I used some old favorites like Aged to Perfection and the background stamp – Ephemera. I was going for a collaged, aged look. Do you think I succeeded? I like how it turned out, and hopefully Dad will to. Here's how I made it:

1. Create card base from Tangerine Tango card stock (8.5 x 5.5" – folded in half).

2. Stamp the Ephemera background stamp with Tangerine Tango ink on the front of the card, then tear one long edge and tear a chunk out of the right side of the card.

3. Sponge the card edges with Chocolate Chip ink.

4. Cut a piece of Always Artichoke card stock (1" x 5.5") and attach behind the long torn edge.

5. Using Aged to Perfection, randomly stamp the smaller images on the card front. I stamped with bleach, as well as with Chocolate Chip ink (be sure to clean your stamp very well after using bleach!).

6. Stamp the Superior stamp on Creamy Caramel card stock with Always Artichoke ink. Tear the edges near the image and sponge with artichoke ink.

7. Mat this image with a piece of Close to Cocoa card stock and tear those edges. Attach to front of card in upper left corner.

8. Stamp "perfection" image with Chocolate Chip ink on Close to Cocoa card stock. Punch out with the large oval punch.

9. Attach this image inside a hodgepodge hardware oval using Crystal Effects as the "glue".

10. Attach this embellishment to the lower right side of the card front using the coordinating brads from the hodgepodge kit.

11. Attach another hardware embellishment to the lower left corner of the "superior" image using a brad.

12. Stamp inside of card (I love using Full of Life for my inside sayings) and enjoy giving this card to your friends and family!

And here is the coordinating envelope:

Here is the jumble of invitations before sending them out:

I love playing with my Big Shot, and using it made these cards a snap to make. I cut out all of the "frosting" in just 2 cuts (4 pieces of designer paper were cut with each pass through the Big Shot).

The card base was quite easy to make. Take a piece of card stock 3 5/8" x 8 ½" (this way you can get 3 from one piece of 8.5" x 11" card stock), and score at 2" & 6". Fold up the card stock on the 6" line and make a simple angled cut from the fold to the top of the card stock through both layers of card stock. This forms the cupcake bottom (where the liner will be).

You can click on the diagram above to bring up a larger view.

Want to make some cupcakes yourself? Here's how I made mine:

1. Cut Pacific Point card stock 3 5/8" x 8 1/2". Score, fold and cut as described above and in diagram to form cupcake "frame".

2. Create the liner - cut Walk in the Park designer paper at 2 1/2" x 4" and run short end through the crimper (so the crimped lines are parallel with the short end).

3. Attach the liner to the bottom of the Pacific Point card stock (the piece that you cut at an angle). Turn the paper over and cut the liner along the same lines you cut the card stock (you want the liner to be the same shape as your cupcake).

4. Fold the Pacific Point card stock along the 2" score line so that it overlaps the liner. Set aside.

5. Create the "frosting" - die cut a piece of Walk in the Park designer paper using the Scallop Circle die and the Big Shot. Then cut off the bottom of the circle leaving approximately 3 1/4". (I actually cut my designer paper to 3 1/4" to begin with and only scalloped the top part of the paper.)

6. Attach the frosting to the top flap of the Pacific Point card stock (the 2" flap).

7. Add whatever greeting/invitation to the inside. I used my computer to create all of the details and printed it on Whisper White card stock.

These were so much fun that we are going to make them again at my August Inspiration Club!  You can register online here.

I think these dress cards are just too cute, and so easy to make. Simply cut a scallop circle using your Big Shot. Then cut a shape from one side of the circle to form the side of the dress. Using this piece you just cut off, flip it over and cut off the other side (this makes both sides even). How simple is that? Here's how I made my card:

1. Using Big Shot, die-cut a scallop circle from Raspberry Tart designer paper.
2. Create the dress as described above.
3. Cut a 4" piece of white grosgrain ribbon and wrap around the "waist" of the dress. Adhere to the back of the dress.
4. Add a clear rhinestone brad as a decoration on the belt.
5. Create the Pink Pirouette card (5 ½" x 8 ½" folded in half).
6. Attach a 1 ¼" x 5 ½" strip of Raspberry Tart designer paper to the left side of the card, along the fold.
7. Add dimensional to the back of the dress and attach to the front of the card.
8. Stamp sentiment from Sweet Serendipity (retired) with Rose Red ink on Whisper White card stock. Punch out with the Key Tag punch (retired) and sponge the edges with the rose ink.
9. Attach sentiment to front of card.

You could make these in so many different colors and textures – I can see this card made up in whites and vellums for a bridal shower card. I might have to make one in some funky paper for my daughter's upcoming sweet 16. What do you think?

Stamps: Sweet Serendipity
Ink: Rose Red
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Raspberry Tart designer series paper
Accessories: ¼" white grosgrain ribbon, clear rhinestone brads, key tag punch, dimensionals, Big Shot, Scallop Circle die, paper piercing tool

This adorable little basket is just one of the 8 projects we made at this stamp camp.

I was a little confused a first, but once I figured it out, this was rather easy to put together.

How to make it:

1. Cut 2 Scallop Envelopes from So Saffron card stock (using the Big Shot).
2. Cut a piece of So Saffron card stock 1 ¾" x 7 ¾".
3. Score this piece at 2 ¼" and 5 ½".
4. Fold the 2 envelopes with the side and bottom flaps folded in and the top edge (scallop edge) folded out.
5. Put sticky strip on the side and bottom flaps of both envelopes. Remove the red liner and attach 1 envelope at a time to the So Saffron card stock strip. Now you have the bottom of your basket!
6. Decorate the front as desired.
   1. We stamped the Eclectic Circles in Really Rust on Very Vanilla card stock and punched with the 1 ¼" and ¾" circle punches. The smaller circle was popped up from the larger circle with a dimensional. Attach the circles to a So Saffron scallop circle and attach this to the front of the basket with a colored brad.
   2. I used a piece of Apple Cider designer paper that was cut 1 ½" x 12" and wrapped it around the base of the basket.
7. Cut the handle from So Saffron card stock 1"x12"; use a Stampin' Around Wheel to decorate if desired. Attach to inside of basket with Sticky Strip.

I haven't had a chance to take pictures of the other projects yet, but I will definitely share as soon as I can.

If you try this project, please let me know and it would be wonderful if you shared a picture! I love seeing all of the creative projects you are working on.

Happy Stamping!

I used 2 of my favorite stamps, one retired – Everyday Expressions- and one not – Inspired by Nature.  I really like the way this card turned out and decided that even though I’m not using it for graduation, it could still be used for a masculine card- say for Father’s Day?

Stamps: Everyday Expressions (retired), Inspired by Nature
Ink: Late November Spectrum pad (retired), Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Glossy white, Perfect Plum, More Mustard, Not Quite Navy, Really Rust, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Natural Hemp, 1/8” circle punch, Ticket Corner punch, rubber brayer, stipple brush, sponge dauber

Here’s how I made it:
1. Cut Glossy card stock to 3 ¾” x 5”.  Perfect Plum to 4” x 5 ¼” and More Mustard to 8 ½” x 5 ½” (fold in half to form card).
2. Ink brayer with Late November spectrum pad, leaving pads open (do not close them).  Roll onto Glossy card stock as many times as needed to achieve desired color.
3. Ink grass stamp with Chocolate Chip and stamp on Glossy card stock.  Set aside to dry.
4. Ink happy day stamp with Not Quite Navy ink and stamp on Very Vanilla card stock. 
5. Punch 2 corners of vanilla card stock with ticket corner punch.
6. Using a stipple brush (soon to be retired) stipple More Mustard ink (from the spectrum pad) onto the vanilla card stock.  Sponge edges with Chocolate Chip ink.
7. Mat vanilla saying with Not Quite Navy and Really Rust.
8. Punch a 1/8” hold in the upper corner and thread with hemp twine.  Cut twine to desired length.
9. Assemble card – attach glossy card stock to Perfect Plum layer, then again to the Mustard card base.  Attach saying in desired location.

Remember that the Last Chance lists have been released and quite a few of the retiring accessories are already gone.  Don't wait until it's too late - order your last chance stamps and accessories here.

For those of you not familiar with the last chance lists, as the current catalog comes to an end, we must say goodbye to dozens of stamp sets and accessories to make room for new stamps and accessories. 

Don't miss this opportunity to get the last chance products!  They are only available until June 30, 2009 or until supplies last.

Click here for Retiring Stamps list as a .pdf
Click here for Retiring Decor Elements as a .pdf

Here is the first page of my 2-page layout (remember that you can click on the picture to bring up a larger view):

Kyanne (my daughter) had a blast at her Homecoming dance, and I was tickled because she asked me to make her dress for her (the burgundy dress is the one I made). She chose the pattern and fabric, and I think she has wonderful taste – she looked amazing in her dress. She went to the dance with her girlfriends (lucky for me, no boys in the picture yet) and they all had so much fun. Something that was new to me was that girls these days do NOT wear pantyhose/nylons with their fancy dresses/shoes anymore. Turns out that's "old school"! LOL. Gosh, I really didn't think I was that old, but I guess to a 15 year old, I am. J Personally, I don't think those fancy shoes are very comfortable without nylons, but perhaps that's why she thinks I am "old". J

Anyway, here's the second page:

The textured 12x12" paper makes for such beautiful backgrounds (though they are a little challenging to journal on – I learn new things everyday!). On the first page, Melanie suggested some extra embellishment along the left side of the page, and I found that a clear button threaded with some Mellow Moss gingham ribbon was just the right touch (thanks, Melanie!). And I did create the title using my computer and a font that I liked. The second page was as simple to put together as the first. I simply laid out my pictures the way I wanted them, then started adding the embellishments from the Simply Scrappin' Kit.

Check out Stampin' Up!'s selection of Simply Scrappin' Kits here. There are so many neat styles and colors that I can't wait to try some more, especially the Tailor Made Simply Scrappin' kit – those colors are fabulous! And don't forget that you still have until the end of the month to earn free Sale-a-Bration stamp sets, designer series paper and/or ribbon! You can order online 24/7 here. (Then click on the Shop Now button in the upper right hand corner.)

Be sure to check back in the next few days for another *way cool* scrappin' project that Melanie shared with me. I liked it so much that I had to make my own with Stampin' Up! products. I think it turned out so cute!

Thanks for all the fun, Melanie, and I can't wait until next month's crop!

- Kari

 I wanted to let you know that I recently updated my retired stamps, inks and accessories page; adding new items and removing some that have been recently sold.  So if you haven't checked it out in awhile, now is a great time!

Click here to view the retired items page.

I used some retired Ginger Blossoms DSP and the coordinating stamp set – Embrace Life.

At first I wanted to use up some retired Wild Wasabi textured card stock, but it just didn't work with the DSP, so I opted for Close to Cocoa and I think it turned out rather well after all. I started by stamping tone-on-tone with the multi-flower image with Close to Cocoa ink on the Close to Cocoa card. Then I stamped the flower/stem image on Very Vanilla card stock with Basic Brown ink. Then I used my Stampin' Pastels to color in the flower. I used a couple of different colors to add shading, but the picture doesn't really capture that too well. I also sponged the edges with Ruby Red ink to add a little pop between the vanilla and River Rock card stock. I popped up this main image with dimensional to give it room to fit over the 2 panels below.

Stamps: Embrace Life

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Basic Brown

Paper: Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Ginger Blossoms DSP (retired), River Rock (retired), Ruby Red

Accessories: Stampin' Pastels, Stampin' Dimensionals, sponge daubers

Linda, if you're reading this, I hope you enjoyed your card and Happy Birthday!

- Kari

Anyway, I decided to keep things clean & simple, especially given the time constraint, so I chose to create 1/4 sized note cards. That is, a quarter sheet of card stock (4 ¼" x 5 ½"), and then I folded that in half so my note card size ended up being 2 ¾" x 4 ¼". I still have quite a bit of retired card stock and papers, and they were sitting on my desk (isn't it interesting how what sits on your desk is what gets used first?). I also noticed the SCS sketch challenge for last week – SC217 – and thought I would co-opt that sketch for my little thank you cards. I'm not sure this is exactly what the moderator had in mind, but I like the way they turned out, and that's what matters – right?!

Stamps: Best Yet, Say it with Scallops

Ink: Ruby Red

Paper: River Rock, Groovy Guava, Whisper White, Ginger Blossoms DSP

Accessories: 1 ¼" square punch, sponge, dimensionals

Here's another card I made using the same supplies, but it looks different because of the designer series paper:

I also had some retired Berry Bliss DSP (I love this paper – which is probably why I have so much left!), so I created another quick layout (I actually made a couple of these, but this is the only one where the picture wasn't blurry):

I really like how the scallop circle punch and the wide oval punch nestle so well. It makes for a cute, quick accent.

Stamps: Many Thanks (retired)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose

Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Berry Bliss DSP

Accessories: Wide Oval punch, scallop circle punch, sponge, dimensionals

And since I still had some more Ginger Blossom scraps hanging around, I created this note card using the same layout as the Berry Bliss, but using similar colors from the first 2 cards:

Stamps: Many Thanks

Ink: Ruby Red

Paper: Whisper White, River Rock, Cameo Coral, Ginger Blossoms DSP

Accessories: Wide Oval punch, scallop circle punch, dimensionals  

Believe it or not, I created 5 of these thank you notes in 20 minutes. Though I did have to finish writing my messages on the inside while my husband was driving! LOL!

Give yourself permission to play with simple, clean designs and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how quickly you can create cards, scrapbook pages, etc.

Enjoy!

- Kari

PS – Don't forget to take advantage of Sale-a-Bration. If you order online, you will also receive a free Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book and Catalog as well as a free sale-a-bration stamp set (or other accessory in the SAB catalog) FREE with every $50 you spend! Click here to order(then click on Shop Now in the upper right hand corner).