This month's Blog Hop is Hope. Hope can mean so many different things to different people. When you need strength, courage to move on, prayers it works out in the end etc and sometimes you need a little encouragement or just a quick cheering up. I used a stamp set that in a way says it all. It can be a powerful statement!!! So I chose the set by Stampin Up, YOU'VE GOT THIS!!! I love this set. I've used it so many times and I seem to go back to it whenever I need to send out a card to someone going through something, even if what they are going through is a positive thing.

I "hope" you like what I came up with.

So let's get started with my card. I used a few different stamp sets and techniques to make this card.

The stamp sets are Best Birds, Jar of Love and You've Got This.

The paper used is, Delightful Dijon, Island Indigo, Old Olive and a scrap of Pool Party Cardstock and Serene Scenery DSP.

The ink used is the same color as the cardstock and I used the Archival Basic Gray to stamp the flower images.

My cardbase is Delightful Dijon with 2 layers of DSP from the Serene Scenery DSP stack.

I completed all the stamping first. I stamped the leaves in the matching ink colors and cut out with the coordinating framelits.The Old Olive Leaves and Pool Party flower are from the Best Birds stamp set and framelits. The Delightful Dijon Leaves are from the Jar of Love stamp set and Everyday Jars framelits.

I cut the circles using the Layering Circles framelits. The flower was stampin Basic Gray and I used a Blender Pen to color and shade with Island Indigo, Delightful Dijon and Old Olive Inks. I did not use Watercolor Paper so be careful you do not over color in one spot, it will damage the paper.

I stamped the You've Got This sentiment is Versamark and added the NEW Copper embossing powder.  LOVE IT!!!! To put it all together, I made a few loops under the circle in the Copper Thread.

As you can see by the photos below I was going to add more leaves and some berries. But when I when to assemble I preferred less.

My gift is simple and sweet! The new White Gift Boxes featured in our new Holiday Catalog, were perfect. I didn't have to fuss with making a box to the right size or dealing with scoring and cutting. These boxes were just right. And you do not need to worry about the box opening and the contents spilling out, they come with a clear acetate sleeve that keeps all nice and tight. I whipped this gift box together in NO time.

I wanted to tie the box and card together, so I stamped the flower on the front panel, gave it a moment to dry and them colored with the blender pen and inks. I thought of just leaving the flower on this panel as my only decoration....but well the rest seemed to blanked. So I stamped on 3 sides of the box using the background image from You've Got This set in Island Indigo. Before stamping, I stamped off the ink a couple times to lightening the color a bit. Then once the ink seemed drying I stamping the flower in Archival Gray over the backgrounds. I also stamped the flower on the lid of the box, but I did not color it in.

I again stamped this You've Got This sentiment with Versamark, this time on Vellum. I added the Copper Embossing Powder and heated it. I punched it out with a 1 3/4" Circle Punch. Punch a hole with the 1/16" Circle Punch. I used the Copper Thread to tie the tag onto the box.

So, depending on what someone was going through the contents of the box might be different. But for this project, I decided to fill the box with some sweet candy. I used the new gusseted Cello bags in the Annual Catalog and filled it with different hard candies. I was going to use chocolates, but um well, those didn't last! But I think the hard candies are just fine, the box can be left open on someones desk while they enjoy a piece of candy while they work!

I tied the box with the Whisper White Satin Ribbon, between ribbon. Sometimes I such a hoarder with ribbon and embellishments, I don't want to use something because it's so nice....but this year, I vowed to use all my products and not buy it until I'm outta of it....we shall see how this goes. 

But anyway, I thought this ribbon was simple but gave an elegant touch to the gift. I fed the Copper thread through the knot in the sating ribbon and tied it so it hung just over the flower. I then finished the satin ribbon in a bow.

I "hope" you liked my projects and I appreciate you stopping by.
If you are need of the Annual Catalog or Holiday Message please let me know and I will gladly send one to you. US only.

Be sure to leave a comment on my blog with #SFAUGHOP (see below for details) and click the Next button to visit Melissa Thomas's Blog.

Thank you so much
Happy Stampin
Steph

Got Lost along the way? Here is a list of our Stampin Friends Hoppers.

1. Elizabeth Jeanne
2. Kim Lamos
3. Kathie Rotti
4. Angela Lorenz
5. Christine Pennington
6. Barbara Welch
7. -----} ME - You Are Here - Steph Jandrow {-----
8. Melissa Thomas
   
9. Carolina Evans
10. Cindy Waldroff
    
11. Lynn Streifert
12. Siara Acdal
    
13. Andrea Tracy-Tucker
14. Maureen Rauchfuss
    

Back in March, I blogged about bringing birthdays back. I offered a challenge to anyone who commented or emailed me that I would send you a birthday card that you could use. You can read the original #imbringingbirthdaysback post here.

The original #imbringingbirthdaysback was started by Shannon West and a stamp was designed. Love it!!! You can read about Shannon West's challenge here.

So my challenge was:  I challenge you to mail birthday cards out to those that you know the dates on.  AND...comment on my blog with the #imbringingbirthdaysback and I will mail you a birthday card, handmade from me. 
After commenting, I will need to ask that you email me your full name and address so I can mail you the card. My email is [email protected]

I received a wonderful response via email, which is great!!!! I know most won't want any personal information on a website. Soo with that said, I am going to offer this challenge again and I am going to offer this challenge from now until December 31st. With the exception, I am going to send you 2 birthday cards, (a traditional style birthday card and a non-traditional (may be seasonal or holiday themed)).

For more information on the #imbringingbirthdaysback stamp, you can click on the image below.

There's no purchase necessary and no soliciting! You will receive the cards from me in approx 7-10 business days, depending on the response and whether I need to create more cards.

I really you will except this challenge, I look forward to hearing from you all again!!!

Happy  Stampin
Steph

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer vacations. It's hard to believe it's already August 16th. WOW in just a few weeks kids will be returning to school and we will be returning to our regular schedules. Good thing? Bad thing? While I will miss the days of going camping and to the beach, I am looking forward to the fall. When the air is clean and crisp, apple and pumpkin picking and the smell of apple pies cooking in the oven!! I know I am crazy right!!!!

Card Club will be starting once again. Our first card club will be on Wednesday, September 7th at 9am. We will also have a card club on Wednesday, September 14th at 9am. We will then follow the every other week rotation.  Lots of new products to share and create from. I look forward to starting up again!!! I've been busy creating!!!! After vacation I will be updating my calendar with lots of projects so be sure to check back. 

I look forward to see you on the 7th!

Enjoy these summer days and Happy Stampin
Steph

I was in need a few birthday cards. Usually if I need a birthday card, I search through my stash of cards to find one that fits my needs. Most of the time I am ok, But eventually I run out of kid cards. Rather than just making the 1 I needed, I decided to make a handful.

I chose the Biggest Birthday stamp set and Wish Big Framelits. I bought this bundle a while ago and used it for the first time. Love it!!! I stuck with different shades of blue. I was able to whip up these cards so easily. I love the results.

The cardstock is Marina Mist and I used Pool Party, Dapper Denim and Night of Navy for the other colors. The Whisper White cardstock layer is embossed with the Confetti Embossing Folder.

The greeting and little banner is from the Birthday Banners stamp set and Bunch of Banners Framelits.

I used the Gold Wink of Stella for the candle flame and on 2 cards I colored in a few stars with the Gold Wink of Stella. I used the Clear Wink of Stella to highlight around the cake to make the frosting look like its sparkling.

The greeting on the inside of the card is from an old retired set. I don't have the original set name. I believe it may have been called Birthday Greetings. If you remember the name, feel free comment or message me!

I hope you like my cards.
If you need an Annual Catalog or Holiday Catalog or if you are interested in any of the products used to make this project, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks so much

#imbringingbirthdaysback
Happy Stampin
Steph

I finally had a chance to play with the Jar of Love bundle purchased from our Annual catalog. I jumped on the Christmas in July theme and had a lot of fun creating these cards.

I just love the DSP. This Christmas Specialty DSP is beautiful. I do not believe the catalog does the paper pack justice.

I used a Basic Black cardbase, and layered the DSP. I stamped snowflakes inside the jar and added touches of the Wink of Stella. I also pierced the edges of the Very Vanilla paper. I made slight difference to each card, I changed the greetings, but on card, I used only the Cucumber Crush thick baker's twine and wrapped the Cherry Cobbler baker's twine around. On the other card, I used both twines at the top of the jar lid and candy dots over the lace trim.

So pretty.

I hope you like them
If you are interested in any of the products used, please feel free to contact me
Happy Stampin
Steph