Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!  Hope your weekend was a nice one and you were able to spend it with family and friends.  I had a very relaxing weekend.  I worked on my Ireland scrapbook Saturday and Sunday on My Digital Studio.  I am trying to get it finished before June 15 which is when Stampin' Up's sale ends.   Wish me luck!!  Saturday night Sonny and I went out to eat fish at Galway Hooker.  Since I had been working on my Ireland scrapbook, I was craving some fish and chips although Sonny had the fish and chips and I decided on Flounder Picatta and it was delicious!!  Add in some Jalepeno Mac and Cheese and Sauteed Green Beans .... yum!!  Today Sonny and I decided to take the boat out.  We packed the cooler and got all our stuff together BUT when we got in the boat, it wouldn't start - the battery was dead as a door nail!  Sonny went back to the house and get the battery charger.  We sat out there in the boat at the dock for a couple of hours but it still wouldn't start.  So, we came on back to the house.  Now Sonny just has to figure out what the problem is or get the battery replaced. 

Someone sent me a really nice tribute for Memorial Day.  Please read it and remember what the holiday is truly all about....not just a day off from work, but a day to remember our real heros. I am honored that both of my children served their country (and my daughter is still in the Army). My grandfather, step-father and father all served their country too.

Real Heroes ~ By Sharon Lee Riguzzi


Memorial Day is almost here: Barbecues will be held. Parades will be marched. White shoes will come out of hibernation. The sounds of kids playing outside after dinner waft through open windows. Weekly garage-sale flyers cover telephone poles so we know where to go to buy someone else’s stuff that has cluttered their attic and basement for years. And for many, this weekend opens up the world of pools and beaches.

But with all of the excitement of the unofficial beginning of summer, I, like so many others, sometimes forget (or as is the case with so many of today’s kids, don’t know) what the Memorial in Memorial Day signifies. This day started way back just after the Civil War as a time for us to honor and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice- their lives.

Most of you have heard of the play and movie Six Degree of Separation. I’m bringing it up because I’m guessing we all know of someone, or know someone who knows someone, who has served our country. My suggestion for the week is to ask around at work, among friends, at your book-club discussions, “Who has lost a family member in service of our country?”

The purpose? To see that we all have been touched in some way–some closer than others-or other by these heroes. In their honor, tell the family member how much you appreciate our freedom because of brave people like their fallen soldier. At the same time we can be teaching our kids that we are so lucky.

So whether or not you have kids marching with their little league team, scouts or band, make it a point to go to the local parade to give your support. And if you see an old-timer wearing a too tight uniform or a faded army hat, stop and shake his hand, and thank him too. Watch him well up with pride. Because years ago, he took action to get what we wanted: learned to recognize all of the wonderful traits each of us possesses; found the inner strength to make a difference.

And by your shaking just one veteran’s hand, I guarantee you will make him feel great – and so will you.

Now how about the new in colors????  I have some of the card stock but I just ordered the inks today and can't wait for them to arrive!!

WHICH NEW IN COLOR IS YOUR FAVORITE?  Please leave me a comment below!

Strawberry Slush :  Lighter and softer than Melon Mambo.  Brighter than Rose Red. 
Pistachio Pudding: A modern and "minty" spin on Certainly Celery (retiring)

Crisp Cantaloupe: Lighter and softer than Calypso Coral. More peach than Blushing Bride (a returning color).
Coastal Cabana: Lighter than Island Indigo. Richer than Pool Party.
Baked Brown Sugar:  Warmer than Crumb Cake.  More gold and lighter than Soft Suede.

 

Petite Pocket Die Card

Marianne and I had a great time in Greensboro Saturday at the Shoebox Swap.  We made 12 great cards and enjoyed the fellowship of some great ladies.  We left the house bright and early Saturday morning and got to the Shoebox Swap right at 9 a.m. - just in time! 

This is the card that Marianne created.  I was so proud of her!  She made her decision super quick Friday night.  It usually takes her forever to make a decision on what to create but this time, it didn't.  She used the Petite Pocket Die on the card.  This would be a great card to slip a gift card in or just a little note to slide out.  The cute flower is from Button Buddies and she used one of the new Dahlias for the center.

Ingredients:
Cardstock:  Elegant Eggplant, Wild Wasabi, White, DSP In Color Patterns Stack
Ink:  Versamark, Wisteria Wonder
Access:  Petite Pocket Die, Elegant Eggplant Dotted Ribbon, Bird Punch, Dahlias, Scallop Punch, Corner Rounder

After I played bridge today, I stopped by Mom's to pick her up and take her to Physical Therapy.  I was so happy to see how good she was doing.  Maybe we have turned the corner on her back stuff.  She has slacked off a lot on her pain pills and she wasn't using the walker!  Hip Hip Hooray!!  Her birthday is next week so maybe this is a big gift for her!

Another Papaya Collage

Sorry for not posting yesterday - seems as I've picked up a bit of a cold since returning from our trip.  I think I sneezed my head off yesterday while I was going through a box of kleenex blowing my nose.  So, I'm staying close to home today and taking it easy.

I took my mom out to lunch yesterday just to get her up and out of the house.  (I tried to keep my distance so she wouldn't catch my cold but at the time, I thought it was just allergies.)  She did great - using her walker to go to the restaurant.  We just did a short outing - to a deli for lunch and back home.  But last night she called me in tears she was hurting so bad.  This is getting really frustrating.  Today she and Angela are getting their hair cut so we'll see how today goes.  I have a call in to her doctor to discuss the situation.  I hate being at the mercy of these doctors.

I finally picked my 2 free stamp sets (compliments of my SAB sales) Tuesday and put my order in for them.  I ordered Everything Eleanor and From My Heart.  Of course, I have a whole page of other stamps that I want on my Wish List but they will be there for another time.  I also ordered all the in color cardstock, Polka Dot DSP, Dahlia embellishments, Chevron embossing folder, Delicate Designs textured folder, and was able to get a new stamp set that will be offered for $5 in July for every $50 order, Reason to Smile.  Now I just have to be patient and wait for UPS to process my order and bring it to my doorstep.

In the meantime, I have been having fun playing with Papaya Collage, the new stamp set I got in the pre-order as well as the new In Colors.

I know a lot of people are on the fence about the new Summer Starfruit color.  I probably am too.  I love the color that it stamps.  This is the first time I have used it for a card and I love how it coordinates with the other colors.  I stamped the background with Versamark to add a little contrast to the color.  The frame is stamped with Midnight Muse and the leaves are stamped with Gumball Green.  So what do you think?

Out with the Old, In with the New

Wow! There is a lot happening in the stamping world this month! We are celebrating National Scrapbooking Month and saying goodbye to retiring stamps and accessories. If you haven’t checked all the goodies off your wish list yet, you’ll want to order quickly!  Retiring stamps are only available through the end of May and retiring accessories, including Stampin’ Around Wheels and Décor Elements, are only available while supplies last! 

June 1st we will unveil our exciting new Annual Catalog!  Stampin’ Up! fans across the country are clamoring to see all of the inspiring new products and project ideas. Contact me to find out how you can be one of the first to get your hands on it!

I have a card to share with you that uses one of my favorite stamp sets that is retiring, Awash With Flowers.  This is another one that I will hold on to and use in the future.  I mixed the old with the new on this card - new In Colors and three retiring stamp sets.

Stamps:  Best Friends Forever, Awash With Flowers, Peace Within (sentiment)
Card Stock:  Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Whisper White
Ink:  Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Basic Black
Accessories:  Framelets Labels, Big Shot, Gumball Green Ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dimensionals

I have been trying to pack for our Alaska trip.  I keep putting things in my suitcase and then taking them out.  I'm not too sure what to take.  We are not doing a cruise but are doing a driving tour.  I am putting in lots of layers - long sleeve tees, quilted sleeveless jackets, sweaters, socks, long underwear, short boots, tennies.  My son and daughter-in-law are going on a Disney cruise to Alaska at the end of the month.  She blogged today (Such the Spot) about some of the outfits that would be appropriate to pack.  Really cute - but I'm not going out and buy all new stuff to take with me!  Wish I could look that fashionable!

 I am so excited about our trip!!  We leave tomorrow .... 6 a.m. flight - ugh, so early!!  We'll have to leave home by 4 a.m. or before so not much sleep.  Hopefully, we can sleep on the flight because we will be on the go once we get there.  We will be meeting Ashley at the airport - her flight arrives about 30 minutes after ours in Seattle.  We are planning on taking a taxi over to one of our favorite Irish pubs in Seattle, The Owl and the Thistle for lunch.  Then we are walking a couple of blocks to the ferry to take us over to Bremerton where our ex-neighbors will pick us up and take us to their home for the weekend.  Ashley is staying with some of her Army buds there.  Our friends (and ex-neighbors) have had a child since we moved so we are anxious to meet little Joey.  We are going to a Cider Tasting Farm on Saturday and Sunday, Ashley's friends are having us all over for a cook out.  Monday, we are headed back to the airport for our flight to Anchorage. 

Sneak Peek - Papaya Collage

I got my new catalog yesterday!  I had looked at it on-line but that is not the same as holding it in your hands and studying each page!  It is much smaller than our old catalog but still has lots of goodies inside!!  The samples are great and I think the new in-colors are going to grow on me!  I think the Raspberry Ripple reminds me a lot of one of my favorite retired In-Colors, Purely Pomegrante.  The Midnight Muse is a darker Blue Bayou; Gumball Green is a brighter Wasabi.  I don't have a reference to compare Primrose Petals or Summer Starburst to.  You'll have to figure it out.  I wasn't too sure about the Summer Starburst until I stamped it.  It's a good yellow.  It shows up when you stamp it - not too bright but not so light that you can't see it.  I like the new pads too.  I can see me replacing my old ones gradually.  Guess Ashley will like that as I will be giving her my old pads!!

So, as I was looking through the catalog last night, I had my Wish List in hand making note of all the things I want.  I do that each year.  It is always fun at the end of the year to look back and see what I changed my mind about after seeing what other people do with the different products and stamps.  If you want your own catalog, just let me know.  They are a deal this year - $5!! 

I didn't go crazy ordering sneak peek items this year.  I just got the new In Color ink pads, paper and markers, one stamp set, Papaya Collage, and the Bitty Banners Framelits.  I don't understand the name for this stamp set - Papaya Collage.  If anyone can figure it out, please leave a comment!!

I used my new stuff to make this card:  Let me know what you think.

Supplies used:
Card Stock:  Summer Starburst, Raspberry Ripple, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Summer Starburst (butterfly); Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, Soft Suede
Accessories:  Bitty Banners Framelits
Stamps:  Papaya Collage, Curly Cute

Summer Smooch Time!

My hubby is on his way home.  I think he is a little jealous that he missed our impromptu surprise guest last night.  Ashley has been at Yale (Connecticut) meeting with a couple of professors that she will be doing a research project with since Sunday.  She was scheduled to fly home last night.  But unfortunately, she had to go through the Dallas airport.  Since there were 6-13 tornadoes that hit that area yesterday, the Dallas airport was closed.  When she called to tell me that, I suggested that she see if she could get re-routed to Charlotte.  And she did!  I picked her up at the airport a little after 9 pm and we paid an unexpected visit to her grandmother who was quite surprised to see her.  She came home with me; we watched The Voice; went to sleep and I drove her back to the airport this morning for a 10 a.m. flight.  Short but sweet visit!   

I also have had another visitor since Sonny left .... Sammie, my mom's cat!  For some reason, the cat does not like my mom and has bitten and/or scratched her several times in the past year. (Might have something to do with the fact that Mom is legally blind and probably steps on Sammie!!)  He did it again while I was in Texas and we decided that was enough.  My sister, Angela, took Sammie to the Humane Society last Wednesday but they wouldn't take her.  So, I told her to bring Sammie to my house and I would keep her until Sonny returned and we found a no kill shelter for her.  Unfortunately, we have not found anyplace for her and I am getting more and more attached!  The funny thing is I have hardly seen Sammie since she's been here.  She's the type of cat that likes to stay hidden and wants to play with you on her terms.  It took me a couple of days when she first got here to even find her.  I finally found her under the couch.  But once I found that spot, she found another hiding spot - in my closet on a shelf!  I discovered that spot by accident so now she hides behind my clothes and shoes on the floor.  Ashley looked for her last night while she was here - in the closet - and told me she wasn't in there and shut the door.  I opened the door and there she was!  She did come out of hiding last night while Ashley was here and we played a while before bed time.   So, I may have inherited myself a cat!  We'll see when Sonny comes home.

I love the name of Stampin' Up!'s April Promotion…Summer Smooches.  Since Summer is such a great time of the year,  the products put me in mind of all the fun activities to do in the summer.  The cute little set, Bright Blossoms, is just SO fun and fits my idea of summer.  AND… the Summer Smooches Designer Paper is so bright and cute and wonderful, I know it will be a favorite!   Fabric Buttons, Fabric, a new PURSE die, ribbon, a Decor Elements Stencil…just look at all those great things!  Stampin' Up! is giving YOU, our customers, a chance to get the Summer Smooches products early in April, prior to it being released in the big catalog on June 1st!  So…take advantage and order yours today! 

You can order Stampin' Up's Summer Smooches products now!

Products in the Summer Smooches suite (click to see) will only be available through April 30--and then won't be available again until the new 2012-2013 catalog is released.

Just a reminder -

The Retired Stamp List will be released on April 15, 2012.

The Retired Accessories/Décor Elements Lists will be released on April 25, 2012.

2010-2012 In Colors will also be retiring.  Stock up now before they Sell out!!!!

Monday Mailers - July

Isn't it funny how great minds think alike!!  Our theme for Monday Mailers this month is to use color you don't usually use.  So, last week, this is the card I made using Rose Red and So Saffron which I don't seem to use much.   I love these little kids from the Summer Mini and hate that they didn't make it into the new catalog. 

RECIPE:

Stamp Set:  Sunny Fun

Paper:  So Saffron, Rose Red, Choc. Chip, Wild Wasabi, WW

Access:  Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon, Border Punch, Dotted Embossing Folder, Markers

So this card (below) is the one I received my Monday Mailer partner:

Kathy used this card to spotlight all the new In colors.  Isn't it funny how alike the two cards are!  Great minds I tell you!!

We had some crazy weather this weekend.  We went out to dinner Friday night with friends and it was pouring down rain when we left and mostly through dinner.  When we got ready to leave the restaurant, it started up again with the pouring rain so we stayed at the restaurant a little longer.  (It was an Irish pub and they had Sonny's new favorite Irish beer so it wasn't hard to twist his arm.)  Anyway, it probably rained really hard off and on for about 4-5 hours.  The next morning when I got up, I looked out in our back yard and boy, what a mess!  Sonny built a drainage area on the side of our house a couple of years ago - about a 10 x 3 foot area filled with rock because we had been having trouble with water washing away our yard.  It's been working ok until Friday!  Half the rock washed away into our back yard and down through the woods into the creek bed beside our house.  Sonny and I spent several hours Saturday trying to recover the rock.  We ended up recovering about half of it but it was a hot and humid day and we were drenched when we finished.  Later in the day, we rewarded ourselves by going to the movies.  I finally talked Sonny into going to see Mr Popper's Penguins.  It was really cute.  I remember reading the book when I was a child and wanted to see it.

Last Chance to Party Hearty!

I only had time to make one card today.  I had a pretty busy day.  I met a group for lunch at a new restaurant in town and had a nice lunch and visit with my friends.  Then it was off to pick up everything I need for my big Southern Living Luncheon at my house on Thursday.  I am having 14 ladies for lunch.  Thankfully, I don't have to prepare the food - only the beverages.  Everyone brings a dish from a recent Southern Living Magazine and we critique the dishes.  It's a great way to taste some things you wouldn't ordinarily make for your family.  I am making Strawberry Margaritas and Sweet Tea Lemonade from the May issue.  I needed a new pitcher and went all over town looking for one today - Ross, TJ Max, Target, Pier One, World Market, Bed, Bath and Beyond!  I finally found one I liked at Bed and Bath but by that time I was sooo hot and exhausted.  The thermometer in my car was registering 100 degrees!  Then I had to make a stop at the grocery store and the liquor store.  Whew!!  Now tomorrow I have to dust and mop - yuck!!  (My least favorite thing to do.)

But I did take a little time out this evening to make a card with the retiring set, Party Hearty.  Pennants are going to be a big thing this fall.  Stampin' Up has a pennant die and punch in the new catalog!  So I decided to make a pennant using the hats in the stamp set.  I thought they turned out cute.  I used all In Colors too!  

RECIPE:

Stamp:  Party Hearty

Paper:  retired DSP, Pear Pizazz, Island Indigo (sneak peek), Calypso Coral (sneak peek)

Ink:  for pennants - Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral

Access:  Bakers Twine, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch

IF YOU WANT A CHANCE IN THE DRAWING FOR THIS CARD AND ALL THE CARDS I HAVE MADE THIS MONTH, LEAVE ME A COMMENT!  I WILL DRAW ON FRIDAY.

More Sweet Summer

As promised, I am sharing the rest of the cards I made over the weekend using Sweet Summer.  I now want to make a little coordinating card box to put these in.

• Pattern Paper –  Poppy Parade In Color stack (pg 175), Whisper White
• Stamps –  Sweet Summer (SAB); Make It Count (retired)
• Color Mediums –  markers
• Embellishments –  Bling with imaginisce tool
• Tools –  Martha Scallop Punch

• Pattern Paper –   Concord Grape DSP, Whisper White, Concord Grape
• Stamps –  Sweet Summer
• Color Mediums – markers
• Embellishments –  Concord Grape ribbon

Here is a close-up of the flowers that are popped up:

• Pattern Paper –  Melon Mambo, Ice Cream Parlor DSP (SAB), Whisper White
• Stamps –  Sweet Summer (SAB)
• Color Mediums –  markers
• Embellishments –  Bling with imaginisce tool; Green ribbon
• Tools –  Nestibilities scallop; SU Wallpaper embossing die

Which is your favorite????

Gallagher

We went with some friends last night to see the comedian, Gallagher.  He was performing at the Galway Hooker in Cornelius which is one of our favorite restaurants in the area.  I have never seen Gallagher perform live but used to watch him back in the 80s on tv. His shows were always filled with long monologues of social commentaries, but he gained attention for his surreal, incongruous props - a giant couch-shaped trampoline, an oversized Big Wheel bike, and of course, the Sledge-O-Matic. He was always so funny and at the end of his acts, he would always smash a watermelon with a mallet spraying it all over the first few rows of the audience.  We were a little concerned last night because The Comedy Zone at Galway is pretty small.  But, it was ok - he didn't smash a watermelon.  Although I think he may have earlier in the week when he performed in Charlotte.  Gallagher has definitely gotten OLD!!  He's now 64 and makes fun of the aging process.  Sonny and I could relate to a lot of his observations!!  His comedy is probably not for everyone - he makes fun of gays and blacks a lot.  But, if you can overlook that, you will laugh at him.  We had a great time.

I've been on a spree making cards lately.  Sunday I concentrated on one of the stamp sets in the Sale-a-bration catalog, Sweet Summer and made several different cards in the in-colors.  I will share a couple with you now and show the other ones tomorrow.

For this card, I used the In-Color Patterns Designer Pack (pg 175) - Blushing Bride.  Since it is double-sided, I used the stripe side for the top and the pattern side for the bottom of the card.  The green "happy birthday" strip, I created in My Digital Studio but you could also easily do it with any word processing program.  I stamped the flourish from Sweet Summer on the striped paper and used markers to color it.  I stamped the leaves on a white 1 1/4" circle that I layered onto 1 3/8 pink circle.  I stamped the flowers, colored them with markers and cut them out.  It's hard to see but I dotted each middle with a Pearl Pen.  I wish I could tell you where the sentiment came from, but I don't remember!!  I put some bling on either side of the sentiment and "poofed" it up in the middle.

Again, I used the In-Color pack but this time it's Peach Parfait.  I used the Dotted Swiss embossing folder on the white card.  I cut the scallop pieces - Peach and Pear - with my Nestabilities.  I stamped the flourish from Sweet Summer directly on the striped paper.  I stamped the leaves on Pear Pizazz and cut them out.  I stamped the flower onto Peach Parfait, colored it with markers and punched it out with the 1" circle punch.  I added a little bling to the flower and a piece of Peach Parfait ribbon to the bottom.

What a beautiful day!

Oh, what a beautiful day!!  We have had wonderful weather the past couple of days and the sun is shining brightly now!   I will probably be helping Sonny do a little yard work later today, but hopefully, will also have time to do some stamping.  I have a "chocolate" stamp that I am itching to use!!  Unfortunately, right now I am sitting with a heating pad wrapped around my neck!  I was talking to Ashley this a.m. via Skype and leaned back in my chair and this pain ran down the left side of my neck.  Ouch!!  I think it is muscle spasms just on that side of my neck.  I have been rubbing and massaging it and am now trying heat.  My mom had this last week and ended up going to the hospital and the doctor.  She was in pain for a week and was taking pain tablets as well as muscle relaxers.  I may be getting one of her muscle relaxers this weekend.  I don't know what has caused me to all of a sudden, get this!

I have received a couple of knock out cards this week that I want to share with you.  The first one is a Valentine.  Other than the one my hubbie bought me, this was the only Valentine I received and it is gorgeous!

 Margaret used Greeting Card Kids for this Valentine.  Isn't the pink and black just gorgeous?  I usually pair pink with brown but I'll be using black more now - Just love it!   Thanks friend!

Close up of the little girl.

This is the Monday Mailer that I received from Beth this week.  Can't get over how real those spools of thread look!  This is a set from the Occasions Mini (pg 6) that did not interest me in the least .... until I saw this card!  Beth said she went clean and simple this week and it is great!  She used SU's Color Coach (on pg. 165) to get started with the colors and the SU markers.  The Color Coach is a great tool!  I use it all the time.

 This is the card that I sent to Beth for my Monday Mailer.  I used the Color Coach to arrive at these colors - Peach Parfait, Not Quite Navy and Pear Pizazz.  The stamp set is from the Occ. Mini Baby Blossoms (pg 18). Lots of punches and dies again - I punched the bird and leaves out with the Bird Punch; used Heart Scallop punch on edges; Large Oval punch for "friends" and Tulip embossing folder & Square Lattice embossing folder.

Monday Mailer from Me

I forgot to take a picture of the first Monday Mailer that I mailed out last week!  It was so pretty.   I used some new DSP from the Occasions Mini Catalog and the new button Embosslit.  And .... it included a bookmark too!  Oh well, you'll just have to picture it in your mind!

I did remember to snap a picture of this week's Monday Mailer before I trudged up to the mailbox - in the snow - to mail it.  Well, to be truthful, Sonny trudged up to the mailbox while I stayed nice and warm inside!!

It is a simple card which is ok I keep telling myself.  Why is it so hard to do a simple card?  Probably if I were redoing this card, I might pop up one of those buttons.  This is the new Button, Button stamp from the mini catalog.  I stamped them in Poppy Parade (in color).  The bow is made with the Bow Easy - a double loop bow.  I used dental floss for my thread through the button and just colored it with my Poppy Parade marker!!  Clever, huh?

Hope you are staying warm.  It is still bitter cold here - 25 degrees right now - but we are supposed to get to 40 today!  A virtual heat wave!!  I think we finally got to the freezing mark last night around 6 pm.  Not one bit of the snow has melted and this is the third day school has been canceled.  They are going to be eating into their Spring Break soon.  The sun is out though and we will probably venture in to town after lunch.  Sonny is about to go stir crazy!!

In Color Combos

I’m starting to play around with the new in colors and find, like many others, I need to tone them down a bit!!  If you’re wondering what other Stampin’ Up colors will match with the new colors, here’s a helpful chart for you.

 

So, what do you think?  Need your shades?? 

To make your own “go together” colors, visit this site and pick your SU color combos.   It’s fun!  I’ve also added this site to my sidebar so you can check it any time you want!

Now, go CREATE!!

411 Challenge

I made my card for the 411 Challenge last night. It’s also going to be a birthday card for a friend who lives in England.

Here is the challenge sketch:

Here is my card:

The stamp sets are from Great Impressions but all other items are from Stampin’ Up. The paper is: Certainly Celery, YoYo Yellow and the new In Color, Bermuda Bay. I colored the cars with my Copics and used Glossy Accents on the windshields.

Happy Birthday Tom!

411 Sketch Challenge

Last night around midnight, I decided to make a card!  After watching the depressing stories about Farrah & Michael for the past few days, I needed something to cheer me up! 

I decided to do a challenge card from this sketch:

The "411" sketch challenges are a lot of fun.  They even give you the measurements!!  I took a few liberties with the sketch - as you can see .... no scallop circle, but used the daisy instead but I like the results.  Hope you do too!

I used the new "In Color" Rich Razzleberry and paired it up with an old "In Color" Pink Pirouette.  The DSP will be retiring next week but I still love it!  It's Raspberry Tart and I think it matches these two in colors well.   (remember - click on the picture to see it)

I'm sure going to miss this year's in colors.  The new ones are going to definitely have to grow on me!!  I'm just not too sure about them.  But that is what I said last year about Baja Breeze and it turned out to be one of my favorites!  Have you stocked up on them before they retire???

Friend .... ship

I am trying to be a friend with a person in my life by taking baby steps towards a trusting relationship. 

I've recently read an article about making friends out of rivals or enemies.  They listed these ten steps:

1. Find something to talk to them about which has nothing to do with the reason why you are rivals. Most of the time rivalry is a result of jealousy, so find something that is not a bone of contention between you.
2. Talk to them about something that they are very good at or interested in. This will make them relax because they have the home court advantage but at the same time they are not competing with you.
3. When they are not around, make sure that you speak about them the same which you would while they were present. The worst thing that you can do to a rival is say something which fuels the fire. Especially if it comes to them through another source.
4. Make sure that you are not too nice to them when you approach them. If you are they may lose respect for you or think that you are simply 'up to something.
5. Find something that you have in common which you are both passionate about that has nothing to do with the reason you are rivals. 
6. Ask for their advice.  This will impress them that you are humble enough to ask them for advice and that you respect them. Many times rivalry is due to a lack of mutual respect; if you can restore respect,  you can heal wounds caused by conflict.
7. Entrust them with something.  Just make sure that you have done some of the other ten steps to making friends out of rivals first. Trusting people puts them on the hook to live up to that trust. They will not forget it.  Just make sure that you use common sense.
8. Tell them a joke.  Seriously, making someone laugh is the best way to get them to relax. If they think that the joke is funny they may even try to one up you with one of their own. Just make sure that you laugh so that it will not be competitive.
9. As the friendship grows,  ask for them to forgive you for being the way that you have with them. They will most likely follow suit.
10. Find something productive to do with the friendship and it will probably last a very long time.  

So, without further ado, here's the card that I made.

 I used the new Soft Suede cardstock (new In Color) for the card base with some retiring DSP.  The stamp set is Boatloads of Love and I watercolored the image.  I used Liquid Applique on the clouds.  I also used the Nestabilities Labels One die.