Important Alert!

IMPORTANT DATE ALERT

I do not want you to miss out, so make sure you will

Be HERE on Wed. April 24

to view the 2013 Retiring Stamp and Accessory list

from

Stampin' Up!

Accessories are "first come first served" and many of the retiring colors have already sold out.

Better yet... IF there is an accessory in the Stampin' Up! catalog that you know you will not be able to live without, ORDER NOW and don't take a chance that it will be sold out if you see it on the Retiring List on Wednesday.


I got some good news this week!  THIS card I made using MDS won the color challenge on Late Night Stampers this week! 

I made several cards this weekend but forgot to take pictures of them!!  I was so focused on getting them addressed and in the mail.  I hate it when I do that.  And they were those cards you hate to make - sympathy and get well.  So yesterday when I made this card, I made sure I took a picture to share with you.

This card is so much prettier in real life.  I used a few "in-coming" colors that were In Colors at one time - Pear Pizazz and Blush Blossom.  I used the Vintage Wheel for the background.  I forget to use my wheels and they add such a nice touch.  The Blush Blossom scalloped circle was made using Nestabilities.  For the doilies, I cut my doily down the center so I could pleat them.  I punched a 1 3/4" circle of Glimmer paper and backed it with a circle of SU's Multipurpose Adhesive.  That made attaching the pleated doily much easier.  I punched the butterfly with SU's butterfly punch (oops - just noticed a little piece is missing on the bottom - guess I'll be punching another butterfly!)

Supplies:

Card Stock:  Blush Blossom, Pear Pizazz, In Color Patterned Stack DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper

Ink:  Pear Pizazz

Accessories:  Butterfly Punch,  Sequins, Doilies, Polytwill Old Olive Ribbon (retired), Very Vintage Wheel

Stamp Club April Cards

I had Stamp Club last week and we made these four cards.

Language Of Friendship

I think this was my favorite one!  I got the stamp set last year during Sale-a-Bration and don't think I have used it before this time.  I bet this is going to be one of those sets that will be retired .... we'll see this week!!  I love the Designer Brads from the Mini Catalog - added just the right touch, don't you think?

This card uses a retired stamp set but it would be easy to recreate using the Aviary stamp in the current catalog.  The colors I used were Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizazz and Island Indigo.

Secret Garden

This was a request by a couple of my stamp club gals.  I used Lucky Limeade with Gumball Green leaves.  The flowers are Calypson Coral which I embossed in white and cut out with the framelits.

flower using soda pop cap for center

These two cards were made using the elements from the Pop-Up Posies Kit.  Some of the gals made the flowers using the cupcake liners for flowers and some used the pre-cut flowers.  The middle was cut out with the Labels framelit.

Pom Pom Flowers

Stampin' Up gives us so many great creative ideas like .....making flower using a plastic fork!!

How about making Pom Pom Flowers using Baker's Twine?  Follow the steps below:



You could also use 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon wrapped around a fork to make a flower that looks like a marigold.


OR try making these Pom Pom Flowers with SU's Seam Binding Ribbon.  Using cardboard donut shapes made with super-thin white cardboard, a 2-1/2" Circle Punch, a 1/2" Circle Punch, and  Daffodil Delight 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, they are pretty easy!

All Dolled Up

Just a reminder about the retiring and new colors coming soon.  Shop now while retiring colors are still available.  I know that several re-inkers and some of the card stock have been popular and sold out already, so hurry while supplies last! You can click above to shop on-line.  Get any card stock, ink pads, markers, and re-inkers while you can!!

Also there is a new card kit that is super cute!


 

The Dolled-Up Birthday kit includes the following:

• Dolled-Up Birthday Photopolymer stamp(1) (happy birthday)
• 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ Crumb Cake Cardstock (6 pieces)
• 2″ x 4-1/4″ Very Vanilla Cardstock (6 pieces)
• Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes (6)
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies (6)
• Dress Up die-cuts (6)
• Soft Suede Classic Stampin’ Spot (1)
• Vanilla 5/8″ Flower Trim (6 pieces)
• Sponge Dauber (1)

Get everything you need to make six cards for only $15.95 (item 133913)!

To assemble one card, follow the instructions below:

1. Place the stamp rubber side up and ink with the Soft Suede Classic Stampin’ Spot.
2. Stamp “Happy Birthday” at the bottom of the card front.
3. Ink the Sponge Dauber with Soft Suede ink and gently antique the doily and the edges of the dress form.
4. Adhere the pieces to the card front in this order:
   • Doily
   • Very Vanilla Cardstock
   • Dress form
   • Flower

*Adhesive and clear block not included.

Attic Boutique Challenge Card

Well, I made it home safe and sound and now Sonny has gone on a trip!  We've definitely been on the go this past month.  He's gone on a guys trip to the coastal area of South Carolina to shoot clay pigeons or something like that!  Our friends, Margaret and Graham beat me here by about an hour last night from Texas.  Graham went on the shooting trip with Sonny and Margaret and I are just hanging out, visiting and crafting.  I had Stamp Club today and have the second one on Thursday.

I'm just sick at heart about the Boston bombings.  Why does this continue - the hatred and violence.  Why can't we all just get along and be peaceful.  My heart goes out to the many families that were affected by this tragedy.  I heard about the bombings when our plane landed in Atlanta and found a tv in the airport to watch a bit of the news before I had to board my next flight.  Hopefully, the responsible parties will be caught and soon.

This is my card for the Paper Craft Crew Challenge this week. 

Here is the sketch that I followed this week.  My recipe is below the sketch.

Background

     Designer Series Paper -  designer series paper\Attic Boutique - 3

Embellishments

    _Designer Kits\Attic Boutique  - ribbon

    _Designer Kits\Attic Boutique - umbrella frame

    _Designer Kits\Attic Boutique - rain check

    _Designer Kits\Attic Boutique - doily

     Basic Pearls and Rhinestones - pearl large

     

Stamps

    _Designer Kits\Fan Fair\Fan Fair - lace doily, Color = WHISPER WHITE 

Punches

    Basics\1.25 Circle Punch

Make sure you check out the rest of the cards made by the Paper Craft Crew HERE. 

Why don't you play along with us this week?  Here are a few things to consider:

• You may flip or rotate the card sketch, change or replace the shapes, but please make sure the general layout is recognizable.  
• Share a direct link to your creation, not just your blog, using the InLinkz feature.  If InLinkz is down, please add a link with your comment. 
• If you don't have a blog, don't worry! You can still use inLinkz by linking to your photo posted on Facebook or a similar social media site.  
• The Paper Craft Crew Design Team are Stampin' Up! Demonstrators and as such, we would like to see a minimum of 2 Stampin' Up! products or stamped images used on your card but don't let that stop you from participating.  
• Only those individuals that have at least 2 Stampin' Up! products or stamped images are eligible for any blog candy that may be offered along with being a "featured participant."  
• When uploading to online galleries, please use keyword PCCCS038.  
• POSTING END TIME: If you'd like to be considered as one of our Featured Artisans, please be sure to link your project by Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 11:59 PM EST  

How Time Flies!

I have discovered something today.  Three weeks sure can fly by!!  I can't believe I have been here in San Antonio three weeks ... seems like just a couple of days ago that I was packing my suitcase (and hoping it didn't exceed 50 lbs!).  Now I am packing my suitcase to return home.  No worries over it being too heavy this time - I am not taking 2 cases of Cheerwine in my suitcase like I was coming here.  I've got most of my clothes in and it's only at 30 pounds so I'm good to go.  I wish I could stay just a few more days to make sure Ashley keeps getting stronger but I'm sure she will be ok.  Yesterday we went to the movies and saw "42."  She came back home and hit the couch until dinner time when we went to a Mexican restaurant that is close to her for my final Mexican "fix."  Just those little trips wears her out,  Luckily she has 3 weeks off of work so she will have plenty of time to rest and get stronger.  She tapered herself off the Percodan today but she still has it if she needs it.  It just makes her sleep all the time which is not a bad thing.  We've enjoyed making a couple of meals that Sonny would not even touch.  Tonight we had Quinoa which I had never had before.  I had clipped out a recipe from the Charlotte Observer for stuffed peppers with the quinoa, dried apricots and cherries, pistachio nuts, celery, cilantro, cinnamon, and ginger.  A very different combination of items but it was really good (and good for you!)  Last week we made a Greek Tabouli Salad that I had tasted a few months ago.  The recipe is on the box of tabouli.  It was yummy and I actually ate it for a couple of meals.  Again, nothing I will make at home since only one of us would eat it!

I made a card tonight using MDS for the Late Night Stamper's color challenge to use Old Olive, Summer Starfruit and Raspberry Ripple.  What do you think?

This would be very easy to reproduce using real paper and stamps. 

Here are the elements I used with MDS:

Background - Old Olive 
Embellishments
    Satin Ribbon\Satin Ribbon - Old Olive
    Satin Ribbon\Satin Ribbon - Old Olive bow

Stamps
    Berry Christmas\Christmas Jingle - stamps\All Scallops\All Scallops - scallop 4, Color = VERY VANILLA
    _Designer Kits\Topsy Turvy Celebration - candle, Color = RASPBERRY RIPPLE 
    _Designer Kits\Topsy Turvy Celebration - candle, Color = RASPBERRY RIPPLE
    _Designer Kits\Topsy Turvy Celebration - candle, Color = SUMMER STARFRUIT
    Perfectly Penned - happy birthday, Color = OLD OLIVE
Punches
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = VERY VANILLA
    Basics\1.25 Circle Punch, Fill Color = SUMMER STARFRUIT
    Basics\1.25 Circle Punch, Fill Color = RASPBERRY RIPPLE
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = OLD OLIVE
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = VERY VANILLA

New Packaging!!

Today is a two-post day.  I can't help myself - when I stumble across exciting news, I can't always wait to share.  I just saw this video on Stampin' Up!'s Youtube channel and had to share it with you.  It's a sneak peek at the new packaging for wood mount sets - starting May 31!!  I love to organize so I am beside myself with excitement over this storage solution. It is perfect, and I can’t wait to get my hands on these cases!

While I still collect many wood mount sets, I’ve started buying a lot of clear mounts because they are easier to store and take up less space. This new packaging will definitely make my clear mount / wood mount decision much more difficult when I am selecting sets.

Bombs Away!

Stampin' Up is excited to announce that the second photopolymer stamp set is now available. Bombs Away Birthday (item 133411) is a fun, unique set that will certainly bring a smile to anyone. Try it out today! To learn more about photopolymer stamps, check out the flyer for the Bombs Away Birthday Stamp Set HERE

I had a really long day today.  Waiting is the hardest thing, don't you think?  But Ashley came through her surgery with flying colors and is now recooperating at home.  Talk about hurry up and wait .... We had to be at the hospital at 8:00 a.m. but we sat in the waiting room until 12:30 when they finally took her back to prep her.  The doctor came out and talked to me at 5:30 and we left the hospital about 8:00 pm.  Wow!  12 hours!  She slept when she got home and just got up (10:45 pm) and wanted something to eat.  Hopefully, she won't have much pain and will sleep well tonight.

Sonny and Jack made it back home late / early Tuesday a.m. around 1 or 2 AM.  God was looking after them for sure.  They were just a few cars behind a really bad accident.  A 16-wheeler truck turned over on the median spilling it's load of steel pipes into the other lane.  Sonny said he felt sure there were probably some deaths involved because several ambulances left without their sirens on.  They were delayed by the wreck around 3 hours.  Guess there was an angel sitting on their shoulder or in the bed of their pick-up.

This and That

I am so in love with the This and That digital kit!  But ... if you don't want to go digital, you can get the This and That bundle that includes Designer Series Paper, stamps, journal, washi tape, and stickers that all coordinate.  I have ordered the bundle and it is waiting for me at home.  I'll be sharing it when I go home. 


Today is the Paper Pals Challenge #37.  I used the This and That kit to make my card.

I made this in honor of our 40th anniversary

I liked the card so much, I made another one to send to Ashley.  She found out today that she got the job she had applied for as Program Director for Transitional Medicine.  I am so happy for her!  She works hard and deserves it.

TODAY is the Last Day!

TODAY - Monday, April 8 - is the LAST day to take advantage of FREE shipping!  Contact me if you want to put an order in. 

If you put the order in on-line yourself, please use the CODE # EBB22MUZ