It feels like a long time since I last blogged and in fact it has been.  We have been on a trip and I scheduled some posts while I was gone so it has been a while since I have written.  

First, a card that I made a while ago but I don't think I shared.  

The card base is from the Bird Ballard Laser-Cut Cards & Tin.  These card bases are so pretty and don't require much to make beautiful cards.  I lined the the front of the card with Petal Pink card stock cut just a little bit smaller than the front panel.  The label is from the Stitched Nested Label dies stamped with a sentiment from the Good Morning Magnolia set.  The magnolia bud image (Good Morning Magnolia set) was stamped using Memento ink and colored using Petal Pink Stampin' Blends and Old Olive Stampin' Blends.  In an effort to keep my cards flatter, I  cut 5 " of the Petal Pink Organdy Striped Ribbon and folded it in half and tucked the fold under the label.  These ribbon tails add a little something to the card but little bulk.  A couple of Gold Metallic Pearls finish off the embellishments.  

While I was away Stampin' Up! released the new Paper Trimmer.  I purchased it and I like it!  One thing that is a big improvement is the scoring blade.  It creates a nice clean score  line with just one pass and very little pressure.  I noticed the Trimmer is a lighter in weight which is a plus when packing up for some off-site crafting.  I will report more as I gain more experience with the trimmer.

Do you love the Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper?  Do you wish there were sheets that you had multiples of?  Well have I got the thing for you!  Let me tell you about the Magnolia Lane Bulk DSP!  

This special pack of paper has 20 sheets- 10 each ot 2 designs from the Magnolia Lane DSP.   This yummy pack of paper was previously only available to demonstrators.  Now you can have it too!  Sometimes you just need more than 2 sheets of one design and this special bulk pack provides just that!

Are you ready for more?  Let me introduce you to the  Christmastime is Here Product Suite.  This is a big suite of products!  

Here's a closer look at the stamp set, dies, and DSP.

This set is not just for Christmas.  I think it should have been called Big Beautiful Roses because it definitely can be used for more than your Christmas projects.

Wow, that was a lot of catching up!  I wanted to tell you about the trip we took but that will have to wait for another post.  Check out all the new products and let me know if I can be of assistance to you!

The Host Code for November is GXTNX6G7  When you place a Stampin' Up!®  order using this code I will send you a project tutorial.  If your order is $60 or more I will also send you a package of Toile Tidings Glitter Enamel Dots as a thank you gift.  This gift will be sent in December. 

Please do NOT use the host code if your order is over $150 (before tax and shipping). You will earn host rewards from Stampin’ Up! AND you'll also receive a project tutorial and a gift from me. 

This week I am going to shine the spotlight on the Friend Like You bundle.  

Last week I shared this card.   Today's card is a simple one layer card and it also features sponging.  

The colors I used to create the scene, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Mango Melody, and Poppy Parade.  The cattails, dragonflies, and sentiment were stamped in Early Espresso ink.   

Whether you are a beginner stamper or an avid stamper this card is fun to make.  

Product List

Friend Like You Photopolymer Stamp Set [149237] $21.00	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094] $7.50	Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [147086] $7.50	Mango Melody Classic Stampin' Pad [147093] $7.50	Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad [147050] $7.50
Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114] $7.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $8.25	Layering Squares Dies [141708] $35.00	Stamping Sponges [141337] $4.00

What do you think?  Hope you like this clean and simple one layer card using the Friend Like You stamp set.

Just a quick and easy Sunday Share card using the Bloom by Bloom stamp set.

Randomly stamped the images from the Bloom by Bloom stamp set in Balmy Blue, Lemon Lime Twist and Daffodil Delight.  Popped the adorable Gingham Gala Adhesive Backed Sequins for the flower centers.   Love this sentiment from the Part of My Story set Sale-A-Bration set.  I use this one a lot.   Sending cards just because you are thinking of someone is as important as sending a card for a special occasion.

I did just a little bit of fussy cutting to decorate the inside of the card.  

Hope you liked this springy card, which reminds me remember to Spring Forward!  

Product List

Bloom By Bloom Photopolymer Stamp Set [148820] $17.00	Part Of My Story Cling Stamp Set [149719] $0.00	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105] $7.50	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad [147145] $7.50
Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094] $7.50	Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146982] $8.50	Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144245] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75
Gingham Gala 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [148554] $11.00	Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies [148551] $35.00	Gingham Gala Adhesive-Backed Sequins [148561] $7.50

The Painted Season Designer Series Paper is one of my favorites!  Every design is great but I think this one might be my favorite.  

Here's how to make this card.

Itty Bitty Birthday stamp set (Occasions catalog page 16)

Early Espresso ink pad

Early Espresso card stock 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2", 3-3/4" x 4", scrap piece for labels

Poppy Parade card stock  4" x 5-1/4"

Whisper White card stock (inside of card) 4" x 5-1/4", scrap piece for labels

Painted Seasons DSP 3-3/8" x 4" cut into three 1-1/8" x 4" strips, 1/2" x 4" strip (optional)

Labels from the SAB Coordination Lily Framelit dies

Poppy Parade 1/4" Mini Striped Ribbon

Metallic Pearls

1. Evenly space and adhere the DSP on the 3-3/4" x 4" Early Espresso card stock.
2. Adhere the panel to the Poppy Parade card stock.
3. Wrap the Poppy Parade ribbon around the bottom of the panel and tie a bow
4. Stamp the sentiment from the Itty Bitty Birthday set in Early Espresso ink on a scrap piece of Whisper White card stock.
5. Cut out the sentiment using the  small label in the Lily Framelit dies and the large label in Early Espresso card stock.  Using dimensionals attach them to the card.  Attach 2 gold Metallic Pearls. 
6. Adhere the Whisper White card stock to the inside of the card.  Attach the strip of Painted Season DSP if desired.

This quick and easy card is a great way to show off the beauty of the Painted Season DSP (Designer Series Paper).   The Painted Season DSP is available as part of a Level 2 (FREE with a $100 order) Sale-A-Bration bundle which includes the Painted Season stamp set and the Painted Season DSP.  You can also get an extra pack of the Painted Season DSP with a $50 order during Sale-A-Bration. 

March is the last month of Sale-A-Bration so be sure to contact me to place an order or you can also order through my online store.  You can click on the pictures below and it will take you to my store.  You don't want to miss out on all the fabulous Sale-A-Bration products!

Product List

Itty Bitty Birthdays Cling Stamp Set [148618] $23.00	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114] $7.50	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119686] $8.50	Poppy Parade 8-1/2" x 11"" Card Stock" [119793] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75
Painted Seasons Designer Series Paper [149574] $0.00	Lily Framelits Dies [150071] $27.00	Poppy Parade 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Mini Striped Ribbon [146938] $8.00	Metallic Pearls [146282] $7.00

This week for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge I am using one of the Sale-A-Bration 2nd release stamp sets, All Adorned. This was a fun set to use for this week's color challenge.

The All Adorned stamp set is an 8 piece photopolymer set.  This set is a great set to play with using different color combinations.  It is pretty easy to line up but if you want exact placement it is a good set to use with the Stamparatus.

In the center of each medallion I placed a Lemon Lime Twist sequin from the Gingham Gala Adhesive-Backed Sequins pack and in the center of the sequin a rhinestone.  I punched out the small design using a 1/2"circle punch and placed them between the medallions.  In the center I attached a rhinestone.  

Be sure to check out what the other members of the Design team created with this color combination.

Product List

All Adorned Photopolymer Stamp Set [149728] $0.00	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105] $7.50	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094] $7.50	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad [147145] $7.50	Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146982] $8.50
Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144245] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75	1/2" Circle Punch [119869] $6.00	Gingham Gala Adhesive-Backed Sequins [148561] $7.50	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00

There are 2 other new Sale-A-Bration items in the 2nd release.

This is one  beautiful embossing folder.  It is a Dynamic folder which means the impression is deep and defined.  This is a Level 1 Sale-A-Bration choice and free with a $50 order.

This is a beautiful stamp set and coordinating DSP.  This lovely bundle is Level 2 Sale-A-Bration choice and free with a $100 order.  This is a gorgeous bundle of products. 

Taking a little break from Christmas projects to share a quick and easy card.  I finally got  the All the Good Things stamp set in the Stampin' Up! Annual catalog.  The koi remind me of my father.  At one time we had a koi pond in our backyard  that was filled with beautiful fish.  

The images in this stamp set are Distinktive style stamps.  They are made in a special way so that there is a lot of shading and detail created with just one stamp.  Yes, the koi images were made with just one stamp.  This sure makes for an easy card.

Product List

All The Good Things Clear-Mount Stamp Set [146558] $19.00	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [147101] $7.50	Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker [100082] $3.50	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.50
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75	Faceted Dots [146910] $6.00	Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine [141682] $3.00

I think this card should have taken me 10-15 minutes to complete but it seems I can make anything more difficult than it needs to be.  Ready for a little peek behind the blog?

Ooops!  I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention to where I was gluing the stamped panel.  So my quick and easy card took a little longer since I had to carefully peel it off and attach it the right way.    Please tell me I am not the only one who has done this!

I am so happy that Poppy Parade has returned to the color lineup.  It has been fun discovering the different color combinations.  Today I am using Poppy Parade, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive. 

Isn't it a great color combination?  I used the Abstract Impressions stamp set and love how easy this stamp set is to work with.  The flowers are either 2 or 3 step stamps.   I used just one color for each flower.  The trick is to "stamp off" the stamp once to create a lighter color.  I did this for all the bold images and used the ink full strength for the detail stamp.  

The Abstract Impression stamp set is a fabulous stamp set for everyone from beginners to experts.  I love when a set has both great sentiments  and beautiful images.  I also stamped the inside of the card which you can get a peek of in the picture above.  

So is this color combination a keeper?  Let me know what you think!

Remember the Buy 3, Get 1 Free on select Designer Series Paper.

Also don't miss out on this sweet deal!  I would love for you to be a part of the stamp ladies team!

So many new colors to play with!  Today's card is a simple one and uses 3 new colors and 1 In Color.  

Here are the colors I used.

This is a quick and easy card that looks quite dramatic.  The colored squares were cut using the smallest of the square Stitched Shapes framelits and they were layered on to the 2nd to the largest scalloped square from the Layering Squares framelits.  The large flourish is from the Flourish thinlits  cut in Basic Black card stock.   To create the Lemon Lime Twist berries,  I applied VersaMark ink on  Lemon Lime card stock and sprinkled a mix of Dazzling Diamonds glitter and Clear Embossing powder and heat embossed it.  I pulled the Silver and White Baker's twine through the Highland Heather ink pad to color it.   The sentiment is from the Varied Vases stamp set. Such a cute font.

What are your favorite color combinations?  I would love to know!

Product List

Varied Vases Photopolymer Stamp Set [146644] $26.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.50
Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144245] $8.50	Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146986] $8.50	Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146987] $8.50	Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990] $8.50	Layering Squares Framelits Dies [141708] $35.00
Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	Flourish Thinlits Dies [141478] $29.00	Silver Baker’S Twine [145569] $4.00	Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter [133751] $5.00	Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder [109130] $5.00

I am in a clean and simple card making mode.  There is nothing difficult about these card.  The hardest thing is getting the sentiment straight and I used the Stamparatus so even that was a cinch.

The sentiment is from the Soft Sayings card kit.  I used the same sentiment on all these cards.  Using the Stamparatus is great, once I had the sentiment  positioned I could use it on all the cards.  The butterflies were colored using the Old Olive Stampin' Blends (light and dark) and the Pool Party Blends (light and dark).

I covered the butterflies with Fine-Tip Glue pen to create the shiny and slightly dimensional look of the butterflies.  

The roses were colored using the Old Olive Stampin' Blends (light and dark) and the Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends (light and dark)

The birds were colored using the Pool Party Blends (light and dark) and the dark Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends.

It is hard to see that there is a layer of Wink of Stella on each bird.   You could easily package these cards in an Acetate Card box.   The cards are quick and easy to make and would be a great gift.

Product List

Painted Glass Clear-Mount Bundle [148362] $42.25	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Pool Party Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144605] $9.00	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144597] $9.00	Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144603] $9.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.50	Stamparatus [146276] $49.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00	Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine [141682] $3.00	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00

Loving this clean and simple card using the Accented Blooms stamp set and the Tailored Tag punch.  

This is a quick and easy card can be used for so many different occasions.   Don't we all need a stash of these?  I used the Stampin' Blends to color in the flowers and leaves.  BIG news about the Stampin' Blends!  The colors that were available in the 2017-18 catalog are now available.  In other words, when you look at page 205 in the new catalog anything that doesn't have red" N" next to it is available.  The new colors will be available sometime mid-June. 

I also added my favorite Black Baker's twine around the card.  I am so glad that this twine is in the new catalog.  I use it a lot and seems to be one of my go to way to finish up a card.  There are also  rhinestones in the centers of some of the flowers.

I love hearing from you!  Leave me a comment.  Tell me what are your favorite finishing touches?