Short and Sweet

Sometimes, just a little note is all you need. I love making 3" x 3" note cards. Here are a couple that really caught my eye.
This little bird was originally done in blue, but hey, I come from Cardinal Nation, so of course I am going to make him red! He is made using the 1 3/4" circle punch and the Scallop punch, then popped up and sitting on the branches made from the bird punch. He is a very well-fed budgie! (I saw him on the demonstrator's sharing website and have misplaced the artist's name. When I find it I will certainly give her credit.)

This little cutie was designed by Jacqueline Nimrichter (blog: scrapsoflife). The little flower is simply made by punching several circles and crumbling them together, then held in the center by a designer brad.

While The Cat's Away, The Mice Will Stamp!

While Steve was away camping and 'fishing' with his buddies, I was stamping my little heart out with my buddies! I CASED these cards of some very talented, awesome demonstrators from the Stampin' Connection, a website for demonstrators.

Love those camping weekends!

Beautiful Blogger Award!

Getting awards is always fun, but when they are given to you by someone you respect and admire, that is even better. My sweet friend, Robin Owen, in California (another misplaced Texan!), is responsible for this. Her blog (http://inkbug.blogspot.com) is so fun to check out. She has the cutest personality and her stamping talent is awesome. Thank you for this honor, Robin!
By receiving this award, I have to tell you 10 things you may not know about me....Hmmm, here goes:
1. I am a reality TV fan -- there -- I said it! But I don't get to see it much. I am not the designated remote holder. So I see a lot of cable news TV.
2. When I was little, I wanted a horse. Dad always told me he would get me one as soon as we moved to a place big enough to keep it. I am guilty of using that psychology myself. Pretty much brilliant on my dad's part.
3. I would love a house on the beach. Yeah, I know, dream on, here in land-locked mid-west.
4. For my birthday, every year, my mom used to make her peach cobbler instead of cake. It is to die for! No one can make it like she does. Put some Blue Bell vanilla ice cream on top. Yum! You will never miss the cake.
5. I will NOT eat sushi. Uh-uh, no way.
6. I had a panic attack while watching the Exorcist when it first came out in the movie theater. (About a million years ago) To this day, I cannot watch scary movies with devil themes.
7. I must have a book waiting for me as I read another.
8. I pushed my daughter, Kim, to work at Fritz's Frozen Custard, when she was in high school, so we could get the mistakes and leftover frozen custard. I'm not exactly proud of that, but it only lasted a couple of months anyway. Kim just wasn't into the whole smelling like milk thing.
9. I don't like showers, I like to soak in the hot tub - forever. Also, I hate pajamas, love short gowns. TMI?
10. I want to go to Hawaii with Steve. (Maybe buy a house on the beach?)

I will pass this award on to Deb at http://artfeltimpressions.blogspot.com. Her cards are so clean and fresh. I love her style.

Thirty-Seven Years of Wedded Bliss!

Okay, maybe not 'Bliss', but definitely 'wedded!'
Seriously, Steve and I have been married 37 years today! He still fills my heart when I hear him walk through the door. We finish each other's sentences, and better yet, conversation is no longer necessary. We know what the other is thinking. He asked me this morning if I wanted to go for another 37. My answer? In a heartbeat!
Oh yeah, the card...I used the new Awash With Flowers, and the Three Little Words stamp set. It's very 'girly' with Pretty In Pink card stock, ribbon and Dazzling Diamonds, but he doesn't care. After all this time, the card needn't say much more than it does.
Here's to 37 more.

Happy Mother's Day!

This little paper box (yes, it's a box!) is filled with chocolate Kisses for mom! Just the right amount of calories. Happy Mother's Day to you all!

Upsy Daisy Notebook

I love my little Notebook computer. Because it is small and compact, I can take it with me wherever I go. At first, Steve pooh-poohed the whole idea of such a small computer, trying to persuade me to get a larger one. Nope, I knew what I wanted! Once I had it, and he could see how convenient it was, he started making comments about how he might want to take it out of town when he goes on business. Uh-Oh! I knew how to fix that! I pulled out my PINK Upsy Daisy Decor Elements and applied them to the front. Now it is ALL mine! Plus, I think it looks really neat! So easy to use and so many possibilities. I have the Decor Elements word happiness, in white, on my wall in my stamping room. And that's just how I feel when I walk there.

Get Ready To Play In The Water!

Is this not adorable? I have used the Treat Cups before. They are so fun to use and add such interest to a card. But look at this! That is actually WATER in there, with a sprinkling of Dazzling Diamonds!!!! I originally saw this made by Leslie Sollars on the March 14th post of Julie Davison's blog, http://wwwjuliedavison.blogspot.com. I dropped everything, grabbed my Treat Cups and ran for the sink! After punching a hole (1 3/4" punch) on the front of the card and inserting the cup, I poured water into it, careful not to drip on the adhesive, then sealed the opening with a piece of window sheet. I stamped the little fish on card stock and placed him on top of that. It looks like he is swimming in there!

See the Dazzling Diamonds? I wish I had filled it just a tad bit more, but this little card is just so cute, who cares? You wouldn't mail this, of course. It should only be handed to the recipient. Possibly in one of our pretty, padded envelopes! These fish always make me hungry for the cheesy Goldfish crackers. And I don't even like those! But I love these! Glub, glub!

Blog Award!

I have been given a blog award! The Sunshine Award was given to me by my sister, Penny Thomas. Her blog http://penquinstamper.blogspot.com/ is just amazing. So for her to say that mine makes her smile is such a compliment! Thank you, Penny.

The rules are that once you receive this award, you must continue spreading the sunshine by giving it to other bloggers who inspire you and who's blogs you admire ( or are addicted to! ).
So my choices are:
Andrea Walter - http://creativelycrazy.blogspot.com/
Diane Burns - http://diburns.blogspot.com/
Kim and Hemali - http://katycakegirls.blogspot.com/

Thank you, ladies, for bringing sunshine to my life everyday!

YOU Design It! April Stamp Camp

I have to admit, I am L - A - Z - Y. I came up with a wonderful idea to have the stampers design the camp this month! I received some great suggestions. Here are the projects I came up with for those requests. FYI ladies, you all would make wonderful Demonstrators! Hint, hint!

Didn't I say I was through with punch art? Well, I saw this fella and pulled those punches right back out again. I had a request for a child's birthday card. I'm not sure a child is going to get mine! I like him too much! We used some of the retiring colors and about 90 punches! He is just too cute. Sorry, I misplaced the name of the artist. I will post it when I find it.

One of the requests was for a patriotic card and how timely! The new Summer Mini catalog has an excellent stamp set, July Fourth and wheel, Red White and Blue, perfect for the task. I took the idea straight from the catalog itself. This would be great for thanking a military hero or sending someone 4th of July greetings.

A very observant stamper saw a magnet similar to this on my fridge and requested them for this camp. Using the laminate samples from one of the big home improvement stores, we made these mini clipboard magnets. Love those colors.

I love the look of stenciling. I thought this card could do double duty for both requests of a sympathy and get well card. Using the Bird Punch to make a template, we sponged ink on the card stock and placed that little bird on his limb. The front edge is torn slightly to show the designer paper from the Sweet Pea paper stack peeking out underneath. I saw a variation of this card on the blog chicnscratch.

Of course we needed a Mother's Day card and the new Two-Step Awash With Flowers was perfect for Mom. Melon Mambo ribbon and ink with Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper set it off for a card that Mom will love to receive.

This one was made in response to the request for a masculine birthday card. We used the Big Shot Polka Dots embossing folder and the Little Leaves die. I just love the Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware and ribbon together. Found a version of this card on Mary Fish's blog.

Happy April Stamp Campers!

Are these happy campers or what? From left is Cathy, center, Sara, and at right is Donna. The camps are just not the same if these ladies can't attend! They make it such fun for me.

More happy campers, even though they are very serious at the moment. Making cards is very serious business! Bottom left is Dulce, then Lynn, and at top is Phyllis, and Ruth at right. I love these ladies because they keep me on my toes. Ruth is famous for helping me out of a jam when I make a mistake. She is so sweet to tell everyone I did that on purpose so they won't do the same! Love that!

Caught Josh concentrating. That's hard to do in that seat...notice the food just over her shoulder?

Sweet, sweet ladies. I feel like they are just as much family as campers. Bottom left is Michelle, next to her is Kelly, then Stephanie, and Karen. Before the camp started I asked Karen to help me remember to take pictures. As I was demonstrating, I found notes at each project reminding me. It really became funny. Thank you, Karen!

I love you all! Knowing each of you has made it so rewarding for me. I knew I would have fun, but I never dreamed the wonderful friendships that would come along with this job. Bless you.

Sweet Pea Matchbox

I am sending this cute little Matchbox filled with mini tags to my Stampin' Pal in Texas. I just love putting together little items like this. I used my Big Shot with the Matchbox die along with the wonderful Sweet Pea Designer Paper. I saw this little gem on the blog, chicnscratch, made originally by Danielle. Anyone would love to receive this and find little trinkets in each drawer. For example...Simply Adorned charms? I think so!

My Favorite Things #4

I am a woman, so, therefore, I love jewelry. I am a stamper, so, therefore, I love stamping! How perfect is this...Stamped Jewelry! That is why the Simply Adorned Charms are my favorite things this week. I have stamped images in mine, but they would be so special with a photo inside for your mom for Mother's Day. You can change the image whenever you feel like it or any holiday. It's like getting a new piece of jewelry whenever you feel like it! These can be found in the Occasions Mini Catalog. Hurry, Mother's Day is coming!!!!!


Pictured above is the Simply Adorned Bracelet with both the 5/8" circle and 5/8" square charms. I used the stamp set, Tiny Tags, colored with markers to bring out the tiny flowers.


This is the 1" x 1" beveled square Simply Adorned Charm that I have hanging from the 34" chain. On the front I used the Sweet Pea Designer Paper as background and placed a Sweet Pea felt flower on top. Needless to say, it is sweet.

Mr. Brown - My Second Favorite Guy

If you are a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, (and if not, why not?), your favorite sound in the world is that of the UPS truck pulling up in front of your house. I am so lucky to have a wonderful UPS guy. We call them Mr. Brown. He knows how excited I get when I see he is delivering Stampin' Up! boxes of goodies! So when I saw this little punch art UPS guy on Heather Summer's blog, I wanted him! He is a combination of the talent of several people, Gina Gygert, and Ellen Kemper. After making several of these for special SU demo people, I think I am done with punch art for a while. But I just had to show you how cute he is holding that box of treasure. I used so many punches to make him, I lost count. But my favorite is the one used for his big old shoes...the Butterfly punch!
See that pretty card stock behind him? Yep, that is the new Daffodil Delight. It is yummy!
FYI......Steve's my first favorite guy!!!

My Favorite Things #3

I couldn't cut a straight edge if you paid me a million bucks. Same for stamping a sentiment. I don't know how many times I have worked hours on the front of a card (come on, you know you have too!) only to have the inside sentiment crooked because I can't stamp straight. It just looks better if it is straight. So that is why the Stamp-a-ma-jig is my favorite thing for this week. I use it all the time, and not just for sentiments. I love it when using letters from alphabet sets, or when I want a flower stem positioned just right.
It looks intimidating at first, but it is so easy to use. Slip the plastic sheet into the elbow of the 'T' shaped tool. (Works for left or right-handed people.) Insert your inked stamp into the same elbow to stamp your image onto the plastic. Lift out and remove the 'T'. Place the plastic sheet on your card stock wherever you want that stamped image. Bring the 'T' next to the sheet, move the sheet, while keeping the 'T' in place. Fit your re-inked stamp into the elbow and stamp. Voila! You have your image exactly where you want it.
I have been known to challenge myself, every now and then, to see if I can stamp straight. After a few choice words, I pull out my trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig and make it right. Once you've used it you just can't live without it. Silly name, but serious tool!
See that pretty blood red card stock underneath the box? Uh-huh, that is one of the new colors, Cherry Cobbler. It is beautiful. I love the rich, deep color of it. I think you will love it too.

Springtime - Spring Cards

If your eyes are not swollen with allergies right now, you might enjoy this little tree that is blooming on the front of this card. Branch Out is one of my all-time favorite stamp sets, and it could very well be because of that tiny little birdhouse. My dad always had a bird feeder and several birdhouses spread around the yard when I was growing up, and still does! So, when I see a birdhouse, it grabs my heart. The sentiment, is from Bella's Blooms and is just perfect for Spring........unless you are sneezing.


Sometimes, I pull out stamps and use them so they won't get lonely. (Don't tell anyone, but they talk to me too!) For instance, the Polka Dot background stamp. Now that we have an awesome Polka-Dot Embossing Folder for the Big Shot, I forget to use this old stand-by. Yes, it's retired...pity. But I still love it. The butterfly is from the Flight of the Butterfly, a very versatile set, as well. I'm hearing voices that say you should show your stamps some love too!

Pieces of Heart Stampers - Susanne

Susanne Jeffery is one of the newest members of our Pieces of Heart Stampers group. I am so glad she is because she loves stamping and you can tell in her pretty cards. I love this one because it is so vivid and bright. Welcome to the group, Susanne! We are glad you are one of us!

Vintage Vogue - Judy

After seeing all the pretty cards Judy has made with this stamp set, I think I better order it along with the wheel. It's so pretty the way she used the black and white card stock and ink. Thank YOU, Judy. As the stamp set says, 'You raise kindness to an art!'

Pieces of Heart Stampers - Patty

Patty used Rich Razzleberry card stock and gingham ribbon along with the Designer Paper, Razzleberry Lemonade, to make this bright Easter card. I love the way she used the little paperclip to add the ribbon.

Pieces of Heart Stampers - Judy

Judy is at it again! This adorable little sheep Easter card is made using punches and the Scallop Circle Die. It's so cute the way it stands up on it's own looking all fluffy.

My Favorite Things #2

You know I'm gonna love something with the name 'Sweet Pea'! But I really do love using these Sweet Pea Stitched Felts #117266. The colors are so pretty, (love me some Rose Red!), and coordinate perfectly with the Designer Series Paper Pack with the same name, #117161. Both available until April 30, in the Occasions Mini Catalog. Add them to your project and you have added something really special. That is why they are my favorite things.