Here it is, Monday. I don’t know about you, but I have no idea where the weekend went.  I do know that I spent Sunday evening watching the Super Bowl, primarily for the commercials.  During that time I created Card #5 in my “Got Ten? Make Twenty” series.  These are cute and stylish cards designed for the busy stamper…with the definite plus of being quick, easy and mailable.   Many of them can be stamped in ten minutes, and today’s card is no exception. Where does the “Make Twenty” part come in?  These cards use Stampin’ Up!’s Note Cards, which come 20 in a pack.  By the end of the series, you will have 20 all-occasion cards.  I hope you enjoy today’s “Thanks So Much” card.

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:  Got Ten
This finished card measures 5″ wide  x 3-1/2″ long.

• Let the paper work for you! The circle containing the beautiful blue flowers was simply punched from the Tea for Two Designer Series Paper.  A few Pearls were added for interest.  It doesn’t get any easier than this!

•  Feeling dotty! The sweet Calypso Coral Polka Dotted paper, also from the “Tea for Two” collection, coordinates perfectly with the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  This is such a cheery color!

• Banner banter! The “Thanks So Much” sentiment from Oh, Hello was inked in Island Indigo, and stamped onto Whisper White card stock.  A little snip-snip with the Paper Snips transforms it into a cute sentiment banner.

Don’t forget that Sale-A-Bration is in full swing.  For every $50 you spend before shipping and taxes, you are eligible to earn free products.  (See the FREE Sale-A-Bration items HERE.)  The items used to make this little “cutie card” would be perfect for a Sale-A-Bration purchase.  Let’s take a look at the key items:

 
Speaking of thank you …
Three years ago today,  upon the death of my beloved Missy the Boxer, I wrote one of the most difficult posts I have ever written.  Missy was my “heart” dog…that once in a lifetime dog that truly leaves pawprints on your heart.  Although she had lived a long life for a Boxer, I was not prepared for the day she left us.  You can read the original post HERE.  Many of you were there for me at that time, and there were many of you whom I met for the first time as you comforted me in your comments.   And for that, I thank you.  

Today, Missy resides in a place of honor.  Every morning, I touch her urn as I pass through the living room.  Although her leash and collar are retired, Muffy eats her meals from Missy’s Fiesta dog bowl.  Many times, I have noticed the Twins, and even little Lexi, paying their respects. Either they have some phenomenal sixth sense that lets them know that her urn is something special, or they are so in-tune to my feelings that they have picked it up from me.  Of course, every night as I pass by on my way to retire for the evening, I once again touch her urn and wish my angel sweet dreams…

As always, your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one of them.  Won’t you please let me know what you think of today’s quick and cute “Got Ten” card?  Of course, if you ever have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away.  Until next time…

 

Childhood memories inspired my card for this week’s Paper Players Challenge…“Create a Sympathy Card”. When I was very, very young, my mother used to show me things from her “treasure box”…an old greeting card box filled with snippets of paper and trinkets.  We would sit together on the bed, and she would carefully pull out the odds-and-ends of a lifetime of precious memories.  One of those snippets of paper was a pencil sketch of praying hands, drawn by my mother after her father passed away. Through the years, the “treasure box” disappeared, but the vision of the praying hands has lingered in my mind.  I hope you enjoy today’s card.

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:  Colored Emboss Resist
This finished card measures 4-1/4″ wide by 5-1/2″ long.

• Beautiful background!  The Flowering Vine from Thoughts and Prayers was inked in VersaMark, then heat embossed with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery inks were then sponged over the embossed image.  The Large Stippled Blossom, from the Stippled Blossom stamp set, was inked with Soft Suede, stamped off, then randomly stamped over the embossed images.  Here is a picture before the embellishments and Praying Hands were added.

• Handsome hands! The Praying Hands image is perfectly framed within an oval created with the Ovals Collection Framelits.  The oval shape plays perfectly into the vintage design of this card.

• Rose buds! Roses from the Artisan Embellishments kit add a hint of soft color to the monochromatic color scheme.  A little Soft Suede ink was added to the edges. The gorgeous lace is also from the Artisan kit.

• Pearled papillons! Three pearls adorn each of the bodies of these Soft Suede Butterflies from the Papillon Potpourri stamp set.

• Simple sentiment! With Sympathy, from Loving Thoughts, was stamped onto Naturals Ivory card stock.  This was matted onto a Very Vanilla banner which had been stamped with the Stippled Blossoms image.

It was an emotional afternoon as I created this card.  Not only did memories of my mother come flooding to the surface, so did tears.  But sometimes, remembering the past is a good thing…

I know that this very vintage card won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but won’t you let me know what you think of it?  Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one of them.  As always, if you ever have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Until next time…

Stamp Sets:  Praying Hands (122043), Papillon Potpourri (W 123757,  C 123759), Stippled Blossoms (W 126745, C 126747 ), Loving Thoughts (W 125843, C 125845);  Inks:  VersaMark (102283), Certainly Celery (126958), Pretty in Pink (126955), Soft Suede (126978), Crumb Cake (126975);  Card Stock:  Naturals Ivory (101849), Very Vanilla (101650); Tools:  Heat Tool (129053), White Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109132), Ovals Collection Framelits (129381), Big Shot (113474), Stampin’ Sponges (101610), Sponge Daubers (102982); Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls (119247), Artisan Embellishment Kit (129328)

Wow! Stampin’ Up! is starting the month of February with a new Best of set AND a new Sent with Love Stamp Set and Designer Series Paper.  Here’s the scoop!

Best of Sets

Just in time for Valentine’s Day is the Best of Love collection! How perfect is this for romantic cards…whether they are Valentines, weddings, and anniversaries!

Download Best of Love Flyer

As a special incentive to collect the “Best of” stamps, Stampin’ Up! is  including a collector’s card and 25-Year Proof of Purchase sticker with every Best of set. Collect six stickers, and send it in to redeem a FREE set of your choice valued up to $14.95!  

If you have not ordered the “Best of Birthdays” set, it is still available.  

Download Best of Birthdays Flyer

 Sent with Love

During this limited-time offer, you  can purchase the exclusive Sent with Love Stamp Set or Sent with Love Designer Series Paper, or bundle them for a special 20 percent discount! Think of the adorable travel-themed projects which could be created with these cute products!

Download Sent with Love Flyer

Well, I won’t fib to you…I am off to order my Best of Love set and my Sent with Love Bundle.  I think I’ll add two packages of Note Cards to my list, and cash in on another Sale-A-Bration item!  Until next time…