Retiring Accessories

There were no extreme surprises for me on the Stampin' Up! accessory retirement list.  Probably the most disappointing for me is the fact that all of the grossgrain ribbon will no longer be available.  However, I am sure it will be replaced with something just as nice!  If you would like to order some before it is unavailable, you can do it at my web site. The card on the bottom has an example of this type of ribbon.  The stamp set used in this card, Fifth Avenue Floral, is also retiring so get it while supplies last, as well.  It is a wonderful set that comes with these flowers as well as a large rose and a lily.  The rest of the items used to make this card will be available in the next catalog.

Another retiring item I will miss is the pastel set.  I used pastels to color in the car in the top card.  Luckily, all items used to make this card except the words and the pastels will be available in the new catalog, including the stamp set Need for Speed.  It is a great set for teens - with the car, a jet, a boat and an ATV.  My son loves this set, and we are happy it will be around in order to make gift card holders for his friends' birthdays!
I highly suggest purchasing the pastel kit before it is sold out.  It allows subtle coloring of images, and you can be extremely creative and color skies, grass, etc. using a gradient of colors.  My daughter is very artistic and has created some beautiful scenes using the pastels.  I'm sure she will continue to use them for a long time!
Hurry and check out the retirement list, because many of the retiring accessories are discounted quite a bit.  If you like the Decor Elements or the Simply Adorned line, scoop up as many as you can before they are no longer available.

Out with the old...but never forgotten!

Retirement lists are out!  Stampin’ Up! released its retirement lists this week and it brings upon me a sense of sadness as well as anticipation.  Retirement of current stamps means introduction of brand new stamps!  Today I am focused on the retiring stamps because you can still buy them at Stampin’ Up while supplies last.  Some I will keep and use with fondness, such as Dasher.  My daughter loves the Furry Friends and Fox and Friends sets that are retiring.  They have such cute animals.  She will continue to use these on her creations, and I will take them to Girl Scout and child stamping events. 

Other retiring sets are good for masculine cards, and some are very elegant.  If you would like to see the list of retired items, click the words "retirement list" above.

The list of retiring accessories came out as well today.  I will try to post something about them tomorrow, but they can also be seen on the link above.  Some of these are even discounted, and who doesn’t like a sale?!  You have an opportunity to order some of the Summer Smooches items that are new this year, too.  You can also find information about them at the above link.  I definitely have my eye on some of the retiring items!  But, I am also really excited to see all of the new supplies which will soon become some of my “favorites!” 

My first blog - "Quilted" Card

I am both excited and terrified!  This is the first blog I have ever created, and my first blog entry.  First, I want to thank you for viewing my blog!  Next, I want to invite you to give me ideas or let me know about anything you would like to learn regarding stamping or other paper crafts!

This month I participated in a Paper Design Challenge to create a quilted card.  I first created the quilt pieces by cutting 1/8 inch strips of Stampin’ Up! Summer  Smooches Designer Series Paper.  I assembled the herringbone design on top of a 4 X 5 ¼ inch piece of white card stock (you can find the herringbone technique demonstrated here) and then ran the piece through the Big Shot using the Finial Press embossing folder.   This layer was attached to a Stampin’ Up! Real Red card base.  

Using  the  Framelets Label Collection and the Big Shot, I cut a piece of Daffodil Delight cardstock and a piece of Whisper White cardstock, using one size smaller for the white.  I stamped my image on the white piece using Stampin’ Up!’s  new Bright Blossoms stamp set (and, of course, the Stamp-a-ma-jig to center it) and lightly sponged yellow over the  entire white surface.   A bow made from Daffodil Delight Taffeta ribbon,  as well as red and yellow buttons from our  Designer Buttons  collection really help to accent the piece.     

         

I hope you enjoyed learning how to make this card as much as I enjoyed creating it!  Try your hand at the challenge!  Find a quilt block you would like to duplicate and create your own note or greeting card.  Send it to me so I can share your creativity with others!

If you would like to reproduce this card, everything you need can be found on my Stampin' Up! Demonstrator web site.  
The DSP and stamp set will be available in June as part of our new catalog, but you will find many other DSPs and stamp sets that can create a similar look.