Thoughts & Prayers Sympathy

Times for sympathy and prayers for those in struggle happen all throughout the year ... even during holiday seasons.  Honestly, I'd prefer to have a couple of these ready to go, but even though I currently do not have spares ready to mail, I'll return to this design again.  

I consider the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set to be timeless.  This set will stay in my stamping cabinet for years to come because it transcends gender, time, and trends.  

The designer paper and lace ribbon used on this card are both retired from the 2015-2016 catalog, but I do use favorite retired items for personal card sharing.  While I sell some retired items, I'm an active stamper for personal enjoyment as well as being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  Thus, I use what I love.  Being a demonstrator does not "limit" my personal use of products at all.   ;)

The subtle simplicity speaks for itself in this card.  I chose the oval shape for the bough + sentiment to add a touch of coordinating shape to the image arch itself.   Rounding the top corners echoes that soothing curvature.  This was sent to a friend whose father passed away.   I fully understand how vast a daughter's emptiness feels when her beloved father leaves this life.  A smaller oval was placed inside with another of the beautiful sentiments from this set.  I simply hurried to get it sealed and ready to send rather than remembering to photo the inside first.  Isn't that the way we stampers roll?!  

Inky (((huggss)),

Product List

Thoughts & Prayers Clear-mount Stamp Set [127805] $19.00	Punch Corner Project Life [135346] $8.00	Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments [119247] $5.00	Fine-Tip Glue Pen [138309] $7.00
Tip Top Taupe Classic Stampin' Pad [138325] $6.50	Tip Top Taupe Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [138330] $3.25	Tip Top Taupe 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138336] $8.00	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $9.00
Simply Scored [122334] $30.00

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Happy Holiday Season to All!

Inky (((hugs))),

Savor the Anticipation!

This card came about simply because I wanted to stamp/create something and decided to  participate in a challenge.  I needed a creative break with paper, ink, and goodies, with no other particular goal in mind.  (Wouldn't it be grand if every day was so simple?!)

I love the way the Christmas Pines bundle (stamps and thinlits) work so easily with the Pine Bough embossing folder and the Presents and Pinecones designer papers.  The coordination really made this come together in a virtual 'snap'!

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Even though the pictures appear to show a golden color to the pinecones, they're actually cut from the rich Copper Foil Sheets found in the Holiday Catalog.  And yes, Gold and Silver Foil sheets are available in the annual catalog.  That shine is a splendid texture contrast!

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As I started grocery shopping this week for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I realized that this really is the beginning of a 'season of joy' ... joy and thanks.  I rarely have my children and grands altogether on one day at one joint meal, and for me, that is one of a few limited times per year that really touches my innermost heart.  So naturally, I've come to savor the anticipation.  Come to think of it, I should write that as one of my Tex's Tips: Savor the Anticipation!  Hope you're entering a time of anticipation of joys to come as well!

Inky (((hugs))),

Product List

Christmas Pines Photopolymer Bundle [143496] $54.75	Christmas Pines Photopolymer Stamp Set [142049] $35.00	Pretty Pines Thinlits Dies [141851] $26.00	Pine Bough Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [141831] $7.50
Copper Foil Sheets [142020] $4.00	Presents & Pinecones Designer Series Paper [141986] $11.00	Fine-Tip Glue Pen [138309] $7.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] $6.50	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $8.00	Emerald Envy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141415] $8.00	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337] $8.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	Big Shot Die Brush [140603] $11.00	Big Shot Platform [142802] $26.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00

Fluttery & Non- Holiday

Just a wee break from Fall & holiday stamping today, for I was tempted.   Tempted by the SCS Featured Stamper FS510 challenge.  I love florals, and sure enough a lovely stenciled floral creation turned on my creative thoughts.

But I made a little turn, twist, or meandered down a slightly different path?  Yes, it's true ... I do have my spontaneous moments!

I can get a little uneasy with CAS (clean 'n simple) design, but I consciously work on getting easier with it.  I'll get there some day ... maybe.  I liked this process so much that I can see myself revisiting this style, especially for sharing cards for customers and team members.  

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To create my 'stencil', I used a carefully guarded roll of repositionable Eclipse tape for masking from my stash.  I used the largest butterfly from the beautiful Butterflies Thinlits, then lay the resulting die cut on my card front.  Sponge daubers were used to rub in Tempting Turquoise and Calypso Coral inks.  My beloved Misti enabled the sentiment to be overstamped for a crisp bold look in Basic Gray.

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Confession:  I'm behind on stamping cards for my business and personal use!  In reality, that's not the best way to be entering holiday shopping season ... as I'm a slowwww shopper.  Uh-ohhhhh!  Time to get back to the stampin' zone!  Happy new week, everyone!

Inky (((huggss))),

Product List

Timeless Love Clear-Mount Stamp Set [139408] $17.00	Timeless Love Wood-Mount Stamp Set [138772] $23.00	Butterflies Thinlits Dies [137360] $25.00	Fancy Frost Sequins [142519] $5.00
Fine-Tip Glue Pen [138309] $7.00	Sponge Daubers [133773] $5.00	Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pad [126952] $6.50	Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [101041] $3.25
Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [126983] $6.50	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [122934] $3.25	Basic Gray Archival Stampin’ Pad [140932] $7.00	Basic Gray Archival Stampin’ Ink Refill [140929] $5.50
Tempting Turquoise 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102067] $8.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.00