Last Post of 2006-2007 SU! Year!

My new catalogs finally arrived!!!! I have a very wonderful friend (well, actually, I have many wonderful friends - believe it or not) who gave me one of her catalogs yesterday morning! Isn't that just so nice of her? And while our kids were in skateboarding lessons, we sat in the car and looked through it! WOW!!! If you want your copy of the new 2007-2008 Fall/Winter Collection then call me to reserve your copy. So, this will be my last post of the 2006-2007 Stampin' Up! year. Next time you browse my blog I will be uploading samples that will be from the new 2007-2008 catalog! I am so excited!!

This card uses the Big Blooms stamp set that is in the current Spring Mini catalog (which expires tomorrow). It also uses the new Prints designer paper (I learned that it is officially called "Prints" designer paper and comes in a large variety of beautiful colors). Enjoy!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Big Blooms, Much Appreciated; Cardstock- Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Rose Prints designer paper; Ink- Rose Red, Certainly Celery; Accessories- Sweet Shop ribbon originals, dimensionals, saffron brad

New Catalogs To Be Here Soon!!!

Well, I am in great anticipation as I expect my catalogs to arrive sometime today!! So, if you don't hear from me for a while you will know what I am doing!!! I will still try to post but...

This set is Big Blooms which will not be in the new catalog. However, there is anther set that is in there (haven't seen it yet) that I think that I must have! And I think it will be very comparable to Big Blooms. This card does use the Palette O' Prints designer paper that will be in the new catalog. And that designer paper will be available in many other colors as well. Enjoy!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Big Blooms; Cardstock- Brocade Blue, Regal Rose, Whisper White, So Saffron designer paper; Ink- Regal Rose; Accessories- White, Rose and French Blue grosgrain, Brocade Blue brad, dimensionals

Office Accoutrement Tab Book

This is a little book that I put together using the Office Accoutrement set from the Spring Mini catalog. From what I can gather from the "chatter" about the new catalog, this set did make it!! I love all the little office type stamps AND there is designer paper to match as you can see. Another wonderful product that coordinates is the Little Reminders Accents & Elements tin full of beautiful die-cuts and stickers! I didn't use the accents & elements on this book. I also LOVE the new Round Tab Punch! What fun I am having with this one! I will have to post sometime all the cute things that you can make with that punch. It's not just for making tabs! Enjoy!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Office Accoutrement; Cardstock- Cool Caribbean (retiring), So Saffron, Taken With Teal, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Notations double sided designer paper; Ink- So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean (retiring); Accessories- Chocolate grosgrain, Cream grosgrain, Celery grosgrain, vintage brads, round tab punch, sponge, dimensionals

Petals & Paisley Tea Bag Holder

This is a little tea bag holder that I had made for a 3-D swap I was in. I got the idea and instructions from one of my earlier Stampin' Success magazines. It is really easy to do! I got the word that this stamp set will be in the new Fall/Winter Collections catalog! Being a demonstrator really has its perks! All demonstrators got this set at Christmas time as a Thank You from the company! Now wasn't that nice of them? I thought so!! Then it appeared in the Spring mini catalog along with other coordinating sets and double sided designer paper!! I just LOVE their designer paper!!! And, yes, the designer paper will be in the new catalog as well! Thank goodness! Because they are discontinuing all of their other designer paper! And that's after I finally collected it all!!! LOL!! Enjoy!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Petals & Paisley; Cardstock- Old Olive, Rose Red, So Saffron, Whisper White, Petals & Paisleys designer paper; Ink- So Saffron, Rose Red, Old Olive; Accessories- Cream grosgrain, gold brad, dimensionals, sponge, circle punch, gold cord (retiring), tea bag.

Big Blooms

Well, the word is that there are people receiving their new catalogs!!! That means only one thing... they are out there and on their way to me!!!!! I can hardly stand it!!! But I must wait. So, I have been reading and making a wish list based on what I read! I am sure that I will be adding to that after I see the actual catalog! Anyway, the set that I used for this card, Big Blooms, is not in the new catalog. I really love this set! So, yes, I am bummed. However, it could make it into the Spring/Summer catalog. We will just have to wait and see. But, from what I am reading, there is another set that I am anxious to get my hands on!!! The accessories just sound so wonderful!! UGH! I wish it would hurry up and get here!!! Is anyone else excited?? O.k. O.k. Let's focus here.

This card does use a new product that will be in the new catalog. The Palette O' Prints designer paper. Demonstrators had the opportunity to pre-order it (and there was a special for customers, too) in four different colors. In the new catalog there will be many more colors added. It is double sided and very beautiful! I also want to thank Becky for the great card layout! I am in her card class at her wonderful store and I get a lot of my card layouts from the cards we do in her class! Enjoy!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Big Blooms, Warm Words; Cardstock- Rose Red, Pretty In Pink, Whisper White, Rose Red Palette O' Prints designer paper; Ink- Rose Red; Accessories- Pretty In Pink brads, pink grosgrain.

Sketch It (Retiring? Yes!)

Sketch It has been with me for a LONG time! This set was a free one to demonstrators who attended convention (I can't remember how long ago - well, I guess I could figure it out but that would take me too long). I have used and used this set. You can do so much with it! The Flower can be a Christmas wreath, or a bright cheery flower or as in this case, a sunflower! It just has so many possibilities! And with the words that come with it make it easy for you to create a card for any occasion! I copied this layout and color combination from a card that someone had sent to me. Her card used an actual sunflower stamp. I didn't have one so I had to improvise.

One thing to note on this card is that I used our In Colors. Stampin' Up! came out with 6 new colors for the 2006-2007 year. Each year they will come out with a new set of 6 In Color colors. Which means that the 2006-2007 In Color colors will be retired. I have really fallen in love with these colors. But the new ones are just as beautiful! I can't wait to really play with them and find even more color combinations!! The 6 In Color colors that will be retired are- Marigold Morning, Cranberry Crisp, True Thyme, Cool Caribbean, Buckaroo Blue, Vintage Violet. So be sure to get your colors ordered before they are gone!! Thanks for looking!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Sketch It (retiring), Rough Texture jumbo wheel; Cardstock- Marigold Morning, True Thyme, Cranberry Crisp, Very Vanilla; Ink- Marigold Morning, Cranberry Crisp, True Thyme, Close To Cocoa; Accessories- Twill Tape, mustard brad, sponge, dimensionals

Petal Prints (You Guessed it - Retiring)

Are there any sets that Stampin' Up! is going to keep? Very few but like I always say, Stampin' Up! has never disappointed me! I am so excited to see the new Fall/Winter Collection that I can hardly stand it!!! But, all I can do is wait. (sigh) Anyway, this card is one that I copied exactly from one of our wonderful Stampin' Success magazines. Stampin' Success is a monthly publication for demonstrators. It is all in color so you can see the wonderful creations that they come up with. It is so beautiful!! Not only is it filled with glorious samples that can be done at workshops or classes but it is also filled with ideas to get your business going from sales to recruiting! I think that people should be a demonstrator based on this publication alone!! So, when I saw this card I knew that I could use it as a make-n-take at my workshops.

For this card I used a watercolor technique with our Watercolor Wonder Crayons. I used the Old Olive and the Real Red WW crayon and colored directly onto the stamp (olive for the stem and red for the flower). Then I lightly sprayed the stamp with water (not too much). Then stamped onto the watercolor paper. Watercolor paper works best for this technique as it absorbs the water better than the Whisper White. And there you have it! I just love how the WW crayons are the same colors as our pads, markers, paper, etc. Everything just coordinates wonderfully! No thinking required! Enjoy!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Petal Prints (retiring), Much Appreciated and Leaf Prints wheel (not retiring), Cardstock- Old Olive, Real Red, Barely Banana, Watercolor Paper; Ink- Old Olive; Accessories- Silver brad, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, sponge

Sick of "Another Retiring Set"?

I just read my posts and had to laugh at the titles "Another Retiring Set". Boy am I creative or what? But since I just started my blog I wanted to get these cards posted somehow in their glory. I enjoyed making them and I wanted to show them off. So, for the next week or so (or maybe I will get sick of it before then), I will be showing cards with retiring sets. I am working on new stuff, too. So, be sure to keep checking! Thanks for looking!!

Artifacts - Another Retiring Set

Well, the retiring accessories list just came out. OUCH!! I can't believe some of the things on that list! I know that they say that some of the items will come back but packaged differently. Change is hard but I just keep telling myself that there will be some really great stuff in the new catalog!! And I just got a notice that they were shipped!!! WAHOO!! If you want yours be sure to let me know so that I can reserve your copy! I am sure that they will go fast when I do finally get them!

This card uses one of my favorite more "manly" stamp sets. I loved using the Artifacts for more masculine style cards. And this layout was actually copied from the 2006-2007 Idea Book & Catalog! It is on page 15. Enjoy!

Card recipe: Stamps- Artifacts (retiring), Rough Texture jumbo wheel (not retiring), Sincere Salutations (not retiring); Cardstock- Always Artichoke, Saraha Sand, Bravo Burgundy, Basick Black; Ink- Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke; Accessories- Crafter's Tool Kit, black brad, dimensionals

Another Retiring Set... Flower Filled

Flower Filled is a stamp set we got FREE for attending convention 2005! Just one of the great perks for being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!

This card is one that I totally copied (color and layout) from the 2005-2006 Idea Book & Catalog. Remember to order your retiring sets before it's too late!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Flower Filled (retiring), Much Appreciated (not retiring); Cardstock- Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace; Ink- Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace, Basic Black

There were no accessories used on this card but I think that I would/should have put a brad in the flower center. As my friend Becky always says, "All flowers need a little something in the middle." Thanks Becky!! I do think that she is right! But it is also nice to know that you can make a nice card without so many products.

The Value of the Catalog

If you love the set Love Ya Bunches then you need to purchase it before June 30th (or forever hold your peace)!! This is such a fun set and will be retired after June 30th. I wanted to show you this card because I copied the layout straight from the 2006-2007 Idea Book & Catalog. I loved the layout so I just changed the colors and the stamp set. This card is on page 94. If you find a layout or color combination that you love from the catalog (or other resources) then use it! You don't need to reinvent the wheel! I love to get inspiration from the catalog and I do it all the time! So, I highly encourage you to get your catalog out (or if you don't have one ask me how you can get one) and start copying!

Card Recipe: Stamps-All God's Children, Canvas background; Cardstock- Old Olive, Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White; Ink- Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Ballet Blue, Old Olive; Accessories- chocolate grosgrain, blender pen, crafter's tool kit.

Retiring Stamps!

On June 30th, many of Stampin' Up's 2006-2007 stamp sets will be retiring. While I am sad that many of them are going, I am so excited about the upcoming 2007-2008 Idea Book & Catalog! There will so many new and wonderful stamp sets and accessories to look at and enjoy!! I have decided to start my blog with a last look at some of those sets that will be retiring. If you are wanting to get your hands on these sets, you need to have your order to me before June 30th! If you would like to reserve your copy of the new 2007-2008 Idea Book & Catalog please let me know as soon as possible. Enjoy!

*Card Recipe: Stamps- All The Best (retiring), Sincere Salutations (not retiring); Cardstock- Not Quite Navy, Perfect Plum, Mellow Moss, Whisper White; Ink- Perfect Plum, Not Quite Navy; Accessories- Moss grosgrain, dimensionals, Not Quite Navy brad

New Adventure

Welcome to my new blog! This is a new venture for me and I am very excited about it! Please feel free to let me know what you think. Thank you very much for looking and enjoy!