Retiring Products Spring 2020

Today is an exciting day in the land of Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  We finally get to see the new catalog, which will be available to the general public (YOU!) at a later date.  But, sadly, this means we also have to say goodbye to some of the products from the current Mini Catalog and the current Main Catalog.

Shoot me an email to get the lists (stampingmichelle@gmail.com). Be aware, the products in the them are available only while supplies last, so if there is something you've had your eye on, grab it before it is too late.

Here is the link to my store:  Michelle's Store

Stampin with the Stars #DOswts308: Pop-Up Diorama Fold

Happy Saturday, friends! How are you? We are doing well here. My daughter was sick most of the week so we are getting a little stir crazy at home. But she is better, so hopefully we can get out of the house a bit this weekend.

 My stamping team is introducing a new Blog Hop called "Stamping with the Stars". Two Saturdays a month, we will using a common theme - it may be a color scheme, a funky fold, a challenge to use a certain type of product, etc. - and we will each create a project using our variation on that theme. Our first project (today) is to make a card using the Pop-Up Diorama fold. We were technically supposed to use the tutorial found HERE, but I found the dimensions on THIS tutorial worked a bit better for me. They are similar, but not exactly the same. You may want to experiment and see which works better for you.

If you live in the Midwest, you know that we have had some extremely cold weather, alternating with some ice and snow. Now, I love snow. I really do. I love snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. I love sledding and building snowmen. I even love spending 20 minutes bundling my kid up because it means we can go play in the snow together. That doesn't mean, though, that there aren't times - like when my face hurts because I stepped outside - that I wouldn't mind an escape to some place tropical. And that is why I chose the flamino theme for my pop-up card.

 INSIDE:

 OUTSIDE:

 There are a few things I learned in making this card - if you decide to try this fold, these tips may help you:

 (1) If you want anything on the upper interior panel (the one the hole is cut in) - stamp it, write it, draw it, or adhere it before you assemble the card. I really wanted to stamp "I'm tickled pink for you" on the blue beneath the oval but couldn't because I had already assembled the card.

 (2) If you have anything spanning the hole (like my congratulations sentiment strip), you don't want adhesive running the span of it because it will cause it stick to the bottom layer.

 (3) You can see more of the background image than just the size/shape of the hole so you may want to decorate beyond the edges. For example, my water and flamino and grass actually go all the way to the edges of the white paper they are stamped on so that no matter what angle you look at the inside from, you see prettiness.

(4) The Precision cutting mat for the Big Shot is a huge help when cutting the shape from the card.

I really enjoyed this project after I got the hang of it and now my mind is spinning as I think of other stamp sets that would be fun to use with this fold. If you want to continue on the blog hop, click on the next name here:

Some of my teammates do not blog, but are on Facebook and Instagram, so if you use those media, be sure to search for #DOswts308.

DOStamper Stars Challenge - Sketch Pad DSC #299

Good evening!  The last few weeks we have been treated to some cooler weather, with a few hot days mixed in.  The leaves are turning and starting to fall.  The smell of leaves, fire and harvest are in the air.  So, after coming in from a golden evening playing outside with my daughter, I was in the mood to make something fall.  I used the sketch below, but turned it on its side and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  I have the perfect recipient in mind, too!

The colors I used are Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, and Old Olive.  I used the new Buffalo Check background stamp and the Falling for Leaves stamp set and accented it with a simple strip of Braided Linen Trim.   I watercolored with my ink refills and an Aquapainter on our watercolor paper.  That was so relaxing!!!  You have to try it if you haven't.  To give it a little dimension I heat embossed the leaf image.  That also helped keep the ink in place -though there are a few places where it escaped.  And that's okay.  I was going for a rustic look anyway!  Happy stamping!!!

DOStampersStars Thursday Challenge ShowCASE DCS#296

Good evening, stampers!  If you follow my blog, you've noticed that I've been MIA.  I had a sweet little one join our family  just over a year ago and she has been keeping me busy.  I've been struggling because I want to make the time to stamp, but I also feel like I don't have time to regularly make the extremely detailed cards that are my favorite to work on.  And so, instead of doing something, I've done nothing.  And all it's done is make me miss this habit...I mean...hobby even more.  And then I got to thinking...I'm just like everyone else.  While we may have different demands on our schedule, we all have demands on our schedules.  It might be caring for kids, or elderly parents, it might be serving your church or community, it might be a job or jobs, other hobbies, caring for your home or cars, etc.

So then I thought "hey, maybe my stampy friends would enjoy some inspiration that is easy to replicate so that they, too, can squeeze in a bit of crafty time.  So, I gave myself an hour today, sat down and made this card.  It took less than an hour (and that includes pulling out all the supplies, dragging them upstairs to work and then going back down several times for things I needed).  You could save yourself even more time and make several while you have everything out.  I used our Thursday challenge image (below) as inspiration.   I kept the landscape orientation, and I also kept the central focal point as well as the horizontal details underneath the focal point.  I kept floral theme and also used a large sentiment.  The steps are simple and found further down in this post.I hope this post finds you well and hope that you are able to make a little time for yourself in the midst of all the busy-ness we seem to have in our modern lives.  

(1) Cut out your base layer (I used Melon Mambo) and score/fold it to create the card.

(2) Pick a pretty piece of Designer Series Paper (I used Garden Impressions) and cut it down to 4"x5.25".

(3) Cut a strip of coordinating Designer Series Paper (DSP) down to 5.25" by 1" (again, I used Garden Impressions).  Tip: this is great way to use scraps.  Adhere it across the middle of the 4"x5.25" piece.  I like to use Snail adhesive for this.

(4) Choose some ribbon (I chose the 3/8" Mini Ruffled Ribbon in Powder Pink) and adhere it down the middle of the DSP strip. I like to do this step now so that the ends of the ribbon can be tucked under this panel before it is stuck to the card base. 

(5) Cut a 3.5"x2.25" rectangle of colored cardstock that coordinates with your DSP (I chose Shaded Spruce).

(6) Cut a 3.25"x2" rectangle of Whisper White Cardstock (can use some other light neutral, like Very Vanilla, if it coordinates better with the paper you chose).

(7) Stamp the white rectangle with images and colors that work with your DPS (I chose the Abstract Impressions stamp set, which was designed to go with the Garden Impressions paper).

(8) Stamp or adhere a die cut sentiment to the center of the white rectangle.  (I cut Thank You from a scrap of Melon Mambo).

(9) Adhere the white layer to the colored layer, then layer that over the center of the DSP assembly.  Then adhere all of that to the card base. 

(10) Decorate with small accents.  I chose our adhesive pearls.

Paper Pumpkin "May Good Things Grow"

Hello!  These past few weeks, I had a chance to sit down and play with the "May Good Things Grow" Paper Pumpkin kit.  And it was sure fun!  I made the middle card per the kit's directions, but made the first and last cards using my own design from the supplies in the kit.  Even though you can't buy this kit anymore, I'm hoping that this will inspire those of you who have the kit to use it.  It is gorgeous.  And if you haven't tried Paper Pumpkin, but like this project, you may like future months.  I invite you to give it a try - just reach out to me!

Here is the YouTube video showing how the make the kit the intended way, in case want to compare.  Happy stamping!

Goodbye, Butterflies, Blooms & Bliss!!!

I was sooooo sad to see this line of products retire.  It's a stamp set called Papillion Potpourri and it has several different images of butterflies and two coordinating punches: the Elegant Butterfly and the Bitty Butterfly.  It really does make a versatile suite.  I have used it on all kinds of cards and scrapbook pages, too, because they can be somber or sweet, playful or pretty, depending on the type of project you are making.  The stamp set will be made until the last part of May but the punches are only while supplies last - so if these projects excite you, you'll want to grab these items before they are gone!  Also retiring is the patterned paper used on all three cards.  It is called Blooms & Bliss and contains the most wonderful color combination: Blushing Bride, Island Indigo, Mint Macaron (also retiring), Rich Razzleberry, Sahara Sand, Sweet Sugarplum and Whisper White.

To see other projects I have made using Papillion Potpourri and/or these punches, CLICK HERE!

Goodbye, By the Shore!

It usually happens that as the catalog year draws to a close, I discover a few products that I really love that I didn't give any attention to during the life of the catalog.  That is the case with Stampin' Up!'s By the Shore Designer Series Paper.

The color combination (Calypso Coral, Dapper Denim, Mint Macaron, Very Vanilla, and Soft Sky) paired with the nautical/sea themed patterns just naturally lent themselves to some really beautiful but easy-to-make cards.  I will be sad to see this paper pack go.  Because it is retiring, it will only be available while supplies last - so if you like what you "sea" (sorry, I couldn't resist), make sure you pick up a pack (or two) for yourself soon!

Also retiring are the "Me = Grateful" stamp set (the sentiment on the middle card above), Petite Petals (the light blue flowers on the tag of the middle card), and Picture Perfect (the starfish) on the top card.  Don't miss out!  These stamp sets will be unavailable beginning in the end of May.  The sentiment on the bottom most card is from Neat & Tangled.

Oh, Whale! Baby Shower Thank You's

In March, my aunt and cousin threw a baby shower for our first baby.   We are doing the nursery in a sea life theme, so they decided to carry that theme into the shower by sending out the cutest little whale invitations and using whale plates and napkins.  It was such a wonderful shower with the ladies in my family, the ladies in my husband's family, a close friend and her daughter (both of whom are pretty much family).

The whale theme was a surprise to me, and I was so happy when I was able to make some thank you notes after the shower using the whale set (Oh, Whale!) I had hoarded purchased several years ago. It is retired, and it did have a die that went with it.  Until this shower, it hadn't gotten much love from me but I'm so glad I held on to it.  This is why I encourage people to buy what they like and keep it - if you like something, you'll eventually find a use for it, as I did here.

The wavy embossing, stitched square and clouds were all made using current Stampin' Up products (click on the words to see them in my store).  The colors are Blushing Bride, Marina Mist, Pool Party and Whisper White.  I've also started lining all of my envelopes.  This envelope liner is paper from the Playful Palette stack, which is on sale for six bucks and retiring...which means it's only available until the current stock runs out!

DOstamper STARS Sketch Challenge DSC#195

Lately, I’ve been trying to finish up some of the projects I’ve left lying around half-finished for a while.  One of those projects was finishing up an old Paper Pumpkin kit (Blissful Bouquet) that I had started and never finished.  Once I got those done, I decided to try to use the stamp set from that kit to create a card using this week’s sketch challenge.  

Even though my part of the world has seemingly moved into “autumn mode” I decided to resist the lure of deep, rich fall colors and, instead, chose the cheery colors of Delightful Daffodil and Pool Party.  I think the yellow/white/blue combination is classically cheerful & always had such a clean feeling.  I love it.  This card was unusual for me in that I didn’t add a single embellishment….but I quite like the simplicity of it for a change. The long skinny sentiments from the Floral Phases stamp set were perfect for this sketch.

After finishing the card for the challenge, I decided to make a similar card with some variances, which you can see below.  Which do you like better? 

Be sure to check out how my friends used this sketch to create their cards this week by clicking on the links below:

• Sharon Bennett
• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Olchefske
• Joan Weidling 
• Angela O'Neill 
• Michelle Harrington
• Miriam Bollinger
• Dawn Thomas  
• Judy Strickling
• Robyn Rasset

Making Flowers from Foxes - DOstamper STARS Challenge - DSC #194 starring the Fox Builder Punch

This week's challenge was to use a NEW stamp - so something that was new to this year's annual catalog or something from the yet-to-be-released-to-the-public Holiday Catalog.  So far, I only have one new punch, the Fox Builder punch,...so guess who got out to play?  Yup, this little critter.  I am going to have soooo much fun with this little guy!  

So, about this project...one of the reasons I love to buy (and keep) the punches is because you never know what sort of punch art you can create with them.  There are tons of ideas on Pinterest and online galleries, so I have never regretted buying and saving these tools.  Today I wanted to look at the punch a little differently...I have seens TONS of cute cards already using the fox as a fox, cat, skunk, squirrel and other critters.  But I wanted to challenge myself to think outside the box.  Low and behold, I noticed that part of the punch layered to create a pretty little flower. 

What are some of your favorite "outside-the-box" uses for Stampin' Up! punches?

Here's what the Fox Builder punch looks like!

And here's how I punched out the flower parts - it took 4 pieces to make this flower.

To make this, you’ll need:

• The Fox Bundle (I used the punch to make the flower & the leaf stamp from this set to decorate the edge of the circle).
• Cardstock for the base and layers (I used Peekaboo Peach, Very Vanilla and Blushing Bride)
• Sweet Sugarplum ink (for stamping the leaves onto the small vanilla circle)
• Scraps from the Playful Palette Designer Series Paper (but the washi would work just as well for this project)
• 2" Circle Punch
• 1-3/8" Circle Punch
• an embellishment for the flower center (the pearl I used is retired, but I think these buttons or these rimmed pearls would be lovely!)
• Piercing tools (retired) - if you don't have these, you can always add interest by adding more layers, stamping or inking the edges, adding fun die-cut or punched shapes, or other elements, like doilies.  The point is just to add some interesting details.

To see how my friends used their new punches, check our their blogs by clicking on the links below...

• Judy Strickling
• Robyn Rasset 
• Sharon Bennett
• Angela O'Neill
• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Olchefske
• Dawn Thomas
• Jan Carlson
• Joan Weidling 

Paper Pumpkin BOGO

For the first-time ever, FIRST-time Paper Pumpkin subscribers can buy their first month and get their second month FREE! 

Offer Dates: August 11–October 10, 2016
Offer Details:  When you use promo code “BOGO” at Michelle's PaperPumpkin, you'll pay the regular price of $19.95 for your first month and get your second month for FREE!

The Fine Print:

• Offer will be void if subscription is suspended or cancelled during the first two months. 
• After the first two months, the subscription will continue for $19.95+ tax per month (shipping included) unless cancelled or suspended.
• This offer is open to first-time subscribers only.
• Not valid on prepaid subscriptions.
• Ends October 10, 2016 (the last day to subscribe and get the October kit).

Timing:

• If you subscribe with the promo code between now and September 10, you will pay full price for the September kit and get the October kit free.
• If you subscribe between September 11 and October 10, your first kit will be the October kit and you will get the November kit free.

Happy stamping! 

Happy Birthday, Brianna!

Recognize the colors and technique?  That's right - it's the same color combination and layout as my challenge card from last Thursday!  This was the card I made for my friend, Brianna, who just turned 40.  We celebrated her birthday with pedicures & shopping followed by a surprise party her husband had lovingly planned.  It was perfect! 

Supplies: Whisper White cardstock, Island Indigo ink & cardstock, Mint Macaron ink & cardstock, Sweet Sugarplum ink & cardstock, Endless birthday wishes, adhesive, a few adhesive rhinestones and a dash of Sweet Sugar Plum ribbon.

8/4/16 DOstamper STARS Thursday Challenge

I knew as soon as I saw these colors that I would do something with snowflakes - the colors just seem so crisp and clean with white & they scream serenity, don't they?  And I find snow to be serene.  Since I knew right away what the theme would be, I figured it didn't count as much of a challenge, right? So, I went ahead and tried a technique I had never tried before.  My upline calls it "Triple Time" stamping.  I've always thought it was pretty but just have never taken the time to figure it out.  I'm really glad I did because I think it was a neat effect here. Want to see more cards with the same color scheme?  Check out my friends' blogs here:

• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Olchefske 
• Judy Strickling
• Miriam Bollinger  
• Sharon Bennett
• Cathy Peck
• Dawn Thomas

And if you decide to try this scheme yourself, post a link to your work in the comments - I'd love to come check it out!

Mint Macaron & Botanicals Card

I'm one of those people who sometimes avoids things with which I'm uncomfortable.  Can you relate? Case in point - I have been reluctant to use the color Mint Macaron since it came out over a year ago. Don't get me wrong...it's a beautiful shade of green...but I wasn't quite sure with what colors I should pair it.  So I laid the Mint Macaron ink pad out on my work table with other colors in a circle around it and rearranged them every time I walked by for a few days to come up with a few color combinations that I liked.  This is the first one: Mint Macaron, Rich Razzleberry, Sweet Sugarplum, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla and Perfect Plum.  Now, I'd admit it's a pretty safe color combo - it's hard to go wrong with pinks and purples, but it got me to play and now I'm really enjoying it.  You'll have to check back in the future to see if you can spy me using Mint Macaron with other colors...I have a few ideas up my sleeves.

Supplies: Rich Razzleberry ink &cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Mint Macaroon cardstock, ink & ribbon, Playful Pallette Designer Series Paper, Botanical Blooms framelits and stamps, Perfect Plum ink, adhesive pearls, Blushing Bride cardstock & ink, Sweet Sugarplum ink, Teeny Tiny Wishes stamps, bitty banners dies (retired).

Softly Falling Embossing Folder

I was cleaning out my studio space tonight and came across these cards I received in a swap last winter.  All three of them use the Softly Falling Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Even though the cards are 8 months old, that folder is still current in our store, which means you can BUY IT! :)  I think it is beautiful for snow, of course, but would also be great for confetti (birthdays, New Year's, weddings), maybe fall leaves and just as an abstract pattern.  What else do you think you could use it for?

DOstamper STARS Challenge DSC #191

Phew, wee!  This was a challenge for me!  I really wanted to honor the original sketch with an oval-type shape in the upper corner, but try as I might, I couldn't get it right.  So, instead, I swapped the oval for a heart.  Also, the Peekaboo Peach & some of the patterns of paper in the Playful Pallette suite have been out of my comfort zone.  But you know, I'm glad I played until I got a little more comfortable, because I think this one turned out pretty good.  It still honors the sketch to a degree: a shape in the upper left, flowers & a horizontal element more towards the middle.  So, get out something that has you stumped and play - that's my challenge to you this week!  

Supplies: Sweet Sugarplum, Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride and Peekaboo Peach cardstock; Sweet Sugarplum ink; Playful Pallette Designer Series Paper, hearts thinlits, adhesive pearls, dimensionals & snail adhesives; Number of Years stamps, Large Numbers Framelits, Botanical Builder Framelits.

Now - go check out how my friends interpreted the same sketch:

• Michelle Harrington (that's me - you're here)
• Joan Weidling
• Judy Strickling
• Miriam Bollinger
• Angela O'Neill 
• Cathy Peck
• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Olchefske
• Dawn Thomas
• Sharon Bennett

DOstamper STARS Thursday Challenge #190

Hello, friends!  It's been a while since I posted - I was sick, and then recovering, and then busy helping friends with a few things, and then the usual summer busy-ness...but now I'm back in action.  Today's challenge is to use any of the Hostess Sets found in the new catalog.  Have you seen them?  If not, ask me to send you a catalog...it's free and comes with no strings attached.

The only way you can acquire hostess sets it to buy them with Hostess Rewards.  You earn Hostess Rewards by either placing an order for yourself over $150 OR having a workshop in your home or throwing a catalog party where sales total $150 or more.  The more you and/or your friends spend, the more you earn!  

I chose to use the "Pun Intended" set because I just fell in love with that little bee.  Can't you see why?  The rest of the card is simple...lots of layers, just how I like it.  Scroll down to see more angles of the same card, the challenge graphic and to follow the blog hop where you can see what my colleagues put together using their Hostess Sets.  HINT: we didn't all use the same set, so you'll want to go get inspired.  And once you do, give me a shout out and I'll help you throw a party for your friends so that you can earn these items for FREE!

• Dawn Thomas
• Joan Weidling
• Judy Strickling
• Michelle Harrington- you are here!
• Miriam Bollinger  
• Sharon Bennett
• Angela O'Neill 
• Cathy Peck
• Dawn Olchefske 
• Robyn Rasset

DOstamper STARS Challenge: Product Spotlight DSC #186

This weeks challenge was to use the 2016-2018 In Colors.  Rather than trying to use them all at once, I zoned in on the Sweet Sugarplum, which is prominently featured in the new Playful Palette Designer Series paper.  I'm pleased with the results.  You'll have to keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks to see other In Colors in my work.

Be sure to check out more "Product Spotlight" inspiration from the DOstamperSTARS Team (click on their names below):   

• Michelle Harrington- you are here 
• Angela O'Neill 
• Sharon Bennett
• Jan Carlson
• Miriam Bollinger
• Cathy Peck
• Judy Strickling
• Robyn Rasset 
• Joan Weidling 
• Dawn Olchefske 
• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Thomas

DOstamper STARS Challenge: Home Sweet Home DSC #185

Welcome to this week's challenge!  The third week of our challenge rotation is always called "Home Sweet Home" because we are asked to use a specific piece of home decor as our inspiration point.  We can use any or all aspects of the image provided...color scheme, theme, shapes, textures, images, whatever speaks to us.  This week's home decor item is in the image below and I zoned in on some of the colors and the butterflies & botanicals. 

One style of art work I have always admired but have never felt successful at doing is the layered, vintage look.  But, challenges are all about breaking out of your comfort zone, right? So I decided to give it a shot, and I'm pretty please. The images from the Butterfly Basics set made this card so, so easy!  If you are reluctant like me, give it a try - it's so much more fun and easy than you would ever think possible.

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/CategoryPage.aspx?categoryid=12400&dbwsdemoid=2055485

I started with a rectangular Very Vanilla cardstock panel.  I used Early Espresso ink on a sponge to age the edges.  Next, I used Crumb Cake ink and a retired French script background stamp to create the background.  After that, I used more Crumb Cake ink and another sponge to apply some more aging to the whole panel in small circular motions.  After that I just started layering on the various images from the Butterfly Basics stamp set working from lightest to darkest.  The colors of ink I used were Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Crushed Curry, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Early Espresso.  Next came the sentiment stamped in Early Espresso (you can use any sentiment, mine is from the bonus set I received a few months ago as a My Paper Pumpkin subscriber).  Once I was done stamping the panel, I matted it on Early Espresso cardstock, and an Old Olive card that I had aged with my sponge and Early Espresso ink.  Finally, I stamped the butterfly image on Very Vanilla using Crushed Curry, cut the image out by hand, adhered it with some Dimensionals and topped it off with some pearls, which I thought fit the vintage theme a bit better than diamond rhinestones, which I had considered.

As you may know, these Thursday challenges are sponsored by my upline, and anyone in her group of demonstrators is invited participate.  This week, we are lucky to have so many talented ladies share their interpretation of this image....go check them out by clicking on their names below:

• Connie Plaumann
• Sharon Bennett
• Jan Carlson
• Cathy Peck
• Joan Weidling
• Dawn Olchefske 
• Judy Strickling 
• Debbie Sollinger   
• Michelle Harrington- you are here
• Angela O'Neill