Back to Business! ... and Dandelion Wishes

Happy Friday!!!!

Day 1 of the kids officially being on summer break ... and I'm up at 5:15 am *insert eye roll here*.

WHAT has be awake at stupid-o-clock when I can finally sleep in??  (which would be about 7:00 am in my world!) . NOTHING!  NOTHING has me awake! ... and by that I mean I have nothing on my plate ... and I don't know how to handle that!!  How messed up is THAT??  Seriously!  So I hit my "Earn The Trip To Greece" goal 2 weeks ago today.  Since then I have done virtually NOTHING stamping-wise.  Can you say "total and complete burn out"?  Wow.  I knew I was running on empty but it really was all I could do to pack up and deliver all the orders I had from my BOGO event.

Earning Greece taught me SO much.  It taught me WHAT to do but it also taught me what NOT to do.  Yes, I will aim for the next incentive trip (destination unknown) but I will do it very differently this time.  I will work smarter, not harder.  I won't sacrifice as much.  I won't let it be all-consuming.

So where do I go from here?  I take a few steps back.  I will spend the summer with the family.  I will help my parents get their house (my family home since I was 9) ready to sell.  I will stamp for fun and I will plan classes for the fall.  I will turn my focus to ME for the next 8 weeks as I figure out how to relax, how to sleep, how to meal plan and how to have a more balanced business.

I will only have 3 stamping events over the summer.  The last Monday of July and August I will be stamping at Second Cup, Hollick Kenyon and I will also be stamping with my lovely ladies at the Robinhood Association.  The summer goes by SO quickly there really isn't time for much more!  Heck, demonstrators can start ordering from the HOLIDAY catalogue starting in August!!  Yes, Christmas crafting will be upon us before we know it!

My PLAN is to create DOZENS of projects and blog more regularly.  At LEAST once a week.  Pop in regularly and hold me accountable!

Here is a QUICK and EASY project I made last week.  I need 25 Thank You cards for all those BOGO orders I received.  I LOVE how they turned out!

This was PERFECT ... as I wrote on the inside "Thank you for helping to make my wish come true".  I say again ... PERFECT!

I used the new Dandelion Wishes set for the image, stamped with Memento Black and Coastal Cabana (does anyone else start singing Copa Cabana whenever they use this colour???).  The sentiment is from another new set, Friendly Expressions. 

To get the "thanks" without the "for all you do" I simply used the ink pad to just ink the one word.  It was pretty easy not to get ink on the "for all you do" but occasionally I needed a bit more ink near the bottom of the "thanks" so I used my finger dauber to add a bit more.

I DID use my stamparatus on this project.  It was PERFECT for mass-producing!  I can't say enough good things about that tool!  SO much less waste of card stock.  You HAVE to have one!

Oh!  I guess I should mention - these are not full sized cards!  Once again I turned to my stash of Notecards & Envelopes to crack off 25 of these little cuties in under 2 hours!

I did try a few different colours on this card - Crushed Curry, Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron ... I liked the Coastal Cabana best (* ... and cue the song in my head).

For a touch of bling I added a medium rhinestone to the centre of the Dandelion and coloured it with my Bermuda Bay Blend marker.  Added just the right touch!

Speaking of blends .... if you've been on social media at ALL over the last 24 hours you will have heard the news ... the Blends in the 2018 catalogue are ALL now in stock and available for ordering!  Whoot!

I can't WAIT to order them all!!!  Now ... listen to me ... if YOU want to order all of the Blends THE best deal to do so is to GET THE STARTER KIT IN JULY!!!  Why?  In July the regular Starter Kit deal is even better!  Not ONLY do you get to pick out $165 worth of product, pay $135 flat, get a free Paper Pumpkin Kit, and be able to order anything else in the catalogue at a MINIMUM 20% discount ... but you ALSO get to pick a set of 10 of the new ink pads for FREE!  You can choose any of the color families or In Colour pads - a $92.50 value ... for FREE!

So let's do the math!  For $165 you can order 27 of the Blend markers.  You will only pay $135, not $187.11, which is what you would pay if you ordered them through me.  THAT'S A SAVINGS OF $52.11 RIGHT THERE!  PLUS you get a free Paper Pumpkin kit AND you get 10 ink pads!  Those ink pads would cost you $106.84 if you ordered them through me.  With the kit they are FREE! 

$293.95 or $135.00

Same products.

Which would YOU rather pay??  (and actually, you get the free Paper Pumpkin kit with the lower price option ... ANOTHER $28.30 saved!)

I know which I WOULD prefer.

Starting July 1 Canadians can head to www.tamarabertram.stampinup.net - click on "join the fun", then on "join now".  I would love to have you in my group of Trail Blazers!

OK!  I think that's a long enough post for one day!  Thank you for being patient with me as I try to figure out how to slow down a bit ... and have a SUPER stampy day!

<3


Tam

Mission Accomplished!

Happy HAPPY Sunday!!

... and Happy Father's Day!

Well.

I did it.

It has taken 12 years of learning, stretching, growing, crying, planning, sweating, selling, teaching, mentoring, believing, doubting, laughing and stamping ... and I've finally done it.

I have finally earned one of the coveted Stampin' Up! Incentive Trips.

We leave for a 7 day cruise around the Greek Isles in July, 2019.

Un.  Be.  Leavable.

It is SUCH a mix of emotions!!!  On the one hand I can't believe I did it!  On the other hand I KNEW I would do it.  I'm overwhelmed.  I'm grateful.  I'm shocked.  I'm proud.  I'm excited.  I'm humbled.  I'm ecstatic.  I'm exhausted.

I crossed the finish line Friday night - at my 2018 Catalogue Launch / Open House event that I held for my team and club members.  It was AMAZING to be able to get there with my best friends and cheerleaders in the room as I did a quick tally to see how close I was.  I need $1,130 in sales.  As the orders kept coming in the calculator was at about $800 ... then we spotted two more orders ... $900 ... one more ... $1,000 ... final one ... $1,300!!!  ** Cue the tears at this point!  It was hugs, high fives and tears all around. 

I did it.

It is going to be SOOOOO amazing!  Craig and I will take the trip alone.  While it would be fun to have the girls with us and I'm sure that after 4 days away from them I'll be wishing they'd come but I REALLY want a "proper" holiday with just Craig.  HE has been the one to support me the last 12 years.  No, he hasn't helped me do the business per se but HE is the one who had to deal with me when I was stressed.  HE gave up his "man cave" every Friday night for as long as I can remember.  HE was the one who had to feed the kids or walk the dog or buy the wine ... he was the one behind the scenes doing what needed to be done so I could do what I needed to get done.  We sail July 2019.  Our 15 year wedding anniversary is April 2019.  What an amazing way to celebrate 15 years together.  We really haven't had many get aways together, just me and him.  In 15 years we've had 5 nights away in South Carolina (when I earned a mini Getaway Vacation with SU yearrrrrrrs ago), and a few weekends away to the mountains every 5 years.  Heck, it's been 15 years since we had a solo vacay - our wedding!  We eloped to Jamaica.  7 nights away.  I think we're due a romantic cruise alone.  I'll send the girls to Uncle's house for a holiday and adventure of their own.  Craig and I will get to be a couple, rather than parents.  Yes, we'll miss the girls but we will have two weeks to connect and enjoy each others' company without having to "adult"  (yes, we're gunna extend the 7 day trip to 14 to tour around Rome!!)

There just aren't words to express the depth of my gratitude to everyone who has helped me along this 12 year journey.  I earned the trip THIS year but it has taken me 12 years to get to the point in my business to even TRY to earn the trip.  Until January 2017 the trip was always WAY beyond my reach.  I KNEW the work and sacrifice it would take from me and my family and, until last January, I just wasn't able ... or willing ... to try.  The first 11 YEARS have set me up for the last 18 months.  All my planets were in alignment and it was time.  I have SO many people to thank.  SO many in the last 18 months have really tipped the scales for me but you know what?  It's all the little things and all the little "failures" along the way that have helped just as much.  Obviously every person who ever had a party, bought a card, came to a class, "liked" a FB post, joined my team or joined my club has helped ... but Im also grateful for all the people who bailed on parties ... the "difficult" customers ... the incorrect items ordered ... the PROBLEMS I've had along the way.  I learned just as much from what went WRONG as I did from what went RIGHT!

It has been a journey, alright.  It has been an amazing one.  Looking back over the last 12 years just blows my mind at how far I've come and what can be done with one little Stampin' Up! Starter Kit.  Absolutely mind blowing.

Who'd'a'thunk?

I'll leave it there ... just some Sunday morning reflections to start your/my day.  I'm off to walk Doodle Dog and watch the new born goslings down at the lake ... and take some time to smell the roses.

Have an amazing day My Friends. Thank you.  For everything.


Tam

(** here are some pics from my Friday night event)

Tin of Thank Yous

Happy Wednesday!

Well I must say I'm feeling 80% better today than I did Monday!  A day of rest, lots of pain killers, massaging my hips and a trip to the chiropractor have me mobile again!  Ya, I still overdid it a bit yesterday but I just couldn't sit around any more!!  Today I'm treating myself to an hour long massage with the BEST masseuse in the area.  Yes it will hurt but I think it will do wonders at helping my shoulders sit where they should and not be up around my ears!  My back is SUCH a mess right now!

So I'm sitting here this morning (with my feet on the floor in proper position so I don't throw things out of whack again!) planning a few more projects for the near future and thought I should share one of my FAVE classes EVER!  Check out my Tin of Thank You cards/class:

I just LOVE them!  The cards are SO quick and easy it's ridiculous ... and the tins are SO cute!! 

These are a GREAT Teacher Gift!  They are quick, cute and CONSUMABLE - just what teachers like!

The class involved everyone coming over and filling two tins each with 10 notecards (2 each of the 5 designs).

The tins are from Dollarama (Canada).  Ya - I *may* have cleaned out the 4 stores within a 15 mile radius stocking up on these little cuties!

I used the standard notecards and envelopes (I can't say enough times just how much I LOVE having these things on hand!!!) . You get 20 in a pack for $8.00 .... hmmm ... I think the price went up a bit.  I think they're $8.50 now ... regardless, they are a GREAT deal!

I used Black Bakers twine - there is enough in a roll to make more than 40 cards!  GREAT value at only $4 a roll!

I used a lot of retiring stamp set - I had to get them out one more time ... and am sad I didn't use them more when they were "current"!  I used Remarkable You for the three of the cards and Petal Palette (current) for the other two.   

The sentiments are from Petal Palette, Thankful Thoughts and One Big Meaning

So that's one of my newer projects.  I hope you like it.  I love it so much I want to make up a few more to have on hand for BBQ season, as hostess gifts if we are invited out.  I WANT to ... we'll see if I get around to it! *lol*

Pop in again soon - I want to share another of my fave little gifts.  Until then, have a stampy day!!

Tam

2018 DSP and Ribbon Share .... and Cool Treats for Sweet Gifts!

Happy Monday!

Well this is your lucky day!

I managed to throw my back out today so I've been horizontal for most of the day and am bored out of my skull ... so I'm blogging!  Whoot! *lol* . 

After watching about 10 episodes of Coronation Street (I'm now down to only 72 to watch!) I HAD to get up for about 45 minutes for some lunch (and *maybe* to clean out the dishwasher) but I promise I took it VERY slow and easy.  I am SO tempted to try to do things but I know if I can just invest ONE down day to recover I will avoid being out of commission (and screaming in pain) for the next three days ... so here I lie - drugged up on muscle relaxants and anti-inflammitories ... blogging!

Oh ... what's that?  HOW did I throw out my back?  Sitting.  Yes sitting.  Remember the Product Share I posted Saturday?  Yup.  The 3 hours I sat calculating and posting aggravated my back.  Yesterday I spent a few more hours working on my Ribbon and Paper shares ... and that was game-over.  Don't worry - I'm sure I'll be right as rain tomorrow.  The inflammation should be down and will hopefully be good enough for me to hit the chiropractor late afternoon.  After that it's all systems go!

Here, quickly,  are my Ribbon Share and DSP Share ... and then a project (finally!) to share with you!

I do have discounts, if you purchase more than one share:

MY 2018 PAPER AND RIBBON SHARE OPTIONS:

 

Option 1: Ribbon Share $25

Option 2: Standard Designer Series Paper Share $45

Option 3:  Specialty Designer Series Paper Share $17

Combo Options:

Option A:  Option 1 plus Option 2 - save $5 = $65

Option B:  Option 1 plus Option 3 - save $2 = $40

Option C:  The Whole Shebang - Option 1 plus Option 2 plus Option 3 - save $10 = $77

Message me if you're in Canada and would like a share!  Shipping is $15 extra.  I'm in Edmonton, for any local gals.

Now!  Let's get on with that project, shall we??

How cute are these little treats??

I'm sorry to be posting retired products- I made these back in early April!  They are great for end-of school year gifts!

I used the Cool Treats stamp set and the Flirty Flamingo Ruffled Ribbon.   The little bags are our 2" x 8" bags, folded over.

The gummy treats (which are the exact size of the stamped images!) are from Dollarama.  They are still available in SOME stores but they are tough to find now.  I *may* have cleaned out all the stores within a 10 mile radius!

SO quick to put together an SO fun to receive!

OK, that's it for now.  I'm sure I'll work on a few more posts for you tonight so pop in again soon to see those!

I hope you're having a stampy day!


Tamara

2018 In Color Club - Starts June 15th

Happy Saturday!

Given my long absence from posting I think you probably figured out I've been going full tilt with the end of the 2017 catalogue and the start of the 2018 catalogue!

Notice I updated the link on the Right Hand Side and you can access the new catalogue simply by clicking on the picture.

There is SO much to look at in the new catalogue ... and with all the new colors and products it's easy to have a wish list as long as your arm!

As ALWAYS, the best deal ALL DAY LONG is to get the Starter Kit.  For $135 flat CDN you pick $165 of ANY product.  After that you can order ANYTHING from the catalogue at a MINIMUM of 20% discount!  Seriously!  You could order 27 of the Blends Markers for $135.  If you ordered them through me it would cost you $187.11.  With the Starter Kit you only pay $135.  Period.  If you want to order the rest of the Blends you can ... and they will be at LEAST 20% off, if not more.  That's just an example.  You can put ANYTHING in your kit that you want!

Having said that, I DO realize not everyone has an extra $135 kicking around.  That's where my purchasing clubs come in ... and I have one up and ready to roll starting June 15th.

If your eyes are anything like mine that's a LITTLE too small to read so here it is in "old people font" *lol*

The New 2018 Stampin' Up In Colors are SO PRETTY and come in paper. ink, markers, ribbons, embossing powders and designer paper.

Want them all but you're on a budget?

Don't worry!  I've got'cher back!

Join my In Color club and you CAN have it all ... and you spread out your purchase (and payments) over 5 months!

In Color Club - $40 per month for 5 months

Each month you'll get 1 ink pad, 1 Stampin' Write Marker, 10 yards of 1/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, 8 pieces of 6" x 6" Designer Paper, 4 sheets of 8 1/2" x 11" card stock and embossing powder in one oft the 2018 In Colors.  For example, one month you'll get the Blueberry Bushel items, another the Grapefruit Grove items and so on.

This is a GREAT way to get all the inks, markers, ribbons and embossing powders and designer paper and a sampling of the card stock.

BUT WAIT!  There's MORE! *lol*
In one of the 5 months you will ALSO get the new 2018 Mini Binder Clips AND the new 2017 In Color Flower Buttons for FREE!

The club starts June 15th and runs through to, and including, October 15th, 2018.

I need 5 members to make this club work.  Who's in?

(Yes, any Canadian can take part in the club - but shipping is $15 per month extra)

I hope you join the club - the more the merrier!!

That's it for now (I've been working on this for 3 hours, time for a break!) ... but pop in again soon to check out my Designer Paper Share and Ribbon Share!  Another great way to get a lot of product on a budget!

Have a super stampy Saturday!


Tam

Tamara's Tips - Using the Stamparatus

Happy Thursday!

I swear, I'm TRYING to blog but I'm just not getting there as often as I'd like!  I am THRILLED that my team is growing by leaps and bounds (and I'm inching ever closer to earning that incentive trip to Greece next year!!) but it's all new territory to me to HAVE a large team ... and trying to figure out how to LEAD a large team.  I love it ... it's just a very steep learning curve that is taking a lot of my time right now.

So!  Until I have another fabulous project to share I wanted to post a few videos I made on the Stamparatus.  I'm working on a promotion where my Canadian Customers can win one, so thought I post this one today.

The Stamparatus will be available for purchase starting June 2nd.  It is $67 Canadian (plus s/h/gst).  I think this tool is a MUST HAVE!!!!  I MAY even recommend it over the Big Shot, if you had to choose just one!   THAT is saying something!!!  Not kidding.  You need this tool!

Enjoy the videos, keep popping on as I WILL post projects again as soon as I can .. and have a super stampy day!


Tam

Tamara's Tips - Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets

Happy Tuesday!

I'm hoping to get into my cave today.  Until then, check out another Tamara's Tips/ . These multipurpose Adhesive Sheets are a total game changer.  Not kidding.  I use my small framelits a lot more now that I have discovered these little beauties!

Check it out and have a stampy day!

Tam

Tamara's Tips - Using Embossing Paste!

Happy Sunday!

How was your weekend??  Mine was great! ... and FAST!

I hosted another EPIC Ladie's Night Friday night with seven FABULOUS friends!  Stamping, food, wine, pictionary and LOTS of laughs!  Always SUCH a great time!

Yesterday was a lazy day (recovering from Friday night *lol*) and then it was to my Mom's for dinner and more pictionary fun.

Today was LOTS of sunshine and family time.  A good, smiling weekend!

I'm just heading up to bed (yes, at 8:42 pm!) but thought I'd post one of my "Tamara's Tips" videos for you.

Did you know I post these fairly regularly on my business Facebook page "Tamara's Paper Trail"?  True story!  Hop over there now and "like" my page.  I seriously have been falling down on the blogging front lately ... and the email front!  Facebook is my go-to and where I post ALL the time!  Stay in the loop and follow me there - I promise, I'm a hoot! *lol*

Did you know I have a YouTube Channel?  True story again!  Head over to You Tube and search for "Tamara's Paper Trail" and subscribe to my channel (I think I have a whole 14 subscribers *lol*.  How sad is THAT???) . I'm trying to post more videos there, now that I have faster internet.  Up until yesterday uploading a 5 minute video would take me a few HOURS ... now it only takes about 10 minutes so I will be more inclined to upload my videos there.

ANYway! ... Let's see one of the videos now, shall we?  This is an older one ... it's using the not-so-new-now Embossing Paste.  Enjoy and have a stampy week!


Tam

Picture Perfect Fun!

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a lovely day and managed to get outside for some LOVELY spring weather!  I did!  I'm back to my longer route with Koda.  We have 4 different routes ... we are now up to our 3rd longest.  The final one will start next week - a sure sign that warmer weather is on the horizon!

Tonight I'm share the cards we made Friday night at my Picture Perfect Birthday "product included" class.  This is the first product included class I've had.  It won't be my last!  Stampers came and made 8 cards and they got a Picture Perfect stamp set to take home.  It was a great value and a great class!

In usual Tamara style I was still designing the last card at noon on Friday but I just love how they all turned out.  Lookie:

I can't believe I made so many quick and easy cards ... and I like them!  Normally I need to have lots of layers or over-think everything for HOURS ... but I started designing Thursday night at 7:10 pm and I guess I just didn't have TIME to overthink things.  Hmmmm .... maybe I need to try that EVERY class!  *lol* ... na ... that was flying a LITTLE too close to the sun, even for me! *lol*

So let's look at the cards a little closer, shall we??

This one was ridiculously quick and easy:

I used up the last of my Peekaboo Peach card stock, ran it through the Striped Embossing Folder (**tip - spritz your paper with a fine mist of water before running it through the Big Shot.  The water helps break down the paper fibres a bit and reduces the risk of your paper cutting/tearing with such a deep embossed image).

I cut a 2" x 5 1/2" strip of the Picture Perfect DSP and punched the end with the Triple Banner Punch.  I stamped the sentiment in Archival Black ink (retiring!) and cut it out with an oval framelit.  I used 4 card-lengths of the Bermuda Bay Sale-a-bration ribbon and added three Perfect White Accents (retiring).  The sentiment is popped up on dimensionals.  Bam!  Done!

This one was easy too!  White card base, Berry Burst strip of 1 3/4" x 5 1/2", Picture Perfect DSP strip of 1 1/2" x 5 1/2".  I tied some Soft Sky ribbon around the pieces.  I cut a whisper white piece of 3" x 4" and a Berry Burst of 3 1/4" x 4 1/2".  The sentiment is from Birthday Wit, stamped using my stamparatus in Berry Burst.  (*** if you haven't seen my Facebook video showing you how to do this you MUST!  I give you an AWESOME tip on using your ink spots ... and finger daubers ... and you get to hear me crash into my light ... good times!  Head to Facebook and search for Tamara's Paper Trail.  Like the page and follow me ... and "get notifications".  I post on FB ALL the time with lots of projects and tips!).  I popped the layers up on dimensionals.  BAM!  Done!

This one reminds me of cards I made when I very first started stamping.  Whisper White layer, spritzed with water and run through the Starburst embossing folder.   The black layer is 2 1/4" x 5 1/2" and the white layer is 2" x 5 1/2".  I stamped the candles in Bermuda Bay, the flames in Lemon Lime Twist and the sentiment in Archival Black.  I tied some chevron Bermuda Bay ribbon around it, popped it up on dimensionals, added some rhinestones and used my Wink of Stella on the flames.  BAM!  Done!

This last one is my super favorite!  I just LOVE the layout!!!

A 1" x 4 1/2" strip of Berry burst.  a 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of Basic Black.  A 3" x 3" piece of Picture Perfect DSP.  A scalloped Oval Basic Black piece (from the framelits).  The senitment is stamped in Archival Black and punched out with the Stitched Oval framelit.  the snetiment is popped up on dimensonals and 3 rhinestones add some bling.  BAM!  Done!  I will DEFINITELY be using this layout again.  there's just something about it I love!!

So there you have it - my Friday night class with a great stamp set .. that just HAPPENS to be carrying over to the new catalogue!  I'm glad!  Too bad the designer paper isn't - that stuff is the BOMB! ... and I just might have to stock up and hoard a bunch of it for the future!

That's it for tonight.  I HAVE to get to my cave to act on an idea I have for a class that will work great for Teacher's Gifts or a Mother's Day gift.  Stay tuned for that ... and have a stampy night!


Tam

Saturday Morning Catch Up

Happy Saturday!

Wow.  Feels like forEVER since I've posted!  I started this one last Sunday ... was it really only 6 days ago??  I'm not even kidding when I say the last 3-4 months have been a BLUR for me!  The kids keep asking me "remember?" about conversations we've had, things we've done ... and I can honestly say "no!"  Rings a bit of a bell but I don't remember!  This week my head has been well and truly lodged up my backside!  Driving the girls to school the other day (after 8 months of doing so) and I missed the turn ... by SEVEN BLOCKS!!!  Whaaaatttt??  Just really dumb things all week long.  Keep entering the wrong PIN on my credit card (and believe me, I use it a LOT so there is no excuse for getting it wrong!), going to the store to buy a certain item and then buying everything BUT that item ... just silly, "not thinking" things that aren't like me.  Oh sure, I'm a bit of a gong show a lot of the time but not to THIS degree!  I chalk it up to just going to hard for too long.  I "crossed the finish line" Monday morning and had 7 full days without any stamping commitments on my calendar.  I've been playing catch up on things (still haven't started my taxes yet, though!), taking longer walks, getting back on track and trying to decompress.  Now that I'm starting to slow down a bit I'm realizing just how exhausted and tense I was!

It's been a crazy ride of emotions since Tamye passed.  I will be numb with sadness one day and then so full of love and gratitude for all the gifts she gave, and continues to give me.  Last Saturday many of the Panda Cubs (aka my Stampin' Up! side-lines ... Tamye's Team ...) were over for a team get together.  It was great to see so many of my friends but, obviously, it was bitter sweet as the one person who originally brought us all together, and fostered SO many connections and friendships wasn't physically there with us.  Of course we felt her presence and there more laughs and smiles than tears ... but still ...

Many delicious snacks were brought - fresh, home made scones, muffins, breads ... and Christine brought us home-made Macarons that were over the top amazing!

She hand piped and colored them.  They were divine!  Perfectly soft, yet chewy ... ohhhhh they were delicious!

The plan is for the Panda Cubs to get together every month, as we did at Tamye's.  None of us want to lose what we have.  I look so forward to getting together again next month.

How about some projects??

I had class last Friday night and I wanted to use products that haven't seen NEARLY enough ink time before they retire May 31st.

These are all the sets I own that will be retiring !!!

First up ...

I LOVE this card!  It uses the retiring Emerald Envy In Color green ... and the retiring set Garden Grown.  It's a bit of, what I call, a high-maintenance card, in that there are a lot of steps to creating this image.  I stamped the sentiment in Emerald Envy, using my Stamparatus.  I then wiped off the green ink from the stamp, used my black marker to ink the sentiment and then stamped it again.  THAT is the beauty of that tool!  The stems and leaves are green, but the sentiment is then black ... and it's perfectly stamped!  You would never know it was once green!

I then had to stamp the entire image in different colors on scrap whisper white paper - lemon lime twist, tangerine tango and daffodil delight.  THEN I had to use the framelits to cut out the flowers and attach them with glue dots.

The pot is stamped in Tangering Tango, cut out with the framlits, popped up on dimensionals and then I added some shadowing to ground the pot, using my Smoky Slate Light Blend marker.  I don't even know where I got it, but I found some Emerald Envy Bakers Twine for the side, and I added some clear Wink of Stella to the flowers.  Yes, high maintenance, but I love it!

Next up ...

I wanted to play with the retiring Magical Day bundle of products.  I really am surprised this stuff is retiring - it really is a great bundle to own!!

I took inspiration from this card Brandi Mah showed me ...

I wasn't feeling in a very mermaid-y mood, so I played with the dragon ...

Old Olive and retiring Tangering Tango were the colors used on this one.  The DSP was from the Magical Day DSP.  The dragon was stamped and cut out with the framelits (as were the flames).  The sentiment was stamped in Old Olive and then again in Tangering Tango on scrap so I could cut out the "you are" with a pari of paper snips and popped up on mini dimensionals.  I used the retiring self-adhesive backed sequins and some Wink of Stella for a little shines, after coloring the dragon with the Old Olive Blends.  LOVE those blends!!

Finally I wanted to use the Watercolor Wings retiring set.  I also decided not to hard the lovely Sweet Sugarplum cards stock.  I struggled with this one, as I RARELY use colored card stock for the base.  I asked people on Facebook which one they preferred.  As always, the results were mixed.

In the end I went with a bit of a mix of the two.  I used a softer ribbon (retiring) along with the White Perfect Accents (SOOOOO sad those are retiring as well!) ... and this is what we had in the end.

The "Lovely" is from the Lovely Words thinlit dies.  I really like how it turned out in the end.

So there you have it - a not-so-brief update (when am I EVER brief???)

Things ramp up a bit more again this week.  Team training Tuesday night, Rebecca's birthday and volunteering Wednesday, class Friday (guess I should design those 4 cards soon) ... and the dreaded of all things ... doing TAXES ... but, as always, it will get done.  Somehow!

Today is Rebecca's birthday "party" with friends so I guess I should rotate my back side off the couch, walk Doodles and get this day well and truly started.  Thanks for popping in - have a stampy weekend!


Tam