Clear Stamp Case Photo Album

When I sat down to work on a project from my up line Kim VanDiepen the other day, I decided to skip the project and come up with my own using one of the items that went with hers.  I used one of the clear stamp cases to create this mini photo album.  I just love the way it turned out, and I soooooo impressed myself with my creativity. :)  I used the Springtime Vintage DSP from the upcoming Occasions Mini along with the Build a Blossom stamp set, Blossom Petals Punch and Frame Tulips Impressions Folder from the same catalog.  I just love, love, love, all three of these things from this catalog.  I am going to have to order more of the DSP as soon as the catty goes online because I've used all of it!  I hope you enjoy looking at these photos as much as I enjoyed creating the project.

Until next time...

Happy Stamping!

Josie

Occasions Mini Sneak Peak/Valentine

The Occasions Mini from Stampin' Up! is about to launch on January 4th and I almost wet myself when I saw the beautiful designer series paper and stamp sets that are in it.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on the things I ordered.  I've had my stuff for a few weeks, but just this week got the opportunity to start playing.  I used the XOXO stamp set and Love Impressions dsp in the catalog to make today's Valentine Card.  Today I am posting only one of the things I've been working on.  I'll spread the rest out over the next few days. Thanks for stopping by!

Josie

Christmas Ornaments

Hello Everyone! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. It has been a few weeks since my last post and I thought before the Christmas season is actually over (it ends on Jan. 6th) I'd post a few photos of some ornaments I made this year for myself and a few friends. They were really easy to do, including coloring the insides of the ornaments. But, they look like they took forever. That's what I like about some of the fun things you can do with Stampin' Up! products. I like the red ornament the best, but I think the other two are pretty too! I used stamp sets from the Holiday Mini. The sets I used are Peaceful Season and Tags til Christmas. I also used the Northern Frost Decorative Strip for the Big Shot. I hope you like them as much as I do. Until my next post...Thanks for stopping by!
Josie





P.S. Don't forget! The Holiday Mini Catalog is going to expire soon, so if there is something you've been wanting...now is the time to order!

Christmas Card and Gift Card Holder

Tonight's post is two things I made last night. The first is a gift card holder that I made using Tempting Turquoise textured card stock and the Northern Frost decorative strip for the Big Shot. The decorative strip is found in the Holiday Mini Catalog. If you want the directions for this holder, just shoot me an email and I will be happy to share. You can't tell from the photo, but there is a ribbon on it that is long enough to hang the holder on the tree. Pretty cool, huh!




The second is a card I made using Deck the Halls DSP and the Bells & Boughs stamp set. I had a hard time taking a photo of this card. For whatever reason, I couldn't get it to not come our blurry. I did very little stamping, but a lot of cutting. I cut out one of the images on the dsp and used dimensionals to pop it up on the base. I think it turned out pretty well.



As always, thank you for stopping by and until next time...

Happy Stamping!

Josie

More Christmas

Hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving with their families and friends. We spent the day with our daughter, son-in-law, and son. After dinner we visited with some friends and basically ate ourselves silly! Today I spent the day making turkey and lentil soup from my leftovers and we enjoyed several delicious bowls of it tonight for dinner. I love homemade soup on cold days. Even though the sun was shining here in Colorado and the temp was somewhere in the 50's it was still chilly enough for soup and fresh bread from the bakery. The weather today wasn't too bad considering it didn't get much higher than 20 degrees on Thanksgiving day.

Anyway, I've got a new photo for you today. It's a set of 3 x3 cards that I made to use for gift tags this Christmas and I wanted to share it with you.

I used the Tags till Christmas stamp set for two of them, Jolly Old St. Nick for one of them, and the snowflake punch for the other. Very simple but cute.

Tomorrow I'll have a few more Christmas cards for you and an adorable little gift card holder that I made for the holidays. Until then...

Happy Stamping!

Josie

Scallop Edge Christmas Tree

Okay, one more card for today. This is my little scallop edge Christmas tree. I used Jolly Holiday DSP from the current IBC and the scallop edge punch. Very easy to make. The sentiment comes from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set also in the IBC and the Big Shot embossing folder is called Petals-a-Plenty. The button is from the Designer Button Regals Collection also in the IBC.

Be back soon. Till then...

Happy Stamping!
Josie

A Month Before Christmas

Since it has been since August since I last blogged, I'm covering the last holiday, Halloween, upcoming Thanksgiving, and Christmas all in one sitting today.



These three little cards are some of my favorites, especially the snow globe. I think it is the cutest little thing! I made it a few months ago at a stamp club I attend. We used the Sweet Snowglobe stamp and Candy Cane Christmas DSP from the current Holiday Mini. It also uses the Northern Frost Decorative Srtip for the Big Shot which is also in the holiday mini. I love it, love it, love it! Need I say more?



The card with the little Christmas packages on it is another of my favorites. And it was sooooooo easy to make. The DSP came from the IBC. It is called Jolly Holiday. The stamp set is Heard from the Heart, also in the IBC.























The last card uses another stamp set I like a lot. It is an "oldie but goodie", Winter Post. The dsp is from the Holiday Mini and is Deck the Halls.

I love, love, love Christmas and all of the Christmas "things" Stampin' Up!has in both their Holiday Mini and IBC, and I'll have more to show you in the next few weeks before Christmas. I hope this makes up for my lack of posting since August. I've been busy with work and I am lucky to have this week off. (Many of the surrounding school districts only get Wed., Thurs., & Fri. off). Then only 3 weeks is it until Christmas break?...but who is counting! :)

Till then...Happy Stamping!

Josie

On-Time Thanksgiving Cards

These two cards were designed by my friend Kim. She sent the one made with the Day of Gratitude stamp set and Baja Breeze DSP to me last week. I was thrilled to get it. I think it is really pretty. See what a little ink, paper, and creativity can do.

The other card was made with the Apple Blossom hostess set from the IBC. I changed it by adding the Happy Thanksgiving sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set. These three stamp sets are my absolute favorites and I don't see how anyone can do without any of them!

Better-Late-Than-Never--Halloween

These are two mini hand sanitizer holders that I made for Halloween this year. The top one was designed by a friend of mine, Cathy, and I created the bottom one. These would be easily adaptable for little Christmas gifts. If you want the directions and dimensions, please feel free to email me.

50% Off Stampin' Up! Starter Kits

From Nov. 15 through Nov. 30, Stampin' Up is offering 50% off their Starter Kits. Download the flyer and read about this great offer. Then click on my Stampin' Up! Link on this page to sign up.

You can't beat this deal!

:)

Josie

Friends Never Fade

Hello Everyone~

I've been really busy here getting some of the rooms in my house ready to paint and getting myself ready to head back to my "other" job (teaching) on Thursday. Where has the summer gone? It seems that once the Fourth of July hits, the summer ends too quickly. Once I head back to teaching, a lot of things will suffer like housework, cooking...all of the things I absolutely hate. The important things in the house will get done, but much of my free time will be spent in my stamp room. The only problem there is, I'll make new stuff, but a lot of the time I don't get around to photographing and posting. Anyway, on to the card.

I used the Big Shot and the Bigz Tulipe die to make the stencil for this card using a thick window sheet. I then used a sponge dauber to get the image onto the crumb cake card stock. I also used the Very Vintage jumbo wheel and versa mark to lightly stamp the background. I think the rest is self explanatory, so I won't go into great detail. It is a pretty card and turned out quite well, I think. If you have any questions about it, feel free to email me.

Don't forget to check out my calendar of events by clicking on my Stampin' Up! website link on the top right of the page.

Until next time, hope your days are filled with stamping and fun.

Josie

Punch Potpurri (Hostess Set)

Hello, everyone!

As promised, I am back today with a new post and photo of a card I recently completed. It uses the Punch Potpourri hostess set, which can be yours too if you book and hold a workshop. It is a level 1 hostess set, so it doesn't have to be a big one, only $150.00. It coordinates perfectly with the Two-step Bird Extra Large punch. ($16.95; item #117191).

As a matter of fact, August is the perfect time to hold a workshop. Stampin' Up! is offering an extra $25.00 in hostess benefits until Aug. 31 if you have a $350.00 workshop or greater. That means $75.00 in free stuff! Now, who doesn't like to get free stuff? I still have some dates open, so go on over to my Stampin' Up! website, choose a day and let me know and we will do it!

The other things I used on this card are:

Stamps:

• Punch Potpourri (Hostess Level 1)
• Occasional Quotes (Hostess Level 3)

Card Stock:

• Rich Razzelberry (115316)
• Regal Rose (105130)
• Very Vanilla (101650)
• Old Olive (100702)

Ink:

• Rich Razzelberry (115658)
• Regal Rose (105211)

Accessories:

• Two-step Bird Extra Large Punch (117191)
• 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (Regal Rose--Retired )
• Extra-Large Oval Punch (119859)
• Rhinestone Brads; Clear (113144)
• Basic Rhinestones; for bird's eye (119246)
• Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402)
• Textured Wallpaper Embossing folder for Big Shot (120175)

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your visit. Until next time...

Josie

Vintage Vogue Post-It Holder

Hello. Hope everyone is having a great Wednesday. It has been awhile since I last posted, but I hope to make that up to you in the next few days.

This post-it holder holds the 6" x 4" post-it note pads. I love this stamp set, if you don't already know that. I made a couple of these for some new people at work, sort of as a welcome gift. I really do think they will like it.

Everything I used is from the new Idea Book and Catalog which I can't get enough of. I want everything in it!

Oh, and the sentiment looks like it is crooked, but I assure you, it is stamped straight. I've said on more than one occasion, I am not a photographer. I must not have lined up the the camera quite right!

Here is what I used:

Card Stock:

• Crumb Cake (120953)
• Soft Suede (115318)
• Very Vanilla (101650)

Ink:

• Crumb Cake (121030)
• Soft Suede (115657)
• River Rock (109010)

Stamps:

• Vintage Vogue (118598/clear)
• Very Vintage jumbo wheel (117693)
• Occasional Quotes (Hostess Set) (120142/clear)

I also used vanilla colored pearls from the old Pretties Kit to embellish the flowers. Looks like one of them moved while I was setting it up for photographing...ooops!

A word about Stampin' Up!'s card stock. I think the card stock Stampin' Up! has to offer is of a much higher quality than any of its competitors. It has a heavier weight to it and is a better value in the long run. If you make regular sized 4-1/4" by 5-1/2" cards, you will get 48 cards out of a package of 24 sheets of 8-1/2"by 11" card stock. One package is only $6.95! That is about 28 cents per sheet. I KNOW that's a lot less expensive than any of those other craft stores out there! And since it is so thick, the cards you make when you use it stand up on their own. Some of that other paper out there is as thin as computer paper and even when it is on sale it isn't less than 28 cents per sheet! So if you are really into card making, you might want to try out some of Stampin' Up!'s card stock.

Well, that is all for me today. I will have more tomorrow. Until then....

Josie

P.S. The item numbers I've given for the stamp sets are for the clear mount sets.

Open House

If you are in the Colorado Springs area , I am hosting an open house with two other representatives from different companies; Cookie Lee Jewelry and Maddy Moo purses. The event is from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in my home on Saturday, July 24. (Contact me for details.) And of course, I will be showcasing some of the latest products and techniques Stampin' Up! has to offer. Everyone that attends is eligible to win our basket of prizes that include Stampin' Up! , Cookie Lee Jewelry and Maddie Moo products. If you place an order with one of us, you will double your chances of winning. Place an order with all three of us, and your chances of winning are even greater! We will make some cute little projects using Stampin' Up! products, and food and beverages will be served. There is no admission fee. Hope to see some of you there. :)

See you then!

Josie

Vintage Vogue Meets Daffodil Delight

Thought I'd try something different this time, and I made an odd size card. It fits a regular business size envelope that you can get at any office supply store. I used chocolate chip, the new daffodil delight (debuts July 1 in new IBC), and very vanilla card stock. I was rather pleased with the color combination. The ink colors I used are chocolate chip, daffodil delight, and regal rose. The stamp sets are vintage vogue which appeared in the Occasions Mini and Full of Life which are in the current IBC. Both stamp sets will reappear in the new IBC on July 1st. I very much like both sets! The photo looks crooked, but I assure you it isn't. :) The card was slightly tilted when I photographed it. This is my first time using the new daffodil delight ink and I think it is simply beautiful. It isn't too bright, and it isn't too dark. It sort of has a vintage-ey hue to it. I love vintage. My home is filled with antiques! In case it doesn't show well in the photo, I added a little dazzling diamonds glitter to each flower center. The sentiment is from the Full of Life set. It has a lot of great sayings in it and is working its way into being another one of my favorites. Yes, I know. I have a lot of favorite stamp sets. If you asked me to put them in order according to my favorites, they would all probably be listed next to number one. :) It is hard to decide which I like most.

Well, that's it for now...until next time!

Josie

Two Similar Cards; Two Separate Occasions

These two cards are a perfect example of how you can use the same layout for a card, yet celebrate two separate occasions. Polka Dots are great for weddings and babies. (Wedding card is at end of post.)

The baby card is made using the new Baby Bundle stamp set that is set to appear in the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog that debuts on July 1st. The Blissful Bride set can be found in the current Summer Mini. I like both sets a lot.

For the baby card I used So Saffron, Bashful Blue and Whisper White card stock and So Saffron and Bashful Blue ink. The heart is colored with Riding Hood Red. The wedding card is done in Basic Grey, Whisper White and Brushed Silver card stock, and I used Silver Encore ink. The flower on the dress is colored with bashful blue ink. And of course, each also uses 5//8" satin ribbon in both Bashful Blue and Basic Gray, and the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you have a great week.

Josie

Going...Going...Order Last Chance Items Before They're Gone!

Check out the Last Chance Stamp Sets, Definitely Decorative Items, and Accessories. (Right Column) You can order any of the last chance items on my Stampin' Up! website twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They will no longer be available after June 30. So you better hurry, if there is something you've been wanting, before supplies run out!

Josie

Graduation Card

A few weeks ago, my up line had a fun filled weekend for her demonstrators. She called it "Demonstrator Extravaganza." It started at 6:00 p.m. on a Friday night when we stamped 15 cards. This is one of them which was created by either Cathy or Kristie, or maybe even Kim (not sure which one). I wanted to share it with you because this is graduation season and we all need at least one card. I think this is adorable! The sentiment "go get a job" is appropriate, especially for a college grad, unless a high school grad is going out into the workforce before going to college. This stamp set is versatile in that you could use it for a man or woman, you just need to punch out the right feet! :) I wanted to get a photo of it on here right away, as it will be in the mail tomorrow on its way to the high school graduate I know this year.

Here is what was used.

• Go, Graduate stamp set (118519 wood, 120054 clear)
• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Basic Black Card Stock (102851)
• Basic Gray Card Stock (108692)
• Basic Black Classic Ink (101179)
• Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (117335) Still available from the Occasions Mini

The weekend included the following Saturday until 10:00 p.m. where we created many other remarkable projects, all of which I hope to photograph and post here. They all use products that you can order in the current Summer Mini Catalog.

Hope you enjoyed your visit. Until next time!

Josie

6 x 6 Scrapbook Page

I feel silly uploading a scrapbook page with a picture of me on it, but the assignment was to create a 6x6 scrapbook page for a scrapbook that will be presented to my up line in the near future. She is moving to Washington, D.C. and the idea was to create a scrapbook with photos of her down line in it, with each demonstrator making her own page. This photo from last year's trip to Hawaii was the best I could do, and I was soooo anxious to use this stamp set and paper. They are both in the Summer Mini Catalog. I love the colors and the designs on both. The colors are bold and eye catching and that's one of the things I love about summer.

Hope you like what you see. A list along with item numbers will follow my signature. Again, all products are from Stampin' Up!.

Until next time!

Josie

• Tropical Party Stamp Set (118515 Clear/120081 Wood)
• Island Oasis DSP (117173)
• Whisper White C/S (100730)
• Old Olive C/S (100702)
• Pumpkin Pie C/S (105117)
• Rose Red C/S (102544)
• Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon (117292)
• Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink (100814) and marker (100058)
• Rose Red Classic Ink (101778) and marker (100063)
• Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink (105216) and marker (105115)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Meander Book

Yup! I am back again. Had a lot of time to stamp today, and I loved it.


This little book I made is called a Meander Book, mostly because of the way the paper is cut and folded. If you want directions on how to create a book like this for yourself, shoot me an email and I will be happy to provide you with the link for the tutorial.

I turned this book into a mini-scrapbook for my sister. She is fortunate enough to have grandchildren, and I had a lot of photos of them...so.....


The first few pages contain pics of her granddaughters from age 1 month to 1 year. The last few pages have photos of my nephew, his wife (my niece), and their two daughters. I hope my sister doesn't see it here because it is a surprise for her. I think I just might make her a larger scrapbook for Christmas. I'd love a gift like that.

Here is what I used.

• Cottage Wall DSP (115671)
• Elements of Style Stamp Set (118611 wood/120045 clear)
• Tropical Party Stamp Set (118515 wood/120081 clear)
• 5/8" Old Olive Satin Ribbon (117292)
• Chip board for the front and back covers
• Versa Mark (102283)
• Rich Razzelberry classic ink (115658)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
• Snail Adhesive (104332)
  

There are a few two photos of the inside of the book at the bottom of this post.

Hope you like what you see. Thanks for stopping by.

Josie

Elements of Style

I know, it has been a really long time since my last post. Suffice it to say I have been really busy. Only 3 more days of school this year, and then I will be able to stamp full time for awhile.

I just love this stamp set. It's called Elements of Style and can be found in the Summer Mini Catalog. (118611 wood/120045 clear.) If you purchase this stamp set along with several others, you qualify for a free package of brads this month in honor of National Scrap booking Month. You can find out what other stamp sets would qualify you for the brads by going to my Stampin' Up! site.

I also love these colors together. The card stock is regal rose and old olive. I stamped the image on vellum using black craft ink and then embossed with black embossing powder. Also known as the stained glass technique, I then colored the images in regal rose, old olive and more mustard. I used dimensionals behind the flowers to adhere the image to a piece of pretty in pink card stock. The old olive satin ribbon can also be found in the summer mini. (117292). When you use the stained glass technique, if you want brighter colors, you should color on the front side of the vellum. For more muted colors, stamp on the reverse side of the embossed image. The bird was stamped on a piece of whisper white card stock using more mustard ink.

Well, thanks for stopping by. I will try not to take so long to post again, but I think I say that every time. :)

Happy Stamping

Josie

My Baby Turns 23 Today!

Where does time go? It sure does fly by quickly! My baby turns 23 today. Of course he isn't a baby anymore, but I kindly reminded him this morning that he will always be by precious baby boy no matter how old he gets. Isn't that just like a mom? No matter how old our children are, what they are doing, or where they are living, they will always be our babies in our hearts.

Well, since he is "so old" I thought sail boats and teddy bears wouldn't be appropriate so I borrowed Stampin' Up!'s Circle Circus stamp set from a friend and this is what I created. (Do you believe I don't own this stamp set? I'm going to have to get it; I fell in love with it.) I think he'll like it. He won't see it until Saturday when he's home and I make him his birthday dinner. This, along with a gift ($$$$$) is all he is going to get. What more could a college kid want? Wish somebody would give me a card filled with $$$. I used Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, and Soft Suede Paper and ink. Also used some Whisper White card stock.

Hope you like my creation. Thanks for stopping by.

Josie

Baby Girl Card

Top o' the Mornin' to ya! Or should I say, evening? Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you.

This is the last card I have to post for awhile. I made it for a young lady I know that recently had her first child; a sweet little baby girl. I have to admit that I got the inspiration for this card from another that I saw that was similar on SplitCoast. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the original stamper. I was pleased with how it turned out. Hope you like it too.

Here is what I used to create this card.

Stamp Set: So Many Scallops
Ink: Pretty in Pink

Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Specialty DSP

Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Scalloped Oval and Circle Punches, Large Oval Punch, Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon

All items used are from Stampin' Up!

That's it for a little while. I hope it isn't another two months before I get to post again. It shouldn't be, but you never know. I have some cards to make for upcoming events; my son's 23rd birthday, my mother's 8Oth, and of course, Mother's Day.

Until then...Thanks for stopping by.

Josie

This Is One of My Favorites

This is one of my favorites so far. I used a lot of Chocolate Chip, Kraft and Very Vanilla card stock and a lot of Chocolate Chip ink and gold heat embossing powder. I just started stamping and this is what I came up with. Sometimes I do impress myself! :) I really like the way these turned out.

The stamps I used are Charming, Baroque, and the En Francais background stamp. As always, if you want any more information, let me know. Everything I used is from Stampin' Up!

Well, I am off to pack my suitcase in anticipation of my spring break trip with my husband and friends next week. I have some ironing to do, as if the cloths will still look ironed when I unpack them.

Until my next post...thanks for stopping by.

Josie

Hoppy Easter Bunny!

Okay, one more post tonight and it is of my Easter Bunny Butt! I think he is adorable, and I am sure my nephew's daughters will absolutely love him. Don't know why he's lookin' away from us, though. Guess he doesn't realize that the eggs are behind him! Silly bunny! He's just too caught up in looking at those butterflies. I like my little bunny and I hope you do too. If you want to know how to make him, shoot me an email.

See you again tomorrow!

Josie

Happy First Birthday, Gino

As promised, this is the second post in as many days. This is a birthday card for my great-nephew Gino who recently turned one. It is hard to believe he is already a year old. It feels like he was just born yesterday!

The sailboats are from the retired stamp set ABC Images from Stampin' Up! and the sentiment is from the stamp set Birthdays Count. The colors are soft suede and taken with teal. I also use the polka-dotted texture plate that goes with the Big Shot on the taken with teal piece. I think you can figure out the rest on your own! :)

This is a short post today. I am beat! We've been doing our state assessment at school and today was day 4 of it. Tomorrow is the last day. You would think I was taking the test, I've been so tired when I get home. The bright side is...only 4 more days until spring break! Yippie! Then I can really stamp.

Until my next post, thanks for stopping in.

Josie

Oooops! Not An Easter Card!

I know, I know....it has been way too long since my last post. But I have been stamping! I have a lot to share over the next few days. Or, maybe I'll just share all of it tonight. With the time change though, I am pretty wiped out today so it might just be this one card for today.

Okay, so on SplitCoast I called this an Easter card and once you look at it you can tell it clearly is not. LOL! Don't know what I was thinking when I did that. That doesn't mean it can't be turned into one, though. I think it would be pretty for Easter. I do have a cute little Easter Card for a child to post next time.

Here's what I used to make it.

Stamp Set: Oval All

Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Scallop Oval and Circle Punches, Large and Medium Oval Punches, 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon in Choco. Chip, Extra Large Two-step Bird Punch, and Elegant Boquet Embossing Folder that goes with the Big Shot.

I layerd the flower alternting in pink and vanilla scallop circles. I also sponged the edges of both the vanilla circles and pink in pretty in pink to give the flower a little umph! Oh yeah, I also roughed up the edges with my edge rougher upper. Can't remember what it is called and I'm too lazy right now to go and look. All of my products are Stampin' Up! products.

Hope you likey! And I'll see you again soon.

Josie

Valentines

I've also been working on my Valentine cards. Not waiting until the last minute this year. The second one is for a swap that I'm going to. Do you think they'll like it? I used the Christmas Cocoa DSP for the first and the Wondering Words stamp set. The second is made with A Happy Heart stamp set and the new punch in the current Occasions Catalog Stampin' Up! has out. I like both, but I think the Happy Heart one is my favorite.

Thanks for visiting!

Josie

Soft Summer Sypmathy Card

Hello Everyone!

I didn't think I'd be back for another post so soon. I had completely forgotten about not working today, so when a co-worker reminded me that today was a day off I was completed surprised! Anyway, just because I haven't been posting, doesn't mean I haven't been stamping.

The day we returned to work after the holidays our staff learned that a co-workers husband had passed away early that morning. It was a totally unexpected thing. He was very young; only 37 and had found out he had cancer only two weeks before. What a shock for all of us. Sort of makes you put things into perspective when someone so young passes. My heart is with his family. This is the card I came up with on the spur of the moment. I don't usually keep these kinds of cards around.

Thanks for looking.

Josie

Inspired

Hello Everyone!

The Inspired by Nature stamp set is probably one of my most favorite. I just love the flowers that go with this set. This card is probably one of the most complicated I've ever done. I didn't do anything that was difficult; it just took a lot of steps and time to complete. First I had to sponge in the clouds in the background. Then it took me several attempts to get the grass in the background just right. Finally, I used the stampin' write markers to color in the flowers. The colors I used are chocolate chip, whisper white, old olive, brocade blue and pretty in pink. The butterfly is cut out of perfect plum.

This will probably be my last post for awhile. I head back to work tomorrow after two glorious weeks off for the holidays. My next extended time off will be spring break. I can't really complain, because not many other professions give so much time off. Although, a pay raise would be nice!:) With the economy the way it is, we've seen many budget cuts in my school district, so a raise will definitely be out of the question for a while. To be honest, I didn't become a teacher because I would get rich at it. I did it because it is my other passion next to stamping. I will see what I can do regarding a new post on my next three-day week- end, but no promises.

As always, thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoy what you see here.

Josie

P.S. Happy New Year too!