Stamping with Kim

Weeping Willow trees are perfect

Before I put away this willow tree...

Unfortunately, we all need sympathy cards from time to time.  At the time that I posted THIS CARD I had no idea that I would be needing a card so soon.  But the day after Christmas our family had a terrible loss when one of Steve's cousins fell from a tree & lost his life.  A terrible reminder that we all should value each & every day.

Fortunately, before I put away this stamp set, I made a couple of different cards with the same set & same papers.  Even though they are both very somber, I think they are appropriate for the occasion - and I wanted to share them both with you.  I hope you have no need for them any time soon - but if you do, please feel free to copy the ideas.

The colors here are Basic Gray, Pear Pizzaz and Chocolate Chip.  This DSP is from the current SU! Occasions Mini.

Remember, shipping times during Sale-a-Bration are definitely slower!!  So if you want some new goodies, be sure to place your order right away!  If you have any questions - shoot me an email!  Otherwise,

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and start shopping!!  FREE PRODUCTS for every $50 order.  What's not to love?!!!

 

 

To bling, or not to bling....that is the question

Seriously.  This is, after all, a sympathy card!!

I think I was traumatized  early in my stamping career, and now I hesitate to make sympathy cards too pretty.  You see, my friend Peggy lost her husband several years ago.  I was a new stamper then, and made her a gorgeous card that I sent out right away.  Well, later some of the girls told me that Peggy came into the funeral home WITH THE CARD IN TOW!!  She couldn't wait to show off the card to her friends!  While that is very flattering, I certainly didn't want the card taking center stage at the funeral home!!

So then follow that up with my friend Shirley.  A few weeks later Shirley called me in tears to say her best friend of 50+ years (seriously....more than 50 years they were best friends!!) had passed away.  As she cried on the phone she said "....and I want to order EVERYTHING you used to make that card for Peggy!!"  I took a deep breath & said "Shirley, I used A LOT OF STUFF to make that card & I'm sure you have some similar things that you could use!"   "no!" she said, I have to have EVERYTHING down to the matching marker!!

OK, I added it up and called her back.  I said "Shirley, you might have been crying before, but this is going to make you cry again....this card is going to cost you over $100!!"  That's OK she said, order it anyway and I can blame it on my best friend!!  That's Shirley for you!!

So you see, I get a little nervous in making sympathy cards!!  Fortunately, this one is going into my on-hand-supply, and I don't have anyone in need right now.  That way at least I know I'm not influencing anyone on purpose!!

I hope you like it!  I like the Basic Gray and Pear Pizzaz together.  The DSP is new in the STAMPIN' UP OCCASIONS CATALOG, along with the Framelits die behind the sentiment.  Those little Framelits dies are really nice!!  Be sure to check them out.

Thanks for visiting today!!  I hope your New Year has started out beautifully :)

Happy Stamping!

Friends Never Fade

Monday after the Holiday - it's hard to get started, right?!  I hope your holiday was filled with fun times & happy memories.

We spent the Sunday before Thanksgiving with Steve's dad.  We - my SIL Cheryl, cousin Janet & me - cooked a big dinner for dad and coaxed him out of his favorite chair and into his rightful spot at the head of the dining table!  I'm sure it's the first time he's sat there for a while & his enjoyment showed.  What a warm memory & a treasure that we will always have.  My prayer now is that he makes it 'till Christmas.

In the meantime - this is a busy week!!  I'm off to help decorate our Old Opera House this morning!!  We are so blessed to have a 99 year old Opera House in our home town!!  It's beautiful with all the trimmings for the holiday.  I'll even try to remember my camera today so I can share it here tomorrow!!

Now, for the card.  Wow, this one was easy.  I CASE'd it!!!  The colors caught my eye, and I love this set.  So when I was caught short-handed for a very belated SYMPATHY card - yes, a SYMPATHY card!!! - I turned to a tried & true source....THE SU! CATALOG!!  LOL!!! 

OK, the cat is out of the bag!  Look in the cart on  p. 164!  OH, so now you think I'm not all that talented, huh?!!  Well, I disagree!  You see, I'm talented enough to know where to look when I need a beautiful card!  LOL!!!

That's what the catty is for, ladies.  Be sure to use it during this very busy season!

Thanks for checking in today.  I hope you have a happy Monday!!

 

T.G.I.M.

Thank goodness it's Monday!!  You don't hear that very often, but honestly, it's been so crazy on the weekends anymore that I need a Monday to relax!!!

Do you ever go to yard sales??  I went Saturday with Andy's girlfriend, Misty, her mom (Melody) and nephew (Sammy)... oh, and Steve did the driving!!  We had so much fun!  I think I was the only person that bought anything - a $3 folding table.  Sammy said the place I bought it from was a CRACK HOUSE!!  So we started calling it "the CRACK TABLE".  Every time one of us would mention it we would all crack up - no pun intended!  We really had a lot of fun  :)  We finished the day by visiting a few craft stores (Hobby Lobby) and some really neat home interior stores that Misty & Melody like to visit.  Boy, I could really get into some trouble with those two!  It was fun, and I can't wait to do it again soon.

Now, on to stamping!  I know I don't need to tell you what stamp set this is - "Thoughts & Prayers" - the BEST set!!  For this image, I've used markers for the coloring (Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip and Not Quite Navy).  Other accessories used are Scallop Border Punch, Scallop Oval punch, and Med. Oval Punch, Photo Corner Punch, along with Signo White Gel Pen....oh, and don't forget the Dazzling Diamonds Glitter!!

I love the layout of this card, and by changing the sentiment it could be used for anything.  Love that!!  You could really do some multi-tasking by making several of these & just leave the sentiment off for now!!

OK, it's Monday & time to get some things done around here!!  I think I hear my Big Shot calling!!!!!

Have a great week,

 

Bouquet Bunch

Hi Stampers!

Summer has arrived here with a great big, HOT bang!  Seems like we had rain & cold weather forever - but all that is gone now.  I might even break my tradition this year, and get in the pool before July 4th!!  *wink*

Here's a sweet & simple card from a sweet & simple little set in the SU! Summer Mini Catty called "Bouquet Bunch".  This set didn't grab me right away, I just didn't think I would use it often.  Then it hit me - THAT'S THE PERFECT SET TO HAVE IN "CLEAR MOUNT"!!  Yep, at only $10.95 for the entire 8 piece set, it's a great bargain!!  I love it when I have a streak of brilliance  :-)  don't you??

It came in really handy last month when our close friends lost their pet and I didn't have a good "pet sympathy" set.  So I sent them a little bouquet of flowers instead.  (I've also remedied that problem by ordering both the "C is for Cat" and "D is for Dog" sets!!)

Colors for this project are Basic Black, Barely Banana (retiring), Old Olive & Rose Red.  The Old Olive Striped Grosgrain ribbon is also retiring.  Image is stamped on Watercolor paper & watercolored in with Aqua Painters.  Scallop Border Punch was used to finish the edge, layered with Dimensionals.  The flowers in the background were stamped with Barely Banana ink (retiring).

I hope wherever you are that you are nice & cool.  Thank goodness for A/C!! It's also a great reason to just stay inside & stamp!

Happy Monday!!