Sweet Strawberries

It's officially May which means it's time to say goodbye to all the retiring stamp sets. In total, I'm losing 18 stamp sets from my collection (although a few of those will be kept because I love them so much). Many of these stamp sets are still available, but they are no longer guaranteed. If you want any of the sets features, buy now before they are gone!

A simple card featuring great DSP for today. While I had my Tutti-Frutti DSP out for another set of cards, I pulled out the piece of strawberry paper and realized that the Sharing Sweet Thoughts stamp set had a great strawberry stamp. I just had to put these two pieces together. Perfect! I stamped and color a jar of strawberries and layered it on top of a sentiment and the amazing DSP. 

• Stamps: Sharing Sweet Thoughts
• Inks: Real Red, Lemon Lime Twist, Garden Green
• Cardstock: Tutti-Frutti DSP, Real Red, Whisper White
• Accessories: 
• Tools: 

Powder and Gray

Today’s card is being featured on Stylin’ Stampin’ Inkspiration. The challenge was to create a card using the sketch below.

I decided to use a very simple color palette for my card. I pulled three different patterns of Powder Pink DSP from the Fresh Florals stack and played around with layering them. I realized that I didn't want to use one of the patterns to stamp on, so I made my own! I stamped the single flower image from Birthday Blooms (one of my MVP stamp sets), die cut it, and stamped on a sentiment from a different stamp set (Sharing Sweet Thought). For embellishment, I simply added a bitty bow.

• Stamps: Sharing Sweet Thoughts; Birthday Blooms
• Inks: Basic Gray
• Cardstock: Fresh Florals DSP; Smoky Slate
• Accessories: Itty Bitty Bows
• Tools: Stitched Shapes Framelits

Sharing the Love

Today's card is one of the featured projects for August's stamp club. Did you know that every year Stampin' Up! features a stamp set who's proceeds support the Ronald McDonald House? The stamp sets are always adorable and this year's set is no different. May I introduce you to Sharing Sweet Thoughts!

I knew I had to feature this great stamp set at stamp club.  I decided to go simple in my design and construction. I filled a jar with some cute butterflies and a branch to create my focal point. From there I pulled some great pieces from the Wood Texture DSP Stack and a cool blue piece from Coffee Break DSP. The card was missing a few embellishments. Thank goodness for doilies, glitter enamel shapes, and white enamel shapes. Perfect additions!

• Stamps: Sharing Sweet Thoughts
• Inks: Dapper Denim; Early Espresso; Always Artichoke; Pear Pizzazz; Crumb Cake; Baja Breeze (retired); Crushed Curry; Pale Plum (retired); Flirty Flamingo; Rich Razzleberry
• Cardstock: Coffee Break DSP; Wood Textures DSP; Soft Suede; Whisper White
• Accessories: Glitter Enamel Shapes; White Accent Shapes; White Doilies
• Tools: Everyday Jars Framelits

Top 10 New Catalog Products!

With the launch of each new catalog, I sit down with a cup of tea and a highlighter and go to town marking everything I want. Of course, I don't have the money to buy everything I mark, but I love making that big wishlist. To help myself out, I usually make a short list of things I really really really want. These are the products I'm most likely to buy in June, July, and August. To help you out, I'm sharing my top 10 favorite new products!

1. Coffee Cafe Bundle (145331 $45.75) -- This entire suite of products is so me! I will definitely be buying the bundle with stamp set and die cuts very very soon! Of course, I will be adding on the DSP and probably some coordinating ribbon to complete my purchase.

2. Message in a Bottle Stamp Set (143707 $17.00) -- How cute is this stamp set? I'm working on convincing my 3 1/2 year old son to have a pirate theme party in September. This stamp set will be perfect for decorations, favors, and thank you cards. 

3. 1/4" Copper Trim (144179 $6.00) -- I'm in love with all things copper and this ribbon is just gorgeous!

4. Just Add Text Stamp Set (Wood 143931 $25.00  Clear 143934 $18.00) -- I'm a sucker for good sentiments and these are just perfect!

5. Just Add Color DSP (144180 $13.00) -- I love the current coloring trend and this paper would be perfect with the SU Markers and a great sentiment. One from the Just Add Text Stamp Set perhaps?

6. Soft Sayings Card Kit (145466 $35.00) -- Card kits are the way to go for gifts or for an easy night crafting. And SU offers a few all-inclusive kits meaning the stamp set is included! I'm really digging the colors and designs of this particular kit.

7. Sharing Sweet Thoughts Stamp Set (Wood 144048 $29.00  Clear 144051 $21.00) -- Each year SU offers a stamp set in which a portion of the sales go to Ronald McDonald House Charity. It's a great cause to support and the sets are always great. But this year's stamp set is just my style! Plus it coordinates with the Everyday Jars Die Cuts.

8. Pick a Pattern DSP (144163 $11.00) -- Full disclosure, I already bought this paper! But I love it so much, I'll be buying another pack. I love the mix of patterns and colors. So cute!

9. 2017-2019 In Color Bitty Bows (144217 $8.50) -- I always love seeing what new accessories SU designs and these bows are just way too cute! I'll be featuring these in one of the June Stamp Club projects.

10. 3/8" Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon (Night of Navy 144189  Peekaboo Peach  144192  Berry Burst 144191  Emerald Envy 144190  $8.00) -- I'm not one to buy a ton of ribbon, but this particular kind is too pretty to pass up. As I've already bought a spool of different Berry Burst ribbon, I'll probably get this in Night of Navy.

Now that you've seen all the great new products in the catalog, what is on your Top 10 list?