Inspired by reading "The Happiness Project"

I did some major stamping yesterday and last night! It's amazing what some sun, 60 degrees, and spring break will do to your creative juices! They were a-flowing!!

I've been reading this really interesting book by Gretchin Rubin called The Happiness Project - and the card I'm posting today was inspired by that book. Did you know bluebirds are a symbol of happiness? I knew it, but I just didn't know I knew it until Rubin reminded me of it in her book. (does that make sense?) Anyway, once I read about the author deciding to collect bluebirds (which is a really cute idea, by the way... if I didn't already collect owls, I'd consider joining her!) I had the bird image from Season of Friendship stuck in my head! I had to scoot downstairs and stamp this cute card!

The Happy Card
Stamp Sets: Season of Friendship, Fundamental Phrases
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Cameo Coral, Very Vanilla
Designer Series Paper: None
Stampin' Pads (Classic): Close to Cocoa, Gable Green, Cameo Coral, Bashful Blue
Accessories/Tools: Masterpiece Ribbon Originals, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, Paper Snips, Dimensionals

Love this set as much as I do? Contact me today to order one - and you're almost 1/2 way there to a FREE Sale-a-Bration set!!!

And.... what makes you happy? For me, currently what is making me happy is the sun shining outside and things generally going my way for the past couple of days. Makes me feel so good!

In the knick of time!

Whenever I get stumped about stamping and can't think of anything cute to do, I usually search for cards online to CASE (I already told you about that....) or I search for sketch challenges to follow. The challenges are great because you get to bring your own take on a sketch and use whatever stamps, materials, colors, accessories, etc... that you have on hand. And usually, the sketches are way more interesting than any card I'd have thought up!

Earlier this week I found the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #59 rather interesting. Of course, I am no plan-ahead-er, so I am just finishing the card now and posting it after the submissions to showcase it on that blog have closed. Oh well. At least the card turned out really cute (IMO) and used some new goodies I hadn't dug into yet. :)

SSSC59 Bird Thanks
Stamp Sets: Thank You Kindly
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Rose Red
Designer Series Paper: Sweet Pea
Stampin' Pads (Classic): Rose Red
Accessories/Tools: Scallop Trim Border Punch, XL Two-Step Bird Punch

I love that the main focus of this card is the punches. Of course, the Scallop Trim Border Punch is quickly becoming a favorite - and so awesome that you can get it for FREE with an order of $50 or more! But that bird punch.... at first glance in the catalog I thought "NO WAY. Who needs that?" Then I saw samples and got my own. I love it! Mixing and matching the bird and the wing was so much fun! I have probably 6 more birds punched out waiting for me on my stamping table. :) It may become my "go to" for springtime cards. :)

Fox and Friends and Babies

Today is a baby shower for a teacher at work. She's due in April. My fellow TAs and I pitched in together to get her a present (I picked it out from her registry: it has an "eating" theme... spoons, bibs, burp cloths, bottles, etc!) and I said I'd make a card. I've been feeling under the weather lately, so I dug out this cute card I made a few weeks ago. I hope the "hello baby" sentiment is appropriate for a shower, although the baby isn't here yet!

Shower for Elizabeth

Stamp Sets: Fox and Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Old Olive, Whisper White, Taken with Teal
Designer Series Paper: Sweet Pea
Stampin' Pads (Classic): Chocolate Chip
Accessories/Tools: 5/8" So Saffron grosgrain ribbon (from SAB 2009), Scallop Circle Punch, 1-1/2" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, paper snips, 1/16" hole punch

I love how Fox and Friends makes the absolutely cutest baby cards ever! Don't miss out! Fox and Friends is only available through the end of the month.... contact me today if you wish to order this supercute set. :)

Off to the CASEs

I've said it once; I'll say it again: one of my favorite things about stamping is being able to copy (in the stamping world we call it "CASE" - Copy And Share Everything) awesome cards that others have already made. I rarely come up with a design on my own, and because I can CASE, I always feel really confident in my cards, even though I don't think I have a lot of artistic talent.

Today's card was CASEd from one of my favorite new-found blogs, Simple & Sincere. Most everything I see that Jen has made is awesome and I plan to CASE! Her original Thank You card can be found by clicking here.

Sweet Pea Thank You
Stamp Set: Thank You Kindly
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip
Designer Series Paper: Sweet Pea (3 different pieces)
Stampin' Pads (Classic): Chocolate Chip
Accessories/Tools: 5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon

This simple design can be used with various different papers, cardstock, sentiments. I plan to utilize this design a LOT!

Did you know you can get the Thank You Kindly set for FREE until March 31? Contact me to learn more!