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It’s a Simple Saturday kind of day!

by | Apr 22, 2017 | Simple Saturday | 24 comments

 

 

Hello and yippee – I am back on track with our 2 day posts! for those of you that might be new to my blog, 1st….WELCOME and I hope that you hit the subscribe button and join my blogin’ fun as I love to share and inspire you with clean & simple cards….tell you funnies about life…teach you tips & tricks and just have good old fashion FUN together!

On the weekends I try to have a 2 day post where on Saturday I will share with you a clean & simple card and then on Sunday I will attempt to change it up a bit to basically STEP IT UP showing you that there are many different ways to tweak a great card.

Just like yesterdays card, this Stamp Set and Framelits are being carried over to the next catalog (WOOT-WOOT) BUT….it will not be available at the bundled price which will save you an instant 10% so the 1st thing you will learn today is…if you do not already have this super sweet Jar of Love Bundle….I would HOP ON IT as you will save 10% of you purchase it before the new catalog comes out!

 

 

 

 

You know me by now…I ADORE square cards and I like LOTS of white space! I think that I have clearly accomplished both if these on todays card. The one thing about this stamp set is the fact that we all can agree that they is nothing more traditional than a good old fashion Mason Jar.

I have many of them on my work area as I use them for buttons, rubber bands, containers for long thin strips of scraps – they are just useful and they are a smile maker. Sometimes I think that there are generations that just think that they were for making Strawberry Jam….well I do that too!

 

 

 

 

The overall size of the card is a 4 1/4″ square and then the white embossed area is a 4″ square and the Petal Burst Embossing folder was used. I swear that I forget about embossing folders but when I do use them…I am all smiles as they are a fun accent and they are super inexpensive for the look you get!

Here are pictures to show how I just went to town stamping the Mason jars…then the water in Soft Sky….then the stems in ear Pizzazz! Super easy! Off to Mr. Big Shot I go and with the help of the framelits for this bindle ~ PRESTO….the focal part to our card!

I know you you all enjoy when I share step by step pictures and I hope that these are helpful to you. This whole “Mason Jar” theme is so on trend and I am thrilled that it is carried over and hmmmmmm….there might be another stamp set coming to use with this in addition!!! 😀

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can easily see that being a floral arranger is super easy today and you can also see that it is a great way to use up scraps of white paper as all you have to do is have these 4 ingredients…

 

SCRAP PAPER + INK + STAMP + MR. BIG SHOT = FRESH FLOWERS

I will be totally honest with you – you can have so much fun using all sorts of color combinations for the double stamping on the flowers but I just stuck to 2 ink colors….the sweet sugarplum and calypso coral. It APPEARS that I used more but when you go over it on the 2d stamping, it will create an effect of 2 colors.

 

 

 

I just stuck with black for the insides of the flowers as I happen to like the contrast etc…but also it would be fun to use the Wink of Stella pen as well..

There is really not much magic to this…add some flowers flat and then pop some up and you are good to go – a beautiful bouquet! This truly is a unique bundle and you an easily see that there would be endless ideas with it!

 

 

 

 

There you go…and I will STICK TO my motto – it is TOTALLY hip to be square! I did use the envelope punch board to make a custom envelope but you could easily use one of our envelopes and have it go through the mail with a regular stamp! It is all about choices!

Please do not forget that this months freebie from me with an order of $75+ is a roll of tear -n- tape…..you can always find my monthly offering on my header above and also read about my generous rewards program….

I ADORED your comments yesterday and I am so happy that Daisy is loved by you guys as well…..she has a heart…just like you and I! Let’s all have a great weekend!

 

 

 

Simple…Fun…Classic & DONE!

by | Apr 21, 2017 | Birthday | 35 comments

 

Now this is my kind of card…a card that is fresh, clean, timeless and just FUN for any age! This is the type of card to make in the “masses” as you simply cannot have too many for those times you are in a pinch! A good Old Fashion Ice Cream Cone is always a smile maker and a fun and classic font like this lends itself to a bigger smile!

There is another “smile maker” of a story for you at the end that will make your day….so you can thank me TWICE – the card and the story as you are going to have a great day!

The other GREAT thing about this card is that both of the focal parts, the “Happy Birthday” from Better Together and the Ice Cream Cone from the Cool Treats Bundle are both being carried over into the new catalog! I say another reason to smile!

TIP ALERT: While the Cool Treats is being carried over, it is NOT going to be at the bundled price so the moral of this story is – get it BEFORE the new catalog comes out so you can save an instant 10%

This stamp set, Better Together is one that I have blogged about many times and I am just so giddy that it is carried over as I think that it is a keeper but I will say that I think many of you have overlooked it and that makes me sad! This is chocked filled with great sentiments and “little images”. I bet that hat is going to look great on the pig…..thoughts?

 

 

I ask you…Don’t the 2 of these go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly? It screams FUN! It is when I make a card like this that I say….How can something so simple be soooooooo fun and cute?

There is no reason that each and every card that we make that there needs to be a HUGE TIME element put into it….remember, we are all about being handmade…not Hallmark!

 

 

 

 

Here is the bundle that I know that you all have seen gobs of times the past several months and I loved it so much that I did a kit with it in February….that’s when you know that it is a keeper. Look at the details of the framelits with this Ice Cream Cone….Stampin’ Up! has really put their “A” game on with their framelits designs lately and wait until the NEW catalog……you will be ALL SMILES! 😀

Remember, the bundled price will be “walking the plank” but the components of the kit will be in the New Catalog but you will have to purchase them a la carte’  🙂

 

 

 

Another simple tip! This DSP screams a happy occasion with all of the sprinkles but it is a small print so I thought – WHY NOT???? I just went ahead and covered the whole front of the card front to make a fun impact and it worked! I think that the BIG area of the DSP really lends its hand to making the cone and sentiment pop!

Speaking of POPPING…..I am tellin’ you….Bakers Twine is your friend….it will add that “little something extra” each and every time and it iwll never let you down! I have GOBS of Bakers Twine and trust me, if any of it goes to clearance  – I STOCK UP as you will always use it as it is the easiest to use to make a smile happen! This Bermuda Bay is retiring….and it is just $1.80 – HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG? 🙄 

 

 

 

 

To make a great card you do not need to spend a bunch of time. This is a great example of that and when I said to you that this is a great one for the “masses” – it truly is. I hear rom you that you have gobs of paper that you are hoarding…..USE IT UP…..I hear from you that you have tons of ribbon….USE IT UP!

When you work with the basics like this…you are setting yourself up for instant success. I will sit down and cut out a bunch of stitched shapes from scraps and keep them in a container so when I am creating ~ I can just look over and see what I have to play with. If you get in the habit of trying to nave some shapes and basics near you, I really think that you are more likely to put them to use!

 

 

 

 

Here is your picture to PIN. You can just hover over this simple beauty and store it for the future but why wait? How about finding a wee bit of time today to make this layout. Even it you do not have the exact products, I know you have MANY other products that you can use to get the simple feel of this sweet card.

 

 

 

 

I have a funny for you…do you remember about 2 weeks ago that we took Arnold and that dumb little Donkey to the front field because the new grass was coming in and I knew that Arnold would love it?  Well….he IS lovin’ it but there is one that is not….Daisy. Ever since they have been down there she is sad that her buddies are away from the barn.

I have shared this with John and he thinks that I am nuts and says….she will be fine. WELL…John worked from home yesterday in the morning and when he was going to work he called me and said….your PIG is walking down the lane! Naturally I was PERKED UP because Daisy never does that as she is very predictable in where she is throughout the day…..

I went to a window and watched and YEP, he was right….my black “spot” was walking down the lane so I watched her….SHE IS SOOOOO SMART – She found Arnold and donkey! It was the sweetest thing…I dd not get much done as all day I was worried – WHERE IS DAISY NOW….and sure enough….still in the field with her friends.

I needed to go to a funeral and I called John and said – she is still down there….do you think that she will be ok? Naturally he said –  SHE IS A PIG….she will be fine – go ahead and leave….she is fine! I left and I admit she was on my mind as she has never wondered down that far before and as I drove back in the lane…..NO DAISY in the field…..

I was scared so I called John’s cell saying….I am pulling back in and Daisy is NOT in the field….he just said, I am sure she is fine….well that was not cutting it for me and I said, can you please stay on the phone until I get to the barn……

I went into the barn and was hoping and praying that my sweet little swine would be there…and YEP…..she was all snuggled in a mount of shavings in a stall and I MELTED! I thought….this is amazing…she missed her friends and she found her friends. LIFE IS GOOD!

I know it is silly but my heart was happy and skipping many beats with joy! As I told John….do you know how SMART that was of her….can you imagine how many piggie steps it took her to make that pilgrimage ~ I said, how would you feel with having stumps of legs that are probably 4″ tall and a hug belly having to walk and find your friends…..he laughed and said, I have a meeting to go to!!!

Now go and have a great day!

 

 

 


Fun & Fresh…I’m lovin’ it!

by | Apr 20, 2017 | Paper Pumpkin | 14 comments

 

 

Well HELLO my cyber friends….today is a GREAT day as today is my “knight and shining armors” Birthday! 62 years ago today the best husband one could ask for was born! For his sake…I am super glad that his special day is after the end of Tax Season! Trust me, he is THRILLED that tax season is over and his office is closed on Friday to give his employees a well deserved 3 day weekend!

I need to share…I was TICKLED PINK (even though Daisey is Black) that you all enjoyed yesterdays card. I am sure that you can imagine how excited I was to see that Stampin’ Up! came out with this “swine fun” – and I hope that you allow some piggies to come to your home when the catalog goes live June 1st.

I am sure that you all have seen MANY…MANY posts about the Paper Pumpkin for this month. I did not want to share with you the video (even though I am sure you have seen it) until today when I share with you some ways that I made up the cards in a different way than the kits teaches you.

 

 

 

 

 

I will say – HOMERUN….I think that Sara did a fabulous job with this video and you can see her natural love and passion she has with Stamping. I felt like I was right there with her! I adore everything about this kit and you better bet that IF refills are available….BAM….I will hit that button and shop away!

Even if you do not have this kit, please take a coffee break and watch the video because the technique can easily be done with just our basic products that we have as it is a simple embossed resist technique with watercoloring. I will try to do a post for you using a stamp set that is current so you can see that it can be done!

I have a parade of pictures for you and I hope that you enjoy how I made some “keeper” cards that I think are SUPER CUTE and proud to send. I had a text from a downline last Thursday BEAMING WITH JOY about the kit and the suspense was killin’ me so I said – PICTURES PLEASE!!! I loved seeing the sneak peek from Pam and mine came on Saturday….it is just fresh and fun! ENJOY!!! 😀

 

 

For this card I just squeezed the lid of the NEW Lemon Lime Twist and picked up some color on the brush and dapped into the areas as shown. I just think that this is such a fabulous and crisp color combo!

 

 

 

This was made using the technique that you saw in the video using the watercolor pencils…..I scribbled Bermuda Bay and the Daffodil Delight to get this fun color! Let your INNER ARTIST out….I know it’s in there!

 


 

Bummer that the picture is not the best but this is a FUN card and I was super pleased with the end result. Again, it’s all about this fun color combo and the sheer ease of adding water and ink to paper! I say FUN!

I wasn’t going to use the flowers because I thought that they were a bit “blingy” for this clean and simple gal but I pushed myself and I am glad that I did…again, fresh and fun!

 

 

 

 

 

IF and when refills become available….I will post it and for my Paper Pumpkin People (I love that name…I call them my PPP’ers) and I will send you an email in case you want to order more.

I am just so giddy about this new In Color….hang in there if you look at it and say…..I am not sure about it….because I am hear to say…..it is FAB-O and one that will POP with many combinations!

Please remember, to be able to order additional refill kits, you need to be a current Paper Pumpkin Subscriber…below in the products used that you will see that you can purchase just a month subscription. It is fun, it is doable!

Have a FUN day and it’s a Birthday kind of day tomorrow…..it is “In the Air’!

 

 

 

“This Little Piggy” is soooo adorable!

by | Apr 19, 2017 | SNEAK PEEK!!! | 48 comments

 

 

Ok – This is my first post that showcases a “New Kid on the Block” from the upcoming NEW Annual Catalog that will be unveiled and ready to order from June 1st. (I know that seems like ages away but it will ZOOM by and if you have ordered from me in this past year – you will get yours as soon as I am able to order them) 😀 

Here you go…A confession from an honest stamper ~ I know that you can only image how I squealed with excitement when Stampin’ Up! gave this stamp set as an all attendee giveaway at the Richmond On Stage…but here you go…YOU NEED THIS STAMP SET! I do not care if you are not  a proud Mama to a pig like I am, you have to admit…you are smiling because they are soooooo darn tootin’ cute!

Once I saw this stamp set, I could care less about any other newbies (well…that is an exaggeration) but I am sure you could have envisioned the smile I had when I saw this in the new catalog but then the icing on the cake….to come home with one – I WAS SQUEALING WITH JOY! (you can tell that it doesn’t take much to make me happy) 🙂

 

 

 

 

This sweet card is using the Whisper White Notecards & Envelopes….please do not overlook them because they are the BEST bang for your buck and guess what  – one of my wishes are coming true…..in the NEW Catalog they will also be available in Very Vanilla….WOOT-WOOT! (another reason to SQUEAL like Daisy-Mae!)

You will see at the end of the post the colors of ink that I used but I also used the NEW In Color of Powder Pink – I used that as my base and then the highlights (blush 😀 ) are in Blushing Bride. This new pink will be a huge hit because it is so “clear and crisp”

 

 

 

 

I have another question for you…..why are so many of you afraid of water-coloring? Please be brave and leave me a comment with your “hold-backs” so I know how to help!

I think that the SINGLE reason that many of you might have is soooo simple – you do NOT have enough water on the end of the brush of the Aqua Painter….you really need to have lots of movement with the bristles of the Aqua Painter.

 

 

 

 

Now to card #2 – this is an enclosure card….a 3″ X 3″ card and again, I am squealing! I think that we forget the fact that Stampin’ Up! offers the square envelopes for this size of card and I will say…..it is fun to have a “stash” of enclosures because they DO come in handy!

Sooooooo cute…and I know you are smiling….on the inside I stamped the sentiment “Says Thanks” – so fast and sweet! I am tellin’ you….this is a FEEL GOOD Stamp Set!

 

 

 

 

 

Well…THOUGHTS???? I sent this card to Chris R. so I am excited to hear what she has to say about this stamp set. I think that Teddy would approve of a Pig in the “Robinson House” – just think…..I bet if you purchase this ~ each and every-time you use it you will think of Daisey and me  😀

I think that we all need a bit of fun and humor in our loves and this little piggy will do just that! I just could not be happier.

Many thanks for your comments and emails yesterday for the post…and I hope that you go back and see the comments I left. Remember, organizing is such a personal thing – what works for me….might not work for you and guess what – THAT IS TOTALLY OK!

Have a fabulous day….I know you will because you have seen my swine and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow  😉

 

 

 

 

A TIP for your Tuesday – LET’S GET ORGANIZED!

by | Apr 18, 2017 | Tips and Tricks!!! | 39 comments

Hello to all! It is Tuesday so that means that I have a TIP for you to hopefully make this super fun addiction that we have with paper-crafting a bit more organized.

I would just LOVE to have everything organized but truth be told, I am just like you (probably) trying to figure things out to make them work for my needs and then there is that other thing – TIME…..we all have GREAT INTENTIONS but that TIME THING gets to us just about everyday. 🙁

I have blogged about this before but today I have an updates file for you to use. This is how I keep my Stampin’ Up! paper organized. I do have a new picture for you that shows the paper storage in my work area but before I added this, I simply used (2) of these storage bins for both my single sheets as well as for my scraps!

Please feel free to email me or leave a comment if you have any questions! I am happy to share my thought as to what works for me…and maybe you have an idea that will turn on that light bulb on for me to think in a different way!

This is what I use for my card stock and I keep it organized by color family but I will say that for most crafters…the bins are super and perfect to maximize space. This space it right at my work space….so handy!

 

 

These are the bins that I have used for YEARS…...(probably 15+ years) – I think that I bought them at Walmart but I am sure that any office supply store will have them…they JUST WORK and you can easily add more file folders as needed!

 

 

Side view…I ask you ???? What is the size of a scrap that you just look at it and say PITCH IT?

 

 

Here you can see the labels on the specific card stock  – super fast to “visualize”…..it just WORKS!

 

 

Click here~  Stampin’ Up! Colors 2017  and you will get the download to print. I always use Avery Labels and the size that you need to print these out correctly is Avery Labels # 8167 ( the 1/2″ X 1 3/4″) but here is another TIP!

Most Office Supply Stores will print these out for you if you give them the file (and let them know the size) and worst case scenario….just print them out of copy paper and adhere them to the card-stock!

I hope that this tip brings you some sunshine today but please make sure you pop back tomorrow as you will be in HOG HEAVEN! Have a great day!