It’s time for some happy mail news—one of my favorite kinds of updates!

A big congratulations to Patricia Nicholls, whose name was randomly drawn as the winner of my June giveaway!

She’ll be receiving a copy of Start With Hello by Shannan Martin—a beautiful book filled with stories and reflections on kindness, connection, and building community in everyday ways. It’s one of those reads that just sticks with you and gently nudges you toward building community.

These monthly giveaways are a small way I love to say thank you to this beautiful, creative community. Your support, encouragement, and connection mean the world to me.

Want to be entered into the July giveaway?

Here’s how to get your name in the next drawing:

• Place an order through my Online Store

• Purchase any online class or tutorial

•  Or simply leave a comment on this blog post sharing something you’re doing this summer!

No purchase is necessary—just come say hi and be part of the conversation. That’s what Start With Hello is all about, after all.

Thanks for being here. I can’t wait to pop another happy package in the mail next month!

As we continue celebrating love through handmade cards, today I’m sharing a beautiful and simple fun fold wedding card you can create using the Gallery Blooms and Beautiful Motifs stamp sets. Paired with the Beautiful Gallery Designer Series Paper, this project has a timeless elegance that’s perfect for weddings,anniversaries, and many other special occasions

The fold itself is easy to recreate and adds a little “wow”  and ideal for any skill level of card making. You’ll find the tutorial below for a quick visual walkthrough. Whether you’re creating cards for newlyweds or for couples celebrating years of love, this is a great design!

And there’s more—every order placed through my Online Store now through July 18th will help make a difference. I’m donating all proceeds to support flood relief efforts in Central Texas, a cause close to my heart. So if you’ve had your eye on these beautiful products or have been waiting for a reason to treat yourself, now is a meaningful time to shop.

Tap below to watch the video and shop the supplies below.  Let’s keep creating beauty that blesses others. 

Product List

• Gallery Blooms Photopolymer Stamp Set [165211]
• Beautiful Motifs Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [165198]
• Beautiful Gallery 6" X 6" Designer Series Paper [165196]

This month holds a very special meaning as my husband, Jackie, and I are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary on the 18th. It's hard to believe how quickly time has passed. We are blessed to have shared our lives and pray that we have many more years together.

In honor of this milestone, I’m dedicating the next couple of weeks to celebrating love with handmade goodness. Whether you're creating for your spouse, a dear friend, or a couple celebrating a special wedding or anniversary, there's something so meaningful about celebrating these precious moments in a handcrafted way.

I’ll be sharing ideas for both wedding and anniversary cards. And, as my thank-you gift for those who shop with me this month, you'll receive a digital guide with 40 beautiful sentiments perfect for these occasions.

So whether you're crafting for your own love story or to honor someone else's, I hope the projects that I share inspire you to create something special for these celebrations. 

Stay tuned for ideas, inspiration, and a few surprises as we celebrate love. 

When disaster strikes close to home, we’re reminded how important it is to stand together and be the hands and feet of compassion. In response to the heartbreaking flooding in Central Texas, I am committing all proceeds from my sales through July 18th to support emergency relief efforts for families and communities affected.

This isn’t just about paper, stamps, and ink; it’s about using our gifts to uplift others. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just looking for a creative moment with loved ones, this is a beautiful opportunity to do good while doing something you enjoy.

One wonderful option I encourage (especially for those new to crafting) is Stampin’ Up!’s all-inclusive kits.

These kits include everything you need to make beautiful projects and are perfect for spending meaningful time with your kids, grandkids, or even in a quiet moment for yourself. During this time of crisis, it’s one small way to bring light into our homes and into the lives of those in need.

Let’s create with purpose. Let’s make something that matters.
Thank you for joining me in this effort.

Shop the Online Store for your card making and scrapbooking supplies HERE.

Not a paper crafter?
Shop our All Inclusive Kits Collection HERE and pick up several for you and your friends, children, or grandchildren.

There’s something so special about crafting with little ones...especially when they take the lead! Today, I’m sharing a special project that brings me so much joy: a birthday banner created by our granddaughter Mia, who is celebrating her birthday this week!

Mia is currently obsessed with WICKED, so when it came time to decorate for her birthday celebration, she knew exactly what she wanted and she designed this banner herself! From the sparkly circles to the themed sticker images to the color choices, this was her creation, and I simply helped with the materials, cutting, and guidance.  And, we filmed a little video of Mia assembling the banner so you can see her creativity in action.

Crafting with children (and grandchildren!) is such a pleasure. It’s a break from outdoor play (and, the summer heat), a chance to slow down, and a wonderful way to connect. Watching Mia take ownership of her project reminded me how powerful creativity can be for kids. It builds confidence, celebrates individuality, and turns these moments into special memories.

This simple banner was made with cardstock, alphabet dies, ribbon, and lots of sparkly glimmer paper.  Whether you’re making decorations, birthday cards, or memory pages, summer is the perfect time to invite your littles into the craft room.

Because in the end, it’s not just about what we create...it’s who we’re creating with.

 Watch the video below to see Mia’s banner come to life!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook to catch more of our summer adventures and Mia's birthday celebration!

Sometimes you want a quick and easy way to preserve those sweet summer memories and this mini album is just that!

Today I’m sharing what might be the easiest mini album ever. Using four 4" x 6" Flip Flaps, I created a simple little album that's perfect for capturing highlights of a trip, family adventures, or even quiet time in nature. It came together in under 30 minutes using the beautiful Thoughtful Journey Designer Series Paper as the background for each panel.

The watercolor and nature inspired themes of this paper pack are perfect for your summer memory keeping. Whether you're adding photos, journaling, tickets, or little bits of ephemera, you’ll have plenty of space to customize and make it just right for your memories.

The front cover features the word SUMMER spelled out with the Mini Alphabet Dies—a fun way to add a personalized title. I love that this project folds up nice and neat, yet will open up to reveal some sweet summer memories.

The self adhesive binding makes assembly a breeze.

 Whether you're new to scrapbooking or simply want something fast and fun, this Flip Flap format is the ticket. And  the best part...it’s just as easy to use them in your traditional scrapbook layouts, too!

 Want to try it yourself?
Check out the Flip Flaps in my Online Store and see how easy it is to make your own mini album magic. 

166511

166514

166513

166512

You can prep this ahead of time and you’ll love how fun and fast it is to get your memories onto paper!

There’s something about summer in the Ozarks that is so special especially when it’s filled with family, friends, and Nature's beauty.

Earlier this week, our daughter and her friend gathered a sweet little bouquet of wildflowers during a morning walk near our cabin. That bouquet  inspired today’s card, made with the Gallery Blooms Bundle and the Floral Delight Designer Series Paper. The mix of  florals, gingham, and that sweet sentiment make this a card that can be sent for any occasion or for no reason at all.

It’s amazing how our everyday experiences can be such an inspiration.  Sometimes it’s those little moments, like picking wildflowers, that become a cherished memories.

You’ll find a quick video reel below that shows how this card came together. It’s a simple project and just right for summer crafting. Whether you're sending happy mail, stocking up your card stash, or capturing a seasonal memory, this bundle and paper pack are wonderful to have on hand.

Want to make your own version? The Gallery Blooms Bundle and Floral Delight DSP are available in my Online Store now. They're perfect for summertime creating!

 Click here to shop: Gallery Blooms Bundle, Floral Delight DSP

And I’d love to hear—what little summer moment has sparked creativity for you lately?

Summer has a way of filling our calendars with family visits, outdoor fun, birthdays...all kinds of adventures! This week, our family is leaning into all of it! From fishing to hiking to celebrating birthdays and even another visit to Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.

So, this week, it's about "capturing"  the journey and using our family adventures as inspiration for special crafting moments.  We can all find something special even in the smallest moments...gathering wildflowers for a bouquet, simple memory keeping to preserve some fun family time at a theme park, or celebrating our Mia's 8th birthday.  It’s all about finding the joy and wonder in these summer moments and combining our love of crafting with these. Because sometimes the smallest moments turn into the biggest treasures.

Even if your summer looks quieter or more relaxed than mine, you still have a story to tell. Maybe it’s your grandkids splashing in the sprinkler. Or a Saturday morning walk. Or a quiet evening on the porch with iced tea and a good book. These are your little adventures and can inspire you to create something to preserve the memory or share with others.

Whether you’re crafting by yourself or bringing the grandkids into the fun, I hope my sharing with  you this week sparks fresh ideas that will inspire you to create.

So tell me...what little summer adventure are you enjoying right now?
Leave a comment or send me a message... I’d love to hear!

Earlier this week, I created an easel card using the Cheers & Sips Stamp Set and the Celebratory Sips Designer Series Paper. It featured a bright and fruity mocktail design.  As I was putting it together, I thought...this would make a great invitation.  

Not to a party.

Not to anything fancy.

Just a reason to gather.

And that’s exactly what we did.

That evening, we invited a few friends over for a simple porch supper. Nothing complicated—just sandwiches, fresh fruit, and homemade mocktails (inspired by the colors and flavors from the paper, of course!). After we ate, we lingered around the fire pit, swapping stories and catching up. No big production. Just warmth, laughter, and in community.

Here’s the thing:
We often wait for “perfect timing” to connect with others.
We think it has to be elaborate and impressive.
But community is built in the ordinary.
A sandwich supper. A drink with a cherry on top. Lawn chairs around the fire pit.

So today, I want to encourage you to extend an invitation ...maybe not on card stock, but from the heart. You don’t need decorations or even a clean house. Just a little food, a few friendly faces, and a willingness to share time together.

You can view the card that was our inspiration HERE.
And if you'd like to recreate the look, the Cheers & Sips stamp set and Celebratory Sips Designer Series Paper is available in my online store.

 May your summer be full of sweet moments like this one.

Today's project is a card that’s just as fun to display as it is to make!

This week's Premiere video features an easel fun fold card using the Cheers & Sips Stamp Set and the colorful Celebratory Sips Designer Series Paper. This fold is perfect for propping up your handmade art on a table, shelf, or summer-time table setting. With bold colors, simple layering, and summer beverages, you’ll find it simple to recreate.

Watch the video tutorial below to see it come together step by step. Measurements are in the video for easy reference.

Want to make it even more special? Try pairing it with our handmade coasters  for a themed summer gift!

So grab your supplies and a favorite summer drink, and enjoy some fun crafting time.

Featured:

Celebratory Sips Designer Series Paper

Cheers & Sips Stamp Set

Nothing says cheers to summer like colorful coasters especially when they’re handmade by you!

In today’s project, I’m sharing a fun and functional craft using the Celebratory Sips Designer Series Paper. These paper-layered coasters are perfect for outdoor entertaining, porch visits, or simply adding some  joy to your kitchen or dining room table.

I’ve included a short video reel so you can see just how quickly these come together. All you need is some chipboard, your favorite patterned paper from the Celebratory Sips DSP, a few images from the Cheers & Sips Bundle and a little adhesive (Mod Podge works THE BEST!).

These coasters would also make  cute gifts when bundled with a handwritten card or mocktail recipe. Pair them with a stamped drink tag and you’ve got the perfect summer hostess treat!

Want to recreate this look? You can find the Celebratory Sips  Designer Series Paper [165586] and coordinating Cheers & Sips Bundle [165594].

 in my online store HERE and HERE!

Let me know in the comments...what drink would you place on your DIY coaster first?

Laughter from across backyard fences, the sound of ice cubes swirling in glasses, city and state parks filled with families on picnics...summer is here!

This week on Ink and Inspirations, we’re taking the celebrations outside with ideas for easy gatherings like porch visits with family and neighbors, outdoor fireside chats, and riverside snack breaks with the grands. I’ll be sharing easy projects for relaxing summer time crafting with the Cheers & Sips Bundle and the Celebratory Sips Designer Series Paper. And, to add to the fun, we'll sharing some mocktail drink ideas!

To get started, I’d love to know your favorite outdoor gathering spot..let us know in the comments!

As we lean into summer and look ahead to the Fourth of July, I’ve been thinking about the little traditions and interactions that help shape how the next generation sees our country and what it means to celebrate freedom, family, and community.

With our granddaughters visiting this week, we’ve already talked about fireworks and flags, and I’ve pulled out a few red, white, and blue craft supplies for some simple decorations. But I also want them to understand that this day is about more than sparklers and fun in the sun. It’s about gratitude, history, and the many people who have helped preserve the freedoms we enjoy.

If you’re looking for gentle, age-appropriate ways to talk about patriotism and the Fourth of July with children or grandchildren, I found this beautiful article that’s full of thoughtful perspective:

 Patriotism for Children: Teaching the Heart of the Fourth of July

It touches on how to nurture a healthy love for our country in a way that includes reflection, appreciation, and service—concepts even young children can grasp when shared with love and care.

As you prep for July 4th crafts or family gatherings, I hope this inspires you to take the celebration one step deeper. 🇺🇸

Have a favorite Fourth of July tradition or memory you love sharing with your kids or grands? I’d love to hear it in the comments below!