Daydream Medallion Wishes

I really love the fun layered flowers you can create with the Daydream Medallions stamp set and it's coordinating Floral Framelits. I am sad to see the stamp set go, yet excited to see what possible new stamp set will be in the new catalog to coordinate with the framelits since they are not retiring.

I used the retiring 2013-15 In Colors here as well as the Blooming With Kindness set for the sentiment. That's another great set...I will especially miss the pretty sentiments in that one. Don't you just love the pretty silver embellishment on the center of the flower? It is one of the Something Borrowed Embellishements available in the Occasions Catalog.

I've used the Daydream Medallions set quite often for scrapbooking...it makes such pretty embellishments for any page. Here are a couple favorites...

I used the Dots Decorative Mask to create the polka dot background. See the entire layout here.

The Sycamore Street DSP from 2013 SAB had a floral design that cut out perfectly with the smallest floral framelit...loved that! See the entire layout here.

Here's a card made using the same colors along with the die cut center from Sycamore Street DSP.

Itty Bitty Banners and the coordinating Bitty Banner Framelits are also retiring. More here.

This pretty set of flip cards fit inside the coordinating box with belly band. I just love how these layer to create beautiful accents or focal points. More on this project here.

I think this is the first creation I made back when I first got this set...see more here.

What are you sad to see retiring?

I'll Miss You Mixed Bunch!

I will really miss Mixed Bunch set and the coordinating Blossom Punch! I have used them both quite a bit. When I got this fun set out to stamp I knew I wanted to combine it with some of my favorite retiring accessories. So I used the Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder to create a cool background, check it out...

If you want to try this stamped background technique with your embossing folder just ink up your folder in the desired color(s) and then spritz it with some water so the colors can start to blend a bit. Then, place a piece of watercolor paper inside the folder and close. Press and rub with your hand and allow the watercolor paper to absorb the ink and water. When you open your folder you should have a beautiful print. Experiment with different color combos. I used Bermuda Bay, Pear Pizzazz & Crushed Curry.

Depending on which side of the folder that you apply the ink to, your design will vary as shown in the photo above. I also used the Itty Bitty Banner stamp set and the Bitty Banner Framelits with some Black Chevron Ribbon on my card  ...all of will be retiring.

Now for some "Flashback Friday".... here are a few favorite projects I've shared here in the past using the fun and versatile Mixed Bunch.

This flower pot and pocket card set was made for Craft Project Central. Read more on that here.

This easel card uses lots of soon to be retired items including the Hearts Collection of framelits, the Four Frames stamp set and Boho Blossoms Punch. More about this card in this post

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For this card I trimmed away two of the petals to create a fancy butterfly. Read more here.

The same image is used here to create a delicate snowflake. More on this card here.

I like the color combo on this one...but a few of these colors have since retired. As you can see, the little circle pieces in this set are great for creating a backgound. See more on this card here.

After looking at these cards I think you'll agree that this set is more than just another flower set...it's actually pretty versatile. If you don't already have it...I'd highly recommend adding it to your collection!

Have a great weekend!

Farewell Apothecary Art

I'm back again today to share more of my favorite items that will be retiring. Apothecary Art is such an elegant set and my very first Stampin' Up! set that had a coordinating set of framelits. I think it may actually be the first set they offered with the coordinating dies?

I haven't used the stamp set too often recently but I have gotten a lot of use out of the coordinating Label Framelits....which sadly are also retiring. Another favorite that I use a lot is the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, that is retiring as well...along with so many other embossing folders and dies.

Here are a few more creations that I've shared in the past using the Apothecary Art stamp set.

Find out more about this set in this post.

I like the layering on this one...it uses several different framelit sets including the Apothecary Accent Framelits which is another retiring favorite of mine. Find out more about this card here.

Do you think I like the color purple? After looking back at some of my favorites using this set, purple was for sure the dominate color choice! I'm looking forward to seeing what the new In Colors are! I hope there is a new shade of purple...that would make me happy! If you want to see more on the above card, check out this post.

So...now you've seen a few of my retiring favorites, what items will you miss the most? What are you hoping to see in the new catalog?

So Long Stippled Blossoms

The list of Stampin' Up! retiring items is out! Each year I have favorite items on the list that I had hoped wouldn't be there. This year I am so sad to see one of my all time favorite stamp sets...Stippled Blossoms on the list. I made a few cards with it just the other day and I had a feeling it might be retiring. Here's my creation using Stippled Blossoms along with the retiring In Colors.

I have really enjoyed this set of pretty pastel colors...especially for spring time creations. Of course we already knew that the In Colors from 2013-15 would be retiring. Each year the card stock and re-inkers for the In Colors are usually the first thing to sell out from the list. So, if you have not purchased them yet, I would highly recommend doing so as soon as possible so you are not disappointed.

This week I will be sharing some of my favorite projects that I've created using items that will soon be retiring, so make sure to visit again soon. It's almost impossible to make a card that isn't pretty using this stamp set...here are a few of my favorites I've created with the beautiful Stippled Blossoms...

This one uses the 2014-16 In Colors and the retiring Fancy Fan Embossing Folder. You can see more on this card in this post.

I created my own DSP for this card. You can read more about it here.

The blossoms looked beautiful in Baja Breeze...still one of my all time favorite SU! colors. I was so sad when they retired that color...and I'm still hoarding some in my stash. Read more about this card here.

This card uses several soon to be retired items...the Window Frames Framelits and Beautifully Baroque EF are favorites of mine. Read more about this card in this post.

A lot of the framelits and punches are going to be retiring...including the Labels Collection & Modern Label Punch used above. I hope that means there are going to be a whole bunch of great new punches & framelits to take the place of what will be retiring! If you want more info on this pretty purple creation, click here.

Check out the Retiring List and make sure to get your favorites before they are gone!

Butterfly Basic Wishes

Good news for those who have been waiting to order the Butterfly Bundle from SU!...

After a (very) long migration, the Butterflies Thinlits Dies have landed in the warehouse and are now available for purchase! Remember, you can take advantage of two special offers through April 30th:

Get the Butterflies Thinlits at a 15 percent discount--just $21.20! 

OR

Buy any of the Butterflies Thinlits Bundles at a 15 percent discount and choose one of three FREE Sale-A-Bration items (only available while supplies last)!

• Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper (item 138633)
• Best Year Ever Accessory Pack (item 138634)
• Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 138635)

I absolutely LOVE this set! My card today uses the Irresistibly Yours DSP, which you can select for free when purchasing the bundle. I have colored it easily by sponging on Lost Lagoon ink. I watercolored the pretty flower image in BlackBerry Bliss and Mossy Meadow inks using my Aqua Painter.

If you love the watercolored look but struggle with the technique, you may want to check out my Butterfly Basics Watercolor Tutorial. I share step by step instructions and some helpful tips on how to watercolor using SU! Classic Inks and the Aqua Painter.

If you haven't added this beautiful bundle to your collection yet, please visit my SU! Store to purchase this today...with the added savings and extra FREE product, there's no better time to buy!

Cheerful Critters Happy Day

This set is so darn cute...especially the bear! He's fun to water color too!

I used the Balloon Framelits to cut out the cute little banner using scraps of Best Year Ever DSP. The festive little scene fits perfectly inside a frame cut using the On Film Framelits.

I used some of the soon to be retiring In Colors: Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding and Crisp Cantaloupe. The Cheerful Critter set is available in the Occasion Catalog.

Painted Petals Trio

Today I have a set of cards to share with you using the same products... the Painted Petals stamp set, Painted Blooms DSP and the Spring Flowers Embossing Folder. I used the same layout for all three of the cards, but changed up each one just a little.

The first card in the set, is the Pacific Point card. It was part of my recent All Occasions Card Class so it was the most basic since the stampers were creating several of each card.

The second card was stepped up a bit more using some Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon (retired) and I embossed a frame around the image using my Simply Scored Tool. It's not real visible in my photo, but it's there and adds some subtle detail to the finished card.

The third card has the most detail. Not only did I add a bow with Wild Wasabi Seam Binding Ribbon, but I added more stamping using the line and splatter images from Gorgeous Grunge over the top of the flower image and some sponging on the edges as well.

Three Basic Rhinestones add some bling under the sentiment for another stepped up touch. So there you have it...from simple to stepped up, all three cards are similar yet so different using the same basic supplies. If you don't already have this stamp set and papers I'd recommend purchasing them during the FREE SHIPPING special! It ends on April 10th.

Thanks for stopping by today!

FREE Shipping Is Coming!

Get FREE shipping on any orders placed April 6-April 10, no minimum purchase required!

This is great news! Time to stock up on supplies and not have to worry about the added cost of shipping! Keeping fingers crossed that the Butterfly Thinlits will be back in stock to order during this timeframe as well.

Watercolor Butterfly Basics

My Aunt had a birthday recently and when I needed to make her a card I grabbed my new go-to set...Butterfly Basics.

I created a soft watercolor background simply by brushing on some color using Classic Ink Refills- Soft Sky, Crisp Cantaloupe & Pistachio Pudding, to a dampened piece of Watercolor Paper and let the colors bleed and blend together. I used my Heat Tool to dry the paper instead of waiting and then stamped away, creating the collage look that this set is great for.

I layered Venetian Crochet Trim over the Soft Sky Seam Binding and finished it off with a pretty bow.