June 2025 Blog Wadd;e - Masculine Cards

 Hi All!

This month we are featuring cards that you can send or give to your favorite guy - just in time for Father's Day!

Lets just get to it...Here is my card.  It's a Fathers Day card for my husband!

This is one fancy fun fold card.  I cased this idea from Susan Campfield, Stamin' Up demonstrator.  Here is the link to her video on how to make this card...https://www.youtube.com/live/HtiXkfY7Rt4?si=VyD8lvumzd-qiZBE.  I love the red, white and blue nautical colors.  I also used Trusty Tools stamp set for the sentiments.  

I love this stamp set...Sunrise Sailing Bundle.  I attracted to  the clean, graphic lines. Plus it has some nice, versatile dies AND a hybrid embossing folder for all kinds of possibilities in designing cards.  

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoyed my card.

Blessings - Sheryl

Continue on to the rest of my fellow ducklings participating in this months waddle here:

Product List

Sunrise Sailing Bundle (English) [165497] $50.25	Sunrise Sailing Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [165491] $20.00	Sunrise Sailing Hybrid Embossing Folder [165496] $36.00	Trusty Tools Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [163274] $24.00	Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad [165285] $9.00
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [147084] $9.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $8.25	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482] $14.00	Secret Sea 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [165624] $14.00	Soft Waves 3 D Embossing Folder [164695] $11.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $140.00	Paper Trimmer [152392] $28.00

April Stray Duckling Blog Waddle - Favorite Retiring Products

 Hello my Stamping Friends and welcome to another Stray Duckling Blog Waddle!  This month we are showcasing our favorite retiring products.  

I've got to confess...I love tree leafs.  I find them fascinating.  I'm always photographing them:

So naturally  I'm drawn to leaf stamps.  There are 3 stamp sets that I have loved and used many times. 

They are now on the Last Chance List and I'm kind of sad about that...  Caring Leaves:  A very simple image but very pretty.

Changing Leaves is the other Stamp set and embossing folder (hybrid) and die cuts that are going away.... This set made a gorgeous card.. I used Blackberry Bliss, Wild Wheat (retiring in-color), and the Gold Mercury Vellum (also on the last chance list).

And lastly the Autumn Leaves stamp set and dies:  The veining on the leaf is so pretty!

I can't finish with out mentioning one of my favorite retiring Designer Series papers:  Countryside Inn. I love the blues and the subtle designs in the paper... Really going to miss this one.  I used the Eyelet 3-D Embossing folder and this one is sticking around !  Yeah! 

The paper made a beautiful quilt card:

So there you have it...My sad list of favorite retiring products.  However, I'm really looking forward to the exciting new products in the 25-26 Annual Catalog and all the beautiful fall stuff in the 2025 Holiday Mini.  

I hope you enjoyed my cards.  Blessings,   Sheryl

Please visit my other fellow ducklings blogs listed below:

Product List

Caring Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [164273] $17.00

Changing Leaves Bundle (English) [164139] $54.00

Changing Leaves Hybrid Embossing Folder [164138] $40.00

Autumn Leaves Bundle (English) [162186] $55.75

Countryside Inn 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [161467] $12.50

March 2025 Class is now in Session - Easter Cards!

 Hi All!

This months card class is all about Easter and Spring.  Here are the cards we will be making:

There are several fun folds and some surprises as well.  These cards are a bit more challenging than what I normally have, but we have to do something special for Easter, don't we?  I'll take you step by step in how to make these unique cards.  Please join me:

Date and Time

Friday, March 28th - Morton Public Library - 10am - 2pm

Please RSVP as soon as possible.  As always, you will be making a total of 7 cards;  2 each of 3 designs and a bonus card - card recipe and envelopes are included.  All for $25 and a whole lot of fun.

Blessings....Sheryl

March 2025 Stray Duckling Blog Waddle - Fun Techniques

 Hi All!

Welcome to the March 2025 Blog Waddle of the Stampin Stray Ducklings!  This month's inspiration is all about card making techniques.  I choose a very simple yet effective technique - water color backgrounds.

Here is what you need to create some easy watercolor background cards:

• Two to 3 ink colors:  I used Pretty Peacock and Daffodil Delight
• A sheet of water color paper - I used a 3 x 4-1/4 sheet
• Spray bottle filled with water
• Plastic tray and paper towels

Touch colors on the acrylic block in various locations.  I always start with the lightest color and then the darker color.  Lay the water color paper on a paper towel in the plastic tray - Spray the acrylic block a couple of time and then place directly on the water color paper, color side down.  Let it sit there a few seconds, you can wiggle it around a bit if you like.  Lift up.  Pick the watercolor paper up and let the drips run.  If some area's look dry - spritz a little more water on the paper.  Set aside to dry.

Now you can use this as anything you would like.  I used the Beautiful Butterflies bundle.  I cut the smaller wings out of the now colored water color paper.  I added a few more blings and there you have it.

Here is the finished card:

My inspiration for this beautiful card came from Cindy Brumbaugh - Here is a link to her video: 

And here is the link to the video on how to create the multicolor water color background:  

I hope you enjoyed today's technique and inspiration.  Please waddle on to the next Ducklings post for more beautiful cards and ideas!- Sheryl

Product List

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [150083] $9.00	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094] $9.00	Beautiful Bokeh 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [164607] $12.50	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $13.00	Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper [149612] $9.00
Clear Block E [118484] $13.00	Stampin' Spritzer [126185] $6.00	Beautiful Butterflies Bundle (English) [164615] $59.25	2024–2026 In Color™ Glimmer 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper [163771] $11.00	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $130.00

February 2025 Class is in Session!

Hi all,

It's been quite a month already for me, but I finally got the cards for class designed and samples made!  This month I'm using what is called "card sketches" for my inspiration.  I also thought I would try one of the ephemera packs that have been so popular in the January - April Spring Stampin'Up catalog.  

The theme this month is Birthday!  Here are the cards;

 I'm using a variety of designer series papers, plus some of the free Sale-A-Bration items.  The cards are quick and easy so I hope you can join us.  

Dates and Times:

Sunday, February 23rd - 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm - my house (limit of 5 people only)

Friday, February 28th - 10am - 2pm - Morton Christian Church

Just a reminder, you will be making a total of 7 cards:  2 each of 3 designs plus a bonus card.  Envelopes and card recipes are included.  Cost is $25 for the class.  

Please let me know ASAP if you plan on attending.  I had a late start this month and I will be cutting kits next week.  

Hope to see you at class!

Blessing,   Sheryl

January 2025 Stray Duckling Blog Waddle - New Stuff!

 Hi all,

This month the Stray Ducklings are exploring all the neat new stuff that's coming out with the January - April Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration!

I chose a wonder set from the Sale-A-Bration catalog that is free with a $120 purchase (before S&H and tax).  I got to order mine early since I'm a demonstrator.  This is a stamp set with dies called Heart Shape.

Here is my card that I made:

It's so delicate and elegant!  I used Blackberry Bliss card stock and ink and the Spotlight on Nature dies.  The Vellum that I used is retired, but you can get white vellum in the Graceful Greenery Vellum paper pack.  I just love the dies and the sentiments that come with the stamp set. It's very versatile in that it could be a thank you, valentine or anniversary card.

I hope you enjoyed my card today and inspires you to get some of the nifty free stuff during Sale-A-Bration.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings - Sheryl

For further inspiration please check out my fellow ducklings:

Blog Hop Index

January 2025 C!ard Class is now in session

 Hi All,

It's hard to believe its 2025..where does the time go?  It's been 25 years since when we thought all the computers would crash because of the date!  Never happened.  Thankfully.  Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.  I took the month of December off from card classes to recharge my battery and it has worked!  

The theme for January class is Valentines cards and I have a mix of traditional and non-traditional colors and cards! Here are the cards that we will be making:

The puppy dog card is made from the Hearts of Elegance Dies as well! These are all easy, fun cards to make that will delight whoever receives them!

Class Dates and Times:

Sunday, January 26th - 1:30 - 5:00 - my house (limit of 4)
Friday, January 31st - 10am -2pm - Morton Christian Church

RSVP by Wednesday, January 8th, if interested in coming to the class. You will make a total of 7 cards, 2 each of 3 designs plus a bonus card. Envelopes and card recipes are included. Cost is $25.

The star of this class is the new online exclusive suite, Marbled Elegance (164923).



HEARTS OF ELEGANCE PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (10% off)
* 11 photopolymer stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, c, d

HEARTS OF ELEGANCE DIES (10% off)
* 10 dies
* Largest die: 4-1/2" x 4" (11.4 x 10.2 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

MARBLED ELEGANCE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER
* 12 sheets of patterned paper: 2 each of 6 double-sided designs
* Acid free
* Lignin free

GOLD TWISTED THREAD
* Length: 10 yards (9.1 m)

ADHESIVE-BACKED HEART SEQUINS
* 120 adhesive-backed pieces
* 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm
* Gold

GIFT BAGS COMBO PACK
* 16 stampable bags, 8 of each color in 2 sizes
* Large bag: 4-1/2" x 5-3/4" (11.4 x 14.6 cm)
* Small bag: 3-5/16" x 3-11/16" (8.4 x 9.4 cm)
* Food safe

Product colors: Cherry Cobbler, Flirty Flamingo, gold, Melon Mambo, Petal Pink, Real Red

I hope to see you at class!

Blessings, Sheryl