The Beauty of Chipboard

You may already know this, but Chipboard is on SALE this month! With a $35 catalog order, you can order all the Chipboard you want for 25% off! This applies to any products on pages 178-179 of the current Idea Book & Catalog. Click on the flyer at left for full size viewing.

So what can you do with Chipboard? I'm so glad you asked! Chipboard can be used to embellish any of your cards and scrapbook pages. It adds another dimension and can be beautifully enhanced by coloring it with Craft inks, covering it with Designer Paper, accenting it with Rub-ons, or even just leaving it plain! One of the neatest things about it is that it can be punched with the Crop-a-Dile or handheld punches - this allows you to set eyelets in it or attach brads and rhinestones.

Below is a sample of something I made last night using a sheet of the large On Board Book Basics (which are basically 9-3/8" x 9-3/8" square pieces of Chipboard), along with a heart from On Board Accents. ...and keep reading for an opportunity to make one of these yourself!

Isn't it beautiful? This is designed to hang on your wall, fridge, or you can set it on an easel. It's basically a glorified - and STURDY - scrapbook page that showcases a favorite photo. This one shows off a terrific photo of my husband and our first two boys several years ago. For this project, I used the Fall Flowers DSP along with some Old Olive and textured Chocolate Chip cardstock layers. The edges are all sponged with Chocolate Chip ink to add to the aged look. There's several pieces from my Hodgepodge Hardware set (which I just LOVE to use). Here's a closer look at the bottom corner so you can see the hardware embellishments better:

For the swirly piece, I punched a couple of holes in the chipboard heart using my 1/16" handheld circle punch and then threaded some Linen thread through to tie it on. Easy as pie, but oh, so beautiful! Some Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain ribbon finishes the look by separating the two coordinating pieces of DSP. Another length of ribbon is secured through two Jumbo Eyelets to be used as a hanging loop.

There are many gift ideas this could be used for... decorate one for a bride and groom using a photo of them or their wedding announcement. Make one to hang on the door of a new baby along with a photo and the baby's name. How about a class photo decorated for a special teacher? Or use a Senior picture and make one for a new graduate! These are light enough to hang on a fridge, so they'd be a perfect way to showcase the kids for Grandma... use your imagination - I'm sure you can come up with many more ideas!

Workshop Opportunity!

This was so much fun to create and makes a wonderful gift... to me, that's the perfect recipe for a workshop! Here are the details:

When: Thursday, June 12th, from 7-9pm
Where: My home in Allen
Cost: $10.00 with a minimum catalog order of $35

I provide:
Ribbon, (2) Jumbo Eyelets, and coordinating cardstock layers
Use of my stamp sets, inks, punches, and other tools.

You provide (ordering these items satisfies the $35 minimum order):
Hodgepodge Hardware, Designer Series Paper, Large On Board Book Basics Chipboard sheet (25% off and comes 4 to a package), and any other Chipboard pieces you'd like to use (all 25% off)

Reservations for this workshop must be received by May 30th along with your $35 order and payment. I hope you'll join me!

If you liked this project, I have another one that is similar... I'll show it to you soon!

It's a Big World

I do have to say... I'm really loving this new scrapbooking adventure I've begun! See this post for the explanation. Here is the second page I've made:

A great photograph makes for a great page, don't you think? Regardless of what you add to it... but then, adding beautiful things only makes it that much better! Remember that my pages are only 6" x 6", and I'm featuring my favorite black and white photos. This page highlights my 3rd son, Maddox, when he was only 2 weeks old. I absolutely love this photo of him looking up at me, brows furrowed in wonderment, while laying in my lap. I am a new fan of blues and browns, and since his hair and eyes are brown, those seemed like logical colors for my little boy. I started with a piece of textured Close to Cocoa, and layered some Bashful Blue from the Cutie Pie DSP on top of it. The sentiments came from Sweet Thing and I layered them using Chocolate Chip, Brilliant Blue, and Whisper White. The bottom right-hand corner has the Scallop punch, then the 1-3/8", 1-1/4", and 1" Circle punches. The date is written on a Word Window punch. I also used the Three For You punch for all the small flowers, and attached Silver brads to the centers. Here's a closer look at the top left-hand corner:

Obviously I used my Stampin' Write Markers to color this stamp (and left off the star). A nice, rich, length of Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain finishes off the page. So quick, so easy, and SO MUCH FUN!!

Have a great weekend, y'all!

My Top Ten List

Top Ten Reasons to Join My Team this month:

10. Have 24-hour access to the Demonstrator Website - full of information, training, and inspirational ideas.

9. Receive the fantastic Stampin' Success magazine each month!

8. You can attend Stampin' Up! conventions and regional events - be the first to see the new catalogs (which you get for FREE, by the way)!

7. You have me as a resource - come to workshops at my house for 1/2 price and receive any of my Instruction Sheets for FREE!

6. You can customize the fabulous Starter Kit to fit your needs!

5. You can earn 9 more FREE stamp sets over your first six months as a demonstrator through the Stampin' Start program.

4. Earn more FREE stuff through the Great Rewards program!

3. Enjoy a minimum 20% discount on any of your own purchases, or at least 20% commission on your sales.

2. Take advantage of a 30% discount on your first order of at least $150 within your first 45 days.

...and the Number 1 reason to join my team this month:
You can do it for 20% off!

During the month of May, Stampin' Up! is offering 20% off the Starter Kit price! But that's not all! They are also giving away a FREE set of Hodgepodge Hardware when you sign up! Combine both of these savings, and that's almost $68 they're GIVING you!! ...and to do what?! Join the most wonderful company around and have FUN at your job?! This is insane!!!

Click on the image above to view it at full size. Whether you are interested in starting a profitable business, earning some extra spending money, or simply want to support your hobby, joining Stampin' Up! is a wonderful way to do it. I, myself, began with the intention of supporting my hobby (I wanted all the colors of cardstock!), but quickly saw how profitable this decision was for me. I loved it when I began, I love it now, and I intend to love it for a long time to come! ...and I'd love to have you join me! It is my goal to support you in whatever your goals may be.

Contact me today for a free informational packet! No obligation, and never any pressure. I want to help you make a decision that is right for you and your family.

Another Great Grad

One of Michael's wonderful cousins (who was one of our ring bearers when he was just a little bitty guy!) is now graduating from college, so it was another perfect opportunity to pull out the fun new Great Grads stamp set! Here is the card I made just for him.

I have always loved the masculine color combination of Not Quite Navy and Old Olive, paired up with a little bit of Basic Black. This turned out even better than I expected and I think I like it more each time I look at it. I need to hurry up and make another one so I can have one to keep since this one will be mailed off very soon... and if you like it and would like to make it too, I have added it to my Instruction Sheet Archive. There you will find several of my cards (some recent, some not-so-recent) and each one has an Instruction Sheet which will tell you everything you need to know (dimensions, supplies, step-by-step instructions, etc.) on how to make that card.

For this card, I stamped the Print Pattern background on the Not Quite Navy base using Versamark ink. The Old Olive layer has the words embossed using Versamark and clear powder - what a statement that makes! For the circle emblem, I had to use my Coluzzle since it was too big for any of the Circle punches. Then I did some layering with the 1-3/8" and 1-1/4" Circle punches. The sentiment across the bottom was done in Not Quite Navy ink. I thought I was going to do it in Basic Black, but it didn't look right. None-the-less, while I was playing with the Black, I saw a teaching opportunity, so I snapped a photo and I'll share it with you anyway. Take a look at this:

If I WERE to have used Basic Black for that element, this is a clear picture of which ink I would've used. The one on the top is Basic Black CRAFT ink, while the one on the bottom is Basic Black CLASSIC ink. It's quite obvious that on a solid image like this, that the Basic Black Classic ink can look purple-y. This isn't the case with other colors, of course, but I wanted you to see the difference in case you ever need to stamp something solid using black ink. The trick is to either use StazOn or Craft ink. Basic Black Classic ink is fine for outlines, but not good for solid images such as this.

Okay, back to the card... after stamping that sentiment, I trimmed it with scissors and then I used a couple of Black brads to secure it over some of the wonderful new Old Olive Twill ribbon that is tied all the way around the card. I love that stuff! Hope they'll have more in the new catalog!

Jordan, congratula... Wait a minute. There's absolutely no way he'll be reading this so why am I trying to finish with a comment to him?! Ah well... I'll put it in the card. :o)

For Mom & Audrey

My sister's birthday is coming up, so I wanted to make a special card for her. She loves horses... has one of her own even. She also loves turquoise and wears a turquoise ring. So that's where I started. I knew I'd use the Wanted stamp set for the horse. Then I turned to the Earth Elements colors on the Color Coach and when I hit Creamy Caramel, BINGO! Would you ever believe that Tempting Turquoise is a complimentary color to Creamy Caramel? What a strange thought... but once again I trusted my Color Coach and received dynamite results!

The thin Tempting Turquoise layer behind the main Creamy Caramel panel just makes it all pop, don't you think?! The base is Chocolate Chip, and the sentiments are from Wonderful Favorites and are stamped on Confetti Cream with Really Rust ink. The main panel was randomly stamped with different images from Wanted using Creamy Caramel and Really Rust ink. After I did that, I sponged the edges and the surface with Chocolate Chip to give it a rustic feel. Let me show you something... take a look at the difference between these two Creamy Caramel panels:

Which panel are your eyes drawn to? The one on the left has just been stamped with the En Francais background stamp using Creamy Caramel ink. Nice, but pretty plain, don't you agree? The one on the right is what it looks like after you sponge the edges with Chocolate Chip and lightly dab on the surface as well. It gives the panel more character and is much more interesting to look at.

Okay, back to my sister's card. After I distressed the panel, I embossed the beautiful horse with Chocolate Chip craft ink and clear powder. I dabbed the sentiments with Chocolate Chip ink too, so they would carry on the rustic look. I attached the "Wonderful" with dimensionals and used some Hodgepodge Hardware to show off the "Sister". A couple more brads help balance it out, making a triangle between them, the horse, and the sister. The ribbon is the fun new Chocolate Chip Twill that's in the current Mini Catalog (good through June 30th). Overall, I'm very pleased with this card and I am positive my sister will know it was made JUST for her.

Moving on... I liked this color combination so well that I thought I would use it for my mom's Mother's Day card! If you are a regular reader of my blog, you probably know that my mom's favorite color is red. So for her card, I just swapped out the Turquoise and used Real Red instead.

My parents have recently moved out to the country and my mom enjoys watching the birds and seeing the trees all around. So her card uses the beautiful bird in the Always stamp set with the elegant En Francais background stamp (as shown in the distressing example above). The card was made basically the same way as my sister's birthday card, so I won't repeat it here. But for the berries across the top, they were done with Chocolate Chip ink and some were stamped full strength and some were stamped off to give a look of depth. The sentiment came from Short & Sweet and is also attached with Hodgepodge Hardware.

EDITED TO ADD: I used the Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware on both of these cards, which happens to be my favorite finish. If you like this look, you'll want to scoop some up in the next month or so as we've just been informed that the Aged Copper, Antique Brass, and Pewter finishes of Hodgepodge Hardware will be retiring at the end of this catalog period (late July). And keep in mind that one great way to get one of these finishes for FREE is to join Stampin' Up! this month as they're GIVING IT AWAY! I'll talk more about it later, but you can view this flyer if you can't wait. :o)

I sure hope neither of them visit my blog before I get these mailed to them! But if they do... I love you Mom & Audrey!

Want Some Paper?

I promised to tell you about a NEW SHARE that I'm currently doing. If you subscribe to my Stamp Link Newsletter, you are already aware of this... We're sharing Designer Series Paper! This is a terrific way to have some of several different packages without purchasing the whole kit & kaboodle!

I've got 5 different groups you can choose from. You can join as many groups as you'd like. Each group has 36 double-sided 6" x 6" sheets - that's 2 squares of each page from 3 different designs. Each group costs $10.50, which includes tax and shipping. That's less than you'd pay for 1 pack all by itself, and this way you get to sample 3! Demonstrators and non-demonstrators can participate in this share, but only with US addresses. You can view the different papers on pages 168-171 of the current Idea Book & Catalog.

Group 1: East Coast Prep, Jersey Shore, Western Sky
Group 2: Cutie Pie, Flowers for You, Berry Bliss
Group 3: Spring Break, Bali Breeze, Ginger Blossom
Group 4: Le Jardin, Spring Fling, Fall Flowers
Group 5: PRINTS: Lovely Lilac, Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron

I will be placing the order for the paper on May 20th, so please contact me with your order before then! Upon receipt of your order, I will send you a PayPal invoice.

I told you that this would be right up your alley if you'd like to start a 6" x 6" Scrapbook Album like the one I've started... I'm using my 6" x 6" squares and mounting them right onto the page! Easy-peasy! Then the colors fall into place with no guesswork. See my previous post to view the first of what I hope to be many scrapbook pages to come... you'll see I used Jersey Shore (in Group 1) as the background!

Let's Share!

I'm Scrapbooking Again!!

You must understand what a huge step this is for me... I used to scrapbook years ago. In fact, I used to teach scrapbook classes. I was even published twice. I loved it. I couldn't get enough. But eventually I fell so far behind in my pictures that I felt overwhelmed and slowly gave it up.

Since then, I discovered this phenomenal world of card making through Stampin' Up! I jumped in to making cards with both feet... and both hands... and lovin' every minute of it! But my love for photographs just kept nagging at me. So... I tossed the idea around that I should start scrapbooking again. Only I knew that I didn't want to go back several years and try to "catch up". That would last about as long as it took me to open the drawer where those photos are stored. You know exactly what I mean. The way I see it, there's no need to start something that I know I can't finish. Instead, I would take baby steps and start small. I have a pile of beautiful black and white photographs that I intended to put in frames sometime (obviously that never happened), so I decided to create a "Favorite Photos" album! And in sticking to my "keeping it small" guideline, I'm doing exactly that... I'm doing 6" x 6" pages! Only one photo fits on the page. No need to fear the dreaded "all-of-these-photos-don't-fit,-which-one-do-I-toss" dilemma! This is a page size I have never worked on before, but I must say it is quite exhilerating! It's like creating a mini work of art - enhancing an already beautiful photograph... and very satisfying in that it doesn't take long to complete a page.

...so I fell in love all over again. I've already made 3 pages and here is the first one:

Don't I just have the most handsome boys ever? (okay, I'm quite biased. I'm sure you have handsome boys too.) This page uses a color combination pulled straight from the Jersey Shore DSP: Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White. The stamp sets are Wonderful Favorites and Think Happy Thoughts. I layered several punches in the lower right-hand corner. Here's a closer look:

That's the Scallop punch, followed by the 1-3/8", 1-1/4", 3/4", and 1/2" Circle punches, along with the Word Window punch . A Brilliant Blue Brad holds it all together.

I can't wait to show you more pages. I haven't scrapbooked in years, and how fitting that I decided to start back up in May... it's National Scrapbooking Month! So for all of you scrapbookers out there, I'm pleased to re-join the ranks as a fellow "cropper" once more. I do hope you'll enjoy watching my progress on this journey.

Later on today I will tell you about another "Share" that I'm doing... and it'll be right up your alley if you are interested in trying an album like this one!

Coasters - Last Chance!

Just a quick note to let you know that I did add one final date for making coasters... it will be this Monday, May 5th, starting at 7pm here at my home. This will be the last time I offer this class for a few months, so if you're local and need any great gifts over the summer months, now is the time to get it done! I only have a couple seats left, so please contact me right away to reserve your spot.

To remind you, the coasters cost $7.50 for each set of 4 that you make. You can make as many sets as you'd like. All of the supplies are included and I will give you instructions when you arrive. To see samples of some coasters I've made, visit this post, this post, or this post.

Don't miss this last chance!

Stamp-a-Ma-Jig Tutorial

Your Stamp-a-ma-jig comes with the tool itself, along with a transparent imaging sheet (shown below). 

The imaging sheet is intended to be stamped upon and can be used over and over if you clean it regularly.  For this tutorial, however, I am going to substitute Vellum cardstock for the imaging sheet because I want "permanent" imaging sheets to be kept with this stamp set.  That way, I won't have to create the image each time I need it - it will already be done.  To make permanent ones, I cut several pieces of Vellum into 5 1/2" squares and once they are created, they will be stored in the plastic box along with this stamp set.
To prepare these imaging sheets (either permanent Vellum sheets, or the one that comes with your Stamp-a-ma-jig), place the sheet up into the corner of the Stamp-a-ma-jig as pictured above.  Some people like to use theirs with the handle of the Stamp-a-ma-jig pointed away from them (flip it 180 degrees from what I have in these pictures), but I prefer to do mine like shown here.  In addition, if you are left-handed, you will use the corner on the other side of the handle... it works either way.  The main thing to remember is that once you choose a position, you need to stick with it!!  If you switch it around, you will not get the right results.
Pictured below, my Vellum sheet is up in the corner of the Stamp-a-ma-jig (it's hard to see the Vellum in this photo).  I then took this stamp and butted it up into that same corner and then lowered it down to touch the Vellum and make an impression.

I then rotated the Vellum and stamped a different image in each corner (pictured below).  Again, it is very important that you position your Stamp-a-ma-jig the same way each time.  I will be using these same sheets over and over again, so I used black StazOn ink.  If you are using the Imaging Sheet that comes with your Stamp-a-ma-jig, and will need to change the image each time, DO NOT use StazOn ink!!  You'll need to use any regular Classic or Craft ink so you can clean the sheet after each use.

This particular stamp set has 28 stamps in it, so I used 7 squares of Vellum with 4 images each.  Here's a picture of a few of them. 

If you followed the steps described above, you will not have to make imaging sheets ever again for this stamp set... just place them in the box with your stamp set and they'll be ready when you need them!
Now that we have our imaging sheets made, let's make a little man!  To begin, choose the body part you want to start with and stamp it onto your cardstock.  I started with his shirt.  Be sure you allow room for the other body parts!
Next, find the Imaging Sheet with the part of the body you want to stamp next.  Place that Imaging Sheet over your cardstock and line it up exactly where you want it to be stamped. 

Take the Stamp-a-ma-jig and position it against the Imaging Sheet.

Now, holding the Stamp-a-ma-jig in place (DON'T let it move!), remove the imaging sheet, ink up the stamp, butt it up into the corner, and stamp the image onto your cardstock. 

Wasn't that easy?!  Now we'll repeat these steps with each of the other body parts.  Let's do the little guy's head next.  Position the imaging sheet with the head you want over the body exactly where you want it.

Get the Stamp-a-ma-jig into position...

 ...remove the imaging sheet, and stamp the head onto the cardstock.

Do the same thing for the arms. 

Below you can see that instead of using the other arm stamp, I rotated the same arm so that he will be waving. 

Finally, I'll add some glasses.  This would be virtually impossible without the Stamp-a-ma-jig!! 

And here he is!!  Perfectly lined up and ready to be colored so he can brighten someone's day!

In addition to using the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up your stamps as shown above, it can also save the day when an image does not make a full impression... without the Stamp-a-ma-jig, it is virtually impossible to stamp in the same place twice.  But from now on when this happens, grab your transparent imaging sheet, make a quick image, lay it over the poor impression, line it all up and stamp it a second time!
And if that's not enough for you... how about making shadows??!  They looks fabulous with alphabet stamps!  Stamp the letter in the color you want, then make a shadow by shifting the image just a tad and stamping it again in Going Gray or some other lighter shade.  Beautiful!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and learned how to properly use your new Stamp-a-ma-jig tool!

Have You Tried the New Striped Grosgrain?

Well, you should! And I'm here to help you do it! This month's Ribbon Share is exactly that... the NEW Striped Grosgrain! It comes in 4 yummy colors: Real Red, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, and Wild Wasabi.

When you participate in this share, you will receive approximately 2 yards of each color, all packaged individually, for only $9.00! Anyone in the US can participate - demonstrator or not. This is an excellent way to try out all of the ribbon without having to purchase entire spools of each.

And just to entice you more, here's a fun card I made using the Wild Wasabi Striped Grosgrain:


The orange slice from Tart & Tangy is just so scrumptious! Especially when you dazzle it with some Dazzling Diamonds like this! I wish you could see it in person... it just makes my mouth water. The colors here are Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal (textured), Wild Wasabi, and Whisper White. I used several punches: the Scallop punch, along with the 1-3/8", 1-1/4", 1", 3/4", and 1/16" Circle punches. The sentiment comes from Warm Words. I really love this card... it's the first one I've made with this ribbon, but it sure won't be the last!

So jump in and join us on this Ribbon Share! Contact me BEFORE May 20th if you'd like to participate.

You Say It's Your Birthday?

Here's something new I'd like to do... I'm in the business of making cards, right? Well, what better way to say Thank You to my loyal customers than to send you a homemade card on your birthday?!

Here's the scoop... if you have ever placed an order with me - catalog, Ribbon Share, Stamp-a-Stack kits, etc. - and if you would like me to add your birthday to my loyal customer list, please drop me an e-mail with your birthday - month and day only!

If you have NOT placed an order with me... you certainly can! And after you do, you can add your name to my loyal customer list and get a birthday card too!

...just my little way of sending a hug to say "Thanks"!

Inspired by a Dragonfly

I told you I'd show you that old card that I used as inspiration for one of this month's Stamp-a-Stack cards... here it is:

Again, I do not remember where I originally saw this (I made this over a year ago, I think), but it is very much CASEd! This gorgeous dragonfly came from the now retired Measure of a Life set. (I still have a brand new one available if anyone's interested! You can see the details here.) The background stamps were Linen and French Script (both also retired). The colors here are Basic Black, Brocade Blue, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, and Confetti Cream. I watercolored the dragonfly with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and an Aquapainter, and then sponged the whole cream piece with some Chocolate Chip ink. There's a few pieces from Hodgepodge Hardware, along with some ivory Organdy ribbon (also retired).

It may have mostly retired products, but this was one of those cards I just couldn't ever give away. It's one of my favorites.

NEW Option for You!

In my previous post, I told you all about my Mail-a-Stack option, where you can receive all the consumable supplies needed along with professional step-by-step instruction sheets with color photographs that show you exactly how to make the three Stamp-a-Stack cards shown...

...but maybe you're a Stampin' Up! demonstrator yourself and you don't need the supplies? Maybe you just need some quality card ideas that you can use in your own workshops? Perhaps it's easier for you to plan a class when you already have the card dimensions figured out for you? Or maybe you're a frequent Stampin' Up! customer and have as many supplies as us demonstrators? (in that case, it's really time for you to take the plunge and join my team! *giggle*)

Well, here's an offer for you: Starting this month, I will make my instruction sheets available to everyone without having to purchase the supplies! You can choose whichever card instructions you'd like and I will mail them to you for $3 each, or in sets of 3 for $8.00. Both prices include postage, and I will mail them in a flat envelope - never folded!

Here is a photo of a few of the instruction sheets so you can see for yourself the level of quality I provide. To view all of the available instruction sheets, visit my Instruction Sheet Archive! There, you can read the fine print along with full details on how to order.

EDITED TO ADD: I meant to mention that I DO offer these instruction sheets to non-US residents with a small additional postal fee. Contact me for your specific quote.

I hope this option helps you in your creative process!

May Stamp-a-Stack

It's May 1st... and you know what that means! Three brand new Stamp-a-stack cards! Well, in this case, it's more than three... but three basic layouts.

First, let me remind you of the details. This month, my Stamp-a-Stack workshop will be held on Tuesday, May 20th. Together, we will complete 12 cards (4 each of the 3 different designs below) using my supplies. The only thing I do not provide is basic adhesive. The cost is $10 with a $15 minimum catalog order, or $20 without an order. Clear envelopes are included, unless you'd like paper envelopes that can be stamped to match the cards. I sell those at the workshop for .20 cents each.

Can't make that date? Or you don't live in the Dallas area? No problem! You can receive the supplies by mail! I will send you all of the consumable supplies (cardstock, envelopes, ribbon, brads, etc.), along with detailed instructions with color photographs, and you can complete the cards at home with your own stamps, ink, and tools. If you need any of the stamp sets, ink, and/or tools, I can help you with that as well and have it shipped right to your home or office. The cost for the Mail-a-Stack option is $15 for local pick-up, or $19.60 if shipping is necessary (I use Priority mail). I take payment via PayPal and will send an invoice when you place your order.

Whether you would like to come to the class or have the kit mailed to you, I will need to know by May 18th! Please contact me at mgf@forceworld.com.

Okay... enough of that! This month, we are going to focus on Father's Day (which is June 15th), Graduation, Friendship, and Wedding (for all those June weddings you'll be invited to!)... although the wedding card could also double as an Anniversary card or a Baby card. I like versatility, don't you?!

This layout came from an old card I made, which I CASEd from who knows where. It was one of the very first cards I ever made... I won't show it to you here because I don't want you to get confused as to which cards are in the Stamp-a-Stack this month. But I'll show it to you tomorrow, just for kicks. In any case, as you can see, I modified it to fit both Father's Day AND Graduation... you know how the saying goes about the two birds and the one stone. Poor birds. Anyway, my idea was to make 2 of each, but if you happen to have 3 dads and only 1 nephew graduating, then you can do it that way... or if you have 3 graduates and 1 dad... oh, you get the idea. Here's a closer look at them:

The colors on these cards are Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, and Whisper White. The stamp sets are All Holidays and Great Grads. Obviously, I used my Stampin' Write Markers on the stamps in order to get the two colors. The backgrounds stamps I used are Sanded and En Francais. There are also two Night of Navy Eyelets and a scrap of Grosgrain Ribbon.

This next card uses a new favorite set of mine (not a new set, but new to me): Blossoms Abound. I just love how easy it is to stamp this cascading flower... and it looks difficult! (but it's not!) The colors here are Regal Rose, Rose Red, Old Olive, and Naturals Ivory. The ribbon is Vanilla Taffeta.

This card could easily be adapted into a different color scheme - Perfect Plum and Pale Plum would be beautiful as well, but I chose rose because I did plum in this next set...

This layout was directly inspired from a card in the August issue of Cards. It was on page 130 and designed by Melissa Phillips (I like to give credit where credit is due!). My version is different in that I stamped the upper portion instead of using patterned paper. Her card used Organdy type ribbon, whereas I'm using the gorgeous Taffeta. And, obviously, the stamp set is different. I used Carte Postale and Warm Words. The colors here are Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, and Whisper White. In my mind, these cards could be suitable for a wedding, anniversary, or even a new baby!

I hope you like this month's cards! Remember to either sign up for the Stamp-a-Stack or order the Mail-a-Stack before May 18th!