Joy For You all with SIMON SAYS STAMP!

Hi all!

I'ts a glorious fall day here in Ohio and I'm excited to share with you some projects from the NEW Simon Says stamp release, Joy For You! I've been out of my studio for most of the last 2 months, as our beloved Goddaughter Genny returned to us on Septemerb 9th. For those of you that have been following along, I'll put the update on her situation at the bottom of this post. We praise God she is now safe and we are working on her mental, and emotional healing now.

Anyhoo...I have some GORGEOUS new holiday products to show you from this release! First up this adorable set called Round Robbin.

Isn't this chubby little bird too cute? A bonus for this set, is it has a sentiment for a December birthday...and we all know they get the shaft, so why not make a little something special for them? The bird was colored as a blue bird so it still has a nod to the holiday season, but doesn't scream holiday. This is a great set to work on your coloring skills! Colored pencils were used for this card, which is NOT in my wheel house, but I chose to use them like alcohol markers, so I think it worked out. A little added Tim Holtz Rock Candy to the evergreens and the roof of the bird house gives it some wonderful sparkle...although it never photographs well...

This next card uses a tried and true embossing/die combo to completment the stamps , Holly Bunch. This set has been used about a. million-gajillion times! It makes the perfect little perch for the robbins and a lovely textured background for their scene, don't you think? The die cut the holly was colored with alcohol markers...VERY sloppily and you can't even tell...then embossed for the texture. A little trim of the die cut gave it the perfect swoop for the cardinal and blue bird colored robbins....they match the holidays better...to be perched on. All of this was placed on a frame die cut using the Ribbon Loop Frame die set from Brushed Metallic Gold and white card stocks, then embossed with the coordinaing embossing folder. Finally the sentiment was created with the new Reverse EZ To You and Yours toner cards. If you like to foil...even ifyou don't like to...you MUST get these! Use them how they come in black & white, or run it through your foil machine and make it sparkle! So versatile!

Speaking of the Reverse EZ To You & Yours toner cards, this is super easy card using them! 3 of the sheets were run through my foil machine using Gina K Fancy Foils in `eff, Red Velvet and Glittering Green. super easy and the shine is fabulous! This card would have been even easier with the coordinating die, but alas, it's not in the stash...SHOCKER! Instead, the sentiments were cut using a paper cutter with some hand trimmed with and angled or dove tail end. Then it's just laid out for major shimmer impact! Super fun, right?

Be sure to head over to Simon Says Stamp for all the NEW products for your holiday card and give making...they're total keepers!

So here's the update with our Genny...

We hadn't seen Genny since she was returned to her mother on October 8th 2025. We have had 2 phone calls with her, but other than that...no contact as her mom threated us with violence last time she was with us. On September 9th we received a call from Detroit Children Services...we all live in Toledo...stating Genny was with them, her mother was not mentally able to care for her and could we come get her. We rushed up to find her physically ok, but mentally and emotionally traumatized. She was very confused when she saw us...her mother told her we were evil and didn't want to see her...but she warmed up very quickly and we have all been on a journey of healing and recovery since. Our poor sweet little girl has really been neglected and abused, mentally, emotionally and physically. She still tells us stories of things she endured that brings me to tears. I am grateful to God we are able to help her again, giving her consistent love, safety and stability.

As for her mother, in the last 6 weeks, she has had 2 prolonged hospital stays and arrested 4 times and is currently incarcerated. Her mental health has deteriorated to the point of no return. We pray everyday she gets the help she desperately needs so she is no longer a danger to herself or others. Due to Genny being putback into the system for the same reason as before within 6 months of her release, her mother's legal parental rights will be revoked as she is not able to care for her.

We are not her forever home, but our friends that wanted to adopt her before still want to adopt her! The 4 of us are working with her with therapy and a very slow transition to their home so she continues to feel safe and loved. She is stuck to me like glue, as I'm her safe person, but she is an amazing little girl and we are confident she can heal from this.

So this is why I haven't been very active on my socials! Thanks for hanging in there with me! Have a colorful day!