“An easy trio of thanks!” This trio of flowers with a thank you are from soon-to-be discontinued Easy Events! I love these kind of sets…they are great for the new stamper! I love how the background paper adds an interesting background and the colors from the background are pulled forward in the flowers! Simple…and easy!

A few of the supplies used on this card 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!

	EASY EVENTS – CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP Item: 123225					5
	2-1/2 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 120906

“Perfectly Preserved – Digitally That Is” We made these adorable little canning jar gifts last fall. This was a class where everyone could choose how many they wanted to make. To keep the class from putting too much time on the clock…I printed out the canning jars with My Digital Studio! So…even though this stamp set is retiring…it is truly perfectly preserved digitally in MDS! I had to play with sizing a little bit…because I still used the framelits to cut everything out. I’ve used the framelits with MDS images before…it works great! The framelits will be going away along with the stamp set however – so if you want that perfectly cut look you will need to get the framelits before they are gone! This was such a cute gift idea. I am glad it is perfectly preserved in MDS!

Supplies used on this card are listed below (those that are still available). 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!

	PERFECTLY PRESERVED CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 126692
digital download items
	PERFECTLY PRESERVED STAMP BRUSH SET Item: 129834		DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Items will be available for download after checkout

“Stamping is like nectar is to hummingbirds.” Sometimes when I stamp cards I feel like a hummingbird flitting around from flower to flower! Being creative soothes stress and brings a sweetness to life. It energizes my mind in a whole different way. Sometimes life brings stressful events that make it hard to focus on creating new things; but at those times I pull out my things and copy older creations just to have the satisfaction of creating and completing something beautiful! So many things on this card are retiring and some retired last year…but this card is still one that can be similarly duplicated with some of our newer product using the Elements of Style set if you snatch one up before it is gone forever on June 3rd! We have a fantastic new set of In Colors coming out in the new catalog called Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Pistachio Pudding that would make a gorgeous makeover of this card! If you want to get your Elements of Style set click my order online button (above right)to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase it before it is gone for good! I think that the die cut below with an oval die cut would actually make this card look more elegant than the scalloped oval did!

	OVAL ACCENT BIGZ CLEAR DIE Item: 127005
	OVALS COLLECTION FRAMELITS DIES Item: 129381

“Life is a matter of moments.” I love this modified quote of Rose Kennedy. She actually said, “Life is not a matter of milestones, but of moments.” However, I love the succinct version even more! I thought this spotlighting technique fit the quote perfectly. One of my favorite “life moments” is sharing a cup of coffee or tea with friends and just enjoying their company. It is one of those moments that breaks up the mundane and hard things in life. Here is a short description of the technique:

SPOTLIGHTING

1) Stamp desired image on two pieces of card stock. Set one aside to serve as background for spotlighted image.
2) On the other piece of card stock, color the area you wish to highlight.
3) Punch out the part of the image you wish to highlight.
4) Line up punched, colored piece with the separate stamped image and adhere.
5) Complete project.
Tip: Consider layering spotlighted piece over contrasting color of card stock cut slightly larger. This will help accentuate the spotlight.

Supplies used on this card are listed below (those that are still available). 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!

	ELEMENTS OF STYLE – CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP Item: 120045
	VERY VANILLA 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 101650
	SNAIL ADHESIVE Item: 104332
	CHERRY COBBLER 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 119685
	CHERRY COBBLER CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126966
	SCALLOP TRIM CORNER PUNCH Item: 118870
	EARLY ESPRESSO CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126974
	EARLY ESPRESSO 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 119686
	EARLY ESPRESSO 1/8 INCH TAFFETA RIBBON Item: 119959

“Elements of Style raises IQ.” Did that get your attention? LOL! I love all things Victorian. To me, it was a romantic era. One cannot deny that it was a period of creativity; the detailed trim on homes and furniture, the elaborate clothing, etc. is a time capsule of the creativeness of the Victorians. I live in a modified Queen Anne home and although it is not quite a full blown Victorian; I appreciate all the details in the woodwork and the eclectic nature of the house. I think that is why the stamp set Elements of Style appealed to me. It felt romantic and reminded me of Victorian times. I love the details on this card and am sad that this set is retiring. I digress so back to my quote about IQ; I did not make that up! I found this article (small excerpt below) about the Victorian Brits being smarter than us and found it interesting. It also explains why all of you are so fun and intelligent! High-IQ people are more productive and creative!

“The Victorian Era was marked by an explosion of innovation and genius, per capita rates of which appear to have declined subsequently. The presence of dysgenic fertility for IQ amongst Western nations, starting in the 19th century, suggests that these trends might be related to declining IQ. This is because high-IQ people are more productive and more creative. We tested the hypothesis that the Victorians were cleverer than modern populations, using high-quality instruments, namely measures of simple visual reaction time in a meta-analytic study.” To see complete article, click here.

Supplies used on this card are listed below (those that are still available). 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!

	ELEMENTS OF STYLE – CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP Item: 120045
	ELEGANT EGGPLANT 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 105126
	ELEGANT EGGPLANT CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126969
	VERY VANILLA 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 101650
	5/8 INCH CROCHET TRIM VICTORIA Item: 118481
	ANTIQUE BRADS Item: 117273
	SCALLOP TRIM BORDER PUNCH Item: 118402
	SCALLOP RECTANGLE CLEARLITS DIE Item: 118872
	BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE Item: 113439
	SNAIL ADHESIVE Item: 104332

“All it needs is a candle…” Part of the fun of birthday cake is blowing out the candles, don’t you agree? I think that may be why cupcakes were invented…need I say more? This is another quick and easy card using Easy Events and the polka dot layout that I shared in Wednesday’s post here! If you are burning the candle at both ends…this is the go to layout for so many things!

Supplies used on this card are listed below (those that are still available). 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!

	EASY EVENTS – CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP Item: 123225
	2-1/2 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 120906
	1-3/4 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 119850
	1-1/4 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 119861
	1-3/8 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 119860

“Sometimes you just need to get quacking!” Do you ever need a card in a hurry? I do. Mostly just because I am a procrastinator. I can spend hours in my stamp room; until I need to! lol! This card features the soon-to-be retired stamp set, Easy Events. Easy Events is one of those fantastic stamps sets for those who like quick and easy…or are just beginning their stamping journey. This layout just takes polka dots and plays them up from the background to an easy focal point using mostly background paper and punches. Easy and quick!

Supplies used on this card are listed below (those that are still available). 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!

	EASY EVENTS – CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP Item: 123225
	2-1/2 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 120906
	1-3/4 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 119850
	1-1/4 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 119861
	1-3/8 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 119860

“The stork is outdated, the modern baby is delivered by blimp!” This was a fun card that I made at a workshop featuring, Moving Forward, our Ronald McDonald House stamp set. $3 from the sale of every set gets donated to RMHC. This charity has a special place in my heart as my first grandchild spent some extended time in Iowa City as an infant. It was a very stressful time in our lives. The Ronald McDonald House was a lifesaver for my son and his wife. I will be forever grateful to the RMHC for giving the kids a place to be and sleep besides the hospital room. If you are like me, I don’t have a tendency to purchase many stamp sets for kids…I am pretty big into the flora and nature! However, this set has a good variety of stamps that can cover all kinds of situations and ages! Purchase your set today to help contribute to this wonderful charity!

For more card ideas click here and here.

Supplies used on this card are listed below (those that are still available). 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!

	MOVING FORWARD CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 126322
	HEARTS A FLUTTER BUNDLE CLEAR Item: 131097
	CLOUDY DAY TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 127022
	CHERRY COBBLER BAKER’S TWINE Item: 123125
	BAJA BREEZE CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126960
	ROSE RED CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126954
	SO SAFFRON CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126957
	ROSE RED 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 102544
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE Item: 113439
	STAMPIN WRITE MARKERS – BRIGHTS COLLECTION Item: 119702

“Friends are as potent as a secret garden!” This card was made using the Secret Garden stamp set and coordinating framelits. It was a pleasant surprise sent to me for my birthday by Jane, one of my stamping buddies! Just like a secret garden changed the outlook of Mary, became a gathering place for friends, and a place of healing and strength for Collin; getting together with my stamping friends is a very important part of my life as they help me through the stressful times of life! I intuitively knew this…but now there is a study to make it official!

A UCLA study shows that women react to stress by gathering together. Women need to gather together for reassurance and a sense of safety… Dr. Tian Dayton, UCLA

Supplies used on this card 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! (Hint…get this set and the framelits now while they are bundled together at a discount!)

	SECRET GARDEN BUNDLE CLEAR Item: 131099
	NIGHT OF NAVY 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100867
	GARDEN GREEN CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126973
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	STAMPIN’ DIMENSIONALS Item: 104430

“I’d rather be star gazing.” Warm summer nights, lying in cool grass, gazing up at brilliantly lit sky…yes I am day dreaming! With a measurable snow fall on May 2nd just mere hours after experiencing wonderful summer-like weather it helps to day dream! The best thing about this snow was that even though it was measurable, it didn’t need to be shoveled!

This photo was submitted to the local weatherman’s blog. The cardinal doesn’t look any happier than the robin did! I wonder if he had boots on? Either way, I am pretty sure he would have rather been star gazing!

Supplies used on this card (those that are still available) 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!

	SNOW MUCH FUN – CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP Item: 122562
	BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE Item: 113439
	BASIC BLACK CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126980
	EARLY ESPRESSO 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 119686
	VERY VANILLA 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 101650
	SCALLOP SQUARE DUO BIGZ DIE Item: 120903
	EARLY ESPRESSO CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126974
	SPONGE DAUBERS Item: 102892
	ALWAYS ARTICHOKE CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126972
	TANGERINE TANGO CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126946

 “Snow Much Fun in May?” If you live in Iowa…you know that we had measurable snow fall on May 2nd! While I am happy to say good-bye to snow and cold…I am a little sad to see this set be retired, it is such a cute and fun set to play with! It doesn’t hurt that I love snowmen! I have a collection that I put on display for the Christmas holiday through Spring. If you don’t have this set yet…be sure to get it before June 3rd! This is a card that we made in my Snow Much Fun card making class when the set made it’s debut!

One of the local meteorologists posted this photo on facebook; even the robins were upset! lol!

Supplies used on this card are listed below (those that are still available). 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!

	SNOW MUCH FUN – CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP Item: 122562
	POOL PARTY 8-1/2 X 11 CARD STOCK Item: 122924
	BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE Item: 113439
	SCALLOP TRIM BORDER PUNCH Item: 118402
	3-1/2 INCH CIRCLE ORIGINALS DIE Item: 121811
	SILVER MINI BRADS Item: 122941
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	SILVER GLIMMER PAPER Item: 124005
	BASIC BLACK CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126980
	2011 IN COLOR STAMPIN WRITE MARKERS Item: 123002
	POOL PARTY 3/8 INCH RUFFLED RIBBON Item: 122975

“Men like flowers too!” What guy would not appreciate getting this card for his birthday? I have a plethora of floral stamps and I have a tendency to get stuck into this rut of thinking that I don’t have any “guy appropriate” stamps! It’s time to change that line of thinking! Many years ago I worked with a guy named Mike that loved and appreciated roses. He brought roses in to work from his garden regularly. They were absolutely gorgeous! (I admire anyone that can grow roses like that!) I appreciated his love of flowers and that he shared it by bringing them to work. I got to enjoy them too!

If you think the men in your life won’t appreciate a “girly” card…tone it down with neutral colors and accessories. This card features our new Washi Tape from the This and That line of product. It puts a masculine touch on the card. It is also a very easy accessory to use…it’s tape! One card has brads, the other has jewel accents.

Supplies used on this card 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!

	BLOOMING WITH KINDNESS CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 126422
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	SNAIL ADHESIVE Item: 104332
	BASIC GRAY 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 121044
	BASIC GRAY CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126981
	EPIC DAY THIS AND THAT DESIGNER WASHI TAPE Item: 131269
	SILVER MINI BRADS Item: 122941
	BASIC RHINESTONES JEWEL ACCENTS Item: 119246
	DAZZLING DETAILS Item: 124117
	SIMPLY SCORED Item: 122334
	BORDERS SCORING PLATE SIMPLY SCORED Item: 126192

“Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.” ~ Ralph Martson 

“Kindness is full of Thank You’s.” If you want your life to “Bloom With Kindness” make saying, “Thank You,” a habit in your life. A handwritten note of thanks can make the difference between people feeling valued or not. If you have read The Help then you are familiar with Callie’s story. Callie cared for a family who always made her feel inadequate. She never felt appreciated during her tenure with the family. All of that changed when the matriarch of the family passed away. When Miss Margaret passed away, she was given a note by Miss Margaret’s husband thanking her for taking care of her colicky baby all those years ago. Miss Margaret wanted Callie to know that she had never forgotten the care given to her child.

Hopefully, we will not wait so long to tell the people in our lives thank you. It was unfortunate that Callie had to spend all of those years feeling unappreciated for her efforts. Pick up a pen and and express your thanks now; don’t wait!

This card was one we made in the Blooming With Kindness card making class. The pen pictured with the card was part of my birthday gift at class from Kay. It was attached to a beautiful package of post it notes (I love post it notes! How did we ever live without them?)

Supplies used on this card 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!

	BLOOMING WITH KINDNESS CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 126422
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE Item: 113439
	ELEGANT EGGPLANT 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 105126
	OLD OLIVE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100702
	FANCY FAN TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 127751
	ADORNING ACCENTS TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDERS Item: 125601
	ELEGANT EGGPLANT CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126969
	OLD OLIVE STAMPIN’ WRITE MARKER Item: 100079
	BLENDER PENS Item: 102845
	DESIGNER BUTTONS – BRIGHTS COLLECTION Item: 119747
	MINI GLUE DOTS Item: 103683					5
	SNAIL ADHESIVE Item: 104332

This Blooming With Kindness set is just too easy! The sentiments are wonderful and the simple but elegant image makes a wonderful focal point to any card. We made this card in the Blooming With Kindness card making class. I usually have my classes be primarily all about one stamp set so you can see how versatile one stamp set can be! My favorite thing about this card is the sentiment, “Hope is a wish with a little more clout.” It reminds me of Georgia. She is a wonderful friend and customer. This class was the day before my birthday and she brought me the beautiful flowers pictured next to the card. Georgia is full of hope and clout. She is fighting a terrible illness and yet she always has the most beautiful smile. Her passion and love for stamping is inspiring! I consider this post a special tribute to this dear lady! We used a technique called Shadow Stamping on this card. To create the block shadow we inked up a clear block and stamped it. Easy technique; great look!

Supplies used on this card 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!

	BLOOMING WITH KINDNESS CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 126422
	PRIMROSE PETALS CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126858
	PRIMROSE PETALS 8-1/2″ X 11″ CARD STOCK Item: 126841
	PINK PIROUETTE CLASSIC STAMPIN’ PAD Item: 126956
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE Item: 113439
	FRAMED TULIPS TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER DIE Item: 121809
	LARGE PEARL BASIC JEWELS Item: 125577
	CLEAR BLOCK E Item: 118484