April Paper Pumpkin Plus!

Mother's Day is this Sunday- are your cards made?? Mine were not so I hurried and put some together today! The April Paper Pumpkin kit was absolutely beautiful and I think just right for Mother's Day cards.

However, I first used the kit for an anniversary card for my parents! They recently celebrated 40 years of marriage and I thought this was perfect- even if the picture isn't! This is one of the pre-designs, other than I sponged on some pink where the flower was going to be. The yellow and green are printed on the DP sheet!

Then today I made up the second design, almost exactly. There are three designs, but I really love the print so I might change things up and not cover quite so much.

Then, I decided to make my own creations using the stamp set. That is one of my favorite parts of these kits! First I used the latest Mojo Monday sketch combined with the color challenge from Inky Friends. I liked the rich Mossy Meadow with these pretty flowers! The Mint Macaron is harder to see- I added a little 'watercoloring' with an aquapainter and the ink pad, in between the stamping.

Supplies:

Stamps: April 2019 Paper Pumpkin Sentimental Rose

Ink: Calypso Coral, Petal Pink, Mossy Meadow, Mint Macaron

Paper: Whisper White, Mossy Meadow card stocks, April 2019 Paper Pumpkin

Accessories: Metallic Sequins, Glue Dots, Take Your Pick Tool

This final card is a really lousy picture, but we keep have huge thunderstorms that come and go all day long so I took pics while there was some sun, and this will just have to do. This time I used the latest Freshly Made Sketch and the colors from the latest TGIF challenge!

Supplies:
Stamps: April 2019 Paper Pumpkin Sentimental Rose
Ink: Petal Pink, Crumb Cake and Pool Party
Paper: Petal Pink, Whisper White card stocks
Accessories: Dimensionals

What do you think? Get your Mother's Day cards made soon too! And remember, you can send Mother's Day cards to any mother you know, even mother figures like aunts or helpful neighbors!

We Create In Color 2018-2020 Blog Hop

It doesn't make sense how quickly the years have started flying by, but here we are at May of 2019 already, and while that is crazy to me, that means a fun and inspiring blog hop for you!

This month our Blog Hop is focusing on the 2018-2020 In Colors that are sticking around! I wanted to play with a set that is retiring at the end of the month (well, June 3) that I loved as soon as I saw it, and haven't got to play with yet! 

It has been a while since I bought a hostess-only stamp set, but this was one of those that I really had to have. Are you familiar with the idea of the "shoemaker's children having to go barefoot"? That totally applies at my house. I used to be great about sticking little notes in my kids' lunch boxes for the holidays or just when they needed an extra hug, but it has been quite some time since I did that... like years. And this set was PERFECT for the kinds of notes my kids need now. 

My projects today definitely qualify as #simplestamping. I only got out the one stamp set, the 2018-2020 In Color markers, 2018-2020 In Color card stock pack, Whisper White card stock and Memento black ink. That's it! But, with these shades, these cards are still happy and cute and get the motivational thought across, haha! 

The sunshine stamp...

the growing stamp...

and the believe stamp! 

And all of them lined up together! Do you have a favorite? 

I think these will be a nice surprise over these last few weeks of school, don't you? These cards are 4x4 size, with a 3x3 panel of Whisper White, which are great for lunch boxes, by the way. 

Now hop on over to Cheryl's blog to see what she's created for you! Then keep hopping around til you get back to me- it isn't a long hop, but it will be full of these same happy colors and a lot of great inspiration! And let us know what you think of our work! 

March Paper Pumpkin

I really am a fan of Paper Pumpkin kits. I love that they have everything designed, ready to go. You can easily make the designed project, or you can do your own thing and adjust it to something else you want.

March's Paper Pumpkin was their 6th anniversary kit, so they went with a fun birthday theme. I happened to need some birthday cards right that second, haha, so I put one of each style together. I stuck them in the mail that same day and just realized I never shared it here!

 The insides of each card is fun too!

This particular kit came with the supplies to make four of each card and they are standard sized. There are coordinating lined envelopes too. But because it was Paper Pumpkin's birthday, they included a free bonus stamp set as a birthday gift or party favor, haha. It was a set of polka dot numbers that match the die cut "4" on the front of the second card. That's great for me- perfect for scrapbooking, as well as birthday cards where you want to include the age! 

I haven't had a chance to get back to this kit yet, but I definitely need to! We always need birthday cards on hand! And I can already tell you, in addition to the cute stamps and the ink spot we get to keep forever from all the kits, there will be die cuts left over for other projects. I love that! 

Summer Scrapping!

I haven't stamped very much in recent weeks, I have been really busy with a lot of things, most of which are in fact for other people. Not that I mind, it's just that sometimes you need a minute to yourself. So today, after an unexpectedly crazy morning, I decided I was going to stamp. Then I decided that even better- I was going to scrapbook!

I pulled out the printed pics intended for my baby's book, looked at the events I had and figured I'd do the whichever theme matched the first thing I found and loved that fit, haha! This long retired DP was perfect for her first time in the wading pool last summer, with the high waves and swirls. I knew exactly which stamp image I wanted to use after that, and I just made it fit, HA. I don't even love the placement of the stamp or the journaling, because I really wanted to show off the DP, but there it is, and hey, she's got two more pages done! That puts her up to .... eight whole pages! YIKES!

Supplies:
Stamps: Lively Little Ones, Skinny Mini Alphabet (both retired)
Ink: Pacific Point, Memento Black, Calypso Coral marker
Paper: Whisper White card stock, High Tide DP (retired)
Accessories: Watercolor Pencils, Glue Dots, sequins from a retired embellishment kit

This is why I keep what I buy. Many demonstrators sell off their retired products, and I do sell some, to make more room, but. I start by buying what I love, then I find ways to use it in my scrapbooks. Lively Little Ones came out in 2005. Skinny Mini Alphabet came out in 2014. And the DP is from at least 2015, maybe earlier. I love having a variety of alphabet stamps. I love having a nice stash of DP for any occasion. And I love the variety of stamps that come and go!

Upcoming Paper Pumpkin!

Here's a sneaky peek to May's Paper Pumpkin kit!

This May, you’re in for a treat. Paper Pumpkin has teamed up with Shelli Gardner, board chair and cofounder of Stampin’ Up!, to bring you a very special Paper Pumpkin kit. Shelli herself helped conceptualize and design the projects from start to finish. You’ll love the adorable floral box and the elegant, spring-themed vibe. So don’t wait to subscribe (US|CA). This is the kit everyone is going to be talking about!

Bright, Flowery Birthday

Today's card is really bright, haha... But that is okay because it keeps trying to snow at my house, so maybe here's some sunshine? I need a number of birthday cards this week, so that's what I finally played with!

I love this new How Sweet It Is DP from the Occasions Mini, but I think it has to be used in small doses, haha! I wanted to use some of it today, and I thought the latest Mojo Monday sketch was just right! Also, since I picked these rainbow-y stripes, it fits the current Retro Rubber challenge perfectly- and the Jar of Love stamp set is from at least 2016, if not earlier. I picked the flower colors from the DP (and it sounds like a fruit salad on my desk, haha) I've been wanting to play with this pretty ribbon too.

It's not the simplest card, but overall I like it. I don't love the way the jar and the greeting panel line up a little too well, but I'd already done all the stamping and everything before I realized that, so here it is anyway. And I'm pretty sure the recipient won't mind.

Supplies:
Stamps: Jar of Love, Well Said
Ink: Memento Black, Pineapple Punch, Melon Mambo, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana
Paper: Coastal Cabana, Whisper White card stocks, How Sweet It Is DP
Accessories: Coastal Cabana/Granny Apple Green Reversible Ribbon, Everyday Jars dies, Well Written dies, Big Shot, Dimensionals

Spring Trees Take Two...

Today's card is very similar to the last thing I posted, but this time I used a sketch (Freshly Made Sketches) and color challenge (Just Add Ink -I picked the pink and green and the gray sign) ...and it happens to fit two other challenges too! (SUO Challenges of anything made with Stampin' Up! products, and Global Design Project's "day at the park". Trees are definitely in our parks.)

I needed a sympathy card and I wanted it to brighten the day of the recipient instead of keep them feeling down... I really wanted to use these trees in the main panel of the sketch, and I wanted to use the gorgeous leafy print from the Occasions Mini. I also really love this sentiment that 'today a friend is thinking of you'...

Supplies:
Stamps: Winter Woods, Part of My Story (now retired)
Ink: Gray Granite, Pear Pizazz, Powder Pink
Paper: Pear Pizazz, Whisper White card stock, Floral Romance DP
Accessories: Stamping Sponge

And almost as soon as I photographed it, I sent it on its way to brighten someone's day!

We Create In Color 2017-2019 Blog Hop

Annnd another month has come and gone! But that means a new blog hop, full of inspiration for you, so let's get to it!

This month we're focusing on the In Colors that are going to be gone soon! I bought all the ink pads and card stocks as soon as these colors were released and I have really loved them. I will especially miss Fresh Fig, but since I've used it the most, I wanted to focus on other colors this time, haha. I picked Powder Pink, Berry Burst and Lemon Lime Twist. 

I also chose to focus on spring, which is coming...I'm sure of it! even if it has snowed here a couple times this past week... I love this Winter Woods set from the Holiday Mini and I'm so glad it's carried over, at least this far. This time I used it to make some pretty spring-green trees with some pink blossoms sponged over them! I added some sequins for a little something and as I'm typing, it strikes me they have kind of a late season icicle look? hahaha.... And I have to add- the sequins are so much easier to use with the Take Your Pick tool!! SO much easier!

The latest Freshly Made Sketch worked perfectly for these trees and for adding that pop of Berry Burst, so that's what I used for the layout.

Supplies:

Stamps: Winter Wood

Ink: Lemon Lime Twist, Powder Pink, Berry Burst

Paper: Powder Pink, Berry Burst & Whisper White card stocks

Accessories: Metallic Sequins, Glue Dots, Stamping Sponges, Take Your Pick Tool

Now click the NEXT button to hop on over to see what Cheryl has created for you, then hop on thru to see the rest of our creations. And leave us your thoughts- everyone loves feedback on their work!

Sale-A-Bration!!

is ending! Tomorrow (Sunday) is THE last day of Sale-A-Bration 2019! I definitely did not get to play with my Sale-A-Bration freebies enough! I really didn't- its been a busy, crazy few months a my house, haha! So yesterday I took some time and put together some new cards- which need mailed out SOON!

This one has been in my head for quite a while. I love this sentiment from the Part of My Story stamp set. It was the first thing I loved from this year's selection -this exact sentiment. Then they released this paper with the second round in February, and this sheet of paper looks straight out of a story book- they were meant to go together! I found a sketch that fit, at Global Design Project, annnd then I cut the DP the wrong direction... but I made it work anyway, ha!
What do you think? This one even qualifies for #simplestamping

Supplies:
Stamps: Part of My Story (SAB), Painted Seasons (SAB)
Ink: Early Espresso, Lemon Lime Twist, Call Me Clover marker (on the leaves on the sentiment panel)
Paper: Whisper White card stock, Painted Seasons DP (SAB)
Accessories: Dimensionals


Since I still had a little time, I really wanted to focus on the Painted Seasons stamp set. I tried a few inks on these pretty flowers. This stamp set is our new "DistINKtive" style, which means that it is cut in such a way to add depth and shadow to the image, which is really cool. But some inks don't show up very boldly, and for this, I wanted something bold. I loooved the way this Gorgeous Grape turned out and stopped there! Then I was trying to decide how to make the latest Inky Friends sketch work best...should I fussy cut the flowers..? But as I was looking over my DP choices, I remembered one of my favorite cards ever, from probably 10 years ago, back when our DP was one sided, haha. I had stamped some blue flowers on to some white washed, worn wood looking paper. Well look what I found in the Wood Textures DP pack?! YEAY! I like the purple flowers at least as much as those old blue ones!
Next I thought it would be cool to die cut the white greeting panel and let the Grape card stock show thru. Well it IS a good idea, but maybe not with a complicated, detailed word like this one, ha. And I didn't realize that til the bits were in the trash...and I work in the kitchen so there was no way I was even going to try to look for them. rats. Again, I made it work anyway. I stamped the rest of the greeting and decided I really love this card, even with its "birthday" flaw, haha.

Supplies:
Stamps: Painted Seasons (SAB), Well Said
Ink: Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green
Paper: Gorgeous Grape & Whisper White card stock, Wood Textures DP
Accessories: Big Shot, Well Written Framelits

*I stand corrected...the blue flowers on distressed wood was 12 years ago. yikes! haha!

March 2007

Mixing old with new...

This is not a great picture, but it was a fun card to put together, so I'm sharing it. Also, the story behind it.

A friend from elementary school that I've connected with on facebook is going thru a very difficult year. Last night she posted asking if there was anyone who might send her son a birthday card since she couldn't be with him later this week and it's going to be a lousy day for him. I have never met him, but his mother is very proud of him and posts various accomplishments and good things he does. He's a few months older than my own son, and he's into tinkering and machines and building things that work, and he just recently got his drivers license. I went looking for a car stamp I owned, which is retired, and pulled out this great "guy" paper from the new Occasions Mini. I used the latest sketch from the TGIF Challenge blog and this is what I made for him!

Supplies:
Stamps; Beautiful Ride, Gorgeous Grunge
Ink: Memento Black, Gray Granite, Crushed Curry, Dark Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends, Dark & Light Basic Black Stampin' Blends
Paper: Crushed Curry, Basic Black & Very Vanilla card stock, Classic Garage DP

The picture is lousy because I shouldn't have used the Crushed Curry card stock for the background as well as the card, and also because the photo was taken about 7am before I rushed out the door and stuck it in the mail! BUT. I think it will be something fun for him to get in the mail for his birthday anyway! And that is exactly why we do what we do!

Beautiful Birthday Card

Happy Monday! I am determined to have a very productive week! (should I knock on wood? ha....) Watch me go!

I'm starting it off sharing this pretty card I made last week. This will definitely be part of my upcoming card class and I used a sketch and a challenge to create it! The layout comes from the Just Add Ink blog, and the designers seemed to all use a circle element, and it worked well for my card too so there you go. And since I planned to use the Well Said bundle, this card worked perfectly for the What Will You Stamp challenge!

Supplies:
Stamps: Well Said
Ink: Fresh Fig
Paper: Floral Romance DP, Sahara Sand & Fresh Fig card stocks
Accessories: Fresh Fig Sheer Ribbon, Well Written Framelits, Circle dies, Big Shot

Hopefully I'll have a date for my upcoming class set this week! Do you want to come? You should!

Home To Roost

Well, hooray for Friday, ha... It's been mostly good but a crazy week around here. I had hoped to start working on a class plan for March, since we're well in to it now, and I guess today was the day!

I knew I wanted to play with this rooster, and I wanted to use the Buffalo Check. I wasn't sure what else, so I ended up trying a few things and colors and ideas and then put them both together. You should know- this rooster and the greetings are part of a cute set you can get FREE with a qualifying order during Sale-A-Bration, which ends March 31! Don't miss out!


This is the one we'll make at my next class:

Supplies:
Stamps: Home To Roost, Buffalo Check
Ink: Real Red, Early Espresso
Paper: Very Vanilla & Early Espresso card stock
Accessories: Linen Thread, Big Shot, Circle Dies, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

And this is the one with the other pieces, haha. I'll still show this, sometimes you want a bolder background, and it nicely shows that either sentiment fits in the circle. Also, I did different things with the thread.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Home To Roost, Buffalo Check
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Very Vanilla & Real Red card stock
Accessories: Linen Thread, Big Shot, Circle Dies, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Maybe one of these days very soon I'll get to color this rooster in, but I like him like this too!