Thank Goodness for You!

Hi Stampers!
We are back to another week of fun and creativity (hopefully!).  I had a big project this weekend that I've been working on. It's a secret for my kids and in case they read this blog (not sure about that), I can reveal it yet. Let's just say it involved a lot of paper, stamping and recording some family treasures.  I love when this craft that I'm so addicted to becomes practical and helps me with something I've long had a desire to record and preserve and am now able to do it in a cute and fun way.  I'll spill the beans after Christmas!

Are you enjoying the Holiday Catalog?  What usually gets all the attention are the bundles. The stamps and framelits coordinate to make some lovely designs and who's sorry to see "fussy cutting" go?  Not me!  Other products get less attention at first but really shine when they are noticed. For example, the "Gourd Goodness" stamp set!  It's a two step stamp set that has lovely images. Here are a couple of cards I made while experimenting with it:

The two-step stamping comes into play when you stamp over your first image with another one, in a different color. I always stamp the most dense image first, in the lightest color. I then stamp the less dense image second and third, if there is a third, next, with a darker color. My pumpkins above were stamped with Peekaboo Peach as the bottom layer, then Tangerine Tango second. I also tried Peekaboo Peach and Pumpkin Pie on the small pumpkin in the second card.  For the gourd, I used Pear Pizzazz as the bottom layer and Always Artichoke as the top ink color. This is a fun technique and will really give you confidence as an artist to see the blend of different colors.  My background paper on both cards is the "Painted Autumn" Designer Series Paper that is so gorgeous.  I added some ribbon and a bow and even sneaked in a little embossing with the Woodlands folder.  These are very fun to make and give you great results without a lot of extra expense or tools.

I'm curious if there is anyone out there that doesn't love the fall season?  I don't think I've met anyone who does!  It's all about the smells, the colors, the crisp air, the apples, pumpkins and leaves!  It's always a good time to rubber stamp but fall may be the most inspirational!  Try it today!

Hope you are off to a good week!
Happy Stampin'!
Sarah