Hi All!  I am sorry to have been absent the last few days.  I was on vacation and forgot to do the final steps to schedule my posts for this week.   A lot has happened while I was gone and in between mountains of laundry and other delightful domestic chores i am working on getting organized and figuring out what is up!  Probably the biggest news is the Retiring Accesories List!  You can download a copy of the list here.  Please note that the products on the Retiring Accesories list are on a first come, first served basis.  In other words once they sell out they are gone!  So don't delay.  I have not yet done a thorough look at the list but I know things are already selling out.  

I just took a quick look and i do not think I used any retiring products on this card.    Here is what I did use:
Stamps: Delightful Dozen
Ink: Wisteria Wonder
Paper: Crumb Cake, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, In Color Patterns (2011-2013) DSP Stack
Big Shot: Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Perfect Polka Dot TIEF, Scallop Circle,  Clear Circle die
(OOPS this one is retiring.  I like this one a lot since it layers so nicely with the Scallop Circle die)
Extras: Simply Scored and Simply Scored Diagonal plate, Basic Rhinestones, Wisteria Wonder Ruffled edge ribbon. 

I will be back with more information and samples soon.  Remember to check out both the Retiring Stamp Set list and the Retiring Accesories list.   If you find something you want please visit my online store . Thank you!!

Have a lot of scrap pieces of Designer Series Paper that you just cannot throw out?  Here is a card that uses those little pieces of DSP.  

Another quick and easy card that does not require extra postage!  I used the Pocketful of Posies DSP and cut some strips that were 2"  high and random widths.  I pieced them together on a strip of Soft Suede measuring 2 3/8" x 5 1/2".  I stamped the Mixed Bunch stamp in Night of Navy on Whisper White card stock.  I stamped the flower again in Poppy Parade and punched it out with a 3/4" circle punch and attached to th middle of the Night of Navy flower with dimensionals.  Stamp the sentiment from Delightful Dozen and the emboss the front of the card with the Perfect Polka Dot TIEF.  I attached the Soft Suede strip with SNAIL adhesive and then used Stampin Dimensionals to  attach the Mixed Bunch flower.

This is the inside of the card.  Just added a strip of DSP and Soft Suede and the center of the flower inked in Poppy Parade.

Another quick and easy card to make when you have a lot of DSP scraps.  Remember the Mixed Bunch stamp set and Blossoms punch are in the Occasions Mini Catalog which will be ending at the end of the month.    We have not heard if it will be carried over or not so don't take a chance!

I have another foldover card to share with you.  I love these cards because they are a little different and we all like a change now and then.

I love the Daisies # 2 die and notice that the centers of the flowers are cut out of the same DSP as the butterfly.  Just a fun little detail.

The card stays closed by securing the flap under the butterfly.

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Thank You Kindly
Ink: Poppy Parade
Paper: So Saffron, Whisper White, Pocketful of Posies DSP
Big Shot: Perfect Polka Dot TIEF, Daisies # 2, Beautiful Wings embosslit
Punches: 1/2" circle punch, Bird Builder punch

Here are some other foldover cards from previous posts, here , here, and probably my favorite here.  The "thanks" is from the Thank You Kindly set and one I use a lot.  I will definitely miss this one when it retires at the end of May!

Since I still had a lot of Blossom Builders left I decided to make another quick card.  I never knew how much I would like Poppy Parade and Blushing Bride together!  What a great color combination.   I started stacking the blossoms and ended up with this combination.

The rest was easy.  I wanted the focus to be on the flower so i just added a few paper strips and  some black cardstock and the card was ready to go.

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases
Ink: Black Stazon
Paper: Basic Black, Poppy Parade, 2010-2012 In Color Patterns DSP Pack, Very Vanilla
Big Shot: Houndstooth TIEF
Extras: Blossom Builders, Poppy Parade Glimmer Brad

I still have more flowers to use from the Blossom Builders.  If you want to make some quick cards be sure to get the Blossom Builders before the end of the month!

The song from Grease just runs through my head when I think of Summer Smooches.  It is really is such a fun suite of products.  I am feeling much better now that I have an extra package of the Summer Smooches DSP in my craft room.  I still find myself getting those hoarding feelings but I know even if I run low I can order more in June.  

Are you wondering where the diamond pattern comes from?  It is the Island Indigo sheet that is the flip side to the piece with all the little vases.   I cut the strips so that the circles were in half, allowing the space between the circles to become more prominent.    Kind of fun.

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Bright Blossoms. Pursuit of Happiness
Ink: Black Stazon, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Real Red  Stampin' Write Markers
Paper: Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Summer Smooches DSP
Big Shot: Perfect Polka Dot TIEF, Scallop Circle,  Clear Circle
Punches: 3/4" circle
Extras: Island Indigo 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon,  Basic Rhinestones

Remember to place your order for the Summer Smooches products before the end of the month. If  not you will have to wait until June!  

I was cleaning up my craft table and found a full page of Blossom Builders (page 18 of the Occasions Mini Catalog).  I used some of them while at Leadership for the make and takes and also this scrapbook page but still had a lot left over.  I started playing with the different punch outs and came up with some fun combinations.  Here is a really quick and easy card using the Blossom Builders.

Pretty cute and so simple to make!  I recommend the Blossom Builders if you need to make some quick cards.    You will get a lot of cards out of these 2 sheets and some really cute little pink rhinestones!

Stamps:  Perfect Words ( hostess set, so it is on the list!)
Ink: Poppy Parade
Paper: Crumb Cake, Summer Smooches DSP (Daffodil Delight) , Poppy Parade 2010-2012 In Color Patterns DSP pack
Big Shot: Tasteful Trim, Perfect Polka Dot TIEF
Extras: Blossom Builders, 2010-2012  In Color Glimmer Brads 

I really like the Perfect Words hostess set.  It is one of my favorites the catalog.  Why?  The sayings are well, perfect!  I use all of them and fair warning I am still going to use them in the future so be sure you get this set now before it retires!

I have a dear friend who is recovering from surgery and I wanted to send her a bright and cheery get well card.   Today's card fits that description!  

I  never knew I would like Concord Crush and Daffodil Delight so much together!  Here's what I used to make this card:

Stamps: Sweetly Said ( on the list)
Ink: Concord Crush
Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzaz, Concord Crush from the 2010-2012 In Color Patterns DSP pack ( we know this will be retiring since it is an In Color and its 2 year run is up!)
Big Shot:  Daisies # 2 (one of my faves!), Lots of Tags
Punches: 1/2" circle. 3/4" circle, Blossom Petals Builder
Extras: Daffodil Delight seam binding ribbon (available now), wooden ladybug

Don't you just love the daisies?  I love that die and in fact you will be seeing it a lot over the next few days.  I hope she likes the card and it helps to bring some cheer to her day!

A few weeks ago a friend of mine had a candle party.  I was not able to go but I have been wanting  one of those warmers that melt scented wax and smell good.   I cannot remember what they are called but I think you know what I mean. 

Here is what I bought.

There are 3 different metal panels that attach to the base by magnets.  This started me thinking that  I could customize my scent warmer.  

Here I used an image from House of Haunts (retiring!) and attached a piece of magnet to the back.  I also used the Bat punch (retired) to cover up the bird.    Pretty cute huh?

I thought this design would be a good backdrop for Vellum Butterflies!

Remember these cute little resin flowers?  They were perfect for the branch image on this panel.  I also couldn't resist adding another butterfly.

I think this is going to be fun dressing up my little scent warmer according to the season and occasion. 

So, have you looked over the retirement list?   Please remember that you have only until the end of May to purchase sets on the retirement list.    You can shop online or contact me and I can place the order for you.  

Yes, it is here!  I have to tell you that this is both a happy and sad time for me. Sad to see some of the stamp sets leave the catalog  but happy too because I know with all that empty space on my shelves there will be LOTS of room to fill it with new stamp sets from the upcoming catalog that will debut in June.   I pulled out all my retiring stamps and will be focusing on using them  over the next few weeks.  Like any retirment list I question some of the sets that are on the list and also wonder why somethings aren't on the list.  All I can say is I am glad I am not in charge of making up the list!

Here are the links to the lists and remember that the accesories list will be published on the 25th.

Retiring Stamp Set List PDF

Retiring Stamp Set list  Sortable Excel file

You can also click on the icon on the right hand side of the blog to access the "list"!

I will be back with my regularly planned post for the day, so please check back.   Now go grab a cup of coffee and start making your list of all the sets you have been planning to buy and order them now.  

Today's card is a simpler version  of the Simply Soft and Twitterpated DSP card I posted on Tuesday.  I was planning to make exactly the same card but with a different patterned paper  from the Twitterpated pack but you know how that goes!  Instead I added the Riding Hood Red Pleated Satin Ribbon and a little button also from the Occasions Mini Catalog so it essentially the same but with different accessories.  

I do like the offset layer around the flower image, just a little change.  I usually like things symmetrical but with the little button I think it balances it out.  What do you think?

This is going to be short as I have a bunch of things to get done that have been on my list for a while so today they are going to get crossed off!  Have a fabulous day and hope the sun is shining where you are!