The Simple Woman's Daybook for Yesterday, Wednesday, September 17, 2025

 Hey Everybody,

I haven't done a Daybook in a while, so that's what I'm going to do today.

For Yesterday Wednesday, September 17, 2025

This is where it all started for The Simple Woman's Daybook.

 

Looking out my window-it is now dark outside. It's been a beautiful warm, sunny day today.

 I am thinking-that I did a lot of walking today. A friend and I went to Hobby Lobby a craft store in our area and walked around and looked at all sorts of things.

We also went to Hollo's, which is a paper and stuff store. We looked at paper but mostly retired stamps from Stampin' Up and other companies that they had for sale. They have an area of tons of stamps on wood blocks. There were Stampin' Up cases with stamp sets in them. There were other stamp companies as well. 

Now, I know I don't NEED more stamps, but I've been looking for stamps to use for the local hospital. They've asked us to not make as many Get Well cards. They said not everyone is going to get well, but they'd like a card.  I am tired of using Thinking Of You, Praying for you, Just for you, Just a Note.....you get the idea.

So I'm looking for other stamps to use. I got a few that said, Sending a BIG Hug.  Who wouldn't want to get that kind of card.  Another stamps says, Thought you could use a friendly face. Then it has 3 animal stamps you can use with that sentiment.

I also got some glossy cardstock which I use for different techniques.

 I am thankful-that Tim is so handy at repairs. He had to remove our security lights and put in new ones. He also had to battle some bees who had found a hole in wood on the house, so he had to fill the hole and cover it with something to keep the bees away.

One of my favorite things-is drinking caramel cappuccino in the evening. It is a new coffee for me and it is wonderful. It is a bit sweet, but it's so relaxing to sit with a book and read and sip my evening coffee. 

 

I am creating-two afghans. One afghan has typical granny squares in different blues and browns. I made it to be 5 squares by 5 squares so it will make a great lap blanket for someone. Right now I'm adding a border to it.

I tried a different way of stitching the blocks together. Usually I crochet them together so you can see a ridge on one side.

The new way for me was a disappearing stitch. You grab the back loops of each block you are hooking together and sew it together with yarn.

The other project is mini granny squares with just two rounds on them. I saw a picture of one and loved that it was a great way to use up left overs of yarn. I have a bunch of small squares made so when I finish the larger afghan I will begin to put that one together.

I am wearing-a pink sunflower t-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes.

I am watching-our baseball team The Cleveland Guardians. They played in Detroit tonight and won in extra innings. I love watching or listening to baseball and football games. It's something I did as a kid with my dad and it carried on into my adult life.  I crochet while I watch a game so I feel like I'm using my time wisely.

Tomorrow-I will pick up this book and get started reading again. Sometimes I read books on my kindle but sometimes I just want the feel of a book where you can turn the pages, you know?

 

I am learning-how to do simple backgrounds for water coloring. I love the look of water coloring but can't draw a straight line! LOL We'll see how this goes. I love to learn new things.

 In my kitchen-it is quiet. We had gourmet salads with chicken tonight. As Tim was calling me for dinner, the cat was crying for chicken. She loves chicken and wants some every time Tim makes it. She can smell chicken when he takes it out of the fridge! She's right there at his feet meowing.

 In the school room-I am learning how to make different kinds of fun folds. Tonight I was trying to use a new stamp set from Stampin' up that is an ornament. You had to use three different stamps to make the ornament. I think out of the 10 I tried, I got 2 lined up just right. I think I'll look at some videos to see if people have suggestions as to lining up the stamps.

 In my garden-there are lots of bees and butterflies. They are enjoying the flowers especially the butterfly bushes.  We have an adventurous squirrel who tries to climb our pole where we have a large seed cake for the birds. He made it once then Tim moved things up higher. We watched him jump from the ground to a hanging basket. He climbed the plastic hanger of the basket and jumped onto the seed cake. He grabbed a huge mouthful of seeds and jumped down and scurried away! LOL

A moment from my day-Today I found out Robert Redford passed away. He was 89 years old. It made me sad I think because I've loved the movies he was in and he's had such a long career. 

It made me think again about Charlie Kirk. I am still very sad over his death. So senseless and evil. I have followed Charlie for years and really liked listening to him. For someone who didn't go to college, he had a wealth of knowledge.  It was interesting to see him talk with the younger generation and encourage them to read about things and learn for themselves what's going on. Then they could voice an opinion that was theirs not something they'd heard someone else say.

We had a pastor who always told us, "Don't believe what I say, You're intelligent people. Look in the Bible yourself and see if what I'm telling you is true!" 

 So many of the college kids I saw debating Charlie Kirk were just spouting things they'd heard, but not really thought about or had any solid evidence of why they believed what they did.  

Well, all I can do is pray for our country and those who lead it. Praying is the best thing I can do for anyone.  I know God is in control. I don't know why he lets things happen like this, but he sees the big picture and I just see one speck.

I'm going to get my caramel cappuccino now and relax. 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

 

 

September 18th Stamp Sale

Hey Everybody,

Today Stampin' Up announced a stamp sale that is September 18th.

The details are below.  Here is the link so you will be able to view the stamps and supplies that are in this sale.  If you have any questions let me know.

Blessings,

Sue

24-Hour Stamp Sale – September 18 Only!

Have your eye on a few stamp sets or tools? Get ready to to grab them! For one day only (Thursday), enjoy 15% off all stamps and stamp tools. This once-a-year sale is the perfect chance to stock up on your favorites.

Promotion Details:

• Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
• Time: 12:00 a.m.–11:59 p.m. (MT)
• Phone Orders: By 6:59 p.m. (MT)
• Online Orders: By 11:59 p.m. (MT)

Important to Know:

• Sale lasts just 24 hours
• 15% off stamps and stamp tools (bundles excluded)
• Available only while supplies last

Birthday House Mouse

 Hey Everybody,

Today I have a cute House Mouse wrapping a gift.  He was made for a challenge on House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge which can be found here.

This cutie pie was colored with Copic Markers. I found a post by someone who is a true artist. She colored a House Mouse image like this and wrote step-by-step each Copic color she used and what she did with them.

I had forgotten about tip-to-tip coloring. That's where you touch the tip of one marker to the tip of the other marker and color with the new color formed by touching the two markers.

It was interesting to see that to darken his feet a bit, I used a light blue green color. Then I colored with the light brown color. 

I used several colors for his ears and to me it looks a bit more natural than I usually color them.  I think it's hard to see in this picture the differences in shading, however, it's a start.

I used the Stampin' Up Spotlight on Nature dies for my circles which just happen to match my designer series paper. LOL

This card will be donated to a local Nursing Home for the residents to use.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

Sue

Happy Place

 Hey Everybody,

This week in class we used the baby wipe technique on the new stamp from million-dollar seller, Sharon Armstrong. She's known as TX Stampin' Sharon. When you reach this accomplishment at Stampin' Up, you get to help design a stamp set.

Sharon has a love of the beach, so that's what her stamp was. I've never seen a scene on a stamp like this before where the letters hold a picture.

Here is a picture of the card we made this week in my classes.

Here is her stamp set which obviously can be used for cards or scrapbook pages.

Sharon has made a couple of videos with techniques using her stamp set. I used one of her ideas in class this past week. I used the baby wipe technique.

Click on the images to see her blog posts and videos.

Here's a link to her first video using her stamp set.

I told a couple of classes that I'd try to do this technique with the Stamparatus.  Here's how it went.

I put the baby wipe directly on the base of the Stamparatus. I added the 4 lines of reinkers that we used. I used balmy blue at the top, daffodil delight, petunia pop and azure afternoon.

I place the stamp on the baby wipe where I was sure all of it would be inked up. I closed the lid and pressed on the stamp. When I opened it the whole stamp was inked.

I moved the door of the Stamparatus down several sections so it would fit on the white cardstock. I had the white cardstock taped underneath with washi tape. I also had the large magnet on it.  It stamped very well. I was able to stamp a second time on the same piece of white paper to make it a bit darker. This worked well.

I did several pieces of white paper to see if it was easy enough to want to do multiple times for another project. It was. You put the door of the Stamparatus back at the top where you started and ink up the stamp, then move it back down to the paper and stamp.

I'm sure there are many more things that can be done with this set. If you know of any, please let me know.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder

 Hey Everybody,

Today I'm showcasing our Sunflower 3D embossing folder. I'm sure you've seen it all over the internet and from me. This past week in some classes we talked about a few more things you could do with this amazing embossing folder.

Right now it is out of stock and should be in some time this week. I'm signed up to receive an email from Stampin' Up when it becomes available.

This is the notice you'll see if an item is out of stock. Simply add your email and they will notify you first that they've received your request. Next, you'll receive an email when the item is back in stock.

This is a panel that shows what an emboss resist technique with this embossing folder looks like. I will be doing a video on this soon. Basically you take a sheet of wax paper and place it in the embossing folder. Run it through your machine. Then take the embossed sheet of wax paper and place it on glossy cardstock. Place a piece of computer paper below and on top of the wax paper and glossy card stock.

computer paper on the bottom, glossy cardstock next, embossed piece of wax paper next and another piece of computer paper on top.

Use a hot iron-no steam and iron the paper.  The wax will transfer from the wax paper to the glossy card stock.

Use your favorite color of ink and rub it over the glossy card stock and you will see the embossed image from your embossing folder appear.

I had two pieces of wax paper left over after doing the wax resist technique. Now they are just paper that is embossed. I hated to throw it away so I made a frame and added it to a card front.

Next, I wondered if I could color on the paper. Due to the wax being removed with the resist technique, it was plain paper so I was able to use my alcohol markers to color the paper. I could have also used regular water base markers. I liked how this came out as well.

My favorite technique was to use the debossed side of the cardstock and color with my watercolor pencils. Then I used my blender pen to blend the colors. I used multiple colors for each flower and leaf. I really like how this came out. It did take a while to color so I wouldn't recommend doing this at a class, but you could have people color one of the flowers that you've cut out.

Click on the images to see other ways I've used this embossing folder.

Well, that's it for today. I'll let you know when I post my video of the emboss resist technique with this embossing folder.

If you have other things you've seen or down with this folder, please let me know.

Blessings,

Sue

Do You Have a Sunflower?

 Hey Everybody,

Linda's challenge can be found here.

Our colors today were cajun craze, darling duckling and copper clay. Optional was to make a sunflower.

I stamped in memento tuxedo black ink then colored the sunflower with Copic Markers. I used a blending brush and a cloud punched out to make the clouds. I dry embossed with the Sunflower 3D embossing folder on the yellow layer. I added the image on an angle to get a bit more of the sunflower embossing to show. Not sure what I will do with this yet, so no

 sentiment.

Keywords: CC1065 sunflower House Mouse

Stamps: House Mouse-Sunny Side Up

Paper: white, daffodil, copper clay

Ink: memento tuxedo black, misty moonlight

Accessories: Copic Markers, cloud cut out, blending brush, dimensionals, SU Sunflower 3D embossing folder

Techniques: ink blending, coloring, dry embossing

The House Mouse stamp is an old one. I've had it for a long time. I love sunflowers so early on in my stamping, I got a lot of sunflower stamps. My kids and friends helped me acquire a few. This one was from my son. It's a special reminder of him spending his own money as a young kid, to get something he knew I'd love.  Such a sweet memory for me.

Do you have any sunflower stamps? What would you use for this color combination of cajun craze, darling duckling and copper clay?  

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

September Class Follow-Up

 Hey Everybody,

Thank you once again for another fun-filled and learning-filled week of classes.

I love spending time with you and learning from your experiences. You are such a creative bunch of friends. I love the hugs too.

Blessings,

Sue

 Class Follow-Up

 AC=Annual    HC=Holiday Catalog

On=Online Exclusives found here

Links to products are in bold print.

Stampin’ Up now has a blog full of great information and ideas. Here is the link.

 

New or Revisited Ideas:

•  Baby wipe technique-add different colors of reinkers to a baby wipe. Use this as a stamp pad.
•         Use sponge daubers to add ink to die cuts to add interest.

We now have opportunities to donate cards to three different facilities

Stamping Opportunities:

   1. Southwest General Hospital -Cards are placed on meal trays. 

* NEW-Cut down on the number of Get Well cards. 

Instead try these: you're in my thoughts,   I've been thinking about you,     I'm sending you positive thoughts, Thinking of You, Hang in there.  They still can use Baby and Holiday cards.

 (No envelope is needed. Stamp something on the inside please.)

Get Well, Thinking of You, Hang in there, Baby, Holiday cards.

2. Broadview Multi-Care Facility- Cards for residents and staff to use.

(Envelopes needed and stamp something on the inside please.)

Birthday for adults and kids, Get Well, Sympathy, Thinking of you, Holiday

3.  Hillcrest Hospital Cancer Floor

Encouragement, Birthday and Sympathy.  NEW*(envelopes needed)-(cards blank inside.)

Thanks so much for your continued support of these ministries.

             Thank you to those who made cards this month. They are so grateful to you for sharing your talents and love with them.

Card 1  Rocker Card-Karen Titus Video

Sentiment may be placed on the back or inside of the rocker card.

 

Stamps-  Amber Autumn    

Paper –  Mossy Meadow 5" circle

Designer Series paper-Painterly Pears -Online Exclusive

1/2 of 4" white circle for back

white 1/2" x 2" (holds rocker card together) score @ 1/2", 1", 1 1/2" or fold in half and in half again.

1 1/2" x 2 1/4" Petal Pink scrap- sentiment

1 white scrap for leaves and acorns image

Ink- Mossy Meadow

Accessories- Sign Design Punch-Online Exclusive

Various Coloring tools

Deckled Circle dies-no longer available

Card 2  Bookmark Card-Karen Titus Video

                        

Stamps-  Label Me Grateful-A little kindness makes a big difference

Paper – Card base- crushed curry 5 1/2" x 10 1/2" score at 4 1/4" and 8 1/2"

Gathering Together designer series paper- 4" x 5 1/4",  2 of 1 3/4" x 5 1/4"

white-inside- 4" x 5 1/4"

Ink- cajun craze

early espresso 

Accessories- cajun craze and early espresso daubers

5" gold striped ribbon

hole punch

perforator

streaked dots

 

Card 3   Happy Place-Baby Wipe Technique- TX Stampin' Sharon Video(begins at 8:20)

At one class we dipped the bottom edge of the envelope into the baby wipe.

Stamps-  Happy Place-online exclusive

Happy    birthday

Paper – Azure Afternoon card base 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Petunia Pop- 3 1/4" x 5 1/4"

Crushed Curry 3" x 5"

Glossy Cardstock 2 3/4" x 4 3/4"

Ink- Azure Afternoon

Ink refills- Balmy Blue, Daffodil Delight, Petunia Pop, Azure Afternoon

Accessories- 4" yellow ribbon

baby wipes

Card 4  Z-Fold Flap Card-Sue Craig Video

Designer series paper makes a scene. The basic beige piece with the rub-on lifts up to reveal the inside sentiment.

Stamps-  The Right Words

Paper –   6" x 6" Beautiful Gallery designer series paper

Card base 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" score at 2 1/8" and 4 1/4"

Greeting card stock same color as card base- 2" x 2 1/2"

Basic Beige-inside flap 4" x 10 1/2" score at 5 1/4"

Basic Beige sentiment  1 1/2" x 2 "

 

 Ink- Lost Lagoon (color of  your card stock)

Accessories-Metallic Textures rub-ons

 

October Classes

 Oct. 13 Monday 10 a.m.  Filled

Oct. 14 Tuesday  1 p.m.   3 spots

Oct. 16 Thursday 10 a.m.  1 spot

Oct. 24 Friday  7 p.m.   Filled