Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Simply Inspired Blog Hop--Exclusive Hostess Stamp Sets



It's time for another blog hop! You should have arrived here from my wonderful friend, Diana Veenendaal's blog. If you get lost along the way, just jump here to get back on track. 

This month our focus is on the exclusive hostess stamp sets. These stamp sets are featured on pages 5-10 of the Annual Inspirations Idea Book and pages 4-5 of the Seasonal Expressions (a link to the books is here). But these stamps are only available to hostesses so if you love one, contact me to host a party or a catalog party soon!

I chose to spotlight A Thing Well Done from page 4 of the Seasonal Expressions. This stamp set is only available until March 31st so I wanted to make sure you got a chance to check it out before your chance to get it is gone. 

I chose to do two very different projects. One very simple, one a little messy. Let's start with simple, shall we?


There is something so elegant about black and white. And there is something equally pleasing about creating something that takes very little time at all. It is a sense of instant creative gratification.


A little stamping, a little sponging, a bit of 3D foam to pop the saying and it is done. 

But to contrast the simplicity, I had to create something else. So, here came the messy. 


Out came the gel medium, a little black paint, some washi and my fingers. I had smeared an image when I didn't let the gel medium dry completely so a little black paint strategically smeared solved that problem.


One thing I have learned when getting messy is that you cannot hesitate. It is all about "going confidently" and just getting messy.

So there you have it, something simple, something messy. And now on to be inspired by the talented Lisa Stenz's blog. Happy Hopping!

Monday, February 16, 2015

Post-Valentine's Day

Okay, I know Valentine's Day is over but I just had to share one more Vintage Valentine. My grandmother saved her Valentines as well as her children's Valentines and dated all of them. My mother and my aunt have them but each year, my mother sends me another original one for Valentine's Day. I just have to share the one I got this year.


Isn't this beautiful? It is dated 1929.

Happy Post Valentine's Day!

Saturday, February 14, 2015

A little more Valentine's Love

Just a little more Valentine's love.


Who says paper chains are just for Christmas? Love these made with Heartstrings paper. 



May you have lots of love on this Valentine's Day and throughout the year!

Friday, February 13, 2015

Vintage Valentines

Happy Friday the 13th! (I've always kind of liked the day) And Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow!

I LOVE Vintage Valentine's. I've shared with you in the past some of my favorites. This year, my mother in law found some that she had saved from her youth that she gave to me and I picked up a couple of new ones at a vintage show. But how do you display the little beauties?


I can't take credit for this idea. It goes to my mother who thought of it first. I used Pixie Twine to string along my mantel. Then I clipped the individual Valentines to the twine using mini clothespins. Isn't that cute?!


Close to My Heart has mini clothespins available, but until the end of March, they also have these cute ones with hearts and embellishments on them.


I have such a soft spot for these cute little Valentines. Isn't this so sweet?



These two were among those my mother-in-law gave to me. I love the TV one so much!

Happy Valentine's Day!