{ Leaping Frogs! }

Stamp Sets: Warmest Regards, Unfrogettable Paper: True Thyme, Whisper White, Unknown Patterned Paper Ink: True Thyme, Whisper White Accessories: Signo White Gell Pen, Pewter Hodgepodge

With the retirement of this year's In Colors, it reminded me of this card and I realized that I have not shown it yet! This was the first card that I made with my first box of goodies from the new catalog last July. My order contained the new In Colors and my first hostess set of the year, Warmest Regards. I truly will miss those colors and that stamp set. I have come to reach for both so often throughout this year. I am not nearly as happy with the new In Colors (I say that now, right?) I mean, don't get me wrong, I like the new colors, but I really loved the ones from this past year. Oh well, I suppose that time moves on and so should I ...

{ Magnified }

Stamp Sets: Shades of Nature, Flowers of Gratitude, Fine Lace Background Paper: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla Ink: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum Accessories: Moss Gingham Ribbon, Black Gingham Ribbon, Copper Brads, Copper Edge Vellum Tags

This is another card from that set that I made a little while ago for a my MIL. I really like the look of the two uncolored flowers then the colored one in the middle inside of the metal tag. I think that it makes the middle one look magnified when, of course, it isn't. I saw several cards like this on Splitcoast and just had to try it. I didn't have the right colored markers, so I had to use the blender pen and ink pad coloring technique to color in the flower, which, being on vellum, wasn't easy. I had to color it in, let it dry (which lighted it) and then re-color it about 3 times. It was a lot of work at the time, but I think the end result was well worth it!

{ Oldie but Goodie }

Stamp Sets: Shades of Nature, Sincere Salutations, Fine Lace Background Paper: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla Ink: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Mellow Moss Accessories: Moss Gingham Ribbon

This is a card that I made a little while ago for a my MIL. I made her a whole set of various cards and gave them to her in a paper tote bag. It was so adorable that I almost kept it for myself ;)! I really like this layout and should try to use it more often!

{ Hubby's Notebook }

Stamp Sets: Whimsical Upper Ink: Night of Navy Paper: Pumpkin Pie and Night of Navy Accessories: Twill Tape, Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware

This is a notebook that I made for my Hubby a while ago. I was just learning how to decorate notebooks and asked Hubby if he wanted one. He said he did but that he wanted it "very plain." He wanted it to have our Alma Mater (Auburn University) colors and not have any embellishments. Well, I got away with some twill tape and hodgepodge hardware! :D I think that it is still plain, and very masculine! This project is the perfect example of how you can make beautiful, customized gifts without having tons of supplies!

{ Pearl Ex }

Stamp Sets: Wild Rose, Happy Everything Ink: Cranberry Crisp Paper: True Thyme, Cranberry Crisp, Recollections Accessories: Natural Hemp Twine, Word Window Punch, Pearl-Ex, Aqua-Painter Non-SU!: Future Floor Wax

This is a card that I made for a swap that I was in. I just *love* these colors together and will be oh so sad when they retire. It didn't turn out quite how I had envisioned it, but I still think that it is nice. I really wanted the technique where you fill your Aqua-Painter with Future Floor Wax and then dip it into Pearl-Ex to make it a bit more of a paint. I had yet to do actually use my Pearl-Ex and was envisioning a beautiful shimmery red rose. The first couple that I did ended up with more of a shiny glittery red rose and was actually quite ugly. I then decided to just use the Pearl-Ex to highlight parts of the rose rather than trying to make the whole thing shimmery. I think it balanced out alright, but of course doesn't photograph well enough to really give you a feel for what it looks like. Oh well, I hope that you enjoy!

{ Mother's Day }

Stamp Sets: Bamboo II, Short Order Alpha Ink: Always Artichoke Paper: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke Accessories: Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware, Twill Tape

As promised, this is the card that I made for my Mom. Being from Thailand, she loves anything that is Asian inspired, plus she loves anything that I handcraft, so I know she'll just eat it up. This card was CASED from a card that I made while at a stamp camp held by my up-up line, Joann. Her blog can be seen here. As for my Mom's gift, I bought her a huge 48-count box of her favorite chocolates, Ferrero Rocher, and a movie, The Little Buddha, which she has been wanting for some time now.

{ The 90's }

You Belong in 1991

With you, anything goes! You're grunge one day, ghetto fabulous the next. It's all good!

What Year Do You Belong In?

I think that this is quite fitting. I guess it makes sense since I was born in the 80's and therefore grew up in the 90's. Heh ... that make me wonder - what does that make this decade? The zeros? hhhhhmmmmm ... I wish I could ask someone. Where is a high schooler when you need one?

{ MIL Mother's Day }

Stamps: Mixed Bouqet Ink: Marigold Morning, True Thyme Paper: Cranberry Crisp, Marigold Morning, Buckaroo Blue and Treehouse Accessories: Cranberry Crisp Stitched Ribbon

This card is made with one of my *favorite* sets, Mixed Bouquet, which is retiring :(. So sad. This is also one of my favorite layouts. I just love how it allows me to several colors in a visualy appealing way. This card is for my Mother-in-Law for Mother's day. My husband loves these in colors so I thought I would use them for her - ya know, gotta make him feel a part of the card just a little, right? We will be giving her an OTT light. She alters bridal gowns for a living so I thought that the light would really help her. This is a true gesture from the heart because I don't even have one myself! :-D

{ A Muse A Palooza }

This is such an exciting time of year - Stampin' Up! is coming out with new images July 1 and A Muse is as well - and celebrating it with A Muse A Palooza!! A Muse is the only company besides Stampin' Up! that makes stamps that appeal to me. Their images are simple yet beautiful and their sentiments are just *perfect.* I love it. To participate in the fun, you must register at http://www.amuseapalooza.com. I would be ever so grateful if you mentioned me as your referral!

{ Retiring List }

Okay, I know that I have been really, really bad and have been ignoring this blog. Things have been a little hectic lately. Nothing in particular is going on, just busy running errands, seeing family/friends, etc. Plus, Hubby and I are on still on Weight Watchers (I've lost 4 pounds in 3 weeks - woo hoo!) and it seems that we are spending more time shopping for the "right" foods and I am definitely spending more time cooking, which is totally a good thing. We used to eat out at least twice a week, but being on the diet makes it less easy to do that. We do occasionally go to Subway or this Japanese place that we like, but other than that we pretty much eat at home. It save us money, keeps of the weight, but doesn't leave me much time or energy for other things. Anyway, I promise to be better. I actually had some time to stamp this past weekend so I will be sharing some of those items with you a little bit later. Right now, I wanted to point out the fact that Stampin' Up! is retiring some (I should say "a lot") of their sets. In the past, they have retired 150-180 sets, but since they will be switching to two catalogs this coming year, they retired 233 sets!!! I have to admit that I am really taking a beating. I'm not at home to officially count how many I have lost, but I can clearly see some of my favorites on the list - Gorgeous Grapes, Mixed Bouquet, Wonderful Words 2 ... oh, I think I need to go home and console them right away! Anyway, for those of you wanting to see the retirement list, just click here. They are sorted both alphabetically and by page. You will also note that there is a dormant list over to the right. These are sets that will not be shown in the next catalog, but will still be available for order. Just let me know if I can help you pick a set or two that you can't live without!