
You know another thing that makes me smile….and do a happy dance? HAPPY MAIL!! That’s right, I ordered a few things the other day and they finally came. I was so, so, so excited to play with all the goodies that I didn’t even care that I was tired! Now the cards and things that I am going to show you are not perfect, they are not cards that I will put up on my Etsy shop, they are just fast mock ups. But I wanted to play so here they are. The card that I posted first is made up with an Alta New stencil. Now, I have to say this out loud…. I was not a fan of stencils. I thought they were dumb and didn’t add the right look to cards. HOWEVER, they have come a LOOOONG way, and I will use them for future card making. This is just such a fun stencil and I have lots of plans for this stencil.
The next one I want to show you is from Simple Stories (say cheese4) I was looking for a star like background. I am still working with this, and didn’t get enough time to make a card, but again, I have lots of plans for this stencil.

This next stencil is a brick layout and they are tiny bricks but might bricks. As I was playing around with this one, ideas just started running through my mind. It is safe to say that I have changed my mind about stencils and will give them just as much thought as a stamp, die or embossing folder. I love them!


I don’t own a lot of duck stamps, OK, this is my first. I just thought they were so sweet and the “sending you piles of smiles” Well, that’s just me! This interactive die and stamp are so fun. I am going to work on the card a little more, but I think it is a great start. I have had a chicken wire background stamp for 20 years and have used it twice. So I was excited to dust it off and add a background to this card.
These next few pictures are some fun that I am having with digital stamps. They were just to cute and fun. I thought this cupid was just the right amount of whimsy for the Valentine’s Day cards I am working on. I bought this digital stamp from www.thepapershelter.com. He was already colored. I downloaded him and put him in my Silhouette software and cut him out. The background of the card was used with 2 stencils.

This digital stamp reminded me of my bestie. So I bought this digital stamp from C.C Designs (link to the left on this page). I have spent the day coloring and cutting them out. I again, uploaded it to my Silhouette software and made it just the right size for my cards and cut them out. I have some fun sassy sentiments that will pair perfectly with these two ladies. Keep a look out for the card I am hoping to get it down soon.

I have more, but this is enough for now. I have to get back in my studio to finish playing. I hope you give stencils a try. They are very easy to work with and achieve an awesome look. Now, off you go…..start play’n!
Paper Hugs
H