Farewell to Perfect Pennants

Only one week left before so many fun products will be retiring! For my last card night I wanted to showcase as many retiring products as possible so that my customers could see these things in action and scoop them up if they can't live without something!

These two cards show a simple card design, but a different variation of each. I like that my guests can create the kind of card they want to make...choosing the embossed background, patterned paper, and stamps.

**For more farewells, come visit the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog today!

Stamp Sets	Perfect Pennants (retiring)
Ink	Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Watermelon Wonder, Pool Party
Paper	Watermelon Wonder, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Cherry on Top DSP Stack (retiring)
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 1" Cucumber Crush Lace Trim (retiring), Rhinestones, White Baker's Twine
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, embossing folders, Ornate Tag Topper Punch (retiring)

Farewell to Pretty Petals

We're just shy of two weeks away from the new 2016-2017 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog debut! Although this is an exciting time for all of the new stuff to come, it also means you still have time to order some of the retiring products before they are gone, gone, gone!

Today on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog we are showcasing some of these retiring products, so head on over to take a peek at what some of the other designs are going to miss!

Today I am showcasing the Pretty Petals DSP Stack.

I was inspired by a card that I saw in the Stampin' Success magazine (an exclusive magazine for demonstrators only) and turned it into a card I could use for my monthly card night. It was such a simple, but sweet design that really showcases this paper well!

I was hosting another card night and still wanted to use this layout, but I had run out of the Old Olive cardstock (for the base), so I decided to change the card base and bring in a few more of the different prints from the DSP stack.

And then I ran out of the Silver Baker's Twine and gave another option of using the Watermelon Wonder Lace Trim (also retiring). I had a variety of sentiments available for my guests to use and they got to choose if they wanted to use the twine or lace trim. My two samples also showcased that you could change up the order of the paper to get a different look.

Stamp Sets	various sentiments
Ink	Basic Black
Paper	Very Vanilla, Watermelon Wonder, Old Olive, Pretty Petals DSP Stack
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Silver Baker's Twine, Watermelon Wonder Lace Trim, Silver Sequins
Tools	N/A

Friday Favorites - All Abloom

It's the last Friday Favorites for this month with items we are so sad to see go!! The Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration gals are showing off some of their favorites from this year's retiring list.

My choice this week is the All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack. This particular pack of paper measures 6-1/2" x 4-1/2" and comes with 12 different double-sided designs (4 of each). Right now this paper stack is 50% off which makes it only $3.48. However, it's only available through June 2nd and only while supplies last! So, if you love it...make sure to get it before it's gone!

While searching Pinterest one day I came across these cards that I just knew would be perfect for using up some of my scraps from this paper stack. Her cards are created using some of our retiring (or retired) paper stacks and so I thought using the All Abloom Paper Stack would be a fun option, especially for a Spring card! I made three different samples and used this card for my May card making night. The guests were able to choose whichever color scheme they wanted! As you can see I also used various kinds of ribbon...a great way to use up the last of some of the spools of retiring ribbon!

Colors: Lost Lagoon, Pistachio Pudding, Island Indigo

Colors: Strawberry Slush, Mossy Meadow, Blushing Bride, Daffodil Delight

Colors: Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Daffodil Delight, Mossy Meadow, Pistachio Pudding

To see the entire retiring list click on the picture below. These items on the list are available through June 2nd or while supplies last! If you would like to order, please visit my online store at heidiboos.stampinup.net. If you choose to order ON June 2nd you will be able to purchase items from the current catalog (with retiring products) AND the new catalog (debuting June 2nd).

Friday Favorites - For the Birds

Today is Friday Favorites at the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog where we are showcasing retiring products for each Friday in May. I have a lot of favorites that we will soon be saying goodbye to, but I will especially miss the cute For the Birds stamp set. I love these darling little images that you can color in using our Blender Pens and Stampin' Write Markers.

I created this card design for a recent card making night. The layout was simple enough that the ladies could focus on the coloring. I heard many of them say, "I haven't colored like this since I was little." It was cute to watch them transform a black and white image into a colorful masterpiece. As you can see in the three samples below I had a variety of flower DSP for them to choose from and they could use the markers that matched the paper color. 

Are you wondering how I was able to use the image without the attached sentiment? 

Step 1: Place a strip of masking tape over the sentiment. 

Step 2: Ink up the stamp and then remove the masking tape (that's important!)

Step 3: Stamp image. Easy peasy!

Stamp Sets	For the Birds, And Many More (sentiments)
Ink	Black Stazon, markers - to coordinate with paper
Paper	Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Lost Lagoon, Flowerpot DSP, All Abloom DSP Stack
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Paper Doilies, Candy Dots (misc. colors)
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Circle Framelits, Bitty Banner Framelits

Friday Favorites - Retiring Products

I think I'm having a flashback! Just last Friday I was shocked that another week had come and gone! I feel the same about this week, too! How can it already be May?!

All month long I hope to showcase some of my favorite retiring products because beginning June 2nd we'll have a new catalog to drool over! Yes, I am sad to see some great products go...but honestly, I am over-the-moon excited to see what's new! (Which, by the way...I got a sneak peek of the new catalog yesterday! YOU WILL LOVE IT!)

I hope to use many of my retiring stamp sets in my stash for my two card nights this month, as well as *maybe* getting to play with my stamps in my "free time" (ha! we'll see if that one will happen!)

A handful of the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration designers are sharing their favorite retiring items with you today in our Friday Favorites segment on our blog! Come over for a visit to see what others will be sad to see go!

I created this quick and easy card for my Stampin' Up! Team Meeting last Wednesday. We create swaps for one another and this time around our suggested theme was to play with some of the retiring stamp sets. I chose Starburst Sayings. I have to be honest here and say that mostly I am just going to miss the large image from this set, but nonetheless...I'll be sad to see the set go! (psssst...did you know this set is on sale right now? 15% off clear mount and 25% off wood mount!)

The Moonlight DSP Stack I used for the front two panels of each card will not be available in the new catalog, either, but all of the 2014-2016 In-Colors will! My samples use Lost Lagoon, Blackberry Bliss, and Hello Honey. I'll keep these colors around for another year. ;)

One of the fun things about this card is that the belly band just slips right off to open the card. Use this "Oh, Happy Day" sentiment for anything...congratulations, birthday, exciting news, etc!

Stamp Sets	Starburst Sayings
Ink	Lost Lagoon, Blackberry Bliss
Paper	Hello Honey, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Moonlight DSP Stack
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Rhinestone Accents
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Starburst Framelits

Have you checked out the retiring list yet?

{click on picture below}

It's easy online ordering at heidiboos.stampinup.net

friday favorites - farewell to happy watercolor

Today it's Friday Favorites at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration. My current favorites are two items in the 2014 Occasions Catalog. With all of the excitement of retiring products and the new catalog coming out, the Occasions Catalog has been a little forgotten. There are quite a few sets and products you will see in the new catalog that will be carrying over from the Occasions Catalog, but there are also a lot that won't be available any longer after June 1st when the Occasions Catalog is over.

One of those stamp sets we will have to say farewell to is Happy Watercolor ($21.95 clear mount / $29.95 wood mount). I definitely didn't get to play with this set enough. I think I'll hold onto it for awhile, though. It needs some more ink...even if it's just for personal use! 

 

Another product we have to say goodbye to is the Watercolor Wonder DSP. I have used this paper quite a bit since the mini catalog was released. In fact, I mostly just have scraps left! 

 Now onto today's card...

I started out with following a sketch, but then my card kind of took on a life of its own and the sketch was no longer to be seen! Have you had that happen before?!

 

I wanted to zoom in on the flowers and butterflies to show off the tiny little pearls. So fun to accent a card with these! The butterfly is punched once with Daffodil Delight cardstock and then again with vellum and I "fluffed" the wings to look like it was flying.

Stamp Sets	Happy Watercolor
Ink	Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral
Paper	Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Vellum, Watercolor Wonder DSP
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Pearl Accents, 1/4" Daffodli Delight Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools	Bitty Butterfly Punch

 

To check out what the other designers have created for Friday Favorites, visit our blog!

retiring stamp set - sweets for the sweet

We had a few extra hours over the weekend and Mikayla (my daughter) wanted to do a little crafting. She has her own stash of cardstock and patterned paper, so she picked out the card base color and background all on her own (non-Stampin' Up!). Then I let her have free reign of choosing from my stamps and she decided on Sweets for the Sweet (a soon to be retired stamp set). She liked the lollipop circle since it matched the polka dotted background. Sweets for the Sweet is still available in wood mount, so snag it before it goes away on June 4th! And, don't forget the Retired Products Blowout happening now! Select products that are retiring are 30-50% off! Check it out HERE.

{SWEETS FOR THE SWEET}

$25.95 / #128742 (wood mount)

I will admit that she asked me to stamp the lollipop sticks and I tied the ribbon for her, but she did all the rest! She even picked out the colors of ink to match the polka dots ~ Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush, and the *new* in-color Lost Lagoon. The thing she wanted the most on this card was to use GLITTER! So, of course the swirled lollipops have Dazzling Diamonds glitter on them (it's extra sparkly in person). She decided to use a different stamp than the one in the set, so she opted for "sweet treats" from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

She wanted a picture with her card and even said I should lay out the card supplies to show what she used. Love this girl! (This picture was taken before we decided to use ribbon on the bottom!)

More Sweets for the Sweet inspiration from the last couple of years...

retiring stamp set - make a cake (& retired list blowout!)

Before I share with you the last of four cards we made for May's Card Making Night (we used all retiring stamp sets!), I wanted to make sure you knew of the RETIRED LIST BLOWOUT starting TODAY!

Get excited! Stampin' Up! is currently offering a 25%-50% discount on many of the retiring products, not including those products that are no longer available. This will be live on May 22, but you have to act fast, as this special offer is only available until June 4, 2014.

Retired Stamp Sets List ~ find it HERE!

Retired Accessories List ~ find it HERE!

Order through my online store at heidiboos.stampinup.net to take advantage of these retired products at a reduced cost! 

And now for some card making inspiration! During this month's card night I wanted to ink up some retiring sets one last time. I love the Make a Cake set...it is so darling! I am sad it is retiring, but I will definitely be holding onto it for some personal use. It's so perfect for birthday and wedding cards! And, BONUS!! The wood mount Make a Cake set is one of the sets that are 30% off! Get it for only $10.47 (reg. price $14.95).

{MAKE A CAKE}

$11.95 / #126742 (clear mount)

$10.47 / #132036 (wood mount)

Stamp Sets	Make a Cake, A Dozen Thoughts, Yippee-Skippee
Ink	Rich Razzleberry, Midnight Muse, Pool Party
Paper	Rich Razzleberry, Midnight Muse, Pink Pirouette, Pool Party, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry DSP (retired)
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2-Way Glue, Pearls
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Adorning Accents Embossing Folder, Banner Punch

More Make a Cake inspiration from the last couple of years...

retiring stamp set - bright blossoms

Last Thursday was my monthly card making night. It was my last "scheduled event" before my break for the summer and I decided to use all retiring sets (those that are still available!). I needed a little inspiration for my fourth card design and I knew I wanted to use the Bright Blossoms stamp set, so I went back into my card samples and found this one (also shown below). I had created this card a couple of years ago for a polka dot challenge. Bright Blossoms will be retiring June 2nd and is currently still available in both clear and wood mount. If you would like to get some of the retiring stamps before they are gone, feel free to visit my online store at heidiboos.stampinup.net and click on "shop now". You will find all of the retiring stamps and products HERE. Let me know if you have any questions!

{BRIGHT BLOSSOMS}

$12.95 / #125497 (clear mount)

$16.95 / #128424 (wood mount)

Everyone had plenty of sentiments to choose from and of course to get those straight images I had the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig handy! Instead of going with the red scheme (as in the card I was inspired by), I went with pink using the 2013-2015 In Color Strawberry Slush. Love that color!

Stamp Sets	Bright Blossoms, A Dozen Thoughts
Ink	Strawberry Slush, Old Olive
Paper	Old Olive, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 1/8" Old Olive Ribbon
Tools	Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

More Bright Blossoms inspiration from the last couple of years...