April Showers

When I saw the Scattered Showers stamp set on Nicole's blog during sneak peek week, I knew I had to have it. I started an umbrella collection when I was 16 years old and I still love them. Remember when the fragrance companies in the big department stores would offer an umbrella as a gift with purchase?-I am probably dating myself here-anyway, any time an umbrella was offered I got one. I think at one time I had amassed 30 or so umbrellas. I had them in stands, hanging on door knobs and over the doors, too. My collection was not just for show. I used them. My umbrellas were accessories to my wardrobe. Let me clarify here, I'm not talking about those cute-sy smallish things that fold up and fit in your purse. Nope. I'm talking about the full on, crook in the handle, point on the tip, room for two, lots of fabric umbrellas. Any time we had rain, I chose an umbrella and I carried it with me...all through high school, college, corporate world, now. In high school I was called everything from Mary Poppins,to Mother Goose,to Old Mother Hubbard , to the Little Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe. LOL! It did not bother me at all. Over the years, my collection has been downsized dramatically, I have only 10 now. And you can bet, if we get rain, I'm going to my cloak closet and pulling out an old-fashioned umbrella!

This stamp set was a joy to work with. My mind was racing, thinking of all the color combos and patterned papers I could put to use with it. Putting together these few simple cards really made my day. I'm playing with the set again today, but for now, why don't I share with you, what I came up with yesterday?

The Cards...

I had a lot of fun with this one. Click on the image to get close in, to see the texture on the blue paper. It's raindrops and I got them on there by using my Fiskars Texture Plates in my Cuttlebug! I had never tried that, but had heard that it was possible. So, I pulled out my big ol' box of texture plates and viola'...it worked! Now I know all of you are very card saavy, but remember this is just my second year as a card-maker and I am still learning new things. So I was more than excited to be able to do this. I wanted to put jewels in each of the flower centers, but the ones I had were too big, so I went with a marker dot instead and put the jewels on the scallop humps. LOVE that sentiment. I have a cousin who always calls me dearie, so guess who gets that card?

Supplies-All PTI. cardstock:Raspberry Fizz, Spring Rain, Stampers Select White. stamp:Scattered Showers. inks:Spring Rain, Raspberry Fizz. Chocolate(CTMH). marker:Watermelon(CTMH). ribbon:Spring Rain. other:scallop edge punch and slot punch(SU!). Raindrops Texture Plate(Fiskars).little jewels from my stash. Cuttlebug(Provo Craft) Scor-Pal.

I used my square Nesties on this one. I really like stamping the umbrella tops, cutting them out, and popping them up on foam tape. The button you see, is from my grandmother's sewing basket. I think it's Bakelite or abalone, not your usual run of the mill plastic button. The thread was already in it too, so instead of changing it, I just went with it.

Supplies-All PTI. cardstock:Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise, Kraft. inks:Summer Sunrise. Chocolate(CTMH). ribbon:chocolate grosgrain(Offray).Cuttlebug(Provo Craft) Swiss Dots embossing folder(Provo Craft). Scor-Pal.

And the last one...



Isn't this one sweet? I LOVE it! It's that yummy Porcelain paper from Basic Grey that does it. In the photo it is looking a bit washed out, I will try to adjust that later, but believe me, it is so soft and pretty IRL. I stamped this umbrella image in a soft green, I thought black would be too harsh. I used the same green for the handle and the sentiment to really bring attention to it.

Supplies-cardstock:Stampers White(PTI). Pink Pirouette(SU!) Garden Green(CTMH). paper: Porcelain(Basic Grey). ink:Garden Green(CTMH). other: pearls(Martha Stewart). ribbon from my stash. Scor-Pal.


I really did enjoy playing with this set and I will have a few more cards to share with you in upcoming days.


Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me today. Thank you for your comments too, I really appreciate them! Until next time...

Blessings~