July 5, 2026

Relaxing Waterside

I am not fishing but I am definitely relaxing today.  This card is made with the Relaxing Waterside stamp set and the coordinating paper Waterside Retreat.  

This is a super simple card to send to just about anyone!!  Particularly if they are a fisher-person.  I chose to fussy cut a fishing vest but thee are many other designs in the designer seire paper that you could choose.  Other than that the paper does most of the work for you!

Today is going to be a baseball watching, reading, stitching kind of day.  I should be getting ready for my garage sale next week but that will happen starting tomorrow.  One more day of relaxing before the hustle and bustle begins again.

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

Happy Stamping!!

July 4, 2026

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy 4th of July!!  As I told my friend, Luetta, when we were watching the parade this mornng. . . I love the 4th of July!!

I cased this card from my friend, Peggy, who is one of the Stamping Sisters.  I love the butterflies that are flying so free . . . a great representation of the freedoms we enjoy in our country.

The weather for the parade was perfect this morning.  Not too hot and not too cold and the rain had stopped before the beginning of it.  I think it might be the most perfect the weather has been in all of my years of watching this parade.  

I love opening my yard and driveway to friends to also watch the parade.  No kids this year, but there was still no shortage of candy thrown our way!

I am ending the day by watching the fireworks from my driveway!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

July 3, 2026

Painted Stripes

It is no secret that I love the 4th of July!!  And the red, white, and blue color combination.  So of course I had to make some cards to celebrate!!  This is one of the cards I made last year and I had to share it again today!!  These are retired stamp sets and I kind of wish I would have kept them!!

I love the way this card turned out. The Painted Stripes stamp set really makes the perfect flag.  The stripes look like the flag blowing in the wind to me.  I did use a retired star punch as I didn't want to get my die cut machine out.  It was much easier!!  I used Secret Sea as my base but it is really dark.  Maybe Night of Navy or Blueberry Bushel would have been a better choice.  What do you think?

What are you doing to celebrate the 4th tomorrow?  I am hoping the weather cooperates so that we can have the parade and all of the 4th of July festivities.  The parade goes right by the front of my house and it has been an annual tradition to have a yard full of people to watch it!

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

Happy Stamping!!

July 1, 2026

New July On Line Exclusives

We have BRAND NEW Stampin' Up! On Line Exclusive's!!! They are stunning!! You want some Fall? Football? Christmas in July? How about this beautiful floral set above with all the pretty purples & pinks? We have so many new products to  choose from!!!! CHECK THEM OUT!!!!

Let me know what you want and I will get it ordered for you.  There are a lot of cool things in there for the fall and Christmas holidays.   

This afternoon is a baseball watching stitching kind of afternoon.  After my excursions the last couple o f days today is a sitting kind of day!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 28, 2026

Words and Wishes

Today's card is one I made a while back at a demo event in Illinois.  This birthday set has some awesome sentiments and and images for celebrating birthdays.

This striped designer series paper is the perfect celebratory paper for a birthday.  I fussy cut the presents and the cake, although there is a die to die cut the cake if you wish.  Otherwise this is a pretty simple card to mass produce if you would want to.

Tomorrow my friend, Joan, and I are going on a road trip to a huge quilt and fabric store in Missouri.  We were going to go to a stitchng shop on the way home but it is closed until after the 4th of July for family vacations.  I guess that just means we will need to go on another road trip later this summer.

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 27, 2026

Wild Bunch

I have not fallen on the face of the earth but I certainly have not been a member of the Wild Bunch.  This card was one of the cards everyone made at Make-It-Monday this week.  It uses the product of the Month for June.

I useed one of my favorite layouts when making this card.  It also uses the 2026-2028 In Color Designer Paper as well as 2026-2028 In Color Dots.  The snail is colored with the Crisp Cantaloupe Shimmer Pen.  I love the way it turned out.

Needless to say I have not been posting much or for that matter doing much at all.  My tooth extraction took way more out of me that I thought it would.  Resting is about all I have been doing.  I am hoping it gets better soon!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 16, 2026

Last Chance List Updated

Check out the updated Last Chance List!!  There are some great bargains.  Be sure to get what you want now because once they are gone, they are gone forever!!

Chances are there will not be blog posts for a few days.  I need to have a tooth pulled tomorrow and another appointment on Thursday.  I am anticipating needing Friday to reciperate from both of these appointments, so I plan on trying to post on Saturday!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 11, 2026

Today thru June 13, 2026- FREE SHIPPING from Stampin' Up!

Free shipping is for three days only.  Place your orders between June 11 and 13, 2026 to qualify.

Free shipping automatically applies to the shopper’s cart after the qualifying amount has been met, which is $75 (before tax).

All orders must meet the qualifying amount to be eligible for free shipping. Coupon codes and Stampin’ Rewards will lower the total amount of an order.

The additional cost for expedited shipping is NOT covered by this promotion.

Prepaid 3-, 6-, and 12-month Paper Pumpkin subscriptions and month-to-month subscriptions do NOT qualify for free shipping. 

Refills, past kits, and add-ons do qualify toward free shipping, but you must be a subscriber to purchase. 

Happy Shopping!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 5, 2026

Phrases and Frames

Todays' card is made with an awesome sentiment stamp set . . . Phrases and Frames.  The stamp set is all sentiments and then there is a coordinating die set that is all frames that fit around the sentiments.  It is a must have set!!

I started with a card base of Secret Sea and added a layer of Hydrangea Hue.  That was then layered with a piece of Basic White Cardstock.  I cut three pieces of Delicate Dreams Specialty Designer Paper that were the same size and added them to the top of the white.  The flowered designer paper in the bottom of the white is from the same pack of designer series paper.  A strip of Secret Sea with thesentiment attached and a Hydrangea Hue bow completed my card.  It is a great card that could be used for any occasion with a change of sentiment.

I am hoping to get some stitching done this afternoon while watching the Cubs game.  I got a lot done last night during the game until the bottom of the ninth inning.  What an exciting end to the game.  I hope today goes as well!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 3, 2026

Fern and Flora

In case you might not have noticed, my posts have been sporadic or none at all.  I seem to have lost my mojo for stamping or anything else for that matter.  I am hoping the sunshine and nice weather bring back some of it.  Today's card is one I got in a swap somewhere, but I could not tell you where!

This card uses one of the new designer series papers , , , Everyday Essentials.  There is really not a theme to this paper pack, it is just a pack of random flowered and geometric designs.  It definitely comes in handy when you are looking for an extra design for a card.  This particular layout would be good for any occasion and by switching out the designer series paper you would never know it is the same layout.

Since the Last Chance List was updated yesterday, I am making myself go through all of my designer series paper and the stamps on my shelves and and pulling everything that is no longer current.  It will go into my garage sale stash.  Speaking of my garage sale it is scheduled for July 10th and 11 . . . the weekend after the 4th.  Even though I recently had an impromptu garagse sale I still have a TON of stuff I would like to sell!!!  Mark your calendars!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

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!!