Simple and Understated

Good morning!

Ahhh, it feels so good to be back in my routine if only for a moment. Today I plan on locking myself in my stamp room and stamping my hearts desire. I am so behind on cards it's not even funny! I might take a little "lunch break" though and run to Archivers to see if anything is calling my name.

I was able to stamp just a little bit last night, so miraculously, I've got a card to share this morning! Woo-hoo, miracle of miracles. We did have my oldest son's band concert to go to right after dinner, but we got home in time for me to watch A. Idol (results show) and stamp a bit. Speaking of Idol.....is anyone as bummed as I am that Melinda is going home? What a crock. She is the most talented of the remaining Idols and she's going home. It should have been Blake. There's just something about him that doesn't sit well with me. I think he's very fake and makes the goofiest faces while he sings. I think he's probably a nice enough guy, but he doesn't deserve to be there. It's a travesty she got voted off. I was very sad after the show was over.

I would love to tell you who makes the paper I used for today's card, but I can't find the little strip of paper that was across the bottom of the page...I really love it. I'll keep searching for it today and if I find it, I'll let you know. I actually struggled alot with what kind of stamping I should do on this card. I think the layout is actually the focal point of the card, and when that happens, putting stamping on it sort of takes away from the impact of the layout. I finally settled on a sentiment from my Green Grass Card Greetings stamp set. The "happy birthday" sentiment is very simple and understated, so it worked perfectly on the card.

The green polka dot paper I used for the scallop border is from MME. I can't get enough of their new Tres Jolie paper! I bought a few more pieces yesterday when I stopped into one of my favorite stamp stores here in town. The green paper is the back of the MME polka dot paper. I pulled out my handy-dandy paper piercing template and pierced some holes across the card in a few different places. I've not used the template much, so it was fun to use it last night!

Really, that's about all there is to this card. As I said, the layout is the primary focus of the card. Do you see the polka dot border near the top of the card? That's just the waste from the scallop border I punched. No need to throw that piece away when you make scallops! How's that for a little tip of the day! Thursdays aren't a complete loss for usable information here at Heartfelt Greetings!

Well, it's time to turn my attention to my stamps. They are calling my name. I am so looking forward to being a lug today and not doing much other than stamp. Sometimes you just have to stop, assess, and follow what your heart is telling you. And mine is telling me to STAMP SISTER! My children will have a happier mom if this happens!

Hugs to you, my favorite women in the world!

Amy