Joy Thoughts

Amy Carmichael writes, "I think thankfulness is like a flower. It needs care and cherishing if it is to live and grow. Perhaps thankfulness, even more than some qualities that seem to come naturally to us, is in need of cherishing, because of the withering winds of life. The best way to cause it to grow strong in our hearts is to be careful never to let ourselves be UNthankful.
"Let us cherish thankfulness." Hebrews 12:28

A missionary in India years ago, Amy inspires me with her focus on the Lord applied to daily life.
I think today I need to be on the lookout for ways to thank the Lord and others for simple kindnesses. The grocery clerk at Krogers, the checkout boy, the friend who calls out of the blue, my pastor for his faithfulness to serve, a coworker at work who is helpful...Lord, let me cherish thankfulness and be thankful in all things.

(From: Thou Givest...They Gather - Amy Carmichel)

Water Color Fifth Avenue Floral

I really enjoyed this watercolor technique! I learned it from fellow Stampin Up! demonstrator, Patty Bennett. The Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set has this beautiful rose stamp. It is stamped in white craft ink and clear embossing powder is sprinked over the top. I stamped on Shimmer White cardstock. The rose is then completely spritzed with water. Using reinker and an aqua painter, I dipped the tip of the aqua painter in a dot of Regal Rose and then touched the surface of the rose. The color immediately spreads onto the rose and through the petals. I then added some Yo Yo Yellow! The colors begin to blend and create these beautiful shades! After the rose has dried it is cut out and put on the card. In this picture you can see some other roses I made...just waiting to be added to a card front! You can also find a video tutorial Patty Bennett's blog: www.pattystamps.com.

Brayer Technique with Embossing Manhatten Flower

This is the brayer technique created by wonderful Stampin Up demonstrator, Patty Bennett. You can go to www.pattystamps.com. You can then go to her sidebar and click on "Brayer" and see her complete instructions. I used Regal Rose and Apricot Appeal as my brayer colors. After cutting out the flowers, I mounted them on white cardstock layered on Kiwi Kiss and a base of Regal Rose. The oval scallop punch is home for the greeting from Curvy Verses. Goodbye Kiwi Kiss...In just a few days the new catalog will be on line. Watch next week for some brand new stamp set samples!

My Stamp storage hutch!

This is a very special antique from my mom, and it serving me well to store all my stamp sets right now! The post below this picture is the hutch opened up!

My stamp set storage

This is how I store my stamp sets. Note the small round circles on each set in various colors. These all indicate what kind of set...holiday is red, nature is green ect. Note the next post explains my system. The basket on the middle shelf to the left has my wheels...havn't created a storage system for those yet! The tray on the top shelf has my large background stamps.

Color Coding my stamp sets

I punched out circles and taped them on my stamp sets as you saw in the above picture. Though a little "blurred" so sorry, you can see my categories. I also put a white circle on all the stamps that are currently available in the Stampin Up! catalog.

Stamp Set Book

I am putting together a book of all my stamp sets and stamping them in the color I have coded them with in my hutch. It is a wonderful tool to keep track of what I have. I mark it R for "retired" as well. Now I can just go through my book and remind myself of what stamps I have when I am ready to make a card, scrapbook page, or project! As you could probably tell, I have a hard time giving up stamp sets even though they are retired~ I do sell quite a few at my workshops though when the new catalog comes out.

More Stamp Book

More pages, color coordinated with type of stamp set.

New In Colors: Rich!

I just got my new "In Color" cardstock and had to try it out. Using "Pocket Silhouettes" as my stamp set, I inked the stamp up with the new "In Color" markers! The colors really are rich and fun to work with. With my new Color Spritzer, I speckled the white cardstock too. Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, and Melon Mambo are the colors I used. The card rests on top of the coordinating designer paper, Razzleberry Lemonade. A yellow Circle of Fire brad adorns the Petal Punch. My fun Scallop Edge punch brings in that Crushed Curry. To add a little different design I punched the edges of the card and the stamped image with my 3/16th inch corner rounder. You can order all the new cardstock beginning July 1. Lots of beautiful stampin is ahead with the new catalog!

My Stamping Area Before Picture!

This is my work area before I redid it with simple and very reasonable storage from Ikea. I was getting so frustrated by not being able to put my fingers on my tools easily because everything was crammed into a drawer. I was always missing something!

My New Stampin Studio Revealed!

I feel so organized now! With these Ikea units which include an attached desk, I can stamp my heart out. The brown storage boxes contain tools and supplies like envelopes, embellishments, my brads and buttons, a file of designer series papers, drawers with business supplies ( these can be bought separately to go in the storage unit) and little lights that attach (Ikea) give me great lighting. The hanging lamp and chair are Ikea too. I still use my plastic storage units for all those miscellaneous embellishments, tools ect. My stamps are stored in an antique pie safe next to the Big Shot table. I will show you that in a couple days and share how I organize my stamp sets. I added some designer paper to the side of the plastic storage unit to match my accent colors...lime green! The Ikea magazine holders on top contain my Stampin Success magazines and past cataloges. Tell me what you think!

Big Shot Designated Work Space

This desk has become my Big Shot work area. It is right across from my Ikea desk. So nice to have a specific place to use this wonderful crafting product! Since my die cuts are few...they simply stay in the plastic container on the top shelf!!! The file cabinet below contains all my In Color cardstock.

Stamp Pad and Ribbon Storage

I love these stamp pad and storage units I found online at www.organizemore.com. I also use the criss cross Rubber Maid units for my Stampin Up markers. Everything is right at my fingertips! ( The new Stampin Up! catalog, In Color cardstock and In Color markers and designer paper sit on my desk!)

Punch Storage

My punches are stored on these metal racks from Ikea which come in two different lengths. This is the shorter length. My apron is always handy. ( I have one more to hang up though since my punch stash is expanding!)

Bookmarks

These are easy to make bookmarks! I used the retiring specialty cardstock "Sweet Slumber Specialty" for this project. I scored a 5"x5" piece criss cross wise, and then cut out one of the triangles, folded it and inserted some ribbon. Then I taped inside and added these embellishments cut out of the circle scallop punch and 1 1/4" circle punch. The stamps I used are, "A Flower for all Season," and "Dreams Du Jour (butterfly)" and the Sale A Bration Punch set. Colors are Baja Blue and Robin Hood Red...all retiring soon. These would make a sweet little gift to include with a book you either loan or give as a gift...you could make a card to coordinate!

Bye Bye "Just B"

Another one of my favorites..."Just B" is going away June 30th. For birthday, for baby, for any occasion, this set can do it all. It is #115000.

"Heartfelt Thanks" Last Chance

Just another way to use Heartfelt Thanks!

New Stampin Up! In Colors!

Here they are: Rich Razelberry, Melon Mango, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry and Burmuda Bay! All new Stampin Up! products will be available to order July 1, through my website or just email me!

Last Chance for "Heartfelt Thanks"

One of my favories is going away! "Heartfelt Thanks" is a set I plan to keep because of it's vesatility and because I love the watercolor look it creates. This card is made with a background of Lovely Lilac and layerd on So Saffron and Certaily Celery. You can see the two step detailing and the fun "Thanks" sentiment add dimention and creativity to this stamp set. If you want it...order it by June 30th. it is #114980. You can click on my website to order! I will be posting more "Last Chance" sets.

Retired Stampin Up! Stamps and Accessories

Please click this link to view all "last chance" products. Then log in as a customer and "checkout" to place an order! Order soon while supplies last!
http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryID=322