Wacky Watercooler April Blog Hop - Retirement Means Goodbye

Hi everyone, thanks for coming to visit my site.  It's time for our "Retirement Means Goodbye" Wacky Watercooler Blog Hop.  All of us are sad to see retirement time come around because it means some of our favourite stamp sets and products will be gone forever.  We thought we'd give some of those a last hurrah and share them with you.  I've attached a link to the Retirement List at the end of this post in case you want to check it out.

This hop runs from Thursday April 20th through the 22nd and features five design artists, who have created some outstanding projects for you. It's a circular hop so whether you've come here from the super talented Marsha Reed's Coffee Pot Stampin Cafe blog or started at the beginning, if you follow along you'll eventually wind up where you started.

Project One: Oh So Succulent Flower Pot Card
I am going to miss the Oh So Succulents Stamp Set and Die cuts so much when they retire at the end of May. I can't get over how beautiful these succulent flowers are and how easy they are to assemble. Here is my rendition of a card I made (see below) at a Stamp Camp earlier this year. I really like my pumped up version.

Stamp Sets:  Oh So Succulent Bundle" and Banners For You

This is a picture of the bundle but these products could be bought as separate products.

Card Stock:  Mint Macaroon*, Tip Top Taupe*, Watermelon Wonder*, Honey Dijon*, Whisper White
Ink:  Perfect Plum, Mint Macaroon*, Tip Top Taupe*, Watermelon Wonder*, Honey Dijon*
Accessories: Succulent Dies*, Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Bo Ho Chic Embossing Folder*, Paper Snips, Basic Rhinestones, Honey Dijon Striped Ribbon*
Note:  All items with an (*) are retiring May 31st or as long as supplies last.
 

This picture shows the card jacket and the inside panel together. 

The inside panel has the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Oh So Succulent Stamp Set stamped in Tip Top Taupe. The florals are attached to this panel with Dimensionals. 

Here's the original card I made at Cheryl LeFore's Stamp Camp in February.  I fell in love with the beautiful succulents and the colour mix - Old Olive, Calypso Coral, Mint Macaroon and Sweet Sugarplum.  I decided to make my own template for a card class and CASe Cheryl's card.  What fun!  

Here are the two cards together.  Mine is in the foreground.  I increased the size of my template to accommodate a larger inside panel and embossed the flower pot with the retiring BoHo Chic Embossing Folder.  I changed the floral colours to Mint Macaroon, Watermelon Wonder, Tip Top Taupe and Honey Dijon and added a Honey Dijon Striped Ribbon.  Finally, I added Basic Rhinestones to the flower centers to give them a bit more pizzazz.

Project Two: Timeless Love Gift Card Holder

I'm very sad to say that the Timeless Love stamp set from the Annual Catalogue is Retiring. This has been my go-to set for Anniversary's this season. My project is a combination Anniversary Card and Gift card holder. I was inspired by Diane Barnes No-cut Patterned Paper Gift Folder, which uses only a 12 x 12 sheet of designer paper to create a unique special occasion folder.

This is what the card looks like from the front.  It has a belly band holding it shut.  I've used the beautiful Floral Boutique Designer Series Paper which is retiring March 31st and the Timeless Stamp Set that's also retiring.

I love the font that is used in the Timeless Love Stamp set and the beautiful floral designed images match perfectly with this paper.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Timeless Love #139408

Timeless Love Stamp Set has five images that are perfect for anytime you want to express your love.  This set comes in wood and clear mount versions.

Ink: Night of Navy 
Card Stock:  Night of Navy and Whisper White
DSP:  Floral Boutique Designer Series Paper*
Accessories:  Trimmer, Big Shot, So Detailed Thinlet Dies* an embellishment piece (retired).

The belly band slides off the folder.

Inside the folder are two pockets each containing a 5 1/4" by3 3/4" card.  On the left hand side is a Happy Anniversary card and on the right is a gift card holder that's made with the So Detailed Framelit Dies that are also retiring.

This is what the folder looks like when the cards are removed.

The gift card can slip behind the So Detailed die cut and fits just right.  I've stamped another flower image from the Timeless Love stamp set and the sentiment Congratulations. 

There's enough room to write a personal note on this card but an additional piece of Whisper White card stock could be added to the reverse side if more writing or room for a group signature. 

Everything slides into these pockets so well. 

Well you've come to the end of my projects for this hop and I hope that I've inspired your creative side in some way.  Now it's time to move on to the wonderful Heidi Weaver's blog so she can wow you with her projects.  Or, you can go back to the beginning of the hop at the Watercooler.  Whichever way you go have fun and remember to leave some comments along the way..... we love hearing from you.  Let us know what you're sad to see retiring. 

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot