Hello stamping friends! Are you an animal lover? If you are, then you will love these stamps sets. These are a must have!
I have to admit. I was always a dog lover and really had no interest in having a cat. However, that all changed one Saturday evening, when my son came home and told us that he almost hit a little kitten with his car. Being an animal lover too, he was concerned for this kitten’s welfare. He wanted all of us to go back to the site and see if we could rescue him. Well, it turns out this kitten had two siblings. We spent over an hour trying to “catch” these kittens. Do you know how hard it is to do that? These little kittens were scared and faster than lightning. We were able to catch one, but not the other two. For purposes of not boring you with all of the details, we were able to catch the other ones two days later.
There is a happy ending to this story — we now are the proud owner of a ginger male (the kids named him Oscar) and his two siblings were adopted by a neighbor up the street. We can now have cat playdates! I’m actually happy that we rescued this little guy. He is a lot of fun and makes me laugh several times a day with his silly antics!
Here is a pic of our black lab Kida Rose, and the of the crazy guy, Oscar.
Kida Rose
Oscar-the weekend we rescued him. He weighed only 3.5 lbs.
Now, I will share the recent card that I made using the Happy Tails Bundle and the Nine Lives Bundle. You gotta get them…
Aren’t they adorable? Of course, I used the stamp colors that matched my pets. Below is a list of the products that I used to create this card.
Hello stamping friends! Hope you’re all staying warm and cozy so far this January. It’s been cold here in Hershey the last week or so. Today I want to share my winter class schedule with you all. If you’re local to me, please join me for some stamping fun. As you can also see from the schedule, there will be a few on-line only classes coming your way. Stay tuned for more details!
Are you using the right ink? Ink is more than just a pretty face. Each type of ink is designed for a specific purpose, and your projects will look their best if you use the right ink for your technique.
Below is a table that I put together outlining each of the Stampin’ Up! ink products.
When purchasing your ink pads I highly recommend adding the ink refill to your collection too. They’re available for all of the inks and make using Stampin’ Up! inks very economical.
Hope this chart is helpful and if you have any questions, please send me a note! I’d love to hear from you.
Yes, this is a bit late! I’m finally sharing with you my January, 2019 calendar page! It’s not too late and there are a few “kits” left for purchase. You still have time to create your own calendar!
I’ve been down and out with bronchitis since January 2nd and I’m finally easing my way back into real life. This bronchitis stuff is no joke! Nope your year is off to a great start. It can only get better from here, correct?
Enjoy your day and if you’re interested in purchasing a calendar kit, see my prior blog post here.
Hi stamping friends! Today’s post will be short and sweet. I have an easy card tutorial for you.
This card falls into the category of #simplestamping and I think it’s adorable! Below is a list of the items I used to make it. Have a great weekend everyone. I am feeling a bit under the weather, so I plan to spend the weekend hanging at home and eating chicken soup.
Would you like to get a sample of all of the paper and ribbon coming out in the All Occasions catalog beginning January 3rd without breaking the bank?
The best way is to join in one of my paper shares. I will buy all of the papers and ribbons and divide them up so that each person gets a small amount of everything. I will need a group of four people to participate in one share. Once I have four people signed up, I will invoice each of you, then place the order. When the items arrive, I will sort them, divide them, cut them and bag them. You then have the option of picking the items up at my home, or I can mail them to you ($8 for Priority Mail). I use Priority Mail so that we can track the package.
The options are as follows:
Option #1 – Paper Only – 127 sheets of paper which includes 82 sheets of Designer Series Paper (6×6); 36 sheets of coordinating card stock (8-1/2 x 11); and 6 sheets of 12×12 coordinating card stock for the Floral Romance Suite. Price: $38 (includes taxes and shipping)
Option #2 -Ribbon Only – One yard of each of the following ribbons: All My Love (both); Petal Pink/Whisper White Varigated Ribbon; Coastal Cabana/Granny Smith; Calypso Coral Satin; Whisper White Flax Ribbon; Old Olive Linen Thread; and Black/Silver Striped Metallic. Price: $8 (includes taxes and shipping)
Option #3 – I Want Everything! – All of the paper and ribbon in Option #1 and Option #2 Price: $46 (includes taxes and shipping)
If you would like to join in — please contact me via email at wendymakes.com to purchase any of the shares listed above. When I have four people signed up, I will then start the process of invoicing for that group.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I spent the morning cleaning up from the Christmas chaos and it’s now back to real life. Not that it’s a bad thing at all — I’m ready to get back to normal.
Do you write thank you notes? Being a card maker I always have plenty of thank you notes hanging around and we are prepared! My kids may need to be reminded from time to time, but they do know that a thank you note is to be done when a gift is received.
Here are a few tips from Emily Post regarding writing thank you notes.
Sometimes it’s easy to write off a heartfelt thank-you note. Other times, writer’s block can set in—especially when you are staring down a large stack of them. Before you start, remember that thanking people needs to be about just that: expressing thanks. So refocus, reorganize, and rethink the process. Get in touch with the sincerity of thanking people for thinking about you and sending you something—even if it’s a hot pink polyester sweater. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about writing thank-you notes.
Who needs a note?
All gifts should be acknowledged with a note, unless the present was opened in front of the giver—then you have the chance to thank them in person. An important exception: Many of an older generation expect a hand-written note. Providing them with one is an appropriate gesture of respect and consideration. Also, send a hand-written note for gifts received at a shower, even if you said thank you in person at the time.
Who should write the note?
The person who received the gift should write the note. Group notes are acceptable for Aunt Patty who sent the household a group present—just ask each recipient to sign. For couples, it’s perfectly fine to split up the notes for gifts you received together. For the kids, note writing will vary depending on age.
When should thank-you notes be written?
Write your notes as soon as possible, and don’t hesitate if you feel you’re late: A late note is always better than no note at all. Thank-you notes for wedding gifts should be sent within three months of returning from your honeymoon, though an immediate turnaround is recommended, both to acknowledge the gift arrived and to stay on top of them.
Can a thank-you note be creative?
Absolutely. Incorporating photos, children’s drawings—anything at all that compliments the sentiment is appropriate. Just remember to include a short, written thank-you as well. OR make some cards with your Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator!!
What about email?
Email is okay to thank for a coffee or meal that was casual or whose invitation was extended by email in the first place. It’s also okay for very small favors. But for dinner parties, big favors, an actual gift, or being a houseguest, handwritten thank-you notes are your best bet for an expression of warm, heartfelt thanks.
How do I make writing thank-you notes fun?
We all love getting presents and are sincerely thankful, but some of us procrastinate terribly when it’s time to write notes. One woman, bemoaning the fact that she had to write not only her notes, but also notes for her three children and her husband, hit upon a brilliant idea.
She had a party. On a Sunday afternoon in January, she invited her husband and their kids to the kitchen table. Everything was ready: note paper, pens, pencils, crayons, envelopes, address book, stamps, and lists. The smallest (ages 4-6) drew pictures of their gifts, and Mom and Dad added dictated captions and thank you’s. The 7-8 year-olds wrote one or two sentences, practicing new writing skills. The 9-and-olders were able to work more or less independently. Meanwhile, Mom and Dad helped with spelling words and addressing, and, in the quiet moments, wrote a few notes themselves.
When everyone was finished, there was hot cider and banana bread. She was amazed at how successful the afternoon was. The kids were involved, the notes were done and the family had time to be together and talk about their holiday, friends and relatives. And a new family tradition was born.
If you’re on your own, break up the list. Schedule a few different days to write your notes, and each time give yourself a little something to make it interesting: music, a glass of wine, your favorite radio show, a cup of tea—perhaps even some chocolate. Take the time to yourself for writing out thank-you notes: don’t try and wedge it in between laundry, a TV show, or extra work from the office. You’ll be able to think more clearly and your focus will translate to the page. Above all, try to enjoy yourself. Giving thanks shouldn’t be a chore—and doesn’t have to be if you make the effort to keep it interesting.
Do you love salsa? Then this recipe for Texas Mission Salsa is for you! It’s quick to make and everyone loves it.
INGREDIENTS: 1-28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes 2-4 garlic cloves sliced a couple of times 1/2 – 1 seeded (unless you live on the wild side) jalapeno pepper a fist full of cilantro 1/4-1/2 of a small onion cut into chunks heaping 1/2 tsp. black pepper 1 tsp. salt
INSTRUCTIONS: Blend all ingredients until chopped and mixed well. Eat it up! You can refrigerate it if there’s any left over. It’s actually even better after it’s been hanging out in the refrigerator over night because the black pepper flavor comes out more. Enjoy!
I don’t know about you, but I love to receive Christmas cards with of pics of my friend’s kiddos. So, each year I send out cards that include a pic of my kids from that year.
I do have a confession to make though — I have always ordered them online and did not make homemade cards. I know, gasp! I am the person that makes cards all year along and then I order my Christmas cards online! The horror! Problem is that I am too busy helping everyone else make their beautiful cards and then I end up not making mine!
Well, this year that has changed! I finally made my Christmas cards using a template by a fellow SU Demonstrator, Rachel Tessman. Here is a pic of my version of the card I created using her template.
If you’d like to make this card, here are the cutting dimensions:
Festive Farmhouse DSP: 2-1/4″ x 4″ Very Vanilla: 4-1/8″ x 11″; scored at 2-1/2″ plus scraps for circle Cherry Cobbler: 4″ x 5-7/8″ plus scraps for circle Mossy Meadow: scraps for punching out sprigs
Below I’ve listed the products used to make this card. If you’re planning to make some homemade cards, please contact me for any supplies that you may need. You need to hurry! Time is running out.
I’m playing along this week with the TGIF Challenges using the Lovely as a Tree and Warm Hearted stamp sets. I love these colors together. They are so soothing!
Hope you join in and make something with these wonderful colors. You can find more details about this color combo here.
Of course, if you need any Stampin’ Up! products, please consider ordering from me as your demonstrator. I would love to have a new stamping friend. You can find my online store here.
Hello stamping friends! I thought I’d switch it up today and show you a Christmas scrapbook layout that I recently made for the upcoming holidays. Hope you enjoy and are inspired to do some scrapbooking this weekend.
Stamp Sets: Farmhouse Christmas (148478) Making Christmas Bright (148046) Country Home (147678) Sheltering Tree (137163)
Adhere the blank Whisper White pieces of cardstock to the 4 x 6 pieces of Cherry Cobbler and Mossy Meadow.
Next stamp the truck from the Farmhouse Christmas Stamp Set in Memento Black Ink onto the 2-3/8 x 3-1/2 piece of Whisper White cardstock. Stamp the string of lights from the Making Christmas Bright Stamp Set in Memento Black ink on the 4-3/4 x 1-3/4 piece of Whisper White cardstock. Stamp the “road” from the Sheltering Tree Stamp Set in Gray Granite ink below the truck.
Color in the truck and lights using the Stampin’ Blends. Adhere each piece to a Mossy Meadow piece of cardstock.
Using the house from the Farmhouse Christmas Tree Stamp Set stamp it onto the 3-1/2 square of whisper white card stock. Stamp the small wreath from the Farmhouse Christmas Stamp Set in Memento Black ink on a scrap piece of whisper white cardstock. Color in the house and wreath with the Stampin’ Blends. Adhere to Mossy Meadow cardstock.
Stamp two strings of lights from the Making Christmas Bright Stamp Set in Memento Black ink on the Whisper White piece of cardstock measuring 4-3/4 x 1-3/4. Color in and adhere to the Mossy Meadow cardstock.
If you like the sentiment “friends make the season sparkle” from the Making Christmas Bright Stamp Set Stamp it in Cherry Cobbler ink on the Whisper White piece of cardstock measuring 3-1/4 x 1-1/4. OR feel free to pick another sentiment!
Punch out three sets of sprigs in mossy meadow using the Sprig Punch.
Stamp the water pitcher and flowers from the Country Home in Memento Black ink on scrap pieces of whisper white cardstock. Color in with Stampin’ Blends, then fussy cut each piece. Adhere the pieces to the Whisper White piece of cardstock measuring2-3/8 x 3-1/2.
You are now ready to assemble your scrapbook pages. See my pics above for the layout.
Hope you all get to make a scrapbook featuring your holiday memories this year!
I’m all about quick these days, especially around the holidays! I thought I’d share a recipe today that is a favorite in my house. Give it a try, you can have this chowder on the table in less than 30 minutes! Serve it with some warm crusty bread.
Quick Chicken-Corn Chowder
2 Tbsp. butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
3 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
2 cups chopped roasted skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 tsp. chopped fresh or 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
1/8 tsp. salt
1 (14-3/4 ounce) can cream-style corn
Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and jalapeno; cook for 3 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Add flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook until thick (about 5 minutes).
Hello stamping friends. Hope you all had a nice weekend. We spent the weekend decorating, plus hubby and I finally went to see A Star is Born. It was such a great movie. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend catching it on the big screen. Today I thought I’d share with you one of my creations with the Peaceful Poinsettia stamp set.
The Peaceful Poinsettia stamp set is great and I love the Detailed Poinsettia Thinlits that go with this stamp set. You can create so many looks with the dies. I also used the Gold Foil-Edged Cards and Envelopes to make my card. I really like the pop of gold. Enjoy!
Happy December everyone! We’ve made it to the last month of 2018. This is the December page from my 2018 mini easel calendar that I’ve been sharing with you along the way this year.
If you would like to make a mini 2019 calendar for yourself, please contact me. You can check out all of the details over at my prior blog post here. Here’s a sneak peek of next years’ calendar.
