Sayonara Silhouettes

Another long-time favourite stamp set that is retiring at the end of May is Pocket Silhouettes.  This was another one of my very first purchases when I first started stamping.  In honour of its retirement, I created this super-simple card...

Single-layer card featuring the soon-to-be-retired Pocket Silhouettes set.

This design was inspired by several I've seen on Pinterest...if you're not on there yet, you need to be!  So much fabulous inspiration!  Here is what I did to put this together:
Starting with a whisper white card base, I masked off a section in the middle using self-adhesive notes.  I then sponged the background using lucky limeade, pool party and island indigo inks (gotta love those in-colours!).  I then stamped the floral image using basic black ink.  Removing the masks, I added the score lines using my Simply Scored scoring tool.  The final touch was the little pennant which I hand cut after stamping the sentiment in black on a scrap of whisper white.  I added a black brad and adhered it to the card with a dimensional.
If you don't already own this fabulous set, here is the complete artwork:

Pocket Silhouettes (Item # 111672)

 

 You only have until the end of May to purchase this beautiful and versatile set.  At onlyt $22.95 (CDN) it is a great addition to you stamp collection!  Click the shopping cart to visit my online store anytime to view the other retiring stamp sets and accessories...but don't delay, these items are available only while supplies last!

May's Card Class Preview

I am really trying to do a better job of getting the samples for my classes prepared well in advance.  Sometimes it truly is a struggle to keep all the balls in the air as I juggle my family, teaching commitments and Stampin' Up! business...I never quite seem to be caught up!  This month, thanks to taking a wee hiatus from workshops for a bit, I've been able to focus on other things...planning ahead is one of them!  You'll be happy to know that I have my May monthly class samples ready to go (and photographed, even!).  Our feature stamp set this month is Pocket Silhouettes...see some of what this versatile little set can do.  Here are the three cards we'll be working on this month:

This set is so versatile!  It can be pretty and feminine...

...bold and masculine

...and rich and elegant!  Who knew this little set had so much potential!

Inside of wedding card with sentiment from Word Play set.

 Pocket Silhouettes was one of the very first stamp sets I bought when I started stamping and it is one that I recommend to my customers who are new to stamping as well.  I still love it and reach for it often. 

If you'd like to join me to make these three cards, click here for more information  about my monthly class and then drop me a line to let me know you'd like to come.

Shocked and Amazed!!

This afternoon at work I did a quick check of my emails and to my shock and amazement there was a message from Linda Aarhus informing me she had awarded me the...

I sat and read the email several times before it actually sank in and I am still in disbelief that my little blog would ever be worthy.  Knowing all the hundreds, thousands even, of amazing blogs out there in cyberspace I never imagined I would be considered among them.  So a HUGE thank you to Linda!!  Please check out her blog Polka Dots and  Paper...you'll be glad you did!


Now, as a recipient of this award, I have some business to take care of.  The first is to pass it on to eight other blogs I have recently discovered.  So, here is a list of eight great blogs well worth checking out:

Jen Arkfeld 

Sharon Field

Debbi Rippentrop

Lena Paiva

Jeanne Kupsh

Jackie Barfield

Nancy Riley

Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek

I'm also supposed to list eight tidbits of personal info about  myself...here goes!

1)  I've been stamping for just a little less than 2 years but have LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!
2) I just became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator this past July but have also LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!
3) I am a full-time high school music department head which seriously interferes with my stamping time...except during summer break (only 4 more months to go!)
4) I am married to a super guy whom I met online before Internet dating was the "in" thing to do.  Interestingly, my brother also  met his wife online about 4 years later!
5) I am mom to the smartest 3 1/2 year-old-ever (ok, I might be a bit biased!).  He is the  light of  my life and is my best stampin' buddy!
6) Although I am a musician I rarely listen to music myself!  After listening to teenagers wail on band instruments all day long the last thing I want to do is  listen to more music.  In fact, all I want is peace and quiet, which is why I LOVE my stampin' corner...all I hear there is the click-click-click of my SNAIL...music to any stamper's ears!
7)  I am addicted to the Young and the Restless and have been for the last 25 years!  (pathetic, I  know!)  Oddly enough, the storyline hasn't changed!
8) I love to cook and entertain.  I've been told many times I should be running my own restaurant...my answer..."Can't...too busy stamping!"

Now, on to more pressing matters...today's card!!  Actually it is a card and gift bag ensemble I did this week.  I am currently working on designs for my April classes and really like the bright, spring-like colours in this set.  See what you think...

Gift ensemble using Summer Garden DP, So Swirly (retired) wheel and Punch Bunch and Pocket Silhouettes stamp sets.

Just the bag...I made matching tissue with my So Swirly wheel

Cloe-up of focal image on bag.

Cute little gift tag from the Punch Bunch SAB set

Matching card and envelope using So Swirly wheel and Pocket Silhouettes set (on of my fav's)

I carried the butterfly theme from the bag inside the card with the Flight of the Butterfly set.

When I envisioned this set I had thought I would use a brighter ink colour for my wheeled images; however, much to my dismay, the only reinker I had in the colours from the Summer Garden DSP was old olive!  I was a bit worried it would be too dark, but I actually like the darker wheeled image to off-set the brightness of the DSP.  I also love the velllum butterflies...so simple to make with my Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die and my Big Shot!  Add a little colour with some ink and sponges and viola...a pretty accent!  I don't know yet if this set will make my April line-up, but I most certainly will find someone to gift it to!