Boo Hoo - Retiring!

Can you even believe April is almost over .... and we spent most of it in our lounge attire at home!!  I'll have to fess up that this "stay-at-home" order has not bothered me too much.  I've stayed busy crafting and doing things around the house that have needed done for a long time.  I get out of the house about once a week to go to Mooresville to the grocery store and get lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants (eating in my car or taking it home.)  The NC governor just extended our "stay at home" order through May 8.  He plans to lift restrictions in three phases.  Right now, the decision to stay at home is based on public health data and White House guidance.  NC needs more time to slow the spread of this virus before beginning to lift restrictions.  This makes me happy.  I have been concerned that they would lift restrictions too early.   There have been protests all over the state against staying at home.  I know that this pandemic has made life difficult for many people but they just need to hang in there.

Have you had a chance to look at the retired list yet?  Well, did you use a magnifying glass to be able to read it?  Between the font being microscopic and my printer not working properly, I had a frustrating time.  I finally found an easier to read list on someone else's blog. 

ANNUAL CATALOG RETIRING LIST

 MINI CATALOG RETIRING LIST

I had guessed at how many of my stamps were going to retire and was pretty accurate.  I lost 19 sets and have 23 current sets that will be in the upcoming catalog!  Oh well, it happens every year.  Since I still use my retired sets, I don't stress over it.  I got a sneak peek of the new catalog and there are some good ones in there!  Over the next few days, I'll be sharing some of the retired stamp sets that I have used to make pretty cards.

I'm happy that this set below - Meant to Be - isn't going to retire!  It is one of my favorite stamp sets plus it has matching dies - Stitched Be Mine.  

Love those bright colors!!  I used Gorgeous Grape, Bermuda Bay, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red

inside

RETIRING LIST IS ONLINE!

Here is a link to the STAMPIN' UP RETIRING LIST.               RETIRING

If you notice, all the SU Blends are on sale.  They are not going away.  Stampin' Up is going to sell them as a Combo Item instead of single.  So, if you need to order the singles, do it now!  I have a few that need replacing so I will ordering them right away!

Retiring List 2019-2020

Do you have your Stampin' Up list ready?  Today at 3 pm ET Stampin' Up will announce all the retiring items.  Just remember, if you see that a bundle is retiring that does not necessarily mean that the stamp set and/or dies are retiring - just the bundle.  Once the retiring list goes live, products are on a "while stock lasts" basis.  Already,  the 2018-2020 In Color DSP (6x6) and Brights DSP (6x6) along with the Basketweave 3D Embossing Folder have sold out.  The In Color products are always the first to sell out.

If you are in love with any of these In Colors, get them ASAP!  Retiring In Color products sell out very quickly .... especially the re-inkers for the In Color Pads.  Once they are sold out, it is forever.

Stampin' Up has recently let us know that card kits, stamp cases, and background stamps will see a price increase in this year’s catalog.

Here are a few other items that have been in back-order but are now available!

Grace’s Garden Bundle 153789 / Garden Gateway Dies 151512
Honey Bee Bundle 153792 / Detailed Bee Dies 151526
Bonanza Buddies Bundle 153815 / Bonanza Dies 151566
Peaceful Moments Bundle 153824 / Poppy Moments Dies 151594
Painted Poppies Bundle 153827 / Painted Labels Dies 151605

Another item you might want to consider getting is the Ornate Garden Suite - all of it or just the stamp set, DSP, dies, etc.  I have that on my list.  I have seen some gorgeous cards made with the dies and stamps and DSP.  You won't find this suite in any of our current catalogs since it was an early release product.

Check out the suite here - ORNATE GARDEN SUITE and then go to Pinterest and look at some of the samples made with this suite.  (Demonstrators were able to purchase this item in advance.)

Have you been making .... and mailing ... or at least giving them away .... cards to those you care about?  If not, please do.  It really brightens up the day.  Saturday Sonny and I went to BJ's, Aldi's, and Harris Teeter.  I had several cards I had made with me and I handed them out to the cashiers when I checked out.  The first card I handed out went to an older lady working at BJ's who stands at the door handing out hand wipes to everyone and also a wipe for your cart.  Oh, if you could have seen the look of joy on her face.  She wanted to hug me but of course could not.  She told me she had been having a bad day and this really made a difference to her.  She almost had me crying!  I thought Sonny would "poo-poo" me for giving out cards, but the lady at BJs put a smile on his face too!

We've had a bit of bad news this week.  One of Ashley's friend's father died a few weeks ago from the coronavirus and now her mother is in ICU.  And Monday night Ashley told us that one of her best friends from medical school, who is an ER Doc in Houston tested positive for the virus.  So far, she hasn't shown any symptoms.  She has two young boys.  Please say a prayer for Julie.  I pray every day to keep my family safe from this terrible disease!

Ribbon, Ribbon, Ribbon!

I love bright colors.  So, this first card fits the bill.  These two cards made with the Ride With Me stamp set can be used for just about anyone - young or old.

I started out with a Real Red base. I cut strips measuring 3 3/4" x 3/4" in Daffodil, Bermuda Bay, Real Red, Gorgeous Grape and Granny Apple Green and adhered them to the Whisper White.   I tied a piece of ribbon around the white piece and then adhered it to the red card.  I cut out a piece of watercolor paper with the Stitched Rectangles Dies. I stamped the truck and balloons with Versamark and heat embossed them with black powder.  I water colored the truck and balloons using the ink refills and my Aqua Pen.  When all was dry, I attached the water colored piece to the card with dimensionals.  I just wish I had a stamp of a lady or man to put in the driver's seat!  We used to have a set called Loads of Love that had the people stamp in it but I think I must have sold it. Oh well!

This card is the same except I used all retired colors.  The colors I used on it were:  

Card Base - Peekaboo Peach, Lemon Lime Twist, Wisteria, Turquoise, Rose Red and Plum.

I have a lot of ribbon!  During this isolation period, I worked on getting my ribbon somewhat organized.

I used to try to keep my retired ribbon separate from SU current ribbon.  Well, over time, I probably have about 5 spools of ribbon that are current and the rest is retired.  I have pretty much given up on separating them since Stampin' Up retires almost all the ribbon selections each year.  So, I decided to put all the colors together.  Now I know that I have about 8 spools of white ribbon and only 2 rolls of red!  But all of it in the picture above are Stampin' Up ribbon whereas the most of the ribbons below are not Stampin' Up.

This way of displaying my ribbons helped me out with these cards.  I knew I wanted to have a ribbon on the cards so I checked my ribbons first to determine what colors I had.  Since I had a full spool (almost) of Perfect Peach ribbon, I colored the truck peach!  Same for the Real Red spool of ribbon.

Never Ending Card

Have you ever made a Never Ending Card?  It's really not as hard as it looks and is a great WOW!  You can get the instructions/tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers.

It really looks complicated.  The mechanism is just 4 pieces of cardstock (Balmy Blue for my card) that are 3" x 6".

I used the DSP from Pleased As Punch which is not available now.

I enjoyed decorating all the different panels with things from the Paper Pumpkin kit and the Pleased as Punch paper.

So .... check out the  TUTORIAL   at Splitcoast.   Splitcoast Stampers is always a great resource for tutorials.  Plus they have Weekly Challenges that are a lot of fun - especially, when you are stuck at home!!

No Matter the Weather .... We're in This Together!

Can you believe it's time to say good-bye to some of our stamps, DSP, dies, embossing folders, ribbon ......!!  On April 22 at 1:00 pm (MT), Stampin' Up will post retiring product lists for the January–June 2020 Mini Catalog and 2019–2020 Annual Catalog. These last-chance products will be available until June 2 or while supplies last only.  And remember—retiring items sell fast. Get your favorites before they’re gone!  This is a great time to get re-inkers for the retiring In Colors.  They sell out fast.

As promised yesterday, here are the remainder of the March Paper Pumpkin cards.

I stamped the boots onto the gingham check paper and adhered them to the Stitched Label.  The lemon lime is retired but I hope it makes a come-back sometime.  I really like it.

Can you see the shine on the boots?  I used Shimmery Crystal Effects on the boots and on the portion of the umbrella above.  Also if you look close, you can see the little rain drops among the hearts.  Do you ever cut your sentiments apart?  It's a good way to use them when they won't fit on the card.  I sponged So Saffron onto the cardstock with the hearts and layered it onto one of the envelope lining.   I wrapped Bakers Twine that came with the Paper Pumpkin kit around adhering it on the back with tape.

Again I used a piece of the envelope for the pink stripes.  

This background uses the rain stamp from the Paper Pumpkin kit.  I stamped off in Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, and Petal Pink and used the stamp horizontally to make the background.  At the time I made this card, I didn't know what this stamp was supposed to be.  I finally figured it out with a little help from someone's card on Pinterest!  

More sponging - the top I sponged with Balmy Blue and the bottom with Shaded Spruce.  I stamped the raindrops with Balmy Blue.  The green striped paper is from an envelope that I cut apart.  The card base is Shaded Spruce.

I guess I could have used this card for Easter!  I dug out my Scallop Punch that has been retired for years to do the bottom of the Petal Pink cardstock.  I ran it through the hearts embossing folder.  It was a great way to use up all the little hearts that came with the kit - I had just enough!

No Matter the Weather

Can you believe I have made about 25 cards with the March Paper Pumpkin?!!  I've run out of ideas (and CASEs) though!  I have about 10 more cards to share with you and then I'll be moving on to something else.  My April Paper Pumpkin is on it's way to me.  I'm hoping I get it on Monday.  It's too late for you to order the April kit BUT you might be interested in the May Paper Pumpkin kit!  The Paper Pumpkin team loves planning fun surprises, so that is what is in store for us in May.  I haven't seen it of course, but it is supposed to be a fabulous kit featuring 2020-2022 IN COLORS plus Purple Posy which was an In Color this past year but because of issues they had with Purple Posy, they pulled it last summer.  So, as Paper Pumpkin subscribers, you will be the first to get your hands on the new In Color products - a full two weeks before you can order In Color items from the new annual catalog!  The new In Colors are top secret - for now!

MAY PAPER PUMPKIN

OK - a few more March cards.  I have 10 left to show you.  I'll put 5 up today and 5 more tomorrow!

I left this one as a note card and I had an envelope left to put it in.  Now to mail it!  I fussy cut the clouds and stacked them with dimensionals.

This was a super easy card.  I cut the note card in half and mounted the girl in boots onto Old Olive cardstock.  The label and flowers were punched out and adhered with dimensionals after wrapping a piece of bakers twine around and tying it on the label.  All these items were in the kit.

This Calypso Coral is bright!!  I die cut the rectangles with the Sweetly Stitched dies (Balmy Blue and So Saffron.)  The boots and label are adhered with dimensionals.

Can you see the shiny raindrops on the clouds?  I love those raindrops!  I stamped the boots onto green gingham DSP.  Notice the rain coming down from the clouds.  It took me a long time to figure out what that stamp was.  I used it on another card horizontally and as a background.  I wrapped some twine in a circle and put a piece of tape on the back of it to adhere it down to the card.  The label over the top helped hold it in place also.

Now for my favorite card of the day!   Details below.

Four Square Pop Up Card Fold

Front:

• Card Base: Petal Pink Cardstock 8-1/2" x 5-1/2". Score and fold at 4-1/4'.  
• Layer #2: Whisper White Cardstock 5-1/4" x 4". Glue to card base.
• Layer #3: Cut up the green envelope to measure 4-3/4" x 3-1/2" and glue to card front.
• Circles: Use different color paper and cut with a 2" Circle Punch and a 1-1/2" Circle Punch. Adhere with dimensions to card front.
• Sentiment: Stamp the sentiment on the circle that came with the kit and glue to card front using Stampin' Dimensionals. 
• Boots: Cut a single pair of boots from the die-cut and glue to the large circle using Stampin' Dimensionals. 
• Hearts: Glue to hearts to the other circle using Mini Stampin' Dimensionals.
• Bling: Add the sequins to the background. 

Inside:

• Layer #1: Add a layer of Whisper White Cardstock to each panel that measures 5-1/4" x 4". 
• Layer #2: Shaded Spruce Cardstock layer over both white layers that measures 5" x 3-3/4".
• Layer #3: Petal Pink Cardstock strip 8" x 1-1/2". Score at 2", 4" and 6". Glue to the inside by adding adhesive to the first section and the last section. 
• Rectangles: Cut (4) Whisper White Rectangles that measure 2" x 1-1/2". Glue to each section of the Petal Pink Cardstock strip. 
• Boots: Cut the remainder of the boots to create single pairs and glue one pair to each rectangle.
• Hearts: Glue one heart to each set of boots.

I hope you have enjoyed these cards today.

Boots and Umbrellas!

Where did spring go?  The furnace is going in my house!  I'm ready for the temps to get back in the 70s at least!   Last night Sonny and I played Music Bingo on-line again.  It is something different to do at home while we are stuck at home. 

Here are a few more Paper Pumpkin cards I made.

Paper Pumpkin + Under My Umbrella - a great fit!   The pink stripe piece in the background is the inside of one of the envelopes that I cut open.  I don't know if you can tell, but the boots are shiny.  I covered the boots with glue from the Fine Tip Glue.

I used another envelope inside for the card (green stripe.)  The scallop rectangle is from the Sweetly Stitched dies.

This time the envelope insert is the yellow striped piece.  I cut down the card with the girl and boots and layered it onto Calypso Coral.  

This one was so fun to make!  I used the negative part of the circle page after popping out all the circles.  I masked and sponged Balmy Blue and Pear Pizzazz onto the circles.  Next I flicked some Wink of Stella all over.  

March Paper Pumpkin Alternatives

I've almost finished with the March Paper Pumpkin.  I think I have enough scraps for 3 more cards.  Then what??!  I have a new stamp set I haven't used so I'll be making cards with Ride With Me next.  Stay tuned.

This is the first card I've made with the door stamp.  I used the SU Blends to color the door.  This would be a great stamp to send to someone who is moving into a new home.  (I'll have to remember that!)

This is a notecard that came with the Paper Pumpkin and I used Under My Umbrella for the umbrella and flowers.

I love these meerkats peeking out of the boots.  And how about the frog down in the corner - did you miss him?  

This is my favorite I think.  I found that border (?) in the Good Morning Magnolia stamp set.  I used Dapper Denim for this card which is a retired in-color but I had the ribbon to match plus the retired "crackle" paper that I stamped the boots onto.  Don't you love the sentiment?  Great for these crazy times.

I know one thing - I need to stop baking during this panademic!  The scales are starting to be mean to me.  Sonny is getting used to having sweets every night with his tea plus I'm eating my share of the cakes, cookies and pies I've been making.  I'm trying to make them a little healthy by using applesauce in place of oil in the cakes and Splenda instead of sugar in cookies.  Sonny finished off the chocolate cake on Monday and was looking for his next treat yesterday.  I ended up making an apple tart but did it in two days.  He was looking for it last night but I'd only made the dough so he had to eat one of his Little Debbie cakes!  I finished making the tart this morning.  The instructions said to eat it immediately!  So I had a bite!  It was fairly easy to make.  I made a crust and put in my fluted tart pan that I've had for probably 5 years and never used!  I peeled and cored 4 apples and used my food processor to get them really thin.  The apples went in on top of the crust and I baked it at 400 for 40 minutes.  When I took it out of the oven, I drizzled caramel sauce on top .... yum!

I want to let you know that the CLEARANCE RACK has been UPDATED!!  Check it out.  Items tend to sell out so if you see something you like, you'd better order.




You can add Clearance Rack items to the Ornate Garden Suite items you like from below!!  Kill 2 birds with one stone!

I have heard nothing but good things about the early release of the Ornate Garden Suite.  I haven't purchased it yet but my upline sold me on it when we were chatting last week so it is now on my next order!

If you want to get any or all of this suite, you can order on-line using my Hostess Code #64DUBG2H.

Check out the video!