Sunday, May 15, 2016

Wishlist

My last post was about a few of my favorite retiring things, and this post is about my long LONG list of things I believe I NEED from the new catalog! First of all, here is a free printable for you to make your own long LONG wishlist. You may even want to print it double sided...believe me, you're gonna need the space!




I have already filled up the entire first side with just all the stamps, bundles, punches, thinlits/framelits and embossing folders. (I already have a bunch that are being carried over.) I haven't yet added any of the designer series paper, ribbon (holy cow, it will be easier to just add "one of each" on my list), washi tape, and all the other fun embellishments! It's a beautiful, beautiful catalog. FULL of goodies! If you don't already have a demonstrator and haven't received a catalog of your very own yet, please let me know and I'll get one to you ASAP!!!

Monday, May 9, 2016

A few of my favorite things...

Old things, new things, so many fun things! (Yes, I've been reading a few Dr. Seuss books lately.)

This is the time of year when I pull out all of my retiring stuff and think "what have I done?!?" Why have I neglected all these beautiful things?!? Probably because they're so beautiful I don't want to use them up. But there comes a time.

You'll notice that I've been making cards by the STACKS. I think I work best near the end of a deadline, and retiring product is definitely that deadline! It's actually very inspiring to clean off the shelves and make room for all the new product that has quickly filled up my wishlist.

These cards have so many of my favorite elements on them. Black and white (or vanilla), turquoise, a little sparkle, a vintage typewriter, stripes, an old map... you get the idea. The fun thing is that you could change the color to fit your own taste! I used Bermuda Bay here, but wouldn't it also be fun in Melon Mambo??? or Watermelon Wonder? or Cherry Cobbler? The retiring Hello Honey is pretty delicious as well. :)

The typewriter image from the Tap, Tap, Tap set was stamped on Basic Black cardstock with a Very Vanilla ink spot that is exclusive to the Lovely Little Wreath Paper Pumpkin kit. One of the best reasons to signup for Paper Pumpkin is to get all the exclusive items!

I also stamped it in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink on Very Vanilla cardstock and cut out the little paper piece and added a touch of color using a Stampin' Write marker to highlight the H I part of the alphabet image stamp. A little depth was added to the Typeset Specialty designer series paper (oohhh I love this paper so much!!!!) by stamping various stamps from either the Tap Tap Tap set or the Timeless Textures set. I LOVE that grid image!!! 

I trimmed a strip from the Cherry on Top dsp  (So versatile! It's not just ice cream and cupcakes!) then punched it with the banner triple punch and layered another banner in Very Vanilla. The finishing touches were added with extra ribbons and trim. Venetian Crochet Trim, Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim and the Baker's Twine Combo Pack from the It's My Party Suite. I used the handheld stapler to secure the ribbons to the typeset dsp before I layered it onto a piece of paper from the Cherry on Top paper stack and added that to a Sahara Sand card base.


Product List

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Going, going, GONE!!!

The answer is YES. You need it.

That stamp set or paper or whatever it is that is retiring and you're going back and forth on it? One of the retiring in-colors perhaps? Yep. Get it.

There are a few things I will hang onto forever because let's face it, they're FABULOUS! Blackberry Bliss, Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana...FAAAAA-bu-lous! Seriously. How could we ever do without those? The next in line for me are Mint Macaron and Tip Top Taupe. I'm also thinking the new Dapper Denim might finally replace Not Quite Navy for me...might.

I don't think I'll ever be able to part with Artistic Etchings (that's a great Eiffel Tower image!) and I'll admit I'll be keeping a few retiring punches in my contraband drawer... (2 1/2 inch circle punch, hexagon punch, word window... just to name a few.) ;)

So although the main image of the card I made for teacher's appreciation week is GONE, it was one of those things I knew I needed. (Those awesome Sale-a-bration sets do NOT stick around long enough!) There are a few other goodies I used that you will want to make sure to grab while you can! Check out the list below, and add those to your list of things you NEED to get before they're gone!

This stamp set was one that I didn't get originally, but with a second chance at some of the SAB sets, I decided it might come in handy since the mascot of our elementary school is a "flyer". I was right, and I'm SO glad I decided to get it! It will forever have a home in my contraband drawer. Well, at least until my kids both make it into Junior High. Yikes. I know it's going to be here before I know it. And then I'll pass on the torch (and the stamp set).


And because the inside of a card should be just as nice to look at as the outside...


And let's be honest, everyone loves a pretty envelope... I tried my hand at handlettering these and I must say I'm pleased! I used the thicker of the two Project Life journaling pens. The trick with hand lettering (or faux calligraphy, whatever you want to call it) is to thicken the downstrokes. Yep, thicken. That's my technical term. Haha.

         


Product List

Friday, April 29, 2016

First things first...

Oh I have been enjoying the weather, then fearing the weather, then enjoying the weather... and I've been like that with the NEW catalog and retiring lists too! Although it's been more like "I'm so excited for the new stuff!" then "I can't believe Blackberry Bliss will be gone!" then "OH MY GOODNESS I can't wait for the new stuff!" then "Holy cow I have SOOO much stuff I haven't even used yet!"

SO, because I really can't order anything from the new catalog until Tuesday, I decided to use up some of my retiring goodies.

#1 on my list is EVERYTHING from the It's My Party Product Suite. I've been in denial that this will only be available until the end of May. It's AMAZING STUFF!!! Sad but true, it's not carrying over to the new catalog. I mean, that paper. LOVE!

I have a tendency to hoard paper anyway (don't we all!?) so I decided I HAD to use it up! (Or at least use up some of it).

So... I cut up ONE piece of paper (haha) and 7 pieces of Melon Mambo cardstock, plus a piece of Whisper White, et voilà!



 I came up with 12 beautiful cards plus a belly-band holder for them all! Wouldn't this make a great gift? Or a great product for a craft fair? Seriously. The possibilities. Endless I tell you.

Here's a card using the same paper stack, different ink, plus a few embellishments. (We made this one at this months card class.)


I'm thinking about doing a YouTube tutorial, I just haven't got my desk cleaned and myself dressed and ready at the same time yet. Haha! Let me know in the comments if you would be interested in that.

Thanks for stopping by!


Product List