Well, I am attempting (AGAIN) to start a blog to share my craft habit. I admit it - I'm a craftaholic. My SU (Stampin Up) supplies really do bring me joy! Today as I was browsing through Pinterest (another horrible addiction) I stumbled on a video of someone using a SU kit - Saying Thanks (162361). This kit is pretty cool -- supplies to make 9 cards that are bright and cheerful. You don't even need any stamps at all to complete the cards as there are die-cuts for you to use for your expressions of thanks. BUT, I was in a crafty mood (while watching grandkids play chase) so I grabbed my water brush and watercolor paper, along with Calypso Coral, Granny Apple Green, Azure Afternoon, and Lemon Lolly inkpads and I began to experiment. 

Feb 3, 2022

 February 3, 2022

"What a great idea," I told myself. "I can do this!" I said. "Put your mind to it," I heard myself command. But it still hasn't happened like I imagined. What, you ask, have I not tackled with tons of enthusiasm??? Blogging! I have always admired people who can do this daily or even weekly, and stay true to the purpose. I was an ELA (English Language Arts) teacher for YEARS... surely I could make myself sit down and blog! Ya think??? Well, it may be easy for many, but for me, this has been a very demanding job! I love nothing more than to sit down and peruse everyone else's blogs and tutorials about their cards. I especially love pulling out my paper and starting projects. And I THRIVE on having my small group of ladies come to "class" once a month to try new things. But I really was thinking, maybe someone else out there would love to just "give it a try." Making cards has been a wonderful outlet for me - it brings me joy to give beautiful cards to friends, I love sharing the fruits of my craft with the hospital and nursing home, and it is a wonderful way to "escape" the stress of today's world. So if you, like me, would like to try your hand at something new, let me know. I can set you up with a great kit, a tutorial, or a hodgepodge of crafting supplies to make your crafty dreams come true. AND you'll feel absolutely fantastic when your work is done!

Don't you just love the rainbow paper? It's available for free during Sale-a-Bration if you spend $50. This was such a quick and easy baby shower card. It came together like a dream... the colors were easily coordinated (that's one of the absolute BEST parts of Stampin'Up) and the sentiments were right at hand in some of my stamp sets. Would you like to make a set of cards? Watch for news on my next class. 

Pop-up box card

Don't you just love to do something "different" from time to time? Well, this is one of those cards that is totally different. When I first started doing cards, this was one of my favorite cards to do. I did one for my mom's birthday a few years ago and she STILL has it out on her desk by her computer! Proud moment... This was done before I started my StampinUp business. But it is one of my original works!

So, I decided since it has been a long time since I've done a 3d craft, we would do one for my zoom group this week. Here is my sample for this class:

I have used  Tropical Chic and Timeless Tropical stamp sets for the images, and Tropical Chic dsp. The Tropical Chic stamp set and dsp are both retired, but there are plenty of new choices that would look lovely. 

Speaking of retired, this year's paper choices are retiring... so if you have something in mind that you really want, you need to order TODAY. The supply will begin to diminish quickly as everyone begins to get ready for the release of the new catalog.

Such exciting news... the new catalog will be coming out shortly. I have seen a sneak peak, and it is amazing. The new colors for 2020-2022 are gorgeous! AND, great news, all the In-Colors, 2019-2021 and 2020-2022 (9 colors) are now available in the small ink spots. You can get them all at one time, without the investment of the full-size pads. 

May is right around the corner, and that means Mother's Day is close. If you would like to do a handmade card for your dear Mom, I can put together a kit for you to pick up, complete with directions and all paper necessary for completing the card. If you would like to purchase a card already made, let me know and I will send you some options to think about. 

Since it is nearly May, I would normally urge you to order a Paper Pumpkin (PP) kit before May 10, BUT they are already sold out! That tells me it will be an amazing kit. It promises to have some of the new In-Colors for us to use. I can hardly wait to see.

If you have never tried your hand at crafting a personal, hand-made card, you should give it a try. It is therapeutic and purposeful. And right now, in the midst of this pandemic, handmade thank you cards can be use daily. And the smile on faces when you hand off a card will warm your heart.

Order today - go to https://cindyking.stampinup.net/

Have a marvelous week!

Sketch Challenge

I have decided to really pour myself into my stampin habit. One of the groups I am a member of on Facebook has challenges for us to participate in, and to share, almost every day. SOOO, I participated in a sketch challenge and want to pass it on to any one else who wishes to participate. The challenge was a simple sketch, here it is. This was shared by Connie Long Stewart, and if you want to see some of her work, look her up on Pinterest or YouTube.

So, I decided I wanted to give it a try using only die cuts for the center of the focal square. Absolutely any sentiment could be put across the bottom. I know there are many other ways to work this sketch, and I will share more soon. This card uses the Lily pad dies, the Ornate Thanks stamp, and the Lovely LilyPad dsp. The Lily pad items are from the Sale-a-bration catalog, which is no longer available, but the Ornate Thanks stamp set is available.

Right now, thank you cards are very appropriate for many people around us... delivery people, medical personnel, the grocery clerks... keep some on hand, put a smile on someone's face.

If you would like a kit to put together some thank you cards of your own, contact me below. I will have some cut-outs, cardstock, envelopes and instructions in every kit. You can order a kit of 5 cards for $12, or 10 cards for $20. I will post copies of the cards that will be in the kits.

Here is the Ornate Garden Suite, you can buy bundles or individual products. The paper is absolutely gorgeous! This is definitely one of my favorites!

I

Go to my StampinUp page at CindyKing.Stampinup.net and order your products for stamping using hostcode GY4AMPBG. If your order is more than $150, do not enter the host code and earn shopping rewards. 
Order more than $50 and receive a special thank you gift from me.

Need some monthly inspiration for making cards? Try Paper Pumpkin, it's everything you need to get started

https://www.paperpumpkin.com/  It is a monthly subscription with pre-cut materials, you can 
pre-order 3, 6 or 12 months, or simply subscribe for one month at a time.

Until next time...
Cindy

April 7

Well, here goes. I have finally decided in the midst of the corona-virus quarantine to try my hand at blogging. I have read others, contemplated doing one, and now there's no reason not to try. I am social distancing on my back porch, listening to the melody of at least a dozen birds, the loudest being the mocking birds and blue jays. THIS is my favorite time of year

I mailed out several cards this morning, dropped about 30 cards off at the Rehab Center, and put the finishing touches on about 12 more to mail out tomorrow morning. I just love having all this time to craft. Of course, I should really tackle some of the home projects that need to be done, but those can wait for a rainy day, or an extremely hot day. 

I have absolutely loved playing with the Ornate Garden Suite. Everything coordinates so beautifully. One of the best things is that if you only have a sentiment stamp set (I know some of you purchased one earlier this year), the paper in this suite will make gorgeous cards without any other stamps. This suite is now available for purchase, and you can order any of this set from me at cindyking.stampinup.net and click on shop now. When you get ready to check out, enter the host code GY4AMPBG.    If you order $150 or more, do not enter the host code... you will be eligible for extra benefits and gifts. 

Have you ever heard of Paper Pumpkin? Let me tell you, that is an amazing way to get started stamping and making cards. Every month a box is delivered to you with everything you need to make cards. Everything is color coordinated, thematic, and BEEE--U--tiful! The last day to order any month's current kit is the 10th. This month's theme is "My Wonderful Family" and it will have something for everyone. 

                             

I am an independent Stampin'Up demonstrator and I would love to help you get started with stamping and card making.