Ice Cream with a Cherry on Top!

April flew by and I didn't get around to posting to my blog.  Sorry about that! You don't even want to hear what I did in April. Very busy!

This is the card that the guests at my workshops in March created to take home with them. It's a really easy card. We colored the stamp with markers, right on the rubber and huffed on the rubber to re-moisten the ink and stamp on the cardstock. After stamping, we colored the ice cream cone with the VersaMarker and poured cherry scented embossing powder and then heat embossed the image. Have you smelled this embossing powder? It smells amazing!

Stamps: Mouthwatering, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Early Espresso

Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White

Accessories: Everyday Enchantment DSP, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso and Poppy Parade markers, VersaMarker, Cherry scented embossing powder, mini brads, 1/16" circle punch, dimensionals

Now, you can't get the Everyday Enchantment paper any longer (only available for Sale-a-bration) but I'm sure you have something that you can use in it's place. Mouthwatering isn't available currently but will be on June 1st again! Yeah! Blushing Bride and Poppy Parade are colors that are retiring the end of May as well as the VersaMarker.  The scented embossing powders (there is cherry, vanilla and melon and they all smell amazing!) were in the Occasions mini that is no longer available but these powders are on the carry over list! Love it! 

You can shop at my website for these and other retiring or non-retiring items. HERE's a link to my website. Just click on the SHOP NOW and you can see all the goodies that are available!

Happy Stampin'!

Shelley

Follow Up #2: Re-Inker Spread Cards

Here are the close ups of the re-inker spread set of cards that I created for the blog hop. I LOVE this technique and have used it with other stamp sets but I really like it with this stamp set. That rose is gorgeous in what ever color you chose to use! To do this technique, I heat embossed the rose on water-color paper. Then I misted the paper until it was quite wet. I picked up color from the lid of the ink pad, where I had placed a few drops of re-inker, with my aqua-painter and touched the wet image. The color spread throughout the image. Then let it dry. That is the hardest part to this technique, WAITING FOR IT TO DRY! Once dry, fussy cut them out and adhere to your project.

Yes, I really only used one color for each of these roses! I was amazed at the colors that came out of just one color! So fun! You get a different rose each and every time you do this even with the same color!

This one is Cajun Craze. Notice the yellow and red tints in this rose.

Cherry Cobbler left some beautiful pink hues!

Here's Elegant Eggplant. See the blues?

More Mustard is beautiful but no surprises as far as colors that came from the re-inker.

Not sure what happened when I photographed this one. It is Not Quite Navy but the cardstock is very washed out. I love how this rose turned out. All the light and dark areas make it almost look real!

Now, I know that roses aren't typically green but I wanted to see how this would look and I LOVE it! Garden Green has some real interesting  colors that came out. Can you see the blues and yellows? So pretty!

I want to try this technique again with more of the Stampin' Up! colors. Not sure which color to try first! May have to see what new stamps are in the new catalog. Oh, yeah! The new catalog goes live in June 1! I will be getting a copy of this glorious new edition possibly next week! You could too! You can now sign up as a demonstrator for only $99 and you get to build your own kit! Ask me any questions that you have. I'm happy to answer them.

Happy Stampin'!

Shelley

Blog Hop Follow Up: 12x12 Layout

Well, it's not Monday but I'm back to give you the close ups on the scrapbook pages. Tomorrow I will show you the close ups of the set of re-inker spread cards. 

Life has been incredibly busy lately! I don't know which day it is most of the time. Too many activities going on right now with the church and end of school things. I'm sure I'm not alone in the busy-ness that come with the end of the school year and spring celebrations. I wish everyone the best as they prepare for summer!

Here is the close up of the left side of the double layout. 

And the right side.

 The flowers were stamped with Concord Crush and Wisteria Wonder. I then took an aqua-painter and pulled the color into the flowers. When they were dry, I fussy cut them out and put some 2-way glue and Dazzling Diamonds on them. They are adhered to the page with dimensionals.

I have to pick out some pictures of my girls and print them up to add them to this. I think I have a few. Now which ones...

Happy Stampin'!

Shelley

Stampin' Addicts Retiring Set Blog Hop: Fifth Avenue Floral

Welcome to the Stampin' Addicts Retiring Stamp Set Blog Hop! You may have come from Debra's Blog where she highlighted Flight of the Butterfly. Didn't she do an amazing job with that set? I have to admit that I haven't used that set in a long time until recently!

If you are just starting the hop right here, have no fear. We are all linked in a big circle so you can hop around no matter where you start! If, by chance, you get lost you can click the banner at the top of this post and see a list of all the hop stops on Stampin' Addicts.

 Can you even believe that list of retiring stamps? I was surprised at the length of that list! While some of the sets on that list didn't surprise me, I am sad to see some of them go. One of the sets that I'm sad to see go is Fifth Avenue Floral. Now I know that it's been around for a while but those flowers are just so classic! It's so much fun to use too! I am sad to see it leave our line-up, I am also VERY excited to see what's going to replace it! Stampin' Up! has never disappointed me!

OK, you didn't come here to read about me and my thoughts, you want to see some projects! Well, let me show you the first card that I created with Fifth Avenue Floral!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Bring on the Cake

Cardstock: Regal Rose, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Daffodil Delight grosgrain ribbon, Frosted White shimmer 

paint, blender pen, More Mustard marker, Decorative Label Punch, dimensionals 

This is a pretty simple card. I stamped the flower in the middle and then masked it and stamped on each side. Masked those and stamped again. Then I cut the edges of the flowers creating the border edge on the front of the card. I did color these in with Frosted White Shimmer paint and a blender pen as well as More Mustard marker for the centers.

My next project uses the new purse die for the Big Shot! Quick and simple was the name of this project. I hadn't used my purse die yet and wanted to give it a try! Man, was that easy to put together, and it turned out so cute!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral

Cardstock: Marina Mist

Ink: Basic Black, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Purse die, Daffodil Delight grosgrain ribbon, dimensional

My next project is a 12x12 double layout. I had seen this idea surfing the web but didn't mark who's it was. If you recognize this, let me know so that I can give credit where credit is due! I did change the colors and added my own little touches to this layout. I just need to print up some pictures and add them to this layout! (With 4 girls, that won't be hard either! :)) I will be posting close ups of these pages next week. Stay tuned!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Wisteria Wonder, Crushed Concord, Whisper White

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Crushed Concord, Wisteria Wonder

Accessories: Whisper White satin ribbon, Eyelet border punch, Timeless Type Alphabet dies

This brings me to my last project. I couldn't decide what color to use and I'm really happy that I used so many! Each one turned out FABULOUS!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, En Francais

Cardstock: Cajun Craze, Elegant Eggplant, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green,

 More Mustard, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Watercolor paper

Ink: Cajun Craze, Elegant Eggplant, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, 

More Mustard, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, VersaMark

Accessories: Little Leaves die, White embossing powder, heat tool, aqua-painter, mister, dimensionals

For these cards, I did Floating Re-inker or Re-inker Spread. I have heard both names for the same technique. I stamped and embossed the rose onto watercolor paper. Then I misted the paper until it was quite wet. I picked up color with the aqua-painter and touche the wet rose in each area of the rose and then let it dry. Cut it out and added it to the card. Each rose looks like I used several colors to create the highlights and low-lights of it but I only used one color! That is the way the ink spreads and dries! I will be posting close ups of each of these cards next week so you can see the different colors in the roses. Wouldn't this look great with ALL of Stampin' Up!'s colors? Can't wait to give it a try!

Well, that's all I have for you today. Now you are off to Rhonda's Blog to see what she created with another set that I'm very sad to see go, Inspired by Nature.

Thanks for stopping by and

Happy Stampin'!

Shelley

Retiring Lists and Classes

RETIRING PRODUCTS – the lists have all been posted as of this morning – go to the SHOP NOW button in my online store to see everything.  This catalog ends May 31, 2012.

 Some things to note –

• Retiring stamp sets can be ordered until May 31^st
• Retiring Accessories, Décor Elements, and everything else that is not a stamp set is only available while supplies last – so they may run out of inventory before May 31^st.
• The 2010-2012 In-Colors are retiring – Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride, Concord Crush – if you have the ink pads you may want to order ink refills for them.
• Our Classic Ink Pads are being replaced with a new Firm Foam Pad in the new catalog so the old style of ink pad is on the retirement list. 
• Only select Stampin’ Write Markers will be sold individually in the new catalog, they will all continue to be sold in color families.
• All the CRAFT ink is being retired – spots and refills except Basic Black and Whisper White
• 12×12 Textured Card stock will no longer be offered in the new catalog
• Only select colors of 12×12 Smooth card stock will be offered in the new catalog, all colors will be sold in assorted pack by color family.
• Some products are being re-configured

You can see all available items on my website – in the retired products section.

You need to place an order on my website or contact me with your order ASAP.

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MAY CLASSES

Chicks & Chocolate: Retiring Stamp Camp: Friday, May 4 at 7pm. Come and say goodbye to some of your favorite stamp sets! We will be creating 12 cards and your cost will be $15. Place an order that night and receive a discount on your class!

Technique Thursday: Thursday, May 10 at 7pm. Just getting started with stamping and need more ideas? Been stamping for a long time and want to learn something new? This class if for you! You will learn 3 techniques at each class. You will make 3 cards using those techniques and you will make a sample card with step by step instructions on it. This is a great class to expand your horizons! Cost is $15. Place an order that night and receive a discount on your class!

Scrapbook Night: Monday, May 28 at 7pm. Whether you are struggling to get your scrapbooks done or not sure where to start, come and create some pages you just have to add pictures too! You will create 2 double layouts to just add your pictures when you get home! Let's get scrapping! Cost is $15. Place an order that night and receive a discount on your class!

Hostess Club: Friday, May 18 at 7pm. Are you looking for some time to express your creative self? Love handmade gifts and cards but can't find the time to create them? Enjoy time out with friends? Like Stampin' Up! and want to build your supplies? This is the club for you!!

You can expect at least $25 in free product during your hostess month, FREE make and takes that I provide, prep for and clean up afterwards. Your commitment is buying $25 (before tax & shipping) a month for 6 months. If you can't make club, you will get me your order before the club date. During your hostess month, provide simple goodies and a beverage. Contact me NOW to join the club!

Call or email to reserve your spot for any of these classes!