Garden in Bloom Sympathy

Time for more Sympathy Cards.  I'm beginning to think I need to just make a batch of these so I don't have to keep making more.  Two different women we know lost their Brother's in the last couple of days.  That's so sad.  My brother and I aren't close - we're 11 years apart in age - but I would still be devastated if I lost him.

I wanted something soft and blue for both of these.  Soft Sky fits the bill nicely and and I think goes really well with Smoky Slate.

Recipe:
Soft Sky - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
Smoky Slate - 5" x 3 3/4"
Whisper White - 4 7/8" x 3 5/8"

Stamps:  Garden in Bloom, Thoughts and Prayers, A Dozen Thoughts
Ink - Soft Sky
Embellishments - Pearl Basic Jewels (and some retired Large Pearl Basic Jewels)

Thank you for looking in today!

~ Donna

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Hello Handsome!

Another CUTE card from "You're Sublime".  Can  you imagine what the gals at my table were singing while we worked on this one?  It was funny, we actually heard others around the room humming it too!

I love this card.  So fast and easy to put together, even with cutting out the little sub and I cut out the fish too and added them to the card.  The background is a card from Project Life Moments Like These.  Add a little Washi Tape and White Perfect Accents and it's done!

One more week and the Holiday Mini goes live.  Do you have your catalog and wish list ready yet?  If you need a copy, let me know!

Thank you for looking in today!

~ Donna

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Loads of Thanks!

Happy Tuesday!  It's time for new Weekly Deals!  Be sure to check my store for this weeks' products and remember to check the Clearance Rack as things are added all the time and sell out fast!

Another one of the great cards we made this past weekend at Fall Fest with Diana and Rhonda used the cute little wheelbarrow stamp from You're Sublime.

The large card below is the card we made Saturday.  The little cards are the ones I made Monday night for my customer's from our last workshop.  Little mini-cards to match.

I just love this adorable stamp set.

A little tip I want to add for using the Metallic Foil Doilies.  Don't use any liquid glue on them.  I use mostly our Tombo Liquid Glue (Green Glue) on everything because I want a nice permanent bond, but when I used it on Saturday with the Foil Doilies, I found it puckered and didn't lay flat.  For my thank you cards, I used Fast Fuse instead and am very happy with it.

There's a bit of a learning curve to use the Fast Fuse, but I believe you will really like it if you try it.  It doesn't take as much as snail does and it bonds tight with no fear of coming loose like snail can do when the weather is humid.

Thank you for looking in today!  Don't forget the weekly deals!

~ Donna

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Toadally Awesome

I just love this adorable stamp set called You're Sublime.  On Saturday several of us went to Diana Gibbs' Fall Fest where we made several great cards and projects.  I'll be sharing some of them over the next few days.

Don't you agree, this one is "toadally awesome!"?  I think this sweet little frog is so cute.  I added longer eyelashes and when I got her home, I added some lipstick with a red pen.  Isn't she so cute!

The Designer Series Paper used is Pretty Petals.  The colors are so bright and beautiful.  The banner flags behind the little frog, er, I guess it's a toad... lol... were punched with the Banner Triple Punch.

Here she is without her lipstick...

And here she is all gussied up.  It almost looks like she's blowing a kiss!

Thank you for looking in today.  Let's start a new week on a positive note!

Happy Stamping!

~Donna

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

She Survived

Our Retiree was dreading today's party.  She doesn't like to be the center of attention, but that wasn't going to stop us!  The best part, she survived!  :)

Friday's Retirement Party we held for Jean (the lady in the green blouse) was a big success!  Jean has more children and grandchildren and great grandchildren than I count and at least twenty of them surprised her today as they came into the room together.

We were all aware they were coming, but Jean only thought two or three of them would make it due to one of the grandson's having his first high school football game today.  I have to say, it was tough keeping her from peeking down the hall to see who was coming towards the room, but we managed to pull it off for the great reveal!

Happy Retirement Jean!!  We'll miss you, but not until next Friday - since we have another week with you in the office - where we have more fun planned for the coming week!

Today I will be attending Fall Fest presented by Diana Gibbs and Rhonda Morgan.  Always a fun day of crafting without having to do any of the planning.  Perfect!

Have a great Saturday!  I'll share pictures of our projects tomorrow!

~ Donna

Fun Retirement Card

It's going to be a Tissue Alert Day today as we're having a Retirement Party at the office for a dear lady that has been with us for 25 years.  I'm dreading her leaving us, but I'm looking forward to the party because we have so many surprises for her.  Plus, she'll be with us for another week (yayyy!) after the party which means we can have another mini-party next Friday!

On to the card...

I thought this would make a good "retirement" sentiment.  What better words for someone who will soon have all the time she wants to do whatever she wants!  She also likes maple donuts, so this Designer Series Paper seemed to be perfect with the little donuts on it.

Recipe:

Base:  Bermuda Bay - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; scored at 4 1/4"
Layer - Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper 5 3/8" x 4 1/8"
I wish I could tell you the measurements on the  mat and sentiment, but the card is tucked away safely at the office!  I cut my Bermuda Bay mat 1/4" bigger on 2 sides than the Whisper White which equals 1/8" all around.

Inside I placed some extra donuts what I punched out from the Designer Series Paper that are under the mat.  I used the 1/2" circle punch.

Have fun with this paper - it has a lot of cute designs inside that can be used for so many wonderful cards and creations.

Thank you for looking in.  Happy Friday!!!

~ Donna

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Happy Birthday Presents

I spotted this design on Dawn Olchefske's blog recently and fell instantly in love with it.  You know how that happens sometimes, you see it and it's love at first sight!

My card uses current Designer Series Papers and I'll share my measurements with you below.

Recipe:
Base - Bermuda Bay - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2 and scored at 4 1/4"
Layer - Whisper White 5 1/4" x 4"

Bottom Box:  2 1/2" x 1"
Bottom Lid:  2 3/4" x 1/2"
Top Box - 2" x 1"
Top Lid - 2 1/4" x 1/2"

Bow and Box - Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper
Lid - Crushed Curry

Bow:  Bow Builder Punch
Stamps:  Crazy About You

I see me making more of these.  It came together so quickly once I had the measurements I wanted.

Thank you for looking in today.  Happy "Friday Eve".

~ Donna

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog