Spring Break is almost here...

Hello Stampers and Happy Friday-before-Spring-Break to all!

Wasn't yesterday a perfect first day of Spring?  A little sun, a little rain, pretty pink cherry blossoms, a bit of blue sky, daffodils popping up everywhere.... and then a little more rain.  Looks like we're in for some nice weather ahead if the forecast isn't changed again!

If you are worker-bee, and if you happen to work in a school, as many of my customers do, then you've probably been waiting for this very day to arrive... the last day before break!  I can remember how I looked forward to such days, but now that I'm retired, I have to admit it's just like any other Friday.  But I'm happy for those of you who are going to get a well-deserved break.  I know how hard you work, how many hours you put in above and beyond what you're paid for.

With Spring Break here, Easter cannot be far behind.  Why not purchase that very pretty Blessed Easter set in the Occasions catalog on page 9?  It is only $11.95.  Then you can make some gorgeous Easter cards like the one I'm going to show you right now.

This beauty was stamped by one of my downline members, Kathy Milano.  To make this stamp much more versatile, just carefully cut away the sentiment from the flowers. It is easy to do.  If you don't have any rubber-cutting scissors, I'll be happy to perform the surgery for you. That way, you can use this pretty tulip trio for all sorts of cards... not just at Easter.
The colors Kathy used are Pear Pizzazz and Wisteria Wonder  The white paper is watercolor paper.  The tulips were colored with ink from the stamp pads and blender pens.  The Tea Lace doilies (page 156 of the annual catalog) and a strip of Wisteria Wonder embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder add a nice touch.  The sentiment was punched out with the new Label Bracket Punch on page 28 of the Occasions catalog and popped up on dimensionals for extra interest.  Thanks, Kathy, for letting me share your card today!

Although Sale-a-bration is winding down, I've still go a lot of things to do before it is officially over on March 31st.  In fact, I'll be celebrating the end of Sale-a-bration at Symposium Coffee in Old Town Sherwood. It is always the last Monday of the month and starts at 1 o'clock in the afternoon.  What a nice way to wind up the month with cards, coffee, conversation, and creativity.  You really should join us!

Have a fab Friday and if you're on Spring Break next week I have just three words of advice for you:
relax, refresh, and recharge!  Oh, and enjoy!  I guess that's four words.
Happiness to all,
Susan

Zip-a-dee-do-dah!

Zip-a-dee-do-dah, zippety-a, my oh my what a wonderful day!  Plenty of sunshine heading our way!

Wasn't yesterday just a lovely day?  It might have been a bit cold in the morning, but the afternoon was great!  Now if we could just order up a whole string of days like yesterday, I'm sure there'd be a lot more happy faces to be seen around these parts.

Just in case today doesn't turn out to be as sunny as yesterday, I've got another sunny card for you.
I saw a similar card on Patty Bennett's blog, but of course I changed it up a bit.  I used a yellow background instead of a white one and added an extra layer of black card stock,  but I loved the idea of cutting out a frame and then having the flowers pop through it.  Take a look and you'll see what I mean...

To cut the little frame, just use two of the square framelits, the smaller one nested inside the larger one, and then run them through the Big Shot.  So simple, but cute!  I cut a square of white card stock just a tad smaller and stamped the stems from the Simple Stems stamp set ( page 33 of the Occasions catalog) in Gumball Green.  Don't forget that this great shade of green is almost gone.  It is retiring on May 31st.  Stamp pads, card stock, ribbon, and most importantly-- ink refills-- will start to sell out in early May, so get yours now, while you can earn a  free Sale-a-bration stamp set, etc. with your $50 purchase. Sale-a-bration ends March 31st!
The sentiment is from one of my all-time favorite sets, Sassy Salutations (page 39 of the annual catalog).
The flowers from the Petite Petals stamp set (page 33 of the Occasions catalog) are stamped in Daffodil Delight and then punched out with the Petite Petals punch, also on page 33.  I colored some basic pearls with a black sharpie and added them to the center of the flowers.  You could also use a black candy dot
(page 171 of the annual catalog), but the colored pearls worked just fine.
If you'd like to make this fun card, why not join us at my house this coming Saturday at 1 o'clock?  Just send me a quick email (sjrstamps@gmail.com) and let me know that you'd like to attend.  You'd be most welome!
Thanks for dropping by today!  I know you are busy, so I appreciate the time you spend with me!
Please come back on Friday for another Classic Card!
Susan

Cheer Up, Buttercup!

Hello Stampers and Top o' the Mornin' to all!

I don't think I have even one drop of Irish blood, nor does Mr. Rodgers,  so St. Patrick's Day hasn't been a big event in our house.  But I know that some Portlanders engage in a very hearty celebration... as in party hearty!  Personally, I think it's just an excuse to drink more beer.  I'm sure you've heard Portland described as Beervana by those who are into craft beer... both brewing and drinking.  Me?  If I'm going to drink something Irish, I prefer Irish Coffee with lots of cream on top. So yummy!

I don't know about you, but this rain is not making me happy.  Yes, I know we need rain and that we are behind on rainfall for the year, but I much preferred the sun of a couple of days ago.  Please come back, Mr. Sun!  To make sure we get some sunshine today, even if it's just some sunshiny yellow, I've got a card that will hopefully give your mood a boost.  Check it out...

I used my brayer and Daffodil Delight ink and brayered ink on the Chevron embossing folder.  Then I put my white card stock inside and ran it through the Big Shot to create the Chevron background paper.  I stamped the sentiment  "cheer up buttercup" from the Geometrical stamp set  (page 26 of the Occasions catalog) in Jet Black Staz-on ink on a strip of white card stock.  I flagged the end of the strip with the 1 inch sqaure punch and adhered it to a strip of Modern Medley designer paper.  The flower is made of 3 layers of Daffodil Delight card stock, cut with the Pansy Punch.  I cut between each petal and curled the petals with my bone folder before gluing all the layers together.  The black flower in the center was punched with the Petite Petals punch  (these are almost off backorder!).  The very tiny yellow scalloped circle is from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack.  I used a black Sharpie pen to color a pearl to place in the center.  It is easy to make pearls any color you wish, but you must use a permanent pen, such as a Sharpie.

Well, buttercup, I hope this card has sent a little ray of sunshine your way today!  If not, you can always go the green beer or Irish Coffee route.... just kidding!  I hope you'll have a fine St. Paddy's Day and that your whole week will be touched with the luck of the Irish!

Thanks for being here today and please come back on Wednesday for another Classic Card!
Susan

The Wide World's Joy...

Hello stampers and happy Friday to all!

Wasn't yesterday just another beee-you-ti-ful day?   I just don't think we can get enough of that marvelous energizing sunshine.  Pardon me if I've mentioned this quote before.... it's one of my favorites

The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy.
                                                                                 Henry Ward Beecher

And yesterday I could feel that joy as I noticed birds singing, ducks on the pond quacking, trees blossoming, and daffodils nodding in the slight breeze.  All that sunshine gave me energy to do what I needed to do, which was engage in a frenzy of cleaning.  Floors were swept, swiffered, vacuumed, and mopped. Counters were cleaned and polished, and the list goes on!  Is there anything fresher than a clean house on a spring day with the windows open?  I loved having the windows open, if only for a couple of hours.

OK, I think the Martha (as in Stewart)  in me is starting to calm down now, so perhaps we should get back to what you came here for.... stamping inspiration.

I'm happy to say that this card was made by my talented downline member, Janet Jones.  Don't the colors just sing "spring?"   The stamp set is called So Very Grateful and can be found on page 32 of the Occasions catalog (the one that says "Celebrate the Everyday" on the cover). The colors are Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, and Strawberry Slush.  Janet embossed the Coastal Cabana Coredinations paper with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and then lightly sanded to give the card a great texture.  Janet stamped the flowers in Jet Black Staz-on ink, then colored the flowers with Stampin' Write markers.  I love how the thin black mat behind the focal panel repeats the black outline of the flowers.  That cute "hello" is found in the stamp set A Dozen Thoughts ( page 29 of the annual catalog). The Chevron ribbon in Crushed Curry blends well with the Daffodil Delight panel and  adds another nice detail to a great card.  I'll bet you know lots of people who would love to get a pretty spring card like this in their mailbox.

Thank you very much for reading my blog today.  I would love it if you'd share my blog with other stampers you know.  I could use a lot more readers!
For those of you at the office, school, store, or other place of employment... may your day go smoothly and quickly.  Before you know it, Friday will be just a memory and the weekend will be stretching before you!  I'm hoping the weather man is correct and that we'll have a sunny weekend.  Enjoy!
Be happy!
Susan

Sun, Glorious Sun!

Hello Stampers and Happy Wednesday!

We can only hope that today is as sunny and as wonderful as yesterday!  Even though spring is not officially here until March 20th, didn't yesterday seem amazingly springy??  Our neighborhood was buzzing with the sound of lawnmowers yesterday afternoon and the smell of newly cut grass was wonderful.  Our neighbor's cherry trees have burst into bloom the last couple of days and they looked so gorgeous against a clear blue sky!  I even made time to sit on the porch for a few minutes yesterday.  That was quite an accomplishment!

Unless the weather man is toying with us again, we are in for a few days of sunny, dry weather!  Yippee!  And I have just the sunny card to go along with this fabulous weather...

Yes, stampers, it is time to start thinking about Easter cards.  You could easily make multiples of this card using the efficient assembly-line method.  This card would look equally pretty in Pink Pirouette, Wisteria Wonder, or Blushing Bride.  Just pick a favorite pastel color and go with it!  Here's a list of the supplies I used:

Stamps:  Blessed Easter, page 20 of the Occasions catalog
Ink:  Jet Black Staz-On
Paper:  So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, and Whisper White card stock, Designer Paper Stack in Subtles (I used So Saffron)
Accessories:  Framed Tulips embossing folder,( p. 191 of the annual catalog), Ovals Collection Framelits (p. 186) 1 3/8 circle punch and 1 3/4 circle punch ( page 182 of the annual catalog), Crushed Curry, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, and Old Olive Markers (for coloring the tulips), 5/8 inch Organza Ribbon (page 173 of the annual catalog).

Thanks for checking in with me today!  And let's think sunny thoughts, shall we?
Be happy!
Susan

Old, but trendy...

Hello stampers and a happy Monday to all!

Yes, I know I'm old and I also know I'm not trendy, so today's title is not about me (or you, although you're probably a lot trendier than I am).  I'm talking about something that's very familiar to people my age...but has suddenly undergone a surge in popularity.  I'm talking about chalkboards.  They've been everywhere the past few years. Chalkboard paint has made it possible for almost any surface to become a writing surface so you see chalkboards in kitchens, in restaurants, in playrooms and bedrooms... just about anywhere in a home.  Chalkboard labels for storage jars make it easy to create a set of custom canisters for any ingredients you can imagine. Check Pinterest and you'll find hundreds of chalkboards.  And of course the chalkboard look has invaded the world of paper-crafting as well.  In fact, the chalkboard technique is nothing new in the world of stamping.  I can't believe I haven't tried it before now.  See, I told you I wasn't trendy!  So this past weekend, I tried the technique and I love how easy it is to achieve the look of a chalkboard sign.

Please take a look at my first effort and then I'll tell you how I made it.

I have to admit that when I was in elementary school, the chalkboards were green, not black. Green chalkboards were the latest innovation... I suppose they were supposed to be easier on the eyes.  But the old-fashioned chalkboards were definitely black.  You'll need a saying or some words... chalk board art is usually a sign, a quote, or some type of saying.  For my card I picked the From My Heart stamp set (page 99 of the annual catalog).  I stamped with Whisper White Craft Ink (page 165 of the annual catalog) and then dried the ink with my heat gun.  I stamped the scallops from Tea Party at the top and bottom of the black panel and dried those as well.  Then, using a white pencil I drew a border around the edge of the card and added some little flourishes of my own.  I wrapped the panel with some linen thread and added a Very Vintage designer button.  I adhered the black panel to a slightly larger panel of Modern Medley Designer Paper ( page 154 of the annual catalog).  The card base is made from Crumb Cake card stock, which repeats the tan of the linen thread. Last, I rubbed an Embossing Buddy (page 167 of the annual catalog) over the black panel to give it a nice chalk-dusty look.  I love how my first effort turned out and I can't wait to try the chalkboard technique again soon!

I hope your week is off to a happy start.  Hold on for just a few more days and then the weatherman says we'll have several days of sunshine.  I hope he won't change the forecast like he often does.  We need a little sunshine to bring on the blossoms on the trees.  Our rain-weary spirits could use a little lift as well... agree??
Thanks for stopping by today and I'll hope to see you back here on Wednesday for more stamping inspiration.
Be happy!
Susan

Gingham Garden

Hi there Stampers!

First a little apology is in order.  Did you think I missed posting on Wednesday?  If so, go back and look at Wednesday's post as I want you to see the cute mini-card I made with the envelope attached.  I wrote the post and scheduled it for Wednesday, but... oops!... forgot to put in the correct hour.  I didn't discover the mistake until about 3 pm on Wednesday afternoon, so that is when my Wednesday post was published.  Sorry about that.  I just need to be more careful when scheduling my posts!

Today I want to focus on the Gingham Garden suite of products, which starts on page 80 of the annual catalog.  The designer paper that coordinates is also called Gingham Garden and you can see the various patterns and colors in this collection at the top of page 153 in the annual catalog.  With its yellows, pinks, blues, and greens this is the perfect DSP collection for spring.

With all the gloomy weather we've been having lately, I wanted to make something spring-like that would remind us of sunshine and blue skies and I think I've captured that for you in today's card.  Take a peek...

The stamp set I used is called Kind and Cozy and can be found on page 82 of the catalog.  I used Island Indigo ink to stamp the circle, then punched it out with the coordinating  2 1/2 inch circle punch.  Centering the cup inside the circle was easy... I just got out my Stamp-a-ma-jig and that handy tool did the work for me.  I used a strip of the Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper (DSP) to layer underneath my teacup, along with some Stitched Grosgrain ribbon in Daffodil Delight.

The most interesting part of this card is the yellow and white gingham background paper that I created myself using the Stripes embossing folder and a brayer.  I brayered some Daffodil Delight ink directly onto the embossing folder, then inserted my paper and ran it through the Big Shot.  Then I re-inked the embossing folder, inserted the paper crosswise and embossed again.  The result is a very pretty embossed gingham
pattern.  I wish this picture showed a little more of the embossed texture.  I would love to show everyone how to make this fun background paper!  Why not book a party with me in April or May and I'll show you how easy it is to make.

Wouldn't it be fun to make a cute card like this, stick a tea bag inside, and send it off to a far-away friend, inviting her to have a cup of tea with you?  Then you can sit down with your tea and your computers and have a nice email conversation with her while you are enjoying your tea.

Well, stampers, I've got about a bazillion things on my "to-do" list today, so I guess I'd better go and tackle it!  I'm glad that the weekend is almost here and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with a group of customers in the Milwaukie area at Carol's stamping party on Saturday.  With rain in the forecast for the weekend, it looks like it will be a great time to stay in and stamp. I hope you'll all enjoy a relaxing weekend!
Hugs,
Susan