Colorful roses

I got a thank you card made! 

I don't know about you but I intensely hate cleaning the bathroom. I am deeply grateful for indoor plumbing, but man, oh man ... I hate cleaning it. 

We have company coming so it had to be done and it had to be done now... So I bribed myself that if I would hurry and get it done I could make a card, haha! 

Today's card combines the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches, with the inspiration photo from SUO Challenges. Although I just realized that I accidentally turned the direction of the sketch...

I even know who this card is going to! 

Supplies
Stamps: Layers of Beauty, Simply Said
Ink: Memento Black, Pumpkin Pie
Paper: Country Woods DP, Peach Pie, Basic White cardstock.
Accessories: Watercolor Pencils, Layers of Beauty dies, big shot

Colored Butterfly!

Just a few more days to earn this set FREE! Today's card uses the color challenge from Sunday Stamps, along with the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.
To me it feels like late summer, looking at this card, but it is lightly snowing today and I hope it snows a whole lot more than that! Eastern and Mid-West United States: we want your snow!!

Supplies:

Stamps: A Touch of Ink
Ink: Stazon Black, Cinnamon Cider, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry
Paper: Bumblebee, Very Vanilla card stocks 
Accessories: Bumblebee Ribbon, Blender Pens, Subtle embossing folder, Dimensionals, Big Shot (retired)

Hot Chocolate!

This morning I looked up a bunch of challenge blogs I enjoy, gathered supplies and eventually, haha, had some time to put one of the cards together! For this one, I used the Fusion challenge, with both the sketch and the inspiration photo.
I thought it was funny that I had grabbed the Buffalo Check background stamp without even really noticing that there was a a black and white buffalo check table cloth in the photo! I just really liked how the plaid DP that retired Jan 4 looked so good with these cups, and I tried for a different style "blanket". I stamped it on an angle, and snipped around the edges (which I don't think I'll do again, haha) to make it look fringed and add some cozy texture. 
Mine is obviously a mug of hot chocolate, and the cup is "colored" with Wink of Stella, even tho you can't see it. And the inside, which I forgot to photograph and the sun is long gone, says "because adulting is hard". mmhmmm!!!

Supplies:

Stamps: Nothing's Better Than, Buffalo Check background

Ink: Memento Black

Paper: Real Red, Basic Black & Whisper White card stocks

Accessories: Love You More Than dies, Flowers For Every Season ribbon, Metallic Pearls, Wink of Stella, Fine Tip Glue Pen Circle dies (retired), Big Shot (retired)

And! This card is going out in the morning! 
Have you sent a card this month? Send some! 

Dino Christmas!

This month looks like a bust for stamping, even tho it wasn't. Just a big bust for blogging!!!
I helped my mom make 42 cards one afternoon and the next morning. Here are four of the most clever ones, haha! 

Supplies:

Stamps: Dino Days, Come to Bethlehem (lonnng retired)

Ink: Cinnamon Cider, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Balmy Blue, Highland Heather, Pacific Point, Real Red...I know I've missed a couple...

Paper: Whisper White, Shaded Spruce, Gable Green (LONG retired)

Accessories: Dino Dies, In The Woods Dies, Big Shot (retired), Regals Candy Dots (retired)

And here are some close ups for you! 

Also, a tip. Ahem. Please make sure your dies are OUT of the path of the machine or sandwich before you put the next one in. This one was hiding below the paper, and look what happened! 

And this is after I ran it through again, with no paper, trying to flatten it, since the dies are my mom's and I'm the one that bent it....! AHHH! 
So don't do that!! 

Old Paper Pumpkin Thanks!

Today I decided to pull out some Paper Pumpkin kits and try to crank out a bunch of thank you's...and some autumn hugs! And then I had another idea. First I got to work with finishing off the Layered Leaves kit from Sept 2017. The kit has tiny cards and gift pouches. I prefer standard, full size cards, so I just use the layered stack on a full size card like this:

Supplies:
Stamps: Buffalo Check, Sept 2017 Paper Pumpkin

Ink: Cajun Craze

Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake card stock, Sept 2017 Paper Pumpkin

Accessories: Sept 2017 Paper Pumpkin

Or, like this:

Supplies:
Stamps: Sept 2017 Paper Pumpkin

Ink: Cajun Craze

Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede card stock, Sept 2017 Paper Pumpkin

Accessories: Woodland Embossing Folder, Sept 2017 Paper Pumpkin

My other idea was that since *I am not going to use these tiny and cute cards, maybe someone else would! So I went ahead and assembled them anyway, and figure I'll sell them in bundles of four, for $5 total. These are 3x3 cards, with coordinating envelopes. They are NOT mailable as they are, but they're great for dropping off a little something, or including in a package. 

And, if there is interest, I can sell these gift pouches for $1.50 each, or all four for $5. Assembled, it measures 5"x2.75". It's a card stock "pillow box" that can hold anything that small. 

And! I think I'm gonna see what else I could possibly sell, and put these cute Paper Pumpkin kits to better use spreading joy than gathering literal dust in my basement! haha! 

Masculine Birthday

It's been forever since I got some actual card making done, so yep, I'm sharing on a Saturday! We have a bunch of birthdays right now, and I didn't have enough made by a long shot. I used the sketch challenge from SUO Challenges and made the card their design team did not make, haha...! And this card worked out quickly too.

Supplies:

Stamps: Nature's Beauty, Friend Like You

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Bumblebee, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Linen Thread, Woodland Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals

We Create Blog Hop: Snacks & Beverages

and just like that, it's August! I can hardly believe it! But a new month means a new blog hop and I'm excited for this one! 

Our theme this month is Snacks & Beverages. I don't typically give away snacks in stampin' style, more like a big plate of cookies or something. But I have been wanting this set for a different reason, which is exactly what I'm featuring today! 

You know I love scrapbooking. My littlest loves to make (and eat!) chocolate chip cookies, so this is a perfect match! I actually scrapped two different cookie days! And my little girl is thrilled to have more pages done, plus her book is now in order, haha! 

First of all, if I'd thought it through entirely, I could have made this a stamping-only page, but I did die cut the word "cookies". Everything else is stamped tho! Even a subtle background on the Poppy Parade card stock. The cookie outline is Early Espresso and the cookie color is Crumb Cake. 

Supplies:

Stamps: Nothing's Better Than

Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Poppy Parade

Paper: Very Vanilla & Poppy Parade card stocks

Accessories: Lace Trim, Love You More Than dies, Big Shot

Journaling Font: Modern Love Caps

Here are some close ups for you... 

And this second layout uses a lot more die cutting- the words and the cookies! This time the cookies are stamped with black ink onto Cinnamon Cider card stock. 

Supplies:

Stamps: Nothing's Better Than

Ink: Memento Black, Pacific Point

Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Cinnamon Cider & Pacific Point card stocks

Accessories: Love You More Than dies, Big Shot

Journaling Font: Kristen ITC, School Teacher

And a couple more close ups for you! 

Now hop along over to Anastasia's blog by clicking the button below...

Then hop on through and see what everyone has created for you today! And leave us your thoughts- we all love feedback!

Cookies!

I finally stamped something! It isn't my favorite thing, but it's still cute. I think the colors are just more bold than I typically like, lol. For this card, I used the Mojo Monday sketch and sort of the color challenge from Inspire.Create.Challenges (three of them anyway). And, it was already delivered WITH a plate of chocolate chip cookies, of course! haha! 

Supplies:

Stamps: Nothing's Better Than

Ink: Magenta Madness, Memento Black

Paper: Magenta Madness, Cinnamon Cider, Whisper White & Bumblebee

Accessories: 1/4" Bumblebee Ribbon, Love You More Than dies, Big Shot

Birthday Layout!

Back to the scrapping that filled my May, haha.
I am so far behind on birthday pages! The only reason this got done was because I was trying hard to complete his entire senior year. This particular layout was for a challenge to scrap sunshine, and for a bonus include a drink. There is some sun streaming thru the windows in these photos, and there are tiny sunshines on the yellow strips of DP. That bonus was more of a stretch but there are cans of soda on the table in two pictures, if you look closely... haha!

Supplies:
Paper: Pumpkin Pie card stock, Festive Birthday DP (retired)
Accessories: Large Numbers Die, Big Shot
Journaling font: Jenna Sue

I'm hoping to get some more scrapping done very soon... What are you making this week?

Right to Vote

Today is the primary election for a few state positions, so today is a good day to share this page I made my son of his first time voting!
I had to laugh when he saw this page- he didn't know I took pictures of him in the voting booth. Dude- you had me come with, I'm gonna take pictures! haha! It's like he doesnt' even know me.....

Supplies:
Paper: Whisper White & Tempting Turquoise (retired) card stock, Big Top Birthday (retired)
Accessories: Star Dies (retired), Big Shot
Journaling Font: Modern No. 20

Boats for Father's Day

I got a card made, and like almost everything I've been making lately, it's for a guy! It's Father's Day this weekend, and my son still needs a few more thank yous. There will be a girly card tomorrow tho. haha!

So for today's card I used the color challenge at Sunday Stamps, along with the card sketch on Splitcoaststampers this week. The DP and the twine just retired but everything else is current. And I really like the pop of Terracotta Tile! I haven't played with that color very much!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sailing Home, Well Said
Ink: Terracotta Tile, Balmy Blue
Paper: Terracotta Tile, Night of Navy & Whisper White card stocks, Come Sail Away DP (retired)
Accessories: Lovely Labels Pick A Punch, Smooth Sailing Dies, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Navy/Sahara Sand twine (retired), Big Shot (retired)

3.5 months

Today we're back to scrapbook pages. Because I have TONS. haha....
This one was obviously made for my youngest. She was so excited I made another page for her! She has also taken to asking to use my camera "so that I have pictures to put her in scrapbook....." like that's something I need.... hahaha!! It is so not.
Anyway, I loved how these pictures turned out and I used a Stashbuster Challenge for this layout. I used circles, stamps and sequins, and two different DP. And I used Calypso Coral and Blackberry Bliss ink to do a watercolor wash on watercolor paper, then I stamped the camera and fussy cut it out, and I die cut the number 3 out of the same paper.

Supplies:
Stamps: Capture The Good (retired)
Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Calypso Coral, Stazon Black
Paper: Pretty in Pink (retired), Shimmery White card stocks, Wildflower Fields DP (retired), Watercolor Paper
Accessories: Cupcakes & Carousels Embellishment Kit (sequins) (retired), Big Shot, Large Numbers dies (retired), Circle Dies (retired), Watercolor Brush

Vintage Love

My inlaws will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary this week. (No, I am not that old, and really, neither is my husband. He was a surprise later in life, haha.) That means they were married in 1950. I was scanning my stamp stash wondering which set to use and I really love this couple....and then I thought if I used it in sepia tones, it would totally suite a 70th anniversary! My husband loved the idea so I got to work. And I am really happy with how it turned out!
I'm entering it in this week's SUO Challenge, which is designer's choice.

Supplies:
Stamps: Silhouette Scenes, Very Versailles
Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede card stocks
Accessories: Copper Trim (retired), Lace Trim, retired Vanilla button,  Tin Tile Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Stamping Sponges

I love the subtle textures going on! I had to use a retired button, and I used a tiny scrap of Soft Suede card stock as the "thread" - an old technique but one I love!

~~~

Don't forget- today is the very LAST DAY to order from the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog, and the 2020 Occasions Mini! You'll want to check the website to see what has sold out, because it's kind of a lot! Orders close at 11:59pm mountain time! If you don't already have a demonstrator, choose me when you place your online order.

Click HERE for the Annual Catalog Retiring Items and click HERE for the Occasions Mini. The sidebar on that website also allows you to shop by topic (available stamps, paper, ribbon, etc) or search for one specific item if you know it's name. You can even search by color! And have fun stamping! 

Bright Birthday!

The instant I saw the latest Freshly Made Sketch I knew exactly how to use it for my husband's birthday! I had my youngest pick colors from Stampin' Up!'s Brights color family and I used strips that were already in the packs! That's all there was to it! Happy, colorful, done!

Supplies:
Paper: Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana, Gorgeous Grape, Mango Melody, Basic Black & Whisper White card stocks
Accessories: Well Written dies, Big Shot, Glue Dots

This Bee!!

My mom loved this bee bundle ever since she opened the Occasions Mini! She wanted to order it for ages but the dies were on backorder for what felt like forever, darn this virus! She finally got it and neither of us has had a chance to play with it! I finally did, in making a bunch of masculine thank yous! And now it's on the retired list! Aaaahhh! So if you love it too, snag it HERE, now, before it's gone!!
Also- there are a lot of retiring products here today! The orangey shade is Grapefruit Grove and that is also retiring! You can order it HERE before it sells out! The Pattern Party decorative masks are retiring and you can find them HERE! And the white baker's twine is sold out!

Supplies:
Stamps: Honey Bee (retiring!)
Ink: Memento Black, Grapefruit Grove marker (retiring!)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Grapefruit Grove (retiring!), Copper Foil
Accessories: Pattern Party decorative masks (retiring), Embossing Paste, Silicone Craft Sheet, Palette Knives, White Baker's Twine (SOLD OUT), Detailed Bee Dies (retiring!), Big Shot, Dimensionals

Nautical Thanks

I need a number of masculine thank you cards right now! A bunch! So I went scouting challenges and picked this Sailing Home set that I love for the "travel" theme issued by the TGIF Challenges blog. I would definitely have to do some traveling to see the ocean from my house, and it is totally on my bucket list! And I think it works fantastically for a guy! I had a lot of fun putting this one together.

Also, that super great Night of Navy/Sahara Sand twine is retiring and on sale HERE, and that very cool washi tape is also retiring and on sale HERE right now!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sailing Home
Ink: Memento Black, Pacific Point, Smoky Slate
Paper: Whisper White, Mossy Meadow, Early Espresso card stocks, Come Sail Away DP (retiring!)
Accessories: Navy/Sahara Twine (retiring!), Pressed Petals Washi Tape (retiring!), Watercolor Pencils, Smooth Sailing Dies, Big Shot, Glue Dots

Texture!

I need several of all sorts of cards right now, so the other day I got seven made! That means you don't only have to see scrapbook pages when you visit my blog, haha! I pulled out the embossing paste and played with three of the Decorative Masks that are on the retiring list, and a bunch of other retiring products! Check it all out HERE, choose me as your demonstrator if you don't already have one, and place an order before it's gone!

Here are two of those cards...
This one uses the sketch from the Fusion Card Challenge.

Supplies:
Stamps: Silhouette Scenes, A Good Man
Ink: Night of Navy
Paper: Balmy Blue, Whisper White card stocks
Accessories: Navy/Sahara Sand twine (retiring!), Pattern Party Decorative Masks (retiring!), Embossing Paste, Silicone Craft Sheet, Palette Knives

And then I made this stamp-less card. This one used a challenge that ended last night, but I'm posting it now. I used the colors from the card to make mine.

Supplies:
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Basic Black, Granny Apple Green card stocks
Accessories: White Baker's Twine (sold out!), Pattern Party Decorative Masks (retiring!), Embossing Paste, Silicone Craft Sheet, Palette Knives, Circle dies (retiring!), Well Written dies, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

What are you making??

State Semi-Finals!

Back to the scrapbooking! Because my total is soaring! Hooray!
This page is for another challenge. We were to use two circles, two borders, a strip of DP, and I combined it with a challenge to use red or orange! This kid's favorite color is orange and there is a LOT of orange in his books, so I threw in red. Also, the college he's at colors are red and white, so red it was!
The Pep Band got to go with the football team to the state semi-finals. However, the football team lost this game, so that's as far as they went.

Supplies:
Paper: Blueberry Bushel & Real Red card stock, misc school & band DP
Accessories: Circle Dies, Big Shot
Font: Astonished

Thank You's

'tis the season for end of year teacher appreciation gifts!
This year, as you well know, the teachers went above and beyond trying to teach kids over the internet. Some used videos, some had to learn new software, and presumably most if not all of them missed the kids they kinda never saw again.
Both of my kids are moving on from the school they attend, and both wanted to thank the teachers they've had more than one year, or for more than one class....and in some cases, both! I had a decent stash of thank you cards but I did need one more masculine card. I picked the sketch from Sunday Stamps. I let my son pick the supplies for this card, and this image is perfect for this teacher who is going from a crazy-busy position to a much calmer, 8-5, lol...

Supplies:
Stamps: A Good Man
Ink: Night of Navy
Paper: Whisper White card stock, Come Sail Away DP (retiring)
Accessories: Circle Dies (retiring), Big Shot

One Sketch, Two Cards

Today I have two more Mother's Day cards for you. One card uses the exact supplies as yesterday's card...but I put it here with the same sketch, lol. I used the Mojo Monday sketch for today and created two totally different cards.

First, if it's possible, an even softer version of yesterday's card?

Supplies:
Stamps: Very Versailles, March 2018 Paper Pumpkin
Ink: Smoky Slate, Pear Pizazz, Merry Merlot
Paper: Whisper White & Smoky Slate card stock
Accessories: Pressed Petals Washi Tape (retiring!), Tin Tile Embossing Folder, Clear Faceted Gems (SOLD OUT), Big Shot

and second, another Paper Pumpkin kit is the star of the show here!

Supplies:
Stamps: April 2019 Paper Pumpkin (Sentimental Rose)
Ink: Flirty Flamingo & Mint Macaron
Paper: Flirty Flamingo, Whisper White & Mint Macaron card stock
Accessories: Tin Tile embossing folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals

And I think now I'm ready for Mother's Day cards to be mailed out!