Blossom Petals Thinking of You Card

I've had so much fun playing with the new Blossom Petals punch and coordinating stamp set.  I just can't get enough of them.  I designed a card-making class that uses the punch.  Even after finding all the ideas for those cards, I keep coming up with more ideas.  This one is a keeper:

This card is for my friend Barb who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.  While she was in surgery the doctors found an infection.  So they had to put in a temporary knee and let the infection heal.  In several weeks after the infection has cleared Barb will get her new knee.  I'm praying for her complete recovery.

The design for this card came from Dawn Griffith's blog.  I changed up the embossing folder, added the scallop trim border punch, and used a different sentiment.

Stamps: Build a Blossom, Trendy Trees
Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Springtime Vintage designer series paper
Ink: Baja Breeze
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots textured impressions embossing folder, Scallop Trim Border punch, Blossom petals punch, 1/2" circle punch, dimensionals, 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds

My kids were occupied long enough this afternoon that I made several of these cards.  I changed the sentiment to one from the new stamp set Bring on the Cake that says, "Not just a year older, but a year better." I sent that to two of my customers, Kim and Sally, who are having birthdays this week.  Happy birthday, ladies!

Happy stamping!

Susan

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Yet Another Vintage Rose!

My friend Diane asked me if other shapes of punches would work to make these roses.  So here's my attempt at making one with the oval punch (1 3/4" x 7/8"). I still used the 2 3/8" scallop circle to make the center.

I made this card a bit different than the first two just to change thing up a bit.  I used Confetti Cream as my card base and added a layer of Springtime Vintage dsp cut with the Top Note die and sponged it with Soft Suede.  The sentiment and punches are different, too.

Stamps:  Because I Care (hostess level 1)
Paper:  Confetti Cream, First Edition designer series paper, Springtime Vintage Designer series paper, Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, So Saffron
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note die, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch Crystal Effects

My kids are getting on my nerves today.  No one seems to want to help with household duties. I am trying to remain calm with them.  However, there will be consequences.  Guess I'm feeling a little down and unappreciated. Gonna go run the vacuum cleaner and pray!

Happy stamping!

Susan

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Simple Swap Cards

This month I was asked to participate in two different swaps.  Of course, being the Stampin' Mom of Four, I combined my efforts and used the same card layout for both swaps.  Why make anything more complicated for myself?!?

There's one weakness that I have that's a bit difficult to admit -- I hoard designer series paper!!!  I'm not alone.  Closet hoarders are everywhere!  They just don't admit it.  What I can't understand is why some of us have the urge to save designer series paper. It's so gorgeous that we should be sharing it with everyone we see!  Could you imagine me at Walmart in the diaper aisle showing the mom (or dad!) next to me the beauty of the Springtime Vintage dsp?!?

On the other end of the spectrum, there are people who never buy designer series paper.  Why is that???  Are they afraid they'll never use?  Are they afraid to cut up the paper?

For only $9.95, designer series paper (AKA dsp) is worth the cost!  You get 12 sheets total: two 12" x 12" sheets of six double-sided design.  That's equates to only $1.20/sheet. What a bargain! 

Here are the cards I made:

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers, Style Beautiful
Paper: Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke,Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Springtime Vintage designer series paper
Ink: Always Artichoke, Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, dimensionals

At first, I cut the dsp 4" x 5 1/4" then planned to overlay a piece of very vanilla cut with the top note die like I did with this card.  But that would've covered up the beauty of this paper.  That's why I decided to keep it simple.  These cards were quick to create, too.  I used Tombow adhesive to attach the zigzag trim because Snail is a bit too wide.

I forgot to take a photo of the inside of these cards. I stamped the smallest image from the Style Beautiful stamp set in Not Quite Navy (stamped off) onto a 4 x 5 1/4" piece of Very Vanilla to decorate the inside. I also stamped the image on the corner of the envelope.

One of the personal goals I set for myself this year is to use an entire package of designer series paper.  And I have to say (write) that I'm on my way to meeting that goal.  "I cut the dsp and I'm okay.  I cut the dsp and I'm okay.  I cut the dsp and I'm okay."  Call it my exposure therapy.

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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Where's that card when I need it?

Yesterday morning I opened the newspaper and read the obituaries like I always do.  I am always curious about who died and I really can't explain why.  Sometimes I don't know anyone in the obits.  That's a good thing, right?  Then there are times when a young person dies and I wonder how he/she died.  Then there are the babies...  Even if I don't know anyone, I always say a quick prayer for those who have passed away along with one for those who are left behind.

Yesterday was a little different.  The mother of one of Randy's co-workers passed away.  This lady was also an acquaintance of my mother.  Of course, I didn't have any sympathy cards ready to go.  So I made one:

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers
Paper: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Springtime Vintage dsp
Ink: Always Artichoke, Marina Mist
Accessories: Victoria crochet trim, Marina Mist 1/4 inch grosgrain, basic pearls, scallop oval punch, oval punch, dimensionals

I have been invited to participate in two different all-occasion card swaps this month.  My plan is to make similar sympathy cards. I'm sure my swappers would appreciate receiving them.  After all, I don't want them to say, "Where's that card when I need it?"

Happy stamping!

Susan

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Valentyine Defined Bouquet

No, that's not a typo!  We've got two computers at home that aren't completely networked.  The one that I'm on right now is the one with the camera software on it.  During the Superbowl Clarice watched a cartoon on Netflix while eating some cherry yogurt. Some of it dripped on the keyboard between the T  and  Y keys resulting in my double-typing on the first few keystrokes.  Most of the dried yogurt has loosened up enough so that I'm not typing the "ty" every time.  I just thought it was a funny way to get your attention.  I am one of those people who can find the typos of others quite easily. Sometimes you can read over them and not even notice.  Did you notice my typo in the title?

The card I'm showing you today has two versions.  I got my original inspiration from the Occasions Mini catalog as part of my Valentine's Day stamp camp.  I wanted to make a card that could be used for other occasions.  Here's what I came up with:

Part of my original idea was to stamp the buttons with different colored inks.  In a stamp camp setting, that idea would not work well with having to clean the stamps, possibly contaminating ink pads, taking too much time, etc.  That's why I chose the versamark.  And I chose the buttons in the first place because they're so cute!

Here's my second version, a little more Valentine specific:

Instead of the buttons I punched several of the smallest hearts from the heart to heart punch and adhered them atop the tiny heart images on the stamped stems.  Then I stamped "L is for love" from the Grateful Greetings stamp set with versamark onto the card base. I also used a different pattern from the Springtime Vintage paper.  I love the difference it makes!  As much as I love the Button, Button stamp set, I'm gonna have to showcase them in a future project.
 
Here are the combined supplies:

Stamps: Valentined Defined; Button, Button; Grateful Greetings
Paper: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, River Rock, Naturals White, Springtime Vintage designer series paper
Ink: Always Artichoke, versamark
Accessories: itty bitty shapes punch pack (circle), 1/2" circle punch, ticket corner punch, heart to heart punch, pretty in pink taffeta ribbon, dimensionals

I'm doing a lot of laundry today including the bedding.  Even though all I have to do is move the laundry from the washer to the dryer, it does take all day long.  I think I just heard the dryer turn off.  Better go check it.  ... Oh, and I still have to clean the keyboard LOL!

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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