Sunday, January 23 is National Handwriting Day. This reminds me that we should be doing journaling in our scrapbooks. I have a lot of family pictures from previous generations. Some of them have names on the back of the photo but most are unmarked and I have no idea who they are or what they were doing. Journaling in your scrapbooks will fix this problem. Here are some things to journal about:

• Who is in the picture/s
• When the photo was taken
• What occasion is being shown
• What emotions are felt when looking at the photo/s
• What are the emotions of the subjects in the photo

This is a good beginning. Now the question arises…journal in your handwriting or type the journaling. Granted, typing it may look neater, but your own handwriting expresses part of your character. Your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will treasure the scrapbook even more if your handwriting appears on the pages as well as your memories.

The bottom line…however you may do it…don't forget the journaling!

Happy Scrapping and thanks for coming by,

Sue

Sunday, Jan 23, is National Handwriting Day. Here is an excerpt from an article posted on the AOL Shopping webpage.

"According to retail authority National Retail Federation (NRF), handwritten notes are making a strong comeback. Text and e-mail are the primary modes of communication between people, but a recent study of the greeting card and stationary market reveals that electronic communications are falling to the wayside as handwritten note cards re-emerge as the favored trend — or, "counter-trend." Yes, even with the convenience of Facebook.

Personalized, handwritten note cards are so much more meaningful to receive. It's a way for you to realize that you really do matter to your sender, as they have taken the time to think about and write out this message. With handwritten note cards, you can really connect with people on a personal level, helping yourself to build and maintain those warm and valuable relationships. Let someone know that they are a top priority.

With this head's up, take some time to practice your cursive and build up your stock of note cards. People's standards are higher today, so if you really want to impress and show people your sincerity, handwritten note cards are the way to go."

A packet of hand-stamped notecards makes a great gift for any occasion. Email me a card that you have made and I will be happy to feature it on this blog.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

This weekend's Stamping 411 sketch appeals to my sense of proportion. I used Stampin' Up!'s Botannical Gazette Designer Series Paper and the Noteably Ornate stamp set for my version of the sketch. Thanks for coming to visit me and leave a comment so I know you were here.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

Stamp Sets: Notably Ornate, On Your Birthday

Paper: Marina Mist, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Botanical Gazette Designer Series Paper

Ink: Marina Mist

Other: Daffodil 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

What a difference just a little touch of embellishments make on a card! Here is a card I created for a swap. I did plan to add a bow but that was all I was going to add. Here is that card:

It is OK. It does have three layers and I did pop the heart up with Stampin' Dimensionals and it will have a bow. Then I got an inspiration and added a tiny self-adhesive rhinestone to the word 'Love'. Just that little bit of bling elevated the card to another level. The rhinestone doesn't sparkle in the scan but in real life it is so sweet! Have you tried those rhinestones yet? If not or if you have run out order them here. Thanks for stopping by and visiting today. I love getting comments so I know you were here.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

Stamps: Valentine Defined

Card Stock: Rose Red
        Whisper White

Ink: Craft Whisper White
         Rose Red

Other: Full Heart Punch
        Rose Red Seam Binding
        Jewels Basic Rhinestone

This is the 8th day of the New Year and I wonder if you are still keeping your New Year's Resolutions? Or are you like me and didn't even make any?

I do know that credit card bills are coming in with the expenses of Christmas. Maybe you are wondering how you are going to pay those bills. Maybe you wish you had a way to earn extra money so those bills would get paid off faster. Well…I have a solution for you! I am offering you the wonderful opportunity to own your own rubber stamping and paper-crafting business.

Here are some of the benefits of joining my team as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator: 

• You get to determine for yourself how much profit you make. The more time you spend on your business and the more effective that time is, the more profit you will make. I will give you the training and resources to maximize your income potential.
• You will be joining a sisterhood of fellow demonstrators who freely share their expertise and creativity with you.
• You have the opportunity to achieve reconigtion and awards from Stampin' Up!
• You will realize gratification through sharing your love of stamping and Stampin' Up! products with others.
• You have the backing of a company who places relationships and family as important as the financial bottom line.

Now is the perfect time at the beginning of the year to start your own stamping business! Contact me for more information.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

The January issue of The Soggy Stamper Newsletter is coming out tomorrow! This issue has several wonderful projects to soothe the creative savage in you and get you prepared for Valentine's Day. Yep…it is time to be thinking about that holiday. The process to subscribe to The Soggy Stamper Newsletter is simple. Just fill out the form to the right. If you enter your birthday when asked during the sign-up process, I will send you birthday greetings when your birthday arrives. Come join me in monthly stamping ideas and tips! Do it now so you don't miss another issue of my newsletter.

As usual, I am most grateful for you coming by to visit. Do come visit often!

Happy Stamping,

Sue

We are almost home from spending Christmas in Seattle with our daughters, grandkids, and great grandkids. Now we are in Ketchikan waiting for the ferry this afternoon to take us home to Craig on Prince of Wales Island in SE Alaska. This wait gives me the opportunity to look back over the year at the various projects I have shared with you.

This is my all time favorite using one of the leaves from the French Foliage stamp set (120845, wood) (121166, clear) that is in the Holiday Mini catalog. You can see the details here:

To show the way My Digital Studio works well with other digital image editing programs, I created this church bulletin cover. This post gives you the details.

Finally, I think this is my favorite 3-D item. I made cork coasters using the Big Shot and Scallop square Bigz die. Here is the original post.

I thank all of you have followed my blog over the year. I especially love the comments you have left for me. They give me feedback and let me know you have visited. Do come to visit often in 2011. Hey…to make it easier for you, why don't you sign up to receive my blog posts in a reader? That way they are delivered right to your inbox. The sign-up box is to the right.

Happy New Year all,

Sue

Oh how I love My Digital Studio! I am currently in Seattle house/dog sitting for our daughter Erin but can still enjoy stamping. I have a virtual stamp studio right in my computer and I am excited to share with you this card I made this morning. Although I am really attached to my hands-on stamps and supplies, I am rapidly learning that I can't do without My Digital Studio just like I can't do without my lattes! One of he beauties of My Digital Studio is that you can resize punches and accessories to fit your project. I shrank both the Snowflake punch and the rhinestones to fit. Give yourself a Christmas gift that will bring you hours of creating pleasure where ever you are. This the ultimate portable stamp studio. Order your copy today!

This is the front of the card. But there's more…. 

All images created by My Digital Studio.

Stamp Set: A Cardinal Christmas

Background Papers: Baja Breeze Card Stock
    Candy Lane Designer Series Paper, design 1

Punch: Snowflake Punch color filled with Whisper White

Other: Very Vanilla Seam Binding ribbon and bow
    Rhinestone accents

Thanks for coming to visit today. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year!

Blessings,

Sue

Did I say how much I love My Digital Studio? Here I am, hundreds of miles away from home and my stamp supply and am happily creating cards with random…no mess…no wasted card stock…no left over scraps to clean up. Here is the sketch from Stamping 411 for this weekend:

and here is my card I created with My Digital Studio:

Stamp Set: Baroque Motifs
            Jolly Jingles

Paper: Cherry Cobbler Card Stock
            Very Vanilla Card Stock
            Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper #4

Other: Self-adhesive Pearls
           Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding

Visit my online store to order the supplies to make
this card or to order My Digital Studio.

One of the most loved stories at Christmas is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It was first published on Dec 19, 1843. But there are several other Christmas stories he wrote that you have probably never heard of like What Christmas is as We Grow Older, The Wreck of the Golden Mary, and Mugsby Junction. Charles Dickens wrote Christmas stories annually for over 35 years but A Christmas Carol, which was written in the middle of those 35 years, is the only one most people know and treasure. Dickens just continued to work at his story writing faithfully and finally one of those Christmas stories became a legend. If he had given up after the first few stories, we would not have A Christmas Carol to enjoy each year.

What does this have to do with stamping you ask? Sometimes we have to try and try again to release our creative side. What is nice about rubber stamping is that the art work is all done for us. All we have to do is ink the stamp and then put it to paper. Our creative expression is in how we use those stamps. So if you are struggling with your stamping right now, take heart! Just keep on keeping on and, with time, that creative genius will show its face. I am always here to help you as well. Don't hesitate to email me with your questions or even post them in the comment sections of my blogs. I will be sure to respond to you.

Happy Holiday Stamping,

Sue

Sign up for The Soggy Stamper Newsletter which I publish monthly? Why not? You not only get great card, scrapbooking and 3D item projects on a monthly basis, but you also get tool tips and answers to your questions. In addition, you will get up to the minute information on Stampin' Up! specials and promotions as well as occasionally getting a special offer from me. When you sign up, also include your birthday and you will receive a Birthday card by email from me. There are two weeks left of the 12 Weeks of Christmas campaign I am offering my mailing list subscribers. Every Wednesday my subscribers receive an exclusive Christmas project with complete directions. Sign up by noon tomorrow to get in on these last two weeks. It is so easy to do. Just fill out the form on my sidebar.

See you on the list,

Sue