December CD Calendar

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Well another year is almost over. I hope it’s been a good one for you. It has been for me for the most part. I was fortunate to take two big trips this year. The first to France to see my nephew and his wife and to meet their new baby. It’s been years since I held a baby. I remember my mother saying that as you get older women miss having a baby to hold. Some nursing homes even have women bring in babies so they can hold them. She also said it’s why so many elderly women like stuffed animals. Something to cuddle. I actually understand as I found myself wishing I had a baby in the family so I could hold it. Turns out I had to go all the way to France but so worth it. Baby Harry just turned one year old last month.

When I was there Harry was not crawling and couldn’t sit up. So many changes in just a few months time. 

In October a friend and I went on a Tauck coach tour called Freedom’s Footsteps. It started in Philadelphia where we saw the Liberty Bell and more. Then on to Gettysburg, Amish Country, Richmond, Charlottesville, Williamsburg and ending with three days in DC. It was a fabulous tour, my first on a bus, and only 16 people on the tour. But after 11 days I was ready to get home. Not only physically exhausting but also so much history that my head was full of information. Here are just a few highlights.

We were hoping to see color and were not disappointed with trees of red, orange, and yellow.

 

I had been to Philadelphia many years ago for a work conference and saw the Liberty Bell but it was great to see it again.

 


George Washington’s actual tent. Before the curtains were opened I imagined that it would be green. As you see it is not. It is in a museum and very protected from elements that could hurt it. After the war the tent changed many hands and wasn’t really taken very good care of. Eventually a minister bought it and donated it to the museum. One of the favorite things I saw.


I had been to Colonial Williamsburg about 35 or 40 years ago so it was almost like seeing it for the first time. Our tour director surprised us with tickets for a carriage ride.

Such interesting patterns on the wall made with the swords and guns. This tour guide was so dramatic and played the part well at the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg.

 

Our hotel in DC was right across the street from the White House. 


The Korean War Memorial. Since I had been in DC a few years ago I had seen most of the memorials and museums. I decided to post this picture because of the beautiful trees behind.

Included in our tour was Monticello and Mt. Vernon, a tour of a recreation of an Amish home followed by the most amazing Amish buffet. Anything and everything you could think of to eat. 

Tauck is known for all of the fine details, stays in 5 star hotels, and amazing food. Because of our DC hotel being right across from the White House it is said that when dignitaries come to town that is where they stay. I kept looking for anyone important but probably wouldn’t recognize someone if they were standing right in front of me.

I collect snow globes from places I have traveled. I already had one of the Liberty Bell and one from DC so these are my newest ones from this trip. 

 

Coming in January there will be a new mini catalog out and it will be Sale-a-bration so look for links to those catalogs in January. And if you want the catalog let me know. I will have them soon.

 

Earthen Textures Card

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I wasn’t sure about ordering this stamp set until I started seeing posts from other demonstrators using it. That very often happens to me. Does it happen to you too? Of course the colors I used came directly from  the DSP in that suite of products. You can see them all in the annual catalog on pages 70-71.

 

The card base is 4-1/4″ x 11″ and scored at 1″, 2″, and 6-1/2″.  Fold the 1″ and 2″ score lines as shown above.  The front easel pieces of cardstock is 2-1/2″ x 11″ and scored at 5-1/2″. It is attached to the front and the back with either glue or Tear & Tape.  The vanilla cardstock is 2-1/4″ x 5-1/4″.  I stamped som background “twigs” using Wild Wheat ink and then added the die cut pieces. Two of the “fern” pieces are die cut using the  Soft Shimmer paper found on page 127 of the annual catalog. It’s easy to overlook this paper because you can’t really see how shimmery it is. Look at the enlarged photo below to see that shimmer in the Lost Lagoon and Pretty Peacock ferns. The urn is assembled from the die cut pieces and attached to the card using dimensionals. To finish off the card I added some of the Natural Wavy Trim and Neutrals Adhesive Backed Sequins.

 

 

For the inside of the card I added a strip of the same DSP across the bottom and stamped the sentiment from Biggest Wish stamp set.

 
 
 
 
Have a great week,
 

Storing Photopolymer Stamps

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I wanted to share with you the way I repurpose the stamp cases that come with photopolymer stamps. I started doing this because I like to turn the stamp case over and see what is inside without having to open the case. Call me lazy if you want but when I am searching for something this is so easy and saves time.

This is the front of the case. This is a new stamp set that coordinates with the Bough Punch.

 

When you turn the case over this is what you see.

 

The images of the stamps are on the right side of the paper insert.

 

I simply get out my trimmer and cut the right side off and inset it behind the front sheet.

 

Now when I turn the stamp case over I can easily see if all stamps are there or what might be missing. In this case you can see that there is one missing in the middle.

 

Be sure to check out my online store for several new Stampin’ Up specials including Bonus Days, New Online Exclusives, Clearance Rack refresh, Paper Pumpkin discounted refills for subscribers, and this new card kit below which makes 8 cards and is only $13.

Blossom Wishes Card Kit     #162431

 

Thanks for stopping by and stay cool. It’s hot out there!

 

July CD Calendar & Upcoming Specials

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July is not one of the easier months to do so I usually just try to go with stamping in red and blue. 

There are a couple of specials coming up. The first is Stampin’ Up is bringing back Bonus Days. Any order between July 6th and July 31st of $50 or more earns a $5 coupon that you can use in August towards another order. It doesn’t matter if you place the order yourself or if I place it as part of a workshop order. You will get an email from Stampin’ Up with the coupon code so be sure to save that code.

The other special is a new Online Exclusive that will be available starting July 6th and will be available while supplies last. Did you even know there are online exclusives that are not in any catalog?  You can find them by going to my online store.

 

There are stamps, dies, that cute car punch, DSP and embellishments. Check back July 6th to see more.

 

Thank You Cards for France Trip

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I love Paris so much so when this set with the Eiffel Tower was new I ordered it right away. I am sorry to say that it is retired; however, it was perfect for making some cards to take on my trip to France. I wanted a few thank you cards and the dies included the word merci.

The flowers are from the stamp set Framed Florets which is also retired. I used blends to color the leaves and a sponge dauber and Petal Pink ink to color the flower centers. 

This is the card I used to write a thank you note to my nephew and his wife. Even though they don’t live in Paris it is a very “French” card. I left it on the little table by the bed I used and in addition to thanking them for such a wonderful time I told them that I think they are doing a great job with the baby and know their mothers, who have both passed, would be so proud of them. They both sent me separate texts saying how touched they were. It has to be so hard for them not having their mothers to enjoy this time in their lives and especially that little baby.

I used the smaller notecards to write thank you notes to the hotel staff in Paris, to the flight crew on the plane from Paris back to the states and to my daughter who took me to and picked me up from the airport. What does not show is the inside of the cards which is stamped “Life is a magnificent adventure” and my personal note thanked them for being a part of my adventure. It is true, life holds many adventures and I feel very fortunate that this trip was one of mine. 

Just a reminder that there are select papers on sale until the end of the month. You can check them out in my online store here.

 

 

 

Little Monkey Card and My Trip to France

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I created this card for a class last month and when I did I actually had not realized the die I used had retired. It has 3 cut outs which I wanted in the card however you could make the card by creating your own cut outs with other dies or just not even have cutouts at all. And then, maybe you already own that die. I did create a PDF tutorial for the card:

Little Monkey PDF

As many of you know I went to France a few weeks ago and just got home on Friday. I am still trying to get back to normal. Jet lag is real. My nephew lives in southern France where he and his wife own a flower farm. In November they had a baby boy and I told him I was going to come visit when he told me they were expecting. Baby Harry is now 7 months old and an absolute joy. 

If you are on Facebook you can see their page by searching Lunaria, Ferme Florale.

Their website is: Lunaria Ferme Florale

 

Pauline is from France. Kevin moved there about 5 years ago to be with her after his mother (my sister) and her mother had both passed away. 

Pauline getting flowers ready for market. They sell them there every Saturday.

Kevin busy selling at market. 

Their house was built in 1850. Of all the photos I took of the house and farm this is my favorite. The walls are very thick, there is no air conditioning, no screens on any windows (would be way too expensive) and so doors and windows are open during the day. Surprisingly about the only thing they have an issue with is mosquitos and before going to bed at night each bedroom is checked for them with a zapper. 

After leaving Kevin, Pauline and baby Harry I headed for Paris by train. I was in Paris several years ago and pretty much saw all of the things tourists want to see. The only thing I really had on my list was the Orsay Museum which I had not been to before. My hotel was right next door to the museum.

This photo was taken from the moving cab window and I was surprised it turned out as well as it did. The renovations on Notre Dame are still going on. Thankfully I was able to tour it on my previous trip.

I only went to places I could easily walk to from my hotel. This is one of many bridges over the Seine river and the most beautiful.

Even though I had see the Eiffel Tower before and have so many photos of it I had to see it one more time. 

My trip home was fine from Paris to DC but once I got there it became a bit of a nightmare. Long Disney-like lines to get through customs and then another long line to have all bags security checked.  I swear I heard It’s a Small World playing overhead.  We were sitting on the runway ready to take off when bad weather in Orlando resulted in the airport stopping all flights. We sat for an hour then they took us back to the gate. A new crew had to be called in (one person coming from Aruba) and we finally were able to leave 5 hours later. When I got home I had been awake for 27 hours. Needless to say I spent all day in bed sleeping on and off.

 

May CD Calendar

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Time sure does get away from me and here it is almost the end of May and I have not posted the CD calendar for this month. Ugh!  

I love using punches and this used several. Sadly some are retired but if you’re like me you rarely get rid of a punch.

Part of my absence has been due to some health issues. I just went through a series of 3 spinal epidurals for thoracic herniated discs. Unfortunately they did not work. There is not much that can be done for these in the thoracic area. It’s quite rare. Only 1% of herniated discs are thoracic. My misfortune for sure. S0 I have been going to physical therapy and Aqua Zumba trying to strengthen my back. 

Then last week I fell. I am nursing some road rash and bruised ribs. Who knew ribs could hurt so much! Ice packs definitely are my friend.

 

 

Have a Blessed day

 

Color Refresh, Retiring Lists & April CD Calendar

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There’s a lot that goes into getting ready for a new annual Stampin’ Up catalog. They work years ahead and occasionally those changes include a color refresh. They look at what isn’t selling very well and what the newest color trends are. It’s amazing to me that they can figure that out when they are working so far ahead but they manage to be right on trend. I’m always a little sad to see some of them retire but I am equally excited to see the new ones along with some favorites returning.

 Watch this YouTube video revealing the color refresh.  You will get a look at the new colors.

Retiring Core Colors

So Saffron, Mint Macaroon, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzaz, Mango Melody, Bermuda Bay, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand

Retiring In Colors

Polished Pink, Pale Papaya, Evening Evergreen, Soft Succulent (Fresh Freesia is staying as a core color)

Returning Colors

Lost Lagoon, Pretty Peacock, Misty Moonlight, Lemon Lime Twist, Berry Burst, Blueberry Bushel, Fresh Freesia

New Colors

Core colors: Azure Afternoon, Bubble Bath, Pecan Pie, Lemon Lolly

InColors: Copper Clay, Wild Wheat, Boho Blue, Moody Mauve, Pebbled Path

What are you sad to see leaving? For me it’s Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzaz.

What are some favorite new colors? For me it’s Bubble Bath, Pecan Pie, and Lemon Lolly

 

Time to Retire – Saying Goodbye

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to see the Annual Catalog Retirement List

Click here to see Spring Mini Catalog Retirement List

Remember that the items with a reduced price are not on sale until April 4th. 

Many items sell out quickly. When they are gone they are gone. Re-inkers tend to go very quickly.

CD Calendar

I saw this idea on a card someone posted quite some time ago and turned it into the calendar page for April. I wish I could remember who’s card it was so I could give credit but unfortunately I do not.