I'm Not Shy, but I am Retiring!

Good day Everyone Crafty!

Well May is racing by and I am so busy I can't quite keep up with it.  I have several Birthday's this month and what with Mother's Day fast approaching, the end of the old catalog and getting ready for the grand unveiling of the new catalog, and classes, well suffice to say WHEW!!!

The title of this blog post is referencing some of the products that will soon be retired.  While I will  miss my old friends I am also excited to see new life (spring remember) and new products. 

I had a play date with my friend and we made a couple of cards that I am going to share with you today.  When Sharon comes over we generally case ones that I have seen on the Internet aka Pintrest!  Sometimes we change out the stamp or the color but sometimes like this one we keep pretty close to the original.  Have a look -

 

This first one is made using Whisper White for the card and the insert piece.  I love a clean white card.  There is just something so perfect about white, everything stands out so much better on it.  Nothing to get in the way.  I stamped "Off the Grid" (retiring the end of May) with Versamark ink and used White Embossing Powder.  Heated it up and then used Sponge Daubers to color the Grid.

 

The colors I used were Pear Pizazz, Pink Pirouette, Daffodil Delight and Coastal Cabana.  I just dragged my daubers down over the embossed image lightly.  Then I embossed the frame using the Big Shot and the Designer Frames embossing folder (also Retiring).  Fussy cut around the outside and inside of the frame and popped it up on Dimensionals. 

 

The flowers are from Petite Petals and they were stamped in Coastal Cabana!  I used Pear Pizazz for the leaves.  Some bling and a greeting and done.  A quick and beautiful card. 

 

This was cased directly from Pintrest.  I only changed up the leaves and the bling.  lol  But I liked what was done and as one of my stampers says - "Why invent the wheel?"

 

 

 

This next one is done in Pool Party!  This is such a soft and beautiful color.  Very subtle!  I used a hostess set called Simply Sketched (retiring end of May).  I love this set and will miss it a lot.  I also used the Mosaic Embossing folder to give some texture to the piece.

 

I cut out the insert using the Ovals Framelits and then stamped on another piece of Whisper White card stock with Black Stazon.  Stazon is perfect for markers as it won't bleed.  After the image was stamped I colored it using the Pool Party Marker and also the Gumball Green marker. (retiring in colors 2013 - 2014)  I went over the insides twice with the marker and that is the shading you see in the Picture.

 

Because I had this embossed piece in my UFO stash (Unfinished Objects) I decided to use it.  After I had cut out the oval and mounted it, only then did I realize that there was a little bit of Gumball Green ink on the left hand side just below the Oval.

 

Well ladies and gents, Not a Mistake, just an opportunity for embellishments.  Right??  So I stamped the Happy Birthday from Perfectly Penned (retiring) in Black Stazon and fussy cut it out.  Added it to the bottom of the Oval and then added some Jewels to help cover the green ink. 

 

Love it!  Don't you? 

 

 This has been a long winded post but I love to explain my thought processes and also how something was done in case you want to recreate.  Hope you weren't too bored. 

 

These retiring products are only available until the END of May or until supplies run out, so don't wait and be disappointed contact me today to place an order or go to my on line store and shop 24/7.

 

Have a wonderful day and I will be back soon with some more projects to share with you!

 

Retiring hugs! 

 

 

Caseing Myself!

Hi there Stampers and Crafty Ones!

Today's post is a quick drop in!  I have a family funeral to attend.  My Mother in Law lost her brother on Tuesday and I am heading to the funeral home.

I didn't know this man as he lived out of the country and we didn't have much contact with him but I want to support her now.

I needed a sympathy card and the ones I had didn't seem to fit so I found a card I liked and cased myself.

The card -

 

I did a Birhday card using this style but I modified it a bit and of course changed out the sentiment.  I used Simply Sketched for the stamp set and Thoughts and Prayers for the sentiments. 

 

I hope you like it! 

 

Thoughtful hugs!

Fond Farewell!

Hi everyone! It's the Blog Hogger, joining you to wish a fond farewell to one of my "Card Ladies".

Ever since I've been using Stampin' Up products, I've been part of a group of five ladies who get together every two weeks to make cards together. We call it "carding"...and, yes, we've made card making into a verb! lol  Initially we started the group sessions as a way of supporting and inspiring each other in our card making, but it evolved into a close-knit group of friends sharing both good times and bad...while making cards...and typically laughing hysterically!

Anyway, one of our Card Ladies moved on Sunday, so last Friday evening we had a group potluck, made two cards together, and generally discussed the "good ole days". It was a fun-filled evening, punctuated by lots of laughter, but capped off by a feeling of sadness. However, it meant the world to us!!! (Sorry, insider joke! lol)

Knowing that we would spend so much time talking and laughing on Friday evening that each of us choosing a card to make and following through on it would be unlikely, another one of the Card Ladies and I channeled our inner Kathy and chose two cards in advance. We cut, scored, Big Shotted (Yup, made that into a verb also! lol), punched, etc. so the ladies only had to assemble them...while we chatted...and laughed! (Note the ongoing theme here?)

By the way, we cased these cards, but I can't remember from where! If these designs are yours, please contact Kathy and let her know so you can get the credit you deserve!

Here's the first card we made:

I haven't stamped my sentiment on this card yet, but plan on using the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and placing it on the upper right-hand corner of the smaller Whisper White section. I just want to leave my options open in case I unexpectedly need a card.

Now on to the details:

• Card base is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
• Cardstock used is Whisper White (4 1/4" x 2 3/4" & 3 1/2" x 2"), and Marina Mist (5 1/4" x 4" & 3 3/4" x 2 1/4")
• Image is from the Simply Sketched stamp set.
• Accessories: Certainly Celery ribbon; Stripes Embossing Folder (just used on one end); Stazon Black ink; Pear Pizzazz, Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky & Marina Mist markers (to color the image); Dimensionals & Tombo glue 

And here's the second card:

Details:

Card base is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"

Cardstock is Crumb Cake (for the base size see above measurements & a 3" square), Whisper White (5 3/8" x 4 1/8" & a 2 7/8" square), a Certainly Celery strip (4 1/8" x 2"), scraps of Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue & So Saffron (We were trying to use up some of our older cardstock but Pear Pizzazz, Strawberry Slush and Marina Mist could easily be substituted.)

Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Scalloped Square & Curly Label punches, Whimsical Words stamp set and Chocolate Chip ink

Hope you like the cards! And to she-who-has-moved, enjoy your new house and job and see you in the fall...and on Facetime!  :)

Very fond farewell hugs,

The Blog Hogger, aka Kathy's sister

A Blueberry Birthday!

Hi everyone!

It's the Blog Hogger, aka Kathy's sister, coming to you with another card. This one also features the Simply Sketched stamp set. I love, love, love getting new product from Stampin' Up and just have to play with it right away! :)

This is a very simple card that, in my opinion, personifies sunny, summer days. Take a look and see what you think:

As you can tell from the background, it is a miserable, rainy day! lol  Actually, that's what the forecast was calling for, so it was a delightful surprise to wake up to such a beautiful day!

And now on to the card information;

• Cardstock: Whisper White & Pacific Point
• Ink: Stazon Black for the image and the sentiment, the leaves were colored using Pear Pizzazz & Old Olive, the berries were colored using Pacific Point 
• Accessories: Blender pen was used to color the image, Pacific Point marker & ruler (used the fine tip to make the line around the outside)
• Details: The Pacific Point card backing was cut at 5 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4". The Whisper White panel was cut at 5 3/8" x 4 1/8". (Pacific Point is such a rich color, I didn't want it to overwhelm the main panel so made sure only a very small amount was showing.)

Beautiful sunny hugs,
Colleen

Thanks So Much!

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night everyone!

It's the Blog Hogger here, wishing you all a great day . . . whatever time of the day it is where you are, when you read this! (I'm trying to think outside the box on this one. lol)

Since Kathy is camping, but her cardstock is not, (due to an unforeseen "I locked it in the trunk of the car that is in the garage getting tires replaced" emergency) I thought I'd post a card I made yesterday.

Because I've been on vacation for the last month (daughter's wedding, husband's dental surgery, family reunion, intense car shopping with other daughter, fun & games) I haven't been using my Stampin' Up supplies much . . . and I had the Simply Sketched stamp set waiting for me when I got home! Naturally I couldn't keep my itchy little fingers from playing with it! lol

So, here it is:

Stamp sets: En Francais and Simply Sketched

Ink: Soft Suede

Cardstock:  Very Vanilla and Early Espresso

For those of you who follow this blog, I used the En Francais background piece that I showcased in yesterday's blog posting. (I wanted to show people how well the Stampin' Piercing mat works with large stamp.)

Because the background is rather vibrant, I made sure I kept the rest of the card simple. I colored the bird and grass from the Simply Sketched stamp set with Soft Suede, Real Red and Old Olive ink using a Blender Pen.

So there you have it, folks. A simple card from a simple person using the Simply Sketched stamp set! lol

Simple hugs
Colleen, aka the Blog Hogger

Simply Sketched and Holidays!

Hi there Stampers!

DH and I are getting ready to attend a family wedding next weekend.  I am excited to spend some time with my son and his wife and my mom and sisters.  I don't get to see them often and miss them so much.

Carrie and the baby will not be able to attend as she has to head back to work soon and is in the throws of trying to find daycare in Ottawa.  It is so hard to think of Miss Emily with a stranger but I can't spend an indefinite amount of time babysitting.  I do have all of you and a hubby to think of.   I keep telling myself that this will be a wonderful thing for Emily.  She will grow and thrive, even though her mom is not the only person in her life.  Oh and I have to keep saying the same thing to Carrie.  lol

Now on to the share for today!  I still have some cards and decor items to show you that I did awhile back.  I have been so busy this summer that I haven't really made a "New" card in awhile.  I am going into withdrawal.  :O(

Here is a lovely card done with the Hostess set Simply Sketched. 

 

I started out with a Whisper White base and I used Pool Party for the insert.  I heat embossed Hello Doily with White Embossing powder and then I added a bow with Pool Party Seam Binding.  I stamped the flower image from Simply Sketched and then colored it in with a Blender Pen and Pool Party ink and highlighted it with Marina Mist ink.  I added So Grateful in Black Stazon.

 

Simply Sketched has to be one of the most versatile stamp sets in the new Catty. 

 

   You may either place an order for $200.00 before s/h and taxes or host a class or workshop and your combined orders before shipping and handling total $200.00 then you can purchase Simply Sketched with your hostess benefits for $12.00.

 

 Have you considered a Catalog Party!  Take the catalog to your family and friends and see if they want to order anything - again, if your combined orders total the magic number of $200.00 then you can order this set. 

 

I love how soft and pretty this card is.  I expect this will be one of the cards that I send mom for my "Mommy Project".  I am currently on schedule with this project.  So far I have 13 cards done and have mailed 11 of them.  The other two I will give her while she is here for the wedding.

 

No point to mail them out if she can't get one a week because she is home for a wedding.  Mom called my sister, Colleen, and said that the cards were anticipated and enjoyed every week.  She said she starts smiling when she sees one in the mail box.  So my plan is working to perfection.  Now if I can just get through the summer when I am not home much and have trouble getting them made and in the mail, I will be fine. 

 

It is ambitious to send one a week for a year, and retrospect I should have maybe sent two a month :O)  but hey I never commit to anything unless I'm all in!  So I guess for this project it makes sense that I would go nuts with it Sigh!!!

 

Well that's it for me today!  Feeling excited to see my family hugs!

 

 

Open House Cards

Good Day Inky Ones! 

Not much happening at the camp site.  Here I find that a busy day is either taking a shower or doing a couple of loads of laundry.  lol

Mostly I relax and read or just catch up with some project I have been putting off.  I love to read and do so no matter how chaotic my life is.  My DH gave me a Kindle a couple of years ago and I must say that e-reader is never very far away. 

While in Ottawa last summer I began reading a series called “The Emperor’s Edge”  written by Lindsay Buroker.

I downloaded everything she wrote last summer because I loved her style of writing.  Her books are a mixture of different genres.  She calls it SteamPunk Fiction, I call it pure entertainment.  It has love, action, snappy dialogue between her characters and a little bit of magic and some futuristic aspects.  See?  I said it was hard to nail it down.

But one thing her books have in common are characters that are fully fleshed out and engaging.  How else could we read about an Assassian named Sicarius and fall in love with him.  The dialogue between  Sicarius and the love interest, Amaranthe, is witty and so funny.
  
I downloaded the first book for free and have been willing to pay for anything else she writes.  I just finished Number six in the series and am waiting with bated breath for the last book that will be released in August of this year.If you like fantasy fiction with an edge Lindsay Buroker is your girl.

Now on to my share for today.  (and no Lindsay did not pay me for the review)  For my Open House I did a lot of displays of cards and now that the events are over, I want to share them with you. 

Have a look -

 

This one starts with a basic whisper white base and I used the Doily stamp and white embossing powder on Pool Party card stock.  Love that look.  Some Pool Party seam binding tied in a bow and the Flower from Simply Sketched Hostess set colored with Pool Party and Marina Mist and a Blender pen.  So soft and lovely.

 

This one is done on Pistachio Pudding card stock and the contrasting color is Strawberry slush.  I used the Large Doily Die and cut one out in Strawberry Slush.  I punched out a 1 3/8" circle in the same color and made a flower.  The leaves are from the little leaves sizzlet die.  Simple but effective.

 

So that's my share for today,  I am heading to Stephenville and a lovely Wedding class.  "I Hear Bells'  Can't wait!

 

Still crafting hugs!

Happy B-Day to my DD!

Hi there Stampers!

I have had such a hectic few days.  I was in Stephenville Tuesday night for a class (which went well).  For those of you who don't know, Stephenville is approximately 45 min. away from where I live.  But I usually stay over night at my sister's.  Her hubby is such a nice person for putting up with me so frequently lol.

The class was a lot of laughs, this may have been because of the wine we consumed but either way, fun, fun, fun!   See you next month ladies. (bring wine)  I slept that night the best I have in ages :O) I only drank for medicinal reasons!

I was hoping  to post yesterday but by the time I got home and got the trailer filled up in preparation for the park and got some groceries and cleaned up the kitchen (DH cooked the night before - horrors!) it was too late to do anything but go to bed. 

Today we moved the trailer and we got back late this afternoon.  I do have something to show you though.  I finished my DD's Birthday card.  This will arrive late but better late than never. 

I got some supplies the other day.  They are the new in-colors and a new hostess stamp set.  So have a look -

 

I used Pistachio Pudding for my card base and added another layer of the same color but ran it through the Big Shot.  I borrowed the Lacy Doily from Colleen and cut it out with Whisper White card stock.

 

I stamped the image of the bird from the new hostess set from the new Catalog - which will be released June 1st.  The set is called, Simply Sketched.  I used Black Stazon for my ink.  I colored the bird with an Aqua Painter and Burnt Brown Sugar and Strawberry Slush ink.  Two new in-colors.  So pretty!  I colored in the grass with the same color as the card base.

 

I color spritzed the whole thing with Early Espresso ink and stamped the sentiment with the same color.  I punched a hole in the top and used some of the Melon Mambo two tone ribbon from the Spring mini.  It looks great with the Strawberry Slush!

 

So I got it in the mail on Wednesday but hey, it's in the mail. 

 

Well I have to run because I am expecting company tonight and have to clean up the craft room.  I will talk with you soon.

 

Pretty Birdie hugs!