The Last Chance Product list aka the Retirement List is out and you can see it HERE.  One of the things that can be confusing is that the list shows bundles retiring which  doesn't necessarily mean that the stamp set, dies or punch associated with the bundle is retiring.  An example is the Best Year bundle is on the list.  The stamp set Best Year is bundled with the Best Plaid Builder dies.  The stamp set alone is not listed on the Last Chance list so it is not retiring and will be available in the next catalog.  When you look further on the list you will see that the Best Plaid Builder dies are listed as retiring and is 20% off.   I wanted to point this out since it can be confusing and I am a fan of the Best Plaid Builder dies.

I used  Bermuda Bay & Coastal Cabana for the plaid.  Love these colors for a springy, happy vibe.  The  Pretty Perennial flowers were stamped in So Saffron on Basic White CS.  The flower outlines were cut out using the Perennial Petals dies in So Saffron CS.  The flower centers are the Playing with Patterns Resin Dots.  The sentiment was stamped in Versamark ink and sprinkled with White Embossing powder and heat embossed.  The label was cut using the Stitched Rectangle dies.   

Tuesday Tip:  The "happy" was also heat embossed.  Here's how I did it.  I inked up the stamp first in Versamark and again using a Bermuda Bay ink pad.  The double inked stamp was then stamped on the Basic White CS.  I sprinkled Clear Embossing Powder over it and heat embossed it. This is how you can have embossed colored images using Clear Embossing Powder. 

Here are some other samples of  the Best Plaid Maker dies in action HERE, HERE, HERE,  HERE, and HERE.  

As a demonstrator I have had a look at the upcoming 2020-21 Stampin' Up!®  catalog (it is beautiful and the In Colors are so yummy!) and I do not see the Pretty Perennials stamp set, Perennial Petals dies or the bundle in the upcoming catalog.  Just a heads up!

Thank you for stopping by and if you have any questions leave me a comment or send me an email.

The Stampin' Up!® Last Chance list for the 2020-21 Annual Catalog has been released and as always there are lots of stamp sets, dies, and embellishments that are leaving.  I have a few things (haha, ok maybe more than a few) that are leaving.  I will do my best to highlight them over the next few weeks so you can grab them before they are gone.  

Today for Simple Sunday, I used the set A Little Lace.  

I randomly stamped the large floral design on a 8" x 10-1/2" sheet of Basic White CS.  The Basic White CS was then cut into four 4" x 5-1/4" pieces.  

These 3 were layered onto a 3-7/8" x 5-1/8" piece of Real Red CS and then on to 4-1/4" x 11" Basic Black CS card bases.  The flower centers were punched out from some red glitter paper to add a little sparkle to the simple cards.  On a 1/2" strip of Basic Black CS  I heat embossed the sentiment from the A Little Lace set using White Embossing powder.  Quick and easy and cute too!

Now are you wondering what happened to the other quarter sheet of paper?

Are you wondering what is different about this card?  The sentiment is from the Ornate Thanks  stamp set and inside is a gift card holder.  When I pulled out the Basic Black card bases this card base was in there and so I made a gift card holder.  

The other layers are the same just the card base is different.  It is a regular 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" card base scored at 4-1/4".  The front is cut 1-1/2" from the center to the edge and the lower portion is made into a pocket.   It is the easiest gift card holders to make.   Click Here for a tutorial.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the Last Chance list!  There are some great deals to be found and some great products you do not want to miss out on!

Product List

A Little Lace Cling Stamp Set (English) [149364]	Ornate Thanks Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [149471]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482]	Real Red Glimmer Paper [150427]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]

It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a color challenge.

Old Olive is one of my go to colors especially for leaves so I was immediately sent down the flower and leaves path.  I love the look of the Pierced Blooms dies.  I like that there are so many different sizes and shapes of flowers and leaves in this die set.  

I love flower arranging, paper flowers that is.  I am no good with live flowers but give me some paper blooms and I will happily fiddle with them.  

Tip:  When I have a color challenge I go through my embellishments including ribbon and pull out the items in the challenge colors.  I also do the same with DSP (Designer Series Paper).  This helps me see my options and reminds me of what I have in my stash.  

I only had the  In Color Enamel Dots in Bumblebee.  I focused on what embellishments I had in Bumblebee because there isn't a Stampin' Blend for that color.  I colored the Misty Moonlight enamel dot with the Dark Night of Navy Stampin' Blend and it looks great.  If I didn't have an embellishment that worked I would have used a rhinestone or pearl.

The DSP I pulled was the In Color 6" x 6" DSP.   I used it for the layer.  The tiny print adds interest without adding bulk or being too distracting.

The frame was cut using a die from Stitched So Sweetly  set and a Stitched Rectangle die.  The sentiment is from the In Bloom stamp set which is the stamp component in the In Bloom bundle with the Pierced Blooms die.  I had an extra Bumblebee bloom so I decorated the inside of my card along with a strip of the DSP I used.  

I have listed below all the products used on this card.  Thank you for stopping by!  

Product List

In Bloom Bundle [156208]	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad [147110]	Night Of Navy Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154891]	Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100867]
Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock [153077]	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	2020–2022 In Color 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [153070]
Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690]	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]	2020–2022 In Color Enamel Dots [152480]

Need some quick cards? Today's cards are easy to make and I think they are pretty too!

Here's what you will need:

• Basic Black Cardstock
• Rainbow Glimmer Paper
• Dandy Laser-Cut Paper
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue
• optional but nice Basic White CS

These 2 cards are basically the same except they use different frames from the Dandy Laser-Cut Paper. The sparkle colors are different  since they are cut from different sections of the Rainbow Glimmer paper.

• Basic Black CS 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2" 
• Rainbow Glimmer Paper 3-1/3" x 5"
• Dandy Laser-Cut Paper
• Basic White CS 4" x 5-1/4". I like to line the inside of my card whenever the card base is a dark color.
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue

Apply a thin line of glue along the edge of the frame and also in different places on the design.  Layer it on the Glimmer paper.  I put something heavy on the frame for a few minutes just to help the glue adhere.  Attach the Glimmer paper to the card base using the liquid glue or your adhesive of choice.  Attach the Basic White CS ti the inside of the card.

This card uses one of the frames and some of the other pieces in the Dandy Laser-Cut Paper.  The only paper difference is the Rainbow Glimmer Paper is cut at 2-5/8" x 4-1/8".

You can certainly dress these cards up a bit more with some ribbon or twine and also by adding a sentiment label.  I decided to keep them clean, simple and sparkly.

Thank you for stopping by!

Product List

Dandy Laser Cut Paper [154300]

Rainbow Glimmer Paper [153056]

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]

The Brilliant Wings dies (which can be purchased alone or with the Butterfly Brilliance  set) is a sneak peek from the 2021-22 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog that is available now.

I thought they would be perfect for the Festive Friday Challenge #FF0080.

To play along with the Festive Friday Challenge you need to use 3 of the items listed on the Inspo List on your project.  Post your project in the Festive Friday gallery for everyone to admire, no later than Monday, March 29 4pm (CST).  There are a few other rules that you can see here.   If you want to be considered to be chosen as one of the 3 Festive Faves be sure to check out the rules.  I will mention that one of the rules is that you cannot link your project to more than 2 other challenges (Festive Friday and 2 others).  

I chose to use the elements ribbon, bright colors, blue, and butterfly.  

• Use the detailed butterfly dies and cut 3 butterflies from a 3-7/8" x 5-1/8" Bermuda Bay CS
• Emboss the Bermuda Bay CS using the Tasteful Textile 3D folder.
• Cut out 3 detailed butterflies in Black CS.
• Cut out Rainbow Glimmer Paper to go behind the Bermuda Bay butterfly cut outs.  Secure the glimmer paper to the back of the Bermuda Bay CS
• Adhere the black butterflies into the cutouts on the Bermuda Bay CS.
• Tie a bow using the 3/8" Black Glittered ribbon around the bottom of the Bermuda Bay CS
• Layer the Bermuda Bay on to a 4" x 5-1/4" Black CS
• Layer on to a Bermuda Bay CS card base 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2"
• Stamp sentiment on a Basic White Stitched Shapes Oval and layer on to black oval punched using the Double Oval Punch
• Attach sentiment to the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals
• Jazz up the front using Elegant Faceted Gems
• Adhere a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Basic White CS to the inside of the card
• Added a 1/2" x 4" piece of Rainbow Glimmer Paper and an extra butterfly to the Basic White CS on the inside of the card

 Be sure to check out what the rest of the Festive Friday Design team made for #FF0080. 

Ann Schach

Beth McCullough

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert-   You are here

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Stephanie Lanzalotto

Melva Peters

Judy Rozema-off this week

I will be looking for your beautiful project in the gallery!

Thank you for stopping by!

Product List

Good Morning Magnolia Cling Stamp Set [149298]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131197]	Rainbow Glimmer Paper [153056]	Brilliant Wings Dies [155523]	Stitched Shapes Dies [152323]
Tasteful Textile 3 D Embossing Folder [152718]	Double Oval Punch [154242]	Black 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Glittered Organdy Ribbon [147897]	Elegant Faceted Gems [152464]

It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week we have a sketch challenge.  

I looked through my DSP (Designer Series Paper) to see what paper would work for this sketch,  so many choices.  I decided on the Peony Garden DSP.

I also pulled out the Prized Peony bundle.  Love this peony.  Peonies are one of my very favorite flowers.  I used  Cherry Cobbler and Real Red Stampin' Blends to color the flower and Old Olive for the stem and leaves.  If you are wondering I stamped the image in Basic Gray ink instead of Tuxedo Black Memento ink.  I wanted it to look a little softer.  

The frame was cut in Basic Gray CS using the Stitched So Sweetly dies.  The tag is from the Hydrangea dies and the sentiment is from the Hydrangea Haven set.  I like this little tag and using this sentiment allows me to use this card for lots of different occasions.  

Thank you for stopping by and below I have listed all the supplies used.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for this challenge.

Product List

Prized Peony Bundle (English) [154056]	Hydrangea Haven Bundle [156251]	Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad [149165]	Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154880]
Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154899]	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892]	Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121044]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Peony Garden Designer Series Paper [152483]	Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690]	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924]	Real Red 3/8" (1 Cm) Sheer Ribbon [153535]

Welcome to the Creativity Abounds Blog Hop.   We are an international group of Stampin' Up!® demonstrators who have come together to share our ideas with you.  We blog hop on the the 3rd Wednesday of the month and this month our theme is the Hydrangea Hill suite.  Thank you for joining us today and please enjoy the hop!

The Hydrangea Hill Suite is such. beautiful suite of products.  For my project I am using the Hydrangea Haven bundle, Gorgeous Grape 3/8" Sheer Ribbon and the Hydrangea Hill DSP.

I am not typically a purple person but I am learning to be one.  I cut out the basic flower and stem using the Hydrangea dies.  I cut the detailed stem and leaves in Mossy Meadow CS.  The beautiful flower was cut using  the dies and the Hydrangea Hill DSP.  One of the special features of this flower die is that it partially cuts out the petals of the individual flowers that make up the larger bloom.  This little fluffing of the petals adds dimension to the flower.  I cannot resist putting a little embellishment in the center of the flowers.  Here I used the Metallic Pearls in silver.

When I attached the the leaves I made sure that the middle leaf was not secured down so it could fit over the belly band.  The small leaf was secured to the front so the belly band would go over it smoothly.  Love the sheer ribbon.  It is soft and very easy to tie.  Under the bow I secured a little tag also from the Hydrangea dies with a sentiment from the Hydrangea Haven set.

I haven't stamped a sentiment inside since I am not sure who I will be sending this too.  You can also attach a little pocket on the second panel and insert a gift card or cash.  

Let me know if you are interested in a tutorial for this card project.  I did not have time to do one for this post but would be happy to make one.  Leave me a comment if you are interested.  

Here is a list for all the stops on the hop.

In addition to this blog hop the Creativity Abounds team has also created a tutorial bundle.  There are 13 tutorials using the  products in the Hydrangea Hill suite.  These are all new projects and they are beautiful!  Here is a little peek at the projects.

You can purchase the tutorial bundle for $15.00 (US, please contact me [email protected]) or place a $35 order or more  using the Host Code XTBH9HV  and I will send the tutorials to you as a thank you gift.  

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the Creativity Abounds Hop!

The Butterfly Brilliance bundle is so versatile.  I have made many cards using the stamps and dies but this is the first sympathy card.  It is always hard to  make and to send  sympathy cards but all I can hope is that it brings some comfort to the recipient.  

I stamped the butterflies on Vellum Cardstock using Versamark ink and heat embossed it using white embossing powder.  Here is another card using the white embossed butterflies.   The butterfly was attached to a stitched square and then a black scalloped square.  I also attached an Elegant Faceted Gem to the butterfly.   The simple sentiment is from the Itty Bitty Greetings stamp set.  This stamp set is another great basic to have in your stamping stash.  It has sentiments that cover all kinds of different occasions.  Whenever I need a small greeting I know to look at this stamp set.

I used the Parisian Flourish 3D embossing folder to create the beautiful texture.  This is an elegant embossing folder and just seemed to go with that elegant butterfly.  Inside of the card I attached another embossed vellum butterfly.  You can kind of see the shadow of it in the picture above.  

Thank you for stopping by and I have linked all the products I used to make this card below.

Product List

Butterfly Brilliance Bundle [155821]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101856]	Stitched Shapes Dies [152323]	Layering Squares Dies [151772]
Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder [151474]	Elegant Faceted Gems [152464]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]

Welcome to the Stampers Dozen Blog Hop!  The theme this month is Birthdays.  There are 12 stops on the hop so let us get started!

These pretty butterflies were cut using the Brilliant Wings dies and the Butterfly Bijou DSP.  Aren't they beautiful?  The other patterned paper I used is also from the Butterfly Bijou DSP.  The Butterfly Bijou DSP is only available for a limited time so be sure to order it soon.  The pretty frame was cut using  the Ornate Layers dies  which is part of the Ornate Style bundle.  Love  all the swirls and how dramatic it looks.  

Surprise it's an easel card.  I like easel cards and enjoy making them.  I like to think that the recipient can enjoy the card a little longer since easel cards are also easy to display.   The sentiments are from the Many Messages bundle,  which is a great bundle to have.  Lots of sentiments all cut at once!  

Now it is time to check out what Carol Payne has created.

Here is a list of all the stops on the hop.

Stamper's Dozen March 2021 Blog Hop

1. Judy Garza – Creativity Released
2. Sharon Hashimoto Burkert – As the Ink Dries
3. Carol Payne – Carol Payne Stamps
4. Joanne Cantrell – Keep It Simple, Stampers
5. Rachel Yurkanin – Rachel’s Stamping Place
6. Debbie Naylor – Unfrogettable Stamping!
7. Bonnie O'Neill – Bonnie Stamped
8. Kelly Acheson – A Stamp Above
9. Rose Grunewald – Country Cards by Rose
10. Jodi Petersen – Jodi’s Card Designs
11. Patty Chenail – Stamp-Patty’s - Stamping in My Flops

Product List

Many Messages Bundle [156272]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Butterfly Bijou 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [156824]	Ornate Layers Dies [152726]	Brilliant Wings Dies [155523]	Matte Black Dots [154284]

Black and white polka dots and bright happy flowers, wouldn't you love to get some happy mail?

The True Love DSP is so good.  Black and white designs from beautiful florals to a simple polka dot make this pack of paper so versatile.  Here I have paired it with Magenta Madness (2020-22 In Color) flowers from the Pretty Perennial stamp set.  I didn't realize it but apparently Magenta Madness is a polarizing color,  some people love it and others find it too bright and bold.  Can you guess where I land?  I loved it immediately  because it was bright and bold.  I knew it would be so striking paired with black and white.

I adore the "happy" sentiment and wish there was a die to cut it out.  It isn't difficult  to fussy cut but it would be nice not to have to.  I like the ability to mix and match the "happy" sentiments, from birthday to mail. 

To create the frame I used one of the Stitched So Sweetly dies and cut out the middle using a Stitched Rectangle die.  It is an easy trick and just one more way to use your dies.

Thank you for stopping by and below I have a link to all the supplies I used on this project.  

Product List

Pretty Perennials Bundle [156234]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Magenta Madness Classic Stampin' Pad [153117]
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Magenta Madness 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153080]	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702]
True Love Designer Series Paper [154281]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690]	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]
Matte Black Dots [154284]