What a week it has been!  Free Shipping (ends Friday 4/25 ), Typepad issues (the blogging platform I use) and coming home from vacation all contributed to the lack of postings.  Typepad seems to be  more or less back to normal.  The only problem seems to be with the email notification to subscribers.    I will be doing some checking on this and let you know.

In case you haven't heard the Stampin' Up! Retiring Stamps and Accessories list has been released.  Here are links to the Retiring Lists:

    *Retiring Stamps (Available until June 4, 2014 or while supplies last)
            **PDF

    *Retiring Accessories (Available untilJune 4, 2014 or while supplies last)
            **PDF

This year both the Retiring Stamp Sets and Retiring Accessories are only available while supplies last.  This makes it a little tricky so I am going to apologize in advance if I use a stamp set or accessory that is no longer available. When I wote this post everything I used was still available for purchase.

Bright Blossoms - Clear-Mount Stamp

$12.95

Perfect Pennants Clear-mount Stamp Set

$21.95

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Real Red Stampin' Write Marker

$3.50

Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker

$3.50

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

$8.50

Real Red 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

$6.95

Basic Black 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

$6.95

Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper

$10.95

Circles Collection Framelits Dies

$26.95

Perfect Pennants Bigz Die

$32.95

Banners Framelits Dies

$26.95

1/2 Inch Circle Punch

$5.95

Basic Black 1/8 Inch Taffeta Ribbon

$5.95

Brights Candy Dots

$5.95

 

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

 

I haven't used the Bright Blossoms set in a while but oh I have had lots of fun with this set.  Here are a few links ( here, here, and here) to past posts that featured the Bright Blossoms set.  You can also scroll down the left side of the blog until you hit Stamp Set Bright Blossom and when you click on that you will be taken to a compilation of posts that feature the Bright Blossoms set.

 

Remember FREE SHIPPING (sorry to shout) ends today!  This is the perfect time to stock up on your crafting essentials as well as the Retiring Lists!

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Bright Blossoms Live in the Sunshine

This month I joined a Fun Fold Card swap.  What was I thinking?  This group is one I have never swapped with before and so I was a little nervous about what to make.  I decided to make a card using the fold I used in this card.  I hope they like it and don't un-invite me from their group!  Wouldn't that be awkward?  

Don't you just love the  Bright Blossoms stamp set and the uber cute Summer Smooches DSP?  I am going to keep on using it even though it is Fall!

Stamps: Bright Blossoms, Pursuit of Happiness
Ink: Real Red, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Black Stazon
Paper: Whisper White, Island Indigo, 2012-14 In Color DSP Stack, Summer Smooches DSP, Real Red
Punches: 2-1/2" Circle, 3/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle
Big Shot: Scallop Squares Duo Bigz die
Extras: Rhinestones, Sharpie
  I hope they like my card.  I look forward to seeing all of their fancy folds cards and you know I will share them with you.  What is your favorite fun fold?   Is there one you would like to see on this blog?  Let me know!

 ***Tomorrow the first 12 Weeks of Christmas email will be sent out.  Be sure to sign up to be on my mailing list, so you won't miss a single email.  Signing up is easy just go to the upper left hand side of the blog and follow the directions and it will guide you thru the process.  

Here is the other card I made for the women in my downline who attended the Tacoma WA Stampin Up Regional.   It too is a copy of a card I made and shared earlier.  

This is probably my favorite one that I made for them to swap.  I am still loving the little polka dot flower.   If you want to know more about the card please check this post for more information.

I know you are expecting more details about the Tacoma Regional but unfortunately I am writing this on Friday to post  on Sunday.   We are on a little adventure that I will tell you about soon. 

I am a pushover for polka dots.  I love the little polka dot apple in the Perfectly Preserved stamp set in the Holiday catalog.    Don't get me wrong I love the whole set but a polka dot apple sealed the deal for me.  I was planning a card  with the apples but got sidetracked.   

So, do you see the Perfectly Preserved apple?  Well, it has taken a new shape and is now a flower.

Now you can make polka dot flowers in any color.  

I also stamped the apple in Pool Party ink and punched out a smaller flower using the Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack.  

Here are all the supplies I used:
Stamps:  Bright Blossoms
Ink: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade
Paper: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Summer Smooches DSP, Daffodil Delight
Punches: Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
Big Shot: Chevron folder, Designer Frames folder, Cannery Set Framelits
Ribbon: Daffodil Delight Seam Binding
Extras:  3/8" Designer Printed Brads 

As always if you have any questions about this project please contact me and I will do my best to help.  

This post is  going to be short and sweet.  I love the Floral District DSP and you are going to want to order it as soon as possible once the 2012-2013 Stampin' Up catalog goes live on June 1st.  The patterns are bright and cheery and it is a really fun set of papers that mix and match really easily.  You know there are some packs of DSP that I struggle with getting to coordinate but not the FLoral District.  

Hope you think this looks happy!  Are you wondering where I got the colored rhinestones?  I colored the SU rhinestones with Sharpies, easy peasy.  

Are you wondering howI made these cute little flowers?  I used the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and punched out the flower from the DSP.  It is not quite perfect so i went around the edges with a Tangerine Tango marker.

I have got to scoot!  I am off to take a friend out to lunch who received some really bad news.  If you have any questions let me know!  Hope to stamp with you soon!

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!  

Do you remember Long Notes?  I think that was what they were called.   I am not sure how long ago  they were sold but I happened to find some in my envelope stash and I knew it would work great with the card I was working on.  I remember they came in at least 3 colors and the one I had was Sahara Sand.   

Good thing I am a pack rat cause this turned out to be the perfect card base for this card.  I will confess that it  almost hurt to use such a big chunk of the Summer Smooches DSP until I remembered I have more on the way!  Yes, I adore the paper and how happy it is.  The stamp set Bright Blossoms and the Summer Smooches DSP will be available in the new catalog due out in June and it is also available for purchase this month.  If you do not purchase it this month you will have to wait until June so don't wait.  

Here's what I used.
Stamps: Bright Blossoms and  Up, Up & Away( the sentiments fit just perfectly)
Ink: Real Red, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise
Paper: Sahara Sand, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Summer Smooches DSP
Punches: 1 1/4" Square punch, 1/2" circle
Ribbon: Daffodil Delight Seam Binding ribbon(available this month and then in June)
Extras: Brights Brads, Basic Rhinestone, Dazzling Details

I will be posting another card using the Summer Smooches DSP and the  Bright Blossoms stamp set to my Facebook page.  Did you even know that I have a Facebook page?  I need to pretty it up now that the timeline is here but go an check it out and "like it", if you do!

I am sorry I had planned to post who won the the March Craft Project Tutorials on Sunday when we got home but once we go the car unpacked and all that good stuff I was tired and all I wanted to do was go to sleep.  So, drumroll please...the winner is Ruthie!   Ruthie please email me and I will get you all set up!  Thank you all for the really kind comments and emails.  I will be doing more giveaways so please stay tuned!

I have to make this quick or at least will try too.  I have to go to the dentist which is NOT my favorite place  so I also planned to meet up with a friend for lunch after my appointment as a little treat.  I wanted to bring her a little something so this is what I made.

I purchased these cute little post it note holders that have both big post its and those little flag post its inside and a little pen.  I thought they were cute and I love that they are in Crumb Cake so I had to buy them.  

side view so you can see the little pen

Here it is all packaged up in a 6" x 8" cello bag and a little tag too!  I hope she will like it!

Here's what I used.

Stamps: Bright Blossoms and You're My Type
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Basic Black
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Summer Smooches DSP
Punches: Large Tag, 1 3/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle, 3/4" Circle, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
Big Shot:  XL Pennant (retired-sorry!) for the Scallop Circle
Ribbon: Red and White Polka Dot ribbon (retired SU)
Extras: 6" x 8" cello bag

You can now purchase the Bright Blossoms stamp set and the Summer Smooches DSP.  They are available during the month of April.  Order it now or you will have to wait until the 2012-2013 catalog debuts in June!

Just a couple more days till you can order the Bright Blossom stamp set and all those fun coordinating products in the Summer Smooches Suite.  Today I was getting those horrible hoarding feelings again about the Summer Smooches DSP.  I love the colors and patterns in this paper pack so happy and bright and perfect to mix and match.    

I  have been feeling very guilty about not getting the March birthday cards out in the mail.  In fact today is a dear friend, Cindy's birthday and I have not sent out her card yet.  I am so sorry but even though I am late I will get those cards in the mail.  Today's card is for all those March birthday people!

Stamps: Bright Blossoms, Friendly Phrases
Ink: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade
Paper: Whisper White, Summer Smooches DSP
Punches: Large Tag, 3/4" circle punch
Big Shot: Perfect Polka Dot TIEF, Tasteful Trim
Extras: Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, Rhinestones

Remember just a few days are left of Sale-A-Bration.  Get your orders placed today!

Did you know that Craft Project Central hosts a card challenge?  What is really nice about the Craft Project Central challenge is that it is for the whole month!  Another cool thing is that you can enter as many times as you like AND every week CPC will pick their top two favorites.  At the end of the month CPC will choose five random winners from the eight favorites, and the winners will receive a FREE subscription to the month of their choice on Craft Project Central!   Sound good? Here is this month's sketch.

The sketch comes from the creative mind of Kris.  There is even a mini tutorial about the inspiration card that Kris created for the sketch.  I decided to join in the fun and here is the card I made for the challenge.

I was pretty faithful to the sketch and it was sure fun one to work with.   Here's what i used to make this card.

Stamps: Bright Blossoms (available in  April ), Friendly Phrases
Ink: Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade
Paper: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Summer Smooches DSP,(available in April) Daffodil Delight Brights DSP Stack
Punches: Boho Blossom, Scallope Edge punch,2 1/2" circle
Big Shot:   Scallop Circle # 2, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF
Extras: Daffodil Seam Binding Ribbon (available in April) , In Color Designer Printed Brads, Circle Cutter, Rhinestones (colored with a turquoise Sharpie)

If you have any questions about the challenge you can go to Craft Project Central or contact me and I will be happy to help!  I look forward to seeing your creations so please join in the challenge!