Goodbye Tart and Tangy!

Another favorite stamp set of mine, Tart and Tangy, is being retired in two days.  This was the perfect set for summer cards!

I started with Peach Parfait cardstock, followed by a layer of Poppy Parade, and then a layer of Whisper White which was run through my Big Shot using one of the retiring Texture Plates.  Layers of Sunny Garden DSP, along with Poppy Parade and Peach Parfait 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon were all added for a pop of color.  I also added one Photo Corner to the top left side, because it looked like it was missing a little something.  The sentiment is from the Apple Blossoms Level 2 Hostess set, which was punched with the Decorative Label punch.  I cut this punch down a little bit to make it fit better on the card.

A really fun set to have.  If you want to add it to your collection, you still have today and tomorrow to purchase it, and as always my on-line store is open 24/7 for your convenience.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Peach Parfait #119794, Poppy Parade #119793, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  Sunny Garden #119831*

Stamp Sets:  Tart and Tangy #111514*,  Apple Blossom- Level 2 Hostess - #118531 wood or #120139 clear*

Ink:  Poppy Parade #119782, Peach Parfait #119783, Daffodil Delight #119667

Ribbon:  Poppy Parade 1/2" Stitched Poly #119263, Peach Parfait 1/2" Stitched Poly #119264

Punches:  Decorative Label #120807, 1 1/4" Circle #119861, Photo Corners #119878*

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Texture Plates Kit #4 - #114531*

*Indicates retiring product

Goodbye Fun and Fast Notes

It will be hard saying goodbye to Fun and Fast Notes.  It is one of the stamp sets I received in my Starter Kit when I signed up to become a demonstrator, and has eight stamps great for so many occasions. 

Pear Pizzazz cardstock and Pear Pizzazz DSP from the In Color Paper Pack (Level 1 Hostess), were used for the card base.  I cut the oval with the Big Shot using my Frame Oval Scallop Bigz Die, using only the inner oval, saving the scallop oval for another project.  I stamped the get well wishes in Crumb Cake Ink, and used the In-Color markers to fill it in.  Whisper White 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon was added for extra embellishment.   If you like the ribbon you better stock up in a hurry because all of the 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon is retiring June 30th.

For today's card I used the following:

Cardstock:  Pear Pizzazz #119795, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  In-Color Paper Pack -Level 1 Hostess #121028

Stamp Set:  Fun and Fast Notes #113500

Ink: Crumb Cake #121030

Markers:  In Color Pack #119801

Ribbon: 5/8" Whisper White Grosgrain #114616

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Frame Oval Scallop Bigz Die #114521

Saying goodbye to some favorites this week!

I will be spending the next four days, until the end of June, posting projects made with some of my favorite retiring stamp sets and accessories.  If you see something you like, hurry up, because time is running out to purchase products from the 2010-11 Idea Book and Catalog.

Today's card was made with retiring stamp set A Flower For All Seasons.  It is a really cute set featuring four stamps that I used often for get well, thank you, and thinking of you cards.  I kept today's card simple by embossing the front with the Framed Tulips folder, and highlighting my stamped image by sponging a circle of Baja Breeze ink.  To create the template for the reverse mask, I punched a circle in a scrap piece of cardstock using the 2 1/2" circle punch, and sponged the ink inside. 

The following were used for today's card:

Cardstock:  Very Vanilla #101650

Stamp Set:  A Flower For All Seasons #111592 and Fresh Cut Notes #111634 - both retiring

Ink:  Early Espresso #119670, Baja Breeze #111833

Accessories:  Stamping Sponges #101610, Big Shot #113439. Framed Tulips Embossing Folder #121809 

Designing with punches!

I saw a pretty card posted by SU demonstrator Diane Oliver and was trying to figure out how she made her flower vase.  After looking at her card for a few seconds I realized that she took the Extra Large Oval Punch and snipped off the ends to create the vase.  Thanks Diane for your inspiration and creativity.  I shared my card with the ladies at Wednesday's Mystery Hostess night and they loved getting different ways to use their punches. 

My card starts with Whisper White cardstock, followed by a layer of Melon Mambo and Whisper White which were both embossed with different embossing folders.  Before I placed my punched vase down, I cut small strips of Old Olive cardstock to create the stems, punched the flowers with the new Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (Summer Mini), and then put them on the layers.  I used dimensionals for the vase to make it stand out.  The bird punch was cut with a piece of Old Olive Designer Paper from the Brights Paper Stack.  Small pearls were added for extra embellishment to the flowers and bird. 

After looking at the card I thought the vase looked a little plain, so I took a Sponge Dauber and added some Old Olive ink to the vase for a more weathered look.

For today's card I used the following:

Cardstock:  Whisper White #100730, Melon Mambo #115320, Old Olive #100702

Designer Series Paper:  Brights Paper Stack #117155

Ink:  Old Olive #102277

Punches:  Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer #122464, Two-Step Bird #117191, Extra Large Oval #119859

Embellishment:  Pearls #119247

Accessories:  Dimensionals #104430, Big Shot #113439, Square Lattice Embossing Folder #119976, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder #121809, Sponge Daubers #102892, Paper Snips #103579

Saying goodbye to some of my favorite things!

Over the next few days I will be posting projects using some of my favorite retiring products.  While I hate to see them go, I am looking forward to creating with all that will be new July 1st when the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog will be available.  You still have a few days left though, to purchase retiring products.  Just check out the Last Chance List under promotions which will take you to my on-line store.  But don't wait too long, because time is running out and some of the accessories are already sold out!

I started today's card with Blushing Bride cardstock, followed by matte layers using coordinating cardstock and Designer Series Paper from the Love Birds Simply Scrappin' Kit.  Before putting on my stamped image, I tied on some Blushing Bride 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon.  I wanted the elephants to be two-toned, so I took my Blushing Bride and Certain Celery markers and colored right onto the stamp.  I added some rhinestones for the eyes, and used dimensionals to pop it up. 

The following products were used (*indicates it will be retiring):

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:  *Love Birds Simply Scrappin' Kit #118707

Ribbon:  Blushing Bride 1/2" Stitched Poly #119267

Markers:  Blushing Bride #11901 (In Color Pack), Certain Celery #105106

Stamp Set:  *Baby Steps #117092

Embellishments:  Rhinestones #119246

Accessories:  Dimensionals #104430

Bold Bright Wishes

If this card looks a little familiar, you might of seen a birthday card I posted a few weeks ago with the same colors.  The original card was one I had prepared for my stamp class, and as always, when I have leftover materials, I just change it up a little bit to create another card using the already cut materials.  What a time saver, and an easy way to get a nice collection of cards made.

In this card I changed the way the card opens, and added the punched stars and buttons, along with a different sentiment.  I love the bright color family for summer cards, and the added embossing of the cardstock really adds a nice touch.

The following were used for today's card:

Cardstock:  Tempting Turquoise #102067, Pumpkin Pie #105117, Daffodil Delight #119683, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  Brights Paper Stack #117155

Ink:  Tempting Turquoise #100814

Stamp Set:  Word Play #120308 wood or #120651 clear

Punch:  Star #119875

Embellishment:  Brights Designer Buttons #119747

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335, Square Lattice Embossing Folder #119976, Dimensionals #104430

Note:  If you like the Star Punch but still don't have it you better hurry to purchase it.  It is on the Last Chance Accessories list and only available while supplies last, or the end of June.  You can purchase the punch and any other SU items 24/7 at my on-line store.  If you have any questions about the Last Chance Items, or anything you see posted on my blog, don't hesitate to send me an e-mail or leave a comment. 

Nancy's Graduation Cake

One of the ladies who comes to my  monthly stamp classes asked me awhile back for help making a birthday cake for a relative of hers.  I did some research and found a tutorial on how to make cake slices.  I made one slice to show her how to do it, and she has put me to shame.  This is the second cake she has made, and I never got any further than just making a slice.  She made this cake for a graduation party and filled the slices with trinkets and small gifts.   I asked her if I could share her creation with all of you, and she happily agreed.  So, thank you Nancy for showing us your creativity and sharing your talents.

I hope to post a cake of my own soon and will give details on what products were used.