EASY EASTER CARD!

This dsp makes the perfect backdrop for these daffodils.  All I had to do was stamp the image twice, once for the main image and another to pop out the blossoms with dimensionals.

A little Wink of Stella and some gray pencil to ground the flowers, and it was done!

SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!

This card was inspired by a tri-panel painting in my husband's eye doctor office.  This is a simplified version, but what inspired me was the colors used against the foreground of the white bare trees.

The inside stamp shown here is one I use often in winter cards as encouragement that Spring will always follow Winter, which is never too soon for me!

ALL PURPOSE BOTANICAL BLOOMS

I still need a few more Easter cards, so that's what I'll most likely use this one for.

These Botanicals and matching dies are amazingly versatile!

SIMPLE SATURDAY #43

I enjoyed a whole day of stamping

in the tower on Saturday, but never got to post this

because I came down with the flu bug

that's been going around.

After 36 hours of symptoms, I finally

started feeling better this afternoon and managed to

get some of the warm sunshine and mild temps.

Hope to have my energy back soon!

PAPER PLAYERS #284

Paper Players this week is a sketch, and I also plan to give this card  to our pastor for his use..

I got the color scheme from a SU! pad of dsp I bought at a garage sale last summer.  I like the brightness of the colors, tempered with the gray.

As you can see, I'm still thrilled to use the Botanical Blooms dies.  The flower sequins have been in my stash for ages, and there were some purple ones that matched--amazing!

Check out the other entries HERE.

HELLO, FRIEND

I thought it best to show the inside as well as the outside for this card.  To start, I covered the front with a piece of dsp.  Next, I added a strip of the coordinating dsp from the Boho collection.  Then I punched out the middle square and three dsp squares with the 1 1/4" punch.  Two dsp squares were glued to the purple strip, and the third was mounted on the inside of the card so that it shows through the punched square.





After adding the embellishments and the white embroidery floss  on the front, I stamped the inside and added some sequins. 

SCHOOL COLORS

Our granddaughter, a Freshman at the same school as her brother, also made High Honors this year.  Her card is done in school colors using some SU! dsp for the gold and cardstock for the blue.

The pattern is taken from the same book used in yesterday's post.  In addition to the die cut Botanical Blooms, I added some gems and gold thread for embellishment.  Flower petals were also enhanced with some clear Wink of Stella.

We are so proud of all four of our grandchildren--can you tell?.  They are all  doing well academically and in their sports and/or music interests.  Must be genetic! *wink*

MASCULINE CONGRATS CARD

This is the card I made for my grandson who made high honors and will be going to the awards banquet next month.

The rabbit is the basis of some private jokes between him and my husband, so I included it here.  I'm sure he'll get a chuckle out of it!

The card pattern is from a book called "Originals" by Jeanette R. Lynton.  I bought it several years ago, and it's been sitting on the shelf in the Tower ever since. It has lots of ideas and layouts which I plan to try in the weeks ahead.  Then I plan to send it to one of my followers, so stay tuned!

PAPER PUMPKIN FEBRUARY 2016--Alternate Idea

After cutting down one of the card fronts, I mounted it on a piece of light blue cardstock.  I stamped Hello and "birthday girl" and added some of the flowers from the stamp set included in the paper pumpkin.

Using a white card base, I glued the floral dsp from Botanical Blooms to it and mounted the stamped piece to the front of the card. Then I stamped the party hat on a scrap of white cs, fussy cut it and mounted it over the "o" with a dimensional..

Finally, I used some Wink of Stella on the party hat and added some of the sequins from the kit.to give it some shine.

PAPER TREY INK CHALLENGE

This was a fun alphabet challenge where you used the letters in your name to make a new card.  Here's what my name required:
S for stitching
M for mixing of 2 stamp sets, one of which must be PTI
I for impression plate (Embossing folder)
T for twine
H for heat emboss

My card started out with a fern from the PTI Meadow Greens stamp and die set where I turned a fern into a fir tree!  How?  By using the negative space created by the fern die and then using the space as a stencil.  I sponged the "tree" with dark green ink, then clear embossed it.  The background was sponged with two shades of green ink and some blue for the sky.    After adding "snow" on the branches with a white gel pen, I used a stitched rectangle die.  Then I enhanced the stitched border with a black ink pen.

Next, I chose a pale green cardstock for the base and a dark green cs for the dry embossed border, even though the border shows only a tiny bit.  I wrapped some twine across the bottom of the rectangle and mounted it in the center of the frame with foam mounting tape.  Finally, I added the greeting from a SU! set.

Click HERE for the other entries.

VALENTINE FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL

...EXTRA SPECIAL, THAT IS!

This one is going to my husband.  Since the name of our property is "Fox Mountain" this image is very appropriate.

When my then boyfriend came to take me out on our first date, my dad told me "Don't let this one get away."  Egads! That was a half century ago!

My dad gave me good advice.

TROPICAL BLOOMS IN MID-WINTER!

I just spent a pleasant afternoon in the Tower where I decided to combine two sets which really go together nicely:  the bird from "A Happy Thing" and the new Botanical Blooms bundle.

The birds were stamped with Distress Pumice Stone and colored with markers.  The bottom left was fussy cut and placed on a more subdued pattern.  For the others were, I die cut them with an oval die so they'd show up more on the dsp.  After choosing cardstock that fit the colors used, I had fun embellishing with flowers, gems and sequins.

Can you tell that I enjoy this Botanical set?

NOT SO SIMPLE SATURDAY #42

 ...but not difficult--just time consuming.  Here is a tip for using numerous dies:

TIP:  Before starting to put together on the cards. first run multiple dies through the Big Shot at once to save time.  Just lay the small pieces of cardstock with the dies on top of the cutting plate and run all of them through at once.  Do it again with other colors as desired.  Be sure to put all the pieces in a small container so they don't get lost in the shuffle.


I had a pleasant day here in the tower with the sun streaming through the windows and all these beautiful Botanical Blooms to play with!

BTW, these two cards were made to fit #6 3/4 envelopes, which are cheaper than the usual invitation size.  The dimensions are 5 1/2 x 7", folded in half to form a card front that is 5 1/2 x 3 3/4.  You still get 2 cards per sheet of cardstock.  Since I send out 500 or so cards a year, the savings are quite a bit for me.

ANOTHER GOLD SOIREE VALENTINE

The metallic gold-lined dsp made the perfect backdrop for the two banners, two medium sized hearts, three smaller hearts and the sequins.  There are three more hearts inside with "Celebrate"  from the SU set, "Send a Celebration."  How appropriate!

HAPPY GROUND HOG DAY!

Let's hope Phil won't be bearing the bad news of.six more weeks of winter.  So far, we've had it easy here in NW New Jersey.  I, for one, would like to keep it that way!

PAPER PLAYERS TIC-TAC-TOE #PP280

As soon as I saw Flowers, Die Cuts and Yellow in the same row, I knew just what I wanted to do, thanks to the Botanical Blooms set!

TIP:  To keep the inner parts of the petals from flattening in the mail, I prop them up with tiny pieces of clear foam tape.


HERE is the link to the Paper Players web site.

PAPER PUMPKIN ALTERNATES

These are two of the alternate Valentines that our demonstrator, Cyndy, had for us to make on Thursday.  She found these, and a few others, online somewhere; and they were very easy to make.  I came home inspired to come up with more on my own, so check back later in the week!

TIC-TAC-TOE CHALLENGE

For Stamp Ink Paper's challenge #32 I chose a diagonal row on the Tic-Tac-Toe board.  The card needs to have a heart, "Love" and Patterned Paper.

This was easy to put together.  For a look at the other submissions -- great way to gather new card ideas-- click HERE.

SIMPLE SATURDAY #41

BOTANICAL HELLOS

I'm really enjoying these Botanical stamps and papers, especially in the middle of winter.  This first one looks bright and cheery, and I may just use it as an unconventional Valentine card...or maybe an encouragement card.  The raised petals are held up with clear foam tape.

This second card is on a Cajun Craze background which, unfortunately,  looks brighter here.  I stamped the veins and centers on the dsp and added some sequins for embellishment.  The "hello" is a die cut of black cardstock.



I hope the recipients of these cards find them as cheerful as I have while making them!

BOTANICAL BLOSSOMS

Well, all I can say is that it sure pays to host a Stampin'Up party!  I put together a catalog order with my friends to take advantage of the Sale-a-bration event (ongoing to March 31st) and used my Hostess credits and free stamp set rewards for the Botanical Blooms Bundle and matching cardstock, dsp and embellishments.  This is the first card I've made since UPS delivered everything yesterday afternoon.

I saw this card on a Frenchie Stamps video and couldn't wait to try it, so I asked my demonstrator, Cyndy, it she would teach us how at our next Technique class.  That was last week, so as soon as I got out my new supplies, I came up with this one.  I can't wait to make some more.

The "My friend" stamp is from the Sale-a-bration stamp set "Hello" (free with a $50 order).  I just love the tropical leaves and flowers, and it will go with a stamp I have that says, "Always maintain a kind of summer, even in the middle of winter."  Good advice, and this stamp set will help me do that!

STILL SNOWING AND BLOWING...

...and I'm STILL STAMPING!

First I made two Valentine goodie bags for my two youngest grandsons, using the January Paper Pumpkin kit.  Then I tried piecing this quilt pattern with another of the new dies.

Gluing the tiny pieces of this design was tedious and took forever, although I do like the look now that it's done.  I used the same paper for the "hello" below so that it would match.

All the cards I made today will serve as Valentines, along with several other more traditional designs.  It has been a great day to stamp, and (so far) we still have power!


(Be sure to scroll down for the other 2 posts for today.)

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL,

...BUT THE STAMPING IS DELIGHTFUL!




A package of three new quilt dies arrived yesterday, and I used one of them for these two cards.  I'm off now to try another one.




TIP:  When I die cut and glued the greeting on the front of each card, there were shiny spots from the glue around some of the letters.  So I dabbed the spots with my anti-static brush.  The powder stuck to the glue and eliminated the shine!

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!

 Snow is blowing horizontally across the yard,

 outside the stamping tower window.

 The front porch through a snow-covered window.

...and a lonely little birdie trying to find

some bird seed.

No way to measure how much snow we got due to high winds and heavy drifting,

but it's a LOT!  There's more coming, too.  Thankfully, we still have power.

This is definitely GOOD STAMPING WEATHER!

FLORAL VALENTINE

This card came together really quickly.  Starting with a light green card base, I added a panel of metallic gold lacy flowers from SU!.  The oval, laying on my table from a previous project, was ready to use so I stamped the leaves on it and added the flowers.  To finish it off, I sponged the oval with olive green ink and added sequins to the flower centers.

Finally, I die cut the word "love" from a scrap of metallic purple. Scraps really do come in handy!

CASEing the iPad--Simon Says Stamp

For the Critter Challenge on SSS, Lois made the most adorable goodie bags.  I decided to mimic that look in a card.

For the "handle" I used the word window punch and tied the white twine around just the front so it could be opened.  I then rounded the bottom corners to make it look a little bit like a bag.

Using the stamps and dies from the "Hello Foxy" set by Papertrey Ink, I created a gray fox for my critter and popped him up on a punched pink heart.  The love die, from Winnie and Walter, cuts/releases perfectly.

This card will go to my granddaughter!

FIRST VALENTINE THIS YEAR

Since all my friends know I avoid the "dreaded pink" whenever possible, it's not surprising that I would use red roses on this card.  I keep coming back to this SU! set, even though the flowers have to be fussy cut, which really doesn't take long.  The image is from a hostess set called "So Very Grateful" and is popped up with dimensionals.
 
I stamped the image with Versafine Black and then painted the flowers with Twinkling H2O's to make them shine.  The greeting is from another SU! hostess set, "Wacky Wishes."  I'll probably make a few more of this design since it was so easy to do.

QUILTED STAR PATTERN

After gluing the 6 punched pieces of dsp to a scrap of white cs, I cut it out and punched a hole in the center.  I then found a brad that I've had in my stash for years that turned out to be just right for this design!  Then I mounted the "quilt" to the yellow panel and light blue cs. Finally,  I added "stitches" around each segment with a black pen.

Later on, I came up with the idea of using all the so-far-unused stamps and patterned papers in my tower before buying any more new ones.  That idea lasted all of three seconds!

LESS IS MORE--Kissing

What a fun way to use solid stamps!  Just ink one up, then ink up another stamp and "kiss" them together to get one image on top of another.  Then stamp.

For this card (and technique) I pulled out an old SU! set, Best Blossoms.  I combined it with the script in the SU! French Foliage set.  The greeting is from another company and has a variety of saysings for the inside.

Less Is More can be found HERE.

VALENTINE CHALLENGE

The hardest part of this card was photographing it!

This will go to one of our grandchildren, but meanwhile it is for the Valentine Challenge on the Paper Players here.

The stamp set I used is from Stampin' Up, "Nuts About You."  The red hearts are shiny stickers.

Enjoy!

MORE PASTOR CARDS

A package of stencils, some sponges and inks, and just one stamp set and, as Frenchie would say, "Voila!"
Since I had made a bunch of similar cards the other day, it took very little time to do these.

Here's a secret:  Since only a border of dsp shows around the edges, I die cut the middles out to use on other cards!

WINTER BIRTHDAY CARD

This would certainly work for a masculine card!

First, I stamped the trees with gray ink and added the snow flakes with white ink.  Then I covered the "ground" with snow, making sure that when I glued the bottom piece, there was room at the top for the deer feet to be inserted.  I then added "a happy hello" stamped with dark brown ink.

When done, I noticed that the ends of the tied knot and the deer's antlers mimic the tree branches!

STAMPING WITH JOYCE

 Joyce needed to make some cards yesterday, so she came over after lunch for help.  Wanting to keep it clean and simple, I brought out some stencils, pre-cut designer paper  and a couple of stamp sets.  First we sponged some stencils, making some spots darker than others.  Then we stamped the leaf and berries, coloring them with Distress markers and adding some Wink of Stella on the berries.  After stamping the greeting, we mounted the panel on the dsp and attached it to the card front.

 Next, we repeated the process with a different stencil and stamp.

Finally, we stamped the leaves, colored them in with Distress markers and added some yellow in the centers.  Joyce went home with five cards, ready for anything!

Stamp sets used were:  Serene Silhouettes and Awesomely Artistic

SECRET OF HAPPINESS

I got some more use of all my floral punches today!

Since the back of the greeting can be seen when the card is opened, I stamped "Happy Birthday" and attached it to the back.  The colorful strip is the leftover piece of blue and brown floral which you can see on a previous card.

There's just enough room underneath the tan panel to write a personal note.  The torn piece was used on another card front.

The sentiment on this one is so true.  What would the world be like if everyone stopped complaining and developed a thankful attitude instead!

PASTOR CARD--Psalm 124:8

This was a super easy card to design and make.  Starting with a white card base, I added the dsp on the front.  The more colorful strip is just a piece of the reverse design.

After a quick search through my cardstock scraps, I pulled out this matching gold one and die cut the oval for a background.  I used a smaller oval for the verse and glued them together.  Then I mounted them on the front with dimensionals.

For the only embellishment, I made a slit on the left fold and wrapped the jute around the card front, tying just a knot.

It really is amazing how using some dsp and a little twine can make such an impact on a card!

SCRAPS GALORE!

Here's a pastor card I made after reorganizing my scrap box.  The green strips on the sides are only 1/2" wide--that's all I had left of that cardstock.  The piece on top was mounted on top of the strips, and the map piece was glued on top of both.  Using a confetti scrap, I stamped the bird, colored him in and fussy cut him, mounting him with dimensionals.  Next, I stamped "Blessings" on a small piece of leftover confetti cs.  After winding some jute around the panel, I attached everything to the card front.


TIP:  To organize my scraps, I first dumped them all on my table and separated them into color groups.  Any pieces that had jagged edges or punchouts, I trimmed to a neater rectangle.  Pieces that were big enough to use on a card front, I moved to pre-cut dsp collection. (Some are 4 x 5 1/4, some smaller.)

I placed each color pile into open quart-sized zip lock bags:  one for blues/purples, one for reds/pinks, one for greens and one for neutral/metallic.  Anything smaller than a business card went in the trash.  Whites/ivory/confetti went into a plastic drawer where I can grab one when I stamp a greeting (like the one shown above.)   

Once I was finished organizing, I was able to quickly use them for 6 pastor cards.  January and February are good months for de-cluttering!  (Hint, hint...)

BIRDIE BIRTHDAY

I really have enjoyed using this set, especially the bird.  He (or she) is very easy to watercolor.

The card base is white cardstock on which I glued a torn piece of Crumb Cake cs over a piece of dsp.  After painting the bird, I glued the white cs to a scrap of dark brown and popped it up on the card with dimensionals.  The greeting is glued flat, tucked under the bird a bit.

Since this is a side folding card, I made a tiny slit in the fold to enable the jute to be wound around the front and tied in a knot.

The Crumb Cake card from which this was torn was used for another card--coming soon!

FANCY FOLD CARDFRONT

This is the card I made for my son's birthday which we'll be celebrating on Saturday.  He'll be 45 on Friday--where have all those years flown???

When it comes to cardstock and designer papers, I've always said StampinUp is the best.    Their cardstock is solid core, and matches their inks and dsp colors perfectly.  (No, I'm not a SU demonstrator.)  The double-sided dsp was just perfect for this masculine card.

After cutting part way in, I folded the paper to form flaps.  I think the technique is called a "collar fold" when used horizontally; but I chose to use it vertically.  The wooden greeting also adds to the masculine look.

For embellishment, I used a variety of sequins, a couple of gold stars and some jute.

INTERACTIVE WINDOW

Using a set of Interactive Window dies from Die-Namics, I ran one of them through the Big Shot, cutting three sides of the square.  The die also scores the 4th side at the same time.  For this card, I chose to place the score on top.


After stamping the inside message on the white cardfront, I glued the panel to the front so that it could be read when the window is flipped up.

After embellishing with a strip of the reverse pattern and adding some "sunny" die cuts from another set, the card was done.  I left the inside blank to write a personal note to someone later.

When adhering the circles to the front, I used glue dots and positioned them strategically so that they would allow the bottom of the window covering to be tucked in and lay flat.

Interactive cards are always a delight to make.  This one was very easy to do!


(The saying is from a set entitled "The Future" by Sweet & Sassy.)

BACK TO STAMPING!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

After cleaning up my stamping tower from the rush of Christmas cardmaking, I'm finally able to do some stamping again.  Today I pulled out this set I got months ago that I  never even opened.

I made two cards, one with olive branches and this one with blueberries.  The greeting at the top and scriggles on the bottom are from the "Tin of Cards" stamp set.  I like the bold lettering, which is what attracted me to that set in the first place.

The holidays were wonderful here, but I'm glad I can relax now that it's over.  My usual plans for January are to hibernate.  The good thing about winter is that it's good stamping weather!

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT

How blessed we are to have been given the most wonderful gift of all--Christ Himself. Merry Christmas!

5 Ways to Get Better Service at the Mall

1.  WEAR A SMILE:  People are naturally attracted to happy people, so avoid looking rushed, annoyed, or stressed out.  A warm smile, but not a big grin, goes a long way to lighten things up.  You might start feeling more cheerful yourself!

2.  FIX YOUR HAIR AND MAKEUP:  Check yourself in the mirror before you leave the house.  Since I'm allergic to most makeup, all I can wear is lipstick; so I make sure to keep it freshly applied during the day.  Pay special attention to your hair as well.

3.  DRESS WELL:  It's amazing what a difference a nicer coat or jacket can make.  In warmer climates, a pretty blouse or shirt with sleeves looks dressier than a tank top or sleeveless shirt, especially when paired with lightweight slacks or crops instead of shorts. 

4.  FRAME YOUR FACE:  Now that you're smiling, choose simple accessories that you enjoy wearing.  Earrings, a nice scarf or necklace, or a pretty pin make a simple outfit a little more attractive.  Don't overdo it, though.  Think office look rather than party!

5.  LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD:  Too many bulky packages can not only make you look stressed, but also make you feel that way--because you are!  Either bring a tote bag with you to consolidate packages, or take a few minutes to put them in your car before continuing your shopping.  If you're shopping at a large mall, it might be a good idea to move your car to the other end for a shorter walk.  Sounds crazy, but I do that all the time.  Not only does it help my feet, but I also get to sit down for a few minutes in the car.

These tips are from my own experience on both sides of the counter.  I learned this years ago when I stopped at a department store one night after work.  Since I was still in office clothes, I got noticeably better service that day than ever before.  From then on, I've followed these guidelines whenever I shop!

BTW, salespeople get stressed too, especially at this time of year.  You can help by being patient, having your cash or credit card ready and being polite.  Happy shopping!

I'M BACK!

My computer has finally been fixed (for now, anyway!)  I'll catch up with you later to share some of the Christmas cards I made.

Meanwhile, this is a card I made for my friend, Joan, who loves horses.  The stamp is from Our Daily Bread Designs, and I used colored pencils on the image.  I'm making a set of six with matching envelopes as her Christmas gift.  Each card will be embellished a little differently as I go along.

Speaking of colored pencils, I really enjoy using them.  I find it very relaxing to sit somewhere and color with them.  They're very portable, so I can even take a few with me to a friend's house or even a doctor's office for the waiting room.  They also blend very nicely.    I used 3 shades of brown for the horses, 2 shades of green for the grass, and purple for the flowers.  That's just 6 pencils and the pre-stamped  images to carry with me, plus a clean eraser.

Next is the box and belly band I made to go with it.  The horses on the oval aren't as faint IRL as they look here.  Since I won't be mailing it, I was able to use heavier twine on the box.

By the way, have you seen all the adult coloring books that have been popping up on all the magazine racks?  I've even seen them in the supermarket!  A little too busy for me, though. However, I do have a beautiful butterfly coloring book that shows the correct colors for each butterfly and blank ones to color that are simple and fun for practicing.

That's it for now.  I still have lots of Christmas preparations to take care of (like you, I'm sure...) so it may be a few days before I post again.  Thanks for checking in!