Let the Hopping Begin

Thanks for stopping by to see my creation for the first day (Monday 5/28).  I always post early because I'm afraid of the scheduling option :) You've probably arrived from Bridgett's but if you missed any stops just check the bottom of the post for everyone on the hop.
 I am on top of my cards for the next few months because I will be moving soon and my stamps will be out of my ink stained hands for a while.  So here is a Father's Day card featuring the set I Dig You.  This set was in the last catalog and will be in the new catalog as well.  The card is a combination slider and (non spinning) spinner.  Let's call it a slider track :)  Based on your feedback I can post more detailed directions after the hop if you are interested.

Please also leave a comment if you would like to enter for a chance at some blog candy.  I can't decide what to give away this time so leave me a suggestion:)  When you leave a comment make sure to include your email so I can contact you if you win.  Now don't stop here...keep going to Judy's.  See you for day #2 of the Glitter Queen's hop.

I hope you started the hop with Dawn
Next is Tamara
then Jenny
don't forget to stop by at Jan's
then Dee (who makes great videos)
on to Bridgett
then me the plains stamper
next is Judy check out her beautiful flag photographs
and last but not least Anji

if any of these links are not working here are the direct addresses:

 Dawn    www.dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com

 Tamara     www.papercraftingstamper.blogspot.com

Jennifer               http://txjennywren.blogspot.com 

Jan           http://www.bearycreativecrafts.blogspot.com

Dee               http://createwithdee.typepad.com

Bridgett           www.stampingwithbridgett.blogspot.com

De       http://theplainsstamper.blogspot.com

Judy             www.scrap-a-doodlestamping.blogspot.com 

Anji    http://alteredscraps.com
thanks for hopping

Farewell "party this way" and hello blog hop

With just a few short days really until this set is gone forever I thought I should show a card I made with the set Party this Way.  The base is pretty n pink and run thru the big shot to make a scallop square.  The next layer is a non SU embossing folder but you could use the wood grain background set \.  The oval punch creates a hole in the tree for the owl to peek through.  his vest is melon mambo DSP.  the balloons are embossed in white on melon mambo.  I used the word window punch and some alphabet rub ons for the sentiment.

I got my hands on the new catalog yesterday and it is really neat.  There are some pages with in depth ideas and instructions as well as some interesting color combinations.  The demonstrators are all very excited about the new colors and products including the Glitter Queens.  In fact keep a lookout for our next blog hop coming up Monday May 28th thru Wednesday May 30th.  So far there are 8 of us hopping and each day will start on Dawn's blog.  Have a great weekend.

teacher appreciation link

I'm so glad to hear from a few of you that you liked the altered pop tab can I made for my son's teacher.
The tutorial is found on Split Coast Stampers under their resources.  Here is a link.   Have fun.

For Tank

Some dear friends lost one of their labs a few weeks ago.  What a good dog - he'll be missed and remembered.  This card came together quickly as an inspiration from several cards.  It's a soft suede base with a strip of soft suede DSP.  The main image is on watercolor paper.  I colored the Thoughts & Prayers stamp with old olive and chocolate chip then used the aqua painter to "bleed" the image.  The paw (not SU....shhhh) is stamped in soft suede on whisper white and matted and tied with early espresso ribbon.  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  The distressed corner is inspiration from Ann Schach..thanks Ann.

Teacher Appreciation

Since this is my son's first year in pre-school this is also my first teacher appreciation gift.  Most of what is seen was $1 (the notepad from Michaels, the hand anti-bac from Bath & Body).  The apple scrubbie is from a free pattern on the Lion Brand yarn site.  I already had the yarn, the tin can was full of mandarin oranges we enjoyed on our salad that evening.  I did buy the jolly ranchers but the project didn't require the whole bag.
I'm sure many of you have kids with multiple teachers so keeping the cost down and the easy factor up is key!

The DSP is called summer picnic and I got it off the SU! clearance rack quite a while ago and of course the Tart & Tangy set is retired but it one of my all time favorites.  If you'd like any more details please feel free to leave a comment.  The techniques used is pop can off of SCS.  Thanks for looking!

Farewell Accessories and Occasions Mini

Well the accessories retirement list was posted yesterday.  I am a little surprised at some of the punches and dies that are leaving the family.   Makes me picture the butterfly punch sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair talking to Mr. Barely Banana at the SU retirement home.  The nicest part about the retirement list this year is it is available in our online stores.  Just click on my Shop 24/7 button and they are listed and pictured for easy ordering.  Including those items discounted :).  Before the occasions mini goes away I wanted to share a card made with the set Just My Type.  This was my dad's birthday card and I altered it slightly for my uncle (dad's twin).  The inspiration from the card is from Mary Fish.  I just love Mary's style and her cute pixie haircut.

So take a moment to look over the retired items and get ready for all the super new stuff coming our way in a little over a month.  Waiting the last month for the catalog is like the last month of a pregnancy---it just drags.

Retired Stamp Set List

I'm trying not to freak out but I just saw the list and SEVERAL of my all time favorite...go to...use all the time sets are being retired..AHHHHH.
For anyone new to Stampin' Up! once a year they announce which sets will go out of their inventory and no longer be for sale.  Now that doesn't mean too much to the average stamper and even as a demonstrator I can still use them but I can't tell someone who loves a card with the Medallion on it "oh you can buy that".  Yes that's right...the Medalllion is retiring.  So is Fox & Friends and Loads of Love (I've had that one forever).  So here is the list and the low down.  Order the retiring sets now until May 31st if it is a set that's always been on your "someday" list.  Once they sell out they are gone for good.
I am so excited to see what is new and I'm sure I will have new favorites very soon.
Retired Stamp Sets List 2012
The next round of retiring items the accessories list (papers, in color items, buttons and brads and all the cute extras) will be released on April 25th.  This list has items that always go quickly and sometimes at a reduced price.
So grab a cup of tea and sit down with your hi-lighter or red pen to mark your current catalogs.
Remember it is super easy to place an order on-line with me by clicking on the shop 24/7 tab on the right side of the blog.  The items are shipped directly to you in a little over a week.

Meanwhile here is my Easter card for this year along with a piece of stained glass my dad made for Easter.