With Easter fast approaching, many of our thoughts and creativity turns to the Lord and the "reason for the season". Today's card is one of my favorite religious Easter cards, created with the Crosses of Hope stamp set #117136 wood, #120567 clear mount. The words are from the God's Blessings stamp set #114972.

Another stinkin' cute punched flower idea, this one comes from the Owl Builder punch 118074 of all punches lol. So cute, and really easy to make. This was a swap from my Spring Swap (for current swap click here), and sadly I sent them back after photographing and this particular swap didn't have a name on it...my apologies if it's yours drop me a note so I can give you credit.

Here's a clever use for your Ovals Big Shot die #114525...flower pot!! So fun!The flower images are from the Mixed Bunch stamp set #125535 wood, #125537 clear mount. Flowers were punched with the Blossom Punch #125603. Both of these items are from the Spring Occasions mini catalog.

I love the vintage feel and beautiful images in the Rue Des Fleurs stamp set (#125485 wood, #125487 clear mount) in the Occasions mini catalog (ending April 30, 2012). These are a few great swaps using the set, stay tuned for more.

Spring is in the air here in New England, it's been in the 60's and 70's all week and the first signs of my tulips are starting to pop out of ground. Flowers make me happy! Today I'm sharing some fun flower swaps in honor of spring.

I received this beautiful "Bleeding Heart" card from my friend Michelle Zindorf. It's such a beautiful work of art, using the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set #111672, Stampin' Sponges #101610 and a Brayer #102395. Michelle's cards are works of art, I'm such a huge fan and so touched, on several levels, to receive this in the mail. She put a Bleeding Heart tutorial for this card up on her blog.

I received this beautiful card from my friend Mary Fish. Mary used the Fresh Vintage Stamp set (125115 wood, 125117 clear mount) found in the Sale a Bration catalog. She punched the post images out with the 1" Square Punch #124094, then punched the coordinating card stock colors in the Postage stamp punch #122344. The words "Thoughts of you" are from the Loving Thoughts stamp set #125843 wood, #125845 Clear Mount.

Here are a few more of the beautiful hand-stamped sympathy cards I received from friends this week.This first card was from friend Jean Brown. I love, love how she created these trees. The tree trunks and "thinking of you" are from the Trendy Trees stamp set #113258. The top of the trees was created with the Doily Triple Layer punch #122465. This punch is like having 2 punches in 1. She punched the solid image of the punch in Pretty in Pink, then punched it again in Limeade with the most detailed option of the punch and layered them on top.

Thank you to all for your thoughts, prayers and support through the passing of my step-father, Dick MacKinnon. We received some of the most beautiful sympathy cards, and touching notes. Sadly, we all need sympathy card ideas. Wish that weren't a part of life, but since it is for all of us, I thought I'd share a few for inspiration in sorrowful times.

This week I received the most touching, and stinkin' cutest card in the mail from a very special fan. I was so touched when I received this card in the mail, I had tears in my eyes. Let me share a little bit about Katelyn, she is 5 years old (can you believe that?) and her mom Kim writes:

"My daughter, Katelyn, loves watching your videos. She is 5 years old and your videos are her go to entertainment on youtube :) ... She has actually taught ME a lot of things and gives me little facts as we're crafting that she has picked up from watching videos on her own. I asked her what she had in mind and she said she wanted to make YOU a card!! She spent all day Satruday re-watching your videos to decide what she wanted to make and we sat down Saturday night and she was just exploding with creativity! I was quite impressed. "

Let's have some fun the "Tote-ally Tess in a Dress". These cards were created using the Totally Tess stamp set #117076 wood, #118595 clear mount and she's all "dressed up". The first card is Tess in a wedding dress, super fun!! My apologies on the "shoddy" photo, I cut off one side (oops), you can still see what a fun idea this is.Next is Tess in a party dress (made of oval punches). Way to "outside the box" and "into a dress".

Today my focus is on some of Stampin' Up!'s background stamps showcased on pages 149 -152 of the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog. I love them. So many fun ideas. This first 2 cards use the Hello, Doily background stamp #122845 and the Delicate Doilies stamp set #122590 wood, #122592 clear mount.The last card uses the Sunflower background stamp #123606.

Today's post consists of several fun card ideas. This first card uses the Doily Triple Layer punch #122465 as flowers and the Precious Butterflies Hostess stamp set #122515 wood, #122517 clear mount. Super stinkin' cute! You can earn this stamp set free with $150 order, catalog party, workshop or as a club member.