Healing Grapefruit Grove

Something told me to try the Healing Hugs rose in Grapefruit Grove, probably because I think it is such a beautiful color!  So glad this color will be around another year.

Recipe:
Whisper White Thick - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Grapefruit Grove - 5 1/4" x 4"
Whisper White - embossed with the Subtle embossing folder
Whisper White scrap for stamping the flower and leaves

I fussy cut the flower and the leaves, but stamped the little sprigs directly onto the embossed Whisper White.  It was a piece I had already embossed, when I thought of stamping the little sprigs.  It came out perfect!

Stamps:  Healing Hugs
Inks:  Grapefruit Grove, Wild Wasabi, Soft Suede

Thank you for looking in today!  Happy Friday!!

~ Donna

Geared Up Birthday

This birthday card is for the final office birthday for the month of May.  It has been a very busy month!  So, this card has a little secret message.  Do you see the shadow behind the car?  That's the little secret. 

Perhaps I should explain.  A few months ago at the office, there was the sound of a cat in the electrical room.  We all thought we were going a bit crazy, but that's exactly what was there.  A cat.  It had apparently fallen through the ceiling and couldn't get back out.  Once we got the door unlocked he went into hiding.  Eventually Animal Control came and remarkably got him out very quickly.  He didn't act feral, was very calm in the carrier and one of our staff, Jake (the birthday boy today), asked how he could adopt him.  He had to wait for a couple of days, but then was able to be first at the shelter to take him home.

He named him Eric and he's still a bit shy, so I thought perhaps he would like to hide behind the car for Jake's birthday card.  He's kind of a Siamese mix so I think the rendition here matches him pretty well from the pictures I had of him.

Recipe:
Tranquil Tide - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Classic Garage Designer Series Paper - 4" x 5 1/4"
Classic Garage Designer Series Paper - Die Cut the Car
Tranquil Tide - cut with Rectangle Stitched Framelits
Whisper White - cut with Rectangle Stitched Framelits

Stamps:  Geared Up Garage / Blow Out the Candles
Ink:  Memento Black

Thank you for looking in today.  One more day to the weekend!!  Have a Happy Thursday!

~ Donna

Farewell Wood Words

Just a reminder ... My birthday gift offer to you ends on May 31st.   Only a couple of days left, so don't miss out!  Already have the silicone sheet?  I have more than one - you can too!

Use Birthday Host Code - MAW2WPTT and spend a minimum of $25.00 and I'll send you a free gift.

Do you ever look at your stamps and say... wow, I wish I'd used that one more?  Now that it's "retirement" time for so many sets, I'm finding myself saying that more and more.  This is one of those, especially with the beautiful background flowers.

Recipe:
Night of Navy - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Wood Textures - 3 1/2" x 4 3/4"
Whisper White - scraps for Stitched Circles, Rooster and Heart
Night of Navy - scraps for tags
Night of Navy - (rooster card) 1 1/4" x 3 3/8"
Whisper White - 4" x 5 1/4" - inside panel

Stamps:  Wood Words
Dies:  Wood Crate
Night of Navy - 1/2" Gingham Ribbon

Thank you for looking in today.   Happy Hump Day!

~ Donna

Swing Fold Card

So, I missed posting yesterday because, well, it was my birthday and I just was enjoying the day being lazy.  Today though, I made this card that I cased from a lovely SU Demo in the UK.  I loved it, watched her video twice, wrote down the measurements she gave in both inches and metric.  Bless her heart.  

Made the card, loved how it came out, decided to decorate one of our SU envelopes with the same Designer Series Paper, took pictures and went to slide the card into the envelope so they could stay together.  

Oops... 

Read the measurements again and then smacked myself upside the head.  I'm so mad at myself.  Maybe brain cells are starting to shrink after the birthday???

The base is 5 3/4" x 6 3/4" - knowing that it was going to be scored and folded to be a flip card, it did NOT occur to me that 5 3/4" was going to be TOO BIG!  Argh!!!

Isn't it pretty???  Even if it doesn't fit in our envelope, it is still beautiful.

I'm going to attempt to work on the measurements to fit into the 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" standard.  If you're good with measurements... go for it!  LOL

Thank you for looking in today!  Happy Memorial Day!

~ Donna

Hand Delivered Waving Goodbye

With new stamps coming I realize we have to retire some of the old ones but gosh I hate saying goodbye to some of these sweet sets.  I wish I had used this one more, because it really is a fun one and so many options.

Here's one more for the Graduate season.

Recipe:
Melon Mambo - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Pacific Point - 4" x 5 1/4 - run through the Big Shot with the Tufted Embossing Folder
Garden Impressions Designer Series Paper - 2" x 5 1/4"
Melon Mambo 2 1/4" x 5 1/4"

Whisper White - 3" x 4 1/4" - Die cut with about that size with Stitched Rectangles
Whisper White - 4" x 5 1/4" - inside panel
Whisper White - scraps for stamping and coloring image.

Thank you for looking in today!  It's finally Friday and a three day weekend!  Woo Hoooo... plus, my Birthday on Saturday.  SO, don't forget my special gift to you for my birthday month. Only one week left.

Use Birthday Host Code - MAW2WPTT and make a purchase of $25.00 or more and I'll send you a Silicone Craft Sheet as my gift to you.

~ Donna

My Paper Pumpkin - Shelli Style

Oh my goodness, this month's Paper Pumpkin is even prettier in person than it can ever be online.  I sure hope you signed up to receive it.  It is beautiful!

The cards are "note size" instead of standard size, so they are just perfect for sending a little note to a friend "just because".  I already have a couple of people in mind to send some of these.

Even the envelopes are beautiful and coordinate with the cards, inside and out.

I only had a chance to make up two of them so far, but I'm going to be making more, hopefully at lunch later today.  

Thank you for looking in today.  If you haven't signed up to receive Paper Pumpkin kits in your mail, what's stopping you?  You should check them out and see what you think.  Shop Here for Paper Pumpkin.

Happy Hump Day!

~ Donna

Bird Ballad and Free as a Bird

I would love to tell you which colors I used the make these beautiful birds and flowers, but instead, I'm excited to tell you that you can have birds just like these (well, after June 4, 2019).  These beauties come from Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper!  They were fussy cut and popped up with Stampin Dimensionals.

Recipe:
Whisper White Thick card stock - 4 1/4" x 11", scored and folded at 5 1/2"
Whisper White card stock - 4" x 5 1/4" - embossed with Subtle embossing folder 
Whisper White scraps to die cut the lace edge from Arts and Crafts dies (bundled with It Starts With Art stamp set.) Cut TWO
Whisper White to stamp sentiment and die cut with Nested Labels dies (bundled with Free as a Bird stamp set.)

Thank you for looking in today!  Happy Monday!  Let's make it a great week!

~ Donna

It Starts With Art

For all you crafty readers, you are going to love this stamp set.  I know I did when I first spotted it and I was so happy to see that it was one of the sets we could pre-order so I could play with it early!

The set is called "It Starts With Art" and it comes as a Bundle with Dies!  Also some really amazing Designer Series Paper.  Look how cute this is with a glue gun, ink bottles and buttons!

Recipe:
Coastal Cabana - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Pacific Point - 3 7/8" x 5 1/8"
Follow Your Art Designer Series Paper - 4" x 5"
Pacific Point - 2 1/8" x 3 1/8"
Whisper White - 2" x 3" 
Whisper White scrap for 1 1/4" circle punch
Pacific Point scrap for 1 3/8" scallop circle punch

Thank you for looking in today!  Have a blessed Sunday!

~ Donna

Fun Fold with Wood Textures

Today's card is for another of the birthday's at the office next week.  This is another fun fold that I found that just happened to be a masculine card.  Great timing for that incoming email.

The original card is by Susie Wood.  Thank you Susie for such a great card!

Recipe:
Early Espresso - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" - along the 8 1/2" side, score at 1" and at 5 1/4"
Wood Textures Designer Series Paper - 3" x 5 1/4" (inside panel)

Crumb Cake - 3 1/2" x 4 3/4" 
Early Espresso - 3 1/4" x 4 1/2"
Wood Textures Designer Series Paper - 3" x 4 1/4" (outside panel)

Early Espresso Strip - 1/2" x 3 3/4"
Crumb Cake cut with Rectangle Stitched die: 1 1/4" x 3 1/4"

Stamps - Blow Out the Candles 

Ink - Memento Black

Thank you for looking in today.  It's Finally Friday!  Yay!!

~ Donna

Geared Up for Birthdays

Starting on Sunday, our office is overflowing with birthdays with one every day except Wednesday and Thursday.  Two of them are guys and three of us are girls!  So, here is the first guy card for Sunday.  I want to make sure he receives it tomorrow.

Naturally, he's a car guy and he is a classic, so one of these will be his.  Do you like the wide Smoky Slate border or the narrow one?  I think I like the narrow one because it matches nicely with the thin lines of the car sketches.

Recipe for the narrow border:

Basic Black - 4 1/4" x 11", scored and folded at 5 1/2"

Smoky Slate - 3 3/4" x 5"

Classic Garage Designer Series Paper - 3 5/8" x 4 7/8"

Smoky Slate - 1 1/4 x 3 1/4" Rectangle Stitched Dies

Recipe for the wide border (the only difference is in the DSP)

Basic Black - 4 1/4" x 11", scored and folded at 5 1/2"

Smoky Slate - 3 3/4" x 5"

Classic Garage Designer Series Paper - 3 1/2" x 4 3/4"

Smoky Slate - 1 1/4 x 3 1/4" Rectangle Stitched Dies 

Stamps:  Geared Up Garage and Blow Out the Candles (inside sentiment)

Ink:  Memento Black

Thank you for looking in today.  So happy it's one day closer to the weekend!!

~ Donna

Fun Fold Baby Card

This past weekend I was feel adventurous and looking for some Fun Fold card ideas when I came across this one from Lisa Curcio from last summer!  This was so easy to make and Lisa has a very easy to follow video on her page.

Her card was for a little boy, so I had to find my colors and patterns to go with a little girl.  The frit one I made was the Grapefruit Grove, but I felt it was too much Grapefruit Grove, so I made a second one using Blushing Bride.  Like I said, they are very easy to make!

Recipe:

The Card:
Blushing Bride - 4 1/4" x 11", scored and folded at 5 1/2"
Line up the folded edge of the cardstock on your trimmer at 1 1/4".  Cut down to the 1 1/2" mark.  
Flip the cardstock over and repeat on the other side.
Connect the two lower cut lines to create the top opening of the overalls

The Straps:
Blushing Bride - 1 1/4" x 2 1/4" - Cut Two
Use the Detailed Trio Punch to round the bottom corners of the two straps

The Pocket:
I used the 2018-2020 In Color Designer Series Paper - 1 3/4" x 1 3/4"
Trim the bottom edges to form a pocket.  I just used by scissors but you could also use the Tailored Tag Punch.

Run the front of the card and the strap pieces through the Big Shot with your embossing folder of choice.  I used Quilt Top and did my best on the 2nd card (the Blushing Bride) to line the straps up in the same place as they were for the main card so they lined up nicely.

Stamps - Sweet Baby Bundle - 
Stamp the baby and appropriate headgear for your baby choice (boy or girl) and color with Stampin Blends then cut with matching dies.  THIS SET IS RETIRING - so be sure to grab it before it's gone!

I attached the baby to the inside of the pocket - oh and remember - you don't have to color all of the baby, just the part that will be sticking out.  Pop the pocket up with Stampin' dimensionals.

Isn't this just adorable!?  Thank You Lisa for such a cute project and great details.

Thank you all for checking in today.  Be sure to take a minute and say hello.  I love to see your comments!

~ Donna

Paw Prints on Your Heart

Time for a sympathy card for a friend who said goodbye to her precious kitty.  Something simple is always best I think.

Recipe:
Whisper White Thick Cardstock - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2, scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Botanical Butterfly Designer Series Paper - 1" x 4 1/4"
Basic Black - Cat Punch

Stamps:  Happy Tails (dog set)
Ink: Memento Black

Thank you for looking in today.  Happy Monday!

~ Donna

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all the Mom's a very 

Happy Mother's Day!

My Mom:  She adopted me from day one, loved me and raised me to be the woman I am today.    I am ever grateful for the love and home Mom and Dad provided.  I can't imagine my life without them!

My Birth Mom:  The woman who gave me life.  I am thankful she carried me and gave me life and  for being brave and strong enough to give me to a family that would take care of me and love me as much as she would have if she were able.

No denying we're related, right?!

Happy Mother's Day to Both of my Mom's in Heaven!  I love you and miss you!

~ Donna

You're Udderly Fantastic!

This "Over the Moon" set is udderly fantastic!  Here's another version using this sweet little one with rain boots on their feet.  Cute!

Recipe:
Soft Seafoam - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Soft Seafoam - 4" x 5 1/4" - embossed with Woodland folder
2019-2021 In Color 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper - 1 3/4" x 3 1/4"

Recipe (below):
Soft Seafoam - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Basic Black - 3 7/8" x 5 1/8" 
Soft Seafoam - 3 3/4" x 5" - embossed with Tufted folder
2019-2021 In Color 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper - 1 3/4" x 3 1/4"

Inside - I added my favorite!

Thank you for looking in today.  It's finally Saturday!

~ Donna

Cow's It Going?

I couldn't resist making another card with Over The Moon.  The cow that's laying down at the top, is just so cute!  

Recipe:
Balmy Blue - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2",  scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Whisper White - 4" x 5 1/4"
Whisper White - scraps for circles 2 3/8" and 2 1/8" Layering Circles

Thank you for looking in!  Happy Friday!

~ Donna

Start Your Wish List!

This should be at the top of your 2019-2020 Wish List!

One of the best things about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is being able to see and order the newest designs a month before everyone else.  I love being able receive a pre-order and start playing early.

So, here is my first card with my pre-order that arrived this week.  This set is so very cute!  It's called "Over the Moon" and it has three adorable cows and some pretty cute sentiments like the one below "Over the moooon for you!"

Recipe:

• Whisper White Thick cardstock - 4 1/4" x 11", scored and folded at 5 1/2"
• Whisper White - I started with 5 1/4" x 4" but then cut with 3 3/8" x 4 3/4" Stitched Rectangle Die after I sponged the sky and grass.
• Whisper White scrap for cow
• Crushed Curry scrap for moon

Ink: 
Memento Black
Balmy Blue
Granny Apple Green

Stampin' Blends:  Ivory, Bronze, Mango Melody, Smoky Slate 

I started by stamping the cow in the middle of the cardstock and then placed two post it notes side by side over the cow (to make the horizon).  Then take a sponge and sponged Balmy Blue in a circular motion over the top half of the card, switched the post it notes to cover the top and then sponged the bottom part of the card with Granny Apple Green.

I stamped a 2nd cow on a scrap of Whisper White, colored it with Stampin' Blends and then did a fussy cut and popped it up on the original cow with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Thank you for looking in today!  It's Friday Eve (aka - Thursday) and I've got the day off to spend time with Marie, one of my team members while she's in town and just have a fun day!

~ Donna