Enjoy my site and leave a comment if you like what you see!

Vellum Poinsettia


Wow! Take a look at this gold embossed poinsettia stamped on vellum, isn't it beautiful? I love the crisp vellum against the black background that was embossed with the Petals-A-Plenty embossing folder. A border of real red cardstock and a few old olive leaves sure do add a real pop of color.



Take Care until next time!
Donna


Card Recipe:
Stamps: Joyful Christmas
Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, Old Olive
Accessories: Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder,
Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Big Shot

File Folder Giftcard Holder


Hello Friends!

I hope today finds you well. I've got a fantastic gift card holder today made with the fabulous new Envelope Punch Board. If you haven't tried this hot little item yet, you really need to get one! I can see a wide variety of gift card holders in my future....always giving cash or gift cards, and what better way to dress them up?

I used Sweater Weather DSP to cover the Crumb Cake cardstock. A happy birthday stamp from the Express Yourself set and a quick Artisan Label punch for the Best Friend stamp in the Label Love collection, wrapped a quick layer of burlap ribbon and waa laa...it's done! A very quick card that garners a lot of punch! Used the Envelope Punch Board directions and made a quick gift card envelope with coordinating DSP and it is ready to insert a treasured gift card.


I hope you like this gift card and would appreciate your comments and thoughts. Until next time...

Donna

And another...

Yep, you guessed it, I loved the curly paper wreath So MUCH that was made from Winter Frost designer series paper that I just had to make another one using Seasons of Style designer series paper. I promise I will not make any more, at least for a while, and will not be posting another one next time! So, here it is....


That's it for this time, be back soon! Thanks for stoppin' by...

Donna

Curly Paper Wreath

I could barely wait to create one of these fabulous wreaths! I've seen them all over the place and thought they were so pretty. Well let me tell you, they are much, much prettier in person than in any photo I've seen! Truly beautiful!!! You really must make one....




Don't you think it is beautiful? This one uses Winter Frost DSP and the Festive Flurry stamps, along with Silver Glitter paper. Well, that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by!

Donna


I'll be back SOON!!!

I never thought it would take all summer and fall for me to get back in sync. I've been working on some great items and will be back very, very soon. I hope within a day or two, at the latest.

Much has happened during this down time and I'm not going to bore you with any of the details, but I'd like you to know I'm excited about being ready to settle in for the winter and provide you with some great cards and lots of new things.

Thanks for your patience....hang on...and see you very soon!

Wow!

It has been an incredibly long time since I had a chance to post anything. Sorry about that. I've been too busy with my full-time job and getting everything ready for the summer camping season. I hope to be back very soon with some new cards...promise!

Sneak Peak from New Catalog!






Stampin' Up! Catalog Early Release! Available NOW!

Dates: March 15 - May 30, 2013

Spring is definitely in the air and here's your chance to purchase new product from the 2013-2014 annual catalog. A Round Array stamp set is available to purchase now!




This set coordinates with the Stampin' Up! 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch (introduced in the 2013 spring catalog). SAVE 15% when you purchase the Round Array stamp set and 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch together as a bundle!


$23.95 - Spring Surprise Bundle* (English; clear) - Item #133899
$23.95 - Spring Surprise Bundle (Spanish; clear) - Item #133897
$23.95 - Spring Surprise Bundle (French; clear) - Item #133898

Already have the punch? Don't fret! Just buy the set!

$14.95 - A Round Array Stamp Set* (English; clear) - Item #129090
$14.95 - Veriedades Stamp Set (Spanish; clear) - Item #131682
$14.95 - Médallions séduction Stamp Set (French; clear) - Item #131616

*Only offered in clear-mount. Wood-mount option will be available in the 2013-2014 annual catalog.

Contact me at stampindonnadewitt@gmail.com to order your set!

Postage

Ugh, the flu certainly has taken a toll on my family, everybody has been sick, me being the last. Let me tell you that if you have not had it, you should be very thankful!! It really knocked me on my butt. I've been sick for over a week and a half and still do not feel 100%.

During the time of not doing anything, literally, I had the opportunity to surf the web and discovered several wonderful sites and some very beautiful cards and info. I'm going to list info from Gail Beezley's site today on postage.

How do you determine how much postage you need? I especially love the fru fru cards with lots of layers and embellishments and know it costs more to mail them, but how much? Gail did an excellent job providing details, thanks Gail!

Here is her post:

January 30, 2013 – Gail Beezley
How Much to Mail a Hand-stamped Card Now?

(This is a repost of one from last year - with this year's numbers)
So, what does it take to mail a stamped card? Especially if the card isn't totally flat (because you know how much we love our embellishments!) And what size is legal? There are so many questions about postage, I thought I would share some answers with you today.

First, how much? A first class letter costs $.46 to mail (or a Forever stamp). That price is for an envelope that is no heavier than 1 ounce, is between 3-1/2" x 6-1/8" high, is between 5" and 11-1/2" long, is less than 1/4" thick, and has uniform thickness. Oh, and the envelope has to be "machinable", meaning the envelope can go through the sorting machines. Clear cellophane envelopes are not considered "machinable". A second ounce will cost you $.20 more. I finally found a use for that Weight Watcher scale; dig yours out and start weighing your cards! Add another $.20 for non-machinable, rigid, square cards, and "lumpy" envelopes.

By the way, those "lumpy" envelopes still need to be no thicker than 1/4". If they are between 1/4" and 3/4", they are considered "large" envelopes and the postage is more. Large envelopes are 6-1/8" to 12" high, 11-1/2" to 15" long, and no more than 3/4" thick. Large envelopes that are rigid, lumpy, etc, will have to be mailed as packages. Which of course, costs more. Large envelopes cost $.92 for the first ounce and $.20 for each additional ounce.
Wow, that seems like a lot of rules! And there are actually more. For actual prices, guidelines, etc, visit the US Post Office website at https://www.usps.com/

This is what I do:
1. Put the card in an envelope and address it. If there is anything sticking out (brad, bow, etc), I put a piece of packing tape over the lump so the envelope won't rip.
2. Weigh the envelope.
3. Go to the Post Office website and enter the appropriate information ("from" zip code, "to" zip code, weight and what I think it is (envelope, large envelope, or package).
4. Calculate what stamps I will need. If it is a package and more than a dollar or so, I will go to a website that I found that tells me how many of which stamps I need. When you go to the site the first time, you tell it which denominations of stamps you have and then it remembers that information for the next time. Very cool.
5. Hope I figured right! Most of the time, I put $.66 on my cards. They are almost always lumpy or a little heavy... sometimes both. Please let me know if you get a card from me and have to pay extra postage - I would feel bad!

I keep track of my postage (I buy my postage online at that same Post Office website) in a book using 6 sheets of Designer Paper and my Rubicoil machine. Each pocket holds different demoninations. Here are a couple of the pages:

If this is too much to keep track of, you can do what some of my friends do: Use 1 stamp for a flat envelope or 2 stamps for a lumpy one. Who knows? It might work!

I still think that mailing letters is a bargain. Less than a dollar to give the most perfect gift: a hand-stamped card from your heart. I can't tell you how many times someone has told me how much their day was lifted when they opened the mailbox and received a card.

How much to mail a hand-stamped card? Probably $.66. Value? Priceless!
What does it mean for you to receive a hand-stamped card? Leave a comment and tell me!

Double Hearts Easel

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, a day devoted to love... I hope you have a fabulous day! My card is what I made for my dear husband. I wanted something a bit different and thought this would be just perfect. I'm also entering it in the Pals Paper Arts Challenge. Luckily I used all the colors of the challenge in my card, so I did not have to create a different card for the challenge.

The February challenge is a Color Challenge; Primrose Petals, Pool Party, and Real Red. Check out their site here

I used stamp sets; Cross My Heart, My Little Valentine, and Mixed Medley. Paper requirements include Real Red, Pool Party, Primrose Petals (More Amore) and I added a bit of Glitter paper. And, of course, what would Valentine's Day be without using Real Red ink?

I wish you a very happy Valentine's Day!

Donna


Hearts

Well, here it is, almost Valentine's Day and I haven't posted many heart cards....what is wrong with me? I have to post one today and one tomorrow! This card was tedious for me because I used a dauber to color the embossed edge around the border. Yea, it took some time and I could have done it differently, but I didn't. I'm pleased with the results...what do you think? The stamps are from the You Are Loved set and the Mixed Medley set. I also used the Hearts Framelits dies and scallop and circle punch. Whisper White paper and Real Red ink were also used.


Be sure to check back tomorrow for another Valentine card!

Thanks for stopping by!
Donna

All Dressed Up

Wow, I can hardly believe it has been so long since I last posted. Somehow life gets in the way... Today's card is using the new Dress Form Pop 'n Cuts items from the Spring catalog. Check them out on page 32! I also used items from the Artisan Embellishments Kit on page 10. Love that kit, it has so many fabulous items. The designer paper on the front is from the Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack on page 16. I'm so happy that Stampin' Up brought us this new paper stack...hopefully they will bring more of these!

I designed this card for my dear Aunt's birthday. She is an excellent seamstress and this could not have been more perfect. Dearly love her! Hope her birthday was as special as she is.



Now for a look at the inside...


Hope you've enjoyed my card! Stop back soon as I have a whole lot of items ready for posting...

One last thing I have to mention, I 'met' a wonderful fellow stamper from a card swap we both recently participated in over at Stamp With Brian . I received a BEAUTIFUL card from Cheryl Hamilton who lives in Hawaii. Check out her blog, Create with Cheryl . She does beautiful work. Thanks, Brian for connecting me with Cheryl!

That's it for today. Hope you find time for stampin'!

Donna

By the Tide Birthday


I had so much fun with the By The Tide stamps that I created a second card using them. This one I have submitted to the Pals Paper Arts challenge. Check out their site here. Their design for this challenge is below... it's a nice template, isn't it?


Now, here is my card... did I follow the design template?



Recipe:
Stamps: By The Tide, Wishes Your Way
Paper: Gumball Green, Very Vanilla, Print Poetry DSP
Ink: Soft Suede, Gumball Green, Island Indigo
Accessories: Window Frame Framelits, Sycamore Street 1/4" Island Indigo Ribbon, Paper Piercing template, dimensionals, Big Shot, colored pencil

#1 Fishin' Happy Birthday

Brrr, it sure is cold here in Western Maryland! Today has been the coldest day on record since last winter and tomorrow is supposed to be just the same. This morning when I got up it was two degrees! Brrr..... I am definitely ready for spring to roll on in. Springtime brings fishing to our household. My dear husband is an avid bass fisherman and I know he is counting the days until he can pull the boat out of the garage and head for the lake!

My favorite thing to do is play with wonderful paper and rubber stamps and his favorite thing is to fish! We are a perfect match...he goes to a lake to fish and I stay home and create cards. How much more perfect can it get?

Today is his birthday so I had to make him a card with fish, and the new By The Tide stamp set is just perfect! Combined with the new Cloudy Day embossing folder and the Oh, Wave jumbo wheel, I had the making for a fabulous card. Oh, I couldn't forget to put a big sun in the sky, and the Ciao Baby stamp set provided the perfect stamp for a sun. It is the #1 stamp and when used with Daffodil Delight ink, it quickly becomes the perfect addition to the sky. And, it tells my husband he is #1 to me. The card would not be complete without a Happy Birthday sentiment and I thought the new Cross My Heart birthday stamp was just perfect.

All the items used to create this fishy card is in the new Spring mini catalog. Check out the link on the right side of this page to view the entire catalog. Stampin' Up has, once again, outdone themselves with fabulous new products. If you don't have a demonstrator, I would be happy to have you join my team!

Speaking of outdoing themselves, today starts the Sale-a-Bration promotion. For every $50 you spend (before shipping and taxes) you get a free stamp set from the Sale-a-Bration flyer. Spend $100 and get two FREE items, how cool is that! Be sure to contact me for more details. I would love to be your demonstrator!

Oh, now on to my card for today.... here it is.... #1 Fishin' Happy Birthday....


Until next time, thanks for stopping by!
Donna

Always

Hello folks,
It has been a while since I last posted. Sadly, we had another death in our family, our dear Aunt Janet. She put up her best battle during her struggle with cancer but the time came when she couldn't fight any longer. At least we have the comfort of knowing she is laughing and giggling with other relatives and friends now. She was famous for her giggles.... She will be missed greatly by her family. Thus, the name of this posting....Always...we always have the beautiful memories we have shared. Below is a sneek peek of the card.




This card has a feminine flair and features two shades of pink, primrose pink and pink pirouette. On the large white layer I used the En Francais background stamp and pink pirouette ink to create a soft background. It is a bit difficult to see in the photo but is really pretty in person. I'm still trying to figure out the lighting and angles with my photos. Hopefully, I will get better at that! Next came primrose pink cut out using the Apothecary Accents Framelits, topped with a whisper white layer cut from the Labels Collection Framelits.

To provide a focal point I used the Affection Collection stamp set for the 'always' phrase and added the cute viney, crest looking image to the top and bottom. Finally, to add extra emphasis I paper pierced the two top layers using the handy paper piercing guides that coordinate with both framelit sets.


I'm eager to be busy in my craft room today making more cards to share with you. I'm always happy when I have a day off work and I can devote the entire day in 'my' room. Hope you are doing something that you enjoy today... until next time....

Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your visit and hope you leave a comment.

Take Care,
Donna


Whale You be Mine?

I am having SO much fun playing with the new stamps from the Stampin' Up! Spring mini catalog! I wish I could spend more time with all these wonderful stamps every day. Unfortunately, my full-time job gets in the way....

When I saw the Oh, Whale! stamp set I knew I had to have it. What would the stamp set be without the Oh, Wave! jumbo wheel? Had to have that, too! Then, there is the Happy Whale Clearlits Die, what's a girl to do without that? No fishing card would be complete without the Cloudy Day Textured Impressions embossing folder. Had to get them all. When used together they formed the perfect fishing valentine card!





I used Island Indigo cardstock as the base. Trimmed the next layer with Daffodil Delight followed by Whisper White with clouds in the sky and waves rolled on to bottom. The center design is Island Indigo topped with four lovely squares of Sunshine & Sprinkles designer series paper. Next is a Daffodil Delight circle that shows off the wonderful blue whale spouting hearts for all. I used the Modern Label punch to set the sentiment, Whale you be mine? And, last but not least, I just had to add some cute little fishes to the water. Aren't they just so cute? You can find them on the Happy Whale Clearlits die.

I hope you have enjoyed this Whale of a card as much as I enjoyed putting it together. I know a special little boy who loves to fish who will be receiving it for Valentine's Day.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will come back again and take a peek at another creation.

Donna


RECIPE

Stamps: Oh, Whale! #129129 wood and #129132 clear
Paper: Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP
Ink: Island Indigo, Real Red
Accessories: Happy Whale Clearlits Die, Cloudy Day embossing folder, Modern Label punch, Circle Punch, Big Shot, dimensionals


24-7 Kiss

I'm hoping you enjoyed this wonderful weekend. To be honest, mine was filled with so many non-craft activities that I thought I was not going to find time to create a card...and that would be no fun. But rest assured, I was able to squeeze in some time to work on cards for my upcoming class.

I found a color challenge over at Pals Paper Arts and thought I would play along since I rarely use the colors in the challenge; melon mambo, gray, and black.



Those colors work so well together but I just don't pick them up often enough. You should check out their site here.


Hope you've enjoyed my card and will let me know what you think. Thanks for visiting and check back soon!


My creation used the following Stampin' Up items:

Stamps: Petite Pairs, and Pretty Postage
Paper: Basic Black, Basic Gray, and Whisper White
Ink: Melon Mambo
Accessories: Melon Mambo Striped Organdy Ribbon, Pearls, Square Punch, Postage Stamp Punch, Dimensionals

Still working....

Yes, it is sad to say, but I am still working at figuring out all the functions I need to have before I can officially start posting my creations. Be patient...I really do have some great cards waiting for you to view, really I do. There is exciting news over at Stampin' Up today....the new Spring mini catalog is available!!! Oh my, it is SO full of new goodies, just wait until you see them all, you will be mesmerized by all the loveliness, just sayin'. Hopin' I'll get everything figured out very soon. Check back...

Happy New Year!

Wow, here we are at the first day of another year...where did 2012 go? I wish each of you the happiest year ever, may 2013 be good to you. I promised I would be back with exciting news and well, here it is. I am taking my Stampin' Up business to the next level with an active blog. I've decided to join the ranks of so many other talented demonstrators and share my creations with you. I will try my best to not allow my full-time job to get in the way of finding time to share my love of making cards. I gain so much satisfaction in creating something that brings a smile to somebody's face. I will strive to bring a smile to your face. I'm still working out some bugs and learning a couple new programs to make blogging an easier process, so it may take me a little while to get everything where I'd like it to be. I appreciate your patience as I start this new adventure. I'll be back very soon with more posts, I promise! I appreciate any feedback you would like to provide. Take Care, Donna