PAPER PUMPKIN DEALS FOR EVERYONE!!

You have seen the Paper Pumpkin kits that I love.  Well, now is your chance to try them out cheap!! 
Starting today - WHILE SUPPLIES LAST - enjoy up to 75% off the Stampin' Up Paper Pumpkin crafting kits and refills listed below.

This sale is for everyone - even if you are not a Paper Pumpkin subscriber.

As of May 9, these kits will be permanently deleted.

CLICK HERE to see all the bargains!

Not sure what Paper Pumpkin is all about?  Click HERE for a video explaining it.

Click HERE to see the actual kits and to shop for them.  But, remember to refer to the chart above for pricing!!  I want you to get the best deal!

More ..... Paper Pumpkin from March

I've made several more cards using bits and pieces from the March Paper Pumpkin.  I honestly have to say that I am sick of this kit now!  I've made 20+ cards using the kit.  Now, I am going on to other things .... maybe the April Paper Pumpkin!  You'll have to check back to see.

Last week Sonny and his Texas friend, Graham, joined a few of the Lake Norman Golden Boys for their annual spring trip shooting skeet in South Carolina.  Normally, Graham's wife, Margaret, stays with me while they are gone but she was in England this time taking care of her mother so I was on my own.  You know, sometimes that's not so bad!  I had Stamp Club on Tuesday and Thursday which kept me busy.  But, it was nice to eat when and what I wanted for dinner and just do whatever I wanted!  But it was good to welcome Sonny back home on Thursday. 

I had a nice surprise yesterday.  My half-brother and his wife contacted me that they were coming to NC for a quick visit.  They have been on the road for 2 weeks from Texas, where they live, visiting family in the Pennsylvania area and seeing sights along the way.  We met them for dinner last night and my NC family joined us.  My sister, Angela, met my brother for the first time!  My mom and other sister, Marianne, had met him in the past on their visits to Texas when we lived there.  It was so fun!

OK - now to the cards I made with Paper Pumpkin.  I'm not going to add a lot of commentary on these cards because I think they are pretty self explanatory.

For the sentiment, I used the Tailored Tag Punch from the Occasions catalog (and will be in the new annual catalog!)

The Crumb Cake scallop comes from one of the envelopes included in the kit.

I used the Circles dies for the Crumb Cake scalloped circle.  The Fresh Fig half scallop is the flap cut off from one of the envelopes in the kit.

The wooden flower is one of the elements that Stampin' Up included in the Paper Pumpkin as a thank you gift.  I used a dauber to color it with Fresh Fig ink.

April Stamp Club Cards

We had fun this week at Stamp Club.  I used some retiring items on the cards.

This card was the favorite by everyone.   Actually, most things on this card will be in the new catalog coming out in June .... except for Marina Mist ink that I used for the water in the Wetlands stamp and the Leaflets die which I will really miss.

We all need sympathy cards in our stash and hope we don't have to use them.  This card uses Heartfelt Sympathy and Work of Art (boo hoo) stamp set and Perfect Plum which are all retiring.   

Another retiring stamp set - Painters Palette and ink - Tempting Turquoise.  I love bright colors so this was a favorite card of mine and super easy.  I'll miss Tempting Turquoise ink.  It used to be "go to" ink but I don't think  I have used it much lately.

This retirement stamp set was a shocker to me.  It was so popular and only around for a year.  It's one I will hang onto because it makes such cute cards.  The happy birthday is embossed in white.  The black and white striped ribbon is on sale now for $2 in Clearance!!  The tiled floor is 1/2" white squares that are glued onto the black cardstock.

Don't forget to check out the Clearance section as well as the retiring items.  Just click above - Shop and Clearance to check out the deals.

Paper Pumpkin, March - Part 2

Are you tired of the "May Good Things Grow" Paper Pumpkin kit yet?  I'm telling you, this is a great kit!!  I can't wait to see April's kit.  If you want to have a kit delivered to you each month, look at the great deal that is being offered now (until May 10.)

This is one of the envelopes that I cut apart.  The green striped semi-circle is the flap from the envelope.  

Another gorgeous envelope!  There is no stamping on this card - how easy is that?  The decorative edge at the top and bottom is die cut from the Flourishing Phrases thinlit.

Another envelope ... this time I cut it down so just the flowers were highlighted.  I added a piece of ribbon to the bottom.  I'm so excited to see brads included in this kit.  (and in the new annual catalog!)

This is probably my least favorite!  I decided to sponge a little Fresh Fig ink on the edges of the flowers.  It does look a little better in person!

Paper Pumpkin, March - Part III

I am having so much fun with this Paper Pumpkin.  I have made so many cards (22 to date!) by just adding a few pieces of cardstock to the rest of the elements in the kit.  Most of the cards in this post are using the directions that came with the Paper Pumpkin kit.

This is one of the cards that you get the instructions for in the kit.

This card is the same as the one below (which you get the instructions for) - only I just added an extra flower and changed the twine to some pink that I had in my stash.

This is the front of one of the envelopes that came in the kit.  Too pretty to be an envelope, huh?  I cut the other envelopes apart and made cards with them.

This is the back of the envelope.  There is patterned paper inside.

Another one of the envelopes that I didn't cut apart.

2018 Color Revamp

Have you heard the buzz?  Stampin' Up! is retiring 17 colors - 13 core colors and 4 In Colors!  But, this is exciting news because it means we are getting a ton of incredible new colors.  I will share more later, but wanted to get a quick post out to let you know which colors will be retiring.

On May 31, 2018, thirteen colors are retiring.

• Always Artichoke
• Chocolate Chip
• Elegant Eggplant
• Island Indigo
• Marina Mist
• Perfect Plum
• Pink Pirouette
• Rose Red
• Soft Sky
• Tangerine Tango
• Tempting Turquoise
• Wild Wasabi
• Wisteria Wonder

The retiring 2016-2018 In Colors are:

• Dapper Denim
• Emerald Envy
• Flirty Flamingo*
• Peekaboo Peach
• Sweet Sugar Plum

*Please note that while Flirty Flamingo is retiring as an In Color, it will continue to be available as part of our core color collection.

NEW Ink Pad Design Info

In Addition to all of that great new color info, the ink pad style itself is changing AND the ink formula has been improved!

SO... What does that mean for you?

1.  Do you want to complete a collection of the current style of pads?  Get them now.. the current style of ink pad is only guaranteed available through May 7, 2018.

2.  Do you need retiring color Ink Refills?  Get them now, they are only guaranteed through May 7, 2018.

3.  As of June 1st, ALL ink pads will be the NEW Style, so if you need any current pads, please order soon!

Spring Cleaning at Stampin' UP!

It's that time of year - time for some spring cleaning by Stampin' Up!  They just released the lists of retiring products from the 2017-2018 Annual Catalog and Occasions Catalog.  (See links to downloads below.)  This is your last chance to purchase some of your retiring favorites before they are gone for good.

LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS - ANNUAL CATALOG

LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS - OCCASIONS CATALOG

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT RETIRING PRODUCTS!

• There is no minimum purchase required.
• All retiring items are only available while supplies last and will be discontinued after May 31.
• Retiring host sets can only be purchased using your Stampin' Rewards from a qualifying order of $150 or more (total before shipping and tax).
• Depending on inventory, discounts on select products may be introduced on or after May 8.
  • These discounts will not be pre-announced.
  • If you purchase a product at retail price and then it is later discounted, Stampin’ Up! will not refund the difference.
  • If there is a product you want, it is recommended to purchase right away and not wait to see if it’s discounted later or you risk it being sold out.
  • If you start an order before a discount is announced, the order will not include the discounted pricing. If you want to order a product that has been discounted, you will need to start the order after the discounts are announced. 
• Retiring tools & accessories will only be available while supplies last.
• Retiring stamp sets are guaranteed available until May 25, after which they will only be available while supplies last.
• Our ink pad design is retiring (including all current pad designs) but not all Stampin’ Up! colors.  Colors that are not retiring will return in the newly designed ink pad (easier to open, stackable, etc.) in the Annual Catalog.  Additionally, returning and new colors have been reformulated so that the ink will be slightly different.

Paper Pumpkin for March

This month's Paper Pumpkin was a great one ... especially if you like "shabby chic."  It was also the five year anniversary for Paper Pumpkin.  Stampin' Up included a little gift in our March kit of wood embellishments.  I really enjoy my Paper Pumpkin kit each month.  I usually make at least one of the cards/projects that the directions call for but use the rest of the stuff in the box to make alternate projects.  So far, I have made 15 cards with the elements and stamps that are included in the kit, only supplying a few card bases and a little bit of ribbon, doilies, etc that I have on hand.  All of the cards below are alternates.

For this card, the "extra" elements I used were the doily, Crumb Cake cardstock, and a piece of  Wood Textures DSP.  I stamped the flower image (included in the PP kit) in the corners of the DSP.  The scallop piece is flap part of 2 envelopes that were included in the kit - I just butted them up together and adhered them to the card after wrapping twine around them.  

For this card I again supplied the Crumb Cake cardstock, Fresh Florals DSP, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla which I die cut using Stitched Shapes, and the Lime ribbon.  

Again, I used a piece of Crumb Cake and Fresh Fig cardstock and the pink twine.  But the rest of the items are found in the kit.

For this one, I used Powder Pink cardstock for the card and for the die cut sentiment (Celebrate You thinlets).  The green striped piece is the back of the envelope that came in the kit.

If you enjoy working with kits and getting a little surprise each month, consider signing up for Paper Pumpkin.  Now is a great time to sign up for Paper Pumpkin with 50% off promotion.  (Don't forget to use my Hostess Code located in the top left corner.)

• Promotion is for new subscribers only
• Offer is available March 11–May 10, 2018
• Offer runs for 2 months
• Use code SAVEFIFTY0418 at checkout
• Discount is applied to one kit per month for the first two month of a new subscription.
  • How it works: A new customer can subscribe during April’s subscription period from March 11–April 10 or May’s subscription period from April 11–May 10 and receive the discount. If a new customer subscribes during April’s subscription period they will receive 50% off their subscription when billed in April and May. If a new subscriber subscribes during May’s subscription period they will receive 50% off their subscription when billed in May and June. If a customer suspends during their 2-month discount period, they will receive their discount during the first 2 months in which they reactivate.
• Does not apply to prepaid codes

Bird Banter

Remember me???  I've been AWOL .... again!  I just need to slow down and take time to keep up with my blog.

We were in Atlanta for a week recently and had a good time.  Ashley was there for the week attending a pediatric conference so it was a good time for us to see her.  We stayed with her downtown for a couple of nights before driving to Dunwoody (suburb of Atlanta) and staying with some old friends for a couple of nights.  During the day, Sonny and Jim played golf while Melanie took me to a couple of historic homes and museums.  It would have been better if the weather had been a little warmer!!  I was prepared for 60+ days and while it may have gotten to 60 degrees, the wind was terrible and just about knocked you off your feet.  Luckily, I brought Ashley a jacket to wear or our Hawaiian girl would have froze!

I have a couple of birthday cards that I have made lately using the Bird Banter set and sent to friends.  I'm giving myself a pat on the back that I remembered to take a picture of them before mailing!!

I love the bright colors on this card!  The birds are so much fun to color using the Stampin' Blends.

This is a simple card but I love how the balloon continues on past the square.

This card I sent to my granddaughter in Colorado.  Her birthday was while I was in Hawaii and it was a little late getting to her!  It is a tri-fold card as you can see in the next picture.

Love this "early bird" saying for the card!!

March Stamp Club

I had Stamp Club next week and we did a lot of birthday cards (although I gave them the option of changing the sentiment if they wanted to.)

This first card is ideal for a masculine birthday.  I don't know about you but seems I never have enough masculine cards when I need them.  Using the Wood Textures Paper Stack (6x6) makes it a lot easier.  The "celebrate" sentiment is from Amazing You (Sale-a-Bration) and the other two sentiments are from We Must Celebrate (Occasions Catalog.)  Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig made lining up these sentiments a breeze.

This card was so simple but I just love it!  The sentiment is from Special Occasions which is a wonderful stamp set for sentiments!  And how about that little bitty cake???  I got that from Tabs for Everything which is a set I got from Stampin' Up for free.  I didn't think I'd use it but it has come in handy for a lot of uses - words, hearts, cake, stars and to stamp tabs.  Take the time to look at the samples using this set in the catalog (pg 43 of the Annual Catalog.)   I love, love, love the DSP on this card.  You can get it FREE from the Sale-a-bration catalog with a $50 order - BUT only until the end of the month.  So, if you love it like I do, put an order in soon!!

I think this next one is my favorite for this month and it's another Sale-a-Bration project.  The stamp set is Epic Celebrations (for the tennis shoes) and the birthday sentiment is from We Must Celebrate.  I used my new Stamp-a-ratus to line up the sentiment all the way down the card - easy, easy!!  The Stamp-a-ra-tus will be available in the new 2018-19 catalog which will debut in June.

I borrowed the Hold On to Hope stamp set and framelits for this card from my downline, Debbie.  It makes a beautiful card.  I really love the filigree cross.  By using Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets on the back of the card stock before die cutting it makes it so easy to adhere to the solid cross.  This was my first time to use the Ruffled embossing folder and I love the look!

I just finished packing for a trip to Atlanta.   Ashley has a pediatric conference in Atlanta and will be there all week so we are driving down tomorrow afternoon.  We will stay with her a few days and a few days with some good friends of ours.  Sonny will play golf and Melanie and I will probably do a little shopping!!  Fun times!!  Can't wait.