Sew what?

I haven't made a card in a couple months! Sew what? It's a hobby, not a job, right? I got this colorful postcard with all the spools of thread and sewing notions and had fun transforming it into a greeting card. By the way, the outlook for my cardmaking in the near future is good. Thanks for not giving up on me.

• Paper: Ruby Red, Sahara Sand cardstock, Tommy Hilfiger fall sale postcard
• Stamps: Simple Sayings II
• Ink: Night of Navy
• Accessories: Button, hemp twine, pop-up dot

Tender Bunny, you make me smile

Here's another card with my sweet little bunny stamp.

• Paper: Stampin' Up! Kraft, Basic Black, Cool Caribbean, Whisper White cardstock
• Ink: Basic Black by Stampin' Up!, White by Stampabilities
• Accessories: Black Ribbon from Hobby Lobby, Linen Thread
• Stamps: Tender Toile, Simple Sayings II, Spunky Spots Jumbo Wheel all by SU

Simply Scrappin' 6" x 6" album was easy and so much fun

Cardmaking is my thing, but scrapbooking overwhelms me. Jini told me how easy the Simply Scrappin' is to use, and how much she's been enjoying scrapbooking through Stampin' Up's shortcut method. Tomorrow, my husband is flying out of state to get a root canal by my brother-in-law, so I'm sending him with a few gifts for my sister and the family. (He'll swap professional services with him by building them a new computer.) The coolest thing I'll be sending is my first Simply Scrappin' scrapbook album that I put together for my niece, Morgan, for her birthday. It's very elementary, and completely not elaborate. But it's a start for me and I loved making it. If you'd like to take a look at Morgan's 6 x 6 album, click here. You'll see me with my husband on page six, and throughout, there are pics of our kids, nieces, and nephews. It's a sweet memento for Morgan to remember her far away cousins and auntie and uncle who love her. Happy birthday, Morgan! Stamp used: Simple Sayings II (you make me smile).

It's my anniversary....

...on splitcoaststampers, that is. One year ago, I discovered this gold mine of a website for inspiration, sharing, and ideas. I love it. PLUS, it is my one week anniversary for starting this blog, dedicated to my little hobby that I've been crazy about for several years. Here's my story of how I got hooked.

Long ago, I met a new friend, Gwen, who had relocated to my area and was a successful demonstrator for D.O.T.S. (Dozens of Terrific Stamps). Gwen wasn't sure she wanted to get her business going again after the move and considered joining me in my business. I saw her incredible art and how amazingly talented she was at card making. Gwen's beautiful paper creations were so enjoyable to look at. I convinced her that she'd be crazy to give it up, then hosted a huge soiree to get her stamping gig kick-started again. Her business took off from there, and Gwen became THE stamping goddess in the area.

For a time, Gwen had even recruited my sister as a D.O.T.S. demonstrator while my brother-in-law was specializing to become an endodontist. All the while, my passion for card making grew. Gwen moved away and my life got hectic, and my stamps and supplies were tucked away collecting dust. Some time later, Stampin' Up emerged, and I rediscovered the art, found out that D.O.T.S. became Close to My Heart, and Gwen had moved away again.

Now my passion for stamping is as strong as ever, my stash of stamps and supplies have multiplied exponentially, and the possibilities and ideas are limitless. I love my little hobby and hope to be able to share the fruits of my labors with money others, as he or she opens a card and smiles, knowing it was hand made and one of a kind. Today's creation is for a friend of mine, "just because," as the Simple Sayings II sentiment implies. See my Just Because Dutch Girl card on SCS for details if you'd like. Thanks for checking out my new blog! Happy anniversaries!

Carte Postale

The fleur-de-lis stamp and floral stamps from this Carte Postale set give a nice French toile look. I made this card layout several months ago in different colors and thought I'd incorporate the SCS color challenge today which uses these colors: real red, sage shadow, and basic black. I would love to give credit to the person whom I copied this from and when I do, I'll edit it back in. I love the long sentiment in the Simple Sayings II set too.