Hey! Grab my handy, free app to direct you to all my links & things. Test it out!

Hurray! Your May 2023 wallpaper/calendar is ready to download!

It’s May! And you may already know that in my life, May is about lilacs. My fascination with lilacs began back in elementary school, when we had lilacs in our backyard and I was hosting a party for my classmates. I had decorated our party room profusely with those beautiful (and very fragrant) flowers. But then many years elapsed during which I lived in regions where lilacs didn’t grow very well… until I eventually ended up in the northwest. And lilacs came back into my life. And I think I’ve featured lilacs for our May wallpaper/calendar ever since I began designing these almost 7 years ago!

My monthly desktop wallpaper & calendar offers you a pretty seasonal picture to customize and brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all. It also includes a handy monthly calendar, and you’ll find my web address listed at the bottom. (Note that the address isn’t clickable; you’ll have to type it into your browser). This monthly wallpaper design is FREE to download and install, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

How to download & install your May 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Note: You’ll probably want to consult your own computer operating system’s installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system took just 3 quick steps – and less than a minute. It’s super-duper easy-peasy! (Windows 11 seems to work pretty much the same way, as well.)

Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

1. Decide which version you’d like to download. (For newer, larger monitors, you’ll probably prefer the higher-res version.) If you’d like to download the higher-res version of this wallpaper/calendar, left-click here and this month’s image should open. (It might take a few moments to fully appear.) Locate and select the download option (probably somewhere near the upper-left of your screen) and save the image to your computer, renaming it as you wish. OR… if you’d prefer the standard-resolution version, left-click here to open the image. Then right-click on the image and save it to your computer, renaming it as appropriate.
2. Once the file has been downloaded, named, and saved, click on your saved image to open it.
3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click on the image again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have such things these days, of course!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10 (or 11), you may find these installation tips helpful:

Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows
Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly image is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (a common format for monitors and HD TV’s since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (If your monitor displays 1920 x 1080 pixels, or 2560 x 1440 pixels, it should work fine.) If you’re working with an older monitor (and/or one that’s more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format or some other variation, the picture will likely not work for you. And unfortunately, I am unable to trouble-shoot individual systems’ incompatibility challenges. Sorry!

Download your May 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

May 1, 2023

Hurray! Your May 2023 wallpaper/calendar is ready to download!

How to download & install your May 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

1. Decide which version you’d like to download. (For newer, larger monitors, you’ll probably prefer the higher-res version.) If you’d like to download the higher-res version of this wallpaper/calendar, left-click here and this month’s image should open. (It might take a few moments to fully appear.) Locate and select the download option (probably somewhere near the upper-left of your screen) and save the image to your computer, renaming it as you wish. OR… if you’d prefer the standard-resolution version, left-click here to open the image. Then right-click on the image and save it to your computer, renaming it as appropriate.
2. Once the file has been downloaded, named, and saved, click on your saved image to open it.
3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click on the image again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have such things these days, of course!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10 (or 11), you may find these installation tips helpful:

Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows
Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer

Download your April 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Apr 3, 2023

Hurray! Your April 2023 wallpaper/calendar is ready to download!

Well, I did it! Perhaps mostly for myself, but also to share with anyone else tired of the incessant late-winter / early-spring gray skies and ready for some color. This splash of color might be a few weeks ahead of its time (especially here in North Idaho), but I sure hope we’ll be seeing life in color again eventually!

How to download & install your April 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

1. Decide which version you’d like to download. If you’d like to download the higher-res version of this wallpaper/calendar, left-click here and this month’s image should open. (It might take a few moments to fully appear.) Locate and select the download option (probably somewhere near the upper-left of your screen) and save the image to your computer, renaming it as you wish. OR… if you’d prefer the standard-resolution version, left-click here to open the image. Then right-click on the image and save it to your computer, renaming it as appropriate.
2. Once the file has been downloaded, named, and saved, click on your saved image to open it.
3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click on the image again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have such things these days, of course!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10 (or 11), you may find these installation tips helpful:

Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows
Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer

Download your March 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Mar 1, 2023

Hurray! Your March 2023 wallpaper/calendar is ready to download!

So I’ve been trying to figure out what type of image would be appropriate for this month. I’d like to think it’s spring, but the overnight temperatures are still dropping into the teens, and it’s still white outside my window, with more snow expected. And technically, we’ve got 2-1/2 more weeks until the calendar declares it’ll be spring, anyway. So daffodils and tulips are still considerably in the distance around here. But I’ve heard that some are starting to see crocus peeking through the snow… so let’s go with that for now.

How to download & install your March 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

1. Decide which version you’d like to download. If you’d like to download the higher-res version of this wallpaper/calendar, left-click here and this month’s image should open. (It might take a few moments to fully appear.) Locate and select the download option (probably somewhere near the upper-left of your screen) and save the image to your computer, renaming it as you wish. OR… if you’d prefer the standard-resolution version, left-click here to open the image. Then right-click on the image and save it to your computer, renaming it as appropriate.
2. Once the file has been downloaded, named, and saved, click on your saved image to open it.
3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click on the image again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have such things these days, of course!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10 (or 11), you may find these installation tips helpful:

Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows
Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer

Make Metallic-Looking Accessories for Cards

Feb 26, 2023

Want to create a luxurious, high-end look on a budget? Try making your own metallic-looking accessories from cardstock and a few other items you probably already have in your papercrafting stash! Keep reading to learn how I made these stunning letters – actually based on ordinary cardstock.

General Construction of this Card

Now, before we get to the specific “how to” of making your own metallic-looking accessories, I need to share a bit of background information. You see, the Designer Series Paper shown on this card came from the 12″ x 12″ collection called “Dainty Flowers”. It’s really lovely paper, front AND back, and it’s even been available for nearly 2 months for free with a $50 Sale-a-Bration order. But just as I got this card put together, inventories of that DSP ran out. And sadly, it’s no longer available. But of course you can use any cardstock or DSP of your choice, should you want to make a card similar to this one.

The layout template, including all cutting sizes, was included in my online card classes of last week. And it will eventually reappear in an upcoming compilation of such templates, so hang tight & keep checking back if you’re interested in that.

How to Make your Metallic-Looking Accessories

Would you be surprised to learn that the base for the gold letters shown on this card is just simply cardstock? Indeed, to begin this look, I used the Alphabet a la Mode dies to die-cut 3 each of the letters I needed. (I used Crushed Curry cardstock, but the color really doesn’t matter because it barely shows). Then I stacked up the layers to create 3-dimensional letters, carefully applying my favorite adhesive (Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue) between each layer.

Once the glue on the letters was dry, I used a Versamark Pad (upside down) to pat onto one half of a letter. Then I applied Gold Embossing Powder and heated it with my Heat Tool to melt the powder. When the letter had cooled sufficiently to handle, I repeated the process on the opposite end of the letter. It actually took about 3 layers of this same process to get the fairly smooth metallic-look that I was aiming for, and I repeated that for each letter. (This process is indeed a bit time-consuming, so put on some nice music while you’re working.)

Once I had all my letters assembled, I simply glued each one into place on my card, using the same glue as mentioned above (which we affectionately refer to as “Green Glue“).

Other Ideas for Metallic-Looking Accessories

In addition to letters such as these, of course you could think in terms of any other cardstock shapes that you could punch or die-cut and then stack up for dimension. How about numbers for a special birthday or anniversary card? Or a small leaf or flower? A heart? Or a frame shape? Just let your imagination be your guide and have lots of fun with this idea!

And of course, we’d LOVE it if you shared your card showcasing your own metallic-looking accessories on my Facebook Page!

Need something other than these items? Check out my online store here, and remember that if you can get your order submitted before the end of Feb. 28th, 2023 (Mountain Time), you can qualify for free Sale-a-Bration goodies, too!

Download your February 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Feb 2, 2023

Hurray! Your February 2023 wallpaper/calendar is ready to download!

It’s PINK month in Lynda’s life! And you can’t ever have too many flowers, so what more can I say?

How to download & install your February 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

1. Decide which version you’d like to download. If you’d like to download the higher-res version of this wallpaper/calendar, left-click here and this month’s image should open. (It might take a few moments to fully appear.) Locate and select the download option (probably somewhere near the upper-left of your screen) and save the image to your computer, renaming it as you wish. OR… if you’d prefer the standard-resolution version, left-click here to open the image. Then right-click on the image and save it to your computer, renaming it as appropriate.
2. Once the file has been downloaded, named, and saved, click on your saved image to open it.
3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click on the image again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have such things these days, of course!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10 (or 11), you may find these installation tips helpful:

Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows
Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer

Download your January 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Jan 6, 2023

Hurray! Your January 2023 wallpaper/calendar is ready to download!

So Christmas is behind us, but the gentle snow is not. I think this scene depicts the beauty that a quiet snow can represent without reminding us of the terrible disruption to daily life that it can also become. Here in my part of North Idaho we still have snow on the ground in shady places, higher elevations, and of course, in the enormous piles that plows created over the past couple of months. But the roads and pavements are largely clear. THAT’s the kind of snow I can appreciate for its beauty. And I hope we’ve seen the last of the miserable, life-interrupting version for this year!

How to download & install your January 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

1. Decide which version you’d like to download. If you’d like to download the higher-res version of this wallpaper/calendar, left-click here and this month’s image should open. (It might take a few moments to fully appear.) Locate and select the download option (probably somewhere near the upper-left of your screen) and save the image to your computer, renaming it as you wish. OR… if you’d prefer the standard-resolution version, left-click here to open the image. Then right-click on the image and save it to your computer, renaming it as appropriate.
2. Once the file has been downloaded, named, and saved, click on your saved image to open it.
3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click on the image again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have such things these days, of course!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10 (or 11), you may find these installation tips helpful:

Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows
Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer

First play with Christmas Barn Bundle

Dec 19, 2022

Christmas card featuring Christmas Barn Bundle

I’ve just been dying to dig into this Christmas Barn Bundle that I purchased a few months ago, but hadn’t yet had the opportunity to use. Thankfully, I finally found the time recently!

This bundle (stamps + dies) has so many appealing images it took me a bit longer than usual to figure out an arrangement that reflected what I had in my head. I loved the barn, but pretty quickly realized that if I wanted to use the horse & sleigh, the pond, AND several trees… that there just wasn’t going to be room for it all on a standard-sized card. So the barn will have to wait its turn.

This is a standard 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ card. Its base features the thick basic white cardstock, which is my standard go-to for most of my card bases. I cut the snow hill at the bottom freehand from a scrap of Shimmery White cardstock, and the snowflakes were then die-cut from the remnants of that same scrap.

To get the dual-color look for the trees, I began by inking the stamp with Soft Succulent Classic Pad, but then immediately added the brown color to the trunk & branches with my Early Espresso Stampin’ Write marker, applied directly onto the stamp. (Note: this is ok to do with our Stampin’ Write markers because they are water-based and will easily wash off the stamp; but do NOT try this with the Blends, however, as they are alcohol-based and not intended to be used directly on stamps.) Anyway, once the Stampin’ Write marker color was applied to the stamp, I breathed some warm, moist air onto the stamp and immediately stamped it onto the card.

Balmy Blue Classic Pad provided the 2 blue areas on this card: the sky and the pond. I used a Blending Brush to apply ink to each area, varying the intensity of the ink accordingly.

The sleigh & horse were stamped with the black Momento pad, and then colored with several Stampin’ Blends colors before die-cutting. And that image, along with the fence, was then mounted with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

For final touches, I stamped the sentiment that appears at the bottom onto scrap cardstock, and cut it out freehand. And then added a bit of twinkle to the top edge of the snow hill, as well as to the snowflakes with my Wink of Stella Glitter Brush.

And just like that, my Christmas Barn Bundle has now been broken in!

Want some or all of these supplies for yourself?

Just find the “Add All to Cart” button down below the images. This will add each of these items to your cart at Stampin’ Up!’s online store and then take you directly to the store and show you that list in your shopping cart. Then just go down that list and simply delete the things you *don’t* need, and adjust the quantities you *do* need! Be sure to log into your own account to check out, or save the contents of your cart to purchase later. Easy-peasy!

Basic Supplies

Add All to Cart

NOTE: In addition to these items shown, I also used a variety of Stampin’ Write Markers, and Stampin’ Blends to color the finer details.

Free Shipping with Stampin’ Up! – Dec. 15

Dec 13, 2022

Surprise! We can once again enjoy Free Shipping with Stampin’ Up!®… in just 2 more days! That’s right; with a minimum $75 product order, shipping costs will be waived… as long as you begin and end your order on Thursday, December 15th. (That’s according to “Mountain Time”, which is the time zone Stampin’ Up! lives and operates in).

While it’s probably too late in the month to receive orders in time for Christmas, right now is an excellent time to be thinking a bit beyond then. Let’s say, perhaps towards upcoming January birthdays or other special events, or towards Valentine’s Day, or even just to take advantage of stocking up on some of the basic supplies you might be running low of. (When was the last time you checked your inventory of cardstock, envelopes, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue Dots, or adhesives?)

And of course if you haven’t already taken advantage of the Close-Out (aka “Last Chance”) opportunity from the July-December Mini Catalog… well, that’s running right now, as well. So while it’s likely a bit too late to receive products in time to use them for Christmas projects, there’s *always* a good reason to take advantage of free shipping whenever it pops up!

When you’re ready to place your free-shipping order on December 15th, you can find the current host code here, and shop at my online store right here. And here’s a reminder of how long we have to wait until Free Shipping Day begins!

Download your December 2022 Wallpaper/Calendar

Dec 2, 2022

Hurray! Your December 2022 Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download!

Christmas is coming! That magical time of year! I just finished decorating my tree (pink, of course), and the next area to make festive will be my porch & little garden area. Well, once the foot or so of snow can be brushed away, and we can get some temperatures back up into the 30’s, that is. It’s hard to hang garlands & lights when the hands are numb.

My monthly desktop wallpaper & calendar offers you a pretty seasonal picture to customize and brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all. It also includes a handy monthly calendar, and the web address at the bottom represents a quick, one-stop reference to all the common areas on the web you may want to visit when connecting with my business. This monthly wallpaper design is FREE to download and install, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

How to download & install your December 2022 Wallpaper/Calendar

Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

1. Decide which version you’d like to download. If you’d like to download the higher-res version of this wallpaper/calendar, left-click here and this month’s image should open. (It might take a few moments to fully appear.) Locate and select the download option (probably somewhere near the upper-left of your screen) and save the image to your computer, renaming it as you wish. OR… if you’d prefer the standard-resolution version, left-click here to open the image. Then right-click on the image and save it to your computer, renaming it as appropriate.
2. Once the file has been downloaded, named, and saved, click on your saved image to open it.
3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click on the image again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have such things these days, of course!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10 (or 11), you may find these installation tips helpful:

Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows
Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer

Download your November 2022 Wallpaper/Calendar

Nov 2, 2022

Hurray! Your November 2022 Wallpaper/Calendar is here!

For November’s wallpaper/calendar I am taking the opportunity to remember & honor my daughter, Kimberly Sue, who died suddenly about 8 weeks ago. Shortly afterward, this phrase crossed my path – and it spoke straight into my heart. Kim was only 48 years old; her 49th birthday would have been this upcoming week. Married, but no kids.

Even sadder, she died alone; no one to call on for help or to hold her hand and comfort her. And because nearly 30 years ago, my husband, too, had died alone (although in his case, in mandatory “isolation” in a hospital), noting these similarities has probably been the worst part for me to bear. While I am grateful to have been there to hold both my Mom and my Dad’s hands as they passed in recent years (at ages 88 and 91, respectively), I couldn’t do the same for either my husband or my daughter… neither of whom had the chance to live to see “old age”.

So as we moan about the gray in our hair, the aches in our joints, and the flab that hangs in places we’d rather it didn’t, let’s remember that those elements of “growing old” mean we have had the privilege of living for many years. Not everyone gets that chance.

My monthly desktop wallpaper & calendar offers you a pretty seasonal picture to customize and brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all. It also includes a handy monthly calendar, and the web address at the bottom represents a quick, one-stop reference to all the common areas on the web you may want to visit when connecting with my business. This monthly wallpaper design is FREE to download and install, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

How to download & install your November 2022 Wallpaper/Calendar

Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

1. Decide which version you’d like to download. If you’d like to download the higher-res version of this wallpaper/calendar, left-click here and this month’s image should open. (It might take a few moments to fully appear.) Locate and select the download option (probably somewhere near the upper-left of your screen) and save the image to your computer, renaming it as you wish. OR… if you’d prefer the standard-resolution version, left-click here to open the image. Then right-click on the image and save it to your computer, renaming it as appropriate.
2. Once the file has been downloaded, named, and saved, click on your saved image to open it.
3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click on the image again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have such things these days, of course!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10 (or 11), you may find these installation tips helpful:

Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows
Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer

Alphabet à La Mode Dies [160750]	Metallics Embossing Powders [155555]	Heat Tool (Us And Canada) [129053]	Versamark Pad [102283]
Dainty Flowers 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [160834]	Rich Razzleberry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [115316]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]

Christmas Barn Bundle (English) [159749]	Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [150673]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101910]	Basic White Medium Envelopes [159236]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Soft Succulent Classic Stampin' Pad [155778]
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105]	Blending Brushes [153611]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897]

Strategies with Stamps, Ink & Paper to help the "I'm not creative"s among us feel like artists

How to download & install your May 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Tips for other operating systems:

How to download & install your May 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Tips for other operating systems:

How to download & install your April 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Tips for other operating systems:

How to download & install your March 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Tips for other operating systems:

General Construction of this Card

How to Make your Metallic-Looking Accessories

Other Ideas for Metallic-Looking Accessories

How to download & install your February 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Tips for other operating systems:

How to download & install your January 2023 Wallpaper/Calendar

Tips for other operating systems:

Christmas card featuring Christmas Barn Bundle

Want some or all of these supplies for yourself?

How to download & install your December 2022 Wallpaper/Calendar

Tips for other operating systems:

How to download & install your November 2022 Wallpaper/Calendar

Tips for other operating systems: