Wednesday, January 14, 2026

What is Your Unique Talent?

Hey Everybody,

Jeanette's challenge today was to make a card sharing your unique talent. You can find that here.
My unique talent is organization. I love to organize things here, there and everywhere. I even help my friends organize their things.
So, I made a file folder card using the retired SU envelope punch board.

Keywords: CAS874 file folder card

Stamps: Unity-Winter Blessings

Paper: white, real red, SU-Traditions of Christmas designer series paper

Ink: shaded spruce

Accessories: envelope punch board, Spotlight on Nature dies, Shaded Spruce Gold Edged Ribbon, Traditional Sparkling Sequins

Techniques: file folder card

I used Angie's tutorial found here.

I followed the tutorial and stamped my sentiment from a new favorite Unity stamp set called Winter Blessings. I wrapped the green ribbon around the front of the file folder. I added the circle on top of where the ribbon started and ended. I added bling to match the card. This will go on a patient dinner tray at a local hospital.

I forgot how much fun this card is to make.

Think about your special talent. What type of card would you make?

I was looking at the gallery for this challenge and found so many different talents people have. Some love to be funny and tell jokes, so one made a funny birthday card.

Another lady said she loves to make flower arrangements with only die cuts.

Another lady said she is great at making a mess when she makes cards. Still another said she likes to make people smile or laugh so she does punny cards. You know cards with puns.

So many different talents in these ladies.

This is why I love these challenges. The ladies that think of these challenges are amazing. I think that is a talent in itself.

This week continues to be busy. I have two more card making classes and will go to my son's house tomorrow to help out. Tim will pick up Mia Thursday and drop her at her house. Friday I will pick up Mia and bring her here for the day.

Saturday is a day off and I plan to sleep in and then make some cards in my new studio.

Thanks for stopping by. Celebrate your talents whether you make a card for it or not.

Blessings,

Sue

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

A Reverse Easel Calendar

Hey Everybody,

Here is the calendar we're making this week in class.

It is called a reverse easel card. I stamped and die cut the main image in night of navy. I added a border of lost lagoon at the top and bottom. Once the image was added to the white panel, I added it to the misty moonlight paper then to the base. I added the calendar to keep the easel open. This folds up into a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card, so it can be mailed.

The designer series paper I used is called True Blue Florals which is called a Product of the Month. When you purchase $75 worth of product you can add the product of the month for $5. The colors in this paper are night of navy and balmy blue.

Stamps: Friendly Foliage

Paper: white, misty moonlight, SU peaceful garden designer series paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: night of navy, lost lagoon, misty moonlight

Accessories: Friendly Foliage dies, calendar, SU Hues of Blues Flowers

Techniques: Reverse Easel Card, die cutting

Here is what the stamp set and dies look like.

Here is a video to show you how to make this type of card.

So there you have it, how to make a reverse easel card. I hope you give it a try. I really like this idea for my annual calendar. This will sit on my desk for the year.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Monday, January 12, 2026

Inspiration From Others

Hey Everybody,

Back again with a couple of challenges I did. Here's the first one. This is the featured stamper challenge. A person's gallery is chosen. You look through their gallery and make a card based on one you like in their gallery. Here is the card I chose from Lori's gallery.

Here's my card.

I loved the twig hair on this cutie pie. I changed the shapes used and the layout. I loved the blowing snow in her card so I added snow glitter to my card. I also used a few snowflakes instead of a lot. I wanted to leave room for my sentiment since my image was so large. Instead of Christmas colors, I used blues for Winter. This will go on a dinner tray for a patient at a local hospital.

Keywords: FS987 snowman winter

Stamps: Unity Stamps-Across the Miles, Unity Stamps-Winter Blessings

Paper: white, silver, SU-snowflakes

Ink: balmy blue, misty moonlight, memento tuxedo black

Accessories: Brutus Monroe-Fallen snow glitter glaze, Copic Markers, dauber

Techniques: coloring

Here's another card from Arlene's gallery this time, and she has a cute card I chose as my inspiration.

Arlene's card is called Sugar Sweet. I loved the sweets all around her mouse so I got out my House Mouse stamp surrounded by candy hearts. I colored him with Copic Markers then used a red Tombow marker to write on the conversation hearts. I stamped the greeting and used scissors to make it a banner. I added dimensionals to the back of the banner. My card is different colors, it is a different stamp and my card is horizontal instead of vertical. We both have a mouse surrounded by sweets. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: FS988 Valentine House Mouse

Stamps: House Mouse-Candy Hearts

Paper: white, bubble bath, real red, SU Iconic Celebrations designer series paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: Memento tuxedo black, real red

Accessories: Copic Markers, red Tombow marker, scissors, dimensional

Techniques: Coloring

I was thinking today that if there are times when you want to make a card and you don't know what you want to do, just start looking a places where you'll see cards. You could look on Pinterest, and even any of our catalogs for ideas.

You can get inspiration from the layout, the stamped images, or even the colors you see on the card. It's a stepping off point to get you started. Sometimes that's all you need, is a place to start.

Well, I hope these cards have given you some idea of things you can do. Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

Sue

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Fun Cards-Oh Yea!

Hey Everybody,

Today brings a few 'fun' cards for me. These are cards I made with a friend today. Hi Jan!

The two giraffes are from a Unity Stamp called Spotted Snug Greetings. I thought this would be perfect for my hospital card ministry. It should bring a smile. I giggle each time I see this stamp. I think it's so cute.

The designer paper is from Unity Stamps. When you order, they send something free to you. I got some designer paper which seemed perfect for this stamp set. I also added retired Stampin' Up snowflakes behind the giraffe.

Do you have things that your have a few of, that you keep storing? I have these snowflakes and decided to put them in with my winter designer paper and images. That way I have a better chance of using them. If they are filed somewhere else, I typically don't go looking for snowflakes because I might not remember I have them! LOL

So, putting them in with things I know I'll pull out to use each winter season, gets them used and hopefully used up and gone!

This card was made with two different coloring mediums. I used Copic markers on the giraffe and watercolor cream crayons for the hat. It was fun working with a different coloring medium. I'm trying to use up my snowflakes so I put them with this snowflake designer paper. This paper is called Frozen and has lots of different combinations of snowflake papers.

This cutie pie is also from Unity Stamps called, A Little Ruffled. Between the image and some of the sentiments again I thought it would be great for my hospital card ministry. They've asked for cards that aren't Get Well, because some people won't get well but still need an encouraging card or a card to make them smile.

I used Copic Markers to color the image. I cut out the paper with Spotlight on Nature circle dies. I used a dauber around the edge of the image circle. I also used lemon lolly and calypso coral inks direct to paper on the coffee cup background. This is a Tim Holtz embossing folder called, Coffee Cups.

I am trying to use up retired designer series paper so I grabbed A Little Latte from Stampin' Up.

This afghan is one I just finished and will go to a local nursing home to be used as a lap afghan. On this afghan I used The Moss Stitch. It's such an easy pattern for someone whether you are a beginner or experienced with crocheting. You crochet your chain stitches first then single crochet in the second stitch from your hook, chain stitch, skip the next stitch and single crochet, chain one and skip one.

Well, I need to stop for now and get paper cut for the last card that we'll be making in classes next week.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Blessings,

Sue

Friday, January 9, 2026

How to Make an Accordion Card

Hey Everybody,

Today I have a video that will show you how to make an accordion card. We will be making this card this week in classes.

In this video I'll show you how to make a simple accordion fold card. Supplies: blackberry bliss card base 4 1/4" x 11" score at 5 1/2" white 2 1/4" x 4" (inside) white 1" x 4" (inside sentiment) white-small heart punch used for sentiment outside real red scallop heart punch Adhesive backed hearts Cute as a Bug designer series paper 4" x 12" Cut 2" off and use it for the front behind the heart. red ribbon-bow Hearts of Love 3D embossing folder Stamps: Hope Love & Joy Sweet Jar Ink-real red and blackberry bliss

Here is a photo of the front of the card. In the video I put this card together without the designer series paper behind it.

Here is a photo of the inside of the card.

I have listed some of the supplies that I used in the video. I can't wait to do more cards with the Cute as a Bug designer series paper.

Cute as a Bug Designer Series Paper

Made With Love Designer paper

Splash of Sparkles Designer paper-This paper has silver holographic like paper on one side which is just gorgeous.

Hope Love & Joy stamp set-So many possibilities with this set.

Sweet Jar stamps

Hearts of Love 3D embossing folder-Not just for Valentine's Day.

Well, there you have it. A video to show you how to make this card and some of the supplies I used to make the cards.

Take care and thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Thursday, January 8, 2026

The Simple Woman's Daybook for Thursday January 8, 2026

Hey Everybody,

For Today, Thursday January 8, 2026

Looking out my window-It's now dark outside. It's been a dreary, drizzly day. Inside however, it's been a fun day with Mia. I picked her up this morning and brought her here. She hasn't been here for a few weeks so things were different enough that it wasn't the same old, same old thing.

I am thinking it will be good to sleep in tomorrow and get some of my things done for next week.

I am thankful that I can have time alone with Mia. Yesterday we went to her local library so she could play with their toys. While there a little girl about 4 came by and said hi and asked Mia is she wanted to play with her.

I've never seen Mia play with other kids and it brought tears to my eyes. She shared blocks with her new friend, she took turns and they both made up games to play that the other one wanted to play.

I really wanted to video it so her parents could see it, but I didn't want to video someone else's child. If I would have moved to just see Mia it would have been very obvious what I was doing and she'd probably stop playing.

I've only seen Mia playing here alone or with me. When we play together she likes to run the show. She is learning to compromise with ideas and playing. She'll say we'll do my idea first, then your idea Grandma.

One of my favorite things is now my new studio. I will be able to teach my classes here next week. Woohoo! Right now I'm working with the new set up and making adjustments as I go along. I will do a tour of my studio sometime when I get things settled.

I am creating a new afghan which will be donated to a local nursing home. I finished an afghan for Silas which is very soft. I used the Moss stitch to make it.

I am wearing a purple turtle neck sweater, jeans, fuzzy blue socks and shoes. I am also wearing a really fun necklace I got for Christmas. This necklace has a picture of Mia inside. You can also project the picture if you want. I haven't done that but I love that my Mia is with me.

I am reading The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury. Karen Kingsbury is one of my favorite Christian authors so I can't wait to start reading this book. My husband just brought it home from the library.

I am learning that helping my son and daughter-in-law is a wonderful feeling and tiring at the same time. It's a 35 minute drive there and the same amount of time coming home. I don't mind that because it feels good to help and who doesn't want to be near their grandkids?

I've spent three days in a row helping them. Now I have time off to finish cutting paper for my classes next week.

One thing I saw at Christmas was I'd rather spend time with my kids and grandkids than have gifts. I want the gift of time with them. My son realized that and last year took me to a basketball game for my birthday. It was our 'G' league team here in town and was a lot of fun plus it was time with him!

In my kitchen, this morning Mia and I made mini buckwheat pancakes. She loves to bake or cook. She is getting pretty good at measuring things. She uses a big tablespoon to measure the pancake mix. She learned how to measure baking powder and how to scrape the spoon under the lip of the container to get an even teaspoon. She's learning to count.

I think she was having too much fun because she wanted to keep going with adding more amounts than were needed for our pancakes. She cracks the eggs but doesn't like the goo on her fingers! LOL (Not many bakers do like goo on their fingers.)

I made mini pancakes for Mia to eat and some to take home. Sometimes it's fun to have something different than the usual fare at home, especially if you've made it.

In the school room Mia and I were rolling marbles over dots that had letters from her name and shapes on them. They were in the lid of a box. She would tell me or point to the sticker my marble had to roll over. Then we'd switch. She can recognize her name and can spell it. It's amazing to listen to what she's learning in preschool. She's 3 and telling me the name of some letters and their sounds.

In my garden the snow is gone and I can see the green of the strawberry plants and the brown of the rest of the garden which is asleep for the winter.

Today I saw a blue jay, a robin and a new bird at our feeder. I'll have to get a picture an look up what type of bird it is. It's just beautiful.

Shared Quote-This isn't a quote but I came across this mug and thought it was funny.

A moment from my day-This is one of Mia and my favorite books right now. I love the story and the fun and funny illustrations. I'll be reading this story to her class at the end of the month. You're supposed to bring a special book to share with the class. This is one where I stop at different parts and Mia fills in the words and does it dramatically!

Closing Thoughts-There's nothing like a blessed gift from Heaven. Thanking God for this little guy; Silas Timothy. He opened his eyes so I quickly got a picture of him. Usually he's sleeping.

I can't thank God enough for all of the blessings he allows. I know how lucky I am. I am truly blessed.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

New Stampin' Up Products! Happy Stampin' Up New Year!

Hey Everybody,

There is so much going on with Stampin' Up starting today. Check it out here.

January Specials; Bonus Days are here! Get rewards for your purchases

It’s time for one of our favorite promotions—BONUS DAYS!

Getting rewarded for the crafting supplies you buy is THE BEST!

When you shop between January 6 and February 2 and spend $50, you will earn a $5 coupon!
Make sure you save all your coupons because you can redeem them (and we mean ALL of them) between February 3 and 28. And don’t forget—each purchase earns you Stampin’ Rewards, so that’s even more bang for your buck!