In case you are new to stamping, there is no such thing as plagiarism (copying someone else's work and taking credit for it.) unless you copy someone else's work and try to take credit for it or a profit, that is very bad.    If you like something that someone else has done, it's actually a compliment if they are copied.  In the stamping industry it's called C.A.S.E. (Copy And Share Everything).  Well in the instance of this card, the original was made by a talented stamper, who I believe is also a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  Her name is Katrina Carlington.  I happened across her card on a yahoo group I am subscribed to.  Anyway, I really liked how she did hers and I had to make one of my own!

Katrina's version can be located at:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StampinUpLNStampers/photos/album/2032025268/pic/1409999250/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc

Chelsey is going to give this card to her Youth Group Leader, who recently had a heart attack.  Her youth group leader thankfully survived and is healing, but my daughter was really concerned for her.  The sentiment on the card reads:  "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 " Totally fitting for a Get Well Soon Card, right?

Stamp Set's used:  Special Blessings, Wonderful Watercolors, and Elegant Inspirations.
Paper Used:  Grey base, DCWV Designer Paper, Taken with Teal, and Bermuda Bay (I also actually have some embossing powder and pigment ink this very same color which was used on this card.
Other items used on this card:  Embosslits Beautiful Wings die, halfback pearls, flower w/ faux button brad, and Scallop Trim Border Punch

Well, not much has gone on this weekend, which I guess could be a good thing.  I've had a lot of time to create cards, but with my nerve problems in my legs, I can't be up on my feet too much, but it hurts to sit, too though.  I feel like a screwed up mess! 

And of course workman's comp isn't making things any easier on me as they still have not paid benefits for the last month now and they are not revealing to my attorneys the reason why. 

I'm trying really hard not to get frustrated as I already feel like I'm being punished enough by being in pain all the time and not able to work, or do things in my day to day life that I used to enjoy doing and a lot of the things I didn't enjoy doing, but at least I could do them.

Anyway, back to something that brings joy & contentment to me.  Stamping!

Here is a card I made for our mail carrier as someone sent us a letter & there was a remaining balance due on the postage.  The letter carrier left a note/envelope in our mailbox saying they paid 78cents that was due.  The next day I put 78cents in the envelope, sealed it, and put a note on it thanking them for covering the rest of the postage and what package it was for.  Well, after we checked our mail, there was the same envelope in the mailbox still with the 78cents in it with another note that said which package it was from & to not worry about the 78cents, that they went ahead and covered it and there was no need to pay them back.  Well, this day & age, what a nice gesture!?  I thought so anyway.

So, I did what I always do when I want to tell someone how much I appreciate a deed they have done:  I made a card.  Here is the card I made.  I am not going to put it in the mailbox until Monday because I want to be sure our mail carrier is working so they will get the card.

Stamp Set Used:  You Make me Happy & Tiny Talk
Paper Used:  Whisper White, Creamy Caramel, & Not Quite Navy
Ink used:  Ruby Red, Not Quite Navy, Creamy Caramel,
Embellishments:  Tiny Flower Brad, Eyelet Ribbon, and Staples
Tools used:  Paper Piercing tool.

This card was cased from a card I happened across several months ago, wish I remembered the makers name or website so they could get the credit for this, but I thought it was so beautiful that I had to make my own version!

Blessings & happy Stampin'!

~§hawnie®

Scissor Charms
This is a perfect opportuniity for me to brag that my creative gene was passed down to the younger generation.  Lauren enjoys doing bead work and making help jewelry, well she made adorable scissor charms.  They reflect my own style and will not be left at another crop event because I thought they were someone elses.   

Lavender Fields
This card was made with the Top Note Die and the Big Shot, Warm Words for the "Wonderful" Sentiment, Herb Expressions for the Lavender flower art, Old Olive Brads, Stampin Up Designer paper, ribbon, and the slit punch.  I Cut Whisper White and Old Olive with the Top Note die, the whisper white, I cut around the faux stitched border of the Top Note die, which leaves a perfect indentation of 1/8th of an inch, perfect for matting different colored paper to enhance the shape of the top note.  I distressed the whisper white paper with Old Olive to soften it and help blend it in with the other colors.  Along with Old Olive paper and ink, Elegant Eggplant paper and ink was also used in this project..  The sentiment on the inside of the card reads:  "May happiness touch your life today as warmly as you have touched the lives of others.  (I just love that sentiment!)

Matter of Moments
Elements of Style is a new stamp set you can find in the new Summer Mini that lasts through Aug 31 of this year.  I love the versatility of this set as it has flowers, a filigree swirl, a hummingbird, and 2 different sentiments.  This card was made with Always Artichoke and Lovely Lilac.  I filled in the color with ink and my Aqua Painter (not sure how I survived not having it before).  I like the element of softness the Stampin Up Velvet ribbon added.

Butterfly Meadow
This card was created with the new Watercolor Trio set from the new Summer Mini Stampin Up catalog.  Other items used were the Itty Bitty Buttons, Itty Bitty stamp set, and Itty Bitty punches.  It was a lot of work for 1 little button, but once completed it looks custom and just adorable!  I also used the Embosslit Beautiful Wings die (a hot selling item though it was listed in the Spring Mini that is no longer effective, the die is stilil available.   I did some Stamp offing and used Cameo Coral and Sage Shaddow markers for the ink.

Okay, now the fun part (aside from making the card it'self, sharing the work!).  I made a really cute card today that is called a Slider Card.  I have seen a lot of different designs and methods, so I figured I would start with something simple for my first attempt.  I really like how it turned out!

Whimsey Slider
This was made with the Garden Whimsey stamp set from Stampin' Up!.  Other Stampin' Up! tools or supplies used was the paper piercing tool in the mat pack, Coluzzle Cutting system, Round scallop Punch, Welcome Neighbor Designer Paper from the recent Sprint Mini, and the Circle Scissor.  The first attempt failed, but after Bill helped me apply geometry to solve my problem, it was quickly resolved.  (all those years as a kid and adult talking about how geometry is unnecessary and is not used in day to day life - well, I take it back now!  It's finally used after 40 years)

Here we have it!  This is my first official post in my blog on my new website!  I feel like a young adult who has just acquired a new apartment.  No furniture to sit on, pictures on the walls, or even toilet paper!  LOL  But you have to start somewhere, right?!

Give me time, I will slowly build and rearange things where & I how I want them.  My first priority, however, are my cards.  Most of the cards I create are sent off to our Soldiers in Iraq.  If you are interested in joining this endeavor, please email me at [email protected] until I am able to set up a "contact me" link.

Stop in from time to time and check out what i've done with the place!  I look forward to hearing from you!

In time the Blog will be used for adding my cards as I do them.  I may also include little blurbs about how the card was made or any stories associated with the card.

Blessings & Happy Stamping!

~§hawnie®