by Luetta.

As you can see, there is no stamping on the outside of the card. . . just beautiful designer series paper and die-cuts.  We used the Adhesive sheets to adhere the pink Happy Birthday to the white outline. That makes it so much easier to adhere together. 

Again, as you can see, this is a funky fold card that is much easier to make than it looks.  As long as you get your score marks in the right place, the card folds together very easily.  Decorate it up, and you are good to go.

I actually started my swaps for next weekend yesterday.  I knew what I wanted to do for my fall swap, but when I started it didn't work the way I wanted it to so I had to switch gears and change the entire card layout.  The good thing is I can still use the same technique.  I will post a picture next weekend after we actually swap.  I also figured out what I wanted to do for the Christmas swap.  Hopefully, I can get both of them done this weekend in between going tailgating and to the football game and watching baseball on TV.

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 12, 2024

Wanted to Say Dies

Today's card is another one of the cards that I received back in June at the demo event at Susie's.  I believe this card was made by another demo, Jenni.  I actually just sent this card off today to my great-niece in Illinois.

After die-cutting the words Happy Birthday I believe she used the blending brushes to blend the ink onto the words.   The "to you" is embossed with white embossing powder.   I am not entirely sure which designer series paper she used for the three strips in the middle but any three colors you have would work.  This would be a great way to use up some of the small strips if you are like me and have plenty of them lying around.

Today looks to be another great weather day.  It is definitely going to be another low-key day for me . . . three tailgating weekends in a row might have been a bit more than I should have scheduled!!  As long as I can rest during the week things should be good.

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 11, 2024

Changing Leaves

Today's card is one we made at a demo event back in June and was provided by my demonstrator friend, Dawn.

We started by stamping the leaves with Versamark on watercolor paper and them embossed them with white embossing Powder.  We spritzed the leaves with water and then painted over them with Granny Apple Green and Garden Green ink refills.  We let them dry for a while and then finished drying them with a quick shot of the heat tool.  The last step in stamping the leaves was to die-cut them.  They were adhered to a piece of Basic White cardstock with Stampin' Dimensionals that had been embossed with the coordinating 3D Embossing Folder.  This was layered onto a piece of Soft Sea Foam cardstock and then onto a Lost Lagoon card base.  Such a beautiful card in person . . . the photo does not do it justice.

Today has been Grand Central Station around here.  Angie came to clean, a friend came for some stamping advice, and Don delivered John's noon meal all at the same time.  I am now sitting and waiting for the UPS man to deliver my package so that I can give him back the one they delivered yesterday that does not belong to me.  

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 10, 2024

Winterly Tree Tops

Back finally with another new card from this week's Cards in the Mail.  This one uses the Winterly Tree Tops stamp set and is a fun fold card.  It was a swap I received from Susie back in June.

Once again the designer series paper has done most of the work for you.  Add a dry embossed strip on one side of the card, some twine, some embellishments, and a sentiment, and your card is done.  But wait . . . 

You might think this is an ordinary card, but when you open it up it becomes a fun fold card!!  And what a great sentiment on the inside!!

As has happened many times in this lymphoma journey . . . I have a super busy day or weekend and then I am down and out for a couple of days trying to rest up.  Saturday was a great day tailgating and the Hawkeye game (minus the Cyclone win), but it was a LONG day and I was exhausted when I got home late Saturday evening.  It took us almost 90 minutes to even leave the parking lot once we got to the vehicles.  I thought if I rested on Sunday that would be good enough, but alas!!  I had a lab appointment yesterday morning to check my counts since they had been kind of out of whack two weeks ago.  Thankfully they are back where they should be and in some cases better than they have been since 2017.   It was another long day yesterday by the time I got home so I rested the rest of the day.  Hopefully, things are back on schedule now!!  I am doing a much better job of taking the time to rest when I think I need to!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 6, 2024

Spotlight on Nature

Today's card uses the Spotlight on Nature stamp set that is finally back in stock on the Stampin' Up! website.  I received this card in a swap in June but do not remember who brought it.  If this is your card or you remember whose it is please let me know so I can give credit to the right person.  (Luetta just texted me and said this card was hers.  Thanks, Luetta, awesome card!!!)

The colors used in this card are bright and springy but you could easily change it to a fall card by coloring the flowers and stamping the butterfly in a fall color . . . Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry and using an Old Olive or Mossy Meadow for the stems and leaves.  If I used those colors I would probably use a Basic Beige for my card base and stamping layer and an Early Espresso for the layer right under the stamped piece.  You could experiment with the third color and ribbon color and see which you liked best.  I thought about then embossing it with the Birch Wood Embossing Folder but I think maybe I would like this one better.

Today brings another doctor's appointment for John later this afternoon.  This one is at the eye clinic and they are certainly not speed merchants so we will probably be there for a while. 

It will be an early night for me tonight to get rested up for the Iowa/Iowa State football game tomorrow.  I am planning on both tailgating and walking to the stadium in addition to attending the game.  I am sure I will be tired when I get home tomorrow night.  I doubt if I post a card tomorrow because I have to be in Iowa City relatively early so we can get everyone in to the tailgate parking lot.

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 5, 2024

Keeping Tabs

Today's card is from a couple of weeks ago in the Cards in the Mail packet.  It is one my friend, Susie, made.

This card could be used for many different occasions and is super simple to make.  The only actual stamping on it is the sentiment.  The flower bouquet is punched from the designer series paper.  Cute idea!!  For once I was pretty pleased with how my double bow turned out . . . I usually struggle with those but that day must have been my lucky bow day!!

Today is doctor's day again . . . John has an appointment right before lunch.  This one should be fairly quick so we will drive through somewhere for lunch on the way home.  I think the Cubs have today off so there will be no baseball for me unless I decide to watch another team.  Hopefully, that means I can get some crafting done!!

 

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 4, 2024

Layering Leaves

Today I have another Cards in the Mail card using the Layered Leaves stamp set and the Wildly Flowering Designer Series Paper.

This funky fold card uses the same supplies as the card I posted the other day.  You can see that card here. 

Ignore the brown blob at the top of the card.  That is just the Apple Logo on my laptop which I used to hold the card upright for a photo.

The writing space inside this card is only 4" X 4" but sometimes not as much space for writing is good.

Today looks to be another beautiful day . . . maybe the last one for a couple of days.  There is really nothing definite on the agenda . . . we shall see what the day brings.

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 2, 2024

Iconic Imagery

Today's card is another of last week's Cards in the Mail.  I'm a little late in getting them posted this time.  Between doctor's appointments and Hawkeye football it has been a busy time.

This is a super simple layout that is multipurpose depending on your choice of designer series paper and sentiment choice.  I have chosen the flowered side of the Lily Pond Designer Series Paper Pack.  I did not care at all for the duck pond things on one side of the paper but the other side has some cool floral and geometric patterns.  That is the great thing about the two-sided papers.  If you don't like one side there is always another.

Today looks like another beautiful day.  After resting most of the day yesterday I think I will go visit my family that is camped at West Overlook between Hawkeye football Saturdays.  It should be a great day to sit and visit!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

September 1, 2024

Layering Leaves

Wow . . . September already!!  Not sure where time is going but it sure is passing.  Today I have another of last week's Cards in the Mail to share with you.

If you don't already have some of the Wildly Flowering Designer Series Paper you are going to want to get some.  It is gorgeous and such pretty fall colors.

This is actually a fun fold card that shows both sides of the designer series paper.  When you open the card you can see the backside of the paper.

Not sure what they day will bring today but it certainly is a nice one.  i am sure i will be doing some resting after the football game yesterday.  This was my view of the game!!

Just about perfect . . . the weather, the seat . . . and the fact that the Hawks won by a lot!!  Let's Go Hawks!!

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

Happy Stamping!!