Nature Sings

It's Christmas in July, everyone! I can't believe we are now approaching August 2017 - back to school season and fall. It's not too early to get a head start on Christmas and holiday cards. When I saw this stamp set in the brand new Annual Catalog, I just knew it would be in my very first order. Some things just jump out at me. Do you ever get that way? I do! Big time! I just had to have this set. So, I was very happy when this card turned out really nice...and so very easy and simple to make. Sometimes, less really is more.  

I used the retired Two-Way Glue Pen all over the trees and ground then sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds glitter for snow effect

That's all for today, folks. Thank you for stopping by. The list of products used to create this card is below. 

Nature Sings Wood-Mount Stamp Set

$23.00

Nature Sings Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$17.00

Emerald Envy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Emerald Envy Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.00

Big Shot

$110.00

Softly Falling Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$8.50

Layering Squares Framelits Dies

$35.00

Aqua Painters

$17.00

Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter

$5.00

Snail Adhesive

$7.00

Simply Scored

$30.00

Stampin' Trimmer

$30.00

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Too Kind on Good Friday

It's Good Friday and I am enjoying being home. I want to share a very simple Easter card that I made using the stamp set called Too Kind. I have had this set for months and this was the very first time I used it. I've always found Two-Step stampin' technique challenging, but not since I learned to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig. I discovered how much I like Two-Step stamp sets. It has also helped me stamp my images exactly where I want them to be, most especially sentiments. I get annoyed with myself when my sentiments are not stamped straight. That's why the Stamp-a-ma-jig has truly been a lifesaver for me.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Too Kind (W 130447 C 130450), Delightful Dozen (retired)
Paper: Card stocks in Blushing Bride, Elegant Eggplant and Very Vanilla
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive
Tools & Accessories: Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch (119275), Pearls Basic Jewels (119247), Baker's Twine in Old Olive (134579), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

Well, that is all for today, folks. Have a wonderful Easter weekend! 

People Like You

Well, look at that - second day of my staycation and I am staying true to my goals. Although, I must confess that I was not entirely productive yesterday. I paid bills, made a few phone calls, caught-up on my recorded TV shows and then took a long nap. What can I say, a nap often is a vacation in itself. I am sharing another card with you. This is another Clean & Simple card using People Like You single wood stamp from our 2014 Celebrate the Everyday catalog. As soon as I saw this stamp, I knew I had to have it (duh, don't I always?). It's solely in wood, it is one stamp with both the image and the sentiment, plus I can use the matching Decorative Label punch with it. Need I say more? Calypso Coral and Chocolate Chip, such an amazing color combo.

I stamped the image twice, punched the sentiment and popped it with stampin' dimensionals.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: People Like You (133215) Order this by end of May - Limited Edition.
Paper: Card stocks in Calypso Coral, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White
Ink: Classic Stampin' pad in Calypso Coral
Tools & Accessories: Decorative Label Punch (120907) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Thank you for stopping by.

Simply Sketched

I am on staycation beginning today. My daughter and I watched a movie last night. She asked me to help her with her project, so I used the most litigious term in the HR world - "quid pro quo". I told her I'd help provided that she sat down and watch the Silver Lining's Playbook with me. So, she did and come to find out, she liked the movie. That's why this is going to be a quick post, so we can work on her project. One of my many goals during this staycation was to take photos of the cards I have done the past few weeks. So, check mark on that! I just want to share a card with you and then I will be off to my To Do List.

I CASED this card from a swap I received at SU's convention last year. I just changed the color combo and added the brad. As soon as I saw it, I fell in love with the simplicity of the layout. I just adore Clean and Simple cards like this. It was easy and beautiful at the same time. Less is indeed more. I really love this Hostess Set called Simply Sketched. It's so versatile and the images can be embossed, and colored with markers, ink pads or with water color. Or it can just be stamped like this - plain. The stamp set comes with three sentiments: Thanks So Much, Happy Birthday Wishes and With Heartfelt Sympathy. Like I said, versatile.

 

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Simply Sketched (Hostess set)
Paper: Card stocks in Basic Black, Perfect Plum and Whisper White
Ink: Classic Stampin' pad in Perfect Plum
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Apothecary Accents Frame Lits (127003), Glower Garden Embossing Folder (123113), Brads (retired), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Well, that's it for today, folks. I hope to stay on track and post one card a day for the next few days. I feel optimistic and I am off to a good start. Thanks for stopping by.

Retired BNF Friday #13

I cannot believe another month is over. Once the months end in "ber" it's a very clear indication that Christmas is just around the corner. I am definitely not in the least ready, but then again I say that every year and somehow I manage to get it all together. Oh well, on to the Retired BNF (But Not Forgotten) Friday card that I am sharing with you today. I noticed that I have been making really simple and easy cards lately. I apologize, please don't think I am becoming lazy. I must admit that I have been in such a funk recently that I can't seem to get my creative juices flowing. Ordinarily, I would quickly put the blame on being busy, but I know it's not that. I have just been feeling sort of dreary. I am sure it will pass.

BTW, I would like to share with you my sister's friend's blog The Accidental Chef. She is amazing and I love reading her stories. I am sure that you will, too.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Vintage Vogue, Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess Set)
Paper: Real Red Textured card stock, Old Olive and Whisper White card stocks
Ink: Old Olive and Real Red Classic Stampin' pads.
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579) and Rhinestone Brads.

Well, that's about it for now...it is a three day weekend. Thank goodness for holidays! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Keep Calm...Create

Well, I cannot believe I just completed eight weeks of my medical leave. I had a long list of things I was hoping to accomplish during that time, but sadly none of them got done. I did not anticipate it would take the entire eight weeks to recover. Oh well, time surely flies and although I am sure it will be hectic in the office the next few months trying to catch-up and stuff, I must be brave and face it. I shall put on my big girl panties and conquer the work, the emails, the phone calls, the meetings and everything else. While typing this, I am doing an inventory in my head of my organs...hmmm, which one can I live without? Which ones are the genuine VITAL organs? Do women get hernias? Smile.

Hobby Lobby opened here in town last Friday. I was so excited that I was one of the first customers there. However, for some odd reason, I liked it so much better when I was in Alabama. Now...well, not so much. Not a lot of sales at all for a grand opening and get this, they DO NOT accept competitor's coupon! Perhaps I liked it when I thought I couldn't have it, but now that it's here I have lost all interest. Oh well...c'est la vie!

I made this card to remind myself to "Keep Calm and Carry On". I must admit that one of the reasons why I have not been productive lately is because of Pinterest. Yes, I have a feeling I might need to check myself into rehab soon. I am clearly addicted to pinning that I have not been to the Stampin' Connection Site. It's bad, really bad. Hopefully, work and going back to my old hectic schedule will distract me from it. Should I slowly withdraw myself from pinning or just go cold turkey? Aughh, my life just reached the lowest point of pathetic. Hahaha!

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Carry On - Hostess Set (Wood 126645 Clear 126647)
Paper: Twitterpatted DSP (125406), Card stocks in Lucky Limeade, Basic Gray and Whisper White
Ink: Craft Pad Basic Black (102192)
Accessories: Heat Tool (129053), Clear Embossing Powder (109133), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), 3/8" Ruffled Ribbons Lucky Limeade (122977)

I made a bunch of this for swaps at Convention

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Postage Due (Wood 126395 Clear 126397), Creative Elements (Wood 122645 Clear 122647)
Paper: Twitterpatted DSP (125406), Card stocks in Riding Hood Red, Island Indigo and Whisper White
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Island Indigo (126986) and Riding Hood Red (126968)
Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Stamping Sponges (101610), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Modern Label punch (119849) and Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246)

Well, that's all I got today. Have a great week, everyone. Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully, I'll be able to post a Retired But Not Forgotten card on Friday...provided that I survive this week. Smile.

Retired BNF Friday #7

Well, the countdown for the last day of the school year is definitely on. This is my kids' last Friday of school, next Thursday will be my son's High School graduation. It has been crazy busy. My days have been filled with tasks and dates/deadlines to remember, both in the office and at home. Sometimes I amaze myself how I do it all and still manage to stay sane (most of the time...smile). Oh well, c'est la vie! My final Stampin' Up! order for the 2011/2012 Catalog came in last night. I was up late playing with my sneak peek goodies. I got the new In Colors and I have not made up my mind if I like the reconfigured stamp pads. I feel it's too juicy for me. Hahaha!

Oh well, I have two cards to share today for my son's upcoming graduation. The first one is from my all-time faves, Sail Away; and the other one is from the recent Sale-a-Bration stamp sets called Sprinkled Expressions. I am completely in-love with Sponge Daubers! All these many years I have been using the sponges, but the daubers are more precise and it gives off more impact just like when I used them in the background night sky of this sail boat and the waves. Plus I love how it fits in my finger. I am seriously contemplating on using it to apply my makeup. Hahaha.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Sail Away, Word Play (Wood 120308 Clear 120651)
Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler and Crushed Curry card stocks
Ink: Basic Black Craft Ink, Night of Navy and Pool Party Classic Stampin' pads
Accessories: Stampin' Emboss Powder in Clear (109130), Embossing Folder in Square Lattice (119976), Stampin' Write Markers in Cherry Cobbler and Crushed Curry, Decorative Label Punch (120907), Baker's Twine in Early Espresso (123124), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Sponge Daubers (102892), Heat Tool (100005), Post-it Note (punched with 1 3/4" Circle for the moon)

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Sprinkled Expressions
Paper: Whisper White and Real Red
Ink: Real Red Craft Ink and Night of Navy Classic Stampin' pad
Accessories: Stampin' Emboss Powder in Clear (109130), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Sponge Daubers (102892), Brads Star, Ribbon, Heat Tool (100005), Post-it Note (punched with 1 3/4" Circle to highlight the Star).

Well, it's a 3-day weekend for me due to Memorial Day. Yay! My mom is visiting to attend my son's graduation, and will be spending a couple of nights with me. We will watch movies, drink wine and go to TJ Maxx. That's the plan. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, everyone! Thank you for stopping by.

Upsy Daisy - Clean and Simple #5

I was up extra early this morning to view Stampin' Up!'s Retired List. I am plenty annoyed that so many sets are retiring. I seriously felt like I just got robbed. I realized that I will not have that many current stamp sets left to use for my classes - since most of them are going to say adieu end of next month. They retired my entire shelf! Gasp! Oh well, I guess I'll just have to be extra creative and resourceful with my cards/projects. I don't do enough or make that much money out of my Stampin' Up! hobby to justify huge orders, so I am really not a happy camper today. Oh well.

After finding out Upsy Daisy will be retired, I all of a sudden felt like I just had to use it. So here it is. I think it will pass for Clean and Simple style, don't you agree? I just love making simple and easy cards that still communicate the message.

Card Recipe

Stamp Sets: Upsy Daisy (111710)
Paper: Melon Mambo, Pool Party and Whisper White Card stocks
Inks: Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad
Accessories: 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon Pool Party (122975), Modern Label Punch (119849), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

That's all for now, Mad Men awaits. Have a fabulous weekend, y'all! It will be a sunny week. Time to take out my skirts and sandals. Yay!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I have been trying to come up with an idea for a Saint Patrick's Day card, then I realized I didn't own any Stampin' Up! stamps to use other than Every Little Bit (Wood 117096 Clear 120558). Thank goodness to other clever Stampin' Up! demonstrators from Stampin' Connection Site I was able to draw some inspiration.

Clearly, my heritage does not celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. However, one of the fine prints about having a Paper Crafting Blog means I have to pretty much celebrate most holidays - as an excuse to create and share. I also like a few Irish actors/celebrities, if that counts. Also, I remember reading somewhere (probably a bumper sticker) that "Everybody's Irish on March 17", so here I am with a couple of greeting cards. Luckily it fell on a Saturday this year, which is a good reason to celebrate with a good drink or drinks, right? Both of the cards are in my opinion Clean and Simple. I think they turned out okay considering they're my first attempt to create Saint Patty's Day cards. I got the sentiment stamps from the $1 bin at a local craft store. I will be more prepared next year.

I used the Small Heart punch (117193) on the shamrock above plus Brights Glimmer Brads (121006) in Old Olive. Green Shimmer paper - non Stampin' Up! Garden Green and Whisper White card stocks. Also Garden Green Classic Stampin' pad for the ink.

Card Recipe:

Stamp Set: Every Little Bit (Wood 117096 Clear 120558)
Paper: Whisper White and Basic Black card stock, Patterns DSP Brights Collection (117155)
Ink: Old Olive Classic Stampin' pad (102277)
Accesories: Punches in: 1 3/8" (119877) and 1 1/4" Square (119865), 1 1/4" (119861)and 1 3/8" Circle (119860) and 1 3/4 Scallop Circle (119854), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Stamping Sponges (101610)

That's it for today. See you soon! 

"May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks. May your heart be as light as a song. May each day bring you bright, happy hours. That stay with you all the year long."

Owl Always Love You!

I apologize again for my delinquent "supposedly" Sunday blog post. I am still not feeling well, as a matter of fact I had to cancel my class this past Saturday because I still feel horrible. That right there is a clear proof that I am sick. I never cancel a class, because I completely enjoy and look forward to it each and every time. I slept and rested a lot over the weekend. It's amazing how much I wanted to just crawl in bed and sleep. My body must really need it. As I am typing this entry, I am feeling so much better and I hope to finally be on my way to full recovery. I hate being sick. Oh well.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I am sharing with you two Clean and Simple Valentine cards. Aren't they just so adorable and cute? No frills or lots of embellishments, yet still very nice. This Owl Always Love You card is the one I gave my Valentine - my hubby.

Materials: Real Red and Whisper White card stocks, DSP, Owl Builder punch (118074), googly eyes, and the sentiment Owl always love you is not Stampin' Up! I found it in the Clearance bin at a local craft store here in town and I just knew what I could do with it. I am really loving the framelits dies. I used the Hearts collection (125599) on this one and then to add dimension used the embossing folder in Perfect Polka Dots (117335).

 

Materials: Basic Black, Real Red and Whisper White card stocks, Punches: Heart to Heart (119881), Scallop Square (119884) and 1 1/4 Square (119865), Happy Greetings stamp set (retired from last year). 

In as much as I love creating Valentine's Day cards and treats, I must admit that the day itself brings out the cynic in me. I am not much of a flowers and jewelry kind of girl. I remember a time many, many years ago when I was into the whole flowers, gifts and heart shaped anything. Now that I am much older, romance is more "deeds" than "stuff" - I mean, cook me dinner and then do the dishes, that is romantic! Come with me to the grocery store to bag and carry them - that is romantic! I can go on and on. Oh well, don't mind me I am still recovering from the flu. Hahaha. 

Happy Valentine's Day and hope you all feel loved today and every single day. 

Clean and Simple #2

I have been feeling kind of lonely lately. Is it possible to have such a hectic life full of things to do, errands and surrounded by people, yet be lonely in the midst of it all? However, it was a good week considering I only thought of quitting my job once in the last four days. Then again, the week isn't over until tomorrow afternoon. I hope for strength and lots and lots of patience. I thought I'd share a card to cheer me up. It's a Clean and Simple style and very masculine, don't you think so?

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Out to Sea, On Your Birthday (111664)
Paper: DSP, Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso
Ink: Classic Stampin Pad Early Espresso (119670)
Accessories: Word Window Punch (119857), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), 5/16" Jumbo Brads Neutrals (112534)

That's it for now. I have a special post tomorrow and it is so darn cute, it's bound to make anyone smile! See you then.

Clean and Simple #1

Happy New Year y'all! One thing I have noticed is that the older I get the faster time flies. It's hard to believe that we are on to a brand new year. It will be a big year for us and for my son who will be graduating high school this year. I hope he gets in to the college of his dreams. I will miss him dearly, but I also know that he is ready to be on his own. He makes me proud every day.

I would like to challenge myself this year and to know my crafting style better. I want to know my style. So, for this year I will be creating different styles of cards and will share them with you. My first post will be under the Clean and Simple category. This style is just what the title says. It's usually plain or white background, clean sides, simple fonts and minimum embellishments. I find myself utilizing this style for masculine cards and scrapbook pages. While it may look too simple, it can also be pretty impressive.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess Set)
Paper: Old Olive, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, DSP
Ink: Old Olive Craft and Basic Black
Accessories: Decorative Label Punch (120907), Extra Large Oval Punch (119859) and Clear Emboss Powder (109130)

That's it for today and here's to wishing us all a prosperous 2012!

Feel free to shop the Clearance Rack there are so many huge deals.