Suzanne's Stamping Garden

When was the last time you took inventory of your craft stuff? Are you like me and enjoy more than one craft?  We recently moved and downsized. This past month I've come to realize that if you name a craft--I've probably tried it and bet there is something I can contribute to your stash. One find was a stash of hardanger embroidery items that haven't been touched in a long time! Along with cross-stitch, quilting, beading, diamond painting, items for my 19-year-old's baby scrapbook (that hasn't been started), and of course, my first love, cardmaking. Visualize stuffing a bratwurst into a straw. That is what it is like consolidating it into my new craft room. It is coming along, but not as quickly as I had hoped. I LOVE that I am on the first floor with a couple of windows for natural light. I need to be creative on how this all gets stored. The beauty of this move is that it allows me to be brutal on what to save, what to store for a future project and what I can do...

The few Valentine cards made this year went out the door early last week, as did the Cupid Care Packages I shipped my two daughters. I was inspired by an envelope Angie Pyjas created. Using some retired designer series paper, this envelope holds three Ghirardelli chocolates. I have to say I wasn't thrilled with the colors for the January Paper Pumpkin. Peach, purple and pink. UGH. So I didn't make any of the Valentines as designed and created some alternatives. (at least this month didn't have the usual treat bags for Valentine's day!) Hopefully your Valentine's Day went well! Corey and I celebrated Taco Tuesday at Cafe Corazon. Very delicious! Happy Stamping! Suzanne

  Change can be hard, especially the older we get. But I'm loving the new change with the January - April Mini Catalog. The nicest change at Stampin' Up! is that the dies now are named to match the stamp set it goes with! Prior to this, the dies may have had a similar name but it didn't match 100% as it is now. For instance, I just finished a large project and class using Two Toned Flora stamp set, with the Two Toned Flora matching dies. Because there are no words with that stamp set, I also used the Something Fancy stamp set and matching Something Fancy dies. And the matching DSP (designer series paper) is called Fancy Flora. Another nice change is allowing us to choose between cling or photopolymer stamps with several stamp sets in the January through April Mini Catalog. In the above example on page 18 of the Mini, if you zoom in on the pricing information at the bottom, you will notice that there are two numbers for the stamp set - C for Cling and P for Photopolymer. You...

When I retired in July 2022, one goal I had was to work on the digital footprint for my business. I've discovered much about myself in the months since my retirement. The driven, early morning worker I was, is now a lazier, laid-back retiree! Crafting has always been my creative outlet. Crafting has also been a heavy influence in my life since I was in 4H as, a kid. Crocheting, sewing, quilting--any craft that struck my fancy. Lately though, my focus has been jewelry- and card-making. Occasionally I stray off and do something different, but for the most part, card-making is my main focus. Stay tuned for weekly (or more often) card creations for now, but more projects in the future where you will be able to create along with me. There are numerous plans stewing in my subconscious, but it all takes time to put into place. Please check the Events section of my Stampin' Up! website for upcoming classes in January and February. suzannestamps.stampinup.net So what are your New Year r...