Yesterday morning when I went onto the Stampin' Up! Website I saw something that I have been wanting to post about and I figured that today is the perfect day to bring it to your attention! What am I talking about?
I am all about finding ways to make life a bit easier and as you know, I consider myself computer challenged so when I find something that saves time and frustration – I do the happy dance!
Go to the side bar and slick on that SHOP NOW button and it will bring you to the below screen…..now hang tight – all I want you to do is click on that button that the arrow is pointing to…."Shop by Occasion".….
Why is this such a big deal of ease to me? I think it is great to see the stamp sets that Stampin' Up! offers as if you are like me….there are so many different names and sometimes the names do not "ring a bell to you" for what occasion you are looking to use!
By having them broken down to general themes like Birthdays, thank you etc….makes it so easy! I know that this might not be super exciting to you but to me it is a very useful way to see what we are looking for!
I often get asked, "How to you store your stamps" – I have 2 shelves for my stamps. One for the stamps in the annual catalog and the other area for the holiday catalog. I then have them all in alphabetical order, this just works for me!The best advice I can give you is find a system that works for you…then roll with it!
I truly think that when we find something that works and makes finding things easier…the best thing to do is SHARE …..so there you go – I hope that you learned something today! How do you store your stamps?
Good Morning! The PALS blog hop was fantastic yesterday and it is super clear that we are all so thankful ~ I need to toot my horn and give a huge SHOUT OUT to many that have emailed me with their amazing work in sharing homemade kindness!
I have been embracing to sharing "homemade kindness" in sending cards…."just because"...and when you really think of it – we can always be making someone smile and feel special with a handmade card.
Today is a color challenge with the Pals Paper Art – I hope that you play along with us….and you can click here to see what the amazing talent of team 2 came up with ~ I think it is super fun to see what everyone comes up with!
In the spirit of sharing some homemade kindness., I wanted to send a card to a friend from the barn that had a amazing Horse Show last week in Raleigh. If you follow my blog, you know that I adore animals and that my daughter Hannah rides horses. We had a wonderful (WET) time in Raleigh last week and all of the horses and riders had a great show!
This is a super simple , straight forward card that literally took me minutes to whip up….remember ~ it is the thought…the gesture…that make someones day! I am "pinching myself" with the joy I get from reading your emails, seeing your cards with sharing and spreading the thought of "homemade kindness" The Bravo stamp set is always a keeper and is the shining star for todays card.
After I inked up the stamp in the tangelo twist, I took a damp "Q-tip" and took off the color on the star and then colored it with the Blackberry Bliss! I then matted the sentiment part in the same color to give it a POP1
You must admit, it does not get any easier than this card but it still sends a great, fun message!
Confession time….when I saw the color palette for todays challenge the first thing I grabbed for were my Swatch Books….why??? – EASY…they are a fantastic reference to use as the colors are listed and then I knew what paper to go for….Sweet Li'l Things Designer Series Paper was the right fit!
A simple pair of 1/4" pieces of paper and then the same for the lining of the envelope was all that is needed – BAM….done!
One simple and fun card….What do you think? Can you see yourself making this…..to me, it is a great one to have on hand…."just in case" You can easily have fun with different color combinations etc….
Now to Eddie,,,,I promised you that I would give you an update!. I did not blog about him for the past week + as he has once again is going through a stage that he has not been eating. While I was gone for 6 days, I must admit….I was very worried that he was telling me to go and not to worry so much about him!
John and James did not mention him to me and on day 4 for being away I asked, "How is Eddie"….as I know that John would never tell me if something happened to him while I was gone (but at the same time I was not sleeping and I just had to ask) – and the answer – he is GREAT….back to eating and playing ball!
Here is a picture of him on Monday and he made me smile…..poor Mr. Chicken – he has seen better days but one thing that melts my heart is Eddie. He is one special dog that continues to teach me each and everyday! He LOVES his toys!
Hands down, Fall is my favorite season and this year the leaves have been just spectacular ~ I love to play a game with myself and find a beautiful tree and just watch the daily chances…it truly is am amazing process – nature is a true beauty!
This is a simple card that can be for a "just because"…."birthday"…."masculine"….just a simple yet handsome card. I used a product that I truthfully forget about….WASHI TAPE! A simple strip of it makes a perfect balance and fun POP!
I wish that I could list the markers in the store below, but many of them we do not sell individually so here you go with the colors that I used. It is BEYOND FUN to color and go back to your childhood…no rules – do you remember how fun it was to get a fresh package of crayons and color away….it is the same thing, we are just a bit older!
The colors are: Mossy Meadow, Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey and Cherry Cobbler. I used the Memento Ink to stamp the image….here me out – I ADORE the new black ink BUT I think with the photopolymer stamps….I find that the coverage seems a bit better….just my thought!
The liner is from the Bohemian Designer Series Paper and the color is just so striking! I thought – why not….continue that yummy color with the sentiment from the For All Things Stamp Set….(do you remember how popular this set was last year)….I knew that I needed to pull it off the shelf for this beauty! The ribbon is the threads of the Blackberry Bliss Cotton Ribbon….so fun and fresh!
Were the leaves pretty where you live this year? I just think it is an amazing process and I admit that as I drive I think of our colors….I'll say to myself – look at all of the Cajun crush….and soft suede….look – there is some hello honey! I am silly!
You know what today is….the day that we get a new batch of weekly deals….I get excited myself to see what Stampin' Up! has for us when I wake up on Tuesday. Remember that these are good thru next Monday evening.
One easy yet fun card…and guess what – tomorrow is the Pals Monthly Blog Hop and you will be AMAZED with the great ideas that you will receive…..for all things we are thankful for! Thanks for your time today…..feel free to email me, and have a great day – until tomorrow!
The Pals Paper Art Challenge is back this week and it is a color challenge! I confess ~ I had such a hard time with this one as all my mind kept think about was "fall cards" and then I finally walked away and when I came back to work…my Mojo was going!
Here is the palette of colors and I hope that you not only see what the other team designers came up with, I hope that you play along too! I know that there is so much incredible talent out there…please consider playing – if you need help uploading a picture, please email me and I will be happy to help you!
I know that I have said this before in past blog postings, but I feel like we cannot forget the Annual Catalog and when I had my “mental block” I thought….go to the annual catalog and take look!
For those of you that like clean and simple…than this post is for you! This layout could be adapted with many other sentiments like….Way to go ~ Happy Birthday etc… It is amazing that these simple little banners can create something so festive.
This stamp set, Banner Banter comes as a bundle….true you could easily snip out these banners but a punch makes it so much faster and remember, you’ll save an instant 15%!
Today I stamped the banners on white paper with the respected inks but it is also great to stamp on the same color of card-stock and the same ink – a totally different feel!
Here you go with the dimensions and some tips and tricks for you to make this card yourself.
The base is the whisper white note card and I know…I know – there are many of you that do not like this size and I need to say….”I do not get it?” it is a SUPER-DE-DUPER product and not only is it super affordable (20 note cards and matching envelopes of $6.00) the weight of the paper is just like the thick white card stock….
The white layer is just a “smidge” smaller, (4 7/8” X 3 3/8”)
To create the banner string….(I cheat a bit) ~ it is so simple, I simply adhere the white bakers twine around the mat (not worrying about it is it perfect at all) and then I used stampin’ dimensionals on the different banners to fill it in!
For the ends ~ easy-peasy….just take a piece of bakers twine (3 of them) just long enough that you can make it in a knot and then glue dot it in place!
The sentiment is from the Bravo Photopolymer Stamp Set and because you can see through it, a clean and easy stamp every time ! (Don’t you adore this font)
On the “plain Jane Chocolate Chip banners”, I jazzed them up with some simple stitchin’ with my old faithful, the white gel pen and then added the other old faithful, the itty bitty punches!
What’s not to love than fun polka dots to line an envelope? This is from the super popular Designer Series Paper Stack in the Subtles Collection
Well as the saying goes…that’s all folks, one fun, clean & simple card that I am sure anyone would love to see in their mailbox! That is simply the BEST feeling in the world to open your mailbox and see a familiar handwriting and a handmade card….The card and sentiment would be a great one to keep on hand and you could have fun with a huge array of different color schemes….for those "just in case times".
Please pop over to the Pals Paper Art Site and see the fun that is going on and then I hope that you are able to carve some time out to create a project using these 3 colors!
Feel free to email me and I hope that this simple card makes you see that SIMPLE WORKS! Now go have a GREAT DAY!
Good "Hump Day" to you! Today's card is right up my alley with my love for horses! It goes even further today as in keeping with yesterdays post of "sharinghandmade goodness", this card is for a very special young lady that goes to Brown and had just finished up a stellar horse show year!
Because she was not at college for Halloween, I decided to make her this sweet card with a care package saying a big WOOT-WOOT to her!
You have heard me say 100 x's that i have no clue of what is "the right or wrong way"to watercolor, I simply do what makes me smile and this card makes me smile! Just give it a try !
This is a simple A-2 Vertical card and then the dimensions of the Watercolor Paper is 3 1/2" X 4 1/2". I just adore this new Black Ink…as it is permanent and perfect for watercoloring! The other (2) colors that I used for matting are Pacific Point and Marina Mist and believe it or not, they are the same size.3 5/8" X 4 5/8". Because they are "tilted" they appear to be different sizes but they are not!
When the annual catalog came out, I knew that Barnyard Babies would be coming to Randall Lane. The horse….the pig…say no more! It is just so darn cute and when you think out of the box, it can be a great stamp set for all ages!
All I can say is just "go to town" with the aqua painters! One day I should attempt a video but truly I just go for it! Remember, it is better to go light and add color than go to dark…."less is best" and then after it dries, you can go back over and add more coloring! (that's what I did for the clouds)
The little piece of cotton ribbon was the perfect touch….and then the bow….what can I say – an instant smile of the finished touch! When you look at this card, it is super simple yet is super fun. Trust me, I think Victoria will keep it with many amazing memories he has has.
I am THRILLED that so many of you are "on board" with the Handmade Kindness…..my heart was filled with joy with your comments and emails that I received yesterday. I also received many pictures of cards that you have made and I can hear through your emails that you are equally as excited!
Please feel free to email me, and I hope that you will pop back tomorrow….I have a great card that takes literally minutes to make but carries a HUGE punch!
I have something very special for you today!(well, I think that it will not only bring a smile to your face, but itwill also bring joy to your heart). I hope that you grab a cup of coffee and find some "me time" to just watch this very short video. (less that 2 minutes….you'll be happy you did!)
I am so passionate about making a difference by little gestures as I think that our world is always so caught up in forgetting the "simple things in life" I totally believe that even a simple smile to someone as you pass them can bring a bit of joy to both of you…
With blogging, I have the opportunity to share a bit of "me" within my posts, true I am a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and I adore to share with you our wonderful products that I adore! My real passion and gratitude comes from the people I touch and also the people that touch my heart!
In a million years, I would have never thought that a company like stampin' up! and the people I have met along this fun journey would have brought so much joy and fulfillment to me.
I have challenged my downline and I also challenge YOU to share your handmade kindness….this comes in many different forms (it could be cards, scrapbooking, baking etc) To me with being the month of November….it is a month of Thanksgiving ~ a month to reflect and truly be thankful for all we have been given!
This is a super simple card that I know you could easily make….if you do not have the exact supplies…..no worries, just work with what you have – it truly doesn't matter as what matters is that YOU did something to make someones day!
Isn't this a fun card and oh so sweet. The heart is from the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Die and I simply cut out the heart from the Navy base and then cut one out in Real Red.
Putting the two together and using the Tear n Tape makes it super easy to "hold tight" and then a run through Mr. Big Shot with the Happy Heart Embossing folder made the focal part shine!
OOPS! Silly Susan, I forgot to put in the scrolling store where the sentiment came from. It is from one of my "keepers of all keepers" single stamps! – Vivid Vases, I simple masked off the vases just to get the sentiment! I cannot tell you how much I have used this stamp set….just love it!
Well I hope that this post has truly touched your heart and has made you stop and think – I can do this…I can make a difference as I know you can, actually no doubt in my mind!
I adore everything about Jennifer McQuire and I say KUDOS to her for spear heading this awareness….
Do you know where this card is going? It is going right to my "local post office" with some cookies to thank them for helping me every time I walk through the door. (They have actually learned many of your addresses) because face it, I could not do what I do with my Stampin' up business without their help!
Card #1 DONE….already have Card #2 out and ready to write in. Please do not underestimate the power of YOU….as YOU make a difference!
Please feel free to leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts on Handmade Kindness! Have a super day and it's TUESDAY so that means new weekly deals...please click here to see the offerings …..do you have a favorite?
Mine is the Flower Medallion Punch (as whenever there is a punch on sale…DONE DEAL as Stampin' Ups!punches are the best on the market) but the Old Olive Bakers Twine is a must have – You can see that on todays card that the bakers twine makes a difference….if you can, I would always have a stash of all colors to have on hand,
Let's all have a great day and I hope that you challenge yourself to Share Handmade Kindness!
