Congrats to Sylvia - Blog Candy Winner!

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Sylvia - the StampinJewels Blog Candy Winner. Sylvia - I'll deliver your Blog Candy next week! THANKS everyone for playing along!

Hope you all are enjoying the 12 Days of Christmas!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

StampinJules

Christmas Blog Candy!

Apparently I don't know how to give away Blog Candy properly - as the first and second winners from my Birthday Blog Candy never responded! Yikes! Soooooo..... I'll try again... My Christmas Gift to those of you who read my blog (THANKS for sharing my life and my stamping!)

Only THIS time, when you leave your comment on this post - please leave your email address too, so I may contact you when you are the lucky winner! Please leave your fondest Christmas/Holiday memory as your comment, along with your email.

I'll choose a winner on Dec. 28th - A Blessed & Merry Christmas to you and your family from me and mine.

Winter Thank You

This was one of my ideas for the teacher TY gifts posted earlier, that did not make the final cut. He's bright and cute though - so I thought I'd share him with you. Stamps: Soon to be Retired - All About U, Cold Play & Headline Alphabet (contact me before 12/31/07 to order these sets before they're gone!) Colrs: Ballet Blue, Pixie Pink, Brilliant Blue, Only Orange, Basic Gray & Whisper White. Enjoy!

Serene Sunflower Belated Birthday

I received this lovely card from my m-i-l. She had it for my birthday, but kpet forgetting to give it to me! lol It was worth the wait - don't you think? She used the retired set Serene Sunflower - don't you love the detail? I especially like the layering on the leaves and sunflower. The scan didn't pick this up very well, but she did a Faux Suede technique with Chocolate Chip Classik Ink on the same color layer, by using a piece of plastic wrap bunched up, then dabbed on teh ink pad, then onto the cardstock. She used the following colors of ink and card stock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Marigold Morning (retired In Color), So Saffron & Old Olive. She also used Dimensionals, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon and the Antique Brass HodgePodge Hardware Kit. Thanks Mom!

Teacher Christmas Gifts

Nice gifts, eh? It's too bad they may not receive them until after Christmas now! I have all three kids home sick today - the last day before Christmas break. Two got sick in the middle of the night, and one just about 30 minutes ago (good thing I made him stay home on the thinking that he'd been well exposed to the other two.) I think I got to bed about 2:00am and didn't sleep well at all, then dh's alarm clock at 5:00am, then ds getting up for school at 6:30am only to be told to go back to bed becuz he wasn't going, then listened to him cry on and off for the next 40 minutes. The kids "tried" to let me 'sleep in' - they were all up by 7:00am. So for the next 3 hours, I dozed in bed, but a 7, 5 & 2 yr old cannot keep quiet very easily, and Mom Radar doesn't shut off unless I am completely exhausted, and even then.... So - there's my sleep deprived ramble - THANKS for putting up with me!

I made these designs for my kids' teachers for their Christmas gifts. The first card uses the Stamp Sets Punch Pals & Much Appreciated. For some reason, Gable Green doesn't scan well with my scanner, and it appears much more yellow, but I trust you all have this color in your stash. I love this bright and cheery color combo - Gable Green, Ballet Blue & Pixie Pink, accented with Very Vanilla. The Snowflake image is stamped in Green Galore on the Gable Green for a bolder background look. I used the following punches: Scallop, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circles. As well as the 5/8" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon. The friendly Penguin image & the Thank You are stamped in Brilliant blue, and the two circle layers the Penguin is on are on a Dimensional. I also applied Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to the Penguins scarf with the Two Way Glue Pen.

The second card uses the Much Appreciated Stamp Set as well as the retired stamp set called Merry. This one uses Bordering Blue, Sage Shadow & Confetti Cream Card Stock, with accents of Handsome Hunter sponged on the Confetti Cream and Sage Shadow. The "Thank you" image is also stamped in Handsome Hunter. The Snowflake images were stamped tone on tone for each color. I added Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to the Bordering Blue Snowflakes. I used the Craft Ink Stampin' Spot in Bordering Blue to stamp and heat emboss the Mitten image in Clear Embossing Powder. I LOVE the Craft Stampin' Spots for heat Embossing in COLOR, and bought each Color Family specifically for this purpose. I prefer the Classic Ink for my general stamping, but since SU! began to offer Chipboard Accents, I use the Craft Ink for coloring those. The Craft Ink stays wet just long enough to sprinkle on the Embossing Powder and hold on to it until I get to it with the Heat Tool. I also used the Ticket Corner Punch to accent my Mitten focal image. ENJOY! Merry Christmas!

Simple Christmas Card

I received this beautiful design of wonderful simplicity from fellow Sudsoler demo Kathy Kinney. She used the Holiday Mini Catalog Stamp Set - Season fo Joy. She also used the Dashing Double-Sided Designer Paper and the 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Square Punches. Card Stock: Whisper White, Old Olive & Real Red. Ink: Classic Real Red & Versamark. Accessories: White Mulberry Paper, Natural Hemp Twine, White Emobssing Powder & Dimensionals. Darn cute! Thanks Kathy!

Birthday Bouquet

After yesterday (12/14), I couldn't wait to try out the Miss Muffet Ultrafine Transparent Glitter - and I needed a Birthday card to day for my m-i-l - sooo....(don't you just LOVE self-justification) For this Z-Fold design, I used the Valentine and Swirls Sets. I stamped the Swirl image tone on tone, then traced over it with the Two Way Glue Pen to adhere the Glitter. All other supplies, except the Glitter, are Stampin' Up!. Card Stock: Perfect Plum, Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink & Whisper White. Classic Ink: Basic Gray & Mellow Moss. Stampin' Write Markers in Mellow Moss & Pretty in Pink. Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon with a Mini Glue Dot to hold on the bow. FUN, Fun, fun! ENJOY!

More CreativePlayStamps FUN!

Okay - I had so much FUN playing with my CreativePlayStamps.com Stamps this afternoon - especially this Ultrafine Glitter! I tried out my SU! Heat & Stick Powder with the Blackberry Ultrafine Opaque Glitter which just shouted out SNOWFLAKES! It's hard to see the Snowflakes I stamped in Versamark on the Night of Navy around the Glitter Snowflakes. Of course, a scan *never* does justice to glitter either! I think this would make a nice Happy New Year design too. Stamps: Snowflakes & Valentine Circle. All other supplies are from Stampin' Up! Card Stock: Elegant Eggplant, Night of Navy & Naturals White. Night of Navy Classic Ink; Versamark Ink; Heat & Stick Powder; Heat Tool; Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Silver Narrow Organdy Ribbon(SU! retired).

Did you notice I listed the SU! Scallop Punch? Yep - I learned a new technique for it from fellow SU! demo Dannie Graves. After punching out the Scallop Circle, attach it to a computer paper scrap. Then insert the already punched scallop back into the punch only slightly turned so you'll be punching in the middle of the scallops. The result is this adorable star burst punch! Thanks Dannie!

ENJOY!

CreativePlayStamps Valentine

Whew - I needed a break from housecleaning and Christmas card stamping (remember those Holy Triptych triptychs? Still stamping.....I feel like the enrgizer stamper with these. next year, I swear I will choose a simpler design! yeah, riiiiiiiight!) Our FAB cousins Art & Laura over at CreativePlayStamps.com have been so generous with the Design Team - I've been feeling guilty about not being able to stamp more with their AWESOME stamps! So - here is a Valentine that uses their two holiday sets: Valentine and Valentine Circle. My favorite idea here was using the arrow image from the Valentine set as the flower stem! I also love how I could use the small Valentine circle as a sun for my heart flowers. The Valentine Circle set has a large circle like this - would be great for refrigerator picture magnets & chipboard ornaments(cuz it looks like a snowflake with hearts!) I also used their Valentine Ultrafine Opaque Glitter on the heart images. This glitter is awesome! Ultrafine gives excellent coverage. All other supplies are SU!: Card Stock in Real Red, Lovely Lilac & Whisper White; Classic Ink in Real Red, Lovely Lilac, Yo Yo Yellow & Garden Green; Red Gingham Ribbon, Mini glue Dots, Two Way Glue Pen. Enjoy!

Smith Family 2007

These FABULOUS photos were taken by a Sudsol Stampin' Sister Elizabeth Sloman. In September, we were talking via email about blogs, and she asked me to take a look at her then new photography blog. I did and shared a dream of mine to have a family candid photo shoot session (well, with some posed shots of course!) I knew she had some family in IL so asked her to let me know when she might be here visiting and maybe we could do a photo shoot. Well - wouldn't you know she was coming for a friend's wedding in October - only a month away at the time - and actually had some free time between her arrival and all the wedding festivities! WOOHOO! So I got to meet my Stampin' Sister for the second time while she made a long time dream of mine come true! These are just a couple of the many photos that were the result of this fun day at a local park...THANKS Elizabeth!

Holy Triptych Angel PIN?!

I received this beautiful RAK (Random Act of Kindness) from my Stampin' Sudsol Sister Kay Mespelt. She used Vintage Violet (and In Color from 2006/07), Almost Amethyst & Shimmery White Card Stock, along with the just retired set Holy Triptych Stamp Set, as well as Baroque Motifs (LOVE that swirl!). She Heat Embossed in Silver - and sponged with Vintage Violet. There is a little magnet attached to the back of the angel, and little washer-looking thing (technical term!) inside the card. This is so lovely Kay - THANK YOU! You made my day with this - as it came right around my birthday two weeks ago. Enjoy!

NEW Blog Candy Winner!

I never heard from the first picked winner for the Birthday Blog Candy Party - so I chose a NEW Winner. Congrats Amy! Please contact me at footbag10@att.net with your info so I may mail off your Blog Candy!

Snowflake Thank You

This is a quick design I made today for Thank You's for the coordinators of our school's Annual Silent Auction & Dinner Dance coming next Spring. They needed a few to use now for donations they have already begun gathering. Our school colors are royal blue and white, so I thought I would use the Dynamic Duo (from the SU! Color Coach) of Brilliant Blue & Bashful Blue - along with the Whisper White and the Ballet Blue I brought in for one of the snowflakes. The Bashful Blue snowflakes are the largest ones, but they didn't show up on the scan very well! The sentiment is stamped in Whisper White Craft Ink - I love how it has a bluish tint because of the Brilliant Blue underneath it - perfect for my color combo! This layout is an old standard for me, and many others because it is so simple and fast and versatile. ENJOY!

Worldwide Marriage Encounter - Making Good Marriages BETTER!

HI All! I know it has been a long time, before today, since I've posted. Hubby and I presented our first Marriage Encounter Weekend this past Weekend in Rockford, IL. We have been working on the talks for this for the last six months - and though that was um, a loooong and interesting process - we are now ready to do it all over again! So many prayers and so much love were sent our way and we felt it so strongly all weekend. It was especially evident in that neither Steve nor I were nervous when it was our turn to sit at the table and give our talk/presentation! Watching the transformation of the married couples on the Weekend can only be summed up in one word - AMAZING! We were so grateful to be a part of each couple's transformation - thus why we'll go through the next talk writing process again!

If you have never heard of Marriage Encounter, or if you have and have never been on a Weekend with your spouse - PLEASE DO SO! A Marriage Encounter Weekend would make the perfect Christmas gift, New Year's Resolution or Valentine's Day gift for your spouse. You can check it out at http://www.wwme.org/ and look for Weekends in your area and your faith preference(though usually any faith is welcome at most Weekends - at least it is at ours and we are Catholic.)

Don't delay - do it TODAY! Marriage Encounter Motto - After the Weekend experience, if you don't like your new relationship, you can have your old one back! (Please note: I fyou are having serious marital problems, please look for a Retrouvaille Weekend in your area - I believe the link may be found through the above WWME website.)

December StampinJewels Newsletter

Would you like to receive my monthly email newsletter? Just drop me an email at footbag10@att.net with your email address and request to be added.

Subject: December StampinJewels Newsletter
Hello Happy Stampers & Scrappers!

From the Smith Family to yours, may you have a Blessed, Peaceful Advent Season as we await the birth of our Savior and the darkness of Advent breaks forth into the Light and Joy of Christmas!

I have enjoyed stamping with you, and just plain meeting you this year. The biggest gift my SU! business has brought me is the wonderful people I have met - YOU! I appreciate your business, but even more so your sharing fo your creativity. Thank You for seeing God's creative gifts in yourself, and sharing them with others!I am happy to be able to a part of the happiness you share by helping to supply your rubber stamping and scrapbooking needs.

December StampinJewels Special
Last call for Christmas Project Supplies and Gift orders.....To help you with this, I am offering:
$50 orders - 10% off your highest priced item
$100 orders - 20% off your highest priced item AND 10% off your second highest priced item!!
$150 orders also earn earn Hostess benefits - so remember to choose the appropriate Host Only Stamp Set(last chance on these sets!) and Product Credit Amount (as shown on Host Benefit Charts pg. 16 Fall/winter Collection 2007)


Retiring List - Fall/Winter Collection 2007
I have attached the Retiring List or you can view and print it at:

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/US_Retired_List_PGNUM_1207.pdf

WRAPPING UP THE HOLIDAYS - NEW SPECIALS!! Nov. 23 - Dec. 15th (while supplies last!)

Holiday Tag Bundle (item 112409) A new item just for this promotion! This bundle includes several pre-cut pieces from the Holiday Glitz kit and makes 15 quick and easy toppers for gift giving. $4.95 each
Note: The Holiday Tag Bundle includes 15 of each of the following pieces:
-Whisper White card stock-Real Red textured card stock-Soft Sky Prints Designer Series Paper (Dotted Diamond pattern)-Real Red twill tape
The pieces for this bundle make 15 cellophane bag toppers that are perfect for neighbor or teacher gifts.

Empty Accents and Elements Tin-3 Pack (item 112410) A new item chosen just for this promotion! $9.95 each

Tags for All Stamp Set* (item 110380) (pg. 7 Holiday Mini) 20% off = $24.76

Hand Selected Accents & Elements (item 110228) (pg. 12 Holiday Mini) 25% off = $8.21

Designer Gift Cards* (item 110264) (pg. 14 Holiday Mini) 30% off = $4.55

Purely Pomegranate (item109863) and Chocolate Chip (item 109862) Satin Ribbon (pg. 22 Holiday Mini) * Buy 1, get 1 free!*

**(NOTE: 2007 Holiday MIni products that are part of this special, are the only Holiday Mini items that will still be available after November - and only while supplies last.)**

GIFT CERTIFICATES
Gift certificates in any amount are also available.

STAMPINJEWELS RETIRING LIST SPECIAL
My other gift to you - 10% OFF Retiring List Stamp Sets Only (Retiring Set orders cannot be combined with December Special Discounts - in other words, one discount per set!)

ORDER DEADLINES
I suggest having all orders, with payment, to me by Fri., Dec. 7th.Otherwise, the latest to order will be Dec. 12th for receipt by Christmas. SU! is awesome about picking and shipping, but please be aware that with a Retiring List there are more orders than usual at this time of year, as well as the general increase in packages shipping at this time of year.If you don't need your order for Christmas gift-giving - I will accept your order, with payment, anytime.
ALL ORDERS WILL BE SHIPPED DIRECTLY TO YOU.

Spring/Summer Collection 2008!!
We are just around the corner from a new catalog - WOOHOO! I've seen the Preview Mini - many of you should be receiving it in the mail soon. Make sure you check out the Custoemr & Hostess Specials shown in Shelli Gardner's letter on pg. 2 of the Preview Mini! For example - January Hosts with party totals of $350 or more will get to choose One FREE Stamp Set from the Preview Mini - how cool is that?! :)

Sale-A-Bration Reminder
What's this you ask? It is all of our favorite time of the Stampin' Up! year - renamed! (Used to be Sell-a-bration) With changing to the two catalogs per year system, SU! changed the dates of Sale-A-Bration (SAB) to Feb. 1 - March 17th but it will be the same great deal - for every $50 in orders, Customers choose a FREE SAB Only Stamp Set. There is a Host Special, as well as a New Recruit Special should you take the plunge and join the SU! & StampinJewels Family too. More information will follow.

Stampin' Chats
Stampin' Chats will hopefully return in January. I was so hoping to be able to get together at least once - I certainly could use the time for all teh Christmas projects I've got on my plate right now - and that doesn't include decorating my home and baking cookies! :) Please know I am missing you all this month!!

Tip of the Month
ENJOY the Christmas Season both now and through the Epiphany (when we celebrate the visit by the Three Wisemen) the first weekend in January.
Make the decision to scale back a little bit on your projects, and let go of whatever doesn't get done. YOU DESERVE to enjoy this magical and joyous time of the year! Here's a new "To Do" list for you: Donate to your Church's Christmas Giving Programs - not just money but your time helping as well. Snow? Build a snowman and/or make a Snow Angel. Not enough snow for that? Catch snowflakes on your tongue. Drive around your city one night a week looking at the Christmas lights. Spend a quiet hour with our Lord sitting before the altar or tabernacle at your Church. Enjoy a time of silence every day in your home (and I don't mean when you are sleeping! heehee)

And the WINNER is....

Congratulations to the StampinJewels randomly chosen Winner Lee who wrote:
"Happy Birthday! I really love what you've done with Holy Triptych! My best friend and I were a little stumped on an idea that used the three panels. Yours is great! Thanks for sharing it!
at 4:43 AM"

Lee - Please contact me at footbag10@att.net so we can arrange for the mailing of your prize!!

A BIG Thank You to everyone who checked out my Blog and left a Comment of Good Wishes to play along for my first ever Blog Candy. Now I see why others do this - it is FUN, Fun, fun!! I just might do this again?! :)

I hope you all enjoyed my Blog and will stop back regularly.

Star Studded Triptych Kings

I designed this for my parents as a thank you for taking care of our children this coming weekend , while Steve & I are presenting our first Marriage Encounter weekend. I knew my Mom would tell me not to make her cards again this year (last year they were an early Christmas present) because she thinks I am "so" busy. But how can she refuse them if they are a thank you gift?! ;) Aahh well, she won't refuse them anyway because she loves my hand-stamped cards and so do all the people she sends them to! As I made this - I thought to myself, "Next year - *I* am doing a simpler design like this for MY Christmas cards!" ROFL!!! Yah, riiiiiiight! (Okay - so some of you wouldn't call this a simple design, but compared to the Holy Triptych Triptych (scroll down a few posts) - it would definitely be a simpler design!!)

This card is called a Z-Fold because I scored the front cover at its half-way mark and folded it back on itself. The Regal Rose is actually the inside of the card, but it was cut to provide a layered look with the focal piece image. The little stars are Heat Embossed in Clear EP for the subtle appearance of a dark, starry night - yet the Clear EP gives them a nice shine to reflect the light. The Star-Studded Star is stamped So Saffron on So Saffron, Paper Snipped out and mounted on a double layer of Dimensionals - which not only "pops' it up, but allows it to be used as a 'closure' for the Z-Fold.

Stamps: Holy Triptych & Star-Studded (both in the soon to expire - this week!- 2007 Holiday Mini) & Background Basics. Card Stock: Elegant Eggplant, Regal Rose, Rose Red, So Saffron & Very Vanilla. Ink: Basic Gray, Versamark, So Saffron. Accessories: Stampin Writes in More Mustard, So Saffron, Almost Amethyst, Elegant Eggplant, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Handsome HUnter & Sage Shadow; Clear & Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Paper Snips, Personal Paper Trimmer for Scoring, Table Top Paper Cutter for cutting and Didmensionals for mounting the Star 'closure'.

Birthday BLOG CANDY!!

WELCOME to my Birthday Blog Candy Party! As I promised - I have my first ever Blog Candy offering in honor of my birthday today!! I am 37 today - and I praise God I made it this far! :) He has blessed me with SO MUCH I get overwhelmed trying to remember it all.

My BirthdayBlog Candy consists of a bag'o'ribbon varying colors, styles and lengths, some Ribbon Original leftovers (what is shown is what the lucky winner will receive) and an Accent & Elements Tin with four different sheets of self-adhesive die cuts inside (I believe this is from the Spring 2007 Mini).

So how do you enter for the Birthday Blog Candy? By leaving a comment on this Blog Candy post telling me what is your favorite post & why - from this, the StampinJewels Blog. Feel free to browse the Archives to find your favorite post. And please share the StampinJewels Birthday Blog Candy Party invitation with a friend or two or three!

Winner will be chosen and announced Tues., Nov. 26th - so remember to check back and see if you've won! ENJOY!

Hostess Set SNEAK PEEK!!

This Thanksgiving I have been making a special point of counting my blessings each day for the last week, and saying a prayer of thanks for each of them. My spouse, my children, my family, my friends, YOU (my customers and friends) have been counted each day, and so has Stampin' Up! I have gained so much personally and professionally from my association with Stampin' Up! over the past four and half years, especially in the area of creative expression and outlet. This Thanksgiving, CEO and co-founder Shelli Gardner decided to express these same feelings by sending SU! demonstrators a FREE Level 3 Hostess Set from the Spring/Summer 2008 Catalog!!! The sample you see here is MY Thank You to Shelli for who she is and all she does - not just with SU!, but in general in her life. We can count ourselves as extra special when we hear and answer God's calls for His service in our lives - as husband/wife, parent, family member, Church community member, employer/employee etc. When it comes to thanking God our Creator and Father - "Too much of a good thing is a GOOD THING". May He continue to bless each one us. Enjoy!

StampinJewels 2007 Holiday Mini Special!!

To celebrate my Birthday this weekend - I am offering 10% OFF any 2007 Holiday Mini item not already on special!! It's my birthday, but YOU get the gift! Remember, the 2007 Holiday Mini items are only available through November 29th (except those items part of the Wrapping Up the Holidays Promotion below) (Note: This special is not avilable for Workshop orders. Individual orders only.)

Check back for your chance to WIN Birthday Blog Candy!!!

Wrapping up the Holidays

Stampin' Up! always comes through with a fun special to boost our holiday creativity - and this year is no different! Check out the Wrapping Up The Holidays Nov. 23 - Dec. 15 - while supplies last!

Holiday Tag Bundle (item 112409) A new item just for this promotion!This bundle includes several pre-cut pieces from the Holiday Glitz kit and makes 15 quick and easy toppers for gift giving. $4.95 each
Note: The Holiday Tag Bundle includes 15 of each of the following pieces:
-Whisper White card stock-Real Red textured card stock-Soft Sky Prints Designer Series Paper (Dotted Diamond pattern)-Real Red twill tape
The pieces for this bundle make 15 cellophane bag toppers that are perfect for neighbor or teacher gifts.

Empty Accents and Elements Tin-3 Pack (item 112410) A new item chosen just for this promotion! $9.95 each

Tags for All Stamp Set* (item 110380) (pg. 7 Holiday Mini) 20% off = $24.76

Hand Selected Accents & Elements (item 110228) (pg. 12 Holiday Mini) 25% off = $8.21

Designer Gift Cards* (item 110264) (pg. 14 Holiday Mini) 30% off = $4.55

Purely Pomegranate (item109863) and Chocolate Chip (item 109862) Satin Ribbon (pg. 22 Holiday Mini) * Buy 1, get 1 free!*

**(NOTE: 2007 Holiday MIni products that are part of this special, are the only Holiday Mini items that will still be available after November - and only while supplies last.)**

Valentine for Men

I have finally gotten to play with the lovely "Valentine" stamp set from CreativePlayStamps.com. I found an unsual color combo from the In Color Combo Chart that SU! provided us demos, and was immediately intrigued. First because I *never* would have put these colors together on my own. Second because I am *always* on the lookout for potentially great masculine color combos. So this is my first attempt with this color combo and a masculine Valentine design. The CPS Valentine stamp set is lovely, and lends itself to one of my favorite techniques - watercoloring. The focal piece is Naturals White CS that has been color washed with the Pale Plum Watercolor Wonder Crayon and Aquapainter - this gives a little color but not overpowering. The flowers and hearts are watercolored from the Classic Ink Pads of Purely Pomegranate & Bravo Burgundy, Going Gray & Basic Gray. I love the "love" image done in tiny hearts - and picked up on the texture & interest it brings with Crimping on the Bravo Burgundy strip as well as Paper Piercing with the Crafters Tool Kit on the Basic Gray along the edges of the Bravo Burgundy. A touch of metal with the Black Brads, and how about that tiny Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon? Taffeta and Basic Gray - can you get much more sensuous than that? :)

P.S. I think this design was just crying out for Dazzling Diamonds Glitter - BUT not on a masculine design! heehee ;)

Holy Triptych - Triptych!

The StampinJewels Blog has been quiet over the weekend because I was away stamping!! Woohoo! This was the third year (my second) of this annual stamping get-away planned by my good friend and sideline demo Tina M. The location is a beautiful Retreat Center and though it is not far from home, it seems like it is - the best of both worlds! :) I worked on my Christmas cards all weekend - and am pleased with how much I got done, but I still have a ways to go. Can you see why? When I first saw this design(by Michele Fisher) using the Holy Triptych Stamp Set in the 2007 Holiday Mini Catalog, it was love at first sight! So this year - I am giving a gift instead of a card - a Christmas decoration that I hope some of my recipients will add to their annual decoration stash and enjoy for years to come. I chose the Dynamic Duo(from the SU! Color Coach) of Handsome Hunter and Sage Shadow to keep the richness of the Christmas Season colors. The Square Ice Brads add the perfect amount of sparkle - and the Holy Family shines as the centerpiece raised above all others. This design is quite the undertaking - but isn't that what Christmas is all about? Spending your time, energy and Love on gifts for family and other loved ones - just as Joseph and Mary did in their "YES!" to God's plan of salvation? ENJOY!

November Paper Party!

During the month of November, purchase three packs of our Designer Series Papers and receive one pack absolutely FREE!!! Regular shipping and tax will apply to the three purchased packs, there is no shipping or tax on the free pack.Designer Series Papers are 12x12, patterned on both sides, come twelve sheets to a pack, and sell for only $9.95 per pack. These papers on pages 170-173 of the Fall-Winter Catalog and pages 12 and 19 of the Holiday Mini Catalog.
Here is a list of the paper packs and their coordinating card stock and ink colors:
Outlaw - Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla
Brocade Backgrounds - Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, River Rock
Fall Flowers - Old Olive, Really Rust, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky
Linen Prints - Always Apricot, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Pink Passion
Porcelain Prints - Blue Bayou, River Rock, Wild Wasabi
Le Jardin - River Rock, Soft Sky, So Saffron, Very Vanilla
Uptown - Almost Amethyst, Basic Gray, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi
Wintergreen - Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow, Soft Sky
Flowers for You - Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise
Petals & Paisleys - Certainly Celery, Taken w/Teal, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron
Creepy Crawly - Basic Black, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust
Notations No. 2 - More Mustard, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi
Charbon - Basic Gray, Very Vanilla
Cerise - Real Red, Very Vanilla
Dashing - Old Olive, Real Red, River Rock, Very Vanilla
Cutie Pie - Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, So Saffron
Darling Doodles - Brocade Blue, Groovy Guava, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi
Apple Cider - Close to Cocoa, River Rock, Really Rust, Wild Wasabi
Holiday Harmony - Always Artichoke, Purely Pomegranate, River Rock
Prints - These papers come in twelve patterns of one color per pack: Lovely Lilac, Almost Amethyst, Soft Sky, Tempting Turquoise, Brilliant Blue, Blue Bayou, Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, River Rock, So Saffron, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, Groovy Guava, Rose Red Order your three packs and choose your fourth pack absolutely FREE. Call or email me today!!!

All in the Family Stamp Set SPECIAL!

Help us honour our friend and SU! Australia General Manager, Dave Abbott. Dave passed away from a rare blood disease, and during November we're donating 100 percent of the sales worldwide from the All in the Family Stamp Set to the Dave Abbott Family Fund. Dave left behind his wife and three small children.
To help Dave's family, I am offering All in the Family to you this month for the Catalog price of $36.95, there will be NO SHIPPING charged on the purchase of this individual set through November 29th. To see the color flyer on this set click HERE This is the perfect time to purchase such an adorable set and help a family devastated by a tremendous loss at the same time. I will accept orders, with payment for this promotion through Thursday, Nov. 29th (as I will be out of town beginning 11/30) I will place one order on 11/30 before I go out of town.

When All in the Family orders reach $150, I will draw a Mystery Hostess to win their choice of a Level 1 Host Only Set - a perfect chance to get that last Host Only item before they are retired in Janaury!!

Bump up your order to $50 and I will give you a Gift Certificate for a FREE SU! product of your choice (valued at up to $5.50) on your first Spring/Summer Collection 2008 order of $50.

ANNOUNCING: CreativePlayStamps.com!!!

I am SUPER EXCITED to Announce and Welcome a new online rubber art stamping store - http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/ - please go check them out! We personally know the owners are awesome people cuz they're our cousins! :) They've got some great stamps and accessories available, a layout section for inspiration and forums for posting artwork, chatting amongst ourselves and leaving comments and requests for art images and accessories we'd like to see them offer. *I* am particularly doing the happy dance because they are giving me the opportunity to be on their charter Design Team! Woohoo! The CreativePlayStamps.com Design Team also includes Maxene Choi. Here are some of the samples I have been able to create in the last two weeks - and now that my schedule has eased up a bit - I hope to have many more! So please go check them out - and tell them I sent you! (All these projects use CreativePlayStamps.com images and Stampin' Up! supplies. The Snowflake card uses a SU! word image.)

Merry & Bright Magnets

This and the next two posts are all items I made for the Holiday Bazaar Shop & Crop at my kid's school this weekend! Scroll down for the details and planon attending - stop by and tell me you saw it advertised on my blog and I'll have a stamped gift for you, hope to see you there! These are magnets made from clear, flat glass marbles, magnets, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. The entire image under the glass marble has the Glitter, but my scanner doesn't pick it up. Card Stock: Whisper White, Real Red, & Green Galore. I Sponge Daubered the Real Red Classic Ink around the edges of the scallops. Stamps: Merry & Bright Set (Holiday Mini pg. 15) AND the FAB SU! Scallop Circle Punch. If you don't already have this punch, are you getting the idea you NEED it yet?! ;) It would make a perfect Christmas or Birthday or Just Because gift for yourself or your favorite stampin' & scrappin' pal - contact me today to get it now!!

Christmas Cello Treats

Do you see a trend in these posts? Scallop Punch maybe! :) Well - I can't help myself - the SU! Scallop Punch is just so versatile and cute.

Snowman Kisses: Mini-marshmallows - yummy! Stamps: Merry & Bright (Holiday Mini pg. 15) & Punch Pals - snowflake border on the Scallop Punch Circle. (Fall/winter Collection 2007 pg.43) Ink: StazOn Black, Soft Sky, Whisper White Craft. Card Stock: Whisper White, Soft Sky, and Blue Bayou. Accessories: Small, Flat Cello Bags (pg. 192), Blender Pen (to color hat/scarf Soft Sky.) & of course the Scallop Circle Punch and 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches.

Rudolph Noses: Uses everything above but with color changes. Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Real Red & Naturals White. Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink. Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers in Real Red and Creamy Caramel.

Contact me today to place your order for the supplies to make these cute Christmas Cello Treats - you'll have to find the treat part yourself! :)

Snowman Bookmark Clippies

Yet another Stampin' Up! Scallop Circle Punch idea! This one has been pretty hot on the stampin' blogs and you can see why! These are so cute! And they are simple and FUN to make. Although I didn't scan the back, it is a Scallop Punch of an SU! Designer Series Double-Sided Paper. You can find these Mega Paper Clips at office supply stores, even Wal-Mart. I used: Stamps: Merry & Bright (Holiday Mini pg. 15). Ink: StazOn Black. Card Stock: Wild Wasabi, Real Red and Shimmery White. Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch (Fall/Winter Collection 2007 pg. 183), 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Red Gingham Ribbon, Pop-Up Glue Dots (pg. 185).

Imagine the possibilities with these! One for every major holiday and season, monogram Clippies - the sky's the limit! Happy Clippie Crafting!!

Moonlighting Snowman

You can see how much FUN this little guy is having in the sparkly, swirling snow! He emanates the joy my kids feel while playing in the first snow flurries of the season - which probably aren't too far away at this point! :)

My inspiration for this layout was on the cover of the November Paper Crafts. I loved the idea of a spotlight like from a ray of sun, o rin this little guy's case - a ray of moonlight! I chose the color scheme from the SU! Color coach Dynamic Duos - Handsome Hunter & Sage Shadow. I thought the Bashful Blue gave it a warmer, moonlit look than the starkness of Whisper White - I didn't want that much contrast. The Snowman's hat and scarf are colored in using the Blender Pen and the Sage Shadow Classic Ink Pad. Stamp Sets: Merry & Bright (Holiday Mini pg. 15) and Cold Play (Fall/Winter Collection 2007 pg. 44) & Priceless (F/W Collection 2007 pg. 117) Inks: Bashful Blue Craft, Sage Shadow & Handsome Hunter Classic. Accessories: Two Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Blender Pen. ENJOY!

Warm Winter Penguin

I was looking for a color combination that said 'warm winter' - and this came together perfectly! The base is Soft Sky, with a great dynamic duo combo of blush Blossom & Groovy Guava. Classic Inks used were Soft Sky and Groovy Guava. I used the Two Way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (so fast and easy!)to add sparkle to the penguin's scarf and the snowflakes. The penguin's scarf was colored in using a Blender Pen and the Soft Sky Classic Ink pad. Other accessories used: Tag & Small Tag Punches, Stampin' Dimensionals (to pop up the penguin tag) and Soft Sky Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon. Stamp Sets: Punch Pals (penguin and tag outline), All Through the Year (snowflake) and Much Appreciated (thank you). I plan on making these for my kid's teachers for Christmas gifts as teachers can always use thank yous!

This card, and the two that follow it - are the projects we made at a November Totally Hands On workshop I had last weekend! Book your Workshop party with me and we'll do fun projects like these too!

Thanksgiving Turkey

I have seen many animals, flowers, etc. made out of punched card stock, so when I saw a post about another punched turkey (You can do it with the SU! Oval Punches too), I didn't even read it! I happened to be in the demonstrator Gallery of Sudsol and saw this little turkey gem and fell in love! I am already in love with the SU! Scallop Circle Punch - and this little guy is the stuffing in the turkey! (heehee) No stamping, just punching, Paper Snipping, Sponge Daubering ink and adhering together. I wanted the turkey to be the focal point, so I didn't add any background images. However, though you can't see it, the More Mustard is the New Textured Card Stock and it gives the most subtle texture which was perfect for adding texture but not taking away from the focal point. This turkey would be adorable on your Thanksgiving placecards, don't you think? Contact me to TODAY to order your Scallop Circle Punch, as well as your Christmas card supplies.

Criss Cross Christmas

One of the latest crazes is doing these Criss Cross layouts for cards. They are cute - aren't they? This layout really allows for wonderful showcasing of the Fabulous SU! Double-Sided Designer Series Papers(DSP). I actually call this one a "faux" criss cross - because I used less card stock than the original directions called for, and compensated for the slight differences by making the insert smaller. This pic shows the insert pulled out, so you can see it. Stamp Sets: Merry & Bright (Holiday Mini pg. 15) & Flaky Friends (Fall/Winter Collection pg. 42). CardStock: Real Red, Brocade Blue, Wild Wasabi, More Mustard & Whisper White. Ink: Whisper White Craft, Real Red, More Mustard & Basic Black. Accessories: Primary Colors Simply Scrappin' Kit, Signo White Gel Pen, Scallop circle Punch, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Round Tab Punch & Earth Element Brads.

Tip: The Criss Cross layout is a GREAT way to use up those leftover pieces of Designer Series Paper! Go stamp - and let me know what you came up with!

The Latest Buzz...

Steve and the boys all got the big Buzz - amazing what teeny tiny little pests can make us do, huh? Here's proof though, that Steve does not have the infamous Smith ears! :) The boys either! Gosh - Steve looks ALOT more like his brother Rod now too! I think Isaiah looks like pics of my two oldest brothers when they were his age and had buzzes!

Blogger Prayer Time

This beautiful banner was created by the daughter of fellow stamper, Valerie Stangle. My own brother and his family live near Huntington Beach, CA. Though they are not directly in the wildfire path, they say the air is very smokey all around them. May God continue to bless the victims, workers and family and friends of both.

Batty for You Treats

Well - I've been away for awhile because we were getting ready for my niece's wedding this past weekend! I LOVE weddings - especially family weddings! The shower invites and favors, as well as the rehearsal dinner invites I stamped for her are in my archives. I hope to share the scrapbook pages I stamped for her wedding present this week!

This morning - I got to have some stampin' fun - okay, I borrowed this Batty for You Stamp Set (Fall/Winter Collection pg. 27)from my demo friend Tina M. and she wants her set back - lol! Aren't these cute? These are Halloween treats for my kids to take to school, and for us to give out at the door. They are suckers that showcase the wonderful SU! Scallop Punch. Fast, simple and cute - just the ticket for treats the kids will rip into right away, but I still get to have some stampin' fun!

Catch the Halloween Punchies!

Here are two adorable Halloween cards I found on other SU! demo's sites (so not credit to me, as I didn't make these!), that showcase the wonderful versatility of Stampin' Up! punches. The Spooky Eyes card uses both the Oval Punches, as well as several circle punches and the Corner Rounder Punch. It also uses the Booglie Eyes Stamp Set (my fav Halloween set!) and Double Sided Designer Series Paper(DSP). The DSP used here is retired from last year, but can easily be substituted for this year's Creepy Crawly DSP found on pg. 172 of the Fall/winter Collection 2007. The Tombstone card uses the Tag Punch and a Circle Punch, as well as the Booglie Eyes Stamp Set. Enjoy!

Peek-a-Boo Christmas

The last of teh awesome cards I stamped at teh Card Raze event held by two of my FABULOUS friends and sideline demos Tina Moore and Debra Burgin. This design was by Tina Moore. It uses the Merry & Bright Stamp set from the Holiday Mini Collection (pg. 15). The technique is called "Masking" for the peeking reindeer, as well as the Merry & Bright sentiment - (which I can teach you at your next workshop or class, contact me to schedule a date!) CardStock: Wild Wasabi, Ruby Red, Whisper White & Vellum. Ink: Basic Black, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue & Close to Cocoa. Accessories: 1 3/8" Square Punch, 1/8" & 11/6" hand punches, Crimper, Natural Hemp, Wild Wasabi Dbl Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pen and Dimensionals.

Shop & Crop Day

Please mark your calendars now, and plan to attend...

Shop & Crop Day
Sponsored by St. Mary Home & School Assoc.
St. Mary School
210 Gurler Rd., DeKalb
Saturday, November 10, 2007
10am - 8pm (for cropping)
11am - 4pm (for shopping)

CROPPING
Come and spend the day stamping and scrapbooking with us! $10 reserves your spot for the day, plus a FREE goodie bag, along with door prizes and raffle items. Bring your own projects and supplies - and get some crafting done while chatting andmaking new friends! You can also start your Holiday shopping the same day, at our Holiday Bazaar! (Free admission to Bazaar for croppers)

SHOPPING
Come spend the day shopping for those special holiday gifts at our Holiday Bazaar. Home party products and unique homemade gift itesm all at one location. $1 Admission at the door to the Bazaar.

FOOD
We will have a lunch stand if you would like to purchase your lunch. Otherwise, please bring your meals and snacks with you.

All proceeds benefit the St. Mary Home & School Association/St. Mary School.

Contact me TODAY for more information - Thanks!

Card Craze Inkspirations

Two of my FABULOUS friends and sideline demos held a World Card Making Day event called Card Craze. Following are the projects we made. I am proud to call these talented ladies my friends. They have certainly been a blessing in my life, and continue to be. So I chose to upload this first project alone - to let them know they are always in MY PRAYERS!

This card, designed by Debra Burgin, uses the Stamp Sets: Autumn Fest (Fall/Winter Collection 2007 pg. 108) and So Many Sayings (Hostess Level 1); and a technique I had forgotten about! The leaves were stamped in Whisper White Craft Ink, then Stampin' Pastels were applied and blended together. A light spray of cheap hairspray seals the pastels. The card uses card stock in Apricot Appeal, Really Rust, More Mustard & Chocolate Chip.

Priceless Box and Card Inkspirations

Two more projects from my FABULOUS friends and sideline demos Card Craze event held on Oct. 6, 2007. Tina Moore designed this Card Holder box. It is made out of SU! card stock in River Rock, Blue Bayou, Chocolate Chip & Purely Pomegranate. What looks like ribbon is really folded card stock - pretty cool, huh? And how about the use of the Word Window Punch (Fall/Winter Collection 2007 pg. 182-83) to make a slarge slot to secure the flap and keep the box closed? The 5/8" Choclate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon (pg. 190) is a perfect touch. The color is so rich it makes me want a piece of chocolate! :) Debra Burgin designed the Journey card. It uses River Rock, Blue Bayou, Chocolate Chip & Mellow Moss. The horse image comes from the Wanted Stamp Set (pg. 88), the journey image comes from the Define Your Life Stamp Set (pg. 159) and then there's the Flannel Plaid Background Stamp (pg. 137). The strip of Chocoalte Chip card stock was peeled apart to create a Faux Suede look. Although this design isn't strictly masculine it works really well for it. Creating masculine oriented designs is a challenge for most of us - this card fits the ticket perfectly! My favorite part of this card, though, is the notch/closure. Where? you ask? The card cover has 1" cut off the end, and a notch made by our 1 1/4" Circle Punch. It is then tucked under the Scallop Circle Punch and Star (both on pg. 182-83) embellishment to hold the card closed. LOVE IT!

Priceless Inkspirations

These are two more of the cards we made at my FABULOUS friends and sideline demos Card Craze Event on Oct. 6, 2007. The "So Kind" card was designed by Tina Moore using River Rock, Blue Bayou, Chocolate Chip & Whisper White. The swirls from the Priceless Stamp set (pg. 117 of the Fall/Winter Collection 2007) are stamped in StazOn Timber Brown (pg. 186) on acetates or window sheets. Stamped this way, then raised up a bit on Dimensionals (pg. 185) creates a shadow effect under the stamped image. The yummy ribbon is SU!'s Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon. The heart card was designed by Debra Burgin using River Rock, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White, Vellum Card Stock (pg. 179) & Mulberry paper (pg. 179). The Vellum scallop is punched circles. The heart was stamped, then heat embossed with Irirdescent Ice Embossing Powder - a wonderful sparkle!

Love Notes Inkspiration

These are 3 of the projects we did at my FABULOUS friends and sideline demos Card Craze event held on World Card Making Day on Oct. 6, 2007. These talented ladies are Debra Burgin and Tina Moore. We did two of each Love Note. Big techniques on little cards - gotta LOVE'em! Don't you just love the shooting star with its trail of Silver Elastic Cord (Holiday Mini p.11). We used the Crayon Resist technique on the star. Then Sponge Daubered on the ink. Then there's the bluebird of happiness which showcases the Spiral Punch and we Watercolored using the Watercolor Wonder Crayons and Aquapainter - one of my all time fav techniques. The wedding cake Love Note uses a techinque called Patina - this one is particularly lovely with the Blue Bayou, Rose Red, Basic Gray and Encore Silver color combination. The cakes are colored in with the Watercolor Pencils and Blender Pen. And that Taffeta Ribbon is to die for! Okay - I admit - Basic Gray is an amazing color! If you haven't tried it - you simply MUST - ribbon and card stock! ALL these Love Notes use images from a wonderful all occasion stamp set Fun & Fast Notes pg. 55 of the Fall/Winter Collection.

Thankul Season

This is one of the most BEAUTIFUL Thanksgiving cards I have yet to see! It was done by fellow demonstrator Amy Celona. You can check her out at http://www.ustamp4fun.com/. She uses on eof my favorite techniques - watercoloring with the Watercolor Wonder Crayons and the Aquapainter. This set is in the Fall/Winter Collection IB&C pg. 32 for only $15.95. Imagine - this much beauty from one inexpensive stamp set!!

StampinJewels Blog Stars!

Hi Ladies! These are some of my lovely ladies with whom I was able to celebrate World Card Making Day with on Oct. 6th at Card Craze. Hope you'll join our StampinJewels fun at Stampin' Chats this month! I think you'll agree that stampers and scrappers are some of the nicest people you'll ever be blessed to meet. Well - at least these stampers and scrappers are blessings to me! SMILE ladies - you are all now StampinJewels Blog Stars! :)

(What was Card Craze? It was an AWESOME event put on by two of my sideline demo friends, Debra B. and Tina M. We made 12 projects - which I hope to share in a day or so - from pre-cut card stock and embellishments. The event fee included the Holiday Mini set "Merry & Bright" and a box lunch, as well as many door prizes and stamped goodies.)

BOO! - Deliciously Faux Scary Halloween Gift

I found this yummy gift idea on another demonstrator's blog - and immediately thought "These would make an awesome gift!" I adore my Booglie Eyes stamp set - those little guys are just too cute! My favorites seem to be the dracula and the frankenstein because the way they lean seems to fit the projects I do the best - but I love all those little fellows! So I made these Deliciously Faux Scary gifts for my kids' teachers, AND for my ladies who celebrated world Card-Making Day with me at the Card Craze on October 6th. I have a few more for other family friends too. I chose to put "BOO!" pn the jars because this is my Boo Bucket this year. I had such fun doing Boo Buckets last year - but this year ALL the STORES have Boo Kits and the novelty has quite worn off for me. So - all who received this jar from me - consider yourselves BOO'd - quick, make up a sign to hang in your window so no one else will Boo you in the next couple of weeks! Wish I would have thought of that earlier - I would have given you the sign too! Anything that takes a stick+ of melted butter has my vote for something I MUST taste! Maybe the scary part comes when I step on the scale AFTER eating these?! LOL Scale Shmale. ENJOY!

Holiday Glitz Card Kits!

Beginning October 1st Stampin' Up! is offering "Holiday Glitz" Card Kits. This kit will make your Christmas card making a breeze with all the pre-cut supplies. All you do is choose your stamp set, stamp the images and assemble, making this kit a real time saver.
Each Holiday Glitz card kit makes 15 cards and includes:

• Precut card stock and Soft Sky Designer Paper (15)


• Whisper White Envelopes (15)


• Rhinestone brads (15)


• Real Red zigzag ribbon (15)


• Full-color instruction sheet (1)

Purchase the Holiday Glitz card kit for $28.95 each with no additional purchase required. There are no limits to the number of kits you may purchase.
OR
Purchase one of the holiday stamp sets (listed below) and get the Holiday Glitz card kit for the special price of $24.95 each, no limit on the number of kits you can purchase at the special discounted price.
109266 pg 35 Big on Christmas $18.95
106786 pg 36 Snowflake Spot $ 20.95
109234 pg 45 Snowfall $23.95
110359 pg 5 (Holiday Mini) Love & Joy $ 23.95

There is no limit to the number of kits that you can order, however, they will only be available until supplies run out!! Place your orders early - contact me TODAY!!

Female Circles

Okay - I couldn't leave out all us girls! Another layout from the same Lisa Bearnson card sample pack as the "Male Circles?" entry a couple of days ago. Stamps: Everyday Flexible Phrases. Card Stock: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Apricot Appeal & Whisper White. Ink: Rose Red Classic Ink. Accessories: 1 3/8", 1 1/4" & 1/2" Circle Punches, Scallop Punch, Rich Regal Eyelets, Crop-a-Dile, White Signo Gel Pen, Crafters Tool Kit (for paper piercing) & Apricot 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Male Circles?

I saw this layout on a card sampler pack that Sylvia M. was donating to the St. Mary Crop & Shop - (THANKS Sylvia!) and thought - "What a great masculine layout!" I was having a bad day yesterday, and needed to channel my mood - so I stamped! This really is the best therapy - and in my opinion - much cheaper and more fun than a therapist!
The first card (Yes, a verse CAN be your focal piece!) uses: Stamp Set: It's Your Birthday. Card Stock: Sage Shadow, So Saffron, Really Rust, Night of Navy & Very Vanilla. Ink: Night of Navy. Accessories: Coluzzle, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Crafters Tool Kit for paper piercing, Rich Regal Eyelets, Crop-a-Dile, Corner Rounder Punch.
The second card I wanted to be more kid friendly - so I changed up the colors and the focal piece. Stamp Sets: It's Your Birthday, All About You & Rough Edges Mini Alphabet. Card Stock: Glorious Green, Brillliant blue, Summer Sun & Whisper White. Ink: Brilliant Blue and White Craft. Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Coluzzle, 1/16" Hand Punch, Bold Brights Brads.