Retiring Set Blog Hop: Turtle and Co.

There's a month left to purchase your favorite stamps sets yet unbought before they retire! It's my job to make you drool and want them all over again! My demo friends from Stampin' Addicts have joined together again for a review of our favorite stamp sets retiring from the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog on May 31. I'm officially the first blog on the hop (an honor I am quite proud of, even if it's just because my stamp set is first in the catalog). You can visit the last stamper Paula with Borderlines and go backwards back to here or you can go forward from my blog to Lisa Young's to see her work with I Heart Hearts-- As always, you can click below to comment on a thread at Stampin' Addicts, check out the forums and galleries, and see the whole list of stops on the hop!

Without further adieu, my stamp set is....

TURTLE AND CO. , the Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp set. Stampin' Up! donates $3.00 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities nationally, which will add to our total of more than a $100,000,000 to RMHC to date!
My first project to show in detail is the turtle birthday card:

 I used the Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper as my background by cutting out 1 1/4" squares with my punch and placing them in a purposefully random pattern. The turtle is embossed in Wild Wasabi Embossing Powder and colored with Markers. I added a scallop with the retiring Scallops 2 Bigz Die and used my 2 1/2" Circle Punch for the turtle. There were too many presents to fit, so I fussy cut them out and added the message. I'm usually late on Birthdays, so this card is perfect for me.

My second card features those frogs:

Aren't they cute? I used a Mojo Monday Sketch for my idea of multiple frogs. I stamped the frogs in Basic Black on the Wild Wasabi Polka Dot sheet from the Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper. I cut them out and placed them on the Marina Mist and Poppy Parade nested circles. The scallop border added a little more Poppy Parade (which is retiring as an In Color). The eyes were too light, so I used my signo gel pen to add white to them and then used my (retiring) black journaler to put new pupils inside. I also used the signo pen to free-hand dots along the top for a little extra detail.

My final project is in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week coming up. I thought about making bookmarks for my colleagues---

These might work! I used Wild Wasabi Embossing powder to outline the little guys and then colored with markers. A few scallop punches and circle punches layered together made the top and bottom of the book mark. The idea is that the top hangs out. I used the colors in the Just Add Cake paper--Wild Wasabi, Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, So Saffron, and Peach Parfait for my images. I love markers. The ribbon is the blue denim ribbon, which I thought just looked right. Not sure why.

Well, that's all I have for you. Time to bounce to Lisa's blog "Add Ink and Stamp," and see her beautiful work with I Heart Hearts. 

Happy Stamping!


 

Retired Accessories List is Here!

and it's long! Which means savings for you as well as a whole bunch of BRAND NEW THINGS COMING JUNE 1! You can order directly from my website store at www.lilyinkpad.stampinup.net to get the items you desire before they are gone! You can also open a pdf of the leaving items.

Also here's a list:

DISCOUNTED ITEMS:

7	124485	October, December, Whenever Collection DVD	$26.95	60%	$10.78
7	125840	Sweet Retreat Collection DVD	$27.95	60%	$11.18
7	125841	Avante-garde Collection DVD	$31.95	60%	$12.78
7	125842	His & Hers Collection DVD	$32.95	60%	$13.18
7	124889	Express Booster Pack DVDs	$39.95	60%	$15.98
176	119801	2010-2012 In Color Stampin' Write Markers	$14.95	40%	$8.97
176	124338	2010-2012 In Color 12" x 12" Smooth Card Stock	$9.95	40%	$5.97
176	124386	2011-2013 In Color 12" x 12" Textured Card Stock	$11.95	25%	$8.96
176	124387	2010-2012 In Color 12" x 12" Textured Card Stock	$11.95	40%	$7.17
177	124291	Regal Rose 12" x 12" Card Stock	$5.95	25%	$4.46
177	124299	Tangerine Tango 12" x 12" Card Stock	$5.95	25%	$4.46
177	124300	Tempting Turquoise 12" x 12" Card Stock	$5.95	25%	$4.46
178	124286	Perfect Plum 12" x 12" Card Stock	$5.95	25%	$4.46
178	124287	Pink Pirouette 12" x 12" Card Stock	$5.95	25%	$4.46
178	124295	Rose Red 12" x 12" Card Stock	$5.95	25%	$4.46
179	124264	Always Artichoke 12" x 12" Card Stock	$5.95	25%	$4.46
179	124269	Bravo Burgundy 12" x 12" Card Stock	$5.95	25%	$4.46
179	124270	Cajun Craze 12" x 12" Card Stock	$5.95	25%	$4.46
179	124283	Not Quite Navy 12" x 12" Card Stock	$5.95	25%	$4.46
180	124294	River Rock 12" x 12" Card Stock	$5.95	25%	$4.46
181	103104	3" x 5" Cellophane Bags	$3.95	25%	$2.96
182	116911	Padded Envelopes	$2.95	40%	$1.77
182	120435	Heart Treat Cups	$2.95	40%	$1.77
183	122360	Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper	$12.95	25%	$9.71
185	122342	Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper	$10.95	25%	$8.21
185	122351	Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper	$10.95	25%	$8.21
185	122354	Pocketful of Posies  Designer Series Paper	$10.95	25%	$8.21
185	122355	Domestic Goddess  Designer Series Paper	$10.95	25%	$8.21
185	122357	Beau Château Designer Series Paper	$10.95	25%	$8.21
185	124339	Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper	$10.95	25%	$8.21
186	122349	Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper	$10.95	25%	$8.21
190	104521	Ring 6" x 6" Page Protectors	$6.95	25%	$5.21
190	122124	Post 8" x 8" Page Protectors	$7.95	25%	$5.96
190	122379	Beau Château Side Notes	$5.95	25%	$4.46
190	122467	Espresso Classic Designer Printed 6" X 6" Ring Album	$10.95	25%	$8.21
190	122468	Château Designer Printed 6" X 6" Ring Album	$10.95	25%	$8.21
191	108495	On Board 5" x 5" Art Journal	$6.95	25%	$5.21
191	122958	On Board Merry Medley	$9.95	40%	$5.97
193	122376	Sweet Moments Simply Sent	$13.95	25%	$10.46
194	100982	Natural Hemp Twine	$2.95	25%	$2.21
194	119265	Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon	$8.95	25%	$6.71
194	119266	Concord Crush 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon	$8.95	25%	$6.71
194	119267	Blushing Bride 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon	$8.95	25%	$6.71
194	125054	Artichoke 3/8" Denim Jean Ribbon	$6.95	40%	$4.17
195	109032	Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon	$4.95	25%	$3.71
195	122330	Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon	$6.95	25%	$5.21
195	124324	Bashful Blue 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon	$4.95	25%	$3.71
195	124325	Bashful Blue 5/8" Satin Ribbon	$8.95	40%	$5.37
195	124326	Basic Gray 5/8" Satin Ribbon	$8.95	25%	$6.71
195	124327	Chocolate Chip 5/8" Satin Ribbon	$8.95	40%	$5.37
196	121715	Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric	$9.95	70%	$2.99
196	121716	Deck The Halls Designer Fabric	$9.95	70%	$2.99
196	121817	Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric	$9.95	70%	$2.99
196	121818	Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric	$9.95	70%	$2.99
197	121893	Game Spinner Hands	$3.95	40%	$2.37
198	109110	Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads	$10.95	25%	$8.21
198	109111	Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads	$10.95	25%	$8.21
198	109112	Square Fire Rhinestone Brads	$10.95	25%	$8.21
198	112577	Filigree Designer Brads	$5.95	40%	$3.57
198	113144	Clear Circle Rhinestone Brads	$10.95	25%	$8.21
198	115604	Fleurettes II	$9.95	25%	$7.46
198	121881	Beveled Windowpanes	$7.95	40%	$4.77
198	122942	Mini Clothespins	$2.95	25%	$2.21
199	112533	5/8" Neutrals Jumbo Brads	$6.95	40%	$4.17
199	112534	5/16" Neutrals Jumbo Brads	$7.95	40%	$4.77
199	121004	Subtles Glimmer Brads	$4.95	40%	$2.97
200	116797	Simply Adorned 1" x 1" Charm	$17.95	40%	$10.77
200	116799	Simply Adorned 1-1/2" x 2" Charm	$21.95	40%	$13.17
200	116800	Simply Adorned Chain 24"	$10.95	40%	$6.57
200	117342	Simply Adorned Bracelet 8"	$7.95	40%	$4.77
200	117349	Simply Adorned 5/8" Circle Charm	$8.95	40%	$5.37
200	118476	Simply Adorned 5/8" Square Charm	$8.95	40%	$5.37
200	121892	Trinket Keys	$5.95	25%	$4.46
201	102197	Powder Pals	$19.95	25%	$14.96
203	119967	Silver Fox Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink	$4.95	25%	$3.71
203	119968	Gold Lamé Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink	$4.95	25%	$3.71
203	119969	Moonlight Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink	$4.95	25%	$3.71
203	121093	Color Catcher	$5.95	25%	$4.46
207	108362	Crop-A-Dile	$29.95	25%	$22.46
208	112530	Circle Scissor Plus	$29.95	25%	$22.46
208	112531	Circle Scissor Plus Glass Mat	$19.95	25%	$14.96
209	119876	Large Tag Punch	$15.95	20%	$12.76
210	118072	Pinking Hearts Corner Punch	$9.95	20%	$7.96
210	122464	Blossom Bouquet Punch	$23.95	40%	$14.37
210	122362	Lace Ribbon Border Punch	$19.95	25%	$14.96
210	122465	Doily Punch	$23.95	40%	$14.37
216	114300	Sticky Sheets	$6.95	25%	$5.21
216	114515	Flower Burst Embosslits Die	$11.95	40%	$7.17
217	123129	Fancy Fan Letterpress Plate	$7.95	40%	$4.77
221	123127	Blossom Box Bigz L Die	$32.95	40%	$19.77
226	107063	Color Caddy Extender Kit	$14.95	25%	$11.21
235	117084	I {Love} Love Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel	$8.50	25%	$6.38
235	120322	Petite Petals Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel	$8.50	25%	$6.38
235	123228	School Colors Stampin' Around Builder Wheel	$4.50	25%	$3.38
235	123229	Elementary Alphabet Stampin' Around Builder Wheel	$4.50	25%	$3.38
235	123230	For Teacher Stampin' Around Builder Wheel	$4.50	25%	$3.38

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

PAPER-- all textured 12x12 and some Smooth 12 x 12 are retiring. Paper will be reconfigured, but no textured paper will be offered.

COLOR TOOLS---Markers are being repackaged, not going away.

ALBUMS--all are retiring, who knows what will be next?

TOOLS-- The Crop-a-dile, Circle Scissors seem to be leaving, but other items will be reconfigured, but are on the retirement list in their current manner--paper cutters, stampin scrub, etc.

WHEELS--Many wheels are on the list as well as all wheel-related accesories.

Happy Shopping!

April Flowers Bring May Showers

Right? The spring wildflowers are up around here. My favorite time of year to be in the woods. Well, other than fall, winter, and summer! I have great memories of wildflower hunting with my grandparents. Ok. Time to jump off memory lane and show you my April Flowers!

Stamps: Bright Blossoms
Paper: Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper, Rich Razzleberry, Island Indigo, Whisper White
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry,  Lucky Limeade, Pacific Point
Accessories: Itty Bitty Punch Flower, Framelits, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding, Pearls

I love the layered look with the framelits, which is made easy by just using the Big Shot to cut out two adjacent sizes. We used markers to color the parts of the stamp we wanted and then stamped. Using the Clear Blocks, we could see where the stamps were going. The stems sometimes overlapped a bit, but we could either ignore it, label it homemade, or flip our frame over!

Happy Stamping!

 

A Concord Blossom

I love purple. I don't work with it much for some reason, but, really, Concord Crush is one of my favorite colors. It will be leaving us soon, as it is a 2010-2012 In Color, so get the most out of it while you can. We made this Mother's Day card at my April Stampin' Celebrations:

Stamps: Mixed Bunch
Paper: Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzaz, Whisper White
Ink: Concord Crush
Accessories: Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Big Shot, Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Blossom Punch, Petals Blossom Builder, 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch

The Lacey Edge was created by punching it out with the punch. My stampin' friend Mickey Roberts explains it well on her blog, A Paper Conversation.  I needed something to make the flower special and played around until I got the idea of layering the center.

Here's the inside:

Happy Stamping!

 

Summer-is almost here-Smooches

I hope it is, at least! My students are feeling it and so am I! Luckily, Stampin' Up! has my back with some fun, summery sneak peek products on sale in April! You can get them now or wait til the new Idea Book in Catalog in June, but I'd get yours now! (I wonder how many more exclamation marks I can fit into this post)

Stamps: Bright Blossoms, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Real Red, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Ink: Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry,  Lucky Limeade
Accessories: Summer Smooches Designer Fabric Brads, Oval Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Postage Stamp Punch, Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Brights Buttons

I wanted fun and cheery and I think I got it! I love the brightness of these colors. I think I'll redecorate my classroom in them.

The sketch is a familiar one- 4 squares, but I added a bit of fun with the postage punch on the white. My stampers this month so far have loved it. I hope you do, too!

By the way, I didn't use the Big Shot on this card--a true achievement!

Happy Stamping!