Hello stampers. I am feeling philosophical again today. Simple gratitude. That is what is on my mind. My heart is overflowing with gratitude today. Pap is finally on the mend. His appetite is back, his pain is under control and he is scheduled to go home from the hospital tomorrow. This lovely 93 year old man will be home for Christmas with the love of his life and he will celebrate simply. I am also grateful for simple cards and that is what I am going to share today!
The Joy of Simplicity
It can be so very refreshing to make a simple card. Clean lines. Simple elements. Just some pretty paper and ink put together to express your love. How awesome is that? Sometimes we can make things too complicated and the frustration of it can suck our joy. With the busy season upon us, maybe you are also ready for some simple inspiration. Don’t be afraid to extend this simplicity to your food prep and your decorating. Take time for what really matters! You, your family and your friends. And of course God.
The Cards
I am grateful for swap cards like this one that I received from Cheryl De Souza from Markham, Ontario at OnStage in Toronto. Such a pretty card with lovely clean lines and elements. the jingle bell actually rings when you shake the card. My inner child really likes that.
This card is also a swap card from OnStage and I am so grateful for them during this busy season. It was wonderful to have some extra cards on hand to share with you on this blog. This weekend I am celebrating an early Christmas with all the kids and grandkids before I leave for Holland, so this is a happening place at 81 Delaware. Michelle Sturgeon from Long Sault, Ontario made this card and you can see more of her wonderful work on her blog here. I called Michelle to see if there was a framelit for the tree. There is not. But she dusted off her Brother Scan-n-Cut and it did a fine job cutting these for her!
This last card is my own design. I love using paper strips to make a big present. Each strip is 1″ by 3″. That means you can get 12 strips out of one 6″ x 6″ piece of patterned paper. This card uses Wrapped in Plaid paper and the saying is from Snowman Season using the Stamparatus of course to get it nice and dark and perfectly straight. A card like this would be perfect for a family card making night. You could have all the strips cut out and put in little baskets so people could mix and match to make their own unique “presents”. It’s also a great way to use up paper scraps.
Gratitude Made Simple
It truly is amazing what simple gratitude can do for you. Take a few moments to think about what you are grateful for. Not just big things, but especially little ones. Your whole day will change! Add a few deep breaths (yes, it is amazing that we forget to breathe meaningfully!) and your spirit will feel lighter. I am ever so thankful for each one of you, for your loyal following, for taking the time to comment, for the surprise online orders, for buying my tutorial, the list goes on!
Giving Back
I would like to take this opportunity to show my gratitude and to offer some blog candy. It’s been a while and it is fun to give away a present to “my people”. If you take the time to comment on my blog and share it either on Facebook or Pinterest, then you will be in a draw to win Holiday Haul. The stamp set will be mailed out on Tuesday. I will do the draw at noon on Tuesday, so any comments and shares done by then will be included. Good luck!!
Thanks for dropping by. If you need anything and you live in Canada, you can order from me online, just be sure to use the host code posted on the right side of this blog on the home page. Orders placed by December 10 should arrive in time for Christmas.
Product List
I’m glad to hear your dad is heading home again.
Beautiful stamp set as well. I can think of some old truck lovers who would love this as a birthday card!
Lovely cards…Cute set! Busy times for you!
So true! A fun and happy kind of busy though and I’m glad I can squeeze in one more visit with my parents before my trip.
I soooo want that Holiday Haul please !! I love your ideas & demos
Very cute. Always fun to see what other people make.
Thanks Anita, I agree.
Thanks so much Pam, that makes me happy. Good luck with the draw!
Thanks so much Ingrid. I am so very grateful.
So very happy to read your dad is feeling well enough to be sent home. Wishing him a speedy recovery. I really like your cards as well.
Thanks so much Violet!
The little truck card is so cute! I love your cards and videos!
All your creations are beautiful!! I check your blog out everyday!! Love today’s stamp set!
Thanks so much Marion, I am honoured!!
I enjoy all you videos as you are not afraid to be real in everything you say and do! So glad to hear your Dad is doing better as well. Enjoy your time in Holland with Gerard. Merry Christmas
Thanks so much Maureen!
Literally such a cute truck!! I love it!
Thanks Amber!
Love the stamp set! The truck is GREAT!
I love the truck too!
Love this stamp set and the simplicity of the cards.
Thanks Lorraine! Simple can be refreshing.
A cute stamp. I thoroughly enjoy your posts. Not sure I know how, but I will try to share on Pinterest.
Thanks so much! I appreciate the sharing.
This is such a versatile stamp set especially for all your friends who live in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s one you can use all year round.
Such lovely news about your Pap Jackie – I hope he continues to improve. Our ageing parents are such a precious gift to us and we are blessed to still have them in our lives.
It is for sure. It wasn’t on my radar until I got the swap card from Michelle.
love the stamp set a little of everything, so glad to hear your dad is on the mend. thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks so much Bev, me too! and you’re welcome.
Really great news about your dad.
Holiday Haul has a lot of wonderful possibilities ie. Christmas; Fall; Halloween; Birthday; and even Valentines Day! It looks like a great set.
You are completely right Maryanne.
Great news about Pap!
Thanks Laura!
Love this stamp set ! I am so happy that Pap is on the mend and going home to spend the Christmas season with your Mom ! She will be thrilled ! Hugs to all of you !
I am so very happy and Mom is too. Of course Pap is happiest of all that he gets to go home.
Sweet cards! I love the colours, so bright and Merry. I’m happy your father is on the mend. Cheers!
Thanks so much Terri on both counts.
I always look forward to your blog posts Jackie… incite full.
Thank you so much,
Thanks so much Karen, that makes my heart happy.
Loving your cards Jackie! Thanks for sharing them all. Now to get the right tools to make them!!
Thanks so much Fran! You definitely want to get the starter kit in January when you get so many extra freebies. Be sure to check out my post tomorrow, I will be talking all about it.
Your cards are adorable Jackie! I love the simplicity of them!
Thanks so much Shelley.
Especially love the last one. Great paper. Glad your father is feeling better.
Thanks so much Nancy!
So glad to hear dad is on the mend and especially going home. He is one tough cookie. Hoped he liked the cards from “ your people”. Haha. Love your present card. So simple yet striking with the plaid paper. I am grateful today for Taryn. It is her 35th bday. She took the day off and had her hair done and a yoga class. That was huge for her to do something for herself. She is learning !!! And I am grateful that u can in my life. Enjoy your pre Christmas!! I will share on Pinterest.
Thanks so much Janis. In the Dutch tradition, congratulations with your daughter’s birthday! I’m glad she took some time for herself. I will see my parents on Tuesday night before I leave for Holland, I will video all the cards from “my people”. They are so touched.
These cards are so cute!!
Thanks so much Holly.
The cards are so sweet. You give such wonderful inspiration to so many xx
Thanks so much Wendy!
A true blessing that your pap is doing well and will be headed home! This is a darling stamp set, I just love your cards!
Ugh. I cannot spell my own name! Stoffel
We all have days like that Tammy! Thanks for commenting.
Holiday Haul is a great stamp set. My adult sons still like talking about trucks! I would love this set to make some cards.
Thanks Rita! Good luck in the draw.
Wonderful post Jackie. Recognizing simple blessings certainly helps me keep perspective. Sending continued good days for your precious parents.
Thanks so much Pam. They are amazed at all the outpouring of love from stampers they don’t even know. I am touched.
These are beautiful and really show how simple, clean designs can be the most stunning! For some of us they can also be the hardest to make, so it’s fantastic when demonstrators provide inspiration. Thank you for sharing your creations, and giving us a chance to win some goodies!
Thanks so much Tiffany, you are welcome!
Love the simple cards! Love all the tips and videos. Thanks for sharing.
Thank You Mary!
I love simple cards ♥️Easy is best for me
That’s awesome Sheryl!
Thanks for sharing all your beautiful cards, and so happy that your Dad is on the mend, and giving me a chance to win.
Thanks Nancy, you’re welcome.
Love the cards, glad your Dad is feeling better. Enjoy your early Christmas.
Thanks so much Jean!
So happy to hear that your dad is doing so much better and will be able to spend Christmas at home. That’s wonderful news indeed. Great ideas for simple cards. Thank you for sharing, as always.
Thank YOU Louise for commenting. I am so, so happy about Pap.
Love following you on Facebook. This is such a cute set! Thanks for the chance to win!
You’re welcome Verna, thanks so much!!
I always love your classes
You make them so fun and so welcoming
Thanks so much Angelina, I love it when you can make it to a class!
Jackie, I’m so glad your Pap is on the mend, and home from hospital. I’ve been thinking of him and your Mum. Like you, I love simple cards. They can look so effective! One of these days I will be in Canada and have a class with you!
I would love that so much Joanne! If I ever get to Australia I will be in touch.
It’s such a busy time of year; thanks for the reminder of what really matters. I always say…if you come to see me come any time. If you come to see my house make an appointment! Haha!
Blessings of the season.
I love that attitude Marilyn! Thanks for commenting!!
Love your ideas!
thanks so much Lindsay, love your profile pic too!
wonderful blog & these latest cards are so wonderful; You sure do appreciate the simple things in life, besides the finer things; I love reading your comments on your posts; have a great trip to Holland & the best of holiday wishes will come true for you!
Aww Sue, that’s just so nice of you. thanks!!! I hope so too.
So happy to hear that your dad is going well. I am so grateful for so many thinks this morning. First, it’s my 38 th wedding anniversary this morning. My husband is amazing with me. I have to deal with 6 cancers since 1998 and he took everything on hand. I’m also so grateful cause my son and his family are coming to live in Montreal. I’m so grateful to have an upline like you Jackie. Right now I don’t feel my fingers because of chemo but you show me to make simple card and if I make a mistake in one or two, it’s ok. Thank you
Oh Ann-Marie!! You are a beautiful soul. No wonder your husband loves you so. I am grateful for you too. Happy anniversary!!
Cute stamp set.