Sorry I haven't posted lately, but I'm still here!

 

Hello and Happy December, Stampin' Friend!

Half way through December. . .  Sorry I haven't posted in such a long time. Here's what's been happening.

My father was diagnosed again this fall with skin cancer. Last year in December, he had part of his ear removed because of a tumor. We and the doctors thought they got it all, but cancer is sneaky. It came back on the side of his face in a way that surgery was not an option.

So for the past few months, various of the family members have been taking him to various doctor appointments in order to determine the extent of the cancer and the options for treatment.

We all agreed that a series of radiation treatments was the most reasonable option and we started on that course two and a half weeks ago. My husband and I rented a mid-size SUV so that we could take him to the appointments as he is unable to get into either of our trucks.

Today was the final treatment - Yay! The doctor reports that the tumor is shrinking, and should continue to do so even though the treatments are ended.

This is good news, as we are so close to Christmas.

I hope very soon to get back to creating more hand-stamped cards to share with you. Please check back soon!

Have a Blessed Christmas from our family to yours!

Fall Fiesta Cards - Part 3

 

Happy Tuesday!

I have some more Fall Fiesta cards to share with you today. 

If you are new to my blog, the 4th Fall Fiesta was a card-making event held in Neillsville, Wisconsin, on Oct. 29. Over 20 stampers attended, and we spent the day making 18 cards, enjoying each other's company and learning from one another. I have attended all 4 of them and hope to participate again next year.

Now, on to the cards . . .

These 2 cards feature the Christmas Scottie stamp set and matching punch. Aren't they fun?

As you see, the one with the brightly colored background paper is a "fun fold."

And here is the inside of the blue and black card -

In my previous blog, I showed you one card made with the Splendid Thoughts stamp set. Here is the other card that was at the same table.

I haven't stamped a verse inside the card yet, leaving some flexibility as to what occasion I might use it for.

Another table had these 2 Christmas cards using the Sweet Candy Canes stamps and coordinating die set.

I've still got a few more cards to share from the event. Hopefully I'll get them posted by the end of the week.

Happy Stampin!

Jan Forton, Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

See more on Facebook on my JForStamping page.

All the latest from Stampin' Up! is on my website here.

Arborwood Christmas Cards for November

 

Hi Stampin' Friend,

It's a chilly rainy day here in Central Wisconsin - perfect stamping weather!

Today I am bringing you the cards we will be making at Arborwood Lodge this week. We're featuring Christmas cards this month and next, so the residents will have some handmade cheer to share with their family and friends.

The first card uses some non-traditional colors inspired by Stampin' Up's Santa Express Designer Series Paper. (Just FYI - The die-cut tree and words on the front are not Stampin' Up!)

And the inside words are from a past Paper Pumpkin kit - 

For the color scheme on our second card, we will go back to the classic Christmas favorites which are in the Boughs of Holly Designer Series Paper. All the stamps are from the Peaceful Deer set. 

Don't miss the gold holly leaves accents on the card front. These and the Designer Series Papers are in the July to December 2022 Stampin' Up! Mini Catalog and available through the end of the year, or while supplies last.

Happy Stampin!

View all these goodies and more at my website - www.janforton.stampinup.net

Fall Fiesta 2022 Cards - Part 2

 

Hi Stampin' Friend!

Are you ready for the next round of Fall Fiesta cards?

Here they are!

These 2 harvest-themed cards were designed by my friend and Stampin' Up! upline, Cindy Ehlers. I love how she used the die cut on the pumpkin card to add interest.

Here is a peaceful sympathy card.

Many more cards still to come! Be sure to visit my blog again soon.

Jan Forton

Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Facebook JForStamping

Online shopping and class schedule:

www.janforton.stampinup.net

Fall Fiesta 2022 Cards - Part 1

 This year's Fall Fiesta was held on Saturday Oct. 29 at Apple Valley Bar & Grill in Neillsville, WI, a very nice location for this event.

More than 20 stampers participated, and an inky good time was had by all. Each of us made 18 hand-stamped cards, with all original designs for this event. At $30 a person, this retreat is a super deal. I encourage you to consider attending next year with me!

I will post photos of all the cards here over the next week or so. Check back often so you don't miss any. Enjoy . . .

The Thank You card Carmen gave me for providing four card designs for two tables.

Pictures above and below are my 2 cards using the He's All That stamp set and coordinating Designer Series Papers. I offered several word stamps for the card insides.

And here are my designs for the Trees For Sale set. The card on the left is a book-binding fun fold.

Four cards down, fourteen more to go in upcoming posts!

Happy Stampin!

Jan Forton

Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Find me on Facebook at JForStamping

Shop online and see my class schedule at

www.janforton.stampinup.net

 

A Sweet Swap Card

This card was designed for a swap group this month. I wanted to incorporate elements from 3 new Stampin' Up! products that I just received - the word dies, the Designer Series Paper, and the border die. I am so pleased with how it turned out!

Here are the steps to making it. Stampin' Up! product numbers are in parentheses where the item is mentioned.

1. Make an 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 card base from Shaded Spruce cardstock (146981), score at 4 1/4 inches and fold.

2. Use the 4 3/8 by 3 inch die from the Stitched Rectangles set (151820) to die cut a piece of Basic White cardstock (159276).

3. Trim a piece of Santa Express Designer Series Paper (159582) that has the Shaded Spruce and white stripes to 4 5/8 by 4 inches.

4. Glue the Basic White rectangle to the Designer Series Paper so that the margins showing on the top and 2 sides are about the same size.

5. Die cut the bottom of the striped paper with the zigzag die from the Basic Borders set (155558).

6. Glue these layers on the front of the Shaded Spruce card base.

7. Use the word dies from the Amazing Thanks set (157816) to cut "you are amazing" from Mint Macaron cardstock (138337) and cut the corresponding word outline dies from Shaded Spruce cardstock (146981).  I used the Adhesive Sheets (152334) on the back of the cardstock before die cutting, to make it easier to adhere them together.

8. Glue the word outlines and words to the Basic White piece as shown.

9. All stamps are from the Sweetest Cherries set (158711) on scraps of Basic White cardstock (159276)  *** IMPORTANT TIP: If you will be using the Cherry Builder Punch (158716), be sure to leave enough space around the stamped images to allow for all the shapes that the punch cuts out.
  -- Stamp 3 cherries with Cherry Cobbler ink (147083). In this case they are going to be apples!

  -- Stamp 4 leaves with Shaded Spruce ink (146981)

  -- Stamp 3 stems with Early Espresso ink (147114)

10. Fussy cut or punch out all the stamped images.

11. Glue the apples, stems and leaves together as shown in the picture. Glue the top right and bottom left apples on with regular glue or 2-sided tape. I used Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) to adhere the last apple (the one with 2 leaves) slightly overlapping the apple in the bottom left corner.

12. Embellish with 2 dark green gems from the 2021-2023 In Color Opal Rounds (159185).

13. For the card inside, I stamped "thank you for being so" with Shaded Spruce ink (146981) and "sweet" with Cherry Cobbler ink (147083) on a 5 1/4 by 4 inch piece of Basic White cardstock (159276).  Glue the stamped piece inside the card, and it's ready to send!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at janstamps3681@gmail.com or 715-325-3681.

And here is what the inside looks like. Happy Stampin!

 

Birthday Cards!

 

Have you ever taken part in a card swap group? It's a lot of fun, you can make new stamping friends, and get lots of happy mail.

My friend and upline Cindy Ehlers puts together a "Bringing Birthdays Back" swap group each year. She collects names, addresses and birthdates of the stampers who want to join, and then sends the list out to those who are on it.

Each stamper who participates agrees to send birthday cards to each one on the list when their birthday rolls around. (At least that's the plan.)

Well, my birthday rolled around last week, and here are the cards I received. I love the variety of styles, colors and stamping techniques used! You can be sure I'll borrow ideas from each of these stampers to use in my own card-making.

Here is a better look at the cards -

First from Bernie S., the gorgeous Designer Series Paper makes for a simple yet elegant design.

This card from Cory H. also uses the paper as a focal point, and she adds a few layers for interest. It's hard to tell in this photo, but the paper has gold metallic accents - I love the shine!

Judy V. used coloring with Stampin' Blends and layering detailed butterfly dies to make this card stand out.

Dry embossed background images colored with Wink of Stella and beautiful vellum butterflies give texture and shine to this happy card by Rita J.!

Tricia B.'s card has such a cheery color combination, and adds interest with some fun punched shapes.

A big "Thank You" to each of you who participated in the "Bringing Birthdays Back" group, and to Cindy for setting it up. 

Who would like to join a swap group and start getting some hand-stamped happy mail???

Jan

You can reach me by email at janstamps3681@gmail.com, 

or on Facebook as JForStamping 

or at my personal Stampin' Up! website www.janforton.stampinup.net

Happy Stampin!

FREE SHIPPING from Stampin' Up! One Day Only

 

Do you like the Designer Series Paper used on this card? It is from the Painted Christmas set, item #156292, which is available until December 31.

And tomorrow would be a great day to purchase a package, along with whatever else is on your Stampin' Up! wish list - we are offering

Every qualifying order of at least $75 in product that is placed between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday Oct. 4 will be shipped for free!

This includes all items in the Annual Catalog, the July-December Mini Catalog, Clearance Rack, Kits Collection and pre-paid Paper Pumpkin purchases.  Wow!

I've got my wish list ready to go, how about you?

You may order from my online store here or contact me at 715-325-3681 to place the order for you.

Don't miss out on this great deal!

Happy Stampin!

Some cards from a stamping retreat

 

Hi Stampin’ Friend!

Can you believe it’s the last week of September already? Before I get to the cards from the retreat, I want to remind you of a couple of October events coming your way.

This Saturday, October 1, is World Card Making Day and Stampin’ Up! is holding a free online card class to celebrate. It will be held live from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Central time. If you miss the live presentation, you may watch the replay anytime. The details and link to the online class are here. Locate the World Card Making Day banner there and click on it for details.

My October Christmas Card Express class will be held on Monday Oct. 17 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. All the details are in my previous blog post. The deadline to sign up is this Friday, Sept. 30.

And now for the retreat cards. These are just a few of the projects from the retreat. I will post more as soon as I put the finishing touches on them :-)

Enjoy!

Check out my schedule of events and online store at my website.. 

More card making inspiration can be found on my Facebook page Jforstamping 

Christmas Card Express Class, October 17

 

The next Christmas Card Express Class will be on Monday, October 17, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at my home.

The cost is $12.00, which includes all the materials to create 6 hand-stamped cards with envelopes. Two of the designs are pictured here. I am waiting for an order with the Holly Boughs Designer Series Paper to finish the 3rd card. I will post the card when it is done.

At the class you will make 2 of each design, for a total of 6 ready-to-send cards.

Please register by Friday September 30 to reserve your seat in this fun class. 

Happy Stampin!

See more card ideas on my stampin’ Facebook page: JForStamping

Get your Stampin’ supplies at my online store

  https://www.stampinup.com/?hostcode=DNK3GDNB

Grassy Grove Layered Birthday Card

 

Hi Stampin' Friend,

I needed a quick masculine birthday card today so I dug into my stash of card ideas.

This layout was designed by my second upline, Kelly Acheson of A Stamp Above. It features the oh-so-useful tree frame die and deer stamp and die from the Grassy Grove bundle.

I looked through my Designer Series Papers for something that looked like a sky and found this one in with the Butterfly Bijou set, sadly retired awhile ago.

And here's how I stamped the inside of the card. Both word stamps are also from retired sets.

Happy Stampin!