Sunday Stamping with Sweet Strawberry Bundle

 Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad you stopped in for my post today. Do you like memory lane and thinking of wonderful memories with a loved one? I loved strawberry picking with my dad and just love the Sweet Strawberry Bundle.

The card I created today is so sunny and full of springtime. It works perfectly for the Freshly Made Sketch challenge FMS478. I used Thick Basic White for the base of the card. The DSP layer is cut at 4" x 5 1/4". The Basic White stamped piece is cut at 3 3/5" x 4". 

Everything about the Sweet Strawberry Bundle is wonderful. It's so simple with the 2-step stamping technique. I also love the little flowers I colored with Bumblebee. 

If you like the layout of the card I made today, you should check out so many other great cards at the FMS478 blog post. 

There are just a few more days to participate in my monthly card challenge to win you choice of a Stampin' Blends Combo Pack. You can also suggest a color combination for my Pretty Perennials Challenge. 

Thanks again for stopping in. Be sure to check out the annual retiring products. Now through April 15th, you can earn double Loyalty Bucks on any purchases using the Hostess Code: CA9YKG2F at checkout. 

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe

Another Butterfly Brilliance Simple Stamping

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in this week for a mid-week post. I recently posted for my monthly sketch challenge for monochromatic cards. I thought it would be fun to create a super simple monochromatic card using the Butterfly Brilliance Stamp set. 

I just realized that I used Seaside Spray which is one of the 2019-2021 In Colors that is retiring. The Butterfly Gems are also retiring. And what's more, the Retiring list is being released today at 12:00pm (PT). So exciting!

I love using the Stitched Shapes Dies and Layering Ovals together. It helps to create the wonderful dimension to your cards.

Thanks for stopping in. Be sure to join me at 4:00pm (PT) on Facebook Live today for stamping fun. I will also talk about my favorite things that are retiring.

Happy Stampin'

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe'

Simple yet Stunning Sunday with Pretty Perennial Stamp set + Prize Patrol.

 Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad you stopped in. I have a super happy and cheerful Simple yet Stunning card for you! The Pretty Perennial Stamp set found in the January-June 2021 is a wonderful bundle! Today it's all about the stamp set and simple stamping. I hope you enjoy. Also, be sure to read about how you can win a FREE package of the Matte Black Dots.

Okay, how fun is this card? The bright layers and bold images just make me smile. To amp up the wow of this card, I did a simple masking on the diagonal for more interest. You can't go wrong with sparkling ribbon either. 

By adding the layers to the inside and stamping the happy flowers, you can let your recipient know how much you care. 

I hope my simple yet stunning card made you smile today. I am giving away 2 FREE packages of the Matte Black dots from the January-June 2021 Mini catalog. All you need to do to be entered is to comment on what other colors you would like to see this card done in by March 31st. You can comment here or on my YouTube video. I will choose a winner from this blog post and one from my YouTube video. 

I can't wait to see what colors you would like to see and create those to post on my blog. It's fun to see the same card, but how different it can look by changing up colors. 

Remember to comment by March 31st to be entered into the drawing.

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Friday Monthly Sketch Challenge + Prize Patrol

 Hi Everyone,

Well it's that time of month where I put out a sketch challenge for stampers to put their creativity to the test. This month I want the sketch challenge to be a color challenge. I love this card that my stamping demonstrator friend Donna Ross Created.

One of my favorite way to stamp is to do a monochromatic color scheme. This means focusing all your supplies in one color. This pretty Easter card is focused on Crushed Curry Cardstock, ink, and even some ribbon that coordinates. These cards used the Easter Promise stamp set for the beautiful flowers.

The layout of your card is totally up to you. You can even decide what occasion you want to do. For this challenge, you simply need to create a card that is monochromatic or shades of one color as much as possible. I can't wait to see what you create!

Here are the details:

• Create a card using the challenge as you inspiration.
• Deliver, upload your card entry to me by March 31st.
• The winner will be announced on April 2nd in my Friday blog.

The winner of this challenge will win a Stampin' Blends Combo Pack of their choice. 

Remember that your card needs to be submitted no later than March 31st. If your card is chosen as the winner, I will connect with you to see which color of Stampin' Blend combo pack you want and then get that out to you. 

I hope I've inspired you to stamp in the monochromatic style. I'm excited to see what you come up with. There are so many wonderful colors to choose from.

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe

Make it Monday with Timeless Tulips and the 2019-2021 In Colors

Hi Everyone,

I've got a fantastic post for you today! I am spotlighting the retiring 2019-2021 In Colors. These are five of the most wonderful colors we have enjoyed for 2 years. 

For each of the In Colors I created a notecard and a full A2 card with the Timeless Tulips Stamp set and coordinating punch. My favorite has to be Pretty Peacock. The richness of the color is just stunning!

Purple Posy is such a beauty! There are many products available in this color with the exception of the stamp pad and refill. These have not been available due to quality issues when first introduced. You can still get the Stampin' Write Marker, which can give you "ink".

These two cards are so pretty! The Rococo Rose In Color is very rich. It goes well with the Pretty Peacock and Seaside Spray below. Another feature of my cards was using the Dainty Diamonds Embossing folder and used ink on the embossing folder to get the pattern on the cardstock.

The only thing I can say about Seaside Spray is "I have to get more of everything in this color. I especially love the Seaside Spray Metallic ribbon (also retiring).

Well that certainly is a lot of tulips! I had so much fun creating all of these notecards and A2 size cards. You can see my recent video for more details on my projects. 

Thanks again for stopping in today. Remember that the Stampin' Up! Retiring list will be revealed on March 24th. You should write out your wish list, so that you can act fast before consumable products are gone.

Which color do you like best? Comment and let me know.

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe

Finding Inspiration Friday, Thank you Treat Boxes

 Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad you stopped in today. I wanted to share the details from my recent video on the "thank you" treat boxes I created for my coworkers. I used the Love you Always Treat boxes that are on page 11 in the January-June 2021 Mini catalog. They are such high quality too.

The Flowers for Every Season DSP and Magenta Madness CS makes this treat box so happy! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to treat my coworkers.

The sentiment and label are part of the Simply Succulent Stamp set and Succulent Dies. 

The Love you Always Treat Boxes are the perfect size too. I found some yummy individually wrapped cookies that will be perfect with coffee or tea. The box holds quite a bit too. 

I hope you enjoyed my post today. You can check out my video for instructions on assembly of the box and my supplies. 

Want to celebrate spring? Just register for the March Madness Virtual Stamp camp on March 27th. I have all the details on my earlier blog post. There are many ways to register and even to get your stamp camp packet for FREE! Don't delay, registration deadline is March 15th, just a few days away.

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe

The Paper Players Theme Challenge Meets Paper Pumpkin

 Hi Everyone,

It's a bright sunny day here in the PNW and I'm so excited to welcome spring with my post today. I decided to combine The Paper Player's Theme Challenge with the Bouquet of Hope Paper Pumpkin kit. Wow, that's a lot of P's!

For my card, I used the beautiful pieces from the February Paper Pumpkin kit called Bouquet of Hope. I love the printed vellum piece! I used the Rococo Rose card base. The I pulled in the Springtime Joy stamp set and a piece of Flowers for Every Season DSP. The dotted DSP strip and Sentiment piece are all part of the Paper Pumpkin kit. 

I really enjoy stretching my creativity with The Paper Players Challenges. You can create yours too and upload to the challenge blog or see great creations from other stampers. 

This little lamb is so sweet! I used some of the 2019-2021 In-Color markers like Just Jade and Rococo Rose. It is time for this set of In-colors to retire, so you might want to get any of the 5 In-colors before they are gone.

Thanks so much for stopping in. I hope you have enjoyed my "mash up" between The Paper Players challenge and Paper Pumpkin. 

If you act fast, you can get the March Paper Pumpkin kit with 4 free stencils and a stampin' sponge included in every kit for March. The deadline to subscribe for this kit is TODAY! Hurry and get yours.

Comment and let me know what you think of my card today and you just might win the Bouquet of Hope Paper Pumpkin kit. 

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe

Make it Monday with Fine Art Floral DSP and Fine Art Floral Acetate Cards

 Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for stopping in today. I'm happy to share 3 Simply yet Stunning cards that I created a video for yesterday. They are so easy to make too because the Fine Art Floral DSP and coordinating Acetate are beautiful! I hope you enjoy them.

Both of the A2 Size cards use 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Thick Basic White Base. For a bit of a larger white border, I decided to cut the Mossy Meadow layer at 5" x 3 3/4".

The color of the Fine Art Floral DSP is stunning. I really like this sheet with the varying "pinks". The Acetate layers so nicely, even if not perfectly on my card.

There is something about this card that I love. I think it's the clean and bright feel of this. I am really liking the double Oval Punch from the January-June 2021 Mini Catalog.

The pale blue background is so nice in this piece of DSP. I could have used a blue cardstock instead of the Mossy Meadow too. Maybe on my next cards using these products.

I decided to create this note card sized card from the remaining piece of DSP and Acetate when I cut the sheet for the card above. I thought, "why waste this pretty piece?" For the layers, I cut the Mossy Meadow at 2 3/4" x 4 3/4" Then the DSP layer is just 1/4" smaller. 

You can watch my video to see the cards in action. Is there one you like the best? Let me know.

Thanks again for stopping in. I hope you are inspired to create your own stunning projects. If you want to get some of these wonderful products, I would appreciate it if you place an order through me. If you order a minimum $60 order you can get the Virtual Stamp Camp packet free. Any $25 order also begins my Loyalty Bucks program. Use the hostess code #UYSH7NDE at check out by March 15th for the free stamp camp packet.

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe

Two Sensational Slimline Cards with Butterfly Brilliance Products

Hi Everyone,

I have 2 sensational slimline cards to share with you today. It is so fun to go outside of the A2 size card box. I wanted to show off the wonderful Butterfly Brilliance products.

There is something so sensational Butterfly Bijou DSP! There are 48 6" x 6" beautiful designs. There are 8 of each design, so that's a lot of butterflies you can die-cut using the Butterfly Wings dies.

Slimline cards are great either way you design them. This card has the butterflies floating towards the "Thank You" sentiment. This is from the Best Year Stamp set. 

You can create slimline cards to many measures. You would need to create your own envelopes or use standard 

Here are the measurements:

• Envelope measures 4 1/8" x 9 1/2" (standard)
• Base 8" x 9 1/4" 
• 1st layer 3 3/4" x 9"

You can see my video putting these cards together for more details. 

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you are inspired to try something different than what you normally do. 

The Butterfly Brilliance projects are available now. If you would like to place an order through me, I would greatly appreciate your business. If you order a minimum $60 order you can get the Virtual Stamp Camp packet free. Any $25 order also begins my Loyalty Bucks program. Use the hostess code #UYSH7NDE at check out by March 15th for the free stamp camp packet.

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Cafe