You Make Me SMILE All Over My Face.

Wouldn't you say this stamp by Inkadinkado has my name written all over it? :) Thankfully, my sweet DIL Jami {Crazy Daisy Creations} thought it did and gave it to me for Mother's Day! I love it and couldn't wait to ink it up and create a bright smiley card with it.

This was a real quick card...nothing too special about it except for the super cute stamped sentiment. I stamped in Versafine Vintage Sepia and then used a clear embossing powder over it, cutting it out with the scalloped rectangle Spellbinder dies. The designer paper is from the Wild Saffron line by K&Company. It coordinates well with Stampin Up Close to Cocoa. I think while I have all the supplies out, I'm going to make a few more of these. :)

Now, in honor of MoM's Day, I'm happy to share a photo of "my kids"... who along with their dad are the great loves of my life. They have always made me "smile all over my face". I'm extremely proud of them and what they've accomplished and it's a true blessing to be their MoM! [from left to right: our daughter Katie, daughter-in-law Jami, son Andrew. Hawaii, March-08]

And here are a few other wonderful Mother's Day goodies I received...a beautiful YELLOW lily, a gorgeous handmade bracelet, and very special cards with sentiments I'll treasure forever!
















I hope you've all had a happy day. I'd like to close with the sentiment from one of my cards:
"If I could, I would tie happiness in a rainbow (and smiley ribbon) and give it to you. If I could I would do for you what you've so beautifully done for me...I would wrap your world in love."

Smiles to you All!




Quote for Today ~
"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." ~Elizabeth Stone

Word for Today ~
pleonasm \PLEE-uh-naz-uhm\, noun: The use of more words than are necessary to express an idea; as, "I saw it with my own eyes."

Supplies ~
Stamps: Inkadinkado - Smile All Over
Paper: Stampin Up close to cocoa, barely banana, K&Company Wild Saffron
Ink: Versafine vintage sepia, clear embossing powder, Tim Holtz tea dye distress ink (edges)
Other: Nestibilities scalloped rectangle dies, Cuttlebug, brassy brown large brads, close to cocoa grosgrain ribbon

Great Grad Congratulations!

This is the first time I've used this "Great Grads" set by Stampin Up! I purchased this set last month especially for making my graduation cards this year and now I'm rushing to get them done today when I need them. Go figure!

I needed some inspiration, so I went to Splitcoaststampers and searched the gallery for cards using this set. One of my favorites was this card by Sharon Johnson. She has a terrific tutorial on her blog "No Time To Stamp" and other than changing the size and designer paper, my card is pretty much a total CASE of her card.


The second photo is of the inside of my money holder card and the side tab envelope. I've enclosed the folded cash in a piece of white paper that I stamped and wrote our personal congratulations on.

I've lots to accomplish today, so better run... have a warm and wonderful weekend everyone and thanks so much for blogging by!



Supplies ~
Rubber Stamps: Stampin Up! Great Grads
Paper: basic black cardstock, whisper white, black/white designer paper
Ink: Versafine black onyx, clear embossing powder
Other: Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder, black tassel

Quote for Today ~ (from the Great Grads set)
" It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." - William Shakespeare

Word for Today ~
vivify \VIV-uh-fy\, transitive verb: 1. To endue with life; to make alive; to animate.
2. To make more lively or intense.

Beeeeee Happy! {Super Sketch Sunday!}

I'm sure by now most of you have given up on checking out my blog for new posts. Goodness, has it really been two weeks already since the last one?!

When I was so sick last month, I think I coughed out all my cardmaking mojo. LoL! :) Really, I've been working more hours and haven't felt too creative lately. Today was a gorgeous warm and sunny day so I sat out on the patio and colored a few images. This one is "Bee Trio" by Stampendous. Aren't they just a cute as can "B"?

My inspiration for the layout came from Amy at Heartfelt Greetings. Her blog is one of my favorites and all her creations are laudable. I especially enjoy her new Super Sketch Sunday! Today Amy challenged us to use four different designer papers on our cards, preferably using our scraps. That's exactly what I did, except for the black and white polka dot paper. I layered all the scrap of designer paper on top of a piece of black cardstock 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" and then zig-zag stitched around the edges. After that I attached the brads and then used adhesive to attach this piece to a white cardstock base. My tag is created with 7/8" and 1" circle punches. Both the image and the tag are mounted with dimensionals.

It feels great to get back to stamping! If you're still reading, I want to wish you all a wonderful week filled with sunshine and smiles!




Supplies ~
Stamps: Bee Trio - Stampendous; happy b-day - Stampendous acrylic set "Changito Notes".
Paper: Black cardstock, misc scraps of designer papers
Ink: Onyx Black Versafine
Other: prismacolor pencils, stitching on Janome Sew Mini, black brads, black & white polka dot ribbon.

Quote for Today ~
"The beauty of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile...it's the spiritual inspriation that comes when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with their friendship." - unknown

Word for Today ~
laudable \LAW-duh-bul\, adjective: Worthy of praise; commendable.

Stampin' Up! Envelope Pouch Challenge

Yesterday, our Stampin Up Demo *Jason* gave us all an ivory envelope, showed us how to punch the corners with the tag punch, and then challenged us to create a finished design for the next time we meet. I knew if I didn't complete this challenge right away, I would probably forget to do it, so here it is! :)

It's my understanding that Jason saw Shelly Gardner, CEO of Stampin' Up, demo this cute and clever envelope basket/pouch, but I'm not exactly sure if that's where the idea originated. I googled "envelope basket" and found a terrific tutorial on a wonderful blog Stampin Project Junkie by Amanda Collins. She calls it an envelope pouch. You'll have to check out her blog and especially the photos of her stamping room. It's so beautifully organized!

First of all, seal the envelope and stamp on it if you want. I stamped the front and back with the canvas background stamp and river rock ink. Then, using the large tag punch inserted in as far as it will go, you punch each corner twice. (to get the length) To decorate, I cut a 2-1/4" wide strip of groovy guava the width of the envelope and layered on a 2" strip of the ginger blossom designer paper that wraps around the envelope. I zig-zag stitched the layers together and then attached it to the envelope. The tag was created using three punches: 1-3/8" & 1-1/2" circles and the scalloped punch. The sentiment is from the Lots of Thoughts set. You'll notice I masked off the saying on the very bottom to allow it to fit in the circle. I don't have any groovy guava ribbon yet, so improvised with some twill that I ordered from Taylored Expressions. It might be a bit more orange, but it blends. :)

I think this would make a perfect gift card holder, especially for all those graduations coming up! Yesterday, I ordered the Great Grads set and can visualize the tags made with the G circle. What are some other ways they could be used? I would love to hear your suggestions.

Are you having a good weekend? I'm glad I accomplished something yesterday, because today I've been quite a flaneur. :) Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!




Quote for Today ~
Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book

Word for Today ~
flaneur \flah-NUR\, noun: One who strolls about aimlessly; a lounger; a loafer

p.s. If you're still reading... I just searched the gallery at Splitcoaststampers and found over a hundred different envelope pouch/basket/bagalope creations. Check it out!

Spring Has Finally Sprung!

Today was the most BEAUTIFUL day and I do believe that SPRING has finally arrived! Not a cloud in the sky, no wind (that's a BIG deal here in Nebraska lately!) and temps in the 70's! It was heavenly! I spent the afternoon outside cleaning off my flower gardens and even found a blooming tulip! Life is Good!

This morning I had a great time at our monthly Stampin Up get together at Mandey's house. We have such a FUN, jocund group! :) Check out these super cute and springy cards we made. I especially love this smiley face "happy everything" flower from the Greetings Galore set. I even have this set and forgot all about it. Now, you'll probably be seeing more of it in the next few weeks! :) We also got to use the new "flower fusion" felt flowers. Cool!



















Have a wonderful weekend and thanks so much for blogging by today! I didn't go into detail about these cards since they weren't my original creations. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~
"You find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people; why not make an honest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy." ~ Lydia Marie Child

Word for Today ~
jocund \JOCK-uhnd; JOH-kuhnd\, adjective: Full of or expressing high-spirited merriment; light-hearted; mirthful.