Season of Friendship final hoorah

How do you like my new blog banner and background paper?  This is the Summer Smooch collection that will be in the new catalog.  I love the bright colors ...  I am a Brights kind of gal!

Things have been kind of crazy here. Yesterday I left the house at 9 a.m. and returned home at 7:30 pm!  I went to the "Y" and then out to lunch with Newcomers Out to Lunch Bunch at Firebirds at the mall.  So, of course I had to do some shopping while at the mall!  Plus, I had a $25 coupon for Coldwater Creek that I couldn't let expire.  But, I also went to Belk's and bought my mom's Mothers Day present.  After shopping, I met Marianne back in Mooresville and we went to the movies.  We saw "The Lucky One."  Zac Efron is sure dreamy!  We both enjoyed the movie.  My only complaint is that I thought he seemed a lot younger than Taylor Shilling (his love interest in the movie).  He is 24 and she is 27 but he seemed a lot younger than that.  But it was a great chick flick and I would recommend it. 

Sonny and I are on a new Red Cross National Disaster Team.  This is a pilot program for Lake Norman Red Cross.  There are about 18-20 people on the team from all over the Piedmont.  Sonny and I and the Team Leader are the only ones from the Mooresville office - the others are from Charlotte, Kings Mountain, Morganton, Gastonia, Salisbury, etc.  We will be doing all our training as a team and will be traveling to the various cities for our training.  Saturday we were in Charlotte for our first meeting; Monday night we had a Forms Class in Morganton and today we took an on-line (3 hours!) course on setting on and closing a shelter.  We have a class scheduled Saturday in Charlotte and over the next few weeks, we have 1-2 training classes a week.  The plan is when a disaster hits, we would be ready to deploy as a team of about 4-5 people within 24 hours. 

I have another card to share using a retiring stamp set, Season of Friendship.  I had to use it one last time before sending the stamp to a friend in Georgia who is buying it from me. (Cathy - it will be in the mail tomorrow!)  I actually saw a card similar to this one on Pinterest in pinks.  But I wanted to use Poppy Parade since it is retiring.

I stamped the tree in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla card stock and the leaves in Pear Pizazz.  Some of the leaves I stamped and cut out and mounted them to the tree with dimensionals.  The flowers are punched with the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch with a Pearl in the center of each one.  I stamped the sentiment on the side.  I really like this card!

Get Em While You Can!!

Get 'em while you can!  The Accessories Retiring List has been announced and it is quite extensive.  You can check the list out HERE. 

Over 300 stamp sets, retired accessories list is 12 pages long! 

• The Simply Adorned Jewelry Line is retiring
• The Definitely Decorative Line is retiring
• We are getting a new style of ink pad, with a firm foam pad,
• 12 x 12 paper is going to be packaged differently
• Individual Markers are also going to be packaged different, so if you need some colors, pick them up now
• 2010 - 2012 in colors, are retiring
• Lots of tools and Big Shot Items retiring

 When you see the Accessories list you'll notice the ink pads are retiring ...  not to worry.  All the colors are staying with the exception of the In Colors (2010-2012) ...the ink pads are getting a make over as well as some of the tools (marked with an asterik on the list).  Several of the punches and dies are making me sad to see them go - Butterfly Punch, 5 Petal Punch, Snowflake Punch, Eyelet Punch, Leaves Die (which I just ordered!), Movers and Shakers, Daisies Die ...  So if any of these are on your "must have" list, you can order them on-line or by contacting me and placing an order.

My Stamping Queens Sketch Challenge is today also.  I made this card using My Digital Studio and a couple of the new releases, Fantabulous You and Decorative Overlays.

Party This Way, Elizabeth!

I have two cards to share with you today that I've hardly used at all.  But, I'll hang on to them a while because I like them and can still use them to create with.

 This card uses the single stamp, Elizabeth.  I love it and just may use in card class next month.  I stamped it with Concord Crush onto Whisper White cardstock and used markers (Wisteria Wonder and Pear Pizazz) to color with.  I stamped "happy birthday" from Teeny Tiny Wishes in the center.  How do you like the ribbon flower?  I found a tutorial on line .... actually from Pinterest .... and followed it to make the flower out of Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon.  I also used a forgotten item on the card - mulberry paper.  I have a bunch of mulberry paper in various colors that I've probably had for 5 years or more.  When I first started stamping, mulberry paper was all the rage.  I still like the soft look you get from tearing the edges of the paper.

This is the first time I have used this stamp set, Party This Way.  I actually got it free during Saleabration so it's ok.  But, it's a great stamp set for birthdays so I'll hang on to it for a while.  The DSP is from an old SU Stamping Kit from a year or so ago.  I also put Crystal Effects on the balloons - you can see them close up in the next picture.  Also, I didn't have Brilliant Blue ribbon so I took a piece of Bashful Blue and my Brilliant Blue marker and colored the grosgrain ribbon to match.

Supplies used:
Card Stock:  Brilliant Blue (retired), Bashful Blue, Real Red, Whisper White, Party DSP (don't remember name!)
Stamps:  Party This Way
Accessories:  Big Shot, Nestabilities, Crystal Effects, Black Marker, Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals
Ink:  Brilliant Blue, Real Red,

My Helper and my Monday Mailer card

This is my Monday Mailer that I sent out last week.   I used the Beau Chateau Side Notes to create the card.  The Side Notes are uniquely shaped die-cut tags and accents that quickly add dimension, texture, and journaling to any project. They are heavyweight felt-weave paper and come with 24 total notes.  I ordered them a few months ago and forgot about them.  So, when I was trying to decide what to make for my Monday Mailer, I found these on my desk.  I think they worked great for this card.  What say you? 

Supplies:

Paper:  Pretty In Pink, Mocha Morning DSP

Ink:  Soft Suede

Stamps:  Sincere Salutations, Creative Elements

Accessories:  Beau Chateau Side Notes

It's been a rainy cold day here today.  I don't think the temperature got past 55 degrees!  Pretty unusual for late April but we really needed the rain.  And since I didn't have anything planned for today other than doing the laundry, I could stay in my sweats all day!  I talked to my son and his family earlier in the day and he told me it was about 99 degrees there.  What a difference!  I'll take my 55 degrees any day!

I worked on making a few cards today using some of the retired stamps before it's too late.  While working on my cards, I had a little helper!  Can you spot her in the picture below?

This is a drawer unit that I have in my room.  The top drawer wouldn't stay on the tracks, so I removed it.  Sammie loves to jump into the drawer and go down in the back of the drawers.  Don't know what is back there that is so interesting to her.  She has definitely come out of her shell in the month she has been at my house.


This is her favorite spot though.  She likes to stretch out on my table and nudge my hand away from the mouse and onto her head to scratch her.



More April Club Cards

I have a couple more of the April Club cards to share with you.  Although my Tuesday group only ended up making the Anti-Bacterial Soap Holder and two of the cards. They took too much time watercoloring!!  I seem to always think they can work faster than they actually do.  But, no matter, the cards will be here next month!  We'll see what Thursday's group gets accomplished.

This is a very pretty white on white card using Kindness Matters (which didn't retire!!)

HOW TO:

•  Cut two pieces of Whisper White cardstock:  10” x 4 ¼” AND 4” x 5 ¼”
•  Emboss smaller white piece with Stripes Embossing Folder and Big Shot
• Wrap pleated green ribbon around and adhere to white embossed piece
•  Die cut an oval with Big Shot & Oval Decorative Embossing Folder.  Adhere to card with dimensionals.
• Stamp “thanks” and one of the butterflies from Kindness Matters onto a white scrap and punch out with large Oval Punch.  Adhere to the embossed oval with dimensional. 
•  Stamp butterfly on scrap of white with Pear & Pacific Point markers and cut out. Adhere to card with dimensional.
•  Make a bow using Seam Binding Ribbon and glue to side of card.
• Punch small flower and glue to top of bow.  Adhere a small pearl in center of flower.

This great card uses two of my favorites - the stamp set, Field Flowers and two-step stamping.

HOW TO:

• Very Vanilla cardstock:   10” x 4 ¼”  and 2 ½” x 4”
• Black cardstock:  2 ¾” x 4 ¼”
• Mocha Morning DSP – 4” x 5”
• Adhere DSP to Vanilla card.
• Adhere small Vanilla piece to Black cardstock.
•  Stamp leaves & stems from Field Flowers onto Vanilla card stock with Early Espresso ink..
• Insert brad in lower corner. Adhere matted vanilla piece to the DSP & card.
• Stamp flowers onto scrap Vanilla – use Crumb Cake ink for the solid flower & Espresso ink to the other flower (two step stamping).
•  Cut flowers out and adhere to card using Dimensionals.
• Stamp sentiment onto Vanilla & punch out with large Oval Punch
• Punch  Designer Label in black.    Mount Oval onto Black label.

Sketch Challenge 35 AND Blog Candy!

I made my Queen's Sketch Challenge card this week using My Digital Studio.  I think it really turned out good.  What do you think?

Supplies Used:
Certainly Celery Paper
Summer Smooches DSP
Apothecary Art, Fundamental Phrases, Frames With A Flourish, All Scallops Stamp Sets
Circle Punch
Labels Collection 1 Punch
Certainly Celery Bow embellishment

This week, there will be Blog Candy to be given away on the website for participating.  We have an easy sketch this week so make a card and post to HERE and you might just be a winner!!

April Club Cards

Just finished getting everything ready for my club this week.  My Tuesday gals will be here late this afternoon for some stamping fun.  I just love having gals over to stamp with.

Here are a couple of the cards we will be making today:  They both are using sets that will be retiring May 31.  So, if you love these cards, you better order the stamp sets so you can CASE me.

I think this is my favorite!  I made my own DSP by stamping a piece of white card stock with various flower stamps from FLOWER FEST.  What's super about this stamp set is that all the flower stamps coordinate with punches so you don't have to cut the flowers out - you just punch them!

 SUPPLIES USED:

• Stamp:  Flower Fest, Happy Birthday to You (both retiring)
• Card Stock:  Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Watercolor paper
• Ink:  Versamark
• Accessories:  Watercolor Crayons, White Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Top Note Die, Big Shot, Aqua Brush
• Punches:  Flower Fancy, 5 Petal Flower, 2 3/8" Scallop, Butterfly, 1 1/4" Circle

HOW TO:

•  Stamp flower stamps randomly all over 3” x 4 ¼” white card stock in various colors   Adhere to bottom of Peach Parfait card
• Die cut Top Note from white cardstock.
•  Stamp sentiment about the middle and to the right side on top Note with Black Ink.
•  Stamp flower images from Flower Fest stamp set onto Watercolor paper using Versamark Ink and emboss with white embossing powder.  Heat with heat gun.
•  Color flowers & leaves using Aqua Brush and Watercolor Crayons.
•  Punch out flowers using – 5 Petal Flower Punch,  2 3/8” Scallop Punch, Butterfly Punch, Fancy Flower Punch,  1 ¼” Circle Punch.
• You have to cut leaves out with scissors and adhere to the card.
• Stamp Butterfly antennae in black and cut out.

This card uses a great stamp set - Inspired By Nature.  I'll be sad to see this one go.  I also used a Wheel for the Textured background.  I seem to forget about my wheels.

SUPPLIES:

• Stamp:  Inspired by Nature
• Card Stock:  Not Quite Navy, Sahara Sand, Poppy Parade, Confetti 
• Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Poppy Parade
• Access:  Textured Wheel, Dauber, Scallop Oval Punch, Blue Denim Ribbon, Dimensionals

HOW TO:

Not Quite Navy cardstock:  8 ½” x 5 ½”  /  Sahara Sand cardstock:  4” x 5 ¼” 

Poppy cardstock:  4 ½” x 3 ¼”   /  Confetti cardstock:  4 ¼ ” x 3”

• Use Textured large wheel and wheel the Sahara Sand card stock using Not Quite Navy ink.  Adhere to card.
• Stamp flowers from Inspired By Nature onto Confetti cardstock using NQN ink.  Adhere to Poppy card stock.
• Stamp sentiment with Poppy ink on scrap of Confetti.  Punch out with Scalloped Oval.  
• Tie ribbon around Confetti  card stock.   Adhere using dimensionals.

Surprise Monday Mailer Package

Last week I received a package from Pam, my Monday Mailer buddy.  I was totally surprised!  She sent me a beautiful anniversary card plus a little 3x3 box with a few note cards and envies from the new Summer Smooch sneak preview plus a little purse made with the Summer Smooch Purse Die.  They are just so cute!

This is a beautiful card with embossing and white satin ribbon and pearls!  She used the Apothecary Art stamp set from the Mini Catalog.  It is so much prettier in real life!

This is the little purse that she made.  It is so elegant!  She punched the Marina Mist handle on either side with the Hearts Border Punch and adhered the Lace Ribbon down the center.  The button on the flap has a little rhinestone in the center and the three itty bitty flowers in the corner each have a rhinestone in the middle.  So much detail!!

 

 

 

 

This is the little box that she made with the Summer Smooch DSP and stamp set.  Again, the button has a small pearl in the center.

These are the three note cards (3x3) that are in the box.  They also use the Summer Smooch stamp set.  So cute and colorful!!

If you would like to order any of the Summer Smooch items, you can!  Stampin' Up is giving our customers a chance to order a "sneak peek" from the upcoming catalog.

 Check out the flier HERE. 

This offer is only good until the end of the month!!

Retirement Is Here!

Stampin' Up has announced it's retired STAMPS.  This is by far, the LARGEST LIST that Stampin Up has ever presented, with over 300 items!...They decided with the NEW catalog format, size and date of release, it was also a great opportunity to revamp the entire content, so, while you may be sad that so many are leaving - Be JOYFUL, that we are getting a WHOLE CATALOG of new exciting Products!......these stamps will no longer be available when the new Idea Book and Catalog goes live June 1st, and sometimes they also sell out.....so if you have a favorite on this list, consider ordering soon.

View the list HERE .  

Contact me with your must haves!

Those Were The Days!

 Someone recently sent me this and it is just too good not to share! 


Black and White (Under age 40? You won't understand.)


You could hardly see for all the snow,
 Spread the rabbit ears as far as they go.
 Pull a chair up to the TV set,
 'Good Night, David.
 Good Night, Chet.'
 My Mom used to cut chicken, chop eggs and spread mayo on the same cutting board with the same knife and no bleach, but we didn't seem to get food poisoning.

 My Mom used to defrost hamburger on the counter and I used to eat it raw sometimes, too. Our school sandwiches were wrapped in wax paper in a brown paper bag, not in ice pack coolers, but I can't remember getting e..coli.

 Almost all of us would have rather gone swimming in the lake instead of a pristine pool (talk about boring), no beach closures then.

 The term cell phone would have conjured up a phone in a jail cell, and a pager was the school PA system.
 We all took gym, not PE...and risked permanent injury with a pair of high top Ked's (only worn in gym) instead of having cross-training athletic shoes with air cushion soles and built in light reflectors. I can't recall any injuries but they must have happened because they tell us how much safer we are now.   Flunking gym was not an option... even for stupid kids! I guess PE must be much harder than gym.

 Speaking of school, we all said prayers and sang the national anthem, and staying in detention after school caught all sorts of negative attention.   We must have had horribly damaged psyches. What an archaic health system we had then. Remember school nurses?  Ours wore a hat and everything.

 I thought that I was supposed to accomplish something before I was allowed to be proud of myself.
 I just can't recall how bored we were without computers, Play Station, Nintendo, X-box or 270 digital TV cable stations.

Oh yeah... and where was the Benadryl and sterilization kit when I got that bee sting? I could have been killed!

We played 'king of the hill' on piles of gravel left on vacant construction sites, and when we got hurt, Mom pulled out the 48-cent bottle of mercurochrome (kids liked it better because it didn't sting like iodine did) and then we got our butt spanked.  Now it's a trip to the emergency room, followed by a 10-day dose of a $49 bottle of antibiotics, and then Mom calls the attorney to sue the contractor for leaving a horribly vicious pile of gravel where it was such a threat.

We didn't act up at the neighbor's house either; because if we did we got our butt spanked there and then we got our butt spanked again when we got home.

I recall Donny Reynolds from next door coming over and doing his tricks on the front stoop, just before he fell off.  Little did his Mom know that she could have owned our house.  Instead, she picked him up and swatted him for being such a goof. It was a neighborhood run amuck.

To top it off, not a single person I knew had ever been told that they were from a dysfunctional family.
How could we possibly have known that?  We needed to get into group therapy and anger management classes.  We were obviously so duped by so many societal ills, that we didn't even notice that the entire country wasn't taking Prozac!

How did we ever survive?