Secret Garden Birthday

This lovely card was created with the Secret Garden stamp set and the matching Framelits.  While the greeting on this one is "Happy Birthday," it would also make a lovely Mother's Day card.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

Stamps:  Secret Garden (129144 clear) p. 17 Spring Seasonal Catalog
              Curly Cute (120510 clear) p. 138 Big Catalog
Paper:  Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink:  Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive
Embossing Folder:  Needlepoint Border (129383) p. 5 Spring Seasonal Catalog
Framelits:  Secret Garden (129372) p. 17 Spring Seasonal Catalog
Other:  Dimensionals

Secret Garden Sneak Peek

Here's a sneek peek of a lovely card created with the Secret Garden stamp set and Framelits.  Come back tomorrow to see the whole card!

A Round Array Thank You

This card was made using A Round Array stamp set and matching punch.  It shows a simple, yet classy way to have a focal point and display color without overwhelming the card.

Stamp Sets:  A Round Array, Mixed Bunch
Paper:  Pool Party, Whisper White, Primrose Petals, Basic Gray
Ink:  Pool Party, Primrose Petals
Other:  Pool Party Baker's Twine, Dimensionals, 7/8" Scallop Punch, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Blossom Punch

Retiring List Posted!

The Stampin' Up! Retiring List is finally here!  Every year we must say goodbye to some of our favorite stamp sets.  While we hate to loose these great sets, they must retire in order to welcome some fun new stamp sets.  Now is that time . . .So be sure to check out these lists to see if there is something retiring that you have had on your wish list, but just kept moving it to the bottom in favor of something else.  Now is your last chance!  Get them before they are gone for good!

Click here to see the list of retiring stamp sets.

Some accessories also retire to make room for new ones.  Many of these items are discounted and are available only while quantities last.  Don't delay--get them before they are gone forever.

Click here to see the list of retiring accessories.

Now would also be a great time to check out the Clearance Rack to round out a fabulous shopping session filled with special deals and discounts.  

Click here to see the Clearance Rack

First Communion Card

I just love how sweet this first communion card turned out!  I made it specially for my niece on her special day.  I used the basic pattern I found from Lynn Pratt at www.stampndesign.blogspot.com.  Having difficulty cutting the little scallops, I just rounded off the sleeves and cut the front longer and straight across.  Then I used Stampin' Up! retired Eyelet Border Punch for the bottom edge and the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch for the sleeves.  I just cut the punched piece neatly in half between the dots to create the simple scallop edge on the sleeves.  I used vellum to cut the sleeve scallop and vellum adhered to the entire front of the dress before I ran the front through my big shot using a non-SU embossing folder.  I couldn't get the SU folder I wanted to use to lay just right to create the pattern I was going for on the dress, so since I was in a hurry (we had to leave in a half-hour and I still had to get ready!), I opted to use this simple scroll pattern all over the front of the dress.  The pearls on the neckline and sleeves are from Stampin' Up! as are the rhinestones that form the cross.

Tip:  Use Crystal Effects to glue vellum to cardstock and it dries perfectly clear.  It only takes a couple drops.  You will never know it's there!

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

....and here's the pretty little girl who received the card!

Sent With Love

Order the Sent With Love Stamp Set, the Designer Series Paper, or bundle them together and add some Calypso Coral Baker's Twine.  When you bundle them together you get a 20% discount! Only available until April 30.  Check out the details here:  Sent With Love Special Offer

FREE Paper Crafting Event!!!

Join me for my FREE Paper Crafting Event on May 4th!  Get some great ideas and have some fun!  Bring your friends along, 'cause it's always more fun to stamp with a friend!

Saturday     May 4, 2013

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

LOOK! Shops Event Room

991 Waterbury Falls Dr.

O'Fallon, MO 63368

FREE Make & Takes

Attendance Gifts & Door Prize Drawing

Discounted Retired Stamp Sets For Sale (cash & carry only)

Visit my website at www.smilesacrossthemiles.stampinup.net for more details and to register.  

Stampin' Up! New Color Refresh and FREE Shipping!

Stampin’ Up! just announced a wonderful COLOR REFRESH for our upcoming catalog!  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE color, don't you?  After all, color is what makes stamping fun, right?  So hearing about a change of colors just made my day!  Now, don’t panic!  If you have been a Stampin’ Up! customer for a while, you probably already have these colors in your collection.  There is really only one “brand new” color (Smoky Slate).

So, let’s talk color!  Just check out some of the returning IN COLORS from years past.  That’s the cool part about IN COLORS – the trend continues and so many of these colors are still SUPER trendy.  Pool Party and Island Indigo are two colors I really hated to say goodbye to, but guess what??  They're both here to stay!  Yay!

Well, now the bad news… we do have to say good-bye to a few colors…. I know, I know.  It’s hard.  It’s always hard to say good-bye.  

NOW, let me also say this…whenever Stampin’ Up! has given colors their pink slip, it was hard at first but honestly, I hardly missed them because the new colors brought so much FUN AND CREATIVITY into my stamping!  So, relax and enjoy this refresher!

These colors (including paper, ink and accessories) are available while supplies last, but to help you get over the initial shock, how does FREE SHIPPING sound?  That's right, Saturday, April 6 - Monday, April 8, 2013, Stampin’ Up! is giving you FREE SHIPPING!!!  Wahoo!  Remember, the FREE shipping is only available April 6 - 8, 2013!  Don't miss out on this great opportunity to stock up on retiring colors or get something fun and new from the current catalog without that extra shipping cost.  SHOP NOW!

Clockworks Stamp Set With A Round Array

Here is a quick and easy card created with the Clockworks stamp set and the new A Round Array stamp set and punch.  The colors in this project are Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, and Whisper White.  The Designer Series Paper is from Summer Smooches.  The soft spatters of color are made using a Tangerine Tango marker and the Color Spritzer Tool.
A Round Array is part of a spring surprise bundle (133899) where you get both the stamp set and the cute little scallop punch at a 15% discount!  You can also purchase just the stamp set (129090).  Both of these adorable items will be in the new 2013-2014 catalog, but you can get them now before the catalog goes live.  This offer is only available from March 15 - May 30.

Easter On . . .

This was the cover of the church bulletin yesterday.  What an awesome Easter theme!  Easter is the single most important day, because that is the day our salvation was secured by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  Death and Satan were defeated as Jesus rose from the dead, thus opening the door for our eternal salvation and life with God in Heaven.

You could make this into a fabulous card with a little creativity, hostess stamp set Carry On (126647 clear) on page 203 of the Stampin' Up! catalog, and an alphabet stamp set like Lovely Letters Alphabet (127796 clear) on page 144 for the word Easter.  What a great inspiration from everyday life!