I'm sad that the Umbrella Punch is being retired!  I pulled out some retired DSP (Pleased As Punch), stamped the umbrellas with Memento Black Ink and punched out several of them.  I scattered rain drops (again using the black ink) all over the card front before adhering the umbrellas on the page.  The sentiment is from Comfort and Hope and the labels are from the die set, Stitched So Sweetly.  I adhered a few colored Dew Drops (non SU) on the card.  

I'm happy that the Stitched Triangles Die will not be retiring!!  This was a fun and easy card to make.  I just found some retired DSP in browns and blues and die cut a bunch of triangles all different sizes.  Then I just played around arranging them on my card.  The funny thing is after I got everything done on the card, I adhered the triangle layer upside down!  Oh well, it really didn't matter.

I will be flying to visit my daughter tomorrow!  I can't wait.  We have no plans but will have fun I'm sure.  She will be working most of the time and I will probably be working in her yard while she is gone.  I'm sure Bogey (her cat) will keep me company!

A Few Cards to Share

I found a couple more cards that I made using the Pierced Blooms dies.

I love these colors - Magenta Madness, Basic Black and Just Jade!  That Magenta flower just pops off the page!

This card also uses the Pierced Blooms but is much more subtle than the magenta flower above.  I used the Stitched Rectangle dies to create the two "windows."  These colors are Petal Pink, Emerald Envy (retired) and Calypso Coral.

For this card, I copied a card made by one of the NC demos.  The folds are unique with the flower from Art Gallery popped up on dimensionals.  I put a little bit of Gilded Leafing in the center of the flower using Heat and Stick Powder.

This card highlights the Artistry Blooms DSP (which will be retiring soon.)  I colored the birds with Stampin' Blends and fussy cut them from Birds and Branches stamp set; stamped the tree limbs with Early Espresso and added a little but of Gilded Leafing.

I'm sorry I've been MIA lately.  I've been wrapped up in a health issue and trying hard to do my exercises daily!  I was dismissed from PT 2 weeks ago and yesterday got released from the ortho doc.  Next week, I am flying out to visit Ashley for a week!  I'm dreading sitting in the airport and plane with that danged mask on but it will be worth it!  Hope the weather will be good while I'm there.  I'm sure I'll be helping her in the yard!

I received my new SU catalog in the mail this week and have been looking it over!  I have to be honest, there are a lot of floral sets in the new catalog.  Truthfully, I have plenty of florals so that might save me some money.  There were a lot of stamps from the catalog and mini catalog that did not go away so that helps a lot too.  I love the cover of the catalog using Expressions In Ink DSP - that will probably be my first thing to order, along with the new In Color inks and refills.  If you are a customer of mine, you will receive a catalog in the mail in May.

Paper Pumpkin Here's To You

HAPPY APRIL FOOL'S DAY to you!  No fooling - I have a blog post for you!

This month's Paper Pumpkin is great.  We got some free goodies in this month's kit - stencils (mountains, clouds, starburst & stars) and a sponge which I cut into 5 pieces.  The stencils have been a challenge for me.  I still need to work on them!  I think the elements in this kit work well for masculine cards.  Another good think in the kit is envelope liners along with kraft envelopes.  Usually the liners are already in the envelope and in order to use them as an element on the card, you have to cut the envelope apart.  

This background is from one of the envelope liners.  I had scraps left over from it which I fussy cut three of them to make candles and popped them up with dimensionals.  The sentiment came from a retired stamp and die set, Broadway Birthday.

This card was on one of the cards that was in the kit.  I cut the "scene" out and matted it onto Bumblebee cardstock.  I stamped and fussy cut the trees in the bottom left.

I die cut the scenery piece with a die from the Layered Circles.  I die cut (with scalloped Circle Die) a piece of white and matted the scenery piece on it.  I used another piece of the envelope liner and tore it along the bottom before attaching it to a piece of Calypso Coral.  The ribbon I used is the very last on the spool of a piece of Grapefruit Grove.

More floral paper from the envelope liners and a scenery square.

Another envelope liner.  I used the Layered Circles dies and stamped the flowers with Calypso Coral.

Here’s a sneak peek at what Stampin’ Up has designed for April’s Paper Pumpkin kit, it’s one that can be shared with the family! This entertaining and ‘SO COOL’ kit can be shared with your children or grandchildren providing lots of summer fun! What’s even better? This kit has been designed to coordinate with the Sweet Ice Cream Bundle featured in the Spring Mini for added enjoyment and projects!  You need to order by April 10 to get the April kit.

Easter Cards

 Have you made all your Easter cards?  It's time!  

This card was making with elements from last month's Paper Pumpkin kit (Bouquet of Hope).  Everything on this card came straight from the kit making it easy (except sentiment!)

This one took a little time to make - I think about an hour but I love it.  These dies are my favorite!  I haven't even used the stamp set yet.  The dies can stand on their own.   These dies and stamps will be available on next year's catalog BUT not as a bundle.  If you like this set, I would suggest you purchase it now and save 10% by buying them as a Bundle.

These are all the dies that come in the Pierced Blooms Dies - 25!!  If you decide to get these dies, I would suggest that you take a picture of them so when you are crawling around on the floor because you dropped one of the dies, you'll know which one you are looking for!!  

Retiring Sale Items You Don' Want to Miss!

 I hope you are planning on taking advantage of Stampin' Up's Retiring sale.  I ordered some things today that I couldn't resist!   

Here are some of the good sales that I noticed.

• Lasting Elegance Dies (#151475) – $34.00 $8.50
• Subtle 3D Embossing Folder (#151775) – $10
• Woven Heirloom (#149306) – $24
• Stitched Shapes (#152323) – $30
• Trio of Tags (150667) - $16.00 $4.00

LASTING ELEGANCE - just $8.50!!

It’s worth it to pay $8.50 for these dies – even if you only use one of the two floral dies or the beautiful frame, but you can buy the coordinating stamp set if you want to have both.

Trio of Tags - just $4.00!

This one sure surprised me!  I use my Stitched Shapes almost every time I make a card.

I have relied on my Stitched Shapes Dies and Subtle 3D Embossing Folder A LOT since they were introduced. We’ve had a great run (and I’ll be sad to see them go), but I have no regrets because I’ve used them so much and I am sure I still will!

LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS SALE

 

If you love great deals, the Stampin’ Up! Last-Chance Products Sale is the perfect time to shop. You’ll get deep discounts on your favorite products from the 2020–2021 Annual Catalog—and as an extra bonus—you’ll get a peek at the list of items carrying over to the other catalogs. Many items will sell out fast, so don’t delay.

Details

• Sales Period: 24 March, 1:00 PM (MT) – 3 May 2021, 11:59 PM (MT)
• Only select items in the 2020–2021 Annual Catalog will be discounted.
• Sale applies to all order types except host items (see Last-Chance Products List for items on sale).
• No minimum purchase is required.
• Retiring items are available while supplies last.
• Items and discounts may vary by market (depending on inventory levels).
• Exclusions apply: Carryover items and some retiring items will not be discounted.
• Items carrying over from a mini catalog into another mini catalog will not be available until that catalog is released.
• Items carrying over from the annual catalog to another catalog will be available continuously.

Order Deadlines

• Phone:  3 May 2021; 6:50 PM
• OEX/Online: 3 May 2021; 11:59 PM

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PRODUCTS LEAVING US - BYE BYE - PRODUCT SALE!

 

Gilded Leafing

 Well, my order for the Gilded Leafing finally arrived!  I have been having fun using it in different ways.  I love the stuff!  Do you ever just have those days when you can't stop playing around with something?  Yeah, that was me last week.I keep finding new projects to use this Gilded Leafing on.  

Gilded Leafing comes in a small jar.  The jar is full of gold flakes that can be used to add beautiful accents to any of your projects.  The leafing has to be used with some type of adhesive to hold the leafing to your project.  It doesn't have any adhesive on itself.  By adding adhesive to a card, then placing the told flakes over top and removing the excess, you'll have a beautiful and glamorous gold accent left on your project in the same areas as the adhesive was applied.

When you first open your jar of Gilded Leafing, you'll want to have a storage container nearby.  You want an open container big enough to insert your card into that has a sealable lid like a Rubbermade  container with a lid.  When you shake the gold flakes out of the original jar, they will keep coming ... and coming ...and coming!  So be prepared with your container!

To use the leafing, first apply some type of adhesive to the area you want the Gilded Leafing to be.  I have used Tear and Tape, Heat and Stick Powder and multi-purpose glue (Tombow).  This glue works well because after it is dry, it is still sticky.  A glue that dries to a hard finish will not work.  Once the glue is applied, set the project aside to allow drying time.  When dry, either sprinkle or rub leafing onto your project OR dip it into your container of gold flakes.   (You can also sprinkle the leafing on wet glue.  Just set it aside to dry before rubbing off the excess.)  To get rid of the excess leafing, I've found that rubbing it first with my fingers and then with a soft sponge works well.  Another idea is to use a soft toothbrush.  Gently rub the sponge (or toothbrush) over your project until all the excess has been removed.

Here are a few tips:

• Use a large sealable container
• Use a Microfiber Cloth to clean up loose flakes on your hands and work area.
• Prepare multiple projects at one time.  This limits the mess I create and how many times I need to wipe off my hands.
• Experiment with the Gold Leafing.  Experiment with adhesives, application ...Don't limit yourself to just paper.  Enjoy and let me know what you think about this new product.

Here are a couple of cards I made using the Gold Leafing:

  

I applied the score tape across the card; removed the backing of the tape and stuck it down into my leafing container.  Next I used my sponge to take away all the excess.  I cut this piece in half to make 2 cards.

This is one of the cards I made using Magenta cardstock.

This one was made using Terracota Tile.

The flowers on these cards are colored with Stampin' Blends.  The flowers were fussy cut from True Love designer paper.

More Note Pads with Flowers and Field DSP

 Happy Friday.  Tomorrow is the first day of Spring but it doesn't feel spring-like today!  It's 50 degrees and dreary looking!  We had a couple of spring like days earlier in the week but it's deserted us!  

Here are the rest of the little note pads that I made.

For all of these I used the Flowers and Field DSP (from Saleabration).  

I made the flowers with the Pierced Blooms dies.  Also, that cute little bow is included in these dies.

Again, Flowers and Field DSP.  I used the Daisy Punch for the one on the right and the Pierced Blooms dies for the other one.

I used the rectangular shaped die from Painted Labels Dies (coordinates with Painted Poppies stamps.)  After die cutting the piece, I left the card stock inside the die and using my stylus, traced a line all around the die (on the back side).  When you are done, take the card stock out of the die and flip it over ... voila! a beveled edge!  It makes a great look for these dies.

FREE SHIPPING

FREE Shipping on St Paddy’s Day! 

Feeling Lucky? Tomorrow, St. Patrick’s Day, is your LUCKY day!!  All Stampin’ Up! orders at $50 or more get FREE Shipping! You can place your orders online (stampinup.com) or email them to me and I can place them for you:  smaranich@yahoo.com

If you decide to place the order yourself, would you please use my Hostess Code:  KMY3NFWN

Things I would buy as a customer . . .

What’s the status of your In Colors? If you have the soon to be retired In Colors ink pads in Rococo Rose, Terracotta Tile, and Pretty Peacock . . . do you need the corresponding ink refills? Or Stampin’ Blends? Purple Posy is also part of this group . . . no ink pad but gorgeous paper! There’s also a corresponding set of markers and and ribbons. 

How about Envelopes? Do you need Basic White Paper? or Very Vanilla Paper? Get the things that you use over and over and over and replenish your supply. Happy Shopping!

A Little Note

 I finally got some little scratch pads that measure 3" x 5" from Amazon.  I wanted to make covers for these scratch pads.  I could not find them at Staples so ordered from Amazon.  I went crazy Sunday and made a bunch to give away!   It was fun seeing what Designer Papers I could match the flowers with.  When I went to play cards with my friends on Monday, I let them each choose one of the little note pads.

I have just a little bit of this magnolia DSP left and love the look of it on this note pad.  I cut the flower from a piece of the designer paper.

These are 3 other note pads that I made.  They are all using the Daisy designer paper.  The note pad on the right uses the Daisy Punch.  The other two are made with the Stitched Blooms dies.  You can purchase these with the In Bloom stamp set.  The die set has 25 dies and 21 stamps!  That's a lot of stamps and dies in one bundle.  I love these dies.  There are several flowers in different sizes (great for layering) plus leaves and flower centers.