Serene Silhouettes meets Trust God

Two of the stamp sets I knew I had to have, when the new Annual Catalog came out, were Serene Silhouettes and Trust God.  This is one of the cards I made for my upline's current Holiday Catalog Swap.  Because I haven't had a lot of time to be creative and the deadline was fast approaching, I kept the card on the simple side.  I really like how the Lucky Limeade and Island Indigo came together.

Stamp Set(s):  Serene Silhouettes, Trust God; Ink(s):  Island Indigo; Card Stock:  Naturals White, Lucky Limeade, Twitterpated Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  1" Square Punch, 1-3/4" Scalloped Circle Punch, Dazzling Details/Silver Sparkle, Stampin' Dimensionals

If you don't have your copy of the Annual Catalog or the new Holiday Catalog, let me know.  You can e-mail me your address and I'll put one in the mail the same day.

Color Me Beautiful Color Challenge #1

A new challenge blog, Color Me Beautiful!, started up last Friday so I thought I'd check it out and see if it would be something I might find interesting.  Oh yeah!  It's going to be a fun one and I'm definitely going to try to follow it weekly.  And, they picked some of my favorite colors for the very first challenge.

I wanted to try to use all five of the colors.  It was a challenge to figure out just how much of what color to use and where to use it.  Here is the card I designed using all of the colors.  The photo does not do justice to the card.  Lately my photos have not be all that good.  I'm blaming the camera and going to ask for a new one for Christmas.

Stamp Set(s):  Everything Eleanor, You Are Loved; Ink(s):  Perfect Plum, VersaMark; Card Stock:  Basic Gray, Lucky Limeade, Perfect Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Wisteria Wonder; Accessories & Tools:  3/8" Ruffled Ribbon/Wisteria Wonder, Dazzling Details/Silver Sparkle, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Stampin' Emboss Powder/Clear, Crystal Effects, Mini Glue Dots, Little Leaves Sizzlits, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

To see the inspiration for their color choices, click the following, Color Me Beautiful!  It will take you right to the blog and you, too, may want to accept their challenges.

Yesterday was unexpectedly child-free, so not only did I get my challenge card made, I finished my swap cards and had a chance to spend some time with my upline, Andrea.  I always enjoy time with her.

My Brain on Overload!

Considering it was a holiday weekend and considering I decided to be a procrastinator (which is a rare occurrence for me), I didn't get pictures taken of my latest projects.  What, you ask, did I do all the weekend long?  The answer to that is easy.  I did very little or I should say as little as possible.  I id spend part of it with family.  Grilled brats are hard to say no to.  Now it's Tuesday and I have two sets of swaps to finish up and deliver today, a class to prepare for that's happening on Monday,  projects to design and make for our next llama blog hop and several displays to create for upcoming craft shows.  It's going to be a 'down to the wire' kind of week.

Have a great day everyone and I'll let you know tomorrow how much I accomplished today.

Gift Card Holder Birthday Card

So, we are back to the llama swap cards and today I'm sharing the one I made.  I'm always looking for different ways to give gift cards.  This a layer that is cut 5-1/4" x 4" and will fit on a card that is 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".  This card was really fun to make.  The candles are made using the all new In Colors.  I haven't mounted it yet but you could use any one of the candle colors.

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Inks:  Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie; Card Stock:  Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, Daffodil Delight; Accessories & Tools:  Adorning Accents Folders, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

I've been getting more swap cards from my llama sisters and will be sharing those with you over the next several day.s
 

Petite Purse Llama Swap Card

Patti Leeke made these cute little purse cards for our llama swap.  I love this Petite Purse Die!  A wonderful friend of mine (Jean Fitch, you know who you are!) gifted me one for my birthday.  I was so thrilled to get it and have made lots of these little cuties.  My grandsons even made them for their teachers for Teacher Appreciation Month.  They are a big hit wherever I take them. 

Stamp Set(s):  Tiny Tags; Ink(s):  Daffodil Delight; Card Stock:  Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Petite Purse Bigz L Die, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, 1/4" Daffodil Delight Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Daffodil Delight Designer Button, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Betsy's Blossoms Llama Swap Card

This is the card that Stephanie Osgood shared with us.  I love the bright, cheerful look of it.  If you'd like to see all of the great new products from Stampin' Up!®, contact me and I'll send you our new Annual Catalog and the new Holiday Catalog.

Stamp Set(s):  Betsy's Blossoms; Ink(s):  Marina Mist, Regal Rose, Tangerine Tango; Card Stock:  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Floral District Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  1/4" Daffodil Delight Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Blossom Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Llama Swap Card

Today's card is one that Jackie Susnik designed.  I love our new Elegant Butterfly Punch.  And, the From My Heart Stamp Set is another that is on my wishlist.

Stamp Set(s):  From My Heart; Ink(s):  Primrose Petals; Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Twitterpated Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Hearts Collection Framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sponge, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

It's Another Llama Swap Card

Today's card came from Susan Horr.  When I first saw this stamp set, Daydream Medallions, in the new catalog, it went straight to my wish list.  Now that I've seen Susan's card, I moved it into the top five of that list along with the Floral Frames Framelits.  It has so many possibilities.

Stamp Set(s):  Daydream Medallions, Embellished Events; Ink(s):  Primrose Petals, So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker, Primrose Petals Stampin' Write Marker, Raspberry Ripple Stampin' Write Marker, Gumball Green Stampin' Write Marker; Card Stock:  So Saffron, Primrose Petals, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Floral Frames Framelits, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Llama Swap Card

Over the next few days I'll be sharing with you the lovely swaps cards I've been receiving from my llama sisters.  They will be short posts as there is so much going on in the upcoming days. 

This is a card I received from Buffy Cooper.  She always has such great designs and it is a joy to get one of her cards.

Stamp Set(s):  Postage Due; Ink(s):  Crumb Cake, Raspberry Ripple, Island Indigo, Soft Suede, VersaMark; Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Raspberry Ripple, Very Vanilla, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Soft Suede; Accessories & Tools:  Clear Embossing Powder, 1/2" Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon, Vintage Trinkets, Jewelry Tag Punch, Finial Press Embossing Folder (retired), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, sponge

I'm a Coffee Junkie!

I confess!  If my day doesn't start with coffee, you might as well lock me in my room and throw away the key.

There is nothing that compares with the smell of fresh brewed coffee.  I always use distilled water when making a pot of coffee.  You get the best tasting coffee without the oil and scum on top of the coffee.  It's also easier on your coffee pot in that you don't have the calcium build-up that clogs it up. 

Fortunately, my day has started out right.  Just as soon as I finish this "no project to share" post, my cup and I will be sitting at the craft table finishing up my cards for another llama swap.  So, I'm out of here to get a refill and get those cards done.  May you all have a beautiful day.

Send A Friend A Card Day

Although it's not an official holiday, it is on the calendar.  What better way to remember a friend than by sending them a handmade card full of love.

Last week my llama group finished up another swap and all of the cards I've received so far have been great!  I'm sharing my card here today since it fits right in with the theme of today's post.  It's a clean and simple design but I really like the colors in this one.  The Twitterpated Designer Series Paper is fast becoming some of my favorite paper to use.

Stamp Set:  My Friend; Ink:  Night of Navy; Card Stock:  Calypso Coral, Twitterpated Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Blossom Punch, Mini Brads, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die

I'm thinking I'm also going to use this one for my Make and Take for my Customer Appreciation Tea that's in the works.

Until we meet again...

Valentine Candy Hearts

Last night was the monthly meeting of a local group of Stampin' Up!® Demonstrators.  We have a lot of fun, share ideas, talk about what works and what doesn't and usually have a swap.  It's what I enjoy about being a demonstrator; the chance to get together with others whether it's demonstrator meetings, workshops or classes.  The card I'm sharing with you today is the one I made for our swap.

Stamp Sets:  Candy Conversations, You Are Loved; Inks:  Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose; Card Stock:  Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Love Patterns Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  5/8" Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Small Heart Punch, Jewels Basic Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive

Wouldn't you like to share in the fun?  Now is the time to become a demonstrator.  During Sale-A-Bration, which runs from January 24th through March 31st, you can join and receive your Starter Kit for only $125.  And, you'll get to select a FREE paper pack or digital download every month for the rest of the year.  That is just one of the benefits of becoming a Demonstrator.  Others are a 20% discount on each order, contests, the opportunity of pre-order new products and many more.

To sign up, visit my website and click the "Join The Fun" tab at the top of the page.  On the drop down menu, click "Join Now."   It's as easy as that.

Until we meet again...

A Change In Plans

Well, as you can see, I didn't get pictures of the swap cards done so no pictures to share.  I had a very sweet phone call from my six year old grandson inviting me to supper with him and his family.  His dad is my youngest son.  So, rather than take photos on a gloomy rainy day, I went to play with my family.

Lasagna was on the menu and my daughter-in-law is an excellent cook.  After supper, the boys took their showers while the three adults played Trivial Pursuit.  Not to brag, but I won!  It was an evening full of love and laughter.  I love times like that with my boys.

So, once again, I will try to get photos taken tomorrow and post those fantastic swap cards.  You are going to love them.

Blessings from Marsha

A Slow, Lazy Friday

Although I don't have any new cards I can show you today, I do have several made.  I finished up three for an upcoming blog hop in which I am participating.  I'll be sure to let you know all the details as time draws closer.  It will be my very first blog hop and should be a good one.

So, that would be it for today.  Tomorrow I'll share one of the cards I received in a recent llama swap.  I'll explain all about it tomorrow.  For now, I'm off to get some rest as yesterday and today have found me not feeling well.

Blessings from Marsha