It’s Thursday – Jun 13 – and time for another Happy Inkin’ Thursday Blog Hop. We have a theme challenge today – fruit – and I’ve chosen the Penciled Pear stamp set using watercolor paper, Water Painters and inks. There are many layers of colors here: Crushed Curry, Peach Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Granny Apple Green and Old Olive – oh, and Pool Party.

When using watercolors with a stamped image, it’s important to use Stazon ink – and then of course the Stazon Cleaner to clean the stamp. This image is perfect for watercoloring – and if you look at the 2024-2025 Annual Catalog, this stamp set is shown on page 118 and a bit of color inspiration on page 119. I liked the way it was colored but did my own thing as I went along, adding more color as I felt it needed. I began with Crushed Curry , coloring the left side of the pear and a bit on the single leaf as well. Next was Granny Apple Green, still on the left side. The final touch of green was Old Olive a couple of times, allowing it to dry a bit in between adding color and covering less space and lots of depth. This way it gently darkens. There is more Granny Apple Green on the leaf and just a bit of Old Olive near the stem. On the right side of the pear is Crushed Curry then Peach Pie, then Pumpkin Pie, each time lessening the area covered by the new color. I used the widest of the water painters to add just water outside the pear, then brushed on Pool Party, some heavier in places than others. This creates depth and space. I used my heat tool on the back of the watercolor paper to somewhat dry the paper a bit, then put a large acrylic block on the paper to keep it from wrinkling too much – and let it continue to air dry.

The photo below shows my ink pad where I have squeezed the ink pad when it was closed to get ink on the lid, then used the water painter to pick up the ink for coloring. Cool, right?

While this was drying I worked on the inside image following the same process: stamp the Penciled Pear image with Stazon ink onto the watercolor paper; using a water painter, add ink in layers, darkening and lessening the space covered each time.

While this was drying, I cut my card base and extra layers:

• Card base: Basic Beige 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 scored at 4 1/4; 3 5/8 x 4 5/8 (inside layer)
• Watercolor paper 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 (front); 1 5/8 x 3 5/8 (inside)
• Peach Pie 3 5/8 x 4 5/8 (front); 1 3/4 x 3 5/8 (inside)
• Basic White 3 1/2 x 4 5/8 (inside)
• Basic Black for the sentiment – size depends on the sentiment!

Sentiment… I used a sentiment from the Penciled Pear stamp set, cleaned it of any oils with my embossing buddy, then with VersaMark ink, stamped the sentiment. I sprinkled it with White Embossing Powder and heat set it with my heat tool and set it aside to assemble the card layers: Peach Pie with the single Penciled Pear water colored image adhered together, dimensionals added to the back of the Peach Pie and adhered to the Basic Beige card front. I then added the sentiment with dimensionals. I played with adding embellishments, but they were all too much. – for me.

Inside… layer together the Basic Beige panel and the Basic White and add to the inside of the card. Attach the smaller piece of watercolor paper to Peach Pie and adhere to the inside of the card. FINIS!

For the envelope front… stamp the image of four pears from the Penciled Pear stamp set, this time in Memento ink and color with Stampin’ Blends: Crushed Curry, Peach Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Granny Apple Green and Old Olive – in the same fashion as with the water painters. Just remember to place a scrap of card stock in the envelope so the blends do not bleed through to the back of the envelope!

Now … hop on around to see what the others on the team created with this theme challenge. Click on the ‘next’ button or click on a name. Happy hopping!

Amy Koenders

Mary Deatherage

Karen Finkle

Akiko Sudano

Karen Ksenzakovic

Tara Carpenter

Terry Lynn Bright

Carol Buckalew

Nel Thames

Today is June 13, and the incredible stamp and die bundle sale with Stampin’ Up! is going on until June 30. ASlso remember the die cut & embossing machines are 10% off as well, which I haven’t seen before!

here’s a link to take you directly to the items available in this catalog –

and to shop with me.

STAMPIN’ UP! STAMP & DIE BUNDLE 10% OFF SALE!!

Sales Period: 5–30 June 2024
Ordering Deadlines
Phone: 28 June 2024 at 6:59 p.m. (MT)  
Online: 30 June 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (MT)

Get an additional 10% discount on stamp and die bundles only (that’s a total of 20% discount on stamp and die bundles!). This excludes suite collections, stamp and punch bundles, bundles not yet released to customers, and any other bundles*.

Save 10% on Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine and Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (white and Boho Blue). 

The 10% discount applies automatically to stamp and die bundles in all orders… including Starter Kit orders.

See and shop all qualifying bundles in the online store.

Please note Close to My Heart products are not included in this promotion.

Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators get the SAME discounts and sales that CUSTOMERS do – on TOP OF their demonstrator discount

Keeping that information in the forefront of your mind,

NOW is a perfect time to JOIN THE TEAM!

Join with me by following this link...

To view all the available ONLINE EXCLUSIVES, click here.

Clearance items may be found here

While you’re looking around in my store, remember there are some stunning kits available, for all ages and all seasons – even Christmas! And while you’re shopping, I offer fringe benefits to my customers: free tutorial of the month and a FREE Stampin’ Up! item valued to $10 – all for a $50 order, before shipping and taxes. Use my current host code to receive those benefits – especially when your order does not exceed $150. Make certain my name is listed as your demonstrator when checking out! :O)

HOST CODE  BAQG9RSE

Thanks for stopping by. May you have a beautiful day. Make someone happy when sending them a handmade card filled with love.

Good morning, good morning! It’s that time of week for a fabulous Happy Inkin’ Thursday Blog Hop. We have a fun sketch challenge today and I’ve used the Round We Go bundle to create my card. This bundle and all of Stampin’ Up! stamp & Die bundles are now selling with a 10% discount. With their already 10% off for bundles – this is really 20% off stamp and die bundles – now though June 30. More at the end of this post!

This is a new bundle for me – in other words, I hadn’t played with it before – and I had such fun! It could be the colors, the light-heartedness of the card, whatever, it was a different kind of creating. Can’t you see these pinwheels in sparkly colors for a Christmas decoration – hanging in a doorway or over a mantle? Anyway – fun to do.

I cut three 1 3/4 strips from 24-26 In Color 6×6 DSP in Summer Splash and die cut them with the appropriate die from Round We Go Dies to create this fun pinwheel. The die actually does all the scoring for you, so all you have to do is fold along the score lines accordion style. There is a tab on one end – use that to adhere to the next strip on the non-tab end – adhering three strips end to end. Then adhere together. I used liquid glue for this although you could use Tear ‘n Tape or Stampin’ Seal. The only thing there is, those are really too wide – so just take a moment to hold the strips ends together until the glue dries. Once the strips are together, bring the two ends together to create the pinwheel. I used the 1 3/4″ circle punch (ONLINE EXCLUSIVE purchase) to create a circle for the back of the pinwheel – to keep it’s shape. I used Seal+ to cover the circle, squished the pinwheel together and set it on the circle, holding it in place with an acrylic block while I kept working on the rest of the card.

I pulled out my Spotlight on Nature Dies and die cut a Basic White circle on which to adhere the pinwheel to the card front. I used the 24-26 In Color Glimmer Paper in Peach Pie to die cut this fun glittery circle for the front of the pinwheel. I’m not sure you can see it, but this die cut creates lines in the circle, similar to score lines – but just for added interest. I added that to the front of the pinwheel with glue dots. Now the pinwheel will not pop open any more!!! While the 24-26 In Color Glimmer paper was out on my desk, I cut a multifaceted circle in Summer Splash for the sentiment backing, using the Round We Go Dies. I used another die from Spotlight On Nature Dies for the sentiment circle, die cut in Basic White. I stamped the sentiment from Round We Go stamp set in Summer Splash ink and the little “splashes” in Peach Pie ink that were stamped off first – this also is from the Round We Go stamp set. I added this to the sparkly circle with dimensionals. At this point I took a length of the Bordered Ribbon in Peach Pie and adhered it in place with glue dots, wrapping it behind the DSP and adhering with Seal +. I adhered the completed faceted glimmer circle in place, then tied a knot with an additional length of the same ribbon. Everything was added to the Basic White card base cut 4 1/4 x 11 and scored at 5 1/2. The final touch – three 24-26 In Color Shimmer Gems :O)

For the inside of the card, I took another panel of Basic White 4 x 5 1/4 and stamped the line image across the bottom: Summer Splash ink and the stamp is from Round We Go stamp set. The sentiment is from the same stamp set and stamped in Summer Splash ink. The other stamp is in Peach Pie ink. This was adhered to the inside of the card and ready to be gifted.

For the envelope… more of the stamped lines across the bottom in summer Splash ink, and more ‘splashes’ in Peach Pie ink. Fun card!

OK… time to see what others on the team have created. Be sure to read below the names how to purchase this stamp & die bundle and other items from me.

Click on the next button or click on a name to take you to specific team members. Enjoy the hop!

Amy Koenders

Mary Deatherage

Jaimie Babarczy

Karen Finkle

Karen Ksenzakovic

Tara Carpenter

Terry Lynn Bright – you are here!

Carol Buckalew

Nel Thames

STAMPIN’ UP! STAMP & DIE BUNDLE 10% OFF SALE!!

Sales Period: 5–30 June 2024
Ordering Deadlines
Phone: 28 June 2024 at 6:59 p.m. (MT)  
Online: 30 June 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (MT) 

• Get an additional 10% discount on stamp and die bundles only (that’s a total of 20% discount on stamp and die bundles!). This excludes suite collections, stamp and punch bundles, bundles not yet released to customers, and any other bundles*.
• Save 10% on Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine and Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (white and Boho Blue). 
• The 10% discount applies automatically to stamp and die bundles in all orders… including Starter Kit orders.
• See and shop all qualifying bundles in the online store.

*Please note Close to My Heart products are not included in this promotion.

And here’s the thing – you should know…

Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators get the SAME discounts and sales that CUSTOMERS do – on TOP OF their demonstrator discount

Keeping that information in the forefront of your mind,

NOW is a perfect time to JOIN THE TEAM – join my team!

Join with me by following this link...

To view all the available ONLINE EXCLUSIVES, click here.

Clearance items may be found here

The 24-25 Annual Catalog is now live… here’s a link to take you directly to the items available in this catalog – Happy shopping!

While you’re looking around in my store, remember there are some stunning kits available, for all ages and all seasons – even Christmas! And while you’re shopping, I offer fringe benefits to my customers: free tutorial of the month and a FREE Stampin’ Up! item valued to $10 – all for a $50 order, before shipping and taxes. Use my current host code to receive those benefits – especially when your order does not exceed $150. Make certain my name is listed as your demonstrator when checking out! :O)

HOST CODE  BAQG9RSE

Thanks for stopping by. May you have a beautiful day. Make someone happy when sending them a handmade card filled with love.

A very quick reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday May 21, Stampin’ Up! is offering FREE SHIPPING with qualified orders of $75 or more. That’s the ONLY restriction… which means all Stampin’ Up! items qualify as long as the order totals $75 before tax & shipping.

Ordering Deadline:  21 May 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (MT)

• All order types qualify for this promotion.
• Free shipping is for 24 hours only. Orders must be opened and closed on 21 May 2024.
• Orders must meet the qualifying amount of $75 USD (before tax) and then the FREE SHIPPING will automatically be applied!
• The additional cost for expedited shipping is not covered by this promotion.
• Prepaid 3-, 6-, or 12-month Paper Pumpkin subscriptions can contribute to the qualifying amount for free shipping (Month-to-month subscriptions do not qualify). Subscriptions billed and shipped this month will be charged for the normal amount ($24.50 USD shipping included) + tax.

Start making your Shopping Lists – and checking them 1, 2, or 3 times!  

SALE:  21 May 2024 – ONE DAY ONLY!!

Ordering Deadline:  21 May 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (MT)

• All order types qualify for this promotion.
• Free shipping is for 24 hours only. Orders must be opened and closed on 21 May 2024.
• Orders must meet the qualifying amount of $75 USD (before tax) and then the FREE SHIPPING will automatically be applied!
• The additional cost for expedited shipping is not covered by this promotion.
• Prepaid 3-, 6-, or 12-month Paper Pumpkin subscriptions can contribute to the qualifying amount for free shipping (Month-to-month subscriptions do not qualify). Subscriptions billed and shipped this month will be charged for the normal amount ($24.50 USD shipping included) + tax.

Start making your Shopping Lists – and shop, shop, shop!  

The 24-25 Annual Catalog is now live… here’s a link to take you directly to the items available in this catalog – Happy shopping!

Stampin’ Up! has a fabulous joining opportunity from May 1-31.

To join is $99 and what comes with joining, besides your 15-20% discount on every order… FOUR FREE IN COLOR PRODUCTS valued to $82 plus your choice of $125 worth of products. Those FREE items – the IN COLOR products – Classic stampin’ pad bundle – 5 of them, package of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock – 5 of those, 6×6 Designer Series Paper – 5 colors in the pack, and the coordinating Stampin’ Write markers. You will also receive free shipping on these products + free business supplies. What’s not to like about this joining special – remember it begins May 1! Join with me by following this link...

To view all the available ONLINE EXCLUSIVES, click here.

Clearance items may be found here

While you’re looking around in my store, remember there are some stunning kits available, for all ages and all seasons – even Christmas! And while you’re shopping, I offer fringe benefits to my customers: free tutorial of the month and a FREE Stampin’ Up! item valued to $10 – all for a $50 order, before shipping and taxes. Use my current host code to receive those benefits – especially when your order does not exceed $150.

HOST CODE PEVY3AM9

Thanks for stopping by. May you have a beautiful day. Make someone happy when sending them a handmade card filled with love.

Welcome! It’s Thursday and we have a sketch challenge for the Happy Inkin’ Thursday Blog Hop. I’ve pulled a new stamp from the 24-25 Annual Catalog (goes live to customers May 1) called Leaf Collection and love it! It’s big – a single stamp. I used two colors on this – Pumpkin Pie and Crushed Curry and added Citrus Blooms Dies as well on the card front.

Here’s what I did.. I used the Stampin’ Up! Glass Mat & placed the stamp leaf side up, inked a portion with the Pumpkin Pie ink pad, then right away inked the other portion with Crushed Curry ink pad. I then used the SU! Brayer to roll over it, blending the colors. I did NOT go back & forth, one direction only from light to dark, then placed my Basic White card stock on top of the inked stamp and pressed with a cardboard piece to make certain the ink transferred evenly. I removed the cardboard and lifted the card stock panel straight up, turned it over and left it alone for a bit to make certain it was good and dry. I then cut it down to size (3 7/8 x 5 1/8. I added this to a Pumpkin Pie cut 4 x 5 1/4, added dimensionals and adhered to a Crushed Curry card base 4 1/4 x 11 scored at 5 1/2. I cut a piece of Basic White 2 3/8x 2 3/8 and adhered it to a Pumpkin Pie 2 1/2 x 2 3/8. I cut a piece of Inked Botanicals DSP (retiring Apr 30) 1 x 2 3/8 and adhered it to Crushed Curry 1 1/8 x 2 3/8. Both were added to the card front with dimensionals. I die cut leaves using the Citrus Blooms Dies as they look similar to the leaves of the stamp :O) – in Pumpkin Pie & Crushed Curry. Two were added with dabs of Liquid glue, the other with trimmed dimensionals. As a final touch I added three Glossy Dots.

For the inside of the card I kept it really simple… I stamped the word happy in Pumpkin Pie ink, then the rest of the sentiment in Crushed Curry ink – both from the Citrus Blooms stamp set. I added this Basic White panel to a Pumpkin Pie piece then both to the inside of the card.

For the envelope, I used another stamp in the Citrus Blooms stamp set and Crushed Curry ink to stamp the envelope front, then added the same Inked Botanicals DSP as on the card front to the envelope flap. This is such a simple, easy card – and could easily be used as a masculine card, which I sometimes struggle making. Such fun working with the Leaf Collection stamp and the Brayer to create this!

Now, time to see what others have created for this hop – I’m always curious as to what other team members create – so don’t miss anyone. Click the next button or click on a name – either way – enjoy the hop!

For more information how to purchase these products – see below the list of names.

Amy Koenders

Mary Deatherage

Jaimie Babarczy

Karen Finkle

Akiko Sudano

Karen Ksenzakovic

Tara Carpenter

Terry Lynn Bright – you are here :O)

Carol Buckalew

Nel Thames

LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS such as the Inked Botanicals 6×6 DSP be found here –

and that sale began April 9

Clearance items may be found here

23-24 Annual Catalog products (card stock, Glossy Dots, paper trimmer, Cut & Emboss machine, dimensionals, liquid glue) may be found here

While you’re looking around in my store, remember there are some stunning kits available, for all ages and all seasons – even Christmas! And while you’re shopping, I offer fringe benefits to my customers: free tutorial of the month and a FREE Stampin’ Up! item valued to $10 – all for a $50 order, before shipping and taxes. Use my current host code to receive those benefits – especially when your order does not exceed $150.

HOST CODE 4JF6ZWC9

Welcome to Thursday & the fabulous Happy Inkin’ Krew Blog Hop. You may have come from the creative Tara Carpenter – or simply dropped in. However you arrived, I hope you enjoy the hop today. We have a sketch challenge this week.

I’ve used a fairly new item from the ONLINE EXCLUSIVES products called Encircled in Nature bundle – some wreath making can be done in a flash with the various dies. My interpretation for the sketch is perhaps different, a bit of a stretch. But I wanted to use these trees. I love trees & I’ve stamped & die cut these using Shaded Spruce – and I’ve used a new Annual Catalog paper called Country Woods 12×12 DSP. As you can see, very masculine-like. I cut it down to 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 and adhered it to a Basic White just slightly larger, then to a Basic Gray card Base. I stamped the trees, which are in a crescent shape in Shaded Spruce ink, then die cut the trees from Shaded Spruce card stock. I should have used foam adhesive on this piece of card stock but didn’t :O( I did add teeny tiny strips of dimensionals to the back, then attached it in place. The front sentiment comes from another new ONLINE EXCLUSIVE called Happy Things bundle, and was stamped with Basic Gray ink and die cut with Happy Things Dies. I die cut a triple set of trees, cut one off and added it to one end of the sentiment banner & the other two trees to the right end, added a dimensional to the right end and attached it. The final touch are three Basic Gray pearls from the new annual catalog (Basic Gray & Smoky Slate Pearls.)

For the inside of the card, I stamped the sentiment in Basic Gray ink, then stamped the leaves in stamped off Shaded Spruce ink – both on a Basic White panel.

For the envelope… a single stamped tree on the front in Shaded Spruce ink and more of the Country Woods 12×12 DSP on the flap (available to customers May 1)

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES may be found here

More about shopping with me can be found below the names of those participating in the hop today. Make sure to see all the fun creations.

Amy Koenders

Mary Deatherage

Jaimie Babarczy

Karen Finkle

Akiko Sudano

Karen Ksenzakovic

Tara Carpenter

Terry Lynn Bright – you are here :O)

Carol Buckalew

Nel Thames

Shopping with me… use my current HOST CODE 4JF6ZWC9 to receive that $10 item when your order is $50-$149.

LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS may be found here – and that sale began April 9

Clearance items may be found here

Thanks for stopping by. May you have a beautiful day!

Yay! It’s Thursday and time for our blog hop – with a color challenge this time.

The Nature’s Sweetness Specialty DSP is just a stunning set of Designer Series Papers – and yes, it follows our color challenge for today. I used a Thick Basic White card base with a layer of Nature’s Sweetness SDSP adhered directly to it. From another panel of this paper, I die cut several images using the Lovely & Sweet Dies – they match perfectly! I also fussy cut a few images from another panel of the same Nature’s Sweetness SDSP. I then used the largest circle of the Stitched Shapes Dies to create a circle for the images & sentiment. The circle was adhered with dimensionals; leaf layers were adhered with liquid glue behind the circle. The lily spray was also attached with dimensionals and the gold leaves with iquid glue. I then used the embossing buddy from the heat tool kit to remove any static from the Pebbled Path strip, stamped the sentiment in VersaMark ink (yep – Lovely & Sweet stamp set!), sprikled it with gold embossing powder and heat set it with the heat tool. I bannered the one end with my paper snips then added it to the card from with dimensionals I added three Adhesived-Backed Cork Rounds to complete the card front.

For the inside of the card on a 4 x 5 1/4 Basic White panel, I stamped the cross-hatch image in second generation (stamped off once) Pebbled Path ink. I then stamped the sentiment in full strength Pebbled Path ink. At the base of the panel I added a thin strip of one of the Nature’s Sweetness DSP – and the card was complete.

For the envelope, I simply adhered another coordinating piece of the Nature’s Sweetness Specialty Designer Series Paper to the flap. The card is then ready for mailing to a friend who lost her hubby last week.

I created another card with this same color challenge – totally different – using a set of products moving to the ONLINE EXCLUSIVES: Gone Fishing stamp set & coordinating dies. This is a perfect set for those outdoor folks. I combined the Let’s Go Fishing Designer Series Paper, Thoughtful Expressions Dies and Faux Leather Trim w/ gold flecks.

Here I again used the Let’s Go Fishing DSP on the Thick Very Vanilla card stock (retiring end of April!) to show off the papoer and create a contrasting background to the rest of the card. I stamped the sentiments and lure images in Pecan Pie ink on Very Vanilla card stock (the regular weight card stock in VV is NOT retiring). I stamped the larger round image in Pebbled Path. ink. I die cut the stamped sentiment with a die from Thoughtful Expressions Dies and another just slightly larger from the Let’s Go Fishing DSP. These two were adhered together. I cut a length of the Faux Leather Trim with gold flecks and tied knots at either end, adhering it in place with a couple of glue dots. I added dimensionals to the two adhered together pieces and attached them over the trim. I used my Take Your Pick Tool to poke a hole in each of the stamped lures and threaded them through with Linen Thread, tieing a knot at the end. I added dimensionals to each of the images and adhered them in place slipping it over the trim. The round image I was able to slip another length of the Faux Leather Trim through the hole, add dimensionals to the back and attach to the card front as well. I added a glue dot that I folded over to adhere that trim in place :O)

For the inside I stamped the sentiment from Gone Fishing stamp set in Pebbled Path ink on a panel of Very Vanilla 4 x 5 1/4. I adhered a wide strip of the Let’s Go Fishing DSP to the bottom of the card and them more to the envelope flap. The Gone Fishing Bundle is still available through the end of April – so get this versatile, fun set before it is no longer a bundle (10% off as a bundle). You may purchase that and the Lovely & Sweet Bundle – Shop with me here for products available in the 2023-2024 Annual Catalog. See more info below for purchasing products in my shop!

Now – time to see what others have created for this Happy Inkin’ Thursday Blog Hop. Follow the links below.

Amy Koenders

Mary Deatherage

Karen Finkle

Akiko Sudano

Karen Ksenzakovic

Tara Carpenter

Terry Lynn Bright

Carol Buckalew

Nel Thames

The Mini Catalog is retiring the end of April – now is the time to shop for items that will go away completely. Click here – This link will allow you to see ALL the products in the Jan-Apr Mini Catalog.

Shop ONLINE EXCLUSIVES with me here

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES are those items not listed in a catalog, only online. Products change, new items are introduced on a fairly regular basis. Some items move from the Mini Catalog or the 2023-2024 Annual catalog to the ONLINE EXCLUSIVES (at the end of April 2024). It’s best to check this section regularly to see what’s introduced.

As I have mentioned, a new 2024-2025 Annual Catalog will be released May 1 – and while I cannot share the inside of the catalog items just yet, I CAN share the cover.

Here I am in Houston receiving the new catalog :O) What a fun convention!! And the new catalog is exciting… different format, different layout, different from catalogs in the past. BUT.. I LIKE THE NEW LOOK and what are on the inside pages. Stay tuned! Catalogs to my customers should arrive in my mailbox in the next day or so & I will be sending them on to my customers with a quick turn-around. With the catalog will be a letter of explanation about the catalog, how it’s different, where to look for certain things, like that. I think it will help my customers understand the changes. I will also be offering Designer Series Paper Shares (which I will also post separately in another blog). There will be other goodies with my letter & DSP Share list. Look for those items soon!

Thanks for stopping by today. May you have a beautiful day. Make someone happy by sending them a handmade card made with love.