Hand Delivered Balloons

Today’s card was made for my demo group's annual catalog swap. I picked the cute Hostess Stamp Set Hand Delivered and paired it with the gorgeous Garden Impressions DSP and Metallic Ribbon Combo.  I had to make 11 cards for the swap so I thought I would play with the color combinations a bit. Half of my cards featured the below piece of DSP and the pink ribbon with coordinating light color cardstock and colored in dresses. The other half featured a darker piece of DSP with the Shaded Spruce ribbon and coordinating colors. I love how fun these cards are! I hope the ladies enjoy them,

Light Collection featuring Calypso Coral, Powder Pink, and So Saffron

Dark Collection featuring Melon Mambo, Night of Navy, and Pacific Point

• Stamps: Hand Delivered
• Inks: Basic Black, So Saffron, Powder Pink, Pacific Point, Night of Navy, Calypso Coral, Melon Mambo
• Cardstock: Garden Impressions DSP; So Saffron; Shaded Spruce, Powder Pink, Petal Pink, Pacific Point, Night of Navy, Soft Sea Foam, Calypso Coral, Melon Mambo
• Accessories: Metallic Ribbon Combo
• Tools: 1" Circle Punch

Garden Love

Today’s card is being featured on Stylin’ Stampin’ Inkspiration. The challenge was to create using products from the new catalog. Once I was able to preorder some products, I knew the gorgeous Garden Impressions DSP stack had to be my number one purchase. The patterns are colorful and so versatile. I chose a piece of DSP and die cut this gorgeous floral corner piece as the focal point for my card. From there I simply added a couple pieces of ribbon, a simple sentiment (love this font!), and a few gems. Simple card, but I love it! I love it so much that I featured this at May's stamp club. The ladies picked different color combos and DSP patterns to put their own spin on my card. 

• Stamps: Abstract Impressions
• Inks: Night of Navy
• Cardstock: Garden Impressions DSP; So Saffron; Shaded Spruce
• Accessories: Faceted Gems; Metallic Ribbon Combo (Shaded Spruce used)
• Tools: Springtime Impressions Thinlits

Tutti-Frutti Birthday

Sadly we are losing the super fun Tutti-Frutti DSP stack, the shiny Metallic Foil Doilies, and lots of ribbon. So why am I posting these cards today? Because this design is just so versatile! Simply pick some fun paper, layer on some coordinating cardstock, wrap the layers in some ribbon, and add a layered sentiment. Easy Peasy! It was so easy, I went a little crazy and made six different versions. Thankfully I always need birthday cards on hand to send out. These will be going to good homes in the next couple of months.

• Stamps: Picture Perfect Birthday
• Inks: Garden Green, Berry Burst, Melon Mambo, Real Red
• Cardstock: Tutti-Frutti DSP, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Garden Green, Lemon Lime Twist, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Tangerine Tango, Peekaboo Peach, Real Red, Calypso Coral, Whisper White
• Accessories: Metallic Foil Doilies, Crushed Curry Ribbon, Lemon Lime Twist Ombre Ribbon, Basic Gray Shimmer Ribbon, Peekaboo Peach Ribbon, Calypso Coral Shimmer Ribbon
• Tools: Layering Circles Framelits

Lots of Love to You

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 featured, buy now before they are gone!

The Lots of Love stamps has such a great large sentiment on which to base cards. For this one I started with my sentiment and layered on some DSP featuring the color Tranquil Tide. To finish off this simple card, I added a Tranquil Tide Bitty Bow and some White Accents.

Another fun card making use of a ton of DSP. I love doing DSP heavy cards. The pattern mixing is so much fun! After getting my paper set, I added a simple sentiment and some pretty shimmery ribbon to finish the card.

• Stamps: Lots of Love
• Inks: Tranquil Tide
• Cardstock: Whole Lot of Love DSP; Basic Black; Tranquil Tide
• Accessories: 2017-2019 Itty Bitty Bows; Blushing Bride Shimmer Ribbon; White Accents
• Tools: Layering Circles Dies

A CASE of Mermaids

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!

For today's cards, I made the first mermaid card (featuring Brusho) for Stamp Club and then went a little crazy and made three more mermaid cards. Except for the Brush card, these designs were all CASEd from great designers all around the web. The first one was a ton of fun layering on the Brusho crystals to create an undersea look. From them I stamped, colored, and die cut my mermaid. I added some layered DSP and a sentiment and finished my card with some bling. Always have to have a bit of bling.

My second card I CASEd the design from Amy O'Neill @ Amy's Paper Crafts. I replaced a few elements, but I loved the layered circles plus a piece of Calypso Coral ribbon. For a finishing touch, I colored some White Enamel Accents with the Bermuda Bay Stampin' Blends.

This card is a direct CASE from Katrina Duffell @ Ink Paper Girl. I did change the color from pink to purple and added some Copper Thread, but the design is the same. SO cute!

I've completely lost the link for this CASE, but isn't the little mermaid and glimmer paper just so cute. I love this card so much.

• Stamps: Magical Day; Pieces and Patterns
• Inks: Basic Black; Calypso Coral; Stampin' Blends
• Cardstock: Myths and Magic DSP; Bermuda Bay; Soft Sky; Whisper White; Bermuda Bay Glimmer Paper; Sweet Sugarplum; Calypso Coral; Old Olive; Watercolor Paper
• Accessories: Copper Trim; White Accents; Rhinestones; Calypso Coral Ribbon
• Tools: Stitched Shapes Framelits; Seaside Embossing Folder; Layering Circles Dies; Magical Mates Framelits; Copper Embossing Powder; Wink of Stella

Favorite Retiring Products

I'm always sad to see certain things get retired, so today is all about celebrating my Top 10 Favorite Retiring Products.

1. 5/8" Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon -- This gorgeous ribbon comes in Berry Burst (my favorite), Night of Navy, Emerald Envy, and Peekaboo Peach. I love the crinkly texture and ease at tying bows. Thankfully I have a good chunk of Night of Navy ribbon left in my stash.

$8.00

• Berry Burst 144191
• Night of Navy 144189
• Peekaboo Peach 144192
• Emerald Envy 144190

2. Tutti Frutti DSP $10.00 145606-- Usually I'm okay with losing the current year's DSP. I love see the new designs and frankly after using the same patterns for an entire year, I am over them. The exception this year is the Tutti Frutti DSP. This 6x6" paper stack is just so much fun! One side had great fruit patterns while the opposite has great single color graphic patterns. 

3. Birthday Blooms Stamp Set $19.00 140658 (Clear Mount) -- Hands down the stamp set I will miss the most! This set had become my go-to set for fun techniques and great beautiful cards. I have used it so much in the past few years. Now I have to decided if I am going to keep it or sell it during my yard sale...

4. 2016-2018 In Colors (Ink Pad Collection $27.50 141818) -- This retiring In Color Collection has me more upset than usual. Included in this collection are two amazing colors that I keep going back to: Sweet Sugarplum and Emerald Envy. I'm so incredibly sad to be losing these. You know I will keeping both and using them on a variety of projects. At least we get to keep Flirty Flamingo as it is a part of the new Color Revamp. Good thing I stocked up on reinkers for this collection! And I have cardstock for all five of the colors. I should be okay for awhile...

5. Pieces and Patterns Stamp Set $19.00 143843 (Clear Mount) -- Such a cute stamp set! I love the different items and the little embellishment stamps. I think my favorite and most used piece is the little T-Rex. How cute is he? Perfect to make kids's birthday cards! 

6. Island Indigo (Ink Pad $6.50 126986) -- I'm going to miss this color the most. Island Indigo is my go-to blue if I want to something lighter than Navy. I love how rich the color is. It acts almost as a neutral when combine with other colors. I will miss you Island Indigo. We'll have to see if one of the new ink colors can take it's place...

7. Metallic Enamel Shapes $7.00 141678 -- These cute little silver and gold enamel shapes are one of my go-to embellishments. They add the perfect amount of shine to any card. And the fact that they are neutrals means they can go on almost any card. I'll be sad to lose these ones, but at least the faceted gems are carrying over. And we're getting some new pretty pearls and gems.

8. Magical Day Stamp Set $22.00 145857 (Clear Mount) -- I thought this set was cute when I first saw the Occasions catalog, but I didn't necessarily want it immediately. But then I started seeing cards being made with the set and knew I needed to buy it. I've been having so much fun making whimsical cards featuring these images. I think my favorite might be the mermaid. I'm sure another whimsical set is on the horizon, but I might just have to keep this set for awhile.

9. Brick Wall Embossing Folder $8.50 138288 -- I just bought this one in March and haven't used it that much, but know that it's a great texture. In the time that it took me to put together this post, the folder is completely sold out! 

10. Frozen Treats Dies $27.00 142756 -- And lastly, I love the Frozen Treats Dies. These are perfect for making cute ice cream cones, popsicles, and sundaes. I love the combinations you can make and just look at those texture pieces! I'll be sad to lose this one.

Daisy Quartet

Today’s cards were half of the featured Make N Takes at my Spring Bingo event. Each Bingo participant received a goody bag with four variously colored cardstock bases, six 6x6 pieces of Delightful Daisy DSP, ten gold faceted gems, two yards of Old Olive Sheer Ribbon, and two yards of Daffodil Delight Double Stitched Ribbon. From those supplies, the ladies made two cards at the Bingo event leaving plenty of supplies to take home and use later. For inspiration, I made four different cards using the same supplies. 

And here's the collection of cards from the Bingo ladies!

• Stamps: Daisy Delight; Birthday Blooms; Sunshine & Rainbows
• Inks: Tranquil Tide; Calypso Coral; Night of Navy; Daffodil Delight; Pool Party; Wisteria Wonder
• Cardstock: Delightful Daisy DSP; Calypso Coral; Night of Navy; Old Olive; Pool Party; Whisper White
• Accessories: Gold Faceted Gems; Sheer Old Olive Ribbon; Daffodil Delight Double Stitched Ribbon
• Tools: Daisy Punch

Coffee Break Today

Today’s card is being featured on Stylin’ Stampin’ Inkspiration. The challenge was to create a coffee break card. Another excuse to pull out the Coffee Cafe Stamp Set. Even if SU decides to retire this set at the end of the catalog, I will be keeping this and making more coffee themed cards. I love it so much. Or maybe it's that I love coffee so much... Anyways, I chose to pick some fun DSP pieces, lay them in a pattern, and then emboss the entire piece using the Hexagons Embossing Folder. From there, it was just a matter of making a fun Coffee Cup to act as my focal point.

• Stamps: Coffee Cafe
• Inks: Garden Green
• Cardstock: Coffee Break DSP, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Whisper White
• Accessories: Crumb Cake Classic Weave Ribbon
• Tools: Hexagons Embossing Folder, Coffee Cups Framelits

Basket for You

Today’s card is being featured on Stylin’ Stampin’ Inkspiration. The challenge was to create a Get Well card. The SAB featured Blossoming Basket Stamp Set was the perfect choice. I stamped the basket in Basic Black and set to coloring with various Stampin' Blends. From there I added a hand drawn border to help define my square of white before adhering it to the embossed piece of cardstock. The Calypso Coral Shimmer Ribbon (also SAB item) was the perfect finisher.

• Stamps: Blossoming Basket
• Inks: Basic Black, Stampin' Blends (Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Calypso Coral)
• Cardstock: Calypso Coral, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
• Accessories: Calypso Coral Shimmer Ribbon
• Tools: Basket Weave Embossing Folder

Floral Scraps

Today's card is being featured at my Patterned Paper Extravaganza class. I love finding new ways to use up paper scraps laying around. For this card, I created a variety of banners from the dsp and adhered them to an embossed piece of cardstock. From there, it was just a matter of adding some coordinating ribbon and a sentiment.

• Stamps: Dragonfly Dreams
• Inks: Blackberry Bliss (retired)
• Cardstock: Wildflower Fields DSP (retired); Calypso Coral; Crushed Curry; Basic Black
• Accessories: Blackberry Bliss Ribbon (retired)
• Tools: Petal Burst Embossing Folder; Triple Banner Punch; Washi Tape Punch (retired)