Comparison

I had some extra pieces of Pool Party designer paper (I'm sure it will retire this year!) I wanted to use up, so I decided to show you a comparison of using the same designer paper and layout, but how the stamps and accessories you use make it look totally feminine or masculine!

The one on the left I used Bodacious Bouquet...after further thought I should have used the hibicus flower in the same Aloha set as the men's shirt, but didn't recall ever seeing a blue or sage green hibicus flower! The only other thing changed was the retiring All Year Cheer II greeting AND I used my Snail adhesive on the Mother's card and ran it down some of the background stripes. I then sprinkled dazzling diamonds over the Snail tape. It is so sparkly in person and really adds to the bling background of the card. In addition, I set the colored brads very close together in the flower, so they overlapped a little...making it actually look like the center of a flower. The flower is popped with dimensionals and the petals curled back.

The masculine Aloha card on the right is also popped with dimensionals and I cut out and layered the stamped shirt on an extra layer of Bashful Blue so it gave it some dimension. I added the colored brads in the corners on the layered piece of this card instead of ribbon for a more masculine look. Aloha is one of the retiring sets, so make sure you pick yours up before it is gone!

Mother's card

Set: Bodacious Bouquet, AYC II (retiring)
C/S: Bashful Blue, Sage Shadow, Glossy White, Pool Party Designer paper
Ink: Bashful Blue, Sage Shadow, Basic Black
Other: Soft Subtles mini brads, Snail adhesive, Dazzling diamonds glitter, Blue Gingham ribbon, dimensionals

Father's card

Sets: Aloha, AYC II (both retiring)
C/S: Bashful Blue, Sage Shadow, Glossy White, Pool Party Designer paper
Ink: Sage Shadow, Basic Black
Other: Rich Regals mini brads, dimensionals

All The Best

Well! Where did yesterday go? I think I blinked and missed a whole day! Actually, I was finishing up my Technique Junkies Design Team assignments, scanned them and emailed them off to Pat for publication. I love being on her Design Team...I've always enjoyed doing techniques, and she puts together some really great ones in her newsletter every other month. If you don't subscribe...give her newsletter a try! I think you'll find it well worth the money. www.techniquejunkies.com

This is a really OLD technique...polished stone. I submitted this card to Stampin' Up! for Convention Display Maker two years ago and was selected! I've seen it on display boards at convention and regionals! I decided to feature it today, because it uses one of those sets that will be retiring, All the Best. This is a set that I used to use a lot when it first came out, but it has been neglected lately. My plan is to pull it out and use it within the next couple days...along with a bunch of other neglected sets.

The background of this is polished stone as I mentioned. If you haven't done this technique, pull out your reinkers and rubbing alcohol...it is fun! I make up full sheets (on glossy paper) and then cut them up when I need a quick background. Basically, saturate a portion of your cotton ball with rubbing alcohol, add 2-3 drops of one color reinker...dot the cotton ball over the glossy paper randomly. Select a second color and do the same with a fresh cotton ball...a third color adds even more dimension. Let dry and decorate! The flower is stamped in Almost Amethyst and "rocked" the edges with Lavender Lace. It is kind of hard to see in the photo.

Sets: All the Best, Everyday Flexible Phrases

C/S: Pretty in Pink, White Glossy, Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst

Inks: Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst, Lavender Lace, Basic Black

Reinkers: Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst

Other: Silver cord, 1/16 circle punch, Pretty in Pink eyelet

Another Roses in Winter

Two posts in one day! I spent most of today working on my assignments for Technique Junkies...I'm pleased with how they turned out.

I'm still using up some scraps on my stamping table (yes I have TONS of unfinished work.) I also had the retiring Roses in Winter laying out, so decided to use it one more time. And I'm using one of my standby layouts, too.

The background is actually done direct to paper, hard to see the variation...but it really looks like suede in real life. I used the crimper just on the middle section, under the celery ribbon. Sahara Sand is the base...I like that color with Regal Rose and Certainly Celery.

Sets: Roses in Winter, Eat Cake (verse)
C/S: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Certainly Celery
Inks: Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Basic Black
Other: Celery grosgrain ribbon, Paper Piercer and mat, White gel pen, Crimper, Slot punch

New In-Colors!!!

NEW In-Colors! Woohoo! This picture has been floating around cyberspace since last week and I just found it! It must have been posted on SCS when I was on vacation last week. Stampin' Up! introduced the new colors on the cruise. I'm definitely going to miss the old In-Colors and have stocked up on paper and reinkers, but the new colors are quite intriguing...can't wait to see them in person. I hope Soft Sky will replace my beloved Cool Caribbean. And, don't you think Stampin' Up! is rockin' with their choice of names...even though they are challenging to spell! lol! These new In-Colors will be available in the new catalog, set to premiere July 1st!

Have you seen the retired list yet? If not, check it out at http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/8071.asp

If you want any of the retiring wheels, make sure you order them from your demo NOW...once current supplies are gone, they will no longer be available. Many are gone already and several are on the endangered supplies list....

Thursday Card Sketch Challenge

Wow, I found it hard to get motivated to do anything today. I think the driving from my week's vacation and then my quick trip up to Canton wore me out...I just wanted to laze around today! I did run a few errands and went to my Nail appointment this morning. I worked on a couple cards this evening so I had something to post here! lol! I have a couple assignments due soon, so hopefully I will feel like working on them tomorrow.

Are you ready for another sketch? This one is pretty simple and I've used it a lot over my stamping career...but sometimes it is the basics that keeps my stamping mojo going. I used the retiring Roses in Winter with this sketch. I wanted something BOLD, so I chose deep colors of Red and Black and Sahara Sand as a neutral.

Roses in Winter, Canvas Background, It's Your Birthday
C/S: Sahara Sand, Real Red, Basic Black
Ink: Real Red Classic, Real Red Craft, Basic Black, Bravo Burgundy Craft, Certainly Celery
Other: Black and Red Gingham ribbon

Bundle of Joy

I've been waiting forever to share this card! I waited because my Stamp Club didn't meet until today and I didn't want them to see the variation of this card before we made it.

I don't have many baby sets, so this one has really taken my fancy. The yellows of Marigold Morning and Barely Banana just seem so soft...just like a baby's blanket.

I did the Faux Layering technique by tearing a piece of cardstock and laying it on the white layer base as a template. I then sponged Marigold Morning ink on the left side of the torn edge, then stamped the moon and stars with Marigold Morning over top. I removed the template and inked up Canvas in Barely Banana and stamped over the entire white layer, including the faux layer. The Giraffe is colored with blender pens and ink pads. I used the Round Tab punch upside down and secured it with two gold mini brads. The ticket corner punch and Apricot ribbon finish off the card.

Sets: Bundle of Joy

C/S: Marigold Morning, Whisper White

Inks: Marigold Morning, Barely Banana, More Mustard, Stazon Black

Other: Cutter kit distressing tool, Gold mini brads, 1/16 circle punch, Ticket corner punch, Apricot ribbon, Blender pens, Round Tab punch

Retiring List Available

Oh my gosh....Stampin' Up! has their much anticipated "retired sets" list available! Over 250 sets will be retiring at the end of June from the current catalog...the stamps will no longer be available to order after that time.

Of course, the FIRST thing I did this morning was to check out the list and count how many of my sets would be gone (as far as not being able to demo them at workshops). I'm "losing" 86 regular stamp sets plus all the hostess sets! I haven't counted the wheels I'm losing yet. Oh my! Several of them, like Roses in Winter featured here, I will keep in my permanent stash. This is one stamp set you don't want to miss! I pull it out any time I need a quick card or to decorate a gift bag or gift item. It is such a WOW, but SO easy to use! I'm sad I won't be able to demo it anymore.

But, it sounds as if Stampin' Up! is really re-doing the catalog big time...I know we will get lots of new, fresh-looking stamp sets and I'm sure at least one will become my new favorite set to use! lol! Getting the retired list only makes me more anxious to see the NEW catalog that will be available July 1st.

Roses in Winter, Floral Background, Sincere Salutations

C/S: Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White, Regal Rose

Inks: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Basic Black

Other: Black Gingham ribbon

Have a great day! We have beautiful sunshine here today...always cheers me up!