For Dad...

It's time for my monthly stamping class and this time around we are celebrating the dads in our lives with a clean and simple card...

As this class takes place at work on our lunch break my goal is to keep the project as simple as possible with maximum WOW factor. I think this card fits that bill to a tee. I pulled out the much loved but soon to retire "Well Worn" DSP. It is a wonderful masculine set so if you like it, make sure you order by May 31st! I used a retired sentiment but have options available to those in the class who don't need a father's day card to switch out the sentiment for one from the "Loving Thoughts" stamp set. 

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Something to celebrate (retired but you could easily substitute the Loving Thoughts stamp set)

DSP: Well Worn

Ink Color: Not Quite Navy

Cardstock: River Rock, Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Linen Thread, 3/16" Metallic Brads in gold

Thanks for stopping by!

It's A...

Hi There! Today I needed a card to welcome a little one so I pulled out my favorite 'go to' stamp set "Baby Prints"...I loved it the minute I set eyes on it in the catalog and the love affair has not faded! And of course I reached for the retiring (sniff) Nursery Nest DSP. If you love this paper as much as I do, make sure to place your order before it's gone! I The inspiration for the layout was a card designed by Mary Fish here. But why make one when you can make two? You never know when you will need one so...

Did I mention how much I love this stamp set?!? lol. Hope you enjoyed the cards and are inspired to pull out the paper and ink!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supply List:

Paper:  Cardstock - Blushing Bride (retiring), Pear Pizzazz (retiring), and Marina Mist

            DSP - Nursery Nest

Ink:      Blushing Bride (retiring) and Marina Mist

Stamp: Baby Prints

Embellishments: 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon - Pink Pirouette, 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon - Marina Mist (retiring), and Basic                           Pearls

Live, Laugh, Love - May Pals Blog Hop

It's the Pals Retirement Party Blog Hop! Today the Stampin' Pretty Pals are sharing some fabulous cards and projects showcasing our favorite retiring products! You've probably hopped over from Beth Beard at My Little Craft Blog, I'm stop number 15 on the Pals Hop and I'm glad you’ve hopped in! I'll help you "hop along" from blog to blog where you'll find great ideas for retiring Stampin' Up! products from the Stampin' Pretty Pals! Should you hop off course, simply click on any of the links in the Pals Hop Line-up below and you'll be back on track!

My project this weekwas pretty quick and simple. I layered Just Add Cake DSP on top of Pear Pizzazz cardstock, sponging all the edges as I went. I decided I wanted to use ONLY retiring product so I stamped my sentiments directly onto the DSP. I sure will miss this stamp set! A few more layers of DSP topped off with three blossoms, also sponged, and added glimmer brads to the center using my paper piercing tool. A few snippets of ribbon to finish it off and I can say (sadly) goodbye to the 2010-2012 In Colors. They sure have been fun! If you like them as well, get them while you can on the clearance rack because while the stamp set will be available to purchase until May 31st, the other items will not be restocked once the current supply is exhausted! 

Supply List:

Paper:                   Cardstock - Pear Pizzazz

                              Designer Series Paper – Just Add Cake

Ink:                        Classic Ink Pads – Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait, & Poppy Parade

                              Stampin’ Markers – Poppy Parade

Stamps:                 On Your Birthday

Fibers:                   ½” Stitched Poly Ribbon in Pear Pizzazz & Poppy Parade

Embellishments:    2010 In-Color Glimmer Brads

Tools:

Paper Trimmer

Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch

Paper Piercer

Sponge Daubers

Stamp-a-ma-jig

Clear Block I

Snail Adhesive

Stampin’ Dimensionals

I was inspired to combine the idea of using retiring product with a sketch from Freshly Made Sketches. Their wonderful design allowed me to use up some of my retiring DSP! Thank you to Jen Mitchell from I Create for the wonderful design this week.

Now hop along for more inspiring ideas from Susan Lankford at Stamp and Scrap with Susan , stop number 16 on the Pals Retirement Party Blog Hop! Thanks for "hopping" by!

A 'Charming' Thank You - PPA132

Today I am participating in the Pals Paper Arts Challenge (my first ever!). The challenge was to create something using the colors Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, and Chocolate Chip. It turned out to be harder than I thought...I realized that this combination does not come easily to me (I guess that's why they call it a "challenge", lol), I perservered though and I am pleased with the results. I used the Stamp set "Charming" and realized it is my current favorite, just so soft and pretty. I thought it went well with the colors. Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Charming, Kindness Matters

DSP: Patterns DSP Stack (Subtles)

Colors: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Pretty in Pink (Retired but 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon in PIP would be a great substitute)

Tools: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Embossing Folder, Small Oval Punch Punch, Big Shot, Basic Pearls

Step It Up with Summer Smooches

Today's feature is called 'Step It Up' after a much admired article in my favorite Scapbooking Magazine Simple Scrapbooks which is sadly no longer in publication. The premise carries over very well from scrapbooking to card making. Just take a simple layout (which is beautiful in itself) to the next level. Here is the first card:

In this card I featured 5 of the beautiful patterns in the sneak peak of Summer Smooches paper, cut in simple 1" strips, graduated in length from 3" to 4". The DSP is adhered directly to the card base and the sentiment is kept simple with just two tulips as an accent, popped off the main image using a Dimensional and a bit of Dazzing Diamonds for a bit of sparkle. That's it. A super easy card, yet makes a great impact.

I used an embossing folder with the second card to give added texture. I sponged the edges of the DSP strips to add richness and adhered them to the card using Dimensionals for depth. I added a bit of baker's twine and the sponged the edges of the sentiment and the edges of the tulip accents before adhering them. Six additionals steps, all designed to give the card added interest.

In these shots you can see the added depth using the dimensionals gives the card: 

I hope I have given you some ideas for stepping up your own cards :) Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Bright Blossoms, Friendly Phrases

DSP: Summer Smooches

Colors: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Real Red, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: Baker's Twine, Dazzling Diamonds

Tools: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Embossing Folder, 1" Square Punch, Big Shot, Stamping Sponges