All Dressed Up for Mother's Day

I love cardigan sweaters.  I have purchased six of them in the past two months.  Once I went shopping for pants and instead come home with a cute blue one.  Another time I accidentally bought one when I was buying milk at one of my favorite big box stores. I just love them. Especially this time of year when you want to be wearing your fun spring tops, but it just isn't quite warm enough in Utah for short sleeves (although I do have one or two short-sleeve versions.)  And they are perfect in the summer when you are going to be inside an overly-air conditioned building.  Pretty sure I'll be wearing one every week to church this summer for that reason. 

So where am I going with this? When the Spring Catalog first came out, I was not at all interested in the All Dressed Up Bundle and the pop up cards seemed like a lot of work.  And I didn't think it was my style.   Then I saw on Pinterest that someone had turned the top of one of the dresses into A CARDIGAN SWEATER. So I used the hostess benefits on my next order to get them for myself and made this:

Colors: Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petal, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes.  Big Shot: All Dressed Up Framelits, Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  Punches Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Modern Label and Word Window.  Accessories: Print Poetry Designer Print Pack, Core'dinations Card Stock, Basic Pearls Jewels, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon.

We made this card at my Spring Fling Buffet last week and it was a big hit. I know I will be using this set to make more dresses and cardigans in the near future.  It pairs perfectly with the Print Poetry Designer Paper Pack too.  And don't the pearls just add the perfect touch to it?  With those and the dress form, it reminds me of my grandmother's sewing room.

My sneak peek order from the new catalog has arrived and I am hoping to have some time in the next few days to show you some sneak peeks with the fabulous new Mosaic Madness Bundle.  Be sure to check back!

Sent with Love: Time is Running Out!

The Sent with Love promotion ends next Tuesday and I have not done nearly enough with this fun little bundle.  But I did manage to make a card for my class this weekend with it:

Colors: Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, and Whisper White.  Stamps: Sent with Love.  Big Shot: Cloudy Day Texture Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punches: Large Oval and Postage Stamp.  Accessories: Sent with Love Designer Series Paper and Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon.

My friend Yapha Mason is going to recognize this card since I cased it from one that she made several weeks back and posted to her blog.  The layout is basically the same, but I changed up the stamps and the ribbon.  Thanks Yapha for the idea!

If you haven't had a chance to get this yet, don't miss out.  I was holding out a small bit of hope that it would be in the new catalog, but it is not.  So once the promotion is over on Tuesday, you will miss out on your chance to get this stamp set and paper.  Bundle them together with a package of Calypso Coral Baker's Twine and you'll save 15%.  You can see all the details on this flyer: (click on it to open up the PDF)

So what are you waiting for?  Click the shop now button and get it for yourself before it's too late.  And all orders that are placed by Saturday, April 27 by 5 p.m. MDT and use the hostess code ADTNXHXQ will be entered to win the Button Buddies set and an assortment of buttons from all the color families. 

Farewell to A Lot of Favorites

The retirement lists are out and now is a great time to check your wish lists and make sure you aren't going to miss out on one of your favorite stamp sets before it's gone.  It's also a great time to stock up some of your favorite embellishments and other accessories and save 25-60%.  But don't forget, retiring accessories are only available while supplies last, so don't wait too long to take advantage of the savings.  Retiring Stamps are available until June 3.

And if you place an order through my online store before Saturday at 5 p.m. MDT, and use Hostess Code ADTNXHXQ you will be entered to win one of the retiring stamp sets: Button Buddies and an assortment of buttons from all the retiring color families.  (Orders over $150 should not use the hostess code as they are eligible for their own hostess benefits).

To shop the retired lists, visit my Demonstrator Web Site and click shop now.  Don't forget to check out the Clearance Rack and other limited times offers in the promotions section while you are there.

To see the lists, click one of the links below:

RETIRED STAMP SETS

RETIRED ACCESSORIES

New 2013-2015 In Colors!

One of the perks of going to the Salt Lake Regionals was a chance to actually purchase a few sneak peeks from the upcoming catalog.  We were embargoed from sharing any pictures or information until April 24 when the catalog is made available to all demonstrators.  But that day is here so I can share!

One of the things I always look forward to is the new In Colors.  When word started trickling out a few weeks ago what they would be, I was not surprised.  I have been doing some clothes shopping lately and these new colors are definitely right on trend with what is in the stores right now.

I also appreciated fellow demonstrators who posted color comparisons on their blogs in the past.  This year, since I have the product in hand already, I get to share those with you.  I tried to pick 2-3 colors that Stampin' Up! enthusiasts would already know and then pair them up with the new colors so you can get an idea what they really look like.  Keep in mind, I did the best I could editing the pictures to the true tone, but computer monitors vary.  I hope this gives you an idea at least until you can get your hands on your own.  I have written the names of the colors underneath each of the punchie and the base color in the photos (behind the white) is the new in color too.  Click on any of the pictures to see them bigger.

The first is Baked Brown Sugar (middle).  It is the perfect blend of Soft Suede (left) and Crumb Cake (right).  And doesn't the name just sound yummy?  I also think this will be good for coloring ethnic skin tones.  Because we all know not everyone (including a couple of cuties at my house) are not Blush Blossom.

Next is Coastal Cabana (third from the left) .  If Stampin' Up! had a signature color this year, Coastal Cabana would be it.  It is featured heavily in the new catalog and on the convention literature.  I first saw it described as a darker Pool Party (far right).  But I think it is closer to a lighter version of Bermuda Bay (second from the left). It is a lot more green than Tempting Turquoise (far left).  Coincidentally, I have already bought a couple of shirts in this color this spring.

Crisp Cantaloupe is a great name for the next color (third from left).  I should have included Groovy Guava on this page but I would have had to dig pretty hard to find that old color in my stamp room.  If you liked that color, you will love this one too.  The recent color that it is closest is Peach Parfait (second from the left).  It is just a little lighter and a little more pink or coral than that it. It is a great companion color to Calypso Coral (far left).  I added Apricot Appeal (far right) to the chart even though it isn't all that close just so you can see how coral it really is.

Pistachio Pudding (far right) might just be my favorite of the bunch this year.  It isn't really all that close to anything Stampin' Up! has had before but I am showing it with (left to right) Sage Shadow, Certainly Celery and Gable Green.  Pistachio Pudding is very close to the color I painted my bedroom walls several years ago (and I liked it so much then, when we moved we painted our bedroom in our new house the exact same color).

And let's not forget Strawberry Slush (third from the left).  I am not a big fan of pinks in general, (I think I've mentioned that before).  But I don't *hate* this one (and that is high praise for a pink).  It is a lighter version of Melon Mambo (far left).  I originally heard this was close to Primrose Petals (second from the left), but as you can tell from the photo, it's much brighter and not as brown.  I threw in Regal Rose (far right) for a comparison as well.


I did not end up with the ink pads the other day, just the paper so when I started trying to make samples with them, it was a little like a limited supply challenge.  Now I remember what it is like not to have every color of ink at your disposal. I managed to make two cards:

Colors: Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe and Whisper White.  Stamps: Mixed Bunch.  Punch: Blossom.  Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Large Rhinestone Jewels, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon.

The only thing new on this card is the colors.  Adriana Benitez from Escape2Stamp featured a card a week or so ago with white embossing powder on a pastel color and and I just loved it.  Very fresh looking. I just kept this simple since I didn't have a lot to work with. :)

Colors: Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush, Smoky Gray and Basic Black.  Stamps: Label Love, Mixed Bunch.  Big Shot: Chevron and Stripes Textured Embossing Folders, and Tasteful Trim Bigz XL.  Punches: Modern Label, Artisan Label, and Itty Bitty Punch Pack.  Accessories: Rhinestone Jewels.

 Notice the new stamp set, Label Love, that matches the new Artisan Label punch. It has other fun greetings in it as well.  Perfect for wedding, birthdays, babies, etc.  And when you bundle it with the punch, you can save a little $$ too. Always nice.  And I threw in the other brand new color: Smoky Slate.  Love this gray.  And of course, I made a little chart for it too:

Featured on the chart (from left to right) are Basic Gray, the old Going Gray and Smoky Slate.  Smoky Slate is close to the old Going Gray but a pinch smokier (hence the name).

I hope you have enjoyed this look at the new colors.  I know this was a long blog post and if you've hung with me this long today, you probably deserve some kind of medal.   I will be back to post a little later today with the retirement list information. 

Meeting Shelli and Altered Stamp Case Notebooks

This weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a Stampin' Up! Regional.  I have only been to one of these events in the past and that was when I went to Leadership in Phoenix a few years back and they tagged a Regional on the tail end of it.  They just don't usually do Regionals in Salt Lake since it's where Convention is.  This was an extra special regional too, because we got a sneak peek at some of the new products coming out in the new catalog.  I have been sworn to secrecy about what I saw, but come back on Wednesday for a closer look at the new In Colors.

I did get to meet Shelli Gardner, the founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! and have my picture taken with her.  She is just as lovely and personable as she seems. Of course, I didn't think of anything really profound to say.  I wish I had just told her thank you for this amazing company.
 

I also spent the day hanging out, stamping and eating with some of my favorite fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  One of the things I love about being a demonstrator is the people I have met along the way, both customers and other demonstrators.  It was a great day!

Now for a look at a project from my class this next weekend: 

Colors: Pool Party, Coral Calypso, Gumball Green and Basic Gray.  Stamps: Pursuit of Happiness.  Big Shot: Windows, Oval and Apothecary Labels Framelits.   Accessories: This and That Epic Day Designer Series Paper, Clear-Mount Stamp Case

These notebooks are not a new idea. They've been around at least as long as we have had clear stamps in these DVD-type cases.  But it's taken me this long to getting around to make one for myself.  I love the idea of having something solid to protect the notebook inside so I can just throw it in my purse and not worry about all the papers ending up all mushed. (I hate mushed papers in my notebook.)

The new thing here is that I used the This and That Epic Day Designer Series Paper to decorate the case.  Love this paper.  I think it's my new favorite.  Here's a look at the inside:

The envelope on the right side can hold coupons or receipts or whatever you need it to hold. The notebooks are 5"x8" jr. legal pads that have been cut down to 5"x7".  I bought them at one of the big box office supply stores and they charged me just a bit to cut them down to the right size.

At my class, there will be several prints to choose from for this project.  So if you don't like Epic Day, you can pick something else from my stash.  The cost is $6 each.  They would make fabulous teacher gifts or a little something to put with your Mother's Day gift. Wednesday is the last day to RSVP for this class. 

Also, don't forget to come back on Wednesday for a peek at the new In Colors.  They are gorgeous and you won't be disappointed.

Simply Scrappin' Kit Cards

This year's Simply Scrappin' Kits in the catalog are all fabulous.  I had a request to turn one or two of them into card kits so I did that for my upcoming Spring Fling Stampin' Buffet.  You can choose from the Bandstand or the Razzleberry Splash kit.  I love the colors in the Bandstand kit, but the Razzleberry Splash kit has wonderful flowers in it that are perfect for cards.

Here is a look at how I turned half the kit into 24 cards:

Bandstand Simply Scrappin' Kit Cards. Colors: Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party, So Saffron and Old Olive. Other items: Made for You Stamp Set, Whisper White Card Stock, Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Stamp Pad, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Large Oval Punch.

Razzleberry Spash Simply Scrappin' Kit Cards: Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Pink Pirouette, Lucky Limeade.  Other items: Made for You Stamp Set, Whisper White Card Stock, Rich Razzleberry and  Night of Navy Stamp Pads, Pink Pirouette Taffeta Ribbon, Large Oval Punch.

At the class, you can make 24 cards (24 card bases, half of the Simply Scrappin' Kit and 1/2 roll of ribbon and envelopes) for $22.  Make 48 cards (48 Card Bases, full Simple Scrappin' Kit and a full roll of ribbon and enevelopes) for $40.  You can add a little sparkle to your cards by embellishing them with a package of Rhinestone Jewels for an additional $5.

These cards are perfect for bundling together and giving as a gift to teachers or maybe your mom or grandmother for Mother's Day.  But you are going to need something to put them in, right? I've got that taken care of too:

Clear Card Gift Box.  Holds 10-12 cards and envelopes.  $.75 each.

Gift Tin. Decorated to match the card kits.  Holds 24 cards and envelopes. $6 each.

Can't come to my class but want to make them at home?  Anyone who buys either of these Simple Scrappin' Kits from me before the end of the catalog (May 30) will receive a PDF file with basic cutting instructions and a picture of 24 different cards you can make with it.  You can shop online, or I have an order going in next Tuesday.

Here is a complete list of items you would need to make the cards as shown on your own.  You can certainly substitute another small greeting set and punch or any other ribbon you already have:

• Bandstand (item # 126928) or Razzleberry Splash (item # 126930) Simply Srappin' Kits $21.95
• Whisper White card stock (item #100730) $8.95
• Whisper White Envelopes (item #107301) $6.50
• Made for You Stamp Set Wood Mount (item #126340) $11.95 or Clear Mount (item #126342) $8.95
• Whisper White (coordinates with Bandstand Kit) Taffeta Ribbon (item #109070) or Pink Pirouette Taffeta Ribbon (item #122981) $6.95
• Large Oval Punch (item # 119855) $15.95

Summer Smooches Fabric Flower

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Stampin' Up!?  Because I really, really do. They always exceed my expectations with the quality of product and their customer service.   I was having a small issue with a product yesterday and called Demonstrator Support to ask for some advice.  The agent I talked to went above and beyond to fix my issue and make sure I was satisfied.  We often hear people complain when a company doesn't provide good customer service but that is simply not the case with this company.  I just love it!

Summer Smooches was our preview suite last year before this catalog came out.  I have had this fabric that long and haven't done much with it.  But when they had the Fabric Frenzy a few weeks back, I decided I needed to break this fabric out and put it to use:

Colors: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red and Whisper White.  Stamps: Sassy Salutations.  Big Shot: Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Blossom Party Original and Circles Original, Oval Framelits.  Accessories: Occasions Paper Piercing Template, Summer Smooches Designer Series Fabric and Paper, Brights collection Buttons and Brads and Whisper White Baker's Twine.

To make the flower, I cut out four of the shapes I wanted with the Big Shot Die.  Remember, these dies can cut through 8 layers at a time, so it doesn't take that long to make them.  Then I folded each in a half and then half again and adhered them to a scrap circle of card stock in a circle.  Then I added a circle of a coordinating fabric to the top and a little Tempting Turquoise button to round it out.  (I have a million of those because it is always the last color to get used.)

This is just one of the cards that will be offered at my Spring Fling Stampin' Buffet next weekend.  Click on the link to get all the details.  I hope to see you there!!

Also, Stampin' Up! just released a new hostess and recruit special.  Host a party or private card class between now and May 30 and you will receive a bonus $30 in hostess benefits (on top of the already generous hostess benefits) when your party reaches $350.  The retirement list comes out next week and this is a great time to host a party.

And the deal is even better for joining my team right now.  New recruits (or old ones coming back) can pick any merchandise in the catalog up to $155 for only $99.  That's an additional $30 in product free!  Now is a great time to sign up because you will have until September to make your first minimums and you will be eligible to preorder from the new catalog with your bonus 10% off your first order of $150 in the first 45 days.  (But there is no penalty for not placing an order at all either). 

Contact me today if you would like more information about hosting a party or joining my team. 

This and That Journal Jump Start

About a month ago, Stampin' Up! announced that they would be offering their own line of life journal projects called This and That.  At first I was skeptical about this.  It looked fabulous but I wasn't sure I would like this whole thing.

Guess what, I was WRONG!!  I love this product line.  This weekend I finally got my hands on the journal and matching accessories and I want to share it with everyone now! So at my upcoming Spring Fling Stampin' Buffets, one of the projects will be a This and That Jump Start Kit.  We will decorate the front of the journal and a few of the pages inside.  Then you will be turned lose with your fabulous new journal to document your life as you see fit.  Will you use it to plan an epic event?  Journal a vacation?  Keep a gratitude journal?  A favorite thing journal?  Likes and dislikes?  It really is up to you.

Here's a peek at the cover we will be decorating:

Colors: Coral Calypso, Pool Party, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Gumball Green, Whisper  White.  Accessories: Epic Day This and That Designer Series Paper, Washi Tape and Stickers, assorted ribbons.

I was a washi tape newb.  But now I wonder WTH took so long for Stampin' Up! to offer this little gem of a product.  I have heard a rumor that there is more Washi Tape in the next catalog and I can't wait to have it all.

Here's a look at some of the inside pages:

Yes, the pages of this journal are all printed in the fabulous Epic Day prints.  I really, really love it.  And do you see that nice pocket right there on that page: fabulous for stashing all the bits and pieces of your life.  There is another pocket like that in the back and then two more that you can add to any page you'd like.

So if you'd like to get a jump start on a This and That journal, plan to come either Friday, April 26 from 6 to 10 p.m. or Saturday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to get started on your own.  There are two options for kits.  The basic kit comes with the journal, three rolls of Washi Tape, Epic Day Stickers and 1/4 of a package of Epic Day Designer Series Paper (1/2 sheet of each of the 6 double sided printed paper) for $27.  The Deluxe kit includes the journal, three rolls of Washi Tape, Epic Day Stickers, a full package of Epic Day Designer Series Paper and the Remember This and That Rotary Stamp for $37 (a much better deal).  I will also include a list of ideas to fill your journal with either option.  I need RSVP's for this project by noon on Tuesday, April 23 so I can order the kits.

Did I mention it would make a wonderful present too?  Mother's Day is right around the corner.  So is the end of school and a little something for your favorite teacher.  Or what graduate wouldn't like to a way to document their summer fun.

You can see the rest of the class projects here on my blog.

Can't come to the class but want to get your hands on this wonderful new product line?  It is available right now as a sneak peek.  Head on over to my store and get it for yourself or someone you love. Until April 30, when you bundle all the products together, you save 15% (item 133350).

Goodbye Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink

Pink always makes me think of the movie Steel Magnolias.  Shelby's signature color is pink and I always hear her and her mom arguing about her wedding colors.

M'Lynn: "Her colors are pink and pink."
Shelby: "My colors are Blush and Bashful."
M'Lynn: "Her colors are pink and pink.  That sanctuary looks like it's been hosed down with Pepto-Bismol."


Shelby would be sad that Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose are  retiring.  But pink is not my signature color. I don't use it very much except at Valentine's day.  But I did break it out this week to make a baby girl card:

Colors: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White.  Stamps: Sweet Essentials.  Big Shot: Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punches: Elegant Butterfly and 1" Square.  Accessories: Regal Rose Taffeta Ribbon, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack.

If you are a regular here on my blog, you might think this card looks familiar.  It is the exact same layout I used for the baby boy card I showed last Friday on my blog. But the inspiration for the butterfly, like so many of my other projects, came from Pinterest and a card I saw there from Jessica Taylor at Ink it Up with Jessica. 

This card will be offered at my Spring Fling Stampin' Buffet, April 26 and 27.  If you don't need a baby girl card, you could easily change the sentiment to one of the other fabulous greetings from the Sweet Essentials Stamp Set:


Well, you might not want christmas cheer for a pink butterfly card, but you get the point. Watch for more details on my class early next week.

One More Not Quite Navy Card

During the Stampin' Addicts Retiring Color Blog Hop this weekend, I said I had one more Not Quite Navy card to show you.  I really went outside my comfort zone to put these colors together but here it is:

Colors: Not Quite Navy, Bravo Burgundy and River Rock.  Stamps: Amazing Family.  Big Shot: Wood Grain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits.  Accessories: Distress Tool, Neutrals and Regals Designer Series Paper Stack, Neutrals Brads.

When River Rock was first introduced as an In Color many years ago, I did like it.  To me, it looks like a pair of Khaki pants.  But when it came back a few years ago, I had lost my passion for it.  I rarely use it and mostly forget it's even available to us.  And Bravo Burgundy?  Let's just say I am on the first package of card stock I ever purchased of it and it's been nearly six years since I started collecting these things.  I have used it at Christmas once or twice, but I don't think I've used it for anything else, ever: until this card.

The flags off the bottom of the main image were inspired by a card I received from one of my Stampin' Addicts friends, Adriana Benitez at Escape2Stamp.  Since this was a masculine card, I wanted to keep it simple, but still add interest and the flags added just the right touch.

I have been busy this week creating projects for my Spring Fling Stampin' Buffet.  I will have all the projects posted by next Monday, so be sure to check back.

Americana Salute to Not Quite Navy

Wasn't yesterday's Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop amazing?  I can't believe how quickly it came together and how wonderful all the projects were. If you missed it out farewell to all the retiring colors, you need to go back and see them all.  And you can start here: Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop: Farewell to Not Quite Navy.

Judging from comments and pins, the favorite project from my post was this card:

Colors: Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red, and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Loving Thoughts.  Punches: Modern Label, and Small Heart.  Accessories: Very Vanilla Brads, Essentials Paper Piercing Template. 

To make the flag, I started with a piece of Very Vanilla Card Stock 4-3/4" x 3-1/4".  The Not Quite Navy Square in the corner is 1-3/4" x 2".  Each strip of Riding Hood Red is 1/4" wide and the of them are 4-3/4" long and then four are 3" long.  I always work on top of a sheet of grid paper and it was very helpful to get the stripes to line up perfectly straight on the card.

I struggled a bit trying to figure out how to do the "stars" on the blue.  We used to have a star punch, but I didn't want to use anything you couldn't purchase now and it was way too big to fit more than one on there.  We have a smallish star stamp in the Pennant Parade stamp set, but we don't even have the Very Vanilla Ink Pad any more.  So I settled for the circle of brads.  But as hard as I tried to figure out how to get 13 on there, I just couldn't do it using the Essentials Paper Piercing Template and I knew I could never do it free hand.  So that is when I decided this was more Americana than anything that resembles a real flag and added the heart to it too.

Today is the last day to take advantage of FREE SHIPPING!!  I will be placing an order at 8 p.m. tonight if you want to contact me directly or you can shop online.  Everyone who places an order during the free shipping promotion and uses hostess code J4M79PTD will be entered to win a free pack of Designer Series Paper of you choice ($14.95 or less).    So click on that shop now button and get your wish list purchased now!

Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop: Farewell to Not Quite Navy

Welcome to stop #8 on the Stampin' Addicts Retiring Color Blog Hop.  I love how twelve of us addicts threw this hop together in just three days. That shows how seriously we are addicted.  If you are hopping in order, than you've come from Debbi's Come Stamp with Me.  I rarely used Bravo Burgundy but Debbi has me rethinking it with her fabulous creations showing off this often over looked color.  If you are starting here, all the blogs are linked together in a circle so you won't miss anything.  If you get lost along the way, you can head over to Stampin' Addicts for a complete list of hop stops or just to chat it up.

I get to share Not Quite Navy with you today. Blues have always been my favorite colors and I think this is the perfect blue so I was disappointed to see it on the list. It just pairs so well with so many different colors. For the hop, I have paired it with some of the other departing colors.

I have always thought Not Quite Navy and Riding Hood Red paired with Very Vanilla were the perfect colors for an Americana feeling.  And that is what I was going for in this patriotic salute to the USA:

Next to Not Quite Navy, More Mustard is the other color I will miss the most.  I love this color for fall, but it also pairs well with Lucky Limeade and Not Quite Navy for a masculine Thank You card:

Last, but not least, I used the same colors as my last card and added some Baja Breeze and Cajun Craze (which is not retiring) to make this scrapbook page in My Digital Studio:

This weekend's free shipping promotion is a great time to stock up on Not Quite Navy and all the other retiring colors. If you come back on Wednesday, I will have one more Not Quite Navy project to share with you.  Now you can hope on over to Holly's Rubber Redneck blog to see some More Mustard projects.  Happy Hopping!

Goodbye Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery

Yesterday,  Stampin' Up! announced a Color Refresh that included the retirement of 10 current core colors. As I took inventory of my supplies yesterday, I knew I needed to start designing cards for my upcoming clubs and classes that utilized these retiring colors so I could deplete my stock of them before they are gone for good.   My Spring Fling buffet is just three weeks away so I started on some baby cards for that class and this is what I came up with for the baby boys:

Colors: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery and Whisper White.  Stamps: Moving Forward and Sweet Essentials.  Big Shot: 3" Circle Originals.  Punches: 1" Square and 2-1/2" Circle Punch.  Accessories: 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Essentials Paper Piercing Template, & Many Marvelous Markers.

I will show you the baby girl one I made next week.  I just love this Moving Forward set.  I am kind of torn over it being the Ronald McDonald set this year because that means it will be retiring but I am happy that such a cute set raised money for such a good cause.  If you haven't already purchased it, do it before May 30.

Want to see more of the retiring colors or just get some ideas on how to use up your stash?  The Stampin' Addicts are throwing together a last minute Blog Hop for this weekend to say farewell to some of our favorite retiring colors.  I will be busy today creating with Not Quite Navy to share. The blog hop starts Sunday at 10 a.m. mountain time.   Be sure to check back then!

Color Refresh 2013

Have you heard the news?  It's time for another Color Refresh from Stampin' Up!  It's been three years since Stampin' Up! completely redid their color families and the company promised it would update the colors every three-five years so it is time! Click on the picture to get a better look.

As you can see, we get to keep four of the 2011-2013 In Colors: Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Island Indigo.  I am thrilled by this since I have LOVED these colors.  Other returning In Colors include Bermuda Bay, Pear Pizzaz, Soft Sky, Blushing Bride and Crushed Curry.  The only brand new color Smoky Slate which is a nice soft gray color.

Leaving the fold will be some old favorites: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Certainly  Celery, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Bravo Burgundy, Not Quite Navy, More Mustard and River Rock.  I am sad to see some of these go but like last time, I am sure I will get used to the changes and not really  think about them too much. (Although I do still miss Mellow Moss). 

Retiring colors are only available while supplies last.  So if one of your favorites is going away, be sure to order soon.  The returning and new colors will be available when the new catalog goes live June 1. (Except the four current in colors that are staying, they will be available now and indefinitely). 

And this weekend, Stampin' Up! is offering FREE SHIPPING for everyone!  This is a great time to take advantage of online shopping since everything ships for free regardless of the order size April 6-8.  Everyone who orders this weekend and uses Hostess Code J4M79PTD, will be entered into a drawing for a free package Designer Series Paper (your choice, $12.95 or less).

Daydream Medallions

I just realized I had a couple more projects from my class last month that I still haven't shared here on my blog.  Last night, I was making up the extras of this card so I could send one to my aunt whose birthday is tomorrow:

Colors: Primrose Petal, Summer Starfruit, Very Vanilla, Gumball Green.  Stamps: Daydream Medallions and Perfect Punches.  Big Shot: Floral Frames Framelits.  Punches: XL Oval.  Accessories: Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack and In Color Dahlias. 

Daydream Medallions was another set we received at convention last year that I haven't used very much.  I bought the matching framelits as well, but they have been a little neglected too.  So I knew I wanted to use them for a card for my class. 

This card also features the Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack.  I love this little pack of paper.  I ordered it when the Spring Catalog first came out but I have been hoarding it because it is so pretty.  I finally decided I'd better actually use some of it before the Spring Catalog ends.   The papers are 4-1/2" x 6-1/2" and half a sheet fits perfectly on a card.  If you haven't checked this fun paper out, you need to soon.

Vintage Balloon

Last year at Convention, we received the You're Amazing stamp set.  I must admit, I probably would never have purchased this set by itself, but I've been trying to make myself use stamp sets that I wouldn't normally use.

Colors: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, and Naturals Ivory.  Stamps: You're Amazing. Big Shot: Windows and Apothecary Accents Framelit Collections.  Punches: Ticket Duo Builder.  Accessories: Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon, Vintage Trinkets, Festive Paper Piercing Pack.

I actually saw a card on Pinterest with the Window and Apothecary Framelits layered like this and I loved it and knew I had to case it.  I added the paper piercing around the larger window layer to add a bit of texture to the card.   And if you haven't noticed, I am loving the Crumb Cake/Naturals Ivory combo lately.

Just a reminder that it is the first of the month, but there are still lots of promotions that are carrying over to the new month.  The Sent with Love and Spring Surprise promotions are still on going.  Also, the Photopolymer stamps are still available as well. Check out the side of my blog for links to all these on going promotions.