Fond Farewell...

NOOO...don't get the wrong idea, I'm not leaving....

Jamie informed me that having a visual of retiring colors can be helpful. So here is a .pdf file & a picture that shows all the colors that are retiring.

As you can see, there are many colors we will be sending off to the big retirement home in the sky (or whereever it is that Stampin' Up Colors go) so don't miss out on your chance to have their beauties in your collection.

Click here if you would like to place an order!!

Happy Stampin!

Yes I made a card :)

Julie will be so proud that I am actually blogging. Sorry to be a slacker, there just doesn't seem to be alot of time in the day for my addiction of card making. It's Sunday and I am making time to make a couple friend cards.

I love the hostess set "Out of the Box", so cute! I just ordered the ribbon off the clearance rack, it's the "Fairy Tale Ribbon". The three hearts are from the "Heart to Heart" punch. I love just starting and seeing where it ends up. The ink pads that were used are both from the new incolors: melon mambo and soft suede. The paper was also from the clearance rack and it's part of the "Rasberry Tart Designer Series".

Hopefully I will post again sooner than the last time.

Exciting News!

So, no new project to post from me today....but I do have exciting news! A couple things actually. I already mentioned it on my personal blog but forgot to get the word on this blog too!

I've joined forces with Stampin' Up and signed up to be a demonstrator. So exciting!! What a fantastic way to share my ideas and craftiness!! (well, at least I think so) I have visions of fun card making parties, workshops, tutorials...the options are endless. Stampin' Up has such great products. Besides paper crafting, they also have ventured into the areas of jewelry, home decor, and digital scrapbooking. The whole digital scrapbooking stuff is one area that I haven't ventured yet, but I'm excited to try!!

With this announcement, comes another. Its the COLOR RENOVATION! Stampin' Up announced that with the new catalog (release day JULY 1!!), will come new color families. Some colors are being retired, some are staying, some are brand new, and some previously retired In Colors are returning. So with that change, it is PRIME time to stock up on some of your favorite colors that are going to the retirement home. Don't be sad, they will be happy and comfortable...promise!

Here is a listing of the retiring colors.

Soft Subtles:
Pale Plum, Blush Blossom, Apricot Appeal, Barely Banana, Mellow Moss, Sage Shadow, Almost Amethyst, Lavender Lace

Bold Brights:
Glorious Green, Green Galore, Gable Green, YoYo Yellow, Only Orange, Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Orchid Opulence, Lovely Lilac, Brilliant Blue

Earth Elements:
Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Summer Sun

Rich Regals:
Bordering Blue, Brocade Blue, Ballet Blue, Taken with Teal, Handsome Hunter

Looking through these colors, I realize there are a few I MUST get before they retire. My list of NEEDS (not wants....I think I really NEED these!!) include:

Almost Amethyst (Item# 101723)- such a lovely shade of purple/lavender. It is a pale color and will be gorgeous on any spring card or pretty Easter scrapbooking page.

Blush Blossom (Item #102609) - perfect color for a peachy skin tone. I have the watercolor marker, but I think the ink cartridge would be a good investment for times I'm making mass quantity of cards.

Brilliant Blue (Item #100691) - a truer blue than any other ink in the family. I think it will come in handy.

Summer Sun (Item #100537) - there is just something about this yellow that makes me happy. Its just so sunny and cheerful!

Taken with Teal (Item #103257) - I'm in love with this blue-green color. Its like something from under the sea.

I'm definitely putting these pretty babies on my shopping list for the next few months. Plus the re-inkers....just to make sure I don't run out of their beautiful shades!

If you would like to place an order, feel free to check out my site http://www.julienephew.stampinup.net/ or email me at julienephew@gmail.com!

HAPPY STAMPIN!!

Birthday #3

My card today brings the birthday extravaganza in our house to a close...at least for this month. It seems like my hubby's whole family was born in the spring months....well, most of them anyway. So, I'll probably have another birthday extravaganza for April too.

So, Michael's dear, sweet mama. She loves to garden, so I figured a nature scene would fit her well.



This set from Stampin' Up is called Branch Out and is one of my favorites! Sadness that it recently retired but it will not detour my love! Hehe.

I sponged some light blues in the background to give it a little depth. Sometime was missing, so I added in a touch of sun glow with yellow ink towards middle of the card. I added a little birthday sentiment to the inside by stamping it on the polka dot paper and adhering it to my card stock. I almost messed up ROYALLY in my placement of the paper. I small shriek came out when I realized that I started to glue it horizontally instead of vertically. Thankfully, I was using some repositionable glue. THANK HEAVENS!!

Products Used:
SU Decorative Paper
SU Whisper White Card stock
SU Chocolate Chip Ribbon
SU Inks & Markers

Birthday #2

Yesterday was Shelby's 15th birthday. It seems crazy to think our "little" girl is going to be driving soon. Shelby had some friends spend the night. Her main request was to eat at Taco Bell (so love the girl for unknowingly protecting my pocketbook!) and "hang out" at Wal-mart. I told the girls I was fine with the whole Wal-mart hang out deal as long as they didn't do anything that would cause them to get kicked out. They responded with, "Ok, I guess no hide 'n seek." Seriously???

So, on to the card....



I tried to keep the card somewhat simple and avoided pink. Lately, I've been using a ton of pink and turquoise in my cards, and Shelby just ain't much of a pink kind of girl. I wasn't sure how her card would turn out, but was pleasantly surprised with it all came together.

Next card I'll be sharing is for my mother-in-law's birthday. I'm so, so, so happy with how it turned out. You know how sometimes you look at a creative project and just go "...ya...I made that..." with a hint of pride? Well, that was my moment. I'll post the pic tomorrow.

I'll close this post with the ever poetic words of Casey Kasem "keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars".....ya, I'm not quite sure what it means either.

Products Used:
Gina K Stamp Set
SU Punches
SU Decorative Paper
Random Red Ribbon
SU Whisper White Card Stock
SU Markers
SU Watercolor Pencils
SU Blender Pens

Birthday Extraveganza

My kids birthday's are both in March....a week a part....well...6 years and a week. Luckily, they have gotten used to celebrating birthdays together. Its difficult getting families together two weeks in a row!

So with birthdays, of course I had to make cards! I tried to make Austin's as ungirly as possible. He opened the card with the response of, "COOL!" So, I guess I accomplished my goal. :) Here is a pic of the card.



And a picture of the birthday and his goofy grin.



I think he had a great 9th birthday including a surprise party and a sleepover with his best friend.

I'll save Shelby's card for my next post since the gal technically hasn't had her birthday yet.

Products Used:
Random Decorative Paper
SU Whisper White Card Stock
SU Inks & Markers
SU Greets, Earthlings Stamps
Light Green Brads
Corner Punches

Babies!!

Last week, our Sunday School class had a breakfast fellowship for a couple in our class having their second child. Normally, we have a diaper shower where everyone brings diapers for the parents...well...for the baby but we hand them to the parents. (haha) Taking note from my ever so smart sister-in-law, I decided to forgo purchasing a certain brand of diaper and opted for a gift card instead.

What a great excuse to make a cute card! So here it is...



I have a new love...my paper crimper. I picked it up at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago and keep finding little items to crimp. I never knew a $20 purchase (plus 40% off coupon) could make me so happy. The light blue paper on this card was crimped. I love how it gives just a little extra texture to the card.

I used SU punches for the baby and sentiment. I also pierced the paper around the scalloped circle. After adding a cute pink ribbon, I still felt like something was missing and decided to add a bit more by punching a strip of pink paper.

Overall I like the card. It wasn't perfect in my eyes, but then again, they never are.