Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Projects Recap...

The Occasions Mini Catalog expires this Monday, April 30.  I just thought I'd share a few projects I'd created recently.

I'm crossing my fingers that Tea Shoppe (see my blog header) makes it into the 2012-2013 Annual Catalog (WANT ONE FOR *FREE*?).

I'm also hopeful that we'll see more of those Framelits and Edgelits!













There's A TON of merchandise retiring.  More about that here.  Click for *Retiring Stamps* and *Retiring Accessories* lists.  Remember, those accessories (especially retiring 2010-2012 In Colors) are only available as supplies last, so don't wait!  Already at this posting, a lot of the reinkers are out-of-stock!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Packed for Baby (125672), Gnome Sweet Gnome (C126537, W126535), Tea Shoppe (C125547, W125545), Packed for Birthday (125746)

Papers:  Perfect Plum, Blushing Bride, Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Garden Green, Regal Rose, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Real Red, Night of Navy, So Saffron, and Whisper White Card Stock and Subtles Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack

Inks:  Basic Black, Regal Rose, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy, and Real Red Classics, Stampin' Write Markers

Accessories:  Eyelet Border, Petite Pennants Builder, Decorative Label, Modern Label, Scallop Oval, Word Window, 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" Circles and Scallop Edge Border Punches, Big Shot, Circles #2 Bigz Die, Vintage Wallpaper and Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon, Whisper White Organza ribbon, Baker's Twine, Blender Pen 

 Please email me if you have any questions!

Last Week for Occasions Mini and Retiring Accessories List to be Released

Sadly, the Occasions Mini Catalog is in its final week.  If there's something in there that you've had your eye on, be sure to order it before April 30!  For a list of my favorite things from the Occasions Mini, click *HERE*.

Speaking of "sadly," click on the right to see the list of stamps which are retiring on May 31 (not June 30, as in past years!).  As of April 25, we'll get to see the Retired List of Accessories and Definitely Decorative items (the Definitely Decorative and Simply Adorned lines retire completely).  

The trick about the Retiring Accessories is that they're only available as supplies last.  The same is true for the Retiring 2010-12 In Colors (Concord Crush, Poppy Parade, Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz).  Especially in terms of the card stock, these colors will *Fah-LY* off the Stampin' Up! warehouse shelves.  Do you have your reinkers, too?

Stay tuned...  Tonight, at midnight Mountain Daylight Time (which to us on the West Coast = 11:00 PM), the Retiring Accessories List posts.  Check here first...  I'll link you right up!

Stampin' Up! Retiring Stamps List!

The wait is over...  Stampin' Up! posted its list of Retiring Stamps yesterday and it's a doozy!  Stampin' Up! has some exciting changes coming to its catalog (#1 being that it comes out June 1 instead of July 1). This means that the Retiring Stamps will only be available until *May 31*, not June 30.  After 10 years as a demo, this is going to take some getting used to for me!  

The catalog will also be fewer pages, so there are *A LOT* of items retiring this year (including the ENTIRE Definitely Decorative and Simply Adorned lines).

You can view the Retiring Stamps list here.

The Retiring Accessories and Retiring Definitely Decorative lists will be posted on April 25.  These items may only be available until May 31, as they are only available *while supplies last.*

In the weeks to come, I'll be writing about projects made with Occasions Mini items (available until April 30) and projects made with Retiring Items.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.  

Happy Birthday, Mom with Stampin' Up! Occasions Tea Shoppe

First of all, I want to wish my sweet mom a "Happy, happy birthday!"  Sending you hugs!!

This is the card I made for her birthday.  Mom and I love tea and all things British, so I knew this was the set for her!

I also entered this card a couple of weeks ago in a 365 Cards Challenge for stamping one's background.  You can see that I did that with the flower image from Tea Shoppe in both Regal Rose and Not Quite Navy.  That blossom is also stamped on the envelope (No Naked Envelopes!).

This sweet bow is made with the taffeta ribbon (I used my Paper Snips to trim around the tea cup and then I tied the ribbon around the handle).  You'll notice that I also ran the large piece of Not Quite Navy through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  It adds such a sophisticated texture to the project!  The big scalloped circle is Scallop Circle #2, a die that I used with my Big Shot, as well.

The sentiment was inked on Very Vanilla, using my Regal Rose and Not Quite Navy Stampin' Write Markers and punched using the Scallop Oval.

Finally, I used the Modern Label punch and added a crinkled blossom to make the sentiment...  They're popped up using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Tea Shoppe, found in the Occasions Mini Catalog, available until April 30, 2012 (W125545, C125547) 

Papers:  Regal Rose (105130), Not Quite Navy (101722) and Very Vanilla (101650) card stocks

Inks:  Regal Rose (105211) and Not Quite Navy (103008) Classic Ink Pads and Regal Rose (105108), Not Quite Navy (100059) Stampin' Write Markers

Accessories:  Taffeta Ribbon (Very Vanilla is retired in this width, but it's available in 1/8-inch (119960), Big Shot (113439), Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (120175), Scallop Circle #2 die (113469), Scallop Oval Punch (119856), Modern Label Punch (119849), Paper Snips (103579), and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

A Monday {Sneak Peek}...

These sweet little gnomes make for some fun all-purpose cards...

I *love* Easter and the sweet natural eggs from the Nature Walk set are "spot on!"

Just how many different ways will I find to use the Petite Pennants Builder Punch in this week's projects?

This Lace Ribbon Border Punch is such quick way to add "WOW!" to a project...  Wait for the post to see how I used it in the coordinating envelope...

There's that Petite Pennants Builder Punch *again*!

Kermie may think it's not easy being green, but o, how I love the Wild Wasabi!

This is my favorite card that I've made recently.  I'm sending it to my mum, who celebrates her birthday next week...  I've always called her "Mom," but between the fact that she's Canadian and this card highlights a cuppa tea, I thought "Mum" was more appropriate.  ;)

Spring Break is here!  Woot!  

My Wish List for the New Occasions Mini!

As you can see from my right-hand border, there's a new Mini Catalog on the scene!  Yes, the Occasions Mini has arrived!  I'm making my Wish List (I'll wait to order until I can take advantage of the Sale-A-Bration bennies).


Numero Uno on my list?  I have to say it's the Framelits and Edgelits dies:

These versatile tools (pages 6 and 7) will add pop to any project!

What else am I pining for?  Here are Numbers Two through Ten:

Number Two:  Tea Shoppe stamp set (page 19)!  Oh, how I love a cuppa (one sits steeping next to me as I type)!  I love these images and I *adore* the quote from Louisa May Alcott, who is one of my favorite authors.

Number Three:  Rue des Fleurs stamp set.  A lovely variety of images and sentiments.  I love vintage! Pages 22-3.

Number Four:  Found on the same page in the Mini is the Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper.  Contains a lot of these Rue des Fleurs images, creating some lovely papers for card-making and scrapping.

Number Five:  You're My Type stamp set.  For $13.95, it's a great price for a versatile set.  A sweet manual typewriter is the star of the show, accompanied by all "types" of useful phrases.  I will be using this set A LOT!  See it for yourself on page 27.

Number Six:  Packed for Everything Stamp Bundle (page 39)!  I look forward to using the Spotlight technique with these versatile stamps for cards celebrating all sorts of occasions.

Number Seven:  Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps "Occasions"...  Our neighbors got to eat my mom's yummy butter cookies, stamped with the sweet snowflake image, which was available in the Holiday Mini.  The good news is that those images are available for purchase in this Mini, as well ("Holidays") on page 40.  We also have three new images to carry us through spring...

Number Eight:  Candy Conversations (page 43).  For $8.95, this is a Valentine stamp that should be on every list.  What a cute and simple way to create Valentine greetings for everyone!

Number Nine:  Mixed Bunch stamp set and matching Blossom Punch.  Oh, so fun!  I can't wait to make layered blossoms (like the one in the sample on page 17).  This will make fun cards and pages for my scrapbook.  Anyone traveling in the tropics?  These would make some lovely tropical-looking blooms!











Finally, Number Ten:  Up in the Air Hostess-only stamp set!  For any merchandise order totaling $150 before shipping and tax, one qualifies for Hostess Dollars.  One of the things exclusive to that benefit is the ability to purchase the Hostess sets (page 5).  I *LOVE* the images in this set!  I also love the beautiful script of the sentiments...  You know how I love a useful set!

Why am I waiting until January 24th to place my order?  Sale-A-Bration benefits, of course!  I'll be posting about my favorites soon...  Thanks for the visit!

Whew! Done!

Happy New Year and a NEW LOOK!

Whew! I don't have the new My Digital Studio (MDS) downloads well, downloaded, yet. Instead, I used the Winter Post snowflake which I love so much. I used a card I'd made before Christmas (I gave packets of them to friends and the kids' teachers). November may be the season of Thanksgiving, but January is the season of "Thank You!"

I used Baja Breeze, Elegant Eggplant and Rose Red. The card was made with Serene Snowflakes (I'll do a separate Stamp Set Spotlight for that one soon).

Oh, and I nearly forgot! A new MINI greets us now! It's the Occasions Mini! Check the link on the right and enjoy; there are some fun new things in there! Also, be on the look-out for Sale-a-Bration info! Email me with your snail mail specifics and I'll send a copy of each to you (unless, of course, you've got yourself a demonstrator already, in which case, I'd advise you to ask her/him).

Thanks for the visit!

Celebrating Designer Series Papers... Part Trois

With tomorrow being the Occasions Mini Catalog's last day, I thought I'd share some projects using the Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper... I'm off to the city today to show my aunt and uncle around (who are visiting from Toronto). Enjoy!

The card above was made for a DIY Challenge in which I was to glitter some flowers. I chose the Sending Love Designer Series Paper, as it's a Specialty Paper, which includes pieces with glittered designs. There's a delicate shimmer on the pink design of this Designer Series Paper and I just used my VersaMark ink and embossed a little Iridescent Ice embossing powder on the edges of the flowers I punched in Real Red card stock using my Trio Flower punch...

Next, this pretty card was made using the Petal Card die and my Big Shot. I adhered it to the Chocolate Chip card stock and used a little Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon to hold it shut. It's a perfect little hiding place for a secret sentiment, photo, or embellishment. You choose! Shhhh... The stamp set I used with it is also an Occasions item: With All My Heart.
Nothin' like a White Space Challenge to force me to KISS (Keep It Simple, Stamper!) I just cut a piece from a scrap, used my With All My Heart set for the sentiment and mounted it all on some coordinating card stock (Real Red, Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip). The punches I used are the Scallop Edge, Word Slot and Modern Label. Wanna know how I got just the "thank you" sentiment, even though there's more to that stamp? Check last week's {Technique Video}. Voila! Simple!
Finally, I made use of my Extra Large Fancy Flower punch (which will be available after April 30, even though it's an Occasions item), Scallop Edge, Word Slot and Scallop Oval punches for this card. Tote-ally Tess is the stamp set I used for this little gal. I used the Paper Piecing technique to make her little tote bag and apron; I just stamped the tote and apron on pieces of the Sending Love Designer Series Paper and cut them out. A quick and easy way to add visual interest with a stamp!
Thanks for your visit today! I got my Summer Mini preorder in the mail and will be showcasing some of those items next week along with some Mom-worthy items. Take care!

Celebrating Designer Series Papers... Part Deux

Whew, what a week! Since I last posted, I've hosted my first garage sale, finished planning the year for my preschool class and started a whole-house clean-up for when I host my book group (for the first time ever) on Friday evening. Did I say "Whew!"?

Thought I'd share some of the things I've made using the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper from the Occasions Mini catalog. While I'm sad to hear that it's sold-out, these are ideas that can be applied with a variety of other Designer Series Papers. Enjoy!

This simple card can easily be replicated for any occasion. Switch out the Designer Series Paper with any number of options. Got any Autumn Traditions DSP laying around? Use a leaf stamp instead of the florals, switch a plain button for the floral one and voila! You've got a great card for a guy in your life... You could use this same idea with a couple of the pieces from the Patterns Pack DSP III that's offered as a Hostess Bennie. Super simple!

Want to stick with the tone-on-tone idea? How about that same Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper III (Hostess Bennie) like this one:

And finally, this card is an example of what you can do to with Designer Series Paper and a few different types of ribbon...

I look forward to sharing some more Designer Series Paper projects with you later this week. Hope your week's been a good one! Thanks for your visit!