It's good that Inspire Create Challenge #051 has such a great theme for us this week - sympathy - I so rarely have these on hand when I need them...
Today I started thinking about how much being in nature helps me when I'm troubled, something that's actually a little tough for me in the Arizona heat sometimes.  Our gorgeous new Nature's Beauty set is the perfect reminder of more temperate climates, and I can see this little deer looking at me saying "I'm here" plain as day.  A quick sentiment from Itty Bitty Greetings and I think I'm set - hope I don't have to use this one anytime soon, but I'm glad to have a spare on hand for a change.
Nature's Beauty & Itty Bitty Greetings Stamp Sets; Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Natural White & Whisper White CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake & Pear Pizzazz Inks; Gold Sequins; #ICC051.

Good times - SU Only #227 has a sketch challenge for us this week, to take off from a fun dinosaur card in our catty!  So cute!
This one made me think of using some pretty DSP for the horizontal bands, so I went DSP shopping, and returned once again to the gorgeous Woven Threads papers.  This had me bring in Woven Heirlooms, and I ended up with this simple but dramatic sympathy card - love this romantic font, perfect for sending some much needed love and prayers along.  I can't get enough of our new In Colors - can't wait for that last one to come my way - I'm getting impatient, lol.
Woven Heirlooms Stamp Set; Woven Threads DSP; Whisper White & Seaside Spray CS; Seaside Spray & Pretty Peacock Inks; Stitched Shapes Dies; Tin Tile EF; Pretty Peacock Faceted Dots; #SUO227.

Pumpkin Club July 27!
Did you get your July Pumpkin kit yet?  Let's set sail!!  Check out the video HERE!
I hope you can join us for our next Pumpkin Club, Saturday, June 29, 3 pm, chez Heroldt - RSVP to let me know you are coming! 
Club is free for my subscribers, and includes any extra supplies you might need, drinks and snacks!  I also have a few extra spots available for $10 even if you are not a subscriber - come see what we're up to - no kit needed!
Remember to subscribe here if you haven't already - sign up by August 10 and you can join us in time for next month!

So happy to see another beautiful combo from this week's In{k}spire Me #395 - such pretty colors!
After digging around a little, I finally realized I could cover a lot of colors in our new Woven Threads DSP - so out came the whole Woven Heirlooms suite.  So many fun accessories to play with this time in our newest In Colors!  I selected a pretty sheet of paper, then did a lovely sympathy sentiment on the one missing color, lol.  So serene, I think...
Woven Heirlooms Stamps; Woven Threads DSP; Whisper White, Crumb Cake & Petal Pink CS; Crumb Cake Ink; Stitched Shapes Dies; Scalloped Linen Ribbon in Rococo Rose; Rococo Rose Sequins; #IM395.

I'm seeing layers this week at our beautiful new sketch at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #409!  We're also teaming up with Double Trouble #29 this week and celebrating National Brown Bag It Day!  Awesome - bring on the brown bag!
I went with a Crumb Cake base to Double Trouble, and the brown made me think "nature," so I pulled out Peaceful Place.  I just got this set, once I realized it would be carrying over - I thought it would be fun to color!  I tried today with Blends markers, but I'm thinking aqua-painting or watercolor pencils would be even better!  I added this lovely sympathy sentiment, and a couple matching Faceted Dots.  I think this could definitely be my peaceful place!
So, what will YOU come up with?  I can't wait to see, over at the challenge!
Peaceful Place Stamp Set; Nature's Poem DSP; Crumb Cake, Whisper White & Petal Pink CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Granny Apple Green, Soft Sky (retired), Pool Party Soft Suede & Crumb Cake Blends; Stitched Shapes Dies; Faceted Dots in Petal Pink; #TSOT409; #DTPC029.

We have a great banded sketch for you this week at Fab Friday #155!
That nice horizontal got me thinking about our awesome long bench in the Sitting Pretty bundle, and I knew I needed to pull that one out and get some bulldog time!  I'm not sure why I always gravitate to the more muted colors for this one - I think I've used Soft Sea Foam every time for it, lol.  Anyway, I really wanted my dog, plant and birdie for the bench, and then I decided to use Well Said for my sentiment.  I figured the "here for you" thought went great with my little loyal pup, and I matched it with a "surrounded by love" phrase for the inside.  Such a great sentiment set!
I can't wait to see YOUR creations - see you at the challenge!
Sitting Pretty & Well Said Stamp Sets; Gray Granite, Soft Sea Foam, Crumb Cake & Whisper White CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Soft Suede, Pear Pizzazz & Crumb Cake Inks; Balmy Blue Blends Marker; Subtle DEF; Pretty Park Framelits; Faceted Dots; #FabFri155.

We have a sophisticated color challenge over at CAS-ual Friday #213 this week - shades of gold!
Today I started thinking about how amazing heat embossing looks against dark cardstock, so I decided to go for gold-on-black, and the thought of these gorgeous leaf images all picked out in gold was just too enticing.  So dramatic, I think!  I did a simple sentiment over it all and finished with a few gold pearls.  I think this could serve as a quiet sympathy card, too, now that I look at it.  I think I'll file it there.
Rooted in Nature Stamp Set; Whisper White & Basic Black CS; Memento Tuxedo Black & Versamark Inks; Gold EP; Stitched Shapes Framelits; Gold Pearls; #CFC213.

We have some cool harvest fields colors this week at Sunday Stamps #191!
Looking over the gorgeous Autumn field of the inspiration pic made me think immediately of the quiet Wishing You Well set.  This one seems to be another one of those in between sets, versatile enough to be used for different holidays, with just a change of colors.  I got this set because I LOVE the big wheat sheaf image - so delicate and shaded so beautifully as one of our Dist-INK-tive line - this really is a label to watch for as it gives so much layered detail in a single impression.   I kept this beauty as clean and simple as possible to really let that detail sing.
So, what do our harvest fields inspire for you?  I can't wait to see you at the challenge!
Wishing You Well Stamp Set; Whisper White & Gray Granite CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Pool Party, Gray Granite, Crumb Cake & So Saffron Inks; #SSC191.

Holiday Gifts & Packaging Class Nov 8 & 10!
We're keeping the jingle bells ringing with our 7th Annual Holiday Gifts & Packaging Class!  This is where you get all the last minute details squared away, for treat packaging, little gifts for hostesses, helpers and friends, and any other sparkle we can jam in there - I went a little crazy and we have 8 projects this year!!  It is always my pleasure to express my sincere appreciation for all of you at my most popular event of the year!  All supplies provided and prepped (bring your own snips and fave basic adhesive) plus special holiday treats and nog, of course!  This class is $25, or can be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  RSVP today to make sure I have a your spot reserved!   Class is announced for Thursday, Nov 8 at 630 pm, or Saturday, Nov 10, 3 pm - see you there!

Oh yes - you know it's an exciting day when I find another new blog to play at, lol - this week I'm checking out The Sisterhood of Crafters - they have a "blooming flowers" challenge going just now - sweet!  I'll be using this sketch from Case This Sketch #287 to help me along, too!
Of all my botanicals, I can't remember using Flourishing Phrases all that recently, and you know me, once I get an idea stuck in my head, lol...  I really wanted to see a big purple bloom today!  I kept it simple, and on a different neutral - I love bright colors against Crumb Cake!  I'm thinking this could be a cheery get well or sympathy card - such great sentiments in this set!
Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set; Brights DSP in Granny Apple Green; Crumb Cake, Whisper White & Gorgeous Grape CS; Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green & Early Espresso Inks; Flourish Thinlits; Basic Jewel Pearls; #TSOCBloominFlowers; #CTS287.

Ready for Fall Class Sep 13 & 15!
Time to start warming up for the cooler weather, and make some gorgeous Autumnal cards with our new harvest sets from the 2018 Holiday Catalog!  We have some beautiful suites to play with, and I'm pretty sure there will be a spooky treat in it for you, too!  We will make 5 cards, using all new products, celebrating the season and gratitude.  Class will include all supplies needed (bring your own snips and fave adhesive!) and will also include snacks, drinks and a special gift from me, all for $25!  This class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!   Classes are on for Thursday, Sep 13 at 630 pm, or Saturday, Sep 15 at 3 pm, chez Heroldt!  RSVP today to reserve your spot!

I happened by Less Is More #372 and noticed that they have a one-layer "thinking of you" challenge going - I'm going for it!  I need to get better at the whole process, lol.
So, it turned out this process went WAY easier than I thought it would, lol, once I realized that my fave "thinking of you" was part of the amazing Sheltering Tree set.  Now that's a set that makes one-layers a cinch!  All I needed to do was settle on my colors, and with my new faves Granny Apple Green and Mango Melody to help out, that didn't take long either, sigh.  I think this is what challenges me about one-layers - it's over too soon, lol.  Yay for me quitting while I was ahead, lol.
Sheltering Tree Stamp Set; Whisper White CS; Early Espresso, Granny Apple Green & Mango Melody Inks; #LIM372.

2018 New Catty Intro Class June 14 & 16!
Woo hoo!  It's new catalog time!  Come on out for an introduction to fun new products and colors, and new toys to boot!  This class will focus on 5 new suites of products from our just released 2018-19 Idea Book and Catalog, with all-occasion cards you will love!  Class includes all your supplies (bring your own snips and fave adhesive), plus snacks, drinks, and a special gift from me, all for $25!  This class can also be FREE with your purchase of $30 or more!  RSVP today to save your spot! Class is on for Thursday, June 14 at 630 pm, or Saturday, June 16 at 3 pm - let me know if you can make it, or need to make it up now that summer's here!

SO excited that this week's What Will You Stamp #168 challenge is Climbing Orchid - I have not been using it enough!
Today for the first time I decided to try the more "assembled" version of the orchids - we have all those awesome framelits for a reason, right??  Sometimes I make myself wonder, lol.  Anyway, I broke into my last full sheet of DSP from the Delightful Daisy pack for my background, and with all this green wash, I knew I had to add a purple, lol.  I did the two sizes of orchids you see in Berry Burst, with some Early Espresso details, and tossed on a few Glittered Enamel Dots, too.  I'm so pleased with it - my grandmother would have loved it!
Climbing Orchid Stamp Set; Delightful Daisy DSP; Whisper White, Early Espresso & Old Olive CS; Early Espresso, Berry Burst & Old Olive Inks; Orchid Builder Framelits; Glittered Enamel Dots in Berry Burst; #WWYS168.