Stampin with Barb-bee

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Stampin with Barb-bee A life-long crafter ready to help others enjoy their creativity

Good evening, It feels like summer is definitely here! The days have been warm and humid. The nights seem to be coolin...
08/06/2026

Good evening,

It feels like summer is definitely here! The days have been warm and humid. The nights seem to be cooling off a bit which makes it perfect for sleeping. I would love to have some rain - everything feels very dry! I'm slowly making progress cleaning up flower beds and borders and feel like I have to mow the yard again every time I turn around. It may sound like I'm complaining, but these are the days I look forward to in the middle of our cold, windy winters!

I try to save enough energy to play in my crafting room in the evenings. This week I got out my Everyday Arches dies and Valley in Bloom DSP to make some cards. As usual, I will attach my creations at the end of this message.

Stampin'Up! released two new card kits this week: Wishes of Gratitude and Shaded Petals. The kits contain everything you need to make the cards, except for a pair of scissors. They are a quick and easy way to create some great cards to send to friends and family. The company also updated the Last Chance products on the website. You might want to take a look to see what products you want to add to your collection before they are discontinued. You might be able to find some great bargains there!

I hope you've had a great week with plenty of time to express your own creativity. If there is anything I can do to help, please be sure to let me know.

Barb Ward
SU Demonstrator: Barbara Ward

Good evening one and all, I guess we're closing up yet another month for 2026 - the days seem to be flying by! Last wee...
01/06/2026

Good evening one and all,

I guess we're closing up yet another month for 2026 - the days seem to be flying by! Last weekend I was in Tennessee for a great-niece's graduation and a nice visit with her mom and the rest of the family. The week flew by then it was time to make some cards with members of the Morgan County Garden Club. It's great to be busy and to be able to spend time with so many different people!

With the arrival of June, Stampin'Up! will be releasing new kits. There will also be a new product of the month, available for just $5.00 when you place an order of at least $75.00. This month's offering is a stamp set called the WIld Bunch, featuring a snail, penguin, koala and highland cow. They're all very cute. The new Paper Pumpkin kit, Bikes and Blooms, will be shipped after June 10. If you are not currently a subscriber, you can activate a subscription by June 10th.

At the end of this message, I will post pictures of cards I made using May's Paper Pumpkin kit, Sparkling Celebrations. The first three that I made followed the basic directions that came with the kit then I had fun coming up with other ideas for the rest of the cards.

I'll be at the Jacksonville Public Library on Tuesday, the 16th, this month. Next week I'll post a sample of the card I'll be demonstrating. You're welcome to join the group to make cards, get caught up on Paper Pumpkin kits, or spend some time with other stamping enthusiasts!

I've been enjoying the weather recently, but would surely like to see more rain. Not only would my yard appreciate it, but I would have a bit more time to make cards, do some sewing, or find another way to be creative. If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know.

Barb
SU Demonstrator: Barbara Ward

Good evening, This week Pat and I extracted our first batch of honey for the season. It was very light - almost white. ...
18/05/2026

Good evening,
This week Pat and I extracted our first batch of honey for the season. It was very light - almost white. Our best guess is that the bees had a great time collecting nectar and pollen from Black Locust trees when they bloomed. Most years, the blooms don't last very long because rain washes them away. This year they were able to hang on for a long time and our bees treated us to the lightest honey we've ever had! It will be interesting to see how the color changes as the season progresses.

Stampin'Up has mailed out the Paper Pumpkin kits for May. I haven't gotten mine yet, but I believe it will show up this week. I will try to have my cards put together for Sunday, May 31st. I'll be out of town for Memorial Day weekend, so I will not be sending out an email next Sunday.

This week I got out my Party Banner dies and Artisan Sketched Garden DSP. (Right now the dies are not available, but should be back in stock by May 25th.) When I saw the black and white DSP in the new catalog, I knew I had to have it! I had fun pairing it with bright colors and figuring out how to incorporate the banner dies into the cards as well. I'll post pictures at the end of this message as usual.

On Tuesday (May 19th), I'll be at the Jacksonville Public LIbrary starting about 9:15. This month I'd like to share the Party Banner dies and use my samples as guides so everyone can make their own choice of cards. If you would like to join the group, please bring basic stamping supplies as well as a selection of colored cardstock and your choice of DSP. I'll help you cut your pieces as you figure out which cards you want to try.

We might have some more rain this week which will make it difficult to do much outside work. I plan to spend time in my craft room; sewing and making cards. I hope you are able to find some time to be creative, as well. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.

SU Demonstrator: Barbara Ward

Good evening, I hope this year's Mother's Day has been special for you. I was fortunate to be able to spend the afterno...
11/05/2026

Good evening,
I hope this year's Mother's Day has been special for you. I was fortunate to be able to spend the afternoon with my daughter, her son, my sister (Nan) and my husband. I was able to relax and visit while Pat and Nan fixed lunch and cleaned up afterwards! That was quite a treat!

I hope you had a chance to browse the new catalog and online products. The Product of the Month for May is 12" x 12" Vellum. Remember, if you spend $75.00 on a single order, you can add the Product of the Month for $5.00 - which feels a bit like it's free!

Nan and I decided to make cards using different background techniques. The first two cards (Happy Birthday and Thank You) used DSP as the background. Next, Nan made a multicolor background by masking off sections then adding color with sponges (Your Kindness Made My Day). I decided to use blending brushes to apply the color for my second card's background (With Sincere Thanks) then I spritzed the background with water. To make the final card (You Make Me Smile), I used an embossing folder then added color with an ink pad rubbed over the embossed design.

I hope the week ahead has great things in store for you, including time to be creative. If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know.

Barb Ward
SU Demonstrator: Barbara Ward

Good evening! I can hardly believe it's now May! On Tuesday the new catalog, Online Exclusives, and kits will be availa...
04/05/2026

Good evening!
I can hardly believe it's now May! On Tuesday the new catalog, Online Exclusives, and kits will be available. There are a lot of new products, including the new In Colors, new ink pads and some great suites and bundles.

This week I experimented with the Garden Gatherings bundle which is available in the May to August Catalog. There are 12 photopolymer stamps and 11 coordinating dies. I made a couple of simple cards using my scoring tool to create a border. It was fun using the stamps and dies together. As usual I will add pictures to the end of this message.

This week I will be heading to the Cincinnati area with members of the LIncoln Land chapter of the American Sewing Guild. We'll be travelling together on a tour bus, spending three days visiting fabric stores in the area. It should be a fun time, made extra special because my older sister, Nancy, is going with me!

I hope you have been enjoying the spring weather and have been finding time to be creative. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.

Good evening, It was another lovely day today and I was lucky enough to be able to spend a lot of the day outdoors! Now...
27/04/2026

Good evening,
It was another lovely day today and I was lucky enough to be able to spend a lot of the day outdoors! Now, however, I am exhausted! After finishing up this message, I'll be heading up to bed, hoping for a good night's sleep!
This is the last week for Stampin'Up!'s 2025-2026 Annual Catalog. Some of the items will be moved to the Last Chance category on the website and some of them will no longer be available. You might want to check your catalog one more time to be sure you haven't missed anything you've really wanted. Starting in early May, the new May to August catalog will be in effect as will new kits and new Online Exclusives.
I got my April Paper Pumpkin kit last week and had a great time putting together the Lakeside Retreat cards. This time, I cut all the bases in half, trimmed them slightly then added them to new bases, using the color suggestions on the instruction sheet. I was able to make twice as many cards by adding a few extras from current Stampin'Up! products. I hope my samples will help inspire you to try making some alternate cards yourself. If you are a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, you can order the add-on dies which coordinate with 3-months worth of kits. I have treated myself to all of them so far and have used them for a lot of my cards.
That's it for today! I hope you find time in your life to be creative. If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know.

SU Demonstrator: Barbara Ward

Good evening one and all, Just when I thought spring was finally here to stay, we had frost warnings overnight! I would...
20/04/2026

Good evening one and all,

Just when I thought spring was finally here to stay, we had frost warnings overnight! I would sure appreciate it if Mother Nature would make up her mind instead of teasing us!

As the month is moving right along, we're getting closer to new products being released by Stampin'Up! The new catalog starts May 5th along with new Online Exclusives and new kits.

As a demonstrator, I was able to order from the new catalog early. I got the Valley in Bloom suite collection which consists of the Lily of the Valley bundle (10 stamps and 7 coordinating dies), Valley In Bloom 12 x 12 DSP, Luxe white 12 x 12 specialty paper, Floral Spray embossing folder, and Shimmering Dots. I got some inspiration from the sample cards in the catalog- adding my own touch to each of them. As usual, I will post pictures at the end of this message.

On Tuesday (4/21) I'll be at the Jacksonville Public to make cards. We'll start at about 9:15 and go until about 11:30. I will demonstrate how to make a Backward Folding Card. If you'd like to make one with the group, you will need basic card-making supplies as well as the following:
cardstock cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" for the card base,
Designer Series Paper: 2 @ 3 3/4" x 5 1/4" and one at 3/4" x 5 1/4",
neutral cardstock or computer paper cut at 3 3/4" x 5 1/4".
You will also need to have a focal point that is 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" in length (any shape should work).
The last two pictures show the front and the inside of this card.

I find myself spending more and more time outdoors as the spring is progressing. I still try to set aside some time each day to let loose my creativity. I hope you are able to do the same. If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know.

Barb

SU Demonstrator: Barbara Ward

Good evening,Everywhere I look, I see more and more green popping up. I guess Spring really is here, after all. I noti...
13/04/2026

Good evening,Everywhere I look, I see more and more green popping up. I guess Spring really is here, after all. I noticed that some of the flowering trees and shrubs suffered from last year's drought and spring frosts so their blooms were not as pretty as they were in the past. I have missed the redbud blooms - but the dogwoods are doing well!
This week I want to share a bundle that will be available in May as an Online Exclusive: Ouch which consists of 10 stamps and 6 dies. I had fun putting together some simple cards using the five new In Colors that will also be available in May - Barely Blush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Golden Glow, Hydrangea Hue, and Peaceful Pine. With new kits, new Online Exclusives and a new catalog, there will be plenty to choose from starting next month.
Don't forget to mark you calendars for next Tuesday (the 21st) when I'll be at the Jacksonville Public Library for a card-making session. I'll have more details next week.
We may be in for some rain next week. I hope to be able to fit in time for card-making and sewing if I can't be outside cleaning up the landscape! I hope you'll be able to find time to be creative, too. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Good evening, Another week has flown by and by this time next week, we'll be well into April! Every day I see more spri...
30/03/2026

Good evening,
Another week has flown by and by this time next week, we'll be well into April! Every day I see more spring colors emerging so I am beginning to believe that winter has lost her grasp on this part of the world!
This week I decided to work with some of the Products of the Month offered by Stampin'Up. If you place an order for at least $75.00, you can add their special offering for only $5.00. This program started in December. The products remain available after the month that they are introduced, as long as supplies last. So far, there have been two different packs of Designer series papers, and two different stamp sets. In April, there will be an embossing folder offered. I used Painted Illusions designer paper and the Notes of Spring stamp set. I adapted a card that I found online; peek-a-boo.
Next week, Stampin'Up! will be winding up their annual catalog, getting ready for the new May to August catalog. There will also be new kits released. Be sure to check the website to see what's new!
I hope you will have time to be creative in the week ahead. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.
Barb Ward SU Demonstrator: Barbara Ward FB Page: Stampin with Barb-bee

Good evening,We recently enjoyed a brief taste of summer, but it looks like winter is returning. I suppose my procrastin...
23/03/2026

Good evening,

We recently enjoyed a brief taste of summer, but it looks like winter is returning. I suppose my procrastination in putting away my winter gear has paid off!

Stampin' Up! has several exciting updates coming soon. New kits will be released at the beginning of April, followed by the launch of the new catalog and new Online Exclusive products in early May. Keep an eye out for brand-new items alongside updated favorites—there should be something for everyone over the next couple of months.

I also recently spent time working with the March Paper Pumpkin Kit, Fluttering Garden. I particularly enjoyed the hummingbirds and had a great time creating alternate card ideas. You can view those designs at the end of this message.

I hope you have been able to enjoy the recent sunshine and find time to be creative. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you with your projects.

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