The Retiring Stamp Sets are available only until May 31. Download an alphabetic list or a list by catalog page to see what's going away.
The Retiring Accessories are available, until May 31, but only while supplies last. Download the list here. Place your order at my online store, before they run out.
I want a simple birthday card for a woman. I'm craving Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz, probably because they're retiring next week. I love my Blossom Petals Builder Punch, but I broke it. (I dropped it down the stairs and, alas, it didn't survive...) What to do?
Here is what I designed.
I stamped the petals from the Build A Blossom stamp set in Concord Crush. Then I sponged some of the Whisper White background with Pear Pizzazz ink to soften the look of the card. The birthday greeting is from Perfect Punches. It was punched out with the Extra Large Oval Punch and then mounted on Pear Pizzazz and Concord Crush Decorative Label punched shapes.
It's difficult to tell from the photo that I added a Rhinestone Basic Jewel 119246 to the sentiment.
So, I made my clean-lined card and used my stamps in a different way than ever before. Kind of fun! Have you ever tried to build a blossom without the punch? Leave a comment below and let me know!
This Delightful Fun Flower appears on a card with a fresh look! As always, you can click on any photo, in order to see a larger image.
It starts with the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper from the new Stampin' Up! catalog. I just love the polka dots, and wanted to carry the round lines throughout the card design. The right edges of 2 card stock layers were punched with the Scallop Edge Border Punch. Then I punched 3 flowers punched with the Fancy Flower Punch - 2 in Daffodil Delight and one in Cherry Cobbler. I added leaves (in Island Indigo!) that were made by running card stock through the Big Shot with the Little Leaves Sizzlits die. That's a Rhinestone Basic Jewel in the center of the main flower.
I stamped a sentiment on the inside using the Delightful Dozen stamp set, but forgot to take a photo before writing a note. So, I can't show the inside of the card. But I can show you a little corner of it. See how I made a flower that matches the one of the card front (minus the rhinestone, of course.?
Finally, I want to make sure that you can see the depth of the main flower. Besides the texture from dry embossing, I used Stampin' Dimensionals between for the the layers.
This card was made to thank someone for a favor that she did. I know that she'll appreciate it. She's a card maker, too, and she'll know I took time to design and construct this card. I'm sure that she'll enjoy this Delightful Fun Flower!
This was my first card ever made with the Bright Blossoms stamp set from the new catalog. What do you think? I decided to start simple... for now!
Did you notice the ribbon? It's stitched grosgrain ribbon and it's so nice to use on cards. It's a little softer than the old ribbon, so it's easy to tie and manipulate. It's hard to tell in the photo, but I used a Bitty Button with the Linen Thread through it on the polka dot vase.
There are a lot of good reasons for owning my own stamping business. I like being my own boss, setting my income goals, and making my career fit into my family life. However, there are also some "fun" benefits that I see. I have access to new products earlier than the public, and I can participate in my upline's quarterly meeting. (My upline is the Stampin' Up! demonstrator who recruited me into Stampin' Up!) I made this card for a swap. That's were each person makes a bunch of one card, and then they trade with each other.
And now, it's even easier to join my team. For just $99, you receive a Starter Kit with business forms and stamping supplies, t start you in your own business. The particular stamping supplies you pick is totally customizable. But, if you want some help in putting together the right set for your business, then I'll help you. Just contact me if you're interested.
I always find polka dots to be fun! So, I guess it's back to the craft room for more project designing. I can't wait to show you other cards made with the new products from the upcoming catalog!
I don't seem to use the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set that often, but it is perfect for those occasions that I do. Here is a card that I posted in March 2011.
By changing the sentiment, I can make this a Thinking of You card, or a Get Well card, or even a Birthday card! In fasct, you can even make this into a Valentine card. It's all in words at the top left. The key sentiment is on the 4 leaf clover. Clever!
This card is made with several retiring stamp sets. In addition to I {Heart} Hearts, I used Inspired by Nature. I love those long blades of grass. I'll need to learn how to draw them freehand, I guess, just like the clover stem!
If you need to purchase either of these stamp sets, there are still a couple of weekss. And if you shop directly in my online store, don't forget to check the clearance rack. There are some good savings there, too!
I love this set. I truly {Heart} Hearts!
At least for the next few weeks, I Still {Heart} Hearts. That stamp set is on the list of sets that will retire at the end of this month. Poppy Parade, one of the 2010-2012 In Colors, will also retire at the same time.
A simple design, so that the detailed pattern of the main heart really stands out. The stamp set, I {Heart} Hearts, can be used for more than just Valentine's Day. I stamped the polka dot hearts in Poppy Parade on the background. Then, the main heart, in Not Quite Navy, was punched out using the Large Heart Punch. Two more hearts were also punched out in Not Quite Navy and Poppy Parade. The three were laid out like a fan and attached to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals. You can't see it in the photo, but I applied Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on the stamped heart.
The multiple layers on the card front add a richness to the design. Even though I used only two colors, I created a lot of interest by varying the width of the mats.
I don't always show the inside of my cards. But I almost always stamp on the inside. This time I stamped a corresponding heart.
Here is another card I made and blogged about, earlier this year. It's a totally different style. Click here to read the entire blog post.
I hope these cards are helping you jump start some of your own designs. The hearts are especially fun to work with. Because I Still {Heart} Hearts!
Pocket Silhouettes Pizzazz. As I started working on this design, I planned the blog post title. That's because I was using Pool Party, Garden Green and Pear Pizzazz. But as my design evolved, the Pear Pizzazz went away.
I continue to use the products that will retire at the end of this Month. Today, my stamp set is Pocket Silhouettes. These flowers have clean lines, but are not "plain", if you know what I mean. I ran the card base through the Big Shot with the Snowburst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. (Snowflakes in May? I like them only on a card!!) Garden Green 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon adds yet another texture to my design.
If you look closely at the stamped flowers, each is stamped twice. The first time I used Pool Party ink, and the second time I used Garden Green. Two-step stamping is one of my favorite techniques and I use it often. Even when I used only one stamp image!
Finally, because of the multiple layers of the center horizontal band, I used Stampin' Dimensionals under each matted flower image. It made them stand out, rather than fade into the background.
Just for fun, I looked at some old posts and found the last time I showed a Pocket Silhouettes project on this blog was November 3, 2011. The card is repeated below. Click here to look at that post.
Just remember, that this stamp set retires on May 31. I'm going to miss Pocket Silhouettes.
Teeny Tiny Graduation Wishes - perfect for those days when you're in a hurry.
The funny thing about this card, is that it uses the Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper, one of the products retiring on May 31. But there is nothing Christmas-like on this paper. And since the school colors are green and white, I thought it was perfect!
The sentiment is stamped with Perfect Punches, and punched out with the Modern Label Punch. A little layering, some Silver Mini Brads. Of course, I used Stampin' Dimensionals to make the words stand out. (They do in real life, I promise.)
I'd show you the inside of the card, but I used products that are already retired!
I hope he likes the card. In any case, I'm sure he'll like the gift!
Happy Graduation, my friend!
Sometimes, we need a card for a sad reason. but I don't want my design to be sad. Today is such a day. I need a sympathy card for a special friend. Here is what I designed to send her.
Looking at my stash that will be retiring on May 31, I pulled out Awash With Flowers and Well Worn Designer Series Paper. It's all straightforward. Two layers on the card base, with the two right corners rounded, and lots of strands of Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon and Hemp Twine.
I stamped on the inside, repeating the main flower from the card front. I think this card says it all. (but, of course, I'll add a hand-written personal note, too.)
So, while I have always used bright and happy colors with this stamp set, today I used them in a more solemn way. Plus, I devoted some time to sending a special message to my friend. Nothing demonstrates this as well as a hand-made card!
I can't believe that there are less than 8 hours left to order products from the Occasions Mini. And I still have a stack of projects I never showed on this blog. So, here are a few of them.
I stamped images from the Mixed Bouquet stamp set on the Designer Series Paper. The embellishments came from the Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit and the absolutely gorgeous Baja Breeze 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon. It took me more time to pick the die-cut flowers, than it did to assemble the whole card.
This card was a prototype for a bridal shower invitation. Love & Laughter is clearly one of my favorite stamp set from the Occasions Mini. I must have used it on a dozen personal projects this season! Just for some bling, I added Rhinestone Jewels to the waistband and shoulders of the dress. Here is a closer look.
Finally, this last project is one that required a little more effort.
I made this card using the Send Me Soaring stamp set. The part that required extra work was the spinner wheel in the center. As you turn it, different kites become visible.
By the way, did you notice the hearts punched from Calypso Coral card stock at the top right corner? they are covering an ink smudge. You see, there is no such thing as a mistake ... only an opportunity for embellishment!
Well, I haven't talked a lot about these cards. That's because many of the products I used are from the Occasions MIni. And that retires at the end of today. So, be sure to pick out what you want. Tomorrow, it will all be gone. If i can be of any help in choosing, just let me know!
Birthday Circles - a great way to use up some scrap Designer Series Paper ... Or Designer Series Paper that is probably going to retire!
I wanted to make a clean and simple card, appropriate for a man or a woman. That meant setting aside my flowers, a very difficult task for me! But I had all this Designer Series Paper on my work surface, from preparing for a Card Class. Instead of putting it away, I pulled out the Circle Punches!
The paper is Pocketful of Posies and Paisley Prints. The card base is Whisper White, with a Basic Gray rectangle in the middle. In this version I used SNAIL Adhesive to attach the center rectangles to the card base, but in my next version I think I will use Stampin' Dimensionals instead. I used a Stampin' Dimensional only for the top right circle, which has a Regal Brad in the center. The Regal Designer Button with the Linen Thread tied through the center is attached with a Mini Glue Dot.
Remembering that the inside of a card should never be naked, here is what I did.
The slowest part of making this card was picking the paper. You need to use at least 3 different pattens/colors, but you don't need to go over 4.
The stamp set is On Your Birthday, and it's on the Retiring Stamp Set List. That means it will be available for sale only until May 31.
Tomorrow, April 25, Stampin' Up! will announce the Retiring Accessories List. We know now that the Decor Elements and Simply Adorned lines will be discontinued, as well as the 2010-1012 In Colors. So, if you need any of these, order them quickly. All accessories are available for sale only while supplies last. If you procrastinate, you may be out of luck.
In the meanwhile, I'm going to continue to play with my Birthday Circles!
