Before I got up this morning, I spent 5 minutes (ok, maybe it was 10) finishing my book.  I started How to Walk Away, by Katherine Center Tuesday night, and I truly only had 10 minutes left to finish it.  I know, because my Kindle told me that's how much time I had left.  In the epilogue, I read a quote that really struck me:

“More than anything, I know that you just have to choose to make the best of things. You get one life, and it only goes forward. And there really are all kinds of happy endings.” ― Katherine Center, How to Walk Away: A Novel

And it made me think of this card I made a few weeks back with the Rooted with Nature Stamp Set.   Be Strong.  Be Happy.  Be You.  Because really...you only have two choices.  Be happy, or not.  And isn't that the truth.  

So my friends...choose happy.  The alternative is so much worse.

​

Speaking of happy...some people are about to get very happy. Product Shares are mailing out tomorrow!  And doesn't that just make you happy?  Thanks for everyone who participated.  A lot of work went into this to make it mybest product share yet.  And I know, you're just going to love it!

Base:  Crumb Cake, 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Layer 1:  Tranquil Tide, 3 1/2" x 3 1/4"
Layer 2: Nature's Poem Designer Series Paper, 3 1/4" x 3"
Layer 3: Tranquil Tide, 3 1/2" x 3 1/4"
Layer 4: Nature's Poem Designer Series Paper, 3 1/4" x 3"
Layer 5: Tranquil Tide, 2 1/2" x 2 1/4"
Layer 6: Whisper White, 2 1/4" x 2"

1. Using Stampin' Write Markers in Tranquil Tide, Cajun Craze, and Pool Party to ink the stamp (That's right; color with markers right on the stamp!), and giving a little 'huff' of breath to make sure the water-base markers stay wet, stamp your image onto Layer 6.
2. Adhere Layers 1-2 & 3-4, and apply to base.  
3. Adhere Layers 5 & 6.  Wrap twice with Linen thread and tie a double bow. Adhere to card with dimensionals. ​

• June 20-27 - BOGO ONLINE!!!  
• June 23 - 16-Card Annual Catalog Extravaganza.  2:15- 4:30 pm Bond Park Community Center.  Cary, NC.  RSVP by June 15  In person or "To Go".  (I still have 3 kits left...email me to reserve yours!)
• June 29/30th – Delightfully Detailed Card Club at my Studio (Last Friday of the month at 7 pm/ Last Saturday of the month at 10 am)  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.  

July 2018 -  Get Ready for 80's BINGO!!!

• July 8 -  2nd Sunday Sweet & Simple Cards 2 pm; RSVP by 7/4 | Stamping Bee Team Meeting 5 pm RSVP by 7/4
• July 11, 7pm– '80's Stampin' BINGO!!!  ($35 per person | RSVP by 7/1)
• July 30th – Card Club at my Studio (  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.  NOTE DATE CHANGE – this month only due to my Stampin’ Up! Cruise to Alaska! 

August 2018 - Christmas Card Club Begins in August!!! 

• August 12 - 2nd Sunday Sweet & Simple Cards 2 pm; RSVP by 8/10 | Stamping Bee Team Meeting 5 pm RSVP by 8/10
• August 17-19 - I'll be teaching at the Christmas in August Retreat (Boston, MA)
• August 24th or 25th - Card Club at my Studio  (Last Friday of the month at 7 pm/ Last Saturday of the month at 10 am)  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.

Call me an overachiever, and you'd probably be right!  There is not just one, but 2 blog posts today.  Well, technically, the 2nd one happened at 9 pm last night when I took part in the monthly Creative Inking Blog Hop.  This month we focused on the accessories found in the 2018-2019 Catalog.  I choose to highlight the Share What You Love Artisan Pearls, along with a Pressed Flowers design in Coastal Cabana.   If you missed reading and seeing all the fabulous blog hop projects, just click on the photo below to get started.

Today's card though, celebrates the summer solstice with the Garden Impressions Suite.  I've been using this a lot this week, as it's one of the classes being featured at this Saturday's 16-Card Extravaganza. [This event is completely sold out - but if you ask nicely, I might have one To Go packet left! (Email me if you're interested).]

I wasn't so sure I'd like this Garden Impressions Designer Series Paper Stack when I first saw it.  It's so bright and vibrant, and has some very bold floral designs. However, once I started using it, I really found myself liking it!  It's perfect for these bright, sunny summer days!  

Base:  Whisper White Thick Cardstock, 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" 
Layer 1:  Night of Navy, 5 1/8" x 3 7/8"
Layer 2: So Sarfron, 5" x 3 3/4"
Layer 3: Night of Navy, Starburst Punch
Layer 4: Whisper White, 2" Circle Punch

1. Stamp sentiment in Night of Navy onto Layer 4.  Adhere to Layer 3. 
2. Adhere Layers 1 & 2.  Wrap with Whisper White 3/8" Classic Weave Ribbon and tie a knot.  Adhere to base. 
3. Add sentiment to base with dimensionals. 
4. Finish with 3 So Saffron Share What You Love Artisan Pearls. 

• June 20-27 - BOGO ONLINE!!!  
• June 23 - 16-Card Annual Catalog Extravaganza.  2:15- 4:30 pm Bond Park Community Center.  Cary, NC.  RSVP by June 15  In person or "To Go".  (I still have 3 kits left...email me to reserve yours!)
• June 29/30th – Delightfully Detailed Card Club at my Studio (Last Friday of the month at 7 pm/ Last Saturday of the month at 10 am)  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.  

July 2018 -  Get Ready for 80's BINGO!!!

• July 8 -  2nd Sunday Sweet & Simple Cards 2 pm; RSVP by 7/4 | Stamping Bee Team Meeting 5 pm RSVP by 7/4
• July 11, 7pm– '80's Stampin' BINGO!!!  ($35 per person | RSVP by 7/1)
• July 30th – Card Club at my Studio (  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.  NOTE DATE CHANGE – this month only due to my Stampin’ Up! Cruise to Alaska! 

August 2018 - Christmas Card Club Begins in August!!! 

• August 12 - 2nd Sunday Sweet & Simple Cards 2 pm; RSVP by 8/10 | Stamping Bee Team Meeting 5 pm RSVP by 8/10
• August 17-19 - I'll be teaching at the Christmas in August Retreat (Boston, MA)
• August 24th or 25th - Card Club at my Studio  (Last Friday of the month at 7 pm/ Last Saturday of the month at 10 am)  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.

Good Morning!  This week is crazy busy around here...I've got the 16-Card Extravaganza on Saturday.  I'm finishing up my paper shares - I hope to have them out by Friday.  I made 35 swaps last night and will finish up bagging them and getting them in the mail by tomorrow.  AND...BOGO starts today, right here ONLINE.   (Click here to go to the BOGO Page)

How am I doing it?  Well, I couldn't do it without all of my helpers:  Rosie, Julia, Susan, and Pam.  They all work so cheerfully behind the scenes.  Whether they're cutting paper, assembling packets, or stuffing envelopes, we always have a great time chatting, laughing, and crafting together.   I couldn't do this without them!

Base:  Whisper White Thick Cardstock, 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Layer 1:  Night of Navy, 5 1/8" x 3 7/8"
Layer 2:  Whisper White, die cut with the Springtime Impressions thinlets dies
Layer 3: Whisper White, 3 7/8" x 3/4"
Layer 4: Scrap of Night of Navy, die cut with the Springtime Impressions thinlets dies

1. Stamp sentiment in Night of Navy onto Layer 3> 
2. Adhere Layer 1 to base.  
3. Add Layer 2 with  the Fine Tip Glue Pen.
4. Adhere Layer 3 with Snail and Layer 4 with  the Fine Tip Glue Pen.
5. Finish with Pearlized Artisan Pearls. ​

• June 20-27 - BOGO ONLINE!!!  
• June 23 - 16-Card Annual Catalog Extravaganza.  2:15- 4:30 pm Bond Park Community Center.  Cary, NC.  RSVP by June 15  In person or "To Go".  (I still have 3 kits left...email me to reserve yours!)
• June 29/30th – Delightfully Detailed Card Club at my Studio (Last Friday of the month at 7 pm/ Last Saturday of the month at 10 am)  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.  

July 2018 -  Get Ready for 80's BINGO!!!

• July 8 -  2nd Sunday Sweet & Simple Cards 2 pm; RSVP by 7/4 | Stamping Bee Team Meeting 5 pm RSVP by 7/4
• July 11, 7pm– '80's Stampin' BINGO!!!  ($35 per person | RSVP by 7/1)
• July 30th – Card Club at my Studio (  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.  NOTE DATE CHANGE – this month only due to my Stampin’ Up! Cruise to Alaska! 

August 2018 - Christmas Card Club Begins in August!!! 

• August 12 - 2nd Sunday Sweet & Simple Cards 2 pm; RSVP by 8/10 | Stamping Bee Team Meeting 5 pm RSVP by 8/10
• August 17-19 - I'll be teaching at the Christmas in August Retreat (Boston, MA)
• August 24th or 25th - Card Club at my Studio  (Last Friday of the month at 7 pm/ Last Saturday of the month at 10 am)  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.

What can I say?  I love Pearls! And when pearls come in awesome and amazing colors, well, that only makes them that much better!

The 2018-2019 Catalog Celebrates Stampin' Up!'s 30th anniversary.  And since the traditional 30th anniversary gift is a string of peals, you guessed it!  You can expect to see a lot of pearls in the catalog.

My card today features the Share What you Love Artisan Pearls.  They come in 5 colors:  Grapefruit Grove, Petal Pink, Rich Razzleberry, So Saffron, Tranquil Tide.  And they're perfect for adding just a hint of something special to any project. 

Click the image below to see what Renee Kohnke created! ​

Click the image below to see what Diane Evans created! 

Base:  Whisper White, 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" 
Layer 2: Basic Black, 51 /8" x 3 7/8"
Layer 3: Coastal Cabana, 5" x 3 3/4", embossed with Ruffled Embossing Folder
Layer 4:  Basic Black, Scalloped Layering Oval
​Layer 5: Whisper White, Stitched Shape Oval

1. Stamp image in Coastal Cabana onto Layer 5.
2. Adhere Layers 1-2 to Base.
3. Adhere Layers 4 -5 together and add to Base with Dimensionals. 
4. Finish with 3 Grapefruit Grove Artisan Pearls and a double bow in Silver Baker's Twine. 

• June 20-27 - BOGO ONLINE!!!  
• June 23 - 16-Card Annual Catalog Extravaganza.  2:15- 4:30 pm Bond Park Community Center.  Cary, NC.  RSVP by June 15  In person or "To Go".  (I still have 3 kits left...email me to reserve yours!)
• June 29/30th – Delightfully Detailed Card Club at my Studio (Last Friday of the month at 7 pm/ Last Saturday of the month at 10 am)  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.  

July 2018 -  Get Ready for 80's BINGO!!!

• July 8 -  2nd Sunday Sweet & Simple Cards 2 pm; RSVP by 7/4 | Stamping Bee Team Meeting 5 pm RSVP by 7/4
• July 11, 7pm– '80's Stampin' BINGO!!!  ($35 per person | RSVP by 7/1)
• July 30th – Card Club at my Studio (  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.  NOTE DATE CHANGE – this month only due to my Stampin’ Up! Cruise to Alaska! 

August 2018 - Christmas Card Club Begins in August!!! 

• August 12 - 2nd Sunday Sweet & Simple Cards 2 pm; RSVP by 8/10 | Stamping Bee Team Meeting 5 pm RSVP by 8/10
• August 17-19 - I'll be teaching at the Christmas in August Retreat (Boston, MA)
• August 24th or 25th - Card Club at my Studio  (Last Friday of the month at 7 pm/ Last Saturday of the month at 10 am)  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.

Well, it's been almost a week and I hadn't posted a single card using the Love What You Do Stamp Set.  I know.  Crazy, right?   Today's card CASE's the one on page 48 of the 2018-2019 Annual Catalog. You're welcome to play along with us each week.  Simply makeover the card (pictured below). You can change a lot, a little or make the card just as it is in the catalog. Then post it to the Facebook thread. We can’t wait to see your cards. You can use the following hashtag if you post your card elsewhere on Facebook #CASEingtuesday152   

When I was stamping my card last night, I couldn't figure out what was wrong with my new Petal Pink in pad.  Both the watercolor background and flowers are stamped in Petal Pink, but just look at those colors; it's not it at all.  ​ It looks much more 'red' than pink.  
​

​I think what happened was at my Super Saturday class earlier this month, we had both the watercolor stamps in Lovely Lipstick and Petal Pink and the stamp may not have been cleaned quite as well as it should have.  Remember, it's so important to make sure you clean your stamps, either with the new Simply Shammy or Stampin' Scrub, especially with some of these new very subtle lighter colors.  You really don't want to be doing any sort of color transfer into these soft shades. 

If it does happen, it's an easy fix.  Simply use a lint-free paper towel and soak up all the ink out of the ink pad.  You will go through several towels.  Be sure to throw them away where the dog can't pull them out of the trash.  (Don't ask me know I know this!) Once you've soaked up all the ink, you can use your reinker to reink the pad.  Good as new!

Base:  So Saffron, 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Layer 1: Garden Impressions Designer Series Paper
Layer 2:  Whisper White, 3" x 3" 
Layer 3:  Petal Pink, 3" strip punched with Decorative Ribbon Boarder Punch
Layer 4: So Saffron, punched with 1 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch

1. Stamp watercolor background in Petal Pink by stamping off on scratch paper, then onto Layer 2. Stamp floral stems in Shaded Spruce.  Stamp flower petals in Petal Pink.  Sponge the edges with Petal Pink. 
2. Stamp sentiment in Tuxedo Black onto Layer 4. 
3. Adhere Layer 1 to Base
4. Run a strip of snail along the back side of Layer 2.  Adhere Layer 3  and add to card with dimensionals.
5. Adhere Layer 4 with a dimensional. 

​

June 2018 

• June 20-27 - BOGO ONLINE!!!  
• June 23 - 16-Card Annual Catalog Extravaganza.  2:15- 4:30 pm Bond Park Community Center.  Cary, NC.  RSVP by June 15  In person or "To Go".  (I still have 3 kits left...email me to reserve yours!)
• June 29/30th – Delightfully Detailed Card Club at my Studio (Last Friday of the month at 7 pm/ Last Saturday of the month at 10 am)  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.  

July 2018 -  Get Ready for 80's BINGO!!!

• July 8 -  2nd Sunday Sweet & Simple Cards 2 pm; RSVP by 7/4 | Stamping Bee Team Meeting 5 pm RSVP by 7/4
• July 11, 7pm– '80's Stampin' BINGO!!!  ($35 per person | RSVP by 7/1)
• July 30th – Card Club at my Studio (  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.  NOTE DATE CHANGE – this month only due to my Stampin’ Up! Cruise to Alaska! 

August 2018 - Christmas Card Club Begins in August!!! 

• August 12 - 2nd Sunday Sweet & Simple Cards 2 pm; RSVP by 8/10 | Stamping Bee Team Meeting 5 pm RSVP by 8/10
• August 17-19 - I'll be teaching at the Christmas in August Retreat (Boston, MA)
• August 24th or 25th - Card Club at my Studio  (Last Friday of the month at 7 pm/ Last Saturday of the month at 10 am)  (Must subscribe the 15th of the month).   OR...have it delivered right to your door and #craftwhenyouwant.