SUOC #69 - Sizzix Sizzles!

Sometimes when I see a new craft item, my first impression is "meh". Take Washi Tape, for instance. I didn't get what all the excitement was about. I mean, I could see using a little snippet to hold something down on a scrapbook page, but I do very little scrapbooking.

Well, being the cheap frugal person I am (okay now, quit laughing), I can't pass up a bargain. The Epic Day This & That bundle has Washi Tape in it. All I really wanted were the other items (journal, DSP, stamp, stickers), but purchasing them separately would have been more than the whole bundle. So, Washi Tape made it into my craft room and onto my craft table.

Well, I could not have been more wrong about the stuff! I used it to make background paper for a masculine card a few days ago, and am using it again today for the SUO Challenges sample. (And I know there are more styles coming in the new annual catalog - Wahoooo, can't wait!!!)  This stuff is awesome!

Our theme this week is anything Sizzix, the caveat being it must be sold by Stampin' Up!. Now you know how much I am in love with Mr. Big (my Big Shot), so this was a really fun challenge for me. Embossing folder? Check! Die cut? You betcha! Embosslits? But, of course!

I am so happy that Calypso Coral is going to become a Core Color. I just love the summer-y, tropical feel of it.  And, while I don't have any of the upcoming new In Colors yet (which should be remedied by Friday *wink*), I think it might coordinate well with the new Crisp Cantaloupe. We'll just have to see, won't we?

Oh, and by the way, that epic deal on the Epic Day This & That bundle ends April 30th. Just so you know.

Stamps: Friendly Phrases, French Foliage
Cardstock: Calypso Coral, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Ink: Calypso Coral, Basic Gray
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Pennants die, Square Lattice folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Epic Day Washi Tape

Tour de Freaks Birthday Blog Tour

Helloooo, hoppers! So glad you could join us on the Control Freaks Tour de Freaks Birthday Blog Tour.  We always need a stash of birthday cards handy, and today I've got something sure to please both the ladies and the men! (And anyone with a sweet tooth, too, like yours truly. heh heh)

If you just happened to land on my blog, follow the link at the bottom to the next blog. And follow the link on THAT one to make the full circle. If you started at the beginning, then you must have just come from Mary Brown's blog. Isn't her Queen for a Day card to die for? (I remember that show, that's how old I am!) Keep in mind, the tour officially starts tomorrow, so if some of the links don't work, try again later!

My first card is for the guys, using the Washi Tape in the Epic Day This & That bundle to make the background paper, and the Countryside stamp. The Washi panel was embossed with the Square Lattice folder for some added texture. I sure hope the Countryside stamp set isn't going to be on the retiring list next week! It's so perfect for masculine cards.

STAMPS: Countryside, Itty Bitty Banners  CARDSTOCK: Shimmery White, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Calypso Coral  INK: StazOn Jet Black, Soft Suede, Calypso Coral, ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Bitty Banner Framelits, Square Lattice Folder, Epic Day Washi Tape

Up next is a cute girlie card using WOOHOO, one of the single stamps that are available for an extended time! I love the combination of pink and brown, don't you? Reminds me of strawberries and chocolate. And the yellow makes me think of lemonade. Is it Spring yet where you are?

STAMP: Woohoo  CARDSTOCK: Shimmery White, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, plus Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, and So Saffron DSP  INK: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Rose Red  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots folder, Pearls Basic Jewels, Pretty in Pink Scalloped Polka-Dot Ribbon, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat

And for the sweet-craving folks among us, a little treat box filled with York Peppermint Patties. (Man, I love those things! Have to limit them, though, even though they are only 1 WW Point.) This box is so quick and easy to make using the Kraft Gift box, some adhesive, and a little DSP.

STAMP: None  CARDSTOCK: Pretty in Pink and So Saffron DSP (Subtles Stack)

INK: None  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Ovals Framelits, Window Sheets, Kraft Gift Box

Okay, that's all for me. Your next stop is Dannie over at Dannie's Designs! Click the button below to see what treats she has in store for you!

SUOC68, Monochrome!

Our challenge this week at SUO Challenges is monochrome! Now, monochromatic cards don't have to be monotonous (har har). Using several shades of the same color, and then adding a deeper shade of the same family as an accent can really add visual interest to your project.  Here I used Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, and Regal Rose, but added Melon Mambo to make it pop!

STAMPS: Summer Silhouettes, Delightful Dozen  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, plus Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, and Melon Mambo DSP  INK: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo   ACCESSORIES: Regal Rose 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Tea Lace Paper Doily, Designer Builder Brad, Owl Punch (heart), Punch Pack

Two of these colors (Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose) have been discontinued by Stampin' Up! in anticipation of the Color Refresh coming in the new annual catalog June 1st. If these, or any of the other retiring colors are your faves, better stock up while you can, because everything is "while supplies last". That means cardstock, ribbon, ink pads, ink refills, markers, etc.  I know some things are already sold out!

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you will play along with our color challenge this week!

Stampin' Up Retiring Colors Blog Hop

Never let it be said that we stampers don't work best under pressure!  Stampin' Up! announced their color update on Thursday, and by Thursday night the Stampin' Addicts were planning this hop to showcase the retiring colors. Everyone chose a different color as their main focus, but there will be some mixing and matching, and the last stop even uses all eleven!  You can see the twelve stops HERE. They are all linked to each other, so just click the links at the bottom of each post to make the full circuit. Everybody should be linked by noon Eastern (9:00 AM Pacific).  If you started at the beginning, then you've arrived from Adriana's blog, Escape2Stamp.  She made Certainly Celery sing, didn't she?

My color choice is Baja Breeze. I am so sorry to see this color is leaving the line up, because it coordinates so well with other colors, it's practically a neutral!

For my first card, I paired Baja Breeze with its dynamic duo on the Color Coach, Not Quite Navy (which happens to be Paula's color). There's even another retiring color in there - Certainly Celery, which you just saw on Adriana's blog! This is a "mailable" card, because the bling doesn't stick up too much, so no need for extra postage!

STAMPS: Stippled Blossoms, Feel Goods, Distressed Dots  CARDSTOCK: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White  INK: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy,Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Ovals Framelits, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

For my second card, the Color Coach suggested another retiring color, More Mustard.  I wasn't too sure about that combination at first, but stamping, then stamping off twice really made a nice faded effect and toned down the More Mustard (which is Holly's color). Pairing it with some Basic Black really makes the card pop!  The ribbon is Whisper White Taffeta, sponged with More Mustard.

STAMPS: Secret Garden, Delightful Dozen, Everything Eleanor  CARDSTOCK: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Basic Black, Twiptterpated DSP  INK: Baja Breeze, More Mustard, Basic Black  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Secret Garden Framelits, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Sponges, Pearls Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Well, there you have it.......bye-bye Baja Breeze *sniff!*.  Since Stampin' Up! is offering free shipping through Monday, we wanted you to see the colors that are going away. If you can't live without them, you still have time to order and get free shipping! Note: the discountinued colors (including cardstock, ink pads, markers, etc. are available while supplies last. Once they're sold out, that's it!

Next stop on the hop is Jennifer Timko at Stampin' on the Fly. She's going to show you how much you really need Riding Hood Red!

This hop was brought to you by the fabulous folks at Stampin' Addicts, a friendly community of stampers addicted to all things Stampin' Up! The people are friendly, membership is free, and the inspiration in the gallery is amazing. Be sure to check it out soon!