Celebrating Mom

Happy last day of April!!  With Mother's Day just around the corner I've found myself creating lots of projects to celebrate the Moms in my life.  I used this week's sketch from The Paper Players for this one...

Here's the sketch:

...and here is my version:

Mother's Day card for PP193 featuring the soon-to-be-retired Secret Garden stamp set with Gingham Garden DSP.  Sentiment is from Remembering Your Birthday.

I have to say I am going to seriously miss the Secret Garden stamp set and coordinating Framelits!  I love how quickly and easy it is to add flowers to a project WITHOUT fussy cutting!  These are two retiring products that will not be leaving my stash any time soon. 

I made a vow to stop buying every single pack of DSP from every catalogue this year, as I always end up with TONS of it left over...not because I don't use it, but because I just buy SO much!  Unfortunately I haven't kept my promise!  I have lots of DSP left to use up before the end of the catalogue year, so I pulled out the Gingham Garden pack for this project and even made a matching envelope liner ;)
Other retiring products on this project include the stitched grosgrain ribbon in Daffodil Delight and the Large Rhinestone jewels.  Both are items I use a lot and will miss but I just know there is going to be so much in the new catalogue to love I will soon forget all about these beloved favourites!

Inside view with sentiments from Perfect Words (retired) and Something to Celebrate (retired)

 On the inside I pulled out a couple of long-retired hostess sets.  Both had exactly the sentiments I was looking for.  See?  Sometimes it pays to be a hoarder!
Now to decide which of the special Moms in my life to send this one to...

Revving up to say Good-bye

Can you believe it is almost the end of April??  Where has the month gone?  It seems like last week we were celebrating my boy's birthday and here it is the end of the month already!  The good news for us demonstrators is that the end of April means May 1st...which means NEW GOODIES!!  You see we get to pre-order a selection of new products from the upcoming 2014-15 Annual Catalogue beginning May 1st, which means I need to make the most of these last days with my dearly departing stamps because when the new stuff arrives I'll forget all about my favourites that are leaving!  Today I have the last of the projects from my very successful card buffet last week...

Birthday card featuring the soon-to-be-retired Rev up the Fun stamp set.

I have to say I am on the fence about whether to hold on to this set.  It really is perfect for making boy-birthday cards...and as you know I have a son who gets invited to a lot of birthday parties!  I may just need to hold on to this one for a few years!

I cracked out some of the outgoing In-colours for this one, using Gumball Green and Midnight Muse as my colour pallette.  I am going to miss both of those colours!  Here's hoping they'll come back some day as part of a future colour refresh.  This one is pretty straightfoward to put together...the one piece of advice is to stamp the tire tread BEFORE you emboss the white background piece...I had a few folks at my event last week who missed that step!

On the inside I stamped the green car again and used a sentiment from the (retired) Grunge Rock set. 

Inside view with sentiment from Grunge Rock

One of a Kind Dad

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a good weekend :)
I found a few minutes to play with one of the retiring hostess sets that I haven't used nearly enough.  When I saw the sketch challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week I knew it would be a perfect fit for this set.  Here is the sketch:

...and here is my card, featuring the Postage Collection Hostess set:

Father's Day card featuring the Postage Collection Hostess set and the Off the Grid background stamp for HSS184

Now, I took a few liberties with the sketch, opting to add my sentiment as a hanging banner, rather than one below the images as in the sketch.  That decision was driven by the size and shape of the sentiment...I love that it fits perfectly in the Banner punch!

 To add texture to the card base I stamped the Off the Grid stamp (that's the one I'm going to miss most when it goes!) in Versamark and heat embossed in Early Espresso.  I love the subtle texture it adds and the way it echoes the texture of the burlap ribbon.  I used still more retiring product in the DSP, which is from the Soho Subway pack and the little button brads from the Vintage Trinkets.

Inisde view with sentiment from the( NOT RETIRING!) Teeny Tiny Wishes set.

On the inside I stamped the grid image once more in Early Espresso.  I punched an Artisan Label from the Soho Subway DSP and layered it behind a Modern Label in Early Espresso and the stamped sentiment in Island Indigo, which is punched with the Word Window punch.  I love layering my punches!

LAST DAY!!

Today is the final day of the the Free Shipping promotion!  Don't miss out on your chance to have fantastic Stampin' Up! products shipped directly to your door for FREE!  There are two ways to order:  either click the image above to place your order through my website or email me your order by 10:00 pm tonight and I will place it for you before the midnight deadline.  

Don't forget...offers like this don't come along very often!!

Three More Days...

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Today I have another sample from the line-up for this week's Brides, Babies and Birthdays Card Buffet:

Masculine Birthday card featuring the Timeless Talk stamp set.

This is a stamp set that I love but don't use nearly often enough.  I decided to pull it out for this event and pair it with some Modern Medley DSP.  I used some long-retired embellishments that I had in my stash that just added the perfect (manly) finishing touch. 

Just a reminder that all items on the Retiring Lists are while supplies last only.  There are several items that have already sold out, so if you have a wishlist don't delay in placing your order or you may miss out.

Another One for Mom

Free Shipping all this week on everything!  Click the image above to place your online order and it will ship directly to you for free!

Looking for the Retirement Lists?  
Click HERE to view the list of retiring stamp sets
Click HERE to view the list of retiring accessories

Today I have another project I designed for this week's challenge over at The Technique Twist.  We're all about the Modern Whimsy style this time and there is still plenty of time for you to join us!  Check out this Mother's Day card I put together:

Mother's Day card in the Modern Whimsy style featuring the Secret Garden, Petite Petals and Hello Lovely stamp sets.

You know how sometimes when you're in the crafting zone projects just seem to design themselves?  Well this is NOT one of those projects!  I spent hours figuring this one out!  And, to be honest, it's not anything special, in my opinion!  Now, don't get me wrong, I like it well enough, but it certainly doesn't look like the type of thing one would spend hours putting together.  So, to save you the hassle of trying to recreate it, here are some tips...hope they help!

• The colour scheme is Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake and Pool Party.
• The DSP is from the Fresh Prints stack.
• The Coral flowers are from the Secret Garden stamp set (which is on the retirement list...get it NOW!) and were die cut using the coordinating Framelits.
• The Pool Party flowers are from the Petite Petals stamp set and were punched using the coordinating punch.
• I used my Squares Collection Framelits to create the polaroid frame.
• The background is embossed using the Scallops TIEF.
• The largest heart was die cut using the Hearts Collection framelits.  The medium one was punched with the Small Heart punch (also on the Retirement List!) and the smallest heart was punched with the Owl Builder punch.
• The letters on the banner were stamped with the Simply Serif Mini Alphabet on DSP and then punched with the Banner punch.

I hope I haven't scared you off from trying this style.  It really is (usually) easy breezy.  Give it a go and then enter our challenge over at The Technique Twist...I'd love to see what you come up with!

Now today is Tuesday, which means a new batch of Weekly Deals.  This round features several items from the Retiring Accessories List at 25% off.  The best part?  You can order online right now and they'll ship directly to you for FREE!!

2013-2015 In Color Core'dinations Reg Price: $14.95 Sale Price: $11.21	5/8 Inch Crochet Trim Victoria Reg.Price: $9.50   Sale Price: $7.13	Afternoon Daydream Kit - Digital Download Reg. Price: $10.95   Sale Price: $6.57	Afternoon Picnic Designer Series Paper Reg. Price: $13.50 Sale Price: $10.13
Large Pearl Basic Jewels Reg. Price: $6.50   Sale Price: $4.88	Naturals Designer Buttons Reg.Price: $6.95   Sale Price: $5.21	Pacific Point 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Reg.Price: $6.75 Sale Price: $5.06	Rich Razzleberry 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Reg. Price: $6.75 Sale Price: $5.06

Petals for Mom...Retiring Lists and FREE SHIPPING!!

Click the image above to place your online order NOW!  Your order will ship directly to you for FREE!  WOOHOO!!

Nope.  Your eyes are NOT deceiving you.  Stampin' Up! is offering FREE SHIPPING on everything beginning today until this Friday, April 25th!  Are you excited?  Can you handle even more great news?

The Retiring Lists are now available too, with great deals on products to which we'll soon be saying a fond farewell.  All items on the Retiring Lists (including stamps) are available only while supplies last .  Get them now and don't pay for shipping...can it get any better??

Click HERE to view the list of Retiring Stamp Sets

Click HERE to view the list of Retiring Accessories

I have a sweet little project that I designed for my Brides, Babies and Birthday Card Buffet this week.  It is the perfect way to let your Mom know how much you appreciate her this Mother's Day...

Mother's Day card featuring the Petite Petals stamp set with sentiment from Delightful Dozen

I just love this colour combo of Smokey Slate, Coastal Cabana and Crushed Curry.  I was inspired by the Eastern Elegance DSP pack, which just happens to be on the Retiring Accessories List!  I wanted to try doing an angled layout, as I've seen many lately that I just love.

Interestingly, this was another project I put together using odds and ends from the pile on my stamp desk!  I had the scrap of DSP, a bit of ruffled ribbon and half a doily laying around from other projects, so I put 'em all together and this is what I ended up with.  I liked it so much I decided to incorporate it into the line-up for this week's event.

Inside view with sentiment from the Something to Celebrate (retired) Hostess set.

Now, I'm off to browse the Retiring Lists and place my order before everything on my Wish List sells out...you should do the same!!

Sweet Baby

Happy Good Friday!  I hope you have plans to spend quality time with those you love this weekend.  I know I'll be hanging with my two favourite men!
Today I have a gender-neutral baby card I designed for my upcoming Brides, Babies and Birthdays Card Buffet.  I managed to use primarily supplies from old kits I had laying around from past events...gotta love using up odds and ends!

Baby card featuring the Hearts A-flutter and Baby We've Grown stamp sets

I used a colour scheme of Crumb Cake, Pool Party and Calypso Coral to keep as gender-neutral as possible.  The stamp sets I used were Baby We've Grown and Hearts A-flutter. 

On the inside I used a sentiment from Cuddles and Kisses...

Quick and easy...perfect for making a stack in a hurry!

Sassy Birthday

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I just can't wait to get my hands on these fantastic products!  As a demonstrator I get to pre-order starting this coming Monday...woohoo!!  Want in on the action?  Join my team and you'll be able to place your order on Monday AND get a 30% discount!  Click Join My Team above to learn more!

Today I have another project for my upcoming Card Buffet...this time it is a simple birthday card for the women in your life...

Feminine Birthday card featuring the Sassy Salutations and Betsy's Blossoms stamp sets.

This is another one you can throw together in no time!  Here are some tips for you:

• The background is embossed using the (retired) Pretty Print TIEF (but just about any TIEF would do!)
• The DSP is leftover from the Sweet Sorbet Sale-a-bration DSP pack.
• The flower is from the Betsy's Blossoms set, is stamped in Pool Party in and then die cut using the smallest of the Starburst Framelits.
• The sparkly little flowers are punched with the Itty Bitty Punch pack.  The centres are some long-retired black rhinestones, but you can get the same look by colouring regular rhinestones with a black sharpie!

 On the inside I used some of the same DSP and a black card stock mat to echo what I had done on the front.  The inside sentiment is from the Another Great Year set.

The cool thing about this design is that you can easily switch up the DSP and the coordinating card base to use up those pesky scraps you have laying around!  Gotta love it!

Lovely Birthday

Lovely as a Tree is Stampin' Up's longest running stamp set and each year around this time folks start to get nervous.  The retirement list comes out next week and everyone holds their collective breath to see if Lovely as A Tree will survive another catalogue year.  I am one of those who hopes this set will continue.  It is just so versatile and the images really are, well, lovely!  Today I have a card I designed for my upcoming card buffet using this iconic set:

Masculine birthday card featuring the Lovely as a Tree and Hardwood background stamps with sentiment from Simply Sketched.

I am so in love with the Hardwood background stamp from the Occasions catalogue!  I sure hope it is one that carries over into the new Annual Catalogue...I haven't had enough time to play with it yet!  Here are some quick tips in case you want to give this one a go:

• I stamped the background in Sahara Sand on Soft Sky card stock and then sponged lightly all over with Whisper White craft ink.
• The trees are stamped in Soft Suede ink and then sponged lightly with Soft Sky.  The edges of the panel are also sponged but in Sahara Sand.
• The sentiment is stamped in Sahara Sand.
• The little clip is one of the (retired) mini library clips (I really miss those!)

This really is a quick and easy project to put together and is perfect for just about any man in your life.  Here's hoping Lovely as a Tree survives yet another catalogue transition...I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Now for this week's Weekly Deals...remember, sale prices are good till next Monday at Midnight:

	Venetian Romance Designer Series Paper Item # 130144 Regular Price: $13.50       Discounted Price: $10.13
	Needlepoint Border Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Item # 129383 Regular Price: $9.95           Discounted Price: $7.46
	Adorning Accents Edgelits Die Item # 125595 Regular Price: $11.95           Discounted Price: $8.96
	Night Of Navy 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Item # 126874 Regular Price: $6.75          Discounted Price: $5.06
	Natural 5/8" Chevron Ribbon Item # 132982 Regular Price:$8.95          Discounted Price: $6.71
	Anywhere Glue Sticks Item # 104045 Regular Price: $5.50           Discounted Price: $4.13
	Outer Space Stampin' Around Jumbo Wheel Item # 126938 Regular Price: $10.50         Discounted Price:$7.88
	Floral District Photobook Template - Digital Download Item # 127211 Regular Price:$19.95          Discounted Price:$11.97

Blooming Birthday Wishes

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a great weekend.  The weather here was simply marvelous...certainly felt like spring was in the air...long may it last!
Today I have a card I designed for my upcoming Brides, Babies and Birthdays Card Buffet.  It uses one of my favourite stamp sets:  Blooming With Kindness:

Soft and pretty birthday card featuring the Blooming With Kindness stamp set and the Emboss Resist technique.

Isn't that pretty?  This was inspired by a design I saw on Pinterest and I just knew I had to give it a go.  I used the Emboss Resist technique to get the white flowers...it adds a lovely sheen to the design as well, as the clear embossing powder is glossy when set.  Here are some quick tips in case you want to try recreating this one:

• Stamp the flower in Blushing Bride on Whisper White card stock.  Then stamp the other flowers using Versamark and heat emboss using clear embossing powder.
• Sponge all over with Blushing Bride ink.
• Sponge the edges with Primrose Petals ink.
• The sentiment is stamped in Primrose Petals.
• The butterfly is die cut using the Beautiful Wings embosslit.

For some reason I forgot to take a picture of the inside of this one.  It isn't all that exciting anyway...I just stamped the flower again in Blushing Bride and omitted a sentiment.  Sometimes it's nice to have space to write your own special message to the birthday girl!

Technique Twist Saturday!

It's the second Saturday of the month which means its time for a new challenge over at The Technique Twist!  This time we're not so much about a technique as a style:  Modern Whimsy.  Now, I had no idea what Modern Whimsy was but once I started investigating I discovered it was a style of design that I have always been drawn to.  I'm so excited to share my first attempt with you...check it out:

Baby card in the Modern Whimsy style featuring the Cuddles and Kisses stamp set.

Isn't that fun?  I had such fun putting this together...here's how I did it:

• I started with a piece of silver Fancy Foil Designer Vellum that I cut just 1/8" smaller than my 4"x5-1/4" piece of Smokey Slate card stock.
• I added half of a tea lace doily
• Then I added a 2"x4" banner cut from Blushing Bride DSP from the Subtles stack.
• The scalloped heart is die cut from Blushing Bride card stock using the Hearts A-flutter Framelits and embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots TIEF.
• The DSP heart is punched from Eastern Elegance DSP using the Full Heart punch
• The sentiment is stamped in Smokey Slate, punched and then resized with the Modern Label punch.  
• The die cut LOVE is done in Strawberry Slush card stock using the Expressions Thinlits
• The little sparkly hearts are punched with the Owl Builder punch

On the inside I stamped the sentiments from the Cuddles and Kisses stamp set in Smokey Slate and Strawberry Slush and added a couple more sparkly hearts, punched with the Owl Builder and Small Heart punches.

I really love the light, airy look of this style of design.  I plan to play with it some more this weekend...be sure to stop by next week to see what I come up with!  In the meantime, be sure to check out what the other members of the Twisted Design Team did and be sure have a fantastic weekend!