Thank you, Mary Kay!

Mary Kay Molnar is one of my downline that sent me this birthday card.........isn't it striking?
And guess what, it is from one of Stampin' Up's kits in the new catalog. On page 14 you will find a kit called Three Thoughts and they are soooo easy to quickly put together. The stamps are die cut, so just push them out and everything is there to make 12 cards (6 each of two styles). They even give you the envelopes and in this kit, four stamps and three stampin' spots to use again and again. Check it out!! If you are a demonstrator, it is a great way to introduce your new customers to this great world of stamping. It is all there for you and so simple, be sure to give the kits a try if you haven't before. Thanks again, Mary Kay.

Evelyn's Garden

I made this card for the family of a lady in the community who was always well known for her beautiful flower garden. These are a symbol of her love for her flowers and family. I did these with the watercolor technique of Virginia's and I used the flower in Heartfelt Thanks, the leaves are from Garder Silhouette and the words are from Close As a Memory. The colors are Ruby Red with a some Apricot touched, Always Artichoke,and a little bit of Bashful Blue in Itty Bitty background.. The flower colors are done with Craft Ink. The confetti white is mounted on Ruby Red. Now I need to write a note inside and get it in the mail. I mustn't forget a birthday card must go in the mailbox today also! Best get moving, later........

Virginia's Watercolor Class!!

Don't forget about the wonderful Watercolor Class by Virginia Killmore to be done in my studio on August 21! This card is to show you that if I can do it (easily and quickly) anybody can!! Go to her website on my favorites and get yourself signed up before the class gets filled. I'm not sure what time we decided on, but when we last talked, she said she would do it the time that served you the best. Let me know if you have questions, I'll be seeing her this week.

Heartfelt Thanks, Paisley, Itty Bitty Background and Warm Words are the sets. Cardstock: Apricot, Artichoke and Confettie White. Apricot Craft pad, Artichoke Marker, Brocade Classic Pad and Blender pens. Green gingham Ribbon. As usual all products are Stampin' Up!

Looking forward to some serious stamping today.........need a couple of birthday cards and sadly, one sympathy card. Hope to hear from my convention friends today, they will be filled with new ideas!

Pomegranate Roses

I've started this post about five times........maybe I'll finish it this time! Still recouperating from yesterday's crazy day "on the farm!" It included a trip to the hospital with son Nate, after being struck by lightning...........he is just fine, but it was certainly a scare and a half. Oh well, life is interesting around here. Back to my stamping, th is my calming sideline. Today I'm using the Wild Rose again, but started with Regal Rose and then the Pomegranate with the two -step. Wild Wasabi is the green and Wonderful Words has this beautiful Friendship stamp I love. I'm always happy to use words that aren't straight lines! The ribbon is just added with a dimentional.

A little Itty Bitty Background fills in the plain white cardstock, and I also used some crystal effects and Dazzling Diamonds in the center of the Roses. The sparkle doesn't show much here, but it is rather effective in real life. Thanks for stopping by.........I'm looking forward to a QUIET day around here. Bye now, time to read a book and take a nap!

Pomegranate Rose

Groovy Wild Rose

Good morning........I just got back from taking son Tom to the airport, we left home at 4 AM so this will be a long day. Planning an afternoon nap! Yesterday finished my July Technique classes and they are being so much fun. Not sure what was the favorite this month, but we did the Salted background, Kissing, Cracked Glass, Masking and Faux Shaving Cream. Everyone seems to enjoy new techniques and happy to have the directions in their 6 x 6 books, they are getting a nice collection. Today's card is using the Wasabi Green with Groovy Guava on White. I love the Wild Rose stamp set, it reminds me of my Mother and her love for roses. I tried growing them a few years back, but my patience in the garden is short. She loved to start roses under canning jars and had good luck ............I didn't! Anyway, back to the card. The roses are Groovy Guava, as is the fake bow ribbon. Words from Curvy Verses, one of my favorite word sets that I was happy they didn't retire. A little sponging on the edge of the white cardstock and it is complete. Two of my best friends are at Convention in Denver..........can't wait to hear about all the new, clever things they are going to teach me, hurry home Virginia!!

Elegant in a Manly Way!!

Many thanks to Lyn Karpick for sending me this wonderful card she made for a male co-worker leaving her group. I think it is stunning and certainly masculine! Lyn is one of my downline that I don't see often enough........she needs to move closer, I think. Here is her recipe: Sincere Salutations stamp set, Basic Gray base, Going Gray w/Blue Bayou Prints Designer series accent. Best Wishes stamped on Natural White, framed in Blue Bayou and Basic Gray. Embellishment is gray satin ribbon and pewter hardware. Everything is Stampin' Up of course. I'll surely case this one for the next card I need to make for a man.......it's perfect. I guess I need to add that gray ribbon to my order. Can't wait to stamp together next week, Lyn!

Change of plan!

Yesterday I was fooling with the Farm Fever set and decided to make Jess' birthday card using the cow from that set. Jessica won the Champion Showmanship award at the recent Holstein Show so I think this is kind of cute for her. Notice that I made the cow's tongue that usually hangs out looking exhausted, into another spot of black, now she doesn't look quite so pathetic! Sets I used are Farm Fever, Doodle This, and the words from Double Line Doodle. I added the name and dots around the scallop punch with the White Signo Pen. Black and White cardstock and the black gingham ribbon finishes it! A fun card for a fun grand daughter.

Wonder what is happening to my posts.........I posted this earlier this morning, but can't find it on my blog. I hate to post again and bore you with two alike. But here goes......

Wild Wasabi

I'm so sorry about yesterday's double post.....still can't figure out what actually happened. Anyway, I'll try to do it right today! This green is my least favorite of the new In Colors this year, but must admit it is pretty with the Groovy Guava. The background is stamped with Paisley using the Wasabi ink as is the "love you" words from Short and Sweet. I like those words because they fit anywhere you want them! Must admit I used the Coral and Garden green markers because I'm waiting to get new blender pens to make the In Color markers with them. Last year I made the six markers with the inkers and used them all year.........it worked so well. The flower is from the Pretties and colored with the aquapainter and a bit of ink from the Groovy ink pad. I did actually dip the ends of the flower petals in the pad itself.........love those flowers. The center is an ice brad which picks up the green from the Wasabi nicely. Ribbon is the Groovy Guava of course as is the piece behind the white. A little sponging on the edges seemed to soften the look of the stamped flower from Year after Year set. I have this card in mind for my grand-daughter's thirteenth birthday. Jess will be a teenager in just a few days. How can that be? Until tomorrow.................happy stamping!

Basic Gray 3

Good Monday morning.........I feel good after a brisk walk and a chat with my walker friends. I really must get back into the routine again, makes the feet and back feel better! Today's card is another of my Basic Gray additions. Baroque Motifs stamped in the Basic, mounted on Going Gray and added a little punch with the Pomegranate. Oh yes, I have punched the scallop punch in Basic behind the larger flower. I also used Crystal Effects and some Dazzling Diamonds in the center of the flowers. That doesn't show very well, but really is pretty. On to a new color combination tomorrow, I promise.
I thought I posted this card before so hope we don't have a copy of the same!! Thanks for looking in.

Good Monday morning. I don't mean to be so boring with the same color again, but I do like this Basic Gray! This time I used the Going Gray on top, stamped the words,flourish , and scallop punch with the Basic Gray and then added the Pomegranate to give it some punch. A little Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds in the center of the flowers. The spark doesn't really show very well, but they look nice in real life. On to a new color tomorrow I promise. Thanks for stopping by..........

Basic Gray 3

Basic Gray 2

I'm a little late today with my posting. My computer couldn't get on-line last night and I'm embarrassed to realize how addicted I am to the internet. Stampin' Up page, Splitcoast and all my blogger friends that I check daily, however I did do some cleaning of my stamping room last night, so not spending time on-line was a bit of a blessing in that way! Today's card is using the Basic Gray as the first background, the bugs and the words. Next I used the Going Gray and then White with the Garden Whimsey tulip. I stamped off with Pomegranate and Garden green, then used Virginia's watercolor method on top. Another quick card, but simple is best in my book!! See you.........

New Color!!

Basic Gray! I didn't need it when I placed my first order with Stampin' Up when the new catalog came out, but oh my goodness, I gave in and it arrived yesterday..........it is the greatest basic color. So many other colors go with it and it will be great to stamp first for watercoloring. Today's card is the Illuminations stamped in the Basic Gray on White , mounted on Groovy Guava (another of the colors I didn't think I'd use much!) I also sponged the edges with the Guava. The Doodle This is stamped in craft white on the Gray and my Pretties flowers are colored two ways. I started by "smushing" the one in front right into the Guava stamp pad, but decided I wanted the other ones a lighter shade, so I used my aquapainter with the stamp pad to determine lighter shades. They are so quick and easy. The pearls didn't seem to want to stick with the dimentionals for some reason,, so I used Crystal Effects to attach both the flowers and the pearls. Basic Gray is giving Bayou Blue a vacation at my house. I had such fun with this new paper, I even surprised myself!! Check in tomorrow to see another sample using this great new color.

Such a Deer!

Well, I must admit this blogging thing has gotten me going. Someone challenged me to cover that little 5 x 5 On Board Journal I've had in my room for months...........it was Soooo easy with that spiral punch Stampin' Up has offered us! My only hang up was I didn't seem to be able to get the bottom of the dbl sided paper quite low enough. Anyone have a suggestion for using the punch when you need to start a little ways from the right hand side? Well, after a bit of two-way glue on the SoSaffron Designer Paper, I cut the So Saffron circle with my coluzzle, and then........dtp the On Board Blossoms and Basics scallop circle with Apricot Appeal Craft Ink Spot and stamped the deer in Basic Brown on top. The deer is from the new stamp set Moose You, not a set on my first order wish list, but one that has been teasing me. So of course I gave in and it is the cutest thing. I see Christmas cards in the future for this one, the moose is adorable. But, back to the cover of the journal, I have to admit much of the rick rack is hand-drawn with a brown marker! I was thinking the rick rack was necessary to kind of hold it together, but much of it didn't stamp the first time! That stamp set is Trimtastics and the words are from Stem Sayings. I bought that for the Petals, but have used it on it's own on cards, they are nice sayings and fit in well many places. So........this is my answer to the journal challenge. It makes a cute gift and I have some more on my next order. It would make a great baby gift ........everybody loves a little journal! I wish I had another for the graduation party I'm going to on Sunday. Thanks for stopping by.

Bayou Cherish

Good morning.....we farmers really needed the rain that came last night and maybe more today. Anyway today's card is again using the Bayou Blue, I promise I'll get out of the kick on this color soon, but it is nice to work with. The background is Bayou Designer paper with the focus on Bayou cardstock mounted on Brushed Silver with the ticket punch on the corners. The technique I used for the Cherish from Illuminations stamp set is one I found on Debbie Seyer's blog yesterday and it is so simple. It's called Versamark Resist and all you do is stamp Versamark on Glossy cs, then brayer with the color over the top. Easy? Thanks Debbie for the great idea. The ribbon............well, I thought I couldn't live without the organdy ribbon that Stampin' Up has retired, but this is the new Taffeta in white that I sponged to match. The pearl is from the Pretties kit. I hesitate to use those nice accessories, but have decided I mustn't hoard them like I do the hardware! I'm pretty happy with this card even though it is a bit dark. Can't wait to try this technique on more colors, yes I really will use some different colors! I'm not sure how to add Debbie's link here, but I'll try to get her on my favorites. Thank you for stopping by..........

Salty Whale Wishes

What fun it was to spend some time with Virginia Killmore yesterday. She always makes a project seem easier and adds her special touch to whatever we are working on......thanks good friend! You can check out her blog on my favorites list. I was struggling with the salted background when she arrived and in seconds she had it just the way I wanted it. This is one of the five techniques I'll show next week in my on-going Technique Classes here at my house. The fourth Wednesday AM and Thursday PM of the month I invite you to join our group to learn new techniques. The first time it is $25 which includes the 6 x 6 album and the following sessions are $10. The nice part is that you can join in or drop out at any time. I plan to continue this class for several months to come. Just let me know! It is nice to have samples to check back when you want to add a different technique to your card or scrapbook page.......come join the fun. This card is using the Salted Background technique, Whale Wishes Stamp set and Fishy Wheel on Pomegranate cardstock. This background is also beautiful for flowers or other stamps. I used Craft White for the wheel and with the new Crop-a-dile, I'm back to using eyelets now. It is such a quick tool and when doing two on one side like this, the guide is great. A little bit of Black Gingham ribbon on the side picks up the black border of the focus. Thanks for stopping by.......hope this technique encourages you to check out the others we are doing! I'll show another one tomorrow..............stop by!

Simply Said

Good Monday morning......I wish I knew who showed us this card in Morrisville last year at a Splitcoast Gathering. I just loved the card, but haven't gotten around to do it until this month at my Stamp 10 group. It was originally done with Almost Amethyst and a darker shade, but I chose the new Stampin' Up colors, Soft Sky and Blue Bayou with the white cardstock. I also changed the brad from silver to the new Ice Circle. I little touch of Itty Bitty background on the white gives a little more interest. The fold is simply turning back the front of the card in half, then adding the two extra pieces that match. Thanks to whoever it was that created the original!

Laura's new colors!

Can you believe?? This is NOT me at all, but I think I almost like it. Sorry the picture is a bit blurry, I was trying the digital camera instead of the scanner. Choc Chip, so saffron, and Regal Rose, can you imagine? Punches, dimentionals, markers and the new Stem Sayings across the top. I did some sponging with Pomegranate also. Didn't think I could do this, but here it is!

Bugs, Kisses & CHIPBOARD

I've had these chipboard letters for about a year now, hauled them to Florida and back, and haven't used them before!! Yesterday my August Stampin' Success came with the article about using the new Crop-a-dile on chipboard and I broke it out! Unbelieveable how that baby makes a hole in that chipboard........I love that new tool. So, I used by two-way glue, designer paper and an emery board, now I'm glad I ordered those sanding blocks. I bet I've had those on my order five times and taken them off the last minute before sending.........they seem silly, but not now, you can see they would have been better on this "b" Now it's time to move on from these new Soft Sky and Bayou Blue colors, I have been hooked on them. Last night I poured over the catalog just to think new colors and there surely are some nice combinations in there. Thanks again Stampin' Up, I promise I'll try something unusual for me. Maybe today.........

Blue Bayou Baroque

Oh what fun! I love the new scallop punch and the papers from Stampin' Up are soooo pretty. But, I'm back to the Baroque Motifs today inside the punch. So quick, but such a perfect fit and then I added the oval punch with the word. Both are sponged a bit with the Blue Bayou and simply mounted on the designer paper. One strip of grosgrain ribbon would have sufficed, but I didn't get it far enough to the right and couldn't remove the "stick-um" so, added a second and decided it was OK. It was actually nicer with just one! Oh well, as I tell my customers, there are no mistakes, just happy accidents. I can't wait to get all my new stamps, ribbons, punches, and pretties on paper!! Last night I saw some awesome painted flowers on blogs here and there, can't wait to try those. Thanks for stopping by.

Elegant Notes

My order came one day early!! But, this is Jr.Fair week for my family, so I didn't get to dig into the box until about ten-thirty last night. My first set to mount was naturally the "Elegant Notes" that was my favorite in the new catalog. I'm not happy with the bow, but it was getting late and I was getting tired! The staff was using the memo stamp from Office Accoutrement, stamping in the craft white and then placing scotch tape over the parts I didn't want. All is Craft White ink and black and white paper. I love doing eyelets with the Crop-a-dile! Can't wait to have time to open all the rest of the box, I did get a bit carried away.........thanks to some of my friends who supplied the encouragement!!

Virginia's Watercolor Classes

I'm so excited to have Virginia Killmore agree to do a watercolor class in my Studio in Tully! For those of you who know her you will understand that she is a most talented Art Teacher! She has shown my downline group a way to do watercoloring that is easy, even for me........and now she will come to show all who are interested. Just click onto her blog at the right of my site and see what she will offer. Please let me know if the time is too early in the day for you. She has agreed to August 21 from 1 to 4 PM, but know she would change that if there are some of you who would prefer evenings. Check it out and let me know if later is better for you........I'm sure we can come up with an agreeable time. Only $25 and you will do two picture frames with beautiful watercolors in them. They would make a great gift or of course something for you to keep!

Baroque Zoofari

My two new favorite Stamp Sets from of course Stampin' Up. I love the technique called Crayon Resist and I used Really Rust for the background and the coloring of the animals on White Glossy cardstock. I learned that it works great to use a white birthday candle instead of trying to locate a white crayon! I like the black swirleys and the black frames for the very simple card. I just can't wait until tomorrow when the order from the new catalog arrives, so many new exciting things to use! Ribbon, pretties, but most of all the new stamp set called Elegant Notes. I'm so glad they came up with such a beautiful musical set again. The clef signs are truly elegant.........thank you Stampin' Up, from all of us who teach and love music.

Carolyn's Card

Many thanks to Carolyn Couch for sharing this gorgeous card with us! Carolyn belongs to my Stamp 10 group which met last night at my studio. She gave me permission to share this on my blog and it uses one of my all time favorite set, Heartfelt Thanks from Stampin' Up. The paper is Summer Sun and Ivory. It has a bit of Canvas background, but the Dazzling Diamonds in the center of the flowers really give the card some zip! Thank you for letting me show others this pretty card, Carolyn.

Pomegranate Double-line Doodles! This seems to be the favorite color in the new Stampin' Up In Colors so far this year. Several people ordered it at my Open House and I must admit, I really like it too. I used the Paisley background on White CS and painted the small paisleys with color from the ink pads. Just a touch of Soft Sky. Tonight is the first Stamp 10 meeting at my studio. 5:30 we'll get started.......come as soon as you can, I realize it is a bit early. All are welcome to join in the stamping tonight! Valerie Brown is the Hostess and I plan to be done and out of the studio by 8:30 or 9 at the latest. See you there...........

Good morning..........another card using the Pick a Petal stamp set. I have trouble using the beautiful designer paper that I tend to hoard! But, I'm changing and NOT just buying it to look at. The little stripe under the flower is an attempt to use even the tiniest of leftovers. Chocolate Chip is the first background and then I used the new River Rock.......wow, so many colors work nicely with that. Not sure you can see the Dazzling Diamonds around the petals, but in real life, this really makes the card pretty. Whoops, I used Warmest Regards (just retired) for the words, guess I better hide that set on myself. I try not to use sets that are not available anymore. Anyway, this year I'm using all that beautiful new paper and not just keep it in my stash! Thanks for stopping by.

Congratulations to Carrie Edinger for winning the door prize at my Open House!Give me a call Carrie! I had lots of stampers both days and it was great to see so many peoople.. Today's card resulted from a request for a somewhat patriotic card made with the new In Colors! OK.........what do you think? I used the Pomegranate of course and then

added the Brilliant Blue from Baroque Motifs. I filled in with some red and topped it with Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds. The diamonds brought out a tint that reminded me of the Soft Sky which I backed under the white. I then decided the Doodle This background needed a touch of white so I dotted with the signo pen.

Love the "happy everything" set......it kind of covers all the bases. Thanks for stopping by.

Oh my gosh, I forgot to mention the background in my Paisley Petal flower card is Wild Wasabi. I haven't used that color before, but it is a perfect match for the Designer Paper!!

Paisley Petals

How is this for cheerful? This idea came from my upline Debbie Moczek. She is the best!! She has given me unlimited inspiration and become a wonderful friend. We live miles and miles apart, but keep in close contact, my second daughter! Thanks Deb, for being so special to me. The card is using Pick a Petal and Petals and Paisley Designer Paper. That 1 3/8 punch makes those squares fit perfectly down the side. A button from our accessories matches, the signo white pen makes the faux stitching and the words are from the new catalog "Hugs and Wishes" Of course everything is from Stampin' Up! Love it! I have to go get ready for this morning's Open House.........lots of people came yesterday, a great turnout.

"Mother Cat"

This cat from Stampin' Up Zoofari reminds me of the cat we always had when I was growing up. "Mother Cat" was always producing a batch of kittens with regularity at the barn. Three colored of course! I used our new Groovy Guava, black and confetti white for this really simple card today. Black gingham ribbon and the words from Curvey Verses.
I'm looking forward to my Open House today. Hope to see many of you later on...............

Happy Fourth of July! My card today is using the beautiful new color Soft Sky from Stampin' Up. The stamp set is Double Line Doodles that we received at the Tampa Regionals and I have been so anxious to use it at my workshops! The paisley is embossed in gold and colored with groovy guava and soft sky with the aquapainter. The words are from Hugs and Wishes, Paisley background stamp, too. May make this at my Open House tomorrow! Hope you all remember to stop by........2 to 7 PM, or Friday 9 til noon.

Soft Sky

Watercolor Garden Silhouette

Today's card is inspired by my downline Virginia. She taught us a wonderful technique for watercoloring and incidentally will be doing a class on that soon. She will be on my favorites when I figure out how to do that! I used Pomegranite cardstock on Always Artichoke, but haven't made my markers yet, so I used Bravo Burgundy and Artichoke markers. Gingham ribbon...........all products from Stampin' Up.

OPEN HOUSE

This Thursday from 2 Pm to 7 PM and Friday morning 9 til noon, July 5 and 6, you are invited to my house to view the beautiful new catalog. The new In Colors are great......we will make a card using them plus another project. Come along and have fun!!

Baroque Motifs

Just love this new stamp set. I used sage shadow and copper embossing pwd (just retired!) Could add any words .

I finally did it!! Hope you will check in now and then to see what is going on in my part of the world. So much to learn about this blog thing, but I surely do enjoy everyone else' blogs.