Last two. . .

You thought we'd never make it, huh? ;-) Here are the last two cards showcasing stamp sets from the Last Chance list. Today is the last day to order from 2009-2010 Catalog--starting tomorrow, the NEW catalog goes live! I can't wait!

Ok, so the idea for this card came from my friend Lyssa. She is one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet! You can see her card HERE. The only change I made to her pretty card was to change up the colors. The card uses the set Close as a Memory. I used markers to color the stamp, and then sponged a bit around the edge. Really a very simple card.

Stamps: Close as a Memory
Ink: Really Rust and Sage Shadow markers, Sage Shadow
Paper: Sage Shadow, Really Rust, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Horizontal Slot Punch, sponge, dimensionals

Note: Items marked in red are retiring.

This next card uses the set A Beautiful Thing. The colors are Almost Amethyst, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, and Regal Rose. Another simple card that can easily be changed up with different colors or images.

Thanks so much for stopping by--stop by again soon to see more from the new catalog!

Stamps: A Beautiful Thing, Curvy Verses
Ink: Almost Amethyst, Bashful Blue, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery
Paper: Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Black Gingham Ribbon, dimensionals

Note: Items marked in red are retiring.

To place a Stampin' Up order on-line click HERE. Have a great day!

Lots of Blue

A few more cards from the 10-10-10 class. . . . This first one uses the soon to be discontinued set Nursery Necessities--a fabulous baby set if you are looking for one. I used the coordinating wheel Nursery Letters along the bottom. The tag uses the set Tiny Tags and the Jewelry Tag Medium punch. This card uses Brocade Blue, which is one of the retiring colors. I like this card becuase you can use the exact same design, changing only the color, and have a card for a baby girl. :-)

Stamps: Nursery Necessities, Nursery Letters Jumbo Wheel
Ink: Brocade Blue (and cartridge)
Paper: Brocade Blue, Whisper White
Accessories: Brocade Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Large Star Punch, Medium Jewelry Tag Punch, Linen Thread, dimensionals

Note: Items marked in red are retiring.

I got the idea for the layout (see HERE) for this next card from Dawn Olchefske, a very talented stamper. The stamp set I chose was Best Wishes & More--a versatile set that has images for several different occassions. This card also shows the NEW 2 3/8" scallop circle punch that will be in the new catalog! Just a couple days until the new catalog is released. :-)

Stamps: Best Wishes & More
Ink: Brilliant Blue, Versamark
Paper: Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White
Accessories: 1 3/8" and 1 3/4" Circle Punches, 2 3/8" Scallop Punch (from new catalog), 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/4" Whisper White grosgrain ribbon

Note: Items marked in red are retiring.

Two more. . .

Two more Last Chance cards for you today! This first card uses the set One of A Kind. It also uses one of my all time favorite color combinations: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, and Creamy Caramel. I will definitely miss Ruby Red and Creamy Caramel!

This card also uses the 1 " Double Stitched ribbon and the Antique Brass build-a-brads that are both being discontinued. We will still have build-a-brads in the new catalog, but they will only be available in the pewter finish.

Stamps: One of A Kind
Ink: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Antique Brass build-a-brad, Chocolate Chip 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/2" Circle Punch, dimensionals

Note: Items marked in red are being discontinued.


The idea for this next card came from Jen Sannes. I loved her layout, and I just changed it up with different designer paper (Thoroughly Modern DSP). This card also uses one of the Corduroy Buttons, all of which are retiring as well.

Have a great weekend!

Stamps: Celebrate Everything
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Thoroughly Modern DSP
Accessories: 1" Circle Punch, Star Punch, Hemp Twine, Chocolate Chip Corduroy Buttons, Cutter Kit, Rich Regals Brads

Note: Items marked in red are being discontinued.

Stampin Celebration #8

Don't you just love Thursdays? Not only do I love the Stampin' Celebration challenges myself, I always love to see what all the Design Team members over at Stampin' Celebration create!

So for this week, I created a set of thank you cards. . . . can you tell I'm in desperate need of thank you cards? :-) I really liked the pink and green in that top right photo, so the first two colors I picked were Melon Mambo and Pear Pizzazz. Pear Pizzazz is one of the new In Colors coming in the new catalog. The third color I picked is Perfect Plum.

I used a simple layout, so I hoped that the flowers added a little something special. To make the flowers, I started by punching a 3/4" circle out of a window sheet. I carefully placed it in my new Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (you'll see it in the new catalog!) and then ran it through the Big Shot. I used a single glue dot in the middle of the embossed flower to adhere it to the coordinating 3/4" circle of card stock.


For the center of the flower, I really wished I had some of the new Basic Pearls Jewels that are self-adhesive. I'll definitely have those on my first order from the new catalog! Since I don't have those yet, I improvised by using my Crop-A-Dile to punch the smallest circle. I carefully adhered the circle to the center of the flower with a small dot of Crystal Effects, and then put another thin layer of Crystal Effects on top of the circle.

Finished card size is 5" by 3 1/2". These are actually the pre-cut and scored Note Cards (item #107311) that come 20 to a package for $5.95 and include envelopes. Can't beat that!

Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to stop by Stampin' Celebration to see what the other members of the Design Team are up to this week!

Stamps: Trendy Trees
Ink: Melon Mambo, Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz
Paper: Melon Mambo, Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Window Sheet
Accessories: Vintage Wallpaper EF, Big Shot, 3/4" Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Crystal Effects, dimensionals

Here's another card from the 10-10-10 class! This card uses the A Happy Heart set, which is another fun set we will be losing. I stamped this card as a Valentine's Day card, but I also thought it could work well as a wedding or anniversary card too.

I stamped the heart image on Shimmery White card stock which gives it just a little bit of sparkle. The idea for this card came from Sara over at Splitcoaststampers. You can see her card HERE. You'll notice I used her adorable layout, and then changed the stamp set and colors. Incidentally, she used the stamp set One of a Kind, which is also being discontinued at the end of June.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: A Happy Heart
Ink: Cameo Coral, Basic Gray
Paper: Shimmery White (for heart), Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Basic Gray, Whisper White
Accessories: Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Cutter Kit, Dimensionals

Note: Items marked in red are retiring.

Lots of Flowers

Today I have two more cards to share that we made at the 10-10-10 class. This first card shows the Die Cut Blooms found on page 169 of the catalog. These are one of those items that is easy to miss in the catalog! With the die cut blooms you receive 4 12x12" sheets of pre-cut flower pieces.

The flowers are all from the die cuts, and then the brads in the center are the Fire Circle Rhinestone brads. The leaves were created by using the 5-Petal Flower Punch. I used one punched image cut into pieces for all the leaves on this card.

By the way, I got the idea for this card from a swap I received at convention a while back. The only name on the back of the card was Jael.

Stamps: Thank You Kindly
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: Blooms Die Cuts (p. 169 of catalog), 5 Petal Flower Punch, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads, Big Shot, Top Note die, dimensionals

Note: Items marked in red are retiring.



And another fun flower card! This is an idea that came from Margret Moody. You can see her adorable card HERE. I know I'm not the only one that loved her idea as I've seen several versions of this card posted various places around the web. :-) This card is basically just a lot of circle punches and a few colored buttons. The leaves are actually the bird wing from the Extra Large Bird Punch.

Finished card size is 5 1/4" by 5 1/4".

Ink: Melon Mambo
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Accessories: Bermuda Bay Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Fresh Favorites I and II colored buttons, Extra Large Two Step Bird Punch (for leaves), 1", 1 3/8". and 1 3/4" Circle Punches

Note: Items marked in red are retiring.

Surf's Up

This week I'll be posting cards that we made last Saturday at a 10-10-10 class I hosted. This is one of the cards that we made, and I think it ended up being one of the favorites too! All of the cards we made at the class focused on stamp sets, colors, and accessories that are retiring.

The idea for this card came from Krystal over at Krysta's Cards and More. See THIS post to see her adorable surf card and matching ensemble. I love all the detail that Krystal had on her card, but I wanted to simplify a bit since this was supposed to be a card that you could make in 10 minutes.

This card uses the set Just Surfing. The surf boards were stamped and then cut out. To create the 'sand', I just tore the edge of the card stock and then added a little sponging. The hemp twine is two pieces tied together.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Just Surfing
Ink: Only Orange, Green Galore, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay
Paper: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White
Accessories: Hemp Twine, sponge

Note: Items marked in red are retiring.

Stampin' Celebration #7

Another great challenge over at Stampin' Celebration! This week we are celebrating our fathers. I'm so blessed to have lots of wonderful fathers in my life. . . my husband, my dad, and my father-in-law. So, here is what I came up with this week:

I happened upon THIS post by Amy Celona, and thought I'd give it a try. Too cute! I did make my shirt a little bit bigger--I started with a sheet of 10" by 7" paper, so the finished card size is 5" by 7". I followed Amy's directions, other than changing up the measurements a bit. I scored along the top at 1 1/2". My pocket measures 1 1/4" by 1 1/4".

For the tie, I started with a 5" by 1 1/2" piece of card stock and then just free hand cut. I had the idea that the ribbon would make the tie feel and look a little more realistic. :-) I ran Snail adhesive along all the edges of the tie and then added grosgrain ribbon. I actually just used ribbon scraps, and would add one layer, trim the edges, add another layer and so on. It didn't take too long, and the end result is fun.

Here's a close up to get a better idea of what it looks like:


Hint: As I was working on the tie, I noticed that the edges of the tie started to fray a little bit, so I took my Crystal Effects and carefully ran the tip down the edges of the tie. It acted as a fray check to keep the ribbon from unraveling.

And here is a picture of the inside of the card. I actually used a couple stamps to create a custom sentiment. The "father's" word is made from the alphabet stamp set Rough Type that is found in the Summer Mini Catalog. I love the idea that you can create custom words with the letters, but still stamp them all at once using the clear mount stamps.

For the "happy" and "day", you'll see I used a"happy birthday" stamp in sections. I just markered the part I wanted, stamped, cleaned my stamp well, and repeated. It worked pretty well!


I hope you've enjoyed this card! Make sure to stop by Stampin' Celebration to see what the other Design Team members have created this week using the same inspiration piece. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Rough Type
Ink: Brocade Blue
Paper: Whisper White
Accessories: Brocade Blue and Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon, brads, Corner Rounder Punch, dimensionals

Dots & Designs

Have you ever noticed the Dots& Design Rub-Ons in the catalog? (If you haven't, you can check them out on page 176.) I hadn't paid much attention to these rub-ons until Georgia Giguere's presentation at Leadership earlier this year. You can see what she created HERE. Isn't it so pretty? So, I had to make my own version for a class that I offered locally. You'll notice that I borrowed heavily on Georgia's great ideas. This set of 8 cards uses one sheet of rub-ons.

Here are individual pictures of 7 of the cards:


Here is a close up of the top of the box:


And here is a close up of the flower. I stamped with Ruby Red ink using the Dot, Dot, Dot stamp, and then punched using my Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch. The leaves are from the Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch.


Note: Many of the items that I used for this class are being discontinued, including the Dots & Design Rub-Ons. As well, both the Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, and the Clear Button I used are being discontinued. And, Ruby Red (paper, ink, etc) is being discontinued.

To place a Stampin' Up order on-line click HERE. Have a great day!

Stamps: Dot, Dot, Dot; various sentiment stamps
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red
Paper: Kraft (Crumb Cake), Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: Dots & Design Rub-Ons, Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, Chocolate Chip satin ribbon, clear button, brads, Big Shot, Top Note die, Cutter Kit, Corner Rounder Punch, Two-Step Bird Punch, Fancy Flower Punch

Happy Heart Treat Pull

Today I have another project to show you that I actually made quite a while ago, but for some reason never posted on my blog! This is a project that I submitted to Stampin' Up for one of their monthly Art Contests that they have for demonstrators. While I didn't win the contest for that month, I did receive an Honorable Mention for this project. Yay!

So, the idea for this project came from the concept of a slider card. If you've ever made one, you know how fun it can be to have a little surprise pop up! I combined the concept of a double slider card with the idea to have some treats pop up, and this is what I created. When you pull on the ribbons, up comes the candy, and down comes a message. :-)


The little tag on the top allows you to get to the candy with out needing to tear the card stock. The candy is inside one of the Sweet Treat Cups. (You'll see these again in the new catalog!)

The stamp set I used is A Happy Heart--another set that is being discontinued after June 30th. I stamped the heart image with Versamark, embossed with Heat & Stick Powder, and then embossed again with Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter.

To create the faux charm, I punched out the little heart from the Heart to Heart punch, and then embossed several times with the Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder. I used the Scallop Edge Punch for the border along the Chocolate Chip layer. See a tutorial HERE that shows what size paper you'll want to start with to end up with perfectly rounded corners.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great week!

Stamps: A Happy Heart
Paper: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark, Real Red
Accessories: Sweet Treat Cup, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, silver brad, Corner Rounder Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Tag Punch, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Heat & Stick Powder, Fine Galaxy Glitter, dimensioanls

Last Chance Embrace

With the Last Chance List upon us, I've taken the opportunity to look through my samples. Since I don't often part with samples--whether my own, swaps, or cards people have sent me, I have a few to look through. :-)

Anyway, my favorite floral set that is retiring this year is Embrace Life. This is one of those sets I've used SO much. In fact, I did a search on my blog and was surprise to find only one post using this set. (See that HERE.)

So I took a few pictures to share with you. This first card above is actually pretty simple. The flower is colored using Watercolor Wonder Crayons and an Aqua Painter. I cut it out and added a half back pearl from the Pretties Kit (also being discontinued).

For the scallop border along the side, I actually used my corner rounder punch with the guard taken off. . . . Why? Well, I made this card BEFORE the scallop edge punch was available. Seriously. :-) If I were to make this card again, I'd use that scallop edge punch!

And here is a mini version of the first card. This is an odd sized card at 3 3/4" by 2 1/2". I think this may have been one of the first mini cards I made to add to customer orders as a thank you--several years ago.


And here is another card with this same set Embrace Life. There is just something serene about this card. The colors are Sage Shadow and Handsome Hunter. Both of these colors are being discontinued. The images on the Sage Shadow layer are stamped with Versamark, and the main image is stamped with Basic Black and colored with a Sage Shadow marker. The sentiment is stamped with Handsome Hunter.

Thanks for taking a trip down memory lane with me! Remember if you don't have this set, you'll want to order it before June 30th!

Stamps: Embrace Life
Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red, Versamark
Paper: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Handsome Hunter, Sage Shadow, Whisper White
Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, half back pearl (Pretties Kit), Linen Thread, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #6

Not only do we have another fabulous Stampin' Celebration challenge today, I also have a sneak peek for you of what's coming in the new catalog! I can hardly wait for the new catalog to go live July 1st--so many fun new products, colors, and stamp sets! :-) As a demonstrator, I had the opportunity to pre-order some of the new product, and I'm showing you a selection of that today.

Ok, back to the challenge. . . . I loved the pink/green colors from the inspiration piece, so I used two new In Colors--Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz. Aren't they pretty?

To create the box, I first ran a Window Sheet through my Big Shot with the Fancy Favor die. Next I used my new Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. I love how the embossing folder gives such a nice deep impression--even on the Window Sheets! Next I cut out a second Fancy Favor die in Blushing Bride and carefully (with a bit of patience) slipped it inside the Window Sheet box.

For the tag I used the new set Perfect Punches. The tag is also sprayed with Vanilla Smooch Spritz-although that doesn't come across too well in the photo. :-)

A close up to show you that awesome texture from the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.

And here is the coordinating card. It is a 3" by 3" size so that it will slip nicely into the box. I used the same Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder to give texture just to the edge of the card. The image is from the new stamp set Friends Never Fade. I used my markers to color the image (and actually omit a little bit of it).

Are you wondering what I used to frame the stamped image? :-) Please meet the Scallop Rectangle Clearlits! It is like a Bigz Clear Die but the size and thickness of a Sizzlits die. I just love this little clearlits die already, and I'm sure it will receive much love at my house. :-)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Make sure to go visit Stampin' Celebration to see what the other Design Team members have created for this challenge. And don't be shy about playing along with us! Show us what you were inspired to make after seeing this inspiration piece.

Stamps: Friends Never Fade
Ink: Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz markers

Paper: Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Window Sheet, Whisper White

Accessories: Fancy Favor Die, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Scallop Oval Punch, Linen Thread, Whisper White satin ribbon, mini glue dots, Scallop Rectangle clearlits die, Whisper White taffeta ribbon, dimensionals

Itty Bitties

Today I have a simple card to share that uses what I call the 'bitty collection'. Page 11 of the Summer Mini Catalog shows the stamp set Itty Bitty Bits, the Bitty Buttons, and the Itty Bitty Shpaes Punch Pack--all 3 of which I used to make this card.

I also used the new Square Lattice Embossing Folder from the Summer Mini Catalog. I love what a deep impression the Embossing Folders leave!

All of the colors I used (Barely Banana, Mellow Moss, Ruby Red, and Brocade Blue) are all colors that we are losing in the Color Renovation. If you still have stocked up on your favorite retiring colors, make sure you do that quickly--colors are going fast!

Stamps: Itty Bitty Bits
Ink: Mellow Moss
Paper: Barely Banana, Mellow Moss, Ruby Red, Brocade Blue
Accessories: Bitty Buttons, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Linen Thread, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder, dimensionals

Last Chance Baby

It's such an exciting time of year! The new catalog is about to be released, and the Last Chance list is here! If you haven't seen the hundreds of items on the Last Chance list, check out THIS POST for links to all of the lists.

One of the items that will no longer be available after June 30th is this stamp set Nursery Necessities. This is one of those stamp sets I've had for years and is looking a little worn from all the love it's received. :-) This card is the baby girl version of THIS card--the very first card I posted on this blog! Looking back at old cards is always kind of fun--one thing I notice is that my photography has improved a little. ;-)

Anyway, this card uses a technique called 'rock and roll'. I inked the star stamp with Regal Rose and then gently 'rolled' it in Melon Mambo ink so that the very edges of the stars picked up that ink. After I stamped, I punched the starts using my Large Star punch. The rest of the card is pretty easy--just layers of paper and lots of dimensionals (under the stars and under the white layers).

Note: Even though we will still have Melon Mambo in the new catalog, the adorable Polka-Dot Grosgrain ribbon will not be continued--in any color.

Thanks for stopping by--have a great weekend!

Stamps: Nursery Necessities
Ink: Regal Rose, Melon Mambo
Paper: Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Accessories: Large Star Punch, Melon Mambo polka-dot grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #5

It's already time for another Stampin' Celebration challenge! I loved the colors in the inspiration piece, and I decided to keep with the graduation theme. The colors I picked to use are Soft Suede and Bermuda Bay (an In Color that will be discontinued soon).

To create my pennants, I used the birthday hats stamp from the set Party Hearty. This is an idea I've seen before, although I'm not sure exactly where. I used my Versamarker to ink just the triangles of the hats, and then embossed with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. The individual pennants are attached to the Linen Thread, and then up on dimensionals.

The sentiment is from the stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes. The card is held closed with Hemp Twine. Finished card size is 4" by 4".

When you open the card, there is a pocket where you can easily add cash or a gift card along with a note. To see how I folded this card, see the second half of THIS tutorial.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Make sure you visit Stampin' Celebration to see what the other members of the Design Team created using this same inspiration piece. We'd also love to have to join us!

Stamps: Party Hearty, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White
Ink: Soft Suede, Versamarker
Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Linen Thread, Hemp Twine, dimensionals

Last Chance List!

With the new catalog just around the corner, it's time to bid farewell to some of our favorite stamp sets and accessories in order to make room for all of the new product that is coming!

Please note that the stamp sets and home decor items are available until June 3oth, but the accessories are only available while supplies last! Many items will go quickly, and some accessories are 25-50% off!

Don't miss this last chance to get items still on your wish list!

Last Chance Stamps:

view the pdf
view items in the online store

Last Chance Accessories: some items 25-50% off!

view the pdf
view items in the online store

items 25% off
items 50% off

Last Chance Decor Elements: 25% off all Decor Elements items!

view the pdf
view items in the online store


Contact me today if you'd like to purchase any of the Last Chance items. Or, you can shop in my online store. Click HERE and then on "shop now" in the top right corner.