March Thank you's

For my March thank you notes, I used a variety of stamps.

 This card was so easy!!  Unfortunately, the punch I used is a retired one.  I punched colored card stock circles and adhered them behind the punched areas - in shades of blue.  I used Gorgeous Grunge for the ink splatters.

This was another easy one.  I again used Gorgeous Grunge in Pacific Point and Real Red for splatters.  Next I used Hello Lovely (pg 22 of catalog).  I stamped the thank you stamp twice - once in red and once in Pacific Point and cut it apart.

 I think this one might be my favorite one.  I love these chevrons from the Oh Hello set (pg 34).  The small arrows are from one of the photopolymer sets.

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 These cards turned out thanks to my favorite tools .... the Stamp-a-ma-jig!  It made lining up the chevrons so easy!!

This card is my Washi Tape card!  I used the tape to decorate the card and then stamped with the Hello Lovely stamp.

Our Quarterly starts tonight.  Marianne and I are going over to the Holiday Inn after lunch and start setting up.  The gals will start arriving around 5 to work on the 31 shoebox cards!  My car is packed to the brim with decorations, prizes and supplies for the event.

Word Bubble Rainbow Love

Welcome to spring!  Yesterday and today were beautiful days!!  I'm loving it so far.  The weather man is calling for rain on Friday and Monday and the temps to drop next week - highs only in 60s.  So guess I'll enjoy it while I can!!

The beautiful sunshine prompted me to create a bright and cheery card.  In fact, I loved it so much, I could't stop and made 3 cards using the same theme.  I may be doing this one in club this month.  We'll see!

I used the Word Bubbles Framelits and the Just Sayin' stamp set.  They can both be purchased as a bundle from the Occasions catalog for $37.25 (clear) and $43.95 (wood).  This set did not grab me when I first got the catalog but I have really used them a lot.  Check out my "rainbow" cards using the framelits and stamp:

Here are some great ideas that were shared in January on Stampin' Up's corporate blog:  Check it out HERE.

Don't Worry! Be Happy!

Here are this week's weekly deals which end on Monday -


It's time for the Paper Craft Crew Challenge.  This is my MDS card for the challenge -

 I used the DSP from the Watercolor paper that can be found in the Occasions catalog.

Make sure to stop by the Paper Craft Crew Blog to check out the other cards made with this sketch.

Spread the Joy!

I don't go to many concerts but I felt like I was at one Saturday night.  I listened and watched the live stream (on my computer) of the first iHeartRadio Country Festival live from Austin, Texas.  It started at 8:30 and I finally called it quits at 1:00 a.m.!  I think Luke Bryan was singing the final song.  I felt like I was really there with the crowd.  The artists were great - Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes, Carrie Underwood, Jake Owen and Dan + Shay.  Each artist sang at least 4 songs and many sang more than that.  It was awesome!!

While listening to the concert, I did a little creating.  I have this stamp set, Spread the Joy, that has not seen ink yet.  Wouldn't you know it - right after I got it a few months ago, it was retired.  Oh well, I really like the saying on it and will continue to use it.  The stamp was created by a Stampin' Up employee, Emily.  Stampin' Up held a design contest and this was the winner.  Here is how Emily describes the set:  "The theme—Bucket List—was tricky! Although I do want to go skydiving and visit all 50 states, a big part of my bucket list is becoming what I want to be—so my set is a reminder. “Spread the Joy” reminds me to let loose and enjoy life; to leave love notes for my husband and kids; to be brave when life is stormy; and to do the things that really matter! I’m particularly proud of the jam and bread—100 percent my husband’s idea."  Cool, huh?




What's on your bucket list?  I still have a few things on mine but I am marking a lot of them off and not sitting around dreaming about them!

I used the Hardwood background stamp (in Occasions mini catalog) for the background and stamped it in Pool Party.  The die cut piece is from Apothecary framelits.  There is not a framelit or punch for the oval saying so I hand cut it.  I don't think I would have thought about putting these colors together - Pool Party and Crushed Curry - but I got the idea from my Color Coach (a great tool) and I really like it!

Marianne and I got together this weekend and put the finishing touches on the Quarterly that we are hosting this weekend.  I think we are ready!!  I am hoping by the weekend Sonny will be back to his old self.  He is still feeling poorly.  He went to the dr. on Thursday and started on an antibiotic and a pill for his cough and I thought he would be rallying by now.  But I woke up during the night and he was missing from his side of the bed.  He ended up sleeping in his chair last night and is still asleep this morning.  He's getting pretty grumpy from feeling bad for so long and I don't blame him.  The weather is supposed to be in the 80s later in the week and I know he wants to be outside!!

Petal Parade .... going, going ..... almost over!

Sale-a-Bration is fast coming to an end.  You have until Monday to take advantage of getting something FREE!!  So I made several cards this week using some of the items from the Sale-a-bration catalog.

I have not really used this stamp (Petal Parade) much so decided to dust it off and stamp with it before it's too late!!  I also used the twine in Summer Starfruit that is a Sale-a-bration item.  I really love the twine and hope it will be an item in the new catalog this summer.  The DSP pieces I cut into banner shapes.  As much as I love the Sweet Sorbet DSP, the piece that I used here (with the black and multi-colors) is not my favorite and I have had a hard time figuring out how to use it.  But I really like the way it pulls the other colors out in this card.  So, looks like if you just use a small piece in a background, it will pull your card together.  I lined the Summer Starfruit and Pool Party arrows up using my favorite tool, my Stamp-a-ma-jig! Love that tool!  In fact, I lost mine a few months ago (still haven't found it) and have had to replace it.  I also used it to line up the sentiment.  I love how that sentiment (from Perfect Pennants) fit perfectly beside the pennants.  Believe me, I did NOT plan it!!  I don't tend to plan when making a card - I just stamp.  Sometimes that's a good thing, other times not so much.  On this card, I was originally going to stamp the sentiment on top of the stamped flowers.  When I looked at the card I decided there was too much white space at the top so set out to find a sentiment to fill it up.  This one was perfect, don't you think?

Don't know if you can tell, but I took this card outside to take my picture .... in the SUNSHINE!!  It's not warm but the sun did shine yesterday.  On Tuesday, we had a little more snow mixed in with rain in the afternoon!  Crazy!!  Today's temps are supposed to almost get to 60 degrees so we are getting there!  I just hope the weather will be nice for our Quarterly weekend (April 4-5).  I have been really busy getting everything made for it.  Can't wait to share some of the things I have made but I want to wait until after Quarterly so as not to spoil the surprise for those who read my blog.  Marianne and I have made some cute things (in my humble opinion!!)

Sonny is still feeling poorly although he did go skeet shooting yesterday against my advice.  He is in charge of the Catawba group and felt like he had to go.  But when he got home, he called the doctor and is going to see him today.  It's about time!  I'm still fighting it - I'm congested and have been really sleepy.  I went out yesterday and ran a few errands.  It was good to get out of the house but I took a nap about 6:00 pm!  I think I am just getting a cold and I can handle that!

Imagination can take you Everywhere!

Time for Paper Craft Crew Challenge.  I have missed several of the challenges lately for one reason or another.  But I made sure I did my card early this week and got it posted.  I opened up My Digital Studio for my card as usual.  I really love this card I made this week!

I used DSP from Sweet Sorbet and the cork flowers and embellishment on the side are from Sale-a-bration.
This was a fun sketch with all the banners and the word bubble.  Why don't you give it a try and post your creation HERE

Ampersands are the Rage!

More bad weather moving in tonight!  Rain or snow is predicted for tonight and tomorrow but no accumulation.  The high tomorrow is only supposed to be 48 degrees!  Hopefully, this is the last hurrah for winter here.  I would like to get my capris and flip flops out of storage!

Things are getting better at the Maranich household.  Sonny is still not 100% but he is starting to rally.  I have "gunk" in my throat and sound kinda "froggy" but I am not achy like I was yesterday.  It's gotta be the honey and cinnamon!!

I played around yesterday with making a couple of cards with My Digital Studio.  Here is one of them using the popular Ampersands.  Isn't it funny that ampersands are in vogue now?

Here is my supply list for the card:
 Background
     Color = BAKED BROWN SUGAR

Embellishments
   (3)  Staple & Stitching\Chocolate - Simple Stitches line 3
 
Stamps
    OVERLAYS\Decorative Overlays\Decorative Overlays - woodgrain, Color = SOFT SUEDE
    OVERLAYS\Decorative Overlays\Decorative Overlays - woodgrain, Color = VERY VANILLA
    Designer Kits\Amped Up Ampersands\Amped Up Ampersands - ampersand,  VERY VANILLA
    Bring On the Cake\Bring on the Cake - happy birthday script,
    Bring On the Cake\Bring on the Cake - happy birthday script,
    Designer Kits\Amped Up Ampersands\Amped Up Ampersands - and many more,  EARLY ESPRESSO
 
Punches
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Be Yourself - designer series paper\Be Yourself - paper 9
    Labels & Tags\Tag It - punches\Tag It - tag 1, Fill Color = SUMMER STARFRUIT
    Labels & Tags\Tag It - punches\Tag It - ticket, Fill Color = SOFT SKY
    Basics\Scallop Oval Punch, Fill Color = SOFT SKY

Where is Spring?

Happy Monday!  Luckily this Monday finds me feeling better than yesterday.  Sonny has been down and out with the flu since last Tuesday and I have been really afraid that I would get it.  I don't have time to be sick right now!!  Friday he finally felt like eating something and wanted an Italian Sub from a restaurant in Mooresville.  So I got it for him and he devoured it.  Saturday I drove him (I know he's sick when he lets me drive!!) to town to get breakfast.  Of course that was after he woke up at noon!!  Then that night MY throat started hurting and I started coughing.  Oh no!!  Sunday I was achy all over and sleepy so I laid on the couch most of the day taking Alieve every few hours. Someone in my stamp club told me last week that her chiropractor's nurse told her if you mixed one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon and take that, it would work on flu, cold, etc.  So that's what I did Sunday morning.  Needless to say, the others in my family laughed at me but ....y  I started feeling better in the afternoon and went upstairs to do a little crafting,  I decided to cancel my bridge playing for Monday so I could continue to recupe.  Today I am feeling ok - scratch throat and congested but not like I was feeling yesterday!!  Maybe it's time for more cinnamon and honey????

I am ready for spring weather.  We had a few nice days last week but this week is not going to be too spring'y - highs on Tuesday and Wednesday in the high 40s.  Go away winter!!!  I took a few "spring signs" pictures when I was out on Saturday so I know it really is Spring time.

My camellia bush is loaded with flowers.

a neighbor daffodills

Lenten rose in my front yard

Lenten Rose bush - wish they could not droop like that so you could see their faces!

Beautiful spring tree

Took this picture out of the car window of these beautiful trees

I can't take credit for this but isn't it lovely??

And today I saw a beautiful bluebird on the back deck.  So someone needs to tell the weather man, it is SPRING!

One of the gals in my stamp club had a masectomy last week.  We are all keeping her in our prayers.  This is the card I made and we all signed to send to her.

 

I masked the moon and sponged pink, yellow and blue onto the white card stock.  Next I stamped the images from Serene Silhouettes in Stazon Black onto the card.  I tore a strip of Coordinations card stock and adhered it on the bottom; wrapped a piece of ribbon around the bottom (Pool Party) and adhered the whole thing onto the Pool Party card.

Club Card #2

Today was such a beautiful day!  I went out this morning with a "hoodie" on and by the afternoon, was able to ditch it.  And tomorrow will be even better!!

We had a good time today at Stamp Club.  Here are the final two cards that we made with the Spring colors.  I am going to miss this Sweet Sorbet DSP .... it is so pretty!

I tried to make the cards simple but with a Wow factor.  This one uses the Sweet Sorbet DSP on a Pistachio Pudding card.  I sponged a little portion of the doily Cantaloupe with a dauber.  The little white piece of card stock is actually a little note card that Stampin' Up had a few years ago.  I had a whole package of them that I had never even opened so thought it fit well with this card.  I stamped piece on top with Cantaloupe ink from the Label Love stamp set.  It actually says "Just for You" but we stamped Happy Easter on a scrap, cut it out and adhered it on top of the stamped sentiment.  The twine that is thread through the button is from Sale-a-bration also.

Here is the final card again using Sale-a-bration products.  The card base is Sahara Sand.  I stamped my sentiment in Sahara Sand but I think it is too light so I had the gals stamp theirs with Baked Brown Sugar ink.  This card uses the Sorbet DSP and the Petal Parade stamp,

Club Cards #1

This week is Stamp Club. You can tell from looking at the cards I designed that I am ready for SPRING!! This has been the winter that will never end all over the country.  Monday and Tuesday was bitter cold here - never got out of the 30s either day.  Today wasn't so bad - It did get up into the mid 50s and I only had to wear a sweater when I went outside.  But tomorrow - the first day of spring - the predicted high is supposed to be 66 and Friday in the 70's!!  I'm more than ready.

My club cards are not only spring based but also use a lot of Sale-a-bration items.  This is the final month that you can get these items FREE - or for that matter, get the items at all.  After March 31, they will be gone (except for the Banner Punch.)

This card is one I CASE'd from Monica Gale, a UK demo.  I used the Deco Labels framelit for the opening. The banners are from the Sale-a-bration set, Banner Blast (love it!!) and punched out with the coordinating punch which will be in the 2014-15 SU catalog,   I used a couple of other Sale-a-bration items too - the Decorative Dots embossing folder and the Summer Starfruit twine which I love.  The sentiment is from the Happy Watercolor stamp set.

This is a fun card (above) similar to the one we made last week at Allison's.  I used Soft Suede cardstock cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2.  Fold it over without creasing and slide it into the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, center and punch.  Next score at 4 1/4" from one side.  Cut away the pieces on either side of the scallops and crease one of the scallops - on the larger side.  Decorate as desired.  One interesting thing I did on this card is to stamp on the ribbon.  I used the Petite Petals stamp and Word Bubbles Bundle on the card.

Tomorrow is my eye doctor appointment.  I'm anxious to see what my vision is.  I'm starting to think I miss my old bifocals!  I've been wearing readers that I bought at Michaels for close up.  But taking them on and off constantly is a pain!!  Guess I'll get it figured out soon enough.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get whatever crud my husband has.  We think it is the flu even though he had his flu shot.  He said he can't remember ever feeling this bad before.  I better not get it!!!!