Cardinal Card

Happy Day After Christmas Day!  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.  We went to our daughter's and celebrated with her family and my son and his family.  It was just wonderful.
The best gift of all --- the blessings of being with family.
We're going to visit my In-Law's graves today and praise God for the blessings of all they taught us and meant to us.
Tomorrow, I will get back to eating properly and make plans for a healthy, happy New Year.

Now, for today's card ---

Here's another card from our last Scraps and Prayers class.  There's a special trick I used to bring out the details in the cardinal.
- Stamp the cardinal in Crumb Cake, using the Stamparatus.
- Color the cardinal using our Watercolor Pencils.
- Stamp the cardinal again in Soft Suede, using the Stamparatus.

All 3 pieces - the cardinal, the branch, and the banner, are cut out using dies.

I used the Stamparatus to stamp the message on the inside of the card.

COMING SOON:
NEW CLASSES ... LOTS OF CREATIVE FUN 
           ... HEADED YOUR WAY!

That's it for now.  

Thanks for stopping by my blog neighborhood.   

Have a beautiful day!

A Cute Little Thank You

Today's card is a note card ... a cute little thank you.  Remember, you can mail this size card as well as an A4 card.

The stamp set I used is a Hostess stamp set (Just Because) from the Occasions Catalog.  If you look at the set, on page 54, you will see that there is a text already attached to it, saying Happy Mother's Day.  I carefully cut the stamp apart, separating the text.  Now, I can still use it for Mother's Day, use the image with a different text, or use the Mother's Day text with a different image.  It just makes it even more versatile.  You can do this on any stamp that looks like it has enough space between the image and the text that you can safely cut it apart.

The note cards already have the color in the background.  I just colored the stamp image with watercolor pencils.  I think it's cute.

UP NEXT:

May 13 --- Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $18.
We'll be making 3 beautiful cards ... with watercoloring and trying fun, new techniques using the Stamparatus and we'll try THREE fun 'tricks' with embossing folders.  It won't be all Brusho for this class but it will be all fun! 
PLEASE PAY TO REGISTER ASAP.  
CLASS SIZE WILL BE LIMITED TO 10 MAX!!!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LISTS:
     Occasions Catalog Retiring Products List
     
     Annual Catalog Retiring Products List

SAVE THE DATE:   

June 23 ---  2:00-5:00 / Get ready for fun!

Summer Open House Party 

with our new catalog. 

Fall Birthday Card and a Little Fall Vignette

Here's another version of a Fall card I made using our Blended Seasons stamp set.  I made a big batch of these for the September birthday cards for our church to send out.  I'm actually using this same stamp set for their October birthdays and I'll be sharing that card soon.

I layered 2 punched pieces to create the focal piece of the card.

Notice how the top layer pops when you add a black mat behind it.

Here's a little Fall vignette for you to enjoy.  I made this sampler several years ago and am still enjoying displaying it each Fall season.

September Events: 
EXTENDED GARAGE SALE!!! 
                   --- Friday, September 28 / 8:00-4:00
                   --- Saturday, September 29 / 8:00-NOON

September Hostess Code

HWWJDSP9

September orders of $35. +

- Earn surprise gift.

- Earn free Color Coach.  (while supplies last!)

October Events: 
Oct. 8 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00
     Christmas Project, showcasing the Timeless Tidings Kit poinsettia.
     CLASS FULL.  REGISTRATION CLOSED.
Oct. 20 / Saturday Stampers / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 
     6 Beautiful Christmas Cards
     PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS.

November / December Events:
Nov. 12 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30     Mixed Media Christmas Project
     PAY TO REGISTER ON WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS.
Dec. 10 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00
     Christmas Cards, showcasing the Timeless Tidings Card Kit.
     PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS.

I do love my cherry cobbler!

Here's one more card I made with our Color Your Season Suite.  It's just like one from my Saturday Stampers class, except I used Stampin' Blends (Cherry Cobbler) instead of our Watercolor Pencils.  The color is just a little bit more intense than with the pencils.  I do love my Cherry Cobbler!  Here's my card.

AUGUST HOSTESS CODE:   

36XNEJK9

   Aug. Hostess Code Special ($35.+ orders)
--- Surprise Gift 
--- Free Color Coach (new/updated) !!!

AUGUST 1 -31 --- BONUS DAYS --- 
    - SEE INFO ON LEFT SIDE OF PAGE.

REMINDER:
BEGINNING SEPTEMBER, YOU MUST PAY TO REGISTER AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO ANY CLASS. 

SEPTEMBER EVENTS: 

Sept. 10 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00
       Fall Project, showcasing the gorgeous colors of nature.
       PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS. 
Sept. 15 / BONUS Saturday Stampers / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00
       Let's make some gorgeous Fall and Christmas cards.
       PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS. 

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

Hello Cherry Cobbler, my Dear Friend

I haven't made a card with Cherry Cobbler for a while, so it was so much fun to get it out again for today's card.  One of our brand new Watercolor Pencils is Cherry Cobbler and it made me so happy to see it.  I was actually amazed at how deep the colors turned out.  You can keep layering on the color as much as you'd like.  I think the flowers came out really pretty. 

The card is kept very simple, to let the colors be the star.  Later, I'll share another version of this card, using Stampin' Blends for the coloring.

Here are all 4 of my cards again.  These were fun to create.  Which one is your favorite?

AUGUST HOSTESS CODE:   

36XNEJK9

   Aug. Hostess Code Special ($35.+ orders)
--- Surprise Gift 
--- Free Color Coach (new/updated) !!!

AUGUST EVENTS: 
Aug. 26 / Summer Open House Party
     PLEASE RSVP!!!
     2:00-5:00 / a 'no fee' event
     Super fun fellowship, stamping, goodies, and shopping!
     I'll even have sneak peeks of Holiday Catalog items:)
     It doesn't get better than this!
Aug. 31-Sept.1 / Garage Sale /  8:00-5:00 Fri. and Sat.

AUGUST 1 -31 --- BONUS DAYS --- 
    - SEE INFO ON LEFT SIDE OF PAGE.

REMINDER:
BEGINNING SEPTEMBER, YOU MUST PAY TO REGISTER AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO ANY CLASS. 

SEPTEMBER EVENTS: 
Sept. 8 / FREE STAMPIN' BLENDS CLASS
      2:00-5:00 / Let's color!!! 
      You must qualify for this class in AUGUST.
      Learn how to earn this free class.
      REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS. 
Sept. 10 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00
       Fall Project, showcasing the gorgeous colors of nature.
       PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS. 
Sept. 15 / BONUS Saturday Stampers / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00
       Let's make some gorgeous Fall and Christmas cards.
       PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS. 
Sept. 29 / FREE BRUSHO CLASS
       1:00-4:00 / This should be the most fun ever!!!
       You must qualify for this class in AUGUST.
       Learn how to earn this free class. 

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

Color Your Seasons Bundle / Fall Card

There is just something about a Fall card that makes my heart sing.  (Yes, I know.  I just put 'Wild Thing' into my ear worm for the day.)  I think it's because Fall cards bring out the nature lover in me.  I am a total nature lover --- from my studio:)  I love designing and creating cards, but an extra joy runs through me when it comes to nature types of cards.  They are my absolute love, joy, passion ... you get the idea.  Here's the Fall card I created for our Saturday Stampers class (August 18).

I used one of my favorite go-to colors for Fall cards as my card base - Cajun Craze.  The black mat under the top layer just makes the top layer pop.  Oops!  There's that HGTV adjective again, but, honestly, that's what it does:)

Come back soon to see my next card I created for this class.  

AUGUST HOSTESS CODE:   

36XNEJK9

   Aug. Hostess Code Special ($35.+ orders)
--- Surprise Gift 
--- Free Color Coach (new/updated) !!!

AUGUST 1 -31 --- BONUS DAYS --- 
    - SEE INFO ON LEFT SIDE OF PAGE.

REMINDER:
BEGINNING SEPTEMBER, YOU MUST PAY TO REGISTER AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO ANY CLASS. 

SEPTEMBER EVENTS: 

Sept. 10 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00
       Fall Project, showcasing the gorgeous colors of nature.
       PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS. 
Sept. 15 / BONUS Saturday Stampers / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00
       Let's make some gorgeous Fall and Christmas cards.
       PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS. 

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

Color Your Season Bundle / August Saturday Stampers, prepare for fun!

I've been having a lot of fun with this new bundle.  It includes an amazing 12-piece stamp set called Blended Seasons and an awesome set of 10 framelits called Stitched Seasons.  I'll share more about them as time goes on.  You can also get a new set of Watercolor Pencils (Assortment 2) that has 10 all-new colors.  As soon as I saw all these products, I knew this would be the basis for my August Saturday Stampers class.  Here's the first card I created for our class.

I paired 2 gorgeous greens for this one - Granny Apple Green and Mossy Meadow.  I love them together!  The embossed top layer is our new Tufted TIEF.  (Textured Impressions Embossing Folder)  The Glitter Enamel Dots added the perfect touch to finish my card.

Wow!  Now I have a head start on my Christmas cards!!!  If you'd like to join us for this class, sign up soon.  The deadline is almost here.  If you decide to order the bundle, the class is free, but you'd have to order it right away.

Come back soon to see my next card I created for this class.  

AUGUST HOSTESS CODE:   

36XNEJK9

   Aug. Hostess Code Special ($35.+ orders)
--- Surprise Gift 
--- Free Color Coach (new/updated) !!!

AUGUST 1 -31 --- BONUS DAYS --- 
    - SEE INFO ON LEFT SIDE OF PAGE.

REMINDER:
BEGINNING SEPTEMBER, YOU MUST PAY TO REGISTER AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO ANY CLASS. 

SEPTEMBER EVENTS: 

Sept. 10 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00
       Fall Project, showcasing the gorgeous colors of nature.
       PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS. 
Sept. 15 / BONUS Saturday Stampers / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00
       Let's make some gorgeous Fall and Christmas cards.
       PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS. 

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

My Favorite Chick

For today's post, I'm sharing my last, and probably most favorite, chick.  I love this little guy.  He reminds me of an embroidery project I did years ago.  They both look like they just got out of bed:)

Well goodbye, darling little chick.  We'll miss you.

I've now finished reorganizing my stamps that will remain for the new catalog year and I'll be focusing on them a lot during the month of May, along with making a few fun projects with the stamps and products that demonstrators may order in May.  Stay tuned because it's going to be a fun ride.

Also, if you're in the area, don't forget to sign up for my next Scraps and Prayers class ... Monday, May 8.  We're going to make a super fun little plant decor project.  I'll be sharing some sneak peeks in one of my posts in the next few days.

AND MORE CREATIVE FUN ... UP NEXT: 
May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Chick Talk and Stamp Organization

I'm going to take a couple of days to say goodbye to our SAB chicks.  I think they're sooooo cute!  They may have to move into my 'keep for a while longer' pile of stamps.  This was a super chaotic week in my studio.  I pulled out every single stamp and stacked them in piles on my studio table.  Then I pulled out all the retiring stamps and put them into banker boxes for future sales days.  Then, I referred to the new catalog online (on our Demonstrators' website) and reorganized the remaining stamps into the new catalog categories.

I organize my stamps according to the table of contents categories in the catalog.  Then I number the back of each set.  This is super important.  After a busy class, which involves having out many, many stamp sets, I stack them all behind the bar (where I store them) and put them away quickly, using the numbers I've written on the back of each.  I keep them in large baskets and boxes in pull-out drawers in the lower cabinets -- very handy.  When a new catalog comes out, I can change any numbers that need a new number to align with the latest catalog.  It use an alcohol wipe and then I dry it with a paper towel, so I can add the new number with a black Sharpie.

When my catalog preorder comes in this week, the first thing I'll do is to get the numbers onto the new stamp sets.  They won't be put away right then though, because I'll want to start working with them right away:)

Now, let's say goodbye to two of our cute little chicks.

Don't ask where I got the wonderful chicken wire background stamp because I can't find a label on it and I don't remember.  I bought it a long, long, long time ago (before I'd even heard of Stampin' Up!) and knew I should keep it for a future project.  It was perfect for this one.

I love the little egg, too!

I think these two chicks are in deep conversation.  I hope they're not going to gossip or plan an attempted escape!

Goodbye for now, cute little chicks.  We'll say goodbye to one more chick in my next post and then we'll move on.  The creative fun just never ends!

AND MORE CREATIVE FUN ... UP NEXT: 
May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Bunny Business ... Stepping It Up

Today's post is all about bunny business ... note card size.  Enjoy!

UP NEXT:
April Events:
April 22 / Saturday Stampers / Birthday Bonanza / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / NOTE:  NEW DATE / Birthday treats, too!!!

May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.