Hello Stampin’ Friends!
I just wanted to let you know that there’s an absolutely gorgeous new card kit available today from Stampin’ Up.
I love to use Stampin’ Up kits for quick, I-need-it-now cards. BUT, I also give the kits as gifts to my crafty friends and grandkids. (They make great stocking-stuffers, too!) At only $14 it’s a steal of a deal!
Continue reading “Order Your Kit(s) TODAY… AND, Clearance Rack Update!”
Hello Stampin’ Friends!
Another quick project today that was the result of a rainy play-day in my craft room. I once again reached out for my Around The Bend bundle as I contemplated how I wanted to incorporate my recently acquired Tartan Plaid DSP, which is available NOW in the Online-Exclusive section of my Stampin’ Up store. Again, I would urge you to click on the “Shop Stampin’ Up” button up top, or simply click here to be taken to my store.
Again, navigating to the Online-Only section of my store is simple. Just click above to get to my store, then on Menu in the upper left corner of the screen, and then there will be some teal-colored circles, one of which says “Online Exclusives”. Click on that to see what is available. Again, these products are not in any catalogs. There are many items in there, and MORE are being added TODAY, November 7! Get there early, as some will likely sell-out quick!
Hello Stampin’ Friends!
Today I put together a birthday card for the first very special man in my life…my Dad! His birthday is coming right up and like fine wine, he just keeps getting better with age! At 87-years-young, he’s a true classic, indeed!
Hello Stampin’ Friends!
As a demonstrator, I’m able to get my hands on some of these products earlier than the general release and one of the new suites in particular, is absolutely gorgeous! The PAPER!!! You know me and my paper fetish… I fawned over this DSP for several minutes when it arrived via UPS!
I’m featuring the Meandering Meadows Suite today. Don’t you agree that the paper in this suite is so very pretty?
I put together a couple of cards showcasing the products. The dies in this set are also fun for creating scenes, or simply creating a window to peak through!
Here’s a very small glimpse of the NEW product offerings that will be available on November 7.
It would be best to visit my store as early as possible on November 7, as with the shortages Stampin’ Up has been experiencing, some of these products are sure to sell-out quickly and there may be a little bit of a wait until they’re back in stock again! They’re working on this situation, doing more production in the good ol’ USA, (thank you!) but as you may have noticed in other areas of your shopping experiences, the supply chain is still very slow.
To get to my store, click on the “Shop Stampin’ Up” at the top of this page or click here. Once you’re in my store, click on “Menu” and then on “Online Exclusives”. THEN shop to your hearts content! Don’t forget that Christmas is coming if you have any crafters in your circle! So many fun products! If you’re like me, you’ll want them all!
Hello Stampin’ Friends!
Today’s post is all about a good ol’ color challenge!
My granddaughter, who’s 10, loves to come over and challenge me to a “3-color challenge”. Of course, she’s a girl after my own heart and LOVES Grammy’s craft room and all the colors to choose from.
Hello Stampin’ Friends!
I have a quick, fall-themed card today that was inspired by a card sketch by The Paper Players.
I look forward to the fall season each year, in fact, one might say it’s my favorite season of the year. Well, until spring rolls around. As soon as the temperatures begin to warm, the birds begin to sing, the flowers start to pop up from the ground, I’ll be saying spring is my favorite season! I guess I should just call it a draw between spring and fall!
At any rate, I saw this week’s sketch on The Paper Players (Challenge PP663) and thought I’d give it a go. I highly recommend going over to their website to see not only my take on their sketch, but many other talented cardmakers as well!
Card sketches are oftentimes my saving grace. A great place to start and let my imagination and creativity do the rest! And, a contest… well, if you have a competitive nature at all, make up a card and join in the fun!
Hello Stampin’ Friends!
I’M BACK!!!! It’s been a long time since I sat in front of my computer and typed out a new blog post, but I’ve missed y’all so LET’S DO THIS!
If you read my previous post from almost three years ago, it explains my long absence. My neurologist headache specialist recommended that I avoid “screens”, so I’ve been doing my best. However, I really enjoyed this creative outlet and so I’m going to try it again, just keeping my posts shorter and less chatty. My hope is that I can manage this without an increase in my chronic migraines.
Stampin’ Up continues to push out new and inspiring products with the new Holiday Mini Catalog. The big brown truck delivered to my door a few days ago and so I’ve been doing a little playing around with my new goodies!
First up is the new bundle Around the Bend. The fun curves in this bundle make layering so much fun. The dies are fabulous, mixing curves with little sprigs of leaves and a few different flowers. This set is a must for the avid card maker! Soooo many possibilities!
Hello Friends!
Let me start by wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
Secondly, I want to apologize for disappearing for the past several weeks. It was not my intention to drop off like that, but as I’m sure you all know…life happens.
I’ve been battling about a 6-week-long, ongoing migraine-type headache which significantly limits my ability to function normally. My bed, the couch, and an icebag have been my very best friends these past several weeks, while my neurologist works with my medications and getting me some relief.
What I’m sharing here is quite personal, however, I believe we all need a miracle now and then and I want to share my “miracle experience” with you.
Some of you may know that about six years ago I suddenly began having seizures and was diagnosed with a brain tumor, specifically, an astrocytoma (malignant brain tumor). While I’ve known Jesus as my Lord and Savior my entire life, in that time I learned to pray in an ever more fervent manner, literally crying out to God, asking for a miracle and believing that one was coming my way. I was on more prayer chains across this entire country than I’m sure I even know, with literally hundreds (thousands?) of people praying for me. A truly humbling experience for sure.
I try to tell the story of what God has done for me every chance I get, but I haven’t told you, my stamping friends. I promised God four years ago I would tell the world about my miracle, and well, this is the world-wide-web. What better place to share than right here?
The following is my story as written by me in 2016 and posted on Facebook. I’m copying and pasting it in, as my headache prevents me from spending much “screen time” right now. If you’re not a “believer”, I would ask that you humor me and read my story and then do some real soul-searching. The bible tells us that in the end times, world events will occur much like a woman giving birth – the contractions getting stronger and closer together until the day that Jesus returns. I don’t know about you, but with the natural events over the past handful of years – hurricanes, wildfires, etc. and the social-political storms going on, I’m feeling it. None of us knows what day or hour He will return, but I do believe we’re getting ever closer. Again, if you’re not a “believer” I would simply ask you to read this, and then ask yourself, “What if I’m wrong and she’s right?”.
From 2016:
Okay, I’m going to attempt to put into words that which there are no sufficient words to express.
Continue reading “We Can All Use A Miracle Now & Then; I’m Sharing Mine”
Hello Friends!
Today I’m going to show you how to make a Drapery Card Fancy Fold and showcase a new suite of products which will be available to order from the new January-June 2021 Mini Catalog. From here on out, I’m going to refer to this catalog as the new “Spring Catalog”, as the other is quite a mouth full! These catalogs should be mailing out to y’all on December 9, along with the Sale-A-Bration catalog (YAY!), so keep an eye out for them in your mailbox over the coming week! If you’ve ordered from me in the last 6 months, you’ll get one automatically. If you haven’t placed a recent order but would like to get your hands on these new catalogs, please just reach out to me via the contact tab above, and I’ll make sure you get one!
For those who are new, or don’t remember Sale-A-Bration, it’s a yearly event that Stampin’ Up has (though rumor has it there will be TWO Sale-A-Bration events in 2021! Maybe to celebrate 2020 being OVER??? – I think we’re all ready for a fresh new year!) At any rate, the Sale-A-Bration catalog contains exclusive items that you can get FREE only during the Sale-A-Bration period (Jan 5- Feb 28)! There are items you can receive free with a $50 purchase, and items you can receive free with a $100 purchase. Stamp sets and DSP (Designer Series Paper) that you can only get your hands on during Sale-A-Bration – these items are NOT available in any of the other catalogs! So look forward to getting your new catalog and get ready to order so you don’t miss out on FREE!!! Who doesn’t like free, right?
Another big announcement before we move onto the INKY business…
Stampin’ Up’s GIANT YEAR-END CLOSEOUT begins TODAY (Tuesday, 12/8/20) and runs through January 4! Many retiring items from the August-December 2020 Mini Catalog (Holiday catalog) will be sharply discounted and on a first-come-first-served basis. When they’re gone, they’re GONE FOR GOOD! I’m adding the list of retiring items in PDF format below, so check it out and order quickly. If you still have items on your wish list from the holiday catalog, now’s the time to get them ordered! If you need help doing so, I’d be happy to help – just reach out to me via the contact tab above!
Click HERE, or on the graphic below, for the YEAR-END CLOSEOUT RETIRING LIST! Products discounted up to 50%!
Now, onto the INKY Stuff!
Today I put together a Drapery Fun Fold Card and featured several products included in the Fine Art Floral Suite from the new “spring” catalog. The Fine Art Floral DSP is gorgeous in bright, bold colors. And, the new embossing folder, Painted Texture 3D, creates the texture of old, plastered walls. I can hardly wait for you to get your new catalogs so you can see all the gorgeous new “stuff”! I’m going to be tempting you with cards made with this suite over the next few posts!
I created a template for you today of the “drapery” portion of this card, which you can download here, to assist you in making your own Drapery Fun Fold Card. Or, if you have a Cricut (Explore or Maker), I’ve attached a cut file here.
I love the texture and dimension of this card, and I have no doubt the receiver will also. Let’s face it…you can’t buy a card with this much craftiness and bling! Speaking of bling, check out those Elegant Faceted Gems! I’ve had them in my stash for a while now and not really given them the respect they deserve! They’re gorgeous with so much sparkle! They sort of remind me of sparkly peanut-butter cookies with the criss-cross design across the surface!
Don’t forget to showcase that beautiful DSP on your envelope flap! Use the envelope flap to trace the shape for the outside, or use the Envelopes Dies to create an envelope liner…. OR DO BOTH like I did!
The Envelopes Dies are on sale now, marked down 40% as part of the Giant Year-End Closeout. Normally $36, they’re now just $21.60! The Ornamental Envelopes stamp set is not on sale, but if you want the “bundle”, it’s actually cheaper to buy the stamps and dies separately right now during the sale! The “bundle” in the catalog is $47.50, but right now ordered separately (stamps & dies) they’re $38.60! Just something to keep in mind!
Continue reading “Make A Drapery Card AND It’s Closeout Time!”
Hello Friends!
Today I sat down to create after looking at the various card challenges out there for a little bit of inspiration. The Color Throwdown Challenge ends in short order, so I set about rapidly making this card to fit their challenge, as well as the challenge from Freshly Made Sketches. Unfortunately, the FMS challenge ended at 3:00PM EST and I missed the deadline. But, this card may be found at CTD621 – I did get it done in time for that 3:00 PM PST deadline!
Who doesn’t love gnomes? I don’t know what it is about those gnomes, but they’re just so darn cute and surely seem to be trending right now! I should be just about done with my Christmas cards, though I haven’t counted them up yet! But, here’s one more just because!