November 19, 2025

Gallery Blooms

Today's card is the second card I took to Las Vegas for a birthday card swap.

As you can see this is a fun fold card with flaps opening both ways.  There is a small space on the inside for your message.  Once again I showcased the gorgeous Brushed With Beauty Designer Series Paper.  I colored the flower with a Mossy Meadow Stampin' Blend for the leaves and an Ivory Stampin' Blend for the actual flower.  I love the way it turned out.

As you can seemy I made quite a few of these as well. Definitely took more time than the one I posted yesterday.  I think my days of making swaps are done until at leat the end of January.

A word of advice . . . if you need a Covid vaccine, an influenza shot and a pneumonia vaccine, done't get them all on the same day!!  I don't think I am going to do much the rest of the day other than sit in my recliner and rest!!  They really took it out of me!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 18, 2025

Sentimental Framing

Today's card is one I took as a swap to Backstage last week.  It uses the Sentimental Framing stamp set and the Traditional Labels Dies.  It also uses the gorgeous Brushed With Beauty Designer Series Paper.

I used a Strawberry Slush card base and layered it with Very Vanilla cardstock.  I chose two patterns of designer series paper that coordinated well together and added them to the Very Vanilla cardstock.  The sentiment is stamped with Mossy Meadow ink onto a  shape cut out of Very Vanilla cardstock using the Traditional Labels  Dies.

I really only needed 11 swaps for the swap I was in, but once I got going I ended up with 20.

Today started with a salon appointment and is ending with an oncology appointment.  I am typing this as I sit in the waiting room waiting to have my blood drawn and then I will wait another hour to see the doctor.  It's a good thing I brought a book with me to keep me entertained.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 17, 2025

We asked, and they listened! Announcing our first-ever Black Friday sale! From November 25 to December 1, you  can get up to 40% off select products.  Don’t forget to mark your calendar so you can save BIG starting November 25! Visit the online store starting November 25 to see all the products that will be on sale.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 10, 2025

Weekend Adventures

And we are off!!  Susie and I are sitting in the Des Moines airport waiting for our flight to Las Vegas so I thought this was an appropriate card . . . our adventure is starting.  We are headed to Stampin' Up! Backstage for a few days.

My card starts with a base of Basic Black with some layers of Pecan Pie and Basic White.  The sentiment is embossed in white on some Weekend Adventures Designer Series Paper.  I added a few Streaked Dots as an embellishment.

It looks like it is about time to start boarding our plane so I had best put my laptop away.  I hope to post while I am away but not sure about time and Internet.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 9, 2025

Gingerbread Man

Today's card is another one I made from the Cozy Craft retreat.  

This card totally reminds me of Hanna, because whenever something would go wrong she would always say "Oh Snap!"  At least her leg didn't come off.  There is very little stamping on this card, just a lot of die cutting.  The base of the card comes from the Christmas Greetings Specialty Cards and Envelopes.  It is a little larger than a regular card measuring 4.25" X 6.25"

Everything is ready to go to Vegas tomorrow.  I just need to put it in my suitcase and go to the grocery store to get John some food for while I am gone.  I might even be able to sneak in a nap this afternoon.

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

 Happy Stamping!!

November 8, 2025

Baby, It's Cold Out There!!

Today's card is one I made from a class I bought  . . .  called the Cozy Craft retreat. 

There is no stamping on this card whatsoever.  It is all made with designer series paper and letters cute out with the new large letters dies.  Amazing what you can do with no stamps . . . just paper.

Today is a football kind of day.  I made the decision to stay home from the game based on the weather forecast.  I did not want to get sick before leaving for Las Vegas on Monday.   I can watch the dame on TV in the warm comfort of my home.  I think I made the right decision.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 7, 2025

More Messages

Today I am sharing one of the cards that I made at Susie's Holiday Extravaganza.

This card used the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder as well as the More Messages stamp set and accompanying die.   It also uses the two tone Daffodil Delight Paper.  I love the way it turned out.  The other dies are from the Branching Out Dies and the retired Thankful Garden Dies.

 

What a beautiful day it is today.  We had better enjoy it today because I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be quite different.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 6, 2025

Festive Friends

Today's card is one I made with a few weeks ago when I went to Wisconsin.  The basic card came from a class I bought called the Cozy Craft retreat.  

The basic card was in the shape of the Pool Party Pennant and had no bling on it.  I added it to a quarter sheet of Real Red cardstock and also added a red faceted Snowflake to his hat.  All cards need some kind of bling and I wan't sure where to put it so it ended up on his hat.

This is now like a fun fold card.  I like it much better on the red background.

dog, happy, apple

If you are over 65 you might know what those words mean.  I had a Medicare yearly checkup (my first) and those were the three words they gave me to remember.  Clearly I still remember them!  Now that that is out of the way for today and also for another year, I can settle down and finish up my swaps for next week.  I thought I would get them done last night, but decided to go to bed instead.  I still have four days to get them done!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 5, 2025

Friendly Foliage

Today's card is one everyone got to make last week at Make-It-Monday.  I hionestly do not remember where or when I got this card.  My best guess is when I was stamping with my friend, Susie.  The reason I say this is because of the way the sentiment tag is cut.

The card base is Early Espresso, although it looks black.  It is layered with Mossy Meadow that has been embossed with the Gathering Leaves 3D Embossing Folder.  The Autumn Toile Designer Series Paper has been layered on another piece of Early Espresso and adhered to the card.  This would be a great card to send to someone just to let them know you are thinking about them.

It looks warm and inviting when I look out my living room window, but that wind is pretty strong, at least in Wellman.  I spent all day yesterday out and about and I have a big week coming up next week so I think I will just stay home today and work on swaps and other projects.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 4, 2025

New Kits and November On Line Exclusives

Stampin' Up! has just released its November On Line Exclusives and two new kits.  they are all pretty awesome.  You can see all of them below.  Let me know what I can order for you!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 3, 2025

Gathering Moments

Today's card is a thank you card with beautiful fall colors.  Everyone stamping last week got to make this card.

I started with a layer of Basic Beige on a Cajun Craze card base.  I layered two different patterns of gathering Together Designer Series over this.  The leaf is die cut and then ran through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss using the Gathering Leaves Embossing Folder.  It is popped up on the card using dimensionals.  Add a sentiment and some twine for embellishment and you card is done.

I started the day with an early morning eye appointment.  I go twice a year so they can check the health of my eyes.  The current thought is that is probably where my lymphoma started and they eye doctor I was seeing at the time just dismissed it as nothing to worry about.  The doctor I have now would rather see me twice a year and be sure everything is all right rather than miss something again.  I certainly do agree with her.  When I am done posting this I am taking a nap and letting my super-dialated eyes rest.

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

Happy Stamping!!

November 2, 2025

The Right Words

Today's card is another one made with the Peaceful Garden Designer Series Paper and the stamp set The Right Words.  This is the last of the Cards in the Mail cards made with these products.

This card starts with a Thick Basic White card base folded in half. Layer a piece of Peaceful Gardens Designer Series Paper onto the whole card.  Use the Textured Notes dies and die a piece of Basic Beige cardstock. Add some strips of Peaceful Gardens Designer Series Paper at an angle.  Snip off the overhanging pieces of the designer series paper.  Add a sentiment and some Hues of Blues Flowers in the lower left hand corner and your card is done.

Yesterday I left bright and early and made my way to Adel to watch the kids while Hanna and Jake had a meeting and needed someone to watch the kids while they were gone.  The four kids and I headed to Burger King for lunch and time to play in the play place.  We were going to eat at the park and play outside for a while but the rain and the colder temperatures changed our plans.  When they were done with their meeting Hanna and I spent a little time shopping for new Christmas decorations and I left Des Moines in time to get home before it got dark.  I surely am not looking forward to it getting darker earlier this evening!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

October 30. 2025

The Right Words

Today's card is another one made with the Peaceful Garden Designer Series Paper and the stamp set The Right Words.

This card starts with a Misty Moonlight card base folded to make a fun fold card. Layer a piece of Peaceful Gardens Designer Series Paper onto the lower half of the card.  Use the Traditional Labels dies and die cut the sentiment pieces out of the Peaceful Garden Glimmer Paper. Add some ribbon embellishments and  your card is done.

Today is a totally free day with absolutely nothing on my calendar.  I am going to take advantage of today because starting the first of November days like this are going to be few and far between!!  

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

Happy Stamping!!

October 29, 2025

Loveliest Tree

I love looking at fall leaves so what better thing to stamp than colorful fall leaves.  This is one of the cards everyone stamping with me this week got to make.

For this colorful leaf card I used the Ink Swipe Technique.  This technique is quick and simple to do using some of your favorite colors for fall. And why not use Very Vanilla card stock too? I love using this card stock during the holidays as it has a warmer less bright feel to it.

 1.Using your open Crushed Curry ink pad swipe, tap, and drag it onto your card stock randomly. 

 2. Repeat with additional Peach Pie, Timid Tiger, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler ink pads. (Making sure to go from lightest to darkest color to protect ink pads.) 

 3. Allow to dry. 

 4. Use a lighter Darling Duckling ink pad and swipe the pad over card stock to fill in and “blend” the areas. 

 5. Stamp tree onto Very Vanilla Card stock panel using Early Espresso Classic Ink as well as stamping it onto the colorful panel you have just made.

 6.  Die cut both of them.

 7. Trim the top of the tree off of the technique die cut tree. 

 8. Adhere the tree top over the other stamped tree.

 9.  Layer a piece of Very Vanilla ocer a piece Of Crushed Curry.

10.  Adhere the tree to the layered panel using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

11.  Adhere to card front using dimensionals.

Isn't this a fun technique?  When I make another one I will probably go a little lighter with the Cherry Cobbler swiping, but overall I am very happy with the results.

I only wish it were as warm outside as the sun makes it appear.  I do have an appointment in Iowa and want to run a couple of errands while I am there.  When I get home I am going to try to plan a new type of class that I want to try out.  I am not sure if I am going to have it before the holidays or wait until after the first of the year.  Stay tuned to see what it is!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

October 28, 2025

The Right Words

Today's card is another one made with the Peaceful Garden Designer Series Paper and the stamp set The Right Words.

 

This card starts with a Secret Sea card base with a layer of Cloud Cover. Layers some rectangles of Peaceful Gardens Designer Series Paper onto a the piece of Cloud Cover.  Add some glimmer paper, ribbon, embellishments, and sentiment and your card is done.

I had a PT appointment this morning and we have decided that my balance has gotten better enough that I graduated unless I have more issues.  I just still need to be careful and to continue the exercises he has given me.  Woohoo!!

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

Happy Stamping!!