Year: 2013

“Spring or Fall?”

I am always torn between Spring and Fall when it comes to favorite seasons! I look forward to Spring because Iowa Winters can be long, cold, and snowy! I love the bright green of spring! However, Fall is a season that is full of warm bursts of bright colors that take the chill out of the air on sunny days! We went to the apple orchards in Gays Mills, WI this weekend and the trees are turning! The weather this week will be perfect for creating a brilliant display on the bluffs! The bluffs in Marquette, IA were a perfect blend of green, red, orange and gold trees nestled together up above the quaint buildings along the highway. I wish we had stopped to take a picture! I know that most people like to go enjoy the view when the leaves are at their peek…but I like them best when there is still some green. Maybe it’s because this is the part of Fall that I don’t want to ever end! The gorgeous 70 degree days with no humidity and cool nights that are perfect for sleeping! Sigh. Anyway – this little 3×3 convention swap I received is a lovely card for this time of year and easily converted into a full size card! No credits on the card…so if it is yours…let me know and credit will be duly given!

Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	GENTLY FALLING CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 123804
	CAJUN CRAZE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 119684
	SOFT SUEDE 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARD STOCK Item: 115318
	SOFT SUEDE CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126978
	CAJUN CRAZE CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126965
	ESSENTIALS PAPER-PIERCING PACK Item: 126187
	PAPER-PIERCING TOOL Item: 126189
	VERY VANILLA 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 101650
	OLD OLIVE CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126953
	SPONGE DAUBERS Item: 102892
	CIRCLES COLLECTION FRAMELITS DIES Item: 130911

YOUR STAMPIN’ REWARDS BENEFITS

Your Stampin’Rewards Merchandise				PRICE	QTY	TOTAL
	BANNER GREETINGS Item: 129714

“I can’t thank you enough.”

It’s late…or early, depending on how you look at it. Either way it is making me goofy! This pretty card is a convention swap by Carri Miller. She used Gorgeous Grunge (my new favorite go-to stamp set) and Chalk Talk…which leads me back to me being goofy. In my goofiness I am chasing around the thought, “If chalk could talk,” and then I am thinking…but it does…we write words with it all the time…and I have no idea where I am going with this! lol! Like I said…goofy with tiredness! So…enjoy the card and have a chuckle at my expense…laughter is good for the soul!

Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	GORGEOUS GRUNGE Item: 130517
	CHALK TALK CLEAR BUNDLE Item: 132730
	DRESS UP FRAMELITS DIES Item: 130101
	CHOCOLATE CHIP 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 102128
	CRISP CANTALOUPE 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARDSTOCK Item: 131298
	PISTACHIO PUDDING 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARDSTOCK Item: 131294
	MODERN MOSAIC TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 129984
	BAKED BROWN SUGAR 3/8″ RUFFLE STRETCH TRIM Item: 130022
	7/16″ NATURAL TRIM RIBBON Item: 129287
	WHISPER WHITE 3/8 INCH TAFFETA RIBBON Item: 109070
	WHITE VELLUM 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 101856
	CHOCOLATE CHIP CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126979
	PISTACHIO PUDDING CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 131177

“The best things in life aren’t things.”

I so love this quote! I enjoy a lot of things; sometimes too many things! But nothing brings me as much pleasure as time spent with people that I love! I recently became a great aunt and I could sit for hours on end looking at my adorable great niece. She makes my heart smile! When I go to church on Sundays and my grandchildren immediately come over and say, “hello grandma,” that makes my heart smile! Worshiping my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and having my soul refreshed makes my heart smile! These are just a few of the best things in my life!

My favorite thing about this convention swap card is how Julie Bliven used the Washi Tape to create a background to stamp her focal point image on! The color combo is also pulled from the Washi Tape; clever!
Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	FEEL GOODS CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 129684
	CALYPSO CORAL 8-1/2 X 11 CARD STOCK Item: 122925
	BASIC GRAY 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 121044
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	THIS AND THAT EPIC DAY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER Item: 130814
	JET BLACK STAZON PAD Item: 101406
	OVALS COLLECTION FRAMELITS DIES Item: 129381
	OCCASIONS PAPER-PIERCING PACK Item: 129387
	BASIC GRAY 1/4″ STITCHED GROSGRAIN RIBBON Item: 126879
	EPIC DAY THIS AND THAT DESIGNER WASHI TAPE Item: 131269

“Same set with a different look.”

I love the Chalk Talk set and the Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper so it is only natural that I would love this card! I received this card as a convention swap from Brenda Myers (she is an awesome stamper!) The wonderful thing about using designer series paper in your paper crafting is that the color combos are already in the paper and perfect!
Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	CHALK TALK CLEAR BUNDLE Item: 132730
	EASTERN ELEGANCE DESIGNER SERIES PAPER Item: 130131
	BEAUTIFULLY BAROQUE TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 130917
	2013-2015 IN COLOR CORE’DINATIONS Item: 129958
	CRUSHED CURRY 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARDSTOCK Item: 131199
	COASTAL CABANA 3/8″ RUFFLE STRETCH TRIM Item: 130024
	COASTAL CABANA CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 131175
	WHITE STAMPIN’ EMBOSS POWDER Item: 109132
	BASIC PEARLS JEWEL ACCENTS Item: 119247

“Think colored chalk sticks.”

I received this lovely card as a convention swap from Blythe Klipple. When I hear “Chalk Talk” I think of white chalk on a blackboard first. However, colored chalks can be used too, and they can be used on other surfaces and backgrounds. Your imagination is the limit! I love the color combination of Crisp Cantaloupe and Baked Brown Sugar on this card! The color placement is perfect and balanced. It is just a gorgeous card done with basic layering.
Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	CHALK TALK CLEAR BUNDLE Item: 132730
	BAKED BROWN SUGAR 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARDSTOCK Item: 131296
	BAKED BROWN SUGAR CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 131174
	CRISP CANTALOUPE CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 131176
	2013-2015 IN COLOR DESIGNER SERIES PAPER STACK Item: 130136
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	EXTRA-LARGE OVAL PUNCH Item: 119859

“Labels can be a good thing!”

Many labels have a stigma of sorts associated with them; usually negative. In this case however, all the labels in Label Love are lovely, positive sentiments of the celebrations in our lives!  So I suggest using them liberally!  I love the way Sandy Carlson (this is another convention swap that I am sharing with you) used the Artisan Punch to create a layer behind the greeting. She just punched out a piece of Midnight Muse card stock, cut it in half and layered it behind to put that nice edge along the top and the bottom. She pulled all the colors together quite nicely for a strikingly simple card. I love it!
Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	MIDNIGHT MUSE 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARD STOCK Item: 126843
	LABEL LOVE Item: 130622
	MIDNIGHT MUSE CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126860
	MELON MAMBO 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARD STOCK Item: 115320
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	ARTISAN LABEL PUNCH Item: 130920
	GINGHAM GARDEN DESIGNER WASHI TAPE Item: 129314
	BASIC RHINESTONES JEWEL ACCENTS Item: 119246

“It’s possible to create cards with very little stamping.”

I.Love.To.Stamp.Period. I also get great satisfaction from the creative process so I can appreciate cards that don’t have a lot of stamping. I love this bright and cheerful card that features Washi Tape. What is really cool about his card that I received in a convention swap from Wei Chong is how she threw a strip of background paper in with the Washi Tape. Only a close inspection gives it away! This card also shows off the Bitty Butterfly punch that you can get in the bundle featured above for 15% off until the end of September!
Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	GUMBALL GREEN 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARD STOCK Item: 126840
	DAFFODIL DELIGHT 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 119683
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	GINGHAM GARDEN DESIGNER SERIES PAPER Item: 129310
	GINGHAM GARDEN DESIGNER WASHI TAPE Item: 129314
	BITTY BUTTERFLY PUNCH Item: 129406
	HONEYCOMB TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 129378
	BASIC RHINESTONES JEWEL ACCENTS Item: 119246
	TEENY TINY WISHES CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 127802

“On the wings of Hello!”

I love the simple layout of this card with the use of Washi tape (one of my favorite new embellishments!) While I like the crumb cake background okay, I think I will test it out with a Smoky Slate or Basic Black background and see which one I like better. I might even add a spatter of Gorgeous Grunge behind the butterfly in Calypso Coral. Hopefully, I can get the remake done soon and show you the difference!  I received this pretty card as a convention swap from Rebecca Coyle. Don’t forget that if you order the Papillon Potpourri set – that you can get the Bitty Butterfly punch with it and save 15% with the special bundle this month! (Click on the special widget at the top of my blog post!)
Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	CRUMB CAKE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 120953
	VERY VANILLA 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 101650
	BASIC GRAY CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126981
	SMOKY SLATE CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 131179
	CALYPSO CORAL CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126983
	PAPILLON POTPOURRI CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 123759
	ARTISAN LABEL PUNCH Item: 130920
	LABEL LOVE Item: 130622
	LACY & LOVELY CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 122887
	ELEGANT BUTTERFLY PUNCH Item: 127526
	BRIGHTS STAMPIN’ WRITE MARKERS Item: 131259
	BASIC RHINESTONES JEWEL ACCENTS Item: 119246

“Flowers are a traditional way to express sympathy.”

Originally the use of flowers was more practical in nature. Flowers smell wonderful and helped to mask the smell of decay. When embalming came along masking the smell was no longer necessary so flowers became more symbolic than practical. For me they are a bright and cheerful backdrop to such a sorrowful occasion. I really love that so many people re-purpose the flowers into beautiful bouquets for the elderly confined in nursing homes to enjoy.

I received this card as a convention swap from Sandy Carlson. It is simple and pretty. I think I might switch the color layers on this card, too.
Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE Item: 113439
	WISTERIA WONDER 8-1/2 X 11 CARD STOCK Item: 122922
	WISTERIA WONDER CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126985
	BASIC BLACK 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 121045
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	WHISPER WHITE 5/8 INCH ORGANZA RIBBON Item: 114319
	BASIC BLACK CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126980
	MODERN MOSAIC TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 129984

YOUR STAMPIN’ REWARDS BENEFITS

Your Stampin’Rewards Merchandise				PRICE	QTY	TOTAL
	SIMPLY SKETCHED Item: 129672

“Warbling out Happy Birthday Wishes!”

I have always loved this “sketched” look in stamp designs so of course I like this hostess set, Simply Sketched Bird.

I received this card as a convention swap from Carol Taggart. I love the card design although I will probably try switching the color layers. The Island Indigo and Crushed Curry feel like they are overpowering Smoky Slate background which is such a shame as it is a gorgeous color! I have had to do this with cards before. I’ve had a great color combo and my original layers just didn’t do it for me! I wanted to scrap a card and start over I was so frustrated! My hubby came in my craft room and looked over my should and suggested moving one color to the back and the other color to the front. It worked! All of the sudden the card came vibrantly alive! So remember, it is not always our color choice – it is where we use the color and how much!
Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	SMOKY SLATE 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARDSTOCK Item: 131202
	CRUSHED CURRY 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARDSTOCK Item: 131199
	ISLAND INDIGO 8-1/2 X 11 CARD STOCK Item: 122923
	ISLAND INDIGO CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126986
	CRUSHED CURRY CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 131173
	ALWAYS ARTICHOKE CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126972
	JET BLACK STAZON PAD Item: 101406
	STAMPIN’ DIMENSIONALS Item: 104430
	STAMPING SPONGES Item: 101610
	BLENDER PENS Item: 102845
	BEAUTIFULLY BAROQUE TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 130917
	OVALS COLLECTION FRAMELITS DIES Item: 129381
	LABELS COLLECTION FRAMELITS DIES Item: 125598
	BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE Item: 113439

YOUR STAMPIN’ REWARDS BENEFITS

Your Stampin’Rewards Merchandise				PRICE	QTY	TOTAL
	SIMPLY SKETCHED Item: 129672

“So grateful there is you is the world.”

I love this card…it’s right up my alley! Simple but beautiful! I love the Modern Medley designer paper. It’s hard to see in the photo but Very Vanilla background is embossed with the new Pretty Print embossing folder from the Holiday Catalog. This is one of my swaps I received at convention. No info on the back to give credit…so if you see it and it is yours…let me know!

Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	PRETTY PRINT TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 132175
	MODERN MEDLEY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER Item: 126926
	BASIC BLACK 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 121045
	VERY VANILLA 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 101650
	BASIC BLACK CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126980
	CHALK TALK CLEAR BUNDLE Item: 132730
	CHERRY COBBLER CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126966
	BASIC PEARLS JEWEL ACCENTS Item: 119247

“The power of three!”

I just love this card! I received this is a swap at convention from Patricia Stanley. The color combo is striking, it has great texture…and she used the power of three which gives it balance! The butterfly is from Papillon Potpourri which is on special right now bundled with the Bitty Butterfly punch for 15% off! To see the details of the special just click on the Hello Butterfly Card at the top of the blog!

Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	PAPILLON POTPOURRI CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 135331 (&Bitty Butterfly Bundle)
	A ROUND ARRAY Item: 129090
	BASIC BLACK 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 121045
	BASIC GRAY 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 121044
	BASIC BLACK CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126980
	MELON MAMBO 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARD STOCK Item: 115320
	MELON MAMBO CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126948
	VERSAMARK PAD Item: 102283
	BOHO BLOSSOMS PUNCH Item: 119858
	ELEGANT BUTTERFLY PUNCH Item: 127526
	1-1/4″ SCALLOP CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 127811
	1-3/8 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 119860
	7/8″ SCALLOP CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 129404
	SILVER MINI BRADS Item: 122941
	WHITE STAMPIN’ EMBOSS POWDER Item: 109132
	SQUARE LATTICE TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER DIE Item: 119976
	WOODGRAIN TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 127821
	DOTTED SCALLOP RIBBON BORDER PUNCH Item: 119275

“Christmas is always with us.”

I know that we have one evening and day that we “officially” celebrate Christmas. No matter what your persuasion or belief the Christmas season emphasizes the spirit of giving and philanthropy abounds all around us lifting our spirits as the generosity of people renews our hope in ourselves and fellow man. Sometimes I wish we could hear about and see this generosity all year round! Our headlines have a tendency to focus on our sorrows and the ills of this world rather than the good! Personally, I love good news! I love the tradition of sending Christmas cards filled with the good news of the past year! I know that in today’s social networking that all of our news travels at the speed of light and that putting little highlights of our year in a Christmas card may be sending “old news,” but Christmas follows the season of Thanksgiving and there is just something special about documenting those things that we are grateful for and sharing it with our loved ones. I don’t have a fireplace…but I sure wish that I did…because the romantic in me sees a mantle filled with lovely Christmas cards conveying messages of good will and peace to all!

I know that many people get overwhelmed with making Christmas cards. I’ve experienced that myself! So, my goal with this make and take for my open house was to give folks a doable card for such a busy season. I kept it simple with just a little “bling” on the inside!

Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	O HOLY NIGHT CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 131835
	MORE MERRY MESSAGES CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 126402
	SMOKY SLATE 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARDSTOCK Item: 131202
	MIDNIGHT MUSE 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARD STOCK Item: 126843
	MIDNIGHT MUSE CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126860
	STYLISH STRIPES TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 132174
	BASIC RHINESTONES JEWEL ACCENTS Item: 119246

“Simplicity at it’s best!”

This card truly is simplicity at it’s best! While it is fun to play with all of our gadgets to layer, texture, and embellish until we have created the haute coutour of cards so we can giddily bask in our designer fashionista glow; sometimes simplicity provides the timeless, classic look that we crave without all the fuss! This card is your basic whisper white cardstock with a background (Gorgeous Grunge) stamped in Crisp Cantaloupe (the color in this pic is way off!) The flower (Flower Shop) is also stamped in Crisp Cantaloupe and then punched out and popped up with a dimensional. You end up with a beautiful, quick card that can be used for any occasion!

Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	FLOWER SHOP CLEAR BUNDLE Item: 132726
	GORGEOUS GRUNGE Item: 130517
	CRISP CANTALOUPE CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 131176
	STAMPIN’ DIMENSIONALS Item: 104430