Bright & Cheery Birthday Blossoms

Kind of a funny story...as I was going over this years retiring list of stamps and marking my catalog  (I always use a highlighter so I can easily see at a glance what has retired) I came to the Birthday Blossom set. I was a little surprised to see this one on the retirement list...as I had already accidentally retired it myself last year!

So for an entire year, this poor neglected set had mistakenly been exiled to my retired shelf getting minimal use! It's companion set - Flower Shop and the coordinating Pansy Punch have always been well loved, and when the Birthday Blossom set came out I was happy to have the pretty background image, a leaf and the nice sentiments written in such a beautiful font. to go along with the set of six flowers.  I used both sets on this card along with several retiring colors. If you already have the Flower Shop set, I highly recommend getting this one to go with it.

To create the background I simply used my ink pads to ink up a large acrylic block and then spritzed it with a little water before using it to stamp the Whisper White background piece. The colors I used are:

• Island Indigo
• Rose Red
• Sweet Sugarplum
• Tempting Turquoise
• Wild Wasabi

You want to be sure that the colors you place side by side will mix  together well. For instance, placing the Wild Wasabi next to the Rose Red would have created a brownish tone, while placing it next to the Island Indigo instead, created more of a purple tone. For more on the Watercolor Background Technique you can check out this post I shared a while back. 

Pretty much everything used on this card, with exception of the Basic Black ink & card stock and the Whisper White card stock is being retired. 

Make sure to check out the retiring product list so that you don't miss out on anything. 

Pocketful of Posies

I'm just lovin' creating adorable little pockets using the the Pocketful of Sunshine stamp set with it's coordinating Pocket Framelits. The pocket framelit both cuts and scores so you can create these little pockets in no time! Here is a fun card that uses the Flower Shop stamp set as well. This is one of the cards we made at my All Occasions Card Class last week.

The pocket is sized perfectly to hold a gift card or a tag. In this case the pocket holds a tag with a message.

I just cut the pocket shaped tag along the inner stitching so it was a little smaller than the pocket to easily slide in and out.

The "you make me smile" sentiment is from the Colorful Seasons stamp set. Love the font used in that set! I also love this color combo...Pool Party, Flirty Flamingo, Peekaboo Peach, Berry Burst & Lemon Lime Twist...it's so happy & fun! As long as I'm calling out favorite new products...LOVE the Pinewood Planks Embossing Folder!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Find Your Inspiration

Happy New Catalog Day! It's June 1st and the awesome new and inspiring Stampin' Up! catalog is now live! Last week I had a "New Catalog Pick Up Party" where my local stampin' friends had the opportunity to stop by and pick up the new catalog and do some make & takes.

Everyone who attended received the above goodies created using the new In Colors. One make & take used all the new In Colors and the Thoughtful Banners & Flower Shop stamp sets. More info is here. The other make & take was created using the Sitting Here stamp set and I'll share more on that in my next blog posting.

This years In Color bookmark uses the Bitty Butterfly Punch and the Work of Art and Butterfly Basics stamp sets.

The bookmarks have magnets to keep them in place...I like to keep mine at the beginning of the Color Collection pages because I am always flipping to those pages the most.

To help mark favorite items in the catalog I made these post-it flag covers using the Thoughtful Banners set. The words Inspiring, Amazing & Fabulous describe so many of the new products found inside the pages if the new catalog!

I packaged up the bookmarks and post-it flags along with a 1/2 sheet each of the new In Color cardstock in a Large Cello Bag with toppers stamped using the Timelesss Textures stamp set.

No party is complete without treats and prizes! I made these Ghirardelli square covers using Flower Shop and Thoughtful Banners in the five new In Colors. I invited each of my guests to chose one in their favorite color. After everyone had picked one I brought out my prize basket. Each item in the basket had a butterfly punched out from the five different In Colors. Each person could choose from the items marked with the color they choose. Here's my friend Amy looking super excited about her prize and make & takes.

Here are some of the rest of the ladies at my first session. (sorry I did not get pictures of everyone)

I tried a new recipe I found on Pinterest for these Salted Caramel Buttery Crumb Bars. Oh my!...they were rich, ooey gooey buttery caramely goodness!

It was so great to see everyone and share the new catalog excitement with you all!  If you were not able to make it my event but would like a copy of the new catalog, please contact me and I'll make sure to get one to you.

Enjoy finding your inspiration as you flip through the new catalog!

Flower Shop In Colors

Today is the day that my local stampin' friends stop by to pick up their catalogs and do a few make & takes! I'm looking forward to seeing them and share the excitement of the new catalog!  Here is one of the cards we will be making today. It features each of the new In Colors.

The Flower Shop stamp set with it's coordinating Pansy Punch make such cute and easy cards. It's one of my go to sets...and flowers are a great way to showcase these particular colors as an entire group.

Besides the new In Colors, a new stamp/punch duo was used here...the Thoughtful Banners stamp set paired with the Duet Banner Punch has already become an instant favorite in my stampin' studio...and I just know my stampin' friends are going to love it as well! These items are available as a bundle in the new catalog.

Besides the new catalog, I think these rich, chewy Salted Caramel Bars I made might be the highlight of the party. They are so rich & buttery! Good thing I am having company to share them with or I would be in trouble!

Gotta run and finish getting everything ready for my stampin' friends! If you live near me in Livingston County area of SE Michigan and would like to pick up a catalog, please contact me.

Timeless Flower Shop Textures

I hadn't used the Flower Shop stamp set in a while. It's one of my favorite stamp sets with a coordinating punch. The flower I chose has a burlap type texture that works perfectly with the new Timeless Textures stamp set.

Isn't the Watermelon Wonder 1" Stitched Satin Ribbon luscious? It is so silky and pretty! The "Thank You Kindly" sentiment is from the Sale-A-Bration set Perfect Pairings. It's a great set which I highly recommend if you don't have it yet. I also made this card, and stepped it up a bit by adding a few more details.

As you can see, I used a different sentiment...the big "Hello" from the aptly named Hello stamp set. This set is a limited time stamp set available during Sale-a-Bration. I also added more ribbon by layering the thinner Bermuda Bay 1/8" Stitched Ribbon on top of the Watermelon Wonder Ribbon. I also did some piercing around the circle and along bottom edge. Here's a closer look...

I used the Botanical Builder Framelits to cut the center piece for the flowers on both cards.

Thanks for visiting...have a GREAT day!

Flippin' Friday: Color Me Autumn Flower

It's been a while since I did a Flippin' Friday post...and today is Friday! I have a flip card...so why not!? I thought a cute flip card was the perfect opportunity to use some of the Color Me Autumn Washi Tape.

I pulled my color combo of Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry & Blackberry Bliss from the pack of Color Me Autumn Washi Tape found in the Holiday Catalog...perfect for a fall Birthday.

The Hardwood Background stamp used on the Crushed Curry panel gives it a rustic look which I think goes right along with the Autumn feel.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Flower Shop Blendie Pair

Here are a couple cards I created using the Flower Shop stamp set along with the Blendabilities Markers. This first card is fairly quick & easy to make.

I love being able to color the Basic Pearls with my Blendie pens to match my project! The next card I created used basically the same layout and supplies, but I stepped it up a bit by adding more detail...

For this one I inked up my Honeycomb Embossing Folder with Early Espresso ink before running it through the Big Shot. I also used some Typeset DSP cut into a hexagon shape. To finish the card I used some of the new Early Espresso Seam Binding Ribbon...love having so many new colors of my favorite ribbon!

Have a great weekend!

Work of Art Thank You Cards

I think that the Work of Art stamp set is so versatile that I'm going to be using it a LOT for a variety of different cards. Here are the first few that I've created with this great new set.

Love that swoosh stamp! I inked it in Pool Party, Coastal Cabana & Wild Wasabi to create the background. Then I added some Bermuda Bay splatters with the Gorgeous Grunge set. The flower from the Flower Shop set was inked using the Rock 'n Roll Technique...inked first in Pool Party and then roll the edges in Bermuda Bay. Here's another version using a Calypso Coral flower.

My favorite ribbon of all time has got to be the Seam Binding Ribbon...I am so very happy to see it offered in a variety of new colors in this catalog! For these two cards I've used Calypso Coral & Wild Wasabi. I'm also loving the look of this new Zig Zag Embossing Folder. Here's a look at both cards...

I had fun playing with new stuff and making these fun & easy cards! Thanks for stopping by to see them. :-)

Box of Petite Petals

I've been seeing those cute card in a box cards all over Pinterest recently and have been wanting to try one. (I ended up making two!) I love that there is so much dimension to them and then they easily fold flat for mailing.

I used an assortment of stamp sets and punches...

• Flower Shop Clear-mount Stamp Set [130942]
• Pansy Punch [130698]
• Petite Petals [clear] [133155]
• Petite Petals Punch [133322]
• Banner Blast Wood-Mount Stamp Set [133551]
• Punch Pack [118309]
• Papillon Potpourri Clear-Mount Stamp Set [123759]
• Elegant Butterfly Punch [127526]
• Bitty Butterfly Punch [129406]
• Bird Punch [117191]
• Secret Garden Framelits Dies [129372]

I used the same colors for both of these cards, but just by changing the base color and pattern of DSP for bottom panel, it has a real different look.


Ink

• Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [126983]
• Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [126944]
• Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [131175]
• Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad [126986]

Card Stock

• Calypso Coral 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock [122925]
• Gumball Green 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [126840]
• Pistachio Pudding 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131294]
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]
• Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper [132994]

The hardest part for me was trying to get all these small pieces arranged on the little brackets inside the box...it was quite tedious and a little challenging to keep the little parts in the proper size limits so that when it's folded it will still fit inside the envelope. Here's a view down inside the box.

Here's what it looks like closed up and ready to slip into the envelope. (it folds totally flat, but starts to pop up when you let go...as shown here)

I've seen these done in large variety of sizes...and you could make your own envelope using the Punch Board, but I chose to do mine to fit into a standard card sized envelope. So that means you start with an 8- 1/2 x 5- 1/2" base like any other card. I found very helpful directions to create the base shared by Gwen on her blog, Create With Gwen.

Thanks for visiting today...have a GREAT weekend!

Hello There Petite Petals

Here's a pretty, springy card suitable for many different occasions.

I used Petite Petals & Flower Shop stamped in Black Stazon & watercolored using my Aqua Painter using these inks: 

• Crisp Cantaloupe 
• Calypso Coral
• Summer Starfruit

The flowers were then punched out with their coordinating punches and layered on a circle of Sweet Sorbet DSP and a Tea Lace Doiley. The Pool Party layer is embossed using the Tulip Frame EF on Core'dinations cardstock and then lightly sanded to make the design really pop.

Even with all the details, this is a fairly quick and simple card to make. Just love the new Petite Petals set & matching punch! What is your favorite item(s) from the Occasion Catalog?
Supply List:

• Petite Petals [clear] [133155]
• Flower Shop Clear-mount Stamp Set [130942]
• Happy Day Clear-mount Stamp Set [130297]
• Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131297]
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]
• Crisp Cantaloupe 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131298]
• 2013-2015 In Color Core'dinations [129958]
• Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper [133521]
• Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [131175]
• Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die [121809]
• Petite Petals Punch [133322]
• Pansy Punch [130698]
• 2-1/2 Inch Circle Punch [120906]
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies [129399]
• Aqua Painter [103954]

Flippin' Friday: Flippin' For Petite Petals

It's Friday already! What a week it's been...we've seen more snow and freezing temperatures than we sometimes see during the whole winter season! Schools have been closed for several days and it's been well below zero...they are saying it is going to warm up a bit over the weekend, so that will be a relief! Is it wrong that's it's only the beginning of January yet here I am already thinking Spring? Uh-oh!

I cannot help it...the soft colors in the Sweet Sorbet DSP, which will be available during Sale-a-Bration for FREE, along with the new Petite Petals stamp set have me thinking Spring for sure! Living here in Michigan when I know it's going to be a loooong time before I see real springtime flowers, these new items certainly are a welcome diversion from all this cold & snow!

The Flower Shop set and the coordinating Pansy Punch have been my favorites since they were introduced in the last catalog...so I was excited to see the new Petite Petals stamp set along with it's coordinating Petite Petals Punch offered in the new Occasions Catalog! They work well together, don't you think?

I really like the pop of black included with these soft, pastel colors in the Sweet Sorbet DSP...it really makes it fresh & fun, don't you think?

Stay warm & enjoy your weekend!

Flippin' Fridays - Flower Shop Flip Cards

OK...I can honestly say I've officially flipped over the new Thinlits Dies that make these super cute flip cards. It seems like these are the only cards I've been making lately! I just got the Circle one in my last order that came earlier this week, but I've been too sick to even play with my stuff. :-( Today I am feeling much better though, so I plan to have some fun stamping. First, I thought I had better update my blog since it's been a while and thought it would be fun to showcase a new flip card each Friday...so for my first "Flippin' Friday" post I have several cards to share...all using the same design, but with different DSP and accents.

I love the color combo of Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Gumball Green & Daffodil Delight picked up from the Epic Day DSP.

The Subtles Candy Dots are the perfect accent to dot the "i" in "hi" and for the center of the flower. Here's a couple more variations of this card using the Itty Bitty Banners stamp set and coordinating Bitty Banners Framelits.

I told you I have been having fun with these! Here are a couple more cards using the same color combo but with the Quatrefancy Specialty DSP.

Helpful hint: When cutting out detailed peices such as the "hi" die cut shown above, use waxed paper in between the card stock and your thinlit die. It makes all the difference in the world when trying to remove it from the die after it's been cut.

Since Pool Party is such a light color, I used the Rock 'n Roll Technique on the stamped & punched flower. First, I inked it in Pool Party, then I rock 'n rolled it in Island Indigo so it would stand out more.

Hope you enjoy these flippin' fun cards! Have a GREAT weekend!