ROFL.... Nothing more to say.....

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A combo Challenge!

I've been meaning to do Julee's Mojo Monday Challenge all week.  I really liked this week's sketch.  Then one of my Swappers Anonymous friends, Sharon, was looking at the preview of the Occasions Mini Catalog and was wondering aloud about the colors they used in the DSP that is coming out April 1st called "Walk In The Park".  She challenged us to use the colors together.  Well, the colors used in the whole pack are Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral, Baja Breeze and So Saffron, but the two multi colored papers only use Gray, Baja and Saffron or Saffron, Coral and Baja.  So I decided to make a card using BOTH challenges, PLUS my own to not add ANY embellishments other than the brads where were on the sketch.  No ribbon.  No glitter.  IT WAS TOUGH!  I used the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set and the Saffron DSP is from the Tea Party pack.  The flower is stamped in StazOn on Watercolor paper and colored with my aqua painter and Cameo Coral ink.  The stamens are colored with a So Saffron marker and washed over with the aqua painter to soften the color a bit.  The brads are on watercolor paper as well.  I used my white gel pen to add a little line of white along the edge of the Baja Breeze strip on the Cameo Coral scalloped layer.

Thanks for looking!

Three more cards from the "archives"....

Here are a few more cards I've done in the past month or so.  The first is a swap card I did in a swap where the theme was to use Kraft cardstock.

The base is Kraft cardstock that is stamped about 2/3 with the Bella Toile background in Versamark and clear embossed.  The sentiment is from "Heard From The Heart" and the image (stamped on Blush Blossom and matted on Riding Hood Red) is one of my favorite sets ever, "Heartfelt Thanks".  LOVE. THAT. FLOWER.  The Ticket Corner Punch, 4 gold brads, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain and Riding Hood Red Taffeta round out the supplies.

This card/gift card holder was for my friend, Leslie, for her birthday.  There have been so many cute folded over Top Note cards out in cyberland lately that I thought I would do one.

The card itself is Pink Pirouette (I think this may be my favorite SU color EVER).  Next is a layer of Creamy Caramel.  The Top Note Die was used on a piece of Chocolate Chip and a piece of patterned paper from the Two Scoops collection by Basic Grey.  When I folded it over, I thought it looked like a little purse, so I sponged the edges to accent that look and added the Kraft Taffeta with the antique copper buckle from the retired Hodgepodge Hardware.  Toss on a glitzy Prima flower and put a rhinestone in the center for a little extra BLING!

The cake and the sentiment are from the "Fun and Fast Notes" set that we got at convention a couple years ago.  The cake is punched out with the Stampin Up scallop circle punch and is layered onto a scallop circle punched with the EK Success 2" scallop circle which is a PERFECT mat.  It is attached to a spiral clip, also from the antique copper Hodgepodge, which is clipped to the gift card.  Cute, huh?

Last one for today is a card I cranked out REALLY FAST yesterday for my brother-in-law, Keith whose birthday is tomorrow.  I wanted something cheery, but not girly.

Since I had some of the cupcakes from "Crazy About Cupcakes" already stamped up from a card I did over the weekend, I started with that.  Pulled the DSP from the Washington Apple pack and mounted it on a Bashful Blue card.  The cupcake was colored with a mix of markers, mostly Stampin Up, but the frosting is Close To My Heart's "brown bag" marker.  The sentiment is stamped in Chocolate chip directly onto the So Saffron mat and then layered on a piece of Pumpkin Pie.  If the post office wasn't so snarky lately about cards with brads and ribbon, I would have added some Riding Hood Red taffeta to this to tie in the last color from the DSP, but OH WELL.

Tomorrow I will post the one card I did during last weekend's VSN over on Splitcoast.  NO STAMPING on it AT ALL, but it came out nicely.  I should be able to post my Swappers Anon swap cards pretty soon too.  I'm hoping my return cards will be in my mailbox tomorrow!

So many swaps....

So little time!  The fact that I belong to a group called "Swappers Anonymous" should be your first clue that I am a Swap addict.  I admit it.  I have a swap problem.  The biggest issue I have with it is that I will go for a while without joining ANY and then all of a sudden I do something INSANE, like join six card swaps, a Secret Sister group and a Secret Cupid thing ALL AT ONCE.  Of course, most of the swapping is because we have a new catalog out.  That accounts for 5 of the 6 swaps.  Add one for Sale-A-Bration and you have six.  I can't post my card that I sent for Lyssa's New Catalog swap as I have submitted it in a contest.  I will show you a piece of it though:

The image is from the Playful Petals set.  It is stamped in Stazon and then colored using Watercolor Wonder Crayons and an Aqua Painter.  The DSP used behind the flower is from the Pink Pirouette Patterns DSP.

Here is the card I did for the SAB swap:

Sorry it's crooked.  My scanner hates me.  If I put cards in against the edge of the glass they come out straight, but the scanning software then crops them and I lose part of the card.  Sigh.  The supplies used for this card are the Botanical Blooms set and the Delicate Dots DSP, both available as free product choices during Sale-A-Bration which is running thru the end of March.  The ribbon is the So Saffron Poly Twill from the current catalog and of COURSE there are brads on there.  I also used the Scallop Edge, Word Window, Key Tag and Wide Oval punches.  Yes, I am a punch junkie.  The flower outline was stamped in Regal Rose and Old Olive and the fill images were done in Pink Pirouette and Certainly Celery.  The center of the flower was colored So Saffron and has little dots of Dazzling Diamonds on it.  The layout was inspired by one of my fellow Swapper Anonymous friends, Kathy.  I made it after seeing this card on her blog.

I will post the cards I did for my three Swappers Anonymous swaps later in the week.  The hostess mailed them back out to us today.  The last swap I did was just mailed to the hostess this week and she won't be mailing them back until Saturday or Monday, so I won't be posting that one until next week sometime.

So what swaps do I have on the horizon?  Well, I still have my Secret Sister swap going thru March.  I sent my pal a package yesterday that I will upload at a later date.  We also have the Occasions Mini starting up April 1st.  I am already signed up for a swap for that.  Then I joined another secret pal swap for Easter. 

The discussions of Convention swaps have already started.  Convention is August 5-8 this year and I already have the cabin booked for my swap-making in July.  The new catalog comes out July 1st so there will be lots of swaps using new sets this Convention instead of TONS of swaps using the few sets that we get to pre-order.  That will be NICE.  In 2006, I attended my first SU Convention and only took 50 swaps (can you IMAGINE?!) with me and over 30 of the cards I brought home had used Blossoms Abound (now retired).  While I *LOVED* that set, after getting SO MANY cards with it, I don't think I used it again after Convention.  2007's over-used pre-order set was Baroque Motifs.  2008 was Dreams Du Jour.  There will still be an over-used set this year if we get a preview list to order from just because it will help folks get going on their swaps a month sooner.  It's also when we get our hands on the new "In Colors" for the first time.  Mmmmmmm.... new colors.....  Every year there is at least one "in color" that I don't know how I will live without.  Cool Caribbean, Soft Sky....  This year's is Pink Pirouette.  I think I will cry having to go back to Pretty in Pink for my "light pink" needs.  It just looks so DARK to me now!  I'll also be missing the Bella Rose DSP.  I'm into my 3rd package of it.  I don't think I've ever USED UP a whole pack of DSP before, let alone TWO whole packs!

Enough dreaming of new product!  Back to the stamp table!  I have 2 birthday cards to mail today.... are they done yet?  Noooooooo.....  Toodles!

So far behind, I don't know where to start!

So my next several posts will have no order to them, I'm just going to jump in and upload what springs to mind!

I'll start with the goodies I sent to my SA (Swappers Anon) Cupid, Pamela.  Being the dork that I am, I did not take pictures of any of the goodies I sent to Pamela before they were packaged up and sent off.  I have a bad habit of doing that.  Pamela did take a couple photos of my goodies and was kind enough to e-mail them to me:

This is what was in the box.  One package for each day, except for Day 3 since I couldn't wrap them together!

This package contained (L to R) a little Ghriardelli Squares box from the tutorial over on Splitcoast, a Fresh-Cut Notes (111882) card, A Genie Bag made with the Top Note Sizzix Die (113463), an acetate box filled with Kraft Caramels, A Card with a Starbucks gift card in it and in front, a roll of Sticky Strip.

This package contained an altered tin filled with chocolates, a wrapped package of microwave popcorn and another gift card.

The last day's packages held another gift card, my reveal card which was done using the "Crimped Envelope" tutorial on Splitcoast, and a milk carton holder (a la Becky Roberts).  I'm sad to say that I no longer remember what was inside the milk cartons.... LOL

Just the milk carton holder. 

Most everything was made using Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red cardstock and I used mostly Bella Rose Designer Paper, but also some Raspberry Tart paper.  The popcorn was wrapped in some LONG retired CTMH paper I had from a wedding themed set of papers.

So that's what I sent to Pamela.  This was my first Secret Swapper exchange with this group of INCREDIBLY talented ladies and I had a SEVERE case of "swappers anxiety" which I have been assured by the group was unfounded.  Next, I will upload some of the card swaps I've been working on.....

Cupid - Day Three - THE REVEAL!

Happy Valentine's Day to one and all!

This morning I got up and opened my third and final bag from my Cupid.  Stop reading now if you are waiting to see who I had....  Seriously..... 

This is how much I love my SA friends and my Cupid.....  It's Saturday morning.  DH is gone (off to take an exam).  I got up, went to the kitchen, got my present, opened it, took photos, edited them and here I am blogging.  I have not even had my tea yet!  ROFL!

Today's Cupid note (sorry, I forgot to take a picture of it) reads, "For someone who is always thinking of others online and in her family - here is something to help you keep all those important to you close at hand".  It is then signed, "I'm grateful for our friendship!  Happy V-Day!"

So, without further delay, I reveal my Cupid, (insert drum roll here).....  STACY!!!!!!

Stacy, you've been a MOST AWESOME Cupid!  And today's present reveals the level of talent you have!  CHECK. THIS. OUT!!!!!! 

I love Love LOVE this Tea Party DSP!  I can't wait till mine gets here!  So, take off the belly band, and THIS IS WHAT YOU SEE....

It's a WAY CUTE little scrapbook made with chipboard coasters! 

SQUEEEEEEEEALLLL!!!!!! 

Isn't it FABULOUS????!!!  I forgot to take a picture of it all laid out like this from the back (oops), but here are the pages, closer up, left to right, front to back....

Pages 1 & 2

  Page 3, with tag!

Page 4 and the back cover

Pages 5 & 6 - LOVE those BIG BRADS!!!!!

  Page 7 with tag

Page 8 and the Front Cover.

All I can say is WOW.  Really.  You all know that I DO. NOT. SCRAP.  I've done some digital scrapping and seem to do OK with that, but as for putting paper and embellishments down and then adding photos?  Just doesn't happen for me.  Not for a lack of supplies either, let me assure you.  I'm OK with that.  LOL.

I am just wowed by all the details in this little book!  All the sponging, the brads, the cut and punched out flowers...

Stacy, Thank you, thank you, thank you for being a TOTALLY ROCKIN' CUPID!!!!!!!

Cupid Gifts - Day Two!

Oooooooo... does my Cupid know me OR WHAT?  Here is today's bag detail:

Yes, that would be using the VERY. LONG. AWAITED "Cheers to You" set from Stampin' Up! that we FINALLY got in the Fall/Winter 2008 Catalog.  I say "long awaited" because the Stampin' Up! Catalog in the UK carried this stamp for 6-12 months before we got it.

Inside my bag were two items plus today's note which read, "For someone with wonderful taste":

The journal has a section for white wine, a section for red and an address book section.  SWEET!  I have another tasting journal, but it is very "structured" - kinda fill in the blank stuff.  This one is journal style.  I can write as much or as little about the wine and don't have to follow a prescribed format.  LOVE. IT.  The second item there is an altered SU embellishment container.  Like what our buttons come in.  Inside the container:

How cute ARE THESE????!!!!  Little wineglass charms! 

Thanks so much to my Cupid!  These are FAB!

Back to the kitchen with me.... Got a baked potato soup going into the crockpot this morning!  YUM-O!

Cupid Strikes! Day One

I belong to a group of ladies on Splitcoast called Swappers Anonymous.  There are about 2 dozen of us.  Over Christmas they did a 12 Days of Christmas Secret Elf exchange, which I did not participate in as I had WAY too much going on at the time.  So, when they decided to do a 3 day Secret Cupid exchange, I signed right up.  Even though I *still* have too much going on.  LOL!  My package arrived earlier this week.  Inside were three bags:

Each of the Cupids sent 3 "gifts".  One to be opened today, one tomorrow and the final one on Valentine's Day.  In the last package we find out who our cupid is.  Here is a close up of the note in the box with the presents:

It says, "Valentine's Day is not just about who we love and who loves us, but also what we love and appreciate.  I hope these gifts remind you of the things you love in the world!  Happy Valentine's Day!"

And here is a closeup of the flap on today's bag:

And what was inside.....

A darling altered tin!  (the kind that the General Foods International Coffees come in)  The tag reads, "For someone sweet with a sweet tooth.".  That describes me pretty well!  And inside the tin.....

CHERRY JELLY HEARTS!  YUM!

I'm sure those hearts will be gone before bedtime tonight!

Thanks, Cupid! 

I wish I could share more.....

I've been doing quite a bit of stamping lately, I just can't post any of it because most of it is being sent to my Secret Pals on Splitcoast.  I have my Divine Secret Sister and my Swappers Anonymous Secret Cupid.  I just mailed off my cards for the SAB swap on Tuesday.  I suppose I could post that..... 

Supplies used:

The stamp set is called "Botanical Blooms" and will be available during Sale-A-Bration starting February 1st.  It is a "2-Step" set.  I inked the flower outline stamp with Old Olive (100079) and Regal Rose (105108) markers.  The outline leaf stamp was stamped in Old Olive (102277).  The solid flower is stamped in Pink Pirouette (111838) and the leaves are stamped in Certainly Celery (105217).  I colored in the center of the flower with a So Saffron marker (105114) and added 3 little dots of Tombow Multi glue (110755) and sprinkled that with Dazzling Diamonds (102023).  The sentiment was stamped in Chocolate Chip (100908).

Papers:  So Saffron (105118), Certainly Celery (105125) and Whisper White (100730) Cardstock, Bashful Blue Textured Cardstock from the Soft Subtles assortment (108695) and "Darling Dots" Designer Series paper which will be available as a selection during Sale-A-Bration.  The color on this pattern is Sahara Sand.  Other patterns feature So Saffron, Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery and combinations of those four colors.  It's really nice paper!

Accessories:  The ribbon is the 7/8" Poly Twill (111364) in So Saffron and I used Gold Brads (104337) for accents.  The punches used were the Wide Oval (112082), Key Tag (107272), Word Window (105090) and Scallop Edge (112091).

I also had four birthday cards "due" this week.  So unless you like spoilers, Kim B, Amy B, Cherie and Justin - STOP READING!

I'll admit it.  I don't have any Stampin Up birthday sets.  Well, except Crazy for Cupcakes, but after using that in a couple of swaps, I'm a little burned out on the cupcakes. 

So, I brought out one of my Verve sets, Birthday Surprise, and inked up the cute little birdie in one of my waterproof black inks, sorry, don't remember which one!  He is colored in with a CTMH Heavenly Blue marker, and his hat is colored in with an SU Barely Banana marker (100039). 

The sentiment is from CTMH and is stamped in Rose Red (101778).  The ribbon is the 5/8" Regal Rose Grosgrain (109056). 

The hat is accented with dark pink glitter pen and the tail feathers are accented with the "clear" Stardust glitter pen.  The bird is layered on a cicle of Barely Banana cardstock (102701) which is then layered onto a Sizzix Scallop Circles #2 (113469) cut from CTMH Heavenly Blue that I pierced the scallops on.  The edge of the banana circle is accented with Diamond Stickles. 

The patterned paper is from an old retired SU scrap kit and the cardstock on the bottom half is also Barely Banana.  It is all mounted on a confetti white (102028) card.  I thought it came out looking cheerful!

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for new posts after I get my new catalog swaps started this weekend!

My first order from the Spring/Summer Catalog!

Since folks are all posting their goody lists, here's mine.  The stuff in italics was ordered because I signed up for a swap using THAT item.  I'm sure I will use other stuff from this order on the FOUR swaps I'm in, but this just covers the stuff I *promised* to use!  LOL!

Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp Set
Jumbo Wheel Friendly Words
Playful Petals Stamp Set
Sizzix Texturz Plates Backgrounds #1
Sizzix Texturz Accessory Impressions Pad
Sizzix Texturz Accessory Silicone Rubber
Sizzix Embosslits Simple Flower
Card Stock Kraft 12X12 (the only thing NOT new!)
Ribbon Organza Whisper White 5/8 Inch
Sizzix Sizzlits 4Pk Lots Of Tags
Button Latte
Dear Friend Stamp Set (Level 1 Hostess)
Ribbon Grosgrain Striped Pretty In Pink
Brads - 5/16" Neutrals Assortment

It put a small dent in my wish list....

I know it's been a while

Since I posted any stamping.  So this is going to be a LONG post.  Grab your beverage of choice NOW.

Now that it's all done and gone, here is a bunch of stuff I did for Christmas:

The Christmas card that went out to most folks:

Collage Stamp by Hero Arts (I think)

The background is the soon to retire Canvas 104421 © Stampin' Up 2005-2008

Snowflake punch by EK Success for Martha Stewart

Holly berries and snowflakes are accented with Stickles

Cardstock: Baja Breeze111352, Not Quite Navy 101722 and Shimmery White 101910

Inks:  Not Quite Navy 103008, Baja Breeze 111833 and either Always Artichoke Marker 105113 or Old Olive Marker 100079 - I can't tell from the photo.

This is another card I made and sent out -

Stamps: Season of Joy 110384 and Heard From The Heart 111644

Cardstock: Whisper White 100730, Baja Breeze 111352 and Riding Hood Red 111348

Inks: Garden Green 102272, Chocolate Chip Marker 100071 and Craft White 101731

Accessories: Snowflakes Cuttlebug Embossing folder, Gold Glitter Pen, Retired Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon from the 2007 Holiday mini catalog

This year's Christmas ornament to our family and friends:

 

The ornament came painted white from Michael's.  The penguin is from a clear set I've had for a couple years by Art Impressions, I think.  He is stamped with black StazOn 101406 and colored with Sharpie Markers.  The little snowflakes are another clear stamp, not sure what set.  They are stamped in Silver Encore 101039.  The sentiment on the back is from a big clear set of Christmas stamps I got at Michael's, stamped in Real Red 103133 onto Shimmery White Cardstock 101910 and then cut with a Marvy circle punch and glued onto the ornament.  I ran green Stickles around the edges for more color and to help keep the paper adhered.

I also made these little treat bags, blatantly CASE'd from Julee over on her blog, Poetic Artistry.  The stamps are from her Verve Stamps set, Ornamental Christmas.  The patterned paper is Stampin' Up! "Holiday Treasures" 112469 which will be retiring on January 18th.  The cardstock is Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip.  The little treat bags are from Wilton.  The patterned paper is cut and wrapped around the Hershey Nuggets.  Easy Peasy!

And the card I did for a recent swap (if you are in Doxiejan's "Show your love for Kraft" swap and don't like spoilers, DON'T LOOK BELOW!  I promise I won't post anything else below it so that you don't have to worry about missing anything!) 

Everything else I have stamped lately has either been for swaps that are not sent yet or for my secret pal, so I can't post them.  Sorry.  I will try and remember to post them after my secret pal round is over in March!

So I'm going to sign off NOW for today......  Unless you want to see my Kraft card.  Then keep reading!

Are you looking?  Don't complain to me about spoiling this for you if you keep reading!

This card was also used in Julee's Verve Stamps "Looking For Love #1" challenge on Splitcoast.  It was a color challenge.

All supplies on this card are Stampin' Up! (all cardstock item numbers on my blog are for 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock unless otherwise noted)

Cardstock:  Kraft 102125, Riding Hood Red 111348, Blush Blossom 103318

Inks:  Chocolate Chip 100908, Versamark 102283, Ruby Red Marker 100075, Old Olive Marker 100079

Accessories:  Ticket Corner Punch 107214 (the final cards I sent for the swap also had the top left and bottom right corners rounded with the Corner Rounder Punch 109047), Clear Embossing Powder 109130, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon 109051, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon 111365, Gold Brads 104337 and the Stamp-A-Majig 101049 (because I can't stamp ANYTHING straight or two-step without it!).

Sill with me?  OK!  HERE IT IS!

 

Evidence!

For those who think I'm crazy when I say that Coco has Siamese in her, I finally got a good photo of her face that really shows the Siamese features!

She decided to sit ON my Sunday paper this morning when I was trying to read the ads.  She seemed to be particularly interested in the CHAMPAGNE sale at World Market.  A kitty after my heart!

Welcome Coco Bella!

Last Friday I went to PetSmart and looked at the kitties in the adoption center.  I saw two there that interested me; Isis, who I had seen there before, and Callie who was a relatively new addition.  I went home and looked them up on the rescue group's (Cats About Town Society) website and when I was there, I saw another cat, "Calypso".  So, Saturday morning I went back to PetSmart to look at the three "finalists".  Callie was a little too feisty.  I've done kittens.  Sorry, but I don't want another kitten.  Isis just would NOT warm up to me at all.  "Calypso", however, crawled right onto my lap when I opened her cage.  SOLD!  She is about 2 years old and was declawed on the front feet when animal control picked her up as a stray.  She is part Siamese and Animal Control put her description as a "Tortie Point" mix.  She has tabby markings on her belly and tail as well.

Since we were going to be out of town for Christmas, C.A.T.S. agreed to hang onto her for a week for us until we were ready to bring her home.  We chose a new name for her too.  I wanted to call her Coco.  All my cats have had first and middle names, so her full name is Courtney Bella, or "Coco" for short. 

She came home last night around 7PM and spent about an hour exploring the house last night before settling onto my bed.  She slept with/on me most of the night last night.  Today I went out and bought a variety of beds for her to try out.  She, of course, liked the most expensive one of the bunch.  It is on my bed, next to my head, and she has been in it most of the afternoon.  We learned today that she knows what a can opener sounds like and what food being scraped out of a can sounds like.  She played a little today.  First with one of the toys we have, and then with the strap on my camera.  But mostly she's been exploring and resting.  Here are some photos from last night and today....

exploring the bed

the typical cat photo

attacking the camera strap

in her new bed

on my lap

The Retired List is here!

And it's ON SALE! 

December 9-23 take 10% off the stamps on the retired list! 

*PLUS* orders over $70 during the same period (Dec. 9-23) get FREE SHIPPING! 

What a great time to replenish your cardstock or other supplies used in making your Holiday goodies!

So, without further ado, here is the retired list (including regular and sale prices):

Item # Page Description       US Regular Price / 10% OFF
107027 ** Ahoy, Matey $ 23.95    $ 21.56
109401 42 Baby Jesus Is Born $ 15.95    $ 14.36
109552 ** Beautiful Life $ 20.95    $ 18.86
111169 ** Big Birthday Candle $ 22.95    $ 20.66
109411 121 Brocade Basics $ 23.95    $ 21.56
109529 119 Bronc Buster $ 18.95    $ 17.06
109288 74 Bundled in Love $ 27.95    $ 25.16
110999 ** Bursting with Joy $ 18.95    $ 17.06
109527 115 Calendar Cues $ 10.95    $ 9.86
104421 135 Canvas $ 17.95    $ 16.16
111074 113 Classic Backgrounds $ 15.95    $ 14.36
108559 68 Crab & Company $ 27.95    $ 25.16
111076 ** Dad's Day $ 22.95    $ 20.66
109250 113 Dots Are Hot $ 23.95    $ 21.56
109365 127 Elegant Notes $ 20.95    $ 18.86
104383 143 Everyday Flexible Phrases $ 41.95    $ 37.76
109519 74 Everything Baby $ 17.95    $ 16.16
109343 97 Fabulous Flowers $ 22.95    $ 20.66
104769 135 Floral $ 17.95    $ 16.16
111085 134 Form & Function $ 17.95    $ 16.16
111339 104 Fruit Stand $ 18.95    $ 17.06
109240 95 Ginormous Flowers $ 28.95    $ 26.06
109262 134 Happiness $ 17.95    $ 16.16
110969 ** Hattitude $ 24.95    $ 22.46
109284 27 Haunting Halloween $ 18.95    $ 17.06
111001 ** Hi & Hello $ 15.95    $ 14.36
109308 148 It's All Good $ 12.95    $ 11.66
109453 83 Just Golf $ 12.95    $ 11.66
109451 83 Just Hockey $ 12.95    $ 11.66
109505 39 Keep Christmas $ 19.95    $ 17.96
111095 122 Kind Thoughts $ 25.95    $ 23.36
111341 107 Light unto My Path, A $ 18.95    $ 17.06
110376 37 Merry & Bright $ 14.95    $ 13.46
109345 69 Moose You $ 17.95    $ 16.16
109320 108 On the Fly $ 19.95    $ 17.96
107192 135 Paisley $ 17.95    $ 16.16
111103 112 Perfect Timing $ 12.95    $ 11.66
109393 142 Pictograms $ 13.95    $ 12.56
109491 135 Posy $ 17.95    $ 16.16
111119 88 Pretty Peony $ 36.95    $ 33.26
110972 **Riot of Petals $ 17.95    $ 16.16
109292 93 Seasonal Whimsy $ 23.95    $ 21.56
111056 **Seriously Sassy $ 23.95    $ 21.56
109483 42 Sleigh Bells Ring $ 15.95    $ 14.36
111123 ** So Cool $ 18.95    $ 17.06
111125 ** Spring Pictograms $ 13.95    $ 12.56
107173 117 Starstruck $ 10.95    $ 9.86
111022 ** Stemming From $ 15.95    $ 14.36
110998 134 Stitched $ 17.95    $ 16.16
104243 ** Summer by the Sea $ 28.95    $ 26.06
107133 56 Take Three $ 17.95    $ 16.16
111060 124 Text & Texture $ 25.95    $ 23.36
109475 147 Thanks for Everything $ 17.95    $ 16.16
107383 30 Thoroughly Thankful $ 22.95    $ 20.66
102744 ** Tree for All Seasons, A $ 12.95    $ 11.66
111179 134 Twill $ 17.95    $ 16.16
107123 ** Warm Words $ 20.95    $ 18.86
107159 155 Well-Worn Alphabet $ 41.95    $ 37.76
107157 155 Well-Worn Numbers $ 22.95    $ 20.66
109232 108 Winds of Grace $ 19.95    $ 17.96
109469 37 Wishing You Cheer $ 13.95    $ 12.56
109300 109 With Gratitude $ 22.95    $ 20.66
103875 153 Wonderful Words $ 20.95    $ 18.86
109467 44 Wondrous Gift $ 22.95    $ 20.66

**Sets are from the Dormant list and last appeared in the 2008 Spring/Summer Catalog.  

Here is a link to the pictorial list of all retiring stamps, including those on the dormant list!

And if you're wondering, I have 6 sets on the list: Happiness, Twill, Canvas, Paisley, It's All Good and Wonderful Words.  I am the saddest about Canvas.  I'm OK with It's All Good retiring.  I bought it to use for Convention Swaps in 2007 when the theme was "Dream Big".  I don't think I've used it since!

Contact your demonstrator to place your order or, if you don't have a demonstrator, feel free to use the link on the right to my website where you can order 24/7!

Just popping in real quick.....

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  I did!  Ate too much, as always, but it was good.

Here is a card I stamped for my friend Julie's birthday last month:

all images ©Stampin' Up! 1996-2008

If it looks familiar, it's the same Verve sketch I used in one of the holiday cards a couple posts ago.  I like the look.  All supplies except the embellishments are from Stampin' Up!  The paper is from the Washington Apple DSP (112461).  Colors are Riding Hood Red and So Saffron.  The flower is a Prima from a Holiday assortment I've had for a while.  I added the pearl and some Swarovski rhinestones for a little BLING. 

In an albeit brief flash of stampin mojo, I did another birthday card for my friend Lori.  It's one of those "milestone birthdays" for her this year, so I wanted the card to be a little something extra: 

all images ©Stampin' Up! 1996-2008

Again, I used one of the Verve sketches.  Everything is from Stampin' Up! except the Red rhinestone and the Happy Birthday sentiment stamp, which is from "Birthday Surprise" by Verve Visual.  The paper is from the Holiday Treasures DSP (112469).  The card stock colors are Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red and Very Vanilla.  The Bella Toile Background (111598) stamp was stamped in Encore Gold on the vanilla.  The ribbon is Riding Hood Red Taffeta (111365).  The flower circle stamp is from True Friend (110378) and is stamped in Chocolate Chip.  The Verve birthday sentiment was stamped in Chocolate Chip and punched out.  There are 8 Gold brads used too.  Not a card that was Postal Friendly, but it went in a package I was sending, so it was OK!

Remember that the new Spring/Summer catalog from Stampin' Up! is coming in January, so if you are liking any of these designer series papers, you might want to get an order in before January 19.   Next week the retiring stamp list will be available and in early January we will find out what accessories (that includes the DSP) will be retiring as well.  If you don't already have a demonstrator and want to be on my e-mail list for the retirement announcements, just leave me a comment saying so!

Not getting ANYTHING done!

I've been trying to get my Christmas cards designed.  Thought I knew what stamps I was going to use.  Got them, love them, but the idea I had in my head did not translate well onto paper.  Unfortunately, the stamp I want to use is one I don't own.  And I'm having trouble talking myself into buying the set since I probably won't use it again after this year.  I did pick up a stamp at Michael's today with my 40% coupon that has potential.  We'll see where that leads.  It's also really hard for me to get in the Holiday mood when it's still 75 degrees out.  SIGH.  Maybe I'll get some stamping done tomorrow?  Don't hold your breath..... 

It's been a long and wild week!

I had good intentions of doing some stamping this week.  Julee was having a sketch challenge going over at Verve Visual for the new stamp release.  I had planned on doing all 5 of the daily sketches in the hopes of winning the new stamps.  Unfortunately, "life" had other plans this week which included me being suddenly away from home for a few days.  All is well and back to normal here, but Russ was in the hospital for about 40 hours and then we spent a day at his mom's house before we came back home.  Needless to say, no stamping got done. :-(

I thought I would take a shot at the challenges yesterday after I was all done with things around here, but was only able to do the first two challenges.  So here are my cards for VSHR1 and VSHR2.  All supplies but the rhinestones are from Stampin' Up!:

Both cards use Baja Breeze Textured Cardstock (from the In Color assorted pack 111345), Whisper White cardstock (100730) and Ski Slope Designer Series Paper (112994, available until January 18, 2009 in the Holiday Mini Catalog), and the stamp set used is Season Of Joy (110384) which is on page 34 of the Fall Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog.  The inks used were Baja Breeze (111833) and Silver Encore (101039).  I used the large oval, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches on VSHR2 along with silver brads (104336) and white taffeta (109070).  VSHR1 also uses the Silver elastic cord (109866) from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  And since there is no such thing as too much bling, I added a few Swarovski Rhinestones from my bead collection.

Thanks for looking, and if you are looking for an online party this evening, be sure to check out the Verve Visual Release party over at Splitcoast!

The Verve Swap

This is a slide show of all 24 cards that were sent in for the Verve Visual Swap I hosted last month.  There were 3 groups of 8 swappers.  Julee (Vervegirl) was in all three groups and I had one other gal (babitoons) in two groups.  Some truly STUNNING work here!  They are not separated by group, they are in alphabetical order by the artist's Splitcoast name.  Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I'm glad October is OVER.

And I'll be even MORE GLAD when the elections are over tomorrow.  I voted a while ago and the political ads were already driving me crazy THEN.  I won't even turn on the TV or radio now.  I'm just SO SICK OF IT.  And now I'm getting the phone calls.  3 or 4 a day reminding me to vote and support this candidate or that measure.  UGH.  STOP ALREADY!  

So, October kinda sucked overall.  Starting off with putting Taz down was bad enough.  Then my father-in-law passed away on the 15th.  Then I got food poisoning on the 19th and wasn't eating normally until the 27th.  While our trip to Disneyland at the end of the month at least ended the month on a good note, it wasn't enough to erase the general suckiness that was October 2008.  Good riddance.  

I'm currently working on a 6x6 recipe swap page for a crock pot swap I'm in with my Spamily.  I have the prototype done and the pieces are all cut out and in various stages of completeness.  I'm hoping to get that in the mail by the end of the week.  I'll post it here after the swap is mailed back out, which won't be till the 18th.  I'm still waiting on the last swap I was in to come back to me - the Christmas swap with my Swappers Anonymous group.  Sigh.  The postal service has not been my friend this week.  As soon as I'm done with the crock pot recipe swap, I need to get in gear and start on Christmas.  I need to design and make cards and ornaments for our family.  I have the blank ornaments at least, it's just a question of what I'm going to stamp on them.  Then there's gifts for the Spamily.  Eek!  Russ' mom and sister are going up to the cabin Thanksgiving night.  We had planned on going this year, but that's too many people up there for me to be able to work on my Christmas stamping which is the whole reason I go up there at Thanksgiving.  Russ thinks he might want to go up there with them, which is fine, but I will be coming home to stamp.  TOO MUCH TO DO!  LOL!

I have my mom asking for our Christmas wish list.  I have no idea what I want this year.  Everything we want is big ticket stuff (we got a new TV so we need a new DVD player and would really like to upgrade our audio system from the one we've had since the late 80's/early 90's.  I'd like another pot in my Calphalon set ($100).  Stuff like that.  And Mom hates doing gift cards.  Oh well.  I have started going thru and throwing/donating stuff out of my house and the thought of getting more "stuff" is really not appealing right now.  I donated stuff last week that came home from family Christmas gatherings last year and the year before and was still in the boxes it came in.  Ugh.  Hopefully it will make someone else happy this holiday.  

I need to finish cleaning out the "storage area" that our living room turned into.  I have boxes of stuff in there that came home from Dad's house in 2004 that just got stacked and stored in there.  I got through a few boxes before October went to the dogs, but all progress on that stopped on the 15th.  My hope is to actually put up our 7' Christmas tree this year.  We haven't had it up since 2002 when we discovered that there was no way (in this house) to keep Taz out of the living room and keep her from eating the tree.  Yes, it's artificial.  She loved to chew chew chew the branches and then she would barf little artificial tree bits all over the house.  Then she would repeat the process.  We tried spritzing the branches with bitter apple.  Didn't help.  Little monster.  So, this year, provided the mice in the garage have left the tree alone, we will have a BIG tree again.  We've had a little 3' thing on top of the entertainment center the past several years.  Now that the entertainment center is gone, it's big tree or NO tree!  We'll see what happens!  It would be nice to get my Hallmark ornament collection showcased again.  I've been collecting selected Hallmark ornament series since 1983 and have a collection that FILLS the 7' tree PLUS the mantle.....  Hmmmm...  Just realized that I need to find a new location for my Candlelight Churches.....  they used to go on top of the entertainment center, under the little tree.....  hmmmmm....

OK - enough babbling.  Off to work on my swaps!

Going thru stuff.....

I've been going thru some boxes of stuff that came from my Dad's house. I found a little stack of gift and greeting cards that my grandmother had saved. Most were from their wedding. I thought it was fun looking at these cards that are almost 80 years old and I thought I would share! A few of the greeting size cards had envelopes that were lined with printed "tissue" paper. I have salvaged all that and will add it to my stash of stamping supplies!

Make a Smilebox slideshow