Simple Woman's Daybook November 27, 2026

Hey Everybody, 

It's been a while since I did one of these so here goes.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook November 27, 2026

Outside My Window... It's a beautiful sunny day. The leaves are changing colors and rapidly falling to the grass. Soon someone will be complaining that they need to be raked and bagged.

I am thinking... all is quiet right now as sweet baby Si-guy is asleep in his crib. He turned 10 months yesterday. Where has that time gone? 


I am thankful for... Time to watch Si-guy while his sister is at school and mom is at work. It's a lot of work, but so rewarding and wonderful.

From the kitchen... Cinnamon coffee can be smelled. I've waited to make my coffee until Si-guy is down for his first nap. For sure I'll get a hot cup of coffee. LOL

I am wearing... A pink-striped blouse with jeans and tennis shoes. 

I am creating... a fun lap afghan. A friend sent me the pattern she was using and I loved it. So, I started to make one also. I've never made an afghan like this where you change colors each row, but you leave the ends long enough to tie with knots and make fringe.

I've linked the video for the lap blanket I'm making if you'd like to try it. This is one of the easiest afghans I've ever made.  You don't have to change colors each row if you don't want to. It is more eye-catching when you change every row, but it still makes a beautiful afghan.

I am going... to pull things together to make another video on a quilt-like card you make with 1/2" by 4" designer series paper strips.

I am reading... a fiction book about a boy who is struck by lightning and what life is like afterwards. It was a free download and sounded interesting. We'll see if I continue it. I'll give it a bit more time before I decide whether I'll stop reading it.

I am hoping... the coffee I ordered comes today. I found a great deal on two of my favorite coffees. It is a company that is near the Canadian/New York border. I ordered my coffee Oct. 14th. Yesterday I contacted customer support and they said it was out of stock. It was expected in the next couple of days. 

I opened my email this morning and saw an email that said my coffee would be delivered today!  WHAT???

Tim laughed and said, it arrived last night at their warehouse so they overnighted it to get it to me. LOL  In this day and age of computers, how do they go from telling me it's out of stock and 10 hours later it will be delivered?

...Just another wonder of the world.

I am hearing... Si-Guy making noises up in his crib. He didn't sleep very long. I still have 1/4 cup of coffee to drink.

Around the house... the cats are confused. They are not sure what the noisy thing is that's on the floor. They are leery to be anywhere near the family room where Si-Guy is playing.


One of my favorite things... is sitting in my studio creating cards for a local hospital and nursing home. I get my ideas from challenges on Splitcoaststampers.


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I'm going to head to Hobby Lobby to pick up some yarn while it's on sale. It goes on sale every other week. I need two skeins of yarn to finish another lap afghan I'm working on.

 I'll probably watch Si-guy Thursday. I never know until Thursday morning. Her mom watches Si-guy on Thursdays but sometimes is unable to do that because of medical issues her husband has.  

 

Thanks for stopping by to check out some of my thoughts.  Bless you,

Sue

 

Two Backgrounds Using Stencils

 Hey Everybody,

Our challenge was to make a leafy background. I used my stencil, inks and blending brushes to create my background. The stencil was from  Frantic Stamper called, Tropical Leaves. Then I used my SU pumpkin stencils to make the pumpkins and fussy cut them to add to my card. I added a strip of designer paper with burlap ribbon to give it texture. The burlap ribbon is retired. I added the pumpkins with dimensionals as well as the sentiment which was stamped and cut out. The sentiment is from Gerda Steiner a set called Pumpkin Bear.

Just a side note about Gerda Steiner stamps. Gerda Steiner has decided she will no longer design and create stamps. I don't know if she'll have a going out of business sale or what she'll do. It's sad to think of such a creative and well known company will no longer exist.

I've loved her cute animal stamps for many years.

I'm not sure what she'll be doing. I was hoping maybe she'd create digital images and sell them. Time will tell. I know I won't be alone when I say, Gerda Steiner stamps will be greatly missed.

Keywords: FF26MissBoo

Stamps: Gerda Steiner-Pumpkin Bear

Paper: white, pumpkin pie, retired SU dsp

Ink: mossy meadow, pear pizzazz, granny apple green, golden glow, pineapple punch, peach pie, poppy parade

Accessories: Frantic Stamper-Tropical Leaves Stencil, SU-Burlap ribbon, scissors, blending brushes, SU-Pumpkin Stencils

Techniques: stenciling, ink blending, fussy cutting

Here is a second card that I made using a stencil for a background. The stencil is from Gina K called, Winter Bliss. I think this is one that I got from a friend who had duplicates or she knew she'd never use it.

Our challenge was to make a blue and white Christmas card. I used azure afternoon and night of navy inks with blending brushes to color in the snowflake stencil. I stamped then colored the snowman and friend with Copic Markers. The stamped image is from Unity Stamps called, Snowbody's Normal.  Isn't this stamp set from Unity so stinkin' cute? I cut an outline of azure afternoon paper around the image and sentiment. Both the sentiment and image were added to the card with dimensionals.

Keywords: FF26annsforte3B

Stamps: Unity Stamps-Snowbody's Normal, Recollections-Christmas trio

Paper: white, azure afternoon

Ink: azure afternoon, night of navy

Accessories: Gina K-Winter Bliss stencil, blending brushes, dimensionals, blue glitter dots, Copic Markers, SU-rounded rectangle punch

Techniques: stenciling, ink blending, coloring

It was good to get back to stenciling a background instead of using designer series paper all of the time. This reminded me that I need to look more often into my stencils to see what I have and what I haven't used in a while. The more I see the things I have, the more I remember them and the better my cards can be. 

When you remember what you have, you pair things together to make your cards better or different than you have in the past.

I should make a point to use stencils at least once a week on projects. We'll see how that goes. LOL

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Two Sketch Challenge Cards

 Hey Everybody,

Our challenge was to make a card using the very first sketch challenge from Splitcoaststampers.

Here is a picture of the sketch. They provide a picture of the sketch then a card done using that sketch.

You can see how long ago this was, we were using eyelets in cards. I checked to see when the sketch challenge posts began. I found 2005.

Here's my card.

I put an adhesive sheet on poppy parade cardstock. Then I die cut the cardstock with the letters. I added white cardstock behind each letter and layered the red onto the green tag layer. I cut the rectangles into tags then punched a hole in the end of each. I added white ribbon into each tag. I dry embossed the stripes onto the misty moonlight card base. I dry embossed the tags with the Softly Woven 3D embossing folder because they looked too plain to me. I used dimensionals to add the tags to the card base. Lastly, I added the Christmas Epoxy Shapes to the card. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: FF26vikkijoB SC01

Stamps: n/a

Paper: white, poppy parade, misty moonlight, SU-All Wrapped Up designer series paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: n/a

Accessories: SU-Alphabet Ala mode dies, scissors, Christmas Epoxy Shapes, white ribbon, Stylish Stripes embossing folder, Softly Woven 3D embossing folder, paper punch, adhesive sheets

Techniques: die cutting, tag making

We had another challenge where we could pick our own sketch then make a card. I chose sketch challenge 126. We needed a sketch with different shapes so I chose this one with a square and two rectangles.

 I stamped the image from Unity Stamps called, Holiday Hide & Peek with Memento tuxedo black ink.   Then I colored it with Copic Markers. I added old olive cardstock behind it. I used the colors in the designer paper for his scarf and hat. I cut real red and secret sea cardstock out then dry embossed with the Stampin' Up! plaid embossing folder. I added the cardstock onto the designer series paper then added the image panel and sentiment with dimensionals. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: FF26morgainegeiser

Stamps: Unity Stamps-Holiday Hide & Peek

Paper: white, secret sea, old olive, real red, Traditions of Christmas designer series paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black, secret sea

Accessories: SU-Forever Plaid 3D embossing folder, Copic Markers, dimensionals, word window punch

Techniques: dry embossing, coloring, sketch challenge

Well there you have it. Two sketch challenges that are very different. Maybe you'll give one of them a try.

If you'd like to see what other sketches you might use, check out this link.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Shaving Cream Sparkle Technique

 Hey Everybody,

Challenge:My challenge for all of you is to make a sparkly background (whether it's a night sky or something else), that celebrates that same beauty.

 You can do this one of two ways:

1- Follow the Shaving Cream Sparkle tutorial here at SCS that Kim Jolley originally brought us for Falliday Fest 2017.

2- If you DON'T have embossing powder (or don't want to use it): I bring you Lori Craig's genius solution (circa 2018 Falliday Fest): Deco Foil! (see post #5 there)... no heat gun or fancy machine required!

I followed the technique to make my card using night of navy ink mixed with shaving cream on watercolor paper. Then I used versamark and silver embossing powder to make the sparkle in the sky. I stamped and fussy cut the image and added it with dimensionals. This is one of my favorite old-time stamps.

Keywords: FF26DancesWithHooves

Stamps: High Hopes-Sweet Savior, Stampin' Up!-Gorgeous Grunge

Paper: white, night of navy, watercolor paper

Ink: night of navy, versamark, Memento tuxedo black

Accessories: Copic Markers, silver embossing powder, 1" circle punch, dimensionals, scissors, shaving cream, heat tool

Techniques: shaving cream sparkle technique

I'm adding the video for this technique so you can give it a try.

Here are some samples from the gallery for this challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you stop by again soon.

Blessings,

Sue

A Fun Die and Stencils

 Hey Everyone,

I'm back again with more cards from the Falliday challenges on Splitcoast.

Challenge: Time to make an Autumn Collage with the items of your choosing!

No need to use a special die for your layout, though there are wonderful collage-specific dies out there that you are welcome to use. Arrange a combination of squares and rectangles in various sizes onto your background and place your Autumn related items inside these shapes. This can be done with a paper trimmer or even punches, if using paper to make your squares and rectangles. The space you leave between shapes will automatically create frames around them and along the outer edges, allowing the background to show through. This can work for card layouts, scrapbook pages, tags, journals, etc.

I cut out the postage collage die and added different elements into the rectangles. I used Fall rub-ons, die cuts, designer paper and stenciling. I stamped my sentiment and added it over the top of designer paper. I added ink to the die cuts and layered them. Then I added gold stickles to the flower center. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

The die set comes with a frame with squares and rectangles. It also comes with different shaped dies you can use.

You can also add a stencil kit to these to make some amazing cards.

This set of stencils makes this type of card.  One great thing Waffle Flower does is they show you the colors they used to make these.

 

What I did was cut out my paper with the die and used my own items to fill the squares and rectangles.

Here is a card I made using those stencils. I didn't use the post card stamps on my card. It's fun to cut out a few of these with white cardstock and use them vertically or horizontally as well as with the stencils or without the stencils.

There are so many different sets of stencils that can go in these frames. What I found worked best because you are using many different colors of ink was, sponge daubers or very small blending brushes.

You can also cut them apart and use them.

There are so many creative things you can do with these sets. I've only scratched the surface with the way I've used them.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

October Class Follow-Up and November Class Schedule

 

 2026 Class Follow-Up

Hey Everybody,

Thank you once again for another fun-filled and learning-filled week of classes.

I love spending time with you and learning from your experiences. You are such a creative bunch of friends.

Blessings,

Sue

 Stampin’ Up now has a blog full of great information and ideas. Here is the link.

 

Products Discussed In Some Classes:

 Phone holder which we used to hold ink pads when we inked up our blending brushes. Sue has ordered some for those who had an interest.

ink eraser/sand eraser -used to erase ink on cardstock

New or Revisited Ideas:

You can emboss with your stencils. Directions are in the Pumpkin Masks video.

clear plate-top

stencil

paper

silicone craft sheet

clear plate

#2 thin white cutting plate for die cutting

Thick white base-bottom

 

We have opportunities to donate cards to three different facilities

Stamping Opportunities:

●     1. Southwest General Hospital -Cards are placed on meal trays. 

 Types of Cards Needed: You're in my thoughts, I've been thinking about you, I'm sending you positive thoughts, Thinking of You, Hang in there. 

They still can use Baby and Holiday cards.

(No envelope is needed. Stamp something on the inside please.)

 

2. Broadview Multi-Care Facility- Cards for residents and staff to use.

(Envelopes needed and stamp something on the inside please.)

Birthday for adults and kids, Get Well, Sympathy, Thinking of you, Holiday

3.  Hillcrest Hospital Cancer Floor

Encouragement, Birthday and Sympathy   envelopes needed cards blank inside

Thanks so much for your continued support of these ministries.

             Thank you to those who made cards this month. They are so grateful to you for sharing your talents and love with them. 

 

Card 1  Gatefold Double-Flap Card: Video-Sue Craig

                                                                         embossed stencil colored with blending brush

 
stenciling on designer series paper

Here's a video to show you what each stencil looks like and how to emboss with your stencils.

Painted Pumpkins Masks Video-This shows you what each stencil looks like with ink and shows you how to emboss with a stencil.

Stamps-Painted Pumpkins

Paper –card base crisp cantaloupe 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" score at 2 1/8" at each end

white 2 pieces 4" x 5 1/4"

Luxe Foliage designer series paper 4" x 5 1/4",  3/4" x 4" inside

white for image 3 1/4" x 3 1/2"

peaceful pine 3 1/2" x 3 3/4"

white 3/4" x 3 1/2" sentiment

peaceful pine 1" x 3 3/4"

Attach 4" x 5 1/4" designer paper to white 4" x 5 1/4" paper then cut it at 3 3/4" from the bottom.

Ink-Golden Glow

Crisp Cantaloupe

Pumpkin Pie

Peaceful Pine

Accessories-Painted Pumpkin Masks or Stencils

Blending brushes

orange dot embellishments

Softly woven 3D embossing folder-out of stock until December

Card 2  Pinecone Card- Video Sue Craig

 

Stamps-Frosted Pinecones  

Paper – Pecan Pie card base: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" score at 4 1/4"

peaceful pine- 4" x 5 1/4"

White-3 3/4" x 5"

white scrap for sentiment

Ink-peaceful pine

crumb cake

pecan pie

early espresso

Accessories-  6" mossy meadow gingham ribbon

natural matte dots

wink of stella

 

Card 3  Santa Hat Pull Apart Card-Sue Craig Video

   Stamps- Santa's Hat 

Paper – Card base blueberry bushel 4 1/4" x 9 1/2" On 9 1/2" side score at 1" and 2" from each end.

Designer Series Paper-All Wrapped Up   2 pieces 1 3/4" x 2" and 1 3/4" x 2 3/4"

Cardstock for behind designer paper- real red  2 pieces 2" x 2 1/4" and 2 pieces 2" x 3"

One 2 1/2" circle in real red

One white 3 3/4" x 5" for inside

One real red 4" x 5 1/4"

One 2" x 3" white cardstock to stamp hat 

Ink- Real Red

Peaceful Pine

Accessories-Wink of Stella

Mini Christmas Buttons

 

Card 4  Thinking of You Fun Fold-Sue Craig Video

 Stamps- Thinking of You

Paper – : Autumn Opulence designer series paper 2 1/2" x 5 1/4", 1 1/4" x 5 1/4" Use the same designer paper for these two pieces.

Different piece of designer paper 1 1/4" x 4"

White card base 5 1/2" x 7" score on the 7" side at 2 3/4"

white folding strip: 1 1/2" x 5 1/4"  score at 1"

white for inside 4" x 5 1/4"

2 3/4" x 4" blackberry bliss card stock for words die

2 3/4" x 4" white card stock for behind the words

 Ink-Blackberry Bliss

Accessories-Thinking of You die

Berry Burst ribbon 6"-8" 

adhesive sheet 2 3/4" x 4" 

Classes for November

Monday -Nov 9th at 10 - 1 spot available 

Wednesday -Nov 11th at 1   Filled

Thursday- Nov 12th at 10- 1 spot  

*Friday -November 20th at 7

* One week later