June 6, 2018

Painted Glass

Not only does the Painted Glass stamp set have awesome stained glass window images it also has this super cool butterfly.   I saw this card on Pinterest and thought what a wonderful way to showcase all of the new In-Colors!!

You might recognize the "amazing" die cut from the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  It is one of the few things that has carried over to the main catalog in years. 

Stamps: Painted Glass

Cardstock: Pineapple Punch, Grapefruit Grove, 

Lovely Lipstick, Call Me Clover, Blueberry Bushel, Basic Black

Ink: Memento Black

Accessories:Stained Glass Thinlits, Celebrate You Thinlits, 

Big Shot, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

It is amazing how much stamping time I have had on my hands lately!!  I actually have all of the cards planned out for Monday night's Make-It-Monday and all but two of them already made.  And it is only Wednesday!!!  I had better get busy today though, and figure out what we are doing for Technique/Stamp Club tomorrow with, though!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 5, 2018

Painted Glass

The Graceful Glass Designer Series Paper has SO many options when it comes to images.  Here is another one of them.  

I loved to color as a kid and I am no different now . . . so am in seventh heaven when using these papers.  It doesn't show up very well in the photo, but I went over the image with a clear Wink of Stella pen to give it a little sparkle.

Stamps: Painted Glass

Cardstock: Calypso Coral, Basic Black, 

Whisper White (behind the circle image)

Designer Series Paper: Graceful Glass

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: White Embossing Powder, 

Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Paper Snips

I am loving these cooler temperatures.  I had to make a choice yesterday . . . stay in my stamp room and stamp or sit outside and read.  The outside won yesterday!!  It was wonderful.  After a hair appointment this morning I think the stamp room will win today.

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 4, 2018

Painted Glass

As a child I always had a fascination with stained glass windows . . . I still do if I am being absolutely honest.  So when I saw the Graceful Glass Designer Series Paper and the stamp set Painted Glass I knew it would see a lot of ink!!

Yesterday morning I made several cards with the DSP and stamps.  I think this one is probably my favorite, although on a different day I would probably pick a different one.

Stamps: Painted Glass

Cardstock: Basic Black, Old Olive, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Graceful Glass

Ink: Memento Black

Accessories: Calypso Coral Dark, Old Olive Dark, and Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin' Blends, Basic Black Baker's Twine, Glue Dots

Besides being able to stamp yesterday morning, yesterday afternoon was equally as productive while I was watching the Cubs game.  I went through all of my swap baskets and pulled out all of the swaps that were from retired stamp sets and organized all of the new samples.  This actually took longer than you might think.  The swap samples from retired sets I am giving to my friend, Linda.  She takes them and redoes some things on them and sends them to a group that send cards overseas for the troops, so that they have cards to send.  A very worthwhile organization!!!!  And a great use for retired swap cards!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 3, 2018

Wedding Invitations --Part 2

I received Lauren's invitation when I picked up the mail yesterday so I feel it is okay to share hers as well.  These have been designed since last summer when the girls came to visit and we designed Lauren's Save the Dates.

I had thought that perhaps that the wording on the diagonal would be a little tricky to cut, but because of the way girls set up the printing it was actually quite easy.  

Stamps: Variety of retired Stampin' Up flower stamps

Cardstock: Very Vanilla Thick, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Ink: Powder Pink, Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, Fresh Fig

Two totally different invitations . . . but they both reflect the girls' personalities exactly!!  Now for a little but of a break until it is time to make programs and wedding favors!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 2, 2018

Wedding Invitations Part 1

Since Hanna has now sent out her invitations and I know people have received them, I can share them with you.  

The basic design for the invites came about back in March when we were on our way home from Kansas City.  

 

There were several details that she wanted to include with the invite but did not want on the actual invitation.  So we decided to have extra information on two inserts.  Once we got that all done, I wanted to have some way of keeping it all together in the envelope so the idea of a belly band was formed.  The hardest part of the whole invite was trying to decide what to put on the belly band.  I had several packages of doilies left from the save the dates so we decided to incorporate that into the design.  Then came the struggle . . . what to put on the doily.  We tried initials, we tried leaving it plain, we tried intricate die cut designs (vetoed by mom as too much work), and we tried several other things.  As I was driving home I remembered this new stamp set I was dieing to use that came in my pre-order  . . . so I stamped one up and Hanna loved it!!  Thank goodness for text messaging and face time!!  1532 motions of the stamp and 760 circle punches later we had our design.  I am super pleased with the final results!!

Stamps:  Abstract Impressions

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Wisteria Wonder (Retired), Whisper White

Ink: Wisteria Wonder (Retired), Elegant Eggplant (Retired)

Accessories: Delicate Designs Embossing Folder (Retired), 

Big Shot, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 

2" Circle Punch, Lace Doilies (Retired)

Rain . . . boy do we need it as well as the cooler temperatures!! Today's plans include graduation parties, errand running, stamping, and Cubs.  A perfect day!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

June 1, 2018

Enjoy Life

No longer a sneak peek . . . today is the day the new catalog is released!! And I believe I said yesterday that I love this new stamp set . . . the images and the sentiments!!  Especially this one!!

This sentiment definitely goes along with my philosophy of every day being a gift!!

Stamps: Enjoy Life

Cardstock: Shaded Spruce, Basic Black, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Garden Impressions

Ink: Memento Black, Pacific Point

Hmmm . . . what to do today???  I think I will purge and clean a little bit more in my stamp room and then spend the rest of it stamping!  No great surprise there!!  I am looking forward to the weekend when the temperatures are a little cooler to be able to sit outside and enjoy the patio!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 31, 2018

Enjoy Life--Sneak Peek

I finally got my room purged enough that I decided it was time to sit down and actually stamp.  I had been saving ideas of cards I wanted to make and this is one of them from a blog called Stamp With Amy.

I not only love the name of this stamp set, but I love the images and the sentiments.  We all need to do more of this . . . enjoy life!!

Stamps: Enjoy Life (NEW)

Designer Series Paper: Petal Pink (NEW). Soft Suede, Soft Sea Foam (New)

Ink: Soft Suede, Mint Macaron (RETURNING)

Accessories:Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, 

Layering Ovals Dies, Big Shot, 

Linen Thread, Basic Rhinestone Jewels. 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Getting a late start this morning, but as soon as I am done posting this I am off to go grocery shopping and then to spend the rest of the afternoon in my stamping room with new supplies.  Today is the last day to take advantage of anything on the retiring lists that you think you might need, because tomorrow the new catalog goes LIVE!!  Yeah!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 30, 2018

Abstract Impressions

Back again with another Abstract Impressions sneak peek.

I saw this card several times on Pinterest and was intrigued by the color combination.  When I read a little further on some of the posts I saw that it was inspired by the Queen's clothes at the royal wedding.

I would say that Stampin' Up! is pretty spot on with their new color revamp and the combinations that go together perfectly.   I would never have thought to put this color combination together but I love it!!

Stamps: Abstract Impression (NEW)

Cardstock: Lemon Lime Twist, Gorgeous Grape (NEW), Whisper White

Ink: Lemon Lime Twist, Gorgeous Grape (NEW), Mossy Meadow (RETURNING)

Accessories: Modern Label Punch (RETIRED), Stampin' Dimensionals

As often happens with my day, yesterday did not go as planned.  I ended up going up to the doctor for them to look at my eye.  It had bothering me since Friday, but I thought it was just allergies.  I decided that since nothing I was doing was working I would have them take a look at it.  Evidently there was a little speck of something stuck to the inner side of my eye lid that was irritating it.  They flushed that out and all is good now, but I did spend the afternoon sleeping instead of stamping.

I have good intentions today though!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 29, 2018

My Prayers and Blessings Journal 

One of the Facebook groups I belong to, Creating For Christ, had a tutorial for this scrapbook/journal.  I knew the minute I saw it that it would be perfect for Hanna.

So, of course I had to make one.  I took a break from the invitations Saturday morning to get this made so I could give it to her yesterday when we stuffed the envelopes for her wedding invites.

All I needed was a 6 X 8 Kraft Memories and More Journal, some page protectors, and the Perfect day Memories and More Kit.

From my stamp room I needed Basic Black, Pool Party, and Whisper White cardstock.

I also used glue dots and Stampin' Dimensionals.

I was pretty pleased with he way it turned out and I think Hanna was as well.

She can use it either as as a journal for her upcoming trip to India, her honeymoon, or a daily journal after she gets married.

I only used part of the Memories and More Kit so I can add other pages as she goes along if she wishes.

I absolutely love this sentiment. . . . "It's the little moments that make life big."

Holy cow!!  I have no invites to finish, no thank you notes to make, and no classes coming up to plan for.  I think I am going to start to organize my stamp room with new things and sort stuff for my garage sale!!!  I may actually find time to stamp for fun today!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 28, 2018

Watercolor Words

I am not exactly sure why . . . because I have been retired for five years now . . . but Memorial Day always seems like the beginning of summer and a much freer schedule.  And this year is no exception.  So this is the perfect card for today . . . Hooray . . . Summer is here!!

   

My friend, Crystal, brought this card to our monthly shoebox swap group back in April.  Since it is sort of red, white, and blue it also works great for Memorial Day.

Stamps: Watercolor Words

Cardstock: Basic Gray, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Gray, Night of Navy

Done, Done, Done . . . I posted on Facebook yesterday that I am done with all 600 (629 to be exact) of the wedding invitations for the two summer weddings I have made in the last three weeks!!!  I am now anxious to get my stamp room all organized with all of the new stampin' products  I have gotten in the last little while.  That will have to wait until tomorrow however, because I am meeting Hanna and Jake in Grinnell and we are going to stuff all the invitations in envelopes and get them ready to mail this afternoon.

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 27, 2018

Painted Glass

Stampin' Blends are going to be so nice when it comes to using this stamp set . . . Painted Glass.   This Designer Vellum comes in a 6" X 6" pack of 24 assorted sheets.  They are all equally as awesome and give the look of a delicate stained glass window.

This was another one of the Make and Takes from On Stage in Milwaukee back in April.

ening!!

Stamps: Painted Glass (NEW)

Cardstock: Lovely Lipstick (NEW), Pineapple Punch (NEW), Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Graceful Glass Designer Vellum (NEW)

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Pineapple Punch Dark Stampin' Blends (NEW), Black 1/8" Cord (NEW)

Lunch and plant shopping was a huge success yesterday, although I came home with more than just plants.  But then that is usually the case.  When I got home I rested and then went to work on invitations again.  50 . . . only 50 invites are left to assemble.  That should be totally doable during the first few innings of the Cubs game this evening!!!!  Whatever shall I do when they are actually all done???

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 26, 2018

Detailed With Love

Are you ready for a sneak peek into another stamp set in the new catalog? This was another one of the cards made at On Stage in April.

This Delightfully Detailed Laser-Cut Specialty Paper is to die for!!!  Among other things it has four different intricately cut panels for layering on cards.

Stamps: Detailed With Love (NEW)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Grapefruit Grove (NEW) Pool Party

'Designer Series Paper: Delightfully Detailed Laser-Cut (NEW)

Ink: Mint Macaron

Accessories: Detailed Trio Punch (NEW), Faceted Dots (NEW), 

5/8" Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon (NEW), Stampin' Dimensionals

I am gaining . . . . what used to look like this.....

Now looks like this!!!

Lauren's invitations have already been delivered and Hanna's just need to be belly banded together!!  Two Cubs games . . . tonight and tomorrow night . . . should do the trick.

I am taking a break from invitations today to go plant shopping and out to lunch with my friend Luetta (if she is reading this, I haven't called her yet!   LOL). I can't wait to get my back patio cleaned up so I can sit outside and enjoy it!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 25, 2018

Celebrate You

I think I might have mentioned that I am on a mission to use my designer series paper, not just save it.  So when thinking about cards for last Monday night's stamp night, I kept that in mind.  Once again it was Pinterest to the rescue!!

This paper, called Coffee Break, has some awesome patterns in the pack. While I have used the paper with the coffee images some, I have used the side with the patterns much more.  I love the color combo on these dots and have used them on anything from baby cards to thinking of you cards.

 

Stamps: Celebrate You

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Garden Green, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Coffee Break (Retiring)

Ink: Pear Pizzazz

Accessories: Stitched Shaped Framelits, Layering Circles Framelits, 

Big Shot, Soft Sky 3/8" Classic Weave Ribbon (Retiring), 

Subtles Enamel Shapes (retiring), Stampin' Dimensionals

Wow . . . I think we missed spring all together.  I could not believe how warm and muggy it was yesterday and I think today is going to be more of the same. My day is pretty much a repeat of all of my last days . . . work on wedding invitations and watch the Cubs, and run errands.

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 23, 2018

No Bones About It

Have you ever had a stamp set that you just had to have and then it sat on your stamp shelf unused . . . for a long time?  That is just the case with No Bones About It.  And since it is retiring at the end of the month I decided it was time to change that!!

This is another one of the cards that everyone made on Monday night.

Stamps: No Bones About it (Retiring)

Cardstock: Soft Sky (Retiring), Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Gray, Wild Wasabi (Retiring), Tangerine Tango (Retiring), 

Soft Sky (Retiring), Crushed Curry, 

Yes . . . there is light at the end of the tunnel.  The wedding invitation tunnel that is!!

I think about three more days of working on them and I will have them all complete.  We added an embellishment the other day that added 1532 more stamped images and 760 punched out circles so that added a little to the time, but I still think I will be able to get them done to deliver to Hanna on Monday!! 

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

Happy Stamping!!

May 23, 2018

Truly Tailored

Guy stamp sets and designer series paper that I love don't come around that often and I will truly be sorry to see these two retire at the end of the month.  

With Pinterest to the rescue again, everybody was able to make this card on Monday night.  So easy and the layout would work awesome for a feminine card with a quick chance out of colors and designer series paper.

Stamps: Truly Tailored (Retiring)

Cardstock: Night of Navy, Tranquil Tide, Very Vanilla

Designer Series Paper: True Gentlemen (Retiring)

Ink: Night of Navy

Accessories: Garden Trellis Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 

Tailored Tag Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Wow . . . I am impressed with all that I got done on Hanna's invitations yesterday even with taking a couple of hours out for an appointment for my shoulder.  We also finally finished designing the finishing touches to tie them all together.  iPhones are wonderful for quickly sharing pictures or face-timing so it is like she is sitting right next to me.  I can't wait to show you all, but I should probably wait until she sends them out!!!

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

Happy Stamping!!