Making Changes & Going CAS for Now!

You'll notice my blog is back to a default blogger template.  This is my new "Clean and Simple" look...for now anyway!   I've made the difficult decision to resign as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I've tried it twice and I've concluded that selling is not where I find my joy in stamping.   Stampin' Up! products are awesome and I'll continue to use them, but you'll also see more and more of my other favorite stamp and paper companies.    I'm looking forward to the freedom and I think you'll enjoy the variety too!  

You all mean so much to me and I sincerely treasure all the special friendships I've made since I've been stamping and blogging.  ♥   Thanks so much for your support!   ♥

Inspired by Nature...

Today's card is totally inspired by several I've seen like this in my blog surfing.  I have no way of knowing who thought of using the Inspired by Nature Stampin' Up! set in this way, but I think it was brilliant!  No pun intended. 

For my SUN, I took a scrap piece of cardstock and punched out a 1-3/8" circle to use as my template.  Then I laid it on top of the natural ivory piece and colored it in with Stampin' Pastels chalks.  I used mostly yellow, but a little orange blended around the edges too.  After coloring the sun, I inked up the Inspired by Nature stamp in Kiwi Kiss and stamped it over top.  Easy Peasy!

The base cardstock is Kiwi Kiss and I've layered a scrap of brown dp under the naturals ivory, sponging all the edges...just because I like the distressed look.  :)   I wasn't sure what to do on the inside, so just used the same stamp, but stamped it off once so it was more subtle.  And you can never go wrong with a button embellishment, right?  ;)

That's all for today, my friends!  I need to tackle a few of the items on my "to-do" list now. 

Thanks so much for popping in.  Wishing you all a bright and sunshiney day!!! 

Quote for Today ~

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day. ~Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Happiness is... meeting Nancy Riley!

Today I had the great pleasure of meeting one of my stamping/cardmaking idols ~ Nancy Riley of iSTAMP.   Nancy lives in Phoenix, but she's in Iowa this week visiting family, so I drove over from Nebraska and met her for lunch.  Oh my goodness, what an awesome time with a special friend!  Nancy is just as sweet and fun and friendly as you would imagine.  Her teenage son, Drew, came with her and was unbelievably patient as we talked non-stop for 3 hours about stamping, blogging, family, etc, etc.  :)

What a blessed day!  I'm still smiling...  :)

Quote for Today ~
If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me. ~Author Unknown

Time's FUN When You're Having Flies!

Are you wondering if you read the title of my post correctly?  It's just a little play on words and also the sentiment on the inside of this silly card.   My sister Susie and I went "junkin" this morning and I found this old 1998 Stampin' Up! "Flogs & Flies" set at a garage sale.  Well, actually I didn't even get the full set, just two of the stamps for .25 each.  I thought it would be fun to color and it was!  : )

The base cardstock is Old Olive and the embossed layer is Kiwi Kiss.  The wild designer paper is from Basic Grey - Lime Rickey.  Below you can see how I finished off the inside and decorated an envelope to match.  

That's all for this evening! Thanks for stopping by!

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.

~Carl Sandburg

Stampin' Up! Last Chance Lists!

Hundreds of products from the Stampin' Up! 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog and Definitely Decorative brochures are retiring. Now is the last chance for you to get them before they're gone for good! 

Some items only while supplies last!

{Click links below to download pdf list}

Last Chance Stamp Set List

Last Chance Definitely Decorative List

Last Chance Accessories List

If you're wondering WHY all these products are retiring, it is to make room for all the terrific new products coming out in the next catalog ~ JULY 1st!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.    And remember, you can order online via my blog 24/7!  

Happy Stamping!

{SFYTT} Vintage Blooms

It's been awhile since I've had the pleasure of playing along with one of Jen del Muro's I {Heart} to Stamp Sketches.   Her samples are always the perfect inspiration!  Be sure to hop on over to her blog and check out her "You are TuTu Much" bunny card.  It's simply adorable and I *love* the pun intended!

Hopefully, you're not getting bored with all my "vintage" creations because I'm enjoying this style and based on the comments I've been receiving, it seems that many of you like it too.  This rose print background paper is another pattern from my K & Company 12 x 12 vintage designer paper pad.  I wasn't too sure about using this large rose print on a card, but I like to think it works.  Just humor me and tell me it does, ok?  ;)

This card was created for my *extra special* Etsy customer as an all-occasion card.  The photo on the right below shows you how I've finished the inside.

My hubby (also known as "Mr Wonderful" or MW) is my best critic and I usually show him all my creations to see what he thinks.   His comment on this one:  "I like all that stuff you've got going on there".    That made me laugh out loud.  :)

Do you have plans for the weekend?   Not too much going on around here, which is all fine and dandy with me!   The weather is very nice so I may get motivated to do a bit of yardwork tomorrow.  We'll see!

If you're still reading this, I have a favor to ask.  I have seen sooooo many awesome cards lately with the Pure Innocence cuties and I am in love with them.   As a Stampin' Up demonstrator (sort of), I don't feel like I should BUY any of those stamps, but I really would love to have a few images to color and create some cards.   If you would consider an image swap of Pure Innocence for Stampin' Up, please email me and we'll work something out.  Thanks!!  :)

One other thing,  I really despise the "word verification" thingy when leaving blog comments and have avoided putting it on my blog...until now.  Somehow, someway the dreaded spammers have found my blog and I've had a couple weirdo comments lately.  ugh!   Please don't let it stop you from commenting.  I *love* hearing from you and wish I could give you all a big hug!   You make me *smile*!  :)

Enjoy your weekend, my friends!
Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!


"Personal success is simply the fulfillment of what makes you happiest." ~ Anonymous

Supply List:  All products are Stampin' Up! unless noted.
Stamps:  Close as a Memory, French Script, Very Vintage jumbo wheel
Ink: River Rock, Versafine vintage sepia
Paper: Ruby Red, True Thyme, Naturals Ivory cardstock;  K & Company designer paper
Other:  Stampin' Write markers (colored direct to rubber on stamp), vintage brads, sheer ribbon (M's), Swiss Dots embossing folder with BIG Shot, Pinking Hearts border punch, stitching with Janome Sew Mini.

{BIG NEWS!} Stampin' Up! Color Renovation!

In case you haven't already heard the BIG NEWS,

I want to tell you about Stampin' Up!'s plans for a major

COLOR RENOVATION!

Stampin' Up! has announced a refreshing,

updated color palette that will combine

current colors with previous In Colors,

and five NEW colors!

{Click here for a larger version pdf file.}

These luscious collections give us new and vibrant choices,

keeping our papercrafting passion original and exciting!

The 5 NEW Colors:
Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight,

Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Marina Mist

The 10 Returning In Colors:

Baja Breeze, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry,

Riding Hood Red, River Rock, Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi

In addition to these colors, there will be 5 NEW In Colors that will be added this year and will stay in the collection for two (2) years.  All of these new color collections will be available on July 1st when the new Stampin' Up! 2010 catalog is released.

I know many of you will be sad to see your favorite Stampin' Up! colors being discontinued, but you can still stock up on cardstock and ink while supplies last. 
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to place an order.

Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!


"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies." ~Author Unknown

Last Call for Sale-a-Bration 2010!

Stampin' Up!'s biggest promotion of the year

comes to a close today, March 31st!

If you *need* any ink, cardstock, or embellishments, NOW is the time to stock up!  When you spend $50 on Stampin’ Up! merchandise, you’ll receive a FREE Sale-A-Bration product!  Please click THIS LINK for more info and photos of all the FREE products available!  And remember, there is no limit!  For every $50 you spend, you can select another free Sale-A-Bration product!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!  Thanks so much and Happy Stamping! :)

{CC Act 23 & SSSC62} My Dear Kind & Wonderful Friend

Today's card is a combination of two {count 'em 2!} challenges!

The lovely colors in Stacey Schafer's Curtain Call Color Challenge were calling my name and I always enjoy playing along with Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge too! The design teams for these two groups are some of the very BEST and always inspire me with their fabulous creations!

This is a standard 5-1/2 x 4-1/4" card with a base of KRAFT cardstock.  I've layered on basic black and pretty in pink that has been embossed with the Cuttlebug swiss dots folder.  A little zig zag stitching and 5/8" satin ribbon to dress it up a touch.   The sentiment is from Stampin' Up's All Holidays set.  The cute little polka dot flower and brad embellishment is from my stash of neglected doo-dads. 

Have you been doing any SPRING CLEANING?  Something about the change of seasons and especially the coming of Spring makes me want to clean closets and get better organized.  This morning I tackled our bedroom closet and got all the wool sweaters and winter clothes put away.   Our forecast is for warmer weather this week and I'm counting on it!  : )

Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!

"You can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him." ~Leo Aikman

{MTSC66} Live with Passion

Today's card was created especially for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge!   Mercy's sketches always inspire me to think outside the box and try something new and different.

Can you tell I was in a SPRINGY mood yesterday when I created this?  I've used this stamp set ~ Inspired by Nature ~ several times but never thought to color it in this way before.   This is a 5-1/4" square card and the base is pretty in pink cardstock.  On top of that, I've stitched together certainly celery cardstock and designer paper.   The flower stamp was inked up with my Stampin' Write Markers and stamped on the Big Shot Top Note die cut of natural ivory cardstock.   The pink satin ribbon and sherbet designer button finish it off.

The photo below of the inside of my card isn't the best, but I wanted you to see how I layered the Top Note die cut.

And without further delay, Here is Mercy's sketch!

{all I did differently was turn my image the other direction

 so I could fit the sentiment on the left}

You are all encouraged to play along with us!
If you need a bit of inspiration to get started,
please surf on over and see what Mercy's Muses have created:

Cindy Haffner ~ Cindy Haffner's Corner

Jackie Pedro ~ The Scalloped Edge

Pam Varnell ~ The Stamping Addict

Julie Lacey ~ Stamps and Taxes!

Crystal Birr ~ The Messy Stamper

Jessica Diedrich ~ The Whimsical Butterfly
Shannan Teubner ~ Shannan Teubner Designs (YaY, she's back!)

Mercy Kerin ~ Lord Have Mercy {our Queen Muse}
and our Guest Muse for March . . .
Dawn Easton
Treasure Oiler Designz

Simply create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and link your creation to Mister Linky on Mercy's blog. Be sure to use the keyword MTSC66 when uploading to a public gallery.

Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!



"Follow your passion, and success will follow you." ~Terri Guillemets

{SSSC61} Sweet Sunday Chocolate Easter Bunny!

Do you like CHOCOLATE?  Silly question!  Well, if you like chocolate, you should like this card that is loaded with chocolate!  It's got chocolate chip, close to cocoa and even a chocolate Easter Bunny!  : )

All the products on this card are from STAMPIN' UP!  This cute little chocolate bunny is a single stamp from the Occasions Mini Catalog and sells for only $7.95 (116980).  I've stamped it with chocolate chip onto close to cocoa cardstock and clear embossed to give it that nice fresh chocolate sheen!  Yummy!

The designer paper is from a retired designer paper ~ Berry Bliss and I've layered it on Pretty in Pink cardstock.  The bottom edge is punched with the scalloped edge punch and that is a chocolate chip corduroy brad to add to all the chocolate goodness!    My sweet friend in Texas surprised me with a box of polka dot ribbon this week and this one was PERFECT with it's combination of pink and brown! 

Above is a photo of the inside of the card.  I decided to go with this sentiment from the Stampin' Up All Holidays set, but I really wish I had something a little more FUN and not so fancy.  Any ideas?  I could print it off on the computer if I don't have the stamp.  Something that relates to chocolate?  I *know* you gals are much more creative in that department than I am.  Let me have your ideas and I'll post the results, ok?? 

Good grief, I got so carried away thinking about chocolate, that I almost forgot to tell you this card was created especially for Karen Giron's SWEET SUNDAY SKETCH CHALLENGE # 61!   I always look forward to this challenge and love seeing what her talented group of Sweet Sunday Stampers create!  Be sure to check it out!   You'll be inspired!

Are you having a good weekend so far?  I hope you're finding time to do something that makes you *smile*!   Thanks so much for stopping by and triple chocolate thanks if you take the time to leave a comment.  As always, I *love* hearing from you! 

Have a Happy Day!

"Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out, but they can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate." ~Author Unknown

{MTSC64} For My Friend

It's time for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge and today I've created yet another vintage card for you.  I think "vintage" may very well be my new favorite style. :)

The flower on this card is from a two-step retired stamp set called Heartfelt Thanks.  This is a set I go to often when I want a floral image.  I've stamped the bottom layer in rose romance and the top in rose red. 

Check out my scalloped edge and tell me what you think!  I was going to simply use my scalloped edge punch but I loved Mercy's big scallops in her sketch so created my own instead.  I took a 7/8" circle punch, punched out 6 circles and glued them, slightly overlapping to the bottom edge of the designer paper.  You'll notice in the photo below that I did something similar on the inside too. 

To embellish, I've used some old (literally) flower eyelets and a circle clip to attach the ribbon.  They are both in an antique brass finish.  The floral designer paper is from K & Company and the pink polka dot from My Mind's Eye~Bohemia Collection.

You're all invited to join us for
Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge!

If you need a bit of inspiration to get started,
please hop on over and see what Mercy's Muses have created:

Cindy Haffner ~ Cindy Haffner's Corner

Jackie Pedro ~ The Scalloped Edge

Pam Varnell ~ The Stamping Addict

Julie Lacey ~ Stamps and Taxes!

Crystal Birr ~ The Messy Stamper

Jessica Diedrich ~ The Whimsical Butterfly

Mercy Kerin ~ Lord Have Mercy {our Queen Muse}
and our Guest Muse for March . . .
Dawn Easton
Treasure Oiler Designz

Simply create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and link your creation to Mister Linky on Mercy's blog. Be sure to use the keyword MTSC64 when uploading to a public gallery.

Thanks for visiting today!  Happy Stampin & Smiles 2 U!



Quote for Today ~
I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. ~Ruth Stout

The Color Throwdown Guest Designer!

It's true!  I've been asked to be the Color Throwdown Guest Designer for March!!!  This is one of my favorite color challenges so I'm doing the *happy dance* and having such fun with it!  I've been a huge fan of each member of the Color Throwdown Team and consider it a real honor to have the opportunity to create alongside them for an entire month of Wednesdays!

  

 

If you're wondering how I came up with my card layout today, I'll tell you that first of all I went to my notebook of sketch challenges to get some inspiration, then I sat down to create using these three terrific Stampin' Up cardstock colors ~ not quite navy, old olive and ruby red.  I decided on a 5-1/4" square card and wanted to use this coordinating designer paper by Cloud 9 as my background.   I tried a couple different stamped images and then settled on this cute and memorable quote stamp from Inkadinkado.  I stamped the quote in not quite navy on natural ivory cardstock and clear embossed. The bottom of the stamp is the child's name and age and I stamped that in old olive and cut it out to use separately from the quote.  Mainly because it didn't fit that well in my circle. For me, this quote seem very appropriate to use on my card this week because I am "smiling all over my face"!!!  :)

Back to the whimsical layout . . . I originally had a straight edge on the navy piece on the left, but after I got the circles punched out for the quote, the idea came to me to give the blue piece a curve.  I drew a sample on a piece of scratch paper and then traced it onto the blue and cut out with scissors.  This piece was then run through my Cuttlebug with the polka dot embossing folder.  Of course, you know I had to add some stitching too!  :)

The buttons are sewn on to the top layer with linen thread. 

And I wanted you to see how I've finished the inside of the card too.

Want to know something else *really* exciting?!!  The Color Throwdown blog reached 500 followers as of yesterday, so they are giving away a prize package to one participant this week!  No kidding!  They have stamps from DRS, SU!, Basic Grey and Stamping Bella, a Cosmo Cricket mini-deck, Ranger distress ink, Prima flowers, rub-ons and ribbon that each one of you has a chance to WIN!   How great is that?!!

We want to encourage you all to participate if you can, but if you need a little dose of inspiration first, just hop on over to the Color Throwdown blog and see what the mega talented CTD Team has created for you this week!  They are:

Kristin Bueter - Mindless Creativity

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
LeAnne Pugliese - Wee Inklings
Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
Danielle Kennedy ~ Wild Dragonfly Designs

Cathy Indelicato - Crafty Thoughts

The "rules" to play are simple...you don't have to match the colors exactly, just use the closest colors you have. Use keyword CTD82 in any online galleries, add the direct link to your project using InLinkz on the Color Throwdown blog, and be sure to credit the Color Throwdown Challenge as your color inspiration.

Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing in my excitement too!  I love hearing from you and sincerely do appreciate your comments and encouragment. 

Have a Happy Day and Keep Smiling! 

Quote for Today ~
Artists are just children who refuse to put down their crayons. ~Al Hirschfeld