Hello everyone! WOW -- it's been a looooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggg time since I blogged ANYTHING! I've missed you all so much and I've missed stamping and sharing my creations with you. To make a long story short, I've been ill for several months and unable to do much of anything. Although still not where I need to be, I'm slowly getting better and stronger and miss stamping so much that I just HAD to begin creating again. A special Thank you to all who have e-mailed me, sent me cards and expressed concern during my absence. I've been blessed by your notes and comments!
With the help of my daughter and her friends, we recently relocated my stamping space from the basement to the main level of our home to make for easier access to all my creative toys and supplies and I'm beginning to get my MoJo back again. Now that I've got a new dedicated space to work in, I've got some exciting things to share with you in the days and weeks ahead, including my new stamping space and some great organizational ideas to make a tiny space fabulously functional (in moving upstairs, my stamping space decreased by about 75%).
But let's save that for another day! Today, let's just jump right in and start stamping! Who is ready for spring? Ha, ha! If you live anywhere near the midwest (or just about the entire country) you know this has been the winter that just will not end. We've all experienced below average temperatures and snowfalls. But never fear, spring begins TOMORROW!!! Now that's just the medicine the doctor ordered!
And to celebrate the arrival of spring, I've created this card to send to some friends who have supported me and loved me through these past several months. How about the bright colors of Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Crushed Curry, all on a bright Wisper White background to brighten up your day. This was a fun card to work on and a perfect way to chase away the cobwebs and start stamping again. I used several Stamp Sets including You're Lovely (Sale-a-Bration), Trust God, Flower Shop, Flowering Flourishes and Best of Butterflies. I got a little layer-crazy with the label, using a total of 4 layered punches and die cuts and then topped it off with Basic Rhinestones for a little Spring Bling! You can see all the tools and supplies in the thumbnails below. I cut the Artisan Label Punch in half and spread it out to form the top and bottom "caps" for the label.
And of course, a little something "extra" stamped on the inside of the card is always a happy surprise!
Well, that's going to be it for this post! I'm so glad to be back with you and back stamping and I hope I've shared a little inspiration with you today!
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Hi, I am so glad you are feeling better. I know what it is like to be ill for long periods of time. I, too had to move my craft room upstairs from a 26 x 27' room with a fireplace to a 16 x 15' dining room. But I am just praising the Lord I have a home and all my craft supplies! Hope to see more of your beautiful creations soon! May God continue to heal you and give you peace, Carol
Gretchen, so sorry to hear that you've been ill. I'm happy you are feeling better and back to stamping. What a sweet daughter to help you move your stamping space upstairs! I'm looking forward to your organizational posts. I'm getting ready to change mine as well and will probably lose a little bit of space. Your card is so bright and cheerful and perfect for the first day of Spring!! Love the colors and especially the layered sentiment. Hugs and smiles.
Hi Gretchen, sorry to learn you have been sick, but I am so glad
you are feeling better now and are stamping again. I love this
card--it is so cheerful! God bless you and your family, Margie
I was delighted to receive your blog post - welcome back! I was just googling you the other day trying to figure out what was happening. So sorry you've not been well. Your card is beautiful - you haven't lost your touch! Keeping you in my prayers.
Hi, I am so glad you are feeling better. I know what it is like to be ill for long periods of time. I, too had to move my craft room upstairs from a 26 x 27' room with a fireplace to a 16 x 15' dining room. But I am just praising the Lord I have a home and all my craft supplies! Hope to see more of your beautiful creations soon! May God continue to heal you and give you peace, Carol
Posted by: Carolyparker | March 19, 2014 at 07:34 PM
Gretchen, so sorry to hear that you've been ill. I'm happy you are feeling better and back to stamping. What a sweet daughter to help you move your stamping space upstairs! I'm looking forward to your organizational posts. I'm getting ready to change mine as well and will probably lose a little bit of space. Your card is so bright and cheerful and perfect for the first day of Spring!! Love the colors and especially the layered sentiment. Hugs and smiles.
Posted by: Kelly Wentling | March 19, 2014 at 09:09 PM
Hi Gretchen, sorry to learn you have been sick, but I am so glad
you are feeling better now and are stamping again. I love this
card--it is so cheerful! God bless you and your family, Margie
Posted by: Margie Webster | March 19, 2014 at 09:32 PM
I was delighted to receive your blog post - welcome back! I was just googling you the other day trying to figure out what was happening. So sorry you've not been well. Your card is beautiful - you haven't lost your touch! Keeping you in my prayers.
Posted by: Wendie Waldman | March 20, 2014 at 08:33 AM
Gretchen, I am so sorry you have been ill. I have your blog on my rss feed; I was delighted to see you are back! I will keep you in my prayers!
Posted by: Kathie Daviau | March 22, 2014 at 03:44 PM