Pretty Cards and saying Goodbye

The retiring list has been announced!  View the entire list on my online store.  They have added a clickable link with all the retiring products.
You can also see the list for retiring accessories HERE and retiring stamps HERE.
Every year the list surprises me a bit.  As usual there are some items on the list that I think to myself..."yeah, they gotta get rid of that...it's taking up space in the catalogue and I haven't used it in ages."  Other things I just think..."WHAT! I just used that?  How can that be going?  People need to be able to buy that...it's so awesome!"
Take my advice, if there are  things you love that are leaving, SHOP NOW while there's FREE SHIPPING (only till April 25th). At the same time you should stock up on basics you know you'll need (like whisper white paper, adhesive etc)  Remember, you'll get a free class pass when you shop online using hostess code 2QWAYSY3  (min. $30 order). (the hostess code box can be found on the shopping bag page in the bottom left corner)
Here's a peek of the cards we are doing at class this Thursday April 24th.  Hope you can RSVP and come and stamp with me!
Square lattice folder: retiring
Amazing family stamp set: retiring
Delightful Dozen stamp set: retiring
White taffata ribbon: retiring
Simply Sketched (hostess): retiring

The big shot makes it better!

Technique class last night was fun!  The theme was techniques using Stampin' Up's beautiful designer series paper (dsp).  These cards sure showcase the pretty dsp that Stampin' Up! offers but they also happen to showcase the amazing powers of the Big Shot. 
Check out this card that was inspired by my friend Sandy C.  It is called the Sunburst technique and uses the Eastern Elegance Dsp (130131)

This card was made using the NEW label thinlits die (133479) that creates this cool flip flop card! Just a roll through the big shot and it cuts and scores this very cool card!  We dressed it up using the Epic Day This and That dsp (130814) and the Apothecary Art Stamp set (128415) and the matching label framelits (125598)

What's awesome is that the thinlits die also comes with all sorts of extra dies to embellish your cool flip flop card or dress up anything else!  I love the little banner pieces in this set because it even makes the score lines so that the banner can pop up a bit.

Here's what comes with the circle thinlit dies:

I think it's an awesome value for $40.95.

If you don't have a Big Shot yet, it's time to get one!  Especially because of my Genevieve August Big shot offer...I'll give you a free embossing folder of your choice when you purchase the big shot this month.  Check out my previous blog post on the big shot HERE!

Don't worry if you missed my technique class this month!  Come to my sweet and simple class on Aug. 29th 7:00pm or my next technique class is the second Monday of September.  Don't forget to RSVP!

Madison birthday

Here's one of the cards I'm doing for my sweet and simple card class tomorrow!
Don't worry if you are missing the class, just contact me to book your own private class and I'll bring the cards to you!
Eek only two more sleeps until stamptacular! Can't wait!

Lifting my spirits with some calypso delight

I've been doing fine with Kevin out of town. The kids are happy and fed and clothed and we've been having some fun adventures and playdates so I think I'm doing my job.  I even managed to put out the recycling last night all by myself (typically that's Kevin's job) Just three more days and he'll be home...only to jump back into the crazy work/school routine. 

Despite everything going so well for some reason yesterday night and today I feel completely bummed.  Having had some bad depression episodes post partum and as a side effect of some medical issues, I recognized that I had to be careful with my thoughts today.  Usually when I start spiralling downwards, my thought life does not help...I tend to focus on my weaknesses, my failures, my disappointments.  Ugh.  NOT the cheery thoughts that I should be having and projecting to my kids. 

Fortunately I had some time to myself this morning since Michelle was at a friends house and my mom suddenly called and said that she was in the area and wanted to take the other kids out.

The time to myself was wonderful.  I was able to recharge a bit by listening to music, journalling and reading.  Then I went down to my stamp area and was working on finishing some cards I had started a few days ago.  (I really thought I would be getting so much stamping done over the March break but that hasn't been the case at all!)  Here's my favourite one I did today.  I wanted bright colours to help me have a more positive attitude and lift my spirits.  The colour coach gave me the idea to put calypso coral and daffodil delight together.

The stamp set is printed petals, and tiny tags.  The flowers are punched out with the boho blossoms punch and there is one of the new jumbo pearls from the occasions mini to top it off.

Here's another card I made with calypso coral cardstock.  I just threw it together really quickly but I'm still happy with how it turned out.  As you can tell, I was having fun with my framed tulips embossing folder...

This card uses the apothecary stamp set and Loving Thoughts stamp set.  I didn't think I would like the Loving thoughts set as much as I do.  I only got it since it was given to us at Leadership but now I find I use it fairly frequently because the sentiments can be used for cards and as journalling prompts for scrapbooking.

One day I hope to get to San Antonio!

I was awake early all excited to finally embark on this adventure to San Antonio.  I got to the airport in plenty of time.  I waited at the gate.  I waited some more.  I kept waiting until they announced that the plane I was supposed to get on was not landing due to bad visibility.  The plane had to re-route to buffalo.  Here is what it looks like at Pearson right now:

Okay, I admit, it's a little foggy.  The problem is I was supposed to fly to Chicago and then connect on to San Antonio.  There are no direct flights to San Antonio.  So, I've been rebooked to leave Toronto at 3:45pm (instead of the planned 11:55 am) and fly to Dallas.  The Stampin' Up! demonstrator in front of me in line got the last seat on the earliest flight out of Dallas to San Antonio.  (note to self: next time I am at the airport, sit at a seat closest to the ticket counter so that if a flight is cancelled, I can rush and be first in line!)
I will layover in Dallas for a long time and will hopefully get on the last flight out and be in San Antonio by midnight.  Groan.  It's going to be a long day!

On a positive note, I decided that this glitch in plans meant that I could console myself with a bag of Doritos.  How often do I get to just sit and do nothing and eat chips?  Not often enough, I think.
I also thought I would take a picture of these card folders I made for my roomates and share them with you.  I was DETERMINED to make something for my roomates and friends because when I went to convention, they brought lovely gifts for me and I had NOTHING for them.  How was I supposed to know that it must be some sort of etiquette to hand make something for your long distance stampin' friends that you reunite with at convention?
In order not to be shamed again, I had to make something.  I thought these were simple and easy and could also be used by them in their business.

Hee Hee.  You can see the corner of my Doritos chip bag in the picture. 

Here's a close up of the card.  You know I like these friends because I spared no expense.  There is an antique brad on every card!

Okay, I think my laptop is running out of battery.  I have to go!  I"ll keep you posted and hopefully will be in San Antonio sometime today...even if it's midnight!

Another occasions mini creation

As promised, here is another creation using the new occasions mini stamp set called Apothecary Art.

  I had some left over paper and scraps from a previous team make n take and I used it to create this card.  I LOVE how Stampin' Up! sells their stamps in sets.  This set includes some beautiful images but it also includes a couple of sentiments that fit right into the banner. Excellent!
I coloured in the image using my blender pen and the old olive and tangerine tango ink pads. I added some interest using the colour spritzer tool and sponging around the edges.  Here's a close up.

I couldn't finish the card without adding some embellishment...the antique brad and scallop polka dotted ribbon seemed just right.
Happy 3 days before Christmas everyone!

I couldn't resist!

I fell in love with the occasions mini catalogue the moment it arrived in my hands.  I paid a fortune to expedite everything so I could have things sooner.  Then when the box arrived I ripped it open but stopped short of taking everything out.  I felt I didn't deserve to play with all my new stamps and accessories until I'd finished my Christmas crafting.  Sadly, I'm still behind schedule and haven't made the teacher gifts yet or finished some other family gifts.  However, Kevin was out at a meeting and the kids were in bed and I just didn't feel like any more Christmas crafting.  I decided since yesterday was my designated sabbath/rest day, I should do what makes me feel relaxed and happy.  YES!  In a mad rush I grabbed a stamp set, some new big shot dies and of course that incredible new pleated ribbon and ran down to my craft cave.  This is what I made. 



I think I am in love with that pleated ribbon.  Here's a close up.

Please come out and stamp with me on Dec. 29th where I'll have 4 cards for you to make showcasing more beautiful things from the occasions mini catalogue.  I'll also have a cash and carry table of retired stamps and accessories.

Please RSVP.  I can't wait to see you!