Retiring Products Blog Hop

Hello Stamping Friends,

This next month will be full of sharing some awesome projects made with retiring products since we only have about a month left before they are gone forever. Some of my favorite sets are on that list. Sharing sweet thoughts is one of those many sets. I love the jar and the different types of "lids" you can stamp for it. And all the little pieces that go with it are just awesome. Reminds me of my childhood. We would catch fireflies at my Gram's house, put them in a canning jar with a lid that we poked holes into using a screwdriver. High tech stuff we had going on in the 80's, but we had such great memories of growing up.

I've joined a blog hop today to share retiring products. Be sure to continue on hopping so you can see all the inspiration that's waiting for you. You won't be disappointed. Follow the links below.

For this card, I chose not to use the jar from the set to show that you could easily do so many other things with the card without it.  This is a simple card to let a friend or loved on know that you are always there for them no matter what.

I used the Delightful Daisy designer series paper on the bottom half of the card. Then I stamped the butterflies on the white cardstock and an additional set of butterflies on a scrap piece of cardstock. Colored them in with the Stampin' Write markers, cut out the ones on the scrap and attached those to the card using (my favorite things) dimensionals. Definitely a cheerful card that will lift anyone's spirits if they were feeling down.

This layout allows you to make multiples of this card without too much fuss which is another nice thing. So get out your stamps, ink and paper and get crafty. Remember there's only about a month left to get all of your favorite retiring products. But don't wait, there's a limited quantity so once an item is gone you will no longer be able to order it.

Here's the LAST CHANCE LIST For the Annual Catalog.

Here's the LAST CHANCE LIST for the Occasions Catalog.

Thanks for stopping by. Keep hopping.

Say it Ain't So, It's Time to Go

Hello Stamping Friends,

Welcome to another Fabulous Friday with the Sisters in Stamping. This week our challenge was to share with you some of our favorite retiring products. It's such a bittersweet time of year. Time to say see ya later to some of our favorites to make way for so many other great new items. Can't we just have our cake and eat it, too?

I used a little bit of both worlds, a retiring set and and sticking around stamp. The Garden in bloom stamp set is such a pretty stamp set. It's so soft and makes the prettiest cards. Here, I paired it with the wood rings background stamp to make a little hello card. We all should send more cards just to say hello. Everyone loves receiving happy mail in between the marketing pieces and bills.

For the leaves, I used the leave punch that was first shown in the Holiday catalog with the Painted Harvest set. I cut out the flower and bee and attached them with dimensionals (you already knew that though, right?)

Thanks for stopping by, be sure to head over to Sisters in Stamping for more inspiration using soon to be gone stamps.

Remember there's only about a month left to get all of your favorite retiring products. But don't wait, there's a limited quantity so once an item is gone you will no longer be able to order it.

Here's the LAST CHANCE LIST For the Annual Catalog.

Here's the LAST CHANCE LIST for the Occasions Catalog.

See you soon.

Sisters in Stamping are Flying Home with Retiring Stamps

Hello Stamping Friends,

It's Friday and that means another week with the Sisters in Stamping. Be sure to head over there to see all the inspiration this week. We've got five projects to share with you. You're going to love them.

This week our theme was to use something retiring from the Occasions mini catalog. There are so many great things in there that I will be using over the next few weeks before they are gone forever. But for today, I chose to use the Flying Home stamp set. I love the images in this set. I love the nest with the babies and mama. I also love the image that I used on this card because it screams scream time to me. (Something we are lacking here in NE Pennsylvania)

So for the background of this card, I started with always artichoke cardstock (it's retiring, get it quick) and then I inked up petal burst embossing folder with island indigo ink (also retiring) and ran it through the big shot. Then I used Stampin' Blends (I know, you are excitedly waiting for these to be able to be ordered again, hang on, soon). For the edges of the white cardstock, I just slightly brushed it along the edge of the island indigo ink to soften the look slightly.

Don't forget to check out the other projects the Sisters in Stamping have to share with you this week. If you want to order anything used on these projects, contact your demonstrator. If you don't have one, contact me, I'd be happy to help you out.

Thanks for stopping by. See you soon.

Autism Awareness Blog Hop

Hello Stamping Friends,

April is Autism Awareness month. I am participating in this blog hop and fundraiser because I have family members and friends that have children with varying degrees of Autism so this is something near and dear to me. Also, as a teacher, I see and teach children with Autism almost daily at school. 

AUTISM FACTS FROM THE AUTISM SOCIETY WEBSITE: 

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate, and interact with others. ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and early diagnosis/intervention and access to appropriate services/supports lead to significantly improved outcomes. Some of the behaviors associated with autism include delayed learning of language; difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation; difficulty with executive functioning, which relates to reasoning and planning; narrow, intense interests; poor motor skills’ and sensory sensitivities. Again, a person on the spectrum might follow many of these behaviors or just a few, or many others besides. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is applied based on analysis of all behaviors and their severity.

If you would like to donate to the fundraiser for Autism research and support CLICK HERE. You can be a small part of helping the puzzle piece.

Be sure to click through each blog for stamped inspiration using the colors of the Autism Awareness ribbon of red, blue and yellow. I used the Going Far stamp set for my card. It's also a fun fold card, which I know a lot of you love. This is a rather easy fun fold to make as well.

Who doesn't love to travel? I know I do, so the suitcases in the Going Places set (which is retiring) spoke to me when I first saw them.  For this card, you start with the basic card base. Then you cut a square out of the front panel. I used the stitched framelits for this step.

Then you need an inset piece that is 6" x 5" scored at 2" and 4" on the 6" side. Accordian fold it and attach to the inside of the card (where you would write a greeting). Close the card and attach the cut out piece  through the "window" so it will be lined up properly (be sure to only use adhesive on the side that is being attached to the accordian cardstock or else you won't be able to open it. Trust me on this one (wink, wink). 

Then you decorate the square however you want. Tip: all pieces attached to the square needs to fit on it and not hang off on any sides or the card won't open the way you want it to. I added the embossed layer to make it more put together looking. A little embossing goes a long way.

Here it is all open and laid flat so you can see it better. Neat card, huh?  

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to keep hopping through all the blogs and remember you can donate to Autism research by CLICKING HERE. 

Savings are Waiting for You

Hello Stamping Friends,

Just dropping by quick this morning to let you in on a some great news. I love to save and I'm sure you love to save, so I just have to share with you. The clearance rack has been updated. That means savings up to 60% for you on items that previously retired and were no longer available for you to purchase.

Many of the items were in the Holiday catalog, so if you missed out on something or you think you need to stock up on some of the awesome embellishments now is the time to do it.

Items in the clearance rack are limited in quantity and will only be available while they last so don't delay, get over to my website and place that order today. Use the following hostess code if you are placing the order online: KYN3MNR4.  CLICK HERE to do that very easily. Don't want to place the order online yourself? That's okay, call or email your order and I can take care of that for you.

Hurry, go check out the savings that are waiting for you.

Stamper's Dozen Spring Blog Hop

Hello Stamping Friends,

Welcome to another Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop. Spring is finally here in Pennsylvania (it won't be warm for long, temps are going to drop again but we are enjoying it while we can). Our theme this month is Spring. Couldn't be more welcome in my opinion. 

I used the Sharing Sweet Thoughts stamp set (which supports Ronald McDonald House Charities when you purchase it) for my card. This is a retiring stamp set so get it now before it's gone. It's such a cute set that you can do so much with. Check it out.

Using the Fresh Floral Designer Series Paper Stack made for a quick and easy yet pretty background for my card. Of course, I used my absolute favorite color (I'll be so sad once it says goodbye next year since it's an in-color), Lemon Lime Twist. I love it. So cheerful. And it matches my car and that's reason enough to use it. 

Spring is a time for all the little creatures you haven't seen in months to come alive again. Ladybugs always make me smile and these two little one just look like they are having so much fun crawling about in the fresh, bright green grass.

I used the always here for you sentiment, which is great for so many different occasions to let someone know you are thinking of them and there whenever you need them.

Don't forget the retirement list is out. You can check it out HERE 

Have fun hopping and checking out all the great Spring ideas. Thanks for stopping by. See you soon.

More Color Information

Hello Stamping Friends,

I know I mentioned some retiring colors yesterday. I thought I would  share with you today some pictures of the colors that are going away and the new colors (including the new in-colors). Plus there are 6 color returning that were previous in-colors. I am so excited about this color revamp.  The colors that are going away, I didn't use too much so I'm happy to get more new ones to create with.

Below are the new 2018-2020 (that's just weird to type) in-colors as well as the new core colors. Of course, we don't want to leave out the returning 6 colors. I think you are going to love the new color collections. It was definitely time for a pick me up of color.

If you would like to place an order use HOSTESS CODE KYN3MNR4 to have items shipped direct to you and for a chance to win a prize.

Click HERE to see the list from the Annual Catalog

Click HERE to see the list from the Occasions Catalog

Have fun browsing the lists. And as always, let me know if you have any questions. I can also place orders directly for you if you'd rather that.

The Time Has Come for the Annual Retirement List

Hello Stamping Friends,

It's time. The time has come for the annual retirement list. I can't believe it's already here. Seems like we just got the 2017-2018 Annual Catalog and now it time to start saying goodbye.  Remember the items on the list are on a first come, first served basis. Meaning, hurry and place your order so you will get the items you want.  There are some colors that we are saying goodbye to so you may want to check that out and order the refills and cardstock to go with your favorite retiring stamp pads in order for you to enjoy that color a lot longer while having the tools you want to create beautiful projects.

If you would like to place an order use HOSTESS CODE KYN3MNR4 to have items shipped direct to you and for a chance to win a prize.

Click HERE to see the list from the Annual Catalog

Click HERE to see the list from the Occasions Catalog

Have fun browsing the lists. And as always, let me know if you have any questions. I can also place orders directly for you if you'd rather that.