Stampin' Addicts Retiring Set Blog Hop

Welcome to the Stampin' Addicts Retiring Set Blog Hop! This weekend we have 9 stampers who have created fabulous projects using products from the recently released Stampin' Up! retiring list. There are so many favorites that are going away, but I know they are making room for new soon-to-be favorites! The retiring stamps will be available to order until June 2nd, but everything else is "while supplies last."

I'm the first stop on the hop, but you may have just landed here from the link on Krystal's blog. She sure makes me wish Stippled Blossom wasn't retiring! Love that 2-step stampin'!

I chose Apothecary Art and the matching Labels Collection Framelits. I just love the way you can die-cut the stamped image and build layers so easily!

My first card is just in time for Mother's Day! The largest image from Apothecary Art was stamped, colored with Stampin' Write Markers, and fussy-cut so the mat would just peek out. I kind of fudged a bit on the greeting by using Sweet Laughter from the Occasions catalog. It's retiring on June 2nd, too, so at least I kept up the retiring theme!

My next card is so soft and feminine-looking. It also has a bit o' bling, so of course, it's my fave! It was stamped on Watercolor Paper and colored with markers, then matted on Champagne Glimmer (also retiring) and popped up on Blushing Bride DSP (from the retiring Subtles DSP Stack). The card base is Naturals White cardstock, which is on the list to go, as well. I think it really coordinates with the Watercolor Paper, so I'm sorry to see it go.

That's all I have today, so thanks for stopping by! Rhonda is next in line, featuring Gifts of Kindness over at The Stampin' Bunny.

This hop was brought to you by the good folks at Stampin' Addicts. We're addicted to all things Stampin' Up, and welcome visitors and new members!

SUPPLIES (Items in red are retiring)

Mother's Day

STAMPS: Apothecary Art, Sweet Laughter  INK: StazOn Jet Black, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Labels Collection Framelits, Tea Lace Doilies, Pearl Basic Jewels, Daffodil Delight 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Birthday

STAMPS: Apothecary Art  INKS: VersaMark, Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral and Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Write Markers  CARDSTOCK: Naturals White, Watercolor Paper, Champagne Glimmer, Blushing Bride DSP  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Blushing Bride 1/4" Cotton Ribbon, Artisan Embellishment Kit, Stampin' Dimensionals

Retired and Retiring

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and since my mom is about 1,900 miles away, I won't get to spend the day with her. *sniff* So I decided to make a little gift to send with her card this year. It was easy to make the gift box, which holds six cards with envelopes, with the envelope punch board. (**See measurements below.)

I used some now-retired Irresistably Yours DSP because it's a nice sturdy weight for a box. And guess what?! The new annual catalog will have an all new version called Color Me Irresistable! It includes some colors, as well as all white! Cannot wait until I can get my hands on it!

The Peony closure was a breeze with a couple of punches and Filter Paper! Using four layers of the rectangle paper, I punched twice with the Blossom Punch, which is retiring the end of this month, and three times with the Pansy Punch. I stacked them all together, poked a hole in the middle with the Paper Piercing Tool, and held them together with a Mini Brad. They were then scrunched and fluffed, the edges dipped on the retiring Strawberry Slush Stampin' Pad, and spritzed with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (also retiring).

The flower was adhered to a punched 2-3/8" scalloped circle of Strawberry Slush, then adhered to the box with Stampin' Dimensionals, leaving the top free to tuck the flap under. So, how did I mail it without crushing the flower? I made a little circle from Kraft Cardstock to protect the blossom and mailed it in a small flat rate Priority box!

** BOX (1" x 5" x 6") easily holds six embellished cards with envelopes.
Start with a 10" square of cardstock and punch/score at 4-5/8" and 6-1/8". Then use score lines to continue around the other three sides. There's a handy calculator HERE for other sizes!

STAMPS: Better Than E-Mail
CARDSTOCK: Irresistably Yours, White Filter Paper, Kraft Cardstock, Strawberry Slush
INK: Strawberry Slush, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi
ACCESSORIES: Envelope Punch Board, Blossom Punch, Pansy Punch, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Handheld Stapler, Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Mini Brads, Stampin' Dimnesionals

Postponed Hop and Sneak Peek

The Stampin' Addicts had to move their retiring products hop to next Friday, May 8th. Sorry about that! I think the extra time will mean more fabulous projects to see, so be sure to check back then!

Meanwhile, to get you excited for the new annual Stampin' Up! catalog that starts June 2nd, I have the names of the new In Colors, and some samples to show you! These were revealed at the South Pacific Stampin' Up! Convention and if you look verrry closely, you'll see new stamps, dies and embellishments! WOOHOOO! Click on the picture for a closer look.

Yes, there are new butterfly stamps, butterfly Framelits dies, In Color Sheer Lace Trim, and sweet little In Color Blossom Accents! And if you were really, really observant, you probably noticed the reformulated DSP background paper under the lace trim. I LOVE it, because I know I will use all four designs....no more chevrons! Wahoootie!