Sunday

Sneak Preview of Our Holiday Stamps: Simple Joys



Hey there! Thank you for joining us as we share glimpses into the creative possibilities using our 2016 Happiest Holiday clear stamp collection. The Bloomies have been pushing the envelope this way and that, with cool cropping, clever techniques, and basically, cards that make your mouth drop open. I know that their beautiful work will inspire you at every turn!

We’ve talked here about how much my mom, Susan, was the guiding force throughout my life, and in addition to modeling an attitude of kindness, love, and a can-do spirit, Mom fostered and encouraged an appreciation for color, pattern, beauty, and specialness. The holidays were a time when the house was often decorated to the nines (never fussy! always warm and delightful). Whether it was ornaments (she collected so many interesting ones, from rare antique German glass ornaments to glittery garage-sale paper-mâché Santas); or the tree (why do a traditional spruce when you can have one flocked with fluffy snow and sparkles?); or gift-wrapping (each present had precious paper, ribbons, and handmade tags that were more carefully curated than the fanciest store you can imagine). Susie Q really did it up, my friends! Either that, or she would say, “It’s too much to drag it all out this year, let’s just hang all the Christmas bows on the tree, and order a pizza!”

In the enchanting holiday-ified dining room with my sweet mom, Susan Smith, who passed away in February. 

Don’t you love it? I do. And I miss her beyond what words can express. Mom memories would flood in while I was working, and there have been multiple days of, well, let’s just call it “sitting there like a zombie staring at a piece of blank paper.” Although I’d filled pages of my sketchbook with ideas, I got to a creative standstill because it just felt so painful to think about my muse, my mother, being gone from our lives as we approach our first holiday season without her.

There is some good news, though! I’m not bringing this release party down without bringing it back UP! My dear friend (and advisor supreme, and head honcho of the Bloomies) Julie Koerber, encouraged me to imagine my Mom sitting next to me as I drew, guiding me to keep working hard, cheering me on to add the special details that truly delighted us both. Isn’t that a wonderful thought? It really helped shift my thinking, as although I miss her, I DO feel her presence and her love. And so, I eventually got to that place Julie described. Into my creative “flow,” that zone where I feel that I can’t stop—even for meals—because I am so driven to draw. Illustrating dizzily under the Susan-fluence.

In the spirit of this rejuvenated inspiration, with God and my mama’s spirit powering the engine, Power Poppy is sooooo very pleased to share with you FIVE new Holiday stamp sets to add to our arsenal of designs. Images that I feel (I feel it down deep!) will enhance your cardmaking experience and help bring forth some very beautiful, special cards and projects.

Today we are showing peeks of the first clear stamp set, Simple Joys.


This clear stamp set is all about the greenery! Little vintage touches, fresh clipped branches, presented with country-chic love from the heartland. Many years, with the kids being little and me working, I end up opting for the “let’s not drag out all the holiday stuff” philosophy, and would do precisely what I’ve illustrated in this very set — clip branches from the garden and pop them into a vintage vessel. The kids would decorate the branches with the ornaments they’d made with yarn and glue and glitter at school. More tufts of greenery would fill glasses on the mantel, add a few candles, roll in a few ornaments — done! Festive. Simple. Fresh. And more than enough.

In this set I have THREE main images and a BUNCH of sentiments. There’s a lot you can do with this one. It will be available in the store on October 21, though you can preorder if you’d prefer!

Would you like to see more of this set? The sweethearts of the Bloom Brigade are ready to supply all kinds of fun for us. Come with me and let’s have a look at their simply beautiful Simple Joys cards!


We will see you back here tomorrow — right? We will be sharing another holiday set, and it is a DOOZY! Nothing simple and relaxing about it. :)


28 comments:

patti said...

Your card is awesome!! Love it!!

creatingincolors said...

Your sweet mother will be watching over you and inspiring your life each day, as will "Simple Joys". What a perfect new release.

Lisa K said...

This set looks so exciting! I can't wait to see the entire new release. You mother would be proud.

Danni said...

All the DT samples are fabulous!! Can't wait to see more!

Natalie said...

Love the new stamp! Can't wait to color.

Unknown said...

This is such a touching post. You know what I am going to say.....she's with you.....ALWAYS! Beautiful stamp set, love the galvanized watering can and branches. The 1st year we owned this house (lived elsewhere) we decide to do Christmas here, without any ornaments or decorations. We 'borrowed' some greens from the woods around and made swags, made starfish garland and seashells coated with glitter. It. Was. Magical. Merry Merry.....can't wait to see more!

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Marcy, what a joy to see the photo of you and your precious mom! I remember last year how you shared about her love for Christmas and how she decorated. I am so glad Julie was able to encourage you to imagine your mom sitting beside you encouraging and loving you as you drew what you love -- and she loved as well (and certainly she loved she dearly). You've once again honored her with this stunning set (the peeks I've seen so far), and I LOVE it! The Bloomies were amazing, and I love it all! Beautifully done, once again, sweet friend! Sending hugs always! xoxo

Traci M said...

What a beautiful picture of you and your Mom, Marcy!! Her home was magical, I can tell...and your release will be as well!! I am glad you were able to pull through and feel her encouragement to keep on illustrating as we will all benefit from your creative results! What an inspiring post as well. Thank you!!

Joyce Erb said...

Thank you so much for sharing your story and creative process or stop as it was:-) Your Mom and you look great and I know this first year will be difficult. I am looking forward to the release, this image is very cool and the designers did a wonderful job showcasing the first peek.

Denise Bryant said...

I loved the hop and seeing these delightful creations featuring the Simple Joys set. I am new to Power Poppy and look forward to seeing more!
Tomorrow marks a year since I lost my Mom, and she also had a knack for decorating for the holidays, like yours! This year I will put a special set of vintage German glass ornaments on my tree for the first time. They are a set I don't even remember my Mom using, but she showed them to me a few years back and I admired them.

LOU said...

Gorgeous cards. I really can not wait to get my hands on this stamp set.

Nora Noll said...

Oh wow!! This is delightful!! The anniversary of my mother's death was last week. I miss her more and more as the time passes. I love that you had such traditions in your house. We made cookies as a family and decorated the tree. Big hugs!!

Abby said...

Looks like another great stamp set!

Camille Short said...

Looking gorgeous!

gabriella said...

Oh I love it, looks beautiful

LauraEva said...

gorgeous---just so gorgeous!

Barbara said...

I just finished seeing how all of the Bloomies have taken your illustrations and brought them to life. This is a very exciting release and I can't wait to see more.

Jeanne said...

Oh Marcella, I feel for you this year. I know all too well how hard it is getting through all the firsts after your mom passes. What a glorious moment captured in that photo. Your mom is absolutely right there with you in everything you do. Cheering you on and spreading her love all over you. Big, caring hugs to you! Your sneek peek looks wonderful. :)

Conniecrafter said...

Such Beautiful sweet memories of your mom, I miss mine so much too, she was a great friend also, just talking and sharing is what I miss the most. So glad you were able to draw from your experience with these new stamps, as hard as it was.

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, Marcy, you and your Mom are as much of a team as ever. I love the thought of feeling her there beside you, encouraging and inspiring. How wonderful and how sad at the same time. But you turned it into a beautiful thing, and your Mom would be so proud of you and happy. Big hugs, sweet friend!

Ann said...

So lovely Marcella, can't wait to hop around and see what the DT did. And that pic of you and your Mom is so sweet. What a great memory to have.

Stampdiva 811 said...

Marcy, what I have seen so far is wonderful. You have done a great job. I know what you are feeling all too well as I just lost my Mom on August 1st this year. It has been very difficult these last two months and I know the holiday season will be very hard but I have to believe she is always with me. Thank you for inspiring us with your art and great posts.

Lisa Lara said...

I was touched by you sharing about your Mom Marella!

Teresa Doyle said...

Marcella, your story has touched my heart. I am so sorry for your loss! I think you have a wonderful friend in Julie and I agree with her advice. Your Mom is with you as you journey through each day. God bless you!

Jo Ann Danchik said...

You have your mother's smile...and from what I read of your posts and instagram...you also have her warmth! Like your mother, I either decorate to the nines and make the house cozy and festive for the holidays, or I do the minimum and call it a day. More the minimum, now that my children are grown and live in St. Louis and Denver. It's fun to visit them on the holidays and see them carry on with the traditions that they grew up with. I guess that way a part of us lives on through them!
I absolutely love your artwork! It always feels cozy and warms my heart. I don't know why, but it always seems to touch some memory of childhood for me. I can't wait to see the rest of the release!

Gloria Stengel said...

I love the new collection! I cannot wait to color some of my recent purchases, too! I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. I lost my mom November 19, 2015. As Thanksgiving approaches...I miss her so deeply. I makes me smile to see your photos and read of your fond memories. Many blessings.

McStamper said...

Love the picture of you and your mom. I lost my mom many years ago and Christmas is always happy but sad, too. I love your designs and know your mom is with you and proud of you talent.

Berina RGA said...

Ah!! I love the pic of you and your mom!! Such a touching post for me, especially after dropping off my parents at the airport today! Living half way across the world from them, its always difficult during festivals, especially Christmas!! I know this does not compare to what you feel, but this post made me think of all the lovely Christmas decorations and get-togethers we used to have!!
-Berina
Moxie Craftie