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

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #115 - Gail's Clean & Simple "Spring Theme" Challenge

It's time once again for the Watercooler Wednesday challenge, and this time around the talented Gail Allen is hosting.  It's the WWC115 - Clean and Simple Challenge and the theme is "Spring". 

I'll be attending a Spring wedding later this month and these two "love birds" have chosen plum and minty green for their theme colours. With this in mind, it wasn't difficult to come up with a card design.

Here's My Card:

Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Builder Birdcage #142891, Oh So Succulent #142992 and Timeless Love #138772
Card Stock:  Elegant Eggplant, Mint Macaroon and Whisper White 
Ink:  Tuxedo Black, Elegant Eggplant, Mint Macaroon and Wisteria Wonder 
Accessories:  Dimensionals, Big Shot Machine, Paper Trimmer, Tom Bow Glue, Happy Heart Embossing Folder and Misti.

Ten Step Assembly:
1.  The card base is a standard 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" card stock scored at 4 1/4".  It is a side fold card.  The front half of the card was embossed with the Happy Heart Embossing Folder.

2.  1st layer:  3 1/4" x 4 3/4" Mint Macaroon card stock.

3.  2nd layer: 3 1/8" x 4 5/8" Elegant Eggplant card stock adhere to 1st layer.

4.  3rd. layer: 3" x 4 1/2" Whisper White card stock.  

5.  Starting with the Builder Birdcage stamp set, stamp the pedestal base of the bird cage in Tuxedo Black ink, then layer and stamp the birdcage center and top in Elegant Eggplant.  Have fun with this one, because you can make any combination of bird cage you want with this delightful set.

This 16 piece Photopolymer set is on the Retired List and is currently going for $16.30. What a great value and savings!

6.  Next, stamp the bird images in Wisteria Wonder.

7.  Finally, stamp two solid image air plants from the Oh So Succulent stamp set in Mint Macaroon.  I chose to put one in the top of the cage and the other on the opposite side on the bottom.  

The amazing Oh So Succulent 30 piece Photopolymer Stamp set is on sale for 30% off the catalogue price at $19.50, while the matching Succulent Framelit Dies are on for 40% off at $22.00.  That's quite the savings.

8.  Adhere the Whisper White layer to the first two layers and then adhere these panels to the left hand side of the card base with Dimensionals. 

9.   Stamp the sentiment "The best Love story is the one you write together" from the Oh So Succulent Stamp set in Elegant Eggplant ink on a 3/4" x 2" strip of Whisper White card stock.  I also stamped a small flower from the same stamp set in the background of the saying making sure I stamped off the ink first.  I glued the sentiment strip to a 1" x 2 1/8" piece of Elegant Eggplant card stock and attached this with Dimensionals on an angle across the bird cage pedestal.

10.  Finish the inside with a 4" x 5 1/4" panel of Mint Macaroon and a 3 3/4" x 5" panel of Whisper White.  Stamp "Congratulations" from the Timeless Love stamp set in Elegant Eggplant in the center of the Whisper White panel and add a chain  in Mint Macaroon ink below it.  The chain is from the Builder Birdcage set.

The Timeless Love Set is retiring May 31st but it is not at a reduced price. 

This card came together in all of a few minutes.  Because this is a Clean and Simple challenge I didn't feel the need to add rhinestones or other embellishments and I think it turned out beautifully. 

Regrettably all of the stamps and embossing folder used in this card are now part of the Retiring List that Stampin' Up has published.  That means they are only available while supplies last or until May 31st whichever comes first.

If you liked this card and it's bold colour combination please let me know because I really appreciate your feedback.  It gives me confidence to try different stamping techniques and card designs.  

Before you go don't forget to check out the other design team artist's creations this week at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #115 - Gail's Clean & Simple "Spring Theme" challenge, by clicking on this link.   

And, if you like this challenge by all means please join us by linking up your own creation.  The design team would really like to see your take on the Spring Challenge.  The link is open until Monday April 24th at 5pm Mountain Time.  Hope you'll play along! 

Click here for Online Store Access:

April Hostess Code - G6EFBVU4

USE THIS CODE FOR ALL ON LINE ORDERS IN APRIL AND YOU COULD WIN A PORTION OF THE HOSTESS REWARDS - SEE HOSTESS TAB FOR DETAILS.  

 

Click here to see the Retiring Products:

Happy Stamping! 
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Watercooler Wednesday #114 - Penny's Color Challenge

It's time once again for a Watercooler Wednesday challenge and this week I'm hosting.  Color challenges are one of the most inspiring challenges for me.  I always find them a fun way to explore different combinations of color.

When I came across this image and beautiful quote I knew I had the perfect color combo for this weeks challenge.  These three amazing colors are:  Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Island Indigo.  Feel free to use a neutral(s) of your choice.   

I hope you'll love this combo as much as I do and you're inspired to link up a creation of your own. The rules and the Linksky are at the bottom of the Watercooler Wednesday challenge WWC114 and it's open until 5:00pm MT on Monday April 17th, 2017. 

Here's My Card: 

What fun I had creating this card with a stamp set called Perfect Mix.  You can find this set on page 35 of the Stampin' Up! Spring Occasions Catalogue which expires on March 31st, 2017.  This set was aptly named as it's simply the "perfect mix" of kitchen images and sentiments.  There's no limit to the different types of cards you can make with this set.

Right now this fantastic 9 piece rubber stamp set is on the retiring list for only $17.95 while supplies last.   

Supplies:
Stamp Set:  Perfect Mix #142930, Touches of Texture #141934
Ink:  Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Momento Tuxedo Black
Card Stock:  Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral and Whisper White 
DSP: Regals Collection Designer Series Pack #138436

Accessories:  Paper Trimmer, Big Shot, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Tom Bow Glue, Dimensionals, Aqua Painter

Assembly: 1.  The Pool Party card base measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and is scored at 4 1/4".
2.  The layer of Calypso Coral measures 5" x 4"
3.  The Island Indigo layer measures 3 3/4" x 4 3/4"
4.  The Island Indigo DSP layer measures 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" 
5.  Adhere layer 2, 3 and 4 to the card base 6.  Numbering the Stitched Shape Circle Framelits from 1-4 from the outside ring cut out: one #1 Island Indigo, two #3 medium Whisper White and one #3 Calypso Coral, one #3 in Whisper White and one #4 in Calypso coral.  These circles will be adhered to the front and the inside of the card.   

Stitched Shapes Framelits includes 4 or each size of Ovals, Circles and Squares.  The stitched outlines give such a professional edge to the images.

7.  To complete the front of the card:
 

• Glue the large Island Indigo Circle to the upper left corner of the dsp
• Glue the medium sized Calypso Coral circle towards the bottom right corner
• Stamp the measuring spoon image in Tuxedo black ink in the bottom center of the medium sized Whisper White circle.  Stamp the sentiment "no one measures up to you" in Tuxedo Black ink right above the spoons.
• Color the spoons with a Calypso Coral Marker or with the Aqua Painter.  
• Stamp two of the oven mitt images on Pool Party with Tuxedo Black ink. Fussy cut both images and adhere to the Calypso Coral Circle with Dimensionals and between each other to create depth. Repeat this process for the other set of oven mitts.

I came up with the pattern for these mitts while I was working on another project.  I stamped these on a left over scrap.  The stamp set used for the background was Touches of Texture. and the stamping was done with the same three ink colours.  

8.  Add a few random sequins attached with glue dots and you're done with the front of the card.

9.  To finish the inside of the card cut a 4" x 5 1/4" Whisper White card stock panel and adhere to the card base. 
 
10.  Stamp the sentiment "Baking makes Life Sweeter" with Tuxedo Black ink on the center of the smaller Whisper White circle and adhere to card panel.  Slide small Calypso Coral circle under bottom corner before completely gluing this circle down.

11.  Stamp the mixing bowl in Tuxedo Black ink and colour with Calypso Coral, Island Indigo and Pool Party markers or Aqua Pen on the last Whisper White circle.  Adhere with Dimensionals.  Although you can't see it I've added Wink of Stella to the bowl contents.  To finish add a few sequins and you're done!    


So that's my color challenge for this week.  I hope you've enjoyed my project as well as the ones created by the rest of the Watercooler Wednesday Design Team.  I'd love to hear what you think of this card and whether you like this stamp set.

Click Here to Shop Online

 April Hostess Code - G6EFBVU4

USE THIS CODE FOR ALL ON LINE ORDERS IN APRIL AND YOU COULD WIN A PORTION OF THE HOSTESS REWARDS - SEE HOSTESS TAB FOR DETAILS.  

 

Retiring Products Available until May 31st, or while supplies last.  Once they're gone, they're really gone.  Click here to view: 

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin Spot

Stampin' Up 2017 Retiring Products:

April 10 to May 31st 2017 Or While Supplies Last

Retiring Lists are out today!  What does that mean?  Well for those of you who are new to Stampin' Up!  today's the day when Stampin' Up announces what they are clearing out before the new Annual Catalogue goes live on June 1st, 2017.    These items are going away forever, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to share them with your customers. Plus, select retiring products have discounts of up to 50%! Retiring items will be available through May 31 or while supplies last. See the list:   Retiring List - Click Here: !

When you check out the Retiring List of Stamp Sets, Bundles, and Accessories, you may come across items that are on your wish list.  If so, I'd suggest you place your order soon so you don't miss out.  Everyone's been waiting for this release so retiring products are only available while supplies last or May 31st, which ever comes first. 

Details: 
Sale is from: April 10–May 31, 2017
•    No minimum purchase(s) are required.
•    Retiring items are eligible for Stampin’ Rewards with qualifying orders.

Order Information:

• All retiring items will be discontinued after May 31.
• Some select items are discounted up to 50% off.
• All retiring accessories and tools are available while supplies last.
• Due to high demand for retiring stamp sets, Stampin' Up! will keep producing retiring stamp sets until May 22. After May 22, all retiring stamp sets will be available only while supplies last.
• Select discounts may vary by market depending on inventory levels.
• Depending on inventory levels, Stampin' Up! may add additional discounts to select products in May. Note:  These discounts will not be pre-announced.  So, if you buy a product at retail price and then it's later discounted, Stampin’ Up! will not refund the difference.
• If there is a product you want we recommend buying it right away and not waiting to see if it’s discounted later or you risk it being sold out.
• Discounts will be applied to select retiring items only.

 

Shop Here: 

Order Deadlines:
•    By phone - May 31, 2017, by 6:50 PM (MT)
•    Purchase Online - May 31, 2017, by 11:55 PM (MT)

If you have any questions please contact me - it's always my pleasure to help in any way I can.

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

Watercooler Wednesday #113 - Libby's Sketch Challenge

Welcome to this week's challenge at the Watercooler.  Libby is hosting this week and has brought us a wonderful Sketch Challenge.  We're hoping you'll fall in love with this sketch as much as we did and join in the fun.  Our link is open until 5:00pm MT on Monday April 10th, 2017.

Here's My Card:

What a delightfully easy and cool sketch to work with.  It was so cool in fact, that I combined it with Stampin' Up!s Cool Treats Photopolymer Bundle to make this fun birthday card.

Cool Treats Photopolymer Bundle

Since the sketch works either horizontally or vertically, I decided to flip it and put the stripes on the left side of the card rather than the top. I like how it turned out.  I thought it would be fun to use designer paper for the stripes so chose the coordinating Tasty Treats designer paper. 

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Cool Treats #142982, Occasions Spring Catalogue
Ink: Early Espresso for the sentiments, Watermelon Wonder, Pool Party, Peek A Boo Peach and Crumb Cake for distressing the ice cream scoops and bowl
Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Watermelon Wonder, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper:  Tasty Treats  
Accessories: Big Shot, Trimmer, Misti, Acrylic Block, Large Dots and Textured Lattice (R) Embossing Folders, Tom Bow Glue, Dimensionals, Sequins, Frozen Treats and Stitched Shapes Framelits, 1/2" and 1 3/8" circle punches

Assembly:
1.  The card base is an 11" x 4 1/4" piece of Crumb Cake card stock scored at 5 1/2" for a top fold card.

2.  The first layer is a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Pool Party card stock adhered to the card base.

3.  The second layer is a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Watermelon Wonder that was partially embossed using the Large Dot Embossing Folder.

4.  Three strips of "Tasty Treats" DSP measuring 3/4" x 5 1/2" were cut and adhered to the left side of the Watermelon Wonder layer after it was embossed.  The excess paper from the strips were trimmed off with scissors before adhering this layer to first one.

5.  The two circles were cut from Pool Party and Whisper White card stock with the Stitched Shapes framelits. I just love the tailored look of these die cut images.   Sprinkles were stamped in Watermelon Wonder ink on the right hand side of the Whisper White circle and then the circles were adhered to the Watermelon Wonder layer. 

The Stitched Shapes Framelits offer 12 dies with the beautiful detailed stitching that gives such a professional look to your layers.  The set includes: 4 Circle dies, largest image 2-7/8",  4 Square dies, largest image 2-5/8” and  4 Oval dies, largest image 3-1/4” x 2-5/16”. 

6.  The Crumb Cake bowl was die cut and embossed with the retired Square Lattice Embossing Folder and sponged around the edges with Crumb Cake ink and a sponge dauber.

7.  I found it cumbersome to fit the ice cream scoops behind the bowl, so I cut a circle from a scrap of Whisper White card stock with a 1 3/8" circle punch and used it as a base for the scoops to sit on.  I cut three 1/2" circles for the ice cream scoops and three ice cream drips to adhere to the tops of the circles from Watermelon Wonder, Pool Party and Peek A Boo Peach card stocks.  To add some depth each of these pieces were sponged with their corresponding inks and a sponge dauber. 

To assemble the scoops I started with the Peek A Boo Peach scoop in the center of the 1 3/8" circle, followed by the Watermelon Wonder scoop on the left.  The Pool Party scoop was added with a Dimensional on the right.  Once all the circles were in place I adhered the bowl with Dimensionals.

8.  To finish the card I stamped the sentiment "You're the Cherry to My Sundae" from the Cool Treats Stamp Set on the lower right hand side of the Watermelon layer in Early Espresso ink.  Thanks to my Misti the sentiment came out nice and dark. 

Cool Treats is a 36 piece Photopolymer stamp set that also can be purchased in a bundle along with the Frozen Treats Thinlets.  This is sure to be a popular set this summer.  It's got lots of great sentiments as well as sweet treats to stamp.

10.  The inside of the card has finished with a 5 1/4 x 4" panel of Watermelon Wonder and a 5" x 3 3/4" panel of Whisper White.  The beautiful "Happy Birthday" sentiment was stamped in Early Espresso and I added a small ice cream cone die cut in the bottom right corner and a few sequins. 

Well that's it for my post for this challenge.  I think it was indeed a "Tasty Treat" and hope you'll drop me a comment to let me know how you liked it.    If you haven't already, make sure you check out the other Watercooler Wednesday Design Team Artists cards for ideas.    

I hope today's card has inspired you to create a card of your own using the WWC113 sketch challenge.  You have until 5pm MT on Monday April 10th, 2017 to enter your creation.    

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot