Happy Mother’s Day

I hope everyone is out enjoying this beautiful Sunday, honoring your mother or being honored by your family. Today's post is a salute to all wonderful mother's out there. These designs are for you! This card is by Mara Campbell. She's used fabric, felt and ribbon to create a real richness and character to this card. She's stamped from PSA Rosettas and "Happy Mother's Day" from PSA Topiary.

This gift tag by Mara is the perfect coordinating tag to her card. She's used more felt and sewn on a button with Twinery Twine. She's stamped PSA Rosettas over and over again in holiday red ink to create a patterned paper effect. (Something you can only get from the PSA Stamper!)

Here's another gift tag, this one is by Tami Mayberry. The purple is so striking! I noticed a lot of our designers chose the butterfly from PSA Cupcake for Mother's Day.

Hope that you are having a great Mother's Day!

Cast your HSN vote to win!

Today, I'd like to hear from our readers about HSN!  Which airing did you like better and why?  Leave a comment telling us your thoughts and we will choose 1 lucky winner to receive a Cupcake, Rosetta or Frenchie HSN starter kit.  That's 1 stamper, black ink, 2-color ink, 1 alignment tool & 1 pack of Peel & Stick stamps!

Here's 6 am with Adam Freeman:

Here's the 11 am with Kathy Wolf:

Which segment did you like better & why?  Comment as an entry to win! We will have the drawing for the winner of Cheryl Walker's guest designer feature today - check Facebook later for an update.  Have a great day!

GUEST DESIGNER & GIVEAWAY: Cheryl Walker

I thought I had a lot of craft supplies and that I was organized until I met Cheryl Walker in blog land. You'll need to check out her pictures that prove that this woman is the epitome of organized in crafting! She describes her crafting style as "girlie." I choose her to design with PSA Essentials Peel & Stick stamps because we don't have anyone on our team who uses pink as much as she does, or as many bows, ribbons and embellishments as she does – and sometimes – a girl just has to be a girl! And at PSA Stamp Camp, our designs tend to air on the CAS (Clean and Simple) and modern side, so it is fun to showcase some different talent and style. Welcome guest designer, Cheryl Walker!

Up first, Cheryl created a favor. Stick some candies inside and you have something really sweet – perfect for a little girls' birthday party. She's stamped the purse from PSA Frenchie.

She also created a mound of gift goodies… a door hanger, an invitation (it slides out), and a bottle box. She used Hello Kitty Garden Club and Hello Kitty Summer Days. We're swimming in a sea of pastels and loving it.

She went all out and created a gift bag and coordinating card. She stamped using Hello Kitty Garden Club, colored her up and made her live with some beautiful patterned papers!

BLOG CANDY/GIVEAWAY ALERT! Today, we'd like to welcome Cheryl's designs & her readers visiting PSA Stamp Camp by giving away: 1 custom stamp, 1 Peel & Stick pack, 1 alignment tool, & 1 ink. An $80.00 retail value! To enter to win: Follow this blog and/or like us on Facebook. Leave us a comment letting us know you've done so. Each action is an entry to win and we will draw the winner tomorrow!

Good luck!

Mother’s Day Cards

In two words, my mom is honest and supportive. My relationship with my mother can be summarized by one comment she made to me a few years ago. I was upset about something that had not gone my way. I was disappointed in her honest reaction so she said: "Libby, don't you have a friend to call to tell you what you want to hear?" You see, my mom is the most forthcoming person you've ever met. She'll tell you the God's honest truth without fail.

In addition to being the most honest person you've met, she's also the most supportive. This is a good thing because it means if you've done something wrong, she'll call it like it is but also support you. She's also an excellent cheerleader. My tennis partner Erin loves playing against my mom, because my mom spends about half of the match congratulating us on our shots. This is also a metaphor to everything I do in life – she's always putting me before her own gain and cheering me on. Here she is!

I don't need today to celebrate my mom, and don't need to be celebrated for being a mom – but I'll join in with the commercialism of it all. Here are some great ideas for Mother's Day cards. Hurry, there's still time to make them!

The first one is by Carly Robertson. She's stamped the butterfly from PSA Cupcake and used Spellbinders dies to create visual interest around the stamp. Love her color palate here, too!

This is also by Carly. The impressive detail of sewing on the buttons really elevates this card. She's stamped "Happy Mother's Day" from PSA Topiary. This collection is perfect for spring!

This next card was designed by Jennifer Holmes. She's colored up the butterflies, which makes the stamp extra special! The coordinating ribbons and paper tie everything together so nicely!

Lastly is a card designed by Anthonette Chavez. A really creative idea! She's used a stamp from Rosettas as the "O" and for "M" she's stamped from our Archive letter sets. The bright pink contrasting with the blue is light and springy! I love this card.

So I have described my mom in two words: honest and supportive. What two words would you use to describe your mother?

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week! Teachers come in many forms: there are the obvious educators in classrooms across America, then there mothers and fathers, friends, spouses, co-workers, and bosses that are teachers. This week, let's thank all kinds of teachers with these great cards & gift ideas from our design team. They are sure to make anyone feel appreciated!

Up first are two cards by the talented Kelley Eubanks. Kelley's work is so clean and simple, so perfectly executed and well-crafted. I just love it! The first card, she's stamped from PSA Super Star, a set that often gets over looked. She's stamped over and over again using the same ink color to create patterned paper. I love how the stamps fade into the background on this, and then the "Teacher Approved" pops out!

In this next card, she's used Twinery Twine and the A+ stamp from PSA Super Star in different ink colors to create this "have a great day" card. Write a note thanking your child's teacher inside and you are sure to put a smile on the teachers face!

Our old design team member, Julia Aston created these two great gift ideas last season. The "Teacher" notepad/post it holder is perfect – the primary colors are very appropriate for a teacher.

Julia also created a tin of magnets using PSA Superstar. I love how she's colored the stamps up, and used different papers on each. So each magnet is special and unique. You can tell she put a lot of work into this!

Are you doing anything for Teacher Appreciation Week?

Supply spotlight:

1. Teacher Approved Card: Stamps - Super Star from PSA Essentials, Paper - Kraft, Vintage Cream and Scarlet Jewel by Papertrey, Ink - Black and Cabernet by PSA Essentials, Jenni Bowlin Brown Sugar by Ranger, Vintage Photo Distress by Ranger, Other - Stampin' Up corner rounder and dimensionals, Marvy and EK Success circle punches, May Arts Natural String, Doodlebug Jewel
2. A Plus Card: Stamps - Super Star by PSA Essentials, sentiment from Handwritten Notes by Papertrey, Paper - Real Red by Stampin' Up, White by Papertrey, Ink - Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen by Ranger, L'Amour Red, Orangerie, Paris Lights, Landscape, and Reflection Blue by Superior, Other - Lilac Twine by The Twinery, Stampin Up dimensionals
3. & 4: PSA Stamps: PSA Rocket & Hello Kitty School Days

Happy Anniversary

Today is Mike & my third wedding anniversary. While it's nothing compared to my mother and father-in-law who just celebrated 40 years together, or my grandparents who celebrated 50 years before my grandmother passed away, 3 years is something to be proud of and to celebrate! Marriage takes a lot of work. Anyone who says it is easy is lying and because I am saying it can be hard, doesn't make my relationship bad. People are individuals who evolve constantly and to commit to one person for a lifetime is a serious undertaking.

There's no other person I could make this commitment to. Mike makes me laugh more than anyone does in the world. When I am with him I am always happy and having fun and if something is sad or making me upset, he instantly changes my mood. He loves me unconditionally and always supports me. When I am wrong, he tells me so but doesn't judge me and still has my back. He's honest, caring, and the best father to our daughter I could ask for.

As I look back on our wedding day, I am not sure if I knew fully what I was getting into. Does anyone really know what they are getting into? I mean, REALLY? I am glad that I did though. I couldn't ask for better and wouldn't want anything different.

I look forward to anniversary 25, 50 and each and everyone in between. Happy Anniversary, Mike!  These great cards are all designed by Kelley Eubanks.  

Supply spotlight:

1. Happy Aniversary: Stamps - Rosettas by PSA Essentials, Round and Round by Papertrey, Paper - Royal Velvet and White by Papetrey, Ink - Daffodil Delight by SU, Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen by Ranger, Other- Bumblebee Doodlebug Jewels, SU dimensional
2. 25 Years Ago: Stamps - Mr and Mrs (PSA Essentials), Archive 10 (PSA Essentials), Big Birthday Wishes (Papertrey Ink), Paper - White (PTI), Real Red (SU), Ink - Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen by Ranger, Real Red by SU, Other - Copic marker, SU corner rounder and dimensionals, Classic Rectangle Nesties by Speillbinders, Big Shot
3. Living Happily Ever After - Stamps - Smirk Kiss Me Now by PSA Essentials, Paper - White, Pure Poppy Bitty Dots and Blueberry Sky by Papertrey, Ink - Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen by Ranger, Other - copic markers, SU dimensionals, Kaiser Rhinestone.

 Designer: Kelley Eubanks.

Patriotic Cards

As news of Osama bin Laden being killed in an operation by American military forces spreads across the world, the strength and unity of the United States is being demonstrated.  Impromptu street parties and gatherings at 9/11 commemorative sites are happening right now.  It's evident that Americans feel a sigh of relief, accomplishment, and appreciation.   The pride demonstrated by Americans last night and this morning is reminicent of the outpouring of support after 9/11 - it's amazing!

Today I have some cards designed by Tami Mayberry that were intended to be shown later in the month for Armed Forces Day.  It's appropriate to share them today.   To the military men, woman and families: we do appreciate you.  Today and everyday. 

This "Thank-you" red,white & blue card is patriotic and perfect for sending to someone serving in the military.   Do you know someone serving?  I do.  My family friend Eric is a Navy Seal. 



Here's another.   This would be fitting to send to a family member, perhaps a wife who's husband is overseas serving.   I think it's important to thank the family members, too.   I can't imagine the stress and constant fear.  Families sacrifice so much, too.

Tami has stamped the flag heart from PSA Country Home Peel & Stick. It's a very versatile collection and this stamp is perfect for 4th of July and patriotic cards like these. 

Do you know anyone serving in the military?  Shout them out today!

Supply spotlight:

1) Card stock: Discount CardStock (White, Red, Navy, Light Blue), Stamp: PSA Essentials (Country Home), Ink: PSA Essentials (Holiday Red), Dies: Spellbinders (Stars, Classic Circles, Pennants),3D Foam Squares 

2) Card stock: Discount CardStock (White, Red, Navy), Pattern: Echo Park PaperStamp: PSA Essentials (Country Home), Ink: PSA Essentials (Holiday Red), Dies: Spellbinders (Stars), My Favorite Things (Open scallop border), Bakers Twine, Rub on greeting (Pebbles Inc), 3D Foam Squares