Afterthoughts

Good morning, Friends! It is looking to be another extremely hot and humid day. Ugh!! Yesterday started out so beautiful and the air was actually nice. I sat in the car while Nick had his basketball practice and had the windows down and the breeze felt nice. But just before he was supposed to be done it heated up terribly and that was the end of that! Last night I went to my friend Becky's house to share all of the convention goodies that I got with her and by the time I got home my ankles and legs were so swollen! That has never happened to me before!! The weather man said that the temp yesterday was 95 and the humidity was something very high for this part of the country. This morning they are still a little swollen and it is hot and humid once again. Sucks getting old... In a short while we will be going to our first basketball tournament! We are very excited to see how this is going to go. Nick is excited as well! I hope they play well. And then tomorrow we leave to take Nick to camp.

Today's card was inspired by the layout from Clean & Simple. It was their 100th fall-to-layout and they had a blog hop to celebrate. Go check it out! The cards are great!! Anyway, I loved it but it took me a while to figure out how to use it. So this is what I finally came up with. And I like the way it came out. Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Flower Fancy, Afterthoughts; Paper- Whisper White, Neutrals designer paper pack; Ink- Black StazOn, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive; Accessories- Basic Black satin ribbon, scallop edge punch, Basic Black brad, blender pen, dimensionals

Woodland Cottage

Good Friday morning everyone! I can't believe that this is the last week of July! The summer is just flying by! And so much is going on right now. Yesterday Nick had basketball practice in the morning and then went to a friend's house. Yep! That meant the whole quiet house to myself!! Then he had batting practice in the evening. Today he has basketball practice again. Tomorrow his team is in a basketball tournament. That will be fun to watch! Then on Sunday he leaves for camp! He will be gone for a week!! Actually, I am quite nervous about that one. So I try not to think about it too much. But we do need to start getting him packed.

Today's card was inspired by a layout I saw in a CTMH book. I was having a hard time getting my mojo going yesterday so I started looking through this book and it had some great layout ideas that helped push me. However, this card took me a long time to complete. But I am happy with the results. I think it came out great! Thanks for stopping by and have a super day! The weekend is finally here!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Just Believe; Paper- Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Woodland Cottage designer paper; Ink- Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso; Accessories- Very Vanilla satin ribbon, 1 1/4" square punch, scallop edge punch, itty bitty punch pack, basic pearls, dimensionals

CCMC 109

Good morning everyone! I hope that your week is going by just wonderfully! It has been super hot around here so we spend most of our days indoors. But today is Thursday which means that Friday is right around the corner!! But it also means that today is another challenge at Create with Connie and Mary! Today's challenge was to be inspired by this incredible cake. YUM! When I first saw it I was inspired to eat - LOL!! I love sweets and I love cake! Good thing my hubby's birthday is coming up! Anyway, back to the inspring part. I find these challenges hard. But being a design team member meant I had to break out of the box and find a way to be inspired. So, I let myself look at the picture and then let it set in my mind. What do I remember about the photo? What impressed me the most? Well, it was all those cute little flowers and a lot of vanilla. So that is what I went with when I designed my card. Check it out!

I kept it really simple! There was no way I was going to make that many flowers! But I loved the idea of them. There are so many different ways to be inspired by this gorgeous cake. Give it a try! It's easier than you think! Be sure to check out the other design team member entries and then enter your own card. I would love to check it out as well! Remember that Connie and Mary pick their top three to be showcased. Will that be you? You have to enter your card at Create with Connie and Mary first!! Thanks for stopping by!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Occasional Quotes; Paper- Very Vanilla, Marina Mist, So Saffron; Ink- Marina Mist; Accessories- Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Boho Blossoms punch, 1/4" circle punch, corner rounder, dimensionals

Watercolor Thank You

Good morning everyone! I can't believe it's Wednesday already! And I think that I skipped yesterday. Ooops! Sorry about that. It was just one of those days. I was supposed to have breakfast with a friend of mine but I overslept and missed it. Then I took my son out clothes shopping for school. I know. I am taking a chance doing it this early. I swear that boy grows every week! But I wanted to get a jump start on it. Then it just seemed that I was always behind. And then last night I had a hard time getting to sleep. So I am a little groggy now but I hope that wears off. The other part of it is that I didn't have a card to show you. Yikes! That means I need to get stamping!! Since I got back from convention, all I have wanted to do is make up my "must have" wish list and "things I can wait on" wish list for the new mini catalog that is coming out. It's just too hard!! (That was my whining voice) LOL!!

So today I am showing a card that we made at convention. Well, I actually made it when I got home. Instead of doing the make-n-takes at convention, my friend Sherry and I got our packets and then went and took pictures of the display boards. So, when I got home, I wanted to get these together. This is my very favorite one that we did. I am sure that many of you have already seen it if you do a lot of blog hopping. Isn't is beautiful?! And it is really easy! Thanks for stopping by! It's time to get stamping!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Just Believe; Paper- Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue, watercolor paper; Ink- Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive; Accessories- Old Olive satin ribbon, Old Olive button, linen thread, dimensionals

Exciting News!!

Good Monday morning, Friends! WOW!! That is the first word that comes to mind when I think about everything that has happened at convention!! My head is still sort of spinning! There were so many creative ideas shared and great business classes. One thing that was really focused on this year was recruiting. So, I am going to try to focus on that as well. Right now Stampin' Up! is allowing people who were demonstrators but have dropped to sign up for only $35!! What a deal!! But this super great deal is about to end. So, if you are one of those people, please be sure to contact me to find out how you can sign up with this great deal! Another really great thing that happened to me is that I won a door prize!!!! I have never won before so this was so exciting for me!! And I have to thank my wonderful friend, Sherry, for this! It was one of the very last door prizes that they would be giving away and she sent a mental note on my behalf and it worked!! Thank you, Sherry!! But that's not all that happened!!! They gave every demonstrator there a door prize of the brand new level 2 hostess set from the upcoming mini catalog with a pack of Deck the Halls designer paper, a Cherry Cobbler stamp pad AND a jar of silver glass glitter!!!! Except for the Cherry Cobbler ink pad, all of these things will be in the upcoming Holiday mini catalog. Demonstrators can order from this starting August 1 and believe me, I am counting the days! So stay tuned as I will be showing these items next month. Ooooo!! I can't wait!

O.k. I know there will be lots more convention stuff that I will share but for now I will stop there. I would like to let you know that I was selected to be the Featured Stamper on Stampin' Connection! Mary Jo picks these every Sunday and I love to participate. Having been at convention, I just now checked to see who was chosen and, lo and behold, it was me! How totally flattering!! Thank you, Mary Jo!!

Wow! So much going on! I think that I am ready to talk about the card. Although, there isn't much to tell you. It is super easy! I am in love with this stamp set! This layout came from my friend, Becky, and her card class that I attend every month. Isn't that Daffodil Delight ribbon so pretty? I thought it added the right touch. Well, thanks for stopping by and reading all the ramblings. Have a super day!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Just Believe; Paper- Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Woodland Cottage designer paper; Ink- Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip; Accessories- Daffodil Delight narrow taffeta ribbon, linen thread, itty bitty button, itty bitty punch pack

Just For You

Good morning, Friends! We are on our way home today! So pray for safe travels for us. Especially since we will be worn out!! It is nice to get out of town for a while but really nice to get back home. I can't wait to show you some great projects!

Today's card was inspired by a sketch on Clean & Simple blog. I really like the way this one turned out! And it truly is very simple! Well, I will have lots more to tell you tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Just Believe; Paper- Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Woodland Cottage designer paper; Ink- Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip; Accessories- itty bitty punch pack, itty bitty button, linen thread, scallop edge punch, sponge, dimensionals

Free Convention Set

Good morning, Friends! Yes, I am still at convention and having a great time (this is prophetic as I am pre-posting this but I am sure that I am having a wonderful time - lol!). This is the last day and then tomorrow we will be heading home where I will need a few days to get caught up on rest!

Today's card was inspired by a sketch from the Stamping 411 blog. They come up with some fabulous sketches and I like to try and play along whenever I can. This one was really fun to do, too. This set is one that demonstrators received FREE at convention! I LOVE this set! Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Just Believe; Paper- Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake; Ink- Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso; Accessories- neutrals buttons, scallop edge punch, linen thread, dimensionals

A Late, Late Night Stampers Challenge

Good morning, everyone! I'm still at convention but wanted to post a card for you.

This card was supposed to be for the Late Night Stampers group challenge. It was a sketch challenge and this is what I came up with. Super easy! I used the new Elegant Lines embossing folder. Besides the new In Colors that I used, I also used the new Basic Pearls. I am really loving those! Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Thank You Kindly; Paper- Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush; Ink- Concord Crush; Accessories- Top Note die, Beautiful Butterflies die, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Basic Pearls, dimensionals

CCMC 108

Good morning everyone! I am pre-posting this as I am at convention today! It's the first day and the excitement has begun. I don't have much to tell you but I will as the week goes on and especially when I return home. I will also have lots to show and tell! So stay tuned!

Today's card is my design team card for Create with Connie and Mary. Today is Thursday and that means a new challenge! Today's challenge is a sketch challenge. I think sketch challenges are my favorites but I love to be stretched by other challenges, too. This card is pretty simple. Just the way I like them! Take care and have a super day! And don't forget to visit Create with Connie and Mary and post your creation! I love to see what you all come up with! You might just be one of their top picks!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Friends Never Fade, Fundamental Phrases; Paper- Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Whisper White; Ink- Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso; Accessories- Early Espresso narrow taffeta ribbon, silver brad, 1 3/4" circle punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, dimensionals

Convention Swap Card

Good morning, Friends! Today I am traveling to Salt Lake City for the annual Stampin' Up! convention!! I am so excited!! I decided to pre-post this so I wouldn't be rushed. But it is hard to pre-post something because you can't look into the future to know what will be going on. So pray for safe travels for us and I will have lots to show you when I get back! I have pre-posted for the rest of this week so keep checking back as I hope I will have time to get you caught up on what is going on at convention.

Today's card is one that I made up for my swaps. I was inspired by the card on page 29 of the new catalog. I loved the way this one turned out and it is really easy to make. I did end up making 100 of these cards. I hope that the recipients like it is as much as I do! Stay tuned for news from convention! Thanks for stopping by!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Friends Never Fade, Occasional Quotes; Paper- Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Whisper White; Ink- Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso; Accessories- silver brad, Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Square Lattice embossing folder

Control Freaks Blog Tour - In The Good Ol' Summertime

Good morning everyone and welcome to another Control Freaks blog tour! You most likely have come from Dawn's blog. Isn't she super talented? Love it!! I am so excited to share with you some projects that I have created. The theme for this tour is In The Good Ol' Summertime! And summertime it is around here! It has been crazy hot! So here are my projects that remind me of summer time.

This first project is a post-it note cover. These are so super easy to make! I have made them before and you can really make a bundle in a short time! I chose to use ribbon to close mine but there are several different ways to do that. No stamping required for this project! I used the bird punch for this. But how cute would that new owl punch be for this?! I just might have to order that one!! LOL! I like to sponge the wing and pop it up to give it a little dimension. I also used a pearl for the eye. I'm not sure I like that. I kind of wish I had just left it alone. But it's not bad, either. And then I used a small piece of the new Woodland Cottage designer paper. That will be fun paper to use!

For my next project I made this super simple card. My inspiration for this layout came from a past 411 sketch. I thought that it could be considered summery as it is yellow! Well, So Saffron to be exact. I paired that with Wild Wasabi and Early Espresso. The sets used are the new Friends Never Fade and A Word For You.




My last project is my favorite! We do a lot of motorcycle riding and four wheeling in my family so this stamp fits right in with our summer time fun! Not to mention that my son LOVES this stamp! He is my biggest fan whenever I use it!! For this card I took inspiration from the catalog with the colors and then I used a sketch from Karen Giron and her Sweet Sunday Sketch. I like the way it is masculine. And I love the saying! While these stamps are not new the color, Cherry Cobbler, is.

Well, I hope that you enjoyed seeing my projects! It's time for you to click on the link below and head over to Connie Babbert's blog to see what goodies she has to show you! I hope you will stop by again! Have a great day!

Friends Believe

Good Monday morning, Friends! It was an early one for me. Last night we let Nick invite a friend over to spend the night. His mom will be here in a half hour to pick him up and I wanted to be up and ready before she got here. Plus I had to wake up the boys (seems they had a late night). So they are dragging their feet around trying to wake themselves up. I am happy to report that the Fruita Little League major girls won their game yesterday! The final score was 24-2. They have the night off tonight and then play on Tuesday. If they win on Tuesday then they won State and go to Nationals which is in Waco, Texas! Go Fruita!!

Today's card is from a sketch that I got from Technostamper. It was actually last week's sketch. Lately, I seem to be a day late and a dollar short. Hmmm... Anyway, I really liked the way it turned out and was thinking of making a few of these to take to convention to swap. I still might but I am working on making sure I have all loose ends tied up and packing started and lists of stuff I shouldn't forget, etc. So then, if I get time, I will make some. This set is one that demonstrators will receive for FREE at convention! I had to get mine early so I could play with it. But my friend Becky wanted this set too so she bought this one and then the one I get at convention will be for her! Worked out perfectly! Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Just Believe; Paper- Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Woodland Cottage designer paper; Ink- Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip; Accessories- Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, sponge, dimensionals

Love Crown

Good Sunday morning, Friends! I hope your weekend is going wonderfully! Last night we went to a softball game. I have a friends whose daughter plays for the Fruita Little League major girls. She is also on the All Star team and they won their district tournament. So this weekend starts the state finals! There are only three teams involved but they won their first game last night!! Score was 5-0! It was very exciting to watch and there were many Fruita people there to watch as well. They play again this morning so we will be getting ready to go watch again! Go Fruita!!

Today's card is one that I did when I first got my new stamps. I am not totally happy with this card but it is o.k. It is super simple! Not much to say about it. I am pretty sure I used a sketch from somewhere but I can't remember where. Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Artistic Etchings; Paper Crumb Cake, Basic Black; Ink- Crumb Cake, Basic Black; Accessories- Very Vanilla narrow taffeta ribbon, Basic Black brad, sponge, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder; dimensionals

Perfect Polka Dots

Good morning everyone! The weekend is here! I am headed over to Sherry's house to finish up my swaps and finalize everything because we leave for convention on Wednesday! I can't believe that it is finally here! I know we are going to have a great time. I am hoping to have some samples to show you while we are gone. But that means I will need to get some cards done! The Control Freaks blog tour is coming up this week, too. I think you will like what I will be showing you on that day.

Today's card is one that I did a while back. In fact the designer paper that I used is retired! But the card is so versatile that any designer paper would work. The layout is from Clean & Simple blog and it is very simple! Because I ran the card through the Big Shot with the perfect polka dots embossing folder, I stamped the greeting on a scrap piece of paper and punched it out. It is hard to stamp on the polka dots. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper- Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Cottage Wall designer paper; Ink- Rich Razzleberry; Accessories- Rich Razzleberry ribbon, itty bitty button, linen thread, Beautiful Wings embosslits die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Big Shot, Modern Label punch, corner rounder, dimensionals

Fast & Fabulous

Good Friday morning, Friends! The weekend is here! Nick finally slept in his own bed for the first time last night! He had been away from home since Sunday. Even he said he was looking forward to that. But I know that he had a great time all week! Yesterday I took him school supply shopping after I picked him up from the birthday party. He wasn't sure that he was ready for that but I wanted to get it done early. He is excited about all his new stuff but he told me he is still not ready for school to start. Don't blame him for that. He still has some summer left. Anyway, when we got home, he had to put everything in his new backpack. And then he showed me where he put all his supplies and everything. Then he went back upstairs to watch t.v. After a while I went upstairs and there he was in the chair with his backpack on asleep!! Poor kid! I don't blame him! He has been going FULL speed all week long! It finally caught up to him. So I had him lay on the couch and he took about a two hour nap. I think he will sleep in and then all will be well!

Today's card was inspired by the card on page 64 of the new catalog. I am not in love with this one like I have been with the others. I picked this color combination from the new color coach and it's o.k. but not my favorite. The card was easy and very versatile. Not much else to say about it. Get your catalog out and give it a try! Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Fast & Fabulous, Occasional Quotes; Paper- Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, Whisper White; Ink- Early Espresso, Rich Razzleberry; Accessories- silver brads, dimensionals

CCMC 107

Hello, Friends! It's Thursday and that means it is time for a new challenge at Create with Connie and Mary! Today's challenge is to create something using the colors Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Old Olive, and So Saffron. I love using challenges like these as it gets me to use colors together that I wouldn't normally put together. But these colors look really great together! Be sure to check out their blog to see what the other design team members have created. And then make a project of your own. I would love to see what you come up with and how you use these colors! I do spend time during the week to post comments about your creations.

I did use an old Splitcoast sketch to put this card together. And the greeting comes from the level 3 hostess set. Don't forget to get a project together and post it to Create with Connie and Mary. You might just be in the top pick of the week! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Awash With Flowers, Occasional Quotes; Paper- Pink Pirouette, Old Olive, So Saffron, Confetti Cream, Real Red; Ink- Real Red, Pink Pirouette, So Saffron, Old Olive; Accessories- Lots of Tags sizzlit, extra large oval punch, itty bitty button, itty bitty shapes punch pack, linen thread, dimensionals

An Autumn Craze

Good morning, everyone! Well, today is the day that my son comes home from his Lake Powell vacation. I know that he had a great time! And I can't wait to see him and hear all the details. I hope there is enough time before he is off to his birthday party... We will have a talk, though. He needs to remember to call his momma!! Or at least text me! My mom used to always say that no news was good news. And I still believe that but it would be good to hear from him. I got my hair cut yesterday and I was telling her about it all and she thought that maybe if he had called me it might have made him more homesick. And that could be true too. So at least text me! Anyway, he will be home today and all will be well!

Today's card was inspired by the new catalog. I got it from page 41. The card in the catalog is a small note card and I enlarged mine to a regular card size. I really like the way this one turned out. And I really love these leaves! I don't know if you can see the greeting but it is from the new hostess set level 3 Occasional Quotes and it says I'm here for you... I love that set! The spritz on the leaf and vanilla piece is the Log Cabin smooch spritz. I really like using that stuff but I forget that I have it. Thanks for stopping by and hang on... The weekend is coming! Have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Autumn Splendor, Occasional Quotes; Paper- Night of Navy, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Old Olive, Very Vanilla; Ink- Cajun Craze, Night of Navy; Accessories- Early Espresso narrow taffeta ribbon, corner rounder, Log Cabin smooch spritz, scallop edge punch, dimensionals

Kindness Is An Art

Good morning, Friends! The summer days are heating up around here. We will be in the triple digits by the end of the week! Yikes! My husband likes to get a VERY early start on these hot days! Hopefully there will be some clouds or a breeze to help him out a bit. Our friend called us last night to update us on Nick's visit. It sounds like he is having a super great time with fishing and swimming and just being out camping. I am so glad he got to do this! He is supposed to be home tomorrow afternoon/evening. And then he has a birthday party to go to.

Today's card was inspired by the new catalog. I used the Christmas card at the top of page 39 for this one. I liked the way this turned out. I liked the new colors and how well they work together. This was a truly simple card but the cutting out of the flowers took a little time. Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Vintage Vogue; Paper- Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla; Ink- Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Not Quite Navy; Accessories- silver brads, dimensionals

A Butterfly Delight

Good Monday morning, Friends! I hope that you all had a fantastic weekend! This is day 2 of Nick being gone. I was trying to text him to see how things were going but he never texted me back! I don't even know if he gets any kind of coverage out there. I am sure that he is having a great time. It is just so weird to not have him around. He comes back on Wednesday but then he has an overnight birthday party at a friend's house. His social life is quite busy!! I will be going in to town to meet some friends for brunch and then I have a massage! It's a great day! By the way... Today is my Dad's birthday! Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Today's card was inspired by the new catalog. I used the Christmas card on page 45 for this one. I loved how clean and simple the card in the catalog was. So I switched a few things around and here is my version! I really liked the way it turned out. And I am really liking this new yellow. Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Simple Friendship; Paper- Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Newsprint designer paper; Ink- Basic Black, Daffodil Delight; Accessories- Basic Black satin ribbon, Very Vanilla narrow taffeta ribbon, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, scallop edge circle punch, black brad, dimensionals

Artistic Thanks

Good Sunday morning, everyone! I hope that you are having a super weekend! Yesterday was the first day all week that we didn't have to worry about driving to Montrose for a baseball game. And while that was nice, we missed it. And Nick is already missing baseball! He talked his dad into pitching to him so he could hit the ball. He just can't get enough of it! My friend's daughter plays softball for the major girls in Fruita Little League. And their All Star team won the regionals on Friday! That was SO exciting as they came back from being behind 13-0 and WON!!! Can you believe that? Anyway, we had them over to our house last night for a sort of celebration bbq. So my son was asked by a friend to go to Lake Powell. Now he has never been away from us for more than an overnighter. But he really wanted to go and we totally trust this family (been friends for years and my husband grew up with the dad and they live down the road from us, etc...). So my husband drops him off this morning and now we have four days of no child!! What will we do with our time? I just realized that we are entering a totally different time with Nick where he will be doing more stuff like this. Wow. Time really does fly on by! Enjoy each day!!

So today's card was inspired by the catalog. I got the idea for this one from page 37. I really liked the way this one turned out!. It is very simple and neat. My kind of stamping!! No embellishments but it still is nice. It is pretty self explanatory and super easy. Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Artistic Etchings, Thank You Kindly; Paper- Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Very Vanilla; Ink- Crumb Cake, Basic Black; Accessories- scallop edge punch, modern label punch, sponge, dimensionals

A RemARKable Tour - Day 3

Hello everyone and welcome back to the third and final day of the RemARKable blog tour! I have really enjoyed showing you my creations made with new Stampin' Up! product! Be sure to visit my blog daily as I will post new projects. I love to make cards!!

I did want to update you on the All Star tournament. I am sad to say that we lost our game. It was sad to see the boys just kind of give up. They really beat themselves up on any mistake and they just couldn't seem to get over it. I know we can beat this team but it needs to be them that believes it. Anyway, we are home and we are looking forward to playing in another tournament. We also look forward to the soccer season starting up and to some basketball tournaments. There will be a LOT to keep us busy! And we can always look forward to next year.

My final project for this tour uses the new stamp set called Friends Never Fade. I have been enjoying this stamp set as it is so easy to use! I found a great sketch at Clean & Simple blog and I LOVE the way this card turned out. The greeting also comes from a new hostess set called Occasional Quotes. This is a level 3 hostess set and has SO many wonderful greetings for the outside and inside of your card! And this is a hostess set so it will only be around for this catalog year. Find out how you could earn yours for FREE!! Thanks for stopping by and have a super day. Be sure to click on the link below to continue through the tour! And I hope to see you again!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Friends Never Fade, Occasional Quotes; Paper- Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Early Espresso, Old Olive; Ink- Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Early Espresso, Old Olive; Accessories- square lattice embossing folder, itty bitty button, linen thread, Big Shot, dimensionals

A RemARKable Tour - Day 2

Good morning and welcome to day 2 of the RemARKable blog tour! I am a little late it getting myself together. I meant to get this up last night before I went to bed but I had such a huge migraine that I couldn't see anything except the pillow for my aching head. I had my headache all day long and tried to control it but it wouldn't do. I ended up going to the baseball game anyway and that wasn't a wise thing to do. The boys did win so they are still alive in this tournament! We play again tonight and if we win we will play in the championship round! It's so exciting!!

So for day 2 of this tour I am showing the Artistic Etchings stamp set. I didn't think that I would like this stamp set but it has really been one that I use a lot! It really is so versatile and I think this card could even be for a guy. The other new product on this card is the Newsprint designer paper. I am in love with this designer paper. There have been so many things that can be done with it besides layering on a card. It looks really neat when you stamp on it, too! And then the red color that you see is Riding Hood Red. Remember that color? It was an In Color a couple of years ago and now Stampin' Up! has added it to their core colors! I am so glad to have it back for good! It is hard to see but I also used Crumb Cake to sponge around the designer paper and the Crumb Cake cardstock. Crumb Cake is now a core color, too! It was formally known as Kraft but now we have a stamp pad and a marker in this color! Yippee!! It has become my favorite color!

Be sure to click on the link below to continue through the tour! I will see you all back here tomorrow with another project! Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Artistic Etchings; Paper- Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Newsprint designer paper; Ink- Basic Blac, Crumb Cake; Accessories- silver brad, 1" circle punch, scallop edge punch, sponge, dimensionals

A RemARKable Tour and CCMC 106

Hello everyone! I am back with a new post that has two functions! Cool, huh? The RemARKable blog tour starts today (Thursday) and goes through Saturday. And Thursday's are when Connie and Mary post their new challenge. This week's challenge was a sketch challenge. Be sure to visit their blog to see the sketch and to enter your card to be one of their top three picks of the week! I will be looking at the entries as well and posting comments. It's so fun to see what others have created and to explore new blogs. So be sure to enter your card! This is my version of the sketch. And I really liked the way it turned out!

Also, today is the day that the RemARKable blog tour begins. I belong to an awesome family of stampers called the RemARKable stampers. So when you go through the tour, you will see many wonderful blogs of talented ladies and their creations. This blog tour was to show some new products from the new catalog. And while my shipment hasn't actually arrived (should be here today or tomorrow), I do have some of the sneak peek items to show. And this card fits that. The stamp set isn't exactly new but it is new to the main catalog. This was a set that was available in the Occasions mini back in the spring. But take a look at these wonderful new In Colors! I love this color combination and I got it from the new Color Coach. If you didn't like (or even if you did like) the old Color Coach you HAVE to get this one! It is awesome! I also used the new 2 3/8" scallop punch. Love that!! The other new product on this card is the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. Love that, too!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a super day! Don't forget to make a card for Create with Connie and Mary. And be sure to click below for the next stop on this fabulous tour!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Vintage Vogue; Paper- Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White; Ink- Not Quite Navy, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz; Accessories- Whisper White organza ribbon, silver brads, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, corner rounder, 1 3/" circle punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, dimensionals

The Long Haul

Hello everyone! It's the middle of the week and that means it is downhill to Friday! It has been a fast week so far. Driving to Montrose every night is getting tiring. We did lose last night and it wasn't pretty. Our main problem was that we just couldn't find the ball to hit it with our bats! And if we did hit it, it was a super easy ground out. We got only one run and that was from a boy who hit it out of the park! What a hero he is! I believe that if we can start hitting the ball, we will be in the running again. So, we move to the losers bracket and try to work our way out of it. At least it won't be as late a night as last night. My goodness! We didn't get home til after midnight! And my husband had to get up early to start working. Me? I had to get up (but not quite as early) to wash some very stained white baseball pants. Yuck! Why do they have to wear white?

Today's card is another one that I copied from the catalog. This one came from the top of page 58. I don't think that I have used this stamp set in forever! But it is what I envisioned when saw the layout. So while the stamp set is not new, the main color is. Say hello to Poppy Parade! And I so love the dogs hanging out in the back! Too fun! Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories, Solid Stripes; Paper- Confetti White, Poppy Parade, Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy; Ink- Poppy Parade, Not Quite Navy, Blush Blossom, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso; Accessories- itty bitty buttons, linen thread, cutter kit, scallop edge punch, dimensionals

Birthday Flower

Good morning, Friends! I hope that you had a fantastic Fourth of July holiday! It was such a super nice day yesterday. Not too hot but just the right temperature. And when the boys played their baseball game at 5:30 last night it was just right! So we did win our game last night!! It was so exciting! Nick was the starting pitcher!! He did AWESOME! I have to be honest... It makes me so nervous when the coach puts him in to pitch. And last night I found out that all the other parents of pitchers get the same way that I do. But he did great! He never did hit the ball but walked every time. Which is the same as a base hit. But I do hope he hits the ball tonight. Tonight we have a very tough game. We do have a good team and I know that we will be there to play! It will be a late night for us.

Today's card is one that I found while blog surfing. I got this one from Maile Belles. Her card inspired this one. The layout is the same but I used different stamps. And I really liked the way it turned out. I found out last night that I like to stamp when I am nervous. I think I made four cards yesterday morning while waiting to leave for the game! I wonder how many I will make today? Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Artistic Etchings, On Your Birthday; Paper- Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive; Ink- VersaMark, Melon Mambo; Accessories- Old Olive satin ribbon, little leaves sizzlet, scallop circle punch, scallop edge punch, white button, corner rounder

Catalog Inspiration

Good Monday morning, Friends! I am guessing that the working people have today off, too? I have heard that since the holiday fell on a Sunday, then Monday is considered a holiday as well to give people a day off. So if you get another day off today, congratulations! I know that my dad does. And I have heard of others. All the days sort of run together for me during the summer since I don't need to keep track of that anymore. Well, today is our first game of the All Star tournament! We are all meeting this afternoon at the ball fields to decorate our cars and then caravan over to Montrose for our first game at 5:30. The coach gave the boys a curfew of 10:00 p.m. this weekend. We only missed it by 30 minutes. But he will sleep in and I think it will be fine. Wish them luck! And the weather will be a little cooler. Yea!!

Today's card was inspired by the new catalog. I used the Halloween card on page 24 to help inspire this one. It's not my favorite. It didn't turn out quite like I had envisioned. My friends and I were talking about the new catalog and how we really hadn't found any cards to "CASE". And my friend Sherry said that she was waiting for Deb to do something. Well, I took that as a personal challenge to try and come up with something to "CASE" from the catalog. I did make a few this weekend. This was my first one. One that I came up with is going to be my convention swap so you won't get to see that for a few more weeks. But I have been happy with the others. Thanks for the challenge, Sherry!! Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps-Artistic Etchings; Paper- Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Newsprint designer paper; Ink- Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red; Accessories- Basic Black brads, scallop trim border punch, extra large oval punch, sponge, dimensionals

Happy Fourth of July!

Good morning everyone! And happy Fourth of July! I pray that you all have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Today's card is one that I did for the sketch challenge at Stampin' Connection. I chose to make a Fourth of July card to post on this special day. I really like using different shades of red, white, and blue and this combination has become a favorite! Thanks for stopping by!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Fourth of July; Paper- Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Not Quite Navy; Ink- Poppy Parade, Not Quite Navy, VersaMark; Accessories- Whisper White taffeta ribbon, tag corner punch, large star punch, scallop edge punch, dimensionals

Razzleberry Butterfly

Good morning everyone! I hope that your weekend is off to a great start. Usually we are in Kansas visiting my parents and getting ready for a BIG firework celebration with extended family. Nick LOVES going to Kansas for the Fourth but last year and now this year baseball has gotten in the way. And it looks like it will be this way for a while. Since he makes the All Star team it just doesn't work out for us to go back there. The tournament games start on the 5th. He is so bummed about it but he is really looking forward to the baseball games. And I will miss everyone, too! We get together with friends here but the fireworks are just not the same. In Kansas you can shoot off the ones that go way high in the air. And you can do rockets and parachutes. Nick also likes the firecrackers. And you can't do any of those here in Colorado. All we can do are fountains and poppers. Well, maybe a little more than that but not much! So that bums him out as well. Tonight we will watch the Fruita fireworks with friends and then tomorrow a barbecue! And the kids will get to swim.

Today's card is one that I did a while ago. I wasn't even sure that I liked it all that well. It's not bad just not my favorite. I was trying to come up with a card using this butterfly that I didn't have to cut it out. It could work... Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- All A Flutter, Thank You Kindly; Paper- Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery; Ink- Rich Razzleberry; Accessories- Whisper White taffeta ribbon, extra large oval punch, itty bitty shapes punch pack, silver brad, little leaves sizzlet, Big Shot, dimensionals

SCFC21

Good morning everyone! It's Friday! Tonight will be the last practice before starting the All Stars tournament on Monday. I just hope the boys are ready. Yesterday we decided to get Nick a new bat. I am so embarrassed to tell anyone how much we spent on this bat. You might think he plays in the MLB!! It was on sale but still... Anyway, he is so excited to use his bat for practice last night, which happens to be a scrimmage against the 11 year old All Star team. He gets out his new bat and all the boys oooh and aaah over it. And the coaches, too!! So most of the boys use this bat and hit very well with it!! And Nick? Ha!!! He struck out EVERY time!!!! Go figure! I was so mad! But then afterwards he comes out and he is pretty humble about the whole thing and my heart just melted. I think he was just trying so hard to hit the ball that he forgot what he was supposed to do. So he is looking forward to batting practice tonight. I know he will hit the ball. Plus I am not going to be there and that always seems to help him. On the plus side, his pitching was a thousand times better than at the tournament last weekend! He has been working on that and it is so much better!

Today's card is one that I made for the Featured Stamper's challenge at Stampin' Connection. The featured stamper was Kimberly Van Diepen. If you have never seen her work you must go and check it out. It's beautiful!! She is able to create that vintage style with ease and I just love that! Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Artistic Etchings; Paper- Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Newsprint designer paper; Ink- Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake; Accessories- Basic Black satin ribbon, sponge, dimensionals

CCMC105

Good morning, Friends! And happy July! I can't believe it is here already! The summer seems to be flying away. I want to let you all know that I was accepted to be a design team member for Create with Connie and Mary! As you may know already, I LOVE to participate in their challenges. This week's challenge is to create something with a Fourth of July theme. Be sure to visit their blog and add your creation! Three will be picked to be showcased. Maybe it will be yours!

This was my card that I designed. I used the card that was in the mini catalog to start off with. Then I had the idea to use an alphabet die set to make the letters look like they were embossed. Actually, I cut the letters out with the Big Shot in the same color. Cool!! I hope that you can see the bitty button in the corner of the star. I just love those cute little buttons! Again, be sure to visit Create with Connie and Mary and get your creation posted! Can't wait to see what you come up with!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Fourth of July; Paper- Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Not Quite Navy; Ink- Not Quite Navy, VersaMark; Accessories- Go Go Boots alphabet dies, Big Shot, linen thread, bitty buttons, dimensionals