FMS5: Fun Flowers

Time for another sketch from Freshly Made Sketches!   We have two wonderful designers joining us for the next six months and you don't want to miss their gorgeous cards this week.  A big Texas welcome to Jen Timko and Cindy Hall; so glad to have y'all stamping with us!   My fellow transplanted Texan and friend Anne Marie is also joining us this week as our featured designer, so stop by and say howdy and check out her beautiful creation!    (I'm working on my Texas talk, can you tell?  lol)

This one was definitely a challenge for me and I hope my card actually resembles it.   I kept trying different things and finally settled on one that I like. It deviates a bit from the sketch, but I think you can still see it.  (If not, please pretend that you do, okay?) 

I wanted something bright and fun and I think this fits the bill.   I have been making so many fall and Christmas cards that it was nice to take a break and do something with some of my favorite colors.   I am still loving my Fun Flowers die and the font on Perfectly Penned is to die for!  

Stamps:  Perfectly Penned

Ink:  Island Indigo

Paper:  Island Indigo, Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry, Brights DSP stack

Tools/Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Fun Flowers die, Brights buttons, White Baker's Twine

Be sure to stop and say hello to my fellow designers:

Tui Nathan

Lesley Croghan

Linda Callahan

Jen Mitchell

Prepping for Club!

This week I have the pleasure of stamping with my two clubs and I'm so excited!   There is nothing better than getting together with a group of ladies who share your love of paper crafts.   I have been working on some ideas and here are the first two projects that we'll be making.   Aren't they pretty?!   I wanted to make the little sour cream containers and after seeing how darling they were, I had to make a matching card.  

Now I'm no expert, but I think this just might qualify as a vintage card.  I love when the idea I have in my head turns out even better than I thought it would.   :)   I'm going to stand by my statement that you can't make an ugly card with the Spice Cake designer paper.  I'm ordering a second (and maybe even a third) pack of it on my next order!   If you don't have it yet, I'm serious when I say GET IT NOW!    :)    

Stamps:  Day of Gratitude

Ink:  Soft Suede, Pool Party

Paper:  Soft Suede, Pool Party, Spice Cake, Very Vanilla

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper and Perfect Polka Dots embossing folders, Top Note die, Lots of Tags sizzlit dies, XL oval punch, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, sponges

As a demonstrator, I get an awesome magazine from Stampin' Up! each month called Stampin' Success.  In the September edition, one of the articles featured these adorable sour cream containers.   Sour cream?   There's none in there, but they are shaped like the containers you'd get in some restaurants.   :)    You can add some fun treats or candy and use them as a favor or gift.   Did you see the fabric?!   I bought some AND I used it!   I'm terrified of anything related to sewing, but these were easy and no sewing was required.  

Stamps:  Falling Leaves
Ink:  Soft Suede
Paper:  Soft Suede, Pool Party, Very Vanilla
Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice and Stripes embossing folders, tag punch, Spice Cake fabric, Early Espresso Baker's Twine

PP66: The Sound of Music

LeAnne at the Paper Players has a super fun challenge for everyone this week to add music to their project or create something inspired by your favorite song.  Anne Marie was having a busy week, so I have the pleasure of stamping in her place this week.  For my card, I decided to use one of my favorite songs, which was also our wedding song 7 years ago, A Moment Like This by Kelly Clarkson.    

For my card, I used Elements of Style, a stamp set that I have not been a fan of in the past.   I thought the sentiment really worked for my idea, so I borrowed it from a friend and gave it a shot.    I did have fun coloring it in with my blender pens, so I can say that I like it more now than I did before.  :)   I'm not sure how well you can see the butterfly, but it is gorgeous in real life.  It adds a bit of dimension and interest to the image panel.  Our wedding colors were plum and silver, but seeing as how I don't yet own those, I went with a mix of purples and white.   I wanted a very clean, somewhat simple card that really said "Us".

Stamps:  Elements of Style
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder
Paper:  Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush, Whisper White
Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Beautiful Butterflies die, basic pearls, blender pens

Here we are back on March 13, 2004.   We had no idea how much our lives would change or that each "moment" might not always be a happy one.  In spite of those bad moments, we've stuck together and survived the loss of my mother-in-law, my father-in-law, and our only child.  I feel very loved each and every day and I could never find someone who is as perfect for me as my dear Jason.   His support and kindness are never ending and I love him with all my heart and soul.

I hope you enjoyed my card and didn't laugh too much at my old picture.  I'd love for you to play along with us this week!

My new blog!

Did you notice how pretty my blog is now?   I am head over heels in LOVE with it!   My sweet friend Lesley surprised me and made it all pretty today.    You should totally check out her banner website and get your own new look for your blog.   I am giddy with excitement and I can't stop coming back here to look at it again and again!  

I will be substituting again this week over at the Paper Players, so come back tomorrow to see a very special card.  

October Specials!

The clearance rack has been restocked with lots of fun new goodies, so be sure to go check them out!
You can purchase items online through my website! Just click Shop Now and get started!  Be sure you click on Show All on the right of the Clearance Rack page to be sure you see all the available items.


If you've been looking for an opportunity to do what you love, while getting a 20 discount on your favorite products, now is the perfect time! During October, you'll get a FREE Big Shot (or up to $100 in free product)  when you join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator.

In addition, the new-demonstrator Starter Kit--a steal at just $175--contains over $345 worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies-everything you need to start your new business.
There are so many benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, including

• A 20 percent product discount!
• A free monthly issue of Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator-only magazine, Stampin' Success!
• Sneak peeks at brand-new products!
• Invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events!
• Regular get-togethers to stamp!
• Free access to an online community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples!
• Plus, access to an exclusive video and training for your new Big Shot!

Contact me today to learn how you can take advantage of this great opportunity and get your FREE Big Shot!


Buy two Simply Sent Kits and get a FREE coordinating stamp set! Our Simply Sent Kits are the ideal choice for the beginning crafter. The card kits offer a variety of basic themes, so it's easy to create cards for any occasion.  These kits are perfect for anyone wanting a creative outlet but find themselves limited on time or space!   They are wonderful to have on hand for those times when you need a card quickly and don't have a lot of time to spend making one!   



If all that wasn't enough, there's one more fun announcement!  Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps are a brand-new product that will appeal to crafters and non-crafters, alike--not to mention kids!  The easy-to-use cookie stamp has a solid wood handle with three interchangeable stamp images: a heart, a jack-o-lantern, and a snowflake.


Just make your favorite shortbread cookie dough (or one of the two included recipes) and stamp away! Create beautiful, hand-stamped cookies in a flash. The stamp images are completely food-safe and child-friendly.   Contact me today for more details or to order yours!    

Tomorrow's Fall Class

I am so excited about my class tomorrow!  We are going to make some fun projects for Halloween and Thanksgiving.  What a fun way to celebrate World Card Making Day!

This first project is an little pumpkin that would be gorgeous on the Thanksgiving table.  You could make them in many sizes and patterns and have quite the display!    I love the Spice Cake designer paper; I might need a whole pack just to make pumpkins!   

Halloween is just around the corner, so be sure to get those projects going soon!   Isn't this little pillow box adorable!   My friend Anne Marie did an adorable card where she put the witches hat on the owl and I HAD to make one!   These little boxes are perfect for your office mates or your child's Halloween party!     

Because it IS World Card Making day tomorrow, we have to make a few cards, right?   I wanted to do some fall cards, but not really in typical fall colors.   I used the Color Coach for the combinations and I like the way the colors look together.   High five, Color Coach; you rock as usual!  The card above is Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, and Cherry Cobbler.    The card below is More Mustard, Cajun Craze, and Night of Navy.  I kept them pretty simple so that they could be mailed with a regular postage stamp.  

I ran out of sunlight before I could take pictures of the other treats, so stay tuned for more tomorrow! 

Try It Thursday!

I had my first Try It Thursday event last night and I loved it.  I hope the ladies attending did as well.  I had two new people join me and they were wonderful!   I love meeting new people that enjoy being creative, especially nice ones that make me laugh.  :)

As a treat, I whipped up some sugar cookies and used the new cookie press stamps that will be available starting tomorrow!   Don't they look yummy?   They are so cute and a blast to make!   

This was one of the projects that we made.  I love it so much that I'm thinking it might be my Christmas card this year.   I was bad and didn't get any sent out last year, so I'm hoping to do a better job this year.   (I know, what kind of card maker doesn't send out Christmas cards!  Geesh!)  

Stamps:  Warmest of Wishes, Stitched Stockings

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, Garden Green

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green

Tools/Accessories:  Stocking builder punch, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones

How cute is this?    I never know if people might need a boy or girl card, so I decided to go with pink AND blue and it can be for everyone!    :)   I love those little booties!

Stamps:  Stitched Stockings, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Marina Mist
Paper:  Pretty In Pink, Marina Mist, Whisper White, Subtles Designer Paper stacks
Tools/Accessories: Stocking Builder punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Big Shot, Basic Pearls, White Baker's Twine, Marina Mist 3/8 taffeta ribbon

Finally, we made a little gift tag using the Top Note die.   I love this one; I was going for a bit more rustic (or maybe manly?) look with it and I think the colors are perfect!   Can you picture a gift wrapped nicely in brown paper, tied up with some Early Espresso Baker's Twine, and this little tag?   I can and I'm loving the idea!

Stamps:  None
Ink:   Early Espresso Marker
Paper:  Confetti White, Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake
Tools/Accessories:  Houndstooth embossing folder, Snow Burst embossing folder, Big Shot, Top Note die, Stocking Builder Punch, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Crumb Cake 3/8 Taffeta Ribbon

If you have any questions about any of the projects, be sure to email me.   :)

More Stitched Stockings

I was playing around with my Simply Scored tool today and decided to try my hand at making a fireplace for my stockings.  I think I actually like it!   I'd noticed a few different fireplaces with this set, but none that used scoring for the bricks.  This did take some time and a lot of sponging, but it was fun.   What do you think?   Does it look like a fireplace?  Can you see the score lines and the woodgrain on the browns?    I even sponged the base with white craft ink; I was a sponging fool on this one!

Stamps:  Stitched Stockings, Woodgrain background
Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Early Espresso, Real Red, Whisper White (craft)
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Real Red, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Tools/Accessories:   Simply Scored, Stocking builder punch, Blossom Petals punch, sponges, paper snips, white baker's twine