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A Special Anniversary!

Anniversary & Love-Weddings / March 8, 2021

You have to check out the new Butterfly Brilliance Collection. Trust me you will not be disappointed. This collection is available now through May 3rd. Here are just a few card ideas that will help get your creative juices flowing.

You know how whenever you buy a pack of paper there is typically one or two sheets that aren’t your favorite? Well, not this pack I absolutely love every sheet!!!

Seriously, they are all so beautiful and today’s card was created using two sheets from the Butterfly Bijou paper pack. I also used the dies from the Butterfly Brilliance Bundle.

This card will be going to my sister-in-law and her husband in Virginia Beach who will be celebrating a very special anniversary later this month.

Begin with a Mint Macron base that measures 5½ x 8½. In landscape position, (aka the long side) score at 4¼”. Fold and burnish.
Cut a 2 x 4” piece of designer series paper from the Butterfly Bijou paper pack and layer on a 2 1/8 x 4 1/8” piece of the Melon Mambo cardstock. Attach this on the front left side of the Mint Macron card base.
Use the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine and the Brilliant Wing Dies to cut a Mint Macron butterfly from the designer series paper pack. Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to attach this to the upper left side of the card base.
Stamp the Happy Anniversary greeting from Many Mates on some Basic White card scrap and punch it out using the Rectangular Postage Punch.
Cut a 1 ½ x 2 1/8” piece of Melon Mambo cardstock and attach it on an angle to the card front.
Next layer the greeting on top of the Melon Mambo rectangle and finish it off by adding a Matte Black Dot to the greeting.

For the inside, cut a 4 x 5 ¼” piece of Basic White cardstock and stamp a greeting in Memento Black ink. I used the sentiment from the Treasures of Life stamp set.
Attach this panel to the inside of the card.
Use the dies from Brilliant Wings to cut a solid butterfly with Basic Black cardstock and the detailed wings with Mint Macron cardstock. Layer together and add to the inside of the card.

This card was super easy because I did not even have to color the butterflies, the paper did it for me. All I had to do was cut the paper using the Brilliant Wings die.

I hope you have fun creating with this collection. I would love to hear from you and see your butterfly creations.

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Butterfly Brilliance Collection
#159408 $71.25

Butterfly Brilliance Bundle
#155821 $54.75

Butterfly Bijou Paper Pack
#156824 $11.50

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Jesus Gets Mad-Sunday Wisdom

Sunday Wisdom / March 7, 2021

In today’s gospel we experience the sincere frustration and anger Jesus portrays as he drives out the money changers from the temple. Yes, Jesus gets mad. Being anger is an emotion and it is never wrong to have emotions, but what we do with our emotions determines who we are.

Jesus shows us it is okay to get mad, but remember He did not hurt anyone with his anger. He just overturned a few tables to get everyone’s attention. So why was Jesus so mad? After all selling oxen, sheep and doves had been a traditional part of history, so what made this day so different.

Jesus was angry over the disrespect many of the merchants were showing in the temple area. He was not angry at the merchants for selling animals, He was angry at the injustice of some of those merchants exploited the poor by selling animals for a far higher price in the Temple than would be made outside. They were profiting from the good intentions of others.

I am sure we have all experienced a time when money creeps in to a situation who it tends to take over. I am not saying that money is bad, it is certainly needed and we can use our money to make the world a better place, feed the poor, house the homeless etc. However, when money becomes the focus, it takes over.

Jesus is gently reminding us to keep our focus on him and to keep our priorities in check. This Lent, let us continue to put Jesus first in our lives. Spend a few quite moments each day this week thanking God for the many blessings in your lives. It might just change your life.

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Sure Do Miss You!

4 Comments / Flowers-Birds-Butterflies-Nature, Just Because Cards / March 6, 2021

Before the Coronavirus hit us my mother-in-law was living with us for part of the year. Unfortunately she is unable to travel and I know that has been difficult for her so I have made it a point to send her a hand-stamped card every week. She is so grateful for the mail and will be turning 88 at the end of March.

I thought this card today would be perfect for her to let her know that she is missed and loved. The black border is just so you will be able to see the photo more easily and is not a part of the card itself.

Begin with a Basic White card base that measures 5½ x 8½. In landscape position, (aka the long side) score at 4¼”. Fold and burnish.
Cut a 4 x 5¼” piece of the Magenta Madness cardstock and set aside.
Use the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine and the dies from Blossoms in Bloom Bundle to cut a Basic White floral with the thicker blooms and a Basic Black floral with the thinner dies.
Use liquid glue and attach the white to the black. Again use liquid glue to attach half of the blossom image to the left side of the Magenta Madness cardstock, trimming off to even up the side.
Now attach the Magenta Madness panel to the front of the card base.
Stamp a greeting in the lower right side of the front panel. I used the Sure do Miss You from the Blossoms in Bloom Bundle pictured on page 51 in the 2020-2021 annual catalog.

This card was so easy to put together, but it looks like a intense labor of love. I love how simple dies can make truly elegant cards special.

I know my mother-in-law will love this card and I hope you do to. Feel free to leave me a comment and as always thank you for visiting!

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Stampin’ Cut and Emboss Machine
#149653 $120

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Snail Mail Fun!

1 Comment / Paper Crafting Ideas / March 5, 2021

The Snailed It Bundle in the January – June 2021 is just so cute and I love all the bright colors. It really does make for some happy mail! The paper is so colorful and some of the dies cut out the figures on the designer series paper. How cool is that?

Today’s card is made entirely from the designer series paper, no stamping at all!

Begin with a Basic White card base that measures 5½ x 8½. In landscape position, (aka the long side) score at 4¼”. Fold and burnish.
Cut a 4 x 5¼” piece of the Bermuda Bay cardstock and attach to the card front.
Cut a 4 ¼ x 3 ¼” piece of Real Red cardstock and a 3 x 4” piece of DSP from the Snail Mail paper pack and attach to the Real Red panel and attach to the Bermuda Bay panel on the card front.
Use the Paper Snips to fussy cut several mushrooms from the designer series paper and attach to the left side of the real red/designer series paper panel.
Next use the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine and the Stitched So Sweetly Dies to cut two rectangles, one in Basic White and one using Bermuda Bay cardstock and attach to the card front.
Use the dies from the bundle to cut a snail and the hello bubble from the Snail Mail Designer Series paper pack and attach to the Basic White rectangle.

For the inside, cut a strip of designer series paper that measures 1 x 5½” and attach to the bottom of the card.
Cut a small snail and attach to the left side of the card.

This was a really fun and easy card to make, no stamping at all! This bundle is available through June, so have fun!

Snail Mail Designer Series Paper
#154577 $11.50

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Just Stopping by to say Hi!

2 Comments / Paper Crafting Ideas / March 4, 2021

Today’s card features the Tasteful Touches Bundle and the In-Color 2020-2022 6 x 6 Designer Series Paper pack, specifically Just Jade.

Begin with a 5 ½ x 8 ½” piece of Just Jade cardstock. In landscape position (AKA-long side), score at 4 ¼”, burnish and fold.
Cut a 4 x 5 ¼” piece of Basic Black cardstock and attach to the card front.
From the 6 x 6 pack of Designer series paper (2020-2022 In-Color), choose a Just Jade design and cut it to measure 3 x 4”.
Now cut the 4” side in half at 2”. You should now have two pieces that measure 2 x 3”.
Position these pieces of designer series paper to the Basic Black panel at the top and bottom with an even edge on all sides, leaving a small gap in the center. Don’t worry about the gap we are going to hide it with the greeting.
Use the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine and the Tasteful Labels Dies to cut a design from Just Jade cardstock.
Use the Stamparatus to add a greeting from the Tasteful Touches stamp set in Memento Black ink.
Attach to the greeting with Stampin’ Dimensionals to the card front covering the gap between your designer series paper. Add three Matte Black dots to the greeting panel.

This is a fun technique that I learned from fellow demonstrator, Christine Fracchia. I hope you will give this technique a try. It is fun and also a great way to save on our designer series paper.

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Dragonfly Garden Bundle

1 Comment / Flowers-Birds-Butterflies-Nature / March 2, 2021

My card today features the Dragonfly Garden Bundle. I love the greeting in this set and thought it was a good card for March as we try to think spring! The Dragonfly punch does not have a matching stamp for the small dragonfly so I just stamped the big guy and punched it out with the baby dragonfly.

Begin with a Basic White card base that measures 5 ½ x 8 ½ . In landscape position, (aka the long side) score at 4 ¼”. Fold and burnish.
Cut a 4 x 5 ¼” piece of the Designer Series paper from the 2020-2022 In-Color 6×6 paper pack. I chose the Misty Moonlight paper but you can choose whatever color you like and change the stamps accordingly. Attach the designer series paper to the card in landscape position.
Stamp the large spray of flowers in Misty Moonlight on a piece of Basic White cardstock that measures 1 ¾ x 4 ¾” and color some of the flower with a So Saffron Stampin’ Blend marker.
Add a ½ x 4” strip of So Saffron cardstock along the edge of the flower and attach to the left side of the card front.
Stamp the butterflies and the greeting in Misty Moonlight ink on a 1 ¾ x 1 7/8” piece of Basick White cardstock and attach to the card front.
Use Misty Moonlight ink to stamp two large dragonflies on a piece of Basic White cardstock. Color the wings of one dragonfly with the So Saffron Stampin’ Blend marker and punch out the large dragonfly.
To the other stamped image, punch out the small dragonfly and then color with the So Saffron Stampin’ Blend marker.
Use a sponge dauber and some Misty Moonlight ink to add highlights to the small dragonfly and attach both to the card front.

There are so many wonderful possibilities for this bundle and there is a pack of designer series paper that coordinates with this set. I hope you will enjoy creating some springtime cards this week.

2020-2022 In-color Designer Series Paper
#153070 $11.50

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Memories and More Flowers For All Seasons Card

1 Comment / Flowers-Birds-Butterflies-Nature, Paper Crafting Ideas / March 1, 2021

Today’s card features the Flowers for Every Season Memories and More Cards and Envelopes on page 154 in the annual catalog. There are 10 cards to a pack and they feature the 2020-2022 In-Colors, which are absolutely amazing. Today I am using the Just Jade card, along with the Happy Thoughts stamp set.

Begin with a Just Jade card and matching envelope from the Flowers for Every Season Memories & More card pack.
Cut a 3 x 4″ piece of designer series paper from the Flowers for Every Season paper pack.
Cut a 4½” of Just Jade ribbon and wrap it around the designer series paper.
From the same ribbon pack, tie a bow and attach it to the ribbon using a glue dot.
Stamp a sentiment from Happy Thoughts in Memento Black or Just Jade ink onto a scrap piece of Basic White cardstock and use the Tailored Tag Punch to cut it out.
Attach the greeting to the front of the greeting card using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Add inside sentiment in Memento Black ink using the greetings from the Happy Thoughts set.

This card was inspired by fellow demonstrator Jackie Boluhis, who designed the Happy Thought stamp set when she reached one million dollars in sales. Thank you Jackie for your inspiration. I love your cards and your stamp set design. Jackie designed the greetings in her stamp set to fit several of the punches in the annual catalog, the Tailored Tag is just one.

Looks like the weather is warming up, at least here in St. Louis, so it is time to think about spring flowers! This paper pack is only available until the end of April, so get your pack soon, while supplies last!

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The Gift of Christ-Sunday Wisdom

Sunday Wisdom / February 28, 2021

Wow time sure does seem to be flying by. It seems as though it was just Christmas and now we are preparing for Easter. Our Heavenly Father gave us the gift of peace through the birth of His beloved Son and this week we receive the gift of His wisdom and glory in the Transfiguration. “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.”

That really is the key, to be still and listen. It is always a challenge to “be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), but if we turn to prayer and really listen, it gets easier. The key to loving others, especially those who seem to always try our patience is to try to see them as Jesus does. This takes prayer, practice and grace.

Jesus wandered throughout many villages teaching and preaching, filling those who would listen with His wisdom. But do we listen or do we just go about our day where nothing changes. At Easter God will give us Jesus again, not as a gift of peace, but as a gift of forgiveness and redemption.

He, Jesus, came to die for everyone and His Mercy is for all who will take time to listen and be moved with compassion for others. It may not seem like much, but a little kindness and compassion really can change the world. So don’t give in to fear and doubt, put your trust in the one who sacrificed His life for you and trust in His everlasting grace and mercy.

“Jesus I need your grace. Help me to seek you with all of my heart and to be caring, kind and compassionate to others.”

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Sending You Healing Vibes

Get Well & Sympathy / February 27, 2021

Before COVID 19 I started a card making group at my parish as part of The Healing of Hearts Ministry. We would gather quarterly and pray for sick parishioners and those shut-in and unable to attend church services. We would also make cards to send, get-well, thinking of you, and sympathy. I planned the card designs, but we created them as a group.

I mailed out cards on behalf of the group to those in need and we would send everyone on the list a Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter card. The coronavirus has put a huge damper on our gathers, in fact we have not met since November of 2019.

You may not think that a simple card can make a difference, but it can and it does. I have heard from a number of parishioners that they enjoy getting this kind of happy mail. It reminds them that they are important and that someone really does care. We all need that don’t you think?

Today’s card featuring Healing Hugs is a sample of one of the cards made for our community.

Begin with a Pretty Peacock card base that measures 5 ½ x 8 ½ ”. In landscape position, (aka the long side) score at 4 ¼”. Fold and burnish.
Cut a 4 x 5 ¼” piece of the Basic White cardstock and stamp the several of the large flower from Healing Hugs in Pretty Peacock ink.
On a scrap piece of Basic White cardstock stamp a large flower, again in Pretty Peacock ink and fussy cut out. Use a sponge dauber to add Pretty Peacock ink to the edges in a flicking motion around the flower.
Add the cut out flower to the stamped flowers on the Basic White panel.
Stamp the greeting in Pretty Peacock ink on a piece of Basic White scrap and punch out using the scalloped oval from the double oval punch. Next punch two scalloped ovals in Pretty Peacock cardstock.
Cut one scalloped oval in half lengthwise and the other in half widthwise. Attach the pieces to the white scalloped oval creating a Pretty Peacock border and attach to the white card panel of flowers and adhere to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Next attach the panel of flowers to the Pretty Peacock card front.

For the inside, cut a 4 x 5 ¼” piece of Basic White cardstock to inside panel and stamp the greeting in Pretty Peacock Ink.
Repeat the process of stamping one flower directly to the cardstock and stamping two others to a piece of Basic White scrap and fussy cut out.
Again use the sponge dauber to add a darker dimension around the outside using a flicking motion around all edges. Attach the flowers to the white card panel.
I layered the flowers in the lower left corner hanging off the cardstock and trimmed them before attaching to the inside panel.

This Healing Hugs stamp set is in the annual 2020-2021 catalog. Don’t forget this catalog will only be available through the end of April. The Pretty Peacock ink and cardstock used in this card sample will be retiring. If you have all the 2019-2021 ink pads but not the re-inkers, now is the time to add those to your shopping cart.

Retiring items in the 2020-2021 annual catalog will be while supplies last so don’t delay. Once the retired list is available, I will post it here on my blog, but again if you do not have those re-inkers, I would not take the chance on waiting! Yes, that is experience talking, what can I say!

Order before the end of the day Sunday February 28th while it is still Sale-a-Brations! Our Host code is: WYXSZPMJ
Happy stamping and Happy shopping!

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Framed For You With Sympathy

2 Comments / Get Well & Sympathy / February 26, 2021

It is always sad when we have to create sympathy cards for our loved ones, but what a great opportunity to use our awesome products and our creative crafting talents to bless others.

A good friend of mine recently lost her husband and I hope she will take comfort in this simple Sympathy card made just for her.

I created this card using the Framed For You and the Heal Your Heart stamp sets. I love the calming yet elegant font in the Heal your Heart set!

Begin with a Blackberry Bliss card base that measures 5 ½ x 8 ½ ”. In landscape position, (aka the long side) score at 4 ¼”. Fold and burnish.
Cut a 4 x 5 ¼” piece of the Basic White cardstock and stamp the several flowers in Blackberry Bliss ink in the upper left corner. Add some leaves and ferns in Shaded Spruce ink. Attach to the front of the Blackberry Bliss card base.
To the center of the flowers, add a silver metallic pearl. I also added an extra one to the fern and to the greeting.
Use the double oval punch to punch a scalloped oval from Blackberry Bliss cardstock. Use a scrap piece of Basic White cardstock to stamp the With Sympathy greeting in Blackberry Bliss ink. Punch out the greeting using the smooth oval from the Double Oval Punch.
Attach to the front of the card using Stampin’ Dimensionals. Add a small silver pearl to the greeting.

Cut a 4 x 5¼” piece of White cardstock and stamp the greeting from the Heal Your Heart set in Blackberry ink and attach the cardstock to the inside panel of the card base.
Feel free to embellish the inside with flowers and leaves or leave it plain as in the sample.

I know sending sympathy cards is never fun and my heart breaks for those who have lost a love one, especially, a significant other! Let us lift up in prayer and send our loving thoughts to all those who have loved and lost!