The stamp girls came over to play this morning.  We stamped tile coasters and trivets and swapped spring cards. Nine years ago I was invited to go on the stamp girls' annual field trip to a stamp store and out to lunch. It was such a fun day that I joined the group. I'd always been artsy crafty, but had never stamped before.  I had no idea what I was getting into.

I bought my first stamp that day. I wasn't very good at it, but they didn't kick me out of the group.  The girls shared their stamps and knowledge with me at every turn in the road.  It wasn't long before I jumped into stamping with all my heart. Playing in the ink, paint, rubber stamps, and messy techniques makes me happy.  It's taken me places I never imagined.

No matter where my stamping passion takes me, it's mornings like today that get to the heart of what makes creating such an important part of my life.  It's getting together with girlfriends and sharing our lives, our laughter, our stamps, and our ideas.  It's inviting new friends to join us, missing old friends whose lives are too busy to stamp, and then hugging them when they find time to come back.  It's taking a break from chores, kids, and responsibilities to spend time with the girls and play. It keeps us whole and sane so we can go back to chores, kids, and responsibilities with a smile knowing that we get playtime again with our girlfriends next month.

Thanks for stopping by today.

back to basics

Sometimes it all gets overwhelming and a girl has to get back to basics. Lately, I've been spending the majority of my creative time working on classes, challenges, and magazine work. I'm tired of trying to be innovative and creative all the time. Of course it's the end of the school year and teachers are tired, so I'm spending lots of time subbing in classrooms with kids who are tired of school. I'm tired of school. I'm tired of this grey June gloom weather. I'm just tired.

So, I decided to get back to basics today. Create something just because it's fun. I love black and white and polkadots and florals. I love glossy cardstock and a little bling. So, I pulled out this small Magenta stamp to make my own background by turning the stamp every which way and stamping repeatedly with StazOn ink. I stamped it one more time and punched out the focal piece. Both of the punches are StampinUp. Hero Arts makes the best little self adhesive gems and pearls, so I added in some of that. I love the elegant simplicity of this design and use it when I'm not sure how to lay out my card.

I'd love to hear about your go to products or designs or style. Is there something that always works well for you when you aren't sure what to make. I relied on most of mine for this one. I feel better. Thanks for stopping by today.