Hello…HELLO….

HELLO!!!

It feels GREAT to be back home in Maryland but YIKES….it SNOWED here today! I returned home from Florida yesterday and I am doing my best to get back into the swing of things! Yesterday…..85 degrees and sunny….today snow!!!

I have SOOOOOO much to tell you all what I have been up to but until there is time to get to that in a future post…Today I want to share with you a super sweet card that I made. I am using the limited edition stamp set/ thinlits that are available just to the end of the month…..(yikes – that is in just 2 short weeks!!!)

There are (2) stamps sets that are limited editions and there is (1) thinlit to match BOTH of the stamps sets! WOOT-WOOT.…love that when that happens! It is called the Snowflake Showcase but you can see…there are NO SNOWFLAKES on this card today!

Click here to view the PDF…and then below you will see the (1) stamp set being offered in this limited edition fun…it is called Happiness Surrounds and YEP, it is a happy one as I just adore the fun and oh so useful sentiments and the price point….$17.00 – time for a HAPPY DANCE!!

Stampin’ Up! did a great job on these offerings as it is a WINNER-WINNER Chicken Dinner that the thinlits will work for both of the stamp sets! The next time I post I am going to inspire you with the OTHER Stamp Set, Snow is Glistening and I think that you will love that as well…super clean, super fresh and super classic!

The inspiration for the design of this card came from the images that were on the above PDF from Stampin’ Up! I use the samples that the design artist come up with a bunch…I figure – WHY NOT? I was just itchin’ to see if I was able to stamp the repetitive image below the fun gingham!

Well…I DID IT and I WAS SMILING and guess what – it was super easy as I used the Stamparatus! Using a Stamp Positioning tool like this makes alignment a breeze and with the Stamparatus…even easier as I used the “hinge stamping” and it was as easy as close the door…..stamp – pick up the plate and move it down…stamp –PRESTO, perfect alignment every time with perfect ink coverage!

Did you think that I used Lemon Lime Twist for this tone on tone look?

Well NOPE….I did not, I used Versamark. If you follow my blog regularly you know that this is something that I like to do. I think that there are many times that the Versamark does the trick even better than the match color. Personally, I think that it is a softer look and I get asked this all of the time when I do this…..it does not smear – I agree, it seems like it would but truly it doesn’t!

The card is rather self explanatory as you can see that I did the same on the Balmy Blue flower, stamping with Versamarks and then cutting out the images with the coordinating thinlits. Layering elements like I have done below just is a “smile maker” as you can clearly see that the choice of colors that you could use are just endless!

That is another PLUS to us CARD-MAKERS….we can have any color our heart desires and in our IMAGINARY WORLD….when we create – there are no rules! I personally love this trio of a color combination  –  Lemon Lime Twist, Balmy Blue and Blueberry Bushel. Fun, fresh and clean!

Below you will see the image of BOTH of the stamp sets being offered and the thinlits. You will quickly see that they work for both stamps. At first I was not going to purchase this but then I caved….I asked some enabling friends and looked at many samples from others…and YEP – I hit that button and took it with me to Orlando.

It is a beauty but remember, it is JUST AVAILABLE thru November 30th! I can’t wait for you to see the next card that I made with this offering….the snowflakes are just to die for and we all know….snowflakes are another smile maker….(as long as they are on paper and not in real life like we have today)

With me just coming back from the 30th Anniversary of Stampin’ Up! I am super excited to get the engine started with some of the offerings that will be available in January. I know, I know….we have PLENTY of time for that date to get here but I just could not resist using the upcoming NEW 6″ X 6″ Paper….called Gingham Gala…..I ADORE IT and I know that it will be a HUGE HIT for Stampin’ Up!

I just love ginghams and this pack just screams Spring with the color choices! One side is a larger check, the other a smaller scale. Both are great and they also would be great to use together….why not – never be afraid to mix up the sizes of prints? You better bet that they will be in my Product Share….

Well…there you go…..a quick post to make you smile and I cannot wait to inspire you with more fun projects using this Limited Edition Set! I hoep to be in the swing of things as I was fearful that I would have forgotten how to blog!!!! To top it off…I went to go edit my pictures and the editing software that I use has CHANGED….and this non-tech Mom doesn’t do well with change…..oh well, off to watch you tube views on it!

HA-HA….seriously, this is the ABSOLUTE LONGEST I have even been without blogging….on my way to the airport I discovered that I left my Laptop and iPad at home….YIKES – when I met my downline at the airport she looked at me, laughed and said – OH WELL…..not the end of the world….

It was a great time away and I am excited for the new upcoming catalog and its offereings and then lets quickly chat about the SAB (Sale A Bration) offerings……do you remember 2 or 3 years ago how much fun we had with the crazy chickens????WEll, get ready for Mr. Frog….there is a SAB offering that is not only a total HOOT…..it is a must have in all of our homes as he is so darn tootin’ cute!

Stay warm…do some exercises as Turkey Day is in a week! Calgon, take me away….the time is FLYING! (but who doesn’t love to gobble-gobble)