Every issue, the Stampers Sampler posts a template.  I don't know why,  but this template was really inspirational.  I was proctoring the AP French exam and had lots of time to doodle. These two cards were two of the ideas I had.

The card, Go Confidently,  was inspired by Christine Kokiw.  She did a masculine card for our recent Jammin Stampers Meeting that featured the peragamo technique.   Using a stylus, rub the back of an image stamped on vellum.  The result is white, textured sails.   Christine found the method at Still Stamping.  I added the idea of a message in a bottle.   The stamp sets are Open Seas and French Foliage

The second bottle features the Green Man, a mythical creature from England. The Green Man brings health and growth to your garden. The stamps are: face - inkadinkadoo, leaves - Baby Blossom (SU), label - Le Jardin Botinique (SU)

It is so exciting to be published!  In November,  I was contacted by the Stampers' Sampler to submit some cards using the stamp "Have a Seat" from Stampin' Up.  I sent them a handful....and then waited until this April.  Such a thrill to open the magazine and find 3 cards.  And then to find 2 more later on....and that two cards had been chosen to be spotlighted!

Then, open the mailbox door and -- there's the Catch Up issue and another card!

If you have submitted in the past, and haven't been chosen, keep trying!  And if you've never sent cards, why not?  It's so fun to see your name in print.  And your cards look unbelievable when they are professionally photographed.