Memorial Day

As we remember our troops and the sacrifices they have made, past and present, we have much to celebrate.  We are so blessed to have America's finest and bravest representing us all across the world, always endeavoring to bring freedom to more people.  The cause of liberty and freedom is noble.

I was at an early morning prayer meeting today, and we prayed for comfort for all those that have lost a loved one or friend through military duty. Memorial Day can be a difficult, emotional day for those, and our prayer was for the God of all Comfort be a very present help in their time of remembering and even hurting.

To all of our military personnel and their families, we say a heart-felt "Thank you!" We also prayed for you today, for protection, for strength, and for victory.  Long live the red, white, and blue!

Scripture Memory

Memorizing scripture is a fantastic way to put God's word into your mind so that you can "pull it up" at a moment's notice.  Scripture memory is a wonderful way to have the Word of God ready when you don't have a Bible handy.

Did you know that scripture memory is also good for your brain?  When you memorize anything, a list , a poem, a song, etc., it's like exercising your brain.  As we age, memorizing anything is a bit more challenging:)  But exercise is still profitable!  This little bookmark is a great way to help you memorize scripture (click on the photo to see a close-up so you can observe the detail).  It's also a great way to have the words of Jesus with you, regardless of what you are reading.

If you would like to make bookmarks like this (they make great gifts), I would be happy to email you the file for the Beatitudes.  It's already been formatted for a bookmark and will save you lots of time.  Simply email me at candy@sweetstamper.com and I will send it to you free of charge.  The other minimal supplies used in this project are the Tag Corner Punch, 1/4" Punch (you can use a regular notebook paper punch), Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, and the lovely retired Parisian Breeze Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Little Boy's Birthday

For my Saturday Sample, I'm showing you a card I made for my son-in-law's nephew who is celebrating his 1st birthday.  He is a boy, so I wanted to use boyish colors.  His parents and entire family are big soccer fans, so I thought a soccer ball was an appropriate image.  Add a few birthday accouterments, some gingham ribbon, and voila!  You have a birthday card worthy of this celebration!  This is a proper boy birthday card.  Not too old and not too young.

I used the very fun and user-friendly stamp sets All in the Family, Family Accessories, Family Phrases.  These stamps are great for creating family-friendly cards and scrap pages.  You can add various sports equipment, toys, and party props to your designs.  You can also switch out clothes, hair dos, faces and bodies for a stamping version of paper dolls.  Just add ink to create your own family in stamps!

All the colors I used are retiring in June:  Ruby Red, Taken with Teal, and Crushed Curry.  If you want to order inks and/or papers with these colors, now is the time.  They are going quickly, so go to candystamps.stampinup.net to order now.

Tropical Wish

I'm sharing a gender neutral card with you today.  This could easily be given to a man or woman.  Tropical landscapes are equally appealing to both sexes:)  I kept this design very simple, and it's quick to recreate.  Email me at candy@sweetstamper.com or call me at 210-492-3218 to book your own free lesson!  Simply gather a few friends, and I will come teach you how to create this very card and more.

All My Children

I decided to scrapbook this lovely portrait of my 3 children.  I have several copies of this portrait, so I thought it would be great to include it in an album.  I used the title "All My Children" as sort of a play on words.  Sometimes, life with our kids feels like a soap opera!  LOL.

Once again, I used Mellow Moss, one of our retiring colors I will really miss.  This 8-1/2 x 8-1/2 page turned out really pretty, and I am so pleased.  Because the portrait is sepia-toned, I chose Mellow Moss and Always Artichoke as my main colors.

Every brown is a combination of many colors, and I wanted to pick up the greens.  Also, if I had chosen to go with brown card stocks and inks, it would be too much of a good thing:)  By using a few of the shades that are in the actual photo, I was able to enhance the photo rather than distract from it.  One of my personal pet peeves with scrapbooking is when a page is created that is a veritable work of art, but the photos are so overwhelmed by the artwork that you only notice the art.  The focus of scrapbook pages SHOULD be the photographs, IMHO!

Would you like to learn how to scrapbook?  Are you a beginner?  Have you started but aren't really pleased with your results?  Join me for a free monthly scrapbook class as part of my Scrapbooking Hostess Club.  You will make two 12x12 layouts each month, using a variety of layouts, color combinations, stamps and embellishments.  It's a great way to learn!  For more information, click here.  Now, let's scrap!

Card of the Day

• Are you  a brand new stamper?
• Are you already stamping but sometimes struggle with fresh ideas?
• Do you sometimes get into a creative rut?
• Would you like to receive new ideas for layouts and color combinations?
• Would you like to have your own creativity kick-started?
• Do you like variety in stamps sets, colors, and embellishments?

Then my Card of the Day program is just the ticket for you!  Once you subscribe, you will receive a new card via email each day, every day.  Just check your inbox for a beautiful card as well as a list of supplies used to create it.  Is that cool, or what?!  For just $4.95 per month, you will receive fresh inspiration...delivered daily.

Simply click here to sign up!  That's it!  Easy, peasy:)  This will take your creativity and stamping to new heights.  It's your very own Inspiration Point.

When you become a Card of the Day subscriber, you receive your first card in your inbox the very next day plus a bonus card.  After that, you receive a new card each day, every day.  It's fresh inspiration...delivered daily.

*The Card of the Day Program is a subscription based program and your payment method of choice will be automatically charged on a 30 day cycle.

Another option for Card of the Day is to pay for 6 months at once.  This option is ideal for those not wishing to enroll in a recurring payment program.  The cost is exactly the same as if you paid $4.95 each month.  You may send a check for this option or use the paypal button below.  Once I receive your payment, I will email you the enrollment link.

Better the 2nd time around...

This is one of 5 designs I created as part of a swap I participated in using the Sentimental Journey stamp set.  My original design used card base of Garden Green, as shown here.  I had all the elements to make one more card (I must have lost count and made too many) but no base.  I had a Bashful Blue card base and held it up.  I liked it!  The Bashful Blue base brings out different hues and puts emphasis in different places.

Which one do you like better?  There is a Blog Giveaway this month--2 In Color Markers.  All you have to do to be entered in the Giveaway drawing is leave a comment.  So tell me what you think--Garden Green or Bashful Blue?  What is your preference?

Even More Choices!

Some of the products from the Holiday Mini and Occasions Mini Catalogs are still available for order, so if you missed out, check out my sidebar.  Look for the Carry Over button and click for a look at the items still available for order.  You may place your orders in my 24/7 online store, candystamps.stampinup.net.  Or sign up for one of my hostess clubs where you can place orders AND earn free stamps and merchandise while attending free classes.  Contact me at 210-492-3218 or candy@sweetstamper.com for details.

In this photo, see the Textured Impressions Folder-Perfect Polka Dots, used on the card base for touchable polka dots.  This Occasions Mini Catalog item is still available.

Inspirational Sunday Post

My inspirational card today speaks of love and life.  "Live full of love. Love full of life."  These simple phrases speak of a life lived as God meant it to be, full of love and full of life.  Jesus said,  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
(Joh 10:10 KJV)

 May your life be full of love.  May you know a love full of life. 

Give me your best guess contest!

The stamping world is all abuzz because Stampin' Up! will release its annual Retired List on June 1st.  Hundreds of stamps and supplies, including many of our present colors, will be retiring forever.  So tell me, what do YOU think will be on that list?  What's your best guess?  Enter my contest and win!  There is a Prize as well as a Grand Prize

Here's how it works:

•  Take out your 2009/2010 Idea Book and Catalog, and have a good look at the stamps. (There is a downloadable version in my sidebar.)
• Give me your best guess as to 10 stamp sets, any category (excluding wheels), that will wave goodbye, entering into retirement.
• The person with the highest number of correct answers wins the prize.
• In the event of a tie, those entries will go into a drawing for the Grand Prize.
• Every entry will be put into a drawing for the single prize.
• Stampin' Up! demonstrators may not participate in this contest!
• All entries must be submitted no later than May 27th.
• On June 1st, I will send each participant an email with the Retired List as well as the names of the prize winners.

Prizes:

• Grand Prize:  $10 off your next order from the 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalog or Summer Mini Catalog.  Must be redeemed by June 30th.  After all, this contest pertains to the Retired List:)
• Prize:  2 Stampin' Write Markers in some of our retiring colors:  Bordering Blue and Taken with Teal

So get out your catalog and start making your list.  Be sure to check it twice (just like Santa:).  Then email it to candy@sweetstamper.com and you will be entered in the contest.  Let's have some fun!

Elements of Style

This card features the new Elements of Style stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog.  Isn't it lovely?  This card was made by my upline, Gail Beezley.  Wouldn't you love to receive a card like this?  I would!  It would make my day!

Make someone's day this week by sending them a hand-stamped card.  Handmade, heartfelt...with a touch of class.  Send the best!

Contact me at 210-492-3218 or candy@sweetstamper.com for information about upcoming classes.  Or click on my calendar in the sidebar to see all my scheduled events.  Now, let's stamp!

Scrapbook Your Trips

This layout features the Sentimental Journey stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog.  It's a great set for scrapping as well as card making.  We made this 2 page, 12x12 layout in our Scrapbooking Hostess Club this month and really enjoyed putting it together.  The color scheme is derived from the coordinating Designer Series Paper, Travel Journal.  These pages are all ready to go.  Simply pop in 4-5 photos and you have a great showcase for some travel/trip pics.

Are you a scrapbooker?  Would you like to scrapbook but don't know how?  I have openings in my 2nd Thursday Scrapbooking Hostess Club beginning in July.  Contact me at 210-492-3218 or candy@sweetstamper.com for more information, and let's scrap together!

Summer Mini Survey

The Summer Mini Catalog items are available May 1-August 31.  What do you think about it?  I'm really enjoying many of the items and have lots of samples in my studio if you would like to come have a look.  Call me at 210-492-3218 to arrange a time to stop by and check them out.  If you do not have your own copy of the Summer Mini Catalog, email me at candy@sweetstamper.com, and I will mail one to you.

Following me on Facebook

Did you know that you can follow me on Facebook? My business page is Sweetstamper, of course!  I do exclusive posts there, often of a more personal nature aka. projects for the grandbaby, etc.  You can go to my sidebar, just underneath my calendar.  See the Facebook badge?  Just click on it, and it will take you right to my FB business page.  There you will see today's post, the diaper bag under construction.  Check it out, and become a friend or "like" me, and the posts will show up on your FB wall.  See you there!

Square Lattice Embossing Folder

I am loving the Stampin' Up! Square Lattice Embossing Folder from the Summer Mini Catalog.  It's one of many Stampin' Up! exclusive dies that Sizzix produces for us, and its versatility is unbeatable. The Square Lattice Embossing Folder can go masculine or feminine, bold or subtle, depending on how you use it.  Click here (or just scroll down a bit) to see another sample using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.

Here it is featured as an awning and adds touchable texture to this great card made by Cathy Somody.   With the Woodgrain stamped background, you feel as if you are standing outside a little flower shop when you hold this card. 

The Square Lattice Embossing Folder is for use with the Big Shot die cutting machine but can also be used with some of the other machines.  So if you have a machine other than Stampin' Up!'s  Big Shot by Sizzix (contraband!!!:) and wish to use this and other embossing folders, contact me at 210-492-3218 or email me at candy@sweetstamper.com.  I'll show you how to use these fabulous tools to bring touchable texture to your projects.  Bring that something extra to your cards, scrapbook pages, and more with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.

Armed Forces Day

Let's hear it for our armed forces!  Hip, hip, hooray!  Thanks to all our men and women serving here at home and all across the world to keep our nation the Land of the Free, and Home of the Brave.  It's Armed Forces Day, and you are appreciated!

Consider purchasing one of our patriotic stamp sets to send cards or make scrapbook pages commemorating our men and women in uniform or just to highlight the fact that we live in the greatest country in the world.  Shown here is the July Fourth stamp set and coordinating jumbo wheel Red, White & Blue, both introduced in our Summer Mini Catalog.  Click here to order this stamp set and more, 24/7.

Free Designer Brads!

During the month of May, you can get FREE designer brads in a number of different styles when you purchase qualifying products.  To see the products, just click here.  These brads can go masculine or feminine, scrapbooking or card making, bold or subtle.  You make the design choices!  I'm showing the Circle Brads here.

These are just one of four varieties, and they are FREE with a purchase!  I do love free products:)  I'm also including a photo of a scrapbook layout using the Circle Brads, the silver ones pictured here.  This is the right page of a two-page layout, but what I wanted you to see is how the Circle Brad looks in the center of my shamrock.  This is the larger of the two sizes included in the Circle Brads, and I chose it here as it lends substantial heft to my page, providing balance as well as texture and shine. 

Call me at 210-492-3218 or email me at candy@sweetstamper.com if you have any questions at all regarding free designer brads.  I work hard to make sure you get sufficient information to access all the free Stampin' Up! products you can.  They are the best on the market, so you want to get as much free as possible in order to have the best quality and design as well as the best value.

Inspirational Sunday Post

This lovely card, made by another stamper, uses the words from Refuge and Strength, the greeting from Sincere Salutations, and the lovely fern image from Kind and Caring Thoughts.
These stamp sets work together with the graduating shades of blue to bring home a message of peace and rest in God.  In the midst of tumultuous, troubling times, we only find true rest and peace in God.  It's not in the striving to hear Him or trying to get Him to do what we want but the resting in His warm embrace, secure in His faithful love, that is our way through the darkest of times.  This is a perfect card for someone in a dark time, a dark place, looking for some light. 

Share the love of Jesus, the Light of the World, with those around you...especially those in a dark place.  Share by expressing  kind, reassuring, true words, gently spoken through a hand-stamped card.

Sweet Scoops!

I'm scooping up sweet treats for this Saturday Sample!  Isn't this sundae just delightful?!  It looks good enough to eat and is guaranteed to please whoever receives it.  Best of all, there are no calories!  It features the Sweet Scoops stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog. (Card made by my friend and swap-mate Bobbie G.)

To learn to make fun hand-made cards like this, come to one of my classes like the Every Occasion Card Class (click on the class link to get the low-down) later this month.  You will walk out the door with 6 custom-designed cards for every occasion of your life.  Okay, you won't have one for EVERY occasion by just coming to one class.  But come to them all and you WILL have handmade cards, at the ready for every occasion of your life!  Be prepared with the best and stand out from the crowd!  Call me at 210-492-3218 or email me at candy@sweetstamper.com for information about free stamping opportunities.

Square Lattice Embossing Folder goes metallic!

This is the Father's Day card we are making at this month's Every Occasion Card Class.  I'm really happy with the way this turned out and can't wait to give it to the father of my children this Father's Day.  You can click on the photo at right for a closer look.

I do my own design work for the most part, and I'm excited about using this new material, colored metal sheets, in the Big Shot for an extra-special new look.  It takes very little effort and delivers a big "Wow!"

Email me at candy@sweetstamper.com or call me at 210-492-3218 for more details about my source for metal sheets as well as ideas for using them.  I'll be featuring these in other upcoming projects and classes.  For full details of this month's Every Occasion Card Class,  click here.  Hope to see you there!

Card Class-Save the Date

At the May Every Occasion Card Class, this is one of the cards we will be making using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.  I love the touchable texture it adds to cards.  Join me for this class on Tuesday, May 25th, 6:30-8:30.  You can come straight from work if you like.  I'll have a few snacks on hand in case you get the munchies while you are stamping.

RSVP with payment is due by Friday, May 21st.  Click here for full details, and let's stamp!

May Blog Giveaway

This month, I'm giving away two Stampin' Write markers.  That's right, two free markers!  Simply leave a comment at the end of this post or any other post between now and May 24th, and your name will be entered in the drawing.  I will draw a name on May 25th for the winner, so start talking...on line, of course!

You can purchase Stampin' Write markers in all our colors for just $3.25 each. 
When you purchase an entire color family (12 markers), you save almost 20%.  A complete color family of Stampin' Write markers is just $31.95 for 12 markers.  You even save when you purchase the set of In Color Markers (6 markers).  Purchase a set and save!  You can order these in my 24/7 online store by simply clicking here.  As always, if you prefer me to place the order for you, simply call me at 210-492-3218 or email me at candy@sweetstamper.com.

Tropical Party

Stampin' Up! has done it again with fabulous, coordinating products that make it simple to make projects we can be proud of.    This is the fun new stamp set Tropical Party, so aptly named.  It is paired with the coordinating Designer Series Paper, Island Oasis. 

Doesn't this card make you relax just looking at that umbrella-topped coconut drink??!!  I breathe a sigh of pleasure just thinking about all this card conveys:  the beach, coconut cocktails, sun umbrellas, and palms.  You can almost feel the sand between your toes!

This is one of the cards we are making in my Hostess Clubs this month.  For more information about joining one of my clubs for monthly stamping fun, click here.  Then contact me to sign up and let's stamp!

Blog Giveaway!

April's Blog Giveaway is 2 hand-stamped cards made by...me!  To qualify for this great free gift, you needed to send me a photo of some of your stamping.  You got one entry per photo you sent.  The winner is:  Sarah!  Sarah gets two super-deluxe  hand-stamped cards.  Having hand-stamped cards at the ready means Sarah will be more prepared than ever for the occasions of her life.  Stay tuned for the May Blog Giveaway.  More great free stuff is on its way to my blog.

Make sure you don't miss anything by simply subscribing to this blog.  Check out the RSS feed in my sidebar, just below the email newsletter sign up box.  Simply click and there will be a drop down menu. You can choose how you wish to have the posts delivered to you.  Then my Sweet Stamper blog posts will be delivered to your inbox, Google Reader, or wherever you wish to receive it!  I post daily, and now you never have to miss a post:)

Happy Mother's Day!

Mothers have a God-given, special place in our life.  Show kindness and appreciation to your mom or other special woman in your life this Mother's Day.  Let her know how much you care!  Tell her "thanks" for all she has done, is doing, and will do for you. 

"Sentimental Journey" stamp set

For this week's Saturday Sample, I am, once again, showing a card using the Sentimental Journey stamp set, paired with its coordinating Travel Journal Designer Series Paper.  They make a great pair!  Although Sentimental Journey stamp set is wonderful for scrapbooking, I think it makes great cards that can easily go masculine or feminine.  I've used a bright color scheme, taken directly from the Travel Journal Designer Series Paper. 

Interested in learning the art of card-making yourself?  Contact me at 210-492-3218 or email me at candy@sweetstamper.com for more information about stamp club availability.  You can stamp each month, thus learning the ABCs and then some!  Artistic fun for beginners and veterans.

Stamping your way to great vacations!

Do you need a vacation?  Being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator has allowed me to provide some great vacations for me and my family.  My hubby and I are at Disneyland right now and heading to DisneyWorld in September.  I pay for all this and more with my stamping money:)

You can, too!  Whether you want to earn just a bit of extra cash each month, make a car payment, buy great vacations, pay your kids' private school tuition, or build an incredible career, I can help you get there as part of my Southern Sweet Stampers team of Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  We have a great time befriending one another, supporting one another, learning from one another, stamping, of course, and more.  This month, my team is being treated to a bit of extra pampering at an Appreciation Day at La Madeleine. 

Call me at 210-492-3218 or email me at candy@sweetstamper.com for more information. 

Thank Ewe!

I'm featuring one of my daughter's creations today.  Tiffany (also a Stampin' Up! demonstrator) made this card recently as a thank you for a baby shower gift.  Talk about appropriate to its occasion!  This darling card is soft and sweet, just like a newborn baby.

Its color palette is neutral (So Saffron, Going Gray, Whisper White), so it can be used for a boy or girl baby card.  For that matter, although it was inspired for use in the context of a baby shower, it could be used for any occasion's thank you.

Notice the Pinking Hearts Border Punch that is on the "ruffle" surrounding the lamb.  That punch, featured in the Occasions Mini Catalog, is still available for purchase.  Simply click on candystamps.stampinup.net, then go to Products and Shop Now.  This punch has so many uses.  It can go in lots of directions.  I'll be showing you a scrapbook page in the next week or two that uses this punch in a unique and different way to achieve a more masculine look.  Pinking hearts in a masculine setting?  Follow me, and we will think outside the box...together!

Cinco de Mayo

It's Cinco de Mayo!  Let's get the stamping party started!  Did you know that Stampin' Up! has an entire catalog of Spanish stamps?  That's right!  Just look in my sidebar and scroll down--you can actually download the entire Celebrando Creatividad catalog right to your own computer.  In addition, you can purchase any of those stamps and supplies right from my 24/7 store:  candystamps.stampinup.net.Cinco de Mayo stamp set (114363), wood mount, is just
$24.95 for all 5 stamps.  This great set of images may start with Cinco de Mayo, but it will go way past there with margaritas, mariachis, and flamenco dancers.  Ole!

Stamp with Brand New Sets!

This Saturday, May 8th, is Open House at my house.  You won't want to miss this fun event.  It's "Come and Go" style, so you can come and stay awhile or just pop in---whatever suits your schedule.  But don't miss this great opportunity to get some of the brand new stamp sets in your hand and try them out.  We will also be using the new Stampin' Up! Island Floral die (with the Big Shot) which is way fun and is becoming a fast favorite.

Although this is a free event, I must know how many to plan for.  Bring a friend (new to me) and receive a bonus!  Simply email me at candy@sweetstamper.com to let me know how many guests you are bringing so that I can have materials prepped for you and your friends.

Saturday, May 8th, 3:00-6:00

Come and Go

Make & Take Stations
Snacks

Door Prize drawings

Over 30 samples of projects using Summer Mini Catalog products

Meet new stamping friends

Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog

I am really enjoying using the Sentimental Journey stamp set and coordinating Travel Journal Designer Series Paper. I love its versatility and ease of use.  This card echoes my actions this week as I'm actually away from home, taking a mini vacation with my hubby.  I flew out very early this morning after packing suitcases yesterday.  You can see why this card is so appropriate for today's post!  I hope you enjoy today's card as well as greetings from California.  I'll be getting back home just in time to enjoy an Open House with my San Antonio area stamping friends.

Sunday Post

Today's inspirational share is a Prayer Journal I made. This journal is in the prayer room at our church and is used for a specific ladies prayer group that meets several times each month. It helps us keep track of our prayer requests list at each meeting. At subsequent meetings, we can look over previous lists and see the many answers to our prayers. Our faith soars! Keep track of your prayer requests with a prayer journal, and watch your faith grow as God shows His faithfulness to YOU.

Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog

Having shown you a Retro 60s card yesterday, I thought I would show you something totally different, using the same Sentimental Journey stamp set, for the Saturday Sample.  Here, I've paired it with the Travel Journal Designer Series Paper that coordinates with the stamps.  Did you notice the splotches of color, giving my main art piece a sort of aged, "experienced" look?  That's the brand new Smooch Spritz.  It comes in 4 colors, and I've used the Log Cabin here. 

I love the images in the Sentimental Journey stamp set.  You can change decades and mood with a switch of color and embellishments.  You can make it girly or manly, sleek or sturdy, polished or rugged, trendy or retro.  Now, that's versatility! 

Be sure to mark your calendar for my upcoming Open House where I will be featuring the Sentimental Journey stamp set, Travel Journal Designer Series Paper, and other new products from the Summer Mini Catalog. Here are the details in full:

• Saturday, May 8th, 3:00-6:00
• Come and go style
• Make & Take stations
• Snacks
• Over 40 samples showing Summer Mini Catalog products in action
• FREE Event, but you must RSVP so I can have supplies ready for you

RSVP deadline:  Thursday, May 6th (candy@sweetstamper.com)