Category: Uncategorized

Use Your Scraps!!!

On By JanetIn Uncategorized

Hello Friends!

Today’s card #1 was inspired by a picture in the Stampin’ Up ’20 – ’21 Annual Catalog, page 100, using products from the Playing With Patterns Suite.  The picture in the catalog features one of the mini-Paper Pumpkin boxes that’s included in the suite, but I just really liked the bold, bright colors used and opted to mimic that picture, modifying it into a card with some little changes.

I was thrilled with the Playful Alphabet Dies in the new catalog, probably because I love words.  I know that likely sounds funny to most, but it’s true.  English classes were always my favorite subject in school from grade-school on, and spelling just came naturally to me.  I loved spelling bees and competed at a county level more than once.

And, I love, love, love different fonts.  Back in the “olden days” when the internet was new, one of the first things I stumbled upon was free fonts… oh my!  How the world just opened up and sang to me!  I don’t even want to look to see how much memory on my computer hard drive is occupied by fonts….let’s just say, I have a few to choose from when I sit down in front of my computer!

The Playful Alphabet Dies are just simple block letters, but boy do they make a statement on a card.  They pop right off the page at you, no other fancy image necessary to grab your attention!  So much fun!  This metal dies set includes multiples of the “popular” letters, making it so simple to lay out what you want to say and cut the letters all at once.

As noted in the second card below, the negative space can be used also for a whole different look which is so fun!  While Stampin’ Up didn’t ask me what I wanted, they certainly read my mind with the Playful Alphabet Dies!  A huge thank you to the Stampin’ Up design team for this one!!!

The Playful Patterns stamp set that’s bundled with the dies is a whole lotta fun also.  The background for my card base was stamped out in coordinating colors for fun patterns and the rest of the card design was based on that!

As far as the second card, it was made with leftovers from the first card, another stamped background on DSP, and a bit of ribbon!  DONE! I’ll admit it was sort of an afterthought, or I might have been more careful in lining up my letter dies for the first card.  But the way it is, gives it a bouncy, playful, “quirky” look that’s just kind of fun! Continue reading “Use Your Scraps!!!” →

Assembling The Prized Peony 3D Flower

On By JanetIn Uncategorized

Hello Friends,

Today I broke out my Prized Peony stamp set and associated Peony Dies.  When I first opened the package of dies upon receiving them, I was a little intimidated by how many dies there are in that package (17 to be exact) and how to go about assembling the 3D Peony.  We’ve been so very busy and so it was sidelined until today.

After a little online research at Stampin’ Up, I was surprised to learn how very EASY it is to put this flower together!  And the results…. SPECTACULAR!!!

We have peonies in our flower beds (the deer do NOT eat these… YAY!!) and so I decided to copy the colors of ours.  Unfortunately, they’re done blooming this season and I didn’t get a picture of them.  They do put on a show!

I will do my best to walk you through the assembly process…. it really is SO VERY EASY!!! Continue reading “Assembling The Prized Peony 3D Flower” →

Happy Birthday Blossoms

On By JanetIn Uncategorized

Summertime is heating up and so are the birthdays in our family!  Our family has kept the labor and delivery department at the local hospital busy during the summer months over the many years, i.e. we have a lot of summer birthdays!

The most recent birthday girl was our now 14-year-old granddaughter, Chloe!   She came into our lives when she was just 4-years-old…where, oh where, has the time gone?  She’s growing into an amazing, beautiful young lady with a heart of gold.  We certainly feel blessed to call her our granddaughter!

Today’s card was made for her and I chose Blossoms In Bloom, a new set from the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog. Continue reading “Happy Birthday Blossoms” →

Sunflowers and Rattlesnakes…Yep, It’s Summertime!

On By JanetIn Uncategorized

Hello Friends,

I’m back again today with another one of my favorite new bundles from the Stampin’ Up! ’20-’21 Annual Catalog!  Celebrate Sunflowers.  It’s part of the Flowers For Every Season Suite as well, which you’re going to want if you’re like me and gotta have it all!  

Sunflowers just shout Summertime but certainly stretch into Fall making them so versatile.  They’re such a cheery flower.

Celebrate Sunflowers includes a large image of a sunflower with dies to match.  I love BIG rubberstamps that make a statement on their own, and this one certainly fits the bill! Continue reading “Sunflowers and Rattlesnakes…Yep, It’s Summertime!” →

Masculine colors and images for fast and easy masculine cards

Do You Struggle With Masculine Cards, Too? World Of Good To The Rescue!

On By JanetIn Uncategorized

Hello Friends,

As I mentioned in my last post, masculine cards are always more difficult for me to come up with ideas for.  Perhaps because so many of the stamp sets I own are floral or just seem more feminine in nature.  I also like to dress up my cards with embellishments, i.e. ribbons, gems, etc.  Again, making them feel more girly.  However, Stampin’ Up has knocked it out of the park with the new World of Good Suite.   The colors are more “earthy” tones perfectly befitting of a masculine card.

My husband and I love to travel, so this set speaks to me from that aspect as well.  I foresee some scrapbook pages happening in my future also!  I can’t wait to play with these products more!

However, I needed another Father’s Day card, and I needed it FAST!

By now, if you follow my blog, you know my absolute favorite product for FAST cards!  Yep, the Memories & More Card Pack!  The World of Good Card Pack didn’t let me down either.  As with all of the M&M Card Packs, the cards are in two sizes, the smaller cards are double-sided, some with foil accents, some with sentiments pre-printed, and there are four sheets of card-stock stickers also included.  Shall I say… perfect for a fast masculine card!

A quick look through the stack of cards, I found the sentiment I wanted, added a few of the stickers,  the metal Antiqued Corners (also part of the suite), and lickety-split, I had a gorgeous card ready for giving!  Love it!!

Continue reading “Do You Struggle With Masculine Cards, Too? World Of Good To The Rescue!” →

Fishing Memories on Father’s Day

On By JanetIn Uncategorized

Hello Friends,

I’m sorry for the long absence!  After our broken pipe and flooded craft room, it’s been a whirlwind of work around here getting things put back together over the last three weeks.  But, the work is now done and I am happily settled back into my room.  Let’s just say… it’s good to be back!

Today I want to share with you the card I made for my dad for Father’s Day.  I don’t know why I struggle so with masculine cards, but I’ve heard from others that I’m not alone.  Thankfully, Stampin’ Up does have some wonderful products for these occasions which makes it easier! Continue reading “Fishing Memories on Father’s Day” →

How To Make A 5-Minute Card

On By JanetIn Uncategorized

Hello Friends,

I’m back today with another 5-minute card made with the Flowers For Every Season Memories & More Card Pack.  When I need a quick card that looks gorgeous, the Memories & More Card Packs have become my go-to staple item.  I used to basically dismiss these card packs.  I’d get them included with the product suites that I ordered, but they went in a drawer with barely a glance.  However, I was cleaning out that drawer not too long ago and took a better look at what was in them.  That’s when I really discovered the beauty of these fantastic cards.  There are two sizes included with each card pack, 4 x 6″ and 3″ x 4″, all double-sided, some with sentiments pre-printed and others just beautiful designs.  Most have several sheets of matching cardstock stickers included also.  As with all Stampin’ Up products, they coordinate perfectly with Stampin’ Up cardstock, inks, markers, etc.

With the busy schedule we’ve been keeping in recent days, I wanted a quick project to share today, and again reached for Memories & More! Continue reading “How To Make A 5-Minute Card” →

Dressed To Impress – Bold As My Lipstick

On By JanetIn Uncategorized

Hello Friends!

Today’s card inspiration came to me when I was getting dressed for a graduation party yesterday.  I generally don’t wear much in terms of lipstick, a little gloss and I’m good to go.  However, the shirt I was wearing was brightly colored and as I was putting my make-up on, I thought perhaps some lipstick would be in order.  Well, let’s just say it was a little brighter than I’d remembered!  I did the good ol’ toilet paper blot, but nope, it was there to stay.  It was then that the sentiment from “Dressed To Impress” came to mind.  “Be As Bold As Your Lipstick”  With that thought in mind, I boldly went forth!!!

When we got home from the party, that stamp set came out and today’s card was born!  I chose to keep it clean and simple, letting the color and sentiments make the statement! Continue reading “Dressed To Impress – Bold As My Lipstick” →

If You Have A Thing For Pretty Paper – This One’s For You!

On By JanetIn Uncategorized

Hello Friends,

Today’s post is all about PAPER!

I just wanted to give y’all a quick heads-up that I’m offering a “paper share” of the ’20-’21 Stampin’ Up Annual Catalog Designer Series Papers, AND the coordinating colors of cardstock that go with each collection.  This paper share will include a 6″ x 6″ sampling of all the new Designer Series Papers in the new catalog, 168 pieces; AND two 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ card bases in each of the coordinating colors of cardstock for each collection, 136 pieces!

That’s a whopping 304 pieces of quality Stampin’ Up DSP and cardstock!!

Continue reading “If You Have A Thing For Pretty Paper – This One’s For You!” →

Birds & Branches – Saving Baby Bird

On By JanetIn Uncategorized

Hello Friends,

The last few days have been busy, busy, busy as we clean up from our broken pipe and flooding mess.  I’ve barely been able to play with my new toys ordered from Stampin’ Up during the demonstrator preorder period, prior to the new catalog going LIVE yesterday!  Have you had a chance to make your wish list yet?  If you’re anything like me, the list is LONG… so many “gotta have its” between the front and back covers!  I have to remember to slow down… stretch the orders out a little bit…. the catalog and products within are available for a whole year – no need to blow my budget out of the water all at once!  Hmm… that wasn’t meant to be a pun, but with our flooding issues, I suppose it could be taken that way!! 🙂

One of the new bundles I ordered during the preorder period was “Birds & Branches”.  I love birds.  How boring would our skies be if it weren’t for birds?  Their early-morning chirping is generally what awakens me every morning.  A couple days ago, I had the perfect inspiration for today’s card.  As soon as the story unfolded, as told below, I knew my “Birds & Branches” stamp set and dies recently received from the new catalog, would be pulled out and put to use immediately!

As noted in my previous post, we had a little incident with water when a pipe in our wall broke and flooded my craft room.  Yesterday Dean was extremely busy, occupied all day replacing all of the plumbing in our house in order to prevent future similar incidents.   I was helping him as I was able (a plumber I’m not), but as evening approached, I went down to the horse stables to care for my horses.   As I stepped out into Ace’s outside run to clean, I noticed something laying on the ground.  It was a baby bird.  It appeared to have fallen out of it’s nest.  It was still alive, though moving very weakly, and was terribly cold.  I picked it up and held it against my body for warmth.

Continue reading “Birds & Branches – Saving Baby Bird” →