{SSSC110} Hot Doggie!

Happy Monday!

The Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge is always one I look forward to!  Although, I admit to struggling with it when Karen insists on the "crooked" look!  Today, I smply attached the dimensional glue dots and turned my head while I gave the image a left rotate. ;)

If you're a new follower to my blog, you may not know that I adopted a miniature dachshund a few years ago.  She was living with a family who had 3 little boys under the age of 5.  She only weighed 8 lbs and had barely any hair on her ears when I got her.  BILL was her name, but I changed it to LIL (Lilly).  Let me tell you, she is living the life of luxury now.  I think she weighs about 12 lbs and she really is a sweetie pie...when she isn't barking at "intruders", that is!   :)  Anyway, now you know why this stamp is a favorite of mine and you see me use it quite often.  It's a 2007 wood mounted stamp by Penny Black, titled "a romantic dog". 

Here is Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch for you to try yourself...

And I know you like to see what I did to the inside too . . .  



Notice I've used the black and white BAKERS TWINE to tie the tag onto the front of this card.  It's my new favorite embellishment!  I splurged and bought two HUGE rolls, so if you need any, please check out my ETSY shop!  I'm selling 25 yds for only $2.50.  I've got black & white as well as brown & white.  This is the good stuff...4 ply poly/cotton bakers twine.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a wonderful week, my friends!

Quote for Today ~

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive. ~Gilda Radner

{FTL132} Just a Clean & Simple Happy Note!

Happy Sunday Peeps!   Today I've got a Clean and Simple Sketch card for you using my new favorite embellishment ~ Bakers Twine!

This was actually the Clean & Simple (Fall to Layout) sketch from last week.  I had my card all stamped last Sunday and was just waiting for my BIG order of bakers twine to come in so I could "tie it up"!  ha ha...  get it? ;)

I realize most of you have been using bakers twine for quite awhile now, but I've just now jumped on the bandwagon...and JUMP I did!  I ordered 2 HUGE spools of this stuff...enough to last a lifetime of cardmaking and gifting!   If you've been wanting to try it out and haven't yet, I'm going to list 25 yard bundles in my Etsy Shop for only $2.50!  Or you can simply email me too and we can do it that way. 

It's the best quality bakers twine you can get....4 ply...poly/cotton.   I've got brown/white and black/white.

I've made up the vintage tags with a "generous" 25 yards, but you can get any length you want.  Just let me know! 

FTL132 - Clean and Simple Sketch

Back to my card,  this stamp set I've used is an oldie called "Happy Flowers" from Stampendous Perfectly Clear Stamps.   Don't you think it was the perfect set for this layout?   I've stamped the leaves and stems in old olive & kiwi kiss and the flowers in espresso brown.  I know, strange color combination for a flower card, but this was going to be a Colour Q Challenge card using these colors teamed up with Daffodil Delight.  To be honest, I forgot that I was going to accent it with yellow buttons and here it is, as is!   I hope you like it! :)

the inside...

Once again, thanks so much for blogging by and especially for all your sweet comments.  They are so fun to read and I enjoy each one immensely!  

Remember, if you need some bakers twine, I've got plenty!  :)

Hugs & Smiles,

 Quote for Today ~

Happiness doesn't depend on the actual number of blessings we manage to scratch from life, only our attitude towards them. - Alexander Solzenitzyn

Happy Mail!

Hello!   Today I'm sharing three wonderful cards I've received recently.  I know you're going to love them as much as I do! 

The first yummy card was created by my friend Gail Slagle at What a Load of Scrap and More!  Gail has used the cute little cupcake punch, embossing folder and ribbon from Stampin' Up!  Doesn't it look good enough to eat?!  

Next up is a beauty by my friend Debbie Fisher at The Paper Garden.   Debbie is the one who crochets the lovely little flowers you've been seeing on my cards recently.  Oh, I wish I could learn how!  You'll notice that under the crocheted flower, she has layered a light pink die cut felt flower.  Brilliant!  And now I need a flower die! : /

Last, but certainly not least, is this beauty from my sweet DIL Jami!   Jami used to stamp with me quite often and even had her own blog, but now that she's teaching full time her life is busy, busy!   But, she knows I love receiving handmade cards so she took time to make this for my birthday.  Don't you love the designer paper she's used?  The photo doesn't show the glossy accents it has.  And she has even paper pieced the birthday cake!  Notice too...the faux stitching she's added around the dp.  Creative!    

Well, I hope you've enjoyed seeing these!  It was so fun to receive them and just as much fun to share them with all of you.   Receiving a handmade card is like opening a {{HUG}} in an envelope. 

Perhaps I've given you some inspiration for your own cardmaking today.  I hope so!  Thank you so much for stopping by and do come back again soon!

Smiles!

Quote for Today ~

Everybody needs a hug. It changes your metabolism. ~Leo Buscaglia

Colour Q & MoJo Monday with Verve!

Of all the weeks to finally decide to play along with Arielle's Colour Q Challenge again, I can't believe I chose this week!  I mean, just LOOK at this color combination! What was she thinking?!  :)

Really, any three of these colors together wouldn't be too bad, but I struggled to get the fourth color in there.  Like it or not, I used the exact colors specified and perservered . . .

I had some help jumpstarting my mojo by using the MoJo Monday Sketch 183.  And I used one of my favorite stamp sets by VERVE - Beautiful You.   To tone down the colors, I used an assortment of designer paper from my stash, the Very Vintage wheel from Stampin' Up, and my favorite sponge and distressing ink - Versafine Vintage Sepia.    Oh, and I can't forget to mention the crocheted flower from Debbie Fisher at The Paper Garden to embellish!    ♥

and the inside...

Let me know what you think, ok?  I *love* hearing from all of you! Good or bad.  Well, keep it mostly good.  ha ha  : )    Really, what do you think of this color combination?  Are you going to give it a try?  

Another week is flying by . .  Enjoy!

p.s.  don't forget to check out all the stamps I have for sale!   Links on the top right.  Thank U.

Quote for Today ~

We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color. -  Maya Angelou

{SSSC109} Just Cut the Grass!

That's right!  Today is the first day of SPRING! And I can rightfully say that I "cut the grass"! . . .

. . . with my new CRICUT cartridge Plantin SchoolBook, that is!  : )   It looked more like grass before I tied the ribbon around it, but there is no turning back now that it's all glued together.    This layout is from Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #109.  It's been way too long since I've played along were her challenge and today is the day I'm gettin' my groove on again!  oh yeah!  : )

All I have to do to take a peak at the samples made by Karen and her "Sweet Sunday Stampers" and I'm grabbing the paper cutter and a stamp pad!    They always inspire me to create, even when I'm not so sure I have it in me. 

and the inside...more grass...and a tiny daffodil delight butterfly!

The designer paper used on this 5-1/4" square card is all from an 8 x 8" DCWV pad titled "The Green Stack".  It's filled with 70% recycled paper and all such earthy patterns.

How's your weekend going so far?   I'm glad you chose to stop by and visit me!   While you're here, please check out my Stamp Sale too!  (links in upper right corner)

Happy First Day of Spring!  Enjoy!

Quote for Today ~

Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself - Zen Proverb

Sending you Sunshine!

Perhaps I should think about renaming my blog "The Weekend Stamper" as it seems that's the only time I get a chance to stamp and post anymore. : )  Today, I've been working on a few cards for my Etsy Shop and then created this one just for FUN!    Isn't it wonderful to stamp because you want to, with no challenge or direction in mind?  Love it! 

This card is very similar to the baby card that I made 2 weeks ago.  I adore pretty designer papers and this is a great layout to use that won't hide your pretty papers.   See the pretty yellow gingham pom pom?  How cool is that?!  Well, one of my sweet Nebraska stampin' buddies ~ Debbie Fisher from The Paper Garden ~ sent me a few to use as a "challenge" to see what I could create.   Love them...almost as much as the sweet crocheted flowers she makes!  We did a wonderful trade....I sent her a couple of my neglected punches and she sent me an envelope full of flowers and pom-poms to play with!     Please keep Debbie in your thoughts and prayers as she just had back surgery yesterday.  ♥ 

how's this for a fun embellishment?!  : )

If you're wondering, the "sending you sunshine" stamp is a wood block stamp that is not marked.  I've stamped it on natural white cardstock and die cut it with my new die from "A Cut Above by VERVE."   The corduroy button is by Stampin' Up! and that hot brown and white baker's twine was purchased on Etsy.   I hope you like it!  : )

the inside, finished with a strip of leftover dp!

Before I forget, I want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you who have been shopping my STAMP SALE and giving my neglected stamps a new home.  I really do appreciate it!   I've updated the pages and deleted out what has been sold.  There are still many more for sale at great prices, so please check it out!   In the next week, I will be listing a few more stamp sets and other supplies, so check back! 

I'm so glad you stopped by and I hope you're all enjoying your weekend too!

Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!

Quote for Today ~

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. ~ Louisa May Alcott

Stampin' Up Sets for Sale at Bargain Prices!

Today, I've been doing some SPRING CLEANING!   I've sorted through all my Stampin' Up! sets and have finally decided to part with several of them that I rarely use.   Actually, some of them I probably only used once or twice.   Such a shame!

Sooo, I'm listing them here at BARGAIN prices in hopes that some of you will be enticed to give them a good home.  ; )   What I've done is added them to the pages I created previously.  I deleted all the sets that have already sold and added in the new sets.

If you want a certain set or sets, please email me with your name and address and I will calculate the exact postage rate for you.  I prefer payment via PayPal as it is quick and easy for both of us.   Your purchase will ship out immediately via USPS First Class or Priority Mail with confirmation of delivery. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.  

Stampin' Up! Stamps For Sale - Page 1
Older SU Sets For Sale - Page 2
Miscellaneous Stamps For Sale - Page 3
More Stamps For Sale - Page 4

Thanks so much for blogging by!  If your stampin' buddies are looking for any stamp sets, please send them my way.  I appreciate it!

Happy Shopping!

Quote for Today ~
Stamping makes an ordinary day more colorful.

Custom Cardmaking is a Challenge!

Hip Hip Hooray! 

It's another weekend and I've got time to STAMP IT UP!  : )

For the past three hours or more,  I have been working on creating this "custom" card for a friend at work to give his wife for their upcoming 7th wedding anniversary.  I'm not sure why, but I find it much more difficult when I'm creating for someone else.   All I had to go on was that it was their 7th anniversary.   He didn't suggest favorite colors or whether it should be a romantic or fun theme.  I did ask for ideas, but he just said to do whatever I thought she would like.  Oh my, that's even more pressure.  ; )

I've been seeing a lot of these fun little pennant banners on cards so I had that idea in my head.  First, I was going to use 7 of them and number them 1-7.   As you can see, I've only used five pennants and simply stamped a "7" on all of them.   If you're wondering how I made them, I used my Cricut and the diamond shape on the "George & Basic Shapes" cartridge set at 1-1/4".   Then I just had to cut them in half.  I used naturals white and layered with early espresso brown.  

What I would really *love* to know, because I'm a newbie with a Cricut... is there a cartridge that has a pennant banner like this that you can cut all in one piece?    And while I'm asking, if you own a Cricut, what are your favorite "go to" cartridges?  Please leave a comment below so we can all read your suggestions!  Appreciate it!  ♥  

I couldn't decide what to use for a sentiment on the front and both "Happy Anniversary" stamps I own were simply too large and elegant looking.   So, I used my computer and a couple different fonts to type out "Celebrating US!"     Then on the inside I used a stamp from the "Best Yet" Stampin' Up set . . .

the inside...

The base of the card is 5-1/4" square of Early Espresso brown.  The designer paper is an oldie from my stash and don't ask me why I decided to use it.  ha ha     Recently, I ordered a few different colors of this awesome baker's twine from an Etsy Shop.  It's quite inexpensive and so great to work with.  I'm sure you'll be seeing more of it on my future cards. 

Thanks so much for blogging by today!   I hope you're enjoying your weekend and finding time to do what you most enjoy!

Smiles 2 U All . . .

Quote for Today ~
A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year. ~Paul Sweeney

Oh Baby! It's the Verve Fan Hop!

"Sometimes the smallest things

take up the most room in your heart."

~ Winnie the Pooh

I love this quote and just bought the stamp online a week ago from VERVE Stamps.  Their service is remarkable and so are *all* their products.  Oh, how I wish $$ was no object, as there are several sets I would love to have!  Which is just one of the reasons I created this card today. ;)   Verve is having a Blog Fan Hop and there is a $30 Gift Certificate as the PRIZE!   Oh Baby, I could really use that!  ;)

Don't you think the Winnie the Pooh quote is perfect for a baby card?  Although I'm not so sure that using designer paper with *elephants* really goes with the saying!  But I've been hoarding this Oh Baby Girl paper by Basic Grey long enough.  As you'll see, I couldn't bring myself to cover up the cuteness, so not much layering on this one...

Die cut shape is from "A Cut Above Dies" by Verve

the inside finished to coordinate with the outside...
stitching, button & linen thread too!

Blogger is being a challenge today and I just lost half of what I typed.  ugh!  Oh well, I really just want to give a shout out and a very warm welcome to all of you who may be visiting my blog for the first time as a result of the Verve Blog Hop.  Thank you for stopping by and do come back again real soon!   ;)

Enjoy every minute of your weekend!  Smiles 2 All of U !

Quote for Today ~

A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on. ~Carl Sandburg

Friendly Challenge Brings Happy Mail!

Today I'm happy to share some lovely creations by a dear friend, stamping buddy, and fellow Nebraskan ~Gail Slagle.   We became acquainted a couple years ago through my blog and now I'm excited that Gail has finally decided to start her own blog ~ What a Load of Scraps & More!  

Gail and I really enjoy exchanging cards and "goodies" and when I sent her a Valentine card last month, I enclosed these little white paper doilies and challenged her to see what she could do with them.  Well, would you look at this!  WoW!   She certainly rose to the challenge, didn't she?!  They are both such beautiful cards.  The funny thing is that she forgot to take photos before she sent them to me, so I get to be the first to show them to you!  hee hee  :)

The designer paper on this baby card has a touch of glittery sparkle to it which makes it even more special. And of course, the stitching adds such a sweet touch too!  Love it!

the inside is as pretty as the outside!

And this is the card she created to send me a little note.  Oh my!  Can you say "gorgeous"?!  You know I adore the shabby chic distressed look.  When I see this, I wish I had the stamp set and those beautiful butterfly punches from Stampin' Up! 

Oh by the way, I also want to mention that Gail is a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  I'm sure if you need any products, she would be more than happy to place an order for you.  Will you please stop by her blog and leave her some stampin' love?   I know it would make her *smile*!  :)

Thanks so much for blogging by!    Have a happy day!

Quote for Today ~
All glory comes from daring to begin. ~ Eugene F. Ware