Sketch Challenges with New Goodies

Playing with some new goodies from Stampin' Up! using the Splitcoast Stampers Sketch Challenge #286 and the Clean & Simple sketch #95.

What do you think? For the SCS card I turned the sketch on it side and used the Simply Scrappin' "Happy B-Day" kit -- awesome colors and fun (easy!) peel-and-stick images. The whimsical "Playground" designer buttons complement the patterns in the designer paper perfectly.

For the Clean & Simple sketch I used the new Daffodil Delight, a beautiful crisp shade of yellow that's part of their new color re-do. The sentiment and stem are from the soon-to-be-gone "Bloomin' Beautiful" stamp set and the flower is from a retired set called "Organic Grace".

Tropical Sketch Challenge

I used the Splitcoast Stampers sketch challenge as the base for this fun card. I'm not usually patient enough to snip out individual images but the cute "Tropical Party" stamp set from the Summer Mini just begs for it...

plus lots of tropical bright colors like Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, and Rich Razzleberry. The little flowers in the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper give some pop as well as texture as a counterpoint to my homemade grass (just snip away!). Crystal Effects on the flower add shine.

Thanks for looking, and hope you're enjoying a great Father's Day!

Last Chance -- Retiring Stampin' Up! Products

In preparation for the new 2010-11 catalog coming out July 1, Stampin' Up! is retiring a ton of stamps, inks, designer paper, decor elements and accessories. If there were any things you've been holding back on purchasing, take a quick look at what will be coming "off the shelves" to see if there's anything you can bare to not add to your stash. All products are shown online and can be ordered 24/7 through my SU! website.

Some of my favorites -- Bloomin' Beautiful, Close As a Memory and Warm Words -- will still be my "go to" stamps, I'm sure, but I can't wait to see what's in the new catalog. As a SU! demonstrator I was able to place an advance order which should be here next week. Woohoo!! Let me know if you want to get a sneak peak as well, orders can be placed in July.

Cheers & Happy Stamping!

Watercolor Trio Thank You Card

I am really enjoying my new "Watercolor Trio" clear-mount stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini catalog. Who knew clear mount stamps could actually help a space-challenged stamper like myself align my images just where I want them? I don't think I'll ever go back to wood mounts, LOL.

I had fun making this card because I used my Ornament Punch to create the vase -- just snipped the bottom to make it straight and used Hidden Garden rub-ons in white (now for sale in the Clearance Rack) for the pattern.

The pretty color combo of Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery and Melon Mambo was from a recent challenge but I can't for the life of me remember which one it was... My Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper was a perfect background with graphic punch to complement the pattern of the rub-ons. Rounded corners play off the straight edge lines -- I love it when a plan comes together. :-)

Hope you enjoy my card and find a little inspiration of your own in it -- Happy Stamping!

Retiring Stampin' Up! Colors

It's a Color Revolution!! Stampin' Up! has revamped their color palettes and will be bringing in new ones as well as bring back some popular favorites. Of course, just as with our homes, you can't just keep bringing in new goodies without taking care of a few "past their prime" items. Think of it as a "yard sale" if you will. So Stampin' Up! will be deleting all of these colors from their palette -- if any of your faves are in here, now is the time to stock up on ink, paper, and matching ribbon. Shop to your hearts content, 24-7, at my SU! page

May is National Scrapbooking Month!

It's a great time to get your scrap on! During National Scrapbooking Month, May 1-31, get a FREE package of Stampin' Up! Designer brads (Flower, Filigree, Circle, or Star Designer brads) with the purchase of My Digital Studio™ (item 118108) or any of these stamp sets:

p. 81 -- Extreme Elements
p. 119 -- Framed with Love
p. 128 -- Certified
p. 129 -- Circle Circus
p. 12* -- Elements of Style
p. 13* -- Momentos
p. 13* -- Éléments de style
p. 14* -- Rough Type
p. 22* -- Sentimental Journey
p. 25* -- First Day
p. 25* -- Camino a la Escuela

* denotes Summer Mini Catalog stamp set

Sketch Challenge Cards

Too hot to be outside for too long = cool comfort in my stamping room

The Clean & Simple and the Our Creative Corner sketches gave me great starting points for these cards.

And for my Mother's Day Card, I used the Pals Paper Arts "Monochromatic Blues" challenge to set the color palette.