If anyone would have asked me to use Stampin' Up!‘s With All My Heart stamp set with their Winter Post, I would have laughed, maybe even giggled, at the idea.  This morning I woke up early, jumped in the shower and I instantly thought of this combination, odd huh?

13 years ago when I started stamping, I looked EVERYWHERE for different rubber stamping products.  There was not a craft store that I did not visit.  I even drove 6 hours once to go to a stamp store.  There were two things that I either had to find a solution for or quit stamping.

It was so frustrating to me to try to coordinate colors.  I wanted the cardstock to match the ribbon.  I wanted the cardstock to match the patterned paper.  I wanted the accessories to match the cardstock.  I think you get the idea, and do you feel the same way?  I bought all these markers and spent hundreds of dollars on markers, and none of them matched what I trying to create.  I would get the image all good and colored and then I couldn't find the right patterned paper.  Even as I type this, I can feel my blood pressure rise and all those feelings of frustration coming flooding back to me.

The second frustration will be addressed later this week.

I have often been asked how long I have been a demonstrator and why I chose Stampin' Up!  And I had no intention of talking about this today, but here we go.  I went to a workshop many years ago, under duress – my boss invited me, and when the demonstrator told me that Stampin' Up!‘s colors coordinate, I had no idea what she meant.  And then I saw it for myself.  I was holding Night of Navy Cardstock, Night of Navy ribbon, we used the Night of Navy inkpad, the Night of Navy pastel and it was like the clouds parted, there were golden rays of sunshine blaring and these little angels started playing their harps.  I was hooked! 

Years later, I moved to a city where I knew practically no one and I wanted to meet people and make friends with people outside of work.  So I drew up my resume and had it all ready to turn in – yes, I really did not know that anyone could be a demonstrator – and a handful of years later it became my full time job.  And it all started with color coordination.  It is funny what sticks with you, isn't it?

Today's handmade card features color coordination in a way that I think really matches the way that I felt 13 years ago.  I love Stampin' Up!‘s ribbon.  I use it for gift wrap, making my daughter's hairbows, home decor, everything.  Why?  Have you ever compared it to what you can buy at a craft store?  It is much sturdier and the colors are so much more vibrant and true and how cool is it that you can make cards like this one using one palette of colors and everything matches?  Can I get a woohoo?

Ok, enough rambling, onto the card…

Supplies used to create this handmade card:

Stampin' Up! Stamps:  With All My Heart, Winter Post

Stampin' Up! Ink:  Marina Mist

Stampin' Up! Cardstock:  Marina Mist, Very Vanilla

Stampin' Up! DSP:  First Edition

Stampin' Up! Accessories:  Marina Mist Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Marina Mist 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Labels Collection Framelits, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Rhinestone Jewels

Items in red are retiring!  If you like the way that these ribbons coordinate, be sure to grab them while supplies are still available.

To order any of these items that are retiring, you can use these links:  With All My Heart (wm: 118134 $17.95, cm: 118623 $13.95);  Winter Post (wm: 111780 $26.95); Finial Press (115963 $7.95); Marina Mist Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (119772 $9.95/10 yards); Marina Mist 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon (120929 $4.95/15 yards)

I hope that you like my With All My Heart meets Winter Post Handmade card, and remember, when you order at least $50 in merchandise through me, you earn Reward Tokens!