A Little New, A Little Old

 I've been making cards lately using some of retiring stamps, dies, and other goodies.  Today's card is a little old and a little new.  Kind of schizophrenic in a way.  I wanted to use the Ornate Borders dies again.  I think they're so pretty and feminine and just can't get enough of them.  But what to pair them with?  I had received my new Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper and it was sitting out on the table (because it was too pretty to put away - I just wanted to admire it!)  So why not use it for this card?  I've been so good not using all my new stuff right away and causing you to get frustrated because you can't get it yet.  Unless you want to sign up as a demonstrator - then you could get it in your kit.  Talk to me if you're interested.   Anyway, today was the day it was coming out to play.

Here's the card I made and I'm so happy with the terrific mix of retiring products and totally new ones.  Can you find the different ones?  Ok, I'll help you out here.  They'll be marked with R or N.

The card starts with a Misty Moonlight(R) base cut at 4 1/4" x 11".  This ended up being a side-fold card though instead of a top-fold.  Just a little different.

The pretty print is from the Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper(N).  Isn't it lovely?  It's so delicate and the colors are all pastels so it's my favorite right there!  I used the openwork rose border die from the Ornate Borders Dies(R) on this to compliment the floral print and really stand out from the Misty Moonlight background.

Before I attached it to the card base, I added two strips of the Seaside Spray Metallic Ribbon(R) that is also retiring.  It was perfect to add a little contrast and also a little subtle bling to the card.  I attached these to the backside of the DSP with adhesive then attached the whole thing to the card base.  Then it was time for the fun to really begin!

I knew I wanted to add little added flowers to the card around the sentiment, but I needed to figure out the sentiment first.  After looking at lots of stamps, I chose to use one of the sentiments in the Best Year stamp set.  I thought the font on this went nicely with the pretty DSP print.   I stamped on Basic White using Misty Moonlight ink and cut it out with the Rectangle Stitched Dies.  This is not retiring and for that I'm very grateful!  Then on to the little accent flowers.  For this, I chose the Wreath Builder Dies(R).  Just a little side note here - if you don't own the Arrange A Wreath and Wreath Builder Dies, you don't know what you're missing out on.  Either together or separately, these two items are definitely must haves in my humble opinion.  I've used each of them so many times I've practically worn them out.  But I still love them both and tend to grab them to use on so many projects I make.

For the flower colors, I used Purple Posy(R), Fresh Freesia(N), and Seaside Spray(R).  I thought they all played nicely together, so on the bling.  For the larger flowers in the purple-y shades, I used the new 2021-2023 InColor Jewels(N).  These are extra sparkly and simply gorgeous.  For the Seaside Spray tiny flowers, I used the tiniest sequins from the Woven Threads Sequins set(R).  These were attached with a tiny dot of the MultiPurpose Liquid Glue and my Take a Pick Tool to place them properly.

Lastly was the inside of the card to finish.  I carried the pretty Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper inside with a strip to the left side.  I used a different border die from the same die set to cut the lacy border.  The words were from the Best Year stamp set to coordinate with the card front.  They were also stamped with Misty Moonlight ink.

Ok, that's my slightly schizo card.  It really couldn't decide if it was a sneak peak or a goodbye to old friends type of card.  But I love how all the colors meshed together so well.  That's one of the things I love about Stampin'Up!  I'm really into 'matchy-matchy' stuff.  And even though some of these colors are old and retiring and some are new and up-to-the-minute, they still love to hang out and play together.  That's what this is all about.  Taking what you have and bringing in new and fresh ideas and making them all work together to make something that is pleasing to you.  Have fun playing with your old friends, but don't be afraid to make some new friends that you'll love just as well!

That's it for today.  I'm happy the sun is out and making my world bright again.  Yesterday was so dark and rainy that I just had a hard time creating and got into a funk. Just ask my hubby!  *grins*   But the sun is out today and so is the creativity.  Enjoy your day and make the most of it!  

Happy Sunday!

Sharon

I Thought of You Today

 As we continue to organize, throw out, and pack our belongings (I know it's taking forever!), my thoughts continue to center on all of you - my friends.  How I will miss our classes, clubs, military cards get-togethers, and just visits.  I've been so blessed by God to have met so many wonderful, precious ladies through the years.  Yes, some of us have been friends for more than 20 years!  So with that said, I've chosen a pretty card to share today that speaks from my heart.  

I almost didn't post this card at all.  Can you believe I've spent a bunch of time trying to figure out where I got the sentiment from?  Yup, with everything packed, I've been looking through the catalogs trying to figure it out.  At this point, I have absolutely no idea where I got it from, so who cares?  (If you figure out where it came from, please post a comment and let me know.)  Any tiny sentiment would fit in here nicely, so just pick one that works for you!

The other elements of the card are from the 'Arrange A Wreath' stamp set and are die cut using the Wreath Builder Dies.  For some reason, I like wreaths and like making them for each season.  Because it's been gray, cold and snowy too, I thought it was time to post something spring-like.   Figured it would raise my spirits too.  

The colors I chose were Soft Seafoam for the 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" card base folded in half.  Next is a 4 x 4 layer of Basic White cardstock.  The leafy wreath was die-cut from Soft Seafoam cardstock.  The little accent flowers were die-cut from Balmy Blue and Highland Heather scraps of cardstock.  These were attached using either Glue Dots or a Mini Dimensional.  I tried a couple of different options for the bow (ribbons or twine??) and ended up die-cutting it from Gorgeous Grape cardstock.  I liked that the best.

While arranging the individual pieces on the card, I realized that it needed some larger flowers to balance it.  After a few trials and errors, I ended up stamping the larger flower from the set using Gorgeous Grape ink on the Basic White cardstock, then die-cutting with the coordinating die from the set.  

But it still needed something in the centers of those larger flowers.  Now for those of you like me who save all your retired embellishments because you never know when you'll find just the right piece that you've been looking for, I did find it!  I didn't want either rhinestones or pearls, but found these cute little dots (think they're from the previous catalog).  They are the Gorgeous Grape color so they didn't pop out too much, but gave an understated bit of elegance to the card.

Hope you liked today's edition.  If you're looking for a stamp set that you can use all year around, this one really fits the bill.  Included in the stamps are of course the wreath, but there are also 5 different sentiments for 5 different seasons.  There's a partridge, leaves, flowers, hearts, pears, Easter eggs, and a 'crate' or sentiment tag depending on how you use it.  Since it's Sale-a-bration time, the 'Arrange a Wreath' Bundle at $54 would be perfect to allow you to choose one of the Sale-a-bration free items.  That's definitely a win-win in my book.  Remember that Sale-a-bration only goes through the end of February this year so don't put off getting your freebies!

If you'd like to place an order this month, please use the Host Code for January.

I'll be sending out something in the mail to each person that orders from me this month.

Thank you for stopping in again.  Looking forward to reading any comments you would like to share.  Happy stamping.

Sharon