Good morning Stampers!

Yesterday was a fun crafting day for me. Filling my cup so to speak -I started out the day with an online class learning some finishing techniques for cross stitch. I have a basket full of pieces where I have finished the stitching but not completed it into a finished piece. I am hoping that I can move some of those pieces out of the basket and onto display soon.

Next up I pulled out some goodies I have not had a chance to play with - called the Thankful Garden available as a bundle/or suite/or by the piece.

Here is what I made-

For this card I used the new Timid Tiger card stock, with some Timid tiger and Strawberry Slush inks. The greeting is from another new set called The Right Words (available beginning on the 6th)

This card was a labor of love. Starting out with a piece of Basic White, stamping the hydrangea around the edges, coloring each one in using both the light and dark Fresh Freesia and Highland Heather blends, a few with a Blackberry Bliss blend and a few with a Gorgeous Grape water color marker then filling in all the background with dark Old Olive blend. I placed the greeting (also from The Right Words set) over the area where the flowers did not reach when stamping. I used the Textured Note dies (some of my new favorites for framing) to showcase the greeting. I added some of the leaf dies behind it and then fussy cut some individual flowers to add more depth. I love this card! 

and here finally is a card layout like the first but with the hydrangea image. For both this card and the first I used the stencils to create a partial background and for coloring the focal flower. I also added a thin line of Wink of Stella around the focal petals on this card and the first.

I am currently designing the cards for Card Express this month and plan for all 3 cards to be florals. I am having fun making cards to choose from - I will let you know what the final 3 are soon. Card Express is Wednesday May 28th at Pietros in Salem. 

This is a crazy family filled month for me, so I appreciate being able to take the time for that. Anniversaries -both happy and sad, birthdays, prom and graduation. speaking of the upcoming grad- Here is Zora's grad sign.

With the new catalog going live in only a couple of days Stampin'Up! is offering an amazing opportunity to join the SU family!

With craft stores closing all around us, and people wanting connection more than ever - now is a good time to sign up- whether it is just for the discount, or even just the kit, or to be able to offer stamping gatherings with shopping opportunities to go along with to your friends- any way this is amazing! Choose $165 from the brand new catalog and or online exclusives and pay only $99. It all starts when the catalog goes live! Start your list now and be sure to click Join my Team when you are ready on the 6th or until the 31st and lets get together soon and craft. 

Do you have a friend that you regularly stamp with? You should both consider joining, then get together and "share" your goodies for even more choices. Each find a design you want to make and make it together! With so much sharing on Pinterest or Instagram it is easy to get started and inspired.

It is such a beautiful day out there I am going to sign off here and go and soak up some sun.

Happy Stamping,

Jan