We have some lovely layered elements at this week's Match the Sketch #215!  I'll be combining it with this gorgeous inspiration pic from Just Add Ink #395 - reminds me of cherry blossoms back East!
So cherry blossom reminders means we have to pull out my beloved Sheltering Tree, of course!  I put together my little "loving tree," and then I realized for the FIRST TIME in all the time I've had this set how perfect the "you warm my heart" sentiment is for Valentines.  Sheesh.  I swear, I are a SU! demo.  Really I am, lol.  And just like that, the hearts keep creeping in!  Shhh, don't tell anyone about my girlie streak going on, lol...
Sheltering Tree & Weather Together Stamp Sets; Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette & Flirty Flamingo CS; Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette & Flirty Flamingo Inks; Love Notes (retired) and Sweet & Sassy Framelits; #MTS215; #JAI395.

This week's stacked sketch from Match the Sketch #214 is just right to pair with Just Add Ink #394's "romance" theme!  And of course, I think TGIF #145 has our colors, too!
I started out with big plans for this card, but ended up keeping it pretty simple.  Definitely brought back my fave "hearty-heart" from PS I Love You, though!  We've had so many wonderful Valentine's sets over the years!  A little texture, a few enamel hearts, and I think we're all set!  Quick and cute!
PS. I Love Stamp Set (retired); Whisper White & Powder Pink CS; Powder Pink, Blushing Bride, Sweet Sugarplum & Memento Tuxedo Black Inks; Happy Heart EF (retired); Hearts Framelits (retired); Full Heart Punch (retired); Sweet Sugarplum, Blushing Bride & Pink Pirouette Enamel Shapes; #MTS214; #JAI394; TGIF145.

Just Add Color Class Feb 8 & 10!
So many color options these days in our Stampin' world, we need a whole class just to do them all!  This class will feature 5 all-occasion cards each featuring a different coloring product, so you can get a feel for new goodies that are right for you!  Brusho, Markers, Blends, Aqua-painting, Pencils - they are all coming your way, with fun new stamps to match!  This class is $25 and includes all your supplies (bring your own snips and adhesive) snacks and drinks, and a special gift from me!  This class can also be FREE with your purchase of $30 or more!  RSVP today to save your spot!  Class is on for Thursday, Feb 8, at 630 pm, or Saturday, Feb 10 at 3 pm, just let me know which you prefer!

I have two challenges this week that are focusing on a love theme, so I thought I'd do them up together!  First up is Stamp Ink Paper #135, and I'm combining with Retro Rubber #79, too!And guess what - let's toss in SU Only #193's hearts challenge, too - I bet I have hearts on a love card!
To really play up the Valentine's theme, I decided to go with last year's Sealed with Love - I even still have some of the gorgeous paper, Sending Love.  My fave feature of this set is the Love Notes Framelits that go with - so many options we could play with!  One idea I never played much with was the tiny little envelopes dies - there's a even a note insert for one of them!  So how about a card in a card?  With hearts?  And kisses?  Yeah, we can do that, lol...
Sealed with Love Stamp Set (retired-2017); Love Notes DSP (retired); Whisper White & Basic Black CS; Real Red Ink; Love Notes (retired), Layering Circles & Stitched Shapes Framelits; Gold Enamel Shapes; #SIP135; #RR79; #SUO193.

Just Add Color Class Feb 8 & 10!
So many color options these days in our Stampin' world, we need a whole class just to do them all!  This class will feature 5 all-occasion cards each featuring a different coloring product, so you can get a feel for new goodies that are right for you!  Brusho, Markers, Blends, Aqua-painting, Pencils - they are all coming your way, with fun new stamps to match!  This class is $25 and includes all your supplies (bring your own snips and adhesive) snacks and drinks, and a special gift from me!  This class can also be FREE with your purchase of $30 or more!  RSVP today to save your spot!  Class is on for Thursday, Feb 8, at 630 pm, or Saturday, Feb 10 at 3 pm, just let me know which you prefer!

I'm so excited that we are up for another fabulous day!  This week we have a lovely color challenge at Fab Friday #130, and I'll be using Try Stampin' on Tuesday #354 to get me going!
You guessed it - all this pink had me thinking of This Little Piggy - we're having pork today, lol!  I dug around and found some old DSP scraps from a previous stack, and I even had my fave sheet - polka dots with text on the back!  I had originally planned to color in my little guy here, but then I realized I could just stamp on Powder Pink and add some highlights, and then make him even cuter with a little fussy cutting!  I did decide to relocate my embellies from the sketch so the color difference would show more, but I think I can get away with that, lol.
So, I can't wait to see what you come up with - see you at the challenge!
This Little Piggy Stamp Set; Melon Mambo 2010-13 DSP Stack (retired); Whisper White & Powder Pink CS; Memento Tuxedo Black & Powder Pink Inks; Layering Circles Framelits; Sweet Sugarplum Enamel Shapes; #FabFri130; #TSOT354.

Just Add Color Class Feb 8 & 10!
So many color options these days in our Stampin' world, we need a whole class just to do them all!  This class will feature 5 all-occasion cards each featuring a different coloring product, so you can get a feel for new goodies that are right for you!  Brusho, Markers, Blends, Aqua-painting, Pencils - they are all coming your way, with fun new stamps to match!  This class is $25 and includes all your supplies (bring your own snips and adhesive) snacks and drinks, and a special gift from me!  This class can also be FREE with your purchase of $30 or more!  RSVP today to save your spot!  Class is on for Thursday, Feb 8, at 630 pm, or Saturday, Feb 10 at 3 pm, just let me know which you prefer!

Sunday Stamps #171 is back with a gorgeous color challenge for us!  I have this fun sketch from Global Design Project #122 to help me along as well!
So, I'm pretty sure I'm not famous for my use of pink, so this card was a real stretch for me, lol.  When I have color challenges like this, it always turns into the great DSP hunt to try and fill in my gaps!  Today, that turned out to not be such a big deal (especially since I did NOT get the perfect-for-this-challenge Sure Do Love You Suite, shh!)  Let's just say, with a  grumpy 18 year old on my hands these days, I REALLY miss grade school class treats, lol.  I had some fun today trying to stick with current papers, but reviving one of my fave hearts ever from SU! - from the PS I Love You set.  So sweet!
I can't wait to see YOUR creations over at the challenge - time to bask in pink glory!
Heartfelt Love Notes Paper Pumpkin & PS I Love You (retired) Stamp Sets; Myths & Magic Specialty & Tutti Frutti DSPs; Whisper White & Gold Foil CS; Berry Burst & Gold Encore Inks; Gold EP; Lots of Labels Framelits; Full Heart Punch (retired); Gold Metallic Thread; Melon Mambo Candy Dots (retired); #SSC171; #GDP122.

Paper Craft Crew #276 has a fun color challenge for us this week - let's give it a whirl with Freshly Made Sketch #320!
I'm always so excited when I see those magic word "any shape," lol, but in the end, I went pretty literal with this sketch.  Oops!  I have been fascinated with all the "in-laid" elements I have seen on cards lately, and I was itching to try it myself!  So, I stuck with the hearts here, but laid in some extra colors - fun!  I included some Rose Red tiny hearts in my background, but to my eyes, it doesn't look that different from the Real Red - another oops!  Straight-up Valentine for my honey - yay!
Banners for You & Weather Together Stamp Sets; Silver Glimmer, Whisper White, Real Red & Powder Pink CS; Real Red & Rose Red Inks; Sweet & Sassy Framelits; Basic Jewel Rhinestones; #PCC276; #FMS320.

Super fun theme from Paper Players #375 this week - punny Valentine's!  I think this simple sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday #352 (or 3?) can help me out!
I've been looking for a chance to use this punny phrase from the new Fruit Basket set - and I think the pears are my fave fruits in there, too!  I tried out the wire basket today - love being able to just stamp over the fruit to make it look contained.  Of course, I had to go a little punch happy and put pears everywhere, but hey, they're really good for you anyway, lol!
Fruit Basket Stamp Set; Tutti-Frutti DSP; Whisper White, Lemon Lime Twist & Daffodil Delight CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Lemon Lime Twist, Daffodil Delight & Soft Suede Inks; Itty Bitty Pear Punch; Polka Dot Basics EF; Stitched Shapes Framelits; #PP375; #TSOT353.

Birthday Cards 2018 Class Jan 13!
Time to kick off the year right with five new birthday cards ready to go, all from our gorgeous new 2018 Occasions Catalog!  This is a fun way to get a little taste of lots of new items, and get your card tickler stocked at the same time!  Class costs $25, and includes all your supplies and envelopes (bring your own snips and adhesive), snacks, drinks, and a special gift from me!  This class can also be FREE with your purchase of $30 or more!  Class is still on for Saturday, January 13 at 3 pm - RSVP today to hold your spot!

OK, sketch junkie that I am, I have found a new-to-me sketch challenge that posts on Saturdays (anyone else missing Retro Sketches, too??) So excited to play for the first time at Sketch Saturday #450!  Woo!  And no more Saturday gap - whew!
I decided to squeeze in one more Valentine's card - this one is for my dear friend Laura, who also turns 94 on Friday!  She's a Valentine's baby, lol.  Knowing her has been such a gift and joy to my life - I'm so grateful for her!  We can't manage grocery shopping anymore, but I still visit - and our chats are still filled with shared laughter!  She truly does "light up my life," and I'm so glad to tell her so!
Jar of Love Stamp Set; Sending Love DSP; Whisper White, Basic Black & Real Red CS; Memento Tuxedo Black & Real Red Inks; Clear Wink of Stella; Everyday Jars Framelits; #SS450.

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One of my FAVE sketch styles is featured at Case the Sketch #207 - a scatter of shapes and sizes across an open field - fun!  I think this dapper color challenge from TGIF #93 will fit in just right, too!  And at the last second, I decided to also drop in this week's Paper Players #330 Valentines challenge, just 'cause I could, lol.
I went hunting for shapes while trying to keep the colors in mind - that was tougher than I though it would be.  Then I hit on my new man-fave (so to speak, ahem) Nailed It.  Today all the little tools are happy, because we're in LO-ove, lol.  This is definitely my card this year for hubby!  I've been smiling all morning thinking about our first dates.  Giggle.
Nailed It Stamp Set; Smoky Slate, Real Red & Whisper White CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Smoky Slate & Real Red Ink; Owl Builder Punch; #CTS207; #TGIF93; #PP330.

Lift Me Up Class Feb 9 & 11!
Up, up and away!  This month's class is all about the gorgeous "Lift Me Up" suite from our 2017 Occasions catalog.  Class will feature all-occasion cards and a 3-D item, in all colors and styles!  We'll even be learning a new technique!  $25 covers all your supplies (bring your own snips and adhesive!), plus drinks and snacks, and a special treat from me!  Class could also be FREE with an order of $30 or more!  RSVP now to reserve your spot! Class is Thursday, February 9 at 630 pm, and repeats on Saturday, February 11, at 330 pm

Aw, check out this sa-WEET sketch at this week's Try Stampin' on Tuesday #307!  And I have to say, I think these yummy colors from Color Throwdown #428 are just right for it!
I couldn't help but think that these colors reminded me of cupcakes, yum!  So out came Sweet Cupcake - I worked hard to get one that I didn't drool on for you, lol.  Only took two tries today!  I pulled out some retired DSP scrap to go with it as well - such a tasty combo!  This might have to be my hubby's Valentine...
Sweet Cupcake Stamp Set; Real Red & Chocolate Chip 2010-13 DSP Scrap (retired); Whisper White, Chocolate Chip & Real Red CS; Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette & Real Red Inks; Cupcake Cutouts Framelits; Real Red Enamel Shape; Pink Pirouette Candy Dots (retired); #TSOT307; #CTD428.

Lift Me Up Class Feb 9 & 11!
Up, up and away!  This month's class is all about the gorgeous "Lift Me Up" suite from our 2017 Occasions catalog.  Class will feature all-occasion cards and a 3-D item, in all colors and styles!  We'll even be learning a new technique!  $25 covers all your supplies (bring your own snips and adhesive!), plus drinks and snacks, and a special treat from me!  Class could also be FREE with an order of $30 or more!  RSVP now to reserve your spot! Class is Thursday, February 9 at 630 pm, and repeats on Saturday, February 11, at 330 pm