Just Sayin' .... Woo Hoo!

I was busy today pricing my stamps that I will be selling on Saturday at the Used Stamp Sale at Stamper's Alley in Mooresville.  There are going to be some great deal!  I have several boxes of stamps - all priced under $10 - most of them at $3 and $5!  I hope to get rid of them and have a little cash to buy some new stamps.  I got to look at the 2015-16 catalog today and found several things I want!  Can't wait to share it with you.  I don't think you will be disappointed in the new In Colors!

I also had a little time today to make a couple of cards.

I'm so sad to see these sets go away - Four Feathers and Just Sayin'.  (Although they won't be included in the stamp sale!  I'll still be using them from time to time.)

I used several stamp sets (as you can see from the list below).  I don't usually use so many but I was on a roll and just kept adding little elements here and there.  The birdie is from a hostess set that hasn't seen too much ink so guess I'll be holding on to it a little longer.

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Mixed Bunch of Flowers

Sorry I've been neglecting my blog!  I don't have much of an excuse except I get involved in doing other things at night and just forget!

We went to South Carolina this weekend with a group of friends and saw a "Doo Wop" concert.  It was really good and had me singing right along with the oldies (but goodies).  On our way home on Sunday, we stopped off at the Front Porch Restaurant and had a delicious lunch - fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, limas, cornbread .... yum!!

I have made a few cards with some of the retiring stamps that I will be sharing.  Trying to see which ones I'll make for my Stamp Club.  I am moving my Thursday Stamp Club up to next week due to Sonny's surgery the 3rd week of May.  It works out because my friend, Margaret, will be here next week and she can be the hostess!  Sonny and Graham are going with the Golden Boys on their annual Skeet Shooting outing to South Carolina.

I have been consolidating My Digital Studio files also.  I have the program on my laptop, an external hard drive and also on my computer.  A lot of the files that I have on my computer & hard drive are not on my laptop so I have been going through and comparing the files and moving them.  I also set up several files labeled, Frames, Birthday, Holidays, Christmas, Tags, etc. and have been going through all the files and moving files into the proper category.  This is something I should have done a long time ago.  It will help me so I don't have to search for things.  There are a lot of files that get hidden away in the Designer Kits.

I pulled out the Mixed Bunch (retiring) set the other day and made this bouquet of flowers (CASE-d).

You will never guess what the container is!  I used an empty plastic button box (Stampin' Up).  I punched holes in the top of the button container and wrapped the top and bottom of the box individually with Red Line Tape. I wrapped a tube of white card stock around them (separating the top and bottom so the middle is actually hollow).  Then I covered the white cs with DSP.  Each flower is three layers.  I adhered the flowers onto a wooden dowel and poked each one into the plastic box top.  I shredded some card stock and glued it to the bottom to cover up the container.  What do you think?


Here are this week's Weekly Deals:

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MDS Monday Challenge #2

This is another page I did for the MDS Monday challenge this week.  I had a hard time deciding between the two so I think I will submit them both!

When we visited Ireland a few years ago, we went to the Aran Islands on the west coast.   We took the ferry to the largest island, Inishmore, which is only 9 miles of land but the island has such a weather beaten charm to it that it captured my heart.  The tiny island consists of a maze of stone fences. There are only about 1,200 people on all three of the islands. What fascinated me the most was listening to them speak.  Most of them speak Irish Gaelic and it is impossible to understand!  There is a ferry system to get you to and from the mainland but it is passenger only.  This view from a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean shows remnants of crosses and chapels dating from the 8th to the 11th centuries.

The elements I used for this page are:

Background Paper - DSP Distressed Crushed Curty

Embellishments - Burlap Ribbon recolored, Top Notch Woodcuts

Stamps - Natural Composition Overlay #9

Punches:  1.25 Square punch filled w/DSP Etcetera #6, Smitten Alphabet Punches

Photo Box filled w/Amped Up Ampersands #2 DSP

MDS Monday Sketch

I've been working on my page for this week's MDS Monday challenge.  For some reason, I was really stumped this time!  In fact, I made three pages trying to decide.  But I think I like the last one I did the best so that is what I am submitting for the challenge.

I love the greens in the picture.  I made my background color to match the green in the flowers.  I used an overlay (love overlays!!) from Decorative Overlays - actually, I used two of them - one colored in white and one in green.  I really like the hazy look of the background.  I purchased about $65 in MDS downloads yesterday with my club order and had to use some of them on this page.

Embellishments used -

• Hello World Chalk Dots Overlay (recolored Pear Pizzaz)
• Everyday Enchantment Ribbon - Lucky Limeade (recolored to match)

Stamps used

• Decorative Overlays Flowers 
• Simple Snapshots - "the beauty of life" colored in white and green

Paper used:

• Whisper White background
• Hi There DSP #2

The font is a new one I just discovered also called EPIDEMIA.



There were new items added to the Clearance List today.  There are a couple of cute stamps from the Holiday Catalog that you might like!

If you decide to order from the Clearance .... or even some of the retired items, please use my Hostess Code 4CFDVMMK.

I also want to let you know that if you are tired of trying to read the teeny tiny print of the Retiring Stamps and Accessories List, if you will click above "SHOP ONLINE" and click on "SHOP NOW" button and then RETIRING PRODUCTS, the list will open with a picture, price, item code, etc. - everything you need to make your choice.

Have fun shopping and don't forget to use the Hostess Code please!

Paper Craft Crew Challenge 141

Well, today was a little crazy with the Retired list going live.  Many demonstrators get up at 5 - 6 a.m. to check it out and put their orders in.  (I'm not an early morning person so that was not me!)  Stampin' Up's website crashed and was down for a couple of hours I think.  By 11:00 a.m. (maybe earlier), several items had sold out already including all the reinkers for the In Colors that are retiring. Those colors were so popular.  I am hoping that Stampin' Up will bring a couple of them back sometime in the future.  You never know!

Not only were the stamps and accessories retired, but also all MDS items were offered at 305 off.  If you have My Digital Studio, now is the time to grab these retiring items.  Here is a link to them.

MDS

Here is the card I made for this week's Paper Craft Crew sketch challenge using My Digital Studio.

Time to say GOOD BYE

It's that time of year.  I went through my catalog last night crossing out the retired items.  It's sad for some of the things (Top Note die ....) but it also gets me excited to know what new items will be offered to us in the new catalog.

Some items really go fast so if you have your eye on something, I'd suggest ordering it now  - like some of the retiring In Colors (Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana).  I will be putting in an order today Tuesday, 4/21) and would be glad to include your order with mine.  OR you can click "Order Online" above and input your order there.

The good news is that many of these items are at a discounted price so you will be getting a good deal.  Click HERE to see the retired list.

I know the print is tiny but there is a plus or minus in the corner that you can click on to make it larger. 

Also, there are the Weekly Deals for this week here:

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Stamp Club Cards

These are the cards we made this month for Stamp Club.

This one uses the Faux Tile technique.  Every one did a different color and chose the stamped image on the side from Everything Eleanor, Butterfly Basics or Thoughts and Prayers.



Faux Tile

This next card uses a fun fold that I found on-line.  The flowers are from Flower Shop and I used DSP from Back to Black.

open

This card was so much fun!  It fits into a business sized envelope.  I used the DSP from Sale-a-Bration, Irrestibly Yours.  I cut the balloon images with the Balloons Framelits and sponged them with In Colors.  I used the Little Letters Thinlets to cut HAPPY out of the balloons.  One of the gals punched her son's name out of the balloons instead.

I love the single stamp, Vivid Vases.  These are the two cards I made using them.  One of them uses DSP for the vases and the other uses markers.

Sonny and I had a relaxing weekend in the mountains.  My good friend, Judy, lent us the use of her cabin for the weekend so we enjoyed a delayed anniversary get-away.  The log cabin was so comfy with a creek running through the back of the property.  The weather was perfect.  It started raining on Sunday but we were packing up and heading home anyway.

Stampin' Up Specials and Deals

This Friday - April 17th - Stampin' Up is expecting the new shipment of the Butterfly Thinlits - the ones everyone is waiting for!

and to celebrate - there is a little special!!

15% off the BUTTERFLIES THINLITS DIES (#137360)  ($21.20)

AND

Buy any of the Butterflies Thinlits Bundles - already @ 15% off and choose one three

FREE Sale-a-Bration items (while supplies last)

#138633 - Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper

#138634 - Best Year Ever Accessory Pack

#138635 - Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Paper

MY DIGITAL STUDIO - On Sale - 30% OFF
April 21 - June 2nd...
a great time to top up your digital program with the latest or the oldest downloads before they are gone for good....The last day that Stampin UP will have MDS available for sale is May 31st

Retired Stamp List - Will be posted April 21st
- your last chance to order these retiring items - and many are while supplies last - so check the list early....

Last but not least are this week's Weekly Deals -

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Paper Craft Crew Challenge MDS Card

It is time for the Paper Craft Crew challenge.  This is my card for this week.

Of course, I used My Digital Studio to make this card.  I used the Freeform Tool to color the flower and love how it turned out.

The sentiment is a good one.  If we all treated ourselves better, we would feel better, don't you think?

My Digital Studio Update: I actually have a few bits of GOOD news concerning My Digital Studio this morning.  Stampin’ Up! made the following announcements on it’s Demonstrator website this morning: While Stampin’ Up! previously announced that the MDS product line would be unavailable after Sunday, May 31, 2015, it is excited to let you know that all of its MDS items will be included in the upcoming Retired List promotion from April 21-June 2, 2015.  Digital downloads, software, and print products will all be discounted by 30 percent and are guaranteed to be available through the end of the promotion (MDS software discs are available while supplies last). Click here to see a list of products, including promotional prices for each item. New Dates Stampin’ Up! has extended the availability date for MyDigitalStudio.net, the digital download manager, and its MDS YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest pages through midnight, June 9, 2015. Demonstrators and customers may call Demonstrator Support for assistance with MDS until Demonstrator Support closes at 7:00 PM (MT) on Tuesday, June 9. Project Life The Let’s Get Away Digital Project Life Card Collection by Stampin’ Up! from the occasions catalog was posted on the ProjectLife.com website yesterday and is currently available for 20 percent off.  For the foreseeable future, all Digital Project Life card collections will be made available through the ProjectLife.com store.  (There are both Project Life by Stampin’ Up! and Project Life digital downloads at that site.)  I’ve never tried to download something from this site, but I plan on buying the Let’s Get Away download, so I’ll let you know what I find out.  I did notice that the download only includes the card collection, no stamp brushes.  However, there are other Project Life by Stampin’ Up! stamp brushes on that site, so it looks promising for an ongoing resource for digital downloads! Future Updates While Stampin’ Up! will not sell MDS after June 2, 2015 or offer support for MDS after June 9, 2015, it is working on a solution for you to continue to be able to use your digital downloads and order print products. Stay tuned for updates. Stampin’ Up! hopes you enjoy the Retired List promotion—and that the extended deadlines will be helpful to both demonstrators and customers as it phases out the MDS product line. So, that’s a little encouraging!  I’ll keep you updated as I learn more information.

MDS Monday Disney Style

This is my layout for this week's MDS Monday sketch.  It's a fun linear layout featuring lots of photo and background papers.  Epcot was really fun and I especially enjoyed the International Flower and Gardens Festival.  The topiaries of the Disney characters were really fun! 

I had a hard time deciding on what to do with the boxes without pictures.  I put different patterns in them but really didn't like that.  So I went through most of my stamps on MDS and found several different stamps that I thought fit with the layout.  It's funny.  With MDS, I seem to use the images in the Designer Kit Embellishments and don't take the time to look at all the different stamps I have.  I learned a lesson today to look at my stamps more often.

Make sure you check out the other great layouts on the MDS Monday Blog.

Anniversary Cards

Sonny went on his usual Tuesday skeet shooting last week on our anniversary but I woke up to a beautiful card waiting for me.  He always seems to find just the right card - not too mushy (because that is not who he is) but just the right sentiment for us.  The card I made him is a different sort - kind of to the point but .... does he love me more than chocolate?  He sure loves chocolate!!

 It's hard to tell, but the card is made using Soft Sky cardstock.  I used the Designer Vellum as an overlay.  The banner embossed with hearts is Pear Pizazz and I stamped the feather lightly with Pear Pizazz.  I gold embossed the sentiment and tied it all together with Soft Sky twine.  Pretty simple but I love that sentiment!  It's what sold me on the stamp set.

 
I was so touched to find out that the layout I did of my wedding photos for MDS Monday last week was chosen as the winner.  Check out that post HERE.

By the way, how do you like my new blog heading?  I made it with My Digital Studio.

Sketch for Paper Craft Crew AND New Zealand layouts

This is my card for Paper Craft Crew challenge this week.  I used My Digital Studio to create it.







Check out the rest of the design team's cards HERE.

I've been so bummed about Stampin' Up discontinuing MDS.  I've been wanting to get my New Zealand scrapbook published and finished it last week.  It was going to be over $100 with Stampin' Up and I just couldn't justify that!  The book was 53 pages which is why the price was so high.  Today I checked with Shutterfly and was able to send my pages there PLUS I found a promotion code that took 50% off the order if it was $100+ and another code for Free Shipping!  So what was to be $122 turned out to be only $65. .. much more manageable!!

Here are a couple of the pages from the book:

I scanned our boarding passes to include on the page.

Another scan - the pass for the Hop on/Hop off bus.

Mother's Day Card

I think cold weather is behind us!  Today I think the temps got up to 86.  It was sure nice - just about boating season!  Sonny bought a new battery today for the boat; I think he'll be putting it in the water soon.  His hip is still bothering him.  In fact, he is scheduled for a hip replacement May 20!!  He needs both hips done but the dr. doesn't want to do both at the same time.  So, hopefully, this one won't be too bad and he will schedule the second one soon after recovering from the first one.

I worked a bit on my card stock organization today.  I love my rolling cart which is where I store loose card stock by color.  I kept scraps in a baggie that I dropped in each color folder but it was a pain to pull out each baggie and I found myself just dropping scraps into the folder.  So I ransacked the house looking for manila folders which I stapled together on the sides and put in the color folders.  Then I put my scraps in each one of them.  Now I just need a few more folders!

It has been a while since I just made a card for fun.  So I pulled out Indescribable Gift and did some watercoloring.  I love to watercolor and love how this card turned out.

The colors I used were:  Always Artichoke, Rose Red and Baked Brown Sugar.  I stamped the image onto watercolor paper and embossed it with white embossing powder.  Then I used my Aqua Pen and ink that I had squeezed into the lid of the inks to color. 

Happy Anniversary

Forty-two years ago I married my best friend.  It's hard to believe it has been 42 years.  I know I am not old enough to have been married that long!! (ha)  As with all couples, there have been good times and bad, but the good have sure out-numbered the bad or we wouldn't still be together. Seems like the younger generation don't have that philosophy - to try to stay together and push through those bad times.

I decided to use the MDS Monday challenge with some of my wedding pictures.  What fun to look through them again and reminisce!!

I decided that the Beau Chateau paper went beautifully with these pictures.  I used the Sepia Effect on all the photos and made them look more vintage than they already were.

The challenge on MDS Monday was to use your text to tell the story.  I still remember how the rain was coming down in buckets all day.  Guess that was good luck because here we are 42 years later!

Check out the other great pages on MDS Monday.

Time to stock up with FREE Shipping!

{If you order online, please use my Hostess Code #BYETQK9T}

 

It's time to get stocked up - FREE SHIPPING!! - is coming on Monday!!  NO minimum order; everything ships FREE all week long - April 6-10!!!  Yippee!!

• Get FREE shipping on any orders placed April 6-April 10, no minimum purchase required (excludes expedited orders).
• Orders placed for Hawaii and Alaska will receive free 2nd Day Air shipping.
• Paper Pumpkin past kits and kit refills are eligible for free shipping if purchased online. Paper Pumpkin subscriptions are not eligible for free shipping. 
• Stock up on adhesives, ink pads, cardstocks and the retiring 2013-2015 In Colors we know will retire on June 2nd while they are in stock and shipping is FREE!

You can include the following CLEARANCE items and WEEKLY DEALS for your free shipping.

Clearance Items:

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Weekly Deals (FOR Monday, April 6 - there will be new deals starting on Tuesday, April 7 that I will let you know about at that time.)

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Disney with MDS Monday

Sorry about the lack of posts this week but I think the pollen in the air and the budding spring trees has gotten to me!  I don't usually get allergies but think they've gotten me this spring!  My throat is killing me, my nose is running and I have lots of "gunk" in the back of my throat.

But I wanted to do a page for MDS Monday this week using one of the pictures from our trip last week to Disney.

The challenge was to use a single picture and the Freeeform Tool to tell the story.  I made the small Mickey Mouse's with circle punches.  What do you think?

I used two Overlay Stamps for the background - Textured and the Stars are from a Convention kit.  I ripped the edges of the DSP and layered it in the background of the picture.  To finish it off, I added a few Real Red buttons with Bakers Twine in the center.  Also the "oh what fun" is an Overlay Stamp.

Our Trip to Disney

We had a wonderful time at Disney World.  I think my favorite was Animal Kingdom with Epcot coming in a close second.

This Tree of Life was just spectacular.  I bet I took 20 pictures of it!

 The tree's roots expand into the central hub area and there are carvings of animals that make up the circle of life, from tiny bugs to large crocodiles and more.  It is fun to try and find all the different animals in the carvings.

Epcot Entrance

Ashley & I being Mary Poppins!

This was the Mickey Mouse statue that was in our hotel.  It was a military hotel and I loved that Mickey is done patriotic!

It started raining on us at the end of the day in Animal Kingdom and we went in a building to get out of the rain.  Who did we meet but Mickey and Minnie?!!