November 16, 2019

Stitched All Around

One of the best parts, as I have said before, of going to a stamping event is the swapping.  I was part of an organized swap last night and this is the card I took.

One of the guidelines of the swap was that we were to use only Annual Catalog products.  This really helped in not getting a lot of swaps from the Holiday Catalog that will be retiring soon.

Stamps: Stitched All Around

Cardstock: Blackberry Bliss, Petal Pink, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: magnolia lane

Ink: Blackberry Bliss and Mossy Meadow Markers

Stampin' Blends:  Blackberry Bliss Combo Pack  

Accessories:  Stitched Shapes Dies, Layering Circles Dies, 

Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

I believe I have also said before that I can craft anywhere, and I did just that yesterday.

I had the thirteen swaps done that I needed last night but I went ahead and cut and stamped some more before I left home to make in case I had time to share for general swaps.  Well the airplane was the perfect opportunity to finish them all up.  So I now have swaps for today, also.  I am headed out here soon to On Stage where I am very anxious to see the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration catalogs and see what all else they have in store for us!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 15, 2019

Most Wonderful Time of the Year Product Medley 

Back in July when Susie and I traveled to New York we had a chance to play with some of the things that were new at the time.  One night we each took limited products and created a card.

That is not my forte and I was not very happy with this card I came up with.  I had been kind of looking for it since I came home and could not find it so decided that I must have thrown it away since I didn't like it very well.  This morning when I was getting my stamping stuff ready to take with me to Las Vegas I found it in my portable stamping kit.  When I looked at it again, it is not as bad as I thought so decided to share it.

Stamps: Most Wonderful Time of the Year Product Medley Kit

Cardstock: Garden Green, Whisper White

Ink: Garden Green, Real Red

Accessories:  Red Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

I made it . . . I got my order of 80 individual cards done yesterday and delivered them!!!  Eighty cards is not problem, but when they are all different is changes the game somewhat!!

As soon as I am done posting this I am put the door for the Des Moines Airport. I am meeting Susie and her husband there and we are flying to the On Stage event that is in Las Vegas.  I can't wait to see what all they have in store for us!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 14, 2019

Christmas Toile

Back again with another cardinal card.  I just can't seem to get enough of them!!  Today's card is pretty generic but you could certainly change that by whatever sentiment you chose to use.

I think everybody Monday night liked this card as well, even though there was a fair amount of coloring on it!!

Stamps: Toile Christmas, Itty Bitty Greetings

Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink:Memento Black 

Stampin' Blends:  Real Red Combo Pack, 

Shaded Spruce Dark, Mango Melody Dark, Bronze

Accessories:  Christmas Cardinal Dies, Stylish Scroll Embossing Folder, 

1" Circle Punch, 1 1/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 

1 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Today I need to get my special order of cards finished up and then start working on my swaps for the stamping event in Las Vegas this weekend. I think I can get it all done . . . if not I can always assemble my swaps along the way or once I get there.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 13, 2019

Christmas Rose

The Christmas Time Is Here Ley Suite is one that you do not want to miss. Although it is labeled Christmas Rose the images and the designer series paper can be used anytime of the year.  They are absolutely beautiful!!

This card which everyone made on Monday night has no sentiment on it yet is absolutely beautiful.  The picture doesn't to do it justice!!

Stamps: Christmas Rose

Cardstock: Mossy Meadow, Very Vanilla, Gold Foil

Designer Series Paper: Christmastime Is Here

Accessories: Versamark, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Gold 3/4" Shimmer Ribbon

Luckily our furnace dilemma from yesterday was an easy fix.  On a whim I decided to go out and look at the outside vent pipe, because I know if it gets clogged with snow, it keeps the furnace from coming on.  The vent appeared to be clear but there was a tiny tiny ice droplet at the edge of the pipe. I removed it and ran my hand inside the rest of the pipe to see if there was anything else in there and there was not.  When I came back inside the furnace was running.  I called the HVAC people to see if that small ice droplet could really have been causing the problem and they said absolutely!  It was causing the furnace to go into safety mode.  The furnace has been working just fine ever since.  Who knew such a small droplet could cause so much trouble.  I am just thankful that it was such an easy fix!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 12, 2019

Birds of a Feather

I love it when people take the supplies I give them and come up with a completely different card.  Such was the case last night when Denise went to stamp her Birds of a Feather card.  She loves the snowmen on the Let It Snow paper and her piece just so happened to have two snowmen perfectly placed so she decided to use that side of the designer series paper.

 

You can see the original card here.  And then her whole card . . . perfect!!

Stamps: Birds of a Feather, First Foliage

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Real Red,  Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Let It Snow

Ink: Memento Black, Delicate Silver

Accessories:  Layering Circles Dies, 2" Circle Punch, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Well . . . our day is off to an interesting start . . . our furnace has decided that it does not want to come on.  At least it is not freezing cold today.  A call to our local HVAC company was made and I am waiting for them to call back about when they can come to look at it.  Hopefully it is something minor . . . but who knows where we will be spending the day!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 11, 2019

Birds of a Feather

I am not sure this little chickie could survive the cold temperatures today, but he sure does make a cute Santa Chick.  And the snowy background is perfect for today as well.

This is one of the cards that everyone will be making tonight at Make-It-Monday.  It might be cold . . . but we will be stamping away by the fireplace!!

Stamps: Birds of a Feather

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Real Red,  Balmy Blue, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Let It Snow

Ink: Memento Black

Stampin' Blends:  Balmy Blue Dark, Real Red Dark, 

Pumpkin Pie Dark, Daffodil Delight Dark

Accessories:  Layering Circles Dies, 2" Circle Punch, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Everything is cut, packed and ready to go for tonight.  I have a few errands to run in Iowa City before stamp night so there is not much else on the agenda for today!!!  Stay warm!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 10, 2019

Beautiful Friendship

One of the blogs I follow, Stamp With Amy, used the beautiful designer series paper that is only available during November on this beautiful birthday card. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful . . . there are no other words to describe this paper.

While this is a Christmas rose, it works great for any other occasions.

Stamps: Beautiful Friendship, Very. Versailles

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Gold Foil

Designer Series Paper: Christmastime Is Here

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Accessories:  Stitched Shapes Dies, Layering Circles Dies, 

Versamark, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 

Gold Glitter Enamel Dots, 

Stampin Dimensionals

Today will be spent getting things ready for Make-It-Monday tomorrow night. The cards are all planned . . . which is the hard part . . . cutting and gathering is easy!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 9, 2019

Peaceful Boughs

As I was putting together the last of the cards from the Christmas card class, I decided to change one of them up just a tiny bit.  You can see the original card here.

I am not sure which of them I like better.  I tried layering the stamped piece on both the Shaded Spruce green and the Soft Suede brown and decided it looked better on the Very Vanilla.

Stamps:  Peaceful Boughs

Cardstock: Very Vanilla Thick, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede

Ink: Shaded Spruce, Soft Suede

Stampin' Blends:  Shaded Spruce Dark

Accessories:  3/8" Gold Metallic Edge Ribbon, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

As soon as I am done posting this I am out the door for the first of only two craft shows I am doing this year.  

And then it is home to watch the Hawkeyes later this afternoon!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 8, 2019

Gather Together

Last night was the first Thursday of the month so that meant it was Technique/Stamp Club.  This group did the tie dye background, but using fall colors the time.  You can see the card the other group made here.

I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out and I think the ladies were as well.

Stamps: Gather Together, Day of Thanks

Cardstock: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Crushed Curry, Whisper White

Ink:  Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Crushed Curry

Accessories: Gather Leaves Dies, Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Dimensionals

Today I need to get my car loaded with craft show stuff, because I can take it and get it set up late this afternoon.  I am going to take it easy the rest of the day because starting tomorrow I feel like I will be going 100 (well maybe 75) miles an hour until after the middle of December!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 7, 2019

Let It Snow Embellishment Kit


I saw these little guys pop up yesterday when I was browsing Facebook and knew I needed to make some for the craft show this Saturday!!

I already had the little Hershey Nuggets at home waiting for inspiration to strike as to how to cover them . . . and then it happened!!  I made a dozen of these guys in just under an hour last night while watching TV.

There are many more embellishments in the kit that I did not use . . but I thought they turned out pretty cute!!   We'll see what the response is Saturday and I may be making more of them!!

Tonight is Technique/Stamp Club.  I do need to get ready for that today . . . I know what we are doing . . . I just need to get cardstock cut and things gathered up!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 6, 2019

Playful Penguins

Playful Penguins is one stamp set that I did not purchase from the Holiday catalog.  I made this card at a stamping event that my friend, Susie, had a couple of weeks ago.

I am now rethinking my decision about this set . . . I will have to see what the next couple of months bring and see if they are carrying over this stamp set. That won't be announced for a while, though.

Stamps: Playful Penguins 

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay

Ink: Memento Black, Bermuda Bay

Accessories: Layering Circles Dies, Swirls and Curls Embossing Folder, 

Frosted Clear and Epoxy Droplets, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Late blog post today but I got distracted by something else!!  I actually completed my registration for the Hawaii incentive trip.  I told Hanna after I had completed it that I am still kind of in disbelief that it is actually happening!!

Today I need to get things ready for Technique/Stamp Club tomorrow night and maybe come up with a couple more things for the craft show this weekend.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 5, 2019

Copper Foil Christmas

A Christmas card with no greeting???  Sometimes that works just fine!!  The copper accents and the ribbon do all of the work on this Christmas card!! 

This is another one of the cards everyone made on Saturday.  It was fun to watch the different variations on this card as people used the other side of the designer series paper or changed the orientation of the card.

Cardstock: Night of Navy, Very Vanilla, Copper Foil

Designer Series Paper: Brightly Gleaming

Accessories:  Stitched Shapes Dies, Stitched Stars Dies, 

Hammered Metal Embossing Folder, 1/2" Classic Weave Ribbon, 

Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

I worked most of the day yesterday stamping up the extra cards from Saturday and will continue to do the same today.  I did pull out all of my stuff from previous craft shows and organized my tubs and got rid of some things that I have been dragging around forever, it seems.  I am going to be at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church this coming Saturday so it seemed like the thing to do yesterday.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 4, 2019

Peaceful Boughs

Need a bunch of Christmas cards but don't have a lot of time to stamp?  Then this is the card for you . . . super simple but yet very elegant

One stamp set . . . one type of cardstock . . . two inks . . . one ribbon  . . . and you are done!!  What could be easier??  This was the quickest card people made on Saturday at Peek Into Santa's Workshop.

Stamps: Peaceful Boughs

Cardstock: Very vanilla Thick, Very Vanilla

Ink: Shaded Spruce, Soft Suede

Accessories:  3/8" Gold Metallic Edge Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots

Yesterday was a very relaxing day taking a ride with Julie and Jason along the Mississippi River.  We did not seem very colorful leaves, however.  They were still on the trees . . . just not much color.  We stopped in LeClaire at one of our favorite stores and found some new Christmas decoration treasures and then ate lunch at a place called Go Fish which overlooked the Mississippi. Only Jason had fish, but all of the food was delicious.  We ended up in Clinton at an antique store and then made our way home.  

Today I am hoping to get everything picked up and put away from Saturday since I played hooky yesterday.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 3, 2019

Christmas Gleaming

While I don't usually think of blues and greens as being Christmas colors, they certainly are when paired with this awesome Christmas Gleaning Specialty Designer Series Paper.   This is one of the cards everyone stamping yesterday at Peek Into Santa's Workshop made.

While the photo does not do it justice, the copper accents in the bottom tier of designer series paper really sets off the rest of the card.

Stamps: Christmas Gleaming, Itty Bitty Christmas

Cardstock: Very Vanilla Thick, Night of Navy, Mossy Meadow, 

Very Vanilla, Copper Foil

Designer Series Paper: Brightly Gleaming

Ink: Memento Black, Night of Navy

Stampin' Blends:  Mossy meadow Combo pack, 

Night of Navy Combo Pack

Accessories:  Hammered 3D Embossing Folder, 

Gleaming Ornaments Punch Pack, Holiday Rhinestone Basic Jewels, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

I was a pooped puppy by the end of the day yesterday.  I hit the ground running at 5:30 to finish getting things ready for yesterday and ended the day about 10:30 when we got home from Julie and Jason's Halloween party.  I am not sure I sat much the whole day other than some in the afternoon when people were finishing up their cards in my living room.  The extra hour of sleep was very welcome last night.

Today I think we might go on a fall ride with Julie and Jason.  They mentioned it last night and as long as all I have to do is sit, I think we are going to ride along!!  It sure does look to be a pretty day!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 1, 2019

Toile Christmas

I have heard a couple of versions  of the story behind seeing a cardinal and here they are . . . 

A cardinal is a representative of a loved one who has passed. When you see one, it means they are visiting you. They usually show up when you most need them or miss them. They also make an appearance during times of celebration as well as despair to let you know they will always be with you.

Or

They represent the warmth, the life and energy. A cardinal may symbolize the fire of life that burns within our souls, even in the darkest and coldest times. It reminds us we need to stay strong and positive throughout difficult periods in our life, just as redbird endures the cold winter days

Which ever story you like . . . there is no denying that this cardinal stamp is absolutely awesome!!!

This is one of the cards that people are making at Peek Into Santa's Workshop tomorrow.  I know there is a lot of coloring on this card, but I love it!!

Stamps: Toile Christmas

Cardstock: Mossy Meadow, Basic Black, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Magnolia Lane

Ink: Memento Black, Mossy Meadow

Accessories:  Christmas Cardinal Dies, Stitched Label Dies, 

Magnolia Lane Ribbon Combo Pack, 

3/8" Gold Metallic Edge Ribbon, Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels, 

Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

The cardstock is all cut and I just have a little die cutting left to do to be ready for tomorrow.  I need to go to the grocery store to get all of the makings for soup and dessert and then come home and set up all the tables.  Hopefully there are enough hours in the day!!

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

Happy Stamping!!