Just dropping in for a quick share.  I have a LOT of paperwork that has to get done today.

I used the Four Frames stamp set and the Nature Walk set.  I know I have been using the Four Frames set a lot lately.  The set is easy to use and very versatile.  Each frame has a certain feel to it so it coordinates well with lots of different styles. 

Well, I better scoot and get back to my pile of papers before they take over the stamp table!  Have a fantastic day!

Here's a quick and easy card made with the Sew Suite stamp set in the Occasions mini catalog. 

 
Isn't the thought of polka dot thread a fun one?  Here we have them in Poppy Parade, Blushing Bride, and Pear Pizzaz.  I needed three congratulations cards so here they are in different thread colors.

Stamps:  Sew Suite and Curly Cute
Ink: Black Stazon
Paper:  Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzaz, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush, and In Color DSP  hostess gift
Big Shot: Perfect Polka Dot TIEF and Sweet Button embosslit
Extras:  Silver brad, 1/8" Taffeta ribbon

Are you wondering if i actually threaded the paper buttons with the 1/8" taffeta ribbon?  The answer is yes and no.  I did thread one of them and after struggling with that I decided to use a glue dot and attach a ribbon knot instead.    Believe me that is MUCH easier! 

Have a Sew Suite day!

I hope you are seeing signs of spring where you live.  Here the trees are beginnning to bloom, the dafffodils are starting to open and the pollen is flowing.  Yes, I am one of those who suffer from allergies.   I wondered if my allergies would bother me when I moved back to this side of the state and the answer is yes.  Oh well, it is a small price to pay to see all the flowers starting to bloom and it also excuses me from some of the yardwork.

Here's a spring time card that does not mess with my allergies.  It uses the Springtime Vintage DSP in the Occasions mini catalog and the Beautiful Wings embosslit.  I use the Beautiful Wing embosslit a lot.  If you don't have this one you really do need it.  Embosslits are so cool because you cut and emboss with one roll through the Big Shot.  The Beautiful Wings embosslit has 5 different sizes of butterflies  and on this card I used 4 of them. 

Stamps:  Something to Celebrate (level 2 hostess set from the Occasions mini catalog)
Ink:  Not Quite Navy
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage DSP, First Edition DSP, Not Quite Navy
Bigs Shot: Beautiful Wings embosslit and Tasteful Trim
Extras:  SU Button (retired) and Basic Rhinestones

I am going to play with my Springtime Vintage DSP and enjoy spring colors and flowers that won't make me sneeze.  Have a great one and chat with you soon!

I am back home and the morning I arrived it was beautiful!  It was the perfect welcome home to see the early morning  sun shining on Mt. Rainier.   I wish I had taken a picture to share with you.   I got unpacked and then had to head to the dentist.  I know I really know how to have a good time!  If you know me the dentist is one of my most hated things to do but I love to eat  so I got to keep  my teeth as long as possible.  After that lovely visit I have been catching up on the mundane things that you have to do and also spending time with the family.

I squeezed in a little stamping.  It has been almost 2 weeks isnce I have stamped anything and I have missed  my creative outlet.  It is strange but my hands and head felt a little rusty.  Here's what I came up with and it is just right for a Simple Sunday share.

I will have to admit that this card is not quick.  The centers of the flowers are paper buttons I cut with the Sweet Buttons Embosslit and you have to cut them one piece of cardstock at a time.  The flower is from the Big Bold Cupcakes sizzlit and needs to be cut out one flower at a time.

Stamps:  So Happy for You (SAB stamp set) and Apple Blossoms (level 2 hostess set)
Ink Whisper White  Craft ink and Early Espresso
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Rose Red and Springtime Vintage
Big Shot:  Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Sweet Buttons embosslit, and Big Bold Cupcakes sizzlits
Extras:  Rose Red seam binding ribbon

Here is another version that is both simple and quick. 

Stamps:  Apple Blosssoms and Hello Again
Ink: Whisper White craft ink
Paper:  Springtime Vintage DSP and Rose Red
Punch: 1/2' Circle and Boho Blossom
Big Shot: Beautiful Wings and Perfect Polka Dot TIEF
Extras:  Rose Red seam binding ribbon and Basic Pearls

This card is much quicker since you punch the flowers out and the centers too.   This would also be another easy template to use with other punches or dies.  How about cupcakes, butterflies or even bats!  I may have to explore some of those too and i will share them when i do.  If you need any punches, Big Shot dies, or any other stamping supplies you know who to contact!

Did you notice my new card holder  in the last post?  I have been seeing these frogs being used as card holders on different sites and loved the idea.   I have been wanting some and knew right where I would get them.   While I was visiting my parents I asked my mother if she still had some and she was thrilled that I was interested in them.  My mother used to do a lot of flower arranging/Ikebana and bouquets and thought I might be taking up the art.   I hated to break it to her that it was for dispaying my cards and not  flower arranging.

 
Aren't they great?  I really like the way the oval one looks.  You know it has seen the bottom of many vases and held together many a flower arrangement.   Now they will have a new life holding my stamped cards and other paper creations.

Here's a quick card I made for one of the women in my group.  She has been working on growing her business and i wanted her to know that I noticed and appreciated her efforts. 

 
all images copyright Stampin'Up!

Stamps:  Sew Suite and Word Play
Ink: Black Stazon and Poppy Parade
Paper: Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Poppy Parade and In Color DSP Poppy Parade
Big Shot: Tasteful Trim
Punches:  Itty Bitty Shapes pack
Extras: Basic Rhinestones

I will be taking this Friday off and not posting a Flashback Friday,   HopefullyI will be back to my regular schedule soon.  Have a great one and remember that Sale-A-Bration will be over soon so don't delay and get your orders placed.

No one likes to make sympathy cards and  I never seem to have any on hand.  When I saw the set   Thanks for Caring in the Occasions mini catalog I knew it would be a great and necessary addition to my stamp collection. 

 
All images copyright Stampin'UP!

The card above was stamped by Jan Cramer.  Jan added a lot of  little details to make this great card.   She used the Elegant Bouquet TIEF and she brayered the folder with Certainly Celery ink and embossed her Whisper White cardstock.  Isn't that a great technique?  The floral embossed design remains white and the parts not embossed get colored with the Certainly Celery ink.  I also liked how she used the Decorative label punch to frame the sentiment.  She punched out 2 labels and cut them in half to frame the oval sentiment.    Nice idea! 

 
This lovely card was stamped by Mary Ammar.    Mary definitely has a great eye and creates clean, simple and beautiful cards.  Here she used the Framed Tulips embossing folder and then layered in the middle River Rock cardstock embossed with the Perfect Polka Dot TIEF.  I like how she brought the River Rock back in the sentiment.   Really a handsome card.  Thanks Mary!

 
This lovely card was stamped by Kimberly Allen.  She combined the Thanks for Caring set and the Baby Blossoms set from the Occasions mini catalog.  Here she used River Rock and Basic Black.  River Rock is definitely a chameleon and seems to change and coordinate with lots of different colors.   She used Whisper White Craft ink and River Rock ink along the edge and carried through the white with white embossing powder in the label pieces.  I know you are wondering and the answer is yes she cut the black label layer freehand!

I know you will agree with me that these 3 cards are great examples of why you need to add the Thanks for Caring stamp set to your stamping stash. 

A few weeks ago we were in Pasadena CA walking along enjoying the sunshine.  I saw these in a shop window and had to stop and take a quick picture. 

 
Aren't they just adorable?  They are caramel apples and almost too cute to eat.  I thought they were great inspiration for punch creations.   You could easily make this cute panda and monkey with punches. 

Here's another sweet picture.

 
I told you it was sweet!  This was stamped by Karla Anders.  She cleverly used the cupcake punch to make a ice cream cone and 3 scoops!   Another fun way to use your Create a Cupcake stamp set and Build a Cupcake punch.   Thanks Karla for the fun card.

Don't forget that Sale-A-Bration ends soon!  If you want to get in on the fun make sure you place your order before the end of the month.   Place a $50 order (before s&h and tax) and you can choose a free gift.

I am sorry that I have not been posting regularly the last few days.   I am currently helping my parents and do not have access to my stamping supplies!  I have not crafted a thing in 6 days and it will be a few more days  before i do.  This is one of the last things I made before leaving.  It is a simple card and  a useful template for future Simple Sunday cards.

 
Stamps:  Four Frames and Great Friend
Ink:  Not Quite Navy
Paper:  Sahara Sand, Paisley Petals DSP, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Big Shot:  Perfect Polka Dots TIEF and Beautiful Wings embosslit
Punch:  Designer Label punch
Extras:  Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon, Basic pearls

I do have some great cards  to share with you from a swap I received before leaving.   Check back for more stamping inspiration!

I am away and don't have access to my stamping supplies!  So we are going to do a quick flashback to last Friday and I am going to show you another sour cream container but to flash it forward  because it's also a sneak peek of the new Strength and Hope set.  If you need a refresher about the Strength and Hope set check back to this post for more information.

Stamps:  Strength and Hope (sneak peek)  debuting in the Summer mini catalog
Ink:  Soft Suede, Regal Rose, and So Saffron
Paper:  Soft Suede, Whisper White, So Saffron

Here you will see 3 of the 4  images in the stamp set.  There are 2 more lines of words than what is shown on the banner but I had to omit some so it would fit.  The 4th image can be seen on the link I posted above. 

You will be able to order the Strength and Hope set in May once the Summer mini catalog goes live.  Contact me to schedule your stamping party or class.  Just think you can have a fun stamping time with your friends and support a great cause too!

I received this great card from Carol Gilmore.  She  cleverly used the Valentine Defined set from the Occasions mini catalog in a St. Patrick's day card.

Here is what she used to make this great card.

Stamps:  Valentine Defined and  So Happy for You
Ink:  Old Olive and Early Espresso
Paper:  Whisper White and Old Olive
Big Shot:  Tasteful Trim and Perfect Polka Dots TIEF
Punches: Modern Label and Scalloped Oval
Extras:  Supernova glitter in Olive and Pear Pizzazz seam binding

Great idea right?  Hope your day will be a very lucky one for you!