Hey there! I have to apologize for being silent so much of this past week. Even though I am feeling much better, laying low for those several days last week really put me behind on everything, including stamping and creating. I will have something new to show you on Monday, thank goodness, and am really happy to have more swaps to share with you today!

As many of you probably know, I participate in a monthly swap with Carol Nordquist's group. Carol has gathered a group of exceptional demonstrator stampers over the years. I was honored to be invited to join her group a few years ago (2009 I believe), and have been swapping with them almost every month since! We swap full cards, not just card fronts, and a total of 21 all-alike cards wings their way to Minnetonka, MN, around the 16th of every month. I am always excited to receive back 20 different cards, usually based on the theme Carol chooses.

Today's cards are no exception to the excellence rule of Carol's swap. This first card is by the queen of the swap herself, Carol Nordquist! Carol combined the Blessed Easter single stamp with Calypso Coral, Whisper White, and Basic Black to create a memorable birthday card:

When you open the card it folds back into a traditional easel card. Carol used a sentiment from Perfect Pennants, punched with the Decorative Label Punch, as the "stop" for the easel, and added Dazzling Diamonds to to popped-up tulip for some bling!

Renee Watson also used a sentiment from Perfect Pennants, coupling it with rock-n-rolled Petite Petals blossoms, Pumpkin Pie Chevron Ribbon, and a Tempting Turquoise/Chevron Textured card base.

Loraine Duran used the same sentiment Renee did, only she used stamps from Simple Stems and free Sale-a-bration Designer Paper, Sweet Sorbet for her Scalloped Tag Topper Closure card for a completely different look:

Amy Combs took Perfect Pennants in another direction entirely with the Geometrical stamp set and Kaleidoscope Designer Paper. She added touches of Burlap  and Natural Chevron Ribbon, and stamped her main image on a Scalloped Tag Topper-punched tag. The Arrows Textured Impressions Folder-embossed Summer Starfruit retro background pulls it all together!

Retro Fresh paper was combined with the Spiral Spins stamp set from the Occasions catalog (reminds me of my old spirograph!) A Just Sayin' greeting was cut with a Word Bubbles Framelit and a bit of Crisp Cantaloupe Ruffled Stretch Trim was formed into a rosette by this un-named (no name on the backof the card) creator:

Last for this week's Sunday Swap Day, Katy Simecka cut out a Silver-embossed Happy Day from Starburst Sayings with a Starburst Framelit, then mounted it on Fancy Foil Silver Vellum. This color and paper combo would also make a great wedding, anniversary, or retirement card, wouldn't it?

That's all for today. Be sure to come back tomorrow to see a trio of little spring/easter treats I created for you!

I would be remiss if I let you go today without reminding you that today and tomorrow are the final day of Sale-a-bration for 2014. It goes by so quickly, doesn't it? To place your final (or maybe your first!) order of at least $50 before tax & shipping and choose your free item from this year's Sale-a-bration catalog, click HERE to shop and order from my Online Store.

Until tomorrow, have a Stampingrox! day!

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