Going, Going....

As we in the Stampin' Up family transition over to the new catalogue (which is FABULOUS!!!) we always have to say goodbye to a few old friends.  Today the retiring lists came out and many stamp sets and accesories are saying farewell....some at deep discounts!  Click on the picture below to go to my website and check out the retired lists.  Remember, many of these items are only available while supplies last (or until June 3rd).   To place an order simply me email me your wishlist or order online at http://lauragardiner.stampinup.net

Cheers!

Fabulous Phrases

With spring upon us and my desk finally cleaned I feel as though a fresh breeze has blown through my brain and I can think, and therefore create, clearly again!  Isn't it amazing what an effect the change in season can have on us?!  Don't get me wrong, I love winter....and snow and cold....but come April 1st I sure am ready for it to warm up! 

Along with the change in season come new beginnings.  In the Stampin' Up family we've seen a "Colour Refresh" in the past couple of weeks and next week we'll get to see what's being "purged" in favour of new (and always exciting!) product. 

As we quickly approach the launch of Stampin' Up's new catalogue I find myself wanting/needing/desperate to use up some of my scraps and older supplies.  I am feeling the need to use Baja Breeze as much as I can now that it is being retired.  It has long been one of my favourite colours so I was thrilled to see it in this week's Paper Players Colour Challenge!  I paired the colours in this challenge with the "word" from this week's CASology challenge to create today's card.

Isn't that a great colour combination?!!  I have lots of bits and pieces of these colours from past Designer Series Paper packages and Sale-a-bration freebies that were put to good use on this card.

I have had the idea to make a "word collage" rolling around in my head for a few days now so the CASology challenge word ("word") was a perfect fit.  The "Fabulous Phrases" stamp set is so versatile and is really fun to use.  I picked out all of the words from it that made me think of a birthday and stamped them horizontally and vertically before punching out the Decorative Label. 

I took inspiration from a couple of cards that I saw on Pinterest (you can follow me there by clicking the link on the right of this page).  I had fun using my Paper Piercing Pack to pierce the circles in the backing white.

Happy Stamping!

Refreshing Colours for CAS Challenge

Have I mentioned how thrilled I am about Stampin' Up's "Colour Refresh"?!  I am so excited that some colours are staying (Pool Party, Island Indigo...yay!) and that some are coming back!  About this time last year I fell in love with "Blushing Bride" while making my daughter's birth announcements.  I was sad to see it go last year to make way for new In Colours but it's coming back along with Pear Pizzazz, Soft Sky, Bermuda Bay, and Crushed Curry!  Yay!!!

So, in celebration, I used "Blushing Bride" and "Pear Pizzazz" in one of my cards for my Mother's Day Make and Take tomorrow evening.   For sketch inspiration I turned to CAS - Colours and Sketches Challenge.  Here is this week's sketch:



CAS - Colours and Sketches Challenge #20

Here is my card:

Pretty, eh?  I love the softness of the Blushing Bride and Crumb Cake card stocks together.   I also used Pear Pizzazz, Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delight.  I finally got my hands on some Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon and really wanted to use it here.  While it's hard to see here, I also used some Basic Pearls on either side of the sentiment.

I'm looking forward to seeing what my guests do with this card tomorrow evening!

Happy Stamping!

Four Square

I have two cards to share with you tonight.  They are CASE'd from a card that my SIL gave me for my birthday last week.  I liked her card so much I just HAD to copy it!  The first is almost an exact copy:

I broke out my pad of Print Poetry DSP for these ones.  I've had it for quite a while now and haven't really used any of it.  Admittedly, I have a problem:  I LOVE Designer Series Paper and tend to hoard it!  I'm working on this tendency and trying to "share the wealth" a little more.  Partly because I just don't have room to store tons of paper : )

I also used my "A Round Array" stamp set for the first time on this card with the coordinating 7/8" scallop circle punch.  You can get both through Stampin' Up's "Spring Surprise" bundle from now until the end of the month.  Pretty, eh?

Here is the variation:

I still used the "Print Poetry" paper.  I really like how many different combinations of colours that one can get just from one stack of paper!  It's hard to see in this photo but I used my Stripes TIEF to give some texture to the background.

Happy Stamping!

Refreshing Colours

Spring cleaning and refreshing has begun both at my house and at Stampin' Up!  Check out the latest "Colour Refresh":

I'm having mixed feelings about this one!  I'm SO excited that Pool Party and Island Indigo are staying.....I was having angst about them leaving : )  Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz are coming back!!  YAY!!!  But Baja Breeze is leaving....boohoo : (  I'm sad about that.  I'm going to be sure to get some ink refills and more cardstock THIS WEEKEND for 2 reasons:

1.  I don't want to miss out because the discontinued colours are only available while supplies last

2. Stampin' Up! is offering FREE SHIPPING this weekend (April 6-8)!  Isn't that FANTASTIC?!!! 

If you'd like to order something you can place an online order at http://lauragardiner.stampinup.net or contact me directly with your requests!  Please use this hostess code:  DQXPVB7X.

Happy Stamping!